Performance of heifers supplemented with different levels of corn on pasture

Autores

  • F. A. L. Gonzalez Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Zootecnia, Porto Alegre, RS
  • H. O. Patino Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Zootecnia, Porto Alegre, RS
  • K. C. Swanson North Dakota State University, Department of Animal Science, Fargo, ND
  • C. H. Pereira Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Zootecnia, Porto Alegre, RS
  • J. U. Tarouco Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Zootecnia, Porto Alegre, RS
  • A. M. Padilha Diaz Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Bucaramanga
  • S. R.L. Silveira Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Zootecnia, Porto Alegre, RS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v73n3p260

Palavras-chave:

benefit-cost analysis, grazing, supplementation

Resumo

In southern Brazil, production systems are typically extensive and rely on grazing that often results in limited forage quantity and quality, decreasing efficiency and compromising reproductive tract development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance and reproductive tract development of heifers supplemented with different levels of corn on pasture. The following supplemental treatments were evaluated: T0 [40 g trace-mineralized salt per heifer per day (80 g phosphorus/kg product)]; T1 [0.5% of body weight (BW) cracked corn + 40 g trace-mineralized salt per heifer per day]; T2 [1% of BW cracked corn + 40 g trace-mineralized salt per heifer per day], and T3 [1.5% of BW cracked corn + 40 g trace-mineralized salt per heifer per day]. Thirty-nine phenotypically homogeneous Brangus heifers (average BW = 184±17 kg, average age = 269±27 days) raised on winter pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were randomized to 13 paddocks (one hectare each), with three heifers/paddock, to evaluate the effect of feeding different energy levels. Body condition score, average daily gain, frame score, dry matter availability, reproductive tract score, and stocking density were evaluated. The body condition score, average daily gain, reproductive tract score and stocking density increased (P<0.05) with increasing level of corn supplementation. Daily supplementation levels lower than 1.0% on Lolium multiflorum Lam. pasture can compromise the target breeding weight at 13 months of age. Therefore, daily supplementation at 1.0% of BW after weaning is a strategy to improve the economic and biological efficiency of livestock production systems, allowing to increase stocking density and to anticipate the age of heifers at first breeding.

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Publicado

30-09-2016

Edição

Seção

FORRAGICULTURA E PASTAGENS

Como Citar

Performance of heifers supplemented with different levels of corn on pasture. (2016). Boletim De Indústria Animal, 73(3), 260-266. https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v73n3p260

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