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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Effects of fibre digestibility and level of roughage on performance and rumen fermentation of finishing beef cattle

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Author(s):
Sousa, Dannylo Oliveira [1] ; Mesquita, Bruno de Sousa [1] ; Pires, Alexandre Vaz [2] ; de Almeida Santana, Miguel Henrique [3] ; Prada Silva, Luis Felipe [1, 4]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anim Sci, Sch Vet Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anim Sci, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Vet Med, Coll Anim Sci & Food Engn, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Queensland, 306 Carmody Rd, Bldg 80, St Lucia, Qld 4072 - Australia
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION; v. 49, n. 7, p. 1503-1510, OCT 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

The objective was to evaluate effects of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility and level of fresh sugarcane on intake, body fatness, carcass characteristics, and rumen kinetics and fermentation of beef cattle. Forty-eight Nellore young bulls were used in a complete randomized block design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Eight rumen-cannulated Nellore steers were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design. Two sugarcane genotypes divergent for stalk NDF digestibility (NDFD) were used. Experimental diets were formulated with 20 or 40% of sugarcane on a dry matter (DM) basis. High-NDFD genotype associated with the lower level of roughage in the diet promoted greater DM intake, resulting in greater body gain. Sugarcane with high-NDFD increased final body weight, hot carcass weight, and back-fat thickness. Animals receiving the genotype with high NDFD had greater rump-fat thickness only with 40% sugarcane in the diet. Animals receiving the low-NDFD genotype at 20% of the diet had lower NDF passage rate. Rumen pH was greater for diets with greater NDF content. There was greater proportion of butyrate in the rumen of animals receiving diets with greater NDF content. In conclusion, high-NDFD sugarcane increased final body and carcass weight, HCW, and fat thickness. When associated with lower inclusion of roughage in the diet, it can also increase DM intake and body weight gain of beef cattle. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/00976-2 - Evaluation of the importance of sugarcane fiber digestibility in diets for growing steers
Grantee:Luis Felipe Prada e Silva
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants