Growth performance of calves fed shoti, wheat and soybean based milk replacers

Abstract

A study was conducted with objectives to determine the comparative growth performance of calves fed shoti, wheat and soybean based milk replacers and their economics. To achieve the objectives, a total of 24 local calves of about 6-10 days of age were selected and divided in four groups; having six (6) calves in each. A limited suckling with feeding whole milk considered as control (T_o), suckling along with feeding of wheat, shoti and soybean based milk replacer considered as treatments and denoted as T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively. Results obtained in the present study revealed that, the total DM, OM and CP intake did not differ significantly (p>0.05) among the treatment groups. However, calves in T₂ group sucked significantly (p<0.01) higher milk or milk DM compared to milk sucked by calves in T₀, T₁ and T₃, respectively. No significant differences (p>0.05) was observed in average daily weight gain (ADG) of calves among the treatment groups. The feed conversion efficiency (FCR) was relatively better (p>0.05) in calves those fed shoti and soybean based MR compared to calves fed wheat and control diets. The overall levels of both glucose and BUN did not differ significantly (p>0.05) in calves under different treatment groups. The total cost of per kg wheat (T₁), shoti (T₂) and Soybean (T₃) based MR were Tk. 52.69, Tk. 94.45 and Tk. 51.11, respectively. The processing cost per kg MR was increased Tk. 41.00-43.00 in T₂ group than that of T₁ and T₃ groups. The feeding cost per calf per day was reduced Tk. 88.93.00 Tk. 57.87 and Tk. 82.55 in T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively than that of T0 group. Results considering for both FCR and per day feeding cost, it indicates that T₂ and T₃ diets i.e, shoti and soybean based MR maintained growth of calves compared to wheat based MR and milk fed calves.

Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 19(1-2): 33-43, Jan-Dec 2012