Abstract The objective was to evaluate the fermentative, chemical characteristics and aerobic stability of corn grain silages rehydrated with whey fluid (WF) or whey powder (WP) and water, with or without the addition of inoculant (I). The corn grain was ground and hydrated adding water without chlorine and/or whey to reach 35 % humidity and stored in silos of 4.36 kg. After 45 d of fermentation, samples of the silages were submitted to chemical-fermentative analyses in opening of silos and 240 h of exposure to air. The aerobic stability of the silages was evaluating during 240 h has considered to the loss when the temperature of the ensiled mass exceeded the ambient temperature by 2 °C. A reduction in the acid detergent fiber (ADF) and lignin content of the silages was observed with the use of WF and WP. The levels of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) were the lowest for WF and WP (0.7 and 0.9 g/kg TN) and pH was 4.31 for WF after 240 h of aerobic exposure. The use of inoculants provided higher levels of Ash, ether extract (EE), and low buffering capacity (BC), in addition to reductions in ADF levels. The inoculated silages showed higher levels of NH3-N and pH after 240 h. The silage of corn grains rehydrated with WF provided ideal pH values, low NH3-N content, reduced levels of ADF and lignin, and improved aerobic stability. In addition to being a sustainable alternative, the use of fluid whey to rehydrate corn grains adds nutritional value and improves silage fermentation.

Resumen El objetivo fue evaluar las características fermentativas, químicas y la estabilidad aeróbica de los ensilados de grano de maíz rehidratados con suero fluido (SF) o suero en polvo (SP) y agua, con o sin la adición de inoculante (I). El grano de maíz se molió e hidrató añadiendo agua sin cloro y/o suero para alcanzar el 35 % de humedad y se almacenó en silos de 4.36 kg. Tras 45 días de fermentación, se sometieron muestras de los ensilados a análisis químico-fermentativos en apertura de silos y 240 h de exposición al aire. Se considera que la estabilidad aeróbica de los ensilados evaluada durante 240 h se perdió cuando la temperatura de la masa ensilada sobrepasó la temperatura ambiente en 2 °C. Se observó una reducción en el contenido de fibra detergente ácida (FDA) y lignina de los ensilados con el uso de SF y SP. Los niveles de nitrógeno de amoniaco (NH3-N) fueron los más bajos para el SF y el SP (0.7 y 0.9 g/kg TN) y el pH fue de 4.31 para el SF tras 240 h de exposición aeróbica. El uso de inoculantes proporcionó mayores niveles de cenizas, extracto de éter (EE) y baja capacidad de amortiguación (BC), además de reducciones en los niveles de FDA. Los ensilados inoculados mostraron niveles más altos de NH3-N y de pH después de 240 h. El ensilado de granos de maíz rehidratados con SF proporcionó valores de pH ideales, un bajo contenido de NH3-N, niveles reducidos de FDA y lignina, y una mejor estabilidad aeróbica. Además de ser una alternativa sostenible, el uso de suero fluido para rehidratar los granos de maíz añade valor nutricional y mejora la fermentación del ensilado.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar dois aditivos alimentares, um a base de butirato de sódio encapsulado (Adimix® Precision) (AD) e outro a base de um fitogênico (Apex® 5) (AX), associados ou não a um antibiótico promotor de crescimento (tilosina), durante as fases de crescimento e terminação, sobre o desempenho, características da carcaça e status de saúde. Foram utilizados 300 suínos machos castrados e fêmeas distribuídos em seis tratamentos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados com dez repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em um controle negativo (CN), controle positivo (CP) (tilosina), AD (butirato de sódio encapsulado), AX (fitogênico), CP+AD (tilosina+butirato de sódio encapsulado) e CP+AX (tilosina+fitogênico). Os dados de desempenho (peso vivo, consumo diário de ração, ganho de peso médio diário e conversão alimentar) e de carcaça (peso de carcaça, espessura de toucinho, profundidade do lombo e carne magra na carcaça) foram submetidos à ANOVA seguido por teste de Tukey, e os dados de condição de saúde (ocorrência de doenças, animais eutanasiados e mortos espontaneamente) foram analisados pelo teste de χ2. Os animais do grupo AD apresentaram maior ganho de peso diário (GPD) durante o período de avaliação e maior peso vivo aos 120, 140 e 164 dias de idade, além de maior peso de carcaça em comparação aos grupos CN e CP. O tratamento AX aumentou o GPD na fase crescimento II e o peso vivo aos 120 e 140 dias de idade em relação ao CN. O grupo CP+AX apresentou maior peso final em relação aos grupos CN e CP e maior peso de carcaça em relação ao CN. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para espessura de toucinho, porcentagem de carne magra na carcaça e ocorrência de doenças e óbitos. A inclusão de butirato de sódio encapsulado (tratamento AD) foi efetiva no aumento de GPD, peso final e peso de carcaça em comparação à suplementação com tilosina (tratamento CP), assim como a inclusão fitogênico (tratamento AX) melhorou a conversão alimentar em comparação ao grupo CP.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate two feed additives, one based on encapsulated sodium butyrate (Adimix® Precision) (AD) and the other, a phytogenic (Apex® 5) (AX), associated or not with an antimicrobial growth promoter (tylosin) during the growth and finishing phases on performance, carcass characteristics and health conditions. A total of 300 barrows and females were distributed in six treatments in a randomized block design with ten replicates. The treatments consisted of a negative control (NC), positive control (PC) (tylosin), AD (encapsulated sodium butyrate), AX (phytogenic), PC+AD (tylosin+encapsulated sodium butyrate), and PC+AX (tylosin+phytogenic). The performance (live weight, daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion) and carcass data (carcass weight, backfat thickness, loin depth, lean meat on the carcass) were submitted to ANOVA plus Tukey’s test, and the health conditions (occurrence of diseases, culling, and spontaneous deaths) were analyzed by χ2. Animals of the AD group had the highest average daily gain (ADG) over the evaluation period and the highest live weight at 120, 140, and 164 days of age, in addition to the highest carcass weight compared to NC and PC groups. The AX treatment increased the ADG in growth phase II and the live weight at 120 and 140 days of age in relation to the NC. The PC+AX group had a higher final live weight compared to the NC and PC groups and higher carcass weight in relation to the NC group. There was no difference among treatments for backfat thickness, percentage of lean meat in the carcass, or occurrence of diseases and deaths. The inclusion of encapsulated sodium butyrate (AD treatment) was effective in increasing ADG, final live weight, and carcass weight compared to supplementation with tylosin (PC treatment), as was the inclusion of a phytogenic (AX treatment) on FC compared to the PC.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the knowledge and perception of Brazilian pig producers in terms of environmental enrichment (EE) for pigs, the materials used, and the forms of presentation, identifying the single conditions that can improve their application on pig farms. A questionnaire was applied to 1340 farms – representing 7.4% of the farms and 12% of the sows in the country. The questions included descriptions of farms and respondents, their knowledge, judgments and level of interest in the use of EE, and frequency of use of the materials. Enrichment was used in 89.1% of farms, but half of the respondents admitted to using it without knowing what was involved. The producers presented an optimistic view (92.3%) about the application of this tool and were interested in receiving more knowledge and guidance on the subject (97.8%). The materials were used mainly to avoid fights (46.3%) and to prevent tail biting (23.3%); on the other hand, the increase in production costs (39.6%) and lack of knowledge about the subject (31.3%) were the main reasons for not using enrichment; concerns about increased management on farms were sporadic (7.1%). Metal chains were the main artifacts used, followed by plastic containers and pieces of wood; the same breeding farm used up to five types of materials. The fact that the respondents stated that they knew what EE was and that they had a good perspective on its use were significant conditions for the use of some kind of enrichment on the farms. Younger farm owners were more likely to use enrichment materials than more experienced ones. The results suggested that Brazilian pig producers use EE even with limited knowledge about the subject and that there is an argument to improve the use of this animal welfare strategy.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to describe the housing system in the hospital pens on growing and finishing (GF) pig farms. This work was developed by using a questionnaire and was conducted between January and April, 2016. Forty-four GF commercial farms (a total of 41,111 animals) were involved, seeking to raise issues concerning the facilities of the hospital pens, environment, management, feeding and the reasons for transferring the animals to these accommodations. About 98% of the evaluated farms had, at least, one hospital pen. Most of these farms presented a percentage of animals evaluated (PAE) in the infirmary, of less than 1.5% of the total capacity of the animal housing on the farm. In 93.48% of the farms, the criterion used to transfer the animals to the infirmaries was when they were identified as “impaired, hurt, suffering”. In 47.83% of the cases, there were no differences between the hospital and common pens regarding the general management of the animals. The facilities and environment characteristics were similar in almost all hospital pens. Respiratory problems were the main reason for transferring pigs from the common to hospital pens. Under the conditions of this study, sufficient hospital pens exist on farms and overcrowding or competition for resources among pigs are avoided. However, there is no established standard among respondents about where to place the recovered animals.

ABSTRACT A total of 5502 piglets from 435 sows were selected for evaluation of the effect of piglet birthweight and sow parity on mortality rate (MR), growth performance, and carcass traits in pigs. Piglets were distributed into one of eight categories according to their weight (<600, 601-800, 801-1000, 1001-1200, 1201-1400, 1401-1600, 1601-1800, and >1801 g) and sows were classified according to parity (1-5). The maximum MR during lactation (day 0 to day 21) was found in category <600 g, whereas the lowest was observed in categories ≥1401 g. Pigs with greater body weight (BW) at birth were equivalently greater until 59 days of age. Average daily weight gain (ADG) was improved by increasing piglet birthweight between 0 and 21 days as indicated by a linear regression effect. After weaning, this effect was reduced up to 168 days, indicated by a quadratic, as opposed to linear, regression effect. The increase in growth rates corresponded to improved lean meat content and hot carcass weight. Increasing sow parity corresponded to a quadratic improvement of BW and ADG during lactation, but not after weaning. However, the improved pre-weaning performance was concomitant with a linear increase of within-litter BW and ADG variation. No effect of parity was observed on carcass traits. Piglet birthweight and sow parity influence litter postnatal development, mainly during early life. After weaning, these effects are less evident with a minor impact on carcass traits.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to identify and quantify, through mathematical models, the main factors of production in growing and finishing pig units linked to three Brazilian cooperatives located in Western Region of Paraná State that influence the parameters of daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The records of 216 growing and finishing farms from 2010 to 2013, representing 1,533 batches, and totaling approximately 1,025,000 pigs, were evaluated. Thirty production factors related to the management, health, installations and equipment, nutrition, genetics, and environment were considered. The number of pigs per pen, the feeder model, the origin and sex of the animals, and the initial and final body weights were the factors included in the final models for both dependent variables (daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio) and had a significant impact on these ratios. Approximately, 41 and 55% of the total variance found for daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, respectively, were explained by the variables included in the final models. Mathematical models could serve as important tools to aid the decision-making in pig production systems.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e quantificar, por meio de modelos de regressão linear múltipla, os fatores de produção que afetam o consumo diário de ração e a conversão alimentar de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação, em granjas integradas a uma cooperativa. Foram avaliados os históricos produtivos de 690 lotes, que representavam aproximadamente 363 mil animais alojados entre 2010 e 2013 em 118 granjas vinculadas a uma cooperativa do Estado do Paraná. Foram considerados 44 fatores de produção relacionados a instalações, manejo, sanidade, genética e alimentação. O consumo diário de ração (CDR) foi menor nos lotes oriundos de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões e naqueles formados apenas por fêmeas. Já a conversão alimentar (CA) foi melhor para os lotes provenientes de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões, alojados no verão/outono, oriundos de granjas edificadas em alvenaria e que apresentavam composteira e unidades especializadas produtoras de leitões. Os pesos de entrada e de saída dos lotes influenciaram o CDR, e o peso de entrada e a duração do período de engorda, a CA. Os modelos de regressão linear múltipla possibilitam identificar variáveis de importância e estimar seus efeitos sobre a conversão alimentar e o consumo diário de ração de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify and quantify, through multiple linear regression models, the factors of production that affect the daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of pigs in the growing and finishing phases, in farms linked to a company. The production records of 690 batches were evaluated, representing approximately 363 thousand animals housed between 2010 and 2013 in 118 commercial farms linked to a company in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Forty-four factors of production related to facilities, management, health status, genetics, and feeding were considered. Daily feed intake (DFI) was lower in batches from farms that had trees planted on the sides of the barns and in those formed only by females. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better in batches from farms with trees on the sides of the barns, housed during summer/fall, originated from farms with barns built of masonry and that had compost bins and specialized units for producing piglets. The initial and final weights of the batches affected DFI, and the initial weight and duration of the growing and finishing phases, the FCR. The multiple linear regression models allow identifying important variables and estimating their effects on FCR and DFI of pigs in the growing and finishing phases.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chelated iron supplementation on gestating and lactating sows and on their suckling and weaned piglets. Reproductive traits, piglet performance, hematological parameters, and the iron concentrations in colostrum, milk, and stillborn livers were measured. Ninety-six sows were subjected to one of three treatment groups. Group T1 comprised pregnant and lactating sows treated with diets supplemented with inorganic iron (551 mg Fe/kg) and suckling piglets administered 200 mg of injectable iron dextran. Group T2 was the same as T1, except that sows after 84 days of gestation, lactating sows, and suckling piglets were fed a diet supplemented with 150 mg Fe/kg of chelated iron, and suckling piglets were administered injectable iron dextran. Group T3 was the same as T2 but without injectable iron dextran for suckling piglets. During the nursery phase, all of the weaned piglets were penned with their original groups or treatments and received isonutritive and isocaloric feeds. Piglets from the T2 and T3 groups also received an additional 150 mg Fe/kg of chelated iron via their feed. There were no differences among the treatments for reproductive traits or the iron concentrations in the colostrum, milk, or liver. The piglets that did not receive the injectable iron dextran showed the poorest performance during the pre-and post-weaning phases and showed the poorest hematological parameters of the suckling piglets. The chelated iron supplementation is insufficient to meet piglet demand. The iron dextran supply is necessary for suckling and weaned piglets.

O bem-estar animal é um tema de crescente preocupação mundial. A partir da década de 1960, a Europa centralizou as discussões sobre a questão, provocou o nascimento desta ciência e promoveu o desenvolvimento de normas relacionadas. Atualmente, os padrões europeus de bem-estar na criação de suínos constituem-se referências mundiais, podendo representar futuramente potenciais barreiras mercadológicas para a comercialização da carne suína. O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores e exportadores desta proteína animal, e intensificou suas ações com objetivo de se adequar a este novo cenário. O objetivo deste documento é avaliar a viabilidade da suinocultura industrial brasileira em aplicar os padrões europeus de bem-estar em seu atual sistema produtivo. Os níveis de complexidade estruturais e de manejo e as vantagens potenciais do Brasil neste contexto são discutidas, e um cenário a priori positivo mostra que o país tem várias facilidades para a adequação da maioria das exigências praticadas

Animal welfare is an issue of growing concern worldwide. Since the 1960s, Europe has led the discussions on this subject, developing the supporting science and the necessary standards. Currently, European welfare standards on pig farms set the global standards and may represent a potential marketing barrier for commercial pork production. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of pork and has intensified efforts to adapt to the new standards. The objective of this paper is to assess the feasibility of applying European welfare standards to Brazilian industrial pig farming. The complexity of the required changes and the potential advantages to Brazil are discussed, and it is concluded that Brazil has the resources to meet the majority of the requirements

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar a inclusão de ractopamina e sua associação com as vitaminas antioxidantes C e E em dietas de suínos em terminação durante 28 dias antes do abate sobre o desempenho, as características de carcaça e a qualidade da carne. Quarenta e oito suínos da linhagem Agroceres PIC (24 machos castrados e 24 fêmeas) foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 3x2, com três dietas: controle; controle + 10ppm de ractopamina; controle + complexo (0,05%) de ractopamina com vitaminas antioxidantes (10ppm de ractopamina + 200mg de vitamina E + 100mg de vitamina C kg-1 de ração) e dois gêneros (machos castrados e fêmeas). Foram avaliados o consumo de ração, o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar dos animais. Os suínos foram abatidos com peso médio de 100,81±7,81kg. Após o abate, as características de carcaça foram avaliadas e foram coletadas amostras do músculo Longissimus dorsi para a análise da qualidade da carne. Verificou-se diferença (P<0,05) para a conversão alimentar, conformação da carcaça e pH final da carne dos animais que consumiram rações que continham ractopamina. A oxidação da carne foi menor para a dieta com o complexo (ractopamina + vitamina) em relação ao controle (0,10mg kg-1 vs 0,13mg kg-1 TBARS). O marmoreio da carne foi maior (P<0,05) na dieta controle + ractopamina em relação à dieta controle. Os valores de vitamina E no músculo foram mais elevados nos animais que ingeriram as vitaminas antioxidantes (0,23 vs 0,08mg kg-1 vit. E). Conclui-se que a inclusão de ractopamina, associada ou não às vitaminas antioxidantes, promoveu melhora na conversão alimentar e redução da oxidação lipídica da carne

The objective of the study was to evaluate the inclusion of ractopamine and its association with the antioxidant vitamins C and E in finishing pig diets during 28 days prior to slaughter on the performance, carcass traits and meat quality. Forty-eight Agroceres PIC line swine (24 barrows and 24 females) distributed in a randomized blocks factorial design in 3x2 (3 diets: control; control+10ppm of ractopamine; control + complex (0.05%) ractopamine with antioxidant vitamins (10ppm of ractopamine + 200mg of vitamin E+100mg of vitamin C kg-1 of feed) and 2 sex (barrows and females). The feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion were evaluated. When pigs reached 100.81±7.81kg body weight, they were slaughtered and carcasses were evaluated. Samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle were taken to evaluate the meat quality. Diets with ractopamine improved (P<0.05) feed conversion in pigs, carcass conformation and final pH. The lipid oxidation decreased with the diet (ractopamine+vitamin) in relation to the control diet (0.10mg kg-1 vs 0.13mg kg-1 TBARS). The marbling was higher (P<0.05) in the diet (control + ractopamine) in relation to the control diet. The levels of vitamin E in the muscle were higher in pigs that were fed with antioxidant vitamins (0.23 vs 0.08mg kg-1 vit. E). It was concluded that the inclusion of ractopamine associated or not to antioxidant vitamins improved feed conversion ratio of animals and reduces the lipid oxidation in meat

The objective of this study was to evaluate the consequences of low or high stress during pre-slaughter handling of pigs on their carcass and meat quality. Forty-four animals of a commercial lineage, with an average weight of 107.23±5.23 kg, were used. At lairage the animals were randomly divided into two groups, the least and the most stressed. At slaughter, during bleeding, blood samples were collected for later cortisol and lactate tests. Forty-five minutes after slaughter the initial pH of th carcasses was measured and samples of the semitendinosus muscle were collected for R-value calculation. After 24 hours of cooling, the final pH was measured, damage scores were assessed and samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were collected to evaluate drip loss, liquid loss from defrosting and cooking, shear force, lipid oxidation, and color. The results were evaluated by analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey´s test. It was found that cortisol, lactate and R-value were lower and initial pH was higher for the least stressed animals, whereas the other parameters were not significantly affected. Thus, low stress in the pre-slaughter handling of pigs is effective in reducing stress and carcass damage, but has no effect on meat quality.

The objective was to evaluate the dietary supplementation of different sources of chromium (inorganic: chromium sulfate and chelated: chromium-methionine) during the finishing period of pigs to obtain improvements in the animal performance, and carcass and meat quality. The statistical design was randomized blocks, where 44 barrows, with an initial weight 60.49±5.12 kg, were divided into four blocks (heavier, heavy, light and lighter) according to initial weight. The experimental diets were isoenergetic and isonutrient, except for the chromium level. The treatments were divided as follows: control (without chromium), control + 200 ppb of inorganic chromium (chromium sulfate), and control + 200 ppb of chelated chromium (chromium-methionine). In the performance measures, the stall was considered the experimental unit and in the blood parameters, carcass and meat evaluations each animal constituted the experimental unit. Animals were slaughtered when they reached the final average weight of 107.23±5.23 kg. Blood samples were collected and tested for blood parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose) as well as carcass quality (hot and cold weights, yield, loin-eye area, muscle depth and backfat thickness) and meat quality (initial and final pH, drip loss, color, chemical composition and lipid oxidation) parameters. Chromium-methionine supplementation provides a greater daily weight gain only compared with the animals that are not supplemented with chromium, because feed conversion is better as compared with the other treatments. After 24 hours of storage, the meat from pigs supplemented either with chromium-methionine or with chromium sulfate presents lower lipid oxidation than that from non-supplemented animals. However, after three days of storage, only chromim-methionine is effective in reducing lipid oxidation.

Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de farelo de gérmen de milho desengordurado na dieta de galinhas de 28 a 44 semanas de idade. Foram utilizadas 240 poedeiras Hy-Line W36 distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis níveis de farelo de germen de milho desengordurado (0, 6, 12, 18, 24 e 30%),cada um com cinco repetições de oito aves. No período experimental, que durou quatro ciclos de 28 dias, foram avaliados os parâmetros de desempenho das aves (consumo de ração, produção de ovos, peso médio do ovo, massa de ovo e conversão alimentar) e de qualidade dos ovos (gravidade específica, índice de pigmentação da gema, porcentagem de gema e albúmen, porcentagem e espessura da casca e unidade haugh). Os níveis de farelo de gérmen de milho desengordurado tiveram efeito linear negativo sobre o consumo de ração e o índice de pigmentação da gema e efeito quadrático sobre a conversão alimentar. A inclusão de farelo de gérmen de milho desengordurado na dieta não influenciou as outras variáveis estudadas. O farelo de gérmen de milho desengordurado pode ser incluído em níveis de até 21,2% em rações para galinhas poedeiras.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of including defatted corn germ meal in diets for laying hens. It was assigned two hundred and forty laying hens to a randomized design, with six diets and five replicates of eight hens per diet. Experimental diets were formulated by inclusion of defatted corn germ meal at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30% level. The period experiment was carried out for four 28-day cycles and performance (feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion) and the egg quality (egg specific gravity, yolk color, yolk and albumen percentages, shell percentages, shell thickness and Haugh unity) were the evaluated parameters. Negative linear effect was observed for feed intake and yolk pigmentation by increasingly including defatted corn germ meal in diets for laying hens. Quadratic effect of defatted corn germ meal for feed conversion was also observed. No statistical differences were observed for any other parameters. Defatted corn germ meal can be included at 21.2% in laying hens diets.

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, as características de carcaça e o peso de órgãos do sistema digestório de suínos submetidos a restrição alimentar. Foram utilizados 40 suínos machos castrados, Landrace × Large White, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualisados, com quatro tratamentos, cinco repetições e dois animais por parcela experimental. Como tratamentos, avaliaram-se quatro programas de restrição alimentar: um controle, com alimentação à vontade durante os 86 dias de experimento; e outros três, com restrição de 20% no consumo de ração em relação ao grupo controle, durante 21 dias, a partir dos 30, 50 ou 70 kg de peso corporal (PC). Foram mensurados o consumo diário de ração, o ganho diário de peso e a conversão alimentar. As características de carcaça analisadas foram: peso de carcaça quente e fria, comprimento e rendimento de carcaça, espessura de toucinho, profundidade do músculo Longissimus dorsi, rendimento de carne na carcaça, quantidade de carne na carcaça, área de olho-de-lombo e pesos de fígado, estômago e intestinos delgado e grosso. Os custos de cada programa de alimentação foram avaliados para determinação de sua viabilidade. A conversão alimentar, considerando o período total do experimento, foi melhor nos animais mantidos sob restrição a partir dos 70 kg. Os resultados das avaliações de carcaça e dos pesos dos órgãos não diferiram entre os programas de restrição. As análises de custo apontaram melhor relação para a restrição a partir dos 70 kg PC. Em todos os programas de alimentação, a restrição alimentar seguida de alimentação à vontade promoveu ganho compensatório.

The aim of this work was evaluate the animal performance, the carcass characteristics and the weight of the organs of digestive system of pigs submitted to different periods of feed restriction. A total of 40 barrows, Landrace × Large White were distributed to randomized block design, to four feed restriction programs, five replications and two animal per experimental unit. Four restrict programs were evaluated: one control, with ad libitum feeding during the 86 days of experiment, and others three, with restriction of 20% in the feed intake in relation to control group, during 21 days, at 30, 50 or 70 kg BW. Performance characteristics as daily feed intake, daily weight gain and the feed conversion of the animals were evaluated. Carcass characteristics, as hot and cold carcass weights, length and carcass dressing, subcutaneous fat thickness, Longissimus dorsi muscle depth, lean meat yield, lean meat amount and loin eye area were evaluated. Also were evaluated organs weights, as liver, stomach, small and large intestine. The costs of each program were evaluated to observe their viability. Feed conversion, considering total experimental period, was better for the animals kept on feed restriction from 70 kg BW. The carcass characteristics evaluations and organs weights did not differ among feed restriction programs. The costs analysis showed a better relation for feed restriction from 70 kg BW. In all feeding programs, the feed restriction followed by ad libitum feeding promoted a compensatory gain effect for all treatments.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da vitamina E sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade do presunto. Noventa e seis suínos foram submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: controle, 100, 200 e 400 mg de vitamina E por kg de ração, fornecidas a partir de 116 dias antes do abate. Após o abate, as carcaças foram avaliadas, resfriadas, desossadas e o pernil foi removido para fabricação de presunto cozido. Análises dos teores de vitamina E e ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) foram realizadas em amostras de pernil e de presunto. A média do ganho de peso foi 789,81 g por dia, do consumo 2.418 g por dia e da conversão alimentar 3,06. Os animais apresentaram 113,57 kg de peso vivo; 85,90 kg de peso de carcaça; 75,62% de rendimento de carcaça; 61,28 mm de profundidade de lombo; 23,16 mm de espessura de toucinho e 49,28% de carne magra. Amostras de presunto com suplementação de vitamina E apresentaram de 0,61 a 1,19 mg kg-1 de TBARS, contra 1,77 a 3,91 mg kg-1 de TBARS do controle. Dietas com 200 mg vitamina E por kg de ração reduziram os níveis de oxidação em 70% no presunto cozido e diminuíram a espessura de toucinho.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of vitamin E on performance, carcass characteristics and cooked ham quality. Ninety-six pigs were submitted to the following treatments: control; 100, 200 and 400 mg of vitamin E per kg of diet; during 116 days before slaughter. After slaughter, pig carcasses were measured, chilled, deboned and ham sections were removed to produce the cooked ham. Samples of frozen and cooked ham were analysed in relation to vitamin E and thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) contents. Growth rate mean was 789.81 g per day, feed intake mean was 2,418 g per day and feed:gain ratio was 3.06. The carcass showed the following mean: 113.57 kg alive weight; 85.90 kg carcass weight; 75.62% carcass yield; 61.28 mm ham depth; 23.16 mm backfat thickness and 49.28% lean meat. The cooked ham samples with the best levels of vitamin E showed 0.61 to 1.19 mg kg-1 TBARS, against 1.77 to 3.91 mg kg-1 TBARS for the control. Levels of supplementation of 200 mg vitamin E per kg of diet reduce the oxidation levels up to 70% in cooked ham and decrease backfat thickness.