Effects of type of tropical pasture and concentrate supplementation level on the carcass traits of grazing lambs

Abstract

Abstract. The nutritional requirements can be met, and carcass quality can be achieved by using concentrate supplementation in the diets of grazing lambs. This study evaluated the effects of different concentrate supplementation rates (0 %, 1.5 %, and 3 % of body weight) and tropical pastures (Panicum maximum cv. `Aruana' and Brachiaria brizantha cv. `Marandu') on lamb carcass traits. Thirty-six male Suffolk lambs, with an initial body weight of 22.54 ± 2.72 kg, were evaluated in a 3 × 2 factorial experimental design. The concentrate used consisted of milled soybean, maize, and oat grains. The pasture species affected empty body weight and commercial cuts. The use of concentrate supplementation affected carcass weight, yield, indexes, and commercial cuts. Also, the use of concentrate supplementation improved the weight of muscle and fat content. Based on discriminant analysis it is possible to identify the rearing systems, when all variables where used, or the level of concentrate supplementation when variables of weight were used. Carcasses of animals on grass-only diets were different and easier to discriminate. The use of concentrate supplementation on rearing lambs improves the quality of carcass traits. The period of finishing can be shorted with supplementation of 3 % of body weigh in Aruana and Marandu grass. The discriminant analysis can identify the differences between rearing systems based on all carcass traits. This analysis can be used to develop carcass traceability systems.

Effects of Using Different Concentrate Supplementation Levels in Diets of Lambs Fed Tropical Aruana (Megathyrsus maximus) or Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha) Grass: Performance, Digestibility, and Costs of Production

“…The deaths probably occurred due to the lower immunity of the animals from the low-nutrient diet provided by Marandu grass, demonstrating the need to use concentrate supplementation for lambs on pasture with this species of grass. In this sense, according to Vega-Britez et al [44] and Melo et al [45], lambs without supplementation finishing in Brachiaria grass present direct losses; with the death of the lambs, however, supplementation increases performance and reduces mortality, and at high levels, it is efficient in reducing the economic impact of intoxication by Brachiaria grass during finishing.…”

Nutrient Digestibility and Physiological Parameters of Crossbreed Weaner Rabbits Provided Dehydrated Bovine Rumen Digesta

“…The present result is consistent with the proposition that the composition of the rumen content depends on the type of feed the animal was exposed to before slaughter and the length of time the already consumed feed will stay in the rumen before Efrem et al (2016). The variation could also be attributed to the chemical constituents of the type of pasture consumed by the slaughtered animal and species differences (Vega-Britez et al 2020). Fresh rumen content of ruminants fed an adequate diet can be transferred to other specific ruminants to improve their rumen microbes.…”

Chemical-bromatological composition of silages from biomass sorghum genotypes

“…It is a convenient and costeffective solution to feed animals, but the seasonal forage production threatens the animal performance (Claffey et al 2019, Evers et al 2023. For instance, the edaphoclimatic characteristics in tropical countries during the rainy season allow forage production in sufficient quantities and satisfactory quality (Vega Britez et al 2020). However, the reduction in rainfall, temperature and light during e-ISSN 1983-4063 -www.agro.ufg.br/pat -Pesq.…”