Suchergebnisse

This study evaluated the effect of energy supplementation with ground corn on the performance of crossbred dairy cows in BRS Kurumi elephant grass pastures managed under rotational stocking during the rainy season. Six Holstein × Gyr cows were used, with average milk production, body weight, body condition score, and days in milk of 18.0±2.89 kg day−1, 560±66 kg, 2.50±0.21, and 99±12, respectively. The experimental design used was the complete reversion (switchback), and the evaluations were conducted over three grazing cycles, with adaptation periods of 14 days and six days of sample collection. The concentrate supplement (ground corn) was supplied twice a day, at a rate of 2 kg cow−1 day−1 in the morning and 1 kg cow−1 day−1 in the afternoon (as-fed basis). A reduction of 23.4% was observed in the pasture dry matter (DM) intake (PDMI) in cows that received energy supplementation, which corresponds to 2.96 kg day-1 less of PDMI when compared to the group without supplementation. This corresponds to a substitution rate of 1.1 kg of pasture per kg of concentrate consumed (DM basis), which reduced the intake (kg cow−1 day−1) of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein by 18.9% and 13.9% in the cows that received ground corn. There were increases of 11.8%, 9.0%, and 10.1%, respectively, in the milk yield, the 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield, and the energy-corrected milk yield of the cows that received ground corn. The response to supplementation in kg of milk per kg of DM of concentrate consumed was 0.57, and the milk contents of fat, protein, and lactose did not differ between treatments. The energy supplementation with 3 kg cow−1 day−1 of ground corn resulted in an increase of 11.8% in the milk yield of Holstein × Gyr dairy cows grazed on BRS Kurumi elephant grass, as well as promoted increases in the daily protein, lactose, and total solids yields. In addition, the provision of 3 kg day−1 of ground corn for lactating cows grazing on BRS Kurumi increased the efficiency in the use of dietary nitrogen.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ruminal parameters of fermentation and degradation, kinetic flow of rumen digesta, and milk fatty acid composition of cows fed 52% chopped elephantgrass-based diets containing 0.0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0% and 4.5% soybean oil (SO) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Four rumen-cannulated Holstein x Gyr dairy cows with an average milk production of 15.6 ± 3.0 kg day-1 and 90 ± 25 days in milk were allocated in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The results were analyzed by mixed models. Significant differences were declared at P ? 0.05, and P-values from 0.05 < P ? 0.10 were considered as a trend. The inclusion of SO in the diet had no effect on the ruminal pH or total volatile fatty acid concentration, but there was a quadratic effect on the ruminal ammonia nitrogen content and a trend for a linear reduction (P = 0.07) in the molar proportion of rumen acetate. Linear reductions were also observed in the DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) effective degradabilities of elephantgrass forage, but the fluid and particulate passage rates in the rumen and the DM and NDF intakes were unchanged by SO inclusion in the diet. Milk production, protein and lactose contents and yields were unaltered by dietary SO levels. There were linear reductions in the milk fat and total solids contents, but there was no effect of dietary treatments on their yields. The inclusion of soybean oil in the diet of Holstein x Gyr cows fed chopped elephantgrass improved the nutritional quality of milk fat as a result of increased contents of oleic, rumenic and vaccenic acids, which are beneficial to human health, and a concomitant reduction in hypercholesterolemic saturated fatty acids such as lauric, myristic and palmitic acids.

This study evaluated the effects of energy supplementation on the intake and milk fatty acid composition of cows grazing BRS Kurumi elephant grass pasture during the rainy season. Two treatments (with and without supplementation) were evaluated using a switchback design with six Holstein × Gyr dairy cows after the peak of lactation. The average milk yield, body weight, and days in milk of the cows at the beginning of the study were 18.0±2.89 kg day−1, 560±66 kg, and 99±12, respectively. The evaluations were performed over three grazing cycles, with adaptation periods of 14 days and six days of sampling. In the energy supplementation treatment, each cow received 3 kg day−1 of ground corn (as-fed basis), with 2 kg day−1 at the morning milking and 1 kg day−1 at the afternoon milking. The ground corn presented 87.5% dry matter, 7.3% crude protein, 5.1% ether extract, and 85% of total digestible nutrients. The cows supplemented with ground corn consumed more oleic (+567%) and linoleic (+88%) acids. Unsupplemented cows consumed 26% more α-linolenic acid and produced milk with more oleic (+10%), vaccenic (+23%), and rumenic (+21%) acids, and less (−7%) pro-atherogenic fatty acids (lauric + myristic + palmitic acids). Milk fat from unsupplemented cows showed better nutritional quality, with lower atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices and a higher hypo/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio.

This study evaluates the intake and digestion of nutrients, parameters of rumen fermentation and degradation, omasal digesta and milk fatty acid composition, productive performance, and the concentration of serum metabolites in cows fed 600 g kg-1 sugarcane-based diets containing 0 (control), 15, 30, and 45 g kg-1 sunflower oil (SO) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Four rumen-cannulated Holstein x Gyr cows yielding 15±5 kg day-1 with 110±10 days in milk were allocated in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Data were analyzed using mixed models, and significant differences were declared at P < 0.05. There was no effect of SO on the intake and apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and nonfibrous carbohydrates, but there was a linear increase in the intake and digestibility of ether extract. Dietary SO levels did not alter the ruminal degradability parameters for DM and NDF, rumen pH and contents of ammonia N, acetate, propionate and volatile fatty acids. Milk fat content and yield were linearly decreased, whereas a linear increase in milk protein content was observed in response to increasing levels of SO, but with no effect on milk yield. Linear reductions in palmitic and ?-linolenic acid contents, a linear increase in trans-10 C18:1 and elaidic acids, and a quadratic effect on vaccenic and rumenic acids were observed in omasal digesta of cows fed increasing levels of SO. Overall, up to 45 g kg-1 SO can be included on DM of chopped sugarcane-based diets without reducing consumption, apparent digestibility and rumen degradability of DM and fiber. Supplementing chopped sugarcane-based diets with 30 to 45 g kg-1 SO (DM basis) promotes milk fat depression due to the inhibition of mammary lipogenesis by specific rumen-derived fatty acid intermediates of the biohydrogenation of unsaturated C18 fatty acids. The inclusion of 15 to 45 g kg-1 SO in chopped sugarcane-based diets improves the nutritional quality of milk fat, with increases in the levels of oleic, vaccenic and rumenic acids, beneficial to human health, and a reduction in the levels of the hypercholesterolemic lauric, myristic and palmitic acids.

Twelve multiparous 7/8 Holstein x Gyr dairy cows were fed diets based on chopped sugarcane supplied in natura (control) or after being hydrolyzed (fresh matter basis) for 24 h with 0.5%, 1% or 2% calcium oxide (CaO). The voluntary consumption and digestibility of dietary nutrients, milk production and composition, and feeding behavior of cows were evaluated. A switchback design with three periods, four treatments and three blocks was used. The linear and quadratic effects of the treatments were analyzed using orthogonal contrasts, and the effects were considered significant when P ? 0.05. Compared to the that in the control treatment, the Ca concentration increased by 297%, 570% and 1,083% in the diets including sugarcane hydrolyzed with 0.5%, 1% and 2% CaO, respectively, while the respective Ca:P ratios were 6.58:1, 10.70:1 and 19.77:1 (control Ca:P ratio: 1.55:1). The hydrolysis of sugarcane with increasing amounts of CaO promoted a linear reduction (P < 0.01) in the intake of dry matter (DM), nonfibrous carbohydrates, crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) and ether extract. The intake of total digestible nutrients, acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, hemicelluloses and cellulose presented quadratic behavior (P < 0.01) in response to increasing CaO concentrations used for sugarcane hydrolysis. Increases in the amount of CaO used for sugarcane hydrolysis had no effect on the digestibility of NDFap (P > 0.05), but there were linear reductions (P < 0.05) in the digestibility of DM, OM and ADF; the production of milk corrected or not corrected to 4% fat; and the content of protein, lactose and total solids. Linear reductions (P < 0.05) were also observed in the production of all milk components. Only the milk fat content was not altered (P > 0.05) in response to the inclusion of hydrolyzed sugarcane in the diets. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of sugarcane hydrolysis with increasing amounts of CaO on the time the cows spent idle, ruminating and feeding, but there was a linear increase (P < 0.05) in the minutes spent ruminating 1 kg of DM and NDF. Chopped sugarcane hydrolyzed for 24 h with 0.5% to 2.0% CaO should not be used as exclusive roughage in diets for Holstein x Gyr dairy cows with an average milk production of 10 kg day?1.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the ruminal metabolic parameters and milk fatty acid composition of cows managed under continuous grazing on Marandu grass. Four rumen-cannulated Holstein x Gyr cows with an average milk yield of 21±2 kg day-1 and 79±16 days in milk were used in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design. Each cow received 6 kg day-1 of a concentrate formulated with 0 (control), 1.3, 2.6 or 3.9 kg of roasted soybeans (as-fed basis), which were the experimental treatments. The inclusion of roasted soybeans promoted a linear reduction in the acetate concentration, with no effect on the pH and ruminal ammonia N concentration. There was no effect of the treatments on the ruminal degradability of the dry matter and neutral detergent fiber of Marandu grass or on the kinetic parameters of the fluids in the rumen. There were linear increases in the contents of fat and total solids in the milk and a linear decrease in the milk lactose content, but there was no effect of the treatments on the yield of these components or on milk yield. There were linear increases in milk fat stearic, elaidic, oleic, linoleic and ?-linolenic acids contents, but there was no effect of the treatments on the milk fat contents of vaccenic and rumenic acids. Notably, supplementing Marandu grass with a concentrate containing up to 3.9 kg of roasted soybeans improved the nutritional quality of the milk fat due to increases in the milk fat contents of oleic and ?-linolenic acids, which are considered beneficial to human health, and reductions in the levels of lauric, myristic and palmitic, which are considered hypercholesterolemic fatty acids.

Nine non-lactating Holstein x Gyr cattle were fed with rations based on chopped sugarcane supplied in natura (control) or hydrolyzed (fresh matter basis) for 24 h with 1% or 2% calcium oxide (CaO), which corresponds to 3.1% or 6.2% CaO on a dry matter (DM) basis, respectively. Ruminal parameters (pH and ammonia N, acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations) as well as the kinetics of fluid and particulate passage in the gastrointestinal tract from cattle were evaluated. A design using three 3 x 3 contemporaneous Latin Squares (LS) was adopted. The studies of kinetics of fluid and particulate passage were performed using the external markers cobalt-EDTA and chromium-mordanted-NDF, respectively. The ruminal parameters were analyzed according to a 3 x 3 LS replicated three times with repeated measures in time using mixed models that included the fixed effects of treatment (level of CaO), time of sampling and their interaction and the following random effects: LS, animal(LS), period of LS and period*animal (LS). The kinetic parameters of fluid and particulate passage were analyzed using mixed models with treatment as a fixed effect and period of LS, animal(LS) and LS as random effects. The linear and quadratic effects of the treatments were analyzed using orthogonal contrasts. Significant differences were declared at P ? 0.05. No treatment*time interaction was observed (P > 0.05) for any ruminal parameter. A linear effect (P = 0.0279) of CaO inclusion on ruminal pH was observed, but there were no effects (P > 0.05) of the treatments on the ammonia N, acetate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acid ruminal concentrations. There was a quadratic effect (P = 0.05) of the addition of CaO on the ruminal propionate concentration. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the treatments on the particulate rate of passage in the rumen as well as on the mean retention time in this compartment and in the total gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, the addition of CaO to sugarcane promoted a linear increase (P = 0.0258) in the particulate post-ruminal passage rate and, consequently, a linear reduction (P = 0.0363) of the mean retention time in the cecum-proximal colon. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the sugarcane hydrolysis with CaO on the ruminal parameters of the kinetics of fluid passage (dilution rate, retention time and turnover rate). The addition of 3.1% or 6.2% CaO on a DM basis (1% or 2% CaO on a fresh matter basis, respectively) of sugarcane does not improve ruminal fermentation, nor does it increase the fluid or particulate passage in the rumen of non-lactating Holstein x Gyr cattle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of cows fed with a total mixed ration composed of elephant grass and a concentrate containing 0.0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0% or 4.5% soybean oil on a dry matter basis. The effect of milking time (morning versus afternoon) on butter fatty acid composition was also evaluated. Twelve multiparous Holstein x Gyr cows with an average milk production of 18.0±4.6 kg day-1 and 90±25 days in milk were used in a triplicated 4 x 4 Latin square experimental design with 15-day periods. Data were analyzed using mixed models. There was no effect of soybean oil supplementation on dry matter or neutral detergent fiber intake (P > 0.05). The fat-corrected milk yield linearly decreased (P=0.0109) and the milk protein yield linearly increased (P=0.0023) in response to soybean oil supplementation. The butterfat trans-9 C18:1, cis-9 C18:1, trans-10 C18:1, trans-11 C18:1, cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA content linearly increased (P < 0.05), whereas the C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 content linearly decreased (P < 0.001) as the level of soybean oil in the diet increased. The butter produced from afternoon milk had a lower content of C16:0 and a higher content of cis-9 C18:1 (P < 0.05). The supplementation of elephant grass-based-diets with soybean oil and, to a small extent, the selective segregation of milk obtained from afternoon milking sessions are strategies that can be used to improve the fatty acid composition of butterfat.

Sugarcane is a strategic roughage source for milk production in the tropics, and its supplementation with plant oils offers great potential for obtaining milk enriched with beneficial fatty acids, such as oleic (cis-9 C18:1), vaccenic (trans-11 C18:1), and rumenic (cis-9, trans-11 CLA) acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the milk fatty acid composition of cows fed 60% chopped sugarcane-based diets containing citrus pulp and 0.0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0% and 4.5% sunflower oil on a dry matter basis. Twelve multiparous Holstein x Gyr dairy cows with an average milk production of 17±5 kg day-1 and 96±25 days in milk were allocated in a triplicate 4 x 4 Latin square design. There was no effect of dietary treatment on milk production, but sunflower oil supplementation linearly reduced the milk fat content and yield. The milk fat contents of lauric (C12:0), myristic (C14:0), and palmitic (C16:0) fatty acids were linearly reduced with increasing sunflower oil levels. There was a quadratic effect on the milk fat oleic, vaccenic, and rumenic acid contents, while the concentrations of elaidic acid (trans-9 C18:1), trans-10 C18:1 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA linearly increased in response to sunflower oil inclusion. Diet supplementation with sunflower oil linearly reduced both the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices and linearly increased the ratio between hypo- and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids in milk fat. The inclusion of up to 4.5% sunflower oil in 60% chopped sugarcane-based diets improved the nutritional quality of milk fat from Holstein x Gyr dairy cows as a result of the increased content of oleic, rumenic and vaccenic acids, which are beneficial to human health, and the concomitant reduction of hypercholesterolemic lauric, myristic and palmitic acids. However, there was an increase in the milk content of trans-10 C18:1 and elaidic acid, which are associated with deleterious effects on cardiovascular health.

This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and nutritional value of two clones of elephant grass (CNPGL 00-1-3 and BRS Kurumi) operating under rotational stocking in the dry season. A completely randomized design with repeated measures (grazing cycles) and three replicates (paddocks) was used. Clones were managed under rotational stocking with a defoliation interval of 24 days and four days of occupation of paddocks, using Holstein x Gyr heifers with mean body weight of 150 kg. The evaluations were conducted in April/May, May/June, June/July and July/August 2010. Green forage mass was influenced by clone and grazing cycle, with higher mean value observed for CNPGL 03-01-00, which was 17% higher than the value observed for BRS Kurumi, and there was decreased of dry mass of green forage with the advance of grazing cycles. Leaf mass was influenced only by grazing cycle, with gradual reduction from the first to the third cycle. However, in fourth cycle was increase in biomass of leaves, which did not differ from that observed in the second cycle. There was interaction for dry matter production of stem, being observed differences in the first and third cycles for the clones. There was no effect of the factors studied for the production of senescent material. The leaf:stem ratio was influenced by grazing cycles, with interaction of the factors studied. The clone BRS Kurumi kept the leaf:stem ratio stable over the cycles, while clone CNPGL 1-3-00 presented a decrease in leaf:stem ratio from first until to third cycle. The content of crude protein (PB) was not influenced by the factors studied, with average values of 15.3% and 15.8% PB for the CNPGL 00-1-3 and BRS Kurumi clones. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were affected only by grazing cycles. The highest values of NDF were observed in the three first grazing cycles, with values of 55.5%, 56.0% and 55.7% from the first to the third grazing cycle, respectively, while in the fourth cycle was obtained the value of 50.5%. There was a decrease in the IVDMD until the third cycle. In the fourth cycle the IVDMD values were similar to the first cycle. The clones did not differ in relation to biomass production, morphological composition and nutritional value, during the dry season.

We aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of adding increasing levels of sunflower oil (0.0, 15, 30, and 45 g/kg of dry matter) to elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) based diets of milkproducing Holstein cows. Data were obtained and analyzed for 12 primiparous Holstein cows that produced on average 16.5 ± 2.8 kg of milk/day, at 95 ± 25 days of lactation. Cows were distributed by milk production, order of lactation, and body weight in a 4 × 4 triple Latin square. Isoproteic diets were provided ad libitum in the form of a forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40, on a dry matter basis. Daily milk production was recorded and milk was analyzed for fat, protein, and fatty acids contents. An economic feasibility study was performed considering the price of the supplied ingredients and the daily intake of each diet. The economic benefit was derived by the determining the difference between income from the sale of milk and the cost of animal feed. The quality-based payment was estimated by averaging the systems used by eight dairy companies, based on fat and protein contents and milk volume. The sunflower oil-free diet provided the greatest economic benefit. Adding sunflower oil to elephant grassbased diets was not economically viable because of its associated costs.

This study evaluated the inclusion of increasing contents (0; 35; 70; 105 and 140 g kg-1) of dried acerola fruit (Malpighia glabra, Linn.) by-product (DABP) in the ensilage of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) considering the in situ degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and hemicellulose. Plastic drums with 210 L capacity were used as experimental silos. After 45 days of ensiling, silos were opened and silage samples were collected for the degradability trial and laboratory analysis. For the in situ degradability trial, was used one rumen-fistulated adult male cattle. The five by-product inclusion contents were tested in three replicates, with five incubation times, in a randomized complete split-plot design in which the contents of DABP were the treatments (plots), the different silos were the replicates and the incubation times were the sub-plots. Longer incubation times significantly increased (P < 0.05) the disappearance rates of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose. The effective degradability of the DM, NDF and hemicellulose was higher in the silages with 35 g kg-1 of DABP in the rumen passage rates of 0.02; 0.05 and 0.08 h-1. Dried acerola fruit by-product can be added to elephant grass ensiling up to 35 g kg-1 without reducing the effective degradability of nutrients.

The effect of dietary inclusion of increasing levels of Flemingia macrophylla hay on the yield, composition and fatty acid profile of milk from Saanen x Boer goats was evaluated. The diets were composed of 40% concentrate and 60% forage. The treatments were defined by the level of inclusion of Flemingia hay in the diet (0, 80, 160, 240 and 320 g kg-1 dry matter) in replacement of the Cynodon dactylon cv. Tifton-85 hay, distributed according to a 5 x 5 Latin Square design. The inclusion of Flemingia in the diet did not change the milk yield or milk fat content but promoted a quadratic effect on the fat yield. A quadratic effect was observed on the milk protein and lactose contents, but this effect was not reflected in the daily production of these components. The concentrations of vaccenic, rumenic, elaidic and trans-10 C18:1 fatty acids in milk fat increased linearly in response to the dietary inclusion of Flemingia, whereas the contents of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and ?-linolenic fatty acids were not modified. A linear reduction was observed in the lauric and myristic fatty acids concentrations, which was accompanied by a reduction in the atherogenic index of milk fat. A quadratic effect was also observed on the trans-10, cis-12 CLA milk fat content in response to the inclusion of Flemingia in the diet, as well as a linear increase in the apparent transfer of ?-linolenic acid from the diet to milk. The inclusion of up to 320 g kg-1 of Flemingia hay as a replacement for Tifton-85 hay in the Saanen x Boer dairy goat diet does not modify the milk production and improves the nutritional quality of milk fat by increasing the contents of rumenic and vaccenic acids beneficial to human health and reducing the concentrations of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation and degradation parameters, the kinetic flow of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract, and the milk fatty acid (FA) profile in Holstein x Gyr cows fed 59% sugarcane silage-based diets with 0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15% whole cottonseed (WCS) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Four rumen-cannulated cows with an average milk yield of 14.4±3.3 kg day-1 and 85±25 days in milk were allocated in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. There was no effect of dietary WCS levels on the intake of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and nonfibrous carbohydrates, but there was a linear increase in the intake of ether extract (EE). There was no treatment effect on the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE and NDF or on the ruminal degradability parameters for DM and NDF of sugarcane silage. Also, no treatment effects were observed on rumen pH, ruminal and postruminal particulate passage rates or on the rate of passage of the fluids in the rumen. WCS promoted linear reductions in the milk fat contents of lauric, myristic and palmitic acids and linear increases in the milk fat contents of stearic, oleic, trans-10 C18:1 and elaidic acids. The milk fat contents of vaccenic, rumenic, linoleic and ?-linolenic acids were unaffected by WCS supplementation. The inclusion of up to 15% WCS in sugarcane silage-based diets did not alter the digestibility of nutrients, the rumen degradability of the fiber, or the kinetic flow of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract of Holstein x Gyr cows but improved the nutritional quality of milk fat through an increase in the content of oleic acid, which is beneficial to human health, and decreased levels of hypercholesterolemic lauric, myristic and palmitic acids.