Dried Rumen Digesta Pellet Can Enhance Nitrogen Utilization in Thai Native, Wagyu-Crossbred Cattle Fed Rice Straw Based Diets.

Anuthida Seankamsorn,Anusorn Cherdthong

doi:10.3390/ani10010056

Anuthida Seankamsorn, Anusorn Cherdthong

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010056

Copy DOI

Abstract

Simple SummaryGenerated rumen digesta is wasted and becomes an environmental contaminant in most slaughterhouses in Thailand. Dried rumen digesta (DRD) is a mixture of digestible and indigestible feed residues and are fairly rich in nutrients. DRD has the capacity to become an alternative protein source for ruminants’ diets. DRD in pellet form could be an alternative strategic supplement for Thai-native, Wagyu-crossbred cattle to enhance N balances and microorganisms.The goal of the current research was to study the effects of a diet of dried rumen digesta pellets (DRDP) on diet utilization, ruminal microorganisms, and ruminal microbes in Thai native, Wagyu-crossbred cattle. Four Thai native, Wagyu-crossbred, beef cattle were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to supplement DRDP levels at 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/d, respectively. Rice straw intake, total intake, and estimated energy intake varied significantly among the different DRDP levels. Nitrogen intake, apparent N absorption, and apparent N retention were significantly enhanced when compared to the 0 g/d DRDP. DRDP supplementation at 150 g/d produced the greatest apparent digestibility of crude protein compared to the group that was not fed DRDP. Supplementation of DRDP did not alter the population of protozoa, whereas the addition of 150 g DRDP significantly increased the fungal zoospore. Supplementation of DRDP at various levels did not change the concentration of volatile fatty acid (VFA) or the VFA profiles. Thus, DRDP could be an alternative strategic supplement for Thai-native, Wagyu-crossbred cattle in order to enhance N utilization and fungal zoospores.

Highlights

Beef consumption in Thailand has increased over the years with the increasing per capita income.A number of successful enterprises finishing cattle have started to supply high-quality beef [1]
The higher feed intakes of 150 g/d dried rumen digesta pellets (DRDP) compared with the no DRDP fed group could be attributed to the pelleting diet improving palatability and increasing feed intakes
The improvement of N utilization with DRDP indicates the positive practical effect of DRDP with high estimated N intake diets compared to the control diet with N deficiency

Summary

Introduction

Beef consumption in Thailand has increased over the years with the increasing per capita income.A number of successful enterprises finishing cattle have started to supply high-quality beef [1]. Beef consumption in Thailand has increased over the years with the increasing per capita income. The production of beef cattle in Thailand often faces inadequate quantities of nutrients, especially during the dry season, and is characterized by low performance efficiency [2]. Beef cattle producers are becoming increasingly interested in the utilization of locally available feed resources, animal residues [3,4]. Generated rumen digesta is neglected and represents serious natural contaminants in slaughterhouses [4]. Dried rumen digesta (DRD) is a mixture of digestible and indigestible feed, mainly found in the rumen of ruminant and is fairly rich in nutrients [5]. Cherdthong et al [4] reported that DRD consisted of crude protein at 19.4% dry matter (DM). Okpanachi et al [6] revealed that DRD contained microorganism cells, minerals, and fermentation

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion