Desempenho de bezerras lactentes consumindo concentrado contendo melaço

Abstract

Dairy cattle production in the southwestern region of Paraná is significant compared to certain other regions of the state. One of the main causes of poor development and wasted time in raising dairy calves is the period from birth to weaning, during which most developmental losses occur, resulting in lower growth rates, lower weight gain, withers height, among others. The study was conducted in the southwestern region of Paraná, in the city of Verê, on a family farm with Holstein breed animals. Twenty newborn animals were assigned to their respective treatments. During the first three days of life, the calves received only colostrum; from day 3 to day 15, they received 4 liters of milk per day, and subsequently, until day 60, this amount increased to 6 liters of milk per day. From the first week of life, the calves were given ad libitum access to concentrate feed. The treatments consisted of animals receiving 5regular6 concentrate (control group) and animals receiving concentrate containing molasses in its formulation. The development of the animals on the different diets was evaluated from birth to weaning, determining weight gain and growth, daily intake of concentrate feed, and measurements of height, length, and thoracic circumference from birth to weaning. This study aims to evaluate the development of suckling calves consuming starter concentrate with or without molasses in its composition. The animals were fed twice a day in the same manner for both treatments (with and without molasses). They were kept in separate pens without contact between them throughout the treatment period and had unlimited access to water and the feed corresponding to their treatment. The amount of solid feed consumed was recorded at the end of each day. The study showed a statistically significant difference in concentrate intake in favor of the molasses group, but no statistically significant differences in length, height, or thoracic circumference. The study did not yield conclusive results regarding the use of molasses in calf development.