Assessment of the outcomes of crossbred dairy cattle in subtropical environments fed treated feed including particular ingredients

Abstract

To assess how well the twenty-four crossbred animals (8 to 12 months old) performed in the experiment, they were randomly assigned to four groups of six. Group 2 (76% treated feed), Group 3 (49% treated feed), Group 4 (100% treated green fodder). Group 4 was control. Groups were assigned treatments accordingly, (F-1). 1.5% urea+5% molasses+0.5% salt, (F2)1.5% urea + 5% molasses + 1.5% salt, (F3) 1.5% urea+10% molasses+0.5% salt, 1.5% urea+10% molasses+1.5% salt 5% molasses+0.5% salt, and 10% molasses+0.5% salt, respectively, were administered to the remaining feed A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, and A-6. The average weight gain for the A1 treatment group for the first, second, third, and fourth animal groups was, respectively, 1.60, 3.50, 2.66 and 3.33Kg weekly. The weight increases for the animals in the A2 group were 0.33, 4.00, 2.33, and 3.66kg in that order. The results for the A3 group were 3.66, 3.33, 2.83, and 0.50 in that order. The F4 group experienced weight increases of 1.66, 6.66, 6.16, and 6.50kg in that order. The weight gains for the A5 treatment group were 5.50, 6.00, 7.00 and 1.50kg in that order. The weight gains for each of the six animal groups of A6 were 1.66, 5.57, 4.83 and 5.33, in that order. Giving animals fresh green fodder in half portions did not have any detrimental effects on performance or feeding costs while also utilizing waste, despite weight increases making it evident that feeding treated feed including urea and molasses in its entirety is not acceptable.