title: Total replacement of corn by mesquite pod meal considering nutritional value, performance, feeding behavior, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis of Holstein-Zebu crossbred dairy steers.
abstract: The objective of the present study to assess the effects of mesquite pod addition replacing corn (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 g/kg in the dry matter basis) on nutrient intake, animal performance, feeding behavior, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis. Twenty-five Holstein-Zebu crossbred dairy steers at 219 ± 22 kg initial body weight and 18 months of age were used. The experiment lasted 84 days, divided into three periods of 28 days. A completely randomized design was used, and data were submitted to analysis using PROC GLM for analysis of variance and PROC REG for regression analysis using the software Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.1. Experimental diets were composed of Tifton 85 hay, soybean meal, ground corn, mesquite pod meal, and mineral salt. Samples of food offered were collected during the last 3 days of each period, and the leftovers were collected daily, with samples bulked per week. At the end of each 28-day period, the remaining animals were weighed to determine total weight gain and average daily gain. The assessment of behavioral patterns was performed through instantaneous scans in 5-min intervals for three consecutive 12-h days. A single urine sample from each animal was collected on the last day of each collection period at about 4 h after the first feeding. The replacement of corn by mesquite pod meal did not significantly influence treatments regarding nutrients intake, animal performance, and feeding behavior. Retained and consumed nitrogen ratio did not statistically differ between replacement levels. Likewise, there were no statistical differences regarding microbial protein synthesis and efficiency between replacement levels. Mesquite pod meal can be used in Holstein-Zebu crossbred dairy steers' diet with total corn replacement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros street, s/n, 52171-900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gláucia Sabrine
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Moraes
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Gregório Ferraz Nogueira avenue, s/n, 56909-535, Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil. evaristojorge@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Evaristo Jorge Oliveira
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros street, s/n, 52171-900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonia Sherlânea Chaves
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Véras
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros street, s/n, 52171-900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Paula Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros street, s/n, 52171-900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcio Vieira
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Gregório Ferraz Nogueira avenue, s/n, 56909-535, Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thaysa Rodrigues
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Gregório Ferraz Nogueira avenue, s/n, 56909-535, Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Sousa
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Gregório Ferraz Nogueira avenue, s/n, 56909-535, Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gerfesson Felipe Cavalcanti
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003612:Dairying; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D029862:Prosopis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014329:Tropical Climate; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Feedlot performance; Mesquite pod; Nutrients intake; Prosopis juliflora