BEEF CATTLE NUTRITION: USE OF CORN SILAGE

Abstract

Beef cattle farming is growing in Brazil, becoming one of the main economic activities and contributing significantly to the national GDP. With the increasing demand for quality meat, feedlot cattle farming requires alternative feeds that meet the animals' needs at a low cost. Corn silage emerges as an effective strategy, as it is rich in nutrients, has a low cost, and promotes rapid weight gain in animals, making it a viable alternative, especially during periods of pasture scarcity. This study, based on a case report and practical experiment with ten cattle confined for 60 days in Rondônia, demonstrated that the use of corn silage resulted in an average weight gain of two arrobas per animal. The results reinforce the importance of balanced and accessible nutrition for the development of beef cattle farming, highlighting the productive and economic benefits of silage as an alternative feed.