The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk, fat and protein yields of Holstein cows using 56,508; 35,091 and 8,326 test-day milk records from 7,015, 4,476 and 1,114 cows, calves of 359, 246 and 90 bulls, respectively. The additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were estimated using REML. Random regression models with Legendre polynomials from order 3 to 6 were used. Residual variances were considered homogeneous over the lactation period. The estimates of variance components showed […]

It was evaluated, during a period of one year, the reproductive performance of 94 Bos taurus x Bos indicus crossbred dairy cows submitted to an assisted reproduction program. A timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol was carried out by using an intra-vaginal progesterone device containing progesterone and through injections with Prostaglandin F2α and estradiol cypionate. By using ultrasound, from 7 to 14 days after inseminations or controlled mattings, detection of corpus luteum in the ovaries was done to determine ovulation rate […]

The objective of this work was to estimate the total recovering and the long term bias of the estimates of fecal excretion using the external markers chromic oxide and titanium dioxide and internal markers indigestible dry matter (iDM), indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) and indigestible acid detergent fiber (iADF) in a digestion assay with cattle fed different diets. Fourteen F1 Red Angus x Nellore averaging 12 months and 287 kg were used. The animals were fed with elephant grass silage, […]

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of grazing intensities and nitrogen fertilization levels on the dynamics of a Brachiaria plantaginea pasture. The experiment was laid out as a random block design, in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, composed of three nitrogen levels (0, 200 and 400 kg/ha nitrogen in urea form) and two grazing intensities termed low mass (LM; forage mass of 1500 kg of DM/ha) and high mass (HM; forage mass of 3000 kg of DM/ha) in […]

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of glutamine on the carbon turnover in the intestinal mucosa of weaned piglets. Nine matrices received diets predominantly composed by photosintetic cycle C4 plants during the gestation (d‰13C = -17.12) and lactation (d‰13C = -19.26). The piglets were weaned at 21 days of age, and 68 animals were fed rations composed by photosintetic cycle C3 plants (d‰13C = -25.12). The piglets were distributed at random in two treatments: one diet without […]

Total numbers of 56,508, 35,091 and 8,326 records of milk, fat, and protein test-day yields, respectively, were used to estimate genetic parameters for six persistency measures on milk, fat and protein productions of Holstein cows reared in Minas Gerais state. Covariance components for additive genetic effects and permanent environmental effects were estimated by REML in random regression models using Legendre polynomials from the third to the sixth order. Overall, models with the highest orders of Legendre polynomials showed the best […]

This work was carried out to evaluate the use of Bacillus subtilis probiotic C-3102 (1010cfu/g) in diets with or without growth promoters on the performance of broilers in the period from 1 to 42 days of age. It was used 1,200 Cobb line broilers, distributed in a complete randomized block with five diets: negative controller (without promoters); Bacillus subtilis (30 g/t ration); Bacillus subtilis (50 g/t ration); Bacillus subtilis (30 g/t ration) + colistin (10 ppm); avilamycin (10 ppm) + […]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of adding cassava scrapings on gas and effluent losses, dry matter recovery, pH, contents of N-NH3, organic acids and volatile fatty acids and the bromatological composition of elephant grass silages. It was used a randomized complete design, with four levels of cassava scrapings (0, 7, 15 or 30% natural matter) each one with four replications per level. The grass was cut at 50 days of regrowth and ensiled in 15-L […]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of self-control supplements on nutritional parameters of steers grazing Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. during the rainy-dry season transitional period. Four crossbred steers fistulated in rumen, abomasum and esophagus were used. Mineral salt (SAL) and supplements based on: mineral mix, salt, and ground corn grain (GCG); mineral mix, urea and ground corn grain (UGCG); and mineral mix, urea, grounded corn grain and soybean meal (UGCSM), with different protein contents were given. The […]

The experiment was conducted to determine losses by gases and effluent, fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of elephant grass silage containing cassava meal, coffee hulls and cocoa meal. It was used a completely randomized experimental design in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme, with three additives evaluated in four levels (0, 10, 20 and 30% of natural matter), each one with five repetitions. The material was ensiled in PVC silos for 60 days. After opening of the silos, weightings were […]