Determining the optimal dose of virginiamycin for ruminal parameters and performance of Nellore cattle on pasture

Author(s)

Alves Neto, Joao Alexandrino ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Ivanna Moraes ^[2] ; Moretti, Matheus Henrique ^[3] ; Goncalves, Paloma Helena ^[1] ; Alves Prado, Michele Aparecida ^[4] ; de Resende Fernandes, Juliano Jose ^[5] ; de Resende, Flavio Dutra ^{[2, 6]} ; Siqueira, Gustavo Rezende ^{[2, 6]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Programa Posgrad Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[3] Agroceres Multimix, Bovinos Corte, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[4] Ctr Univ Fundacao Educ Barretos, UNIFEB, Barretos, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Goias, Goiania, Go - Brazil

^[6] APTA, Colina, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SEMINA-CIENCIAS AGRARIAS; v. 39, n. 4, p. 1749-1758, 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

There are no studies evaluating the virginiamycin (VM) doses under tropical conditions. So, the present study was conducted to evaluate the optimal dose of VM for growing Nellore bulls on tropical pasture. Two experiments were conducted. The first experiment, one hundred and two Nellore bulls (307 +/- 25 kg body weight {[}BW]; 22 months) were used. Animal performance was evaluated using a randomized block design, with group as experimental unit (n = 8; 12 animals each). The second experiment, a double 4 x 4 Latin square, eight animals were used to evaluate the ruminal parameters. Four doses were evaluated: 0, 35, 55, and 75 mg VM per 100 kg BW. The average daily gain (P = 0.08) and carcass gain (P = 0.05) exhibited a trend of quadratic behavior. An increased dose of VM did not affect supplement intake (P = 0.64), rumen pH (P = 0.96), acetate: propionate ratio (P = 0.73), or the total concentration of volatile fatty acid (P = 0.63). The concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen exhibited a quadratic effect (P = 0.01). A quadratic behavior was found for volatile fatty acid, except for propionate, which presented linear behavior (P = 0.03). In conclusion, the dose of 47 mg VM per 100 kg BW is recommend for growing Nellore bulls on tropical pasture. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/01961-2 - Meta-analysis of different nutritional plans during the post-weaning phase and its impact on the finishing of beef cattle in tropical regions
• Grantee: Ivanna Moraes de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 11/02937-4 - Feeding strategies in the growing and finishing Nellore cattle
• Grantee: Flávio Dutra de Resende
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/10340-3 - Feeding Strategies in the Growing and Finishing Cattle Nelore
• Grantee: Ivanna Moraes de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral