ABSTRACT We evaluated the difference between rumen bacteria in Tan sheep fed either by grazing or in a feedlot. The aim was to provide a theoretical basis for ruminant nutrition and meat quality based on rumen fermentation. Twenty-four three-month-old Tan sheep were randomly and equally divided into two groups, the grazing group and ration group. Five sheep of each group were selected for slaughter at six months of age. Ruminal contents were collected and assessed to identify rumen bacteria, based […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in ruminal protozoa in lambs after partial replacement of feed concentrates in their diets with Gliricidia sepium silage. Twenty-four male Santa Ines lambs with an average initial weight of 14.5 kg were used. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and six replications. Treatments (given as a percentage of dry matter) were as follows: control – corn silage (600 g kg-1 as fed) + concentrate (400 g kg-1 as […]

In order to study the effect of pH on defaunation in the rumen, four rumen fistulated steers were fed a basal roughage diet for a 4-week adaptation period followed by 17 weeks of feeding with three diets and two feeding levels of high concentrate diet. Rumen outflow fluid rate was evaluated in both ration levels. Rumen protozoa population was monitored weekly and when animals became defaunated, protozoa were reinoculated with rumen contents from one of the faunated steers. At every […]