Productive and reproductive performance of Friesian calves fed different proportions of sugar beet tops and corn stover silages
Abstract: Twenty four Friesian calves with an initial live body weight of 213.39 ± 0.44 kg and aged 9 ± 0.15 months were randomly divided into four similar groups (6 animals each). Calves in the first group were fed the control ration (Rl) consisted of 65% Concentrate feed mixture + 20% berseem hay + 15% rice straw (on DM basis). While calves in the other groups R2, R3 and R4 were fed rations consisted of 50% concentrate feed mixture + 15% rice straw + 35% silage mixture of sugar beet tops and com stover in different ratio (R2) 2:1, (R3) 1: 1 and (R4) 1:2 , respectively ( on DM basis).
The obtained results showed that sugar beet tops silage was higher in CP and ash contents, but DM, OM and CF contents were lower compared with com Stover silage. Moreover, increasing the proportion of sugar beet tops silage increase the CP and ash contents, and decrease the contents of DM, OM and CF. The digestibility coefficients (%) of DM, OM, CF, EE and NFE and subsequently TDN value and TDN: DCP ratio increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing the proportion of com stover silage. However, CP digestibility and DCP value increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing the proportion of sugar beet tops silage. The feed intake (kg/h/d) of DM and TDN increased significantly (P<0.05) as the proportion of com stover silage increased in the ration. However, the DCP (kg/h/d)) intake increased significantly (P<0.05) as the proportion of sugar beet tops silage increased in the ration. The value of pH and NH3-N concentration significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing the proportion of sugar beet tops silage. whereas, the TVFA's, concentration significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing the proportion of com stover silage. Calves fed R3 had a significantly (P<0.05) higher final body weight, total daily weight gain and daily weight gain compared with Rl and R2, respectively, while insignificantly higher with R4 . However, those fed control ration showed significantly (P<0.05) the lowest values. Also, calves fed R3 had significantly (P<0.05) the better feed convertion kg/kg gain as DM, TDN and DCP while, those fed Rl had the lowest feed conversion. Average daily feed cost of calves fed Rl was higher significantly (P<0.05) than those fed the other rations. Calves fed R3 showed significantly (P<0.05) the lowest feed cost per kg gain and the highest price of daily weight gain and better economic efficiency, but those fed Rl had the opposite values. Calves fed R3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest ejaculate volume, sperm motility, live sperm, sperm concentration and sperm output and lowest abnormal sperm. However, those fed Rl had the opposite trend.
Key words: Friesian calves, sugar beet tops silage, corn stover silage, digestibility, rumen activity, body weight gain, semen characteristics.
Publication year 2008
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City جامعة اليبو
serial title 1st International Conference of Agricultural Science
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Calves. Digestibility. Weight gain.
Proposed Agrovoc rumen activity;corn stover silage;sugar beet tops silage;
Publication Type Conference/Workshop
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