O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da associação de silagens de girassol e sorgo; fenos de leucena, guandu e capim-elefante, com palma forrageira, sobre o consumo, digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e parâmetros ruminais em ovinos sem padrão racial definido, com fístulas no rúmen. Foram utilizados cinco ovinos com peso corporal médio de 30kg (±0,3), distribuídos em quadrado latino 5x5. Os consumos de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, carboidratos totais, carboidratos não-fibrosos, nutrientes digestíveis totais, fibra em detergente neutro (% peso vivo), digestibilidade aparente da proteína bruta e carboidratos não-fibrosos não foram influenciados pela associação dos alimentos. O consumo de extrato etéreo foi superior no tratamento com silagem de girassol em relação à silagem de sorgo e aos fenos. O consumo de fibra em detergente neutro (kg/dia) foi superior para o tratamento com feno de capim-elefante em relação à silagem de girassol e semelhante aos demais tratamentos. A digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca para a silagem de sorgo foi superior quando comparada aos fenos de leucena e capim elefante. Não foi observada diferença significativa para os valores de pH e concentração de amônia ruminal para os tratamentos nos diferentes tempos de coleta. A associação da palma forrageira com silagens e fenos não altera o consumo de matéria seca e energia. Silagens de sorgo e girassol e fenos de leucena, guandu e de capim elefante associados à palma forrageira apresentam-se como uma boa alternativa alimentar para ovinos na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro.

SUMMARY The objectives of this research were to determine the effects increasing levels of concentrate on nutrients digestibility, performance, economic viability of diets and ingestive behavior of lambs. Fifteen crossbred lambs were used in a randomized complete block design according to initial body weight and age. Lambs were penned individually during 55 days, being 10 days for adaptation of diets and 45 days for data collection. The treatments consisted in three isonitrogenous diets with increasing levels of concentrate: 40, 60, or 80%, in dry matter basis. No effect (P>0.05) were observed on dry matter intake, crude protein intake, crude protein digestibility and neutral detergent fiber digestibility, whereas the dry matter digestibility was lower (P<0.01) for lambs fed diets with 40% of concentrate. The addition of 80% concentrate decreased (P<0.05) neutral detergent fiber intake, however this treatment provided higher average daily gain, followed by 60 and 40% of concentrate. In relation to feeding behavior, the animals fed80% concentrate spent more time with feeding (P<0.05) compared to the other treatments. It is concluded that supplementation of concentrate between 60 to 80% improves dry matter digestibility and performance of crossbred lambs without relevant affect dry matter intake and ingestive behavior. A diet with 80% concentrate provides positive gross margin of profit.

ABSTRACT. Nutrition values of silages from different sorghum cultivars are evaluated. Five 26-kg castrated crossbred lambs, housed in pens equipped with feces and urine collectors for the study of their metabolism, were employed in a 5 x 5 Latin square experimental design. Treatments consisted of silage from five different sorghum cultivars: IPA 1011 and IPA 2564 (grain sorghum), IPA 2502 (dual purpose sorghum), IPA FS-25 and IPA 467 (forage sorghum). Protein level was corrected to 12% by adding a mixture of urea: ammonium sulfate (9:1). Treatments IPA 1011, IPA 2564 and IPA 2502 provided high intake of dry matter, total carbohydrate and total digestible nutrients, and low intake of neutral detergent fiber. Cultivars IPA 1011 and IPA 2564 provided high apparent crude protein digestibility coefficient, whereas cultivars IPA 1011 and IPA 2564 had high total digestible nutrient levels. All cultivars provided positive nitrogen. Owing to nutrient intake and digestibility values, grain sorghum silages evidenced high potential in ruminant nutrition.

Twenty crossbred lambs (21.6 ± 3.5 kg BW) were used in a completely randomised design to determine the effects of babassu mesocarp flour (BMF) on performance and ingestive behaviour. The treatments were defined by the increase in concentrations (0, 10, 20 or 30%, in DM basis) of BMF in the diet. When significant treatments effects were found, orthogonal polynomials for treatment responses were determined by linear and quadratic responses (p < .05). To determine the in situ ruminal degradability of the diets used in performance trial, one rumen-fistulated Santa Inês male sheep (63 kg BW) was used in a completely randomised design in a split splot arrangement with three replications (three periods of incubation) in times 3, 6, 24 and 72 h. Data from potential degradability (PD), dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability for diets and the incubation time were compared by t-test (p < .05). Negative quadratic effect was observed upon nutrients intake, except for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake. The average daily gain, body condition score, feeding efficiency of DM and time spent in feeding decreased linearly with BMF addition. The BMF decreased the soluble fraction (a) potentially degradable fraction (b) PD, effective degradability of DM and CP and the NDF degradability. The addition of BMF in diets of sheep had negative effects on performance, feed efficiency of DM and degradability of DM, CP and NDF. However, the BMF can be used in diets, during the conventional grains off-season, at concentration up to 10.5% as alternative feed. HIGHLIGHTS The mesocarp produced from industrialization of the babassu coconut has a great content of fiber and lignin. The great content of fiber associated to decrease in degradation of fiber and potential degradability in DM and CP reduced the performance of lambs. Although the reduction of the performance, BMF can partially replace the corn in diets of lambs in periods that the price of this ingredient is great.

-Alternative sources of protein for lactating cows were evaluated in this study with respect to intake, digestibility, milk yield and milk composition. Eight multiparous Holstein/Gyr cows were simultaneously distributed in two 4 × 4 latin squares. Each experimental period lasted 21 days (14 days for adaptation and seven days to collect data and samples). Three protein sources, cottonseed meal, semi-integral soybean meal and corn steep liquor were evaluated and soybean meal was used as a control. When the corn steep liquor was used, lower intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrients were observed compared with soybean meal. Animals that consumed corn steep liquor had a lower milk yield than those fed soybean meal, and no treatment effect on the milk fat content was detected. Animals that consumed cottonseed meal and corn steep liquor had a lower fat yield than those fed soybean meal. Feeding with semi-integral soybean meal decreased the milk protein percentage compared with soybean meal. Nutrient digestibility was lower for cows fed diets with corn steep liquor, except for crude protein digestibility, which was higher for animals fed cottonseed meal and semiintegral soybean meal compared with those fed soybean meal. Based on the dry matter intake, milk yield and milk components, soybean meal can be replaced with semi-integral soybean meal.

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Context The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a valuable species in part because it is a multipurpose animal; its milk, horns and skin are all useful, and its meat is rich and nutritious. However, water buffalo meat still suffers many marketing restrictions. Aims The present study evaluated performance, ingestive behaviour, carcass characteristics and meat quality. Methods We examined the meat of 24 Murrah water buffaloes that weighed 287.8±1.8 kg and were divided into four groups that received 0, 250, 500 or 750 g/kg dry matter (DM) of a 3:2 blend of spineless cactus–cottonseed (henceforth, referred to as the blend) for 125 days in a completely randomised design. Key results The inclusion of the blend resulted in diets with increased moisture and crude protein intake at 250 g/kg inclusion and reduced intakes of non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients per kilogram DM, which led to an increased DM intake, but significantly lower (P&lt;0.001) final bodyweight, average daily gain, and hot carcass weight, thus resulting in a significantly lower (P&lt; 0.001) growth efficiency. Moreover, there was a reduction in the ammonia-nitrogen concentration and time spent drinking (P≤0.05). The ruminal pH and time spent feeding, chewing and defecating increased (P≤0.05), the fat content and colour parameters of the water buffalo meat increased, and the shear force decreased (P≤0.05) in response to the inclusion of the 3:2 blend of spineless cactus–cottonseed in the diet. The time spent on both rumination and urination, most of the physicochemical properties, and the consumer appeal of the meat, were not affected by the inclusion of the blend (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion The 3:2 blend of spineless cactus–cottonseed is not an effective replacement for corn bran and soybean meal in buffalo diets because, despite improving the rumen pH, the blend reduces the performance and carcass characteristics of the water buffalo. However, the fat content, coloration and softness of the meat improved, which is of commercial importance. Implications The inclusion of the spineless cactus–cottonseed blend in place of the high-concentrate diet did not affect the consumer appeal of the meat. The meat characteristics were scored as ‘like moderately’ (6–7 on a 9-point hedonic scale). On the basis of the scores of the panellists, all of the meats were well accepted.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the replacement of corn with cassava peel in the diets of dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were used. The experimental treatments consisted of four replacement levels of corn with cassava peel (0, 33, 66, and 100 %). The replacement of corn with cassava peel linearly decreased the intake and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, but did not alter the intake of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein. In addition, there was a linear decrease in milk production. The milk components (g/kg) of fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were not altered. Although cassava peel decreased intake, digestibility, and milk production, the replacement of corn with cassava peel may be advantageous in locations close to the starch industry.