335 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Associated with Essential Oils and α-Amylase Increases the Performance of Cattle in Intensive Pasture Finishing

Abstract

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the use of different feed additives in the performance of beef cattle in intensive pasture finishing (TIP), fed a high level of concentrate for 96 days. Nellore bulls (n = 120; iBW 359 kg, ±5.02 kg) were distributed in randomized blocks, allocated in paddocks of 2.4 ha (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés; 10 animals/paddock), with two treatments with 6 replications (paddock as experimental unit), adapted with increasing concentrate, with a target of 2% BW in concentrate DMI (DMIc) on the 10th day. The treatments were: 1) Sodium Monensin (MON), 26mg/Kg MS; 2) Crina, Rumistar + Hy-D, essential oil blend, 90 mg/kg DM + exogenous α-amylase, 560 mg/kg DM + 25 hydroxy-vitamin D3, 1mg/animal/day). The animals were weighed fasting (± 16h) at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, the DMIc was measured daily by the difference between the offered and the leftovers. Data were evaluated using Glimmix procedure of SAS, whereby means were separated using the PDIFF statement (P < 0.05). The use of CRD increased DMIc (9.1 vs. 8.2 kg/day, P=0.0034), DMIc/BW (2.14 vs 1.97% DMI/BW, p=0.0044), ADG (1.4 vs. 1.2 kg/day, P=0.0241), and final BW (492 vs. 473kg, P=0.0085). Likewise animals fed CRD had greater carcass ADG (1.2 vs 1.0 kg/day, P=0.0034), HCW (292 vs. 277kg, P=0.0121) and tended to have greater dressing % (58.56 vs 59.34, P = 0.07). Additionally, animals fed MON had greater fluctuation in DMIc (5.28% vs 4.53% day, p=0,0278), and took longer days to reach 2% BW in DMIc (22 vs. 12 days, P< 0.05). The use of Crina® RumistarTM + Hy-D® increases carcass production of bovines under intensive pasture finishing.