ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of either a limited forage intake or concentrate supplementation prior to the adaptation to high-concentrate diets on dry matter intake, ruminal pH, bacteria, and protozoa of Nellore cattle. The experiment was designed as a two 3×3 Latin square, and six cannulated Nellore steers were used. Each experimental period was composed by three feeding phases: pre-adaptation (14 days), adaptation (12 days), and finishing (seven days) diet, in a total of 33 days per period. The steers were assigned to one of three pre-adaptation dietary treatments: control (Tifton hay fed ad libitum + mineral supplement), restriction (Tifton hay fed at 1.4% of BW + mineral supplement), and concentrate (Tifton hay fed ad libitum + 0.5% of BW of a mix of concentrate feedstuffs and mineral supplement). The adaptation period consisted of two adaptation diets, which contained 72 and 79% concentrate for six days each. The finishing diet contained 86% concentrate. During the pre-adaptation phase, restricted cattle had higher pH than concentrate-fed cattle. There was a reduction in M. elsdenii relative population in cattle from either restriction or concentrate groups. During adaptation and finishing phases, cattle from concentrate group had smaller F. succinogenes populations compared with the control group. The previous nutritional backgrounds impact ruminal microbiota during adaptation and finishing phases without causing any negative effect on ruminal pH. Feeding concentrate prior to the adaptation positively impacted the transition to high-concentrate diets and promoted increased dry matter intake.

ABSTRACT This survey aimed to provide a current outlook of nutritional recommendations and management practices adopted by feedlot nutritionists in Brazil. The survey questionnaire consisted of 96 questions that included general information on nutritionists, animals, ingredients utilized in finishing diets, management and formulation practices, feeding management, and challenges associated with applying nutritional recommendations in practice. Thirty-six nutritionists, responsible for 4,671,062 animals in Brazil, responded our questionnaire. An increase in the percentage of nutritionists (38.9%) recommending 66% or more grain inclusion in the diets was observed. Fine grinding remained the preferred grain processing method by nutritionists (44.4%); however, more than 50% of nutritionists recommended high-moisture harvest and storage as the secondary grain processing method of choice. The average level of concentrate in the diets was 83.3%, which is higher compared with past surveys. The preferred fiber analysis method by 80.6% respondents was physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF), and corn silage remained the main roughage source in finishing diets (69.4%). Improvements in diet mixing and distribution were also noted. While 79.0% of nutritionists’ clients use a truck-mounted mixer and 69.5% of them also use programmed delivery per pen, 44.4% of the nutritionists reported that their clients use clean-bunk management. Respiratory diseases and acidosis (reported by 71.4 and 27.6% of the respondents, respectively) are among the main health problems. The present survey provides an overview of nutritional practices currently adopted by feedlot nutritionists, who played an important role on the improvement of feeding management in Brazil over the last 10 years.

ABSTRACT: Interest in improving feed efficiency of cattle has been increasing. The residual feed intake (RFI), the most commonly used measurement of feed efficiency, is expensive and can only be used in a small number of animals. The Kleiber Index has also been proposed to measure RFI. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for the Kleiber Index average daily weight gain and adjusted weights to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of potential responses to selection and support the development of breeding strategies. Genetic analyses were conducted on animal records from a data file with 36,505 animals recorded by ABCZ (Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders). Restricted maximum likelihood estimates of genetic parameters were computed with Wombat software. Heritabilities ranged from 0.24 to 0.22 for adjusted weights, from 0.12 to 0.26 for Kleiber Indexes and from 0.15 to 0.22 for average daily gains. Correlations between traits ranged from -0.06 to 0.99. Results indicated that Kleiber Indexes at different ages do not constitute a viable solution for the selection of bulls and cows for Brazilian Brahman populations in terms of feeding efficiency.

ABSTRACT: Owing to the lack of information in the literature about the ideal feeding frequency adopted by feedlot systems, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of different feeding frequencies on performance, carcass traits, feeding behavior and rumen morphometrics of Nellore cattle. Forty-eight yearling bulls were housed in individual pens with an average initial body weight of 358.2 kg. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block and the treatments were the feeding of cattle one, two, three, or four times daily (n = 12 per treatment). Orthogonal contrasts were used to assess linear, quadratic and cubic relationship between feeding frequency and the dependent variable. As feeding frequency increased, final body weight (p = 0.03) and average daily gain (p = 0.01; one: 0.98 kg d–1; two: 0.96 kg d–1; three: 1.18 kg d–1; four: 1.14 kg d–1) increased linearly and the feed:gain ratio decreased (p = 0.02). Also, as feeding frequency increased, hot carcass weight was affected cubically (p = 0.01; one: 246.9 kg; two: 243.0 kg; three: 263.1 kg; four: 258.1 kg). During the adaptation period dry matter intake variation was affected cubically (p ≤ 0.05; one: 16 %; two: 23 %; three: 14 %; four: 16 %). Increases in feeding frequency affected papillae height (p < 0.01) and papillae surface area (p < 0.01) cubically, as well as producing increases in the mitotic index (p = 0.05; one: 9 %; two: 11 %; three: 13 %; four: 13 %) and cells in proliferation (p = 0.05) linearly. Thus, Nellore yearling bulls should be fed three times daily in feedlot operations.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a diversidade genética de bovinos da raça Brahman no Brasil com análise de pedigree. Registros genealógicos de uma subpopulação foram usados, tendo-se considerado toda a informação de pedigree (Pt) e a informação de pedigree dividida em dois períodos (P1, de 1994 a 2004; e P2, de 2005 a 2012) ou de acordo com sistema de criação (Ppt, animais a pasto; ou Pst, estabulados). Foram obtidas as estimativas de coeficientes médios de endogamia, intervalos de geração (IG), número equivalente de gerações conhecidas (EGC), número de fundadores (Nf), número efetivo de fundadores (fe), número efetivo de ancestrais (fa) e número efetivo de genomas remanescentes (fg). Os coeficientes médios de endogamia foram de 11,97, 7,79, 11,95, 11,74 e 11,31% para Pt, P1, P2, Ppt e Pst, respectivamente. O IG médio foi de 4,4 anos, enquanto o EGC médio foi de 3,18. O fe foi próximo de fa, cujos valores foram maiores que os de fg. As razões fe/fa e fg/fe foram próximas de 1, o que indica ausência de gargalo genético e pequenas perdas por deriva genética. A diversidade genética na raça Brahman no Brasil não está significativamente reduzida.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Brahman cattle in Brazil with pedigree analysis. Genealogical records of a subpopulation were used considering all pedigree information (Pt) and the pedigree information divided into two periods (P1, from 1994 to 2004; and P2, from 2005 to 2012) or according to the raising system (Ppt, animals on pasture; or Pst, on stable). Estimates were obtained for average inbreeding coefficients, generation intervals (GI), number of equivalent known generation (CGE), number of founders (Nf), effective number of founders (fe), effective number of ancestors (fa), and founder genome equivalents (fg). The average inbreeding coefficients were 11.97, 7.79, 11.95, 11.74, and 11.31% for Pt, P1, P2, Ppt, and Pst, respectively. Average GI was 4.4 years, whereas CGE was 3.18. The fe values were similar to those of fa, which were greater than those of fg. The fe/fa and fg/fe ratios were close to 1, which indicates no genetic bottleneck and small losses by genetic drift. The genetic diversity in the Brazilian population of Brahman breed is not significantly reduced.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de fontes de lipídeos naturais e protegidos no desempenho e nas respostas imunológicas de bovinos Nelore em confinamento. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo e três tratamentos, que foram: sem fonte adicional de lipídeo (CONTR); com fonte de lipídeo natural (torta de algodão) (GDESP); e com fonte de lipídeo protegido e rico em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (GPROT). O estudo foi dividido em duas fases: pré-condicionamento e confinamento de 120 bovinos Nelore inteiros (24 baias, 5 animais por baia e 8 repetições por tratamento). O tratamento GDESP proporcionou maior ganho de peso na fase de pré-condicionamento, e, durante o período de confinamento, não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos quanto ao desempenho, às características de carcaça e ao acometimento de enfermidades. As concentrações plasmáticas de TNFα, IL-1β, haptoglobina e ceruloplasmina foram superiores no tratamento CONTR. A adição de lipídeos à dieta, independentemente da fonte, promove melhora no desempenho e nos parâmetros imunológicos de bovinos Nelore confinados.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the addition of natural and protected lipid sources on the performance and immune responses of Nelore cattle feedlot. A completely randomized design was carried out with repeated measures in time and three treatments, which were: without additional source of lipid (CONTR); with natural lipid source (cottonseed cake) (GDESP); and with rumen protected lipid source, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (GPROT). The study was divided into two phases: preconditioning and feedlot of 120 noncastrated Nelore cattle (24 pens, 5 animals per pen, and 8 pens per treatment). The GDESP treatment provided greater weight gain in the preconditioning phase, and, during the feedlot period, there were no differences among treatments for performance, carcass traits, and disease incidence. The highest plasma concentrations of TNFα, IL-1β, haptoglobin, and ceruloplasmin occurred in the CONTR treatment. Lipid supplementation to the diet, regardless of the source, improves the performance and enhances the immunological system of confined Nellore cattle.

<p>O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da inclusão do preparado de anticorpos policlonais (PAP) e/ou de monensina sódica (MON) na morfologia das papilas ruminais, incidência de ruminites (IR) e abscessos hepáticos (AH) em bovinos jovens confinados. Foram utilizados 72 novilhos da raça Brangus, não castrados, com peso vivo inicial de 261,04 ± 34,73 kg, em 24 baias (3 animais/baia) com 6 repetições por tratamento. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2 x 2, sendo os fatores a adição ou não de MON e PAP. Após o abate foram realizadas as avaliações. No fígado tanto o percentual de AH quanto a severidade foram menores (P<0,01) nos animais que receberam PAP em relação aos que não receberam. A inclusão de MON foi apenas eficiente em reduzir (P<0,01) a severidade dos AH em relação ao tratamento sem o aditivo. Não houve efeito dos aditivos sobre o IR. O tratamento com MON resultou em maior (P=0,07) superfície de absorção/cm² de parede de rúmen e maior (P=0,10) área papilar em relação ao tratamento sem este aditivo. Número de papilas/cm² de parede e área média das papilas não apresentaram diferenças entre tratamentos. O uso de PAP foi eficiente na redução de AH bem como a severidade, porém não foi capaz de melhorar a forma e a estrutura das papilas ruminais, como o observado com o uso de MON.</p>

<p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of polyclonal antibodies preparation (PAP) and/or monensin (MON) on the morphology of the rumen papillae, incidence of ruminate (IR) and liver abscess in feedlot bullocks. Seventy-two bullocks Brangus (261.04 ± 34.73kg) were housed in 24 pens (3 bullocks/pen) with6 replications per treatment. The experimental design was completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial, the factors werethe inclusion or not of MON and PAP.After slaughter, the evaluations were performed. For the livers, both the percentage of abscesses and the severity of them were lower (<italic>P</italic>< 0.01) in animals fed diets with PAP than those fed MON. The inclusion of MON in the diet was only effective in reducing (<italic>P</italic>< 0.01) the severity of the abscesses in relation to treatment without this additive. There was no effect (<italic>P</italic>> 0.05) of additives on the IR. The treatment with MON had higher (<italic>P</italic> = 0.07) surface absorption/cm² wall of the rumen and greater (<italic>P</italic> = 0.10) papillary area compared to treatment without this additive. Number of papillae/cm² wall and average area of the papillae showed no difference among treatments. The use of PAP was effective in reducing HA as well as the severity the same, but was not able to improve the shape and structure of the ruminal papillae, as observed with the use of MON.</p>

O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar o efeito do probiótico a base de bactérias produtoras de lactato (DBR) e da monensina sódica (MON) sobre o desempenho produtivo e características de carcaça de bovinos Nelore terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizados 18 machos, não castrados, com média de idade de 18 meses e 362,0 ±30,0kg de peso vivo inicial, divididos em três tratamentos: 1) 2g de DBR; 2) 1g de DBR + 138mg de MON e; 3) 275mg de MON, caracterizando delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 6 animais por tratamento, divididos em 18 baias (1 animal/baia) em sistema de alimentação do tipo Calan Gate. O experimento teve duração de 84 dias, os animais foram pesados e submetidos a avaliações de ultrassonografia a cada 28 dias. Não houve efeito dos aditivos alimentares em relação ao peso vivo final e consumo de massa seca em percentagem do peso vivo. O ganho de peso diário foi menor nos primeiros 28 e 56 dias de estudo para animais que consumiram MON e DBR+MON, porém não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos no período total. Animais alimentados com DBR+MON apresentaram maior consumo de massa seca durante todo o estudo, porém pior conversão alimentar que aqueles alimentados com DBR ou MON. Animais alimentados com DBR+MON apresentaram menor rendimento de carcaça que aqueles suplementados com DBR apenas e animais suplementados com MON tiveram maior espessura de gordura subcutânea ao final do estudo. A suplementação com o DBR apenas, pode ser uma alternativa para substituir a monensina.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic based on lactate-producing bacteria (DBR) and sodium monensin (MON) on feedlot performance and carcass traits of feedlot Nellore cattle. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized design, replicated 6 times, in which 18 18-months-old yearling Nellore bulls (362,0 ± 30,0kg) were fed in individual pens for 84 days (1 animal/pen) in Calan gate system according to the treatments: 1) 2g of DBR; 2) 1g of DBR + 138mg of MON and; 3) 275mg of MON. The experiment lasted 84 days; the animals were both weighed and evaluated by ultrasound every 28 days. There was no effect of feed additives on final body weight and dry matter intake, expressed as percentage of body weight. The average daily gain was lower in the first 28 and 56 days of the study for animals fed MON and MON+DBR, but overall, no differences were observed between treatments were detected. Animals fed MON+DBR showed higher dry matter intake throughout the study, but lower feed conversion than those fed with DBR or MON. Animals fed MON+DBR had decreased dressing percentage than those supplemented with DBR only. In addition, animals fed only MON had thicker back fat by the end of the study. Supplementation with DBR may eventually be an alternative to replace MON.

O experimento foi conduzido no setor de confinamento da Unesp, campus de Botucatu, com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da suplementação das vitaminas D e E sobre o desempenho animal, características de carcaça e qualidade de carne de bovinos jovens confinados. Foram utilizados 36 machos inteiros, 18 Nelore (NEL) e 18 Canchim (CAC), de sete meses de idade com peso vivo inicial médio de 234,53 ± 22,15 e 248,13 ± 34,67 kg, respectivamente, os quais foram confinados por 126 dias. Nove animais NEL e nove CAC foram suplementados diariamente com 1300 UI de vitamina E e 7,5x10(6) UI de vitamina D3 durante 67 e dez dias antes do abate, respectivamente. Um dia antes do abate foram coletadas amostras de sangue para avaliação do cálcio plasmático. Na desossa, foram colhidas amostras do músculo Longissimus (LM) para análises como força de cisalhamento, índice de fragmentação miofibrilar, lipídeos totais, concentração de vitaminas D e E e tempo de prateleira. Foi observado aumento (p < 0,01) do nível de cálcio plasmático pela suplementação, o que indica atuação da vitamina D no organismo animal. No entanto, não houve efeito (p > 0,05) da suplementação de vitaminas D e E sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade da carne.

This experiment was conducted at Unesp feedlot facility, campus of Botucatu, and aimed to evaluate the supplementation of D and E vitamins on animal performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of yearling bulls finished in feedlot. Thirty-six 7-mo-old yearling bulls, 18 Nellore (NEL) and 18 Canchim (CAC), with average initial body weight of 234.53 ± 22.15 and 248.13 ± 34.67 kg, respectively, were fed for 126 days. Nine NEL and nine CAC yearling bulls were daily supplemented with 1300 IU of vitamin E and 7.5 x 10(6) IU of vitamin D3 for 67 days and 10 days before slaughter, respectively. One day before slaughter, blood samples were collected for evaluation of Ca concentration. After chilling, Longissimus muscle (LM) samples were collected for analysis of shear force, myofibrillar fragmentation index, total lipids, D and E vitamins concentrations, and meat shelf life. An increased level of plasma Ca (p < 0.01) was observed due to vitamin supplementation, showing the action of vitamin D on the animal organism. However, there was no effect (p > 0.05) of vitamins D and E on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality.

Dentre as alternativas para substituir o uso de ionóforos classificados como antibiótico por alguns comitês, a utilização de anticorpos policlonais classificados como promotores de crescimento naturais tem se mostrado alternativa interessante e economicamente eficiente. Recentes estudos demonstraram pontos positivos na utilização desse aditivo em dietas com alta inclusão de ingredientes concentrados para bovinos confinados, traduzido por melhora de desempenho e saúde ruminal, em alguns casos, semelhantes à monensina sódica. No entanto, alguns pontos dessa nova tecnologia ainda devem ser elucidados, entre eles, a possível perda de atividade da forma sólida de apresentação do preparado e a diminuição do rendimento de carcaça encontrado em alguns estudos. Contudo, a presente revisão destaca a possibilidade de substituição da monensina sódica por anticorpos policlonais sem resultar em diminuição de desempenho e de rentabilidade para a bovinocultura de corte brasileira.

Among alternatives to replace ionophores, which are classified as antibiotics by some committees, the feeding of polyclonal antibodies have shown an interesting and economically efficient alternative. Recent studies have demonstrated some advantages of adding polyclonal antibodies into high-concentrate diets for feedlot cattle, showed by increased performance and ruminal health, in some cases similar to sodium monensin. However, there are blind spots of this innovated technology that still need to be elucidated, as example, if the dry form of the preparation is inactivated and decreased carcass-dressing percentage. All in all, this review demonstrates the possibility of replacing sodium monensin by this feed additive without negatively impacting animal performance and profit of cattle feeders in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding cattle with isoprotein and isoenergetic diets, with and without the addition of polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP), yeasts (YST) or monensin sodium (MON) on performance, carcass characteristics and gain cost in feedlot. Ninety-five 20-month old bullocks (323.3±21.8 kg) were distributed in 25 pens. The completely randomized experimental design had a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement and the treatments were replicated 5 times. There was no effect of MON for DMI throughout the feedlot period; however, MON reduced the dry matter intake (DMI) in g/kg of BW in the first 28 days when compared with the other treatments. The gain cost decreased with MON addition in relation to the other treatments. Inclusion of YST decreased average daily gain (ADG), final body weight, hot carcass weight, carcass weight, gain to feed ratio and DMI in g/kg body weight, worsening feed conversion and increasing the gain cost in the feeding periods. Inclusion of PAP increased ADG and decreased the gain cost, besides improving feed conversion. For MON and PAP, a difference was found for kidney-pelvic fat and kidney-pelvic fat per 100 kg of hot carcass weight. For MON and YST, there was a difference in ADG, feed conversion, gain cost and carcass yield and kidney-pelvic fat per 100 kg of hot carcass. Treatment YST worsened performance in relation to the non-supplemented treatments. Feeding PAP to animals did not influence performance and carcass characteristics of bullocks in feedlot negatively. Thus, PAP shows potential to substitute MON in cattle feeding using isoprotein and isoenergetic diets.

Nove fêmeas bovinas canuladas no rúmen alimentadas com diferentes fontes energéticas foram utilizadas para avaliar um preparado de anticorpos policlonais aviário contra bactérias ruminais específicas e monensina na diversidade da comunidade microbiana. O design experimental foi três quadrados latinos 3 x 3 distintos pela principal fonte energética na dieta [milho seco e moído, silagem de grão úmido de milho ou polpa cítrica]. Dentro de cada quadrado latino, os animais receberam um dos aditivos alimentares [controle, monensina ou preparado de anticorpos policlonais]. Cada período teve duração de 21 dias onde 20 dias foram utilizados para adaptação aos tratamentos e o último dia para colheita das amostras. A diversidade microbiana foi avaliada pela contagem de protozoários e pela técnica da eletroforese em gel com gradiente desnaturante. Anticorpos policlonais adicionado a polpa cítrica na dieta resultou em um aumento na contagem relativa de Isotricha o que pode indicar um efeito sobre esta população de ciliado ruminal. Em linhas gerais, no presente estudo, não foi possível determinar um padrão nas estruturas de amplificação das comunidades Bacteria e Archaea do conteúdo ruminal. A imunização passiva oral é uma tecnologia que surge como alternativa eficiente para a produção de aditivos alimentares. Novas pesquisas são ainda necessárias para melhor compreender seu mecanismo de ação.

Nine ruminally cannulated cows fed different energy sources were used to evaluate an avianderived polyclonal antibody preparation against specific ruminal bacteria and monensin on microbial community diversity. The experimental design was three Latin squares 3 x 3 distinguished by the main energy source in the diet [dry-ground corn grain, high moisture corn silage or citrus pulp]. Inside each Latin square, animals received one of the feed additives per period [control, monensin or polyclonal antibody preparation]. Each period lasted 21 days where 20 were used for treatments adaptation and the last one for sampling collection. Microbial diversity was evaluated by protozoa counts and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Polyclonal antibodies plus citrus pulp (CiPu) addition in the diet resulted in an increase of relative counting of Isotricha protozoa that indicates a possible effect on this ruminal ciliate population. In general lines, in the present experiment, it was not possible to assign that there was a pattern in the structures of amplification of Bacteria and Archaea communities of the ruminal content. Oral passive immunization is a technology that arises as an effective alternative for feed additive production. Further research is still necessary to better understand its mechanisms of action.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da restrição alimentar e de dieta de suplementação com vitaminas D e E sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de novilhas Canchim. Vinte e quatro fêmeas, com peso vivo inicial médio de 251,95±18,49 kg, foram distribuídas em quatro tratamentos: alimentação em quantidade restrita e não restrita, com e sem suplementação de vitaminas D e E. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2x2, com seis repetições. Os animais com alimentação restrita receberam, por 48 dias, 70% da dieta fornecida ao grupo de alimentação não restrita. Após o período de restrição (peso médio de 300,10 kg), eles voltaram a receber ração à vontade por mais 77 dias, até atingirem peso de abate de 380 kg. As avaliações foram feitas ao final dos períodos de restrição e de realimentação. Não foi observado efeito da restrição alimentar sobre o desempenho animal. Novilhas que não receberam suplementação vitamínica apresentaram maiores índices de fragmentação miofibrilar, luminosidade e mastigabilidade, e menor força de cisalhamento. A restrição alimentar não afeta o desempenho nem as características de carcaça das novilhas Canchim, e a suplementação com vitaminas D e E não melhora a qualidade da carne.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of feed restriction and vitamin D and E supplementation on the performance and carcass traits of Canchim heifers. Twenty-four Canchim heifers with initial body weight of 251.95±18.49 kg were distributed in four treatments: restricted and unrestricted quantity of feeding, with or without vitamin D and E supplementation. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 2x2 factorial arrangement, with six replicates. Animals with restricted feeding received, for 48 days, 70% of the feed offered for the group of unrestricted feeding. After the restriction period, animals (300.10 kg mean weight) receive unrestricted feeding for more 77 days, until they reach the slaughter weight of 380 kg. The evaluations were made at the end of the periods of restriction and refeeding. No effect of feed restriction was observed on animal performance. Heifers that did not receive supplementation with vitamin D and E had greater indexes of myofibril fragmentation, luminosity, and chewing score, and lower shear force. Feed restriction does not affect the performance and carcass traits of Canchim heifers, and vitamin D and E supplementation does not improve meat quality.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as características bioquímicas da carne de bubalinos Mediterrâneo terminados em confinamento e abatidos em diferentes pesos. Foram utilizados 28 bubalinos Mediterrâneo jovens, com idade de 9 meses, e peso vivo médio inicial de 240kg. Os animais foram alimentados com ração total à vontade em regime de confinamento até atingirem pesos de abate de 450, 480, 510 e 540kg de peso vivo (tratamentos). Os valores de pH e temperatura dos músculos Longissimus dorsi e Bíceps femoris foram coletados a intervalos de duas horas durante 24 horas após o abate. Determinou-se a cor da carne pelos métodos subjetivo e objetivo. Não houve efeito de interação entre tratamento e tempo de coleta. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos em relação ao pH e à temperatura nos dois músculos estudados (Longissimus dorsi e Bíceps femoris) durante o processo de resfriamento das carcaças. Os valores médios de pH inicial e pH final dos músculos Longissimus dorsi e Bíceps femoris foram de 6,6 e 5,4; e de 6,3 e 5,5, respectivamente. Os valores médios de temperatura inicial e final dos músculos Longissimus dorsi e Bíceps femoris foram 39,7°C e 4,1°C; 40,4°C e 7,0°C, respectivamente. Quanto à cor da carne, pelo método subjetivo, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos estudados, obtendo-se a média geral de 3,41 pontos. Em relação à cor da carne pelo método objetivo, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos estudados. Os valores médios encontrados foram : L*= 35,16; a*=12,43 e b*=5,29. A carne bubalina, apesar de se apresentar mais escura que a carne bovina, não traz prejuízos quanto ao aspecto visual para o consumidor.

This work was aimed at evaluating the biochemical meat traits from Mediterranean buffaloes finished in feelot and slaughtered at different weights. Twenty eight Mediterranean young buffaloes, averaging 240kg initial live weight and nine months of age, were used. The animals were full fed with total mixed ration in feedlot until reaching slaughter weights of 450, 480, 510 and 540kg live weight (treatments). The pH values and temperature of the Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris muscles were collected at 2 hours intervals during 24 hours after the slaughter. Meat color was determined through the subjective and objective methods. No interaction effect was observed between treatment and time of ph and temperature collection. No treatment effects was observed in relation to the pH and temperature in the two studied muscles (Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris) during the cooling carcass process. The average values of initial pH and ultimatel pH of Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris muscles were 6.6 and 5.4; 6.3 and 5.5, respectively. The average values of initial and ultimate temperature of Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris muscles, were 39.7°C and 4.1°C; 40.4°C and 7.0°C, respectively. Meat color by the subjective method, did not differ among treatments studied, with general average of 3.41 points. Meat color obtained by the objective method, did not differ among the treatments studied, with average values: L * = 35.16; a*=12.43 and b*=5.29. In spite of presenting darker than bovine meat, buffalo meat doesn't bring damages as for the visual aspect for the consumer.

Neste trabalho objetivou-se estudar o desempenho e a eficiência biológica de 48 bubalinos (16 Murrah - MUR, 16 Jafarabadi - JAF e 16 Mediterrâneo - MED) com média de 18 meses de idade e de peso vivo inicial de 330 kg terminados em confinamento. Quatro animais de cada grupo genético foram designados por sorteio para o abate inicial e serviram de referência para o estudo dos pesos iniciais de corpo vazio e de carcaça. Os 12 animais restantes de cada grupo genético foram divididos aleatoriamente em três subgrupos de quatro animais e submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: Maturidade 1 (400 kg PV ao abate); Maturidade 2 (450 kg PV ao abate); Maturidade 3 (500 kg PV ao abate). Foi fornecida uma ração única, ad libitum, para todos os animais, composta por 50% de feno de coastcross na MS e 50% de concentrado à base de fubá de milho, uréia e farelo de soja, devidamente suplementado com minerais. Após os abates pré-fixados, determinou-se o peso corporal vazio (PCVZ) dos animais, por meio do somatório das partes integrantes do corpo. Os consumos médios diários de MS e MO não diferiram entre grupos genéticos, embora animais JAF tenham apresentado os maiores valores numéricos. Animais MUR, JAF e MED não diferiram quanto aos ganhos de peso corporal vazio e de carcaça. Não houve diferenças quanto à eficiência biológica (ganho de peso corporal vazio e ganho de carcaça por unidade de energia metabolizável ingerida) entre os grupos genéticos, embora animais Murrah tenham apresentado os maiores valores. Bubalinos abatidos aos 400 e 450 kg apresentaram melhor eficiência de ganho de peso corporal vazio e ganho de carcaça que os abatidos aos 500 kg.

This trial was conducted to study the production and biological efficiency of 48 buffaloes averaging 18 months of age and initial body weight of 330 kg finished in feedlot. Sixteen animals from each of the following breeds were used: Murrah (MUR), Jafarabadi (JAF), and Mediterranean (MED). Within each genetic group, four animals (references) were randomly assigned to initial slaughter in order to determine empty body weight (EBW) and initial carcass. The remaining 12 animals from each genetic group were randomly distributed to three sub-groups of four animals according to the following treatments, respectively: Maturity 1 (Slaughter Weight-1) - 400 kg BW; Maturity 2 (Slaughter Weight -2) - 450 kg BW; Maturity 3 (Slaughter Weight -3) - 500 kg BW. Animals had free access to a diet containing (DM basis): 50% of coast-cross hay and 50% of concentrate composed by ground corn, urea, soybean meal, and minerals. The EBW was obtained after each pre-determined slaughter through the sum of the total parts of the animal body. No significant differences in the daily average intake of DM and OM were observed among genetic groups. Both empty body weight gain and carcass gain also did not differ significantly comparing MUR, JAF and MED animals. Similarly, biological efficiency (empty body weight gain efficiency and carcass gain per unit of metabolizable energy) did not change across genetic groups. Buffaloes slaughtered at 400 and 450 kg BW showed higher empty body weight gain and carcass gain efficiency than those slaughtered at 500 kg BW.