The aim of this work was to evaluate the weight gain of growing and finishing steers, the life weight gain per hectare, and the forage quality in different grass production systems in the winter and summer. In the winter, the black oat pasture (BOP) and star grass (SGA) production systems were evaluated. In the summer, the millet (MIL), Mombaça (MOM), and star grass (SGA) production systems were evaluated and the effect of the production systems used in the winter on […]

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the use of five levels of sugar (0; 4; 8; 16 and 32%) in substitution to the corn in the feed of broilers from 1 to 21 days. Three hundred and twenty day old chicks, half male, half female, were randomly assigned to 20 box, with a total of 16 chicks/box. Water and ration were “ad libitum” fed during all experimental period. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogen and isocaloric. The birds […]

Sixty four uncastrated males from zebu breeds Gyr, Guzerat, Mocho de Tabapuã and Nellore were used. The animals from each breed were divided into five groups (categories). One group was ramdomly assigned to immediate slaughter, three groups were full-fed a ration containing 50% concentrate, dry matter basis until reaching the slaughter weights of 405, 450 and 500 kg, respectively (group I, II and III). The fifth group was fed a restricted amount of the same ration to supply levels of […]

One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of five levels of coffee hulls (0, 8.7, 17.4, 26.1, and 34.8 kg/100 kg of fresh forage) on the bromatologic composition and IVDMD of elephantgrass silage. Fifteen plastic silos measuring .25 of diameter x .75 of height were used. In the ensiling process the forage received a pressure of 550 kg/m³. The results showed that the percentage of dry matter increased linearly with increasing of coffee hulls. It was estimated an increasing […]

The objective of this study was the evaluation of the effects of grain processing (steam-rolled vs. steam-flaked) and monensin on ruminal parameters. Sixteen Holstein calves were ruminally canulated with 3 to 5 days of life, and utilized on a completely randomized design block with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. The animals received concentrate ad libitum up to 2 kg/d, plus 4 L/d of milk. Calves had free access to water. After weaning at the eight weeks of life, calves […]

A trial was carried out in green-house to estimate morphogenic traits and growth indices of Mombaçagrass development. Three growths were considered: the seminal, establishment growth (G1) and the regrowths following a clipping taken on the 16th (G2) and 37th (G3) days of the seminal growth. The variables assessed were the growth indices: relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), and the rates of leaf appearance, elongation, expansion and senescence. Accordingly, harvests were taken at the […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the halothane genotypes (heterozygous and dominant homozygous) and intensive rearing systems (indoor, wood shavings bedding and outdoor) on growth performance, carcass and meat yield. Ninety six castrated male pigs were used for the trial. Identification of the halothane genotype was determined in blood samples using the DNA-test, based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplification of the critical region of the ryanodine receptor and subsequent restriction of the […]

The objetive of this experiment was to evaluate a system of thermal artificial condition for gestation sow housing, at Ponte Nova-MG. A total of 95 Cambourough 22® sows from the second parturition were assigned to two treatments. Forty-six sows of treatment one were submitted, during the first 35 days of gestation, to a system of controlled thermal artificial condition (fans and aspersion) which were automatically turned on according to the air temperature (VFN). In treatment two, during the same period […]

This work was carried out to evaluate the productive potencial and chemical composition of five grasses (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Pioneiro, P. purpureum Schum cv. Mott; Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaça, P. maximum Jacq cv. Tanzânia, e Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst) Stapf. cv. Marandu). The cuts were performed at 35 days of intervals and 40 cm above ground. Pioneiro showed higher DM yield (7.35 t DM/ha/35 days) when compared to the Dwarf Elephantgrass (5.28 t DM/ha/35 days) and Tanzânia grass (5.23 […]

The traits of the haircoat (haircoat thickness, average hair lenght with respect skin surface, number of hair per unit area, hair mass density, hair angle and average hair diameter) were estimated in 973 Holstein cattle in the period between November 2000 and April of 2001. These traits were measured in an area 20cm below the dorsal line in the center of the thorax, for the black as for the white haircoat. Hair samplings were performed with adapted pliers. The method […]