Methane production and energy balance in crossbred male calves fed on rations containing different ratios of green sorghum and wheat straw

Growing crossbred (Holstein Friesian x Hariana) male calves (8) weighing 22 5kg were divided into 2 groups of 4 each to study the methane production an d energy balance in crossbred calves fed on diets having 2 different ratios of wheat straw and sorghum. Green sorghum and wheat straw were in the rati o of 90:10 in group I and 60:40 in group 2. Both the rations were supplemen ted with wheat bran. The dry matter intake was 93.9 +/- 4.49 and 95.5 +/- 8 .33 g/kg W-0.75/d in groups 1 and 2 respectively. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NFE were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in group I than that in group 2. The GE, DE and ME intake was similar in both the groups. However, digestibility and metabolizability of GE was significantly higher in group 1. Methane energy loss (Mcal/d, kcal/kg W-0.75/d, % GE and % DE) was signi ficantly lower in group I than in group 2. Methane production litres/kg dig ested OM was lower in group 1 (31.3 +/- 2.31) than that in group 2 (46.9 +/ - 3.31). Energy balance was 106.5 +/- 16.05 and 70.0 +/- 26.18 kcal/kg W-0. 75/d in groups I and 2, respectively, which did not differ significantly. I t is concluded that methane production is comparatively lower in growing cr ossbred calves fed higher level of green sorghum supplemented with wheat br an in the ration.