Eflect of Plane of Nutrition, Nutrient Restriction Ami Realimentation on Body\\ Ei~ht Gain and Utilization Efliriency of Energy and Protein in Bufllilo Heiters.

Abstract

Thesis Title: "Effect of plane of nutrition, nutrient restriction and realimentation on body weight gain and utilization efficiency of energy and protein in buffalo heifers" Selected gro~ing. buffalo heifers, aged about 18 months, were placed on th.ree ~lane~ of nutnti~n 1.e. recommended (Rec.), high (H. 30%) and low (l, 30%) With. ~*'· 15 Vo and 3~ Vo nutnents (ME and DCP) restriction levels on each plane of nutnlion for 12 fortmghts (180 days) of restriction and 6 fortnights (90 days) of realimentation phases. At the end of restriction phase, cumulative body weight gains on Rec.(1 06.132 kg.), H (132.541 kg.) and on L (46.292 kg.) differed significantly. Cumulative body weight gains on 0% (115.967 kg.), 15% (99.484 kg.) and on 30% (69.544 kg.) also differed significantly. Heifers on low plane of nutrition were under more stress and nutrients consumed were utilized for body maintenance and were not spared for growth. At the end of trial including restriction and realimentation phases, cumulative body weight gains on recommended (171 .114 kg.), high (193.273 kg.) and low (114.636 kg.) planes of nutrition differed significantly from each other. Effect of planes of nutrition, irrespective of levels of nutrients restriction, were more pronounced. However heifers on 15% (164.112 kg.) gained similar weight equal to the heifers on 0% nutrients restriction. Cumulative body weight gain on 30% (138.199 kg.) nutrients restriction was significantly lower. In spite of equal cumulative body weight gain, due to increased nutrient conversion efficiency of low fed heifers during realimentation phase. on each plane of nutrition and on each level of nutrients restriction separately, heifers were not able to result in similar cumulative body weight gain at the end of the trial. This was because of the more impact of prolonged restriction phase on body weight gain and the lesser amount of metabolizable energy and digestible crude protein made available to the heifers on low plane of nutrition and on 30% nutrients restriction, during realimentation phase. The nutrients restriction level of 15% can be recommended for better weight gain and saving of cost . At the end of restriction phase of 180 days cost of ga10 on low plane of nutrition was significantly higher (Rs. 97.28/kg.) than on .recommended (Rs.56.10/kg.) and on high plane of nutrition (Rs. 56.73/kg.). Higher plane of nutrition can be recommended for growing animals reared for buffalo meat production and for early sexual maturity.