Beef cattle in drought: what is the best time to supplement and ensure weight gain?

The cattle farmer's doubt about the ideal time to supplement the cattle during the dry season reflects a crucial point in the management of semi-confinement systems. According to zootechnician Edmar Peluso, pasture manager, the time at which the animal receives the feed has a direct influence on the total dry matter consumption and the final weight gain. Check it out: He explains that the ideal time to provide the supplementation (level of 0.9% to 1% of live weight) is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., that is, the hottest period of the day. The reason is to maximize the total consumption of the cattle: by providing the feed at the time when the animal would naturally be resting, the cattle farmer avoids competition with grazing, which is more intense in the cooler hours (early morning and late afternoon). Cattle farmer Gelson Pimenta, from Mato Grosso do Sul, who treats the cattle once a day around 4 p.m. due to his work schedule in the city, can and should continue the ...