Effects of supplemental trace element (GT1000) on growth performance of dairy bulls.

This research was to investigate the effect of supplemental trace element (GT1000) on feed intake, end product from rumen fermentation and economical return in crossbred Holstein-Friesian bulls. Twelve bulls were assigned to Completely Randomized Design (CRD). There were two groups; group 1 = added trace element and group 2 = control. Animals were fed total mixed ration ad libitum. The experimental period was lasted for 134 days; 14 days for acclimation to diets and 120 days for experimental period. At the end of the experiment, it was found that total mixed ration intakes when 1 สถาบนวจยและฝกอบรมการเกษตรสกลนคร มหาวทยาลยเทคโนโลยราชมงคลอสาน อ.พงโคน จ. สกลนคร 47160 Sakon Nakhon Agricultural Research and Training Center, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Phangkhon, Sakon Nakhon, 47160 expressed as kgDM/d and %BW were 6.32 and 6.38 kgDM/d and 2.78 and 2.53%BW in control group and added trace element group, respectively (P>0.05). Digestion coefficient of crude protein and ash were 68.5 and 77.9% and 41.7 and 50.0% in control group and added trace element group, respectively (P<0.05). Economical return in calves fed added trace element was higher than in calves fed control group. From this study, it can be concluded that supplemental trace element (GT1000) in total mixed ration improved growth performance and enhanced efficiency of feed utilization.