Espirulina (Spirulina platensis) na alimentação de ovinos em confinamento

Para avaliar a influência da espirulina (Spirulina platensis) e do sexo sobre o ganho de peso, conversão alimentar, consumo de nutrientes e sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes de ovinos em confinamento, foram utilizados 40 cordeiros, F1 Dorper x Santa Inês (20 machos e 20 fêmeas com peso inicial (PI) médio de 20,75 ± 3,19 kg), distribuídos em blocos ao acaso num fatorial 4 x 2. Foram testados quatro níveis de inclusão de espirulina (0,0; 0,6; 1,2 e 1,8% base na MS) em dietas completas, relação volumoso:concentrado 40:60, balanceada para permitir um ganho de peso médio de 250 g/dia, e dois sexos (machos e fêmeas). Não houve interação entre os níveis de espirulina e o sexo em nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. Não houve influência da espirulina (P>0,05) sobre as variáveis de desempenho e consumo de nutrientes. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes também não foram influenciados pela espirulina (P>0,05), à exceção da digestibilidade aparente do extrato etéreo, que diminuiu com o aumento dos níveis de espirulina. Houve diferença significativa (P0.05) on performance and nutrient intake. The apparent digestibility coefficients also were not influenced by spirulina (P>0.05), except for the apparent digestibility of ether extract, which decreased with increased levels of spirulina. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between both males and females for the final weight (36.68 vs 31.29 kg), total dry matter intake (63.16 vs 55.19 kg), total weight gain (15.18 vs 11.28 kg) and daily weight gain (0.251 vs 0.187 kg). Regarding nutrient intake, there was significant difference (P<0.05) between males and females only for the consumption total digestible nutrients (NDT). The males had higher (P<0.05) apparent digestibility of dry matter (MS), organic matter (MO), crude protein (PB), ether extract (EE), total carbohydrates (CT) and non-fiber carbohydrates (CNF) compared to females. Although Spirulina platensis did not influence the performance, nutrient intake and digestibility of nutrients, it could be used to feed sheep as a protein source. However, more studies should be conducted using large quantities of this algae, in order to obtain more conclusive answers.Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPqCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPE

Carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets containing silage of different genotypes of sorghum

Thirty-five feedlot lambs (without defined breed, aged between 5 and 7 months, with average live weight of 17.7±3.7 kg) were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of diets containing different genotypes of sorghum on morphometric measurements and qualitative characteristics of carcass and yields of primal cuts. The animals stayed in individual indoor pens for 42 days and slaughtered at an average weight of 26.24 kg. No significant differences were observed on morphometric measurements, hot (11.67 kg) and cold (11.39 kg) carcass weight, hot (44.46%) and cold (43.37%) carcass yields, biological yield and on cooling losses. There was also no significant effect of silages of different genotypes of sorghum on the weights and yields of retail cuts (neck, shoulder, rib, loin and leg) and on the subjective evaluation of carcasses. It is possible to finish sheep without defined breed feeding them diets based on silages of sorghum, resulting in carcasses with high yield and good conformation

Carcass characteristics of lambs fed spineless cactus as a replacement for sugarcane

Objective Fresh sugarcane has been a new roughage source for ruminant’s in semiarid regions, a function of the decline of sugar and alcohol industry in recent years. However, there is little data published regarding lambs fed sugarcane associated with spineless cactus. This study evaluated the effect of sugarcane replacement with spineless cactus (0%, 33%, 66%, and 100%) in the diet of Santa Inês lambs on carcass characteristics. Methods Thirty-six non-castrated Santa Ines lambs at four months of age and an initial body weight of 22±2.3 kg were assigned in a randomized block design and slaughtered after 70 days of confinement. The effects of spineless cactus as a replacement for sugarcane in the diet of the lambs on the carcass characteristics, commercial cut weight and yield, leg tissue composition, and carcass measurements were studied. Results The study revealed quadratic behavior in slaughter body weight, and hot and cold carcass weight, with maximum values of 38.60, 18.60, and 18.11 kg and replacement levels of 40.18%, 44.42%, and 43.14%, respectively. The cold carcass yield presented an increasing linear behavior. The compactness index of carcass and leg presented a quadratic effect, with estimated maximal values of 0.28 and 0.57 kg/cm and replacement levels of 43.37% and 45.5%, respectively. The weights of commercial cuts of leg, loin, shoulder, and breast showed quadratic behavior, with maximum values of 2.79, 0.852, 1.46, and 1.30 kg and replacement levels of 49.5, 45.32, 39.0, and 40.7, respectively. For tissue composition, quadratic behavior was verified for leg weight, subcutaneous fat, and total fat. Conclusion The replacement of sugarcane by spineless cactus at level 44% is recommended for finishing lambs considering that this level improved most of the carcass characteristics, weights, and yields of commercial cuts and leg tissue composition