Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different Seasons
The objective was to evaluate the effect of supplementation during three seasons (autumn, winter, and spring) on the productive and reproductive performance of Nellore heifers grazing on Mombaça grass. A total of 28 Nellore heifers were subjected to two supplementation strategies: 15 CP [15% crude p...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Anderson Lopes Pereira José Neuman Miranda Neiva Fabrícia Rocha Chaves Miotto Juliana Silva de Oliveira Alberto Jefferson da Silva Macêdo Josilene Lima Serra Daniel Henrique de Souza Tavares Paulo da Cunha Tôrres Junior Evandro de Sousa da Silva Edson Mauro Santos |
| author_facet | Anderson Lopes Pereira José Neuman Miranda Neiva Fabrícia Rocha Chaves Miotto Juliana Silva de Oliveira Alberto Jefferson da Silva Macêdo Josilene Lima Serra Daniel Henrique de Souza Tavares Paulo da Cunha Tôrres Junior Evandro de Sousa da Silva Edson Mauro Santos |
| author_sort | Anderson Lopes Pereira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objective was to evaluate the effect of supplementation during three seasons (autumn, winter, and spring) on the productive and reproductive performance of Nellore heifers grazing on Mombaça grass. A total of 28 Nellore heifers were subjected to two supplementation strategies: 15 CP [15% crude protein (CP)] and 18 CP (18% CP). The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement (two supplementation strategies and three seasons). A strategy × season interaction effect was observed for height (<i>p</i> = 0.008), with the 15 CP strategy in spring showing a higher average (56 cm) compared to 18 CP (26 cm). Regarding pasture chemical composition, the season significantly influenced quality (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with winter presenting inferior quality. A strategy × season interaction effect was also observed (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with lower averages recorded during winter for the 18 CP strategy in final body weight (FBW) (271.74 kg), total weight gain (TWG) (31.48 kg), and stocking rate (SR) (3.99 animal units per hectare, AU/ha). In reproductive efficiency, the 15 CP strategy achieved a pregnancy rate of 85% compared to 54% for the 18 CP strategy. The 15 CP strategy provided better performance for the heifers, increasing FBW, TWG, SR, and pregnancy rate, with significant results in spring due to improved forage quantity and quality associated with supplementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c9a19bc70c754905b7c8cecb83857570 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2813-3463 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| series | Grasses |
| spelling | doaj-art-c9a19bc70c754905b7c8cecb838575702025-08-20T02:42:31ZengMDPI AGGrasses2813-34632025-03-0141910.3390/grasses4010009Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different SeasonsAnderson Lopes Pereira0José Neuman Miranda Neiva1Fabrícia Rocha Chaves Miotto2Juliana Silva de Oliveira3Alberto Jefferson da Silva Macêdo4Josilene Lima Serra5Daniel Henrique de Souza Tavares6Paulo da Cunha Tôrres Junior7Evandro de Sousa da Silva8Edson Mauro Santos9Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58397-000, PB, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaina 77826-612, TO, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaina 77826-612, TO, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58397-000, PB, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58397-000, PB, BrazilFederal Institute of Maranhão, Campus Maracanã, Sao Luis 65095-460, MA, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaina 77826-612, TO, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58397-000, PB, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58397-000, PB, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58397-000, PB, BrazilThe objective was to evaluate the effect of supplementation during three seasons (autumn, winter, and spring) on the productive and reproductive performance of Nellore heifers grazing on Mombaça grass. A total of 28 Nellore heifers were subjected to two supplementation strategies: 15 CP [15% crude protein (CP)] and 18 CP (18% CP). The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement (two supplementation strategies and three seasons). A strategy × season interaction effect was observed for height (<i>p</i> = 0.008), with the 15 CP strategy in spring showing a higher average (56 cm) compared to 18 CP (26 cm). Regarding pasture chemical composition, the season significantly influenced quality (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with winter presenting inferior quality. A strategy × season interaction effect was also observed (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with lower averages recorded during winter for the 18 CP strategy in final body weight (FBW) (271.74 kg), total weight gain (TWG) (31.48 kg), and stocking rate (SR) (3.99 animal units per hectare, AU/ha). In reproductive efficiency, the 15 CP strategy achieved a pregnancy rate of 85% compared to 54% for the 18 CP strategy. The 15 CP strategy provided better performance for the heifers, increasing FBW, TWG, SR, and pregnancy rate, with significant results in spring due to improved forage quantity and quality associated with supplementation.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-3463/4/1/9<i>Bos taurus indicus</i><i>Megathyrsus maximus</i>nutritional strategiesprecocityprotein supplementseasonality |
| spellingShingle | Anderson Lopes Pereira José Neuman Miranda Neiva Fabrícia Rocha Chaves Miotto Juliana Silva de Oliveira Alberto Jefferson da Silva Macêdo Josilene Lima Serra Daniel Henrique de Souza Tavares Paulo da Cunha Tôrres Junior Evandro de Sousa da Silva Edson Mauro Santos Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different Seasons Grasses <i>Bos taurus indicus</i> <i>Megathyrsus maximus</i> nutritional strategies precocity protein supplement seasonality |
| title | Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different Seasons |
| title_full | Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different Seasons |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different Seasons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different Seasons |
| title_short | Effect of Supplementation on the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Nellore Heifers Grazing Mombasa Grass Pasture in Different Seasons |
| title_sort | effect of supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of nellore heifers grazing mombasa grass pasture in different seasons |
| topic | <i>Bos taurus indicus</i> <i>Megathyrsus maximus</i> nutritional strategies precocity protein supplement seasonality |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-3463/4/1/9 |
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