This study was carried out to evaluate the productivity and quality of either Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. cv. Basilisk and Hyparrhenia rufa (Ness) Stapf. grasses fertilized with nitrogen (N) or mixed with stylosanthes (Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Swartz cv. Mineirão), introduced into a degraded pasture. Both grasses were evaluated, as well as four doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) and two treatments that consisted of mixing B. decumbens and S. guianensis as well as H. rufa and S. guianensis. […]

Breeding values were predicted for test day milk yields of Caracu cows, using univariate model (TDMO) and random regression model (RRM). The ranks were based on traditional 305-day milk yield breeding values (PTA305). For RRM, breeding values were predicted for individual test-day milk yield and for sum of all test-days (RRM305). Spearman correlation were estimated among predicted breeding values from different methodos (TDMO and RRM) and the coincidence of rank of 10% best sires were verified. Genetic lactation curves of […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance, survival and effectiveness of reversion of Nile tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed with rations containing growing levels of inclusion of poultry by products (FVA). Five hundred Nile tilapia fry were used with two days of age, allotted to a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replications, and the experimental unit an aquarium 30 L with 20 fry. Five rations were elaborated with levels of inclusion of FVA […]

The effects of two levels of L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) combined with four levels of vitamin K (Vit K) were studied with the objective of evaluating the activities of a-amylase in the chyme and pancreas of chicks. Day-old male broilers were reared in eletrically heated batteries, fed with purified amino acids diets, minerals and vitamins (except Vit K) at the requirement levels, for 14 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The experimental design was a factorial 2×4 with four […]

The objective of this work was to establish a model to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) requirements for laying hens from Lohmann LSL line, by the factorial method. To determine the influence of ambient temperature on ME requirements for the maintenance, experiments were accomplished in environmental controlled rooms at constant temperatures of 12, 22 and 31 ºC, by the comparative slaughtering technique. The net energy for weight gain was determined by regression of carcass energy content in function of body […]

This work was aimed to compare the production and animal selectivity of elephant grass cultivars in the cold conditions, of Southern Brasil (Lages, Santa Catarina). Twelve cultivars of elephantgrass were used (Mineiro X-23A, Mineiro, Taiwan A-144, CAC-262, Mole da Volta Grande, Teresópolis, Vrukwona, Merckeron Pinda, Turrialba, Porto Rico, Taiwan A-148 and Cameroon), established on 17.5 m2 plots in a randomized block design, with three replicates. Each plot consisted of seven lines with 0,50 m interval, using the tree central lines […]

The purpose of this study was to determine the N-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (EMAn) of alternative protein ingredients, for newly hatched chicks, and to evaluate the effects of the utilization of these ingredients in the first week broiler feed, on the performance and gastrointestinal tract (TGI) development. In the metabolism trial, 288 male chicks from 4 to 7 days were allotted to a completely randomized design with six treatments (a reference diet and five diets with inclusion of the test […]

The trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of energy supplementation with ground sorghum grain on grazing beef steers weight gain. Sixty five steers without definite breed, aging 12 to 15 months and weighing an average 140 kg of live weight were kept under set stocking on a natural pasture improved with Lotus subbiflorus. Treatments consisted of control or without supplement (T0); 0.75% of mean live weight (T0.75) and 1.5% of mean live weight (T1.75) of ground sorghum grain. Animals […]

The preweaning weight gain rate of beef heifers and its effects on their subsequent performance as cows, was studied. The weight gain rates evaluated as heifer calves before weaning were low (below 350 g/day) and moderate (above 350 g/day). As cows and after calving, they were kept together with their calves until weaning on native (NP) or cultivated pasture (CP). The cows while heifers were weighted at birth and at weaning with seven months. As cows they were weighted with […]

In order to delineate efficient grazing systems it is important to periodically assess the herbage mass at the farm level. However, the knowledge concerning both, the number of samplings that should be performed and the quadrat (size and format) that should be used in these evaluations remains incomplete. In this context, three experiments were delineated to evaluate the effect of the number of samplings (varying from two to nine) and the dimension:format ratio of the quadrat (.25, 1.0, 2.0, and […]