Efeito do tamanho de partícula e da altura de colheita de plantas de milho (Zea mays L.) para ensilagem na produção do novilho superprecoce

Abstract

RESUMO -O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do tamanho de partícula (pequena: 0,2 a 0,6 cm ou grande: 1,0 a 2,0 cm) e da altura de corte de plantas de milho para ensilagem (baixa: 15 cm ou alta: 39 cm) sobre o consumo de MS e o desempenho de novilhos em confinamento. Foram avaliados os seguintes tratamentos: silagem de partícula pequena com altura de corte baixo; silagem de partícula grande com altura de corte baixo; silagem de partícula pequena com altura de corte alto; e silagem de partícula grande com altura de corte alto. Não houve interação altura de corte × tamanho de partícula para os consumos diários de MS, o ganho de peso diário, a conversão alimentar e a digestibilidade das dietas experimentais. As variações no tamanho de partícula na colheita de plantas de milho não afetaram as características relacionadas ao consumo de MS, ao ganho de peso diário e à digestibilidade da MS. Animais alimentados com a dieta contendo silagem de corte alto apresentaram melhor conversão alimentar (5,67 vs 6,15 kg de MS/kg de ganho de peso) em comparação aos alimentados com a dieta com silagem de corte baixo, utilizando-se de dieta com relação volumoso:concentrado de 67:33%.A inclusão de silagem de milho colhida à altura de 38,6 cm com partícula pequena na produção do novilho superprecoce determinou maior lucratividade no sistema de produção.Palavras-chave: consumo alimentar, conversão alimentar, ganho de peso Effect of particle size and cutting height of corn (Zea mays l.) during silage processing on young beef cattle production ABSTRACT -The trial aimed to evaluate the effect of particle size (small: from 0.2 to 0.6 cm or large: from 1.0 to 2.0 cm) and cutting height (low cut: 15 cm or high cut: 39 cm) of the corn plant on dry matter intake and performance of steers in a feedlot. The treatments were: T 1 -small particle size with low cutting height; T 2 -large particle size with low cutting height; T 3 -small particle size with high cutting height; and T 4 -large particle size with high cutting height. No significant interaction was observed between cutting height and particle size for dry matter intake, weight gain, feed conversion, and dry matter digestibility. The variation on particle size a plant corn harvest did not affect dry matter intake, weight gain, and dry matter digestibility. Animals fed with the high cut silage during the feedlot presented better feed conversion (5.67 vs 6.15 kg of DM/kg LW) than animals fed with the low cut silage, with the roughage:concentrate ratio of 67:33%. Including corn silage harvest to 38.6 cm height with small particle size for young beef cattle production increased profitability of this production system.

Corn silage with and without enzyme-bacteria inoculants on performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in feedlot finished crossbred bulls

“…Restle et al (2002) failed to report any difference for ADG in 12-month-old feedlot Braford steers fed on corn silage with two cutting heights (16 and 46 cm). Posteriorly, Neumann et al (2007) did not report any difference for ADG (1.5 kg) in feedlot Charolais bulls fed on corn silage with two cutting heights (15 and 39 cm).…”

“…Since the mean feed efficiency was 5.9, these results were similar to those (5.7) obtained by Restle et al (2002) in young steers fed on hybrid corn silage in two cutting heights (20 and 42 cm). However, Neumann et al (2007) reported similar feed efficiency for crossbred bulls fed on corn silage harvested at a height of 15 cm (6.2) and 38 cm (5.7). Efficiency of dry matter (5.9) may be due to the genetic degree of the animals (F1 -½ Nellore vs. ½ Angus), formulated diet (high protein rate -12% and energy -74% TDN), feedlot time (64 days) and animal gender (bulls).…”

“…Restle et al (2002) reported mean DMI rates of 7.31 kg/day and of 2.53% of LW for crossbred bulls fed on corn silage with different cutting heights (50% roughage + 50% concentrates). Similarly, Neumann et al (2007) failed to register influence of cutting height on DMI (kg/day) or on LW percentage in crossbred bulls fed on a 63:37 roughage:concentrate ratio. Mean DMI was 2.4% of LW.…”

Effects ofStreptococcus bovisIsolated from Bovine Rumen on the Fermentation Characteristics and Nutritive Value of Tanzania Grass Silage

“…Neumann et al [24] found that undesirable fermentation modified the composition of silage, resulting in low intake because products such as NH 3 -N and VFA were formed with acetic acid especially negatively affecting the acceptability of silage by animals due to reduced palatability. The acetic acid-producing bacteria act first due to the presence of oxygen but are soon inhibited by the increase in the temperature and acidity of the medium.…”

Nutritional characteristics and in vitro digestibility of silages from different corn cultivars harvested at two cutting heights

“…Wu & Roth (2005) gathered data from 11 studies utilizing corn silage harvested at two cutting heights, and observed that the high cutting height (50 cm) increased the crude protein and net energy levels, and the neutral detergent fiber digestibility, promoting an increase in milk production of dairy cows, per ton of silage produced, when compared to the usual cutting height (17 cm). Neumann et al (2007b), evaluating the performance of confined Charolais steers, fed corn silages produced with different particle sizes and cutting heights, observed that when the plants were cut at 38.6 cm of height, the nutritive value of the silage improved and, consequently, the dry matter digestibility and animal performance also improved, when compared with a cutting height of 15.2 cm.…”