DESEMPENHO DE TRÊS GRUPOS GENÉTICOS DE BOVINOS DE CORTE DURANTE AS FASES DE CRIA, RECRIA E TERMINAÇÃO NA REGIÃO DO OESTE GOIANO.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate three beef cattle genetic groups (Nelore, F1 Angus × Nelore and Tricross) on the growth performance since calving through finishing. A total of 260 male and female calves (49 Nelore, 149 F1 Angus × Nelore and 62 Treecross) were evaluated during the rearing phase. After weaning, 60 non-castrated male calves (20 of each genetic group) were ranked and randomly assigned in a single lot according to age and body weight, aiming to obtain the highest possible homogeneity among experimental units. Throughout the entire productive cycle (calving through finishing) of the experiment, body weight recordings occurred in 35-day approximate intervals without a previous solid fasting. The F1 Angus × Nelore animals had the greatest (P<0.05) growth performance over the entire production cycle (calving through finishing) in comparison with Nelore and Treecross animals. Therefore, the genetic group F1 Angus × Nelore for the reality of the property present in the western region of Goiás presents itself as the best option for beef cattle.