Buffel Grass Hay Research Articles

Evaluation of internal markers in digestibility estimation for sheep and goats.

The objective of this study was to compare the indirect methods of obtaining digestibility with the direct method of total fecal collection to estimate the apparent digestibility of nutrients in sheep and goats supplemented with non-protein nitrogen. Five goats and five sheep with no defined racial pattern were used, distributed in two 5 × 5 Latin squares, with split plots, considering the diets as plots and the apparent digestibility determination methodologies as subplots. The diets were composed of buffelgrass hay and the addition, via ruminal infusion, of increasing amounts of nitrogen supplementation in order to gradually raise the CP level of the basal diet in intervals of 2% points, that is, + 2, +4, + 6 and + 8%. Samples of the feeds offered, and the leftovers were collected daily during the five days of collection to determine the nutrient intake, as well as the total collection of feces to determine the apparent digestibility of the nutrients. The amount of fecal dry matter excreted was estimated by the concentration of Indigestible Acid Detergent Fiber (ADFi), Indigestible Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDFi), Indigestible Dry Matter at 244h (DMi 244h) and Indigestible Dry Matter at 264h (DMi 264h). Among the evaluated markers, DMi 264h had the lowest accuracy in estimating fecal excretion and nutrient digestibility. For the goat species, the markers ADFi and DMi 244h proved to be able to adequately predict fecal excretion and digestibility indices, while NDFi stood out for both species. Among the evaluated markers, NDFi is the one that most accurately estimates the nutrient digestibility of the diet for goats and sheep.

Nitrogen Utilization in Goats Consuming Buffelgrass Hay and Molasses-Based Blocks with Incremental Urea Levels.

The use of goats for meat production faces challenges from environmental and nutritional factors. Urea is an affordable non-protein nitrogen source commonly utilized in ruminant nutrition. The objective of this study was to investigate nitrogen utilization in goats fed low-quality hay supplemented with molasses blocks containing urea. Twenty Anglo-Nubian doelings were individually housed in metabolic cages and provided with chopped Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) hay ad libitum. Goats were randomly assigned to four urea levels (0, 2, 4, and 6%; n = 5 per treatment) in molasses blocks for a duration of 30 days. A negative nitrogen balance (-2.458 g/day) was observed in doelings consuming blocks without urea, compared with a positive balance (0.895 g/d) for those consuming the 6% urea blocks. Block nitrogen intake significantly increased with urea level, but urea supplementation did not affect dry matter (DM) or neutral detergent fiber (NDFom) intake or digestibility. A minimum crude protein (CP) requirement of 8% for maintenance in doelings consuming low-quality forage with a urea-based supplement was determined through regression analysis between CP intake (% of DM) and N balance (r2 = 0.479; p < 0.002). The value of 8% of CP obtained in this study is similar to several previous studies reported in the literature, but in this case, the increments in CP came exclusively from urea. In this study, increasing the urea content of molasses blocks up to 6% significantly increased nitrogen intake, retention, and balance in goats. These results contribute to a better understanding of nitrogen utilization in goats fed low-quality hay with urea supplementation.

Effects of non-protein nitrogen on buffel grass fiber and ruminal bacterial composition in sheep

This study aimed to evaluate different concentrations of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) ruminal infusion in sheep fed buffel grass hay on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal parameters, nitrogen balance, and rumen bacterial composition. Five rumen-fistulated adult wethers, weighing 58 ± 5.1 kg were distributed according to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The control treatment consisted of a 5.5% crude protein (CP) buffel grass hay basal diet only, while the other four treatments consisted of the addition, via ruminal infusion, of increasing amounts of NPN to gradually raise the level of CP in the basal diet (7.44, 9.39, 11.33 and 13.27% CP). There was a quadratic effect for the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Values of pH, volatile fatty acids, microbial protein, microbial efficiency and digestibility coefficients were not affected by CP levels in basal diet. On the other hand, there was a linear effect for the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NNH3) and nitrogen (N) in urine, and a quadratic effect for ingested and excreted N in feces, as well as for N balance. There was no effect of the different CP levels on the ruminal microbial composition. While the 5.5% CP basal diet provided sufficient NPN supply for the maintenance of ruminal bacterial activity, increased CP concentrations from 7.34 to 8.66% by means of ruminal infusion with NPM optimized the utilization of buffel grass nutrients by sheep.

Contenido de ácidos grasos en leche de cabra criolla-Nubia con diferentes dietas estacionales en un sistema de alimentación intensiva en una región árida

The objective is to determine the seasonal-diet effect (dry, rainy) on goats’ milk fatty acid profile reared on a farm with an intensive production system located in an arid zone of Mexico. In the rainy season, a group of 10 goats, Creole × Anglo-Nubian, consumed a diet composed exclusively of alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa). Meanwhile, in the dry season, a similar goat group ate a mixture of corn (Zea mays) and sorghum grains (Sorghum bicolor), and buffel grass hay (Cenchrus ciliaris) in a 1:1:1 ratio. The goats were between 90 and 180 days of lactation. The saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and branched-chain fatty acids in milk were measured. The rainy-season milk showed a higher content of fatty acids; however, the contents of most types of fatty acids were not significant between seasons, except for the polyunsaturated (18:2 n-6, -linoleic acid) and highly unsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acid).

Bacterial Community and Chemical Composition of Mixed Fresh Cactus Forage and Buffel Grass Hay during Aerobic Exposure

The chemical composition of cactus forage becomes a favorable culture medium for accelerated microbial activity when exposed to air, as it contains high content of non-fiber carbohydrates and water. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial community dynamics of different mixtures, using fresh forage of cactus and buffel grass hay as a function of the period of exposure to air. The experimental design used was a 5 × 5 factorial completely randomized (five levels of cactus forage × five times of exposure to air), with five replications. The peak of Escherichia coli population growth was after 16.06 h of exposure to air, observed in treatments of 90% and 100% cactus forage. There was an increase in microbial richness and uniformity of all treatments after six hours. The most abundant genera were Weissella, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Pseudomonas, Sphingobacterium, and Sphingomonas. The diet with 100% cactus forage showed a predominance of Weissella, Lactobacillus, and Leuconostoc. With 20% cactus forage, there was a greater apparent abundance of Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, and Sphingobacterium. Aerobic exposure of mixtures of cactus forage with buffel grass hay increases the proliferation of microorganisms with pathogenic potential in the diet. Aerobic exposure of mixtures of cactus forage with buffel grass hay increases the proliferation of microorganisms with pathogenic potential in the diet. Therefore, an exposure period of fewer than six hours with 20% cactus forage is recommended to minimize levels of E. coli. Avoiding negative effects of the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms on animal and human health.

Microbiological Composition of Diets of Cactus Pear-Based with Increasing Levels of Buffel Grass Hay and Relationship to Nutritional Disorders in Sheep.

Simple SummarySmall ruminants fed on cactus pear exclusively in the diet may present nutritional disorders, especially diarrhea. This is due to the high moisture requirements present in this food, related to microbiological factors inherent to poor hygienic quality, such as handling and prolonged exposure of crushed palm to the air, which can cause greater ingestion by animals of certain bacterial groups with pathogenic potential. The aim of this research was to investigate the levels of cactus associated with buffel grass hay on the microbiological quality of diets and the influence on physiological parameters in sheep. Thus, this research revealed that the participation of buffel grass hay was able to reduce the contamination of bacteria that cause diarrhea and depress animal performance.This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological composition of cactus pear-based diets with increasing levels of buffel grass hay, and its effect on the blood and physiological parameters and occurrence of diarrhea in feedlot sheep. Four diets containing different percentages of buffel grass hay were tested. Diets were composed of forage cactus, buffel grass hay and concentrate, and the treatments were represented by different levels of hay in the dry matter of the feed: 7.5% buffel grass hay; 15% buffel grass hay; 30% buffel grass hay; and 45% buffel grass hay on a dry matter basis. There was a significant effect (p = 0.0034) of inclusion levels of buffel grass hay on fecal score. Only at the 45% inclusion level diarrhea was not observed, showing that the level of buffel grass affected more the animals than the collection period, although the collection period has affected the microbial counts. Probably there was a physiological adaptation of animals over time. There were significant changes (p < 0.0001) in the blood parameters of sheep. The reduction of the proportion of cactus and the inclusion of greater than 15% buffel grass hay, on a dry matter basis, provides less contamination of the diet and animal feces by enterobacteria, such as E. coli.

Urea as a substitute for soybean meal in growing lambs fed diets containing buffel grass hay

ABSTRACT The aim was examine the effects of substituting the crude protein (CP) from soybean meal (SM) with the CP from urea on the intake, nutrient digestibility and feeding behaviour of feedlot lambs with buffel grass hay as the roughage source. Five uncastrated Dorper × Santa Inês mixed-breed lambs with an average initial weight of 17 ± 1.5 kg were evaluated in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of diets in which 0.0, 25.0%, 50.0%, 75.0% and 100% of the CP from SM were substituted by the CP from urea. Compared with diet without urea, dry matter (DM) intake and organic matter intake were similar to diet containing 25% of urea, whereas they were lower in the animals fed diets containing 50%, 75% and 100% of CP from urea. The digestibility coefficients, feeding behaviour, nitrogen (N) balance, N intake and N losses in faeces were not influenced. Urinary N losses differed, with the highest values in the animals fed diets in which 75% and 100% of SM was replaced. Up to 25% of the CP, which corresponds to 3.16% of DM from SM can be substituted by CP from urea in diets containing buffel grass hay for feedlot lambs.

Goats fed with non-protein nitrogen: ruminal bacterial community and ruminal fermentation, intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance

AbstractThe current study assessed ruminal fermentation parameters and bacterial community, nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance of goats fed diets containing buffel grass hay and ruminal ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3). Five rumen-cannulated mixed-breed castrated adult goats (45 ± 2.3 kg) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design represented by five N-NH3 levels (3.43, 9.95, 17.2, 23.0 and 33.7 mg/dl). Control animals were fed hay exclusively. Other treatments were represented by ruminal infusion composed of a mixture containing urea, ammonium sulphate and casein. The increasing N-NH3 concentrations did not affect rumen fluid pH, which averaged 6.43. Rumen ammoniacal nitrogen increased linearly in response to N-NH3. Volatile fatty acids were not affected by increasing N-NH3 concentrations. A higher abundance of Ruminococcaceae (Ruminococcus 1, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 and Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group) was observed in the rumen of goats infused with higher concentrations of N-NH3 (17.2 and 33.7 mg/dl N-NH3). There was a quadratic effect (P &lt; 0.050) of N-NH3 levels on neutral detergent fibre intake with maximum values estimated at 13.7 mg/dl N-NH3. Nutrient intake, nitrogen excretion and nitrogen balance presented a positive linear effect (P &lt; 0.050). In conclusion, 3.43 mg/dl of N-NH3 is the minimum level to maintain microbial activity, whereas the recommended level to optimize the microbial community is 14.5 mg/dl of N-NH3 in the rumen of goats fed buffel grass.

Forage sources in diets for dairy goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of sorghum silage, Buffel grass hay and forage palm fodder in the diet of dairy goats by means of performance tests and economic viability of different roughage sources. Eight Anglo-Nubian goats, multiparous, weighing around 40.13 ± 2.76 kg of live weight were used. The experiment lasted 84 days, consisting of four periods of 21 days, distributed in two Latin squares (4x4). The treatments represented by diets with different volumetric sources: SSCF: (sorghum silage+ forage palm+ concentrate); BHCF: (Buffel grass hay + cactus forage+ concentrate); SS: (sorghum silage+ concentrate) and BH: (Buffel grass hay + concentrate). Nutritional intake, digestibility, feed behavior, milk production and chemical composition and economic analysis were evaluated. Animals fed the BHCF diet had higher nutrient intakes and consequently were more productive in fat, protein, lactose, fat free solids and total solids. The BHCF diet led to a higher gross income in Brazilian currency. The safety margin of the SSCF diet presented the highest percentage, with 43.06%, and the BHCF diet, the lowest percentage, of 14.89. The association of forage palm with sorghum silage and Buffel grass hay can be used as a bulky source in lactating goat diets.

Substitution of soybean meal for urea in diets based on deferred buffelgrass hay for feedlot sheep

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of substituting soybean meal for urea in diets based on deferred buffelgrass on the performance of feedlot sheep. Thirty mixed-breed sheep with an average initial body weight of 17±1.5 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design in which the experimental treatments consisted of five diets with six replicates. Diets were composed of deferred buffelgrass plus concentrates and calculated to be isoproteic. Treatments were represented by the substitution of [...]

Physicochemical and sensory characterization of meat from Santa Ines sheep fed with cactus forage (Opuntia ficus indica mill)

Forty non-castrated male lambs were randomly assigned to groups fed with cactus forage (0,17.6, 35.3, 53.2 or 71.1%) in place of buffelgrass hay to evaluate the effects onphysicochemical and sensory properties of sheep meat. There was no influence of weightloss by cooking, shear force, moisture, lipids and ash (P&gt;0.05). Effects were observed forprotein (P&lt;0.05), initial lightness (P&lt;0.01) and final color (P&lt;0.05) when increasing the levelof cactus forage in the diet. Reduction in saturated fatty acids was found, mainly myristicacids, and increased levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and oleic acids, due tobiohydrogenation. The use of cactus forage in the diet as a replacement for buffelgrasssignificantly influences the content of fatty acids in Santa Ines sheep meat, improving the lipidprofile, without influencing sensory attributes.

Performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass hay.

This study evaluated the performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Twenty-eight Santa Inês male lambs with an average body weight (BW) of 20.3±1.49kg(mean±SD) were allocated in individual stalls and distributed in a completely random design with four treatments (0, 20, 40, and 60g/100g total DM M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay in diet) with seven replications. M. tenuiflora hay at the level of 20% dry matter (DM) total replacing Buffel grass hay increased final weight (P=0.006), total weight gain (P<0.001), average daily weight gain (ADWG; P<0.001), DM intake (P<0.001), and feed efficiency (P<0.001). Intake of crude protein, NDFap, ADFap, ash, ether extract, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients presented a positive quadratic effect with M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay and 40g/100g total DM level presented greater intake. There were positive quadratic effects by M. tenuiflora hay inclusion at 20g/100g total DM level on slaughtering weight (P=0.005), hot carcass weight (P=0.002), cold carcass weight (P=0.002), empty body weight (P=0.001), hot carcass yield (P=0.002), cold carcass yield (P=0.003), and increase linear on biological yield (P=0.003). There was no influence on cooling weight loss (P=0.284). M. tenuiflora hay may be included in lamb diets at amounts up to 20g/100g total DM substitution of Buffel grass hay because increase in the nutrients intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics.

Effect of increasing concentrations of total dissolved salts in drinking water on digestion, performance and water balance in heifers

SUMMARYIn the near future, ruminants may be forced to consume low-quality water since potable drinking water will become increasingly scarce in some regions of the world. A completely randomized design trial was completed to evaluate the effect of increasing concentrations of total dissolved salts (TDS) (640, 3187, 5740 and 8326 mg TDS/l) in drinking water on the performance, diet digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen (N) and water balance using 24 Red Sindhi heifers (200 ± 5 kg) that were fed Buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris) grass hay and concentrate in a ratio of 50 : 50. After a 15-day diet adaptation period, the digestion study was completed over a 5-day period and the performance trial was completed over a 56-day period. Dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed:gain, intake and digestibility of most feed components were unaffected by the concentration of salt in the water. However, intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fibre declined linearly as TDS inclusion rate increased. Further, the inclusion of TDS resulted in a linear increase in the intake of drinking water and total (food plus drinking) water intake. Similarly, TDS inclusion levels resulted in a linear increase in total water excretion, with urine being the major route of water excretion. In contrast, increasing concentrations of TDS caused a linear decrease in creatinine and allantoin excretions. Finally, increasing the inclusion rate of TDS resulted in a linear decrease in N retention and a linear increase in urinary N excretion, which may pose a considerable challenge for farmers with respect to the reduction and management of nutrient losses.

Intake and ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diets with ammoniated buffel grass hay on the ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs. Thirty-two sheep of no defined breed with an average body weight of 17.7 ± 1.8kg were used. A completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 18, 36, and 54g/kg dry matter (DM) basis) and eight repetitions was used. Ingestive behavior, rumination, and idle time were similar (P > 0.05) among the diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay, with mean values of 294.5, 554.44, and 594.25min per day, respectively. Regarding the chews, all of the variables resulted in similar behavior (P > 0.05). The quadratic effect (P < 0.05) observed for daily intake can be explained based on the amount of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) per meal per rumination. There was no effect of urea levels from the ammoniation (P > 0.05) on the efficiency of DM and NDF consumption. However, the rumination efficiency of DM and NDF showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05). Thus, the use of ammoniated buffel grass hay with urea in lamb diet affects the ingestive behavior by increasing the rumination efficiency, increased intake, and feed utilization.

Correlations of intake, digestibility and performance with the ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay

&lt;p&gt;This study aimed to evaluate the correlations of intake, digestibility and performance with the ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay. Buffel grass hay was treated with four levels of urea (0, 18, 36 and 54 g/kg DM basis) and eight repetitions. Thirty-two sheep with no defined breed and an average body weight of 17.7 ± 1.8 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design. It was observed positive correlations were found between the feeding time and the intake of dry matter (r = 0.3120), organic matter (r = 0.3242), neutral detergent fiber (r = 0.3800), total carbohydrates (r = 0.3343) and total digestible nutrients (r = 0.3233). Positive correlations (P &amp;lt; 0.05) were found among the rumination efficiencies, g of DM/h and g of NDF/h with nutrient intake variables, except for ether extract intake. Positive correlations were observed (P &amp;lt; 0.05) between both total weight gain (TWG) and average daily gain (ADG) and the rumination efficiency, g of DM/h (r = 0.3330) and g of NDF/h (r = 0.3304). The feeding and rumination efficiencies have a positive relationship with the total digestible nutrients. The correlation among intake, digestibility and performance variables with the ingestive behavior, it was important for the understanding of diet containing ammoniated buffel grass hay, in which the positive correlation of rumination efficiency with intake and weight gain explained the favorable effect on productive performance of feedlot sheep.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Detoxified castor meal in substitution of soybean meal in sheep diet: growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat yield.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, performance, and carcass characteristics of lambs fed different levels of replacement (0, 15, 30, and 45% based on dry matter, DM) of soybean meal (SM) by detoxified castor meal (DCM). Twenty-four and 32 intact hair lambs of nondescript breed (21.7 ± 2.6kg of initial average body weight and approximately 10months old) were used, respectively, in the intake and digestibility and performance experiments. The diets were composed of buffel grass hay, ground corn grain, and different levels of SM, DCM, and urea, in a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60. There was no effect of treatments on DM intake. However, crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intakes were higher at 30 and 45% than at 0 and 15% of DCM, which in turn showed higher intake of non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) (P < 0.05). The organic matter, CP, and NDF digestibilities were not affected, but the digestibility of NFC was lower at 30 and 45% than at 0% of DCM (P < 0.05). The average daily gain, feed conversion, slaughter and carcass weights, chilling losses, ribeye area, and absolute values and yields of neck, ribs, loin, and leg were not affected. However, the carcass yield was lower at 45% of DCM and the absolute value of shoulder was lower at 30 and 45% of DCM (P < 0.05). The replacement of SM by DCM up to 45% in the feed of lambs did not negatively affect the intake, digestibility, performance, and main carcass features.

Efeito da suplementação com Blocos Multinutricionais sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de ovinos e caprinos na Caatinga

Este trabalho avaliou o desempenho e as características de carcaça e não constituintes de carcaça de ovinos e caprinos em área de caatinga, suplementados com blocos multinutricionais (BMs). O trabalho foi desenvolvido na Estação Experimental da EMEPA em Soledade, Paraíba, Brasil, de acordo com um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com 3x2 tratamentos fatoriais (3 níveis de suplementação de animais em pastejo na caatinga: S1 = sal mineral; S2 = BMs; e S3 = BMs + feno de capim buffel, e duas espécies de animais: ovinos e caprinos) e dez repetições de um animal. Os ganhos de peso se mostraram mais elevados para os animais suplementados com sal mineral. Os ovinos obtiveram ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD=104,83g) e ganho de peso total (GPT=11,32kg) superior aos caprinos (GPMD=92,90g e GPT=10,04kg). O peso vivo ao abate (PVA), o peso da carcaça quente (PCQ) e fria (PCF) foram superiores para os animais suplementados com sal mineral. O peso corporal vazio (PCV), rendimento biológico (RB), rendimento comercial (RC), rendimento verdadeiro (RV) e perda por resfriamento (PPR) não foram afetados pelos níveis de suplementação. O PVA dos ovinos (PVA=27,62kg) superou o dos caprinos (PVA= 25,34kg), e o RB, RC e RV dos caprinos foram superiores aos dos ovinos. Houve efeito significativo (P&lt;0,05) dos níveis de suplementação no rendimento (%) do peso do trato gastrintestinal cheio (TGIc), peso do trato gastrintestinal vazio (TGIv), fígado, coração e rins. A suplementação com blocos multinutricionais ou em conjunto com feno de baixa qualidade, para ovinos e caprinos sob pastejo direto na caatinga, com forragem em quantidade e qualidade satisfatórias, não resulta em ganhos produtivos significativos.

Can faecal markers detect a short term reduction in forage intake by cattle?

Detection of a reduction in forage intake is particularly relevant in grazing animals due to its negative effect on animal performance. Estimations of intake reduction using faecal markers can be inaccurate due to the time delay between a change in forage intake and the subsequent change in faecal output. This delay may vary depending on forage quality and marker type. A pen study was conducted for 29 days to test the efficacy of liquid (PEG=polyethylene glycol) and solid (alkanes and CrCl3=chromium chloride) phase faecal markers to detect a reduction in intake by steers of diets that varied in forage quality. Ten Brahman cross steers (296±16kg) were allocated equally to diets of leafy, high quality buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) hay and stemmy, low quality buffel grass hay. Hay was offered ad libitum from day 1 to 7, at 90% of voluntary intake from day 8 to 14 and then reduced by 8% each day from day 15 to 24. On day 5 each steer was dosed with two slow release alkane capsules; also, steers received a single daily dose of PEG and CrCl3 at 09:00 on days 5–24. Actual and marker derived estimates of forage intake over days 10–22 were assessed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. Overall marker recovery rates were satisfactory (0.92–1.03) and there was a significant (P<0.001) progressive decrease in daily recovery rate over time for all markers and diets. Actual and marker-determined forage intake declined over the course of the experiment for both leafy and stemmy hay diets (P<0.001) for all three markers. There was a lag of 3–5 days to detect a significant reduction in estimated intake by steers using markers. The lag period was similar for both liquid and solid phase markers. Results of this experiment indicated that decreases in forage intake by cattle could be detected using indigestible faecal markers, albeit in association with (i) progressively larger reductions in actual forage intake, and (ii) a time lag of 3–5 days between the decrease in actual intake and its statistical detection using faecal markers.

Avaliação de fenos de capim-buffel colhido em diferentes alturas de corte

Objetivou-se avaliar o rendimento forrageiro, composição bromatológica e recuperação de matéria seca do feno de capim-buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), colhido em diferentes alturas de corte. O experimento foi realizado na Estação Experimental Pendência, da Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária da Paraíba S.A. (EMEPA), situada no Município de Soledade-PB. Utilizou-se um delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro alturas de corte (30; 40; 50 e 60cm) e cinco repetições. O rendimento forrageiro foi influenciado pela altura de colheita, com aumento linear alcançando produção de matéria seca de 7206,78kg/ha a 60cm de altura. Observou-se efeito de altura de colheita para os conteúdos de lâmina, colmo e relação lâmina:colmo na matéria seca, em que os valores da relação lâmina:colmo diminuíram com o aumento da altura de colheita, obtendo valores de 0,87 e 0,48 quando colhidos aos 30 e 60cm de altura, respectivamente. Obteve-se efeito quadrático de altura de colheita apenas para o teor de fibra em detergente neutro, com teores variando de 71,82 a 77,08% na matéria seca. Os valores médios de matéria seca do feno variaram entre 82,44 e 84,48%. A recuperação de matéria seca durante a desidratação diminuiu em função das alturas de colheita, apresentando comportamento linear com menor média observada no capim colhido a 60cm de altura (76,58%). A ausência de variação nos constituintes bromatológicos e nas perdas de matéria seca final e as maiores produções de biomassa nas maiores alturas de colheita permite concluir que o capim-buffel seja colhido nas alturas de colheita que possibilite maior produção.

Digestibility of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris)-based diets supplemented with four levels of Gliricidia sepium hay in hair sheep lambs

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of supplementing increasing levels of Gliricidia sepium hay (GS) with different levels of inclusion of Buffel grass (BG) hay on digestibility by hair sheep lambs (2.5 to 3.5 months of age). Eight male lambs were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-day experimental periods (n = 4). Animals were fed with BG with different levels of GS: 100% BG (T1, control), 90% BG + 10% GS (T2), 80% BG + 20% GS (T3), and 70% BG + 30% GS (T4). Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intakes were not affected by treatments. The intake of crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), and gross energy was higher (P < 0.05) in those lambs fed with T4 diet than control. NDF and ADF digestibilities were higher (P < 0.05) in T1 than in the other treatments. CP digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) in T4 compared to T1, T2, and T3. The study showed that inclusion of GS up to 30% with BG in forage-based diets of sheep does not affect DM and fiber intake nor influence DM and OM digestibilities but it increases CP intake and reduces NDF and ADF digestibilities.