PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY CALVES FED WHOLE CORN GRAIN IN A FEEDLOT SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) cultivation in the state of Rondônia has gained prominence as a productive alternative; however, the region’s dry period poses a challenge to crop development. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of the RG 03 and CS 3663 Max varieties under water stress conditions for 50 days in the municipality of Espigão do Oeste – RO. The experiment was carried out under field conditions, with side-by-side planting of the cultivars under reduced precipitation and minimal supplemental irrigation. Germination rate and vegetative growth were evaluated. RG 03 showed greater initial vigor, reaching a germination rate of 94.6%, while CS 3663 Max presented greater height over time, reaching 143 cm at 50 days. The results indicate that both cultivars are adaptable to cultivation under water-limited conditions, but they express distinct strategies: RG 03 demonstrates greater stability during early establishment, whereas CS 3663 Max exhibits greater vegetative plasticity under water deficit. Further evaluations throughout the reproductive phase are needed to determine which variety performs better regarding ear and grain yield during the dry period.