The physical form of concentrate on the performance and rumen development on dairy calves was evaluated in this experiment. Twenty-two Holstein male calves, with 42.3 kg initial body weight, were individually housed, fed 4 L/d of liquid diet and starter concentrate in two physical forms (pelleted or coarsely ground). Starter concentrate intake was monitored daily and calves were weighted weekly, always after the morning liquid diet feeding. After 10 weeks, four calves from each treatment were slaughtered and rumen samples […]

The objective was to evaluate the estimate of digestion and microbial production by using indigestible neutral and acid detergent fiber (iNDF and iADF respectively) and to compare microbial production estimated by purine bases in the omasum and urinary excretion of purine derivatives. Four rumen and ileum fistulated Holstein-Zebu heifers with average initial 220 kg LW was maintained in confined regime fed diet based on Tifton (Cynodon spp.) hay, offered ad libitum and 1kg of concentrate (27% CP). The experiment lasted […]

The objective of this trial was to investigate the intestinal digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) using different markers and the effect of sampling collection period (daytime vs. diurnal) on nutrient digestion. Four crossbred Holstein x Zebu heifers fitted with ruminal and ileal cannulas were used in this trial. Animals were housed in individual pens and fed ad libitum bermudagrass hay plus 1 kg of concentrate (27% CP). The experiment lasted 60 days with seven days for diet adaptation and […]

The present work was carried out to evaluate the growth of stomach compartments of early weaned Holstein calves. The animals were fed concentrates and hay from the second and third week of age respectively. Eighteen animals were allotted to a completely randomized design, with three treatments (slaughter age). Six calves were slaughtered at birth, at 50 days at 110 days of age; the stomachs were withdrawn and the weight and volume of each compartment measured. Data were submitted to correlation […]

Thirty two Holstein black and white type bull calves averaging 75 days of age and initial 78 kg LW, divided into two slaughter groups (group 1: 16 animals slaughtered with 190 ± 10 kg LW and group 2: 16 animals slaughtered with 300 ± 10 kg LW) were allotted to a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of crescent dietary levels of concentrate on the quantitative traits of the non integrate body parts of the animal carcass and the […]