Spineless cactus associated to sorghum silage corrected with urea and cottonseed meal in diets for Girolando steers

Authors

  • R. S. Lima Instituto Federal do Sertão Pernambucano, Salgueiro, PE
  • R. A. S. Pessoa Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE
  • W. G. Nascimento Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR
  • J. R. C. Silva Instituto Federal do Sertão Pernambucano, Salgueiro, PE
  • I. Ferraz Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco, Caruaru, PE

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v74n4p342

Keywords:

fiber, nitrogen, dairy steers, Opuntia fícus-indica, supplementation

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, the apparent digestibility, the urea excretion, nitrogen balance and the microbial ruminal synthesis in steers (5/8 Holstein-Zebu). Thirty-eight animals with an initial average weight of 320 ± 32 kg and 24 ± 2 months old were distributed randomly in individual pens. The animals were assigned to completely randomized design and initial body weight was used as a covariate in the statistical model. The trial lasted 84 days. The treatments were: 1 - 60% of spineless cactus (SC) + 38% of sorghum silage corrected with urea (SSU) (3% of urea) + 0% of cottonseed meal (CM); 2 - 60% of SC + 26.5% of SSU (1.5% of urea) + 11.5% of CM; 3 - 60% of SC + 15% of sorghum silage + 23% of CM. The treatments had no effect on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter. The association of cottonseed to diet resulted in greater body weight gain and better feed conversion (31%). The animals fed with high proportion of sorghum silage associate to spineless cactus as base of diet excreted less nitrogen urinary and fecal. The experimental diets had no effect on the ruminal microbial protein synthesis. We recommended 26.5 and 11.5% of sorghum silage corrected with urea and cottonseed meal, respectively, associated to spineless cactus in diets for dairy steers, with less concentrate ingredients in the diet.

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Published

2018-03-01

Issue

Section

ANIMAL NUTRITION

How to Cite

Spineless cactus associated to sorghum silage corrected with urea and cottonseed meal in diets for Girolando steers. (2018). Bulletin of Animal Husbandry, 74(4), 342-350. https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v74n4p342

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