Pakistan Vet. J., 2006, 26(3): 126-128.

COMPARATIVE EFFICIENCY OF SUNFLOWER MEAL AND COTTONSEED CAKES

IN THE FEED OF CROSSBRED CALVES FOR MEAT PRODUCTION

M. A. JABBAR, M. I. ANJUM1, S. REHMAN2 AND W. SHAHZAD2

Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore,

1
Animal Nutrition Program, Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research
Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2Nutrition Section, Livestock Production Research Institute,
Bahadurnagar, Okara, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Thirty crossbred (Sahiwal x Friesian) male calves of 9-10 months age and weighing 70 to 90 kg, were
used in completely randomized design to investigate the possibility of replacing cottonseed cakes (CSC)
with sunflower meal (SFM), partially or completely, in rations for fattening of crossbred calves for meat
production. Three concentrate rations viz. A, B and C were formulated. Ration A containing CSC was fed
to the calves of group A, ration B containing SFM was fed to calves of group B and ration C containing
both CSC + SFM was fed to calves of group C. The feed intake of calves belonging to group C was the
highest (5.7 ± 2.3 kg) followed by group B (5.5 ± 1.3 kg) and group A (5.2 ± 2.0 kg). Average daily body
weight gain was 0.73 ± 0.1, 0.72 ± 0.2 and 0.71 ± 0.1 kg for groups A, B and C, respectively. Calves fed
SFM gained numerically less than the calves fed CSC but higher than SFM+ CSC. Feed conversion ratio
was 7.1 ± 0.4, 7.7 ± 0.7 and 8.0 ± 0.6, for calves of groups A, B and C, respectively. Dressing percentage
averaged 51.5 ± 1.3, 52.1 ± 1.2 and 52.3 ± 0.8 for the respective rations. However, the differences in feed
intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and dressing percentages among calves of three groups
were non significant. Considering the cost of feed and average growth, the cost of per kg body weight gain
was 38, 30 and 37 rupees for the groups A, B and C, respectively. The lowest cost was observed in SFM
based ration (B) that was about 19% less than ration containing CSC. Results indicated that for fattening of
crossbred calves the use of SFM is as efficient as CSC but more economical and can successfully replace
CSC in fattening rations.

Key words: Sunflower meal, cottonseed cake, crossbred calves, fattening

INTRODUCTION price. On the other hand, SFM is cheaper protein source

and can be used in ruminants feed supplements (Yunus
In livestock production the major problem is the et al., 2004).
unavailability of quality feed and its high cost; resulting Limited data are available on nutritional value of
in reduced profitability and low productivity through SFM as protein source in feed for fattening of animals.
adversely affecting health, production and reproduction. The present study was therefore, conducted to
In Pakistan, production of sunflower for edible oil is investigate the possibility of replacing CSC with SFM,
gaining popularity and as a result sunflower seed meal partially or fully, in the ration of crossbred calves for
(SFM) is available for its use in animal feed. Area meat production.
under cultivation and production of sunflower were
264.00 thousand hectares and 327.65 thousand tons in MATERIALS AND METHODS
2004-05, respectively (MINFAL, 2005). Its use in
poultry rations is limited because of higher fibre Thirty crossbred (Sahiwal x Friesian) male calves,
fraction (Mirza et al., 2004; Yunus et al., 2004). aged 9-10 months and weighing 70 to 90 kg, were
Ruminants have unique ability to utilize the fibrous used as experimental animals at the Livestock
material through anaerobic fermentation (Kibria et al., Experiment Station Qadirabad, Sahiwal, Pakistan.
1991), therefore, SFM can be efficiently used as a sole Calves were randomly divided into three groups with
source of supplemental protein for ruminants (Lardy 10 calves on each treatment following completely
and Anderson, 2002). randomized design to test three concentrate rations viz.
Cottonseed cakes (CSC) are being traditionally A, B and C. Calves in group A were fed ration A
used in the feed of dairy animals. However, limited containing CSC, calves in group B were fed ration B
supply and seasonal availability of CSC result in high containing SFM and calves in group C were fed ration

126
 127 Pakistan Vet. J., 2006, 26(3): 126-128.

C containing both CSC and SFM as major source of using analysis of variance technique using MSTAT C
protein, in such a away that all rations were isocaloric, computer software. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was
isonitrogenous and isofibrous without varying in the used to compare means (Steel and Torrie, 1986).
notable ingredients (Table 1). All animals were offered
green fodder at the rate of 2.5 kg per animal throughout RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
the experiment. All the feeds were offered ad libitum on
feed lot basis. The experiment lasted for 90 days. Average chemical composition (%) of CSC in
Measured quantities of rations were offered to these terms of DM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and total ash, was 92.5,
animals and after a week interval, left over feed in 21.1, 22.2, 8.5, 34.6 and 6.0 respectively. For SFM, the
mangers was weighed back and recorded. Animals were values were 89.5, 38.3, 13.7, 7.7, 23.8 and 6.1 for these
weighed at the start and end of experiment. parameters, respectively (Malik et al., 1996). Less CP
but higher contents of DM, CF and NFE were noted in
Table 1: Ingredients and chemical composition
CSC compared to SFM. Ingredient and chemical
(%) of experimental rations
Rations
composition of experimental rations is given in Table 1.
Ingredients A B C Production performance of crossbred calves fed
(CSC) (SFM) (CSC+SFM) rations A, B and C respectively containing CSC, SFM
Cotton seed cake 40 - 20 and both (CSC + SFM) as vegetable protein sources is
Sunflower meal - 28 15 presented in Table 2. The feed intake of calves
Wheat bran 4 17 10 belonging to group C was found to be higher (5.7 ± 2.3
Rape seed cake 9 8 8 kg), followed by group B (5.5 ± 1.3 kg) and groups A
Molasses 15 15 15 (5.2 ± 2.0 kg). However, the difference among the
Wheat straw 30 30 30
Mineral mixture1 2 2 2 treatments was not significant (P>0.05). Lack of
Total 100 100 100 differences in average feed intake per animal among the
Analysis three rations is an indication that palatability of SFM is
Dry matter 90.6 89.9 90.2 as good as CSC. These results agree with the findings
Crude protein 14.4 15.0 15.0 of Nishino et al. (1980), Kuldip et al. (1995) and
Total digestible 61.0 64.0 64.0 Sihage et al. (1997), who reported that intake of
nutrients sunflower meal based rations was similar to other
1
Mineral mixture contained (per kilogram): vegetable protein based supplements.
Dicalcium phosphate 708 g; Magnesium sulphate 86 Average daily body weight gains were 0.73 ± 0.1,
g; Sodium chloride 190 g; Ferrous sulphate 8.9 g; 0.72 ± 0.2 and 0.71 ± 0.1 kg for groups A, B and C,
Manganese sulphate 4.9 g; Zinc sulphate 3.2 g; respectively, and the difference was again statistically
Copper sulphate 0.3g; Potassium iodide 0.087 mg
and Cobalt chloride 0.0089 mg Table 2: Performance of crossbred calves fed
different rations
Rations
An adaptation period of 15 days was given during Parameters A B C
which concentrate was gradually increased and the (CSC) (SFM) (CSC+SFM)
fodder was proportionally decreased until the calves Number of 10 10 10
were on complete rations. Before the start of trial, calves/treatment
calves were de-wormed against endo and ecto parasites Avg. daily gain 0.73 ± 0.72 ± 0.71 ± 0.1
through the use of Ivomec injection. Vaccination was (kg) 0.1 0.2
done against haemorrhagic septicemia and Foot and Avg. feed intake 5.2 ± 5.5 ± 5.7 ± 2.3
Mouth disease. Water was provided all the time in the (kg) 2.0 1.3
Feed conversion 7.1 ± 7.7 ± 8.0 ± 0.6
barns and animals had free access to water. Five ratio 0.4 0.7
samples of each CSC, SFM, and all rations were Carcass 51.5 ± 52.1 ± 52.3 ± 0.8
analysed using AOAC (1995) methods. percentage 1.3 1.2
Economic analysis of data was done using the Economics*
technique of Perrin et al. (1979). In calculating Cost of feed/day 38.0 30.0 37.0
economics, ingredient cost of ration A (CSC) was used (Rs.)
as Rs.7.36/kg; that of ration B (SFM) as Rs. 5.50/kg, Feed cost/kg 52.0 42.0 52.0
and that of ration C (CSC+SFM) as Rs. 6.44 kg. weight gain (Rs.)
Data on live weight gain, feed intake, feed *Ingredient cost per kg Ration A: Rs 7.36; Ration B:
conversion ratio and carcass percentage were analysed Rs 5.50 and Ration C: Rs 6.44.
 128 Pakistan Vet. J., 2006, 26(3): 126-128.

non-significant (P>0.05). However, calves fed SFM as Kibria, S. S., M. R. Islam and C. K. Shah, 1991.
a main protein source gained numerically less than the Development of straw based ration for feeding
calves fed CSC. Fielding and Kyomo (1979) noted ruminants. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 4: 235-240.
weight gain of 0.88 ± 0.09 and 0.87± 0.8 kg/d in steers Karim, M. Z., A. Rehman and M. Y. Baig, 1996.
fed sunflower meal and cottonseed meal based diets, Sunflower meal as a substitute of cottonseed cake
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Feed conversion ratio, which is the kg of feed eaten Lardy, G. P. and V. Anderson, 2002. Canola and
for each kg of body weight gain, averaged 7.1 ± 0.4, 7.7 sunflower meal in beef cattle diets. Vet. Clinics of
± 0.7 and 8.0 ± 0.6, for calves in groups A, B and C, North America: Food Animal Practice, 18: 327-338.
respectively. The FCR for calves fed CSC was better Malik, M. Y., A. A. Sheikh., I. Ahmad and M. Z.
than that for other calves but these differences were non Rehman, 1996. Chemical composition and nutritive
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differences was found among the treatments. Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock,
Economics return was calculated by comparing the Economic Wing, Islamabad, Pakistan.
cost of supplements with the value of the live weight Mirza, I. H., M. I. Anjum, A. G. Khan and A. Azim,
produced. The average daily cost of feed per calf was 2004. Comparative evaluation of cotton seed meal
38, 30 and 37 rupees for the groups A, B and C, and sunflower seed meal in urea molasses blocks
respectively. Considering the cost of feed and average versus commercial concentrate as supplement to
daily growth, the cost of per kg body weight gain was basal ration of wheat straw with stall-fed buffalo
Rs. 52.0; Rs. 42.0 and Rs. 52.0 for the groups A, B and calves. Asian -Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 17: 193-198.
C, respectively. The lowest cost was observed in SFM Nishino, S., S. Konodo and K. Hayashi, 1980. Feeding
based ration (B) that was about 19% less than CSC value of sunflower meal as a replacement of soy
based ration. These results indicated that for fattening bean meal in lactating cows. J. College of
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The economics of this experiment is supported by the R. Anderson, 1979. From organic data to farmer
findings of Mirza et al. (2004) and Yunus et al. (2004). recommendation. An Economic Training Mannual
The results of this study showed that SFM could be Information Bulletin. 27, Mexico
Richardson, C. R., R. N. Beville, R. K. Ratcliff and R.
incorporated in the fattening rations of crossbred calves
C. Albin, 1981. Sunflower meal as a protein
without any harmful effect on production parameters
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than CSC which is a conventional protein source for Sihage, S., V. Sagar and K. R. Yadav, 1997. Effect of
livestock. feeding deoiled sunflower cake on milk yield and
composition in crossbred cows. Indian J. Dairy
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