Análise econômica da produção de machos da raça Jersey com suplementação continuada a pasto

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of producing super-early Jersey steers under continuous supplementation on Aruana grass pasture during summer and on oat + ryegrass pasture during winter. A completely randomized design was used with three supplementation levels (8, 11, and 14 g/kg of body weight) and three area replications. A continuous stocking system with variable stocking rate was adopted, maintaining a similar forage allowance among treatments. Two tester animals were used per paddock. Fixed costs represented less than 3% of the total cost and did not differ significantly among treatments. Variable costs increased as the supplementation level increased. Total cost (fixed + variable), effective operational cost (EOC), total operational cost (TOC), and cost per kilogram of weight gain were highest in the 14 g/kg treatment. Despite higher costs, revenue per animal did not differ statistically among treatments. Profit per animal (US $ 117,49), net present value (NPV: US $ 91,94), benefit–cost ratio (BCR: 1.37), additional return on investment (AROI: 8.16 % per month), and internal rate of return (IRR: 3.53 % per month) were superior (P < 0.05) at the 8 g/kg body weight supplementation level compared with the others. The production of super-early Jersey males with continuous supplementation on pasture is economically viable, with the 8 g/kg supplementation level offering the most favorable economic outcomes.