The effects of multiple supplements with different urea levels on the productive performance and nutritional characteristics, for finishing beef cattle kept in deferred pasture of palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) in the transition period of rainy to dry season were evaluated. The estimated dry matter availability of the pasture ranged from 16,360 to 9,358 kg/ha. In the performance trial, 20 crossbreed bulls, 20 months old and initial 376 kg BW were used. The animals were grouped in lots of similar weights to a completely randomized design, in four paddocks of 1.5 ha, where they received 1.5 kg/d of isoproteic supplements (20% CP), consisting with corn grain, grounded soybean, mineral mix and urea in the levels of 0.0; 1.6; 3.2 and 4.8% as-is basis, respectively. The average daily gain (mean value of 0.57 kg/d) was not affected by the urea levels in the supplements. The nutritional characteristics were evaluated using four crossbred (Holstein × Zebu) bulls, with initial 320 kg BW, with esophageal, ruminal and abomasal cannula, were used. The animals were fed the same amounts of supplements fed to the animals of the experimental performance. Urea levels did no affect the ruminal pH and the ammonia concentration. Weight gains 0.5 to 0.6 kg/d could be obtained using only corn, urea and mineral mix in multiple supplements for finishing beef cattle kept in deferred pasture.
corn; digestibility; intake; supplementation; whole soybean
