The objective was to evaluate the results of supplementation in the dry season of the year and the possible interference of the forage availability and quality and level of supplementation on performance. The total DM and green dry matter pasture availability deferred for use in the dry season has an average of all experiments of 6,431 kg ha-1 and 2,173 kg ha-1. The Brachiaria under grazing in the dry season have high levels of NDF, with an average of 74.50%, high levels of ADF, with an average of 44.19%, low levels of CP, with average of 5.59% and low levels of IVDM/O, with an average of 51.36%. In this sense, the diet taken by the animal usually presents higher crude protein and lower levels of NDF. On consumption in grazing, note that the intake reduction is limited by until the level of supplementation of 0.3% of body weight (BW) per day and when the consumption of supplement increases to levels above 0.3% of BW, the consumption of grass is low and that this decrease may be even greater when the supply of supplement is 0.8% of the BW. Supplementation of cattle provided larger gains than those receiving only mineral in the dry season. Must be guaranteed at least 4,500 kg DM total.ha-1, 1,200 kg.ha-1 of green dry matter, offering 10 to 12% of the BW offorage DM and 6% of DM potentially digestible to ensure selectivity and earnings satisfactory individual without compromising the gain per area. A supplementation in the dry season in Brachiaria is biologically feasible for positive effect on weight gain, but the economic viability of the system is location dependent. Supplementation levels above 0.8% of the BW should be investigated as alternatives that may avoid possible negative effects on the rumen environment to reduce the expectations of gain, as the fractionation of supplementation.
brachiaria; deferred; dry season; weight gain
