Abstract: This work aimed to use guar korma meal in concentrate feed mixture(CFM) for growing buffalo calves rations .The trial was carried out at Animal House of Animal production Research Institute and Al Manar Company Station. Thirty male buffalo calves averaging 176.9 Kg LBW were chosen and divided into six similar groups. The groups of animals were randomly assigned to receive six experimental rations containing CFM which includedguar Korma at the rate of 0, 3.3, 6.7, 10.0, 13.3 and 16.7% inrations A, B, C, D, E and F, respectively. These percentages of guar korma cover 0, 10,20, 30, 40 and 50% of CFM protein content. All animals received CFM, berseem hay (BH) and wheat straw (WS) at the rate of 70:20:10, respectively.
The feeding trial lasted 210 days, during which live body weights were recorded beside feed intake. Economical efficiencies were calculated for each ration. In addition, six digestibility trials were conducted to determine digestibility and nutritive values of the experimental rations. Samples of blood were taken to measure some blood parameters.
The results obtained can be summarize as follows:
1- The chemical composition of different experimental rations were almost similar in DM, OM, CF, CP and NFE contents, with somewhat higher percentage of EE and Ash associated with increasing guar korma levels.
2- Increasing guar korma level in the experimental rations tended to significantly (P<0.05) increase DM, OM, CP, EE and CF digestibilities, while the difference in NFE digestibility was not statistically significant. In addition, there were significant (P<0.05) increase in TDN and dCP with increasing guar korma levels in the rations, especially in ration F, which had 70.82% TDN and 10.99% DCP.
3- Average total protein and albumin were significantly (P<0.05) higher for ration D, E, and F, while differences in globulin were not significant. Also, AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) and AL T(Alanin aminotransferase) concentrations significantly (P<0.05) increase for ration E and F, while differences in kidney functions parameters were not significant.
4- Average daily LBW gains significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing guar korma levels in the rations, being 1.296 ,1.325, 1.357, 1.392, 1.425 and 1.475 kg for animals given rations A, B, C, D, E and F, respectively. At the same time, the best improvement in feed utilization efficiency expressed as kg DM or TDN per kg gain was recorded for ration F which contain the highest level of guar korma, being 7.935 and 5.620, respectively.
5- Average feed cost/kg weight gain decreased with increasing guar korma levels in the rations, being 18.870, 18.227, 17.429, 16.650, 15.822 and 15.249 LE with rations A, B, C, D, E and F, respectively. Moreover, revenue, gross margin above feed cost, profit and economical efficiency showed the highest values for ration F, being 9.958 LE, 0.443 LE, 44.27% and 1.443, respectively. The highest improvement in economical efficiency was recorded also forration F (23.76%) which contained the highest level of guar korma.
From the previous results it could be concluded that, guar korma meal can be used as a source of protein in ration formulation of growing buffalo calves. Using guar korma meal to cover 50% protein of CFM of growing buffalo calves rations increased digestibility of most of nutrients, daily gain, and decreased feed cost/kg gain, in addition to revenue and economical efficiency. Blood parameters were not affected by guar korma and they within normal ranges without any side effects.
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