Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Fatty Acid Profile of Post-Weaning and Finishing Zebu Steers on Tropical Pasture with Three Low-Intake Supplementation Strategies
Author:
Cediel-Devia Diana Carolina1ORCID, Schaitz Luís Henrique1ORCID, da Silva Fabiano Ferreira1ORCID, Santos Laize Vieira1ORCID, da Silva Ana Paula Gomes1ORCID, Santos Marceliana da Conceição1ORCID, Dueñez Wbeimar Yamit Sanchez1ORCID, Melgar Osman Ronaldo Aguilar1ORCID, Paixão Tarcísio Ribeiro1ORCID, Silva João Wilian Dias1ORCID, de Araújo Thiago Luís Alves Campos2ORCID, de Lima Júnior Dorgival Morais2ORCID, Silva Robério Rodrigues1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Rural and Animal Technology, Southwest Bahia State University, Primavera Square, Itapetinga 45700-000, BA, Brazil 2. Department of Animal Science, Federal University of the Semi-Arid Region, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of three supplementation strategies on intake, apparent digestibility, feeding behavior, performance, carcass traits, proximate composition, and the fatty acid profile of meat from steers on tropical pasture during the post-weaning and finishing stages. The experiment involved 33 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 castrated Zebu steers weighing 335 ± 42.90 kg, aged 22 ± 2 m. The animals were managed on Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu using an intermittent grazing system with continuous stocking and variable stocking rates for 310 days. The supplementation strategies were as follows: MS/US (mineral salt/urea supplementation): mineral salt in the rainy season and mineral salt with urea in the dry season; US/PS1 (urea supplementation/protein supplementation): mineral salt with urea in the rainy season and protein supplement at 1 g/kg body weight (BW) in the dry season; and PS1/PS2 (protein supplementation 1/protein supplementation 2): protein supplement at 1 g/kg BW in the rainy season and 2 g/kg BW in the dry season. The dry matter intake did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between strategies. However, the post-weaning PS1/PS2 strategy resulted in higher (p < 0.05) crude protein intake. The final body weight did not differ (p > 0.05) between the strategies, but the average daily gain in post-weaning and finishing was higher (p < 0.05) for MS/US (restricted) animals. Carcass weight, subcutaneous fat thickness, and lipid content in meat were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for steers in the PS1/PS2 group. Steers finished on MS/US produced meat with a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and ω-3 fatty acids (p < 0.05). Concentrate supplementation at 1 g/kg BW during the rainy season and 2 g/kg BW during the dry season is recommended for post-weaning and finishing steers on tropical pasture.
Funder
Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel National Council for Scientific and Technological Development Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia
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