In order to evaluate not apparent relationships in individual studies, variables measured in nine experiments were analyzed in set. These experiments tested levels and sources of supplement for beef heifers, on cool-season cultivated pasture. Data were stratified in two groups: with and without concentrate supplementation. Forage mass and leaf blades on offer as well as sward structure (height and leave:stem ratio) were similar for both groups. Supplemented heifers consumed forage with lesser neutral detergent fiber levels and presented higher average daily gain. Supplementation increased total dry matter intake by 33.3%. For each eaten kg of dry matter concentrate, the grass dry matter intake decreased in 0.7 kg. The efficiency of transformation of the forage was similar for both groups, with an average value of 9.5 kg of dry matter of forage/kg of gained body weight. Heifers that received supplement ingested 6.4 kg of supplement dry matter for each additional kg of added gain. The utilization of concentrate supplements provided an increment on stocking rate and weight gain/area. Heifers fed concentrate supplements present greater body weight, height, and body condition score at the end of the pasture utilization period.
animal performance; Avena strigosa; Lolium multiflorum; stocking rate; substitution
