Consumo de matéria seca e desempenho de novilhas Nelore alimentadas com dietas contendo cana-de-açúcar hidrolisada Dry matter intake and performance of Nellore heifers fed with hydrolyzed sugarcane

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo de nutrientes e o desempenho de novilhas Nelore alimentadas com dietas contendo cana-de-açúcar in natura (CN) ou hidrolisada (CH) com 0,5% de Ca(OH)2 armazenada por 24, 48 e 72 horas. Foram utilizadas 24 novilhas com nove meses de idade e 119,6±8,1kg de peso corporal inicial. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualisado com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. O consumo de matéria seca foi reduzido em 29% pela adição de Ca(OH)2, não sendo alterado pelo período de armazenamento da CH. O consumo de cálcio foi incrementado (PThe study aimed to evaluate the nutrients intake and performance of Nellore heifers fed with chopped sugarcane, fresh (FS) or treated (HS) with 0.5% of Ca(OH)2 and stored during 24, 48 or 72 hours. It was used twenty-four heifers with nine months age and 119.6±8.1kg of initial body weight. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and six replications. The dry matter intake showed an average reduction of 29% by adding Ca(OH)2, and didn't change with the storage period. Calcium intake was increased by the use of HS in the diet, while maintaining acceptable levels of intake. Heifers fed with HS stored during 24, 48 and 72 hours had, respectively, average daily weight gain of 41, 30 and 35% lower than those fed with FS. The treatment of sugarcane with Ca(OH)2 is not recommended for feeding Nellore heifers, due to limited intake and lower weight gain.