Twenty two pre-pubertal Brahman heifers (11.0 ± 0.3
months of age, 200 ± 3 kg body weight) were randomly
assigned on body weight (BW) and body condition score
(BCS) to one of two equal groups. Heifers in Group 1 (n = 11;
200 ± 3 kg BW; 2.00 ± 0.0 BCS) were assigned to moder
ate nutrition (MN) on pasture that comprised Green panic
(Panicum maximum), Rhodes grass (Chloriss gayana) and
Green couch (Cynodon dactylon) whist heifers in Group 2
(n = 11; 200 ± 3 kg BW; 2.00 ± 0.0 BCS) were assigned to
mproved nutrition (IN) on pasture that comprised Green
panic, Rhodes grass and a predominance of Kikuyu grass
(Penniseum clandestinum). Both groups of heifers received
supplementation which for heifers on MN consisted of
1.0 kg cottonseed meal (CSM)/animal/day for the duration
of the study (11–23 months of age). Heifers on IN received
1.5 kg CSM/animal/day from 11 to 18 months of age and