Effect of Feeding Duration with Different Levels of Culled E. Cottonii on Consumption, Nutrient Digestibility, Growth and Body Composition of Early Weaned Balinese Calves

The study aimed to evaluate the duration of complete feed containing culled red seaweed (E. cottonii) with different levels on nutrient utilisation, growth and body composition of early weaned Bali cattle calves. A total of 24 Bali cattle calves (initial BW ± 30-40 kg; 2-3 months old) were used in this study. Bali cattle calves were randomly grouped by initial body weight and placed in 4 different treatments following a group randomised design pattern. The 4 treatments were:  CT₀ = complete feed containing no cull ECOT; CT₅ = complete feed containing 5% cull ECOT; CT₁₀ = complete feed containing 10% cull ECOT and CT₁₅ = complete feed containing 15% cull ECOT. The data obtained were analysed by analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test using SPSS 24 software. Feeding ECOT culls with different lengths of time and levels had a significant effect (P<0.05) on increasing consumption and nutrient digestibility of early weaned Balinese calves, but there was no interaction effect (P>0.05) between the length of time and level of ECOT culled on body weight gain and linear body size of early weaned Balinese calves. The same was true for body composition (meat and fat). The treatment also significantly (P<0.05) influenced the increase in bone weight in cattle treated with 5% cull ECOT and 10% cull ECOT. It was concluded that the use of culled ECOT up to 15% in complete feed could not increase the consumption and digestibility of nutrients but the duration of feeding affected the dry matter consumption and bone development of early weaned Bali cattle calves.