EFFECTIVENESS OF ALKALINE TREATED, WHOLE MAIZE FOR EARLY WEANED BOS INDICUS-CROSS CALVES

摘要

Schlink et al. (1988) showed that early weaning reduced lactational anoestrous, and calves weighing 50-60 kg at weaning could be successfully reared using maize-based supplements. Calves fed milled maize have a higher rate of liveweight gain comparedwith calves fed the equivalent amount of molasses (Schlink 2002). However, most cattle properties do not have grain-crushing equipment. Schlink (1990) reported that short-term alkaline treatment (sodium hydroxide; NaOH) of whole grain maize significantly improved the rate of DM disappearance from nylon bags. The present experiment examined the potential of short-term alkaline treatment to improve the efficiency of utilisation of whole grain maize when fed to early weaned Bos indicus-cross calves.