Partial replacement of soybean meal by urea or starea for lactating dairy goats

Trinta e três cabras leiteiras foram utilizadas para avaliar o efeito da substituição parcial do farelo de soja por ureia ou amireia (ureia + milho extrusado) sobre a produção e composição do leite e a concentração plasmática de glicose, nitrogênio ureico e ácidos graxos não-esterificados. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados, com três dietas experimentais e onze repetições. As dietas experimentais, todas isonitrogenadas, foram compostas de 40% de silagem de milho e 60% de concentrado e diferiram apenas quanto às fontes nitrogenadas (farelo de soja, farelo de soja + 2,8% de amireia ou farelo de soja + 1,5% de ureia). As fontes nitrogenadas utilizadas nas dietas não influenciaram o consumo de matéria seca, a produção de leite, a produção de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura, nem os teores de gordura e proteína no leite. A concentração de glicose e ácidos graxos não-esterificados no plasma não foi alterada pela fonte de nitrogênio. Entretanto, a concentração de nitrogênio ureico plasmático na colheita após a quarta semana experimental foi menor nos animais que receberam o farelo de soja. A concentração plasmática de glicose, nitrogênio ureico e ácidos graxos não-esterificados foi semelhante entre as fontes de nitrogênio não-proteico, independentemente da forma utilizada. O uso da ureia na forma extrusada (amireia) não apresenta vantagem em relação à ureia utilizada na forma convencional.Thirty-three dairy goats were used to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soybean meal by urea or starea (urea + extruded corn) on milk production and composition and plasma glucose, urea nitrogen and nonesterified fatty acids concentrations. The animals were distributed in a randomized complete block design, with three experimental diets and eleven replicates. All the experimental diets were isonitrogenous, composed by 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate, with different nitrogenous sources (soybean meal, soybean meal + 2.8% starea or soybean meal + 1.5% urea). The nitrogenous sources used in the diets did not influence dry matter intake, milk production, milk production corrected for 3.5% fat-corrected milk, neither milk fat and protein contents. Plasma glucose and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were not modified by nitrogen sources. However, plasma urea nitrogen concentration in the harvest after the fourth experimental week was lower for animals fed soybean meal diet. Plasma concentration of glucose, urea nitrogen and non-esterified fatty acids were similar among non-protein nitrogen sources, regardless to the way it was used. Urea used in the extruded form (starea) has no advantage compared to the urea used in the conventional form

Citrus pulp in diets for feedlot lambs: carcass characteristics and meat quality

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do fornecimento de polpa cítrica na dieta sobre as características de carcaça e a qualidade da carne de cordeiros em confinamento. Utilizaram-se 32 cordeiros Santa Inês distribuídos em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e oito repetições, os quais foram definidos pelo peso e pela idade dos animais no início do experimento de desempenho. Os animais foram alimentados com rações contendo 90% de concentrado (milho moído e/ou polpa cítrica, farelo de soja e minerais) e 10% de feno de coastcross (Cynodon spp). A polpa cítrica foi adicionada nos níveis 23,7; 46,1 e 68,4% da MS em substituição a 33, 67 e 100% do milho. Ao atingirem 33 kg de peso corporal médio, os cordeiros foram abatidos para avaliação dos rendimentos de carcaça quente e fria, da perda por resfriamento, da espessura de gordura de cobertura, da área de olho-de-lombo, dos rendimentos de cortes e da proporção músculo:gordura:osso, além da capacidade de retenção de água, da cor, da perda de peso por cozimento e do pH da carne. As características de carcaça não foram alteradas pela substituição parcial ou total do milho por polpa cítrica. Entretanto, a substituição total do milho por polpa cítrica reduziu em 12,4% o teor de gordura na carcaça.The objective of this trial was to determine the effects of feeding diets containing citrus pulp on carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot lambs. Thirty-two Santa Ines lambs were distributed in a complete randomized block design according to body weight and age at the beginning of the performance trial. Lambs were fed diets containing 90% concentrate (corn and/or citrus pulp, soybean meal and minerals) and 10% coastcross hay (Cynodon spp). Citrus pulp was added at levels 23.7, 46.1 and 68.4% in the DM, replacing corn by 33, 67 or 100%. When lambs reached 33 kg of BW, they were slaughtered to determine dressing percentage, cold carcass yield, chilling loss, backfat thickness, loin eye area, cut yields and proportion of muscle, fat and bone. In addition, water holding capacity, color, cooking loss and pH were determined. Carcass characteristics were not altered by feeding citrus pulp to the lambs. However, the total replacement of corn by citrus pulp decreased carcass fat content by 12.4%

Desempenho de cordeiros Santa Inês em dietas com teores variáveis de proteína bruta

A controvérsia sugerida na literatura aponta a necessidade de uma maior averiguação das necessidades protéicas de cordeiros (Ovis aries) em crescimento, terminados em confinamento e alimentados com dietas de alta proporção de concentrado. Este trabalho avaliou a influência de teores de proteína bruta (PB) em dietas com alta proporção de concentrado sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de cordeiros deslanados, confinados por 56 dias. Foram utilizados 48 cordeiros da raça Santa Inês (peso inicial de 18,4 ± 0,4 kg; idade inicial de 86 ± 2 dias), sendo distribuídos 2 animais por baia, em um delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições. As dietas experimentais continham 80% de concentrado e 20% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, com teores de 14, 16, 18 ou 20% PB na matéria seca. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para ganho de peso, os quais foram 228, 220, 230 e 231 g d-1 para as dietas com 14, 16, 18 e 20% PB, respectivamente. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para consumo de matéria seca e conversão alimentar, cujos valores foram 1,03; 1,02; 1,08 e 1,10 kg d-1 e 4,19; 4,28; 4,35 e 4,44 kg MS kg-1 de ganho para as dietas com 14, 16, 18 e 20% PB, respectivamente. A concentração de N uréico plasmático aumentou linearmente para as dietas contendo teores crescentes de PB. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para as características de carcaça.Differences among dietary protein levels suggested in the literature point out to the need for better evaluation of protein requirements of growing lambs, raised in drylot on a high-concentrate diet. This study evaluates the influence of crude protein (CP) levels in high concentrate diets on performance and carcass traits of ram lambs, confined for 56 days. Forty eight (48) Santa Ines lambs (initial body weight 18.4 ± 0.4 kg; 86 ± 2 days old) were fed 4 experimental diets containing 14, 16, 18 or 20% CP, in a completely randomized block design. Diets consisted of 80% concentrate and 20% sugarcane bagasse. There were no differences in average daily gain: values of 228, 220, 230 and 231 g d-1 were obtained for diets containing 14, 16, 18 and 20% CP, respectively. There were no differences in dry matter intake and feed conversion: values were 1.03; 1.02; 1.08 and 1.10 kg d-1; 4.19; 4.28; 4.35 and 4.44 kg DM kg-1 gain for diets with 14, 16, 18 and 20% CP, respectively. Plasma urea nitrogen concentrations increased linearly as diets contained more CP. There were no differences in carcass traits

Effect of cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) Stover dietary inclusion level on total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients in growing rabbits

[EN] Although agro-industrial co-products have low economic value as foods for human consumption, they may have potential value as animal feedstuffs. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of cowpea stover inclusion in rabbits’ diet on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. A total of 180 animals were randomly assigned to 3 treatments (CS0, CS2 or CS4, with no inclusion, 20 or 40 g/kg of cowpea stover, respectively). Animal performance was evaluated between the 53rd and 67th d of age in 48 animals per treatment. The coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and gross energy were measured between 63 to 67 d of age in 12 animals per treatment. Results showed that, in general, CTTAD values were not affected by the inclusion of cowpea stover. Nevertheless, a trend towards a decrease in crude protein digestibility (P=0.0848) was observed when including cowpea stover. This had a negative influence on digestible protein (P=0.0240) and on the ratio between digestible protein and digestible energy (P=0.0231) for diet CS4. Rabbits showed normal figures for growth rate (on av. 46.8 g/d), feed intake (on av. 168.3 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (on av. 3.61). Future studies should assess the possibility of incorporating higher levels of cowpea stover while analysing the economic impact of this inclusion.This work received support by the European Project EUROLEGUME (Seventh Research Framework Programme of the European Union – FP7 research project no. 613781) and by European Investment Funds by FEDER/COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalisation Programme, under Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033/2019. Ederson Andrade is recipient of a predoctoral fellowship from the CAPES Foundation (grant number BEX-13521/13-6).Andrade, EA.; Rodrigues, MAM.; Ribeiro, L.; Mendes, CQ.; Ferreira, LMM.; Pinheiro, V. (2019). Effect of cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) Stover dietary inclusion level on total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients in growing rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 27(1):15-20. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.10450SWORD1520271Anele U.Y., Sudekum K.H., Arigbe O.M., Luttgenau H., Oni A.O., Bolaji O.J., Galyean M.L. 2012. Chemical composition, rumen degradability and crude protein fractionation of some commercial and improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) haulm varieties. Grass Forage Sci., 67: 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2494.2011.00835.xAnele U.Y., Sudekum K.H., Hummel J., Arigbede O.M., Oni A.O., Olanite J.A., Bottger C., OJO V.O., Jolaosho A.O. 2011. Chemical characterization, in vitro dry matter and ruminal crude protein degradability and microbial protein synthesis of some cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) haulm varieties. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 163: 161-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.11.005AOAC International. 1990 Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 15th ed. AOAC, Arlington, VA, USA.Bennegadi N., Fonty G., Millet L., Gidenne T., Licois D. 2003. Effects of age and dietary fibre level on caecal microbial communities of conventional and specific pathogenfree rabbits. Microb. Ecol. Health Dis., 15: 23-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/08910600310015574Bruno-Soares A.M., Abreu J., Guedes C.V.M., Dias-da-Silva A.A. 2000. Chemical composition, DM and NDF degradation kinetics in rumen of seven legume straws. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 83: 75-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8401(99)00113-3Catt S.C., Paull J.G. 2017. Effects of ambient temperature and photoperiod on flowering time in faba bean. Crop Pasture Sci., 68: 893-901. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP17187De Blas J.C., Mateos G.G. 2010. Feed formulation. In: Nutrition of Rabbit 2nd ed., De Blas, J. C., Wiseman, J. (ed.). CABI, Wallingford, UK, 222-232. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0222De Blas, J.C., Ferrer P., Rodríguez C.A., Cerisuelo A., García-Rebollar P., Calvet S., Farias C. 2018. Nutritive value of citrus co-products in rabbit feeding. World Rabbit Sci., 26: 7-14. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.7699Foster J.L., Adesogan A.T., Carter J.N., Blount A.R., Myer R.O., Phatak S.C. 2009. Intake, digestibility, and nitrogen retention by sheep supplemented with warm-season legume hays or soybean meal. J. Anim. Sci., 87: 2891-2898. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2008-1637García J., Carabaño R., Pérez-Alba L., de Blas J.C. 2000. Effect of fiber source on cecal fermentation and nitrogen recycled through cecotrophy in rabbits. J. Animal Sci., 78: 638-646. https://doi.org/10.2527/2000.783638xGidenne T. 2003. Fibres in rabbit feeding for digestive troubles prevention: respective role of low-digested and digestible fibre. Livest. Sci., 81: 105-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(02)00301-9Gidenne T., Garreau H., Drouilhet L., Aubert C., Maertens L. 2017. Improving feed efficiency in rabbit production, a review on nutritional, technico-economical, genetic and environmental aspects. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 225: 109-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.01.016Goering HK., Van Soest PJ. 1970. Forage Fiber Analyses (Agricultural Handbook No 379). ARS-USDA,Washington, DC (1970).Gonçalves A., Goufo P., Barros A., Domínguez-Perles R., Trindade H., Rosa E.A., Ferreira L., Rodrigues M. 2016. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) a renewed multipurpose crop for a more sustainable agri-food system. Nutritional advantages and constraints. J. Sci. Food Agric., 96: 2941-2951. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7644Gray S.B., Brady S.M. 2016. Plant developmental responses to climate change. Dev. Biol., 419: 64-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.07.023Lima P.J.D.O., Watanabe P.H., Cândido R.C., Ferreira A.C.S., Vieira A.V., Rodrigues B.B.V., Nascimento G.A.J., Freitas E.R. 2017. Dried brewers grains in growing rabbits: nutritional value and effects on performance. World Rabbit Sci., 25: 251-260. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2017.6813López S., Davies D.R., Giráldez F.J., Dhanoa M.S., Dijkstra J., France J. 2005. Assessment of nutritive value of cereal and legume straws based on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility. J. Sci. Food Agric., 85:1550-1557. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2136Martínez J., Fernández, J. 1980. Composition, digestibility, nutritive value and relations among them of several feeds for rabbits. In Proc.: 2nd World Rabbit Congress, 14-18 April,1980. Barcelona, Spain, 2: 214-223.Martínez-Paredes E., Martínez-Vallespín B., Ródenas L., Pascual J.J., Blas, E., Cervera C. 2009. Mortalidad de gazapos de cebo en función de la alimentación y de la edad al destete. In Proc.: XXXIV Symposium de Cunicultura ASESCU, Sevilla, Spain. 1: 113-137.Nicodemus N. García J, Carabaño R, De Blas J.C. 2007. Effect of substitution of a soybean hull and grape seed meal mixture for traditional fiber sources on digestion and performance of growing rabbits and lactating does. J. Anim. Sci., 85: 181-187. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2005-365Pérez J.M., Lebas F., Gidenne T., Maertens L., Xiccato G., Parigi-Bini R., Dalle Zotte A., Cossu M.E., Carazzolo A., Villamide M. J., Carabaño R., Fraga M.J., Ramos M.A., Cervera C., Blas E., Fernández J., Falcão-e-Cunha L., Bengala Freire J. 1995. European reference method for in vivo determination of diet digestibility in rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 3: 41-43.https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.1995.239Ribeiro L., Pinheiro V., Outor-Monteiro D., Mourão J., Bezerra R.M.F., Dias A.A., Bennett R.N., Marque G., Rodrigues M.A.M. 2012. Effects of the dietary incorporation of untreated and white-rot fungi (Ganoderma resinaceum Boud) pre-treated olive leaves on growing rabbits. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 173: 244-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2012.01.014Robertson J.B., Van Soest P.J. 1981. The detergent system of analysis. In: James W.P.T., Theander O. (ed.). The analysis of dietary fibre in food. Marcel Dekker, NY, 123-158.Samireddypalle A., Boukar O., Grings E., Fatokun C.A., Kodukula P., Devulapalli R., Okike I., Blummel M. 2017. Cowpea and groundnut haulms fodder trading and its lessons for multidimensional cowpea improvement for mixed crop livestock systems in West Africa. Front. Plant Sci., 8: 1-30. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00030Statistical Analysis System. 2009. SAS/STAT User's Guide 9.2, 2 ed. Inst. Inc. Cary NC, USA.Uhlířová L., Volek Z., Marounek M. 2018. White lupin bran and its effects on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and digestibility of nutrients in fattening rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 26: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.8781Van Soest P.J., Robertson J., Lewis B.A. 1991. Methods for Dietary Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, and Nonstarch Polysaccharides in Relation to Animal Nutrition. J. Dairy Sci., 74: 3583-3597 https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(91)78551-2Villamide M.J., Maertens L., de Blas J. 2010. Feed evaluation. In: Nutrition of Rabbit 2nd ed., De Blas, C., Wiseman, J. (ed). Nutrition of the rabbit, CABI, Wallingford, UK, 151-162. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0151Villamide M.J., Fraga M.J. 1998. Prediction of the digestible crude protein and protein digestibility of feed ingredients for rabbits from chemical analysis. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 70: 211-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8401(97)00079-5Xiccato G., Trocino A. 2010. Energy and protein metabolism and requirements. In: Nutrition of Rabbit 2n ed., De Blas J. C., Wiseman J. (ed), Nutrition of the rabbit, CABI, Wallingford, UK, 83-118. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.008

Diet digestibility, ruminal parameters and performance of Santa Ines sheep fed dried citrus pulp and wet brewer grain

Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da substituição do milho por polpa cítrica peletizada e resíduo úmido de cervejaria sobre a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta, os parâmetros ruminais e o desempenho de ovinos. As dietas foram definidas pela substituição do milho (controle) pela polpa cítrica peletizada ou pela mistura de resíduo úmido de cervejaria e polpa cítrica. No experimento 1, para avaliação do consumo, da digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e dos parâmetros ruminais, foram utilizados 12 machos da raça Santa Inês canulados no rúmen, distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualisados, com três dietas e quatro repetições. No experimento 2, para avaliação do desempenho, foram confinadas 48 fêmeas, que foram alimentadas com as mesmas dietas do experimento 1. A substituição do milho pela polpa cítrica peletizada não influenciou o consumo nem a digestibilidade dos nutrientes da dieta, diferente da inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria, que reduziu o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, com exceção apenas da FDN, cuja digestibilidade aparente foi similar entre as dietas. A inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria na dieta reduziu as concentrações ruminais de acetato e propionato e aumentou a relação acetato/propionato e o pH ruminal. Em geral, não há diferença entre a dieta contendo milho e aquela contendo polpa cítrica em substituição total ao milho. A utilização de resíduo úmido de cervejaria, no entanto, reduz o ganho médio diário, o peso corporal final e a eficiência alimentar.Two experiments were carried out with the objective to determine the effect of replacing corn by dried citrus pulp and wet brewer grain on apparent digestibility of nutrients of the diet, ruminal parameters and performance of sheep. The diets were defined by the replacement of corn (control) by dried citrus pulp or by a mixture of wet brewer grain and citrus pulp. In experiment 1, for evaluation of intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients and ruminal parameters, 12 Santa Ines ram lambs fitted with canulas in the rumen were assigned to a randomized complete block design with three diets and four replicates. In experiment two, for performance evaluation, 48 ewe lambs were confined and fed the same diets of experiment 1. Replacement of corn by dried citrus pulp did not affect intake or digestibility of nutrients in the diet. However, the inclusion of wet brewer grain reduced intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients, with exception of NDF. Apparent digestibility of NDF was similar among diets. Inclusion of wet brewer grain in the diet decreased ruminal concentration of acetate and propionate and increased acetate/propionate ratio and ruminal pH. In general, there is no difference between the diet containing corn and that containing citrus pulp in total replacement to corn. The use of wet brewer grain, however, reduces average daily gain, final body weight and feed efficiency

Digestibilidade aparente de dietas com combinações de casca de soja e feno de "coastcross" (Cynodon sp.) oferecidas para cordeiros

A casca de soja (CS) é uma fonte de fibra alternativa que visa manter o teor de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e aumentar a concentração energética da dieta de ruminantes. O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar os efeitos da substituição da FDN de feno de "coastcross" (Cynodon sp.) pela FDN da CS sobre a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e balanço de nitrogênio em cordeiros Santa Inês. Vinte e quatro animais (42,5 ± 3,6 kg de peso vivo e seis meses de idade) foram colocados em gaiolas para ensaio de digestibilidade e arranjados em delineamento blocos completos casualizados definidos pelo peso vivo (PV). As dietas isonitrogenadas (15% de proteína bruta) continham concentrações semelhantes de FDN (52%). O tratamento controle foi composto de 70% de feno na matéria seca (MS) da dieta, sendo a FDN proveniente do feno substituída em 33%, 67% e 100% pela FDN proveniente da CS, correspondendo a 0, 25, 52 e 77% de CS na MS da dieta de cada tratamento, respectivamente. Houve aumento linear (p ; 0,05) da inclusão de CS sobre o consumo de água. A CS pode substituir forragem e ser incluída em até 77% na MS da dieta de cordeiros, apresentando valores satisfatórios de digestibilidade dos nutrientes.Soybean hulls (SH) are an alternative fiber source that may be used to maintain neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration while increasing the energy concentration of ruminant diets. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of replacing coastcross (Cynodon sp.) hay NDF by SH NDF on the apparent digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen balance of Santa Inês ram lambs. Twenty-four animals (42.5 ± 3.6 kg of body weight and six months old) were placed in metabolism crates and assigned in a randomized complete block design defined by body weight (BW). Experimental diets provided a similar concentration of NDF (52%) and crude protein (15%). Hay NDF from a 70% roughage-based diet was replaced with SH NDF by 33%, 67%, and 100%, resulting in 0, 25, 52, and 77% of SH in the dietary dry matter (DM), respectively. There was a linear increase (p ; 0.05) on water intake when SH replaced hay. The SH can replace forage and may be included up to 77% in the dietary DM of ram lambs with satisfactory values of nutrient digestibilities

Characteristics of the starch of corn grain processed by reconstitution and grinding for use in ruminant feed

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a reconstituição da umidade associada à moagem grosseira do grão de milho sobre as características macroscópicas e microscópicas dos grãos. O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório de Nutrição animal do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Foram utilizadas as seguintes combinações de processamento do milho: milho com reconstituição da umidade depois da moagem a 5 mm (MRD); milho com reconstituição da umidade antes da moagem a 5 mm (MRA) e milho moído a 1 mm (MMF). Foram realizados os ensaios de avaliação da atividade da enzima α-amilase sobre o amido dos grãos, microscopia eletrônica de varredura para os grãos de milho processados e avaliação da granulometria. O MRA apresentou maior número de partículas com tamanho acima de 1,19mm devido ao fato de a reconstituição ocorrer antes do processo de moagem, o que favorece a liberação da maior parte do pericarpo aderido ao grão de milho. Microscopicamente, os grânulos de amido não apresentaram variações na estrutura básica padrão sendo que algumas alterações observadas nas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura foram devidas à preparação das amostras para visualização. A taxa de liberação de amido pela a ação da enzima α-amilase (Novozymes, Termamyl 2x) seguiu mesmo padrão para os três tipos de processamento.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of moisture reconstitution associated with coarse milling of corn grain on macroscopic and microscopic grain characteristics. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Viçosa. The following corn processing combinations were tested: corn reconstituted after being milled to 5 mm (CRA); corn reconstituted before being milled to 5 mm (CRB); and corn milled to 1 mm (CGF). Evaluation assays of α-amylase enzyme activity on the grain's starch, scanning electron microscopy for processed kernels, and particle-ize analysis were undertaken. The highest number of particles larger than 1.19 mm was found in CRB, because reconstitution occurred prior to the milling process, which facilitates the release of the largest part of the pericarp adherent to the corn grain. Microscopically, the starch granules did not display variations in their basic standard structure, and some alterations observed in the scanning electron microscopy images were due to the preparation of samples for visualization. There was no effect of grain processing on the rates of starch released by the action of the α-amylase enzyme (Novozymes, Termamyl 2x)

Lamb performance and estimation of starch digestibility of diets with different protein sources

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de fontes protéicas sobre desempenho, características da carcaça e da carne de cordeiros confinados, e estimar a digestibilidade do amido de rações com alta proporção de grãos. Foram distribuídos 28 cordeiros Santa Inês, em blocos completos ao acaso, de acordo com o peso vivo e a idade, no início do experimento. As fontes protéicas foram os farelos de: soja, amendoim, canola e algodão, em dietas isonitrogenadas com 90% de concentrado e 10% de volumoso (feno de coast-cross). Na determinação da digestibilidade, foram utilizados quatro borregos em delineamento experimental em quadrado latino 4x4, e a digestibilidade do amido foi estimada a partir do teor de amido fecal. Não houve diferenças (p>0,05) quanto ao consumo de matéria seca, ganho de peso vivo médio, conversão alimentar, características da carcaça e da carne, entre as fontes protéicas avaliadas. A digestibilidade do amido apresentou coeficiente de determinação de 93%. Independentemente da fonte protéica utilizada, o teor de amido nas fezes é um indicador eficiente na estimativa da digestibilidade do amido de dietas com alta proporção de concentrado para cordeirosThe objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of protein sources on feedlot lambs performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and to estimate starch digestibility of high grain diets. Twenty eight Santa Inês ram lambs were selected in a complete randomized block design, according to body weight and age in the beginning of the experiment. Protein sources were the following meals: soybean, peanut, canola, and cottonseed in isonitrogenous diets with 90% concentrate and 10% roughage (coast-cross hay). Four ram lambs (48 kg) were used to determine starch digestibility in a 4x4 latin square design, and starch digestibility was estimated by fecal concentration of starch. There were no differences (p>0.05) for dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion, carcass characteristics and meat quality, among the protein sources evaluated. Determination coefficient for starch digestibility was 93%. Fecal starch content is an accurate indicator of the starch digestibility estimation in lambs feeding high grain diets, independently of the protein source use

Effects of antibiotic growth promoters mixed with mineral supplement on growth performance, ingestive behavior, and mineral intake of grazing bulls

The objective was to evaluate the addition of antibiotic growth promoters to free-choice mineral supplement on ingestive behavior, mineral intake, and growth performance of grazing bulls. Sixty Nellore bulls [initial body weight (BW) of 219±17.8 kg and 15±2 months of age] were divided in 12 marandu grass paddocks. The treatments were: mineral supplement (control), mineral supplement + virginiamycin (VIRG), mineral supplement + lasalocid sodium (LASA) and mineral supplement + salinomycin sodium (SALI). Mineral supplements were formulated with target intake of 60 g d−1 and the growth promoters of 75 mg 100 kg−1 of BW. The experimental design was the completely randomized blocks. There was no treatment effect on ingestive behavior or mineral intake; however, the active ingredient intake differed between treatments. In the last experimental period, the intake of active ingredient LASA and SALI were higher than VIRG (0.66, 0.54, and 0.39 mg kg−1 of BW, respectively). Treatments also did not affect BW and average daily gain, which were 0.63, 0.60, 0.64, and 0.62 kg d−1 for control, VIRG, LASA, and SALI, respectively. Free-choice mineral supplementation intake by bulls has a high variability, and this impairs the regulation of the intake of antibiotic growth promoter additives. Therefore, the addition of antibiotic growth promoters to the mineral supplement does not affect ingestive behavior, mineral intake, and growth performance of grazing bulls