The effect of different energy sources in multiple supplements of self-feed on the average daily gain (ADG), total weight gain (TWG), pH and ruminal ammonia concentration of steers grazed at pasture in the wet season was evaluated. Treatments were supplements containing ground corn grain (GCG), corn, ears and cob (CEC), ground sorghum (GS) and control treatment (mineral mix - MM). Sixteen crossbreed steers with initial age and weight of 12 months old and 265 kg were used. Ruminal parameters were obtained from four crossbreed steers fistulated in the rumen. The pH values ranged from 6.43 to 6.62, with an average of 6.55 not having effect for the amounts of salt and supplement consumed. Concentrations were 9.61, 25.71, 24.45 and 26.04 mg/dL, respectively, for MM, GCG, CEC and GS treatments. It was not found differences between treatments, although the supplement CEC provided additional gains of 220 g/animal/day. Higher concentrations of ruminal ammonia were observed in the supplemented animals.
beef cattle; energy; self-feed; supplementation; urea
