Do forage production and ingestive behavior of locally adapted sheep differ from an irrigated silvopastoral system to an irrigated monoculture in the semi-arid region?

This study aimed to evaluate forage production and ingestive behavior of Morada Nova sheep in an intensive system with capim-tamani grass in both monoculture and silvopastoral irrigated systems in the Semi-arid region. Eighteen adult sheep, approximately 3 years old, with an average body weight of 26.8 ± 4.3 kg, were allocated to treatments with capim-tamani grass cultivated in monoculture and in silvopastoral systems with Caatinga trees. The experiment followed a completely randomized complete block design with two plots and three replications. Forage production, consumption, and behavioral activities were the assessed variables. The animals remained in the pasture daily between 6 am and 6 pm. No effects of the monoculture and silvopastoral systems were observed on the structural and productive characteristics of the capim-tamani grass pasture. There were also no observed effects on body condition score, consumption, and disappearance rate of dry matter (DM) and other nutrients in both systems. However, there was an interaction between the time animals spent under shade in monoculture and silvopastoral systems. In general, the animals spent more time under shade where there were trees, except during the period between 2 pm and 4 pm, when the times were similar. On average, the animals spent approximately 15.6% (equivalent to 1.87 h) of their total time in the artificial shade available in the monoculture system, whereas in the silvopastoral system, they remained under natural shade for approximately 40% (five and a half hours) of their time spent in the pasture during the day. The grazing frequency in both systems was approximately 70% (8.4 h) in relation to the total time spent in the pasture. The capim-tamani grass pasture managed intensively with sheep in the silvopastoral system showed similar forage production and consumption compared to the monoculture system. There was a positive influence of trees on the duration of solar radiation exposure to the animals throughout the day. The results support the need to provide shade for sheep, as well as to promote these sustainable systems in semi-arid regions.

Chemical composition of elephant grass silages supplemented with different levels of dehydrated cashew bagasse / Composição químico-bromatológica de silagens de capim-elefante com diferentes níveis de bagaço de caju desidratado

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition of elephant grass silages supplemented with different levels dried cashew bagasse (DCB). Our experiment used a randomized design replicated four times, each replicate consisting of the following five treatments: 100% elephant grass; 95% elephant grass + 5% DCB; 90% elephant grass + 10% DCB; 85% elephant grass + 15% DCB; and 80% elephant grass + 20% DCB. The elephant grass was cut manually to a residual height of 5 cm at 80 days of age, and cashew bagasse was obtained from the processing of cashew stalks used in fruit pulp manufacturing in Mossoró/RN. Plastic buckets were used as experimental silos, and 90 days after ensiling the experimental silos were opened and the contents analyzed. The addition of dried cashew bagasse to silage linearly increased the levels of dried matter and crude protein by 0.59% and 0.13%, respectively, for each 1% addition (P < 0.05). The neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent content of the silages was reduced by 0.22% and 0.09%, respectively, for each 1% addition of the bagasse. The total carbohydrate content was not influenced by the bagasse addition (P > 0.05), and averaged 82.29%. The levels of non-fiber carbohydrate showed linear growth (P < 0.05) as the dehydrated cashew bagasse was added, and pH and ammoniacal nitrogen levels were reduced. The addition of the dehydrated bagasse to elephant grass silage improves its chemical composition, and it can be effectively added up to the level of 20%.(AU)

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar a composição químico-bromatológica das silagens de capim-elefante com diferentes níveis de adição de bagaço de caju desidratado. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos que foram compostos pelas seguintes proporções: 100% capim-elefante; 95% capim-elefante + 5% de DCB; 90% capim-elefante + 10% DCB; 85% capim-elefante + 15% de DCB e 80% de capim-elefante + 20% de DCB, com base na matéria natural e quatro repetições. O capim-elefante foi cortado manualmente a uma altura residual de 5 cm com 80 dias de idade, e bagaço de caju foi obtido do processamento dos pedúnculos de caju utilizados na fabricação de polpa de frutas em Mossoró/RN. Foram utilizados baldes plásticos como silos experimentais e 90 dias após a ensilagem os silos experimentais foram abertos e realizados análises. Observou-se que a adição do bagaço de caju desidratado na ensilagem aumentou linearmente (P < 0,05) os teores de matéria seca e proteína bruta, em 0,59 e 0,13 pontos percentuais respectivamente para cada 1% de adição. Os teores de fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido das silagens foram reduzidos em 0,22 e 0,09 pontos percentuais respectivamente para cada 1% de adição do bagaço de caju desidratado na ensilagem. Os teores de carboidratos totais não sofreram influencia (P > 0,05) com a adição do subproduto, com média de 82,29%. Os teores de carboidratos não fibrosos foram influenciados (P < 0,05) apresentando crescimento linear à medida que foi adicionado o bagaço de caju desidratado na ensilagem. As silagens apresentaram reduções do pH e nitrogênio amoniacal com adição do bagaço de caju desidratado. A adição do bagaço de caju desidratado ao capim-elefante para ensilagem melhora a composição químico-bromatológica. O bagaço de caju desidratado pode ser utilizado até o nível de 20% na matéria natural.(AU)

Chemical composition of elephant grass silages supplemented with different levels of dehydrated cashew bagasse / Composição químico-bromatológica de silagens de capim-elefante com diferentes níveis de bagaço de caju desidratado

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition of elephant grass silages supplemented with different levels dried cashew bagasse (DCB). Our experiment used a randomized design replicated four times, each replicate consisting of the following five treatments: 100% elephant grass; 95% elephant grass + 5% DCB; 90% elephant grass + 10% DCB; 85% elephant grass + 15% DCB; and 80% elephant grass + 20% DCB. The elephant grass was cut manually to a residual height of 5 cm at 80 days of age, and cashew bagasse was obtained from the processing of cashew stalks used in fruit pulp manufacturing in Mossoró/RN. Plastic buckets were used as experimental silos, and 90 days after ensiling the experimental silos were opened and the contents analyzed. The addition of dried cashew bagasse to silage linearly increased the levels of dried matter and crude protein by 0.59% and 0.13%, respectively, for each 1% addition (P 0.05), and averaged 82.29%. The levels of non-fiber carbohydrate showed linear growth (P < 0.05) as the dehydrated cashew bagasse was added, and pH and ammoniacal nitrogen levels were reduced. The addition of the dehydrated bagasse to elephant grass silage improves its chemical composition, and it can be effectively added up to the level of 20%.

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar a composição químico-bromatológica das silagens de capim-elefante com diferentes níveis de adição de bagaço de caju desidratado. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos que foram compostos pelas seguintes proporções: 100% capim-elefante; 95% capim-elefante + 5% de DCB; 90% capim-elefante + 10% DCB; 85% capim-elefante + 15% de DCB e 80% de capim-elefante + 20% de DCB, com base na matéria natural e quatro repetições. O capim-elefante foi cortado manualmente a uma altura residual de 5 cm com 80 dias de idade, e bagaço de caju foi obtido do processamento dos pedúnculos de caju utilizados na fabricação de polpa de frutas em Mossoró/RN. Foram utilizados baldes plásticos como silos experimentais e 90 dias após a ensilagem os silos experimentais foram abertos e realizados análises. Observou-se que a adição do bagaço de caju desidratado na ensilagem aumentou linearmente (P 0,05) com a adição do subproduto, com média de 82,29%. Os teores de carboidratos não fibrosos foram influenciados (P < 0,05) apresentando crescimento linear à medida que foi adicionado o bagaço de caju desidratado na ensilagem. As silagens apresentaram reduções do pH e nitrogênio amoniacal com adição do bagaço de caju desidratado. A adição do bagaço de caju desidratado ao capim-elefante para ensilagem melhora a composição químico-bromatológica. O bagaço de caju desidratado pode ser utilizado até o nível de 20% na matéria natural.