Supplementation of Nellore young bulls on Marandu grass pastures in the dry period of the year

Marcella De Toledo Piza Roth,Rodolfo Maciel Fernandes,Matheus Henrique Moretti,Letícia Custódio,Flávio Dutra De Resende,Wellington Da Costa De Campos,Anna Paula De Toledo Piza Roth,Gustavo Rezende Siqueira

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982013000600009

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and daytime ingestive behavior of 84 Nellore young bulls in the post-weaning phase kept on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures during the dry season. Treatments were protein mineral supplementation (1 g/kg body weight) and protein+energy mineral supplementation (3 g/kg body weight). The experimental area comprised 12 paddocks in a total area of 27.36 ha, divided in two blocks of six paddocks each, having three replications per treatment in each block, with 42 animals/treatment. The data were subjected to variance analysis with repeated measures over time via procedure PROCMIXED of SAS (Statistical Analysis System, version 9.0) and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The initial average weight of animals was 204.8 kg; final weights were 260.9 and 276.9 kg for animals that received protein and protein+energy supplement, respectively. The forage availability, sward height and stocking rate values did not differ with supplementation, but they showed difference between the experimental periods. The average time spent grazing during daylight of animals fed protein+energy supplement was shorter as compared with those which consumed protein supplement. Animals kept under the same pasture conditions during the dry season show better performance when they receive protein+energy supplement than protein supplement.

Highlights

Weaning is the moment of permanent separation between mother and offspring, causing a period of stress for both, from the productive viewpoint
The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and daytime ingestive behavior of 84 Nellore young bulls in the post-weaning phase kept on Brachiaria brizantha cv
All attention should be drawn to the newly-weaned animal, which usually presents weight loss and greater susceptibility to the occurrence of diseases due mainly to two factors: nutritional deficiency and stress caused by the separation from the mother; the latter can be minimized when weaned animals are kept in the company of others from the same lot (Haddad & Mendes, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Weaning is the moment of permanent separation between mother and offspring, causing a period of stress for both, from the productive viewpoint. All attention should be drawn to the newly-weaned animal, which usually presents weight loss and greater susceptibility to the occurrence of diseases due mainly to two factors: nutritional deficiency and stress caused by the separation from the mother; the latter can be minimized when weaned animals are kept in the company of others from the same lot (Haddad & Mendes, 2010) In this scenario, the nutritional factor must be carefully regarded, especially considering that weaning is usually performed in the dry period of the year, when forages present reduced nutritional value and result in unsatisfactory animal performance. Considering weaning young bulls, the gains can be from low to moderate (up to 300 g/animal.day), allowing for the maintenance of weight or even gains, which can reflect in reduction in the postweaning time, ensuring anticipated leave from areas in the properties and slaughter of younger animals with carcasses of better quality

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Results