RESUMEN
Vinte e dois cordeiros machos não castrados, Dorper x Santa Inês, com aproximadamente 90 dias de idade e peso vivo médio inicial de 27,0±4,4kg, foram alimentados com uma dieta com elevada proporção de concentrado com 20% de pelete proteico-mineral (Grano Entero(r)), 5% de feno de capim coast-cross e 75% de milho, na forma de milho grão inteiro (MGI), milho grão moído (MGM) ou milho grão úmido (MGU), para avaliação de desempenho no confinamento por um período de 14 dias de adaptação às dietas e às instalações e de 65 dias de confinamento. Em seguida, os animais foram abatidos com peso vivo médio final (PVF) de 47,97±5,13kg e o conteúdo gástrico foi avaliado para quantificação de protozoários, e foi realizada avaliação papilar. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos (P>0,05) quanto ao ganho de peso médio diário, eficiência alimentar, ingestão diária de matéria seca, características da carcaça e da carne. Os animais tratados com MGI tiveram maior conteúdo gástrico, menor pH ruminal, maior AP (% da superfície de absorção) e maior área papilar em comparação com os outros tratamentos. Os animais tratados com MGI tiveram melhores resultados para o peso final, mas para os demais parametros estudados não foi observada diferença.
Twenty-two males not neutered, Dorper x St. Agnes, with approximately 90 days of age and average live weight of 27.0±4.4kg were fed with a diet wich contained high concentrate with 20% protein pellet-mineral (Grano Entero (r)), 5% grass hay coast-cross and 75% corn in the form of whole kernel corn (MGI), ground corn grain (MGM) or high moisture corn (MGU) for performance evaluation in confinement for a period of 14 days of adaptation to the diets and facilities and 65 days of confinement. Then the animals were slaughtered at average final weight (PVF) of 47.97±5.13kg and gastric content was evaluated for quantification of protozoa, and a papillary review was conducted. The experimental design was in randomized blocks. There was no difference between treatments (P>0.05) for average daily weight gain, feed efficiency, daily dry matter intake, carcass characteristics and meat. MGI-treated animals had higher gastric contents, the lower ruminal pH greater AP (% of surface absorption) and the larger papillary area was compared with other treatments. Animals treated with MGI had better results for the final weight gain, but for the other parameters studied, no difference was observed.
RESUMEN
The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the effect of the corn grain processing (whole grain, dry beans ground, and wet grain) on carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs. Twenty-two Dorper vs. Santa Inês uncastrated lambs (27 ± 4 kg BW; ±3 months old) were distributed in a randomized complete block (initial BW). The diets were composed of 20 % protein-mineral pellet, 5 % hay, and 75 % corn in the form of whole grain, ground grain, or wet grain. The harvest weight of animals fed whole corn (50.2 kg) and ground (49.03 kg) were equal and higher than the moisture corn fed lambs (44.89 kg); therefore, the same differences were expected to be seen in the cold vs hot carcass comparison. However, there was no difference between treatments comparing hot or cold carcass performance, averaging 47 and 46 %, respectively. Also unaffected by the treatments were subcutaneous fat thickness values, loin muscle area, pH, temperature, drip loss, water loss by cooking, color, and tenderness. It can be concluded that the shape and size of corn grain in diets of high concentrate resulted in no measurable influence on carcass traits, but whole grain is more easily managed by the producer.
