Agroindustrial residue of carnaúba as roughage for sheep fattening

Abstract

^{The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of ammonization with different levels of urea and the use of soybean grains as a urease source, for the improving of the chemical composition of carnaúba (Copernicia prunifera) agroindustrial residue (BC). The levels of urea were 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% in relation to the percentage of total dry matter of BC and the levels of toasted soybean grains were 0 and 20%. Evaluations were also made for forage intake and performance of confined sheep subjected to diets with increasing levels of replacement of Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon spp.) hay (FT) by BC: 100% FT, 25% BC plus 75% FT, 50% BC plus 50% FT, 75% BC plus 25% FT, and 100% BC. Thirty crossbred 80-day old weaned sheep with 17 kg initial average weight were used. Crude protein in the forage increased with the increasing doses of urea. Increases were also observed for neutral detergent fiber and cellulose contents and reductions were observed for roughage digestibility. The highest daily intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ethereal extract and neutral detergent fiber were observed in animals fed only FT. Animal performance decreased with increase of BC in the diet.}