Palma forrageira enriquecida com ureia como suplemento para bovinos

Abstract

Therefore, the effect of using spineless cactus enriched with urea (0, 1, 2 and 3% DM) to replace a traditional multiple supplement (control) on nutrients intake, total apparent digestibility, ruminal and intestinal (was assessed using digested samples collected from the omasum), cinectc ruminal nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis, ruminal fermentation parameters, and endogenous nitrogen losses was assessed in crossbred steers. Five steers, ½ Holstein x Zebu, cannulated with an average initial body weight of 240 ± 22.1 kg were used designed experimental test square in a 5 x 5 Latin square. The treatments consisted of four levels of inclusion of urea (0, 1, 2, and 3% in DM) and a control treatment with a traditional multiple supplement. There was a linear increase in the intake of CP and a quadratic effect in DM, OM, NFC, NDF, and digestible OM according to the urea inclusion level. The maximum point for total OM digestibility (645.0 g/kg) was estimated with the inclusion of 2.0% urea. There was an improvement in ruminal digestibility of DM, NDF, and CP when spineless cactus was enriched with urea. The ruminal pool of DM, NDF, and NDFi has not changed with the inclusion of urea in the diets. Increased intake rate (ki) was observed when spineless cactus was enriched with urea. The passage rate (kp) presented by animals supplemented with spineless cactus enriched with 3% urea was similar to that of the control diet. The rate of NDF degradation increased in the diets enriched with spineless cactus. A quadratic effect was observed for DM intake and N retention, with maximum values of 6.97 kg/day and 50.9 g/day with the inclusion of 1.8 and 2.1% urea, respectively. Maximum concentrations of 16.2, 23.2 and 24.3 mg/dL of N-NH3 were recorded in animals fed spineless cactus enriched with 1, 2, and 3% of urea. There was a quadratic effect on ruminal pH, with a value of 6.45 at 4.08 hours after feeding. The concentration of 70.9 mmol acetic acid/ml was recorded with the addition of 1.5% urea. Microbial synthesis efficiency of 103 g CP/kg TDN was obtained with the inclusion of 1.6% urea. It is suggested that the spineless cactus enriched with 1.8% urea could replace the traditional multiple supplement.