Performance, plasmatic parameters and carcass traits of 24 3/4 Simmental 1/4 Nellore steers with 370 kg initial average weight was evaluated. The experimental diets were composed by corn silage (55%) and concentrate with sunflower meal as protein source and ground corn as energy source (MI). Ground corn was partially substituted by soybean hulls (CS) or by corn meal (FGM). The period of intake and average weight gain evaluation was 49 days. Blood samples were collected to measure plasmatic parameters: glucose, urea, total protein and albumin. Right half frozen carcass was used to measure the loin eye area (LEA), fat thickness (FT) and carcass length. Diets did not influence plasma parameters. The average of plasmatic urea was high (26 mg/dL), in relation to normal serum pattern. The different energy sources did not affect average weight gain and feed intake:gain ratio, with averages of 1.15 kg/day and 9.17 kg DM feed intake/kg gain. Diet did not influence dressing percentage (52.8% final weight and 63.1% of empty body weight), LEA (63.6 cm²) and FT (4.7 mm). Soybean hulls and corn meal could replace partially ground corn without affecting performance and carcass traits on steers, allowing that the ingredients choice be realized through economic analysis.
corn germ meal; fat thickness; Longissimus muscle area; plasmatic parameters; soybean hulls
