This paper evaluated the parameters of Gompertz nonlinear function to describe Guzera male and female growth curve, and their crossbreds (3/4Guzera - 1/4Brown Swiss, 1/2Nellore - 1/4Brown Swiss - 1/4Guzera, 1/2Brown Swiss - 1/2Guzera, 1/2Chianina - 1/4Brown Swiss - 1/4Guzera, 1/2Caracu - 1/2Guzera, 1/2Caracu - 1/4Brown Swiss - 1/4Guzera) submitted to three levels of supplementation: without supplementation, supplementation only during the dry season, and year-round supplementation. There were significant interactions between supplementation and breed, and breed and sex on mature weight and maturing rate; supplementation and sex on maturing rate and integration parameter; and breed effect on integration parameter. The dry season supplementation did not change mature weight. Increasing the energy content of the supplement increased the maturing rate estimates. Supplementation during year-round decreased the estimates of mature weight but increased maturing rate values. Calving status had a significant effect on mature weight and maturing rate estimates. An allometric equation with an r² of 0.68 was derived to predict maturing rate from mature weight estimates.
beef cattle; nonlinear function; mature weight; maturing rate
