GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF YANKASA RAMS FED BIURET-TREATED Brachiaria molato II
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2025.1102.011Abstract
The study investigated the impact of varying levels of biuret-treated Brachiaria molato II on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Yankasa rams. The research aimed to assess the potential of using biuret, a synthetic non-protein nitrogen compound, to enhance the nutritional value of Brachiaria molato II and improve the growth and nutrient digestibility parameters of ruminants. Twenty healthy Yankasa rams approximately one year old were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with different biuret inclusion levels (0g, 5g, 10g, and 15g per kg of grass). The trial lasted for 84 days, followed by 21 days digestibility trial, during which growth metrics and feed intake were recorded, followed by a 21-day digestibility trial. Significant (p<0.05) improvements in final weight, average daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were observed with increasing biuret inclusion, with the highest gains in the 15 g group. Similarly, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, and acid detergent fiber increased significantly (p<0.05) with biuret supplementation, while neutral detergent fiber digestibility remained unaffected. These findings suggest that biuret-treated Brachiaria molato II has a positive effect on the growth performance of Yankasa rams, enhancing nitrogen retention and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, thereby improving feed efficiency and growth rates.
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