This study investigates the effects of heat stress in a climate chamber from day 0 to 28 days of life on physiological responses, intake, nutrient digestibility, immunity, and performance in neonatal Holstein calves. Thirty-four calves (nineteen females, fifteen males) were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, temperature–humidity index [THI] 66, with 22 °C and 65% humidity for 24 h, n = 17) or a heat-stressed (HS) group, which was exposed to a THI of 82, 32 °C, and 65% humidity for 9 h, followed by a THI of 66, 22 °C, and 65% humidity for 15 h. The HS calves exhibited increased respiratory rates and rectal temperatures (p < 0.001), particularly during heat exposure periods, as well as a 59.5% increase in water intake compared to CON. While milk and solid feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were similar between groups, HS calves had reduced ether extract digestibility and altered ruminal fermentation, including lower acetate and lower propionate concentrations. The blood cytokine analysis showed elevated interleukin-4 and reduced interleukin-8 and IP-10 levels in heat-stressed calves, indicating a shift toward an anti-inflammatory immune profile. Despite no major performance impairments, heat stress has induced clear physiological, digestive, and immunological changes. These results underscore the importance of implementing thermal mitigation strategies during early life to safeguard calf health and development in increasingly warmer climates.

Diarrhea and respiratory diseases pose significant challenges in the rearing of pre-weaned calves, motivating the investigation of tools to improve gastrointestinal tract development, health, and overall performance in young calves. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an additive incorporated into milk replacer to promote the development and health of the animals. Forty-six dairy calves were randomly assigned into two treatments: control (CON, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males), and sodium butyrate (SB, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males). The calves in the SB treatment group were supplemented with 4 g/d of unprotected sodium butyrate (Adimix, Adisseo, China), added to the milk replacer from 4 to 60 days of age. Water and starter were fed ad libitum. The study evaluated several parameters, including feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids, blood metabolites (glucose, insulin-like growth factor type 1, urea, β–hydroxybutyrate), hemogram, health scores, performance, and feed efficiency. Bull calves were euthanized at 60 days of age for organ comparison, while heifer calves were assessed for carryover effects up to 90 days of age. Data were analyzed independently using linear mixed models using the nlme package in R, and the Artools package for non-parametric categorical outcomes. Although the feed intake and performance variables exhibited differences within weeks, no divergence was observed between treatment groups. Notably, a positive treatment-by-week interaction was identified for starter feed intake (p = 0.02) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.04) during pre-weaning for CON animals. Ruminal parameters, blood metabolites, and hemogram values such as glucose, urea, insulin-like growth factor type 1, mean corpuscular value, lymphocytes, and neutrophils displayed differences within weeks during the pre-weaning stage, but similar results within groups. No differences between supplemented and non-supplemented calves were found across nutrient digestibility, organ development, and histology. Regarding health scores, differences were noted within weeks for fecal and respiratory scores during the pre-weaning stage, and only the respiratory score during the post-weaning stage. Consequently, butyrate supplementation did not elicit improvements or negative effects in the body development or health status of dairy calves.

O aumento no consumo global de produtos de origem animal impõe significativos desafios aos sistemas de produção de caprinos. Ineficiências na conversão alimentar e práticas de manejo inadequadas limitam o crescimento da produtividade de leite e carne. Essa revisão explora o papel da modelagem na avaliação econômica e sustentabilidade dos sistemas produtivos. Os modelos matemáticos facilitam a gestão estratégica, fornecendo aos produtores uma visão sistêmica do funcionamento das fazendas de caprinos. Neste contexto, o uso de modelos matemáticos apresenta-se como uma ferramenta essencial para a gestão eficiente das fazendas de caprinos. Assim, a aplicação da modelagem matemática permite que produtores maximizem o uso dos recursos e aumentem a eficiência produtiva e sustentabilidade ambiental, aspectos fundamentais para o crescimento da caprinocultura leiteira brasileira. O objetivo desse trabalho é discutir os principais modelos matemáticos aplicáveis à caprinocultura e suas aplicações para estimar a produção, otimizar recursos e tomar decisões acertada nos sistemas de produção de caprinos.

No mercado hortícola brasileiro, as pimentas vêm se destacando pelo seu contínuo avanço, impulsionado pela demanda por produtos pungentes e valorização das culinárias regionais. O cultivo de pimentas do gênero Capsicum no Brasil é de grande importância, seja por suas características de rentabilidade, especialmente quando o produtor agrega valor ao produto. A cidade de Araguaína, localizada no norte do estado de Tocantins, inserida na região do MATOPIBA, desponta como um importante centro de produção e comercialização desse produto. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o negócio de pimentas em Araguaína, apontando o nível de verticalização e sua importância socioeconômica e ambiental. As condições edafoclimáticas favoráveis da região colaboram para o cultivo bem-sucedido de pimentas. A verticalização da produção de pimenta pode ser uma alternativa viável para agregar valor ao produto e mitigar impactos ambientais com a redução de resíduos sólidos como o vidro lançados no meio ambiente.