Perception of animal welfare and its certification system by Brazilian consumers and dairy farmers.

The practices adopted in dairy farms can positively or negatively affect the perception of consumers. To meet consumer expectations and improve the productivity of dairy farms, a welfare certification system has recently been initiated in Brazil. In this research communication we describe the perceptions of Brazilian consumers and farmers regarding the implementation of welfare certification systems and the most common practices that affect animal welfare on dairy farms. For this purpose, two semi-structured questionnaires were used: one applied to 409 consumers and the other to 158 dairy farmers. The results demonstrate that consumers are concerned with the adoption of welfare practices in animal husbandry at dairy farms, mainly on topics related to movement restriction and cow-calf separation. Thus, the majority of consumers state that they are willing to pay more for welfare-certified dairy products. In addition, most dairy farmers are interested in adopting a welfare certification system, especially if it could add value to the raw milk sold to industries. Veterinarians and animal scientists are important for disseminating animal welfare recommendations, and the consequences of its improper adoption need to be emphasized. Finally, dairy farms need improvements regarding environmental hygiene, thermal conditions, animal husbandry, health, and milking processes. In conclusion, consumers and farmers are interested in welfare systems and their certification, and there is a need for stakeholders to make welfare certification a reality in the Brazilian dairy supply chain.

Apparent digestibility coefficients for amino acids of feed ingredients in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) diets

This study evaluated the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of essential (EAA) and non-essential (NEAA) amino acids of 13 ingredients for tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) diets. Proteic and energetic ingredients were analyzed separately. The trial with energetic and proteic ingredients were arranged in a randomized block design, with four replicates: energetic ingredients (corn, wheat bran, broken rice, and sorghum) with four treatments, whereas proteic ingredients (corn gluten meal, soybean meal, poultry byproduct meal, salmon meal, fish meal [tilapia processing residue], wheat gluten meal, feather meal, cottonseed meal, and alcohol yeast [spray dried]) with nine treatments. Each block was considered as one round of fecal collection. A total of 420 tambaqui juveniles (mean initial weight: 70±8.58 g) were used. Among energetic ingredients, corn (94.6%) and wheat bran (91.9%) had the highest ADCEAA, followed by broken rice (75.7%), and sorghum (72.8%). On average, ADCEAA and ADCNEAA values of proteic ingredients were 79.5-98.5%, except for alcohol yeast (ADCEAA: 68.4 and ADCNEAA: 76.7%). Tryptophan was the first limiting amino acid in most ingredients tested and had the lowest chemical scores (0.06-0.51), except for wheat bran, corn gluten meal, and soybean meal, in which lysine was the first limiting amino acid. Soybean meal had the highest digestible essential amino acid index (EAAI: 1.02) and the most balanced amino acid profile, whereas wheat gluten meal had the lowest EAAI (0.48). Overall, tambaqui was very efficient to digest proteic and energetic ingredients.(AU)

Apparent digestibility coefficients of feedstuff used in tambaqui diets / Coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente de alimentos utilizados em dietas de tambaqui

Quality of fish diet can be evaluated by quantifying the ability of fish to digest food. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and gross energy (GE) in nine protein ingredients and seven energy ingredients most commonly used in commercial diets for tambaqui. In total, 510 tambaqui juveniles were fed test diets containing a reference diet supplemented with an inert digestibility marker (Cr2O3) and each ingredient tested. Digestibility analyses showed that corn gluten had the highest ADCCP (98.09%) and ADCGE (96.91%), whereas alcohol yeast had the lowest ADCCP (63.17%) and ADCGE (46.24%). Protein ingredients were revealed to be excellent sources of lipids (ADCEE > 85.0%), with the exception of wheat gluten (ADCEE: 63.73%). Corn (94.50%) and wheat bran (86.08%) showed the highest ADCCP of all energy ingredients. No significant differences in ADCEE were observed across the energy ingredients tested. Of the energy ingredients tested, corn oil (95.70%), fish oil (93.61%), soybean oil (93.31%) and corn (88.70%) had the highest ADCGE. The use of protein ingredients and energy ingredients with high digestibility coefficients, such as the ones reported, can guide the formulation of top quality diets for tambaqui.(AU)

A qualidade da dieta pode ser avaliada quantificando a habilidade dos peixes para digerir os alimentos. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo determinar os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) para proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE) e energia bruta (EB) de nove ingredientes proteicos e sete ingredientes energéticos mais comumente usados em dietas comerciais para tambaqui. No total, 510 juvenis de tambaqui foram alimentados com dietas-teste contendo uma dieta de referência suplementada com um marcador de digestibilidade inerte (Cr2O3). As análises de digestibilidade mostraram que o glúten de milho apresentou o CDAPB (98,09%) e CDAEB (96,91%) mais alto, enquanto que a levedura de álcool apresentou o menor CDAPB (63,17%) e CDAEB (46,24%). Os ingredientes proteicos foram revelados como excelentes fontes de lipídios (CDAEE > 85,0%), com exceção do glúten de trigo (CDAEE: 63,73%). O milho (94,5%) e o farelo de trigo (86,08%) apresentaram o CDAPB mais alto de todos os ingredientes energéticos. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no CDAEE dos ingredientes energéticos testados. Dos ingredientes energéticos testados, o óleo de milho (95,7%), óleo de peixe (93,61%), o óleo de soja (93,31%) e o milho (88,70%) apresentaram o CDAEB mais alto. O uso de ingredientes proteicos e energéticos com altos coeficientes de digestibilidade, como os relatados, pode orientar a formulação de dietas de alta qualidade para tambaqui.(AU)

Apparent digestibility coefficients of feedstuff used in tambaqui diets / Coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente de alimentos utilizados em dietas de tambaqui

Quality of fish diet can be evaluated by quantifying the ability of fish to digest food. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and gross energy (GE) in nine protein ingredients and seven energy ingredients most commonly used in commercial diets for tambaqui. In total, 510 tambaqui juveniles were fed test diets containing a reference diet supplemented with an inert digestibility marker (Cr2O3) and each ingredient tested. Digestibility analyses showed that corn gluten had the highest ADCCP (98.09%) and ADCGE (96.91%), whereas alcohol yeast had the lowest ADCCP (63.17%) and ADCGE (46.24%). Protein ingredients were revealed to be excellent sources of lipids (ADCEE > 85.0%), with the exception of wheat gluten (ADCEE: 63.73%). Corn (94.50%) and wheat bran (86.08%) showed the highest ADCCP of all energy ingredients. No significant differences in ADCEE were observed across the energy ingredients tested. Of the energy ingredients tested, corn oil (95.70%), fish oil (93.61%), soybean oil (93.31%) and corn (88.70%) had the highest ADCGE. The use of protein ingredients and energy ingredients with high digestibility coefficients, such as the ones reported, can guide the formulation of top quality diets for tambaqui.

A qualidade da dieta pode ser avaliada quantificando a habilidade dos peixes para digerir os alimentos. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo determinar os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) para proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE) e energia bruta (EB) de nove ingredientes proteicos e sete ingredientes energéticos mais comumente usados em dietas comerciais para tambaqui. No total, 510 juvenis de tambaqui foram alimentados com dietas-teste contendo uma dieta de referência suplementada com um marcador de digestibilidade inerte (Cr2O3). As análises de digestibilidade mostraram que o glúten de milho apresentou o CDAPB (98,09%) e CDAEB (96,91%) mais alto, enquanto que a levedura de álcool apresentou o menor CDAPB (63,17%) e CDAEB (46,24%). Os ingredientes proteicos foram revelados como excelentes fontes de lipídios (CDAEE > 85,0%), com exceção do glúten de trigo (CDAEE: 63,73%). O milho (94,5%) e o farelo de trigo (86,08%) apresentaram o CDAPB mais alto de todos os ingredientes energéticos. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no CDAEE dos ingredientes energéticos testados. Dos ingredientes energéticos testados, o óleo de milho (95,7%), óleo de peixe (93,61%), o óleo de soja (93,31%) e o milho (88,70%) apresentaram o CDAEB mais alto. O uso de ingredientes proteicos e energéticos com altos coeficientes de digestibilidade, como os relatados, pode orientar a formulação de dietas de alta qualidade para tambaqui.