-Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the reduction of crude protein (CP) in diets supplemented with synthetic amino acids for piglets of 15 to 30 kg. In the performance assay (Exp I), 60 piglets with initial weight of 15.34±0.87 kg and final weight of 30.08±1.59 kg were distributed in a randomized block design with six replicates, five treatments and two animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of five diets in which the CP was reduced by 1.5 percentage points, resulting in low-protein diets (19.24, 17.74, 16.24, 14.74 and 13.24%), meeting the requirements of amino acids with inclusion of L-lysine, DL-methionine, L-threonine, L-tryptophan, L-valine and L-isoleucine. The average daily gain and feed conversion according to the Linear Response Plateau model (LRP) were estimated at 14.23 and 14.79% of CP, respectively. As the CP levels were reduced, there was an increase in the essential:non-essential amino acids ratio. The plasma urea concentration decreased linearly, indicating that there was a better use for amino acids with the CP reduction. In the nitrogen balance (Exp II), 30 crossbred barrow piglets with average weight of 21.69±4.46 kg were housed in metabolic cages, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates, and the experimental unit consisted of a piglet. The biological protein value in the diets remained above the ideal (70%), in which the level of 13.24% CP corresponded to the highest value. There was no difference in levels of urea in blood and urine. Reduction of protein levels is efficient in decreasing the pollution effect in the excreta, with lower nitrogen excretion in feces and urine.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding ground soybeans and antioxidants to diet of buffaloes on intake, ruminal microbial production, total and ruminal digestibility of nutrients, and ruminal fermentation parameters. Four crossbred buffaloes with a mean weight of 506±29 kg were distributed in a 4×4 Latin square. Four diets were tested: control; diet with ground soybeans; diet with ground soybeans and supplementation with yerba mate; and diet with ground soybeans and supplementation with yerba mate and vitamin E. The addition of ground soybeans had negative effects on intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, as well as ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and total carbohydrates but did not influence total digestibility of nutrients. Yet, the ground soybeans diet increased the concentration of butyrate and microbial production in the rumen. The diet with ground soybeans supplemented with yerba mate decreased the concentration of acetate and increased the concentration of propionate and increased the efficiency of synthesis and the production of microbial protein in the rumen. There was a positive additive effect of vitamin E in the presence of yerba mate, enhancing the synthesis and production efficiency of microbial protein. Thus, the addition of ground soybeans and antioxidants to diet of buffaloes improves the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and increases the production of butyrate, without, in general, altering the total digestibility of nutrients.

Geraldo Tadeu dos Santos 5 BÁNKUTI, F. I.; CARRARO, J.; BRITO, M. M. de; POZZA, M. S. dos S.; SANTOS, G. T. dos. Práticas de higiene e a qualidade do leite: uma análise a partir da técnica de clusters. Arq. Ciênc. Vet. Zool. UNIPAR, Umuarama, v. 19, n. 1, p. 17-21, jan./mar. 2016. RESUMO:O objetivo proposto neste artigo foi demonstrar a viabilidade do uso da técnica de formação de clusters hierárqui-cos para analisar a relação entre as práticas de manejo e higiene de ordenha e suas implicações para a qualidade do leite. Foi desenvolvida pesquisa a campo e realizada coleta de dados referente a qualidade do leite de produtores da Região de Mococa, SP. A partir dessas, 455 casos foram submetidos à análise de cluster hierárquico. Dois grupos foram definidos, o primeiro, (grupo 1) caracterizado por produtores com baixa aplicação de práticas de manejo e higiene de ordenha e o segundo (grupo 2), por produtores com elevada aplicação dessas práticas. Entre os grupos, foi aplicado teste de hipóteses para comparação de diferenças percentuais entre as variáveis de manejo e higiene de ordenha. Em etapa subsequente foi feita análise descritiva e de verificação de igualdade entre os grupos, segundo variáveis de qualidade do leite. A técnica de formação de clusters hierárquicos mostrou-se adequada para análise da relação entre práticas de manejo e higiene de ordenha. Produtores rurais que adotam com maior frequência tais práticas, obtém leite de melhor qualidade. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Aglomerados. Análise multivariada. Sistema agroindustrial. HYGIENE PRACTICES AND MILK QUALITY: AN ANALYSIS FROM THE CLUSTER TECHNIQUEABSTRACT: The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the feasibility of using the hierarchical clusters technique to analyze the relationship between management practices and milking hygiene and the implications on milk quality. A field research was developed and carried out to collect data regarding the quality of milk produced in a dairy cooperative located in Mococa, SP. From these, 455 cases were submitted to the hierarchical cluster analysis. Two groups were defined, the first one (group 1) contained producers with low application management practices and milking hygiene, while the second one (group 2) of producers with high application of these practices. The hypothesis test was applied between the groups to compare the percentage differences between management variables and hygienic milking. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis was performed and the equality between groups was checked against milk quality variables. The hierarchical cluster formation technique was adequate for analyzing the relationship between management practices and milking hygiene. Farmers who more often adopt these practices provide better quality milk. KEYWORDS: Agribusiness system. Clusters. Multivariate analysis. PRÁCTICAS DE HIGIENE Y LA CALIDAD DE LA LECHE: UN ANÁLISIS DESDE LA TÉCNICA DE CLUSTERS RESUMEN:El objetivo propuesto en este artículo ha sido demostrar la viabilidad de uso de la técnica de formación de clusters jerárquicos, para an...