Abstract

ESPINOZA, Freddy et al. Use of hydroponics forage corn in the feeding of 5/8 Holstein x Brahman bovine. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2004, vol.22, n.4, pp.303-315. ISSN 0798-7269.

To evaluate the nutritive value of hydroponics forage corn (HFC) and the effects on bovine weight change, it was carried out an experiment in experimental farm located in Maracay, Aragua state, Venezuela at 463 masl, 10º17’N and 67º37’W. The total annual rainfall was 1,013 mm with a mean temperature of 26ºC. The soils were loam texture with 12 ppm of phosphorous and pH 8.5. Ten growing bovines crossbreed 5/8 Holstein x Brahman were used, separated in different corrals (five animals/corral), under a stalled system. Two treatments were evaluated: Control, animals fed with grass only, and animals fed with 70% grass plus 30% of hydroponics forage corn. The animals were previously fed with the experimental diets for a period of 7 days and then for seven continuous weeks. The variables were: nutritive value of the grass and the HFC, nitrogen content in blood and semen, and weight change. The design was a complete randomize, where each animal was a repetition. The results showed that the nutritive value of the HFC was higher than the grass with a high protein content in the leaves and the whole plant (33.5 and 19.4%, respectively) (P<0.01). Also, higher mineral content was observed in the HFC. Significant differences were observed (P<0.05) between treatments for the consumption and use of the HFC. The nitrogen content in blood and semen of the animals showed no significant differences (1.3 and 0.7%, respectively) from the control. The weight gain was higher in the animals that consumed grass plus HFC (1.123 g/animal/d). It is concluded that the HFC could be a feeding alternative for the growing bovines in stalled conditions as a supplement in the base diet.

Keywords : hydroponics forage; nutritive value; semen; weight change.