Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition
Year : 2004, Volume : 21, Issue : 1
First page : ( 36) Last page : ( 39)
Print ISSN : 0970-3209. Online ISSN : 2231-6744.

Supplementation of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to roughage based rations in crossbred heifers

Kumar M. Kishan, Reddy G.V. Krishna

Department of Livestock Production and Management ANGRAU, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram-521102

Received:  11  February,  2004.

Abstract

Crossbred heifers (12) of 167 kg body wt. divided into 3 equal groups were offered ration containing either 50:50 (R₁), 60:40 (R₂) or 70:30 (R₃) roughage concentrate ratio for 45 days. In the 2^nd phase of 45 days, the above rations were supplemented with yeast culture (Yeasacc 1026). The DM intake per unit metabolic body weight was significantly (P<0.01) higher with R₃ as compared with R, and R₂ irrespective of addition of yeast culture. It was improved significantly (P<0.01) when the diet was supplemented with yeast culture irrespective of the roughage level. The digestibility of DM, CP, EE and DCP content were significantly (P<0.01) depressed as the level of forage was increased. However, the CF digestibility was progressively increased as the roughage level was increased in rations. The DM intake, digestibility of nutrients and DCP content improved significantly (P<0.05) by dietary supplementation of yeast culture. The average daily gain declined with the increase in roughage level in the diet, but it was improved significantly (P<0.01) when the diet was supplemented with yeast culture and cost/kg gain was increased irrespective of F:C ratio. The feed conversion efficiency was depressed significantly with the increase in roughage level in the ration. Both feed conversion efficiency was improved and cost/kg gain was reduced considerably by supplementing the diet with yeast culture.

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Keywords

Yeast culture, Nutrient digestibility, Body weight gain.

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