ABSTRACT This study was performed to identify the ideal amount of concentrate required for a diet based on cactus cladodes, sugarcane, and urea used to feed heifers. Twenty Girolando heifers (160±8.39 kg) were randomly distributed into four experimental treatments with 0, 0.40, 0.80, or 1.20 kg day−1 of concentrate. The basal diet contained [on dry matter (DM) basis] 38.1% sugarcane, 56.5% cactus cladodes [ Opuntia stricta (Haw). Haw.], 0.5% common salt, 1.1% mineral mixture, and 3.8% urea plus ammonium sulfate. The concentrate contained [on DM basis] 87% corn meal and 13% soybean meal. The basal diet and the concentrate were formulated to provide 13% crude protein (CP). The intake of DM (4.34-4.96 kg day−1), organic matter (3.96-4.98 kg day−1), CP (0.57-0.64 kg day−1), non-fibrous carbohydrates (2.20-2.61 kg day−1), and metabolizable energy (10.3-12.4 Mcal day−1) increased linearly with concentrate amount. Final body weight (196-224 kg), total body weight gain (36.9-61.2 kg), and average daily body weight gain (0.51-0.85 kg day−1) increased linearly with concentrate amount. The nitrogen balance was positive and increased linearly (54.8-62.3 g day−1) with concentrate amount. Based on the data, we recommend supplying six-month-old Girolando heifers (160 kg body weight) 1.20 kg concentrate day−1 added to a diet based on sugarcane and cactus cladodes plus urea for better productive and economic performance.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, como volumoso exclusivo, sobre consumo e digestibilidade de nutrientes, comportamento ingestivo, síntese de proteína microbiana e desempenho leiteiro de vacas mestiças. Dez vacas da raça Girolando (600±34,3 kg de peso corporal) foram distribuídas em delineamento de quadrado latino duplo 5×5. A dieta controle, baseada em palma forrageira, bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e concentrado, foi formulada para atender a média de produção de 20 kg de leite por dia, com 3,5% de gordura. Foram avaliados os seguintes níveis de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar: 30, 38, 46 e 54% da matéria seca. O consumo e a digestibilidade de matéria seca diminuíram linearmente com os níveis de bagaço. O tempo de ruminação foi maior para vacas alimentadas com 54% de bagaço. Os níveis de inclusão não tiveram efeito sobre o conteúdo de ácidos graxos não esterificados ou sobre a síntese de proteína microbiana, mas as concentrações de β-hidroxibutirato apresentaram comportamento quadrático com os níveis de bagaço. Maiores produções de leite corrigido a 3,5% de gordura foram obtidas com vacas alimentadas com 30% de bagaço. A inclusão do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar na dieta de vacas mestiças reduz seu desempenho; contudo, o bagaço pode ser utilizado como volumoso exclusivo quando associado a 70% de concentrado.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different levels of sugarcane bagasse, as exclusive roughage, on nutrient intake and digestibility, feeding behavior, microbial protein synthesis, and dairy performance of crossbred cows. Ten lactating Girolando breed cows (600±34.3 kg body weight) were assigned to a replicated 5×5 Latin square design. The control diet, based on spineless cactus, sugarcane bagasse, and concentrate, was formulated to meet the average production of 20 kg of milk per day, with 3.5% fat. The evaluated levels of sugarcane bagasse were: 30, 38, 46, and 54% dry matter bases. The intake and digestibility of dry matter decreased linearly with sugarcane bagasse levels. Rumination time was higher in cows fed 54% sugarcane bagasse. The inclusion levels had no effect on non-esterified fatty acid contents or on the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, but beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations showed a quadratic pattern to the bagasse levels. Higher yields of 3.5% fat-corrected milk were obtained with cows fed 30% sugarcane bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse inclusion in the diet of crossbred dairy cows decreases their performance; however, the bagasse can be used as exclusive roughage when associated with 70% concentrate.

RESUMO. Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar o efeito de suplementos múltiplos contendo palma forrageira enriquecida com ureia (0, 1, 2 e 3% na matéria seca - MS) em substituição a um suplemento tradicional (controle) sobre os parâmetros ruminais e síntese de proteína microbiana em novilhos mestiços. Cinco novilhos canulados no rúmen (½ Holandês x Zebu), com peso corporal inicial de 240 ± 22,1 kg foram utilizados em um Quadrado Latino 5 × 5. Efeito quadrático foi observado para o consumo de MS e retenção de N, com valores máximos de 6,97 kg d-1e 50,9 g d-1com a inclusão de 1,8 e 2,1% de ureia, respectivamente. Concentrações máximas de 16,2; 23,2 e 24,3 mg dL-1 de N-NH3 foram registradas nos animais alimentados com palma forrageira enriquecida com 1, 2 de 3% de ureia. Houve efeito quadrático sobre o pH ruminal, com valor de 6,45 às 4,08 horas após alimentação. Síntese de proteína microbiana de 103 g de proteína bruta kg-1de nutrientes digestíveis totais foi obtida com a inclusão de 1,6% de ureia. Recomenda-se a utilização de suplementos múltiplos contendo palma forrageira enriquecida com 1,6 a 1,8% de ureia em substituição ao suplemento tradicional para bovinos.

ABSTRACT. This study was realized to evaluate the effect of the ‘multiple supplements’ containing spineless cactus enriched with urea (0, 1, 2 and 3% on dry matter basis - DM) as a replacement to a traditional supplement (control) on ruminal parameters and microbial protein synthesis in crossbred steers. Five steers(½ Holstein x Zebu) can nulated in the rumen, with an average initial body weight of 240 ± 22.1 kg were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square. A quadratic effect was observed for DM intake and N retention, with maximum values of 6.97 kg d-1 and 50.9 gd-1 with the inclusion of 1.8 and 2.1% urea, respectively. Maximum concentrations of 16.2, 23.2 and 24.3 mg dL-1of N-NH3were recorded in animals fed spineless cactus enriched with 1, 2, and 3% of urea. There was a quadratic effect on ruminal pH, with a value of 6.45 at 4.08 hours after feeding. Microbial synthesis efficiency of 103 g CPkg-1 TDN was obtained with the inclusion of 1.6% urea. Multiple supplements containing spineless cactus enriched with 1.6 up to 1.8% urea in replacement of a traditional supplement is recommended for cattle.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar as características de carcaça de ovinos da raça Santa Inês alimentados com mazoferm em substituição ao farelo de soja (0,0; 33,0; 66,0 e 100,0%). Foram utilizados 32 animais machos, não castrados, com peso médio inicial de 21 ± 2,3 kg e idade média de quatro meses, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualizados e abatidos após 70 dias de confinamento. Não foi observado efeito da substituição sobre os consumos de matéria seca (1,103 kg/dia) e NDT (0,74 kg/dia), porém o consumo de proteína bruta apresentou comportamento linear decrescente (Y = 0,172 - 0,0002x). O desempenho e o peso corporal ao abate (34,10 kg) também não foram influenciados pela substituição fazendo com que os parâmetros peso do corpo vazio (28,49 kg), peso de carcaça quente (16,05 kg) e fria (15,56 kg), rendimento de carcaça quente (47,00 kg), rendimento comercial (45,54 kg) e rendimento biológico (56,29 kg) apresentassem o mesmo comportamento. Além desses parâmetros, a espessura de gordura de cobertura, perda de peso por resfriamento, área de olho de lombo (1,56 mm, 3,11%, 12,16 cm2, respectivamente), pesos e rendimentos dos cortes comerciais perna e as medidas morfométricas da carcaça, índices de compacidade da carcaça (0,24 kg/cm) e da perna (0,36 cm/cm) também não foram influenciados. Recomenda-se a substituição do farelo de soja pelo mazoferm tendo em vista que o mesmo não altera as características de carcaça de ovinos Santa Inês.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the carcass characteristics of Santa Inês sheep fed with mazoferm as a substitute for soybean meal (0.0, 33.0, 66.0 and 100.0%). Thirty-two uncastrated males with an average initial weight of 21 ± 2.3 kg and average age of four months were used, distributed in a randomised complete block design and slaughtered after 70 days of confinement. The substitution had no effect on dry matter (1.103 kg/day) or TDN consumption (0.74 kg/day), however, crude protein consumption displayed decreasing linear behaviour (Y = 0.172 - 0.0002x). Performance and body weight at slaughter (34.10 kg) were also not affected by the substitution, so that the parameters of empty body weight (28.49 kg), hot carcass weight (16.05 kg) and cold carcass weight (15.56 kg), hot carcass yield (47.00 kg), commercial yield (45.54 kg) and biological yield (56.29 kg) all displayed similar behaviour. In addition to these parameters, fat cover, weight loss by cooling, loin eye area (1.56 mm, 3.11%, 12.16 cm2 respectively), weight and yield of the commercial cuts and morphometric measurements of the carcass, carcass compactness index (0.24 kg/cm) and leg compactness index (0.36 cm/cm) were also not affected. The substitution of soybean meal by mazoferm is recommended as it does not alter carcass characteristics in Santa Inês sheep.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o valor nutricional da palma orelha-de-elefante-mexicana (OEM) (Opuntia stricta), armazenada por diferentes períodos, e sua aceitabilidade por novilhas Girolando. Foram utilizadas cinco novilhas distribuídas em quadrado latino 5x5. Os tratamentos foram os seguintes: palma OEM, sem armazenamento; OEM armazenada por três períodos pós-colheita - 7, 14 e 21 dias; e palma-miúda (PM) (Nopalea cochenillifera) sem armazenamento, como tratamento controle. As dietas oferecidas aos animais foram compostas de palmas dos diferentes tratamentos, assim como silagem de cana-de-açúcar e farelo de soja, e foram avaliadas quanto à composição químico-bromatológica, consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes. O comportamento ingestivo das novilhas foi avaliado. A palma OEM não diferiu da PM quanto à matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro corrigida quanto às cinzas e proteína, carboidratos não fibrosos, carboidratos totais, extrato etéreo e matéria mineral; no entanto, a palma OEM diferiu da PM quanto à matéria seca e à fibra em detergente neutro indigestível, quando armazenada por diferentes períodos. O peso das novilhas variou em 1,35 kg, com a baixa inclusão de concentrado na dieta. A palma orelha-de-elefante-mexicana mantém constante seu valor nutricional e sua aceitabilidade pelas novilhas Girolando, após armazenamento por diferentes períodos até 21 dias.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional value of erect prickly pear (EPP) (Opuntia stricta), stored for different periods, and its acceptability by Girolando heifers. Five heifers were distributed in a 5x5 Latin square. The treatments were as follows: EPP without storage time; stored EPP for three post-harvest periods - 7, 14, and 21 days; and cochineal nopal cactus (CNC) (Nopalea cochenillifera) without storage time, as a control treatment. The diets offered to the animals were composed of cacti of the different treatments, as well as sugarcane silage and soybean meal, and were evaluated for their chemical composition, intake, and nutrient digestibility. The ingestive behavior of the heifers was evaluated. The cactus EPP did not differ from the CNC for organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein, nonfibrous carbohydrates, total carbohydrates, ether extract, and mineral matter; however, EPP stored for different periods differed from CNC for dry matter and indigestible neutral detergent fiber. Heifer weights varied 1.35 kg with the low inclusion of concentrate in the diet. The cactus erect prickly pear maintains constant both its nutritional value and its acceptability to Girolando heifers, after storage for different periods up to 21 days.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrate levels (40, 50, 60, and 70% on dry matter basis) on intake, digestibility of nutrients, and performance of heifers fed sugarcane bagasse as exclusive roughage. Twenty Girolando heifers, with an average body weight of 198±25.6 kg were assigned to a completely randomized design, established according to body weight. The intake of dry matter (5.12 to 7.73 kg d-1), organic matter (4.72 to 7.32 kg d-1), crude protein (0.71 to 1.05 kg d-1), and digestible organic matter (3.09 to 4.77 kg d-1) linearly increased with the inclusion of concentrate in the diets. The final weight (238 to 299 kg d-1), body weight gain (0.50 to 1.20 kg d-1), and total weight gain (35.2 to 83.6 kg d-1) linearly increased with the concentrate levels. Considering the occurrence of the first calving at 24 months, a 50:50 ratio of sugarcane bagasse to concentrate seems to be the most appropriate for crossbred heifers.

RESUMO: Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar o consumo de concentrado e o desempenho de bezerras da raça Girolando quando colocadas em abrigos com materiais de cobertura e programas de iluminação suplementar distintos, durante a fase de aleitamento. Para tal, nós utilizamos o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3×3, com três repetições. As bezerras Girolando (n=27) foram distribuídas ao acaso em abrigos individuais, com materiais de cobertura distintos (telha de fibrocimento, telha reciclada e cobertura com palha), e sujeitas a três programas de iluminação (12, 16 e 20h). Não houve interação entre os mateiral de cobertura×programas de iluminação, ao mesmo tempo que não foi observado efeito significativo (P>0,05) para os materiais de cobertura. A iluminação suplementar, proporcionando maior tempo de luz, tem estimulado a ingestão, e, portanto, apresentou efeito significativo (P<0,05) no consumo de concentrado e desempenho dos animais submetidos a 20h de iluminação.

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to assess Girolando calves’ concentrate intake and performance when placed in shelters with distinct roofing materials and programs of supplementary lighting during the milk-feeding stage. In order to so, we used a completely randomized design with a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with three replications. Females Girolando calves (n=27) were assigned in individual shelters at random with 3 different roofing materials (fiber cement tile, recycled tile and thatched roofs) and subjected to three lighting programs (12, 16 and 20 hours). No interaction was observed between roofing material and lighting programs, whilst no significant effect (P>0.05) was observed among the roofing materials. The supplementary lighting, by providing greater light exposure time, has stimulated intake and therefore, significantly affected (P<0.05) the concentrate intake and performance of the animals that were subjected to 20 hours of light.

RESUMO Objetivou-se levantar e avaliar os perfis tecnológicos, zootécnicos e socioeconômicos, identificar e quantificar indicadores referência, para sistemas de produção de bovinos de leite, de caráter não experimental, de forma a contribuir para a sustentabilidade e competitividade da pecuária de leite na mesorregião do Agreste pernambucano. Para identificar e quantificar os indicadores referência foram avaliados durante doze meses, trinta e seis sistemas de produção de leite da agricultura familiar e empresarial. Os sistemas foram caracterizados em relação ao perfil tecnológico e aos indicadores de tamanho, zootécnicos e econômicos. Foram determinados os coeficientes de correlação com a taxa de remuneração do capital investido e geradas equações de regressão, para cada indicador, em função de quatro cenários da taxa de remuneração do capital (4, 6, 8 e 10% ao ano). Os indicadores correlacionados foram: produção de leite/vacas em lactação; produção de leite/área; preço médio do leite; custo operacional efetivo, custo operacional total e custo total / preço do leite e lucratividade. A pecuária leiteira no Agreste pernambucano, paga os custos mensais, mas a tendência é a não remuneração adequada da mão-de-obra familiar e a injeção de capital externo para a reposição dos bens. A produtividade dos fatores de produção terra e animal apresentaram maior correlação com rentabilidade, indicando a necessidade do aumento da produção, por meio do aumento da produtividade da terra e da produção de leite/vacas em lactação. A identificação e quantificação de indicadores referência podem contribuir para a identificação dos pontos frágeis da pecuária leiteira no Agreste tornando-a sustentável e competitiva.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to identify and assess the technological, zootechnical and socioeconomic profiles and identify and quantify benchmarks for dairy cattle production systems, in a non - experimental approach, aiming to contribute to the sustainability and competitiveness of dairy farming in the Pernambuco Agreste region, northeastern Brazil. Thirty-six milk production systems of family and corporate farming were evaluated during twelve months, in order to identify and quantify the benchmarks. The systems were characterized regarding their size and technological, zootechnical and economic profiles. The correlation coefficients of the return rate on invested capital were assessed and regression equations were developed for each indicator, according to four scenarios of annual return rates (4, 6, 8 and 10%). The indicators evaluated were milk production per dairy cows, milk production per area, average price of milk, effective operational cost, total operating cost, total cost per price of milk and profitability. The dairy farming in the Pernambuco Agreste region pays the production costs, but tends to a not adequate remuneration of family labor and a need of external capital input for replacement of the assets. The productivity of production factors area and animals showed higher correlation with cost-effectiveness, denoting the need for increase the production through increases in land area and milk productivity per dairy cow. The identification and quantification of benchmarks may help to identify the weak points of dairy farming in the Agreste region, making it sustainable and competitive.

ABSTRACT The effect of replacing wheat bran with spineless cactus (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in sugar cane-based diets on the intake of nutrients, feeding behavior, and rumen digestibility of steers was assessed using digested samples collected from the omasum. Five crossbred steers (1/2 Holstein-Zebu) were fitted with cannulas in the rumen and then assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Samples of omasal digesta were collected for three days. Rumen was evacuated via the rumen cannula to determine the rumen pool of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), indigestible NDF (iNDF), intake (ki), passage (kp) and degradation (NDF) rates, and the passage of iNDF (kpi). Nutrient intake displayed a quadratic effect, with maximum intakes of DM (5.73 kg d−1), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC, 4.63 kg d−1), and digestible organic matter (DOM, 3.45 kg d−1) estimated at the replacement levels of 54.63, 60.00, and 43.17%, respectively. The replacement levels showed no effect on feeding, rumination, or idle times. There was a linear increase in the total apparent and ruminal digestibility of CP as the spineless cactus content in the diet was increased. There was no effect on total and partial digestibilities of OM and NDF or on intestinal digestibility of CP. No effect was observed on the rumen pool of DM, NDF, or iNDF. Furthermore, ki, kp, NDF degradation, and iNDF passage rates displayed a quadratic effect, with higher concentrations estimated for replacement levels of 56.07, 56.12, 59.00, and 55.20%, respectively. Replacing 55% wheat bran with spineless cactus in sugar cane-based diets is recommended.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of alternative protein sources (castor bean cake, sunflower cake, and sunflower seed) to soybean meal on the intake and performance of 40 lambs, initially weighing 19.8±1.84 kg, fed diets based on Tifton grass hay. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks. There were no differences in the nutrient intake of castor bean diets compared with soybean meal. The intake of nutrients in the sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets was decreased compared with soybean meal. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber of sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets were decreased compared with soybean meal. The average daily weight gain of animals fed the castor bean diet (0.190 kg) was not different from that of the animals fed the soybean meal diet (0.217 kg). The sunflower cake and sunflower seed diets provided less weight gain (0.171 and 0.135 kg d-1, respectively) than soybean meal due to the lower nutrient intake. The hot carcass yield and true yield were not affected by the protein sources. The neck, ribs, and ham weights were similar in lambs fed soybean meal and castor bean cake diets. It is recommended to use castor bean as an alternative protein source in the diet of lambs.

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing wheat bran by spineless cactus (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in sugar cane-based diets on intake and nutrient digestibility and ruminal parameters of sheep. Five sheep (Santa Inês; average initial weight of 34.0±3.6 kg) were fitted with cannulas in the rumen and then assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The maximum dry matter (DM; 1414 g d−1), digestible organic matter (658 g d−1), and neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap; 425 g d−1) intakes were estimated by replacing 80.2, 89.9, and 50.5% of wheat bran. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility increased by 0.60 and 0.85 g kg-1 of DM. With the replacement of 57.1 and 62.2% of wheat bran, a maximum rate of NDF ingestion (0.70 h−1) and NDF ruminal pool (7.31 g) was obtained. Rumen pH increased with the inclusion of spineless cactus, while the maximum concentration of ammonia N (33.3 mg dL−1) and total volatile fatty acids (57.7 μmol mL−1) were estimated at the levels of 72.3 and 63.7% of replacement of wheat bran. It is recommended to replace 63% of wheat bran by spineless cactus in sugar cane-based diets, to promote better animal performance.

<p>Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes proporções de concentrado e bagaço de cana-de-açúcar como volumoso exclusivo em dietas para ovinos. Os consumos de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, carboidratos não fibrosos e nutrientes digestíveis totais expressos em kg/dia, aumentaram linearmente com o aumento da proporção de concentrado na dieta. O mesmo comportamento foi observado para a digestibilidade da matéria seca. O que ocorreu de forma contrária para a digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro, que diminuiu com os maiores níveis de concentrado. Com o aumento das proporções de concentrado nas dietas experimentais, foi observado efeito quadrático no tempo despendido com ruminação, alimentação e ócio, e nas concentrações de ácido acético, propiônico e butírico no rúmen. Maiores proporções de concentrado associado ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar <italic>in natura</italic>podem ser utilizadas em dietas para ovinos.</p>

<p>This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different proportions of concentrate and sugar cane bagasse as roughage exclusive for sheep. The dry matter intake, organic matter, crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients in kg/day, increased linearly with increasing proportion of concentrate in the diet. The same behavior was observed for dry matter digestibility. It occurred in a manner contrary to the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber that decreased with the higher levels of concentrate. With the increase of the proportion of concentrate in the diets, quadratic effect was observed to time of rumination, feeding and idleness, and the of concentrations of acetic, propionic and butyric acid in the rumen. Higher proportions of concentrate associated with sugar cane bagasse <italic>in nature</italic>can be used in diets.</p>

O consumo per capta de carne ovina no Brasil ainda é pequeno quando comparado às carnes oriundas de outras espécies animais, sendo o perfil lipídico da carne apontado como responsável pelo consumo reduzido. Apesar de sofrer influência de sexo, raça, peso ao abate e ambiente, a dieta é tida como principal fator que influencia a composição lipídica da carne ovina. Avaliou-se o efeito da substituição do milho pelo gérmen integral de milho na dieta de ovinos da raça Santa Inês sobre a composição química e lipídica da carne. Quarenta animais não castrados da raça Santa Inês foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e oito repetições, e abatidos após 70 dias de confinamento. Não houve influência sobre a composição química da carne. Não houve efeito sobre o total de ácidos graxos saturados (AGS), mas verificou-se efeito linear decrescente para o total de ácidos graxos monoinsaturados e crescente para o total de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGP). As relações AGP:AGS e ω-6:ω-3 elevaram-se com a substituição. O gérmen integral de milho não influencia a composição química da carne, mas melhora a qualidade nutricional da fração lipídica, enriquecendo-a com compostos benéficos à saúde humana.

The per capita consumption of sheep meat in Brazil is still small compared to meat originating from other animal species, the lipid profile of meat named as responsible for reduced consumption. Despite the influence of sex, breed, weight at slaughter and environment, diet is seen as a major factor influencing the lipid composition of sheep meat. This study evaluated the effect of replacing corn by corn germ meal (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) in the diet of Santa Inês sheep on the meat's chemical and lipid composition. Forty non-emasculated animals were distributed in a randomized block experimental design, with five treatments and eight replications, and slaughtered after 70 days of confinement. There was no influence of the substitution on the meat's chemical composition. No effects on the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) were observed, but there was a decreasing linear effect on the total monounsaturated fatty acids (MFA) and an increasing linear effect on the total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA). The PFA:SFA and ω-6:ω-3 ratios increased with the substitution level. Corn germ meal had no effect on the meat's chemical composition, but improved the nutritional quality of the lipid fraction, enriching it with compounds beneficial for human health.

O objetivo com este trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da sequência da oferta dos ingredientes da dieta (estratégia alimentar), a base de palma forrageira (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) sobre o consumo, a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, o pH e a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal do líquido ruminal. Os alimentos foram fornecidos a cinco ovinos de peso médio de 38kg nas seguintes sequências: mistura completa (MC) às 7:00h e às 15:00h; concentrado às 7:00h e palma às 8:00h e concentrado às 15:00h e feno de capim tifton às 16:00h (CPCF); concentrado às 7:00h e feno de capim tifton às 8:00h e concentrado às 15:00h e palma às 16:00h (CFCP); palma às 7:00h e concentrado às 8:00h e feno de capim tifton às 15:00h e concentrado às 16:00h (PCFC); feno de capim tifton às 7:00h e concentrado às 8:00h e palma às 15:00h e concentrado às 16:00h (FCPC). Foi adotado o delineamento quadrado latino 5X5, com cinco tratamentos, cinco animais e cinco períodos. Os consumos dos nutrientes não foram influenciados pelas sequências. A digestibilidade da matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e carboidratos totais (CHOT) diferiram entre os tratamentos. Os valores de pH ruminal e as concentrações de nitrogênio amoniacal foram influenciados pelos horários de coletas nas sequências FCPC e CFCP. Todas as estratégias de alimentação podem ser utilizadas para alimentação de ovinos, exceto mistura completa.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the sequence of the supply of ingredients (feeding strategy), based diet forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) on intake, digestibility of nutrients, pH and ammonia concentration in the rumen fluid. The ingredients were provided five sheep of nondescript breeding, averaging 38,5 kg, gifted with rumen cannule the following sequences: 1 - (TMR, total mixed ration) at 7:00 and 15:00 h; 2 - (C, concentrate) at 7:00 h, (SC, spineless cactus) at 8:00 h, (C) at 15:00 h and (TGH, tifton grass hay) at 16:00 h; 3 - (C) at 7:00 h, (TGH) at 8:00 h, (C) at 15:00 h and (SC) at 16:00 h; 4 - (SC) at 7:00 h, (C) at 8:00 h, (TGH) at 15:00 and (C) at 16:00 h and 5 - (TGH) at 7:00 h, (C) at 8:00 h, (SC) at 15:00 h and (C) at 16:00 h. Were distributed into a 5 × 5 Latin Square with five treatments, five animals and five periods. The nutrient intake were not influenced by sequences The digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter(OM), total digestible nutrients (TDN), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total carbohydrates differ between treatments. The ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen were influenced by the times in collections sequences TGH/ C/SC/ TGH and C/TGH/C/SC. All feeding strategies can be used to feed sheep, except for total mixed ration.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes sequências de ingredientes a base de palma forrageira, devido à escassez de informações disponíveis sobre o melhor método de alimentação, especialmente ao uso da palma forrageira. As variáveis observadas foram tempo diário de ingestão, ruminação e ócio. Cinco ovinos foram distribuídos em um quadrado latino 5 × 5, com cinco tratamentos, cinco animais e cinco períodos, sendo os tratamentos: 1 - (ração totalmente misturada- TMR) às 7:00 e às 15:00h; 2 - (concentrado- C) às 7:00h, (palma forrageira- PF) às 8:00h, (C) às 15:00h e (feno de capim tifton- FCT) às 16:00h; 3 - (C) às 7:00h, (FCT) às 8:00h, (C) às 15:00h e (PF) às 16:00h; 4 - (PF) às 7:00h, (C) às 8:00h, (FCT) às 15:00 e (C) às 16:00h e 5 - (FCT) às 7:00h, (C) às 8:00h, (PF) às 15:00h e (C) às 16:00h. Não houve efeito de tratamento sobre as atividades de alimentação (horas/dia) no total de tempo diário. Porém quando as atividades foram divididas em períodos, os ovinos na sequência 3: concentrado/ feno/ concentrado/ palma passaram um tempo de ingestão maior no período de 7:00-11:00 h comparados aos da sequência 1: ração total misturada e 2: concentrado/ palma/ concentrado/ feno. A digestibilidade da matéria seca e da matéria orgânica foi maior para concentrado/ palma/ concentrado/ feno e palma/concentrado/feno/concentrado sendo recomendado o uso dos mesmos como estratégia alimentar.

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of sheep fed diets containing different sequences of ingredients of a spineless cactus based diet because of the paucity of available information regarding the best method of feeding, especially in relation to the use of spineless cactus. The observed variables were daily time of eating, ruminating and idling. Five sheep were distributed into a 5 × 5 Latin Square with five treatments, five animals and five periods, the treatments 1 - (TMR, total mixed ration) at 7:00 and 15:00h; 2 - (C, concentrate) at 7:00h, (SC, spineless cactus) at 8:00 h, (C) at 15:00h and (TGH, tifton grass hay) at 16:00h; 3 - (C) at 7:00h, (TGH) at 8:00h, (C) at 15:00h and (SC) at 16:00h; 4 - (SC) at 7:00h, (C) at 8:00h, (TGH) at 15:00 and (C) at 16:00h and 5 - (TGH) at 7:00h, (C) at 8:00h, (SC) at 15:00h and (C) at 16:00h. No treatment effect on feeding activities (hour/day) in time total daily, but when activities were divided into periods, the sheep in sequence 3: concentrate/ hay/ concentrate/spineless cactus spent a longer time eating within the period from 7:00 to 11:00h than the sheep in sequences 1: total mixed ration (TMR) and 2: concentrate/ spineless cactus/ concentrate /hay. The digestibility of dry matter and matter organic was greater for concentrate/ spineless cactus/ concentrate/ hay and spineless cactus/ concentrate/ hay/ concentrate being recommended the use of the same as feeding strategy.