ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize and understand the investment profile towards technologies for control and automation of climate control on swine farms, focused on integrated producers on the same integration system. A structured questionnaire including open, dichotomic, or multiple-choice questions was responded by 190 integrated producers classified as nursery (28,300 swines), wean-to-finish (WTF; 144,388 swines), or finishing unit (FU; 164,185 swines) farms. Data were described and categorized according to the type of integrated producer (nursery, WTF, and FU) and income history during a 24-month interval. The most predominant farmer profile was of a 44.5-year-old man, with incomplete secondary education. Furthermore, the majority of the farms had family-based labor with an average area of 43.6±65.5 ha and ~2.4 economic activities developed. Overall, a reduced labor availability was observed, although the integrated producers declared to be satisfied with the activities. Interestingly, integrated producers with a better income history declared a longer working (high = 37; average = 31; regular = 31; low = 28 min). The investment profile in automation technologies is conservative; however, potential improvements in pig performance were the most popular justification for potential investments. Furthermore, high costs, knowledge in technologies, interest rates, and quality of the available material are the limiting factors for investing in environment control. A total of 74% of the integrated producers considered the activity as economically profitable. Lastly, the uptake of environmental control technologies is strongly associated with the average income received by farmers.

A necessidade de dietas adequadas para frangos, considerando o conceito de proteína ideal associada à fitase, é importante para melhorar a produtividade das aves. Objetivou-se avaliar a necessidade de correção dos níveis de aminoácidos em rações para frangos de corte, formuladas em diferentes combinações de proteína bruta (PB) e suplementadas com fitase. Para o desempenho, foram utilizados 875 pintos de corte Cobb, com oito dias de idade e peso inicial de 155±1,4g. As aves foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos (planos nutricionais) e cinco repetições de 25 aves cada. Para o ensaio de metabolismo, foram selecionadas 300 aves que foram também distribuídas no mesmo delineamento, porém com cinco, quatro e três aves por parcela experimental nas fases de 8 a 21, 22 a 35 e 36 a 42 dias. Os planos nutricionais consistiram em diferentes combinações de PB em rações com cálcio e fósforo reduzidos, suplementadas com fitase e aminoácidos. A redução de aminoácidos em dietas com teores reduzidos de PB aumentou o consumo, a conversão alimentar e a gordura abdominal e diminuiu o rendimento de coxa + sobrecoxa. A inclusão de fitase reduziu a excreção de cálcio e de fósforo, porém aumentou a de nitrogênio quando a PB não foi reduzida. Conclui-se que a redução de aminoácidos em 3,5% em rações para frangos de corte suplementadas com fitase e elaboradas segundo um plano nutricional não melhora o desempenho e as características de carcaça das aves, embora possa reduzir a emissão de elementos poluentes pelas excretas.

The need for suitable diets in chickens, considering the ideal protein concept associated with phytase, is important in order to improve the productivity of birds. The aim of this study was to assess the need for the correction of amino acid levels in the diets of broilers, by using different combinations of crude protein (CP) supplemented with phytase. For performance, eight days old Cobb 875 broiler chicks, with initial body weights of 155 ± 1.4g were used. The birds were distributed in a completely randomised design with seven treatments (nutritional plans) and five replicates of 25 birds. For the metabolism trial, 300 birds were selected which were also distributed using the same design, but with five, four and three birds per experimental stage: 8-21 days, 22-35 days and 36- 42 days. The nutritional plans consisted of different combinations of CP in diets with reduced calcium and phosphorus, supplemented with phytase and amino acids. The reduction of amino acids in diets with reduced levels of CP resulted in an increased intake, feed conversion and abdominal fat level, and decreased the yield of thigh + drumstick. The inclusion of phytase reduced the excretion of calcium and phosphorus, but increased nitrogen excretion when the CP was not reduced. As a result, this study concluded that the reduction of amino acids to 3.5%, supplemented with phytase and prepared according to a nutritional plan does not improve the performance and carcass characteristics of broilers, although it may reduce the emission of polluting elements by excreta.

Avaliaram-se os níveis de cálcio e fósforo disponível (Pdisp) em rações com fitase para frangos de corte da linhagem Cobb nas fases de crescimento (22 a 35 dias) e final (36 a 42 dias). Utilizou-se um esquema fatorial 3 × 4 + 1, composto de três níveis de Pdisp (0,36; 0,31; 0,26% na fase de crescimento e 0,33; 0,28; 0,23% na final), quatro níveis de cálcio (0,82; 0,72; 0,62; 0,52% para a fase de crescimento e 0,76; 0,66; 0,56; 0,46% para a final) e um nível de suplementação da fitase (500 ftu/kg). As rações controle não foram suplementadas com fitase e continham, respectivamente, os seguintes níveis de Pdisp e cálcio: 0,41 e 0,82% (fase de crescimento) e 0,38 e 0,76% (final). Nos ensaios de desempenho, aos 35 e 42 dias de idade, avaliaram-se o consumo de ração, o ganho de peso, a conversão alimentar e o teor de cinzas na tíbia. Nos ensaios de metabolismo, foram determinados os valores energéticos das rações (EMAn) e os coeficientes de metabolizabilidade da matéria seca (CMMS). Na fase de crescimento, a redução do cálcio e Pdisp para 0,52 e 0,26%, respectivamente, não comprometeu o desempenho, a mineralização óssea, a EMAn e o CMMS. Na fase final, a redução do cálcio e fósforo disponível para 0,56 e 0,28%, respectivamente, não comprometeu o desempenho, a EMAn e o CMMS e melhorou a mineralização óssea. Os níveis de cálcio e fósforo disponível em rações para frangos de corte podem ser reduzidos para 0,52 e 0,26% na fase de crescimento e 0,56 e 0,28% na fase final desde que essa redução seja combinada com a suplementação de fitase no nível de 500 ftu/kg de ração.

Calcium and available phosphorus (aP) levels in diets with phytase for Cobb broilers in the growing (22 to 35 days) and finishing phases (36 to 42 days of age) were evaluated. A 3 × 4 + 1 factorial scheme, with three aP levels (0.36, 0.31, 0.26% in the growing phase and 0.33, 0.28, 0.23% in the finishing phase), four calcium levels (0.82, 0.72, 0.62, 0.52% in the growing phase and 0.76, 0.66, 0.56, 0.46% in the finishing phase), and one level of supplementation of phytase (500 ftu/kg) was used. Control diets were not supplemented with phytase and they contained, respectively, the following levels of aP and calcium: 0.41 and 0.82% (growing phase) and 0.38 and 0.76 (finishing phase). In the performance assays, at 35 and 42 days of age, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and the ash content in the tibia were evaluated. In the metabolic assays, the energy values of diets (AMEn) and dry matter digestibility coefficients (DMDC) were determined. In the growing phase, the reduction of the calcium and aP to 0.52 and 0.26%, respectively, did not compromise performance, bone ash, AMEn or MCDM. In the finishing phase, the reduction of the calcium and aP to 0.56 and 0.28%, respectively, did not compromise performance, AMEn or MCDM; in addition to improving bone ash. The levels of calcium and aP of diet can be reduced to 0.52 and 0.26% in the growing phase, and to 0.56 and 0.28% in the finishing phase, provided that this reduction is combined with supplementation of fitase at 500 ftu/kg of the diet.

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein in diets formulated according to the ideal protein concept with phytase supplementation on performance and nutrient excretion of broilers from 22 to 42 days age. It was used 1,500 Coob lineage broilers at 22 days of age and with initial weight of 833 ± 7g, distributed in completely randomized design in a 3 × 3 + 1 factorial scheme composed of three levels of correct apparent metabolizable energy (2,950; 3,100 and 3,250 kcal/kg), three levels of crude protein (14, 16 and 18%) and a control treatment, totaling ten treatments with six repetitions of 25 birds each. All diets, with the exception of the control, were supplemented with phytase. For determination of excretion of pollutants, it was used 180 broilers from the same lineage at 35 days of age,placed in metabolic cages, with ten treatments each one with six repetitions and three birds per experimental unit. The protein and energy levels in diets containing phytase influenced feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and excretion of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, copper and zinc by the birds. The corrected apparent metabolizable energy level in the diets for broilers in the studied period must be increased up to 3,250 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy and the levels of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus must be reduced down to 18, 0.70 and 0.31%, respectively, provided that supplemented with amino acids and phytase to improve the performance and to reduce excretion of pollutants by birds.

Dois experimentos com pintos de corte da linhagem Cobb no período de 8 a 35 dias de idade foram realizados para avaliar o efeito da redução dos níveis de cálcio e fósforo disponível (Pdisp) em rações suplementadas com 500 ftu de fitase/kg sobre o desempenho das aves, o teor de cinzas na tíbia, a energia metabolizável (EMAn) da dieta e a metabolizabilidade da matéria seca (MS) e da proteína bruta (PB). No experimento 1, foram utilizados 1.404 pintos de corte para avaliação do consumo de ração, do ganho de peso, da conversão alimentar e da porcentagem de cinzas na tíbia. No experimento 2, conduzido simultaneamente ao primeiro, um total de 390 aves foram transferidas para uma sala de metabolismo para determinação da EMAn e da metabolizabilidade da MS e PB. Nos dois experimentos, utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 × 4 + 1, com três níveis de fósforo disponível (0,375; 0,325 e 0,275%) e quatro níveis de cálcio (0,85; 0,75; 0,65 e 0,55%) nas dietas, suplementadas com fitase. Também foi usada uma dieta controle sem fitase, à base de milho e farelo de soja, formulada com 0,425% de fósforo disponível e 0,85% de cálcio. No experimento 1, a redução dos níveis de cálcio e fósforo não ocasionou diferença significativa no desempenho e na porcentagem de cinzas ósseas. Os níveis de cálcio e fósforo disponível utilizados no experimento 2 podem ser reduzidos em até 0,65 e 0,325%, respectivamente, pois os efeitos são semelhantes aos obtidos com os níveis atualmente recomendados.

Two experiments using Cobb broiler chicks from 8 to 35 days of age were carried out to evaluate the effect of reducing levels of calcium and available phosphorus in diets supplemented with 500 ftu phytase/kg on the performance of the birds, the content of ashes in the tibia, the metabolizable energy of the diet, and the metabolizability of the dry matter and crude protein. It was used 1,404 broiler chicks in the experiment 1 to evaluate feed intake, weight gain, food conversion and percentage of the ashes in the tibia. In the experiment 2, simultaneously carried out with experiment 1, a total of 390 birds were transferred to a metabolism room to determine the metabolizable energy and metabolizability of the dry matter and crude protein. It was used in the two experiments, a complete random design in a 3 × 4 + 1 factorial scheme with three levels of available phosphorus (0.375; 0.325; and 0.275%) and four levels of calcium (0.85; 0.75; 0.65 and 0.55%) in the diets, supplemented with phytase. It was also used a control diet without phytase, based on corn and soybean bran, formulated with 0.425% of available phosphorus and 0.85% of calcium. In the experiment 1, the reduction of levels of calcium and phosphorus did not cause a significant difference on the performance and percentage of bone ashes. The levels of calcium and available phosphorus used in the experiment 2 can be reduced down to 0.65 and 0.325%, respectively, because the effects are similar to those obtained with the currently suggested levels.