Effect of Part Protein Replacement by Leguminous Weed Shevra (Alysicarpus rugosus DC) in the Diet of Crossbred (Holstein X Deoni) Heifers Patkl P.M., Gholap G.U., Gujar B.V., Pawar A.S. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, College of Agriculture, Parbhani - 431402, India Online published on 5 January, 2012. Abstract Twelve crossbred (Holstein x Deoni) heifers (10-18 m; 97-154 kg) were randomly divided into 3 equal groups and fed concentrate mixture to meet 50 per cent of DCP requirement and Shevra (Alysicarpus rugosus DC) hay to meet 0 (T1), 50 (T2) and 100 (T3) percent of remaining 50 percent of DCP requirement as a replacement of green lucerne. Average content of DM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and Ash In the shevra hay was 92.1, 13.5, 32.8, 3.7, 40.6 and 9.4%, respectively. The nutrient digestibilities were significantly (P<0.01) higher in T as compared to T1 and T2. Level of incorporation of skevra hay slgnificantly (P<0.01) raised only daily DCP intake. The maximum daily intake of DM, DCP and TDN per 100 Kg body weight in T3 was 3.575,0.339 and 2.991 kg, respectively. The respective daily weight gains were 425, 367 and 454 g in T1, T2 and T3 (P<0.05). The daily gain in chest girth and height were also influenced by level of shevra feeding. Observed feed efficiency was 8 36, 9.65 and 7.88 kg/kg gain in T1 T2 T3 respectively. The body weight gain had significant correlation with digestibility of CP and CF. Shevra hay could efficiently replace feed protein to the extent of 50% in the ration of crossbred heifers. Top |