Influência da frequência de mensuração da matéria seca no cálculo do consumo alimentar residual em bovinos nelore

Abstract

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is a tool that helps identify animals that are more efficient in using feed. The Feed Efficiency Manual governs the step-by-step guide for measuring it, and recommends analyzing the dry matter (DM) of the diet every 14 days. However, it is known that DM is variable and, therefore, analysis every two weeks may not represent the veracity of what is being provided to the animals. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the DM measurement range of the total mixed ration (TMR) supplied to animals participating in the feed efficiency test. The data used in the research were collected during two feed efficiency tests, carried out at the Capim Branco experimental farm at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), lasting 56 days each. The diet was composed of corn silage and concentrate, TMR DM was performed daily. When analyzing the two tests, it is possible to verify that the average daily DM (DDM) did not differ statistically from the other scenarios analyzed, which were the average DM on day 1 (DMD1), the average DM on the last day of the test (DMLD) , the average DM every 7 days (DM7D), the average DM every 14 days (DM14D) and the average MS at the beginning, middle and end of the race (DMFML). It is concluded that the 14-day collection interval guidance indicated by the Feed Efficiency Manual is correct, however, it is possible to choose to carry out only one collection, aiming to optimize the work and reduce costs with frequent analyses.