Effects of protein-energetic supplementation frequency on growth performance and nutritional characteristics of grazing beef cattle

摘要

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate reduced supplementation frequencies for grazing beef cattle in rainy season. In experiment 1, evaluating the nutritional parameters, four rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (BW = 410 kg) were used. In experiment 2, evaluating animal performance, 48 Nellore bulls (BW = 358 kg) were used. The treatments were as follows: mineral supplement (MS) alone and MS plus protein-energy supplement provided 3x, 5x and 7x/week. Supplementation frequency did not affect (P & 0.05) intake and digestibility. Average daily gain was greater (P & 0.001) to supplementation compared with MS. The supplementation 5x/week resulted in greater weight gain per hectare (9.24) and higher economic returns during the study period (1.64%) compared to other supplementations. Supplementation 5x/week increased animal performance and positively influenced economic returns.