ABSTRACT: The objective of the experiment was to determine the suitable crude protein level on feed intake
and digestible nutrient value of Wagyu crossbred cattle from 13 to 20 months of age. The research included
2 experiments. Experiment 1: five male Wagyu x Zebu crossbred cattle (12.2±0.56 months of age and
average live weight of 179±24.2 kg, Mean±SD). Experiment 2: five male Wagyu x Zebu crossbred cattle
(16.7±1.05 month’s old and live weight of 276±22.0 kg). Two experiments were Latin square design (5x5)
with 5 treatments and 5 periods (21 days per period). The treatments were different crude protein levels at
210, 245, 280, 315, and 350 g per 100 kg live weight (LW) corresponding to CP210, CP245, CP280, CP315,
and CP350 treatments, respectively. The basal diet was commercial concentrate (1.2 kg/day), fresh Elephant
grass (5.0 kg/day) and ad libitum rice straw. While soybean meal was used to adjust the dietary CP level per
100 kg LW in diets. The result showed that increasing nutrient consumption and metabolism energy (Pbut reduced fiber intakes (P>0.05) by increasing crude protein levels. Experiment 1: the CP digestibility was
highest (P(67.2%) treatment was not significant (P>0.05) with CP245 (62.9%) and CP315 (71.7%) treatments.
Experiment 2: the highest CP digestibility (PCP245, and CP210 treatments (80.2, 77.4, 73.1, 70.5, and 65.0%, respectively). As a result, increasing CP
levels per 100 kg BW could rise nutrients digestibility and digestible value for Wagyu crossbred cattle. The
level of 245 g CP per 100kg live weight in Wagyu crossbred cattle diet from 13 to 20 months of age could be
recommended for application.
Keywords: Beef production, Crude protein, Digestion, Rumen escape protein, Ruminants.