The experiment evaluated the performance of beef heifers submitted to three alternatives of autumn-winter feeding systems, during 88 days, and after this period on improved pastures all together until the end of theirs first mating season, with 14-15 months of age. The systems were: Pasture- continuous grazing on cultivated annual ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam); supplementation- continuous grazing on natural pasture plus energy and protein supplementation; feedlot - feedlot, with sorghum silage plus non- proteic nitrogen (NNP). After this period, all heifers grazed together on improved natural pastures with annual ryegrass, white clover (Trifolium repens) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). These data were collected in a farm located in Dom Pedrito, RS, from 395 beef heifers from three genetic groups: Hereford; 3/4 Hereford -1/4 Nellore; 5/8 Hereford- 3/8 Nellore. Live weight (LW), body conditions score (BCS) and live weight daily gains (LDG) were recorded. No differences could be detected among systems for LW and LDG. Feedlot heifers had greater BCS. At the beginning and end of the mating season, heifers from pasture group were heavier and had greater BCS than heifers from feedlot and supplementation.
improved pasture; sorghum silage; supplementation
