RESUMO A polpa cítrica pode substituir o milho nas dietas em confinamento, a fim de diminuir os problemas metabólicos, reduzindo a formação de lactato. No entanto, enquanto comem, os animais podem selecionar facilmente a polpa cítrica peletizada, devido ao maior tamanho de partícula do pélete. Portanto, a moagem do pélete da polpa cítrica pode ser uma alternativa para diminuir a seletividade de partículas. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a substituição do milho moído por polpa cítrica peletizada e polpa cítrica moída sobre o desempenho animal, índice de seleção de partículas e comportamento alimentar de novilhas Nelore. Trinta e seis novilhas Nelore foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em três tratamentos: dieta controle à base de milho moído (MM), substituição parcial de MM por polpa cítrica moída (PCM) e substituição parcial de MM por polpa cítrica granulada (PCP). Novilhas alimentadas com dieta contendo MM apresentaram maior peso corporal final (PC), ganho médio diário (GMD) e consumo de matéria seca (CMS) em comparação com novilhas alimentadas com polpa cítrica (P <0,05). A polpa cítrica moída aumentou o CMS e o consumo de fibra em comparação ao grupo PCP (P <0,05). Novilhas alimentadas com PCP e PCM selecionaram a favor de partículas da dieta entre 8 e 19 mm e selecionaram partículas com menos de 1,18 mm (P <0,05). Assim, a polpa cítrica moída é melhor que a polpa cítrica peletizada, devido ao maior consumo de ração e ganho médio diário, em consequência do menor índice de seleção de partículas.

SUMMARY Citrus pulp can replace corn in feedlot diets in order to decrease metabolic problems by reducing formation of lactate ruminal. However, while eating, animals can easily select against pelleted citrus pulp due to the greater particle size of the pellet. Therefore, grinding citrus pulp pellet can be an alternative to decrease particle selectivity. This study was realized to evaluate the replacement of ground corn by pelleted citrus pulp and ground citrus pulp on animal performance, sorting index, and feeding behavior of Nellore heifers. Thirty-six Nellore heifers were randomly assigned to three treatments: control diet based on ground corn (GC), partial replacement of GC by ground citrus pulp (GCP), and partial replacement of GC by pelleted citrus pulp (PCP). . Heifers fed with the GC diet had higher final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and dry matter intake (DMI) compared with heifers fed with citrus pulp (P < 0.05). Ground citrus pulp increased DMI and fiber intake compared with the PCP group (P < 0.05). Heifers fed with PCP and GCP sorted for diet particles from 8 to 19 mm and selected particles with less than 1.18 mm (P < 0.05). Thus, the ground citrus pulp is better than pelleted citrus pulp due to higher feed intake and ADG, in consequence of lower selection index.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar flushings à base de milho (FLU), ácido linoleico alto (FAL), e tratamento controle (não suplementado, CON);dois grupos genéticos: Morada Nova (MN) e Somalis Brasileiro (SB), sobre desempenho de ovelhas e cordeiros. Foram suplementadas 156 ovelhas não prenhes três semanas antes e após a estação de monta. Tanto FLU quanto FAL aumentaram o escore de condição corporal (ECC) de ovelhas no início da estação de monta e no parto, comparado ao CON. Ovelhas da raça SB tiveram maior peso no final da suplementação, e ECC, tanto no início da suplementação, quanto ao parto comparado ao MN. Da mesma forma, ovelhas com três cordeiros por nascimento tiveram ECC maior no início da suplementação. Elas também tiveram maiores pesos tanto no início da estação como no parto. Tanto FLU como FAL aumentaram o peso do cordeiro de 56 até 105 dias de idade comparadoao CON. Ovelhas SB diminuíram a prolificidade e produziram menor peso total de cordeiros ao parto, porém maior peso totalapós 84 e 105 dias comparado às ovelhas MN. O peso totaldecordeiros ao nascimento foi maior para ovelhas com gestação tripla, seguido por dupla, e simples. Em conclusão, a suplementação com ácido linoleico e milho aumentam o escore da condição corporal de ovelhas desde a estação de monta até o parto e a performance do cordeiro após 56 dias de idade. Embora ovelhas Morada Nova tenham aumentado a prolificidade, seus cordeiros ficaram mais leves apósos 84 dias de idade.

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to compare the corn-based (FLU), high linoleic acid flushings(LAF), and a control treatment (un supplemented, CON); two genetic groups:Morada Nova (MN) and Brazilian Somalis (BS), on the productive and reproductive performance of ewes and their lambs. A total of 156 non-pregnant ewes were supplemented three weeks before and after the breeding season. Supplementation with either FLU or LAF increased ewe body condition score (BCS) at the beginning of the breeding season and at lambing compared to CON. The BS ewes had greater body weights at the supplementation end, and BCS both at the supplementation start, and at lambing compared to MN. Similarly, ewes with three lambs per birth had greater BCS at the beginning of supplementation. They also had greater weights at the beginning of the breeding season and at lambing. Both FLU and LAF increased total lamb weight from 56 to 105 days of age compared to CON.The BS ewes had decreased prolificity and produced lower total weight of lambs at lambing, but greater 84 and 105 days after birth compared to MN. Total lambweight at birth was greater for ewes that lambed three, followed by two and then one lamb per birth. In conclusion, the high linoleic acid and high corn supplementation increase body condition score of ewes form breeding season to lambing and enhance lamb performance after 56 days of age. Although Morada Nova ewes increased prolificacy, their lambs were lighter after they reached 84 days of age.

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo de vacas leiteiras alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar tratada com 5g kg-1 de óxido (CaO) ou hidróxido de cálcio [Ca(OH)2]. Foram utilizadas oito vacas da raça Holandesas com 638,01±12,52kg de peso corporal e produção média de leite de 20,32±1,5kg dia-1, distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois quadrados latinos balanceados 4x4, alimentadas com dietas contendo silagem de milho (SM), cana-de açúcar in natura (CIN), cana-de-açúcar tratada com óxido de cálcio (CTOC) ou hidróxido de cálcio (CTHC) como único volumoso. O período de coleta de dados foi de cinco dias, após 15 dias de adaptação às instalações e dietas. O consumo de matéria seca (% do peso corporal) foi superior nas dietas com SM (3,08) em relação àquelas com CIN (2,67), CTOC (2,73) ou CTHC (2,73), as quais não diferiram entre si. Dietas com SM determinaram produção de leite ajustada para 4% de gordura (20,05kg dia-1), similar às dietas contendo CTOC e CTHC (18,01 e 17,89kg dia-1, respectivamente) e superior àquelas com CIN (17,33kg dia-1). As dietas experimentais não alteraram a composição do leite. A utilização da cana-de-açúcar tratada com Ca(OH)2 é uma alternativa alimentar viável para vacas Holandesas com potencial genético médio para produção leiteira, já que possibilita produção e composição do leite similar à vacas alimentadas com silagem de milho, além de beneficiar a logística de alimentação nas propriedades rurais.

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of dairy cows fed with sugarcane treated with 5g kg-1 of calcium oxide (CaO) or hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. Eight Holstein cows with 638.01±12.52kg of body weight and milk yield of 20.32±1.5kg d-1 were randomly assigned into two 4x4 Latin squares, fed with the following diets composed of corn silage (CS), fresh sugarcane (FS), sugarcane treated with calcium oxide (STCO) or calcium hydroxide (STCH) as only forage. Data collection lasted five days, after 15 days of adaptation to diets and facilities. The dry matter intake (% of body weight) was higher in diets with CS (3.08) compared to those with FS (2.67), STCO (2.73) or STCH (2.73), which did not differ. Diets with CS determined milk production adjusted for 4% fat (20.05kg d-1) similar to diets containing STCO and STCH (18.01 and 17.89kg d-1, respectively) and higher than those with FS (17.33kg d-1). The experimental diets did not alter the composition of milk. The use of sugarcane treated with Ca(OH)2 is a viable option for feeding Holstein cows with average genetic potential for milk production because it allows production and composition similar to milk dairy cows fed with corn silage, besides benefiting the logistics of feeding in the rural properties.

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo de nutrientes e o desempenho de novilhas Nelore alimentadas com dietas contendo cana-de-açúcar in natura (CN) ou hidrolisada (CH) com 0,5% de Ca(OH)2 armazenada por 24, 48 e 72 horas. Foram utilizadas 24 novilhas com nove meses de idade e 119,6±8,1kg de peso corporal inicial. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualisado com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. O consumo de matéria seca foi reduzido em 29% pela adição de Ca(OH)2, não sendo alterado pelo período de armazenamento da CH. O consumo de cálcio foi incrementado (P<0,05) pela utilização de CH nas dietas, mantendo níveis de ingestão aceitáveis. Novilhas alimentadas com CH armazenada por 24, 48 e 72 horas apresentaram, respectivamente, ganhos de peso 41, 30 e 35% inferior (P<0,05) àquelas alimentadas com CN. O tratamento da cana-de-açúcar com Ca(OH)2 não é recomendado para alimentação de novilhas Nelore, em virtude de limitar a ingestão e reduzir o ganho de peso.

The study aimed to evaluate the nutrients intake and performance of Nellore heifers fed with chopped sugarcane, fresh (FS) or treated (HS) with 0.5% of Ca(OH)2 and stored during 24, 48 or 72 hours. It was used twenty-four heifers with nine months age and 119.6±8.1kg of initial body weight. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and six replications. The dry matter intake showed an average reduction of 29% by adding Ca(OH)2, and didn't change with the storage period. Calcium intake was increased by the use of HS in the diet, while maintaining acceptable levels of intake. Heifers fed with HS stored during 24, 48 and 72 hours had, respectively, average daily weight gain of 41, 30 and 35% lower than those fed with FS. The treatment of sugarcane with Ca(OH)2 is not recommended for feeding Nellore heifers, due to limited intake and lower weight gain.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical characteristics of the forage and ingestive behavior of Nellore heifers fed hydrolyzed sugarcane in different periods of storage. Twenty-four heifers with initial body weight of 119.6±8.1 kg were utilized. The experimental design was completely randomized, in which the treatments were diets with fresh sugarcane and hydrolyzed sugarcane (5 g of lime kg-1 of chopped sugarcane) stored for 24, 48 or 72 hours as the only roughage. The addition of lime to sugarcane associated with its storage up to 72 hours provided an increase of 20% of the potentially degradable cell wall of carbohydrates, from 382.4 to 458.8 g kg-1 of total carbohydrates. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter was altered by the storage of hydrolyzed sugarcane, increasing 7.08% when the storage time was increased from 24 to 72 hours. Heifers fed fresh sugarcane remained more time consuming compared with heifers fed other diets. The time used for water intake was not influenced by the diet. The rumination time presented a quadratic variation in relation to storage time of the hydrolyzed sugarcane, with higher values for the of hydrolyzed sugarcane diets stored for 48 hours. Heifers fed hydrolyzed sugarcane spent more time on other activities than those fed fresh sugarcane. The supply of hydrolyzed sugarcane stored up to 72 hours in the proportion of 600 g kg-1 of dry matter in the diet, alters the intake patterns, reducing the feed intake in Nellore heifers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, in Nellore heifers, intake and digestibility of hydrolyzed sugarcane stored for different periods. The experimental design used was a 4 × 4 Latin square, four diets, four Nellore heifers with ruminal cannulas (initial body weight 285.4±23.08 kg and average initial age 14 months) and four periods of 21 days. The diets were composed by fresh sugarcane (time zero) or hydrolyzed sugarcane with addition of 0.5% of hydrated lime, stored for 24, 48 or 72 hours, as the unique forage. Intake and digestibility of feed fractions, nitrogen balance, microbial synthesis efficiency, total number of ruminal protozoans and ammoniacal nitrogen did not significantly change by storing sugarcane with addition of 0.5% of hydrated lime. Sugarcane pH varied quadratically for storage time, with maximum pH of 7.02 after 24 hours from lime addition. Ruminal liquid pH values were higher for heifers fed fresh sugarcane, in comparison with those fed hydrolyzed sugarcane. Sugarcane treated with 0.5% of hydrated lime stored for up to 72 hours does not change ruminal digestion to alter the amount of feed consumed by pubescent Nellore heifers. Thus, lime is a viable technology, once it allows long-duration storage and bee control on treated forage, which contributes to animal feeding logistics.