<strong>Supplementation of cattle kept in <em>Brachiaria brizantha</em> (cv. Marandu) pasture: ruminal parameters and degradability</strong> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v30i3.504

Abstract

The trial was conduced with the objective of determine the effect of energy and protein supplements, with different protein degradability (glutenose and soybean meal), supplied in two levels, on ruminal pH and ^N-NH3 and disappearance of the forage DM, CP and NDF, in steers grazing Marandu pasture. Were used the randomized blocks design in split plot scheme, considering the treatments on the primary parcels and the times of incubation on the sub-parcels, with three replications. The supplementation did not affect the forage DM, and NDF potential (DEPOT), effective (DEEF) degradability, degradation rate (TXDEG). In relation to DM, the soybean meal presented the higher DEPOT, than COR, and GLU. The FSO supplementation produced higher TXDEG compared to the GLU. However, on the CP fraction, the lowest DEPOT, and DEEF were observed when the steers received GLU. The FSO utilization resulted in highest protein TXDEG compared to the others. The steers, control, and that receiving different supplementation showed similar (P > 0.05) ruminal ^N-NH3 values. However, the animals that received FSO showed highest N-NH3 values, compared to the others, mainly at 8:00, and 20:00 hours of the evaluation. The treatments did not affect the ruminal pH, and passage rate. It’s possible to conclude that supplementation did not affect the forage degradability, probably due to the low ruminal ^N-NH3 values, and minimal pH changes during the experimental period.