Behavior of horses kept in different types of stalls in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding and agonistic behavior of Quarter Horses kept in different types of stalls in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais. A completely randomized design with two treatments (two types of stalls) and seven replicates (seven days of evaluation) was used. Four Quarter Horse mares and four stallions were used per treatment. Behavioral observations were made at 10-minute intervals for 24 hours. The stall environment was characterized by the following variables: air temperature, relative humidity, and black globe temperature for subsequent estimation of the wet-bulb globe temperature. Feeding behavior variables included: time spent eating concentrate and time spent eating roughage (hours), bite rate (bites/min), and the number of daily bites (bites/day). Zinc-roofed stalls had higher air temperatures than clay-roofed stalls and the external environment, averaging 28.2, 27.0, and 27.4 ºC, respectively, while relative humidity was significantly lower in the external environment (65.80%). Horses housed in zinc-roofed stalls had longer feeding times (8.32 h) than animals kept in clay-roofed stalls (7.22 h). Approximately 94% of the total feeding time was spent eating roughage and 73% of the time was spent resting and walking, regardless of the covering type. Although environmental variables showed thermal discomfort, the roofing material did not alter the feeding behavior of stabled horses in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, suggesting an adaptation to the studied conditions. The feeding frequency should be increased to avoid a long resting time.(AU)

Effect of wilting time and enzymatic-bacterial inoculant on the fermentative profile, aerobic stability, and nutritional value of BRS capiaçu grass silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of wilting times and application of an enzymatic-bacterial inoculant on the fermentative profile and nutritional characteristics of BRS capiaçu grass silage in a semi-arid region. Four wilting times treatments (control, 6, 24, and 30 h), with or without the addition of an enzymatic-bacterial inoculant, were analyzed as a split-plot completely randomized design with eight replications. Parameters of the rumen degradability test were analyzed using a split-plot completely randomized block design with four replications. There was no interaction between wilting times and inoculant application on pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3 -N), and aerobic stability of BRS capiaçu silage. Aerobic stability was reduced by 1.2 h for every 1-h increase in wilting time. Inoculant application reduced the pH values by 2.59% and extended the aerobic stability of the silage by 19 h. There was a significant interaction of wilting times and inoculant application on the levels of malic, succinic, lactic, and acetic acids. Inoculant application increased the contents of dry matter, ash, crude protein, insoluble neutral detergent fiber, and total carbohydrates by 3.63, 6.13, 7.73, 6.39, and 9.97% compared with non-inoculated silages, respectively. Wilting times for up to 30 h and application of enzymatic-bacterial inoculant improves the fermentative profile and chemical composition and reduces dry matter losses of silage of BRS capiaçu grass harvested at 100 days of regrowth.

Behavior of horses kept in different types of stalls in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding and agonistic behavior of Quarter Horses kept in different types of stalls in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais. A completely randomized design with two treatments (two types of stalls) and seven replicates (seven days of evaluation) was used. Four Quarter Horse mares and four stallions were used per treatment. Behavioral observations were made at 10-minute intervals for 24 hours. The stall environment was characterized by the following variables: air temperature, relative humidity, and black globe temperature for subsequent estimation of the wet-bulb globe temperature. Feeding behavior variables included: time spent eating concentrate and time spent eating roughage (hours), bite rate (bites/min), and the number of daily bites (bites/day). Zinc-roofed stalls had higher air temperatures than clay-roofed stalls and the external environment, averaging 28.2, 27.0, and 27.4 ºC, respectively, while relative humidity was significantly lower in the external environment (65.80%). Horses housed in zinc-roofed stalls had longer feeding times (8.32 h) than animals kept in clay-roofed stalls (7.22 h). Approximately 94% of the total feeding time was spent eating roughage and 73% of the time was spent resting and walking, regardless of the covering type. Although environmental variables showed thermal discomfort, the roofing material did not alter the feeding behavior of stabled horses in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, suggesting an adaptation to the studied conditions. The feeding frequency should be increased to avoid a long resting time.

Productive and reproductive performance in crossbred Holstein x Nelogir females / Desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de fêmeas F1 Holandês x Nelogir

It was aimed to evaluate the productive and reproductive traits of 1/2 Holstein x » Nellore, » Gir (Nelogir) females. They were evaluated the effects of order and season of calving, of Gir and Holstein sires grandfathers and fathers of the1/2 Holstein x Nelogir matrices, respectively. Total milk production, with average lactation length of 288 days, was 3,426.9kg of milk. The order of calving influenced the daily average production which was higher in the second calving and lactation length was superior in the first calving. The beginning of rain period (November to January) showed lower lactation length and production a day of calving interval. Total milk production did not vary according to Gir sire, Nelogirs father, and was higher in the matrices daughters of Holstein sires with positive PTA for milk. In the first calving the production peak was of 13.03kg at 45 days of lactation, and from the second calving the production was descending one. In tropical conditions, productive and reproductive traits support the initiative of farm animals 1/2 Holstein x Nelogir from matrices composed Nelogir and that the choice of Holstein bull to produce F1 HNG should be based on the genetic value milk production (milk PTA).(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar as características produtivas e reprodutivas de fêmeas 1/2 Holandês x » Nelore, » Gir (Nelogir). Avaliou-se os efeitos de ordem e época de parto, do reprodutor da raça Gir e do reprodutor da raça Holandesa, avô materno e pais das matrizes 1/2 Holandês x Nelogir, respectivamente. A produção de leite total, com duração da lactação média de 288 dias, foi de 3.426,9kg de leite. A ordem de parto influenciou a produção média diária que foi maior no segundo parto e a duração da lactação, superior nos animais de primeiro parto. O período de início das águas apresentou menor duração da lactação e produção por dia de intervalo de parto. A produção de leite total não variou de acordo com o reprodutor Gir, pai da Nelogir, e foi superior nas matrizes filhas de reprodutores Holandeses com PTA positivo para leite. Ao primeiro parto o pico de produção foi de 13,03kg aos 45 dias de lactação, e a partir do segundo parto a produção foi decrescente desde o parto. Conclui-se que, em condições tropicais, as características produtivas e reprodutivas sustentam a iniciativa de produção de animais 1/2 Holandês x Nelogir a partir de matrizes compostas Nelogir e que a escolha do touro da raça Holandesa para produção de F1 HNG deve ser baseada no valor genético aditivo para produção de leite (PTA leite).(AU)

Productive and reproductive performance in crossbred Holstein x Nelogir females / Desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de fêmeas F1 Holandês x Nelogir

It was aimed to evaluate the productive and reproductive traits of 1/2 Holstein x » Nellore, » Gir (Nelogir) females. They were evaluated the effects of order and season of calving, of Gir and Holstein sires grandfathers and fathers of the1/2 Holstein x Nelogir matrices, respectively. Total milk production, with average lactation length of 288 days, was 3,426.9kg of milk. The order of calving influenced the daily average production which was higher in the second calving and lactation length was superior in the first calving. The beginning of rain period (November to January) showed lower lactation length and production a day of calving interval. Total milk production did not vary according to Gir sire, Nelogir’s father, and was higher in the matrices daughters of Holstein sires with positive PTA for milk. In the first calving the production peak was of 13.03kg at 45 days of lactation, and from the second calving the production was descending one. In tropical conditions, productive and reproductive traits support the initiative of farm animals 1/2 Holstein x Nelogir from matrices composed Nelogir and that the choice of Holstein bull to produce F1 HNG should be based on the genetic value milk production (milk PTA).

Objetivou-se avaliar as características produtivas e reprodutivas de fêmeas 1/2 Holandês x » Nelore, » Gir (Nelogir). Avaliou-se os efeitos de ordem e época de parto, do reprodutor da raça Gir e do reprodutor da raça Holandesa, avô materno e pais das matrizes 1/2 Holandês x Nelogir, respectivamente. A produção de leite total, com duração da lactação média de 288 dias, foi de 3.426,9kg de leite. A ordem de parto influenciou a produção média diária que foi maior no segundo parto e a duração da lactação, superior nos animais de primeiro parto. O período de início das águas apresentou menor duração da lactação e produção por dia de intervalo de parto. A produção de leite total não variou de acordo com o reprodutor Gir, pai da Nelogir, e foi superior nas matrizes filhas de reprodutores Holandeses com PTA positivo para leite. Ao primeiro parto o pico de produção foi de 13,03kg aos 45 dias de lactação, e a partir do segundo parto a produção foi decrescente desde o parto. Conclui-se que, em condições tropicais, as características produtivas e reprodutivas sustentam a iniciativa de produção de animais 1/2 Holandês x Nelogir a partir de matrizes compostas Nelogir e que a escolha do touro da raça Holandesa para produção de F1 HNG deve ser baseada no valor genético aditivo para produção de leite (PTA leite).