Effect of a Protein-Energy Supplement of Low Consumption with Coconut Pulp Expeller (<i>Acrocomia aculeata</i>) of Beef Cattle at Pasture

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a low consumption protein-energy supplement that incorporates 15% of coconut pulp expeller in bovine animals. These pasture fattening cattle were checked on daily weight gain, supplement consumption and efficiency of pasture use. This study was carried out in a livestock establishment in the Department of Concepción, Paraguay. A total of 108 animals were selected; castrated male bovines, 342 ± 30.2 of body weight (BW), age average 28 months, Nelore breed distributed in 2 treatments (T1 and T2): T1 = 42 animals; control group (pasture + conventional mineral salt) and T2 = 66 animals; treatment group with a protein-energy supplement (pasture + protein-energy supplement with minerals). In both treatments, the animals grazed on pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú and Panincum maximaun cv. Tanzania used a system of pasture rotation of 1 -3 days of occupation and 35 -40 days of rest. The average daily weight gain (DG) was 0.82 and 0.83 kg/day (p > 0.05), the supplement consumption was 0.1 and 0.28 kg/day per animal and the % disappearance of the biomass of 18 and 23% for T1 and T2, respectively. In conclusion, there was no evident effect on DG of protein-energy supplementation.