Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of energy-protein supplementation in preand postpartum periods on the productive and metabolic responses of grazing beef cows on tropical pasture. A group of 48 multiparous Nellore cows, with an initial gestation period of 6.4 months, body weight (BW) of 514.9 kg, and body condition score (BCS) of 5.4, was distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. The evaluated treatments were: UNS-UNS, unsupplemented during prepartum and postpartum; UNS-SUP, unsupplemented during prepartum and supplemented during postpartum; SUP-UNS, supplemented during prepartum and unsupplemented during postpartum; and SUP-SUP, supplemented during preand postpartum. The energy-protein supplement was offered at an amount of 1.5 kg per animal per day. Prepartum supplementation increased average daily gain and BCS at calving. Prepartum supplementation reduced non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and increased serum concentrations of total proteins and globulins during postpartum. Postpartum supplementation increased the BCS of cows and BW of calves at the end of the experiment. Postpartum supplementation increased blood concentrations of progesterone, while NEFA decreased. Supplementation with 1.5 kg per day of the energy-protein supplement during the last 84 days of gestation improves productive performance and metabolic status during the preand postpartum periods of grazing cows.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação energético-proteica no pré e pós-parto sobre as respostas produtivas e metabólicas de vacas de corte, em pastagem tropical. Um grupo de 48 vacas Nelore multíparas, com tempo de gestação inicial de 6,4 meses, peso corporal (PC) de 514,9 kg e escore de condição corporal (ECC) de 5,4, foi distribuído em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2×2. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: UNS-UNS, não suplementado no pré e pós-parto; UNS-SUP, não suplementado no pré-parto e suplementado no pós-parto; SUP-UNS, suplementado no pré-parto e não suplementado no pós-parto; e SUP-SUP, suplementado durante o pré e o pós-parto. O suplemento energético-proteico foi oferecido na quantidade de 1,5 kg por animal por dia. A suplementação pré-parto aumentou o ganho médio diário e o ECC ao parto. A suplementação pré-parto reduziu os ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE) e aumentou as concentrações séricas de proteínas totais e globulinas durante o pós-parto. A suplementação pós-parto aumentou o ECC das vacas e o PC dos bezerros ao final do experimento. A suplementação pós-parto aumentou as concentrações sanguíneas de progesterona, enquanto os níveis de AGNE diminuíram. A suplementação com 1,5 kg por dia de suplemento energético-proteico durante os últimos 84 dias de gestação melhora o desempenho produtivo e o status metabólico durante os períodos pré e pós-parto de vacas em pastejo.

Foram avaliados os efeitos da suplementação com diferentes relações proteína: carboidrato sobre a composição corporal, características de carcaça e eficiência de deposição de proteína e energia em tourinhos. Utilizou-se 24 bezerros Nelore (132,5 ± 5,5 kg e 90-150 dias de idade) em pastagem por um período experimental de 430 dias. Os tratamentos foram: Controle = mistura mineral ; HPHC = suplemento com alta proteína e alto carboidrato; HPLC = suplemento com alta proteína e baixo carboidrato; LPHC = suplemento com baixa proteína e alto carboidrato; LPLC = suplemento com baixa proteína e baixo carboidrato. foram abatidos quatro animais no início do experimento e 20 animais no final do experimento para avaliar a composição da carcaça. Os tourinhos controle apresentaram o menor (p < 0,05) consumo de EM (9,8 Mcal dia-1) não havendo diferenças (p > 0,05) entre os tourinhos suplementados (13 Mcal dia-1). Embora os tourinhos não suplementados tivessem menor (p <0,05) proteína retida, energia retida (ER), ganho de peso e rendimento de carcaça que os animais suplementados, não foram observado diferenças (p > 0,05) entre os touros suplementados. Suplementos com alto carboidrato foram associados com maior (p < 0,05) ER (596,2 Mcal) do que os suplementos de baixo carboidrato (515,5 Mcal). Não houve diferenças (p > 0,05) na eficiência energética entre os grupos. Portanto, a suplementação aumenta a ingestão e retenção de proteína e energia, sem alterar a eficiência de retenção.

The effects of supplementation with different protein: carbohydrate ratios on body composition, carcass characteristics and protein and energy deposition efficiency of young were assessed. Twenty-four Nellore calves (132.5 ± 5.5 kg and 90-150 days of age) were kept on pasture for a 430 day experimental period. The treatments were: Control = mineral mixture only; HPHC = high-protein and high-carbohydrate supplement; HPLC = high-protein and low-carbohydrate supplement; LPHC = low-protein and high-carbohydrate supplement; LPLC = low-protein and low-carbohydrate supplement. Four animals at begning and 20 animal at end of experiment were slaughtered to evaluate the carcass composition. Control bulls had the lowest (p < 0.05) intake of ME (9.8 Mcal day-1) with no difference (p > 0.05) between supplemented bulls (13 Mcal day-1). Although non-supplemented bulls had less (p < 0.05) retained protein, retained energy (RE), body weight gain and dressing percentage, differences were not observed (p > 0.05) between supplemented bulls. High-carbohydrate supplements were associated with more (p < 0.05) RE (596.2 Mcal) than low-carbohydrate supplements (515.5 Mcal). Differences were not found (p > 0.05) in the energy efficiency between the groups. Therefore, supplementation increases the intake and retention of protein and energy without changing the retention efficiency.

Objetivou-se estimar as exigências de proteína e energia de bovinos de corte em pastagens tropicais dos 4 até 18 meses de idade. Foram utilizados 46 bezerros Nelore (138,3 ± 3,4 kg e 90-150 dias de idade) em pastagem, distribuídos em um grupo de mantença (alimentação restrita) ou em planos nutricionais, recebendo suplemento com diferentes quantidades de proteína e carboidrato, ou não suplementados. A exigência de energia líquida para ganho de peso (ELg) foi obtida por regressão linear do logaritmo da energia retida em função do logaritmo do ganho de peso corporal vazio. A exigência de energia líquida para mantença (ELm) foi estimada pela relação exponencial entre a produção de calor e consumo de energia metabolizável. A exigência líquida de proteína para ganho de peso (PR) foi estimada pela regressão linear múltipla da proteína retida no ganho de peso de corpo vazio (GPCVZ) e da energia retida. A eficiência de uso da energia metabolizável (EM) para mantença foi de 0,55 e para o ganho de peso foi de 0,26. A exigência de EM para mantença foi de 124 kcal PCVZ-0,75. A PR diminuiu com o aumento do peso corporal. O ELg e PR podem ser obtidos por meio das equações: ELg (Mcal kg-1) = 0,044 x PCVZ0,75 x GPCVZ1,1302, PR (g dia-1) = -31,45 + 229,69 x GPCVZ - 8,75 x ER, respectivamente.

Protein and energy requirements of beef cattle, aged between 4 and 18 months old, on tropical pastures, were estimated. Forty-six Nellore calves (138.3 ± 3.4 kg BW and 90-150 days old), kept on pasture, were distributed in a maintenance group (restricted feeding) or in nutritional plans, receiving a supplements with different amounts of protein and carbohydrate or non-supplemented. The net energy requirement for weight gain (NEg) was obtained by linear regression of logarithm of retained energy as a function of logarithm of empty body weight gain. The net energy requirement for maintenance (NEm) was estimated by the exponential relation between heat production and metabolizable energy intake. Net protein requirement for weight gain (RP) was estimated by multiple linear regression of retained protein in the weight gain of empty body (EBWG) and retained energy. The efficiency of metabolizable energy (ME) used for maintenance and for weight gain was 0.55 and 0.26, respectively. The ME requirement for maintenance was 124 kcal EBW-0.75. RP decreased in proportion to body weight increase. NEg and RP may be obtained by equations: RE (Mcal kg-1) = 0.044 x EBW0.75 x EBWG1.1302 and RP (g day-1) = -31.45 + 229.69 x EBWG - 8.75 x RE, respectively.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of protein and/or starch supplementation on the nutritional performance of cattle grazing on low-quality tropical forage. Five crossbred steers (Holstein × Gyr) with an average body weight (BW) of 397 kg that were fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulae were used. The animals were kept in individual signal-grass (Bracharia decumbens) paddocks. Five treatments were evaluated: 1 - control (without supplementation); 2 - supplementation with 1 g of crude protein (CP) per kg of BW; 3 - supplementation with 2.5 g of starch per kg of BW; 4 - supplementation with CP and starch as described for treatments 2 and 3; and 5 - supplementation as described for treatment 4 but replacing the corn starch with a mixture of corn starch and nitrogenous compounds, thereby resulting in an energy supplement of 150 g CP/kg of dry matter. The experiment was performed according to a 5 × 5 Latin square design in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement. The forage intake was not affected by any of the factors evaluated in this study. The production of microbial nitrogen in the rumen was not affected by nitrogen or starch supplementation. The apparent nitrogen balance was only increased when both starch and nitrogen were supplied. Supplementation with both starch and nitrogenous compounds for cattle grazing on low-quality tropical forage is characterized by an interactive metabolic effect that increases nitrogen accretion by the animals.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of multiple supplement supply on the nutritional characteristics and productive performance of pregnant cows grazing on Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. during the dry season. The experimental area was composed of four 3.0 ha paddocks with availability of potentially digestible dry matter of 2,582 kg/ha. Twenty-eight crossbred pregnant cows with predominance of Zebu breed at body weight of 446±12 kg were utilized in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of mineral supplement (control treatment) and supply of multiple supplement at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg/animal/day with 300 g crude protein (CP)/kg of dry matter (DM). There was quadratic effect of multiple supplementation levels on daily weight gain and a linear increase for final body condition score. The intakes of DM, organic matter (OM) and total digestible nutrients presented no effect with levels of multiple supplement. The coefficients of apparent digestibility of DM and OM had cubic effect with multiple supplementation levels. There was no effect of levels of multiple supplementation on the microbial nitrogen flow and efficiency, but the microbial nitrogen flow in relation to nitrogen intake showed decreasing linear profile. The supply of 1.0 kg of multiple supplement optimizes the performance of grazing cows during the dry season.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in situ and in vitro degradation kinetics and to predict the digestible neutral detergent fiber (dNDF) from the incubation times; in situ and in vitro degradation kinetic parameters; and equations fitted for agricultural and agro-industrial byproducts. Byproducts from pineapple, cocoa, palm kernel, corn gluten meal, common bean, sunflower, guava, cassava bark, cassava stems, cassava foliage, papaya, mango, passion fruit and turnips were evaluated. There were differences between the byproducts as for the potentially neutral detergent fiber (NDF) fraction and the in situ NDF degradation rate in the final volume of the gases generated by fibrous carbohydrates (FC), for the lag time and for the in vitro fractional degradation rate of the FC. There was equivalence between the dNDF values predicted in situ and those observed in vivo; however, there was low precision of estimates. The degradability in the in vitro incubation times of 30 and 48 hours presented equivalence with the values observed, but also did not present precision in the estimates. The equations fitted without lignin were not precise and accurate to estimate the dNDF of agricultural and agro-industrial byproducts. The equation with lignin and with the digestion rate obtained by the in vitro method presented more precise estimates. Byproducts from common bean, cassava bark and papaya presented greater NDF availability, whereas those of guava had the lowest NDF availability. The digestible NDF fraction was best predicted with the in situ incubation time of 72 hours. The equation fitted utilizing in vitro or in situ digestion rates enables the prediction of the NDF availability of agricultural and agroindustrial byproducts.

The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional requirements of energy and protein and estimate the efficiencies of metabolizable energy utilization for fat and protein deposition, as well as for maintenance (k m) and growth (k g). An experiment of comparative slaughter was carried out with thirty-seven 14-month-old (±1 month) Nellore bulls with 259±24.9 kg. Animals were divided as follows: five to reference, four to maintenance level and twenty-eight bulls feeding ad libitum. Bulls were also grouped in 4 different feedlot periods (42, 84, 126 and 168 days) for slaughter. The diet was composed of corn silage and concentrate, at a 55:45 ratio. After the slaughter, the left half carcasses were totally dissected for determination of body composition. The energy requirements for maintenance were obtained by exponentially relating the heat production and the metabolizable energy intake, while the energy requirements for gain (NEg) were obtained according to empty body weight (EBW) and EBW gain (EBG). The net protein requirements for gain (NPg) were estimated according to EBG and retained energy (RE). The net (NEm) and metabolizable (MEm) energy requirements for maintenance were 76.5 and 113.84 kcal/EBW0.75/day, respectively. The k m was 0.67. The equations for NEg and NPg were: NEg (Mcal/day) = 0.0555 × EBW0.75 × EBG1.095 and NPg (g/day) = 263.37 × EBG - 23.21 × RE. The k g was 0.33. The efficiencies to deposition of energy as protein and fat were 0.18 and 0.71, respectively. The model obtained for the percentage of retained energy as protein (%REp) was %REp = 2.4221 × (RE/EBG)-1.6472. The net and metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance of Nellore bulls were 76.5 and 113.84 kcal/EBW0.75/day. The energy and protein requirements for gain could be obtained by the respective equations: NEg (Mcal/day) = 0.0555 × EBW0.75 × EBG1.095 and NPg (g/day) = 263.37 × EBG - 23.21 × RE.

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo, a eficiência econômica e a taxa de ingestão do suplemento em novilhos mestiços em pastejo no período da seca. Foram utilizados 20 novilhos Holandês × Zebu, não-castrados, com 19 meses de idade e peso médio inicial de 315,0 kg distribuídos em quatro piquetes de Brachiaria decumbens com 3,0 ha cada. Cada animal recebeu 4,0 kg/dia de suplemento, constituído de milho moído, farelo de algodão, mistura mineral e ureia/sulfato de amônia em quatro níveis: 0; 1,2; 2,4 ou 3,6% na matéria natural. O peso final e o ganho médio diário apresentaram comportamento quadrático, com respostas máximas estimadas obtidas para os níveis de ureia de 1,67% (399,9 kg) e 1,60% (0,956 kg/dia), respectivamente. O peso de carcaça quente, o rendimento de carcaça, as proporções de tecidos muscular, adiposo, ósseo e a relação músculo:osso na carcaça não foram influenciados pelos níveis de ureia. À medida que se elevou o nível de ureia, houve maior tempo para o suplemento ser totalmente consumido. A avaliação econômica dos suplementos, de forma diferencial ao tratamento sem ureia, comprovou maior eficiência econômica no nível de 2,4% de ureia.

The objective was to evaluate productive efficiency, economic performance and supplement intake rate in crossbred steers on pasture during the dry season. Twenty 19-month-old Holstein × Zebu steers with 315±25 kg of live weight were alocated into four paddocks of Brachiaria decumbens with 3.0 ha each. Each animal received 4.0 kg/day of supplement based on ground corn grain, cottonseed meal, mineral mixture and urea/ammonium sulfate in four levels (0, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.6%) as fed basis. Final live weight and average daily gain presents quadratic behavior. Maximum responses estimated were observed at levels 1.67% (399.9 kg) and 1,60% (0.956 kg/day) urea, respectively. Hot carcass weight, carcass yield, the proportions of muscular, fat and bone tissues and the muscle:bone in the carcass ratio were not influenced by the levels of urea in the supplements. The economical evaluation of the supplements, unlike the treament without urea, showed greater economic efficiency for supplement containing 2,4% of urea. As urea levels were increased, more time was observed for total consumption of the supplements.

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and nutritional traits of beef cattle raised on pastures, castrated at different ages, with and without supplementation. Forty-four crossbred young bulls with predominance of Zebu breed at initial average age of 120±30 days were used in the experiment. Animals were distributed in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement with four ages of castration and two supplementation systems. The animals were distributed into four groups and placed on Brachiaria decumbens Stapf pastures, where they were fed concentrate supplementation or mineral salt ad libtum (control). Animals were castrated at 120, 240 and 360 days of age with average body weight of 115, 175 and 276 kg, castrated or not, in each supplementation group. Concentrate supplement composition and the amount supplied to the animals varied according to the time of the year and development phase of the animals. Trials were carried out to evaluate nutritional variables in each of the following phases: suckling, growth in the dry season and growth in the dry/rainy transition season. Concentrate supplementation improved the use of pasture, although it may have caused substitutive effect in all seasons evaluated. Castration of the animals before the dry season impaired animal development until the following dry/rainy transition season, especially when carried out during weaning. Concentrate supply may reduce some effects of this stress.

The objective of this study was to estimate requirements of energy, protein and macrominerals of young Nellore/Holstein crossbreds bulls supplemented on pastures of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. Thirty-five young bulls, at 8.53±0.18 months of age and with initial body weight of 230.6±6.1 kg were used. Ten animals were slaughtered as reference, in different weight range, and the other animals were slaughtered at the end of the experimental period. For estimate of net energy requirements for weight, a regression equation between log of retained energy (RE) and log of empty body weight gain (EBWG) was constructed. Net requirements of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K were determined by the equation Y' = a.b.Xb-1, in which a and b represent the intercept and the coefficient of equation of prediction of macrominerals in body content, respectively. Requirements of metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) were obtained from retained energy in function of metabolizable energy intake (MEI). The requirements of MEm of Nellore/Holstein crossbreds young bulls on pasture was 125 kcal/EBW0.75/day. The efficiency of ME utilization for maintenance (k) of grazing Nellore/Holstein crossbred young mbulls was 0.58 and 0.24 for gain. The total metabolizable protein requirements for an animal with 400 kg and with average daily gain of 1.0 kg, were 638.36 g/day. The dietetic requirements of Ca and P for an animal with 400 kg BW were 0.49 and 0.21% of DM, respectively. Daily metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance of grazing Nellore/Holstein crossbred young bulls was 11.6% greater than the values found for cattle in feedlot in Brazil (112 kcal/kg EBW0.75).

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation with different nitrogenous compounds on the activities of carboxymethil cellulase (CMCase) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). In the first experiment, four treatments were evaluated in vitro: cellulose, cellulose with casein, cellulose with urea, and cellulose with casamino acids. After 6, 12 and 24 hours of incubation, CMCase and GDH activity, pH, and concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (AN) and microbial protein were measured. In the three incubation periods, the concentration of AN was higher when urea was used as a supplemental source of nitrogen. The activity of CMCase was higher with the addition of urea and casamino acids when compared with the control and the casein treatment. Supplementation with casamino acids provided higher GDH activity when compared with the control at 6 hours of incubation. At 12 hours of incubation, the GHD activity was also stimulated by casein. At 24 hours, there was no difference in GHD activity among treatments. In the second experiment, three rumen-fistulated bulls were used for in situ evaluation. Animals were fed Tifton hay (Cynodon sp.) ad libitum. The treatments consisted of control (no supplementation), supplementation with non-protein nitrogenous compounds (urea and ammonium sulphate, 9:1) and supplementation with protein (albumin). In treatments with nitrogenous compound supplementation, 1 g of crude protein/kg of body weight was supplied. The experiment was conducted in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. The measurements were performed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after supplementation. No difference in GDH activity was observed among treatments. The control treatment showed higher CMCase activity when compared with the treatments containing supplemental sources of nitrogen. However, urea supplementation provided higher CMCase activity compared to albumin.

The objective of this experiment was to estimate the requirements of energy, protein and macrominerals of grazing crossbreds calves, in Brachiaria decumbens Stapf pasture, castrated at different ages, with and without supplementation. Forty-seven young calves at initial age of 120±30.1 days and 115.3±1.97 kg of live weight were used. To estimate net energy requirements for weight gain, a regression equation between energy retained in the gain and empty body weight gain and metabolic empty body weight was obtained. For estimation of net protein requirements for weight gain, a regression equation was adjusted between protein retained in gain and empty body weight gain and energy content of this gain. Net requirements of Ca, P, Mg and Na for weight gain were determined by the equation Y' = a.b. Xb-1, in which a and b represent the intercept and the coefficient of the alometric equation of macromineral body content prediction, respectively. Neither castration nor concentrate supplementation affects body weight gain net requirements, except the ones of Ca, which were higher for non-castrated animals.

O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar as condições nutricionais de tourinhos em aleitamento, a pasto, recebendo suplementação com concentrados proteicos durante a época de transição águas-seca. Foram utilizados 52 bezerros mestiços com idade média inicial de 130 dias. Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro lotes, alojados em piquetes de Brachiaria decumbens Stapf junto com suas mães, onde receberam uma das quatro estratégias de suplementação: três suplementos concentrados, ou sal mineral (controle). Os suplementos concentrados diferiram quanto ao nível de proteína. Após 45 dias, realizou-se a avaliação nutricional dos animais, que incluiu a estimação do consumo e da digestão de nutrientes e das características do metabolismo proteico. A estimação do consumo e da digestibilidade foi feita utilizando-se os indicadores: LIPE®, dióxido de titânio e fibra em detergente neutro indigestível. Realizou-se ainda coleta de amostras de urina e de sangue. O efeito de suplementação e os efeitos linear e quadrático do nível de proteína no concentrado foram avaliados pela decomposição da soma de quadrados em contrastes ortogonais, adotando-se α = 0,10. O consumo de concentrado substituiu parte do pasto ingerido pelos bezerros e aumentou a ingestão de proteína, a digestibilidade da matéria seca e matéria orgânica, o teor de nutrientes digestíveis totais e a excreção de nitrogênio na urina. O nível de proteína no suplemento tem efeito linear positivo sobre a ingestão diária de proteína, a digestibilidade de todos os nutrientes e o teor de nutrientes digestíveis totais e efeito quadrático sobre a excreção de nitrogênio na forma de ureia na urina.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of grazing nursing young bulls supplemented with concentrates with different protein levels during the rainy-dry season transition. Fifty two crossbred Nellore calves with initial mean age of 130 days were divided into four lots, housed in paddocks of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf and received one of the four different supplementation strategies: three different concentrate supplements, or mineral salt (control). The levels of protein in the concentrate supplements varied. After 45 days, the nutritional evaluation of animals, which included the prediction of intake and digestion of nutrients and characteristics of protein metabolism, was made. The prediction of intake and digestibility used the indicators LIPE®, titanium dioxide and neutral detergent fiber indigestible. Urine and blood samples were collected too. The supplementation effect, and the linear and quadratic effects of the level of protein in the concentrate were evaluated by the decomposition of the sum of squares into orthogonal contrasts, adopting α = 0.10. The concentrate intake replaced part of the pasture ingested by the calves and increased protein intake, the digestibility of dry and organic matter, the total digestible nutrients content, and the nitrogen excretion in urine. The level of protein in the supplement has a positive linear effect on the daily protein intake, the digestibility of all nutrients and the total digestible nutrients content, and quadratic effect on the excretion of nitrogen as urea in the urine.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of different mathematical models to describe growth of grazing beef cattle. Data of 20 Nellore bulls with initial weight of 129±28.1 kg and final weight of 405±62.0 kg were used. The animals were randomly divided into four plots and placed on B. decumbens Stapf pastures. Three plots received concentrate supplement with different protein profiles and the fourth plot received only mineral supplement. Animals were weighed every 28 days to design growth curve of full body weight. Five mathematical models were evaluated to describe animal growth: Multiphase, Linear, Logarithmic, Gompertz and Logistic models. Assessment of adequacy of the models was performed by using coefficient of determination, simultaneous F-test for identity of parameters, concordance correlation coefficient, root of the mean square error of prediction and partition of the mean square error of prediction. The analysis of the pairwise mean square error of prediction and the delta Akaike's information criterion were used to compare the models for accuracy and precision. Evaluation of all the tested models showed that all of them were able to predict variability among animals. However, Gompertz, Logarithmic and Logistic models created individual predictions that were not satisfactory. Models differed from each other concerning accuracy and precision; the best were in the following order: Multiphase, Linear, Gompertz, Logarithmic and Logistic. The Multiphase model was more efficient than the others for description of grazing beef cattle growth.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sugar cane ensilage with different Brix degrees, with or without the addition of 0.5% of calcium oxide (lime) on the chemical composition and fermentation losses of silages. A complete random design in a 9 × 2 factorial arrangement was used. Experimental silos were used, ensilage was done every 15 days with Brix measuring, and they were opened after 30 days of fermentation. As the Brix degree of the ensiled material increased, the contents of dry matter (DM) increased and contents of ash, crude protein (CP) and fibers (neutral and acid detergent fiber corrected for proteins - NDFap and ADFap) reduced. After fermentation, DM content of the silage presented a linear increase with the Brix degree content concentration, positively correlating with content of lime, but the contents of ash, CP, EE and NDFap were linearly reduced with the Brix increase. Content of ADFap suffered linear reduction for the treated silage whereas quadratic behavior was found in the untreated silage. Production of ethanol was presented in a quadratic manner for the silages without lime, and cubically in silages with lime, according to the Brix degree. The treated or untreated silages presented an average pH of 3.98 and 3.50, respectively. Contents of acetic acid and butyric acid were not affected by the lime content and Brix degree. Untreated silages presented reduction of contents of propionic acid as the Brix degree increased. The higher the Brix degree value, the higher the total losses of dry matter in the sugar cane silages with or without treatment. The treatment of the sugar cane with 0.5% calcium oxide on the natural matter basis is effective in reducing the undesired fermentation of the ensilage material.