Avaliaçao do farelo de arroz na alimentaçao de bezerros da raça Holandês

An experiment was conducted with early-weaned Holstein calves to evaluate rice bran (RB) as a component of rations. A completely randomized design was used. Analysis of variance and polynomial regression were used in the statistical interpretation of the data. The experiment consisted of five treatments: O, 10, 20, 30, and 40 percent RB. In addition to RB, the rations contained corn, soybean meal, limestone, and common salt. Twenty animals were used in a 1 5-week trial. Calves received 3.5 kg colostrum per day from birth to day 5, and milk from 6 to 42 days of age. Concentrate rations were offered ad libitum after day 8, and the alfalfa hay was given after day 29 at a maximum of 400 grams/animal/day. The parameters used to evaluate the data were liveweight, weight gain, ration intake, digestible energy intake, crude protein intake, and feed/gain ratio. The results show that with up to the 20 percent level of rice bran in the ration, the calves responded positively in live weight gain which was accompanied by an increase in ration intake and energy. Above this level, there was a decrease in live weight gain and, also, a lower intake of ration and energy.