ABSTRACT Concentrate supplementation during the finishing phase in tropical pastures improves the average daily gain and carcass characteristics of the animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentrate supplementation level (% of body weight, BW) on intake, apparent digestibility, performance, carcass traits, and meat attributes of steers finished on tropical pasture during the dry season. Forty male, uncastrated Girolando steers, weighing 439.25 ± 36.67 kg and aged 20 mo, were utilized. Treatments involved levels of concentrate supplementation: 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% BW for steers finished on Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster ‘Marandu’ pasture over an 84-d period in the dry season. The DM intake from the supplement (9.00 to 7.49 kg d-1) and total digestible nutrients (5.99 to 7.29 kg d-1) linearly increased (P < 0.05) with the rising level of concentrate supplementation. The average daily gain of the steers (0.44 kg d-1) remained unaffected (P > 0.05) by the increasing levels of concentrate supplementation. Hot carcass weight (228.62 to 257.20 kg) and yield increased linearly (P < 0.05) with the levels of concentrate supplement. The 0.3% BW level of supplement resulted in carcasses with a thicker (P < 0.05) backfat layer (4.75 mm). Protein and cholesterol contents in the steers’ meat were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the level of concentrate supplementation. In conclusion, we recommend a concentrate supplementation level of 0.5% BW for steers finished on pasture during the dry season.

ABSTRACT The intensification of cattle post-weaning phase in tropical pastures depends on supplementation strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of increasing levels of concentrate supplement on the intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients, feeding behavior, and performance of Girolando steers on tropical pasture during the post-weaning phase in the rainy season. Forty uncastrated male Girolando steers, initially weighing 266.62 ± 32.95 kg and aged 11 mo, were allocated into four concentrate supplement levels: 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% body weight. The steers grazed on Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster ‘Marandu’ pasture. The intakes of supplement DM, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients increased linearly (P < 0.05) with the level of supplement offered to the steers. In a similar response, the apparent digestibility of DM and NFC from the diet also rose linearly (P < 0.05). Grazing time, total feeding time, and total chewing time decreased (P < 0.05) with the increasing levels of concentrate supplementation. In contrast, the time expended on feeding at the trough, biting rate, and the time taken to ruminate each cud increased (P < 0.05) with the supplementation level. Final body weight and average daily gain increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing concentrate supplementation. We recommend supplying concentrate supplement at a level of 0.5% of the body weight of steers on tropical pasture during the post-weaning phase in the rainy season.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this work was to evaluate the non-carcass components of crossbred Santa Inês lambs finished in feedlot with the inclusion of different levels of red propolis extract (RPE). Thirty-five crossbred lambs were used with an average weight of 17.08 ± 2.36 kg and mean age of five months, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and seven replications. The treatments evaluated were: 0; 7; 14 and 21 mL of extract/animal/day Before slaughter, each animal was individually weighed to obtain the body weight at slaughter (BWS). The weights and yields of non-carcass components were evaluated, weights and yields of regional dishes (Buchada and Panelada). The addition of different levels of red propolis extract (RPE) did not influence (p > 0.05) the weights and yields of non-carcass components, by-products and adipose deposits, to the weight and yield of regional dishes. The use of red propolis extract in diets up to the level studied (28 mL day-1) did not change the characteristics evaluated. ABSTRACT noncarcass non carcass RPE. RPE . Thirtyfive Thirty 1708 17 08 17.0 236 2 36 2.3 months replications 0 7 1 extractanimalday day BWS. BWS (BWS) Buchada Panelada. Panelada Panelada) (RPE p 0.05 005 05 byproducts by products deposits 28 (2 day1 day-1 170 17. 23 3 2. (BWS 0.0 00 ( day- 0.

ABSTRACT. Supplementation strategies have been studied to increase animal performance and the quality of meat. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the influence of different supplementation strategies on the performance, feed intake, digestibility and ingestive behaviour of crossbred steers on Brachiaria brizantha pasture, during the dry season. The experiment was performed in Bahia, Brazil, from August 2015 to January 2016, with a dry season of 203 days. Thirty-three crossbred steers with an average weight of 269.5 ± 41.8 kg were distributed in a completely randomised design with three treatments and 11 replicates per treatment. The results were analysed using an ANOVA and a Tukey test, with a 5% probability of error. The treatments were mineral salt with urea and the supplementation of protein based on the animals’ body weight (BW), as follows: 0.1 and 0.2% BW. There was no effect of supplementation strategy on the initial and final body weights. Supplementation strategies did not influence (p > 0.05) the variables related to the intake of total dry matter. There was an effect (p < 0.05) on the dry matter and crude protein digestibility coefficients. For ingestive behaviour, feed intake, grazing time and idle time tended to be altered by the supply strategies (p < 0.05), but rumination was not affected (p > 0.05) by the evaluated strategies. In conclusion, the supplementation strategies used during the dry season resulted in a similar performance; therefore, the adopted strategy can be chosen according to the economic and regional conditions of the production system. Thus, the strategy adopted could be chosen according to the economic and regional conditions of the production. ABSTRACT meat Thus pasture Bahia Brazil 201 2016 20 days Thirtythree Thirty 2695 269 5 269. 418 41 8 41. 1 treatment test error animals BW, BW , (BW) follows 01 0 0. 02 2 0.2 weights p 0.05 005 05 coefficients 0.05, conclusion therefore system 26 4 (BW 0.0 00

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the increasing levels of inclusion of palm kernel cake (PKC) in the diet on the performance of feedlot heifers. Forty-eight Nelore heifers with an initial weight of 274 ± 4.58 kg, at 24 months of age, were confined for 98 days in a feedlot. The animals were allocated to the four treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of PKC levels of 0 (control), 10, 20, and 30% in the total dry matter of the diet. The roughage:concentrate ratio in the diets was 30:70. Ether extract intake increased, whereas the intakes of non-fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients decreased with the inclusion of PKC. The apparent digestibility of all nutrients decreased, as well as the amounts of nitrogen digested and retained. Microbial protein synthesis and its efficiency also declined. The inclusion of up to 20% PKC increased feeding time and reduced rumination time of heifers. Intake and rumination efficiencies decreased with the inclusion of PKC in the diet. Final weight and average daily gain did not change, but feed efficiency increased with the inclusion of PKC. The inclusion of up to 30% PKC in the diet of feedlot heifers is recommended. (PKC Fortyeight Forty eight 27 458 4 58 4.5 kg 2 age 9 design control, control , (control) 10 20 30 roughageconcentrate roughage concentrate 3070. 3070 70. 70 30:70 nonfiber non fiber retained declined change recommended 45 5 4. (control 1 3 307 7 30:7 30:

ABSTRACT The use of agroindustrial byproducts in cattle diets, such as castor-bean (Ricinus communis L.) meal, is a more sustainable practice because it does not compete with human food and reduces the volume of organic waste deposited in the environment. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of replacing soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) meal with castor-bean meal on the intake, digestibility, feeding behavior and performance of crossbred steers supplemented while on Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster ‘Marandu’ pasture. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete design with 40 animals, which started the experiment weighing 227.1 kg, at 10 mo of age, and were divided into four treatment groups. Castor-bean meal was added to replace soybean meal at the levels of 0, 90, 180, and 280 g kg-1 in the supplement, which was supplied at the rate of 0.4% of body weight. Total DM, pasture DM and neutral detergent fiber intakes did not change (P > 0.05) with the castor-bean levels added to the supplement. Ether extract intake and digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.05). The animals showed no differences (P > 0.05) in production performance (average daily gain), which averaged 0.65 kg d-1. Grazing, idle, and rumination times were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the treatments. Castor-bean meal can be included up to 280 g kg-1 in the total diet without changing the performance of crossbred steers finished on tropical pasture.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de dietas suplementadas con diferentes concentraciones de pasta de licuri (PL) en el perfil de ácidos grasos y colesterol de la leche de vacas confinadas. Cuatro vacas con ½ a – de sangre Holstein x Cebú fueron distribuidas en un cuadrado latino 4 x 4, donde los niveles de inclusión de la pasta de licuri en la dieta total fueron 0.0, 5.5, 11.0 y 16.5%, sustituyendo la pasta de soya en la dieta. Los niveles de inclusión de PL ocasionaron una disminución lineal del ácido láurico, elaídico, gamma-linolénico y linoleico conjugado (C18:2cis9trans11; C18:2trans10cis12). La pasta de licuri disminuyó las concentraciones de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados y del ácido linoleico conjugado; además de los ácidos grasos omega 6, que no son relevantes desde el punto de vista de la nutrición humana.

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the inclusion level of licuri cake (LC) in the diet of confined cows on fatty acid profile and milk cholesterol. Four cows with a blood level of ½ to – Holstein x Zebu blood were used, distributed in a 4 x 4 Latin square, where the inclusion levels of the cake in the total diet were 0.0, 5.5, 11.0 and 16.5%, replacing soybean meal in the diet. There was a linear decreasing effect for the fatty acids Lauric, Elaidic, Gamma-Linolenic and conjugated linoleic acid isomers (C18:2cis9trans11; C18:2trans10cis12) from the inclusion levels of LC. The inclusion of licuri cake negatively influenced the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid isomers, in addition to the fatty acids of the Omega-6 series, which is not interesting from the human nutrition point of view.

Resumen Este estudio buscó evaluar la ingesta y digestibilidad de nutrientes, el rendimiento y la viabilidad económica de novillos alimentados con Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandú y criados bajo sistemas de pastoreo y engorda en corral. Se utilizaron 50 novillos cruzados en fase de crecimiento con un peso medio de 275 ± 8.18 kg. Los novillos se distribuyeron en un diseño completamente al azar con 10 repeticiones por tratamiento: suplementación mineral, suplementación de nitrógeno, suplementación del concentrado en el orden de 1 y 2 g/kg de peso corporal y engorda total en corral total. El consumo de materia seca total y el peso corporal fueron significativamente diferentes (P<0.05) para los animales en engorde en corral. La proteína cruda, el extracto etéreo, la fibra detergente neutra corregida para cenizas y proteína, los carbohidratos no fibrosos y los nutrientes digestibles totales fueron diferentes en los animales suplementados con minerales en comparación con los otros tratamientos. El mismo rendimiento se observó en los animales en engorde. Los coeficientes de digestibilidad de materia seca, proteína cruda, extracto etéreo, carbohidratos no fibrosos y nutrientes digestibles totales en los animales suplementados con minerales fueron significativamente diferentes (P<0.05) a los otros tratamientos. (P<0.05). La ganancia diaria promedio fue menor (P<0.05) en los animales suplementados con animales. El mayor margen bruto (P<0.05) se observó en los animales bajo engorde en corral. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio indican que los animales en pastoreo con una buena disponibilidad de materia seca presentan un rendimiento satisfactorio. Es factible confinar a los animales en fase de cría debido a que se acorta el ciclo de producción y se obtienen resultados económicos favorables.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility, performance and economic viability of steers during the rearing phase in Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu graze and in feedlot. Were used fifty crossbred steers in the rearing phase, with a mean weight of 275 ± 8.18 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with ten replications per treatments: Mineral supplementation, nitrogen supplementation, Concentrate supplementation in the order of 1 and 2 g/kg body weight and total feedlot. The total dry matter intake and body weight showed a difference (P<0.05) for animals in feedlot. Crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber corrected for ashes and protein, non-fibrous carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients showed differences for the animals that received mineral supplementation in comparison to the other managements adopted. The same performance was observed for animals in feedlot. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients showed a difference (P<0.05) for the animals that received mineral supplementation, in comparison to the other managements adopted. (P<0.05). The mean daily gain was lower (P<0.05) for animals receiving mineral supplementation. The gross margin was higher (P<0.05) for animals handled in feedlot. Considering the obtained results, it was possible to observe that the animals kept in graze with good availability of dry matter presented satisfactory performance. It is feasible to confine the animals in rearing, since it shortens the production cycle, generating favorable economic results.

RESUMO Psidium guajava L. é amplamente cultivada nas diversas regiões tropicais e subtropicais do mundo. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do uso de recobrimento biodegradável associada a diferentes temperaturas no controle e qualidade de frutos da goiabeira 'Paluma' infestados por Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 × 6 × 6 com três repetições. Os fatores em estudo foram três temperaturas 10 ºC, 15 ºC e 23 ºC (temperatura ambiente) com seis tratamentos cada: Controle - SO SR (sem oviposição e sem recobrimento); CO SR (com oviposição e sem recobrimento); SO+RCOE (sem oviposição e recobrimento contendo óleo de erva-doce); CO+RCOE (com oviposição e recobrimento contendo óleo de erva-doce); SO+RCOM (sem oviposição e recobrimento contendo óleo de manjericão) e CO+RCOM (com oviposição e recobrimento contendo óleo de manjericão). Os tratamentos foram avaliados em seis períodos conforme os fatores já mencionados. Foram realizadas avaliações físicas, físico-químicas, bioquímicas e avaliações subjetivas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância com base na significância do teste F e, para testar o efeito dos dias de armazenamento, os resultados foram submetidos à análise de regressão. O uso de recobrimento biodegradável associado a temperaturas baixas minimizar a perda de massa e promove menor perda de firmeza dos frutos. A presença de larvas de C. capitata deprecia a qualidade físico-química dos frutos de goiaba, entretanto o processo de recobrimento associado a temperaturas baixas é letal a ovos e larvas de C. capitata, reduzindo os danos em frutos infestados.

ABSTRACT Psidium guajava L. is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of the use of biodegradable coating associated with different temperatures on the quality of 'Paluma' guava fruits infested by Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann on its control. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 6 × 6 factorial scheme with three replicates. The factors under study were three temperatures 10 ºC, 15 ºC, and 23 ºC (room temperature) with six treatments each: Control - WoO WoC (without oviposition and without coating); WiO WoC (with oviposition and without coating); WiO+CCFO (without oviposition and coating containing fennel oil); WiO+CCFO (with oviposition and coating containing fennel oil); WoO+CCBO (without oviposition and coating containing basil oil); WoO+CCBO (with oviposition and coating containing basil oil). The treatments were evaluated in six periods according to the factors already mentioned. Physical, physical-chemical, biochemical and subjective evaluations were performed. Data were submitted to analysis of variance based on the significance of the F test and, in order to test the effect of storage days, the results were submitted to regression analysis. The use of biodegradable coating associated with low temperatures minimizes the loss of mass and promotes less loss of fruit firmness. The presence of C. capitata larvae depreciates the physical-chemical quality of guava fruits, but the coating process associated with low temperatures is lethal to eggs and larvae of C. capitata, reducing damage in fruits infested.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar as características da carcaça, parâmetros físico-químicos, composição centesimal e perfil de ácidos graxos do músculo Longissimus lomborum de novilhos mestiços em pastagem de Brachiaria (Syn. Uruchloa) brizantha cv. Marandu, durante as fases de recria e terminação. Foram utilizados 22 novilhos (½ Holandês e ½ Zebu) não castrados, com peso inicial médio 210 kg ± 8,2 kg e oito meses de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualisado, com período experimental dividido em três estações, associada com 2 planos nutricionais (PN1 e PN2) e 11 animais por tratamento: PN1 (mistura mineral ad libitum nas estações chuvosas (EC) e suplemento nitrogenado/energético na quantidade de 1 g.kg-1 do peso corporal (PC) na estação seca) e PN2 (suplemento nitrogenado/energético de 2 g.kg-1 PC nas EC 1 e na seca, e suplemento nitrogenado/energético na quantidade de 1 g.kg-1 PC na EC 2) fornecidos diariamente às 10:00h. Para as características de carcaça foi observado diferença (p>0,05) entre os planos nutricionais, apenas para área de olho de lombo corrigida para 100 kg de peso de carcaça quente. Para os parâmetros físico-químicos apenas a força de cisalhamento foi influenciada pelos tratamentos (P>0,05) e foi maior para o plano nutricional 1. A composição centesimal e o perfil de ácidos graxos, não foram influenciados (p<0,05) pela suplementação. Planos nutricionais de recria e terminação com baixos níveis de suplementação proteico-energética não promove alterações significativas nas características da carcaça e da carne. O plano nutricional 1 é o mais indicado porque apresenta menor custo.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the carcass characteristics and the physicochemical parameters, centesimal composition, and fatty acid profile of the longissimus lumborum muscle of crossbred steers on a Brachiaria (Syn. Uruchloa) brizantha cv. Marandu pasture during the growing and finishing phases. Twenty-two uncastrated steers ½ Holstein/Zebu, with an average initial weight of 210 kg ± 8.2 kg and eight months of age, were distributed in a completely randomized design, in which the experimental period was fractionated in to three seasons associated with two nutritional plans (NP1 and NP2) and 11 animals by treatment: NP1- mineral mixture ad libitum in rainy seasons + nitrogen/energy supplement at 1 g.kg-1 body weight (BW) in the dry season; and NP2 - nitrogen/energy supplement at 2 g.kg-1 BW in rainy season 1 and in the dry season + nitrogen/energy supplement at 1 g.kg-1 BW in rainy season 2, provided daily at 1000 h. Of the carcass measurements, differences were only observed (p>0.05) between the nutritional plans for loin-eye area corrected for 100 kg of hot carcass weight. Among the physicochemical parameters, only shear force was influenced (p>0.05) by the treatments, with higher values obtained in Nutritional Plan 1. The centesimal composition and fatty acid profile were not influenced (P<0.05) by supplementation. Nutritional plans used in the growing and finishing phases involving low levels of protein-energy supplementation do not lead to changes significant in carcass characteristics and meat. Nutritional Plan 1 is the most appropriate because it presents a lower cost.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior of sheep fed sugarcane silage enriched with increasing levels of detoxified castor bean meal. Twenty-four non-castrated male Santa Inês sheep with an average body weight of 25.34 kg and four months of age, were distributed in four treatments - 0, 7, 14 and 21% of the natural matter of detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage. There was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in time spent eating and feeding and rumination efficiency (g MS and NDF/h) with the inclusion of castor bean meal in silage. However, there was a linear decreasing response for time spent resting (p < 0.05). Time spent ruminating, number of boluses per day and numbers of chews per day per bolus were not affected (p > 0.05) by the inclusion of castor bean meal. The addition of detoxified castor bean meal to sugarcane silage reduces time spent eating and increases feed and rumination efficiency in sheep.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of supplementation on body weight components of Nellore cattle grazing in Urochloa brizantha. Twenty-four steers with initial body weight (BW) of 371 ± 14 kg and average age of 26 months were used. Four animals were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment as a reference and the others were distributed in 4 treatments [0.0% (mineral salt), 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% supplement BW]. The slaughter of the experimental group was performed when the animals reached 450 kg and the body weight components were weighed. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. The increase in supplementation level reduced (p < 0.05) pasture dry matter intake, but did not influence (p > 0.05) on empty body weight (EBW) (380.3 kg) and cold carcass weight (CCW) (247.5 kg). The weights of skin, liver, rumen and fat were not influenced (p > 0.05) by supplementation level. The animals gained, on average, 75.3 kg EBW and 50.7 kg CCW, but the treatments did not influence (p > 0.05) the gains of body weight components. The increasing of energetic-protein supplement level for Nellore steers in Urochloa brizantha pasture does not affect carcass and non-carcass components.

Abstract Glycerin is an organic compound with an alcoholic function and can be esterified into fatty acids to form triglycerides. Due to the increasing availability of glycerin, studies that determine the best level of its inclusion in diets for ruminants are needed. This study evaluated the effects of glycerin supplementation on the proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the longissimus lumborum of heifers fed on Brachiaria brizantha pasture. Thirty-six heifers were distributed in a totally randomized design with four treatments (G0.0 = without glycerin, G4.6 = 4.6% glycerin, G9.3 = 9.3% glycerin and G14.3 = 14.3% glycerin). The addition of glycerin decreased the tetradecanoic and octadecanoic fatty acids but increased the pentadecanoic, heptadecanoic, heptadecenoic, eicosanoic, eicosatetraenoic and docosatetraenoic fatty acids. The saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid concentrations were similar across the diets. However, the polyunsaturated (PUFA) concentrations and the PUFA:MUFA and n-6:n-3 ratios increased with the inclusion of glycerin in the diet. Glycerin levels up to 14.3% (corresponding to a substitution of 50.5% of corn for this byproduct as an energy source) did not alter the proximate composition of the meat but improved the fatty acid profile of the longissimus lumborum muscle and, consequently, increased the meat quality, potentially providing benefits for human health.

Resumen La glicerina es un compuesto orgánico con una función alcohólica que puede esterificarse en ácidos grasos para formar triglicéridos. Debido a su disponibilidad cada vez mayor, se necesitan estudios que indiquen el mejor nivel de inclusión en las dietas para los rumiantes. Este estudio evaluó los efectos de la glicerina sobre la composición próxima y el perfil de ácidos grasos de Longissimus lumborum de novillas suplementadas con pasto de Brachiaria brizantha. Se distribuyeron 36 vaquillas en un diseño totalmente aleatorizado con cuatro tratamientos (G0.0 = sin glicerina, G4.6 = 4,6% de glicerina, G9.3 = 9.3% de glicerina y G14.3 = 14.3% de glicerina). La adición de glicerina disminuyó los ácidos grasos tetradecanoico y octadecanoico, pero aumentó los ácidos grasos pentadecanoico, heptadecanoico, heptadecenoico, eicosanoico, eicosatetraenoico y docosatetraenoico. Las concentraciones de ácidos grasos saturados (SFA), monoinsaturados (MUFA) y omega-3 (n-3) fueron similares en todas las dietas. Sin embargo, las concentraciones de poliinsaturados (PUFA) y los niveles de PUFA: MUFA y n-6: n-3 aumentaron con la inclusión de glicerina en las dietas. Los niveles de glicerina hasta 14.3% (que corresponden a una sustitución del 50.5% de maíz por este subproducto como fuente de energía) no alteraron la composición proximal de la carne pero mejoraron el perfil de ácidos grasos del músculo Longissimus lumborum y, en consecuencia, aumentaron la carne calidad, potencialmente proporcionando beneficios para la salud humana.

RESUMO Os objetivos com este estudo foram avaliar a ingestão e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, o ganho de peso e as características de carcaça de cordeiros em pastagem suplementados com níveis de farelo de mamona (FM) em substituição ao farelo de soja na dieta. Trinta e seis cordeiros (com 120 ± 15 dias de idade) cruzados da raça Santa Inês, não-castrados, com peso corporal (PC) inicial de 21,8 ± 3,4kg, foram separados de maneira que os grupos tivessem o mesmo PC médio e distribuídos aleatoriamente em 1 de 4 tratamentos dietéticos. Os tratamentos consistiram em 4 níveis de substituição (0, 33, 67 e 100%) de farelo de soja por FM, com base na matéria seca (MS). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 4 tratamentos e 9 repetições (cordeiros) para cada tratamento. O nível de suplementação foi de 1,6% PC por animal/dia. Houve uma diminuição linear (P < 0,01) na ingestão total de MS e um efeito quadrático (negativo; P = 0,05) para a ingestão de pastagem à medida que o FM foi aumentado no suplemento. Houve um efeito quadrático negativo do aumento de FM do suplemento no consumo de FDNcp, tanto em g/d (P = 0,01) como em %PC (P= 0,05). Houve efeito linear (negativo; P < 0,01) sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade de MS e FDNcp. Não houve efeito (P ≥ 0,48) de tratamento sobre peso de carcaça quente, rendimento de carcaça, conformação da carcaça, gordura de cobertura ou comprimento da carcaça. Apesar de alguns efeitos negativos sobre a ingestão e a digestibilidade de nutrientes, o aumento da inclusão de FM no suplemento, até a substituição de toda a farinha de soja no suplemento, não afetou o ganho de peso de cordeiros de pastagem ou características de carcaça.

SUMMARY The objectives of this trial were to evaluate intake and nutrient digestibility, weight gain, and carcass characteristics of grazing lambs supplemented with increasing dietary inclusion of castor bean meal (CBM). Thirty-six Santa Inês-crossed, non-castrated, 120 ± 15 d old lambs (initial BW = 21.8 ± 3.4 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments. The treatments consisted of 4 levels of soybean meal substitution with lime treated CBM (0, 33, 67, and 100%) on the DM basis. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 9 replicates (lambs) for each treatment. Supplementation level was 1.6% BW per animal/d. There was a linear decrease (P<0.01) for total DM intake and a quadratic effect (negative; P = 0.05) for pasture intake as CBM was increased in the supplement. There was a negative quadratic effect of CBM inclusion on NDFap intake, both in g/d (P = 0.01) and as in BW % (P = 0.05). There was a linear effect (negative; P<0.01) on DM and NDFap digestibility coefficients. There were no effects (P≥0.48) of treatments on HCW, dressing percentage, carcass conformation, back fat or carcass length. Despite some negative effects on intake and nutrient digestibility, increasing CBM inclusion in the supplement, up to the substitution of all the soybean meal in the supplement, did not affect weight gain of grazing lambs or carcass characteristics.

RESUMO Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar a inclusão de torta de dendê na dieta de vacas mestiças lactantes em confinamento e suas implicações sobre a viabilidade econômica. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas mestiças Holandês x Zebu, distribuídas em três Quadrados Latinos 4 x 4, nos seguintes tratamentos: controle (sem inclusão de torta de dendê na dieta); inclusão de 50 g torta de dendê (TD) por kg na matéria seca total (MST); inclusão de 100 g TD kg-1 na MST; inclusão de 150 g TD kg-1 na MST. O lucro por animal apresentou uma redução de valores. Esta diminuição na lucratividade está relacionada com o aumento nos custos de alimentação, especificamente, e os custos com concentrado, que aumentaram à medida que a torta de dendê foi incluída nos tratamentos, 0, 50, 100 e 150 g TD kg-1 de MST. O efeito observado para a lucratividade alterou a taxa interna de retorno, que diminuiu com a inclusão dos níveis de TD na dieta. No entanto, foi positiva em todos os tratamentos, demonstrando que é viável o investimento na TD. Os dados da viabilidade econômica demonstram que o tratamento com 100 g kg-1 de TD na MST é o mais viável financeiramente, nas condições de realização desta pesquisa.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet for lactating crossbred cows in feedlot system, and its implications on economic viability. We used 12 crossbred Holstein x Zebu cows assigned to three 4 x 4 Latin Squares, in the following treatments: control (without inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet); inclusion of 50, 100 or 150 g palm kernel cake (PKC) per kg in the total dry matter (TDM). Earnings per animal showed a reduction in values, this decrease in profitability is related to the increase in feed costs, specifically, and the costs with concentrate, which increased as the palm kernel cake was included in the treatments, 0, 50, 100 and 150 g kg-1 TDM. The effect observed for profitability affected the internal rate of return, which decreased with the inclusion of palm kernel cake levels in the diet. However, it was positive in all treatments, demonstrating the feasibility of investment in palm kernel cake. Data on the economic viability evidenced that treatment with 100 g palm kernel cake per kg TDM is the most financially viable under the conditions of this study.