Residual feed intake of Nellore calves is not repeatable across pre and post weaning periods

ABSTRACT: This study measured milk and solid feed intake in pre- weaning period postweaning of Nellore calves, to correlated them with performance traits ingestive behavior animals classified as most least efficient. During pre phase, efficiency was evaluated 51 cow-calf pairs from 21±5 days after calving until weaning. post-weaning only male calves (n=23) were evaluated. Pre-weaning estimated based on cow’s production. daily metabolizable energy (MEI) the sum MEI diet. There no difference ADG between negative positive RFI, a consequent better conversion more efficient calves. The spent less time at bunk, shorter feeding duration higher rate intake, compared animals. Correlations metabolic body weight during phases positive, medium high magnitude, significant, while correlation values close zero. Results suggested that part ranked won’t maintain their rank phase. In conclusion, pre-weaning phase have similar gain but lower than RFI is weakly post showing not consistent or repeatable across two periods.