Productive characteristics of feedlot Santa Inês and Dorper lambs: intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, performance, carcass traits, and meat quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of feedlot Santa Inês (locally adapted breed) and Dorper (transboundary breed) lambs. Twenty non-castrated lambs were used (10 from the Santa Inês genetic group and 10 Dorper), with approximately 3 months of age and an initial body weight of 22.95 ± 2.1 kg (mean ± standard deviation), distributed in a completely randomized design. Nutrient intake and digestibility, feeding behavior, and liver metabolism enzymes were similar (P > 0.05) between genetic groups. Dry matter (DM) feeding and ruminating efficiency were higher (P < 0.05) in the Santa Inês genetic group. There was also no difference (P > 0.05) in the subjective evaluation and morphometric measurements. Genetic groups showed differences and trend to differences (P < 0.05) in performance and commercial cuts. The physicochemical characteristics, centesimal composition, and sensory attributes of the Longissimus lumborum muscle did not differ between the genetic groups (P > 0.05). The Santa Inês genetic group showed higher feeding efficiency and productive parameters when compared to Dorper lambs. Therefore, Santa Inês lambs have greater potential for meat production than Dorper lambs, when kept in the same breeding system as the feedlot.

Palm kernel cake in high-concentrate diets for feedlot goat kids: nutrient intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, nitrogen balance, blood metabolites, and performance.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of including palm kernel cake (PKC) in high-concentrate diets for feedlot goat kids on nutrient intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, nitrogen balance, blood metabolites, and performance. Thirty-two castrated crossbred Boer × mixed breed goat kids with an average age of 4 months and an initial body weight of 19.65 ± 3.00 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design. The diets included one of four levels (0, 12, 24, and 36%) of PKC on a total dry matter basis. The PKC inclusion in the diets promoted quadratic effects in the nutrient intakes (P ≤ 0.05). The digestibility of ether extract increased (P = 0.010), whereas the digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrates decreased (P = 0.017) with the inclusion of PKC. Palm kernel cake inclusion promoted a quadratic effect on the time spent per episode feeding and decreased the times spent idling and ruminated bolus per day (P ≤ 0.05). The ingested and retained nitrogen decreased with the inclusion of PKC (P ≤ 0.05). The inclusion of PKC in the diets had quadratic effects in the cholesterol concentrations, albumin (A), globulin (G), A:G ratio, and gamma-glutamyltransferase enzyme activity (P ≤ 0.05). The PKC inclusion promoted a quadratic increase in total weight gain (P = 0.026), with the highest value achieved at the inclusion level of 11.68%. The inclusion of up to 12% PKC in high-concentrate diets increases the intake and growth performance without compromising the digestibility of nutrients and feed efficiency.

Metabolizable Protein: 1. Predicting Equations to Estimate Microbial Crude Protein Synthesis in Small Ruminants.

Microbial crude protein (MCP) produced in rumen could be estimated by a variety of protocols of experimental sampling and analysis. However, a model to estimate this value is necessary when protein requirements are calculated for small ruminants. This model could be useful to calculate rumen degradable protein (RDP) requirements from metabolizable protein (MP). Then, our objective was to investigate if there is a difference in MCP efficiency between sheep and goats, and to fit equations to predict ruminal MCP production from dietary energy intake. The database consisted of 19 studies with goats (n = 176) and sheep (n = 316), and the variables MCP synthesis (g/day), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and organic matter (OM) intakes (g/day), and OM digestibility (g/kg DM) were registered for both species. The database was used for two different purposes, where 70% of the values were sorted to fit equations, and 30% for validation. A meta-analytical procedure was carried out using the MIXED procedure of SAS, specie was considered as the fixed dummy effect, and the intercept and slope nested in the study were considered random effects. No effect of specie was observed for the estimation of MCP from TDN, digestible Organic Matter (dOM), or metabolizable energy (ME) intakes (P > 0.05), considering an equation with or without an intercept. Therefore, single models including both species at the same fitting were validated. The following equations MCP (g/day) = 12.7311 + 59.2956 × TDN intake (AIC = 3,004.6); MCP (g/day) = 15.7764 + 62.2612 × dOM intake (AIC = 2,755.1); and MCP (g/day) = 12.7311 + 15.3000 × ME intake (AIC = 3,007.3) presented lower values for the mean square error of prediction (MSEP) and its decomposition, and similar values for the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and for the residual mean square error (RMSE) when compared with equations fitted without an intercept. The intercept and slope pooled test was significant for equations without an intercept (P < 0.05), indicating that observed and predicted data differed. In contrast, predicted and observed data for complete equations were similar (P > 0.05).

Intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and performance of crossbreed Boer goats fed with diets containing saltbush (Atriplex nummularia L.) and spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica).

Saltbush and spineless cactus are adapted to arid and semiarid regions and used as an important forage resource in ruminants' diet. However, spineless cactus restricts production due to its low crude protein and NDF levels and high salt and oxalate contents, which can limit the digestibility and intake of dietary nutrients. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the best ratio levels of saltbush associated with spineless cactus in diets for crossbreed Boer goats through ingestion, water balance, digestibility, nitrogen balance, growth and carcass weight. Twenty-four castrated crossbred Boer (Boer × Brazilian native) goats 6 months of age and average body weight of 20.28 kg were utilized. The animals were weighed and distributed in randomized blocks in four experimental diets with saltbush of 8.4, 18.8, 31.2 and 48.3%. The addition of saltbush hay promoted quadratic behaviour (P < 0.05) in intake of dry matter and nutrients. There was no effect (P < 0.05) from the addition of saltbush hay on the digestibility of organic matter, total carbohydrates, non-fibrous carbohydrates and neutral detergent fibre, whereas there was an increase in dry matter. The crude protein digestibility behaved quadratically (P = 0.06), where the maximum digestibility was obtained with the addition of 31.2% of hay. The balance and net nitrogen utilization presented a quadratic effect (P < 0.01). Saltbush in rations for goats presented promising results, the growth rate (0.15 kg/day) obtained in diet with a lower proportion of saltbush, would satisfy smallholders when considering that this species, associated with spineless cactus, may reduce the use of concentrate feeds; however, the diet with 31.2% of saltbush hay provided the biggest gain in body and carcass weight of the goats.

Metabolic and behavior changings during the transition period as predictors of calving proximity and welfare of dairy goats.

This Research aimed to evaluate the metabolic status and behavior changes during the transition period in dairy goats from three breeds, under tropical conditions. Thirty multiparous female goats were kept in pens, distributed randomly by breeds. Infrared cameras were fitted in the pens to monitor the animals, and its activities were recorded. Goats displayed varied idle, standing, walking, and feeding behaviors at kidding day (P < 0.10) when compared with the days after and before. Agnostic interactions prevailed between 3.33 and 7.98% of the time on the day of kidding. There was a day effect for the exploratory activities (P < 0.10), where the most exploratory activities were observed on the day of kidding. The milk production and fat content differed according to breed and lactation week. Collective pens for lactating goats, kept in a tropical environment, do not compromise the social behavior and welfare.

Chitosan and cottonseed processing method association on carcass traits and meat quality of feedlot lambs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the association of cottonseed processing method with chitosan on carcass traits and meat quality of lambs finished in feedlot. Eighty lambs with an average body weight of 20.6 kg, with 04 months of age, were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. The factors were represented by two cottonseed processing method (whole or ground) and two levels of chitosan (0 and 136 mg/kg BW). The association of cottonseed processing method with chitosan in the lamb diet did not affect (P>0.05) carcasses traits. The pH, color, cooking losses, shear force, and proximate composition of meat were also not affected (P>0.05) by the processing method of cottonseed or its association with chitosan in the lamb diets. There was an increase in palmitoleic (c9-C16:1; P = 0.01) and conjugated linoleic (P = 0.02) fatty acids when ground cottonseed was associated with chitosan. Ground cottonseed associated with chitosan increases the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in the meat of feedlot lambs.

Biomass turnover in brachiaria cultivars in a tropical environment / Fluxo de biomassa em cultivares de brachiaria em ambiente tropical

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the morphogenetic traits of three Brachiaria cultivars (common, Llanero and Tupi) subjected to continuous grazing with variable stocking rate in the four seasons of the year. A randomized block design with five replicates was adopted. Tissue turnover evaluations were carried out in the summer, fall, winter and spring, with measurements taken every two days. Stem length and the length of each green leaf were measured. With these determinations, the following variables were calculated: stem elongation rate (cm/tiller/day), leaf elongation rate (cm/leaf/day), number of live leaves per tiller and phyllochron (days/leaf). The highest leaf appearance rate was obtained by Tupi grass in the summer, and the lowest by Llanero grass in the winter. The lowest phyllochron, 5.90 days/leaf, was obtained by Tupi grass in the winter, whereas in commercial cultivars Llanero and common the average phyllochron was 9.04 and 10.04 days/leaf, respectively. Because of the effect of the transition from the dry season to the beginning of rains in the summer, this was the period of greatest variations in results among the different cultivars. Llanero grass stood out for the highest values for plant, tiller and leaf lengths, resulting from greater stem and leaf elongation rates. Tupi grass had the worst performance of all cultivars.

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar as características morfogenéticas de três cultivares de Brachiaria humidicola (common, Llanero e Tupi), submetido a pastejo contínuo, em quatro estações do ano. Foi utilizado delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. As avaliações do volume de tecido vegetal foram realizadas no verão, outono, inverno e primavera, e as medidas foram tomadas a cada dois dias. Determinaram-se o comprimento da haste e o comprimento de cada lâmina de folha verde. Com essas determinações, foram calculados: taxa de alongamento (cm / perfilho / dia), taxa de alongamento foliar (cm / folha / dia), número de folhas vivas por perfilho e filocromo (dia / folha). A maior taxa de aparecimento de folhas foi obtida na grama Tupi no período de verão, e o menor aparecimento ocorreu no cultivar Llanero, durante o inverno. O menor filocromo (5,90 dias / folha) foi verificado no cultivar Tupi, no inverno, enquanto no cultivares Llanero e common o filocromo médio foi de 9,04 e 10,04 dias / folha, respectivamente. Devido ao efeito da transição, a partir da estação seca para o início das chuvas no verão, foi constatado que as maiores variações nos resultados dos diferentes cultivares, ocorreram nesta época. O cultivar, Llanero se destacou para os maiores valores da planta, resultante das maiores taxas de alongamento de caule e folhas. O cultivar Tupi teve o menor desempenho em comparação com os outros.

Feeding behavior of finishing goats fed diets containing detoxified castor meal, co-product of the biodiesel industry.

An investigation was made into the feeding behavior of goats to evaluate the effects of a detoxified castor bean meal in the diet of goats. Thirty-six ½ crossbred Boer goats were used, with an average weight of 20 ± 3.2 kg. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments (diets with of 0, 100, 200, and 300 g detoxified castor bean meals/kg dry matter) and nine replicates. Castor bean meal was detoxified using calcium oxide. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, and the forage:concentrate ratio was 50:50. The feeding behavior was observed on the 17th, 45th, and 70th days of the experiment. For the evaluation of feeding behavior (feeding, idle, and rumination times), the animals were observed in 5-min intervals for 24 h. The addition of detoxified castor bean meal did not change (P > 0.05) the evaluated behavioral variables. Linear reduction was observed (P < 0.05) in the efficiencies of feeding and rumination, expressed in g dry matter/h. The variables related to the time series discretization of the feeding behavior of goats did not change (P > 0.05) with the inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal. The inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal in growing goats' diets does not change the feeding, rumination, and idle times, however, decreases intake, feeding, and rumination efficiencies of dry matter.

Comparison of protein and energy supplementation to mineral supplementation on feeding behavior of grazing cattle during the rainy to the dry season transition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein-energy or mineral supplementation on the ingestive behavior of dairy steers on pasture in the post-weaning phase during the rainy to dry season transition. Twenty-two ½ Holstein-Zebu dairy steers with an average initial body weight of 234 ± 16 kg were distributed into a completely randomized design into two groups: protein-energy supplementation and mineral supplementation offered ad libitum. The steers receiving protein-energy supplementation showed higher (P < 0.05) intake of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) than those fed diets composed of mineral salt only. In addition, the animals that received protein-energy supplementation had longer period in grazing and spent on average more time per period eating at the trough (P < 0.05), however no significant differences were observed in the time per period in rumination and time per period in idle (P > 0.05). The supply of protein-energy supplement does not change the feeding behavior, except for an increase in the time spent feeding at the trough. The intake of protein-energy supplement improved the of DM and NDF feed efficiencies in grazing cattle during the rainy to the dry season transition.

Ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing castor seed meal.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the substitution of soybean meal for castor seed meal (CSM) in diets for feedlot lambs and the effects of these diets on their ingestive behavior. Fifty male Santa Inês lambs were used. The diets were composed of Tifton 85 hay and a concentrate containing detoxified CSM substituting 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 % of the soybean meal. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the CSM levels on the feeding, rumination, idle times, chews and time spent chewing per bolus, total chewing time, number of boli chewed, and number of chews per day. The dry matter (DM) intake decreased linearly (P < 0.05), but did not affect the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake. The feeding and rumination efficiencies had a quadratic response (P < 0.05). The experimental diets did not affect (P > 0.05) the numbers of feeding, rumination, and idle periods, but had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the time per feeding activity and on the chewing periods. Substitution of soybean meal for detoxified CSM reduces the DM intake but does not change the ingestive behavior.