Spinless Forage Cactus: The Queen of Forage Crops in Semi Arid Regions

Forage cactus is a perennial crop, which has been widely exploited for feeding ruminants in the semiarid region of different countries around the world. The main objective of this chapter is to describe the use and importance of spineless cactus as forage, desertification mitigation, source of water for animals and a source of income for producers in semiarid regions. The main species explored in Brazil are Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp., due to characteristics such as resistance to pests, productivity, water-use efficiency and demand for soil fertility. The productivity of the species in a region will depend on its morphological characteristics, plant spacing, planting systems and its capacity to adapt to climatic and soil conditions. In other parts of the world, cactus species are the most cosmopolitan and destructive among invasive plants. However, the use of spineless forage cactus in areas where it can develop normally and may become the basis for ruminants’ feed would increase the support capacity production systems. Thus, specifically for Brazil’s semiarid region these species can make the difference as forage for animal feeding, cultivated as monoculture or intercropped, for soil conservation and desertification mitigation, source of water for animals, preservation of the Caatinga biome and be a potential source of income for producers if cultivated as vegetable for nutritional properties and medicinal derivative of fruits and cladodes for exports

Replacement of corn meal by corn germ meal in lamb diets

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da substituição do fubá de milho pelo gérmen integral de milho, sobre a digestibilidade dos nutrientes na dieta e sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de ovinos Santa Inês. Quarenta animais, com peso inicial de 17,0±2,5 kg, foram confinados em baias individuais, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e oito repetições. As taxas de substituição foram: 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%. Ao abate, foram obtidos os pesos de carcaça quente e de trato digestivo cheio e vazio, a área de olho de lombo, a espessura de gordura subcutânea e o rendimento de cortes comerciais. A substituição do fubá de milho pelo gérmen integral reduziu linearmente o consumo de matéria seca e os coeficientes de digestibilidade de: matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e extrato etéreo. A conversão alimentar não foi afetada pelos tratamentos. O ganho médio diário, o peso vivo final, a área de olho de lombo, a espessura de gordura e os rendimentos de carcaça quente e de cortes comerciais diminuíram linearmente com o aumento nos níveis de substituição. A substituição do fubá de milho pelo gérmen integral de milho, nas dietas de ovinos, prejudica o desempenho e as características de carcaça dos animais.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of replacing corn meal by corn germ meal on nutrient digestibility in the diet, and on the performance and carcass characteristics of Santa Inês lambs. Forty animals, with 17,0±2.5 kg average initial live weight, were housed in individual pens in a randomized block design with five treatments and eight replicates. The replacing rates were 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. Hot carcass weight, full and empty digestive tract weight, ribeye area, fat thickness, and yield of commercial cuts were obtained at slaughter. Corn meal replacement by corn germ meal linearly reduced the dry matter intake and the coefficients of apparent digestibility of: dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and ether extract. Feed conversion was not affected by the treatments. Average daily gain, final live weight, loin eye area, fat thickness, and yields of hot carcass and retail cuts decreased linearly with the increasing replacement levels. Replacing corn meal by corn germ meal, in lamb diets, negatively affects the performance and carcass characteristics of the animals

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Inclusão da palma forrageira em substituição ao feno de capim tifton para bovinos

Avaliou-se o efeito da inclusão de palma forrageira (0, 14,7; 29,4; 44,1 e 58,8% na matéria seca (MS)) em substituição ao feno de tifton sobre o consumo, digestibilidades total e parcial (ruminal e intestinal), comportamento ingestivo, dinâmica da fibra em detergente neutro, parâmetros ruminais e balanço de compostos nitrogenados. Cinco bovinos mestiços, fistulados no rúmen, com peso corporal médio de 380 ± 5,3 kg foram distribuídos em um quadrado Latino 5 × 5. O consumo de nutrientes apresentou efeito quadrático com consumo máximo de MS (8,89 kg/dia), matéria orgânica (MO; 7,88 kg/dia), proteína bruta (PB; 1,35 kg/dia) e matéria orgânica digestível (MOD; 5,75 kg/dia) estimados com 33,9; 31,6; 29,9 e 41,8% de inclusão, respectivamente. As digestibilidades total e ruminal da MS, MO e PB aumentaram linearmente, enquanto a digestibilidade aparente total e ruminal da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) reduziram linearmente. As digestibilidades intestinais da MS e FDN reduziram linearmente, porém, não houve efeito para MO e PB. Não houve efeito para o tempo de ócio. O tempo despendido com a atividade de ruminação diminuiu linearmente com a inclusão de palma. No entanto, o tempo de alimentação apresentou efeito quadrático, com tempo mínino de 195 minutos/dia estimado com 35,7% de inclusão. O pool máximo de MS (3,77 kg) e FDN (2,46 kg) foi estimado com 24,6 e 20,1% de inclusão de palma, respectivamente. Não houve efeito dos níveis da inclusão de palma sobre a taxa de ingestão (Ki) da MS e FDN e taxa de degradação (Kd) da FDN. Contudo, observou-se redução linear na Kp da MS e FDN e aumento linear na Kd da MS. Com a inclusão de palma houve redução linear do pH ruminal e efeito quadrático ao longo dos tempos de coleta. Foi verificado comportamento quadrático para a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal (28,2 mg/dL) estimada às 2,64 h após a alimentação, e ausência de efeito sobre a produção de ácidos graxos voláteis de cadeia curta. Com exceção do N-ureico no plasma e na urina que não foi alterado pela de inclusão de palma, verificou-se efeito quadrático para balanço de nitrogênio, com valor máximo de 170 g/dia estimado com 33,2% de inclusão de palma. Recomenda-se a inclusão de 41,8% de palma forrageira na matéria seca em substituição ao feno de tifton na dieta de bovinos mestiços, por maximizar o consumo de energia e balanço de compostos nitrogenados. Sendo assim, sugere-se a utilização da relação feno de tifton:palma de 28:42 com 30% de concentrado em programas alimentares de bovinos mestiços.It was evaluated the effect of inclusion of spineless cactus (0, 14.7, 29.4, 44.1, and 58.8% of dry matter (DM) basis) by of replacement of Tifton hay on the intake, total and partial (ruminal and intestinal) digestibility, ingestive behavior, neutral detergent fiber dynamics, rumen parameters, and nitrogen compounds balance. Five crossbred steers, rumen fistulated, with average body weight of 380 ± 5.3 kg were assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The nutrient intake showed a quadratic effect, with a maximum intake of DM (8.89 kg/day), organic matter (OM, 7.88 kg/day), crude protein (CP; 1.35 kg/day), and digestible OM (DOM, 5.75 kg/day) estimated with 33.9, 31.6, 29.9, and 41.8% of inclusion, respectively. The total and ruminal digestibility of DM, OM, and CP linearly increased, however, there was linear decrease on the total and ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The intestinal digestibility of DM and NDF linearly decreased, however, there was no effect for OM and CP. There was no effect for idle times. The time spent with rumination activity linearly decreased with the inclusion of spineless cactus. However, the feeding time showed a quadratic effect, with minimum time of 195 min/day estimated with 35.7% of inclusion. The maximum pool of DM (3.77 kg) and NDF (2.46 kg) was estimated with 24.6 and 20.1% of inclusion, respectively. There was no effect on the ingestion rate (Ki) of DM and NDF and degradation rate (Kd) of NDF. However, linear decrease of Kp of DM and NDF and linear increase of Kd of DM were observed. The rumen pH linearly decreased with the inclusion of spineless cactus and showed a quadratic effect over the collection times. Quadratic behavior for ammonia nitrogen (28.2 mg/dL) estimated at 2.64 h after intake was verified, and there was no effect for the short-chain volatile fatty acids production with the inclusion levels. Except to plasma urea nitrogen and urinary urea nitrogen that were not affected, there was a quadratic effect on nitrogen balance, with maximum value of 170 g/d estimated with 33.2% of inclusion. It is recommended to include 41.8% of spineless cactus in the dry matter in replacement to Tifton hay in the diet of crossbred steers to maximize energy intake and nitrogen balance. Thus, it is suggested use the tifton hay:spineless cactus ratio of 28:42 with 30% of concentrate, in feeding programs of crossbred steers

Cactus cladodes, sugarcane bagasse and urea : an alternative to conserved forage

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes volumosos na alimentação de ovinos sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade dos seus componentes, consumo de água, comportamento ingestivo, balanço dos compostos nitrogenados, síntese de proteína microbiana, dinâmica da fibra e parâmetros ruminais. Foram utilizados cinco ovinos mestiços machos, fistulados e canulados no rúmen, com peso corporal médio (PC) inicial de 34,0 ± 3,63 kg, distribuídos em quadrado Latino 5 x 5. As dietas experimentais consistiram em diferentes volumosos: palma Miúda (PM) e palma Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (POEM), ambas associadas ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (BC) e ureia/sulfato de amônio (SA), feno de capim tifton (FCT) e as silagens de milho (SM) e sorgo (SS) também corrigidas com ureia/sa. Adicional aos volumosos, os ovinos receberam concentrado, composto por milho moído, farelo de soja e mistura mineral; com proporção volumoso:concentrado de 69,4:30,6. A dieta composta por MUB promoveu maior (P ≤ 0,03) consumo de matéria seca (1024 g/dia), matéria orgânica (MO, 904 g/kg), proteína bruta (PB, 161 g/dia) e matéria orgânica digestível (MOD, 670 g/kg) que a SS. A dieta à base de MUB proporcionou maior (P < 0,01) digestibilidade da MO (741 g/kg) em relação às outras dietas. As dietas contendo MUB e OUB proporcionaram maior (P ≤ 0,01) digestibilidade da PB (831 e 806 g/kg, respectivamente) quando comparadas às demais dietas. A MUB propiciou maior (P < 0,01) consumo de água via dieta (3,02 L/dia) e menor ingestão voluntária de água, em comparação ao FCT. O tempo despendido com ruminação foi inferior (P < 0,01) e o de ócio superior para os animais dos tratamentos com MUB e OUB (466 e 436; 542 e 578 min/dia, respectivamente), em relação ao FCT e SM (596 e 598; 542 e 578 min/dia, respectivamente). A maior eficiência de alimentação e ruminação foi registrada pelos ovinos do tratamento com MUB (299; 132 g MS/h), em relação aos que receberam a dieta contendo SS (188 e 91 g MS/h, respectivamente). Foram verificados maiores consumos e balanço de nitrogênio (25,7 e 12,5 g/dia, respectivamente), com menor excreção de nitrogênio via fezes para MUB; bem como para a OUB (P < 0,01), em relação a SS (18,7 e 5,3 g/dia, respectivamente). Não houve diferença para síntese de proteína microbiana (P = 0,27) entre as dietas contendo os volumosos avaliados. O FCT propiciou maiores pools de MS e FDNi (593,2 e 177,8 g) em relação às dietas compostas por OUB, SM e SS (407,6 e 120,8; 448,4 e 96,4; 421,0 e 101,0 g, respectivamente). As dietas contendo OUB e SM propiciaram maior (P < 0,01) taxa de degradação da MS (0,0584 e 0,0566 h-1, respectivamente) em relação à dieta composta por FCT (0,0360 h-1). Os animais do tratamento OUB apresentaram menor pH ruminal em relação aos do FCT. Não houve interação entre tempo x tratamento para o pH ruminal. Em função do tempo de coleta, o menor valor de pH (6,38) foi estimado às 3,79 horas após a primeira alimentação. Houve interação entre tratamento e tempo para as concentrações de nitrogênio amoniacal ruminal (NAR), com as concentrações máximas de 35,4; 41,8; 17,92 e 26,49 (mg NAR/dL) estimada para os tratamentos MUB, OUB, SM e SS, respectivamente, às 2,02; 2,97; 3,01 e 2,87 horas após a alimentação matinal. Não houve efeito do tempo para a concentração de NAR quando o FCT foi utilizado (14,33 mg/dL). Houve interação (P < 0,01) entre tratamento e tempo de coleta sobre a concentrações dos AGVs. A palma forrageira associada ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e ureia/sulfato de amônio (9:1) apresentaram valor nutricional semelhante, principalmente no que se refere ao consumo de energia e eficiência de utilização do nitrogênio da dieta, ao FCT e à SM, sendo superior a SS. Recomenda-se a utilização da palma associada ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e ureia em dietas para ovinos.The aim was to evaluate the effect of different roughage sources in sheep feeding on intake and digestibility, water intake, ingestive behavior, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis, fiber dynamics and ruminal parameters. Five male crossbred sheep, fistulated and cannulated in the rumen were used, with average initial body weight (BW) of 34.0 ± 3.63 kg, and assigned in a 5 x 5 Latin square. The experimental diets consisted in different roughage sources: cactus Nopalea cochenillifera (L). Salm-Dyck. clododes (Nopalea; NUB) and cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. clododes (Opuntia, OUB) both associated with sugarcane bagasse (SB) and with urea/as, tifton hay (TH) and maize silage (MS) and sorghum silage (SS) also corrected with urea/as. In addition to roughage, the sheep received concentrate composed of corn meal, soybean meal and mineral mixture, with proportion of roughage: concentrate of 69.4: 30.6. The NUB diet promoted higher (P ≤ 0.03) intake of dry matter (1024 g/day), organic matter (OM, 904 g/kg), crude protein (PB, 161 g/day) and digestible organic matter (DOM, 670 g/kg) than the SS. The NUB-based diet provided greater (P <0.01) OM digestibility (741 g/kg) compared with the other diets. Diets containing NUB and OUB registered greater (P ≤ 0.01) digestibility of CP (831 and 806 g/kg, respectively) when compared to the others. The NUB provided greater (P <0.01) water intake via diet (3.02 L/day) and less voluntary water intake, compared to TH. The time spent on rumination was shorter (P <0.01) and the leisure time was longer for animals treated with NUB and OUB (466 and 436; 542 and 578 min/day, respectively), compared to the TH and MS (596 and 598; 542 and 578 min/day, respectively). The highest efficiency of feeding and rumination was registered by the sheep of the treatment with NUB (299; 132 g DM/h), in relation to those that received the diet containing SS (188 and 91 g DM/h, respectively). Higher intake and nitrogen balance were observed (25.7 and 12.5 g/day, respectively), with less nitrogen excretion by feces for NUB; as well as for OUB (P <0.01), in relation to SS (18.7 and 5.3 g/day, respectively). There was no difference for microbial protein synthesis (P = 0.27) between the diets containing the evaluated forages. The TH provided larger pools of DM and NDFi (593.2 and 177.8 g) in relation to diets composed of OUB, MS and SS (407.6 and 120.8; 448.4 and 96.4; 421.0 and 101.0 g, respectively). Diets composed of OUB and MS provided a higher (P <0.01) rate of DM degradation (0.0584 and 0.0566 h-1, respectively) compared to a diet composed of TH (0.0360 h-1). The animals in the OUB treatment showed lower ruminal pH compared to the TH. There was no interaction between time x treatment for ruminal pH. Depending on the time of collection, the lowest pH value (6.38) was estimated at 3.79 hours after the first feeding. There was an interaction between treatment and time for ruminal ammoniacal nitrogen (NAR) concentrations, with maximum concentrations of 35.4; 41.8; 17.92 and 26.49 (mg NAR/dL) estimated for NUB, OUB, MS and SS treatments, respectively, at 2.02; 2.97; 3.01 and 2.87 hours after morning feeding. There was no effect of time on NAR concentration when TH was used (14.33 mg/dL). There was an interaction (P <0.01) between treatment and collection time on VFA concentrations. The roughage composed of cactus cladodes and sugarcane bagasse and Urea/Ammonia Sulfate (9:1) showed similar nutritional value, mainly with regard to energy intake and efficiency in the use of dietary nitrogen, TH and MS, being superior to SS. The use of cactus cladodes associated with sugarcane bagasse and urea is recommended in sheep diets.Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNP

Replacement of wheat bran with spineless cactus in sugarcane-based diets for steers

ABSTRACT The effect of replacing wheat bran with spineless cactus (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in sugar cane-based diets on the intake of nutrients, feeding behavior, and rumen digestibility of steers was assessed using digested samples collected from the omasum. Five crossbred steers (1/2 Holstein-Zebu) were fitted with cannulas in the rumen and then assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Samples of omasal digesta were collected for three days. Rumen was evacuated via the rumen cannula to determine the rumen pool of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), indigestible NDF (iNDF), intake (ki), passage (kp) and degradation (NDF) rates, and the passage of iNDF (kpi). Nutrient intake displayed a quadratic effect, with maximum intakes of DM (5.73 kg d&#8722;1), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC, 4.63 kg d&#8722;1), and digestible organic matter (DOM, 3.45 kg d&#8722;1) estimated at the replacement levels of 54.63, 60.00, and 43.17%, respectively. The replacement levels showed no effect on feeding, rumination, or idle times. There was a linear increase in the total apparent and ruminal digestibility of CP as the spineless cactus content in the diet was increased. There was no effect on total and partial digestibilities of OM and NDF or on intestinal digestibility of CP. No effect was observed on the rumen pool of DM, NDF, or iNDF. Furthermore, ki, kp, NDF degradation, and iNDF passage rates displayed a quadratic effect, with higher concentrations estimated for replacement levels of 56.07, 56.12, 59.00, and 55.20%, respectively. Replacing 55% wheat bran with spineless cactus in sugar cane-based diets is recommended

Performance of lambs fed alternative protein sources to soybean meal

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of alternative protein sources (castor bean cake, sunflower cake, and sunflower seed) to soybean meal on the intake and performance of 40 lambs, initially weighing 19.8±1.84 kg, fed diets based on Tifton grass hay. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks. There were no differences in the nutrient intake of castor bean diets compared with soybean meal. The intake of nutrients in the sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets was decreased compared with soybean meal. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber of sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets were decreased compared with soybean meal. The average daily weight gain of animals fed the castor bean diet (0.190 kg) was not different from that of the animals fed the soybean meal diet (0.217 kg). The sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets provided less weight gain (0.171 and 0.135 kg d-1, respectively) than soybean meal due to the lower nutrient intake. The hot carcass yield and true yield were not affected by the protein sources. The neck, ribs, and ham weights were similar in lambs fed soybean meal and castor bean cake diets. It is recommended to use castor bean as an alternative protein source in the diet of lambs