ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fermentation products, digestibility, gas production (GP) kinetics, and enteric greenhouse emissions (CH4 and CO2) of substrates with different forage:concentrate ratios (100F, grass hay only; 100C, concentrate mixture only, and mixture, an equal proportion of them) within non-woven fabric (NWT; 100 g/m2) or F57 (Ankom®) filter bags compared to directly dispersed in the medium (DIS), arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Substrates (0.5 g) were incubated using an AnkomRF GP System. Gas samples were collected during 24 and 48 h of incubation. We observed substrate × dispersion method interactions on GP at 48 h (GP48) and on in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). The GP48 and IVOMD of the 100C substrate were greatest in DIS, intermediate in NWT, and least in F57. With mixture substrate, there were no differences in GP48 and IVOMD between DIS and NWT, but they were greater than in F57. The GP48 and IVOMD were greater in NWT than in DIS and F57 when 100F was incubated. There were no dispersion method × substrate interactions on molar proportions and total volatile fatty acids. With the increase in forage:concentrate ratio incubated, there was a linear decrease in CH4 and CO2 emission relative to organic matter digested. Overall, CH4 and CO2 emissions and digestibility were lower when substrates were incubated within filter bags. The noteworthy interaction between the incubation method and substrates indicates that the ranking of these variables for substrates with differing fermentabilities changes with the dispersion method employed. products (GP kinetics CH (CH CO forageconcentrate forage 100F, F (100F only C them nonwoven non woven (NWT 10 g/m2 gm2 gm g m2 m F5 Ankom® Ankom (Ankom® , (DIS) arrangement 0.5 05 0 5 (0. System 2 4 (GP48 IVOMD. . (IVOMD) GP4 acids digested Overall employed 1 g/m (Ankom (DIS 0. (0 (GP4 (IVOMD (

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two maturity stages of whole-plant corn at harvest (32.1 or 42.5% dry matter (DM)) and a commercial microbial inoculant composed of L. buchneri and L. plantarum at concentration of 110,000 CFU/g of fresh forage (1.1 × 105 CFU/g FF) on fermentation losses, aerobic stability, chemical composition, and digestibility of starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). A factorial and randomized design was used (two DM contents, both with or without inoculant), with five replicates per treatment. Dry matter at harvest affected most variables, except lignin, NDF digestibility, ethanol, and lactic and acetic acids. Drier silages differed in total DM losses (−1.7%) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population (+1.2 log CFU/g). The use of the inoculant affected the levels of ether extract (+0.27% DM), starch (+2.9% DM), and lignin (−0.17% DM). The LAB (+1.6 log CFU/g) and yeast (−2.82% log CFU/g) populations were also influenced, as well as aerobic stability at six days. The inoculant × DM interaction was observed in the water-soluble carbohydrates content, being higher in silages with 32.1% DM and in those not inoculated for both DM. Crude protein was also higher in these silages, whether inoculated or not. Wetter silages were more prone to gas losses when inoculated (+2.5% DM) and lost more effluent when not inoculated (+4.82 kg/t FF). However, total DM losses during aerobic stability were on average 10.58% DM lower in these silages, with inoculation being preferred (6.72% DM vs 11.60% DM (control)). Under these conditions, harvesting corn for silage at 42.5% DM is indicated to obtain a more energetic silage, as noted both in the increased starch content and the reduced losses associated with fermentation. wholeplant whole plant 32.1 321 32 1 (32. 425 42 5 42.5 (DM) L 110000 110 000 110,00 CFUg CFU g 1.1 11 (1. 10 FF composition NDF. . (NDF) contents inoculant, , inoculant) treatment variables ethanol acids −1.7% 17 7 (−1.7% (LAB +1.2 12 2 (+1. CFU/g. +0.27% 027 0 27 (+0.27 DM, +2.9% 29 9 (+2.9 −0.17% 017 (−0.17 +1.6 16 6 −2.82% 282 82 (−2.82 influenced days watersoluble water soluble +2.5% 25 (+2.5 +4.82 482 4 (+4.8 kgt kg t FF. However 1058 58 10.58 6.72% 672 72 (6.72 1160 60 11.60 control. control (control)) conditions 32. 3 (32 42. (DM 11000 00 110,0 1. (1 (NDF −1.7 (−1.7 +1. (+1 +0.27 02 (+0.2 +2.9 (+2. −0.17 01 (−0.1 −2.82 28 8 (−2.8 +2.5 +4.8 48 (+4. 10.5 6.72 67 (6.7 116 11.6 (control) (3 1100 110, ( −1. (−1. +1 (+ +0.2 (+0. +2. (+2 −0.1 (−0. −2.8 (−2. +4. (+4 10. 6.7 (6. 11. (control −1 (−1 + +0. (+0 +2 −0. (−0 −2. (−2 +4 6. (6 − (− +0 −0 −2

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of including an emulsifier (soybean lecithin) and two lipid sources (soybean oil and chicken fat) on the performance and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 576 one-day-old Cobb® 500 male chicks were housed in a completely randomized design, with treatments divided in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (with and without emulsifier and two lipid sources – soybean oil or chicken fat), totaling four treatments with eight replications and 18 chicks per plot. The experimental diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isoproteic. The use of chicken fat improved the live weight at the starter rearing stage. However, the use of the emulsifier improved the live weight at the grower and finisher phases. No interaction effect was observed between treatments for performance. The intestinal morphology showed an increase in duodenal villus height with the use of chicken fat and emulsifier. The ileum had an increase in villus height in chickens fed the diet with soybean oil and emulsifier. Supplementation of the emulsifier resulted in positive results in the live weight of chickens at 35 and 42 days of age, in addition to increasing the villus height in the small intestine. lecithin 57 onedayold one day old Cobb 50 design fat, , 1 plot isoproteic stage However phases 3 4 age intestine 5

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the energy values and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids of corn, corn protein meal (CPM), corn germ (CG), and dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) in broiler diets. In the first experiment, the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values were determined using the total excreta collection method. A total of 240 14-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, including four different feed ingredients and a reference diet, each with eight replicates of six birds. In the second experiment, to determine the coefficient values of amino acids, 240 birds aged 14 to 28 days were randomly assigned to five treatments, including four different feed ingredients and a nitrogen-free diet, each with eight replicates of six birds. At 28 days of age, birds were slaughtered, and the digesta were collected to determine the standardized ileal digestibility coefficients and, subsequently, the digestibility of amino acids. The AMEn for corn, CPM, CG, and DDGS is 3178, 2171, 2473, and 3398 kcal/kg, respectively. The metabolizability coefficient of the AMEn percentages are 68.03% for corn, 46.62% for CPM, 44.15% for CG, and 73.39% for DDGS. The average digestibility of essential amino acids in corn, CPM, CG, and DDGS is 92.55, 52.63, 73.07, and 81.51%, respectively. For non-essential amino acids, the average digestibility in corn, CPM, CG, and DDGS is 90.59, 54.36, 70.20, and 79.47%, respectively, with an overall average of 85.21%. SID (SID CPM , (CPM) CG (CG) distillers (DDGS diets experiment AME (AME nitrogencorrected nitrogen corrected (AMEn method 24 14dayold dayold day old treatments diet 1 2 nitrogenfree free age slaughtered subsequently 3178 2171 2473 339 kcalkg kcal kg kcal/kg respectively 6803 68 03 68.03 4662 46 62 46.62 4415 44 15 44.15 7339 73 39 73.39 9255 92 55 92.55 5263 52 63 52.63 7307 07 73.07 8151 81 51 81.51% nonessential non 9059 90 59 90.59 5436 54 36 54.36 7020 70 20 70.20 7947 79 47 79.47% 8521 85 21 85.21% (CPM (CG 317 217 247 33 680 6 0 68.0 466 4 46.6 441 44.1 733 7 3 73.3 925 9 5 92.5 526 52.6 730 73.0 815 8 81.51 905 90.5 543 54.3 702 70.2 794 79.47 852 85.21 31 68. 46. 44. 73. 92. 52. 81.5 90. 54. 70. 79.4 85.2 81. 79. 85.

ABSTRACT The study aimed to optimize the processing conditions for hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM) with the addition of coagulated blood. Factorial design and response surface methodology were used to optimize processing conditions in function of protein content (%) and digestibility value (%) of HFM. Higher protein contents were obtained when the upper levels of the variables pressure (kgf.cm−2), hydrolysis time (min), and blood addition (%) were used in the process. Longer hydrolysis time and a higher percentage of blood result in higher digestibility values. Mathematics models can be used to estimate the protein content and digestibility value of HFM with coagulated blood. Hydrolyzed feather meal with higher protein content and digestibility value can be produced by adding coagulated blood and appropriate processing parameters. (HFM % (% kgf.cm−2, kgfcm2 kgfcm kgf.cm−2 , kgf cm 2 (kgf.cm−2) min, min (min) process values parameters ( kgf.cm− (kgf.cm−2 (min kgf.cm (kgf.cm− (kgf.cm

ABSTRACT This study aimed to optimize a reliable and rapid genotyping assay to detect the carriers of bovine citrullinemia (BC), bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), complex vertebral malformation (CVM), and deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS) in cattle populations. We developed real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assays to distinguish wild-type and defective alleles of BLAD, CVM, BC, and DUMPS. Twenty-four bulls in the International Center for Livestock Research and Training were genotyped. At the same time, genotyping was performed for DUMPS and BC using PCR-RFLP, and sequencing was performed for all diseases and compared with the RT-PCR kit we developed. None of the bulls carried mutant alleles of these hereditary autosomal recessive lethal defects. It takes only 2 h for the assay to be completed, including DNA extraction from the sample. These consequences indicate that RT-PCR is an easy, reliable, and rapid method for detecting BLAD, CVM, BC, and DUMPS carriers. Studies show a high frequency of mutant alleles of these genetic defects that cause genetic diseases, and this requires routine test systems to eradicate genetic diseases of economic importance. , (BC) BLAD (BLAD) CVM (CVM) (DUMPS populations realtime real time RTPCRbased RT PCR based wildtype wild type Twentyfour Twenty four genotyped PCRRFLP, PCRRFLP RFLP, RFLP PCR-RFLP RTPCR completed sample easy importance (BC (BLAD (CVM

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the increasing levels of inclusion of palm kernel cake (PKC) in the diet on the performance of feedlot heifers. Forty-eight Nelore heifers with an initial weight of 274 ± 4.58 kg, at 24 months of age, were confined for 98 days in a feedlot. The animals were allocated to the four treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of PKC levels of 0 (control), 10, 20, and 30% in the total dry matter of the diet. The roughage:concentrate ratio in the diets was 30:70. Ether extract intake increased, whereas the intakes of non-fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients decreased with the inclusion of PKC. The apparent digestibility of all nutrients decreased, as well as the amounts of nitrogen digested and retained. Microbial protein synthesis and its efficiency also declined. The inclusion of up to 20% PKC increased feeding time and reduced rumination time of heifers. Intake and rumination efficiencies decreased with the inclusion of PKC in the diet. Final weight and average daily gain did not change, but feed efficiency increased with the inclusion of PKC. The inclusion of up to 30% PKC in the diet of feedlot heifers is recommended. (PKC Fortyeight Forty eight 27 458 4 58 4.5 kg 2 age 9 design control, control , (control) 10 20 30 roughageconcentrate roughage concentrate 3070. 3070 70. 70 30:70 nonfiber non fiber retained declined change recommended 45 5 4. (control 1 3 307 7 30:7 30:

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to assess the impact of an enzyme complex (EC) on the metabolizability coefficients of dry matter (MCDM), crude protein (MCCP), and ether extract (MCEE) and on the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of corn gluten meal, soybean protein concentrate, dried bovine plasma, and poultry offal meal. Additionally, the experiments aimed to evaluate how EC affected broiler performance. In experiment I, 720 day-old Cobb 500® broilers were assigned to a completely randomized design using a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. The main factors considered were the feedstuff (corn gluten meal, soybean protein concentrate, dried bovine plasma, and poultry offal meal) and the presence or absence of EC. The broilers were housed in 45 pens, using five replicates, with ten birds in the pre-starter phase and six birds in the starter phase. This design resulted in eight treatment groups, including one reference diet group. In experiment II, 1140 day-old Cobb 500® chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design, employing a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the same main factors as in experiment I. Birds were housed in 48 pens, using six replicates/30 birds, yielding eight treatments. The use of the EC did not lead to improvements in digestibility of the feedstuffs. However, the addition of EC resulted in enhanced body weight gain and improved feed conversion ratios across all phases of broiler growth. Enzyme complex inclusion did not affect feed intake. While the EC did not enhance the metabolizability of nutrients in feedstuffs individually, broilers fed diets containing these feedstuffs and supplemented with EC exhibited improved performance at 42 days of age. This suggests that the impact of the EC varies depending on whether it is observed at the feedstuff or diet level. (EC MCDM, MCDM , (MCDM) MCCP, MCCP (MCCP) MCEE (MCEE nitrogencorrected nitrogen corrected AMEn (AMEn meal concentrate plasma Additionally I 72 dayold day old 500 arrangement pens replicates prestarter pre groups group II 114 replicates30 30 replicates/3 treatments However growth intake individually age level (MCDM (MCCP 7 50 11 replicates3 3 replicates/ 5 1

ABSTRACT This research aimed to evaluate the influence of a commercial prebiotic in different concentrations upon several parameters. To carry out the experiment, 640 male one-day-old broiler chicks were distributed in four treatments (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg/ton of yeast cell wall) with eight replicates of 20 birds per experimental unit, in randomized blocks. Prebiotic effects were assessed on performance, carcass yield and prime cuts, in addition to the litter quality (its content of nitrogen and phosphorus). There were significant improvements for weight gain and feed conversion ratio in experimental growth periods. However, prebiotic level at 1.0 kg/ton is enough to provide improvement in performance and similar yield parameters than the control group. Also, 1.5 kg/ton prebiotic inclusion in the diet promotes environmental benefits by reducing the phosphorus amount in the litter by 51%. Above 1.0 kg/ton prebiotic addition in broiler diets can be safely recommended, because it promotes both performance and environmental benefits. experiment 64 onedayold one day old 0, 0 (0 05 5 0.5 10 1 15 1. kgton kg ton wall 2 unit blocks cuts its phosphorus. . phosphorus) periods However group Also 51 51% recommended 6 ( 0.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the genetic structure and diversity of six Santa Inês sheep flocks from the Central-Northern Brazil. A panel of 20 highly polymorphic and informative microsatellite loci was selected and amplified. The following parameters were obtained: overall mean of number of alleles = 15.4; expected heterozygosity (He) = 0.89; polymorphism information content (PIC) = 0.88; discriminatory capacity = 0.95; combined probability of identity = 1.50 × 10−34; and probability of exclusion = 1.00. The flocks with the lowest and the highest degrees of genetic variability were Farm 6 (He = 0.70, PIC = 0.653, and allelic richness [Ar] = 3.76) and Farm 1 (He = 0.89, PIC = 0.882, and Ar = 4.39), respectively. Indications of genetic bottleneck were observed in all flocks, as well as moderate genetic differentiation, with FST = 0.053, RST = 0.096, and Dest = 0.169. The migration rate in all flocks was high, with a trend towards Farm 1. This finding was not in agreement with the substructure found with the Bayesian admixture analysis and corroborated the array obtained with the principal component analysis and the clustering analysis. The results revealed moderate structuring and high genetic diversity in the flocks. However, management strategies should be reviewed, as evidence of bottleneck and genetic erosion was observed. CentralNorthern Central Northern Brazil 2 amplified 15.4 154 15 4 He 0.89 089 0 89 (PIC 0.88 088 88 0.95 095 95 150 50 1.5 10−34 1034 10 34 100 00 1.00 070 70 0.70 0653 653 0.653 [Ar 3.76 376 3 76 0882 882 0.882 4.39, 439 4.39 , 39 4.39) respectively differentiation 0053 053 0.053 0096 096 0.096 0169 169 0.169 However reviewed 15. 0.8 08 8 0.9 09 9 5 10−3 103 1.0 07 7 0.7 065 65 0.65 3.7 37 43 4.3 005 05 0.05 009 0.09 016 16 0.16 0. 10− 06 0.6 3. 4. 0.0 01 0.1

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of a 37.5 °C temperature on chick embryos during the hatching period (18-21 days of incubation) and its subsequent effect on hatchery results and the thermotolerance of broiler chicks from 28-40 days of rearing. For hatchery results, the study involved 16 trays per treatment. For performance, the study involved 360 broiler chicks from two distinct hatching temperature conditions: a control group (36.5 °C and 65% relative humidity (RH)) and a thermal manipulation group (37.5 °C/6 h/d from 18 to 21 days of incubation with 65% RH). The chicks were reared in a thermoneutral temperature until day 28. Subsequently, on day 28 post-hatch, the chicks were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 arrangement to assess the differences in thermotolerance acquisition. The primary factors were embryo thermal manipulation in the hatcher and the thermal environmental rearing from day 28 until day 40 (thermoneutrality (at a constant 23.0 °C) or thermal environmental challenge (30.0 °C/6 h/d)). No effect was observed on hatchability, residual analysis of unhatched eggs, and chick quality. No interaction was observed between treatments for performance or cloacal temperature from day 28 to day 40. However, birds reared in a thermoneutral environment exhibited higher feed intake and body weight gain from day 28 to day 40 and a lower feed conversion ratio than the birds reared in a cyclic heat temperature environment. An increase of 1 °C/6 h/d in the hatcher from day 18-21 does not affect hatchery results or enhance the adaptability of broilers to a heat stress environment during the final rearing period 375 37 5 37. C 1821 (18-2 2840 28-4 treatment 36 conditions 36.5 365 (36. 65 RH (RH) (37. C6 6 °C/ hd h d RH. . RH) Subsequently posthatch, posthatch post hatch, hatch post-hatch acquisition 4 thermoneutrality at 230 23 0 23. 30.0 300 30 (30. h/d. h/d)) hatchability eggs quality However 18-2 3 182 (18- 284 28- 36. (36 (RH (37 30. (30 h/d) 18- (18 (3 (1 (

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to determine the influence of heat stress, using the temperature-humidity index (THI), on the production and quality of native sperm of bulls. The effect of heat stress on the quantity of semen (mL), density of ejaculate (number of spermatozoa, 106/mL), gross sperm motility (1-5), number of frozen doses, and motility after freezing was analysed in 1,017 sperm samples taken from 32 Holstein-Friesian bulls, in the 2017-2019 period, at the Centre for Reproduction and Embryo Transfer in Serbia. The lowest amount of ejaculate (4.18±1.95 mL) and the lowest density of ejaculate (1,189.19±668.23 × 106/mL) were recorded under conditions of very strong heat stress on the day of semen collection. The level of heat stress measured on the day of semen collection did not affect sperm gross motility, number of frozen doses, and motility after freezing. The level of heat stress at the beginning of spermatogenesis, measured 60 days before semen collection, did not affect the amount of ejaculate and motility of spermatozoa after freezing, but at very strong stress, the lowest density of ejaculate (1,170.34±680.27 × 106/mL) and gross motility of spermatozoa were found (2.91±0.96). The lowest number of doses per ejaculate was recorded in conditions of moderate heat stress (396.6±157.71). Bulls older than 36 months had the best results according to all tested parameters of native sperm production and quality. The year in which the bulls produced semen did not affect density of ejaculate and sperm motility. The season of semen collection did not significantly affect the production and quality of native sperm, due to the practice of exploiting only bulls with the best sperm quality during the summer. temperaturehumidity temperature humidity THI, THI , (THI) mL, mL (mL) 106/mL, 106mL 106/mL 106 15, 15 1 5 (1-5) 1017 017 1,01 3 HolsteinFriesian Holstein Friesian 20172019 2017 2019 2017-201 period Serbia 4.18±1.95 418195 4 18 95 (4.18±1.9 1,189.19±668.23 11891966823 189 19 668 23 (1,189.19±668.2 spermatogenesis 6 1,170.34±680.27 11703468027 170 34 680 27 (1,170.34±680.2 2.91±0.96. 291096 2.91±0.96 . 2 91 0 96 (2.91±0.96) 396.6±157.71. 396615771 396.6±157.71 396 157 71 (396.6±157.71) summer (THI (mL 10 (1-5 101 01 1,0 2017201 201 2017-20 4.18±1.9 41819 9 (4.18±1. 1,189.19±668.2 1189196682 66 (1,189.19±668. 1,170.34±680.2 1170346802 17 68 (1,170.34±680. 29109 2.91±0.9 (2.91±0.96 39661577 396.6±157.7 39 7 (396.6±157.71 (1- 1, 201720 20 2017-2 4.18±1. 4181 (4.18±1 1,189.19±668. 118919668 (1,189.19±668 1,170.34±680. 117034680 (1,170.34±680 2910 2.91±0. (2.91±0.9 3966157 396.6±157. (396.6±157.7 (1 20172 2017- 4.18±1 418 (4.18± 1,189.19±668 11891966 (1,189.19±66 1,170.34±680 11703468 (1,170.34±68 291 2.91±0 (2.91±0. 396615 396.6±157 (396.6±157. ( 4.18± 41 (4.18 1,189.19±66 1189196 (1,189.19±6 1,170.34±68 1170346 (1,170.34±6 29 2.91± (2.91±0 39661 396.6±15 (396.6±157 4.18 (4.1 1,189.19±6 118919 (1,189.19± 1,170.34±6 117034 (1,170.34± 2.91 (2.91± 3966 396.6±1 (396.6±15 4.1 (4. 1,189.19± 11891 (1,189.19 1,170.34± 11703 (1,170.34 2.9 (2.91 396.6± (396.6±1 4. (4 1,189.19 1189 (1,189.1 1,170.34 1170 (1,170.3 2. (2.9 396.6 (396.6± 1,189.1 118 (1,189. 1,170.3 117 (1,170. (2. 396. (396.6 1,189. 11 (1,189 1,170. (1,170 (2 (396. 1,189 (1,18 1,170 (1,17 (396 1,18 (1,1 1,17 (39 1,1 (1, (3

ABSTRACT The objective was to explore publications on the effects of genotype × environment interaction (GEI) in livestock farming. The dataset used for this analysis came from the Web of Science (WOS) database, and the search was carried out from the first article identified in the WOS database until the search date (August 17, 2023). A set of minimum parameters was defined, and then the data was processed using the VOSviewer® software. To generate visual representations in VOSviewer, fractional counting was used, in which the contribution of each article is divided proportionally based on the number of co-authors. Consequently, if an article has three authors, the weight of each author is calculated as 1/3. Brazil and the United States lead research on GEI, while India, China, and Uruguay are emerging countries on the subject. The most cited journals on GEI include the Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Dairy Science, Animal, Livestock Science, Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, and Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia. In Brazil, the research groups are at the forefront of publications related to GEI. Ongoing climate changes over the years have likely led to further investigations into this matter. In the Brazilian context, research groups from the São Paulo State University (UNESP), College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences - Jaboticabal, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at the University of São Paulo (FZEA/USP, Campus Pirassununga) have played a prominent role in advancing this area of study. Furthermore, our bibliometric analysis revealed future trends in GEI publications, including an increasing integration of genomic information into research. (GEI farming (WOS August 17 2023. 2023 . 2023) defined VOSviewer software coauthors. coauthors co authors. authors co-authors Consequently 13 1 3 1/3 India China subject Genetics Zootecnia matter context UNESP, UNESP , (UNESP) Jaboticabal FZEA/USP, FZEAUSP FZEA USP (FZEA/USP Pirassununga study Furthermore 202 1/ (UNESP FZEA/USP 20 2

ABSTRACT Our objective was to compare performance and carcass characteristics of backgrounding steers grazing poor quality pasture, receiving energy or protein supplements during summer, and on subsequent finishing period. Sixty Hereford steers (14 months; 348±33 kg body weight [BW]) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to one of three treatments (n = 20 per treatment): control (non-supplemented) and supplemented at 0.8% BW with whole grain of corn (CS) or lupin bean (LS) (phase I; 77 days). Over the following 84 days, none of the steers had access to supplement (phase II). During phases I and II, steers grazed together endophyte-infected tall fescue. In the last phase (phase III; 176 days), and until slaughter, steers grazed lucerne and orchard grass and were supplemented at 0.8% BW with high-moisture sorghum grain. Data were evaluated as a complete block randomized design with three treatments. Intake of supplement in CS and LS groups was 1.9 and 2.4 kg DM/d, respectively. Steers supplemented with lupin showed an improvement in the supplement conversion efficiency (5.7:1 vs. 10.0:1). At the end of phase I, BW and average daily gain were different between groups (LS > CS > control). Final body weight in phase II was greater in supplemented steers than in control steers. At slaughter, supplemented groups had greater hot carcass weight than the control group. The advantage obtained by supplementing steers with lupin, compared with corn, was lost in the subsequent phases, as reflected by the absence of differences in carcass weight. Our data illustrate that in similar scenario, energy supplementation is adequate and there is not any extra benefit of adding protein by the use of lupins when considering cattle management and economic factors. pasture summer period 14 (1 months 34833 348 33 348±3 [BW] n 2 treatment treatment) nonsupplemented non (non-supplemented 08 0 8 0.8 (CS 7 days. days . days) II. II) endophyteinfected endophyte infected fescue III 17 , slaughter highmoisture high moisture 19 1 9 1. 24 4 2. DMd DM d DM/d respectively 5.71 571 5.7 5 (5.7: vs 10.01. 1001 10.0 10 10.0:1) control. control) group scenario factors ( 3483 34 3 348± [BW 0. 71 57 5. (5.7 01 10.01 100 10. 10.0:1 (5. 10.0: (5

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance and the nutritional metabolic condition of ewes supplemented at different stages of gestation in a synchronized reproduction system. Fourty Santa Inês × Dorper crossbreed ewes, pregnant with an average age of ten months and two previous births, were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments: mineral salt, supplementation started 20 days before the estrus synchronization (ES) protocol, supplementation from confirmation of pregnancy (60 days after ES), and supplementation in the final third of gestation (90 days after ES). The adoption of supplementation strategies during the beginning, middle, or end of pregnancy changed the intake and digestibility of dry matter (g/day), with a reduction of 10.53 and 9.14%, respectively, for the mineral salt treatment, in addition to organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates, ether extract, and total digestible nutrients, as well as protein, energy, and mineral profiles. There was no difference in the number of ovulations and reproductive and productive performance using supplementation alternatives. Supplementation strategies during the gestation stages influence the intake and digestibility of nutrients, as well as the animal metabolic profiles. However, it does not change reproductive and productive performance. system births design treatments 2 ES (ES protocol 60 (6 ES, , ES) 90 (9 ES. . beginning middle g/day, gday g/day g day (g/day) 1053 10 53 10.5 914 9 14 9.14% respectively treatment protein fiber nonfibrous non fibrous carbohydrates extract nutrients energy profiles alternatives However 6 ( (g/day 105 1 5 10. 91 9.14 9.1 9.