The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of dry corn grain or high moisture corn and calcium salts of fat acids on the performance and carcass traits of feedlot fed Nellore steers on finishing phase. Forty eight animals with 431 ± 29.8kg of initial mean body weight were fed during 70 days, with one of the four diets: MGS - basal diet containing corn silage (40%), dry corn grain (48.4%), soybean meal (7.6%), urea, amonium sulphate, mineral salt, limestone and monensin (4%); MGU - basal diet with high moisture corn replacing MGS; MGS-SCAG basal diet with 45% of MGU and 4% of calcium salts of fatty acids; MGU-SCAG - basal diet with 45% of MGS and 4% of calcium salts of fatty acids. The average daily gain was not affected by grain type. However, dry matter intake of animals of MGU treatment was smaller than MGS treatment, with a greater feed efficiency for MGU treatment. A greater number of ruminal ciliate protozoa was found in MGU treatments. Dressing percentage, renal, pelvic and inguinal fat and backfat thickness were greater in animals fed MGS diet. Average daily gain was not different between animals fed with or without SCAG, although, dry matter intake was greater in diets with SCAG, with no effect on feed efficiency. Protozoa number was smaller in diets containing SCAG and carcass traits were not affected by SCAG.
beef cattle; corn grain processing; carcass traits; feedlot performance; protected vegetable fat
