Search

The aim of this study was to evaluate different levels of feed restriction in the diet for F1 Holstein x Zebu cows during the winter on performance and economic viability. Data from Zootechnical book keeping, and from experiments conducted in the Experimental Field of Felixlândia, belonging to EPAMIG, were used. Total lactation of sixty F1 Holstein x Zebu cows receiving different diets was analyzed, by 2.00%, 2.25%, 2.50%, 2.75% body weight (BW), and a control group (3.4%; no feed restriction), allowing 5% leftovers in relation to the dry matter supplied, distributed in a completely randomized design. Data on milk production and feed cost were collected, evaluating the different periods that characterize the lactation of an animal. The highest milk production was found in the diet levels 3.4 %, and 2.75% BW, 3,636.00, and 3,271.50 kg, respectively. Lower milk production was observed at levels of 2.50%; 2.25%; 2.00% BW, respectively. The highest feed cost was verified without feed restriction followed by the levels of 2.75%, 2.50%, 2.25%, and 2.00% BW. The supply of the no feed restriction diet resulted in a performance superior to levels 2.75; 2.50; 2.25; 2.00% BW. The items profit, profitability were similar between all treatments, indicating that, when there is occasional feed shortage, a restriction in the diet supply of up to 2% BW provides economic security to the rural producer.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different shading strategies on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, nutrient use efficiency, feeding behaviour, respiratory rate, and performance of feedlot-finished Nellore bulls in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Two hundred and twenty-five intact Nellore cattle with average body weight (BW) of 294 ± 19 kg and 24 months of age were allotted to a completely randomised design with three shading strategies (full sun, artificial shade, and natural shade). There was a significant effect of shading strategies on air temperature (p = .02), black globe temperature (p

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of quantitative feed restriction on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, efficiency and feeding behavior, and productive performance in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during the middle third of their lactation. Methods Sixty F1 Holstein/Zebu cows with 111.5±11.75 days of lactation and an initial body weight (BW) of 499±30 kg (mean±standard error of the mean) were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with the following diet levels of feed restriction: 3.39%, 2.75%, 2.50%, 2.25%, and 2.00% of BW, with 12 replications for each level. The experiment lasted for 63 days, of which each period lasted 21 days with the first 16 days for diet adaptation followed by 5 days for collection of data and samples. Results For each 1% of BW diet restriction, there was a decrease in dry matter intake of 5.26 kg/d (p

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrate supplementation strategies to lactating F1 Holstein x Zebu cows managed on deferred signal grass pasture on milk yield, composition and body weight gain. Thirty-six F1 Holstein x Zebu cows with average days in milk of 102 ± 10 and body weight of 501 ± 19 kg were allotted to a 4 x 5 completely randomized factorial design, with four feeding strategies and five weeks of evaluation. The treatments consisted of four nutritional strategies: deferred pasture as a source of roughage + 700 grams of protein supplement (PDPI); deferred pasture as a source of roughage + 1,200 grams of protein supplement (PDPII); deferred pasture + 15 kilograms of corn silage (natural basis) + 1,200 grams of protein supplement (PDSP) and corn silage (ad libitum) + 700 grams of protein supplement (CSS). There was no interaction (P = 0.99) between supplementation strategies and test days on milk yield and chemical composition. The mean milk yield of cows managed on PDPI, PDPII and PDSP was 11.50 kg/day (P > 0.05), which was 14.30% lower than that of cows managed on CSS. Fat content (P < 0.01), protein (P < 0.01), lactose (P < 0.01), defatted dry extract (DDE) (P< 0 .01), total solids (P < 0.01) and milk casein (P < 0.01) were affected by different supplementation strategies. F1 Holstein x Zebu cows on deferred Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk pasture and supplemented with concentrate maintains milk production at 11.50 kg with normal composition, maintaining satisfactory body weight and condition score.

Objective This study ascertained effects of cactus pear in association with different roughage in the diet of F1 Holstein/Zebu cows on intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior and performance. Methods Eight cows with 72±11 days of lactation were used. The experimental design was simultaneous in two 4×4 Latin squares. Four experimental diets were used: Diet 1, sorghum silage as exclusive roughage; Diet 2, sorghum silage associated with cactus pear in a proportion of 50% of the roughage (dry matter basis); Diet 3, elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo) as exclusive roughage; Diet 4, elephant grass associated with cactus pear in a proportion of 50% of the roughage. The roughage:concentrate ratio was 75:25. Results Dry matter intake (p = 0.01) was higher with sorghum silage. There were differences in dry matter intake (p = 0.01), crude protein (p

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of forage palm combined with different forages in the diet of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows, on the quality of Minas Frescal cheese. Two simultaneous 4 x 4 Latin squares were used in the experimental design. The treatments consisted of sorghum silage as the sole forage source; replacement of 50% sorghum silage by forage palm; elephant grass as the only forage source; 50% replacement of elephant grass by forage palm. Milk samples from each cow were analyzed for the chemical composition and the milk was pasteurized for cheese production. The gross and adjusted yields, texture, chemical and sensorial characteristics and fatty acid profile were evaluated. The chemical composition of the cheese was not influenced by the diets, as well as the sum of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, a lower stearic acid content was found in cheese from the milk of cows fed grass with forage palm and a lower value of conjugated linoleic acid for the diet with silage alone. In the consumer preference ranking test, the most preferred cheese was that of the sorghum silage diet and the least preferred was that of the sorghum silage/forage palm diet. In the overall impression, higher scores were assigned to cheeses of the treatments with exclusive silage or elephant grass. The replacement of 50% sorghum silage or elephant grass by the forage palm did not change the chemical composition of the Minas Frescal cheese, however, it modified the profile of fatty acids and decreased the acceptance and preference of cheese by the consumers.

The purpose of this study was to determine the energy partition of pregnant F1 Holstein x Gyr with average initial body weight (BW) of 515.6 kg and Gyr cows with average initial BW of 435.1 kg at 180, 210 and 240 days of gestation, obtained using respirometry. Twelve animals in two groups (six per genetic group) received a restricted diet equivalent to 1.3 times the net energy for maintenance (NEm). The proportion of gross energy intake (GEI) lost as feces did not differ between the evaluated breeds and corresponded to 28.65% on average. The daily methane production (L/d) was greater for (P0.05). The daily loss of energy as urine (mean of 1.42 Mcal/d) did not differ (P>0.05) between groups and ranged from 3.87 to 5.35% of the GEI. The metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of F1 HxG animals was greater (P < 0.05) at all gestational stages compared to Gyr cows when expressed in Mcal/d. However, when expressed in kcal/kg of metabolic BW (BW0,75), the F1 HxG cows had MEI 11% greater (P0.05), with a mean of 146.66 kcal/kg BW0. 75. The ME used by the conceptus was calculated by deducting the metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) from the MEI, which was obtained in a previous study using the same cows prior to becoming pregnant. The values of NEm obtained in the previous study with similar non-pregnant cows were 92.02 kcal/kg BW0.75 for F1 HxG, and 76.83 kcal/kg BW0.75 for Gyr (P = 0.06). The average ME for pregnancy (MEp) was 5.33 Mcal/d for F1 HxG and 4.46 Mcal/d for Gyr. The metabolizability ratio, averaging 0.60, was similar among the evaluated groups (P>0.05). The ME / Digestible Energy (DE) ratio differed between groups and periods evaluated (P0.05).

Foi conduzido um experimento objetivando-se avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de equinos sob pastejo em pastagens estabelecidas com dois cultivares de Panicum maximum Jacq., cv. BRS Zuri e cv. Mombaça, em condições do semiárido mineiro. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois pastos representando os tratamentos, cada um com quatro repetições. O período experimental teve duração de 45 dias, sendo 17 dias de adaptação e quatro dias para avaliações do comportamento em pastejo de 10 éguas solteiras, realizadas durante 24 horas a cada 10 minutos, com intervalos de sete dias entre elas. Foram aferidos além dos tempos em pastejo diurno, noturno e diário, tempos total em ócio diurno, noturno e diário, a taxa e número de bocados diários, a estrutura morfológica e a composição químico-bromatológica dos pastos. No cv. BRS Zuri constatou-se maiores proteína bruta (11,76%), densidade volumétrica de folhas (208,91 kg/ha.cm MS) e taxa de bocado diário (35,10 bocado/minuto), enquanto que no cv. Mombaça observou-se maiores teores de matéria seca (39,16%), FDN (71,85%) e altura do pasto (61,75 cm). Porém, isso não provocou diferença entre os tempos em pastejo e ócio diurno, noturno e diário, das éguas. Éguas solteiras dispendem o mesmo tempo em pastejo sob temperaturas do ar elevadas independente dos cultivares de Panicum maximum Jacq. embora estas apresentem estruturas morfológicas diferentes.

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de casca de banana seca ao sol na dieta de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu, sobre consumo, digestibilidade e produção de leite. As dietas foram constituídas de 0, 15, 30, 45 e 60% de substituição da silagem de sorgo pela casca de banana. Foram utilizadas 10 vacas e o delineamento experimental foi em 2 quadrados latinos 5 x 5 simultâneos, sendo o período experimental dividido em cinco períodos de 16 dias. O consumo de matéria seca apresentou efeito quadrático com valor máximo no nível de 38,30% de substituição, assim como o consumo de proteína bruta expresso em kg dia-1 e em porcentagem do peso corporal, com valor máximo nos níveis de 50,09 e 45,69% de inclusão da casca, respectivamente. O consumo de fibra em detergente neutro e as digestibilidades da fibra em detergente neutro e da proteína bruta apresentaram efeito linear decrescente. As variações de peso e escore corporal, produção de leite e conversão alimentar não foram influenciados. A substituição de 60% da silagem de sorgo por casca de banana pode ser uma alternativa viável já que não altera produção de vacas com produção média de 16,49 kg de leite com 3,5% de gordura dia-1, reduzindo os custos com a alimentação.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of milk from F1 Holstein/Zebu cows in different lactation periods, when receiving different levels of dietary supply in percentage of body weight. Sixty cows were evaluated, with five levels of dietary supply and three lactation periods. The levels of dietary supply had no effect on the production of milk corrected to 3.5% fat (12.25 kg per day). There was also no effect of dietary supply levels, in the different lactation periods, on contents of fat (3.34%), protein (3.41%), lactose (4.60%), total solids (12.0%), defatted dry extract (8.80%), and urinary nitrogen (14.5 mg dL-1), nor on somatic cell count (89.98 mL-1). As the dietary supply level was reduced, the sum of saturated fatty acids in milk was decreased in up to 9.15% and that of monounsaturated fatty acids was increased in up to 25.28%. Feed restriction does not alter the chemical composition of milk, but improves its quality of fat by reducing saturated fatty acid content, increasing the concentration of monounsaturated and desirable fatty acids in up to 54%, and increasing the hypo- and hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio in up to 168.97%.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of quantitative feed restriction level on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, efficiency and feeding behavior, and productive performance of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows in late lactation. Sixty F1 Holstein × Zebu cows were used at the stage of late lactation (183.0±17.5 days of lactation) and with initial body weight (BW) of 499±30 kg. The experimental arrangement adopted was the completely randomized design, with five feed restriction levels (3.39, 2.75, 2.50, 2.25, and 2.00% of BW) and twelve cows as replicates for each treatment. The roughage:concentrate ratio was of 75:25 in the total dry matter of the diet. The restriction of dietary supply from 3.39 to 2.0% of BW linearly reduced dry matter intake by 51.74%. The restriction in diet supply linearly increased dry matter digestibility in 13.76%. For each 1% BW restriction in the diet supply for the animals, there was a linear reduction of 3 h in feeding time. Restriction in diet supply of crossbred cows from 3.39 to 2.0% of BW reduced milk production by 24.84%. For each 1% restriction on supply, 2.17 L of milk were not produced. Milk production corrected to 3.5% fat was not altered with the feed restriction. Final BW decreased 41 kg for each percentage unit of diet restriction. Feed efficiency increased 28.72% with feed restriction. For F1 Holstein × Zebu cows in the late lactation, the restriction of dietary supply up to 2.0% of body weight decreases nutrient intake, nitrogen balance, rumination time, and milk production; however, it improves nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency of the animals.

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da palma forrageira em associação a diferentes volumosos, na dieta de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu, sobre a qualidade do queijo Minas Frescal. No delineamento experimental foram utilizados dois quadrados latinos 4 x 4, simultâneos. Os tratamentos foram assim definidos: silagem de sorgo como única fonte volumosa; substituição de 50% da silagem de sorgo por palma forrageira; capim-elefante como única fonte volumosa; substituição de 50% do capim-elefante pela palma forrageira. As amostras de leite de cada vaca foram analisadas quanto à composição química e o leite foi pasteurizado para fabricação do queijo, sendo avaliados rendimentos bruto e ajustado, textura, características químicas e sensoriais e perfil de ácidos graxos. A composição química do queijo não foi influenciada pelas dietas, assim como os somatórios de ácidos graxos saturados, monoinsaturados e poli-insaturados. Entretanto, menor teor do ácido esteárico foi observado no queijo proveniente do leite das vacas alimentadas com capim com palma e menor valor de ácido linoleico conjugado para dieta com apenas silagem. No teste de ordenação de preferência pelos consumidores, o queijo mais preferido foi o da dieta com silagem de sorgo e o menos preferido o da dieta com silagem de sorgo/palma. Na impressão global, maiores notas foram dadas para os queijos dos tratamentos com silagem e capim-elefante exclusivos. A substituição de 50% da silagem de sorgo ou capim-elefante pela palma forrageira não alterou composição química do queijo Minas Frescal, entretanto, modificou o perfil de ácidos graxos e diminuiu aceitação e preferência dos queijos pelos consumidores.

We evaluated the feeding behavior of F1 Holstein x Zebu lactating cows at 80 ± 12 days of lactation and average production of 20 ± 0.42 kg of milk / day, fed different sources of nitrogen compounds: soybean meal, sunflower meal, detoxified castor meal, and urea. We used two 4 x 4 Latin squares, consisting of four animals, four diets, and four experimental periods. The feeding behavior was obtained by visual evaluation to set the time spent eating, ruminating, idling and to assess ruminating chews and chewing time for ruminal boluses. There was no difference regarding the times spent in feeding (P = 0.1384), rumination (0.5964), idleness (P = 0.6314), number of periods in feeding (P = 0.5995), rumination (P = 0.4575), and idleness (P = 0.4251), duration of periods in feeding (P = 0.2711), rumination (P = 0.8699) and idling (P = 0.4025), depending on the used diet. There was no difference in milk production (P = 0.2755) of the cows among the experimental diets. The addition of sunflower meal to the diet, regarding the use of urea, results in lower consumption of NDF in minutes / kg (P = 0.0399) and, thus, a lesser feed efficiency of dry matter (P = 0.0069). Therefore, some feeding behavior characteristics of F1 Holstein x Zebu lactating cows can be changed by using different nitrogen sources; however, without harming the average production of 20 kg of milk corrected to 3.5% fat / day. Keywords: feeding; fiber; milk yield; protein sources; rumination.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito do ambiente climático sobre as respostas fisiológicas, alterações no pelame e produção de leite de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu, de diferentes bases maternas em duas estações do ano distintas. O trabalho foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, no município de Felixlândia, Minas Gerais. Foram avaliadas 50 vacas em lactação em duas épocas do ano (outono e primavera), com período de avaliação de 21 dias, com 25 animais avaliados em cada época, pertencentes a 5 grupos genéticos, sendo cada grupo composto por 5 animais. Foram feitas medições diárias da temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, com o uso de dataloggers de leitura contínua, em intervalos de 10 minutos. Foram mensurados com auxílio de estetoscópio, termômetro clínico digital e termômetro de infravermelho digital portátil os seguintes parâmetros fisiológicos: frequência respiratória e cardíaca, temperatura de superfície corporal e temperatura retal. As medições foram realizadas antes e após as ordenhas pela manhã e à tarde, diariamente, no outono e na primavera. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 2 (5 grupos genéticos e 2 épocas do ano). As variáveis foram submetidas à análise de variância e, quando significativas pelo teste F, tiveram as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Não houve variação para a maioria dos parâmetros fisiológicos estudados, entre os grupos genéticos, sendo estes mais elevados na época da primavera e no horário da tarde (média de 33,2 movimentos respiratórios por minuto, 79,4 batimentos cardíacos por minuto, temperatura de superfície corporal de 33,7 °C e temperatura retal de 38,7 °C). As variáveis ambientais nas duas estações do ano não promoveram alterações nas respostas produtivas dos animais (temperatura do ar máxima de 40,1 °C e 44,8 °C e índice de temperatura de globo negro e umidade máximo de 95,4 e 96,0 no outono e primavera, respectivamente), indicando a adaptação e resistência dos animais F1 Holandês x Zebu.

The aim of this study was to determine the energy metabolism and partition of lactating Gyr and F1 Holstein x Gyr (F1 HxG) cows in different planes of nutrition. Six F1 HxG and six Gyr cows with 130 days in milking (DIM) fed corn silage and concentrate were evaluated. The experiment consisted of four periods with different levels of feeding: 1st ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI) and the others with 5, 10 and 20% restricted DMI, related to the first one. An apparent digestibility assay was performed before measurements in the respiration chamber. Total feces were collected for three days. The cows were confined for 24h in the chamber in each period to determine methane and heat production (HP). F1 HxG had higher gross energy intake (GEI), metabolisable energy intake (MEI) and digestible energy intake (DEI). GE lost in feces was higher in F1 HxG (23.7% GEI) than in Gyr (20.5%) cows. Energy lost as methane and urine was similar between the groups. The metabolisability (q) was 0.67, and the efficiency of converting ME to NE (k) was 0.56. There was no difference in the energy requirements for maintenance between breeds (426.6 MJ/kg BW0,75 average value). The energy requirements for lactation were higher in F1 HxG animals due to the higher volume of milk produced, since there was no difference in energy requirements for production of one kg of milk.

We evaluated the physicochemical composition and fatty acid profile of milk from F1 Holstein × Zebu cows that were fed increasing levels of urea (0%, 33%, 66% and 100%, corresponding to 0%, 0.92%, 1.84% and 2.77% CP as NPN) as a substitute for soybean meal. Eight lactating F1 Holstein × Zebu cows producing an average of 10 kg of milk per day corrected to 3.5% fat, were placed in two 4 × 4 Latin squares (4 animals, 4 diets and 4 periods). Each experimental period lasted 18 days. Milk samples from each cow were collected from morning and afternoon milkings and analyzed for composition and fatty acid concentration. Milk urea nitrogen increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary urea. Other variables including fat content, protein, fixed mineral residues, lactose, total nonfat solids, acidity, density, casein, cryoscopic index, somatic cell count, and milk fatty acid concentrations, were not affected by treatment. Thus, urea provides a viable alternative to soybean meal that does not affect the characteristics of milk from primiparous F1 Holstein × Zebu cows, producing up to 10 kg of milk corrected to 3.5% fat day-1.

Analyzed, by means of simulation, the effect of payment for milk quality on the profitability of dairy farming a system of milk production with F1 Holstein x Gir cows. During the rainy season, in the summer season, cows were kept on pastures and, during the dry season, were confined with use of cane sugar in natura enriched with urea and ammonium sulfate. The zootechnical reference was composed of herd of F1 Holstein x Gir cows of the Experimental Farm Felixlândia (FEFX) of the Agricultural Research Corporation of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), located in the municipality of Felixlândia-MG, central region of the state. The inventory and expenditure, revenue and other data were registered on COST BOVINE MILK 1.0 software, to obtain profitability analysis. The use of zootechnical practices which enable improvements in the quality of milk provides a differential remuneration, arising from subsidies; increases the economic-financial results and improves the profitability of milk production system analyzed.

The effect of age at acquisition of replacement females on the profitability of a milk production system was evaluated by simulation analysis using F1 Holstein x Gyr cows, from May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012. The cows were kept on pasture during the rainy season (summer) and in feedlots during the dry season using fresh sugar cane enriched with urea and ammonium sulfate. The zootechnical reference was the herd of the Felixlândia Experimental Farm (FEFX) of the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), municipality of Felixlândia, Minas Gerais. For analysis of profitability, the inventory as well as costs, revenues and other data were registered using the Custo Bovino Leite 1.0 software. This software includes methods for total production cost (classical), which comprises fixed, variable and operational costs. The acquisition of the replacement female at 10 or 30 months of age is profitable for the milk production system analyzed. As a market alternative, the acquisition of the replacement female at 10 months of age was the worst option due to the high cost of acquisition and the need to acquire a larger number of females because of the high mortality rate.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate yield, fatty acid profile, physical, chemical and sensory composition of Minas fresh cheese made with milk from cows fed diets containing different sources of nitrogen compounds (soybean meal, urea, sunflower meal and detoxified castor bean meal). Eight F1 Holstein/Zebu cows with average production of 20 kg milk corrected to 3.5% fat day-1 were distributed in two 4 × 4 Latin squares, consisting of four treatments (diets), four animals and four experimental periods. Cheese was produced on the last day of each experimental period. The physical and chemical composition, yield and texture of cheese were similar between diets. The used diets influenced the concentration of fatty acid C11:0, which was higher for diets with soybean meal and sunflower meal; C18:2 C9-T11 (CLA) was higher for diets with urea, soybean meal and sunflower meal and C20:3 for diets with soybean meal and urea. For the other saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, differences were not detected. Different sources of nitrogen compounds in the diet for cows with average production of 20 kg milk corrected to 3.5% fat day-1 have no effect on the physical or chemical composition, yield, as well as acceptance of Minas fresh cheese. However, it can influence the fatty acid profile in the cheese fat.

Analisou-se, por meio de simulação, o efeito do uso do manejo de quatro ordenhas no início da lactação de vacas mestiças na rentabilidade da atividade leiteira de um sistema de produção de leite. Durante o período chuvoso, na época do verão, as vacas foram mantidas em pastos e, durante o período da seca, foram confinadas com o uso da cana-de-açúcar in natura enriquecida com ureia e sulfato de amônio. A referência zootécnica foi do rebanho composto por vacas F1 Holandês x Gir da Fazenda Experimental de Felixlândia (FEFX) da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), localizada no município de Felixlândia–MG, região central do estado. O inventário bem como as despesas, as receitas e os demais dados foram cadastrados no software CUSTO BOVINO LEITE 1.0, visando obter a análise de rentabilidade. O uso do manejo de quatro ordenhas no início da lactação melhorou a rentabilidade de um sistema de produção de leite com vacas F1 Holandês x Gir

O setor de produção de leite no Brasil, apresenta problemas de qualidade e por isso perde em competitividade. Assim, o Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, publicou em 30 de dezembro de 2011 a Instrução Normativa 62 (IN 62), na qual fixa valores para os parâmetros físico-químicos, Contagem Bacteriana Total (CBT), Contagem Células Somáticas (CCS), além de propor um controle de resíduos inibidores e antibióticos no leite. Em virtude da implantação dessa normativa, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a qualidade do leite cru produzido em propriedades na região do semiárido mineiro bem como o perfil das instalações e dos produtores de leite. Foram coletadas 92 amostras de leite cru e encaminhadas para análise na clínica do leite e no laboratório da indústria. Foram realizadas análises físico-químicas, contagem de células somáticas, contagem bacteriana total e teste de resíduo de antibióticos. Os dados referentes ao perfil dos produtores, às condições sanitárias e à tipologia das edificações foram obtidos por meio de questionários e, posteriormente, foram apresentados em porcentagem. Os valores das propriedades físico-químicas, ao serem submetidos ao teste qui-quadrado, revelaram concordância com a legislação vigente. Os parâmetros CCS, CBT e índice crioscópico apresentaram valores acima dos permitidos pela legislação. A falta de refrigeração do leite foi o parâmetro que apresentou maior descumprimento com relação à IN 62.

Avaliou-se o comportamento ingestivo de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu com 80 ± 12 dias de lactação e produção média de 20 ± 0,42 kg de leite/dia, alimentadas com diferentes fontes de compostos nitrogenados: farelos de soja, de girassol, de mamona desintoxicados e ureia. Utilizaram-se dois quadrados latinos 4 x 4, compostos de quatro animais e quatro dietas, com quatro períodos experimentais. O comportamento ingestivo foi obtido por avaliação visual para definir o tempo despendido em alimentação, ruminação, ócio e para avaliar mastigações merícicas e tempo de mastigação por bolo ruminal. Não houve diferença no tempo em alimentação (P = 0,1384), ruminação (P = 0,5964), ócio (P = 0,6314), número de períodos de alimentação (P = 0,5995), de ruminação (P = 0,4575) e de ócio (P = 0,4151), duração dos períodos de alimentação (P = 0,2711), ruminação (P = 0,8699) e ócio (P = 0,4025), em função da dieta utilizada. Não houve diferença na produção de leite (P = 0.2755) das vacas entre as dietas experimentais. A adição do farelo de girassol à dieta, em relação à utilização de ureia, resulta em menor consumo de FDN em minutos/kg (P = 0,0399) e consequentemente menor eficiência de alimentação da matéria seca (P = 0,0069), comparado ao tratamento com ureia. Assim, algumas características do comportamento ingestivo de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu em lactação podem ser alteradas pelo uso de diferentes fontes nitrogenadas; entretanto, sem prejudicar a produção média de 20 kg de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura/dia. Palavras-chaves: alimentação; fibra; fontes protéicas; produção de leite; ruminação

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características de carcaça e da carne de novilhas ¾ Zebu x Holandês submetidas a dieta com substituição da silagem de sorgo por silagem de capim-marandu. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos consistiram da substituição da fração volumosa da dieta de 100, 70 e 30% de silagem de sorgo por, respectivamente, 100, 70 e 30% de silagem de capim-marandu. Foi adicionado concentrado na proporção de 1,2% de peso corporal, e as dietas foram isoproteicas. A substituição da silagem de sorgo pela silagem de capim-marandu aumentou a perda de água por cozimento até o ponto máximo de 49,98% de substituição, elevou a força de cisalhamento e a capacidade de retenção de água da carne, mas não influenciou os pesos e os rendimentos das carcaças, os percentuais de cortes, as medidas de carcaça, a área de olho de lombo, o pH das carcaças, a espessura de gordura e as características de cor de músculo e gordura. A substituição da silagem de sorgo por silagem de capim-marandu diminui o ganho de peso de corpo vazio e reduz a maciez da carne de novilhas ¾ Zebu x Holandês, mas não afeta as características quantitativas da carcaça.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of genetic group and environmental factors, including farm of origin, season of calving and lactation number, on the individual lactation curves of 1,010 Holstein-Gyr, Guzerat-Holstein, Holstein-Nellore, and Holstein-Zebu F1 cows on the experimental farms of the Agricultural Research Company in Minas Gerais (Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, EPAMIG). Least squares analysis and the incomplete gamma function were used to investigate differences in early milk yield, peak milk yield, time from onset to the lactation peak, persistency, total milk yield and lactation duration. The highest early yields were observed for Holstein-Gyr and Holstein-Zebu, and the lowest were observed for Holstein-Nellore cows. Early yield increased with lactation number, and the lactations that began in the late rainy and early dry seasons had the highest early yield. The time between lactation onset and the lactation peak was longer for primiparous Holstein-Gyr and Holstein-Guzerat cows. The lowest yields at the lactation peak were observed for the first lactation number. The highest values of persistency were observed for the first lactation number in Holstein-Guzerat cows. Total production from Holstein-Gyr and Holstein-Zebu cows were higher by approximately 14% and 29% compared with Holstein-Guzerat and Holstein-Nellore cows, respectively. The highest total yields were observed in lactations beginning in the dry season. Total yield increased with lactation number. The shortest lactation periods were observed in lactations beginning late in the rainy season. The incomplete gamma function was used to fit the individual curves from the genetic groups evaluated. The total yield differences were linked to early yields and yields at the peak of lactation.

The present study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the productive and qualitative characteristics of forages produced in systems of intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and different leguminous plants. Productivity, bromatological composition and the fermentative profile of the silages from the following treatments were evaluated: corn in exclusive cultivation (CEC); intercropping of corn with brachiaria grass (CB); intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and Calopogonium mucunoides (CBCal); intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and Macrotyloma axillare (CBMac); and intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and Stylozanthes capitata (CBSty). The experimental design utilized was completely randomized. For each type of cultivation, five plots or replications of three linear meters were harvested, and the material was separated. The variables assessed were: dry matter productivity per area; dry matter productivity of corn per area; crude protein production per area and productivity of total digestible nutrients per area. The material originated from the cultures was ensiled, with dry matter between 28 and 32%. After, the material was placed and compacted appropriately in bucket silos. A sample was collected from each replication for determination of the contents of DM, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), lignin, neutral and acid detergent fibers (NDF and ADF) and TDN. A fraction of the sample of silages from each treatment was compressed for extraction of the juice and determination of the silage quality. There was difference between the forms of cultivation for the dry matter production per hectare. The CEC with production of 11920.1 kg DM/ha did not differ from CB (8997.41 kg DM/ha) or CBCal (10452.10 kg DM/ha); however, it was superior to CBMac (8429.75 kg DM/ha) and to CBSty (8164.83 kg DM/ha). The contents of DM, CP, NDF, ADF, lignin and TDN did not differ between the silages from the different treatments. All the silages presented good quality with good fermentation patterns.

An experiment was carried out to assess rates and nitrogen fertilization strategies on the forage yield using irrigation to supply the water deficit during the dry season. The grasses Cynodon spp cv. tifton 85 and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés were cultivated with nitrogen (N) at levels of 200 and 400 kg/ha according to strategies: 1) half dose applied during the rainy season (RS) and half during the dry season (DS); 2) 1/3 during the RS and 2/3 during the DS; 3) 2/3 during the RS and 1/3 during the DS; 4) all doses applied during the DS. In each season the dose was divided in three applications. Eleven harvests were conducted: six in the RS and five in the DS. When 2/3 of N was applied in the DS, forage yield in this period was statistically equivalent to those obtained in the RS in three of the five harvests for both 200 and 400 kg/ha of N. With 100% of N applied in the DS, the yield of four of five cuts of forage was similar to that obtained in the RS for both rates of N. The strategy of applying more N in the DS rather than in the RS was effective, keeping the yield steadily throughout the year. The application of 100% of the dose of 200 kg/ha N and 2/3 of the dose of 400 kg/ha N both in the dry period, under irrigation, promote uniform productions per harvest throughout the year.

The objective of this study was to evaluate intake, digestibility and nitrogen (N) compounds use efficiency in F1 Holstein × Zebu grazing cows. Eighteen crossbred cows (six Holstein × Gir, six Holstein × Guzerat, and six Holstein × Nellore) were used in the experiment, constituting three experimental treatments in simple random samples, under the same feeding conditions. At the estimation of individual intake at grazing, titanium dioxide was used for estimating fecal excretion and indigestible neutral detergent fiber, in order to determine pasture intake. There was effect of the lactation period on nutrient intake, except for the intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) in % of body weight (BW), as well as those of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), in kg. The digestibility coefficients of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) and the contents of TDN varied in function of the lactation period, whereas the coefficients of digestibility of DM, ether extract (EE) and OM did not present such effect. The total milk production projected at 305 days of lactation for Holstein × Gir cows was superior in relation to Holstein × Guzerat and Holstein × Nellore cows. The excretion of urea into urine and of urea N into the milk and the plasma presented quadratic behavior in function of the lactation period. The utilization of the genetic group from Holstein × Zebu grazing cows does not cause alterations in intake, nutrient digestibility or nitrogen use efficiency; however, there is variation in function of the lactation period. Holstein × Gir cows presented greater accumulated production during lactation and persistence, followed by Holstein × Guzerat and Holstein × Nellore cows.

The present study aimed to estimate the basal temperature and thermal sum for the following tropical forage plants: Brachiaria decumbens, cultivar Basilisk; Brachiaria brizantha, cultivar Marandu; Brachiaria brizantha, cultivar Xaraes; Panicum maximum, cultivar Mombaça; Panicum maximum, cultivar Tanzania; and Cynodon spp, cultivar Tifton 85, in ten cutting seasons, under irrigation. The climatic data were collected in an automatic weather ministration installed in the experimental area and used for irrigation management. The relative development or regression equation method was used to calculate the basal temperature. The estimated basal temperature values were 15.4; 10.5; 14.2; 13.4; 12.4 and 15.1 ºC and the demands were of 2,088.1; 3,542.5; 2,486.5; 2,838.5; 2,701.7 and 2,134.5 degree days for cultivars Basilisk, Marandu, Mombaça, Tanzania, Xaraes and Tifton 85, respectively. The relative development method revealed linearity between plant development and room temperature. Basal temperature can help elaborate climatic zoning for forage species in Brazil and allow the selection of the best suited species for each region in Brazil.

The present study aimed to estimate the photosynthetically active radiation of tropical forage grasses in ten cutting dates, under irrigation. The following treatments were used: Brachiaria decumbens grass (Brachiaria decumbens cultivar Basilisk), Marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu), Xaraes grass (Brachiaria brizantha, cultivar Xaraes), Mombaça grass (Panicum maximum cultivar Mombaça), Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum, cultivar Tanzania) and Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon spp cultivar Tifton 85). The weather parameters were collected by an automatic meteorological station installed in the location and used for irrigation management. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot completely randomized block design, considering the grasses as plots and cutting seasons as subplots, with four replications in a 6 × 10 factorial arrangement, six grasses and ten cutting seasons. The results indicated increased use of photosynthetically active radiation in the wet season, in relation to the dry-wet season transition. Basilisk presented the highest values of photosynthetically active radiation (1,648.9 mE). The variables studied were affected by photosynthetically active radiation. The grass cultivars presented different light interceptions. The values of 87; 90; 90; 88; 92 and 77% were found for grass cultivars Basilisk, Marandu, Mombaça, Tanzania, Xaraes and Tifton 85, respectively. Differences were observed in forage accumulation rates for the grass plants studied. The grasses with the best productive performance were Brachiaria decumbens cultivar Basilisk and B. brizantha cultivar Xaraes. The highest values of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were observed for Tifton 85. The use of photosynthetically active radiation was different among the grasses evaluated. There is a positive association between photosynthetically active radiation and dry matter production. Besides, photosynthetically active radiation indirectly affects crude protein and forage neutral detergent fiber.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a disponibilidade de forragem, a composição morfológica e química do pasto, a capacidade de suporte do pasto e a produção de leite de vacas em três gramíneas forrageiras sob lotação contínua e taxa variável em solo de várzea. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos e três repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se das gramíneas Paspalum atratum cv. Pojuca, Brachiaria humidicola cv. Llanero e capim-tangola, híbrido natural de Brachiaria arrecta e Brachiaria mutica. A taxa de lotação foi ajustada para manter a forragem disponível entre 2.000 e 3.000 kg de massa seca por hectare. O período avaliado foi de novembro de 2003 a maio 2004. Não houve diferença significativa entre as espécies quanto à disponibilidade de massa seca de forragem verde, com valor médio de 2.902 kg/ha. O capim-pojuca apresentou 62% de lâminas foliares e 38% de colmo + bainha na massa seca de forragem verde, seguido pelo capim-humidícola com 49 e 51% e o capim-tangola com 18 e 82%, respectivamente. O capim-tangola apresentou teor mais alto de proteína bruta na lâmina foliar (15,41%) que os capins humidícola (9,98%) e pojuca (8,74%) e menores de fibra (FDN e FDA). A produção individual das vacas refletiu o melhor valor alimentício do capim-tangola, cuja média diária (10,27 kg/vaca) foi maior que no capim-pojuca (7,80 kg/vaca) e semelhante ao obtido com capim-humidícola (9,16 kg/vaca). A produção de leite por área não foi afetada pela gramínea forrageira, com média de 27,8 kg/ha × dia-1, uma vez que a taxa de lotação um pouco mais alta no capim-pojuca, apesar de não apresentar diferença significativa, compensou a menor produção individual das vacas.The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage availability, pasture morphological and chemical composition, pasture carrying capacity and the milk production of cows on three forage grasses under continues stocking and the variable rate on lowland soil. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments and three replicates. The treatments were the Paspalum atratum cv Pojuca grass, Brachiaria humidicola cv Llanero grass and tangola grass (natural hybrid of Brachiaria arrecta and Brachiaria mutica). The stocking rate was adjusted to maintain the forage available between 2.000 and 3.000 kg dry matter per hectare. The period evaluated was from November 2003 to May 2004. There was no significant difference between the species when the dry matter availability of green forage was evaluated, with mean value of 2.902 kg/ha. The pojuca grass had 62% of leaf blade and 38% of stem + sheath in green forage dry mass, followed by humidícola grass with 49 and 51% and tangola grass with 18 and 22%, respectively. The tangola grass showed higher level of crude protein on the leaf blade (15.41%) than humidícola (9.98%) and pojuca (8.74%) grasses and lower levels of fiber (NDF and ADF). The individual production of cows was affected by the better nutritional value of the tangola grass. The average daily production of this grass was higher (10.27 kg/cow) than the pojuca grass (7.8 kg/cow) and had similar value to humidícola grass (9.16 kg/cow). The milk production per area, with had mean of 27.8 kg/ha × day-1, was not affected by the forage grasses because the more high stocking rate of pojuca grass, although not significant, compensated the lower individual production.

Modelaram-se curvas de lactação a partir de 1.340 lactações de vacas F1 dos grupos Holandês-Gir, Holandês-Guzerá, Holandês-Nelore e Holandês-azebuado com controles leiteiros realizados a cada 14 dias, provenientes de duas fazendas. O manejo nutricional era à base de pastagens no verão e silagem de milho e cana-de-açúcar com ureia no inverno, e ração concentrada na ordenha, de acordo com a produção. A função Gamma Incompleta foi utilizada para estimação dos parâmetros das curvas, da produção no pico da lactação, do tempo entre o início da lactação e o pico, da persistência e da produção total de leite. Dentro de cada grupo genético, curvas foram modeladas para as várias ordens de lactação. Coeficientes de determinação ajustados foram superiores a 90% para a maioria das curvas, logo a função Gamma Incompleta modelou adequadamente curvas de lactação de vacas F1 Holandês-Zebu. As curvas apresentaram produção inicial seguida de fase ascendente até o pico de lactação e fase descendente posterior ao pico. Para a quinta ou mais ordens do grupo Holandês-Nelore, a curva foi linear e descendente a partir do início. Para todos os grupos genéticos, foram evidentes as diferenças entre as curvas da primeira ordem e as demais. As diferenças entre produção inicial e produção no pico da lactação não foram expressivas, com média, para todas as ordens de lactação, de 2,3 kg para o grupo Holandês-Gir; 2,6 kg para o Holandês-Guzerá; 1,2 kg para o Holandês-Nelore e 3,5 kg para o Holandês-azebuado, mostrando pico de lactação discreto. A média entre o início da lactação e o pico foi de 23,3 dias, variando entre 15,8 dias para o grupo Holandês-Nelore até 32,6 dias para o Holandês-azebuado. A persistência da lactação tendeu a diminuir e as produções inicial, no pico e total aumentaram com a ordem de lactação. Em geral, vacas Holandês-azebuadas apresentam maior produção total e persistência em comparação às demais.Lactation curves were fitted from 1,340 lactations of F1 Holstein-Gyr, Holstein-Guzerat, Holstein-Nellore and Holstein-Undefined Zebu crossbred cows from two farms with milk controls carried out every 14 days. Nutritional management was based on pastures in the summer, and corn silage and sugar cane with urea during winter and concentrated rations in the milking, according to the production. Incomplet Gamma function was used for estimating parameters of curves, production during lactation peak and of the time from the beginning of lactation to the peak, of persistence and total milk production. Within each genetic group, curves were adjusted for the several lactation orders. Adjusted coefficients of determination were higher than 90% for most of the curves; therefore Incomplete Gamma function adequately fitted lactation curves of F1 Holstein-Zebu cows. Curves showed initial production followed by upward phase until lactation peak and downward phase subsequent to the peak. For fifth or higher orders of Holstein-Nellore, the curve was linear and downward from the beginning. The differences among curves of the first order and others were evident for all genetic groups. Differences among initial production and production during lactation peak were not expressive, with the following means for all lactation orders: mean 2.3 kg for Holstein-Gir; 2.6 kg for Holstein-Guzerat; 1.2 kg for Holstein-Nellore and 3.5 kg for Holstein-Undefined Zebu, showing a discreet lactation peak. The mean from the beginning of lactation to the peak was 23.3 days ranging from 15.8 for Holstein-Nellore group to 32.6 days for Holstein-Undefinied Zebu. Persistence of lactation tended to decrease and initial productions, during the peak and total production increased according to lactation order. In general, Holstein-Undefinied Zebu cows show higher total production and persistence compared to the others.

Objetivou-se avaliar a composição físico-química e o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de vacas F1 Holandês × Zebu alimentadas com teores crescentes de ureia (0; 33%; 66% e 100%, que corresponderam a 0, 0,92, 1,84 e 2,77% de PB na forma de NNP), em substituição ao farelo de soja. Foram utilizadas oito vacas F1 Holandês × Zebu com produção média de 10 kg de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura dia-1, em duplo quadrados latinos 4 × 4 (4 animais, 4 dietas e 4 períodos). Os períodos tiveram dezoito dias. As amostras de leite de cada vaca, da ordenha da manhã e da tarde, foram coletadas e analisadas quanto à composição e a concentração de ácidos graxos. O nitrogênio uréico no leite aumentou linearmente (P

Verificou-se a influência do número de ordenhas diárias sobre a produção de leite, a duração da lactação, a incidência de mastite e o desempenho dos bezerros. Foram utilizadas 63 vacas primíparas e multíparas mestiças (Holandês-Zebu) com boa condição corporal ao parto, distribuídas ao acaso, por meio de sorteio, em três grupos experimentais com número igual de repetições, representadas pelo número de ordenhas diárias: vacas ordenhadas uma vez por dia; vacas ordenhadas duas vezes ao dia; vacas ordenhadas alternadamente a cada 14 dias, uma ou duas vezes ao dia. A saúde da glândula mamária não foi influenciada pela diminuição do número de ordenhas diárias. Não houve efeito do número de ordenhas sobre o desempenho dos bezerros, mesmo daqueles submetidos a uma mamada diária. A duração da lactação não foi influenciada pela adoção de duas ordenhas diárias. A adoção da segunda ordenha diária aumentou em 24,54% a produção de leite de vacas com potencial produtivo para 2.500 a 2.800 L por lactação.This trial was conducted to study the effects of daily milking frequency on milk yield, duration of lactation, incidence of mastitis, and calves body weight gain. Sixty-three crossbred Holstein-Zebu cows were equally and randomly assigned to three experimental groups according to the frequency of daily milkings as follows: once a day milking, twice a day milking, or alternating once or twice a day milking every 14 days. The duration of lactation, mammary gland health, and calf production did not differ among treatments in this study. However, cows milked twice a day yielded 24.54% more milk per lactation (699.9 kg) compared to the other milking regimes.

Foram utilizadas 22 vacas da raça Gir (Bos indicus) em anestro pós-parto, amamentando e mantidas sob regime de pastejo. O padrão de crescimento folicular foi estudado em 15 animais, enquanto os outros sete foram utilizados somente no acompanhamento da resposta aos tratamentos hormonais. Ultra-sonografia em tempo real foi realizada diariamente, do quarto ao qüinquagésimo dia de lactação, por meio de aparelho equipado com probe de 5MHz. Nenhum animal apresentou estro, ovulação ou luteinização folicular durante o período de avaliação. Verificaram-se quatro a oito ondas foliculares surgindo em intervalos de seis a sete dias, cujo diâmetro máximo dos folículos dominantes e subordinados foi de 8,9±0,6 e 6,3±0,7mm, respectivamente. Aos 56 dias pós-parto, as 22 vacas foram divididas em dois grupos: 11 tratadas com 4,2 mig de acetato de buserelina e 11 com 3.000UI de hCG. A ovulação, regressão e luteinização folicular foram verificadas em animais dos dois tratamentos e uma nova onda folicular surgiu dentro de dois a três dias após a terapia hormonal. Corpos lúteos de menor tamanho e concentrações de progesterona abaixo de 1ng/mL indicaram baixa atividade luteal.This experiment was carried out with 22 anestrus Gir cows (Bos indicus), with the postpartum follicular growth studied in 15 of these suckling and kept on pasture, while the seven others were used only for hormonal treatments. Daily real time ultrasonography was done from 4th to the 50th day, using B-mode ultrasound scanner equipped with a linear array 5.0MHz probe. No animal showed estrus, ovulation or follicular luteinization during de experimental period. Four to eight follicular waves emerged each six or seven days and maximum diameter of dominant and subordinate follicles were 8.9±0.6mm and 6.3±0.7mm, respectively. On day 56 of postpartum all cows were separated in two groups: 11 cows were treated either with 4.2 mug of buserelin acetate and 11 with 3,000UI of hCG. Ovulation, follicular regression and luteinization were observed in the two treatments animals, and one new follicular wave emerged within two to three days after the hormonal treatments. Small size corpus luteum and progesterone concentrations under 1ng/mL showed lower luteal activity.

A dinâmica folicular e a regressão luteal foram avaliadas em 12 vacas da raça Gir e em sete da raça Nelore tratadas com cloprostenol sódico entre os dias 10 e 12 do ciclo estral. A porcentagem de sincronização foi superior a 92% para as duas raças, e a ovulação do folículo dominante da segunda onda foi verificada em 72,7% da raça Gir e em todas as vacas Nelore. O diâmetro do folículo ovulatório na raça Nelore foi inferior (11,0 ± 0,9 mm) ao da raça Gir (13,0 ± 1,7 mm). O intervalo médio da aplicação do luteolítico ao estro, à ovulação e o momento de ovulação após o início do estro foram de 88,7 e 91,6h, 119 e 113h, 26,5 e 24,3h para as raças Nelore e Gir, respectivamente.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive and biological efficiency of steers and heifers from dairy genetics in a feedlot system in terms of meat production. Twenty-four steers and 24 heifers at 10 monthes of age, (3/4) Zebu × (1/4) Holstein were utilized. They were distributed over four feedlot times, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days with four replications for each sex, and were slaughtered at the end of each period. The productive and biological analyses were performed through comparative slaughter to determine the body composition. Heifers presented with greater intakes (P

O objetivo do experimento foi estudar as concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona em novilhas mestiças, correlacionando-as com as concentrações de metabólitos lipídicos. Utilizaram-se 26 fêmeas divididas em dois tratamentos: T1 = aplicação de 500 mg de sometribove zinco (somatotropina bovina recombinante) no terceiro dia do ciclo estral superovulado e T2 = controle. As coletas de sangue foram feitas durante dois ciclos estrais: normal e superovulado, e as análises de progesterona e dos metabólitos foram realizadas por radioimunoensaio e pelo método enzimático, respectivamente. O período experimental do ciclo estral superovulado foi dividido em três fases: P1 = do estro à inseminação artificial (0 ao 15° dia); P2 = da inseminação artificial até a coleta de embriões (15° ao 21° dia) e P3 = da coleta de embriões até o final do período (21º ao 27° dia). Houve diferença nas concentrações de progesterona entre os animais dos dois tratamentos durante o P1, porém não diferiram nos P2 e P3. As concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona alcançaram valores superiores a 60 ng/mL após a superovulação. Os valores de colesterol total e de HDL foram diferentes entre os dois tratamentos, durante os períodos P2 e P3. Não houve correlações entre as concentrações plasmáticas dos metabólitos lipídicos e de progesterona durante os ciclos estrais estudados.

O objetivo do experimento foi estudar o efeito do pré-tratamento com 500 mg de sometribove (rbST) sobre a resposta superovulatória, o número e a qualidade dos embriões coletados de 26 novilhas mestiças holandês-zebu, divididas em dois tratamentos: T1 = tratadas com rbST (n=13) e T2 = controle (n=13). Foram feitas 13 superovulações entre o mês de setembro e o início de dezembro de 1997 (período 1) e 13 superovulações entre o final do mês dezembro de 1997 e fevereiro de 1998 (período 2), sendo que, para cada período, sete animais receberam 500 mg de rbST (T1) por via subcutânea, no terceiro dia do ciclo estral, e seis animais (T2) não receberam medicação. Os animais foram superovulados com FSH a partir do 10º dia do ciclo estral, e as coletas foram realizadas entre os dias 7 e 8 após a inseminação artificial. A resposta superovulatória, o número total de estruturas, o número de embriões viáveis, de não-viáveis e de ovócitos não foram afetados pelo tratamento com somatotropina bovina. Foram coletadas médias de 15,3 ± 9,5 e 17,4 ± 10,9 estruturas totais, 8,5 ±8,3 e 11,5 ± 10,0 embriões viáveis, 4,6 ± 4,7 e 3,4 ± 1,3 embriões não-viáveis, 2,2 ± 2,8 e 2,8 ± 4,0 ovócitos por coleta dos tratamentos 1 e 2, respectivamente. As mórulas e os blastocistos jovens foram os estádios de desenvolvimento coletados em maior percentagem, entre o sétimo e oitavo dia após a inseminação artificial.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o efeito de dois níveis de concentrado e lipídeo nas dietas sobre as concentrações séricas de testosterona de touros zebu, bem como o comportamento cíclico diurno-noturno do referido hormônio. Dezesseis touros zebu foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos, durante 90 dias de período experimental: T1 (alto concentrado e alto lipídeo), T2 (alto concentrado e baixo lipídeo), T3 (baixo concentrado e alto lipídeo) e T4 (baixo concentrado e baixo lipídeo). As dietas foram formuladas para serem isoprotéicas e a relação volumoso:concentrado foi de 45:55% (T1 e T2) e 80:20% (T3 e T4). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 15 em 15 dias, a intervalos fixos de quatro horas, durante 24 horas, para dosagem sérica de testosterona. O consumo de matéria seca, extrato etéreo e proteína bruta foi maior para animais alimentados com dietas contendo alto nível de concentrado e menor para os animais que receberam dietas com baixo nível de concentrado. Observou-se maior consumo de fibra em detergente neutro e extrato etéreo pelos animais que receberam dietas com baixo nível de concentrado e alto nível de lipídeo, respectivamente. A concentração sérica de testosterona não foi influenciada pelos diferentes níveis de concentrado e lipídeos das dietas, tendo variado de 0,1 a 9,0 ng/mL, com média de 1,24 ng/mL. Houve diferença da concentração sérica de testosterona dos animais em relação aos horários de coleta observados. Os horários de coleta de 16h30 e 00h30h apresentaram maior concentração de testosterona, em relação às 4h30 e 12h30, e não diferiram dos demais horários de coleta, porém não se caracterizaram como picos.

ABSTRACT It was analyzed, by means of simulation, the effect of using four different rougahge alternatives during the dry period on the yield of milk production system using F1 Holstein x Gir cows. The rougahge alternatives were, as follows: 1) use of fresh sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) for three months and corn silage (Zea mays L.) for three months, 2) use of corn silage for six months, 3) use of sorghum silage for six months, and 4) use of fresh sugar cane enriched with urea and ammonium sulfate for six months. The F1 Holstein x Gir herd of the Experimental Farm Felixlândia (FEFX) of the Agricultural Research Corporation of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), located in the municipality of Felixlândia, state of Minas Gerais, central region of the state was used as reference. The inventory expenses, revenue and other data were registered in CUSTO BOVINO LEITE 1.0 software, aiming to generate the results for the profitability analysis. Fresh sugar cane was the rougahge alternative with the best profitability in milk production system with F1 Holstein x Gir cows, even with a smaller volume of milk produced.