Effect of sorghum stover-oat silage on intake and utilization of nutrients in growing heifers

Abstract

Growing Tharparkar heifers (14) were randomly divided into 2 groups of 7 animals in each. The heifers of control group (T1) were fed on dry sorghum stover based ration along with concentrate mixture, while the heifers of group T2 were offered ensiled forage prepared by ensiling mixture of dry sorghum stover, oat with 2% molasses along with concentrate mixture for 90 days. The results indicated that the stover-oat silage fed heifers (T2) had a significantly higher DM intake as compared to the stover fed group (T1) without affecting the intake of concentrate mixture. The apparent digestibility coefficient of nutrients was similar between groups; however, the digestibility coefficient of ADF and CF was significantly lower for stover-based diet (T1). The average daily weight gain was significantly higher in heifers consumed stover- oat silage diet than those of stover based diet. Thus it was concluded that the stover-oat silage could be used as summer forage as it has a significant effect on DM intake as well as average daily gain in heifers.