Empty body chemical composition of Nellore steers estimated by indirect methods

Thirty-six Nellore steers at 20 months of age on average and initial body weight 360 kg were fed ad libitum for 78 days two levels feed restriction 58 posterior feeding used to estimate composition using the methods indirect deuterium oxide or 9th-10th-11th ribs cut. The water content was calculated with equations established steers. chemical different ether extract content. animals subjected presented higher fat when estimated by than rib cut determination effective contents libitum, however, not restriction. Comparatively, method better in submitted restriction; both similar libitum.