Diego Barcelos Galvani

Energy requirements of Texel crossbred lambs1

Two trials were conducted to determine the energy requirements of feedlot Texel crossbred lambs. In a comparative slaughter trial, thirty 11/16 Texel x 5/16 Ile de France crossbred noncastrated male lambs, weaned at 42 d of age (16.2 +/- 2.1 kg of shrunk BW; SBW), were used. Five lambs were randomly chosen and slaughtered after 10 d of experimental management and diet adaptation (baseline group). Fifteen lambs then were fed for ad libitum intake and slaughtered at 25, 30, or 35 kg of SBW. The remaining 10 lambs were randomly assigned to 2 levels of DMI, either 70 or 55% of the ad libitum intake, and were slaughtered concomitantly with lambs of the 35 kg of SBW group. Total body N, fat, and energy contents were determined. In a digestibility trial, 6 Texel x Ile de France crossbred lambs (30.4 +/- 2.6 kg of SBW) were housed in metabolic cages and used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square experiment to evaluate the energetic value of the diet at different feed intake levels. Net and ME requirements for maintenance were 58.6 and 91 kcal/kg(0.75) of SBW, respectively. Consequently, partial efficiency of energy use for maintenance was 0.64. Body fat content varied from 72.7 to 125.9 g/kg of empty BW, respectively, for 13.1 and 28.2 kg of empty BW. Net energy requirements for growth of lambs at 15 and 35 kg of SBW at an ADG of 250 g were 424 and 553 kcal/d, respectively. Partial efficiency of energy use for growth was 0.47. Texel x Ile de France crossbred growing lambs used in this study showed decreased nutritional requirements than those reported by most nutritional systems.

Consumo de nutrientes e desempenho de cordeiros alimentados com dietas que contêm diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

Este estudo foi conduzido no Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, no periodo de agosto a dezembro de 2003. O objetivo foi avaliar o consumo de nutrientes e o desempenho de cordeiros machos, nao castrados, cruzados Ile de France x Texel, submetidos a quatro niveis de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN): 25%, 31%, 37% e 43%. O volumoso utilizado foi a silagem de sorgo hibrido (AG 2005 E) e o concentrado foi composto de milho em grao triturado, farelo de soja, sal comum, calcario calcitico e fosfato bicalcico. As dietas dos quatro tratamentos eram isoproteicas, contendo 17% de proteina bruta. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros desmamados em media aos 42 dias de idade e abatidos quando atingiram 30kg de peso vivo. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramento casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repeticoes. Foram avaliados os consumos de nutrientes, o ganho de peso medio diario (GMD), a conversao alimentar (CA) e o numero de dias que os cordeiros levaram para atingir o peso vivo ao abate de 30kg. A adicao de niveis crescentes de FDN a dieta ocasionou um decrescimo linear nos consumos de materia seca, materia orgânica, proteina bruta, extrato etereo, carboidratos totais e carboidratos nao estruturais. Por outro lado, aumentou linearmente o consumo de fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente acido. Verificou-se reducao linear do GMD e piora na CA com o aumento do teor de fibra na racao, o que proporcionou uma elevacao linear no numero de dias que os cordeiros levaram para atingir o peso de abate.

Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

The effect of different neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels in the diet on the Ile de France x Texel lambs ingestive behavior was evaluated. Twenty lambs distributed in a fully randomized experimental design were used, in a total of four treatments and five repetitions, fed ad libitum with 25%, 31%, 37% and 43% NDF diets. A ration in a complete mixing in sorghum silage (AG 2005 E) and concentrate mixing of soybean meal, fragmented corn grains and mineral mixing was used. The diets were isoproteic (17% crude protein) and were given twice a day, at 8 AM and 4 PM. The ingestive behavior was determined by observation, during 24 hours with 5 minutes intervals, to determine the time spent in feeding, rumination and idleness. The increase of the fiber level in the feed did not effect (P>0.05) on the time spent in feeding, rumination, idleness and total chewing time. The rumination and feeding efficiency increased linearly (P<0.05), as the dietary NDF levels increased. The feedlot sheeps have predominantly diurnal habit of feeding and nocturnal of rumination

Chewing patterns and digestion in sheep submitted to feed restriction

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship among the level of feed intake, chewing pattern, and diet digestibility in sheep fed a moderate-concentrate diet. The first experiment was conducted using six male lambs at a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to evaluate diet digestibility and microbial N synthesis according to the level of intake: ad libitum, or restricted to either 70 or 55% of the ad libitum intake. In the second experiment, fifteen male lambs were housed in individual stalls, in a completely randomized design, and fed one of the three levels of dry matter intake (DMI). Chewing patterns were then evaluated for 24 h using a regular 5-min interval observation technique, two times during the experimental period. Decreasing level of feed intake resulted in increased apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fibre, as well as of the true digestibility of organic matter. Total time spent eating and ruminating decreased with feed restriction. However, lambs fed at restricted levels of intake presented a higher rate of eating (g DMI/min) than those fed ad libitum, and spent more time ruminating each gram of DM (min/g DMI). In conclusion, our results suggest that a more effective chewing during rumination activity can have an important role on feed digestion in animals submitted to feed restriction.

Comportamento ingestivo de ovelhas em lactação alimentadas com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels in the diet on ingestive behavior of lactating ewes. Eighteen 5/8 Ile de France 3/8 Texel ewes, housed in individual cage 24 hours postpartum, were used. Animals were assigned to one of three treatments: 34, 43 and 52% NDF in the diet, in dry matter (DM) basis. The total mixed rations, composed by corn silage (Zea mays L.), ground corn, soybean meal (Glycine max L.), limestone, salt and dicalcium phosphate, were given twice a day, at 0830 AM and 0430 PM. Ingestive behavior was determined by visual appreciation. The increase of the NDF level in the diet significantly influenced (P<.05) DM and NDF intakes, milk yield, and the feeding, rumination, idleness resting and total chewing times, that varied quadratically (P<.05). The NDF feeding and rumination efficiency increased, whereas DM feeding and rumination efficiency linearly decreased (P<.05) as effect of the NDF increased, being necessary more time to feed the same amount of total mixed ration. Highest NDF levels in the diet can cause depression in DM intake.

Características da carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of different dietary NDF levels on carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs slaughtered with 30 kg of body weight. Twenty crossbred Ile de France x Texel non-castrated male lambs were randomly assigned to the following treatments: 25%, 31%, 37%, and 43% of dietary NDF. The forage portion of the diet was composed by sorghum silage (hybrid AG 2005 E) and the concentrate by cracked corn, soybean meal, salt, limestone, and dicalcium phosphate. Diets were isonitrogenous averaging 17% of crude protein. The following variables were measured: hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), hot carcass yield (HCY), cold carcass yield (CCY), cooling loss index (CLI), loin eye area (LEA), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), carcass length (CL), hind leg width (LW), chest depth (CP), hind leg length (LL), and weight and proportion of hind leg, shoulder clod, rib, and neck. Weight and proportion of hind leg bone, muscle, and fat also were measured in this trial. Increasing NDF from 25 to 43% in the diet linearly reduced HCW, CCW, HCY, CCY, and rib weight. A significant quadratic effect of dietary NDF level on LL was also found. No significant effects of the different dietary NDF levels were observed for the remaining variables.

Elaboração de embutido fermentado tipo salame utilizando carne de ovelhas de descarte

The aim of this work was producing fermented sausage with meat of culling ewe of two genetic groups in two feeding systems. 10 ewes of the Ideal breed and 10 of the Texel breed were used in the experiment, which were randomly distributed in agreement with the breed group in two alimentary systems: confinement and cultivated pasture. The animals were slaughtered when they reached a medium corporal score of 3.5 points. For the production of the sausages, a proportion of 80% of ewe meat and 20% of pork meat were used. The pH, water activity, weight loss, and sensorial analysis, were determinated using a scale of 7 points evaluating the color, odor, texture, and flavor attributes of the fermented sausages. No differences were not found among the genetic groups (p > 0,05) and the alimentary system (p > 0,05). The average values in the sensorial panel varied from 4,90 to 5,41 for coloration; 4,53 to 4,81 for odor; 5,25 to 5,75 for flavor and from 5,40 to 5,69 for texture. For the feeding methods they varied from 5,03 to 5,25; 4,56 to 4,78; 5,50, and 5,34 to 5,75 for coloration, odor, flavor, and texture, respectively, considering the genetic groups. It can be concluded that the sausages fermented were sensory approved by the tasters.

Postweaning growth of the non-carcass components of Texel crossbred lambs

Vinte cordeiros 11/16 Texel x 5/16 Ile de France foram abatidos em diferentes pesos com o objetivo de avaliar o crescimento dos componentes nao-integrantes da carcaca. Os animais foram desmamados aos 42 dias de idade (15,9 ± 2,1 kg de peso corporal) e confinados em baias individuais, recebendo alimentacao a vontade. Apos um periodo de 10 dias de adaptacao as condicoes experimentais, 5 cordeiros foram abatidos e os remanescentes foram aleatoriamente sorteados para serem abatidos aos 25, 30 ou 35 kg de peso corporal em jejum. Ao abate, cada componente corporal foi pesado individualmente, e seus valores expressos em percentual do peso de corpo vazio (PCV). Para determinacao do crescimento alometrico de cada componente, foi utilizada a equacao exponencial Y = aXb, transformada logaritmicamente em um modelo linear. As proporcoes de patas e cabeca decresceram, e a de la aumentou linearmente de acordo com o peso de abate. Observou-se acentuado acumulo de gordura interna (renal e mesenterica) no corpo dos animais abatidos em pesos mais elevados. A taxa de crescimento do intestino delgado foi menor que a do corpo vazio (b = 0,39) o que reduziu a proporcao desse orgao com o avanco da maturidade. O crescimento do figado e do intestino grosso foi isogonico, ou seja, equivalente ao do corpo vazio (b = 0,90 e 1,08, respectivamente), enquanto o rumen foi heterogonico e tardio (b = 1,37). Menores proporcoes de rumen foram observadas apenas para os animais abatidos logo apos o desmame (1,58%). Tendo em vista que pesos de abate mais elevados resultam em maior acumulo de nutrientes em regioes do corpo nao-destinadas ao consumo humano, recomenda-se que o abate de cordeiros 11/16 Texel x 5/16 Ile de France seja realizado com, no maximo, 30 kg de peso vivo.

Carcass traits of feedlot crossbred lambs slaughtered at different live weights

Carcass traits of twenty Texel x Ile de France crossbred lambs slaughtered after weaning (52 days of age), or at 25, 30 and 35kg live weight were evaluated. Lambs were placed in individual stalls (1.5m2) and fed ad libitum with a diet composed of sorghum silage (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and a concentrate mix (ground corn, soybean meal, calcium carbonate and salt). Commercial dressing percentage was related quadratically with slaughter weight, being highest in lambs slaughtered after weaning. Real dressing percentage increased linearly. Shoulder proportion decreased with slaughter weight, whereas leg, rib and neck proportions remained constant. Carcass fat was positively correlated to the slaughter weight. Slaughter of feedlot Texel x Ile de France crossbred lambs can be recommended at 28kg live weight.

Consumo de nutrientes, produção e composição do leite de ovelhas alimentadas com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

The experiment was carried to evaluate the effect of different levels of fiber in the diet on the nutrients intake, daily milk yield and composition of ewes. Eighteen multiparous ewes, housed in individual cage 24 hours postpartum, were randomly assigned to three levels of dietary NDF (treatment): 34, 43 and 52%. The diets constituted by a total mixed ration of corn silage, and a concentrate mix (ground corn, soybean meal and mineral mix) were formulated to be isoproteic (13% CP). The milk yield and composition was evaluated at each week, during 42 days. The NDF levels quadratically affected the intakes of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF, NSC and TC (kg/day, %BW and g/kgBWo.75). The maximum intake of DM corresponded to the 42.7% of NDF level in the diet. Quadratic effect on the milk yield was verified, which was higher with 39.8% of NDF level. Quadratic effect on CP milk contents was observed. Milk fat contents (g/day) and milk density showed linear decrease with the increment of NDF level in the diet. Total solids contents (g/day), 3.5% fat corrected milk yield and corrected for total solids showed a quadratic behavior. The stage of the lactation influenced the milk production, in way that the peak of the lactation can occurs between the first and the third week of lactation.