This experiment was conducted at
a commercial beef farm located in Ribas do Rio Pardo, MS,
Brazil during the 2004 to 2005 spring/summer (October to
December) 90-day BS. A total of 597 suckled Nelore (Bos
indicus) beef cows were enrolled. Cows were maintained on
Brachiaria brizantha or Braquiaria decumbens with ad libitum
access to water and mineral supplement. Cows were
pastured together until onset of the BS. At onset of the BS,
each experimental group was put in neighboring pastures
with similar forage quality and availability.