Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of spineless cactus (SC) [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs in a feedlot. Thirty-two male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.4 ± 2.60 kg were distributed across four levels of spineless cactus: zero, 24, 52, and 75% of total diet dry matter (DM). Over 56 days, the animals had their intake and performance monitored. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the dry matter intake and total digestible nutrients, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the neutral detergent fiber intake. Drinking water intake decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the inclusion of SC in the diet. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the digestibility of organic matter in the diet. The increase in the level of SC in the diet increased linearly (p<0.05) the feeding and rumination efficiencies of the lambs. The maximum daily gain of 0.237 kg/day was achieved with 44% SC in the diet. It is recommended to include up to 40% of spineless cactus in the diet of lambs.

Resumo: Objetivando-se avaliar o efeito da adição de palma forrageira associado à maniçoba na dieta de ovinos sobre o perfil de indicadores bioquímicos do metabolismo energético e proteico, foi realizado um delineamento em blocos casualizados onde foram utilizados 24 ovinos machos, sem padrão racial definido, com peso corporal médio de 19,77±1,95 kg e idade média de seis meses, divididos igualmente em três tratamentos: concentrado + feno Tifton 85, concentrado + feno de maniçoba e concentrado + silagem de maniçoba, e semelhantes partes de palma forrageira. Realizaram-se quatro coletas de sangue, que constituíram as repetições, com intervalos de 15 dias (0d, 15d, 3d0 e 45d). Em seguida, procederam-se as análises dos seguintes indicadores bioquímicos: creatinina sérica, ureia, proteína total, albumina, globulina, glicose, frutosamina, aspartato aminotransferase, fosfatase alcalina, gama glutamiltransferase, sódio, potássio, cloro, cálcio e fósforo. Maior consumo de matéria seca foi observado no grupo com feno de maniçoba. O tratamento com silagem de maniçoba apresentou diferença (P<0,05) no consumo de fibra em detergente neutro. Houve variações significativas na concentração de ureia nos animais que receberam a dieta composta de feno de maniçoba. Tanto o feno como a silagem de maniçoba, em até 30%, pode substituir o feno de Tifton 85 na alimentação de ovinos em terminação, mantendo efetivamente o consumo de matéria seca, rendimento de carcaça, os metabolismos proteico, energético e mineral, além de ser uma boa alternativa para a alimentação de ovinos.

Abstract: Aiming to evaluate the effect of addition of cactus pear associated with maniçoba in the diet of sheep on the profile of biochemical indicators of energy metabolism and protein, we performed a randomized block design was used in which 24 male sheep without defined breed (SPRD), mean weight of 19.77±1.95 kg and average age of six months, divided equally into three treatments: concentrate + Tifton hay, concentrate + maniçoba hay and concentrate + maniçoba silage, and similar parts of cactus pear. There were four blood samples, which were repetitions at intervals of 15 days (0d, 15d, 3d and 45d). Then proceeded to the analysis of the following biochemical parameters: serum creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, fructosamine, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium and phosphorus. Higher dry matter intake was observed in the group with maniçoba hay. Treatment with maniçoba silage showed statistical differences (P<0.05) in the consumption of neutral detergent fiber. Significant variations were found in the concentration of urea in the animals fed the diet composed of maniçoba hay. Both hay and silage maniçoba, up to 30%, can replace the Tifton 85 hay for feeding finishing animals, effectively keeping the dry matter intake, carcass yield, the protein metabolism, energy and mineral, plus be a good alternative for feeding sheep.

Sheep production systems installed in the semi-arid region of Brazil depend on the forage support the ’caatinga’ biome. This study aimed at evaluating the substitution of hybrid ’Tifton 85’ (Cynodon spp.) by cassava (Manihotpseudoglaziovii Pax & K. Hoffm.) hay or silage on the components of sheep’s’ body weight. Twenty-four animals, with no defined breed, were used for the study, with an initial body weight of 19.77 ± 1.95 kg and an average age of 6-mo, being divided into three treatments (’Tifton 85’ hay, cassava silage, and cassava hay). The animals were slaughtered at 56 d and all the body parts of the animals were weighed. Data were subjected to ANOVA and mean comparison test (P = 0.05). Means were superior (P < 0.05) for DM intake and contents of the gastrointestinal tract (CGT) with values of 1.17 kg d-1 and 4.84 kg for cassava hay, respectively. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) for body weight at slaughter and cold carcass weight, which had means of 28.10 and 12.38 kg, respectively. The hot carcass and leg yields showed values of 58% and 34%, respectively, and were not influenced (P > 0.05) by different forages. The constituents that were not components of the carcass, organs, offal, and by-products were not affected by the replacement of ’Tifton 85’ hay by cassava hay or silage. Cassava hay or silage can replace ’Tifton 85’ hay for feeding sheep in complete diets without compromising their body components’ yields and weights.

The productive performance of four Holstein-Gir genetic groups (1/2H, 1/4H, 5/8H, 5/8Hinter se) and the effects of non-genetic factors on production traits was evaluated using a data set of 7,951 test-day samples collected between January 1980 and December 1999 from the Arcoverde Experimental Station in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco (Empresa Pernambucana de Pesquisa Agropecuária). The statistical model included the fixed effects of calving year (1980 to 1999) and month (January to December), genetic group of the cow, age at months of calving (33 to 190) and days in milk at each test-day. Random effects were sire, cow and residual with test-days treated as repeated records within each cow within each lactation. For the four genetic groups the milk yield (MY) means were 1/2H = 8.61 kg ± 1.16 kg, 1/4H = 5.34 kg ± 0.46 kg, 5/8H = 7.42 kg ± 0.39 kg and 5/8Hinter se = 5.76 kg ± 0.46 kg; the fat yield (FY) means were 1/2H = 0.375 kg ± 0.052 kg, 1/4H = 0.231 kg ± 0.026 kg, 5/8H = 0.299 kg ± 0.025 kg and 5/8Hinter se = 0.231 kg ± 0.026 kg; and the fat percentage (FP) means were 1/2H = 4.45 kg ± 0.29%, 1/4H = 4.08 kg ± 0.12%, 5/8H = 3.87 kg ± 0.10% and 5/8Hinter se = 3.89 kg ± 0.12%. Phenotypic correlations between tests were MY = 0.97, FY = 0.94 and FP = 0.98. The best productive performance was for the 1/2H group, followed by the 5/8H group. The performance of the synthetic group was substantially below the performance of the 5/8H group.