Crescimento e desenvolvimento reprodutivo de bezerras de corte para acasalamento aos 14 meses

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and reproductive development of beef heifers from 10 to 14 months of age in three food systems. Ryegrass pasture exclusively (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) or on pasture and receiving rice bran (0.8% of body weight) with or without ionophore. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with repeated measures, three food systems and nine replications, each animal considered an experimental unit. Body weight gain, body condition score and weight:height ratio (kg:cm) of heifers that received more ionophore rice bran were higher than those observed for heifers exclusively on ryegrass or receiving rice bran without ionophore. Regardless of the food system had hip height and pelvic area similar. Heifers that received rice bran with or without ionophore had higher reproductive tract score (RTS) that heifers exclusively on ryegrass. Heifers that received rice bran as a supplement with or without ionophore, the initial body weight of heifers was that best explained the variation in RTS, while the average daily gain of heifers on ryegrass exclusively explained the variation in RTS.