Protein supplementation at pasture on intake, digestibility and performance in the termination of Nellore in the rainy season

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the use of mineral and mineral supplement protein in finishing Nellore grazing Brachiaria brizantha during the rainy season and its implications for forage intake, animal performance and nutrient digestibility. The fieldwork was located in an area of 26 ha, divided into four paddocks of approximately 6.5 hectares (ha), formed Brachiaria brizantha Marandu. We used 18 Nellore with 28 months live weight of 400.5 ± 7.5kg and castrated in two treatments: mineral supplementation until the termination and mineral supplementation of low protein intake to termination. There was no effect on the consumption of pasture, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, fat, non-fiber carbohydrates, ash and total digestible nutrients. The animal performance and feed conversion were not affected by supplementation. There was no effect on the coefficient of digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber. There was an effect of supplementation on the digestibility of non-fiber carbohydrates. In the rainy season the utilization of mineral salt allows the of animals in pastures. It is unnecessary supplementation with protein salt at the time of the waters.