The concentrate supplementation effect upon ponderal performance of calves during the year (dry and wet seasons) was evaluated. Thirty-six Santa Gertrudis calves averaging 194 kg of live weight, with 290 days of age, grazing Brachiaria decumbens pasture, were used in a complete randomized design. The following supplements have been added ad libitum, fed during the experimental period: mineral mix, supplement based on degradable protein, during dry season, and supplement based on non-degradable protein (escape protein), during wet season. Results on average daily gain demonstrated a significant difference between treatments. The average daily gains were 0.504 and 0.561 kg animal-1 day-1 for the non-supplemented group (control group, fed mineral mix only), and supplemented group, respectively. During dry season, supplemented calves showed significantly higher average daily gain, and during wet season there was no difference. Pasture supplementation did not present bioeconomic advantage, then its use could not be recommended. In both treatments, calves reached the average weight limit, for first mating, at nearly 14 months of age.
beef calves; weight gain; pasture; degradable protein; supplement
