The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of 47 Bos taurus x Bos indicus beef heifers until two years of age. Heifers were early weaned (EW) with average age of 91 days and minimum of 70 kg of liveweight or weaned at conventional age with average of 170 days and average liveweight of 130.3 kg (CW), supplemented (Su) or not (NSu) with concentrate containing 14% crude protein and 75% total digestible nutrients (TDN) during 91 days in the first winter. The early weaning and the no supplemented group were lightier until one year of age. Weaning age did not affect pregnancy rate (77.3% and 72% to EW and CW, respectively). The supplementation during the first winter did not affect the heifers performance until two years of age. Early weaning did not affected the growth and the fertility of heifers until two years of age when compaired with the weaning at the conventional age.
early weaning; heifers; liveweight gain; pastures; pregnancy
