Francisco Fernandes Junior

Effect of environmental factors on performance of purebred and crossbred Santa Inês lambs from birth to 154 days of age

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the environmental effects (age of dam at lambing, type of birth and sex of lamb) and genetic groups (Santa Ines and ½ Santa Ines) on weight and morphometric measurements (heart girth, body length and height) of lambs; to test linear and allometric regressions to predict the weight through the measurements; and to describe the type of growth of the measurements from weight. Weight and morphometric measurements were sampled from birth to 154 days of age, at every 14 days. For the evaluation of the environmental factors and to predict the regressions the data of birth, weaning and 154 days of age were used; and to determine the type of growth all the data collected were used. The lambs derived from younger (two-tooth) ewes recorded lower averages than the ones from eight-tooth ewes for weight, heart girth and body length at birth and length at weaning. The animals born from single births presented higher average weight from birth to weaning, as well as of all the measurements from birth to 154 days of age than those from twin births. There was no difference between the genetic groups Santa Ines and ½ Santa Ines. The correlations between the weight and measurements were significant, and it was possible to predict the weight from the morphometric measurements through regressions. The type of weight gain with heart girth was isometric, while with length it was positive allometric, and with height it was negative allometric. Thereby, in the absence of a scale it is possible to predict the weight from the morphometric measurements, and the type of birth is the most important factor that affects the development of lambs from birth to weaning.

Comportamento de consumidores de carne de cordeiro na região norte do Paraná

For many years the marketing of sheep meat was disorganized, with slaughter of low quality animals. This has created an image unfavorable to the product. As this scenario changes, sheep meat is more prominent, especially lamb meat that serves market niches in large urban centers. The objective of this work was to measure the consumption and acceptability of sheep meat in the region of Londrina PR, according to the gender, age, level of schooling and family income of the persons interviewed, as well as to evaluate the sensorial parameters of sheep meat according to consumers without the information of the animal species, aiming to indicate guiding actions for the productive chain of sheep. A total of 951 inhabitants were interviewed and a consumer study was conducted with 134 inhabitants, both from Londrina and region, during the Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition of Londrina, in the year 2014. The main reasons for not consuming the meat is the lack of custom 44.1% followed by the fact of not liking 39.8%. Constantino et al. 2 PUBVET v.12, n.1, a19, p.1-7, Jan., 2018 The reason they do not like meat is the strong smell of the animal 44.8% followed by the sweet taste 20.2%. Regarding the acceptability of the sample, 47.01% of the consumers marked the meat as much as they liked, followed by 26.87% that tasted extremely, only 2.25% of consumers marked the meat as unpleasant. It is observed that the great barrier to increase the consumption of the sheep meat is the lack of custom and bad experiences that lead to the non consumption.

Desempenho, qualidade da carcaça e carne de ovinos de descarte de diferentes idades e gêneros

Several authors commented that the inadequate quality of sheep meat is due to the low quality of the meat of discarded animals, like adult animals. The carcasses are excess fat; the meat color is darker, meat firmer, and has a more pronounced taste and aroma. The objective of this work was to measure the performance, carcass quality and meat of sheep of different categories. Twenty five animals, 5 lambs, 5 lambs, 5 whole males, 5 castrated males and 5 sheep were used. After a period of 50 days of daily grazing and supplementation at night the animals were slaughtered. Measurements were made on the carcass and meat of the animals. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test at 5%. Regarding performance, biometrics and carcass evaluations, castrated males, whole males and sheep presented the highest values, but it is interesting to note that lambs and lambs presented satisfactory results. Another important point is that the true yield, shear force and overall acceptability of the sample in the sensory analysis were similar across all categories. Regarding the size of cuts what should be taken into account is what the consumer market expects, consuming large or small cuts. As for the quality of the meat, Constantino et al. 2 PUBVET v.12, n.2, a34, p.1-9, Fev., 2018 adult animals presented more fat, which may be interesting to guarantee a better carcass and sensorial quality of the meat, as long as it is not an excess that increases the losses in the carcass toilet or worse the odor of the meat.

Desempenho, consumo de nutrientes e comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros alimentados com diferentes teores de torta de soja em substituição ao farelo de soja

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal by soybean cake in diets for feedlot Santa Ines lambs, evaluating performance, nutrient intake, ingestive behavior and biometric measures. Thirty intact males were used, weighing 23.63 ± 2.44kg, distributed randomly in five treatments, with 6 animals each, with the treatments being the levels of substitution of soybean meal for soybean cake, by 0; 25; 50; 75 and 100%. The ingestive behavior was assessed by visual observations every 10 minutes, during 24 hours. No significant effects were found on the parameters of performance, DM intake, and ingestive behavior. The average daily weight gain was 312,73g, and the average dry matter intake was 1,44kg/day. The inclusion of soybean cake led to a significant linear increase in ether extract intake in grams/day, in percentage of body weight and in percentage of metabolic weight. Cubic effects were observed in the parameters of acid detergent fiber intake. The rumination, feed intake and idleness time observed were 425,85; 194,50 e 789,29 min/day, respectively. Regarding biometric measurements, there was no significant effect of replacing soybean meal with soybean cake. The soybean cake can be used in replacement of soybean meal, but is important to pay attention on the content of residual lipids present in this byproduct of the biodiesel industry.

Performance, carcass and meat quality of ewes supplemented with magnesium oxide

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, the carcass and meat characteristics of ewes supplemented with magnesium oxide. Eighteen 6-year-old Santa Ines ewes were used in a completely randomized experimental design, where three levels of supplementation (0.0, 0.1 and 0.2% magnesium oxide in the concentrate) were tested, with six replicates. Final weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion were not affected by levels of magnesium supplementation. Hot and cold carcass weights showed linear increasing and quadratic responses, respectively, according to supplementation with magnesium. Carcass measurements such as length, depth, and measures of arm and leg were not affected by supplementation. Depth and width of the longissimus muscle and rib-eye area were not affected; however, marbling and ether extract increased linearly with supplementation. Water loss and color were not affected. Lipid oxidation and shear force were not affected by supplementation, while the myofibrillar fragmentation index showed a quadratic regression. There was a linear decrease in pH with magnesium supplementation. Supplementation with magnesium can improve carcass and meat pH, but can act negatively by increasing the amount of marbling and ether extract of meat.