ABSTRACT. This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, and ingestive behavior of sheep fed with different species of forage cacti. Fifteen sheep (17.27kg ± 1 kg) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with three treatments and five replicates. The treatments were diets on a dry matter basis composed of 430.9 g kg-1 of thornless Mandacaru cactus (Cereus hildmannianus), 525.7 g kg-1 of cactus pear cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta) and 492.1 g kg-1 of cactus pear cv. Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera) in addition to Sabiá hay (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia) (194.7 to 233.8 g kg-1), plus concentrate feed. The intake of the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients and voluntary water intake in g day-1 was not differ (p > 0.05) by experimental diets. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in digestibility coefficients of the dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients between the experimental diets. The feeding times differed (p < 0.05) between diets, with a higher value for the Opuntia diet, while the rumination times, feeding efficiency, and rumination efficiency did not differ (p > 0.05). The cactus Cereus and Opuntia and Nopalea have similar nutritional value in sheep’s diet.

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to assess the nutrient intake and milk production of dairy goats fed with total mixed rations with different species of forage cacti. Five pluriparous Saanen goats (50 ± 4 kg) at nine weeks of lactation were allocated in a Latin square (5 x 5) with five diets and five periods. Each period was composed of 10 days for adaptation and seven days for collection. The treatments were composed of 473.0 to 501.0 g kg-1 of forage cacti: xiquexique (Pilosocereus gounellei), mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru), facheiro (Pilosocereus chrysostele), cactus cladodes cv. miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) and cactus cladodes cv. orelha de elefante mexicana (Opuntia stricta); plus sabiá hay (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia) (188.0 to 198.0 g kg-1) and concentrate (311.0 to 329.0 g kg-1). The intake of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, and water intake through diet components were unaffected by experimental diets. For milk production and feed efficiency, no difference was observed among the diets. All diets containing different species of forage cacti can be used for dairy goats feed.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar a estrutura e a produção de forragem em híbridos de capim-elefante manejados sob corte. Utilizaram-se como tratamentos 24 clones de capim-elefante provenientes da Embrapa Gado de Leite e o Cameroom como testemunha. Os capins foram cortados rentes ao solo, a cada 60 dias. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: produção e teor de matéria seca, número de perfilhos basais, número de folhas por perfilho, altura da planta, diâmetro do colmo. A maior altura das plantas foi observada no clone CNPGL 00-103-1. O grupo com maior número de perfilhos teve três clones e média de 39,38 perfilhos m-2. No grupo dos clones CNPGL 00-103-1, CNPGL 93-25-3, CNPGL 00-16-1 e CNPGL 00-90-3 foram observados os maiores teores de matéria seca (22,7% de MS). As maiores massas de forragem, de lâmina foliar e de colmo foram observadas no clone CNPGL 00-214, 15852 e 6195 kg ha-1 de MS respectivamente. A maior relação lâmina foliar/colmo foi do clone CNPGL 00-201-1 e apenas neste a massa de lâmina foliar foi superior à de colmo. O clone CNPGL 00-214 mostrou-se mais produtivo, com alta capacidade de perfilhamento e de acúmulo de forragem.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the structure and forage production of hybrids of elephant-grass managed under cut. Twenty-four clones of elephant-grass from Embrapa dairy cattle were used as treatments, and Cameroom as a control. The grasses were cut close to the ground, every 60 days. The parameters evaluated were yield and dry matter content, number of basal tillers, number of leaves per tiller, plant height, stem diameter. The highest height of the plants was observed in clone CNPGL 00-103-1. The group with the highest number of tillers had three clones and a mean of 39.38 tiller m-2. In the group of clones CNPGL 00-103-1, CNPGL 93-25-3, CNPGL 00-16-1 and CNPGL 00-90-3 the highest dry matter contents (22.7% DM) were observed. The highest masses of forage, leaf blade and stem were observed in clone CNPGL 00-214, 15852 and 6195 kg ha-1 DM, respectively. The highest leaf blade / stem ratio was of the CNPGL 00-201-1 clone, and only in this did the leaf blade mass exceed that of the stem. Clone CNPGL 00-214 showed to be more productive, with high tillering capacity and forage accumulation.

RESUMO: A pesquisa objetivou avaliar o efeito de diferentes intensidades de corte e anos de colheita, sobre características morfológicas e produções de matéria verde (PMV) e seca (PMS) da palma forrageira cv. Gigante (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) sob condições de irrigação, adensamento e adubação, com 12 meses de rebrota. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial (3 x 2) com 12 repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de três intensidades de corte (preservando o cladódio mãe (PCM), os cladódios primários (PCP) e os secundários (PCS) e dois anos de colheita. Período experimental 24 meses e duas colheitas com intervalos de 12 meses. O solo foi classificado como Cambissolo Háplico e a água de irrigação C4S1 (CE 5,25 dS.m-1) e densidade de 50.000 plantas ha-1. Foram avaliados: altura e número de cladódios por planta (NCP), comprimento, largura, perímetro, espessura e área dos cladódios (AC), índice de área dos cladódios (IAC), PMV e PMS. Não foi observada interação significativa (P>0,05) dos tratamentos para as variáveis altura, NCP, IAC e PMV. Variáveis relacionadas à morfologia dos cladódios apresentaram interação significativa (P<0,05). O tratamento PCS resultou na maior PMS (P<0,05) com produtividade média de 27,2 Mg ha-1 ano-1, quando comparada à PCP (18,6 Mg ha-1 ano-1) ou PCM (11,8 Mg ha-1 ano-1). O tratamento PCS no momento da colheita promoveu maior NCP e maior produtividade de forragem, sendo uma alternativa de manejo com vistas à sustentabilidade da palma cv. Gigante sob irrigação. As características morfológicas mais importantes também foram influenciadas pelas menores intensidades de corte.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effect of different cutting intensities and years of harvesting on the morphological characteristics and production of fresh (FMP) and dry matter (DMP) of cactus pear cv. Gigante (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) under conditions of irrigation, high planting density and fertilization, with 12 months of regrowth. The experimental was completely randomized in a factorial design (3 × 2) with 12 replicates. The treatments were three cutting intensities (preserving the mother cladode (PMC), primary cladodes (PPC), or secondary cladodes (PSC)), and two years of harvesting. The soil was classified as Cambisol Haplicum and the irrigation water was classified as C4S1 (EC 5.25 dS.m-1) density of 50,000 plants ha-1. The research evaluated plant height, number of cladodes per plant (NCP), length, width, perimeter and thickness of the cladodes, cladode area (CA), cladode area index (CAI), FMP and DMP. There was no significant interaction between treatments (P > 0.05) for the variables plant height, NCP, CAI and FMP. The variables related to cladode morphology showed a significant interaction (P < 0.05). The treatment PSC resulted in a greater DMP (P < 0.05) with a mean of 27.17 Mg ha-1 yr-1, compared to PPC (18.58 Mg ha-1 yr-1) or PMC (11.78 Mg ha-1 yr-1). The treatment PSC promoted greater NCP and forage productivity at harvest and can be considered as a management practice for the sustainability of cactus pear cv. Gigante under irrigation. The more important morphological characteristics were also influenced by the lower cutting intensities.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the digestibility of cashew bagasse bran as well as the performance of swine fed diets with different levels of inclusion of this by-product and their economic viability. In the digestibility trial, ten crossbred barrows weighing 60±6.86 kg were housed in metabolic cages. Five received standard feed and five received test feed with 300 g kg−1 cashew bagasse bran included. For the performance and economic viability study, forty crossbred pigs weighing 60±5.24 kg were allotted in a randomized block design with five treatments (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 g kg−1 inclusion of cashew bagasse bran) and four replications. Daily feed intake, daily gain, feed conversion, partial gross income with and without allowance index, and partial net income with and without allowance index were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression analysis. The treatment with 75 g kg−1 cashew bagasse bran provided the best results. Cashew bagasse bran can be included in the diet of finishing pigs up to the level of 300 g kg−1 without adversely affecting animal performance.

A coccidiose constitui-se num sério obstáculo à ovinocultura, a qual vem se tornando um fator limitante para a exploração, especialmente para a produção de cordeiros precoces. Porém, poucos são os estudos com esse parasito no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação do decoquinato, adicionado ao sal mineral, no controle da infecção causada por parasitas do gênero Eimeria em cordeiros, e identificar quais as espécies infectam ovinos na região leste Potiguar. O trabalho foi desenvolvido entre agosto de 2009 e janeiro de 2010, e foram usados 76 animais, distribuídos em dois tratamentos, um com sal mineral comum e o outro com sal mineral enriquecido com decoquinato a 6% micronizado. Amostras fecais e pesagens dos animais foram feitas a cada 14 dias para o diagnóstico parasitológico, acompanhamento do ganho de peso ponderal e análise quantitativa. O estudo evidenciou que houve diferença significativa na redução do OoPG apenas na 7º semana de experimento, mas não houve diferenças significativas para ganho de peso dos animais. As espécies encontradas foram E. ahsata. E. crandallis. E. granulosa. E. intrincata. E. ovina. E. faurei. E. ovinoidalis. E. pallida . E. parva. Conclui-se que a adição de decoquinato ao sal mineral propiciou uma menor eliminação de oocistos favorecendo o controle da eimeriose ovina.

Coccidiosis is a serious obstacle to sheep production, which is becoming a limiting factor, especially with regard to lamb production. However, there are few studies on this parasite in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of decoquinate, added to mineral salt, for controlling Eimeria infection in lambs, and to identify which species are infecting sheep in the eastern region of the state. This study was carried out from August 2009 to January 2010, and used 76 animals. These were divided into two treatment groups: one with common mineral salt, and the other with mineral salt enriched with 6% micronized decoquinate. Fecal samples and body weight measurements were taken every 14 days for parasitological diagnosis, weight gain follow-up and quantitative analysis. The study showed that there was a significant difference in OPG only at the 7th collection, but no significant difference in weight gain. The Eimeria species found were E. ahsata. E. crandallis. E. granulosa. E. intrincata. E. ovina. E. faurei. E. ovinoidalis. E. pallida and E. parva. It was concluded that addition of decoquinate to mineral salt gave rise to lower oocyst elimination, thus favoring eimeriosis control in sheep.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho, o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente de componentes nutritivos em 32 ovinos Morada Nova em confinamento, 20 machos não-castrados e 12 fêmeas, recebendo dietas contendo 0, 30, 60 e 100% de melão em substituição ao milho moído. Os animais tinham em média 6 meses de idade, peso médio inicial de 15 kg e foram abatidos aos 25 kg. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e oito repetições. O consumo de MS apresentou tendência quadrática para ambos os sexos, variando de 769 a 837 g para os machos e de 722 g a 646 g para as fêmeas. Os consumos de matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), carboidratos totais (CT) e carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF) apresentaram comportamento quadrático, refletindo o mesmo comportamento da ingestão da MS. A digestibilidade aparente da MS apresentou tendência linear decrescente. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente de MO, PB, EE, FDN e CT apresentaram comportamento linear crescente com a adição de melão em substituição ao milho moído. O ganho de peso diário com o aumento do nível de melão na dieta foi maior nos machos. A conversão e eficiência alimentar não foram influenciadas pelo aumento do nível de melão na dieta. Os dias de confinamento variaram de 79 a 90 dias. A substituição na dieta do milho moído por melão possibilitou obter desempenho satisfatório em ovinos Morada Nova em confinamento. O nível de 60% de substituição é o que permite melhor retorno financeiro, entretanto, em níveis superiores a 30%, aumentam os dias de confinamento, elevando a idade ao abate.

Performance, intake, and nutrients digestibility of 32 Morada Nova confined lambs were evaluated, using diets with increasing levels (0, 30, 60, 100%) of melon (Cucumis melo L.) in substitution of corn grain. Animals were about 6 months old, with an average of 15 kg of initial body weight and slaughtered at 25 kg. They were allocated in a completely randomized design with four treatments and eight replicates. The dry matter intake (DMI) presented a quadratic behavior for both sex, varying from 769 to 837 g for males, and from 722 to 646 g for females. Intakes of OM (organic matter), CP (crude protein), EE (ether extract), NDF (neutral detergent fiber), TDN (total digestible nutrients), TCH (total carbohydrate) and NFC (non fiber-carbohydrate) showed a quadratic curve, reflecting the same behavior of DMI. There was a decreasing linear response for the coefficient of apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM). The apparent digestibility coefficients of OM, CP, EE, NDF, and TCH presented an increasing linear response with the addition of melon in substitution of ground corn in the diet. Concerning the average daily gain (ADG) there was a better performance for males compared with females, as the levels of melon increased. Feed efficiency and conversion were not influenced by the treatments. There was an increasing linear effect for the days of confinement, which varied from 79 to 90. The levels of melon added to the Morada Nova lambs' diets provided reasonable performances. The treatment with 60% participation of melon shows the best economical return. On the other hand, when the level of melon is above 30%, the days in confinement increase, elevating the slaughter age.

Objetivou-se determinar o consumo voluntário e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes de fenos triturados de milheto, sorgo sudanense, capim-elefante e cultivares de sorgo forrageiro SF-25 e IPA-467-4-2 em caprinos. Utilizaram-se 25 animais (18 meses de idade e 19,5 kg de PV inicial) distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos completos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os consumos de MS (CMS) e MO (CMO), quando expressos em porcentagem de peso vivo (%PV), não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. O CMS representou, respectivamente, 2,41; 2,33; 2,25; 1,82 e 1,85% do PV dos caprinos. Os consumos voluntários de PB (%PV) evidenciaram diferenças significativas para os fenos de milheto e sorgo sudanense, que foram superiores aos de capim-elefante e aos dos sorgos SF-25 e IPA-467-4-2. Os consumos de FDN não diferiram entre os fenos e variaram de 236,14 a 322,10 g/dia, representando 1,25 a 1,61% do PV dos caprinos. A digestibilidade aparente da MS dos fenos não sofreu influência significativa e variou de 49,87 a 55,90%. Para a digestibilidade da PB (DPB), não foram constatadas diferenças significativas entre os fenos de milheto, sorgo sudanense, capim-elefante e sorgo SF-25. A digestibilidade da FDN (DFDN), no entanto, apresentou variação significativa entre os fenos do milheto (64,44%) e sorgo IPA-467-4-2 (54,72%). Os valores de digestibilidade, indicativos de qualidade, dos fenos triturados das cinco gramíneas foram aproximados e as diferenças requerem a realização de ensaios de desempenho para suas comprovações.

The objective of this trial was to investigate intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients on goats fed one of the following chopped grass hays: pearl millet (PMH), sudangrass (SH), elephantgrass (EH) or two cultivars of forage sorghum (FSH1 and FSH2). Twenty-five goats averaging 18 months of age and 19.5 kg of body weight were assigned to a completely randomized block design with five treatments and five replicates. DM intake (DMI), expressed as percentage of body weight (% BW), did not differ and averaged 2.41, 2.33, 2.25, 1.82, and 1.85%, respectively, for PMH, SH, EH, FSH1, and FSH2. The same was observed for the intakes of OM and NDF. However, CP intake as % BW was greater on goats fed PMH and SH than on those fed EH, FSH1, and FSH2. No significant differences were observed for the apparent total tract digestibility of DM that varied from 49.87 to 55.90% across hays. CP digestibility was lowest on FSH2, intermediate on SH and FSH1, and greatest on PMH and EH while that of NDF differed significantly only by comparing PMH (64.44%) with FSH2 (54.72%). It can be concluded that the overall nutritional quality of all five hays were similar and further research is required to verify potential differences in animal performance among these forage sources.

A pesquisa foi conduzida objetivando avaliar o rendimento, a composição químico-bromatológica e as perdas de fenos triturados de milheto, sorgo sudanense, capim-elefante e sorgos forrageiros (SF-25 e IPA-467-4-2). Os materiais foram colhidos quando atingiram 30% de inflorescências, com exceção do capim-elefante, colhido aos 60 dias. Utilizou-se delineamento de blocos completos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Houve diferenças significativas, com maiores produções de feno para os sorgos IPA-467-4-2 (10,85 t/ha/corte) e SF-25 (10,65 t/ha/corte), que foram superiores ao capim-elefante, sorgo sudanense e milheto, com, respectivamente, 6,94; 6,69 e 4,93 t/ha/corte. Os percentuais de perdas na fenação não diferiram entre os tratamentos, com níveis variando de 17,33 a 20,17%. Os fenos de milheto e sorgo sudanense tiveram as maiores concentrações de PB (10,56 e 8,80%), superiores às do capim-elefante (6,76%) e dos sorgos SF-25 (5,62%) e IPA-467-4-2 (5,50%). Os valores de FDN foram, na maioria, superiores a 70,0%. As menores concentrações de NIDN foram observadas nos cultivares de sorgo (0,42 e 0,40% da MS). As concentrações de NIDA variaram de 0,06 a 0,30% na MS. As maiores concentrações de lignina (%MS) dos fenos foram obtidas no milheto (6,52%) e no sorgo IPA-467-4-2 (6,17%). As concentrações de nutrientes digestíveis totais estimadas (NDTe) dos fenos diferiram significativamente, com o maior valor para o sorgo sudanense (53,35%). Os fenos triturados das gramíneas tropicais avaliadas apresentaram rendimentos elevados e composição químico-bromatológica dentro dos padrões mínimos recomendáveis para nutrição de ruminantes.

The research was carried out to evaluate yield, chemical composition and losses of chopped tropical grass hays with the following forages: pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum), sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum) and two cultivars of forage sorghum (SF-25 and IPA-467-4-2) (Sorghum bicolor). The materials were harvested at 30% flowering, except for elephantgrass (60 days). The experiment was conducted according to a complete randomized block design, with five treatments and four replications. There were significant differences among hay productions with sorghum cultivars IPA-467-4-2 and SF-25 reaching the highest yields (10.85 and 10.65 t/ha/cut). Production of elephantgrass, sudangrass and pearl millet hays were respectively of 6.94, 6.69, and 4.93 t/ha/cut. Percentage of hay losses were not different among all treatments and varied from 17.33 to 20.17%. Pearl millet and sudangrass hays had the highest CP concentrations (10.56 and 8.80%), which were superior to elephantgrass (6.76%) and sorghum cultivars (5.62 and 5.50%). Most of the NDF values were superior to 70.0%. Sorghum cultivars exhibited the lowest NDIN concentration (0.42 and 0.40% of DM). The ADIN concentration ranged from 0.06 to 0.30% of DM. The highest lignin (%DM) concentration was observed for pearl millet (6.52%) and sorghum IPA-467-4-2 (6.17%) hays. Estimated TDN of the hays showed significant differences and sudangrass reached the highest value (53.35%). Production of chopped tropical grass hays showed high yields and chemical composition according to the minimum standards for ruminant nutrition.