The quality of lucerne hay administered in the early period of rearing and its relation to the growth of heifer skeleton
1991
Machacova, E. | Dedeckova-Salova, J. (Vyzkumny Ustav Zivocisne Vyroby, Prague-Uhrineves (CSFR))
An exact feeding trial was made with 20 heifers which were fed from the 12th day of age to the 9th month, equal feed rations, with the exception of lucerne hay quality: the heifers of group I were given high-quality lucerne hay, the animals of group II lower-quality lucerne hay. Liveweight growth and body development were followed on the basis of elementary body measurements. In the third, sixth and ninth months of age two heifers of either group were slaughtered; the effect of lucerne hay quality on the ossification process was investigated by metacarpal bone measurements. Different quality of lucerne hay was reflected in the level of its intake. The intake of nutrients, feeding values and minerals was influenced significantly. The standardized requirement of nutrients was fully met in the two groups of animals, and the liveweight pattern in the course of rearing was in agreement with this diet. The body development was fully in keeping with the reached level of nutrition. The difference in withers height in favour of the heifers fed high-quality hay was statistically significant. The quality of lucerne hay also influenced the weight of metacarpal bones - in the heifers of group I its average weight was 234.3 g and in the heifers of group II it was insignificantly lower (224.4 g). There were significant differences in the strength of metacarpal bone in favour of the heifers of group I. The quality of hay also influenced the strength of bone wall (it was higher in the heifers of group I). A close dependence was demonstrated between the withers height, cannon bone circumference, and metacarpal bone length and strength.
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