Rumen fermentation and metabolic profile of rams fed with diets amended cottonseed cake.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the addition of increasing cottonseed cake contents in the diet. The diets were composed of corn silage (500 g kg-1) and concentrate feed (500 g kg-1) on a dry matter (DM) basis. The treatments consisted of the substitution of 0, 140, 280, and 420 g kg-1 soybean meal to cottonseed cake in the DM of concentrate feed. Four rams of the Santa Inês breed, average age of 12 months and average weight of 27.77 ± 3.87 kg, were distributed in a Latin square design (4 × 4) in a split-split-plot design, with diets in the plots and as subplots were 5 days of collection and the collection times. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and regression at 5% probability. The soybean meal substitution contents by cottonseed cake in the concentrate increased linearly the pH (P = 0.019). Ruminal ammonia-nitrogen concentration decreased linearly by 0.0137 mg dL-1 at each 10 g/kg of substitution and the time after feeding promoted the same effect (P < 0.001) decreased linearly by 0.6204 mg dL-1 at each hour after feeding. There was an increased linearly of 0.0116 mmol mL-1 at the concentration of propionic (P = 0.008) and a reduction of 0.0062 mmol mL-1 at the concentration of butyric (P = 0.009) with cottonseed cake content; however, the substitution did not influence the others short-chain fatty acids. Replacement of soybean meal with cottonseed cake in the sheep feed did not significantly alter the blood parameters, promoting minor changes in the ruminal parameters mainly in the ruminal ammonia-nitrogen without affecting the animal's health.

Effects of Streptococcus bovis Isolated from Bovine Rumen on the Fermentation Characteristics and Nutritive Value of Tanzania Grass Silage.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Streptococcus bovis on the fermentation characteristics and nutritive value of Tanzania grass silage. Tanzania grass was chopped and left untreated (U) or treated with Streptococcus bovis JB1 at 1 × 10(6) colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g) of fresh forage or Streptococcus bovis HC5 at 1 × 10(6) cfu/g of fresh forage and packed into sixtuplicate laboratory silos. The largest number of enterobacteria, molds and yeast (M&Y) occurred in untreated silages and the smallest populations of enterobacteria and M&Y and the largest numbers of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), at 9.81 and 9.87 log cfu/g, were observed in Streptococcus bovis JB1 and HC5, respectively (P < 0.05). Silages treated with JB1 and HC5 had lower (P < 0.05) silage pHs and concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) than untreated silages. The application of Streptococcus bovis JB1 and HC5 resulted in fewer losses through gases and effluents (P < 0.05), which resulted in greater dry matter recovery (DMR) and crude protein recovery (CPR) (P < 0.05). Streptococcus bovis JB1 and HC5 improved the fermentative profile and increased the concentration of crude protein and DMR and CPR in Tanzania grass silage.

Intake, Nutrient Apparent Digestibility, and Ruminal Constituents of Crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês Sheep Fed Diets with Babassu Mesocarp Flour.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on intake, apparent digestibility, and ruminal constituents of sheep in response to the addition of increasing levels of babassu mesocarp flour (BMF) to the diet. Twenty crossbred sheep (29.17 ± 2.23 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design. Lambs were confined for 21 days, with 16 days for diet adaptation and 5 days for data collection, in which they were fed an isonitrogenous diet (16.5 ± 0.2 CP, DM basis) containing 70% of concentrate and 30% (DM basis) of Tifton 85 hay. Increasing levels of BMF were 0, 10, 20, and 30% (DM basis). There was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the DM intake, nutrients intake, and digestibility of CP and NFC. The digestibility of DM, OM, TC, and NDF decreased linearly, while EE digestibility increased linearly with increasing levels of BMF. The high NDF content presented in the chemical composition of the babassu mesocarp flour ranked the same as fibrous food, which can limit the inclusion in the diet of high production animals. So, babassu mesocarp flour is an alternative for energy source in lambs feed and can be added at levels up to 10%.

Fermentation Profile, Aerobic Stability, and Chemical and Mineral Composition of Cactus Pear Silages with Different Inclusion Levels of Gliricidia Hay.

Cactus pear is used in large proportions in diets for small ruminants in semiarid regions. However, its exclusive use is not recommended due to the low fiber and crude protein content and the high water and mineral content, leading to metabolic disorders, low dry matter intake, and weight loss. The use of mixed cactus silage associated with protein and fibrous sources seeks to overcome the deficits in dry matter, fiber and crude protein, aiming to improve the nutritional quality of the diets that will be offered to ruminants. Thus, the use of gliricidia hay in cactus pear silages could represent an important alternative to improve the nutritional and fermentative characteristics of the ensiled material. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the fermentation dynamics, nutritional characteristics, and aerobic stability of mixed silages of cactus pear combined with different levels of gliricidia hay. This was a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and five repetitions. The treatments consisted of different levels of inclusion of gliricidia hay (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% on a dry matter basis) in the composition of mixed cactus pear silages. The inclusion of gliricidia hay in the composition of mixed silages of cactus pear resulted in a quadratic effect for dry matter recovery, pH, NH3-N, buffering capacity, aerobic stability, ether extract, P, K, Na, and Zn (p < 0.05). There was a reduction in density, effluent losses, maximum pH, mineral matter, non-fiber carbohydrates, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn (p < 0.05), and an increase in the time to reach maximum pH as well as an upward trend in pH, dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and B (p < 0.05). Under experimental conditions, the inclusion of gliricidia hay between 20 and 30% in cactus pear-based silage provided an improvement to the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of the silages.

Chemical Properties, Ruminal Fermentation, Gas Production and Digestibility of Silages Composed of Spineless Cactus and Tropical Forage Plants for Sheep Feeding.

The aim was to evaluate the chemical composition, carbohydrates, protein fractionation and in vitro gas production of silages composed of spineless cactus and tropical forages and their effect on sheep performance. Treatments consisted of silages: corn silage (CS), spineless cactus silage (SCS), spineless cactus + gliricidia (SCG), spineless cactus + buffel grass silage (SCBG) and spineless cactus + pornunça (SCP). Silos were opened 60 days after ensiling, and analyses were carried out. The digestibility test lasted for 36 days, with eight animals per treatment. A completely randomized design was adopted. Considering carbohydrate fractionation, CS, SCS and SCBG silages had higher total carbohydrate content (p = 0.001). The SCS silage presented a higher A + B1 fraction (p = 0.001). The SCBG and SCG silages showed a higher B2 fraction (p < 0.0001) compared to the CS and SCS silages. The SCBG and SCP silages presented a higher C fraction (p = 0.001). For protein fractionation, the SCP and SCG silages showed higher crude protein contents (p = 0.001). The CS and SCS silages showed a higher A fraction (p = 0.001). The SCBG silage presented a higher B1 + B2 fraction (p = 0.001). The SCG silage showed a higher B3 fraction (p = 0.006) compared to SCBG silage. The SCS and SCP silages showed a higher C fraction (p = 0.001). Exclusive SCS silage showed higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (p = 0.001), dry matter degradability (p = 0.001) and total gas production (p = 0.001). The use of the SCBG, SCP and SCG silages to feed sheep increased the dry matter intake (p < 0.001). Sheep fed the SCG silage showed greater dry matter and crude protein digestibility compared to the sheep fed the CS, SCS and SCP silages (p = 0.002). There was a higher water intake (p < 0.001) with the use of the SCS and SCG silages to feed the sheep. The SCP and SCG silages provided a greater intake (p < 0.001) and excretion (p < 0.001) of nitrogen by the animals. Although there were no differences between the treatments for daily gains, lambs that received the spineless cactus-based silage associated with tropical forages showed higher gains (160-190 g/day) than lambs that received CS silage (130 g/day). Thus, the use of spineless cactus associated with buffelgrass, pornunça and gliricidia to prepare mixed silages (60:40) to feed sheep has potential use to feed sheep, with positive effects on nutrient degradation and increases in dry matter intake. Under experimental conditions, we recommend the exclusive use of spineless cactus silage associated with buffel grass, pornunça and gliricidia in feeding sheep in semi-arid regions, as it provides nutrients, water and greater daily gains compared to corn silage.

Metabolic profile of goats fed diets containing crude glycerin from biodiesel production.

Feedlot finishing of goats is a growing practice, but the economic viability of this technology is compromised by the inclusion of ingredients such as corn and soybean. An alternative to minimize this barrier is the use of agroindustry coproducts as substitutes for those ingredients, such as crude glycerol. This study aimed to evaluated the metabolism of crossbred Boer finishing goats fed diets containing crude glycerin from biodiesel production. Thirty-two crossbred, castrated goat of age were distributed in a fully randomized experimental design with four treatments and eight replicates. The experiment lasted 69 days, and goats were fed sorghum silage and concentrate, with the inclusion of crude glycerin in the diet at levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg on a dry matter basis. The diets did not have an effect (p > 0.05) on the serum urea levels. Increasing dietary crude glycerin levels did not the influence the metabolic or urinary profiles (p > 0.05). The liver tissue of the goats fed diets containing the highest crude glycerin inclusion levels showed deleterious effects. The inclusion of crude glycerin with approximately 6.6 g/kg methanol caused deleterious effects to the liver tissue of Boer crossbred goats as the glycerin concentrations increased. However, glycerin levels did not cause deleterious effects on the liver tissue or on the serum or urinary profiles. The use of crude glycerin with lower methanol content is recommended for goat diets.

Effect of crude glycerin levels on meat quality and carcass characteristics of crossbred Boer goats.

This study assessed the effects of four levels of crude glycerin (0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg dry matter (DM) basis) in the diet of Boer crossbred goat kids on the qualitative and quantitative carcass characteristics as well as meat quality. Thirty-two crossbred, castrated Boer x undefined breed goat kids with an initial average weight of 17.8 ± 2.2 kg between 3 and 4 months of age were distributed across a complete randomized experiment with four treatments and eight replicates. The DM intake linearly decreased (p < .05) as the crude glycerin inclusion level in the diet increased. Crude glycerin levels decreased (linear effect, p < .05) empty body weight, hot dressing percentage, and cold dressing percentage. Conformation and subcutaneous fat thickness were not affected (p > .05) by dietary crude glycerin. Crude glycerin levels decreased (linear effect, p = .03) rib eye area of the Longissimus dorsi muscle, however, did not affect color, cooking loss, and shear force. The crude glycerin can be included up to 50 g/kg DM in the diet of crossbred Boer goats without negatively affecting carcass characteristics and meat quality. It can be recommended as an energy source in finishing diets.

Composição química do feno de capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum) tratado com hidróxido de sódio / Chemical composition of the tanzania-grass hay (Panicum maximum) treated with sodium hydroxide / Composición química del heno de gramínea tanzania (Panicum maximum) tratado con hidróxido de sodio

O experimento foi desenvolvido objetivando-se avaliar o efeito da adição de hidróxido de sódio (NaOH), em doses crescentes, sobre o valor nutritivo do feno de capim-tanzânia. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos: T1 –feno de capim-tanzânia, T2 – feno de capim-tanzânia mais 1,0% de NaOH, T3 – feno de capim-tanzânia mais 2,0% de NaOH e T4 – feno de capim-tanzânia mais 3,0% de NaOH, com base na matéria seca, totalizando dez repetições por tratamento. Houve efeito linear dos níveis de NaOH sobre o teor de proteína bruta (PB), redução no teor da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), por meio de um comportamento linear negativo. Os valores obtidos pela equação de regressão na dose mais elevada foram 63,66 e 39,58%, para os valores de FDN e FDA, respectivamente. Houve efeito linear positivo para a digestibilidade com a adição dos níveis de uréia, proporcionando aumentos de 57,47% na, testemunha, para 63,07% na dose de 3,0%. O uso de NaOH foi eficiente para promover melhorias na qualidade do feno de capim-tanzânia.mais estudados, indicando a necessidade de investigação de um número maior de animais, por se tratar de um alelo raro.

This paper evaluates the effect of the addition of increasing levels of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on the Tanzania-grass hay nutritive value. The experimental design was completely randomized and based on four treatments: T1 - tanzania-grass hay; T2 - tanzania-grass hay plus 1.0 % NaOH; T3 - tanzania-grass hay plus 2.0 % NaOH, and T4 - tanzania-grass hay plus 3.0 % NaOH based on dry matter, totaling ten replicates per treatment. There was a linear effect of NaOH levels on crude protein (CP) content and linear reduction in the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents. The values obtained by the regression equation in the highest dose were 63.66 and 39.58 %, for NDF and ADF values, respectively. There was a positive linear effect for the digestibility with NaOH levels, providing increases of 57.47 % for control treatment and of 63.07 % for the dose of 3.0 %. NaOH was efficient in promoting the improvement of the Tanzania-grass hay quality.

El experimento fue desarrollado objetivándose evaluar el efecto de la adición de hidróxido de sodio (NaOH), en dosis crecientes, sobre el valor nutritivo del heno de gramínea tanzania. El delineamiento experimental fue el enteramente casualizado, con cuatro tratamientos: T1- heno de gramínea tanzania, T2- heno de gramínea tanzania mas 1,0 % de NaOH, T3 – Heno de gramínea tanzania más 2,0 % de NaOH y T4 – Heno de gramínea tanzania mas 3,0 % de NaOH, con base en la materia seca, totalizando diez repeticiones por tratamiento. Hubo efecto lineal de los niveles de NaOH sobre el tenor de proteína bruta (PB), reducción en el tenor de la fibra en detergente neutro (FDN) y fibra en detergente ácido (FDA), por medio de un comportamiento lineal negativo. Los valores obtenidos por la ecuación de regresión en la dosis más elevada fueron 63,66 % y 39,58 %, para los valores de FDN y FDA, respectivamente. Hubo efecto lineal positivo para la digestibilidad como la adición de los niveles de urea proporcionando aumentos de 57,47 % en la dieta testigo, para 63,07 % en la dieta 3,0 %. El uso de NaOH fue eficiente para promover mejorías en la calidad del heno de gramínea tanzania.

Comportamento ingestivo de diversas categorias de bovinos da raça girolanda, em pasto de Brachiaria Brizantha cv. Marandu / Ingestive behavior of categories variety of bovines Girolando in pastures of Brachiaria Brizantha cv. Marandu / Comportamiento de ingestión de diversas categorÍa de bovinos de la raza girolanda (holstein) en pasto de Brachiaria brizantha Cv. marandu

Foi conduzido um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de novilhas, novilhos e vacas, em pastagens de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, no sistema de lotação contínua, com taxa de lotação variável. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três categorias animais representando os tratamentos, cada um com dez repetições. O período experimental foi de 35 dias, sendo 20 para adaptação dos animais e 15 para avaliações, que foram de três dias, com duração de 24 horas cada, em intervalos de cinco dias. O teste t demonstrou que as vacas pastejaram mais tempo (9,27 horas) que as novilhas (7,79 horas) e os novilhos (7,69 horas). Foi observada diferença estatística entre os animais, para o tempo total de ruminação, com maior valor para as vacas (8,83 horas). A taxa de bocados diurnos e noturnos foi maior para as vacas (42,47 e 42,00, respectivamente). Concluiu-se que as vacas lactantes apresentaram maior tempo diário de pastejo, ruminação e taxa de bocados e menor tempo de ócio em relação a novilhas e novilhos, devido à maior exigência nutricional dessa categoria.

An experiment was carried with the objective of evaluating the ingestive behavior of heifers, calves and caws in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, at continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate. The experimental design was totally randomized having three categories representing the treatments, each one with ten repetitions. The experimental period was 30 days: 20 for the adaptation of the animals and 15 for the evaluations, which consisted of three days, with duration of 24 hours each, at intervals of five days. The t-Test demonstrated that cows grazed longer (9.27h) than heifers (7.79h) and calves (7.69h). Differences regarding time of rumination, with larger value for cows (8.83h) among the animals were observed. The day/night bite rate was higher for the cows (42.47 and 42.00, respectively). It can be concluded that dairy cows presented longer grazing time, rumination and bite rate, and shorter rest time in relation to heifers and calves due to their highest nutritional requirement.

Fue conducido un experimento con el objetivo de evaluar el comportamiento de ingestión de novillas, novillos y vacas en pastajes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, en el sistema de lleno continuo, con tasa de lleno variable. El delineamiento experimental fue el enteramente casualizado, con tres categorías de animales representando los tratamientos, cada uno con diez repeticiones. El periodo experimental fue de 35 días, siendo 20 para adaptación de los animales y 15 para evaluaciones, que fueron de tres días, con duración de 24 horas cada, en intervalo de cinco días. El teste T demostró que las vacas pastaron más tiempo (9,27 horas) que las novillas (7,79 horas) y los novillos (7,69 horas). Fue observado diferencia estadística entre los animales, para el tiempo total de rumiación, con mayor valor para las vacas (8,83 horas). La tasa de bocados diurnos y nocturnos fue mayor para las vacas (42,470 y 42,00 respectivamente). Se concluyó que las vacas lactantes presentaron mayor tiempo diario de pastaje, rumiación y tasa de bocados, y menor tiempo de ocio en relación a novillas y novillos, debido a mayor exigencia nutricional de esa categoría.

Populações microbianas e componentes nutricionais nos órgãos do capim-tanzânia antes e após a ensilagem / Microbial population and nutritional compounds in the organs of tanzania-grass before and after ensilage

Este experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar as populações microbianas e o valor nutricional dos diferentes órgãos das plantas do capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum) antes e após a ensilagem. Foram coletadas dez amostras do pasto, ao acaso com o uso de um quadrado de 1 m2. Foram feitos as separações botânica das folhas em expansão, folhas expandidas, folhas senescente, colmo e a planta inteira. Foram efetuadas contagens de microrganismos e o valor nutricional dos diferentes órgãos da planta. Determinou-se o número de bactérias láticas, enterobactérias, fungos e leveduras e os valores de matéria seca, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e hemicelulose. As populações microbianas foram variáveis em função do órgão da planta, e o colmo foi o órgão que assegurou o crescimento de bactérias láticas e inibição do crescimento de microrganismos indesejáveis durante a ensilagem do capim-tanzânia. No âmbito nutricional, existiu uma hierarquia decrescente do valor bromatológico: folha em expansão, folha expandida, planta inteira e colmo antes e após o processo de ensilagem.

This experiment was carried with the objective of evaluating the microbial populations and the nutritionalvalue of different organs of plants of the tanzânia-grass (Panicum maximum) before and after theensilage. Ten samples were collected at random at the pasture with the use of a square of 1 m2, were takenthe botanical separation of the leaves in expansion, expanded leaves, leaves senesce, stem and the plant.Counting of microorganisms and the nutritional value were made in the different organs of the plant.Was determined the number of lactic bacterium, enterobacterium, fungi and yeasts and dry matter values,crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose. The microbial populationswere variable in function of the organ of the plant, and the stem is the organ that assures the growth oflactic bacteria and inhibition of growth of undesirable microorganisms during the ensilage of the tanzânia-grass. In the nutritional extent, a decreasing hierarchy of the value bromatológic exists: leafs in expansion,expanded leaf, plant completes and stem before and after the ensilage process

Efeito de níveis de uréia sobre o valor nutricional do feno de capim-Tanzânia / Effect of urea levels on the nutritional value of Tanzania-grass hay

O experimento foi desenvolvido objetivando-se avaliar o efeito da adição de uréia em doses crescentes,sobre o valor nutritivo do feno de capim-Tanzânia (Panicum maximum, Jacq cv. Tanzânia). O delineamentoexperimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos: T1 – somente feno, T2 – feno mais1,0% de uréia, T3 – feno mais 2,0% de uréia e T4 – feno mais 3,0% de uréia, com base na matéria seca, edez repetições por tratamento. Houve efeito linear positivo dos níveis de uréia sobre o teor de proteínabruta (PB), com o maior nível proporcionando aumentos de quatro pontos percentuais em relação aotratamento testemunha. O tratamento com uréia proporcionou, também, redução no teor da fibra emdetergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e hemicelulose (HEM), por meio de umcomportamento linear negativo. Os valores obtidos pela equação de regressão na dose mais elevadaforam 62,37, 38,74 e 23,66%, para os valores de FDN, FDA e HEM, respectivamente. Houve efeito linearpositivo para a digestibilidade com a adição dos níveis de uréia proporcionando aumentos médios de53,93% na testemunha para 63,96%, na dose de 3,0%. O uso de uréia é eficiente em promover melhorariasna qualidade do feno de capim-Tanzânia.

This experiment was developed to evaluate the effect of the urea addition on the nutritional value of theTanzânia-grass hay (Panicum maximum, Jacq cv. Tanzânia). The experimental design was entirelyrandomized, with four treatments: T1 ­ only hay, T2 ­ hay with 1.0% of urea, T3 ­ hay with 2.0% of ureaand T4 ­ hay with 3.0% of urea, with base in the dry matter, and ten replicates per treatment. There waspositive linear effect of the urea levels on the crude protein (CP), being the largest level providingincreases of four percentile points in relation to the control treatment. This treatment provided, also,reduction in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and hemicelulose (HEM), througha negative lineal effect. The values obtained by the regression equation in the highest dose were 62.37,38.74 and 23.66%, to NDF, ADF and HEM values, respectively. There was positive linear effect for the digestibility with the addition of the urea levels providing medium increases of 53.93% in the control to63.96% in the dose of 3.0%. The urea use is efficient in promoting increment in the quality of theTanzânia-grass hay

Comportamento ingestivo de bezerros em pastos de Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens / Ingestive behavior of calves on pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens

Foi conduzido um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de bezerros em pastagens de Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens, no sistema de lotação contínua com taxa de lotação variável. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dois pastos representando os tratamentos, cada um com cinco repetições. O período experimental foi de 30 dias, sendo 20 para adaptação dos animais e 10 para avaliações, que consistiram de três, com duração de 24h cada, em intervalos de cinco dias. Os bezerros pastejaram menos tempo no pasto de Brachiaria brizantha, com tempo de 9,75h, enquanto que o pastejo na Brachiaria decumbens foi de 11,3h. Comportamento diferente foi observado para o tempo de ruminação: 6,8 e 6,4 para os pastos de Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens, respectivamente. O número de bocados por minuto foi menor para a Brachiaria decumbens, 31,15, enquanto que, para a Brachiaria brizantha, os bezerros pastejaram com uma taxa de bocados de 34,91 bocados por minuto. Os bezerros tiveram um ganho de peso médio diário superior no pasto de Brachiaria brizantha (390g dia-1), enquanto que, para a Brachiaria decumbens, o ganho diário foi de 340g dia-1.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the ingestive behavior of calves on Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens pastures, under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. The experimental design was entirely randomized, with two treatments (two pastures), and five replicates per treatment. The experimental period lasted 30 days, consisting of days 20 for adaptation of animals and 10 for behavioral evaluations that consisted of three periods of 24:00h each, in intervals of five days. The calves spent less time grazing Brachiaria brizantha pasture (9,8h) than they did on the Brachiaria decumbens (11,3h). Different rumination times had been observed, 6,8 and 6,4 h for the animals grazing Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens, respectively. We suggested that the selective behavior of the calves on the Brachiaria decumbens made them to eat good quality grass, thus they spent a similar rumination time to that observed for Brachiaria brizantha. The number of bites per minute was inferior for the Brachiaria decumbens, 31,2h, when compared with Brachiaria brizantha (the mean bite rate was 34,9 bites per minute). The calves had a larger daily gain to Brachiaria brizantha (390g day-1) than they had to Brachiaria decumbens (340g day-1).

Comportamento ingestivo de eqüinos em pastagens de grama batatais (Paspalum notatum) e braquiarinha (Brachiaria decumbens) na região centro-oeste do Brasil / Ingestive behavior of horses on pastures of Paspalum notatum and Brachiaria decumbens at Middle-West in Brazil

Foi conduzido um experimento para avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de eqüinos sob pastejo em pastagens de Paspalum notatum e Brachiaria decumbens. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dois pastos representando os tratamentos, cada um com cinco repetições. O período experimental foi de 40 dias, sendo 30 para adaptação dos animais e 10 para avaliações, que consistiram de três, com duração de 24 horas cada, em intervalos de cinco dias. Os cavalos passaram mais tempo pastejando no período diurno no pasto de Brachiaria decumbens (10,58 horas) em relação ao tempo passado no pasto de Paspalum notatum (7,69 horas). Com relação ao tempo de pastejo noturno, a situação se inverteu: os animais pastejaram maior tempo durante o dia e diminuíram o ritmo durante a noite (2,91 horas de pastejo) no pasto de Brachiaria decumbens. O tempo de ócio noturno foi superior no Paspalum notatum (4,15 horas). Os animais apresentaram maior número de bocados (22.720) no pastejo do capim Paspalum notatum comparado ao Brachiaria decumbens, no qual diminuiu-se a quantidade de bocados (17166).

It was carried out an experiment to evaluate the ingestive behavior of horses grazing Paspalum notatum and Brachiaria decumbens pastures. It had been used a completely randomized experimental design, with two treatments (two pastures) and five replicates per treatment. The experiment lasted 40 days, consisting of 30 days for adaptation of animals on the pastures and 10 days to evaluate grazing behaviour, with three periods of 24 hours and intervals of five days. The horses spent more time grazing during the day on the Brachiaria decumbens pasture (10.58 hours) than did on the Paspalum notatum pasture (7.69 hours). At night, the situation was reversed, horses grazed less (2.91 hours) on the Brachiaria decumbens pasture. Overnight leisure time was larger on the Paspalum notatum pasture (4.15 hours) than Brachiaria decumbens pasture (1.42 hours). The higher total daily bites had been observed (22720) in the animals on Paspalum notatum when compared with Brachiaria decumbens where they decreased the quantity of bites (17166).

Efeito do farelo de trigo sobre as perdas, recuperação da matéria seca e composição bromatológica de silagem de capim-mombaça / Effect of wheat meal on losses, dry matter recovery and chemical composition of mombaça-grass silage

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inclusão de farelo de trigo sobre as perdas, recuperação da MS e qualidade de silagem de capim-mombaça, em um experimento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos: 0, 20,40 e 60% de farelo de trigo, e quatro repetições por tratamento. Foram utilizados baldes com capacidade para 15 litros, dotados de válvula de bunsen, para escape dos gases e com 3 kg de areia adicionados no fundo para retenção dos efluentes. As variáveis avaliadas foram perdas por gases, perdas por efluentes, recuperação da matéria seca, pH, N-amoniacal, matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e hemicelulose (HEM). A adição de farelo de trigo reduziu as perdas por gases e as perdas por efluentes. A recuperação da matéria seca foi menor para o tratamento sem farelo de trigo. Os valores de PB aumentaram com a adição de farelo de trigo. Os valores de FDN e FDA na silagem reduziram de forma linear em função da aplicação de farelo de trigo. Conclui-se que a inclusão de 20% de farelo de trigo é suficiente para atingir melhorias consideráveis na qualidade da silagem de capim-mombaça e, considerando-se o aspecto econômico, pode ser adotado.

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of inclusion of wheat meal on losses, dry matter recovery and quality of mombaça-grass silage, using a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments: 0, 20, 40 and 60% of wheat meal, and three replicates per treatment. Fifteen-liter capacity buckets with bunsen value on the lid were used. Three kilos of sand were placed on the botton of each bucket to capture effluent. Evaluated variable were: losses by gases and effluents, dry matter recovery, pH, amoniacal- N, dry matter content (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and hemicellulose. Wheat meal addition reduced losses by gases, which ranged from 2 to 1.57%, and eliminated losses by effluents. Wheat meal addition reduced losses by gases and effluents. The recovery dry matter was smaller for the treatment without wheat meal. Values for increased with wheat meal addition. Values of NDF and ADF in the silage reduced linearly in function of wheat meal application. The inc1usion of 20% of wheat meal is enough to reach improvements in the quality of grass-mombaça silage and, being economical, it can be recommended.