Marcos Marcondes

MarcondesLab investigations into the feeding practices for pre-weaning ruminants have uncovered crucial insights, particularly regarding the liquid diet’s impact on pre-weaning calves. Revealing that a substantial portion of this diet leaks into the esophagus, providing substrates for microbial protein synthesis, MarcondesLab sheds light on optimizing metabolizable protein requirements for young ruminants. This knowledge is fundamental in fine-tuning milk replacers and starter feeds, ultimately enhancing performance and intensifying production systems for pre-weaning ruminants. MarcondesLab’s exploration of textured calf starters with whole-kernel corn showcases potential improvements in calf health. Notably, despite not altering intake and performance, these starters can enhance calf well-being, as evidenced by improved physiological parameters. The lab is also committed to finding non-invasive approaches, like bioimpedance analysis, for assessing body composition in calves, demonstrating a dedication to animal welfare and scientific innovation. 

Furthermore, the lab’s insights into early breeding programs and their effects on mammary gland development offer valuable guidance to the dairy industry. Utilizing strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of early breeding management on mammary gland development in Holstein heifers is a significant stride toward optimizing milk production potential.

Lastly, MarcondesLab’s research on the nutrition of dairy cows addresses critical aspects of dairy farming, focusing on formulation precision, production efficiency, and diet quality. The emphasis on validating methodologies and markers to measure mixing quality ensures that cows receive optimal diets, maximizing their production potential. MarcondesLab’s pioneering work on integrating seaweeds into dairy cow diets to mitigate methane emissions showcases an environmentally conscious approach. This research offers a sustainable solution by reducing methane production without compromising cow health or productivity, aligning with global efforts to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

In summary, MarcondesLab’s multidimensional research efforts contribute significantly to the dairy world, encompassing nutritional strategies for young ruminants, calf health improvement, efficient diet formulation, sustainable practices, and innovations for animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

Complete Publications List (ORCID)

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