This study aimed to evaluate barbatimão bark extracts as a feed additive and substitute for lasalocid sodium (LAS) for feedlot lambs. Lambs were distributed into three treatments: LAS (0.018 g of lasalocid sodium), DBB (1.500 g of dried and milled barbatimão bark), and BHE (0.300 g of barbatimão hydroalcoholic extract). There was no effect (p = 0.32) of the inclusion of DBB and BHE extracts on the average daily gain. Inclusion of BHE in lamb diets reduced (p < 0.05) the fatness score compared to LAS, which was similar to DBB. The BHE decreased the yellowness intensity and hue angle (p < 0.05) of meat compared to the LAS. Animals that consumed DBB and BHE had a reduced (p = 0.04) total cholesterol level. Thus, the use of barbatimão bark extracts can replace lasalocid sodium in the diet of feedlot lambs, with no detrimental effects on performance or metabolic parameters.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of copaiba oleoresin (CO) as a substitute for sodium lasalocid on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot lambs fed a high‐concentrate diet. Twenty‐four Pantaneiro lambs, aged 152 days and weighing an initial body weight of 21.2 ± 3.9 kg, were distributed in a randomised block design with three treatments and eight replications. The treatments correspond to the additive supplements: LAS (22.5 mg of sodium lasalocid/kg of diet); CO‐0.5 (0.5 mL of CO/animal/day); CO‐1.0 (1.0 mL of CO/animal/day). The doses of CO were administered to the animals orally with the aid of a graduated syringe. Lambs supplemented with LAS had higher hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, cold carcass yield, and degree of fattening compared to CO‐0.5, while CO‐1.0 did not differ from LAS. It can be concluded that daily ingestion of CO up to 1.0 mL/lamb did not negatively affect carcass characteristics when compared to LAS supplementation. However, lower ingestion (0.5 mL/day) can reduce the carcass weight and carcass yield. Although CO supplementation minimally affected the meat quality and FA profiles, both doses reduced crude protein content in meat.

Características de silagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) com níveis de inclusão de moringa (Moringa oleífera Lam.) / Characteristics of elephant grass silage (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) with inclusion levels of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.)

Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar a silagem de capim-elefante com diferentes níveis de inclusão de resíduo de açaí sobre a qualidade fermentativa e a estabilidade aeróbia. Para isso foram confeccionados 20 silos experimentais (SE), 04 por tratamento. O capim-elefante e o resíduo de açaí foram misturados no momento da ensilagem. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado em cinco níveis de inclusão, 0; 10; 20; 30 e 40% do resíduo agroindustrial do açaí. Os SE foram abertos com 30 dias e colhidas amostras para análise bromatológica. O teor de matéria seca (MS) aumentou em até 10,8% nas silagens de 0 a 40% de inclusão do resíduo. A cada 1% de resíduo adicionado, o teor de matéria orgânica apresentou acréscimo de 0,063%. Nas temperaturas das silagens houve redução (P<0,05) linear de 0,028% com a adição do resíduo de açaí. As silagens com 20 e 30% de resíduo do açaí permaneceram por mais tempos dentro da faixa ideal de pH, 3,82 e 3,98 às 60 e 72 horas, respectivamente. As silagens com 10, 20, 30, 40% apresentaram a maior estabilidade aeróbia, pois atingiram elevação de 2°C em relação à temperatura ambiente, com 12 horas de exposição ao oxigênio. Porém, a silagem sem inclusão do resíduo de açaí manteve-se estável por apenas 1 hora. Todos os tratamentos com resíduo de açaí proporcionaram silagens com características sensoriais, fermentativas e teor de MS que as classificam como de boa qualidade, destacando-se o tratamento com 20% de resíduo de açaí, por apresentar os melhores resultados das variáveis analisadas.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of adding agro‐industrial by‐products (BP) on the fermentation pattern of grass silage (GS; objective 1) and on the performance of sheep (objective 2). Silage quality (dataset composed of 37 studies with 179 treatment means) was evaluated using the weighted mean difference (WMD) between the control (GS) and treatment (GS with BP) groups. Sheep performance (dataset composed of 7 studies with 23 treatment means) was evaluated using the WMD between the control diet (DGS = diet + GS without BP) and treatment diet (DGS‐BP = diet + GS with BP). Treatment means were weighted by the inverse of the variance. The type of BP and harvest period of GS were the main covariates that influenced the effect of BP inclusion on the silage fermentation characteristics. The inclusion of BP in GS reduced pH, N‐NH ₃ , acetate, and butyrate and increased lactic acid concentration and lactic acid bacterial count. The type of BP and storage time were the main covariates that influenced the performance of sheep to DGS‐BP. The DGS‐BP inclusion in diet increased crude protein and neutral detergent fibre intake, total digestible nutrient digestibility, and the carcass weight of sheep.

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (AEMO) as a natural ruminal modulator to improve the lactation performance of ewes. The AEMO was prepared by chopping Moringa oleifera leaves and diluting them in distilled water (163.3 g DM/L). Twelve ewes were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square, with periods of 14 days (assessments on the last five days of each period). Treatments were as follows: 20 mL of water as Control, 20 mL of AEMO (20-AEMO), and 40 mL of AEMO (40-AEMO). Ewes were milked twice a day (7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.). Diet corresponds to grain mix (at 3% of BW) and hay ad libitum. We determined the intake, digestibility, fermentative measurements, metabolic measurements, and milk production and composition. Intake and digestibility were not affected by AEMO. Milk yield and the concentrations of fat, protein, and lactose were numerically lower in ewes supplemented with 20-AEMO. A linear decrease in milk protein yield was observed when the highest extract level (40-AEMO) was used. Ruminal pH did not differ among treatments; however, there was a tendency for reduced acetate and increased propionate concentrations, which corresponded with a non-significant numerical decrease in methane estimates in 40-AEMO group. Blood and urinary parameters were not affected by AEMO supplementation. Inclusion of Moringa extracts as an additive in lactating ewes diet does not affect intake and nutrient digestibility, but tends to affect ruminal fermentation and microbial synthesis, with possible changes in methane emission estimation, and impair milk protein production. Therefore, we recommend studies with different extract concentrations to investigate possible effects on rumen fermentation and the synthesis of milk compounds.