Comparative supplemental value of noug (Guizotia abyssinica) meal for fattening draught oxen fed teff (eragrostis teff) straw

Abstract

Twenty-four draught Arsi (Bos indicus) oxen of 7-8 years age and sunilar body condition were randomly allocated to four groups and uidiuidually fed on one of the four diets: teff (Ergrostis teff) straw alone (D-1), D-1 suppleniented with 2 kg/head/day of noug (Guizotia abyssinica) meal (D-2), D-1 suppleniented with 1.5 kg maize plus 73 g urea/head/day (D-3) and D-1 supplemented with 1 kg noug meal plus 1 kg molasses/head/ day (D-4). Straw intake was not affected (P>0.01) by treatments but average daily gain, straw utilization efficiency and change in condition score were the highest for the D-2 group. It is concluded that noug replaces maize grain with enormous cost advantage when suppleniented to teff straw. © GSP, India.