Four alternative systems of production from zootechnical and economic beef cattle data were simulated from an existing full-cycle farm located in Corinto, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The systems simulated were: full-cycle with the use of crossbreed cattle (CompCRUZA), full cycle, exclusively with zebu cattle (CompZEBU), rearing cycle with the use of crossbreed cattle (CriaCRUZA) and rearing cycle with zebu cattle (CriaZEBU). The crossbreeding system animals were sold immediately after weaning with 8 months (CriaCRUZA) or slaughtered with 13 months (CompCRUZA). The zebu cattle system animals were also sold after weaning (CriaZEBU) or slaughtered with 24 months (CompZEBU). The female calves were reared and 15% were destined for sale. The data was simulated on the bioeconomic software "Embrapec". The number of animals in the stabilized herd was lower in cross-systems, but the amount (kg) of carcass sold/ha (49.9 for CriaCRUZA and 118.1 for CompCRUZA) and offtake rate (24.4%) were superior to zebu cattle. The internal rate of return and net present value was higher for systems that have adopted the crossing system (taurine x zebu cattle), CriaCRUZA (17.2% and R$ 10,151,896.54) and CompCRUZA (18.9% and R$ 11,749,329.42). When comparing the production systems, those using full-cycle, the CompCRUZA and CompZEBU (16.2% and R$ 9,568,293.51), were more profitable than rearing systems, when compared with the same genetic group, CriaCRUZA and CriaZEBU (14.6% to R$ 7,955,230.38. All production systems simulated were financially feasible, but the production systemCompCRUZA showed the highest economic viability and better zootechnical indicators.
crossing; beef cattle; zootechnical indicators; profitability; zebu
