Bio-economicity of the finishing phase on feedlot of crossbred young bulls slaughtered at different body weights

Bioeconomicidade da fase de terminação em confinamento de bovinos mestiços abatidos com diferentes pesos

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Bio-economicity of the finishing phase on feedlot of crossbred young bulls slaughtered at different body weights

Bioeconomicidade da fase de terminação em confinamento de bovinos mestiços abatidos com diferentes pesos

Renius Mello^I,*; Flávio Dutra de Resende^II; Augusto César de Queiroz^III; Marcelo Henrique de Faria^II; André Soares de Oliveira^I; Gustavo Rezende Siqueira^II

^IPrograma de Pós-Gradução em Zootecnia/Departamento de Zootecnia/UFV

^IIAPTA - Pólo Regional do Desenvolvimento Tecnológico dos Agronegócios da Alta Mogiana, Colina, SP

^IIIDepartamento de Zootecnia/UFV

ABSTRACT

The objective in this work was to evaluate the economicity of the finishing phase on feedlot of F1 Red Angus × Nellore (½ RA ½ N) and Blond D'Aquitaine × Nellore (½ BA ½ N) crossbred young bulls slaughtered at 480, 520 and 560 kg of body weight. Thirty-six F1 crossbred young bull with 20 months of initial average age: 18 ½RA½ N and 18 ½N½ BA were allotted to a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (genetic group × slaughter weight), with six replicates. The ½ BA ½ N young bulls slaughtered at 480 kg had the highest carcass gain (kg/day), feed efficiency, gross income (R$/day), gross profit of feed (R$/day), break-even cost of the diet (@/t DM) and cost:benefit ratio. The ½ BA ½ N young bulls also had higher dressing percentage than ½ RA ½ N young bulls. As the slaughter weight rised the dressing percentage, feed:gain ratio, feed cost (R$/@ and R$/day) and break-even point (kg/day) increased; while the gross feed profit (R$/@) decreased. The bioeconomic multivariate nutritional index had better association with the profitability of the finishing phase of beef cattle on feedlot. Sensitivity analysis did not influence the results obtained. The benefit was lower than the feed cost from exchange relation of four (4) @/t DM of the diet. F1 Blond D'Aquitaine × Nellore crossbred young bulls slaughtered at 480 kg of body weight showed the best bioeconomic efficiency.

Key Words: beef cattle, bioeconomic analysis, economic feasibility, profitability, sensitivity analysis

RESUMO

Objetivou-se verificar a economicidade da fase de terminação em confinamento de tourinhos mestiços F1 Red Angus × Nelore (½ RA ½ N) e F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nelore (½ BA ½ N) abatidos com 480, 520 e 560 kg de peso corporal. Trinta e seis bovinos mestiços F1, tourinhos, com 20 meses de idade média inicial: 18 ½ RA ½ N e 18 ½ BA ½ N foram distribuídos a um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2 × 3 (grupos genético × peso de abate), com seis repetições. Os tourinhos ½ BA ½ N abatidos com 480 kg apresentaram maior ganho de carcaça (kg/dia), eficiência alimentar, valor de produção (R$/dia), saldo de alimentação (R$/dia), custo de nivelamento da dieta (@/t MS) e relação benefício:custo. O rendimento de carcaça dos tourinhos ½ BA ½ N foi maior que o dos tourinhos ½ RA ½ N. À medida que se elevou o peso de abate, o rendimento de carcaça, a conversão alimentar, o custo de alimentação (R$/@ e R$/dia) e o ponto de nivelamento da dieta (kg/dia) aumentaram; ao passo que o saldo de alimentação (R$/@) diminuiu. O índice nutricional multivariado bioeconômico indicou melhor associação com a rentabilidade da fase de terminação de bovinos em confinamento. A análise de sensibilidade não influenciou os resultados obtidos. O benefício foi menor que o custo de alimentação se considerada a relação de troca a partir de 4 @/t MS da dieta. Tourinhos mestiços F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nelore abatidos com 480 kg de peso corporal apresentam melhor eficiência bioeconômica.

Palavras-chave: análise bioeconômica, análise de sensibilidade, bovinos de corte, rentabilidade, viabilidade econômica

Introduction

Feedlot is used worldwide to produce meat in adverse conditions and increase productivity. However, the performance and nutritional efficiency of feedlot cattle are influenced, among other factors, by the genetic potential of animals and management used. The optimization of the slaughter end point, both by age and finishing degree (fat content) or body or carcass weight has also direct effect on the biological response of animals and is closely related to the activity profitability.

Researchers report that Zebu breeds generally have lower growth rate and produce lighter and lower-quality carcasses (Cruz et al., 2004), beyond have greater variability than European breeds (Menezes et al., 2005b). In this context, the crossing between zebu and taurine breeds have confirmed advantages of crossbred animals on purebreed in some characteristics of economic importance, which demonstrates the benefits of heterosis, complementariness and rapid incorporation of desirable genetic material (Menezes et al., 2005a). Additionally, it is well known that in the F1 animals, the heterozygosity is 100% and maximum heterosis.

The Brazilian beef industry values the body weight and finishing degree of cattle, which are correlated to the operational cost and carcass yield. However, data from literature showed that evaluations of genotypes are compromised when the slaughter end point is defined through a fixed body weight, since the expression of finishing differences and conditions among breeds are limited (Williams & Bennett, 1995; Amer et al. , 1997; Euclides Filho et al., 1997).

The economic analysis of production systems is essential to help the producer to make decisions and to guide the selection of programmers. According to Faturi et al. (2003), the economic evaluation of feeding costs of finishing cattle in feedlot, which represent over 70% of the total production cost, when the cost for the acquisition of animals is not considered (Pacheco et al., 2006), is fundamental, because not always the best biological response is the best economic response. Amer et al. (1994) mentioned that the increase in profit, compared to fixed points, is a more appropriate slaughter criterion to compare genotypes.

Thus, studies to evaluate the relationship between biological and economic responses of different genotypes (Pacheco et al., 2006) and slaughter weights (Restle et al., 2007) are important to increase the animal performance index and to improve the activity profitability. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the economic response of feedlot finishing of F1 Bos taurus taurus × Bos taurus indicus crossbred bulls slaughtered at different body weights.

Material and Methods

The experiment was conducted at the "Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios" (APTA), Pólo Regional do Desenvolvimento Tecnológico dos Agronegócios da Alta Mogiana, located in the municipality of Colina, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Thirty-six F1 crossbred young bull were used, with 20 months of initial average age: 18 Red Angus × Nellore (½RA½ N) and 18 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nellore (½N½ BA). Data evaluated in this study were obtained in accordance with procedures described by Mello (2007).

The treatments were composed of two genetic groups (GG): ½ RA½ N and ½ N½ BA and three slaughter weights (SW): 480, 520 and 560 kg of fasting body weight. A completely randomized experimental design in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (two genetic groups × three slaughter weights) was used, with six replications, according to the statistical model: Y_ijk = µ + α_i + β_j + (αB)_ij + e_ijk, where Y_ijk = value observed in the i-th genetic group, j-th slaughter weight and k-th replication; µ = overall mean of variable response; α_i= effect of the i-th genetic group; β_j = effect of the j-th slaughter weight; (αB)_ij = effect of the interaction between i-th genetic group and j-th slaughter weight; ε_ijk = random effect associated with observation Y_ijk, assuming ε_ijk

N (0, σ²), following normal ordinary linear model of Gauss-Markov (Graybill, 1976). The experimental diet was formulated according to the NRC (1996) to meet the maintenance requirementsof beef cattle with 420 kg of body weight and weight gain of 1.3 kg/day (Table 1).

The marketing value of fatty beef used for economic analysis was the average price of R$ 55.00 per arroba in May 2007 (Centre for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics - CEPEA, 2007), where one arroba (@) is equal to 15 kg of carcass.

The dressing percentage (DP) was expressed in relation to the hot carcass weight. Carcass gain was expressed by total period (TCG) and daily (DCG) and its relationship with the weight gain (CWR).

The nutritional performance was measured by feed conversion (FC) and feed efficiency (FE). These quotient indices were calculated by non-linear combination of voluntary dry matter intake and daily carcass gain.

From the nutritional and economic point of view, animals were evaluated by the bioeconomic index (BEI) and bioeconomic multivariate nutritional index (BEMNI); obtained by linear combination of continuous dependent random variables, and correlated with normal probability distribution as follows:

BEI_ijk = y_ijk – W_ij × x_ijk⇒ BEI_ijk = y_ijk – × x_ijk⇒

BEI_ijk = y_ijk – EDI_ijk

∀ i = 1, ..., GG; ∀ j = 1, ..., SW and ∀ k = 1, ..., r_i (replications); so that 0 < W_ij <1.

where: BEI_ijk = bioeconomic index of the k-th replication in the i-th genetic group and j-th slaughter weight; y_ijk = daily carcass gain (DCG, kg/day) of the k-th replication in the i-th genetic group and j-th the slaughter weight; x_ijk = voluntary dry matter intake (DMI, kg/day) of the k-th replication in the i-th genetic group and j-th is the slaughter weight; W_ij = relation of unit prices between diet and animal transformation for each treatment involved in the experiment; FP_ij and SP_ij are, respectively, the feed price (R$/kg of DM of diet) and sale price (R$/kg of carcass) in the i-th genetic group and j-th slaughter weight; EDI_ijk = equivalent diet intake of the k-th replication in the i-th genetic group and j-th slaughter weight, expressed economically as part of animal transformation. In this study, W_ij was constant, because the composition of the diet is the same for all treatments. Thus, W = FP/SP = 0.21/3.67 = 0.0572 thus BEI = DCG - 0.0572 × DMI.

For the BEMNI calculation, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used (Johnson & Wichern, 1998; Khattree & Naik, 1999; Khattree & Naik, 2000), complemented by the first canonical Fisher's discriminant function (Mardia et al., 1997). Thus, data of daily carcass gain and equivalent diet intake were submitted to MANOVA in a completely randomized design, ignoring the factorial arrangement, according to the statistical model: Y_ijk = µ_k+ α_ik+ ε_ijk where Y_ijk = observed value of the k-th variable under the i-th treatment in the j-th replication; µ_k = overall mean of the k-th variable; α_ik = effect of the i-th treatment in the k-th variable, and ε_ijk = random effect associated with the observation Y_ijk assuming NID (0, σ²).

From the MANOVA, the eigenvalues were calculated determining the roots characteristics of the equation (Harris, 1975): |E^-1 H – λI| = 0 where E^-1 = common inverse matrix of the residual sums of squares and products; H = matrix of the sums of squares and products relating to treatments; λ₁ and λ₂ = eigenvalues of the matrix E^-1 H and I = identity matrix of order p = 2.

Then, the non-normal eigenvector associated with the largest eigenvalue was estimated through the solution of the system of equations:

where λ₁= largest eigenvalue, = non-normal eigenvector associated with the largest eigenvalue, a and b = canonic coefficients, E^-1 and, H and I = as previously defined.

Subsequently, the eigenvector normalization was conducted through the solution of the linear system, according to the restriction:

where = normal eigenvector associated with the largest eigenvalue;^' = transpose of the normal eigenvector; E = matrix of the sums of squares and residual products; n_e= number of degrees of freedom of the residue; a' and b' = canonic coefficients.

Then, the Fisher's linear discriminant function (FLDF) or the first canonical variable (CV1) was calculated, which was defined by: Z = a'Y + b' WX where Z = Fisher's linear discriminant function or the first canonical variable; Y = animal transformation (DCG); WX = equivalent diet intake (EDI); a' and b' as previously defined. The values of this function were called bioeconomic multivariate nutritional index BEMNI (Guidoni, 1994).

The economic analysis was based on the following variables: gross income per head (GIH, R$/head), per arroba (GIA, R$/@), per day (GID, R$/day); feed costs per head (FCH, R$ /head), per arroba (FCA, R$/@), per day (FCD R$/day); gross profit of feed per head (GPFH, R$/head), per arroba (GPFA, R$/@), per day (GPFD, R$/day); break-even point (BE, kg of carcass/day); break-even cost of diet (BECD, @ of cattle/t of diet DM) and benefit: cost ratio (BCR, R$). The procedures for calculation to obtain these variables can be found in Mello (2007).

Data were submitted to investigation for the presence of outliers through the Student residues, tested for normality of error by the Shapiro-Wilk test and the homogeneity of variance through the Levene test and subsequently submitted to the univariate analysis of variance through general linear models procedure (PROC – GLM General Linear Models Procedures). The means were adjusted through the ordinary least squares method (LSMEANS - Least Square Means) and compared through the Tukey test at 5% of significance. Moreover, the Pearson and Spearman analysis of correlation was conducted between these variables.

The feed conversion (FC), carcass gain: weight gain ratio (CWR), feed cost per arroba (FCA) and gross profit of feed per arroba (GPFA) values showed no normal distribution, hence, they were analyzed through the generalized linear models method using the GENMOD procedure of SAS^®. For heterocedasticity reasons, feeding cost per head (FCH) was analyzed through the Weighted Least Squares(WLS), so that each observation was weighted by the reciprocal of the variance of treatment to which it belonged to (Hoffmann, 2006), being the Best Linear Unbiased Estimator (BLUE)

Gross margin sensitivity analysis (GPFA) and profitability (BCR) were conducted through fluctuations in the exchange relation (ER) of the diet in equivalent per arroba of cattle (ER, @ of cattle/t DM of the diet), i.e. encompassing changes in the sale prices of kilograms of cattle meat and purchasing of the diet ingredients and keeping up the other conditions constant (ceteris paribus). After a sensitivity analysis, a linear regression analysis of GPFA was carried out, according to the variation in the exchange relation (ER) for each treatment, according to the statistical model: Y_ijk = β₀ + β₁X_ij + ε_ijk, where Y_ijk = dependent variable gross profit of feed per arroba (GPFA) of the k-th replication in the i-th genetic group and j-th is the slaughter weight; β₀ = intercept, or regression constant, representing the value of price per arroba when ER = 0; β₁ = regression coefficient or angular coefficient of a straight line, expressing reduction rate GPFA with the increase of the exchange ratio; X_ij = independent variable exchange relation (ER) in the i-th genetic group and j-th is the slaughter weight; ε_ijk = experimental error of observation ijk, assuming ε_ijk ~ N (0, σ²). Parameters of the model in question were estimated through REG procedure of SAS^®.

Then, analysis of non-linear regression of BCR was also conducted according to the variation in the exchange relation (ER) for each treatment, according the statistical model: where Y_ijk = dependent variable benefit: cost ratio (BCR) of the k-th replication in the i-th genetic group and j-th is the slaughter weight; θ₁ = constant, representing the value of the BCR when ER = 0; e = exponential; θ₂ = reduction rate of BCR with the increase of ER; X_ij = independent variable exchange relation (ER) in the i-th genetic group and j-th is the slaughter weight; ε_ijk = experimental error associated with each observation, assuming ε_ijk

N ((0, σ²). The parameters of the model in question were estimated through the modified Gauss-Newton algorithm inserted in the NLIN procedure of SAS^®. In both linear and non-linear regression models, the coefficient of determination (r²) was expressed in relation to the treatment sources (regression + lack of fitting).

In the case of the linear model (GPFA), the F test was applied with the purpose of verifying the identity and equality of the linear regression model parameters fitted for the genetic group, slaughter weight and combination of both, according to Regazzi (1999). The hypotheses tested were as follows: H₀⁽¹⁾ : β₀₁ = ... = β_0H, i.e., the "H" equations have a common intercept; H₀⁽²⁾ : β₁₁ = ... = β_1H, i.e. the "H" equations have equal regression coefficients; H₀⁽³⁾ : = ... = , i.e., the "H" equations are similar in .

The likelihood ratio test with rapprochement through F statistical was also applied to verify the identity and equality of non-linear regression model parameters (BCR) fitted for the genetic group, slaughter weight and combination of both, according to Regazzi & Silva (2004). The hypotheses tested were as follows: H₀⁽¹⁾ : θ₁₁ = ... = θ_1H, i.e., the "H" equations have a common constant; H₀⁽²⁾ : θ₂₁ = ... = θ_2H, i.e., the "H" equations have an equal decline rate; H₀⁽³⁾ : = ... = , i.e., the "H" equations are similar in .

All statistical analyses were performed with SAS^® software (SAS, 2002).

Results and Discussion

Initial body weight (IBW) had no influence on the genetic group, slaughter weight and interaction of both (P>0.05), because the animals belonged to the same contemporary group and were homogeneous (Table 2).

The final body weight (FBW) did not differ (P>0.05) between the genetic groups, but (P<0.05) between slaughter weights previously established. Days in feedlot (DF) were not pre-established; therefore it was a result of slaughter weights previously established.

The dressing percentage (DP) differed between the genetic groups and slaughter weights (Table 2) and was higher (P<0.05) for F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals, probably due to the higher growth rate of continental European breeds (large frame) when compared to British European breeds (small frame). Similarly, animals slaughtered at 560 kg had greater dressing percentage (P<0.05) than those slaughtered at 520 or 480 kg. One possible explanation for the better dressing percentage in heavier animals may be due to the most advanced finishing degree, with greater deposition of subcutaneous fat and marbling in the carcass, besides small relative proportion of non-integrant parts of the carcass, mainly leather, head and feet (Galvão et al., 1991).

Data from literature show variations in the dressing percentage among animals from different genetic groups (Perotto et al., 1999; Vaz & Restle, 2001; Menezes et al., 2005a), and some of these variations were real and confirmed. However, the effects of genetic group, slaughter weight and other factors that affect the dressing percentage may be confused, because when animals from genetic groups that differ in the maturity size are slaughtered at similar body weight, animals of smaller maturity size will be in greater finishing degree, which also affects the dressing percentage, impairing the comparison between genetic groups. On the other hand, when animals are slaughtered at different body weights, the effect of the genetic group will be confused with the effect of body weight on the dressing percentage (Galvão et al., 1991). Therefore, caution in the interpretation of the dressing percentage should be taken.

There was a difference (P<0.05) of total carcass gain (TCG) between slaughter weights and a tendency (P<0.09) of higher TCG for F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine in relation to F1 Red Angus animals (Table 2), hence TCG increased according to the slaughter weight, as a result of higher number of days in feedlot and increasing in dressing percentage. The tendency of higher TCG for F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals could be attributed to the higher growth rate of genetic groups of late maturation (continental breeds), confirmed by higher (P<0.05) daily carcass gain (DCG) of F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine in relation to F1 Red Angus animals.

Effect of the genetic group × slaughter weight interaction (P<0.05) on the DCG was observed, which ranged from 1.087 to 1.910 kg/day (Table 2). F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals slaughtered at 480 kg showed higher DCG, probably because continental breeds had higher muscle growth rate and reach physiological maturity with higher body weight when compared to British breeds. Higher daily carcass gain in these animals could be justified by high carcass gain: weight gain ratio (CWR).

An effect (P<0.05) of the slaughter weight on the feed conversion (FC) was observed, which ranged from 6.3 to 10 kg DM/kg daily carcass gain. Feed conversion was better (lower value) in lighter animals. F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals showed tendency (P<0.12) to lower feed conversion values when compared to F1 Red Angus (Table 3) animals.

This may be due to the high potential for the muscle growth of large-frame breeds (continental), which reduces the amount of feed required per kg of gain, a fact evidenced by the higher (P<0.05) feed efficiency (Table 3) and the highest daily gain and dressing percentage of this genetic group (Table 2). As the feed conversion indicates that all feed consumed is used for animal transformation, ignoring losses to maintain the animal, the better feed conversion of animals slaughtered at lighter weights may have been due to lower fat deposition and lower energy requirements for weight gain.

The genetic group × slaughter weight interaction was significant for feed efficiency (FE), bioeconomic index (BEI) and bioeconomic multivariate nutritional index (BEMNI) (Table 3). F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals slaughtered at 480 kg had higher feed efficiency, probably due to the lower voluntary feed intake and higher weight gain rate, since these animals have genes from continental European breeds. This genetic group is characterized by high growth potential, lower fat deposition and lower energy requirements for weight gain. Considering that the fast estimator for feed conversion is the arithmetic mean and their reciprocal (FE = 1/FC) is the harmonic mean, and that the arithmetic mean is higher than the harmonic mean, when using feed conversion, the biological efficiency is underestimated. However, if the feed efficiency is used, the biological efficiency is overestimated. Moreover, the quotient index resulting from non-linear combination between animal transformation and diet intake usually does not have normal probability distribution (Guidoni, 1994). Thus, it does not meet the assumptions of normal ordinary Gauss-Markov linear model (Graybill, 1976). Thus, it was decided to use BEI and BEMNI.

Bioeconomic index efficiency represents the net transformation produced by the animal after discounting the feed supplied, economically expressed as part of the transformation. In this discount, orts, losses in feces, urine and gases are implicitly included, and also the fraction of diet used for maintaining animal body (Guidoni, 1994). F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals slaughtered at 480 kg had greater BEI because of greater DCG and FE of these animals and smaller maintenance requirements and feed conversion of lighter animals.

Bioeconomic multivariate nutritional index is characterized by the use of the information from data between the variables involved. Therefore, when variables are correlated, the fact of not rejecting the null hypothesis in univariate analysis does not imply that the hypothesis should be accepted, because in multivariate analysis, this hypothesis can be rejected (Guidoni, 1994). Since canonic coefficients (normal eigenvectors) admit solution of signal change, greater and lower BEMNI values may be beneficial and desirable. If the coefficient of the animal transformation variable has positive signal and the intake variable has negative sign, higher BEMNI value will be more advantageous. Otherwise, higher BEMNI values will be less advantageous. In this study, it was opted for the expression of the first form. F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals slaughtered at 480 kg had greater BEMNI as a result of higher BEI, showing its superiority and better bioeconomic efficiency.

The GIH and FCH values increased (P<0.05) with the slaughter weight, obviously due to higher number of days in feedlot (Table 4). To raise the slaughter weight in 80 kg, or from 480 to 560 kg, there was an increase of 211% in GIH, while FCH has increased 316%. Therefore, since the slaughter weight increases, the feed costs increase with a higher proportion than the gross income, at approximately 1.5:1.

In this work, the animals entered the feedlot in August and were slaughtered in October (480 kg), November (520 kg) and December (560 kg), precisely in the months in which they obtain the best prices per arroba. For the economic analysis, the fixed sale price of R$ 55.00 per arroba of fat cattle was considered, not representing the experimental condition. Thus, in addition to efficient management, the management must foresee the ideal moment to remove animals from the feedlot, seeking, among other benefits, for selling the animals in the period of better prices. Moreover, the adequacy of the seasonality price of commodity can be made through future market operations (hedge) or option contracts (buy and sale) in the stock market.

F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine animals slaughtered at 480 kg showed higher (P<0.05) gross income (Table 4) and daily gross profit of feed (Table 5), since they had higher DCG (Table 2) and feed efficiency (Table 3). Feed cost per arroba (FCA) and per day (FCD) increased (P<0.05) according to the slaughter weight, as a result of changes in the weight gain composition, evidenced in the feed conversion (Table 3). Thus, the maintenance of animals in feedlot in search for better price should be weighted to ensure the profitability, considering the market fluctuations, since the gain rate reduces and the feedcost increases with the increase in number of days in the feedlot. Thus, a smaller number of days in the feedlot can improve the profitability of feedlot finishing.

The gross margin of feed or gross profit of feed per head (GPFH) showed the same behavior previously informed for GIH and FCH (Table 4), while GPFA was inverse (Table 5). However, a tendency of higher (P<0.09) GIH and lower (P<0.18) FCH for F1 Blonde animals was confirmed by higher (P<0.05) GPFH in these animals, which could be attributed to the tendency of higher (P<0.09) TCG (Table 2) and lower (P<0.12) FC (Table 3) found for this genetic group.

The range observed for gross profit of feed per arroba (GPFA) was from R$ 24.01 to R$ 35.56 and, as previously mentioned, the GPFA reduced (P<0.05) as the slaughter weight increased, due to the increase in the FCA value (Table 4). This finding confirms the assumption that short feeding periods improve the profitability of the feedlot finishing system.

The break-even point (BEP) represents the minimum amount that the animal must produce for equal income and cost, that is, means the minimum production limit with no occurrence of losses, giving an idea of the economic viability of the activity. The break-even point increased (P<0.05) with the increase of the slaughter weight, that is, animals slaughtered at lighter weight need to produce less carcass to cover the feeding costs, similarly to the changes observed in the behavior of FCD (Table 4).

The break-even cost of diet (BECD) expresses the maximum cost of the diet to equal with the gross income, that is, the cost of the diet in which the gross profit of feed is null (zero). However, the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) reflects the internal rate of return on invested capital. The genetic group × slaughter weight interaction was significant for BECD and BCR (Table 5). The feedlot system of F1 Blonde animals slaughtered at 480 kg showed higher (P<0.05) BECD and BCR values, that is, for this type of animal, the diet can have higher cost without the occurrence of losses, because higher return on feed cost was obtained. This fact can be explained by the fact that animals had been more nutritionally efficient (Table 3) promoting, therefore, greater gross profit of feed per day (GPFD, Table 5). The results observed in this study have practical implications for the producer, since the highest number of days in feedlot of animals resulting in inevitable change in nutritional efficiency (Table 3). Thus, short feeding periods are important alternative for reducing production costs (Table 4), since animals under this type of production system show carcasses that meet the minimum requirements recommended by the Brazilian beef industry. The fat excess deposition, besides more energy expenditure in relation to muscle tissue, affects the optimization in carcass cuts processing, resulting in lower profitability per animal slaughtered (Table 5).

To identify the closer variables with profitability in feedlot-finished animals, correlation analysis between these variables was performed (Table 6). Since FC did not present residual normality and the calculation of the Pearson correlation coefficients requires data to be normally distributed, because the occurrence of non-normal distributions results in wrong outcome, the Spearman correlation was also performed. The Spearman correlation differs from the Pearson correlation, basically by the observations being converted into ranks before coefficients are computed, and no assumption is necessary.

The correlation coefficients (r) indicate the degree of association and the direction of the relationship between two random variables. Among the productive indicators (FBW, DF, DMI, ADG, DP and DCG), ADG and DP showed no correlation (P>0.05) with profitability (BCR), while DF and DMI showed low negative correlation (P<0.05), the FBW showed average negative correlation (P<0.05) and DCG high positive correlation (P <0.05) with BCR. Although DCG is dependent on ADG and DP, it was found that, separately, they have no influence on profitability. However, ADG had medium positive correlation (P<0.05) with DCG, while the Pearson correlation between DP and DCG was not significant. Also, significant correlation of DP with the other variables could be hardly observed. Thus, DP is not good bioeconomic predictor in feedlot system. Accordingly, management strategies that prioritize DP rather than ADG may not be contributing to the increase in the profitability in feedlot-finished cattle.

The product-moment or rank-order correlations between FBW and DP suggest that the number of days in feedlot is directly related to carcass weights. The correlations of DMI with ADG or with DCG were of low magnitude or not significant, showing that animals, probably, failed to express the full potential for genetic gain. Perhaps, some nutrient in the diet may have limited gain, which is believed to be protein, because as observed (Figure 1), the energy intake was, on average, 1.08 times the energy required, while protein was consumed, on average, 0.90 times the protein requirement.

The nutritional efficiency indicators (FC, FE, BEI, and BEMNI) showed a high correlation (P<0.05) with BCR. Even if all nutrition indicators have strong associations with profitability, FC and FE suggest that all nutrients are used for animal transformation, which is not true. According to Guidoni (1994), despite the contradiction between FC and FE, in the way both are being used, it is postulated in their interpretations that the economic aspect of feed is implicitly involved, and that is not true either, unless all diets or experimental treatments have the same cost. The author also mentioned that they do not constitute proper nutrition indicators. Thus, and through the BEMNI attributes, it is recommended that this indicator should be employed in profitability estimation of feedlot animals. However, canonic coefficients can assume an opposite sign solution in obtaining BEMNI, as explained above. Thus, it is necessary to take caution in the interpretation of the BEMNI correlation coefficients because, although the degree of association is the same, the direction can be the opposite (positive/negative).

Pearson and Spearman coefficients were slightly different, but these differences can be considered null and without practical significance. Thus, it seems that the Spearman correlation provides as much information as the Pearson correlation, but with wider validity because, unlike the Pearson correlation, it does not require any assumption on the frequency distribution of the variables. Therefore, it should not be excluded.

The gross profit (GPFA) differed (P<0.05) between slaughter weights, and profitability (BCR) was significant for the genetic group × slaughter weight interaction in each diet exchange relation in the sensitivity analysis (data not shown). The stipulations of diet exchange apparently did not interfere in the comparisons of the results, because it seems that animals slaughtered at 480 kg (GPFA) and F1 Blonde crossbred slaughtered at 480 kg (BCR) were economically better in each of the exchange relation, that is, independent of the stipulations of exchange, these animals were, verisimilarly, more profitable than the others. Additionally, it was found that GPFA and BCR decreased with the increase in the diet exchange relation (ER, @ of fatter cattle/t of DM of diet), and from the ER = 4, in general, the benefit was lower than the cost (BCR <1.0).

The equations obtained for GPFA and BCR in the sensitivity analysis (Table 7) are numerically in agreement between the genetic groups, F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine bulls were more profitable and lucrative than F1 Red Angus, and between the slaughter weights, animals slaughtered at 480 kg were more profitable and lucrative than those slaughtered at 520 or 560 kg. In the combination of factors, without considering the factorial arrangement, F1 Blonde animals slaughtered at 480 kg were more profitable and lucrative than the others (Table 7). However, a test was applied to verify, from statistical and probabilistic point of view, the equality of estimates of the parameters and the identity of the regression models (Table 8) in order to investigate whether the return and profitability could be represented by a unique profile or to identify the treatments with greater return and profitability in the origin (ER= 0) and with smaller reduction rate as the ER increases, that is, the animals most economically efficient were independent from market fluctuations.

A difference (P<0.05) between genetic groups, slaughter weight and combination of factors was observed for GPFA and BCR (Table 8). Therefore, the factors should not be analyzed as a isolated one but as a set.

The parameters β₀ were similar (P>0.05) to each other, the parameters β₁ (reduction rate) have been uneven between them (P<0.05) and the identity of the models differed (P<0.05) in the combination of the genetic group and slaughter weight gain for GPFA. In this case, the GPFA should be represented by different curves with common intercept and variable rate, according to the equation ĝ_i = 55.00 – β₁ x ER_i.

The parameters θ₁ differed (P<0.05) among themselves, the parameters θ₂ (reduction rate) were distinct from each other (P<0.05) and the identity of the models was significant in the combination of genetic group and slaughter weight for BCR (Table 8). Therefore, BCR should be represented by individual curves (Table 7). Thus, it is possible to infer that F1 Blonde animals slaughtered at 480 kg were actually more rentable and profitable, regardless of fluctuations in the diet exchange relation.

Conclusions

The use of F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine and Nellore crossbred animals provides greater profitability in feedlot finishing when compared to F1 Red Angus and Nellore crossbred animals, regardless the stipulations of diet exchange relation in equivalent carcass. The decrease in slaughter weight reduces the total production value per animal, but provides increased profitability of the diet. Thus, an important strategy for increasing bioeconomic efficiency during feedlot-finished cattle, regardless the diet exchange stipulations in equivalent carcass. The viability of feedlot-finished beef cattle, independent of genetic group and slaughter weight, depends on the diet exchange stipulations in favorable equivalent carcass.

Acknowledgements

The first author is thankful to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for partial fellowship, and also to Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR) by Programa de Auxílio à Pesquisa dos Recém Pós-Graduados (PROPESQUISA-II) for financial support.

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Received October 1, 2007 and accepeted July 4, 2008.

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*

Current address: Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista, RR.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  11 Feb 2009
• Date of issue
  Jan 2009

History

• Accepted
  04 July 2008
• Received
  01 Oct 2007