A digestibility assay were carried out to evaluate, in consecutives periods, the total excreta collection method and the chromium oxide method as a marker. Apparent metabolizable energy corrected by nitrogen retention (AMEn) and aparent digestibility of dry matter coefficient (ADDMC) of broiler diet based in a ground corn and soybean meal containing 19% crude protein and 3.100 kcal ME/kg. Sixty adult Leghorn cockerels weigh, in average, 2.350±105 g were used. Each cockerel participates in the evaluation of the two methods […]

Two experiments, with 288 and 196 birds, half males and half females, respectively, were carried out to determine the copper (Cu) requirements for broilers in the growing (from 22 to 42 days) and finishing (from 43 to 54 days) phases. Two basal diets were formulated to meet the bird nutritional requirements, except for Cu, that was deficient at the levels of 1.40 and 1.33 ppm, respectively. The treatments of both experiments consisted of the Cu supplementation levels, from Cu sulfate, […]

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the inclusion of exogenous enzymes in diets with different protein levels and sources for pigs during the nursery period. In the first experiment, 80 pigs from 21 to 51 days of age, weaned at 14 days of age, were assigned to a randomized blocks experimental design, in a 2x2x2 factorial (two protein levels; with or without meat and bone meal; with or without enzyme), with five replicates and two pigs/box, and fed a […]

The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of the recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the percentage distribution and diameter of semitendinosus muscle fibers. Thirty-six ½ Angus-Nellore crossbred bull calves, 63 ± 17 days old and weighting 76.8 ± 14.7 kg, raised in Brachiaria decumbens pastures and creep fed, were assigned to one of two treatments until weaning (217 days): eighteen calves received 1.4 mg/kg of rbST (Boostin®) every 14 days and eighteen control calves received saline solution. […]

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the carcass characteristics of crossbred cull cows, from the second (G2- 3/4Charolais (C) Nellore (N) and 3/4NC) and third (G3-5/8CN and 5/8NC) generations of Charolais – Nellore rotational crossbreeding, feedlot finished and slaughtered with 465, 507 and 566 kg. At the beginning of the experiment the average age, weight and body condition were, respectively, 8.5 years, 388.6 kg and 2.35 points. The diet, with 48:52 roughage:concentrate ratio, contained 12.5% crude protein and […]

Twelve non pregnant dry cows (640 kg LW) were assigned to a randomized block design, provided that the treatments were alfalfa haylage (60.0% DM and 19.5% CP) control or inoculated with Silobac® product (Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus), with the objective to evaluate the effects of microbial inoculation of alfalfa silage on ruminal and total digestibility in bovines. Experimental diet was composing by 50% of alfalfa silage and 50% of concentrate as dry matter basis. The experimental period had duration […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the carcass characteristics of feedlot finished steers, straightbreds (Charolais – C and Nellore – N), and crossbreds from second (G2) (¾C ¼N and ¾N ¼C), third (G3) (5/8C 3/8N and 5/8N 3/8C) and fourth (G4) (11/16C 5/16N and 11/16N 5/16C) generations of rotational crossbreeding. Crossbreds showed higher slaughter, hot and cold carcass weights than the average of the purebreds, being the total heterosis, respectively, 14.95; 18.72 and 18.39% in G2, 19.98; 24.16 […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the carcass physical composition and meat quality of steers, straightbreds (Charolais – C and Nellore – N), and crossbreds from second (G2) (¾C ¼N and ¾N ¼C), third (G3) (5/8C 3/8N and 5/8N 3/8C) and fourth (G4) (11/16C 5/16N and 11/16N 5/16C) generation of rotational crossbreeding, feedlot finished with 52% corn silage plus 48% of concentrate in the diet. Crossbred steers were superior to the straightbreds mean for absolute weight of muscle, […]

The effect of different energy sources in multiple supplements of self-feed on the average daily gain (ADG), total weight gain (TWG), pH and ruminal ammonia concentration of steers grazed at pasture in the wet season was evaluated. Treatments were supplements containing ground corn grain (GCG), corn, ears and cob (CEC), ground sorghum (GS) and control treatment (mineral mix – MM). Sixteen crossbreed steers with initial age and weight of 12 months old and 265 kg were used. Ruminal parameters were […]

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the performance of males of two categories, steers and young steers, from two genetic groups, 5/8Charolais (CH) 3/8Nelore (NE) and 5/8NE 3/8CH. The average age of the animals at the beginning of the experimental period was 22.8 months for steers and 15.2 months for young steers. The animals were feedlot finished to reach slaughter weight of 430 kg, previously established. The performance characteristics evaluated between categories were compared in two manners: (=FW): […]