Genotype effect on carcass and meat quality of lambs finished in irrigated pastures in the semiarid Northeastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to compare four genetic groups of sheep on the carcass and meat quality traits. Thirty-three contemporary and unrelated male lambs, all of single birth were used in the experiment, being thirteen from the Santa Inês (SI) breed, seven from the Brazilian Somali breed (BS), six from the Morada Nova (MN) breed and seven from the ½ Dorper - ½ Morada Nova (F1) crossbreed. The genotypes SI, BS and F1 presented similar performances in relation to hot and cold carcass weights, which values were 10.76±0.53kg and 10.46±0.52kg for SI, 9.20±0.73kg and 8.99±0.71kg for BS, and 9.35±0.73kg and 9.13±0.71kg for F1, respectively. The BS had a better hot carcass yield (47.10±0.88%) and cold carcass yield (46.00±0.87%). Better carcass conformation was observed in SI and F1 (2.73±0.12 and 2.50±0.17, respectively) while the BS presented a better finishing (3.29±0.20). The average for the rib eye area (REA) was 9.94±0.49cm², 8.66±0.67cm², 7.18±0.72cm² and 9.8±0.67cm², and for the carcass compactness index (CCI) it was 0.17±0.01kg/cm, 0.17±0.01kg/cm, 0.11±0.01kg/cm and 0.16±0,01kg/cm, for SI, SB, MN and F1, respectively. There were no significant differences between SI, BS and F1 regarding REA and CCI. Although, in general, the MN presented a relatively lower performance than the other genotypes, this breed had similar carcass yields and fat thickness when compared to SI and F1 and similar conformation and REA in comparison to the BS. Regarding meat quality, no differences were observed between genotypes, except for redness and cooking losses. It is concluded that no one group had a higher or lower performance in all traits analyzed. Moreover, for the management conditions employed in this study, there was evidence of greater specialization in meat production for genotypes SI, BS and F1 when compared to MN, although there are no substantial differences between the four groups regarding meat quality.

Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros em confinamento, alimentados com dieta exclusiva de concentrado com diferentes porcentagens de proteína

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs fed with an exclusive diet of concentrate with different percentages of protein (14, 16, 18, and 20%). A total of twenty four Santa Inês crossbred lambs, not castrated, with approximately 180 days of age, average live weight of 25kg, confined, in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and six repetitions. The time spent on feeding decreased linearly in 0.20 hours/day for each 1% increasing in protein percentage in the diet, the idleness increased linearly in 0.25 hours/day, and the total chewing decreased linearly in 0.25 hours/day. The increase in the protein percentage in the diet increased the feed efficiency linearly (kg DM and NDF/hour) in 0.038 and 0.005kg/hour, respectively, for DM and NDF fractions. However, the intake of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), the rumination efficiency (kg DM and NDF/hour), as well as the period (nº /day) and the time (min) spent on feeding, ruminating and idling were not influenced by different protein percentages in the diet.

Effect of alternate and simultaneous grazing on endoparasite infection in sheep and cattle

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Carcass and meat traits of lambs fed by-products from the processing of oil seeds

We evaluated the effect of adding by-products from the processing of oil seeds in the diet of lambs on the carcass and meat traits. Twenty-four non-castrated weaned male Santa Inês lambs with approximately 70 days of age and initial average weight of 19.11 ± 2.12 kg were distributed into a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of diets containing by-products with 70% of concentrate and 30% of tifton hay (Cynodon spp.) and were termed SM: control with soybean meal; SC: formulated with soybean cake; SUC: formulated with sunflower cake and PC: formulated with peanut cake. Diets had no effects on the carcass traits evaluated. There was no significant effect on the mean values of perirenal, omental and mesenteric fats (0.267, 0.552 and 0.470 kg, respectively) and there was no influence on the percentages of moisture, ether extract, crude protein or ash in the loin between experimental diets. Diets containing by-products from the processing of oil seeds did not change fatty acids found in lamb meat. The use of by-products from oil seeds provided similar carcass and meat traits, thus their use can be recommended as eventual protein and energy sources for feedlot lambs.

Viabilidade econômica da utilização dos resíduos da bananicultura na alimentação de cordeiros confinados

Aimed to analyze the economic feasibility of replacing hay Cynodon spp by hay banana crop residues in diet of lambs. We used 25 Santa Inês lambs, with an average age of five months and an average initial weight of 26.5kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (40% hay Cynodon spp. + 60% concentrate, 20% hay banana leaf and 20% of Cynodon spp. + 60% concentrate, 40% of banana leaf hay + 60% concentrate, 20% hay pseudostem of banana and 20% of Cynodon spp. + 60% concentrate, 40% hay pseudostem of banana + 60% concentrate). After 69 days of experiment the animals were slaughtered. Possession of the cost of each diet and consumption of animals was calculated economic feasibility. Treatment with 40% of banana leaf hay + 60% concentrate showed the best economic indicators, based on the highest net income, the higher rate of return to higher profitability and marketing of live animals or slaughtered. The inclusion of banana crop residues in the diet of growing lambs increases the economic viability of the activity.

Production of sheep grazing on nitrogen-fertilized tifton 85 grass in continuous stocking

Biomass and forage volume density and the performance and stocking rate of sheep on pastures with nitrogen-fertilized Tifton 85 and subjected to a continuous stocking system were evaluated. Four doses of nitrogen (0, 100, 200, and 400 kg ha-1 year), arranged in an experimental design with randomized blocks and four replications, were analyzed. Sixteen paddocks and Santa Inês sheep were used as test animals, coupled to crossbreed Santa Inês sheep as regulating animal stocking. Nitrogen-fertilized Tifton 85 pastures increased the amount of forage biomass and volume density which affected stocking rate and weight gain of sheep in continuous grazing. When pastures with Tifton 85 were administered in variable load continuous stocking, with grass kept at 15 cm, nitrogen fertilization up to 400 kg ha-1 year is recommended.

Tratamento da mastite subclínica de ovelhas no período seco com antimicrobiano convencional e antimicrobiano nanoparticulado

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Análise cinemática das articulações dos membros torácicos e pélvicos de ovinos hígidos

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Thermographic evaluation of climatic conditions on lambs from different genetic groups

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Tropical tanniniferous legumes used as an option to mitigate sheep enteric methane emission

This study presents the first results from Brazil using SF6 tracer technique adapted from cattle to evaluate the capability of condensed tannin (CT) present in three tropical legume forages, Leucaena leucocephala (LEU), Styzolobium aterrimum (STA), and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth (MIM) to reduce enteric CH4 production in Santa Ins sheep. Twelve male lambs [27.88 +/- 2.85 kg body weight (BW)] were allocated in individual metabolic cages for 20-day adaptation followed by 6 days for measuring dry matter intake (DMI) and CH4 emission. All lambs received water, mineral supplement, and Cynodon dactylon v. coast-cross hay ad libitum. The treatments consisted of soybean meal (710 g/kg) and ground corn (290 g/kg) [control (CON)]; soybean meal (150 g/kg), ground corn (30 g/kg), and Leucaena hay (820 g/kg) (LEU); soybean meal (160 g/kg), ground corn (150 g/kg), and Mucuna hay (690 g/kg) (STA); and soybean meal (280 g/kg), ground corn (190 g/kg), and Mimosa hay (530 g/kg) (MIM); all calculated to provide 40 g/kg CT (except for CON). DMI (in grams of DMI per kilogram BW per day) was lower for LEU (22.0) than CON (29.3), STA (31.2), and MIM (31.6). The LEU group showed emission of 7.8 g CH4/day, significantly lower than CON (10.5 g CH4/day), STA (10.4 g CH4/day), and MIM (11.3 g CH4/day). However, when the CH4 emission per DMI was considered, there were no significant differences among treatments (0.37, 0.36, 0.33, and 0.35 g CH4/g DMI/kg BW/day, respectively, for CON, LEU, STA, and MIM). The sheep receiving STA had shown a tendency (p = 0.15) to reduce methane emission when compared to the CON group. Therefore, it is suggested that tropical tanniniferous legumes may have potential to reduce CH4 emission in sheep, but more research is warranted to confirm these results.

Allometric growth of non-carcass components in crossed lambs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Quality of aged shoulder from lambs fed with different oldman saltbush hay levels (Atriplex nummularia)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação das medidas articulares de membros pélvicos em ovinos

The aim of this study was to determine the angle of motion values for hindlimbs in clinically healthy adult Santa Ines sheep using a standard goniometer. Twenty female Santa Ines sheep weighing 32–45 kg (mean30.4, SD=3.7), and aged from three to six years old were used. A standard transparent plastic goniometer was used to measure passive maximum flexion, maximum extension, and range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stifle, and tarsal joints, in the right and left limbs. The goniometric measurements were done with the sheep awake and in a standing position. The measurements were made in triplicate by two independent investigators. In all evaluated joints there was no significant difference between the means of both sides. No significant difference was observed between measurements performed by the two investigators. The mean (± SD) values of the measurements (degrees) were: 129 ± 4 (ROM) for tarsal joint; 46 ± 4 (flexion), 146 ± 6 (extension), and 100 ± 4 (ROM) for stifle joint; 54 ± 3 (flexion), 143 ± 7 (extension), and 89 ± 5 (ROM) for hip joint. The data obtained is useful to provide objective information of the joints. More studies are necessary using other breeds

Achados clínicos, hemodinâmicos e hemogasométricos da infusão contínua de propofol associado ou não ao tramadol em ovelhas submetidas à videolaparoscopia

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Desempenho, qualidade de carcaça e da carne de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo silagens de milho consorciadas ou não com capins tropicais

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Animal - FEIS