ABSTRACT. The present study aimed to evaluate the application of shear strength and its correlations with leaf blade morphological and chemical variables as a tool capable of detecting differences between species and accessions of the genus Paspalum in the early stages of a forage plant breeding programme. A total of 13 Paspalum accessions from two species (Paspalum atratum and Paspalum regnellii) were subjected to analyses of shear strength, which also analysed the neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, lignin, and digestibility. Morphological measurements were also performed to standardize the shear strength per unit of leaf tissue. The experimental design consisted of complete randomized blocks, with four replications and eight cuts performed over 2 years. Shear strength was evaluated for its potential usefulness for detecting differences between accessions of the same species and the correlations of accessions. It was possible to use the shear strength measured with the texturometer to detect differences between species and accessions of the Paspalum genus. The results showed significant correlations of shear strength and neutral detergent fibre (r = 0.49), and negative correlations were found between digestibility and shear strength (r = -0.55). These correlations were maintained when the strength variables were standardized according to the morphological variables. Thus, shear strength can be used in the initial stages of the selection of species of the genus Paspalum.

ABSTRACT This study examined the replacement of maize and soybean meal with cassava chips and alfalfa grazing, respectively. Twelve lactating Anglo-Nubian goats were kept on a Panicum maximum cv. Tobiatã pasture. The experiment was laid out in a Latin square design in which the following diets were tested: ground maize + soybean meal, cassava chips + soybean meal, ground maize + alfalfa grazing, and cassava chips + alfalfa grazing. The evaluated variables were feed intake, daily weight gain, milk yield and composition, and feeding behavior of the goats as well as production costs. Cassava chips and grazed alfalfa influenced the intakes of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients. However, milk yield, body weight, and body score did not change. There was no diet effect on the proportions of protein, solids-not-fat, somatic cell count, or urea nitrogen in the milk. Treatments influenced the levels of fat, lactose, and total solids in milk, with the highest fat levels achieved with diets containing alfalfa. Grazing, rumination, and idle times and time spent interacting with other goats were not influenced by diets. The evaluated feedstuffs improved feed efficiency and reduced production costs. Therefore, cassava chips and alfalfa can replace certain ingredients without impairing the production performance of goats, but rather improving the profit of the producer.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of vegetable oils in goat kid diets on performance, carcass traits, and meat composition, quality, and fatty acid profile. Forty-eight Anglo Nubian kids were evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments, namely, control diet and diets including 2.5% canola, sunflower, or soybean oils. The animals were slaughtered at 30 kg live weight and performance, carcass and meat quality, centesimal composition, and fatty acid profile were evaluated. The treatments did not influence carcass yield or meat color. Among the saturated fatty acids, only caprylic, palmitic, and heptadecanoic acids differed among the treatments, whereas total saturated fatty acids decreased in the sunflower oil treatment. Monounsaturated fatty acids were not influenced by lipid supplementation. Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), linoleic acid was highest in the sunflower oil-treated group. Total PUFA were higher for the soybean oil-supplemented group, but similar to that achieved with sunflower oil. The highest omega-6 content was obtained with dietary inclusion of sunflower oil, whereas conjugated linoleic acid, atherogenicity index, and hypocholesterolemic:hypocholesterolemic ratio improved with the inclusion of sunflower and soybean oils. Supplementation with vegetable oils improves the fatty acid profile of kid meat without affecting animal performance. Better results are obtained with sunflower and soybean oils; therefore, it is up to the producer to choose the diet according to its cost.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and ruminal parameters of goats fed diets supplemented with vegetable oils. Four rumen-cannulated Saanen goats were allocated to four treatments, which consisted of a control diet and diets with the inclusion of 30 g of canola, sunflower, or soybean oils per kilogram of diet dry matter (DM). The experiment lasted 40 days, which were divided into four 10-day periods. Forage intake was estimated using chromium oxide as an external marker, and supplement intake was determined as the difference between the daily amount supplied and orts. Rumen fermentation parameters were evaluated from samples of rumen fluid collected every 2 h, for 12 h. Rumen pH and short-chain fatty acid and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were measured. There was no effect of lipid supplementation on DM intake. Ether extract intake was highest in the treatments with oil inclusion, and the highest acid detergent fiber intake was obtained with the diet containing canola oil. The pH was highest in the group fed soybean oil and responded quadratically to the collection times. Total short-chain fatty acid and acetic acid concentrations also responded quadratically to the collection times. Propionic and butyric acid concentrations and acetic:propionic acid ratio showed a cubic behavior with the increasing collection times. Canola, sunflower, or soybean oils can be included at 30 g/kg of the diet DM as a strategy to increase the energy density of goat diets.

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the inclusion of three sources of vegetable oil in the diet of lactating goats on production in 120 days of lactation and the effect of these sources and lactation stage on fortnightly composition and fatty acid profile of goat milk at 20, 50, 80, and 110 days of lactation. A completely randomized design was adopted and 32 Anglo Nubian goats were used, distributed in four treatments: control diet and diets with inclusion of 30 g/kg of dry matter of diet of canola, sunflower, or soybean oil. The dairy production was 182.75 kg, and there was no difference for treatments. Among the constituents, only urea nitrogen was influenced by treatment and presented lower content for control treatment. Day of lactation had an effect on lactose. Defatted dry extract and somatic cell count had a quadratic effect with minimum values around 100 and 33 days of lactation, respectively. The content of urea nitrogen, also with a quadratic effect, was higher at 93 days of lactation. For protein, there was an interaction between treatments and period and, at the end of lactation, its content was increased. The inclusion of vegetable oils promoted reduction in total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and increased the total content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid. The proportions MUFA:SFA and PUFA:SFA, the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes, and the relation hypocholesterolemic fatty acids:hypercholesterolemic fatty acids improved with oil addition in animal diets. The addition of vegetable oil to diets for lactating goats improve the fatty acid profile with no impairment on milk production and composition, and the milk from early stages of lactation has better nutritional quality of the lipid fraction.

RESUMO Sistemas de produção baseados em pastagens e alimentos alternativos podem ser utilizados para reduzir cerca de 20% os custos de produção do leite caprino.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da substituição do milho e do farelo de soja do concentrado, pela raspa de mandioca e alfafa, respectivamente, sobre o consumo, fermentação e degradabilidade ruminal de cabras adultas Saanen confinadas, vazias, secas e canuladas no rúmen. O experimento foi conduzido no delineamento em quadrado latino, com as dietas: milho triturado e farelo de soja; raspa de mandioca e farelo de soja; milho triturado e alfafa; raspa de mandioca e alfafa. Foram avaliados: consumo, parâmetros ruminais, produção de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC) e cinética da degradação das dietas. A inclusão da raspa de mandioca e da alfafa não influenciou o consumo e a produção de amônia. O pH ruminal e as produções de AGCC foram influenciados pelos tempos de colheita,apresentando um pH elevado (6,29) na primeira mensuração (7 h 00) e diminuindo em seguida, influenciando dessa forma as produções de AGCC ao longo do dia. O ácido acético e a produção total de AGCC foram influenciados pelas dietas, sendo os maiores valores para a dieta mandioca/alfafa (68,03 e 93,64 mM 100 mM-1, respectivamente) e os menores valores para a dieta milho/soja (55,40 e 76,03 mM 100 mM-1, respectivamente).A degradabilidade dos nutrientes foi influenciada pelas dietas, sendo que as com mandioca e mandioca/alfafa apresentaram as maiores degradabilidades efetivas(57,57 para 0.02 h-1 e 53,49 para 0.05 h-1; 57,25 para 0.02 h-1 e 53,26 para 0.05 h-1, respectivamente), demonstrando que a mandioca e a alfafa podem substituir o milho e o farelo de soja dos concentrados, sem alterar o consumo e o ambiente ruminal das cabras, melhorando a produção de ácido acético e a degradabilidade da dieta.

ABSTRACT Pasture-based production systems and alternative foods can be used to reduce goat milk production costs by around 20%.The objective of this study was to examine the effect of substituting the corn and soybean meal of the concentrate with cassava chips and alfalfa, respectively, on the feed intake, fermentation, and rumen degradability parameters of adult, dry, empty, rumen-cannulated Saanen goats reared in a feedlot. The experiment was conducted as a Latin square design in which the following diets were tested: ground corn and soybean meal; cassava chips and soybean meal; ground corn and alfalfa; and cassava chips and alfalfa. The following variables were evaluated: feed intake, rumen parameters, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and feed degradation kinetics. Inclusion of cassava chips and alfalfa did not influence feed intake or ammonia production. Rumen pH and SCFA production were influenced by the collection times, presenting a high pH (6.29) at the first measurement (07 h 00) and then decreasing, thus influencing SCFA production throughout the day.Acetic acid and total SCFA production were influenced by the diets, with the highest values for the cassava/alfalfa diet (68.03 and 93.64 mM 100 mM-1, respectively) and the lowest values for the corn/soybean diet (55.40 and 76.03 mM 100 mM-1, respectively).Nutrient digestibility was also influenced by diets, with those containing cassava and cassava/alfalfa, providing the greatest effective degradability (57.57 to 0.02 h-1 and 53.49 to 0.05 h-1; 57.25 to 0.02 h-1and 53.26 to 0.05 h-1, respectively). This finding demonstrates that cassava and alfalfa can substitute the corn and soybean meal of concentrates without changing feed intake or the ruminal environment of goats. Rather, this substitution improves acetic acid production and diet digestibility.

RESUMO O objetivo com este estudo foi identificar preditores de preferência pelo feno de alfafa pelos cavalos. Foram utilizados 15 cavalos da raça quarto de milha, com idade média e peso corporal de 10 anos e 500 kg, respectivamente. Foi realizada uma avaliação para identificar a preferência pelo feno de alfafa por cavalos em testes de curto período de 10 min. Esta avaliação foi realizada em pares para cada teste de feno (1-30) em relação a cada padrão (A, B, C), até a conclusão de todas as combinações resultantes. As variáveis avaliadas foram constituídas por análises etológicas, morfológicas, microbiológicas, bromatológicas e biológicas. Os cavalos mostraram preferência pelo tipo A de feno de alfafa, seguido do tipo B e C. A preferência pelo tipo A do feno de alfafa pode ser predita pela equação: Pref . A = − 98.19 + 1 , 61 ( ADF ) + 1 , 53 ( IVDMD ) + 18 , 54 ( ST ) − 0 , 03 ( ADFxIVDMD ) − 0 , 02 ( ADFxST ) − 0 , 28 ( IVDMDxST ) , r 2 = 0,31 , P = 0,0044. Concluiu- se que os cavalos mostraram preferência ao feno de alfafa, em que os melhores fardos do tipo A podem ser identificados selecionando-os porque eles contêm baixas quantidades de espessura do caule e fibra de detergente ácido, bem como altos níveis de digestibilidade da matéria seca in vitro.

SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of preference for alfalfa hay by equines. A total of 15 quarter horses, at average age and body weight of 10 years and 500 kg were used, respectively. It was conducted an evaluation to identify the preference for alfalfa hay by horses by short-period tests of 10 min. This evaluation was conducted in pairs for each test hay (1-30), available on the market, against each standard (A, B, C), until the completion of all resulting combinations. Alfalfa hays classified as A, B and C, contained on average 22.88, 17.78 and 13.16% of crude protein, respectively. The evaluated variables were constituted by ethological, morphological, microbiological, bromatological and biological analysis. The horses showed a preference for the type A of alfalfa hay, followed by type B and C. The preference for alfalfa hay type A can be predicted by the equation: Pref . A = − 98.19 + 1.61 ( acid detergent fiber ) + 1.53 ( in vitro dry matter digestibility ) + 18.54 ( stem thickness ) − 0.03 ( acid detergent fiber x in vitro dry matter digestibility ) − 0.02 ( acid detergent fiber x stem thickness ) − 0.28 ( in vitro dry matter digestibility x stem thickness ) , r 2 = 0.31 , P = 0.0044. It was concluded that horses showed preference to alfalfa hay, wherein the best type A bales. Therefore to predict of preference of the equines for high quality alfalfa hay it's necessary to select bales with lower values of stem thickness and fiber in acid detergent, as well as presenting high level of dry matter digestibility.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os componentes da dieta - fibra bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, hemicelulose, celulose e lignina - como indicadores internos na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, da energia bruta e dos nutrientes - proteína bruta, fósforo e aminoácidos - em tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Grupos de dez juvenis (80,3±1 g) foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em seis tanques de 250 L e alimentados com duas dietas práticas, ou com ingredientes de origem vegetal ou de origem vegetal e animal. Ambas as dietas foram suplementadas com 0,1% de óxido de cromo-III (Cr2O3). As fezes foram coletadas pelo sistema Guelph modificado. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente foram determinados pela diferença de teor dos indicadores internos, presentes nas dietas e nas fezes, e comparados, pelo teste de Dunnett, aos obtidos pelo uso de Cr2O3. A celulose foi efetiva na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, da energia e dos nutrientes de ambas as dietas; e a fibra em detergente ácido foi efetiva apenas para a dieta que continha exclusivamente ingredientes de origem vegetal. A utilização de fibra bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, hemicelulose e lignina, como indicadores de digestibilidade, mostrou-se ineficiente quanto aos nutrientes analisados de ambas as dietas. Assim, a celulose é o indicador mais apropriado para a avaliação de digestibilidade em tilápia-do-nilo.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the diet components - crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin - as internal indicators in the determination of the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, gross energy, and of the nutrients - crude protein, phosphorus, and amino acids - in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Groups of ten juveniles (80.3±1 g) were randomly distributed in six tanks of 250 L and fed two practical diets, either of a plant-origin diet or of a plant- and animal-origin diet. Both diets were supplemented with 0.1% chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3). Faeces were collected by the modified Guelph system. The apparent digestibility coefficients were determined by the content difference of the internal indicators, present in the diets and faeces, and compared by Dunnett’s test to those obtained by the use of Cr2O3. Cellulose was effective in the determination of the apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy, and nutrients of both experimental diets; and the acid detergent fiber was effective only for the diet composed exclusively of plant-origin ingredients. The use of crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose, and lignin as digestibility indicators was inefficient for the analyzed nutrients of both diets. Therefore, cellulose is the most suitable indicator for digestibility evaluation in Nile tilapia.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de cultivos consorciados entre milho e forrageiras tropicais, em diferentes alturas de corte, sobre a produção de silagem, a interceptação luminosa, a eficiência de uso da terra, os fatores de competição do consórcio e a produção da pastagem. Foram avaliados, nas safras 2010/2011 e 2011/2012, duas modalidades de cultivo no verão/outono - monocultivo de milho com rebrota do banco de sementes de capim-braquiária (Urochloa decumbens) e milho consorciado com capim-marandu (U. brizantha 'Marandu') -, em arranjo fatorial com duas alturas de corte para ensilagem - 0,20 e 0,45 m. Após a colheita do milho para ensilagem, as forragens foram pastejadas por cordeiros semi-confinados, no inverno/primavera. O monocultivo do milho e a altura de corte a 0,45 m reduziram a produtividade de matéria seca para ensilagem. O milho consorciado com capim-marandu melhorou a eficiência de uso da terra de 13 para 31%, comparado ao monocultivo do milho, com relação de equivalência de uso da terra maior que 1. O capim-marandu apresentou maior interceptação luminosa que o capim-braquiária, ao longo do período de consórcio com o milho, e proporcionou maior produção de forragem para o pastejo pelos cordeiros durante o inverno/primavera. O milho consorciado com capim-marandu, comparado ao monocultivo do milho, principalmente na altura de corte de 0,45 m, é uma opção viável para aumentar a produção de silagem e pastagem, bem como a eficiência de uso da terra em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of intercropping systems between corn and tropical forages, at different cutting heights, on silage production, light interception, land use efficiency, intercropping competition factors, and pasture production. In the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 crop seasons, two cultivation modalities were evaluated in the summer/autumn - monocropped corn with residual regrowth of signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) from the soil seed bank and corn intercropped with palisade grass (U. brizantha 'Marandu') -, in a factorial arrangement with two cutting heights for silage production - 0.20 and 0.45 m. After corn silage harvest, the forages were grazed by lambs in a semi-feedlot system, in the winter/spring. Monocropped corn and 0.45-m cutting height both reduced dry matter yield for silage. Corn intercropped with palisade grass improved land use efficiency from 13 to 31% compared with monocropped crop, with land equivalent ratio greater than 1. Palisade grass showed higher light interception than signal grass over the intercrop period with corn and provided greater forage yield for lambs to graze during winter/spring. Corn intercropped with palisade grass, compared with monocropped corn, especially at the cutting height of 0.45 m, is a viable option for improving silage and pasture production, as well as land use efficiency in the integrated crop-livestock system.

RESUMO. A deficiência hídrica provocada pela seca estacional influencia a relação entre a água e as trocas gasosas nas gramíneas forrageiras tropicais, reduzindo seu potencial produtivo. Complementando, a deficiência de fósforo (P) dos solos Brasileiros soma-se aos fatores limitantes da produção vegetal. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas da suplementação de fósforo como mitigador dos danos causados pela deficiência hídrica. Sementes de Urochloa brizantha cv. MG-4, Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, Panicum maximum cv. Áries, Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia e Paspalum atratum cv. Pojuca foram germinadas em vasos de 10 litros contendo solo tipo Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico. Os tratamentos foram realizados combinando-se duas concentrações de fósforo, 8 mg P dm-3 e 100 mg P dm-3, com dois regimes de irrigação, 100 e 40% de reposição da água evapotranspirada. Parâmetros biométricos, capacidade fotossintética, avaliação do potencial de água foliar e análises químicas de solo foram avaliados e submetidos a analise de variância (ANOVA, p < 0,05), e posteriormente as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). Os resultados mostraram que as plantas cultivadas sob deficiência hídrica, torna-se claro o efeito mitigador da suplementação de P, principalmente na manutenção do crescimento.

ABSTRACT. Water deficiency during the dry seasons influences the relationship between water and gas exchange in tropical grasses, reducing their productive potential. In addition, the phosphorus (P) deficiency Brazilian soils adds to the set of factors limiting crop production. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of different tropical forage species to phosphorus supplementation as mitigating the damage caused by water stress. Seeds of Urochloa brizantha cv. MG-4, Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, Panicum maximum cv. Áries, Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia and Paspalum atratum cv. Pojuca were germinated in pots containing 10 liters of red-yellow Acrisol type soil. Experiments were conducted by combining levels of phosphorus, 8,0 and 100,0 mg of P dm-3, with two irrigation regimes, 100 and 40% replacement of transpired water. The biometric parameters, photosynthetic capacity, leaf water potential and soil chemical characteristics were evaluated, and the data was submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA, p < 0.05), and subsequently the means were compared using a Tukey test (p < 0.05). The results showed for tropical grasses grown under water stress, there is a clear mitigating effect of phosphorus supplementation, especially on the maintenance of biomass growth.

RESUMO. A determinação do tempo de incubação in situ, em relação ao tamanho de partículas e tipos de tecidos, é o aspecto principal sobre as estimativas das frações indigestíveis da matéria seca (MSi) e da fibra em detergente neutro (FDNi) em alimentos para ruminantes. Estudou-se amostra de alfafa, moídas em três tamanhos de partículas. As amostras foram processadas em moinho, com facas e porosidades das peneiras ajustadas a 1,0; 2,0 e 3,0 mm, as amostras foram acondicionadas em sacos F57 (Ankon(r)), tecido não tecido (100 g m-2) e tecido de poliéster, confeccionados na dimensão 4 x 5 cm. Os materiais foram divididos em 13 tempos de incubação e oito repetições, incubadas no rúmen de duas vacas multíparas adaptadas à dieta 70:30, volumoso:concentrado, respectivamente, por tempo total de 288h. Os teores de MSi e FDNi foram avaliados sequencialmente para interpretação das porcentagens de material não digerido, e os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA, p < 0,05), e as médias comparadas posteriormente pelo teste de tukey (p < 0,05). Houve efeito do tamanho de partículas e material utilizado para incubação sobre as estimativas de MSi e FDNi, nos tempos iniciais de incubação (p < 0,05).

ABSTRACT. Indigestible fractions of dry matter (iDM) and neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) in the feed of ruminants are mainly estimated by in situ incubation time with regard to particle size and textile types. Samples of alfafa, ground into three particle sizes, were analyzed. Samples, processed in a Willey mill with 1.0; 2.0 and 3.0 mm sieve pores, were conditioned in F57 (Ankon(r)), nonwoven (100 g m-2) and polyester textile bags measuring 4 x 5 cm. Material was divided into 13 incubation periods and 8 replications, and incubated in the rumen of two multiparous cows adapted to a 70:30 diet, roughage:concentrate, respectively, for 288h. iDM and iNDF rates were evaluated sequentially for non-digested percentage and data underwent analysis of variance (ANOVA p < 0.05); means were compared by tukey's test (p < 0.05). Particle size and material employed for incubation affected iDM and iFDN at the initial periods of incubation (p < 0.05).

A premissa é avaliar a relação do tempo de incubação in situ, tamanho de partículas e tipos de materiais sobre as estimativas das frações indigestíveis da matéria seca (MSi) e da fibra em detergente neutro (FDNi) em alimentos e fezes bovinas. Estudaram-se amostras de farelo de soja, alfafa e fezes de bovinos alimentados com dietas com alto concentrado. As amostras foram processadas em moinho de facas com peneiras de porosidade 0,5 e 1,5 mm para alimentos e 1,5 para fezes, acondicionadas em sacos de F57 (Ankon(r)) e tecido não tecido (100 g m-2) de duas marcas na dimensão 4 × 5 cm. Os materiais foram divididos em dois grupos, com e sem tratamento com acetona e cinco repetições, incubadas no rúmen de uma vaca multípara adaptada à dieta 70:30, volumoso:concentrado, respectivamente, por 240h. Os teores de MSi e FDNi foram avaliados sequencialmente para interpretação das porcentagens de material não digerido, e os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (Anova, p < 0,05), e as médias comparadas posteriormente pelo teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). Houve efeito do tipo de material utilizado, tamanho de partículas e material incubado sobre as estimativas de MSi e FDNi.

Current paper assesses the relationship between in situ incubation time, particle size and types of materials on estimates of indigestible fractions of dry matter (iDM) and neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) in cattle feed and feces. Samples of soybean meal, alfalfa and feces of cattle fed on high concentrated diets were analyzed. The samples were processed in a Wiley mill, with 0.5 and 1.5 mm porosity for food and 1.5 mm for feces, which were packed in 4 × 5 cm F57 bags (Ankon(r)) and nonwoven fabric (100 g m-2) of two brands. The material was divided into two groups, with and without treatment with acetone, and five replications. Samples of each group were incubated in the rumen of a multiparous cow adapted to a 70:30 diet, forage:concentrate diet, for 240 hours. The iDM and iNDF levels were evaluated sequentially to interpret the percentages of undigested material. Data underwent analysis of variance (ANOVA, p < 0.05) and means were compared by Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Material, size of particles and incubated material affected iDM and iNDF estimates.

O objetivo com este trabalho foi estimar efeitos de ambiente (idade da vaca ao parto, data juliana de nascimento e idade do bezerro à desmama) sobre os pesos ajustados aos 120 (P120) e 205 (P205) dias de idade em bovinos mestiços Angus x Nelore. O banco de dados foi formado com informações de 11.271 animais, nascidos no período de 1987 a 2004. Os animais eram filhos de matrizes com proporções de heterozigoses iguais a 0,0; 0,375; 0,4688; 0,5; 0,75 e 1,0. Os pesos, P120 e P210, foram padronizados com base no ganho diário de peso por meio da interpolação da pesagem próxima a idade a ser padronizada e do peso mensurado anteriormente. Para obtenção dos componentes de (co)variância e parâmetros genéticos das características, análises sob inferência bayesiana foram realizadas com três modelos estatísticos, diferindo quanto aos efeitos ambientais. Os valores genéticos foram obtidos para os três modelos e foram comparados por correlações de ordem Spearman e pela porcentagem de touros selecionados em comum. Os valores das estimativas de herdabilidade aposterioriobtidos no melhor modelo foi 0,20 para ambas as características (P120 e P205). O estudo dos valores genéticos mostrou alterações na classificação dos animais de acordo com os modelos. A inclusão de classe de data juliana ao nascimento, classe de idade da mensuração e interação da classe de idade da mãe ao parto e da heterozigose materna no momento da escolha dos reprodutores foi importante de modo a permitir maior precisão na avaliação genética e esquemas de seleção mais acurados.

The aim of this study was to estimate the environmental effects (calving age, julian date of birth and weaning age) on the adjusted weights to 120 (P120) and 205 (P205) days of crossbred cattle Angus x Nelore. The database was formed with information from 11,271 animals, borned from 1987 to 2004. Maternal heterozygosity proportions were equal to 0.0, 0.375, 0.4688, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0. The weights, P120 and P210, were standardized based on the weight daily gain by interpolation of the weighing close to the standardized age and weight measured previously. The (co) variance components and genetic parameters were obtained by Bayesian inference analyzes performed with three statistical models, differing as to the environmental effects. Breeding values were obtained for three models and were compared by Spearman correlations and by percentage of selected bulls in common. Heritability estimates values obtained in the best model was 0.20 for both traits (P120 and P205). Study of genetic values showed changes in the classification of animals according to models. Inclusion of julian date class of birth, age class of the animal in the measurement and interaction of calving age class and maternal heterozygosity in the selection of parents was important to allow greater precision in genetic evaluation of herd.

Objetivou-se determinar em equinos a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e o tempo médio de retenção dos grãos de sorgo de baixo e alto teores de tanino submetidos na ensilagem a dois processamentos, prensagem e moagem. Foram utilizados quatro cavalos castrados sem raça definida delineados em blocos casualizados, resultando em quatro repetições por tratamento. Os tratamentos consistiram de silagens de grãos úmidos de sorgo de baixo tanino e alto teor de tanino submetidos a dois tipos de processamentos, prensagem e moagem, arranjados em esquema fatorial 2x2 (2 genótipos de sorgo e 2 processamentos na ensilagem). Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre as silagens com baixo e alto teor de tanino, bem como dos processamentos na ensilagem, no qual os melhores resultados obtidos foram para a silagem de grãos úmidos de sorgo de baixo tanino moída, com os valores para CDMS, CDMO, CDEB, CDPB e CDAmido, de 83,82; 83,91; 85,17; 86,56 e 84,72%, respectivamente. Ainda, não se identificou efeito significativo entre os grãos estudados, bem como dos processamentos, sobre o tempo médio de retenção, com média de 17,5h. Concluiu-se que a moagem dos grãos de sorgo na ensilagem aumenta a digestibilidade dos nutrientes. O tempo médio de retenção em equinos apresentou-se similar entre os grãos de sorgo ensilados sob a forma prensada e moída.

The objective was to evaluate apparent digestibility of nutrients and the mean retention time of high-moisture grains of sorghum with low (SLT) and high (SHT) tannin submitted to two processing during ensilage, grinding and rolling. There were used four castrated male horses, crossbred. It was used randomized block by design for four replications, totalizing four repetitions for each treatment. The treatments consisted of SLT e SHT submitted to two processing during ensilage, griding and rolling, in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement tested (2 sorghum genotypes and 2 processing). The daily DM intake was 2% body weight, this way the test-diets were composited by 30% SLT and 70% of hay. There observed differences (P<0.05) between SLT and SHT, as like, of processing method, in that best results were for grinding-SLT, whose means values were to DCDM, DCOM, DCCE, DCCP and DCStarch of 83.82, 83.91, 85.17, 86.56 e 84.72%. Furthermore, not identified significant effect between the grains studied, as well as the processing, on the mean retention time, with an average of 17.5 h. It was concluded that the grinding of grain sorghum silage increases nutrient digestibility. The mean retention time in horses presented similar among grain sorghum silages as rolled and grinded.

Avaliou-se o fornecimento de concentrados com baixo e alto teor de óleo de soja a cavalos atletas, submetidos a duas intensidades de treinos aeróbicos montados, sobre a resposta metabólica de parâmetros bioquímicos do sangue, de importância ao desempenho esportivo. Foram utilizados quatro cavalos, em delineamento experimental quadrado latino, com tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2x2 (duas inclusões de óleo de soja e duas rotinas de treinos aeróbicos). Os tratamentos foram compostos por teores de 5 e 15% de óleo de soja nos concentrados e duas intensidades de treinos montados por 40 e 60min, classificadas como aeróbicas. As amostras de sangue foram colhidas após o último treino de 40 ou 60min, de cada período experimental. Monitorou-se, após o exercício, os parâmetros bioquímicos, triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol total (CT), glicose (GLI) e lactato (LAC). Houve redução no teor TG (P<0,05) para cavalos consumindo 15% de óleo e treinados aerobicamente por 60 min., o CT elevou-se em função do aumento da inclusão de óleo (P<0,05), incremento LAC (P<0,05) em cavalos treinados por 60min., independente do nível de óleo ingerido (1,48mmol/L), bem como não se verificou efeito (P>0,05) dos tratamentos sobre GLI. Concluiu-se que, para cavalos atletas em atividade aeróbica, o oferecimento de concentrado com alto teor óleo de soja deve ser associado ao treino montado de maior intensidade.

The feeding diets were evaluated containing low and high levels of soybean oil for athlete horses submitted to two rider aerobic training intensities, on the metabolic response of the blood biochemical parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose and lactate) of importance to sports performance. Four horses were used in latin square design with treatments in a 2x2 factorial arrangement (two levels of soybean oil and two aerobic training intensities rider). Treatments consisted of levels of 5 and 15% soybean oil concentrates and two aerobic training intensities, 40 and 60 minutes. Blood samples were collected after the last workout, 40 or 60 min in each experimental period. Plasmatic parameters were monitored, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (GLU) and lactate (LAC) after exercise. There was a reduction in TG (P<0.05), for horses consuming 15% of soybean oil and trained by aerobic for 60 minutes, the CT increased with increasing soybean oil (P <0.05), increase in LAC (P<0.05) in trained horses for 60 minutes regardless of level of soybean oil (1.48mmol/L) and there was no effect (P>0.05) of treatment on GLU. It can be concluded that the offer of concentrate with high content of soybean oil, should be associated with higher intensity aerobic training for athletic equine.