<b>Urea levels in supplements for finishing cattle at pasture during the dry season</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v29i3.560

Abstract

The effects of different urea levels in supplements evaluated on intake, digestibility, and metabolism of nitrogenous compounds of crossbreed steers grazing on a pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu during dry season. Four Holstein x Zebu steers, with average initial live weight of 250 kg, fistulated in the esophagus, rumen, and abomasum, were used. The animals received supplement (1% of live weight), containing 20% CP, based on corn grain, cottonseed meal, mineral mix, and urea in four levels, as fed (0, 1.6, 3.2, and 4.8%). The experiment was carried out according a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The urea levels showed a quadratic response (p < 0.10) to total dry matter (DM) intake and DM intake from pasture, with better response close to 1.6% of urea. Total and rumen digestibilities of DM, organic matter, and CP, rumen ammonia concentration, and urine excretion of urea showed a positive linear relationship (p < 0.10) with urea levels in the supplements.