Linear body measurements, correlation matrix, hematological and serum biochemistry of cattle fed supplemental diet containing varying inclusion levels of fermented molasses treated sawdust

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the Linear Body Measurements, Correlation Matrix, Hematological and Serum Biochemistry of Brahman x Sokoto Gudali cross fed inclusion levels of fermented molasses treated sawdust diet. A total of 30 Brahman x Sokoto Gudali cattle aged 12-15 months and weighing averagely 80-110 kg were randomly assigned to five treatment groups designated as T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄, and T₅ each comprising of two replicates, with three animals per replicate. The fermented molasses treated sawdust was included in the cattle diets at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 50% inclusion levels.. Feeding was twice daily for all the treatment groups. Supplementary diets were offered in the morning and in the evening with clean water given ad-libitum throughout the duration of the study that lasted for 12 weeks. The animals were allowed to graze from a pasture comprising of Bracharia ruziziensis, Chloris gayana, Digitaria smutsi,Stylosanthes hamata and Lablab pruriens for eight (8) hours daily. The results showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Among the Linear body measurements, chest girth is observed to be the most correlated (0.98**) to Body weight. Only Lymphocyte values are observed to be below the normal range among the hematological parameters. However, all the parameters measured in the serum were within the normal range. It was concluded that molasses treated sawdust can be included in cattle diets up to 20 % level without significantly affecting performance.

Keywords: Brahman x Sokoto Gudali cattle: molasses treated sawdust, growth, haematology