Abstract:
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding guar germ and guar bran as replacement of groundnut cake and wheat bran, respectively in diets of crossbred fattening cattle. Fourteen crossbred Friesian young calves were divided into two groups (A) as control fed on pelleted feed and group (B) fed the experimental diet (guar mix) with an average initial live weight 144.2 15.5 kg. Feed intake and live weight gain were collected on daily and weekly basis, respectively. Slaughter and carcass data were also collected. The control group was superior the experimental group the following parameters: Feeding period (101 days), feed conversion efficiency (5.04 DM/Kg live weight gain), weight gain (1.05 Kg/day) and daily dry matter intake (5.3 Kg). Control bulls have higher cold dressing out percentage on both full and empty body weight basis (59.8% and 57.8%, respectively). The Barrel circumference and pelvic width showed slightly higher values in the control group without any significant difference. For linear body measurements (cm), the head, hide, four feet, lungs, tracheas, spleen, intestine empty and omental fat were heavier in the control group of bulls. For the carcass yield and carcass characteristic of experimental bulls of the two groups were almost the same. However, the slaughter weight, cold carcass weight and empty body weight were found higher for the control group. For the non carcass components, the values fluctuated between the two groups, with no significant differences (p>0.05). Also no significant (p>0.05) differences were observed between the two groups for fat % and connective tissue % but the control group showed higher muscle and connective tissues while treated group showed higher fat and bone content. It concluded that guar germ and bran can effectively replace groundnut cake and wheat bran, respectively, in diets of fattening cattle.
