Ingestive behavior of Holstein × Zebu cows managed on deferred supplemented pasture

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows grazing on deferred pasture receiving different supplementation strategies. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3×4 factorial, with three supplementation strategies and four evaluation periods. The ingestive behavior of 24 cows divided into three groups of supplementation provided at milking was observed, and two of these groups received protein in the pasture. Ingestive behavior was monitored every 10 minutes for 24 hours and analyzed in the form of periods (morning, afternoon, night, and dawn) and total time. The animals remained longer grazing during the afternoon when the BGHI presented values of 83.8. Protein consumption did not influence grazing time but interfered with forage consumption. For the total grazing time, the animals in group 2 spent less time grazing. The groups of animals presented no difference concerning the time spent on rumination and idleness. During night and dawn, when the climate was characterized as thermal comfort, the animals spent more time ruminating. The climatic conditions did not influence the ingestive behavior, as the grazing peak was observed at times of higher BGHI. However, supplementation of the animals in group 2 modified the ingestive behavior of F1 H × Z cows.

Height management strategies of sudangrass 'BRS Estribo' / Estratégias de manejo de altura para capim-sudão cultivar BRS

The productive, morphological and chemical composition of Sudangrass 'BRS Estribo' submitted to different heights of management was evaluated. The design was in randomized blocks with four replicates in a 3x2 factorial scheme, with three pre-defoliation heights (40, 55 and 70 cm) and two post-defoliation heights (20 and 10 cm). There was no significance between post-defoliation heights for accumulated forage production (AFP), percentages of leaf blades (%F) and of stem and sheath (%S). The AFP at 70 cm pre-defoliation height (10,071.1 kg ha-1) was higher than at 40 cm height (7,471.3 kg ha-1) and did not differ from defoliation at 55 cm (8,562.3 kg ha-1). Pre-defoliation at 40 cm showed a higher %F (67.67%) than at the heights of 55 cm (61.74%) and 70 cm (55.15%), which differed from each other. The %S was higher for pre-defoliation at 70 cm (35.57%) than at the heights of 55 (32.08%) and 40 cm (27.75%), which also differed from each other. The different handling heights did not change the contents of dry matter, insoluble fiber in neutral detergent, insoluble fiber in acid detergent and ash, which presented averages of 15.87; 60.34; 28.53; and 10.48%, respectively. However, there was a significant interaction between pre-and post-defoliation heights for crude protein (CP) contents, which the management heights at 40 x 20 cm and 70 x 10 cm presented, respectively, the highest (18.78%) and lowest (12.22%) CP contents of the study. Pre-defoliation heights of 55 cm with 10 or 20 cm of residual height should be used to improve the botanical composition and crude protein content of Sudangrass BRS Estribo forage.

Avaliaram-se as características produtivas, morfológicas e a composição bromatológica do capim-sudão BRS Estribo submetido a diferentes alturas de manejo. O delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial 3x2, sendo três alturas de pré-desfolhação (40, 55 e 70 cm) e duas alturas de pós-desfolhação (20 e 10 cm). Não houve efeito de alturas de resíduo pós-desfolhação para a produção total de forragem acumulada (PTA), porcentagens de lâminas foliares (%F) e de colmo e bainha (%C). A PTA das plantas submetidas a pré-desfolhação de 70 cm (10.071,1 kg ha-1) foi maior que aquelas desfolhadas com 40 cm (7.471,3 kg ha-1) e não diferiu estatisticamente das desfolhadas com 55 cm (8.562,3 kg ha-1). A pré-desfolhação à 40 cm apresentou a maior %F (67,67%) que as alturas de 55 (61,74%) e 70cm (55,15%). Já a %C foi maior para altura de pré-desfolhação à 70 cm (35,57%) em relação às alturas de 55 (32,08%) e 40cm (27,75%). As diferentes alturas de manejo não alteraram os teores de matéria seca, fibra insolúvel em detergente neutro, fibra insolúvel em detergente ácido e cinzas da forragem, que apresentou médias de 15,87; 60,34;28,53; e 10,48%, respectivamente. Houve interação significativa entre as alturas de pré e pós-desfolhação para os teores de proteína bruta (PB), onde o manejo à 40 x 20 cm e 70 x 10 cm, apresentaram, respectivamente, o maior (18.78%) e menor (12,22%) teor de PB do estudo. Alturas de pré-desfolhação de 55 cm de altura deixando-se 10 ou 20 cm de resíduo devem ser preconizadas como forma de melhorar a composição morfológica e o teor de proteína da forragem.

Efficacy of novel antiseptic product containing essential oil of Lippia origanoides to reduce intramammary infections in cows.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The use of antimicrobials in the control of mastitis is of concern in public health due to their inefficiency in targeting microorganisms. Studies with medicinal plants have risen as an alternative to the use of conventional products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an experimental disinfectant based on the essential oil (EO) from Lippia origanoides in preventing the development of new intramammary infections (IMI) in Holstein cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The conventional protocol of pre- and post-milking was used and the control (Conventional treatment [CNV]) and experimental (Experimental treatment [PEX]) products containing EO at 120 µL/mL were applied by immersion. Individual milk samples were analyzed using sheep blood agar methodologies and biochemical tests. The efficiency of the treatment was defined by the presence or absence of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus spp. RESULTS: There were no clinical and subclinical mastitis cases, no lesions in the mucosal of teats, nor dirt score between groups in this study. Both treatments did not influence the occurrence of IMI. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that PEX acts efficiently against microorganisms compared to the disinfection by the conventional product demonstrating the efficacy of the alternative product on the prevention of new IMIs in dairy cows.

Productive and reproductive performance of females F1 Holstein x Gir daughters of proven bulls.

Records of 234 lactations from F1 Holstein x Gyr daughters of proven bulls were used in this study for the evaluation of productive and reproductive characteristics of cows. Data were collected from a private farm located in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Monte, MG, Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Holstein bull's PTA milk (predicted transmitting ability) calving year, season, and parity on the productive and reproductive characteristics of F! cows. The productive characteristics analyzed were total milk production (TMP), average daily production (ADP), days in milk (DIM), and milk yield per day of calving interval (MYDCI). The studied reproductive characteristics were service interval (SI), calving interval (CI), and gestation length (GL). The results were subjected to statistical analysis and means for significant effects were compared using Duncan's test at a significance level of 5%. F1 animals efficiently expressed their genetic potential for milk production with an average total milk production of 7842.61 kg and average daily production of 24.53 kg. Means for days in milk, milk yield per day of calving interval, service interval, calving interval, and gestation length were 322.52 days, 20.73 kg, 106.0 days, 383.23 days, and 276.18 days, respectively. Properly managed F1 Holstein x Gyr daughters of proven bulls fed a balanced diet efficiently expressed their genetic potential for milk production without adverse effects on reproduction. Moreover, Holstein x Gyr cows should be selected based on parents' PTA for milk traits and other factors such as environmental conditions and management.

Macauba palm cake as additive in elephant grass silage

The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of macauba palm cake (Acrocomia aculeata) on the chemical composition, fermentation and aerobic stability of elephant grass silages (Pennisetum purpureum). The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The treatments were composed of six levels of macauba palm cake (0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30%) as additive to elephant grass silage. Dry matter and ethereal extract content of the silage increased linearly with the inclusion of the additive. Addition levels of 15.54% would provide 35% of dry mass, and the limit of 7.00% of ethereal extract in the silage could be obtained with 10.47%. The neutral detergent fiber content reduced linearly from 68.97 to 52.59%, but lignin increased linearly from 6.56 to 7.70%. There was a reduction of 0.17% in the ammoniacal nitrogen content for each 1% of cake. The minimum value of dry matter losses (1.33%) was estimated to the inclusion level of 23.70%. The aerobic stability increased with inclusions between 18 and 24% of cake. The use of levels between 10 and 15% of macauba palm cake are sufficient to optimize dry matter and ethereal extract contents of the silages and to provide a high aerobic stability with minimum losses.

Macauba palm cake as additive in elephant grass silage

The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of macauba palm cake (Acrocomia aculeata) on the chemical composition, fermentation and aerobic stability of elephant grass silages (Pennisetum purpureum). The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The treatments were composed of six levels of macauba palm cake (0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30%) as additive to elephant grass silage. Dry matter and ethereal extract content of the silage increased linearly with the inclusion of the additive. Addition levels of 15.54% would provide 35% of dry mass, and the limit of 7.00% of ethereal extract in the silage could be obtained with 10.47%. The neutral detergent fiber content reduced linearly from 68.97 to 52.59%, but lignin increased linearly from 6.56 to 7.70%. There was a reduction of 0.17% in the ammoniacal nitrogen content for each 1% of cake. The minimum value of dry matter losses (1.33%) was estimated to the inclusion level of 23.70%. The aerobic stability increased with inclusions between 18 and 24% of cake. The use of levels between 10 and 15% of macauba palm cake are sufficient to optimize dry matter and ethereal extract contents of the silages and to provide a high aerobic stability with minimum losses.(AU)

Ruminal metabolic parameters and milk fatty acid profile of cows grazing Marandu grass supplemented with roasted soybeans / Parâmetros de metabolismo ruminal e perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de vacas Holandês x Gir manejadas em pastagem de capim-Marandu suplementado com grão de soja tostado

The goal of this study was to evaluate the ruminal metabolic parameters and milk fatty acid composition of cows managed under continuous grazing on Marandu grass. Four rumen-cannulated Holstein x Gyr cows with an average milk yield of 21±2 kg day-1 and 79±16 days in milk were used in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design. Each cow received 6 kg day-1 of a concentrate formulated with 0 (control), 1.3, 2.6 or 3.9 kg of roasted soybeans (as-fed basis), which were the experimental treatments. The inclusion of roasted soybeans promoted a linear reduction in the acetate concentration, with no effect on the pH and ruminal ammonia N concentration. There was no effect of the treatments on the ruminal degradability of the dry matter and neutral detergent fiber of Marandu grass or on the kinetic parameters of the fluids in the rumen. There were linear increases in the contents of fat and total solids in the milk and a linear decrease in the milk lactose content, but there was no effect of the treatments on the yield of these components or on milk yield. There were linear increases in milk fat stearic, elaidic, oleic, linoleic and alfa-linolenic acids contents, but there was no effect of the treatments on the milk fat contents of vaccenic and rumenic acids. Notably, supplementing Marandu grass with a concentrate containing up to 3.9 kg of roasted soybeans improved the nutritional quality of the milk...(AU)

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar parâmetros de metabolismo no rúmen e o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de vacas manejadas sob pastejo contínuo em capim-Marandu. Foram utilizadas quatro vacas mestiças Holandês x Gir com 79±16 dias de lactação, produzindo 21±2 kg dia-1 de leite, canuladas no rúmen e alocadas em delineamento Quadrado Latino 4 x 4. Cada vaca recebeu 6 kg dia-1 de concentrado formulado com 0 (Controle); 1,3; 2,6 ou 3,9 kg de grão de soja tostado (base matéria natural), que consistiram nos tratamentos experimentais. A inclusão de grão de soja tostado promoveu redução linear na concentração de acetato, sem efeito sobre o pH e a concentração de N amoniacal no rúmen. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre a degradabilidade ruminal da matéria seca e da fibra em detergente neutro do pasto, nem sobre os parâmetros da cinética de fluidos no rúmen. Houve incremento linear nos teores de gordura e de sólidos totais e redução linear no teor de lactose do leite, mas não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre as produções destes componentes nem sobre a produção de leite. Houve incremento linear nos teores dos ácidos graxos esteárico, elaídico, oleico, linoleico e alfa-linolênico no leite, mas não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre os teores no leite dos ácidos vacênico e rumênico. A suplementação do pasto de capim-Marandu com concentrado contendo até 3,9 kg de grão de soja tostado...(AU)

Ruminal metabolic parameters and milk fatty acid profile of cows grazing Marandu grass supplemented with roasted soybeans / Parâmetros de metabolismo ruminal e perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de vacas Holandês x Gir manejadas em pastagem de capim-Marandu suplementado com grão de soja tostado

The goal of this study was to evaluate the ruminal metabolic parameters and milk fatty acid composition of cows managed under continuous grazing on Marandu grass. Four rumen-cannulated Holstein x Gyr cows with an average milk yield of 21±2 kg day-1 and 79±16 days in milk were used in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design. Each cow received 6 kg day-1 of a concentrate formulated with 0 (control), 1.3, 2.6 or 3.9 kg of roasted soybeans (as-fed basis), which were the experimental treatments. The inclusion of roasted soybeans promoted a linear reduction in the acetate concentration, with no effect on the pH and ruminal ammonia N concentration. There was no effect of the treatments on the ruminal degradability of the dry matter and neutral detergent fiber of Marandu grass or on the kinetic parameters of the fluids in the rumen. There were linear increases in the contents of fat and total solids in the milk and a linear decrease in the milk lactose content, but there was no effect of the treatments on the yield of these components or on milk yield. There were linear increases in milk fat stearic, elaidic, oleic, linoleic and alfa-linolenic acids contents, but there was no effect of the treatments on the milk fat contents of vaccenic and rumenic acids. Notably, supplementing Marandu grass with a concentrate containing up to 3.9 kg of roasted soybeans improved the nutritional quality of the milk...

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar parâmetros de metabolismo no rúmen e o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de vacas manejadas sob pastejo contínuo em capim-Marandu. Foram utilizadas quatro vacas mestiças Holandês x Gir com 79±16 dias de lactação, produzindo 21±2 kg dia-1 de leite, canuladas no rúmen e alocadas em delineamento Quadrado Latino 4 x 4. Cada vaca recebeu 6 kg dia-1 de concentrado formulado com 0 (Controle); 1,3; 2,6 ou 3,9 kg de grão de soja tostado (base matéria natural), que consistiram nos tratamentos experimentais. A inclusão de grão de soja tostado promoveu redução linear na concentração de acetato, sem efeito sobre o pH e a concentração de N amoniacal no rúmen. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre a degradabilidade ruminal da matéria seca e da fibra em detergente neutro do pasto, nem sobre os parâmetros da cinética de fluidos no rúmen. Houve incremento linear nos teores de gordura e de sólidos totais e redução linear no teor de lactose do leite, mas não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre as produções destes componentes nem sobre a produção de leite. Houve incremento linear nos teores dos ácidos graxos esteárico, elaídico, oleico, linoleico e alfa-linolênico no leite, mas não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre os teores no leite dos ácidos vacênico e rumênico. A suplementação do pasto de capim-Marandu com concentrado contendo até 3,9 kg de grão de soja tostado...