Agronomic characterization of forage grain crops

The aim of this research was to accomplish agronomic and chemical composition of four forage species under the Brazilian semiarid conditions . The experimental design was a randomized block, in which the treatments consisted of forage crops: corn cv. BRS 205, millet cv. BRS 1501, sorghum cv. IPA 467-4-2 and sunflower cv. Catissol 01, with four repetitions. It was measured plant height (m2), number of plants, leaf/stem ratio, dry matter percentage, total dry matter and the chemical composition of different forage species. The sorghum showed a greater growth, reaching a height of 270.90 cm. For the leaf/stem ratio, the best results were observed by corn, followed by sunflower. In the chemical composition, the sunflower stood out compared to the other materials for crude protein, lipids and mineral contents. Sorghum present greater growth and mass production of straw for the Brazilian semi-arid conditions. The studied species have appropriate chemical composition characteristics, except for sunflower that has high ether extract contents.The aim of this research was to accomplish agronomic and chemical composition of four forage species under the Brazilian semiarid conditions . The experimental design was a randomized block, in which the treatments consisted of forage crops: corn cv. BRS 205, millet cv. BRS 1501, sorghum cv. IPA 467-4-2 and sunflower cv. Catissol 01, with four repetitions. It was measured plant height (m2), number of plants, leaf/stem ratio, dry matter percentage, total dry matter and the chemical composition of different forage species. The sorghum showed a greater growth, reaching a height of 270.90 cm. For the leaf/stem ratio, the best results were observed by corn, followed by sunflower. In the chemical composition, the sunflower stood out compared to the other materials for crude protein, lipids and mineral contents. Sorghum present greater growth and mass production of straw for the Brazilian semi-arid conditions. The studied species have appropriate chemical composition characteristics, except for sunflower that has high ether extract contents

Produção de espécies forrageiras produtoras de grãos e composição química de silagens

This study was conducted with the object of evaluate forage species that produce grains and chemical composition of their silages under the conditions of the Brazilian Northeast. They were evaluated four forages: maize, millet, sorghum and sunflower. It was determined the dry dead forage mass (DDFM), total dry mass of grain (TDMG), total dry mass of leaf (TDML) and total dry mass of stem (TDMS). Silage produced with the species was rated to the ammonia nitrogen, losses gases (G), losses effluent (E), dry matter yield (DMY), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), mineral matter (MM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Sorghum showed higher (p<0.05) accumulation of DDFM, TDMG and TDMS than maize, millet and sunflower. Sunflower had higher losses by G and E and lower DMY for silage production. There was no difference of silages for CP. To EE sunflower silage had a higher amount, a fact that undermines the quality of this silage for ruminants feeding. Sorghum has more appropriate characterization for silage, because of its high production of bulky, low losses and chemical composition similar to corn silage under the conditions of the Brazilian Northeast.Objetivou-se avaliar características de produção de espécies forrageiras produtoras de grãos e composição química de silagens nas condições do nordeste do Brasil. Foram avaliadas quatro forrageiras produtoras de grãos: milho, milheto, sorgo e girassol. Foram determinadas a massa seca de forragem morta (MSFM), massa seca total de grão (MSTG), massa seca total de folha (MSTF) e massa seca total de colmo (MSTC). Da silagem produzida com as espécies, avaliou-se o nitrogênio amoniacal, perdas por gases (G), perdas por efluentes (E), rendimento de matéria seca (RMS), matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), matéria mineral (MM), fibra detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra detergente ácido (FDA). O sorgo apresentou maior (p<0,05) acúmulo de MSFM, MSTF e MSTC em relação ao milho, milheto e girassol. O girassol apresentou maiores perdas por G e E, e menor RMS para silagem produzida. Não houve diferença das silagens em relação a PB. Para o EE a silagem de girassol obteve maior quantidade, fato que compromete a qualidade da silagem para alimentação de ruminantes. O sorgo possui caracterização mais adequada para produção de silagem, pois apresenta alta produção de volumoso, baixas perdas e composição química semelhante à silagem do milho nas condições do nordeste do Brasil

Feeding behavior of dairy cows fed different levels of xiquexique (Pilosocereus gounellei)

This study evaluated the replacement of Tifton hay with xiquexique (0, 12, 24 and 36%) on feeding behavior of lactating dairy cows. To this end, eight cows with average milk production of 15 kg milk day-1 and average body weight of 465.2 ± 39.4 kg were distributed in a double 4x4 Latin square. Each experimental period lasted 16 days, ten for adaptation and six for data collection. The record of behavioral variables was made every five min. for 24 hours. The times spent in feeding, ruminating and total chewing, expressed in hours day-1, as well as feeding (FE) and rumination (RE) efficiencies, expressed in g NDF h-1, the number of cuds and cud chews per day showed a linear decrease according to the levels of xiquexique in the diet. There was a linear increase in time in idleness. Xiquexique levels in the diet for dairy cows did not influence FE and RE, expressed in g DM h-1, number and time spent in chewing per cud. The replacement of Tifton hay with xiquexique in the diet alters the feeding behavior of dairy cows due to the reduction in fiber content.

Fermentative losses and chemical composition of elephant grass silage added with castor bean hull

ABSTRACT Fermentation and chemical composition of elephant grass silage was evaluated with 0, 10, 20 and 30% castor been hull based on the natural matter. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications. Silos were weighed out during manufacture, and reweighed before and after the opening after storage for 30 days. We determined the chemical composition, specific mass and effluent and gas losses, dry matter recovery, pH and ammonia nitrogen of the silage. The specific mass, pH, dry matter content, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, total carbohydrates and cellulose increased linearly (P<0.05) with the inclusion of castor bean hull. Quadratic effect was observed for effluent and gas losses, ammonia nitrogen and non-fibrous carbohydrates with minimal point when the castor bean hull was included at 25.63; 31.19; 28.07 and 11.7%, respectively. Dry matter recovery and neutral detergent fiber adjusted to a quadratic equation with maximum point when the castor bean hull was added at 24.20 and 20.62%, respectively. The inclusion of castor bean hull in elephant grass silage reduces losses during fermentation without compromising the chemical composition when included in the ratio of up to 25%, based on the natural matter

Agronomic characterization of forage grain crops

The aim of this research was to accomplish agronomic and chemical composition of four forage species under the Brazilian semiarid conditions . The experimental design was a randomized block, in which the treatments consisted of forage crops: corn cv. BRS 205, millet cv. BRS 1501, sorghum cv. IPA 467-4-2 and sunflower cv. Catissol 01, with four repetitions. It was measured plant height (m2), number of plants, leaf/stem ratio, dry matter percentage, total dry matter and the chemical composition of different forage species. The sorghum showed a greater growth, reaching a height of 270.90 cm. For the leaf/stem ratio, the best results were observed by corn, followed by sunflower. In the chemical composition, the sunflower stood out compared to the other materials for crude protein, lipids and mineral contents. Sorghum present greater growth and mass production of straw for the Brazilian semi-arid conditions. The studied species have appropriate chemical composition characteristics, except for sunflower that has high ether extract contents.Objetivou-se neste trabalho realizar comparações agronômicas e químico-bromatológica nas condições do Semiárido brasileiro, entre quatro espécies forrageiras. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, no qual os tratamentos constaram das espécies forrageiras: milho cv. BRS 205, milheto cv. BRS 1501, sorgo cv. IPA 467-4-2 e girassol cv. CATISSOL 01, com quatro repetições. Foi mensurada a altura da planta, número de plantas (m2), relação folha/colmo, porcentagem de matéria seca, massa seca de forragem total e a composição químico-bromatológica das diferentes espécies forrageiras. A cultura do sorgo demonstrou maior crescimento, atingindo uma altura de 270,90 cm. Na razão folha/colmo, o milho apresentou maior relação, seguido pelo girassol. Na composição química-bromatológica a cultura do girassol se destacou em relação aos demais materiais quanto ao teor de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e materiais minerais. O sorgo apresenta maior crescimento e produção de massa de forragem nas condições do semiárido brasileiro. As espécies estudadas apresentam características de composição químico-bromatológica adequadas, exceto o girassol que possui altos teores de extrato etéreo