Abstract
A grazing trial to evaluate biological and economic efficiencies for rearing young animals exclusively on pasture from weaning at 7 months of age, with average initial weight of 220 ± 12 kg, to slaughter was conducted from May 2006 to October 2007. Two levels of combined supplementation during the first dry period and four genetic groups (F1 Angus-Nellore; ½Braford-¼Angus-¼Nellore; ½Brahman-¼Angus-¼Nellore; and Charolais- Nellore) were used following a 4 by 2 factorial arrangement and eight replications in a completely randomized design. During both dry periods, eight paddocks of deferred Brachiaria brizantha were utilized. During the first dry period, concentrated mix (CM) and protein-mineral mixture (PMM) were provided in quantities of 0.8% and 0.2% of body weight (BW), respectively, for 142 days. During the subsequent rainy period, the animals were transferred to eight guinea grass paddocks for 197 days. During the second dry period, the animals were allocated to the same eight palisade grass paddocks used during the previous dry season. Steers had received supplementary diet with the same CM used before at 0.8% of BW. Animals supplemented with CM gained more BW than those supplemented with PMM; however, during the rainy season, steers supplemented with PMM performed better than those receiving CM during the preceding dry period. Using concentrate since the first dry season is a risky option in economic terms, as only the Angus-Nellore group showed a positive but small gain.
Highlights
Sustainable technological alternatives to improve the quality of beef meat are required if Brazil aims to maintain its position as one of the most important players in the world beef market
Animals supplemented with concentrated mix (CM) gained more body weight (BW) than those supplemented with protein-mineral mixture (PMM); during the rainy season, steers supplemented with PMM performed better than those receiving CM during the preceding dry period
Morphological components and nutritive value did not vary between the pastures in which the animals received one or the other supplement (Table 2), thereby ensuring that the difference in weight gain was a result of the supplement used (CM or PMM)
Summary
Sustainable technological alternatives to improve the quality of beef meat are required if Brazil aims to maintain its position as one of the most important players in the world beef market. Seasonality of forage production, a common feature of tropical pastures, might be one of the major constraints for slaughtering young animals This seasonality is characterized by marked reductions in forage quantity and quality during the dry season, decreasing animal performance and increasing age at slaughter. It is, essential to provide conditions to maintain high animal performance throughout the year. Essential to provide conditions to maintain high animal performance throughout the year This crucial problem could be solved by more intensively using the alternatives available for pasture management (DIFANTE et al 2010, GIMENES et al 2011) and feed supplementation (GARCIA et al 2014, CANESIN et al 2007). The responses obtained could be enhanced by using animals with superior genetic makeup to make better use of the resources provided (PEROTTO et al 2009, MENEZES; RESTLE 2005)
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