[Feed refusal in fattening bulls because of maize silage contamination by Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)]. / Futterverweigerung bei Mastbullen durch eine Kontamination der Maissilage mit Gewöhnlichem Stechapfel (Datura stramonium).

A sudden decrease in feed intake (within 24 hours) without an impaired general condition occurred on a bull-rearing and -fattening farm in western Germany in December 2017. One day later, some of the bulls displayed signs of ruminal tympany (free gas bloat) and the reduction in feed intake became more severe. The maize silage was recognized as the cause of the observed symptoms, because clinical signs first appeared after taking the silage from a different localization within the bunker silo. Maize in this particular section was harvested from a separate area previously affected by wind damage (numerous bent maize plants), where no crop protection (herbicide application) was performed. Fruits and seeds of Jimson weed were identified in the incriminated maize silage samples. Following replacement of the contaminated parts of the maize silage with non-contaminated material and treatment of the clinically affected animals (anti-tympanic medication plus live yeast preparation), the feed intake returned to the normal level and the affected animals recovered within 6 days. The cause of the symptoms was probably the anti-nutritive properties of Datura stramonium that affect the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Type C botulism outbreak in feedlot cattle fed contaminated corn silage.

A large outbreak of botulism in feedlot steers fed corn silage contaminated with Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type C (BoNT/C) is reported occurring in Midwestern Brazil in August 2017. The onset of the outbreak occurred 15 days after 1700 steers started to be fed the contaminated corn silage. Affected steers were alert and afebrile with varying degrees of flaccid paralysis in various muscle groups. A total of 1100 steers were affected, 1090 of which died within four days. Ten steers recovered after treatment with antitoxin. No gross or microscopic lesions were found in affected steers. The diagnosis was based on epidemiological data, characteristic clinical signs, and positive mouse bioassay results. This outbreak is interesting due to the high number of fatally affected cattle and the on-site diagnostic approach. This case report demonstrates the difficulties in diagnosing and treating botulism in cattle.

Feed-derived volatile basic nitrogen increases reactive oxygen species production of blood leukocytes in lactating dairy cows.

The present study investigated over 9 months the changes of fermentative quality of total mixed rations (TMR) containing grass silage (GS) as a major component, associated with changes in the volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) levels in an experimental dairy farm. Effects of VBN levels in TMR on metabolic parameters, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and conception rates for dairy cows were analyzed. According to VBN levels in TMR during survey periods, three distinct phases were identified; phase A with low VBN; phase B with high VBN; and phase C with mid-VBN. Metabolic parameters in blood were all within normal range. However, during phases B and C, nitrogen metabolic indices such as blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen showed higher levels compared to those in phase A, and a simultaneous increase in ROS production by blood PMNs and the load on hepatic function in metabolic parameters was observed in the cows with a lower conception rate. This suggests that feeding TMR with elevated VBN levels due to poor fermented GS results in stimulation of ROS production by PMNs by ammonia, and negatively affects metabolism and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cow.

Alfalfa hay induced primary photosensitization in horses.

Photosensitization, also known as photodermatitis, occurs when phototoxic or photoactive substances accumulate in the skin and interact with sunlight to result in an often severe, crusting, itching or painful dermatitis in unpigmented and/or lightly haired areas of the skin. Primary photosensitization, caused by direct ingestion of photosensitizing agents, has been reported anecdotally in horses after ingestion of alfalfa hay. Between 2004 and 2014, several large outbreaks of primary photosensitization in horses fed primarily alfalfa hay were investigated in California. Alfalfa hay samples were collected and carefully examined for the presence of known photosensitizing plants and pesticide residues but none were identified. Select hay samples were evaluated for unusual fungal infestation and for phototoxicity assay using a specific Candida albicans assay; results were negative. In the 2004 outbreak, a feeding study was conducted with three horses exclusively fed alfalfa hay that was suspected to have caused the outbreak. Two weeks after ingestion of alfalfa hay, two horses developed several lesions in non-pigmented skin characterized as chronic ulcerative and necrotizing dermatitis with superficial vasculitis, which was consistent with photosensitization. In the 2014 outbreak, seven different implicated alfalfa hay samples were analyzed for chlorophyll a and b, and pheophorbide a. These compounds had been suspected to play a role in alfalfa-induced primary photosensitization. The chlorophyll contents ranged from 0.90 to 2.30 mg/g in the alfalfa hay samples, compared to 1.37 and 2.94 mg/g in locally grown alfalfa and orchard grass hay. The pheophorbide a levels ranged from 3.36 to 89.87 µg/g in alfalfa samples compared to 81.39 and 42.33 µg/g in control alfalfa and orchard grass hay samples. These findings eliminate chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and pheophorbide a as possible causes for alfalfa-hay induced primary photosensitization.

Low protein silage associated with rumen impaction in suckler cows.

Rumen impaction associated with low protein diets in a suckler cowCampylobacteriosis in suckler cowsPlant toxicity in ewesListerial encephalitis in ewes ITALIC! Chorioptes bovis-associated infertility in ramsThese are among matters discussed in the disease surveillance report for January 2016 from SAC Consulting: Veterinary Services (SAC C VS).

An investigation of the effects of stage of ensilage on Nassella neesiana seeds, for reducing seed viability and injury to livestock.

The noxious weed Nassella neesiana is established on a wide range of productive land throughout southeastern Australia. N. neesiana seeds, when mature, are sharp, causing injury to livestock, thus posing a problem in fodder bales. To reduce infestations of agricultural weeds in situ, production of silage from weed-infested pastures is practised as part of integrated weed management (IWM). However, there is little data to demonstrate whether this process is useful to reduce infestations or the harmful properties of N. neesiana. Therefore, the minimum duration of ensilage required to reduce the viability of N. neesiana seeds was investigated, both with and without addition of ensilage inoculants in this process. Also, the decreasing propensity of the seeds to injure livestock, after various times and conditions of ensilage, was assessed. Ensilage inoculant reduced seed germination probability to zero after 35 days. When no inoculant was added, zero viability was achieved after 42 days. A qualitative assessment of the hardness of ensilaged seeds found seed husks were softer (and therefore safer) after 42 days, whether inoculant was used or not. Therefore, we suggest that both the viability of N. neesiana seeds and hardness of seed casings are significantly reduced after 42 days, thereby reducing the risks of seed dispersal and injury to livestock.

Degradabilidade ruminal in situ do sorgo grão em diferentes formas de reconstituição / In situ ruminal degradability of sorghum grain in different forms of reconstruction

Foram utilizadas três vacas não lactantes fistuladas no rúmen com o objetivo de determinar os parâmetros de degradação ruminal in situ da matéria seca (MS) e do amido de grãos de sorgo sob diferentes formas de processamento: 1) Seco e moído (2mm); 2) Seco, moído (3mm), reidratado com aspersão de água sobre o material, e imediatamente ensilado por 30 dias; 3) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC e, em seguida, moído a 5mm; 4) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC com aplicação de ar comprimido e, em seguida, moído a 5mm; 5) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC e, em seguida, moído a 5mm, e ensilado por 30 dias; 6) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC com aplicação de ar comprimido, moído a 5mm e ensilado por 30 dias. Os teores de proteína bruta, amido, e fibra em detergente neutro (% da MS) variaram de 9,8 a 10,8%; 59,5 a 67,5%; e de 16,1 a 19,3%, respectivamente. Os teores de umidade nos grãos que foram reidratados variaram de 35,8 a 43,9% da MS. A taxa e a extensão de degradação do amido e a degradabilidade potencial da MS foram semelhantes (P>0,05) entre tratamentos. Os grãos de sorgo reidratados com aplicação de ar comprimido, moídos e ensilados (tratamento 6) apresentaram degradabilidade efetiva (DE) da MS e DE do amido sob taxa de passagem ruminal de 2%/h, semelhantes (P>0,05) às observadas para o tratamento 5 (sem aplicação de ar comprimido), e superiores (P<0,05) às dos demais processamentos. Sob taxas de passagem no rúmen de 5 e 8%/h, as DE do amido estimadas para os grãos processados no tratamento 6 foram superiores (P<0,05) às obtidas para os demais tratamentos. O processamento de reidratação por três dias com aplicação de ar comprimido e ensilagem por trinta dias aumentou a degradabilidade efetiva da matéria seca e do amido dos grãos de sorgo, e sua utilização pode ser recomendada para animais em níveis intermediário e elevado de desempenho...

Used three non-lactating cows fistulated in the rumen in order to determine the parameters of in situ ruminal degradation of dry matter (DM) and starch grain sorghum under different forms of processing: 1) Dried and ground (2mm); 2) Dry, crushed (3mm), rehydrated with water spray on the material and immediately ensiled for 30 days, 3) Dry, round, rehydrated for three days in PVC pipe and then crushed to 5mm, 4 ) Dry, full-rehydrated for three days in PVC tube with application of compressed air and then ground to 5mm; 5) Dry, full-rehydrated for three days in PVC pipe and then ground to 5mm, and ensiled for 30 days; 6) Dry, full-rehydrated for three days in PVC tube with application of compressed air, ground to 5mm and ensiled for 30 days. The crude protein, starch, and neutral detergent fiber (% of DM) ranged from 9.8 to 10.8%, 59.5 to 67.5%, and 16.1 to 19.3%, respectively. The moisture in the grains that were rehydrated ranged from 35.8 to 43.9% DM. The rate and extent of starch degradation and the degradability of MS were similar (P>0.05) between treatments. The grain sorghum rehydrated with application of compressed air, ground and ensiled (treatment 6), showed effective degradability (ED) of DM, and DE starch under ruminal passage rate of 2%/h, similar (P>0.05 ) those observed for treating 5 (without application of compressed air) and higher (P<0.05) to the other processing. Under rumen passage rates of 5 and 8%/h, the estimated NDs starch for processed grains in treatment 6 were higher (P<0.05) than those obtained for the other treatments. Processing rehydration for three days with compressed air application and silage for thirty days increased the effective degradability of dry matter and starch grain sorghum, and its use can be recommended for animals in intermediate and high performance...

Use of F57 bags by the semi-automatic in vitro technique of gas production / Uso de sacos F57 pela técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases

Os cadinhos filtrantes (porosidade 1) originalmente usados na técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases estabelecida no Laboratório de Produção de Gases da Escola de Veterinária da UFMG podem ocasionar interferências nos estudos de quantificação da degradação de alimentos, principalmente os ricos em amido, devido à obstrução dos poros da placa filtrante pelo material residual após fermentação. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a substituição dos cadinhos filtrantes por sacos F57 (Ankom(r)) visando a realização de experimentos in vitro para descrição da cinética de fermentação e degradação ruminal. Esta substituição causou a redução do peso/volume da amostra incubada e desta forma, interferiu na relação pressão (P) / volume (V) e consequentemente inviabilizou a utilização de equação previamente estabelecida por Mauricio et al. (2003). Desta forma, objetivou-se neste estudo estabelecer equação para estimar o volume de gases produzidos a partir de dados de P e V obtidos pela fermentação de sorgo forrageiro, incluindo partes da planta e planta inteira, incubados em sacos F57 (Ankom(r)). Foram quantificados 474 dados simultâneos de pressão e volume os quais variaram de 0 a 4.670 psi e os de volume entre 0 e 38mL. A equação relacionando P e V obtida foi: V (mL) = 0.747 (s.e. 0.0733) + 7.23 P (s.e. 0.1165) + 0.101 P2 (s.e. 0.0372), (R2 = 0.99). O desenvolvimento desta equação viabilizou a utilização dos sacos F57 (Ankom(r)) pela na técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases e, portanto permitindo a quantificação dos resíduos da fermentação favorecendo a acurácia dos resultados...

Fertility and growth of nulliparous ewes after feeding red clover silage with high phyto-oestrogen concentrations.

The study aimed to determine the effects of red clover (Trifolium pratense) silage with high phyto-oestrogen content on ewe performance during their first breeding season. Red clover silage containing formononetin, biochanin A, genistein, and daidzein was fed to 10 nulliparous ewes of the prolific Finnish Landrace breed before, during and after the breeding season, for a total of 5 months. A control group of 10 ewes was fed with grass silage. The mean numbers of foetuses per pregnancy were 2.1±0.7 and 2.2±0.8 for the red clover and control groups, respectively. The total mass of the uterus with its contents was significantly greater in ewes of the red clover group compared with those of the control group. This difference was mainly explained by the greater volume of foetal fluids. Serum progesterone concentration in the red clover group was significantly lower over the entire period analysed than in the control group. In conclusion, the fecundity of the ewes was not reduced by red clover feed with high phyto-oestrogen concentrations. The volume of foetal fluids increased that could increase the risk for vaginal prolapse before the term.

Listerial keratoconjunctivitis and uveitis (silage eye).

Listerial keratoconjunctivitis or silage eye has increasingly been reported in ruminants in recent years. Although the disease has always been associated with silage feeding, its cause, pathogenesis, and epidemiology remain to be fully disclosed. Clinical courses include signs of keratoconjunctivitis and uveitis and cases recover without any residual lesions after antibiotic therapy. More epidemiologic and clinical as well as experimental studies are required to determine this poorly defined condition so that preventive measures could be established.

Degradabilidade ruminal da matéria seca, da proteína bruta e da fração fibrosa de silagens de milho, de sorgo e de Brachiaria brizantha / Ruminal degradability of dry matter, crud protein, and fiber fraction of silages of corn, sorghum, and Brachiaria brizantha

Avaliou-se a degradação da matéria seca (MS), da proteína bruta (PB), da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), da fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e da hemicelulose das silagens de milho, de sorgo e de Brachiaria brizantha. Foram utilizados três novilhos Nelore, machos, fistulados no rúmen, com média de peso de 200kg. Em cada animal foram incubadas amostras das três silagens nos tempos de 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 e 96 horas. Para as degradabilidades potencial e efetiva da MS (taxa de passagem no rúmen de 5 por cento/h), a silagem de milho foi a que apresentou valores mais altos, 80,1 e 56,7 por cento, respectivamente, seguida da silagem de sorgo, 73,0 e 45,3 por cento, e da silagem de Brachiaria, 60,8 e 33,7 por cento. Para a PB, o maior valor de degradabilidade foi verificado para a silagem de milho, 87,0 por cento, seguida das silagens de sorgo, 81,8 por cento, e de Brachiaria, 75,2 por cento. A degradabilidade da FDN foi maior para as silagens de milho e sorgo. Para FDA, a silagem de sorgo apresentou perfil de degradação menor que a silagem de milho. Os resultados sugerem melhor qualidade da silagem de milho, seguida pela do sorgo e pela de Brachiaria.

The experiment evaluated the degradation of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose of silages of corn, sorghum and Brachiaria brizantha. Three steers averaging 200kg bw were rumen fistulated. In each animal, the three silages were incubated for 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 hours. For the potential degradability and the effective degradability (passage rate 5 percent/h) the corn silage presented the highest values, 80.1 and 56.7 percent, respectively, followed by the sorghum silage (73.0 and 45.3 percent), and the Brachiaria silage (60.8 and 33.7 percent). For CP, the highest degradability value was also verified for the corn silage (87.0 percent), followed by the sorghum silage (81.8 percent), and Brachiaria silage (75.2 percent). For NDF, the highest degradability values were also verified for the corn and sorghum silages. However, for ADF, the sorghum silage presented degradation profile lower than the corn silage. The results suggest a better quality of the corn silage, followed by sorghum and Brachiaria silages.

Intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, and microbial protein synthesis in crossbred steers fed diets based on Brachiaria grass silage and sorghum silage / Consumo, digestibilidade, parâmetros ruminais e síntese de proteína microbiana em novilhos cruzados alimentados com dietas a base de silagem de braquiária e silagem de sorgo

A trial was carried out with four Holstein x Nellore crossbred steers (225±22kg of BW) fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulaes in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design to evaluate the intake and the total and partial apparent digestibilities of nutrients, ruminal parameters, and microbial synthesis. Diets consisted of 60 percent silage and 40 percent concentrate formulated to be isonitrogenous (12.5 percent of crude protein, dry matter basis). Treatments consisted of different proportions of Brachiaria brizantha grass silage and sorghum silage: 100:0; 67:33; 33:67, and 0:100 percent, respectively, on dry matter basis. The intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients linearly increased (P<0.01) as levels of sorghum silage increased. The total apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber linearly increased with sorghum silage levels (P<0.02). The highest ruminal NH3-N (13.63mg/dL) levels occurred at 2.94h post-feeding whereas the lowest ruminal pH (5.87) was measured at 5.21h post-feeding. Microbial efficiency was not affected (P>0.05) by the treatments. The use of 67 percent of sorghum silage and 33 percent of grass silage increased intake and digestibility of nutrients without affecting ruminal pH, ruminal NH3-N, and microbial efficiency.

Realizou-se um estudo com quatro novilhos cruzados Holandês x Nelore (225±22kg de peso vivo), canulados no rúmen e abomaso, distribuídos em quadrado latino 4 x 4 para avaliar o efeito de diferentes proporções de silagem de Braquiária brizantha e silagem de sorgo sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes no trato digestório total e parcial, sobre os parâmetros ruminais e sobre a eficiência microbiana. As dietas continham 60 por cento de volumoso e 40 por cento de concentrado e foram formuladas para serem isonitrogenadas (12,5 por cento de proteína bruta na matéria seca). Os tratamentos consistiram em diferentes proporções de silagens de Brachiaria brizantha e de sorgo: 100:0; 67:33; 33:67 e 0:100 por cento, respectivamente ( por cento da matéria seca). O consumo de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, carboidratos não-fibrosos e nutrientes digestíveis totais aumentou linearmente (P<0,01) com o aumento da proporção de silagem de sorgo. A digestibilidade total da matéria seca, da matéria orgânica e da fibra em detergente neutro também aumentou linearmente (P<0,02) com o aumento da proporção de silagem de sorgo. A máxima concentração de N-amoniacal ruminal (13,63mg/dL) ocorreu 2,94 horas após a alimentação enquanto o menor pH foi observado às 5,21 horas após a alimentação. A eficiência microbina não foi afetada pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). O uso de 67 por cento de silagem de sorgo com 33 por cento de silagem de braquiária aumentou o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes sem afetar o pH e N-amoniacal ruminais, bem como a eficiência microbiana.

Valor nutritivo do capim-elefante ensilado com farelo de cacau e cana-de-açúcar / Nutritive value of elephant grass ensiled with cocoa meal and sugarcane

Foram estudados os efeitos da adição de farelo de cacau e cana-de-açúcar sobre o valor nutritivo de silagem de capim-elefante, adotando-se um esquema fatorial 2 x 4, utilizando-se 0 e 15 por cento de farelo de cacau e 0, 15, 30 e 45 por cento de cana-de-açúcar, com quatro repetições. O capim-elefante apresentava 29,2 por cento de matéria seca (MS), e as silagens foram produzidas em silos experimentais de PVC, que foram abertos aos 60 dias após a ensilagem. A adição de farelo de cacau reduziu a fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e aumentou os teores de MS, proteína bruta e a degradabilidade potencial da MS (DP MS48h). A cana-de-açúcar também reduziu os teores FDA, aumentou a DP MS48h e aumentou os valores dos nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) até a inclusão de 20,5 por cento de cana, embora tenha reduzido os teores de MS. Nas silagens contendo farelo de cacau e com a inclusão da cana-de-açúcar foi observada redução linear do conteúdo de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e aumento linear dos carboidratos não estruturais e NDT. A associação farelo de cacau e cana-de-açúcar aumentou o teor de CNF e os valores de NDT, e reduziu a FDN, melhorando o valor nutritivo das silagens de capim-elefante.

The effects of the addition of cocoa meal and sugarcane on the nutritional value of elephantgrass silage were studied considering a factorial outline 2 x 4, being used 0 and 15 percent of cocoa meal and 0, 15, 30, and 45 percent of sugarcane, with four repetitions. The elephantgrass presented 29.2 percent of dry matter (DM) and the silages were produced in experimental silos of PVC, that were open 60 days after the ensiling. The addition of cocoa meal reduced the content of acid detergent fiber (ADF) and increased the content of DM, crude protein, and the potential degradability of DM (PD DM48h). The sugarcane also reduced the ADF content, increased PD DM48h, and increased the values of total digestible nutrients (TDN) when inclusion was up to 20.5 percent, although it has reduced the content of DM. In the silage containing cocoa meal and with the inclusion of sugarcane, lineal reduction of the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and lineal increase of the contents of nonstructural carbohydrates (NC) and TDN were reported. The association cocoa meal and sugarcane increased the content of NC and the values of TDN, besides reducing NDF, improving the nutritive value of the elephant grass silage.

Avaliação pela técnica semiautomática de produção de gases das silagens de quatro genótipos de girassol (Helianthus annuus) (Rumbosol 91, Victoria 627, Victoria 807 e Mycogen 93338) / Evaluation of four sunflower (Helianthus annuus) genotypes (Rumbosol 91, Victoria 627, Victoria 807, and Mycogen 93338) silages by semi-automated in vitro gas production technique

Foram avaliadas as silagens de quatro genótipos de girassol (Helianthus annuus) (Rumbosol 91, Victoria 627, Victoria 807 e Mycogen 93338), pela técnica semiautomática de produção de gases. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as médias comparadas pelo teste SNK (p<0,05). O genótipo Rumbosol 91 apresentou a maior produção acumulativa de gases para o tempo de 96 horas de incubação com valor de 128,47mL/g de MS, e o menor valor foi observado para o genótipo Victoria 807 com 92,88. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os valores de degradabilidade da matéria seca (DMS) para as silagens avaliadas nos diferentes tempos. O potencial máximo de produção de gases variou de 91,67 para o genótipo Victoria 807 a 125,46mL/g de MS para a silagem do genótipo Rumbosol 91. O genótipo Rumbosol 91 apresentou a maior DMS para as taxas de passagem de 2 e 5 por cento com valores de 46,39 e 43,26 por cento. O maior valor para taxa de passagem (8 por cento) foi observado para o genótipo Victoria 627. As silagens dos genótipos Rumbosol 91 e Victoria 627 mostraram destacado potencial para produção de gases e taxa de produção de gases.

Four silages from distinct sunflower (Helianthus annuus) genotypes (Rumbosol 91, Victoria 627, 807 Victoria, and Mycogen 93338) were evaluated by semi-automated in vitro gas production technique in a completely random block design in a split plot scheme. The means were compared by the SNK test (P<0.05). Rumbosol 91 genotype showed the highest cumulative gas production after 96 hours of incubation, reaching 128.47mL/g of dry matter (DM), and the lowest value, 92.88mL/g, was observed for Victoria 807 genotype. No differences between silage dry matter digestibility (DMD) values at different times were observed (P>0.05). Maximum potential gas production ranged from 91.67 for Victoria 807 to 125.46mL/g of DM Rumbosol 91. Genotype Rumbosol 91 showed the highest DMD for fermentation rate of 2 (46.39 percent) and 5 percent (43.26 percent), and the highest values for fermentation rate of 8 percent was observed for Victoria 627 genotype. Silages from Rumbosol 91 and Victoria 627 genotypes showed outstanding potential of gases production and rate of gases production.

Parâmetros de fermentação de silagens de cana-de-açúcar submetidas a diferentes tratamentos / Fermentation parameters of sugar cane silages submitted to different treatments

Os valores de materia seca (MS), pH, teores de N-NH3/NT, ácidos orgânicos e etanol, de silagens de cana-de-açúcar foram determinados, em delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso. Os tratamentos aplicados à silagens foram: sem aditivo, testemunha (T); 0,5 por cento de uréia (U); 0,5 por cento de zeólita (Z); 0,5 por cento de uréia mais 0,5 por cento de zeólita (U+Z); inoculante bacteriano/enzimático Bio Max® cana (IBB) e inoculante bacteriano Silobac® (IBS). As silagens foram analisadas aos 56 dias após ensilagem. Os tratamentos U e U+Z apresentaram concentrações médias de ácido lático mais altas que o T, respectivamente 8,9 e 4,7g por cento. Os teores de etanol das silagens aditivadas foram semelhantes aos do tratamento T, respectivamente 12,4 e 12,9g por cento, sugerindo que não houve redução da fermentação alcoólica no material tratado. Com exceção da uréia, nenhum dos outros aditivos utilizados neste experimento promoveu melhoria de parâmetros qualitativos das silagens avaliadas. O efeito benéfico da uréia sobre a qualidade da silagem de cana parece ter sido limitado, não suprimindo a ocorrência do processo de fermentação alcoólica no material.

The values of dry matter (DM), pH, amoniacal nitrogen/total nitrogen (N-NH3/NT), organic acids, and ethanol of sugar cane silages were determined using a randomized blocks design. The treatment were: no addtitive (control); 0.5 percent urea (U); 0.5 percent zeolite (Z); 0.5 percent urea plus 0.5 percent zeolite (U+Z); Bio Max® (IBB), and Silobac® (IBS). Silages were analyzed on the 56th day after ensiling. The U and U+Z treatments showed high latic acid concentrations in relation to control, respectively 8.9 and 4.7g percent. The average ethanol contents of the treated silages were similar to control, respectively 12.4 and 12.9g percent, suggesting no reduction of the alcoholic fermentation process in treated materials. Additives used in this experiment did not enhance the qualitative parameters of the silages except for urea treated silages. It was concluded that the beneficial effect of urea on the quality of the sugar cane silages in the conditions of this experiment is limited, not suppressing the occurrence of the alcoholic fermentation process in the material.

Cinética de fermentação ruminal de silagens de milheto / Ruminal fermentation kinetics of pearl millet silages

Avaliaram-se a degradabilidade da matéria seca e a cinética de fermentação ruminal das silagens de três genótipos de milheto (BRS-1501, NPM-1 e CMS-3), por meio da técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas. Para a comparação dos genótipos, foi utilizado o teste SNK (P<0,05), e os parâmetros da cinética de fermentação foram ajustados ao modelo unicompartimental de France. A partir de 24 horas, a silagem do genótipo BRS-1501 foi a que apresentou maior produção acumulativa de gases. Os valores de degradabilidade da matéria seca apresentados às 96 horas de fermentação foram de 53,9 por cento para a silagem do BRS-1501, 51,7 por cento para a silagem do CMS-3 e 49,1 por cento para a silagem do NPM-1, sendo este o material com menor degradabilidade (P<0,05). Os potenciais máximos de produção de gases variaram de 145,18 para o genótipo CMS-3 a 155,02ml/g de MS para o BRS-1501. A silagem do genótipo BRS-1501 destacou-se entre as demais, em função do seu maior potencial de produção de gases e degradabilidades efetivas.

The dry matter digestibility and the fermentation kinetics of three pearl millet genotypes silages (BRS-1501, NPM-1, and CMS-3) were estimated by the semi-automated in vitro gas production technique, using a completely randomized blocks design in a split plot arrangement. The genotypes means were compared by SNK test (P<0.05) and fermentation kinetics parameters estimated by regression of gas production on time using the France model. The greater cumulative gas production from 24 hours on was obtained by BRS-1501 genotype silage. The dry matter degradability (DMD) values at 96 hours of incubation were 53.9 percent for BRS-1501, 51.7 percent for NPM-1, and 49.1 percent for CMS-3 silage. The lowest DMD (P<0.05) among the studied genotypes silages was observed for CMS-3 silage. The maximum potential of gas production ranged from 145.18ml/g of dry matter for CMS-3 genotype silage to 155.02ml/g of dry matter for BRS-1501 silage. The BRS-1501 genotype silage showed the highest potential of gas production and effective degradabilities.

Desempenho, parâmetros da carcaça e comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros alimentados com cana-de-açúcar ensilada ou in natura / Performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs fed fresh or ensiled sugar cane

Trinta cordeiros da raça Santa Inês, 26,2±0,6kg e 151±1,7 dias de idade, foram confinados para avaliar os efeitos da utilização de silagens de cana-de-açúcar sobre o desempenho, as características da carcaça e o comportamento ingestivo. As rações experimentais foram compostas de 50 por cento de volumoso e 50 por cento de concentrado, diferindo quanto ao tipo do volumoso utilizado: cana-de-açúcar in natura, silagem de cana-de-açúcar sem aditivo e silagem de cana-de-açúcar aditivada com Lactobacillus buchneri (5x10(4) UFC/g de MV). Não houve diferença (P>0,05) para o consumo de MS, ganho de peso vivo, conversão alimentar e parâmetros de carcaça entre os tratamentos. O tempo de ingestão (min/g FDN) e a eficiência de ruminação (g MS/h) foram menores (P<0,05) para os tratamentos contendo silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Silagens de cana-de-açúcar não alteraram o desempenho e as características da carcaça dos cordeiros em relação à cana de açúcar in natura. A utilização do aditivo microbiano contendo o L. buchneri na ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar não alterou as variáveis avaliadas.

Thirty Santa Ines ram lambs, 26.2±0.6kg and 151±1.7 day-old, were penned to evaluate the effects of feeding sugar cane silages on performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior. Lambs were fed a 50:50 (concentrate:roughage ratio) TMR. Experimental treatments were: fresh sugar cane, sugar cane silage without additive and sugar cane silage treated with Lactobacillus buchneri (5x10(4) cfu/g wet basis). No differences (P>0.05) on dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion and carcass characteristics were observed among treatments. Eating time (min/g NDF) and rumination efficiency (g DM/h) were lower (P<0.05) for silage diets. Sugar cane silage had no detrimental effect on lamb performance and carcass characteristics compared to fresh sugar cane. Adding L. buchneri to sugar cane silage did not change the evaluated characteristics.

Polyneuropathy associated with forage sources in Norwegian horses.

BACKGROUND: Cases of hindlimb digital extensor weakness of unknown etiology have been observed in Norway since 1995. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that the observed bilateral extensor weakness was attributable to neuropathy of the distal nerves and that this was related to environmental factors, possibly dietary. ANIMALS: Seventy-five horses with digital extensor weakness occurring from 1995 to 2004 are described. METHODS: Eleven horses were examined at The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, and the medical records of 64 horses seen in ambulatory practice were reviewed. RESULTS: There was no apparent sex, age, or breed predilection, but the majority were horses kept for pleasure or breeding purposes. Clinical signs varied from intermittent knuckling of the hindlimbs to paraplegia. Some horses showed no or only slow progression of signs, whereas others developed severe signs within hours. No other neurologic deficits were detected in any of the horses. Epidemiologic data and laboratory results were not supportive of an infectious etiology. The only common factor for all affected horses seemed to be feeding big bale silage or, occasionally, hay of poor microbiologic quality. Forty of the 75 horses were euthanized. Histopathologic examination of peripheral nervous tissue was performed in 22 horses, all of which had neuronal fiber degeneration. The majority of horses with mild signs recovered after 5-6 months of rest. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Clinical signs correlated with polyneuropathy involving sciatic nerves.

Nitrogen dioxide (silo gas) poisoning in dairy cattle.

Toxic silo gases are a potential danger to livestock housed in close proximity to roughage silos. These gases, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), may be produced during the early stages of (maize and grass) silage making. In humans, inhalation of these gases causes a condition known as 'Silo Filler's Disease' (SFD), which is a recognized occupational hazard for workers in upright forage silos in many countries. NO2 accumulates on top of silage, is inhaled by workers, and reacts with water on the airway surfaces to form nitrous acid, which damages the lung and causes pulmonary oedema, bronchiolitis, and death in severe cases. On a dairy farm, a cloud of reddish-brown NO2 gas (which is heavier than air) was noticed to escape from underneath the plastic sheet of a horizontal maize bunker and to enter a cubicle house for dairy cows 1 day after ensiling. Eleven cows became dyspnoeic, 3 of which subsequently died. A combination of weather conditions, an insufficient sand load on the maize bunker, the utilization of a lactobacillus starter culture, and the close proximity of the silo to the cubicle house may have caused the incident.

Bagaço de mandioca na ensilagem do capim-elefante: qualidade das silagens e digestibilidade dos nutrientes / Cassava bagasse in elephant grass ensilage: quality of the silage and digestibility of the nutrients

Utilizaram-se 16 novilhas ¾ Holandês-Zebu com idade média de 15 meses e peso médio inicial de 144kg, para avaliar o efeito da adição de diferentes níveis (5; 10; 15 e 20 por cento) de bagaço de mandioca na ensilagem do capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) sobre a qualidade e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes da dieta. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro dietas contendo, como volumoso, silagem de capim-elefante com quatro diferentes níveis de bagaço de mandioca, mais concentrado balanceado, com quatro repetições por tratamento. Avaliou-se a qualidade das silagens, os consumos de nutrientes das dietas e as digestibilidades dos nutrientes das silagens e das dietas totais. O bagaço de mandioca elevou o teor de matéria seca (MS) da silagem, preservando-a com o pH que variou de 3,85 a 4,07 e a relação N-NH3/NT de 6,2 a 7,85. Os consumos médios diários de MS e proteína bruta (PB) não diferiram entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). Os consumos médios de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) apresentaram comportamento linear decrescente (P<0,05) com o aumento dos níveis de bagaço de mandioca. Não foi detectada diferença entre os tratamentos (P>0,05) na digestibilidade da MS (DMS), da FDN (DFDN) e da FDA (DFDA) das silagens. Os nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) das silagens foram semelhantes em todos os tratamentos. A digestibilidade da PB (DPB), do extrato etéreo (DEE) e dos carboidratos não-fibrosos (DCNF) das silagens decresceu linearmente (P<0,05) com o aumento do nível do bagaço de mandioca nas silagens. Constatou-se que não houve diferença (P>0,05) na DMS, DPB, DFDN, DFDA, DEE, DCNF e NDT entre as dietas experimentais. O nível de adição de 5 por cento de bagaço de mandioca à silagem de capim-elefante é satisfatório para sua preservação, propiciando boa digestibilidade.

Sixteen ¾ Holstein-Zebu heifers aging 15 month-old averaging 144kg were used to evaluate the effect of the additions of different levels of cassava bagasse (5; 10; 15 and 20 percent) to elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) ensilage on the diet quality and nutrients digestibility. The treatments consisted of four diets containing, as roughage, elephant grass silage with four different levels of cassava bagasse plus balanced concentrate, with four repetitions per treatment. Silages quality, diet nutrients intake and nutrients digestibility of the silages and total diets were evaluated. Cassava bagasse increased the dry matter (DM) content, of the silages preserving them with a pH varying from 3.85 to 4.07 and N-NH3/NT ratio from 6.2 to 7.85. Daily dry matter and crude protein (CP) mean intakes did not differ among the treatments (P>0.05). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) mean intakes showed a decreasing linear behavior (P<0.05) with the increase of cassava bagasse levels. There was no detected difference among the treatments (P>0.05) for DM (DMD), NDF (NDFD) and ADF digestibility (ADFD). The total digestible nutrients (TDN) of the silages were similar in all the treatments. The CP (CPD), ether extract (EED) and non-fiber carbohydrates digestibility (NFCD) of the silages decreased linearly (P<0.05) with the increase of cassava bagasse levels. There was no difference (P>0.05) in DMD, CPD, NDFD, ADFD, EED, NFCD and TDN among the experimental diets. The 5 percent cassava bagasse addition to its elephant grass silage was satisfactory to preservation resulting in good digestibility of the elephant grass silage.