Effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on nutrient composition of diets and performance of Friesian x Bunaji heifers

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing varying levels of groundnut haulms (GH) on intake and growth performance of Friesian x Bunaji cattle. Four concentrate mixed diets formulated to contain on average 14.45- 14.65% crude protein. Groundnut haulms in the concentrate diets were on nitrogen basis at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels with control diet having 0% inclusion of GH. Twenty Friesian x Bunaji prepubertal heifers aged 14-16 months and weighing 160-180kg were randomly divided into four groups of five animals each and were allotted to the four experimental diets in a completely randomized design. Data were collected in order to determined Dry matter intake (DMI), Average daily intake (ADI), Average Daily Gain (ADG) Feed to gain ratio (FCE) and cost benefit analysis. Result showed that varying the levels of GH in concentrate diet significantly (P<0.05) increased DMI at 25%; this value was similar (P>0.005) to those at 0 and 50%. At 75% DMI of concentrate significantly declined. The ADG of heifers fed concentrate mixture containing 0% GH were significantly (P< 0.05) higher; although, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between those fed 0 and 25%. Increasing GH level in concentrate diet to 75% depressed gain and ADG of heifers. Heifers fed 0 and 25% GH levels had similar feed to gain ratio but were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those fed 50 and 75% levels. Net benefit declined across treatments with increased levels of GH in concentrate diet up to 50%, although they remained positive indicating it was beneficial replacing concentrate diet with GH. The net benefit of feeding GH at 0% GH (control) over 25% is ? 37384.9; 0% over 50% is ? 91084 and over 75% is ? 83246.60. It is concluded that GH supplementation on Gamba hay appears to improve the feed intake, growth and efficiency of concentrate utilization by heifers at 25% level and cost of concentrates in heifers generally.