Economic impact of poisoning by Brachiaria grass in lambs from birth to finishing receiving to different levels of supplementation

• Published in: Tropical animal health and production Vol. 54; no. 5; p. 259
• Main Authors: de Melo, Gleice Kelli Ayardes, Ítavo, Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira, Ítavo, Luís Carlos Vinhas, Brumatti, Ricardo Carneiro, da Silva, Jonilson Araújo, Ferelli, Kedma Leonora Silva Monteiro, da Silva, Pâmila Carolini Gonçalves, de Souza Arco, Thais Fernanda Farias, de Lemos, Ricardo Antônio Amaral
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-10-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Birth; Brachiaria; Costs; Economic impact; Economics; Farming systems; Finishing; Grasses; Impact analysis; Lamb; Life Sciences; Livestock farming; Pasture; Poisoning; Regular Articles; Salts; Suckling behavior; Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science; Weaning; Weight reduction; Zoology; United States > US; Production system; Sheep farming; Pasture; Suckling lambs; Finishing phase
• ISSN: 0049-4747; 1573-7438
• DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03264-x

This study aims to evaluate the economic impact of poisoning by
Brachiaria
grass in lambs from birth to weaning (suckling) and from weaning to slaughter (finishing) different levels of energy protein supplementation (EPS). In addition, we estimated the economic efficiency of removing lambs from the pasture as a control measure to minimize the losses caused by
Brachiaria
grass poisoning. Seventy lambs were used in the suckling phase, distributed in two nutritional treatments (control and creep feeding). Hospitalization expenses were US$ 1580.80 for the control treatment and US$ 256.16 for the creep feeding treatment. In the finishing phase, 48 lambs were distributed in four nutritional treatments, which consisted of increasing levels of EPS (mineral salt, 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4% of LW). The largest difference in total revenue (US$) was observed between 2.4% of BW EPS and mineral salt (− 2300.28) treatments. Hospitalization expenses were similar between nutritional treatments, being higher in the treatment 1.6% of BW EPS (US$ 578.15). The biggest difference in gross income (US$) observed was between 2.4% of BW EPS and mineral salt (− 1439.43) treatments. The
Brachiaria
grass poisoning caused economic losses to the sheep farming system, due to the death of lambs, reduced weight gain and lower weights at weaning and in the finishing phase.
Brachiaria
grass poisoning caused economic damage to the production system. There were direct losses, with the death of the lambs without supplementation, in the suckling and finishing phases. The supplementation increases the performance and reduces the mortality. The supplementation in high levels is efficient in reducing the economic impact of poisoning by
Brachiaria
grass in both periods of suckling and finishing.