Ruminal Fermentation Pattern, Bacterial Community Composition, and Nutrient Digestibility of Nellore Cattle Submitted to Either Nutritional Restriction or Intake of Concentrate Feedstuffs Prior to Adaptation Period
A. C. J. Pinto, Gustavo Perina Bertoldi, Luana D. Felizari, Evandro F. F. Dias, Breno L. Demartini, Ana B. C. P. Nunes, M. M. Squizatti, Antônio M. Silvestre, Lucas Felipe Rebeschini de Oliveira, Joseph H. Skarlupka, Paulo Henrique Mazza Rodrigues, G. D. Cruz, Garret Suen, D. D. Millen
Abstract
= 0.05). Finally, we found that animals previously exposed to concentrate were able to better adapt to high-concentrate diets when compared to restricted animals. Our study presents the first investigation of the impact of pre-adaptation diet on ruminal BCC and metabolism of bulls during the adaptation period. We suggest that these results may be useful for planning adaptation protocols of bulls entering the feedlot system and thereby improve animal production.