Performance and carcass characteristics of steers supplemented with corn in an oats and annual ryegrass pasture

The impact of energy supplementation on the performance and carcass caracteristics of 24 Aberdeen Angus x Charolais steers grazing an annual ryegrass (Lollium multiflorum L.) and Oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) pasture managed in order to avoid constrains to animal performance was evaluated. Treatments were levels of supplementation of 0; 0.4; 0.8 and 1.2% BW with a corn and mineral based supplement. Animals were slaughtered as they achieve 4,5mm of fat cover in the rump (P8) evaluated ultrasonography. No differences were observed in fat deposition, measured in live animals with ultrasound at the end of performance period, and in live weight gain, which showed average values of 3,9mm and 1,54kg d(-1) respectively. Blood serum levels of urea were linearly decreased and cholesterol linearly increased by energy supplementation, with no differences in the serum levels of glucose and triglicerides. Energy supplementation linearly increased the killing-out proportion and carcass weight gain, but no differences were observed on the rib eye area, slaughter weight and hot carcass weight, wich averaged 67,85cm(2), 438,95kg e 227,75kg. Increasing the levels of supplementation resulted in higher killing-out proportion and higher carcass daily gains, without changes in performance and carcass parameters evaluated.