Comparative energy value of discarded potato chips used as feedingredient in finishing diets for lambs

Crossbred beef steers with a high percentage of Angus ancestry [n = 240, initial shrunk body weight (BW), 404 ± 18.5 kg] were used in a 117-d feedlot experiment to evaluate the effect of hybrid rye (Rye; KWS Cereals USA, LLC, Champaign, IL) as a replacement for dry-rolled corn (DRC) on growth performance, carcass traits, and comparative net energy (NE) value in diets fed to finishing steers. Rye from a single hybrid (KWS Bono) with an ergot alkaloid concentration of 392 ppb was processed with a roller mill to a processing index (PI) of 78.8 ± 2.29. Four treatments were used in a completely randomized design (n = 6 pens/treatment; 10 steers/pen), where DRC (PI = 86.9 ± 4.19) was replaced by varying proportions of Rye [DRC:Rye, dry matter (DM) basis (60:0), (40:20), (20:40), and (0:60)]. Liver abscess scores and carcass characteristics were collected at the abattoir. Carcass-adjusted performance was calculated from hot carcass weight (HCW)/0.625. Performance-adjusted NE was calculated using carcass-adjusted average daily gain (ADG), DM intake (DMI), and mean equivalent shrunk BW with the comparative NE values for rye calculated using the replacement technique. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Treatment effects were tested using linear and quadratic contrasts, as well as between diets with and without Rye. Replacing DRC with Rye linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, DMI, and gain:feed (G:F). Feeding rye linearly decreased HCW and longissimus muscle area (P ≤ 0.04). Distributions of liver scores and USDA grades for quality and yield were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.09). Estimated replacement NE for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) values for rye, when included at 60% of diet DM, were 1.90 and 1.25 Mcal/kg, respectively. Rye can be a suitable feed ingredient in finishing diets for feedlot steers. Estimated replacement values of Rye when fed at 60% of diet DM closely agreed with current tabular standards but, when included at 20% of diet DM, estimated NEm and NEg values of Rye were increased 9.5% and 12.8%, respectively. Net energy value of Rye for gain is approximately 84% compared to DRC; thus, the complete replacement of DRC with Rye depressed DMI, ADG, G:F, and carcass weight.

Several reports on the effects of zeolite (ZEO) inclusion in diets for feedlot lamb diets have indicated improvements in dietary energy efficiency and decreases in internal fat. Inclusion levels and the type of zeolite used have been the main focus of those reports. However, the possible effect of the zeolite particle size on the growth performance and carcass characteristics has not yet been investigated. Forty-eight male intact Pelibuey × Katahdin lambs were fed for 67 days with a high-energy diet supplemented with ZEO as follows: 1) basal diet 0% ZEO (control); 2) basal diet 3% ZEO particle size 250 µM (sieve 60); 3) basal diet 3% ZEO particle size 149 µM (sieve 100); and 4) basal diet 3% ZEO particle size 74 µM (sieve 200). ZEO replaced corn grain and soybean meal in equal parts. At the end of feeding, lambs were slaughtered, and variables such as carcass characteristics and visceral mass were evaluated. Particle size did not affect growth performance, carcass characteristics, or visceral mass. The inclusion of ZEO reduced 3.4% of dietary net energy in diets but did not affect dry matter intake or average daily gain, thus improving (p ≤ 0.05) dietary energy efficiency by 2.9%. Except for an 18.9% reduction (p = 0.02) in visceral mass fat, ZEO did not affect other carcass characteristics or visceral organ mass. The particle size studied in the present experiment has not affected any of the variables of growth performance or carcass characteristics. ZEO inclusion could be a strategy to reduce the visceral fat in finishing lambs.

Simple SummaryThe growth of small ruminant production is critical as the increasing human population continues to consume meat. An intensive and sustainable fattening system requires faster gains and fewer labor requirements at a lower cost. The current experiment was planned to evaluate the effects of pelleted and conventional total mix ration (TMR) with 15% and 25% wheat straw on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balancing, liver enzymes, blood metabolites, and complete blood counts. The feed intake and growth performance improved in both pelleted TMR treatments. The rumen pH was comparatively higher in those goats fed conventional TMR; however, in pelleted TMR the pH was greater than the threshold level set for subacute ruminal acidosis. Nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balancing, blood metabolites, complete blood count, and liver enzymes were not influenced by straw level or physical form of diet.The inclusion of straw in high concentrate total mixed rations (TMRs) of male fattening goats can provide the necessary fiber to prevent ruminal acidosis and maintain growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the physical form (PF) of the diet (pelleted vs. conventional) and the straw level (SL) of wheat straw (WS) (15% versus 25%) in total mixed rations on feed intake, growth, total tract digestibility, and blood metabolites of fattening goats. Thirty-two male Beetal goats (27.4 ± 0.28 kg body weight (BW)) were divided randomly into the following four dietary treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (n = 8/treatment): (1) CTMR15 (conventional TMR containing 15% WS), (2) CTMR25 (conventional TMR containing 25% WS), (3) PTMR15 (pelleted TMR containing 15% WS), and (4) PTMR25 (pelleted TMR containing 25% WS). Both conventional and pelleted 15% WS TMR had 33.7% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 19.3% acid detergent fiber (ADF), whereas in 25% WS TMR the NDF and ADF contents were 38.7% and 22.9%, respectively. The experimental diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous (crude protein (CP) = 15%). The dry matter intake (DMI) (1.265 vs. 1.044 kg/day) and average daily gain (ADG) (0.176 vs. 0.143 kg/day) were higher (p < 0.05) in pelleted vs. conventional TMR-fed goats. Irrespective of the PF of the TMR, the 15% WS-fed animals had greater (p < 0.05) DMI (1.206 vs. 1.102 kg/day) and ADG (0.172 vs. 0.144 kg) when compared to those fed on 25% WS diets. Furthermore, feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) was higher (p < 0.05) in the 25% WS-fed goats when compared with the 15% WS-fed animals. Digestibility coefficients, nitrogen balancing, hepatic enzymes, blood metabolites, and hematological parameters were similar (p > 0.05) across all treatments. In conclusion, feeding pelleted TMR with WS improved DMI and growth performance as compared to those fed conventional TMR, and 15% WS performed better than 25% WS without exerting any adverse effects on blood metabolites, liver enzymes, or hematological parameters.

Effects of a completely pelleted diet on growth performance in Holstein heifers.

Intake and milk production of cows fed diets that differed in dietary neutral detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber digestibility

Feeding value of nontoxic Jatropha curcas seed cake for partially replacing dry-rolled corn and soybean meal in lambs fed finishing diets

The main objective of sheep production in Mexico is the production of meat. The greater demand of sheep meat in relation to the offer generated an attractive market that favored the intensification of the fattening, to take advantage of the growth of lambs in its different stages, and reduce the days of fattening. Thirty-two lambs (28.50± 2.67 kg initial shrunk weight) were used in a 63-day feeding trial (4 pens per treatment, randomized complete block design) to evaluate neutral detergent fiber level (4, 8, 12, and 16% diet DM) on finishing-phase growth performance, dietary energetics and carcass traits. Dietary treatments consisted of a cracked corn-based diet in which the NDF concentration of diet was manipulated by replacing cracked corn grain by corn stubble. Dietary NDF level showed a quadratic response on average daily gain and gain efficiency, being those maximal at 8% NDF level. Lambs fed 8% NDF level tended (P = 0.07) to shown greater dry matter intake than others treatments. The ratio of observed-to-expected dietary net energy was 3% lower (0.97) for lambs fed 4% NDF, while the ratio of observed-to-expected dietary net energy for lambs that were fed with 8, 16 and 16% NDF were closely to 1.00. Hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage (DP) were maximal for the lambs fed 8% NDF level (quadratic effect, P ≤ 0.03); beyond this level, HCW and DP percentage decreased as NDF level increased. Using corn stubble as source of NDF in growing-finishing diets for lambs, the optimal NDF level was 8%. Fiber level below 8% decreases net energy utilization, and this may be cause by digestive disorders. Fiber levels upper 8% did not affect energy utilization; however, affect negatively average daily gain, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics by effect of high levels of fiber on energy dilution of diet.

To determine the feeding effect of densified total mixed ration (TMR) in sheep, an experiment was conducted at livestock farm, Hayathnagar Research Farm of ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India. A total of 18 Nellore growing male sheep of 6-8 months age were selected and randomly divided into 3 treatment groups having 6 sheep in each group considering their body weight (12.56±0.45 kg). Existing feeding practice at the farm was considered as control group (T0). In another two groups, animals fed TMR (40% roughages: 60% concentrate, contained 14% CP), where one fed as block (T1) and another as mash form (T2). For making TMR, sorghum stover was used as crop residue. The feeding trial was continued for a period of 90 days. After one month of the feeding trial, a digestibility trial was conducted. Respective samples of supplied feed, leftover and feces samples were subjected to chemical analysis for determination of crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), dry matter (DM), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). The data were analyzed using “SPSS 21.0” in completely randomized design (CRD). Fresh feed intakes were significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in T0 group than those of animals in T1 and T2 groups. DM intake, CP intake and %DM intake on live weight were significantly higher in T1 group (densified TMR). Average Daily Gain (ADG) significantly (p&lt;0.01) differed among treatment groups. Highest ADG (gm/day) and B:C ratio was observed in T1 (67.67, 5.49) and T2 (53.67, 4.71) groups and lowest in T0 group (43.44, 1.31 respectively). Except ADF digestibility, most of the nutrient’s digestibility were significantly higher in T1 and T2 group than T0 group. TMR, either in block or mash form gives better results in terms of ADG and nutrient digestibility.

The objective of the study was to compare the advantages of total mixed ration (TMR) feeding versus component (COMP) feeding concerning dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrient intake in terms of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake, and the onset of estrus. A total of ten growing Holstein Frisian (HF) x Jersey breeds were randomly assigned to participate in five months of feeding trials at the Dairy Training and Research Institute. The design structure employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising five blocking factors under two treatment groups. The TMR and COMP were composed of the same feed ingredients, including corn silage, Napier grass, concentrate mash, mixed legumes, molasses, and iodized salt, and they had the same quantity and nutrient requirements. The TMR was prepared and mixed in advance, prior to the commencement of the feeding trial. In contrast, the components of the COMP were offered separately to the cattle following the specified feeding schedule. The data were collected from the daily intake of the rations offered. The feed refusal was weighed daily before the morning feeding periods, while the body weight gain (BWG) was recorded every two weeks. While samples of the offered and refused feeds were collected once a week for nutritional analysis, the data were subjected to the ANOVA procedure of SAS Statistical Software. The results demonstrated that DM, CP, NDF, and ADF intake was higher in the TMR than in the COMP group. However, the differences in means for BWG, feed conversion ratio, and the onset of estrus were not significantly different. In conclusion, TMR is expected to be beneficial in raising growing dairy cattle.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding green fodder, rice straw and concentrate-based total mixed rations (TMR) on dry matter (DM) intake (DMI), nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation patterns and body weight (BW) gain (BWG) in mithun (Bos frontalis) calves. In a randomized block design, male mithun calves (n = 18, 8-10 months of age, 121 +/- 2 kg BW) were randomly divided into three experimental equal groups (six animals in each group) and fed isonitrogenous TMRs ad libitum for 120 days. The TMR(1) contained 30% Napier grass and 30% rice straw, TMR(2) contained 60% rice straw and TMR(3) contained 30% tree leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa) and 30% rice straw (DM basis). All the TMRs contained 40% concentrate mixture (DM basis). The results indicated that the BWG, DMI and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (p < 0.01) increased with the inclusion of green fodder in TMRs. The apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract were also improved significantly (p < 0.01) with the inclusion of green fodder in TMRs. The higher concentration of total nitrogen and total volatile fatty acid in rumen liquor, but low ruminal pH were evident in animals fed green fodder supplemented TMRs. An increased (p < 0.01) molar proportion of acetic acid was evident in animals fed rice straw-based TMR. In contrast, the molar proportion of propionic and butyric acids were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in animals fed green fodder supplemented TMRs. On the basis of higher DMI and higher daily BWG, it is concluded that Napier grass and L. speciosa tree leaves may be incorporated upto 30% (DM basis) in TMR of growing mithuns for feeding in complete confinement system.

Effects of feeding wheat straw or orchardgrass at ad libitum or restricted intake during the dry period on postpartum performance and lipid metabolism

Using mixed silages of sweet sorghum and alfalfa in total mixed rations to improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality of sheep

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), the end products of rumen fermentation, are the principal energy source for ruminants which potentially affect carcass yield and fat deposition in beef cattle. Rumen microbiota affects lipid metabolism in ruminants which might contribute to the variation in fat deposition. In this study, rumen fluid samples were collected from 204 beef steers raised under feedlot in Roy Berg Kinsella Research Ranch, University of Alberta. Individual VFA concentrations were measured using gas chromatography, and the bacterial and archaeal abundances were estimated by measuring total copy numbers of their respective 16S rRNA genes using qPCR. Animal phenotypic measures including body weight (BW), dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight (HCW), age at slaughter (age), ribeye area (CREA), adipose fat thickness (AFAT), lean meat yield (LMY) and marbling score (MS) were collected. The relationships among microbiota, VFAs and carcass traits were evaluated using stepwise, backward linear regression with a significant level of 0.05. The HCW was positively correlated with BW and ADG and was negatively correlated with propionate. Negative correlations were identified between age and BW, RFI, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. CREA had positive correlations with BW and DMI, and negative correlations with acetate. AFAT was positively correlated with DMI, BW and propionate while, acetate and butyrate tentatively positively correlated (P < 0.1) with AFAT. The LMY was negatively correlated with BW, DMI, acetate, propionate and butyrate. Marbling score was positively correlated with DMI, acetate, propionate and butyrate. The relationship between rumen microbial abundance and the above carcass and meat quality-related traits were not detected in this study. Our preliminary results reveal that rumen VFAs may contribute to carcass and meat quality traits in beef cattle, suggesting the potential application to improving carcass and meat quality in beef steers through manipulating rumen VFA.

The effects of yeast culture (YC) supplementation and the dietary ratio of non-structural carbohydrate to fat (NSCFR) on growth performance, carcass traits and fatty acid profile of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle in lambs were determined in a 2×3 full factorial experiment. Thirty-six Small-tailed Han lambs were randomly divided into six groups with six replicates per group. The lambs were fed one of the six pelleted total mixed rations (TMRs) for 60days after 15 adaption days. The six rations were formed by two NSCFRs (11.37 and 4.57) and three YC supplementation levels (0, 0.8 and 2.3g/kg dietary dry matter). The average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) data of each lamb were recorded and calculated. All the lambs were slaughtered for determining carcass traits and fatty acid profile of the LD muscle. DMI was significantly increased (p<0.05) in a quadratic fashion with 0.8g/kg of YC supplementation. Carcass weight (CW) and dressing percentage (DP) were significantly increased (p<0.05) in a linear fashion with 2.3g/kg of YC supplementation. Animals fed with high-NSCFR diet had higher (p<0.05) contents of myristoleic acid (C14:1), pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and cis-10-heptadecenoic acid (C17:1), and lower (p<0.05) stearic acid (C18:0) content in LD muscle than those fed with low-NSCFR diet. Moreover, ADG, growth rate (GR), backfat thickness (BFT), percentages of crude fat (CF) and crude protein (CP), SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs in LD muscle, were significantly affected (p<0.05) by interaction of dietary NSCFR and supplemental YC level. Overall, YC not only improved the growth performance and carcass traits of the animals but also modified the fatty acid profile of the LD muscle. Furthermore, the effects of YC supplementation may depend on dietary compositions.

Twenty Pelibuey×Katahdin ewes (35±2.3 kg) were used to determine the effects of the consumption of standardized plant extract containing a mixture of quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloids and protopine alkaloids (QBA+PA) on growth performance, dietary energetics, visceral mass, and ruminal epithelial health in heat-stressed ewes fed with a high-energy corn-based diet. The basal diet (13.9% crude protein and 2.09 Mcal of net energy [NE] of maintenance/kg of dry matter) contained 49.7% starch and 15.3% neutral detergent fiber. Source of QBA+PA was Sangrovit RS (SANG) which contains 3 g of quaternary benzophenathridine and protopine alkaloids per kg of product. Treatments consisted of a daily consumption of 0 or 0.5 g SANG/ewe. Ewes were grouped by weight and assigned to 10 pens (5 pens/treatment), with two ewes per pen. The experimental period lasted 70 days. The mean temperature humidity index during the course of this experiment was 81.7±1.0 (severe heat stress). There were no treatment effects on water intake. Dry matter intake was not affected (p = 0.70) by treatments, but the group fed SANG had a numerically (11.2%) higher gain in comparison to the control group, SANG improved gain efficiency (8.3%, p = 0.04), dietary NE (5.2%, p<0.01) and the observed-to-expected NE (5.9%, p<0.01). Supplemental SANG did not affect (p≥0.12) carcass characteristics, chemical composition of shoulder, and organ weights (g/kg empty body weight) of stomach complex, intestines, and heart/lung. Supplemental SANG decreased liver weight (10.3%, p = 0.02) and increased visceral fat (16.9%, p = 0.02). Rumen epithelium of ewes fed SANG had lower scores for cellular dropsical degeneration (2.08 vs 2.34, p = 0.02), parakeratosis (1.30 vs 1.82, p = 0.03) and neutrophil infiltration (2.08 vs 2.86, p = 0.05) than controls. It is concluded that SANG supplementation helped ameliorate the negative effects of severe heat on growth performance of feedlot ewes fed high-energy corn-based diets. Improvement in energetic efficiency may have been mediated, in part, by anti-inflammatory effects of supplemental SANG and corresponding enhancement of nutrient uptake.