Five Karan Swiss crossbred (Sahiwal x Brown Swiss) calves were abruptly switched over from a diet of concentrate and maize fodder to ad libitum air dried Leucaena leucocephala leaves plus twigs. After 17 days on the L. leucocephala diet, 3 of the calves were supplemented with copper sulphate (10 mg/kg DM L. leucocephala) for 12 days. Thereafter all the calves were taken off the L. leucocephala diet and returned to the pre-experimental concentrate and maize fodder diet. While on the L. leucocephala diet, the average DM intake/d of L. leucocephala declined to 497 g within 3 weeks and all calves lost weight. This weight loss was reversed in the 3 calves that received copper sulphate, and all calves gained weight when they resumed the concentrate and maize fodder diet. The toxic effects of L. leucocephala feeding for 24 days were characterised by poor growth, emaciation, alopecia, loss of hair from the tail switch, ear and eye lesions, ulceration of the mouth region, drooling viscid saliva and vomiting of thick green saliva in one of the calves. Mean levels of 3,4 dihydroxypyridone (DHP) (mg/100 ml) were 30.35 +/- 13.52 and 55.57 +/- 13.77 on days 2 and 4 respectively in rumen liquor and up to 136.01 +/- 80.18 in urine. The mean ratios of mimosine: DHP of 3.14, 0.12 and 0.04 in feed, faeces and urine respectively revealed extensive degradation of mimosine to DHP in the calves fed the L. leucocephala diet and it was concluded the calves were unable to tolerate a diet consisting solely of L. leucocephala.

No abstract

To compare the energy estimates of mixed diets obtained from rumen in vitro incubation for gas production (RIVIGP) and digestion trial (DT) in NariSuwarna x Kenguri F1 sheep, twenty four sheep were divided into six groups of five each. Six mixed diets were prepared by using sugarcane trash and concentrate feed mixture in the ratio of T-1 80:20, T-2 70:30, T-3 60:40, T-4 50:50, T-5 40:60 and T-6 30:70 2,3,4, 5 and 6 were 6.7, 6.9, 7.4, 7.2, 7.8 and 9.4 respectively. The corresponding ME values obtained from RIVIGP were 5.3, 5.9, 6.2, 7.5, 8.6 and 9.4 respectively. The difference between the ME obtained from DT (digestion trial) and ME predicted from RIVIGPT was found to be 10.7 per cent. The mean ME output (Maintenance + weight gain) for the diets-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were 6.37, 6.34, 7.38, 7.70, 8.06 and 8.27 respectively. The ME intake estimated from ME obtained from DT and RIVIGP for the diets-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were 4.91 and 3.79, 5.02 and 4.22, 7.63 and 6.46, 7.74 and 8.13, 8.76 and 9.81, 11.42 and 11.85 IntroductionThe metabolisable energy content of feed or diets were estimated by conducting digestion trial in animals.

In Karnataka, bullock drawn wooden carts are generally used for transportation of agricultural produce and other goods in areas. An improved steel cart suitable for operating with bullock and single bullock power have been developed and fabricated at College of Agricultural Engineering, Raichur. The steel cart power by double bullock and single bullock were tested both on asphalted road and murrum road for carrying the goods. The physiological response of bullocks were noted and analyzed. The wooden material is completely replaced by mild steel and the wheels were provided with protruded rubber to make good contact with road surface. The road surface was not damaged and problem of puncturing the wheel was avoided. The double bullock (515 kg body weight) steel cart fitted with bush bearing is capable to carry a load of 8 to 9 quintals safely. The single bullock steel cart fitted with bush bearing is capable to carry a load of 6 quintals safely. The performance of the steel carts drawn by bullock power was satisfactory.