ANN 111: Principles of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (2+1)

CEREAL FODDER CROPS

Cereal crops cultivated for fodder includes sorghum, maize, oats and bajra. On drymatter basis the crude protein content ranges from 8-12% with calcium content of 0.4-0.6% and phosphorus content of 0.2-0.5%. Cereal fodders are annual crops and the fodder should be harvervested at 2/3rd or 50 % flowering stage (around 45 to 60 days for most of the crops) . Intercropping with legumes improves the nutritive value of the harvested fodder. Fodder sorghum as well a fodder maize under irrigated conditions yield about 40-45 tonnes per hectare while fodder bajra and oats yields 25-30 tonnes per hectare. One may get 50 % of these yields under rainfed conditions.

CP: 7-9% Ca: 0.4-0.6% P: 0.2-0.5% Harvest in 45 days 40-45 t/ha, Oats: 25t/ha