FEEDING-TEST DATA FOR BEEF CATTLE BULLS SELECTION

Abstract

The present work was carried out in Goiânia - Goiás with the objectives to start in selection of bulls through weights differences between Gir and Nelore breeds. Forty-eight controlled calves were used and submitted to the same conditions of control and feeding: 50% ground snapped corn, 25% corn meal, 20% cottonseed meal and 5% alfafa hay. The experiment lasted 140 days and showed that gain wise and speed gain weights, 60% of the animals was qualified to the reproduction. It was observed that great differences exist in weights and weight gains as in as much as between breeds. The animals of the Nelore’s breed surpass those of the Gir’s breed in initial weight (198.4 versus 178.9 kg), weight gain (114.3 versus 104.9 kg), final weight (312.7 versus 283.8 kg) and adusted final weight (312.9 versus 283.2 kg) but the statistical significance was only reached for final weights. Other feeding-tests will de carried out, coppecting the imperfections mentioned here, and certainly it will produce more and better informations.