Laboratory characterization of multifunctional forages to be used in redesigning productive landscapes

• Grant number: 22/03858-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Pastures and Forage Crops
• Principal Investigator: Jozivaldo Prudêncio Gomes de Morais
• Grantee: Julia Franco de Aguiar Minussi
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Heterogeneous production systems with greater biodiversity can mitigate the impacts of conventional farming activities and remain competitive in the market. In ruminant production, farms can be reconfigured to be multifunctional, efficient in productivity, and thus generate fewer environmental impacts, including forage species in the diet that provide animal welfare, health, and nutrition functions. The objective of this research will be to characterize forage species with food potential in ruminant production, from previously made selection for subsequent laboratory characterization of these materials with potential for redesign through the identification of secondary compounds, bromatological composition, digestibility, fermentation, and gas production in vitro. Previously to this work, 8 forage crops will be elected, alternatives with potential for animal feeding, defined through the research group of FAPESP project n. 2020/16076-0. The expected results are, therefore: That alternative forages have bromatological composition, digestibility, and in vitro fermentative profile that could justify their use in a complementary manner to feed conventionally used in ruminant diets. And alternative forages have secondary compounds that, depending on the dosage type and concentration could cause toxic and antinutritional effects or provide properties that benefit animal health and welfare.(AU)