BEEF-PRODUCTION BASED ON PANICUM-MAXIMUM JACQ, 2 PROPORTIONS OF LEUCAENA-LEUCOCEPHALA AND DIFFERENT STOCKING RATES

An experiment for the finishing of 30 animals (3/4 Zebu x 1/4 Holstein ) with an average initial weight of 248 kg was carried out. The trial compared two areas with 50% leucaena each and the rest, of grasses wit h 3 and 2 animals/ha, respectively and a control with 30% of the area with leucaena and 2 animals/ha. All animals had free access to the leu caena and the unassociated grass. No nitrogenous fertilizer was applie d. A complete randomized design was used. Animals of each treatment ro tated in 3 paddocks with 10 days of occupation and 20 days of rest. On finishing the fattening period, 50% of the animals from each treatmen t were slaughtered for the histopathological and hepatic studies. Dail y gain was of 431, 556 and 503 g/animal/day for treatments with 50% le ucaena with 3 and 2 animals/ha and 30% leucaena with 2 animals/ha, res pectively and the final weight, in the same order, was of 384,423 and 405 kg, respectively. In both indicators there were differences (P < 0 .001) between 50% leucaena and 3 animals/ha which was the worst with r espect to 50 and 30% with 2 animals/ha, which did not differ. The hist opathological and haematic study showed that the animals did not prese nt health problems and the average thyroid weight was lower to that re ported in the literature. The use of protein banks with free access of the animals to the leucaena and unassociated grass and without fertil ization or irrigation, is suggested. The leucaena sown on 50 or 30% of the total area of the grassland, mainly with 2 animals/ha, without su pplementation is recommended for beef production.