Abstract

IGLESIAS, J. M; GARCIA, L  and  TORAL, Odalys C. Performance of different cattle genotypes in a commercial farm. Initial fattening. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2014, vol.37, n.4, pp. 420-425. ISSN 0864-0394.

A research was conducted in a commercial farm in order to study the productive performance of three cattle genotypes in a semi-confined grazing system, during initial fattening. The young bulls (45), of 12 months of age and 140 kg of live weight, were divided into three groups of 15 animals each, according to a completely randomized design. The treatments were the genotypes Zebu (Z), F₁ Holstein x Zebu (HZ) and Mambí de Cuba (M). They grazed together in an area of grasses, during daytime, and were fed with mineral salts at will, 1 kg of corn distillery residue (Northgold) and 1 kg of wheat bran, respectively, during early evening, period after which they remained confined. There were significant differences (p < 0,05) in the final live weight, that favored Z and HZ, with values of 260,0; 263,0 and 241,0 kg for Z, HZ and M, respectively. Live weight gains (kg/day) also differed significantly (p < 0,05), with the lowest averages in the Mambí type (0,620 kg daily). The pasture availability was adequate for the season, with 26,6 kg DM/animal/day, and common Guinea grass (43 %) and CT-115 (19 %) predominated in the floristic composition of the pastureland. It is concluded that, although the three genotypes had a good productive performance in the initial fattening, the best results were obtained in animals with a higher Bos indicus ancestry (Z and HZ)

Keywords : Grazing; fattening; supplements.

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