The objective with this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of water inclusion on the chemical composition and fermentation profiles of reconstituted corn grain silage. The experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design, with three replicates per treatment. Five treatments were evaluated with different levels of water inclusion (% of the natural matter): dry corn grain (control); 90% dry corn grain (DCG) and 10% water; 80% DCG and 20% water; 70% DGC and 30% water; and 60% DCG and 40% water, totaling 45 experimental silos. Inclusion of water in the silage of reconstituted corn grain promoted a reduction in the CP (%) and NDF (%) contents. However, the water increase elevated the NPN/TN contents and the amount of effluent, gas and dry matter (%) losses. The treatment with inclusion of 30% water in the natural matter leads to a better fermentation profile and fewer losses of effluent and dry matter, so it is recommended for ensiling dry ground corn grain.

Our objective was to determine the effects of maturity and storage length on the fermentation pattern, ruminal disappearance of nutrients, and recovery of digestible nutrients in flint corn (Zea mays L.) silage harvested with a pull-type machine without a kernel processor. Corn plants were harvested at 300 g kg−1 DM (low dry matter, LDM) or 400 g kg−1 DM (high dry matter, HDM) and stored for 0, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 d in laboratory silos. [...] ABSTRACT Our objective was to determine the effects of maturity and storage length on the fermentation pattern, ruminal disappearance of nutrients, and recovery of digestible nutrients in flint corn (Zea mays L.) silage harvested with a pull-type machine without a kernel processor. Corn plants were harvested at 300 g kg−1 DM (low dry matter, LDM) or 400 g kg−1 DM (high dry matter, HDM) and stored for 0, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 d in laboratory silos.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different nutritional strategies on the intensification of beef cattle farming on pastures during the dry period of the year. Eighty male cattle (testers) were randomly allocated to 16 paddocks formed with Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus), totaling five animals (testers) per paddock. The strategies consisted of two LCs [10 and 16.7 g·kg−1 body weight (BW)] and two PSs with DDGS and SBM in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The chemical, structural, and productive characteristics of the forage were evaluated, as well as the performance, productivity, and serum parameters of the supplemented animals. The forage presented a greater L:C (p = 0.033) and CP content (p = 0.007) when the lowest LC was used. Animals that received the highest LC had the highest supplement intake (p < 0.001) and the lowest pasture intake (p < 0.001). The nutritional strategy with an LC of 16.7 g·kg−1 of body weight (BW) resulted in a greater increase in total BW, i.e., 200 kg·BW ha−1 more. Therefore, higher levels of concentrate ensure greater productivity for beef cattle grazing, and DDGS can replace SBM in supplements used in the intensive raising of beef cattle on pasture without compromising the performance and productivity of the animals.

Beef cattle farming in Brazil is predominantly based on pasture systems and faces challenges in the dry season due to the decrease in the quantity and quality of forage. To maintain productivity, intensive pasture finishing (IPF) is implemented, which requires the use of additives to ensure animal performance and rumen health. It is therefore essential to assess the economic viability of this practice. Thus, the present study aimed to identify which combination of additives provides the highest financial return in intensive pasture-based finishing systems for Nelore cattle in the Amazon biome. The research took place at Fazenda Gamada, Nova Canaã Norte - MT, for 120 days, with Mombaça grass pasture divided into 15 paddocks. The design was randomized, with five treatments and three replications: Lasalocid (control); Lasalocid + Actigen®; Lasalocid + ADV Fortuna LM; Lasalocid + Probios Precise®; and Lasalocid + LithoNutri®. The costs were evaluated according to the CONAB and IMEA standards. All the treatments resulted in positive economic viability. The highest net profits were obtained with Lasalocid and Lasalocid + ADV Fortuna LM, with profitability values of 8.4% and 8.8%, respectively. All the IFP additive combinations proved to be economically viable, with the L and LADV treatments being the most profitable.