White Mulberry (Morus alba) Foliage as a Feeding Supplement for Growing Calves

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the feed consumption and weight gain in calves fed with a nutritional block made of white mulberry (Morus alba) for a 90-day-period, involving dry season months (March-May) in Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico. A total of 45 growing Zebu × Swiss calves with an average weight of 200 kg were assigned randomly in three groups of 15 animals, and the following treatments of nutritional block were offered to each group: grazing animals (T 0 ), grazing animals plus nutritious block with white mulberry (T 1 ), and grazing animals plus nutritious block without white mulberry (T 2 ). A consumption of 0.545 kg/d from block in treatment T 1 was observed, significantly improving calves growing and showing a weight gain of 0.933 kg/d. Use of white mulberry in nutritional blocks is a good alternative for growing calves, as a feeding strategy given the seasonality of pasture production in the tropics.

Morus Plant Genus: Superb Antidiabetic Activity and Outstanding Source of Nutrients

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