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Concerns about the use of in animal feed antibiotics are growing. It is, therefore necessary to develop alternative products that can replace antimicrobial feed additives. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of associating feed additives on feedlot performance of Nellore bulls. Nellore bulls (n= 160; iBW, 380± 5.8 kg; age, 18 mo) were allocated in 20 pens (n=8/pen), in a completely randomized block design, according to the treatments: 1) MON+VM - Sodium Monensin (MON, 25 mg/kg DM, Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN), + Virginiamycin (VM, 30 mg/kg DM, Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Guarulhos, São Paulo), and 2) CRD - Crina RumistarTM + HyD, a blend of essential oils, 90 mg/kg DM + exogenous α-amylase, 560 mg/kg DM + 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 at 1 mg/animal/day (DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland). The initial BW was utilized as a criterion for block formation. Pens were considered experimental units (10 pens per treatment). Animals were adapted to the diets during 14 days with gradually increasing concentrate level from 70% to 86% of diet DM, and fed for 90 days. Weight assessments were performed at day 0 and 28 discounted by 4% from the full BW as ruminal fill. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and means were separated using the PDIFF statement, adopting P< 0.05. Feeding CRD increased the DMI (10.54 kg vs. 8.74 kg, P< .0001), ADG (2.00 vs. 1.59 kg/d, P< .0001) and final BW (430 vs. 418 kg, P< .0001) compared with animals fed MON+VM. The fluctuation in dry matter intake (4.55, P=0.24) and G:F (0.186, P=0.15) were similar among treatments. Therefore, the inclusion of Crina RumistarTM +HyD can be used as a tool to increase performance of feedlot adaptation period.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of including a mycotoxin deactivator on the productive performance of feedlot cattle for 96 days, fed a high concentrate diet. Nellore bulls (iBW, n = 48; 402 kg ±5.02 kg), were allocated in a collective pen with automatic troughs (Intergado, Brazil), randomly distributed in two treatments: 1) Control (CON), with no mycotoxin deactivator; 2) Mycofix Select 5.0 (Myc, Biomin, DSM Nutritional Products, 10g per animal/day). The animals were weighed fasting (±16h) at the beginning and end of the experiment and dry matter intake (DMI) was measured by electronic feeders (Intergado). The diets were analyzed for the presence of naturally occurring mycotoxins by enzyme immunosorbent test, Elisa – AgriQuant (Romer Labs) and the detected results were: Total aflatoxins (AF) < 2.0 μg/kg DM, fumonisins (B1+B2) 0.29 mg/kg DM, deoxynivalenol (DON) 0.38 mg/kg DM and trichotocenes (< 0.25 μg/ kg DM). Data were analyzed by SAS PROC ANOVA for p < 0.05. The MyC provision increased the final BW (561 vs 545 kg, P=0.0465), ADG (1.66 vs 1.50 kg/d, P=0.0458), HWC (317 vs 308 kg, P=0.0492) and the average daily gain in carcass (1.15 vs 1.05 kg/d, P=0.0455) with no effect on DM intake. The use of Mycofix Select 5.0 provided better performance and greater carcass production in Nellore cattle confined with a high concentrate diet with a natural presence of mycotoxins.

There is an increasing pressure for technologies to maximize and improve productivity and profitability of beef production. The objective with this trial was to evaluate the effects of 25-OH Vit D3 on performance of finishing Nellore bulls grazing tropical pastures in the transition of rainy to dry season. Nellore bulls (n=240; iBW = 390 ± 8 kg; age, 20 mo) were equally distributed in twenty-four paddocks (2.4 ha) of B. brizantha, cv. Marandú (n=10 animal/paddock), grouped in four blocks (six paddocks per block) according to the pasture availability at the beginning of the study. Experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design, with 12 replicates (paddocks) per treatment. The treatments consisted of a protein-energetic supplement (Fosbovi Proteico-Energético 25, DSM, Brazil), provided ad libitum, with or without the addition of 25-OH Vit D3 (Rovimix Hy-D 1.25%, Hy-D), in a dose adjusted to ensure a daily intake of 1.0 mg/animal/day. The experiment lasted 92 days. At the beginning and at the end of the experiment, animals were weighed after 16h of total fasting. At the end of the trial, 60 animals per treatment (five animals per paddock) were slaughtered in a commercial slaughterhouse with Brazilian Federal Inspection System, and carcasses were weighed to obtain hot carcass weight (HCW). Data were analyzed according to a complete randomized block design (paddock as the experimental unit). The use of Hy-D (Control vs Hy-D) increased final BW (457 vs 465 kg, P< 0.01); ADG (0.733 vs 0.819 kg/d, P< 0.01); HCW (247 vs 255 kg, P< 0.01) and carcass yield (52.8 vs 53.7 %, P< 0.01). Hy-D supplementation improved animal performance and increased carcass deposition of Nellore cattle on grazing.

The aim with this trial was to evaluate the effects of 25-OH Vit D3 in serum metabolites of growing grazing Nellore young bulls during the rainy season with two different supplementary P levels. Two independent and sequential trials were performed: first one using a 250 g/kg CP supplement containing 8 g/kg of P, and the second one using the same 25% CP supplement, with no addition of P. In each trial, eighteen young bulls of 385 kg BW and 18 months of age were randomly assigned to the two treatments (n=9 animals/treatment): addition or not (control) of 25-OH Vit D3 (ROVIMIX Hy-D 1.25%, Hy-D) to the supplement. Animals were placed in a paddock of B. brizantha, cv. Marandú, equipped with electronic feeders that provided individual access (animal/treatment). On day 31 of each trial, blood samples were taken for determination of 25-OH Vit D3, IGF-1, Ca, P, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OCa). In each trial, data were analyzed according to a complete randomized design. In the first trial (8 g/kg of P in supplement) the use of Hy-D (Control vs Hy-D) increased serum concentrations of 25-OH Vit D3 (25.8 vs 30.0 ng/mL, P< 0.03); not affecting the others variables. In the second trial, when no P was not added to the supplement, the use of Hy-D (Control vs Hy-D) increased serum concentrations of 25-OH Vit D3 (25.4 vs 44.7 ng/mL, P< 0.01); Ca (10.8 vs 11.3 mg/dL, P< 0.07); P (7.4 vs 8.3 mg/dL, P< 0.08); ALP (205 vs 263 U/L, P< 0.04); IGF-1 (256 vs 327 ng/mL, P< 0.07); and did not affect OCa (P< 0.27). These results showed that positive effects of Hy-D on metabolism could be dependent of dietary P level, with Hy-D being able to maintain the levels of Ca, P and serum metabolites related to growth when no P was supplied in the supplement.

Ninety young crossbreed bulls (approximately 25% Zebu breeding with the remainder represented by continental and British breeds in various proportions, initial weight=228.04±7.06 kg) were used in a 84-day feeding trial to assess the effects of treatments in feedlot cattle fed transition diets during high ambient temperatures. Treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based diets (average 1.95 Mcal ENm/kg) supplemented with: 1) 20 mg monensin/kg diet (MON, Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN], and 2) 100 mg of blend of essential oils /kg diet plus 0.1 mg 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3/kg diet (EO+HyD; CRINA® Ruminants and HyD®, DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland). Both dry matter intake (DMI) and climatic variables were measured daily and the temperature humidity index (THI) was estimated. Daily maximal THI remained over 80 during the whole trial (avg. THI = 82.67). Cattle supplemented with EO+HyD increased average daily gain in 8.7% (1.446 vs. 1.320 kg/day, P < 0.01), gain-to-fed ratio in 4.5% (0.199 vs. 0.190; P = 0.03), final weight in 10.05 kg (349.48 vs. 339.43; P = 0.04) and tended (P = 0.07) to shown greater dietary net energy (2.5%) and observed-to-expected dietary NE ratio (3%). Even when EO+HyD tended to increase (4.3%; P = 0.06) DM intake, intake pattern variation were not different (P = 0.38) between MON and EO+HyD (Figure 1). Then, difference in ADG and final BW between MON and EO+HyD was not only a reflection of difference in energy intake, was also caused by difference in efficiency of energy utilization during conditions of high ambient temperature (a reduction of 7% in the estimated increase of coefficient of maintenance by heat load). Results indicate that supplementation with a combination of essential oil blend plus 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 can have greater beneficial effects than supplemental monensin on daily weight gain, final weight and feed intake during initiation-transition phase of cattle raised under high ambient temperature.

The aim with this trial was to evaluate two nutritional plans with the addition of carbohydrases enzyme blend (CEB) on ruminal fermentation of grazing Nellore bulls in dry season. Five rumen cannulated Nellore steers (BW = 350 kg) were used. Animals were randomly assigned to a treatment sequence in a 5×5 Latin square experiment with 15 d-periods (10 d to diet adaptation and 5 d for data collection), following a completely randomized design, being the treatments: mineral-proteic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico 35; PS) offered at 0,1% BW (0 or 4.75 g/animal/day of CEB) or mineral-protein-energetic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico-Energético 25; PES) offered at 0.3% BW (0, 4.75 or 9.50 g/animal/day of CEB). The CEB was mainly composed by beta-glucanase and xylanase enzymes (Ronozyme® VP and Ronozyme® WX). Both enzymes and supplements were provided by DSM Nutritional Products Brasil S.A. Rumen fluid samples were collected on the last day of each experimental period before (0), and 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after supplements were offered. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Steers fed PSE had greater (P ≤ 0.041) rumen concentration of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, and lower (P = 0.028) acetate to propionate ratio in comparison with animals fed PS. Rumen acetate concentrations were 61.6 and 58.8 mmol/L and rumen propionate concentrations were 15.2 and 13.7 mmol/L for animals under the PSE and PS, respectively. A quadratic effect (P = 0.048) for carbohydrases enzyme blend was observed in NH3-N ruminal concentration of PES animals, where 4.75 g/day level presented the lower concentrations compared to control (24.13 vs. 32.20 mg/dL). Furthermore, rumen concentrations of acetate (P = 0.002) and propionate (P = 0.021) linearly increased with enzymes inclusion for PSE plan. PSE nutritional strategy positively influence ruminal fermentation of Nellore steers in dry season and its effects can be enhanced with CEB inclusion of 4.75 g/day.

Forty-eight Pelibuey × Katahdin (27.87±4.71 kg) intact lambs were used in a growth-performance trial lasted 87 days to assess the effects of treatments. Lambs were assigned to one of six weight groupings in 24 pens (6 replicas per treatment). Basal diet was comprised by cracked corn (14% CP and 2.08 Mcal ENm/kg) and was supplemented as follows: 1) No additives (Control); 2) supplemented with a blend of essential oils at dose of 150 mg EO/kg diet DM (EO, CRINA® Ruminants, DSM Nutritional Products); 3) supplemented with 150 mg EO plus 560 mg alpha-amylase/kg diet DM (EO+ENZ, RONOZYME® Rumistar, DSM Nutritional Products), and 4) supplemented with antibiotic virginiamycin (VM, Stafac 500, Phibro Animal Health) at dose of 28 mg virginiamycin/kg diet DM. Growth performance and dietary energetics were very similar (P > 0.97) between EO and VM. In such way that, compared to Control, lambs supplemented with EO and VM tended (P = 0.09) to shown greater final weight (3.1%) and average daily gain (ADG; 5.9%) without difference on DMI (P = 0.99); thus, gain-to-feed ratio (GF) and observed dietary net energy (NE) were average improved in 5.7% (P < 0.01). Compared to Controls, combining EO plus ENZ tended to increased DMI (6.8%, P = 0.09), but increased in 10.4% ADG (P < 0.01) and in 4.4% (P = 0.02) feed efficiency. Lambs supplemented with EO shown lower (P ≤ 0.10) kidney-pelvic-heart fat than Controls and VM lambs. Compared to Controls, additive supplementation decreased (P ≤ 0.03) the relative weight of intestines, the effect being more pronounced with EO supplementation. Compared to VM, supplemental EO (alone or combined with enzyme) shown lower (10.1%, P ≤ 0.04) visceral fat. Supplemental essential oils is a viable alternative to virginiamycin in finishing high-energy diets for lambs. Combining essential oils plus amylase can be a strategy to promote better daily gain weights allowing target final weight at shorter time.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of creep-feeding supplementation on growth performance and efficiency, feed intake and digestibility for Nellore calves grazing on tropical pastures, using a meta-analytical approach. The dataset was collected from 18 studies, which were carried out between 2007 and 2017, totalling 75 treatment means that represented 832 cow–calf pairs. All studies had a control treatment with no creep-feeding supplementation ( non-creep-fed calves ) and a wide variety of creep-feeding treatments ( creep-fed calves ) that were evaluated herein as a daily amount of supplement intake (SUP, g/kg BW, DM basis) and supplemental crude protein intake (SCPI, g/kg BW); dependent variables were evaluated as differential values relative to non-creep-fed calves. Forage DM intake (g/kg BW) decreased linearly as SUP increased (0 . 43 g/kg BW per each g/kg BW of supplement DM intake), whereas milk DM intake (g/kg BW) was not affected, though total DM intake increased linearly (0 . 50 g/kg BW per each g/kg BW of supplement DM intake). The fibre digestibility responded quadratically to SUP and SCPI; however, DM digestibility and TDN intake increased linearly as SUP increased. The supplemental weight gain (SWG) responded quadratically as SUP ( P P

Our objective was to evaluate the use of different feed additives in the performance of beef cattle in intensive pasture finishing (TIP), fed a high level of concentrate for 96 days. Nellore bulls (n = 120; iBW 359 kg, ±5.02 kg) were distributed in randomized blocks, allocated in paddocks of 2.4 ha (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés; 10 animals/paddock), with two treatments with 6 replications (paddock as experimental unit), adapted with increasing concentrate, with a target of 2% BW in concentrate DMI (DMIc) on the 10th day. The treatments were: 1) Sodium Monensin (MON), 26mg/Kg MS; 2) Crina, Rumistar + Hy-D, essential oil blend, 90 mg/kg DM + exogenous α-amylase, 560 mg/kg DM + 25 hydroxy-vitamin D3, 1mg/animal/day). The animals were weighed fasting (± 16h) at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, the DMIc was measured daily by the difference between the offered and the leftovers. Data were evaluated using Glimmix procedure of SAS, whereby means were separated using the PDIFF statement (P < 0.05). The use of CRD increased DMIc (9.1 vs. 8.2 kg/day, P=0.0034), DMIc/BW (2.14 vs 1.97% DMI/BW, p=0.0044), ADG (1.4 vs. 1.2 kg/day, P=0.0241), and final BW (492 vs. 473kg, P=0.0085). Likewise animals fed CRD had greater carcass ADG (1.2 vs 1.0 kg/day, P=0.0034), HCW (292 vs. 277kg, P=0.0121) and tended to have greater dressing % (58.56 vs 59.34, P = 0.07). Additionally, animals fed MON had greater fluctuation in DMIc (5.28% vs 4.53% day, p=0,0278), and took longer days to reach 2% BW in DMIc (22 vs. 12 days, P< 0.05). The use of Crina® RumistarTM + Hy-D® increases carcass production of bovines under intensive pasture finishing.

Studies demonstrate the benefits of supplementing 25-OH Vit D3 to bovines, few is known about its effect on performance of grazing animals in tropical conditions. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of inclusion of 25-OH Vit D3 (Rovimix Hy-D 1.25%, Hy-D) in protein supplement on performance of grazing Nellore steers during the rainy season. Nellore steers (n=50; iBW of 346 ± 5 kg; age, 14 mo) were used. Animals were equally distributed in two paddocks (25 animals each one) of B. brizantha, cv. Marandú (7.0 ha each), equipped with electronic feeders, that allowed assess to individual supplement intake. The treatments consisted of a protein supplement (Fosbovi Proteico 30, DSM, Brazil), with or without the addition of Hy-D, in a dose adjusted to daily intake of 1 mg/animal/d. The experimental period was 99-d. To avoid possible effects of paddocks, groups of animals were rotated among the paddocks weekly. At the beginning and at the end of the experiment, animals were weighed after 16h of total fasting. At the end of the trial, blood samples from 15 animals per treatment were collected before fasting, to determine serum concentrations of 25-OH Vit D3. Data were analyzed according to a complete randomized block design. The use of Hy-D (Control vs Hy-D) decreased supplement daily intake (0.753 vs 0.529 kg/d; P< 0.02); did not affected final BW (427 vs 423 kg; P >0.10) or ADG (0.810 vs 0.765 kg/d; P >0.10); and increased the supplementation efficiency (1.166 vs 1.591 kg ADG / kg supplement, P< 0.01) and serum 25-OH Vit D3 (27.3 vs 59.3 ng/mL; P< 0.01). It is known that 25-OH Vit D3 has a positive effect on skeletal muscle hypertrophy and the increased serum 25-OH Vit D3 in the present study points that the greater nutritional efficiency of animal receiving Hy-D could be linked to a greater muscle deposition.

Our objective was to evaluate the performance of Nellore cattle in intensive pasture finishing (TIP), fed for 96 days and submitted to different adaptation periods, aiming to reach 2% of BW of DMI concentrate (DMIc)/BW at the end of the adaptation period. A total of 240 Nellore bulls (iBW 359kg±5.02 kg; 20 mo) were distributed in randomized blocks, allocated in paddocks of 2.4 ha (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés; 10 animals/paddock), with two treatments with 12 replications (paddock as experimental unit). The treatments were: 1) 9 days on adaptation (ADAP9), 2% DMIc/BW on the 10th day; 2) 14 days on adaptation (ADAP14), 2% DMIc/BW on the 15th day. The animals were weighed fasting (± 16h) at the beginning, on day 28, and at the end of the experimental period, the DMIc was measured daily by the difference between offered and leftovers. Data were analyzed using the SAS ANOVA procedure at P< 0.05. Evaluating the period between the beginning and the 27th day, ADAP9 showed greater DMIc (6.9 vs. 6.5kg/d; P=0.009), greater DMIc/BW (1.8 vs. 1.7% BW; P =0.0043) and greater fluctuation in DMIc (9.4 vs. 5.9% DMIc/d; P< 0.001) compared with ADAP14. In the total fattening period, there was no difference between treatments (P >0.05), for DMIc (8.7 vs. 8.5 kg DM/d), DMIc/BW (2 vs. 2% BW), fluctuation in DMIc (4.91 vs. 4.31% DMIr/d), days to reach target (17 vs 20 d), ADG (1.3 vs. 1.3 kg/d), ADG/DMIc (0.127 vs. 0.128), fBW (483 vs. 484kg) and HCW (285 vs. 285kg). The use of an adaptation period of less than 14 days did not improve performance, and therefore would not be recommended.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of mineral source supplementation on performance of finishing cattle when fed a high-concentrate diet for 89 days. Angus-Nellore bulls (iBW, n = 32; 472 ± 4.93 kg; age, 18 months) were randomly assigned to two treatments in a completely randomized design, with sixteen replicates per treatment (animal as experimental unit). The control group received a diet containing inorganic minerals (i.e. sulphates) and the other group were supplemented with carbo-amino-phospho-chelates (TM, Tortuga Minerals) as a source of Cr, Se, Zn, Mn, S, Cu and Co. The DM intake and weight of the animals variables were assessed individually using the respective digital devices, Intergado electronic feeders and the Bosch Precision Livestock platform placed in the feedlot pen. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS and means were separated using PDIFF statement, adopting P< 0.05, and the initial BW as a covariate when significant. Supplementation with TM increased the ADG (1.74 vs. 1.55 kg/d, P< 0.01) and final BW (626.96 vs. 609.91kg, P< 0.01) compared with animals supplemented with inorganic sources. Likewise, animals supplemented with TM had better G:F (0.133 vs. 0.123 kg/kg, P< 0.05) and biological efficiency (146.41 vs 134,34 kg DMI/15 kg de carcass; P< 0.05), with no effect on DM intake (~12.94 kg, P=0.43). In addition, supplementation with TM increased final HCW in 13.44 kg (366.57 vs. 353.13 kg; P< 0.01) and carcass ADG in 0.15 kg/d (1.47 vs. 1.32 kg/d; P< 0.01). We conclude that supplementation with carbo-amino-phospho-chelates can be used as a tool to increase productive performance and efficiency by feedlot cattle.

The aim with this trial was to evaluate three nutritional plans with the addition of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 (HyD®) on performance of grazing Nellore steers in dry season. One hundred and twenty Nellore calves (iBW ± 267 kg; age, 9 mo) were randomly allocated to six paddocks (n = 20/paddock), in the following nutritional plans: mineral-proteic supplementation (PS; Fosbovi® Proteico 35; at 0.1% BW); PS with sodium monensin (PSM; Fosbovi® Proteico 35 M; at 0.1% BW); and mineral-protein-energetic supplementation (PES; Fosbovi® Proteico-Energético 25; at 0.3% BW); all three fed with or without addition of 1 mg/animal/d of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 (HyD®), totaling six treatments. Both HyD® and supplements were provided by DSM Nutritional Products Brasil S.A. The intake and animal weight were collected daily and individually using an automatic feeder/scale system located in each paddock. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS and means were compared by orthogonal contrasts (P < 0.05). Animals fed PSE, when compared to PSM and PS, presented higher ADG (PSE = 0.290 vs. PSM= 0.130 and PS = 0.030 kg/day; P < 0.01), FBW (PSE = 302.5 vs. PSM = 282.6 and PS = 271.7 kg; P < 0.01) and supplement intake (PSE = 1.640 vs. PSM = 0.190 and PS = 0.210 kg/day; P < 0.01). Additionally, regardless of nutritional strategy, HyD® supplementation increased ADG in 32 g/day (0.165 vs. 0.133 kg/day; P = 0.05) and FBW in 3.9 kg (287.5 vs. 283.6 kg; P = 0.05), compared to not-supplemented calves. No effects on supplement intake (either expressed in kg/day or %BW) were observed for HyD®. We conclude that 1 mg of HyD® can optimize performance of protein and protein-energetic supplemented cattle raised in tropical conditions during dry period.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of feed additives on ruminal pH of finishing cattle fed a 90%-concentrate diet. Twenty four 18-mo Angus-Nellore crossbred bulls (IBW, 456 ± 6,5 kg) were allocated in a completely randomized design to three treatments with eight replicates each, as follows: 1) Control (MON) - Sodium Monensin (26 mg/kg DM, Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health); 2) Crina® RumistarTM (CR) - a blend of essential oils, 90 mg/kg DM + exogenous α-amylase, 560 mg/kg DM) and 3) CR + HyD® (25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 at 1 mg/animal/d, CRD, DSM Nutritional Products). The ruminal pH and temperature was monitored individually for 98 days, using a wireless bolus, (SmaXtec Animal Care, Austria). Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS and means comparison evaluated by Tukey test at P< 0.05. During adaptation period (i.e. first 14 days), bulls fed CR and CRD had increased rumen mean pH (6.40 and 6.36 vs. 6.16; P < 0.01) and minimum pH (5.89 and 5.87 vs. 5.57; P < 0.01) than bulls fed MON. In addition, rumen pH from bulls fed CR spent less time below 6.0 than bulls fed MON (256.07 vs. 452.62 min/d; P = 0.05). Regarding the total period, bulls fed MON had lower mean (6.22 vs. 6.51 and 6.42, P < 0.01) and minimum rumen pH (5.60 vs. 5.92 and 5.85, P < 0.01) than bulls fed CR and CRD. Additionally, feeding MON increased time duration of rumen pH (390.79 min/day, P < 0.01) and had a larger area below 6.0 (81.52 min x pH units/day; P < 0.01). Moreover, the addition of monensin increased pH time duration below 5.8 (161.10 vs. 121.13 and 122.56 min/day; P = 0.02) compared with CR and CRD, and increased ruminal temperature (39.60 vs. 39.51 and 39.5 °C; P < 0.01). We conclude that feeding Crina® RumistarTM and Crina® RumistarTM HyD® increased the rumen pH of bulls.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of mineral supplementation using the association of carboaminophosphochelates as mineral source plus Salinomycin on grazing beef cattle performance during growing phase. A total of 80 Nellore bulls (IBW = 292.72 ± 13.55 kg; Age, ~13 mo) were distributed in 8 paddocks (~2.7 hectares each) planted with Palisade Grass cv. Xaraés during the rainy to rainy-to-dry transition seasons (February to May). The experiment was a randomized complete block design (10 animals/paddock, 4 paddocks per treatment). The mineral supplementation was provided ad libitum and treatments were: Control; Mineral supplementation containing inorganic minerals, and TM+Salinomycin = Mineral supplementation containing carboaminophosphochelates (TM, Tortuga® Minerals) as minerals source (Cr, Se, Zn, Mn, S, Cu e Co) plus Salinomycin (~108 mg per animal/day). The supplement orts were removed and weighted daily to calculate supplement intake. The animals were weighed after a 14 h-fasting at the beginnig and end of the trial (84 days) to calculate weight gain. The paddock was considered the experimental unit and data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS, whereby means were separated using the PDIFF statement (P < 0.05). Supplement intake was similar between treatments (P = 0.13). Animals supplemented with TM+Salinomycin tended to have greater final BW (358 vs. 347, P = 0.07) and increased ADG in 22,3% (0.730 vs. 0.597 kg/d, P = 0.03) compared with animals fed Control. In conclusion, the combination of carboaminophosphochelates minerals plus salynomicin improves grazing beef cattle weight gain, with no deleterious effect on mineral supplement intake.

A total of 90 young crossbreed bulls (initial weight=228.04±7.06 kg) were used in a 171-day feeding trial in order to evaluate the combination of supplemental blend of essential oils (Crina® Ruminants; DSM Nutritional Products) plus 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 (HyD®, DSM Nutritional Products; EO+HyD) on growth performance and carcass characteristics in cattle finishing under tropical conditions. Cattle were blocked by weight into 2 blocks and randomly allocated to 2 treatments (9 pens/treatment, 5 bulls/pen). Cattle were fed with a steam-flaked corn-based diets (average diet NEm= 1.95 Mcal/kg during first 84-d, and 2.15 Mcal/kg during the remaining 87-d). Treatments consisted of: 1) EO+HyD supplementation along fattening period (171-d), or 2) supplementation with monensin (Rumensin®, Elanco Animal Health; 20 mg/kg diet) during the first 84-d and monensin (20 mg/kg diet) plus virginiamycin (Stafac®, Phibro Animal Health; 20 mg/kg diet) during remaining time (87-d). The average THI during course of the experiment was 76.67±2.7 with a maximum of 85.46±2.2 and minimum of 68.29±2.6. There were no statistical differences (P > 0.10) between EO+HyD and ionophores/antibiotic supplemented cattle on DM intake (7.575 vs 7.534 kg/d), average daily gain (1.433 vs 1.406 kg), or gain-to-feed ratio (0.189 vs 0.187). However, cattle fed with EO+HyD tended (P = 0.07) to have heavier carcass weight in 5.2 kg (304.9 vs 299.7 kg), showed greater LM area (89.89 vs. 82.77 cm², P < 0.01) and greater estimated retail yield (1.6%, P = 0.02) than cattle receiving ionophores/antibiotic mixture. Cattle receiving EO+HyD showed more percentage of carcass classified as Choice (14.28 vs 13.33%) and “Select” (59.52 vs 44.44%) and lower percentage of carcass classified as “Standard” (26.20 vs 42.23%). The combination of a blend of essential oils plus 25-hydroxy-Vit-D3 (EO+HyD) in finishing phase improve carcass characteristics. Supplemental EO+HyD is a viable alternative to supplemental monensin, or monensin plus virginiamycin used in growing-finishing diets for feedlot cattle.

The aim with this trial was to evaluate two nutritional plans with the addition of dosages of carbohydrases enzyme blend on feeding behavior of grazing Nellore bulls in rainy season. One hundred and two contemporary Nellore steers (BW = 294.10 ± 3.35 kg) were equally distributed in six paddocks (17 steers/paddock) following a completely randomized design in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, being the factors two nutritional plans: mineral-proteic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico 35; PS) offered at 0,1% BW or mineral-protein-energetic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico-Energético 25; PES) offered at 0.3% BW); and three levels of enzymatic carbohydrases blend (0, 4,75 or 9,50 g/animal/day). The enzymatic blend was mainly composed by beta-glucanase and xylanase enzymes (Ronozyme® VP and Ronozyme® WX); Both enzymes and supplemented were provided by DSM Nutritional Products Brasil S.A. Feeding behavior data were collected daily and individually by an automatic scale/feeder system installed in the paddocks. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Animals fed PES presented greater number of visits to the feed bunks (19.73 vs. 10.12 visits/day; P < 0.0001), to the water fountains (2.95 vs. 2.32 visits/day; P < 0.0001) and greater water intake (22.43 vs. 17.73 L/day; P < 0.0001) in comparison with animals fed PS treatments. Also, animals receiving PES spent more time taking supplement (1.332 vs. 545 seconds/visit; P < 0.0001) and water (203 vs. 153 seconds/visit; P < 0.0001) then PS animals did. No linear and quadratic effects were observed for feeding behavior when including carbohydrases enzymes to PES or PS supplement. PSE nutritional plan positively influence feeding behavior of Nellore bulls in dry season, increasing cattle feed bunk access and water intake in a daily basis.

The aim with this trial was to evaluate two nutritional plans with the addition of dosages of carbohydrases enzyme blend on productive performance of grazing Nellore bulls in rainy season. One hundred and two contemporary Nellore steers (BW = 294.10 ± 3.35 kg) were equally distributed in six paddocks (17 steers/paddock) following a completely randomized design in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, being the factors two nutritional plans: mineral-proteic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico 30; PS) offered at 0,1% BW or mineral-protein-energetic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico-Energético 25; PES) offered at 0.3% BW); and three levels of enzymatic carbohydrases blend (0, 4,75 or 9,50 g/animal/day). The enzymatic blend was mainly composed by beta-glucanase and xylanase enzymes (Ronozyme® VP and Ronozyme® WX); Both enzymes and supplemented were provided by DSM Nutritional Products Brasil S.A. Supplement intake and animal weighting were carried out daily and individually by an automatic scale system installed in each paddock. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and means were compared by polynomial regression. Animals that received PES had greater ADG (0.896 vs. 0.775 kg/day; P < 0.001) compared to those fed PS. Intermediary level (4.75 g/day) of carbohydrate enzymes also presented the highest ADG in PES compared to 0.0 level (0.941 vs. 0.896 kg/day; P = 0.006). Still, higher enzyme levels (9.5 g/day) presented greater ADG on PS, when compared to 0.0 level (0.852 vs. 0.775 kg/day, P = 0.006). PES animals presented greater intake, compared to PS (1.112 vs. 0.432 kg/day, P < 0.001). According to polynomial regression, it is recommended to include 4.75 g/day of these carbohydrases enzymes in PS and 4.39 g/day in PES for growing Nellore bulls in rainy season.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding 3-nitrooxypropanol (3NOP; Bovaer®, DSM Nutritional Products) at two doses on methane emissions and performance by feedlot cattle. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block, in which 138 Nellore bulls (iBW, 360 ± 37.3 kg) were placed in collective pens (9 pens per treatment) and fed a high-concentrate diet (R:C, 11:89) according with the following three treatments: 1) 0ppm 3NOP /day; 2) 100ppm 3NOP/day, or 3) 150ppm 3NOP/day. For performance and DMI assessments the pen was the experimental unit. For methane emission evaluations, CH4 and DMI were assessed individually in 12 pens (2 bulls/pen, 8 bulls (experimental units)/treatment). Methane emission was measured for 6 consecutive days using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique in two times over the experimental period (d15d -d21) and (105d to 111d), whereby the gross energy (GE) variables were calculated using equations. The individual DMI was measured using the two markers technique (Chromium oxide and indigestible NDF). The data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS and means comparison were carried out by Tukey’s test. Regardless of the level, dietary supplementation with 3NOP decreased (P < 0.001) methane emissions by 49.7% as expressed as g/d (146.0 vs. ~74 g/d−1); by 38.6% when expressed as g/kg ADG (91 vs ~56 g/kg ADG), and by 40.7% when expressed as g/kg DMI (13.5 vs. ~8 g/kg DMI). Likewise, dietary supplementation with 3NOP decreased (P < 0.001) the GE loss as a percentage of the GE intake by 42.4% (4.74 vs ~2.73%). However, feeding 3NOP had no effect on animalsˈ DM intake (~2.43 %BW; P = 0.23), ADG (~1.52 kg/d; P = 0.11) and HCW (~284 kg, P = 0.26). We conclude that Bovaer® can be used to effectively reduce methane emission by feedlot cattle without adverse effects on performance.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of associating feed additives on performance of finishing cattle when fed a high-concentrate diet for 105 days. Twenty-four Angus-Nellore crossbred bulls (iBW, 456 ± 10.04 kg; age, 18 mo) were randomly allocated to three treatments with eight replicates per treatment (animal as experimental unit). The treatments were: 1) Control (MON) - Sodium Monensin, 26 mg/kg DM; 2) Crina® RumistarTM (CR) - a blend of essential oils, 90 mg/kg DM + exogenous α-amylase, 560 mg/kg DM) and 3) CR + HyD® (25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 at 1 mg/animal/d). The DM intake and animalsˈ weight variables were assessed individually, by using the Intergado® electronic system and the Bosch® Precision Livestock platform placed in the feedlot pen, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS and means comparison evaluated by Tukey test at P < 0.05. The initial BW was used as a covariate when significant. Feeding CR and CR+HyD increased DMI (13.18 and 12.82 kg vs. 10.77 kg P < 0.01) and tended to increase ADG (1.94, 1.92 vs. 1.68kg/d, P = 0.07) and final BW (654, 652 vs. 628 kg, P = 0.08) compared with MON. Likewise, animals fed CR and CR+HyD had greater carcass ADG (1.38, 1.41 vs. 1.14 kg/d, P < 0.01), and HCW (368.53 and 371.87 vs. 344.13 kg; P < 0.01) compared to MON. In addition, feeding CR+HyD increased the dressing percentage in 2.1 percent points compared with MON (57.4 vs. 55.3%; P < 0.03). The G:F and the biological efficiency were similar among treatments (P = 0.50). We conclude that including Crina® RumistarTM +HyD® can be used as a tool to increase carcass production by feedlot cattle.

Background Diets for feedlot cattle require higher energy density, thus contributing to the high rate of fermentable carbohydrate. The use of feed additives is necessary to reduce possible metabolic disorders. The objective of this study was to analyze the post-rumen effects of different levels of starch (25, 35, and 45%) and additives (Monensin, Blend of essential oil + exogenous α-Amylase) in diets for Nellore cattle feedlot. The cecum tissue proteome was separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), and then, with the verification of differentially expressed protein SPOTS, these were characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS).Results The expression of nine enzymes participating in the Steps of the glycolysis pathway was verified, such as: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase like-17 protein, Triosephosphate isomerase (Step 1); Phosphoglycerate mutase and Phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (Step 2); Alpha-enolase (ENO1), Beta-enolase (ENO3) and Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (ALDOB) (Step 4); and Pyruvate Kinase (PKM) (Step 5). There was expression of three enzymes linked to catalytic activities participating in the synthesis of lactate from pyruvate: L-lactate dehydrogenase B, L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain and L-lactate dehydrogenase. The ATP synthase subunit beta and ATP synthase subunit beta_mitochondrial participate in the electron transport chain, producing ATP from ADP in the presence of a proton gradient across the membrane. Due to the manipulation of diets, the expression of the Leukocyte elastase inhibitor protein, associated with the inflammatory response.Conclusions The use of blends of essential oil associated with α-amylase as a feed additive promoted the greater expression of enzymes in the pathway of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis (and the absence of proteins linked to inflammation (Leukocyte elastase inhibitor) in cecum tissues. On the other hand, the increase in starch in the diets promoted a reduction in enzymes linked to carbohydrate degradation with increased responses linked to inflammatory injuries.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of associating feed additives on feedlot performance of Nellore bulls. One hundred and sixtieth Nellore bulls (iBW, 380± 5.8 kg; age, 18 mo) were allocated in 20 pens (n = 8/pen), in a completely randomized block design, according to the treatments: 1) MON+VM - Sodium Monensin (MON, 25 mg/kg DM, Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN), + Virginiamycin (VM, 30 mg/kg DM, Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Guarulhos, São Paulo), and 2) CRD - Crina® RumistarTM + HyD® - a blend of essential oils, 90 mg/kg DM + exogenous α-amylase, 560 mg/kg DM + 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 at 1 mg/animal/d (DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland). The initial BW was utilized as a criterion for block formation. Pens were considered experimental units (10 pens per treatment). Animals were adapted to the diets during 14 days with gradually increasing concentrate level from 70% to 86% of diet DM, and fed for 90 days. Weight assessments were performed at day 0 and 90 after 14h fasting. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and means were separated using the PDIFF statement, adopting P < 0.05. Feeding CRD increased the DMI (12.13 kg vs. 10.52 kg, P < 0.01), ADG (1.86 vs. 1.63 kg/d, P < 0.01) and final BW (542 vs. 521 kg, P < 0.01) compared to animals fed MON+VM. In addition, feeding CRD increased final HCW in 15 kg (311 vs. 296 kg; P < 0.01), carcass ADG in 0,16 kg/d (1.31 vs. 1.15 kg/d; P < 0.01) and dressing percentage in 0.48 percent points (57.34 vs. 56.86%; P < 0.01) compared to MON+VM. The G:F (0.155, P = 0.53) and biological efficiency (137.9 kg DM/15 kg carcass, P = 0.87) were similar among treatments. Therefore, the inclusion of Crina® RumistarTM +HyD® can be used as a tool to increase carcass gain of feedlot finishing cattle.

A grazing trial was carried out to evaluate the inclusion of three feed additives in supplements (crude protein, CP 230 g/kg dry matter, DM) on the performance, voluntary intake, and digestibility of beef heifers grazing Brachiaria decumbens (CP 81 and neutral detergent fiber, NDF 615 g/kg DM). Thirty-five Nellore heifers (21 months of age and 383 ± 6.29 kg of body weight, BW) were used in a completely randomized design. The treatments were as follows: no supplement (control); supplement fed at 1 kg/animal/day without additives (S); supplement with monensin (S + M); supplement with yeast culture (S + YC); and supplement with enzyme complex (S + EC). All of the supplemented heifers had greater (P < 0.1) average daily gain (∼0.186 kg/day) compared to the control treatment (0.014 kg/day). Average daily gain and final BW were similar (P > 0.1) among supplemented heifers. Monensin inclusion in the supplement decreased (P < 0.1) forage DM (expressed as g/kg BW) and NDF intake (expressed as kg/day and as g/kg BW). All of the feed additive inclusions decreased (P < 0.1) NDF digestibility. In conclusion, the heifers’ performance was improved by concentrate supplementation. However, the inclusion of additives did not enhance this effect.

The aim was to evaluate two nutritional plans with the addition of dosages of carbohydrases enzyme blend on productive performance of grazing Nellore bulls in dry season. A total of 102 Nellore bulls (BW = 294.10 ± 3.35 kg) were equally distributed in six paddocks (17 bulls/paddock) following a completely randomized design in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, being the factors different nutritional plans (2): mineral-proteic supplementation (PS; Fosbovi® Proteico 35) offered at 0,1% BW or mineral-protein-energetic supplementation (PES; Fosbovi® Proteico-Energético 25) offered at 0.3% BW; and levels of enzymatic carbohydrases blend (3):0,00 (control), 4,75 or 9,50 g/animal/day. The enzymatic blend was mainly composed by beta-glucanase and xylanase enzymes (Ronozyme® VP and Ronozyme® WX) and included in the supplements (both enzymes and supplements provided by DSM Nutritional Products Brasil S.A.). Supplement intake and animal weighting were carried out daily and individually by an automatic scale system installed in each paddock, thus, animal was considered the experimental unit. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and means were compared by polynomial regression. A quadratic effect was observed on enzyme level for ADG in both nutritional plans (P = 0.014), with intermediary dosages presenting the highest values of ADG for PS (0,283 vs. 0,188 kg/day) and PES (0.429 vs. 0.391 kg/day), over control respectively. Although no linear and quadratic enzyme effect was observed for final BW (FBW), animals supplemented with PES presented 20,06 kg higher FBW compared to PS (341,63 vs. 321,57 kg, P < 0.001). An increasing linear effect was observed for supplement intake (kg/day), for both PS and PES (P = 0.020). According the polynomial regression, it is recommended to include 4.67 g/day of carbohydrases blend in PS and 3.77 g/day in PES, being the carbohydrases blend a viable technology to grazing cattle. Moreover, mineral-protein-energetic supplementation can optimize Nellore bulls performance during dry season.

This study, conducted at DSM Beef Center, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, was designed to evaluate the effects of different starch levels in the diets associated to feed additives on performance of Nellore bulls. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block, with a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, in which 210 18-mo-old yearling Nellore bulls (375.8 ± 16.8 kg) were fed in 30 pens (n = 7/pen), for 90 d according to the treatments: 25% starch (Low-S) + monensin (MON, 26 mg/kg DM); 35% starch (Med-S) + monensin; 45% starch (High-S) + monensin; Low-S + Essential Oils and amylase (CR, Crina®, 90 mg/kg DM and RumistarTM, 560 mg/kg DM, DSM Nutritional products); Med-S + CR; High-S + CR. Each treatment was replicated five times. Weight assessments were performed at day 0 and 90 of the study after 14 h fasting. A significant interaction was observed for final BW (P = 0.04) and HCW (P = 0.01). Cattle fed Med-S and High-S diets containing CR had heavier carcasses than those fed Med-S + monensin (287.4 vs. 270.9 kg) and High-S + monensin (281.4 vs. 263.0 kg), respectively; however, bulls fed Low-S diets with either monensin or CR had similar HCW (P > 0.05, 279.9 vs. 282.8 kg, respectively). In addition, cattle fed CR had greater dressing percentage (P < 0.01; 55.4 vs. 54.6%) regardless of starch levels. An interaction was observed (P = 0.02) for ADG, in which cattle fed Med-S + CR had greater ADG (1.58 kg) than cattle fed MON across all starch levels (1.48, 1.37 and 1.28, respectively) and then those fed High-S + CR (1.48 kg/d; P < 0.01). Similar responses were observed for DMI (P = 0.02). Cattle fed monensin improved G:F in 2.7% compared to those fed CR (0.150 vs. 0.146, P = 0.02). In conclusion, Crina® and RumistarTM increases carcass production of feedlot cattle fed medium and high-starch diets.

The aim was to evaluate the effects of beta-carotene and vitamins (A, D3, E and biotin) on reproductive performance of grazing Nellore cows calving in different moments. A total of 497 multiparous cows (5.68 ± 0.11 parities) were homogeneously divided in 4 paddocks (Brachiaria brizantha spp.) according to BCS (2.8 ± 0.27), following a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, being the factors: calving moment [CM = early October (EO; 1st-15th) or late October (LO; 16th-31st)]; and supplementation (SUP): control [(mineral supplementation, Fosbovi® Reprodução; n = 251) or vitamins (control + beta-carotene (150 mg), vitamins A (40.000IU), D3 (5.000IU), E (300 mg) and biotin (20 mg)/cow/day; n = 246)]. Mineral supplement and vitamins were daily offered for 60 days (30d before to 30d after 1st FTAI), and provided by DSM Produtos Nutricionais Brasil S.A. Cows were synchronized (1st FTAI) with a P4/E2-based FTAI protocol, and open cows were resynchronized (2nd FTAI) 30 days after the first insemination. The 1st FTAI conception rate (CR) tended to be greater for vitamins group, compared to control [64.2%(158/246) vs. 56.6%(142/251); P = 0.08], regardless of CM. The CM*SUP interaction was significant for CR at 2nd FTAI, with vitamins presenting higher CR over control in LO moment [52.1% (38/73) vs. 41.4% (24/58), P = 0.0053]. Greater cumulative CR (1st + 2nd FTAI) was observed for vitamins over control [83% (204/246) vs. 79% (198/251); P = 0,058], and for LO compared to EO [86% (157/183) vs. 78% (245/314); P = 0.01], without CM*SUP significance. The BCS was higher for the vitamins group, compared to control, at AI moment (3.00 vs. 2.81, P < 0.0001) and 30 days after AI (3.11 vs. 3.03, P < 0.0001), regardless of CM. The inclusion of beta-carotene and vitamins A, D3, E and biotin in mineral supplements is a tool to optimize reproductive performance and BCS of grazing Nellore beef cows during breeding season.

Background Nutrition is one of the most important factors that affect animal performance, and it therefore also impacts on financial results in beef systems. In this way, finding the best strategy for feeding supplements is of paramount importance. Aiming to evaluate the effect of supplement feeding strategies for beef cows in the last third of gestation, two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, 35 pregnant Nellore cows were assigned to a completely randomized design with four treatments: control, which received no supplement; supplementation for the last 30 d of gestation (30-d; 3.0 kg/d); supplementation for the last 60 d of gestation (60-d; 1.5 kg/d); or supplementation for the last 90 d of gestation (90-d; 1.0 kg/d). All supplemented treatments received the same total amount of supplement throughout the experiment: 90 kg (20% of crude protein). A second experiment (Experiment 2) was delineated to evaluate the effects of the amounts offered in Experiment 1 on intake and metabolism. Four multiparous pregnant Nellore cows were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, with periods of 15 d each. Results There was a linear effect of the number of days of supplementation on calving body weight (BW; P 0.10). A significant linear effect on interval from parturition to conception (P 0.10). Nitrogen excreted through urine tended to increase linearly with the level of supplementation (P

We hypothesized that slip points of subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue lipids would predict USDA beef marbling scores or percent intramuscular lipid (%IML). M. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle and s.c. adipose tissue from 79 feedlot-finished Angus steers were analyzed for lipid slip point, %IML, and fatty acid composition. The s.c. monounsaturated:saturated fatty acid (MUFA:SFA) ratio and s.c. lipid slip points were highly correlated (R2 = 0.557; P 0.05). These data indicate s.c. adipose tissue lipid slip point did not predict USDA marbling scores or %IML in the conventionally fed Angus steers of this study.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding increasing exogenous carbohydrases levels on cattleˈ performance, when fed a 90-d feedlot finishing diet. A total of 240 Nellore bulls (IBW = 389 ± 27 kg) were distributed in 24 pens (10 animals/pen), in a randomized complete block design (6 pens/treatment). The basal diet was composed by 15% sugarcane bagasse, 72.8% ground corn, 7.6% soybean meal and 4.6 % mineral-vitamin premix (DM basis). The treatments were: 1) control: No addition of carbohydrases blend; 2) Blend1, in g/animal/d: 1 g of Ronozyme® WX (xylanase) + 3.75 g of Ronzyme® VP (beta-glucanase); 3) Blend2, in g/animal/d: 2 g of Ronozyme® WX + 7.5 g of Ronzyme® VP and 4) Blend3, in g/animal/d: 4 g of Ronozyme® WX + 15 g of Ronzyme® VP. The animals were fed once a day and had free access to fresh water. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4, and comparisons were performed out by orthogonal contrasts, which compared the control and treatments, and the linear and quadratic effects of the increasing carbohydrases levels. Statistical significance was declared at P < 0.05, and tendencies considered when 0.05 < P < 0.10. Animals fed carbohydrases had greater (P = 0.045) ADG (1.59 vs. 1.51 kg/d) and tended to have greater (P = 0.069) final BW (533.4 vs. 527.7 kg) compared with control; although no difference were observed on these variables among carbohydrases levels. Feeding carbohydrases increased DM intake, expressed either as kg/d (10.17 vs. 9.92; P = 0.019) and as percentage of BW (2.20 vs. 2.16 %; P = 0.038), compared to control group, respectively. However, no difference was observed among treatments on G:F, and dressing percentage. In conclusion, the addition of carbohydrases blend can improve performance of finishing cattle.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementing 1mg of 25-OH vitamin D3 (HyD®) and increased vitamin E amount (2000 mg/animal/d) on cattleˈ performance and carcass characteristics when fed a 90-d feedlot finishing diet. A total of 140 Nellore bulls (IBW = 387 ± 28 kg) were distributed in 14 pens (10 animals/pen) in a randomized complete block design (7 pens per treatment). The basal diet was composed by 15% sugarcane bagasse, 72.8% ground corn, 7.6% soybean meal and 4.6 % mineral-vitamin premix (DM basis). The dietary treatments were: 1) Control: No addition of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 (HyD®) and basal Vit. E amount (520 mg/animal per day); 2) HyD+Vit.E: Addition of 1 mg of HyD® plus increased Vit. E amount (2000 mg/animal per day). The animals were fed once daily and had free access to fresh water. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Means comparison was evaluated by tukey test and declared significant at P < 0.05, and tendencies considered when 0.05 < P < 0.10. There was no difference on final body weight (~522.8 kg, P = 0.11), ADG (~1.54 kg/d, P = 0.17), DM intake (~9.9 kg/d, P = 0.41) and G:F (~0.156, P = 0.28) between treatments. Likewise, no differences were observed (P > 0.10) for dressing (~53.5%), REA (~65.5 cm²) and SFT (~4.10 mm). However, feeding HyD+Vit.E tended to increase (P = 0.07) carcass average daily gain (0.993 vs. 0.953 kg/d) and increased (P = 0.04) carcass weight by 4.2 kg compared with control (281.6 vs. 277.4 kg). In conclusion, the combination of HyD and increased vitamin E increases carcass production in feedlot cattle.

The objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding levels of an exogenous carbohydrases blend on performance and carcass characteristics of grazing Nellore beef cattle. A total of 168 bulls were distributed to twenty Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés paddocks (8 or 10 animals/paddock) in a randomized complete block design, with five replicates (paddocks) per treatment. Bulls were assigned according initial BW (IBW; 369.07±21.13 kg) to receive treatments for 231 days: 1) Control (basal mineral-protein-energetic supplement, no enzyme; PES), Carb1 (PES + 0.83 g of xylanase, RONOZYME® WX; and 3.09 g of beta-glucanase, RONOZYME® VP, both offered/kg PES), Carb2 (PES + 1.65 g of xylanase and 6.18 g of beta-glucanase/kg PES) and Carb3 (PES + 3.30 g of xylanase and 12.38 g of beta-glucanase/kg PES). Evaluated parameters were final BW (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), supplement intake, hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing %. IBW and FBW were measured after a 12-hour fastening period. Treatments were offered daily in covered group feeders located in each paddock. Animals had free access to supplements and water. Supplements and enzymes were provided by DSM Nutritional Products. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS® 9.3, being each paddock the experimental unit. Orthogonal contrasts were used to detect linear and quadratic effects on enzyme levels, with values P ≤ 0.05 considered significant. No linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.05) were observed on supplement intake (2.11 kg/animal/d), FBW (492.03 kg) and ADG (0.532 kg/day). However, a quadratic effect was observed for HCW and dressing %, with animals fed Carb1 presenting 5.69 kg heavier carcass (272.67 vs. 266.98; P = 0.039) and 1.4 p.p. higher dressing % (55.3% vs. 53.9%, P < 0.001) compared with control group. In conclusion, to use carbohydrases enzyme blend improves carcass characteristics and is an interesting technology for Nellore beef cattle grazed in tropical conditions.

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da suplementação com diferentes teores de proteína sobre o desempenho produtivo de vacas de corte em pastejo durante o pós-parto. Foram utilizadas 36 vacas de corte com idade e peso corporal médio de 5 anos e 490±17,9 kg, respectivamente. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos foram: controle = vacas receberam somente mistura mineral ad libitum; suplementados = vacas receberam 1 kg dia -1 de suplemento contendo 80, 200 ou 320 g de proteína bruta (PB) kg -1 . Não houve efeito (P ≥ 0,16) da suplementação sobre consumo voluntario. Entre os animais suplementados, o consumo de proteína aumentou linearmente (P < 0,02) com o teor de PB no suplemento. A suplementação não afetou (P ≥ 0,20) a digestibilidade total da matéria orgânica, fibra em detergente neutro corrigida para cinza e proteína (FDNcp) e da proteína. Entre os animais suplementados, houve efeito linear positivo (P < 0,01) dos teores de PB nos suplementos sobre a digestibilidade da PB. O fluxo intestinal de compostos nitrogenados microbianos e a eficiência de síntese de proteína microbiana não foram afetados (P ≥ 0,18) pelos tratamentos. O desempenho, produção e a composição do leite não foram afetados (P ≥ 0,11) pelos tratamentos. A suplementação não afetou (P ≥ 0,52) as concentrações séricas de ácidos graxos esterificados, ureia e progesterona. Conclui-se que a suplementação de vacas de corte em pastejo durante pós-parto não afeta o consumo e o desempenho produtivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different crude protein contents on the productive performance of grazing beef cows during post-calving. Thirty-six beef cows, with age and average body weight of 5 years and 490±17.9 kg, respectively, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized. The treatments were: control = cows received only mineral mixture ad libitum; supplemented = cows received 1 kg d -1 of supplement containing 80, 200, or 320 g crude protein (CP) kg -1 . There was no effect (P ≥ 0.16) of supplementation on voluntary intake. A linear effect (P < 0.02) of the CP content in the supplements was observed among supplemented cows, only for the CP intake. Supplementation did not affect (P ≥ 0.20) the total digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein, and CP. Among supplemented cows, a positive linear effect (P < 0.01) of the CP content in the supplement was observed for the CP digestibility. Intestinal flow of microbial nitrogen compounds and efficiency of synthesis microbial were not affected (P ≥ 0.18) by treatments. Performance, milk yield and composition were not also affected (P ≥ 0.11) by treatments. Supplementation did not affect (P ≥ 0.52) non-esterified fatty acids, urea nitrogen and progesterone serum concentrations. It is concluded that supplementation of grazing beef cows during post-calving does not affect nutritional and productive performance.

Creep feeding has been used to reduce calves’ nutritional dependence on the cow, but research results under tropical conditions have not been conclusive about the effects on the cow. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high and low supplementation levels for Nellore heifer calves on performance, milk production, and metabolic profile of their mothers. Fifty multiparous Nellore cows and their respective calves were used. The following treatments were evaluated: 0—control, no supplement was fed to calves; 3—calves received supplement in the amount of 3 g/kg of body weight (BW); 6—calves received supplement in the amount of 6 g/kg of BW. There was no significant effect of level of supplementation offered to offspring on cow BW, body condition score (BCS) and subcutaneous fat thickness (P > 0.05). Level of supplementation of heifer calves did not significantly affect milk production corrected to 4% of fat (P > 0.05). Fat, protein, lactose, and total solids of the milk also did not differ among supplementation strategies (P > 0.05). Level of supplement fed to calves had no effect on cows’ glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total protein, and albumin levels (P > 0.05), but cows nursing calves that did not receive supplement had lower level of serum urea N (SUN; P

Avaliou-se o efeito de níveis de proteína bruta em suplementos sobre o desempenho, consumo, digestibilidade e eficiência microbiana. Foram utilizadas 40 novilhas Nelore, com idade inicial média de oito meses e peso inicial médio de 230 + 3,39 kg. Os suplementos avaliados foram: mistura mineral fornecida ad libitum (MM), suplementos contendo 10%, 20%, 30% e 40% de proteína bruta (PB), constituindo os tratamentos PB10, PB20, PB30, PB40, respectivamente. Observou-se maior peso corporal final (PCF) e ganho médio diário de peso (GMD) nos animais suplementados em relação aos não suplementados (P

The understanding of relationship between the numbers of tillers categories allows the identification of compensatory mechanisms that ensure plants adaptation to grazing. Thus, this work was conducted to evaluate the associations between densities of various tillers categories in same Brachiaria decumbens pasture under continuous stocking with cattle. The tillers were measured with different growth sources, developmental stages, and defoliation and sizes levels in sites of same pasture with plants of 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm. Pearson linear correlation between the different tillers categories were estimated. The vegetative tillers number (VTN) correlated positively with percentage of tillers with up to 20 cm. The response pattern opposite occurred with reproductive (RTN) and dead (DTN) tillers numbers. The correlations of number of leafless tillers were positive with the percentage of tillers with less than 20 cm and negative with the percentage of tillers with more than 20 cm. The VTN correlated positively with numbers of tillers with and without defoliation, and negatively with the RNT and DNT. The number of aerial tiller was positively correlated with the number of tillers without apical meristem. In B. decumbens pasture there are tradeoffs between percentage of longer tillers and VNT, between numbers of vegetative and leafless tillers, and between VNT and RNT.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da localização das fezes de bovinos sobre as características de perfilhos vegetativos e reprodutivos, a massa dos componentes da planta, a densidade volumétrica da forragem e a altura do pasto de Brachiaria decumbens, cv. Basilisk, manejado sob lotação contínua. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, em esquema de parcela subdivida, considerando parcelas os locais próximos e distantes das fezes e subparcelas as categorias de perfilhos vegetativos e reprodutivos. A massa de lâmina foliar viva (LFV) por perfilho em locais próximos às fezes (0,14 g) foi maior que nos locais distantes das fezes (0,08 g), contrariamente ao verificado para a composição de massa de lâmina foliar morta por perfilho. A massa de LFV nos perfilhos vegetativos (0,15 g) foi maior que nos perfilhos reprodutivos (0,06 g). Por outro lado, a massa de colmo (0,38 g) e de lâmina foliar morta (0,20 g) foi maior nos perfilhos reprodutivos. O peso dos perfilhos das plantas próximas às fezes foi maior (0,58 g) que daqueles distantes das fezes (0,17 g). Em locais próximos das fezes, o número de perfilhos vegetativos foi menor, enquanto o de perfilhos reprodutivos foi maior. Maiores massas de colmo verde, forragem verde e forragem total do pasto foram observados nos locais próximos das fezes, quando comparadas aos distantes. Mesmo resultado foi obtido para a altura do pasto. A estrutura do pasto de Brachiaria decumbens é modificada pela localização das fezes dos bovinos em pastejo. A deposição de fezes por bovinos constitui fator de heterogeneidade espacial da vegetação em pastagem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the cattle feces location on the characteristics of vegetative and reproductive tillers, dry mass content in plant components, forage volumetric density and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk pasture height managed under continuous stocking. It was used a randomized block design with three repetitions in a split-plot scheme considering the plots the sites next and far from feces and the sub-plots were the vegetative and reproductive tiller categories. Dry mass content of live foliar blade (LFB) per tiller in sites near the feces (0.14 g) was higher than in the sites distant from the feces (0.08 g), opposing to what was verified for composition of dry matter of dead foliar blade per tiller. Content of LFB dry mass in vegetative tillers (0.15 g) was higher than in the reproductive tillers (0.06 g). On the other hand, composition in stem dry matter (0.38 g) and in dead foliar blade (0.20 g) were higher for reproductive tillers. Tiller weight of the plants near the feces was higher (0.58 g) than those far from the feces (0.17 g). On sites near the feces, the number of vegetative tiller was lower, while the number of reproductive tiller was higher. Higher contents of dry matter of the green stem, green forage and total forage of the pasture were observed on sites close to feces when compared to the far ones. The same result was obtained for the pasture height. The Brachiaria decumbens pasture structure is modified by the position of the cattle feces. Cattle feces droppings are a heterogeneous spatial factor of vegetation on grazing areas.