This study aimed to investigate the associative effects caused by changes in the proportions of feed ingredients (forage-to-concentrate ratio) and the forage source in ruminant diets on in vitro gas production and fermentation parameters. The study consisted of two assays conducted in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 10 factorial arrangement consisting of three forages (pineapple crop waste silage [PS], corn silage [CS], and Tifton hay [TH]) associated with concentrate feed (C) (binary mixture) in 11 proportions, with triplicates of each combination. For the first assay, the asymptotic volume of gas did not show any difference among (p = 0.059) CS and PS (p = 0.464) and their proportions. We evaluated the associative effect among forages and their proportions and noticed there was an effect on gas production between the combination of forage and concentrate for the CS (p = 0.003) and PS (p = 0.003). In the second assay, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen (p < 0.05) were affected by the forage source and concentrate inclusion. In conclusion, forages with a high content of soluble carbohydrates presented the lowest gas production, as well as higher concentrations of propionic acid and ammonia nitrogen. The associative effect on in vitro gas production was more pronounced in the first 12 h incubation. The different forage sources and the inclusion of concentrate change fermentation parameters.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of these essential oils and their blends on the fermentative profile, losses by gases and effluents, nutritional value, microbial count, and aerobic stability of sorghum silage. A completely randomized design was used with eight treatments and four repetitions. The evaluated treatments were the following: control (CON), without any essential oil; rosemary (Ros); tea tree (TT); citronella (Cit); Ros + TT (50% + 50%); Ros + Cit (50% + 50%); TT + Cit (50% + 50%); and Ros + TT + Cit (33% + 33% + 33%). A 1000 mg/kg dose of ensiled mass (as-fed basis) was used for each of the treatments. The addition of essential oils and their blends had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on the chemical composition of sorghum silage. Crude protein content increased (p < 0.001) with the use of essential oils and their blends. The Ros affected (p < 0.05) the fibrous fraction of sorghum silage. Neutral detergent fiber in vitro degradability was reduced (p = 0.003) when we used the blend TT + Cit compared to Ros and TT. We observed that only Ros did not reduce acetic acid concentration (p = 0.031) compared to the CON. The essential oils and their blends did not affect losses (p > 0.05). Lactic acid bacteria population increased (p = 0.039) when using the blend Ros + TT + Cit compared to the CON. However, the populations of entero-bacteria and fungi were not affected (p > 0.05) by the essential oils or their blends. For aerobic stability, we observed that Ros increased (p < 0.001) the air exposure time of the sorghum silage. Furthermore, the essential oils impacted the sorghum silage’s pH, which affected (p = 0.003) its aerobic stability. In conclusion, the essential oils did not reduce sorghum silage losses. However, the Ros improved the nutritional quality and aerobic stability of sorghum silage, while the blend Ros + TT + Cit increased the lactic acid bacteria count in the silage. More in-depth studies are needed to elucidate the action of essential oils as silage additives.

The goal of our study was to evaluate the nutritional potential of dented corn hybrids for silage production. We performed a two-location trial in which 19 dented corn hybrids and five corn controls grew in four randomized blocks within two experimental areas located in the Northern (Campos dos Goytacazes) and Northwestern (Itaocara) Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. We recorded yields of fresh and dry forage matter and yields of fresh and dry grain matter, as well as chemical composition [...] ABSTRACT The goal of our study was to evaluate the nutritional potential of dented corn hybrids for silage production. We performed a two-location trial in which 19 dented corn hybrids and five corn controls grew in four randomized blocks within two experimental areas located in the Northern (Campos dos Goytacazes) and Northwestern (Itaocara) Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. We recorded yields of fresh and dry forage matter and yields of fresh and dry grain matter, as well as chemical composition

Using lipids can correct energy deficiencies in pasture, boost weight gain in ruminants, and enhance profitability in farming activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy losses in feedlot steers fed diets based on corn silage, with or without the addition of lipids in the form of soybean oil or ground soybean seeds. Eight steers were randomly assigned to two balanced 4 × 4 Latin squares. The experimental treatments were as follows: corn silage; corn silage and concentrate feed without lipid addition; corn silage and concentrate feed with 5% lipid (soybean oil) addition; corn silage and concentrate feed with 5% lipid (ground soybean seeds) addition. The results showed that steers fed only corn silage had (p < 0.001) lower dry matter intake (DMI) compared to other treatments. Gross energy intake and gross energy in feces mirrored DMI trends (p < 0.05). Diets with concentrate supplements resulted in higher digestible energy intake (p < 0.05) and increased gross energy in urine. Notably, adding lipids decreased (p < 0.05) methane energy losses, although the processing method did not (p > 0.05) impact these outcomes. In conclusion, adding lipids to the diet reduced energy losses through methane emissions, increasing steers’ energy efficiency. Therefore, the inclusion of lipids reduced enteric methane production in steers. Additionally, the method of lipid processing (soybean oil or ground soybean seeds) did not affect energy partitioning.

Several studies on the kinetics of sugarcane’s fiber digestion have been published, but, to date, no study has evaluated the influence of sugarcane rind on the digestion of fresh sugarcane by ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sugarcane components (rind and pith) on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, metabolizable energy, and sugarcane quality. A randomized block design was used in a split-plot scheme with five sugarcane genotypes [plot] (RB068027, RB058046, RB987917, RB867515, and RB855536) and three sugarcane components [sub-plot] (rind, pith, and whole cane), Each treatment consisted of four replicates. The chemical composition, in vitro gas production, in vitro digestibility, metabolizable energy, and sugarcane quality were evaluated. No interaction between components and genotypes was observed for the variables analyzed herein. Although the rind had a higher crude protein content, it showed a large amount of insoluble crude protein. The rind had higher fibrous fractions, comprising 87.33 % of the indigestible fraction of the neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The sugarcane rind showed ~ 71.20 % more lignin than the pith tissue. Further, the rind decreased by 6.5 % in vitro dry matter digestibility compared to the whole sugarcane. The in vitro NDF digestibility of the rind was 18.38 % lower than the whole sugarcane. The RB068027 genotype showed the lowest sugarcane quality. Despite the higher content of potentially digestible neutral detergent fiber (pdNDF) in the rind, its high lignin content influences the quality of the final fibrous fractions of sugarcane and negatively impacts the nutritional value. The genotypes do not differ nutritionally, but RB855536 presented higher biomass and energy yields.

Objective: The research objective was to record the species of cinegetic birds, capture techniques used by hunters, and implement practices that preserve mountain birds. Method: The study adopted a qualitative-quantitative methodology. Data collection occurred through interviews with local experts, focusing on investigating the use of avifauna by rural communities and its implications for conservation in the region. Results and conclusions: The knowledge of 20 rural residents of the municipality of Jaguarari, Bahia, Brazil, was recorded. We identified 11 ethnospecies used as trophic resources, in which birds with high body mass are the hunting targets. Regarding the capture, five techniques were recorded (arapuca, trapdoor, slingshot, shotgun, and jackfruit sap). Thus, the diversity of technologies in hunting birds is remarkable and common in the region. Research implications: The study reports the abundance and diversity of exploited birds, highlighting the importance of preserving the local avifauna. This conservation not only protects local ecological knowledge but also contributes to the protection of avifauna. Originality/value: The research is unique in taking an ethno-ornithological approach to analyzing the interaction between society and local avifauna, highlighting species vulnerable to extinction, such as the white-browed guan (Penelope Jacucaca). It emphasizes the diversity of exploited birds and the importance of preserving local ecological knowledge. This approach contributes significantly to conservation and sustainable development strategies in the Jaguarari mountain region, Bahia, Brazil.