Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the sensory quality (flavour, odour, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability) and physicochemical characteristics of meat from Santa Inês lambs fed with diets containing guava agroindustrial by-product (GAB). Was used samples of the longissimus lumborum of 40 entire males with an average slaughter weight of 32.0 kg, after approximately 105 days in a feedlot. Animals were randomly placed into four treatments (10 replicates per treatment) and fed with different levels of GAB (0, 20, 40 and 60%). Among the attributes examined, only odour was not influenced by the GAB. Inclusion of 40% GAB in diets (in place of corn) produced meat which satisfied consumer demands in terms of fresh colour, although with less intense flavour and tenderness. Although the factors juiciness and overall acceptability did not differ among the highest levels of GAB, we recommend to use GAB addition of up to 40% to avoid compromising on animal performance and consumer sensory characteristics.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to use biometric measurements to predict carcass characteristics of lambs of the Morada Nova breed. We used 48 lambs with mean initial body weight (BW) of 15.0±0.04 kg and slaughter body weight (SBW) of 26.37±2.43 kg. The animals were weighed weekly and underwent a period of adaptation of 15 days before slaughter. The biometric measurements were obtained the day before slaughter, comprising body length, withers height, rump height, thigh length, breast width, rump width, thigh perimeter, rump perimeter, thorax perimeter, leg length, and body condition score. Additional measurements included slaughter BW and empty BW (EBW). The data recorded at slaughter comprised the weights of the viscera, carcass, and internal fat and offal. The in vivo measurements of body length were present in most of the equations for predicting the SBW, EBW, hot carcass weight (HCW), and cold carcass weight (CCW). The SBW and EBW presented a variation of approximately 9%. The variables that evaluated the carcass, HCW, and CCW demonstrated less data variation than SBW and EBW, which was probably because these measurements were obtained following evisceration and skinning, thus removing factors of more significant variation in vivo . The prediction models found in the present study varied with an R² of 0.49-0.93, indicating high levels of variation. In sum, biometric measurements can be used to predict the carcass characteristics of Morada Nova lambs with different body conditions.

Resumo As melíponas, além de excelentes produtoras de mel, prestam um grande serviço à humanidade através da sua capacidade de polinizar plantas e sua consequente preservação de ecossistemas. Nessa relação interespecífica harmônica, as abelhas são beneficiadas pelas espécies vegetais pelo provimento do alimento (néctar e pólen), além de utilizarem seus galhos e troncos para se alojarem. Porém, a ação antrópica predatória tem colocado em risco a sobrevivência das melíponas, causando danos ambientais irreversíveis e comprometendo a preservação dos recursos naturais. Este trabalho objetivou identificar os hábitos de nidificação das abelhas nativas em condições naturais. Por meio de trilhas aleatórias na microrregião do Curimataú paraibano foi possível identificar os pontos de nidificação das espécies de meliponíneos em seu habitat natural. Foram identificados 60 ninhos de melíponas nidificando em 12 espécies vegetais diferentes, sendo a Commiphora leptophloeos a hospedeira de maior preferência (46,66%), com 55% dos orifícios de entrada apontados para orientações magnéticas entre o Nordeste e Noroeste; com maior escolha por hospedeiras (árvores) [85%]; apresentando preferência por nidificação em vegetais hospedeiros com circunferência de 0,98 m de diâmetro, orifício de entrada dos ninhos com 7,77 mm de diâmetro e uma altura do solo de 1,52 m; Os dados obtidos revelam pouca variedade de espécies melíponas na região Curimataú paraibano, com destaque para Melipona subnitida. As espécies Melipona asilvae, Melipona scutellaris, Partomona seridoenses e Plebeia sp. devem ter uma atenção especial para não entrarem em extinção nessa região.

Abstract Native bees, besides excellent producers of honey, lend a great legacy to humanity through their ability to pollinate plants and the consequent preservation of ecosystems. In this interspecific relation, bees are benefited by plant species by the provision of food (nectar and pollen), besides using their branches and trunks for lodging. However, the anthropogenic action has jeopardized the survival of stingless bees, causing irreversible environmental damage in the preservation of natural resources. This study aimed to identify the nesting habits of native bees under natural conditions. Random trails in the Curimataú micro-region of Paraíba allowed identifying nesting sites of indigenous species in their natural habitat. Sixty honeycomb nests were identified in 12 different plant species, being Commiphora leptophloeos the most preferred host (46.66%), with 55% of the entrance holes pointed to magnetic orientations between the Northeast and Northwest; a greater choice by host trees (85%); preference for nesting in host plants with a circumference of 0.98 m in diameter, entrance hole of nests of 7.77 mm in diameter, and height from the ground of 1.52 m. The obtained data showed little variety of stingless bee species in the Curimataú region of Paraíba, especially Melipona subnitida. The species Melipona asilvae, Melipona scutellaris, Partamona seridoenses, and Plebeia sp. should receive special attention not to become extinct in this region.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of replacing ground corn with dehydrated guava (Psidium guajava L.) byproduct, at concentrations of 0.0, 8.2, 16.4, and 24.6% on the intake and digestibility of nutrients as well as on productive and economic performance of lambs. The study included 40 uncastrated feedlot Santa Inês sheep with an average age of 120 days and an average initial weight of 17.4±1.27 kg, distributed in individual stalls in a completely randomized design with four treatments and 10 replicates. Santa Inês sheep fed diets containing higher levels (16.4%) of guava byproduct showed lower weight gain and feed conversion and reached slaughter weight later. Replacing corn with guava byproduct at higher levels increased acid detergent fiber and reduced non-fiber carbohydrate intake and nutrient digestibility. The inclusion of up to 16.4% of guava byproduct in the diet of feedlot sheep is appropriate for maintaining good performance and economic viability of the system.

RESUMO. A Pornunça é uma espécie do gênero Manihot que está sendo cultivada como opção para alimentação animal no semiárido do Brasil. A área foliar (AF) é importante para determinar o crescimento de planta forrageira, e a avaliação tem que reunir as seguintes características: praticidade, precisão e baixo custo. O estudo objetivou estabelecer um modelo para determinar a área foliar da Pornunça (Manihot sp.) a partir de medidas morfométricas da folha. O delineamento experimental foi realizado em blocos ao acaso, com três tratamentos (métodos de determinação de área foliar) e três blocos, com o total de 144 repetições (folhas). Para determinação da AF, utilizou-se o método direto (AFReal), medidor de área foliar tipo esteira (Li-Cor 3100©) por meio das dimensões lineares. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de regressão. Houve uma relação entre a área foliar real (AFReal) para folhas pequenas, médias, grandes e total, e a área foliar determinada pelo medidor de área foliar tipo esteira (AFLi-Cor©) apresentou coeficiente de determinação elevado para o ajuste linear. A área foliar da Pornunça obtida pelo medidor Li-Cor3100© é de aproximadamente 10%, inferior, em comparação ao método AFReal. O modelo que melhor se ajustou para a estimativa da área foliar da Pornunça foi o potencial.

ABSTRACT. Pornunça is a species of the genus Manihot that has been cultivated as an option for animal feeding in the Brazilian semi-arid. Leaf area (LA) is important to determine forage plant growth, whose evaluation model has to meet the following characteristics: practicality, precision and low cost. The objective of this study was to set a model to determine the leaf area in Pornunça (Manihot sp.) from morphometric measurements of the leaf. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three methods for determination of leaf area, and three blocks, with 144 replicates (leaves). For the determination of LA, the direct method (FAReal), treadmill leaf area meter (Li-Color 3100©) and linear dimensions were used. Data were subjected to regression analysis. There was a relationship between the actual leaf area (FAReal) for small, medium, large and total leaves, and the leaf area determined by the treadmill leaf area meter (FALi-Cor©) with a high coefficient of determination for linear fit. The Pornunça leaf area obtained by the Li-Cor3100© meter is approximately 10% lower compared to the FAReal method. The model that best fit the Ponunça leaf area estimation was the potential.

RESUMO O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar a biometria, morfometria e os órgãos não-componentes da carcaça de ovinos Santa Inês, em confinamento, alimentadas com níveis crescentes (0; 20; 40 e 60% na matéria seca) de subproduto agroindustrial da goiaba como um substituto para o milho. Quarenta ovinos Santa Inês, machos (não castrados), com média de 17,41 ± 1,27kg de peso corporal (PC) e 120 dias de idade no início do estudo, foram utilizados neste experimento. Os animais foram abatidos aos 32kg ou 105 dias de confinamento. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com dez repetições por tratamento. Os animais submetidos a dietas com 60% de substituição apresentaram menor comprimento corporal (63,20cm), menor altura de cernelha (67,30cm) e de garupa (69,50 cm), baixo escore de condição corporal (2,40 pts), carcaças de conformação inferior (2,25 pts), menor perímetro do tórax (65,10cm) e baixos rendimentos de órgãos como coração (0,52%), baço (0,15%), rins (0,25%) e pulmão (0,89%). O milho pode ser substituído pelo subproduto da goiaba em níveis de até 40%, sendo relevante a obtenção de animais com características corporais desejáveis para produção de carne e com rendimento de órgãos não constituintes da carcaça satisfatórios ao mercado.

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to evaluate the biometrics, morphometry and the organs do non-constituents of the carcass of feedlot Santa Inês sheep fed with increasing levels (0; 20; 40 and 60% dry matter basis) of guava agroindustrial by-products as a replacement for corn. Forty male (noncastrated) Santa Inês sheep, averaging 17.41 ± 1.27 kg body weight (BW) and 120 days of age at the beginning of the study, were used in this trial. The animals were slaughtered at 32 kg or 105 days of confinement. A completely randomized design with ten replicates per treatment was used. The animals submitted to diets with 60% substitution showed lower body length (63.20cm), lower withers height (67.30cm) and hip (69.50cm), low body condition score (2.40 pts), lower carcass of conformation (2.25 pts), lower chest perimeter (65.10cm) and low yields of organs such as heart (0.52%), spleen (0.15%), kidneys (0, 25%) and lung (0.89%). Corn can be replaced by guava agroindustrial by-product at levels up to 40%, being relevant to obtain animals with body characteristics desirable for meat production and yield of organs non-constituents of carcass satisfactory to the market.

The effect of the substitution of Tifton hay (0, 33, 66, 100 g/100 g) for pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) stubble hay was evaluated in the characteristics of the carcasses of goats of an unknown breed (UB) in feedlot. Thirty-two bucks with an average initial live weight of 17.5±1.3 kg, at approximately 150 days of age, were housed in individual stalls provided with feeding and drinking troughs. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and eight replications. There was a quadratic effect on the weights of hot carcass and cold carcass, empty body, and loin eye area. A linear increase was observed for losses by carcass cooling. The weights of commercial cuts and the weights of total muscle, total bone, intramuscular fat, and total fat decreased linearly. All morphometric measurements were influenced by the inclusion of pineapple stubble hay in the .diets. Substitution of Tifton hay for pineapple stubble hay at the level of 33 g/100 g improves the carcasses of UB goats qualitatively and quantitatively

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior and performance of Santa Ines sheep subjected to different levels of substitution of corn by cactus pear in the diet. Forty-fivenon-castrated male Santa Inês sheep with initial live weight of 27.50±0.48 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0, 70, 140, 210 and 280 g/kg DM) and nine replicates. Dry matter and neutral detergent fiberintakes showed quadratic behavior. Times spent eating, ruminating and total ruminating chews showed increasing linear behavior, while the idle time decreased with increasing amounts of dietary cactus. The feeding efficiency (gDM/h) increased linearly, while differences in rumination efficiency of the DM (g DM/h); NDF intake efficiency (gNDF/h) and NDF rumination efficiency (gNDF/h) were not significant. There was no significant effect for the number of ruminated boli and number of ruminating chews per bolus. The number of chews per day increased linearly. These results indicate that cactus pear in substitution of corn had no influence on the feeding behavior of feedlot sheep.

The objective of this study was to evaluate intake, apparent digestibility, ingestive behavior and blood parameters of milking goats fed cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica) and increasing urea levels in substitution to soybean meal. Ten multiparous Alpine goats with average weight of 31±6.0 kg were used and distributed into (5 × 5) Latin squares and assessed during five 17-day periods, receiving five treatments with the following substitution levels: 0; 5; 10; 15 and 20 g/kg of urea. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non-fiber carbohydrates, ether extract, organic matter and water intake values showed differences, whith average values ranging from 1.03 to 1.13; 0.12 to 0.14; 1.76 to 2.10 kg/day and 0.77 to 1.48 kg/day, respectively. The NDF and crude protein apparent digestibility values were significantly affected by urea levels. In relation to the ingestive behavior, the urea levels did not influence the feeding, idleness or rumination parameters. Difference was observed for the following physiological variables: feces frequency (11.5 to 15.9 times per day), urine frequency (10.8 to 14.2 times per day) and frequency of search for water (0.8 to 2.1 times per day). The urea levels influenced the blood parameters, whose average levels ranged from 29.83 to 40.76 mg/dL. Pear cactus and increasing urea levels in substitution to soybean meal do not alter the dry matter intake or ingestive behavior. The use of urea associated with forage cactus reduces water intake and increases the blood urea concentration of milking goats.

The objective of this study was to assess the tissue component yields and the physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of meat from Santa Inês sheep fed diets in which cactus pear partially or completely replaced corn. The study used 45 Santa Inês rams with initial live weight of 25±2.5 kg and final weight of 35±1.5 kg in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and nine replicates per treatment. The leg of the animal was used to analyze the tissue component yields, and the longissimus dorsi muscle was used for assessment of the sensory characteristics and the physical and chemical compositions. The inclusion of cactus pear in the diet increased the adipose tissue percentage quadratically, up to 50%, reducing the muscle/fat ratio. The lipid content of the meat decreased with the inclusion of cactus pear in the diet. The results indicate that cactus pear can replace 100% of the corn in the diets of Santa Inês sheep kept in confinement, resulting in a decreased lipid percentage and without compromising the physical and sensory characteristics of the meat.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar as medidas biométricas e morfométricas, a composição regional, as características de carcaça e os componentes não constituintes da carcaça de cordeiros Santa Inês, submetidos a níveis de substituição do milho por palma forrageira na dieta. Foram utilizados 45 cordeiros não-castrados da raça Santa Inês com peso vivo inicial de 25,0 ± 0,48 kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com cinco tratamentos (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100%) e nove repetições. Houve efeito da dieta sobre o peso ao abate, peso do corpo vazio, peso de carcaça quente e fria, peso da paleta e peso do lombo. A palma forrageira pode substituir até 75% do milho em dietas para cordeiros da raça santa Inês em confinamento, sem comprometer a produção, as características da carcaça e a produção de componentes não constituintes da carcaça.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biometric and morphometric measures, regional composition, carcass characteristics and non-carcass components of Santa Inês lambs submitted to levels of corn replaced by cactus pear in the diet. It was used 45 Santa Ines non-castrated male lambs, with average initial live weight of 25.50 ± 0.48 kg as a completely randomized block design with five treatments (0; 25; 50; 70 and 100%) and nine replicates. There was an effect of the diet on slaughter weight, empty body weight, hot and cold carcass, cold carcass weight, shoulder weight and loin weight. Cactus pear can replace up to 75% of corn in diets for feedlot Santa Inês lambs, without compromising production, carcass characteristics and production of non-carcass components.

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência do uso de feno de flor-de-seda em substituição ao milho e ao farelo de soja nas características físico-químicas e sensoriais da carne de cordeiros. Utilizaram-se 32 cordeiros Morada Nova, machos não-castrados (12,7 ± 2 kg de peso vivo inicial), em confinamento, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com quatro níveis (0, 15, 30 e 45% com base na MS). A utilização de feno de flor-de-seda na dieta influenciou a qualidade da carcaça e da carne, o peso da perna, a composição tecidual, a umidade, a suculência e o sabor. A substituição do milho (26,67%) e da soja (3,33%) pelo feno de flor-de-seda não altera composição tecidual, relação e índice de muscularidade da perna e os parâmetros físico-químicos do músculo semimembranosus de cordeiros Morada Nova.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of using silk flower hay replacing corn and soybean meal on physical-chemical and sensorial traits of lamb meat. It was used 32 intact Morada Nova male lambs (12.7 ± 2 kg initial body weigth) on feedlot system, distributed in a completely randomized design with four levels (0, 15, 30 and 45% on dry matter basis). The use of silk flower hay in the diet influenced quality of meat and carcass, leg weight, tissue composition, moisture, juiciness and flavor. Replacing corn (26.67%) and soybean (3.33%) with silk flower hay does not affect the tissue composition, ratios and muscularity index of leg and physical-chemical parameters of semimembranosus muscle of Morada Nova lambs.

O trabalho foi conduzido para avaliar a substituição do leite de cabra por soro de queijo bovino no aleitamento de cabritos alpinos. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 4 × 2, composto de quatro níveis de substituição do leite de cabra por soro de queijo (0, 15, 30 e 45%) e dois sexos (três machos e quatro fêmeas por tratamento). A inclusão do soro de queijo na dieta não afetou o desenvolvimento ponderal dos cabritos dos 7 aos 42 dias de idade. Os cabritos alimentados com leite de cabra apresentaram maiores pesos finais, em torno de 13,0 kg; consumiram 70,0 litros/animal de leite de cabra, 172,0 g MS/animal/dia de concentrado e tiveram ganho médio de 137,5 g/dia. Nos cabritos alimentados com a dieta com 15, 30 e 45% de soro de queijo, os pesos finais foram de 11,1; 9,88 e 10,27 kg; o consumo de leite foi de 59,5; 49,0 e 38,4 litros/animal; e o de concentrado, 148,0; 117,0 e 135 g MS/animal/dia, com ganhos de 122,2; 99,5 e 100,8 g/dia, respectivamente. A conversão alimentar não diferiu entre as dietas. O efeito do sexo evidenciou-se a partir dos 21 dias de idade, mas não houve interação dieta × sexo. Ao final do estudo, aos 70 dias de idade, o peso dos machos (12,4 kg) foi maior que o das fêmeas (10,6 kg). A maior rentabilidade média (168,15%) foi obtida com o fornecimento dos níveis mais altos de soro de leite. O aleitamento de cabritos com até 45% de soro de queijo é tecnicamente viável e proporciona melhor retorno econômico. O uso de leite integral de cabra para criação de cabritos em rebanhos leiteiros é economicamente inviável.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the replacement of whole goat milk for cattle cheese whey in the artificial nursing of alpine kids. The animals were distributed in a complete randomized design in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement made up with four levels of goat milk replacing for cheese whey (0, 15, 30 and 45%) and two sexes (three males and four females per treatment). The inclusion of cheese whey in the diet did not affect the growth of the kids from 7 to 42 days of age. Kids fed whole goat milk showed higher final weights, around 13.0 kg. They intaked 70.0 L/animal of whole goat milk, 172.0 g DM/animal/day of concentrate and they had an average gain of 137.5 g/day. For the kids fed with 15, 30, 45% cheese whey diet, the final weights were 11.1; 9.88 and 10.27 kg; the whole goat milk consumption was 59.5, 49.0 and 38.4 L/animal, the concentrate consumption was 148.0; 117.0 and 135 g DM/animal/day with gains of 122.2; 99.5 and 100.8 g/day, respectively. Food conversion did not differ among diets. The sex effect was evident from the age of 21 days but there was not a treatment × sex interaction. At the end of the work, at 70 days of age, the weight of the males (12.4 kg) was higher than the female weights (10.6 kg). The highest average yield (168.15%) was obtained when the kids received maximum level of whey. Nursing kids with up to 45% of cattle cheese whey is technically viable and increases economic return. However, using whole milk goat for nursing kids in milk cattle is economically unviable.

Avaliaram-se as correlações entre a pluviometria e as características produtivas em caprinos Pardo-Alpina X Gurgueia criados em regime semi-intensivo no Cariri Ocidental, microrregião semiárida do estado da Paraíba. Utilizaram-se informações de peso ao nascer, produção de leite, mortalidade dos cabritos até os 90 dias de idade e pluviosidade registrada na Fazenda Carnaúba. Os dados pluviométricos foram transformados para LogX. Houve baixa correlação entre o peso ao nascer, a produção de leite e mortalidade com as variáveis pluviométricas.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlations between rainfall data and goat productive traits in Alpine X Gurgueia breeds goats, raised in a intensive regime in the Ocidental Cariri, a semi-arid microclime of Paraíba State, Brazil. Birth weight, milk production and mortality of kids to 90 days of age and rainfall data from the Carnauba Farm were used. The rainfall data were transformed in Log x. The birth weight, milk production and mortality correlated reasonably correlated with the rainfall variables. There was lower correlation among birth weight, milk production and mortality and the rainfall data.

Avaliaram-se as características de carcaça e os rendimentos dos cortes medidos in vivo e na carcaça de ovinos Morada Nova terminados em confinamento com dietas contendo diversos níveis de concentrado. Utilizaram-se 32 cordeiros castrados, Morada Nova, com 8,11 ± 1,15 meses de idade e peso inicial de 19,67 ± 2,97 kg, em delineamento de blocos casualizados, cada um com oito repetições. Os animais foram abatidos com 30,0 kg e alimentados com quatro níveis de concentrado (20, 40, 60 ou 80%). Houve efeito linear crescente do nível de concentrado da dieta sobre o peso do corpo vazio e peso e o rendimento da carcaça fria e efeito linear decrescente sobre o conteúdo do trato digestório e o número de dias em confinamento. Os níveis de concentrado tiveram efeito linear crescente sobre o peso e rendimento de pescoço e efeito linear decrescente sobre os rendimentos da paleta e perna, ao passo que o peso do costilhar foi influenciado de forma quadrática pelos tratamentos. Nas medidas in vivo, apenas o perímetro da perna sofreu efeito decrescente. Nas medidas na carcaça, houve efeito linear crescente sobre a largura do tórax e a compacidade, que aumentaram com o nível de concentrado na dieta, enquanto a largura da garupa teve efeito quadrático. O uso de concentrado na dieta eleva os pesos e os rendimentos de carcaça fria, mas não aumenta os pesos e rendimentos dos cortes da carcaça de cordeiros Morada Nova.

The in vivo carcass characteristics and the cut yields measured in the carcass of Morada Nova sheep finished in feedlot system fed increasing levels of dietary concentrate were evaluated. Thirty-two castrated Morada Nova lambs with 8.11 ± 1.15 months of age and 19.67 ± 2.97 kg of initial body weight were used in this trial. The experimet was analyzed as a completely randomized block design with eight replicates per treatment. Animals were slaughtered at 30.0 kg BW and fed diets with four concentrate levels: 20, 40, 60 or 80%. Linear increasing effect of dietary concentrate on empty body weight and cold carcass weight and yield and linear decreasing effect on digestive tract content and feedlot period were observed. The neck weight and yield linearly increased and the percentage of shoulder and leg linearly decreased with the concentrate levels, while the rib weight showed quadratic effect. In the in vivo measurements, only leg perimeter presented significant effect. There was a linear increasing effect for thoracic width and carcass compactness, while the hind width showed quadratic effect. The use of concentrate in the diet increased the weight and yields of cold carcass; however this maximization did not increase the weights and yields of commercial cuts from Morada Nova lambs.