Effect of the diet on performance characteristics and quality of meat fat of lamb by principal component analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of use of agroindustrial co-products in the diet of lambs on the performance and nutritional quality of meat fat. Twenty lambs were distributed into four experimental groups: control diet (C) or diets containing cottonseed (CS), sunflower meal (SFM), and castor cake (CC). During the experimental period, data on dry matter consumption (DMC) and total weight gain (TWG) were collected. After slaughter, samples of Logissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were taken for fatty acids and cholesterol analysis. Diets C and CS provided similar characteristics of fat quality and animal performance. However, SFM and CC diets tend to form isolated groups, with different fat and performance characteristics. The SFM diet results in meat with a higher saturated fatty acids and cholesterol content. The CC diet is related to improved performance characteristics and lower cholesterol content. In conclusion, the inclusion of CC in the experimental diets provided, in the proportions used in this experiment, better characteristics of animal performance and meat fat quality.

Soybean hulls inclusion on silage of wet brewery waste

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soybean hulls inclusion in the silage of wet brewery waste. The experimental design was randomized in block, where the treatments were constituted by four levels of soybean hulls on the silage (0, 15, 25, and 35%), with three (silos) replicates per treatment. All data collected were subjected to ANOVA and subsequent polynomial regression at 5%. Soybean hulls inclusion caused a linear increase (p < 0.05) in the pH, dry matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and total carbohydrates content of the silage. This inclusion also caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the effluent losses and percentages of crude protein, fats, hemicellulose, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients. Thus, it was concluded that soybean hulls can be used as an additive in the silage of wet brewery waste. Up to 35% of inclusion, there was a significant reduction in the effluent losses, a little increase on pH and enrichment of nutritional content, especially in the dry matter.

Production and quality of tropical grasses at different regrowth intervals in the Brazilian semiarid

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production and chemical composition of three forage species at different regrowth intervals. A 3 x 4 randomized-block factorial design with three forage species (Andropogon, Buffel, and Massai) and four regrowth intervals (21, 35, 49, and 63 days) was used. There was no interaction (p > 0.05) between forage species and regrowth interval on any of the chemical components evaluated. The crude protein content decreased but the contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose increased with increasing regrowth interval (p > 0.05). Only the contents of crude protein and ether extract were similar (p > 0.05) among grasses. A significant interaction was observed (p < 0.05) between forage species and regrowth interval on forage mass. Andropogon grass had the highest forage mass at 63 days (3,270.1 kg ha-1 DM cut-1) and the highest productivity regardless of the regrowth interval (19.1 t ha-1 DM year-1). Therefore, Andropogon grass was the most productive forage among the tested species. Pastures should be managed with shorter growth intervals due to the highest crude protein level and the lowest contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber.

Bromatological composition and ruminal degradability of Xaraés palisade grass under grazing in integrated systems

To evaluate the bromatological composition and ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of Xaraés palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha ‘Xaraes’ syn Brachiaria brizantha) under grazing in integrated crop, livestock (ICL), and forest (ICLF) systems, we conducted an in situ degradability trial in randomized blocks with three non-lactating 3/4 Gyr × 1/4 Holstein cows, provided with ruminal cannula. The management of Xaraés palisade grass was similar in both systems, differing only regarding shading in the ICLF system provided by eucalyptus trees (average 65% crown cover). Grass samples were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Considering the passage rate 2% h-1, the Xaraés palisade grass of ICL system had greater NDF effective degradability in relation to ICLF (46.38% vs 44.98%). However, the palisade grass CP potential degradability was greater in the ICLF than in the ICL system (68.92% vs. 65.40%). The presence of trees in the pasture has effect on nutritional traits of the Xaraés palisade grass, increasing its protein content and degradability and reducing its fiber degradability.

Correlations between body measures with live weight in young male goats

Data analysis in goat production, such as those related to body and scrotal measurements, indicate the productive and reproductive animal development. The current study aimed to evaluate the correlations between thoracic perimeter (TP), body length (BL), body compacity (BC), body volume (BV), and scrotal circumference (SC) with body weight (BW) in young male goats of Saanen and Boer breeds. It was used 38 Saanen and 24 Boer male goats, with age average of 7.2 ± 2.0 months. Thoracic perimeter and body length measurements were obtained using a tape measure (cm) and the live weight (kg) a mechanic scale. The variables body compacity (BC) and body volume (BV) were calculated using the equations: and . Boer breed showed live weight and body compacity higher than Saanen breed (p < 0.05). Regarding correlations between biometric measurements and body weight, we did not find any statistical differences between the breeds (p > 0.05). The scrotal circumference presented the lowest association with body weight (p < 0.05). However, all biometric measurements showed highly significant correlations with live body (p < 0.01). In conclusion, thoracic perimeter was the main measure of body weight predictor, considering efficiency and practical aspects.

The effect of fairy shrimp “branchoneta” (Dendrocephalus brasiliensis) as the initial diet of tambaqui postlarvae

The effect of fairy shrimp “branchoneta” as the first exogenous feed for tambaqui postlarvae was evaluated. A hundred and eighty larvae were distributed in 12 aquariums, containing 1.5L of water and the stocking density was 10 larvae per liter. The trials lasted for 20 days and postlarvae were submitted to three diets (T1: Commercial feed, T2: branchoneta, and T3: Commercial feed with branchoneta), with a completely randomized design with four replicates for each treatment. During the trials, the water quality parameters were kept within ideal conditions for the species. The tambaqui postlarvae submitted to T2 and T3 showed better survival rates respectively. Regarding the postlarval development, larvae fed with only branchoneta had a better final weight (3.48 mg), daily weight gain (0.14 mg day-1), and the best specific growth rate (8.62%). The results also showed that the tambaqui postlarvae fed with only commercial feed developed less efficiently due to lower rates of survival and growth. The present study indicates that the branchoneta promoted greater development and survival rates of the tambaqui postlarvae and therefore, it presents good potential as a live food for the species.

Egg quality and coccidiosis infestation in three production systems for laying hens

A total of 240 white Shaver laying hens from 22 to 34 weeks of age were assigned to 3 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments included: i) Conventional (hens were kept in experimental building without access to outdoor area and fed with the conventional diet), ii) Semi-organic (hens were kept in experimental building with access to outdoor area and fed with the organic diet plus amino acids and vitamin-minerals supplement), and iii) Organic (hens were kept in experimental building with access to outdoor and fed with the organic diet). The results showed statistically significant differences in the feed intake, egg production, egg mass, egg weight, and change body weight(g) means among the treatments (p < 0.05). The hens kept in the organic treatment had fecal highest contain of oocytes coccidia (p < 0.05). The yolk color index and shell strength in the organic treatment significantly increased in comparison with that of other treatments (p < 0.05). The highest HDL was in the semi-organic and organic treatments (p < 0.05). The lowest egg yolk cholesterol concentration was found in hens kept in the semi-organic and organic treatments (p < 0.05). It is concluded that organic production system is useful for improving egg quality.

Fostering bacterial growth in BFT aquaculture tanks by early Nile tilapia stocking

The current study aimed at fostering bacterial growth in BFT aquaculture tanks by early Nile tilapia stocking. Control tanks had no tilapia but received daily applications of dry molasses (NT+) or had tilapia but no C:N ratio adjustment (T-). Experimental tanks had tilapia and received daily application of molasses to adjust the C:N ratio of water to 15:1 (T+). The development of bioflocs in NT+ was insignificant as demonstrated by low levels of settleable solids (SS) and total suspended solids (TSS). Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) was significantly higher in NT+ than in T+. In the C:N-ratio adjusted tanks, the presence of fish shortened the control of TAN in several days. As nitrite declined in T+, it increased in NT+. The final concentrations of TSS in T+, T- and NT+ were 236 ± 29 mg L-1, 100 ± 32 mg L-1, and 40 ± 22 mg L-1, respectively (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that stable nitrifying and heterotrophic bacterial communities could be attained in BFT aquaculture tanks, before the end of the 4th week of culture, if the bacterial growth is fostered by early Nile tilapia stocking.

Floristic diversification of spreading liverseed grass pasture according to different cutting intensities, obtained by grazing simulation

This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different forage cutting intensities, obtained by grazing simulation, on the floristic diversity and productivity of a pasture cultivated with spreading liverseed grass. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design, with four replications and treatments arranged in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, with five levels of cutting intensity of the simulated grazing (0, 25, 50, 75, and 95% of the forage canopy) associated with two levels of weed coexistence (presence and absence). The evaluations of floristic diversity, number of individuals, and total dry matter of weeds were obtained at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 days after grazing simulation (DAGS). All plots were evaluated at the end of the experimental period (90 DAGS) for the amount of dry biomass produced by the pasture. The results showed that higher forage cutting intensities, obtained by grazing simulation, increased the floristic diversity, the number of individuals, and the dry matter accumulated by weeds in a pasture grown with spreading liverseed grass, reducing by up to 56% the production of total dry matter of the forage.

Vegetable choline as a replacement for choline chloride in broiler feed

The objective of this study was to determine choline chloride replacement effects by a vegetable choline source, compost by Trachyspermum amni, Citrullus colocynthis, Achyranthus aspera, and Azadirachta indica in broiler feed. These compounds are fonts of phosphatidylcholine, a high-disponible molecule for intestinal absorption and choline supply. A total of 640 animals were randomly allocated in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and eight repetitions (n = 20), and zootechnical performance (body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and productive efficiency index), carcass yield, cuts yield, and organs (heart, liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine) relative weights were evaluated. Were evaluated two choline chloride levels (600 and 800 mg kg-1) and two vegetable choline levels (100 and 200 mg kg-1), added in a corn-soybean meal basal diet, during 42 days of raising. Results revealed better feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) and production efficiency index (p < 0.001) in broilers fed vegetable choline, with no differences on body weight (p = 0.372) and weight gain (p = 0.427) among broilers. Carcass, cuts yield, and organ relative weights do not alter (p > 0.05) due to different group of supplementations. Findings in this trial concludes vegetable choline can adequately replace choline chloride in broiler feed, with improvement on performance and no compromising carcass, cuts or organ development.