The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance, ponderal development of heifers fed sugar cane based diets, supplemented with non protein nitrogen (NPN) sources (urea or broiler litter, in replacement of urea) and, or, probiotics addition (without probiotic, with yeast or with ruminal microbiota). Cost and gross margin of the use of these diets were also evaluated. Twenty-four heifers, with age and average initial weight of 14 months and 247 kg LW, respectively, were maintained in individual stalls and ad libitum fed during the experimental of 84 days. The animals were distributed in a complete randomized design, in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement (NPN source vs probiotic source), with four replicates. The heifers were weighed and their thoracic perimeter, hip and croup height were determined at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period and at every 28 days. The blood plasma N-urea levels of the heifers were also determined in blood samples collected immediately before the daily feed supply, zero hour, and at two, four, six and eight hours post feeding. There was no interaction between NPN sources and the probiotic sources, for any studied characteristic. The sugar cane supplementation with the NPN sources had no eefect on the average daily weight gain. However, the yeast or ruminal microbiota addition promoted similar weight gains, although, higher than without probiotic addition. The partial replacement of the urea for the broiler litter did not affect the heifers performance, but the diets supplemented with yeast or ruminal microbiota presented higher weight gain and ponderal development.
broiler litter; sugar cane; probiotic; urea
