Evaluación Del Costo Y Desarrollo De Becerros Holstein Lactantes Alimentados Con Leche Entera

Feeding the calves during the pre-weaning period is decisive for the entire production cycle of dairy cattle. The objective of this work was to estimate the feeding cost of lactating calves fed with different amounts of whole milk. 40 newborn animals were used, randomly included in 2 treatments. The treatments were as follows: T1 = 3 +3 L of milk for 57 days, T2 = 4 + 4 L of milk for 45 days. In both treatments, pasteurized whole milk was supplied divided into two feedings/day at 07:00 and 15:00 respectively. The first feeding of colostrum (2 L*feed) was provided within 2 h after birth, subsequently a second feeding was provided 6 h after the first feeding. The variables to evaluate development were weight, height, food consumption in the first 60 days of life and the cost of feeding (starter food + milk) was estimated. From the variables evaluated, no statistical difference was observed (P<0.05) between treatments. In relation to the weight of the calves, there was an increase in the animals where 8 L of milk was supplied during the first 45 days of life. Regarding the cost of feeding, the most economical treatment was in which 6 l of milk was supplied, but it should be noted that the calves in this treatment obtained less weight.