A program to determine optimum contribution selection using differential evolution was developed. The objective function to be optimized was composed by the expected merit of the future progeny and the coancestry among selected parents. Simulated and real datasets of populations with overlapping generations were used to validate and test the performance of the program. The program was computationally efficient and feasible for practical applications. The expected consequences of using the program, in contrast to empirical procedures to control inbreeding and/or […]

This study aimed to verify the existence of genetic variation among guineagrass cultivars regarding the effect of maturity on chemical composition and digestibility, and to classify the genotypes according to productive characteristics and nutritional quality. A randomized block design, with split- plots and three replications, was used. Dates of the cuts were considered as the plots, and the genotypes were considered as the sub- plots. Dry matter yield differed among the genotypes only at 90 days of growth, but the […]

It was evaluated in this work, crop yield, fermentative quality and nutritional value of the silage of cultivars of white (Avena Sativa L.) and black (Avena Strigosa Schreb) oats cut at two development stages. It was used an experimental randomized block design in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of four oat cultivars (two cultivars of black oats: Aveia Preta Comum and UTFP 971; and two cultivars of white oats: ER 91156- 1- 2- 1 and SI 98105- b), […]

It was evaluated the addition of calcium oxide (0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; and 2.0% of dry matter) effect on the chemical composition and ruminal degradability of the dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, on the losses of dry matter, and on the microbial population in sugar cane silages. A design with five levels of calcium oxide and three replications was used. All the variables were influenced by the addition of calcium oxide in the silages, except the composition in acid […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of including legumes (clover) and the application of nitrogen on oat forage structural composition and production and the animal production in crop-live stocking integration system. It was used a random block experimental design with three replications. The factors were arranged in split-plots, so the plots were composed of evaluation periods and the split-plots were composed of the combination of clover with nitrogen fertilization(200 kg of N/ha using urea). The pasture […]

Athletic production is what is sought from the horse. As mammary development is important to the dairy cow, skeletal development is important to horses meeting their production goals. As any integrative physiologist will appreciate, the variables that come together to result in optimal skeletal development are complex. Nutrition is one of these, and it contains two broad variables; the supply of dietary nutrients and energy. This presentation will focus on dietary energy and its links with skeletal development. I propose […]

The society has taken a new direction towards a respectable relationship with the animals and a more conscious breeding, use for food, sports and company. The domestication and the use of horses by people have caused wrong feeding management, which is mainly due to reduced knowledge on feeding behavior. The pastures are the appropriate environment to horses feeding, but it is a complex system which interferes on the horse’s decision while it is grazing. The appropriate horse’s feeding management depends […]

In Brazil, as in other countries, investments in research with horses are related to the objectives of the equine industry in the country. This study aimed to review the current literature with the purpose of assessing the latest scientific and technological development in horse’s production. Researchers are related to many areas as in production and management, genetics and breeding, nutrition and feeding, reproduction, medicine and surgery, diseases and health protection. There is still research in areas related to equestrian sports, […]

The Brazilian aquaculture is the second (Chile is the first one) in South American production, supported basically by production chains of shrimp and tilapia culture. Brazil produced, in 2007, 95691.0 tons of tilapia, representing 45% of the continental aquaculture. Aquaculture from small and medium producers has shown in recent years changes on farming systems. By the end of the 90s, it was based on semi-intensive ponds and dams. From the year 2000, tilapia culture in cages highlighted, especially in Union […]

The objective of this paper is to discuss the formation of partnerships, networks and strategic alliances in the production chain of Brazilian beef. The basic concepts of networks, strategic alliances and, cooperation are discussed. Four cases of alliances are analyzed, based on the existent literature. Finally, the work is finished pointing the success reasons in an alliance.