Viabilidade do uso de silagem pré-secada de alfafa como fonte de proteína na dieta de vacas leiteiras em sistema de produção intensivo: estudo de caso

Abstract

Even with frequent market fluctuations, the milk production chain is an important generator of revenue and jobs in agribusiness. The Northwest of the state of Rio Grande do Sul is an important hub for dairy farming at state and national level. The intensification of production caused new structural and management arrangements to emerge and gain space, with milk production in confined systems being a reality for those seeking to improve technology and increase productivity. Animal feeding is responsible for the most significant production costs in dairy cattle farming, with the protein portion representing the highest values in the composition of the herds' diet. Soybean meal is the protein food most used in dairy cow diets, a fact that is directly linked to its supply on the market and the protein content of this component. Pre-dried alfalfa silage is a viable alternative for feeding livestock, as it is a forage legume with a high protein content used worldwide in animal feed. Searching for alternatives that can reduce costs without affecting productivity must be a constant in order to guarantee satisfactory results and ensure that producers remain in the activity. In this sense, the present work aims to evaluate the feasibility of using pre-dried alfalfa silage to feed dairy cows in an intensive production system.