Resumen

SILVA, R.R. et al. Nellore steers supplemented in pastures: intake, performance and digestibility. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2010, vol.59, n.228, pp.549-560. ISSN 1885-4494.

The objective of this work was to study the effects of different supplementation levels on forage intake, animal performance and nutrients digestibility in Nellore steers finished in Bahia Southwest pastures. The experiment was done in an area of 52.0 ha, divided into eight sectors of approximately 6.5 ha each, with a watering point at center of field. There were studied four levels of supplementation according to the body weight which were T00= mineral, T03= 0.3%, T06= 0.6% and T09= 0.9% of the animal live weight. During the supplementation phase it was a decreasing effect on pasture and in neutral detergent fiber intake. Also it was a linear effect, with increasing the supplementation levels, on intake of crude protein, ether extract, non fibrous carbohydrates, total nutrients digestibility, digestibility energy and me-tabolizable energy. During the rainy season none of variables was affected. The animal performance presented a linear effect during supplementation and remained unchanged in rainy season. The feed conversion and feed efficiency were positively affected by supplementation levels. There was an increasing linear effect on digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and non fibrous carbohydrates. The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber presented a quadratic effect while the ether extract was not affected. During the rainy season, none of the variables was affected.

Palabras clave : Beef cattle; Animal production.

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