João Restle

Consumo, digestibilidade e balanço de nitrogênio em borregos alimentados com torta de dendê em substituição à silagem de capim-elefante

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o consumo voluntario, a digestibilidade aparente e o balanco de nitrogenio em ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo torta de dende. A adicao da torta de dende foi avaliada nos niveis 0; 20; 40; 60 e 80% em substituicao a silagem de capim-elefante utilizando-se 20 ovinos machos castrados em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. Em todas as formas como foram expressos, o consumo e a digestibilidade de nutrientes apresentou em geral resposta quadratica aos niveis de torta de dende utilizados na dieta. A inclusao de torta de dende nas dietas teve efeito quadratico tambem sobre o balanco de nitrogenio, que aumentou ate o nivel de 45% de adicao desse subproduto e decresceu, devido ao baixo consumo de proteina bruta nos maiores niveis. A torta de dende possui caracteristicas proprias de um alimento volumoso e tem como principal limitacao o baixo consumo alimentar, por isso, seu uso na alimentacao de ovinos deve ser restrito ao nivel maximo de 37,34% da dieta total.

Consumo, digestibilidade e desempenho de novilhas leiteiras alimentadas com dietas contendo torta de dendê

The objective was to evaluate the effects of inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet on intake, digestibility and performance of dairy heifers. Sixteen dairy Holstein-Zebu crossbred heifers with average age of 13 months and average weight of 183.4±32.5 kg were distributed to four treatments in a completely randomized design with four levels of palm kernel cake (0, 11.9, 22.9 and 34.2% from total dry matter), each one with four replicates. The intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), ether extract (EE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), and the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, NFC and EE were evaluated. There was linear reduction in DM, CP, NDF, NFC, and TDN intake. The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF reduced with the inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet, while the apparent digestibility of CP and NFC showed quadratic effect. The inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diets resulted in linear increase in the apparent digestibility of ether extract. Weight gain decreased linearly with the inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet, with values of 1.06, 0.99, 0.89 and 0.54 kg/day for diets containing 0, 11.9, 22, 9 or 34.2% palm kernel cake, respectively. Feed conversion was not affected by the inclusion of levels of palm kernel cake. The inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet reduces nutrient intake and performance of dairy heifers during growth, but when used in levels up to 24.6% of the total diet, it provides weight gain compatible with growth programs aiming calving at 24 months of age.

Feeding behaviors of feedlot bulls fed concentrate levels and babassu mesocarp meal

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feeding behavior of feedlot Nellore bulls fed two levels of concentrate (650 and 710 g/kg dry matter) with or without the inclusion of 350 g babassu mesocarp meal/kg dry matter in the concentrate. Twenty-eight animals at 18 months of initial age and 356.66±19.25 kg initial body weight were used. A completely randomized design was used with treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Increase in concentrate level from 650 to 710 g/kg dry matter did not change the feeding time, of 194.41 and 189.64 minutes/day, respectively. The inclusion of 350 g babassu mesocarp meal/kg dry matter in the concentrate increased the feeding time from 173.92 to 210.12 minutes/day, ensuring similar energy intake in relation to the diets without this byproduct. Rumination time was not changed by increasing the concentrate level in diets with 350 g babassu mesocarp meal/kg dry matter in the concentrate, with average values of 420.48 and 398.09 minutes/day for the levels of 650 and 710 g concentrate/kg dry matter, respectively. However, in diets without babassu mesocarp meal, the rumination time was reduced by the concentrate level, with average values of 452.14 and 409.76 minutes/day for 650 and 710 g of concentrate/kg dry matter, respectively. Time spent on other activities increased from 810.23 to 860.00 minutes/day with increase in the concentrate level, which was not changed in the diets containing babassu mesocarp meal. The inclusion of babassu mesocarp meal in the diet altered the feeding behavior of feedlot cattle, due to the need to increase the feeding time to maintain the energy intake.

Consumo e digestibilidade de dietas contendo níveis de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu para ovinos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients and the nitrogen balance of diets containing babassu-mesocarp meal (BMM) as a replacement for elephant-grass silage (0, 21, 38, 62 and 78%). Twenty sheep were used, housed in individual metabolic cages and distributed in a completely randomized design with four replications. Food intake was noted and faeces and urine excretions were collected and recorded. Intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ash, neutral-detergent fibre, acid-detergent fibre, hemicellulose, and total carbohydrate was not affected by the experimental diets. Changes were observed in the non-fibrous carbohydrates intake (INFC) and a reduction in the intake of ether extract as a % of live weight (LW) and grams per unit of metabolic body size (g MBS-1). Total digestible nutrient intake (ITDN) presented quadratic behaviour, with maximum points at 37.3% and 37.9% of BMM expressed as %LW and g MBS-1 respectively. The apparent digestibility of organic matter, neutral-detergent fibre, acid-detergent fibre, crude protein and non-fibrous carbohydrate decreased with the increase in BBM in the diet. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM), ether extract and non-fibrous carbohydrates showed a quadratic response, with maximum ADDM estimated at 10% of BMM. The TDN decreased by 0.28% for each percentage point of BMM added to the diet. The addition of BMM reduced digestibility of the fibres and increased both INFC and ITDN, indicating that this byproduct can be used as an energy source in ruminant diets.

Anatomopatologia de amostras de bovinos alimentados com glicerol

The increase in biodiesel production has led to higher production of crude glycerin, thus, numerous studies have highlighted the use of crude glycerin and glycerol as energy source to be used for animal feed production. However, its use has been closely watched because of the presence of contaminants such as methanol used in the process of separating fatty acids from glycerol. Methanol is an alcohol and has been responsible for intoxication in humans and primates, characterized by metabolic acidosis and eye problems, with less toxicity to other species. The toxic effects of methanol poisoning are attributed mainly to formic acid, a metabolite of the degradation process of methanol in the liver. The objective of this study was to verify the possible toxic action of crude glycerin and methanol by pathological examinations of the central nervous system (CNS), liver, rumen, small intestine and kidney from 24 feedlot cattle for 84 days, feed containing up to 24% of crude glycerin in dry matter (DM) presenting in its composition 80.35% glycerol, and <0.01% methanol. There were no pathological changes observed in dairy cows and steers up to 24% of glycerol inclusion based on the diet DM. The total weight gain and feed conversion were not affected by inclusion of glycerol. We conclude that crude glycerin can be included up to 24% of total DM in the diets of steers and dairy cows without compromising animal performance or display toxicity.

Características da carcaça de vacas de descarte abatidas com diferentes pesos

Avaliaram-se as caracteristicas da carcaca de 43 vacas de descarte da raca Puruna com idade media de 68,02 ± 17,36 meses em diferentes pesos de abate. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado e os pesos de abate avaliados foram de 401; 434; 461; 476 e 522 kg. A elevacao do peso de abate de 401 para 522 promoveu aumento do peso e rendimento de carcaca quente e fria de 34,7; 36,6; 2,1 e 5,13, respectivamente. A espessura de gordura subcutânea (mm) aumentou linearmente com o avanco do peso de abate, passando de 1,11 para 4,79 mm. A area do Longissimus dorsi expressa em funcao do peso de carcaca fria variou de forma quadratica com o avanco do peso de abate, com o menor valor estimado para o peso de abate de 440 kg. A quantidade de musculo, gordura e osso aumentaram 300; 330 e 69 g a cada quilograma a mais no peso de abate, respectivamente. A porcao comestivel da carcaca aumentou 34,1% com a elevacao do peso de abate de 401 para 522 kg. A elevacao do peso de abate representa grande potencial para o aumento da producao de carne no pais, dado ao numero expressivo de femeas de descarte que sao abatidas anualmente. No entanto, para o sistema de producao, considerando o atual metodo de remuneracao, o peso de abate de vacas de descarte nao deve exceder as exigencias minimas dos frigorificos, tendo em vista a reducao da eficiencia alimentar com o avanco da deposicao de gordura corporal.

Características da carcaça e do corpo vazio de bovinos Charolês de diferentes categorias abatidos com similar grau de acabamento

The carcass characteristics and empty body of Charolais steers n=9, cull heifers n= 10, and cull cows n=10, feedlot finished with similar subcutaneous fat thickness were evaluated. The slaughter weight and empty body weight (EBW) were similar between steers (480.2 and 417.4kg) and cows (516.2 and 405.8kg), which were higher than for heifers (368.3 and 306.1kg). Hot carcass dressing was significantly different among categories, being 57.2, 53.3 and 50.5%, respectively, for steers, heifers and cows. When carcass dressing was expressed in relation to EBW the differences became smaller among categories, being significant only between steers and heifers. The digestive tract content of cows was 34 and 45% higher than for steers and heifers, respectively, being correlated (P<0.05) with slaughter weight (r=0.66) and hot carcass dressing (r=-0.41). Hot carcass weight was similar for steers (274.9kg) and cows (260.8kg), both superior to heifers (196.4kg). Carcass length was higher for cows, intermediate for steers and lower for heifers. The Longissimus dorsi area was smaller for heifers. Steers showed better carcass conformation score than females, which did not differ between themselves.

Crude glycerin levels in pearl millet-based diets for Nellore young bulls in feedlot

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to find the best level of inclusion of crude glycerin (0, 60, 120, and 240 g kg−1 of dry matter of diet) in substitution of pearl millet in a feedlot diet. Twenty-eight Nellore young bulls with mean age of 18 months and average weight of 357±23.56 kg were used. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and seven replications. The intakes of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients were similar among the dietary levels of crude glycerin. The ether extract intake decreased with increase in the levels of crude glycerol in the diets. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and extract ether was similar among the dietary crude glycerin levels. Apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was lower in the diets with inclusion of crude glycerin in relation the other diets. The increase in the levels of crude glycerin did not affect the total digestible nutrients content of the diets. Average daily gain increased linearly with the increase in crude glycerin. Feed conversion was not altered by the increase in the levels of crude glycerin in the diets. The dietary increase in crude glycerin level did not affect the carcass characteristics. The inclusion of up to 240 g kg−1 of crude glycerin in pearl millet grain-based diets for feedlot-finished Nellore young bulls increases average daily gain, but does not change the main carcass characteristics of economic importance.

Feeding behavior and productive performance of steers fed pearl millet grain-based diets containing proportions of babassu mesocarp bran

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior and feedlot productive performance of dairy-origin steers fed for 84 days ground pearl millet grain-based diets with 0, 120, 240, 360, and 480 g kg-1 of babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) and a standard diet based on ground corn. Thirty Holstein-Zebu steers with average initial body weight of 371.02±27 kg were used. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five replications. Dry matter intake showed better fit with the quadratic regression equation with the inclusion of BMB, reaching a maximum value in diets with 360 g of this by-product. There was no difference for dry matter intake between pearl millet- and corn-based diets. There was no difference in total digestible nutrients intake between diets. The digestibility coefficient of organic matter decreased linearly with the increase in the dietary level of BMB. The digestibility coefficient of organic matter was not different between corn and millet diets. There was no difference in feeding time between diets. Total requirement of metabolizable energy increased linearly with inclusion of BMB. However, total requirements of metabolizable energy did not differ between the corn- and pearl millet-based diets. Average daily gain decreased linearly with the increase in BMB, with adjustment forced by the sharp decline of this variable in diets with 480 g of BMB. There was no difference in average daily gain between corn- and pearl millet-based diets. The inclusion of levels above 360 g of babassu mesocarp bran in pearl millet-based diets reduces the supply of metabolizable energy and the productive performance of feedlot dairy steers.

Níveis de concentrado e farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu sobre as características da carcaça de tourinhos confinados

Objetivou-se avaliar as caracteristicas da carcaca de tourinhos alimentados em confinamento com niveis de concentrado (65 e 71%) associados ou nao a inclusao de 35% de farelo do mesocarpo de babacu (FMB) na fracao concentrada da dieta. Foram utilizados 28 tourinhos, com idade inicial de 21 meses e 356,7±19,2 kg de peso corporal inicial. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com os tratamentos em arranjado fatorial 2x2. Os pesos de carcaca quente e fria nao foram alterados pelo nivel de concentrado da dieta e pela inclusao do FMB no concentrado, apresentando valores medios de 256,39 e245,87 kg, respectivamente. Os rendimentos de carcaca quente e carcaca fria foram menores para as dietas que associaram o menor nivel de concentrado e 35% de FMB na fracao concentrada da dieta. A espessura de gordura subcutânea, a conformacao e a maturidade fisiologica da carcaca nao foram alteradas pelo nivel de concentrado e pela inclusao do FMB, com valores medios de3,6 mm, 10,89 e 12,93 pontos, respectivamente. A inclusao de 35% de FMB no concentrado associado aos diferentes niveis de concentrados nao alteraram o peso dos cortes comerciais. A inclusao de 35% de farelo do mesocarpo de babacu na fracao concentrada de dietas com elevada proporcao de concentrado para tourinhos confinados nao altera as principais caracteristicas da carcaca de interesse economico, proporcionando producao de carcaca com adequada qualidade.