These studies were designed to evaluate the relationships between residual feed intake (RFI) and performance of growing heifers and Brahman cows. Residual feed intake was determined for 77 heifers of diverse breedtypes (Angus, Brahman, Hereford, Holstein, Jersey and F1 crosses) during both the pre- and post-pubertal periods. Heifers were individually fed and allowed ad libitum access to feed for 84 +/- 6 d during the prepubertal feeding trial and 90 +/- 4 d during the post-pubertal feeding trial. Brahmaninfluenced heifers had lower RFI than heifers without Brahman influence during both the pre-pubertal (P < 0.05) and post-pubertal (P < 0.0001) periods. Residual feed intake determined during the pre-pubertal period was only a moderate predictor (r = 0.48; P < 0.0001) of RFI determined during the post-pubertal period. Residual feed intake was determined for 38 Bonsmara heifers over a 70-d feeding period. Heifers were fed a high roughage diet at 2.65% of body weight (BW). Weekly blood serum samples were analyzed for progesterone concentration by radioimmunoassay (RIA) to determine puberty. There were no observed differences between efficient and inefficient heifers for performance traits, age at puberty or conception, or cumulative achievement of puberty and conception. The postpartum performance of Brahman primiparous (n=16) and multiparous (n=38) cows previously evaluated postweaning for RFI was investigated. Females were weighed and evaluated for body condition score (BCS) at 28-d intervals prior to the start of the 2008 calving season. Weekly weights and BCS were collected beginning 21 d after calving. Blood serum samples were also collected weekly for progesterone analysis by radioimmunoassay (RIA), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) analysis by enzymatic colorimetry, and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) analysis by RIA. Females were exposed to vasectomized marker bulls after calving to aid in estrus detection. Eight and ten d following observed estrus, females were evaluated using ultrasonography via rectal palpation to determine the presence of a corpus luteum (CL). Efficient cows exhibited estrus, developed functional corpora lutea, and exhibited estrus with CL formation earlier (P < 0.05) than inefficient cows. Furthermore, a greater percentage (P < 0.05) of efficient than inefficient cows were pregnant at the end of the breeding season.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as consequências bioeconômicas do aumento da taxa de lotação de vacas de cria em campo nativo com o uso de feno de palha de arroz. O experimento foi realizado em uma propriedade rural de Cachoeira do Sul 30º14’29” S 52º58’47” O, sul do Brasil, utilizando 110 vacas prenhas cruza Angus, com idade entre três e seis anos e alocadas nos tratamentos experimentais: SPF10 2.000 kg de peso vivo (PV/ha) e oferta de 10 kg feno/animal/dia; SPF5 1.000 kg PV/ha e oferta de 5 kg feno/animal/dia; SPF0 1.000 kg PV/ha sem oferta de feno. No início do experimento as vacas foram pesadas e avaliadas quanto ao escore de condição corporal (ECC) e distribuídas nos tratamentos: SPF10 (464 kg; 2,74); SPF5 (457 kg; 2,69); SPF0 (459 kg; 2,75) para PV e ECC, respectivamente. Todos os animais receberam um suplemento diário de 0,200kg/animal/dia de sal proteinado com 40% de PB. O período de suplementação com feno foi realizado no pré-parto das vacas, de 08 de maio a 01 de agosto. A partir do parto, os três grupos de vacas foram reunidos em um único lote e alocadas em pastagem anual de inverno (Lolium multiflorum e Avena strigosa). O acasalamento subsequente foi por meio de IATF e posterior repasse com touros na relação de 1:30 por um período de 60 dias. Foram avaliados o peso ao parto (PP; Kg), escore de condição corporal (ECC; 1-5), peso ao nascer (PN; kg), intervalo parto cio (IPC; dias), taxa de prenhez (TP; %) e produtividade (kg PV/ha) e resultado econômico (R$). Os sistemas não afetaram (P>0,05) o PP (492,0; 491,1; 479,7 kg), ECC (2,867; 2,692; 2,778) e PN (36,5; 35,9; 35,8 kg) para SPF10, SPF5 e SPF0, respectivamente. O IPC (52,2; 54,0; 56,1 dias) e a TP (65; 65; 72%) também não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os grupos experimentais. Contudo, no SPF10 a produtividade foi maior do que SPF5 E SPF0 (557,1 kg vs 288,9 e 320,0 kg) e o resultado econômico foi 181 e 190% superior aos sistemas SPF0 e SPF5, respectivamente. Esses resultados revelam o potencial nutricional do feno de palha de arroz como alternativa para viabilizar o aumento da taxa de lotação no pré-parto de vacas em sistemas de cria, mantidas em campo nativo, e assim produzir um maior número de bezerros por área associados ao benefício econômico. / The objective of this research was evaluate the effect of the baled rice straw in the beef cows pre-partum supplementation on the performance productive of the cow-calf systems. The 110 Angus cows between three and six years old allocated at experimental treatments on the farm at southern Brazil: SPF10 2.000 kg LW/ha and 10 kg of rice straw/cow/day; SPF5 1.000 kg LW/ha and 5 kg rice straw/animal/day; SPF0 1.000 kg LW/ha without rice straw offer. At the start of the experimental period the cows were weighed and evaluated in BCC. Thereby, the cows were allotted in the treatments according: SPF10 464 kg LW and 2,74 BCC; SPF5 457 kg LW and 2,69 BCC; SPF0 459 kg LW and 2,75 BCC. All the experimental groups received 0.200 kg/cow/day the protein salt with 40% CP. The supplementation period was the pre-partum phase, between May 8 and August 1 (85 days). The cows was kept in one lot in the start de parturition and transferred to a winter pasture (Lolium multiflorum e Avena strigosa). The breeding season period was by IATF and natural mount with bulls during 60 days. Was evaluated the cows weight at calving (PP;kg), body condition score (1-5), calf birth weight (BW: kg), resumption cyclicity postpartum interval (IPC;days), pregnant rate (PR;%) and productivity. The systems supplementation has no effect (P>0.05) on the cows PP (492.0; 491.1; 479.7kg), BCS (2.86; 2.69; 2.77) and calf BW (36.5; 35.9; 35.8 kg) to SPF10, SPF5 and SPF0, respectively. The IPC were 52.2; 54.0; 56.1 days and PR 65; 65; and 72%, to SPF10, SPF5 and SPF0, respectively (P>0.05). However, in SPF10 the productivity was higher (557.1 kg vs 288.9 e 320.0 kg) than SPF5 and SPF0, respectively, and your economics results evidenced the superiority of the 180% in ratio the other systems. Therefore, this results showed the potential of baled rice straw as an alternative to enable the increase of the stocking rate pre-partum cows, maintained in the natural pastures, and thus increase the productivity in cow-calf operations.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as consequências bioeconômicas do aumento da taxa de lotação de vacas de cria em campo nativo com o uso de feno de palha de arroz. O experimento foi realizado em uma propriedade rural de Cachoeira do Sul 30º14’29” S 52º58’47” O, sul do Brasil, utilizando 110 vacas prenhas cruza Angus, com idade entre três e seis anos e alocadas nos tratamentos experimentais: SPF10 2.000 kg de peso vivo (PV/ha) e oferta de 10 kg feno/animal/dia; SPF5 1.000 kg PV/ha e oferta de 5 kg feno/animal/dia; SPF0 1.000 kg PV/ha sem oferta de feno. No início do experimento as vacas foram pesadas e avaliadas quanto ao escore de condição corporal (ECC) e distribuídas nos tratamentos: SPF10 (464 kg; 2,74); SPF5 (457 kg; 2,69); SPF0 (459 kg; 2,75) para PV e ECC, respectivamente. Todos os animais receberam um suplemento diário de 0,200kg/animal/dia de sal proteinado com 40% de PB. O período de suplementação com feno foi realizado no pré-parto das vacas, de 08 de maio a 01 de agosto. A partir do parto, os três grupos de vacas foram reunidos em um único lote e alocadas em pastagem anual de inverno (Lolium multiflorum e Avena strigosa). O acasalamento subsequente foi por meio de IATF e posterior repasse com touros na relação de 1:30 por um período de 60 dias. Foram avaliados o peso ao parto (PP; Kg), escore de condição corporal (ECC; 1-5), peso ao nascer (PN; kg), intervalo parto cio (IPC; dias), taxa de prenhez (TP; %) e produtividade (kg PV/ha) e resultado econômico (R$). Os sistemas não afetaram (P>0,05) o PP (492,0; 491,1; 479,7 kg), ECC (2,867; 2,692; 2,778) e PN (36,5; 35,9; 35,8 kg) para SPF10, SPF5 e SPF0, respectivamente. O IPC (52,2; 54,0; 56,1 dias) e a TP (65; 65; 72%) também não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os grupos experimentais. Contudo, no SPF10 a produtividade foi maior do que SPF5 E SPF0 (557,1 kg vs 288,9 e 320,0 kg) e o resultado econômico foi 181 e 190% superior aos sistemas SPF0 e SPF5, respectivamente. Esses resultados revelam o potencial nutricional do feno de palha de arroz como alternativa para viabilizar o aumento da taxa de lotação no pré-parto de vacas em sistemas de cria, mantidas em campo nativo, e assim produzir um maior número de bezerros por área associados ao benefício econômico. / The objective of this research was evaluate the effect of the baled rice straw in the beef cows pre-partum supplementation on the performance productive of the cow-calf systems. The 110 Angus cows between three and six years old allocated at experimental treatments on the farm at southern Brazil: SPF10 2.000 kg LW/ha and 10 kg of rice straw/cow/day; SPF5 1.000 kg LW/ha and 5 kg rice straw/animal/day; SPF0 1.000 kg LW/ha without rice straw offer. At the start of the experimental period the cows were weighed and evaluated in BCC. Thereby, the cows were allotted in the treatments according: SPF10 464 kg LW and 2,74 BCC; SPF5 457 kg LW and 2,69 BCC; SPF0 459 kg LW and 2,75 BCC. All the experimental groups received 0.200 kg/cow/day the protein salt with 40% CP. The supplementation period was the pre-partum phase, between May 8 and August 1 (85 days). The cows was kept in one lot in the start de parturition and transferred to a winter pasture (Lolium multiflorum e Avena strigosa). The breeding season period was by IATF and natural mount with bulls during 60 days. Was evaluated the cows weight at calving (PP;kg), body condition score (1-5), calf birth weight (BW: kg), resumption cyclicity postpartum interval (IPC;days), pregnant rate (PR;%) and productivity. The systems supplementation has no effect (P>0.05) on the cows PP (492.0; 491.1; 479.7kg), BCS (2.86; 2.69; 2.77) and calf BW (36.5; 35.9; 35.8 kg) to SPF10, SPF5 and SPF0, respectively. The IPC were 52.2; 54.0; 56.1 days and PR 65; 65; and 72%, to SPF10, SPF5 and SPF0, respectively (P>0.05). However, in SPF10 the productivity was higher (557.1 kg vs 288.9 e 320.0 kg) than SPF5 and SPF0, respectively, and your economics results evidenced the superiority of the 180% in ratio the other systems. Therefore, this results showed the potential of baled rice straw as an alternative to enable the increase of the stocking rate pre-partum cows, maintained in the natural pastures, and thus increase the productivity in cow-calf operations.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as consequências bioeconômicas do aumento da taxa de lotação de vacas de cria em campo nativo com o uso de feno de palha de arroz. O experimento foi realizado em uma propriedade rural de Cachoeira do Sul 30º14’29” S 52º58’47” O, sul do Brasil, utilizando 110 vacas prenhas cruza Angus, com idade entre três e seis anos e alocadas nos tratamentos experimentais: SPF10 2.000 kg de peso vivo (PV/ha) e oferta de 10 kg feno/animal/dia; SPF5 1.000 kg PV/ha e oferta de 5 kg feno/animal/dia; SPF0 1.000 kg PV/ha sem oferta de feno. No início do experimento as vacas foram pesadas e avaliadas quanto ao escore de condição corporal (ECC) e distribuídas nos tratamentos: SPF10 (464 kg; 2,74); SPF5 (457 kg; 2,69); SPF0 (459 kg; 2,75) para PV e ECC, respectivamente. Todos os animais receberam um suplemento diário de 0,200kg/animal/dia de sal proteinado com 40% de PB. O período de suplementação com feno foi realizado no pré-parto das vacas, de 08 de maio a 01 de agosto. A partir do parto, os três grupos de vacas foram reunidos em um único lote e alocadas em pastagem anual de inverno (Lolium multiflorum e Avena strigosa). O acasalamento subsequente foi por meio de IATF e posterior repasse com touros na relação de 1:30 por um período de 60 dias. Foram avaliados o peso ao parto (PP; Kg), escore de condição corporal (ECC; 1-5), peso ao nascer (PN; kg), intervalo parto cio (IPC; dias), taxa de prenhez (TP; %) e produtividade (kg PV/ha) e resultado econômico (R$). Os sistemas não afetaram (P>0,05) o PP (492,0; 491,1; 479,7 kg), ECC (2,867; 2,692; 2,778) e PN (36,5; 35,9; 35,8 kg) para SPF10, SPF5 e SPF0, respectivamente. O IPC (52,2; 54,0; 56,1 dias) e a TP (65; 65; 72%) também não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os grupos experimentais. Contudo, no SPF10 a produtividade foi maior do que SPF5 E SPF0 (557,1 kg vs 288,9 e 320,0 kg) e o resultado econômico foi 181 e 190% superior aos sistemas SPF0 e SPF5, respectivamente. Esses resultados revelam o potencial nutricional do feno de palha de arroz como alternativa para viabilizar o aumento da taxa de lotação no pré-parto de vacas em sistemas de cria, mantidas em campo nativo, e assim produzir um maior número de bezerros por área associados ao benefício econômico. / The objective of this research was evaluate the effect of the baled rice straw in the beef cows pre-partum supplementation on the performance productive of the cow-calf systems. The 110 Angus cows between three and six years old allocated at experimental treatments on the farm at southern Brazil: SPF10 2.000 kg LW/ha and 10 kg of rice straw/cow/day; SPF5 1.000 kg LW/ha and 5 kg rice straw/animal/day; SPF0 1.000 kg LW/ha without rice straw offer. At the start of the experimental period the cows were weighed and evaluated in BCC. Thereby, the cows were allotted in the treatments according: SPF10 464 kg LW and 2,74 BCC; SPF5 457 kg LW and 2,69 BCC; SPF0 459 kg LW and 2,75 BCC. All the experimental groups received 0.200 kg/cow/day the protein salt with 40% CP. The supplementation period was the pre-partum phase, between May 8 and August 1 (85 days). The cows was kept in one lot in the start de parturition and transferred to a winter pasture (Lolium multiflorum e Avena strigosa). The breeding season period was by IATF and natural mount with bulls during 60 days. Was evaluated the cows weight at calving (PP;kg), body condition score (1-5), calf birth weight (BW: kg), resumption cyclicity postpartum interval (IPC;days), pregnant rate (PR;%) and productivity. The systems supplementation has no effect (P>0.05) on the cows PP (492.0; 491.1; 479.7kg), BCS (2.86; 2.69; 2.77) and calf BW (36.5; 35.9; 35.8 kg) to SPF10, SPF5 and SPF0, respectively. The IPC were 52.2; 54.0; 56.1 days and PR 65; 65; and 72%, to SPF10, SPF5 and SPF0, respectively (P>0.05). However, in SPF10 the productivity was higher (557.1 kg vs 288.9 e 320.0 kg) than SPF5 and SPF0, respectively, and your economics results evidenced the superiority of the 180% in ratio the other systems. Therefore, this results showed the potential of baled rice straw as an alternative to enable the increase of the stocking rate pre-partum cows, maintained in the natural pastures, and thus increase the productivity in cow-calf operations.