Effect of slow release urea in sheep feed on nitrogen balance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% slow release urea (SRU) in sheep feed on nitrogen balance (intake, fecal and urinary excretion, nitrogen absorbed and retained and/or nitrogen balance). Four sheep with an average body weight (BW) of 30.8 ± 1.7 kg were distributed using a Latin square experimental design. Sheep were allocated in metabolic cages and received two meals a day. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and differences were tested using a regression equation with a 5% probability. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% SRU in sheep diets did not change (p > 0.05) nitrogen intake (NI), with an average value of 20.49 g animal day-1 and 1.57 g (kg0.75)-1. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% SRU in sheep diets did not affect (p > 0.05) fecal nitrogen (FN) in g (kg0.75)-1, with an average value of 0.65 g (kg0.75)-1. However, the inclusion of SRU changed (p 0.05) the NB expressed as g animal day-1 (10.86) and g (kg0.75)-1 (0.82). However, the NB expressed as % NI or in relation to the NI responded in a quadratic manner (p < 0.05) to the inclusion of different levels of SRU in sheep food. The maximum value for NB was 59.68% NI and it was obtained at 0.68% SRU. Thus, the inclusion of 0.6% to 0.8% slow release urea in sheep diets provides the lowest fecal and urinary nitrogen losses. In addition, these levels provide the best NB values, expressed as a percentage of NI

Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (Zea mays L.) in feeding sheep on nitrogen balance

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with 0.0, 8.0, 16.0, and 24.0% distiller’s dried grain solubles (DDGS) on nitrogen (N) intake, fecal and urinary N excretion, and N absorption and retention (N balance, NB) by feeding sheep. Four sheep of unidentified race were used, with an average body weight of 23.5 ± 1.5 kg, and housed in metabolism cages. We used a 4 × 4 Latin square design for the experimental design, and each experimental period lasted for 20 days. Data on N intake (NI), fecal N, urinary N, absorbed N, and NB were expressed in g day-1; percentage of NI and grams per kilogram of metabolic weight g (kg0.75)-1 were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis at 5% probability. Inclusion of the different concentrations of DDGS in sheep diets had no effect on NI (mean of 15.11 g animal-1 day-1), nor on fecal and urinary N excretion (mean of 5.16 and 0.16 g animal-1 day-1, respectively). Moreover, DDGS supplementation did not alter NB or N absorption (mean of 9.79 and 9.95 g animal-1 day-1, respectively). Thus, it can be concluded that inclusion of up to 24% of DDGS in feed does not affect NI, fecal and urinary N excretion, and NB in sheep

Ureia de liberação lenta na alimentação de ovinos sobre o consumo e coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes e parâmetros ruminais

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% slow release urea (SRU) in sheep feed on the intake and total digestibility coefficient (DC) of nutrients and ruminal parameters of sheep living in tropical regions. Four sheep with a body weight (BW) average of 30.8 ± 1.7 kg were assigned to a Latin square design. The animals were placed in metabolic cages and received two meals a day. Intake data and DC of nutrients of the sheep were subjected to analysis of variance and differences were tested using a regression equation to 5% probability. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% SRU in sheep feed did not change (p > 0.05) the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral or acid detergent fiber (NDF, ADF), total carbohydrates (TC), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) expressed in g animal-1 day-1, g (kg0.75)-1, and % BW. The mean values of 3.04%, 2.82%, 0.41%, 0.07%, 1.36%, 0.87%, 2.31%, and 1.00% of BW were obtained for the intake of DM, OM, CP, EE, ANF, ADF, TC, and NFC, respectively. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% of SRU in sheep rations had a quadratic manner (p 0.05) for different levels of inclusion of SRU in the feed. However, the pH of the rumen fluid did differ (p 0.05) the concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) of the rumen fluid, but there was a quadratic effect (p 0,05) o consumo de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e ácido (FDA), carboidratos totais (CHT) e carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) expressos em g animal-1 dia-1, g (kg0,75)-1 e %PC. Os valores médios de 3,04%; 2,82%; 0,41%; 0,07%; 1,36%; 0,87%; 2,31% e 1,00% do PC foram obtidos para o consumo de MS; MO; PB; EE; FDN; FDA, CHT e CNF, respectivamente. A inclusão de 0,0%; 0,4%; 0,8% e 1,2% de ULL nas rações de ovinos influenciou de maneira quadrática (p 0,05) para os níveis de inclusão da ULL na alimentação de ovinos. Contudo, o pH do líquido ruminal diferiu de maneira quadrática (p 0,05) a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3) do líquido ruminal, contudo houve efeito quadrático (p < 0,05) com relação ao tempo para todas as rações experimentais. Desta maneira, conclui-se a inclusão de 0,66% da ureia de liberação lenta propicia o melhor dados de coeficiente de digestibilidade da proteína bruta e teor adequado para a digestão da matéria seca. A inclusão de 1,2% de ureia de liberação lenta não altera o consumo dos nutrientes e os parâmetros ruminais

Raspa de mandioca residual desidratada na alimentação de ovinos sobre o consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the inclusion of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of scrapes residual dehydrated cassava (SRDC) in sheep feed on the intake and total digestibility coefficient (DC) of nutrients. We used four sheep with body weight (BW) of 26.0 kg, distributed in a Latin square design. The sheep were placed in metabolism cages and received two meals a day. The variables studied were subjected to analysis of variance and differences were tested using regression analysis at the 5% significance level. We determined that the inclusion of different concentrations of SRDC in sheep feeding did not modify (p > 0.05) the intake of intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), or total carbohydrates (TC) expressed in g animal-1 day-1, g kg0.75-1 and %BW). On average 2.83%, 2.58%, 0.34%, 0.07%, 1.62%, 0.91%, and 2.24% of the BW were obtained for intake of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF, and TC, respectively. However, the four experimental diets negatively affected the NFC intake and %BW (p 0.05) the digestibility coefficient of most of the variables measured (DM, OM CP, EE, NDF, ADF, TCH, NFC, with average values of 67.79%, 67.61%, 53.87%, 81.42%, 55.61%, 39.07%, 70.95%, and 91.48%, respectively. Thus, we conclude that the inclusion of up to 30% of SRDC in sheep diets would not affect intake or nutrient digestibilityObjetivou-se avaliar a inclusão de 0%; 10%; 20% e 30% de raspa de mandioca residual desidratada (RMRD) na alimentação de ovinos sobre o consumo e o coeficiente de digestibilidade total (CD) dos nutrientes. Foram utilizados quatro ovinos com peso corporal (PC) médio de 26,0 kg, distribuídos em delineamento em quadrado latino. Os ovinos foram alocados em gaiolas de metabolismos e receberam duas refeições por dia. As variáveis estudadas foram submetidas à análise de variância e as diferenças observa as foram testadas utilização equação de regressão a 5% de significância. A inclusão dos diferentes níveis de RMRD na alimentação de ovinos não alterou (p>0,05) o consumo de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e ácido (FDA) e carboidratos totais (CHT) expressos em g animal-1 dia-1, g kg0,75-1 e %PC. Os valores médios de 2,83%; 2,58%; 0,34%; 0,07%; 1,62%; 0,91% e 2,24% do PC foram obtidos para o consumo de MS; MO; PB; EE; FDN; FDA e CHT, respectivamente. Porém, os níveis de 0%, 10%; 20% e 30% de inclusão de RMRD influenciaram de maneira linear decrescente (p 0,05) o CD da MS; MO; PB; EE; FDN; FDA; CHT e CNF, com valores médios de 67,79%; 67,61%; 53,87%; 81,42%; 55,61%; 39,07%; 70,95% e 91,48%, respectivamente. Desta maneira, conclui-se que pode ser fornecida até 30% de raspa de mandioca residual desidratada na alimentação de ovinos sem alterar o consumo e o coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes

In vitro digestibility and nutritional characterization of distillers dried grains with solubles according to the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System

Foram avaliadas as frações da proteína e dos carboidratos de grãos secos de destilaria com solúveis (GSDS), grão de milho (GM), farelo de soja (FS), e silagem de milho (SM), e a digestibilidade in vitro (CDIV) do GSDS, GM, FS, SM e de rações contendo a inclusão de 0,0%; 8,0%; 16,0% e 24,0% de GSDS, bem como os parâmetros de fermentação in vitro após 24 horas de incubação. O GSDS foi obtido após processo de fermentação microbiana para a produção do etanol, de uma destilaria de flex de açúcar e álcool localizada no estado de Mato Grosso - Brasil. Para determinação das frações proteicas e de carboidratos dos alimentos experimentais foi utilizado Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System – CNCPS. Para o ensaio de digestão in vitro dos nutrientes dos alimentos experimentais e das rações experimentais foram utilizados dois ovinos com peso corporal médio de 26 kg, como doadores de inóculo. O ensaio de digestibilidade in vitro dos alimentos e das rações foi conduzido com três repetições de campo. A fração A da PB do GSDS apresentou valores 88%, 71% e 37% menores em relação a fração A do FS, GM e SM, respectivamente. A fração B2 da proteína do GSDS apresentou um teor de 21% da PB, o que representa 78,84% da proteína do GSDS na fração B2, valor superior ao do FS, que foi de 70,44%. A fração B3 da PB, a qual parte escapa da fermentação ruminal foi 18% menor para o FS em relação ao GSDS, expresso em % da PB. Para o fracionamento de carboidratos, o GSDS apresentou um valor para a fração A+ B1 de 8,64% na MS resultado inferior em 62%; 86% e 74% aos obtidos para o FS, GM e SM. O GSDS apresentou teores de hemicelulose e celulose superior ao FS, como verificado na fração B2, com valor de 46,92 % expresso na MS. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade in vitro (CDIV) dos nutrientes do GSDS não diferiu (p > 0,05) em relação aos demais alimentos experimentais. A inclusão do GSDS em rações formuladas para ovinos não alterou (p > 0,05) o CDIV da MS; MO; PB; FDN e FDA, com valores médios de 70,93%; 70,64%; 59,58%; 52,83% e 43,40%, respectivamente. Desta maneira, conclui-se que o grão seco de destilaria com solúveis apresenta-se como alimento proteico com mais de 70% da PB na fração B2 e possui levada quantidade de carboidratos ligados à parede celular. Além disso, o grão seco de destilaria com solúveis apresenta um coeficiente de digestibilidade semelhante ao do grão de milho e ao farelo de soja, contudo, este pode ser incluído em até 24% nas formulações de rações para ruminantes sem alterar o coeficiente de digestibilidade in vitro dos nutrientes.We evaluated the fractions of protein and carbohydrates in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn grain (CG), soybean meal (SM), and corn silage (CS), as well as the in vitro digestibility (IVD) of DDGS, CG, SM, CS, rations containing 0.0, 8.0, 16.0, and 24.0% DDGS, and in vitro fermentation parameters after 24 h of incubation. DDGS were obtained following microbial fermentation for ethanol production from a sugar and alcohol distillery located in the state of Mato Grosso - Brazil. The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) was used to determine the protein and carbohydrate fractions of experimental diets. For the in vitro nutrient digestion assay using the experimental foods and experimental diets, two sheep with an average body weight of 26 kg were used as inoculum donors. The in vitro digestibility of food and feed was assayed in three replicates. Fraction A of DDGS CP was 88, 71, and 37% lower in relation to fraction A of SM, CG, and CS, respectively. Fraction B2 of DDGS protein contained 21% CP, which represents 78.84% of DDGS protein in fraction B2, and is higher than the SM, which was 70.44%. The B3 fraction of CP, which is partly released during ruminal fermentation, was 18% lower for SM compared to DDGS, and is expressed in %CP. For carbohydrate fractionation, the DDGS presented 8.64% for the A + B1 fraction on a DM basis, which was 62, 86, and 74% lower compared to those obtained for SM, CG. and CS, respectively. The hemicellulose and cellulose contents of DDGS were higher than those of SM, as verified in fraction B2, with a value of 46.92%, expressed in DM. The in vitro digestibility coefficients (IVDC) of the DDGS nutrients did not differ (p > 0.05) in relation to those of the other experimental foods. The inclusion of DDGS in rations formulated for sheep did not change (p > 0.05) the IVDC of DM, OM, CP. NDF, or ADF, with mean values of 70.93, 70.64, 59.58, 52.83, and 43.40%, respectively. Therefore, DDGS comprise a protein-rich food containing more than 70% CP in fraction B2, with a large amount of carbohydrates bound to the cell wall. In addition, DDGS possess a similar digestibility coefficient to corn grain and soybean meal; however, up to 24% can be included in feed formulations for ruminants without changing the in vitro digestibility coefficient of nutrients

Concentrate supplementation of female goat kids grazing on Urochloa brizantha cv. MG 5

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentrate supplementation of female goat kids grazing on Urochloa brizantha cv. MG 5 pasture at levels of 0%, 0.8% and 1.6% of their body weight (BW) on nutrient intake from the supplement and animal performance (average daily gain – ADG, total weight gain – TWG, feed conversion – FC, and feed efficiency – FE). Twelve female goat kids of undefined breed, with a mean BW of 15.43 ± 0.2 kg, were divided into three batches of 4 animals each and maintained in a MG 5 paddock measuring 0.6 ha. The supplement was offered to the animals daily, always in the afternoon. The concentrate supplement contained approximately 18% crude protein (CP) and 80% total digestible nutrients. A completely randomized design consisting of three experimental treatments (supplementation at 0%, 0.8% and 1.6% of BW) was used, with 4 repetitions per treatment. The supplement intake and animal performance data were submitted to analysis of variance and differences were tested by regression analysis at a probability of 5%. The intake of dry matter, organic matter, CP, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber, expressed as %BW and g/kg0.75, increased linearly (P0.05) the ADG of pasture-fed goats. However, the different levels of concentrate supplementation (0%, 0.8% and 1.6% of BW) offered to goats altered FC in a linear manner. A quadratic effect was observed for FE, with a maximum value of 0.18 for the 1.0% level of concentrate supplementation. Concentrate supplementation up to 1.6% of BW does not alter the ADG or TWG of female goat kids grazing on MG 5 pasture