The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different nutritional strategies on the intensification of beef cattle farming on pastures during the dry period of the year. Eighty male ...cattle (testers) were randomly allocated to 16 paddocks formed with Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus), totaling five animals (testers) per paddock. The strategies consisted of two LCs 10 and 16.7 g·kg−1 body weight (BW) and two PSs with DDGS and SBM in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The chemical, structural, and productive characteristics of the forage were evaluated, as well as the performance, productivity, and serum parameters of the supplemented animals. The forage presented a greater L:C (p = 0.033) and CP content (p = 0.007) when the lowest LC was used. Animals that received the highest LC had the highest supplement intake (p < 0.001) and the lowest pasture intake (p < 0.001). The nutritional strategy with an LC of 16.7 g·kg−1 of body weight (BW) resulted in a greater increase in total BW, i.e., 200 kg·BW ha−1 more. Therefore, higher levels of concentrate ensure greater productivity for beef cattle grazing, and DDGS can replace SBM in supplements used in the intensive raising of beef cattle on pasture without compromising the performance and productivity of the animals.
The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of soybean oil inclusion in diets on feeding behaviour, digestibility, performance, and blood metabolites of feedlot lambs. Forty ...non-castrated Santa Inês lambs with a mean age of 5 months and initial body weight of 34.88 ± 3.19 kg were used in a 40-day feeding trial. The lambs were distributed in five experimental diets with the inclusion of increasing soybean oil (SO) levels: 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g/kg DM. The SO inclusion promoted a linear reduction in DM intake (p < 0.001), crude protein (CP, p < 0.001), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC, p < 0.001), and total digestible nutrients (TDN, p = 0.004). There was an increasing quadratic effect on the intake of ether extract (EE; p = 0.002) and decreasing for neutral detergent fiber (p = 0.005). The soybean oil inclusion promoted the greater apparent digestibility of CP (p = 0.016), EE (p = 0.005), NDFom (p < 0.001), and TDN (p < 0.001); on the other hand, the apparent digestibility of NFC (p = 0.005) was decreased. The average daily gain decreased (p < 0.001) with SO inclusion. The SO inclusion increased feeding time (p = 0.004), reduced the efficiency of DM rumination (p = 0.001), and reduced the concentration of blood N-ureic (p < 0.001). Considering the productive parameters, SO can be included in diets and it is recommended that we include SO of up to 41 g/kg DM in diets for fattening lambs as the ideal maximum level. The strategy implemented to adapt lambs to increasing levels of high-fat diet mitigated the detrimental effects of lipids on the rumen, with high-density energy intake being the constraining factor on performance.
The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of licury cake (LC) inclusion in diets for lactating goats on milk chemical composition and fatty acid profile, and physicochemical composition and ...sensory attributes of Minas Frescal cheese. Twelve lactating goats were used (eight Saanen and four Anglo Nubian goats, with 35 ± 5 days in lactation and average body weight of 37.93 ± 9.22 kg), distributed in a triplicate 4 × 4 Latin Square design. The increasing levels of LC studied were: 0, 67, 133 and 200 g/kg of dry matter (DM). The analyses were adjusted using orthogonal polynomial contrasts, in which the probability level of 5% was considered. For sensory attributes, principal component analysis was performed. The LC inclusion promoted the reduction in moisture (p = 0.013) and mineral matter (p < 0.001) content in cheese. The ether extract content in cheese showed a quadratic effect (p = 0.021). Lauric acid showed a linear (p = 0.002) increasing effect, and myristic (p < 0.001) and rumenic (p = 0.018) acids showed quadratic effects. The sensory attributes analysis in cheese indicated that the inclusion of 133 and 200 g/kg of LC improve its texture. Flavor was improved with the inclusion of 67 and 133 g/kg. The inclusion of up to 133 g/kg of LC in the diet of lactating goats is recommended because it promotes improvements in flavor and texture of Minas Frescal cheese.
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of licury cake (LC) inclusion in the diets of lactating goats on productive and metabolic performance. Twelve lactating goats, eight Saanen ...and four Anglo-Nubian, were distributed in a triplicate 4 × 4 Latin square design, with four treatments (0, 66.7, 133.3, and 200 g kg
of dry matter-DM). On the one hand, the LC inclusion increased neutral detergent fiber, indigestible neutral detergent fiber, and potentially digestible neutral detergent fiber (
< 0.001) intake. On the other hand, LC inclusion reduced ether extract and non-fibrous carbohydrate (
< 0.001) intake. There was a reduction in dry matter digestibility (
= 0.018) and an increase in neutral detergent fiber digestibility (
= 0.036). Feeding (
= 0.005) and rumination (
< 0.001) efficiencies increased with LC inclusion. The nitrogen balance was similar for all tested diets; however, we observed recycling metabolism. Based on the studied parameters, mainly milk production and composition, we recommend the LC inclusion of up to 200 g kg
DM in diets for lactating goats.
We investigated the effect of including palm kernel cake (PKC) at the levels of 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg
in the diet of lactating goats on the quality and sensory parameters of Minas Frescal cheese. ...Twelve goats were used in a triple 4 × 4 Latin square design. The dietary addition of PKC was associated with a reduction in moisture (
= 0.004), which compromised the cheese yield (
= 0.030). The ether extract content showed a quadratic response. There was a decrease in caproic (
= 0.014), caprylic (
= 0.011), capric (
= 0.003) and palmitic (
= 0.049) acids and an increase in lauric (
= 0.012) and myristic (
= 0.02) acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids increased (
= 0.008), whereas the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (
= 0.022) and thrombogenicity index (
= 0.023) decreased. Principal component analysis indicated that control treatment and the treatment with 80 g kg
PKC were the most acceptable to the cheese tasters. The use of palm kernel cake is a good alternative for lactating goats when added to the diet at levels up to 80 g kg
.
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of ensiling sorghum silage with urea and amending the aerobic exposure nutrients intake and apparent digestibility, ingestive behaviour and blood ...serum metabolites of feedlot lambs. Forty uncastrated crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês lambs, aged 150 ± 15 days and with an initial body weight of 21.73 ± 2.40 kg, were used. Animals were assigned in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Thus, six silage diets were produced with various urea addition levels (UA: 0 and 5 g/kg on a natural matter basis) and periods of aerobic exposure of silages (PAE: 0, 24 and 48 h). An effect was observed for nutrient intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) and total digestive nutrients TDN (g/day) and for the total apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP. There was an interaction effect between urea levels and aerobic exposure for ether extract (EE) and NDFap intakes (g/kg) and nonfibrous carbohydrate (NFC) digestibility (g/kg) (
= 0.012). The addition of 5 g/kg of urea to sorghum ensilage improved the digestibility parameters without changing dry matter intake and ingestive behaviour. The addition or not of urea does not change the blood parameters of the animals.
The whole corn germ (WCG), due to its desirable nutritional characteristics, has been studied as feed for ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of WCG inclusion as a linoleic acid ...source in diets for feedlot lambs on carcass characteristics, physicochemical composition, sensory attributes, and fatty acid profile of the meat. Forty non-castrated, crossbreed Dorper x Santa Inês lambs were distributed in a completely randomized design to evaluate the inclusion levels (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g/kg dry matter (DM)) of whole corn germ (WCG) in the diet. The dietary inclusion of WCG did not influence (
> 0.05) the weight gain and carcass characteristics, with the exception of the subcutaneous fat thickness (
< 0.01), which was higher in animals fed diets with higher levels of WCG. Lightness (L *;
= 0.04), yellowness (b *;
< 0.01), shear force (
= 0.04), linoleic fatty acid concentrations (
= 0.03), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (
= 0.04) had a quadratic increase due to WCG inclusion in the diets. The use of up to 120 g/kg DM of WCG in lamb diets does not affect the carcass characteristics, physicochemical composition, and sensory attributes of the meat. Despite this, the best polyunsaturated fatty acid profile in lambs' meat is obtained using 76.7 g/kg DM of WCG.
This study was carried out to determine the optimal inclusion rate of palm kernel cake (PKC) in diets for lactating goats based on intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, milk production and ...nitrogen metabolism. Twelve goats were used, eight Saanen and four Anglo Nubian, with a body weight of 46.0 ± 9.4 kg and 105 ± 5 days of lactation, distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design in triplicate. The diets were composed of increasing levels of PKC; 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg−1 of dry matter (DM). The DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates intakes decreased (p < 0.01) with the PKC inclusion. Milk production and milk protein decreased (p = 0.001), and milk production efficiency was not affected (p > 0.05) by the PKC inclusion. The ether extract intake varied quadratically (p < 0.01). Feeding and rumination efficiencies of dry matter and NDF were reduced (p < 0.001). The fat and total solids contents of the milk were influenced quadratically (p < 0.05). Nitrogen excretion (feces and milk), and retained nitrogen decreased (p < 0.001). Moderate use of up to 80 g kg−1 DM of PKC in the diet of lactating goats is recommended since at these levels milk production or body weight are significantly affected.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary inclusion (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g/kg DM) of whole corn germ (WCG), an energy source, on the metabolic and productive performance of feedlot lambs. ...To this end, two complementary experiments were carried out. In Experiment I, we tested the effects of WCG inclusion levels on the metabolism of 10 uncastrated Santa Inês male lambs, which were distributed into two 5 × 5 Latin squares design. Non-fibrous carbohydrates digestibility decreased (p = 0.01), whereas ether extract digestibility increased (p < 0.01) with the inclusion of WCG. Retained nitrogen did not change (p = 0.99) with the WCG inclusion. In Experiment II, we tested the effect of WCG inclusion levels on the production performance of 40 uncastrated Santa Inês male lambs, in a completely randomized design. There was a reduction in the intake of nutritional components (p < 0.05), except EE (p < 0.01), which increased with the increasing WCG levels. Production performance and blood parameters did not change. Based on the observed metabolism, performance, and feed efficiency, the use of WCG at up to 120 g/kg DM, in the total diet, is recommended as an alternative energy source for feedlot lambs.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive potential, chemical composition, and fermentation profile of 24 genotypes of forage sorghum after ensiling. For this agronomic evaluation, a ...completely randomized block design with six replicates and twenty-four treatments was employed. Genotype 5 had the highest dry matter (DM) yield of 22.24 t/ha. The plant DM content ranged (p < 0.001) from 271.8 g/kg of fresh matter (FM) in genotype 9 to 330.0 g/kg FM in genotype 3, averaging 302.9 g/kg FM. The crude protein and non-fibrous carbohydrates differed significantly (p < 0.001) in the evaluated silages, with mean values of 61.0 and 275.3 g/kg DM, respectively. The pH of the sorghum silages also differed (p < 0.001), despite having an average of 3.94, with values ranging from 3.68 to 4.27. No changes were observed (p > 0.05) for the dry matter recovery of the sorghum genotype silages, which averaged at 853.9 g/kg FM. In the present study, genotype 5 resulted in being the most recommended genotype because it demonstrated a higher yield and higher nutritional value in both its fresh form and its ensiled form; had the lowest losses; and showed an ideal dry matter recovery after ensiling of 880 g/kg.
PDF
