Signoretti et al., 1995. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 24 (5): 841-851
Utilização do farelo de gérmen de milho no concentrado inicial de bezerros de raças leiteiras em sistema de desaleitamento precoce.
Early weaned calves (10 Dutch Black Pied (DBP), 10, 3/4 DBP * zebu and 10, 7/8 DBP * zebu) were given diets in which 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% maize meal (84.73%) and soyabean oilmeal (13.20%) were replaced by maize germ meal in the starter. From birth to 3 days old they were given colostrum 3 kg daily and from 4 to 56 days old milk 3 kg daily with water, Pennisetum purpureum and the starter freely available. At 56 days old there was no significant difference in feed intake, weight gain and increase in circumference of the thorax and height at the withers among starter and breed groups and as a result of interaction of these factors. The 3/4-DBP calves given starter with 25% maize germ meal showed better conversion of DM than did the purebred and 7/8-DBP groups.