The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and carcass and meat characteristics of lambs fed a solution of cheese whey plus water (100 g kg −1 dry matter) (CW) during feedlot and pre-slaughter lairage. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial (place-feedlot and slaughterhouse, food-water or CW). We evaluated the following treatments (feedlot/slaughterhouse): CW/CW, CW/water, water/CW, and control (water/water). The lambs were given a balanced diet for 70 days in the feedlot. Slaughter started 12 h after the animals arrived at the slaughterhouse. Dry matter intake, gain-to-feed ratio, average daily gain, and body weight of lambs fed CW were similar to those of control lambs. The water/CW group consumed less of this solution than the CW/CW group in the slaughterhouse. The CW supplied as a pre-slaughter supplement reduces the drip losses of lamb carcasses provided that the animals also consume it during the feedlot period. The other carcass characteristics (carcass weight, pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and ribeye area) were similar among treatments. The meat characteristics (color, water holding capacity, cooking losses, and shear force) were similar among treatments. Whey cheese added to water can be used as an ingredient of the diet for lambs and as pre-slaughter supplement, since it does not change performance and improves carcass characteristics.

This experiment evaluated the effect of genetic group and slaughter weight on rib eye area, tissue and centesimal composition of the 12th rib. Were used lambs Santa Ines, ½ Ile de France x ½ Santa Ines and ½ Texel x ½ Santa Ines lambs, slaughtered at different weights (35 and 45kg). After cooling at 4°C for 24 h, the 12th rib was removed for tissue and centesimal. The experiment was in a 3 (genetic group) x 2 (sex) x 2 (slaughter weight) factorial design and analyzed using Correlation and Duncan 0.05 means test in SAS®. Texel x Santa Ines animals had the best potential for quality traits of the 12th rib, with earlier finishing for slaughter. The lambs slaughtered at 35kg had lowest fat and highest edible proportion, this being the recommended slaughter weight.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do zinco ou do propilenoglicol sobre o desempenho e nas características da carcaça e da carne de ovinos sob pastejo em pastagem nativa da Caatinga. Utilizaram-se 24 ovinos, mestiços Santa Inês, machos, não castrados, peso inicial de 19,3±2,52kg, com quatro meses de idade, oito repetições por tratamento, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Os tratamentos foram: sem aditivo, controle (CT), adição de sulfato de zinco (ZnSO4.7H2O) (Zn) para fornecimento de 300mg de Zn dia-1 via sal mineral, e propilenoglicol (PG), 2,5mL kgPC0,75-1 animal-1 dia-1 misturado no concentrado. Os animais foram suplementados com concentrado constituído de milho (54,0%), farelo de soja (45,1%) e calcário (0,911%) em 0,7% do PC médio de cada tratamento. O ensaio foi conduzido durante quatro meses (março a junho/2014). Avaliaram-se o desempenho e, após o abate dos animais, as características de carcaça e os componentes não carcaça, os parâmetros físico-químicos e organolépticos na carne. O Zn e o propilenoglicol não afetaram o desempenho e os parâmetros da carcaça em termos absoluto e relativo, bem como os pesos dos cortes e seus rendimentos (P>0,05). Não houve efeito dos aditivos nas características organolépticas e nos aspectos físico-químicos da carne (P>0,05), exceto cinzas (P<0,05). O zinco e o propilenoglicol não melhoram o desempenho e as características da carcaça de animais terminados em pastagem nativa da Caatinga. O baixo suprimento energético devido à má qualidade do pasto entre os meses de abril a junho contribui para a ineficiência no aproveitamento dos constituintes proteicos, implicando menor consumo e consequente diminuição do desempenho.

Simple SummaryCaatinga is an important biome in Brazil’s semi-arid region, it is characterized by low precipitation and great plant availability seasonality. In this context, mineral and energy supplementation may improve pasture consumption and nutrient utilization. The objective of this study was to determine intake, nutrient availability, and animal selection of major forage species by sheep supplemented with zinc sulfate or propylene glycol in Caatinga-native pastures during the rainy season. Twenty-four sheep were distributed into three treatments (control, Zn, and propylene glycol supplement) in this 112-day study. There was no effect of treatments on plant selection. However, plant species selected by sheep changed over time. Generally, greater intakes were found in April compared to May. In conclusions, based on the finding of this study, Zn and PG supplementation did not improve sheep nutrient intake when grazing Caatinga-native pasture in the rainy season.AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine intake, nutrient availability, and animal selection of major forage species in sheep supplemented with zinc sulfate or propylene glycol in Caatinga-native pastures during the rainy season. Twenty-four mixed Santa Inês sheep, all non-castrated males, with initial weight of 19.3 ± 2.52 kg and 4 ± 0.35 months of age, were distributed in a complete randomized design into three treatments: Control (CT)—concentrate supplemented at 0.7% of body weight; CT + 300 mg of Zn day−1; CT + 2.5 mL of propylene glycol/kg LW0.75·day−1. Measurements were done in four periods during the rainy season, with 28 days of interval between each measurement. Differences were observed in the composition of the ruminal extrusa samples from pastures for crude protein (CP) (192 to 131 g kg−1), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) (537 to 441 g kg−1), and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (468 to 359 g kg−1) in March and June, respectively. There was no effect for treatments, neither for the treatment x period interaction on organic matter (OM), CP, and fibrous fraction intake (p > 0.05). Organic matter intake (OMI) was, on average 23.9% greater in March compared to June. CP intake decreased monthly (p < 0.05). Fibrous fraction intake was greater in March (p < 0.05), with reductions of 34.8, 33.3, and 39.4% in June, respectively, for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and cellulose (CEL) fractions. There was no effect of treatments (p > 0.05) on selection of vegetal species present in the pasture. On the other hand, the proportion between ingested species changed over the experimental period. Greater intakes were found in April compared to May, except for Zizyphus joazeiro intake, which was greater in March (p < 0.05). In conclusion, based on the finding of this study, Zn and propylene glycol (PG) supplementation did not improve sheep nutrient intake when grazing Caatinga-native pasture in the rainy season. Caatinga-native pasture biomass has adequate protein and digestible organic matter leve...

International projections point to the growth in global production of sheep meat, mainly from developing countries. However, the exigencies of consumers on characterization of production systems, nutritional information, and sensorial analysis to target the preferences must be answered. The aim of this study was to characterize the meat quality and the global acceptance of Brazilian native ovine breeds and their crosses, and discuss these aspects on the current basis of human health and wellbeing. Three native breeds (Morada Nova, Rabo Largo, and Santa Inês) that were managed in semi-intensive systems and raised in semi-arid Brazilian regions were used. Chemical composition and fatty acid analysis, sensory evaluation and health indices were accessed. The combined effects of breed, sex and breed by sex interaction produced differentiation in meat fatty acid (FA) profiles. The cholesterol contents ranged between 51 and 59.1 mg/100 g. The Morada Nova lambs showed the lowest lipid content (1.93%). The Morada Nova x Rabo Largo crossbreed breed has the potential to increase the content of conjugated linoleic acid. The high content of α-linolenic acid, which is considered hypocholesterolemic, was responsible for better health indices. The moderate acceptability obtained in sensory traits is compatible with the requirements of the consumer market. The combination of nutritional and sensory traits associated with human health and wellbeing that is presented by these native ovine breeds qualifies them as a good choice of red meat to be included in a larger proportion in human food. Keywords: fatty acids, healthier meat, semi-arid region, sheep

RESUMOObjetivou-se avaliar o efeito do cruzamento entre ovinos nativos no desempenho e características da carcaça. Foram utilizados vinte cordeiros, machos, inteiros, com idade inicial de quatro meses, e peso médio inicial 19,0±5,11, distribuídos em dois grupos genéticos: Rabo Largo (RL) e Santa Inês x Rabo Largo (F 1 SI x RL), em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Os animais foram terminados em regime de confinamento durante 70 dias. Os cordeiros F 1 SI x RL apresentaram maiores pesos ao desmame, ao abate, do corpo vazio, das carcaças quente e fria, e maior rendimento biológico. Verificaram maiores valores para os parâmetros de morfometria da carcaça para animais F 1 SI x RL comparados aos animais Rabo Largo (P<0,05). Os pesos da hemi-carcaça e dos cortes comerciais foram superiores para cordeiros F 1 SI x RL. Nas medidas obtidas no músculo Longissimus dorsi, os cordeiros Rabo Largo apresentaram valores superiores para espessura de gordura subcutânea. A utilização da raça Santa Inês como base paterna acarreta em melhorias nas características de carcaça de cordeiros Rabo Largo podendo ser indicado em sistemas de produção de carne ovina. (Barros et al., 2005). A eficiência na produção de carne ovina na região Nordeste, assim como nos demais centros de produção ovina, pode ser aprimorada utilizando-se sistemas de cruzamento planejados, aliado a manejos produtivos adequados (Carneiro et al., 2007).

 RESUMOObjetivou-se avaliar o efeito de combinações de diferentes fontes de nitrogênio não proteico com fontes de carboidratos como suplemento para bovinos sobre o consumo, degradabilidade in situ, taxa de passagem e cinética ruminal em bovinos. Os tratamentos consistiram nos seguintes suplementos proteinados: CSUENC = casca de soja + ureia encapsulada; CSUREIA = casca de soja + ureia; MTAMIR = milho triturado + amireia; MTURENC = milho triturado + ureia encapsulada, MTUREIA = milho triturado + ureia. Os animais foram alimentados com feno de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu como fonte de volumoso. O ensaio foi conduzido em delineamento quadrado latino 5x5 (cinco suplementos, cinco animais, cinco períodos). Não houve diferenças para consumo de nutrientes (P>0,05), exceto para consumo de proteína bruta g/kgPV 0,75 , em que se verificou maior consumo no tratamento CSUENC. Para frações fibrosas, foram obtidas maiores ingestões de fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido (kg/dia; % PV; g/kgPV 0,75 ), hemicelulose (% PV; g/kgPV 0,75 ) quando alimentados com CSUREIA em relação àqueles com MTUREIA (P<0,05). Os tratamentos constituídos pelos diferentes proteinados não afetaram a degradabilidade in situ das frações nutricionais (P>0,05), exceto para fração potencialmente degradável da celulose. A concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal no líquido ruminal foi influenciada pela composição dos proteinados (P<0,05), sendo superior para os tratamentos MTUREIA e MTURENC em relação à CSURENC. As combinações entre diferentes fontes de nitrogênio não proteico e de carboidratos nos diferentes suplementos não modificam o consumo e a degradabilidade da forragem. Dessa forma, a escolha dos ingredientes para formulação de proteinados deve ser realizada considerando-se disponibilidade e preços desses suplementos.Palavras-chave: digestibilidade in situ, taxa de passagem, suplementação proteica ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-and post-calving feed restriction on quantitative characteristics and lipid profile of meat from Morada Nova sheep. Twenty-four male lambs from single births only, with an initial weight of 10.0 ± 3.07 kg and at four months of age, were distributed in a randomized complete design, into three groups: pre-calving restriction (R-PRE; n=8) post-calving restriction (R-POS; n=8), and ad libitum feeding (ADLI; n=8). To make up the experimental treatments, the feeding regime applied previously on the sheep in the last third of pregnancy was considered. Treatments ADLI and R-POS were composed of lambs born from ewes fed ad libitum in the last third of pregnancy. Treatment R-PRE consisted of lambs born from ewes subjected to feed restriction in the last third of pregnancy at 60% of the recommended requirements for the group of ewes feeding ad libitum. For the lambs from treatments ADLI and R-PRE, the diet was supplied allowing 20% of the total supplied as refusals. For the animals from R-POS, a 30% restriction was imposed in relation to the animals feeding ad libitum. Animals were slaughtered with an average live weight of 25 kg. Afterwards, carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24 h. Meat quality measurements were taken on the right side of each carcass; pH was determined immediately after slaughter and then again after chilling. Samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were collected and frozen at -20 ºC. Moisture, ash, protein, total lipids, water-holding capacity, and cooking loss were determined in the meat samples, which were then subjected to the shear-force test. The sensory analysis was determined by the hedonic-scale test, in which sensory parameters of tenderness, juiciness, flavor, aroma, and overall acceptability and fatty acid profile were evaluated. There was a feed-restriction effect on protein, lipids, and water-holding capacity (P<0.05). Meat sensory attributes were not influenced by the nutritional regimes (P>0.05). Saturated fatty acid contents were affected by the treatments (P<0.05); however, there was no effect of nutritional regimes on mono-or polyunsaturated fatty acids (P>0.05). Feed restriction does not compromise the physicochemical or sensory quality of Morada Nova lambs meat, but rather provides a meat product of good acceptance. ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar o efeito da restrição alimentar pré e pós-natal sobre características qualitativas e do perfil lipídico da carne de ovinos da raça Morada Nova. Vinte e quatro cordeiros foram usados, machos, somente de parto simples, peso inicial 10,0 ± 3,07 kg e quatro meses de idade, distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em três grupos: restrição pré-natal (R-PRE; n=8) e pós-natal (R-POS; n=8), e ad libitum (ADLI; n=8). Para composição dos tratamentos experimentais foi considerado o manejo alimentar aplicado anteriormente nas ovelhas no terço final de gestação. Os tratamentos ADLI e R-POS foram formados por cordeiros nascidos de ovelhas alimentadas ad libitum no terço final da gestação....