Performance and economic analysis of Nellore cattle finished in feedlot during dry and rainy seasons

Abstract

We aimed at evaluating the animal performance and economic variables of Nellore cattle finished in feedlot during the dry and rainy seasons. A total of 1,908 Nellore animals with an average age of 24 months were used. These animals were separated into two groups: 1,021 animals, with an average body weight of 400 kg, wereconfined for 100 days in the dry season and 887 animals, with an average body weight of 356 kg, were confined for 126 days in the rainy season. All animals received the same diet in the two studied seasons. Diets fed during adaptation had a roughage to concentrate ratio of 30:70 (dry matter basis). The amount of concentrate was gradually increased until reaching a roughage toconcentrate ratio of 10:90. We used a completely randomized design with two treatments (dry and rainy season) and six replications per treatment.The feedlot pens were considered as the experimental unit. The performance variables were analyzed to identify the differences between the seasons. Also, correlations between variables were calculated. The economic analysis was done using the operating cost methodology andcomparing the weighted averages between economic variables. Animals confined on both seasons (dry and rainy) showed the same performance. There was a positive correlation between days of confinement with administrative cost, depreciation and opportunity cost. A negative correlation was observed between profit and the equilibrium point. The arroba cost was higher in the rainy season. However, sale values for the animals in rainy season were high, which surpassed the higher production cost compared to the dry season and resulted in a higher profitability. We conclude that Nellore cattle could be confined all year round in an economically viable way.