Nutrient intake, productive and metabolic parameters of Nellore bulls feed a forage free diet using cottonseed cake as a fiber source.

We hypothesized that cottonseed cake in confined Nellore young bulls' diet as fiber source, could maintain or improve the nutrient intake, and productive and metabolic parameters. It was evaluated the total replacement of whole plant corn silage (WPCS) by cottonseed cake (CSC) as a source of fiber in the diet. A completely randomized design with two treatments and 12 replications was used. The treatments were two experimental diets containing 300 g/kg of WPCS or CSC as roughage. All animals at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 112 days were weighed to monitor productive performance and nutrient intake. Dry matter intakes, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, physically effective neutral detergent fiber, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates of the WPCS treatment cattle were higher (p < 0.05), and the ethereal extract intake of cattle fed CSC diet was higher. The BW of cattle fed WPCS was higher in the two initial periods of confinement (p < 0.05). Animals from both treatments showed linear growth during the confinement period. There was a fiber source × period interaction for total weight gain (TWG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) (p < 0.05), with the lowest in the first 15 days and the highest at 30 days, reflecting a compensatory gain in animals fed with CSC. Bulls fed with CSC showed negative TWG and ADG in the first period (p < 0.05), but recovered in the following periods, surpassing that of the SC treatment in the last two periods. There was negative EF of bulls fed with CSC in the first period (P < 0.05), but in the following periods the CSC diet did not differ from the WPCS diet. The animals fed CSC diet showed a higher concentration of cholesterol and glucose in the blood plasma (p < 0.05). The forage-free diet containing cottonseed cake as a source of fiber replacing corn silage promoted better animal performance.

Changes in the skin characteristics of Nellore steers during the rearing phase in hot climate pasture supplemented with protein sources.

We hypothesized that the protein source in supplements and the insolation and ambient temperature changes in different seasons could cause changes in the skin of Nellore steers during the rearing phase on warm-climate pasture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing true protein (soybean meal) with NPN (extruded urea) in the supplement on the skin characteristics of steers grazing on Marandu grass pastures. Thirty-six Nellore steers with an average initial weight of 250.0 kg and 15 months of age were used. Skin biopsies were performed at three different times: summer, autumn, and winter. The protein source has effects on the length of the glandular portion, number of follicles, and gland area in steers during the rearing phase at different seasons of the year. In the summer, the skin presented a higher compact structure, while in the autumn and winter, the skin presented a sparser arrangement. Skin from steers that received soybean meal in supplement had a more significant number of follicles in the summer and a smaller area and length of sweat glands. The dermis thickness of steers supplemented with soybean meal was greater than that of urea supplemented. The epidermis thickness and dermis of the steers' skin were greater at the autumn (April). Sweat gland depth was greater in autumn (April) and winter (July) than in summer (December). The protein source in the supplement alters the skin characteristics by increasing of dermis thickness of Nellore steers during the growth phase. The insolation and ambient temperature changes in different seasons alter the skin structure by increasing the epidermis and dermis thickness, sweat glands depth, and glands area of the skin of steers during the growth phase.

Extruded urea levels in lamb supplementation in rainy tropical savanna conditions: the triad host-gastrointestinal nematodes-environment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of extruded urea (EU, Amireia®) in the diet of lambs naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes on the interactions in the host-pasture-soil components in edaphoclimatic conditions of the tropical rainy savanna. A total of 60 Texel lambs with a mean initial weight of 20.7 ± 0.87 and mean age of 2.5 ± 0.70 months were distributed in a completely randomized design, in five treatments consisting of different levels of EU supplementation viz., 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 g 100 kg-1 live weight (LW). The performance of lambs, parasitological variables, gastrointestinal nematodes (NGIs), and larvae recovery in pasture and soil were evaluated. The highest animal performance was observed in animals that received 0 to 18 g kg-1 LW (146.0 g day-1) and the lowest in animals supplemented with 24 g kg-1 LW (81.0 g day-1) of EU. The body condition score (BCS) was similar in the animals (P > 0.05). Parasitic infection did not differ as a function of EU level (P > 0.05). Eggs of Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Cooperia spp., and Oesophagostomum spp. were found. The largest amount of larvae in the L1/L2 and L3 stages was recovered in the pastures occupied by the animals that received supplementation 0 g kg-1 LW of EU (750 larvae), the smallest in those that the animals received 6 g 100 kg-1 LW of EU (54 larvae). The presence of larvae in the L1/L2 stages changed significantly (P < 0.05) in the soil; in the other stages, it did not differ in the soil. Increasing levels of extruded urea do not influence the eggs per gram of feces (EPG) count. The 0 to 18 g 100 kg-1 LW level maintains animal performance, BCS and FAMACHA©. There is less dispersal of NGI larvae in pasture and soil when EU levels increase in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the rainy tropical savannah, which suggests that this supplement can be implemented in the diet of beef lambs, in addition to to be a lower cost nitrogen source.

Antioxidant action of yerba mate on carcass and meat characteristics and fatty acid profile in meat and fat of lambs finished in tropical pastures.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation with natural antioxidants from Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) on the performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and fatty acid profile in meat and fat of Texel × Ile de France lambs kept in Brachiaria-grass pasture. Twenty lambs with a mean age of 90 days and 26.3 kg of BW were distributed in a completely randomized design in two treatments with 10 replicates/treatment: Control-protein-energy supplement based on corn and soybean meal (150 g/kg DM of crude protein) without the addition of natural antioxidant yerba mate and Yerba Mate - energy protein supplement with the addition of yerba mate (110 g/kg DM). There was no treatment effect on animal performance and carcass characteristics. The subcutaneous fat thickness was significantly higher for lambs treated without yerba mate. There was no effect of nutritional treatments on the oxidative markers of lamb meat. The muscle of the animals treated with yerba mate showed a higher concentration of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids elaidic, linolenic, thymnodonic, docosadienoic, and ceorvonic. The fat of the animals treated with yerba mate showed a higher concentration of palmitoleic acid, linoelaidic acid, heneicosanoic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in meat and fat of lambs treated with yerba mate. Including yerba mate in the diet of lambs kept on Brachiaria pastures improves the lipid profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids in meat and fat, without altering the performance of the animals.

A new feed additive composed of urea and soluble carbohydrate coated with wax for controlled release in ruminal fluid.

Urea is a compound widely used as a feed additive for ruminants; however, when used profusely, it can lead animals to intoxication. Another factor that affects the effectiveness of urea is the lack of synchronization between the nitrogen and the availability of carbohydrates, necessary for better development of the ruminal microbiota. In order to circumvent these problems and improve the efficiency in urea use, the present study developed two new nutritional additives (F16 and F17) with different carbohydrate sources. One of the products developed (F16) used sugarcane molasses as a carbohydrate source, while the other (F17) used cassava starch. In addition to the carbohydrate source, both products contained the same amounts of urea, sulfur, calcium carbonate and were coated with carnauba wax. The supplements developed and two other commercial products based on extruded urea (UE) and polymer-coated urea (UP) were tested for solubility and cumulative gas production. The wax used in the coating process of the developed products (F16 and F17) proved to be efficient in reducing the solubility of the ingredients used. During chemical composition analysis it was verified that both supplements developed contained protein equivalent above 150% of crude protein. The cumulative gas production showed a higher production related to the product F17 (p < 0.05). Through thermogravimetric analysis, it was found the chemical integrity of the ingredients that make up the supplements developed. Therefore, is possible to reduce the solubility of urea using carnauba wax as a coating material. The formula with cassava starch associated with urea (F17) had a better synchronization during the degradation of its ingredients.

The influence of protected fat in supplements on the performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore beef bulls in tropical pasture.

The finishing stages for uncastrated Nellore beef cattle on tropical pasture often produce high yielding carcasses with minimal fat cover. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of uncastrated Nellore beef bulls fed a diet containing rumen-protected fat during the rainy period for 210 days. Eighty Nellore beef bulls with 28 months of age, and an initial live weight of 416 kg ± 16 kg, were allocated into eight paddocks (7.0 ha), totaling 56 ha, at 10 animals/paddock, in a continuous-grazing system. The pasture characteristics, performance production, loin-eye area (cm2), subcutaneous fat thickness (mm), and rump fat thickness were evaluated. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on the average total weight gain (203.00 kg) and average daily gain (0.98 kg/day). On the other hand, the subcutaneous fat thickness and rump fat thickness were 42.8% and 49.5% greater, respectively, when the animals were fed a diet containing rumen-protected fat inclusion (P < 0.05). Supplementation with rumen-protected fat provided a thicker fat layer in the carcass of Nellore beef bulls grazing on tropical pasture during the rainy period.

Ruminal degradation kinetics of diets with different lipid sources and its influence on intake and milk yield of early lactation crossbred Holstein × Gir cows.

The hypothesized that the dietary inclusion of different lipid sources does not alter diet quality, feed intake, and, consequently, milk yield of cows. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplemental lipid sources for early lactation crossbred cows on milk yield, intake, and diet quality through in vitro digestibility and fermentation kinetics, and to demonstrate which variables have the most impact on each diet using principal component analysis (PCA). Five early lactating crossbred ¾ Holstein × » Gir cows (35 ± 8 days in milk), with a mean body weight of 410 ± 7.15 kg of body weight, were randomly allotted to a 5 × 5 Latin square. The treatments consisted of five experimental diets: a control diet with no additional lipid source and four diets with different lipid sources: cottonseed (242.6 g/kg of dry matter (DM)), sunflower seed (243.0 g/kg of DM), whole soybeans (234.0 g/kg of DM), and soybean oil (42.0 g/kg of DM), which were included at a rate to provide 70 g/kg of lipid. Diets with no additional lipid source and containing whole soybeans had higher DM, OM, and CP digestibility than other treatments. The diet containing soybean oil had the highest EE digestibility. Gas production was highest in the diet containing soybean oil. The dietary treatments did not affect DM intake. Milk yield was lower in cows receiving diets containing cottonseed. Whole soybeans can be included in diets for lactating cows to increase the energy intake without impairing the feed intake and milk yield.

Effects of supplementation on production and age anticipation at first mating of ewe lambs in tropical pastures.

Studies on the rearing of ewe lambs in the Cerrado are scarce, so the objective was to evaluate the effects of protein-energy supplementation with 1.6 and 2.4% BW on the productive and reproductive performance of ewe lambs raised on pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. Twenty-four Texel ewe lambs, with a mean age of 5 months, were distributed in two treatments with provision of energy protein supplementation at levels of 1.6 and 2.4% BW, formulated for average daily gains of 150 and 200 g/day for ewe lambs weighing 20 kg, respectively. The experimental delineation adopted was the completely randomized design, with fifteen repetitions per treatment. The performance of the ewe lambs was evaluated by weight at the beginning and end of the breeding season (BS), average daily gain (ADG), and total weight gain (TWG). The count of fecal eggs was performed monthly. The evaluation of the ewe lambs reproductive organs took place at 8 months of age. The fertility of the ewe lambs was detected by transrectal ultrasonography at the end of the BS. The supplementation level of 2.4% BW was higher for ADG and TWG; however, it did not influence the other performance characteristics. There was no effect of supplementation on the reproductive characteristics, parasite load, and nutrients of the pasture. Pasture nutrients were influenced by the month of use. Supplementation levels were not effective to ensure the reproductive success of 8-month-old ewe lambs.

Combinations of by-products from biodiesel production included in the supplement for finishing heifers on deferred pastures.

We hypothesized that by-products from biodiesel production like crambe meal (Crambe abyssinica) totally replace soybean meal (Glycine max) and crude glycerin could partially replace corn (Zea mays). Our aim was to evaluate different supplements with combinations of crambe meal and crude glycerin replacing soybean meal or corn on performance and carcass traits of finishing heifers. Sixty Nellore heifers 18 months old were used, and 298.96 ± 21.99 kg of body weight allotted in Brachiaria brizantha pastures. All heifers were distributed in a randomized complete block design, with four treatments being the following supplements: corn + soybean meal (CS), corn + crambe meal (CCr), corn + soybean meal + crude glycerin (CSG), corn + crambe meal + crude glycerin + (CCrG). The animals were distributed in four paddocks of 13 hectares each, in a continuous grazing system. We evaluated pasture characteristics, intake, performance, carcass traits, characteristics, and centesimal composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle. There was an effect (P < 0.05) of inclusion of crambe meal on the performance of the animals for slaughter weight and daily gain. The supplement containing corn + soybean meal (CS) presented better conversion rates and food efficiency. There was an effect of inclusion of crambe meal and crude glycerin on the centesimal composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle. The use of crambe meal and crude glycerin as alternative sources from the agro-industry of biodiesel in concentrate supplement for finishing heifers in pastures can promote positive effects related to productive performance and carcass characteristics.