Characteristics of forage and feeding behavior of Nellore heifers fed hydrolyzed sugarcane

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical characteristics of the forage and ingestive behavior of Nellore heifers fed hydrolyzed sugarcane in different periods of storage. Twenty-four heifers with initial body weight of 119.6±8.1 kg were utilized. The experimental design was completely randomized, in which the treatments were diets with fresh sugarcane and hydrolyzed sugarcane (5 g of lime kg -1 of chopped sugarcane) stored for 24, 48 or 72 hours as the only roughage. The addition of lime to sugarcane associated with its storage up to 72 hours provided an increase of 20% of the potentially degradable cell wall of carbohydrates, from 382.4 to 458.8 g kg -1 of total carbohydrates. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter was altered by the storage of hydrolyzed sugarcane, increasing 7.08% when the storage time was increased from 24 to 72 hours. Heifers fed fresh sugarcane remained more time consuming compared with heifers fed other diets. The time used for water intake was not influenced by the diet. The rumination time presented a quadratic variation in relation to storage time of the hydrolyzed sugarcane, with higher values for the of hydrolyzed sugarcane diets stored for 48 hours. Heifers fed hydrolyzed sugarcane spent more time on other activities than those fed fresh sugarcane. The supply of hydrolyzed sugarcane stored up to 72 hours in the proportion of 600 g kg -1 of dry matter in the diet, alters the intake patterns, reducing the feed intake in Nellore heifers.

Productive performance of dairy cows fed with hydrolyzed sugarcane

“…It is noteworthy, moreover, that the treatment of sugarcane with lime did not cause changes in the palatability or acceptability of the forage, fact supported by the feed intake, result contrary to that obtained by MISSIO et al (2013). However, these results confirm those presented in the literature (CARVALHO et al, 2010;MISSIO et al, 2012) which, in most cases, there was no changes in feed intake by the addition of lime to sugarcane. Nevertheless, MISSIO et al (2013) argue that when the treatment of sugarcane with lime increase the fiber digestibility it is expected higher feed intake in diets with hydrolyzed sugarcane in relation to those with fresh sugarcane.…”

“…The results obtained in this study were similar to those observed by MISSIO et al (2012), who found that the addition of 5g kg -1 of Ca(OH) 2 to sugarcane and stored for 24, 48 or 72 hours did not change CPI, NDFI and TDNI. However, DIAS et al (2011) evaluating amounts of Ca(OH) 2 (0, 8, 16 and 24g kg -1 ) found higher point for CPI and NDFI for 8g kg -1 of lime, due to increased digestibility of dry matter.…”

“…Furthermore, the addition of lime allowed greater flexibility in supply logistics, as it was used with 48 hours of storage, and reduced incidence of bees, corroborating the results obtained by MISSIO et al (2012).…”

“…However, this material has low mineral and protein contents and high indigestible fiber, which limits dry matter intake (MAGALHÃES et al, 2004). Moreover, the fresh sugarcane supply for dairy cows requires the daily cut, undermining the logistics of feeding in the rural properties (MISSIO et al, 2012).…”

“…According to the potential as ruminant feed, as well as limitations of its use, recently the amount of research about sugarcane has been intensified aiming to improve the nutritional characteristics and decrease cut frequency of this material by treating with alkalizing agents (DIAS et al, 2011;MISSIO et al, 2012). The use of limes microprocessor enables increased storage time of sugarcane due to the improvement in aerobic stability of hydrolyzed sugarcane in relation to fresh sugarcane (DOMINGUES et al, 2011) and enable increased digestibility of the fiber fraction of forage (PIRES et al, 2010), which can benefit the production of milk (ALVES et al, 2010).…”