This study aimed to evaluate levels of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract (YME), as a feed additive in the diets of growing lambs on serum biochemical parameters and hematological indices, animal performance, body metrics and carcass traits. Thirty-six entire (nine per treatment), male growing lambs, weighing 23.8 ± 3.7 kg, were fed the experimental diets which were treatments consisting of increasing levels of YME (0, 1, 2, and 4% inclusion on a dry matter [DM] basis) during an experimental period of 53 days. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, which initial body weight was used as blocking factor and the results were analyzed by orthogonal contrasts (linear, quadratic, and cubic). Yerba mate extract did not change the general health status of the animals; however, inclusions of up to 2% of the extract increased globulins (p = 0.05) and white blood cell count, as segmented neutrophils (p = 0.02) and lymphocytes (p = 0.04). Additionally, inclusion of up to 2% YME increased dry matter intake, final weight gain, total and daily gain (p < 0.05), also tended to increase ribeye area and reduce fat thickness (p < 0.10); however, YME above 2% of inclusion reduced animal productive parameters (p < 0.05). In conclusion, levels up to 2% of YME were beneficial to the health and productive parameters of growing lambs.

The present study investigated the inclusion of yerba mate extract (YME) in the lamb’s diet on meat quality traits, antioxidant activity, and shelf-life. Thirty–six lambs were distributed according to a block design with the following groups: control group without YME (0%) and three treatment groups with 1, 2, and 4% YME inclusion in the dry matter. The animals were fed these diets for 53 days. Samples were collected from the Longissimusthoracis (LT) muscle to analyze antioxidant activity and meat quality. Samples were placed on a counter display simulating a retail environment for 0, 3, and 6 days at 4 ± 2 °C. All data were analyzed using a MIXED model with orthogonal contrasts. Inclusion of 1 and 4% YME in the diet changed the yellow (b*) and the chroma (C*) of the meat (p ≤ 0.05). The pH, colour, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and carbonyl values were influenced by the retail display time for all the evaluated treatments (p ≤ 0.03). However, neither diet nor the retail display time influenced the oxidation of proteins or the antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione activity (GSH) in meat. Therefore, the inclusion of 4% YME showed positive results in the yellow and colour stability parameters of the meat without increasing the lipid peroxidation values or altering the normal meat quality parameters in lambs.

Low rainfall in Northeast Brazil is a limiting factor for animal production. Forages that present crassulacean acid metabolism, such as forage cactus, are adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of this region, as they lose little water through the stomata. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality, fatty acid profile and sensory acceptance of the meat from goats fed forage cactus as a substitute for Tifton 85 hay. Twenty-one uncastrated mixed-breed goats with a mean body weight of 18 ± 0.86 kg and 7 ± 1 months of age were used. A completely randomized design with three treatments and seven replications per treatment was performed. The inclusion of 0 (control), 25 and 55% of forage cactus in substitution of Tifton 85 hay in the diet of the goats was evaluated. The lipid content in the meat of animals fed 25 and 55% of forage cactus was 1.33% and 1.26%, respectively, and was lower (p < 0.05) in relation to the meat of animals that received the control diet (1.56%). The inclusion of 55% of forage cactus provided an increase (p < 0.05) in the content of monounsaturated fatty acids in the meat (52.71%) in relation to the control meat (37.75%). Sensory analysis differed (p < 0.05) between treatments. We recommend replacing Tifton 85 hay with 55% forage cactus, as it presents greater sensory acceptance, and provides lower lipid content and higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids in goat meat.

The Pantanal has been facing consecutive years of extreme drought, with an impact on the quantity and quality of available pasture. However, little is known about how locally adapted breeds respond to the distribution of forage resources in this extreme drought scenario. This study aimed to evaluate the movement of free-grazing Pantaneiro sheep using a low-cost GPS to assess the main grazing sites, measure the daily distance traveled, and determine the energy requirements for walking with body weight monitoring. In a herd of 100 animals, 31 were selected for weighing, and six ewes were outfitted with GPS collars. GPS data collected on these animals every 10 m from August 2020 to May 2021 was analyzed using the Python programming language. The traveled distance and activity energy requirements (ACT) for horizontal walking (Mcal/d of NE_m) were determined. The 31 ewes were weighed at the beginning and end of each season. The available dry matter (DM) and floristic composition of the grazing sites were estimated at the peak of the drought. DM was predicted using power regression with NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) (R² = 0.94). DM estimates averaged 450 kg/ha, ranging from traces to 3830 kg/ha, indicating overall very low values. Individual variation in the frequency of use of grazing sites was observed (p < 0.05), reflecting the distances traveled and the energetic cost of the activity. The range of distances traveled by the animals varied from 3.3 to 17.7 km/d, with an average of 5.9 km/d, indicating low energy for walking. However, the traveled distance and ACT remained consistent over time; there were no significant differences observed between seasons (p > 0.05). On average, the ewes’ initial weight did not differ from the weight at the drought peak (p > 0.05), indicating that they maintained their initial weight, which is important for locally adapted breeds as it confers robustness and resilience. This study also highlighted the importance of the breed’s biodiverse diet during extreme drought, which enabled the selection of forage for energy and nutrient supplementation. The results demonstrated that precision tools such as GPS and satellite imagery enabled the study of animals in extensive systems, thereby contributing to decision-making within the production system.

Most gastrointestinal nematodes are in the grazing environment. As an option, the study aimed to evaluate an alternative technique for recovery of infecting larvae in various grass genera: Tyfton 85 (Cynodon dactylon) Capim–Vencedor (Megathyrsus maximus) Capim–Gordura (Melinis minutiflora) Capim–Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha), Setaria (Setaria anceps) Capim-Humidicula (Brachiaria humidicula) and Andropogon (Andropogon gayanus). The collection of samples and procedures were developed at the Institute of Animal Science, Nova Odessa, Brazil. The grasses came from isolated paddocks. Three subsamples were used: 1-control sample (AC1); 2-control frozen sample (ACC2); 3-infested sample (AI). AC1, after the process of larvae recoveries, served as control, the rest was frozen. After de-freezing, it was divided into two samples (ACC2 and AI). In ACC2, no larvae were observed. AI was infested with 1600 ± 30 L3 larvae of trichostrongylids, recovered from sheep manure. The larvae recovery procedures were applied to the samples in the three periods. The overall mean of recovery (±SD) and percentage of success was estimated (SISVAR®) in 1544.63 ± 1.31 larvae, 96.54 ± 17% respectively. There were no differences between grass genera, as well as between weeks, with near recovery numbers (p>0.05). The technique had satisfactory results in a short time.

This work aims to analyze the dietary influence on animal health, its effects on meat quality and carcass characteristics, and the benefits of meat sheep consumption for human health. A search was conducted for articles published between 2000 and 2023 in the primary scientific bases in which the theme aimed at the relevance of sheep farming combined with animal nutrition and management. Although sheep production occurs throughout Brazil, it is still not exploited efficiently, and sheep meat consumption is still associated with special occasions. Its commercialization. Nutrition is one of the main factors that influence the quality of meat, and the use of natural alternatives such as essential oils and plant extracts, which improve color and aroma and guarantee longer shelf life, has been increasing. In addition, the use of lipid sources in the diets of small ruminants improves the lipid profile of the products, decreasing the amount of saturated fatty acids and increasing the content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are associated with the prevention of various types of cancer and diseases. The heart also improves immunity. Consumers are increasingly concerned about their health and more demanding about food quality, so the meat industry must pay attention to consumer perceptions and preferences to meet market demands.