EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF SUPPLEMENTAL CONCENTRATE AND SOYBEAN OIL ON RICE STRAW BASED DIET ON RUMEN PARAMETERS OF GROWING CATTLE
Rumen parameters (pH, NH3 -N, and VFA) are immensely important in ruminants. This study examined the effect of feeding supplemental concentrate and soybean oil at different intensities on rumen parameters in growing cattle. Speculative diets consisted of different combinations of concentrate and soybean oils, which are 15% & 3%, 15% & 6%, 30% & 3%, and 30% & 6%, respectively. Better rumen parameters were observed with 30% concentrates than feeding 15% concentrate. A high level of soybean oil (6%) had no considerable effect on rumen parameters. Rumen parameters (NH3 -N and volatile fatty acid) considerably increased with the combination of high and low fat (30% concentrate and 3% soybean oil). When formulating feed for growing cattle, it might be advisable to incorporate a concentrate diet at a level higher than that of a maintenance diet, while also considering lower fat content. Additional research could be undertaken to uncover various formulation recommendations.
Keywords: Rumen parameters, growing cattle, concentrate diet level, soybean oil level.