Resumen

SOCA, Mildrey; OJEDA, F; GARCIA, D.E  y  SOCA, Maylin. Effect of Morus alba forage on the productive and health indicators of grazing calves. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2010, vol.33, n.4, pp.1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

In order to evaluate the potential of mulberry (Morus alba var. Cubana) for the supplementation of young grazing cattle and its effects on the productivity and health of the animals, this study was conducted at the EEPF "Indio Hatuey" during the rainy season, with two treatments: the experimental group received 6 kg of fresh chopped mulberry and 500 g of concentrate/animal/day (A); while in the control group supplementation was 1 kg of concentrate/animal/day and pangola grass hay ad libitum (B). The bromatological and phytochemical composition of mulberry, live weight, mean daily gain (MDG) and fecal egg count (FEC) of gastrointestinal nematodes in the animals were evaluated. Significant differences (P<0,001) were observed in the live weight between treatments (186,06 vs 169,01 kg). Likewise, a significant effect (P<0,05) of the MDG was detected, with values higher than 600 g in the supplemented animals. On the other hand, the FEC showed significant differences (P<0,01) since the second month of evaluation, with stable performance and values lower than 100 epg in the experimental group. Seven groups of secondary metabolites were found; the most representative ones were phenols, tripertene-steroids and flavonoids, which have therapeutical action on animals. The mulberry forage is concluded to show good nutritional characteristics that allow its inclusion in diets for grazing calves. In addition, good results in the live weight and mean daily gain can be obtained with supplementation.

Palabras clave : Calf; Morus alba; supplements.

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