Economic evaluation of the confinement of dairy heifers fed cocoa meal in the diet

Abstract

Twenty Holstein x Zebu, with 165.5kg initial average weight were used to evaluate production cost. The animals were fed elephant grass silage and concentrate with four levels (0; 7; 14 and 21%) of cocoa meal. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five replicates. Feed was supplied twice daily, at 7AM 3AM 30 PM. Earnings per animal and per kg of meat were positive in the treatments 0, 7 and 14% , while negative in 21% of cocoa meal, observing the best economic return on treatment with 7% of cocoa meal. By simulating the variation in the price of cocoa meal, from $0.25 made the profit per animal and per kg meat / negative on treatment with 21% inclusion of cocoa meal. The simulations showed that treatment with 7% was the most economically advantageous because it produced more cost-effective for the conditions of this work