INFLUÊNCIA DO SISTEMA DE SUPLEMENTAÇÃO NO DESEMPENHO PRODUTIVO DE OVELHAS E CORDEIROS SOB PASTEJO CONTÍNUO EM AZEVÉM

Abstract

Different supplementation strategies were evaluated regarding the performance, protein, mineral and energetic metabolic profile of ewes and lambs, and the bioenomic return in three productive systems: exclusively on pasture (CON); supplemented ewes and lambs at 1% of body weight (SEL); and creep feeding supplemented lambs at 1% of BW (CSL). The lambs of SEL and CSL groups had the higher average daily weight gain (p<0.05) and showed the weight gain more constant even with the pasture quality fluctuation. Difference in the metabolic profiles of lambs were not observed, with exception of phosphorus that was higher for CON and calcium that was higher for CSL (p<0.05). The animal stocking rate was higher for the SEL, resulting in higher lambs production per hectare (p<0.05). The supplementation use promoted economic return gain only for the SEL group. The metabolic profiles of ewes did not show difference, with exception of glucose that was higher in the SEL group (p<0.05). The variation observed in the metabolic profiles was compatible with the physiological stage of animals. Difference in the body condition score (BCS) was not observed, but the SEL group showed the lower BCS variation from the first to the last evaluation. The SEL and CSL groups showed the higher total lamb production per ewe, differing from CON (p<0.05). The supplementation of ewes and lambs in ryegrass pasture promoted the best performance of both categories compared to the exclusive supplementation of lambs or the exclusively grazing system and also presented economic return.