Citation

Singh, P. and N. S. Kushwaha, Utilization of paddy straw with urea and molasses as a feed for dairy cattle. Indian veterinary Journal 51: 690-694, 1974.

Abstract

Investigation was undertaken to ascertain whether paddy straw with the aid of molasses, urea, mineral mixture and vitamin supplement could be utilized successfully in meeting the maintenance need to adult animals. Thus, the main daily intake of paddy straw, urea, molasses and Minmix supplemented with two drops of Vitablend per day per animal was worked out by feeding practically and was found to be 6.30 kg, 60gm, 1.0kg and 30gm respectively. The inclusion of urea and molasses improved the voluntary intake of paddy straw. The average voluntary intake of paddy straw was 2.10 kg per 100kg body weight. The addition of molasses and urea also influences favourably the digestibility coefficients of crude protein and crude fibre. The digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract were 48.24? 2.48; 55.28 ? 1.98; 52.00?2.02; 66.80?2.55 and 60.20? 3.02 respectively.

The supplementation of molasses did improve significantly the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in animals. The urine pH varied between 8.10 to 8.40. All the balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were positive. The animal body showed a nitrogen retention of 25.0 per cent. The balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus per 100 kg body weight were 4.96gm ? 0.23; 2.04 gm ? 0.43 and 1.54 fm ? 0.20 respectively.

All the animals showed increased body weight gain during the experimental period. The body weight gain varied from 3.50 kg to 5.50 kg per animal during 100 days.

From the above findings, it can be safely concluded that when paddy straw was supplemented with 1.0 per cent urea and 18.0-30.0 per cent molasses on dry matter basis along with mineral mixture and vitamin 'A' supplement requirement as recommended by Morrison for the maintenance of 350 kg body weight steers (bullocks):

Country, State, District, etc.

India

Language

English

Material

rice straw

Use category

animal feed