Utilization of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) waste meal in heifers

Abstract

The objective of this trial was to determine the effect of the utilization of 30 % shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) waste meal on some productive and reproductive indicators of grazing heifers, in Culiacán –Sinaloa, Mexico–. Between February and August, 2016, a trial was conducted with 12 Swiss Brown heifers, of 10-14 months of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments of six animals each: control treatment: 3 kg of supplement, which contained 100 % concentrate feed; experimental treatment: 3 kg of supplement which contained 70 % concentrate feed and 30 % shrimp waste meal. The remainder of the diet consisted in grazing and grass hay. The daily weight gain was favorable and significant with the presence of the shrimp waste meal (0,520 vs. 0,410 kg/animal/day); while the reproductive response was shown in the percentages of pregnant heifers at the end of the test (83 % in the experimental treatment vs. 50 % in the control). It was proven that the inclusion of 30 % shrimp waste meal allowed higher daily weight gain, as well as a decrease of some indicators of caloric stress, such as the pH of urine and feces, in addition to the rectum temperature; this permitted pregnancies in a shorter time period, essential aspect for cattle husbandry in Sinaloa.