Nutritional and performance viability of cactus Opuntia-based diets added to concentrate levels for Girolando lactating dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different concentrate levels in diets based on cactus Opuntia Stricta (Haw.) Haw cladodes over the performance of lactating Girolando cows. METHODS: The experiment involved 10 Girolando multiparous dairy cows (512.6 kg of body weight and producing 13.2kg milk/day), allocated into two 5 x 5 Latin squares. The experimental treatments consisted of control diet composed by cactus Nopalea cochenillifera. Salm-Dyck. cladodes (Nopalea), forage sorghum silage and concentrate (20% at DM basis), and four concentrate levels diets (20, 24, 28 and 32%) plus cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. cladodes (Opuntia) and forage sorghum silage. RESULTS: Regarding cows fed control diet, the nutrients intake were greater than for cows fed with cactus Opuntia and concentrate. Regarding concentrate levels, intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) of cows increased linearly. The OM, CP and NDF digestibilities were similar in between to control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets. The digestibility of NFC increased linearly when the concentrate was inserted. The N balance was the same for control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets, irrespective the concentrate levels. CONCLUSION: For cows producing 14 kg/day with 3.5% of fat, it is recommended 32% of concentrate inclusion in cactus Opuntia-based diets, and the increase in concentrate level promotes a linear increase in milk yield.

Intake, digestibility, and performance of lambs fed spineless cactus cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia) and Miúda (Nopalea) on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, performance, and ultrasound measurements of growing lambs. METHODS: Thirty-six male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs were used, with an average age of 6 months and an initial average weight of 22.0±2.9 kg. They were distributed in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments (Tifton hay, Nopalea and Opuntia) and 12 replications, using initial weight as a covariate. The experimental period was 86 days, with the first 30 days used for the adaptation of the animals to the facilities, diets and management, and the remaining 56 days used for evaluation and data collection. RESULTS: The intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) showed a significant difference (p<0.05) as a function of the diets, with the Nopalea treatment (p<0.05) increasing DM intake (g/kg and % body weight [BW]), CP, TDN, and TC digestibility, whereas the Tifton hay diet led to a high (p<0.001) neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) g/d intake, NDFap (BW %) and digestibility of said nutrient. There was no effect of treatments (p>0.05) on feeding time, however, rumination time and total chewing time were higher (p<0.05) for animals fed Tifton hay. The performance of the animals was similar (p>0.05). For the ultrasound measurements, Nopalea promoted an increase in the final loin eye area, compared to Tifton hay. CONCLUSION: The use of spineless cactus variety Miúda leads to the greater intake and digestibility of nutrients. The evaluated carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes are alternatives for semi-arid regions as they do not negatively affect the performance of growing lambs.

Intake, performance, and carcass characteristics of lambs fed spineless cactus replacing wheat bran.

To assess the intake, digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs, 36 F1 Santa Ines × Dorper male lambs with an initial average weight of 19.5 ± 0.27 kg were fed with different levels of spineless cactus (0, 33, 66, and 100 %) as a replacement of the wheat bran. The replacement diets had no effect on the intake of dry matter (DM) or crude protein (CP), whose average values were 962 and 140 g/day, respectively. There was a quadratic effect on the intake of digestible organic matter (OM) and the digestibility of DM, CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC). The highest average daily gain (ADG) of 168 g/day was achieved at 58.7 % replacement level. The highest hot and cold carcass weights of 15.4 and 14.5 kg were achieved at 62.4 and 56.9 % replacement levels. For lambs in the feedlot, we recommend replacing wheat bran with up to 58.7 % spineless cactus.

Liquid residue of cassava as a replacement for corn in the diets of sheep.

The effect of the replacement of corn with the liquid residue of cassava was evaluated at levels of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% in the diets of sheep on the intake and nutrient digestibility, weight gain, and carcass characteristics. Forty non-castrated crossbred Santa Ines sheep at 4 months of age and an initial body weight of 19.5 ± 2.5 kg were slaughtered after 90 days at the feedlot. A quadratic effect was found for intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and digestible OM, with estimated values of 1130, 1080, 558, and 777 g/day at 11.2, 11.9, 30.8, and 2.18% of replacing corn with liquid residue of cassava, respectively. However, the intake of crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) decreased linearly around 105 to 45.3 g CP/day and 413 to 284 g NDF/day. The same effect was found for digestibility of DM (715 to 649 g/kg), OM (725 to 669 g/kg), CP (801 to 759 g/kg), and NDF (486 to 379 g/kg), which decreased linearly as the dietary liquid residue of cassava increased. The maximum average daily gain (174 g/day) was estimated with a 22.4% replacement level. Liquid residue of cassava can replace up to 25% of the corn in the diets of sheep, since it was possible to obtain a gain above 100 g/day, which is considered to be satisfactory.

Cassava peel as a replacement for corn in the diet of lactating cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the replacement of corn with cassava peel in the diets of dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were used. The experimental treatments consisted of four replacement levels of corn with cassava peel (0, 33, 66, and 100 %). The replacement of corn with cassava peel linearly decreased the intake and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, but did not alter the intake of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein. In addition, there was a linear decrease in milk production. The milk components (g/kg) of fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were not altered. Although cassava peel decreased intake, digestibility, and milk production, the replacement of corn with cassava peel may be advantageous in locations close to the starch industry.

Weight Development and Growth Curves of Grazing Santa Inês Sheep Supplemented with Concentrate in the Pre-Weaning Phase.

Monitoring weight development is essential for decision-making and assessing the effectiveness of management strategies. However, this practice is often hindered by the lack of scales on farms. This study aimed to characterize the weight development and growth curves of male and female Santa Inês lambs from birth to weaning, managed on pasture with creep-fed concentrate supplementation. Data from 212 lambs during the pre-weaning phase were analyzed. The animals were weighed every seven days to evaluate total weight gain and average daily gain. Biometric measurements were taken every 28 days. Mixed models were used to assess the effects of sex and birth type on birth and weaning weights. Simple and multiple linear regression models were employed to estimate live weight using biometric measurements. The non-linear Gompertz model was utilized to describe weight development and formulate growth curves. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05. An interaction effect between birth type and sex (p < 0.05) was noted for birth weight, with the lowest weight observed in twin-birth females (2.96 kg) and the highest in single-birth males (3.73 kg) and females (3.65 kg) (p > 0.05). Birth type significantly influenced average daily gain, total weight gain, and weaning weight (p < 0.05). The Gompertz model accurately depicted the growth curves, effectively describing the weight development. Pearson's correlation coefficients between biometric measurements and weight were positive and significant (p < 0.05), ranging from 0.599 for hip height to 0.847 for heart girth. Consequently, the simple and multiple regression equations demonstrated high precision in predicting weaning weight. In conclusion, twin-birth lambs receiving concentrate supplementation via creep-feeding and managed on pasture showed different developmental patterns compared to single-birth lambs under the same conditions. The Gompertz model proved effective for monitoring development during the pre-weaning phase. All simple and multiple linear regression models were effective in predicting weaning weight through biometric measurements. However, for practical application, the model incorporating two measurements-body length and abdominal circumference-is recommended.

Ingestive behavior of pastured crossbred dairy cows offered different supplement types.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different supplements on the behavior variables of crossbred dairy cows that were in pasture that comprised two 4 × 4 Latin squares (four periods, four treatments, and four animals). Each experimental period lasted 15 days (10 days to adapt animals to treatments and 5 days for data collection). The animals were supplemented twice a day, with different forage (corn silage and cactus pear) and concentrate sources (soy mea + wheat meal + corn meal + cotton seed together and soy meal as a single constituent of the concentrate). A significant difference (p < 0.10) was observed for the percentage of time spent consuming the supplement and for idleness, rumination, and bite rate at the time of supplementation. The supplement intake period was greater for the cactus pear-based supplements due to the lower dry matter content. Those based on corn silage resulted in longer rumination periods than those consisting of cactus pear; however, the opposite was observed for supplements based on the cactus, which showed higher percentages of time for idleness. The supplementation influenced the ingestive behavior of crossbred dairy cows.

Prediction of carcass composition through measurements in vivo and measurements of the carcass of growing Santa Inês sheep.

In vivo and carcass measurements were evaluated to predict carcass physical and chemical composition and to list the measurements that best fit the prediction of the composition of growing Santa Inês sheep carcasses. Thirty-three animals were used to measure the loin eye area by ultrasound in vivo (LEAu) and in the carcass. We used 39 animals for biometric measurement in vivo and 42 sheep for morphometric measurement in the carcass. For the physical and chemical compositions of carcasses, dissection of the half left carcass was carried out in 42 animals. The data were submitted to Pearson's correlation analysis and t test. Simple and multiple linear regressions were performed using a stepwise procedure. All correlations between in vivo measurements and the physical and chemical compositions of carcasses (in kg) were significant, except for LEAu. Biometric measurements and hot (HCW) and cold (CCW) carcass weights were considered as predictors of the carcasses' physical and chemical compositions. Slaughter body weight (SBW) was the variable that most influenced the equations in the assessment of in vivo measurements and HCW and CCW most influenced the equations for measurements on carcasses. Biometric measurements of Santa Inês sheep can be used together with the SBW to estimate the physical and chemical compositions of carcasses, with emphasis on body compactness index, breast width, wither height, and croup height. The morphometric measurements can be used together with carcass weight to estimate the physical and chemical compositions of carcasses, with emphasis on croup width, carcass compactness index, croup perimeter, external and internal carcass lengths, chest width, and leg length and perimeter. The HCW can be used to predict the physical and chemical composition of carcasses without affecting the accuracy of the prediction model.

Concentrate intake and performance of dairy calves subjected to programs of supplementary lighting / Consumo de concentrado e desempenho de bezerras leiteiras submetidas a programas de iluminação suplementar

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to assess Girolando calves' concentrate intake and performance when placed in shelters with distinct roofing materials and programs of supplementary lighting during the milk-feeding stage. In order to so, we used a completely randomized design with a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with three replications. Females Girolando calves (n=27) were assigned in individual shelters at random with 3 different roofing materials (fiber cement tile, recycled tile and thatched roofs) and subjected to three lighting programs (12, 16 and 20 hours). No interaction was observed between roofing material and lighting programs, whilst no significant effect (P>0.05) was observed among the roofing materials. The supplementary lighting, by providing greater light exposure time, has stimulated intake and therefore, significantly affected (P<0.05) the concentrate intake and performance of the animals that were subjected to 20 hours of light.

RESUMO: Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar o consumo de concentrado e o desempenho de bezerras da raça Girolando quando colocadas em abrigos com materiais de cobertura e programas de iluminação suplementar distintos, durante a fase de aleitamento. Para tal, nós utilizamos o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3×3, com três repetições. As bezerras Girolando (n=27) foram distribuídas ao acaso em abrigos individuais, com materiais de cobertura distintos (telha de fibrocimento, telha reciclada e cobertura com palha), e sujeitas a três programas de iluminação (12, 16 e 20h). Não houve interação entre os mateiral de cobertura×programas de iluminação, ao mesmo tempo que não foi observado efeito significativo (P>0,05) para os materiais de cobertura. A iluminação suplementar, proporcionando maior tempo de luz, tem estimulado a ingestão, e, portanto, apresentou efeito significativo (P<0,05) no consumo de concentrado e desempenho dos animais submetidos a 20h de iluminação.

Feeding management strategy for sheep in feedlot in hot and humid region / Estratégia de manejo alimentar para ovinos confinados em região quente e úmida

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different feeding schedules on the ingestive behavior, dry matter (DM) intake, neutral detergent fiber intake (NDF), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) of Santa Ines sheep, in feedlot in hot and humid climate region. Five non-castrated male sheep with an initial average weight of 27 ± 3 kg were distributed in a 5x5 Latin Square experimental design. Feed was offered twice daily, the first meal at 7:00h for all treatments, and the second meal, was offered at: 13:30h, 15:00h, 16:30h, 18:00h, or 19:30h. The RR and RT were measured thrice (morning, afternoon and evening) in a day. The feeding behavior (time of eating, rumination and idleness) was recorded in minutes for period of 24 hours visually. The environmental conditions (air temperature and humidity) was measured to determine the thermal comfort index, THI (Temperature-Humidity Index), which ranged between 72 and 83. There was no evidence that different afternoon feeding times affected rectal temperature during the morning (38.9°C), afternoon (39.0°C) or evening (39.0°C). The respiratory rate during the afternoon was higher for animals fed at 15:00h (55.2 mov.min-1) than for animals fed at 18:00h or 19:30h (29.6 and 31.6 mov.min-1, respectively).

O estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito dos diferentes horários de fornecimento da dieta sob parâmetros fisiológicos e comportamento ingestivo de ovinos, confinados em região quente e úmida. Foram utilizados cinco machos de peso médio inicial (27 ± 3 kg), distribuídos em Quadrado Latino 5 x 5. O alimento foi ofertado duas vezes ao dia, a primeira refeição às 7:00h e a segunda refeição (tratamentos) foi ofertada às: 13:30h, 15:00h, 16:30h, 18:00h, ou 19:30h. A frequência respiratória (FR) e a temperatura retal (TR) foram avaliadas em 3 períodos do dia. O comportamento ingestivo (tempo de alimentação, ruminação e ócio) foi avaliado visualmente a cada 10 min durante 24 horas. As condições ambientais foram monitoradas para determinar do ITU (índice de temperatura e umidade) que variou entre 72 a 83. Os animais mantiveram a TR dentro da faixa fisiológica normal e não diferiram dentre os tratamentos experimentais: manhã (38,9°C), tarde (39,0°C) e noite (39,0°). A FR também não foi diferente dentre os tratamentos para os períodos da manhã (37,2 mov.min-1) e noite (34,4 mov.min-1), porém no período da tarde a FR dos animais alimentados às 15:00h (55,2 mov.min-1) foi maior do que os demais tratamentos. Os diferentes manejos adotados não exerceram influência sobre os consumos de consumos de matéria seca (1,015 Kg) e FDN (0,364 Kg). Para os tempos totais das atividades de alimentação (289 min/dia), ruminação (500 min/dia) e ócio (650 min/dia) não foram observadas diferenças em função dos horários de fornecimento da dieta, no entanto houve diferença na distribuição dessas atividades ao longo do dia, em que claramente se observou a adaptação dos animais ao manejo alimentar adotado em cada tratamento experimental. Sugere-se mais estudos específicos a fim de avaliar as interações entre as respostas apresentadas e o desempenho animal.