objective of this study was to perform a financial analysis of a dairy farm located in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, comprising 500 hectares and a herd of 380 lactating Holstein cows, with an average daily milk production of 12,000 liters, during the year 2022. Based on the collected data, the total revenue (TR), fixed and variable costs and expenses were analyzed monthly and for the entire period. Additionally, operating profit (OP), contribution margin (CM), percentage contribution margin (CM%), break-even point (BEP), and break-even point output (BEP output) were calculated. A vertical analysis was conducted to determine the cost share in producing one liter of milk. The average revenue, costs and expenses, and gross profit per liter of milk were US$ 0.47 (R$ 2.41), US$ 0.40 (R$ 2.05), and US$ 0.07 (R$ 0.36), respectively. The CM and CM% were equal to US$ 815,036.08 and 39.84%, respectively. The BEP was equal to US$ 1,248,297.34, and the BEP output was 2,660,396.5 liters of milk. The most significant production costs were related to feed, accounting for 63.12% of the total cost. Labor and machinery maintenance ranked the second and third largest cost components, representing 10.01% and 9.10%, respectively. Except for the month of March, revenues exceeded costs and expenses throughout the year 2022 on the studied farm. The financial analysis of the property supports the adoption of strategies aimed at increasing profitability.
objective was to evaluate the structural traits and forage accumulation of elephant grass genotypes under two stubble heights. The experiment was conducted in a factorial scheme, with five genotypes (P 2022 S1, 1810, 2111, 2035 and BRS Kurumi) and two stubble heights (25 and 45 cm), in a randomized block design, with three replications, considering the rainy and dry periods. Forage accumulation of the rainy period was higher for genotype 2111 (P<0.05) compared to P 2022 S1 and BRS Kurumi. The 1810 and 2035 genotypes showed forage accumulation similar to 2111. In the dry period, forage accumulation values were approximately 35% of those observed in the rainy period, with the BRS Kurumi and P 2022 S1 genotypes presenting lower values (P<0.05) compared to the others. The stubble height of 25 cm resulted in lower canopies (82 cm) than that at 45 cm (96 cm). The genotypes P 2022 S1 and 2111 had a higher percentage of leaves and a lower percentage of stem at the stubble height of 45 cm. The genotypes 2111 and 1810 were superior to BRS Kurumi for the percentage of leaf blade and stem at the defoliation height of 45 cm. In the dry season, the genotype 2111 showed the highest leaf-stem ratio. The genotypes 1810, 2111, 2035 and BRS Kurumi showed the highest leaf and lowest stem percentage. The defoliation height of 45 cm resulted in higher forage density. The genotypes 2035, 2111 and 1810 stood out for the high forage accumulation and leaf percentage at both stubble heights during the rainy season. Management with a defoliation height of 45 cm increases the leaf blade percentage and the leaf-stem ratio and reduces the proportion of stem in the forage harvested above the residue.
study aimed to evaluate the effect of functional amino acid and mineral supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid profile of finishing pigs. One hundred and twenty castrated male pigs with an initial weight of 59.7 +/- 2.7 kg were used, distributed into four dietary treatments: control; amino acids, control + 0.5% Arg and 0.5% Leu; minerals, control + 0.1% Cr and 0.05% MgO, and amino acids + minerals. From 127 to 159 days of age, pigs fed the amino acid diet had greater average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.015), while those fed the amino acid + mineral diet showed improved feed conversion ratio (FCR; P<0.001) compared with the control diet. Across the entire experimental period (98 to 159 days), amino acid supplementation increased ADG (P = 0.043), whereas amino acid and amino acid + mineral diets improved FCR (P = 0.029). However, pigs fed the amino acid + mineral diet had lower ADG compared with pigs fed the amino acid diet. Carcass traits were largely unaffected, but pigs fed the amino acid + mineral diet had reduced backfat thickness (P = 0.015). Meat quality was influenced by amino acid supplementation, with reduced thawing loss (P = 0.001) and total water loss (P = 0.041). Regarding the fatty acid profile, amino acid and mineral diets increased oleic acid concentrations (P = 0.021), and mineral supplementation increased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA; P = 0.047). In summary, amino acid supplementation improved growth performance, water-holding capacity, and oleic acid concentration, whereas mineral supplementation increased the concentration of oleic acid and MUFA. The combination of amino acids and minerals improved FCR and reduced backfat thickness, but this was accompanied by lower ADG, indicating a lack of consistent synergistic benefits.
Laying hens' gut health and microbiota are directly linked to their productivity, egg quality, and overall welfare. This study evaluated the impact of different fiber sources on the performance Dekalb laying hens (63 to 71 weeks of age) and egg quality at 67 and 71 weeks. At the end of the trial (71 weeks), organ development was assessed, and the cecal microbiota was characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing. Birds were divided into four groups: a diet with elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum), a diet with commercial insoluble fiber, a control diet without added fiber, and a diet with soybean hulls, with five replicates of 26 hens each. Fiber inclusion did not affect egg production, egg mass, feed conversion per dozen or per egg box, or eggshell quality (P>0.05). However, hens fed elephant grass had higher final body weight (P <= 0.05), while soybean hulls improved feed conversion, reduced costs, and increased egg weight in the first evaluation (67 weeks; P <= 0.05). Additionally, diets with soybean hulls led to a higher yolk percentage but a lower albumen percentage (P <= 0.05). Beta diversity analysis revealed greater bacterial diversity in hens fed elephant grass compared with those in the control and soybean hull groups (P <= 0.05). Soybean hulls increased the abundance of the Selenomonadaceae family, while elephant grass favored the genera Bacteroides, Megamonas, and the species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. These findings indicate that elephant grass, soybean hulls, and commercial insoluble fiber are viable alternatives in layer hen diets to improve microbial diversity and gut health in poultry, with soybean hulls standing out as a cost-effective option for maintaining performance and egg quality.
Rooster fertility has a considerable impact on reproductive efficiency in broiler breeder management, with semen quality being an important factor in fertilization success. This study evaluated the effects of age and body weight on semen quality measures in Ross 308 broiler breeder males. Twenty-four roosters were allocated into two age groups (25-29 weeks and 30-39 weeks) and three body weight categories (underweight: 3.0-3.5 kg; normal: 4.0-4.5 kg; overweight: 5.0-5.5 kg). The volume, concentration, motility, and viability of sperm samples were evaluated. Sperm motility was affected by age and body weight. Older roosters showed higher motility (69.33%) than younger ones (41.26%). Roosters with normal body weight had better sperm motility (84.0%) than roosters that were underweight (44.17%) or overweight (46.33%). Semen volume increased with age only in overweight roosters, whereas other parameters were not significantly affected. These findings underline need to maintain an optimal body weight to optimize fertility, while also acknowledging the beneficial effects of advancing age on sperm motility. Age-specific weight management strategies may improve reproductive performance in broiler breeder males.
This study aimed to analyze the effect of grasslands, meadows, and pastures on the efficiency of dairy farming and cattle farming in T & uuml;rkiye and European Union countries. The primary data for this study included information on the production of raw milk and cattle meat, nitrogen content in treated manure, dairy cow populations, livestock standard units (LSUs), and the extent of grasslands, meadows, and pastures in both European Union countries and T & uuml;rkiye. In the study, two distinct models were developed: one to assess dairy farming efficiency and the other to evaluate cattle farming efficiency. Dairy farming refers specifically to the production system that focuses on milk production from dairy cows. In contrast, cattle farming is a broader term that encompasses both dairy cattle and beef cattle. Data envelopment analysis was used to calculate the efficiency scores. The difference between dairy farming and cattle farming efficiency values was tested using the Mann-Whitney U test, and the results indicated a statistically significant difference in total efficiency (z = -2.462, P = 0.014) and technical efficiency (z = -3.416, P = 0.001) values. The significant difference in total efficiency values suggests that cattle farming is more efficient than dairy farming. Regarding grasslands, meadows, and pastures, countries with below-average grassland areas showed higher total efficiency values for cattle farming. Additionally, in countries where meadow and pasture areas are below average, total efficiency values for both dairy farming and cattle farming were higher. These findings suggest that the higher efficiency values observed in countries with below-average meadow and pasture areas may be explained by the structural characteristics of their production systems. In the absence of abundant natural forage resources, farmers are likely to adopt more intensive and resource-efficient management strategies, which enhance both total and scale efficiency. In other words, the scarcity of grassland acts as a driving force toward optimizing input utilization, resulting in improved efficiency outcomes in both dairy and overall cattle farming.
is one of the fundamental preservation techniques for increasing the shelf-life of meat. However, the quality of frozen meat is highly dependent on the thawing process. Thus, the current study sought to investigate the effects of freeze-thawing processing on protein degradation, lipid oxidation, microbiological spoilage, and qualitative parameters of two types of beef muscles: Longissimus lumborum and Semitendinosus. Beef muscles were collected from ten steer carcasses of at approximately 15 months of age with a mean body weight of 440 +/- 50 kg, at 24 h post-mortem at a commercial slaughterhouse. The muscles were divided into two groups randomly: chilled or frozen-thawed. The freezing and thawing processes resulted in significantly higher degrees of protein and lipid oxidation in meat, resulting in reduced pH, moisture retention ability, and color stability. During the freeze-thawing process, there was a higher desmin degradation but no change in troponin T degradation. Frozen-thawed meat samples exhibited significantly increased growth of total aerobic count, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, and coliform counts than those from chilled samples. Due to freezing-thawing, Longissimus lumborum muscle was more color-stable and had greater water holding capacity than Semitendinosus muscle (P <= 0.05). The data indicate that freeze-thawing consistently caused protein degradation, fat oxidation, color deterioration, and reduced water holding capacity in both beef muscle types. Therefore, to avert quality deterioration during frozen storage, it is imperative to consider the characteristics of each beef muscle.
objective of this study was to investigate the influence of nitrogen (N) input via fertilizer or through the inclusion of an N-fixing legume mixed with grass on canopy structural characteristics, forage production, and stocking rate in grazing systems. Three pastures type (PT), with Marandu palisadegrass (U. brizantha), were assessed: i) monoculture without N fertilizer application (Unfertilized); ii) monoculture fertilized with 150 kg N ha-1 year-1 (N-fertilized); iii) and mixed pasture with forage peanut (A. pintoi), without N fertilizer (Mixed). The treatments were managed under mob stocking with variable stocking rate. The canopy height target was between 25 and 30 cm (pre-grazing), and 15 cm (post-grazing). Beef cow-calf pairs were used (529 +/- 49 kg cows and 80 +/- 29 kg calves) for grazing. The pre-grazing total herbage mass was not influence for the PTs (P = 0.111), which averaged 7,234 kg ha-1. The greatest and lowest pre-grazing herbage mass were recorded for the N-fertilized and Unfertilized. The N-fertilized and Mixed had the greatest post-grazing herbage mass (P = 0.012). The legume proportion in the Mixed was on average 30.5%. The N-fertilized and Mixed showed the greatest herbage accumulation rate. The lowest herbage accumulation rate was recorded in the Unfertilized. Stocking rate was reduced by 35.7 and 78.5% in the Mixed and Unfertilized, respectively, compared with the N-fertilized pasture, with the Unfertilized averaging 0.9 AU ha-1. Overall, N-input is crucial for maintaining and supporting adequate carrying capacity in pasture ecosystems. Thus, forage peanut legume provides a way to add N with lower economic and environmental costs.
objective of this study was to assess the effect of corn silage particle size on feeding behavior, blood parameters, fecal characteristics, and growth performance of beef heifers. Corn silage was harvested at 37.9 +/- 1.6% dry matter (DM) using a self-propelled harvester containing shredding rolls and set to either a 13-mm theoretical length of cut (TLC), designated as conventional particle size (CPS), or a 24-mm TLC, designated as long particle size (LPS). Ninety-six Nellore heifers (initial shrunk body weight = 248 +/- 36 kg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments [3 heifers per pen; 16 pens (replicates) per treatment]. Treatments consisted of a finishing diet containing either CPS or LPS. Heifers were fed for 101 days, with the first 15 days serving as the adaptation period. Feeding behavior was evaluated on days 47 and 69, fecal samples were collected on days 58 and 78, and ultrasound backfat thickness, ribeye area, and blood samples were assessed on the day of slaughter. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure in SAS (alpha = 0.05). No differences were observed in initial body weight, final body weight, ADG, hot carcass yield, carcass traits, or feed efficiency (P >= 0.05). However, the DM intake of heifers fed LPS (7.98 kg/d) was higher than that of heifers fed CPS (7.55 kg/d) (P = 0.031). Although treatments did not significantly affect ingestive behavior (P >= 0.05), heifers receiving the LPS diet exhibited a 15% increase in NDF intake (P = 0.006). Fecal pH tended (P = 0.052) to be 1.3% higher in LPS-fed heifers. Overall, an increase in corn silage particle size led to higher intake without compromising feed efficiency. Nevertheless, the treatments had no significant effect on chewing activity or the performance of finishing beef heifers.
conduct an optimal breeding and selection program, it is necessary to understand the genetic underpinnings of the desired traits. Early growth is an indicator of future success in the production and reproduction of buffaloes. This study aimed to estimate the (co)variance components for growth traits of Anatolian buffalo calves in Yozgat by employing six animal models with the different combinations of additive genetic, maternal genetic, maternal permanent effects, and covariance between offspring and dam. Birth weight (BW), six-month weight (SMW), twelve-month weight (TMW), and average daily gain (ADG) were analyzed with the data collected from 2726 Anatolian buffalo calves born between 2016 and 2023. Estimation of variance components and genetic parameters for growth traits of Anatolian buffaloes was performed with WOMBAT software. For each trait, Akaike's information criterion was used to detect the most appropriate model. The results showed that the best-fitted models explaining the variation in weights at birth (BW), six (SMW), and twelve (TMW) months of age and average daily gain (ADG) were models 3, 4, 1, and 1, respectively. Direct heritabilities for BW, SMW, TMW, and ADG were estimated in the range of 0.04 +/- 0.09-0.14 +/- 0.06, 0.23 +/- 0.09-0.49 +/- 0.15, 0.36 +/- 0.18-0.68 +/- 0.31, and 0.41 +/- 0.19-0.86 +/- 0.33, respectively. Maternal heritabilities for same traits were ranged between 0.02 +/- 0.09-0.04 +/- 0.03, 0.02 +/- 0.09-0.36 +/- 0.15, 0.05 +/- 0.14-0.22 +/- 0.24, and 0.00 +/- 0.15-0.20 +/- 0.25, respectively. This study unveiled genetic variability for growth traits in Anatolian buffaloes, suggesting that focusing selection efforts on these traits holds considerable promise for enhancing overall performance.
The study aimed to assess the effects of pre-exposure to lavender aromatherapy on horse behavior in stalls and during therapy sessions at the Equine Therapy Center of Cavalo Crioulo/IFRS. Eight therapy horses underwent three control (water diffusion) followed by three aromatherapy trials (water + five drops of diffused lavender essential oil for 30 min) in the stalls. Each trial was on a separate day/week over six consecutive weeks. Total time spent (min) and frequency of behavior in the stalls (head in the window, standing by the diffuser, head down, agitated) and then during the 20-minute therapy sessions (balk, bite, lean on the embarkation, quit session, head-butts) were determined. Perception of treatment-blind handlers who prepared and guided the horses during the therapy sessions was assessed with a closed survey after they ceased. Compared with control trials, diffused lavender aromatherapy resulted in horses spending more time with their heads down (21.2 +/- 1.3 vs. 26.9 +/- 1.4 min, P = 0.004), lower proportion of agitated behavior (12.5% vs. 87.5%, P<0.0001) and fewer visits to the stall's window (29.2% vs. 65.2%, P = 0.003). The duration of head-butting was half post lavender exposure (0.14 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.01 min, P<0.05) and frequency of this behavior and biting the handlers during the sessions were approximately 2.5 times lower post-aromatherapy (P<0.05). According to most handlers (77%), horses were calmer than usual post-aromatherapy with no impediment to horse performance. Horses subjected to lavender essential oil diffused for 30 min before therapy sessions were calmer and easier to handle, suggesting that aromatherapy is a relevant and practical approach to improve horse welfare within animal-assisted therapy settings.
The objective was to evaluate the effects of calcium oxide (CaO) and a mixture of corn heavy steep water and sugarcane molasses (HM) on the fermentation, aerobic stability, and ruminal disappearance of corn husk silage. Three doses of CaO (0, 20, and 40 g/kg of fresh matter (FM)) and three doses of HM (0, 100, and 200 g/kg of FM) were arranged factorially and applied to rehydrated corn husk (500 g/kg moisture) in a completely randomized design, with four replicates per treatment. Treated corn husk was placed in nylon-polyethylene bags (33 cm & times; 45 cm, 160 mu m thick), vacuum sealed, and stored for 66 d. Significant HM & times; CaO interaction (P<0.05) were observed for chemical composition, including crude protein (CP) and ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom), as well as for key fermentative parameters, notably lactic, acetic, and n-butyric acids. CaO increased silage pH, with the highest dose exceeding pH 7 after 66 d of storage, indicating a high buffering capacity. Aerobic spore-forming bacteria and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts increased with HM and CaO, respectively, while molds decreased with CaO. Clostridia counts tended to increase with CaO, and n-butyric acid increased with both additives, suggesting reduced hygienic quality of the silage. Dry matter (DM) loss was reduced, and aerobic stability was extended by CaO, indicating inhibition of microbial metabolism. However, HM alone increased aerobic spoilage. Both additives enhanced ruminal DM disappearance, while CaO slightly improved in situ disappearance of aNDFom. Corn husk ensiled without additives already exhibited considerable ruminal DM and aNDFom disappearance, as well as good preservation. In conclusion, corn husk (500 g/kg moisture) may be ensiled without additives or, if convenient, added with up to 100 g/kg of HM.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different dry matter contents at ensiling on the chemical composition, fermentation products, microbial profile, and aerobic stability (AS) of wilted ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) silages, with or without microbial inoculants. The ryegrass was wilted in the field until it reached 32 or 45% DM. In addition to DM contents, the effect of adding or not adding microbial inoculants to the forage was evaluated, resulting in the following treatments: Control - no additive (C); commercial inoculant - Magniva Platinum 2 (INO); and commercial inoculant plus enzymes - Magniva Platinum 3 (INO+E). The silos were stored for 62 days. In the 32% DM treatment, the inoculated silages showed higher DM content and lower pH than the control, indicating a more favorable fermentation profile. Silages at 32% DM exhibited lower pH (3.97), higher levels of lactic, acetic, and propionic acids, and a greater population of LAB. The lower DM treatments also showed reduced DM and gas losses, absence of effluent, and lower DM losses during aerobic exposure. The inoculants increased lactic acid production and decreased propionic and butyric acid concentrations. At 32% DM, INO and INO+E inoculants significantly improved in vitro estimates of DM, OM, and NDF digestibility. Yeast and mold counts were low (<10-4), with no colony development at the lowest dilution tested. Total DM (8.6 g kg(-1) DM), gas (8.1 g kg(-1) DM), and effluent losses (0.51 kg/ton wet basis) were minimal across all treatments. At 32% DM, silages treated with INO presented negative values for gas and DM losses. AS was high for all silages (353 and 328 h for treatments 32 and 45% DM, respectively), with greater stability observed in 32% DM treatments. The inoculants enhanced AS in 45% DM silages and reduced DM losses over 20 days of aerobic exposure. The 32% DM harvest led to better quality silages. Microbial inoculants were effective in improving fermentation and preservation of ryegrass silages by reducing fermentative losses at 32% DM and enhancing aerobic stability at 45% DM.
The objective of this study was to investigate the potential carryover effect of narasin (NAR) supplementation during the backgrounding phase on subsequent feedlot performance and gastrointestinal morphometrics of finishing Nellore bulls. Ninety-six bulls were used in a 2 & times; 2 factorial design, evaluating conditional NAR supplementation on the backgrounding phase (control [CON] or NAR) and finishing supplementation (sodium monensin [MON] or NAR), resulting in four treatments as follows: 1) CON+MON, 2) CON+NAR, 3) NAR+MON, and 4) NAR+NAR. During the backgrounding phase, NAR-fed cattle showed reduced dry matter intake (DMI) expressed in kilograms and as a percentage (P <= 0.03), however, it did not significantly affect final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency compared with the CON-fed cattle (P >= 0.14). In the finishing phase, neither backgrounding nor finishing supplementation, nor their interaction, had significant effects on BW, ADG, DMI, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, or gastrointestinal morphometrics (P >= 0.11). Relative to CON+NAR and NAR+MON, cattle fed NAR+NAR showed reduced fluctuation in DMI throughout the entire experiment (%; P <= 0.02); however, fluctuations, even above 10% in some treatments, did not lead to reduced ADG or increased rumenitis incidence. We conclude that dietary supplementation with NAR did not enhance performance or gastrointestinal development in Nellore cattle during backgrounding or finishing, nor was a carryover effect observed between phases. Although NAR-fed cattle in the finishing phase performed similarly to those receiving monensin, the absence of a negative control limits interpretation, warranting further research on its role in stabilizing dry matter intake.
This study examined the effect of colostrum intake on pre-weaning mortality in piglets, focusing on neonatal vitality traits. Data from 2,050 piglets and 136 sows were collected from a commercial farm. Sows were monitored during gestation (parity, body condition, backfat thickness, weight gain, and gestation duration) and farrowing was monitored (duration, live births, mummified fetuses, stillbirths, maternal glucose, birth intervals, birth order, and sex). Neonatal traits (colostrum intake, meconium presence, umbilical rupture, rectal temperature, glucose, oxygenation, and heart rate) and performance measures (birth weight, weaning weight, and mortality) were recorded. Piglets that did not survive until weaning were born to sows with a longer farrowing duration (+26%; P<0.001), higher birth orders (+14%; P = 0.047), lower birth weights (-21%; P<0.001), reduced oxygenation (-1%; P = 0.019), lower rectal temperatures (-4%; P = 0.033), and significantly lower colostrum intake (-38%; P<0.001). Mortality was associated with rectal temperatures (<38.35 degrees C), colostrum intake (<172 g), birth weights (<897.5 g), and farrowing durations (>301 min), as identified by a tree-based model. Low colostrum intake correlated with longer farrowing durations (+7%; P = 0.044), longer birth intervals (+32%; P = 0.013), higher birth orders (+12%; P = 0.015), lower body weights (-5%; P = 0.005), reduced umbilical rupture rates (-11%; P = 0.049), lower rectal temperatures (-1%; P = 0.046), and lighter weaning weights (-10%; P<0.001). The model suggested that low colostrum intake was linked to birth weight (<990 g), sow body condition during gestation, and farrowing durations (>343 min). These results underscore the complex factors influencing colostrum intake and mortality, critical for sustainable swine production.
The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro effects on ruminal fermentation of by-product from the production of edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. The following by-products were tested: (I) non-colonized sugarcane bagasse (control); (II) sugarcane bagasse from non-enriched mushrooms; and (III) sugarcane bagasse from selenium-enriched mushrooms. A semi-automatic in vitro system was used. The pH and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) residue were determined at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of incubation. The ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations were measured at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h incubation times and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations after 24 h incubation. The pH and NH3-N were not affected (P>0.05) by the treatments or the treatment x time interaction. However, an effect of incubation time was observed (P<0.05). The production of SCFA was not affected (P>0.05). Non-colonized sugarcane bagasse presented a higher value of the potentially degradable fraction (P<0.05) and a lower value of the undegradable fraction when compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). The results indicate that the by-products do not change the fermentative parameters.
objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with the ethanolic extract of Myrciaria cauliflora peels and seeds on the performance and intestinal health of broilers inoculated with Salmonella Heidelberg and reared until 28 days old. Three hundred thirty-six one-day-old male broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and seven replications each: NC-negative control, which received a 0.85% sterilized saline solution in the crop; EJ-group that received the plant extract in the feed; SH-group that received the bacterial inoculum in the crop; and SH + EJ-group that received the bacterial inoculum in the crop and was fed the herbal extract in the diet. Supplementation with the herbal extract did not influence performance and increased Salmonella excretion in inoculated broiler chickens at 11 and 28 days old. Salmonella reduced jejunal villi height at 28 days, suggesting that the herbal extract caused a dysbiosis that favored the colonization and multiplication of Salmonella. The increased pathogen excretion may rise the transmission rate and the risk of foodborne illness. The use of the ethanolic extract of jabuticaba does not affect weight gain, feed conversion, average weight, histomorphometry, or intestinal biometry, but it increases Salmonella Heidelberg excretion.
In this study, we investigated the effects of using poultry offal meal (POM) produced in rendering plants by adding dissolved air flotation sludge (DAFS) at set ratios into broiler grower and finisher feeds. The experiment conducted within the scope of the study lasted six weeks and involved 12,000 broiler chicks from Ross 308 strain middle-aged (36 weeks) breeders. Twelve different treatments were used in grower feed with 2 or 3% POM and finisher and pre-slaughter feeds with 4 or 5% POM produced by adding DAFS at 0, 11, and 22%, respectively. A downward trend was observed in average live weight (ALW), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) values among the treatment groups, some of which were significant (P<0.05), as the usage rates of POM and DAFS increased. The treatment groups fed POM without DAFS in 2% grower and 5% finisher feeds had significantly higher ALW and EPEF values and significantly lower FCR values than the group fed POM at 22.0% in 3% grower and 5% finisher feeds (P<0.05). However, the mortality value remained unchanged according to the POM and DAFS usage rates (P>0.05). As a result, POM may be used in broiler feeds without significantly affecting ALW, DWG, FC, FCR, EPEF, and mortality values. However, if DAFS is used in POM production, attention should be paid to DAFS content, since exceeding certain levels may cause a downgrade in ALW, FCR, and EPEF values.
study aimed to assess the ruminal fermentation of various cottonseed (Exp. 1) and peanut (Exp. 2) meals, each processed using different techniques and exhibiting varying levels of rumen undegradable protein (RUP). Six treatments were evaluated for each feed. For Exp. 1 (cottonseed meal): negative control (conventional meal; Ncontrol), microwave-heated (2 min) with 2% xylose, conventional oven-heated (90 min) with 2% xylose, autoclave-heated (8 min) with 2% xylose, tannin treatment (6% inclusion), and a commercial soybean-based product (Pcontrol). For Exp. 2 (peanut meal): negative control (conventional meal; Ncontrol), microwave-heated (6 min) with 2% xylose, conventional oven-heated (60 min) with 2% xylose, autoclave-heated (24 min) with 2% xylose, tannin treatment (6% inclusion), and a commercial soybean-based product (Pcontrol). An in vitro gas production (GP) system was used to evaluate gas production, kinetics, and fermentation patterns, while the in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) was assessed using an in vitro incubator system. Both experiments consisted of three consecutive 48-hour fermentation batches. The conventional oven exhibited the lowest fermentation rate and the largest gas pool size (P<0.01) in both experiments. Tannin resulted in the lowest total GP at both 24 and 48 hours, IVOMD, and metabolizable energy for both meals (P<0.01). Tannin also reduced branched-chain volatile fatty acid in Exp. 1 (P<0.01). The Ncontrol and Pcontrol treatments showed the highest estimated methane concentration in Exp. 2 (P<0.01). These findings indicate that both conventional oven heating and tannin effectively alter the ruminal fermentation of cottonseed and peanut meals, highlighting their potential as alternative sources of RUP in beef cattle nutrition.
This study aimed to evaluate the development of the gastrointestinal tract and organs in 18-days embryos (ED18) and newly hatched chicks from broiler breeders supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), as well as the development of their progeny up to 7 days of age, which also received CLA supplementation in the pre-placement diet during the first 12 hours post-hatch. A total of 540 eggs from two Cobb500 breeder flocks, supplemented with either 0 or 0.025% CLA, were incubated, and after hatching, broiler chicks received diets containing either 0 or 0.025% CLA for 12 hours before placement. A total of 320 chicks were housed in a completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial design (breerder CLA x post-hatch CLA), resulting in four treatments with eight replicates of 10 birds each. Intestinal development and relative organ weight (RW) were assessed at 18 days of incubation, at hatching, at 12 hours of holding, and at 7 days post-hatch; performance from 1 to 7 days was also evaluated. Supplementation of CLA (both broiler breeders and pre-placement diet) increased body weight (BW) at 12 h of holding and reduced pancreas RW at 7 days (P<0.05). The RW of the stomach and liver were higher at 7 days when only one source of supplementation was provided (P<0.05). Post-hatch CLA supplementation increased the lengths of the total and small intestines, while breeder supplementation alone also increased small intestine length (P<0.05). Both total and small intestine RW were lowest in the absence of CLA supplementation (P<0.05). Breeder supplementation with CLA led to improved BW and weight gain by day 7. The data shows that CLA supplementation in broiler breeders and their progeny affects gastrointestinal tract and organ development, and supplementation of breeders is recommended to enhance early performance.
