The effect of corn grain harvested at 87%DM or harvested at 70%DM ground and ensiled were evaluated. Diets contained different roughage sources, either corn silage (20% of the diet DM) or sugarcane bagasse (12% of the DM). Thirty two Santa Gertrudis bulls with initial average age of ten months and initial average weight of 245 kg were fed an adaptation diet for 33 days. After that period four animals were slaughtered to obtain initial body composition. The other 28 animals were allotted to the four treatments for a 124 days experimental feeding period. The experimental design was randomized blocks in 2 X 2 factorial arrangement (two roughage sources X two corn grain sources) with seven replicates, testing the following treatments: corn silage+high moisture corn (Si-MU); corn silage+dry corn grain (Si-MS); sugarcane bagasse+high moisture corn (Ba-MU) and sugarcane bagasse+dry corn grain (Ba-MS). There were no interactions between roughage and grain source for any variable evaluated. Corn silage was superior than sugarcane bagasse for daily empty body gain, and for deposition rates of all chemical components and energy. High moisture corn increased fat and energy content in the gain as well as the rate of lipid deposition. Data demonstrated that sugarcane bagasse is a poor roughage source in high concentrate diets when compared to whole plant corn silage. Results are also consistent with an increase in net energy content of ensiled corn grain.
body composition; energetic efficiency; high moisture corn; nutritional requirements; Santa Gertrudis; bulls; sugarcane bagasse
