Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The value of protein-rich supplements on the performance of Red Chittagong heifers (Bos indicus) fed urea molasses straw-based diet

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of the study was to observe the effect of protein density of concentrate mixture on the growth performance of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) heifers (Bos indicus), an endangered variety in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted for a period of 90 days with 12 RCC heifers, and the animals were divided into four groups on the basis of their initial live weight. The animals were assigned at random to four dietary treatments having three replications in each in a randomized complete block design. Three iso-energetic [10.5 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg dry matter (DM)] concentrate mixtures were formulated to provide protein concentrations (%) of 15, 20, and 25 for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Crude protein (CP) content of control diet was 7.08%. Animals of all groups were fed urea molasses straw (UMS) ad libitum and green grass at a rate of 20% of total DM intake. Digestibility of DM was highest in the treatment group fed 25% CP supplement (T3) and lowest in the unsupplemented group (T0). Average daily gain increased with increasing CP concentration in supplements, but mean difference was not significant between the 20% and 25% CP groups. Feed cost per kilogram live weight gain was lowest (P > 0.05) in 20% CP supplement and highest in the unsupplemented group. The results revealed that the CP concentration of 20% in concentrate mixture containing 10.5 MJ ME is cost effective with the UMS-based diet of RCC heifers for better nutrient digestibility and growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ADG:

Average daily gain

BW:

Body weight

CF:

Crude fiber

CP:

Crude protein

DM:

Dry matter

EE:

Ether extract

FCE:

Feed conversion efficiency

LW:

Live weight

LWG:

Live weight gain

MAFF:

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

ME:

Metabolizable energy

MJ:

Megajoule

NFE:

Nitrogen-free extract

OM:

Organic matter

RCC:

Red Chittagong Cattle

UMS:

Urea molasses straw

References

  • Akhter, S., Huque, K.S., Jalil, M.A. and Islam, M.R., 2004. Conservation, selection and improvement of Red Chittagong cattle through selective breeding, feeding and management, In: Proceedings of Annual Research Review Workshop, 10–11 June, 2004 (Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka)

  • AOAC. 1990. Official Methods of Analysis, 15th Ed., (Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, VA)

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin, J.R., 2001. Effect of feeding different protein and energy supplements on performance and health of beef calves during the backgrounding period. MS thesis, Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

  • Bailey, C.R., Duff, G.C., Sanders, S.R., Treichel, J.L., Baumgard, L.H., Marchello, J.A., Schafer, D.W. and McMurphy, C.P., 2008. Effects of increasing crude protein concentrations on performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing steers and heifers, Animal Feed Science and Technology, 142, 111–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beaty, J.L., Cochran, R.C., Lintzenich, B.A., Vanzant, E.S., Morrill, J.L., Brandt, R.T. Jr. and Johnson, D.E., 1994. Effect of frequency of supplementation and protein concentration in supplements on performance and digestion characteristics of beef cattle consuming low-quality forages, Journal of Animal Science, 72, 2475–2486

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bodine, T.N., Purvis II, H.T. and Lalman, D.L., 2001. Effects of supplement type on animal performance, forage intake, digestion, and ruminal measurements of growing beef cattle, Journal of Animal Science, 79, 1041–1051

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fluharty, F.L. and Loerch, S.C., 1995. Effects of protein concentration and protein source on performance of newly arrived feedlot steers, Journal of Animal Science, 73, 1585–1594

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Galyean, M.L., 1996. Protein levels in beef cattle finishing diets: Industry application, university research, and systems results. Journal of Animal Science, 74, 2860–2870

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbery, T.C., Lardy, G.P., Soto-Navarro, S.A., Bauer, M.L. and Caton, J.S., 2006. Effects of corn condensed distillers solubles supplementation on ruminal fermentation, digestion, and in situ disappearance in steers consuming low-quality hay, Journal of Animal Science, 84, 1468–1480

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gleghorn, J.F., Elam, N.A., Galyean, M.L., Duff, G.C., Cole, N.A. and Rivera, J.D., 2004. Effects of crude protein concentration and degradability on performance, carcass characteristics, and serum urea nitrogen concentrations in finishing beef steers. Journal of Animal Science, 82, 2705–2717

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hossain, M.M., Bhiuyan, A.K.F.H., Faruque, M.O. and Dev, G.K., 2006. Characterization and distribution pattern of Red Chittagong cattle of Bangladesh. Progressive Agriculture, 17, 103–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Huque, K.S. and Chowdhury, S.A., 1997. Study on the supplementing effects or feeding systems of molasses and urea on methane and microbial nitrogen production in the rumen and growth performances of bulls fed a straw diet, Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 10, 35–46

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Islam, M.R., Miah, G., Huque, K.S., Jalil, M.A., Rahman, M.M. and Akhter, S., 2004. Comparative performances of cattle and buffalo calves. Paper presented in Annual Research Review Workshop. Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Klemesrud, M.J., Klopfenstein, T.J., Stock, R.A., Lewis, A.J. and Herold, D.W., 2000. Effect of dietary concentration of metabolizable lysine on finishing cattle performance. Journal of Animal Science, 78, 1060–1066

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). 1984. Energy Allowances and Feeding Systems for Ruminants, 2nd Ed., Reference Book 433, HMSO, London

  • Mostari, M.P., Huque, K.S., Hasnath, M.S. and Gulshan, Z., 2007. Productive and reproductive efficiency of Red Chittagong cattle under farm condition. Progressive Agriculture, 18, 109–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Mostari, M.P., Huque, K.S., Dev, G.K., Mufti, M.M.R., Sarker, M.S., Alam, M.K. and Bostami, A.B.M.R., 2008. Conservation and improvement of Red Chittagong cattle, In: Proceedings of Annual Research Review Workshop, 17–18 June, 2008 (Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka), 4–5

  • Richards, C.J., Pugh, R.B. and Waller, J.C., 2006. Influence of soybean hull supplementation on rumen fermentation and digestibility in steers consuming freshly clipped, endophyte-infected tall fescue, Journal of Animal Science, 84, 678–685

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shahjalal, M., 2005. Final Report on National Livestock Policy and Action Plan: Feeds and Feeding Chapter, (FAO, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steel, R.G.R. and Torrie, J.H., 1980. Principles and Procedures of Statistics, 2nd Ed, (Mc Graw-Hill Int. Book Co. New Delhi)

    Google Scholar 

  • Valkeners, D., Thewis, A., Van Laere, M. and Beckers, Y., 2008. Effect of rumen-degradable protein balance deficit on voluntary intake, microbial protein synthesis, and nitrogen metabolism in growing double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls fed corn silage-based diet, Journal of Animal Science, 86, 680–690

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to late Professor Dr. M. Shahjalal, Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University for his valuable contribution in conducting the research. The senior author acknowledges the financial assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture under which this work was conducted.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

    M. J. Khan & S. Barua

  2. Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

    A. K. F. H. Bhuiyan

  3. Department of Dairy Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

    M. N. Islam

  4. Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh

    S. S. Islam

Authors
  1. S. S. Islam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. J. Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. K. F. H. Bhuiyan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. N. Islam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. Barua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. S. Islam.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Islam, S.S., Khan, M.J., Bhuiyan, A.K.F.H. et al. The value of protein-rich supplements on the performance of Red Chittagong heifers (Bos indicus) fed urea molasses straw-based diet. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 1505–1511 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9600-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9600-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation