COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF PRONIFER SUPPLEMENT ON PERFORMANCE OF SUCKLING HOLSTEIN AND BUFFALO CALVES.

Effect of dietary Pronifer supplement on feed intake, nutrient digestibility
coefficients, some blood serum parameters, growth performance and economic and
feed efficiencies of Holstein and buffalo calves was studied during suckling period.
A total of 80 calves (40 Holstein and 40 buffalo calves) were assigned in to two similar
groups for each species, 20 in each. Calves in the control groups of both species
were fed non- supplemented Holstein milk with calf starter and berseem hay (BH). In
the second ones, calves were fed whole cow milk supplemented with 1 g Pronifer/liter
of milk with calf starter and BH. Results showed that, feed intake from milk, starter and
BH and total feed intake as OM, TON and DCP were significantly (P<0.01) higher in
buffalo than Holstein calves, however, these parameters were not affected
significantly by Pronifer supplementation. Digestibility coefficients of OM, CP, CF and
EE were significantly (P<O.OS) higher in Holstein than buffalo calves. Only, digestibility
coefficients of OM and CF were significantly (P<O.OS) higher in calves fed the
supplemented diets than the control calves in both species, while digestibility
coefficients of NFE did not differ significantly as affected by species, Pronifer
supplementation and their interaction. Concentrations of urea in blood plasma were
significantly (P<O.OS) higher by about 7.8%, while total protein and calcium
concentrations were significantly (P<O.OS) lower by about 3.3 and 13.8% respectively,
in Holstein than buffalo calves. Concentration of total protein, albumin and globulin
improved (P<O.OS) by about 11.S, 11.3 and 11.8% respectively, and cholesterol
decreased (P<O.OS) by about 8.S% in the supplemented than the control groups of
both species. Averages of final body weight, total weight gain and daily gain were not
affected significantly by species, but they were affected significantly (P<O.OS) by
Pronifer supplementation, being higher in the supplemented calves than the control
calves. Final weight, total gain and average daily gain were significantly (P<O.OS)
higher in calves fed the supplemented diets than the control groups of both species.
Also, total feed cost/kg gain decreased by about S.3% in Holstein than buffalo calves
and by about 11.6% in calves fed the supplemented than the control diets. Based on
the forgoing results, it could be concluded that feeding suckling calves on diet
supplemented with Pronifer has beneficial effects on their growth performance,
digestibility coefficients, blood parameters and economic and feed efficiencies.