Total Chewing Time Research Articles

Comportamento ingestivo de vacas alimentadas com torta de macaúba

Avaliaram-se os efeitos de diferentes níveis de inclusão (0, 100, 200 e 300g kg-1 de MS) de torta de macaúba (TM) na produção leiteira e no comportamento ingestivo de oito vacas Holandesas, em dois quadrados latinos 4x4, sendo quatro tratamentos e quatro períodos experimentais. O comportamento ingestivo foi determinado mediante observações visuais, ocorridas durante 24 horas, a intervalos de 5 minutos, para determinação do tempo despendido em alimentação, ruminação e ócio. Embora tenha ocorrido redução quadrática no consumo de matéria seca e na produção de leite com a inclusão de TM nas dietas, a eficiência alimentar (gMS h-1 e gFDN h-1) e a eficiência de ruminação (gMS h-1 e gFDN h-1) foram semelhantes em todos os tratamentos. O tempo total de mastigações (min dia-1), o número de bolos ruminados (n° dia-1), o número de mastigações merícicas (n° dia-1 e n° bolo-1) e o tempo de mastigações merícicas por bolo (seg bolo-1) não apresentaram diferenças. Os resultados permitem concluir que a inclusão da torta de TM na dieta de vacas leiteiras não influencia no comportamento ingestivo dos animais, entretanto, compromete o seu desempenho.

Chewing activities and particle size of rumen digesta and feces of precision-fed dairy heifers fed different forage levels with increasing levels of distillers grains

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 2 differing forage to concentrate ratios (F:C) and various levels of corn dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) replacing canola meal in precision-fed dairy heifer rations on chewing behavior, rumen pH and fill, and particle size of rumen contents and feces. A split plot design with F:C as whole plot and DDGS inclusion level as subplot was administered in a 4-period 4 × 4 Latin square. Eight rumen-cannulated Holstein heifers (12.5±0.5 mo of age and 344±15kg of body weight, respectively) housed in individual stalls were allocated to F:C 50:50 (low forage) or 75:25 [high forage (HF); dry matter basis] and to a sequence of DDGS level (0, 7, 14, and 21%; dry matter basis). Forage was a mix of 50% corn silage and 50% grass hay (dry matter basis). Diets were fed once daily and formulated to provide equal amounts of nutrients and body weight gain. No differences were found for rumen pH between dietary treatments. Time spent eating tended to be longer for HF and was not affected by DDGS inclusion rate. Ruminating time did not differ by F:C, but linearly increased as DDGS increased (422 to 450±21 min/d). Total chewing time tended to be longer for HF and to increase linearly as DDGS increased (553 to 579±33 min/d). Wet rumen digesta weight and volume were greater for HF. Geometric mean particle length of rumen contents was greater for HF 2h prefeeding when analyzed with solubles (particles <0.15mm). Proportion of rumen solubles decreased as DDGS increased 5h postfeeding. Fecal geometric mean particle length and proportion of particles >1.18mm increased with increasing levels of DDGS and did not change with F:C. Total chewing time increased by the addition of DDGS and higher F:C. Heifers can compensate for lower physically effective neutral detergent fiber by modifying their chewing behavior. Rumen pH was never at a level that could induce acidosis, and lower eating time at lower F:C was somewhat compensated by time spent ruminating per unit of physically effective neutral detergent fiber intake. Dry distillers grains with solubles, when used in dairy heifer rations as a replacement for canola meal, yielded similar rumen digestion traits.

Feed intake, ruminal fermentation, and animal behavior of beef heifers fed forage free diets containing nonforage fiber sources1

Eight Simmental heifers (initial BW 313.4 ± 13.2 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental treatments in a 4 × 4 double Latin square design. The experiment was performed in four 28-d periods. Treatments tested were a control diet in which barley straw (BS) was used as a fiber source and 3 diets where the main difference was the nonforage fiber source used: soybean hulls (SH), beet pulp (BP) in pellets, and whole cottonseed (WCS). All ingredients, except the fiber sources, were ground through a 3-mm screen. Fiber ingredients were incorporated at 10, 17, 17, and 16% (on DM basis) in BS, SH, BP, and WCS, respectively. All diets were offered ad libitum as total mixed ration and designed to be isoenergetic (2.95 Mcal ME/kg DM), isonitrogenous (15% CP, DM basis), and with a NDF content of 20% (on DM basis) although there was a discrepancy between the theoretical and the actual chemical composition of the diets. Particle size separation was performed using the 3-screen Penn State Particle Separator. Animals were allotted in 8 individual roofed concrete pens equipped with a feedbunk and water trough. Intake was recorded over 7 d in the last week of each experimental period. Behavior was recorded for 24-h on d 2 and d 6 of each experimental week using a digital video recording device. A digital color camera was set up in front of each pen. Data recorded, except behavioral activities, were statistically analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. To test treatment effect for each behavioral activity, analysis was performed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Diets ranked from greater to lesser proportion of particles of less than 1.18 mm as follows: SH, BS, WCS, and BP. Dry matter intake of heifers fed WCS was greater than the remaining treatments (P = 0.049). The greatest average ruminal pH was registered in heifers fed BS (6.4) and BP (6.3) whereas the smallest was recorded in SH diet (5.9), with WCS (6.2) occupying an intermediate position (P = 0.006). Total chewing time was greater (P = 0.001) in BS and WCS than in SH and BP. In conclusion, the nonforage fiber sources tested in this experiment can be used in forage-free diets fed to beef heifers as total mixed ration (TMR) without negative consequences in DMI in SH and BP diets and with an increased DMI in WCS diet. The WCS diet promoted rumination and total chewing time to the same degree as BS, which demonstrates that it is equally effective as this forage fiber source.

Dietary ratios of maize silage to lucerne hay affect feed intake, chewing activity and milk production of dairy cows

The present study investigated the effects of substitution of chopped lucerne hay (LH) for maize silage on feed intake, rumen pH and fermentation, digestibility, milk production and feed efficiency of dairy cows. Fifteen Holstein dairy cows in early lactation (37 ± 10 days in milk) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. The experiment lasted for 80 days, with 10 days of adaptation and 70 days of data collection. Treatment diets consisted of 60% concentrate and 40% forage, comprising 30 : 10 (MS30), 20 : 20 (MS20) or 10 : 30 (MS10) of maize silage (MS) to LH ratio (MS : LH). Cows were fed ad libitum as total mixed ration. Water was added daily to adjust the moisture content of the feed to be similar across diets. Decreasing the ratio of MS : LH resulted in linear and quadratic decreases of DM intake and physically effective neutral detergent fibre, without affecting apparent digestibility in the total digestive tract. Decreasing MS : LH also linearly reduced total chewing time and tended to reduced chewing index (min/kg DM intake), but had limited effects on rumen pH and fermentation characteristics. Increasing the substitution of LH for MS decreased milk production (33.1, 31.7, and 29.8 kg/day for MS30, MS20, and MS10, respectively), and tended (P = 0.06) to decrease 4% fat-corrected milk and fat yield. However, milk content of protein (2.70%, 2.77% and 2.77%) and fat improved, and tended to improve by decreasing the MS : LH ratio, respectively. The efficiency of milk production, expressed as either milk yield/kg DM intake or 4% fat-corrected milk/kg DM intake, was not affected by the treatments. Results indicated that under the current feeding conditions, decreasing the ratio of MS : LH was not recommended to maintain milk production and DM intake.

Comportamento ingestivo de vacas primíparas das raças Guzerá e Sindi recebendo dietas com diferentes níveis de ureia

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar parâmetros de comportamento ingestivo de vacas primíparas das raças Guzerá e Sindi recebendo dietas com diferentes níveis de inclusão de ureia, em substituição ao farelo de soja, e da cana-de-açúcar, em substituição ao capim elefante. Foram utilizadas oito vacas primíparas, sendo quatro da raça Guzerá e quatro da raça Sindi em lactação, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 4x4. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram em: T1 (0,0 cana-de-açúcar + 0,0% ureia), T2 (13,0% cana-de-açúcar + 0,6% ureia), T3 (26,2% cana-de-açúcar + 1,2% ureia) e T4 (39,4% cana-de-açúcar + 1,8% ureia), na matéria seca. Os animais foram observados a cada cinco minutos, durante 24 horas, para determinação do tempo despendido em alimentação, ruminação e ócio. Não foi observada diferença significativa (P&gt;0,05) para os tempos médios despendidos com as variáveis comportamentais alimentação, ruminação e ócio, à medida que foram aumentados os níveis de inclusão da ureia e cana-de-açúcar nas dietas. O tempo de mastigação total foi maior para os animais da raça Sindi, quando comparado ao dos animais da raça Guzerá. Animais da raça Guzerá apresentaram maior eficiência de alimentação em (g MS/h) e ruminação, quando expressa em (g MS h-1) e (g FDN h-1), quando comparada com a raça Sindi. À medida que se aumentam os níveis de inclusão da ureia e cana de açúcar na dieta, há um decréscimo da eficiência de ruminação expresso em (g FDN h-1).

Comportamento ingestivo e respostas fisiológicas de cabritos alimentados com dietas contendo torta de girassol oriunda da produção de biodiesel

Avaliou-se o efeito de dieta com torta de girassol, oriunda da produção de biodiesel, sobre o comportamento ingestivo e a resposta fisiológica de 32 cabritos ½ sangue Boer, não castrados, com peso médio inicial de 15,3±3,2kg e idade média de 135 dias. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos 0; 8; 16 e 24% de inclusão da torta de girassol e oito repetições. O tempo despendido com ruminação, ócio e mastigação total não foi influenciado pela dieta, e observou-se efeito linear crescente sobre o tempo de ingestão em min/período e em min/dia. A eficiência de ingestão e ruminação da matéria seca e da fibra em detergente neutro também não diferiu entre dietas. Quanto às respostas fisiológicas, as frequências respiratória e cardíaca e as temperaturas retal e superficial não sofreram influência da dieta. Concluiu-se que a torta de girassol pode ser incluída até 24% da matéria seca em dietas de cabritos ½ sangue Boer sem comprometer o comportamento ingestivo e os parâmetros fisiológicos desses animais. O fornecimento de dietas com até 24% de matéria seca de torta de girassol não interfere no estresse calórico de cabritos.

Nutrient demand interacts with grass maturity to affect milk fat concentration and digestion responses in dairy cows

Effects of grass maturity on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, ruminal fermentation and pool sizes, digestion and passage kinetics, and chewing activity and the relationship of these effects with preliminary DMI (pDMI) were evaluated using 13 ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows in a crossover design with a 14-d preliminary period and two 18-d treatment periods. During the preliminary period, pDMI of individual cows ranged from 23.5 to 28.2kg/d (mean=26.1kg/d) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield ranged from 30.8 to 57.2kg/d (mean=43.7kg/d). Experimental treatments were diets containing orchardgrass silage harvested either (1) early-cut, less mature (EC) or (2) late-cut, more mature (LC) as the sole forage. Early- and late-cut orchardgrass contained 44.9 and 54.4% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 20.1 and 15.3% crude protein, respectively. Forage:concentrate ratio was 58:42 and 46:54 for EC and LC, respectively; both diets contained approximately 25% forage NDF and 30% total NDF. Preliminary DMI, an index of nutrient demand, was determined during the last 4d of the preliminary period when cows were fed a common diet and used as a covariate. Main effects of grass maturity and their interaction with pDMI were tested by ANOVA. The EC diet decreased milk yield and increased milk fat concentration compared with the LC diet. Grass maturity and its interaction with pDMI did not affect FCM yield, DMI, rumen pH, or microbial efficiency. The EC diet increased rates of ruminal digestion of potentially digestible NDF and passage of indigestible NDF (iNDF) compared with the LC diet. The lower concentration and faster passage rate of iNDF for EC resulted in lower rumen pools of iNDF, total NDF, organic matter, and dry matter for EC than LC. Ruminal passage rates of potentially digestible NDF and starch were related to level of intake (quadratic and linear interactions, respectively) and subsequently affected ruminal digestibility of these nutrients. The EC diet decreased eating, ruminating, and total chewing time per unit of forage NDF intake compared with the LC diet. When grass silage was the only source of forage in the diet, cows supplemented with additional concentrate to account for decreasing protein and increasing fiber concentrations associated with more mature grass had similar feed intake and produced similar FCM yields as cows fed less mature grass.

Comportamento ingestivo de novilhas leiteiras alimentadas com níveis de farelo de cacau (Theobroma cacao) na dieta

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de novilhas leiteiras alimentadas com níveis de farelo de cacau (0; 7; 14 e 21%). Foram utilizadas 20 novilhas leiteiras ¾ Gir x ¼ Holandês, com peso corporal inicial médio de 165,5 ± 35,8kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições, e receberam dietas compostas de silagem de capim elefante como volumoso e concentrado com níveis crescentes de inclusão de farelo de cacau. Foram avaliados os consumos, assim como suas eficiências de alimentação e ruminação. Para determinação do comportamento ingestivo, as novilhas foram submetidas, no penúltimo dia do período experimental, à observação visual, a cada cinco minutos, durante 24 horas. Os consumos de matéria seca, de fibra em detergente neutro, de carboidratos não fibrosos e de nutrientes digestíveis totais não foram influenciados pelos níveis de inclusão de farelo de cacau na dieta. Os tempos gastos em alimentação, ruminação e ócio não diferiram entre os tratamentos, assim como o número de períodos e os tempos gastos em cada período das respectivas atividades. O tempo gasto por bolo ruminado, o número de mastigações por bolo, o número de bolos ruminados por dia e o tempo de mastigação total não sofreram efeito das dietas. A eficiência de alimentação dos carboidratos não fibrosos teve efeito linear crescente, à medida que foi incluso o farelo de cacau na dieta. A inclusão de até 21% de farelo de cacau na dieta total não altera o comportamento ingestivo de novilhas leiteiras.

Nutrient demand interacts with grass particle length to affect digestion responses and chewing activity in dairy cows

Effects of grass particle length on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, ruminal fermentation and pool sizes, digestion and passage kinetics, and chewing activity and the relationship of these effects with preliminary DMI (pDMI) were evaluated using 15 ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows in a crossover design with a 14-d preliminary period and two 18-d treatment periods. During the preliminary period, pDMI of individual cows ranged from 22.6 to 29.8kg/d (mean=25.8kg/d) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield ranged from 29.2 to 56.9kg/d (mean=41.9kg/d). Experimental treatments were diets containing orchardgrass silage chopped to either (a) 19-mm (long) or (b) 10-mm (short) theoretical length of cut as the sole forage. Grass silages contained approximately 46% neutral detergent fiber (NDF); diets contained 50% forage, 23% forage NDF, and 28% total NDF. Preliminary DMI, an index of nutrient demand, was determined during the last 4 d of the preliminary period when cows were fed a common diet and used as a covariate. Main effects of grass particle length and their interaction with pDMI were tested by ANOVA. Grass particle length and its interaction with pDMI did not affect milk yield, milk composition, or rumen pH. Long particle length tended to decrease DMI compared with short particle length, which might have been limited by rumen fill or chewing time, or both. Passage rates of feed fractions did not differ between long and short particle lengths and were not related to level of intake. As pDMI increased, long particles decreased ruminal digestion rate of potentially digestible NDF at a faster rate than short particles. As a result, long particles decreased or tended to decrease rates of ruminal turnover for NDF, organic matter, and dry matter and increased their rumen pools compared with short particles for cows with high pDMI. Long particles increased eating time, which affected cows with high intake to the greatest extent, and total chewing time compared with short particles. As intake increased, ruminal digestion (kg/d) and digestibility (%) of starch decreased, rumen pool size of starch increased, and postruminal digestion and digestibility of starch increased quadratically. When grass silage was the only source of forage in the diet, increasing chop length from 10 to 19mm tended to decrease DMI but did not negatively affect productivity of cows, which were fed adequate fiber.

Intake and feeding behaviour of Morada Nova lambs fed different energy levels

The effects of metabolizable energy levels were evaluated on nutrient intake and ingestive behaviour in Morada Nova lambs. Forty Morada Nova lambs were used with an initial weight of 12.2±2.05 kg. Five treatments were defined according to the metabolizable energy levels (0.96, 1.28, 1.72, 2.18 and 2.62 Mcal/kg DM). The experimental model was a randomized block design. Linear effect (P<0.0001) of ME levels was determined for dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) in g/day. Quadratic effect was determined for NDF (P<0.017) and carbohydrate intake (P<0.003). Linear effect was determined for digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, TC and NFC. Eating, ruminating and total chewing times, expressed in hours/day, decreased linearly (P<0.0001) with the energy levels of experimental diets. Idle time increased linearly (P<0.0001) with the increase of energy levels of the rations. Feeding and rumination efficiencies were influenced by the energy levels (P<0.0001) when expressed in g DM/h. The number of ruminal boluses, number of chews and chews per ruminal bolus were not affected by the levels of ME. However, time spent chewing per ruminal bolus was influenced (P<0.0014). Increase in ME levels of diets influences nutrient intake and feeding behaviour of Morada Nova lambs during the growing period.

Glycerin levels for crossbred heifers supplemented in pasture: intake behavior

The effect of glycerin inclusion on the intake behavior of heifers was analyzed. During the 102-day experimental period, thirty-six 13-month old heifers, average initial weight 226±12 kg, were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and nine replications: G0.0 = control, G2.8 = 2.8%, G6.1 = 6.1%, and G9.1 = 9.1% glycerin in DM intake. Intake behavior was undertaken by monitoring animal activities for 24 hours every five minutes. The inclusion of glycerin in the diet resulted in a linear decrease in grazing time, linear increase in idle time and quadratic effect on trough time. Moreover, glycerin inclusion did not affect the number of grazing and rumination periods. The number of idle periods showed a quadratic effect, whereas trough period decreased linearly with increasing glycerin. Glycerin did not affect grazing time and rumination period. Idle time increased linearly with increasing glycerin in the diets. Time had a quadratic effect and feeding and total chewing time showed a linear decrease with glycerin inclusion in the diets

Comportamento ingestivo de vacas em lactação alimentadas com rações a base de torta de girassol

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of sunflower cake (SC) on nutrient intake and ingestive behavior in lactating cows. Eight multiparous Holstein x Zebu cows, between 50 and 74 lactation days and 20 ± 2 kg of milk per day, were allocated in a 4 x 4 double latin square design, where the factors were four inclusion levels of SC (0; 7; 14 and 21%). Tifton 85 hay was used as forage in a 60:40 ratio of forage: concentrate. There was no detectable effect of the inclusion of SC (P &gt; 0.05) on dry matter, crude protein and organic matter intake. However, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, showed linear and quadratic effect (P &lt; 0.05), respectively. The time spent ruminating, idling and standing was not altered by addition of SC to the rations, but the time spent in food and water intake was linearly influenced (P &lt; 0.05). Rumination efficiency, expressed in gDM/h and gNDF/h, the total chewing time, number of ruminal bolus and number of chews per day did not differ significantly, except for feeding efficiency that varied of quadratic way (P &lt; 0.05). In a feeding management, if there is availability, it is recommended the use of sunflower cake up to 21% inclusion in the concentrate ration of dairy cows.

The Impact of Alfalfa Hay Particle Size on the Utilization of Soy Hull by Early Lactating Dairy Cows

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alfalfa hay (AH) particle size (PS) and replacement of soybean hull (SH) in the diet on the performance of early lactating dairy cows. Eight lactating Holstein cows averaging 590±33kg of body weight and 47±13days in milk in replicated 4×4 Latin square design were assigned to a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments: PS of AH (fine vs. coarse) combined with SH (zero or substituted as 50% of AH). Physically effective fiber (peNDF) and physically effective factor (pef) contents of the diets were increased by increasing the PS of AH and the inclusion of SH in the diets (P<0.01). Intake of peNDF was increased by increasing the PS of AH (P=0.08) and SH inclusion (P<0.01) in the diets. Apparent digestibility of organic matter decreased as fine AH (P<0.05) was added to the diets, but coarse particles of AH increased (P<0.05) and SH tended to decreased fiber digestion (P=0.06) of diets. Milk production was increased by feeding diets containing SH (P=0.04) but was not affected by AH particle size. Addition of SH reduced milk fat content (P<0.01) but coarse particle of AH increased milk fat content (P<0.03). Cows fed coarse AH tended to spend more time chewing (P=0.08). Coarse particles of AH increased total chewing activity (P<0.05) and also tended to increased eating activity (P=0.09). When chewing activity was expressed based on NDF intake, ruminating time and total chewing time tended to be increased by coarse AH (P<0.1). Interestingly when chewing activity was reported based on peNDF intake, the SH inclusion in the diets decreased eating time (P<0.02), total chewing time (P<0.03) and decreased trend for ruminating time (P=0.08). The inclusion of SH in the diets decreased fecal pH value (P<0.05). Coarse particles of AH in the diets containing SH resulted in increasing of fecal cumulative DM>4mm, 0.43mm and 0.3mm. In conclusion although supplementation of diets contained SH with coarse AH to some extent interacted with SH and improved milk fat yield and chewing activity, this interaction resulted in decrease of eating and total chewing activities, decreased in fecal pH and probably passing more DM to lower tract.

Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos alimentados com rações contendo quatro níveis de inclusão do farelo de mamona

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de observar a influência de quatro níveis de substituição (0; 50; 75 ou 100%) do farelo de soja pelo farelo de mamona destoxificado em rações para ovinos mestiços 1/2 Morada Nova x 1/2 SPRD (sem padrão racial definido) sobre o seu comportamento ingestivo. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os ovinos eram machos, inteiros, com peso corporal 18,01 ± 1,41 kg e idade média de 7 meses. Foram avaliadas atividades contínuas (tempo de alimentação, ruminação, outras atividades e ócio) e pontuais (consumo de sal, ingestão de água, micção e defecação), como também a eficiência de alimentação (EAL), eficiência de ruminação (ERU), tempo de alimentação (TAL), tempo de ruminação (TRU), tempo de mastigação total (TMT), número de bolos ruminais (BOL), tempo de mastigações merícicas por bolo ruminal (MMtb) e número de mastigações merícicas por bolo ruminal (MMnb). As variáveis tempo de alimentação, ruminação, outras atividades, ócio, consumo de sal e ingestão de água foram afetadas (P&lt;0,05), especialmente o MMnb, que foi inferior para os animais alimentados com as rações com 100% de substituição, possivelmente pelo seu menor teor de fibra (oriundo da forragem), sendo possível a substituição total do farelo de soja pelo farelo de mamona destoxificado.

Effects of the inclusion of dried molassed sugar beet pulp in a low-forage diet on the digestive process and blood biochemical parameters of Holstein steers

We evaluated the effects of substituting various concentrations of dried molassed sugar beet pulp (SBP) for barley grain in low-forage diets on chewing behavior, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibilities and blood biochemical parameters using four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers in a 4×4 Latin square design over 28-day periods. Steers (368±8kg initial body weight) were fed 9.5kg of dietary dry matter (DM) as a total mixed ration (TMR) (containing 350g forage and 650g concentrate per kg DM) twice daily at 0800 and 1600h. The diets were formulated to supply approximately 2.3 times the maintenance requirements of the animals so that there was no refusal. Barley grain in the basal experimental diet (330g/kg DM) was replaced with 0, 110, 220 and 330g SBP on a DM basis to create the experimental diets SBP0, SBP110, SBP220 and SBP330, respectively. Ruminal fluid was collected by suction through the rumen cannula from before the morning feeding (0.0h) to 8h after feeding at 30-min intervals. Eating, ruminating and total chewing time linearly (P<0.01) increased with the proportion of SBP in the diet. Moreover, mean ruminal pH showed linear and quadratic increases (P<0.05) with the inclusion of SBP. In contrast, the substitution of SBP for barley grain resulted in a linear and quadratic decrease (P<0.01) in the mean ruminal ammonia concentration, which was highest in steers fed SBP0. In addition inclusion of SBP gave significantly (P<0.05) higher acetate and butyrate molar proportions and lower propionate and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations in the rumen fluid. Total tract apparent digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased quadratically with the proportion of SBP in the diet, but crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibilities were similar among treatments. Plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) before the morning feeding decreased linearly (P<0.01) with SBP inclusion and was highest and lowest for SBP0 and SBP330, respectively (21 vs. 16.26mg/dl). Other blood biochemical parameters and venous blood gasses (including plasma glucose, blood pH, CO2 pressure, O2 pressure, oxygen saturation, base excess of extracellular fluid, base excess of blood and bicarbonate) were not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). These results suggest that partial replacement of barley grain with SBP at low and moderate inclusion rates might improve the chewing behavior, ruminal environment and nutrient digestibility of Holstein steers fed low-forage diets.

Characterisation of chocolate eating behaviour

Knowledge concerning variation in chocolate eating behaviour amongst consumers, and the impact that differences in the physical properties of chocolate could have on such behaviour is limited. The eating behaviour of individuals, consuming two chocolate samples (A and B), of comparable melt viscosity but with different textural attributes, was investigated. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to evaluate masticator muscle activity and electroglottography (EGG) was used to record swallowing events. Results showed that observed differences in mouthcoating affected the in-mouth residence time: chocolate A, perceived as more mouthcoating, showed an increased total chewing time and time of last swallow. Key differences across subjects were: time and number of chews, time of last swallow and total number of swallows. Subjects were grouped into three clusters of eating behaviour characterised as, “fast chewers”, “thorough chewers” and “suckers”. The main differences between clusters were the time chocolate was kept in mouth, chew rate and muscle work.

Consumo de nutrientes e comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros da raça Santa Inês alimentados com rações com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo de nutrientes e o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros da raça Santa Inês na fase de cria alimentados com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (EM). Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros não-castrados, com idade e peso corporal médio de 50 dias e 13,00 ± 0,56 kg, respectivamente, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos experimentais com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (2,08; 2,28; 2,47 e 2,69 Mcal de EM/kg de matéria seca), em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Como volumoso utilizou-se feno de capim-tifton adicionado à ração concentrada. Os níveis de energia metabolizável (EM) tiveram efeito linear sobre os consumos de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, carboidratos não-fibrosos e nutrientes digestíveis totais, expressos em g/dia. O consumo de FDN, expresso em %PV e kg/PV0,75, decresceu linearmente com o aumento dos níveis de energia nas rações, devido à redução no teor de FDN na matéria seca total das rações. Os tempos de alimentação e mastigação total, expressos em hora/dia, diminuíram linearmente com os níveis energéticos das rações experimentais. Em compensação, o tempo de ócio aumentou linearmente e o de ruminação não foi influenciado pelos níveis energéticos das rações. O número de bolos ruminais, de mastigações merícicas e de mastigações merícicas por bolo ruminal e o tempo de mastigações merícicas por bolo ruminal não foram influenciados pelos níveis de energia metabolizável nas rações. O aumento dos níveis de energia metabolizável das rações influencia o consumo de nutrientes e o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros da raça Santa Inês na fase de cria.

Intake, apparent nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep fed cashew nut meal

The objective of this work was to evaluate intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep fed rations with cashew nut meal (CNM) at the levels of 0; 10; 20 and 30% in the concentrate ration. It was used a double 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design. Intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein, mineral matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients were not influenced by the addition of CNM, however, intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber and total carbohydrates presented a quadratic behavior with the increase of content of lipids in the ration. Apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, NDF, acid detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates was not influenced by the addition of CNM in the rations; however digestibility of ether extract and total carbohydrates presented quadratic and linear behavior, respectively. It was not observed any significant differences in time spent with feeding and rumination, however, total chewing time was influenced, presenting increasing linear behavior with the levels of CNM. Concerning to intakes of dry matter and NDF per hour, feed efficiency and rumination were not affected by increase on lipid content in the rations. Ruminating chews time per rumen bolus, number of ruminated boli and the number of ruminating chews per day were not influenced by experimental rations. In sheep feeding management, it is suggested as a feeding alternative the use of up to 30% of CNM in the concentrate ration if it is available.

Comportamento alimentar de cabras alimentadas com diferentes teores de fibra em detergente neutro

Avaliou-se o comportamento alimentar de cabras alimentadas com dietas que continham diferentes teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) - 49, 54, 59, 64 e 69% -, em função de diferentes teores de inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria (RUC), em substituição ao concentrado da dieta - 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%. Foram utilizadas cinco cabras mestiças Boer x Saanen e cinco cabras Saanen distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 5x5. O volumoso utilizado foi feno de tifton, com relação volumoso: concentrado de 40:60. As observações foram feitas em períodos de 20 minutos até o tempo total de 24 horas. Os animais dos diferentes genótipos não apresentaram diferenças no comportamento alimentar. Os tempos gastos com alimentação e com ociosidade não diferiram quanto aos teores de FDN na dieta, no entanto resposta linear crescente foi observada para os tempos despendidos com ruminação e com a mastigação total com o aumento dos teores de FDN e RUC na dieta. As dietas com os teores de 49 e 64% apresentaram menor tempo de ruminação quando comparadas com a dieta com teor de 69% de FDN, com resultados respectivos de 218, 268 e 366 minutos de ruminação. Isso contribuiu para diminuir a eficiência (min/kg MS e FDN) de alimentação, ruminação e mastigação. Conclui-se que o resíduo úmido de cervejaria pode ser usado como fonte de fibra efetiva na dieta de cabras.

Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos alimentados com farelo da vagem de algaroba associado a níveis de ureia

The goal of this work was to evaluate the use of urea in diets containing mesquite pod meal on the intake behavior of sheep. Treatments consisted of the following urea levels in diet: 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of total dry matter. Eight gelded males, with mean weight of 33.5 kg, were used in an experimental design with two 4 x 4 Latin squares. Evaluation occurred at the 17th and 18th experiment day, by recording feeding, rumination and resting time. Three periods were used (10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.) to record the number of chewing times per cud and time spent. Feeding (317.19 min.) and rumination time (468.59 min.), total chewing time (13.10h day-1), time spent for chewing per cud (47.09 s), number of chewing per cud (60.65) and per day (36,209.15), as well as feeding and rumination efficiency, were not affected by urea levels in diet. Intake behavior of sheep is not influenced by up to 1.5% urea in diets containing mesquite pod meal.