The effect of level of allowance on the intake and digestibility of finger millet ( Eleusine coracana) straw in crossbred heifers

Abstract

The selective consumption of coarse feeds can affect the quality as well as quantity of ingested feed according to the level of feed offered. The straw of finger millet ( Eleusine coracana) was offered at levels ranging from 60 to 160% of the energy requirements for 300 g of growth per day. Twelve crossbred heifers were divided into six homogeneous groups of two animals, each group to be offered feed at different levels. Dry matter intake increased significantly from 51 to 70 g kg −1 BW 0.75 up to a refusal level of approximately 50%. In the range of feed offered, the dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility of the ingested feed was not significantly affected, but there was an initial increase and subsequent decrease. To obtain a maximum dry matter intake for finger millet straw, the level of refusal should be above 30%. By allowing selective consumption, the intake of feed from finger millet straw can be close to maintenance requirements for energy. The practical application of these results requires further study.