Effect of naturally fermented rice straw based diet on the performance of buffalo calves

The effects of fermented (FRS) and unfermented rice straw (RS) based complete diets on the nutrient utilization and growth performance of 8 male Murrah buffalo calves (114±9 kg BW) was assessed. The animals divided in to 2 equal groups were offered isonitrogenous and isocaloric diet containing either RS supplemented with high protein (CP 21%)concentrate mixture or FRS with low protein (CP 17%) concentrate mixture in 60:40 ratio for 270 days. The DM intake was comparable in both the groups. The digestibility of nutrients especially that of cellulose and hemicellulose improved significantly, but that of CP depressed significantly in calves fed FRS than RS based diet. The significantly low ammoniacal-N in the FRS based diet was partially responsible for considerably higher TCA-N in the rumen liquor.Bacterial and protozoal populations in the rumen of animals fed FRS was higher than those fed RS base diet. The entodinomorphs were more in number compared to holotrichs, in general as well as in FRS fed groups. The N-intake was comparable in both the groups, however, the faecal-N excretion was significantly higher in FRS than RS supplemented group. Reverse but statistically non significant trend was observed in urinary-N excretion, which resulted in higher efficiency of utilization of absorbed-N in FRS than RS fed group. The ME content of the diet containing FRS improved significantly. The favorable microbial population in the rumen, higher digestibility and efficient utilization of nutrients were responsible for considerably higher daily live weight gain in calves fed with FRS than that with RS based diet. It was concluded that naturally fermented of RS with urea could be efficiently utilized in improving performance of calves, besides sparing about 70% of oilseed cake.