CARACTERÍSTICAS FENOTÍPICAS DE NOVILHAS DE CORTE ANTES E APÓS SUPLEMENTAÇÃO NO PERÍODO DAS ÁGUAS EM COMBINADO - TO

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic characteristics of beef heifers before and after the administration of three different types of dietary supplementation during the rainy season in the municipality of Combinado, Tocantins, Brazil. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Beef Cattle Farm, using 54 heifers distributed across three groups (A, B, and C), each subjected to a distinct supplementation strategy: mineral with additives, protein-based, or protein-energy-based diets. Evaluations were based on images captured on December 26, 2024, and February 8, 2025, with a 45-day interval. Descriptive analysis considered secondary sexual and morphological characteristics, as well as coat color, body conformation, and body condition score. Results indicated that phenotypic responses varied according to the type of supplementation, with more evident changes in the groups receiving protein-energy diets. Some heifers showed clear improvements in body condition score and muscle coverage, while others remained stable or exhibited limited response. The applied methodology proved effective in identifying individuals with higher reproductive potential, demonstrating the value of phenotypic assessment as a visual evaluation tool for preselecting replacement females in beef production systems.