It was used 10,238 weekly test day records from 388 first lactations of Saanen goats with the objective of comparing random regression models (RRM). Firstly, it was compared five models, whose exponential terms of Wilmink function assumed the following values: -0.0350; -0.0500; -0.0565; -0.0680 and -0.1000 (W0350, W0500, W0565, W0680 and W1000, respectively) by considering homogeneity of residual variance over the lactation period. The value -0.0500 was kept in the model W0500 whereas models W0350, W0565, W0680 and W1000 used […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of three levels of concentrate (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 kg/cow/day) and two levels of crude protein (CP) (14 and 16% total dietary dry matter), in comparison to mineral mixture (control) on the intake, apparent digestibility, milk composition and yield and on feed efficiency and use of concentrates of cows grazing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) in the rainy season. Twenty-one milking Gyr cows with average body weight of 426 kg […]

It was evaluated the response of 40 Holstein/Zebu crossbred cows grazing on Brachiaria brizantha pasture to supplementation with concentrates containing different contents of crude protein. In addition to the pasture, 5.0 kg of sugar cane per animal was supplied daily. For control, it was used 200 g mineral supplement with 10% of phosphorous exclusively. Three concentrates containing 50.0; 28.6 and 20.0% of crude protein in natural matter, supplied at the quantities of 2.0; 3.5 and 5.0 kg/cow/day were compared. A […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of concentrate and crude protein in the diets, in which intakes of dry matter and nutrients, coefficients of digestibility, milk production and composition and efficiency of food use were evaluated. Twenty cows in lactation were distributed in a random block design, with five replicates per diet, defined according to milk production. The experimental diets were constituted of sorghum silage as roughage and concentrate at the following levels: […]

It was used 10,238 weekly milk production records on the control day from the first 388 lactations of Saanen goats on the evalution of six lactation persistency measures in order to find out which was the best fitted for using in genetic evaluations on this trait. These six evaluated measures are adaptations from those used on dairy cattle, obtained by replacing, in the formula, bovine reference values by the goat ones. The values used in the calculations were obtained from […]

Extensive research in recent years has shown that consumption of milk and dairy products, promotes cardiovascular health, reduces symptoms of the metabolic syndrome in obese individuals, promotes weight loss while maintaining body muscle mass and reduces incidence of some cancers. Detailed analysis of prospective studies in large Western populations over long periods of time demonstrates that higher consumption of dairy products provides an overall survival advantage.

The objective of this study was to assess the variation in the pH, ruminal ammonia, nitrogen compound balance (BN) and microbial synthesis (Nmic) of 12 Holstein cows distributed in three 4 × 4 Latin squares, fed diets containing soybeans in different forms: only soybean meal (SM – control diet), raw soybeans (RS), toasted soybeans (RST) and soybean meal plus 5% urea (SMU), using corn silage as bulk. The microbial protein synthesis was estimated using the purine derivatives in the urine […]

The effects were assessed of supplying supplementary roughage on intake, milk yield and milk physical and chemical composition in F1 (Boer ×Saanen) goats. Eighteen females were placed in three stalls, and received as ad libitum supplement sorghum silage, corn silage and mulberry hay (MHT), with daily control of dry matter intake. The average daily production per week was calculated by gathering the milk data in three post-parturition periods: 1 (34-40 days/7 days); 2 [(64-70 days/7 days) + (91-97 days)/7 days)]/2 […]

The objective of this study was to observe the effect of using bypass fat in the diet of Bergamasca ewes on milk yield, milk composition and ewe weight dynamics. Seventy seven ewes were distributed in two homogeneous groups, according to lambing order and age fed a control diet with corn silage and concentrate; or with a control diet with bypass fat (35 g/ewe/day) added to the concentrate. The diets were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, presenting 16% CP and 70% TDN on […]

This experiment was carried out to evaluate productive performance, dry matter and nutrient digestibility, and milk composition of Saanen goats fed rations with soybean hulls (SBH) as a corn ground replacement (0, 50 and 100%SBH), during lactation until prepartum (30 days). Eighteen goats were used (75.70 ± 10.59 kg) in a completely randomized design. The rations presented 14.82% CP and 2.28 Mcal ME/kg DM intake. The animals were confined in individual pens, with daily control of ration intake and milk […]