ABSTRACT Five bagger configurations were evaluated for their effects on physical characteristics, fermentation, and starch degradability in corn (Exp. 1) and sorghum (Exp. 2) grain silages. Both experiments were conducted using five treatments, involving baggers with different nominal power ratings (60, 75, and 90 hp; designated as M-60, M-75, and M-90). The treatments consisted of the following configurations: M-60 equipped with a standard roll; M-75 and M-90 equipped with intermediate and coarse rolls for corn; and fine and intermediate rolls […]

ABSTRACT The use of digital technologies and wearable sensors has advanced in precision livestock farming. However, there is still no clear definition of the most suitable models for the use of sensors in grazing animals, especially under tropical systems. Thus, we aimed to compare the performance of six predictive models for grazing cattle behavior and to evaluate different testing strategies. The study was conducted in a pasture area, using nine Tabapuã heifers monitored by triaxial accelerometers attached to the nape, […]

ABSTRACT Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of the following commercial inoculants: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and L. buchneri (LP+LB) at 2.5 × 105 CFU g−1; as well as L. rhamnosus, L. buchneri, and L. diolivorans (LB+LD) at 2.5 × 105 CFU g−1; and the same inoculants at double dosage (2LB+2LD) at 5.0 × 105 CFU g−1. In Exp. 1, corn silage was uninoculated and inoculated with LP+LB and LB+LD and stored in 5-L jars for 15, […]

ABSTRACT The study evaluates the impact of feeding the same amount of corn grain at different times on animal production, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. At weaning, 60 steers (176 kg) were divided into six groups assigned to one of two dietary treatments (n = 3). In dietary treatment one (DT1), steers grazed an endophyte-free tall fescue pasture to 330 kg of LW and then (Phase-3) were fed a corn grain-based diet for 90 d before slaughter. In dietary treatment […]

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of xylanase combined with increasing amylase levels in broiler diets containing protease and phytase on performance, intestinal histomorphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid profile, serum interleukin (IL) levels, and economic viability over a 28-d period. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement (100 or 200 U kg−1 amylase × 0, 1,000 and 2,000 U kg−1 xylanase + positive control (PC), without enzymes), with seven replicates of […]

ABSTRACT This study quantified production risks and economic feasibility in tropical pasture-based beef systems by integrating a rule-based Minimum Module (MM) framework with Monte Carlo simulation (@Risk 8.0) in Excel 365 using a Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 algorithm. Twelve scenarios combining low (0.5 animal unit [AU] ha⁻1), medium (1.0 AU ha⁻1), and high (1.5 AU ha⁻1) stocking rates across 2017–2020 were each run with 10,000 stochastic iterations to identify the smallest viable herd size and pasture area that ensured non-negative […]

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the inclusion of carotenoids in the diet of layers on the production performance, quality and oxidative stability of eggs during storage. A total of 240 Dekalb White laying hens, 76 weeks of age, were used. The hens were allocated in completely randomized design with eight diets (control diet (CD); astaxanthin (AXT), 10 mg kg⁻1; lutein (LUT), 10 mg kg⁻1; lycopene (LYC), 10 mg kg⁻1; AXT + LUT, 10 mg kg⁻1 each; […]

ABSTRACT The study was carried out with the objective of investigating the enrichment of weaned piglet diets with selenium proteinate (SeP) and sodium selenite (SeS) at two inclusion levels. A total of 40 piglets, averaging 6.60 ± 1.06 kg, were assigned to five dietary treatments: a control diet, and diets supplemented with selenium proteinate (0.15 or 0.30 mg/kg) or sodium selenite (0.15 or 0.30 mg/kg). The SeP-0.30 diet reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of supplementing drinking water with an acidifier blend on growth performance, serum biochemical profile, and gastrointestinal microbial counts of broilers. A mixture containing phosphoric, citric, and tartaric acids was supplied at 0, 60, or 150 mL/1000 L of drinking water during specific production phases. A total of 320 Cobb male broilers were allocated in a completely randomized design with eight replicates of 12 birds each. The acidifier progressively reduced drinking water pH values (5.54, […]

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the potential of using images taken with a smartphone or scanner as alternatives to conventional spectrophotometry for phosphorus (P) analysis of feedstuff. Twenty-four samples of feed ingredients and commercial concentrates were evaluated. After acid digestion and dilution, the solutions were analyzed using the P-molybdate colorimetric reaction. Standards ranged from 0 to 1.4 mg L−1 at intervals of 0.2 mg L−1 of P in the reading solution. Standards and reading solutions were analyzed in ELISA […]

ABSTRACT The effects of dietary supplementation with enzymatic complexes and plant extracts on weaned piglets were evaluated. Sixty piglets (28 days old) were assigned to six treatments: Control diet (CD); CD with 125 g/ton of Yucca schidigera extract (CDY); CD with 200 g/ton of enzymatic complex (CDE); CD with 400 g/ton of multi-enzymatic complex with emulsifier (CDME); CDE + 125 g/ton YSE (CDE+Y1) and CDE + 250 g/ton YSE (CDE+Y2). Piglets on the CDE+Y1 diet had better feed conversion ratio […]