The data utilized in this study were obtained from 23 intacted animals from three different genetic groups: seven Nellore (N), eight ½ Caracu + ¼ Angus + ¼ Nellore (CCAN) and eight ½ Caracu + ¼ Simental + ¼ Nellore (CCSN). These animals were produced as part of an ample project which is being carried out at Embrapa Gado de Corte whose main objective is to identify a genetic group that besides being adapted, is capable to produce meat of high quality in an efficient and competitive way (Indo-Euro composite project). This particular experiment had the objective of evaluating the bio-nutritional efficiency (EBN) of such animals. In order to do that, the variables weight gain and dry matter consumption were jointly analyzed under a bivariate model. Using the higher eigenvalue, it was established the first discriminant canonical function, which, in turn, was utilized for obtaining the EBN values. The statistical analysis revealed to exist a significant effect of genetic group on EBN. The EBN averages were compared by two different contrasts: C1) CCAN versus CCSN; and C2) average for CCAN and CCSN versus N. Since both contrasts were significant it was concluded that there is difference between the performance of the two crossbred groups and, that the CCAN animals presented better EBN than the CCSN ones (60.72 versus 48.63, respectively). The F1's animals, on the other side, presented better bio-nutritional efficiency than Nellore (54.67 versus 16,70). The least square means for daily dry matter consumption during the evaluation period as well as for average daily gain were, respectively, 6.47 kg and 1.00 kg, 7.90 kg and 1.23 kg, and 7.57 kg and 1.15 kg for N, CCAN and CCSN animals, respectively.
beef cattle; bio-nutritional efficiency; crossbreeding; feed consumption; weight gain
