Search

This study compares the technical and financial performance of different beef cattle production systems and assesses the opportunistic commercialization practiced in these systems. It was evaluated data from four production units located in southern Brazil: cow-calf in native pastures (CCNP; 1,155 ha; 1,529 animals); cow-calf with agriculture (CCA; 1,008 ha; 1,313 animals); rearing-fattening (RFU; 360 ha; 435 animals); and fattening (FU; 205 ha; 168 animals) as well as an integrated system simulating the physical and economic parameters of the four units (IAS; 2,728 ha; 3,445 animals). The four independent units were considered as opportunistic commercialization and IAS as non-opportunistic. The highest yield was obtained for RFU (297 kg/ha), followed by IAS (114 kg/ha), FU (98 kg/ha), CCNP (87 kg/ha), and CCA (83 kg/ha). The CCNP was the most economically efficient, considering the gross margin per kilogram (GM/kg) (US$ 0.93). The GM/kg value of IAS (US$ 0.74) was 37 % higher compared to the sum of the average of the four units (US$ 0.54), and IAS had the lowest total production costs per kg (22.5 %). It was concluded that each independent unit could increase GM/kg (37 %) and GM/ha (3.8 %) and use calves in a rearing-fattening unit for further sale. Hence, the integration of beef production systems increases the gross margin of firms, presenting a profitable business advantage to rural entrepreneurs through non-opportunistic commercialization.

Context Soybean cultivation is advancing over areas traditionally used for livestock production in southern Brazil, which has led producers to decide whether to diversify their production system or keep it specialised. Aims To evaluate the economic returns and risk for beef cattle production, as a specialised activity or an integrated system with soybean, in a high-risk region for soybean crop failures in southern Brazil. Methods Using a stochastic model, we evaluated the gross margin per hectare, the risk of negative gross margin per hectare, and the contribution of input variables to the gross margin per hectare variance. Therefore, the following three production systems were simulated: beef cattle production (BP), beef cattle production associated with leasing land for soybean cultivation (BSL), and beef cattle production with soybean cultivation (BSC). Key results All systems had a positive average gross margin per hectare, with BSL (US$125.69) having the highest average, followed by BSC (US$77.82) and BP (US$69.54). The highest difference between maximum and minimum values of gross margin per hectare was observed in the BSC, which was the only system to present a negative gross margin per hectare. This is owing to the high variation in the gross margin per hectare generated by soybean production activity, which made BSC the system with the greatest risk. Beef cattle average productivity from the integrated systems was 50% higher than the average observed in BP, with the minimum values in BSL and BSC being only 5.84% lower than the BP average. The risk components linked to soybean productivity (69.54%) and sale prices (17.32%) explained 86.86% of the variation in gross margin per hectare in the BSC. In BP and BSL, stocking rates (40.06% and 42.85% respectively) were the components with the greatest effect, followed by male and female selling prices, which explained 78.13% and 76.71% respectively, of the variation in the gross margin per hectare. Conclusions The system with the most significant balance between risk and economic return was BSL, with a higher gross margin per hectare than in BP and lower risk than in BSC. Implications Understanding the risk for negative economic results and the factors that affect the gross margin per hectare will help farmers decide whether to integrate soybean cultivation with beef production. These results will help inform the structure of the integration, and implementation of risk mitigation and loss minimisation strategies.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of age at weaning of calves on non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and reproductive parameters of beef cows. Animals (n = 65) were randomly assigned to three treatments after calving: hyper-early weaning (W30) at 32 ± 0.89 days, early weaning (W75) at 77 ± 0.95 days, and conventional weaning (W180) at 183 ± 0.82 days. Body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were evaluated at parturition (AP) and at 30, 45, 64, 81, 100 and 115 days postpartum (dPP). Blood samples were collected to analyze NEFA levels and progesterone (P4) at 30, 45, 64 and 81 dPP. Higher BW and BCS were observed from 64 to 115 dPP in W30 cows than W180 ones (p 0.05). Cows subjected to W30 condition had higher levels of NEFA at 30 dPP compared to 64 and 81 dPP (p 0.05). We also observed that cows from W180 group showed decreased levels of NEFA at 30 dPP compared to 45 (p 0.01) and 64 dPP (p 0.05). The highest P4 level was observed at 64 dPP in W30 cows compared to W75 and W180 (p 0.05). We also observed higher CR of W30 (86%) compared to W180 (47%) at 45 dPP (p 0.05). The overall pregnancy rate (PR) was higher for W30 (95.5%) than W180 (73.9%). In addition, higher BW at calving and P4 levels at 30 dPP were positively correlated with the possibility of pregnancy (p 0.05). Improvement in BW and BCS were observed in cows subjected to hyper-early weaning management. However, levels of NEFA decreased as the postpartum period progressed. We concluded that cows who weaned calves hyper-early have greater chances of increasing cyclicity and PRs.

Seminal plasma (SP) contributes to sperm physiology and metabolism, prevents premature capacitation, and protects sperm against oxidative stress. In order to evaluate the impact of heat stress in the semen of tropically adapted Brangus breed and in their seminal plasma proteome, we studied the effects of scrotal insulation for 72 h. Semen samples from six bulls, between 7 and 8 years of age, were collected prior to scrotal insulation (pre-insulation), and at 4 and 11 wk after insulation. Seminal plasma samples were analyzed by 2D SDS-PAGE and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Insulation caused decrease in vigour, gross and total motility after 4 wk of scrotal insult (P 0.001). Total defects in sperm were higher after 4 wk compared to pre-insulation and 11 wk after scrotal insulation (P 0.001). The analysis of the 2D protein profile of the SP resulted in the identification 183 unique protein spots in all gels evaluated. There was no difference in mean number of protein spots amongst time points. Eight protein spots were more abundant in SP after scrotal insulation, returning to the same expression level at 11 wk post-insulation. One spot had higher abundance at 11 wk post-insulation, and one spot had decreased abundance 4 wk after insulation. The ten protein spots with differential abundance amongst time points were identified as Seminal plasma protein PDC-109, Seminal plasma protein A3, Seminal plasma protein BSP-30 kDa, Spermadhesin-1 and Metalloproteinase inhibitor 2. The validation of these five proteins as biomarkers for thermal testicular stress in Brangus breed would allow the development of new biotechnologies that could improve bovine semen analysis in breeding systems in tropical and subtropical conditions. A close association between the identified BSP and Spermadhesin-1 was evidenced in protein-protein interaction analysis. Based on gene ontology analysis, variation in sperm function after insulation could be explained by variation in the expressed proteins in the SP. Further studies are required to verify if these proteins could be used as biomarkers for the identification of bulls with increased seminal resistance to heat stress in Brangus breed.

Scrotal circumference (SC) is considered a useful tool for predicting age at puberty and is performed to improve the reproductive performance in beef cattle industry. We aimed to fit several nonlinear mixed models for SC measurements of five different breeds to better predict testicular growth. Data of SC (cm), body weight (BW; kg), and age (A; days), farm location, sire and dam, and birth dates of 169,094 beef bulls were collected from five breeds: Nelore (N) (n = 110,814); Angus (AA) (n = 6541); Brangus (BA) (n = 42,910); Polled Hereford and Hereford (HH) (n = 4640); and Braford (BH) (n = 7480). Data comprise a total of 8640 sires and 115,172 dams and grouped in 2908 contemporary groups (CG). The full model development for SC was defined as: SC = CG + A + A*A + BW + BW*BW + Ɛ. Bulls from HH (34.1 ± 3.2) and AA (33.5 ± 3.0) had the highest value of SC, followed by BH (32.2 ± 3.7), BA (30.6 ± 4.1), and N (26.9 ± 3.6). There was a curvilinear effect of BW on the SC measurements of HH and AA bulls, reaching the maximum point around 600 kg, whether both breeds presented a similar testicular growth pattern. In British breeds, inflection points of average daily SC growth of 0.039 and 0.042 cm/kg were obtained from 700 kg HH and 600 kg AA bulls, respectively. Scrotal circumference values of 0.042 and 0.046 cm/kg reaching the maximum growth point at 450 kg BW were obtained for BH and BA bulls, respectively. We also observed SC values of 0.044 and 0.048 cm/d reaching the maximum growth point at 550 d of age for BH and BA bulls, respectively. Thus, estimate testicular size at maturity should be measured between 500 and 600 kg BW in British genotypes and between 550 and 600 d in Bos indicus and crossbreeds animals. Therefore, SC adjustment can be used by breed-specific criteria associated with BW and/or age to determine testis growth as a selection criterion in beef cattle breeding programs.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of earlier weaning in addition to biocholine supplementation on age at puberty of Brangus heifers. Brangus calves were randomized and divided into three weaning ages groups, at 30 (Hyper-early weaning; HW), 75 (Early weaning; EW) and 180 days (Conventional weaning; CW). Then, calves were supplemented using the additive Biocholine (BIO) or not (CON). Animals were subjected to puberty induction and transrectal ultrasonography was performed to assess the ovarian activity and the presence of corpus luteum to determine heifer puberty. We also evaluated the body weight (BW; Kg), hip height (HH; cm), thoracic perimeter (TP; cm) and BW:HH ratio during the experimental period. BIO group showed higher ADG (>226g/day) when the animals were exposed to ryegrass pasture compared to CON (P < 0.05). We observed an interaction between weaning x biocholine and CW-BIO heifers showed greater HH more compared to CW-CON (P < 0.05). Overall, animals that have reached puberty at day 8 after puberty induction showed 331.0±23.14kg BW, 122.0±2.58cm HH and 165.4±3.45cm TP and 2.7±0.14 BW:HH. At the time of ovulation detection, the heifers from the HW group had 32.1kg BW, 3.93cm HH and 0.18cm BW:HH greater compared to CW (P < 0.05). The BIO supplementation together with ryegrass pasture, led to an increase in ADG weight throughout the evaluated period. We concluded that HW heifers showed an adequate body development throughout the experimental period until puberty appearance at the same age as others weaned groups.

With the objective of identifying the concerns, attitudes, and opinions of meat buyers and their relationship with their choice of place of purchase (supermarkets, free fair, or butchers), 381 consumers in the city of Garanhuns, Brazil, were interviewed. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and discriminant analysis, complemented by stepwise regression, Wilks’ Lambda test, and Fisher’s linear test. Most of the respondents expressed that inadequate commercialization of meat occurred in free fairs, and the lack of hygiene and the fact that meat was exposed in the environment without refrigeration were the main preoccupations. They also reported that meat consumption without inspection could lead to disease transmission, with pork being considered the most dangerous. Based on the theory of planned behavior, buyers agreed that their attitudes toward the purchase of meat (concern with food safety, price, animal welfare, environment, and slave labor) influenced their purchasing decisions. Regarding the subjective norms, the results indicated that purchase intention could be modulated by the opinion and judgment that other people exercise on the buyer’s choice decision. Regarding perceived control, the respondents said that they were confused at the time of purchase and got irritated after making a purchase that did not satisfy their desires. The factors that differentiated consumers who prefer to buy meat in supermarkets from those who prefer butchers and free fairs are mainly the price of the product, custom/tradition, customer service, and hygiene of the establishment. Buyers who have a lower level of schooling and live in rural areas also tended to buy meat in free fairs.

This research determines which factors most influence the purchase price of bulls in livestock auctions in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Hence, 760 beef bulls sold in eleven different auctions between August and November 2013 were analysed. The data consists of: breed, muscularity (MUSC), frame (FRAME), body condition score (BCS), scrotal circumference (SC) and body weight (BW). Other data such as the animal entry order and the purchase price of the bulls was collected during the auction. A linear generalized model was used to evaluate the interaction of each variable with the purchase price of the bulls. An ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc was used to compare the differences between the categories that influenced the purchase price of bulls and were realized in the software SPSS 20.0. All breeds presented declining prices from the first to the second entry order and increasing purchase prices from the order third to forth. Bulls with large frame received higher purchase prices independent of the auction order, except for the second order of entry, in which medium and small animals were more valued. Angus bulls obtained the highest prices in relation to the breeds Brangus and Hereford. The frame and breed constituted the main phenotypic characteristics that influence in price. In addition, the order of entry of bulls in the ring influence the purchase price.

The objective of this study was to verify the association of improved native grassland and winter and summer pastures on the weaning rate in beef cattle production. Subsequently, we also verified the socioeconomic and productive characteristics related to the adoption of technologies to increase the weaning rate of the farmers. The survey was conducted with 73 producers of Hereford and Braford cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A data analysis was performed using the minimum ordinal squares method and the regression analysis (Tobit). The results showed that cattle farmers who adopt winter pastures have greater weaning rates, and the factors that influence this adoption are related to a greater number of employees on the farm and the use of a crop-livestock production system. In addition, farmers who receive a greater number of technical assistance visits per year are more likely to adopt winter pastures and improved native grassland. This information can be useful in the formulation of technological dissemination programs that aim at a sustainable production of beef cattle.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarize the effects of maternal undernutrition or overnutrition during pregnancy on fetal weight and morphometric measurements during pregnancy, at birth, and postnatal period in sheep. After completing the search, selection, and data extraction steps, the measure of effect was generated by the individual comparison of each indicator with the average of the control and treated group (undernutrition or overnutrition) using the DerSimonian and Laird method for random effects. Subgroup analyses were also performed for lambing order, litter size, sex, as well as level, timing, and duration of the intervention. Fetal weight during the first third of pregnancy was not affected by maternal undernutrition or overnutrition. On the other hand, undernutrition in the second and last third of gestation reduces the weight of the lamb both during pregnancy, at birth, and during the postnatal period, requiring at least 120 postnatal days to achieve the same weight as its contemporaries in the control treatment. However, this reduction in weight is not accompanied by reductions in morphometric measurements, demonstrating that the animals were lighter, but of equal size. In overnutrition, there is an increase in fetal weight in the second third of gestation. However, in the last third of the gestational period, there are no differences in fetal weight for the multiparous subgroup, but it was reduced in primiparous ewes. There are no effects of overnutrition on birth weight; however, this result is highly heterogeneous. Thus, maternal nutrition of ewe during pregnancy has effects on fetal and postnatal weight, but not on size. Furthermore, the effects of undernutrition are more homogeneous while overnutrition showed heterogeneous responses.

The manipulation of growth can be used as a strategy to reduce feeding costs. The objective of this study was to analyze, by deterministic and stochastic simulation, compensatory growth effects on the bioeconomic results of growing-finishing beef cattle systems. Four beef cattle systems were simulated with different feed restriction periods (no restriction, CONT; 90 days of restriction, COMP90; 120 days of restriction, COMP120; and 150 days of restriction, COMP150). Risk analysis was performed using the Monte Carlo method. Animals in feed restriction systems demonstrated partial compensation and required longer periods to achieve slaughter weight than CONT steers (16, 23 and 27 more days for COMP90, COMP120 and COMP150, respectively). The CONT system was the most productive (466 kg/ha/year), followed by COMP90 (443 kg/ha/year), COMP120 (432 kg/ha/year), and COMP150 (383 kg/ha/year). The most profitable system was the COMP90 system (US$ 161/ha) followed by the CONT (US$ 144/ha). The lower net margin was observed in the COMP120 (US$ 107/ha) and COMP150 (US$ 90/ha) systems. The risk analysis showed that COMP90 presented the highest financial stability. For all simulated systems, prices of finished steers, feeder calves, and corn were the variables with the greatest effects on net margin. The use of compensatory growth can be a tool to reduce feeding costs in beef cattle systems; however, the feed restriction must not be longer than three months.

The evaluation of testicular hemodynamics can contribute significantly to the understanding of the thermoregulatory mechanisms and oxygen supply of the testis in domestic animals. The present study aimed to characterize circulatory dynamics using the mean velocity (MV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of the supratesticular artery in bulls. We evaluated 334 bulls of five different breeds (Nelore, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Braford and Brangus) by performing a velocimetry analysis using Doppler ultrasonography. Data were compared by Welch's ANOVA, Games-Howell (post-hoc test) and Spearman correlation with a significance level of 5%. The overall MV of 12.14 ± 0.30 cm/s differed among breeds. In addition, we observed that Brangus bulls showed higher (P 0.05) MV (16.28 ± 1.02 cm/s) compared to Nelore bulls (8.76 ± 0.40 cm/s). The RI had an overall mean of 0.41 ± 0.01 and differed among breeds. We observed higher (P 0.05) RI values in Hereford (0.44 ± 0.01) compared to Brangus (0.36 ± 0.02) animals. Overall, the PI values (0.33 ± 0.01) did not differ (P 0.05) among breeds. The correlation between the PI and RI (0.936; P 0.001) was high and positive; however, the correlations were low and negative between MV and the PI (-0.228; P 0.001) and between MV and the RI (-0.270; P 0.001). We concluded that there are differences in the MV and RI of the bulls' supratesticular arteries among the different evaluated breeds. Moreover, the presented values attributed to blood flow dynamics can serve as parameters in future studies and can be used to identify alternative diagnostic tools for infertility or to understand issues of adaptability in bulls.

Nutritional requirements at the end of gestation in ewes carrying multiple fetuses are rarely fully met in pasture production systems. Thus, concentrate feeds entail an alternative for increasing herd productivity. However, daily offer of complementary feed in extensive livestock production systems is not always possible due to climatic or geographic constraints or to labor shortages. One alternative is to offer large amounts of concentrate feed with the addition of NaCl that limits voluntary consumption, eliminating the need for daily supplement delivery. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of high salt levels added to concentrate feed on pre- and post-lambing twin-gestating ewes and their responses on feed intake, colostrum and milk production and composition, plasma biochemical profile variation and lamb growth. Twenty-four adult Corriedale females were housed in individual stalls and divided into four treatments: S13: ad libitum concentrate feed plus 13 % of salt; C13: the same amount of concentrate feed consumed by S13 ewes the day before, but without salt; S17: ad libitum concentrate feed with 17 % of salt, and C17: the same amount of concentrate feed consumed by S17 ewes the day before, but without salt. Fresh water and forage were offered in ad libitum amounts. Treatments were applied in the period of highest ewe nutrient demand, from day 123 of pregnancy to day 21 of lactation. The four percentage points in salt content resulted in a decrease of organic matter daily intake of concentrate (23 % of reduction in pre-lambing and 35 % of reduction in post-lambing for S17 relative to S13; P = 0.0134 and P = 0.0164, respectively). Lamb birth weights were similar between S13 and C13 (P = 0.1002) and between S17 and C17 (P = 0.8449) treatments. Colostrum and milk production did not differ between S13 and C13 (P = 0.9776 and P = 0.8928, respectively) or between S17 and C17 groups (P = 0.4943 and P = 0.7705, respectively). Plasma insulin, hematocrit and total protein levels were not influenced by the treatments and these parameters remained within normal physiological limits. Thus, the addition of 13 or 17 % of salt to concentrate feed did not affect the reproductive capacity of ewes or offspring growth, showing that ewes are able to withstand high doses of NaCl and supporting the potential of salt as a limiter of voluntary intake in pre- and post-lambing diets.

The Brazilian beef cattle supply chain has undergone technological modernisation in its production systems, resulting in better productivity, meat quality and competitiveness. The research aims to identify the megatrends in the Brazilian beef cattle supply chain expected by 2040. The Delphi method was used to identify the challenges. Scenarios were created and ten megatrends were defined: i) biological advances in waste management; ii) biotechnological transformation of beef farming; iii) less grass and more meat; iv) profits based on animal welfare; v) consolidated livestock with major players; vi) more natural and quality-demanding slaughterhouses; vii) meat with a designation of origin; viii) digital technology that transforms the entire supply chain; ix) availability of qualified labour; x) Brazil as a major exporter of meat and genetics. The development of this research has economic, social and environmental implications for both the public and private spheres. In the international scenario, Brazil could be a major exporter of meat and probably animal genetics, specialised and with added value. Global advances in the supply chain will come from highly technical, professional and competitive livestock production, mainly based on technology and quality.

Weaning calves at a young age can generate great stress, but it is widely practiced in the industry despite that. So, to what extend weaning in early ages is more stressful than at later ones, in terms of the amount of stress, is currently unknown. Thus, we studied the behavioural and physiological impacts in beef calves at three ages at weaning (30, 75, and 180 days) and the consequences of the calf's sex. Thirty-six calves were weaned and distributed in hyper-early (W30), early (W75), and conventional (W180) weaning groups, which are weaning ages that occur in practice. Behavioural activities and physiological parameters were measured on days 0, 1, 2, and 7 after weaning. Canonical component analysis (CCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to evaluate behavioural and physiological parameters. The variables analysed were influenced by the treatment, day of evaluation and interaction between treatment × day, and without effect for sex. The younger the calf, the greater the intensity of responses to the weaning stress. In this sense, the behavioural results (percentages of observations ± SEM) demonstrate that on D0, W30 calves emitted more extreme vocalization (61 %) compared to W75 (15 %) and W180 (0%) (P

The objective of this study was to identify types of production system and their main indicators on bioeconomic efficiency, using qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate beef cattle farms in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A survey was carried out with 43 farmers operating in the western region of that state. All farms operated with complete cycle production systems in areas larger or equal to 900 ha. A qualitative questionnaire with binary answers and a quantitative questionnaire with numerical answers were applied. Technology and Management drivers were used for the calculation of the efficiency index of farmers obtained by both questionnaires. Farmers were divided into three clusters: low-efficiency level (LEL), intermediate-efficiency level (IEM), or high-efficiency level (HEL), as a result of the comparison of the scores obtained for the analyzed parameters. Subfactors resulting from each comparison (LEL × IEL; LEL × HEL, and IEL × HEL) were different as a function of the comparison and of the methods applied. Low-efficiency level farmers need to improve essential production processes, such as technology and management, as well as health management practices together with the financial management of the production system. Intermediate-efficiency level farmers need to improve their routine animal management, pasture management, and calculation of financial indicators to become highly efficient. The quantitative method allowed to identify underestimation (39.3%) or overestimation (24.2%) when farmers were are classified in clusters. Different methods may be used, but those based on quantitative information have stronger discrimination power to identify different types of farmers.

This study was intended to estimate the genetic associations between growth traits and visual scores with possible changes in mature weight (MW) in 397,900 Nellore animals. A bi-character analysis was performed to estimate the (co)variances and genetic parameters for MW, which comprises the following traits: conformation, finishing precocity, musculature at weaning (WC, WP, and WM) and yearling (YC, YP, and YM), birth weight (BW), weight from birth to weaning (WG), weight from weaning to yearling (YG), and final index (FIND). The observed mean MW was 417.6±56.2 kg, and the direct genetic effect mean estimated heritability ( h 2 a 1) of MW was 0.45. Overall, the BW was 31.0±3.7 kg, and the estimated h² was 0.34. The heritability estimate of the maternal additive genetic component ( h 2 m 2) of BW was 0.07. We calculated the mean WG to be 144.1±26.3 and estimated the h 2 a 2 as 0.18 and h 2 m 2 as 0.07. The value for h 2 a YG (0.17) and YW (0.26) were also estimated. The heritability of the weaning WC (0.17), WP (0.19), and WM (0.17) and yearling YC (0.25), YP (0.27), and YM (0.25) were estimated using visual scores. The h 2 m values for weaning WC, WP, and WM (0.06) with visual scores were estimated. The genetic correlations between body weight (BoW) at YC and WC (0.62) were considered moderately high and positive. In addition, YP (0.18), YM (0.15), WP (0.13), and WM (0.14) were considered moderately low compared with MW. The genetic correlation between BW and FIND (0.38) was considered positive and moderate. The heritability estimation indicates that growth traits, visual scores, and weight of adult cows could be changed by selection. Cows that presented the highest h 2 a values for live weight responded rapidly to selection based on growth characteristics, visual scores, and FIND and might result in increased final MW.

The application of feeding strategies (FS) to meet nutrient requirements of beef cattle grazing on native pastures during the dry season, are required to improve the productivity of production systems in tropical regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioeconomic effects of different FSs applied to yearling bulls in Mozambique, using modeling and simulations as tools to support decision making. A simple deterministic simulation model was developed, assuming initial body weight (120 kg), average daily gain (ADG), feedstuffs, and production costs as inputs. FSs were simulated for a total of 120 days within four ADG systems: 0.000 kg (S000), 0.200 kg (S200), 0.400 kg (S400), and 0.600 kg/d (S600), and three diets were simulated for the positive and maintenance ADG systems, totaling 12 FS. The effects of 12 FS combinations were analyzed and a sensitivity analysis was performed. The effect of the change in the inputs of the model (feedstuffs purchase and calf purchase price) showed the sensitivity of the model to economic parameters (Gross Margin and Net Profit). The negative ADG (-0.200 kg) system (S-200) had the highest labor cost. Corn bran, considering its availability and low cost in the studied region, is a promising feedstuff for concentrates. Effective operational cost (EOC) was higher than 99% in all FSs. S-200, S000, and FS5 within the S200 system resulted in negative net profit (NP) values. Net profit proportionally increased as ADG increased. FS12 (Hyparrhenia rufa, corn bran, and Sesbania sesban) of S600 promoted the highest ratio (NP/total operation cost) (0.48), and consequently, the highest profitability (32.37%). In general, the simulation model shows that, in native and communal pasture beef production systems in regions of Africa with similar production conditions, the productivity of yearling beef cattle during the dry season may be improved by applying feeding strategies.

This study evaluated the effect of rice straw supplementation on cow-calf systems and the effect of increasing stocking rates on bio-economic efficiency. Three production systems were compared in which pregnant females were supplemented with different levels of rice straw in the prepartum: 1) 20 cows in 9 hectares (ha) of natural pasture without rice straw supplementation and stocking rate of 1,000 kg of body weight (BW)/ha (RSH0); 2) 30 cows in 13.5 ha of natural pasture receiving 5 kg of rice straw/animal/day and 1,000 kg BW/ha stocking (RSH5); and 3) 60 cows in 14 ha of natural pasture with 10 kg of rice straw/animal/day and stocking rate of 2,000 kg BW/ha (RSH10). The body condition score (BCS), cow weight at calving (CWC), and calf birth weight (CBW) were recorded on the first day and every 30 days. After calving, cows were moved to oat pasture (Avena strigosa) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) with mineral supplementation where BW and BCS were evaluated every 30 days, and a transrectal ultrasound was performed every 15 days to determine the interval of parturition ovulation (IPO). Cows were separated in two groups and a fixed-time artificial insemination was performed (d130 and d165), followed 61 days of natural mating (d140-d175) and a gestation diagnosis 30 days after natural breeding (d231-d266) to verify the pregnancy rate (PR). Data comparison was performed by SPSS and productivity and gross margin (GM) were analyzed. We observed no difference in BCS between the beginning of prepartum until the parturition, nor in CWC, BW, IPO, and PR. The productivity and GM of RSH10 were 44.2 and 40.2% higher than RSH0 and 46.8 and 45% higher than RSH5, respectively. Thus, rice straw in the final third of gestation for cows in natural pasture allows the maintenance of cow's productive and reproductive parameters, as well as increased productivity while intensifying the system.

The objective of this research was to define and analyze drops in reticulo-rumen temperature (Trr) as an indicator of calving time in Holstein females. Data were collected from 111 primiparous and 150 parous Holstein females between November 2012 and March 2013. Between −15 and −5 d relative to anticipated calving date, each female received an orally administered temperature sensing reticulo-rumen bolus that collected temperatures hourly. Daily mean Trr was calculated from d −5 to 0 relative to using all Trr values (A-Trr) or only Trr values ≥37.7°C (W-Trr) not altered by water intake. To identify a Trr drop, 2 methodologies for computing the baseline temperature were used. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to estimate the probability of calving within the next 12 or 24 h for primiparous, parous, and all females, based on the size of the Trr drop. For all GLM, a large drop in Trr corresponded with a large estimated probability of calving. The predictive power of the GLM was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The ROC curve analyses showed that all models, regardless of methodology in calculation of the baseline or tested category (primiparous or parous), were able to predict calving; however, area under the ROC curve values, an indication of prediction quality, were greater for methods predicting calving within 24 h. Further comparisons between GLM for primiparous and parous, and using baseline 1 and 2, provide insight on the differences in predictive performance. Based on the GLM, Trr drops of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4°C were identified as useful indicators of parturition and further analyzed using sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios. Based on sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios, the best indicator of calving was an average Trr drop ≥0.2°C, regardless of methodology used to compute the baseline or category of animal evaluated.

In southern Brazil, beef cattle production systems generally rely on grazing on natural pastures. However, their forage production, and consequently metabolizable energy (ME) production, is seasonal and influenced by climatic events. Thus, there is a scientific and commercial interest in evaluating and understanding the biological impacts of intensification using pasture irrigation and the effects of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomena on the long term on the productivity of cow-calf systems. Therefore, our objective was to develop a simulation model to evaluate the effects of intensification levels, using cultivated pastures and irrigation, on the productivity and on the efficiency metabolizable energy utilization of beef cow-calf systems in a 10-year horizon. This period allows capturing the effects of several production cycles as influenced by ENSO events. The model includes three submodels: herd structure, herd ME requirements, and forage ME production. The results of the present study demonstrate that the proposed model is able to evaluate the influence of intensification of grazing systems on metabolizable energy production, carrying capacity, productivity and biological efficiency of beef cow-calf systems over a long-term horizon. Productivity was increased in 15.9% when 20% of the grazing area was intensified and irrigated compared with the modeled non-intensified system, independently of climatic events. The main productive response was the increase in the number of dams in the herd, especially as a result of the use of irrigation. This study proposes different alternatives for increasing the productivity of beef cow-calf systems in southern Brazil.

Recent studies have shown that cattle practitioners are concerned about painful conditions and procedures. An understanding of the attitudes toward pain is fundamental to encourage the use of pain relief in cattle. The goal of this study was to investigate the factors that influence Brazilian professionals toward the use of pain mitigation in cattle, primarily during castration and horn removal (e.g. dehorning, disbudding). To reach this objective, an online survey was conducted with veterinarians and animal scientists. The analysis was based on descriptive statistics, chi-squares tests, Fisher exact tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests. The final sample was composed of 147 respondents. Results of descriptive statistics showed that the use of medicine before a painful procedure (i.e., anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, or sedative-analgesic), was higher for adult cattle than for suckled and newborn calves. In newborn calves, those respondents who were more likely to use pain relief agreed with the statements that i) there is missing information about pain control during castration and ii) defensive movements shown by an animal during or after a procedure to justify pain mitigation in horn removal. The primary reasons for choosing a medicine were similar for both procedures: cost, anti-inflammatory effect, analgesic potency, duration of analgesic effect, duration of sedative effect, and route of administration. There was no difference in professional’s decade of birth and pain mitigation use. These results may be useful to decide how to optimize the use of drugs by veterinary and animal science professions, and continuing education should help to increase pain mitigation usage.

This study assessed the risks of different management practices to increase pregnancy rate in beef cow-calf systems, aiming at assisting decision-making. The perception of 18 experts on animal sciences regarding the risks of 32 nutritional, breeding, and general management practices applied to increase pregnancy rate were evaluated through questionnaires. The experts were selected by a non-probability sampling of researchers on veterinary and animal sciences. In addition, five farmers and eight technical consultants were also selected. The questionnaire was applied during a face-to-face meeting. The risk of each practice was assessed according to four factors, namely, cost, technical knowledge, operational complexity, and flexibility, and an equation was developed to calculate this risk. The applied method allowed to determine the risk of each practice, obtaining results similar to those previously perceived by the experts. Operational complexity and cost had greater influence on the estimated risks compared with the other factors. Moreover, the increase of one unit in operational complexity and cost increased the perceived risk and the estimated risk scores in 0.43 and 0.28 points, respectively. Overall, the application of general management practices presented lower risk score compared with nutritional and breeding practices, which were not different from which other. Equations to estimate the risks of farm managers should routinely apply management practices to increase the efficiency of cow-calf production systems.

The demand for beef cattle with specific traits is evident from sales in auctions. While purchasing, buyers consider individual traits (e.g., muscularity, frame, racial composition, and weight) as predictors of quality, and adjust their bids according to their preferences. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of phenotypic and racial characteristics in determining the final sale price of calves of beef cattle in official auctions at the western border of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Five-hundred and seven lots of calves sold in calf auctions from five cities on the western border of Rio Grande do Sul were evaluated. The assignment of visual scores was based on their genetic group, frame, muscularity, and coat. Analysis of variance and the Tukey test at 5% significance level were performed for comparing the final average prices. Variables with the greatest impact on price were the genetic group and the size of the animals. Animals of synthetic breeds obtained higher value in the three years studied and animals without racial definition showed considerable devaluation and a decrease in supply. Larger animals had less value. RESUMO: A busca por animais com características específicas é evidenciada na comercialização em leilões, em que, ao analisar os animais, compradores consideram as características individuais (musculosidade, frame, composição racial, peso) como preditor de qualidade e ajustam seus lances conforme suas preferências. Dessa forma, o presente estudo buscou avaliar o impacto de características fenotípicas e de padrão racial na composição do preço final de venda de bezerros comercializados em feiras oficiais na fronteira oeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram avaliados 507 lotes de bezerros comercializados nas feiras de terneiros de cinco municípios da região da Fronteira Oeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para a atribuição de escores visuais, considerou-se grupo genético, frame, musculosidade e pelagem dos animais. Foi realizada a análise de variância e a comparação dos preços finais médios pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. As variáveis de maior impacto no preço foram grupo genético e tamanho dos animais. Animais de raças sintéticas obtiveram valorização superior nos três anos Estudados, considerável desvalorização e queda na oferta de animais sem definição racial. Os menores valores foram atribuídos a animais de tamanho grande.

The South region of Brazil differs from the others due to its high milk production rates. Production heterogeneity, climate and soil diversity, and environmental and socioeconomic circumstances contribute to differentiate political-administrative regions. In this study, we aimed to spatialize the production, environmental, and socioeconomic factors that best discriminate bovine milk production in the states of the South of Brazil. Multivariate analyses were performed to discriminate both the studied variables and the mesoregion and cities of these states. The Western Catarinense and Northwestern Rio-grandense mesoregions showed the highest production indices, but they were discriminated at a low level (35.76 %). The formation of clusters showed that Casca, Marau, and Santo Cristo from the Northwestern Rio-grandense and Concordia, Coronel Freitas, Palmitos, and São Lourenço do Oeste from the Western Catarinense mesoregion had higher production indices. The municipal clusters were discriminated at a high level by production (98.24%) and by environmental and socioeconomic (72.75%) factors. Production variables were the most important for local clusters discrimination. The specificities and peculiarities to each region were evidenced through the heterogeneity of production and environmental and socioeconomic factors. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement specific technological innovations to each region to maximize productive efficiency and minimize adverse environmental effects in dairy herds. Resumo A região Sul se diferencia das demais por ter maior produtividade de leite. A heterogeneidade da produção, a diversidade edafoclimática e ambiental, e as distintas realidades socioeconômicas contribuem para diferenciar as regiões político-administrativas. Objetivou-se espacializar os fatores produtivos e os fatores ambientais e socioeconômicos que melhor discriminam a produção de leite de vaca nos estados do Sul do Brasil. Análises multivariadas foram realizadas para discriminar tanto as variáveis em estudo quanto as mesorregiões e municípios destes estados. As mesorregiões Oeste Catarinense e Noroeste Rio-grandense apresentaram os melhores índices de produção, mas foram discriminadas em baixo nível (35,76%). A formação de cluster por municípios mostrou que Casca, Marau e Santo Cristo da mesorregião Noroeste Rio-grandense e Concórdia, Coronel Freitas, Palmitos e São Lourenço do Oeste da mesorregião Oeste Catarinense apresentaram melhores índices produtivos. Os clusters municipais foram discriminados em alto nível pelos fatores produtivos (98,24%) e pelos fatores ambientais e socioeconômicos (72.75%). As variáveis produtivas foram as mais importantes na discriminação dos clusters municipais. As especificidades e peculiaridades específicas a cada região foram evidenciadas por meio da heterogeneidade dos fatores produtivos, ambientais e socioeconômicos. Portanto, faz-se necessário conceber e implementar inovações tecnológicas específicas à cada região para maximizar a eficiência produtiva e minimizar os efeitos ambientais adversos em rebanhos leiteiros.

The objective of this study was to determine the main causes of failure in bull breeding using a soundness evaluation in Rio Grande do Sul State/Brazil. We evaluated 19,836 bulls from 15 different breeds with ages ranging from two to eight years. The failures of bulls in each step were analyzed by logistic regression. The binary logistic regression was applied because the response variable had only two responses: Success (1) and Failure (0). Older bulls are more likely to be rejected than are younger bulls, regardless of their genetic group. Depending on the step of the assessment, one or another group is rejected. All steps of bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE) are important, with special attention to the failures of the behavioral evaluation (libido and physical ability). A BBSE performed before the breeding season reduces the risk of sub-fertile bulls in the herd.

This study aimed at estimating the heritability of age at first calving and of performance traits included in the selection index and the genetic correlations between age at first calving and these performance traits. Data were extracted from the Conexão Delta G database and only data from herds in which heifers were bred younger than 24 months of age were used, resulting in a file with 331,310 evaluated animals. The following traits were included in the analyses: age at first calving, birth to weaning gain, post-weaning weight gain, visual scores of conformation, precocity, and muscling evaluated at weaning and in yearling heifers. Covariance components were obtained by bi-character analyses between traits. An alternative age at first calving was also taken into account, in which all heifers were used, including those that were mated and did not calve. Covariance components and estimates of the effects included in the model were obtained using the software program DMU. Heritability estimates were 0.11 and 0.13 for age at first calving and alternative age at first calving, 0.38 for birth to weaning gain, and 0.13 for post-weaning weight gain. Visual score estimates ranged between 0.16 and 0.18 at weaning and 0.19 and 0.29 in yearlings. Genetic correlation estimates of the traits were low, but in the desirable direction. Selection for birth to weaning gain and visual scores does not have a negative effect on age at first calving or alternative age at first calving.

Mature weight (MW) of cows is related to the costs of their production. Usually, cows with moderate MW are more efficient in challenging environments, such as those available in the production systems in Brazil. In the present study, the selection index comprises the following traits: conformation, finishing precocity, musculature at weaning (WC, WP, WM) yearling (YC, YP and YM), scrotal circumference at yearling (SC), days to gain 160kg from birth to weaning (D160) and 240kg after weaning (D240). This are related to birth weight gain at weaning (WG) and from weaning to yearling (YG). The mature (MW) and birth weight (BW) traits were not considered in the selection index. The aim of this study was to estimate the values for the genetic trends (GT) of some important selection (MW) and economic traits (BW). A bi-character analysis of MW and other characteristics was performed to estimate the (co)variance components and genetic parameters. The GT results obtained for MW were null (0.0065% or 0.02718kg per year) in the period 1990-2007. The GT values were determined for BW (-0.0650% or -0.02017kg), WG (0.0758% or 0.0865kg), YG (0.1051% or 0.11377kg), and MW (0.0393% or 0.11276kg) per year. The visual score values (in score units) were also determined for GTat weaning [WC (0.2310%; 0.00707), WP (0.3624%; 0.3623%),aWM (0.01149; 0.01087)] yearling [YC (0.3256%; 0.00990), YP (0.4795%; 0.01496),YM (0.5041%; 0.01457)] per year. Index-based selection was effective to promote genetic progress in WG, WC, WP, WM, YG, YC, YP, and YM characteristics keeping BW and MW constant. RESUMO: O peso adulto das vacas (PV) está relacionado com os custos de produção. Em geral, vacas com PV moderados são mais eficientes em ambientes desafiadores, como aqueles disponíveis nos sistemas de produção no Brasil. No presente estudo, o índice de seleção compreende as seguintes características: conformação, precocidade e musculatura nas fases da desmama (CD, PD e MD) e sobreano (CS, PS e MS), circunferência escrotal no sobreano (CE), dias para ganhar 160kg do nascimento até a desmama (D160) e 240kg pós-desmama (D240), que estão relacionadas com os ganhos de peso do nascimento à desmama (GD) e, da desmama ao sobreano (GS). As características PV e PN não foram consideradas no índice de seleção. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar os valores das tendências genéticas (TG) das importantes características de seleção (PV) e econômicas (PN). Para estimar os componentes de (co)variâncias e os dados genéticos, foram realizadas análises bi-caracter de PV com as demais características. Os resultados de TG obtidos para PV foram nulos (0,0065% ou 0,02718kg por ano) no período de 1990 á 2007. Os valores de TG foram estimados para PN (-0,0650% ou -0,02017kg), GD (0,0758% ou 0,0865kg), GS (0,1051% ou 0,11377kg) e PF (0,0393% ou 0,11276kg) por ano. Os valores dos escores visuais (em unidades de escore) foram determinados para TG à desmama [CD (0,2310%; 0,00707), PD (0,3624%; 0,3623%) e MD (0,01149; 0,01087)] e sobreano [CS (0,3256%; 0,00990), PS (0,4795%; 0,01496) e MS (0,5041%; 0,01457)] ao ano. A seleção baseada no índice foi efetiva para promover o progresso genético nas características de GD, CD, PD, MD, GS, CS, PS e mantendo PN e PV constantes.

This study was intended to evaluate body size structure and growth parameters of crossbred heifers fed at four nutritional levels to achieve puberty earlier. Animals were classified depending on their level of crossing between Nelore and Hereford and subjected to four nutritional levels (kg day−1) as follows: 0.5 (light; n = 32), 0.75 (medium; n = 32), 1.00 (high; n = 29), and 1.25 (very high; n = 27). Heifers at puberty and at weaning were individually classified for growth parameters. The fat thickness and longissimus muscle area throughout the experimental period were determined by ultrasonography. The height, heart girth, frame, and weight:height ratio were variables used to evaluate body traits. Univariate analysis of variance using the GLIM MIXED procedure os SPSS was performed and the significance level was set at 0.05. Age and body weight at puberty were 388±1.9 days and 331.4±1.3 kg, respectively. Body condition score demonstrated an interaction between nutritional level and crossbred degree. Heifers with the highest degree of Nelore had higher fat thickness and lower weight:height ratio compared with other racial groups at puberty. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a negative association for body condition score (−0.34) and fat thickness (−0.58) compared with age at puberty. The increased fat thickness at younger ages at puberty was observed in all racial groups. The increased weight:height ratio at younger ages at puberty was observed in all racial groups. We observed higher values for a frame in animals at the higher level of supplementation. There is a greater correlation between live weight gain and phenotypic traits during weaning to achieve puberty at an earlier age in crossbred heifers.

Pedigree information available for Angus (ANG), Devon (DEV), Hereford (HER), and Shorthorn (SHO) cattle in Brazil was analyzed to appraise the genetic diversity and population structure of these breeds. Pedigree records collected from the beginning of the 20th century until 2010 were used in the analyses. Over time, the number of herdbook reg- istrations declined in HER after a peak in the 1970s, remained low in DEV and SHO, and increased steadily in ANG since the 1990s, such that it the latter is now the leading British cattle breed in Brazil. The average number of offspring registered per sire ranged from about 12 (SHO) to 20 (DEV) and the mean generation interval ranged from about 6.0 (HER and SHO) to 6.4 (ANG) years. In the reference population (calves born in 2009 and 2010, plus those born in 2008 for SHO) the mean equivalent number of generations known ranged from about 7 (SHO) to 9 (HER). In the 4 breeds stud- ied, nearly all animals born over the last few years are inbred, even though the mean level of inbreeding in the reference population is below 4% in all breeds. The rate of inbreeding per generation, computed from the individual increase in inbreeding, ranged from about 0.2 (ANG) to 0.5% (DEV), with a corresponding effec- tive population size of 245 and 92, respectively, which is above the recommended minimum critical threshold. The number of founders/ancestors contributing with 50% of the reference population gene pool was 211/26 for ANG, 41/14 for DEV, 164/25 for HER, and 79/10 for SHO, with effective number of founders/ancestors/ founder genomes of 470/68/36, 89/33/16, 289/59/30, and 200/28/18 for ANG, DEV, HER, and SHO, respec- tively. The genetic contribution of different countries to the gene pool of each breed indicated that, throughout the period studied, DEV genes originated predominant- ly from the United Kingdom, while for the other breeds there was a changing pattern over time. Until the 1970s Argentina was the major supplier of ANG, while HER and SHO genes were mostly from Uruguay, but since then the United States took the leading role as supplier of ANG, HER, and SHO genes to Brazil. Our results reveal a mild increase in inbreeding in all breeds stud- ied, with effective population size estimates indicating that reasonable levels of genetic diversity have been maintained in all 4 breeds. Continuous monitoring of inbreeding trends and of parameters derived from probability of gene origin should be ensured to warrant the long-term maintenance of genetic diversity.

The aim of this study is to estimate the effects of phenotypic traits on the final price of calves sold at auctions in the region of northern Paraná. Data were collected between April 2011 and April 2012 at 12 auctions, in which 197 lots were offered, totaling 4,289 animals. In this study, only the final prices charged when the deals were closed have been considered. Calves belonging to the British genetic group reached higher marketing value than zebu calves; the largest animals presented higher liquidity; buyers preferred more uniform lots, regardless of the sex of the animals. Objetivou-se estimar os efeitos das características fenotípicas de bezerros, que podem influenciar no preço final, comercializados em leilões na região Norte do Paraná. Os dados foram coletados entre abril de 2011 e abril de 2012, em 12 leilões, em que foram ofertados 197 lotes, totalizando 4.289 animais, sendo os preços finais considerados somente nos casos de efetiva comercialização. Foi observado que os bezerros do grupo genético britânicos obtiveram valor de comercialização superior aos zebuínos; os animais de maior porte obtiveram maior liquidez; e, independente do gênero, os lotes com maior uniformidade tiveram preferência do consumidor.

O interesse na utilização da glicerina bruta na alimentação animal ressurge, devido ao aumento na disponibilidade e preço favorável, como conseqüência da expansão das indústrias de biocombustíveis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da substituição do milho por diferentes níveis de glicerina bruta na dieta sobre a fermentação ruminal através da digestibilidade in vitro verdadeira. As dietas experimentais consistiram na substituição do milho por glicerol (0; 4; 8 e 12%) na matéria seca da dieta (MS). As dietas eram compostas por 60% de feno de alfafa e 40% de grão de milho e o glicerol foi adicionado, substituindo o milho nas dietas. Além de trabalhar com as 48 horas tradicionais, foram utilizados diferentes horários de digestibilidade in vitro (0; 4; 8; 16; 48; 72 e 96 horas), com a finalidade de estudar a cinética da digestão. A substituição do milho por níveis crescente de glicerina bruta na dieta não afetou a concentração de N-NH3, o teor de energia metabolizável, as digestibilidades in vitro da matéria orgânica da fibra em detergente neutro, bem como os parâmetros da degradação ruminal. Portanto, esse subproduto da produção do biodiesel deve ser testado in vivo como uma alternativa energética na formulação de dietas para ruminantes. The interest in using crude glycerol in animal feeding has reemerged due to its increasing availability and favorable price resulting from the expansion of biofuel industry. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of substituting corn for crude glycerol at different levels in the diet on ruminal fermentation using in-vitro true digestibility parameters. The experimental treatments consisted of substituting corn for liquid crude glycerol (0; 4; 8 and 12%) in dry matter basis. Diets consisted of 60% alfalfa hay and 40% corn and glycerol substituted the corn in the diet. In addition to the 48 hours traditionally applied in digestibility assays, different in-vitro digestibility times were used (0; 4; 8; 16; 48, 72 and 96 hours) in order to study digestion kinetics. The dietary corn substitution for increasing crude glycerol levels did not affect ammonia nitrogen content, metabolizable energy content, in-vitro digestibility of organic matter and neutral detergent fiber, nor ruminal degradation parameters. However this byproduct of biodiesel production may be tested in-vivo as an alternative energy feedstuff in ruminant diets.

The intent of this study was to demonstrate the potential of biodiesel derived crude glycerin as a good alternative for an energy feedstuff in dairy cow diets. Eight multiparous Jersey cows with 85 ± 20 days in milk were used. The following treatments were evaluated: 0, 40, 80, and 120 g crude glycerin (containing 814.4 g glycerol/kg) dietary inclusion/kg dry matter. The experimental diets contained equal protein and energy levels. A replicated Latin square experimental design was applied. Crude glycerin intake did not influence average daily milk yield, energy corrected milk yield, or crude fat, lactose, and total milk solids average daily yield and concentration. Milk protein concentration was higher when 120 g crude glycerin was included in the diet when compared with the control group (37.2 vs. 36.1 g/kg, respectively, P

portuguesObjetivou-se mensurar a competitividade in- terna dos sistemas de producao que atuam na bovinocultura de corte na Regiao Sul do Brasil. Foram realizadas entrevistas durante o primeiro trimestre de 2010 com 36 pecuaristas que atuam na bovinocultura de corte no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram definidos os principais direciona- dores que afetam a competitividade dentro da porteira, sendo estes a tecnologia, a gestao, as relacoes de mercado e o ambiente institucional. Posteriormente estes foram desdobrados em dez, dez, quatro e sete fatores, respectivamente, sendo atribuidos pesos especificos para cada um deles a fim de determinar o indice de competitividade (IC) por meio de equacoes especificas. Foi calculado tambem o grau de competitividade dos quatro direcionadores e dos 31 fatores, variando de muito desfavoravel a muito favoravel. Os resulta- dos foram analisados estatisticamente pela teoria de resposta ao item e pela analise de correspon- dencia atraves do software SPSS. Os sistemas de producao apresentaram, em media, um IC favo ravel (7,27). Entre os principais fatores criticos de competitividade destacaram-se a organizacao dos produtores, formacao de precos, planejamento estrategico e o acesso a inovacoes tecnologicas. Estes trabalhos sao fundamentais para identificar as acoes prioritarias a ser realizadas pelos orgaos publicos, privados e de fomento para alcancar maior competitividade a cadeia produtiva da carne bovina. EnglishThe internal competitiveness of the beef cattle production systems in the Southern Region of Brazil was studied. Thirty-six beef cattle farmers of the state of Rio Grande do Sul were interviewed during the first quarter of 2010. The main indicators that affect the farm gate sector competitiveness were defined: technology, management, market relations, and institutional environment. Then, those indicators were developed into 10, 10, 4 and 7 factors respectively. They were assigned indivi- dual weights in order to calculate their competi- tiveness indices (CI) with specific equations. The competitiveness indices for the 4 indicators and the 31 factors were also calculated, and they ranged from unfavorable to very favorable. The Item Response Theory was employed to statistically treat the data. Data analysis also employed the Correspondence Analysis Technique (ANACOR) available in the SPSS software in its 18.0 version. The average CI of the production systems 7.27, which is considered a favorable one. The main cri- tical competitiveness factors include the producers' organization, price formation, strategic planning and availability of technological innovations. Researches like the current one are of fundamen- tal importance to develop strategies to be carried out by both the public and the private sectors aiming to enhance competitiveness of the beef production chain.

Brazilian pig production spans over a large territory encompassing regions of different climatic and socio-economic realities. Production, physical, socio-economic, and environmental data were used to characterize pig production in the country. Multivariate analysis evaluated indices including number productivity, production levels, and income from pigs, together with the average area of pig farm and socio-economic variables such as municipal human development index, technical guidance received from agricultural cooperatives and industrial companies, number of family farms, and offtake; and finally, environmental variables: latitude, longitude, annual temperature range, solar radiation index, as well as temperature and humidity index. The Southern region has the largest herd, number of pigs sold/sow, and offtake rate (p

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of genetic group and calf sex on selling prices in auctions in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. We evaluated 33,143 animals, representing 3,587 lots in 47 auctions from 2009 to 2014. The calves were classified according to genetic groups: British breed or crossbreed (BX); Continental breed or crossbreed (CX); Zebu breed or crossbreed (ZC); British and Continental crossbreed (BC); and Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbreed (TI). The lots were composed of male and female calves. The years presenting low and high changes in the price of calves were similar to the variation in the price of beef cattle and, in 2014, the calf price reached its highest value (R$5.36). Male calves were sold at prices higher than female calves (average 7.8%), but this difference was driven by year of analysis, in which the closest approach occurred during periods of reduction in the price of live cattle in SC (2012 and 2013). Calves of genetic groups ZX and TI received, on average, lower prices (R$4.49 and R$4.64, respectively) compared with the other groups. In 2013, males from the BX group had greater variation in price compared with CX (3.9%) and BC (5.7%). On the other hand, female heifers from the BX group received higher average prices in 2011 compared with the CX, BC, IT, and ZX groups (8.1, 8.5, 14.7, and 16.5%, respectively). Recently, female British heifers have had a greater appreciation in auctions held in SC, possibly for their reproductive performance potential of beef cows. Thus, sex and different genetic groups are factors that impact the selling price of calves in the SC region.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, using meta-analysis, the main factors related to post-weaning body weight and weight gain that affect pregnancy rate of heifers bred at 18 months of age. Data of 1398 beef heifers from six experiments were analyzed as a set. Information related to methodology and results of each experiment were codified in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The independent variables analyzed were: body weight at seven months of age (BW7M), daily weight gain from seven to 12 months (DWG7-12), body weight at 12 months of age (BW12M), daily weight gain from 12 to 15 months (DWG12-15), body weight at 15 months of age (BW15M), daily weight gain from 15 to 18 months (DWG15-18), daily weight gain from 7 to 18 months (DWG7-18) and body weight at 18 months of age (BW18M). The response variable was pregnancy rate (PR). Body weight at 18 months of age and DWG7-18 showed high correlation with PR and between each other. The other variables presented low correlation with PR. Body weight at first breeding and daily weight gain from seven to 18 months are the most important variables affecting the pregnancy rate of heifers bred at 18 months of age in the autumn. Weaning weight and weight gain during intermediate steps of the post-weaning period are not good predictors of pregnancy rate. Higher pregnancy rates can be obtained provided enough post-weaning weight gain and minimum body weight at first breeding are achieved, irrespective of when weight is gained.

The aim of this study was to typify competitiveness on beef cattle farms from the western border region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Sixty-three farmers, each with an individual farm area exceeding 900 ha, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, divided in four sections: technology (TEC), management (MAN), market relationships (MR) and institutional environment (IE). Data were analysed using Cluster and Discriminant analyses. Beef cattle producers were divided into three levels of competitiveness: low (LCL), medium (MCL) and high (HCL). Comparing LCL × MCL, the former group of farmers showed lower levels of pasture and reproduction management than the latter (subfactors within TEC). When LCL × HCL were compared, the main differences were the lower access to technological innovation and low investment with herd genetics of LCL compared with HCL. The lower level of management activities (performance recording, animal handling and calculation of financial parameters) of MCL compared with HCL were the main variables that differ between these farms. Cattle producers interviewed here were, in general, competitive, mainly due to the use of technologies on farm. However, there were limitations in the variables related to management.

The objectives of this research were to analyse data on the international market of frozen boneless beef and to classify its participants into groups according to their trade relationships, identifying the main factors that influence the preference of a country to beef from a determined supplier country. International beef trade is composed of two markets: in one of them, the relationships between supplier and client depend on the lowest price, and Brazil is found in favorable conditions; and the other, the relationships are preferably based on the sanitary quality of the herd and traceability systems recognized by the purchaser, to which Brazilian participation is low.

Avaliaram-se as características sensoriais da carne de novilhos não-castrados ou castrados terminados em confinamento e abatidos aos 16 (superjovens) ou 26 (jovens) meses de idade. A dieta com relação volumoso:concentrado de 50:50 continha 11,8% de proteína bruta e 2,83 Mcal de energia digestível/kg de matéria seca. A maior amplitude do pH final da carne foi observada nos novilhos jovens e a menor, nos superjovens. A carne dos animais não-castrados, independentemente da idade de abate, foi mais escura, mais grosseira e com menor grau de marmorização em comparação à dos castrados. A carne dos animais castrados teve maior perda de líquidos durante o processo de descongelamento em relação à dos não-castrados (8,55 vs 4,99%). Ocorreu interação entre categoria e sexo do animal para perda de líquido durante a cocção, palatabilidade e suculência. Novilhos jovens não-castrados apresentaram maior quebra à cocção, carne menos palatável e menos suculenta em relação aos jovens castrados e aos superjovens castrados e não-castrados. A redução da idade de abate de 26 para 16 meses de idade, independentemente da condição sexual, melhora a maciez da carne avaliada pelo painel de degustadores. It was evaluated in this work the sensorial characteristics of the meat of non-castrate or castrated males feedlot finished and slaughtered at 16 (young steers) or 26 (steers) months old. The diet with 50 roughage: 50concentrate contained 11.8% of crude protein and 2.83 Mcal of digestible energy/kg of dry matter. The highest amplitude of the final pH of the meat was noted on the steers, and the lowest on the young steers. The meat of the non-castrate males, regardless to the age at slaughter, was darker, coarser and showed lower marbling degree than the meat of the castrated animals. Thawing loss was higher for the meat of the castrated animals(8.55 vs 4.99%). There was interaction among categories and sex for cooking loss, palatability and juiciness. Meat of the older non-castrate males showed higher cooking loss, it was less palatable and less juicy regarded to the meat of the older castrated and the younger castrated or non-castrate males. Reduction of slaughtering age from 26 to 16 months old, regardless to sexual condition, improves meat tenderness evaluated by taste panel.

Realizou-se este trabalho para avaliar as características de carcaça de novilhos castrados ou não-castrados terminados em confinamento e abatidos aos 16 (superjovem) ou 26 (jovem) meses de idade. A dieta, com relação volumoso:concentrado de 50:50, continha 11,8% de proteína bruta e 2,83 Mcal de energia digestível/kg de matéria seca. Novilhos não-castrados, independentemente da categoria, apresentaram carcaças mais pesadas. A diferença de peso da carcaça entre animais não-castrados e castrados superjovens (14%) foi mais evidente que nos animais jovens (33%). A espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS) na categoria superjovem foi similar entre animais não-castrados e castrados (5,17 e 4,54 mm), ao passo que, na categoria jovem, as carcaças dos não-castrados apresentaram menor EGS (2,90 vs 4,72 mm). Melhor conformação (15,16 vs 14,12 pontos), maior área do músculo Longissimus dorsi (86,96 vs 72,66 cm²) e maiores comprimentos de carcaça (134,70 vs 125,86 cm) e perna (69,09 vs 65,28 cm) foram observados nas carcaças dos animais não-castrados. Carcaças de animais não-castrados apresentaram maior porcentagem de músculo (62,70 vs 58,40%) e menor de gordura (22,60 vs 27,01%) em comparação a carcaças de animais castrados, o que resultou em cortes cárneos mais magros nos animais não-castrados, com maior relação músculo:gordura (3,25 vs 2,74). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the carcass characteristics of intact or castrated feedlot-finished males slaughtered at 16 (young steers) or 26 months of age (steers). The diet, with 50% roughage and 50% concentrate, contained 11.8% of crude protein and 2.83 Mcal of digestible energy/kg of dry matter. Intact males from both categories showed heavier carcasses. The weight difference between intact and castrated males was more evident for 26-month-old steers (33%) than for 16-month-old (14%) animals. Carcass subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) was similar for 16-month-old intact and castrated males (5.17 and 4.54 mm), while for 26-month-old males, the SFT was lower for intact males than for castrated males (2.90 vs 4.72 mm). Better conformation (15.16 vs 14.12 points), larger Longissimus dorsi area (86.96 vs 72.66 cm²) and longer carcass (134.70 cm) and leg (69.09 cm) length were observed for intact male carcasses. Intact male carcasses had higher muscle percentage (62.70 vs 58.40%) and lower fat percentage (22.60 vs 27.01%) than castrated male carcasses, resulting in cuts with more lean and higher muscle:fat ratio (3.25 vs 2.74).

O objetivo neste trabalho foi evidenciar a importância do custo de produção na pecuária de cria, descrevendo uma metodologia padronizada que consiga mensurar o custo de produção de bezerros de corte e, simultaneamente, validar o método em um sistema de produção. Dentro deste contexto, neste trabalho discute-se, inicialmente, a relevância da implantação da metodologia dos centros de custos como suporte à tomada de decisão, devido à necessidade de uma análise segmentada dos processos em sistemas de produção pecuários especializados na cria. As etapas para implantação deste método são descritas. Um sistema de produção, característico da Região Sul do Brasil, foi definido a partir de indicadores técnicos relatados em revisões bibliográficas. Foi simulada a aplicação desta metodologia no sistema em questão, no qual se visualizaram os custos de produção dos diferentes centros produtivos: touros, vacas de cria, recria das novilhas e desmame dos bezerros, possibilitando compreender o impacto de determinados processos e/ou tecnologias no sistema. Conseqüentemente, calcular o custo de produção de bezerros de corte a partir da utilização da metodologia dos centros de custos, mostrou-se factível de utilização em sistemas de produção baseados em pecuária de cria. The production cost in cow-calf was designed by a standard methodology that can be able to measure the production cost of calves and, simultaneously to validate the method in a production system. Within this context, the present paper discusses, initially, the relevance of the implementation of methodology in cost centers as a support decisionmaking, due to the need for a segmented analysis of the processes, specialized in cow-calf production systems. The stages for implementation of this method are described. A production system, typical of the Southern of Brazil, was defined from technical indicators reported in reviews. It was simulated the application of this methodology of the subjected system, where it was viewed the production costs of the different productive centers: bulls, cows, rearing of heifers and weaning of calves, enabling to understand the impact that determinates process and/or technologies bring on to the system. Consequently, to calculate the production cost of calves from the methodology based on the cost centers was feasible to be used in production systems based on cow-calf.

The complexity of the consumers' behavior has taken the food industry to a new level of dynamism. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence this behavior is decisive for the differentiation of products to niche markets and even to adjust the supply according to consumers' expectancy. This article proposes a conceptual model to identify the factors influencing beef consumption in Brazil. The methodological approach was characterized by a systematic review through a synthesis of research related directly to this topic. Therefore, 76 papers published during the 2000-2014 period, including official documents (statistics), full research papers, abstracts, proceedings, and reports, were selected. Four main factors were related to influences in consumer behavior and/or directly in beef consumption: sociocultural, economic, health/food, and environmental. Among these dimensions, there was an emphasis on recent publications related to health/food and the environment. The compilation and analysis of these papers enabled the conception of the proposed model and suggests the consideration of four main dimensions in beef consumption.

We investigated the differences between weaning rates and technologies adopted by farmers in cow-calf production systems in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Interviews were carried out with 73 farmers about 48 technologies that could affect reproductive performance. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis using a non-hierarchical cluster method. The level of significance was set at P

This study was conducted to determine the age and liveweight at puberty of 120 crossbred beef heifers submitted to four diets to achieve predetermined weight gains (kg/day): 0.5 (G500; n = 32), 0.75 (G750; n = 32), 1.0 (G1000; n = 29), and 1.25 (G1250; n = 27). Animals were classified depending on their level of crossing between Nelore (N) and Hereford (H): 25%N-75%H, 37.5%N-63.5%H, 43.7%N-56.7%H, 50%N-50%H, and 75%N-25%H. Reproductive evaluation was performed at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period by ultrasonography and hormone analysis. The average age and liveweight at puberty were 388.0 ± 1.9 days and 331.4 ± 1.3 kg, respectively. Animals from the 25%N-75%H group reached puberty earlier than heifers from other genetic groups supplemented with G1250 diet (P

O trabalho apresenta uma metodologia de avaliação de sistemas de produção através da mensuração da competitividade interna na bovinocultura de corte. Durante o primeiro trimestre de 2010, foram aplicados 65 questionários com pecuaristas, sendo 36 entrevistas na Região Sul (Estado do Rio Grande do Sul) e 29 na Região Norte (Estados do Pará e Rondônia). Foram definidos os principais direcionadores que afetam a competitividade interna - tecnologia, gestão, relações de mercado e ambiente institucional, sendo atribuído um peso específico para cada direcionador, a fim de obter o índice de competitividade. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente pela teoria de resposta ao item e pela análise de correspondência (ANACOR) com o software SPSS®. A Região Sul apresentou uma maior competitividade que a Região Norte. Independente da região, os fatores críticos de competitividade foram: integração lavoura-pecuária, planejamento estratégico, cálculo de indicadores financeiros, formação de preços, acesso a inovações tecnológicas e organização dos produtores. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating production systems by measuring the intern competitiveness of in beef cattle. During the first quarter of 2010, questionnaires were administered to 65 farmers, 36 interviews in the Southern Region (State of Rio Grande do Sul) and 29 in the Northern Region (States of Pará and Rondônia). Defined the key drivers that affect the international competitiveness - technology, management, market relations and institutional environment, an specific weight was assigned to each in order to get the index of competitiveness. The results were statistically analyzed by the item response theory and the correspondence analysis (ANACOR) with the SPSS® software. The South was more competitive than the North. Regardless of region, the critical factors of competitiveness were: crop-livestock integration, strategic planning, calculation of financial indicators, beef pricing, access to technological innovations and organization of farmers.

Foram avaliados os componentes não-integrantes da carcaça de bovinos castrados (novilhos) Brahman, Brangus e Hereford terminados em confinamento ou pastejo com suplementação (capim-mombaça). Os animais foram abatidos com espessura de gordura subcutânea superior a 4mm. A dieta do confinamento foi formulada com 60% de volumoso e 40% de concentrado, com 13% PB e 62% NDT. O capim mombaça apresentou 7% de PB e 56%NDT e o suplemento apresentou 24% PB e 76% NDT. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com arranjo fatorial 3x2 (três grupos genéticos e dois sistemas de terminação) e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey ajustado. Foram observadas diferenças significativas para o peso de abate (PA) e peso do corpo vazio (PCV) favorável aos animais mantidos em pastejo com suplementação (444,03 vs 416,50kg para PA e 409,68 vs 375,24kg para PCV), entretanto não houve diferença significativa entre os sistemas de terminação para o rendimento de corpo vazio (RCV). O menor percentual de órgãos vitais foi apresentado pela raça Brahman independente do sistema de terminação utilizado (2,19%). A mesma tendência foi observada para o trato digestivo com um percentual de participação de 3,77% PCV do Brahman vs 4,87% e 4,48% PCV do Hereford e Brangus, respectivamente. Os novilhos Brahman apresentaram menores pesos de coração, pulmão e baço que os Hereford e Brangus. Os animais terminados em pastejo apresentaram maiores pesos de abomaso, pulmão e rins que os terminados em confinamento, 0,47 vs 0,35% PCV; 0,77 vs 0,71% PCV e 0,77 vs 0,71% PCV, respectivamente. The non-carcass components of steers from Brahman, Brangus and Hereford finished in feedlot or pasture with supplementation (mombaça grass) were evaluated. The animals were finished when subcutaneous fat thickness was over 4mm. The feedlot diets have roughage:concentrate ratio of 60: 40, with 13% CP crude protein and 62% TDN. The level of CP of mombaça grass was 7% with 56% TDN, and the supplement was 24% CP and 76% TDN. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 3x2 factorial arrangement (three genetic groups and two finishing systems) and means was compared by adjust Tukey test. Significant difference was observed for the slaughter weight (SW) and empty body weight (EBW) in steers maintained at pasture with supplementation. (409.68 versus 375.24kg of empty body weight), however, no differences were observed with the percentage of empty body dressing percentage (EBD). Brahman steers has the lowest percentage of vital organs independent of finishing system (2.19%). Same trend was showed for the total empty digestive tract with 3.77% for Brahman steers vs 4.87 and 4.48% EBW of Hereford and Brangus. The Brahman steers had lower weights of heart, lung and spleen than the Hereford and Brangus. Animals finished on pasture had greater weight of abomasums lung and kidneys than animals finished on feedlot 0.47 vs 0.35% EBW; 0.77 vs 0.71% EBW and 0.77 vs 0.71% EBW, respectively.