Marcus Roberto Góes Ferreira Costa

Intake and feeding behaviour of Morada Nova lambs fed different energy levels

The effects of metabolizable energy levels were evaluated on nutrient intake and ingestive behaviour in Morada Nova lambs. Forty Morada Nova lambs were used with an initial weight of 12.2±2.05 kg. Five treatments were defined according to the metabolizable energy levels (0.96, 1.28, 1.72, 2.18 and 2.62 Mcal/kg DM). The experimental model was a randomized block design. Linear effect (P<0.0001) of ME levels was determined for dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) in g/day. Quadratic effect was determined for NDF (P<0.017) and carbohydrate intake (P<0.003). Linear effect was determined for digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, TC and NFC. Eating, ruminating and total chewing times, expressed in hours/day, decreased linearly (P<0.0001) with the energy levels of experimental diets. Idle time increased linearly (P<0.0001) with the increase of energy levels of the rations. Feeding and rumination efficiencies were influenced by the energy levels (P<0.0001) when expressed in g DM/h. The number of ruminal boluses, number of chews and chews per ruminal bolus were not affected by the levels of ME. However, time spent chewing per ruminal bolus was influenced (P<0.0014). Increase in ME levels of diets influences nutrient intake and feeding behaviour of Morada Nova lambs during the growing period.

Weight and yield of non-carcass components of Morada Nova lambs fed with different levels of metabolizable energy

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o efeito de diferentes niveis de energia metabolizavel (EM) sobre: peso do conteudo do trato gastrintestinal, peso e rendimento dos orgaos internos e compartimentos gastrintestinais em ovinos Morada Nova em crescimento. Foram utilizados 32 animais, nao castrados, com peso corporal medio de 12,12 ± 1,69 kg e, aproximadamente, dois meses de idade. Os animais foram distribuidos em quatro diferentes niveis de EM (1,28; 1,72; 2,18 e 2,62 Mcal/kg de MS), em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com oito repeticoes por nivel de EM. O feno de Tifton 85 foi utilizado como volumoso. Nao foi observado efeito (P > 0,05) dos niveis de energia sobre o peso do conteudo gastrintestinal. Verificou-se efeito linear crescente (P < 0,05) dos niveis de EM sobre os pesos do coracao, PTEL (pulmoes, traqueia, esofago e lingua), figado e baco, expressos em kg. Em relacao aos compartimentos do trato gastrintestinal foi observado efeito linear crescente (P < 0,05) dos niveis de EM somente sobre o rumen-reticulo, em %, e intestino delgado, em kg. As gorduras perirrenal, omental e mesenterica foram influenciadas pelos niveis de EM (P < 0,05), com incremento linear para os pesos em kg e %. O aumento dos niveis de EM das racoes influencia o peso e rendimento dos orgaos internos, visceras e gorduras de ovinos Morada Nova em crescimento.

Efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for maintenance and gain and evaluation of Small Ruminant Nutrition System model in Santa Ines sheep

This study was carried out to estimate efficiencies of the utilization of metabolizable energy for maintenance (km) and weight gain (kg) and to evaluate the Small Ruminant Nutrition System (SRNS) model in predicting dry matter intake and average daily gain of growing Santa Ines sheep. Twenty-four non-castrated Santa Ines sheep, at 50 days of age and with average body weight of 13.00 ± 0.56 kg, respectively, were used. After a 10-day adaptation period, four animals were slaughtered to be used as reference for estimating initial empty body weight and body composition of the other animals. The remaining animals were distributed in a random block design, with the treatments consisting of diets containing different levels of metabolizable energy (2.08, 2.28, 2.47 and 2.69 Mcal/kg of DM), with five replicates. The metabolizable energy use efficiencies for maintenance and for weight gain were calculated from the relationship between the dietary net energy for maintenance and gain and ME concentration in the diets. Evaluation of the SRNS model was performed by adjustment of simple linear regression model between the predicted (independent variable) and observed (dependent variable) values. The estimated energy use efficiency for maintenance (km) was 0.70; and for gain weight (kg) it showed to be inversely proportional to the increase of metabolizable energy concentration in the diet. The dry matter intake predicted by the SRNS model did not statistically differ from that observed, but the model overestimated the average daily gain by 5.18%. Those results can contribute to the construction of a database, which could be condensed into several others in a predictive model of performance and feed planning for sheep reared in Brazil.

Effect of irrigation water salinity and cutting age on the components of biomass of Echinochloa pyramidalis

The objective was to evaluate the effect of salinity of irrigation water and different cutting ages on the biomass components of Echinochloa pyramidalis. Seedlings were planted in plastic pots (volume of 8 L) with sandy-textured Quartzarenic Neosol, under greenhouse conditions. The design was completely randomized in split plots with salinity levels (0.75, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 dS m-1) in the main plot, and cutting ages (21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days) in the subplots, with five replicates. After the standardization cut, the dry masses of total forage, dead forage, live forage, green leaf blade, green stem and ratios of live material/dead material and leaf/stem were determined. There was no interaction between the factors studied. Salinity decreased the dry masses of total forage, green leaf blade and green stem. Salinity had no effect on the dry masses of dead forage or ratios of live material/dead material and leaf/stem. Salinity changed the partitioning of dry matter, reducing the percentage of stems, and increasing the percentage of leaves in the dry mass of total forage. The advance in the cutting age caused increases in the dry masses of total forage, dead forage, live forage, green stem and green leaf blade. From the cutting age of 28 days, dead forage dry mass had a very sharp increase. The increase in stem dry mass rose from the 35th day. The extension of the cutting age promoted a decline in the live material/dead material and leaf/stem ratios. The cut of Echinochloa pyramidalis at 21 days, when it presents the best leaf/stem ratio is recommended.

Degradation kinetics and assessment of the prediction equation of indigestible fraction of neutral detergent fiber from agroindustrial byproducts

This study aimed at estimating the kinetic parameters of ruminal degradation of neutral detergent fiber from agroindustrial byproducts of cashew (pulp and cashew nut), passion fruit, melon, pineapple, West Indian cherry, grape, annatto and coconut through the gravimetric technique of nylon bag, and to evaluate the prediction equation of indigestible fraction of neutral detergent fiber suggested by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Samples of feed crushed to 2 mm were placed in 7 × 14 cm nylon bags with porosity of 50 µm in a ratio of 20 g DM/cm² and incubated in duplicate in the rumen of a heifer at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96 and 144 hours. The incubation residues were analyzed for NDF content and evaluated by a non-linear logistic model. The evaluation process of predicting the indigestible fraction of NDF was carried out through adjustment of linear regression models between predicted and observed values. There was a wide variation in the degradation parameters of NDF among byproducts. The degradation rate of NDF ranged from 0.0267 h-1 to 0.0971 h-1 for grape and West Indian cherry, respectively. The potentially digestible fraction of NDF ranged from 4.17 to 90.67%, respectively, for melon and coconut byproducts. The CNCPS equation was sensitive to predict the indigestible fraction of neutral detergent fiber of the byproducts. However, due to the high value of the mean squared error of prediction, such estimates are very variable; hence the most suitable would be estimation by biological methods.

Estimate of the number of oocysts ofeimeriain sheep and goats of the cariri cearense

Considered the resistance and coccidiosis predominance in the races, sheep and goats, of the area of the Cariri in Ceara and, trying to contribute for the agricultural products produced in this area, exams were accomplished in 1.193 sheeps and 557 goats. Was looked for to quantify the need to find better resources to the small cattle farmer can his guarantee subsistence in the field. Took this work that aimed at to contribute for the reduction of the problem of the coccidiosis sheep and goat. At this Feitosa et al., Revista Brasileira de Higiene e Sanidade Animal (v.3, n.2) p. 7 – 13, jan jun (2009) 8 present moment work, high loads were verified would sponge oocysts of Eimeria, and for the males of the goat species and sheep they were of 3.631,91 and 1.742,11 and for the females they cover of 2.799,59 and 1.257,57 on average, respectively.

Juazeiro hay in diets of Morada Nova sheep

This study evaluated intake and apparent digestibility of the nutrients in the diet of Morada Nova sheep that received diets containing increasing levels of juazeiro hay in substitution of Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay (0, 33, 67 and 100%). Sixteen non castrated male sheep, weighing an average of 26.75 kg, were used, placed in individual metabolic cages and distributed in a completely randomized block design with four treatments and four replications. Intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, fibrous carbohydrates and non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients were not influenced by the addition of juazeiro hay to the diets, with mean values of 1,042.78 and 595.59 g/day of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake, respectively. Linear reduction was observed for digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and fibrous carbohydrates. Quadratic reduction was observed for the acid detergent fiber digestibility coefficient. The digestibility coefficients of the crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates and fibrous carbohydrates were not significant. The nitrogen balance was not influenced and was positive for all the treatments. The inclusion of juazeiro hay did not influence nutrient intake or nitrogen balance, but reduced the digestibility coefficient of some diet components.

Estimativa dos níveis de contaminação por strongyloidae em ovinos e caprinos do cariri cearense

Considered the resistance and predominance of the verminose in the sheep and goats species of the area of Cariri in Ceara and, trying to contribute for the agricultural products produced in this area, exams were accomplished in 1.193 sheeps and 557 goats. Was looked for to quantify the need to find better resources to the small cattle farmer can his guarantee subsistence in the field. Took this work that aimed at to know the infestation levels to contribute with the control of the problem of the sheep and goat verminose. High loads were verified would sponge of the family Strongyloidae, and for the goat species the average was of 2.041,13, that it differed significantly of the sheep species with average of 1.252,36 eggs for gram of feces.

Estimate of the levels of contamination forStrongyloidaein sheep and goats of the cariri in Ceará

1 Pesquisa financiada pelo Projeto APRISCO/SEBRAE-CE. 2 Prof. da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri CE. E-mail: feitval@ufc.br 3 Consultor SEBRAE – CE. e-mail: coutinhocr@yahoo.com.br 4 Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri – CE. E-mail: nelsonvet@ufc.br 5 Universidade Federal do Ceara – Zootecnia Campus do Pici – Fortaleza CE. E-mail: aaalencar2002@yahoo.com.br 6 Medico Veterinario Consultor SEBRAE. E-mail: manoevet@bol.com.br 7 Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri – CE. E-mail: Weinex@hotmail.com 8 Curso de Agronomia da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Campus Cariri. Mestrando do Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Zootecnia da UFC. Bolsista do CNPQ. E-mail: mr.goes@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________