Evaluation of the technical and economic viability of the termination of Holstein males in Western Santa Catarina

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical-economic viability of finishing Holstein dairy cows, being fed a high grain diet. In all, 24 animals, with an average age of 60 days and an average weight of 40.3 kilos (kg) were weaned and kept in confinement until 315 days, when they were slaughtered in a commercial fridge. After the adaptation period, the diet composed of 90% whole grain corn and 10% Rumenature® (Agrifirm) was provided twice a day in linear troughs. Access to water and hay was unrestricted. The animals were weighed monthly and the weights, as well as production costs, were noted and tabulated. Calves had an average daily weight gain of 1.314 kg, an average slaughter weight of 393.2 kg, and a carcass yield of 48.9%, (193.3 kg). Up until the time of slaughter, there was an individual production cost of R$ 1,555,35, with R$ 1,755,98 in revenue, resulting from the slaughter of the animals. Thus, the individual profit was R $ 200.75, demonstrating that the termination of males of dairy origin can become an alternative to disposal, generating a second income within the dairy properties and filling a new market niche.