ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the optimal duration of creep feeding that improves the growth performance and fecal score of piglets and the performance and estrus interval of sows. Sixteen sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) and their litters were used in this 24-day trial. Dietary treatments were: Treatment 1, in which creep feed was not provided; treatment 2, in which creep feed was provided at the 7th day of life (day 7 to weaning); treatment 3, in which creep feed was […]

The influence of early weaning and concentrate supplementation strategies on sward characteristics, forage chemical composition and lamb productivity were evaluated in four production systems on Tifton-85 pasture: suckling lambs not supplemented until slaughter; suckling lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding until slaughter; early-weaned lambs not supplemented until slaughter; and early-weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate until slaughter. Structural, morphological and productive characteristics of pasture were measured. The forage was chemically analyzed to estimate its composition. Lambs average daily gain and […]

Three different genetic groups were evaluated for growth up to slaughter and carcass quality for kill out, commercial cuts, non-carcass components, as well as carcass morphometric measurements. Pure Santa Ines (SI), ½ Ile de France × ½ Santa Ines (I × SI) and ½ Texel × ½ Santa Ines (T × SI) lambs were weighed weekly until they reached predetermined slaughter weight (30, 35, 40 and 45 kg). In both creep feeding and fattening the animals from crosses were superior […]

The potential performance of lambs and ewes from the Suffolk breed in pasture of Tifton grass 85 (Cynodon spp.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was evaluated in different production systems: lambs weaned with 60 days and kept in pasture; lambs with ewes and kept in pasture; lambs with ewes and kept in pasture with creep feeding; feedlot confined lambs with alfalfa hay + balanced ration. The treatments were applied when the lambs reached 60 days of age until slaughter time, at […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on production, carcass traits, and plasmatic concentrations of IGF-I and thyroid hormones on crossbred Angus-Nellore male calves. Thirty-six calves averaging 63 ± 17 days old and 76.8 ± 14.7 kg of body weight (BW) grazing Brachiaria decumbens and creep fed were randomly assigned (18 calves per treatment) to one of two treatments until weaning (217 days) as follows: I) 1.4 mg of rbST (Boostin®)/kg of […]

This trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of different concentrate crude protein levels (15, 20 or 25%) on production and carcass traits of Suffolk lambs in creep feeding. An economical analysis of the production system was also performed. Fifteen single birth lambs fed ad libitum twice a day were used in this study. The average daily intake was measured by subtracting the orts from the amount of feed offered to the animals. Lambs were weighed every fourteen days […]

Thirty-two crossbred Santa Inês hair sheep lambs (16 males and 16 females) bred with their female progenitors on pasture of Brachiaria humidicola grass, supplemented in creep-feeding during the night, were allotted to a completely randomized design, in a factorial arrangement 4 x 2, four weaning ages (56, 70, 84 and 98 days) and sex to determine the best weaning age. At weaning, the lambs were confined in individual pens until 126 days old, when were daily fed Tifton 85 hay, […]

The objective of this trial was to study the performance of ewes and lambs as well as the characteristics of carcass of lambs in different feeding systems. Eighteen lambs, 24 hours after birth, were randomly assigned with their mothers to one of the following treatments: RP – ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture; FNCP – feedlot with no creep feeding; and FCP – feedlot with creep feeding. The ryegrass pasture was managed in order to not limit the dry matter intake of […]

The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of the recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the percentage distribution and diameter of semitendinosus muscle fibers. Thirty-six ½ Angus-Nellore crossbred bull calves, 63 ± 17 days old and weighting 76.8 ± 14.7 kg, raised in Brachiaria decumbens pastures and creep fed, were assigned to one of two treatments until weaning (217 days): eighteen calves received 1.4 mg/kg of rbST (Boostin®) every 14 days and eighteen control calves received saline solution. […]

The experiment was carried to study three levels (0, 50 e 100%) of high moisture corn silage replacing dry corn grain in rations of lambs fed in creep feeding. Twenty four Suffolk lambs were evaluated to live weight (LW) gain and carcasses dressing-outs percentage. It was performed an economical analysis too. Rations in creep feeding were fed ad libitum, and rests were weighed to obtain mean intake by treatment. When lambs reached 28 kg LW, lambs were submitted to 16 […]