STUDIES ON PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS OF STEERS

Comparative studies lasting between 59 - 63 days were carried out using the N-balance method to investigate effect of groundnut cake supplementation on N-metabolism and digestible crude protein (DCP)requirements three breeds steers maintained all-roughage rations hay fresh dry Cynodon rulenfuensis var robustus The results indicated that N intake (/day) Increased ed appreciably with supplementation. percentage Increases li 16.4.40.0 18.0 for White Fulani, crossbred German Brown Steer respectively. Apparent digestibility coefficients also increased by 10%0.6.8% 7.1% these Faucal nitrogen output slightly all breedy steen, while urinary loss decreased showed no difference crossbreed. Absorbed (g/day), (g/day) und N-retention (%) supplementations Mean values both metabolic f al ultrogen (MEN) (N/kgDM consumed endogenous (EUN) (/day/wkg 0.75) mean Hological value (BV) (197) Increased. 2.4 6N/kg DM consumed, 0.11/dm/wg 0.75 75.87 Digestible requirements (DCP) decreed in steen. 1.06, 0.38 0.81 (0.75 + 0.20)/day/wkg methods 1.08, 0.51 1.20 (0.93 = 0.21) 2DCP/day/wkg Nuctoriul methody. DCP therefore range from 0.93 /day/weg steers, While there decreases approximately 13.14%. 1.99 6.4% In Intake.