The aim of this study was to evaluate the production performance and economic efficiency of different strategies of supplementation on the rearing and fattening of Nelore calves. The experiment was divided in to three periods, Drought, Rainy and Finishing. Fifty four calves with average initial weight of 169.6 kg were divided in eight treatments, each treatment with one supplementation strategy. During the dry season the animals were protein-energy and mineral supplemented with an average daily intake of 0.1% of body weight (BW) for strategies A, B, C, D and 0.2% of BW for strategies E, F, G and H. During the rainy season, animals from strategies A, B, E and F were protein-energy and mineral supplemented with an average daily intake of 0.5% of BW and strategies C, D, G and H received only mineral supplementation. During the finishing period, animals from strategies B, D, F and H were protein-energy and mineral supplemented with an average daily intake of 1.4% of BW and animals from strategies A, C, E and G were fattened in feedlots. There was statistical difference (p<0.05) for the cumulative final weight (FW). Higher values of FW were 492.0, 475.1 and 473.1kg for animals from strategies F, B and H respectively. Animals from strategies supplemented 1.4% of BW remained 70 days more in the termination period than animals fattened in feedlots. All strategies were economically viable, however, strategy G had a major cash result, net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR), R$ 349.00; R$ 252.10 and 2.45% respectively. Protein, energy and mineral supplementation on pasture or feedlot reduces the age at slaughter of animals and is an economically viable alternative for production of beef cattle.
beef cattle; feedlot; pasture; profitability