Reflexo do uso da silagem de milho na forma de suplemento para novilhos terminados em azevém

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate concentrate substitution by corn silage on steers performance, as well as carcass and meat characteristics. The animals were organized according to the following treatments: 0% Sil: supplementation with 100% of corn grain; 33% Sil: supplementation with 66% of corn grain and 33% of corn silage; 50% Sil: supplementation with 50% of corn grain and 50% of corn silage; 66% Sil: supplementation with 33% of corn grain and 66% of corn silage; 100% Sil: supplementation with 100% of corn silage. The animals were slaughtered with average weight and body condition of 426.1 kg and 3.21 points, respectively. No significant interaction was observed between treatments and periods for forage mass, daily weight gain and stoking rate. The average forage mass was increased with the inclusion of roughage as supplement, providing higher stoking rate. The daily weight gain, weight gain per area and body condition didn t differ between treatments (P>.05). Treatments 66% Sil and 100% Sil had presented minor carcass length. Also significant correlation between amount of muscle and bone was verified (P= 0,0012 and r=0,67). Carcass and meat characteristics didn t show significant variations that can infer problems in animal commercialization.