Production, intake, and feeding behavior of dairy goats fed alfalfa via grazing and cassava

This study examined the replacement of maize and soybean meal with cassava chips and alfalfa grazing, respectively. Twelve lactating Anglo-Nubian goats were kept on a Panicum maximum cv. Tobiatã pasture. The experiment was laid out in a Latin square design in which the following diets were tested: ground maize + soybean meal, cassava chips + soybean meal, ground maize + alfalfa grazing, and cassava chips + alfalfa grazing. The evaluated variables were feed intake, daily weight gain, milk yield and composition, and feeding behavior of the goats as well as production costs. Cassava chips and grazed alfalfa influenced the intakes of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients. However, milk yield, body weight, and body score did not change. There was no diet effect on the proportions of protein, solids-not-fat, somatic cell count, or urea nitrogen in the milk. Treatments influenced the levels of fat, lactose, and total solids in milk, with the highest fat levels achieved with diets containing alfalfa. Grazing, rumination, and idle times and time spent interacting with other goats were not influenced by diets. The evaluated feedstuffs improved feed efficiency and reduced production costs. Therefore, cassava chips and alfalfa can replace certain ingredients without impairing the production performance of goats, but rather improving the profit of the producer.(AU)

Dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation parameters in goats fed sugarcane in replacement of corn silage / Parâmetros de ingestão de matéria seca e fermentação ruminal em cabras alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar em substituição à silagem de milho

The trial was conducted with the objective to evaluate fresh sugarcane as a replacement for corn silage on dry matter intake, ruminal parameters (pH, short chain fatty acids, and ammonia nitrogen concentration), and degradation kinetics of forages and concentrate in maintenance adult goats. Four nonlactating ruminally cannulated goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with the replacement of 0, 33, 67, and 100% of corn silage by sugarcane as the independent variable. The substitution of sugarcane for corn silage did not affect dry matter intake, daily weight gain, or ruminal pH. A quadratic effect was observed for ammonia nitrogen concentration with a maximum concentration at 74.43% of sugarcane inclusion, as well as for short chain fatty acids, with maximum concentrations of acetate and butyrate at 0.59 and 32.70% of sugarcane inclusion, respectively. The minimum concentration of propionate was verified on 10.36% of sugarcane inclusion. However, the acetate:propionate ratio linearly decreased with increased sugarcane content. No effect was observed of different rumen environments on forage dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradability (effective and potential degradability, soluble and potential degradable fractions). Dry matter degradability was 66.79% for sugarcane and 72.62% for corn silage after 96 h of incubation. Neutral detergent fiber was 37.10 and 51.82% for sugarcane and corn silage, respectively, after 96 h of incubation. In conclusion, sugarcane can be used as a replacement for corn silage in maintenance adult goats feed without altering dry matter intake and forage degradability while increasing propionate production.

O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a cana-de-açúcar in natura em substituição à silagem de milho no consumo de matéria seca, parâmetros ruminais e cinética de degradação de forragens e concentrado em cabras adultas em mantença. Quatro cabras não lactantes canuladas no rúmen foram utilizadas em um delineamento em quadrado latino 4 × 4 com a substituição de 0, 33, 67 e 100% da silagem de milho por cana-de-açúcar. A substituição da cana-de-açúcar pela silagem de milho não afetou o consumo de matéria seca, o ganho de peso diário e o pH ruminal. Foi observado efeito quadrático para a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal com concentração máxima de 74,43% de inclusão da cana, e também para ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, com concentrações máximas de acetato e butirato de 0,59 e 32,70% de inclusão da cana, respectivamente. A concentração mínima de propionato foi verificada em 10,36% de inclusão de cana-de-açúcar. No entanto, a relação acetato: propionato diminuiu linearmente com o aumento do teor de cana-de-açúcar. Não foi observado efeito de diferentes ambientes ruminais sobre a degradabilidade da matéria seca da forragem e da fibra em detergente neutro. A degradabilidade da matéria seca foi de 66,79% para a cana-de-açúcar e 72,62% para a silagem de milho após 96 h de incubação. A fibra em detergente neutro foi 37,10 e 51,82% para cana-de-açúcar e silagem de milho, respectivamente, após 96 h de incubação. Em conclusão, a cana-de-açúcar pode ser usada como substituto da silagem de milho na alimentação de cabras adultas de manutenção, sem alterar o consumo de matéria seca e a degradabilidade da forragem, aumentando a produção de propionato.

Dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation parameters in goats fed sugarcane in replacement of corn silage

ABSTRACT The trial was conducted with the objective to evaluate fresh sugarcane as a replacement for corn silage on dry matter intake, ruminal parameters (pH, short chain fatty acids, and ammonia nitrogen concentration), and degradation kinetics of forages and concentrate in maintenance adult goats. Four nonlactating ruminally cannulated goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with the replacement of 0, 33, 67, and 100% of corn silage by sugarcane as the independent variable. The substitution of sugarcane for corn silage did not affect dry matter intake, daily weight gain, or ruminal pH. A quadratic effect was observed for ammonia nitrogen concentration with a maximum concentration at 74.43% of sugarcane inclusion, as well as for short chain fatty acids, with maximum concentrations of acetate and butyrate at 0.59 and 32.70% of sugarcane inclusion, respectively. The minimum concentration of propionate was verified on 10.36% of sugarcane inclusion. However, the acetate:propionate ratio linearly decreased with increased sugarcane content. No effect was observed of different rumen environments on forage dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradability (effective and potential degradability, soluble and potential degradable fractions). Dry matter degradability was 66.79% for sugarcane and 72.62% for corn silage after 96 h of incubation. Neutral detergent fiber was 37.10 and 51.82% for sugarcane and corn silage, respectively, after 96 h of incubation. In conclusion, sugarcane can be used as a replacement for corn silage in maintenance adult goats feed without altering dry matter intake and forage degradability while increasing propionate production.

RESUMO O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a cana-de-açúcar in natura em substituição à silagem de milho no consumo de matéria seca, parâmetros ruminais e cinética de degradação de forragens e concentrado em cabras adultas em mantença. Quatro cabras não lactantes canuladas no rúmen foram utilizadas em um delineamento em quadrado latino 4 × 4 com a substituição de 0, 33, 67 e 100% da silagem de milho por cana-de-açúcar. A substituição da cana-de-açúcar pela silagem de milho não afetou o consumo de matéria seca, o ganho de peso diário e o pH ruminal. Foi observado efeito quadrático para a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal com concentração máxima de 74,43% de inclusão da cana, e também para ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, com concentrações máximas de acetato e butirato de 0,59 e 32,70% de inclusão da cana, respectivamente. A concentração mínima de propionato foi verificada em 10,36% de inclusão de cana-de-açúcar. No entanto, a relação acetato: propionato diminuiu linearmente com o aumento do teor de cana-de-açúcar. Não foi observado efeito de diferentes ambientes ruminais sobre a degradabilidade da matéria seca da forragem e da fibra em detergente neutro. A degradabilidade da matéria seca foi de 66,79% para a cana-de-açúcar e 72,62% para a silagem de milho após 96 h de incubação. A fibra em detergente neutro foi 37,10 e 51,82% para cana-de-açúcar e silagem de milho, respectivamente, após 96 h de incubação. Em conclusão, a cana-de-açúcar pode ser usada como substituto da silagem de milho na alimentação de cabras adultas de manutenção, sem alterar o consumo de matéria seca e a degradabilidade da forragem, aumentando a produção de propionato.

Dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation parameters in goats fed sugarcane in replacement of corn silage / Parâmetros de ingestão de matéria seca e fermentação ruminal em cabras alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar em substituição à silagem de milho

The trial was conducted with the objective to evaluate fresh sugarcane as a replacement for corn silage on dry matter intake, ruminal parameters (pH, short chain fatty acids, and ammonia nitrogen concentration), and degradation kinetics of forages and concentrate in maintenance adult goats. Four nonlactating ruminally cannulated goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with the replacement of 0, 33, 67, and 100% of corn silage by sugarcane as the independent variable. The substitution of sugarcane for corn silage did not affect dry matter intake, daily weight gain, or ruminal pH. A quadratic effect was observed for ammonia nitrogen concentration with a maximum concentration at 74.43% of sugarcane inclusion, as well as for short chain fatty acids, with maximum concentrations of acetate and butyrate at 0.59 and 32.70% of sugarcane inclusion, respectively. The minimum concentration of propionate was verified on 10.36% of sugarcane inclusion. However, the acetate:propionate ratio linearly decreased with increased sugarcane content. No effect was observed of different rumen environments on forage dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradability (effective and potential degradability, soluble and potential degradable fractions). Dry matter degradability was 66.79% for sugarcane and 72.62% for corn silage after 96 h of incubation. Neutral detergent fiber was 37.10 and 51.82% for sugarcane and corn silage, respectively, after 96 h of incubation. In conclusion, sugarcane can be used as a replacement for corn silage in maintenance adult goats feed without altering dry matter intake and forage degradability while increasing propionate production.(AU)

O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a cana-de-açúcar in natura em substituição à silagem de milho no consumo de matéria seca, parâmetros ruminais e cinética de degradação de forragens e concentrado em cabras adultas em mantença. Quatro cabras não lactantes canuladas no rúmen foram utilizadas em um delineamento em quadrado latino 4 × 4 com a substituição de 0, 33, 67 e 100% da silagem de milho por cana-de-açúcar. A substituição da cana-de-açúcar pela silagem de milho não afetou o consumo de matéria seca, o ganho de peso diário e o pH ruminal. Foi observado efeito quadrático para a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal com concentração máxima de 74,43% de inclusão da cana, e também para ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, com concentrações máximas de acetato e butirato de 0,59 e 32,70% de inclusão da cana, respectivamente. A concentração mínima de propionato foi verificada em 10,36% de inclusão de cana-de-açúcar. No entanto, a relação acetato: propionato diminuiu linearmente com o aumento do teor de cana-de-açúcar. Não foi observado efeito de diferentes ambientes ruminais sobre a degradabilidade da matéria seca da forragem e da fibra em detergente neutro. A degradabilidade da matéria seca foi de 66,79% para a cana-de-açúcar e 72,62% para a silagem de milho após 96 h de incubação. A fibra em detergente neutro foi 37,10 e 51,82% para cana-de-açúcar e silagem de milho, respectivamente, após 96 h de incubação. Em conclusão, a cana-de-açúcar pode ser usada como substituto da silagem de milho na alimentação de cabras adultas de manutenção, sem alterar o consumo de matéria seca e a degradabilidade da forragem, aumentando a produção de propionato.(AU)

Intake and ruminal parameters of goats fed diets supplemented with vegetable oils

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and ruminal parameters of goats fed diets supplemented with vegetable oils. Four rumen-cannulated Saanen goats were allocated to four treatments, which consisted of a control diet and diets with the inclusion of 30 g of canola, sunflower, or soybean oils per kilogram of diet dry matter (DM). The experiment lasted 40 days, which were divided into four 10-day periods. Forage intake was estimated using chromium oxide as an external marker, and supplement intake was determined as the difference between the daily amount supplied and orts. Rumen fermentation parameters were evaluated from samples of rumen fluid collected every 2 h, for 12 h. Rumen pH and short-chain fatty acid and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were measured. There was no effect of lipid supplementation on DM intake. Ether extract intake was highest in the treatments with oil inclusion, and the highest acid detergent fiber intake was obtained with the diet containing canola oil. The pH was highest in the group fed soybean oil and responded quadratically to the collection times. Total short-chain fatty acid and acetic acid concentrations also responded quadratically to the collection times. Propionic and butyric acid concentrations and acetic:propionic acid ratio showed a cubic behavior with the increasing collection times. Canola, sunflower, or soybean oils can be included at 30 g/kg of the diet DM as a strategy to increase the energy density of goat diets.

Performance, carcass traits, and meat fatty acid profile and quality of Anglo-Nubian kids fed diets supplemented with vegetable oils

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of vegetable oils in goat kid diets on performance, carcass traits, and meat composition, quality, and fatty acid profile. Forty-eight Anglo Nubian kids were evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments, namely, control diet and diets including 2.5% canola, sunflower, or soybean oils. The animals were slaughtered at 30 kg live weight and performance, carcass and meat quality, centesimal composition, and fatty acid profile were evaluated. The treatments did not influence carcass yield or meat color. Among the saturated fatty acids, only caprylic, palmitic, and heptadecanoic acids differed among the treatments, whereas total saturated fatty acids decreased in the sunflower oil treatment. Monounsaturated fatty acids were not influenced by lipid supplementation. Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), linoleic acid was highest in the sunflower oil-treated group. Total PUFA were higher for the soybean oil-supplemented group, but similar to that achieved with sunflower oil. The highest omega-6 content was obtained with dietary inclusion of sunflower oil, whereas conjugated linoleic acid, atherogenicity index, and hypocholesterolemic:hypocholesterolemic ratio improved with the inclusion of sunflower and soybean oils. Supplementation with vegetable oils improves the fatty acid profile of kid meat without affecting animal performance. Better results are obtained with sunflower and soybean oils; therefore, it is up to the producer to choose the diet according to its cost.

Yield, composition, and fatty acid profile of milk from Anglo Nubian goats fed a diet supplemented with vegetable oils

We aimed to evaluate the inclusion of three sources of vegetable oil in the diet of lactating goats on production in 120 days of lactation and the effect of these sources and lactation stage on fortnightly composition and fatty acid profile of goat milk at 20, 50, 80, and 110 days of lactation. A completely randomized design was adopted and 32 Anglo Nubian goats were used, distributed in four treatments: control diet and diets with inclusion of 30 g/kg of dry matter of diet of canola, sunflower, or soybean oil. The dairy production was 182.75 kg, and there was no difference for treatments. Among the constituents, only urea nitrogen was influenced by treatment and presented lower content for control treatment. Day of lactation had an effect on lactose. Defatted dry extract and somatic cell count had a quadratic effect with minimum values around 100 and 33 days of lactation, respectively. The content of urea nitrogen, also with a quadratic effect, was higher at 93 days of lactation. For protein, there was an interaction between treatments and period and, at the end of lactation, its content was increased. The inclusion of vegetable oils promoted reduction in total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and increased the total content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid. The proportions MUFA:SFA and PUFA:SFA, the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes, and the relation hypocholesterolemic fatty acids:hypercholesterolemic fatty acids improved with oil addition in animal diets. The addition of vegetable oil to diets for lactating goats improve the fatty acid profile with no impairment on milk production and composition, and the milk from early stages of lactation has better nutritional quality of the lipid fraction.(AU)

Relative growth of carcass tissues of goat kids from five breed Types finished on pasture or feedlot / Crescimento relativo dos tecidos da carcaça de cabritos de cinco grupos raciais terminados em pastagem ou confinamento

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cross breeding, finishing system, and gender on the relative growth of carcass tissues of dairy kids. Seventy eight kids (39 male and 39 female) from five breed types were used: Alpine; ½ Boer + ½ Alpine (½ BA); ½ Nubian + ½ Alpine (½ ANA); ¾ Boer + » Alpine (¾ BA); and ½ Nubian + » Boer + » Alpine (TC). Kids were distributed into two finishing systems: in pasture with doe (FS1) and weaned in feedlot (FS2). Kids were slaughtered at a mean age of 128.4 ± 7.9 days and mean live weight of 22.07 kg. The mean weight of half carcasses was 5.09 kg. To determine allometric growth, we used the exponential equation Y= aXb. In the half carcass, muscle tissue showed comparatively early growth in group ½ BA, whereas fat tissue of animals in FS1 had relatively late growth. Females exhibited early growth of muscle tissue, while in males this tissue was intermediate. The ½ BA first-cross improved carcass characteristics by enhancing the growth of muscle tissue.(AU)

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a influência dos cruzamentos, sistema de terminação e sexo no crescimento relativo dos tecidos da carcaça de cabritos em crescimento. Foram utilizados 78 cabritos, 39 machos e 39 fêmeas, de cinco grupos raciais: 13 cabritos Alpinos; 14 1/2 Boer + 1/2 Alpino (1/2 BA); 15 1/2 Anglo Nubiano + 1/2 Alpino (1/2 ANA); 18 3/4 Boer + 1/4 Alpino (3/4 BA); e 18 ½ Anglo Nubiano + » Boer + » Alpino (TC). Os grupos foram distribuídos em dois sistemas de terminação, cabrito em pastagem com a mãe (ST1) e cabrito desmamado em confinamento (ST2). Os animais foram abatidos em média aos 22,07 kg de peso vivo e 128,4 ± 7,9 dias. O peso médio das meias carcaças foi de 5,09 kg. Para determinação do crescimento alométrico foi utilizada a equação exponencial Y = aXb. O tecido muscular, em relação ao peso da meia carcaça, apresentou crescimento precoce no grupo ½ BA. O tecido adiposo dos animais do ST1 foi depositado tardiamente. As fêmeas apresentaram crescimento precoce de tecido muscular, em relação ao peso da meia carcaça, enquanto nos machos tal comportamento foi intermediário. O cruzamento 1/2 BA pode melhorar as características da carcaça em função de potencializar o crescimento do tecido muscular.(AU)

Relative growth of carcass tissues of goat kids from five breed Types finished on pasture or feedlot / Crescimento relativo dos tecidos da carcaça de cabritos de cinco grupos raciais terminados em pastagem ou confinamento

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cross breeding, finishing system, and gender on the relative growth of carcass tissues of dairy kids. Seventy eight kids (39 male and 39 female) from five breed types were used: Alpine; ½ Boer + ½ Alpine (½ BA); ½ Nubian + ½ Alpine (½ ANA); ¾ Boer + » Alpine (¾ BA); and ½ Nubian + » Boer + » Alpine (TC). Kids were distributed into two finishing systems: in pasture with doe (FS1) and weaned in feedlot (FS2). Kids were slaughtered at a mean age of 128.4 ± 7.9 days and mean live weight of 22.07 kg. The mean weight of half carcasses was 5.09 kg. To determine allometric growth, we used the exponential equation Y= aXb. In the half carcass, muscle tissue showed comparatively early growth in group ½ BA, whereas fat tissue of animals in FS1 had relatively late growth. Females exhibited early growth of muscle tissue, while in males this tissue was intermediate. The ½ BA first-cross improved carcass characteristics by enhancing the growth of muscle tissue.

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a influência dos cruzamentos, sistema de terminação e sexo no crescimento relativo dos tecidos da carcaça de cabritos em crescimento. Foram utilizados 78 cabritos, 39 machos e 39 fêmeas, de cinco grupos raciais: 13 cabritos Alpinos; 14 1/2 Boer + 1/2 Alpino (1/2 BA); 15 1/2 Anglo Nubiano + 1/2 Alpino (1/2 ANA); 18 3/4 Boer + 1/4 Alpino (3/4 BA); e 18 ½ Anglo Nubiano + » Boer + » Alpino (TC). Os grupos foram distribuídos em dois sistemas de terminação, cabrito em pastagem com a mãe (ST1) e cabrito desmamado em confinamento (ST2). Os animais foram abatidos em média aos 22,07 kg de peso vivo e 128,4 ± 7,9 dias. O peso médio das meias carcaças foi de 5,09 kg. Para determinação do crescimento alométrico foi utilizada a equação exponencial Y = aXb. O tecido muscular, em relação ao peso da meia carcaça, apresentou crescimento precoce no grupo ½ BA. O tecido adiposo dos animais do ST1 foi depositado tardiamente. As fêmeas apresentaram crescimento precoce de tecido muscular, em relação ao peso da meia carcaça, enquanto nos machos tal comportamento foi intermediário. O cruzamento 1/2 BA pode melhorar as características da carcaça em função de potencializar o crescimento do tecido muscular.