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da Silva EA, de Araújo TLAC, Pereira MWF, da Silva JGM, da Costa Lima GF, da Silva NIS, de Macedo MF, Medeiros FLM, Urbano SA, Oliveira MMG, Silva EMN, de Lima Junior DM. Effect of replacing Tifton 85 hay with Moringa hay (Moringa oleifera L.) on the nutrient metabolism, metabolic profile, and water balance of sheep. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:292. [PMID: 39331241 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04174-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing Tifton 85 hay (TH) with Moringa hay (MH) on the intake, apparent digestibility, ingestive behaviour, rumen parameters, serum attributes, nitrogen balance, water balance, and urinary attributes of sheep. Thus, 5 rams, ½ Dorper + ½ Santa Inês, that were 12 ± 4 months of age with an initial body weight of 32.8 ± 2.6 kg were distributed in metabolic cages in a Latin square design. The experiment lasted 85 days and was divided into five 17-day periods. The animals received rations with increasing replacement (0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 g/kg of dry matter in the total diet) of TH for MH. The forage: concentrate ratio of the diets was 40:60. Replacing TH with MH reduced (P < 0.05) the intake of organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDFap), and total digestible nutrients by sheep. The apparent digestibility of NDFap and the feeding and rumination efficiencies of NDFap were reduced (P < 0.05) when MH replaced TH in the animals' diet. This replacement did not influence (P > 0.05) serum urea, total protein, creatinine, or aspartate aminotransferase in sheep. Replacing TH with MH decreased water intake and excretion (P < 0.05). In addition, nitrogen excretion via urine, urinary creatinine, and nitrogen absorption decreased (P < 0.05) when TH was replaced with MH. However, there was an increase in the sheep's nitrogen retention and urine pH. We recommend replacing 30% TH with MH in the diet of lambs because it does not compromise nutrient metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisomar André da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Thiago Luís Alves Campos de Araújo
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil.
| | - Marília Williani Filgueira Pereira
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - José Geraldo Medeiros da Silva
- Department of Animal Production, Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte, Eliza Branco Pereira dos Santos Street, Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Ferreira da Costa Lima
- Department of Animal Production, Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte, Eliza Branco Pereira dos Santos Street, Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Natália Ingrid Souto da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Michelly Fernandes de Macedo
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando Lucas Monteiro Medeiros
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Stela Antas Urbano
- Academic Unit in Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Avenue 160, Km 03, Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Maria Mirna Gonçalves Oliveira
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Emerson Marcos Nascimento Silva
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Dorgival Morais de Lima Junior
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Francisco Mota Street, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil.
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Catussi BLC, Ferreira JR, Lo Turco EG, Morgulis SCF, Baruselli PS. Metabolic imprinting in beef calves supplemented with creep feeding on performance, reproductive efficiency and metabolome profile. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9702. [PMID: 38678099 PMCID: PMC11055875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60216-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This experiment evaluated the influence of creep feeding supplementation on productive and reproductive performance and on serum metabolome profile in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers. Female calves were assigned to treatments: Creep (n = 190), with ad libitum access to a nutritional supplement from 70 to 220 days after birth, or Control (n = 140), without supplementation. After weaning (Day 220), both groups followed the same pasture and nutritional management. Body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (BFAT) were measured over time. Blood samples were collected at 220 and 360 days for LC-MS/MS targeted metabolomics. On day 408, during the synchronization timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol, reproductive status (RS: diameter of uterine horn and largest follicle, and presence of CL) was assessed. Creep feeding increased BW and BFAT at weaning, but no differences in BW, BFAT, or RS after weaning were observed. Nonetheless, the pregnancy per AI (P/AI) for 1st service was 28.9% higher in the Creep group. On day 220, 11 significant metabolites influenced five metabolic pathways: Glucose-alanine cycle, alanine, glutathione, phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, and urea cycle. On day 360, 14 significant metabolites influenced eight metabolic pathways: Malate-aspartate shuttle, arginine and proline metabolism, urea cycle, aspartate, beta-alanine, glutamate metabolism, ammonia recycling and citric acid cycle. In conclusion, creep feeding supplementation improved calf performance and induced metabolic changes at weaning and 360 days of age. Although heifers had similar productive performance and reproductive status, when submitted to TAI, those supplemented with creep feeding had greater P/AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Lima Chechin Catussi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | - Pietro Sampaio Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Moradi M, Warburton CL, Porto-Neto LR, Silva LFP. Estimating the heritability of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in the tail hair of beef cattle. Genet Sel Evol 2024; 56:3. [PMID: 38172694 PMCID: PMC10763070 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00870-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The natural abundance of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotopes in animal tissues are used to estimate an animal's efficiency in nitrogen utilization, and their feed conversion efficiency, especially in tropical grazing systems with prolonged protein restriction. It is postulated that selection for improving these two characteristics (δ15N and δ13C) would assist the optimisation of the adaptation in ever-changing environments, particularly in response to climate change. The aim of this study was to determine the heritability of δ15N and δ13C in the tail hair of tropically adapted beef cattle to validate their inclusion in genetic breeding programs. METHODS In total, 492 steers from two breeds, Brahman (n = 268) and Droughtmaster (n = 224) were used in this study. These steers were managed in two mixed breed contemporary groups across two years (year of weaning): steers weaned in 2019 (n = 250) and 2020 (n = 242). Samples of tail switch hair representing hair segments grown during the dry season were collected and analysed for δ15N and δ13C with isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Heritability and variance components were estimated in a univariate multibreed (and single breed) animal model in WOMBAT and ASReml using three generations of full pedigree. RESULTS The estimated heritability of both traits was significantly different from 0, i.e. 0.43 ± 0.14 and 0.41 ± 0.15 for δ15N and δ13C, respectively. These traits had favourable moderate to high genetic and phenotypic correlations (- 0.78 ± 0.16 and - 0.40 ± 0.04, respectively). The study also provides informative single-breed results in spite of the limited sample size, with estimated heritability values of 0.37 ± 0.19 and 0.19 ± 0.17 for δ15N and δ13C in Brahman, and 0.36 ± 0.21 and 0.46 ± 0.22 for δ15N and δ13C in Droughtmaster, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study show, for the first time, that the natural abundances of both nitrogen and carbon isotopes in the tail hair in cattle may be moderately heritable. With further research and validation, tail hair isotopes can become a practical tool for the large-scale selection of more efficient cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Moradi
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, 4343, Australia
| | - Christie L Warburton
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, 4343, Australia
| | | | - Luis F P Silva
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, 4343, Australia.
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Johnson JB, Batley RJ, Neupane P, Bhattarai SP, Trotter T, Costa DFA, Naiker M. Assessment of the Nutritional Value of Stems and Leaves of Australian Adzuki Bean. Metabolites 2023; 13:1062. [PMID: 37887387 PMCID: PMC10608703 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13101062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adzuki bean has recently been proposed as a viable dual-purpose (grain-and-graze) crop for the Northern regions of Australia because of its successful use in semi-arid regions and its nitrogen fixation capacity to improve soil fertility and animal nutrition. However, there are very few studies on the phytochemical composition and nutritional value of the non-seed material. This study investigated the phenolic composition of the parts grown in the vegetative phase (leaves and stems) of nine Australian adzuki bean varieties for the first time. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the stem material (157-406 mg GAE/100 g) was 23-217% higher than that of commercial livestock feed, while the TPC of the leaf material (1158-1420 mg GAE/100 g) was 9-11 times higher. Using tandem liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the major phenolic compounds identified were rutin, luteolin, salicylic acid, and quercetin-3-glucoside. The leaf and stem materials showed high levels of apparent in vitro dry matter digestibility, with no significant difference in total gas or methane production compared to lucerne hay. The results suggest that adzuki bean vegetative materials could be a high-value livestock fodder and support pursuing further in-depth studies into their nutritional value for livestock.
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Reis IA, de Souza MG, Granja-Salcedo YT, de Carvalho IPC, Porcionato MADF, Prados LF, Siqueira GR, De Resende FD. Effect of Post-Ruminal Urea Supply on Growth Performance of Grazing Nellore Young Bulls at Dry Season. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020207. [PMID: 36670747 PMCID: PMC9854706 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of post-ruminal urea on performance, nitrogen metabolism and the ruminal environment of Nellore cattle reared on pasture during the dry season. In experiment 1 (Exp. 1), nine ruminal-cannulated Nellore steers, 30 ± 2 months old (651 ± 45 kg body weight (BW)), were allotted to a 3 × 3 Latin triple square. In experiment 2 (Exp. 2), 84 Nellore bulls, 18 ± 3 months old (315 ± 84 kg BW), were distributed in complete randomized blocks, by initial BW. Protein supplements were supplied daily, in the amount of 2 g/kg BW, and consisted of either CONT: protein + conventional urea (50% CP), PRU: protein + post ruminal urea (50% CP) and U + PRU: protein + urea conventional + post-ruminal urea (70% CP). The paddocks were composed of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu grass. In Exp. 1, there was no treatment effect for DM, OM, NDF, forage intake, and CP, but there was a higher intake for PRU (p < 0.005) and a higher digestibility for U+ PRU (p = 0.001). There was no effect on ruminal pH or NH3-N concentration (p ≥ 0.232), but there was an interaction between treatment and time for them (p < 0.039). Furthermore, there was a treatment effect on the total SCFA concentration, with CONT being higher than the others. A difference in the acetate:propionate ratio was found (p < 0.027), with a greater relationship for PRU and U + PRU. A treatment effect (p = 0.049) was found for the propionate proportion, with a higher proportion in the CONT. Nitrogen intake was consequently lower for the CONT and higher urinary excretion for the U + PRU (p = 0.002). Animals supplemented with CONT showed a tendency to have more Bacteria and fewer Archaea (p = 0.086). In Exp. 2, there was a treatment effect for the disappearance rate of the supplement (p < 0.001). Intake was faster for PRU and CONT, but performance was not affected by PRU (p = 0.311). The use of post-ruminal urea alters the microbial population, but does not affect performance. Therefore, supplementation with post-ruminal urea presented similar results compared to conventional urea. Ruminal and blood parameters and animal performance were not influenced by treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Alexandre Reis
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: (I.A.R.); (Y.T.G.-S.)
| | - Mailza Gonçalves de Souza
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Yury Tatiana Granja-Salcedo
- Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Centro de Investigación El Nus, San Roque, Antioquia 053030, Colombia
- Correspondence: (I.A.R.); (Y.T.G.-S.)
| | | | | | - Laura Franco Prados
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Colina 14770-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Rezende Siqueira
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Colina 14770-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávio Dutra De Resende
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Colina 14770-000, SP, Brazil
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de Souza MG, Reis IA, de Carvalho IPC, Porcionato MADF, Prados LF, Granja-Salcedo YT, Siqueira GR, de Resende FD. Effects of Post-Ruminal Urea Supplementation during the Seasonal Period on Performance and Rumen Microbiome of Rearing Grazing Nellore Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243463. [PMID: 36552384 PMCID: PMC9774649 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the effects of urea with post-ruminal absorption in the supplementation of growing Nellore cattle reared on pasture during a seasonal period. For the study, two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, rumen and blood parameters were evaluated using eight rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls with initial body weight (BW) of 763 ± 44 kg, distributed in a double Latin square 4 × 4. In experiment 2, 120 Nellore steers with initial BW of 380 ± 35 kg were used for performance evaluation, distributed in a randomized block design (blocking factor or initial BW). The evaluated treatments were 1: (TP-U) (control) = supplement with 24% crude protein (CP) containing urea as a source of non-protein nitrogen (NPN; 3%) and soybean meal, 2: (TP-PRU) = 24% CP supplement containing post-ruminal urea (PRU; 3.6%) and soybean meal; 3: (NPN-U-PRU) = 24% CP supplement containing urea + post-ruminal urea (U = 3% and PRU = 3.9%), without soybean meal; 4: (NPN-PRU) = supplement with 24% CP containing post-ruminal urea (7.5%), without soybean meal. The supplement was offered at 3 g/kg BW per animal, daily, once a day. All animals were kept on Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu pasture. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS PROC MIXED, and the data were evaluated by the following contrasts: C1 = TP-U/TP-PRU vs. NPN-U-PRU/NPN-PRU (Soybean meal replacement by NPN); C2 = TP-U vs. TP-PRU (conventional urea vs. post-immune urea); C3 = NPN-U-PRU vs. NPN-PRU (low and high post-ruminal urea-PRU level). The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and NDF was lower when soybean meal was replaced by non-protein nitrogen, also being different between the levels of post-ruminal urea used in the supplement. Ruminal pH was different when soybean meal was replaced by NPN (p = 0.003). Total concentration of short-chain fatty acids, concentrations of isobutyrate (p = 0.003), valerate (p = 0.001), and isovalerate (p = 0.001) were different, and blood urea was different when soybean meal was replaced by NPN (p = 0.006). Simpson's diversity index was higher in the rumen of animals supplemented with TP-U than in those supplemented with TP-PRU (p = 0.05). A total of 27 phyla, 234 families, and 488 genera were identified. Nitrospirota and Gemmatimonadota phyla were detected just in the rumen of steers supplemented with TP-PRU. The performance (final BW, weight gain and gain per area) of the animals was different, being higher (p = 0.04) in animals supplemented with soybean meal, compared to NPN. The removal of soybean meal from the supplement and its replacement with either conventional urea plus post-ruminal urea or only post-ruminal urea compromises the performance of the animals. The lower the post-ruminal urea inclusion level, the lower the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and NDF, when compared to animals supplemented with higher levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mailza Gonçalves de Souza
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.G.d.S.); (Y.T.G.-S.)
| | - Irene Alexandre Reis
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Laura Franco Prados
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Colina 14770-000, Brazil
| | - Yury Tatiana Granja-Salcedo
- Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Centro de Investigación El Nus, San Roque, Antioquia 053030, Colombia
- Correspondence: (M.G.d.S.); (Y.T.G.-S.)
| | - Gustavo Rezende Siqueira
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Colina 14770-000, Brazil
| | - Flávio Dutra de Resende
- Department of Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Colina 14770-000, Brazil
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da Silva FJS, de Lima Júnior DM, de Almeida VVS, Oliveira AC, Fernandes BDO, Souza AP, de Carvalho FFR, de Medeiros AN. Coconut fruit pulp by-product in the diet of sheep. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:379. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03368-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Relationship between different sources of non-protein nitrogen and supplementation times on performance and metabolism of grazing Nellore cattle during the dry season. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:382. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03383-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Silva LFP, Hegarty RS, Meale SJ, Costa DAF, Fletcher MT. Using the natural abundance of nitrogen isotopes to identify cattle with greater efficiency in protein-limiting diets. Animal 2022; 16 Suppl 3:100551. [PMID: 35688653 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The difficulty in selecting cattle for higher feed and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an important factor contributing to poor growth and reproductive performance in dry-tropics rangelands. Therefore, the objectives were to examine the cattle variation in retaining nitrogen in a protein-deficient diet and the natural abundance of stable isotopes in body tissues as a practical alternative for the detection of more efficient cattle. In experiment 1, feed efficiency parameters were determined in 89 Brahman steers fed a protein-limiting diet for 70 days, followed by 7 days in metabolism crates for total collection of urine and faeces and calculation of nitrogen retention and NUE. The diet-animal fractionation of nitrogen isotopes (Δ15N) was quantified in tail hair and plasma proteins using isotope-ratio MS. There was a large variation in growth performance, feed efficiency and nitrogen losses among steers. Quantifying Δ15N in tail hair (Δ15Ntail hair) resulted in stronger correlations with feed efficiency and nitrogen metabolism parameters than when quantified in plasma proteins. Δ15Ntail hair was positively correlated with nitrogen losses in urine (r = 0.31, P < 0.01) and faeces (r = 0.25, P = 0.04), leading to a negative correlation with NUE (r = -0.40, P < 0.01). The group of steers with lower Δ15Ntail hair had greater feed efficiency, lower nitrogen losses, and greater NUE. In experiment 2, for evaluation of isotope fraction as a predictor of reproductive performance, 630 Brahman-crossed cows were classified for reproductive performance for 2 years. From this group, 25 cows with poor reproductive performance and 25 cows with good reproductive performance were selected. Tail hair representing 7 months of growth were segmented and analysed for carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope enrichment. Reproductive performance was not associated with diet selection, as there was no difference in tail hair δ13C between groups. However, more productive cows had lower (P < 0.05) tail hair δ15N during the dry season, indicating differences in N metabolism and possibly lower N losses. In addition, cows with better reproductive performance and, therefore, greater nutrient demands, had similar body condition scores and a tendency (P = 0.09) for higher live weight at the end of the trial. In conclusion, the findings of the present study confirm that nitrogen isotope fractionation in tail hair can be used as a predictor of nitrogen losses, NUE, and reproductive performance of Brahman cattle on low-protein diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F P Silva
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia.
| | - R S Hegarty
- The University of New England, School of Environmental and Rural Science, Armidale, Australia
| | - S J Meale
- The University of Queensland, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gatton, Australia
| | - D A F Costa
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia
| | - M T Fletcher
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia
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Campos LM, Souza VC, Granja-Salcedo YT, Messana JD, Prestegaard-Wilson JM, Ganga MJG, Dias AVL, Costa VE, Berchielli TT. Odd-chain fatty acids as an alternative method to predict ruminal microbial nitrogen flow of feedlot Nellore steers fed grain-based diets supplemented with different nitrogen sources. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6551192. [PMID: 35311895 PMCID: PMC9109009 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the use of total odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA) as a marker to estimate microbial nitrogen flow (MicN) and calculate the efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS) in Nellore steers fed high-concentrate diets supplemented with different nitrogen supplements (NS). Ruminally and duodenally cannulated Nellore steers (n = 6; 354 ± 12 kg) were used in a 6 × 6 repeated switchback design balanced for residual effects. Treatments were arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial of three nitrogen (N) supplements (urea plus soybean meal; corn gluten meal; dried distillers' grains plus solubles) and three microbial markers (OCFA; double-labeled urea, 15N; microbial nucleic acid bases, MNAB). The total mixed ration was composed of fresh chopped sugarcane as the forage source in an 83:17 concentrate: forage ratio (dry matter basis). Linear regression was used to develop predictions of MicN from OCFA using 15N and MNAB as response variables. Microbial N flow was underestimated by the MNAB marker compared to 15N. Neither NS nor their respective interactions with the marker methods (MM) affected MicN or EMNS (P > 0.05). However, MicN was different for 15N and MNAB (P > 0.001 for both treatments). Marker methods affected EMNS in all energetic bases (total digestible carbohydrates P < 0.001; rumen-fermentable carbohydrates P < 0.001; organic matter truly degradable in the rumen P < 0.001). Equations that utilized OCFA as a regressor to predict MicN under different MM resulted in good fits of the data as observed by the coefficient of determination (R2; 15N = 0.78; MNAB = 0.69). Microbial N flow estimated from OCFA was overpredicted (15N by 7.46%; MNAB by 4.30%) compared with observed values. The OCFA model presented a small slope bias when methodological validation was applied (15N = 0.96%; MNAB = 3.90%), ensuring reliability of the proposed alternative method. Based on the conditions of this experiment, OCFA may be a suitable alternative to other methods that quantify MicN under different dietary conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia M Campos
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
- Corresponding author:
| | - Vinícius C Souza
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Yury T Granja-Salcedo
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
- Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria – AGROSAVIA, CIEI Nus, San Roque, Antioquía 250047, Colombia
| | - Juliana D Messana
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Júlia G Ganga
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Veronica L Dias
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Vladimir E Costa
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Telma T Berchielli
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
- INCT/CA–UFV-Department of Animal Science, Viçosa, MG 36580-900, Brazil
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Cidrini IA, Granja-Salcedo YT, Prados LF, Kishi LT, Siqueira GR, Resende FD. Effect of tannin extract associated with two levels of non-protein nitrogen in the supplement on performance, ruminal parameters, and microbial diversity of grazing Nellore cattle during the growing phase at dry season. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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12
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de Oliveira AA, Romanzini EP, Costa DFA, Barbero RP, Azenha MV, Lage JF, Ruggieri AC, Reis RA. Citrus Pulp Replacing Corn in the Supplement Decreased Fibre Digestibility with No Impacts on Performance of Cattle Grazing Marandu Palisade Grass in the Wet-Dry Transition Period. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:822. [PMID: 35405812 PMCID: PMC8997057 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The wet-dry transition period brings unique challenges to cattle producers in the tropics as the forage quality starts to decrease and animal performance is negatively affected unless supplementation strategies are applied. Two experiments were conducted concomitantly to evaluate the performance and metabolic parameters of cattle supplemented with two different energy sources under a C4 tropical grass continuous grazing system in the wet-dry transition period. In experiment (exp) 1, the liveweight (LW) gain of 42 growing Bos indicus Nellore bulls allocated to 12 paddocks of Uruchloa brizantha cv. Marandu, in a completely randomized block design, was evaluated to compare corn and citrus pulp-based supplements offered at 0.5% LW. Metabolism was evaluated in exp 2 with eight rumen-cannulated Nellore steers in an incomplete replicated Latin square design (RLSD) 4 × 2 (steers × treatment) fed the same two treatments as in exp 1. No differences in animal performance were observed between corn or citrus pulp-based supplements. Rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, and blood urea nitrogen were lower in the rumen of animals supplemented with citrus pulp. Despite this, there were no differences in total dry matter intake amongst the two energy sources. The neutral detergent fibre digestibility of the diet containing corn decreased, but it neither affected performance nor liveweight gain per area. The findings suggest that corn can be replaced by citrus pulp with neither detrimental effects on animal performance nor indirect effects on pastures productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Alves de Oliveira
- Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884900, SP, Brazil; (A.A.d.O.); (E.P.R.); (A.C.R.)
- Trouw Nutrition Brasil, Nutreco Group, Campinas 13080650, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliéder Prates Romanzini
- Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884900, SP, Brazil; (A.A.d.O.); (E.P.R.); (A.C.R.)
| | | | - Rondineli Pavezzi Barbero
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23897000, RJ, Brazil;
| | | | | | - Ana Cláudia Ruggieri
- Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884900, SP, Brazil; (A.A.d.O.); (E.P.R.); (A.C.R.)
| | - Ricardo Andrade Reis
- Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884900, SP, Brazil; (A.A.d.O.); (E.P.R.); (A.C.R.)
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13
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Parra MC, Costa D, Meale SJ, Silva LFP. Rumen bacteria and feed efficiency of beef cattle fed diets with different protein content. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/an21508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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14
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Pereira TCDJ, Pereira MLA, Silva HGDO, dos Santos AB, Ribeiro LSO, Pina DDS, Sousa LB, de Carvalho GGP. Energy sources in diets for lambs in confinement. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/an21136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
ContextThe use of alternative sources in ruminant feeding features advantages such as diminished dependence on traditional cereals that can be used for human consumption or monogastric animals.AimsThis study was conducted to examine nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, mean growth rate, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis in lambs fed diets containing different energy sources in the concentrate.MethodsThe experiment involved five uncastrated Santa Inês lambs, with an initial BW of 22.85±1.0kg, which were allocated individual metabolic cages and randomly assigned to one of the following five experimental treatments: maize (MA), wheat bran (WB), sorghum (SO), mesquite pod meal (MP) and peach palm meal (PP) in a 5×5 Latin square design, with five replicates each. Diets were isoenergetic with a roughage:concentrate ratio of 60:40.Key resultsThe energy sources in the concentrate influenced (P<0.0001) the intakes of DM and nutritional components. The apparent digestibility coefficients of the ether extract and NDFap were significantly (P<0.05) different between WB and the other diets. The different energy sources in the concentrate (MA, WB, SO and MP) increased (P<0.0001) the mean growth rate of the lambs. The diet containing PP as an energy source provided a smaller (P=0.0002) N intake than that from any other diet, and the PP diet resulted in a negative N balance (P=0.0200). Lambs fed with diets containing MP (80.38g day−1) as an energy source showed a larger (P=0.0007) microbial protein synthesis than did those fed with PP (24.47g day−1).ConclusionsWheat bran, sorghum, and mesquite pod meal can completely replace maize for lambs fed diets based on 270gkg−1 of maize.ImplicationsA variety of unusual feed ingredients facilitates the raising of lambs in various regions, with ingredients being local and of the lowest cost, promoting benefits to sheep producers.
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15
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Ferrari AC, Leite RG, Fonseca NV, Romanzini EP, Cardoso ADS, Barbero RP, Costa DF, Ruggieri AC, Reis RA. Performance, nutrient use, and methanogenesis of Nellore cattle on a continuous grazing system of Urochloa brizantha and fed supplement types varying on protein and energy sources. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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16
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Multivariate relationship between the nitrogen excretion and the protein and fiber utilization in hair sheep fed Mombasa grass silage mixed with açai palm seeds. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:254. [PMID: 33837863 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02704-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the multivariate relationship among the crude protein (CP) intake and digestibility, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake and digestibility, and the nitrogen excretion in hair sheep fed Mombasa grass silage mixed with açai palm seeds using canonical correlation analysis (CCA). For this purpose, a dataset was constructed using the information derived from a metabolic experiment with Santa Ines sheep (BW ± SE: 33.9 ± 1.37 kg) allocated into a 5 × 5 Latin square. The following two multivariate relationships were explored using CCA: (1) the N in both feces (Nfeces) and urine (Nurine) (canonical variate U) versus the intake of both CP (CPI) and NDF (NDFI) (canonical variate V). (2) the Nfeces and Nurine (canonical variate W) versus the digestibility of both CP (CPD) and NDF (NDFD) (canonical variate Z). Canonical loadings for relationship No. 1 revealed that Nfeces (0.971) and Nurine (- 0.249) had a positive and negative correlation, respectively, with U. Both CPI (0.960) and NDFI (0.997) had a positive and similar correlation with V. Regarding relationship No. 2, both Nfeces (0.860) and Nurine (0.500) had a positive correlation with W. Conversely, both CPD (- 0.910) and NDFD (- 0.889) had a negative and similar association with Z. In conclusion, our data showed that when a multivariate approach is used, an increase in both CPI and NDFI produces an increase in Nfeces, as well as a decrease in Nurine. Additionally, a decrease in both CPD and NDFD produces an increase in both Nfeces and Nurine.
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17
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Souza VC, Aguilar M, Van Amburgh M, Nayananjalie WAD, Hanigan MD. Milk urea nitrogen variation explained by differences in urea transport into the gastrointestinal tract in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:6715-6726. [PMID: 33773787 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and blood urea nitrogen are correlated with nitrogen balance and nitrogen excretion; however, there is also a genetic component to MUN concentrations that could be associated with differences in urea transport. It was hypothesized that a portion of the variation in MUN concentrations among cows is caused by variation in gastrointestinal and kidney urea clearance rates. Eight lactating cows with varying MUN concentrations while fed a common diet were infused with [15N15N]urea to determine urea N entry rate (UER), gastrointestinal entry rate, returned to ornithine cycle, urea N used for anabolism, urea N excretion in feces and urine. Urea clearance rates by the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract were calculated from isotopic enrichment of urea excretion in urine and gut entry rate, respectively, and plasma urea N concentrations (PUN). Over the course of the experiment, animals weighed an average of 506 ± 62 kg and produced 26.3 ± 4.39 kg of milk/d, with MUN concentrations ranging from 11.6 to 17.3 mg/dL (average of 14.9 ± 2.1 mg/dL). Plasma urea N was positively correlated with UER, urea N excretion in urine, and urea N used for anabolism. Plasma urea N and MUN were negatively correlated with gut clearance rates and ratio of gastrointestinal entry rate to UER. This relationship supports the hypothesis that differences in gut urea transport activity among animals causes variation in PUN and MUN concentrations, and that cows with high PUN and MUN are less efficient at recycling PUN to the gastrointestinal tract and thus may be more susceptible to ruminal N deficiencies when fed low RDP diets. Such biological variation in urea metabolism necessitates an adequate safety margin when setting regulations for maximal MUN levels as an indicator of herd N efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- V C Souza
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061
| | - M Aguilar
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061
| | - M Van Amburgh
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - W A D Nayananjalie
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka 61316
| | - M D Hanigan
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.
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Ribeiro L, Pereira M, Santos A, Pires A, Carvalho G, Silva H, Pereira T. Nitrogen balance of goat kids fed diets containing peach palm meal. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-11656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A.B. Santos
- Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Brazil
| | - A.J.V. Pires
- Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - H.G.O. Silva
- Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Brazil
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Souza VC, White RR. Variation in urea kinetics associated with ruminant species, dietary characteristics, and ruminal fermentation: A meta-analysis. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:2935-2955. [PMID: 33455789 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize variations in urea kinetics related to ruminant species, diet composition, and ruminal fermentation. A database of 31 studies measuring urea recycling kinetics were used to derive 2 sets of linear mixed-effects regression models. Study was used as a random intercept and regressions were weighted by 1 divided by the standard error of the mean observation. Models were compared, when appropriated, using the concordance correlation coefficient, root estimated variance associated with study (σˆs) and error (σˆe) and corrected Akaike information criterion values. From a dietary standpoint, most response variables were affected by measures reflecting dietary crude protein [(CP; e.g., N-NH3 or rumen-degradable protein (RDP)] and by variables reflecting dietary energy content [e.g., total digestible nutrients (TDN), dietary starch, or ruminal pH]. Dietary CP, N-NH3, and TDN typically had positive slopes on urea N entry rate (UER; g/d and g/kg0.75), whereas starch and TDN/RDP had negative slopes on UER (g/kg0.75). On the other hand, increasing TDN increased gastrointestinal entry rate (GER; g/kg0.75), whereas an opposite effect was observed for RDP. Increasing diet RDP content reduced the urea N returned to ornithine cycle (ROC; g/kg0.75) in most models. Ruminal variables also reflected the importance of N and energy supplies. Ruminal ammonia concentration significantly affected ROC (g/d and g/kg0.75), used for anabolism (UUA; g/kg0.75), ROC:GER, UUA:GER, and the incorporation of recycled urea N into microbial N relative to gastrointestinal entry rate of urea. Ruminal pH significantly affected GER:UER and ROC:GER ratios. Total digestible nutrients had a positive slope on UUA (g/kg0.75). Increasing the ratio of energy to protein (TDN:RDP) increased the GER:UER ratio, decreased the ROC:GER ratio, and increased the UUA:GER ratio and the incorporation of recycled urea N into microbial N relative to gastrointestinal entry rate of urea N. Comparison among models revealed that species was an important explanatory variable affecting most response variables. However, whether these differences are related to the intrinsic N metabolism of each species or due to the diet variation remains unclear. Understanding these differences could lead to improvements in N use efficiency in ruminant diets by formulating more precise low-N diets considering the particularities for each species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robin R White
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061
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Livestock enclosures in drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa are overlooked hotspots of N 2O emissions. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4644. [PMID: 32934243 PMCID: PMC7493980 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18359-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to approximately ¼ of the global livestock population, which in the last 60 years has increased by factors of 2.5–4 times for cattle, goats and sheep. An important resource for pastoralists, most livestock live in semi-arid and arid environments, where they roam during the day and are kept in enclosures (or bomas) during the night. Manure, although rich in nitrogen, is rarely used, and therefore accumulates in bomas over time. Here we present in-situ measurements of N2O fluxes from 46 bomas in Kenya and show that even after 40 years following abandonment, fluxes are still ~one magnitude higher than those from adjacent savanna sites. Using maps of livestock distribution, we scaled our finding to SSA and found that abandoned bomas are significant hotspots for atmospheric N2O at the continental scale, contributing ~5% of the current estimate of total anthropogenic N2O emissions for all of Africa. Africa houses approximately one third of the global cattle, sheep and goat population. Here the authors show that manure accumulation in livestock enclosures can emit significant quantities of the greenhouse gas N2O for decades after abandonment, totaling 5% of continental anthropogenic N2O emissions.
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Feed efficiency and nitrogen use rankings of Bos indicus steers differ on low and high protein diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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RAMALHO TRA, COSTA DFA, DA SILVA SC, GOULART RCD, CONGIO GFDS, SANTOS FAP. Supplementation of growing bulls grazing Panicum maximum cv. Coloniao increases average daily gain and does not impact subsequent performance in feedlot phase. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE SAÚDE E PRODUÇÃO ANIMAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/s1519-99402121202020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT To evaluate the influence of supplementation strategies on the average daily gain (ADG) of cattle in a rotational grazing system of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv. Coloniao) pastures during the rainy season. It was further evaluated the residual effects in the feedlot finishing phase. Seventy-five 8 month-old crossbred bull calves averaging 200.1 ± 2.5 kg of body weight (BW) were stratified and grouped in three into 25 blocks according to BW, and then randomly assigned to one of three supplementation treatments: control (no supplement), energy supplement [65 g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM)] or protein supplement (200 g CP/kg DM) both fed as 6 g/kg BW. All animals composed a single herd and were separated daily according to treatment groups for supplementation. After the grazing phase, all animals were moved to a feedlot and received the same diet up until slaughter. Guinea grass was subjected to rotational stocking with pre- and post-grazing heights of 76 and 43 cm, respectively. Energy and protein supplements provided similar ADG (P > 0.05; 0.94 kg/day) which was greater than for non-supplemented animals during the grazing phase (P ≤ 0.05; 0.74 kg/day), but there was no difference in the subsequent feedlot phase (P > 0.05; 1.45 kg/day). The protein supplement had no incremental effects over the energy supplement on ADG and carcass traits of growing crossbreed bulls during the grazing phase, indicating that either source could be used, and that an energy supplement would lead to more efficient nutrient use coming from the grass.
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