The objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of a total mixed ration silage containing two babassu by-products, starchy flour and babassu cake. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomised design containing four treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of corn silage, corn silage based on the standard corn and soybean diet, corn silage with babassu flour, and corn silage with babassu cake. No significant difference was observed in the pH values (p = 0.256) for the studied silages. Higher values for dry matter recovery were observed for the silages of the total diets. The corn silage presented lower lactic acid production (55.15 g/kg DM) and acetic acid (11.54 g/kg DM) in relation to the total ration silages. The inclusion of babassu by-products increased the dry matter (p < 0.001), crude protein (p < 0.001), and total digestible nutrient content (p < 0.001) in the total ration silages. Silage in the form of the total ration containing regional babassu by-products improved the fermentative profile of the silages and the nutritional value of the diets, endowing them with potential for use as a feed alternative for dairy cattle.

This study aimed to determine the protein and carbohydrate fractions as well as the in situ rumen degradability of Brachiaria decumbens silage (BDS) supplemented with soybean hulls. Five soybean hull inclusion levels were used: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% of the fresh matter of B. decumbens grass, distributed into a completely randomized design with five replications. The inclusion of soybean hulls caused a linear decrease (p < 0.001) in carbohydrate fractions A + B1 and a linear increase (p < 0.001) in carbohydrate fraction C. The percentage of non-protein nitrogen fraction increased linearly (p < 0.001), but the nitrogen fractions B1 + B2 and B3 presented a negative quadratic effect (p < 0.01) with soybean hull level and fraction C presented a linear decrease (p < 0.001). The dry matter (DM) degradability of soluble fraction (A) and the undigestible DM decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with the soybean hull level. The potentially degradable water-insoluble portion (DM fraction B) and degradability rate (c) of the DM fraction B increased linearly (p < 0.001) with soybean hull level. The crude protein (CP) fraction A presented a linear increase (p < 0.001) with soybean hull inclusion; however, soybean hull levels caused a linear decrease (p < 0.001) in the CP level of fraction B. The degradable insoluble fraction of NDF (D) of the silage increased linearly (p < 0.001) and the indigestible NDF fraction of the silage was linearly decreased with the soybean hull level (p < 0.001). The inclusion of intermediate levels (20–30%) of soybean hulls provided better protein and carbohydrate fractions and better quality of BDS.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fermentative profile, chemical composition, and in situ degradability of total mixed ration silage with or without babassu byproducts formulated for sheep diets. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments (silages) and five replications (silos). The treatments were SS: sugarcane silage (control); SSCS: sugarcane silage with corn and soybean meal; SSBF: sugarcane silage with corn, soybean meal, and babassu flour; and SSBC: sugarcane silage with corn, soybean meal, and babassu cake. The experimental diets were formulated to be isoprotein, and to meet the nutritional requirements of confined sheep with an average weight of 20 kg, according to Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants. The SSCS, SSBF, and SSBC treatments presented the highest values of dry matter recovery (83.74, 82.08, and 83.92%, respectively), and higher dry matter (349.07, 344,39, and 352.32 g/kg, respectively), crude protein (151.19, 136.98, and 142.14 g/kg DM, respectively), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (444.70, 353.40, and 371.30 g/kg DM, respectively) contents than the SS treatment. The largest degradations of DM, CP, and neutral detergent fiber in each treatment occurred at 72 h, in which the SSCS treatments presented the highest degradations in comparison to the others (80.59, 87.89, and 55.68, respectively). The inclusion of babassu byproducts in sugarcane silages in the form of total ration acted positively in the qualitative indicators of the silages, improving the fermentation profile and reducing losses, as well as improving the chemical composition and in situ degradability.

This study aimed to evaluate intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior, and blood parameters of sheep fed with cotton lint levels. Twenty rams weighing 30.2 ± 3.7 kg and aged 12 ± 1.3 months were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and five repetitions. Diets consisted of 50% roughage and 50% concentrate. The treatments consisted of replacing corn with cotton lint at levels of 0, 70, 140, and 210 g/kg of dry matter (DM) of the diets. The animals’ feeding behavior was determined in the last three days of the experimental period. Data were subjected to regression analysis. Decreased linear effect (p < 0.05) was observed for the nutritional fraction’s intake. However, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake and plasma urea-N were not affected (p > 0.05) by lint levels. Apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), ethereal extract (EE), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) were affected (p < 0.05), except for total carbohydrate. There was a decreased linear effect (p < 0.05) for the intake efficiency of DM and NDF in g/h. The nitrogen balance (g/day) and glucose levels (mg/dL) were reduced with the addition of lint in the diet. The addition of cotton lint up to 70 g/kg in DM can be used over a short-term period.

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of total ration silage (TRS) containing two babassu by-products to replace the corn. The silages were formulated to meet the requirements of sheep for an average daily gain of 200 g/day. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of CS: Corn silage (Control); TRSS: Corn silage with corn and soybean meal; TRSF: Total ration silage with babassu mesocarp flour; and TRSC: Total feed silage with babassu cake. The chemical composition of the silages had a significant difference (p < 0.05) for all variates. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) for gas (LG, p < 0.001) and effluent losses (LE, p < 0.001), dry matter recovery (DMR, p < 0.001), buffer capacity (BC, p < 0.001), lactic acid (LA, p < 0.001), butyric acid (BA, p < 0.001), lactic acid/fermentation products (LA:FP, p < 0.001), and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N, p < 0.001). The babassu by-products can replace ground corn by up to 50% in total ration silage and improve the fermentation profile and nutritional value of the silage, meeting the nutritional requirements of finishing sheep.