Sunflower cake in multiple supplements for cattle grazing in the dry season: growth performance and economic viability

Abstract

The aim of study was to evaluate inclusion levels of sunflower cake a protein source to replace soybean meal in formulation of multiple supplements for grazing cattle during dry season on performance and economic viability. We used 20 steers, Nelore, non-castrated, with age and initial weights of 20 months and 330kg, distributed in four paddocks of 1.6 ha each, consisting of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. The experiment consisted of three experimental periods of 28 days each. The strategy adopted was the inclusion of sunflower cake in levels of zero, 270, 540g/kg of supplement, and a mixture composed only of mineral salt ad libitum (control). Supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous (25% CP) and provided the amount of 1.5kg/animal/day. The availability of total dry matter and potentially digestible were 2248 and 1591kg DM/ha respectively. The experiment was structured in a completely randomized design. Significant effect was observed (P<0.10) for levels of inclusion of sunflower cake in relation to supplement control over the average daily gain (ADG). However, animals supplemented with zero g/kg sunflower cake had higher ADG (0.650kg) compared to cattle supplemented with 270, 540g/kg and control (0.558kg/day; 0.521kg/day and 0.161kg/day, respectively). Economically, inclusion of sunflower cake to 100% replacement of soybean meal did not affect financial return, standing out as a viable source of protein for cattle feed in the growing phase.