Recria de bezerras recebendo ou não suplemento energético em pastagem de azevém

Abstract

The objective was to study the ingestive behavior, forage intake and pasture characteristics when beef heifers are kept exclusively in ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) or receiving cracked corn grain as a supplement (0.9% of body weight (BW )) with or without addition of crude glycerin (0.2% CP). Experimental animals were Angus heifers with initial age and body weight of eight months and 166.2 ± 9.5 kg, respectively. The grazing method was continuous with variable number of animals. The experimental design was completely randomized with repeated measures. The grazing method was continuous with variable number of animals. The experimental design was completely randomized with repeated measures. Heifers that received crude glycerin as supplement had longer trough time (min.) than heifers that received only cracked corn grain. The dry matter intake was estimated using chromium oxide technique as an indicator of fecal output. Heifers ingested similar amount of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber. The forage intake was 19.0% higher when the heifers remained exclusively in ryegrass pasture. The reduction in dry matter intake of forage by heifers receiving supplement provided increase of 38.2% in the stocking rate.