The objectives of this work were to identify the mathematical functions that better fitted the milk production of Guzera breed cows, to evaluate the effects of the environmental factors on the lactation curve format and to estimate the genetic parameters for the milk production and for the dependable components of the lactation curve format. A total of 1130 lactations from 583 Guzera breed cows, daughters of 165 bulls, with production over the period from 1983 to 1997 were used. The […]

Using a univariate and a multitrait analyses, the traits weight gain from birth to weaning (WGBW) and weight gain from weaning to yearling (WGWY) were analyzed on 4883 Charolais beef cattle, sons of 328 sires, to compare different models with the most complete model, although with more difficult applicability. The models were the MA1, animal model which included the direct effect of the animal and the genetic maternal effect; MA2, animal model which included the direct effect of the animal […]

A deterministic approach was used to predict genetic gain and net present value for a breeding program in a dual-purpose zebu cattle population. The considered criterias were body weights, dairy and reproductive traits. High genetic gains and profit were obtained. More than 70% of genetic profit was net present value, justifying selection costs. The small proportion of recorded animals in relationship to the beneficial population of the improvement and the high economic values of traits could explain this profit.

A deterministic simulation was used to compare six breeding schemes based on different levels of performance recording: (1) only body weights, (2) only dairy traits, (3) body weights and reproductive traits, (4) dairy and reproductive traits, (5) body weights and dairy traits and (6) body weights, reproductive and dairy traits. Other factors were also studied, as the level of usage of proven sires, variations in the economic value of slaughter weight and eliminating progeny testing in the beef herd tier […]

The carcass characteristics from young bulls or steers from different breed compositions of Charolais x Nellore were the objective of this study. Seventy beef males from three breeding systems: straightbreds (Charolais (Ch) and Nellore (Ne)), G1 crossbreds (1/2 Ch 1/2 Ne and 1/2 Ne 1/2 Ch) and G2 crossbreds (3/4 Ch 1/4 Ne and 3/4 Ne 1/4 Ch) were used. Thirty-five males were castrated (steers) at seven months and 35 were kept entire (young bulls). The animals were confined from […]

The polymorphism of the growth hormone gene (bGH) was studied in 211 Nellore pure breed bovine males to estimate the genotype and allelic frequencies and possible associations of the gene with weight traits. For this study, body weight data were collected at birth, weaning and monthly from 10 to 16 months of age. Additionally, weight gains from birth to weaning and weaning to 16 months of age were calculated. DNA was extracted from blood samples and the animals genotyped for […]

The inclusion of four lactose levels (0, 7, 14 and 21%) in pre-starter diets for piglets was studied to determine the best level of lactose inclusion in weanling diets at this age. The experimental diets were fed from the weaning day to 14 days post weaning, but the performance was followed until the end of the nursery phase, at 35 days post weaning. The average daily gain (ADG) and the daily intake (CRD) from 0 to 14 days linearly increased […]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate different feeding schedule and oyster shell supplementation on the performance and eggshell quality, determined blood constituents, and on the calcium and phosphorus apparent availability using 120 laying hens Lohmann LSL, aged 70 weeks, distributed in 20 experimental units with six hens each. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a factorial arrangement 2 x 2: feeding systems (ad libitum and fasting from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and oyster shell meal […]

The objective of this trial was to determine the adequate level of the phytase (0, 300, 600 and 900 PU/kg of the diet) to be added in corn-soybean meal diets with two crude protein (CP) levels, one at the animal requirements (18%CP) and another at smaller level (16% CP), for the most effective nitrogen bioavailability, of the energy and of the macro minerals, and also to observe in which of these diet protein levels the phytase has larger effect. Twenty-four […]

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of enzymatic supplementation of corn and soybean based diets on performance (Trial 1), nutrients digestibility (Trial 2), performance and nutrient flow in the ileal digesta (Trial 3) in broiler chickens. In Trial 1, for experimental diet formulation, the chemical composition of soybean meal (SM) and full fat extruded soybean (ES) were overestimated in 7% for ME and CP, and 5% for Met, Met+Cys and Lys (Treatment C, D, and E) and 9% […]