Abstract

ARGUELLO-RANGEL, JERALDYN,; MAHECHA-LEDESMA, LILIANA,  and  ANGULO-ARIZALA, JOAQUÍN,. Strategic supplementation with forage shrubs in early weaning calves BON × Zebu in Antioquia, Colombia. Rev.Bio.Agro [online]. 2021, vol.19, n.2, pp.108-118.  Epub June 30, 2021. ISSN 1692-3561.  https://doi.org/10.18684/bsaa.v19.n2.2021.1603.

Calf-raising is a stage in which optimal reproductive recovery of dams is required, and growth of calves. The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of strategic supplementation with silage shrubs, in the early weaning of BON × Zebu cattle. It was developed a research with 14 calves, of 5,2 months±1,05 of age and 127,57 ± 30,47 kg of weight, randomly distributed in a control treatment (To). In To treatment animals were in permanent lactation, and in the experimental treatment (Tex) animals were early weaned. In Tex treatment, the animals were assigned to a grazing system, with a mixed silage supplementation at a rate of 655 g/anymal/day. Body performance and weight gains in treatments were evaluated for 90 days. During this period measurements of consumption and weighing of the calves were made. The reproductive status of the dams was evaluated too. The data were analyzed with the statistical software R Project. There was no effect for the treatment, and for the treatment × month interaction on the body performance and weight gain of the calves, while Tex dams presented significant differences in weight and reproductive status. Therefore, early weaning favors the reproductive recovery of the dams.

Keywords : Cratylia argentea; Crescentia cujete; Early weaning; Forage shrubs; Gliricidia sepium; Oestrous cycle; Silage; Weight gain; Livestock production; Strategic supplementation; Sustainability; Tithonia diversifolia.

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