Utilization of expander-extruder processed complete diet containing sorghum straw in Ongole bull calves

Expander-extruder processed sorghum-straw-based complete diet, correspondin g mash diet and a conventional diet (containing concentrate mixture and cho pped sorghum-straw) were evaluated in is Ongole bull calves (6 in each grou p). DML/100 kg body weight and water intake/kg DMI were similar on all the diets. Digestibilities of DM, OM and CP were significantly (P<0.01) higher on pelleted diet compared to other 2 diets while mash diet recorded higher digestibilities of these nutrients compared to conventional diet. NFE diges tibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher on pelleted diet compared to con ventional diet. Expander-extruder processing increased the DCP (P<0.01) and TDN (P<0.05) contents of the diet. These results indicated that blending o f concentrates and roughages into complete diet was beneficial and that pro cessing the mash using expander-extruder markedly improved the nutritive va lue.