Maternal behavior scores and temperament of ewes under intensive and extensive handling systems.

Maternal behavior has been related to ewe's reactivity, as more reactive ewes might have greater risk of presenting worse maternal ability. This study aimed to determine the association between maternal behavior score (MBS) of Corriedale ewes with their physiological and behavioral variables measured at weaning of their offspring within two handling systems. Data from 335 ewes with average (± SE) age of 3.1 ± 1.8 years and 46.5 ± 6.1 kg of body weight were used. Experimental farms were classified into two handling systems: intensive (n = 3) and extensive (n = 2), based on stocking density and nature of human-animal relationships. Maternal behavior was evaluated in the field within 24 h after delivery, using a 6-rated scale (1 = poor to 6 = excellent). This scale takes into account the distance the ewe takes from the lamb when the lamb is restrained by an observer. The temperament of the ewes was evaluated during an arena test, at the weaning of the lambs, and was divided into two phases: social isolation and human presence. Data were subjected to principal component analysis and logistic regression. Logistic regression of principal factor (PF) scores in MBS showed that physical activity during the isolation phase increased in 1.57 (CI: 1.02 to 2.42; P < 0.05) the probability of extensively handling ewes showing high MBS (≥4), while in intensively handling ewes, logistic regression showed that the number of vocalizations in both phases of the arena test increased in 1.64 (CI: 1.12 to 2.4; P < 0.05) the probability of ewes having high MBS. Albeit the handling systems are not comparable, MBS was positively associated with some behavioral variables measured at the arena test.

Influence of tropical upright pasture structural and chemical characteristics on lamb grazing time.

Tropical pasture canopy characteristics can alter lamb ingestive behavior. Our study evaluated the ingestive behavior of young lambs in different tropical pastures to identify which variables interfere in their grazing activity. Two years of study were carried out with 54 weaned lambs distributed in three different pasture canopies: 1) monoculture of an upright grass, guinea grass (Panicum maximum; GG); 2) monoculture of a shrubby legume pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan; PP) and 3) contiguous paddock with half GG and half PP (GP). The experiment was set out in a randomized complete block design (3 blocks). Lamb ingestive behavior was observed from sunrise to sunset with records every 5 minutes. To identify the main variables that affected lamb grazing activity, a multivariate analysis of the Decision Tree was performed. Our results showed that there was no difference in the ingestive behavior parameters of young lambs in different canopies (P > 0.05). There was interaction among the canopies and the experimental periods for the variables idleness time and biting rate (P ≤ 0.05). Lambs in all canopies showed more idleness time in the first evaluation period. Lambs in canopies containing grass (GG and GP) exhibited greater bites per minute throughout the experimental period. Lamb grazing time increased 40% as experimental period progressed and plants matured. The Decision Tree identified leaf:stem ratio as the variable that most influenced lamb grazing time in GG and GP canopies while in the PP, grazing time was directly related to canopy height. The behavior of young lambs on tropical pasture is variable as there is a change in the behavioral response to canopy characteristics over time. In addition, the grazing time of these animals can be estimated by means of variables related to canopy structural characteristics (leaf:stem ratio and height) together with chemical variables.

Management Strategies for Lamb Production on Pasture-Based Systems in Subtropical Regions: A Review.

Sheep production on pasture plays an important role in subtropical climates around the world, with great economic and environmental relevance to those regions. However, this production is much lower than its true potential in subtropical regions, largely due to lack of knowledge of how to feed grazing lambs, and mitigate gastrointestinal parasite infections. Due to weather instability and the high growth rate of tropical grasses, it is difficult to adjust the quality and quantity of feed consumed by lambs. In addition, due to warm, wet weather during spring, summer, and autumn, gastrointestinal parasite infection can be intense on subtropical pastures. Thus, the objective of this paper is to summarize 17 years of research in southern regions of Brazil testing alternative management for sheep farmers under these challenging conditions. Our review indicates that ewes play important roles raising their lambs. Besides protecting and providing milk, they leave a better pasture structure for lamb nutrition. The use of creep feeding and creep grazing are additional alternatives to improve lamb growth. However, feeding supplementation with concentrate can deteriorate pasture quality at the end of the summer-autumn season. Gastrointestinal parasitic infections can be reduced with improved lamb nutrition, although L3 larvae of Haemonchus contortus can be present at various pasture heights. This indicates that it is difficult to control L3 ingestion solely by manipulating grazing heights. We summarize important technologies for raising lambs on pasture-based systems to make the best of high herbage growth and minimize intense parasitic infections common in subtropical regions. We discuss research results in light of the latest studies from other ecoregions and climates, although there is a lack of similar research in subtropical regions of the world.

Ingestive Behavior of Young Lambs on Contrasting Tropical Grass Sward Heights.

The efficiency of grazing ruminant production systems is directly associated to the animals' ingestive behavior, and to structural characteristics of the pastures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of young lambs grazing three different heights of Capim Aruana (Panicum maximum). The experiment was carried out in two consecutive years, in which 30 tester lambs (4-5 months old) were equally divided into three paddocks (treatments) corresponding to different average sward heights of Aruana grass: (1) Tall-75 cm; (2) Medium-50 cm; and (3) Short-25 cm in a randomized block design. Ingestive behavior assessments were carried out every 28 days through 10-min observations of the main activities of the animals (grazing, ruminating, idling) and biting rate, from sunrise to sunset. In addition, the productive and qualitative characteristics of the pastures were assessed. Despite differences in pasture structure, grazing time (GT) and idling time were similar among treatments (P = 0.4266 and P = 0.2939, respectively). The shortest ruminating time (RT, P = 0.0181) was recorded in the treatment of lowest sward height. Lambs grazing on this treatment also showed 23% more bites per minute (P= < 0.0001) than animals in the Tall and Medium treatments. A Decision Tree analysis was performed for GT, identifying in a hierarchical order that the initial weight of the animals and sward height explained 62% (R 2 = 0.621) of the variation, representing the variables with the greatest influence on GT. Initial body weight explained 48% of the model. Thus, our research shows that the different sward heights of Capim Aruana mainly alter the lamb's RT and biting rate, and that the animals' initial body weight is a key factor influencing GT, given that this variable makes lambs more susceptible to changes in sward height.

Feeding systems and tocopherol level in the diet and their effects on the quality of lamb meat: a meta-analysis

The objective of the present study was to evaluate, through a meta-analysis, the effects of feeding systems and tocopherol levels found in the diet of lambs on qualitative characteristics of their meat. A search of the computerised literature in Science Direct databases, PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO virtual library was carried out to select works that evaluated the quality of lamb meat. As a first requirement for inclusion in the meta-analysis, articles were selected with the keywords "tocopherol", "meat", and "lamb". The variables extracted from the articles were classified according to the type of feeding system and tocopherol level in the diet of lambs. Production systems alter the qualitative characteristics of meat. Lambs raised exclusively on pasture present a higher tocopherol concentration in their meat, a lower omega 6:omega 3 ratio, a lower omega 6 concentration, and a higher conjugated linoleic acid concentration. Regardless of the dietary systems, when we classify the tocopherol levels of lamb diet, the tocopherol concentration and fatty acid level are altered by tocopherol levels in the diet. The lower tocopherol level in the diet results in meat with lower tocopherol concentration and with greater propensity to lipid oxidation.(AU)

The role of small ruminants on global climate change / O papel dos pequenos ruminantes na mudança climática global

Global warming, as a consequence of excessive CO2 production mainly due to anthropogenic actions, is one of the main concerns of society due to the effects it can cause in the survival of humans, plants and animals. Several climatic consequences have already been reported, such as warming the oceans and changing biodiversity in various regions of the planet. One of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, which causes a lot of concern, is methane gas from digestion of food by ruminants. Besides that, emissions of greenhouse gases are represented also by waste management, rice cultivation, burning of residues from agriculture and soil management for agricultural production. Among ruminants, sheep and goats play an important economic role mainly in Oceania, Asia and Africa. More than 50% of small ruminants of the world are located in arid region, indicating their adaptability and future suitability to increasing temperatures. The purpose of this review is to report current knowledge about the methane emission produced by small ruminants, addressing the different interfaces of this theme, and considering possible mitigation strategies.

O aquecimento global, como consequência da produção excessiva de CO2, principalmente devido a ações antrópicas, é uma das principais preocupações da sociedade devido aos efeitos que pode causar na sobrevivência de seres humanos, plantas e animais. Diversas consequências climáticas têm sido relatadas, como o aquecimento dos oceanos e a alteração da biodiversidade em várias regiões do planeta. Um dos gases de efeito estufa responsáveis pelo aquecimento global, que causa muita preocupação, é o gás metano proveniente da digestão de alimentos por ruminantes. Além disso, as emissões de gases de efeito estufa são representadas também pela gestão de resíduos, pelo cultivo de arroz, pela queima de resíduos da agricultura e pelo manejo do solo para produção agrícola. Entre os ruminantes, os ovinos e os caprinos desempenham um importante papel econômico, especialmente na Oceania, Ásia e África. Mais de 50% dos pequenos ruminantes do mundo estão localizados em regiões áridas, indicando sua adaptabilidade e possível adequação futura ao aumento das temperaturas. O objetivo desta revisão é relatar o conhecimento atual sobre a emissão de metano produzida por pequenos ruminantes, abordando as diferentes interfaces deste tema e considerando possíveis estratégias de mitigação.

The role of small ruminants on global climate change / O papel dos pequenos ruminantes na mudança climática global

Global warming, as a consequence of excessive CO2 production mainly due to anthropogenic actions, is one of the main concerns of society due to the effects it can cause in the survival of humans, plants and animals. Several climatic consequences have already been reported, such as warming the oceans and changing biodiversity in various regions of the planet. One of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, which causes a lot of concern, is methane gas from digestion of food by ruminants. Besides that, emissions of greenhouse gases are represented also by waste management, rice cultivation, burning of residues from agriculture and soil management for agricultural production. Among ruminants, sheep and goats play an important economic role mainly in Oceania, Asia and Africa. More than 50% of small ruminants of the world are located in arid region, indicating their adaptability and future suitability to increasing temperatures. The purpose of this review is to report current knowledge about the methane emission produced by small ruminants, addressing the different interfaces of this theme, and considering possible mitigation strategies.(AU)

O aquecimento global, como consequência da produção excessiva de CO2, principalmente devido a ações antrópicas, é uma das principais preocupações da sociedade devido aos efeitos que pode causar na sobrevivência de seres humanos, plantas e animais. Diversas consequências climáticas têm sido relatadas, como o aquecimento dos oceanos e a alteração da biodiversidade em várias regiões do planeta. Um dos gases de efeito estufa responsáveis pelo aquecimento global, que causa muita preocupação, é o gás metano proveniente da digestão de alimentos por ruminantes. Além disso, as emissões de gases de efeito estufa são representadas também pela gestão de resíduos, pelo cultivo de arroz, pela queima de resíduos da agricultura e pelo manejo do solo para produção agrícola. Entre os ruminantes, os ovinos e os caprinos desempenham um importante papel econômico, especialmente na Oceania, Ásia e África. Mais de 50% dos pequenos ruminantes do mundo estão localizados em regiões áridas, indicando sua adaptabilidade e possível adequação futura ao aumento das temperaturas. O objetivo desta revisão é relatar o conhecimento atual sobre a emissão de metano produzida por pequenos ruminantes, abordando as diferentes interfaces deste tema e considerando possíveis estratégias de mitigação.(AU)

Sensory evaluation of beef and buffalo extensively reared and its relationship to sociodemographic characteristics of consumers / Avaliação sensorial de carne bovina e bubalina de animais criados a pasto e sua relação com as características sociodemográficas dos consumidores

Sensory characteristics of meat from different animal types, including cattle (Angus and Brangus) and buffalo raised at pasture, and information on socio-demographic determinants of consumer preference were evaluated. Samples of roasted rib eye were cut and served in a disordered and monadic manner to 188 untrained tasters. A nine-point hedonic scale was used to assess odor, color, tenderness, succulence and overall appearance. Analysis of variance was carried out using the GLM procedure of SAS®, considering animal type and socio-demographic characteristics as fixed effects and using the LSMEANS procedure for multiple mean comparisons. Differences (P 0.001) between animal types were observed only for tenderness, with Brangus (7.02) and buffalo (6.82) meat being superior to Angus (6.25). Regardless of meat origin, age, income, smoking and place of purchase affected the perceived attributes (P 0.05). People aged over 50 years gave higher mean scores for odor and color (P 0.05), indicative of greater satisfaction and less demanding tastes when compared to other age categories. Despite the variability in the intrinsic characteristics, differentiation of meat by the consumer is not easy to determine, with little impact of sociodemographic characteristics on organoleptic perception. Meat from Brangus cattle and buffaloes raised at pasture was considered tenderer than...

Avaliaram-se as características sensoriais da carne de diferentes espécies (bovina e bubalina) e raças (Angus e Brangus) criadas a pasto (campo nativo), além dos determinantes sociodemográficos de preferência dos consumidores, através de painel sensorial. Amostras de Longíssimus dorsi foram assadas, cortadas e servidas de forma desordenada e monádica a 188 painelistas não-treinados sediados no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foi utilizada uma escala hedônica de nove pontos para avaliar os atributos odor, cor, maciez, suculência e aparência global. Através do procedimento GLM - SAS® realizou-se a análise de variância, considerando as características sensoriais e sociodemográficas como fatores fixos. Quando o fator apresentou efeito significativo (P 0,05), foi utilizado LSMEANS para comparação entre as médias. Foi encontrada diferença (P 0,001) somente para o atributo maciez, com as carnes de bovinos da raça Brangus e de bubalinos apresentando maior grau, com 7,02 e 6,82, respectivamente, quando comparados com a de bovinos da raça Angus (6,25). Independente da origem da carne, a idade, a renda, o hábito de fumar e o local de compra dos consumidores foram determinantes para parte dos atributos avaliados (P 0,05). Pessoas com idade superior a 50 anos conferiram escores médios superiores (5,86 e 7,36 para odor e cor, respectivamente; P 0,05), indicativo de ...

Sensory evaluation of beef and buffalo extensively reared and its relationship to sociodemographic characteristics of consumers / Avaliação sensorial de carne bovina e bubalina de animais criados a pasto e sua relação com as características sociodemográficas dos consumidores

Sensory characteristics of meat from different animal types, including cattle (Angus and Brangus) and buffalo raised at pasture, and information on socio-demographic determinants of consumer preference were evaluated. Samples of roasted rib eye were cut and served in a disordered and monadic manner to 188 untrained tasters. A nine-point hedonic scale was used to assess odor, color, tenderness, succulence and overall appearance. Analysis of variance was carried out using the GLM procedure of SAS®, considering animal type and socio-demographic characteristics as fixed effects and using the LSMEANS procedure for multiple mean comparisons. Differences (P 0.001) between animal types were observed only for tenderness, with Brangus (7.02) and buffalo (6.82) meat being superior to Angus (6.25). Regardless of meat origin, age, income, smoking and place of purchase affected the perceived attributes (P 0.05). People aged over 50 years gave higher mean scores for odor and color (P 0.05), indicative of greater satisfaction and less demanding tastes when compared to other age categories. Despite the variability in the intrinsic characteristics, differentiation of meat by the consumer is not easy to determine, with little impact of sociodemographic characteristics on organoleptic perception. Meat from Brangus cattle and buffaloes raised at pasture was considered tenderer than...(AU)

Avaliaram-se as características sensoriais da carne de diferentes espécies (bovina e bubalina) e raças (Angus e Brangus) criadas a pasto (campo nativo), além dos determinantes sociodemográficos de preferência dos consumidores, através de painel sensorial. Amostras de Longíssimus dorsi foram assadas, cortadas e servidas de forma desordenada e monádica a 188 painelistas não-treinados sediados no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foi utilizada uma escala hedônica de nove pontos para avaliar os atributos odor, cor, maciez, suculência e aparência global. Através do procedimento GLM - SAS® realizou-se a análise de variância, considerando as características sensoriais e sociodemográficas como fatores fixos. Quando o fator apresentou efeito significativo (P 0,05), foi utilizado LSMEANS para comparação entre as médias. Foi encontrada diferença (P 0,001) somente para o atributo maciez, com as carnes de bovinos da raça Brangus e de bubalinos apresentando maior grau, com 7,02 e 6,82, respectivamente, quando comparados com a de bovinos da raça Angus (6,25). Independente da origem da carne, a idade, a renda, o hábito de fumar e o local de compra dos consumidores foram determinantes para parte dos atributos avaliados (P 0,05). Pessoas com idade superior a 50 anos conferiram escores médios superiores (5,86 e 7,36 para odor e cor, respectivamente; P 0,05), indicativo de ...(AU)

Ewe maternal behavior score to estimate lamb survival and performance during lactation / Escore de comportamento materno de ovelhas para estimar a sobrevivência e o desempenho de cordeiros durante a lactação

Mortality of perinatal lambs and low weight at weaning cause huge liabilities to farmers. Current study describes maternal-filial behavior and evaluates the use of maternal behavior score (MBS) to estimate the behavior of ewes and lambs soon after birth, and correlate it with lamb mortality and performance during lactation. Thirty-seven Corriedale ewes were used in a completely randomized design. MBS was assessed up to 24 hours after birth, taking into consideration the distance of the ewe from the lamb at the approach of a person. Maternal behavior, placental weight, weight gain of the lambs until weaning and their survival rate were also evaluated until two hours after lambing. More than 90% of the ewes had adequate maternal behavior, with parental care, even though ewes were very sensitive to the presence of people. There was no significant correlation between MBS and maternal behavior, lamb mortality rate and live weight gain. Under these conditions, MBS was not a useful tool to estimate maternal behavior and performance of lambs.

A mortalidade de cordeiros perinatal e o baixo peso ao desmame trazem enormes perdas para os ovinocultores. Este trabalho objetivou descrever o comportamento materno-filial e avaliar o uso do Escore do Comportamento Materno-Filial (ECM) como ferramenta para estimar o comportamento de ovelhas e cordeiros logo após o parto, e correlacionar com a sobrevivência e o desempenho dos cordeiros durante a lactação. Avaliaram-se 37 ovelhas da raça Corriedale em um delineamento completamente casualizado. Até 24h após o parto, avaliou-se o ECM, que considera a distância da ovelha em relação ao cordeiro no momento da aproximação de um avaliador, o comportamento materno até 2h após o parto, o peso de placenta, e o ganho de peso e sobrevivência dos cordeiros até o desmame. Mais de 90% das ovelhas apresentaram comportamento materno adequado, cuidando de suas crias, mas essas ovelhas foram muito reativas na presença do observador. Não houve correlação significativa entre o ECM e o comportamento materno ao parto, a taxa de mortalidade dos cordeiros após o parto e ao desmame, e seu ganho de peso até o desmame. Nessas condições, o ECM não mostrou ser uma ferramenta útil para estimar o comportamento materno e o desempenho de cordeiros.

Ewe maternal behavior score to estimate lamb survival and performance during lactation / Escore de comportamento materno de ovelhas para estimar a sobrevivência e o desempenho de cordeiros durante a lactação

Mortality of perinatal lambs and low weight at weaning cause huge liabilities to farmers. Current study describes maternal-filial behavior and evaluates the use of maternal behavior score (MBS) to estimate the behavior of ewes and lambs soon after birth, and correlate it with lamb mortality and performance during lactation. Thirty-seven Corriedale ewes were used in a completely randomized design. MBS was assessed up to 24 hours after birth, taking into consideration the distance of the ewe from the lamb at the approach of a person. Maternal behavior, placental weight, weight gain of the lambs until weaning and their survival rate were also evaluated until two hours after lambing. More than 90% of the ewes had adequate maternal behavior, with parental care, even though ewes were very sensitive to the presence of people. There was no significant correlation between MBS and maternal behavior, lamb mortality rate and live weight gain. Under these conditions, MBS was not a useful tool to estimate maternal behavior and performance of lambs.(AU)

A mortalidade de cordeiros perinatal e o baixo peso ao desmame trazem enormes perdas para os ovinocultores. Este trabalho objetivou descrever o comportamento materno-filial e avaliar o uso do Escore do Comportamento Materno-Filial (ECM) como ferramenta para estimar o comportamento de ovelhas e cordeiros logo após o parto, e correlacionar com a sobrevivência e o desempenho dos cordeiros durante a lactação. Avaliaram-se 37 ovelhas da raça Corriedale em um delineamento completamente casualizado. Até 24h após o parto, avaliou-se o ECM, que considera a distância da ovelha em relação ao cordeiro no momento da aproximação de um avaliador, o comportamento materno até 2h após o parto, o peso de placenta, e o ganho de peso e sobrevivência dos cordeiros até o desmame. Mais de 90% das ovelhas apresentaram comportamento materno adequado, cuidando de suas crias, mas essas ovelhas foram muito reativas na presença do observador. Não houve correlação significativa entre o ECM e o comportamento materno ao parto, a taxa de mortalidade dos cordeiros após o parto e ao desmame, e seu ganho de peso até o desmame. Nessas condições, o ECM não mostrou ser uma ferramenta útil para estimar o comportamento materno e o desempenho de cordeiros.(AU)

Distribution of infective gastrointestinal helminth larvae in tropical erect grass under different feeding systems for lambs.

This study examined tropical pasture contamination dynamics under different feeding systems for finishing lambs. The experiment aimed to evaluate the vertical distribution of gastrointestinal helminth infective larvae (L3) in erect grass subjected to grazing and to assess the parasite load and its impact on lamb performance in three production systems. Three treatments based on Aruana grass (Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5) were as follows: T1, grass only; T2, grass with 1.5% of body weight (BW) nutrient concentrate supplementation; and T3, grass with 2.5% BW concentrate supplementation. The randomized block design had three replicates of three treatments, with six lambs per replicate. L3 were recovered from three pasture strata (upper, middle, and bottom), each representing one third of the sward height, and correlated with microclimatic data. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among treatments in the L3 recovery. Despite different grass heights between treatments and microclimates within the sward, the L3 concentration generally did not differ significantly among the three strata within a treatment (P > 0.05). Pasture microclimate did not correlate with larval recovery. At the end of the experiment, the animal fecal egg count was similar among treatments (P > 0.05). The results indicated that different lamb feeding systems in a tropical erect grassland caused differences in grass height but did not affect the distribution of infective larvae among strata. Larvae were found from the base to the top of the grass sward.

Composição tecidual e perfil de ácidos graxos do lombo de cordeiros terminados em pasto com níveis de suplementação concentrada / Tissue composition and fatty acids profile of lambs loin finishing on pasture with concentrate supplementation

A composição tecidual da carne é característica importante na avaliação da qualidade sensorial e nutricional do produto. O presente trabalho avaliou a composição tecidual e o perfil de ácidos graxos do lombo de cordeiros desmamados aos 42 dias de idade média e terminados em pasto de azevém com níveis diários de suplementação concentrada (0, 1 e 2 por cento do PV e ad libitum). O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com três repetições. Os cordeiros foram abatidos ao atingirem 32kg de peso vivo. O lombo direito foi utilizado para determinação da composição tecidual e o esquerdo para análise de perfil de ácidos graxos. As análises de variância e de regressão foram realizadas com auxílio do programa SAS (2001). A suplementação concentrada de cordeiros terminados em pasto não teve efeito (P>0,05) sobre o desenvolvimento muscular e ósseo; no entanto, promoveu acréscimo linear na deposição de gordura intermuscular e total. Os níveis de suplementação estudados não tiveram efeito (P>0,05) sobre a quantidade e o percentual de cada ácido graxo da carne dos cordeiros. A suplementação concentrada de cordeiros desmamados em pasto de azevém aumentou a deposição de gordura na carcaça sem afetar a qualidade da carne para o consumo humano, considerando-se o perfil de ácidos graxos.

Meat composition is an important aspect on evaluation of sensory and nutritional quality of the product. This work had the objective of evaluating tissue composition and fatty acids profile of loin lambs weaned at 42 days of mean age and finished on ryegrass pasture with levels (0 percent; 1 percent and 2 percent of BW; ad libitum) of daily concentrate supplementation. The experiment was allocated in randomized blocks design with three replications. Lambs were slaughtered when individual live weight reached 32kg. Tissue composition was determined in right loin and left loin was used for fatty acids profile analyses. Analysis of variance and regression were performed by using SAS (2001). The concentrate supplementation of lambs finished on pasture did not affect (P>0.05) muscle and bone development, however, promoted linear increase on intermuscular and total fat. Levels of supplementation did not affect (P>0.05) the amount and percentage of each fatty acids in lambs meat. The concentrate supplementation of weaned lambs finished on ryegrass pastures increased fat covering on carcass without changing meat quality to human feeding considering fatty acids profile.

Variabilidade entre plantas de azevém para caracteres relacionados à precocidade / Variability for early forage production related traits among italian ryegrass plants

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a variabilidade intrapopulacional existente para caracteres relacionados à produção precoce de matéria seca e duração do ciclo vegetativo em uma população de azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum). Foram avaliadas 500 plantas para o número de dias para o florescimento, além de vigor, altura de planta e número de afilhos, medidos 90 dias após a semeadura. Houve grande variabilidade para os caracteres avaliados e as correlações entre produção precoce e duração do ciclo vegetativo foram baixas, indicando que é possível obter cultivares de azevém com maior período de utilização.