In vitro GAS PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVE RESPONSE OF FEMALE CALVES FEEDING AN INTEGRAL DIET CONTAINING SESAME PASTE (Sesamun indicum) AS A PROTEIN SOURCE

Background. Given the production conditions in the resulting dry tropics, supplementation and use of protein sources is necessary. Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro gas production, in vitro fermentation characteristics, productive response, ruminal characteristics, and apparent nutrient digestibility of a whole diet with sesame paste or soybean paste in calf feed. Methodology. In vitro total gas production was measured at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. In addition, Eight Simbrah calves of 229 ± 39 kg live weight (LW) were fed a whole diet containing 10% soybean paste (control) or sesame paste (experimental). The study lasted 40 days and productive variables, nutrient digestibility and ruminal characteristics were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized. Results. Total gas production at 3 hours was 39% higher (p 0.05). The dry matter intake (DMI) and the daily weight gain (DWA) did not change (p> 0.05) between treatments. In feed conversion (FC) the calves of the control treatment were 2.04% more efficient. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was 3.9% higher (p 0.05) between treatments. Implications. The use of sesame paste as a protein source gives a favorable productive response like soybean paste. Conclusion. The inclusion of sesame paste in whole calf diets can replace soybean paste in the whole calf diet in the tropics.