Search

Esse estudo avaliou o efeito da inclusão da torta de cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.) na alimentação de ovinos em confinamento. Foram avaliados o consumo (em kg dia-1, % PV e kg PV-0, 75), ganho de peso, conversão alimentar, medidas morfométricas da carcaça, características de carcaça, comportamento ingestivo e qualidade da carne. Foram utilizados vinte e cinco ovinos castrados, sem raça definida (SRD), com peso médio vivo inicial de 17,4 (±1,90) kg, mantidos em confinamento até que atingissem 35 kg de peso vivo (PV). As dietas experimentais eram compostas por 26 % de silagem de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) e 74 % de concentrado, composto de milho moído, farelo de soja, farelo de trigo, calcário calcítico e torta de cupuaçu, e consistiram na substituição do milho e do farelo de trigo pela torta de cupuaçu nos níveis 0 (controle), 7,4, 14,8, 22,2 e 29,6 % da matéria seca total. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. A substituição dos alimentos padrões pela torta de cupuaçu não influenciaram (P>0,05) nas variáveis avaliadas, indicando que a torta pode ser utilizada em dietas para ovinos em confinamento em até 30 % da matéria seca total, sem comprometer consumo, características da carcaça e qualidade da carne.

This study aimed to evaluate the morphogenic, structural, chemical characteristics, and forage yield of Massai grass, as well as the performance of sheep under three pre-grazing canopy heights. Eighteen Dorper x crossbred sheep (12 males and 6 females) were subjected to three pre-grazing canopy heights of Massai grass (45, 35, and 25 cm). Rotational grazing was adopted, with a fixed rest period of 12 days and occupation of four days. Before placing animals in the paddock, stocking rate was estimated to ensure a reduction of about 50% in the initial height. Morphogenic and chemical characteristics of forage were evaluated, as well as animal intake and performance. Pasture managed at 25 cm height induced reductions in stem and sheath sizes, and phyllochron but an increased leaf: stem ratio. However, the pasture cut at 35 cm above ground promoted an increase in total dry mass and foliar leaf productions, in addition to greater forage availability and daily accumulation. Yet, pastures with a height of 45 cm had a higher percentage of stem and senescent material, decreasing leaf intake by animals. Among the studied heights, 35 cm is the most suitable for Massai grass, when used for rearing sheep for meat production under pasture conditions in the northern Tocantins. This is because this management provided a greater availability of good quality forage and thereby increasing weight gains per area in animals.

This study describes the bovine milk-producing farms of Rondon do Pará, state of Pará, with the aim of assisting institutional actions and public policies that support the development of the milk production chain. The data were collected from interviews, using questionnaires administered in 55 dairy farms, which together represent 43.3% of the herd of milking cows in the municipality. We collected information on producers, characteristics of the milk-producing farms, dairy exploitation, machines and equipment, facilities and improvements, herd health, milking practices, and herd management. The average age of the interviewees in Rondon do Pará was 57.41 years. The producers had low education levels, with a prevalence of incomplete elementary education. Manual milking was used in 98% of the farms. When it came to hygiene practices, less than 2% of the milkers washed their hands before milk collection, and only 10% cleaned the teats of the cows. Animals were fed almost exclusively on pasture in the rainy season, given that only 2% of the producers complemented the diet with forage. Dairy production involved low technological levels, as the mean productivity was 5.5 L cow -1 day -1. The adoption of technological innovations in herd management may enable the growth and development of the activity in the municipality, and may make producers aware of the principles of sustainability.

The state of Pará has the fifth largest cattle herd in Brazil at 20.3 million heads, and beef cattle breeding accounts for 44.32% of the agricultural production value. Using a recursive econometric model estimated by the generalized method of moments, we evaluated the effects of variables that define the supply and demand of slaughtered beef cattle from 1990 to 2015. The results showed that supply and demand were inelastic to prices. Increases in rural salary and calf prices negatively affected supply, and the response to rural credit applications occurred with a four-year lag due to the biological and technological characteristics of production systems. Deforestation tended to increase the supply of cattle and slaughterhouses appropriated the largest share of the economic surplus generated. There were productivity gains since the early 1990s, with the yield of slaughtered animals was 230.55 kg for cattle and 182.25 kg for cows, while currently, it is 276 and 202.5 kg, respectively. The creation of the Agriculture and Livestock Defense Agency of the State of Pará had a positive effect on the supply of cattle and the expansion of agroindustry structure, contributing to the supply of large markets with higher quality beef.

The inclusion effect of 0 (control), 15, 30, 45, 60, and 100% dry matter (DM) of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) cake (BNC) aiming at replacing corn silage was assessed on fermentation kinetics and effective degradability (ED) by means of in vitro gas production at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. A randomized block design was used with six treatments, three blocks, and two replications per block. France’s model was fit to the data. An in vivo experiment, conducted in fistulated ovine, assessed the effects of BNC inclusion levels of 0, 15, 30, and 45% DM replacing corn silage on ruminal parameters. Ruminal fluid samples were collected postprandial at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 h for determining the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), pH, and N–NH3. A completely randomized design with repeated measures in time was used, with four treatments and three replications. Results of acetate, propionate, butyrate, acetate to propionate ratio, pH, and NH3 were submitted to analysis of variance and regression (linear and quadratic) considering treatment, time and interaction of both. In addition, the F test with a 5% (P < 0.05) significance level was applied to the data. Fermentation kinetics pattern and ED presented a linear decreasing (P < 0.05), which means a decrease in total gas production at each coproduct inclusion level. No interaction effect between treatment and time was observed for total SCFA (P > 0.40), acetic acid (P > 0.41), propionic acid (P > 0.85), butyric acid (P > 0.62) and pH (P > 0.57). BNC replacements of 0, 15, 30 and 45% did not change (P > 0.05) total SCFA concentration, as well as acetic acid concentration in ovine. When including 45% DM of BNC, concentrations (mMol/100 mL) of propionic (P < 0.001) and butyric (P < 0.022) acids was reduced in the ruminal fluid. The highest concentrations at measurement times were observed 4 hours after feeding. The pH values presented a quadratic effect on both inclusion (P < 0.001) and time (P < 0.001). An interaction was observed between treatment and time for N–NH3 concentration (mg/ml) (P < 0.001) and acetic to propionic acids ratio (P < 0.014). Fermentation kinetics was negatively affected by Brazil nut cake inclusion to corn silage-based diet. Therefore, the use of this coproduct is recommended associated with non-structural carbohydrate sources.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the technological level and productive performance of the milk producing units of the municipality of Rondon do Pará in the state of Pará. Data were collected through interviews with questionnaires, conducted at 55 dairy farms, which accounted for 43.3% of the milked cows in the municipality. The factors that characterize the systems of bovine milk production were estimated by means of factorial analysis using 12 variables representative of the production units surveyed. Five factors were extracted: F1 = size of the enterprise; F2 = environment and nutrition; F3 = technical assistance and herd management; F4 = animal health; F5 = schooling. From the scores associated with each factor, the index for productive performance of dairy cattle (DFPI) was calculated. The properties were classified into three levels of productive performance, including two considered to have a high level of DFPI, 16 with intermediate productive performance and 37 considered to have a low level of DFPI. There is a need to adopt technologies that promote the productive performance of dairy cattle in Rondon do Pará, as well as enable adaptation to socio-environmental public policies, with the aim of strengthening sustainable rural production through strategic actions that facilitate an increased technological level in farming systems production.

O artigo avalia o comportamento da produção e dos preços no mercado da pecuária de corte da Amazônia brasileira. Utilizaram-se dados de séries temporais obtidos em diversas fontes e submetidos às análises de regressão múltipla e regressão polinomial. Para a análise de preços utilizou-se o modelo clássico de séries temporais com a separação dos índices sazonais e cíclicos com base na média móvel centrada em doze meses. As análises abrangem o período de 1990 a 2015, fase em que o rebanho bovino regional evoluiu a uma taxa de 5% ao ano, frente a um crescimento de 1,7% do rebanho nacional. A análise de preços revelou a existência de ciclos na pecuária bovina regional, definidos, principalmente, pela correlação inversa entre o preço do boi gordo e o abate de matrizes. Quanto às análises das variáveis determinantes do crescimento da produção, configurado na expansão do rebanho, constatou-se que a política de crédito rural assumiu papel importante ao viabilizar a oferta de recursos para o financiamento de projetos pecuários que ganharam espaço frente aos investimentos em agricultura. A criação e estruturação das agências estaduais de defesa agropecuária, a partir do final da década de 1990, representou avanço importante na esfera institucional, pois ao executarem as políticas e programas de sanidade animal tem gerado um ambiente favorável para a expansão dos investimentos na produção e processamento, além de abrir oportunidades para comercialização no mercado interno, nacional e internacional.

In order to evaluate the feeding behavior of sheep fed with diets containing different levels of palm kernel meal (PKM) substituted for corn silage, a metabolic assay was performed on 20 ewes (5 treatments × 4 replicates) over 25 d. The animals received corn silage diets with the addition of increasing levels of PKM (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60%). The following parameters were evaluated: dry matter (DM) intake, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, feeding time, rumination time, idle time, number of merycism mastications per bolus, time spent ruminating each bolus, DM and NDF per bolus, number of ruminated boluses per day, feeding and rumination efficiency, total chewing time, and number of merycism mastications per day. The daily intake of both DM and NDF increased linearly (P < 0.05), and when sheep were fed diets of at least 43.18 and 39.15% PKM, respectively, the consumption values were significantly different than when sheep were fed diets with 0% PKM (P < 0.05). In contrast, feeding time declined linearly, and in response to diets with at least 28.05% PKM, the sheep exhibited significantly different feeding times from those of sheep fed 0% PKM, with a reduction of 0.0613 percentage points per 1% increase in PKM. Idle time, rumination time, and rumination time per bolus each exhibited quadratic responses (P < 0.05), and the minimum rumination time per bolus was 44.37 s with 35.19% PKM. A quadratic response was also observed for total chewing time and both measures of merycism mastications (P < 0.05). Therefore, we concluded that the inclusion of PKM in the diets of sheep improves some parameters of feeding behavior, and the use of PKM is recommended at DM percentages of up to 40%.

This study evaluated the ingestive behavior of sheep when fed a corn-silage-based diet with varying levels (0%, 15%, 30%, and 60%) of Brazil nut cake (NC) (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.). Sixteen mongrel sheep with an average weight of 33 ± 6.04 kg were randomly distributed between four treatments. Data were tested for assumptions of normality, subjected to an analysis of variance, and adjusted in regression equations and by Williams’ test, to estimate the W point. The voluntary intake of dry matter (DM) and insoluble neutral detergent fiber (NDF) decreased linearly (P = 0.013 and P = 0.002) by 5.0 g and 2.41 g d-1, respectively, for every 1% of NC added to the diet. The time the animals spent feeding (288.75 min d-1) was not significantly affected; time spent idle increased linearly (P= 0.0002) by 3.10 min, and time spent during rumination decreased linearly by 2.62 min (P = 0.001) for each 1% addition of the co-product. The number of ruminated boluses (NRB) displayed a decreasing effect (P = 0.004) of 4.61 d-1 for each 1% of NC. For ruminating chews, the time spent per bolus (37.5 sec) and the number per bolus (56.14) did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. However, the total chewing time (TCT) decreased linearly (P = 0.002) by 0.05 h d-1 and the number of chews per day displayed a quadratic effect (P = 0.008), with a maximum value estimated at 17.5% of NC in the diet. Rumination efficiency did not differ between the treatments (101.95 g DM h-1 and 36.76 g NDF h-1). The feeding efficiency (FE) had a linear reduction (P = 0.045) of 0.42 g NDF h-1, but was similar for g DM h-1 (172.5). The daily intake of DM and NDF showed W points estimated at 51.96% and 30.67% NC, respectively. The variables NRB, TCT, and FE (g NDF h-1) had W points estimated at 56.64%, 56.19%, and 56.33% NC, respectively. The Brazil nut cake, when present at levels greater than 56% of the diet’s DM, affects the ingestive behavior of the animals, particularly rumination-related variables, and at levels of 30.67%, it begins to affect the consumption of NDF, primarily due to the ether extract content and the diet’s fiber source.

This study aimed to assess the potential use of increasing levels of murumuru cake Astrocaryum murumuru var. murumuru, M art.) (MC) in sheep diets as a replacement for Mombasa grass (Panicum maximum Jacq). Metabolic tests were performed with 20 castrated male sheep at Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém, Pará, during 26 days. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with five diets and four replications. MC0: 100% grass; MC10: 10% MC and 90% grass; MC20: 20% MC and 80% grass; MC40: 40% MC and 60% grass; and MC60: 60% MC and 40% grass. The intake and the coefficient of apparent digestibility of dry matter (DMI and CDDM), organic matter (OMI and CDOM), crude protein (CPI and CDCP), neutral detergent fiber (NDFI and CDNDF), acid detergent fiber (ADFI and CDADF), ether extract (EEI and CDEE), cellulose (CELI and CDCEL), hemicellulose (HEMI and CDHEM), and nitrogen balance (NB) of experimental diets were determined. The intake of mineral material (MMI) and lignin (LIGI) were also determined. The DMI, OMI, MMI, CPI, NDFI, and ADFI displayed a decreasing linear effect with the replacement of Mombasa grass by MC in the diet. The EEI and the LIGI presented quadratic effects according to the replacement levels of MC in the diet. The CDDM, CDOM, and CDHEM displayed increasing linear effects, between MC0 and MC60. The CDEE, CDNDF, CDADF, and CDCEL displayed a quadratic effect, with optimum replacement levels of 56.65%, 41%, 31.33%, and 27.46%, respectively. The nitrogen balance presented a negative linear effect in the range of 0% to 60% of murumuru cake. One can conclude that murumuru cake is an alternative to the dietary supplementation of ruminants in replacing the Mombasa grass because it provides an increase in the digestibility of nutrients for sheep. However, a limited replacement level must be implemented, considering that from 27.46%, 31.33%, 41%, and 56.65% replacement, a decline occurs in the CDCEL, CDADF, CDNDF, and CDEE, respectively, although a negative nitrogen balance does not occur.

Twenty neutered male sheep were subjected to 26 days of a metabolic assay at Embrapa Eastern Amazon in Belém, PA, Brazil (01°26’02”S and 48°26’21”W; altitude 8 m). The trial followed a completely randomized design, with five treatments and four repetitions. Treatment A (control) consisted of a diet containing 100% grass. The diet in treatment B contained 10% CM and 90% grass; that in treatment C contained 20% CM and 80% grass; that in treatment D contained 40% CM and 60% grass; and that in treatment E contained 60% CM and 40% grass. Intake of experimental diet and apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ethereal extract (EE), cellulose (CEL), hemicellulose (HEM), and nitrogen balance (NB) were assessed. Results showed that the level of CM replacement significantly affected intake of mineral matter (IMM), crude protein (ICP), ethereal extract (IEE), and cellulose (ICEL), with the highest (P < 0.05) values of IMM, ICP, and IEE being observed for feed in which 60% of grass was replaced by CM, indicating that the acceptance of the experimental diet was good. ICEL decreased as levels of CM replacement increased. At 40% replacement, the apparent DM digestibility coefficient was the lowest (41.54%) and did not statistically differ from diets with 60% (45.74%) and 20% (54.19%) CM replacement. The lowest values for the apparent digestibility coefficients of OM, CP, NDF, and ADF were observed when grass was replaced with 40% and 60% CM. For diets with up to 20% replacement of Mombaça grass by CM, the apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, NDF, and ADF were the highest and did not significantly differ from those of the control treatment. Nitrogen excretion in feces differed significantly; the lowest values were found with 0%, 10%, and 20% CM replacement. Use of CM represents an alternative method of dietary supplementation for ruminants and is a good source of protein and energy, since replacing Mombaça grass with increasing levels of CM led to an increase in the voluntary feed intake by ovines.

Avaliou-se o efeito da inclusão da torta da amêndoa de castanha-do-pará (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) - (TAC) nas proporções 0 (controle), 15, 30, 45, 60 e 100% da matéria seca (MS) em substituição à silagem de milho (SM), sobre a cinética de fermentação e a degradabilidade efetiva (DE), através da produção de gases in vitro, nos tempos 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos casualizado, com seis tratamentos, três blocos e duas repetições por bloco. O modelo de France foi ajustado aos dados. Ensaio in vivo, conduzido em ovinos fistulados, avaliou-se a influência da TAC nos níveis 0, 15, 30 e 45% (MS), em substituição à silagem de milho, sobre os parâmetros ruminais desses animais. As coletas de líquido ruminal para determinação da concentração dos Ácidos Graxos de Cadeia Curta (AGCC), pH e N-NH3 foram realizadas às 08h00, 10h00, 12h00, 14h00, 16h00 e 18h00, pós-prandial. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com medidas repetidas no tempo, sendo quatro tratamentos e três repetições. Os resultados das variáveis: acetato, propionato, butirato, relação acetato:propionato, pH e NH3 foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão (linear e quadrática) considerando-se tratamento, tempo e a interação de ambos. Aplicou-se teste F, com nível de significância de 5% (P < 0,05). O padrão de cinética de fermentação e DE foi linear decrescente (P < 0,05), diminuiu a produção de gás total à cada nível de inclusão do coproduto. Não houve efeito da interação tratamento vs tempo para as variáveis AGCC total (P > 0,40), ácido acético (P > 0,41), propiônico (P > 0,85), butírico (P > 0,62) e pH (P > 0,57). As substituições de TAC de 0, 15, 30 e 45% não alteraram (P > 0,05) a concentração de AGCC total, da mesma maneira, não modificou a concentração do ácido acético dos ovinos. Com inclusão de 45% MS de TAC, a concentração dos ácidos propiônico e butírico mMol/100 mL de líquido ruminal reduziram (P < 0,001) e (P < 0,022), respectivamente. As maiores concentrações, nos tempos de mensuração foram observadas 4 horas após a alimentação. Os valores de pH apresentaram efeito quadrático tanto na inclusão (P < 0,001), quanto no tempo (P < 0,001). Houve interação tratamento vs tempo na concentração de N-NH3 (mg/ml) (P < 0,001) e na relação dos ácidos acético:propiônico (P < 0,014). A cinética de fermentação foi afetada negativamente pela inclusão de torta da amêndoa da castanho-do-pará, à dieta à base de silagem de milho. Recomenda-se o uso desse coproduto, associado à fontes de carboidrato não estrutural.