1. Blood Profile of Crossbred Heifers Fed Urea Treated Maize Stover Supplemented With Varying Levels of Concentrate.
- Author
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Iriso, B. V., Ehoche, O. W., and Tanko, R. J.
- Subjects
HEIFERS ,BLOOD testing ,DIETARY supplements ,CORN stover ,CROSSBREEDING - Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the blood profile of crossbred heifers fed urea treated maize stover supplemented with varying levels of concentrate. Sixteen (Friesian x Bunaji) crossbred heifers aged 8-10 months and weighing 90-120kg were divided into four equal groups and randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. In the control ration, chopped, untreated maize stover fed ad libitum was supplemented with concentrate mixture at 2.0% body weight (UMS+2%C). For the experimental rations, urea treated maize stover was supplemented with concentrate mixture at 2.0, 1.5 and 1.0% body weight in groups TMS+2%C, TMS+1.5%C and TMS+1%C respectively. Total protein was not significantly different (P>0.05) between the treatments. Glucose concentration was similar between heifers on treatments UMS+2%C, TMS+1.5%C and TMS+1%C, and the values were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those on TMS+2%C treatment. Creatinine concentration was similar between heifers fed TMS+1.5%C and TMS+1%C, and the values were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those on UMS+2%C and TMS+2%C treatments. Urea concentration was similar between UMS+2%C and TMS+2%C treatments, and the values were significantly (P<0.05) lower than TMS+1.5%C and TMS+1%C treatments. The results showed that feeding of urea treated maize stover with varying levels of concentrate supplements had no adverse effects on crossbred heifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023