ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feed type, pH, and Cu and Zn concentration on Cu and Zn binding with different feedstuffs after in vitro incubation in water. For this purpose, six feedstuffs (wheat straw, grass hay, corn silage, dried distillers grains with solubles, ground corn, and soybean meal) were incubated in ultrapure water (pH≈6.4) with supplemental Cu concentrations equivalent to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 mg Cu/kg DM or supplemental Zn concentrations equivalent to 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 mg Zn/kg DM for 48 h. This experiment was repeated; however, following the 48-h incubation in ultrapure water (pH≈6.4), samples were incubated for one additional hour at a fitted pH of 2.3. Following incubation, the indigestible residue was analyzed for the presence of Cu and Zn. Copper and zinc bind to other dietary constituents at a pH similar to that of the rumen, regardless of the type of feedstuffs (concentrate or roughage). However, in a pH condition similar to that of the abomasum, part of these bonds is broken. In these pH conditions, there is greater breakdown of bonds in concentrate feedstuffs than in roughages, regardless of the mineral analyzed. Comparing these minerals, zinc forms weaker bonds than copper.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to apply Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach to improve the understanding of how to shape effective information diffusion policies among small-scale dairy farmers in rural communities of Brazil, for whom milk production is an important source of income. We interviewed 24 dairy farmers representing all participants of a dairy farmer association in a small-scale production community in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two sociograms were built by means of an adjacency matrix representing the two internal networks, friendship (F) and advising (A). The beta-centrality and betweenness centrality measures were calculated to identify central farmers and correlate with efficiency indicators in each network (F and A) using a quadratic assignment procedure (QAP). The two internal networks structures and individual thresholds of adoption were represented in an agent-based model (ABM) to simulate the spread of the information among farmers. Our simulations indicate that the assortativity degree of social networks affects the information diffusion among farmers, highlighting the importance of opinion leaders versus convincing a critical mass to implement innovation strategies. Our analysis suggests that vertical policies focused on local opinion leaders will be more effective for enhancing the adoption of techniques that involve investments in private goods such as the adoption of artificial insemination, whereas horizontal policies, such as broadcasting information, will be more effective in encouraging investments in public and semi-public goods, such as the purchase of community cooling tanks and techniques for enhancing milk quality.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to analyze the economic result of feedlot operation for three genetic groups of cattle (Nellore, Nellore crossing with other Zebuine breeds, and Dairy crossbred) as a function of the overprice on the purchase price of cattle to be feedlot-finished. The study involved data of 57,589 animals divided into 709 lots originating from operation cycles from March to December 2016. Lots were considered replicates, and gross margin per animal was considered the economic result. Data pertaining to each lot, overprice, and gross margin were analyzed by regression, with mathematical models developed for each genetic group. After significance tests were applied, simple linear models were adopted for all studied groups. To check the equality or lack thereof of the three regression models generated, we used a model-identity test, which revealed that the model for Nellore animals was different from that used for Dairy crossbreds. The model generated for Nellore crossing with other Zebuine breeds did not differ from the models for Nellore or Dairy crossbreds, i.e., Nellore crossing with other Zebuine breeds may be grouped as a single model together with the Nellore group or with the Dairy-crossbred group. The estimates generated from the three individualized models suggest that the purchase of the feeder (unfinished) cattle for the Dairy crossbred, Nellore crossing with other Zebuine breeds, and Nellore groups, with an overprice starting at 1.19, 1.21, and 1.27, respectively, will result in negative gross margins. Thus, the overprice at purchase may compromise the economic result of feedlot operation, and more-efficient animals may allow for a greater overprice on the purchase in the operation, with a positive gross margin.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different lipid sources in diets for lactating cows on milk yield and composition, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content, and fatty acid profile in the milk fat. Five primiparous Holstein cows were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Treatments were: control (no lipid addition) and four other diets containing different lipids sources - ground raw soybean, cottonseed, soybean oil, and calcium salts of soybean fatty acids (CSSFA). The greater milk yield (kg/day) and milk lactose (g/kg) and solids non-fat (g/kg) contents were obtained with the animals fed diets with CSSFA. Regarding the fatty acid profile in the milk fat, the diets with CSSFA and ground raw soybeans produced the greatest concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and C182. Supplementation with CSSFA provided a greater production (g/day) of CLA, resulting in almost twice the values shown by the other treatments. The use of different lipid sources does not affect the milk total solids (protein, fat, and lactose) and CSSFA has a positive influence on the fatty acid profile of the milk fat and amount of CLA produced. Additionally, milk yield is not affected by this supplement.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to evaluate the degradation kinetics and microbial efficiency of beef cattle grazing on low-quality forage and receiving supplements with different levels of rumen undegradable protein (RUP). The animals grazed on palisade grass pasture solely or this pasture and supplement containing 40 or 60 g of RUP per 100 g of crude protein (CP). The degradation profiles of neutral detergent fiber, fiber carbohydrates, and neutral detergent insoluble protein were interpreted kinetically by using a decreasing logistic model. Treatments (no supplement, or RUP at 40 or 60 g−1 100 g CP) did not affect rumen fill; however, the increase in the indigestible fiber carbohydrate fraction that occurred at the expense of the digestible fiber carbohydrate fraction resulted in a greater rumen fill effect. The palisade grass showed a significant proportion of its nitrogen in the form of slowly degradable protein as neutral detergent insoluble protein, which amounted to 26 g per 100 g CP. Supplementation with 40 g of RUP per 100 g CP decresead the indigestible fraction of the low-quality forage. However, the absence of a rumen-fill effect demonstrates that the additional supply of nutrients contributes greatly to increasing growth efficiency and use of the available energy from the forage by the ruminal microorganisms.

ABSTRACT Ten Holstein-Zebu crossbred cows distributed into two simultaneous Latin squares (5 × 5) as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement formed by chopped sugarcane or elephant grass silage, both with high or low protein degradability supplements and a corn silage as a control treatment, were compared using orthogonal contrasts. The studied variables were the performance, plasma concentrations of urea-N, glucose, and creatinine, urine-N and milk urea-N, and the nychthemeral variation in NH3-N in the rumen fluid of dairy cows. Nutrient intake, milk production, and milk composition were affected by the treatments. The total mixed ration containing elephant grass silage combined with rumen undegradable protein (RUP) provided balanced amounts of carbon and nitrogen in the rumen. This effect may explain the 18% increase in milk yield compared with the other treatments. The diurnal pattern of ruminal NH3-N was interpreted with a sinusoid model. In general, cows fed elephant grass silage exhibited higher concentrations of blood plasma and milk urea-N than animals fed sugarcane. The cows that consumed elephant grass silage with rumen degradable protein concentrate showed a higher milk urea-N compared with animals that consumed elephant grass silage with the RUP concentrate. The use of diets based on corn silage leads to a better use of nitrogen compounds because these diets resulted in lower levels of urea-N in the plasma, urine, and milk at the same level of milk production compared with diets containing elephant grass silage or chopped sugarcane as roughages. In sugarcane-based diets, even greater nitrogen losses in the urine are observed, despite the presence of readily fermentable carbohydrates in the diet.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito da suplementação com diferentes fontes proteicas na dieta de vacas leiteiras mantidas em pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha MG5 sobre os níveis séricos de glicose, triglicerídeos, colesterol e ureia e das enzimas gama glutamina transferase, creatina quinase e aminotransferase. Avaliaram-se diferentes fontes proteicas: coproduto de feijão, farelo de soja, farelo de girassol e farelo de algodão. Foram utilizadas 8 vacas cruzadas 5/8 (Holandês x Gir), peso médio 500±60,33kg, produção média de leite de 14,85±3,28kg/dia, entre 60 e 90 dias de lactação, em delineamento quadrado latino 4 x 4 duplo e simultâneo. Cada período experimental teve duração de 15 dias, sendo 10 dias iniciais para adaptação dos animais e os demais para avaliação e coleta de dados. Houve efeito de interação (P<0,05) das fontes proteicas e tempos de coleta sobre os níveis séricos de glicose. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) das fontes proteicas para os valores de triglicerídeos, colesterol e ureia dos animais, com média de 6,46±2,05; 182,43±37,52 e 38,20±12,29mg/dL, respectivamente. Houve efeito (P<0,05) dos tempos de coleta nos níveis sanguíneos de triglicerídeos e ureia. As diferentes fontes proteicas também não influenciaram (P>0,05) os níveis séricos das enzimas gama glutamina transferase, creatina quinase e aminotransferase, com médias de 26,76±8,02; 112,13±31,72 e 58,79±20,13 UI/L, respectivamente. As fontes proteicas promoveram alterações na glicemia com os tempos de coletas, sendo que estes alteraram os valores de triglicerídeos e ureia. Não foram observadas alterações para os demais metabólitos sanguíneos.

SUMMARY The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with different protein sources in the diets for dairy cows kept on Brachiaria brizantha MG5 grass pasture on serum levels of the glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and urea as well as on enzymes gama grutamil transferase, creatinine quinase and aminotransferase. We have evaluated the following protein sources: bean byproduct, soybean meal, sunflower meal and cottonseed meal. Eight crossbred cows (Holstein x Gir) were used, weighing 500±60.33 kg, average milk production of 14.85±3.28 kg/day, between the 60th and the 90th day of calving, by a simultaneous double 4 x 4 latin square design 4 x 4. Each experimental period lasted 15 days, of which the first 10 days were designed to animal adaptation and the final five days for data collection. There was an interaction effect (P<0.05) among protein sources and sampling time on serum glucose. There was no effect (P>0.05) of protein sources for the triglycerides, cholesterol and urea levels, averaging 6.46±2.05, 182.43±37.52 and 38.20±12.29 mg/dL, respectively. There was a significant effect (P<0.05) of the sampling time on blood levels of triglycerides and urea. The different protein sources did not affect significantly (P>0.05) serum enzyme levels of glutamine transferase, creatinine quinase and aminotransferase, averaging 26.76±8.02, 112.13±20.13 and 58.79±31.72 IU/L, respectively. The protein sources promoted changes on blood glucose with the sampling time, while sampling time altered triglycerides and urea levels. Changes to other blood metabolites were not observed.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da alimentação suplementar de resíduos de feijão no desempenho produtivo e nos parâmetros sanguíneos de vacas leiteiras em pastejo. Foram utilizadas oito vacas mestiças, com peso médio de 500 kg, distribuídas em duplo quadrado latino 4×4, alimentadas com alimentação suplementar de 134, 240, 348 e 449 g kg-1 de resíduos de feijão na ração concentrada. Os animais receberam a suplementação após a ordenha no período da manhã e da tarde. A inclusão de resíduos de feijão não alterou os pesos corporais médios e os escores corporais; no entanto, reduziu a produção de leite. Os teores de gordura, proteína bruta, lactose e extrato seco total não foram alterados pela inclusão dos resíduos de feijão. A concentração sanguínea de glicose e colesterol não foi alterada pela adição do resíduo antes do fornecimento de ração concentrada e nem quatro e seis horas após essa alimentação. A inclusão dos resíduos de feijão na ração concentrada de vacas leiteiras em pastejo, com produção média diária de 13 kg, reduz a produção de leite. Todavia, a utilização desses resíduos pouco influencia a composição do leite e os parâmetros sanguíneos.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplement bean residue on growth performance and blood parameters of dairy cows grazing. Eight crossbred cows weighing 500 kg were analyzed, distributed in 4×4 double Latin square, and fed with 134, 240, 348, and 449 g kg-1 of a supplementary diet of bean waste in the concentrated feed. The animals received the supplementation after milking in the morning and in the afternoon. The inclusion of bean residues did not change average body weights and body scores; however, it reduced the milk production. Fat, protein, lactose, and total solid contents (g kg-1) were not changed by bean waste inclusion. Blood glycose and cholesterol did not change before the offering of the concentrated feed diet, nor after four to six hours of feeding this diet. The inclusion of bean residues in the concentrated feed of dairy cows subjected to grazing, with a daily average production of 13 kg, reduces milk production. However, the use of these residues has little effect on milk composition and blood parameters.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of F1 (Holstein × Zebu) cows in lactation according to different levels of substitution of soybean meal for a protein equivalent non-protein nitrogen originated from slow-release urea (SRU). Eight F1 (Holstein × Zebu) cows in the first third of lactation, with an average milk yield of 12.7 kg (±3.1 kg)/day and a live weight of 552 kg (±30 kg), were used. The experimental design was composed of two simultaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares, with the following treatments: 100% soybean meal and 0% SRU; 66% soybean meal and 34% SRU; 34% soybean meal and 66% SRU; and 0% soybean meal and 100% SRU. Sorghum silage, used as roughage, was supplied together with the concentrate. Feed intake and digestibility as well as milk yield and milk composition were measured. The obtained data were subjected to analysis of variance, adopting a 5% probability level. No intake variable showed significant differences among the treatments, and the mean values for the intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were 18.35 2.62 and 5.85 kg/day, respectively. The results for apparent digestibility also did not show differences among treatments, with DM, CP and NDF averaging 58.16, 58.64 and 36.21%, respectively. Milk yield and composition were similar among the treatments. The average 4%-fat-corrected milk yield was 13.39 kg/animal day. Intake, digestibility and milk yield and composition variables are not changed according to the substitution of the soy protein for slow-release urea. Thus, for average-milk-yield crossbred.animals, this substitution depends on economic variables only.

<p>Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a cinética da taxa de passagem ruminal de partículas das silagens oriundas dos consórcios: milho e capim-braquiária; milho, capim-braquiária e calopogônio; milho, capim-braquiária e macrotiloma; e milho, capim-braquiária e estilosantes. Foram usados quatro bovinos mestiços holandês-zebu, fistulados no rúmen. As fezes foram coletadas nos tempos zero (imediatamente após a administração da fibra complexada com cromo), 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 120, 132, 144 e 192 horas. As estimativas dos parâmetros dos perfis de taxa de passagem foram ajustadas de acordo com procedimentos de regressão robusta. O tempo médio de retenção de partículas no <italic>raft</italic> (<italic>TMR1</italic>); o tempo médio de retenção de partículas na fase líquida ruminal (<italic>TMR2</italic>) e o tempo médio de retenção ruminal total (<italic>TMRR</italic>) foram ajustados para a cinética de passagem e estimados com o procedimento NLIN do SAS. A partir dos resultados observados, pode-se sugerir que a taxa de transferência <italic>λ</italic> possui comportamento inverso à taxa de escape<italic>κ</italic>; os valores médios de <italic>τ</italic>, os tempos médios de retenção e os tempos médios de retenção de partículas na fase líquida ruminal (<italic>TMR2</italic>) não diferiram estatisticamente. As características cinéticas dos alimentos, após escaparem do <italic>raft</italic>e chegarem à fase líquida, foram equivalentes. Os <italic>TMRR</italic> das fibras das diferentes silagens não diferiram entre si (<italic>p<0,05</italic>). Observaram-se pequenas diferenças numéricas dos <italic>TMRR</italic> nos diferentes alimentos. As fibras das silagens em estudo tiveram taxas semelhantes de <italic>λ</italic>, k, TMR1,TMR2 e TMRR. Portanto, a cinética da taxa de passagem ruminal de partículas das silagens dos consórcios é semelhante. Assim, a tomada de decisão pelo tipo de consórcio a ser utilizado deve ser baseada em outros fatores, tais como viabilidade do manejo de culturas e custo da silagem.</p>

<p>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of ruminal passage rate of particles from the subsequent associations: corn and signal grass; corn, signal grass and Calopogônio; corn, signal grass and Macrotiloma; and corn, signal grass and Estilosantes. It was used four crossbred holstein-zebu cattle with the rumen tubed in order to determine the the kinetics of ruminal passage rate of particles. The feces were collected at the times zero (immediately after addition of fibers complexed with chromium), 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 56 , 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 120, 132, 144 and 192 hours. The profile parameters of passage rate estimative were adjusted according to robust regression procedures. The average time of particles retention in the raft (ATPR1); the average time in the rumen liquid phase (ATRLP2) and the average time of total ruminal retention (ATTRR) were adjusted for the passage kinetics and estimated with the NLIN procedure of SAS. From the observed results, may be suggested that the transference rate <italic>λ</italic> has an inverse behavior to the escape rate <italic>κ</italic>, the <italic>τ</italic> average values, the average retention time and average particles retention time in the rumen liquid phase (ATRLP2) were not statistically different. The feed characteristics after the raft escape and reach to ATRLP2, were very similar; (ATTRR), related to treatments, were not statistically different (P<0,05). There were observed small TMRR numerical differences in different foods. The corn and signal grass; corn, signal grass and calopogônio; corn, signal grass and macrotiloma, corn, signal grass and estilosantes silage fibers had similar rates of<italic>λ</italic>, k, ATPR1, ATRLP2 and ATTRR. Therefore, the the kinetics of ruminal passage rate of particles is similar. Thus, the choice of the system should be based on other factors, such as viability of the management ease and silage cost.</p>

<p>Quarenta e nove novilhos machos foram distribuídos em delineamento casualizado, sendo que inicialmente foram efetuadas sete repetições por tratamento e, ao final do experimento, foram abatidos quatro animais por tratamento. Os tratamentos foram; CONT: Dieta controle; FBC120: Fosfato Bicálcico 120:1 de relação P: F; MBC60: Fosfato monobicálcico 60:1 de relação P:F; FBC30: Fosfato Bicálcico 30:1 de relação P:F; SFT30: Super Fosfato Triplo 30:1 de relação P:F; FBC10: Fosfato Bicálcico 10:1 de relação P:F; CAR10: Concentrado de Rocha 10:1 de relação P:F. A fosfatase alcalina (FA) dos animais aos 650 dias de confinamento, os quais consumiram dieta CAR10, foi maior dos que a FA naqueles que consumiram SFT30 e FBC10 e FBC120. A FA dos animais que consumiram CAR10 foi maior, aos 866 dias, do que àquela observada nos tratamentos com SFT30 e FBC120. O teor de cinza foi maior na dieta FBC10 e as dietas CAR10 e FBC120 representaram o menor valor. O teor de flúor no osso foi maior nos animais da dieta FBC10 em relação àqueles das dietas CAR10, sendo que as dietas FBC120 e MBC60 obtiveram menores teores. A área dos canais de Havers e a relação Havers/área do Osteon foram maiores na dieta FBC30, sendo que o respectivo menor valor foi FBC10. A presença de dentes mosqueados foi superior nos animais tratados com FBC10 e CAR10. Concluiu-se que o alto teor de flúor na dieta aumenta a deposição de flúor nos ossos, o que afeta negativamente nos parâmetros histológicos de dentes e ossos de bovinos de corte.</p>

<p>Forty-nine male calves were allotted in a randomized design, being that initially were performed seven replicates per treatment. At the end of the experiment were slaughtered four animals per treatment. The treatments were designed as following: CONT: control diet; DC120: Dicalcium Phosphate 120:1 ratio P: F; MDCP60: Monodicalcium Phosphate 60:1 ratio P: F; DC30: Dicalcium Phosphate 30:1 ratio P: F; TSP30: Triple Superphosphate 30:1 ratio P: F; DC10: Dicalcium Phosphate 10:1 ratio P: F; PRC10: phosphate rock concentrate of 10:1 of relation P: F. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of animals who consumed PRC10 diet was greater than the ALP of animals that consumed TSP30, DC10 and DC120. This result was obtained with animals with 650 days of confinement. The ALP of the animals that consumed PRC10 was greater at 866 days than in the animals consuming TSP30 and DC120 diets. The ash content was greater in the DC10 diet and the diets CAR10 and DC120 achieved the lowest value. The fluorine content in bone was higher in diet DC10, while the diets DC120, PRC10 and MDCP60 obtained the lower values. The area of Haversian canals and the relation Havers/Osteon area were higher in the diet DC30 and the lowest value was encountered in DC10. The mottled teeth were more intensely observed in the treatments DC10 and PRC10. It was concluded that high fluorine content in the diet increases the deposition of fluorine in bones, which negatively affects in the histological parameters of teeth and bones of beef cattle.</p>

The objective was to evaluate intake and digestibility of nutrients, as well as milk production and composition of the milk from F1 Holstein × Gyr cows kept on pasture, supplemented with sugarcane and concentrate (28% CP). Five cows with 150±14 lactation days and average milk production of 7.1±2.1 kg/day were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments were: soybean meal-based concentrate; soy bean-based concentrate; ground soybean-based concentrate; roasted soybean-based concentrate; and ground, roasted soybean-based concentrate. Dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients intakes were not affected by the diet, but ether extract intake was higher for the animals fed soy bean-based diets than those fed soybean meal. The digestibility of DM, NDF and CP did not differ. The corrected milk yield differed between treatments; animals on the treatment with soy bean-based concentrate had the lowest production in relation to the others, which did not differ from each other. There was no difference between treatments for milk composition. Thus, soybean meal can be replaced by ground soy beans or roasted soy beans (ground or whole) in diets for low-yield cows reared on Brachiaria decumbens pastures with no harm to milkproduction or composition. Therefore, the use of these alternative raw materials is recommended whenever their inclusion represents lower feeding costs.

The present study evaluates the efficiency of different sulfur sources for ruminant nutrition. The fiber digestibility and the amino acid profile were analyzed in the duodenal digesta of crossbred steers fed Brachiaria dictyoneurahay. The sources utilized were elemental sulfur (ES70S), elemental sulfur (ES98S); calcium sulfate in hydrated (HCS), CaSO4.2H2O, and anhydrous (ACS), CaSO4, forms; and ammonium sulfate (AS), (NH4)2SO4, keeping a nitrogen:sulfur ratio of 11:1. The iso-protein supplements had 50% of protein in the total dry matter (DM). Five Holstein × Zebu steers, which were fistulated in the rumen and abomasum, were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square. The different sulfur sources in the supplement did not affect any of the evaluated nutritional factors, such as intake of hay dry matter and protein supplement, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap), organic matter (OM), non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC), ether extract (EE), total digestible nutrients (TDN), NDFap and CP digestibility coefficients, ruminal pH, and ruminal ammonia concentration. The concentrations of amino acids available in the abomasal digesta did not differ significantly in the tested diets. The sulfur sources evaluated in the present study are suitable as supplement for cattle, and their employment may be important to avoid environmental contaminations.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the parameters related to the digestion of the fiber from silages of four corn hybrids (BX1280, SHS4070, 2B433, and DKB390) developed for silage production. Four rumen-cannulated castrated Holstein × Zebu crossbred cattle with approximate initial weight of 400 kg were distributed in a Latin square design. To determine the fiber passage rate and degradability, the techniques of chromium-mordant and in situ incubation of the neutral detergent fiber of the silages in nylon bags were used. The profiles of concentration of the marker in the feces were described by the generalized two-compartment model. Corn hybrid DKB390 is the most indicated for production of better-quality silages, because its fiber is more degradable in the rumen as compared with the other hybrids tested.

The objective of this study was to present some factors affecting feed efficiency in dairy goats. To develop our work, individual and average data from performance experiments with lactating goats were used. The following variables were evaluated: gross feed efficiency, adjusted feed efficiency, dry matter intake, milk-yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield, dry matter digestibility, dietary neutral detergent fiber content, different roughage-to-concentrate ratios and body weight. The statistical analyses involved the application of descriptive and dispersion measures besides Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. The analyzed variables were highly correlated with feed efficiency. The feed efficiency of lactating goats was affected by the milk fat correction, dry matter digestibility, dietary fiber content, proportion of roughage in the diet and body weight. Among these factors, standardization of the milk fat appeared to be the most efficient in correcting the feed efficiency in lactating goats. Correction of some of these factors implies greater precision in the measurement of feed efficiency.