Sodium selenite in diets for meat calves

V. F. Radchikov, V. K. Gurin, V. P. Tsai, R. D. Shorets, V. A. Lundishev

Positive effect of different selenium dozes (0,1; 0,2, 0,3 mg per 1 kg of dry matter of a diet) on feeds intake, digestibility and nutrients usage, biochemical blood content and productivity of animals was determined. The most effective is the norm of 0,2 mg selenium per 1 kg of dry matter of the diet. Application of a perfect norm for cattle feeding activates microbiological processes in rumen, increases nutrients digestibility at 5,5-7,5 %, total protein level in blood - at 7,8 %, decreases urine level - at 12,5 %. Feeding calves with forage enriched with sodium selenite, giving 0,2 mg of selenium per 1 kg of dry matter, promotes increase of calves average daily weigh gains at 10,9 %. Profit as a result of digestibility increase and prime cost decrease is increase at 6-9 %.

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