USE OF PASTURE FOR GROWING FATTENING BELG IAN BLUE CATTLE - ANIMAL PERFORMANCE, MEAT QUALITY AND ECONOMY

Different trials were designed in order to define pratical conditions to use grazed grass by growing fattening cattle. Grass production is r educed with the advance of the season while the requirements of animal s increase; the management has, therefore, to be adapted. When compare d with the traditionnal indoor fattening system, it appeared that the performances of the grazed animals were slightly reduced while meat qu ality was not affected. Furthermore, the profit was increased owing to a reduction of the production costs. An increase of the stocking rate reduced the performances at grass but was associated with compensator y growth indoors. The optimum stocking rate was 8 bulls per ha. The wi thdrawal period was also of importance : the largest profit being obta ined with the animals with the longest grazing period. A supplementati on at grass improved daily gains during the grazing period; the daily gains being larger when the bulls were supplemented at a lower rate. A s far as the period of supplementation was concerned, it was the suppl ementation in August which provided the largest animal performances an d profit. The finishing of bulls at grass appeared to be difficult sin ce the carcasses were too light and insufficiently finished.