Mineral supplementation of Nelore steers on forest sandy soil and guinea grass pasture

Abstract

Effect of mineral supplementation was studied in steers, at the Trescinco Farm, in Diamantino, MT, Brazil. Two hundred nelore steers aged 24 months were utilized, distributed (50 animals per treatment) in four guinea-grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) pastures. The initial average weight of the animals were 287.14, 287.28, 280.09 and 278.21 kg for the treatments: 1) NaCl + P + microelements; 2) NaCl + P; 3) NaCl + microelements and 4) NaCl, respectively. From the fourth treatment 23 animals were retreated in accented state of caquexy; in the other treatments, lost occurred due to accidental death and swallowing of toxic plant (Palicourea marcgravii St. Hil.). In 380 days of experimentation the average weight gains per animal showed statistical significance (P<0.05) among treatments, and were 140.92, 107.29, 122.26 and 30.19 kg for the treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The bone ash analysis indicated P deficiency, and the forage samples showed P and Zn deficiency. The first treatment, with greater weight gain, is the most recommended for guinea-grass pastures on forest sandy soil.