Levels of leucaena hay associated with cactus pear in diets for crossbred steers.

Our hypothesis is that the total replacement of ground corn grain (GCG) by cactus pear (CP) in association with 70% of leucaena hay (LH) increases dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility and nitrogen metabolism and maintains the feeding behavior of cattle. The objective was to evaluate the effects of inclusion of these feeds on the nutritional parameters and nitrogen metabolism of cattle. Eight steers, average age of 12 months, weight of 267.5 ± 15 kg, were distributed into two simultaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares according to a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, in which the first factor evaluated was different proportions of inclusion of LH (50 or 70% DM basis), and the second factor was the total replacement of GCG with CP. There was lower DM intake in animals fed with 70% LH. There was an interaction between the factors for DM digestibility, in which the animals fed CP did not differ regardless of the inclusion of LH, but for animals without CP, the greater inclusion of LH decreases DM digestibility. The inclusion of CP decreased free water intake. There was an interaction for total water intake (WI), in which the animals fed without CP presented similarity for this, while in the inclusion of CP, the animals fed 70% of LH presented higher WI. Also, lower values of chewing were observed for animals fed with CP. The replacement of GCG with CP improves the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in the rumen. The inclusion of 70% LH depresses intake.

Inclusion of calcium oxide in sugarcane silage under different particle sizes on performance of dairy cows.

Our objective was to evaluate voluntary intake, apparent digestibility, performance, and nitrogen balance of dairy cows fed sugarcane silage under different particle sizes treated or not with calcium oxide (CaO). Eight F1 Holstein/Zebu cows, with body weight of 521.5 ± 55.17 kg, and 60 ± 10 days in milk were used, distributed into two simultaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares. The treatments were composed of sugarcane into two particle sizes (15 and 30 mm) with and without the addition of CaO (10 g/kg of natural matter), being the treatments compared according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Data were analyzed by the MIXED procedure of SAS. The intake of dry matter (13.05 kg/day), crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and neutral detergent fiber was not modified (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of the calcium oxide, nor by particles size and interaction among both. However, there was interaction between CaO and particle size on dry matter digestibility (P = 0.002), being that the CaO was effective in promoting greater DM digestibility in silages with larger particle size. The milk yield and composition were also not affected by the diets (P > 0.05), similarly for nitrogen balance (P > 0.05). The addition of CaO to sugarcane silage with different particle sizes (15 and 30 mm) does not affect the milk yield and composition of dairy cows, nor the nitrogen balance. However, when CaO is added to the sugarcane silage under larger particle sizes, there are benefits in DM digestibility.

Intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition, and ingestive behavior of cows supplemented with byproducts from biodiesel industry.

This trial aimed to analyze the effects of including three byproducts from the biodiesel industry on the intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition, and feeding behavior of lactating cows. Eight crossbred Holstein-Zebu lactating cows with average body weight 525 ± 18.5 kg and average milk yield of 8 ± 1.45 kg day-1 were assigned to four treatments (diets) in a double-Latin square design, as follows: a diet based on corn- and soybean meal-based concentrate and three diets with 20% inclusion of byproducts from the biodiesel industry (cottonseed cake, sunflower meal, and castor bean cake) on a total dry matter basis. The cows were housed in individual covered stalls with concrete floor equipped with individual concrete troughs for feeding and automatic drinkers, and fed diets containing 60% sugarcane and 40% concentrate. The inclusion of the byproducts in the diet changed the intake, digestibility of some nutritional components, milk yield and composition, and feeding behavior of lactating cows. The use of cottonseed cake and sunflower meal in the diet increased milk yield, and fat-corrected milk yield; while the use of castor bean cake reduced the intake, digestibility of dry matter and total digestible nutrients, milk yield, and fat-corrected milk yield. The inclusion of byproducts from the biodiesel industry in the diets did not change the fat, lactose, total solids, and solids-not-fat of milk. Therefore, the cottonseed cake and sunflower meal can be included at up to 20% of the total diet.

Quality of sorghum silage with leucaena

This study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of leucaena forage in sorghum: forage. In addition to pure sorghum, it was evaluated different levels of inclusion of leucaena (15, 30 and 50%) at the time of ensiling. Forage was ensiled in PVC tubes (100 mm diameter, 500 mm length) under the density of 500 600 kg m-3, a total of 20 silos were prepared, which were opened 35 days after ensiling. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of leucaena inclusion levels for pH, water activity (Aw) and total ammonia nitrogen (total NH3-N). There was an increasing linear effect (p 0.05) for the content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and lignin that increased from 33.47 to 34.75%, 7.82 to 16.05% and from 7.29 to 9.93%, at the levels from 0 to 50% inclusion of leucaena, respectively. There was a decreasing linear effect (p 0.05) for neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFcp) and hemicellulose, which reduced from 56.65 to 48.37% and from 24.07 to 17.67% at the levels of 0 and 50% inclusion, respectively. For the ash content, there was a quadratic effect (p 0.05), with a maximum at 8.3% with 8.9% inclusion of leucaena. The inclusion of up to 50% leucaena into sorghum silage is recommended, because, in addition to maintaining the fermentation quality, it also improved nutritional quality of sorghum silage.

Quality of sorghum silage with leucaena

This study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of leucaena forage in sorghum: forage. In addition to pure sorghum, it was evaluated different levels of inclusion of leucaena (15, 30 and 50%) at the time of ensiling. Forage was ensiled in PVC tubes (100 mm diameter, 500 mm length) under the density of 500 600 kg m-3, a total of 20 silos were prepared, which were opened 35 days after ensiling. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of leucaena inclusion levels for pH, water activity (Aw) and total ammonia nitrogen (total NH3-N). There was an increasing linear effect (p 0.05) for the content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and lignin that increased from 33.47 to 34.75%, 7.82 to 16.05% and from 7.29 to 9.93%, at the levels from 0 to 50% inclusion of leucaena, respectively. There was a decreasing linear effect (p 0.05) for neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFcp) and hemicellulose, which reduced from 56.65 to 48.37% and from 24.07 to 17.67% at the levels of 0 and 50% inclusion, respectively. For the ash content, there was a quadratic effect (p 0.05), with a maximum at 8.3% with 8.9% inclusion of leucaena. The inclusion of up to 50% leucaena into sorghum silage is recommended, because, in addition to maintaining the fermentation quality, it also improved nutritional quality of sorghum silage.(AU)

Hay Tifton 85 grass under nitrogen doses in different days of regrowth / Feno do capim-tifton 85 sob doses de nitrogênio em diferentes dias de rebrota

The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield, nutritional value and potential ruminaldegradation of Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.) harvested at four regrowth ages (28, 35, 42 and 49 days) andfertilized with two nitrogen doses (N; 100 and 300 kg N ha-1). The experimental design was a randomizedblock design, arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, with six replications each. Nitrogen fertilizationincreased (p < 0.05) dry matter yield and digestible dry matter production of hay and also lignin and crudeprotein contents. Nitrogen fertilization increased (p < 0.01) the dry matter yield and the digestible drymatter production of hay, as well as lignin (p = 0.01) and crude protein (p = 0.01). The neutral detergentfiber corrected for ash and protein (p = 0.01), acid detergent fiber (p = 0.01) and cellulose (p = 0.02)adjusted to the quadratic function regression model of the regrowth ages. For potential rumendegradability hay, it was observed quadratic effect (p = 0.01) with maximum value of 73.1% at 37 days ofregrowth. Tifton 85 hay fertilized with 300 kg ha -1 of N and harvested up to 37 days of regrowth results inhigher hay dry matter yield, higher crude protein content, and better dry matter rumen degradability.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar a produção, o valor nutritivo e a degradação ruminal potencial do feno decapim-Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) colhido em quatro idades de rebrota (28, 35, 42 e 49 dias) e adubado comduas doses de nitrogênio (N; 100 e 300 kg N ha-1). O delineamento foi o em blocos ao acaso, arranjado emesquema fatorial 4 x 2, com seis repetições. A área experimental foi o critério de blocagem. A adubaçãonitrogenada incrementou (p < 0,01) a produção de matéria seca e a produção de matéria seca digestível dofeno e também os teores de lignina (p = 0,01) e proteína bruta (p = 0,01). Os teores de fibra em detergenteneutro corrigida para cinzas e proteína (p = 0,01), fibra em detergente ácido (p = 0,01) e celulose (p =0,02) ajustaram-se ao modelo quadrático de regressão em função das idades de rebrota. Paradegradabilidade ruminal potencial do feno foi observado efeito quadrático (p = 0,01), com valor máximode 73,1% aos 37 dias de rebrota. O feno de capim-Tifton 85 adubado com 300 kg ha-1 de N e colhido até os37 dias de rebrota resulta em maior produção de matéria seca de feno, maiores teores de proteína bruta,melhor degradabilidade ruminal potencial da matéria seca.(AU)

Hay Tifton 85 grass under nitrogen doses in different days of regrowth / Feno do capim-tifton 85 sob doses de nitrogênio em diferentes dias de rebrota

The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield, nutritional value and potential ruminaldegradation of Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.) harvested at four regrowth ages (28, 35, 42 and 49 days) andfertilized with two nitrogen doses (N; 100 and 300 kg N ha-1). The experimental design was a randomizedblock design, arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, with six replications each. Nitrogen fertilizationincreased (p < 0.05) dry matter yield and digestible dry matter production of hay and also lignin and crudeprotein contents. Nitrogen fertilization increased (p < 0.01) the dry matter yield and the digestible drymatter production of hay, as well as lignin (p = 0.01) and crude protein (p = 0.01). The neutral detergentfiber corrected for ash and protein (p = 0.01), acid detergent fiber (p = 0.01) and cellulose (p = 0.02)adjusted to the quadratic function regression model of the regrowth ages. For potential rumendegradability hay, it was observed quadratic effect (p = 0.01) with maximum value of 73.1% at 37 days ofregrowth. Tifton 85 hay fertilized with 300 kg ha -1 of N and harvested up to 37 days of regrowth results inhigher hay dry matter yield, higher crude protein content, and better dry matter rumen degradability.

Objetivou-se avaliar a produção, o valor nutritivo e a degradação ruminal potencial do feno decapim-Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) colhido em quatro idades de rebrota (28, 35, 42 e 49 dias) e adubado comduas doses de nitrogênio (N; 100 e 300 kg N ha-1). O delineamento foi o em blocos ao acaso, arranjado emesquema fatorial 4 x 2, com seis repetições. A área experimental foi o critério de blocagem. A adubaçãonitrogenada incrementou (p < 0,01) a produção de matéria seca e a produção de matéria seca digestível dofeno e também os teores de lignina (p = 0,01) e proteína bruta (p = 0,01). Os teores de fibra em detergenteneutro corrigida para cinzas e proteína (p = 0,01), fibra em detergente ácido (p = 0,01) e celulose (p =0,02) ajustaram-se ao modelo quadrático de regressão em função das idades de rebrota. Paradegradabilidade ruminal potencial do feno foi observado efeito quadrático (p = 0,01), com valor máximode 73,1% aos 37 dias de rebrota. O feno de capim-Tifton 85 adubado com 300 kg ha-1 de N e colhido até os37 dias de rebrota resulta em maior produção de matéria seca de feno, maiores teores de proteína bruta,melhor degradabilidade ruminal potencial da matéria seca.