Abstract

IGLESIAS, J. M; GARCIA, L  and  TORAL, Odalys C. Productive performance of different cattle genotypes in a commercial farm. Finishing stage. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2015, vol.38, n.2, pp. 185-193. ISSN 2078-8452.

The objective of this research was to continue the studies related to the productive performance of the cattle genotypes Zebu (Z), F₁ Holstein x Zebu (HZ) and Mambí de Cuba (M), conducted during the initial fattening under grazing semi-confinement conditions. The finishing stage was carried out during 388 days and comprised the rainy (RS) and the dry season (DS). The same 45 animals of the previous study that became steers, 18 months old and with 241-263 kg of weight, were used, which remained divided into three groups of 15 animals each, according to a completely randomized design. They grazed in an area of grasses during the day only and received mineral salts at will and supplements (Northgold and wheat bran) in barn in the evening and night, at a rate of one daily kilogram in the DS and 1,5 kg in the RS. The pasture availability was 11,8 and 26,4 kg DM animal^-1 day^-1 for the DS and RS, respectively. There were significant differences (p < 0,05) in the daily live weight gain in favor of Z and HZ, with values of 0,432; 0,364 and 0,256 kg for Z, HZ and M, respectively, in the DS; but the genotypes did not differ in the RS. The final live weight at slaughter (p < 0,05) was 442,7; 436,3 and 391,6 kg for Z, HZ and M, respectively. It is concluded that the cattle of genotype M had a satisfactory performance under grazing conditions, because the gains reached during the final fattening propitiated to obtain second category animals, with a weight higher than 390 kg.

Keywords : Fattening; grazing; supplements.

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