Effect of wilting time and enzymatic-bacterial inoculant on the fermentative profile, aerobic stability, and nutritional value of BRS capiaçu grass silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of wilting times and application of an enzymatic-bacterial inoculant on the fermentative profile and nutritional characteristics of BRS capiaçu grass silage in a semi-arid region. Four wilting times treatments (control, 6, 24, and 30 h), with or without the addition of an enzymatic-bacterial inoculant, were analyzed as a split-plot completely randomized design with eight replications. Parameters of the rumen degradability test were analyzed using a split-plot completely randomized block design with four replications. There was no interaction between wilting times and inoculant application on pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3 -N), and aerobic stability of BRS capiaçu silage. Aerobic stability was reduced by 1.2 h for every 1-h increase in wilting time. Inoculant application reduced the pH values by 2.59% and extended the aerobic stability of the silage by 19 h. There was a significant interaction of wilting times and inoculant application on the levels of malic, succinic, lactic, and acetic acids. Inoculant application increased the contents of dry matter, ash, crude protein, insoluble neutral detergent fiber, and total carbohydrates by 3.63, 6.13, 7.73, 6.39, and 9.97% compared with non-inoculated silages, respectively. Wilting times for up to 30 h and application of enzymatic-bacterial inoculant improves the fermentative profile and chemical composition and reduces dry matter losses of silage of BRS capiaçu grass harvested at 100 days of regrowth.

Using infrared thermography to measure the body surface temperature of crossbred cows and calves in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the body surfacetemperature of crossbreed cows and calves managed in thesemi-arid region of Minas Gerais (Brazil), using the infraredthermography technique. The thermal environment wascharacterized by daily collections of meteorological variablesand subsequent calculation of thermal indices. Body surfacetemperature (BST) was measured at 6:00, 12:00 and 16:00hours, at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0 meters distances from theanimals to measure the right and left flank temperature andcompare with the different information obtained in theliterature. The thermal environment was classified as anemergency from 12:00. There was no significative differencebetween the distances studied, where the body surfacetemperature of cows and calves was 36.8 °C and 38.2 °C,respectively. There was significative interaction between thehours and the laterality of the body, where at 7:00 the BSTwas higher in the left flank due to the more intense ruminalactivity and at 16:00 there was no difference in the BST, butin this period the higher BST values were observed due to thethermal environment. It is possible to obtain BST by means ofthermographic camera reliably up to a distance of 2.0 m. Thethermal environment elevates BST in the afternoon period, butthe adaptability of the animals obtained through heterosis doesnot expose them to the heat stress condition. The microclimateof the shaded environment and in full sun does not interferewith the calves' preference of accommodation.(AU)

Using infrared thermography to measure the body surface temperature of crossbred cows and calves in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the body surfacetemperature of crossbreed cows and calves managed in thesemi-arid region of Minas Gerais (Brazil), using the infraredthermography technique. The thermal environment wascharacterized by daily collections of meteorological variablesand subsequent calculation of thermal indices. Body surfacetemperature (BST) was measured at 6:00, 12:00 and 16:00hours, at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0 meters distances from theanimals to measure the right and left flank temperature andcompare with the different information obtained in theliterature. The thermal environment was classified as anemergency from 12:00. There was no significative differencebetween the distances studied, where the body surfacetemperature of cows and calves was 36.8 °C and 38.2 °C,respectively. There was significative interaction between thehours and the laterality of the body, where at 7:00 the BSTwas higher in the left flank due to the more intense ruminalactivity and at 16:00 there was no difference in the BST, butin this period the higher BST values were observed due to thethermal environment. It is possible to obtain BST by means ofthermographic camera reliably up to a distance of 2.0 m. Thethermal environment elevates BST in the afternoon period, butthe adaptability of the animals obtained through heterosis doesnot expose them to the heat stress condition. The microclimateof the shaded environment and in full sun does not interferewith the calves' preference of accommodation.

Animal and workers' welfare during agricultural fairˆien

The animal welfare concept in the last years began to be implanted in the animal production scenario and in the environment where the workers are inserted. But, the animal breeders themselves know little about rational handling, the labor laws, and the positive effects that this practice can offer. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the physiological parameters and the welfare conditions of the animals and the workers, during an agricultural fair in the Brazilian semi-arid. Questionnaires were applied to visitors, caretakers, and farmers, in order to verify the perception level regarding the adoption of rational handling and, animal and workers welfare. Subsequently, the handling and thermal environment were evaluated. The following physiological variables were collected: rectal and body surface temperature and, respiratory rate during shipment and landing of the beef cattle belonging to the elite category at the fair. Questionnaires data showed that the theme welfare and rational handling is known among visitors, caretakers and farmers, and that the practice is less stressful to animals. The physiological variables were within the recommended standards, indicating the animal thermoregulation and animal adaptation to the shipment, transport and landing. However, the handling adopted by the workers is still result on cultural issues, lack of information and awareness about the benefits of rational handling.(AU)

Animal and workers' welfare during agricultural fairˆien

The animal welfare concept in the last years began to be implanted in the animal production scenario and in the environment where the workers are inserted. But, the animal breeders themselves know little about rational handling, the labor laws, and the positive effects that this practice can offer. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the physiological parameters and the welfare conditions of the animals and the workers, during an agricultural fair in the Brazilian semi-arid. Questionnaires were applied to visitors, caretakers, and farmers, in order to verify the perception level regarding the adoption of rational handling and, animal and workers’ welfare. Subsequently, the handling and thermal environment were evaluated. The following physiological variables were collected: rectal and body surface temperature and, respiratory rate during shipment and landing of the beef cattle belonging to the elite category at the fair. Questionnaires data showed that the theme welfare and rational handling is known among visitors, caretakers and farmers, and that the practice is less stressful to animals. The physiological variables were within the recommended standards, indicating the animal thermoregulation and animal adaptation to the shipment, transport and landing. However, the handling adopted by the workers is still result on cultural issues, lack of information and awareness about the benefits of rational handling.

F1 Holstein x Zebu Cows in late pregnancy show physiological adaptation when raised in semiarid environment / Vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu no terço final de gestação apresentam adaptação fisiológica quando criadas no ambiente semiárido

This study aimed to verify the adaptability of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows during the late pregnancy third, raised in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, by means of physiological responses. A total of ten cows were used, all in fourth pregnancy. To characterize the climatic environment, daily collections of air temperature, air relative humidity and wind speed were carried out to enable the calculation of the Globe Temperature and Humidity Index (GTHI) and Radiant Thermal Load (RTL). The physiological parameters analyzed were: respiratory frequency, rectal temperature and surface body temperature, at 10 am and 3 pm. The adaptability tests used were Heat Tolerance Index (HTI) and Heat Tolerance Coefficient (HTC). The climatic environment was out of thermal comfort in the afternoon. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) for the values of the physiological parameters. However, these responses were within the comfort range recommended for crossbred animals. The adaptability tests confirmed that the animals show adaptation to the semiarid environment of Minas Gerais, showing differences (p < 0.05) on HTC between 10 am (2.52) and 3 pm (2.64), and the HTI showed an average of 9.64, a value that is very close to the index 10. It is concluded that the F1 Holstein x Zebu cows in the late pregnancy third are adapted to the climate in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, by not [...]

O trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a adaptabilidade de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu no terço final de gestação, criadas no semiárido mineiro, por meio das respostas fisiológicas. Foram utilizadas 10 vacas, todas de quarta gestação. Para caracterizar o ambiente climático foram realizadas coletas diárias de temperatura do ar, umidade relativa do ar e velocidade do vento, para possibilitar o cálculo do Índice de Temperatura de Globo e Umidade (ITGU) e da Carga Térmica Radiante (CTR). Os parâmetros fisiológicos analisados foram: frequência respiratória, temperatura retal e temperatura da superfície corporal, às 10:00 e 15:00 horas. Os testes de adaptabilidade utilizados foram: Índice de tolerância ao calor (ITC) e coeficiente de tolerância ao calor (CTC). O ambiente climático esteve fora das condições de conforto térmico no período da tarde. Houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) para os valores de parâmetros fisiológicos, contudo, essas respostas estiveram dentro da faixa de conforto recomendados para animais mestiços. Os testes de adaptabilidade confirmaram que os animais apresentam adaptação ao ambiente do semiárido mineiro, apresentando diferenças (p < 0,05), de CTC entre o horário das 10:00 h (2,52) e 15:00 h (2,64), e o ITC apresentou uma média de 9,64, valor aproximado do índice 10. Conclui-se que, as vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu no terço final de gestação são adaptadas ao [...]

F1 Holstein x Zebu Cows in late pregnancy show physiological adaptation when raised in semiarid environment / Vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu no terço final de gestação apresentam adaptação fisiológica quando criadas no ambiente semiárido

This study aimed to verify the adaptability of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows during the late pregnancy third, raised in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, by means of physiological responses. A total of ten cows were used, all in fourth pregnancy. To characterize the climatic environment, daily collections of air temperature, air relative humidity and wind speed were carried out to enable the calculation of the Globe Temperature and Humidity Index (GTHI) and Radiant Thermal Load (RTL). The physiological parameters analyzed were: respiratory frequency, rectal temperature and surface body temperature, at 10 am and 3 pm. The adaptability tests used were Heat Tolerance Index (HTI) and Heat Tolerance Coefficient (HTC). The climatic environment was out of thermal comfort in the afternoon. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) for the values of the physiological parameters. However, these responses were within the comfort range recommended for crossbred animals. The adaptability tests confirmed that the animals show adaptation to the semiarid environment of Minas Gerais, showing differences (p < 0.05) on HTC between 10 am (2.52) and 3 pm (2.64), and the HTI showed an average of 9.64, a value that is very close to the index 10. It is concluded that the F1 Holstein x Zebu cows in the late pregnancy third are adapted to the climate in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, by not [...](AU)

O trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a adaptabilidade de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu no terço final de gestação, criadas no semiárido mineiro, por meio das respostas fisiológicas. Foram utilizadas 10 vacas, todas de quarta gestação. Para caracterizar o ambiente climático foram realizadas coletas diárias de temperatura do ar, umidade relativa do ar e velocidade do vento, para possibilitar o cálculo do Índice de Temperatura de Globo e Umidade (ITGU) e da Carga Térmica Radiante (CTR). Os parâmetros fisiológicos analisados foram: frequência respiratória, temperatura retal e temperatura da superfície corporal, às 10:00 e 15:00 horas. Os testes de adaptabilidade utilizados foram: Índice de tolerância ao calor (ITC) e coeficiente de tolerância ao calor (CTC). O ambiente climático esteve fora das condições de conforto térmico no período da tarde. Houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) para os valores de parâmetros fisiológicos, contudo, essas respostas estiveram dentro da faixa de conforto recomendados para animais mestiços. Os testes de adaptabilidade confirmaram que os animais apresentam adaptação ao ambiente do semiárido mineiro, apresentando diferenças (p < 0,05), de CTC entre o horário das 10:00 h (2,52) e 15:00 h (2,64), e o ITC apresentou uma média de 9,64, valor aproximado do índice 10. Conclui-se que, as vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu no terço final de gestação são adaptadas ao [...](AU)