Resumen La suplementación surge como una estrategia simple para mejorar la productividad animal en sistemas que adoptan praderas diferidas de pasto como dieta básica. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de los niveles de suplementación de harina de vaina de mezquite sobre la ingesta, la digestibilidad de los nutrientes y la ganancia de peso corporal (PC) de caprinos en pastoreo diferido. Treinta y cinco (35) caprinos machos (24.0 ± 2.9 kg PC) se distribuyeron en un diseño completamente al azar, con cinco tratamientos y siete repeticiones. Los tratamientos consistieron en un control de suplemento (0.05 % de PC de sal proteico-mineral) y niveles crecientes a 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 y 2.0 % de PC de suplementación con harina de vaina de mezquite. La ingesta de materia seca y nutrientes del forraje y la dieta total aumentaron linealmente (P<0.0001) en función de los niveles del suplemento. Se observó un efecto cuadrático (P<0.0001) para las variables de digestibilidad, excepto para el extracto etéreo y los carbohidratos no fibrosos, que presentaron un efecto lineal creciente (P<0.0001). Los niveles de suplementación aumentaron linealmente las variables de rendimiento (P<0.05). Se recomienda la suplementación del concentrado al 2.0 % de PC con harina de vaina de mezquite al 30 % en su composición para promover la reducción del ciclo productivo de los caprinos en praderas diferidas de pasto Urochloa.

Abstract Supplementation emerges as a simple strategy to improve animal productivity in systems that adopt deferred grass pasture as the basic diet. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of levels of supplementation of mesquite pod meal on intake, digestibility of nutrients, and body weight (BW) gain of goats in grazing deferred. Thirty-five (35) goat males (24.0 ± 2.9 kg BW) were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and seven replications. Treatments constituted a supplement control (0.05% BW of protein-mineral salt) and increasing levels at 0.5; 1.0; 1.5, and 2.0% BW of supplementation with mesquite pod meal. Dry matter intake and nutrients of the forage and total diet increased linearly (P<0.0001) as a function of the levels of the supplement. A quadratic effect was observed (P<0.0001) for the digestibility variables, except for ethereal extract and non-fiber carbohydrates, which presented an increasing linear effect (P<0.0001). Supplementation levels increased linearly on the performance variables (P<0.05). It is recommended the concentrate supplementation at 2.0% BW with mesquite pod meal at 30 % in its composition for promoting the reduction of the productive cycle of goats in deferred Urochloa grass pastures.

Abstract The N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), a urease inhibitor, has been reported as one of the most promising compounds to reduce losses by volatilization, and to maximize the use of urea nitrogen (N) in agricultural systems. A field study was carried out to examine urease inhibitors' potential about volumetric density and forage mass grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés) to N application. The experiment was carried out from September 2017 to September 2018. The experimental design used was complete randomized blocks in the 3×2×4 factorial array, considering: three periods of the year (wet season, dry season, and the transition), two sources of urea (conventional urea and NBPT-treated urea), and four N rates (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg N ha-1 yr-1), replicated three times. Nitrogen sources promoted a positive effect (P<0.0001) on bulk density, forage mass, and in the grazing stratum during the wet season and the transition season, with increasing N rates in pastures. The leaf: stem ratio decreased linearly (P<0.0045) as increased N rates, and the higher ratio during the wet season and lower in the dry season of the year. For the rates of 80 kg N ha-1 yr-1, there was a significant difference (P=0.0042) between sources, with greater (P=0.0006) forage mass of 0-30 cm, post-grazing forage mass (P=0.0042) and forage volumetric density (P=0.0006), when utilized the conventional urea. The application of N, regardless of the source, provides an increase in forage mass and volumetric density in Xaraés grass pastures up to a dose of 240 kg N ha-1 yr-1, in the transition season and wet season.

Resumen La N-(n-butil) triamida tiofosfórica (NBPT) es un inhibidor de la ureasa usado en los sistemas agrícolas para reducir las pérdidas por volatilización de NH3 y maximizar el uso del nitrógeno ureico (N). Se realizó un estudio de campo para evaluar el efecto de la urea tratada con NBPT sobre la densidad volumétrica y la masa de forraje en el pasto Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés. El periodo experimental fue de un año (septiembre 2017 a septiembre 2018). El diseño experimental fue de bloques completamente aleatorios con un arreglo factorial de 3×2×4: tres estaciones del año (lluvia, sequía y transición), dos fuentes de urea (convencional y tratada con NBPT), y cuatro tasas de N (0, 80, 160 y 240 kg N ha-1 año-1). Se hicieron tres réplicas. Ambas fuentes de nitrógeno tuvieron un efecto positivo (P<0.0001) sobre la densidad aparente, la masa de forraje y el estrato de pastoreo durante la estación de lluvia y la de transición. También produjeron aumentos de N en los pastos. La relación hoja:tallo disminuyó linealmente (P<0.0045) a medida que aumentaron las tasas de N; la relación mayor fue durante la estación de lluvia y la menor en la estación de sequía. A la tasa de 80 kg N ha-1 año-1, hubo una diferencia (P=0.0042) entre las fuentes de N. A esta tasa la urea convencional produjo una mayor (P=0.0006) masa de forraje total, masa de forraje pospastoreo (P= 0.0042) y densidad volumétrica del forraje (P=0.0006). En las estaciones de lluvia y de transición, la aplicación de N, cual sea la fuente, resultó en un aumento en la masa y la densidad volumétrica del forraje en praderas de pasto Xaraés hasta la tasa de 240 kg N ha-1 año-1.

ABSTRACT. The aim in this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior of goat kids fed diets containing peach palm meal replacing corn (0, 10, 40, 60, and 85 % on a dry matter basis). Thirty crossbred Boer kids, with 90 days old and initial body weight of 16.7 ± 3.5 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with six replicates. Diets were daily supplied ad libitum to allow 10-20 % leftovers. Three collections were performed every 28 days. Diets were isoenergetics and isonitrogenous, composed of corn, soybean meal, peach palm meal, mineral supplement and Tifton 85 hay, with roughage: concentrate ratio of 30:70. There was a linear reduction in the intakes of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) with a respective decrease of 35.7 % and 58.8 % comparing the diet with 85 % replacement and the control diet. The rumination and chewing times increased in diets with peach palm meal. The feeding and rumination rates decreased with reducing intakes of DM and NDF. The peach palm meal affects the feeding behavior and decreases the feed intake in response to palatability, fat and fiber composition, and it is recommended until 10 % replacing corn.

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de ovinos alimentados com níveis de farelo da vagem de algaroba (FVA) (0, 15, 30 e 45% na matéria seca total da dieta), em substituição à silagem de capim-elefante. Foram utilizados oito ovinos da raça Santa Inês, machos, não-castrados, com peso médio de 32 kg, distribuídos em dois quadrados latinos 4 x 4, com duração de 15 dias cada período experimental. Os carneiros foram submetidos à observação visual a cada 10 min., durante 24h, ao 13º dia de cada período experimental. Não foi observada regressão significativa (p > 0,05) para os tempos despendidos com alimentação, ruminação e ócio em função dos níveis de substituição do FVA. Ocorreu efeito linear positivo (p < 0,05) dos níveis de substituição da silagem pelo FVA sobre os consumos de MS, FDN, eficiência de alimentação da MS, eficiência de ruminação da MS, eficiência de ruminação de FDN. O FVA não aumenta o tempo disponível para alimentação e ruminação, mas eleva o consumo de MS de dietas baseadas em silagem de capim-elefante. A utilização de intervalos de observação de até 30 min., não altera a avaliação dos tempos despendidos com alimentação, ruminação e ócio.

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior of sheep fed increasing levels of mesquite pod meal (0, 15, 30 and 45% in total dry matter diet), replacing grass silage elephant. Eight non-castrated Santa Inês sheep with average weight of 32 kg were divided into two 4 x 4 Latin squares, each lasting 15 days. The sheep were submitted to visual observation every ten minutes, for 24 hours, in the 13th day of each experimental period. There was no significant regression (p > 0.05) relative to the time spent on feeding, rumination and resting, depending on the levels of substitution of mesquite pod meal. The average time spent on feeding, rumination and resting was 5.64, 10.88 and 8.8h day-1, respectively. There was a positive linear effect (p < 0.05) regarding the levels of replacement of elephant grass silage by mesquite pod meal on dry matter intake (DMI), neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI), feeding efficiency of DM, rumination efficiency of DM, rumination efficiency of NDF. The use of observation intervals of up to 30 minutes does not alter the assessment of time spent on feeding, rumination and resting.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects inclusion of 0%, 33.3%, 66.7% and 100% natural matter (NM) of mesquite pod meal (MPM), in substitution of corn, on the intake, digestibility and feeding behavior of lactating Saanen goats. The forage:concentrate ratio in the diet was 40:60, using elephant grass silage as a forage source. Eight adult lactating goats with about 60 days in milk and weighting 50 kg were divided into two 4 × 4 latin squares and four 17-day experimental periods. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrient (TDN) intakes were not influenced by MPM levels. Ether extract (0.51; 0.34; 0.36; 0.20 kg/day) and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) (0.54; 0.53; 0.49; 0.36 kg/day) intakes showed a linear effect with increased MPM. Organic matter (OM) and NDF intakes presented a quadratic behavior. The maximum OM intake was estimated with the replacement of 40.5%. The maximum estimated intakes for NDF were 0.665 kg/day and 14.8 g/kg body weight, with a replacement close to 60%. Nutrient digestibility coefficients and TDN levels (655.0 g/kg) were not affected, except for NFC. The time spent eating, ruminating and idle was not influenced by the addition of MPM. The feeding rate of DM had a linear decrease which reflected the intake restriction. Corn replacement with MPM should not exceed 40.5%, although its total replacement does not interfere with the intake of DM, CP and TDN on the apparent digestibility of nutrients and most ingestive behavior parameters.

A ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar é uma ferramenta que pode ser utilizada para atender a deficiência de alimento em períodos seco do ano, e a adição de aditivos microbianos na ensilagem pode melhorar o perfil fermentativo e, consequentemente, seu valor alimentício. O objetivo com o presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da utilização da cana-de-açúcar fresca ou conservada, sob a forma de silagem, com ou sem aditivo microbiano, bem como verificar a influência da queima da cana em dietas de vacas lactantes sobre o consumo e digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, produção e composição do leite. Os animais foram distribuídos em um quadrado latino 5 x 5 para avaliar os efeitos da cana fresca e da silagem de cana sem Lactobacillus buchneri (SCSI); cana com L. buchneri (SCCI); cana queimada sem L. buchneri (SCQSI); cana queimada com L. buchneri (SCQCI). Vacas alimentadas com cana fresca apresentaram maiores consumo de matéria seca e carboidratos não fibrosos, quando comparada com as silagens. A queima da cana e a conservação na forma de silagem, com ou sem aditivo microbiano, não alterou os consumos de matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, carboidratos totais, assim como, não influenciou a digestibilidade dos nutrientes dos animais. Ao alimentar vaca com silagem de cana sem aditivo bacteriano, observou-se menor produção de leite e de proteína bruta, quando comparado com as silagens queimadas com ou sem aditivo e cana fresca. Recomenda-se a utilização de cana fresca por proporcionar aos animais melhor desempenho produtivo.

The silage, sugar cane is a tool that can be used to meet the deficiency of food in the dry year and the addition of microbial silage additives can improve the fermentation and consequently, its food value. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the fresh sugar cane utilization or preserved as silage, with or without microbial addictive, as well as verify the influence of burning sugar cane used in diet crossbred dairy cows on intake and digestibility nutrients, production, milk composition. The animals were divided in a 5x5 latin square to evaluate the effects of fresh cane and four types of cane silage; cane without Lactobacillus buchneri (SCSI); cane with L.buchneri (SCCI); burned cane without L. buchneri (SCQSI); burned cane with L. buchneri (SCQCI). The fresh cane promotes higher dry matter intake and non-fibrous carbohydrates compared with silages. The burning of sugar cane and conservation as silage, with or without microbial additive does not alter the intake and digestibility of nutrients from animals. The use of cane ensilage without bacterial addictive provides lower milk production and crude protein when compared with the other treatments. It is recommended the use of fresh cane for providing animal better performance.

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of concentrate supplementation, formulated with different ingredients (Mesquite pod meal, sorghum meal or wheat meal and mineral supplementation) on performance, intake and digestibility of nutrients in Santa Inês lambs grazing on urochloa grass during the dry season. Twenty-four uncastrated weaned Santa Inês sheep, with average body weight (BW) 20±2 kg with an average of 120 days of age were used in the assay. The experiment lasted 75 days. The animals grazing deferred Urochloa grass (Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack) Daudy) were distributed into four treatments consisting of mineral supplementation provided ad libitum and concentrated supplements containing mesquite pod meal, sorghum meal or wheat meal, supplied 10 g /kg BW on dry matter basis. The intakes of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were affected by the intake of concentrate supplement, regardless of the ingredients used in the supplements, compared with the mineral supplementation treatment, since the consumption of forage was reduced in 30% with mesquite pod meal supplement, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was not affected in relation to treatments. The digestibility of DM and CP were higher for treatments with supplements, and NDF digestibility did not differ between treatments. A significant difference was observed in the values of average daily gain for the treatments with concentrate supplementation compared with the one of mineral supplementation. The supplementation with concentrate in grazing enables improvement of performance, intake and digestibility of nutrients regardless of the ingredient used in the supplement.

Esta pesquisa foi realizada para avaliar o balanço de nitrogênio, as concentrações de ureia na urina e no plasma e a síntese de proteína microbiana em novilhas alimentadas com dietas contendo cana-de-açúcar tratada com óxido de cálcio. Utilizaram-se 20 novilhas mestiças Holandês-Zebu com peso corporal médio inicial de 200 kg distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os animais foram alojados em baias individuais cobertas, com piso de concreto, providas de cocho individual de concreto para alimentação e bebedouro automático comum a duas baias. O período experimental foi de 21 dias, e a coleta de dados foi realizada nos sete dias finais. As dietas foram formuladas para ser isoproteicas, com 14% de proteína bruta, e continham 71% de cana-de-açúcar (com 0; 0,75; 1,5 ou 2,25% de óxido de cálcio na matéria natural) corrigida com 1% de mistura ureia e sulfato de amônio (9:1) e 29% de concentrado. A cana-de-açúcar foi fornecida aos animais após 24 horas de tratamento com óxido de cálcio. O tratamento da cana-de-açúcar com óxido de cálcio influenciou o balanço de nitrogênio, pois ocasionou redução tanto no consumo como na quantidade de nitrogênio digerido e retido. O nitrogênio retido (em % do N ingerido e do N digerido) também reduziu linearmente conforme aumentaram os níveis de óxido de cálcio na cana-de-açucar. O uso de óxido de cálcio em níveis de até 2,25% no tratamento da cana-de-açúcar não afeta as concentrações de ureia na urina e no plasma nem a excreção de ureia na urina e a síntese de proteína microbiana em novilhas.

This study was carried out to evaluate the nitrogen balance, the urea concentrations in urine and plasma and the microbial protein synthesis in heifers fed diets containing sugar cane treated with calcium oxide. Twenty Holstein-zebu crossbred heifers, with average initial body weight of 200 kg were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and five repetitions. The animals were housed in covered individual stalls, with concrete floor, provided with individual concrete trough for feeding and automatic drinkers common for every two stalls. The experimental period was of 21 days, and data collection was performed on the last seven days. The diets were formulated to be isoprotein, with14% crude protein and they contained 71% sugar cane (with 0; 0.75; 1.5 or 2.25% CaO, in natural matter) corrected with 1% of urea and ammonium sulfate (9:1) and 29% of concentrate. Sugar cane was offered to the animals after 24 hours of treatment with chromium oxide. Treatment of sugar cane with calcium oxide affected nitrogen balance by reducing intake and quantity of retained and digested nitrogen. The retained nitrogen (in % of ingested N and digested N) was also linerarly reduced according to increases in levels of calcium oxide in the sugar cane. Use of calcium oxide at levels up to 2.25% in sugar cane treatment does not affect concentrations of urea in the urine and in the plasma neither the urine urea excretion and the microbial protein synthesis in dairy heifers.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da hidrólise da cana-de-açúcar com óxido de cálcio (CaO) sobre o balanço de nitrogênio, as concentrações de ureia na urina e no plasma e a síntese na proteína microbiana em caprinos. Foram utilizados oito caprinos da raça Saanen, machos castrados, com peso corporal médio de 22,6 kg e 4 meses de idade, distribuídos em dois quadrados latinos 4 õ 4, em quatro períodos experimentais de 14 dias. As rações, formuladas para ser isoproteicas, com 14% de proteína bruta (PB), foram compostas de 70% de cana-de-açúcar (tratada com 0; 0,75; 1,5 ou 2,25% de óxido de cálcio na matéria natural e corrigida com 1% de ureia) e 30% de concentrado e fornecidas à vontade. A cana-de-açúcar com óxido de cálcio foi picada em desintegrador estacionário, pesada, acondicionada em baldes plásticos de 50 litros e tratada com o óxido de cálcio para ser fornecida aos animais após 24 horas de armazenamento. O balanço de nitrogênio, as concentrações de ureia na urina e no plasma e as excreções de ureia na urina não foram influenciadas pelo tratamento da cana-de-açúcar com óxido de cálcio. A concentração de alantoína (% das purinas totais) foi maior e a de ácido úrico menor nas dietas com cana-de-açúcar hidrolisada com óxido de cálcio em relação à cana in natura. A produção e a eficiência microbiana não foram afetadas pela adição de óxido de cálcio à cana-de-açúcar em dietas para caprinos em crescimento.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of sugar cane hydrolysis with calcium oxide (CaO) on nitrogen balance, concetrations of urea in the urine and in the plasma and synthesis in microbial protein in goats. Eight castrated male Saanen breed goats, with 22.6 kg average body weight and at four months of age were used distributed in two 4 õ 4 Latin squares, during four 14-day experimental periods. The rations which were formulated to be isoprotein, with 14% crude protein (CP) were composed of 70% sugar cane (treated with 0; 0.75; 1.5 or 2.25% of calcium oxide in natural matter basis and corrected with 1% urea) and 30% of concentrate given ad libitum to animals. Sugar cane with calcium oxide was chopped in a stationary chopper, weighted and stored in 50-L plastic buckets and treated with calcium oxide to be given to the animals after 24 hours of storage. Nitrogen balance, urine and plasma urea concentrations and urine urea excretion were not affected by sugar cane +calcium oxide treatment. Concetration of allantoin (% total purine) was higher and the uric acid concentration was lower in diets with sugar cane hidrolised with calcium oxide in relation to in natura sugar cane. The microbial production and efficiency are not affected by addition of calcium oxide to sugar cane in diets for growing goats.