Six male and six female calves, seven-month-old, averaging 168kg bw, grazing on Brachiaria decumbens, were used in a split plot design to compare the efficacy of two external markers: chromic oxide (Cr2O3) and purified and enriched lignin (LIPE®) simultaneously dosed once a day to predict dry matter intake (DMI). For both, Cr2O3 and LIPE®, no differences in DMI according to gender were observed. Comparing the efficacy of the two markers to predict fecal output and pasture intake, the estimates obtained with chromic oxide were lower. Forage DMI, total DMI, DMI as percentage of body weight, and DMI in relation to metabolic weight were: 2.03 and 4.50kg; 2.71 and 5.18kg; 1.62 and 3.10%, and 58.10 and 111.32g/kg bw0.75 for Cr2O3 and LIPE®, respectively. These results suggest that estimates obtained from LIPE® were more appropriate to the dry matter requirements and performance of the calves.
calf; Brachiaria; markers; pasture intake
