Homeopathic additives and virginiamycin® in grazing beef cattle
Authors
Josilaine Aparecida Lima
Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul
Henrique Fernandes
Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul
Aline Silva
Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul
Edneia Rosa
Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul
Yasmin Falcão
Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul
Keywords:
Antibiotic, Nellore, Pasture, Supplement
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of homeopathic additives and the non-ionophore antibiotic virginiamicin® on intake, digestibility, metabolic characteristics and carcase characteristics in Nellore bulls under supplemented grazing. Twelve uncastrated Nellore bulls were used, with an initial mean weight of 346.04 ± 13.33 kg and initial age of 20.00 ± 2.00 months. The animals were kept in individual paddocks of Urochloa decumbens Stapf. (syn. Brachiaria) and divided into two treatments: Lipomax® - supplement concentrate with homeopathic additives (Convert H®, Sodo 100®, Figotonus®) and a non-ionophore antibiotic (Virginiamycin®); Control - supplement concentrate containing the same protein content, but with no additives. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design. Intake, the apparent digestibility of the dietary constituents and the metabolic characteristics of the bulls were not affected by supplementation with additives (P>0.05). Lipomax® improved weight gain in the animals (P<0.05) and the hot and cold carcase weight was also higher in animals supplemented with Lipomax® (P<0.05). The proportion of muscle and fatty tissue in the carcase was not affected by supplementation with additives (P>0.05). Supplementation with homeopathic additives and virginiamicina® had a positive effect on performance and on hot and cold carcase weight in grazing Nellore bulls.
