Productive aspects of pigs fed forage cactus silage associated with feed restriction

This study aimed to evaluate the use of silage of forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) in diets for finishing pigs. Two experiments were conducted: the first for digestibility and the second for performance. In the performance trial, the quantitative levels of feed restriction (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) were evaluated, which were associated with the supply of forage cactus silage. Forage cactus silage presented 2463.59 and 2456 kcal/kg of digestible and metabolizable energy, respectively. The feed restriction levels associated with the supply of forage cactus silage influenced feed intake, weight gain and final weight negatively, but did not affect feed conversion. Carcass absolute weight was influenced negatively. However, the yield of carcass and cuts and the amount of meat in the carcass were not influenced. With the increase in feed restriction, there was a decrease in duodenal mucosa thickness, intestinal glands, liver glycogen storage and the occurrence of inflammation in the submucosa and intestinal mucosa. Forage cactus silage is not accepted well by animals. The restriction up to 30% of balanced feed did not affect feed conversion, yield of carcass and cuts and economic viability. However, levels over 10% affected intestinal health.Keywords: Alternative feed, feed preservation, intestinal health, Opuntia ficus-indica Mill, pig nutritio

Supplementation of diets for piglets with L-Arginine and powdered whole milk

The objective of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of L-Arginine in diets with and without dairy products for piglets weaned at 21 days old. Thirty-two animals with initial mean weight of 5.16 ± 1.92 kg and from the same commercial lineage were allocated in a randomized block design to four diets. The experimental diets consisted of a corn and soybean meal-based diet (NDD), the same diet supplemented with 0.6% L-Arginine (NDDA), the diet supplemented with powdered whole milk (DD), and the diet supplemented with powdered whole milk and 0.6% of L-Arginine (DDA). At 43 days old, 16 animals were slaughtered. The productive performance, incidence of diarrhoea, serum parameters, relative organ weight, morphometry and intestinal health were evaluated. Supplementation with 0.6% of L-Arginine increased (P <0.05) the daily and final weight gain of the piglets at 32 days old and reduced the incidence of diarrhoea. DDA promoted a higher villi to crypt ratio (P <0.05). There was a lower rate of mitosis and apoptosis in the jejunum of animals fed DD and DDA. The non-dairy diet supplemented with 0.6% arginine (NDDA) increased serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations compared with NDD (P <0.05). Thus, supplementation with 0.6% L-Arginine increased immunological activity, improved intestinal integrity, and reduced the incidence of diarrhoea

Substituição parcial do milho por sorgo granífero na alimentação de matrizes suínas primíparas durante a lactação

Avaliou-se o efeito da substituição parcial do milho por sorgo granífero na dieta de matrizes suínas híbridas durante as fases de lactação e pós-desmame. Foram utilizadas 25 fêmeas, distribuídas em três tratamentos, com porcentagens crescentes de sorgo granífero - 0%, 25% e 50% - em substituição ao milho. Os animais foram avaliados durante as fases de lactação e pós-desmame, tendo sido mensurados o peso vivo (PV) e a espessura de toucinho (ET) ao parto, ao oitavo, 16º e 25º dias de lactação - desmame. Nesses momentos, foram realizadas colheitas de amostras de leite para análise bioquímica. As leitegadas foram pesadas no mesmo intervalo de tempo. No estro pós-desmame (RE), determinou-se o intervalo estro-cobertura (dias), PV e ET. Quanto às fêmeas, não ocorreram efeitos sobre o PV e a ET. Quanto ao número e ao peso dos leitões, as fêmeas do grupo controle apresentaram maior número de leitões nascidos vivos. O GPD dos leitões foi maior nas leitegadas dos tratamentos com 50% de sorgo. Não houve diferença para as análises do leite. No RE, não ocorreram efeitos. Dessa forma, conclui-se que o sorgo granífero pode substituir o milho em até 50% na dieta de fêmeas suínas durante lactação, sem comprometer os parâmetros produtivos e reprodutivos

Substituição parcial do milho por sorgo granífero na alimentação de matrizes suínas primíparas nos períodos de puberdade e gestação

Avaliou-se o efeito da substituição parcial do milho por sorgo granífero na dieta de matrizes suínas híbridas durante a puberdade e a gestação. Foram utilizadas 25 leitoas, distribuídas em três tratamentos com porcentagens crescentes de sorgo granífero - 0%, 25% e 50% - em substituição ao milho. As fêmeas foram avaliadas durante as fases de pré-puberdade, puberdade e gestação, tendo sido mensurados o peso vivo (PV) e a idade à puberdade nas jovens e o PV e a espessura de toucinho (ET) nas fêmeas gestantes - à cobrição e aos 30, 60, 90 e 110 dias de prenhez. Na fase de pré-puberdade, o ganho de peso diário diminuiu com o aumento da utilização do sorgo, e durante a puberdade não houve efeito dos tratamentos. Houve efeito linear da substituição sobre o PV aos 90 dias de gestação. Nos demais períodos, não foram encontrados efeitos significativos. Conclui-se que o sorgo granífero pode substituir o milho em até 50% na dieta de fêmeas suínas durante a puberdade e a gestação, sem comprometer as variáveis produtivas e reprodutivas

Feeding behavior in lactation sows maintained in a hot environment

Food intake (CR) was evaluated in 36 females of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ³4th birth order, in three stages of lactation (E1= from equalization to the 7th day; E2= 8-14th; E3= 15th to weaning), maintained in a hot environment, at morning, afternoon and night. The frequency and duration in which the sows remained standing in idle (OEP) or in activity at the feeder or fountain (PACB), were obtained on thee 17th day of lactation, evaluated in four periods of the day: P1= 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; P2= 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.; P3= 6 a.m to 12 p.m. and P4= 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Showed the interaction for CR, with smaller consumption for the primiparous in E1 in the afternoon period. The CR increased next to weaning (E3). The frequency and time of OEP were not modified. The females of 3rd birth used more time in PACB. The greater frequency and time used in this activity occurred between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m

Feeding behavior in lactation sows maintained in a hot environment

Food intake (CR) was evaluated in 36 females of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ³4th birth order, in three stages of lactation (E1= from equalization to the 7th day; E2= 8-14th; E3= 15th to weaning), maintained in a hot environment, at morning, afternoon and night. The frequency and duration in which the sows remained standing in idle (OEP) or in activity at the feeder or fountain (PACB), were obtained on thee 17th day of lactation, evaluated in four periods of the day: P1= 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; P2= 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.; P3= 6 a.m to 12 p.m. and P4= 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Showed the interaction for CR, with smaller consumption for the primiparous in E1 in the afternoon period. The CR increased next to weaning (E3). The frequency and time of OEP were not modified. The females of 3rd birth used more time in PACB. The greater frequency and time used in this activity occurred between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m

Performance of piglets submitted at different levels of enzymatic complex .

The addition of different levels of an enzymatic compound (0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 percent) to corn and soy bran based isonutritive diets for weaned, 21 days old, pigs didn"t act on the productive performance

Performance of piglets submitted at different levels of enzymatic complex .

The addition of different levels of an enzymatic compound (0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 percent) to corn and soy bran based isonutritive diets for weaned, 21 days old, pigs didn"t act on the productive performance