ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8893-4451
Current Organisation
University of California Davis
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Date: 12-2018
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820170683
Abstract: The needle test (NT) is a point-of-care test developed in Brazil to evaluate the Phosphorus (P) status in cattle. Based on bone resistance, the NT is a very inexpensive method which allows the diagnosis of any degree of P deficiency in a fast and simple way in vivo and directly on farm. The NT measures three levels of resistance in the transverse process (TP) of the lumbar vertebrae: a) TP that are impenetrable and result in warping of the needle (P healthy animals) b) TP offering some resistance to the penetration (animals with subclinical P deficiency) and c) TP which has minimal resistance to penetration (clinical P deficiency). This manuscript presents results from a series of case studies to evaluate the hypothesis that the NT could be used to assess P status in cattle and assesses the usefulness of results to support decision making on mineral supplementation strategies for grazing cattle. The NT was able to detect the changes in the resistance patterns of the TP, as there was reduction or elevation of P levels in the mineral mixtures. The NT was useful to assist in decision-making for adoption of mineral supplementation strategies better suited for each farm, helping farmers to save money and avoid unnecessary waste of P.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 03-03-2023
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) deficiency impairs productivity of ruminants and is the most expensive mineral used in supplements for cattle and buffalo under Brazilian grazing conditions. There is a need for the rational use of P, particularly under extensive grazing conditions, as this mineral resource is expensive and the world’s supplies are exhaustible. The diagnosis of P deficiency must start with careful and detailed history taking, followed by clinical examination of the herd and the use of ancillary tests. The latter are complementary to the diagnosis they should be neither the first nor the most important steps when conducting a professional diagnosis. The indication of corrective or prophylactic measures necessarily involves the correct diagnosis of P deficiency (in herds), whether it be clinical or subclinical. This review discusses the main aspects related to P for cattle and buffaloes under grazing conditions in Brazil.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1071/AN17003
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of phosphorus supplementation (PS) on blood, chemical and physical parameters from bones of feedlot Nellore bulls. Forty-two animals were distributed in a completely randomised design consisting of three treatments and 14 replicates. The treatments consisted of no supplementary phosphorus (P T1 2.4 g P/kg DM), a commercial mineral supplement formulated according to recommendations from the main Brazilian industries of mineral supplements for feedlot beef cattle (T2 4.2 g P/kg DM) and dicalcium phosphate (T3 5.0 g P/kg DM) in high-grain diets. The animals submitted or not to PS had similar calcium (Ca) and P values, Ca : P ratio, specific gravity, cortical thickness and bone mineral density in the 12th rib. However, a decrease in magnesium (Mg) concentration was observed in the 12th rib in T1 and T3 treatments throughout the study (P 0.05). The animals in T1 had lower cortical thickness of the metacarpus (P 0.05), without compromising its resistance and stiffness (P 0.05). To evaluate the P status in the animals, we performed the needle test, which allowed an assessment of differences in bone strength on the basis of the resistance to needle penetration on the transverse process (TP) of the lumbar vertebrae. Throughout the trial period, no animals were positive for the needle test conducted in the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae. The PS significantly changed parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase concentrations (P 0.05) and the animals in T1 had lower concentrations of these hormones. However, there was no effect of PS on the concentration of Ca and P in the serum of animals (P 0.05). The inclusion of a mineral mix supplement in T2 resulted in higher Mg concentrations in the serum of animals (P 0.05). P supplementation for Nellore bulls, fed high proportions of concentrate during the feedlot period, resulted in no benefits in neither chemical nor physical properties of their bones and the level in the control diet appeared adequate in these circumstances.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1071/AN16420
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphorus (P) supplementation, with or without addition of other minerals, ionophore and antibiotic, on performance, P utilisation and profitability in finishing Nellore bulls in a feedlot. Forty-two animals, with an initial bodyweight of 296 ± 25 kg, were distributed in a completely randomised design consisting of three treatments and 14 replicates. The treatments were without P supplementation (T1), commercial mineral supplement specific for feedlot cattle (T2) and supplementation with dicalcium phosphate (T3). The T3 was formulated to achieve a P concentration similar to that of T2, but without adding other additives (e.g. vitamins, ionophores, yeast and chelates) in the mineral mix. The P concentrations were 2.4, 4.2 or 5.0 g P/kg of dry matter (DM), respectively, for T1, T2 and T3. The diet, on a DM basis, comprised sugarcane bagasse (200 g/kg) plus concentrate (800 g/kg). The DM, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre intakes and apparent DM digestibility were similar among the three treatments (P 0.05). Despite the numerical difference on P concentration in T2 and T3 treatments, P intakes were similar in these treatments. The addition of commercial mineral supplement specific for feedlot cattle or dicalcium phosphate in diets increased P excretion in the faeces and urine, increased P retention and reduced the profitability of the feedlot. Performance and carcass traits were not affected by diet P concentrations (P 0.05). The profit per head in T1 treatment was US$13.7 and the addition of the dicalcium phosphate and mineral mix in T2 and T3 did not result in profit, these treatments gave economic losses of US$6.80 and US$6.20 per head, respectively. Under Brazilian conditions, feedlot Nellore cattle fed high-grain diets do not require any additional mineral supplements. P concentration of 2.4 g/kg DM, as used in the control diet, was adequate to ensure animal performance and reduce faecal P excretion, which is in agreement with NRC and CSIRO recommendations. Lower values may also be appropriate, but were not tested here.
Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Date: 12-2022
Abstract: ABSTRACT The aim of this case study was to evaluate the clinical and productive data of Nellore cows during pregnancy and lactation, supplemented or not with P. Ninety-five pregnant heifers were ided into two groups (G40 and G0). Until the date of calving animals from G40 received a mineral mixture composed of 224g of Na and 40g of P/kg, and G0 received only NaCl. After calving heifers were ided into four treatments: from G40, 28 first-calf cows continued to receive the mineral mixture containing 224g of Na and 40g of P/kg (group 40/40) and 12 started to receive only NaCl (group 40/0) from G0, 26 continued to receive only NaCl (group 0/0) and 15 started to receive a mixture containing 224g of Na and 40g of P/kg (group 0/40). In the second experimental phase, 205 multiparous cows were ided into two groups: G1 (40/40) consisting of 40 cows, receiving a mineral mixture containing 244g of Na and 40g/P per kg, during pregnancy and lactation, and group 2 (0/0) formed by 165 cows, which were supplemented only with NaCl. In both experiments, whether in pregnant or lactating breeders, there was not any sign of P deficiency or differences in calves LW at 120 and 210 days.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-09-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S11250-017-1402-9
Abstract: Fertility, weight of calves at weaning, and the economic aspects of a breeding herd receiving mineral supplements containing 75 or 12.5 g of phosphorus (P)/kg were measured from 2013 to 2016. No differences in reproduction parameters or weight at weaning were found before and after the adoption of the new scheme of mineral supplementation. Before the study, the annual cost with the formula containing more P was equivalent to 29.3 weaned beef calves after the P reduction, the annual cost was equivalent to 2.2 to 6.8 weaned calves. After 3 years of supplementation with 12.5 g P/kg no signs of P deficiency were observed. The clinical-nutritional diagnosis of the herd indicated no cause-effect of P content of mineral supplements upon fertility or performance of healthy cows, demonstranting that the adequate forage allowance was enough to meet most P required by the cows.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2017
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 11-11-2022
DOI: 10.3390/ANI12223114
Abstract: The physicochemical characteristics of diets and faeces were evaluated in combination with data of rumen fluid and blood lactate collected from two distinct feedlot systems in Brazil to understand the causes and correlations to digestive disorders in these production systems. The data were collected during two visits to a finishing system which fed about 80,000 head per year, and four visits to two properties that fed 150 to 180 straight bred Nellore bulls per year to be sold as stud cattle. The findings suggest that ruminal acidosis occurred when there was high intake of starch-rich concentrate, and that subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) most likely occurred in situations where more than 4% of faecal dry matter was excreted as particles larger than 4 mm. The latter were associated with diets having less than 15% of particles smaller than 8 mm and faecal pH under 6.30. It is concluded that ancillary tests, such as ruminal and faecal pH, and particle size distribution in the faeces, can potentially be used in combination with information on diet nutritional composition and a series of best practice management protocols to increase not only animal productivity but to reduce the risks of SARA and ensure the welfare of animals.
Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1590/S0100-736X2017000100005
Abstract: ABSTRACT: We developed and evaluated a fast and simple method to obtain suitable bone s les for densitometry and chemical analysis through biopsies of the 12th rib of cattle. The postoperative recovery, dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily weight gain (ADG) was evaluated in 36 Nellore steers, nine of which were randomly selected for the control group and 27 others were rib biopsied. Every 30 days, rib biopsy was performed in nine steers, using a corded-electric pistol-grip drill coupled with a hole saw of a 3mm diameter pilot drill bit. This rib biopsy technique provided a suitable s le obtained in a fast way and allowed the surgeon to work alone with the animal slightly sedated and restrained in the crush. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected in biopsied animals. At the end of the experimental period (116 days) the average daily weight gain (ADG) was similar in the steers biopsied or not. The described method provided rib s les from cattle suitable for densitometry and chemical analysis of bone tissue without effects on health and performance. This information could greatly increase the accuracy for the diagnosis of phosphorus deficiency in cattle raised on pasture and allow the evaluation of bone metabolism in experimental animals.
Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Date: 09-2016
DOI: 10.1590/S0100-736X2016000900008
Abstract: Abstract: This study aimed to describe the diagnosis of health problems and to evaluate the cost of their treatment for cattle raised in feedlots to be slaughtered or to be sold as sires for cow-calf systems. Bovine respiratory disease and digestive disorders were the main problems diagnosed in the feedlot for slaughter the cost for treatment was high, accounting for 9.7 to 20.9 kg of live weight (LW) or the equivalent of 7 to 15% of total LW gained over the days on feed. Due to the high intake of starch-rich concentrate, rumen and fecal pH was lower, whilst rumen osmolarity and blood lactate were higher in cattle fed for slaughter. Cattle affected by digestive disorders spent on average four additional days in the feedlot. Diseases and cost of treatments were associated with lower average daily gain and considerable economic losses. Health problems commonly observed in the feedlots for slaughter were not observed in the feedlots for males to be sold as sires. The most likely reason for this observation was the more careful nutrition and prophylactic health management in sire production systems, which produce animals of much higher selling price. Results from this study suggest that health problems found in feedlots for slaughter may not only reduce animal productivity and profitability, but also the welfare of the animals. The systemic understaffing of livestock cattle workers and veterinarians in large feedlots in Brazil results in under reporting of diseases and lack to understand epidemiological context and disease prevention.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 14-11-2017
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114517002689
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine whether a combination of crude glycerin (CG) and soyabean oil (SO) could be used to partially replace maize in the diet of Nellore steers while maintaining optimum feed utilisation. Eight castrated Nellore steers fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a double 4×4 Latin square design balanced for residual effects, in a factorial arrangement (A×B), when factor A corresponded to the provision of SO, and factor B to the provision of CG. Steers feed SO and CG showed similar DM intake, DM, organic matter and neutral-detergent fibre digestibility to that of steers fed diets without oil and without glycerine ( P ·05). Both diets with CG additions reduced the acetate:propionate ratio and increased the proportion of iso -butyrate, butyrate, iso -valerate and valerate ( P ·05). Steers fed diets containing SO had less total N excretion ( P ·001) and showed greater retained N expressed as % N intake ( P =0·022). SO and CG diet generated a greater ruminal abundance of Prevotella , Succinivibrio , Ruminococcus , Syntrophococcus and Succiniclasticum. Archaea abundance ( P =0·002) and total ciliate protozoa were less in steers fed diets containing SO ( P =0·011). CG associated with lipids could be an energy source, which is a useful strategy for the partial replacement of maize in cattle diets, could result in reduced total N excretion and ruminal methanogens without affecting intake and digestibility.
No related grants have been discovered for Vinícius Carneiro de Souza.