It was monitored variables related to production and structure of oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) pastures managed at four sward heights (10, 20, 30, and 40 cm) on continuous grazing with variable stocking (put and take). It was used crossbred beef steers at approximately 10 months of age and an average initial weight 190 kg in a complete random block design with three replicates. The type of sward height distribution in six different sample dates as […]

It was aimed in this work to evaluate the productivity and efficiency of beef cows submitted to weaning of their calves at 76 days (early weaning) or at 148 days (weaning at conventional age) after calving during three consecutive years. It was evaluated pregnancy rate, birth and weaning, gain weight of the calves and cows at conventional weaning, weight at conventional weaning of calves and cows, production of weaned calves per cow and calf production index. Pregnancy rate in the […]

This work aimed to study the temperament and the behavior of three sheep breeds (Suffolk, Texel, Ile de France) submitted to two grazing methods (continuous and rotational) with two forage supplies (10 and 20 kg of Italian ryegrass DM/100 kg body weight/day) during four evaluations from August to November 2006. A random block design was used with split-plots, so the grazing methods and forage supplies were the plots, breeds were the sub-plots, and days of evaluation were the sub-sub-plots. It […]

The objective of the study was to propose a methodology of production systems analysis, considering intraannual quantitative flow and the qualitative characteristics of the milk delivered by the farmers to the industry. The data were collected from 1,196 milk producers from 2005 to 2006 using month production variables, fat content, protein, lactose and total solids, counting of somatic cells, and standardized counting in plates. The method of analysis used was the main component analyses and ascending hierarchical classification (typology). The […]

This study was conducted in order to verify the best level of palm kernel cake in the diet for lambs through evaluation of hepatic condition. It was used 32 non-castrated Santa Inês lambs distributed into four diets with palm kernel cake levels of 0.0; 6.5; 13.0 and 19.5% in the dry matter (DM). Every 15 days, blood samples were collected, totalizing five collects for the whole experimental period. It was determined levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulin, […]

Thirty-three dairy goats were used to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soybean meal by urea or starea (urea + extruded corn) on milk production and composition and plasma glucose, urea nitrogen and nonesterified fatty acids concentrations. The animals were distributed in a randomized complete block design, with three experimental diets and eleven replicates. All the experimental diets were isonitrogenous, composed by 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate, with different nitrogenous sources (soybean meal, soybean meal + 2.8% starea […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the levels of sodium monensin on lactating cows and their effects on productive performance and milk protein fraction composition. It was used 12 Holstein cows, distributed in four balanced 3 × 3 Latin squares, and fed three diets: one control without monensin, and two diets with monensin at the levels of 24 or 48 mg/kg DM added to the concentrate. Milk production was daily measured throughout the entire experimental period. The samples […]

The study was carried out to develop and to evaluate new equations to predict dry matter intake (DMI) of Nellore and Zebu-crosses cattle using meta-analysis procedure. The data used to estimate the parameters were collected from independent performance experiments using growing and fattening Nellore and Zebu-crosses cattle, and they were compiled from 561 experimental units. Before proposing an equation to predict DMI, it was observed that the genetic group was a source of statisticaly significant variation. Therefore, equations to predict […]

The objective in this study was to evaluate meat quality of longissimus thoracisi muscle during ageing. Samples from 22 Nelore bovines and 22 Red Norte males at 24 months of age were collected at 24 hours post mortem, kept at 2ºC and analyzed on days 1, 7, 14 and 21. The animals were finished in confinement (112 days) with corn silage (50%) and concentrate (50%) ad libitum. Values of final pH, cooking loss, moisture, protein, fat and ash were similar […]

The effects of body weight or age and dietary digestible lysine and metabolizable energy on apparent digestibility of energy and dry matter were evaluated in piglets after weaning. The animals were weaned at 21 days of age and distributed in two groups: 8.68 ± 0.76 kg at 28 days of age (weaned 7 days earlier); and 12.73 ± 0.99 kg at 35 days of age (weaned 14 days earlier). The pigs were allotted in digestibility cages in a completely randomized […]