This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological composition of cactus pear-based diets with increasing levels of buffel grass hay, and its effect on the blood and physiological parameters and occurrence of diarrhea in feedlot sheep. Four diets containing different percentages of buffel grass hay were tested. Diets were composed of forage cactus, buffel grass hay and concentrate, and the treatments were represented by different levels of hay in the dry matter of the feed: 7.5% buffel grass hay; 15% buffel grass hay; 30% buffel grass hay; and 45% buffel grass hay on a dry matter basis. There was a significant effect (p = 0.0034) of inclusion levels of buffel grass hay on fecal score. Only at the 45% inclusion level diarrhea was not observed, showing that the level of buffel grass affected more the animals than the collection period, although the collection period has affected the microbial counts. Probably there was a physiological adaptation of animals over time. There were significant changes (p < 0.0001) in the blood parameters of sheep. The reduction of the proportion of cactus and the inclusion of greater than 15% buffel grass hay, on a dry matter basis, provides less contamination of the diet and animal feces by enterobacteria, such as E. coli.

Additives are intentionally added to silage to reduce the growth of undesirable micro-organisms and to control the course of fermentation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two additives, a commercial product based on organic acids (OA) and Lentilactobacillus buchneri (Lb), alone or in combination with OA. The experiment was conducted in a 4 × 3 factorial completely randomized design, with five replicates per treatment, four additives (control, no additive (Control); commercial inoculant based on L. buchneri (Lb); additive based on organic acids (OA); Lb combined with OA (Blend)), and three fermentation periods (15, 30, and 90 days). The filamentous fungi count was higher in the Control silage during all fermentation periods. Lb silage showed greater aerobic stability (144 h) during all fermentation periods. The fermentation pattern was also influenced by inoculation; Lactobacillus was the most prevalent genus in Blend silage, and Lactiplantibacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, and Secundilactobacillus were predominant in OA silage, followed by Lentilactobacillus, which was higher in Lb silage. The addition of Lb and the Blend silage were the most efficient strategies, promoting greater accumulation of acetic acid and inhibiting yeasts, and the additives contributed to a more stable environment over 90 days of storage.

O livro “Recomendações técnicas para alimentação de pequenos ruminantes confinados no Semiárido” é uma iniciativa do Grupo de Estudos em Forragicultura (GEF) da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, como forma de traduzir os resultados da pesquisa para uma linguagem mais acessível para o público de estudantes, produtores e técnicos da área agropecuária, de forma a apresentar para a cadeia pecuária do Semiárido recomendações técnicas para o confinamento de pequenos ruminantes. São abordados ao longo dos capítulos detalhes das técnicas de conservação de volumosos, do uso de volumosos conservados na formulação de rações e da resposta bioeconômica dos confinamentos de caprinos e ovinos. A nossa expectativa é que esse livro alcance grade parte dos agentes da cadeia produtiva de caprinos e ovinos do Semiárido Brasileiro.

Microbial inoculants are widely used to improve the fermentation and aerobic stability of silages, particularly in sorghum, which is susceptible to deterioration; therefore, this study evaluated the effects of Lentilactobacillus buchneri (Lb), alone or combined with Lentilactobacillus hilgardii (Lb + Lh), on the fermentation profile, microbial stability, chemical composition, and aerobic stability of whole-plant sorghum silage. A completely randomized design was adopted in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme, with three fermentation periods (20, 60 and 100 days) and three microbial inoculants (control, Lb and Lb + Lh), with five replicates per factorial treatment; the fermentation parameters, chemical composition, microbial populations, and aerobic stability were evaluated. A interaction (p < 0.05) between inoculants and fermentation periods was observed for pH, organic acids, microbial counts, and aerobic stability; inoculated silages showed increased lactic acid bacteria, higher acetic and propionic acid production, and inhibition of yeasts and molds, especially at 100 days, resulting in improved aerobic stability at 60 and 100 days. The microbial diversity was lower in inoculated factorial treatments, with predominance of Lentilactobacillus, while the control showed a higher abundance of undesirable microorganisms; Kazachstania was the predominant fungal genus. In conclusion, inoculation improves the fermentation quality, microbial stability, and aerobic stability of sorghum silage, reducing losses.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of supplementation during three seasons (autumn, winter, and spring) on the productive and reproductive performance of Nellore heifers grazing on Mombaça grass. A total of 28 Nellore heifers were subjected to two supplementation strategies: 15 CP [15% crude protein (CP)] and 18 CP (18% CP). The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement (two supplementation strategies and three seasons). A strategy × season interaction effect was observed for height (p = 0.008), with the 15 CP strategy in spring showing a higher average (56 cm) compared to 18 CP (26 cm). Regarding pasture chemical composition, the season significantly influenced quality (p < 0.05), with winter presenting inferior quality. A strategy × season interaction effect was also observed (p < 0.05), with lower averages recorded during winter for the 18 CP strategy in final body weight (FBW) (271.74 kg), total weight gain (TWG) (31.48 kg), and stocking rate (SR) (3.99 animal units per hectare, AU/ha). In reproductive efficiency, the 15 CP strategy achieved a pregnancy rate of 85% compared to 54% for the 18 CP strategy. The 15 CP strategy provided better performance for the heifers, increasing FBW, TWG, SR, and pregnancy rate, with significant results in spring due to improved forage quantity and quality associated with supplementation.