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Effect of Guazuma Leaves (Guazuma ulmifolia) Inclusion as Protein Source on Growing Calves



Author(s)

Amalia Cabrera Núñez, Iliana Del Carmen Daniel Rentería, Miguel Ángel Lammoglia Villagómez, César Enrique Martínez Sánchez, Sara Aída Alarcón Pulido and Rebeca Rojas-Ronquillo

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DOI:10.17265/2161-6256/2018.01.006

School of Biological and Agricultural Science, University of Veracruz, Tuxpan, Veracruz 92860, Mexico

The present work was undertaken in a cattle ranch of the north of Puebla state, Mexico. The aim was to incorporate Guazuma leaves (Guazuma ulmifolia) in the diet of growing calves and evaluate its effect on weight gain. Twenty-four Cebu × Swiss calves (approximately live weight 250 kg) were used during all the experimental period (64 d). They were assigned to a completely randomized design under two treatments (n = 12 for each treatment): control (T₁) consisted of commercial feed based on 15% crude protein (CP) + cut Taiwan grass and the treatment (T₂) consisted of a formulated diet containing 14.7% CP including Guazuma. The composition of the formulated diet consisted of: Guazuma (60%), rolled corn (12%), ground sorghum (9%), oats in grain (7%), wheat bran (9%) and vitamins and minerals. The feed was offered twice a day at a rate of 3% of live weight for 64 d. The mean daily gain for T₁ and T₂ was 1.15 g/animal and 1.52 g/animal, respectively (p < 0.05). Results indicate that Guazuma-based supplements resulted in greater productive yield in growing calves.

Calves, Guazuma, suplementation, weight gain.