Context Cattle grazing tropical forages usually perform below genetic potential due to limited nutrient intake. Aims Four experiments were conducted to evaluate supplementation strategies on performance and metabolism of cattle grazing intensively managed marandu palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha). Methods Experiment 1 evaluated the average daily gain (ADG) of 72 young bulls (222 ± 25 kg bodyweight, BW) grazing palisade grass and supplemented (22% crude protein, CP) at 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% BW, and their ADG during the feedlot finishing phase. Experiment 2 evaluated the ADG of 80 bulls (240 ± 18 kg BW) grazing palisade grass and supplemented with energy (11.3% CP) or three protein sources (≈20.5% CP) at 0.6% BW. Experiment 3 investigated intake, rumen parameters and digestibility of nutrients in fistulated steers (410 ± 8.6 kg BW) fed an energy supplement, that is, ground corn, at 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% BW, with a parallel in vitro study of fermentation kinetics (Experiment 4). Key results Increased levels of supplementation resulted in linear increases (P < 0.05) in ADG, stocking rate (SR) and in BW gain per area. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in ADG, SR and BW gain per area among supplemental sources of protein or the energy supplement. Increasing energy levels caused a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in forage intake and grazing time and a linear increase (P < 0.05) in total dry matter and digestible-nutrient intakes, but did not affect (P > 0.05) fibre degradability. Corn supplementation also caused a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in acetate:propionate ratio, in ruminal ammonia-N and in N excretion, and a linear increase (P < 0.05) in rumen propionate concentration, in microbial synthesis and in N retention. The supplementation increased BW at the start of the feedlot phase, resulting in similar hot carcass weights with fewer days on feed and no effects on meat quality. Conclusions Overall, despite the source utilised, supplementation increased ADG, SR and BW gain per area, with fewer days being required on the finishing period. Implications Having adequate supplementation strategies in place will help producers increase the efficiency of their systems.