ABSTRACT.
This study aimed to evaluate the performance, efficiency and economic viability of different supplements for dairy heifers on Brachiaria decumbens pasture. Twelve heifers with 186 ± 30.5 kg average weight were divided in three groups of four animals. The treatments were mineral salt ad libitum; 0.4 kg animal-1 day-1 proteined salt and 1.0 kg animal-1 day-1 multiple supplement. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with the contrasts considered significant at 5% probability. There was greater (p < 0.05) body weight and higher daily weight gain in animals supplemented with proteined salt or multiple supplement, compared to supplemented with mineral salt. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in any of the performance parameters between proteined salt and multiple supplement. The use efficiency was 1.31 and 0.61 for proteined salt and multiple supplement, respectively. The cost per kg weight gain in treatments with mineral salt, proteined salt and multiple supplement was R$ 0.67, R$ 0.68 and R$ 1.25, respectively. The use of proteined salt or multiple supplement provides superior performance than mineral salt in crossbred heifers. However, the proteined salt has higher utilization efficiency and economic advantage.
Keywords:
agrosilvipastoral system; crossbred cows; protein supplementation
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