Janaina de Lima Silva

Efeito do tamanho da presa e do acréscimo de ração na larvicultura de pacamã

The effect of prey size selection and feeding on pacama Lophiosilurus alexandri larvae culture (native specie of San Francisco basin classified as threatened of extinction) was evaluated. The larvae were cultivated in aquariums during 16 days and fed with natural zooplankton, screened in 650 and 1300 µm sieve, with and without ration. The offer of zooplankton of largest size provided a better development of the pacama larvae, demonstrating the need of alimentary particles larger for the growth potential of the species. The increase of the amount of ration did not affect the performance of the larvae, evidencing low or lack of capacity in digesting the offered ration. The ration fed reduced the pH and increased the electric conductivity, worsening water quality, which did not affect the performance of the larvae.

Performance of lambs fed alternative protein sources to soybean meal

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of alternative protein sources (castor bean cake, sunflower cake, and sunflower seed) to soybean meal on the intake and performance of 40 lambs, initially weighing 19.8±1.84 kg, fed diets based on Tifton grass hay. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks. There were no differences in the nutrient intake of castor bean diets compared with soybean meal. The intake of nutrients in the sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets was decreased compared with soybean meal. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber of sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets were decreased compared with soybean meal. The average daily weight gain of animals fed the castor bean diet (0.190 kg) was not different from that of the animals fed the soybean meal diet (0.217 kg). The sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets provided less weight gain (0.171 and 0.135 kg d-1, respectively) than soybean meal due to the lower nutrient intake. The hot carcass yield and true yield were not affected by the protein sources. The neck, ribs, and ham weights were similar in lambs fed soybean meal and castor bean cake diets. It is recommended to use castor bean as an alternative protein source in the diet of lambs.

Spineless cactus as a replacement for wheat bran in sugar cane-based diets for sheep: intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing wheat bran by spineless cactus (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in sugar cane-based diets on intake and nutrient digestibility and ruminal parameters of sheep. Five sheep (Santa Ines; average initial weight of 34.0±3.6 kg) were fitted with cannulas in the rumen and then assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The maximum dry matter (DM; 1414 g d−1), digestible organic matter (658 g d−1), and neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap; 425 g d−1) intakes were estimated by replacing 80.2, 89.9, and 50.5% of wheat bran. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility increased by 0.60 and 0.85 g kg-1 of DM. With the replacement of 57.1 and 62.2% of wheat bran, a maximum rate of NDF ingestion (0.70 h−1) and NDF ruminal pool (7.31 g) was obtained. Rumen pH increased with the inclusion of spineless cactus, while the maximum concentration of ammonia N (33.3 mg dL−1) and total volatile fatty acids (57.7 μmol mL−1) were estimated at the levels of 72.3 and 63.7% of replacement of wheat bran. It is recommended to replace 63% of wheat bran by spineless cactus in sugar cane-based diets, to promote better animal performance.

Replacement of wheat bran with spineless cactus in sugarcane-based diets for steers

The effect of replacing wheat bran with spineless cactus (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in sugar cane-based diets on the intake of nutrients, feeding behavior, and rumen digestibility of steers was assessed using digested samples collected from the omasum. Five crossbred steers (1/2 Holstein-Zebu) were fitted with cannulas in the rumen and then assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Samples of omasal digesta were collected for three days. Rumen was evacuated via the rumen cannula to determine the rumen pool of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), indigestible NDF (iNDF), intake (ki), passage (kp) and degradation (NDF) rates, and the passage of iNDF (kpi). Nutrient intake displayed a quadratic effect, with maximum intakes of DM (5.73 kg d−1), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC, 4.63 kg d−1), and digestible organic matter (DOM, 3.45 kg d−1) estimated at the replacement levels of 54.63, 60.00, and 43.17%, respectively. The replacement levels showed no effect on feeding, rumination, or idle times. There was a linear increase in the total apparent and ruminal digestibility of CP as the spineless cactus content in the diet was increased. There was no effect on total and partial digestibilities of OM and NDF or on intestinal digestibility of CP. No effect was observed on the rumen pool of DM, NDF, or iNDF. Furthermore, ki, kp, NDF degradation, and iNDF passage rates displayed a quadratic effect, with higher concentrations estimated for replacement levels of 56.07, 56.12, 59.00, and 55.20%, respectively. Replacing 55% wheat bran with spineless cactus in sugar cane-based diets is recommended.

Bagaço de cana-de-açúcar como único volumoso para vacas mestiças lactantes em regiões semiáridas

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different levels of sugarcane bagasse, as exclusive roughage, on nutrient intake and digestibility, feeding behavior, microbial protein synthesis, and dairy performance of crossbred cows. Ten lactating Girolando breed cows (600±34.3 kg body weight) were assigned to a replicated 5×5 Latin square design. The control diet, based on spineless cactus, sugarcane bagasse, and concentrate, was formulated to meet the average production of 20 kg of milk per day, with 3.5% fat. The evaluated levels of sugarcane bagasse were: 30, 38, 46, and 54% dry matter bases. The intake and digestibility of dry matter decreased linearly with sugarcane bagasse levels. Rumination time was higher in cows fed 54% sugarcane bagasse. The inclusion levels had no effect on non-esterified fatty acid contents or on the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, but beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations showed a quadratic pattern to the bagasse levels. Higher yields of 3.5% fat-corrected milk were obtained with cows fed 30% sugarcane bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse inclusion in the diet of crossbred dairy cows decreases their performance; however, the bagasse can be used as exclusive roughage when associated with 70% concentrate.

Feed handling of lactating crossbred cows maintained in a semi‐arid region during the hot season: physiological parameters, ingestive behavior and performance

The effects of time of feed delivery (14.00 hours; 14.00 and 20.00 hours; 16.00 and 18.00 hours) on the physiological parameters, ingestive behavior, nutrient intake and production of lactating cows maintained in a semi-arid region during the hot season were evaluated. Regardless of treatment, all animals received the first feeding supply at 06.00 hours. Eight cows with an average body weight of 600 kg, average milk yield of 20 kg/day and 80 days in milk were utilized. The rectal temperature, respiratory rate and sweating rate were not affected (P > 0.05), with average values of 38.5°C, 53.8 movements/min and 104 g/m2 /h respectively. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on the eating time (314 min/day), ruminating time (564 min/day), drinking time (61 min/day) and idle time (502 min/day). Similarly, the intake of nutrients and performance of lactating cows were not affected (P > 0.05), with average dry matter intake of 19.8 kg/day, 4% fat-corrected milk of 20.6 kg/day and milk fat concentration of 4.03 g/100 g. Since the behavior and performance have not altered, any times of feed delivery evaluated could be used to crossbred Holstein × Zebu cows maintained on a feedlot in semi-arid regions during the hot season.

Metabolic profile of lactating goats fed integral mango meal

The work was conducted to evaluate the metabolic profile of lactating goats fed diets containing integral mango meal as a replacement for corn. Four levels of replacement (0, 33, 66 and 100%) were evaluated in diets with forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40. Eight crossbred multiparous lactating Saanen goats (48.72 ± 1.99 kg of BW) were introduced in the experiment 48 days postpartum and maintained up to 124 days of lactation. It was used a double Latin Square (4x4) experimental design, with four treatments, four periods and four animals per square. There was no effects (P>0.05) for the integral mango meal level on the intake of DM (1890 g/day), CP (278 g/day) and NDF (959 g/day). However, the intake of NFC and TDN decreased (P 0.05) by replacement levels, with average values of 54.52 mg/dl, 0.71 mg/dl, 52.59 UI, 77.37 UI, 4.69 g/dl, 9.32 g/dl, 74.44 mg/dl, 40.10 mg/dl, 39.39 mg/dl, and 11.09 mg/dl, respectively. Considering the metabolic profile, mango meal whole can totally replace corn in diets of dairy goats.