ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the effects of relocation time (RT; Experiment 1) and storage time after relocation (ST; Experiment 2) on microbial population, fermentative characteristics, and chemical composition of corn silage. In experiment 1, corn silage was stored for 30 d, subjected to different RT (0–60 h), and stored again for 30 d. Thirty experimental silos were used in a completely randomized design, with three replicates per treatment. In experiment 2, after 150 d of ensiling, silage was removed from a bunker silo, exposed to air for 9 h, relocated to experimental silos, and stored for periods ranging from 0 to 128 d. Twenty-eight experimental silos were used in a completely randomized design, with four replicates per treatment. Relocation time had no effect on fungi counts and concentrations of lactic and propionic acids in corn silage but resulted in a significant increase in dry matter content. In experiment 2, dry matter recovery and concentration of non-fiber carbohydrates decreased in corn silage stored for more than 32 d after relocation. Exposure of corn silage to air during relocation for up to 60 h followed by 30 d of storage did not compromise the fermentation profile or nutritive value of the silage. Increased storage time of relocated corn silage (up to 128 d) consistently decreases its nutritional value. The storage period seems to have an increased impact on nutrient loss in relocated silage than the relocation period.

ABSTRACT. We aimed to determine the effect of relocation of whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) with different fermentation profiles on ingestive behavior of lambs. Twenty-four male Santa Inês lambs, were used in a completely randomized block design based on initial body weight (17.5 ± 1.8 kg) for the following treatments: CS: WPCS (not inoculated and not relocated); R-12h: WPCS relocated for 12h; IR-12h: WPCS inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum and relocated for 12h; and R-24h: WPCS not inoculated and relocated for 24h. Ingestive behavior was observed as continuous (feeding, ruminating, and idling) and specific (urination, defecation, and water and salt access frequency) activities for 48h (3h intervals for a total of eight periods in 24h). The behavioral activities were affected only by periods (p = 0.0001). Feeding peaks was high at 8:00-11:00am (54.2%) and 5:00-8:00pm (54.9%) in compare to ruminating and idling at the same period. Rumination time was intense at night, at 63.7% (2:00-5:00am) and 69.7% (5:00-8:00am). Idling time (49.7%) was long after silage supply. The specific activities were intense during the morning periods. Supply of WPCS relocated up to 24h did not alter the ingestive behavior.

RESUMO As silagens de capim elefante têm alto teor de umidade, que ocasiona perda de nutrientes, principalmente pela produção de efluentes. O uso de aditivos absorventes de umidade, como a torta de patauá, Oenocarpus bataua, pode ser uma estratégia para reduzir as perdas nessas silagens. Assim, objetivou-se determinar as perdas fermentativas, composição microbiológica, características fermentativas e composição química em silagens de capim elefante com níveis crescentes de inclusão de torta de patauá. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro concentrações de torta de patauá (7%, 14%, 21% e 28%, com base na matéria natural) e um controle sem patauá, e cinco repetições. O capim elefante foi coletado aos 60 dias de crescimento. Após o corte, o capim foi homogeneizado, misturado com a torta de patauá de acordo com os tratamentos estabelecidos, e ensilado em silos experimentais de 15 L. A inclusão da torta de patauá em silagens de capim elefante teve efeitos positivos sobre a composição química e as perdas por efluentes. Houve aumento significativo de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente neutro e ácido, extrato etéreo, lignina e carboidratos não fibrosos das silagens. Além disso, houve redução de perdas por efluentes, teor de fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, e celulose das silagens. Nossos resultados contribuem para a redução de impactos ambientais gerados pela produção de efluentes no processo de ensilagem de gramíneas tropicais e fornecem uma utilidade potencial para o resíduo da produção de óleo de patauá, evitando o descarte no meio ambiente.

ABSTRACT Elephant grass silages have high moisture content, causing nutrient loss, mainly by effluent production. The use of moisture absorbent additives, such as patauá, Oenocarpus bataua meal, can be a strategy to reduce losses in these silages. The aim of this study was to determine the fermentation losses, microbiological composition, fermentative characteristics, and chemical composition of elephant grass silage with increasing levels of inclusion of patauá meal. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with four concentrations of patauá meal (7%, 14%, 21%, and 28%, based on fresh matter) and a control without patauá, and five replicates. The elephant grass was collected manually after 60 days of growth. After chopping, the grass was homogenized, mixed with the patauá meal according to the established treatments, and ensiled in experimental silos of 15 L. The inclusion of patauá meal in elephant grass silage had positive effects on the chemical composition and effluent loss. It significantly increased dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, nitrogen insoluble in neutral detergent and acid, ethereal extract, lignin, and non-fibrous carbohydrates of the silages. It also reduced effluent losses, neutral and acid detergent fiber contents, and cellulose. Our findings contribute towards reducing the environmental impact caused by the production of effluents during ensilage of tropical grasses and providing a potential use for the residue from the production of patauá oil, thus avoiding disposal in the environment.

ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of cutting height (25 or 40 cm above ground) and bacterial inoculation (a combined inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici) on the chemical and microbial compositions, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage and nitrogen balance, intake, and apparent nutrient digestibility by sheep. To evaluate silage characteristics and sheep metabolism, we performed analyses based on a completely randomized block design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement (two cutting heights, with or without bacterial inoculant). We evaluated the chemical and microbial compositions, pH, fermentation end-products, and aerobic stability of silage. To examine nutrient digestibility of silage, we used 24 male sheep over a 21-day period. We found that the aerobic stability did not differ among the silages. Sheep fed silages produced from corn harvested at 40 cm had increased intakes of crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrate, and total digestible nutrients, whereas the non-fiber carbohydrate intake of inoculated corn silages was found to be higher than that of uninoculated silage. Furthermore, the amounts of nitrogen retained by sheep fed silage produced from corn harvested at 40 cm were higher than those of sheep fed silage produced from corn harvested at 25 cm. Collectively, our findings indicate that, despite the observed effects, a difference of 15 cm in cutting height results in relatively small changes in the chemical composition of corn silage and a limited effect on the nutrient intake and nitrogen balance of animals fed this silage. Moreover, although bacterial inoculation promotes an efficient fermentation, it has no marked effects on the aerobic stability of silage.

O estudo foi conduzido para investigar os efeitos do óleo essencial de pau rosa sobre o desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e cortes comerciais e microbiologia do trato gastrintestinal de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 540 pintos machos de um dia de idade, distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e seis repetições de 15 aves cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em: níveis de inclusão de 0,00mL (0,00 EO); 0,15mL (0,15 EO); 0,30mL (0,30 EO); 0,45mL (0,45 EO) e 0,60mL (0,60 EO) de óleo essencial de pau rosa/kg de ração e controle (promotor comercial virginiamicina). Aos 21 e 40 dias de idade, não foram observadas diferenças significativas para peso corporal, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e viabilidade das aves quando comparado o tratamento controle e os diferentes níveis de inclusão de RO. Os rendimentos de carcaça e de cortes comerciais não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. O aumento do nível de inclusão de RO diminuiu o peso relativo dos intestinos. O promotor de crescimento teve maior concentração de Escherichia coli na digesta intestinal quando comparado com 0,00 EO e 0,30 EO. Conclui-se que o óleo essencial de pau rosa não afeta o desempenho e rendimento de abate, reduz o peso relativo dos intestinos. O RO mostra atividade antimicrobiana consistente contra Escherichia coli.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Rosewood oil (RO) on performance, carcass and commercial cut yields and microbiology of the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens. Five hundred and forty one-day-old male broiler chicks were arranged in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six repetitions consisting of 15 broiler chicks each. The treatments were: inclusion levels of 0.00mL (0.00EO); 0.15mL (0.15 EO); 0.30mL (0.30 EO); 0.45mL (0.45 EO) and 0.60mL (0.60 EO) of RO/kg diet and control (commercial promoter virginiamycin). At 21 and 40 days old, no significant differences in body weight, feed intake, feed conversion and viability of birds were observed when comparing the controls with the different levels of inclusion of RO. The carcass yields of commercial cuts were not affected by treatments. The increased level of RO reduced the relative weight of the intestines. The broilers consuming growth promoter had the highest concentration of Escherichia coli in the intestinal contents, compared to 0.00 EO and 0.30 EO. It was concluded that, Rosewood oil does affect the performance and yield slaughter, but it does reduce the relative weight of the intestines. RO does not show a consistent antimicrobial activity in vivo against Escherichia coli.