Ammoniated sugarcane bagasse associated with cottonseed in sheep diets

P.P.P. Publio, A.J.V. Pires, I.C. Dutra*, M.P. Sousa, G.C. Figueiredo, H.O. Santos, G.R.S. Oliveira, E.P.L. Ferreira, A.F. Santos, P.H.S. Cardoso, F.A. Teixeira and M.L.P. Albuquerque

State University of Southwest of Bahia, BR45700-000 Itapetinga, Bahia, Brazil
*Correspondence: ingriidyduutra@gmail.com

Abstract:

The experiment was carried out in the goat farming sector and forage laboratory at UESB, with the objective of evaluating the association of ammoniated sugarcane bagasse with cottonseed in sheep diets. The experimental period was 21 days, with 17 days for animal adaptation and 4 days for data collection. The test was conducted in a double 4×4 Latin square, in a 2×2 factorial scheme, with the factors being ammoniated sugarcane bagasse at 30 or 50% and cottonseed at 0 or 20% inclusion, in the dry matter of the total diet. The digestibility test took place between the 18^th and 21^st days of each period. For this purpose, leftovers and feces from each animal were quantified and collected during this period. The interaction was not significant in any of the variables studied for sugarcane bagasse and cottonseed, nor was there any effect for the addition of cottonseed to the diets, for dry matter intake kg day^-1, %PC and g per kg^0.75. The nitrogen balance was positive, as the nitrogen ingested was greater than the nitrogen excreted in urine and feces, indicating that the animal retained protein, meeting its protein requirements. The inclusion of cottonseed resulted in lower digestibility averages. This reduction can be attributed to the lignin content present in the diets studied, since cottonseed has a higher lignin concentration than the other foods analyzed. The use of cottonseed and the increase in the inclusion level of sugarcane bagasse by 50% resulted in an increase in the time spent by animals in feeding, ruminating and chewing activities. Furthermore, a reduction in consumption and rumination efficiency was observed, which correlated with a decrease in dry matter intake. The level of 30% sugar cane bagasse associated with 20% cotton seed promoted greater consumption of dry matter.

Key words:

ammonization, digestibility, intake, urea

Analysis of the potential of livestock excreta for urea production through anaerobic digestion: challenges and opportunities in Latin America

S. Villegas¹*, L. Rocha-Meneses², M. Luna-delRisco¹, C. Arrieta-González¹ and M. González-Palacio¹

¹University of Medellín, Faculty of engineering, Carrera 87 #30-65, postal code 050026, Medellín, Colombia
²Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering,
56 Fr.R. Kreutzwald Str., EE 51006 Tartu, Estonia
*Correspondence: svillegas@udemedellin.edu.co
All authors contributed equally to this work

Abstract:

Urea is one of the most demanded fertilizers worldwide and in Latin America. The high dependence on international markets to meet the region’s urea demand, the high consumption of fossil energy for its production, and greenhouse gas emissions increase agricultural production costs and create the need to seek alternative processes for urea production to reduce these adverse effects. In this sense, this work explores the possibility of producing urea in Latin America from the ammonia and CO₂ generated in the anaerobic digestion process of livestock excreta under conditions that favor the production of both gases. The results indicate that it is possible to meet the demand for urea for agricultural use by utilizing 15% of its theoretical potential obtained from livestock excreta. This new alternative for obtaining urea brings economic benefits, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and fosters social development. However, it faces legal, infrastructure, and technological barriers that may hinder the adoption of this technology in rural areas of Latin America.

Key words: