The performance of 25 castrated Holstein x Zebu crossbred steers averaging 265±50kgBW, grazing on Brachiaria decumbens, during dry season was evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a completed randomized design and the animals were grouped in five different paddocks with the following treatments: control - multiple supplement without ionophores (CONT); multiple supplement with 100mg of monensin/animal/day (M100); multiple supplement with 200mg of monensin/animal/day (M200); multiple supplement with 100mg of lasalocid/animal/day (L100); and multiple supplement with 200mg of lasalocid/animal/day (L200). The experimental period was 105 days, with changing groups on paddocks every 21 days. The multiple supplement was offered ad libitum. Body weight was evaluated after 14 hours of fasting. Animals fed multiple supplement with ionophores showed higher average daily weight gain than control (0.357 vs 0.268; P= 0.0068), as well as steers fed lasalocid in comparision to monensin (0.398 vs. 0.333; P= 0.0175). Animals suplemented with lasalocid had higher intakes and higher average daily gain (0.53 vs. 0.42; P<0.0001)
steer; lasalocid; monensin
