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ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an essential oil blend (EO), based on cinnamaldehyde and diallyl disulfide, associated or not with antibiotics on intake and nutrient digestibility, ingestive behavior, rumen fermentation, ruminal microbial synthesis, and blood metabolites of feedlot cattle fed a no-forage diet. The study was carried out as a Latin Square with five treatments consisting of a blend of essential oil (EO), monensin (MON) and virginiamycin (VM), both separately and combined as follows: CON (monensin at 30 mg kg–1 DM), VM (virginiamycin at 25 mg kg–1 DM and monensin at 30 mg kg–1 DM), MEO25 (monensin at 30 mg kg–1 DM and EO at 25 mg kg–1 DM), MEO35 (monensin at 30 mg kg–1 DM and EO at 35 mg kg–1 DM) and EO35 (blend of EO at 35 mg kg–1 DM). There were no effects from additives and their combinations on the intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients or ingestive behavior. Furthermore, treatments did not modify the ruminal pH, nor the concentration of short-chain fatty acids and ammonia, nor the microbial protein synthesis. Blood glucose concentration was higher 4 h after morning feeding for all treatments. There was a significant contrast between the VM and EO for the blood concentration of D-Lactate and L-Lactate. There was no difference between the additives in the concentration of cortisol metabolites in the feces. The blend of essential oil studied, containing cinnamaldehyde and diallyl disulfide, associated or not with antibiotics, does not change the nutritional parameters nor the metabolism of feedlot cattle fed a no-forage diet.

The increase in pineapple production has generated a large amount of waste, which, when incorporated into the soil, can lead to contamination and environmental degradation. In this context, this study highlights the innovative combination of pineapple waste and Leucaena hay, offering benefits for animal nutrition while reducing input costs. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional value of silage from ‘Pérola’ pineapple waste (PS) with different levels of Leucaena hay. A completely randomized design was adopted with six treatments (pre-wilted PS and PS with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% inclusion of Leucaena hay (LH)). The dry matter content of the silage, crude protein, lignin, and pH increased linearly (p < 0.05) as a function of the inclusion of Leucaena hay, while buffering capacity, soluble carbohydrate content, and effluent losses showed an inverse relationship. As LH levels increased, ruminal DM disappearance decreased. Wilting the pineapple plant did not alter the in vitro gas production, in vitro digestibility of organic matter, partition factor (PF), and methane production when compared to the silages added with Leucaena hay. It is recommended to add 20% Leucaena hay in PS silage.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the daily supplementation with a low dosage of a blend of condensed and hydrolysable tannins on the in vitro and in situ digestibility of protein and fibrous feedstuffs. In situ ruminal incubation assays were conducted on seven protein and five roughage feedstuffs with and without tannin supplementation (1 g/kg DM intake). From these same cattle, rumen fluid was collected for in vitro incubations of the same feedstuffs. In vitro assays we evaluated the gas production (GP) up to 24 h and, sequentially, digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD), crude protein (IVCPD), fiber (IVNDFD), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). For in situ assays, the disappearance curves were modeled and then the potentially degradable (), digestion rate (), and undegradable () fractions were estimated. Of all the variables studied, only IVCPD of soybean meal showed effect (P

The Gram-negative, strictly anaerobic bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii was first isolated from the rumen in 1953 and is common in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Its ability to use either lactate or glucose as its major energy sources for growth has been well documented, although it can also ferment amino acids into ammonia and branched-chain fatty acids, which are growth factors for other bacteria. The ruminal abundance of M. elsdenii usually increases in animals fed grain-based diets due to its ability to use lactate (the product of rapid ruminal sugar fermentation), especially at a low ruminal pH (M. elsdenii has been proposed as a potential dietary probiotic to prevent ruminal acidosis in feedlot cattle and high-producing dairy cows. However, this bacterium has also been associated with milk fat depression (MFD) in dairy cows, although proving a causative role has remained elusive. This review summarizes the unique physiology of this intriguing bacterium and its functional role in the ruminal community as well as its role in the health and productivity of the host animal. In addition to its effects in the rumen, the ability of M. elsdenii to produce C2–C7 carboxylic acids—potential precursors for industrial fuel and chemical production—is examined.

Lysolecithin might increase ruminal and intestinal emulsification, leading to increased digestibility, but there is minimum information about which is the most appropriate phase to start supplementation and its impacts on feedlot performance and muscle fatty acid profile. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of phase-feeding of Lysoforte™ eXtend (LYSO). In the first experiment, 1,760 predominantly Bos indicus bullocks (initial body weight of 400 ± 0.561 kg) were allocated in a complete randomized block design. LYSO was supplemented at 1 g/1% of ether extract from the diet. Treatments were no LYSO supplementation (NON); LYSO starting during the growing period and continuing during the finishing period; LYSO starting during the finishing period (FIN); and LYSO during adaptation, growing, and finishing periods (ALL). In the second experiment, the same treatments were evaluated with 96 bullocks (64 Nellore and 32½ Nellore × ½ Angus) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (treatments × genotype). For both studies, intake and average daily gain were accessed; carcass characteristics were evaluated in the first experiment, while digestibility of nutrients and profile of muscle fatty acids were measured in the second experiment. In the first experiment, LYSO increased final body weight (P < 0.022) and average daily gain (GRO and FIN; P < 0.05). In the second study, a treatment × breed × feeding phase interaction was observed with Nellore having a greater average daily gain (P < 0.05) than crossbreds in every feeding phase that LYSO was introduced to the diet. A treatment × feeding phase interaction was observed for digestibility, such that LYSO increased total dry matter (P = 0.004), crude protein (P = 0.043), and NDF (P = 0.001) digestibility during the finishing period. A treatment × breed × day classification was observed (P < 0.05). During the finishing phase, crossbreds treated with LYSO had greater DMI (P < 0.05) on very hot days than NON. Also, animals treated with LYSO presented a greater C18:3 n3 concentration (P = 0.047) in the longissimus. Overall, feeding LYSO during GRO and FIN enhanced feedlot performance and should lead to higher intakes during very hot days of the finishing feeding period.

ABSTRACT Two studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of levels of soybean meal produced from damaged soybean grains replacing normal soybean meal on in vitro and in situ digestibility of ruminant diets as well as on intake, digestibility, and animal performance of growing/finishing lambs. In trial 1, we evaluated the in vitro digestibility of each soybean meals (normal and damaged), as well as diets containing levels of the damaged replacing the normal (0, 333, 667 and 1,000 g.kg−1) soybean meal on kinetic parameters of in vitro cumulative gas production, in vitro dry matter and crude protein digestibility, in situ rumen-degradable protein, rumen-undegradable protein, and in vitro intestinal digestibility of rumen-undegradable protein. In trial 2, we used 48 growing/finishing lambs to evaluate the effects of damaged soybean meal levels (0, 333, 667, and 1,000 g.kg−1) replacing normal soybean meal in feedlot diets (20:80 roughage:concentrate ratio) on intake and digestibility of nutrients and on animal performance. The damaged soybean meal presented lower values for total gas production and in vitro dry matter digestibility than normal soybean meal. Higher rumen-undegradable protein was estimated for damaged soybean meal than for the normal and consequently lower rumen-degradable protein for damaged compared to normal. Because of the lower rumen-degradable protein, damaged soybean meal promoted lower in vitro ammonium nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations than the normal in feedlot diets. In the in vivo trial, there were no effects of damaged soybean meal levels in the diets on intake and digestibility of nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and fiber) as well as on total weight gain, average daily gain, carcass yield, or feeding efficiency. Thus, damaged soybean meal can fully replace the normal one in lamb feedlot diets (in up to of 1,000 g.kg−1 of the normal soybean meal) without causing adverse effects on intake and digestibility of nutrients and on animal performance.

Objetivou-se identificar, com base na composição bromatológica e cinética de degradação, híbridos de sorgo de diferentes propósitos para produção de silagem e para verde picado em primeira e segunda safra, no sul de Rondônia. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. O experimento foi realizado Setor de Produção Vegetal do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Rondônia, Campus Colorado do Oeste, e as análises bromatológicas foram realizadas no Laboratório de Nutrição Animal da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Campus Cuiabá, em primeira e segunda safra, com semeadura nos meses de novembro e março, respectivamente. Os tratamentos consistiram em seis híbridos de sorgo de diferentes aptidões (BRS 308 e BRS 310, graníferos; BRS 655 e BRS 610, forrageiros; BRS 506 e CMSXS 647, sacarinos). As variáveis avaliadas foram a composição bromatológica, a digestibilidade e parâmetros cinéticos. Na primeira safra, observou-se maior digestibilidade (P < 0,0001) para o sorgo sacarino BRS 506. Na segunda safra, evidenciou-se maior digestibilidade (P = 0,0005) em cultivares de sorgo sacarino e no sorgo granífero BRS 308. As cultivares de sorgo sacarino apresentaram maior digestibilidade, com maior proporção de proteína potencialmente digestível, com bom potencial de uso para ensilagem. Considerando o valor nutritivo, todas as cultivares de sorgo tem potencial para a produção de silagem e para verde picado em primeira e segunda safra.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito de diferentes quantidades de amostras incubadas sobre os parâmetros cinéticos de fermentação in vitro de alimentos concentrados e volumosos disponíveis para alimentação de ruminantes. O preparo das amostras foi realizado utilizando 200, 300, 400 e 500 mg de amostra seca ao ar, moída a 1 mm, alocadas em frascos de vidro com capacidade de 120 mL, e adicionados inóculo e solução McDougal, seguidos das leituras, por meio de um transdutor de pressão semi-automatizado, até 96 horas após o inicio das incubações. A produção de gases da fração não-fibrosa apresentou comportamento linear crescente (P < 0,05) para a cana-de-açúcar, silagem de capim marandu, silagem de milho, grão seco da destilaria do milho, resíduo de cervejaria desidratado, resíduo de feijão, resíduo úmido de cervejaria, torta de girassol e farelo de pinhão manso, quadrático (P < 0,05) para silagem de capim napier e torta de algodão, e cúbico (P < 0,05) para farelo de mamona e farelo de soja. A taxa de degradação da fração não-fibrosa apresentou redução linear (P < 0,05) para a cana-de-açúcar, silagem de capim napier e farelo de mamona, quadrático (P < 0,05) para a silagem de capim marandu, e cúbico (P < 0,05) para a silagem de milho, farelo de soja, grão seco da destilaria do milho, resíduo de feijão e torta de algodão. A produção de gases da fração fibrosa apresentou comportamento linear crescente (P < 0,05) para a silagem de capim napier, silagem de capim marandu, silagem de milho, grão seco da destilaria do milho, resíduo de feijão, resíduo úmido de cervejaria, torta de algodão e torta de girassol, quadrático (P < 0,05) para farelo de pinhão manso, e cúbico (P < 0,05) para a cana-de-açúcar, farelo de mamona, farelo de soja. A taxa de degradação da fração fibrosa apresentou comportamento linear decrescente (P < 0,05) para a silagem de capim napier, grão seco da destilaria do milho, resíduo de cervejaria desidratado, resíduo úmido de cervejaria, quadrático (P < 0,05) para a silagem de milho, farelo de mamona, e cúbico (P < 0,05) para cana-de-açúcar, silagem de capim marandu e resíduo de feijão. O lag time apresentou redução linear (P < 0,05) para o farelo de mamona e grão seco da destilaria do milho, quadrático (P < 0,05) para a silagem de capim napier, e cúbico (P < 0,05) para cana-de-açúcar, silagem de capim marandu, silagem de milho, farelo de soja, resíduo de feijão, torta de algodão, torta de girassol e farelo de pinhão manso. Os parâmetros cinéticos de fermentação in vitro foram afetados em função da quantidade de amostra incubada.

The effects of increasing doses of three exogenous enzymes preparations with fibrolytic activity (FIB - 0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4 mg mL-1liquid volume incubated), amylolytic activity (AMZ - 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 mg mL-1liquid volume incubated), and proteolytic activity (PRO - 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 mg mL-1 liquid volume incubated ) on gas production (GP), kinetic parameters, and fermentation profile of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu were evaluated using the in vitro gas production technique. Ruminal liquid was obtained from two rumen-cannulated Santa Inês sheep maintained on pasture. Accumulated gas production was measured during 96 hours of incubation, measured at 18 different time points. The determined parameters were pH, asymptotic gas production (mL g-1), rate of gas production (h-1), lag time (h), organic matter digestibility (OMD, g g-1 DM), metabolizable energy (ME, MJ kg-1 DM), and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD, mg g-1 DM). Increasing the FIB dose linearly increased (P < 0.05) the asymptotic gas production. However, the rate of gas production and the lag time showed linear decreases (P < 0.05). Addition of FIB also linearly increased (P < 0.05) the GP at all incubation times, as well as the OMD, NDFD and ME. Addition of AMZ linearly increased (P < 0.05) the asymptotic gas production, but GP linear increased (P < 0.05) only at the 6-hour and 12-hour time points. The rate of gas production and the lag time decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in response to increasing AMZ addition. Inclusion of PRO did not affect (P > 0.05) asymptotic gas production, but there was quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the rate of gas production, the lag time, and the GP at the 6-hour and 12-hour time points. The OMD, NDFD and ME were not affected by PRO addition. Thus, fibrolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes are effective in reducing the lag time and increasing the in vitro gas production from Brachiaria Brizantha cv. Marandu forage, and fibrolytic enzymes improve the in vitro fermentation profile.

This study aimed to evaluate how different irrigation water depths influence the agronomical features of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) cv. Roxo. Grass was cultivated in a pasture belonging to the Bovine Sector of the National Agrotechnical School of Caceres – MT. The experiment was a block design with five treatments and four repetitions. Treatments consisted of five water depths: 0 = 0% of available water (AW), 1 = 21% of AW, 2 = 34% of AW, 3 = 74% of AW, and 5 = 100% of AW. Evaluated features were production (dry matter ha-1), plant height, leaf/steam ratio, and stem diameter. Dry matter production of cuts from May and July increased linearly with increasing water depth (P < 0.05). Plant height increased linearly as water depth increased in the cuts of May and September, while the height of July cuts was 71.76 cm under an irrigation depth of 390.77 mm. In May, July, and September cuts, leaf percentage decreased linearly as water depth increased (P < 0.05). An increase of 1 mm in water depth reduced leaf percentage by 0.0936% (May), 0.0295% (July), and 0.0122% (September). Our results indicate that to improve dry matter production, May, July, and September cuts should be irrigated with water depths of 56.03 mm, 601.78 mm, and 577.65 mm, respectively.

Sorghum stands out among other plants recommended for ensiling due to its forage composition, its resistance to drought, and its planting range. New cultivars of grain and sweet sorghum that can be used for silage production are available, but there is little information regarding their ensiling characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics at the ensiling of different purpose sorghum cultivars, at two crop periods. The trial was carried out at the Plant Production Department of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rondônia, Colorado do Oeste campus, Rondônia, Brazil, and chemical analyses were performed at the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá campus, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The experimental design used was a randomized block, in split-plot design, with four replicates. The plot treatments consisted of six sorghum cultivars grown for different purposes (grain sorghum: BRS 308 and BRS 310; forage sorghum: BR 655 and BRS 610; sweet sorghum: BRS 506 and CMSXS 647). Split-plot treatments consisted of two cropping seasons (first crop and second crop). The grain sorghum cultivar BRS 310 was the only one that had suitable dry matter content for ensiling; however, it was also the only one that did not show ideal water soluble carbohydrate content for ensiling. Nevertheless, all treatments presented pH below than 4.2 and ammonia nitrogen lower than 12% of total N, which indicates that the fermentation inside the silo had proceeded well. For sweet sorghum cultivars, higher ethanol and butyric acid content were observed for the first crop than for the second crop. All evaluated sorghum cultivars can be used for silage production, but the use of sweet sorghum is recommended at the second crop.

This study aimed to evaluate levels of concentrate supplementation (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 kg day?1) for grazing dairy cows kept on Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania pasture during the rainy season on nutrient intake and digestibility and rumen parameters. Four rumen cannulated non-lactating Holstein × Zebu crossbred cows were used in this study by a 4X4 Latin square design, which presented an average initial body weight of 521.69±31.98 kg. Each period lasted 17 days, being the first 10 days were used for animal adaptation and the remaining seven days for data collection. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of supplementation levels on total dry matter intake, although forage dry matter intake has been linearly decreased (P < 0.05). Treatments have no effect (P > 0.05) on the digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, or ether extract. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) on daily rumination time and total rumination times according to supplementation levels. There was no significant effect of supplementation levels (P > 0.05) or time after supplementation on rumen pH. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration responded quadratically (P < 0.05) to times after supplementation, with a maximum estimated concentration of 17.61 mg dL?1 at 3.87 h after supplementation. Increasing supplementation levels for grazing dairy cows reduces forage intake but has no negative effects on total dry matter intake or rumen-fluid pH.

Goal was to evaluate the effect of mineral and/or energy-protein supplementation on intake, behavior, production response, pH, rumen ammonia and production cost of sheep. Twenty female lambs and five rumen-cannulated lambs were used to test supplementation effects on weight gain and nutritional characteristics, respectively. Treatments evaluated were: mineral mixture, supplement with 20 and 25% of crude protein offered at 0.5 and 1.0% of body weight. Supplementation at 1.0% of body weight reduced forage intake. Average daily gain were: -58.33, -1.07, -9.53, 19.27 and 34.73 g day-1 per animal, for mineral mixture, supplements with 20 and 25% of crude protein supplied at 0.5% of body weight and 20 and 25% crude protein provided at 1.0% of body weight, respectively. Rumen pH for all supplements was maintained above 6.20. Values of rumen ammonia nitrogen were 5.10, 9.48, 11.54, 17.51 and 22.45 mg dL-1 for supplements: mineral mixture, 20 and 25% of crude protein provided at 0.5% of body weight and 20 and 25% of crude protein supplied at 1.0% of body weight, respectively. The best economic return was obtained with the supplement 25% of crude protein provided at 1.0% of body weight.

The goal was to evaluate the chemical composition and fermentation pattern of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Roxo) silage with different levels of soybean hulls or rice bran. Two trials were conducted, comprising of a completely randomized design, with four replicates each. Treatments consisted on the addition of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of soybean hulls or rice bran to unwilted green elephant grass forage. Large PVC silos were used adopting a density of 600 kg of green mass m-3. The silos were opened 40 days after ensiling. The results revealed that the inclusion of 10% soybean hulls increased elephant grass forage dry matter (DM) content to 31%, but did not alter the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content or buffering capacity. The resultant silages exhibited good fermentation patterns in terms of pH (less than 3.97) and NH3-N (4.07% total N) levels. The inclusion of rice bran increased both DM and WSC content in the forage, improving the fermentation pattern of silages (P < 0.05). This too was verified by a pH lower than 3.92 and a maximum NH3-N of 4.23% of the total N. The inclusion of 10% rice bran to the elephant grass improved the nutritional value of the forage to be ensiled and, hence, of the produced silage.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of tannins versus Monensin on in vitro ruminal fermentation of a feedlot diet. The treatments were: control (no additives); low tannin (2 mg g DM-1); medium tannin (4 mg g DM-1), high tannin (6 mg g DM-1), and Monensin (0.02 mg g DM-1). The substrate was a feedlot diet composed by hay and concentrate (15:85 w/w; DM basis). Ruminal fluid was obtained from three rumen-cannulated male Santa Inês sheep. In vitro incubations were carried out during four consecutive weeks (run). Gas production (GP) was recorded at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, and 96 h of incubation. At 48 and 96 h, two bottles per treatment were withdrawn to measure pH, ammonia concentration (NH3), volatile fatty acid (VFA), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD). Addition of tannin or Monensin did not affect (P > 0.05) the kinetics parameters. Tannin supplementation reduced (P < 0.05) the GP at 24 h compared to Monensin. Addition of Monensin decreased (P < 0.05) IVDMD at 96 h and IVNDFD at 48 and 96 h compared to the control. The IVNDFD was lower (P < 0.05) with Monensin than with tannin at 48 and 96 h. The NH3 was lower (P < 0.05) with tannin compared with Monensin. By increasing tannin dosage, NH3 levels changed quadratically (P < 0.05). The inclusion of tannin in vitro reduced the NH3 concentration considerably when used in low dose.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cutting age on the production, chemical composition, degradation kinetics and anatomy of Leucena (Leucaena leucocephala). The experimental design was a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement 2x4 (two types of tissues and four cutting ages) for the production data of dry matter and 3x4 (three degrees of degrees of digestion of tissues and four cutting ages). Observed effect (P < 0.05) for the total production of DM of Leucena in function of different ages. The tissue types grain and non-grain showed maximum production at 70 days of age, with production of 2333,00 and 716.60 kg DM ha-1, respectively. The parameters of degradation of DM evaluated decreased significantly with the increase in the maturity of the plant, in the same way the chemical composition presented behavior inherent to the advance of age. The effective degradability DM also decreased with the increase in the rate of passage (2, 5, and 8% h-1). The highest rate of degradation (c) was obtained for 30 days. With the advance in plant maturity increases the proportion of vascular tissue lignificad influencing parameters of ruminal degradation of Leucena. The ages assessed influenced the chemical composition of the Leucena (P < 0.05), where the levels of dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and lignin and ash showed increasing linear behavior. The cutting age of 70 days offers an optimal point regarding the proportion of anatomical tissues correlated with the degradation and chemical composition of the Leucena.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%) of starch or glucose associated with marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) on its kinetic parameters and fiber digestion by the in vitro gas production technique. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and six replications for each energy source. The marandu palisadegrass associated with nonfiber carbohydrate levels was incubated in 120 ml bottles, with McDougall buffer and rumen fluid from two rumen-cannulated sheep. Readings were taken of gas pressure within the bottle, and two vials were removed at 24, 48 and 96 hours (h) to assess residual neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The one-pool logistic model was used to estimate the kinetic parameters for pure forage and forage associated with starch, however it was necessary to use the two-pools model when glucose was added. Each 1% of added starch promoted a linear increase in total gas production of 0.2254 ml and a decrease in lag time of 0.2451 h, but did not affect the digestion rate. Glucose levels had a quadratic effect on digestion rate and lag time, with a minimum estimated value for digestion rate of 0.01689 h-1 at a glucose level of 10.07% and a minimum lag time of zero. Starch levels caused a linear reduction in NDF digestion of 0.296% only at 24 h, while glucose levels linearly reduced the NDF digestion in all evaluated times (0.3269, 0.4171 and 0.2340% at 24, 48 and 96 h, respectively). Glucose levels promoted different effects on the in vitro gas production kinetic parameters of marandu palisadegrass compared to starch supplementation, highlighting the prolonged negative effects on NDF digestion.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the time of cutting on the nutritive value of Piatã silage grass in monocrop and intercropping with sorghum for cutting and grazing. We used a randomized block design with four replications. Treatments were arranged in a split plot design, with systems as plots (Piata grass, sorghum for cutting and grazing, and intercropping), cutting ages as sublots (70, 90, and 110 days after sowing). The minisilos were opened at 46 days to evaluate silage crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrients (TDN), ammonia nitrogen, lignin, and pH. We observed significant interaction between system and age on the variables CP, ADF, NDF, lignin and pH. With the advancement of age, there was a linear reduction in crude protein content of 0.12, 0.08, and 0.16 percentage units for each day after sowing in sorghum silage, sorghum grass and grass + Piata, respectively. There was a linear increase in the pH value of sorghum silage + grass due to the advancement of age of 0.03 units for each day after sowing. In sorghum silage and monocrop grass, the pH did not vary with the cutting age, with values of 4.63 and 5.20, respectively. Sorghum systems showed potential for the production of good quality silage at 70 days of age. Keywords: cutting age; minisilo; silage; tropical grass.

This study aimed to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility by sheep fed diets containing residue from the extraction of tamarind pulp (RETP). We used four sheep with a mean body weight (BW) of 40.38 kg, whose pens were distributed in a Latin square design. The diet treatments contained 0, 5, 10 and 15% of RETP. The variables were subjected to analysis of variance and the differences observed were tested using regression equations at 5% significance. The intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), total carbohydrates (TC), and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC),expressed in g day-1, % BW and g kg0,75-1, were not significantly affected (p>0.05) by the inclusion of RETP. The intake of ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) showed a linear increase (p0.05) when RETP was included in the diet. The inclusion of up to 15% of the residue from the extraction of tamarind pulp changes the intake of ether extract and neutral detergent fiber, and reduced dry matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrates in the sheep’s diet.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and intensity of GreenFeed (GF) use by Nellore steers using different attractants in pastures of integrated systems. The attractant protein supplement and Tifton bermudagrass pelleted hay flavored with vanilla were evaluated over a period of 15 days. The pelleted hay stimulated the animals to stay longer in the equipment (24.23 s), with 8% more visits in intervals longer than 30 s in contrast to protein supplement. This indicates that pelleted hay flavored with vanilla is a potential attractant to encourage Nellore steers to visit GF in grazing systems.

Avaliou-se os efeitos de doses crescentes de três enzimas exógenas: fibrolíticas (FIB), 0; 0,6; 1,2; 1,8 e 2,4 mg mL-1 volume de líquido incubado; amilolíticas (AMZ), 0; 0,05; 0,10; 0,15 e 0,20 mg mL-1 volume de líquido incubado, proteolíticas (PRO), 0; 0,05; 0,10; 0,15 e 0,20 mg mL-1 volume de líquido incubado, sobre a produção de gases (PG), parâmetros cinéticos e perfil da fermentação da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu usando a técnica in vitro de produção de gases. O líquido ruminal foi obtido de dois ovinos Santa Inês canulados no rúmen, mantidos em regime de pastejo. A produção de gases acumulada foi obtida durante 96h00 de incubação, mensurada em 18 tempos. Ao final da incubação foram determinados o pH, produção de gás assintótica (mL g-1), taxa de degradação fracional (h-1), lag time (h), digestibilidade da matéria orgânica (DMO, g/g MS incubada por 24h00), energia metabolizável (EM, MJ kg-1 MS) e a digestibilidade da fibra insolúvel em detergente neutro (DFDN, mg g-1 MS). As doses de FIB aumentaram linearmente (P < 0,05) a produção de gases assintótica. Entretanto, a taxa de degradação fracional e lag time reduziram linearmente (P < 0,05). A adição de FIB também aumentou linearmente (P < 0,05) a PG em todos os tempos de incubação, DMO, DFDN e EM. A inclusão de AMZ aumentou linearmente (P < 0,05) a produção de gases assintótica, e a PG somente nos tempos 6 e 12 horas após a incubação. A taxa de degradação fracional e lag time reduziu linearmente (P < 0,05) com a inclusão de AMZ. A inclusão de PRO não modificou (P > 0,05) a produção de gás assintótica, mas promoveu efeito quadrático (P < 0,05) na taxa de degradação fracional, lag time, e PG nos tempos 6 e 12. No entanto, PRO não afetou DMO, DFDN e EM. As enzimas fibrolíticas, amilolíticas e proteolíticas são efetivas em reduzir o lag time e aumentar a produção de gases in vitro da Brachiaria Brizantha cv. Marandu, e as enzimas fibrolíticas melhoram o perfil da fermentação in vitro.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito de diferentes lâminas de irrigação em capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Roxo) sobre as características agronômicas. O capim foi cultivado em área de capineira da Escola Agrotécnica Federal de Cáceres – MT (EAFC), 16°13’42” latitude sul e 57°40’51” longitude Oeste de Greenwich. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram da aplicação de cinco lâminas de irrigação, lâmina 0: 0% CC (Capacidade de campo), lâmina 1: 21% CC, lâmina 2: 34% CC, lâmina 3: 74% CC, lâmina 4: 100% CC de água disponibilizada. Foram avaliadas a produção de matéria seca (MS), altura da planta (H), porcentagem de lâmina foliar (% LF), relação lâmina foliar:colmo (F:C) e diâmetro do colmo. Nos cortes de maio e julho o aumento da água disponibilizada via irrigação promoveu incremento linear (P < 0,05) na produção de MS, onde cada 1 mm de água promoveu incremento de 60,11 kg MS ha-1 no mês de maio e 7,43 kg MS ha-1 no mês de julho. A (H) aumentou linearmente com o acréscimo de água disponibilizada da irrigação, atingindo a altura máxima de 56,34 cm com a lâmina d`água de 56,03 mm em maio e 63,89 cm com a lâmina d`água de 713,11 mm, enquanto no corte de julho a altura foi de 71,76 cm com a lâmina de irrigação de 390,77 mm. O aumento da quantidade de água disponibilizada promoveu redução linear (P < 0,05) da % LF no capim-elefante nos cortes de maio, julho e setembro, em que cada 1,0 mm de água de irrigação aplicada reduziu a (% LF) em 0,0936; 0,0295 e 0,0122%, respectivamente. Desta forma, do ponto de vista da produção MS ha-1, sugere-se para o corte realizado no mês de maio lamina d`água de 56,03 mm, para o corte efetuado em julho lamina d`água de 601,78 mm já para o corte de realizado em setembro a lâmina d`água sugerida é de 577,65mm.

The objective was to evaluate the substitution levels of protein from soybean meal by high energy cottonseed (CS) meal in multiple supplements for beef cattle grazing in the dry season on the average daily gain (ADG) and economic viability. Twenty Nellore steers with initial body weight of 351.25±35.38 kg and average initial age of 24±0.8 months were used, divided into four paddocks of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu with 1.6 ha each incompletely randomized design with four animals and five supplements to assess the following supplements: 0CS, 25CS and 50CS corresponding to the level of 0,25 and 50% high energy cottonseed meal to replace the meal soybean, provided the amount of 2 kg/animal/day, which were compared to mineral mixture (MM). The supplement 25CS provided higher (P

Objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade da substituição do milho por polpa cítrica peletizada (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100 % da MS de milho) em dietas para cordeiros, com base em variáveis nutricionais. Foram avaliadas as variáveis: consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, e os parâmetros de fermentação ruminal. As dietas foram formuladas para serem isoproteicas, com relação volumoso:concentrado de 60:40. Foram utilizados cinco borregos mestiços com peso inicial médio de 26,1±1,8 kg distribuídos segundo um delineamento em quadrado latino 5 x 5. Para a determinação da digestibilidade dos nutrientes foi realizada a coleta de amostras de alimentos oferecidos e sobras e coleta total de fezes. Os nutrientes avaliados foram matéria seca, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, cinzas, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e lignina. Foram determinadas as frações nitrogenadas e de carboidratos, e os parâmetros de fermentação ruminal (N-NH3 e pH ruminal). Os resultados foram interpretados de acordo com a análise de variância, e as médias estudadas por meio de análise de regressão (teste “t”; ?=0,05). Não houve efeito da inclusão de polpa cítrica à dieta sobre o consumo, coeficientes de digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como no pH e concentrações de N-NH3 no líquido ruminal. O consumo de nutrientes foi capaz de atender as exigências nutricionais preconizadas para a referida categoria. A polpa cítrica pode ser utilizada como substituta total do milho na mistura concentrada ou em até 26,5% da ração total (base seca) para cordeiros.

Avaliou-se os parâmetros ruminais, o consumo, a produção fecal e urinária de nitrogênio e o balanço de nitrogênio (BN) em ovinos alimentados com níveis crescentes de resíduo da extração da polpa de tamarindo - REPT (0,0%, 5,0%, 10,0% e 15,0% na MS). Foram utilizados quatro ovinos sem padrão racial definido (SPRD), não castrados, com peso corporal (PC) médio de 40,38 kg ± 2,10 kg alocados em gaiolas de metabolismo, alimentados duas vezes ao dia. Foi utilizado um delineamento experimental em quadrado latino 4X4. Cada período experimental teve duração de 20 dias. Os parâmetros ruminais mensurados foram o pH e a concentração do nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3) do líquido ruminal. Os dados de consumo de nitrogênio (N), N fecal, N urinário, N absorvido e BN expressos em g dia-1; % do nitrogênio consumido (NC) e gramas por quilograma de peso metabólico (g kg0,75 -1) foram submetidos á análise de variância (ANOVA) e testados utilizando equação de regressão a 5% de probabilidade. Foi observado que os níveis de REPT não alteraram (p>0,05) o comportamento do pH e a concentração do N-NH3 do líquido ruminal, porém foi observado que o tempo após alimentação alterou de forma quadrática (p0,05) o consumo de N, N urinário e N absorvido em g dia-1, g kg 0,75 -1 e o balanço de nitrogênio (BN) g dia-1, g kg 0,75 -1 e % do nitrogênio consumido (NC). Porém o N absorvido em % do NC apresentou um efeito linear decrescente (p0,05) com a inclusão do REPT, porém para o N fecal expresso em % NC dos ovinos foi alterado (p

The objective was to evaluate thein take and digestibility of nutrients, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in the rumen and serum urea nitrogen (BUN) in Nellore heifers in grass Marandu recreated during the transition period dry energy supplement receiving waters, protein and multiple. We used four heifers with average body weight and initial age of 189.5 kg and 12 months respectively, distributed in four paddocks of 0.25 ha each. The design was a 4x4 Latin square (four supplements and four periods of 14 days). The supplements were: energy supplement (ES) protein (PS) and multiple (MS), provided the amount of 1 kg animal day-1 in addition to supplement containing commercial mineral mixture ad libitum (MM). The concentrate supplementation did not increase intakes of dry matter, total organic matter and forage. The additional SP provided greater (P

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance, intake, feeding behavior, costs of production and nutritional parameters of sheep fed diets containing different levels of whole cottonseed (WC): zero, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. Two experiments have been carried out, in which in the first trial we have used a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates each, which lasted 70 days. The animals were kept in collective stalls and all of them have been weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment. The second experiment was a 5x5 Latin square design with five treatments and five animals divided in five periods of 14 days, totaling 70 days of experimentation. The intakes of the DM, OM, EE, NDF and NFC ave been not affected by WC levels (P>0.01). The WC levels had quadratic affect only on EE digestibility (P0.05). There were no effects (P>0.05) of whole cottonseed on average daily gain with average of 200.8g/animal/day, as well as there was no effect of the WC levels on intake behavior. A gross margins of R$ 0.18 to 0.19 per animal / day was observed for WC levels of 10 to 20%.Thus, it was concluded that whole cottonseed can be included in lambs diets up 20% of dry matter basis in which roughage has been not used.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the body weight gain and the economic viability of Nelore heifers reared on pasture grass Marandu during transition dry-waters receiving energetic, proteic and multiple supplements. Twenty Nelore heifers were used, with average initial body weight of 189.75 ± 21.55 kg distributed in four paddocks of 1.6 ha each. The experimental design was completely randomized (four supplements and five replicates) to evaluate the following supplements: energetic supplement (ES) proteic supplement (PS) and multiple supplement (MS), provided that the amount of 1 kg animal day-1, beyond the exclusive supplement with mineral mixture (MM) ad libitum. The economic evaluation was conducted considering the return of invested capital by dividing the profit margin for the total investment involved in the process of supplementation. The average daily gain (ADG) was higher (P

It was aimed at to evaluate the effect of the degradable protein in the rumen (RDP) and the supplementation frequency on the average daily gain weight, final body weight and economic viability of cattle in pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu during the rainy/dry transition period. 25 Nellore steers withinitial body weight of 287.96 ±7.47 kg and average initial age of 18 months, distributed into eight paddocks of 1.6 ha each, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates and five supplements. The supplements were: SAL - mineral mix supplied ad libitum (Controls); daily RDP: supplement formulated to meet the requirements RDP, with daily supply; frequency RDP: supplement formulated to meet the requirements RDP, supplied three times on week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays); RDP+: supplement formulated with increment of 10% of the requirements of RDP supplied 3X; RDP-: supplement formulated with less 10% of the requirements of RDP supplied 3X. The supplemented animals showed average daily gain (ADG) greater (P = 0. 0010) to control supplement. The RDP daily supplements and RDP frequency showed no significant difference (P> 0. 05) for the GMD. There was a significant difference in ADG of frequency RDP (P = 0. 0189) compared to the RDP- supplement. In the economic evaluation revealed positive economic return to the supplements: frequency RDP, daily RDP, RDP + and RDP-. The strategy of supplying the frequency RDP supplement provided the best economic return. Supplementation in alternate day for grazing steers provides greater gain final and higher body weight ADG, which are effective in promoting economic profitability and higher growth performance to those obtained in the pasture systems daily supply of supplement.

It was aimed to evaluate the effect of the rumen degradable protein (RDP) and supplementation frequency on the consumption and digestibility of the nutrients, concentration of amoniacal nitrogen (N-NH3), ruminal pH and nitrogen compounds excreted in the urine (NUR) and serum (NS) in bovine in pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu during the rainy/dry transition period. Five crossbred steers, castrated, with average body weight of 350 kg, cannulated in the rumen, were used. The experiment used in Latin square design 5 X 5, with duration of 21 days each experimental period. The treatments were: SAL - mineral mix supplied ad libitum (Controls); daily RDP: supplement formulated to meet the requirements RDP, with daily supply; frequency RDP: supplement formulated to meet the requirements RDP, supplied three times on week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays); RDP+: supplement formulated with increment of 10% of the requirements of RDP supplied 3X; RDP-: supplement formulated with less 10% of the requirements of RDP supplied 3X. There was statistical difference for dry matter intake (DMI), forage (CFO) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and apparent digestibility of DM and NDF with treatment effect (p 0.05) DMI and apparent digestibility of DM, CP and NDF. The ruminal pH was different between the frequency RDP supplements vs. RDP- time 4 hours on day no supplementation. The ruminal ammonia concentration of the supplemented animals showed a difference between the RDP daily supplements vs. RDP frequency; RDP frequency vs. RDP +; RDP frequency vs. PDR-. The nitrogen serum concentration is larger (P

The objective was to evaluate the effect of inclusion levels of sunflower cake as protein source to replace soybean meal in multiple supplements for cattle grazing during dry season on nutritional parameters. Five steers were used, Nellore, non-castrated, with age and average initial weights of 20 months and 354.7 kg, respectively, divided into five paddocks of 0.25 ha each, consisting of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. The experiment was divided into 5 x 5 Latin square, composed of five experimental periods of 15 days each and five animals. The strategy adopted was the inclusion of sunflower cake in increasing levels of zero, 270, 406, 540 g / kg supplement and mineral supplement composed only by the will provided in the trough (control). Supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous (25% CP) and provided the amount of 1.5 kg / animal / day of natural material. The forage mass and the availability of dry matter digestible pontecialmente were 3,120 and 2,379 kg DM / ha respectively. Effect was observed (P 0.10). There was a significant difference in the concentrations of NH3-N between animals that received only mineral mixture (8.64 mg / dL) and cattle supplemented with 0 (12.61 mg / dL) and 27% (11.79 mg / dL ) of adding TG in time 4 hours after supplementation. However, the concentration of NH3-N, between supplemented animalsindependent of the inclusion of TG was not significant (P> 0.10), but was numerically lower for animals supplemented with 40.6 (10.81 mg / dL ) and 54% (10.50 mg / dL) inclusion of sunflower cake. We conclude that the inclusion of sunflower cake in the formulation of the supplements did not interfere with nutritional parameters can replace soybean meal in up to 100% without affect consumption of animals, this level of supplementation

The objective was to evaluate the performance and production costs of Nellore steers growing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu during the dry season receiving mineral supplements with partial replacement of corn by residual glycerin. 40 Nellore steers with initial body weight of 203.12 ±20.10 kg and average initial age of 12 months, distributed into eight paddocks of 1.6 ha each, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates and eight supplements. Supplements with levels of partial replacement of corn by glycerin were evaluated: 0% (G0), 10% (G10), 20% (G20), 30% (G30), 40% (G40), 50% (G50) and 60% (G60) provided on the amount of 1 kg/animal/day in the natural matter, and a mineral supplement (MS). The average daily gain (ADG) was higher (P

The objective was to evaluate the supplementation on the productive response, nutritional parameters and the cost of production of sheep grazing grass Marandu. The experiment lasted 84 days and 20 lambs were used with age and initial body weight of 21.73 kg and four months, as well four rumen fitted sheep of 12 months and 55.00 kg of body weight, divided into four paddocks of 0.1 ha provided, with water and supplements dispenser, to evaluated the following treatments: mineral mix, soybean meal, soybean seed and cottonseed whole. For the average daily gain observed were of 0.061, 0.080, 0.060 and 0.080 kg day-1, respectively, for the mineral mix, soybean meal, soybean seed and cottonseed whole. The average pH values were 6.16, 6.18, 6.25 and 6.23, respectively, for the mineral supplements, soybean meal, soybean seed and cottonseed whole, and values for rumen ammonia nitrogen were 11, 10, 24.77, 22.31 and 29.37 mg dL-1 of rumen fluid, respectively. Supplements of soybean meal and cottonseed whole increased weight gain at 8.75% compared to animals maintained only with mineral salt, however, the mineral salt produced weight gain with lower cost.

The objective was to evaluate levels of multiple supplement for beef heifers in restricted grazing on average daily gain (ADG), economic analysis and intakes of total dry matter (TDMI), forage dry matter (FDMI), crude protein (CPI) and total digestible nutrients (TDNI). For evaluation of performance and economic analysis, twenty Nellore heifers (328.45 kg) were used. The following supplements were evaluated as fed to the animals: control (mineral supplement) and supplementation levels of 2, 4 and 6 kg/animal/day, composing the following percentages of average body weight (ABW): 0.55, 1.11 and 1.66%, respectively. To evaluate the nutrient intake, additional five Nellore heifers with 344 kg, were used, which were submitted to same supplements previously mentioned, in addition to the level of 2.22% of ABW (8 kg/animal/day). Average daily gain showed quadratic behavior; TDMI, CPI and TDNI had increasing linear behavior; and FDMI showed decreasing linear behavior in function of the supplementation levels. The strategy of supplying 0.55, 1.11 and 1.66% of the ABW to heifers on restricted grazing provides additional weight gains of 608, 762 and 943 g/day, respectively, which are effective in promoting similar productive and economic performance to those obtained in grazing systems in the rainy period.

The objective was to evaluate levels of multiple supplements supplied to beef heifers in low supply of pasture on intake and nutrients digestibility, pH and concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen, nitrogen balance, synthesis and microbial efficiency. Five Nellore heifers with initial body weight of 344.00 ± 21.10 kg and average initial age of 22 months were used. The following supplements were evaluated as fed to the animals: control (mineral supplement) and supplementation levels of 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg/animal/day, composing the following percentages of body weight (BW): 0.55, 1.11, 1.66 and 2.22%, respectively. The experimental design was a Latin square with five replications and five supplements. Intakes of total dry matter, crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients, and total apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, total carbohydrates and no fiber carbohydrates increased linearly (P

O sorgo se destaca entre as plantas recomendadas para a ensilagem em razão de sua composição forrageira, além de resistência ao déficit hídrico e amplitude de semeadura. Há no mercado cultivares de sorgo granífero e sacarino que podem ser utilizados para a produção de silagem, porém faltam informações acerca de suas características para ensilagem. Objetivou-se avaliar as características fermentativas na ensilagem de cultivares de sorgo de diferentes aptidões, em duas épocas de cultivo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com os tratamentos dispostos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos da parcela corresponderam a seis híbridos de sorgo de diferentes aptidões (BRS 308 e BRS 310, graníferos; BR 655 e BRS 610, forrageiros; BR 506 e CMSXS 647, sacarinos). Os tratamentos da subparcela corresponderam a duas épocas de cultivo (primeira safra e segunda safra). Todos os tratamentos apresentaram pH menor que 4,2 e nitrogênio amoniacal inferior a 12% do N total, o que indica boa fermentação dentro do silo. Nas silagens das cultivares de sorgo sacarino, observou-se maior teor de etanol na primeira safra em comparação com à segunda, com médias de 5,91 e 0,11%, respectivamente. Todas as cultivares de sorgo avaliadas podem ser utilizadas para a produção de silagem, porém o uso de sorgo sacarino é mais recomendado na segunda safra.

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility of nutrients, pH, ruminal ammonia concentration in sheep fed diets with increasing levels of concentrate: 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75% in the diet. Five sheep distributed in 5x5 Latin square design were used. The animals were kept in individual pens. Each experimental period lasted 17 days. Fecal excretion was estimated by use of indigestible neutral detergent fiber. On the 17th day, the pH of the rumen fluid and the concentrations of ruminal ammonia nitrogen were measured. Increased levels of concentrate did not affect dry matter intake, while the NDF intake was reduced by 0.0074 kg / animal / day for each 1% of concentrate added. The digestibility of DM was increased by 0.51% for each 1% concentrate. The pH of the rumen fluid was reduced by 0.006 units for each 1% concentrate. NAR for the estimated maximum value of 19.13 mg / dL of rumen fluid to the level of 38.67% concentrate.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of mineral salt (MS), multiple (MS), energy (ES) and protein supplements (PS) on performance, behavior and production cost of the cattle in Marandu grass pasture. The experiment lasted 84 days, conducted in the experimental area consists of four paddocks of 1.45 ha. Twenty steers were used with age and initial body weight of 172 kg and 10 months, respectively. It used a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicate. The energy, multiple and protein supplements was supplied on 1.0 kg day-1. The animals were weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment, to determine the average daily gain (ADG). The weight gain of animals was 0.380, 0.600, 0.750 and 0.730 kg/day, respectively, for treatments MS, ES, MS and PS, have been verified statistical difference between supplemented animals and animals than received only mineral salt. The multiple supplement produced ADG 49.33% and 20.00% higher than the mineral salt. The multiple and protein supplements permitted average performance 18.92% higher than the energy supplement. There was no difference in behavior of grazing (P> 0.05). Animals receiving the mineral mixture had time to 8.40 hours of grazing animal day-1. The multiple supplement provided better economic performance considering the sale of animals to 350 kg body weight.

This study aimed to evaluate the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid (FDA) of Marandu, Humidicula; Massai; Mombaça grass obtained by three different procedures with the conventional method (CON), the Filter Bag Technique Ankom® (FBT) and adapted by EMBRAPA (EMB). The forage plants were obtained in the Southwest region of Mato Grosso in the September; the samples were collected from pastures planted the three years. There were three batteries (runs) for each procedure (method) for the determination of NDF and ADF of different forages. There were realised three batteries (runs) for each procedure (method) for the determination of NDF and ADF of different forages. We used a completely randomized design with three replications for each methodology. Statistical analysis of the variables studied was performed by analysis of variance and the differences obtained were analyzed by Tukey test, considering 5% significance level. It was observed that the different procedures (CON, FBT and EMB) to determine the content NDF did not differ between them for different forages plants, with average values of 78.61% and 74.96% for the Marandu and Humidicula grass, respectively and 76.78% and 73.08% for Massai and Mombaça grass, respectively. The ADF content obtained by different procedures (CON, FBT and EMB) showed no difference between them, with average values of 50.95% and 44.86% for Marandu and Humidicula grass, respectively and 52.21% and 51.56% for Massai and Mombaça grass, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that the content of neutral detergent fiber and acid Marandu, Humidicula; Massai and Mombaça grass can be determined by the procedure adapted by EMBRAPA, since this was not different compared to conventional methodology and the Filter Bag Technique Ankom®, besides having a lower waste of reagents and consequently lower cost.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the losses of nutrient through gases and effluents, the nutrient recovery, fermentation parameters and the chemical parameters of silages of Brachiaria decumbens with the addition of soybean hulls, testing five levels of inclusion: 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% (as is), with five replications per treatment. After the standardization cut of the forage, performed at 5 cm from the soil level, the soil was fertilized with nitrogen and potassium in the form of ammonium sulfate and potassium chloride, respectively, at 60 kg/ha. After 60 days, the grass was cut at 10 cm from the soil and ensiled. Experimental silos with capacity of 10 liters with Bunsen valve were used. Silos had 3 kg of sand conditioned at the bottom for retention of the effluents. The results show that the contents of dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent insoluble fiber and total digestible nutrients presented positive linear behavior with the inclusion of soybean hulls. In the grass silages with addition of soybean hulls, there was greater recovery of dry matter in relation to the control silage, which is a reflection of the negative linear behavior for the values of losses of gases and effluent. There was quadratic behavior in the pH values and negative linear behavior for the ammonia N values and buffering capacity with the inclusion of the additive in the grass silage. Inclusion of soybean hulls is sufficient to improve the fermentation pattern and minimize the losses through gases and effluents, contributing to the nutrient recovery, in addition to promoting overall improvement of the nutritional value of Brachiaria grass silages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the processing of millet grain provided at two supplementation frequencies for grazing beef cattle during the dry season on nutritional parameters. Five rumen-cannulated crossbred steers, with 24 to 26 months of age and average body weight of 428.6±26.06 kg, were assigned to a Latin square design (5 × 5) in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, as follows: two forms of millet grain (whole grains - or ground; WG - GG), two strategies of concentrate supplementation (daily distribution - 7X; or three times a week - 3X) and a control treatment (mineral mixture - MM). Animals were kept in five paddocks of 0.24 ha each with Marandu grass pastures. Concentrate supplements were supplied at 2.00 and 4.66 kg/animal/day for treatments 7X and 3X, respectively. The concentrate supplementation enhanced the intake of total dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) and nutrients compared with mineral supplementation. No differences were found between dry matter intake and forage organic matter intake. The values of digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, ether extract, total carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates were increased by concentrate supplementation. Regarding concentrations of rumen ammonia nitrogen, the interactions among time × treatment × day and day × treatment had effects on the measurements of ruminal pH. Plasma urea nitrogen, urinary urea excretion and urinary urea N excretion differed only between MM treatment and the others, with no interference of grain physical form and supplementation frequency on those variables. The millet grain processing does not alter forage intake, but improves digestibility. Daily supplementation increases digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the protein and carbohydrate fractions, and to estimate the in situ rumen degradation kinetic parameters of Brachiaria decumbens grass silage with inclusion of rice bran. Five rice bran inclusion levels were tested: 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of the natural matter, distributed into a completely randomized design with five replications. The brachiaria grass was obtained at 60 days of regrowth by cutting the forage at 10 cm from the soil and ensiling it in 10-L experimental silo bags, which were opened after 40 days. The degradability profiles for DM, CP, NDF and of the feeds for each animal utilized made it possible to obtain the estimates of the parameters analyzed. The contents of total carbohydrates (TCH), fibrous carbohydrates and fraction A+B1 of the TCH decreased linearly as the rice bran levels were elevated. Fraction A of the protein was increased linearly by 0.64% for every 1% of rice bran added to the silage. For nitrogenous fractions B3 and C, there was a decrease of 0.11 and 0.40% for each 1% of rice bran added to the silage, respectively. For the rumen degradability parameters of the dry matter, fractions A and I had estimated increases of 0.54 and 0.04% for every 1% inclusion of rice bran. For the degradation rate of fraction B (c), treatments had no effect. Fractions A and I of the crude protein degradability parameters increased by 0.22 and 0.72%, respectively, with inclusion of 1% rice bran. Inclusion levels of rice bran had no effect on fraction D, on the degradation rate of fraction B (c) or lag time (L) estimated for neutral detergent fiber. Inclusion of 10 and 20% rice bran in the brachiaria grass silage improves protein and carbohydrate fractions and rumen degradation kinetic parameters of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total digestible nutrient (TDN) levels in supplements on rumen pH, ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration, intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance and microbial efficiency in beef cattle grazing on Marandu grass during the rainy season. The supplements comprised a mineral mixture, ground corn grain, soybean hulls, roasted soybeans and urea:ammonium sulfate. The mineral mix (MM) and supplements were supplied at 800, 1,600 and 2,400 g/animal/day, contained 500, 1,000 and 1,500 g of TDN, respectively, and were termed S500, S1000 and S1500. Supplemental crude protein (CP) was fixed at 300g animal/day for all supplementing strategies. Four crossbred rumen-fistulated steers, with an average weight of 512kg, were utilized. The animals were distributed in a 4×4 Latin square in four paddocks of 0.25 ha. The rumen nitrogen concentration was increased by 63% after four hours of supplementation. Supplements with increased TDN levels did not alter the total dry matter and forage intakes, although the TDN levels linearly increased the non-fibrous carbohydrates intake. Additionally, most supplements did not alter the digestibility of the diet nutrients.The nitrogen balance was similar in all treatments. However, supplements with the highest TDN levels linearly improved the microbial efficiency of finishing beef cattle that were pasture-grazed during the rainy season. Supplements with in creasing TDN levels improve the microbial efficiency during the rainy season.

The objective was to evaluate the use of concentrate in the diet of lambs on intake and total digestibility coefficient (DC) of nutrients, ruminal characteristics, rectal and body temperature. It was used four lambs without breed defined (SRD), entire, with average body weight (BW) of 19.3 ± 2.07 kg using a Latin square design, 4 x 4. The animals were housed in metabolism cages and were fed twice a day with diet consisting of corn silage and concentrate at a ratio of 20, 40, 60 and 80% dry matter in the diet, composite of corn grains and soybean meal. Leftovers were measured daily and the feces were collected through bags. Data from variables studied were submitted to ANOVA and regression analysis at 5% probability. The increasing levels of concentrate in lamb diets affected (P0.05) of concentrate levels on digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, EE, NDF, ADF, NFC and TCH. However, the digestibility coefficient of CP showed a quadratic effect (P0.05) by dietary concentrate. It can be concluded that 38% of concentrate in diets of lambs favors the maximum dry matter intake, organic matter and crude protein. The digestibility coefficient of the nutrients, except for protein, are not altered with the addition up to 80% concentrate in diet for lambs, as well as, this does not affect the pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration of ruminal fluid, rectal and body temperature. Objetivou-se avaliar níveis crescentes de concentrado na dieta de cordeiros sobre o consumo e coeficiente de digestibilidade total (CD) dos nutrientes, características ruminais, temperatura corporal e retal. Foram utilizados quatro cordeiros sem raça definida (SRD), não castrados, com peso corporal (PC) médio de 19,3 Kg ± 2,07 por meio de um delineamento em quadrado latino 4 x 4. Os animais foram alojados em gaiolas de metabolismo, os quais foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia, com dieta composta por silagem de milho e concentrado, na proporção de 20, 40, 60 e 80% na matéria seca da dieta, as quais eram compostas por milho grão moído e farelo de soja. Diariamente as sobras foram monitoradas e as fezes foram coletadas por meio de sacolas de napa. Os dados das variáveis estudadas foram submetidos à ANOVA e análise de regressão a 5% de probabilidade. Os níveis crescentes de concentrado nas rações de cordeiros alteraram (P0,05) dos níveis de concentrado sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade da MS, MO, EE, FDN, FDA, CHT e CNF. Entretanto, o coeficiente de digestibilidade da PB apresentou efeito quadrático (P0,05) pelos níveis de concentrado na dieta. Conclui-se que 38% de concentrado nas rações de cordeiros favorece o máximo consumo de matéria seca, matéria orgânica e proteína bruta. O coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes, exceto para proteína bruta, não são alterados com a adição de até 80% de concentrado na dieta de cordeiros, bem como este não afeta o pH e a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal do líquido ruminal, temperatura corporal e retal.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da substituição parcial do milho por fontes energéticas alternativas, em suplementos concentrados para bovinos de corte mantidos em pasto de Urochloa brizantha cultivar Marandu, durante o período das águas, no consumo e na digestibilidade aparente total dos alimentos. Foram utilizados cinco bovinos Nelore com peso médio corporal inicial de 367,8±4,31 kg. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental quadrado latino 5x5, com cinco animais e cinco tratamentos. Foram avaliados: suplementos concentrados isoproteicos, com 30% de proteína bruta, formulados à base de grãos de milho, de milheto e de sorgo, e casca de soja; e um suplemento mineral (controle). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no consumo de matéria seca (MS) total e de matéria orgânica (MO) entre os animais que receberam suplementação mineral e os que receberam suplementação concentrada; no entanto, estes últimos apresentaram menor (12,28%) consumo de MS de pasto. A suplementação concentrada aumentou o coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente total da MS, da MO, da proteína bruta e dos carboidratos não fibrosos que não foram influenciados pelas fontes de energia. Os grãos de milheto e de sorgo e a casca de soja podem ser utilizados em substituição parcial ao milho, na formulação de suplementos concentrados, sem prejudicar o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes da dieta.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da inclusão da torta de girassol na dieta de cordeiros em confinamento sobre o desempenho produtivo dos animais. Utilizaram-se 40 cordeiros sem raça definida, não castrados, com peso médio inicial de 20,17±2,66 kg, alimentados com 0, 7, 14, 21 e 28% de torta de girassol na dieta (base seca). O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos ao acaso. A inclusão de torta de girassol na dieta não alterou o consumo médio de matéria seca (883,58 g por dia), a conversão alimentar (4,40) e o consumo médio de água (2,59 L por dia). O aumento dos níveis de torta de girassol diminuiu linearmente o peso final, o ganho de peso total, o ganho de peso diário e a área de olho de lombo. O nível de inclusão de até 28% não afeta o consumo médio de matéria seca e de água, mas reduz o desempenho e a área de olho de lombo. Para obter o menor custo com a dieta, o nível de inclusão da torta de girassol pode atingir até 28% da matéria seca, quando o seu preço representar até 40% do preço da mistura entre milho e farelo de soja.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da idade de corte no valor nutritivo de silagem de capim-piatã em monocultivo e em consórcio com sorgo. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, como parcelas sistemas (capim-piatã; sorgo de corte e pastejo e consórcio) e como subparcelas as idades de corte (70, 90 e 110 dias após a semeadura). Os minissilos foram abertos aos 46 dias, avaliando-se na silagem os teores de proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), nitrogênio amoniacal, lignina e pH. Com o avanço da idade, ocorreu redução linear no teor de PB de 0,12; 0,08 e 0,16 unidades percentuais a cada dia após a semeadura nas silagens de sorgo, sorgo+capim e capim-piatã, respectivamente. Verificou-se aumento linear no valor de pH da silagem de sorgo + capim, em função do avanço na idade de 0,03 unidade a cada dia após a semeadura. Nas silagens de sorgo e de capim em monocultivo, o pH apresentou valores médios de 4,63 e de 5,20, respectivamente. Os sistemas com sorgo apresentam potencial para produção de silagem de boa qualidade aos 70 dias de idade. Palavras-chave: gramíneas tropicais; idade de corte; minissilo; silagem.

Nutrition value of silage from corn hybrids produced in Mato Grosso, State was evaluated. A randomized block design was used with 23 treatments (hybrids) and three replications. The study used hybrids from different seed companies. Fodder was stored in PVC pipes at a density of 600 kg of green mass m-³. The silos were opened 90 days after ensiling, and the following variables were studied: pH, dry matter (DM), ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH3), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrients (TDN) and minerals (Ca, P, K and Mg). Rates were estimated for dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility (DM), net energy for maintenance (NEm), gain (NEg) and lactation (EL). All the characteristics were determined by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). With regard to standard fermentation, silage of different hybrids had appropriate values for pH and N-NH3. The silage of hybrids DKB 370, DKB 330, DAS 2C520, DAS 2B710, DAS 2B587, BF 9534, AG 9010, AG 8088, AG 5020, BE 9701, AGN 30A06 e AGN 31A31 showed lower NDF and higher estimated DMI values.Objetivou-se avaliar a composição bromatológica da silagem de híbridos de milho em cultivo de segunda safra no Estado do Mato Grosso. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com 23 tratamentos (híbridos) e três repetições. A forragem foi acondicionada em tubos de PVC sob densidade de 600 kg de massa fresco m-³. A abertura dos silos ocorreu 90 dias após a ensilagem, sendo avaliados: valor de pH, teores de matéria seca (MS), nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e minerais (Ca, P, K e Mg).Também foram estimados os valores do consumo de matéria seca (CMS), digestibilidade “in vitro” da matéria seca (DIVMS), energias líquidas de mantença (ELm), ganho (ELg) e de lactação (ELl). Todas as características avaliadas foram determinadas por meio de espectrofotometria de infravermelho proximal (NIRS). Com relação ao padrão fermentativo, as silagens dos diferentes híbridos tiveram valores adequados de pH e NNH3. As silagens dos híbridos DKB 370, DKB 330, DAS 2C520, DAS 2B710, DAS 2B587, BF 9534, AG 9010, AG 8088, AG 5020, BE 9701, AGN 30A06 e AGN 31A31 apresentaram menor teor de FDN e maior valor estimado de CMS.

Objetivou-se avaliar o processamento do grão de milheto inteiro ou triturado em suplementos fornecidos diariamente ou três vezes por semana para bovinos de corte em pastejo e seus efeitos sobre o desempenho produtivo e econômico e o comportamento ingestivo diurno durante o período da seca. Utilizaram-se 25 bovinos nelores não-castrados, com peso inicial de 350,92±31,7 kg, mantidos em cinco piquetes com área unitária de 1,45 ha formados por B. brizantha cv Marandu. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 × 2 + 1, composto de duas formas físicas do grão de milheto (inteiro ou triturado), duas frequências de suplementação (diária ou três vezes por semana) e um tratamento controle (mistura mineral). A suplementação concentrada promoveu ganho de peso, enquanto a suplementação apenas com minerais acarretou perdas de peso de 0,16 kg/animal/dia. A moagem do grão de milheto proporcionou maiores ganhos (0,36 e 0,38 kg/animal/dia nos grupos com suplementação 3 e 7 vezes por semana, respectivamente), em comparação ao fornecimento de grão inteiro (0,22 e 0,24 kg/animal/dia, 3 e 7 vezes por semana, respectivamente), enquanto as frequências de suplementação estudadas não promoveram diferenças nestas variáveis. Foi encontrado efeito significativo da interação dia × tratamento para tempo gasto com consumo de suplemento, pastejo e hidratação. Para o tempo em ócio, foi encontrada diferença entre o grupo controle e os demais. Maior retorno econômico foi obtido quando se ofertou milheto triturado e em menor frequência de suplementação (R$ 22,70/animal). A utilização de suplementos múltiplos, assim como o processamento do grão de milheto, possibilita maiores ganhos de peso, independentemente da frequência de suplementação estudada, sendo que o fornecimento de suplemento 3 vezes por semana reduz os custos da suplementação.The objective was to evaluate the processing of the grain of millet in supplements given daily or three times a week to grazing beef cattle on productive performance, economic and diurnal intake behavior during the drought period. Twenty-five non-castrated Nelore cattle with initial body weight of 350.92±31.7 kg were kept in five paddocks with unit area of 1.45 ha formed by B. brizantha cv. Marandu. The animals were distributed in a completely radomized design in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, as follows: two physical forms of the grain of millet (whole or ground), two frequencies of supplementation (daily or three times a week) and the control treatment (mineral mix). It was found that the concentrate supplementation promoted weight gains, while sole mineral supplementation resulted in weight loss of 0.16 kg/animal/day. Grinding the millet grain promoted higher gains (0.36 and 0.38 kg/animal/day for 3 and 7 times a week, respectively) when compared with the whole grain (0.22 and 0.24 kg/animal/day for 3 and 7 times a week, respectively), with no differences between the frequencies of supplementation. Significant effect of the day × treatment interaction was found for time in the trough, grazing and drinking water. For the resting time difference was found between the control treatment and the others. Greater economic return was achieved when ground millet was supplied at lower supplementation frequency (R$ 22,70/animal). The use of multiple supplements, as well as the processing of millet grain, enabled greater weight gain, regardless of the supplementation frequency studied. Providing supplement 3 times a week reduces the costs with supplementation.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of bakery waste inclusion (0; 25; 50; 75 and 100%, DM basis) in proportion to corn meal in the energetic mixture of the concentrate on intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and ruminal parameters in sheep. Five male lambs with body weight of 30 kg were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Experimental diets were composed of concentrate and Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) hay in a 60:40 forage:concentrate ratio. The concentrate rations were composed of corn meal, soybean meal and bakery waste. The bakery waste:corn meal ratio corresponded to the inclusion of, approximately, 0, 7, 14, 22 and 30% (DM basis) of bakery waste in the diet. There was no effect of bakery waste inclusion on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, nor on nitrogen balance, pH values or concentrations of volatile fatty acids. However, the ammonia nitrogen concentration showed negative linear response in relation to the level of inclusion, in which each increase of 1% bakery waste promoted reduction of 0.11 mg/dL in the concentration of ammonia nitrogen. This fact may be related to the increase in ruminal availability of energy, which allows greater use of ammonia for microbial growth. Bakery waste can replace corn meal in concentrate rations for sheep.