Abstract:
The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of replacing crude protein of soybean meal by slow-release urea on the performance, carcass traits, and feeding costs of feedlot Nelore steers. Forty-eight Nelore steers were used, with an average age of 22 months and weight of 367.95±18.52 kg. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments: SM, 8.91% soybean meal and 0% slow-release urea (SRU); OP33, 6.01% soybean meal and 0.46% SRU; OP67, 2.94% soybean meal and 0.94% SRU; and OP100, 0% soybean meal and 1.41% SRU. No difference was observed between treatments for the variables initial weight, final weight, average daily gain, carcass gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion, biological efficiency, hot carcass weight, carcass yield, and feed cost of produced arroba. Slow-release urea, used to partially or totally replace protein of soybean meal in the diet, does not modify the performance, carcass traits, and economic efficiency of feedlot cattle.
Index terms:
live weight gain; non-protein nitrogen; rumen degradable protein; protected urea
