METHODS OF UREA INCORPORATION IN STRAW AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE OF BUFFALO HEIFERS

Twelve indigenous buffalo heifers were grouped into 3 and were supplied with following diets-urea-ensiled rice straw + wheat bran + green grass (A); rice straw soaked in urea-water + wheat bran + green grass (B); and untreated straw + wheat bran + green grass (C); so that each group received any one diet. Total dry matter intake was highest in animals on diet C and lowest on B. However, straw DM intake was highest in animals on silage diet and lowest on untreated straw diet. Organic matter and crude fibre digestibility of silage and soaked straw diets were significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of untreated straw diet. Although the values were lower with soaked straw diet than on silage diet and soaked straw diet were significantly (p < 0.01) higher, however, the value for silage diet was not significantly different from that of soaked straw diet.