Dairy goat performance in two grazing regimes: silvopastoral rangeland or abandoned agricultural land, and two supplementation treatments in central Mexico.

Twenty Saanen third parturition dairy goats were used in an on-farm 2 × 2 factorial arrangement that ran for 12 weeks, with two grazing regimes and two concentrate types. The grazing regimes evaluated were an extensive silvopastoral native rangeland (SPR) and grazing in an abandoned agricultural land (AAL). Grazing happened between 9:00 and 17:00 h. The two types of concentrate supplement were a high protein concentrate (HP = 180 g CP/kg DM and 13 MJ ME/kg DM) or high energy concentrate (HE = 110  g CP/kg DM and 14.3 MJ ME/kg DM). Goats were milked once a day, providing 250 g of concentrate supplement per goat and day. Animal variables were fat and protein corrected milk yield recorded every day, and milk composition determined for two consecutive days at the end of each experimental week. Flora in the experimental paddocks was characerised and sampled, including grasses, shrubs, trees, legumes and cacti. The data was analysed with the R software using a mixed model with day nested in period as random effect and goat as repeated measure. The SPR had greater (P = 0.002) fat and protein corrected milk yield than AAL, with no differences between concentrate type and no interaction (P > 0.05). There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between grazing regime and concentrate type for fat content in milk, where a reduction in fat content was notorious in the SPR regime. Protein content of milk was greater (P < 0.01) in SPR with no significant effects of concentrate type or the interaction. The number of plant species in SPR was greater. The native silvopastoral system supplemented with the high energy concentrate was the strategy with higher milk yield, and protein and milk fat content, although the interaction between grazing regime and supplement was significant only for milk fat content.

Supplement feed efficiency of growing beef cattle grazing native Campos grasslands during winter: a collated analysis.

Supplementing growing cattle grazing native subtropical Campos grasslands during winter improves the low, even negative, average daily weight gain (ADG) typical of extensive animal production systems in Uruguay. Nonetheless, to render the practice profitable, it is crucial to control supplement feed efficiency (SFE), that is, the difference in ADG between supplemented and control animals (ADGchng) per unit of supplement dry matter (DM) intake. Little has been studied specifically on how SFE varies in these systems. The objective of this study was to quantify the magnitude and variation in SFE of growing beef cattle grazing stockpiled native Campos grasslands during winter and assess putative associations with herbage, animals, supplements, and climatic variables. We compiled data from supplementation trials carried out in Uruguay between 1993 and 2018, each evaluating between one and six supplementation treatments. The average ADG of unsupplemented and supplemented animals were 0.13 ±â€…0.174 and 0.49 ±â€…0.220 kg/animal/day, respectively. In both cases, ADG decreased linearly as the proportion of green herbage in the grazed grassland was lower, but the ADG of unsupplemented animals was further reduced when winter frosts were numerous. Estimated SFE were moderately high, with an average of 0.21 ±â€…0.076 ADGchng/kg DM, resulting from average ADGchng of 0.38 ±â€…0.180 kg/animal/day in response to an average supplementation rate of 1.84 ±â€…0.68 kg supplement DM intake/animal/day (0.86%  ±â€…0.27% body weight). No association was found between SFE and supplementation rate or type (protein vs. energy-based; P > 0.05), but forage allowance negatively affected it, and herbage mass positively affected it, yet in a smaller magnitude, suggesting that a balance is needed between the two to maximize SFE. Weather conditions during trials affected SFE (P < 0.05), with greater SFE in winters with lower temperatures and more frosts. Daytime grazing time was consistently lower in supplemented animals compared to their unsupplemented counterparts, whereas ruminating time during the day was similar, increasing as the proportion of green herbage decreased. Herbage intake estimated from energy balance suggested the existence of some substitution effect. This agrees with the moderately high SFE and with the total digestible nutrients-to-protein ratio of these subtropical humid grasslands being higher than in semi-arid rangelands and dry-season tropical pastures but lower than in sown pastures.

Methane emission, milk yield and behavior of ewes kept on pastures or supplemented with concentrate based on corn grain or whole cottonseed / Emissão de metano, produção de leite e comportamento de ovelhas mantidas em pastagem ou suplementadas com concentrado à base de milho grão ou caroço de algodão

This study aimed to evaluate methane emission, milk yield and behavior of ewes kept exclusively on irrigated pasture of Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon spp.) or supplemented with ground corn or whole cottonseed (WCS) based concentrates. Twelve Lacaune x Santa Ines ewes (43.07±0.83 kg of body weight, 77±24 days after parturition, on average) were distributed in replicated 3x3 Latin square. Treatments consisted of three diets: pasture (no concentrate supplementation); corn (pasture + corn-based supplement); whole cottonseed (pasture + whole cottonseed-based supplement), offering 0.5 kg/ewe/day. The WCS group showed the highest concentrate dry matter intake (DMI) (p=0.049) and crude protein (CP) intake (p=0.001) compared to the others. There was no difference on total DMI (p=0.115) for the tested diets. Animals exclusively kept on pasture had the greatest forage DMI (p=0.004), lowest CP digestibility (p=0.015), showed longer grazing time (p=0.01) and shorter idle time (p=0.01) compared to the supplemented groups. Milk yield (0.36 kg/ewe/day) (p=0.15) and methane emission (33.12 g/ewe/day) (p=0.95) were similar for all three evaluated groups. Supplementation with concentrate based on corn or whole cottonseed does not improve productive performance nor decrease methane emission. However, lactating ewes kept exclusively in pasture show longer grazing time, without changes in milk yield and methane emission.

Objetivou-se avaliar a emissão de metano, a produção de leite e o comportamento de ovelhas mantidas exclusivamente em pastagem irrigada de Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) ou suplementadas com concentrados à base de milho grão ou caroço de algodão. Doze ovelhas Lacaune x Santa Inês (43,07±0,83 kg de peso corporal e 77±24 dias após a parição, em média) foram distribuídas em quadrados latinos 3x3 replicados. Os tratamentos consistiram em três dietas: pastagem (sem suplementação concentrada); milho (pastagem + suplemento à base de milho); caroço de algodão integral (pastagem + suplemento à base de caroço de algodão), oferecendo 0,5 kg/ovelha/dia. O grupo caroço de algodão apresentou maior consumo de matéria seca (CMS) (P=0,049) e consumo de proteína bruta (PB) (P=0,001) em relação aos demais. Não houve diferença no CMS total (P=0,115) para as dietas testadas. Os animais exclusivamente em pastagem apresentaram maior consumo de forragem (P=0,004), menor digestibilidade da PB (P=0,015), maior tempo em pastejo (P=0,01) e menor tempo em ócio (P=0,01), em relação aos grupos suplementados. A produção de leite (0,36 kg/ovelha/dia) (P=0,15) e a emissão de metano (33,12 g/ovelha/dia) (P=0,95) foram semelhantes nos três grupos avaliados. A suplementação com concentrado à base de milho grão ou caroço de algodão não melhorou o desempenho produtivo e não reduziu a emissão de metano. Entretanto, as ovelhas lactantes mantidas exclusivamente em pastagem apresentaram maior tempo em pastejo, sem alterações na produção de leite e na emissão de metano.

Ingestive behavior and movement patterns of steers grazing sorghum and supplemented with concentrate / Comportamento ingestivo e padrões de deslocamento de novilhos suplementados em pastagem de sorgo forrageiro

The present study was developed at the Beef Cattle Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria and evaluated the effect of three levels of concentrate supplementation (S 0.8, S 1.0, and S 1.2, corresponding to 0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.2% of bodyweight, respectively) on the ingestive behavior and movement patterns of 24 steers grazing on sorghum. The experiments were performed using a completely randomized block design in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (three levels of supplementation - three experimental periods), and the grazing time was evaluated using a 3 x 24 factorial arrangement (three levels of supplementation - 24 hours of observation). The steers fed S 0.8 presented longer (P=0.009) grazing time in the morning (241 min day-¹) compared to animals fed S 1.2 (172 min day-¹). The number of bites per feeding station was higher (4.05) during the second experimental period, and the number of bites min-¹ increased from 25.4 to 31.4 from the first to the second experimental period. The changes in sward structure during the growth stages of sorghum affected the number of bites per feeding station and the number of bites per minute.(AU)

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Bovinocultura de Corte da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria e teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de três níveis de suplementação energética (S0,8; S 1,0 ou S 1,2% do peso corporal) sobre o comportamento ingestivo e os padrões de deslocamento de 24 novilhos mantidos em pastagem com sorgo forrageiro. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em fatorial 3 x 3 (três níveis de suplementação x três períodos de avaliação da pastagem) e para análise dos dados da frequência de pastejo um fatorial 3 x 24 (três níveis de suplementação e 24 horas de observação). Os novilhos do tratamento S 0,8 apresentaram maior (P=0,009) tempo de pastejo durante o turno da manhã (241 min. dia-¹) comparado aos animais do tratamento S1,2, que despenderam 172 min.dia-¹ nesta atividade. O maior número de bocados estação-¹(4,05) foi registrado durante o segundo período experimental, enquanto a taxa de bocados min.-1 aumentou de 25,4 (primeiro período) para 31,4 (segundo período). O fornecimento do equivalente a 1, 2% do peso corporal em suplementação energética promove a diminuição do tempo de pastejo durante o turno da manhã comparado a oferta de 0,8%. A variação estrutural da pastagem de sorgo forrageiro ao longo do seu ciclo produtivo promove variação no número de bocados por estação alimentar e taxa de bocadosmin.-¹ de novilhos suplementados.(AU)

Ingestive behavior and movement patterns of steers grazing sorghum and supplemented with concentrate / Comportamento ingestivo e padrões de deslocamento de novilhos suplementados em pastagem de sorgo forrageiro

The present study was developed at the Beef Cattle Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria and evaluated the effect of three levels of concentrate supplementation (S 0.8, S 1.0, and S 1.2, corresponding to 0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.2% of bodyweight, respectively) on the ingestive behavior and movement patterns of 24 steers grazing on sorghum. The experiments were performed using a completely randomized block design in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (three levels of supplementation - three experimental periods), and the grazing time was evaluated using a 3 x 24 factorial arrangement (three levels of supplementation - 24 hours of observation). The steers fed S 0.8 presented longer (P=0.009) grazing time in the morning (241 min day-¹) compared to animals fed S 1.2 (172 min day-¹). The number of bites per feeding station was higher (4.05) during the second experimental period, and the number of bites min-¹ increased from 25.4 to 31.4 from the first to the second experimental period. The changes in sward structure during the growth stages of sorghum affected the number of bites per feeding station and the number of bites per minute.

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Bovinocultura de Corte da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria e teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de três níveis de suplementação energética (S0,8; S 1,0 ou S 1,2% do peso corporal) sobre o comportamento ingestivo e os padrões de deslocamento de 24 novilhos mantidos em pastagem com sorgo forrageiro. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em fatorial 3 x 3 (três níveis de suplementação x três períodos de avaliação da pastagem) e para análise dos dados da frequência de pastejo um fatorial 3 x 24 (três níveis de suplementação e 24 horas de observação). Os novilhos do tratamento S 0,8 apresentaram maior (P=0,009) tempo de pastejo durante o turno da manhã (241 min. dia-¹) comparado aos animais do tratamento S1,2, que despenderam 172 min.dia-¹ nesta atividade. O maior número de bocados estação-¹(4,05) foi registrado durante o segundo período experimental, enquanto a taxa de bocados min.-1 aumentou de 25,4 (primeiro período) para 31,4 (segundo período). O fornecimento do equivalente a 1, 2% do peso corporal em suplementação energética promove a diminuição do tempo de pastejo durante o turno da manhã comparado a oferta de 0,8%. A variação estrutural da pastagem de sorgo forrageiro ao longo do seu ciclo produtivo promove variação no número de bocados por estação alimentar e taxa de bocadosmin.-¹ de novilhos suplementados.

Short-term dietary concentrate supplementation during estrus synchronization treatment in beef cows increased IGF-I serum concentration but did not affect the reproductive response.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if short-term dietary concentrate supplementation increased IGF-I serum concentration and resulted in a reproductive response during estrus synchronization treatment in non-lactating beef cows. Thirty non-lactating beef cows (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) were allocated to the same pastureland and fed native tropical grasses as a basal diet. Cows were synchronized using a 7-day CO-Synch plus controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol and received fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI). Cows were divided into two groups; the control group (n = 16) received 0.5 kg of concentrate/cow/day, whereas the supplemented group (n = 14) received 4.0 kg of concentrate/cow/day. The period of supplementation was 10 days from the day of CIDR insert to FTAI. The concentration of IGF-I increased (P < 0.05) in the supplemented group, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Moreover, at the time of insemination, IGF-I serum concentrations were higher in supplemented cows compared with control cows (P < 0.05). Notably, metabolite and insulin concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatment groups or sampling day. The response to estrus induction, measured as estrus presentation, ovulation rate, and pregnancy rate, was similar between experimental groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicated that supplementation with dietary concentrate for 10 days in non-lactating beef cows changed the endocrine milieu, specifically increasing IGF-I serum concentration. However, these endocrine changes did not affect response to estrous induction treatment.

Productive performance and carcass traits of lambs grazing on irrigated pastures and receiving increasing concentrate levels - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v32i3.8320 / Desempenho produtivo e parâmetros de carcaça de cordeiros mantidos em pastos irrigados e suplementados com doses crescentes de concentrado - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v32i3.8320

The objective of this present study was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass traits of lambs finished on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures and receiving increasing levels of concentrate. Four levels of concentrate were compared on a dry matter basis (0, 0.66, 1.33 and 2.00%) in relation to the body weight of animals. The experimental period was 84 days, divided into four sub-periods of 21 days. Twenty-four Santa Ines male sheep, castrated, weighting 20.5 kg, were used as testers. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications. The increase in concentrate levels promoted higher final body weight, average daily gain, total weight gain, total dry matter intake, pelvic-renal fat score, external body length, rump width, chest width and depth, croup perimeter and ham perimeter, as well as lower forage dry matter intake and eggs per gram of feces. However, hot carcass dressing was not affected by concentrate supplementation. The increase in concentrate supplementation levels for lambs grazing on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures promoted higher productive performance and carcass weight.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho produtivo e os parâmetros de carcaça de ovinos terminados em pastos irrigados de Tifton 85 que receberam doses crescentes de concentrado. Foram comparadas quatro doses de concentrado (0; 0,66; 1,33 e 2,00% da matéria seca - MS) em relação ao peso corporal dos animais. O período experimental foi de 84 dias, divididos em quatro sub-períodos de 21 dias. Foram utilizados 24 animais testadores, machos, castrados, da raça Santa Inês com peso corporal médio inicial de 20,5 ± 3,8 kg. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com seis repetições. O aumento no teor de concentrado proporcionou maior peso corporal final, ganho médio diário, ganho de peso total, escore de gordura pélvico-renal, consumo de matéria seca total, comprimento externo da carcaça, largura da garupa, largura do tórax, profundidade do tórax, perímetro da garupa e perímetro do pernil, além de menor consumo de forragem e contagem de ovos por grama de fezes. Entretanto, o rendimento de carcaça quente não foi influenciado pelas doses de suplemento concentrado. O aumento nas doses de concentrado para ovinos mantidos em pastagens de Tifton 85 melhorou o desempenho produtivo e o peso da carcaça.

Desempenho produtivo e parâmetros de carcaça de cordeiros mantidos em pastos irrigados e suplementados com doses crescentes de concentrado / Productive performance and carcass traits of lambs grazing on irrigated pastures and receiving increasing concentrate levels

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho produtivo e os parâmetros de carcaça de ovinos terminados em pastos irrigados de Tifton 85 que receberam doses crescentes de concentrado. Foram comparadas quatro doses de concentrado (0; 0,66; 1,33 e 2,00% da matéria seca - MS) em relação ao peso corporal dos animais. O período experimental foi de 84 dias, divididos em quatro sub-períodos de 21 dias. Foram utilizados 24 animais testadores, machos, castrados, da raça Santa Inês com peso corporal médio inicial de 20,5 ±3,8 kg. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com seis repetições. O aumento no teor de concentrado proporcionou maior peso corporal final, ganho médio diário, ganho de peso total, escore de gordura pélvico-renal, consumo de matéria seca total, comprimento externo da carcaça, largura da garupa, largura do tórax, profundidade do tórax, perímetro da garupa e perímetro do pernil, além de menor consumo de forragem e contagem de ovos por grama de fezes. Entretanto, o rendimento de carcaça quente não foi influenciado pelas doses de suplemento concentrado. O aumento nas doses de concentrado para ovinos mantidos em pastagens de Tifton 85 melhorou o desempenho produtivo e o peso da carcaça.

The objective of this present study was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass traits of lambs finished on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures and receiving increasing levels of concentrate. Four levels of concentrate were compared on a dry matter basis (0, 0.66, 1.33 and 2.00%) in relation to the body weight of animals. The experimental period was 84 days, divided into four sub-periods of 21 days. Twenty-four Santa Ines male sheep, castrated, weighting 20.5 kg, were used as testers. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications. The increase in concentrate levels promoted higher final body weight, average daily gain, total weight gain, total dry matter intake, pelvic-renal fat score, external body length, rump width, chest width and depth, croup perimeter and ham perimeter, as well as lower forage dry matter intake and eggs per gram of feces. However, hot carcass dressing was not affected by concentrate supplementation. The increase in concentrate supplementation levels for lambs grazing on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures promoted higher productive performance and carcass weight.

Productive performance and carcass traits of lambs grazing on irrigated pastures and receiving increasing concentrate levels - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v32i3.8320 / Desempenho produtivo e parâmetros de carcaça de cordeiros mantidos em pastos irrigados e suplementados com doses crescentes de concentrado - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v32i3.8320

The objective of this present study was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass traits of lambs finished on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures and receiving increasing levels of concentrate. Four levels of concentrate were compared on a dry matter basis (0, 0.66, 1.33 and 2.00%) in relation to the body weight of animals. The experimental period was 84 days, divided into four sub-periods of 21 days. Twenty-four Santa Ines male sheep, castrated, weighting 20.5 kg, were used as testers. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications. The increase in concentrate levels promoted higher final body weight, average daily gain, total weight gain, total dry matter intake, pelvic-renal fat score, external body length, rump width, chest width and depth, croup perimeter and ham perimeter, as well as lower forage dry matter intake and eggs per gram of feces. However, hot carcass dressing was not affected by concentrate supplementation. The increase in concentrate supplementation levels for lambs grazing on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures promoted higher productive performance and carcass weight.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho produtivo e os parâmetros de carcaça de ovinos terminados em pastos irrigados de Tifton 85 que receberam doses crescentes de concentrado. Foram comparadas quatro doses de concentrado (0; 0,66; 1,33 e 2,00% da matéria seca - MS) em relação ao peso corporal dos animais. O período experimental foi de 84 dias, divididos em quatro sub-períodos de 21 dias. Foram utilizados 24 animais testadores, machos, castrados, da raça Santa Inês com peso corporal médio inicial de 20,5 ± 3,8 kg. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com seis repetições. O aumento no teor de concentrado proporcionou maior peso corporal final, ganho médio diário, ganho de peso total, escore de gordura pélvico-renal, consumo de matéria seca total, comprimento externo da carcaça, largura da garupa, largura do tórax, profundidade do tórax, perímetro da garupa e perímetro do pernil, além de menor consumo de forragem e contagem de ovos por grama de fezes. Entretanto, o rendimento de carcaça quente não foi influenciado pelas doses de suplemento concentrado. O aumento nas doses de concentrado para ovinos mantidos em pastagens de Tifton 85 melhorou o desempenho produtivo e o peso da carcaça.