Vol. 10, Issue 7, Part D (2025)

Author(s): VP Kakad, PA Kahate, RR Shelke, SR Shegokar and KU Bidwe

Abstract: A research trial was conducted at the Livestock Instructional Farm, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, Dr. P.D.K.V., Akola, during 2024-2025 to assess the growth performance and production cost of feeding to calves by concentrate treated with linseed oil. Among the treatment groups, calves receiving the T₃ diet exhibited the highest average daily weight gain (0.362 kg), followed by _{T 4} (0.342 kg), T₂ (0.311 kg), and T₁ (0.273 kg). The cumulative weight gains at the end of the trial were 24.65 kg for T₁, 28.07 kg for T₂, 32.62 kg for T₃, and 30.85 kg for _{T 4}, indicating that concentrate treated with linseed oil positively influenced weight gain in calves. The feed cost per kilogram of body weight gain was found to be Rs. 210.99 (T₁), Rs. 190.72 (T₂), Rs. 171.58 (T₃), and Rs. 184.86 (T₄), respectively. The daily feeding costs per calf were calculated as Rs. 11.55 for T₁, Rs. 11.89 for T₂, Rs. 12.43 for T₃, and Rs. 12.67 for T₄. Despite a slightly higher daily feeding cost, the T₃ group achieved the highest weight gain of 32.62 kg, demonstrating its economic efficiency for calf rearing. Additionally, the cost per kilogram of weight gain per calf was the lowest in T₃ (Rs. 34.32), followed by T₄, T₂ and T₁, further confirming the economic benefits of including linseed oil in the concentrate for calves.