PSII-B-19 Adaptation Periods Protocol for Nellore Cattle in Intensive Pasture Finishing

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the performance of Nellore cattle in intensive pasture finishing (TIP), fed for 96 days and submitted different adaptation periods, aiming reach 2% BW DMI concentrate (DMIc)/BW at end period. A total 240 bulls (iBW 359kg±5.02 kg; 20 mo) were distributed randomized blocks, allocated paddocks 2.4 ha (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés; 10 animals/paddock), with two treatments 12 replications (paddock as experimental unit). The were: 1) 9 on (ADAP9), DMIc/BW 10th day; 2) 14 (ADAP14), 15th day. animals weighed fasting (± 16h) beginning, day 28, period, DMIc measured daily by difference between offered leftovers. Data analyzed using SAS ANOVA procedure P< 0.05. Evaluating period beginning 27th day, ADAP9 showed greater (6.9 vs. 6.5kg/d; P=0.009), (1.8 1.7% BW; P =0.0043) fluctuation (9.4 5.9% DMIc/d; 0.001) compared ADAP14. In fattening there no (P >0.05), (8.7 8.5 kg DM/d), (2 BW), (4.91 4.31% DMIr/d), target (17 vs d), ADG (1.3 1.3 kg/d), ADG/DMIc (0.127 0.128), fBW (483 484kg) HCW (285 285kg). use an less than did not improve performance, therefore would be recommended.