High-fat diet and feedlot performance of bullocks of different genetic groups

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the feedlot performance of bullocks of four distinct genetic groups receiving diets with different levels of fat. Nine Nelore; nine Caracu; ten ½ Caracu ¼ Angus ¼ Nelore and ten ½ Red Angus ¼ Caracu ¼ Nelore bullocks, with a mean initial weight of 227±33 kg and ten months of age, were randomly assigned to two nutritional treatments and fed either with low-fat (3.15% ether extract) or high-fat diet (7.28% ether extract). Dry matter intake (DMI) was quantified during 208 days and the animals were weighed every 28 days. Animals fed with the high-fat and the low-fat diet presented similar results for average daily weight gain (1.511x1.487 kg day-1, respectively) and feed efficiency (194x180 g gain per kg DMI, respectively); the DMI, expressed as live weight percentage, was lower in animals receiving high-fat diet (2.25x2.40, respectively). Crossbred animals presented greater daily weight gain and DMI than Nelore. The high-fat diet can be used in feedlot to improve the performance of ½ Caracu ¼ Angus ¼ Nelore bullocks, since it is efficient in reducing the DMI without compromising weight gain.