Abstract

GOMES, R.C.; ANTUNES, M.T.; SILVA, S.L.  and  LEME, P.R.. Growth performance and digestibility of feedlot Zebu steers fed yeast and monensin. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2011, vol.60, n.232, pp.1077-1086. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922011000400023.

The effect of adding live yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain 1026), monensin or the combination of both additives to high grain diets on feedlot performance and digestibility of steers, was studied. Nellore steers (n= 72, 339 kg BW, 20 months-old) were fed for 84 days a basal ration (2.58 Mcal EM/kg DM, 14% CP) without additives (control), or with yeast culture (0.6 g Beef Sacc^®/ kg DM), monensin (0.3 g Rumensin^®/ kg DM) or the combination of both additives to evaluate feedlot performance through individual measurements of dry matter intake, average daily gain and ultra-sound scanning of carcass subcutaneous fat thickness upon Longissimus (12^th rib) and Biceps femoris muscle and rib eye area. Other four steers were randomly allotted to one of the treatments in a 4 x 4 latin square design in order to assess digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber fractions of the diet. There were no effects of additives on dry matter intake and rate of growth of carcass fat thickness and rib eye area. Yeast culture tended to decrease average daily gain and increase feed conversion (p<0.10). Digestibility was not affected by treatments (p>0.10). Supplementation of live yeast culture, monensin or the combination of both may not be important on finishing beef steers fed high grain diets in feedlot.

Keywords : Bos indicus; Carcass traits; Feed additives; Ionophore; Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

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