The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics, yield and chemical composition of grasses in degraded areas subjected to pasture recovery methods. The randomized block design in a factorial scheme (4 × 5) with four replications (blocks) was used. The first factor was composed of four methods of pasture recovery: Closed pasture (CLP); Weed control (WC); Soil fertilization (SF); and Weed control + Soil fertilization (WC + SF). The second factor was composed of five species used for pasture recovery: Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5, Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG4, Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina and Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça. The structural characteristics of green biomass yield, dry biomass yield and chemical composition were assessed in those grasses. An effect of the interaction (p < 0.05) between forage species and recovery methods on number of clumps, plant height and clump diameter, with superiority for cultivar MG4 in the WC + SF method. The green biomass yield was low in the evaluated grasses because of the advanced stage of the degradation of the pastures. Dry biomass yields increased (p < 0.05) when the WC + SF method was adopted, with a good response of grass MG4. There was an interaction (p < 0.05) between species and recovery methods on dry matter, mineral matter and neutral detergent fiber contents of the grasses, especially Marandu grass. The different types of grasses responded positively to the methods of pasture recovery with increased biomass and nutritional quality.

The use of escape protein, which is absorbed in the small intestine, can improve the production of ruminant animals because it meets their protein requirements better. This study hypothesized that wax lipid matrices are effective encapsulants for escape lysine in ruminants and tested tannin extract as an adjuvant. Forty intact male Santa Ines × Dorper sheep (~4 months old, BW 23 ± 1.2 kg) were allocated, in a randomized block design, to four treatments: control group (no lysine addition), supplementation with free lysine, escape lysine, and escape lysine + tannin extract. The ether extract intake was higher in the sheep fed escape lysine + tannin compared to the control and free lysine group. The sheep fed escape lysine presented higher DM and aNDF eating efficiency (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the free lysine and control groups. Escape lysine with and without tannin presented greater TDN compared to free lysine and control. The NFCs were lower in the free lysine diet, and the crude protein digestibility was higher in the sheep fed lysine + tannin and the control group compared to the escape and free lysine groups. The lysine treatments did not affect (p > 0.05) the performance, ingestive behavior, and blood parameters. The rectal temperature was higher in the sheep fed lysine escape compared to those fed free lysine. The sheep fed escape lysine + tannin exhibited reduced (p ≤ 0.05) large particles and improved peNDF 12 h after feeding. The escape lysine diet, regardless of the addition of tannin, improved the total digestible nutrients and eating efficiency, without affecting the performance, feed conversion, and blood variables of the sheep.

In the Northeast of Brazil, goat breeding plays an important socioeconomic and strategic role in coexistence within the semi-arid region. The rural nature of the species and adaptations that are appropriate for the climate are some of the characteristics that favor the Northeast as the largest national producer of goats (93% of the national herd). In spite of this, sanitary deficiencies facilitate the appearance and diffusion of pathogenic agents that compromise the productivity, e.g., Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, which are widespread in the national herd and cause damages in the industry. The objective of this study was to characterize caseous lymphadenitis (CL) in lamb cuttings at semi-arid abattoirs. The research was carried out between March and August 2017 at the Municipal Abattoir of Patos, State of Paraíba, Brazil, where the caprines from this region are slaughtered. We studied 304 animals with no defined racial pattern, of both the sexes, characterized according to their age group as evidenced by their teeth, submitted to ante- and post-mortem examinations with microbiological confirmation. Cheek material was processed for diagnostic confirmation, using the techniques of isolation and microbiological identification (gold standard). The bacteriological examination confirmed the presence of the agent in 21.38% of the animals, in which 13.16% were females and 8.22% were males. Of those affected, 11.51% had the clinical form of the disease, while 9.87% had the subclinical form and 1.31% had both the clinical form as well as the internal impairment. The precrural (25.71%), mammary (11.43%), and prescapular (11.43%) lymph nodes were the most affected. Internally, the most affected were the liver (63.33%), lung (13.33%), and medium mediastinal lymph nodes (10%). The presence of skin lesion/scars (Odds ratio = 2.394, 95% CI = 1.371 - 4.182, p = 0.003) and sex (females) (Odds ratio = 1.845, 95% CI = 1.053 - 3.232, p = 0.044) were found to be risk factors. CL is present in goats from the intermediate geographical region of Patos, reinforcing the need for control measures, with attention to the inspection of animals in the slaughter line.

This research evaluated the effects of energy supplementation on sheep’s feeding behavior, feed preference, and thermoregulatory responses using technical cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and different vegetable oils with different unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) compositions. The experiment was completely randomized with five treatments: a mixture of CNSL (0.5%) + vegetable oils [canola (high in monounsaturated fatty acids—MUFA), and corn, soybean, sunflower, or cottonseed oil (high in polyunsaturated fatty acids-PUFA) at 1.5%] based on total diet dry matter, with eight replications. Forty uncastrated male sheep, with an average initial BW of 24.44 ± 1.5 kg, were evaluated for 70 days. The CNSL + vegetable oil blend did not affect DM and neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) intake (p > 0.05). However, diets with canola oil resulted in higher SFA intake (p < 0.05) than other oils. The canola oil + CNSL blend led to a higher intake of UFA and MUFA and lower PUFA intake than other oil blends (p < 0.05). Sheep fed canola oil ruminated fewer boli per day than those fed soybean and sunflower oils. Using three sieves (pef_1.18) reflected in higher sheep aNDF intake. Respiratory frequency and surface temperature of sheep were lower before feeding than 3 h after, without effects of the type of oil. Higher serum creatinine and cholesterol levels were observed in sheep fed CNSL with corn and canola oils compared to other oils. Serum calcium was lower in sheep fed CNSL with soybean and canola compared to sunflower and corn. Including CNSL with vegetable oils with different FA compositions did not affect physiological and thermographic variables. However, sheep showed better diet selectivity and lower bolus rumination with higher MUFA (canola oil) content. Including CNSL with canola oil in sheep diets is recommended, as it increases dietary energy content, enhances diet selectivity, reduces PUFA intake, and does not impact animal health.

Antioxidant feed additives, such as cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), rich in phenolic compounds, have gained attention for improving animal production and meat quality. The study evaluated the dietary effects of blending CNSL (0.5%) with different vegetable oils (1.5%) varying in unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) profiles on the meat quality and fatty acid composition of muttons. Forty Santa Inês × Dorper crossbred rams (24.44 ± 1.5 kg) were allocated to five treatments for 70 days: CNSL combined with canola (MUFA-rich) compared to corn, soybean, sunflower, or cottonseed oils (PUFA-rich). The CNSL + canola blend improved meat quality, showing higher water-holding capacity and tenderness and lower cooking loss than CNSL + PUFA-rich oils (p < 0.05). Meat yellowness (b*) increased with CNSL + soybean or cottonseed blend. Meat proximate composition was unaffected (p > 0.05). Minor variations in specific fatty acids were observed, including higher C14:0 and C16:1 in canola and cottonseed + CNSL blend groups and greater EPA (C20:5 n–3) with soybean oil + CNSL blend (p < 0.05). The ∑n–6:∑n–3 ratio was highest with cottonseed and lowest with soybean oil (p < 0.05). Overall, combining CNSL with MUFA-rich oils, particularly canola, compared to PUFA oils, enhances meat quality while supporting the sustainable use of CNSL in ram diets.

Verificou-se neste estudo as características fisiológicas e reprodutivas de ovinos Dorper nos períodos seco e chuvoso no semiárido paraibano. Foram utilizados seis ovinos da raça Dorper, com idade entre dois a três anos. Todos os animais foram submetidos a um exame clínico geral seguido do exame andrológico. O experimento foi dividido em duas épocas, seca (setembro a dezembro) do ano de 2016 e chuvosa (abril a julho) do ano de 2017. Durante o período experimental foram registrados os dados climatológicos, por meio do datalogger tipo HOBO com cabo externo acoplado ao globo negro. As variáveis fisiológicas foram registradas quinzenalmente com duas medidas diárias, às 9h e às 15h, foram aferidas a frequência respiratória, temperatura retal, temperatura superficial do corpo e temperatura superficial dos testículos. Os níveis sanguíneos de glicose foram verificados quinzenalmente assim como a avaliação andrológica. Pode-se presumir que os animais do presente estudo na época chuvosa e no turno da manhã estavam em um ambiente de conforto térmico e na época seca e no turno da tarde uma situação de desconforto térmico. As médias dos parâmetros fisiológicos FR, TR, TSméd e TSmáx, foram superiores na época seca. Os valores do perímetro escrotal estão dentro das médias da faixa etária para a idade da espécie. A média de defeitos espermáticos totais na época seca ultrapassou os padrões seminais desejáveis para a espécie. Entre os parâmetros seminais, apenas o volume apresentou diferença em relação à época seca e chuvosa. Conclui-se que ovinos da raça Dorper criados no semiárido paraibano apresentam baixo nível de estresse e boa adaptabilidade fisiológica às condições climáticas dessa região nas diferentes épocas do ano (período seco e chuvoso). Os parâmetros reprodutivos avaliados sofrem influência negativa exercida pela temperatura ambiente na época seca que interferiram sobre os parâmetros seminais, apresentando uma maior porcentagem de patologias espermáticas.