Comparative efficacy of the conventional and automated methods for determining neutral and acid detergent fiber

Different methods are available to determine fiber content in feeds. However, information about the accuracy of this methods for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber ADF contents estimation (obtained with the use of TNT-100 nylon filtering bags) is very limited related to the large number of ruminant feed analysis. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of the automated and conventional Van Soest methods to determine NDF and ADF contents for bovine cattle and feed supplements. Four classes of samples (tropical forage, maize silage hybrid, concentrated supplements and bovine cattlecattle) were evaluated for NDF and ADF contents using conventional and automated methods. Analysis involved a hierarchical factorial scheme with an entirely randomized design executed with repetitions. It was concluded that the automated method procedure generated similar results when compared to the conventional method for the determination of NDF contents in tropical forage, bovine cattle and maize silage samples, although is not recommended for samples with a high starch content. This system was not efficient for ADF determination in the evaluated samples.Different methods are available to determine fiber content in feeds. However, information about the accuracy of this methods for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber ADF contents estimation (obtained with the use of TNT-100 nylon filtering bags) is very limited related to the large number of ruminant feed analysis. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of the automated and conventional Van Soest methods to determine NDF and ADF contents for bovine cattle and feed supplements. Four classes of samples (tropical forage, maize silage hybrid, concentrated supplements and bovine cattlecattle) were evaluated for NDF and ADF contents using conventional and automated methods. Analysis involved a hierarchical factorial scheme with an entirely randomized design executed with repetitions. It was concluded that the automated method procedure generated similar results when compared to the conventional method for the determination of NDF contents in tropical forage, bovine cattle and maize silage samples, although is not recommended for samples with a high starch content. This system was not efficient for ADF determination in the evaluated samples

Daily intake of lactating crossbred cows grazing elephant grass rotationally

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de estimar o consumo total e o diário de matéria seca do pasto, de vacas mestiças Holandês – Zebu, em piquetes de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.). Três grupos de 24 vacas foram usados em piquetes (4,5 vacas/ha), pastejados por três dias e submetidos a diferentes períodos de descanso durante dois anos. Os tratamentos consistiram de descansos de 30 dias sem concentrado e 30, 37,5 e 45 dias com a suplementação de 2 kg de concentrado (20,6% de proteína bruta). De julho a outubro, as vacas receberam, como suplementação, cana-de-açúcar mais 1% de uréia. O consumo total de matéria seca foi estimado a partir da digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca da extrusa e da produção fecal obtida com óxido crômico. Independentemente do tratamento, o consumo total foi 2,7; 2,9 e 2.9±0,03%, e o consumo de matéria seca do pasto foi de 1,9; 2,1 e 2,1±0,03% do peso vivo (p < 0,05), respectivamente, no primeiro, segundo e terceiro dia de ocupação do piquete. Somente no verão, o consumo do pasto foi semelhante nos três dias de pastejo. A mistura cana-de-açúcar e uréia substituiu o pasto, principalmente no primeiro dia de pastejo, ocasião em que o consumo do pasto era mais baixo.The goal of this trial was to estimate the total dry matter (TDMI) and daily pasture dry matter intakes (PDMI) by lactating crossbred Holstein – Zebu cows grazing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) paddocks submitted to different rest periods. Three groups of 24 cows were used during two years. The paddocks were grazed during three days at the stocking rate of 4.5 cows/ha. Treatments consisted of resting periods of 30 days without concentrate and resting periods of 30, 37.5 and 45 days with 2 kg/cow/day of 20.6% crude protein concentrate. From July to October, pasture was supplemented with chopped sugarcane plus 1% urea. Total daily dry matter intake was estimated using the extrusa in vitro dry matter digestibility and the fecal output with chromium oxide. Regardless of the treatment the estimated average TDMI was 2.7, 2.9 and 2.9±0.03% and the mean PDMI was 1.9, 2.1 and 2.1±0.03% of body weight in the first, second and third grazing day, respectively (P < 0.05). Only during the summer pasture quality was the same whichever the grazing day. Sugarcane effectively replaced grazing pasture, mainly in the first day when pasture dry matter intake was lowest

Isolamento e atividade fermentativa de fungos anaeróbios do rúmen de vacas leiteiras

The possibility of biotechnological application of anaerobic fungi and their biomass-degrading enzymes has been a growing area of research and development over the past decade. In this context, the occurrence and isolation of rumen fungi were evaluated in three Holstein-Gir dairy cows grazing Urochloa spp., in addition to the fermentation capacity of theses isolates in media containing different carbohydrates. Motile zoospores were found in all of the rumen samples. Twelve fungal strains were recovered and were capable of degrading different carbohydrates and lignocellulosic components, suggesting that these strains are able to produce various degradative enzymes when grown on glucose, xylose, cellobiose, fructose, and cellulose. Results pointed out the first insight into the isolation of rumen anaerobic fungi in dairy cattle in Brazil and suggested that further studies are needed to show the potential of some species for commercial application, especially in tropical ruminants.A possibilidade de aplicação biotecnológica dos fungos anaeróbios, e suas enzimas de degradação de biomassa, tem sido uma área cada vez maior de pesquisa e desenvolvimento na última década. Neste contexto, a ocorrência e o isolamento de fungos ruminais foram avaliados em três vacas Holandês x Gir sob pastejo de Urochloa spp., além da capacidade de fermentação dos isolados em meios de cultura contendo diferentes fontes de carboidratos. Zoósporos móveis foram encontrados em todos os conteúdos ruminais analisadas. Doze isolados foram recuperados e todos foram capazes de degradar diferentes carboidratos e componentes lignocelulósicos, sugerindo que estes isolados são capazes de produzir várias enzimas degradativas. Estes resultados revelaram as primeiras descobertas sobre o isolamento de fungos anaeróbios ruminais em gado leiteiro no Brasil e sugere que estudos adicionais são necessários para evidenciar o potencial de algumas espécies para a aplicação comercial, principalmente em ruminantes tropicais

Milk fatty acid profile of cows grazing elephant grass BRS Kurumi pasture with and without energy supplementation

This study evaluated the effects of energy supplementation on the intake and milk fatty acid composition of cows grazing BRS Kurumi elephant grass pasture during the rainy season. Two treatments (with and without supplementation) were evaluated using a switchback design with six Holstein × Gyr dairy cows after the peak of lactation. The average milk yield, body weight, and days in milk of the cows at the beginning of the study were 18.0±2.89 kg day−1, 560±66 kg, and 99±12, respectively. The evaluations were performed over three grazing cycles, with adaptation periods of 14 days and six days of sampling. In the energy supplementation treatment, each cow received 3 kg day−1 of ground corn (as-fed basis), with 2 kg day−1 at the morning milking and 1 kg day−1 at the afternoon milking. The ground corn presented 87.5% dry matter, 7.3% crude protein, 5.1% ether extract, and 85% of total digestible nutrients. The cows supplemented with ground corn consumed more oleic (+567%) and linoleic (+88%) acids. Unsupplemented cows consumed 26% more α-linolenic acid and produced milk with more oleic (+10%), vaccenic (+23%), and rumenic (+21%) acids, and less (−7%) pro-atherogenic fatty acids (lauric + myristic + palmitic acids). Milk fat from unsupplemented cows showed better nutritional quality, with lower atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices and a higher hypo/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio

Morphophysiology and nutritive value of signalgrass under natural shading and full sunlight

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar características morfofisiológicas e o valor nutritivo da Brachiaria decumbens, nas épocas chuvosas de 2003 e 2004, em um sistema silvipastoril, com faixas de 30 m de largura com essa gramínea, alternadas com faixas de 10 m com árvores de Acacia mangium, A. angustissima, Mimosa artemisiana, Leucaena leucocephala x L. diversifolia, Eucalyptus grandis. Foi adotado o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subsubdivididas (características morfofisiológicas) ou parcelas subdivididas (características do valor nutritivo), com quatro repetições. Em 2003, o sombreamento foi de 65% da radiação incidente fora do bosque e, em 2004, de 35%, depois da retirada de árvores de eucalipto. Sob sombreamento, a densidade de perfilhos, o índice de área foliar e a massa de forragem foram maiores no segundo ano. Os teores médios de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foram maiores a pleno sol que sob sombreamento, enquanto os valores médios de proteína bruta (PB) e a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca foram maiores à sombra. O sombreamento moderado aumenta os teores de PB, reduz os teores de FDN e incrementa a digestibilidade da forragem de gramíneas que crescem sob a copa das árvores.The objective of this trial was to evaluate the morphophysiological traits and nutritive value of Brachiaria decumbens, during 2003 and 2004 rainy seasons, in a silvopastoral system, with grass alone (30 m width), alternated with grass plus trees (Acacia mangium, A. angustissima, Mimosa arthemisiana, Leucaena leucocephala x L. diversifolia, Eucalyptus grandis) strips (10 m width). The experimental design was a randomized block arranged in a split plot design (morphophysiological traits) or split-split plot (nutritive value traits), and replicated four times. The level of shading was 65% of incident radiation out of the wood in 2003, and 35% in 2004 after harvesting of some Eucalyptus trees. Under shade, tiller population leaf area and forage mass index were higher in the second year than in the first. Forage neutral detergent fiber value was higher at full sunlight than in the shade, while the crude protein content and in vitro dry matter digestibility were higher under the trees. Moderate shading increases crude protein and reduces neutral detergent fiber, therefore improving forage digestibility of grasses growing under trees

Agronomic characteristics and nutritive value of elephant grass clones managed under rotational stocking during the dry period

This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and nutritional value of two clones of elephant grass (CNPGL 00-1-3 and BRS Kurumi) operating under rotational stocking in the dry season. A completely randomized design with repeated measures (grazing cycles) and three replicates (paddocks) was used. Clones were managed under rotational stocking with a defoliation interval of 24 days and four days of occupation of paddocks, using Holstein x Gyr heifers with mean body weight of 150 kg. The evaluations were conducted in April/May, May/June, June/July and July/August 2010. Green forage mass was influenced by clone and grazing cycle, with higher mean value observed for CNPGL 03-01-00, which was 17% higher than the value observed for BRS Kurumi, and there was decreased of dry mass of green forage with the advance of grazing cycles. Leaf mass was influenced only by grazing cycle, with gradual reduction from the first to the third cycle. However, in fourth cycle was increase in biomass of leaves, which did not differ from that observed in the second cycle. There was interaction for dry matter production of stem, being observed differences in the first and third cycles for the clones. There was no effect of the factors studied for the production of senescent material. The leaf:stem ratio was influenced by grazing cycles, with interaction of the factors studied. The clone BRS Kurumi kept the leaf:stem ratio stable over the cycles, while clone CNPGL 1-3-00 presented a decrease in leaf:stem ratio from first until to third cycle. The content of crude protein (PB) was not influenced by the factors studied, with average values of 15.3% and 15.8% PB for the CNPGL 00-1-3 and BRS Kurumi clones. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were affected only by grazing cycles. The highest values of NDF were observed in the three first grazing cycles, with values of 55.5%, 56.0% and 55.7% from the first to the third grazing cycle, respectively, while in the fourth cycle was obtained the value of 50.5%. There was a decrease in the IVDMD until the third cycle. In the fourth cycle the IVDMD values were similar to the first cycle. The clones did not differ in relation to biomass production, morphological composition and nutritional value, during the dry season

Características do pasto e desempenho de novilhas em sistema silvipastoril e pastagem de braquiária em monocultivo

The objective of this work was to evaluate the pasture characteristics and the performance of heifers from the Holstein x Zebu cross in a silvopastoral system (SPS), and in a Brachiaria (Urochloa decumbens) pasture. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with two treatments: an exclusive Brachiaria pasture; and SPS, which had mixed U. decumbens and Stylosanthes guianensis strips alternating with strips with trees. Paddocks were grazed in rotational stocking, with seven days of grazing and 35 and 49 days of rest in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Pasture traits, dry matter intake and live weight gain did not vary with the systems. However, due to the reduction in the amount and nutritional value of the forage, these variables had higher values for the rainy season than the dry season, respectively: pre-grazing forage mass, 1,525 and 964 kg ha-1; crude protein, 9.3 and 8.2%; in vitro dry matter digestibility, 56.1 and 50.3%; dry matter intake, 2.3 and 1.6% of body weight; and live weight gain, 625 and 242 g per day per heifer. Moderate shading in SPS did not affect pasture traits, dry matter intake, or the performance of the heifers, in comparison to the values obtained for an exclusive Brachiaria pasture.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características do pasto e o desempenho de novilhas oriundas do cruzamento Holandês x Zebu, em sistema silvipastoril (SSP) e em monocultivo de braquiária (Urochloa decumbens). O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com dois tratamentos: em monocultivo de braquiária; e o SSP, que apresentava faixas de braquiária consorciada com Stylosanthes guianensis, alternadas com faixas arborizadas. Os piquetes foram manejados sob lotação rotacionada, com 7 dias de ocupação e 35 e 49 dias de descanso, nas épocas chuvosa e seca, respectivamente. As características do pasto, o consumo e o ganho de peso não variaram com o sistema; porém, devido às reduções na quantidade e no valor nutritivo da forragem, apresentaram valores maiores na época chuvosa do que na época seca, respectivamente: massa de forragem pré-pastejo, 1.525 e 964 kg ha-1; teores de proteína bruta na gramínea, 9,3 e 8,2%; digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, 56,1 e 50,3%; consumo de matéria seca, 2,3 e 1,6% do peso vivo; ganho de peso de 625 e 242 g por dia por novilha. O sombreamento moderado no SSP não interferiu nas características do pasto, nem no consumo de forragem, nem no desempenho de novilhas leiteiras, quando comparado aos valores obtidos na pastagem de braquiária em monocultivo

Flemingia macrophylla in goat feeding

ABSTRACT -The objective of this work was to evaluate the inclusion of Fabaceae Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Kuntze ex Merr. in the diet of lactating dairy goats arranged in a 5 × 5 Latin square. The diets were composed of 40% of concentrate and 60% of roughage, and the dietary treatments were defined by the level of Flemingia hay inclusion (0%, 8%, 16%, 24%, and 32% in the diet dry matter) replacing Cynodon dactylon cv. Tifton 85 hay. The diets were isonitrogenous, with 14% crude protein. Feed intake, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, and ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen were evaluated. There was no difference in dry matter intake with the inclusion of Flemingia hay in the diet. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total carbohydrates decreased with the inclusion of Flemingia in the diet. The diet did not change rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration or ruminal pH. There were no differences in the feeding behavior or feed and rumination efficiencies. Flemingia macrophylla can be used up to the level of 32% in the dry matter in diets for lactating goats

Intake, apparent digestibility, and methane emission in bulls receiving a feed supplement of monensin, virginiamycin, or a combination

Abstract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the feed supplements monensin, virginiamycin, or a combination of the two, on intake, digestibility, and methane emission in the male cattle breed F 1 Holstein · Gir. We used a complete randomised design with four treatments consisting of the control, monensin, virginiamycin, and a combination of the two. The basal diets were composed of sorghum silage with Tanzania grass and the concentrate in the 1 : 1 ratio. Nutrient intake (P &gt; 0.05) and the apparent digestibility coefficients (P &gt; 0.05) were not affected by the supplementation with monensin, virginiamycin, or both. The combination of the supplements did affect methane emission (P &lt; 0.05) when expressed in L/day, L/(kg DM), and L/(kg DM digestible). The lowest methane production was obtained with the combination of the supplements

Milk fatty acid profile of Holstein x Gyr cows on 'Marandu' grass pasture under different grazing strategies

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o perfil de ácidos graxos (AG) do leite de vacas Holandesas x Gir submetidos a dois tipos de manejo de pastejo (períodos de descanso fixo e variável) de pastagem de Urochloa brizantha 'Marandu'. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com duas repetições de área de pastagem (blocos) por tratamento e quatro vacas por bloco. A produção e a composição do leite não foram influenciadas pelas estratégias de pastejo. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre as proporções (g 100 g-1 de AG totais) dos principais AG (palmítico, linoleico e α-linolênico) do pasto, mas suas ingestões (gramas por dia) foram influenciadas pelas diferenças de ingestão de matéria seca da forragem. As concentrações dos AG no plasma e na gordura do leite não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos. As concentrações dos ácidos rumênico, vacênico, oleico e α-linolênico na gordura do leite variaram de 0,71 a 0,93, 1,40 a 1,50, 19,40 a 19,70 e 0,39 a 0,43 g 100 g-1 de AG totais, respectivamente. As estratégias de pastejo de U. brizantha 'Marandu' não alteram o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite das vacas.The objective of this work was to evaluate the milk fatty acid (FA) profile of Holstein x Gyr cows subjected to two different grazing managements (fixed and variable rest periods) of Urochloa brizantha 'Marandu' pastures. A randomized complete block design was used, with two replicates of pasture areas (blocks) per treatment and four cows per block. Milk production and composition were not affected by grazing strategies. No treatment effects were observed on the proportions (g 100 g-1 of total FA) of the main FAs (palmitic, linoleic, and α-linolenic) of the pasture, but their intakes (grams per day) were affected by differences in forage dry matter intake. The concentrations of FAs in milk plasma and fat were not affected by the treatments. Milk fat contents of rumenic, vaccenic, oleic, and α-linolenic acids varied from 0.71 to 0.93, 1.40 to 1.50, 19.40 to 19.70, and 0.39 to 0.43 g 100 g-1 total FAs, respectively. Grazing strategies of U. brizantha 'Marandu' cause no changes on the milk fatty acid profile of cows