LAUSR

We evaluated the effects of low-moisture, sugarcane molasses-based block supplementation (LMB) on dry matter and nutrients intake and measurements of feeding behavior of steers fed low quality forage. Six rumen cannulated Nellore steers (23 months, 350 ± 10 kg) were distributed in a 3 × 3 double Latin square design. The treatments were Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu hay ad libtum as an exclusive source of bulky and supplements: complete mineral blend with urea [UR, (urea, salt, mineral-vitamin premix)], a commercial protein supplement [PS, (corn grain, soybean meal, urea, salt and mineral-vitamin premix)] or low-moisture, cooked sugarcane molasses-based protein block [LMB, (cane molasses, cottonseed meal, soybean oil, urea, salt and mineral-vitamin premix)]. Each experimental period (3) lasted 21 days (14 days of adaptation and 7 days of data collection). The animals were fed twice a day (7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) and the offered and refused hay were weighed every morning to calculate DM and NDF intake. On feeding behavior measurements, trained observers assesed the animals behavior at 5-minute intervals for 24 hours. We evaluated the feeding time, water intake, rumination, idle and others. The rumination parameters and the average chewing time were observed using digital timer. The data were analyzed using Software R, having as fixed effect the treatments and as animal random effect, period, Latin square and error. The hay (P = 0.024), Total DM (g/day, P = 0.001 and % BW, P = 0.001), NDF (P = 0.027) and supplement (P < 0.001) intake was greater for animals supplemented with PS, besides the feeding time (P < 0.001). While no effect was observed on the other measurements. In summary, none of the supplements were able to increase DMI to its standard value of around 2 % of BW. Supplementation with LMB did not alter the feeding behavior in Nellore steers.