Abstract

RAMIREZ DIAZ, Roselia et al. Effect of fresh and enriched whey on weight gain and ruminal fermentation in artificially raised Jersey calves. Cienc. Tecnol. Agropecuaria [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.2, e2332.  Epub Apr 31, 2022. ISSN 0122-8706.  https://doi.org/10.21930/rcta.vol23_num2_art:2332.

In artificial calf rearing it is necessary to replace milk to reduce feed costs. Therefore, the objective of the work was to evaluate the use of fresh and enriched whey as a substitute for whole milk in the artificial rearing system of Jersey calves. Twenty-four calves weighing 31 ± 2.8 kg were used, divided into three treatments: T1) whole milk + concentrate + grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis), T2) enriched fresh whey + concentrate + grass and T3) fresh whey + concentrate + grass. Daily weight gain, concentrate consumption, ruminal fermentation parameters and in vitro degradation of the pasture were evaluated. A completely randomized design was used. Weight gain was similar for T1 and T2 (0.840 and 0.780 kg; P<0.05). While the consumption of concentrate was similar for all treatments. The maximum volume (Vm: T1: 174.36, T2: 196.30 and T3: 200.46 mL / g of MS; P>0.05) and lag phase (L: T1: 1.36; T2: 1.22 and T3: 0.68 h; P>0.05) of the pasture was similar between the evaluated treatments. At 30 days, the greatest degradation was found in T1. However, at 90 days no differences were found. It is concluded that the use of enriched fresh whey is viable to replace milk in artificial rearing of Jersey calves.

Keywords : artificial breeding; food consumption; parasitic load; rumen; ruminant feeding; ruminal fermentation; weight gain.

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