The objective of this work was to determine the digestible (DE) and metabolizable (ME) energy values of some feeds for weaned pigs. Fourteen feeds were evaluated in five experiments, using 144 piglets with an average initial weight of 9.42+0.76 kg at 28 days of age. The DE and ME contents were determined by means of the total collection of feces and urine method. The protein sources from milk had higher energy and protein digestibility than soybean by products. Among these, […]

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of different feed sources that can cause diarrhea and of alopecia in growing kids. A completely randomized design with six diets (1 – milk, 2 – milk + zeranol, 3 – colostrum, 4 – colostrum + soybean oil, 5 – colostrum + zeranol and 6 – colostrum + soybean oil + zeranol) and five replicates was used. Fecal scores were daily measured. The highest fecal scores were observed on diets 4 […]

The objective of this work was to estimate the (co) variance components and direct and maternal heritability of the body weights of sheep of Santa Inês breed. A total of 3,771 lambs weights records of the Santa Inês hair sheep breed, progenies of 114 sires, and 758 ewes were analyzed, obtained from experimental herds of EMBRAPA – SNPA from 1985 to 1995. The covariance components and genetic parameters from additive genetic effects, maternal and permanent environmental effects, as well as […]

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance, control of the of metabolic diseases incidence, and carcass yield of male broiler chickens allotted to a feed restriction from 8-14 days of age. The nutrient restriction was achieved by feeding a starter diet (21,5% CP and 3050 ME, kcal/kg) with 25 or 50% soybean hulls. The treatment of restriction involved the feeding of these diets either on continuously or intercalated form (with the non-diluted starter diet). After the restriction period, the […]

The objective of this work was to study the effect of the substitution of cottonseed meal by canola meal on weight gain, feed intake, feed:gain ratio and dressing percentage of the feedlot Nellore heifers. Thirty Nellore heifers averaging initial of 225 kg LW and 20 months of age were randomly allotted to two treatments (cottonseed meal – COM or canola meal – CAM as protein sources) with 15 animals for each treatment. The experiment was carried out in three periods […]

With respect to beef cattle breeding, the emphasis devoted by researchers, beef cattle producers and beef cattle experts has been, in general, focused on identification, evaluation and selection of sires. Little attention has been given to the pathway used to spread the genes from such sires throughout the population as a whole. The reported low annual genetic progress observed in several herds might suggest that, in spite of having some success in promoting genetic improvement as observed in isolated herds, […]

The objective of this research was to study three levels of pelleted citrus pulp (PCP) in substitution to corn in diets of growing fillies. Twenty-one purebred and crossbred Arabian fillies averaging 278+9.6 kg of initial live weight and 18 months of age were used. The animals were maintained in individual pens and were daily exercised. A completely randomized design with three treatments: basal diet (T1), 7.5% PCP (T2) and 15.0% PCP (T3) with seven replicates, and with the filly as […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate, at 42 days of age, the productivity and economic performance, and the carcass and special cuts yield, in broiler chickens allotted to different quantitative feeding restriction programs applied in early age. A completely randomized design was used, in a 5 x 2 (feeding restriction program versus sex) factorial arrangement and five replicates with 20 birds per experimental unit. Feed intake and weight gain were reduced by the feed restriction programs, but feed: […]

The objective of this work was to study the efficiency of nutrient utilization by Canchim (CA), Nellore (NE) and crossbreed 1/2 Canchim + 1/2 Nelore (CANE) growing heifers, in three diets: maintenance, forage:concentrate ratio (RFC) of 75:25 (test 1), diet for weight gains up to 700 g/animal/day, RFC of 60:40 (test 2) and diet for weight gains up to 1200 g/animal/day, RFC of 40:60 (test 3). Twenty-four heifers were used in each test, eight of each genetic group. Each test […]

The objectives of this work were to estimate the dry matter intake by animals grazing three cultivars of Panicum maximum, and to relate it to live weight gain, grazing time (GT) and some structural and chemical characteristics of the pastures. The experimental design was the randomized block with three treatments and three replicates. The dry matter voluntary intake (DMVI) was estimated in four periods (May, September, November and February). Fecal output was measured using chromic oxide as an external marker. […]