Finishing of Nellore steers, castrated and no-castrated, in feedlot diet with high-grain

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the finishing Nellore steers castrated and no-castrated in feedlot receiving high-grain diet through the nutrients intake, productive performance and economic viability of the diet. 180 Nellore animals were divided into two treatments (castrated and no-castrated), with 90 animals per treatments, with an average initial weight of 415.64kg, receiving high-grain diet with 85% corn grain and 15% supplement mineral-protein-energy. The experimental period was 63 days with 15 days for adaptation diets and 48 days of feedlot. Was no significant effect on intake of nutrients (P<0.05), presenting a mean intake of dry matter (DM) of 7.60 and 7.96kg for castrated and no-castrated. Effects were observed for productive performance as a function of sex condition (castrated and no-castrated). The not castrated animals had higher (P<0.05) slaughter weight, total weight gain, hot carcass weight, carcass yield and better feed conversion when compared to castrated animals finished in feedlot receiving high-grain diet. Castrated animals have a higher fat thickness that animals no-castrated, 4.80 and 3.40mm, respectively. The no-castrated animals showed profit margin lucre/animal of R$ 256.00 and R$ 202.80 for castrated. Receiving the termination of Nellore steers in a feedlot is recommended high-grain diet. The no-castrated animals showed greater weight gain and profit in the feedlot finishing system receiving high-grain diet.