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Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the residue from the extraction of propolis, added to bovine diets with increasing levels of protein, on ruminal fermentation in vitro. For this, the in vitro gas production technique was used. Incubation was carried out with inocula from three fistulated cows, in three periods. In each period, a cow received a daily dose of 100 g propolis residue. Four diets were evaluated: corn silage (control); and 25, 50, and 75% concentrate based on soybean meal. The following were determined: kinetics of rumen fermentation; dry matter degradation; production of gases, volatile fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), methane, and ammonia nitrogen; and pH. The inclusion of 14.4, 15.1, and 9.5% propolis residue, respectively, to 25, 50, and 75% concentrate increased the production of gases from the degradation of fibrous carbohydrates, when compared with the control. The propolis residue reduces methane production and the acetate:propionate ratio at all tested concentrate inclusion levels.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of banana leaf or pseudostem hay in complete diets on the intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal short-chain fatty acid production by lambs. A total of 30 Santa Inês x Dorper lambs were allocated to five treatments: 400 g kg-1 Cynodon spp. hay; 200 g kg-1 banana leaf hay + 200 g kg-1 Cynodon spp. hay; 400 g kg-1 banana leaf hay; and 200 g kg-1 banana pseudostem hay + 200 g kg-1 Cynodon spp. hay and 400 g kg-1 banana pseudostem hay. The inclusion of banana crop residues had no effect on dry matter intake, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total carbohydrates, which presented averages of 1,086.8, 1,000.1, 182.7, 374.3, 194.7, 390.2, and 771.6 g per day, respectively. There was a reduction in NDF digestibility with the inclusion of 400 g kg-1 leaf hay, but no differences were observed in the other treatments. The addition of both banana leaf and pseudostem hay can replace Cynodon spp. hay without affecting intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal concentration of short-chain fatty acids.