Supplementation of growing buffaloes grazing xaraes-pasture during rainy season

• Published in: CES medicina veterinaria y zootecnia Vol. 11; no. 3; p. 140
• Main Authors: Marques da Silva, Daiane, Mendes Jorge, André, de Lima Merelles, Paulo Roberto, Martinez da Silva, Fabíola, Correa, Lennon, Sampaio Aranha, Aline, Cardoso da Luz, Patrícia Aparecida, de Castilhos, André Michel, de Lima Francisco, Caroline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad del CES 01-09-2016
• Subjects: Body weight
• ISSN: 1900-9607; 1900-9607

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance and carcass traits, of growing water buffaloes receiving supplementation or not supplementation on under rotational stocking on pasture. The objective of this study was evaluate 20 buffaloes [Murrah water buffalo, 10 + 1 month of age and 206 + 29kg body weight (BW)] growing on pasture (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés) receiving supplementation (0.6% BW), or not (control) during rainy season. Animals were divided in two treatment groups (supplemented and control; n = 10 animals, for each treatment). Body weight was measured at the beginning and the end of the rainy season (180 days) to determining total gain (TG) and average daily gain (ADG). Rib eye area (REA), backfat thickness--12th rib (BF), and rump fat thickness (RFT) were determined at the beginning (0d) and the end (180d) of the study by ultrasound technique. Data were analyzed with PROC MIXED. Results are reported as least square means (LSMEANS) according to treatment. Significance was set at P < 0.05. No treatment effects (P = 0.64) were detected for initial BW (202.45 vs. 208.75 kg for supplemented and control animals, respectively). Supplemented animals had greater final BW (P = 0.03), TG (P < 0.01), ADG (P < 0.01) than control animals (338.63 vs. 301.86 kg for final BW; 136.18 vs. 93.11 kg for TG; 0.76 vs. 0.52 kg for ADG, for supplemented and control animals, respectively). Effect of treatment was detected (P< 0.01) for REA180d, where supplemented animals showed higher values when compared to control animals (42.74 vs. 33.10 [cm.sup.2] for supplemented and control animals, respectively). No treatment effects were detected for BF180d (P = 0.72) and RFT180d (P = 0.69) (7.49 vs. 7.31 mm for BF; 5.46 vs. 5.18 for RFT, for supplemented and control animals, respectively). In conclusion, supplemented animals had higher values for performance. Supplementation during the rainy season is an option to improve the production of buffalo in growing phase. Supported by FAPESP #2014/06446-3.