ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass characteristics of confined Santa Inês sheep, fed different diets, in a Semiarid environment. Twenty whole sheep with 5 ± 0.5 months of age and 27 ± 2.0 kg were used, receiving two different diets for 72 experimental days, one composed of defatted soybean meal and the other of protein-enriched cactus meal. They were evaluated for different diets, consumption, production, carcass characteristics, morphometric measures and edible components. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with two treatments and 10 replications. Performance data and carcass characteristics were evaluated by analysis of variance and means compared by t test at 5% probability level using Statistical Analysis System [SAS]® (1999). Thus, the use of emulsified palm forage protein in the feeding of Santa Inês male lambs proved to be an excellent protein source when compared to the use of defatted soybean meal, since the results of performance and carcass characteristics were similar, being the use of this alternative source advised as it presents the best benefit-cost ratio.

ABSTRACT The choice of floor type within the animal production system is an important factor, as it is associated with a high incidence of changes in locomotion, hoof injuries and herd disposal, which has led producers to modify the type of flooring for more comfortable, durable and dry materials, such as rubber, however, the raw material makes the investment very high. Because polymeric waste is potentially recyclable and has good thermal and mechanical properties, it is feasible to develop research aimed at characterizing them in order to verify their feasibility of application as flooring for animal production installations. The present research analyzed the combination between the EVA residue and the regenerated rubber from tires, where samples were produced in 4 different concentrations: 0, 25, 50 and 75% of regenerated rubber. The samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and submitted to tensile, permanent deformation under compression, abrasion and hardness tests. The sample with 75% showed greater softness and less residual deformation, which is a positive effect due to the reduction of stiffness due to the insertion of rubber in the compounds. However, due to the incompatibility of the blends and a significant decline in the mechanical properties, the sample without regenerated rubber has a greater potential for recycling and application for which the research aimed for. It is estimated that the property improvement can be achieved with the use of a compatibilizing agent that favors the adhesion between the materials.

RESUMO A escolha do tipo de piso dentro do sistema de produção animal é um fator importante, já que está associado a grande incidência de alterações na locomoção, lesões de cascos e descarte de rebanho, o que tem levado aos produtores modificar o tipo de piso por materiais mais confortáveis, duráveis e secos, como é o caso dos emborrachado, no entanto, a matéria-prima torna o investimento muito alto. Devido os resíduos poliméricos serem potencialmente recicláveis, apresentar boas propriedades térmicas e mecânicas, torna-se viável o desenvolvimento de pesquisas que visem caracteriza-los de modo a verificar sua viabilidade de aplicação como piso para instalação de produção animal. A presente pesquisa analisou a combinação entre o resíduo de EVA e a borracha regenerada oriunda de pneus, onde foram produzidas amostras em 4 diferentes concentrações: 0, 25, 50 e 75% de borracha regenerada. As amostras foram analisadas através da microscopia eletrônica de varredura e submetida a testes de tração, deformação permanente à compressão, abrasão e dureza. A amostra com 75% apresentou maior maciez e menor deformação residual, sendo este um efeito positivo devido a redução da rigidez devido a inserção de borracha aos compostos, no entanto, devido a incompatibilidade das blendas e declínio significativo das propriedades mecânicas analisadas, a amostra sem borracha regenerada apresenta melhor potencial de reciclagem e de aplicação a qual a pesquisa a destina. Estima-se que a melhoria de propriedade pode ser alcançada com uso de agente compatibilizante que favoreça a adesão entre os materiais.