•Spineless cactus silage provide benefit inherent to the maintenance of water content.•The use of spineless cactus silage must be associated with a source of fiber.•Performance of sheep fed spineless ...cactus silage associated with tropical forages was investigated.•Roughage based on spineless cactus allowed gains above 200 g/day.
The study aimed to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance and productive performance in lamb fed spineless cactus silage associated with forages adapted to the semiarid environment. Forty intact crossbred lambs, with an average body weight of 22.65 ± 1.01 kg, were distributed in a completely randomised design with five treatments (diets based on: spineless cactus silage (SCS), spineless cactus + buffelgrass silage (SCBS), spineless cactus + gliricidia silage (SCGS), spineless cactus + pornunça silage (SCPS) and corn silage (CS; witness) and eight animals per treatment. Intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and performance of animals were evaluated. The SCGS diet showed higher intake of dry matter and organic matter (P<0.05). The SCGS and SCPS diets showed the highest crude protein intake (P = 0.005). Lower intake of ether extract was found in animals receiving diets containing SCS and SCBS (P = 0.001). SCBS and SCGS provided a higher intake of neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.015). SCS and SCGS diets displayed a higher intake of non-fiber carbohydrates (P = 0.003). SCGS diets displayed the highest total digestible nutrients intake (P = 0.001). SCPS diet showed lower digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein (P<0.05). SCGS diet showed a lower digestibility coefficient for ether extract (P = 0.009). SCPS diet showed lower digestibility coefficients for neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.022). SCS and SCPS diets showed lower digestibility coefficients for non-fiber carbohydrates (P = 0.011). The CS promoted lower results for intake (P = 0.003), absorbed (P = 0.003) and balance (P = 0.012) for nitrogen. SCPS diet promoted higher excretion of nitrogen via faeces (P = 0.001) and less excretion of nitrogen via urine (P = 0.033). SCGS diet provided a higher final weight (P = 0.006). SCS and SCGS diets provided more significant body weight gain (P = 0.001). Combining spineless cactus with a roughage base allowed weight gains over 200 g/day, proving to be efficient in diets for feedlot lamb and gains similar or superior to corn-based diets.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic divergence of 25 sorghum hybrids (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in the semiarid region of Paraiba. A randomized block design with three ...replications was used for evaluation of plant height (PH), total natural matter production (TNMP) and total dry matter production (TDMP) and the percentage of components of DM (panicle, leaf blade, stem and dead matter) of the following hybrids: 866005, 866019, 866033, 866034, 866035, 866036, 866037, 866040, 866041, 866042, 866043, 866044, 870025, 870031, 870035, 870041, 870051, 870067, 870081, 870085, 870095, 1F305, BRS 610, Volumax, and XBS60329. Hybrid 1F305, followed by hybrid 866034, presented the highest average PH. There was a range from 7.679 to 20.948 kg/ha (average of 13,799 kg/ha) for TDMP. Hybrids 1F305, BRS 610 and Volumax presented less potential, and hybrids 866,041 and 866,042 were the most productive. Based on cluster analysis and subjective cut in 50% of dissimilarity, it was possible to establish four hierarchical groups, from which two stood out concerning productive characteristics. The group formed by hybrids Volumax, BRS 610, and XBS60329 presented lower averages for yield and lower percentage of panicle. Hybrids 866041 and 866042 show a higher total dry matter production, with values around 20,000 kg/ha.
•The sorghum silage amended with urea and inoculant L. buchneri presents a better nutritional composition and consequently improves performance and feed efficiency.•Urea and L. buchneri promoted an ...improvement in carcass conformation and fat content, what is well seen in the meat market.•The use of both additives in the sorghum silage can be oriented to improve the fermentative profile and aerobic stability, and consequently result in less quantity of silage discarded, besides influencing the animal performance and the commercialized product.
This study aimed to examine the productive and metabolic parameters, carcass and meat characteristics of lambs fed sorghum silage treated with urea and Lactobacillus buchneri. Forty whole male Santa Inês lambs fed a diet with a 50:50 roughage: concentrate ratio, and randomly assigned to four groups considering roughage treatments SS - sorghum silage without additive; SSI - sorghum silage with inoculant (Lactobacillus buchneri, 105 CFU/g fresh matter); SSU - sorghum silage with urea 1% dry matter (DM); or SSUI - sorghum silage with urea and inoculant. The experiment was a completely randomized design with ten replicates, each animal represented an experimental unit. The intakes of DM (DMI) (P<0.001), as a percentage of BW, DMI %BW (P<0.001), neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (P=0.005) and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFCI; P<0.001) were lower in SSUI compared to SS and SSU. NFCI was lower in SSI compared to other diets, the same observed for crude protein intake (P<0.001), however, ether extract intake of (EE) did not differ (P=0.076). The highest final body weight (P<0.001), total weight gain (P=0.003), and average daily weight gain (P=0.003) were observed in the groups fed SSUI. Feedlot lambs fed sorghum silage treated with urea and Lactobacillus bucnheri promoted higher animal performance with higher feed efficiency without negative effects on meat characteristics.
•The use of spineless cactus in the form of silage resulted in higher intakes.•Ensiling spineless cactus improves the nutritional value of diets.•Ensiling spineless cactus resulted in higher ...digestibility of dry matte.
An experiment was carried out to compare the use of fresh cactus with cactus ensiled with and without a microbial inoculant in sheep diets by examining their feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis and counting fecal enterobacteria. Twenty uncastrated mixed-breed sheep at approximately six months of age, with an average initial weight of 23.48 ± 2.40 kg, were used in the study. The animals were assigned to four treatments fresh spineless cactus processed twice daily at the time of supply (FC2); fresh spineless cactus processed only once, in the morning, and supplied twice daily (FC1); spineless-cactus silage without inoculant (CS); and spineless-cactus silage with microbial inoculant (CSI) in a completely randomized design with five replications per treatment. The experimental period was 21 days. The use of spineless cactus in the form of silage (CS and CSI) resulted in higher (P < 0.05) intakes of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients; and higher digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, and total digestible nutrients. Lower counts of fecal enterobacteria were also observed with the ensiled cactus. By contrast, the diets did not influence (P> 0.05) nitrogen balance, microbial efficiency, urinary nitrogen losses, or fecal nitrogen losses. Regardless of inoculation, the ensiling of spineless cactus improves the sanitary quality of the diet, reducing the amount of enterobacteria in the cactus and resulting mainly in improved nutrient intake by sheep.
The aim of this study was to compare the performance, intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, carcass traits, and the yield of commercial cuts of Santa Ines (SI) and Rabo Largo (RL) breeds fed ...diets with high or low roughage-to-concentrate ratio (R:C) under a tropical climate. Twenty lambs from each breed were individually housed in covered pens and fed the experimental diets for 58 days. The diets were formulated to meet the growth requirements of lambs with a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 70:30 and 30:70. Significant interactions of breed × diet for nutrient intake were observed (
P
< 0.05), with SI lambs fed low R:C diet showing higher intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrates compared to RL lambs fed the same diet. SI lambs fed high R:C diet had higher intake of neutral detergent fiber than RL lambs (
P
< 0.05). SI lambs displayed better average daily gain and feed efficiency, regardless of diet (
P
< 0.05). Carcass traits and gastrointestinal components were influenced by breed and diet (
P
< 0.05). SI lambs fed low R:C diet showed higher subcutaneous fat thickness and better carcass finishing compared to RL lambs (
P
< 0.05). SI breed lambs exhibited better growth performance, carcass traits, and gastrointestinal characteristics, even when fed diets with a high roughage-to-concentrate ratio.
Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate several attempts to knock down neats and to correlate the success obtained with actions performed by the horse/rider sets through an analysis of ...public domain videos of vaquejadas. Approximately 300 videos were considered, and the groups were evaluated according to the competition category, that is, amateur/aspirant and professional, and the animals used in the test, that is, pulling or tracking of the neat. It was found that for the pull set in the professional competition category, only the characteristics of directing the cow on the track, and the guiding behavior and positioning in the pull were significant (p<0.01), while for the amateur/aspirant category, the characteristics of remaining in the pull after falling of the cattle and of the behavior at the gate had an effect (p<0.01). The characteristic of remaining in the pull after the fall of the neats, in the category of professional pulling athletes, exists in greater prevalence during the competition with 85.3%, while the characteristic of directing the neat to the side of the track is performed by 87.6% of the competitors. For the set used to track the cattle, the values of the dimensions 1 and 2 were 96.56% and 3.43%, respectively, which is 99.9% of the total variance of the data based on those selected for the final result of “earn the ox”. The use of multiple diversity analysis in this study of variables associated with the vaquejada set proved to be quite advantageous, and there was not much variation in the elements obtained with a greater weight in the determination of the final result.
Resumo Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar por meio de análise de vídeos de domínio público de competições de vaquejadas, diversas tentativas de derrubada de rezes e correlacionar o êxito obtido com ações desempenhadas pelos conjuntos cavalo/ cavaleiro. Foram considerados aproximadamente 300 vídeos, sendo os grupos avaliados quanto à categoria de competição, Amador/Aspirante e Profissional, e aos animais utilizados na prova, Puxar ou Esteirar a rês. Verificou-se que para o conjunto de puxar, da categoria profissional de competição, apenas as características de direcionamento da rês na pista, comportamento na condução e posicionamento na puxada foram significativos (p<0,01), enquanto para a categoria amador/ aspirante houve efeito (p<0,01) para a característica de permanecer ou não na puxada após queda da rês e para o comportamento na porteira. A característica, permanecer na puxada após a queda da rês, na categoria de atletas puxadores profissionais, existe em maior prevalência em ações durante a prova com 85,3% dos casos, enquanto a característica de direcionar a rês para a lateral da pista é realizada por 87,6% dos competidores. Para o conjunto utilizado para esteirar a rês, os valores das dimensões 1 e 2 foram de 96,56% e 3,43%, respectivamente, totalizando 99,9% da variância total dos dados com base nos critérios selecionados para o resultado final de “Valeu o boi”. O uso da análise de correspondência múltipla no estudo de variáveis associadas ao sucesso em competições de vaquejada mostrou-se bastante eficaz, no que tange a diminuição do universo de elementos com maior peso de determinação no resultado final obtido.
Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la ingesta, digestibilidad aparente, balance hídrico, balance de nitrógeno y rendimiento productivo en corderos alimentados con ensilaje de nopal asociado con ...forrajes tropicales. En el experimento se utilizaron 40 corderos machos cruzados intactos, con un peso corporal inicial de 18.85 ± 1.2 kg. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar, con 5 tratamientos y 8 repeticiones. Los tratamientos consistieron en dietas con diferentes proporciones de pasto buffel y salvado de trigo como fuentes de fibra detergente neutro (FDN), en ensilaje de alimento total (EAT) a base de nopal: EAT1 - 279 g/kg de pasto buffel; EAT2 - 240 g/kg de pasto buffel y 17 g/kg de salvado de trigo; EAT3 - 198 g/kg de pasto buffel y 34 g/kg de salvado de trigo; EAT4 - 108 g/kg de pasto buffel y 74 g/kg de salvado de trigo; EAT5 – 118 g/kg de salvado de trigo. La ingesta más baja de FDN se encontró en corderos que consumieron EAT5 (402 g/día). La digestibilidad aparente de los carbohidratos no fibrosos fue mayor para EAT5, mientras que la digestibilidad aparente de FDN de EAT5 y EAT4 fue mayor que la de EAT1. Las dietas promovieron una ganancia diaria de peso promedio de 180.8 g/día. En condiciones experimentales, el uso de nopal forrajero y concentrado en forma de raciones mixtas totales de ensilaje conduce a una mayor ingesta de proteína cruda, carbohidratos no fibrosos, extracto etéreo y mayor digestibilidad de carbohidratos no fibrosos y fibra detergente neutro, sin embargo, todas las dietas fueron viables en la alimentación de ovinos confinados, proporcionando ganancias de hasta 198 g/d según la formulación de la dieta.
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of urea addition on fermentation characteristics, losses and chemical composition of silage of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) 'BRS Ponta Negra'. The ...sorghum plant was chopped and treated with different levels of urea (0.1756, 0.3512, 0.7024 and 1.4048 g per 10 kg fresh forage for the respective proportions of 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0% of forage (dry matter DM basis), and packed into quintuplicate experimen- tal silos to determine its effects on fermentation, losses and chemical composition of sorghum silages. Addition of urea increased lactic acid bacteria up to the level of 60 g kg-1 (DM basis). Compared with control silage, the addition of urea (p < 0.05) reduced DM losses. Urea-treated silages linearly increased (p < 0.05) the ammoniacal nitrogen and crude protein contents, and linearly reduced (p < 0.05) the ethanol content. The pH in urea-treated silages indicated better preservation of substrates obtained from fermentation. The intermediate level of 2.0% urea additive can be used to improve fermentation, reducing losses in sorghum silage without compromising lactic acid production. However, the addition of 0.5% and 1.0% urea to sorghum silage is sufficient to improve aerobic stability.