This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of protected or unprotected fats in the diet of feedlot lambs on feeding behavior, productive characteristics, carcass traits, and meat quality. Forty male Dorper × Santa Inês lambs (22.27 ± 2.79 kg) were randomly assigned to treatments in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments consisted of five diets: no added fat (NAF), whole soybeans (WSB), calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA), soybean oil (SO), and corn germ (CG). The total intake of dry matter (DMI) (p < 0.001) and neutral detergent fiber (NDFI) (p = 0.010) were higher in the CSFA and NAF diets. Feeding behavior, morphometric measurements, physicochemical characteristics, and centesimal composition of the Longissimus lumborum muscle were similar between treatments (p > 0.05). The CSFA diet provided higher production (p < 0.05) and better-quality carcasses. The inclusion of fat sources increased the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). The use of calcium salts of fatty acids in feedlot lambs’ diets provides better quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the meat and carcass.

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de subprodutos de frutas in natura (abacaxi, goiaba, mamão, manga e maracujá) e do nível (10 e 30%) utilizado na dieta de bovinos em substituição parcial à silagem de milho sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade total dos nutrientes, a produção de proteína microbiana (Pmic) e o balanço de nitrogênio e sobre a predição das frações digestíveis e nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) desses subprodutos. Todos os animais receberam silagem de milho e mistura ureia/sulfato de amônio (9:1) para que as rações se mantivessem isonitrogenadas. Os consumos de matéria seca (MS) (kg/dia), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e NDT, além da digestibilidade de PB, extrato etéreo (EE) e carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF) foram afetados pela origem do subproduto. Houve efeito para o nível de inclusão dos subprodutos na digestibilidade da PB e EE. Os subprodutos de mamão, manga e abacaxi apresentaram valor energético 23,1; 18,0 e 7,1%, respectivamente, superior ao da silagem de milho. A fonte do subproduto influenciou as excreções urinárias de derivados de purinas totais e purinas absorvidas e a produção de proteína microbiana, além da ingestão (g/dia), a excreção dos compostos nitrogenados nas fezes e na urina (g/dia) e o balanço de nitrogênio (g/dia). O nível de inclusão dos subprodutos na dieta afetou as excreções urinárias de derivados de purinas totais e purinas absorvidas e a produção de proteína microbiana. Os subprodutos de abacaxi, mamão e manga têm valor energético superior ao da silagem de milho e podem substituir parcialmente concentrados energéticos em dietas para ruminantes. O subproduto de maracujá tem potencial para substituir parcialmente volumosos em dietas para ruminantes. O subproduto de goiaba apresenta limitações para uso em dietas para ruminantes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic divergence of 25 sorghum hybrids (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in the semiarid region of Paraiba. A randomized block design with three replications was used for evaluation of plant height (PH), total natural matter production (TNMP) and total dry matter production (TDMP) and the percentage of components of DM (panicle, leaf blade, stem and dead matter) of the following hybrids: 866005, 866019, 866033, 866034, 866035, 866036, 866037, 866040, 866041, 866042, 866043, 866044, 870025, 870031, 870035, 870041, 870051, 870067, 870081, 870085, 870095, 1F305, BRS 610, Volumax, and XBS60329. Hybrid 1F305, followed by hybrid 866034, presented the highest average PH. There was a range from 7.679 to 20.948 kg/ha (average of 13,799 kg/ha) for TDMP. Hybrids 1F305, BRS 610 and Volumax presented less potential, and hybrids 866,041 and 866,042 were the most productive. Based on cluster analysis and subjective cut in 50% of dissimilarity, it was possible to establish four hierarchical groups, from which two stood out concerning productive characteristics. The group formed by hybrids Volumax, BRS 610, and XBS60329 presented lower averages for yield and lower percentage of panicle. Hybrids 866041 and 866042 show a higher total dry matter production, with values around 20,000 kg/ha

The study was carried out to develop and to evaluate new equations to predict dry matter intake (DMI) of Nellore and Zebu-crosses cattle using meta-analysis procedure. The data used to estimate the parameters were collected from independent performance experiments using growing and fattening Nellore and Zebu-crosses cattle, and they were compiled from 561 experimental units. Before proposing an equation to predict DMI, it was observed that the genetic group was a source of statisticaly significant variation. Therefore, equations to predict dry matter intake in the Zebu-Crosses and Nellore cattle were independently developed. The regression equations for Zebu-crosses cattle were: DMI = -2.6098 + 0.08844BW0.75 + 4.4672ADG - 1.3579ADG2 and DMI = -1.0094 + 0.01608BW + 4.4363ADG -1.2548ADG2. The regression equations for Nellore cattle were: DMI = -2.7878 + 0.08789BW0.75 + 5.0487ADG - 1.6835ADG2 and DMI = -1.3559 + 0.0159BW + 5.6397ADG - 1.8494ADG2. In order to evaluate fitted equations, it was utilized data from independent experiments published from 2005 to 2008 in the Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia. The equations (DMI) for Nellore overpredicted dry matter intake for estimates lower than 7 and higher than 10 kg·d-1. For Zebu-crosses cattle, dispersions of 3 kg d-1 were observed when extreme intakes were evaluated, however, when the equation included BW 0.75, the intercept did not differ from zero and the slope did not differ from 1. It is not possible to fit only one equation for preditcting DMI for beef cattle in tropical conditions, because there are differences between Zebu and Zebu-crosses. Fitted equations that include ADG and BW 0.75 should be used as an alternative method to predict dry matter intake of Zebu-crosses and Nellore beef cattle in tropical conditions.