Nutrients requirements estimative for sheep in Brazilian conditions

Abstract

This work developed equations to estimate the dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrients requeriments for the feedlot sheep, on brazilian conditions, and revealed a system for sheep diets adequation. An extensive literature revision was done and the data were used as input on equations attainment from sheep with body weight between 20 and 40kg, kept in feedlot and submitted to diets with 30% of concentrate, at least. For the maintenance energy requeriments estimatives, average values were considered according to lower data available on national literature. The estimative equation choice for dry matter was realized from significance (P) and determination coefficient (R2) values, after variance and regression analysis. For estimating DMI was obtained the following equation: DMI (kg/animal/day) = 0.311 + (0.0197*BW) + (0.682 * ADG), that estimates DMI of 0.81 and 0.94kg/animal/day, respectively, for the animals with 20 of body weight and ADG of 150 and 350 g. For the maintenance energy requirement there was a metabolic weight/day value of 57 Kcal/kg. By equations for calculating nutrients requirements, TDN and CP of 510 and 890g and of 99 and 173 g/day, respectively, was predicted for the animals with 20kg of body weight and gain of 150 and 350 g/day.