Substituição da silagem de milho por silagem de soja em dietas de novilhas leitiras: consumo e comportamento ingestivo

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the dry matter and nutrients intake and apparent digestibility according to the experimental diets of Jersey heifers supplemented with Different levels of soybean silage. Eight Jersey heifers with initial average weight of 160±15 kg, and age of 8±2,5 months were used.The animals were randomly distributed into two latin square design 4 x 4, balanced and contemporary, 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. The experimental period was 25 days, and 14 days for the adaptation to the experimental diets and 6 days for data collection. The experimental diets were: 1 – Control (0% of soybean silage in the total diet); 2 - (25% of soybean silage in the total diet); 3 - (50% Of soybean silage in the total diet) and 4 - (75% Of soybean silage in the total diet). Experimental diets were formulated according to the NRC (2001), aiming a daily gain of 700 grams per day, these being isonitrogenated. Quadratic effect on dry matter consumption was observed. Quadratic effect was observed in feeding, chewing, rumination and idleness. It is recommended to include 32.5% of soybean silage in the diet of dairy cows.