Influence of low or high Groundnut hulls inclusion rate in a Molasses based diet on energy utilization by Baggara cattle

Abstract

Twenty four Baggara bulls, divided in two groups, were used in a feeding trial, to study 
the influence on the energy utilization of molasses-based whole mixture, containing a low 
(7%), or high (25%) Groundnut hulls (GNH), fed ad libitum. Metabolizable energy (ME), 
and metabolizabilies (gm) were 10.8; 9.9 MJ/Kg DM, and 66%; 61%, respectively. The 
results showed no effect of GNH nor on growth performance neither on carcasses yield 
and characteristics.  About 30%, and 33% of ME intake were used in maintenance 
demands, whereas 22% and 21% were used in bodyweight gain, respectively. Efficiency 
of ME utilization for net weight gain was 12% and 10%, for low and high GNH inclusions 
respectively. A decreasing trend in feeding level, combined with decrease in efficiency 
value of gain were noticed, as. GNH concentration increased in the diet. The nature of end 
products of rumen fermentation, and relative proportions of VFA absorbed in the gut, were 
suggested as major contributing candidates, in the lowering of the efficiency of ME 
utilization in the Molasses-based feed.