The objective of this trial was to investigate the daily variation in the urinary excretions of creatinine and nitrogen compounds in dairy heifers. It was also of particular interest to determine whether or not estimation of microbial protein synthesis is affected by the number of urinary sampling days. Eleven dairy Holstein heifers averaging 287 ± 49 kg of body weight (BW) in the beginning of the trial were used. Samples of urine were collected during six consecutive days using N. […]

The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of partial replacement of sorghum silage and soybean meal with whole cottonseed on microbial protein synthesis and efficiency and nitrogen metabolism in lactating Holstein cows receiving forage cactus based diets. Five animals were randomly assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design and were fed diets containing (% of DM): 0.0, 6.25, 12.50, 18.75, and 25.00% of whole cottonseed. Inclusion of whole cottonseed in the diet did not affect […]

The intakes and apparent total tract and partial digestibility of nutrients in Holstein x Zebu steers fed diets formulated with four dietary CP levels (9,11,13, and 15%), in DM basis were evaluated. Four rumen and abomasum cannulated castrated animals, averaging initial weight of 343.5 kg, were allotted to a 4 x 4 Latin square design, with four animal and four periods. Each experimental period lasted 18 days (first 10 for adaptation period). The dietary CP levels did not affect the […]

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of replacing Tifton hay and corn with forage cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill ) on milk production and composition and milk fatty acid profile in lactating Holstein cows. Animals averaged 583 ± 7.07 kg of body weight in the beginning of the trial and were fed diets containing (% of DM): 0, 12.0, 25.0, 38.0 or 51.0% of forage cactus. Five Holstein cows were randomly assigned to treatments in a […]

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of replacing Tifton hay and corn with forage cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill ) on microbial protein synthesis and efficiency and N metabolism in lactating Holstein cows. Diets contained (% of DM): 0, 12.0, 25.0, 38.0, or 51.0%) of forage cactus. Five Holstein cows were randomly assigned to treatments in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 17 days with 10 days for diet adaptation and […]

The present study evaluated the relationship between different dietary net energy (NE) levels and body condition score (BCS) on performance of dairy goats during the prepartum period. Forty-eight pregnant goats were kept in individual cages during the last 30 days before parturition. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (two BCS and three levels of NE in the diet). Goats were assigned to one of two groups, based on body […]

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of ewe pre-partum supplementation and weaning age on performance of lambs. Forth-four Ile de France x Bergamasca ewes that were mated with Ile de France rams were used in this trial. Animals were maintained in a rotational grazing system of Panicum maximum (cv. Tanzânia) pasture until 30 days before parturition. Ewes were then divided in two groups: supplemented (SUPL) and not-supplemented (NS); animals on the SUPL group were supplemented (1% […]

The objective of this study was to investigate the flow and absorption of amino acids (AA) in steers fed diets supplemented with different protein sources. Twenty-one Holstein steers averaging eight months of age and 187 kg of body weight were used. Animals were fitted with abomasal caanulas and fed diets with a forage to concentrate ratio of 40:60. The experimental diets contained Rhodes grass hay, corn, molasses, minerals, and one of the following protein sources: cottonseed meal, yeast, or urea. […]

The objective was to evaluate the replacement corn silage by coffee hulls in the diet on performance, total apparent digestibility of dairy heifers. Twenty-four dairy Holstein heifers, purebred and crossbred, were assigned, according to animal initial weight, to a randomized block design with four treatments (Coffee hulls levels: 0.0, 7.0, 14.0, and 21.0% DM basis) and six replicates. All heifers were daily fed 2.0 kg concentrate. DM intake linearly increased, while fresh matter (FM) intake was not affected by the […]

The objective of this experiment was to conduct an economic evaluation of feedlot finished Red Angus young steers fed to reach slaughter weights (SW) of 340, 370, 400 and 430 kg (actual SW of: 340, 373, 401 and 434 kg). Animals spent 114, 144, 168 and 209 days to reach the target SW at 12, 13, 14 and 15 months of age, respectively. Animals were fed a diet containing 13.26% crude protein and a forage (corn silage) to concentrate ratio […]