Water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods

The objective of this study was to evaluate water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods. The experimental design adopted was a the completely randomized, in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, with three cactus pear genotypes and five storage periods, and ten replications. The cactus pear genotypes [Doce, Baiana and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM)] were harvested after 2 years of cultivation under rainfed conditions, and stored in a ventilated shed (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The genotype Baiana showed greater water reduction in the stored cladodes when compared to the other genotypes. All cactus pear genotypes showed reduction in crude protein and carbohydrates in the storage period of 60 days. There were no losses of nutrients, dry matter and ether extract during the storage periods for the genotype Doce. There was increase in the fiber content of the cladodes of all stored genotypes. During the storage period of the cladodes of all genotypes, there was reduction in the contents of Ca, Mg and Cu. The cactus pear genotypes Doce and OEM can be stored for up to 60 days after harvest. Highlights: • Cactus is also considered a strategic forage reserve and, in this case, the frequency of cutting can vary according to the producer's needs and weather conditions.• Post-harvest storage can be an alternative to reduce costs, as well as transporting the material.• The variety Doce Baiana showed greater water loss in relation to the other varieties.The objective of this study was to evaluate water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods. The experimental design adopted was a the completely randomized, in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, with three cactus pear genotypes and five storage periods, and ten replications. The cactus pear genotypes [Doce, Baiana and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM)] were harvested after 2 years of cultivation under rainfed conditions, and stored in a ventilated shed (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The genotype Baiana showed greater water reduction in the stored cladodes when compared to the other genotypes. All cactus pear genotypes showed reduction in crude protein and carbohydrates in the storage period of 60 days. There were no losses of nutrients, dry matter and ether extract during the storage periods for the genotype Doce. There was increase in the fiber content of the cladodes of all stored genotypes. During the storage period of the cladodes of all genotypes, there was reduction in the contents of Ca, Mg and Cu. The cactus pear genotypes Doce and OEM can be stored for up to 60 days after harvest. Highlights: • Cactus is also considered a strategic forage reserve and, in this case, the frequency of cutting can vary according to the producer's needs and weather conditions.• Post-harvest storage can be an alternative to reduce costs, as well as transporting the material.• The variety Doce Baiana showed greater water loss in relation to the other varieties

Quality of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) haylage in relation to plant dry matter content

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) haylage with varying contents of dry matter (DM) and stored for 90 days. The quality of this grass was evaluated through the lens of a variety of physiochemical properties (e.g., chemical composition, aerobic stability, pH, microbial profile, etc.). A completely randomized design was used with four treatments (in natura, 400, 500, and 600 g kg-1 DM) and five replicates. Treatment with 600 g kg-1 DM yielded the highest DM haylage (p < 0.01) and soluble carbohydrate content (p < 0.01). Treatment in natura resulted in the highest O2concentration inside the bales (p < 0.01), whereas treatments with 500 and 600 g kg-1 DM resulted in the highest CO2 values. The highest acetic acid concentrations of 36.4 ± 1.6, 38.2±1.6, and 48.9 ± 1.6 g kg-1 DM (p < 0.01) were observed post the in natura, 500 g kg-1 DM, and 600 g kg-1 DM treatments, respectively. Treatment with 600 g kg-1 DM yielded the highest pH value at hour zero (p < 0.01). Tanzania grass with 500 and 600 g kg-1 DM produced the highest quality haylage. Highlights: Haylage can be defined as stored pre-dried forage with a dry matter (DM) content of approximately 400 to 800 g/kg. Aerobic stability was affected by the interaction between the different plant DM contents and hours of exposure of the Tanzania grass haylage to air after opening the bales. Haylage surface temperature has a linear relationship with the length of time the materials are exposed to air. Higher plant DM yields Tanzania grass haylage of high quality. Tanzania grass with 500 and 600 g kg-1 DM for haylage production is indicated.This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) haylage with varying contents of dry matter (DM) and stored for 90 days. The quality of this grass was evaluated through the lens of a variety of physiochemical properties (e.g., chemical composition, aerobic stability, pH, microbial profile, etc.). A completely randomized design was used with four treatments (in natura, 400, 500, and 600 g kg-1 DM) and five replicates. Treatment with 600 g kg-1 DM yielded the highest DM haylage (p < 0.01) and soluble carbohydrate content (p < 0.01). Treatment in natura resulted in the highest O2concentration inside the bales (p < 0.01), whereas treatments with 500 and 600 g kg-1 DM resulted in the highest CO2 values. The highest acetic acid concentrations of 36.4 ± 1.6, 38.2±1.6, and 48.9 ± 1.6 g kg-1 DM (p < 0.01) were observed post the in natura, 500 g kg-1 DM, and 600 g kg-1 DM treatments, respectively. Treatment with 600 g kg-1 DM yielded the highest pH value at hour zero (p < 0.01). Tanzania grass with 500 and 600 g kg-1 DM produced the highest quality haylage. Highlights: Haylage can be defined as stored pre-dried forage with a dry matter (DM) content of approximately 400 to 800 g/kg. Aerobic stability was affected by the interaction between the different plant DM contents and hours of exposure of the Tanzania grass haylage to air after opening the bales. Haylage surface temperature has a linear relationship with the length of time the materials are exposed to air. Higher plant DM yields Tanzania grass haylage of high quality. Tanzania grass with 500 and 600 g kg-1 DM for haylage production is indicated

Crescimento e produção do capim massai sob déficit hídrico / Growth and production of grass massai under water deficit

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes turnos de rega sobre as características de crescimento e produção do capim massai. A pesquisa foi realizada em casa de vegetação da Universidade Federal do Ceará-UFC, Campus do Pici, Fortaleza, CE. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos constituídos dos intervalos de irrigação de 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 dias, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados: o número de folhas vivas por perfilho (NFV), taxa de alongamento de folhas (TAlF), taxa de alongamento de colmo (TAlH), taxa de aparecimento de folhas (TApF), taxa de senescência foliar (TSF), filocrono, altura, índice de área foliar (IAF), razão folha/colmo (F/C), número de perfilhos vivos (NPV), relação matéria viva/matéria morta (MV/MM), matéria seca (MS), produção de massa verde (PMVF) e seca (PMSF) de forragem e peso seco da raiz (PSR). Observou-se efeito linear (p<0,05) decrescente para o NFV, TAlF, TAlH e para a TApF. Notou-se que a partir do quarto dia sem irrigação o capim massai teve queda na produção de 10,68 g vaso-1 para 2,66 g vaso-1 para os tratamentos de 4 e 10 dias respectivamente, indicando que essa espécie tem sua produção comprometida em curto período de déficit hídrico. Intervalos de irrigação superiores há quatro dias influenciam as características de crescimento e produção do capim massai

Efeitos da utilização de promotor de crescimento acid-pak4-way sobre o desempenho de leitões desmamados

The addition effects of the acid-pak 4-way on the average weight gain (AWG), average feed intake (AFI) and feed/gain ratio (F/G) of weaned pigs 28 days old are provided. Thirty-two piglets (LD x LW) were used, 16 gelded males and 16 females, initial average weight 5.67 kg. A completely randomized design was used, factorial scheme 2x2 (with and without acid-pak 4-way and 2 sexes), with 4 replications and experimental units of 2 animals. Results showed no significant differences among the treatments for the variables under analysis.O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar os efeitos da adição do acid-pak 4 Way sobre o ganho médio de peso (GMP), consumo médio de ração (CMR) e conversão alimentar (CA) de leitões desmamados em média aos 28 dias. Utilizaram-se 32 leitões mestiços (LD x LW) – 16 machos castrados e 16 fêmeas – com peso médio inicial de 5,67 kg. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, fatorial 2x2 (com e sem o acid-pak 4-way e 2 sexos), 4 repetições e parcela experimental constituída por 2 animais. Pelos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para as variáveis estudadas

Intake, digestibility, milk yield and indicators of the metabolic status of native ewes fed supplemented diet under grazing system

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, milk yield and indicators of the metabolic status of native lactating ewes supplemented under grazing system. In the present study 28 lactating ewes were selected: 14 Morada Nova (MN) and 14 Santa Inês (SI), distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement of two breeds, two supplementation levels and two experimental periods. Blood samples were collected from lambing to 70 days of lactation, with 14 days interval. Laboratory analyses consisted in determining serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea and creatinine. Concentrate intake (g/day) during the lactation differed (P0.05) the serum levels of these metabolites. Indicators of the metabolic status were not affected by concentrate supplementation, which was effective for the maintenance of normal serum concentrations. However, these values differ between breeds within the permissible standards, indicating a high adaptation to postpartum

Effects of the buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.) oil supplementation on crossbred lactating goats: behavioral, physiological, and hematological responses

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.) inclusion levels (0, 15, 30, and 45 g kg−1 in dry matter) replacing ground corn on the feeding behavior, as well as physiological and hematological variables of crossbred lactating Anglo Nubian goats. Eight Anglo Nubian goats were used, which were distributed in a double 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design (four periods and four levels of buriti oil) replacing corn in the total dry matter. For the evaluation of feeding behavior, single animals were observed every ten minutes for 24 h on three days. Respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT), and sweating rate (SR) of the animals were evaluated in the morning (09:00 h) and in the afternoon (15:00 h). Blood samples were always taken in the morning, before feeding, by puncturing the jugular vein for the complete blood count and white blood cell count. The levels of buriti oil had no effect on feeding, rumination, idling time, water intake, defecation and urination, DM intake, feed efficiency, and rumination efficiency of DM and NDF, but had effects on NDF intake. Physiological variables (RT, SR, RR, and HR) in both periods of the day were not influenced by the inclusion of buriti oil. However, SR and RR were higher in the afternoon than in the morning. In erythrocyte, results showed that the hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume increased with the inclusion of buriti oil. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and total plasma protein were not affected by the inclusion of buriti in the goat diet. The inclusion of buriti oil is recommended in up to 45 g kg−1 (DM basis) as a replacement for ground corn in diet of lactating goats without affecting the feeding behavior and physiological and hematological variables

Performance and carcass traits of Moxotó growing goats supplemented on native pasture under semiarid conditions

The objective of the present study was to assess the growth performance and carcass traits of Moxotó goat kids fed different levels concentrate (supplement) (SL) on native pasture under semiarid conditions in Brazil. Thirty-two castrated kids (15.7±0.78 kg initial BW) were allocated randomly to one of the four SL (treatment groups: 0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg BW). When the animals of treatment group 15 g/kg BW reached 25 kg BW, the animals in the other treatments groups were also slaughtered. Therefore, the animals belonging to the 0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg of BW were finished with 18.40, 21.04, 22.94 and 25.74 kg of BW, respectively. The concentrate supplementation positively influenced the performance and the carcass traits of animals, providing higher feed intake and thus greater weight gain. The results of cold carcass yields were 405.9, 427.0, 449.1 and 462.9 g/kg of SBW for 0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg BW, respectively. The weight of the different commercial cuts, (neck, ribs, shoulder, loin and leg) increased linearly as the SL increased; however the yields of the carcass cuts were not influenced, except for the shoulder. Overall, the distribution of non-carcass fat increased as SL increased, with the exception of mesenteric fat yield, which was not influenced. The use of concentrate supplementation to Moxotó goats under grazing conditions on native rangelands of the Brazilian semiarid improves the performance of animals and carcass yield, but does not affect the yields of commercial cuts of Moxotó growing goats

Caracterização de propriedades agrícolas para pecuária de corte

This research aimed to identify and to characterize the profile of the exploring agricultural properties of beef cattle production in the micro region of Alto Médio Gurguéia. The small producer characterization based on the scientific knowledge on the local agricultural reality is essential to develop policies for the dissemination of technologies, programs and projects for agricultural development. This way, a semi-structured questionnaire was elaborated using questions about general issues of farm profile and creation system adopted by producers, issues related to producers’ social aspects, livestock zootechnical conditions and technical and marketing conditions of meat production. This questionnaire was applied to 104 producers in the municipality in an eclectic and comprehensive way in order to obtain a sample as representative as possible. The data collection period was between September, 2008 and December, 2009. Themajority of producers keep a typical family farming profile, with emphasis on subsistence activity, low technological level and little knowledge. Turning them less competitive and more susceptible to climatological, management or marketing adversities.Objetivou-se identificar e caracterizar o perfil das propriedades agrícolas exploradoras da pecuáriade corte na microrregião do Alto Médio Gurguéia. A caracterização do pequeno produtor combase no conhecimento científico sobre a realidade agrícola local é fundamental para elaborarpolíticas de difusão de tecnologias, programas e projetos de desenvolvimento agrícola. Para isso,foi elaborado um questionário semiestruturado com perguntas referentes a questões gerais doperfil da propriedade e do sistema de criação adotado pelos pecuaristas, questões referentesa aspectos sociais dos produtores, condições zootécnicas dos rebanhos e condições técnicas emercadológicas da produção de carne. O mesmo foi aplicado em 104 pecuaristas do municípiode forma eclética e abrangente, a fim de se obter uma amostragem o mais representativa possível.O período de coleta de dados esteve compreendido entre setembro de 2008 e dezembro de2009. A grande totalidade dos produtores mantém um perfil típico da agricultura familiar, comênfase na subsistência, pouco avanço tecnológico e pouca especialização. Tornando-os menoscompetitivos e mais susceptíveis às adversidades, sejam de natureza física, climatológica, gerencialou mercadológica

HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF SANTA INÊS EWES SUPPLEMENTED ON PASTURE AT THE LAST THIRD OF PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of concentrate supplementation level on hematological profile of Santa Ines ewes, at the last third of pregnancy and postpartum, and of their lambs. We used eleven ewes at the last 75 days of pregnancy and the first 75 days of lactation and eight lambs born from these ewes, allotted in a completely randomized design and split-plot arrangement in time. Blood samples were collected every fourteen days. Neither the erythrocyte nor the leukocyte profile was affected by the different levels of supplementation (P>0.05) and the blood components evaluated were within the reference range for adult sheep. The animal category affected (P0.05). For the lymphocyte count, the values found in lambs (2858.8 /µL) were similar to those in pregnant ewes (2,982.0/µL); lactating ewes (4119.8/µL) showed the highest values. Concentrate supplementation (0.5% BW) at pre and postpartum does not alter the erythrocyte and leukocyte profile of Santa Inês sheep, with the largest differences between the two sheep categories and lambs

Characterization of the exploring agricultural properties of beef cattle production

This research aimed to identify and to characterize the profile of the exploring agricultural properties of beef cattle production in the micro region of Alto Médio Gurguéia. The small producer characterization based on the scientific knowledge on the local agricultural reality is essential to develop policies for the dissemination of technologies, programs and projects for agricultural development. This way, a semi-structured questionnaire was elaborated using questions about general issues of farm profile and creation system adopted by producers, issues related to producers’ social aspects, livestock zootechnical conditions and technical and marketing conditions of meat production. This questionnaire was applied to 104 producers in the municipality in an eclectic and comprehensive way in order to obtain a sample as representative as possible. The data collection period was between September, 2008 and December, 2009. Themajority of producers keep a typical family farming profile, with emphasis on subsistence activity, low technological level and little knowledge. Turning them less competitive and more susceptible to climatological, management or marketing adversities