Effect of Supplementation of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes on Intake, Nutrient Utilization Pattern and Economics of Feeding in Weaned crossbred Calves

Author: Anil, T.K. Dutta, A. Chatterjee, Amit Kumar Singh, Sushil K. Yadav and A. Mohammad

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) on nutrient utilization pattern and economics of feeding in weaned crossbred calves. Fifteen weaned female crossbred Jersey calves (weight 79.73±3.46 kg; age 234.5±11.33 days) were divided into three equal groups of 5 animals each; namely, Control (T0), Treatment-1 (T1) and Treatment-2 (T2). A digestion trial was conducted with 6 days collection period during the last phase of 90 days growth trial. Total Mixed Ration (TMR) was fed ad libitum to each animal under three treatment groups. Animals under T0 group were fed ad lib. TMR without EFE supplementation. Animals under T1 and T2 groups were supplemented with two doses of EFE (T1 with cellulase and Xylanase @ 8000 and 16000 IU/kg DM of TMR and T2 with EFE cellulase and Xylanase @ 12000 and 24000 IU/kg DM of TMR). The study revealed that DM and OM intake per unit body weight (kg/100 kg BW and g/kg W0.75) were significantly (P<0.05) greater in T1 and T2 groups than the T0 group. The digestibility coefficients (%) of DM were significantly (P<0.001) higher in T1 (62.10) and T2 (62.00) in comparison to T0 group (57.39). Similarly, digestibility coefficients (%) of NDF were 50.79, 55.84 and 56.26 in control, T1 and T2 groups, being significantly (P<0.001) higher in treated animals compared to control (T0). The digestibility co-efficients of total carbohydrate, hemicellulose and cellulose also followed the similar trend. Supplementation of EFE to calves significantly (P<0.01) increased DCP intake/100 kg BW in T1 and T2 compared to control group. Similarly, significantly higher (P<0.001) TDNI/100 kg BW was observed in T1 and T2 groups compared to the control group. DCP and TDN percentage of the diets increased significantly (P<0.001) in enzyme supplemented groups. The feeding cost/kg BW gain in T1 and T2 reduced by 4.73% and 3.56%, respectively, compared to the control group. Therefore, it may be concluded that addition of EFE (cellulase and Xylanase @ 8000 and 16000 IU/kg DM of TMR) resulted in greater nutrients availability for economizing the feeding cost/kg weight gain in cross-bred calves fed with Total Mixed Ration (TMR); however, higher doses (12000 and 24000 IU/kg TMR DM) of the EFE had no added effect.

Keywords

Weaned calves, Digestibility, Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzyme, Feeding Cost, Intake, Supplementation

Conclusion

From this study, it may be concluded that supplementation of EFE (cellulase and xylanase @ 8000 and 16000 IU/kg TMR DM; and 12000 and 24000 IU/kg TMR DM) significantly increased intake of DM, OM and CP per unit body weight and apparent digestibility of DM, OM and fibre fractions (NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose) of the TMR fed to crossbred calves. Apart from this EFE supplementation also increased availability of nutrients (DCP and TDN) and nutritive value of feed (DCP% and TDN%); hence, more nutrients were available for higher growth performance in calves resulting in reduction of feed cost per kg weight gain. However, higher level of EFE (12000 and 24000 IU/kg TMR DM) had no added advantage. Therefore, it may be concluded that supplementation of EFE (cellulase and xylanase @ 8000 and 16000 IU/kg TMR DM) may boost voluntary intake, digestibility of nutrients and reduced the cost of feed per kg weight gain of crossbred calves.

References

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How to cite this article

Anil, T.K. Dutta, A. Chatterjee, Amit Kumar Singh, Sushil K. Yadav and A. Mohammad (2022). Effect of Supplementation of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes on Intake, Nutrient Utilization Pattern and Economics of Feeding in Weaned crossbred Calves. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4): 169-176.