Effect of level of meat and bone meal supplements on growth of weaner cattle on dry season improved pasture at Adelaide River, N.T

Abstract

Brahman cross weaner heifers grazing a Townsville stylo-dominant pasture between July and early November were offered meat and bone meal at the rate of 0, 0.21, 0.43, 0.85, and 1.71 kg hd-1 day-1. The highest intake recorded was 1.36 kg hd-1 day-1. Liveweight response to the supplement and its efficiency of utilization varied during the feeding period as a result of abnormal heavy rains in August, September and October. At the time of maximum response to the supplementation, there was a significant reduction in the efficiency of utilization of meat and bone meal with increasing intake of the supplement. However, following a compensation period, the supplement was most efficiently utilized by the group offered 0.85 kg hd-1 day-1. Faecal nitrogen and serum inorganic phosphate concentrations were influenced by the meat and bone meal but there was no change in serum urea levels.