<b>Productive performance in Zebu and crossbred Holstein-Zebu steers at growing and finishing phases</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1830

Abstract

At growing and finishing phases, the weight gain, consumption and food conversion in Indubrasil and crossbred F₁ Holstein-Gir and F₁ Holstein-Guzera steers were evaluated. The animals under feedlot regime were allowed ad libitum ration with a feedstuff:concentrate relation of 60:40 based on dry matter. There were significant effect of the genetic groups on intake of dry matter, total digestible nutrients and neutral detergent fiber, expressed in kg/day, and intake of dry matter (% live weight), that were higher for the Holstein-Guzera animals only at the growing phase. The average daily gain for live weight of the Holstein-Guzera animals was higher to those of the Holstein-Gir and Indubrasil animals only at growing phase, and there were no influence of the genetic groups on the weight gain as percentage of initial live weight and carcass gain, at both growing and finishing phases. In the analysis together of the growing and finishing phases in feedlot, Indubrasil animals presents the smallest cost with feeding for kilo of live weight produced, proceeded by the animals Holstein-Guzera and Holstein-Gir.