The objective of this trial was to characterize the byproduct of lysine production (BLP) and to evaluate performance and carcass traits of confined Santa Gertrudis young bulls receiving increasing dietary levels of BLP. The chemical composition of BLP was the following (dry matter basis): 38% dry matter and 85% crude protein with 79% of this total coming from nonprotein nitrogen; no toxic levels of heavy metals were detected. Twenty-seven young bulls averaging ten months of age and initial body weight […]

The objective of this trial was to study the intake and production at pasture of 15 Holstein-Gyr heifers (5 per treatment) averaging 16.5 ± 4.2 months of age and 211.97 ± 34.28 kg of body weight (BW) and fed supplements containing either 40% or 60% of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP). Forage availability was monitored to maintain a supply of 6% of BW. Both chromic oxide (10 g/day/heifer) and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (INDF) were used as external and internal markers, respectively. […]

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of cottonseed hulls on nutrient intake, apparent total tract digestibility, carcass physical composition and traits, and percentage of commercial cuts of confined steers. Eighteen crossbred steers averaging 230 kg of initial body weight (BW) were used. Two animals were slaughtered at the beginning of the trial, performing the reference group while the remaining were uniformly assigned to a complete randomized design in one of four treatments (% of […]

This investigation was carried out to determine body composition of protein, fat, and energy as well as nutritional requirements of protein and energy for maintenance and weight gain of Morada Nova Lambs. Thirty lambs averaging 15 kg of initial body weight (BW) were used in this trial. To determine the body composition using the comparative slaughter approach six lambs were slaughtered at 15 kg (reference animals), six at 20 kg (intermediary slaughter), and the remaining were distributed in one of […]

The objective of this trial was simulate and validate the ruminal degradation of carbohydrates and the flow of microbial nitrogen, estimated from samples of esophageal extrusa and supplements, using an in vitro gas production technique. In vivo estimates were obtained from five Holstein x Zebu steers averaging 304 kg of body weight and 24 months of age that were grazing on five paddocks of Brachiaria decumbens (0.34 ha). The supplements fed to the steers (4 kg/animal/day) contained: grounded corn, whole […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the inter treatment discrimination according to feed conversion efficiency in several animal performance experiments. The variables investigated were: feed conversion ratio (FCR = intake: production ratio), feed efficiency index (FEI = production: intake ratio) and bio-nutritional index (BNI). The BNI was constructed from the first canonical variable obtained based on the multivariate analysis of variance of the intake and animal production (weight gain or milk production) variables. The results indicated that FCR […]

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of different levels of supplementation on dry matter intake and of ruminal pH and ammonia content of growing steers grazing Brachiaria brizantha, during the dry to rainy transition season, from April to June 2003. Five ruminally fistulated steers averaging 15 months old and initial weight of 271 kg were assigned to a 5×5 Latin square design. The treatments were as follows: control (mineral salt) and supplements fed at different levels […]

The effects of replacing corn and soybean meal with cocoa meal (CF) or palm kernel cake (PKC) in the concentrate on milk intake and yield of goats were evaluated. Five Saanen goats, averaging 2 kg daily milk yield at 60 days of lactation, were assigned to a 5 x 5 Latin square experimental design. The experiment lasted 14 days, with 10 days for adaptation period and four days for sample collection. Diets contained: 36% of roughage (corns silage) and 64% […]

Four ruminally fistulated Holstein steers were fed four times a day (8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.) with four diets with low and high protein content, with or without monensin, to verify the effect of monensin on feed intake and ruminal fermentation. Diets contained (dry matter basis): low (11.4 %) and high (16.5%) crude protein content, 65% of brachiaria hay (Brachiaria decumbens) and 35% of concentrate. Corn and urea- and corn and soybean meal- based diets were, […]

The net energy content for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) of the napiergrass, under rotational grazing, as well as the changes on protein and fat concentrations in body and in weight gain of 36 ¾ Gyr-Holstein steers, grazing the forage, during the rainy season were determined. Half of steers had grazing time restricted to four hours daily, to limit energy intake to a level close to the maintenance level, and half had free access to the pasture. Six steers were […]