The objective was to evaluate four levels of inclusion of babassu mesocarp meal (Orbygnya spp.) in the concentrate on cattle feedlot performance. Twenty four animals (12 steers and 12 bulls) were used with age and body weight of 33 months and 332.1±24kg, respectively. Diets were isonitrogenous, composed of 44% of Mombasa grass silage and 56% of concentrate in dry matter. Corn grain of the concentrate fraction was replaced by babassu mesocarp meal at 0, 20, 40 and 60% in dry matter. The experimental design was randomized complete block, with factorial arrangement of treatments 4x2 (four levels of babassu mesocarp meal inclusion and two sexual conditions). Dry matter intake in kg day1 and percentage of body weight was not altered by the inclusion level of bran babassu mesocarp, with average values of 9.37kg day-1 and 2.54% respectively. Inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp meal did not affect daily weight gain and feed conversion the animals, with average values of 1.157kg day-1 and 8.39kg of dry matter kg-1 weight gain. Bulls had higher daily weight gain (1.259kg day-1) than steers (1.066kg day-1), reflecting a better feed conversion (7.702 and 9.094kg dry matter kg-1 weight gain, respectively). Babassu mesocarp meal, such as alternative energy source, can be fed to feedlot to the 60% level of inclusion in the concentrate, replacing corn grain.
bulls; daily weight gain; feed conversion; steers
