Short-Term Relocation of Whole-Plant Corn Silage Does Not Alter Performance and Digestibility in Lambs Rita de Cássia Almeida de Mendonça, Marcus Vinicius Santa Brígida Cardoso, Amanda Caroliny Marques Queiroz, Andreza Santos Amoras, Camilo Guimarães Rodrigues Cruz, et al. Grass and Forage Science, 2026 The current study evaluated the relocation effect on whole‐plant corn silage (WPCS), inoculated or not, on fermentation profile, aerobic stability (AS), nutrient digestibility, and lamb's performance. Corn was ensiled in 40 experimental silos (210 L) using a completely randomised design. Silos were stored for 90 day and the treatments were: silage without inoculants (WI) and without relocation (SISR), WI silage and relocation (SIR), silage inoculated with Lentilactobacillus buchneri and relocation (LBR), and silage inoculated with L. buchneri + Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and relocation (LBLPR). Silages were exposed to air for 24 h, repacked and stored another 90 day. Twenty‐four Santa Inês lambs (17.4 ± 2.0 kg) were used for digestibility and 36 (20.9 ± 2.0 kg) for performance assays. The SISR group had higher filamentous fungi, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts. SIR had lower filamentous fungi and LAB counts and lactic acid (LA) concentrations than LBR and LBLPR. LBLPR had a higher LAB count and LA concentration than LBR. The AS and time, in h, for the maximum temperature (TM) of the silages and diets were lower in the SISR. SIR had a lower AS than LBR and LBLPR, whereas LBR had a lower AS than LBLPR. Except for non‐fibrous carbohydrates, nutrient intake was higher for SIR than SISR diets. The treatments didn't affect digestibility, nitrogen balance, or performance. The performance of lambs fed relocated WPCS was not affected when the silage was exposed for 24 h during relocation, independent of microbial inoculation.
Nutritional modifications and fermentation characteristics in wet brewers grain ensiled with maize or sorghum grains Natália Nunes de Melo, Matheus Wilson Silva Cordeiro, Thiago Fernandes Bernardes Journal of Agricultural Science, 2025 The goal of this study was to assess starch degradability, protein fractionation and fermentation profile of wet brewers grain (WBG) ensiled with maize or sorghum grains. Two treatments were prepared: maize + WBG, maize rehydrated with WBG; and sorghum + WBG, sorghum rehydrated with WBG, with 10 replications per treatment, adjusted to 55% dry matter (DM). Data were analysed in a completely randomised design using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Losses and pH were lower in maize + WBG; however, it also presented higher lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, moulds and lactic acid ( P < 0.001). Acetic acid did not differ, but propionic acid was lower in maize + WBG. The DM and EE were higher in maize + WBG, whereas ash, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and crude protein were lower in this treatment. Starch concentration was similar, however with higher degradability in maize + WBG. The A1, A2 and C protein fractions were higher for maize + WBG, while B1 and B2 were lower. Overall, WBG ensiled with maize showed higher A1 (ammonia) and A2 (soluble protein) protein fractions and higher starch degradability compared with sorghum silages rehydrated with WBG.
Effects of mid-gestation supplementation with dried distillers’ grains and soybean hull-based total mixed ration silages on maternal metabolism, uteroplacental hemodynamics, and offspring development in beef cows Karolina B Nascimento, Robson L Ferreira, Vinícius D Vaz, Javier A M Meneses, Daniel R Casagrande, et al. Journal of Animal Science, 2025 Maternal nutrition during gestation is a key determinant of maternal physiological adaptations and offspring developmental outcomes. This study evaluated how two total mixed ration (TMR)-based silages offered during mid-gestation influenced nutrient utilization, systemic physiology, uterine hemodynamics, and performance of pregnant beef cows and their offspring. Thirty-three multiparous Tabapuã cows (Bos taurus indicus) received one of the following treatments from day 130 to 230 of gestation: (1) TMR silage composed of Marandu grass and dried distillers’ grains plus soluble (DDGS; n = 17); or (2) TMR silage composed of Marandu grass, soybean hulls (SH), and urea (n = 16). At day 230, all cows were regrouped and managed on pasture until calving. Cow–calf pairs remained together until weaning (∼175 d), after which calves were individually housed and monitored for 100 d. Maternal digestibility, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis were assessed at d 180; uterine blood flow was evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography at day 230 and 270; and maternal blood metabolites were measured at d 230. Statistical significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. Cows fed DDGS-based TMR silage had greater dry matter (DM), crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber intakes (P ≤ 0.01), improved DM digestibility (P = 0.04), and increased nitrogen retention (P &lt; 0.001) compared with SH + urea-based TMR fed cows. At day 230, DDGS-fed cows exhibited greater body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS; P ≤ 0.04) and maintained higher BCS at calving (P &lt; 0.01). Non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were greater in SH + urea-fed cows (P ≤ 0.02), as was preprandial urea concentration (P &lt; 0.01). At day 230, cows fed SH + urea and carrying female fetuses had greater pulsatility index, resistance index, and systolic/diastolic ratio (P ≤ 0.03). Maternal diet did not affect calf BW at birth, preweaning growth, or backgrounding performance (P ≥ 0.20). Milk yield tended to be greater at 60 d in milk (DIM) in SH-fed cows (P = 0.07), whereas milk composition was unaffected at either 60 or 120 DIM (P ≥ 0.21). Overall, mid-gestation supplementation with DDGS-based TMR silage improved maternal nutrient status, body condition, and uteroplacental adaptations, but no consistent effects on offspring growth were detected.
Effects of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial on performance, blood parameters, fecal characteristics, rumen morphometrics, and intestinal gene expression in finishing beef bulls Matheus W S Cordeiro, Bruno I Cappellozza, Natália N de Melo, Thiago F Bernardes Journal of Animal Science, 2024 We evaluated the effects of supplementing direct-fed microbials (DFM), containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis, on performance, rumen morphometrics, intestinal gene expression, and blood and fecal parameters in finishing bulls. Nellore × Angus bulls (n = 144; initial BW = 401 ± 45.5 kg) were distributed at random in 36 pens (4 bulls/pen and 18 pens/treatment), following a completely randomized design. A ground corn-based finishing diet was offered for ad libitum intake twice a day for 84 d, containing the following treatments: 1) control (without DFM); 2) DFM (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis) at 6.4 × 109 CFU (2 g) per animal. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with a pen representing an experimental unit, the fixed effect of the treatment, and the random effect of pen nested within the treatment. For fecal parameters (two collections made), the collection effect and its interaction with the treatment were included in the model. Bulls that received the DFM had a decreased dry matter intake (P ≤ 0.01), did not differ in average daily gain (2.05 kg; P = 0.39), and had a 6% improvement in gain:feed (P = 0.05). The other performance variables, final BW, hot carcass weight, and hot carcass yield, did not differ (P &gt; 0.10). Plasma urea-N concentration decreased by 6.2% (P = 0.02) in the bulls that received DFM. Glucose, haptoglobin, and lipopolysaccharides were not different between treatments (P &gt; 0.10). Ruminal morphometrics were not affected by the treatment (P &gt; 0.10). The use of DFM tended to reduce fecal starch (P = 0.10). At slaughter, bulls fed DFM had an increased duodenal gene expression of tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (P = 0.02) and of superoxide dismutase-1 (P = 0.03). Overall, supplementation with DFM based on B. licheniformis and B. subtilis to Nellore × Angus bulls in the finishing phase decreased dry matter intake, did not influence ADG, improved gain:feed, and increased the expression of genes important for duodenal function.
Snaplage residue as a fiber source for finishing beef cattle under grazing: effects on residue characteristics, cattle behavior and performance, and carcass traits Italo B G de Lima, Priscila J R Cruz, Lucas P C Borges, Mateus P Gionbelli, Marcio M Ladeira, et al. Translational Animal Science, 2024 The snaplage residue presents itself as a potential alternative roughage source in finishing systems, owing to its high fiber concentration which aids in maintaining rumen health. Nevertheless, the performance of animals will hinge on both the allowance and the nutritive value it offers. This study aimed to evaluate different stocking rates of heifers grazing snaplage residue as an exclusive source of fiber on finishing phase performance. The treatments included two stocking rates (SR): i) low stocking rate (LS; 3.5 AU/ha) and ii) high stocking rate (HS; 7.0 AU/ha), which were obtained by modifying the size of the paddocks. Crossbred beef heifers (n = 48; initial body weight = 276 ± 23 kg) were assigned to 16 paddocks (3 heifers/paddock). The concentrate (87% of corn, 3.5% of soybean meal, 3.9% of cottonseed meal, 1.2% of urea, and 4% of mineral; DM basis) was fed ad libitum daily at 0600 hours. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. There was no SR × time effect (P = 0.88) on residue mass. There was less (P &lt; 0.01) total residue mass for HS than LS, and total mass decreased (P &lt; 0.01) over time. There was no SR × time effect (P ≥ 0.16) for behavior characteristics. There was no difference between HS and LS for average residue intake (P = 0.34; 0.44 vs 0.48 kg/d, respectively), concentrate intake (P = 0.84; 7.72 vs 7.78 kg/d, respectively), and daily gain (ADG; P = 0.94; 0.95 vs 0.95 kg/d, respectively), The HS treatment increased (P &lt; 0.01) gain per area (618 vs 309 kg/ha) compared to LS. No differences between SR were observed for carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.12). The meat’s chemical composition was not different (P ≥ 0.37) between treatments. Overall, the snaplage residue stocking rate did not affect the finishing phase performance of beef heifers, but the greater stocking rate (7.0 AU/ha) increased gain per land area.
Effects of monensin and a blend of magnesium oxide on performance, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Zebu beef cattle fed high-starch diets Javier A Bethancourt-Garcia, Marcio M Ladeira, Karolina B Nascimento, Germán D Ramírez-Zamudio, Javier A Moreno Meneses, et al. Translational Animal Science, 2024 This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a blend of different sources of magnesium oxide associated or not with monensin, on productive, ruminal, and nutritional parameters of steers. Eighty-four Nellore steers with an initial body weight (BW) of 367.3 ± 37.9 kg were allocated to one of 28 pens, with three steers per pen. Each pen was considered an experimental unit. Using a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, the following treatments were assigned to each pen: 1) Control (CON)—a basal diet without additive inclusion; 2) Magnesium oxide blend (MG)—basal diet plus a magnesium-based product (pHix-up, Timab Magnesium, Dinard, France) provided at 0.50% of dry matter (DM); 3) Monensin (MON)—basal diet plus 25 mg/ kg of DM of sodium monensin (Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN); and 4) MG association with MON—basal diet plus MG + MON, at the same doses of the individual treatments. The experimental period lasted 100 d. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 13, and 70 to determine d-lactate levels. Daily feed intake was recorded, and animal ingestive behavior was visually observed on days 66 and 67. On day 70, skeletal muscle tissue samples were obtained through biopsy for gene expression analysis. At the end of the experimental period, carcass ultrasonography was conducted. Subsequently, the steers were slaughtered, and rumen epithelium samples were collected for morphometric analysis. The use of monensin, of magnesium oxide blend, and their interactions, were treated as fixed effects, while the pens were considered as a random effect. Statistical differences were considered when P &lt; 0.05. Steers-fed MG-containing diets consumed approximately 0.6 kg more DM per day than those fed diets without this additive (P = 0.01; 11.3 vs. 11.9 kg/d). The inclusion of MG in the diet increased (P = 0.02) the average daily gain. There was a greater Longissimus muscle area (LMA) and LMA per 100 kg of BW (P ≤ 0.03) for steers-fed diets with MG. Steers-fed MON exhibited reduced mRNA expression of the Atrogin-1 and mTOR compared to steers-fed MG + MON diets (MON × MG: P ≤ 0.04). Steers-fed MON had 6.9% greater feed efficiency (P = 0.02). Papillae width was lesser for CON than other treatments (MON × MG: P = 0.02). In conclusion, the magnesium oxide blend improved performance and carcass traits in high-energy feedlot diets, while monensin enhanced feed efficiency, suggesting potential for their use as alternatives or complements in beef cattle nutrition.
Editorial: Special Issue on silage Anjo Elgersma, Thiago F. Bernardes, Katrin Gerlach, Karl‐Heinz Südekum, Marketta Rinne, et al. Grass and Forage Science, 2019
Palm kernel meal as additive in the elephant-grass silage Ivan Alberto Palheta Santos, Felipe Nogueira Domingues, Aníbal Coutinho do Rêgo, Natália Sidrim da Silva de Souza, Thiago Fernandes Bernardes, et al. Revista Brasileira De Saude E Producao Animal, 2014
Sugarcane bagasse treated with sodium hydroxide Aureliano José Vieira Pires, Ricardo Andrade Reis, Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho, Gustavo Rezende Siqueira, Thiago Fernandes Bernardes Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia, 2006
Effect of different densities on tropical grass silages Silage Production and Utilisation Proceedings of the Xivth International Silage Conference A Satellite Workshop of the Xxth International Grassland Congress July 2005 Belfast Northern Ireland, 2005
