Semina: Ciências Agrárias (Sep 2014)

Influence of sex on performance, carcass traits and economic feasibility of cattle fed high grain diets

  • Elizângela Oliveira Cardoso ,
  • Robério Rodrigues Silva,
  • Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho ,
  • Geraldo Trindade Júnior ,
  • Sinvaldo Oliveira de Souza ,
  • Mateus de Melo Lisboa ,
  • Maria Magna Silva Pereira ,
  • Fabrício Bacelar Lima Mendes ,
  • Vitor Visintin Silva de Almeida ,
  • Aline Cardoso Oliveira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n4Supl1p2643
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35, no. 4Supl1
pp. 2643 – 2654

Abstract

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This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of gender on performance, carcass traits and economic feasibility of finishing beef cattle fed high grain diets. The experiment was conducted at the Manaus Farm, located in the boroughs of Itajú do Colônia, southern Bahia state. A total of 40 Nellore animals have been used: 20 uncastrated strees and 20 heifers, separated as a function of treatments: males and females have been arranged in a completely randomized design. Except for feed conversion and feed efficiency (FE), there was no statistical difference in performance (P>0.05). Sex has exerted an effect in all carcass traits (P 0.05). The total cost of males was higher than the females’ (P<0.05). Income and profitability did not vary (P<0.05). Males and females have the same performance when fed diets high grain, however females have better fat cover. Use of male and female high grain in feedlots are economically viable.

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