We evaluated performance, non-carcass components, and carcass characteristics of crossbred Texel lambs in different categories of residual intake and gain (RIG). We assessed 77 crossbred (¼ Pantaneira and ¾ Texel) non-castrated animals in two study phases. The first phase included 47 lambs with an initial average weight of 29.9±5.5 kg, and the second phase included 30 lambs with initial average weight of 22.4±3.3 kg. Dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) were evaluated for 70 days. Animals were divided into three groups in terms of efficiency: efficient (high RIG), intermediate (medium RIG), or inefficient (low RIG), based on the standard deviation of the mean for the RIG variable. We measured the yield of non-carcass components, carcass characteristics, and yield of meat cuts. Efficiency group had no association with DMI, nor with initial and final body weights of the animals. The ADG of efficient (0.310 kg day⁻¹) and intermediate (0.290 kg day⁻¹) animals was greater than observed in inefficient (0.260 kg day⁻¹) animals. Lambs in the efficient and intermediate groups had significantly higher levels of all efficiency indicators evaluated. Efficient and intermediate animals yielded significantly more wool/skin in comparison with lambs in the inefficient group. Animals with high RIG also had lower relative weight of testicles/scrotal sac in comparison with inefficient animals. Fat deposition in the omentum and mesentery as well as total fat were decreased in efficient animals. No significant differences occurred among groups regarding carcass characteristics and yield of meat cuts. The RIG index allows for the identification of lambs with higher growth rates and greater wool/skin yield and lower proportion of visceral fat.

Maize and forage sorghum crops have a relevant economic importance in Midwest Brazil and there is a need for more information for their intercropping as a strategy for the farmers to reduce inputs. The objective of this work is evaluate if forage sorghum and maize intercropping effects agronomic traits, the bromatological characteristics of silage from the consortium at different times of silo openings, and the economic viability of all crop systems. This experiment was carried on in the field with seven treatments, consisting of monoculture and intercropping of corn and sorghum hybrids. Monoculture of sorghum Agri 001 and maize Agri 320, as well as in maize Agri 320, Agri 340 and Agri 104 intercropped with sorghum Agri 001 had the highest biomass yield. Intercropped maize did not have lodging, reduction in height, nor decrease in the first ear height in relation to the intercropped plants. Maize hybrids intercropped with sorghum led to a better fermentation pattern of silages, reducing ammonia concentrations. However, due the higher contents of NDF and the lower TDN contents of sorghum, nutritional values of intercropped silages were generally smaller than when they were composed only with maize. It was observed that the monoculture of sorghum Agri 001 for silage showed a higher profit compared to the other treatments.

This study aimed to assess the performance, carcass traits, and non-carcass components of feedlot finished Texel crossbred lambs from different residual feed intake classes (RFI). Forty-seven uncastrated male Texel crossbred lambs (¾ Texel + ¼ Pantaneira) tested here were 4-month-old with an initial weight of 29.9 ± 5.5 kg. The lambs were confined for 70 days for individual dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) assessment. The diet containing corn silage was provided as roughage, while the concentrate consisted of corn grain, soybean meal, urea, and mineral mixture with a 40:60 roughage to concentrate ratio and 76.34% total digestible nutrients (TDN). After confinement for 70 days, the lambs were slaughtered to assess carcass traits and non-carcass components. Based on the RFI, lambs were divided into three classes according to the standard deviation (sd): Positive RFI (inefficient, 0.5 above the mean), Negative RFI (efficient, 0.5 below the mean), and Medium RFI (intermediate). Classes with Negative (efficient) and Positive RFI (inefficient) showed no differences in ADG (0.321 vs 0.306 kg; P > 0.05). Dry matter intake (g d-1), and percentage of body weight (BW) differed significantly between the RFI classes (P < 0.05). Compared to lambs in the inefficient class, those in the efficient class (Negative RFI) showed a 9% reduction in DMI and had the same ADG. The lambs in either Positive or Negative RFI classes showed no weight differences between non-carcass components (P > 0.05). The RFI classes showed no differences in shrunk body weight, hot carcass weight, hot dressing, and weight of commercial cuts (P > 0.05). They showed no differences in neck, shoulder + shank, loin, rack, flank steak, rack cap off, and leg weights (P > 0.05). Our results indicate that improvement in feed efficiency, as a function of the RFI index, does not compromise performance and carcass traits of Texel crossbred lambs.

To maximize economic gain in sheep production systems it is critical to adjust feedlot diets to maximize performance while minimizing feed, and especially concentrate, waste. Little information is available on ideal diets for crossbred ewe lambs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of feedlot crossbred ewe lambs, and the digestibility of diets, with increasing levels of concentrate during the growing and finishing phases. Twenty-four crossbred Texel × Pantaneira Texel ewe lambs were confined and fed Tifton hay with increasing levels of concentrate in the diet (20, 40, 60 and 80%) for individual evaluation of dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility of diets, average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE). Animals were slaughtered at 47 kg. In the growing phase, the inclusion of concentrate in the diets (1176 g.kg-1) did not change DMI (p > 0.05). Concentrate levels had a quadratic effect (p < 0.05) on the dry matter digestibility coefficient (DMDC) and on total digestible nutrients (TDN) during the growing phase. In the finishing phase, there was a negative linear effect of concentrate levels on DMI (p < 0.05), but TDN intake was similar among the experimental diets (p > 0.05). DMDC and TDN values displayed a quadratic behavior (p < 0.05), plateauing at 60% concentrate. ADG and FE increased as concentrate was added to the diet in the growing phase (p < 0.05). During the finishing phase, lamb performance was similar (p > 0.05) for different diets. Thus, the use of 60% concentrate in the confined crossbred ewe lamb diet during growing and 20% concentrate during finishing is recommended.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of injectable trace minerals (ITM) on growth, health, antioxidant enzyme activity, and immune system of newborn Boer kids. Newborn kids (n = 125) were assigned to one of two treatments: injection (0.1 mL 4.5 kg-1) of saline or ITM. Injectable trace minerals had 60, 10, 5, and 15 mg mL-1 of Zn, Mn, Se, and Cu, respectively. Kids were evaluated daily for the presence of diarrhea and weighted on [...] ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of injectable trace minerals (ITM) on growth, health, antioxidant enzyme activity, and immune system of newborn Boer kids. Newborn kids (n = 125) were assigned to one of two treatments: injection (0.1 mL 4.5 kg-1) of saline or ITM. Injectable trace minerals had 60, 10, 5, and 15 mg mL-1 of Zn, Mn, Se, and Cu, respectively. Kids were evaluated daily for the presence of diarrhea and weighted on

This study evaluated the effect of copaiba oil (COP) or sodium monensin, used as nutritional additives for beef cattle. Five steers cannulated in the rumen were assigned to a 5 x 5 Latin square design to the COP treatments: Control - (0 g of COP), 1.25 g COP, 2.50 COP, and 3.75 g COP per kg-1 dry matter (DM) or monensin (concentrate with the addition of 40 mg kg-1 of sodium monensin (DM basis) of total diet. The COP did not affect intake and digestibility. Monensin decreased (P ≤ 0.05) DM and nutrients intake; however, it did not affect digestibility compared to control treatment. Conversely, the monensin supply provided lower (P ≤ 0.05) mean pH values and, increases in the concentrations of N-NH3 and propionate (mmol L-1). The increased propionic acid production resulted in higher (P ≤ 0.05) proportions (mmol 100 mmol-1) of propionate, and reduction in the molar proportions of acetate and butyrate, with a consequent reduction in the acetate:propionate ratio. Copaiba oil in 1.25 to 3.75 g kg-1 does not alter the ruminal metabolism of cattle. However, sodium monensin reduces DM intake and decreases the acetate:propionate ratio in the rumen fluid.