Crude glycerin for beef cattle at pasture in rainy season: productive and economic viability

Abstract

The effect of replacing corn by crude glycerin (GB) on the performance and economic viability of beef cattle at pasture in the rainy season was evaluated. A total of 30 animals with average body weight (BW) of 238.6 ± 21.24 kg in a completely randomized design between treatments: mineral supplement and concentrate supplementation (1.0 kg/animal, 30% CP) with 0, 33, 66 and 100% of GB replacing corn. The supply of protein-energy supplements increased average daily gain (ADG) and final BW than those who received only mineral supplements. The increase in ADG was 0.200 kg/day. No effect of the levels replacement of corn on ADG that provided gains of 0.817, 1.042, 1.064 and 1.005, respectively, for 0, 33, 66 and 100%. The supply of 1.0 kg of protein-energy supplements containing 30% CP improves the performance of the pasture beef cattle during the wet, reducing the pasture occupation time compared to animals receiving only mineral supplementation. The crude glycerin can replace 100% of the corn in supplements offered in the proportion of 0.45% of BW without decrease animal performance. When the price of crude glycerin represent 54% of the price of corn to replace up to 66% of the corn showed to be economically viable.