Finishing of different categories of bovines supplemented in differed pastures

Abstract

This study evaluated the productive performance and the economic viability of different bovine categories in differed pastures fed protein-energetic supplementation in the dry period. The experiment was performed from June to September, 2006 (83 days) for cows and heifers, and from September to October 2006 (120 days) for steers. Eighteen cows, 18 heifers and 18 steers of Nelore breed were used. The animals remained in separate areas in continuous grazing method, divided by animal categories. The animals were kept in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú pastures. Ten hectares were used by the heifers and two fields of 15 hectares for cows and steers, differed during 90 days. The initial and final stoking rates were 1.26 and 1.40 for heifers; 0.99 and 1.17 for cows; and, 1.07 and 1.29 for steers, respectively. Mean supplement intake was of 0.50 kg/day for heifer, 0.67 kg/day for cow and 0.99 kg/day for steers. There was no significant difference in the profit/animal among the categories. The profit/hectare of the heifers was the best result due to the lowest production cost and higher density of animals per hectare.