Dry Matter Consumption Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTATION WITH BROWSE PLANT (GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM) ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION AND GROWTH OF THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF (FOUTA DJALLON) KIDS

TWELVE West African dwarf (Fouta Djallon) kids, 4 to 6 months of age and weighing between 5.96 and 7.24kg, were used in the study of three dietary treatments involving a basal diet of browse plant (gliricidia Septum) supplemented with concentrate feed at 25 and 50% levels of dry matter intake to appetite. The diets were fed for a period of three months in order to estimate nutrient intake and utilization, protein and energy requirements including growth performances of the kids. Kids maintained on gliricidia sepium alone (G1000CO) needed significantly (P/0.05) more dry matter (DM) consumption to appetite (294.66 ± 14.941 g/day) than kids maintained on either 75% gliricidia sepium plus 25% concentrate (G75 C25) or 50% gliricidia sepium plus 50% concentrate (GC)50 (236.26±0.385kg) than either kids on treatments G100C0 or (GC)50 (6.84±0.214 and 6.92±0.313kg respectively). DM intake as a percentage of liveweight was about 3.60 +0.237%. The kids were in positive nitrogen balance and the nitrogen retention value ranged from 31.36 ±1.633 to 50.22 ±0.994%. Metabolic faecal nitrogen (MFN) and endogenous urinary nitrogen (ENU) were 0.232±0.005g/100g DM intake and 0.070 g/day wkg734 respectively. The biological value (BV) of the diets ranged from 56.79 to 75.62%. The digestible crude protein (DCP) requirement for maintenance was 0.853±0.133 g/day/wkg734 while the DCP requirement for liveweight gain was 0.030±0.001 g/day/wkg734 per g of liveweight gain. The digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable (ME) energy requirements for maintenance were 124.42±3.274 kcal/day/wkg734 and 100.78 + 4.588 kcal/day/wkg734 respectively. Results showed that the utilization of the browse plant (gliricidia sepium) by the kids was best when fed at 75% browse plus 25% concentrate.

Productive behavior of sheep fed with soy (Glycine max L.) forage

Objective: To evaluate the productive behavior of Creole sheep in the tropics fed a whole food diet that includes soybean (FS, Glycine max) fodder at different phenological stages. Methodology: The treatments T1: control, T2: 30% (SF-56 d), T3: 30% (SF-68 d), T4: 30% (SF-85 d), T5: 30% (SF-110 d) were assigned randomly to 30 male Creole sheep (15.51±1.6 kg LW). The experiment lasted 56 d. The variables evaluated were: dry matter consumption (DMC), daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion (FC). The experimental design wascompletely randomized and the averages of the treatments were compared using the Tukey test. Results: Differences (p<0.05) were found in DMC, DWG and FC. The DMC was lower (p<0.05) in the control group. The DWG was higher in the animals that consumed soybean fodder compared to the control group (0.205 vs 0.121 kg d-1). The FC decreased (p<0.05) 51% in T3 (SF 68 d), with respect to the control group. Study Limitations: The nutrient contribution of soybean fodder is based on the phenological stage of the plant. Likewise, producers in the tropical region have scarce knowledge about how to incorporate it in the feeding of small ruminants. Conclusions: The inclusion of 30% of soybean fodder at 68 d of age in a whole food diet improves the productive performance of the lambs because it increases daily weight gain and decreases feed conversion.

Substituting corn grain for passion fruit peels in feed for confined sheep

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate diets substituting corn grain with passion fruit peels on the consumption, ingestive behavior, digestibility of diets and sheep performance. A total of 20 sheep were used, confined in individual pens, fed twice a day, with diets which included passion fruit peels in the proportions of 0; 25; 50; 75 and 100% replacing corn grain. The corn grain represented 70% of the dry matter of the diet and the passion fruit peels were supplied in dehydrated form. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replicates. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression analysis at the significance level of 5%. There was a linear increase in dry matter consumption with an increase of 3.89 g for each inclusion level of passion fruit peel. The apparent digestibility of dry matter decreased and neutral detergent fiber increased linearly with the substitution of corn grain with passion fruit peels. The feeding, rumination, leisure and water intake times presented averages of 3.74; 2.92; 16.92 and 0.42 hours, and were not influenced by the diets (P>0.05). The average daily weight gain was similar for the animals in the different diets and consequently the final weight presented average values of 0.226 kg day-1 and 32.1 kg, respectively. The inclusion of passion fruit peels in the sheep diet is an interesting alternative because even with the reduced dry matter digestibility, it increased the consumption and promoted similar weight gains.

INFLUENCE OF COW WATERING TECHNOLOGY ON RUMINATOR PROCESSES AND DAIRY PRODUCTIVITY

The results of studies on changing the technology of drinking for dairy cows by installing an additional trough-type drinker on the route of cows from the milking parlor to the main housing are presented. For this, a scientific and economic experiment was carried out according to the method of groups of periods on 65 cows of the second third of lactation. It was found that for 2–3 days after the installation for additional watering, the cows began to linger near the additional watering devices and quickly consumed running water during the first 0.5 minutes. As a result, the concentration of cows near the drinking bowls in the main cow house was visually reduced. Changes in cows' drinking patterns led to an increase in dry matter consumption of the diet by 5.3 % and a gradual increase in the frequency of cicatricial contractions. The change in drinking water provided an increase in the average daily milk yield in cows by 1.03 kg or 4.79 %. In addition, there has been a tendency towards an increase in the percentage of protein and dry matter in milk. Improvement of water supply to the body of cows due to changes in drinking technology contributed to an increase in the microbiological purity of milk, which was reflected in a decrease in bacterial seed production from 305.3 to 297.9 thousand / cm3. The return of cow watering technology to the standard principle led to the return of productivity indicators to their original level. Therefore, it can be argued about the advisability of using the selected technological method of additional drinking.

Effect of adding humate to the ration of dairy cows on yield performance

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different levels of humate addition to colostrum quality, milk composition, somatic cell count, some blood metabolites and reproductive performance in the period from prepartum 40th to postpartum 60th day. In this study, dairy cows from prepartum 40th to postpartum 60th day were given humate additive which was according to dosed on dry matter consumption basis from (75 g, 150 g). In the study, 26 Swiss Brown cows in the same care and feeding conditions were used in the second lactation. The feeds were weighed to determine the dry matter intake of the individual cows daily. Blood was collected from the vena jugularis at 40, 30, 20 and 10 days before the estimated date of birth, at calving (day 0) and on days 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 after birth. Colostrum and milk samples were taken in the study. As a result of the study, it has been determined that the use of humate additives has no effect on body condition score, body weight, in milk non-fat milk solid, density, protein, lactose, freezing point, somatic cell count, in blood triglicerides, phosphorus, magnesium, albumin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen. It was found that with the addition of humate additive to the feed, colostrum specific gravity increased, prepartum and postpartum dry matter intake increased, milk yield and the fat percentage increased, serum non-esterified fatty acid and blood beta-hydroxybutyric acid levels decreased, and postpartum serum calcium level increased. It was concluded that 75 g of humate, which is determined based on dry matter consumption, can be added to the rations of the dairy cows at this dose and has positive effects on colostrum quality, milk yield, milk fat ratio, and negative energy balance.

Kadmiyum (Cd) Uygulamasının Bazı Tane Sorgum Çeşitlerinin Yem Kalite Özellikleri Üzerine Etkisinin Araştırılması

Bu araştırma, bazı tane sorgum (Sorghum bicolor L.) çeşitlerinde kadmiyum (Cd) uygulamasının (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 mg kg-1) yem kalite özelliklerine olan etkisini incelemek amacıyla sera koşullarında yürütülmüştür. Araştırmada; Batı Akdeniz Tarımsal Araştırma Enstitüsü’nden temin edilen üç farklı tane sorgum çeşidi (Akdarı, Beydarı ve Öğretmenoğlu) bitkisel materyal olarak kullanılmıştır. Deneme bölünmüş parseller deneme desenine (3 çeşit x 1 element x 6 doz x 3 tekerrür) göre kurulmuştur. 130 günlük büyüme periyodu sonunda bitkilerin tanelerinde; tanen oranı, ham protein oranı, yağ oranı, ADF (asit deterjanda çözünmeyen lif), NDF (nötral deterjanda çözünmeyen lif), SKM (sindirilebilir kuru madde), KMT (kuru madde tüketimi) oranları ve NYD (nispi yem değeri) incelenmiştir. Tanen, yağ, NDF (nötral deterjanda çözünmeyen lif), KMT (kuru madde tüketimi) oranları ve NYD (nispi yem değeri) (P<0.01); ham protein oranı, ADF (asit deterjanda çözünmeyen lif), SKM (sindirilebilir kuru madde) oranları (P<0.05) özelliklerinde çeşit x doz interaksiyonu istatistiki olarak farklı bulunmuştur. Tane sorgum çeşitleri uygulanan kadmiyum stresinden etkilenmiş ve doz artışına bağlı olarak yem kalite özelliklerinde değişimler gözlemlenmiştir.

Use of sugar cane to feed lactating dairy goats

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of replacing corn silage with sugarcane in the diet of lactating Saanen goats and to determine their intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, milk yield and composition. The experimental diets were composed of increasing levels (0, 33, 66 and 100%) of substitution in dry matter (DM). Twelve multiparous Saanen goats, with an average body weight of 45.2kg, average milk yield of 3.0kg day-1, distributed in a triple latin square experimental design (4 × 4) were used. The dry matter intake (DMI) and other nutrients were estimated through the difference between the total nutrient in the food offered and its total in the leftovers. The DMI, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total digestible nutrients were not influenced, but the apparent digestibility of DM and NDF decreased. Feeding time and feeding efficiency were not influenced, the rumination and total chewing times increased, and the leisure time decreased, both linearly. Milk yield was not influenced by substitution levels, but corrected milk yield to 3.5% fat decreased. Sugar cane represents a dietary alternative for goats with medium milk yield in critical periods of forage, since it does not change the consumption of DM and milk yield, even with the apparent declining digestibility of some nutrients, influencing the ingestive behavior of the animals.

Clinical and orthopedic examination of loose cows

The results of clinical and orthopedic examination of highly productive loose cows in the agricultural organization of Sverdlovsk region are presented in the article. Due to the high percentage of pathology of the musculoskeletal system in animals, this farm was selected. As a result of the study, violations of veterinary sanitary norms of maintenance and technological violations in animal feeding were found. On average, more than 40.0% of animals recorded clinical signs of pathology of the musculoskeletal system. Biochemical studies of urine and blood serum were performed to determine the metabolic characteristics of the blood of animals with orthopedic pathology. Hypostenuria was established in 41.7% of the examined cows according to the results of a biochemical study of urine. This indicates a lack of the required level of dry matter consumption. In 31.3% of cows, manifestations of metabolic disorders were recorded (a decrease in total protein and albumin, an increase in urea in the blood serum). In 25.0% of animals revealed the presence of intoxication syndrome - an increase in the activity of indicator liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase). Signs of development of osteodystrophic processes (a decrease in total calcium with an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity) were noted in more than 30.0% of cows.

KECERNAAN BAHAN KERING DAN BAHAN ORGANIK KAMBING KACANG JANTAN YANG DIBERI NAUNGAN DAN TANPA NAUNGAN DI LAHAN KERING KEPULAUAN

Heat stress due to high ambient temperature results in uncomfortable livestock and unfavorable physiological changes. This condition causes livestock to not be able to maintain the balance of thermal energy, water, hormonal, mineral and feed consumption and consumption of dry matter is reduced so that digestibility of dry matter and organic matter also decreases. The purpose of this study was to determine the digestibility of dry matter and organic material of male goats in the shed without shade and with shade. The materials used in this study were 1 year old male goat, animal feed in the form of gamal leaves (Gliricidia sepium) and elephant grass, anthelmintic levamison, concentrated feed consisting of yellow corn flour, rice bran, soybean meal. and pollard.Variables observed included dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility. The research design used was placing 14 goat nuts allocated in 2 places, 7 of which were placed in a shed with 7 shelters and placed in a shed without a shade. Then the research data were analyzed using the t test (t-student).The results of this study are the digestibility of dry matter and organic material of male goat without shade and with no significant shade (P> 0.05) Keywords: Goat Male, Dry material digestibility, Organic material digestibility

Feed product in the rations of freshly calved cows consisting of protected soybean and sunfl ower protein

Conducting dairy cattle breeding in modern environments is impossible without a deep understanding of all the physiological processes occurring in the body of a highly productive animal. It is well known that the realization of the genetic potential of cows is impossible without the use of high-quality feed products and feeds. The issue of complete feeding of ruminants is particularly acute during the period of increasing the milk yield. The purpose of the researches was to study the feeding of the PassPro Balance feed product consisting of protected soybean and sunfl ower protein in the rations of freshly calved highly productive cows. It has been found as a result of the experiment that the input of the studied additive in the amount of 2 kg in the ration of cows of the experimental group contributed to the increased consumption of feed dry matter by 3,4 %. For the period of experiment from the experimental animals by 12,0 % more milk (P < 0,05) has been received in comparison with the control group. It has been found that the yield of milk fat in the experimental group was signifi cantly higher than the control one by 13,3 % (P < 0,05). In the experimental group of cows there was a tendency to increase the milk protein content by 10,8 %. By adjusting milk yield by 4,0 % in the experimental group of cows this indicator signifi cantly exceeded the control by 12,8 % (P < 0,05). When analyzing the rumen fl uid for microbiological indicators, a certain decrease in enterobacteria and staphylococci has been found in samples of cows of the experimental group with the increase in lactic acid microorganisms by 1,6 times. The pH of the rumen fl uid of cows of both groups was at the level of 6,2, which excludes the development of acidosis in animals during the fresh calving period.

Engorde de novillos en confinamiento: Evaluación del desempeño productivo mediante simulación de estrategias de alimentación

A simulation model was designed in order to serve as a management tool to estimate the rate of change in live weight in confined steers. The main components of the production system integrated in the model were the animal, the environment and the diet. The quantified biological interrelationships are summarized in the voluntary consumption of dry matter and nutritional balances of metabolizable energy and digestible protein. The potential consumption estimated by the physiological maturity dependent on the zebu, bullfighting or hybrid animal biotype, sex and age was corrected by indexes related to the size of the food particle and actual digestibility of the diet. This was estimated through the development and validation of indexes and correction functions considering the level of tannins, silica, crude protein and non-structural carbohydrates together with the particle size taken from data tables of the Cornell model. The confidence of the model to predict the increase rate in live weight was evaluated by means of the t student test with experimental data from 12 batches of steers of breeds of early physiological maturity, during 119 days. The daily gains of average weights of the model presented a similar trend to the observed data (P: 0.65). In addition, the regression analysis between simulated and observed variables presented a similar trend both for estimating consumption (R2 = 0.62) and for estimating daily weight gain (R2 = 0.58). The model allows evaluating process innovations to determine production functions related to live weight in different scenarios incorporating variables such as bovine biotype, modified diet quality based on its digestibility, particle size, and environmental temperature.

Desempenho e comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros alimentados com dieta de alto grão

Neste estudo investiga-se o efeito de diferentes composições de dietas de alto grão na terminação de cordeiros sobre o desempenho e alterações no comportamento ingestivo e fisiológico. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos, sem padrão racial definido com peso inicial médio de 20,9 kg, com 6 meses de idade. Foram elaboradas três dietas com diferentes proporções de concentrado e volumoso (100:0, 80:20 e 60:40), sendo a porção concentrada das dietas compostas por grão de milho inteiro associando ao suplemento protéico-mineral-vitamínico. Não houve efeito (P > 0,05) das dietas teste para os consumos de matéria seca (MS), matéria mineral (MM), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), carboidratos totais (CT) e nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), expressos em g/dia e % de peso vivo. As médias de ganho de peso total e diário e peso de abate foram semelhantes (P > 0,05) entre as dietas, registrando-se ganho de peso diário de 0,302, 0,254 e 0,259 g/dia com 100, 80 e 60% de concentrado, respectivamente. Os cordeiros alimentados exclusivamente com concentrado diminuíram o tempo dedicado a ruminação (P ≤ 0,05), e apresentaram maior eficiência na alimentação (EAL) e ruminação (ERU). Os animais da dieta sem volumoso apresentaram acentuada variação de temperatura na região do rúmen, enquanto que cordeiros das dietas com 80 e 60% de concentrado apresentaram alterações de temperaturas próximas no mesmo período de avaliação. Todas as dietas avaliadas apresentaram desempenho satisfatório, e apesar das alterações observadas no comportamento ingestivo dos animais, essas não foram suficientes para prejudicar os índices de desempenho dos cordeiros.

Avaliação de carcaça de cordeiros em sistema de confinamento alimentados com dieta 100% concentrado e dieta com inclusão de óleo residual

Objetivou-se, realizar avaliação de carcaça de cordeiros em sistema de confinamento alimentados com dieta 100% concentrado e dieta com inclusão de óleo residual, de modo a identificar qual dieta proporciona melhor desempenho. Foram utilizados 15 ovinos machos, não castrados, mestiços de Dorper × Santa Inês, com seis meses, confinado em baias coletivas por 50 dias. Os tratamentos foram os seguintes: Dieta Controle (CT) - Feno de Tifton + concentrado; Dieta de alto grão (AG) - Dieta 100% concentrado comercial para ovinos; Dieta com óleo residual de fritura (ORF) - Feno de tifton + concentrado + óleo residual de fritura. Semanalmente durante o período de confinamento foram coletadas as medidas morfométricas: altura de cernelha, altura de garupa, perímetro torácico e comprimento corporal para avaliação de carcaça. Não houve diferença estatística para consumo de matéria seca, ganho de peso, altura de garupa, altura de cernelha, comprimento do corpo, perímetro torácico, rendimento de carcaça, peso de carcaça, perímetro de patela de carcaça, comprimento de pernil da carcaça e perímetro de pernil da carcaça (P>0,05) entre a dieta controle e com inclusão de 6% de óleo residual. Apesar de não diferir estatisticamente da dieta controle, a inclusão de óleo residual promoveu superioridade de consumo de matéria seca, ganho de peso total, peso de carcaça quente e fria e perímetro torácico de carcaça quente em relação aos animais alimentados com dieta de alto grão. A dieta com inclusão de 6% de óleo residual proporcionou melhores resultados produtivos e desempenho aos cordeiros.

Consumption of dry matter observed and predicted by the nutritional systems in senepol bulls kept in confinement

The objective was to compare the dry matter consumption (CMS) observed, through the use of the GrowSafe® electronic system, with that predicted by the BR-Corte (2010 and 2016) and NRC (2000) nutritional systems in confined Senepol bulls. To this end, 24 Senepol Bulls were used in a completely randomized design, uncastrated with an average initial weight of 368 kg and 16 months of age. The evaluation of the accuracy and approximation of the CMS estimates by the nutritional systems was adjusted by the simple linear regression model and the decomposition of the mean square of the prediction error (QMEP). The mean CMS observed was 10.33 kg.day-1, higher than the values predicted by the nutritional systems, in which the values predicted by the NRC (2000) and BR-Corte 2010 and 2016 underestimated the CMS by 29.62, 6.19 and 2.03%, respectively. The verification of QMEP and its decomposition made it possible to infer the proximity of the values predicted by the BR-Corte 2010 and 2016 models and the values observed, which presented a better adjustment in relation to the NRC. Surprisingly the values predicted by the NRC, created from a database with Bos taurus animals, showed greater distance from the values predicted and observed, and it was expected greater accuracy of the NRC models for this category and animal breed. It is concluded that the BR-Corte 2016 was the most appropriate model to estimate the CMS of confined Senepol bulls.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) peel pellet as a rumen enhancer in Holstein crossbred bulls.

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to assess the effect of dragon fruit peel pellet (DFPP) as a rumen enhancer of dry matter consumption, nutrient digestibilities, ruminal ecology, microbial protein synthesis and rumimal methane production in Holstein crossbred bulls.MethodsFour animals, with an average live-weight of 200±20 kg were randomly assigned in a 4×4 Latin square design to investigate the influence of DFPP supplementation. There were four different dietary treatments: without DFPP, and with 200, 300, and 400 g/h/d, respectively.ResultsResults revealed that dry matter consumption of total intake, rice straw and concentrate were not significantly different among treatments (p>0.05). It was also found that ruminal pH was not different among treatments (p>0.05), whilst protozoal group was reduced when DFPP increased (p<0.01). Blood urea nitrogen and NH3-N concentrations were increased at 400 g of DFPP supplementation (p<0.01). Additionally, volatile fatty acid production of propionate was significantly enhanced by the DFPP supplementation (p<0.05), while production of methane was consequently decreased (p<0.05). Furthermore, microbial protein synthesis and urinary purine derivatives were remarkably increased especially at 400 g of DFPP supplementation (p<0.05).ConclusionPlant secondary compounds or phytonutrients (PTN) containing saponins (SP) and condensed tannins (CT) have been reported to influence rumen fermentation. DFPP contains both CT and SP as a PTN. The addition of 400 g of DFPP resulted in improved rumen fermentation end-products especially propionate (C3) and microbial protein synthesis. Therefore, DFPP is a promising rumen enhancer and indicated a significant potential of DFPP as feedstuff for ruminant feed to mitigate rumen methane production.

Performance and metabolic profiles of confined Ile de France lambs fed soybean grains in natura

Soybeans in natura can be used in the feed of confined animals as a source of protein and energy. We measured consumption, performance, in vivo biometry, and metabolic profiles lambs fed whole grain soybean in natura. We used Ile de France breed lambs, weaned and confined in a completely randomized design with six repetitions and three treatments: Control, soybean grain (SG) 6.25%, and SG 14% (based on dry matter) in feed. The control and SG 6.25% groups showed higher average daily gain (0.296 kg/day) and total weight gain (17.57 kg) than did the SG 14% group. There were no differences among groups in terms of consumption of dry matter, protein, neutral detergent fiber, acidic detergent fiber, or feed conversion. The inclusion of soybean grain was associated with linear increases in consumption of ethereal extract, and in percentage of live weight. There were no differences among groups in terms of concentrations of studied metabolites. Regarding in vivo biometrics, the control treatment and SG 6.25% groups were superior in terms of conformation and body conditions. Inclusion of soybean whole grain in natura in the feed of confined lambs may be reduced consumption of dry matter and average daily weight gain.

К оценке качества объемистых кормов

The main requirement for feeding livestock is its high intensity. The production of feed in accordance with the requirements of animals requires accurate measurement of their quantity and quality. Among the large number of traits that characterize plants, some of them can be considered as indicators that change in close connection with the productivity of animals. The concept of quality is close to the concept of feed nutrition. The feed product of a certain quality category must have the established digestibility and content of the main nutrients that are of primary importance for the productivity of animals. The modern system of standardization of bulky feeds is based on the technological features of their preparation and their chemical composition. It will not be enough to rely only on chemical composition indicators when developing standards. The economic component of the established parameters of the quality of bulky feed should also be taken into account. Standards should determine the degree of intensification of livestock production. The most important indicators for evaluating the quality of bulky feed should also include indicators that allow us to assess them most fully from the point of view of their impact on the productivity of animals. These indicators can be dry matter, raw protein — as the basis of protein nutrition, raw fiber — as an indicator of the digestibility of organic matter, and, accordingly, energy nutrition and consumption of dry matter. The substantiation of the quality classes of bulky feeds and their economic efficiency is given.

Improve Pasture or Feed Grain? Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Profitability, and Resource Use for Nelore Beef Cattle in Brazil's Cerrado and Amazon Biomes.

Simple SummaryDeforested areas in Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado savannah have historically transitioned to pasture for grazing tropical beef cattle. Brazil’s projected growth in beef exports emphasizes the importance of sustainably intensifying Brazil’s cattle industry on existing agricultural land without increasing deforestation nor accelerating land conversion. We adapted a widely used simulation model for cattle, pasture, and crops to closely match two cooperating beef farms, one in the Cerrado and one in the Amazon. We then simulated the adoption of pasture fertilization, pasture re-seeding, and pasture-based grain supplementation of cattle by a model beef farm. These three sustainable agricultural intensification strategies were compared to extensive cattle grazing, the status quo in Brazil. Beef productivity and economic returns were greater for grain supplementation, followed by pasture fertilization and pasture re-seeding. Grain supplementation had the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, with less energy and nitrogen use compared to extensive grazing, as measured as a “footprint” for every unit of beef body weight produced. Pasture re-seeding and fertilization had lower greenhouse gas footprints compared to extensive; however, water and energy use and nitrogen losses were greater. Grain supplementation used more human edible livestock feed than other strategies, so pasture intensification could increase future human food availability.Economic development, international food and feed demand, and government policies have converted Brazil’s natural ecosystems into agricultural land. The Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) was evaluated using production, economic, and weather data collected on two cooperating farms in the Legal Amazon and Cerrado biomes in the Midwest state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Three sustainable agricultural intensification strategies, namely grain supplementation, pasture re-seeding, and pasture fertilization were simulated in IFSM with double the beef cattle stocking density compared to extensive grazing. Livestock dry matter consumption simulated in IFSM was similar for pasture grazing estimates and actual feed consumed by beef cattle on the two collaborating farms. Grain supplementation best balanced beef production and profitability with lower carbon footprint compared to extensive grazing, followed by pasture fertilization and pasture re-seeding. However, pasture re-seeding and fertilization had greater use of water and energy and more nitrogen losses. Human edible livestock feed use was greatest for grain supplementation compared to other modeled systems. While grain supplementation appears more favorable economically and environmentally, greater use of human edible livestock feed may compete with future human food needs. Pasture intensification had greater human edible feed conversion efficiency, but its greater natural resource use may be challenging.

Ruminal parameters and fatty acid composition of omasal digesta and milk in cows fed sugarcane-based diets supplemented with sunflower oil

This study evaluates the intake and digestion of nutrients, parameters of rumen fermentation and degradation, omasal digesta and milk fatty acid composition, productive performance, and the concentration of serum metabolites in cows fed 600 g kg-1 sugarcane-based diets containing 0 (control), 15, 30, and 45 g kg-1 sunflower oil (SO) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Four rumen-cannulated Holstein x Gyr cows yielding 15±5 kg day-1 with 110±10 days in milk were allocated in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Data were analyzed using mixed models, and significant differences were declared at P &lt; 0.05. There was no effect of SO on the intake and apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and nonfibrous carbohydrates, but there was a linear increase in the intake and digestibility of ether extract. Dietary SO levels did not alter the ruminal degradability parameters for DM and NDF, rumen pH and contents of ammonia N, acetate, propionate and volatile fatty acids. Milk fat content and yield were linearly decreased, whereas a linear increase in milk protein content was observed in response to increasing levels of SO, but with no effect on milk yield. Linear reductions in palmitic and ?-linolenic acid contents, a linear increase in trans-10 C18:1 and elaidic acids, and a quadratic effect on vaccenic and rumenic acids were observed in omasal digesta of cows fed increasing levels of SO. Overall, up to 45 g kg-1 SO can be included on DM of chopped sugarcane-based diets without reducing consumption, apparent digestibility and rumen degradability of DM and fiber. Supplementing chopped sugarcane-based diets with 30 to 45 g kg-1 SO (DM basis) promotes milk fat depression due to the inhibition of mammary lipogenesis by specific rumen-derived fatty acid intermediates of the biohydrogenation of unsaturated C18 fatty acids. The inclusion of 15 to 45 g kg-1 SO in chopped sugarcane-based diets improves the nutritional quality of milk fat, with increases in the levels of oleic, vaccenic and rumenic acids, beneficial to human health, and a reduction in the levels of the hypercholesterolemic lauric, myristic and palmitic acids.

Nitrógeno no proteico de liberación controlada y Levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae en vacas lecheras

El objetivo fue analizar el Nitrógeno no proteico de liberación controlada y Levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae en vacas lecheras del subtrópico ecuatoriano en la Hacienda “Lugmapata”, del Cantón Pallatanga, Provincia de Chimborazo – Ecuador. Se aplicó tratamiento mediante diseño de Bloques Completamente al Azar (DBCA). Para el contenido de proteína en la leche pre-tratamientos no se presentaron diferencias estadísticas (P&gt;0.05), obteniéndose un promedio general de 3,43%, mientras que se registraron diferencias altamente significativas para los promedios del contenido de proteína durante el tratamiento (P&lt;0.01), cuyos valores de mayor a menor fueron 3,75; 3,74; 3,72 y 3,64% para los tratamientos Nitrógeno no proteico de liberación controlada más Levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Se determinó un mayor consumo de forraje verde y materia seca en los animales tratados con Nitrógeno no proteico de liberación controlada más Levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae, lo que repercutió sobre el rendimiento de leche determinándose una mayor producción en los animales.