Abstract In this study a temporal analysis (2008-2017) was conducted to examine the occurrence of droughts and the spatial distribution of livestock herds in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Maps of vegetation cover, classes of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference drought index (NDDI) were used. Image processing took place on the Google Earth Engine platform along with QGIS Software (2.18). Two historical series were created to compare the variation between two herds and the dry monitoring, one called the 1st series (2008-2012) and 2nd series (2013-2017) which were compared using a paired t-test. The comparative analysis showed that the classes of extreme drought and exceptional drought covered the greatest land areas in the 2nd series, while abnormal drought covered the greatest land area in the 1st series. The analysis of herds, a reduction in the cattle herd and an increase in goat and sheep herds were noted. This study considers the efficacy of NDDI and NDVI indices to monitor the distribution of droughts in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The geoprocess of Sidra data enabled an analysis of the spatial distribution and temporal variation of the herds in the semi-arid region and how drought may have impacted livestock dynamics.

Abstract We evaluated the influence of the substitution of soybean meal by detoxified castor cake on performance, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen balance, hepatic and renal functions of pregnant goats fed with diets containing detoxified castor cake by alkaline solutions during the stages (first two-thirds and final third) of pregnancy. Three diets were provided: one based on soybean meal and the other two based on castor cake detoxified with whit calcium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Goats fed detoxified castor cake sodium hydroxide had lower consumption. Was no effect (P>0.05) of diets or stages on the digestibility of dry matter and nutrients. The goats that received the diets based on soybean meal and detoxified castor cake calcium hydroxide consumed larger amounts of nitrogen. The goats fed with diet the basis of SM had greater weight in the parturition day. The average levels of enzymes for hepatic and renal functions were within normal patterns. Of enzymes related to liver metabolism, only the gamma-glutamyl transferase increased in the final third of pregnancy. The present study demonstrated that detoxified castor by sodium hydroxide reduces the consumption of goats during gestation, but did not affect negatively the renal and hepatic parameters.

A ovinocaprinocultura possui elevada importância socioeconômica no Nordeste, entretanto, o baixo potencial genético dos rebanhos, associado à escassez de pastos na estação seca, condiciona baixos índices de produtividade e rentabilidade. A formação de pastagem cultivada é uma forma de nivelar a capacidade de suporte durante o ano. O trabalho proposto objetiva aumentar a produtividade, expandir a renda e incentivar o produtor a investir em novas técnicas produtivas. Foram utilizados 100 ovinos mestiços (Santa Inês x SRD) e empregados três períodos de descanso do pasto: tratamento 1 - tempo para formação de 1,5 folha por perfilho em média; tratamento 2 - tempo para formação de 2,5 folhas, e tratamento 3 - tempo para formação de 3,5 folhas. A análise foi feita com base em 1,3 e 5 hectares com utilização de cerca de tela e elétrica. Foram utilizadas como medidas de eficiência: relação benefício custo, valor presente líquido, taxa interna de retorno, e análise de sensibilidade. O tratamento com 2,5 folhas com exploração de no mínimo 5 hectares apresentou o melhor resultado econômico, biológico e ambiental. Para que haja retorno econômico há necessidade de utilização de animais de ótimo potencial genético e de se explorar áreas superiores a 5 hectares.

The breeding of ovine and caprine possess high partner-economic importance in the Northeast, however, the low genetic potential of the herds, as well as the scarcity of pastures during the dry season, limits the productivity and lucrativeness indices to a low level. The use of cultivated pastures is a way to maintain in high level the carrying capacity of the pasture over the year. This work was conducted with the aim of increase the productivity, expand the income and stimulate the producer to invest in new productive techniques. 100 Sem Raça Definida sheep and three periods were used. The rest period consisted of: treatment 1 - time for expansion of 1.5 new leaves per tiller; treatment 2 - time for expansion of 2.5 new leaves per tiller and treatment 3 - time for expansion of 3.5 new leaves per tiller. The analysis considered the use of 1, 3 or 5 hectares of pasture, fenced by campestre screen or electric fence. The efficiency indices adopted were: benefit cost relation, liquid present value, return internal tax, and sensitivity analysis. The 2.5 leaves rest period exploring at least 5.0 hectares presented best performance, in terms economics, biological and environmental. So, to promote economic return, it is necessary to use sheep of higher genetic potential and pastures areas above 5.0 hectares.