Maria da Graça Morais

Padrão de fermentação e composição química de silagens de grãos úmidos de milho e sorgo submetidas ou não a inoculação microbiana

Two experiments were run to evaluate the pattern of fermentation and the chemical composition of high moisture corn and sorghum grain silages, with or without microbial inoculation. Experiment 1 dealt with corn grain and experiment 2 dealt with sorghum grain. In each experiment, the experimental treatments resulted from a 2 x 9 factorial arrangement (2 levels of inoculation and 9 fermentation times: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 days). The experimental design was completely randomized with 3 replications. The material was ensiled in experimental silos of PVC (50 cm length and 100 mm diameter). Samples were taken before (0) and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 days of ensilage. There was no effect of inoculation and days of fermentation on the DM content of high moisture corn grain silages, with averages of 64.13 and 64.03%, and of high moisture sorghum grain, with averages of 67.66 and 67.48%, for control and inoculated silages, respectively. There was no effect of inoculation on the silages pH, after 64 days of ensilage of corn and sorghum grain, with averages of 3.97 and 3.92 and 3.94 and 3.95 unities, for control and inoculated silages, respectively. The microbial inoculation of high moisture corn and sorghum grain did not promote alterations neither in the chemical composition nor In the DM losses. The fermentative pattern of high moisture corn and sorghum grain silages did not respond to the inoculation treatment under the studied conditions.

Características anatômicas e morfofisiológicas de lâminas foliares de genótipos de Panicum maximum

Abstract – The objective of this work was to evaluate anatomical and morphophysiological traits of the leaf blade of Panicum maximum genotypes, and to determine which ones favor an early discrimination of promising genotypes for nutritive value. The experiment was carried out in Dourados, MS, Brazil, between January 2006 and November 2007. Twenty-three P. maximum genotypes, which were pre-selected from the Embrapa Gado de Corte breeding program, were evaluated. The experimental design was a randomized block, with three replicates. Twenty-seven anatomical and morphophysiological leaf blade traits were evaluated in each genotype. For each trait, the results were grouped by the Scott-Knott test. The relative contribution of the traits to genetic divergence was determined by the Singh method. The traits that best discriminated the genotypes were the proportion – in the leaf blade cross-sections – of upper, lower, and upper + lower epidermis, and of mesofileand vascular bundles + sclerenchyma. Specificleaf area, leaf area, and leaf blade length were the morphophysiological traits that showed higher contribution to genotype discrimination; however, their relative importance was much lower than that of the anatomical traits. The proportion of parenchymatic bundle sheath cells and blade width show phenotypic instability. Index terms: Aruana grass, Massai grass, Milenio grass, Mombaca grass, Tanzânia grass, tissue proportion.

Efeitos de diferentes fontes de concentrado sobre o consumo e a produção de cordeiros na fase de terminação

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high moisture corn and high moisture sorghum versus corn and sorghum grains on intake and production of feedlot lambs. Confinement lasted 77 days and was divided in two periods as follows: in the first 35 days elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) was used in a forage:concentrate ratio of 50:50 while Brachiaria-grass (Brachiaria brizantha) hay was used in a forage:concentrate of 30:70 in the remaining 42 days. Animals were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to one of four treatments: high moisture corn, high moisture sorghum, corn grain, or sorghum grain. Intakes of DM expressed in g/day, in % BW or in g/ kg BW0.75 did not differ among treatments averaging 920.79 g/day, 3.59%, and 81.01 g/kg BW0.75. The weight gain (0.17 vs. 0.13 and 0.19 vs. 0.13 kg/day), feed conversion (5.57 vs. 6.37 and 5.05 vs. 6.86), and feed efficiency (17.95 vs. 15.69 and 19.79 vs. 14.74) values were higher for animals fed high moisture corn and high moisture sorghum grain compared to corn and sorghum grains, respectively. Lambs fed Brachiaria hay supplemented with either high moisture sorghum or sorghum grain had greater weight gain while those fed sorghum grain showed improved feed conversion. In diets with forage:concentrate ratio of 50:50 feeding high moisture corn and high moisture sorghum resulted in increased weight gains, feed conversion, and feed efficiency compared to corn and sorghum grains. In diets with higher proportion of concentrate (forage:concentrate ratio of 30:70) the reduction in animal production may be explained by the rapid degradation of corn leading to poor ruminal environment.

Características de carcaça, componentes corporais e rendimento de cortes de cordeiros confinados recebendo dieta com própolis ou monensina sódica

This work was aimed at evaluating the effects of green propolis, brown propolis and sodic monensin aditives on the carcass characteristics by means of ultrasound and after-slaughter measures such as carcass non-components and yield of retail products from lambs finished in feedlot system. Thirty-two male lambs, with eight animal per treatment, were feedlot during 64 days. The animals were fed a diet with roughage:concentrate ratio of 50:50, composed of Tifton 85 hay grass (Cynodon spp.) and commercial concentrate. The experimental design was a randomized block design, with eight animals randomly assigned according to weight and the following treatments: control, diet without additive, green propolis, brown propolis and sodic monensin. The true, hot and commercial carcass percentage did not differ between treatments, with means of 54.97; 44.89 and 41.81%, respectively. Carcass non-components and yield of retail products were not influenced by treatments. The methodology used in the determinations affected the LEA and FT measures, so that the traditional method, obtained through measures in the carcass presented the highest averages for LEA (12.14 vs. 9.08 cm2) and lowest for FT (2.42 vs. 2.69 mm). The correlation between the of loin eye area (LEA) measures of the carcass with those obtained by ultrasound scan was 0.8597. The additives did not influence the carcass characteristics, non- components and yield of retail products from lambs finished in feedlot system. The performance of LEA and marbling ultrasound measures can be used in the in vivo carcass evaluation in sheep.

Consumo e digestibilidade do feno de capim-braquiária em bovinos de corte sob suplementação com mistura contendo sulfato de amônio, caseína e uréia

The intake and digestibilility of the nutrients of diets containing palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG4) hay of low quality and different protein levels were evaluated. The evaluated treatments were control (only hay) and hay with crescent addition, by rumen infusion, of the mixture containing ammonium sulphate, casein end urea (0.5:1.0:4.5) in way to elevate in +2, +4, +6 and +8% the CP level in the diets. A Latin square experimental design with five levels supplementation, five animals and five periods was used. The addition of crescent levels of no protein nitrogen (NPN) to the diet showed a quadratic effect on the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ether extract (EE) intake, and the biggest intake was observed with level of 10.5% CP. No effect of CP levels were observed for on the DM, OM, NDF and EE digestibilities coefficients. There was crescent linear effect on CP apparent digestibility coefficient, that showed values of 57.4, 66.9, 73.6, 77.3 and 81.7% for the CP levels of 6.3, 8.5, 10.5, 12.6 and 14.8%, respectively. The critical point and estimated maximum response were: 10.5% CP and 7.7 kg DM/day and 7.2 kg OM/day. The supplementation with nitrogenous compounds in amounts that permit to elevate the dietary protein level up to 10.5% of CP increases the use of low-quality forage.

Variaçäo sazonal de eletrólitos no sangue de vacas aneloradas sob pastejo contínuo de Brachiaria decumbens

The seasonal changes of blood electrolytes concentration (calcium, phosphates, magnesium, potassium, chlorine, copper, and zinc) were evaluated using 20 graded Nelore cows on continuous grazing of Brachiaria decumbens. The cows were hypocalcemic and hypophosphatemic throughout the year. In the spring, during the pasture sprouting (November and December), cows grazing on clay soil were more predisposed to metabolic alkalosis, compared to cows kept on pastures located in sandy soil. Metabolic alkalosis was characterized by low blood levels of potassium and chlorine. Normal serum levels of copper, 0.79 and 9.81m g/ml, and zinc, 1.42 and 1.33m g/ml were observed in cows grazing on sandy and clay soils, respectively. However, these minerals were found in low concentrations on the pasture. The type of soil affected the mineral composition of the brachiaria pasture, and the blood serum levels of phosphates, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, copper, and zinc. Higher serum levels of phosphates, magnesium, potassium and chlorine were observed on animals grazing on sandy than on clay soil.The seasonal changes of blood electrolytes concentration (calcium, phosphates, magnesium, potassium, chlorine, copper, and zinc) were evaluated using 20 graded Nelore cows on continuous grazing of Brachiaria decumbens. The cows were hypocalcemic and hypophosphatemic throughout the year. In the spring, during the pasture sprouting (November and December), cows grazing on clay soil were more predisposed to metabolic alkalosis, compared to cows kept on pastures located in sandy soil. Metabolic alkalosis was characterized by low blood levels of potassium and chlorine. Normal serum levels of copper, 0.79 and 9.81m g/ml, and zinc, 1.42 and 1.33m g/ml were observed in cows grazing on sandy and clay soils, respectively. However, these minerals were found in low concentrations on the pasture. The type of soil affected the mineral composition of the brachiaria pasture, and the blood serum levels of phosphates, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, copper, and zinc. Higher serum levels of phosphates, magnesium, potassium and chlorine were observed on animals grazing on sandy than on clay soil.

Efeito da suplementação com cultura de levedura na fermentação ruminal de bovinos de corte

This study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of a yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1026) on the parameters of ruminal fermentation of beef cattle. Ten rumen fistulated 1/2 Red Angus 1/2 Nellore steers confined in individual pens were fed a diet containing 50% sorghum silage and 50% concentrate (%DM) containing peleted soybean hulls, sorghum grain, urea and mineralproteic premix. A completely randomized design was used to compare diets with or without Saccharomyces cerevisiae (1 g/100 kg of live weight) on two of the four daily meal. Ruminal pH, ruminal concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH3), acetate, propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and acetate:propionate ratio values were not influenced by the supplementation of yeast culture. There were interaction between sampling time and treatments for pH, and molar concentrations of acetate and propionate. Ruminal pH, ruminal concentrations of acetate, propionate, total VFA and acetate:propionate ratio showed a quadratic response related to collection time. In diets with 50:50 forage to concentrate ratio, the supplementation of yeast culture did not influence the ruminal fermentative parameters.

Consumo e digestibilidade de nutrientes de dietas com silagens de grãos úmidos de milho ou sorgo, em ovinos

The intake, the digestibility of nutrients, and the total digestible nutrients (TDN) content in sheep diets based on corn and sorghum grains high moisture silages with or without microbial inoculant, were evaluated. The used roughage was Brachiaria hay (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). Twelve animals were distribuited to treatments: (1) hay+high moisture corn grain silage, (2) hay+high moisture sorghum grain silage; (3) hay+high moisture corn grain silage with microbial inoculant, and (4) hay+high moisture sorghum grain silage with microbial inoculant. No differences among treatments in relation to the intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total and non-structural carbohydrates were observed. The ether extract intake differed according to the grains. The silages did not differ in relation to the estimated digestibilities for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, ether extract, and total and non-structural carbohydrates. The TDN did not differ according to the grains and inoculant, with averages of 77.6 and 79.5%, for corn and sorghum grains high moisture silages, respectively. It was demonstrated that the use of microbial inoculant, in high moisture grain silages was not necessary. High moisture corn grain silage can be substituted by high moisture sorghum grain silage without effects on the use of nutrients by sheep.

Avaliação da produção de bezerros em confinamento ou em suplementação exclusiva

Performances of cows and calves weaned at 90 (D90) and 210 days of age (D210) were evaluated, using 36 Beefalo-Nelore multiparus cows and their calves, in a randomized block experimental design, with 18 replicates of nine animals of each sex. Calves were allotted to treatments using as criteria to form blocks, the weight and sex of the animal. Calves (D210) were raised in 48ha pasture of Brachiaria decumbens e B. humidicula. Calves (D90) were raised in feedlot condition, in an area of 7.95m 2 /animal, and were fed chopped elephant grass and concentrate. The average concentrate dry matter intake, weaned body weight and weight gain were, respectively, 0.56 and 1.69kg/day; 208.68 and 185.67kg; 0.75 and 0.52kg/day respectively for D210 e D90 calves. Cows from D90 treatment showed higher body weight (448.86kg) at 210 days post partum. Creep-feeding is suggested for weaning heavier calves.Performances of cows and calves weaned at 90 (D90) and 210 days of age (D210) were evaluated, using 36 Beefalo-Nelore multiparus cows and their calves, in a randomized block experimental design, with 18 replicates of nine animals of each sex. Calves were allotted to treatments using as criteria to form blocks, the weight and sex of the animal. Calves (D210) were raised in 48ha pasture of Brachiaria decumbens e B. humidicula. Calves (D90) were raised in feedlot condition, in an area of 7.95m2 /animal, and were fed chopped elephant grass and concentrate. The average concentrate dry matter intake, weaned body weight and weight gain were, respectively, 0.56 and 1.69kg/day; 208.68 and 185.67kg; 0.75 and 0.52kg/day respectively for D210 e D90 calves. Cows from D90 treatment showed higher body weight (448.86kg) at 210 days post partum. Creep-feeding is suggested for weaning heavier calves.

Effects of dietary brown propolis on nutrient intake and digestibility in feedlot lambs

The present study tested brown propolis in crude or extract form as a feed supplement for feedlot lambs to identify the type that most improves in vivo nutrient digestibility. Digestibility was assessed by both total fecal collection and internal markers and the results obtained by these techniques were compared. The completely randomized design was used to compare feed intake and nutrient digestibility of 24 male lambs aged seven months among four dietary treatments (crude brown propolis, propolis ethanol extract, monensin sodium, and control). Methods of feces collection were compared using a completely randomized split-plot design, with experimental diets corresponding to the main factor and the methods to estimate fecal production as the sub-factor. The diets had a roughage:concentrate ratio of 50:50, with Tifton-85 bermudagrass hay (Cynodon spp.) as roughage, and ground corn, soybean meal and minerals as concentrate. The lambs fed diets with crude propolis had higher feed intake than those fed diets containing monensin sodium. The different diets did not affect dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, or acid detergent fiber digestibility, but crude propolis supplementation provided higher ether extract digestibility than monensin sodium. Nutrient digestibility, as indicated by indigestible neutral detergent fiber, indigestible acid detergent fiber and sequentially-determined indigestible acid detergent fiber, was lower than that found with the fecal collection method. The addition of brown propolis has the same effect as monensin, but neither maximized nutrient availability in the diet of feedlot lambs at 7 months of age. Digestibility assessment using the internal markers indigestible neutral detergent fiber, indigestible acid detergent fiber and sequentially-determined indigestible acid detergent fiber is not an efficient method compared with total feces collection.