Avaliação do uso de tamponantes naturais em dietas de alto amido para bovinos de corte

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate different types of buffers in the diet of cannulated cattle. The experimental method was carried out in the Ruminant Nutrition sector of the Animal Science course at the Federal University of Grande Dourados. Eight steers, cannulated in the rumen, crossed SRD were used. The animals were distributed in 2 Latin squares, with 4 treatments and 4 periods. The total experimental period was 56 days, where each period will have 10 days of adaptation and 4 of data collection. The treatments were: 1- Control (without the addition of buffers); 2- BC (inclusion of 160 grams/day per animal); 3-ALGA1 (inclusion of 80 grams/day per animal of LithoNutri®); 4- ALGA2 (inclusion of 80 grams/day per animal). Diets were balanced according to NRC 2016, being isonitrogen and iso-starch. The forage used was Tifton hay. The diets were composed of 10% hay and 90% concentrate, being formulated with 30% total starch. Chemical analysis, intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, ruminal fermentation and nitrogen balance and microbial protein synthesis were performed. The results showed that no differences were observed for the consumption of CP, NDF and starch between the experimental treatments evaluated, neither were differences observed between the animals supplemented with ALGA2 and sodium bicarbonate. Animals supplemented with LITHONUTRI® had lower dry matter intake compared to CON and sodium bicarbonate, but it did not differ from ALGA2 treatment. However, no differences were observed for weight gain between the tamponades evaluated. The animals supplemented with LITHONUTRI® presented a higher concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen (N NH3) compared to the other treatments. Animals supplemented with LITHONUTRI® and sodium bicarbonate had higher ruminal pH values than animals supplemented with ALGA2. Animals not supplemented with buffers had higher fecal residue content, indicating a possible reduction in dry matter digestibility for this treatment. No differences were observed between animals that received buffers in their diets. The animals not supplemented with CON had a shorter feeding time compared to the other treatments. No differences were observed between the Sodium Bicarbonate, LithoNutri® and ALGA2 treatments. The ALGA2 treatment presented shorter rumination time and greater idle time compared to the other treatments.