Supplementation of sheep with increasing levels of crude protein: performance, animal behavior, and contamination and spread of nematode larvae in Brachiaria brizantha ‘Xaraés’ pasture

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance, animal behavior, and contamination and spread of nematode larvae of sheep supplemented with increasing levels of protein (15, 25, and 35%) on Xaraés grass (Brachiaria brizantha 'Xaraés') pastures. Fifteen Santa Inês crossbred sheep, with an average age of approximately five months and average initial weight of 14.63 kg, were used in the experiment. The feeding behavior (grazing and idle times) of animals was found to be influenced by the supplementation provided. The highest level of supplementation provided to the animals reduced their grazing time. The different levels of supplementation influenced the average daily gain and total final body weight gain of the sheep in Xaraés grass pastures. A significant difference was observed in the presence of parasitic larvae in the Xaraés grass pastures depending on different protein levels throughout the regrowth period. The number of larvae in feces was influenced by the protein content of the supplement, and varied throughout the pasture rest period. Animals showed a decrease in the number of larvae as their dietary crude protein (CP) content was increased. Supplementation with high protein, together with the action of vermifuge, increased the performance of sheep and reduced their parasite load and grazing time in Xaraés grass pastures. Key words: Endoparasites. Larvae. Performance. Sheep. ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, comportamento animal e a contaminação e distribuição de larvas de nematódeos de ovinos suplementados com níveis crescentes de proteína em pasto de capim-Xaraés. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos (níveis de proteína 15, 25 e 35%). Foram utilizados 15 ovinos mestiços da raça Santa Inês, com aproximadamente cinco meses de idade e peso médio inicial de 14,63 kg. As atividades de comportamento ingestivo (tempo de pastejo e ócio) dos animais foram influenciadas pela suplementação fornecida. O maior nível de suplementação fornecido aos animais reduziu o tempo de pastejo. Os diferentes níveis de suplementações fornecida aos animais influenciou o ganho médio diário e o ganho de peso total final corporal, dos ovinos mantidos em pastos de capim-Xaraés. Observou-se influência das suplementações sobre a presença e número de larvas no pasto. Os animais apresentaram redução do número de larvas com o aumento do teor de PB na dieta. A suplementação com alto teor proteico, juntamente com a ação do vermífugo, aumentou o desempenho dos ovinos e reduziu a carga parasitária e o tempo de pastejo dos animais mantidos em capim-Xaraés, contudo, há a necessidade de uma análise econômica, visto que o alto teor de compostos nitrogenados na dieta pode tornar o sistema inviável. Palavras-chave: Capim-Xaraés. Endoparasitos. Larvas. Ovinos.

Effect of processed sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) grain supplementation on growth performance and socioeconomic feasibility of Doyogena sheep in Ethiopia

“…Besides, a study conducted using sweet lupin grain as a supplement with 290 g/head per day on Washera sheep showed that the animals gained 74 g/head per day and 5.1 kg/head in a trial of 69 days (Yeheyis et al., 2012). Supplementation of sweet lupin has potential to improve the efficiency of utilisation of available roughage feed resources (Rodrigues et al., 2017).…”

Protein Supplementation Improves Performance of Lambs Fed Low-Quality Forage

“…Ramos et al [9] reported that the growth performance was improved in lambs receiving supplemental graded levels of protein (i.e., 12%, 16%, or 20% CP) compared with lambs not fed supplemental protein when grazing low-quality forages. Since the cost of SBM is considered to be high compared to other feedstuffs, livestock producers use SMB in small amounts to enhance and maintain livestock performance and production [10].…”