Fat supplementation ("Flushing") on the postpartum beef cows submitted to early weaning: performance

Abstract

The effects of short-time fat supplementation flushing on animal performance (final body weight and average daily gain) of postpartum beef cows, submitted to the early weaning were evaluatrd. Two hundred and fifty eight beef cows from the following genetic groups were used: Aberdeen Angus (n = 21), Aberdeen Angus x Canchim (n = 20), Canchim x Aberdeen Angus (n = 52), Charoles x Caracu (n = 29), Charolês (n = 18), Cachim (n = 34), Caracu (n = 35), Caracu x Charoles (n = 26) and Purunã (n = 23), with 418.1±14.0 kg of body weight and pregnant. These animals were split into two treatments: flushing (30% soybean grain + 70% corn ground grain) and without supplementation. There was no flushing effect on final body weight (436.6 kg) and average daily gain (0.83 kg). November period, cows had higher final body weight (441.6 kg) and average daily gain (1.01 kg). There was no effect of flushing on variables.