Ivone Yurika Mizubuti

Desempenho, comportamento ingestivo e características de carcaça de cordeiros confinados submetidos a diferentes frequências de alimentação

This work evaluated the effect of feeding frequencies on performance, ingestive behavior and carcass characteristics of fedlot lambs. Eighteen non-castrated Santa Ines crossbreed lambs, with initial live weight of 22.79 ± 4.28 kg were used in the experiment. The animals were confined for 56 days in collective pens in a slotted floor sheep barn. The animals were randomly distributed, according to the feeding frequency: once, twice and three times/day. The diet (16.7% of CP and 70.3% TDN) was the same for all groups. The average daily gain, ration consumption, feed conversion, ingestive behavior and carcass characteristics were not affected by feeding frequency. Except for leg width, the other body measurements performed on the carcass were not influenced by feeding frequency. Among non-carcass live weight components, only yield of full intestine and digestive tract content were affected, because they were smaller for animals that received one feeding daily. The increase on feeding frequencies when diets containing 16.7% CP and 70.3% TDN were offered does not affect performance, the ingestive behavior and characteristics of carcass of confined lambs. Therefore, only one feeding per day can be used.

Intake, apparent nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep fed cashew nut meal

The objective of this work was to evaluate intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep fed rations with cashew nut meal (CNM) at the levels of 0; 10; 20 and 30% in the concentrate ration. It was used a double 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design. Intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein, mineral matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients were not influenced by the addition of CNM, however, intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber and total carbohydrates presented a quadratic behavior with the increase of content of lipids in the ration. Apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, NDF, acid detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates was not influenced by the addition of CNM in the rations; however digestibility of ether extract and total carbohydrates presented quadratic and linear behavior, respectively. It was not observed any significant differences in time spent with feeding and rumination, however, total chewing time was influenced, presenting increasing linear behavior with the levels of CNM. Concerning to intakes of dry matter and NDF per hour, feed efficiency and rumination were not affected by increase on lipid content in the rations. Ruminating chews time per rumen bolus, number of ruminated boli and the number of ruminating chews per day were not influenced by experimental rations. In sheep feeding management, it is suggested as a feeding alternative the use of up to 30% of CNM in the concentrate ration if it is available.

Características de carcaça e qualidade da carne de bovinos de corte de quatro grupos genéticos terminados em confinamento

The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality of Tabapua and Bonsmara purebred steers, and crossbred ½ Bonsmara + ½ Nellore and ½ Bonsmara + ¼ Red Angus + ¼ Nellore steers. Five animals were used in each genetic group. The average age and weight at the beginning of the experiment were 22 months and 394±21 kg. All animals received the same diet, which was composed of sugar cane silage and a commercial ration, in a ratio of 55 and 45% (dry matter basis), respectively, with 14.99 crude protein and 59.84% total digestible nutrients. There were no differences between the genetic groups for cold carcass weight or percentages of commercial cuts (forequarter, hindquarter and sidequarter) at slaughter. Bonsmara steers presented the greatest ribeye area and percentage of muscle, and the lowest percentage of fat in the carcass. Crossbred ½ Bonsmara + ½ Nellore animals presented greater back fat thickness (BFT) than Bonsmara and Tabapua animals; however, all genetic groups presented BFT greater than the minimum (3 mm) required by the meat industry. There was no difference in the meat centesimal composition between genetic groups. Meat from Bonsmara, ½ Bonsmara + ½ Nellore and ½ Bonsmara + ¼ Red Angus + ¼ Nellore presented greater tenderness than that from Tabapua steers. The longissimus fat acid profile did not differ between the genetic groups studied. Meat from Bonsmara and crossbred ½ Bonsmara + ½ Nellore and ½ Bonsmara + ¼ Red Angus + ¼ Nellore animals presented greater quality than that from Tabapua steers.