Alternatives of utilization of winter pasture for beef heifers rearing

The experiment aimed to evaluate animal performance and economic return in oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) plus Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) pasture, under three systems of utilization. The treatments used were: 1. pasture of oat + Italian ryegrass + 300 kg/ha of nitrogen-'Nitrogen'; 2. pasture of oat + Italian ryegrass + supplementation-'Supplement' and 3. pasture of oat + Italian ryegrass + arrowleaf clover-'Clover'. Ninety-four beef heifers of Charolais breed and Charolais-Nellore crosses, with initial weight and age of 197 kg and nine months, respectively, were used. The continuous grazing method with variable stocking rate was used. The supplement utilized was ground sorghum, at quantity of 1% of live weight (LW). The score of body condition (BC), average daily gain (ADG), stocking rate (SR), live weight gain per ha (LWG) and economic return (ER) were evaluated. The greater BC, SR and LWG were obtained on 'Supplement', with values of 3.5, 1360.1 kg of LW/ha and 602.8 kg of LW/ha, respectively. The total cost and net income per treatment were R$ 687.15 and 194.28; 881.49 and 113.13; 574.69 and 226.22 for 'Nitrogen', 'Supplement' and 'Clover', respectively. The treatment 'Clover' presented the best ratio, with return of R$ 1.39 for each one real invested. In biological values, utilization of oat and ryegrass pasture for beef heifers, without ADG impairment, greater stocking rate and production per area are obtained using energy supplementation.