Desempenho e características de carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com óleos na dieta

Abstract

The confinement of sheep has shown potential to increase profitability by standardizing carcasses and reducing slaughter age. However, high feed costs remain a major obstacle, leading to the search for alternatives such as agro-industrial byproducts, which reduce costs and support environmental sustainability by minimizing methane emissions. Supplementation with vegetable oils, such as sunflower, canola, and coconut, has shown benefits, optimizing the diet, improving energy efficiency, and positively impacting the ruminal microbiota. The experiment conducted at Fazenda Água Limpa at the University of Brasília analyzed the effects of three vegetable oils on the performance, feeding behavior, and carcass yield of Dorper x Santa Inês lambs during finishing. The base diet was partially replaced by canola, sunflower, or coconut oil, each in eight replicates. Sunflower and canola oil showed higher daily and total weight gain, while the coconut oil group achieved similar results to the control group. Using these oils in sheep diets can be a viable alternative, contributing to the sheep production chain. The expansion of sheep farming, especially in developing countries, meets the growing demand for meat. Crossbreeding and strategic nutrition, including the selection of vegetable oils, have been crucial for improving meat quality and production performance. Sunflower and canola oils, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, offer meat quality benefits, while coconut oil, with higher saturated fats, has distinct metabolic effects. The research demonstrated that sunflower and canola oils improve attributes like tenderness and lipid profile. However, variables such as genetics and environment also impact the final results. The study further explored diet impact on ruminal microbiota, essential for digestion and nutrient absorption. Genetic sequencing analyses showed that vegetable oil inclusion significantly alters microbiota composition. Canola and coconut oils reduced microbial richness, while sunflower maintained greater diversity. These changes influence feed efficiency and animal health, demonstrating that oil choice in the diet should consider production needs and animal welfare. In summary, supplementing sheep diets with vegetable oils has the potential to improve meat quality and optimize production, although implications vary depending on the type of oil and herd characteristics. Nutritional strategies aligned with production goals and sustainability are essential for efficient and environmentally responsible farming, with vegetable oil standing out as a strategic resource in sheep diet management.