PSVII-7 Effects of Minerals Source Supplementation on Performance and Carcass Production by Feedlot Cattle

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of mineral source supplementation on performance of finishing cattle when fed a high-concentrate diet for 89 days. Angus-Nellore bulls (iBW, n = 32; 472 ± 4.93 kg; age, 18 months) were randomly assigned to two treatments in a completely randomized design, with sixteen replicates per treatment (animal as experimental unit). The control group received a diet containing inorganic minerals (i.e. sulphates) and the other group were supplemented with carbo-amino-phospho-chelates (TM, Tortuga Minerals) as a source of Cr, Se, Zn, Mn, S, Cu and Co. The DM intake and weight of the animals variables were assessed individually using the respective digital devices, Intergado electronic feeders and the Bosch Precision Livestock platform placed in the feedlot pen. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS and means were separated using PDIFF statement, adopting P< 0.05, and the initial BW as a covariate when significant. Supplementation with TM increased the ADG (1.74 vs. 1.55 kg/d, P< 0.01) and final BW (626.96 vs. 609.91kg, P< 0.01) compared with animals supplemented with inorganic sources. Likewise, animals supplemented with TM had better G:F (0.133 vs. 0.123 kg/kg, P< 0.05) and biological efficiency (146.41 vs 134,34 kg DMI/15 kg de carcass; P< 0.05), with no effect on DM intake (~12.94 kg, P=0.43). In addition, supplementation with TM increased final HCW in 13.44 kg (366.57 vs. 353.13 kg; P< 0.01) and carcass ADG in 0.15 kg/d (1.47 vs. 1.32 kg/d; P< 0.01). We conclude that supplementation with carbo-amino-phospho-chelates can be used as a tool to increase productive performance and efficiency by feedlot cattle.