Low purity glycerin supplementation in grazing cattle: bioeconomic analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the dry matter intake, digestibility of diet components, performance, feed conversion, carcass characteristics and economics aspects of inclusion with low purity glycerin supplementation on cattle finished on pasture with Brachiaria decumbens. We used 35 male cattle bulls, predominantly Nellore, with initial body weight of 428.0 ± 32.11 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and seven replications. Treatments consisted of glycerin inclusion levels (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12%) in the dry matter (DM). The animals were weighed every 28 days to assess the weight gain (ADG) and adjust the diet. At the end of the experiment the animals were weighed to obtain the average final body weight (BWF) and slaughtered to evaluate the carcass yield (HCY) and carcass traits. The economic analysis was conducted in relation to weight gain in kilos, in order to verify the feasibility of the use of diets with five levels of glycerin, without considering other fixed and operational costs. Increased linearly (P <0.05) levels of glycerin on the intake and digestibility of ether extract and ADG. Linear effect (P <0.05) on the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (CDFDN), crude protein (CDCP) and feed conversion (FC). No effects were observed (P <0.05) the inclusion of glycerin on carcass traits evaluated. The inclusion of glycerin reduced the cost of production of meat at sign when the price of this ingredient represented up to 70% of the price of corn. Glycerin low purity can be included in the diet of cattle uncastrated finishing the pasture with improved performance and ncreased economic benefits.

Keywords

• Alternative food; Beef cattle; Glycerol; Profitability; Supplementation