Fabiano Ferreira da Silva’s research while affiliated with Southwest Bahia State University and other places

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and digestibility of nutrients, production and composition of milk, and water intake of lactating dairy cows fed standard diets in which ground corn (C) was replaced by up to 100% in the diet by cactus pear (CP). Eight Girolando cows (½ Gyr x ½ Holstein), 3rd calf multiparous, with 60 to 80 days of lactation and an average weight of 450.0 ± 30.0 kg, were randomly distributed in a double Latin square (4 × 4). Four experimental diets were evaluated: (100% C + 0% CP), (66.6% C + 33.3% CP), (33.3% C + 66.6% CP), and (0% C + 100% CP). There was a difference (P < 0.05) in the intake of CP and EE (kg.day− 1), with a quadratic effect and a linear reduction, respectively, with substitution. The maximum CP intake of 3.05 kg.day− 1 was found at 46.07% and EE intake fell by 3.81 g for each percentage unit of cactus pear added to the diet. There was a quadratic difference (P < 0.05) for DM intake in %BW and g.kg BW0,75, with maximum values of 3.97%BW and 186.8 g.kg BW0,75 with the substitution of 54.83 and 53.17%, respectively. There was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for the intake of NDF in %BW, with the maximum intake of 1.3% at the 74.69% substitution level. There was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in the digestibility of DM, NDF, and TDN, and for the other nutrients there was no substitution effect (P > 0.05). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in milk production and composition. There was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in water intake. Cactus pear can be used in a promising way to replace ground corn up to 100% in the diet of lactating dairy cows.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of three supplementation strategies on intake, apparent digestibility, feeding behavior, performance, carcass traits, proximate composition, and the fatty acid profile of meat from steers on tropical pasture during the post-weaning and finishing stages. The experiment involved 33 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 castrated Zebu steers weighing 335 ± 42.90 kg, aged 22 ± 2 m. The animals were managed on Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu using an intermittent grazing system with continuous stocking and variable stocking rates for 310 days. The supplementation strategies were as follows: MS/US (mineral salt/urea supplementation): mineral salt in the rainy season and mineral salt with urea in the dry season; US/PS1 (urea supplementation/protein supplementation): mineral salt with urea in the rainy season and protein supplement at 1 g/kg body weight (BW) in the dry season; and PS1/PS2 (protein supplementation 1/protein supplementation 2): protein supplement at 1 g/kg BW in the rainy season and 2 g/kg BW in the dry season. The dry matter intake did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between strategies. However, the post-weaning PS1/PS2 strategy resulted in higher (p < 0.05) crude protein intake. The final body weight did not differ (p > 0.05) between the strategies, but the average daily gain in post-weaning and finishing was higher (p < 0.05) for MS/US (restricted) animals. Carcass weight, subcutaneous fat thickness, and lipid content in meat were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for steers in the PS1/PS2 group. Steers finished on MS/US produced meat with a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and ω-3 fatty acids (p < 0.05). Concentrate supplementation at 1 g/kg BW during the rainy season and 2 g/kg BW during the dry season is recommended for post-weaning and finishing steers on tropical pasture.

The intensification of cattle post-weaning phase in tropical pastures depends on supplementation strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of increasing levels of concentrate supplement on the intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients, feeding behavior, and performance of Girolando steers on tropical pasture during the post-weaning phase in the rainy season. Forty uncastrated male Girolando steers, initially weighing 266.62 ± 32.95 kg and aged 11 mo, were allocated into four concentrate supplement levels: 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% body weight. The steers grazed on Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster ‘Marandu’ pasture. The intakes of supplement DM, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients increased linearly (P < 0.05) with the level of supplement offered to the steers. In a similar response, the apparent digestibility of DM and NFC from the diet also rose linearly (P < 0.05). Grazing time, total feeding time, and total chewing time decreased (P < 0.05) with the increasing levels of concentrate supplementation. In contrast, the time expended on feeding at the trough, biting rate, and the time taken to ruminate each cud increased (P < 0.05) with the supplementation level. Final body weight and average daily gain increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing concentrate supplementation. We recommend supplying concentrate supplement at a level of 0.5% of the body weight of steers on tropical pasture during the post-weaning phase in the rainy season.

The objective of this study was to analyze different forms of supplementation for beef calves, considering the relationship between consumption and cost-benefit, aiming at weaning performance. High concentrate levels may reduce forage consumption, which is undesirable as supplementation should increase the efficiency of forage and milk use. The ideal amount of concentrate is 0.5% of the calves' body mass, without changing feed and milk consumption. The supplement must contain between 8% and 30% protein to avoid metabolic disorders and ensure good performance. Adding 10% salt to the concentrate increases economic viability, even with lower consumption, resulting in greater gains and profitability. Adequate supplementation guarantees greater mass at weaning and better daily gain, as long as nutritional management is balanced and economically viable.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the increasing levels of inclusion of palm kernel cake (PKC) in the diet on the performance of feedlot heifers. Forty-eight Nelore heifers with an initial weight of 274 ± 4.58 kg, at 24 months of age, were confined for 98 days in a feedlot. The animals were allocated to the four treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of PKC levels of 0 (control), 10, 20, and 30% in the total dry matter of the diet. The roughage:concentrate ratio in the diets was 30:70. Ether extract intake increased, whereas the intakes of non-fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients decreased with the inclusion of PKC. The apparent digestibility of all nutrients decreased, as well as the amounts of nitrogen digested and retained. Microbial protein synthesis and its efficiency also declined. The inclusion of up to 20% PKC increased feeding time and reduced rumination time of heifers. Intake and rumination efficiencies decreased with the inclusion of PKC in the diet. Final weight and average daily gain did not change, but feed efficiency increased with the inclusion of PKC. The inclusion of up to 30% PKC in the diet of feedlot heifers is recommended. biodiesel byproducts; Elaeis guineensis; microbial protein synthesis; rumen undegradable protein

This study evaluated levels of replacement of soybean meal by castor bean meal in the finishing crossbred steers on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture during the rainy-dry transition period. Forty Holstein-Zebu crossbred steers with an average initial weight of 395.93 ± 10 kg were randomly allocated to four treatment groups that were supplemented with concentrate levels of replacing (0, 290, 613, and 903 g/kg DM of the supplement; at 0.4% body weight [BW]). The experimental period was 120 days. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted; with regression analysis using the computational software package (SAS 9.2, USA). Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nutrients and animal performance were evaluated. The replacement levels did not influence (P > 0.05) the intakes of DM (kg/day), organic matter (OM, kg/day), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, kg/day and %BW), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC, kg/day), or total digestible nutrients (kg/day). However, the intake of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE, kg/day) decreased as the replacement levels were increased (P < 0.05). The digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and EE did not change, whereas CP digestibility decreased linearly and NFC digestibility increased linearly (P < 0.05). The replacement levels did not affect (P > 0.05) final body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion, and carcass yield. Castor bean meal can replace up to 903 g/kg DM of soybean meal in the composition of the supplement without compromising the performance of steers on Marandu pasture during the rainy-dry transition period. Graphical Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption and digestibility of nutrients, production and composition of milk, and water intake of lactating dairy cows fed standard diets in which corn (M) was replaced by forage palm (PF). Eight Girolando cows (½ Holstein/Zebu blood), 3rd calf multiparous, with 60 to 80 days of lactation and an average weight of 450.0 ± 30.0 kg, were randomly distributed in a double Latin square (4x4). Four experimental diets were evaluated: (100% M + 0% PF), (66.6% M + 33.3% PF), (33.3% M + 66.6% PF) and (0% M + 100% PF). There was a difference (P<0.05) in the consumption of CP and EE (kg.day1), with a quadratic effect and a linear reduction, respectively, with substitution. The maximum CP consumption of 3.05 kg.day-1 was found at 46.07% and EE consumption fell by 3.81g for each percentage unit of palm added to the diet. There was a quadratic difference (P<0.05) for DM consumption in %PC and g.kg PC0,75, with maximum values of 3.97%PC and 186.8 g.kg PC0,75 with the substitution of 54.83 and 53.17%, respectively. There was a quadratic effect (P<0.05) for the consumption of NDF in %PC, with the maximum intake of 1.3% at the 74.69% substitution level. There was a linear reduction (P<0.05) in the digestibility of DM, NDF and NDT, and for the other nutrients there was no substitution effect (P>0.05). There was no difference (P>0.05) in milk production and composition. There was a linear reduction (P<0.05) in water intake. Forage palm can be used in a promising way to replace corn up to a level of 100% in the diet of lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with detoxified castor seed meal (DCM) on the intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, and performance of pasture-finished (rainy season) steers supplemented with concentrate at 0.4% of their body weight. Forty ½ Holstein + ½ Zebu steers (initial weight: 283.3 ± 36.3 kg) were allocated to four treatments in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of diets in which DCM replaced 0, 30, 60, and 90% of SBM in the supplement dry matter (DM). The steers were finished on an Urochloa brizantha pasture and the experiment lasted 112 days. Replacing SBM with DCM did not influence (P > 0.05) the intake or apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein, or neutral detergent insoluble fiber of the animals. Grazing time increased (P < 005), whereas the intake and rumination efficiencies of the steers did not change (P > 0.05) with the substitution. The replacement of SBM with DCM in the supplement fed to the steers also did not influence (P > 0.05) their final weight, average daily gain, or feed conversion (P > 0.05). We recommend replacing up to 90% (DM basis) of SBM with DCM in the concentrate supplement of steers grazing on Urochloa brizantha pasture during rainy season while supplemented with concentrate at 0.4% of their body weight.

Feedlot finishing of goats is a growing practice, but the economic viability of this technology is compromised by the inclusion of ingredients such as corn and soybean. An alternative to minimize this barrier is the use of agroindustry coproducts as substitutes for those ingredients, such as crude glycerol. This study aimed to evaluated the metabolism of crossbred Boer finishing goats fed diets containing crude glycerin from biodiesel production. Thirty-two crossbred, castrated goat of age were distributed in a fully randomized experimental design with four treatments and eight replicates. The experiment lasted 69 days, and goats were fed sorghum silage and concentrate, with the inclusion of crude glycerin in the diet at levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg on a dry matter basis. The diets did not have an effect (p > 0.05) on the serum urea levels. Increasing dietary crude glycerin levels did not the influence the metabolic or urinary profiles (p > 0.05). The liver tissue of the goats fed diets containing the highest crude glycerin inclusion levels showed deleterious effects. The inclusion of crude glycerin with approximately 6.6 g/kg methanol caused deleterious effects to the liver tissue of Boer crossbred goats as the glycerin concentrations increased. However, glycerin levels did not cause deleterious effects on the liver tissue or on the serum or urinary profiles. The use of crude glycerin with lower methanol content is recommended for goat diets.