Dynamics of live weight of calves when used in the ration the feed additive Vermiculite

Abstract

In providing the population with high-quality and cheap beef a signifi cant role is assigned, and in the future will be assigned to beef cattle breeding. The development of this industry and its eff ectiveness depends on the correct use of available feed resources. With the development of the feed industry the main task of which is mainly to ensure that in a small volume, as much as possible, as many sources of nutrients in a highly digestible form, the use of feed additives becomes important. Feed additives as a rule should compensate for the missing elements in the ration. The level and ratio of nutrients in them have a stimulating eff ect on the growth of muscle tissue and the formation of a strong backbone. The purpose of the work was to study the eff ect of the feed additive Vermiculite on the live weight of Kazakh White-headed steers. In order to study the feed additive Vermiculite in the rations of steers a scientifi c and economic experiment has been carried out on the basis of LLP “Terra” in the Kostanay region in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Two groups of steers have been formed for this purpose with 10 heads in each. The control group has received a basic feeding ration consisting of corn silage, haylage, wheat straw, complete feed (wheat, barley). The experimental group has received 200 g of Vermiculite per 1 head/day in addition to the main ration. During the entire period of the experiment the steers of the experimental group had the highest indicators of average daily growth compared to their herdmates in the control group. The highest value of the average daily gain in both groups has been observed in the period of 8–12 months, amounting to 1123,3 g in the control group, and 1159,2 g in the experimental group. The diff erence in favor of the steers of the experimental group was 35,9 g or 3,2 % (P < 0,01). In general during the experiment the diff erence in the average daily gain in live weight between the groups was 31,1 g or 3,5 % in favor of the animals of the experimental group.