Evaluation of paddy straw based complete feeds through in vitro dry matter digestibiltiy

A study was undertaken to evaluate three potential complete feeds made from locally available feed ingredients through in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Three fistulated steers used as donors of rumen inoculums were fed the same three complete feeds (CRI, CRII and CRIII) after proper adaptation. The roughage: concentrate ratio in CRI, CRII and CRIII was maintained at 60: 40 but the cost/kg diet were Rs. 3.33, 3.70 and 3.91/kg diet, respectively. The CP, EE and TA of the three complete feeds ranged between 11.45-11.50, 3.07-3.32 and 12.61-13.21 per cent, respectively, indicating little variations. However, variation was apparent in the fibre fractions of the three feeds attributable to varying contents of the fibrous feed ingredients. Overall IVDMD (%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in CRI (50.67±0.82) followed by CRIII (47.00±0.89) and in CRII (43.33±0.67). Overall TVFA (meq/100ml) production was significantly (P<0.05) higher in CRI (12.76±0.30) than CRII (11.01±0.63) and CRIII (11.05±0.43) but values between CRII and CRIII did not differ significantly. It may be concluded that CR1 is superior to CRII and CRIII in terms of IVDMD, in vitro TVFA production and cost of formulation.