Feedlot performance of young steers of different genetic groups

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the feedlot performance of young non-castrated Hereford, 3/4 Hereford 1/4 Nellore, 5/8 Hereford 3/8 Nellore and 3/4 Charolais 1/4 Nellore steers, when confined from seven to fourteen months of age. The treatments were the genotypes, and the statistical design was completely randomized, with four treatments and eight replications. There was no statistical difference between the genetic groups for final weight and average daily weight gain. The dry-matter intake was higher in animals with Hereford in the genotype in relation to the 3/4 Charolais, but per 100 kg live weight the intake was higher in 3/4 Hereford, compared to 5/8 Hereford and 3/4 Charolais. Daily intake adjusted for metabolic size, was higher in 3/4 Hereford, compared to 5/8 Hereford and 3/4 Charolais. 3/4 Charolais steers had a lower digestible-energy intake than the others. Adjusted for 100 kg live weight, the digestible-energy intake was higher in Hereford and 3/4 Hereford, compared to the 5/8 Hereford, which demonstrated a higher consumption than the 3/4 Charolais. The feedlot performance of Hereford, 3/4 Hereford and 5/8 Hereford steers is similar and allows these genotypes to be slaughtered for meat production at fourteen months, with a slaughter weight appropriate to market demands.