ABSTRACT The objectives were to evaluate the effects of monensin and virginiamycin, alone or combined, on supplemented Nellore cattle grazing tropical grass during the rainy season. Two experiments were conducted simultaneously to evaluate intake, digestibility, CH4 emissions, blood parameters, performance, and carcass characteristics (Exp. 1), and ruminal fermentation and relative abundance of ruminal microorganisms (Exp. 2). Animals (n = 92 Exp. 1 and n = 12 Exp. 2) were distributed in a completely randomized design and allocated in twelve paddocks composed of Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. Xaraés. A protein-energetic supplementation of 3 g/kg of BW per day was provided to all animals. Supplements were: without additives (WA), monensin alone at 80 mg/kg of product (MN), virginiamycin alone at 150 mg/kg of product (VM), and monensin (80 mg/kg of product) combined with virginiamycin (150 mg/kg of product; MNVM). Treatments did not affect intakes of total dry matter (DM), supplement DM, and nutrients. However, the intakes of forage DM and crude protein decreased in cattle fed MNVM compared with animals fed WA, MN, and VM. Total volatile fatty acids increased in animals fed VM. Ruminal NH3-N decreased, and pH increased in animals fed MN, VM, and MNVM. Relative abundance of total F. succinogenes and S. ruminantium decreased and R. flavefaciens increased in animals fed MN and VM at d 118. Treatments had no effect on enteric CH4 emissions. The average daily gain (ADG) and total gain were greater in cattle fed MNVM than in cattle fed MN. Combination of monensin and virginiamycin altered the rumen microbial populations but did not decrease enteric CH4 emissions. However, it decreased forage dry matter intake without altering the ADG and total weight gain, leading to an increase in feed efficiency. Results from this study indicate an advantage in including feed additives combined in the diet of supplemented Nellore cattle grazing tropical grass during the rainy season.

ABSTRACT. This study evaluated the effect of phosphorus (P) supplementation on the intake, digestibility, and quality of aged meat from Nellore young bulls fed on high-grain diets finished in feedlot. Forty young bulls (30 months old) with an initial body weight (IBW) of 296 ± 25 kg were used. It was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design. The treatments were: without P supplementation (CO), commercial mineral supplement (CM), and supplementation with dicalcium phosphate (DP) with 2.4, 4.2, or 5.0 g of P per kg of dry matter (DM), respectively. Diets were composed of sugarcane bagasse (200 g kg-1) plus concentrate (800 g kg-1) on a dry matter (DM) basis. The meat quality parameters analyzed were pH, color, cooking losses, shear force, and water-holding capacity. P supplementation did not affect the intake and digestibility of nutrients There was no interaction (p > 0.05%) between diets and the aging time for the meat quality parameters. However, bulls fed with DP exhibited lower pH (5.98) compared to CO and CM (6.19 and 6.14, respectively). The longer aging time increased the cooking losses and intensity of yellow (b*). Under Brazilian conditions, feedlot Nellore cattle fed with high-grain diets do not require additional mineral supplements.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lipid sources on voluntary intake, digestibility, performance, and CH4 emission of Nellore steers grazing Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés forage in the dry season. Forty-five Nellore steers with average weight of 442±34 kg were alloted into one of the five treatments: without additional fat; with palm oil; with linseed oil; with protected fat; and with whole soybeans. The supplements were provided daily and quantities were adjusted to 1% of body weight and diets were formulated in accordance with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and two replications. There were no effects on dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber intake with the inclusion of lipids in the diet. The neutral detergent fiber showed decreased digestibility in animals receiving linseed oil and palm oil treatments compared with animals receiving the diet without additional fat. The linseed oil treatment reduced CH4 emissions by 38% when expressed in mg/d/kg BW and tended to reduce the emission in g/d/kg BW0.75. Lipid sources did not affect the weight gain of the animals. The intake and performance of grazing Nellore steers supplemented at 1% body weight with lipid sources were not modified. However, fiber digestibility was reduced with palm or linseed oil addition. Linseed oil reduced enteric CH4 emissions. Linseed oil has the potential to reduce enteric CH4 emissions in continuous tropical grazing systems based on B. brizantha grass.

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of forages with different nutritional values - specifically, corn silage (CS), sugar cane (SC), and sugar cane bagasse (SB) - in diets with crude glycerin, on carcass traits, meat quality, and fatty acid profile, using young Nellore bulls finished in the feedlot. Thirty young Nellore bulls with an initial average body weight of 416.70±24.74 kg were randomly assigned to three treatments containing different sources of forage. The carcass traits and variables related to meat quality of the Nellore young bulls were not significantly influenced by different sources of forage in diets with crude glycerin. The yellow color index was significantly greater in the fat of animals fed corn silage. Heptadecenoic fatty acid was significantly lower in the meat of animals fed sugar cane bagasse. The sources of forage in diets with crude glycerin did not influence the profile of saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fatty acids in the longissimus muscle. Overall, our results indicate that none of the treatments changed the carcass and meat quality traits of Nellore young bulls finished in the feedlot. Thus, sugar cane and sugar cane bagasse could be used in feedlot as a viable forage alternative to corn silage.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of alternative true-protein sources to soybean meal, with different ruminal degradability, using a sugarcane-based diet, on nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and passage rate in prepubertal dairy heifers. Eight crossbred rumen- and duodenum-cannulated Holstein × Gyr dairy heifers (202.0±11.5 kg BW) were evaluated in a 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design with four treatments and four periods in two simultaneous replicates. Dietary treatments were: soybean meal; cottonseed meal; peanut meal; and sunflower meal. When associated with diets containing sugarcane, the different protein sources did not affect intake or digestibility of dry mater, crude protein, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber. The average ruminal pH, NH3-N and concentration of total volatile fatty acids were not different among the diets supplied. The concentration of butyric acid was different among the protein sources, wherein the animals fed the diet with sunflower meal presented lower values than those fed the other sources. Diets did not affect nitrogen balance, microbial nitrogen, microbial synthesisefficiency, estimated dry matter flow, or passage rate. Alternative protein sources can be used to reduce the costs without changing the animal metabolism.

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient intake, performance, estimated methane production and carcass characteristics of steers fed diets containing three different levels of soybean grain: 0, 120 and 230 g/kg on the dry matter (DM). The study was conducted on eighteen castrated Nellore males with an average initial body weight (BW) of 370±12 kg in a completely randomized design, with three treatments and six repetitions. Intake of dry matter (DMI, kg/day) and crude protein tended to decrease linearly, and the intake of ether extract increased linearly in response to the soybean grain levels in the diet. Levels of soybean grain in the diet did not affect DMI (g/kg of BW), final average weight, average daily weight gain, feed efficiency and estimated methane production. Animals fed diets with different levels of soybean grain were not different with respect to carcass yield, loin eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, or bone, muscle and fat ratios. Carcass characteristics and meat quality were also not significantly different. Replacement of soybean meal by soybean grain in the diet alters the intake of crude protein and ether extract but does not affect performance, estimates of methane production, or carcass characteristics of feedlot Nellore.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of ruminal fermentation and enteric methane production in beef cattle subjected to different supplementation frequencies while grazing on Brachiaria brizanthacv. Marandu pastures. Nine cattle (325±65.7 kg BW) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in the ruminal fermentation study, and 12 cattle (399±32.6 kg BW) were used in the enteric methane production study. The treatments included supplementation once daily, supplementation once daily except Saturdays and Sundays, or supplementation on alternate days. The supplementation was equivalent to 10 g kg−1 BW day−1 for all treatments. The design employed was completely randomized with three treatments and three replications. When all supplements were provided (day 1), no effects of supplementation frequency were observed on ruminal pH; concentration of NH3-N; concentration of acetic, propionic, or butyric acids; or total volatile fatty acids (VFA), but there were month effects. During the day on which only daily supplements were provided (day 2), significant differences were observed only on the molar concentration of acetic acid and total VFA; and month effects were noted on all variables. No significant differences were observed in ruminal fluid volume, dilution rate, N intake, bacterial N synthesis and enteric methane production among the studied supplementation frequencies. Differences were observed in the enteric methane production in the different months, with 85 g kg−1 of gross energy intake observed in September and 123 g kg−1 of gross energy intake observed in November. Lower supplementation frequency is a good option to lower labor costs with little or no consequences on ruminal fermentation characteristics and enteric methane production.

Reduced supplementation frequency is a broadly applied management practice. Ruminants consuming low quality forages/pastures, supplemented less than once daily are able to maintain body weight gain (BWG), efficiency of use of dry matter, nitrogen and other nutrients, as compared with animals supplemented once daily. We evaluated the feeding behavior, dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter and organic matter digestibility (DMD and OMD), BWG, Longissimus muscle area and backfat depth of Nellore steers raised on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures during the dry season, with different supplementation patterns. Thirty six animals (338 ± 40.7 kg) were distributed over nine paddocks according to a completely randomized design. Treatments were based on supplementation frequency: once daily (OD), once daily except Saturdays and Sundays (SS), or on alternate days (AD), at 1.0 %, 1.4 % and 2.0 % BW, respectively. Average total DMI accounted for 1.6 % BW day-1, with no effect of supplementation frequency. Supplementation frequency had no effect on BWG or grazing time during the day. There was no difference in Longissimus muscle area animals supplemented daily, SS and AD. The backfat depth was thinner in animals supplemented AD, but even in this case, it was within the standards considered satisfactory for a finishing steer. Reducing supplementation frequency seems a good option to lower labor costs without affecting feed efficiency or carcass quality in beef cattle grazing tropical pastures.

Foram avaliados descarte de resíduos químicos em análises dos teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), utilizando métodos convencional (Van Soest) e alternativos de análises. A recuperação da acetona promoveu ganhos tanto econômico como ambiental, observando-se taxa de recuperação de 84,12%. A precisão das análises não foi observada na maioria das determinações com reutilização de resíduos químicos, em todos os métodos analíticos testados, apesar de promover redução no custo, no tempo investido no preparo das soluções e no descarte de resíduos químicos.

The disposal of chemical waste and the precision of analyses of the neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber contents were evaluated utilizing conventional (Van Soest) and alternative methods of analyses. The recovery of acetone promoted both economic and environmental gains, with a recovery rate of 84.12%. The precision of the analyses was not observed in most of the determinations with reutilization of chemical waste in all the analytical methods tested, in spite of promoting decrease in cost, time invested in the preparation of solutions and the disposal of chemical waste.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid content (20, 40 and 60 g/kg dry matter) on intake, total and ruminal apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation parameters, microbial synthesis efficiency and rumen microbial content of beef cattle. Nine cannulated steers at 6 months of age with initial body weight of 232±35 kg were used in a triplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design. The results indicated that the total intake and digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were not affected by the lipid content of the diet. However, the lowest lipid content diet reduced the total digestibility of crude protein (CP) and total carbohydrate linearly compared with the highest lipid diet. In contrast, when steers were fed a diet containing 20 g lipids/kg of DM, the concentration of ammonia in the rumen decreased quadratically relative to the other diets. Ruminal pH was not affected by the interaction of treatment and sampling time; however, the rumen pH decreased quadratically in animals that received the highest dietary lipid content (60 g/kg) compared with animals that received 20 and 40 g lipids/kg of DM. The rumen concentrations of volatile fatty acids, propionate, and butyrate and the acetate/propionate ratio were affected by the dietary lipid content. However, the microbial population, microbial N flow, and efficiency of synthesis were not affected by dietary lipid content. Overall, an increase in the lipid content of the diet of Nellore steers resulted in similar digestive profiles and fermentation conditions.

Na presente revisão, buscou-se apresentar os principais impactos ambientais causados pela pecuária, sobretudo, em relação às emissões de gases efeito estufa (GEE). Além disso, buscou-se apresentar possíveis formas de mitigar essas externalidades. A criação de bovinos, no Brasil, acontece de forma extensiva, muitas vezes em áreas com pastagem degradada e, portanto, de baixa produtividade. Isso possibilita à atividade uma oportunidade de redução do impacto causado ao meio ambiente, uma vez que ações tomadas, no sentido de melhorar o rendimento animal, devem resultar em um menor consumo de recursos naturais (terra e água) e maior eficiência do sistema digestivo animal. Os principais problemas apontados pelos pesquisadores, no que tange à pecuária extensiva, são o metano emitido pela fermentação entérica dos ruminantes, o óxido nitroso emitido pelos dejetos dos animais em pastejo e o dióxido de carbono trocado pelo solo e vegetação. Muitos fatores influenciam a produção de CH4 entérico dos ruminantes, inclusive o tipo de carboidrato fermentado, o sistema digestivo do animal, a quantidade e o tipo de alimentos consumidos. Diante do exposto, pesquisadores têm desenvolvido tecnologias para reduzir a emissão de metano, através da melhoria das práticas de manejo alimentar, manipulação ruminal, por meio de suplementação com monensina, lipídios, ácidos orgânicos e compostos de plantas. Outras estratégias de redução de metano que foram investigadas são: defaunação e vacinas, que buscam inibir micro-organismos metanogênicos e a metanogênese. Assim, a busca por sistemas de produção eficientes tem sido uma das perspectivas da pecuária mundial para reduzir a emissão de poluentes e intensificar a produção animal.

This review aimed to present the main environmental impacts related to livestock, especially as regards the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the possible ways to mitigate these externalities. The creation of ruminants in Brazil comes mainly extensively, often in areas of degraded pasture and hence low productivity. This fact enables the activity a great opportunity to reduce the impact to the environment, since actions taken to improve animal performance should result in a lower consumption of natural resources (land and water) and greater efficiency of the digestive system animal. The main problems identified by researchers in relation to cattle production are the methane emitted from enteric fermentation of ruminants, nitrous oxide emitted by feces of grazing animals and carbon dioxide exchanged by soil and vegetation. Many factors influence the production of CH4 from enteric ruminants, including the type of carbohydrate fermentation, the animal's digestive system, and the amount and type of food consumed. In this light, researchers have been working technologies to reduce methane emissions through improved food handling practices, manipulation of rumen by supplementation with monensin, lipids, organic acids and plant compounds. Other strategies to reduce methane that were investigated are defaunation and vaccines, which seek to inhibit methanogens and methanogenesis. Thus, the search for more efficient production systems has been one of the prospects of livestock worldwide, aiming to reduce emissions and increase animal production.

Avaliaram-se a população de protozoários, a eficiência de síntese microbiana e a degradabilidade ruminal da matéria seca e da fibra em detergente neutro, em bovinos que consumiram dietas contendo diferentes teores de lipídeos. Foram utilizados nove novilhos da raça Nelore, canulados no rúmen e duodeno, com idade inicial 16 meses e 232 ± 35 kg de peso corporal. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi quadrado latino 3 x 3 triplicado, sendo os tratamentos: 2; 4 e 6% de lipídeos na dieta. A degradabilidade "in situ" foi avaliada por meio da incubação ruminal da silagem de milho, soja grão, farelo de soja e polpa cítrica por 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96h. O fluxo de nitrogênio microbiano e a eficiência de síntese microbiana não foram (p > 0,05) influenciados pela inclusão de teores de lipídeos nas dietas. Quando os animais receberam 4% de lipídeo na dieta ocorreu redução (p < 0,05) da degradação potencial e efetiva da matéria seca da silagem de milho (64,10 e 55,04%, respectivamente), farelo de soja (94,55 e 60,83%, respectivamente) e soja grão (98,45 e 76,44%, respectivamente). Teores 4 e 6% de lipídeos na dieta podem ser utilizados sem alterar os parâmetros de degradação ruminal da fibra.

Protozoa population, microbial synthesis efficiency and rumen degradability of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber in cattle fed on diets with different lipid rates were evaluated. Nine 16-month-old Nelore young bulls, cannulated in the rumen and duodenum, weighing 232 ± 35 kg, were used in the trial. Experimental design consisted of a 3 x 3 square in triplicate, comprising the following treatments: 2, 4 and 6% lipid in diet. In situ degradability was assessed by rumen incubation of corn silage, soybean, soybean meal and citrus pulp during 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96h. The flow of microbial nitrogen and microbial efficiency were not influenced (p > 0.05) by the inclusion of lipid levels in the diet. When the animals received diet with 4% lipid, there was a reduction (p < 0.05) in the potential and effective degradation of dry matter of corn silage (64.10 and 55.04%, respectively), soybean meal (94.55 and 60.83%, respectively) and soybeans (98.45 and 76.44%, respectively). Since the degradability of neutral detergent fiber was not affected, 4 and 6% lipid levels in the diet may be used without altering the parameters of rumen degradation of fiber.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do uso de monensina, complexo de leveduras, ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e aminoácidos no consumo de matéria seca e nutrientes, na estimativa da digestibilidade ruminal, nos parâmetros de fermentação ruminal (pH, concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal e de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta), na população de protozoários e na produção de metano. Foram utilizados seis bovinos e com peso corporal de 530 ± 15 kg, recebendo complexo de leveduras, ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e aminoácidos (5 g/dia); monensina (5 g/dia); caulim (5 g/dia), usado como controle adicionado à dieta composta de feno de capim-tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.); e concentrado, na relação 80:20. O delineamento experimental adotado para análise do consumo e da digestibilidade foi o de blocos completos casualizados e, para análise dos parâmetros ruminais e da produção de metano, o de parcelas subdivididas. O consumo foi influenciado pelo uso de monensina na dieta, mas não diferiu entre os aditivos. As digestibilidades da matéria seca e dos nutrientes não foram influenciadas pelo fornecimento dos aditivos. A relação acetato:propionato nos animais alimentados com a dieta com monensina foi menor que naqueles que receberam o complexo de leveduras e ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e aminoácidos, diminuindo a perda de energia na forma de metano. O pH e a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal foram adequados para o crescimento bacteriano. A concentração de metano não é alterada pelo uso dos aditivos testados.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of monensin, yeast complex, unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids on dry matter and nutrient intake, total and partial digestibility and ruminal parameters of ruminal fermentation (pH, ammonia nitrogen concentration and short chain fatty acids), the protozoa population and methane production. Six castrated steers, body weight 530 ± 15 kg were used, receiving yeast complex, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids (5 g/dia), monensin (5 g/dia), caulim (5g/dia, used as control), added to a diet consisting of Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) hay and concentrate at 80:20. A randomized complete block design was used to analyze and a split-plot design was used to analyze ruminal fermentation and methane production. The intakes were influenced by monensin in the diet, and no difference was observed among the additives. The dry matter and nutrients digestibilities, were not influenced by supplementing with additives. The acetate:propionate ratio in the animals fed the diet with monensin was smaller than in those that received the yeast complex and polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids, decreasing the energy loss in the form of methane. The pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration were adequate to microbial growth. The methane concentration was not altered with the use of the amino acids tested.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o consumo, a digestibilidade total e parcial da matéria seca (MS) e dos nutrientes e os parâmetros ruminais de novilhos alimentados com rações à base de resíduo do processamento do caroço de algodão (RPCA) suplementado com levedura seca de cana-de-açúcar. Foram utilizados seis novilhos Nelore canulados no rúmen e duodeno, alimentados com rações compostas de 80% RPCA e 20% concentrado, composto de milho, ureia e levedura nos níveis de 0, 20 ou 40%. O delineamento experimental adotado para análise do consumo e da digestibilidade foi em blocos casualisados e a análise dos parâmetros ruminais foi em parcela subdividida. Os consumos e a digestibilidade de nutrientes não foram influenciados pela suplementação com levedura, fato que pode estar relacionado ao alto valor da fração C do resíduo do processamento do RPCA (44,51% MS) e à baixa fração proteica de lenta degradação da levedura, que impediu a sincronização energia/nitrogênio para maior degradação do resíduo. O pH do líquido ruminal decresceu linearmente nos animais mantidos com as dietas suplementadas com levedura. Em todas as dietas, o pH e a concentração de N-NH3 foram adequados para o crescimento microbiano. As concentrações ruminais de acetato, propionato, butirato e ácidos graxos voláteis totais e a relação acetato:propionato não foram influenciadas pela suplementação com levedura. O resíduo do processamento do caroço de algodão é uma opção a ser utilizada no arraçoamento de bovinos.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake, total and partial dry matter (DM) digestibility and the nutrients and ruminal parameters of steer fed diet based on cottonseed processing residue (CSPR) supplemented with sugarcane dried yeast. Six steers, with rumen and duodenal cannulae were fed diets consisting of 80% CSPR and 20% concentrate, consisting of corn, urea and yeast at levels of 0, 20 or 40%. A randomized block design was used to analyze intake and digestibility and the ruminal parameters were analyzed in split plots. The DM, OM, EE, NDF and ADF intake and digestibility were not influenced by yeast supplementation, possibly because of the high value of the C fraction of the CSPR (44.51% DM) and the low protein fraction of slow degradation of yeast that prevented synchronization energy/nitrogen for greater residue degradation. The ruminal liquid pH decreased linearly in the animals kept on yeast supplemented diets. In all treatments the pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration were adequate for microbial growth. The ruminal concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, total fatty acid and the acetate: propionate ratio values were not influenced by yeast supplementation. Cottonseed processing residue can be used as ruminant feedstuff.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da deficiência de nitrogênio degradável no rúmen (NDR), utilizando como volumoso cana-de-açúcar suplementada com uréia, farelo de soja ou farelo de glúten de milho - 60, sobre a eficiência de síntese microbiana e a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca (MS) e da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) em novilhos mestiços. Utilizaram-se oito novilhos canulados no rúmen e duodeno, distribuídos em dois quadrados latinos 4 × 4 e alimentados com cana-de-açúcar e cana-de-açúcar suplementada com uréia, farelo de soja ou farelo de glúten de milho-60. O pH e a concentração de N-NH3 foram mensurados no fluido ruminal antes e 2, 4, 6 e 8 horas após o fornecimento da ração. Utilizou-se a fibra em detergente ácido indigestível como indicador de fluxo duodenal. A eficiência microbiana foi determinada pelas bases purinas.As fontes de proteína degradável no rúmen não influenciaram a degradabilidade da matéria seca, entretanto, o maior valor de degradabilidade efetiva da FDN foi obtido com a cana-de-açúcar com farelo de soja. O pH e a concentração de N-NH3 observados com todas as dietas foram adequados para o crescimento dos microrganismos ruminais. A deficiência de nitrogênio degradável no rúmen não influencia a síntese de proteína microbiana e a dinâmica de fase líquida.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the ruminal degradable nitrogen (RDN) deficit using as roughage sugar cane supplemented with urea, soybean meal, or corn gluten meal 60 on the microbial synthesis efficiency, in situ dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability. The treatments were: sugar cane, sugar cane with urea, soybean meal or corn gluten meal 60. Eight rumen and duodenum cannulated steers were used and arranged according to two 4 × 4 Latin Squares. The pH and N-NH3 were determined in the ruminal fluid before and 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after feeding. The duodenal flow was estimated by indigestible acid detergent fiber. The microbial efficiency was determined by purine. RDN did not affect the DM and the highest effective degradability was observed in sugar cane supplemented with soybean meal in the NDF degradability. The pH, N-NH3 values were appropriate to the microbial synthesis in all the evaluated diets. The RDN deficiency did not affect the microbial protein synthesis and the dynamics of the liquid phase.