Rearing of replacement heifers with the use of new complex functional additives

When inseminated at the age of 13–14 months the input of replacement heifers into the main herd occurs at the age of 22–23 months. In order to obtain such parameters becomes possible by observing detailed feeding standards for replacement heifers and using special feed additives that ensure the consumption of the required amount of dry matter with feed. The purpose of the research was to study the effect of using complex functional additives Rumenfit 50 and Rumenfit 100 in starter compound feed, applied in feeding rations for replacement heifers aged 2 to 6 months on growth, development and conformation indicators during the rearing period, as well as on reproduction indicators. The use of complex functional additives in the starter compound feed had a positive effect on the growth and development of the experimental calves. The absolute gain in live weight in heifers of the 1st experimental group was 114.4 kg, in calves of the 2nd experimental group 110.9 kg, which was higher than the similar indicator of the control group of calves by 12.9 kg or 12.7 % (p ≤ 0.05) and 9.4 kg or 9.3 %, respectively. The average daily gain in live weight during the research period in the control group of experimental replacement heifers was 845 g, in the heifers of the 1st experimental group 953 g, i.e. 12.8 % higher, in the 2nd experimental group 924 g, which was 9.3 % higher. The tested additives contributed to the reduction of feed costs per 1 kg of weight gain in calves in the 1st experimental group by 0.6 EFU or 12.7 %, and in the 2nd experimental group by 0.45 EFU or 9.2 % compared to the control group. In order to increase the intensity of growth and development of replacement heifers during the rearing period, to reduce the period of the first insemination, we recommend including in the composition of starter compound feed the complex functional additives Rumenfit 100 and Rumenfit 50 at the rate of 10 g/head/day and 5 g/head/day, respectively, but preference should be given to the complex functional additive Rumenfit 100.