Marinaldo Divino Ribeiro

Avaliação da qualidade nutricional da silagem de cana-de-açúcar com aditivos microbianos e enriquecida com resíduo da colheita de soja

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics and nutritional quality of sugarcane treated with microbial additives and 10% of soybean crop residue based on sugarcane fresh weight. The variety RB855536 harvested at 16 months of age was used in a completely randomized design with tree repetitions. Addition of soybean crop residue reduced 33% of DM losses and 60% of ammonia-N (% total N) although final silage pH increased. Use of inoculants reduced silage pH only in association with soybean crop residue with no significant effects on the remaining variables. For all treatments, silages had higher contents of fiber and lower DM levels than the material before ensiling. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was significantly higher (P<0.05) on treatments with soybean crop residue compared to the other treatments. Moreover, compared with the material used for ensiling, reduction in digestibility was higher for treatments without soybean crop residue (24.3% vs. 9.3%). Combination of soybean crop residue with sugarcane improved nutritional quality and reduced DM and soluble carbohydrates losses, mainly in the form of gases, diluting the proportion of cell wall components and preventing losses in forage IVDMD. The use of the inoculants L. plantarum and L. buchneri during ensiling of sugarcane is not recommended because no improvement was observed on the chemical composition or fermentation profile of silages.

Avaliação da divergência nutricional de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.)

The objective of this trial was to study the nutritional divergence of sugarcane genotypes for feeding ruminants. The following sugarcane genotypes were evaluated: RB72454, RB835486, SP80-1842, IAC86-2480, RB977512, RB867515, RB935566, RB925345, RB977625, SP79-1011, SP80-1816, SP81-3250, and SP91-1049 all harvested at 11 months of age. The discriminatory variables were: neutral detergent fiber (NDF), hemicellulose, lignin, NDF to soluble carbohydrate ratio, NDF undegradable fraction, and rates of NDF and DM degradation. Application of the cluster analyses according to the Tocher approach, using the mean Euclidian distance matrix, yielded three groups of genotypes. Neutral detergent fiber and DM degradation rates were the most important variables for group discrimination contributing individually with 25.64% of the total discrimination power while the least contribution was observed with NDF undegradable fraction (11.54%). The variables NDF, NDF undegradable fraction, hemicellulose, and rates of DM and NDF degradation all showed to be effective to evaluate sugarcane nutritional divergence. Group III formed by the clone RB977512 showed the best responses for the studied variables and as such can be considered of higher nutritional quality for ruminants.

Exigências nutricionais em macronutrientes minerais (Ca, P, Mg, Na e K) para novilhos de diferentes grupos genéticos

The objective of this trial was to determine the macrominerals requirements (Ca, P, Mg, Na, and K) for young bulls from different genetic groups. Forty-four young bulls from the following genetic groups were used: Nellore, F1 Nellore x Aberdeen-Angus, F1 Nellore x Brown Swiss, and F1 Nellore x Simmental. Animals averaged 362 ± 35 kg of initial body weight and between 10 to 11 months of age. Diet contained signal grass hay (Brachiaria decumbens, Stapf.), soybean meal, ground corn, molasses, and macro and microminerals premix. The net requirements for weight gain of each macromineral were obtained by the first derivative of their respective equations generated from non-linear regression of the mineral content (Ca, P, Mg, Na, and K) in function of the animal empty body weight. The equation obtained from regressing empty body weight on weights taken immediately before slaughter was used for the conversion of body weight into empty body weight. The macrominerals requirements for maintenance were estimated using the NRC and ARC models recommendation while absorption coefficients used were those proposed by the ARC model. The model test of identity indicates no difference comparing regression equations for all studied macrominerals among the four genetic groups.

Performance of dairy calves fed milk, milk replacer or post-weaning concentrate with acidifiers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of acidifiers to milk, milk replacer or post-weaning concentrate on the performance and health status of weaning and post-weaning calves. Three experiments were carried out, in the first experiment 62 Holstein × Zebu crossbred calves (males and females), reared from birth to 60 days of age, were distributed and fed milk with or without acidifier. From the third day, the calves were suckled (5L of milk/d) for 56 days, split into two meals. The acidifier was added to milk at the time of feeding. From the second week of calfs age a starter diet (18% of CP) was also offer. In second experiment, the same animals from first experiment, but from 61 to 120 days of age were distributed and fed (2 kg/d) post-weaning concentrate (18% of CP) with or without acidifier and Cynodon dactylon hay ad libitum. In third experiment, 16 male Holstein × Zebu crossbred calves, reared from birth to 60 days of age, were distributed and fed milk replacer with or without acidifier. The acidifier used in the first and third experiments was composed by the citric, lactic, fumaric, and phosphoric acids, and vitamin C (liquid diet); and by betaglucans, flavonoides, linoleic and oleic and citric acids, and vitamin C (solid diet). The addition of acidifier to milk or to post-weaning concentrate did not affect the dry matter (DM) and CP intakes, which were 818 and 196; 1740 and 217 g/d respectively. Similarly, it did not show high average daily gains, with 525 and 513 g/d, respectively. The addition of acidifiers to milk replacer showed results similar to those observed in calves fed milk. Therefore, the use of acidifiers in milk, milk replacer or in the post-weaning concentrate did not result in beneficial effects for calves.

Consumo e desempenho de novilhas em pastagem recebendo suplementos com diferentes níveis de proteína não-degradável no rúmen

The objective of this trial was to study the intake and production at pasture of 15 Holstein-Gyr heifers (5 per treatment) averaging 16.5 ± 4.2 months of age and 211.97 ± 34.28 kg of body weight (BW) and fed supplements containing either 40% or 60% of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP). Forage availability was monitored to maintain a supply of 6% of BW. Both chromic oxide (10 g/day/heifer) and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (INDF) were used as external and internal markers, respectively. Intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), fiber, and INDF were estimated and adjusted to the average body mass of the heifers as the covariable applying an allometric relationship and were then expressed in metabolic size unit. Weight gain was measured at the beginning and end of the experimental period in fasted heifers. Heifers at the pasture + supplement treatment consumed approximately 1.8 kg of concentrate DM per day that was offered at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Except for intakes of DM and CP of the total diet (pasture + supplement), significant treatment, period, and interaction effects were found for all remaining intake variables of forage and total diet. Therefore, intake was affected by pasture quality and supply of extra nutrients from the supplements with increasing RUP levels and for intake of INDF the use of the covariable was worthwhile. No significant changes on weight gain of heifers were observed within the different levels of RUP (40 vs. 60%) as well as comparing supplementation versus pasture alone and averaged 509 g/animal/day during the water-dry transition period.

Avaliação de modelos matemáticos para o estudo da cinética de passagem de partículas e de fluidos por bovinos em pastagem recebendo suplementos contendo diferentes níveis de proteína não-degradável no rúmen

Estudaram-se os comportamentos dos parâmetros da cinetica de passagem de particulas e de fluidos em bovinos mantidos em pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha, em duas epocas (epoca 1 = meses de maio, junho e julho/2000; e epoca 2 = meses de marco, abril e maio/2001), recebendo suplementos contendo diferentes niveis de proteina nao-degradavel no rumen (PNDR). Na epoca 1 os animais foram alimentados com suplementos contendo 20, 40 e 60% de PNDR, feno de Brachiaria brizantha e mistura mineral ad libitum, enquanto na epoca 2, foram distribuidos nos tratamentos: T0 = pastagem de capim-braquiaria + mistura mineral ad libitum; T40 = pastagem + suplemento com 40% de PNDR; e T60 = pastagem + suplemento com 60% de PNDR. Na estimativa da taxa de passagem de particulas pelo rumen, utilizou-se como indicador o Cr-mordente, enquanto a cinetica de passagem de fluidos foi estimada com Co-EDTA, durante tres periodos, de agosto a setembro/2001, utilizando-se os mesmos animais e tratamentos da epoca 2. As estimativas dos parâmetros da cinetica de passagem de particulas foram determinadas a partir do ajuste dos dados aos modelos bicompartimentais (G1G1, G2G1, G3G1, G4G1, G5G1 e G6G1), enquanto, para a cinetica de passagem de fluidos, foi utilizado o modelo G1G1. Os criterios de escolha do melhor modelo foram a frequencia observada dos valores minimos para o quadrado medio residual, obtido com os ajustes dos diferentes modelos e o numero de corridas de sinal dos residuos padronizados. Os modelos G2G1 e G3G1 mostraram-se mais eficientes na determinacao das estimativas dos parâmetros de cinetica de passagem de particulas, nas epocas 1 e 2, respectivamente. As estimativas do tempo medio de retencao ruminal de particulas e de fluidos nao foram influenciadas pelos diferentes niveis de PNDR do suplemento.

Levels of concentrate in the diet of calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of concentrate for growing calves. Four Holstein × Brahman crossbred calves with average age of 7 months and 155 kg of body weight were used, distributed into one Latin square design (4 × 4). The animals were fed ad libtum in the form of complete diet containing levels of 20, 40, 60 and 80% of concentrate on the dry matter basis (DM). The diets were composed of Cynodon dactylon hay, corn, soybean meal and mineral mixture, and were isoprotein (15.4%). The DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total carbohydrate (TC) consumption showed linear response; and crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), quadratic response; expressed in kg/day. When expressed in %BW, the OM, CP, EE and TDN consumption presented quadratic behavior; as DM, NDF and TC showed linear behavior. The apparent total digestibility DM and CP coefficients were quadratic influenced by the levels of concentrate, while OM, EE, NDF and TC showed linear behavior. No effect was observed for the average concentration of ammoniac nitrogen, depending on the levels of concentrate, for each time of analysis. However, for pH, there was influence of the levels for the times analyzed. Likewise, no effect was observed for the average concentration of serum glucose, however, for urea nitrogen serum (UNS), a linear negative effect was observed, depending on the levels for each post-feeding time. Therefore, up to 60% of concentrate could be included in the diet of calves; however higher levels can affect the use of bulky.

Consórcio capim-braquiária e milho: produtividade das culturas e características qualitativas das silagens feitas com plantas em diferentes idades

The objective of this work was to evaluate the silage produced from signal grass intercropping with corn or in exclusive culture and harvesting at 100, 120, 140 and 160 days after sowing. Productions of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were evaluated. It was also evaluated, the quality characteristics as contents (%DM) of CP, NDT, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ammonia nitrogen, butyric acid, lactic acid and pH, these silages. DM content was higher in the forages, regardless of intercropping with corn or in exclusive culture was higher at 140 and 160 days after sowing. Intercropping exclusive culture differed in DM production only at 120 days after sowing. Simultaneous cultivation of corn with two rows of signal grass in interlines (intercropping) was higher than exclusive culture of signal grass. Whatever culture ages, forage obtained from the intercropping of signal grass and corn had higher amounts of TDN/ha and resulted in silages with higher TDN contents and lactic acid and lower contents of NDF, lignin, ammonia nitrogen and acid butyric and lower pH.

Influence of intraruminal infusion of propionic acid and forage to concentrate levels on intake, digestibility and rumen characteristics in young bulls

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intraruminal infusion of propionic acid (RPA) associated to two (80:20 and 60:40) forage:concentrate ratios (FCR), for young bulls. Four Holstein × Zebu crossbred young bulls with average age of 7 months and 160 kg of body weight (BW) were distributed to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. A total mixed ration, isonitrogenous diets, was ad libitum fed to animals. The propionic acid was obtained by fermentation of reconstituted milk whey by the consortium of bacteria Enterococcus sp. and Veillonella sp.. Daily and along with the supply of solid feeds, 2 L of the compound containing propionic acid were intrainfused in the rumen. There was no RPA × FCR interaction for the intake of nutrients, except for total digestible nutrients (TDN). The organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and TDN intakes were influenced by the FCR. There was no RPA × FCR interaction on the total digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and TC. However, the digestibility of DM, OM, EE and CT were influenced by the FCR. There was no RPA × FCR interaction for the mean N-NH3 concentration and pH of the rumen fluid; however, RPA provided effect on the pH measured 4 hours after meal. There was no interaction or effect of the main factors on volatile fatty acids concentrations in the rumen fluid, or on glucose levels and serum urea nitrogen.