Five genetic groups were evaluated by bio-nutritional efficiency (index obtained from the first canonical function in a bivariate analysis encompassing weight gain and dry matter intake): six Nellore (N), five 1/2Romosinuano-1/2Caracu (RSC), four 1/2Senepol-1/2Caracu (SEC), four 1/2Belmont Red-1/2 Caracu (BRC) and seven 1/2Valdostana-1/2Nellore (VAN). No differences were observed among the Caracu crosses for bio-nutritional efficiency, which averaged 519.8. Nellore showed the smallest performance (425.07), while the Vasdostana-Nellore F1's averaged 499.30. Similar trend was observed for daily weight gain. The crossbred animals involving European adapted breeds (RSC, SEC, BRC) showed an average gain of 1.69kg/day, while the F1's Valdostana-Nelore and the Nellore gains were, respectively, 1.57kg/day and 1.29kg/day. No difference for dry matter (DM) intake among genetic groups which averaged 7.76kg DM intake/day was observed. As far as feed conversion is concerned, no difference among genetic groups, which averaged 4.87kg of DM intake/kg of weight gain, was observed.
Bos indicus; Bos taurus; feed conversion; intake