Vol. 10, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

The present study was carried out with the objective of investigating the effects of betaine supplementation on rumen fermentation performance of Gir calves. A total sixteen Gir calves were randomly divided into four groups, viz. T₁ (Control), T₂, T₃ and T_4. Calves in T₁ group were fed basal diets without betaine supplementation and treatment groups were fed basal diets plus betaine @ 10, 15 and 20 grams in T₂, T₃ and T₄ groups, respectively for a period of 90 days. rumen fermentation pattern revealed that strained rumen liquor pH was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in T₄ group than T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups. While there was significant (p<0.01) increase in Total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration with betaine supplementation in T₃ and T₄ groups than control group (T₁) which also significantly differed from each other. Total nitrogen concentration was significantly (p<0.01) increased in T₄ groups than other (T₁ and T₂) groups and difference between T₁ and T₂ was non-significant (p>0.05). Non-protein nitrogen was significantly (p<0.01) increased in T₄ group than control (T₁) group. Betaine supplementation had non-significant effect on average concentration of trichloroacetic acid precipitable nitrogen (TCA-N). While, ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) was significantly (p<0.01) decreased with betaine-supplemented groups (T₂, T₃ and T₄) compared to control (T₁) group.