Suplementos múltiplos de baixo consumo para recria de bovinos em capim Aruana

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple supplements of low consumption on the characteristics of the pasture, ingestive behavior and bioeconomic performance of steers in Aruana grass. The experimental design for the characteristics of the pasture, ingestive behavior, pattern of displacement, demand and ingestion of forage and animal performance was the completely randomized, using three area repetitions. For determination of the pasture consumption and digestibility, a double 3 x 3 Latin square repeated in time was used. The treatments consisted of three supplements: control (mineral salt) and supplement formulated for intake of 1.5 g kg-1 or 4 g kg-1 body weight. The supplements did not change the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the pasture. Forage intake (kg day-1) was not altered (P>0.05) by supplements, while total dry matter intake increased (P<0.05) as supplements formulation allowed higher feed intake. The ingestive behavior was not altered by supplements. The variables related to the standard of displacement, demand and forage intake were not altered, except for the number of bites day-1. The number of bites/day was higher (P<0.05) for animals fed with 1.5 g kg-1 body weight supplements compared to animals supplemented with 4 g of supplement kg-1 boy weight, with no difference for the other comparisons between supplements. The average daily gain, body weight gain ha-1, fat thickness gain and gross margin were higher for animals fed 4 g kg-1 body weight compared to the other supplements, which did not differ from each other. Multiple supplements formulated for consumption of approximately 4 g kg-1 body weight for cattle in Aruana grass favor the additive effect of supplementation on dry matter intake, maximizing the bioeconomic performance in cattle rearing in Aruana grass.