Effect of supplementation levels on beef cattle performance in semi-confined systems

Abstract

The objective of this stud was to evaluate the effect of the su lementation levels on the performance of cattle in the finishing system in the period of waters in pasture of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa and its economic viability. In the experiment, 68 Nellore bulls were used, and were conducted in a completely randomized design with two levels of concentrate supplementation at the ratio of 1.2% and 1.8% live weight (LW) based on the dry matter (DM). Supplementation levels did not differ in body weights of animals during weighing done during the experiment and final. The animals supplemented with 1.8% of the LW obtained greater total weight gain, final loin eye area and final subcutaneous fat thickness. Supplement levels did not significantly influence hot carcass weight, carcass conformation, and carcass yield. The animals that received the highest level of supplementation had a better finishing of the carcass. The higher level of supplementation generated higher initial, average, final cost and higher cost for weight gain of the animals. Thus, the supplementation with 1.2% of the LW results in a lower cost per kilogram of meat produced, being the most suitable for beef cattle.