ADF Contents Research Articles

Dairy cow nutrition in organic farming systems. Comparison with the conventional system

The energy supplied by the high-forage diets used in organic farming may be insufficient to meet the requirements of dairy cattle. However, few studies have considered this problem. The present study aimed to analyze the composition of the diets and the nutritional status (focusing on the energy–protein balance of the diets) of dairy cattle reared on organic farms in northern Spain, which are similar to other organic farming systems in temperate regions. Exhaustive information about diets was obtained from organic (ORG) and representative conventional grazing (GRZ) and conventional no-grazing (CNG) farms. Samples of feed from the respective farms were analyzed to determine the composition. Overall, the diets used on the ORG farms were very different from those used on the CNG farms, although the difference was not as evident for GRZ. The CNG farms were characterized by a higher total dry matter intake with a high proportion of concentrate feed, maize silage and forage silage. By contrast, on ORG and GRZ farms, the forage, pasture and fibre intake were the most important variables. The ration used on ORG farms contained a significantly higher percentage of ADF and lower organic matter (OM) content than the rations used in both of the conventional farming systems, indicating that the diets in the former were less digestible. Although the protein concentration in the diets used on the grazing farms (ORG and GRZ) was higher than those used on CNG farms, the protein intake was similar. The results indicated an imbalance between energy and protein due to the low level of energy provided by the ORG diets, suggesting that more microbial protein could be synthesized from the available rumen-degraded dietary nitrogen if rumen-fermentable OM was not limiting. The imbalance between energy and protein led to a reduced amount of total digestible protein reaching the intestine and a lower milk yield per kilogram of CP intake on the ORG farms. In order to improve the protein use efficiency and consequently to reduce the loss of nitrogen to the environment, organic farming should aim to increase the energy content of cattle diets by improving forage quality and formulating rations with more balanced combinations of forage and grain.

The effect of faba bean extrusion on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, metabolizable energy, excretion of sialic acids and meat quality of broiler chickens

Soybean meal in broiler chicken diets can partly be replaced by faba bean seeds. Unfortunately, high levels of antinutritional factors and resistant starch found in these seeds can have a detrimental impact on both broiler chickens’ performance and nutrient digestibility. It is, however, possible to increase the usefulness of faba bean for broiler nutrition by a technological process known as extrusion. In this study, the authors made and attempt to investigate the effect of different forms of faba bean seeds (raw or extruded) on broiler chicken performance, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy values (AMEN), nutrient utilization and meat quality, as well as on the excretion of total and free sialic acids. In the trial, the total of 160 1-day-old male broiler chicks of the Ross 308 strain were used. Experimental birds were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, each containing 10 replication (floor pens); one replication included nine birds. The first group contained 300 g/kg diet of raw faba bean seeds, whereas the second group – 300 g/kg diet of extruded faba bean seeds. The applied extrusion process was found to exert a positive impact and led to a decrease in phytic phosphorus, H, NDF, ADF and resistant starch content in studied faba bean seeds. Experimental birds fed diets containing extruded faba bean seeds were characterized by a lower feed intake (2299 g) and feed conversion ratios (FCRs) (1.52 g/g) in comparison with the other group (feed intake 2466 g; FCR 1.61 g/g). Extrusion of faba bean seeds improved dry matter retention, dietary AMEN value, apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter and starch, as well as most amino acids. In addition, the above-mentioned process resulted in a decrease in the excretion of total and free sialic acids. Extruded faba bean seeds failed to have a significant impact on broiler meat quality. It was concluded that application of extrusion can increase the use of faba bean seeds in broiler chicken nutrition.

Herbage Accumulation, Nutritive Value, and Regrowth Potential of Sunn Hemp at Different Harvest Regimens and Maturity

Low productivity and nutritive value of cool‐season perennial forages, such as tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] during summer necessitates the identification of warm‐season forages that improve nutritive value and yield of cool‐season‐based forage systems. A fast‐growing, warm‐season tropical legume sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) has the potential to accomplish this. Our objectives were to evaluate herbage accumulation and nutritive value (crude protein [CP], in vitro true digestibility [IVTD], neutral detergent fiber [NDF], acid detergent fiber [ADF], and NDF digestibility [NDFD, 48 h]) of sunn hemp harvested 35, 45, and 55 d after planting (DAP) at 10‐ and 15‐cm heights and to determine regrowth potential when harvested 20 d after each initial harvest over two consecutive years. Sunn hemp herbage accumulation averaged 1.9 and 3.1 Mg ha−1 at 45 and 55 DAP, respectively. Herbage accumulation of initial harvest increased linearly from 35 to 45 to 55 DAP by 119 and 57%, respectively. Herbage accumulation of regrowth after the 35 DAP initial harvest was 262 and 303% greater than the 45 and 55 DAP initial harvests, respectively. Cutting height did not affect (P > 0.05) any variables. The greatest CP (154 g kg−1 dry matter) was observed at 35 DAP and decreased linearly with DAP. Both NDF (P < 0.01) and ADF (P = 0.01) concentrations increased linearly with DAP for both initial and regrowth harvests. The IVTD of initial and regrowth harvests averaged 794 and 624 g kg−1 dry matter, respectively. Forage NDFD for initial and regrowth harvests averaged 487 and 392 g kg−1 NDF, respectively. Nutritive value and herbage accumulation of sunn hemp can be optimized by initially harvesting between 35 and 45 DAP, and leaving at least 10 cm of residue to allow for regrowth.

Effects of ruminal degradability of ensiled whole crop maize varieties on feed intake and milk production of dairy cows

The feed value of whole crop maize silage (WCMS) depends on nutrient composition, ruminal degradability and whole tract digestibility. However, as the ruminal degradation rate is involved in physical regulation of feed intake, ruminal degradability of WCMS may also affect feed intake and milk production of dairy cows. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine relationships between nutrient composition, ruminal degradability, and whole tract digestibility of WCMS and feed intake and milk production of dairy cows. Nine varieties were tested in 3 consecutive years. Nutrient composition analyses included proximate analysis and determination of cell wall constituents. Whole tract digestibility was determined in vivo using wethers and ruminal degradability was examined in situ using four rumen-fistulated steers. Feed intake and milk production were measured using nine cows per variety. Cows were fed a ration consisting of 75.0% WCMS, 8.5% hay and 16.5% soya bean meal (dry matter basis) ad libitum. Variety did not influence nutrient composition, except for the concentration of ADF (ADFom), ADL and utilisable CP (uCP). In contrast, variety had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on ruminal degradability of NDF (aNDFom) and on whole tract digestibility of organic matter (OM) and non-fibre carbohydrates. Dry matter intake (DMI) of WCMS tended to be affected by variety (0.05<P < 0.10) whereas no effect on energy-corrected milk production (ECM) was observed. The year of harvest had an influence on net energy for lactation and uCP concentration, ruminal degradability and whole tract digestibility of nutrients, as well as on DMI and ECM of dairy cows. Whole tract aNDFom digestibility of WCMS was positively correlated with aNDFom concentration (R2 = 0.48) and whole tract OM digestibility (R2 = 0.58). Furthermore, ruminal OM degradability was positively correlated with DMI (R2 = 0.57) and ECM (R2 = 0.49) of dairy cows. The results indicate that ruminal degradability and whole tract digestibility have a greater impact on the feed value of WCMS than nutrient composition and should be focused on to optimise feed intake and milk production of dairy cows. Thus, maize breeders should include ruminal degradability and whole tract digestibility parameters in variety testing programs to increase the informative value of variety descriptions for farmers.

Evaluation of kharif Forage Crops for Biomass Production and Nutritional Parameters in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

The field experiment was conducted during Kharif , 2017 at Research farm of Agronomy Section, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replications. Among eight treatments two perennial forage crops NBH, guinea grass cultivated sole as well as intercropping with cowpea and four seasonal fodder crops (cowpea, sorghum, baby corn and maize) were tested. Experimental results showed that among the different fodder crops, the highest DM content was recorded in the intercropped guinea grass (25.1%) with cowpea in the 2:3 row ratio followed by sole guinea grass (24.9%) while lower in cowpea (16.9%). Protein, ether extract and total ash yield were statistically significant higher in the intercropping of NBH + cowpea (14.46 q/ha), (3.28 q/ha) and 13.07 q/ha, respectively). The higher ADF content was observed in the sorghum sole (41.6%), followed by guinea sole (40.1%) while, lower in sole maize (35.3%) and it was statistically significant from sole sorghum and guinea forage crops. The higher value of NDF was recorded in the sole guinea grass (71.16%) which was significantly higher over the other treatments. The ADL was found highest in the sole cowpea (8.68%).

English

Litter mineralization is a crucial process in providing nutrients through decomposition to plants, which also depends in the biochemical composition of the litter and soil properties as well. Decomposition rate of Erythrina abyssinica and Erythrina brucei in Luvisol was investigated in relation to their nutrient release dynamics such as NH4+-N and NO3--N in relation to their initial concentrations of lignin, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and total polyphenol content and their ratios. The dynamic was followed in an incubation pot experiment, complete randomized design in replication. E. abyssinica has an average of 4.05, 9.7 and 2.04% TN, lignin and total polyphenol content respectively. E. brucei has also an average of 3.05, 12.63 and 1.05% content of TN, lignin and total polyphenol respectively. The samples of E. abyssinica and E. brucei were ground and incorporated with Luvisol in pots. To determine the amount of ammonium and nitrate released each treatment and control were sampled and analyzed on weekly basses. The lignin and total polyphenol was significantly positively correlated with the release of NH4+-N, while the NO3--N showed significant negative correlations with the release of ammonium. From the experiment, it was observed that the E. abyssinica with lower content of lignin and high in TN has released the nutrients faster whereas E. brucei with high lignin and low total polyphenol content released slowly. &nbsp;In general, these leguminous trees released NH4+-N and NO3--N easily because of their high total nitrogen content and low lignin, ADF, cellulose and total polyphenol content. They attained their half-life within 2-3 weeks. Therefore, E. abyssinica and E. brucei bears fast mineralization as a result they can be used for fast-term correction of crop nutrient demand. However, more detailed researches are needed to synchronize and verify laboratory results with field measurements of their effect on crop production and synchronization of soil nutrient availability and crop demand in different agro ecology and soil types. &nbsp; Key words: Incubation, lignin, luvisol, total polyphenol, nitrate, ammonium.

Determination of chemical composition, energy content, and amino acid digestibility in different wheat cultivars fed to growing pigs.

This study was conducted to determine the DE, ME, and apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in different wheat cultivars fed to growing pigs. In Exp. 1, twelve crossbred growing barrows were allotted to a replicated 6 × 6 Latin square design to determine the DE and ME contents of 12 different wheat cultivars. In Exp. 2, twelve growing barrows with a simple T-cannula were used to determine the AID and SID of AA in 10 different wheat cultivars. Pigs were randomly allotted to a replicated 6 × 6 Latin square design and fed one nitrogen-free diet and 10 different cultivars of wheat diets. Among different wheat cultivars, the concentrations of GE, CP, NDF, ADF, and starch ranged from 4,385 to 4,458 kcal/kg, 12.95% to 18.14%, 9.16% to 13.89%, 1.93% to 2.92% and 60.81% to 70.77%, respectively (DM basis). There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the DE, ME values, and the ATTD of GE in 12 different cultivars of wheat in Exp. 1. The DE and ME contents and the ATTD of GE ranged (P < 0.05) from 3,922 to 4,067 kcal/kg DM, 3,759 to 3,941 kcal/kg DM and 88.14% to 90.31%, respectively. The best prediction equations of DE and ME for different cultivars of wheat cultivars were DE = -2,738 - (40.8 × % ADF) + (1.7 × GE) - (51.5 × % Xylans) - (95.7 × % Ash) + (22.3 × % EE), R2 = 0.98, and ME = -2,990 + (1.7 × GE) - (50.2 × % Xylans) - (87.6 × % Ash), R2 = 0.88, respectively. There were also differences (P < 0.05) in the AID and SID of CP and indispensable AA, expect for His, in 10 wheat cultivars in Exp. 2. The AID and SID of CP, Lys, and Met ranged (P < 0.05) from 82.02% to 89.46%, 74.13% to 84.73%, 87.35% to 92.49% and 87.56% to 94.04%, 80.56% to 89.89%, 89.56% to 94.45%, respectively. In conclusion, the chemical composition, energy contents, and most AA digestibility in different cultivars of wheat varied widely.

Case Study: Intake and apparent digestibility by beef calves of Alamo and Cave-in-Rock switchgrass cultivars harvested as hay at 3 different maturities

ABSTRACT There has been increased interest in using switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a biomass crop. There are several challenges to developing this industry, and these have led to the potential use of switchgrass as hay for feeding beef cattle in Kentucky. The effect of increasing maturity on concentrations of CP, NDF, ADF, and other nutritive value indicators of switchgrass hay is well documented, but few in vivo intake and digestibility trials have been conducted to assess this effect on beef cattle performance. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of increasing plant maturity on DMI, apparent digestible DMI, and DM digestibility, and to investigate potential challenges for producers when incorporating switchgrass hay into their forage rotation for feeding beef cattle. Two in vivo intake and digestibility trials were conducted in 2011 in which Angus × Hereford beef steers (199.5 to 264.9 kg) were fed ad libitum Alamo and Cave-in-Rock switchgrass harvested as late vegetative, boot, and early flowering hay. Dry matter intake decreased by 1.0 and 0.6% of BW from late vegetative to early flowering stages with Alamo and Cave-in-Rock cultivars, respectively. Similarly, DM digestibility decreased by 15.9 and 18.5% and digestible DMI decreased by 1.0 and 0.6% of BW. Observed decreases in nutritive value, DMI, apparent digestible DMI, and DM digestibility indicate that producers should harvest Alamo and Cave-in-Rock switchgrass before it reaches the boot stage of maturity.

Determination of the In Vitro Gas Production and Potential Feed Value of Olive, Mulberry and Sour Orange Tree Leaves.

This study was conducted to determine the potential nutritive value and in vitro gas production (IVGP) parameters of Olea europaea L. (Olive = OL), Morus alba L. (Mulberry = ML) and Citrus aurantium L. (Sour orange = SOL) tree leaves. Hohenheim gas test was used to determine the in vitro gas productions of the leaves. The gas production of samples over time was recorded for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after incubation. Completely Randomized Design was used to compare gas production, and gas production kinetics of samples. The findings of the present study suggested that there were differences among the tree leaves in terms of crude protein, NDF, in vitro gas productions, organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolisable energy (ME), net energy lactation (NEL) and relative feed values (RFV) (P<0.01). ML had the highest condensed tannin contents (P<0.05), in vitro gas production (IVGP), OMD and energy values (P<0.01). SOL had highest RFV values. OL showed the lowest IVGP when compared to SOL and ML. Low NDF and ADF contents of SOL would probably increase the voluntary intake, digestibility and relative feed values of these leaves by ruminants. In conclusion, it was determined that OL, ML and SOL used in the study have low in vitro gas production and can be utilized as alternative roughage feed in ruminants. However, it is recommended that the results obtained from this research should be tested in in vivo studies.

Niğde Bölgesinde Bulunan Ökse Otunun Yem Değerinin In Vitro Gaz Üretim Yöntemi İle Belirlenmesi

Bu çalışma, ökse otu (ÖO) olarak bilinen (Viscum album L.)‘nin yem değerinin ortaya konulması amacı ile yürütülmüştür. Bu nedenle, kayısı (Purunus cinsi) ve badem (Amygdalus communis L.) ağaçlarından alınan ÖO numuneleri; bütün bitki, sap, yaprak ve meyveler olmak üzere dört alt gruba ayrılmıştır. Kesimhaneden alınan rumen sıvısı ve içeriği kullanılarak In vitro gaz üretim tekniği ile ÖO örnekleri 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 ve 96 saat süre ile inkübe edilmiştir. Örneklerin In vitro organik madde sindirilebilirliliği (OMS), metabolize olabilir enerji (ME) ve net enerji laktasyon (NEL) değerleri 24 saatlik gaz çıkışına bağlı olarak hesaplanmıştır. Kayısı ağacından toplanan ÖO bitkisinin farklı kısımlarındaki (bütün bitki, sap, yaprak ve meyveler) ham protein, ham yağ, ADF ve NDF içerikleri, 90,25 ile 120,82, 80,05 ile100,13, 190,29 ile 330,17, 280,85 ile 500,86 g kg-1 KM aralığında bulunurken badem ağaçlarından toplanan ÖO bitkilerinin aynı ham besin madde içerikleri sırasıyla 100,37 ile 140,67, 80,42 ile 100,35, 200,45 ile 360,87, 340,29 ile 530,10 g kg-1 KM olarak bulunmuştur. Kayısı ağaçlarından toplanan ÖO‘nun OMS, ME ve NEL değerleri, 0,60 ile 0,74, 9,0 ile 11,17 ME kg-1 KM ve 6,08 ile 7,71 NEL kg-1 KM iken badem ağaçlarından toplanan ÖO In vitro gaz testinden hesaplanan aynı parametreleri sırasıyla 0,63 ile 0,76, 9,40 ile 11,26 ME kg-1 KM ve 6,39 ile 7,98 NEL kg-1 KM arasında değişmiştir. Ökse otunun farklı bölümlerinin OMS, ME ve NEL değerlerinde istatistiksel olarak farklılıklar elde edilmiştir. Genel olarak, ÖO protein ve lif açısından uygun, kaba yemlerle karşılaştırıldığında ham yağ içeri bakımından yüksek ve ME ve NEL içeriğin bakımından ise hayvan beslemede hammadde olarak kullanılacak kadar iyi olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, sağlık ve performans üzerindeki zararlı etkileri beslenme denemelerinde gösterilmedikçe ökse otu, geviş getirenlerin rasyonlarında kullanılabilecek iyi bir potansiyel yem maddesidir.

Increasing the Quality of Agricultural and Plantation Residues using Combination of Fiber Cracking Technology and Urea for Ruminant Feeds

This experiment aimed to evaluate the decrease of the fiber fraction of some agricultural and plantation residues after being treated with Fiber Cracking Technology (FCT) and urea. The residues included rice straw, oil palm frond (OPF), oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB), cocoa pod and coffee husk. They were added with 5% urea and incubated in FCT at temperature 135oC and pressure 2.3 atm for 2.5 h. The experimental treatments were arranged as a factorial design 5 × 2, in which the first factor was various agricultural and plantation residues (rice straw, OPF, OPEFB, cocoa pod and coffee husk) and the second factor was FCT application (untreated and treated with FCT + 5% urea), performed in 4 replicates. All treatments were subjected to Van Soest analysis and in vitro digestibility test. The decrease of fiber fraction was confirmed with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. Results showed that FCT + 5% urea treatment decreased NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin contents of all samples (P&lt;0.05), and increased IVDMD and IVOMD in comparison to untreated samples (P&lt;0.05). However, the treatment did not alter in vitro methane gas production and VFA profiles of the samples. Analyses using SEM, XRD and FTIR revealed that FCT + 5% urea treatment demolished cell wall component, decreased crystallinity index and cleaved fiber bonds. It was concluded that combination between FCT and urea 5% effectively enhances the quality of some fibrous feed materials.

The impact of hydrolyzing and oxidizing agents on chemical composition and digestibility of various high‐fibre forages

AbstractUrea (U), sodium hypochlorite (H) and sodium chloride (S) alone or combined were applied upon high‐fibre forages (HFF) in three experiments. Experiment (Exp) I: tall wheatgrass (TW), weeping lovegrass (WL), deferred sorghum (DS) and barley straw (BS) as substrates were untreated (U0) or treated with 4 g 100 g−1 DM (U4), and stored for 45 days. Within each forage, CP and IVDMD were increased by U4 (p &lt; 0.01). Exp II: TW was treated with U and H: U (as in Exp I) and H (at 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1 g active Cl 100 g−1 DM), alone or combined. The interaction U*H was significant for ADF, ADL and CP. For U4+H0.25 ADF and ADL decreased (p &lt; 0.01). For U0, ADL was reduced from H.025 through H1.00 (p &lt; 0.05). U4 increased IVDMD and CP (p &lt; 0.01). Exp III: oat straw (O) was treated with U0 and U4, H0 and H1, S0 and S4 (4 g S 100 g−1 DM), including all combinations at 3 storage times (T = 10, 20 and 30 days). Interactions U*S*H*T for ADL, U*H*T for NDF and CP and S*H*T for IVDMD (p &lt; 0.05) were found. ADF was reduced by U4, H1 and S1 (p &lt; 0.01). The greatest decrease (4.5%) was with U4. Principal components analysis showed U4S4H1 highly related to IVDMD for all T. All treatments had little or no impact on NDF, ADF and ADL content. Lower quality forages had greatest improvements in digestibility and N‐retention.

Effects of maturity at harvest on the nutritive value and ruminal digestion of Eragrostis tef (cv. Moxie) when fed to beef cattle.

Teff (Eragrostis tef cv. Moxie), a warm-season annual grass, could be an excellent forage for beef cattle. However, there is limited information on its nutritive value to cattle when harvested at different stages of maturity. Thus, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of feeding teff hay harvested at the boot (BT), early-heading (EH), or late-heading (LH) stages of maturity on nutrient intake, ruminal fermentation characteristics, omasal nutrient flow, and N utilization in beef cattle. Six ruminally cannulated beef heifers (mean initial BW ± SD, 476 ± 32.6) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods (18 d for adaptation and 10 d for measurements). Dry matter intake was measured daily. Indwelling pH loggers were used to measure ruminal pH from days 21 to 28. Ruminal fluid and omasal digesta were collected from days 26 to 28 to determine fermentation characteristics and omasal nutrient flow. Fecal and urine samples to quantify N excretion were also collected (days 26 to 28). Blood samples for plasma urea-N (PUN) determination were collected 3 h post-feeding on day 28. There were no changes (P > 0.28) in the ADF or NDF content of teff with advancing maturity, but indigestible NDF increased (P < 0.01) with increasing maturity. Maturity had no effect (P ≥ 0.14) on DMI, and ruminal total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration, pH, digestibility, and outflow of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and CP. However, the CP content of BT hay was greater (P < 0.01) than for EH and LH hay (18.1, 14.1, and 11.5%, respectively, DM basis), and this resulted in the higher CP intake (P < 0.01) for heifers fed the BT than the EH and LH hay. Consequently, ruminal ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentration was greater (P < 0.01) for heifers fed BT than EH and LH hay, thereby possibly explaining the tendency for a decrease (P = 0.08) in PUN concentration, and a decrease (P < 0.01) in the excretion of total N, urine N, and urea-N (UUN) with advancing maturity. However, fecal N excretion (g/d) did not differ (P = 0.76). In conclusion, despite a decrease in CP intake and ruminal NH3-N concentration, feeding beef heifers EH and LH compared to BT teff hay did not compromise ruminal digestion and outflow of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and CP, and microbial protein synthesis. Advancing maturity in teff hay also resulted in a decrease in the excretion of total N and urine N and UUN when fed to cattle.

Impact of Fermented Liquid Potato Hash Diets on Growth Performance of Grower Pigs

The study aimed to evaluate growth performance of grower pigs fed fermented liquid potato hash with or without exogenous enzyme. Diets containing either 200 (LFLPH) g/kg potato hash (enzyme treated or not); 400 (HFLPH) g/kg potato hash (enzyme treated or not) or no fermented potato hash (control) were formulated to provide 14 MJ/kg digestible energy (DE), 180 g/kg crude protein (CP) and 11.6 g/kg lysine. Dietary treatments were control (no FLPH), enzyme treated LFPHE and HFLPHE, and untreated LFLPH and HFLPH. The exogenous enzyme was added in treated diets to provide minimum of 560-840 TXU/TDU xylanase per kg feed, at an inclusion rate of 100 g/tonne. Diets were mixed with water at 1:2 ration and fermented for 8 hours at 25 °C room temperature before being fed to pigs. Back-slopping fermentation approach was followed to prepare diets. Twelve pigs (25±2.3 kg) per diet that were individually housed were fed ad-lib for eight weeks. Pigs were allocated to diets in complete randomized design. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. The enzyme treated FLPH diets had higher (P &lt; 0.05) CP, lower (P &gt; 0.05) NDF and ADF concentrations compared to untreated FLPH diets. The LFPHE diet had higher (P &lt; 0.001) final weight, ADG and lower (P &lt; 0.001) ADFI and FCR compared to LFPH, HLFPH and HLFPHE. It was concluded that LFPHE diet may be an alternative feed source for growing pigs as indicated by higher gain and lower intake compared to LFLPH, HFLPH and HFLPHE.

English

A study was conducted to determine effect of supplementation with isonitrogenous level of concentrate mixture (CM; 33% noug seed cake (NSC) and 67% wheat bran (WB)), alfalfa, lablab, and Leucaena leucocephala (LL) on feed intake, digestibility, daily body weight gain (ADG) and net return of sheep kept on Rhodes grass hay (RGH) basal diet. Twenty four yearling male Dorper&times;Afar F1 crossbred sheep were used in completely randomized block design blocked by initial body weight into 6 blocks of 4 animals and allocated to one of the treatments. Treatments were RGH fed ad libitum to all treatments plus 300 g/day CM (T1), 286 g/day alfalfa hay (T2), 326 g/day lablab hay (T3) and 299 g/day LL hay (T4). The study contained 90 days feeding and 7 days digestibility trials. The CP, NDF and ADF contents of RGH was 11, 77 and 51%, respectively. The CP contents of NSC, WB, alfalfa, lablab and LL were 32, 17, 23, 20 and 22%, respectively. Among the supplements alfalfa and lablab had relatively higher NDF and ADF levels. Total DM intake differed among treatments and was greater (P&lt;0.05) for T2 and T4 than T3, and values for T4 was greater than T1 (P&lt;0.001) (715, 727, 682 and 809 g/day for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). The CP intake was 103, 110, 92, 130 (SEM = 5.83) and was in the order of T4 &gt; T1 = T2 &gt; T3 (P&lt;0.05). Apparent DM digestibility ranged from 62-66% and was lower (P&lt;0.05) for T2 than T1 and T4, while values for T3 was similar (P&gt;0.05) with all other treatments. The apparent digestibility of CP was greater for T1 than T2 and T3, but values for T4 was similar with the other treatments (82.3, 78.7, 78.3 and 80.4 (SEM = 0.02) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). ADG was 65, 45, 40 and 69 g/day (SEM = 8.36) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and the values were greater (P&lt;0.05) for T1 and T4 as compared to the other two treatments, while other mean values were similar (P&gt;0.05). The net return in the currents study was 836, 797, 888 and 982 ETB. Thus, based on biological performance and net return, T4 and T1 outweighs other treatments. However, all supplements used in this study induced favorable ADG and thus can be employed in feeding systems depending on their availability and relative cost. Key words: Isonitrogenous, crossbred, digestibility, ADG, RGH, DM, SEM.

Pengaruh Fermentasi Serbuk Gergaji oleh Trichoderma viridae terhadap Serat

&lt;p&gt;Availability of potential sawdust can be used as ruminant feeds. However sawdust have constrictor factor that is its low protein content and high harsh fiber. Biology degradation use solid substrate ferment techniques by &lt;em&gt;Trichoderma viridae &lt;/em&gt;can be applied to increase assess lignocelluloses feeds materials. This research is conducted for to know &lt;em&gt;Trichoderma viridae &lt;/em&gt;inoculums dose influence and ferment 1 time to sawdust fiber composition. Eighteen sawdust sack used in randomized complete block design of factorial 2x3. First factor consist of 2 old level of ferment (10 and 20 day) and second factor consisting of 3 inoculums dose level (2, 3 dan 4%). Variable observed consist of NDF, ADF, lignin and cellulose.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are interaction influence from both the factor to degradation of ADF sawdust rate. At all used of inoculums dose, downhill ADF content in line with the increasing of ferment time and improvement of lowest ADF obtained by treatment combination 2%, 4% inoculums and time ferment very significant (P&amp;lt;0.05) to obstetrical degradation of NDF, lignin and cellulose. Inoculums dose excelsior and time ferment hence ever greater also obstetrical degradation of NDF, lignin and cellulose. Highest degradation obtained at time ferment 4,5% inoculums dose and 20 day that is each 10,53%, 20,84% and 28,14%.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This research can be concluded that more and more inoculums dose and time ferment hence degradation of NDF rate, ADF, excelsior lignin and also cellulose.&lt;/p&gt;

Estimates of diet selection in cattle grazing cornstalk residues by measurement of chemical composition and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy of diet samples collected by ruminal evacuation.

Six ruminally cannulated cows (570 ± 73 kg) fed corn residues were placed in a 6 × 6 Latin square to evaluate predictions of diet composition from ruminally collected diet samples. After complete ruminal evacuation, cows were fed 1-kg meals (dry matter [DM]-basis) containing different combinations of cornstalk and leaf and husk (LH) residues in ratios of 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20, and 100:0. Diet samples from each meal were collected by removal of ruminal contents after 1-h and were either unrinsed, hand-rinsed or machine-rinsed to evaluate effects of endogenous compounds on predictions of diet composition. Diet samples were analyzed for neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble ash (ADIA), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude protein (CP), and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to calculate diet composition. Rinsing type increased NDF and ADF content and decreased ADIA and CP content of diet samples (P < 0.01). Rinsing tended to increase (P < 0.06) ADL content of diet samples. Differences in concentration between cornstalk and LH residues within each chemical component were standardized by calculating a coefficient of variation (CV). Accuracy and precision of estimates of diet composition were analyzed by regressing predicted diet composition and known diet composition. Predictions of diet composition were improved by increasing differences in concentration of chemical components between cornstalk and LH residues up to a CV of 22.6 ± 5.4%. Predictions of diet composition from unrinsed ADIA and machine-rinsed NIRS had the greatest accuracy (slope = 0.98 and 0.95, respectively) and large coefficients of determination (r2 = 0.86 and 0.74, respectively). Subsequently, a field study (Exp. 2) was performed to evaluate predictions of diet composition in cattle (646 ± 89 kg) grazing corn residue. Five cows were placed in 1 of 10 paddocks and allowed to graze continuously or to strip-graze corn residues. Predictions of diet composition from ADIA, ADL, and NIRS did not differ (P = 0.99), and estimates of cornstalk intake tended to be greater (P = 0.09) in strip-grazed compared to continuously grazed cows. These data indicate that diet composition can be predicted by chemical components or NIRS by ruminal collection of diet samples among cattle grazing corn residues.

Relationship between chemical composition of native forage and nutrient digestibility by Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

To better utilize native pasture at the high altitude region, three-consecutive-year feeding experiments and a total of seven metabolism trials were conducted to evaluate the impact of three forage stages of maturity on the chemical composition, nutrient digestibility, and energy metabolism of native forage in Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Forages were harvested from June to July, August to October, and November to December of 2011 to 2013, corresponding to the vegetative, bloom, and senescent stages of the annual forages. Twenty male Tibetan sheep were selected for each study and fed native forage ad libitum. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, DE, DE/GE, and ME/GE were greatest (P < 0.01) from the vegetative stage, intermediate (P < 0.01) from the bloom stage, and least (P < 0.01) from the senescent stage. Nutrient digestibility and energy parameters correlated positively (linear, 0.422 to 0.778; quadratic, 0.568 to 0.815; P < 0.01) with the CP content of forage but correlated negatively with the content of NDF (linear, 0.343 to 0.689; quadratic, 0.444 to 0.777; P ≤ 0.02), ADF (linear, 0.563 to 0.766; quadratic, 0.582 to 0.770; P < 0.01), and ether extract (EE, linear, 0.283 to 0.574; quadratic, 0.366 to 0.718; P ≤ 0.04) of forage. For each predicted variable, the prediction of DMI expressed as grams per kilogram of BW (g/kg BW·d) yielded a greater R2 value (0.677 to 0.761 vs. 0.616 to 0.711) compared with the equations of DMI expressed as g/kg metabolic BW by step-wise regression. The results suggest that parameters of forage CP, NDF, and ADF content were most closely related to nutrient digestibility. Contrary to previous studies, in this study, ADF content had a greater linear relationship (0.766 vs. 0.563 to 0.732) with OM digestibility than the other parameters of nutrient digestibility. The quadratic relationship between forage CP content and CP digestibility indicates that when forage CP content exceeds the peak point (9.7% DM in the present study), increasing forage CP content could decrease CP digestibility when Tibetan sheep were offered native forage alone on the QTP. Additionally, using the forage CP, EE, NDF, and ADF content to predict DMI (g/kg BW·d) yielded the best fit equation for Tibetan sheep living in the northeast portion of the QTP.

Prediction of digestible and metabolizable energy of corn distillers dried grains with solubles for growing pigs using in vitro digestible nutrients.

The objective of this study was to develop prediction equations (EQS) that estimate DE and ME content of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) using digestible (DIG) nutrients from in vitro or in vivo assays. Chemical composition data from 12 sources of corn DDGS were obtained using laboratory chemical analysis (LCA) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) from gastric and small intestine hydrolysis (IVDMDh), large intestine fermentation (IVDMDf), and total tract digestion (IVDMDt) were also determined along with in vivo apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, CP, ether extract (EE), NDF, and ADF, and energy values (GE, DE, and ME). Correlation analysis was used to compare chemical composition from LCA with NIRS, and a stepwise selection of variables was performed using linear regression to establish DE and ME prediction EQS. Composition determined by NIRS did not correlate with values from LCA. Consequently, significance and R2 were poorer when using NIRS data as inputs to predict DE (P = 0.11; R2 = 0.23) and ME (P = 0.11; R2 = 0.24). However, when using LCA data, DE (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.35) and ME (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.52) estimates of corn DDGS obtained from prediction EQS had significant P values, but low R2. Better prediction of DE (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.83) and ME (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.76) was observed when using in vivo DIG nutrients as inputs (DM basis) for DE, kcal/kg = 854.5 + (3.6 × DIG DM, g/kg) + (3.7 × DIG EE, g/kg) + (2.0 × DIG NDF, g/kg) and ME, kcal/kg = 704.5 + (3.3 × DIG DM, g/kg) + (4.8 × DIG EE, g/kg) + (2.6 × DIG NDF, g/kg). In vitro DIG DM, but not in vitro DIG NDF, was selected for use in EQS (7) DE, kcal/kg = 6,383.6 - (42.5 × in vitro DIG DM, g/kg) + (35.4 × DIG EE, g/kg) and (8) ME, kcal/kg = 6,635.1 - (49.8 × in vitro DIG DM, g/kg) + (41.3 × DIG EE, g/kg), but the significance and accuracy for both DE (P = 0.07; R2 = 0.45) and ME (P = 0.05; R2 = 0.49) predictions was less using in vitro DIG nutrient values than using in vivo DIG nutrient values. If chemical composition was used to replace in vivo EE, along with in vitro DIG NDF and DM, the prediction EQS only used the concentration of ADF and EE as predictors instead of in vitro DIG NDF and DM. In conclusion, in vivo DIG NDF, DM, and EE are the best predictors for DE and ME content of corn DDGS for swine. Using NIRS to determine chemical composition, in vitro DIG NDF, and in vitro DIG DM did not result in accurate predictions of DE and ME.

Potential of Spring Barley, Oat and Triticale Intercrops with Field Peas for Forage Production, Nutrition Quality and Beef Cattle Diet

Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) monocrops and their intercrops with two forage varieties (40-10 and Tucker) and one seed variety (Cooper) peas (Pisum sativum L.) were evaluated for forage production, nutrition quality and suitability in the beef cattle diet. Pea + cereal intercrops were compared to respective cereal monocrops in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Plant height of cereals tended to be reduced in intercrops compared to respective monocrops. Taller 40-10 forage type pea tended to cause lodging in 2009 and 2011, not observed with other pea varieties. Fresh forage of pea + cereal intercrops had higher moisture than respective cereal monocrops. Fourteen of the 18 intercrops had less dry matter yield (DMY) than respective cereal monocrops. Shorter Tucker pea had less negative impact on DMY than taller 40-10 pea. Treatments with barley had lower DMY than respective oat and triticale systems. Intercrops improved forage crude protein (CP) content over the respective monocrops, which was enough to overcome the DMY penalty and produce more CP yield than their monocrops. The forage Ca and Mg contents were improved by intercrops over their monocrops, and they were greater with 40-10 pea than other pea varieties and with barley than oat or triticale. The forage P content also tended to be higher in intercrops than corresponding monocrops, without a consistent effect of cereal type or pea variety. The forage K and S contents were not consistently influenced by the cereal types, pea varieties or intercrops. Forage Na content was greater from oat than respective barley and triticale treatments. The monocrops and intercrops had similar forage Cu content, and treatments with barley had more Cu than with oat or triticale. Forage Zn content tended to be intercrops &gt; monocrops; and barley &gt; triticale &gt; oat. Treatments had no influence on the forage Fe and Mn contents. Levels of acid (ADF) and neutral (NDF) detergent fibres in the forage were similar for the corresponding intercrops and monocrops, and greater for oat than barley or triticale treatments. Some of the intercrops improved total digestible nutrients (TDN) content in forage over their monocrops. Monocrop of oat had less TDN than barley or triticale. Drought reduced the ADF, NDF and TDN contents. The forage NEL, NEM and NEG as well as RFV and NFC showed similar trend as the TDN. Overall, the tested pea + cereal intercrops did not increase DMY over the respective monocrops, but they indicated several nutritional quality benefits. These improvements present opportunities to substitute some grain or supplements in the beef cattle diet with better quality forage by intercrops.