Utilization of molasses-urea blocks in intensive fattening of creole bullocks
An experiment was conducted under dry tropical conditions to evaluate the productive performance and economic result of using blocks of molasses, urea and stover (with cement as binder) to intensively fatten intact male Creole calves. During a 90-day comparison period, 10 calves (190 kg liveweight and 15 months of age initially) were housed in individual pens. Feeding was based on sorghum stove ad libitum and a daily allowance equal to 1.5% of liveweith of a concentrate mixutre (15.3% CP and 3.0 Mcal DE) with adjustment at 30 d itnervals after weighing the cattle. Five calves also had free access to the blocks (T1) while the remaining five did not (T2). Initial weight was used as a covariable in the statistical analysis. Although totalDMintake did not vary (P>.05) between treatments, there were advantages (P<.05) of T1 over T2 in daily gain (1.2 vs. 1.0 kg) and feed to gain conversion ratio (6.9 ± vs. 8.2 kg/kg). Monetary income from animals sold above feed costs was also greater (P<.05) in T1 than in T2 (58.85 vs. 29.92 US dollars per head). It is concluded that use of the blocks was beneficial both as to biological efficiency a nd economic return.
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Asociacion Latinoamericana de Produccion Animal
2005
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| Online Access: | https://ojs.alpa.uy/index.php/ojs_files/article/view/258 |
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