| Autor: |
Neto, Jose D. Pereira, Dubeux Jr., Jose C. B., DiLorenzo, Nicolas, Bretas, Igor L., Santos, Mercia V. F. dos, Ruiz-Moreno, Martin, Cruz, Priscila J. R. da, Santos, Erick R. da S., Queiroz, Luana M. D., Oduor, Kenneth T., Vieira, Marcelo M. |
| Předmět: |
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| Zdroj: |
Animals (2076-2615); Aug2024, Vol. 14 Issue 16, p2398, 14p |
| Abstrakt: |
Simple Summary: The fall gap represents a transitional phase between summer and winter that is characterized by feed scarcity due to the dormancy of warm-season forages while cool-season forages are not yet available. To address this challenge, various feed alternatives, such as hay, supplementation, stockpiling, and silage, are considered feasible options. Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) is a unique warm-season forage because of its active growth in late fall and its slower decline in digestibility with increasing maturity compared to other grasses. Thus, limpograss silage can be an alternative to feed growing heifers in North Florida during the fall forage gap. A field trial was undertaken to assess the performance and nutritional responses of heifers fed 'Gibtuck' limpograss silage supplemented with protein. Twenty-four crossbred Angus × Brahman heifers were housed in a pen for the trial. Limpograss silage was provided without restriction to the heifers, while the supplement was offered at varying levels. The inclusion of protein supplementation alongside limpograss silage had a significant impact on animal dry matter intake, particularly affecting silage intake through a combination of substitutive and additive effects. Gibtuck limpograss silage associated with protein supplementation is an alternative to feed animals during forage-scarce periods in the southeastern United States. Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) is a warm-season perennial grass that has the potential to feed livestock during scarcity periods. This study evaluated the intake, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance of beef heifers fed 'Gibtuck' limpograss silage combined with different levels of a range cube supplementation. Twenty-four heifers (330 ± 16 kg live weight) were submitted to four different treatments with 6 replicates: (1) control, no supplementation + limpograss silage ad libitum; (2) 1.4 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum; (3) 2.8 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum; and (4) 4.2 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein showed a positive quadratic effect with increasing supplementation levels (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Overall, the supplement improved diet digestibility and total DM intake but reduced silage intake, indicating a combined effect (substitutive and additive effect) of the protein supplement. The increasing level of protein supplement increased the average daily gain with a quadratic effect (p ≤ 0.0001). Limpograss silage associated with supplementation can improve diet digestibility and increase the animal performance of growing heifers, providing an alternative for livestock in North Florida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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