Effect of supplementation with phytogenic additive on ruminal parameters of beef cattle on the growing phase in tropical pasture in the rainy period

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of adding or not adding a blend of phytogenic additives in supplements on the ruminal parameters of cattle in the growing season, in the rainy season. The field stage of the experiment was conducted in the Beef Cattle Sector of the Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences of UNESP, campus of Jaboticabal - SP, during the months of January to April, while the activities of chemical analysis of the samples, data tabulation, writing of the reports will be conducted from April to November 2021. The animals were allocated in 9 paddocks of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu. The experimental treatments evaluated: 1 - Mineral supplement provided ad libitum; 2 - Mineral supplement with additives (0.1% of BW) with the inclusion of a blend of herbal additives; 3 - Protein-energy supplement (0.3% of BW) with the inclusion of a blend of herbal additives. Nine castrated bovines, cannulated in the rumen, were used in 3 simultaneous 3x3 Latin squares. The hypothesis of the study is that the inclusion of a blend of phytogenic additives in the supplement will promote changes in the rumen microbiome, providing changes in the rumen fermentation process and, consequently, in the production of ammonia and short chain fatty acids.