The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) to increase the dietary energy levels for Saanen goats and their effects on the lactation curve, dry matter intake, body weight, and economic results of the goats. Twenty multiparous goats, weighing an average of 63.5±10.3 kg, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, each receiving one of the following dietary energy levels: a control diet consisting of 2.6 Mcal of metabolizable energy per kg of dry matter (Mcal ME/kg DM) or a test diet supplemented with CSFA (Lactoplus®) to obtain 2.7, 2.8, or 2.9 Mcal ME/kg DM. Goats were housed in individual stalls and were fed and milked twice daily. The animals were evaluated until 180 days in milk by measuring dry matter intake and milk yield. These measurements were used to calculate feed efficiencies and the cost-benefit ratio of diet and lactation curves using Wood's nonlinear model. Increasing dietary energy levels showed no effect on body weight. Supplementation with CSFA did not limit dry matter intake; however, it changed the shape of the lactation curve by promoting a late peak lactation with a longer duration. Milk yields at 180 days in milk had a quadratic increase with a maximum energy level at 2.85 Mcal ME/kg DM. Increasing the dietary energy level for Saanen goats using CSFA changes their lactation curves, with the best milk production achieved with a 2.85 Mcal ME/kg DM diet; however, the greatest economic results were obtained with a 2.7 Mcal ME/kg DM diet.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de girassol após a hidratação pelos métodos da atmosfera úmida e substrato úmido em temperaturas de 10 e 20°C visando a elevar o teor de água das sementes a 15, 20 e 25%. A qualidade fisiológica inicial e após o umedecimento das sementes foi determinada por testes de germinação e vigor (primeira contagem da germinação, germinação a baixa temperatura, emergência e índice de velocidade de emergência de plântulas em areia, massa de matéria seca e comprimento de plântulas). O método do substrato úmido a 10°C visando a aumentar o teor de água a 15 e 20% foi favorável em sementes de elevada qualidade, embora com redução do vigor das plântulas.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sunflower seeds physiological quality after hydration by the moist atmosphere and moist substrate methods at temperatures of 10 and 20°C aiming to the water content of seeds at 15, 20 and 25%. The initial physiological quality and after the wetting of the seeds was determined by testing germination and vigor (first count of germination, germination at low temperature, emergence speed index and seedling emergence in sand, dry weight and length of seedlings). The method of moist substrate at 10°C to increase the water content at 15 and 20% was positive for moistening the seeds of high quality, although it has been observed small decrease seedling vigor.

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho de suínos na fase inicial e de crescimento alimentados com diferentes tipos de óleos essenciais de plantas adaptadas ao semiárido Nordestino. Foram utilizados 40 suínos da linhagem comercial Agroceres®, (20 machos castrados e 20 fêmeas) com peso vivo médio inicial de 13,5 ± 3kg, distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram na ração controle e outras quatro rações que continham 0,01% de óleos essenciais de erva-doce, marmeleiro, alfavaca e erva-cidreira. As variáveis avaliadas foram: desempenho, incidência de diarréia e perfil microbiológico. Não houve efeito da adição dos óleos essenciais para as variáveis de consumo de ração, ganho de peso, conversão alimentar e contagem de bactérias para os animais na fase inicial, apresentando influência da adição dos óleos para consumo de ração, conversão alimentar na fase de crescimento I e para consumo de ração na fase total. Os óleos essenciais de marmeleiro, erva-cidreira e alfavaca apresentaram um efeito positivo no controle da diarréia. Concluiuse que os óleos essenciais de marmeleiro, erva-cidreira e alfavaca, podem ser utilizados como antimicrobiano para combater a diarréia dos leitões, sem acarretar prejuízo no desempenho.

The objective was to evaluate the performance of starter pigs and growth fed with different types of essential oils from plants adapted to semiarid Northeast. A total of 40 pigs from commercial line Agroceres ®, (20 castrated males and 20 females) with average weight of 13.5 ± 3kg, distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments and four replicates, the treatments in the control diet and four diets containing diets 0.01% essential oils of fennel, quince, lemon grass and basil. The variables were: performance, incidence of diarrhea and microbiological perfil. No effect of addition of essential oils for the variables feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and bacteria count for the animals in the initial stage, showing the influence of the addition of oil for feed intake, feed conversion during the growth phase I and phase feed intake in total. The essential oils of quince, lemon grass and basil had a positive effect on control of diarrhea. It was concluded that the essential oils of quince, lemon grass and basil, can be used as an antimicrobial agent to combat diarrhea of piglets without causing performance losses.