The objective of this study was to evaluate the carcass and meat traits, and the non-carcass components of crossbred Dorper lambs fed diets with increasing levels of urea (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of dry matter – DM). The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments (urea inclusion levels) and six replicates per treatment. Lambs were fed ad libitum for 56 days and slaughtered at 37.9 ± 5.1 kg of body weight (BW). The weight and yield of carcass before and after cooling were not influenced by urea levels, with average values of 16.9 kg and 44.6% for cold carcass weight and yield. Urea levels did not affect the morphometric measurements, the fat deposition on the carcass, the weight of carcass cuts and the weight of non-carcass components. There was a quadratic effect of urea levels on the loin yield, which may achieve maximum value of 11.31% with the inclusion of 0.84% DM urea in the feed. The pH and the color coordinates L* (brightness), a* (red intensity) and C* (saturation) of the meat also showed quadratic response to the urea levels, where in the minimum value of 5.53 for pH, maximum value of 48.67 for L* and minimum values of 14.04 and 16.21 for a* and C* may be obtained by including 0.53 to 0.70% DM urea in the ration. The inclusion of 0.84% DM urea in the ration is recommended to obtain maximum yield of loin and meat with attractive characteristics to the consumer, which is characterized by high red intensity and brightness. If consumers have preference for lamb meat with a more intense red color, the inclusion of 1.5% DM urea should be considered in the ration formulation.

ResumoO objetivo foi determinar o efeito do sistema de alimentação e do período do ano sobre as medidas corporais e da carcaça de cordeiros abatidos na Cooperativa Cooperaliança (Guarapuava-PR). Cordeiros Ile de France e cruzados (n=253) foram avaliados quando apresentavam, em média, 39,6 kg de peso corporal ao abate, e em três períodos, entre Abril e Setembro de 2010. Foram identificados 4 sistemas alimentares na terminação dos cordeiros: a) ovelhas em pastagem + cordeiros (creep-feeding; n=67) ; b) ovelhas + cordeiros em pastagem e não suplementados (n=47); c) ovelhas e cordeiros em pastagem e suplementados com ração concentrada (n=30); d) sistema irregular de terminação (n=109). Foram realizadas medidas in vivo e por ultrassonografia antes do abate e medidas na carcaça antes e após refrigeração. Cordeiros entregues para o abate entre o final do mês de agosto e a primeira quinzena do mês de setembro apresentaram resultados superiores (p<0,05) quanto ao desenvolvimento muscular, rendimento de carcaça fria e espessura de gordura subcutânea na carcaça, quando comparados aos abatidos nos meses de abril e junho. Concluiu-se que o sistema de alimentação com suplementação das ovelhas e cordeiros não desmamados resultou em melhores características para as medidas corporais e na carcaça, comparado aos demais sistemas. Palavras-chave: Compacidade, condição corporal, estado de engorduramento, ovinos, pH AbstractThe objective was to determine the effect of feeding system and time of the year on the in vivo and carcass characteristics of lambs slaughtered at the Cooperative Cooperaliança (Guarapuava-PR). Ile 1 Projeto de Pesquisa financiado pelo CNPq.

Consumo alimentar residual e sua relação com medidas de desempenho e eficiência e características in vivo da carcaça de cordeiros FCR, DMI and DMI in BW percentual (BWDMI) FCR and ADG; FCR and RGR; and FCR and KR; ABSTRACT The residual feed intake (RFI) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 20 lambs was evaluated in order to estimate the correlations between these traits and performance measures and with in vivo carcass characteristics. The animals had their dry matter intake (DMI) measured over 65 days and they were weighed every 13 days to determine the average daily weight gain (ADG). Initial body weight (IBW), final body weight (FBW), metabolic weight (MW), ADG, relative growth rate (RGR), Kleiber ratio (KR),

IICarcaças e componentes não-carcaça de cordeiros terminados em pasto de azevém recebendo suplementação concentrada

Objetivou-se analisar os custos e a rentabilidade de sistemas de produção de ovinos em pastagem sob três estratégias de suplementação de cordeiros lactentes: (1) creep grazing de trevo branco; (2) creep feeding; e (3) sem suplementação. Utilizaram-se dois métodos de análise financeira: análise anual (de curto prazo) e de fluxo de caixa (de longo prazo). Os custos foram segmentados em variáveis, fixos, operacionais e totais. O fator de produção que exerceu maior influência no custo variável da produção foi a alimentação, e no custo total foi o custo de oportunidade do capital imobilizado. O sistema com creep grazing não apresentou resultados econômico-financeiros superiores aos com creep feeding.

-The influence of early weaning and concentrate supplementation strategies on sward characteristics, forage chemical composition and lamb productivity were evaluated in four production systems on Tifton-85 pasture: suckling lambs not supplemented until slaughter; suckling lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding until slaughter; early-weaned lambs not supplemented until slaughter; and early-weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate until slaughter. Structural, morphological and productive characteristics of pasture were measured. The forage was chemically analyzed to estimate its composition. Lambs average daily gain and productivity were calculated. Sward height, forage and morphological components mass were lower in systems without weaning. Forage production was higher in systems with supplementation. Higher levels of neutral and acid detergent fiber were observed in forage ingested by lambs in creep feeding and by weaned and unsupplemented lambs. Average daily gain was higher for lambs in creep feeding (275 g/d) and lower for the weaned and unsupplemented animals (57 g/d). Productivity was higher for weaned and supplemented lambs (21 kg lamb body weight, BW gain/ha/d). Lower productivity was observed in systems without supplementation (5 kg lamb BW gain/ha/d on average). Ewes modify the sward conditions improving the pasture characteristics and the quality of forage produced. Changes in sward conditions affect the chemical composition of forage ingested by lambs. Early weaning may be an alternative to maximize pasture utilization in small areas. Concentrate supplementation may increase lamb performance and productivity in grazing systems. If the objective is to improve lamb individual performance, creep feeding should be used.

Meat composition is an important aspect on INTRODUÇÃOA produção de carne caminha em direção à diversificação e oferta de produtos de melhor qualidade. Isso se deve ao estreitamento do mercado e ao fato de os consumidores estarem mais conscientes em relação à própria saúde, considerando os aspectos sanitários dos produtos e, especialmente, fatores como a presença de elevado teor de gordura neles. Esses são alguns dos fatores que têm estimulado a indústria da carne e os pesquisadores da ciência a procurarem soluções para diminuir o teor de ácidos graxos saturados e aumentar o de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados.

Electronic identification of animals has become increasingly important worldwide to improve and ensure traceability. In warm and hot climates, such as Brazil, boluses can have advantages over ear tags as the internal devices reduce the risks of ear tag losses, tissue damage, and lesions on the ear. Electronic boluses, however, are often perceived as having negative characteristics, including reported difficulties of administration in small ruminants. This paper describes the factors associated with bolus design that affect the swallowing of a bolus in sheep. Other factors that might influence bolus swallowing time have also been considered. In addition, the effect of bolus design on its performance was evaluated. A total of 56 Suffolk ewes were used to assess the ease of administration and retention of 3 types of electronic ruminal boluses (mini, 11.5 × 58.0 mm and 21.7 g; small, 14.8 × 48.5 mm and 29.5 g; standard, 19.3 × 69.8 mm and 74.4 g) during a whole productive year, including pregnancy and lamb suckling. Ewe age (5.6 ± 2.3 yr) and weight (85.07 ± 8.2 kg BW) were recorded, as well as time for bolus swallowing. The deglutition of the bolus and any resulting blockages in the esophagus were monitored by visual observations. Retention and readability of the boluses were regularly monitored for d 1, wk 1, mo 1, and every mo until 1 yr. Time for bolus swallowing differed substantially with bolus type and was greater (P < 0.05) for the standard bolus (32.8 ± 6.9 s) when compared to small and mini boluses, which did not differ (8.5 ± 2.0 vs. 9.2 ± 2.7 s; P > 0.05). The bolus o.d. and length were positively correlated with swallowing time (P < 0.01). The ewe weight was negatively correlated with swallowing time (P < 0.05). At 6 mo all electronic boluses showed 100% retention rate, and at 12 mo, bolus retention was 100%, 94.5%, and 100% for mini, small, and standard boluses, respectively (P > 0.05). At 12 mo, all boluses showed 100% readability, except for small boluses, which had a readability of 94.5%. In conclusion, bolus design affected swallowing time and bolus readability. A reduction in boluses length and o.d. needs to be carried out to provide ease of administration and for boluses to be used as an effective means of electronic identification. Therefore, this study shows that adequately designed boluses are safe and suitable for identifying adult sheep and can therefore be used in hot climates.