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The objective was to evaluate increasing levels of dried brewers’ grains (DBG) in feed for broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days old and their effect on performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphometry, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The design was completely randomized with six treatments, which consisted of various levels of DBG inclusion, namely 0 (no inclusion), 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/kg with seven replications and 17 animals per experimental unit, totalling 714 male broilers. Performance parameters, blood biochemical profile, morphology of the intestinal epithelium (duodenum), and carcass yield and composition were evaluated. Feed intake was not changed by DBG inclusion levels. Nor were weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Serum cholesterol levels were not influenced, and there were no effects on triglyceride, uric acid and creatinine levels. Enzyme aspartate aminotransferase showed a quadratic effect, as did alanine aminotransferase, with higher values at 79.5 and 63.9 g/kg DBG inclusion, respectively. No changes in carcass yield and relative organ weight were observed. The composition of the carcass in ether extract showed a quadratic effect, as fat deposition rate, with lowest values at 62.8 and 62.4 g/kg of DBG inclusion levels, respectively. Crude protein levels in carcass reduced linearly, as did fat deposition rate. The parameters of intestinal morphology and meat quality were not changed. Dried brewers’ grains can be included in broiler diet from 1 to 21 days at levels up to 100 g/kg without influencing the metabolic parameters and broiler performance. Keywords: alternative feed, blood, by-product, intestinal villi, performance

The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the effects of live yeast (LY), yeast fermentation product (YFP), a mix of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Propionibacterium freudenreichii (MLP), and Lactobacillus plantarum included as additives in dairy cows’ diets on in vitro ruminal fermentation and gas production (GP); and 2) to evaluate the effects of L. plantarum as direct-fed microbials (DFM) in dairy cows’ diets on in vitro ruminal fermentation, GP, nutrient digestibility, and N metabolism. Three experiments were carried out: Exp. 1 had the objective to compare all additives regarding ruminal fermentation parameters: an Ankom GP system was used in a completely randomized design, consisting of four 48 h incubations, and eight replications per treatment. There were eight treatments: a basal diet without additive (CTRL) or with one of the following additives: LY, YFP, MLP, or L. plantarum at four levels (% of diet Dry Matter (DM)): 0.05% (L1), 0.10% (L2), 0.15% (L3), and 0.20% (L4). In Exp. 2, a batch culture was used to evaluate ruminal fermentation, and CO2 and CH4 production using the same treatments and a similar experimental design, except for having 16 replications per treatment. Based on Exp. 1 and 2 results, Exp. 3 aimed at evaluating the effects of the L. plantarum on ruminal true nutrient digestibility and N utilization in order to evaluate the use of L. plantarum as DFM. The treatments CTRL, MLP, L1, and L2 were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design using a dual-flow continuous culture system. Data were analyzed using linear and nonlinear regression; treatment means were compared through contrasts, and L treatments in Exp. 1 and 2 were tested for linear, quadratic, and cubic effects. In Exp. 1, all treatments containing additives tended to reduce OM digestibility as well as reduced total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration and total GP. The YFP had greater OM digestibility than LY, and MLP treatment had greater total VFA concentration compared to L. plantarum treatments. In Exp. 2, additives reduced CO2 production, and there were no major differences in CH4. In Exp. 3, all additives reduced NH3-N concentration. In conclusion, pH and lactate concentration were not affected in all three experiments regardless of additive tested, suggesting that these additives may not improve ruminal fermentation by pH modulation; and L. plantarum may improve ruminal N metabolism when used as DFM in high-producing dairy cows’ diets, mainly by reducing NH3-N concentration.

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and apparent metabolizable energy (AME), AME corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) and its respective metabolizable coefficients of animal byproducts for broiler chickens with different ages. Meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, tilapia processing residue and poultry fat were evaluated. A total of 760 male broiler chickens were used and evaluated and the phases: pre-starter (1 to 8 d of age); starter (11 to18 d); grower 1 (21 to 28 d); grower 2 (31 to 38 d), and finisher (41 to 48 d). Total excreta collection method was performed in five metabolism assays. The experimental design was completely randomized, and data were submitted to analysis of variance, posteriorly, the four feeds were compared by Tukey test and a regression analysis was performed with broiler chickens age. The significance was considered at 5% probability. The values of AME and AMEn were higher in older birds for all ingredients. The lesser CAME and CAMEn were obtained for meat and bone meal, for the regression analysis poultry by-product meal, tilapia processing residue and poultry fat had an increased linear effect with birds age and there was no adjust for meat and bone meal for regression analysis. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la composición química y energía metabolizable aparente (EMA), EMA corregido para el balance de nitrógeno (EMAn) y sus coeficientes de energía metabolizable de subproductos de origen animal en pollos de engorde de diferentes edades. Los cuatro alimentos evaluados fueron harina de carne y huesos, harina de vísceras, harina del residuo del procesamiento de tilapia y grasa de ave. Se utilizaron y evaluaron un total de 760 pollos de engorde machos en las fases: preinicial (1 a 8 días de edad), crecimiento 1 (21 a 28 días); crecimiento 2 (31 a 38 días) y terminación (41 a 48 días). El método de recolección total de heces se llevó a cabo en cinco ensayos de metabolismo. El diseño experimental fue completamente aleatório, los datos fueron sometidos a análisis de varianza y los cuatro alimentos se compararon mediante la prueba de Tukey, también se realizó un análisis de regresión para la edad de las aves, la significancia se consideró al 5% de probabilidad. Los valores de EMA y EMAn fueron mayores en aves con edades más avanzadas para todos los ingredientes y los coeficientes de metabolizabilidad más bajos ocurrieron en la harina de carne y huesos. En el análisis de regresión, los valores energéticos de la harina de vísceras, harina de residuos de procesamiento de tilapia y grasa de ave mostró un aumento lineal con la edad de las aves y no hubo ajuste para la harina de carne y huesos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a composição química e energia metabolizável aparente (EMA), EMA corrigida para o balanço de nitrogênio (EMAn) e respectivos coeficientes de energia metabolizável de subprodutos de origem animal em frangos de corte de diferentes idades. Os quatro alimentos avaliados foram: farinha de carne e ossos, farinha de vísceras, farinha do resíduo do processamento da tilápia e gordura de aves. Um total de 760 frangos de corte machos foram utilizados e avaliados nas fases: pré-inicial (1 a 8 dias de idade), crescimento 1 (21 a 28 dias); crescimento 2 (31 a 38 dias) e terminação (41 a 48 dias). Foi realizado o método de coleta total em cinco ensaios de metabolismo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado e os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias dos quatro alimentos foram comparados pelo teste de Tukey, também foi realizada análise de regressão para a idade das aves, a significância foi considerada a 5% de probabilidade. Os valores de EMA e EMAn foram maiores nas aves com idades mais avançadas para todos os ingredientes e os menores coeficientes de metabolizabilidade ocorreram na farinha de carne e ossos. Na análise de regressão os valores energéticos da farinha de vísceras, farinha do resíduo do processamento de tilápia, e gordura de aves apresentaram um aumento linear com a idade das aves e não ocorreu ajuste para a farinha de carne e ossos.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of condensed tannins (CT) from black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) on feed intake, ruminal protozoa population, ruminal fermentation, and nutrient digestibility in Jersey steers. Five ruminally-cannulated steers were used in a 5x5 Latin square design, with five periods of 20 days each (14 days for diet adaptation and six days for sample collection per period). Treatments were composed of dietary inclusion levels of condensed tannins at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg of diet dry matter. Intakes of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients were not affected by condensed tannins. The ruminal pH was reduced linearly with tannin levels. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration was not affected by tannins. Tannins reduced the molar proportion of acetate and did not affect the ruminal protozoal population, which might be related to the low doses used. Digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber were not altered, however, there was a linear reduction in crude protein digestibility. Based on these results, CT extracts from black wattle are not recommended for improving nutrient utilization in steers at the tested levels.

Slow-growing broiler chickens as the naked neck Label Rouge are strains that require more time to reach the market weight, and may have meat characteristics appreciated by consumers. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the inclusion of dried brewers grains (DBG) in the diet of slow-growing broiler chickens. In the first experiment (metabolism assay), a total of 180 male Label Rouge broiler chickens were assigned to 5 treatments (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 g DBG/kg of diet) with 6 replications per treatment and 6 broiler chickens per cage, in a completely randomized design, in the period from d 14 to 24. The objective was to evaluate the energetic values of increasing DBG inclusion rates. Energetic values increased linearly (P

The objective of the study was to evaluate the replacement of Tifton 85 hay (TH) for Tifton 85 silage (TS) in the diets of lactating cows. Five Holstein cows in middle of lactation were allocated in a 5 × 5 Latin square design and each experimental period lasted 18 days (12 days for adaptation and six days for collection). Treatments consisted of replacement of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of TH for TS. The intake and digestion of nutrients, microbial protein synthesis, milk yield and composition, and the economic viability of the diets were evaluated. The intakes of dry matter, organic matter, and ether extract had a positive linear effect and the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber decreased linearly with increasing participation of TS. Milk production and composition and microbial protein synthesis were not affected. Regarding economic viability, the treatment with 100% hay produced better results, with better gross margin. The Tifton 85 silage can be used as a replacement for Tifton 85 hay up to 100% without changing the milk production and composition of Holstein cows.

Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da água e do leite provenientes de propriedades de base agroecológica e convencional no Oeste do Paraná. As coletas foram realizadas em 20 propriedades convencionais no município de Santa Helena – PR, e em 27 de base agroecológica em Diamante d’Oeste e Ramilândia – PR. Foram realizadas coletas de leite nos diferentes sistemas de produção e estações do ano. Foram analisadas a contaminação por coliformes termotolerantes (CTerm), coliformes totais (CT), enterobactérias, aeróbios mesófilos (AM), a determinação da composição química, contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e contagem bacteriana total (CBT). Não houve diferença para a composição do leite entre os sistemas de produção no verão. Em relação a CCS durante o inverno, 44,4% e 55,0% das propriedades apresentaram valores acima de 600 mil céls mL-1, nos sistemas agroecológico e convencional, respectivamente. Em ambas as estações, a maioria das propriedades agroecológicas encontram-se acima de 600 mil UFC mL-1 de CBT. Em ambos os sistemas de produção e estações, os valores de AM apresentaram valores inferiores ao permitido pela IN76, e não houve diferença para as enterobactérias no leite. A contagem de CT no leite no inverno foi semelhante entre os dois sistemas de produção. Para as amostras da água para limpeza dos equipamentos de ordenha, os valores de CT e CTerm foram superiores no sistema agroecológico. Recomenda-se a utilização de práticas de manejo visando a redução dos valores de CCS e CBT do leite produzido no Oeste do Paraná para adequarem-se aos valores exigidos pela IN76.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inclusion rates of corn dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) on broiler chicken diets from d 0 to 21, and its effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology, blood metabolites, carcass and cut yields, and meat quality. A total of 980 one-day-old male broiler chickens were assigned to 7 diets (0, 10, 40, 70, 100, 130, and 160 g DDGS/kg) with 7 pens per treatment and 20 broiler chickens per pen in a completely randomized design. Data were analyzed by orthogonal polynomials, and the regression analysis was performed when a linear or quadratic effect was statistically significant; significance was considered at a level of 5%. Experimental diets with DDGS were included from d 0 to 21, and in the periods from d 21 to 33 and 33 to 42, common diets without DDGS were provided. Inclusion of DDGS in the broiler chicken diets did not affect the weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass, and cut yields. Feed intake was not altered from d 0 to 21, however, it had a quadratic effect from d 0 to 42 (P = 0.013). There was a linear increase (P

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal level of dried brewers' grains (DBG) to replace soybean meal in diets for lactating Holstein cows. Five cows, around 88±28 days in milk, were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design and fed diets containing different levels of DBG (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). The forage:concentrate ratio of the diet was 50:50. Feed intake, dry matter, nutrient digestibility, microbial synthesis, milk production and composition, and the economic viability of the diets were evaluated. There was reduction in dry matter intake and, consequently, in crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates with increased levels of DBG. This occurred due to physical limitation of rumen caused by increased neutral detergent fiber intake. Ether extract intake also increased with levels of DBG due to higher concentrations of this nutrient in the diet. Apparent dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility increased with replacement of soybean meal by DBG. Milk production showed a quadratic effect and the levels of fat, protein, and total solids reduced linearly. Each 1% of soybean meal replaced by DBG in concentrate led to a reduction of 0.04, 0.02, and 0.06 g kg-1 of milk fat, protein, and total solids, respectively. The milk production efficiency increased linearly and the microbial synthesis efficiency was not affected. The economic return increased along with the DBG levels. Thus, DBG levels replacing up to 75% of soybean meal can be used to feed lactating cows, since it provides improvements in digestibility, milk production efficiency, and economic return without affecting microbial efficiency.