Effects of supplementing cassava root silage to grazing dairy cows on nutrient utilization, milk production and composition in the tropics.

The current study evaluated the effects of supplementing cassava root silage (CRS) to dairy cows grazing on Megathyrsus maximus cv Mombasa on nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on milk production and composition. Ten primiparous Girolando cows with average body weight ± (SEM) of 373.45 ± (63.55) kg were used in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square. Animals were subjected to five treatments: (I) grazing cows without supplementation (WCS); (II) grazing cows provided with 5 kg DM of supplement without CRS (0 g/kg DM of CRS) or including (III) 260, (IV) 520, and (V) 780 g/kg DM of CRS. Statistical analyses were performed using the PROC MIXED of SAS with significance at P < 0.05. Intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ether extract decreased (P < 0.01), while intake of non-fiber carbohydrates increased (P < 0.01), with increased CRS in the diets. Total DM intake and digestibility of DM, and digestibility of nutritional components were lower (P < 0.03) in WCS animals compared to supplemented animals, except for intake and digestibility of NDF, which was the opposite. Milk yield (MY) and fat corrected milk (FCM), as well as all milk components were unaffected (P > 0.05) by CRS inclusion. In contrast, MY, FCM, protein, lactose, casein, and non-fat milk solids (NFMS) were greater for animals that received supplementation (P < 0.05), compared to animals WCS. Milk fat and total dry extract (TMS) did not differ (P > 0.11) between two groups. In conclusion, CRS may be a potential corn meal replacer in the supplement of dairy cows under tropical conditions.

Influence of BOVAMINE DEFEND Plus on growth performance, carcass characteristics, estimated dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, and immune function in finishing beef steers.

One hundred and eighty crossbred beef steers (406.0 ±â€…2.2 kg) were used to determine the impact of a novel direct-fed microbial (DFM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, rumen fermentation characteristics, and immune response in finishing beef cattle. Steers were blocked by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned, within block, to 1 of 2 treatments (3 replicates/treatment: 30 steers/replicate). Treatments included: (1) no DFM (control) and (2) DFM supplementation at 50 mg ∙ animal-1 ∙ d-1 (BOVAMINE DEFEND Plus). All steers were fed a high-concentrate finishing diet and individual feed intake was recorded daily via the GrowSafe system. BWs were collected every 28 d. On day 55, 10 steers per pen were injected with ovalbumin (OVA). Jugular blood samples were collected from each steer on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 post injection. On day 112, the same steers were injected again with OVA and intramuscularly with a pig red blood cell solution. Jugular blood samples were collected from each steer on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 post injection. On day 124, rumen fluid was collected from 3 steers per treatment and used to estimate in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. Equal numbers of steers per treatment were transported to a commercial abattoir on days 145, 167, and 185 of the experiment, harvested, and carcass data were collected. Initial BW was similar across treatments. On days 28 and 55, steers receiving DFM had heavier BW (P < 0.01) compared to controls. The average daily gain was greater in DFM-supplemented steers from days 0 to 28 (P < 0.01) and days 0 to 55 (P < 0.01) of the experiment compared to controls. Overall dry matter intake (DMI) was greater (P < 0.04) and overall feed efficiency was similar in DFM-supplemented steers compared to controls. Dressing percentage (P < 0.02) was greater in steers receiving DFM compared to controls. Antibody titers to injected antigens were similar across treatments. However, red blood cell superoxide dismutase activity was greater (P < 0.05) in DFM-supplemented steers compared to controls. In vitro molar proportions of isobutyric and butyric acid were greater (P < 0.01) and dry matter (DM) digestibility tended (P < 0.07) to be greater in rumen fluid obtained from steers supplemented with DFM. These data suggest that BOVAMINE DEFEND Plus supplementation improves growth performance during the initial period of the finishing phase, increases overall DMI and dressing percentage, and may impact antioxidant status in beef cattle.

Effects of palm kernel cake on nutrient utilization and performance of grazing and confined cattle: a meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary palm kernel cake inclusion (PKCInclusion) on the nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on the performance of cattle under grazing and confined systems. Additionally, potential maximum safe levels (MSL) for PKCInclusion were explored for cattle under those systems using a broken-line approach. Overall, 22 studies for 85 treatment means and 747 experimental units were included in the dataset used for the meta-analysis in which, quantitative responses to increasing PKCInclusion levels were fitted using a mixed model, considering the study as a random effect. Additionally, all studies tested a treatment without the inclusion of PKC (PKCInclusion = 0 g/kg DM) in the concentrate and total mixed ration fed to grazing and confined animals, respectively. In grazing animals, intake, and digestibility of dry matter (DM), as well as intake of total digestible nutrient (TDN) and digestibility of crude protein (CP) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as PKCInclusion increased. Conversely, the intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased linearly (P < 0.01). Additionally, the intake of CP showed a quadratic decreasing pattern (P < 0.01) with the increase in dietary PKCInclusion. In confined animals, intake of DM, CP, NDF, and TDN revealed quadratic patterns (P < 0.01) as PKCInclusion increased. The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, as well as TDN concentration showed a linear decreasing pattern (P < 0.05) as PKCInclusion increased. For performance, data revealed that average daily gain (ADG) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in grazing and confined animals with the increase in PKCInclusion. Feed efficiency (FE) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in grazing animals, whereas it showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in confined animals. Exploration of the quadratic relationships of intake of DM, CP, NDF, and TDN with PKCInclusion in confined animals revealed MSL values for PKC ranging from 85.56 ± 14.2 to 126.4 ± 14.7 g PKC/kg DM. In grazing animals, exploration of the quadratic relationship of intake of CP with PKCInclusion, revealed an MSL value of 96.23 ± 9.01 g PKC/kg DM. In conclusion, data revealed that the use of PKC in both confined and grazing systems reduces the nutrient utilization and performance of cattle in a dose-dependent manner without a maximum safe level that does not reduce animal performance.

Carcass traits and meat characteristics of grazing Nellore cattle submitted to different supplementation strategies in the tropics.

This study explored the effects of different supplementation strategies during the dry and rainy seasons in the tropics on the carcass traits and meat quality of Nellore cattle produced under grazing conditions. Additionally, a cost assessment of the supplementation strategies was conducted to define the most suitable ones from an economic standpoint. Twenty-eight non-castrated male animals (18 months) with an initial body weight of 327.9 ± 4.2 kg were used. The animals were equitably distributed in a randomized complete design thorough four supplementation strategies as follows: (i) mineral supplementation (MS) in both dry and rainy seasons (MS/MS), (ii) MS during the dry season and concentrate supplementation (CS) during the rainy season (MS/CS), (iii) CS during the dry season and MS during the rainy season (CS/MS), and (iv) CS in both dry and rainy seasons (CS/CS). Thereafter, carcass traits, primary carcass cut yields, meat quality traits, and chemical composition of the meat of cattle produced across different supplementation strategies were determined. Data revealed that animals under CS/CS showed the greatest (P < 0.01) hot carcass weights among the other supplementation strategies evaluated. Conversely, supplementation strategy did not affect (P > 0.10) the carcass traits (the ribeye area, final pH, and forequarter), meat quality traits (shear force, myofibrillar fragment index, sarcomere length, and color), and meat chemical composition (crude protein, fat, and moisture) of the animals. A cost assessment of the supplementation strategies revealed that CS/CS had the highest production costs. Nevertheless, CS/CS had the greatest income and profit, while MS/MS had the lowest ones. In conclusion, data suggest that cattle grazing on tropical forage under CS during at least one season (i.e., dry or rainy) produce similar meat quality traits and chemical composition of meat to those observed for animals under CS in both seasons. Additionally, the last supplementation strategy revealed the greatest profit indicators among the other explored.

CSN1S1 and CSN3 gene variants in female Murrah buffaloes in the Brazilian Amazon.

The characteristics of milk are controlled by several genes, with emphasis on the four genes from casein, CSN1S1; CSN1S2; CSN2 and CSN3, which are responsible encoding of fractions the milk protein. The study of genetic variants in these genes, seek to investigate alleles, insertions or deletions, that can directly reflect on productive characteristics, indicating differences in milk quality, composition and yield. The CSN1S1 and CSN3 genes were analyzed in lactating Murrah buffaloes using nucleotide sequencing. An SNP was found in the amplified fragment of the CSN1S1 gene, located in nucleotide number 2,123 of the promoter region in position nt-258 (A/G). As for the CSN3 gene, two SNPs of exon number 4 were identified in codons 33 (ACC/ATC) and 34 (ACC/ACT) of the analyzed fragment. This study contributes to important associations between genetic variants and the desired characteristics of milk and its derivatives in future studies, because the variants found may be associated with the quality of milk, enabling genetic selection to be assisted by molecular markers, indicating a major advance that makes it possible to select animals early.

The Effects of Prenatal Diet on Calf Performance and Perspectives for Fetal Programming Studies: A Meta-Analytical Investigation.

This meta-analysis aimed to identify knowledge gaps in the scientific literature on future fetal-programming studies and to investigate the factors that determine the performance of beef cows and their offspring. A dataset composed of 35 publications was used. The prenatal diet, body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) during pregnancy, and calf sex were elicited as possible modulators of the beef cows and their offspring performance. Then, the correlations between these variables and the outcomes of interest were investigated. A mixed multiple linear regression procedure was used to evaluate the relationships between the responses and all the possible explanatory variables. A knowledge gap was observed in studies focused on zebu animals, with respect to the offspring sex and the consequences of prenatal nutrition in early pregnancy. The absence of studies considering the possible effects promoted by the interactions between the different stressors' sources during pregnancy was also detected. A regression analysis showed that prenatal diets with higher levels of protein improved the ADG of pregnant beef cows and that heavier cows give birth to heavier calves. Variations in the BW at weaning were related to the BW at birth and calf sex. Therefore, this research reinforces the importance of monitoring the prenatal nutrition of beef cows.

Perspectivas do uso de extratos de plantas amazônicas (açaí, copaíba, salva-do-marajó, pupunha e bacuri) como potenciais moduladores da fermentação ruminal: um breve panorama / Perspectives on the use of extracts from Amazonian plants and fruits (açai, copaiba, salva-do-marajo, pupunha and bacuri) as potential modulators of ruminal fermentation: a brief overview / Perspectivas del uso de extractos de plantas y frutos amazónicos (açaí, copaíba, salva-do-marajó, pupunha y bacuri) como potenciales moduladores de la fermentación ruminal: un breve panorama

Resumo Na flora amazônica, incontáveis plantas possuem compostos bioativos, que potencialmente podem ser utilizados como moduladores da fermentação ruminal. Apesar da importância, poucos estudos têm sido desenvolvidos para avaliar a utilização de plantas amazônicas como aditivos alimentares naturais na nutrição de ruminantes. Assim, objetiva-se apresentar um panorama dos dados científicos da literatura sobre os efeitos do uso dos extratos de açaí, copaíba, salva-do-marajó, pupunha e bacuri na fermentação ruminal e os seus potenciais de utilização na dieta de ruminantes. O açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), possui 16,08 mg/g de matéria seca de flavonoides, compostos com potente ação antimicrobiana. Estudos com suplementação do óleo de açaí tem mostrado efeitos modulatórios na fermentação ruminal e na produção de leite de ovelhas e vacas. Adicionalmente, a oleoresina de copaíba (Copaifera spp.) e a manteiga das sementes de bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.), possuem, respectivamente, 88% e 41% de terpenos; a composição fitoquímica do óleo de salva-do-marajó (Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth) ainda não está completamente caracterizada, mas esta fonte está majoritariamente composta por terpenos cânfora (33,62%), 1,8-cineol (19,76%) e α-pineno (15,24%), que apresentam atividade in vitro antimicrobiana, capaz de reduzir a produção total de gás em ambiente ruminal in vitro. A pupunha, fruto da pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.), possui 355,95 mg/kg de carotenoides, com efeito antimicrobiano in vitro contra algumas cepas bacterianas. Os achados desta revisão demonstram as potencialidades dos extratos amazônicos na maximização da produção animal, em razão dos possíveis efeitos na modulação da fermentação ruminal, sendo encorajada a realização de estudos adicionais visando uma maior exploração deles. Embora, atualmente, não existam estudos associados aos efeitos do açaí, salva-do-marajó, pupunha e bacuri na fermentação ruminal, pressupõe-se que pela sua composição fitoquímica, poderiam ter um efeito semelhante aos ionóforos na produção de ruminantes.

Abstract In the Amazonian Forest, diverse plants have bioactive compounds, which can potentially be used as modulators of ruminal fermentation. Despite the importance, few studies have been developed to evaluate the use of extracts from Amazonian plants as natural feed additives in ruminant nutrition. Thus, the objective of this study is to present a brief overview of the scientific data in the literature regarding the effects of the use of extracts of açaí, copaíba, sage-do-marajó, peach palm, and bacuri on the ruminal fermentation and their potential for use in the diet of ruminants. Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) has 16.08 mg/g of dry matter of flavonoids, compounds with potent antimicrobial activity. Studies with açaí oil supplementation have shown modulatory effects on rumen fermentation and milk production in sheep and cows. Additionally, the copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera spp.) and the bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) seed butter have 88% and 41% of terpenes, respectively; the phytochemical composition of marajó sage oil (Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth) is not completely resolved, but this source is mostly composed of the terpenes, camphor (33.62%), 1,8-cineole (19.76%) and α-pinene (15.24%), which have in vitro antimicrobial effects against different bacterial strains. The findings of this review demonstrate the potential of Amazonian extracts in maximizing animal production, due to the possible effects on the modulation of ruminal fermentation, being encouraged to carry out additional studies aiming at a greater exploration of them. Although, there are no current studies associated with the effects of açaí, sage, peach palm, and bacuri on rumen fermentation, it is inferred that, due to their phytochemical composition, they may have a similar effect to ionophores on ruminant production.

Resumen En la selva amazónica, innumerables plantas poseen compuestos bioactivos, que potencialmente pueden ser utilizados como moduladores de la fermentación ruminal. A pesar de la importancia, han sido desarrollados pocos estudios evaluando el uso de extractos de plantas amazónicas como aditivos alimentarios naturales en la nutrición de rumiantes. Así, el objetivo de este estudio es presentar un breve panorama de los datos científicos en la literatura sobre los efectos del uso de extractos de açaí, copaíba, salvia-do-marajó, chontaduro y bacuri en la fermentación ruminal y su potencial de uso en la dieta de los rumiantes. Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) tiene 16,08 mg/g de materia seca de flavonoides, compuestos con potente acción antimicrobiana. Los estudios con suplementos de aceite de açaí han demostrado efectos moduladores sobre la fermentación ruminal y la producción de leche en ovejas y vacas. Adicionalmente, la oleorresina de copaiba (Copaifera spp.) y la mantequilla de semilla de bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) poseen 88% y 41% de terpenos, respectivamente; la composición fitoquímica del aceite de salvia de marajó (Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth) no está completamente resuelta, sin embargo esta fuente está mayoritariamente compuesta de los terpenos alcanfor (33,62%), 1,8-cineol (19,76%) y α-pineno (15,24%), los cuales poseen efecto antimicrobiano in vitro frente a diferentes cepas bacterianas. Los hallazgos de esta revisión demuestran el potencial de los extractos amazónicos en la maximización de la producción animal, debido a sus posibles efectos sobre la modulación de la fermentación ruminal, siendo incentivados a realizar estudios adicionales con el objetivo de una mayor exploración de estos. Aunque actualmente no existen estudios asociados a los efectos del açaí, la salvia, el chontaduro y el bacuri en la fermentación ruminal, se supone que, por su composición fitoquímica, podrían tener un efecto similar a los ionóforos en la producción de rumiantes.

Whole or coarsely broken açai seed as a source of roughage in the diet of feedlot cattle: intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two methods of provision of açai seed (AS) as a fiber source (coarsely broken or whole) for feedlot beef cattle on the intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters. Four bulls (male, non-castrated, and rumen fistulated), with an average body weight of 340 ± 31 kg, distributed in two simultaneous 2 × 2 Latin squares, were used. The treatments were two methods of processing of the açai seed, as follows: whole açai seed (WAS), and coarsely broken açai seed (CBAS). The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake were higher (P < 0.10) with the use of CBAS. The digestibility of DM and nutrients was not affected (P > 0.10) by AS processing. Acetate and total volatile fatty acids concentrations, and acetate:propionate ratio were higher with the CBAS diet, whereas the pH was higher with the WAS diet. The concentrations of propionate, butyrate, and ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3) did not change with AS processing. Thus, coarsely broken açai seed increases the intake of DM and nutrients without altering the digestibility. Furthermore, it increases the concentrations of total fatty acids and acetate.

Does a high or moderate nutritional supplementation affect the puberty and productive performance of Nellore heifers?

The effects of higher supplementation levels for young Nellore heifers fed tropical forages including their influence on puberty, need to be understood. This study investigated the influence of high and moderate supplementation levels on puberty onset and the productive performance of Nellore heifers. Thirty-six Nellore heifers (225 + 3.52 kg) were used in a completely randomized design, with three treatments: (I) no concentrate (control); (II) concentrate supplement at 4 g/kg body weight (BW); (III) concentrate supplement at 8 g/kg BW. Increased supplement level led to a linear increase in average daily gain (P < 0.05). The high supplementation level (8 g/kg BW) had the highest proportion of corpus luteum presence (82% of heifers), compared to the 4 g/kg BW treatment group (67%) and the control group (33%; P < 0.05). Our findings indicate that providing a high level of energy supplementation to Nellore heifers for approximately 100 d improves performance and increases the proportion of heifers that reach puberty.

Nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid composition of grazing cows fed supplements with babassu coconut.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of cracked babassu coconut (CBC) in the supplement on nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy cows grazing Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa. Five multiparous Holstein × Zebu mid-lactation cows (125 ± 16.5 days in milk) were assigned to five dietary treatments (replacement of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of ground corn with CBC, on a dry matter (DM) basis) in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The intake of DM from the supplement, crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), fat (ether extract (EE)), and total digestible nutrients (TDNs) decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while the intake of DM from forage increased linearly (P < 0.05), with the increase in CBC inclusion in the supplement. Conversely, total DM intake was unaffected (P > 0.05). The DM, NFC, EE, and TDN digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while organic matter (OM) digestibility decreased in a quadratic fashion (P < 0.05), as CBC inclusion in the supplement increased. Nevertheless, digestibility of CP was unaffected (P > 0.05). Milk yield and composition (lactose, fat, protein, casein, and majority of FA) showed a linearly decreasing pattern (P < 0.05) with the increasing of CBC inclusion. However, proportions of trans-vaccenic acid, rumenic acid, total monounsaturated FA, and odd- and branched-chain FAs increased linearly (P < 0.05). On the opposite, total saturated FA (SFA) and the n-6:n-3 FA ratio in milk fat decreased linearly (P < 0.01). Hence, replacement of corn meal with CBC up to 80% in the supplement decreases nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as milk yield response in grazing dairy cows. However, CBC inclusion may enhance the nutritional properties of milk fat.

Multivariate relationships among pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and color in bovine meat using canonical correlation analysis / Relación multivariada entre pH, espesor de grasa subcutánea y color en carne bovina usando el análisis de correlación canónica / Relação multivariada entre pH, espessura de gordura subcutânea e cor em carne bovina usando a análise de correlação canônica

Abstract Background: pH, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), and color are fundamental variables to define the organoleptic characteristics of meat. However, multivariate relationships of those traits remain unexplored in bovine meat. Objective: To investigate the multivariate relationships among pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and color parameters in bovine meat using canonical correlation analysis. Methods: A dataset containing 173 individual records of pH, SFT, and color parameters (a*: intensity of red color, b*: intensity of yellow color, and L*: lightness) from five Brazilian beef cut types (Breed: Nellore; cuts: acém, contrafilé, fraldinha, patinho and picanha) was constructed. Multivariate relationships between color variables (a*, b*, and L*) and chemical variables (pH and SFT) were explored using the CANCORR procedure of SAS. Results: Two canonical correlations between U (a*, b*, and L*; color variables) and V (pH and SFT; chemical variables) variates were significant (p<0.01). First and second canonical correlations were 0.463 and 0.282, respectively. Canonical weights for variates were for U1: a* = 0.707, b* = 0.406, and L* = -0.039; U2: a* = 0.364, b* = -0.898, and L* = 1.234; V1: pH = -0.376 and SFT = 0.935; V2: pH = 0.927 and STF = 0.356. Conclusion: Subcutaneous fat thickness significantly affected intensity of red and yellow colors, whereas pH significantly affected lightness. The results of this study may be useful for a better understanding of the role of muscle metabolism and its implications on the organoleptic characteristics of bovine meat.

Resumen Antecedentes: El pH, espesor de la grasa subcutánea (SFT) y color, son variables importantes que definen las características organolépticas de la carne de rumiantes. Sin embargo, su relación multivariada en carne bovina permanece inexplorada hasta ahora. Objetivo: Investigar la relación multivariada entre el pH, SFT y parámetros de color en carne bovina mediante el análisis de correlación canónica. Métodos: Se construyó una base de datos con 173 registros individuales de pH, SFT y parámetros de color (a*: intensidad de color rojo, b*: intensidad de color amarillo y L*: luminosidad) de cinco tipos de cortes de carne bovina brasileña (Raza: Nellore; cortes: acém, contrafilé, fraldinha, patinho y picanha). La relación multivariada entre las variables de color (a*, b* y L*) y las variables químicas (pH y SFT) se exploró usando el procedimiento CANCORR de SAS. Resultados: Dos correlaciones canónicas entre las variables U (compuesta por a*, b* y L*; variables de color) y V (compuesta por pH y SFT; variables químicas) fueron significativas (p<0,01). La primera y la segunda correlación canónica fueron 0,463 y 0,282, respectivamente. Los pesos canónicos para las variables canónicas fueron para U1: a* = 0,707, b* = 0,406 y L* = -0,039; U2: a* = 0,364, b* = -0,898 y L* = 1,234; V1: pH = -0,376 y SFT = 0,935; V2: pH = 0,927 y SFT = 0,356. Conclusión: El espesor de grasa subcutánea afectó significativamente la intensidad de los colores rojo y amarillo, mientras que el pH afectó significativamente la luminosidad. Los resultados de este estudio pueden ser útiles para comprender el papel del metabolismo muscular y sus implicaciones en las características organolépticas de la carne bovina.

Resumo Antecedentes: O pH, a espessura da gordura subcutânea (SFT) e a cor, são variáveis importantes que definem as características organolépticas da carne de ruminantes. No entanto, sua relação multivariada em carne bovina até o momento permanece inexplorada. Objetivo: Investigar a relação multivariada entre o pH, SFT e os parâmetros de cor em carne bovina, utilizando a análise de correlação canônica. Métodos: Foi construído um banco de dados contendo 173 registros individuais de pH, SFT e parâmetros de cor (a*: intensidade de cor vermelha, b*: intensidade de cor amarela y L*: luminosidade) de cinco tipos de cortes de carne bovina brasileira (Raça: Nellore; cortes: acém, contrafilé, fraldinha, patinho e picanha). A relação multivariada entre variáveis de cor (a *, b * e L*) e variáveis químicas (pH e SFT) foi explorada usando o procedimento CANCORR do SAS. Resultados: Duas correlações canônicas entre as variáveis U (composta de a *, b * e L *, variáveis de cor) e V (composta de pH e SFT, variáveis químicas) foram significativas (p<0,01). A primeira e segunda correlação canônica foram 0,463 e 0,282, respectivamente. Os pesos canônicos para as variáveis canônicas foram para U1: a* = 0,707, b* = 0,406 e L* = -0,039; U2: a* = 0,364, b* = -0,898 e L* = 1,234; V1: pH = -0,376 e SFT = 0,935; V2: pH = 0,927 e SFT = 0,356. Conclusão: A espessura de gordura subcutânea afetou significativamente a intensidade das cores vermelha e amarela, enquanto o pH afetou significativamente a luminosidade, em carne bovina. Os resultados deste estudo podem ser úteis para entender melhor o papel do metabolismo muscular e suas implicações nas características organolépticas da carne bovina.

Multivariate relationship between the nitrogen excretion and the protein and fiber utilization in hair sheep fed Mombasa grass silage mixed with açai palm seeds.

This study evaluated the multivariate relationship among the crude protein (CP) intake and digestibility, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake and digestibility, and the nitrogen excretion in hair sheep fed Mombasa grass silage mixed with açai palm seeds using canonical correlation analysis (CCA). For this purpose, a dataset was constructed using the information derived from a metabolic experiment with Santa Ines sheep (BW ± SE: 33.9 ± 1.37 kg) allocated into a 5 × 5 Latin square. The following two multivariate relationships were explored using CCA: (1) the N in both feces (Nfeces) and urine (Nurine) (canonical variate U) versus the intake of both CP (CPI) and NDF (NDFI) (canonical variate V). (2) the Nfeces and Nurine (canonical variate W) versus the digestibility of both CP (CPD) and NDF (NDFD) (canonical variate Z). Canonical loadings for relationship No. 1 revealed that Nfeces (0.971) and Nurine (- 0.249) had a positive and negative correlation, respectively, with U. Both CPI (0.960) and NDFI (0.997) had a positive and similar correlation with V. Regarding relationship No. 2, both Nfeces (0.860) and Nurine (0.500) had a positive correlation with W. Conversely, both CPD (- 0.910) and NDFD (- 0.889) had a negative and similar association with Z. In conclusion, our data showed that when a multivariate approach is used, an increase in both CPI and NDFI produces an increase in Nfeces, as well as a decrease in Nurine. Additionally, a decrease in both CPD and NDFD produces an increase in both Nfeces and Nurine.

Intake, digestibility, and milk yield response in dairy buffaloes fed Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa supplemented with seeds of tropical açai palm.

The use of alternative tropical feeds, such as açai seeds, under tropical pasture production systems, may help to optimize buffalo milk production mainly in the Amazon region, which has the largest worldwide açai production. This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of açai palm seeds in the supplement on nutrient utilization and milk yield response of lactating buffaloes grazing Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa. The treatments comprised four levels of açai palm seeds (0, 198.4, 396.8, and 595.2 g/kg of dry matter) and a treatment without concentrate supplementation (WCS). Five half-breed Murrah female buffaloes with average body weight ± (SEM) of 577 ± (20.4) kg were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. There was no effect of the inclusion of açai palm seeds on the total dry matter and nutrient intakes (P>0.05). The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients showed a linear decreasing pattern (P<0.05), whereas the digestibility of crude protein demonstrated a quadratic pattern, as açai palm seed inclusion level increased (P<0.05). Milk production demonstrated a quadratic pattern as açai palm seed inclusion increased (P<0.05). There was no effect of açai palm seed inclusion on milk composition (P>0.05), except for fat (%), protein (%), and the concentration of total dry extract (P<0.05). There was no difference in nutrient intake and digestibility and milk performance, between supplemented and WCS animals (P>0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of açai palm seeds at 198.4 g/kg DM in the supplement of grazing buffaloes improves the digestibility of crude protein and milk production, without detrimental effects on nutrient intake. Also, açai palm seeds may be a potential replacer of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa under tropical conditions.

Production, chemical composition, and economic viability of Minas Frescal cheese from buffaloes supplemented with açai seed.

We aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, production yield, and economic viability of Minas Frescal cheese produced with milk from buffaloes supplemented with açai seed as a substitute for corn meal. The experiment used five Murrah crossbred buffaloes with a mean body weight of 577 ± 20.4 kg, maintained under Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça grazing in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments comprised four concentrate supplements, in which açai seed replaced corn meal at 0, 33, 66, and 100% substitution, and a control with no concentrate supplementation. Replacement of corn meal with açai seed in buffalo diet had no effect on chemical composition of produced cheese (P > 0.05) nor was there any difference in chemical composition between the control group and animals supplemented with concentrate (P > 0.05). The adjusted cheese yield (kg cheese/cow/day) demonstrated a quadratic pattern with maximum production at 33% açai seed substitution (P < 0.05). Hence, the profitability index (percentage of gross revenue) was greatest at this replacement level. In conclusion, 33% açai seed replacement of corn meal in the supplement of buffalo under a grazing regime improved the individual yield of Minas Frescal cheese without changing its chemical composition.

Behavior of sheep fed babassu cake (Orbygnia speciosa) as a substitution for elephant grass silage.

This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of sheep fed babassu cake as a substitution for elephant grass silage. The experiment was conducted at the Federal Rural University of Amazonia (Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia - UFRA), Brazil, using 45 sheep housed in individual stalls, with unlimited access to feed and distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50% inclusion of babassu cake) and nine replications. All of the treatments contained a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60. No differences were observed in the time spent feeding (P > 0.05), regardless of the source of roughage used. However, there was a reduction in the time spent in rumination (P < 0.05) and an increase in time spent idling (P < 0.05) when babassu cake was included in the diet. Although there was a reduction in the time spent chewing the ruminal bolus (P < 0.05), the total daily chewing time was the same for all animals (P > 0.05). However, the sheep fed babassu cake showed higher feeding and rumination efficiency (P < 0.05). Therefore, the substitution of elephant grass silage with babassu cake can be performed at up to 50% without compromising the total time spent eating and chewing, which allows increased feeding and rumination efficiency.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs that are fed diets with palm kernel cake.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate carcass characteristics, cut yield, and meat quality in lambs that were fed different inclusion levels of palm kernel cake. METHODS: Forty-five woolless castrated male Santa Inês crossbred sheep with an initial average body weight of 23.16±0.35 kg were used. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with five treatments, with palm kernel cake in the proportions of 0.0%, 7.5%, 15.0%, 22.5%, and 30.0% with nine replications per treatment. After slaughter, the gastrointestinal tract was weighed when it was full, after which it was then emptied. The heart, liver, kidney, pancreas perirenal fat were also collected and weighed. The carcass was split into two identical longitudinal halves and weighed to determine the quantitative and qualitative characteristics. RESULTS: The empty body weight, carcass weight and yield, and fat thickness decreased linearly (p<0.05) as a function of palm kernel inclusion in the diet. There was no difference (p>0.05) for the rib eye area of animals that were fed palm kernel cake. There was a reduction in the commercial cut weight (p<0.05), except for the neck weight. The weights of the heart, liver, kidney fat, small, and large intestine, and gastrointestinal tract decreased. Nevertheless, the gastrointestinal content was greater for animals that were fed increasing levels of cake. For the other organs and viscera, differences were not verified (p>0.05). The sarcomere length decreased linearly (p<0.05), although an effect of the inclusion of palm kernel cake was not observed in other meat quality variables. It is worth noting that the red staining intensity, indicated as A, had a tendency to decrease (p = 0.050). CONCLUSION: The inclusion of palm kernel cake up to 30% in the diet does not lead to changes in meat quality characteristics, except for sarcomere length. Nevertheless, carcass quantitative characteristics decrease with the use of palm kernel cake.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs fed babassu cake (Orbignya speciosa) as a replacement for elephant grass silage.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the partial replacement of elephant grass silage with babassu cake (Orbignya speciosa) on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot lambs. Forty-five castrated male Santa Ines sheep (19.08 ± 0.41 kg) approximately 4 months old were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments 0.0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5 and 50 % (%DM) replacement of babassu cake with silage forming isoproteic diets formulated at a ratio of 40 % roughage to 60 % concentrate. All of the studied animals were slaughtered at the end of the experiment. The liver weights and yields increased with the inclusion of babassu cake. The weight of the shoulder increased from 2.31 to 2.61 kg, while the loin yield decreased from 7.38 to 6.64 % with the inclusion of babassu cake, both linearly. The body length, thoracic perimeter, rump perimeter and carcass compactness index showed high and positive correlations with the hot and cold carcass weights. The myofibrillar fragmentation index decreased linearly as a function of the inclusion level of babassu cake, but other quality variables were not affected. The replacement of up to 50 % of the elephant grass silage with babassu cake in the diet of lambs does not cause negative effects on carcass characteristics or meat quality.

Body composition and energy and protein nutritional requirements for weight gain in Santa Ines crossbred sheep.

This study was conducted to evaluate the body composition and net energy and protein requirements for weight gain in Santa Ines crossbred sheep. Thirty woolless, 4-month-old, castrated male sheep with an initial body weight (BW) of 19.77 ± 1.99 kg were used. Six animals (reference group) were slaughtered after the adaptation period to estimate empty body weight (EBW) and initial body composition. The remaining 24 animals were randomly distributed among four treatments (experimental diets) and slaughtered when they reached 30.24 ± 0.78 kg BW. The body composition ranged from 162.88 to 160.4 g protein/kg EBW, from 59.49 to 164.23 g fat/kg EBW and from 1.54 to 2.46 Mcal energy/kg EBW for animals ranging between 20 and 30 kg BW. The net energy requirement for Santa Ines crossbred sheep linearly increased when BW increased from 20 to 30 kg. Within that same weight range, the net protein requirement for weight gain in sheep was constant, ranging from 12.61 to 12.42 g/day to 100 g daily weight gain.

Performance and carcass characteristics of young cattle fed with soybean meal treated with tannins.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with soybean meal treated with tannin (SBMT) on the intake, digestibility, performance and characteristics of the carcasses of young cattle fed a high-concentrate diet. Forty-two Nellore bulls with body weight of 244.5 ± 4.99 kg were used. Diets had the inclusion of 7.5% SBM, with a proportion of that SBM (0, 33, 66 or 100%) replaced for SBMT; and other treatment (SBMT + urea) just with 2.5% of SBM which was treated with tannins. Seven animals were randomly selected and slaughtered, and the remaining animals were distributed on treatments and remained for 112 days. After, all animals were slaughtered. There was a linear decline in dry matter intake (P = 0.026) when SBM was replaced with SBMT. No decrease in carcass weight (P > 0.05) was observed. The efficiency of carcass weight gain showed a quadratic function effect (P = 0.049). There were changes in carcass gain composition when SBMT was added (P < 0.05), with an increase in muscle and reduction in fat deposition. The use of SBMT in place of SBM causes changes in body gain composition in animals and reduces DM intake by the animals, achieving a better feed conversion efficiency.

Performance of feedlot lambs fed palm kernel cake-based diets.

Fifty-four castrated male lambs with an average body weight of 23 ± 0.35 kg were randomly assigned to five treatments that consisted of different levels of palm kernel cake in the diet (0.0, 7.5, 15.0, 22.5, and 30.0 % on a DM basis) in order to evaluate the effects on intake, digestibility, empty body weight, and body gain composition. The intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) presented with a decreasing linear effect. However, the intakes of EE and NDF presented with increased linear results as the palm kernel cake was added to the concentrate. There was a quadratic effect for the digestibility coefficient of all nutrients, except for NFC. The palm kernel cake had a decreasing linear effect on final body weight, empty body weight, and the average daily gain of the animals that were fed increased levels of palm kernel cake. The inclusion of palm kernel cake as a partial substitute for concentrate decreases the intake of the majority of nutrients, except for EE and NDF, and consequently, causes deleterious effects on the nutrient digestibility and performance of lambs that are fed a 50:50 roughage/concentrate ratio.