Productive performance and semen physical characteristics of Friesian calves fed different proportions of sugar beet tops and corn stover silages
Abstract: Twenty four pure 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 each). Calves in the first group were fed the control ration (RI) consisted of 65% concentrate feed mixture + 15% rice straw + 20% berseem hay (on DM basis), while calves in the other groups were fed rations consisted on DM basis from 50% concentrate feed mixture + 15% rice straw + 35% sugar beet tops and corn stover silages in different ratios, 2: I (R2). 1: 1 (R3) and 1:2 (R4), respectively. Productive and semen characteristics were recorded.
Results showed that the contents of CP and ash increased and OM and CF contents decreased with increasing the proportion of sugar beet tops silage and decreasing the proportion of corn stover silage in the rations. R4 showed the highest DM. OM. CF. EE and NFE digestibilities and TDN value and RI had the highest CP digestibility and DCP value.
Calves fed R1 recorded the highest DM, TDN and DCP intakes. those fed R2 showed the lowest DM and TDN intakes and those fed R4 the lowest DCP intake. Calves fed R1 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest pH value and NH3-N concentration and the lowest TVFA's concentration, but those fed R4 had opposite trend.
Calves fed R3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest final body weight. total and daily weight gain, daily weight gain improvement and the better DM, TDN and DCP conversion, while those fed R1 had the worst values. Calves fed R1 showed significantly (P<0.05) the highest average daily feed cost and calves fed R3 showed significantly (P<0.05) the lowest feed cost per kg gain and the highest price daily weight gain and economic efficiency. Calves fed R3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the best semen physical characteristics, but those fed R1 had the worse characteristics.
It could be concluded that sugar beet tops and corn stover silages as Sources of roughage is more efficient especially during summer season under Egyptian conditions to replace berseem hay and to save a part of concentrate feed mixture. Using sugar beet tops and corn stover silages (1: 1) in the rations of growing calves resulted in improvement body weight gain. feed conversion, economic efficiency and good semen quality.
Keywords: Friesian calves, sugar beet tops silage, corn stover silage, digestibility, body weight gain, semen characteristic.
Publication year 2009
Pages 193-204
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title Egyptian Journal Nutrition and Feeds
ISSN 1110-6360
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Calves. Digestibility. Weight gain.
Proposed Agrovoc semen characteristic;corn stover silage;sugar beet tops silage;Productive performance;
Publication Type Journal
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