Effect of supplementation of concentrate to sweet sorghum bagasse with leaf residue silage on nutrient utilization and nitrogen balance in native sheep

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of concentrate at different levels to sweet sorghum bagasse leaf residue (SSBLR) silage on nutrient utilization in growing lambs in a metabolism trial conducted after 120days of feeding. Sixteen growing Nellore ram lambs (18.3±0.8) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary groups (4 in each group) and were inducted into metabolic cages five days prior to collection for acclimatization followed by a seven day collection period. The four dietary groups were SSBLR silage fed ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate mixture (CP 17% and ME 2.53 Mcal/kg DM) at 0.0 (R-I), 0.75 (R-II), 1.0 (R-III) and 1.25 (R-IV) per cent of their live Weight. Significantly (P<0.01) higher total DMI (g/kg w0.75) was noticed in concentrate supplemented groups. The organic matter, crude protein and nitrogen free extract digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in lambs fed R-IV ration than those fed R-I ration. No significant difference in the digestibility of dry matter, ether extract and cell wall constituents was observed among the rations. The digestible crude protein (%) (P<0.01) and metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg) values increased (P>0.0) with increase in level of concentrate in the diet. Negative and lower (P<0.01) nitrogen balance (g/d) was noticed in R-I ration. The N balance linearly increased with increase in level of concentrate supplementation. The study indicated feeding of sole SSBLR silage couldn't meet the nutrient requirements and Supplementation of concentrate mixture (0.75-1.25%) to SSBLR silage improved the nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in growing lambs.

Effect of feeding sweet sorghum silage with or without supplementation on nutrient digestibilities and performance in Nellore brown ram lambs

“…Similar results were reported by Sartori et al (2004) with sunflower silage in sheep and Chauhan and Gupta (1992) in buffalo calves with oat silage. ADG in lambs supplemented with SSBR (Sweet sorghum bagasse residue) silage with Supplementation of 1% concentrate feed was 62.8 g reported by Vidya et al (2015), and in lambs supplemented with maize silage along with 1% of concentrate feed was 85.1g reported by Venkateswarlu et al (2013) whereas both observations are lower than the present study. Within the supplemental groups lambs supplemented with ground maize grain has shown significantly higher ADG than those supplemented with either DSL or concentrate mixture.…”

“…The CP and EE digestibility of SS silage was slightly higher than maize silage (Venkateswarlu et al, 2013) and SSBLR silage (Vidya et al, 2015). The rest of the digestibilties of SS silage alone are comparable with the values reported by Venkateswarlu et al (2013) in maize silage and Vidya et al (2015) in SSBLR silage.…”

“…Within the supplemental groups lambs supplemented with ground maize grain has shown significantly higher ADG than those supplemented with either DSL or concentrate mixture. This might be due to higher TDN intake, efficient capture of NH 3 -N of silage due to simultaneous availability of energy for microbial protein synthesis and higher digestibility of nutrients reported by Vidya et al (2015). The results revealed that during ensiling some of the soluble sugars are converted into lactic acid and supplementation of maize grain has compensated the energy requirements of the growing ram lambs.…”

“…The CP content of SS silage was 8.44 % which is comparable to SS silage (10%) reported by Vinutha et.al. (2016) in ICRISAT varieties and SSBLR silage (7.48 %) reported by Vidya et al (2015).…”

“…Sohail et al (2010) in sipli lambs reported higher feed efficiency when maize silage was supplemented with concentrate. Vidya et al (2015) reported that feed conversion ratio is higher (23.73-28.94%) in lambs supplemented with higher quantity concentrate feed than lambs maintained on silage alone.…”