Early weaning and concentrate supplementation strategies for lamb production on Tifton-85 pasture

The influence of early weaning and concentrate supplementation strategies on sward characteristics, forage chemical composition and lamb productivity were evaluated in four production systems on Tifton-85 pasture: suckling lambs not supplemented until slaughter; suckling lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding until slaughter; early-weaned lambs not supplemented until slaughter; and early-weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate until slaughter. Structural, morphological and productive characteristics of pasture were measured. The forage was chemically analyzed to estimate its composition. Lambs average daily gain and productivity were calculated. Sward height, forage and morphological components mass were lower in systems without weaning. Forage production was higher in systems with supplementation. Higher levels of neutral and acid detergent fiber were observed in forage ingested by lambs in creep feeding and by weaned and unsupplemented lambs. Average daily gain was higher for lambs in creep feeding (275 g/d) and lower for the weaned and unsupplemented animals (57 g/d). Productivity was higher for weaned and supplemented lambs (21 kg lamb body weight, BW gain/ha/d). Lower productivity was observed in systems without supplementation (5 kg lamb BW gain/ha/d on average). Ewes modify the sward conditions improving the pasture characteristics and the quality of forage produced. Changes in sward conditions affect the chemical composition of forage ingested by lambs. Early weaning may be an alternative to maximize pasture utilization in small areas. Concentrate supplementation may increase lamb performance and productivity in grazing systems. If the objective is to improve lamb individual performance, creep feeding should be used.

Effect of supplementation frequency on intake, behavior and performance in beef steers grazing Marandu grass

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

The effect of supplementary feeds on the bodyweight of yaks in cold season

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementary feeds, oat hay (OH), highland barley straw (HBS) and multi-nutrient blocks supplementation (UMMB) on reducing liveweight losses of both yak cows and calves grazed on low quality pastures during cold season. The trials of OH and HBS supplementation were conducted by using completely random design on 104 yak cows between 6 and 12 years of age as the following treatments: pure grazing (41 animals, body weight 230 67 kg) as control (CK); grazing+1.5 kg DM of OH per head daily (30 animals, body weight 216 28 kg); gazing. 1.5 kg DM of HBS per head daily (33 animals, body weight 221 34 kg). The trial of UMMB was conducted on three types of yaks, 1-year calves (8-12 months old, body weight 61.1 6.9 kg), 2-year calves (18-24 months old, 98.0 11.3 kg) and yak cows (164.5 27.1 (S.D.) kg) with 20 animals in control group (CK) and 20 animals in supplement group for each type by using completely random design as the following treatments: pure grazing for CK group; grazing+ 150, 250 and 500 g UMMB per day averagely for 1-year calf, 2-year calf and cow at night. The results indicate that the animals supplemented with oat hay received body weight gain (32 20.7 g day(-1)), while those supplemented with highland barley straw still suffered from body weight loss (-56.7 39.3 a day(-1)); UMMB supplementation can decrease the body weight loss by 109.7%, 86.6% and 63.4% for the 1-year calves, 2-year calves and yak cows, respectively, as compared with pure grazing. Around US$1.60 output can be achieved on the basis of US$1 input for UMMB supplementation in the farming systems of the 1-year calves, 2-year calves and yak cows, while US$1 input can produce US$1.55 and 1.14 output for OH and FIBS supplementations, respectively, in yak cows' farming system. It can be preliminary concluded that UMMB supplementation was the most economic way to alleviate body weight loss of grazing yaks over cold season, and the higher productive returns were obtained from OH supplementation for grazing yak cows during winter/spring months. © 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Participatory rural appraisal of dairy farms in the north west province of Cameroon

A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted in dairy farms of the North West Province of Cameroon. The aim of the PRA was to have a better understanding of the prevailing dairy systems, identify problems, and set priorities for research and development that can contribute to improved systems of production. A multidisciplinary team of researchers and extension agents was constituted. It was made up of scientists of the following fields: cattle management, forage science, agro economy, veterinary, dairy technology, nutrition and extension. The research team visited farmers' groups and divided itself into subgroups for farm and village walks during which direct observations were also noted. The extension agent of the locality, key informants, gave additional information overlooked by farmers. Interviews were also carried out with other stakeholders of the dairy sector. The research team met the day following the visit to agree on a common report. Results show that five small scale dairy production systems are found in the region: transhumance, improved extensive, semi intensive, zero grazing and peri-urban. Agriculture is well integrated to dairying. Main constraints include in order of importance: poor marketing opportunities and long distances to market, limited grazing land and poor supplementation strategies, poor reproductive management and poor calving interval, inadequate knowledge in processing, hygiene and milk preservation, and limited health control. In market oriented farms, reproduction and feeding were the most important constraints. Main factors influencing dairy production are: milk collection, fresh milk price, consumer demand, genotype and management. These results suggest that much can be done to improve production by extending improved packages to dairy farmers.

Canopy characteristics and behavior of Nellore heifers in Brachiaria brizantha pastures under different grazing heights at a continuous stocking rate

The objective of this study was to evaluate the Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu canopy structure maintained at different grazing heights under a continuous stocking rate and with a dietary supplementation strategy for the animals during the rainy season. This study also intended to observe the relationships of these variables with the grazing behaviors of the heifers. The effects of three canopy heights (15, 25 and 35 cm) were evaluated in association with three types of supplements: one mineral and two protein/energy supplements, the first with a high rumen degradable protein and energy and the others with a low ratio. Both the protein/energy supplements were provided at 0.3% of body weight/day. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two replications and repeated measures, and took place during the period from January to April 2008. The supplementation strategies did not affect any variable related to the canopy structure. Total and green herbage masses and the ratio of green/dead material increased with canopy height. The leaf/stem ratio was higher in the lowest canopy height: 15 cm. Changes in the canopy structure caused variations in the grazing behavior of the animals. Animals maintained in the 15-cm-tall pasture grazed for a longer time, increasing the time for each meal, but the number of meals was lower than that of the animals grazing within the 35-cm-tall pasture. The grazing time of animals receiving the energy/protein supplement was lower only in the period of the day during which it was supplied. Canopy structure is affected by sward height, and changes animal behavior. Supplementation does not affect the canopy structure of the pastures with similar heights.

Características da carcaça e da carne de novilhos mantidos em pastagem de capim-marandu submetidos a diferentes estratégias de suplementação

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar as características quantitativas e qualitativas da carcaça e da carne de 24 novilhos submetidos a três estratégias de suplementação em pastagem: SD - suplementação diária; da - suplementação em dias alternados; e FS - suplementação oferecida de segunda à sexta-feira e suspensa aos sábados e domingos. Foram utilizados 24 bovinos mestiços (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) com peso inicial de 230 kg mantidos em pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu no período das águas de 2003 e nos períodos de seca e das águas de 2004, quando atingiram o peso de abate. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e oito repetições. As características quantitativas e qualitativas da carcaça e da carne não foram influenciadas pelas diferentes estratégias de suplementação, mesmo quando o suplemento foi fornecido apenas em dias alternados ou quando não foi fornecido nos finais de semana. Na média, os animais apresentaram peso de abate de 468,21 kg de PV, rendimento de carcaça quente de 50,26%, área de olho-de-lombo de 59,67 cm² e espessura de gordura de 3,3 mm. A carne foi classificada como macia, com suculência e palatabilidade levemente acima da média.

Desempenho de bovinos de corte mantidos em pastagem de capim-marandu submetidos a diferentes estratégias de suplementação no período das águas e da seca

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o ganho de peso de bovinos mantidos em pastagens de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu submetidos a três estratégias de suplementação no período das águas e da seca de 2003 e águas de 2004. Os tratamentos consistiram da suplementação diária (SD), em dias alternados (DA) e de segunda à sexta-feira (SF). Foram utilizados 24 bovinos mestiços com peso inicial de 230 kg. Os animais foram pesados individualmente sem jejum, em intervalos de 28 dias. O delineamento adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e oito repetições. Não houve diferença no ganho de peso dos animais, sendo obtidos valores médios de 0,76; 0,71 e 0,74 kg/dia no período das águas de 2003, de 0,57; 0,51 e 0,54 kg/dia na seca do mesmo ano e de 0,61; 0,62 e 0,57 kg/dia no período das águas de 2004 nos tratamentos SD, da e SF, respectivamente. A redução na freqüência de suplementação pode representar uma opção para o produtor visando à redução dos custos do fornecimento da alimentação, pois permite maior racionalização da mão-de-obra na propriedade e não afeta o desempenho animal.

Características da carne de bovinos suplementados no período das águas e terminados em confinamento e em pasto

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estimativa da ingestão e digestibilidade em bovinos de corte alimentados com Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência da utilização de lipídio protegido na dieta sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos e qualidade da carne de bovinos jovens Nelore-Angus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Características estruturais do dossel, produção de forragem e desempenho de cordeiros em pastos de tifton 85 sob lotação intermitente

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Suplementos múltiplos para novilhas de corte a pasto no período seco: características nutricionais

The objective was to evaluate levels of multiple supplements supplied to beef heifers in low supply of pasture on intake and nutrients digestibility, pH and concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen, nitrogen balance, synthesis and microbial efficiency. Five Nellore heifers with initial body weight of 344.00 +/- 21.10 kg and average initial age of 22 months were used. The following supplements were evaluated as fed to the animals: control (mineral supplement) and supplementation levels of 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg/animal/day, composing the following percentages of body weight (BW): 0.55, 1.11, 1.66 and 2.22%, respectively. The experimental design was a Latin square with five replications and five supplements. Intakes of total dry matter, crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients, and total apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, total carbohydrates and no fiber carbohydrates increased linearly (P <0.0001) and dry matter intake of forage decreased (P <0.0001) with supplementation levels. Supplementation strategies promoted reduction on ruminal pH (P = 0.0343) and increased concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) (P = 0.0004) before the supply of supplements, and after, this NH3-N presented quadratic behavior (P = 0.0023). Nitrogen intake, excretion of urea in urine and nitrogen excretion in feces increased linearly (P <0.0001) according to supplementation levels. The supply of high levels of multiple supplements reduces forage intake and presents itself as an alternative to cattle maintained in a systems with low supply of pasture in the dry season.

Parâmetros nutricionais e metabólicos de novilhos nelore recriados em pastos de diferentes alturas e doses de suplemento

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

Qualidade da carne de bovinos recriados em pastagens associada a suplementação e terminação a pasto ou no confinamento

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Low serum alpha-tocopherol and selenium are associated with accelerated apoptosis in severe sepsis

During sepsis, a severe systemic disorder, micronutrients often are decreased. Apoptosis is regarded as an important mechanism in the development of often significant immunosuppression in the course of the disease. This study aimed to investigate alpha-tocopherol and selenium in reference to apoptosis in patients with sepsis. 16 patients were enrolled as soon as they fulfilled the criteria of severe sepsis. 10 intensive care patients without sepsis and 11 healthy volunteers served as controls. alpha-Tocopherol, selenium and nucleosomes were measured in serum. Phosphatidylserine externalization and Bcl-2 expression were analyzed in T-cells by flow cytometry. Serum alpha-tocopherol and selenium were decreased in severe sepsis but not in non-septic critically ill patients (p < 0.05). Conversely, markers of apoptosis were increased in sepsis but not in critically ill control patients: Nucleosomes were found to be elevated 3 fold in serum (p < 0.05) and phosphatidylserine was externalized on an expanded subpopulation of T-cells (p < 0.05) while Bcl-2 was expressed at lower levels (p < 0.05). The decrease of micronutrients correlated with markers of accelerated apoptosis. Accelerated apoptosis in sepsis is associated with low alpha-tocopherol and selenium. The results support the investigation of micronutrient supplementation strategies in severe sepsis.