Low Levels of Supplementation for Post-Weaning Girolando Steers on Tropical Pasture During the Dry to Rainy Season Transition

Low Levels of Supplementation for Post-Weaning Girolando Steers on Tropical Pasture During the Dry to Rainy Season Transition

The objective of this study to evaluate the effects of two levels of concentrate supplementation (1 g/kg or 2 g/kg of body weight, BW) on the intake, apparent digestibility and performance of Girolando steers on tropical pastures during the post-weaning phase in the dry to rainy season transition. W...

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Main Authors: Wbeimar Yamit Sanchez Dueñez, Diana Carolina Cediel-Devia, Osman Ronaldo Aguilar Melgar, Marceliana da Conceição Santos, Sinvaldo Oliveira de Souza, Laize Vieira Santos, Rayce Aparecida Ferreira, Pedro Fernando Caro Aponte, Jeferson Camilo Ortiz Riobo, Fábio Andrade Teixeira, Víctor Gerardo Petro Hernández, Dorgival Morais de Lima Júnior, Robério Rodrigues Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
Subjects:
dairy beef steers
grazing supplementation
nutrient intake
performance
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/384
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Summary:The objective of this study to evaluate the effects of two levels of concentrate supplementation (1 g/kg or 2 g/kg of body weight, BW) on the intake, apparent digestibility and performance of Girolando steers on tropical pastures during the post-weaning phase in the dry to rainy season transition. We used 20 Girolando steers (half Holstein x half Zebu), with an average initial BW of 151.15 ± 50 kg and 12 months of age. The steers grazed on <i>Urochloa brizantha</i> cv. Marandu pasture. The animals were randomly assigned supplementation with 1 g/kg of BW (SC1) or supplementation with 2 g/kg of BW (SC2) of a concentrate supplement. The forage dry matter intake (%BW), neutral detergent fiber intake (NDF) and NDF digestibility were higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) for steers supplemented with a level of 1 g/kg of BW. Supplement intake (kg/day), non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) intake and NFC digestibility were higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) for steers consuming 2 g/kg BW of the concentrated supplement. The body weight at slaughter (297 kg) and average daily gain (0.57 kg/day) were not influenced by the level of supplementation. The use of 1 g/kg BW of a concentrated supplement is recommended for post-weaning steers on tropical pastures during the dry to rainy season transition.
ISSN:2306-7381

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