Effects of Seaweed and Organic Mineral Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility and Milk Yield in Lactating Saanen Crossbred Goats

The effect of partly replacing cottonseed cake with Mucuna hay (Mucuna spp. var. Ghana) on feed intake, digestibility and milk production of dairy cows was studied using six Zebu cows randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a replicated Latin square design. All cows were fed hay from natural pastures ad libitum and 1.1 kg molasses as a basal diet, which was supplemented with: (1) 2 kg cottonseed cake (control diet), (2) 1.5 kg cottonseed cake and 1.2 kg Mucuna hay (low Mucuna, LM), and (3) 1.0 kg cottonseed cake and 3.3 kg Mucuna hay (high Mucuna, HM). Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intake were similar for all the diets. The addition of Mucuna significantly increased DM and organic matter digestibility, whereas CP, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre digestibility were similar among the diets. The treatments had no effect on daily milk yield (3.38, 3.43 and 3.38 kg milk) or milk composition (41.1, 43.7 and 42.7 g fat/kg milk; 35.1, 36.4 and 35.9 g protein/kg milk; and 46.1, 45.8 and 45.3 g lactose/kg milk, respectively, for cows fed control, LM and HM diets). The treatments had no significant effect on live weight changes. The results showed that replacing 50% of the cottonseed cake with Mucuna hay had no negative effects on feed intake and digestibility, milk yield or milk composition.

Peas Can Replace Soybean Meal and Corn Grain in Dairy Cow Diets

The research was aimed to obtain the level of organic minerals supplementation with Total mixed fiber Amoniation (TMFA) as basal feeding for the improvement of nutrient digestibility in rumen. Technique of research conducted by In Vitro technique. The method used in this research is a Completely Randomly Designed (CRD) with 4 treatments and 4 replications. P1: 60% amoniation TMF + 0 x Organic macro minerals (Ca, P, and S) NRC (2000) + 15% Swamp Legumes. P2: 60% ammonia TMF + 0.75 x Organic macro minerals (Ca, P, and S) NRC (2000) + 15% Swamp Legum, P3: 60% ammonia TMF + 1 x Organic macro minerals (Ca, P, and S) NRC (2000) + 15% Legum Swamp P4: 60% amoniation TMF + 1.5 x Organic macro minerals (Ca, P, and S) NRC (2000) + 15% Swamp Legum. Each treatment was added with an organic micro-mineral consisting of 40 ppm organic Zn, 10 ppm organic Cu, 0.10 ppm organic Se, and 0.30 ppm organic Cr. The parameters measured in the in-vitro technique were, measurement of nutrient digestibility which consists of dry matter and organic matter, crude protein, crude fiber, NDF and ADF. The results showed that organic mineral supplementation had significantly different effect (P <0.05) on nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ADF, NDF). The conclusion of this study was that organic mineral supplementation of Ca, P and S 1.5 times of requirement according to NRC (2000) gave the best results for in vitro nutrient beef digestion with Total mixed fiber ammoniation (TMFA) as basal feed and supplementation of l5% legume swamp (Kemon air). Keywords : Amoniation, total mixed fiber, organic mineral, nutrient digestibility

Effects of high-quality oil palm frond pellets on nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, and production performance of lactating dairy cows

Simple SummaryThe supplementation of direct-feed microorganisms (DFM) that are commonly used in ruminants. The main types of DFM used in ruminant studies include yeast, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), etc. However, the interaction and subsequent results of mixed microbes such as yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and other microbes in ruminants have not been studied. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of microbial fermented liquid (MFL) supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition in early lactating dairy cows. The results showed that supplementation could improve feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition in early lactating dairy cows.The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of MFL supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition in early lactating dairy cows. Twelve, Thai crossbred Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation, 500 ± 30 kg of body weight (BW), were randomly assigned according to a completely randomized design (CRD). MFL supplementation levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mL/d were used as treatments. Experimental animals were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) with a roughage to concentrate ratio (R:C ratio) of 40:60, which contains 12% crude protein (CP) and 70% total digestible nutrient (TDN). Rice straw was a roughage source. MFL supplementation levels had no effect (p > 0.05) on body weight change and dry matter intake (DMI) expressed as %BW, whereas DMI expressed as metabolic body weight (BW0.75) was linearly (p < 0.05) increased, with the highest at 200 mL/d in the YFL supplementation group (147.5 g/kg BW0.75), whereas feed intake of organic matter (OM), CP, ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) did not significant (p > 0.05) difference among treatments. Related to apparent digestibility, MFL levels did not affect (p > 0.05) on DM, OM, and EE digestibility, while apparent digestibility of CP, NDF, and ADF were linearly increased (p < 0.05) when increasing MFL supplementation levels, and the highest (p < 0.05) were the 200 and 300 mL/d FML supplemented groups. BUN at 0 h post feeding did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05) between treatments, while at 4 h after feeding, BUN was linearly (p < 0.05) increased from 0, 100, 200, and 300 (mL/day) MFL supplementation, the values were 12.9, 13.1, 19.7, and 18.4 mg/dL, respectively and the highest was 200 mL/head/day for the MFL supplemented group. MFL supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) milk fat, lactose, solid not fat (SNF), and specific gravity of milk, while MFL supplementation at 200 mL/day caused a linear increase (p < 0.01) in BUN, MUN, milk yield, milk protein, total solids (TS) and 3.5% FCM when supplement levels were increased. In conclusion, MFL supplementation in early lactating dairy cows could improve feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition.

This experiment was conducted to investigate effect of dried Sesbania sesban leaves supplementation on milk yield, feed intake and digestibility of Holstein Frisian X Zebu (Arado) crossbred dairy cows. Twelve cows at midlactation (155.83 ± 4.49days of lactation), second parity, and 442.21 ± 3.40kg average live body weight were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments according to a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked according to their daily milk yield into three blocks of four animals each. Cows were fed a basal diet (control) or a basal diet supplemented with 1.25kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves, 2kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves and 2.75kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves on a dry matter basis for 8weeks. Total dry matter intake, nutrient intake, milk yield, dry matter digestibility, and nutrient digestibility showed significant variation among treatments. Cows supplemented with the highest level of Sesbania sesban (2.75kg/day) had higher total dry matter and nutrient intake. Similarly, cows supplemented with 2 and 2.75kg/day had higher milk yield than the nonsupplemented cows (up to 11.3 and 16.2%, respectively). Digestibility was lower for the nonsupplemented cows compared to cows supplemented with 2 and 2.75kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves but statistically similar to the cows supplemented with 1.25kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves. Supplementation with 2.75kg/day Sesbania sesban resulted in higher organic matter digestibility (OMD) compared to the control. Crude protein digestibility (CPD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), and acid detergent fiber digestibility (ADFD) were significantly affected by Sesbania sesban supplementation. The nonsupplemented cows had lower CPD, NDFD, and ADFD. These results indicate that dried Sesbania sesban leaves supplementation to dairy increases total DM intake, digestibility, and milk yield.

Effects of soybeans roasting and monensin on milk production and composition and milk fatty acids profile of lactating dairy cows

Inclusion of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) silage in dairy cow rations affects nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, energy balance, and methane emissions

This study aimed to 1) examine nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial synthesis, and enteric methane emission when feeding diets high in sugar content provided as freshly stored or ensiled sugar beets to dairy cows, and 2) to evaluate the methane mitigation potential of ensiled sugar beets with different nutrient composition (sugar vs. alcohol) by use of an additive during ensiling. Four rumen, duodenal and ileal fistulated Danish Holstein dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Maize silage was included in the control diet (CON) and was partially replaced in the experimental diets with either freshly stored sugar beets (SBF), ensiled beets with ensiling additive (SBE+), or ensiled beets without ensiling additive (SBE−) at 196 g/kg dietary dry matter (DM) content. Cows adapted to the diets for 11 d, after which rumen liquid and digesta were collected over 5 d, and gas exchange was measured in respiration chambers over the next 5 d. Dry matter intake (DMI), daily methane production, and methane per kg organic matter (OM) intake, rumen digested OM, and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield were unaffected by diet. Methane per kg DMI (tendency) and per kg OM intake was lower for SBE– compared to SBF. Nutrient digestibility of DM, OM, starch, and neutral detergent fibre in different sections of the digestive tract were unaffected by diet. Molar proportion of acetate in rumen liquid decreased for ensiled sugar beet diets relative to CON, while molar proportions of propionate and acetate-to-propionate ratio remained unaffected. Molar proportion of butyrate was higher for SBE+ than CON. Microbial crude protein synthesis and microbial efficiency were unaffected by diet. Milk yield and ECM yield (tendency) were lower for SBE+ than CON. In conclusion, freshly stored sugar beets and sugar beets ensiled with or without additive, can replace maize silage in dairy cattle rations without adverse effects on DMI, rumen fermentation, and nutrient digestibility, and without altering most expressions of methane emissions, but methane per kg of OM intake was lower for beets ensiled without additive compared to freshly stored beets. The ECM yield, however, tends to be lowered for ensiled beets with additive.

Effects of substitution of millet straw for corn silage and alfalfa hay on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites in late-lactation Holstein dairy cows

Simple SummaryIn tropical regions, it is common practice to feed dairy cows poor-quality roughage, but this diet has been shown to decrease animal productivity and increase methane emissions. For these reasons, introducing alternative roughage feeds, such as nutritionally improved forages or bio-chemically treated straw, is essential for improving milk yield, dietary nitrogen utilization, and reducing enteric methane emission from dairy cows. Thus, we evaluated the effects of natural pasture hay, two improved grass hays (Napier and Brachiaria hybrid grasses), and treated teff straw silage feeding as basal diets on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and enteric methane emissions using lactating Fogera dairy cows. Our results showed that improved grass hays and treated teff straw silage diet feeding increased milk yield, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen utilization efficiency as compared to natural pasture hay. Moreover, the cows fed with improved grass hays and treated teff straw resulted in changing the nitrogen excretion pathway from urine to feces, as well as reduction of the methane production per daily milk yield. Hence, these results provide a novel feeding regimen through feeding nutritionally upgraded forages as a basal diet, which improves milk yield, nutrient utilization efficiency, and reduction of methane emission for sustainable dairy production in tropical regions.The nutritionally imbalanced poor-quality diet feeding is the major constraint of dairy production in tropical regions. Hence, alternative high-quality roughage-based diets are required to improve milk yield and reduce methane emission (CH4). Thus, we tested the effects of feeding natural pasture hay, improved forage grass hays (Napier and Brachiaria Hybrid), and treated crop residues (Eragrostis tef straw) on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, nitrogen balance, and methane emission. The eight lactating Fogera cows selected for the experiment were assigned randomly to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Cows were housed in well-ventilated individual pens and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) comprising 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. The four roughage-based basal dietary treatments supplemented with formulated concentrate were: Control (natural pasture hay (NPH)); treated teff straw silage (TTS); Napier grass hay (NGH); and Brachiaria hybrid grass hay (BhH). Compared with the control diet, the daily milk yield increased (p < 0.01) by 31.9%, 52.9%, and 71.6% with TTS, NGH, and BhH diets, respectively. Cows fed BhH had the highest dry matter intake (8.84 kg/d), followed by NGH (8.10 kg/d) and TTS (7.71 kg/d); all of these intakes were greater (p = 0.01) than that of NPH (6.21 kg/d). Nitrogen digestibility increased (p < 0.01) from the NPH diet to TTS (by 27.7%), NGH (21.7%), and BhH (39.5%). The concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen was higher for cows fed NGH than other diets (p = 0.01) and positively correlated with plasma urea nitrogen concentration (R² = 0.45). Feeding TTS, NGH, and BhH hay as a basal diet changed the nitrogen excretion pathway from urine to feces, which can help protect against environmental pollution. Estimated methane yields per dry matter intake and milk yield were decreased in dairy cows fed BhH, NGH, and TTS diets when compared to cows fed an NPH diet (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding of TTS, NGH, and BhH roughages as a basal diet to lactating dairy cows in tropical regions improved nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and reduced enteric methane emission.

Recently, the potential of using chitosan (CHI) as a feed additive to enhance ruminal fermentation and improve animal performance has gained increasing attention in ruminant nutrition. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with increasing doses of CHI on rumen fermentation attributes and microbial composition, digestibility and milk performance in Dhofari goats. Twenty-four lactating goats (27 ± 1.8 kg of initial live body weight) were fed a control diet comprising of Rhodes grass hay plus a concentrate feed mixture. Goats were assigned to one of three experimental treatments (n = 8 per treatment) as: (1) control diet with no supplement (CTRL), (2) control diet with 0.300 g/day CHI (CHI0.3) and (3) control diet supplemented with 0.600 g/day CHI (CHI0.6) for a 45-day experimental period. Dietary supplementation with increasing doses of CHI decreased (p < 0.05) linearly ruminal pH (p = 0.023), total short chain fatty acids concentrations (p = 0.011), acetate (p = 0.013) and butyrate (p = 0.042) proportions, acetate to propionate ratio (p < 0.001), estimated methane (CH4) production (p < 0.001), ammonia nitrogen concentrations (p = 0.003) and protozoa abundance (p = 0.003). However, the ruminal propionate proportion augmented (p = 0.002) linearly with increasing doses of CHI in the diet. Increasing doses of CHI linearly increased the abundance of the ruminal propionate-producing bacteria, while diminished acetate and CH4-producing bacteria (p < 0.05). Serum total protein (p = 0.037) and glucose (p = 0.042) levels linearly increased as CHI doses increased in the diet. However, serum UREA levels decreased linearly (p = 0.002) by 21% with increasing CHI amounts in the diet. The digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre increased linearly with the increasing CHI doses (p < 0.05). Neither linear nor quadratic responses (p > 0.05) were observed in daily milk yield and feed efficiency by supplementing the diet with CHI. In conclusion, supplementing the diet with CHI at a dose of 0.600 g/day as a feed additive for dairy goats reduced estimated CH4 generation and improved fibre and protein digestion, with no influence on feed intake, milk yield or composition.

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of substituting mixed silage (fresh ramie: dry rice straw = 80: 20; kg: kg) composed of fresh forage ramie, also known as ‘China grass’, Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud (a nettle native to Asia) and rice straw for corn silage and alfalfa hay on the production performance, milk components, rumen fermentation parameters, and nutrient digestion in dairy cows. Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein cows (629 ± 59.2 kg of BW, 25 ± 4.7 kg of milk yield, and 100 ± 18 DIM; mean ± SD) were randomly divided into three groups. The experimental treatments containing three diets, each consisting of differing proportions of mixed silage (0%, 10%, and 20%, designated as CON, MS1, and MS2, respectively) as a substitution for corn silage and alfalfa hay. There were no effects of mixed silage diets on dry matter intake (DMI), 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield, milk protein percentage, milk somatic cell count, and milk urea nitrogen (MUN), but linearly increased total solids (p = .03) and milk fat percentage (p = .001) in cows fed the MS1 and MS2 diets. Feeding mixed silage diets linearly reduced milk yield (p = .01) and milk lactose percentage (p = .01), and had linearly increased rumen pH values (p = .01). There were no observable differences in other rumen fermentation parameters between the mixed silage and control diets. Mixed silage diets exhibited increased DM digestibility (linearly, p = .04; quadratically, p = .017) and linearly decreased crude protein digestibility (p = .05), but we observed no differences in the apparent total-tract digestibility of EE, NDF, and ADF between the control and mixed silage diets. In conclusion, using ramie and rice straw mixed silage proved beneficial by increasing milk fat percentage, milk solids, and DM digestibility, ramie could be used as a potential forage resource in dairy cow diets. Highlights We tested the effects of substituting alfalfa hay and corn silage with mixed silage composed of fresh forage ramie and rice straw on dairy cows Mixed silage diets had no effect on dry matter intake (DMI) Mixed silage diets reduced milk yield and milk lactose percentage

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of dried and ground foliage of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) on feed intake and utilization, and production performance of crossbred lactating cows.MethodsEighteen lactating crossbred (Bos taurus×Bos indicus) cows (body weight 330.93± 10.82 kg) at their second and mid lactation (milk yield 6.77±0.54 kg/d) were randomly divided into three groups of six each in a completely randomized block design. Three supplements were formulated by quantitatively replacing 0, 50, and 100 per cent of dietary wheat bran of concentrate mixture with dried and ground foliage of black gram. The designated supplement was fed to each group with basal diet of rice straw (ad libitum) to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production. Daily feed intake and milk yield was recorded. A digestion trial was conducted to determine the total tract digestibility of various nutrients.ResultsThe daily feed intake was increased (p<0.05) with the supplementation of black gram foliage. Although the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract did not vary (p>0.05), the fibre digestibility was increased (p<0.05), which ultimately improved (p<0.05) the total digestible nutrients content of composite diet. Although, the average milk yield (kg/animal/d) and composition did not differ (p>0.05) among the groups, milk yield was increased by 10 per cent with total replacement of wheat bran in concentrate mixture with of black gram foliage. The economics of milk production calculated as feed cost per kg milk yield (INR 10.61 vs 7.98) was reduced by complete replacement of wheat bran with black gram foliage.ConclusionBlack gram foliage could be used as complete replacement for wheat bran in concentrate mixture of dairy cows in formulating least cost ration for economic milk production in small holders’ animal production.

Production performance, nutrient digestibility, and milk fatty acid profile of lactating dairy cows fed corn silage- or sorghum silage-based diets with and without xylanase supplementation