title: Performance of crossbred heifers in different step-down waste milk-feeding strategies.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption, performance, feed efficiency, glucose concentration, and the cost per kilogram of weight gain of crossbred Holstein-Gyr heifers (n = 33) subjected to one of the three waste milk step-down strategies: 6L-30d/4L-60d/2L-90d (T1), 6L-45d/4L-60d/2L-90d (T2), and 8L-30d/6L-60d/3L-90d (T3). Heifers were weaned at the age of 91 days. Water and starter were provided ad libitum. The average waste milk intake was higher in T3 than in T1 and T2 strategies until 30 days and between 60 and 90 days. The starter intake did not differ among the strategies until 45 days, but it was higher in strategy T1 than in strategy T3 between 60 and 90 days. The waste milk step-down strategy did not influence the total dry matter intake, average daily gain, body weight, and feed efficiency. Glucose concentrations in plasma varied within a range that could be considered normal and were similar among the treatments. The average cost per kilogram of weight gain was the lowest in strategy T1 (US$3.0) compared to that in the other strategies (T2, US$3.2, and T3, US$3.6). The 6L-30d/4L-60d/2L-90d waste milk step-down strategy was the most effective, since it increased the starter intake, led to normal glucose concentrations in plasma, and caused similar weight gain compared with the other strategies; however, it had a lower cost per kilogram.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Mergh
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Aparecida Mello
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ângela Maria Quintão
authors.initials: ÂM
authors.lastname: Lana
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Helton Mattana
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Saturnino
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ronaldo Braga
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiano Alvim
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Alves
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
authors.affiliation: ReHagro, Avenida Uruguai, no. 320, Bairro Sion, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30310-300, Brazil.
authors.forename: Robson Vilela
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Sá Fortes
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Brazil. sandragesteiracoelho@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sandra Gesteira
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Coelho
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000191:economics; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003612:Dairying; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008892:Milk; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: Calves; Costs; Feed efficiency; Glucose; Growth