Different forms of urea administration in feed of dairy heifers

Abstract

Eighteen Holstein heifers 12 to 15 months old, were used in a randomized block design for 98 days, with 3 treatments: corn silage (ad libitum) plus: A) concentrate mixture with extruded urea; B) concentrate mixture with urea; C) concentrate mixture without urea. The concentrate mixture consisted of soybean meal and ground corn. Results showed no statistical differences (P > 0.05) in weight gains, silage dry matter consumption and feed efficiency among treatments. Weight daily gains were 0.597, 0.551 and 0.719 Kg: daily silage consumptions (on a dry matter basis) were 5.01; 5.74 and 5.58 Kg; and dry matter intake/Kg weight gain were 10.92; 12.49 and 9.26 Kg, for treatments A, B and C respectively.