Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e avaliar equações de predição, baseadas em medidas obtidas na linha de abate, para classificação de carcaças suínas de acordo com o grau de exsudação e o conteúdo de marmoreio. Um total de 747 carcaças suínas, provenientes de 27 produtores, foi selecionado ao acaso na linha de abate, em dois abatedouros, tendo constituído amostras representativas de cada um. Para gerar as equações, foram utilizados peso da carcaça quente, profundidade do lombo, espessura de toucinho, e pH e temperatura medidos 45 min após o abate. As carcaças foram classificadas em normais ou exsudativas, quanto à perda por gotejamento do lombo e do pernil, e em aceitáveis ou indesejáveis, quanto ao marmoreio. Para a perda por gotejamento do lombo e do pernil, respectivamente, a classificação correta global das carcaças foi de 87,3 e 76,8%, a partir das funções discriminantes, para ambas as categorias. Para o marmoreio, a classificação correta global foi de 67,2%, e apenas 69% das carcaças foram classificadas corretamente como aceitáveis (marmoreio >1). As equações desenvolvidas com base nas medidas obtidas na linha de abate permitem classificar com elevada acurácia as carcaças suínas, de acordo com o grau de exsudação, mas não com o conteúdo de marmoreio.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate prediction equations, based on measurements obtained on the slaughter line, for carcass classification according to the degree of exudation and the content of marbling. A total of 747 pig carcasses originated from 27 producers were randomly selected on the slaughter line at two slaughterhouses, constituting representative samples from each one. Hot carcass weight, loin depth, back fat thickness, and pH and temperature 45 min after slaughter were used to generate the equations. The carcasses were classified as normal or exudative for drip loss of loin and ham, and as acceptable or undesirable for marbling content. For drip loss of loin and ham, respectively, the overall correct classification of the carcasses was 87.3 and 76.8%, using the discriminant functions, for both categories. For marbling, the overall correct classification was 67.2%, and only 69% of the carcasses were correctly classified as acceptable (marbling >1). The equations developed based on the measurements obtained on the slaughter line allow classifying swine carcasses with high accuracy, according to the degree of exudation, but not with the content of marbling.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate mortality and performance, darkling beetle population (Alphitobius diaperinus), light intensity, electrical energy consumption and economic efficiency of broilers reared under two lighting programs (nearly continuous or intermittent) and two curtain colors (yellow or blue). The experiment was conducted between June, 2004 and May, 2005. Six flocks were sequentially housed in four 12 × 10 m broiler houses divided into 4 pens with 200 birds each. Litter was reused six times or until flock 6. Body weight and feed conversion were determined on days 21, 35, and 42 of each flock. Mortality was recorded daily. Electrical energy consumption was recorded at the end of the grow-out of each flock (every 42 days). A completely randomized design in a 6 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (flocks, lighting programs, curtains) with four replicates per treatment was applied. Broilers reared in houses with yellow curtains and under nearly continuous lighting programs presented the best feed conversion ratio and the highest body weight. Nearly continuous lighting programs resulted in 1.48 times more sudden deaths and 1.34 times higher general mortality when compared with intermittent lighting programs. Electrical energy consumption was 2.12 times higher in nearly continuous lighting programs in relation to intermittent lighting programs. The presence of darkling beetles was higher in broiler houses with blue curtains and intermittent lighting program. The economic analysis showed the feasibility of using a mixed system, with intermittent light program in winter and spring and nearly continuous lighting program in the summer and autumn, both in broiler houses with yellow curtains.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do genótipo e de teores de aminoácidos na dieta sobre o desempenho de suínos, o retorno econômico e a qualidade da carcaça e da carne. Os genótipos avaliados foram: MS115 x F1; Duroc x F1 (DCxF1); MS115 x Moura (MS115xMO); Duroc x 25% Duroc, 50% Large White, 25% Moura (DCxMO3). Os teores de aminoácidos nas dietas foram os recomendados para o desempenho alto ou médio de machos castrados com alto potencial genético. O escore de marmoreio foi mais elevado nos animais alimentados com teores médios de aminoácidos. Os genótipos DCxF1 e DCxMO3 tiveram maior ganho de peso diário do que MS115xF1 e MS115xMO. O menor ganho de peso, ajustado pelo consumo de ração, ocorreu no genótipo MS115xMO. As maiores espessuras de toucinho foram observadas nos animais MS115xMO e nos machos DCxMO3. O maior escore de marmoreio ocorreu nos animais MS115xMO, e o menor nos MS115xF1. Em comparação aos genótipos selecionados quanto à produção de carne, a raça Moura influenciou negativamente o desempenho e a qualidade da carcaça e positivamente a qualidade da carne, de acordo com sua proporção nos genótipos. A raça Duroc influenciou positivamente a qualidade da carne nos cruzamentos. A redução dos teores de aminoácidos nas dietas proporciona aumento do marmoreio, independentemente do genótipo.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of genotype and amino acid levels on swine performance, economic returns, and carcass and meat quality. The evaluated genotypes were: MS115 x F1; Duroc x F1 (DCxF1); MS115 x Moura (MS115xMO); Duroc x 25% Duroc, 50% Large White, 25% Moura (DCxMO3). Diet amino acids contents were those recommended for high or medium performance of barrows with high genetic potential. Marbling score was higher in animals fed the lowest level of amino acids. The genotypes DCxF1 and DCxMO3 had higher daily weight gains than MS115xF1 and MS115xMO. The lowest weight gain, adjusted by feed intake, occurred in the genotype MS115xMO. The highest backfat thickness were observed in MS115xMO animals and DCxMO3 males. The highest marbling score occurred in MS115xMO animals and the lowest in MS115xF1 ones. In comparison to the genotypes selected for meat production, Moura breed affected the performance and carcass quality negatively, and affected the meat quality positively, depending on this breed proportion in the genotypes. Duroc breed affected meat quality positively in the genotypes. Diet-reduced amino acid contents increased marbling, regardless of the genotype.

Foram comparados quatro níveis de inclusão de lactose (0, 7, 14 e 21%) na dieta pré-inicial de leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade, com o objetivo de definir qual o melhor nível de lactose para a dieta de desmame nesta idade. As dietas experimentais foram fornecidas do dia do desmame até 14 dias após e os leitões foram acompanhados até o final da fase de creche, aos 35 dias após o desmame. O ganho de peso diário (GPD) e o consumo de ração diário (CRD) de 0 a 14 dias após o desmame aumentaram linearmente (P<0,002, Y=151+3,26X e P<0,0002, Y=247+4,04X, respectivamente), enquanto a conversão alimentar (CA) reduziu linearmente (P<0,08, Y=1,73-0,011X), com o aumento dos níveis de lactose na dieta. No período total de creche (0 a 35 dias), o GPD e o ganho de peso total (GPT) aumentaram linearmente (P<0,14, Y=339+6X, Y=11,86+0,23X, respectivamente), com o aumento dos níveis de lactose. O peso médio dos leitões aos 14 (PM14), 28 (PM28) e 35 (PM35) dias após o desmame também elevou-se linearmente (P<0,006, Y=9,90+0,027X, P<0,08, Y=17,06+0,024X e P<0,14, Y=19,81+0,223X), em conseqüência do aumento dos níveis de lactose na dieta. Foi concluído que a suplementação da dieta com lactose nas duas primeiras semanas após o desmame melhorou o desempenho de leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade. A definição do melhor nível de inclusão de lactose nas dietas de desmame dependerá de uma avaliação do custo adicional desta suplementação em relação ao ganho obtido no desempenho.

The inclusion of four lactose levels (0, 7, 14 and 21%) in pre-starter diets for piglets was studied to determine the best level of lactose inclusion in weanling diets at this age. The experimental diets were fed from the weaning day to 14 days post weaning, but the performance was followed until the end of the nursery phase, at 35 days post weaning. The average daily gain (ADG) and the daily intake (CRD) from 0 to 14 days linearly increased (P<0.002, Y=151+3.26X and P<0.0002, Y=247+4.04X, respectively), while feed: gain ratio (C/A) showed linear reduction (P<0.08, Y=1.73-0.011X) as the dietary lactose levels increased. In the overall period of nursery (0 to 35 days), ADG and total weight gain (GPT) linearly improved (P<0.14, Y=339+6X, Y=11.86+0.23X, respectively), as the dietary lactose levels increased. The average live weight at 14 days (PM14), at 28 days (PM28) and at 35 days (PM35) post weaning also linearly improved (P<0.006, Y=9.90+0.027X, P<0.08, Y=17.06+0.024X and P<0.14, Y=19.81+0.223X, respectively) as the dietary lactose levels increased. It was concluded that feeding diets containing lactose on two first weeks post weaning improved the piglets performance weaned at 21 days of age. The best level of lactose inclusion in weanling diets at this age will depend on an evaluation of the additional cost of this supplementation related to the improvement at the performance.