Effect of Incorporation of Moringa oleifera Meal in Feed on Growth Performance of Crossbred Heifers

Asif N Sherasiya; Pravin M Lunagariya; Rakesh J Modi; Jigar H Patel; Mahesh M Chaudhary; Kishan N Wadhwani

Asif N Sherasiya Animal Nutrition Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
Pravin M Lunagariya Livestock Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
Rakesh J Modi Dept. of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India
Jigar H Patel Livestock Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
Mahesh M Chaudhary Livestock Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
Kishan N Wadhwani Livestock Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.

Keywords: Crossbred heifers, Digestibility, Feed conversion efficiency, Feed intake, Growth, Moringa oleifera meal.

Abstract

The experiment was planned to ascertain the effect of incorporation of Moringa oleifera meal (MOM) replacing compounded concentrate mixture @ 5% level on the growth, digestibility, and feed conversion in crossbred dairy heifers. A total of fourteen crossbred female calves (75% Holstein Friesian x 25 % Kankrej) of similar body weight and age were selected and randomly blocked in two treatments having seven animals in each. The control TMR (T1) was prepared using compounded concentrate mixture, groundnut straw, hybrid Napier, salt, and mineral mixture @ 50, 23, 25, 1, and 1% on a dry matter basis, respectively. Compounded concentrate mixture was replaced with MOM @ 5% to formulate TMR T2. Body weight (kg), weight gain (kg/day), and height at withers (cm) of calves were non-significantly different between the treatments. The heart circumference (cm) and body length (cm) of crossbred calves were significantly (p is less than 0.01) higher in the T1 group compared to the T2 group. The daily intake on an as-fed and digestible basis of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF, and NFE differed non-significantly between treatments. An intake of digestible DM, OM, CP, and TDN on a metabolic body weight basis (g/kg W0.75) was significantly reduced (p is less than 0.01) by MOM incorporation. The requirements of DM, CP, DCP, and TDN to gain each kilogram of live weight were non-significantly (p > 0.05) higher in the T2 group (5% MOM) than the T1 control group. M. oleifera meal @5% can be used to replace compounded concentrate mixture without significantly affecting growth, intake of nutrients, digestibility of nutrients, and feed conversion ratio of crossbred heifers.