Objetivou-se relatar a importância dos minerais cobre (Cu), molibdênio (Mo) e enxofre (S) na alimentação de ovinos bem como a interação destes minerais no metabolismo ruminal. Os efeitos adversos de aumentar o Mo e S dietéticos sobre a utilização de Cu pelos ruminantes têm sido atribuídos à formação de tiomolibdatos (TMs ou MoS 4 2-) no ambiente ruminal rico em sulfeto. Os efeitos sistêmicos dos TMs envolvem principalmente a inibição do metabolismo do Cu. Além de comprometer a absorção de cobre, outras desordens clínicas são observadas por esse desbalanço mineral, tais como: anormalidades na pigmentação e queratinização da lã e pelo, anemia, anomalias esqueléticas e ataxia enzoótica. Além disso, os ovinos, dentre as espécies de animais domésticos, são mais predispostos a apresentarem tanto o quadro de deficiência como o de intoxicação pelo cobre devido aos limites de necessidade e tolerância serem muito próximos: 3 a 8 ppm e 15 ppm, respectivamente. Dessa forma, a suplementação com sal mineral específico para ovinos bem como o cuidado com as proporções entre os minerais cobre, molibdênio e enxofre é de primordial importância na alimentação desses animais minimizar perdas produtivas e, principalmente, evitar distúrbios metabólicos e graves intoxicações.Palavras-chave: Intoxicação. Ganho de peso. Metabolismo. Minerais. Nutrição. Tiomolibdato THE IMPORTANCE OF COPPER, MOLYBDENUM AND SULPHUR IN SHEEP FEEDING SUMMARY:The objective was to report the importance of minerals copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and sulfur (S) in sheep feed as well as the interaction of these minerals in ruminal metabolism. The adverse effects of increasing dietary Mo and S on the use of Cu by ruminants have been attributed to the formation of thiomolybdates (TMs or MoS 4 2-) in rumen rich in sulfide. The systemic effects of TMs mainly involve inhibition of Cu metabolism. In addition to compromising copper absorption, other clinical disorders are observed due to this mineral imbalance, such as: abnormalities in wool and hair pigmentation and keratinization, anemia, skeletal anomalies and enzootic ataxia. In addition, sheep, among domestic animal species, are more likely to present both deficiency and copper intoxication because the need and tolerance limits are very close: 3 to 8 ppm and 15 ppm, respectively. Thus, supplementation with specific mineral salt for sheep as well as the care of the proportions between minerals copper, molybdenum and sulfur is of primary importance in feeding these animals to minimize losses and, mainly, to avoid metabolic disorders and severe intoxications.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of cow cheese whey (CCW) in the diet for lambs on the ingestive behavior, ruminal and blood parameters. Twenty crossbred, male, non-castrated lambs with 25 kg body weight were assigned to four treatments: control diet (composed of corn, soybean meal and native pasture silage) and test diets (control diet + inclusion of CCW in increasing levels of 1.6, 2.7 and 4.0% in DM), in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications. Means were compared by Tukey’s test, and the strength of association between variables was tested by Pearson’s correlation. Regression analysis was also performed for data from the collection of ruminal fluid and blood. Behavioral assessments were made at a 24-hour interval in measurements taken every five minutes. The inclusion of CCW in the diet did not impair ruminal pH, but promoted a decrease in rumination and feeding times, also causing a lower number of cuds and a lower number of cud chews. The lowest concentration of ammonia nitrogen and total protein were found in lambs receiving the diet with 4% CCW. However, these values were within the range recommended for microbial growth. CCW is a potential protein alternative in lambs feed as it does not interfere with nutrient intake, ruminal and blood parameters, and favors a positive nitrogen balance.

RESUMO:Realizou-se com essa revisão descrever o metabolismo de cálcio e fósforo em ovinos assim como discutir os fatores inerentes a absorção desses minerais. A importância desse estudo se deve ao aumento crescente das necessidades desses minerais na dieta devido ao melhoramento genético dos animais, à reprodução de animais jovens, às deficiências de fósforo, a crescente incidência de partos duplos, ao aumento do uso de dietas com alta densidade energética e à incidência de hipocalcemia recorrente no rebanho ovino nacional. A taxa de absorção de cálcio a partir do intestino aumenta de forma constante durante toda a gestação, entretanto é insuficiente para atender aos requisitos da ovelha no final da gestação e início de lactação. Pesquisas relacionadas ao aproveitamento de P por ruminantes bem como as fontes dietéticas desse elemento ainda devem ser elaboradas devido ao elevado custo desse mineral na mistura mineral.Palavras-chave: Absorção. Cordeiro. Exigência mineral. Ovelha METABOLISM CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IN SHEEP SUMMARYWe conducted with this review describe the calcium and phosphorus metabolism in sheep as well as discuss the factors inherent absorption of these minerals. The importance of this study is due to the increasing needs of these minerals in the diet due to the breeding of animals for breeding young animals, the phosphorus deficiencies, the increasing incidence of twin births, the increased use of diets with high energy density and the incidence of recurrent hypocalcaemia in the national sheep flock. Calcium absorption rate from the intestine increases steadily throughout pregnancy, however is insufficient to meet the requirements of the ewe in late pregnancy and early lactation. Research related to the use of P by ruminants, and dietary sources of this element must still be developed due to the high cost of this mineral in the mineral mixture.Keywords: Absorption. Lamb. Mineral. Requirement. Sheep INTRODUÇÃOO cálcio (Ca) pode ser considerado o mineral mais importante na produção animal, pois desempenha inúmeras funções básicas no organismo relacionadas à integridade do esqueleto, à manutenção da permeabilidade normal das células, à coagulação do sangue e à regulação da

This study evaluates the economic viability of sheep finishing systems on irrigated Tamani grass pasture under continuous stocking, using castor bean cake. Four production systems were simulated: sheep supplemented with soybean meal on pasture fertilized with urea (SMUR), sheep supplemented with detoxified castor bean cake on pasture fertilized with urea (CCdUR), sheep supplemented with soybean meal on pasture fertilized with in natura castor bean cake (SMCC) and sheep supplemented with detoxified castor bean cake on pasture fertilized with in natura castor bean cake (CCdCC). A minimum unit of 3 hectares and an average slaughter weight of 28 kg were considered. A minimum selling price, at which the least profitable system would become profitable, was stablished: US$ 2.38 and US$ 4.45/kg per kilogram of body weight and carcass weight equivalent, adopting a minimum rate of return of 3.5% per year, based on the Selic rate. The costs for organic fertilization were 46.01% higher than in systems using chemical fertilization. The selling of live animals was not attractive in any of the systems evaluated, and the opposite was observed for the selling of carcasses and non-carcass components. System SMUR proved to be more profitable, with a gain of US$ 0.53 per kg carcass.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar a economicidade de sistemas de terminação de ovinos em pastagem irrigada de capim-tamani sob lotação contínua, utilizando torta de mamona. Foram simulados quatro sistemas de produção: ovinos suplementados com farelo de soja e o pasto adubado com ureia (FSUR), ovinos suplementados com torta de mamona destoxificada e o pasto adubado com ureia (TMdUR), ovinos suplementados com farelo de soja e o pasto adubado com torta de mamona in natura (FSTM) e ovinos suplementados com torta de mamona destoxificada e o pasto adubado com torta de mamona in natura (TMdTM). Foi considerada a unidade mínima de 3 hectares e determinado um peso médio ao abate de 28 kg de peso corporal. Estabeleceu-se um preço de venda mínimo, no qual o sistema de criação menos lucrativo se tornasse rentável de 2,38 e 4,45 dólares por quilograma de peso corporal e por equivalente de peso da carcaça, dotando uma taxa mínima de atratividade de 3,5% ao ano, com base na taxa Selic. Os custos com adubação orgânica, em média, são 46,01% superiores aos sistemas que utilizam adubação química. A venda de animais vivos não é atrativa em nenhum dos sistemas avaliados, sendo o contrário observado para a comercialização de carcaças e dos não componentes da carcaça de ovinos. O sistema de produção FSUR se mostrou mais lucrativo, com ganho de US$ 0.53 centavos por kg de carcaça.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of crude glycerin (CG) supplementation of dairy ewes during pregnancy and early lactation on the body weight and measurements of offspring from birth to weaning. Twenty-four lambs from 24 Lacaune x East Friesian genotype ewes were evaluated. The sheep were distributed in four treatments that differed in crude glycerin supplementation of 0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5%, as well as the concomitant adjustment of dry matter and water intake. Body measurements of lambs were recorded every two weeks from birth until weaning. Body weight was recorded daily. Multiple regression analysis revealed that supplementation with CG explained 5.2% of the variation in the weight of lambs at birth (LW), accompanied by the body condition score of the ewe (12.3%), sex of lamb (19.2%), and live weight of the ewes (26.5%); r 2 was 63%. According to the predictions of the model adjusted for simulated scenarios, the leanest lambs were derived from ewes weighing between 40 and 50 kg, with body condition scores from 4 to 5, and that did not receive CG at intermediate levels. Heavier lambs, with LW above 5.5 kg, were derived from ewes that weighed between 80 to 90 kg with low body condition scores of 3, and that received 1.5% CG. Supplementation with CG between 2% and 4% improves the weight of the lambs at birth. Body measurements of lambs were not influenced by dietary supplementation of ewes with CG. Key words: Biometrics. Byproducts. Glycerol. Ovine. ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar a influência da suplementação com glicerina bruta (GB) para ovelhas durante a gestação e início da lactação e seus efeitos sobre o peso e medidas corporais de suas crias do nascimento à desmama. Foram avaliados 24 cordeiros oriundos de 24 ovelhas do genótipo Lacaune x East Friesian distribuídas em quatro tratamentos que se diferenciaram quanto à suplementação de GB na dieta em (0; 1,5; 3,0 e 4,5% de MS) sendo esta adicionada à água. As medidas biométricas dos cordeiros oriundos das mães avaliadas ocorreram quinzenalmente do dia do nascimento até o período da desmama, já o peso corporal foi avaliado diariamente. O estudo de regressão múltipla realizado constatou que o teor de GB na dieta das mães explicou 5,2% da variação no peso dos cordeiros ao nascer (PN), seguidas pelo escore corporal das mães (12,3%), sexo do cordeiro (19,2%) e peso vivo das mães (26,5%), totalizando r 2 de 63%. Segundo predições do modelo ajustado para cenários simulados, cordeiros mais leves foram oriundos de ovelhas com peso entre 40 a 50 kg, escore 4 a 5 e que não receberam GB em níveis intermediários. Cordeiros mais pesados, com PN superior a 5,5, provinham de ovelhas pesadas, entre 80 e 90 kg com escore baixo e que receberam níveis de 1,5 e 3% de GB. A suplementação com GB entre 2% e 4% melhora o peso ao nascer dos cordeiros. As medidas corporais dos cordeiros não são influenciadas pela suplementação com GB na dieta das mães. Palavras-chave: Biometria. Glicerol. Ovinos. Subprodutos.

The objective of this study was to identify by microhistological technique the reference chemical components for use as indicators of the nutritive value of Caatinga plants forage grazed by sheep throughout the year. A flock of twenty mixed-race meat ewes, multiparous, in production, with an average 34.84 ± 1.75 kg live weight and 36 months of age was assigned to supplement treatment of 0, 200, 350, and 500 g concentrate/head/day for 3 years. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete design with repeated measures over time. Supplementation with concentrate did not influence chemical composition of selected forage. In contrast, season heavily influenced diet chemical composition. Canopy stratum, season, and plant botanical family of selected species affected forage chemical composition selected by ewes. The ewes selected forage with greater nutritive value during the rainy season. Based on principal component analysis of the nutritive value of the primary forage species selected, ewes preferentially grazed plants contained greater neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein (CP), C fraction of nitrogenous compounds, and carbohydrate fractions A + B1 and C compared to the average native Caatinga herbage. Rangeland botanical composition and ewe diet varied during the year, affecting forage nutrients on offer, with the best diet selected during the rainy season because of the presence of dicotyledonous herbaceous species rich in CP as well as soluble carbohydrates and nitrogenous compounds. Concentrate supplement strategies for ewes on rangelands, such as Caatinga, should be determined by herbaceous species nutritive value during the rainy season and deep-rooted perennial dicotyledons during the dry season. These include the need to monitor ewe selection of forage species and their nutritive value, which is effectively accomplished with fecal microhistological techniques.

Context Interest in sheep production has grown considerably, mainly in the meat market segment in large urban centres. This growth is due to improved efficiencyand quality products, which makes the segment attractive for production. Aims Our objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary nutrient restrictions on the feed efficiency and productivity of Santa Inês ewe lambs. Methods Twenty Santa Inês ewe lambs were weaned at an average weight of 15.09 ± 2.63 kg and were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design to nutritional plans for carcass finishing (early and late maturity) and levels of nutrient restriction (0% and 15% reduction of both crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) relative to requirements) with five replications per treatment. The trial was divided into two phases: lambs aged 4–8 months (<8 months) and lambs >8 months old. Key results There were no differences (P > 0.05) between diets for average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency and residual feed intake. Ratios of ADG:DMI (% of liveweight (LW) and LW0.75) were affected (P ≤ 0.05) by restriction in ewe lambs >8 months old. Restriction model tests (ω1, ω2, ω3 and ω4) did not differ (P > 0.05) from complete models for diets formulated for early maturity; therefore, a single standard growth curve fitted this nutritional plan. On the other hand, the restriction model responses for diets formulated to late maturity differed (P ≤ 0.05) from the complete model, generating different standard growth curves according to the applied restriction. Feeding Santa Inês ewe lambs a restricted diet (by 15% CP and TDN) in an early-maturity nutritional plan will allow lambs to reach slaughter LW earlier than those fed unrestricted diets. Conclusions and implications When the objective is to terminate animals at a later age (>8 months), unrestricted diet formulated to a late-maturity nutritional plan will produce higher LW and subsequent reproductive efficiency. By contrast, reducing CP and TDN by 15% for ewe lambs >8 months of age may reduce growth rates at an initial phase.