Live weight atthe beginning of the finishing period (IFW), average daily gain (ADG), slaughterweight (SW), cold carcass weight (CCW), carcass dressing percentage (DP), subcutaneousfat thickness (SFT) and slaughter age in days (SA) of 32 castrated males Braford,previously weaned at 100 (EW) or 180 days (CW) and slaughtered at 13-14 monthsold, were evaluated. From CW (03/06/01) until the beginning of finishing period(08/09/01), when passed to an improved pasture of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumL.), the calves were maintened on a rice (Oryza sativa) post-harvestedpaddock. From 09/04/01, the calves had a supplementary feeding, basically Sorghumvulgare, until the slaughters in november. The steers were slaughtered accordingthe visual fatness, independently of the liveweight. The EW steers had IFW significantlylower than the CW steers (182,8 kg vs. 240.5 kg). However, the ADG was significantgreater for EW steers, with adjusted means as 1.399 and 1.269 kg/day for EWand CW, respectively. SW and CCW were lighter for EW steers (328.8 and 359.4of live weight and 174.0 and 186.7 kg of cold carcass for EW and CW, respectively.The EW steers had greater DP (52.9%) than CW steers (51.9%). No differenceswere observed between treatments for SFT, being 4.91 and 4.95 mm for EW andCW, respectively. SA was affected by age at weaning, with EW steers slaughteredat 430.1 days and CW steers slaughtered at 416.9 days of age.
