The morphogenetic and structural traits of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés submitted to the treatment combinations of four nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80 and 120 mg/dm3) and three defoliation frequencies (two, four and five completely expanded leaves) were evaluated according to a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, with the treatments arranged as factorial combination. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications. After thinning, three seedlings were left per pot (5,8 dm3). The […]

A digestibility assay were carried out to evaluate, in consecutives periods, the total excreta collection method and the chromium oxide method as a marker. Apparent metabolizable energy corrected by nitrogen retention (AMEn) and aparent digestibility of dry matter coefficient (ADDMC) of broiler diet based in a ground corn and soybean meal containing 19% crude protein and 3.100 kcal ME/kg. Sixty adult Leghorn cockerels weigh, in average, 2.350±105 g were used. Each cockerel participates in the evaluation of the two methods […]

Intake and total apparent digestibilities of the nutrients and average daily gains (ADG) by beef cattle fed diets based on concentrate and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu silage in the following proportions: 20:80, 35:65, 50:50 and 65:35, in dry matter basis were evaluated. Twenty-four crossbred (Holstein x Zebu) steers, with initial live weight of 364 kg were allotted to a randomized blocks design. At the ensiling process, an enzyme-bacterial inoculant Nutroeste 50 t was applied to the forage. For the determination […]

This study was conducted to evaluate productivity and morphologic traits of five hybrids of Pioneer corn: P32R21, P30R07, P3041, P30F33 and P30F80 at different maturity stages. The treatments were used in plots of 7 x 8 m in a randomized block design, with four replicates. The samples collected, of corn hybrid, were adopted trying to estimate phases of maturity of the plant (30, 34, 38, 42 and 46% of dry matter [DM]). In the first maturation stage, some parameters (plant […]

It was evaluated the effect of four levels forage cactus in replacement of sorghum silage, in diets of lactating Holstein cows, on the apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM), organic matter (ADOM), crude protein (ADCP), ether extract (ADEE), neutral detergent fiber (ADNDF) and acid (ADADF), total carbohydrates (ADTCH) and nonfiber carbohydrates (ADNFC), content of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and apparent absorption of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sodium (Na). Eight Holstein cows averaging 590 kg and producing 27 […]

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of two levels of soybean hulls and three sources of protein on the total and partial rumen and intestinal digestion. Six Holstein-Zebu steers averaging twelve months of age and 229 kg BW were fistulated in the rumen and in the abomasum and distributed in a 6×6 Latin square and fed ad libitum individually. The consumption and the total and partial digestibility of the nutrients were evaluated. There was no effect of the […]

Traditional analytical methods of assessing forage nutritional value are time-consuming and expensive. The near infrared reflectance method appears as an alternative that does not utilize chemicals, is not destructive and is extremely fast. However, in order to be used in a routinely basis, calibration curves have to be developed from laboratory results and mathematical equations. The objective of this paper was to develop calibration curves for corn silage, using a total of 246 samples collected in different regions of Rio […]

It were utilized four crossbreed, castrated, rumen cannuladed bovines, receiving dietary starea (containing 30% of urea) in the concentrate and corn silage, with the objective of quantify the liquid-associated bacteria and protozoa, solid-associated bacteria and related them with the ruminal pH. Three samples from ruminal content were harvested at 1 a.m., 2 a.m. and 30 min and 11 a.m. and 30 min after feeding. The microbial mass was quantified and qualified in the different fractions of solid-associated bacteria (SAB), liquid-associated […]

In order to evaluate the in situ degradability of the dry matter and crude protein of silages of six sorghum genotipes in different stages of maturation, four fistulated crossbred holstein-zebu steers, fed with grass hay ad libitum, were utilized. The silage samples were dried and milled at 5 mm screen and 5 g of each sample were placed in 12 x 18 cm naylon bags and 50 µm porous size, and were introduced through the fistulas. After different times of […]

The trial was carried out from August/1997 to April/1998, aiming to evaluate Coastcross-1 (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers) grazed pasture, at four levels of dry matter residue (DMR: 1978; 2130; 2545; 3857 kg of DM/ha) under continuous stocking grazing with variable stocking rate in relation to dry matter production (DMP), pasture growing rate (GR), net accumulation rate of DM (LADM), plants height (PH), uncovered soil percentage (NS), participation of botanical components in percentage of dead material (DDM) and green leaves (GL), […]