Effects of supplementing cassava root silage to grazing dairy cows on nutrient utilization, milk production and composition in the tropics.

The current study evaluated the effects of supplementing cassava root silage (CRS) to dairy cows grazing on Megathyrsus maximus cv Mombasa on nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on milk production and composition. Ten primiparous Girolando cows with average body weight ± (SEM) of 373.45 ± (63.55) kg were used in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square. Animals were subjected to five treatments: (I) grazing cows without supplementation (WCS); (II) grazing cows provided with 5 kg DM of supplement without CRS (0 g/kg DM of CRS) or including (III) 260, (IV) 520, and (V) 780 g/kg DM of CRS. Statistical analyses were performed using the PROC MIXED of SAS with significance at P < 0.05. Intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ether extract decreased (P < 0.01), while intake of non-fiber carbohydrates increased (P < 0.01), with increased CRS in the diets. Total DM intake and digestibility of DM, and digestibility of nutritional components were lower (P < 0.03) in WCS animals compared to supplemented animals, except for intake and digestibility of NDF, which was the opposite. Milk yield (MY) and fat corrected milk (FCM), as well as all milk components were unaffected (P > 0.05) by CRS inclusion. In contrast, MY, FCM, protein, lactose, casein, and non-fat milk solids (NFMS) were greater for animals that received supplementation (P < 0.05), compared to animals WCS. Milk fat and total dry extract (TMS) did not differ (P > 0.11) between two groups. In conclusion, CRS may be a potential corn meal replacer in the supplement of dairy cows under tropical conditions.

Ingestive behavior of Girolando steers supplemented on tropical pastures.

In this study, we evaluated the feeding behavior of Girolando steers on Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu pastures. Twenty-two animals with an average initial weight of 209.09 ± 8.18 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (three seasons and two nutritional plans (NP)) with 11 replicates, as follows: rainy season 1 (NP1, mineral mixture ad libitum, and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement [2 g.kg‒1 body weight [BW]]); dry season (NP1, nitrogen/energy supplement [1 g.kg‒1 BW], and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement [2 g.kg‒1 BW]); and rainy season 2 (NP1, mineral mixture ad libitum, and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement ([1 g.kg‒1 BW]). Total chewing time was longer in NP1 (566.44 vs 528.33 min.day‒1 in NP2) (p < 0.05). The grazing, idle, trough, and total chewing times were affected by the interaction between nutritional plans and seasons. The period expended grazing was longer for the NP1. The idle time was affected by the nutritional plans and was lower for the NP1. Feeding at the trough was not affected by the nutritional plans. The animals of the NP2 showed the highest feed efficiencies in DM and NDF (0.91 and 0.52 vs 0.75 and 0.45 in NP1, respectively). Rainy season 2 had the highest efficiencies. The feeding behavior changes according to the supplementation level. Nutritional plan 2 in the second rainy season presented the best results.

Performance of Nellore females in tropical pastures during the rainy season when supplemented with molasses blocks / Desempenho de fêmeas nelore em pastagens tropicais, durante a estação chuvosa quando suplementadas com blocos de melaço

The objective of this study was to measure the effect of supplementation with molasses blocks compared with conventional mineral supplementation (with specific formulations for the rainy and dry season) in 92 7-month-old Nellore heifers (Experiment 1) and 40 primiparous 31-month-old Nellore cows (Experiment 2) in Marandu grazing areas. The following measurements were obtained: weight, supplement intake, blood urea and glucose in heifers (Experiment 1), supplement intake, cow weight, body score, calf weight and ruminal temperature and drinking events in primiparous females (Experiment 2). The average molasses block intake was 242 g day-1 per heifer, with an average weight gain of 0.290 kg day-1; the heifers who consumed the molasses blocks were heavier during the rainy season (P < 0.05; Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, molasses block intake varied from 77 to 821 g day-1 per primiparous female, and the average intake in the control group was between 100 and 370 g day-1. The primiparous females given molasses blocks displayed lower weight loss due to calving (P < 0.05) and retained higher body scores at 150 days postpartum (P < 0.05). Ruminal temperature (P < 0.05) and drinking events (P < 0.05) were higher in primiparous Nellore females given molasses blocks. Overall, molasses blocks effectively increased Nellore female performance during the rainy season in Marandu grass pastures.(AU)

Objetivou-se medir o efeito da suplementação utilizando blocos de melaço, em comparação à suplementação mineral convencional, em 92 novilhas Nelore de 7 meses de idade (Experimento 1) e 40 primíparas Nelore de 31 meses de idade (Experimento 2), com formulações específicas para épocas chuvosas ou secas em pastagens de capim Marandu. Também foram realizadas as seguintes medições: peso, consumo do suplemento, ureia e glicose em novilhas (Experimento 1) e consumo de suplemento, peso de vacas primíparas, condição corporal, peso de bezerros, temperatura ruminal e frequência da ingestão hídrica nas primíparas (Experimento 2). O consumo médio dos blocos de melaço, por novilha, foi de 242 g dia-1, com ganho de peso de 0,290 kg dia-1. As novilhas que consumiram os blocos contendo melaço tiveram maiores pesos durante a estação chuvosa (P < 0,05) (Experimento 1). No experimento 2, a ingestão de blocos de melaço variou de 77 a 821 g dia-1 por primípara, e a ingestão média no tratamento controle foi entre 100 e 370 g dia-1. As fêmeas primíparas tratadas com blocos de melaço apresentaram menor perda de peso devido ao parto (P < 0,05), e mantiveram escores corporais mais elevados aos 150 dias pós-parto (P < 0,05). A temperatura ruminal (P < 0,05) e a frequência do consumo de água (P < 0,05) foram maiores nas primíparas Nelore do tratamento com blocos de melaço. O uso de blocos de melaço incrementam o desempenho de fêmeas Nelore durante a estação chuvosa em pastagens de capim Marandu.(AU)

Performance of Nellore females in tropical pastures during the rainy season when supplemented with molasses blocks / Desempenho de fêmeas nelore em pastagens tropicais, durante a estação chuvosa quando suplementadas com blocos de melaço

The objective of this study was to measure the effect of supplementation with molasses blocks compared with conventional mineral supplementation (with specific formulations for the rainy and dry season) in 92 7-month-old Nellore heifers (Experiment 1) and 40 primiparous 31-month-old Nellore cows (Experiment 2) in Marandu grazing areas. The following measurements were obtained: weight, supplement intake, blood urea and glucose in heifers (Experiment 1), supplement intake, cow weight, body score, calf weight and ruminal temperature and drinking events in primiparous females (Experiment 2). The average molasses block intake was 242 g day-1 per heifer, with an average weight gain of 0.290 kg day-1; the heifers who consumed the molasses blocks were heavier during the rainy season (P < 0.05; Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, molasses block intake varied from 77 to 821 g day-1 per primiparous female, and the average intake in the control group was between 100 and 370 g day-1. The primiparous females given molasses blocks displayed lower weight loss due to calving (P < 0.05) and retained higher body scores at 150 days postpartum (P < 0.05). Ruminal temperature (P < 0.05) and drinking events (P < 0.05) were higher in primiparous Nellore females given molasses blocks. Overall, molasses blocks effectively increased Nellore female performance during the rainy season in Marandu grass pastures.

Objetivou-se medir o efeito da suplementação utilizando blocos de melaço, em comparação à suplementação mineral convencional, em 92 novilhas Nelore de 7 meses de idade (Experimento 1) e 40 primíparas Nelore de 31 meses de idade (Experimento 2), com formulações específicas para épocas chuvosas ou secas em pastagens de capim Marandu. Também foram realizadas as seguintes medições: peso, consumo do suplemento, ureia e glicose em novilhas (Experimento 1) e consumo de suplemento, peso de vacas primíparas, condição corporal, peso de bezerros, temperatura ruminal e frequência da ingestão hídrica nas primíparas (Experimento 2). O consumo médio dos blocos de melaço, por novilha, foi de 242 g dia-1, com ganho de peso de 0,290 kg dia-1. As novilhas que consumiram os blocos contendo melaço tiveram maiores pesos durante a estação chuvosa (P < 0,05) (Experimento 1). No experimento 2, a ingestão de blocos de melaço variou de 77 a 821 g dia-1 por primípara, e a ingestão média no tratamento controle foi entre 100 e 370 g dia-1. As fêmeas primíparas tratadas com blocos de melaço apresentaram menor perda de peso devido ao parto (P < 0,05), e mantiveram escores corporais mais elevados aos 150 dias pós-parto (P < 0,05). A temperatura ruminal (P < 0,05) e a frequência do consumo de água (P < 0,05) foram maiores nas primíparas Nelore do tratamento com blocos de melaço. O uso de blocos de melaço incrementam o desempenho de fêmeas Nelore durante a estação chuvosa em pastagens de capim Marandu.

Effects of concentrate supplementation of growth from weaning to slaughter, on steers of the guzera breed and their crossbreeds grazing guinea grass (P. maximum Jacq.) / Efeito da suplementação com concentrado no ganho de peso de bovinos d raça Guzerá e de seus cruzamentos, manejados em pastagens

This study dealt with winter (dry season) and year-round supplementation of grazing steers of the Guzera (GU) breed and their crossbreeds with Brown Swiss (PS), Nellore (NE), Chianina (CH), and Caracu (CA). Different genotypes born in two consecutive years (two trials, first and second respectively) were used. The genetic composition of the 53 animals used in the first trial and of the 87 animals used in the second one were: first trial – GU; 3/4GU1/4PS and 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; second trial – GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CH1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CA1/2GU; and ½CA»PS»GU. Animals entered the trials after weaning at the end of the wet season, and were slaughtered after about two years at the end of the second wet season. In the first trial animals were not supplemented (S1) or supplemented only during the first dry season (S2) with 0.5 kg of soybean meal. In the second trial, animals were not supplemented (S1), supplemented during the two dry seasons (S2) or during the whole period (S3, only genotypes GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; e 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU) with 1.5 kg of a concentrate based on corn, wheat bran and urea. The statistical analysis was carried out using repeated measures with polynomial adjustment. Linear relationship between body weight and age was the best polynomial adjustment (P 0.01). Guzera breed showed the lowest body weight (P 0.05). In the first trial, the supplementation eff

O presente trabalho analisou o efeito da suplementação no ganho de peso após a desmama, de bovinos da raça Guzerá e de seus cruzamentos com Pardo Suíço (PS), Nelore (NE), Chianina (CH) e Caracu (CA). Foram utilizados 140 animais, sendo 53 no experimento 1 e 87 no experimento 2 com a seguinte composição genética: experimento 1 – GU; 3/4GU1/4PS e 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; experimento 2 – GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CH1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CA1/2GU; e ½CA»PS»GU. Os animais entraram nos experimentos após a desmama no final do período das águas de 1978 e 1979, respectivamente, experimentos 1 e 2 e foram abatidos no final do período das águas, após dois anos de experimento. No experimento 1, os tratamentos foram sem suplementação (S1) e suplementados na primeira seca pós-desmama (S2), a suplementação constou de 0,5 kg de farelo de soja/animal /dia. No experimento 2, os animais não receberam suplementação (S1), foram suplementados nas secas (S2) e suplementados o ano todo (S3), a suplementação constou do fornecimento de 1,5 kg/animal/dia de concentrado contendo 17,5% de proteína bruta na matéria seca. O tratamento S3 foi oferecido somente aos genótipos GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; e 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU. A análise estatística foi conduzida usando medidas repetidas com ajuste polinomial. A relação linear entre peso e idade foi o melhor ajuste polinomial (P 0,01) durante o período analisado. O genótipo GU ap

Effects of concentrate supplementation of growth from weaning to slaughter, on steers of the guzera breed and their crossbreeds grazing guinea grass (P. maximum Jacq.) / Efeito da suplementação com concentrado no ganho de peso de bovinos d raça Guzerá e de seus cruzamentos, manejados em pastagens

This study dealt with winter (dry season) and year-round supplementation of grazing steers of the Guzera (GU) breed and their crossbreeds with Brown Swiss (PS), Nellore (NE), Chianina (CH), and Caracu (CA). Different genotypes born in two consecutive years (two trials, first and second respectively) were used. The genetic composition of the 53 animals used in the first trial and of the 87 animals used in the second one were: first trial GU; 3/4GU1/4PS and 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; second trial GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CH1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CA1/2GU; and ½CA»PS»GU. Animals entered the trials after weaning at the end of the wet season, and were slaughtered after about two years at the end of the second wet season. In the first trial animals were not supplemented (S1) or supplemented only during the first dry season (S2) with 0.5 kg of soybean meal. In the second trial, animals were not supplemented (S1), supplemented during the two dry seasons (S2) or during the whole period (S3, only genotypes GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; e 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU) with 1.5 kg of a concentrate based on corn, wheat bran and urea. The statistical analysis was carried out using repeated measures with polynomial adjustment. Linear relationship between body weight and age was the best polynomial adjustment (P 0.01). Guzera breed showed the lowest body weight (P 0.05). In the first trial, the supplementation eff

O presente trabalho analisou o efeito da suplementação no ganho de peso após a desmama, de bovinos da raça Guzerá e de seus cruzamentos com Pardo Suíço (PS), Nelore (NE), Chianina (CH) e Caracu (CA). Foram utilizados 140 animais, sendo 53 no experimento 1 e 87 no experimento 2 com a seguinte composição genética: experimento 1 GU; 3/4GU1/4PS e 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; experimento 2 GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CH1/4PS1/4GU; 1/2CA1/2GU; e ½CA»PS»GU. Os animais entraram nos experimentos após a desmama no final do período das águas de 1978 e 1979, respectivamente, experimentos 1 e 2 e foram abatidos no final do período das águas, após dois anos de experimento. No experimento 1, os tratamentos foram sem suplementação (S1) e suplementados na primeira seca pós-desmama (S2), a suplementação constou de 0,5 kg de farelo de soja/animal /dia. No experimento 2, os animais não receberam suplementação (S1), foram suplementados nas secas (S2) e suplementados o ano todo (S3), a suplementação constou do fornecimento de 1,5 kg/animal/dia de concentrado contendo 17,5% de proteína bruta na matéria seca. O tratamento S3 foi oferecido somente aos genótipos GU; 3/4GU1/4PS; e 1/2NE1/4PS1/4GU. A análise estatística foi conduzida usando medidas repetidas com ajuste polinomial. A relação linear entre peso e idade foi o melhor ajuste polinomial (P 0,01) durante o período analisado. O genótipo GU ap