Desempenho de bezerros da raça Jersey alimentados com níveis de suplementação em capim aruana

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate supplementation the performance of Jersey animals submitted to different levels of supplementation on Aruana grass pasture (Panicum Maximum Jacq. cv. Aruana). The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments and three area replicates. The treatments evaluated were supplementation levels of 0.8%, 1.1%, and 1.4% of body weight. The experimental area used was 1.42 ha, consisting of an Aruana grass pasture. The area was divided into nine paddocks containing water troughs and feeders. Twenty-six Jersey calves with 6,68 months of age and 140 kg of initial body weight were used.. The continuous stocking system with variable animal load was used, using two test animals per paddock and a variable number of regulator animals. The animals were weighed at the beginning and every 28 days after a 14-hour fast to monitor their body development. The pasture was managed to maintain a height of around 25 cm. At the beginning and end of each grazing cycle, the pasture was evaluated for height, forage mass, daily forage accumulation, and forage allowance. The height, forage mass, forage allowance, and daily forage accumulatione were not affected (P>0.05) by the supplementation levels. The animal stocking rate was higher (P<0.05) in the two highest levels of supplementation compared to the lowest level. The average daily gain was not influenced (P>0.05) by the supplementation levels. The body weight gain per area was higher (P<0.05) for supplementation levels of 1.1% and 1.4% of body weight compared to supplementation with 0.8% of body weight. Supplementation with 1.1% of body weight on Aruana grass pasture is recommended for the growth phase of Jersey calves to maximize animal productivity without excessively increasing the use and costs of supplementation.