PSIX-29 Impact of the use of a blend based on organic minerals and yeasts and road transport for 48 hours on the intake of Nellore cattle fed with forage.

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate how supplementation with a blend of live yeast, organic Cr and Se, and 48-hour road transportation would affect the intake of forage-fed Nellore steers. Nineteen rumen-cannulated, castrated Nellore steers (body weight (BW) = 400 kg ± 35 kg; age = 20 months) were blocked by BW and allocated to individual pens in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement to investigate the combination of the following factors: 1) animals receiving supplementation containing organic Cr and Se and live yeast (ORG+YT; BEEF SAAC+, Alltech) or containing inorganic Se without added yeast (ING, inorganic source); 2) animals transported for 48 hours (TRANS) or animals not transported and fed regularly (NOTRANS). The 65 days of study were divided into: (1) consumption measurement to be used as an independent covariate from -30d to -22d, (2) adaptation phase from -21d to -1d and (3) evaluation period from 2d to 33d. From 0d to 2d, half of the animals were subjected to road transport for 48 hours. Nutrient intake (OM, CP, NDF and ADF) were evaluated from days 3d to 5d, 11d to 13d and 31d to 33d. Dry matter intake (DMI) measured throughout the evaluation period was grouped obtaining an average value every four days of evaluation. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using PROC MIXED, SAS 9.4. All variables were analyzed as repeated measures over time using REPEATED procedure of SAS. All intake variables were analyzed using intake measured between -30d and -22d as an independent covariate. Forage intake (6.81 kg/day), supplement intake (0.221 kg/day), as well as OM (6.33 kg/day), CP (0.546 kg/day), NDF (4.61 kg/day) and ADF (1.74 kg/day) were not affected by the treatments studied (P >0.187). Interaction between period x transportation was detected (P = 0.018) for DMI. Lower DMI was detected for TRANS during the initial days of refeeding (2d to 5d; 5.76 kg/day vs. 6.23 kg/day/ P=0.075) in relation to NOTRANS. Interaction between mineral source and period was detected (P=0.022). Animals receiving ORG+YT showed higher DMI on the intermediate (10d to 13d; 7.20 kg/day vs. 6.70 kg/day; P=0.058) and final experimental days (26d to 33d; 7.74 kg/day vs. 7.18 kg/day; P=0.071). In conclusion, the transportation time imposed in this study results in a reduction in DMI during the initial days of refeeding, however, supplementation with ORG+YT promotes an increase in DMI in medium and long term.