Performance of Braford steers grazing on cultivated pastures and fed or not fed an energy supplement

This experiment evaluated the performance of 84 Braford steers grazing on summer and winter cultivated pastures fed or not fed an energy-protein supplement. Steers were 10 months old and weighed, on average, 165 kg at the beginning of the trial. Steers grazed on cultivated winter pasture, consisting of black oats (Avena strigosa) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and then on cultivated summer pasture, consisting of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The following treatments were applied: SS - supplement was fed during both seasons; SN - supplement was fed only during the winter; NS - supplement was fed only during the summer; and NN - steers were not fed any supplement. Supplementation resulted in higher body weight and better body condition score (SS: 369.2 and 4.52; SN: 335.2 and 4.01; NS: 352.5 and 4.49; SS: 322.5 and 3.83). Longissimus dorsi area was larger in supplemented steers, which also presented thicker backfat when compared with those not fed any supplement (3.67 and 2.29 mm, respectively)

Composição bromatológica de silagens de híbridos de sorgo cultivados em diferentes densidades de plantas.

Avaliou-se a composição bromatológica das silagens de dois híbridos de sorgo, AG-2005 (duplo propósito) e VOLUMAX (forrageiro), cultivados nos espaçamentos de 0,50; 0,75 e 1,00 m, resultando nas densidades de 140.000; 186.666 e 280.000 plantas por ha, respectivamente. A silagem do híbrido AG-2005 apresentou matéria seca (MS) superior no espaçamento de 1,00 m e foi mais elevada ao da silagem de VOLUMAX em todos os espaçamentos. A proteína bruta (PB) elevou-se com a redução dos espaçamentos (6,6; 6,8 e 8%, respectivamente), com maior valor médio no AG-2005 (7,7 vs 6,5%). A fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foi menor no AG-2005 (59,25 vs 62,3%) e no espaçamento 0,75 m. Para fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) ocorreu diferença entre os dois híbridos no espaçamento 0,5 m, sendo de 33,5 e 39,3 %, respectivamente, para o AG-2005 e VOLUMAX. O EE apresentou diferença significativa (P < 0,05) entre os dois híbridos no espaçamento 0,75 m, sendo maior no AG-2005 (2,05 vs 1,61%). Conclui-se que o híbrido AG-2005 é mais recomendado para ensilagem, pois a sua silagem apresenta características qualitativas melhores que do VOLUMAX. O espaçamento de 0,5 m é o mais indicado no plantio dos híbridos, pois melhora a composição química das silagens. Chemical composition of silage sorghum hybrids grown at different densities. AbstractT - The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the nutritive value of silages from two sorghum hybrids, AG-2005 (double purpose) and VOLUMAX (forage) cultivated with different row spacings (0.50 m; 0.75 m and 1.00 m), resulting in 140,000; 186,666 e 280,000 plants per ha, respectively. Dry matter content of AG-2005 silage was higher for 1 m row spacing, and was higher than for VOLUMAX silage in all row spacings. Crude protein increased as the row spacing was reduced (6.6; 6.8 and 8%, respectively), with higher average value for AG-2005 (7.7 vs 6.5%). Neutral detergent fiber was lower for AG-2005 (59.25 vs 62.3%) and for .75 m spacing. Acid detergent fiber differed between hybrids in .5 m row spacing, being 33.5 and 39.3%, respectively, for AG-2005 and VOLUMAX. Ether extract was significantly different between hybrids in .5 m row spacing, being higher for AG-2005 (2.05 vs 1.61%). The use of AG-2005 is recommended for silage production due to its better qualitative characteristics than the VOLUMAX. The .5 m row spacing is recommended for both hybrids, since it improves the chemical composition of the silages