Body composition and net and dietary requirements of macrominerals (Ca, P, Mg, Na and K) of genetically selected Caracu (CaS) and Nellore (NeS) for yearling weight (378 days of age) as well as of ordinary Nellore (control; NeC) were investigated in this trial. Fifty-six young bulls averaging 18 months of age were used. Twelve animals were slaughtered after an adaptation period and were used as reference. The 44 remaining animals, 16 NeS, 16 CaS and 12 NeC, with initial average […]

Intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients, milk yield and milk composition were all evaluated in goats receiving diets with 47% of corn silage and 53% of concentrate. Dietary crude protein (CP) was increased as follows [dry matter (DM) basis]:11.5, 13.5, 15.5 and 17.5%. Twelve lactating Alpine goats were randomly assigned to three 4 x 4 Latin squares with 15 days experimental periods: seven days for diet adaptation and eight days for samples collection. Total collection of feces was done from day […]

The objectives of this trial were to estimate the body composition of fat and protein and the net energy requirements for maintenance of purebred and crossbred Nellore. Seventy-two young bulls averaging 10 to 11 months of age from four genetic groups were used: 18 Nellore, 18 F1 Nellore x Angus, 18 F1 Nellore x Brown Swiss and 18 F1 Nellore x Simental with initial average weights of 286, 309, 333 and 310 kg, respectively. A completely randomized design was adopted […]

The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of partially replacing ground corn with coffee hulls (0.0, 8.75, 17.5 and 26.25% of concentrate DM) on nutrient intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and daily weight gain of dairy heifers. Twenty-four Holstein x Zebu heifers were assigned to a randomized complete block design with four treatments and six replicates. Diets were isonitrogenous (15.5% CP) and contained 60% of Tifton-85 haylage and 40% of concentrate. Intakes of dry matter (6.75 kg/day), […]

The effects of collection days on urinary excretion of creatinine and purine derivatives (PD), absorbed purines and microbial N synthesis (Nmic) were evaluated in different categories of Nellore cattle: heifers, steers, bulls and lactating cows. Yield of Nmic estimated from spot urine samples was compared to that obtained by total urine collection. Sixteen feedlot Nellore animals were assigned to a completely randomized design in a split plot scheme with treatments (two levels of concentrate [25 or 50%] and four categories […]

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing corn silage with sugarcane on intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients, ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen, and ruminal passage rate of digesta in lactating dairy cows. Proportion sugarcane increased as follows: 0, 33.3, 66.6 and 100% of the forage portion of the diet. Twelve Holstein and crossbred Holstein/Zebu cows with potential yield varying from 5,000 to 7,000 kg of milk per lactation were randomly assigned to three 4×4 Latin squares. Cows […]

In situ DM and CP degradabilities of leaflets of three tropical legumes: leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), and glycine (Neonotonia wightii) and of leaves of two other tropical forages: ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich) and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were determined in this trial. Three grams of pigeon pea, glycine, and ramie and 5 g of leucaena and cassava were incubated in the rumen of four steers for 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, […]

The objective of this trial was to study the partial replacement of ground corn with soybean hulls or corn germ meal in diets containing sunflower meal and urea as nitrogen sources and corn silage as forage for confined Nellore steers. Twenty-one steers averaging 25 months of age and 343 kg of initial body weight were assigned to diets containing a forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40. The period for measurements of intake and weight gain lasted 97 days. No significant differences were […]

Six Holstein x Zebu steers fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulas and fed diets containing two levels of soybean hulls and three different protein supplements were used to determine ruminal, intestinal, and total tract digestibilities of nutrients. Cutine was used as the internal marker to quantify DM contents of both abomasal digesta and feces. After 15 days of diet adaptation, twelve samples of abomasal digesta and feces were taken from each animal in each period. Contents of cutine, DM, OM, […]

The objective of this trial was to determine the macrominerals requirements (Ca, P, Mg, Na, and K) for young bulls from different genetic groups. Forty-four young bulls from the following genetic groups were used: Nellore, F1 Nellore x Aberdeen-Angus, F1 Nellore x Brown Swiss, and F1 Nellore x Simmental. Animals averaged 362 ± 35 kg of initial body weight and between 10 to 11 months of age. Diet contained signal grass hay (Brachiaria decumbens, Stapf.), soybean meal, ground corn, molasses, […]