The use of extracts of medicinal plants to increase the growth rate of calves

Abstract

The research aimed at the development and introduction of extracts of medicinal plants for the transition to a highly productive and antibiotic-free agricultural economy has been carried out in the Kemerovo region,. The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of the use of extracts of medicinal plants (maral root, stinging nettle, creeping thyme and calendula) to increase the growth rate of calves of Black-and-White breed. A comparative analysis of the effect of medicinal plant extracts on the growth rate of calves of Black-and-White breed has been carried out, the rationale for choosing the most effective combination of them has been given. A pilot batch of a mixture of two extracts of medicinal plants of maral root (Leuzea carthamoides) at a dose of 0,125 mg/kg and stinging nettle (Urticadioica L.) at the dose of 7,0 mg/kg for introduction into the diet of calves has been made. During the experiment all calves have been receiving the mixture of extracts of maral root and stinging nettle were characterized by a high growth rate and as a result by the end of the experiment, the live weight of calves in the experimental group exceeded 2,27 kg or 4,5 % of the indicator in the control group. In this regard, it has been proposed to include in the feeding diet of calves the mixture of extracts of medicinal plants such as maral root at the dose of 0,125 mg/kg and stinging nettle at the dose of 7,0 mg/kg, to increase the growth rate of calves from 14 to 28 days of age.