Comparative Study on Biomass Yield,Morphology,Silage Quality of Hybrid Napier and Pakchong and Their Utilization in Bull Calves

This work was conducted to compare the potentiality between BLRI Napier-3(BN-3)and Pakchong(PK)fodders.In a completely randomized design(CRD)layout,10 plots(5 m′5 m each)were prepared and stem cuttings were transplanted.Fodder plants were harvested at 70,80 and 90 days after plantation(DAP)followed by making silage.Ten Red Chittagong Cattle(RCC)growing bull calves were selected and equally divided into two treatment groups fed only silages for nutrient utilization and growth evaluation.The highest biomass yield(69.3 ton/ha)and plant height(104.6 cm)were observed in PK at 90 DAP.The highest leaf weight(498.6 g/plant)and leaf to stem ratio(LSR)(1.53)were observed in BN-3 at 70 DAP,which was decreased gradually in progressing maturity.Conversely,stem weight was increased with progressing maturity.Dry matter(DM)(24.71%),total ash(8.35%)and acid detergent fiber(ADF)(61.89%)in PK silage were significantly higher.On the other hand,crude protein(CP)(9.86%),organic matter(OM)(91.65%)and neutral detergent fiber(NDF)(88.06%)in PK silage did not differ with BN-3 silage.Dry matter intake(DMI)and crude protein intake(CPI)from PK silage(2.25 kg/day/animal and 0.22 kg/day/animal)were significantly higher.Digestibility of DM(55.07%),CP(62.35%),OM(57.85%),total ash(30.89%),ADF(73.02%)and NDF(78.19%)for PK silage were significantly higher.N-intake(35.57 g/d)from PK silage was significantly higher,although,N-retention did not differ significantly.There were no significant differences in weight gain of calves fed PK(117 g/d)and BN-3(68 g/d).It can be concluded that PK silage is comparatively better than BN-3 in respect to biomass yield,digestibility and nutrient utilization in growing bull calves.

Feeding of processed vegetable wastes to bulls and its potential environmental benefit

The study was conducted with the objectives to quantify year round availability of different vegetables waste(VW) in a wholesale market and to determine the inclusion level of a processed VW(VWP) in the diets of bulls. The daily VW biomass availability at Kawran bazaar, Dhaka, Bangladesh was quantified by weighing the vegetable supply and their wastes by visiting 2 days in a week. Concurrently, VW of cucumber, bitter gourd, spotted gourd, brinjal, pumpkin, potato, tomato, ladies finger, and snake gourd representing 0.21, 0.18, 0.17, 0.16, 0.09, 0.07, 0.06, 0.03, and 0.02 as fresh fractions, respectively were blended, dried and stored while adding rice polish and common salt at 200 and 20 g/kg DM, respectively;it was tested in bulls as an ingredient of concentrate mixture. Four dietary groups, each of 6 bulls, with initial average live weight(LW) of 85.47 ± 17 kg, were fed fresh German grass(Echinochloa polystachya)ad libitum supplemented with 4 different concentrates containing 0, 10%, 20% and 30% VWP at the rate of1% of LW for 89 days. The availability of VW biomass of the market was 42.51 t/d and recycling of them as feed, instead of using landfills, might reduce annual methane emission by 0.43 Gg. The inclusion of VWP in the diet up to 9.7% of DM, or 0.30% of LW of bulls showed no significant effect on the DM intake,digestibility, growth performance and health status of bulls. The dietary DM intake represented 3.10%,3.09%, 3.20% and 3.14% of LW resulting in daily gain of 302, 300, 312 and 344 g, respectively. The digestibility of DM of diets was 56.9%, 62.8%, 62.8% and 63.4%, respectively. It was concluded that VWP may be included at a level of 9.7% of the diet(DM basis) or 0.30% of LW of bulls.