<b>Protein mineral salt supplementation for steers on star grass pasture at the end of the summer</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v25i1.2145

Abstract

This work was carried out to study the effect of protein supplements (189 grams/animal/day) compared to mineral salt (76 grams/animal/day) on performance of steers on star grass pasture (Cynodon plectostachyus Pilger) at the end of the summer (February to May). Sixty steers of 299kg body weight and four pastures of star grass were used. Considering the first 28 days (adaptation period) in the statistical analysis (from February to May) there was no difference in ADG of the animals. However, discounting this period of adaptation (from March to May), the protein supplements resulted in superior ADG (0.43kg a day) when compared to mineral supplement (0.34kg a day). The quality and availability of the pasture were similar to the different treatments, with average levels of 5344kg DM/ha, 649kg of LEA/ha, 4.6% of CP, 2.8% of DCP, 79.4% of NDF, 48.3% of ADF, and 53.1% of IVDMD.