Search

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of increasing levels of heat-treated soybean in the diet of crossbred cattle during the finishing phase on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal parameters, digesta passage rate, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis. Five steers, crossbred 7/8 Jersey x Zebu, fitted with rumen cannulas and with an average weight of 350 ± 50 kg, were utilized. The experimental treatments consisted of 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28% inclusion of heat-treated soybean in the total diet dry matter. The animals were randomly allocated in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Evaluation of the animals took place over five experimental periods, each lasting 20 days. During each experimental period, the first 15 days were allocated for animal adaptation to the experimental diets, followed by five days of data collection. No significant differences were observed among the diets in terms of dry matter intake (average of 6.57 kg day−1; P = 0.615) and organic matter intake (average of 6.23 kg day−1; P = 0.832). However, heat-treated soybean had a significant impact on the digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.02), organic matter (P = 0.01), crude protein (P < 0.01), and neutral detergent fiber (P < 0.01). There was no observed change on microbial protein synthesis (average of 409.6 g day−1) in animals with the inclusion of heat-treated soybean in the diets. With each 1% inclusion of heat-treated soybean in the cattle diet, there was an increase of 0.00754 units in ruminal pH values and a reduction of 0.75839 mg dL−1 in ruminal ammoniacal nitrogen values. This study suggests that heat-treated soybean can be included in up to 15% of the dry matter in diets for finishing feedlot cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of the chelated form of trace elements in diet on the production traits, immunity, and blood parameters of Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens. Treatments included Treatment 1 (Negative control): Mn, Se, Cu, Fe and Zn provided as non-chelated form; Treatment 2 (Positive control): Mn, Se, Cu, Fe and Zn provided as chelated form; Treatment 3: Mn, Se, Cu, Fe and Zn provided as 50% chelated form and 50% non-chelated form; Treatment 4: Zn provided as chelated form; Treatment 5: Cu provided as chelated form; Treatment 6: Fe provided as chelated form; Treatment 7: Mn provided as chelated form; Treatment 8: Se provided as chelated form. The results showed that over the entire production period egg production and egg mass were affected by the experimental treatments (p < 0.05) and that the highest levels were observed in treatments 2 and 3. The chelated form of trace elements had a significant effect, increasing the number of settable eggs and decreasing the unsettable eggs over the entire production period (p < 0.05). Average egg weight over the entire period was not significantly changed (p > 0.05). The highest percentage of 2-yolk, thin shell, broken and small eggs was observed in 61st week of age significantly (p < 0.05). The experimental treatments had a significant effect on the immunity and the antibody titre against Newcastle disease showed a significant increase in treatments 2 and 8 (p < 0.05). The concentration of glucose, triglyceride, progesterone, AST and ALT were affected by the experimental treatments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of a basic diet containing Zn, Fe, Cu, Se and Mn in the chelated form or the use of a basic diet containing mineral elements of Zn, Fe, Cu, Se and Mn with 50% non-chelated form and 50% in the chelated form improves the performance of production traits, immunity and blood parameters of Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens. Chelated form of trace elements in the diet led to improvement in productive traits, immune response and blood parameters compared to the mineral form Basic diet containing mineral elements of Zn, Fe, Cu, Se, and Mn, 50% in the non-chelated form and 50% in the chelated form led to a significant improvement in egg production, egg mass, egg weight and egg specific gravity Chelated form of trace elements in the diet led to a decrease in the number of abnormal eggs including double-yolk, thin shell, broken, deformed, and small eggs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-elements are essential for the optimal feeding of broiler hens. Since the chelated micro-elements negatively affect the content of micro- and macro-minerals, there has been a tendency to apply them as an alternative to common mineral forms of micro-elements in poultry diets. This paper reviews the effects of chelates of micro-elements (iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium) on broiler breeder hens’ internal and external egg quality and their egg products. The use of chelated micro-elements compared to the mineral forms does not have a significant effect on the performance of broiler breeder flocks, but they have significantly positive effects on the internal and external egg quality of broiler breeder flocks. The chelated micro-elements were also better than mineral resources of micro-elements in improving fertility (0.59%), hatchability (0.81%), and reducing mortality of progeny (2.25%). Chelated micro-elements have no negative impact on blood biochemistry or the immune system of broiler breeder hens and decrease cholesterol (0.84 mmol/l) and triglycerides (0.04 mmol/l) in most cases in comparison with the other mineral forms. Therefore, chelated forms of micro-elements instead of the inorganic mineral forms in diets of broiler breeder hens provide better protection for birds and the environment and also improve egg quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of Tifton hay by Miúda cactus cladodes (Nopalea) or Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (O.E.M.) cactus cladodes (Opuntia) on serum and liver concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in feedlot small ruminants. The experiment 1 (Exp. 1) lasted 86 days, and thirty-six male Santa Inês lambs (22.0 ± 2.9 kg initial body weight—IBW) were used. In experiment 2 (Exp. 2), lasting 100 days, thirty-six male goats of undefined breed (19.0 ± 2.8 kg IBW) were used. In both studies, the animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, with three treatments (diet control—without cactus; and diets with hay partially replaced by Miúda or O.E.M. cactus cladodes) and twelve replicates. Blood samples were collected to quantify serum micromineral levels, and at the end of the feedlot periods, sheep and goats were slaughtered and liver fragments were collected for micromineral dosage. In Exp. 1, lambs fed Nopalea cactus cladodes diet showed greater hepatic Cu accumulation (441.87 mg/kg DM; P = 0.027). The diets containing cactus cladodes tended to increase serum levels of Cu (P = 0.075) and Zn (P = 0.058). In Exp. 2, goats fed diet containing Opuntia cactus cladodes presented higher serum levels of Fe (P = 0.024) and Cu (P = 0.012). In conclusion, the partial replacement of Tifton hay by cactus cladodes increases hepatic concentrations of Cu in lambs and serum levels of Fe and Cu in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different shading strategies on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, nutrient use efficiency, feeding behaviour, respiratory rate, and performance of feedlot-finished Nellore bulls in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Two hundred and twenty-five intact Nellore cattle with average body weight (BW) of 294 ± 19 kg and 24 months of age were allotted to a completely randomised design with three shading strategies (full sun, artificial shade, and natural shade). There was a significant effect of shading strategies on air temperature (p =.02), black globe temperature (p <.01), and radiant heat load (p <.01), which were 3.63%, 44.07%, and 4.10% higher in the full sun pen than in natural shade pen, respectively. The dry matter intake of animals kept in the natural shade pen was 14.76% higher than that of animals in the full sun pen (mean of 7.39 kg DM/day). The longest feeding time (p =.02) was observed in animals kept in the artificial shade pen. Bulls kept in the natural shade pen had the highest (p =.05) final body weight and average daily gain (p =.02). There was no effect of treatments on feed efficiency, averaging 0.184 kg/kg of DM. There was a trend (p =.09) towards higher hot carcase weight for animals kept in the natural shade pen. Natural shade is recommended for feedlot-finished Nellore cattle in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Natural shade in feedlot pens improves the thermal comfort of animals in the semi-arid region The dry matter intake was higher in bulls kept in the pen with natural shade than in animals kept in the full sun pen Animal performance was improved in shaded pens [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]