Volume 13, Issue 3 (2011)
JAST 2011, 13(3): 367-375 |
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Fazaeli H, Golmohammadi H A, Shoayee A A, Montajebi N, Masharaf S. Performance of Feedlot Calves Fed Hydroponics Fodder
Barley. JAST 2011; 13 (3) :367-375
URL: http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-1471-en.html
URL: http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-1471-en.html
1- Animal Science Research Institute, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2- Agricultural Research Center of Golpaygan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
3- Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Isfahan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2- Agricultural Research Center of Golpaygan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
3- Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Isfahan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract: (6734 Views)
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of barley green fodder produced
by hydroponics system on the performance of feedlot calves. In a completely block
randomized experiment, 24 cross bred (Holstein×Local) male calves were assigned
randomly to one of the two treatments (diets) that were either control (grain barley) or
hydroponic barley green fodder (BGF) that was included to provide 22.8 percent of the
total diet on dry matter basis. Seed grade barley was grown in a hydroponics chamber
system where the growth period was adjusted for 6 days. Body weigh gain was not
significantly different between the treatments, but the animals that had received the
control diet had higher (P< 0.05) dry matter intake than those fed BGF diet. There was a
tendency (P= 0.199) toward differences in feed efficiency due to dietary treatments. From
economical point of view, feed cost increased up to 24 percent when the calves were
offered BGF, because of the costly production of hydroponics green forage. Although the
mass production of fresh fodder was about 4.5 times per kg of barley grain, this was due
to water absorption during germination and growth period. Nevertheless, the dry matter
obtained was less than the initial barley grain and further dry matter losses were found in
the green fodder. These findings suggest that green fodder had no advantage over barley
grain in feedlot calves, while it increased the cost of feed.
Received: 2011/01/19 | Accepted: 2011/01/19 | Published: 2011/01/19
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