Suppressive treatment with monepantel and the fast selection for phenotypically resistant trichostrongylids of sheep.

Gastrointestinal parasite control has been a major challenge to livestock due to the failure of anthelmintic treatments. Monepantel (MNT) was introduced in 2009 as an alternative treatment option showing a new mechanism of action against nematode parasites. To study the response of MNT in a suppressive regime, 45-Suffolk and White Dorper naturally infected sheep were divided into one of three groups, G1: control ­ with no treatment, G2: MNT at 2.5 mg kg−1 live weight (LW) PO every 30 days, and G3: MNT at 4.0 mg kgLW−1 PO every 30 days for 6 months. Every 15 days, the animals were individually weighed (body weight, BW) and checked for Famacha (FMC) and body condition score (BCS). The efficacy of MNT was evaluated weekly by fecal egg count (FEC) every month. FEC showed >97% efficacy at the start of the experiment, revealing a significant reduction for G2 (28%) and G3 (39%) in the following months. There was no treatment, BW or BCS effect between treatments; however, there was a period (P < 0.0001) and a treatment vs period interaction (P < 0.0001) for BW. The data revealed that MNT at a therapeutic and suppressive dose had a non-linear polynomial efficacy regression (R2) of 0.988 and 0.992, respectively. This original experiment demonstrates how short-interval and suppressive MNT treatments would rapidly select Haemonchus contortus, showing a fast susceptible-resistance phenotypic population replacement. Therefore, it is suggested that MNT might be carefully used in parasite control programmes alongside other management strategies (i.e. FMC, BCS) to reduce treatment frequency and the selection process for resistance.

Transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum to lambs in successive pregnancies of naturally infected sheep in Southern Brazil.

This study aims to report the detection of N. caninum DNA in a newborn lamb (1) with neurological signs and congenital neosporosis and in a stillborn lamb (2), both born from the same ewe in a herd of Southern Brazil. The lambs were born during different pregnancies of a Suffolk ewe seropositive to N. caninum and seronegative to T. gondii. Histopathological lesions were observed only in the central nervous system of the lambs. The newborn lamb (1) showed mild and focal gliosis in the frontal lobe. In the hippocampal region of the stillborn lamb (2), lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffs and N. caninum cysts were observed in the cytoplasm of neurons and confirmed by IHC. PCR was performed using brain samples to detect the protozoa N. caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. The infection with N. caninum was confirmed in the newborn lamb (1) by PCR and in the stillborn lamb (2) by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and PCR tests.

Low-Intensity, High-Frequency Grazing Strategy Increases Herbage Production and Beef Cattle Performance on Sorghum Pastures.

We assessed the effects of high-intensity and low-frequency (HILF) vs. low-intensity and high-frequency (LIHF) grazing on herbage production and performance of beef cattle grazing sorghum pastures. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with two treatments and four replicates (paddocks), carried out in 2014/15. The management target of 50 and 30 cm for pre- and post-grazing, respectively, a LIHF grazing management strategy oriented to maximize beef cattle herbage intake per unit time, was compared with a HILF grazing management strategy of 80 and 20 cm for pre- and post-grazing, respectively, aiming to maximize herbage accumulation and harvest efficiency. Sixteen Brangus steers of 15-month-old and 265 ± 21 kg of live weight (LW) were randomly distributed to paddocks (experimental units). The LIHF resulted in shorter rest periods when compared with the HILF. The greater leaf lamina mass in LIHF allowed greater sward light interception at post-grazing, resulting in greater total herbage production than HILF (7581 and 4154 kg DM/ha, respectively). The average daily gain (ADG) of steers was greater for the LIHF than for the HILF treatment (0.950 and 0.702 kg/animal, respectively); however, even with a greater stocking rate in the HILF, there was no difference for LW gain per ha, with an average of 4 kg LW/ha/day. Our findings demonstrated that the LIHF strategy that is based on offering to the animals an optimal sward structure to favor the maximum herbage intake rate fosters greater herbage production, harvesting efficiency, and ADG without compromising LW gain per area of beef steers, despite the lower herbage harvested per stocking cycle.

Management Strategies for Lamb Production on Pasture-Based Systems in Subtropical Regions: A Review.

Sheep production on pasture plays an important role in subtropical climates around the world, with great economic and environmental relevance to those regions. However, this production is much lower than its true potential in subtropical regions, largely due to lack of knowledge of how to feed grazing lambs, and mitigate gastrointestinal parasite infections. Due to weather instability and the high growth rate of tropical grasses, it is difficult to adjust the quality and quantity of feed consumed by lambs. In addition, due to warm, wet weather during spring, summer, and autumn, gastrointestinal parasite infection can be intense on subtropical pastures. Thus, the objective of this paper is to summarize 17 years of research in southern regions of Brazil testing alternative management for sheep farmers under these challenging conditions. Our review indicates that ewes play important roles raising their lambs. Besides protecting and providing milk, they leave a better pasture structure for lamb nutrition. The use of creep feeding and creep grazing are additional alternatives to improve lamb growth. However, feeding supplementation with concentrate can deteriorate pasture quality at the end of the summer-autumn season. Gastrointestinal parasitic infections can be reduced with improved lamb nutrition, although L3 larvae of Haemonchus contortus can be present at various pasture heights. This indicates that it is difficult to control L3 ingestion solely by manipulating grazing heights. We summarize important technologies for raising lambs on pasture-based systems to make the best of high herbage growth and minimize intense parasitic infections common in subtropical regions. We discuss research results in light of the latest studies from other ecoregions and climates, although there is a lack of similar research in subtropical regions of the world.

Tall fescue sward structure affects the grazing process of sheep.

The study of factors influencing animal intake can provide a better understanding of the dynamics of the pasture ecosystem and serve as a basis for managing livestock in a more efficient way. We measured different sward surface heights of tall fescue in the process of short-term intake rate of sheep. There was a significant effect of sward surface height on herbage mass (P < 0.001), leaf lamina mass (P < 0.001), other species mass (P = 0.02), bite mass (P = 0.01) and short-term intake rate (P = 0.03) of sheep. There was a quadratic fit between time per bite and bite mass (P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that the short-term intake rate and bite mass were positively correlated (r = 0.97), bite rate and total jaw movement rate were positively correlated but both were negatively correlated with time per bite. The sward surface height of tall fescue corresponding to the maximum short-term herbage intake rate was 22.3 cm. The underlying processes were driven by the bite mass, which was influenced by the leaf lamina bulk density and its consequences upon time per bite. This sward surface height can be adopted as a pre-grazing target for rotational stocking systems to optimize sheep nutrition on pastures.

Sheep polyclonal antibody to map Haemonchus contortus mimotopes using phage display library / Anticorpo policlonal de ovinos para mapear mimetopos de Haemonchus contortus usando a biblioteca de Phage display

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate phage display technology for mapping Haemonchus contortus mimotopes. We screened the PhD-7 Phage Display Peptide Library Kit with a sheep polyclonal antibody against H. contortus. After four rounds of selection, 50 phage peptide clones were selected by biopanning and sequenced. Two clones displaying peptide mimotopes of H. contortus proteins were chosen for sheep immunization: clone 6 - mimotope of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and clone 17 - mimotope of a disorganized muscle family member (Dim 1). Twelve sheep were allocated into 3 groups of 4 animals as follow: G1: control group; G2/GAPDH: immunized with clone 6; and G3/Dim1: immunized with clone 17. Four immunizations were performed at intervals of seven days (0, 7, 14, and 21 days). On day 28 post initial vaccination, all groups were orally challenged with 2500 H. contortus infective larvae. The mimotope peptides selected by phage display were recognized by IgG from sheep naturaly infected with H. contortus. The immunization protocol showed an increasein IgG anti-M13 phage titers, but no effect was observed in IgG-specific for the anti-mimotope peptides. This is the first report of successful use of a phage display library for the identification of mimotopes of H. contortus proteins.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a tecnologia de phage display no mapeamento de mimetopos de Haemonchus contortus. Anticorpo policlonal de ovinos anti-H. contortus foi usado para seleção a partir da biblioteca PhD-7 Phage Display Peptide Library Kit (New England BioLabs). Após quatro rodadas, 50 clones de fagos expressando peptídeos foram selecionados e sequenciados. Dois clones que exibiram mimetopos de H. contortus foram escolhidos para imunização de ovinos: clone 6 - mimetopo de gliceraldeído-3-fosfato desidrogenase (GAPDH) e clone 17 - mimetopo da família do músculo desorganizado (Dim 1). Doze ovinos foram alocados em 3 grupos de 4 animais, da seguinte forma: G1: grupo controle, G2/GAPDH: imunizado com o clone 6 e G3/Dim1: imunizado com o clone 17. Quatro imunizações foram realizadas (0, 7, 14 e 21 dias). No dia 28 após a primeira imunização, todos os grupos foram desafiados oralmente com 2500 larvas infectantes de H. contortus . Os peptídeos mimetopos selecionados foram reconhecidos por IgG de ovinos naturalmente infectados por H. contortus. O ensaio de imunização revelou um aument dos títulos de IgG anti-fago M13, mas não ocorreu aumento de IgG anti-peptídeos mimetopos. Este é o primeiro relato de uso bem sucedido da biblioteca de Phage display para a identificação de mimetopos de H. contortus.

Sheep polyclonal antibody to map Haemonchus contortus mimotopes using phage display library.

The aim of this study was to evaluate phage display technology for mapping Haemonchus contortus mimotopes. We screened the PhD-7 Phage Display Peptide Library Kit with a sheep polyclonal antibody against H. contortus. After four rounds of selection, 50 phage peptide clones were selected by biopanning and sequenced. Two clones displaying peptide mimotopes of H. contortus proteins were chosen for sheep immunization: clone 6 - mimotope of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and clone 17 - mimotope of a disorganized muscle family member (Dim 1). Twelve sheep were allocated into 3 groups of 4 animals as follow: G1: control group; G2/GAPDH: immunized with clone 6; and G3/Dim1: immunized with clone 17. Four immunizations were performed at intervals of seven days (0, 7, 14, and 21 days). On day 28 post initial vaccination, all groups were orally challenged with 2500 H. contortus infective larvae. The mimotope peptides selected by phage display were recognized by IgG from sheep naturaly infected with H. contortus. The immunization protocol showed an increasein IgG anti-M13 phage titers, but no effect was observed in IgG-specific for the anti-mimotope peptides. This is the first report of successful use of a phage display library for the identification of mimotopes of H. contortus proteins.

Moxidectin residues in tissues of lambs submitted to three endoparasite control programs.

The indiscriminate and continuous use of anthelmintic drugs has promoted the selection of resistant parasites population, the presence of drug residues in food products, and heavy environmental contamination. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of antiparasitic drug residues in 42-days old lamb serum and tissues, submitted to three endoparasite control programs: preventive treatment (PT) using moxidectin (MOX) at every 28days; selective treatment (FEC) using MOX when fecal egg count was greater than or equal to 700; and selective treatment (FMC), using MOX when FAMACHA/FMC score was 3 and above. For this purpose, MOX residues were quantified in serum, muscle, fat, liver and kidney. Lambs were slaughtered when reaching 30kg of body weight, and after a 28-day MOX withdrawal period. Before slaughter, blood was collected to determine the concentration of MOX in serum. Tissues and organ samples were collected at slaughter. The quantitation of MOX residues was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). From the 756 tissue samples analyzed, only one sample of fat from the PT group showed residue levels (586.3µg/kg) above the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 500µg/kg. No treated lambs presented traces of MOX residues in fat and liver, suggesting possible environmental contamination. In conclusion, all weaned lambs, produced in continuous grazing and subjected to gastrointestinal parasite control programs via selective (FEC and FMC) or preventive (PT) treatment, displayed a low risk (<1%) of MOX residues above the MRL in muscle, fat, kidney, and liver.

Corrigendum to "Sensitivity and specificity of the FAMACHA© system in Suffolk sheep and crossbred Boer goats" [Vet. Parasitol. 190 (2012) 114-119].

The authors reported an error in Table 2; the titles of the true-negative and true-positive columns are switched, and a corrected versionof Table 2 follows below.

Dinâmica do acúmulo de forragem de Axonopus aureus nos cerrados de Roraima / Forage dynamic accumulation of axonopus aureus in the Roraima´s savannaas

O efeito da idade da planta (21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 e 70 dias) sobre a produção de forragem e características morfogênicas e estruturais de Axonopus aureus, durante o período chuvoso, foi avaliado em condições de campo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. As avaliações foram realizadas no período de maio a agosto de 2009. O aumento da idade da planta resultou em maiores massas de forragem (MF), taxa absoluta de crescimento, número de perfilhos/planta, número de folhas/perfilho, tamanho médio de folhas, índice de área foliar e taxas de expansão e senescência foliar. As relações entre idades da planta com a MF e a taxa absoluta de crescimento da gramínea foram ajustadas ao modelo quadrático, sendo os máximos valores registrados aos 64,3 (1.394 kg/ha de MS) e 47,2 dias (26,62 kg/ha/dia de MS), respectivamente. As taxas de crescimento da cultura, taxa de crescimento relativo, taxas de aparecimento de perfilhos e de folhas foram inversamente proporcionais às idades da planta. Visando conciliar produtividade de forragem com a maximização das características morfogênicas e estruturais da gramínea, o período de descanso mais adequado para pastagens de A. aureus situa-se entre 42 e 49 dias.

The effects of plant age (21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 70 days) on forage mass (FM) yield, and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Axonopus aureus, during rainy season, were evaluated under natural field conditions. The experimental design was a completely randomized, with three replications. Evaluations were carried out during the period of May to August 2009. A FM yield, absolute growth rate (AGR), number of tillers/plant, number of leafs/plant, leaf area index, leaf senescence and elongation rates and blade length increased consistently with growth stage. The relations between FM and AGR with cutting plants age were described by the quadratic regression model. The maximum FM yield and forage production rate performance were estimated at 64.3 (1,394 kg/ha of FM) and 47.2 days of regrowth (26.62 kg/ha/day of FM). The crop growth and relative growth rates, tiller and leaf appearance rates were inversely proportional to cutting plant age. These data suggest that rest period of 42 to 49 days were appropriate for obtain maximum FM yields and improved the grass morphogenetic and structural characteristics.

Acúmulo de forragem e morfogênese de Trachypogon plumosus sob diferentes níveis de adubação nitrogenada / Forage accumulation and morphogenesis of Trachypogon plumosus under different levels of nitrogen fertilization

O efeito da adubação nitrogenada (0, 50, 100 e 200 kg N ha-1) sobre o acúmulo de forragem e características morfogênicas e estruturais de Trachypogon plumosus foi avaliado nos cerrados de Roraima. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com três repetições. A adubação nitrogenada proporcionou incrementos quadráticos na produção de matéria seca, teores de nitrogênio, taxas de aparecimento e alongamento foliar, número de folhas vivas/perfilho, comprimento final de folha e índice de área foliar, sendo os máximos valores estimados com a aplicação de 153,5 (2.849 kg ha-1); 124,0 (23,97 g/kg); 155,4 (0,155 folha perfilho-1 dia-1); 116,1 (2,64 cm dia-1 perfilho-1); 147,0 (6,43 folhas perfilho-1), 135,1 (19,04 cm) e 181,2 kg de N ha-1 (2,56), respectivamente. A densidade populacional de perfilhos e a taxa de senescência foliar foram diretamente proporcionais às doses de nitrogênio, ocorrendo o oposto quanto à eficiência de utilização e a recuperação aparente do nitrogênio.

The effect of nitrogen fertilization (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha-1) on forage production and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Trachypogon plumosus was evaluated in the Roraima´s savannas. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three replicates. Nitrogen fertilization promoted quadratic increase in the dry matter (DM) yield, nitrogen contents, leaf appearance rate, leaf elongation rate, number of live leaves/tiller, final leaf length and leaf area index; maximum values were estimated with application of 153.5 (2,849 kg ha-1); 124.0 (23.97 g/kg); 155.4 (0.155 leaf tiller-1 day-1); 116.1 (2.64 cm day-1 tiller-1); 147.0 (6.43 leaves tiller-1); 135.1 (19.04 cm) and 181.2 kg N ha-1, (2.56), respectively. Tiller population density and leaf senescence rate were directly proportional to nitrogen levels, and the opposite occurred for efficiency of utilization and apparent nitrogen recovery.

Feasibility of grazing sheep production systems using long-term economic indicators and the methodology of the soil expectation value / Viabilidade de sistemas de produção de ovinos a pasto utilizando indicadores econômicos de longo prazo e a metodologia do valor esperado da terra

Due to the high value of land in Brazil, it is necessary to conduct studies about the economic feasibility of the choice of production strategy. The soil expectation value determines the maximum purchase price of the bare land, considering the horizon of infinite time. Therefore, this methodology was used to assess the financial-economic feasibility of sheep production systems in pasture with either creep feeding or creep grazing termination of unweaned lambs. Six scenarios were proposed to evaluate the economic feasibility, according to the finishing strategy, the dry matter (DM) offer per kg of body weight (BW) per day (12% or 8%) and the corresponding percentage of white clover supplementary pasture area (30% to 50% - relative to the main pasture area). The soil expectation value was positive in all of the evaluated systems Creep grazing finishing system with 8% DM offer per kg BW and with 30% of reduction on the white glover area resulted in the largest financial return (R$ 289,043.71) and the highest internal return rate (1.74%). The most economically attractive scenario, however, was the creep feeding finishing system with 8% DM offer per kg of BW, which allowed expenses with the land as high as R$ 22,950.68 per hectare. Adjustments in the main pasture offer, which do not compromise animal performance, can enable economic improvement on the feasibility of grazing sheep production systems. The soil expectation value can be used as an economic indicator in the choice of location or expansion of grazing sheep farms.

Devido ao valor elevado da terra no Brasil, é necessário a realização de estudos de viabilidade econômica durante a escolha da estratégia de produção. O valor esperado da terra determina o preço máximo de compra da terra nua, considerando o horizonte de tempo infinito. Portanto, essa metodologia foi utilizada para avaliar a viabilidade economico-financeira de sistemas de produção de ovinos em pastagem com terminação em creep feeding ou creep grazing de cordeiros não dasmamados. Seis cenários foram propostos para avaliar a viabilidade econômica de acordo com a estrategia de terminação, a oferta de matéria seca (MS) por kg de peso vivo (PV) por dia (12% ou 8%) e a área de pastagem suplementar correspondente de trevo branco (30% a 50% – em relação à área de pastagem principal). O valor esperado da terra foi positivo em todos os sistemas avaliados. O sistema com terminação em creep grazing com 8% de oferta de MS/PV e com redução da área suplementar para 30% apresentou o maior retorno financeiro (R$ 289.043,71) e a maior taxa interna de retorno (1,74%). No entanto, o cenário economicamente mais atraente foi o sistema de creep feeding com 8% de oferta de MS/PV, permitindo despesas de até R$ 22.950,68 por hectare. Ajustes na oferta da pastagem principal, que não comprometam o desempenho do animal, podem permitir melhores resultados econômicos de sistemas de produção de ovinos em pastagem. O valor esperado da terra pode ser usado como um indicador econômico na escolha da localização ou ampliação de sistemas de produção de ovinos em pastejo.

Produtividade de forragem e composição química de Trachypogon plumosus sob níveis de correção da fertilidade do solo e desfolhação / Forage production and chemical composition of Trachypogon plumosus under soil fertility correction and defoliation levels

Foram avaliados os efeitos de níveis de correção da fertilidade do solo (testemunha, calagem, adubação e calagem + adubação), níveis de desfolhação (remoção de 50 e 75% da parte aérea da gramínea) e estações de crescimento (períodos chuvoso e seco) sobre a produtividade e composição química da forragem de Trachypogon plumosus nos cerrados de Roraima. A gramínea apresentou alta responsividade à melhoria do ambiente de produção, apesar de sua boa adaptação aos solos de baixa fertilidade de cerrados. O aumento da intensidade de desfolhação, durante o período chuvoso, reduziu as taxas de crescimento e a produtividade e qualidade da forragem, independentemente do nível de correção da fertilidade do solo, não sendo detectado efeito significativo (P>0,05) durante o período seco. Os maiores rendimentos de matéria seca verde (P<0,05) foram registrados durante o período chuvoso, com 50% de desfolhação e utilização da calagem + adubação (6.607 kg ha-1) ou adubação (6.314 kg ha-1). A remoção de 75% do dossel da pastagem em combinação com a calagem + adubação (2.433 kg ha-1) ou adubação (2.335 kg ha-1), durante o período chuvoso, resultou em maior acúmulo de material morto. Os maiores teores de nitrogênio (N) e os menores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) foram estimados durante o período chuvoso e com a utilização de calagem + adubação (16,22 g kg-1 de N; 71,89% de FDN e 34,11% de FDA) ou adubação (15,79 g kg-1 de N, 72,14% de FDN e 35,83% de FDA). A utilização da adubação ou calagem + adubação e do nível de desfolhação de 50% asseguram melhor distribuição estacional e maior produtividade e qualidade da forragem, além da redução no intervalo entre pastejos.

To evaluate the effects of soil fertility correction levels (control, liming, fertilization and liming + fertilization), defoliation levels (removal of 50 or 75% of pasture canopy) and growing season (rainy and dry season) on forage production and chemical composition of Trachypogon plumosus in Roraima´s savannas. The grass showed responsivity to the improvement of the production environment, despite its good adaptation to soils of low fertility of savannas. The increased grazing intensity, during the rainy season, reduced growth rates and forage productivity and quality, irrespectively to soil fertility correction levels, while was not detected significative effect (P>0.05) during dry season. The highest yields of green dry matter (P<0.05) were recorded during the rainy season, with 50% defoliation and use of lime + fertilizer (6,607 kg ha-1) or fertilization (6,314 kg ha-1). The removal of 75% of pasture canopy in combination with lime + fertilizer (2,433 kg ha-1) or fertilization (2,335 kg ha-1), during the rainy season resulted in higher accumulation of dead material. The highest levels of nitrogen (N) and the lowest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were estimated during the rainy season jointly with lime + fertilizer (16.22 g kg-1 of N; 71.89% of NDF and 34.11% of ADF) or fertilization (15.79 g kg-1 of N; 72.14% of NDF and 35.83% of ADF). The use of fertilizer and lime + fertilizer and defoliation level of 50% provided better seasonal distribution and higher productivity and quality of forage, besides the reduction in grazing interval.

Sensitivity and specificity of the FAMACHA(©) system in Suffolk sheep and crossbred Boer goats.

Sheep and goats are the species of farm animal with the highest growth rate in Paraná State. The main problems facing Paraná State flocks are gastrointestinal parasites and anthelmintic resistance. One of the newest resources used to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance is the FAMACHA(©) system, a selective method useful for controlling gastrointestinal verminosis in small ruminants. The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the FAMACHA(©) system in sheep and goats and to compare the results for both species. The conjunctivae of 83 Suffolk ewes and 60 adult crossbred Boer does were evaluated by the same trained person using the FAMACHA(©) system. The packed cell value (PCV) served as the gold standard for clinical FAMACHA(©) evaluation. To calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the FAMACHA(©) system, different criteria were adopted in turn: animals classified as FAMACHA(©) (F(©)) 4 and 5, or 3, 4 and 5, were considered to be anemic (positive test), and animals classified as F(©)1, 2 and 3, or 1 and 2 were considered to be non-anemic (negative test). Three standard values of PCV, namely ≤19%, ≤18% or ≤15%, were used to confirm anemia. At all cut-off levels, the sensitivity increased if F(©)3 animals were included as being anemic. However, changes in levels of sensitivity were associated with reciprocal changes in specificity. The sensitivity was higher for sheep than for goats, excepting when the criteria included PCV≤18 and F(©)3, F(©)4 and F(©)5 were considered positive. In contrast, the specificity was always lower in sheep for any criteria adopted. Other than in goats, using the ≤15 cut-off level for sheep, it is possible to opt not to drench the animals that were shown to be F(©)3 because the sensitivity is still high, indicating that few animals that should have been drenched were overlooked. In goats, in contrast, the low sensitivity at all cut-off levels made it too risky to leave F(©)3 animals undrenched. Even though the number of correct treatments for goats was always higher than that for sheep, the opposite was true for the kappa index for all the criteria tested. Therefore, the FAMACHA(©) system is suitable for the identification of anemic animals of both species. It is necessary that all small ruminants classified as FAMACHA(©) level 3 are also treated to increase the sensitivity of the method.

Carcaças e componentes não-carcaça de cordeiros terminados em pasto de azevém recebendo suplementação concentrada / Carcasses and non carcasses components of lambs on Italian ryegrass receiving concentrate supplementation

O trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta das características objetivas e subjetivas das carcaças e dos não componentes da carcaça de cordeiros desmamados precocemente e terminados em pasto de azevém anual ao fornecimento crescente de suplemento concentrado (sem suplementação; 0,9%; 1,8% do peso corporal e ad libitum) na dieta. Os cordeiros foram abatidos ao atingirem 32kg de peso corporal e medidas corporais foram tomadas antes do abate. Após o abate, registraram-se os pesos da carcaça quente, do conteúdo digestivo e dos não-componentes da carcaça. As carcaças permaneceram por 24 horas em câmara fria a 5°C, obtendo-se o peso da carcaça fria. Obtiveram-se os rendimentos e as medidas objetivas e subjetivas das carcaças e, por cálculos, as compacidades de perna e carcaça. Os dados foram submetidos às análises de regressão e de correlação simples. A suplementação concentrada apresentou efeito linear positivo (P<0,05) sobre pesos e rendimentos de carcaça quente e fria, compacidade de perna e de carcaça, estado de engorduramento e conformação das carcaças. A oferta crescente de suplementação concentrada aos cordeiros jovens desmamados e terminados em pasto de azevém promoveu a obtenção de carcaças maiores e com rendimento superior, com melhor conformação e estado de engorduramento, podendo resultar em melhores oportunidades de comercialização e de preços pagos ao produtor.

The study was performed to evaluate the subjective and objective measurements of the carcasses and non-carcasses components of weaned lambs grazing on Italian ryegrass pasture fed with different levels of concentrate supplementation (without supplementation, 0,9%, 1,8% of body weight and ad libitum). Lambs were slaughtered at 32kg of live weight. After slaughtering, hot carcass, digestive content and weight of non-carcass components were recorded. Weight of cold carcasses was assessed after the refrigeration for 24h at 5°C. Weight, yield and carcasses measurements were taken and then the leg and carcass compactness were calculated. Data were subjected to regression and simple correlation analysis. The concentrate supplementation levels had a positive linear effect on the weights and yields of hot and cold carcass and leg and carcasses compactness. Supplementation of weaned lambs grazing on annual ryegrass enabled to get carcasses of better conformation and fat covering. These effects may result in better price opportunities and marketing for farmers.

Produção de cordeiros em pastejo contínuo de azevém anual submetido à adubação nitrogenada / Production of lambs under continuous ryegrass grazing subjected to nitrogen

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o efeito da adubação nitrogenada do pasto de azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) sobre a produção de cordeiros de corte mantidos em pastejo contínuo. O pasto foi implantado em plantio direto, em área de integração lavoura-pecuária. A adubação de fundação foi realizada com 60kg P2O5 ha-1 e 60kg K²O ha-1. Os tratamentos corresponderam às doses 0; 75; 150 e 225kg de N ha-1, na forma de ureia (45 por cento de N), em cobertura, 35 dias após o plantio. O período de avaliação foi de 84 dias. A oferta de forragem foi influenciada de forma quadrática pelas doses de N, com menor disponibilidade para 182,75kg de N ha-1; no entanto, a oferta de lâminas foliares não foi influenciada pelas doses de N (3,8kg de massa de forragem de folhas/100kg de PV), nem o ganho de peso médio diário, com média 0,133kg de PV an-1 dia-1. Para carga animal e ganho de peso por área as doses de N proporcionaram aumento de 3,0kg de PV ha-1 e 1,1kg de PV ha-1, respectivamente por kg de N aplicado. A adubação nitrogenada proporcionou aumentos na carga animal, o que resulta no aumento de kg de carne produzidos nesse sistema.

It was evaluated the effect of nitrogen fertilization in ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) on the production of meat lamb under continuous grazing. Ryegrass pasture was established under no-tillage cropping in area of animal-crop integration system. The fertilization was held with 60kg of P2O5 ha-1 and 60kg of K²O ha-1. The treatments corresponded to the doses 0; 75; 150 e 225kg of N ha-1, in the urea form (45 percent de N) in single application, 35 days after seeding. The evaluation period was of 84 days. The forage was influenced quadratic ally by N rates, with minimum point at 182.75kg of N ha-1. However, the supply of leaf blades (LFM) was not influenced by doses of N (3.8kg LFM 100kg-1 live weight) or by the average daily weight gain, averaging 0.133 kg of LW an day. For stocking rate and live weight gain per area the doses of N increased 3.0 kg of LW-1 ha-1 and 1.1kg of LW ha-1, respectively for each kg of N applied. Nitrogen fertilization provides increases in animal productivity which results in increase kg of meat produced in this system.

Composição tecidual e perfil de ácidos graxos do lombo de cordeiros terminados em pasto com níveis de suplementação concentrada / Tissue composition and fatty acids profile of lambs loin finishing on pasture with concentrate supplementation

A composição tecidual da carne é característica importante na avaliação da qualidade sensorial e nutricional do produto. O presente trabalho avaliou a composição tecidual e o perfil de ácidos graxos do lombo de cordeiros desmamados aos 42 dias de idade média e terminados em pasto de azevém com níveis diários de suplementação concentrada (0, 1 e 2 por cento do PV e ad libitum). O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com três repetições. Os cordeiros foram abatidos ao atingirem 32kg de peso vivo. O lombo direito foi utilizado para determinação da composição tecidual e o esquerdo para análise de perfil de ácidos graxos. As análises de variância e de regressão foram realizadas com auxílio do programa SAS (2001). A suplementação concentrada de cordeiros terminados em pasto não teve efeito (P>0,05) sobre o desenvolvimento muscular e ósseo; no entanto, promoveu acréscimo linear na deposição de gordura intermuscular e total. Os níveis de suplementação estudados não tiveram efeito (P>0,05) sobre a quantidade e o percentual de cada ácido graxo da carne dos cordeiros. A suplementação concentrada de cordeiros desmamados em pasto de azevém aumentou a deposição de gordura na carcaça sem afetar a qualidade da carne para o consumo humano, considerando-se o perfil de ácidos graxos.

Meat composition is an important aspect on evaluation of sensory and nutritional quality of the product. This work had the objective of evaluating tissue composition and fatty acids profile of loin lambs weaned at 42 days of mean age and finished on ryegrass pasture with levels (0 percent; 1 percent and 2 percent of BW; ad libitum) of daily concentrate supplementation. The experiment was allocated in randomized blocks design with three replications. Lambs were slaughtered when individual live weight reached 32kg. Tissue composition was determined in right loin and left loin was used for fatty acids profile analyses. Analysis of variance and regression were performed by using SAS (2001). The concentrate supplementation of lambs finished on pasture did not affect (P>0.05) muscle and bone development, however, promoted linear increase on intermuscular and total fat. Levels of supplementation did not affect (P>0.05) the amount and percentage of each fatty acids in lambs meat. The concentrate supplementation of weaned lambs finished on ryegrass pastures increased fat covering on carcass without changing meat quality to human feeding considering fatty acids profile.