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The combined use of a microbial additive and a chemical additive in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) silages would reduce fermentation losses, favoring aerobic stability by modulating a favorable microbiome to control those losses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the action of Lactobacillus buchneri and sodium benzoate on the fermentative profile, bacterial taxonomic diversity and aerobic stability of sorghum silages at different fermentation times. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme, in order to evaluate four additives in sorghum silage (Control treatment, L. buchneri, sodium benzoate and L. buchneri combined with sodium benzoate) and four opening times (30, 60, 90 and 120 d fermentation), in five replicates. Silages inoculated with sodium benzoate showed higher pH values (3.70) at 90 d of fermentation, not differing (P > 0.05) from control (CTR) silage and the other silages. The largest lactic acid bacteria populations were observed at 120 d of fermentation in the silages inoculated with L. buchneri (9.06) followed by the silages inoculated with sodium benzoate and with the combination L. buchneri + sodium benzoate (8.37 and 8.85 log CFU, respectively) at 90 d of fermentation. For gas losses, in which silage treated with sodium benzoate showed lower values, with an average of 0.72% DM. The silages presenting a high DMR standard, ranging from 94.6% to 98.0%, with the exception of the CTR silages. Silages treated with L. buchneri showed higher values (98%) for the occurrence of the genus Lactobacillus in both fermentation times. The combined action of L. buchneri and sodium benzoate kept the Lactobacillus population stable at 30 and 120 d of fermentation. The combination of L. buchneri and sodium benzoate improved the fermentative profile and chemical composition of sorghum silages, reducing losses and increasing aerobic stability after 120 d of fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Corn is one of the most produced grains in the world, being the primary energy concentrate used in animal feeding due to its nutrition quality and high cultivation potential, which make it the main source of starch in the diets of ruminant animals. We compared three different moisture additives to conserve rehydrated corn-grain silage, namely water, cactus mucilage, and whey, and replaced ground corn (GC) with rehydrated corn-grain silage in the finishing of kids' diet. Cactus pear cladode mucilage was a more efficient moisture additive than water and whey for ground-corn silage. Thus, it is recommended to replace ground corn with rehydrated corn-grain silage with mucilage (RCSmucilage) in 415 g/kg because it provides better animal performance than ground corn (GC)—along with having a similar intake and digestion to it—due to better conservation of the silage at a lower cost when compared to commercial additives. The effects of the replacement of dry ground corn (GC) with corn-grain silage rehydrated with water (RCSwater), cactus pear mucilage (RCSmucilage), and whey (RCSwhey) on the growth, physicochemical composition, and fatty acid profile of goat kids' meat were investigated. Thirty-two crossbred goat kids (16.4 ± 2.50 kg initial weight) were assigned in a randomized block design with four treatments and eight repetitions. The NDF intake of goat kids fed with RCSmucilage was higher in comparison to RCSwater and RCSwhey (p = 0.0009). The dietary replacement of GC by RCSmucilage increased the final weight (p = 0.033) and meat-cooking losses (p = 0.0001) of kids. The concentrations of oleic (p = 0.046), 11,14-eicosadienoic (p = 0.033), and EPA (p = 0.010) were higher in the meat of kids fed with RCSmucilage and RCSwhey, and the α-linolenic concentration was higher (p = 0.019) for animals feeding with RCSmucilage. Meat from kids fed with RCSwhey presented the lowest ∑SFA and the highest ∑MUFA. In contrast, the ∑PUFA (p < 0.012) was higher for goats fed with RCSwater. The ∑ω3 (p < 0.0001) was higher in animals fed with RCSmucilage and RCSwhey. Desirable fatty acids were higher (p = 0.044) in animals fed with RCSmucilage and RCSwhey, and the atherogenicity (p = 0.044) and thrombogenicity (p < 0.0001) indexes were lower for goats fed the RCSwhey diet. The enzymatic activities of Δ9desaturase (C16) were higher (p = 0.027) in goat kids fed with GC and RCSmucilage, and Δ9desaturase (C18) was higher (p = 0.0497) when goats were fed with RCSmucilage and RCSwhey. Elongase activities were higher (p = 0.045) in goat kids fed with GC and RCSwater. The total replacement of GC by RCSmucilage is recommended in the diet of goat kids due to improvements in the weight gain and proportion of desirable fatty acids in the meat. In addition, RCSmucilage promoted better conservation of the silage at a lower cost when compared to commercial additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the production of gases, temperature, fermentation characteristics, chemical composition and aerobic stability of Tanzânia grass haylage wrapped in films of different thicknesses. Gas production and temperature were evaluated on storage days in 4 × 5 factorial scheme (four films: 27, 10, 11 and 13 µm and five storage times: 0, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days). Fermentation characteristics were evaluated in 4 × 4 factorial scheme (four films: 27, 10, 11 and 13 µm and four storage times: 7, 15, 30 and 60 days). Aerobic stability was evaluated in 4 × 3 factorial scheme (four films: 27, 10, 11 and 13 µm and three times of exposure to air: 0, 48 and 96 h). The lowest pH value of the evaluated haylages was found at 60 days. The largest population of lactic acid bacteria and smallest populations of enterobacteria were observed in the haylage wrapped in the film of 13 µm at 60 days. The haylage wrapped in the film of 13 µm had the highest values of dry matter and crude protein. When using Tanzânia grass for haylage making, it is recommended to use the polyvinyl chloride film of 13 µm and storage time of 60 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated the replacement of whole-corn plant silage (WCPS) by whole-sesame plant silage (WSPS) in diets for finishing lambs. Forty castrated crossbred Santa Inês lambs with an average initial body weight of 21.8 ± 1.97 kg were randomly assigned to four replacement levels: 0, 333, 670 and 1000 g kg−1 DM. The intake of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased linearly while ether extract intake increased linearly. The digestibility of NDF decreased linearly while crude protein digestibility decreased quadratically with the lowest value (690 g kg−1) found at the level of 333 g kg−1. Digestibility and intake of the other nutrients, such as the performance did not display differences. The time spent per chewed bolus decreased quadratically, reaching the minimum value of 39 sec/bolus at the level of 370 g kg−1. The feeding efficiency of NDF decreased quadratically with the lowest efficiency of 77 g/h at the level of 600 g kg−1. Rumination efficiency (RE) of DM increased linearly while RENDF reduced quadratically, reaching the lowest value of 36 g/h at the level of 370 g kg−1. Carcass traits were not affected by the diets. Thus, WSPS can be used up to 400 g kg−1 DM in diets for finishing lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores the effectiveness of the use of cactus pear meal in the feeding of laying hens to improve production and reduce costs. The objective was to evaluate the impact of different proportions of this flour on the birds' diet. The variety "Miúda" of cactus pear was found to be the most efficient, improving energy utilization and nutrient digestibility. Although the birds' productive performance was not significantly affected by the use of up to 9% of flour in the diet, improvements were observed in egg quality, including in the texture and color of the yolk, as well as a healthier composition in terms of fatty acids and cholesterol. The study concludes that a 3% inclusion of cactus pear meal is the most economically suitable, offering benefits without compromising quality or performance. These findings are important for egg farmers who seek sustainable and economical alternatives, thus contributing to a more conscious society regarding food production and nutrition. Little information is available in the literature on the use of cactus pear meal (CPM) in poultry diets; therefore, it is important to evaluate diets that provide excellent performance and lower production costs. Our objective was to study the use of Miúda CPM in the diets of laying hens. In the first study, two diets for male and female chicks were used—1: 80% reference diet + 20% Miúda cactus pear meal (CPM) and 2: 80% reference diet + 20% Gigante cactus pear meal (CPM). The variety Miúda provided a better use of metabolizable energy, as well as a greater digestibility coefficient of dry matter, protein, and mineral matter. In the second study, a control diet was compared to three diets with different levels of Miúda CPM for laying hens in the proportions of 3%, 6%, and 9%. No significant differences were found in productive performance. However, there were significant differences in the some parameters egg quality, texture and color profile of the cooked yolk, egg composition, fatty acids and cholesterol in the yolk. It is possible to use 9% Miúda CPM in the diet of laying hens in a semi-intensive system that does not compromise performance and egg quality, and using 3% Miúda CPM provides a higher economic return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to produce slow-release urea (SRU) coated with low-trans vegetable fat (LTVF) and compare it to uncoated urea (U) in the diet of lambs. The first experiment evaluated LTVF-coated U produced in three different ratios (U: LTVF), 30:70 (SRU 30), 40:60 (SRU 40), and 50:50 (SRU 50). SRU 40 had higher (P < 0.05) coating yield (85.5 %) and efficiency (98 %) in comparison to SRU 30 (82.9 and 96 %) and SRU 50 (83.7 and 96.6 %). SRU 40 maintained better thermal stability for retention and slower release of urea (P < 0.05). A second experiment tested SRU 40 in 32 intact male Santa Inês lambs (average age: 6 months; average body weight: 17.9 ± 2.01 kg). The lambs were allocated in four treatments: one control diet with 0.5 % U (U 0.5 %) and three levels of SRU 40 [1.25 % (SRU 1.25); 2.0 % (SRU 2); 3.0 % (SRU 3); dry matter (DM) basis] in a randomized block design to evaluate performance and ingestive behavior. A third experiment evaluated apparent digestibility, nitrogen (N) metabolism, rumen, and blood parameters of 24 intact Santa Inês lambs (average age: 6 months; average body weight: 16 ± 2.2 kg) in a randomized block design with six replications. Including SRU linearly increased ether extract (EE), and non-fiber carbohydrates intake (P < 0.05) but did not change DM, organic matter, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber assayed with heat stable amylase and expressed excluding residual ash (a NDFom), intake and performance of the lambs (P >0.05). Lambs tended to spend less time ruminating (P = 0.052) and more time eating (P = 0.078) when SRU was included in the diet. The inclusion of SRU in the diet of lambs tended to linearly increase the apparent total tract digestibility of CP (P = 0.078). There was no effect of SRU on N-intake, however, including SRU linearly reduced N-urinary excretion and linearly increased N-retention (P < 0.05). Feeding SRU 1.25 % resulted in higher N-retained and lower N-urinary and N-fecal than feeding U 0.5 %. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and rumen pH decreased linearly with the inclusion of SRU, while NH 3 -N concentration increased linearly (P < 0.05). Lambs fed SRU 1.25 % presented higher BUN and lower NH 3 -N compared to lambs fed U 0.5 % (P < 0.05). N-retained, microbial nitrogen and protein supply linearly increased (P < 0.05) due to the inclusion of SRU in the lambs' diet. Lambs fed U 0.5 % presented the highest (P < 0.05) BUN concentrations at all times after feeding. There was a linear decrease of BUN in lambs fed SRU at 0, 4, and 6-h post-feeding (P < 0.05). LTVF was efficient in coating urea, especially the formulation with 40 % urea and 60 % vegetable fat (SRU 40). It is recommended the inclusion of SRU 40 in the diet of lambs up to 3 % (total DM basis) as it improves the use of N in the rumen, reducing N-excretion and increasing N-retention, without affecting the performance of the lambs. • Slow-releasing urea (SRU) was encapsulated by low- trans vegetal fat (LTVF). • SRU with 40 % urea and 60 % LTVF (SRU 40) showed higher microencapsulation efficiency. • The inclusion of SRU linearly increased EE, NFC and TDN intake of the lambs. • SRU 40 at 3 % DM reduces N-urinary excretion and BUN, and increases N-retention in lambs. • SRU 40 protected with LTVF improves the digestibility and N ruminal use by lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]