author(s)
Sajith Purushothaman, Shyama K, Ally K, Dildeep V, Anil KS and Siju Joseph

abstract
A study was conducted to assess the rumen fermentation pattern and nutrient utilization in Murrah buffalo calves fed with different total mixed rations (TMR). Six Murrah buffalo calves were selected as uniformly as possible with regard to age (8-12 months), sex and body weight from University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme, Mannuthy and formed treatment group. Three feeding trials for a period of one month each using TMR’s containing concentrate mixture I, (BIS-2012) ^[1] with conventional feed ingredients in trial-I, concentrate mixture II containing turmeric waste and concentrate mixture III containing tapioca starch waste in trial II and III, respectively. The green grass was used as roughage in all the three trials. The rumen fermentation profile, nutrient digestibility, hematological profile and microbial protein production were studied. The results revealed that Murrah buffaloes, fed with TMRs containing turmeric waste (trial-II) and tapioca starch waste (trial-III) did not show any significant difference in rumen fermentation parameters compared to groups fed with TMR-I (control). The volatile fatty acid profile showed increased concentration of propionic acid in animals fed with TMR-III and the acetate: propionate ratio in those fed with TMR-II. Hematological parameters were well within the normal range and were not significant among animals of different groups. It can be concluded that the ayurvedic pharmaceutical byproducts can be incorporated in the total mixed ration without affecting the rumen fermentation pattern and hematological profile in Murrah buffalo calves. The volatile fatty acid profile were improved in animals fed with TMR containing agricultural byproducts compared to the conventional TMR.