ABSTRACT The objective was to develop selection indexes for Nellore cattle raised in full-cycle production system in the Brazilian Pantanal. The resulting offspring are retained as replacements or sold at two years of age. Preliminary analyses explored effects of scale on economic values (EV). However, given the available data, these effects were very small. Presented herein are results from a simulated system consisting of 5,000 cows with all animals maintained on pasture as is typical in Pantanal. The EV were determined by approximating the partial derivatives of the profit function, changing one trait at a time, by one unit, while keeping the other traits constant. Traits in the breeding objective were mature cow weight, direct and maternal weaning weight, postweaning average daily gain, subcutaneous fat depth, longissimus muscle area, and stayability. Economic values were calculated on the basis of number of animals (per head), number of animal units, and arroba of carcasss weight. Regardless of the basis, maternal weaning weight and subcutaneous fat depth made negligible contributions to the breeding objective. Proportions of variation in the breeding objectives (per head, per animal unit, per arroba) explained by cow weight, direct weaning weight, postweaning average daily gain, stayability, and longissimus muscle area were: 13, 13, 17; 6, 1, 5; 3, 3, 4; 67, 67, 61; and 11, 17, 13, respectively. These indexes may aid Nellore breeders in their selection decisions, thus facilitating the genetic progress and increased productivity and profitability of Pantanal herds.

Abstract The objective with this study was to analyze the body measurements of Girolando cattle, as well as measurements extracted from their images, to generate a model to understand which measures further explain the cattle body weight. Therefore, the experiment physically measured 34 Girolando cattle (two males and 32 females), for the following traits: heart girth (HGP), circumference of the abdomen, body length, occipito-ischial length, wither height, and hip height. In addition, images of the dorsum and the body lateral area of these animals allowed measurements of hip width (HWI), body length, tail distance to the neck, dorsum area (DAI), dorsum perimeter, wither height, hip height, body lateral area, perimeter of the lateral area, and rib height. The measurements extracted from the images were subjected to the stepwise regression method and regression-based machine learning algorithms. The HGp was the physical measure with stronger positive correlation with respect to body weight. In the stepwise method, the final model generated R² of 0.70 and RMSE of 42.52 kg and the equation: WEIGHT ( kg ) = 6.15421 * HW I ( cm ) + 0.01929 * DA I ( cm 2 ) + 70.8388. The linear regression and SVM algorithms obtained the best results, followed by discretization regression with random forests. The set of rules presented in this study can be recommended for estimating body weight in Girolando cattle, at a correlation coefficient of 0.71, by measurements of hip width and dorsum area, both extracted from cattle images.

RESUMO: O estudo foi conduzido para avaliar o desempenho reprodutivo de novilhas Nelore, não imunizadas para herpesvirus bovino tipo 1 (BHV-1), vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) e leptospirose bovina (LB), submetidas a diferentes protocolos vacinais em manejo de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) e repasse com touro em monta natural. Um total de 763 animais foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: T1 - controle sem vacinação; T2 - vacinação contra LB; T3 - vacinação contra BHV-1 e BVDV T4 - vacinação com LB+ BHV-1 e BVDV. A vacinação foi iniciada 30 dias antes da IATF (D-40) com a aplicação da segunda dose em D-10. Verificou-se a taxa de ocorrência de infecção natural por LB, BHV-1 e BVDV realizando-se exames sorológicos. O diagnóstico de gestação inicial foi feito aos 30, 60 e 120 dias. Avaliou-se as taxas de prenhez em função dos grupos, do peso, escore de condição corporal, presença ou ausência de cio, inseminador, touro, ocorrência de abortos ou morte embrionária. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que soropositividade para leptospirose foi de 100% para todos os grupos, variando de 77,0% a 94,0% para BHV-1 e 64,0% a 87,0% para BVDV. O protocolo vacinal não interferiu na taxa de prenhez, de mortalidade embrionária ou fetal. Houve diferença na taxa de prenhez em relação ao peso dos animais no início da estação reprodutiva e a presença de cio no momento da IATF. Concluiu-se que o protocolo vacinal não interferiu no desempenho reprodutivo dos grupos experimentais.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the reproductive performance of Nellore heifers without previous vaccination undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) and subsequent natural breeding under different vaccination protocols against infectious bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and bovine leptospirosis (BL). A total of 763 animals were included; the group assignment was as follows: T1, control without vaccination; T2, vaccination against BL; T3, vaccination against BHV-1and BVDV; T4,vaccination against combination of BL + BHV-1and BVDV. Vaccination was started 30 days before FTAI (D-40), and a booster dose was administered at D-10. Serological tests were used to verify the occurrence rate of natural infection by BL, BHV-1, and BVDV. Initial pregnancy was diagnosed at D30, D60, and D120 after FTAI. Final pregnancy rates were evaluated by group, weight, body-condition score, occurrence of estrus, inseminator, bull, and occurrence of abortions or embryonic death. In all groups, results indicated seropositivity of 100% for leptospirosis, 77.0-94.0% for BHV-1, and 64.0-87.0% for BVDV. The vaccination protocol was not a significant influencing factor of pregnancy rate and embryonic or fetal mortality; whereas, animal weight at the beginning of the breeding season and presence of estrus at FTAI were significant influencing factors of pregnancy rate. The vaccination protocol had no interference with the reproductive performance of the experimental groups.

Resumo A desmama precoce (DP) vem sendo adotada nas fazendas de cria do Pantanal como alternativa para o aumento dos índices de concepção das vacas. A principal receita dessas propriedades são os bezerros (as), sendo o seu valor dependente dos seus respectivos pesos. Assim é necessário que os bezerros submetidos à DP, apresentem pesos semelhantes ou acima dos bezerros desmamados convencionalmente. Desta forma o estudo teve como objetivo, acompanhar o desempenho de bezerros nascidos no Pantanal, submetidos à DP ou a desmama convencional (DC), puros (Nelore) ou Cruzados (Nelore/Angus). Após a DP os animais receberam suplemento específico para bezerros, na quantidade fixa de 1 kg/animal/dia (baixa energia) ou ao nível de 1% do Peso Vivo (alta energia). Os pesos ajustados aos 300 dias de idade foram maiores para os bezerros de DP sob alta energia (P<0,01), em ambos os grupos genéticos. Os pesos dos animais de DP de baixa energia e de DC, não se diferiram (P>0,01), sendo de 241,17 e 236,27 kg para o grupo de bezerros Cruzados e de 184,44 e 189,78 para o grupo de bezerros Nelore respectivamente. A DP adotada no modelo experimental não prejudicou o desempenho dos bezerros nascidos no Pantanal.

Abstract Early weaning (EW) has been adopted in cattle breeding farms in Pantanal as a strategy to increase the rate of pregnancy in cows. The primary income of these properties is the production of beef calves, and the price of these animals depends on their weight. Therefore, the calves subjected to EW should present weight similar to or higher than those of calves subjected to conventional weaning (CW). This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of pure (Nellore) calves and crossbred (Nellore/Angus) calves reared in the Pantanal and subjected to either EW or CW. After EW, the calves were supplemented with concentrate at 1 kg/animal/day (low-energy diet) or 1% of live weight (high-energy diet). The weights adjusted to 300 days of age were higher for EW calves fed the high-energy diet (p<0.01) in both genetic groups. No significant differences were observed in the weight of EW animals fed the low-energy diet and CW animals (p>0.01), and animal weight was 241.17 and 236.27 kg in crossbred calves and 184.44 and 189.78 in Nellore calves, respectively. The EW adopted in this experimental model did not affect the productive performance of calves raised in the Pantanal.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the physical performance of Pantaneiro horses with and without equine infectious anemia (EIA) under functional conditions of cattle management. The horses were subjected to a performance test and split into two groups according to a completely randomized design: animals were chosen from populations testing positive and negative for EIA. Performance was measured as a function of a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model considering four outputs and one unitary input. The output measures were the distance achieved in the performance test, hematocrit as a weighted average over the test duration, respiratory rate as weighted average over the test duration, and the level of lactic acid at the test termination. Weights for the hematocrit and the respiratory rate output variables were determined by means of factor analysis. The performance score was a weighted average of the output variables with the weights defined by the averages of the optimum individual multipliers in the DEA analysis. Contextual variables of interest were age, horse weight, room temperature, and corporal temperature. Only groups and room temperature were statistically significant effects, as indicated by a bootstrap analysis. The performance of group positive for EIA is significantly lower than that of the group negative for EIA and room temperature has a negative effect.

Resumo O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar o efeito da época do ano sobre a biometria testicular e qualidade do sêmen fresco e congelado de touros Pantaneiros. Seis touros foram submetidos, mensalmente, durante um ano, à mensuração testicular e à coleta e congelamento do sêmen, utilizando-se meio à base de tris-gema-glicerol. O comprimento e o volume testiculares foram maiores (P < 0,05) nos meses de junho (11,1±0,8 cm; 652,7±138,0 cm3), julho (11,0±0,9 cm; 616,4±156,2 cm3) e setembro (11,8±0,8 cm; 692,4±141,3 cm3) que em outubro (9,4±1,2 cm; 498,5±154,3 cm3) e novembro (10,3±1,1cm; 560,0±111,8 cm3). A concentração espermática foi maior (P < 0,05) no mês de agosto (1265,0±436,8 x106sptz/mL) que nos meses de outubro, dezembro e janeiro (591,6±192,0; 627,5±314,4; 502,5±172,9 x106 sptz/mL, respectivamente). Não houve efeito da época do ano sobre a qualidade do sêmen fresco e congelado (motilidade, vigor, defeitos totais e integridade acrossomal) (P > 0,05). Conclui-se que touros Pantaneiros, na região do Distrito Federal, podem ser utilizados em programas de acasalamento natural em todas as épocas do ano. Visando ao enriquecimento do Banco Brasileiro de Germoplasma Animal com maior número de doses, sugere-se o congelamento do sêmen entre os meses de junho e agosto, embora este não apresente perda de qualidade nas diferentes épocas do ano.

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effect of the season of the year on testicular morphology, fresh and frozen/thawed semen quality from Pantaneiro bulls bred in Brasilia, DF. Six bulls were submitted, once a month for one year, to evaluation of testicular measurements, semen collection using an artificial vagina and cryopreserved with medium containing Tris-based, egg yolk and glycerol. The testicular length and volume were greater (P < 0.05) in June (11.1±0.8 cm; 652.7±138.0 cm3), July (11.0±0.9 cm; 616.4±156.2 cm3), and September (11.8±0.8 cm; 692.4±141.3 cm3) than October (9.4±1.2 cm; 498.5±154.3 cm3) and November (10.3±1.1 cm; 560.0±111.8 cm3). The sperm concentration was greater (P<0.05) in August (1265.0±436.8 x106sperm/mL) than October, December and January (591.6±192.0, 627.5±314.4; 502.5±172.9 x106/mL). There was no effect of season on the quality of fresh and frozen semen (motility, vigor, total defects and acrosome integrity) (P > 0.05). In conclusion, Pantaneiro bulls, bred in the Midwest region of Brazil, can be used in natural mating programs in all seasons. Aiming to improve the Brazilian Animal Germplasm Bank with a higher number of samples collected, we suggest that the freezing of the semen is done between June and August, although there will be no losses of semen quality at any time.

This study evaluated the performance of 21 beef cattle modal production systems that conduct only the raising phase. These production systems were developed in 21 municipalities in seven Brazilian states. We used two different DEA BCC models, corresponding to different points of view. Firstly we used an economic model that measured the ability of a production system to generate revenue with the preservation of native forest, using labor, capital, and current spending as inputs. The socio-environmental approach, corresponding to the second BCC model, uses the production factor labor as an output. In that model our interest was to assess whether the capital costs generate economic, environmental, and social benefits. Weight restrictions were imposed on the output variables of each model to explain the proposed viewpoints and to avoid inconsistent results. The results pointed out sources of inefficiency in terms of labor with low qualification, and use of bulls of questionable quality, factors that are common in extensive systems. These are some of the major bottlenecks in animal production systems as a whole.

A identificação de parâmetros/ métricas associados à adaptação ambiental é uma das principais tendências e desafios da pecuária mundial. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características de tolerância ao calor de bovinos da raça Nelore e Pantaneiro no ecossistema do Pantanal matogrossense no pico de calor da região. Estes animais foram mantidos por duas horas à sombra (8:00h às 10:00h) e em seguida uma hora ao sol (10:00h às 11:00h). Após a exposição foram analisados parâmetros de frequência cardíaca (FC), frequência respiratória (FR), temperatura retal (TR), temperatura superficial da costela (TSC), temperatura superficial do pescoço (TSP) e temperatura superficial da garupa (TSG). Também foram avaliados a taxa de sudação (TXS), comprimento e densidade de pelos e calculados o índice de tolerância ao calor (ITC). No período estudado, a temperatura ambiental variou de 29,0 a 40,0ºC e a média para umidade relativa foi de 75%. O ambiente teve influência marcante sobre as variáveis fisiológicas, com exceção da FR. A TR e a TXS diferiram significativamente entre os grupos genéticos, sendo da raça Nelore mais elevada em relação à Pantaneira, mas todas dentro dos limites fisiológicos. A análise multivariada mostrou a importância de variáveis como taxa de sudação e comprimento de pelos para adaptação de bovinos na região. Apesar do Nelore vermelho estar separado dos outros dois grupos, foi possível concluir que ambas as raças analisadas apresentaram capacidade de adaptação e tolerância ao calor às condições climáticas do Pantanal e podem ser produzidas de modo sustentável na região.

Identification of parameters/metrics associated with environmental adaptation is one of the main trends and challenges for livestock worldwide. Thus, this study was conducted at Nhumirim Farm, in Nhecolândia, Pantanal, during the month of February, period with highest ambient temperatures. We used five cattle of each genetic group (White Nelore, Red Nelore and Pantaneira) to evaluate characteristics related to heat tolerance. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), skin temperature (ST), sweating rate (SR), morphometric measurements, hair length (HL) and heat tolerance index (HTI) were evaluated. During the study the air temperature ranged from 29.0 to 40.0ºC and the average relative humidity was 75%. RT and ST were highest in White Nelore, followed by Red Nelore and Pantaneira. The average HTI value for the three groups was between 9 and 10, indicating high tolerance. The environment had considerable effect on physiological variables, except RR, RT and SR that significantly differed between genetic groups, with Nelore being higher than the Pantaneira, but all within physiological limits. Multivariate analysis showed the importance of variables such as sweating rate and hair length for the adaptation of cattle in the region. The red Nelore separated from the other two groups. We conclude, therefore, that both zebu (white and red Nelore) and European (Pantaneira) showed adaptability and heat tolerance to climatic conditions of the Pantanal.

Com o objetivo de verificar a ocorrência da leucose enzoótica (LB) em bovinos Curraleiros, foram amostrados soros sanguíneos de um total de 1051 animais pertencentes a 11 rebanhos localizados nos Estados de Goiás e 12 em Tocantins. O diagnóstico sorológico de LB foi realizado pelo método de imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA). A taxa total de sororeagentes foi 21,1% (222/1051). Em Tocantins foram encontrados 27,8% (136/489) de sororreagentes, número significativamente maior que em Goiás, onde foram encontrados 15,3% (86/562). A sororreatividade foi maior em fêmeas que em machos, 23,3% (198/852) e 11,8% (23/195), respectivamente, e em animais com idade superior a 48 meses.

Aiming to verify bovine leukaemia (BL) occurrence in Curraleiro cattle breed, sera of 1051 animals were sampled from Goias (n=11) and Tocantins (n=12) states. BL serological diagnosis was performed by agar gel immunodiffusion method (AGID). The total occurrence rate was 21.1% (222/1051). In Tocantins it was 27.8% (136/489) occurrence was observed, higher value than in Goias, where 15.3% (86/562) occurrence was found. The serum reactivity was higher in females than in males, 23.3% (198/852) and 11.8% (23/195), respectively, and in animals older than 48 months old.

Neste artigo propõe-se analisar comparativamente o desempenho de sistemas de produção modais de pecuária extensiva de corte na fase de cria em 21 municípios brasileiros. A cria é a fase da atividade que sustenta toda a cadeia de produção da pecuária de corte. É usado o modelo de análise envoltória de dados (DEA) com retornos variáveis de escala. O objetivo é medir o desempenho da decisão do produtor em relação à composição do sistema produtivo. As variáveis usadas são número de reprodutores, quantidade de bezerros e vacas de descarte. Dos 21 sistemas avaliados, quatro foram DEA BCC eficientes e a maioria dos sistemas avaliados opera na região de retornos crescentes de escala.

In this article, the performance of extensive livestock modal production systems was analyzed comparatively during its rearing phase in 21 Brazilian municipalities. This phase constitutes the activity that sustains the entire livestock production chain. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) models were used with variable returns to scale. The objective was to measure the performance of the producer's decision regarding the composition of the production system. The number of bull breeders, number of calves and number of cull cows were the variables used. Four of the 21 systems evaluated were DEA efficient and most of them were operating under increasing returns to scale.

The objective of this study was to use morphometric and ultrasound evaluations to estimate the growth curve of the Pantaneiro cattle breed, raised in its natural habitat, aiming at the re-insertion of this breed in production systems. One hundred and three females, aging from months to 11 years, and raised on native pastures, were evaluated. The animals belonged to the Conservation Nucleus of Embrapa Pantanal, located in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil). Weight, thoracic perimeter (TP), body length (BL), rump height (RH), height at withers (HW), hip height (HH), depth (DP), distance between the ilia (DI) (cm) and rib-eye area (REA) were measured. To relate the measurements with the age of the animals, the univariate regression model was used, assigning the variable response to gamma distribution. The Pearson correlation between variables was also estimated. The inflection point of the growth curve was 37 months for HH; between 38 and 39 months for TP and HW; between 40 and 41 months for DI, HH and DP; and 45 months for BL. The REA results could not fit in a statistical model. The majority of the variables presented a correlation above 60% among themselves, except for REA × Age, of 15.81%; REA × HW, of 34.44%; HH × Age, of 46.19; HH × DI, of 58.07%; REA × HH, of 24.57%; and REA × TP, of 39.9%. The cows showed maturity age at 40 months, which may have occurred because they were raised in natural farming conditions. In Pantaneiro cows reared in extensive systems only on natural pastures, the use of ultrasound is not effective to estimate the curve of muscular development, perhaps because this breed was not selected for weight gain.

A genealogical analysis of registered Pantaneiro horses was carried out with 3647 males and 6794 females. Of these animals, 50.66% had identified sires and 48.86% identified dams. The number of pedigrees increased over the generations, with higher registration of parents of sires than dams. Two municipalities are responsible for almost 70% of all registers: i) Poconé (Mato Grosso State), where the headquarters of the breeders association is located and ii) Corumbá (Mato Grosso do Sul State), where EMBRAPA Pantanal conducts its research. The mean inbreeding was 0.04% and average relatedness was 0.13%. Mean generation interval was 8.20 years. There is moderate to high genetic differentiation between farms (15% of total genetic variation) while between municipalities there is little differentiation. Wright's fixation statistics were calculated and F IS (inbreeding coefficient of individuals relative to the subpopulation) values indicate some heterozygosity between farms but not municipalities, with overall F IT (inbreeding coefficient of individuals relative to the total population) close to zero. The municipalities with the highest number of animals (Poconé and Corumbá) import relatively fewer sires (45 and 67% respectively). Genetic indices from genealogical data on the Pantaneiro horse population show that inbreeding is under control.Future breeding plans should include germplasm exchange between municipalities. The conservation program for the Pantaneiro horse has been shown to be successful but careful planning is needed in the future to avoid inbreeding and changes in important breed traits given the increasing interest in the use of the breed in sporting competitions.

The cow-calf beef production sector in Brazil has a wide variety of operating systems. This suggests the identification and the characterization of homogeneous regions of production, with consequent implementation of actions to achieve its sustainability. In this paper we attempted to measure the performance of 21 livestock modal production systems, in their cow-calf phase. We measured the performance of these systems, considering husbandry and production variables. The proposed approach is based on data envelopment analysis (DEA). We used unitary input DEA model, with apparent input orientation, together with the efficiency measurements generated by the inverted DEA frontier. We identified five modal production systems typologies, using the isoefficiency layers approach. The results showed that the knowledge and the processes management are the most important factors for improving the efficiency of beef cattle production systems.

The objective of this study was to propose Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models and non-parametric Malmquist indexes to evaluate the efficiency of 11 livestock farms in the Pantanal region. These farms took out a loan from 'Fundo Constitucional de Financiamento do Centro-Oeste' - FCO (Constitutional Financial Fund for the Midwest), a line of credit for financing heifer retention. The beneficiaries were the farmers whose properties met the following conditions: farms located in the plain of Pantanal, with at least 50% of native pasture; farms that were part of managerial capacity building projects intended to ensure better management and animal performance indexes; and farms with pasture areas where the activity could potentially evolve. The management of the loan on 11 farms were studied in relation to the technology introduced in the period from 2004 to 2008. Five properties presented technical efficiency below 1, that is, the technical management efficiency with the objective to increase the cattle through heifer retention and the purchase of higher genetic quality heifers was not achieved. However, the index of technological progress was above 1 on all tested farms, which means that technology was in fact incorporated in all properties, which resulted in total factor productivity growth on all farms. The main objective was fully met, even on the technically inefficient farms.

Avaliaram-se taxas de prenhez de vacas da raça Nelore das categorias nulíparas, primíparas e multíparas, a partir de dados de quatro estações de inseminações de uma fazenda com sistema extensivo de cria, com pastagens nativas típicas do Pantanal. As probabilidades de ocorrência de prenhez foram calculadas por meio de um modelo que incluiu os efeitos de peso final, escore de condição corporal inicial, escore de condição corporal final e ganho médio diário. As taxas de prenhez foram analisadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado e as análises estatísticas foram realizadas por meio de modelos lineares generalizados, empregando-se a função de distribuição binomial e a função de regressão logística. As taxas de prenhez foram 35,29; 40,98; 74,14 e 52% para as estações de inseminações de 2005/2006, de 2006/2007, de 2007/2008 e de 2008/2009, respectivamente. As categorias nulíparas, primíparas e multíparas, apresentaram as médias das taxas de prenhez de 84, 43 e 47%, respectivamente. Os efeitos de peso final, escore de condição corporal inicial, escore de condição corporal final e ganho médio diário foram significativos. As probabilidades de prenhez são elevadas com maior peso ao final (exceto para as nulíparas), com maior escore inicial e final e com maior ganho médio diário.

The pregnancy rates of nulliparous, primiparous and multiparous Nellore cows were evaluated from data from four insemination stations at a farm with extensive cow-calf system, based on native pastures typical of the Pantanal. Pregnancy probabilities were calculated by a model that included the effects of final weight, initial and final body condition scores, and average daily daily gain. The pregnancy rates were analyzed by chi-square test and statistical analyses were carried out through generalized linear models, using a binomial distribution function and the logistic regression function. The pregnancy rates were 35.28, 40.98, 74.14 and 52.00% for the 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 insemination stations, respectively. The nulliparous, primiparous and multiparous categories showed average pregnancy rates of 84, 43 and 47%, respectively. The effects of final weight, body condition score at the beginning of the insemination station, body condition score at the end of the insemination station and daily gain during the insemination station were significant. The probabilities of pregnancy are higher with higher final weight (except for nulliparous cows), with higher initial and final scores and higher average daily gain.