Ranking of Four Types Fodder as Sole Diet Considering Biological Characteristics and Growth of Local Growing Bulls

Aims: In this experiment, evaluation of intake, digestibility and growth performances of local growing bulls by feeding Jumbo-green, Para and German grass based on Index (Mf) of Maize are considered and ranked this fodder accordingly.

Study Design: Completely randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka, between July 2016 and September 2016.

Methodology: Biomass production efficiency (Xddm), animal production efficiency (Xap), CH4 emission deduction efficiency (XCH4) and benefit to cost efficiency (Xbc) was considered to identify the biological characteristics of four fodders. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS-17 to evaluate the intake, digestibility and growth of animal. Rank of each fodder was calculated through the equation of Maize index (Mi) = (Xddm + Xap + XCH4 + Xbc)/4.

Results: Aggregation of four arithmetic average efficiency; Jumbo-green, Para and German got 0.42, 0.40 and 0.72 point out of 1.0 point of Mi, respectively. Among four fodders German grass performed best in terms of average daily gain (107 gm/d) and feed conversion ratio (46.9) compared to maize silage (64 gm/d & 58.4, respectively). Weight loss of bulls fed Jumbo and Para has occurred unexpectedly.

Conclusion: In combination of mathematical calculation and statistical evaluation, the rank of four fodders measured as Maize>German>Jumbo-green>Para.