Development in weight and height of dairy calves in outsourced breeding in western Santa Catarina

Abstract

The rearing of heifers is the basis of dairy production, since there is a need to obtain quality animals to replace the herd. Based on breeding costs and aiming to maintain the squad, we seek to optimize breeding and seek maximum efficiency. The rearing of heifers was monitored on a property in the interior of the municipality of Nova Erechim, Santa Catarina, which works with outsourced rearing, in order to assess the growth in height and weight. An average of 200 animals aged between 10 days and 9 months remain housed each month on the property. The food offered varies in the different stages of growth, and colostrum is carried out on the original property. Nine heifers were evaluated over a period of 3 months, totaling 4 weights and height measurements. On the second visit, 11 heifers were included in the study group, which were followed during 3 visits, totaling a batch of 20 heifers assisted. The calves in general obtained a weight gain of 0.750 kg/day, remaining within the standards described in the literature, as for height, the animals obtained a growth of 0.25 cm per day, reaching 100 cm at 4 months of age, above the reference values.