EFFECT OF CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON VOLUNTARY FORAGE INTAKE AND GROWTH RESPONSE OF YOUNG DAIRY JERSEY CATTLE

ABU BAKAR CHIK, W. E. WAN HASSAN AND MOHD SHUKRI HJ. IDRIS

SUMMARY

Forty purebred Jersey weaners (initial age and weight of 130 days and 57 kg, respectively) were used to study the effect of different lervels of concentrate supplement on voluntary fodder in take and live weight gain. Supplementation with concentrated depressed the intake of fodder but total leed dry matter consumption was relatively equal. Highest weiqht gain were recorded on animals receiving 50%, the DMI in the form of concentrate. Average daily gain of this group was twice that receiving concentrare supplements at 17% of DMI. The slow growth rate of the latter group reflects the poor quality of the forage. Supplementation at the rate of 33% or more of total DMI proved essential for a satisfactory growth of these animals

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