OJEDA, F et al. Study of a fattening cycle with an integral diet based on forage and citrus pulp: I. Effect of forage quality. []. , 33, 1, pp. 1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

The objective of this study was to evaluate a fattening cycle with an integral diet based on forage, citrus pulp, hay, non conventional concentrate (40% corn and 60% wheat bran) and salt, which was developed at the Citrus Fruit Production Firm «Victoria de Girón» in areas of the Livestock Production Farm No. 1, located in Torriente, Jagüey Grande municipality. Four hundred and fifty two animals were used, backcross of F1 (Holstein x Zebu) with Zebu, F2, which started the cycle with 190 kg average weight under semi-confinement conditions, during 324 days, divided into three consecutive stages. In September-December, the gain was 0,390 kg/animal/day. When the forage quality decreased (from January to April), its ingestion was decreased and the gain was lower (0,370 kg/animal/day). In the rainy season (May-August) the intake increased and the highest gain was achieved (0,450 kg/animal/day). It was proven that by increasing forage quality its contributions of DM, CP and ME are also increased and a relative decrease in the contribution of these nutrients by the citrus pulp and the concentrate is induced, although the feeding balances indicated the need to use urea to cover the protein needs. The feed efficiency (kg ingested DM/kg LW cattle) of the diets in each stage was: September-December, 14,0; January-April, 17,3; May-August, 16,3. This evaluation proved the importance of the quality of the forage and concentrate supplied to improve the feeding efficiency of the diets.

: Quality; Citrus; beef cattle.

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