Rani, DaisyNazir, Shaid2018-06-212018-06-212017-07-10http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810054861ABSTRACT The study was conducted with the aim to find out practical method of using apple pomace in calves. Apple pomace was mixed with wheat straw (WS) in the ratios of 100:1 (AP-100), 85:15 (AP-85), 70:30 (AP-70), 55:45 (AP-55) and 40:60 (AP-40) in anaerobic culture jars for 28 days. They were ranked on the basis of proximate principles, fibre constituents and fermentation parameters.AP-85 was the best ratio in terms of nutritive value. AP was mixed with WS in the ratio of 85:15 and ensiled for 28 days on large scale to evaluate its feeding value for calves. Six male cow calves were used for estimation of voluntary intake, nutrient intake and digestibility parameters. Two metabolic trials were conducted. The first metabolic trial was conducted by using the mixture of ensiled apple pomace mixed with fresh wheat straw (EAPFWS) in the ratio of 85:15, whereas the second trial was conducted by feeding ensiled mixture of apple pomace and wheat straw (EMAPWS) i.e. AP and WS were mixed in the ratio of 85:15 and then ensiled. The DMI (kg/h/d) was significantly (p≤.05) higher in EMAPWS. Except CP and cellulose, the digestibility of all the nutrients was increased by ensiling the mixtures of AP+WS. There was an increase in digestibility by 5.24, 16.21, 7.6, 9.33, 3.42, 23.07, 5.42 and 6.37 per cent, respectively, of DM, EE, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses and OM. DCP intake as percent body weight as well as per kg W0.75 did not differ significantly. The TDN content as well as TDN intake were significantly (p≤0.05) higher in EMAPWS as compared to that of EAPFWS. TDN content of EMAPWS was 8 per cent higher and TDN intake (per cent of body weight) was 14 per cent higher than that of EAPFWS. The calves in both the treatments were in positive nitrogen and energy balance. Nitrogen retention in EMAPWS was statistically (p≤0.05) higher than that of EAPFWS. Feeding EMAPWS reduced the expenditure incurred on feeding to gain one kg body weight, by 25.22 percent than feeding ensiled AP mixed with fresh WS. So, it was concluded that ensiling AP with WS in the ratio of 85:15 was the best method to preserve and feed AP to cow calvesennullThesis