ABSTRACT. The study evaluated the performance, carcass characteristics, tissue composition, and meat quality of goats raised on pasture in the Caatinga rangeland supplemented with Leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Sabiá (Mimosa caesapiniifolia) hays associated or not with spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera), and without supplementation. Thirty male castrated goats, no defined breed, with an average body weight of 15.5 kg ± 0.64 were used, distributed in a randomized block design, according to the initial weight of the animals. The experimental period lasted 105 days. The highest intake of DM, OM and CP occurred in the animals supplemented with Leucena hay associated or not with spineless cactus. The intake of NDF was higher (p <0.05) for animals fed only with Leucena and Sabiá hays. The highest intake of TDN was observed for diets, only grazing, and hays associated with spineless cactus. The daily weight gain for goats fed with Leucena hay and spineless cactus was 68.5% higher (p <0.05) than on grazing alone. Consequently, they obtained the highest (p <0.05) weights and yields of carcasses, shoulder, loin, and leg cuts, conformation and finishing scores, leg muscle index, and % fat in the leg of goats. The meat quality did not differ. The supplementation with Leucena hay associated with spineless cactus improves performance, weights, and yields of the carcass, commercial cuts, leg muscle of goats grazing in the Caatinga rangeland.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade de silagens do terço superior da mandioca acrescida de níveis de inclusão da casca da mandioca, 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 g/kg com base na materia natural (MN) com 60 dias de armazenamento sobre o padrão fermentativo, a estabilidade aeróbia, a composição bromatológica e o fracionamento de proteínas e de carboidratos. O material foi ensilado em 15 silos experimentais, o delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e três repetições. A inclusão da casca da mandioca na silagem da parte aérea da mandioca promoveu efeito linear crescente para os teores de matéria seca. Os teores da proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido diminuíram linearmente (P<0,05) com a inclusão da casca de mandioca na silagem. A inclusão da casca promoveu aumento dos teores de carboidratos. As frações das proteínas e dos carboidratos foram influenciadas pela adição da casca da mandioca na silagem, diminuindo a fração indisponível e/ou indigestível (fração C) das proteínas e dos carboidratos. A inclusão da casca da mandioca até o nível de 400 g/kg MN na ensilagem da parte aérea da mandioca melhora o processo fermentativo, a estabilidade aeróbia e a composição bromatológica das silagens e reduz as frações indigestíveis de carboidratos e de proteínas das silagens.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of silage in the upper third of cassava levels of inclusion of cassava peel, 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 g/kg out based on natural matter (NM) with 60 days of storage on fermentative profile, aerobic stability, chemical composition and protein and carbohydrate fractionation. The material was ensiled in 15 experimental silos, the experimental design adopted was completely randomised, with five treatments and three repetitions. The inclusion of cassava peel in silage from the aerial part of the cassava promoted an increasing linear effect for dry matter content. The contents of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of cassava peel in the silage. The inclusion of the bark promoted an increase in carbohydrate levels. Protein and carbohydrate fractions were influenced by the addition of cassava peel, decreasing the unavailable and/or indigestible fraction (Fraction C) of proteins and carbohydrates. The inclusion of cassava peel up to the level of 400 g/kg NM in silage from the aerial part of the cassava improves the fermentation process, aerobic stability and the chemical composition of the silage, and reduces the indigestible fractions of carbohydrates and proteins.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os parâmetros qualitativos e o potencial nutricional da silagem da parte aérea do algodão (Gossypium hirsutum) arbóreo. O experimento foi realizado em arranjo fatorial 4×2, para duas formas de silagem (in natura ou pré-seca), com quatro tratamentos, conforme a seguir: sem aditivos (SA); com inoculante (CI); com 2% de milho moído (MM); e com 2% de milho moído e inoculante (MM+I). Foram avaliados a qualidade fermentativa e os parâmetros nutricionais das silagens. A qualidade fermentativa foi melhor nas silagens CI e MM+I. Os teores de matéria seca foram maiores na silagem pré-seca, enquanto a proteína bruta na silagem in natura foi maior nos tratamentos SA e CI. Os menores valores de fibra em detergente neutro e lignina digerida em ácido foram observados no tratamento CI, para a silagem pré-seca. Os nutrientes digestíveis totais e o volume total de gás foram maiores na silagem pré-seca, nos tratamentos CI e MM, respectivamente. A digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca foi menor na silagem SA, nas duas formas. A silagem de algodão arbóreo associada ao inoculante ou ao inoculante com milho moído apresenta o melhor perfil fermentativo e melhora o valor energético e nutricional, tanto na forma in natura como na pré-seca; porém, a silagem in natura é menos trabalhosa para os produtores rurais.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the qualitative parameters and nutritional potential of silage of arboreal cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) shoots. The experiment was carried out in a 4×2 factorial arrangement, for two silage forms (in natura or pre-dried), with four treatments, as follows: without additives (WA); with inoculant (WI); with 2% ground corn (GC); and with 2% ground corn with inoculant (GC+I). The fermentative quality and nutritional parameters of the silages were evaluated. Fermentative quality was better in the WI and GC+I silages. The dry matter content was higher in the pre-dried silage, while the crude protein contents of in natura silage were higher in the WA and WI treatments. The lowest values of neutral detergent fiber and acid-digested lignin were observed in the WI treatment, for pre-dried silage. Total digestible nutrients and total volume of gas were higher in the pre-dried silage, in the WI and GC treatments, respectively. In vitro dry matter digestibility was lower in WA silage, in both forms. Silage of arboreal cotton associated with inoculant or with inoculant with ground corn shows a better fermentation profile and improves the energy and nutritional values, both in natura and pre-dried forms; however, in natura silage is less laborious for rural producers.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate non-carcass components of goats submitted to grazing in the Caatinga rangeland and supplemented with spineless cactus (Nopalea cochelinifera Salm Dick), Jitirana hay (Merremia aegyptia L. Urban) and Mororó hay (Bauhinia cheilanta Bong Stend). Thirty male goats (castrated), with no defined breed, with an initial mean body weight of 19 ± 0.35 kg and approximately 90 days of age were used. The treatments consisted of grazing without supplementation (GWS), grazing + Jitirana hay (GJ); grazing + Jitirana hay + spineless cactus (GJSC); grazing + Mororó hay (GM); grazing + Mororó hay + spineless cactus (GMSC). The means of the variables were tested by Tukey's test at 5% probability. The goats fed GWS, GJSC, GM and GMSC presented higher weights and yields of the diaphragm, and the spleen weight (p < 0.05). The highest yield of omasum (p < 0.05) occurred with goats fed GJ treatment. There were treatments (p < 0.05) on omental fat weight and leg yield, with the highest values for goats, fed GWS, GJSC, GM, and GMSC. The "Buchada" EBW-1 yield was higher (p < 0.05) for animals fed GWS. Feeding supplementation of goats grazing in the Caatinga had few influences on weights and yields of non-carcass components.

RESUMO As concentrações de tanino condensado (TC) nas plantas são influenciadas por espécies, parte da planta, estação do ano, fase de crescimento, condições ambientais, doenças e desfolhação. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito dos fatores edafoclimáticos na concentração de TC armazenados em folhas e casca de Mimosa tenuiflora (Wild.) Poiret e Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan., coletados em três locais distintos no Nordeste do Brasil. Em cada local de estudo, a amostragem foi realizada selecionando-se aleatoriamente cinco árvores, cada árvore representou uma repetição e amostras de folhas e casca de cada espécie de planta foram coletadas. Amostras de solo foram coletadas próximo da base de cada planta para análises físicas, químicas e de umidade. Os dados meteorológicos de cada mês e local foram obtidos em estação automática do INMET. Realizou-se uma análise de componentes principais usando uma técnica multivariada para observar a influência do solo e do clima na concentração de tanino condensado. No geral, Anadenanthera macrocarpa apresentou a menor concentração total de TC em todas as frações e locais de coleta. Estes resultados sugerem que as características químicas do solo, a umidade do solo e as variáveis meteorológicas explicam 76.27% and 75.92% da variação do TC produzido por Mimosa tenuiflora e Anadenanthera macrocarpa, respectivamente. A concentração de tanino condensado nestas duas espécies está negativamente associada à umidade do solo e à precipitação, e positivamente associada à temperatura e aos elementos químicos do solo.

ABSTRACT Condensed tannin (CT) concentrations in plants are influenced by species, plant part, season, growth phase, environmental conditions, disease and defoliation. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of edaphoclimatic factors on the concentration of CT stored in leaves and bark from Mimosa tenuiflora (Wild.) Poiret and Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan., collected at three distinct locations in northeastern Brazil. At each study site, sampling was carried out by randomly selecting five trees, each tree represented one replication and samples of leaves and bark of each plant species was collected. Soil samples were collected near the base of each plant for moisture, physical and chemical analysis. Meteorological data from each month and site were obtained of the INMET automatic station. We conducted a principal components analysis using a multivariate technique to observe the influence of soil and weather on condensed tannin concentration. Overall, Anadenanthera macrocarpa has the least total CT concentration in both plant fraction and site. Our results suggest that soil chemical characteristics, soil moisture and weather explain 76.27% and 75.92% of the variation in CT produced by Mimosa tenuiflora and Anadenanthera macrocarpa, respectively. Condensed tannin concentration in these two species is negatively associated with soil moisture and rainfall, and positively associated with temperature and soil chemical elements.

RESUMO Objetivou-se verificar a influência dos meses do ano sobre a composição química e digestibilidade in vitro do pasto e da forragem selecionada por caprinos no semiárido pernambucano. Foram utilizados seis caprinos machos fistulados no rúmen, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As coletas de forragem foram realizadas nos estratos herbáceo e arbustivo/arbóreo, simulando o pastejo dos caprinos, e os materiais separados em folhas e galhos. As coletas da extrusa e do pasto foram realizadas nos meses de novembro, janeiro e fevereiro/março. Houve efeito do mês de coleta (P<0,05), para a folha do pasto sobre a matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), com valores médios de 458,27g/Kg MN; 155,46; 521,30; 390,13g/Kg MS respectivamente. Para o caule (P<0,05) sobre MS, matéria orgânica (MO), matéria mineral (MM), estrato etéreo (EE), FDA, proteína indisponível em detergente ácido (PIDA), carboidratos totais (CHOT), digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS), com valores médios de 487,47g/Kg MN; 930,80; 69,07; 20,67; 440,30; 63,78g/Kg MS respectivamente. Sobre a extrusa, ocorreu efeito do mês de coleta (P<0,05) sobre a MS, MO, MM, PB, EE, PIDA, CHOT, carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) e DIVMS, com valores médios de 84,53g/Kg MS; 863,03; 136,97; 152,90; 33,60; 14,07; 676,37; 55,35g/Kg MS respectivamente. Alterações na pluviosidade nos meses chuvosos na caatinga alteraram a qualidade da pastagem, ocasionando mudanças na dieta selecionada pelos caprinos, principalmente na MS, PB, CNF e DIVMS.

SUMMARY This study aimed to verify the influence of months on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of pasture and forage selected by goats in the semiarid region of Brazil’s Pernambuco state. Six male goats fistulated in the rumen were used in a completely randomized design. Forage collection was conducted in herbaceous and shrub/tree layers, in order to simulate goat grazing, and materials were separated into leaves and branches. Extrusa and pasture collections were held in November, January and February/March. There was collection month (P <0.05) effect for pasture on dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), with average values of 458.27g/kg NM and 155.46, 521.30 and 390.13g/kg DM, respectively. For the stem (P <0.05) for DM, Organic matter (OM), mineral matter (MM), ethereal stratum (EE), ADF, acid detergent unavailable protein (AIP), total carbohydrates (TCHO) and dry matter in vitro digestibility (DMIVD), with average values of 487.47g/kg NM and 930.80, 69.07, 20.67, 440.30 and 63.78g/kg DM, respectively. About the extrusa, there was collection time effect (P <0.05) on the DM, OM, MM, CP, EE, AIP, TCHO, Non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and DMIVD, with average values of 84.53g/kg DM, 863.03, 136.97, 152.90, 33.60, 14.07, 676.37 and 55.35g/kg DM, respectively. Rainfall changes in the rainy season in the caatinga altered pasture quality, causing changes in the diet selected by goats, mainly in DM, CP, CNF and DMIVD.

The objective of this study was to characterize the nutritional value of forage legumes Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (Benth.), Bauhinia cheilantha (Bong.) and Leucaena leucocephala (Lan.) and evaluate the anatomy of plants incubated and not incubated in the rumen. The experiment was conducted from September 2007 to November 2008. The experimental plot consisted of three useful plants, totaling three plots per block, and four repetitions. Plants were cut at 1 m height at intervals of 70 days; samples of leaf plus stem with a diameter smaller than 4 mm were collected for determination of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, insoluble protein bound to acid detergent fiber and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The anatomical characterization occurred through the analysis of the proportion of plant tissue nonincubated and incubated in the rumen for a period of 48 hours. The legumes had high crude protein, with an average of 26.1% to Leucena, 22.4% to Sabiá and 18.5% to Mororó, and low levels of in vitro digestibility of dry matter, with an average of 47.3% to Leucena, 42.8% to Mororó and 37.2% to Sabiá. In the leaf blade of Sabiá plants, much lignified tissues that differed from plants of Leucena and Mororó were observed. The degradation process was more visible in the leaves of the Leucena, Sabiá and Mororó plants. The degradation was more pronounced in the spongy parenchyma, leaving the incubated material intact. The average proportion of the epidermis in the incubated and not incubated leaves was 15.8 and 16.4% in Leucena, 16.8 and 19.2% in Mororó and 27.2 and 25.5% in Sabiá, respectively. There are differences in the digestion and nutritional value of leaf tissues of the evaluated legumes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate morphometric measures, carcass yields, absolute weights and yields of commercial cuts of carcass of kids with no defined breed. Eighteen castrated male goats, with average weight of 15 kg were used. The experimental period lasted 105 days. The experimental design was completely randomized; animals were allocated to three treatments: free grazing without supplementation; restricted grazing without supplementation and free grazing with supplementation. Animals were supplemented (1% of body weight) with forage cactus (Opuntia ficus - indica, Mill) and soybean meal (Glycine max). The feeding consisted of continuous grazing on caatinga. Supplemented animals had higher live slaughter weight and body score, and consequently higher morphometric measures in vivo and in carcasses. The supplementation provided carcasses with higher body weight and body score. For yields of carcass, there was no difference between treatments restricted grazing and grazing with supplementation; supplementation provided carcasses with higher yields. Supplemented animals had higher absolute weights for commercial cuts. Supplementation of grazing goats raised in the caatinga provides animals with higher body weight at slaughter, greater morphometric measures in vivo and in carcass and better body conformation. Therefore, for supplementation, the level used in this experiment is a good alternative in the creation of small ruminants during the dry period in the semi-arid region.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o rendimento de buchada, os pesos e rendimentos de órgãos, vísceras e subprodutos da carcaça de cabritos, sem padrão racial definido, alimentados em pastejo na Caatinga, com ou sem suplementação. Dezoito cabritos machos castrados, com peso vivo inicial de 15±0,55 kg, foram mantidos em área de pastejo na Caatinga durante 105 dias. Os animais foram submetidos a três tratamentos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso: pastejo à vontade, sem suplementação; pastejo restrito; e pastejo à vontade, com suplementação de farelo de soja e palma forrageira. Animais do tratamento com suplementação apresentaram maior peso vivo ao abate (PVA), maior peso do corpo vazio (PCVZ) e maior peso de língua, pulmões + traqueia, coração, baço, diafragma, pâncreas e rins. Os pesos do fígado, vesícula biliar e do aparelho reprodutor não apresentaram diferença entre os tratamentos. O valor absoluto de peso de buchada foi influenciado pelos tratamentos, e os animais alimentados com suplementação tiveram os maiores pesos. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos quanto aos rendimentos de buchada em termos de PVA e PCVZ. A suplementação para cabritos criados em pastejo na Caatinga produz animais com maior peso vivo ao abate, maior peso do corpo vazio e maior peso de buchada, mas não influencia os rendimentos da buchada, em termos de PVA e PCVZ.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the "buchada" - composed of heart, lungs, liver, spleen, intestines, stomach and blood - yields, the weights and yields of organs, visceras, and carcass of undefined breed Caatinga grazing-fed goats, with or without supplementation. Eighteen castrated male goats with initial live weight of 15±0,55 kg, were kept in a grazing area in the Caatinga vegetation, Pernambuco state, Brazil, during 105 days. Animals were subjected to three treatments in a completely randomized design: grazing at will, without supplementation; restricted grazing; and grazing at will, with supplementation of soybean meal and forage cactus. Supplemented animals had higher weight at slaughter (PVA), higher empty body weight (PCVZ), and higher weight of tongue, lungs + trachea, heart, spleen, diaphragm, pancreas and kidneys. The weights of liver, gallbladder and reproductive tract showed no difference between treatments. The absolute value of "buchada" weights was influenced by treatments, and supplemented animals had the higher ones. "Buchada" yields in terms of PVA and PCVZ did not differ between treatments. The supplementation for grazing-goats raised in Caatinga produces animals with higher PVA, PCVZ and "buchada" weights, but does not influence the "buchada" yields, in terms of PVA and PCVZ.

Com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes níveis de bagaço e uréia como substituto ao farelo de soja em dietas para bovinos leiteiros em crescimento, dois experimentos foram realizados. No primeiro, 20 bezerros mestiços Holandês x Zebu foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os animais receberam dietas à base de palma forrageira e bagaço de cana em níveis de 5,5; 14,4; 24,4 e 34% da matéria seca total. O ganho de peso diminuiu, enquanto a conversão alimentar, e os consumos de FDN e FDA aumentaram linearmente com a inclusão de bagaço. O consumo máximo de MS foi estimado em 2,73% do peso vivo com 30% de bagaço de cana. No segundo experimento foi avaliada a substituição do farelo de soja (FS) por uréia mais milho moído (UM), em dietas à base de palma forrageira, sobre o desempenho de novilhas mestiças Holandês x Zebu. Vinte animais foram alimentados de acordo com os níveis de substituição do FS por UM (0, 20, 40 e 60%) distribuídos em blocos ao acaso. Não houve efeito da substituição parcial do farelo de soja por milho e uréia sobre o desempenho de novilhas mestiças.

In order to evaluate different levels of sugar cane bagasse and urea as replacement of soybean meal in growing dairy cattle diets, two trials were conducted. In the first, twenty crossbreed bull calves (Holstein x Zebu) were allotted in a completely randomized design with four treatments. The animals were fed forage cactus based diets, containing levels of 5.5, 14.4, 24.4 and 34% of sugar cane bagasse on the dry matter basis. The liveweight gain decreased while the feed: gain ratio, FDN and FDA intakes increased linearly in function of the increased level of sugar cane bagasse. The maximum daily dry matter intake of 2.73% of LW was estimated with 30% of sugar cane bagasse in the diet. In the second, was evaluated the partial replacement of soybean meal (SM) by urea plus corn cracked (UC) in forage cactus based diets on the crossbreed (Holstein x Zebu) heifers performance. Twenty animals were fed diets containing four levels (0, 20, 40 and 60%) of replacement of SM by UC. There was no significant effect of partial replacement of soybean meal by urea plus corn cracked on crossbreed heifers performance.

Foi avaliado o efeito de quatro níveis (0, 12, 24 e 36%) de palma forrageira em substituição à silagem de sorgo, na ração de vacas da raça holandesa em lactação, sobre a digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca (DAMS), da matéria orgânica (DAMO), da proteína bruta (DAPB), do extrato etéreo (DAEE), da fibra em detergente neutro (DAFDN), da fibra em detergente ácido (DAFDA), dos carboidratos totais (DACHT) e dos carboidratos não-fibrosos (DACNF), o teor de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e os coeficientes de absorção aparente de cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), potássio (K) e sódio (Na). Foram utilizadas oito vacas, com peso médio de 590 kg e produção média de leite de 27 kg/dia, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos simultâneos (4x4), sendo quatro animais, quatro períodos e quatro níveis de inclusão de palma na ração. A inclusão de palma forrageira na dieta influenciou a digestibilidade aparente de todos os nutrientes, sendo descrito por função quadrática. Foi possível estimar por intermédio desta função um teor máximo de NDT de 77,43% para utilização de 16,51% de palma na dieta. O aumento nos teores de CNF e a redução da FDN das rações foram responsáveis pelo comportamento quadrático na digestibilidade dos nutrientes. As absorções aparentes de Ca, P e Na foram influenciadas quadraticamente com o aumento dos níveis de palma na ração, enquanto o K aumentou linearmente. A relação Ca:P que proporcionou a melhor absorção desses elementos minerais foi de 1,9:1.

It was evaluated the effect of four levels forage cactus in replacement of sorghum silage, in diets of lactating Holstein cows, on the apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM), organic matter (ADOM), crude protein (ADCP), ether extract (ADEE), neutral detergent fiber (ADNDF) and acid (ADADF), total carbohydrates (ADTCH) and nonfiber carbohydrates (ADNFC), content of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and apparent absorption of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sodium (Na). Eight Holstein cows averaging 590 kg and producing 27 kg of milk/day were used in a 4x4 Latin square design with four animals, four periods and four levels of forage cactus inclusion. All nutrients apparent digestibility showed significant quadratic response with increasing cactus in diets. Significant quadratic responses of apparent digestibility would likely attributed to increase in amounts NFC, decrease NDF and ADF in diets. The apparent absorption for Ca, P and Na also showed significant quadratic response. However, K had linear increase. The Ca:P ratio that provided better apparent absorption for the two mineral elements was 1.9:1.