CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR IN NATURA OU ENSILADA AFETA O DESEMPENHO DE BOVINO DE CORTE?

Abstract

Objective to evaluate the performance of crossbred cattle Holstein x Zebu fed with diets based on sugarcane in natura or ensiled, with two levels of concentrate. Were used 32 non-castrated animals with 394 kg of average body weight. The experimental design used was the entirely casualisado with four treatments and eight repetitions. The animals showed higher dry matter intakes (P < 0.05) when fed with higher levels of concentrate, cane-based diet in natura. The increase in the level of concentrate resulted in dry matter intake approximately 25 and 60% higher compared to the lowest level offered on silage based diets and sugar cane in natura, respectively. The highest digestibility coefficients of dry matter were observed in cane-based diets in natura (P < 0.05). Was not observed (P > 0.05) effect of diets on the digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, ether extract and non- fibrous carbohydrates. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between diets for average daily gain, carcass yield, carcass gain and feed conversion.