This is a draft schedule. Presentation dates, times and locations may be subject to change.
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Use of Infrared Thermography to Evaluate the Residual Feed Intake in Water Buffaloes
Use of Infrared Thermography to Evaluate the Residual Feed Intake in Water Buffaloes
Monday, July 10, 2017
Exhibit Hall (Baltimore Convention Center)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of infrared thermography and the relationship with residual feed intake (RFI) in water buffaloes of three genetic groups during the growth phase in feedlot. Sixty-five water buffaloes of 3 genetics groups (Jafarabadi, Mediterranean and Murrah, non-castrated male; 10 ± 1 mo of age; 314 ± 117 kg initial BW) were allocated in collective pens for 28 d of adaptation and 84 d of data collection. Diet was composed of corn silage (30%), and concentrate based on corn grain, cottonseed meal, mineral salt, urea and calcitic limestone (70%). Total mixed ration was offered daily by automatic feeding system (Intergado®, MG, Brazil) to assess individual feed intake. Residual feed intake was determined as difference between the observed and predicted feed intake of animal based on its metabolic BW and ADG over 84 d. Animals were classified into Low (< 0.5 SD mean), Medium (within ± 0.5 SD), and High (> 0.5 SD mean) RFI group. Infrared thermography images were collected at a distance of approximately 1.5 m from regions of the animal’s body (eye, face, ribs, scrotum, forelegs, brisket) using an infrared thermographic camera, and analyzed by software (Testo 882, thermal imager software IRSoft). Data were analyzed with MIXED procedure (SAS, Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with RFI group as fixed effect of the model. No group effects were detected (P > 0.05) for eye, face, ribs, scrotum and forelegs. Only the brisket showed group effect (P = 0.02). Estimated brisket temperature of the Low RFI group was lower (29.14 ± 0.43°C) than High and Medium groups of RFI (30.33 ± 0.43°C vs. 29.97 ± 0.43°C, respectively). In conclusion, these results provide evidence of the relationship between thermal images of brisket and feed efficiency in growing water buffaloes under tropical conditions. Furthermore, it is important to note that the brisket is a region of prominent fat deposition in water buffalo and additional studies within this subject are warranted. Supported by FAPESP #2014/05473-7.