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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different fat sources in finishing diets on performance of feedlot steers. Twenty steers, with average age of 20 months and initial live weight of 260 ± 41.3 kg, were feedlot fed during 126 days. The animals received corn silage as roughage and the tested concentrates were: basic concentrate (BC); basic concentrate + whole rice bran and rice oil (WRB); basic concentrate + 3 % of fatty acids calcium salts (M3) and basic concentrate + 6 % of fatty acids calcium salts (M6). Each treatment had animals with the following genetic group: 1 pure Charolais (CH), 1 pure Nellore (NE), 2 11/16 CH 5/16 NE, 1 21/32 NE 11/ 32 CH. No significant differences were observed for crude protein, digestible energy, neutral and acid detergent fibers intakes. The animals that consumed 6 % of fatty acid calcium salts presented higher ether extract intake (0.77 kg/day), while those that consume 3 % or whole rice bran and oil showed intermediate value (0.51 kg/day) and the ones that consumed basic concentrated presented lower value (0.25 kg/day). Similar averages were observed for average daily weight gain (1.142, 1.199, 1.365 and 1.391 kg/day, for BC, WRB, M3 and M6, respectively) and final weight (421 kg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of frequency of supply of forage (V) and concentrate (C) on the performance of cows and heifers in feedlot was studied. The treatments were the following frequencies in the supply: 2 V/C= V and C twice daily; 1 V/C= V and C once daily; 1 V/2C= once V and C twice daily, 1 V/3C= once V and C three times a day, for the cows or heifers. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial arrangement 4 x 2, with four replications. There was no significant interaction between frequency of supplying and category animal. The dry matter intake (DMI) was superior for the animals fed 1 V/2C or 1 V/3C a day in relation with the supply of 2 V/C and 1 V/C, presenting values of 11.7; 11.4; 10.6 and 10.7 kg, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) was not influenced by the frequency of supplying. The DMI was higher in cows (12.6 kg) than heifers (9.57 kg), having no difference in the weight gain. Increasing frequency of feeding the concentrate to two or three times a day, provided greater consumption, not influencing the weight gain of cows and heifers confined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]