Chemical Properties, Ruminal Fermentation, Gas Production and Digestibility of Silages Composed of Spineless Cactus and Tropical Forage Plants for Sheep Feeding.

The aim was to evaluate the chemical composition, carbohydrates, protein fractionation and in vitro gas production of silages composed of spineless cactus and tropical forages and their effect on sheep performance. Treatments consisted of silages: corn silage (CS), spineless cactus silage (SCS), spineless cactus + gliricidia (SCG), spineless cactus + buffel grass silage (SCBG) and spineless cactus + pornunça (SCP). Silos were opened 60 days after ensiling, and analyses were carried out. The digestibility test lasted for 36 days, with eight animals per treatment. A completely randomized design was adopted. Considering carbohydrate fractionation, CS, SCS and SCBG silages had higher total carbohydrate content (p = 0.001). The SCS silage presented a higher A + B1 fraction (p = 0.001). The SCBG and SCG silages showed a higher B2 fraction (p < 0.0001) compared to the CS and SCS silages. The SCBG and SCP silages presented a higher C fraction (p = 0.001). For protein fractionation, the SCP and SCG silages showed higher crude protein contents (p = 0.001). The CS and SCS silages showed a higher A fraction (p = 0.001). The SCBG silage presented a higher B1 + B2 fraction (p = 0.001). The SCG silage showed a higher B3 fraction (p = 0.006) compared to SCBG silage. The SCS and SCP silages showed a higher C fraction (p = 0.001). Exclusive SCS silage showed higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (p = 0.001), dry matter degradability (p = 0.001) and total gas production (p = 0.001). The use of the SCBG, SCP and SCG silages to feed sheep increased the dry matter intake (p < 0.001). Sheep fed the SCG silage showed greater dry matter and crude protein digestibility compared to the sheep fed the CS, SCS and SCP silages (p = 0.002). There was a higher water intake (p < 0.001) with the use of the SCS and SCG silages to feed the sheep. The SCP and SCG silages provided a greater intake (p < 0.001) and excretion (p < 0.001) of nitrogen by the animals. Although there were no differences between the treatments for daily gains, lambs that received the spineless cactus-based silage associated with tropical forages showed higher gains (160-190 g/day) than lambs that received CS silage (130 g/day). Thus, the use of spineless cactus associated with buffelgrass, pornunça and gliricidia to prepare mixed silages (60:40) to feed sheep has potential use to feed sheep, with positive effects on nutrient degradation and increases in dry matter intake. Under experimental conditions, we recommend the exclusive use of spineless cactus silage associated with buffel grass, pornunça and gliricidia in feeding sheep in semi-arid regions, as it provides nutrients, water and greater daily gains compared to corn silage.

Ensiling Sorghum with Urea, Aerobic Exposure and Effects on Intake, Digestibility, Ingestive Behaviour and Blood Parameters of Feedlot Lambs.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of ensiling sorghum silage with urea and amending the aerobic exposure nutrients intake and apparent digestibility, ingestive behaviour and blood serum metabolites of feedlot lambs. Forty uncastrated crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês lambs, aged 150 ± 15 days and with an initial body weight of 21.73 ± 2.40 kg, were used. Animals were assigned in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Thus, six silage diets were produced with various urea addition levels (UA: 0 and 5 g/kg on a natural matter basis) and periods of aerobic exposure of silages (PAE: 0, 24 and 48 h). An effect was observed for nutrient intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) and total digestive nutrients TDN (g/day) and for the total apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP. There was an interaction effect between urea levels and aerobic exposure for ether extract (EE) and NDFap intakes (g/kg) and nonfibrous carbohydrate (NFC) digestibility (g/kg) (p = 0.012). The addition of 5 g/kg of urea to sorghum ensilage improved the digestibility parameters without changing dry matter intake and ingestive behaviour. The addition or not of urea does not change the blood parameters of the animals.

Designing agricultural grasses to help mitigate proteolysis during ensiling to optimize protein feed provisions for livestock.

The efficient preservation of protein in silage for livestock feed is dependent on the rate and extent of proteolysis. Previous research on fresh forage indicated enhanced protein stability in certain Festulolium (ryegrass × fescue hybrids) cultivars compared to ryegrass. This is the first report of an experiment to test the hypothesis that a Lolium perenne × Festuca arundinacea var glaucescens cultivar had reduced proteolysis compared to perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) during the ensiling process. Forages were harvested in May (Cut 2) and August (Cut 4), wilted for 24 h and ensiled in laboratory-scale silos. Silage was destructively sampled at 0 h, 9 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 14 days and 90 days post-ensiling, and dry matter (DM), pH and chemical composition were determined. At Cut 2, there was no difference in crude protein between treatments but ryegrass had higher soluble nitrogen (SN) (P < 0.001) and grass × time interactions (p = 0.03) indicated higher rates of proteolysis. By Cut 4, Festulolium had (5.5% units) higher CP than ryegrass (p < 0.001) but SN did not differ. Ammonia-N did not differ between silages in either cut. DM differences (11.8% units) between treatments in Cut 4 (v.2.2% in Cut 2) may have masked effects on proteolysis, highlighting the importance of management on silage quality. This was despite higher WSC in ryegrass in both cuts (p < 0.001), with grass × time interactions (Cut 2; p = 0.03) showing slower WSC decline in ryegrass in Cut 4 (p < 0.001). Silage pH values did not differ between grasses in either cut, but grass × time interactions (p < 0.001) showed a slower decline in both ryegrass cuts, resulting in higher (p < 0.05) pH at 24 h and 72 h for Cuts 2 and 4, respectively. Overall, the hypothesis for an enhanced protein stability in Festulolium when ensiled as ruminant feed was evidenced by lower SN but not ammonia-N in an early-cut silage with a comparable DM to ryegrass.

Expansion of hay production and marketing in Brazil.

In the last decade, advances in Brazilian hay production showed that the country has the potential to produce bulky dehydrated fodder. For many years, the Brazilian hay production scientific knowledge had been based on temperate climate species, even though the best hay material are tropical grasses, as Tifton 85 Bermudagrass. Researches that focused on the comprehension of yield systems, biochemical processes, physiology, composition, and nutritional quality of tropical species under dehydration and conservation have become important to hay yield in Brazil. Therefore, this literature review aimed to discuss the hay research contribution in tropical conditions and its reflex on the production and commercialization of hay in Brazil. This review was based on database research with key-words defined in a period between 1960 and 2021, which resulted in 33 articles. Each article had the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities, and threats classified according to the SWOT matrix. Articles related to the haymaking system with tropical forage and the effects on nutritional value, sanitary quality, and factors that influence the dehydration period in the field and storage were listed in this paper. Based on the literature, the conclusion is that Brazil has elevated hay yield potential with high nutritional and sanitary quality of tropical species due to the weather conditions that allow fast dehydration and, also, the availability of residual wastewater as fertilization and machinery appropriated. Brazilian haymaking and commercialization are in an expansion process with economic return as national and international trade. Further challenges: to obtain a constant annual hay supply and the transport viability to markets distant from the production center.

Digestive Potential of Soybean Agro-Industry Byproducts.

This study aimed to determine the protein and carbohydrate fractions as well as the in situ rumen degradability of Brachiaria decumbens silage (BDS) supplemented with soybean hulls. Five soybean hull inclusion levels were used: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% of the fresh matter of B. decumbens grass, distributed into a completely randomized design with five replications. The inclusion of soybean hulls caused a linear decrease (p < 0.001) in carbohydrate fractions A + B1 and a linear increase (p < 0.001) in carbohydrate fraction C. The percentage of non-protein nitrogen fraction increased linearly (p < 0.001), but the nitrogen fractions B1 + B2 and B3 presented a negative quadratic effect (p < 0.01) with soybean hull level and fraction C presented a linear decrease (p < 0.001). The dry matter (DM) degradability of soluble fraction (A) and the undigestible DM decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with the soybean hull level. The potentially degradable water-insoluble portion (DM fraction B) and degradability rate (c) of the DM fraction B increased linearly (p < 0.001) with soybean hull level. The crude protein (CP) fraction A presented a linear increase (p < 0.001) with soybean hull inclusion; however, soybean hull levels caused a linear decrease (p < 0.001) in the CP level of fraction B. The degradable insoluble fraction of NDF (D) of the silage increased linearly (p < 0.001) and the indigestible NDF fraction of the silage was linearly decreased with the soybean hull level (p < 0.001). The inclusion of intermediate levels (20-30%) of soybean hulls provided better protein and carbohydrate fractions and better quality of BDS.

Inclusion of discarded banana in sugarcane silage decreases dry matter losses and improves its nutritional value / La inclusión de banano de descarte en el ensilaje de caña de azúcar reduce las pérdidas de materia seca y mejora su valor nutricional / A inclusão de banana de descarte em silagem de cana de açúcar decresce as perdas de matéria seca e melhora o seu valor nutricional

Abstract Background: Sugarcane silage (SCS) has often been characterized by large dry matter (DM) losses associated with reduction in soluble nutrients and increase in indigestible fiber. Objective: To evaluate the effect of including discarded fruits on the losses and nutritional value in SCS. Methods: A completely randomized design was used with five treatments and five replications. Silages were added with 15% (as-fed basis) papaya (Carica papaya) (SP), acerola (Malpighia glabra) (SA), banana (Musa sp.) (SB) or tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) (ST). The control treatment was composed only of SCS. Twenty-five (25-L) plastic buckets were used to make the experimental silos, which were opened on the 90th day after their closure. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. Results: Gas losses and total DM losses were lower and DM recovery was higher in SB and SA than in the control (p<0.05). The SB had lower content of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber compared to SP, SA, ST and the control group (p<0.05). There was no effect of treatment for ethanol content (p>0.05). However, there was treatment effect for lactic and acetic acids, ammonia nitrogen contents, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and mold counts (p<0.05). Conclusion: The inclusion of 15% banana or acerola in SCS decreases losses and increases DM recovery. Furthermore, the inclusion of 15% banana improves the nutritional value of SCS.

Resumen Antecedentes: El ensilaje de caña de azúcar (SCS) es frecuentemente caracterizado por grandes pérdidas de materia seca (DM) asociadas con reducciones en los nutrientes solubles y aumentos en la fibra indigestible. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la inclusión de frutas de descarte sobre las perdidas y el valor nutricional del SCS. Métodos: Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado con cinco tratamientos y cinco repeticiones. Fueron adicionados a los ensilajes, 15 % (materia natural) de papaya (Carica papaya) (SP), acerola (Malpighia glabra) (SA), banano (Musa sp.) (SB) o tomate (Solanum lycopersicum) (ST). El control estuvo compuesto apenas por SCS. Veinticinco baldes de 25 L fueron usados para hacer los silos, los cuales se abrieron al día 90 posterior a su cierre. Los datos fueron analizados por análisis de varianza. Resultados: Las pérdidas de gases y de DM total fueron menores y la recuperación de DM fue mayor en SB y SA que en el grupo control (p<0,05). Los contenidos de fibra detergente neutra y ácida fueron menores en SB comparados con SP, SA, ST y el grupo control (p<0,05). No hubo efecto para el contenido de etanol (p>0,05). Sin embargo, hubo efecto de tratamiento para los contenidos de ácidos láctico y acético, y nitrógeno amoniacal y recuento de bacterias ácido lácticas, levaduras y hongos (p<0,05). Conclusiones: La inclusión de 15% de banano y acerola en SCS decreció las perdidas, y aumentó la recuperación de DM. Además, la inclusión de un 15% de banano mejoró el valor nutricional de SCS.

Resumo Antecedentes: A silagem de cana de açúcar (SCS) é frequentemente caracterizada por grandes perdas de matéria seca (DM) associadas com reduções nos nutrientes solúveis e aumento na fibra indigestível. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da inclusão de frutas de descarte sobre as perdas e o valor nutricional de SCS. Métodos: Um delineamento completamente casualizado foi utilizado, com cindo tratamentos e cinco repetições. As silagens foram adicionadas com 15% (matéria natural) de mamão (Carica papaya) (SP), acerola (Malpighia glabra) (SA), banana (Musa sp.) (SB) ou tomate (Solanum lycopersicum) (ST). O controle foi composto apenas por SCS. Vinte e cinco baldes de 25 L foram usados para fazer os silos, que foram abertos no 90º dia após o fechamento deles. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análise de variância. Resultados: As perdas por gases e de DM total foram menores e a recuperação de DM foi maior em SB e SA que no controle (p<0,05). Os conteúdos de fibra em detergente neutro e ácido foram menores em SB comparado a SP, SA, ST e o grupo de controle (p<0,05). Não houve efeito para conteúdo de etanol (p>0,05). Contudo, houve efeito de tratamento para os conteúdos de ácidos lático e acético, e nitrogênio amoniacal e contagens de bactérias láticas, e leveduras e fungos (p<0,05). Conclusões: A inclusão de 15% de banana e acerola em SCS decresceu as perdas, e aumentou a recuperação de DM. Adicionalmente, a inclusão de 15% de banana melhorou o valor nutricional da SCS.

Fractionation of carbohydrates and proteins in Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay at different cutting levels and storage time / Fracionamento de carboidratos e proteína em feno de capim Tifton 85 sob duas alturas de corte e tempos de armazenamento

This study aimed to evaluate the fractionation of carbohydrates and protein of grass hay Tifton 85 bermudagrass under two cutting heights in relation to ground level (0.04 and 0.08 m) during 120 days of storage. Samples were collected in the baling and hay stored in shed at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of storage, after, it was subjected to laboratory procedures, in which the levels of soluble carbohydrates were determined, carbohydrate fractionation and protein fractionation. The results were studied in a randomized complete block design with split plot with two treatments allocated the plots: cutting height of 0.04 to 0.08 m from the ground and five times in the subplots: baling, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of storage hay, with five repetitions. The soluble carbohydrate concentration hay responded in a quadratic manner to the storage time for cutting heights of 0.04 and 0.08 m above soil level; minimum values of 11.53 and 10.70 g kg-1 of DM were estimated for 93.44 and 91.16 storage days, respectively. The carbohydrate fraction A + B1 responded negatively linear to periods of storage evaluated in both cutting heights. The contents of the carbohydrate fraction B2 and proteins A and C exhibited a positive linear response to storage time for a cutting height of 0.04 m and a quadratic effect for hay cutting height at 0.08 m above soil level, with an opposite behavior for both cutting heights for the B1 protein levels and C carbohydrate fraction. The B2 fraction showed a negative linear response as a function of storage time, with a reduction in the fraction of 0.09 and 0.11 percentage units for each day of storage, for hay cutting height of 0.04 and 0.08 m, respectively. The B3 fraction responded quadratically to the storage time, the two studied cutting heights. The storage of Tifton 85 hay cut at 0.04 m above soil level for 120 days leads to a decrease in fractions of rapid ruminal degradation and increase of the indigestible fraction in carbohydrate and protein fractions. Based on the results obtained it is recommended the cutting of the Tifton 85 bermuda grass forage to produce hay at 0.08 m and its storage up to 30 days provided that under ideal conditions.(AU)

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o fracionamento de carboidratos e proteína do feno de capim Tifton 85 sob duas alturas de corte em relação ao nível do solo (0.04 e 0.08 m), durante 120 dias de armazenamento. Foram coletadas amostras no enfardamento e no feno armazenado em galpão aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias de armazenamento. Após foram submetidas a procedimentos laboratoriais, onde foram determinados os teores de carboidratos solúveis, fracionamento de carboidrato e fracionamento de proteína. Os resultados foram estudados sob o delineamento em blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas no tempo com 2 tratamentos alocados nas parcelas: altura de corte de 0.04 e 0.08 m do solo e cinco tempos nas subparcelas: enfardamento, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias de armazenamento do feno, com cinco repetições. A concentração de carboidratos solúveis respondeu de forma quadrática ao tempo de armazenamento, para altura de corte de 0.04 e 0.08 m do solo, estimando-se valores de mínima de 11.53 e 10.70 g kg-1 de MS aos 93.44 e 91.16 dias de armazenamento, respectivamente. A fração de carboidrato A + B1, respondeu de forma linear negativa aos períodos de armazenamento avaliados nas duas alturas de corte, não diferindo entre as alturas. Os teores da fração de carboidratos B2 e de proteína A e C apresentaram resposta linear positiva em função do tempo de armazenamento para altura de corte a 0.04 m e efeito quadrático para altura de corte do feno a 0.08 m do solo, sendo observado comportamento inverso em ambas as alturas de corte para os teores protéicos B1 e de carboidratos fração C. A fração proteica B2 apresentou resposta linear negativa em função do tempo de armazenamento, com redução da fração de 0,09 e 0,11 unidades percentuais a cada dia de armazenamento, para altura de corte do feno a 0.04 e 0.08 m, respectivamente. A fração B3 respondeu de forma quadrática ao tempo de armazenamento, nas duas alturas de corte estudadas. O armazenamento do feno de capim Tifton 85 cortado a 0.04 m de altura do solo, durante 120 dias, ocasiona diminuição das frações de rápida degradação ruminal e aumento da fração indigestível, nos fracionamentos de carboidratos e de proteína. Recomenda-se o corte da forrageira Tifton 85 para produção de feno a 0.08 m e seu armazenamento até 30 dias em condições ideais.(AU)

Ureia e glicerina bruta como aditivos na ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar / Urea and crude glycerin as additive in sugar cane silage

Objetivou-se avaliar a inclusão de ureia e glicerina bruta como aditivos na ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar, na composição químico-bromatológica, pH, N-amoniacal (N-NH3) e digestibilidade in vitro (DIV). Os tratamentos foram quatro doses de ureia, 0, 10, 20 e 30 g de ureia por kg de cana-de-açúcar na ensilagem, e cinco doses de glicerina bruta, 0, 10, 20, 30 e 40g de glicerina bruta por kg de cana-de-açúcar na ensilagem. As silagens foram armazenadas por 180 dias. O tratamento com ureia afetou a maioria das variáveis relacionadas ao valor nutritivo, aumentando os teores de matéria seca (MS) e proteína (PB) (2,58; 7,76; 18,70 e 19,31%), reduzindo os teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e melhorando a DIV da MS (42,61; 48,53; 50,69 e 51,18%) e FDN (38,81; 39,23; 41,06 e 43,46%), e as características fermentativas da silagem, apresentando valores de pH de 3,49; 3,86; 4,18 e 3,93 e de N-NH3 de 1,72; 3,80; 7,88 e 9,00, para as dose de 0, 10, 20 e 30 g, respectivamente. A glicerina bruta aumentou os teores de MS e extrato etéreo (1,45; 3,03; 3,62; 3,41 e 4,38%), melhorou a DIV da MS com valores de 49,61; 52,24; 53,28; 55,60 e 56,09% e reduziu perdas por gases durante o processo de fermentação, apresentando médias de 6,69; 5,97; 5,89; 5,51 e 5,48% da MS para as doses 0, 10, 20, 30 e 40g, respectivamente. Assim, a ureia e a glicerina bruta podem ser utilizadas como aditivos na ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of urea and crude glycerin as an additive in ensiling of sugar cane, in chemical composition, pH, ammonia-N (N-NH3) and in vitro digestibility (IVD). The treatments were four doses of urea 0, 10, 20 and 30 g per kg of sugar cane ensiling and five doses of crude glycerin 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40g per kg of crude glycerin sugar cane ensiling. The silages were stored for 180 days. Treatment with urea affected most variables related to nutritional value, increasing the concentrations of dry matter (DM) and protein (CP) (2.58, 7.76, 18.70 and 19.31%) and reduced levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and improved IVDDM (42.61, 48.53, 50.69 and 51.18%) and NDF (38.81, 39.23, 41.06 and 43.46%) and fermentation characteristics of silage, with pH values of 3.49, 3.86, 4.18 and 3.93 and NH3 1.72, 3.80, 7.88 and 9.00 for the dose of 0, 10, 20 and 30 g, respectively. The crude glycerin increased in DM and ether extract (1.45, 3.03, 3.62, 3.41 and 4.38%), improved IVDDM with values of 49.61, 52.24, 53 28; 55.60 and 56.09% and reduced gas losses during the fermentation process with mean of 6.69, 5.97, 5.89, 5.51 and 5.48% of DM for the doses 0, 10 , 20, 30 and 40g, respectively. Urea and crude glycerin can be used as an additive in ensiling of sugar cane...

Características fermentativas de silagens de cana-de-açúcar com erva-sal / Fermentation characteristics of sugarcane silages with saltbush

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar diferentes níveis (0, 20, 40 e 60%) de inclusão de erva-sal na dinâmica fermentativa da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Após 90 dias, com a abertura dos silos, determinou-se os teores de carboidratos solúveis (CHO-Sol), etanol, ácidos orgânicos (lático, acético, propiônico, butírico), proteína bruta (PB), matéria mineral (MM), matéria seca (MS), fibra em detergente neutro livre de cinzas (FDNc), pH e poder tampão (PT); estimou-se a perda total de MS, perdas por efluente e gases, densidade e a recuperação da MS. Os níveis crescentes de erva-sal propiciaram diminuição das perdas totais de MS e por efluente, aumento de seu teor e recuperação desta. As silagens apresentaram pH adequado à conservação (≤3,70) e concentração de minerais acrescidos. As concentrações de etanol foram influenciadas (P<0,05) pelo incremento de erva-sal, em que se observou redução de 51,84%, com 40% de erva-sal na silagem de cana. A adição de erva-sal reduz as perdas de MS e a produção de etanol e, melhora a qualidade fermentativa da silagem de cana-de-açúcar.

The objective of this study was to evaluate different inclusion levels (0, 20, 40 and 60%) of old man saltbush in the fermentation dynamics of sugarcane silages. The experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates. After 90 days, with the opening of the silos, the levels of water soluble carbohydrates, ethanol, organic acids (lactic, acetic, propionic, butyric acid), crude protein (CP), mineral matter (MM), dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber ash free (NDFa), pH and buffer capacity were determined; and, the losses by gas, effluent and total of dry mater, density and dry matter recovery were estimated. Increasing levels of saltbush propitiated reduction in losses: by effluent and total dry matter, it also increased the concentration and recovery. The silages showed pH suitable for conservation (≤3.70) and mineral concentration increased. The ethanol concentrations were influenced (P<0.05) by the increase of saltbush, where reduction of 51.84% was observed, with 40% saltbush in sugarcane silage. The addition of saltbush reduces dry matter losses and ethanol production and, improves the quality of sugarcane silage.

Cinética de degradación ruminal del ensilaje de maíz con diferentes niveles de inclusión de vinaza / Ruminal degradation kinetics of the corn silage with different levels of inclusion of vinasse / Cinética de degradação ruminal da silagem de milho com diferentes níveis de inclusão de vinhoto

Resumen La cinética de degradación ruminal de los componentes nutricionales del ensilaje depende de los cambios bioquímicos durante el proceso de fermentación. Estos cambios afectan la tasa de degradación y el valor nutricional del material ensilado. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el efecto de la adición de vinaza en el ensilaje de maíz sobre la cinética de degradación de la materia seca (MS), proteína cruda (PC), fibra detergente neutra (FDN), fibra detergente ácida (FDA) y hemicelulosa (HEM). La inclusión de vinaza en el ensilaje de maíz disminuyó la fracción soluble y la degradabilidad efectiva de la MS cuando comparada con el tratamiento control. La extensión de la degradación de la PC fue favorecida por la participación de la vinaza en el ensilaje. No fue verificado un claro efecto de la inclusión de vinaza sobre la degradación de los componentes de la pared celular del maíz.

Abstract The ruminal degradation kinetics of silage depends on the biochemical changes occurring during the fermentation process. These changes affect the rate of degradation and the nutritional value of silage. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of the addition of vinasse in corn silage on the kinetics of degradation of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (FDA) and hemicellulose (HEM). The inclusion of vinasse in corn silage decreased the soluble fraction and effective degradability of DM when compared to control treatment. The PC degradation was enhanced by the participation of vinasse in the silage. It wasn't verified a clear effect of the vinasse inclusion on cell wall degradation in the corn silage.

Resumo A cinética de degradação ruminal dos componentes nutricionais da silagem depende das mudanças bioquímicas ocorridas durante o processo de fermentação. Estas mudanças afetam a taxa de degradação e no conteúdo nutricional do material ensilado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito da inclusão de vinhaça na silagem de milho sobre a cinética de degradação da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PC), fibra detergente neutro (FDN), fibra detergente ácido (FDA) y hemicelulose (HEM). A inclusão de vinhaça na silagem de milho diminuiu a fração solúvel e a degradabilidade efetiva da MS quando comparada com o tratamento controle. A extensão da degradação da PC foi favorecida pela participação da vinhaça na silagem. Não foi verificado um claro efeito da inclusão da vinhaça sobre a degradação dos componentes da parede celular do milho.

Effect of forage conservation method on plasma lipids, mammary lipogenesis, and milk fatty acid composition in lactating cows fed diets containing a 60:40 forage-to-concentrate ratio.

The effects of forage conservation method on plasma lipids, mammary lipogenesis, and milk fat were examined in 2 complementary experiments. Treatments comprised fresh grass, hay, or untreated (UTS) or formic acid treated silage (FAS) prepared from the same grass sward. Preparation of conserved forages coincided with the collection of samples from cows fed fresh grass. In the first experiment, 5 multiparous Finnish Ayrshire cows (229 d in milk) were used to compare a diet based on fresh grass followed by hay during 2 consecutive 14-d periods, separated by a 5-d transition during which extensively wilted grass was fed. In the second experiment, 5 multiparous Finnish Ayrshire cows (53 d in milk) were assigned to 1 of 2 blocks and allocated treatments according to a replicated 3×3 Latin square design, with 14-d periods to compare hay, UTS, and FAS. Cows received 7 or 9 kg/d of the same concentrate in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Arterial concentrations of triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid were higher in cows fed fresh grass, UTS, and FAS compared with hay. Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations and the relative abundance of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 in TAG of arterial blood were also higher in cows fed fresh grass than conserved forages. On all diets, TAG was the principle source of fatty acids (FA) for milk fat synthesis, whereas mammary extraction of NEFA was negligible, except during zero-grazing, which was associated with a lower, albeit positive calculated energy balance. Mammary FA uptake was higher and the synthesis of 16:0 lower in cows fed fresh grass than hay. Conservation of grass by drying or ensiling had no influence on mammary extraction of TAG and NEFA, despite an increase in milk fat secretion for silages compared with hay and for FAS than UTS. Relative to hay, milk fat from fresh grass contained lower 12:0, 14:0, and 16:0 and higher S3,R7,R11,15-tetramethyl-16:0, cis-9 18:1, trans-11 18:1, cis-9,trans-11 18:2, 18:2n-6, and 18:3n-3 concentrations. Even though conserved forages altered mammary lipogenesis, differences in milk FA composition were relatively minor, other than a higher enrichment of S3,R7,R11,15-tetramethyl-16:0 in milk from silages compared with hay. In conclusion, differences in milk fat composition on fresh grass relative to conserved forages were associated with a lower energy balance, increased uptake of preformed FA, and decreased synthesis of 16:0 de novo in the mammary glands, in the absence of alterations in stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase activity.

Composição química do feno de capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum) tratado com hidróxido de sódio / Chemical composition of the tanzania-grass hay (Panicum maximum) treated with sodium hydroxide / Composición química del heno de gramínea tanzania (Panicum maximum) tratado con hidróxido de sodio

O experimento foi desenvolvido objetivando-se avaliar o efeito da adição de hidróxido de sódio (NaOH), em doses crescentes, sobre o valor nutritivo do feno de capim-tanzânia. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos: T1 –feno de capim-tanzânia, T2 – feno de capim-tanzânia mais 1,0% de NaOH, T3 – feno de capim-tanzânia mais 2,0% de NaOH e T4 – feno de capim-tanzânia mais 3,0% de NaOH, com base na matéria seca, totalizando dez repetições por tratamento. Houve efeito linear dos níveis de NaOH sobre o teor de proteína bruta (PB), redução no teor da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), por meio de um comportamento linear negativo. Os valores obtidos pela equação de regressão na dose mais elevada foram 63,66 e 39,58%, para os valores de FDN e FDA, respectivamente. Houve efeito linear positivo para a digestibilidade com a adição dos níveis de uréia, proporcionando aumentos de 57,47% na, testemunha, para 63,07% na dose de 3,0%. O uso de NaOH foi eficiente para promover melhorias na qualidade do feno de capim-tanzânia.mais estudados, indicando a necessidade de investigação de um número maior de animais, por se tratar de um alelo raro.

This paper evaluates the effect of the addition of increasing levels of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on the Tanzania-grass hay nutritive value. The experimental design was completely randomized and based on four treatments: T1 - tanzania-grass hay; T2 - tanzania-grass hay plus 1.0 % NaOH; T3 - tanzania-grass hay plus 2.0 % NaOH, and T4 - tanzania-grass hay plus 3.0 % NaOH based on dry matter, totaling ten replicates per treatment. There was a linear effect of NaOH levels on crude protein (CP) content and linear reduction in the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents. The values obtained by the regression equation in the highest dose were 63.66 and 39.58 %, for NDF and ADF values, respectively. There was a positive linear effect for the digestibility with NaOH levels, providing increases of 57.47 % for control treatment and of 63.07 % for the dose of 3.0 %. NaOH was efficient in promoting the improvement of the Tanzania-grass hay quality.

El experimento fue desarrollado objetivándose evaluar el efecto de la adición de hidróxido de sodio (NaOH), en dosis crecientes, sobre el valor nutritivo del heno de gramínea tanzania. El delineamiento experimental fue el enteramente casualizado, con cuatro tratamientos: T1- heno de gramínea tanzania, T2- heno de gramínea tanzania mas 1,0 % de NaOH, T3 – Heno de gramínea tanzania más 2,0 % de NaOH y T4 – Heno de gramínea tanzania mas 3,0 % de NaOH, con base en la materia seca, totalizando diez repeticiones por tratamiento. Hubo efecto lineal de los niveles de NaOH sobre el tenor de proteína bruta (PB), reducción en el tenor de la fibra en detergente neutro (FDN) y fibra en detergente ácido (FDA), por medio de un comportamiento lineal negativo. Los valores obtenidos por la ecuación de regresión en la dosis más elevada fueron 63,66 % y 39,58 %, para los valores de FDN y FDA, respectivamente. Hubo efecto lineal positivo para la digestibilidad como la adición de los niveles de urea proporcionando aumentos de 57,47 % en la dieta testigo, para 63,07 % en la dieta 3,0 %. El uso de NaOH fue eficiente para promover mejorías en la calidad del heno de gramínea tanzania.