Amount Of Roughage Research Articles

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Sustainable Management of Improved Rangelands in Kayseri, Turkey

Sustainability of rangeland is adversely affected by many factors in Turkey, as well as in developing countries. The rangeland in Turkey's Kayseri province does not produce the amount of roughage needed by the current number of animals. To improve this situation, the state has encouraged rangeland improvement and management activities to increase the productivity and sustainability of rangelands. The aim of this study is to determine farmers’ behaviors and characteristics that affect their use of improved rangelands, especially whether their use maintained the improved level of forage production. Farmers engaged in animal husbandry in 11 villages where rangeland improvement activities were completed in Kayseri constituted the population of the study. Simple random sampling was used to determine the farmers included in the sample with 244 farmers interviewed. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire filled during the face-to-face interviews with each individual respondent. Nonlinear canonical correlation analysis was used in the analysis of the collected data. Results identified farmer characteristics and behaviors affecting sustainable rangeland use, as indicated by maintaining forage productivity greater or equal to 3 200 kg/ha on improved pastures. It has been determined that the contribution of the farmers with a large number of animals, a large land size, producing forage crops, and participating in the rangeland improvement activities is higher in the sustainability and adoption of rangeland improvement and management activities. The results of our study will provide a new and different perspective on how to increase the efficiency and planning of rangeland improvement activities and in the formation of agricultural policies on this subject.

ТЭЖЭЭЛ ХОЛИХ (TMR) МАШИНЫ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙН ҮЗҮҮЛЭЛТИЙГ ОНОВЧИЛСОН ДҮН

New intensive cattle farm is being built with government support in order to meet the self-sufficiency of milk and meat products for Mongolian residents, keep stability, and reduce the seasonal dependence for food supply. It is urgent for us now to produce the mixed feed that is suitable for livestock type and age in the intensive farming. The feeding scientific approach should be specially paid attention to when using the multifunctional Total Mixed Ration (TMR) machine and effectively applying the TMR technology. When using the feed mixer TMR machine, it is necessary to optimize the main parameters of the machine operation and determine the mode parameters according to the characteristics of the grass, the amount of roughage, concentrated feed, additive and ingredients used in the preparation of mixed fodder. This paper made an experiment in Total Mixed Ration (TMR) machine and provided research results combined the parameters of feed mixing uniformity, palate ratio, subdivision rate, rotor speed, mixing times and feed moisture.

Süt Sığırcılığı İşletmelerinde Yem Tüketimi ve Yem Dönüşüm Oranının Belirlenmesi: Hatay İli Örneği

This research was carried out to determine the feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in dairy cattle farms. The data used in the research were gathered from 141 dairy cattle farms in the Hatay province. According to the research results, the average forage crops production area size in the enterprises was 18.13 da, and the share of forage crops cultivation areas in the crop production pattern was determined as 31.07%. The average cattle stock was 11.02 heads, the number of dairy cattle was 4.87 heads, the milk yield per dairy cattle was 5.619 lt/head, and the milk income was calculated as 2.811 US$/head. The roughage consumption of a dairy cattle in the lactation period was 3,139.67 kg, the monetary value of the consumed roughage feed was 371.61 US$, the consumption of concentrated feed and crushed feed was 2958.90 kg, and the monetary value of the consumed concentrated feed was determined as 1118.57 US$. In the research area, the total expense amount was approximately 1.9 million US$. The proportional share of variable costs in the total cost was calculated as 64.26%, and the share of fixed costs was calculated as 35.74%. The proportional share of feed costs in variable costs was 80.56%. The research revealed that 1.90 liters of milk was obtained by the 1 kg of concentrate and crushed feed that was given to a dairy cow in the lactation period. Considering the average of the enterprises; for 100 US$ of feed consumption, the gross production value of dairy cattle was calculated as 236.02 US$, and the milk income was calculated as 195.72 US$. In the study it, was determined that there were statistical differences between the farm size groups in terms of milk yield and the amount of roughage and grain feed consumption. Within the research it was revealed that the feed needs of the enterprises should be provided by their own enterprise in order to achieve higher milk yield and income per animal.

Environmentally oriented techniques to reduce methanogenesis in dairy farming

With the globalization of production, all countries in the world are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture accounts for about 11-12% of the total, with methane emissions from the digestive tract of ruminants and nitrous oxide from manure, especially when stored in open lagoons, being the main sources in livestock production. The aim of the research was to analyze existing technological measures to reduce methanogenesis in dairy cattle production. The volume of intestinal fermentation products in dairy cattle depends on the growing technology, the number of livestock and the amount of roughage in the diet. By optimizing feed, methane emissions can be reduced by 10-15%, with high levels of degradable starch and low fiber content contributing to the reduction of methanogenesis. Special feed additives show good results in combating methanogenesis. The introduction of plant extracts into the diet of animals affects the change in the taxonomic composition of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract of animals. New phytogenic additives containing essential oils, herbs and spices and used in feed rations not only contribute to optimal productivity and profitability, but are also the best solution to reduce emissions of harmful gases in animal production. Some plant metabolites, especially esters, have the effect of reducing the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins in the rumen by selective suppression of some microorganisms and at the same time have a positive effect on reducing methane emissions. The use of phytogenetics fits harmoniously into the strategy of organic, environmentally friendly cattle breeding. Due to the limited amount of data on the problem of methane emission reduction in dairy cattle breeding, it is promising and relevant to continue research on the mechanism and ways to control methanogenesis in the rumen of cows using natural additives of plant origin.

Dwarf and Tall Elephantgrass Genotypes under Irrigation as Forage Sources for Ruminants: Herbage Accumulation and Nutritive Value.

Simple SummaryCyclical droughts negatively impact agriculture, with deficits of water availability for the maintenance of crops destined for human food and animal production. Seasonality of forage quantity and quality is a critical obstacle to support domesticated herds over the year. Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a tropical forage widely used for feeding ruminants, mainly in the form of cut-and-carry, which has the potential to increase tropical pasture productivity, due to the large amount of roughage produced per unit of area. Research evaluated the response of tall and dwarf elephantgrass genotypes under irrigation considering its potential for complementing ruminant diets. This study showed that irrigation of elephantgrass, particularly during the dry season, may improve the regularity of forage production with good nutritive value.This two-year study evaluated the effect of Pennisetum purpureum genotypes under rainfed or irrigated conditions, during the dry and rainy seasons, on herbage, leaf, and stem dry matter (DM) accumulation rates, nutritive value, and carbohydrate and protein fractionation. Treatments were tall (Iri 381 and Elefante B) or dwarf (Mott and Taiwan A-146 2.37) genotypes under rainfed or irrigated conditions. Taiwan A-146 2.37 (146 kg DM ha per day) showed similar herbage accumulation rate (HAR) to tall genotypes during the rainy season (124 and 150 kg DM/ha per day, respectively). Dwarf genotypes showed differences in leaf accumulation rate (LAR) (66 and 49 kg DM/ha per day). Mott leaf had less neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (589 g/kg DM) than Taiwan A-146 2.37 (598 g/kg DM), and tall genotypes had generally greater NDF (668 g/kg DM) than the dwarf genotypes. Irrigation increased fiber deposition in the leaf. Stems of all genotypes had lower in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) (378 g/kg DM) under rainfed conditions in the rainy season. Leaf from irrigated plots had 23% more carbohydrate C fraction (160 g/kg CHO) than those from rainfed plots (122 g/kg CHO). Dwarf genotypes had generally greater nutritive value than tall genotypes. These genotypes show promise under irrigation to fill forage gaps during dry periods.

Clinical and anatomopathological study of urolithiasis in feedlot lambs subjected to diets with different phosphorus concentrations

Abstract Obstructive urolithiasis is common in farmed sheep and has a multifactorial etiology, but inadequate nutritional management is considered the most relevant condition for its occurrence. The objectives of this study were to verify the influence of two diets with different concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on the development of obstructive urolithiasis, and to describe the clinical and anatomopathological findings of the urinary system in sheep. Thirty male crossbred Santa Inês and Ile de France lambs were randomly distributed into two groups: Group 1 (G1, n = 15) - Ca: 1.9:1 P and 0.42% P; Group 2 (G2, n = 15) - Ca: P 1.5:1 and 0.65% P. The diets consisting of Coast-cross hay, soybean meal, wheat, and corn were provided for 90 consecutive days with water ad libitum. After the diagnosis of the disease, the lambs were subjected to clinical and surgical treatment, when necessary. Urolithiasis was detected in 36.7% (11/30) of lambs, 26.7% were asymptomatic and 10% (3/30) had urethral obstruction. A lamb was unobstructed after amputation of the urethral process and urethral catheterization, one died of bladder and uroperitoneum rupture, and another was sacrificed after the failure of perineal urethrostomy and cystostomy. The most frequent renal histopathological changes were vascular congestion, dilation, and tubular degeneration. Proteins in the tubular lumen were more pronounced in G2. The diets were rich in concentrate and had adequate Ca:P ratios, but caused calculogenesis, showing that excess minerals and a small amount of roughage can cause disease in the herd.

227 Evaluation of mixer performance in cattle finishing diets of varying physical characteristics

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate batch fraction (BF), physical characteristics (DIET), and mixing duration (DUR) on long particle distribution in finishing diets. Diets were mixed in a 2.35 m3 horizontal mixer. The experiment was designed as a 5×3×2 factorial arrangement with nine replications per simple mean. Factors included 1) BF (n = 5), 2) DIET (n = 3) containing no corn-milling by-product (CON), a dry-corn milling by-product [47.45 ± 1.015% DM (as-is basis); DRY], or a wet-corn milling by-product [43.67 ± 1.786% DM (as-is basis); WET], and 3) mixing duration (n = 2) of 20 or 25 revolutions. Diets contained a 1:1 blend of DRC:HMC, the corn-milling by-products replaced the corn blend (20% total diet DM inclusion), grass hay (6% DM inclusion), liquid supplement (5% DM inclusion), and a meal supplement (7% DM inclusion). Data were analyzed as a CRD using the GLIMMIX procedure (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC) using a multinomial approach. Samples of the total mixed ration (TMR) were subjected to separation via the Penn State Particle Separator. The dependent variable of interest was the portion of the TMR retained on the 19 mm sieve. No interactions were detected (P ≥ 0.49). There was an 87.1% (P = 0.01) increase in retention on the 19 mm sieve for last BF compared to the first BF. Diet influenced (P = 0.04) 19 mm sieve retention, there was 10.2% less TMR retained on the 19 mm sieve for DRY versus WET; CON was intermediate. Mixing duration did not influence (P = 0.73) 19 mm sieve retention. These data indicate that as the mixer unloads there can be nearly double the amount of roughage fed; differing physical characteristics of the diet only moderately influence the true roughage content fed. Differing roughage content delivered depending upon the BF could influence daily intake, feed efficiency and alter observed to expected ratios of dietary net energy.

Optimum roughage proportion in barley-based feedlot cattle diets: growth performance, feeding behavior, and carcass traits.

High grain diets are fed to finishing beef cattle to maximize animal performance in a cost-effective manner. However, a small amount of roughage is incorporated in finishing diets to help prevent ruminal acidosis, although few studies have examined optimum roughage inclusion level in barley-based diets. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of roughage proportion in barley-based finishing diets on growth performance, feeding behavior, and carcass traits of feedlot cattle. Crossbred beef steers (n = 160; mean body weight ± SD, 349.7 ± 21.4 kg) were allocated to 20 pens that were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments (five pens of eight steers per treatment). The treatment diets contained barley silage at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% of dietary dry matter (DM). The remainder of the diets (DM basis) consisted of 80%, 76%, 72%, and 68% barley grain, respectively, 15% corn dried distiller's grains, 5% mineral and vitamin supplement, and 32 mg monensin/kg diet DM. The diets were fed as total mixed rations for ad libitum intake (minimum of 5% refusal) once per day. Cattle were weighed on 2 consecutive days at the start and end of the experiment and on 1 d every 3 wk throughout the experiment (124 d). Two pens for each treatment group were equipped with an electronic feeding system (GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Calgary, Alberta) to monitor feed intake and feeding behavior of individual cattle. The data for dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain:feed (G:F) ratio, and carcass traits were analyzed as a completely randomized design with fixed effect of barley silage proportion and pen replicate as experimental unit. Feeding behavior data were analyzed similarly, but with animal as experimental unit. Averaged over the study, DMI increased linearly (11.1, 11.3, 11.7, 11.8 kg/d; P = 0.001) as barley silage proportion increased from 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% of DM, but ADG was not affected (carcass-adjusted,1.90, 1.85, 1.87, 1.89 kg/d; P ≥ 0.30). Consequently, G:F ratio decreased linearly (carcass-adjusted, 168.9, 163.8, 158.5, 160.6 g/kg DMI; P = 0.023). When averaged over the study, proportion of barley silage in the diet had no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.10) on meal frequency, duration of meals, intermeal duration, or meal size, but eating rate decreased linearly with increasing silage proportion (P = 0.008). There was no diet effect on liver abscesses (P ≥ 0.92), and effects on carcass characteristics were minor or nonexistent. We conclude that increasing the proportion of barley silage in a feedlot finishing diet at the expense of barley grain to minimize the incidence of ruminal acidosis may decrease feed conversion efficiency.

Effect of wood kraft pulp feed on digestibility, ruminal characteristics, and milk production performance in lactating dairy cows.

The effect of wood kraft pulp (KP) feed on dietary digestibility, ruminal fluid pH, rumen fermentation characteristics, and milk production performance in lactating dairy cows was examined. Four lactating dairy cows were used for the feeding experiment by the cross‐over design. The control group and KP group were set up as treatments. The control group was fed total mixed ration (TMR) (40% roughage and 60% concentrate) and the KP group was fed TMR containing 12% KP that replaced half of the rolled corn in the control diet. The dry matter intake, digestibility of the feed components, and milk yield were not significantly different between control group and KP group. The number of times that the ruminal fluid pH was below 6.1 tended to decrease in the KP group compared to the control group (p < 0.10). The acetic acid ratio in the ruminal fluid of the KP group increased compared to the control group (p < 0.05) and the propionic acid ratio in the ruminal fluid of the KP group decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The acetate:propionate acid ratio was increased in the KP group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Lipopolysaccharide levels in the ruminal fluid of the KP group tended to decrease compared to the control group (p < 0.10). Based on these results, it was indicated that the use of KP feed for lactating dairy cows induced the same rumen fermentation characteristics as those in cows given a large amount of roughage without depressing milk productivity. Therefore, KP could be a valuable feed resource substitute for grains, which would also reduce the risk for subacute rumen acidosis.

A survey on the feeding of eventing horses during competition

This study aims at the comparison of the actual feeding of horses with the recommendations from the literature, and it studies the effects of feeding and exercise on several blood metabolic parameters before and after exercise. Blood samples were collected from 25 horses during one-star eventing competitions and evaluated for blood glucose, insulin, lactate, free fatty acids and triglyceride levels. Questionnaires on the feeding practices of the horses were evaluated. The questionnaires revealed that during training, and on tournament days, horses received on average 4.3 kg of concentrate per day (min. 1.54 kg, max. 8 kg). The statistical analysis showed no significant effect of the amount of concentrate fed before exercise on the measured blood values. Oil was supplied as a supplementary energy source to 30% of the horses, but most of them only received very small quantities (0.02-0.4 l/day). Five horses (20%) had no access to salt supplements at all, and eleven horses (45%) had no access to salt on tournament days. Fifteen horses (60%) were supplied with mineral feed. Twenty-one horses (84%) had daily access to pasture during the training period. During competition, 55% of the horses received roughage ad libitum, compared with 37% during training. The majority of the horses received less roughage on days before the cross-country competition. It could not be ascertained whether feeding a large amounts of roughage had a beneficial effect on performance, because only a few horses in this study were fed with very restrictive roughage. Feeding of most of the horses was in agreement with the recommendations from the literature, except the need for sodium and chloride. The sodium and chloride need for sport horses may be overestimated in literature and needs to be re-evaluated.

Wheat distillers grains in feedlot cattle diets: Feeding behavior, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood metabolites1,2

A study was conducted to evaluate feed intake, ADG, carcass quality, eating behavior, and blood metabolites in feedlot beef steers fed diets that varied in proportion of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) replacing barley grain or barley silage. Two hundred crossbred steers (BW = 489 ± 30 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to 20 pens (5 pens per treatment). Steers were fed 1 of 4 diets: control without DDGS (CON), 25% (25DDGS), 30% (30DDGS), or 35% (35DDGS) wheat DDGS (DM basis). The CON diet consisted of 15% barley silage and 85% barley-based concentrate; the 3 wheat DDGS diets were formulated by substituting 20% barley grain and 5, 10, or 15% silage, respectively, with 25, 30, or 35% wheat DDGS so that the 35DDGS diet contained no silage. The diets were formulated such that wheat DDGS was substituted for both barley grain and barley silage to evaluate whether wheat DDGS can be fed as a source of both energy and fiber in feedlot finishing diets. Dry matter intake of steers fed 25DDGS was greater (P < 0.01), but final BW, ADG, and G:F were not different compared with steers fed CON diet. Carcass characteristics and liver abscess score were not different between CON and 25DDGS. Steers fed 25DDGS had longer eating time (min/d; P < 0.01), greater meal frequency (P < 0.04), but a slower eating rate (P < 0.04). Replacing barley silage with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS (from 25DDGS to 35DDGS) linearly reduced (P < 0.01) DMI. Final BW, ADG, and G:F were not affected by increasing amounts of wheat DDGS. Carcass traits were not different, whereas liver abscess scores linearly (P < 0.01) increased as more barley silage was replaced by wheat DDGS. Eating time (min/d) and duration of each meal linearly (P < 0.02) decreased, whereas eating rate (min/g of DM) linearly (P < 0.01) increased with increasing replacement of barley silage. Blood urea N was doubled (P < 0.01) compared with CON by inclusion of wheat DDGS. Results indicate that wheat DDGS can be used effectively in feedlot diets, decreasing the need for barley grain or silage without negatively affecting growth performance and carcass characteristics. A reduction in the amount of roughage required to maintain growth performance is a potential advantage in feedlot operations because forage is costly and often of limited availability. Thus, DDGS can be a possible alternative as long as they are available and cost effective; however, increased incidence of liver abscess and increased N content of manure need to be considered when greater amounts of wheat DDGS are included in finishing diets.

Rumen development and growth of Balouchi lambs offered alfalfa hay pre- and post-weaning

The consumption of solid feed is essential for successful transition from a pre-ruminant to a functional digestive tract. Lambs fed starter rations containing highly fermentable carbohydrates often experience dramatic changes in concentrations of rumen and blood metabolites. The optimal amount of roughage required in the diet of pre-ruminant animals is still unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding alfalfa hay on performance and rumen development in young Balouchi lambs. In a completely randomized design, 30 lambs were fed one of three experimental diets consisting of a control, without alfalfa hay (C), a diet containing 7.5% alfalfa hay (A1), and a diet containing 15% alfalfa hay (A2). Lambs fed A1 and A2 diets had lower dry matter intake during the pre-weaning period (P < 0.01) and overall (P = 0.02), but feed conversion ratio and average daily gain were not affected by feeding alfalfa hay. Concentration of beta-hydroxybutyric acid was higher in C compared with the A1 and A2 groups (P < 0.01). Concentrations of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids did not differ among the groups of animals. Feeding alfalfa hay reduced thickness of the rumen epithelial keratinized layer (P = 0.04) and increased thickness of muscular layer (P = 0.05). We concluded that including 15% alfalfa hay in the starter diet could reduce thickness of the keratinization layer and increase muscularity of rumen wall without adverse effects on growth and performance of newborn lambs.

Roughage for Diets Fed to Weaned Dairy Calves

ABSTRACT Two trials were conducted to test the effect of low-quality roughage level, roughage source, and CP concentration in diets of 8- to 12-wk-old Holstein steer calves. In trial 1, 96 steers (initially 79 ± 2 kg) were fed daily either A) a free-choice (FC) mixture of 96.5% textured feed (13.5% CP) blended with 4.5% chopped hay, B) a FC mixture of 96.5% textured feed (16.5% CP) blended with 4.5% chopped hay, C) 2.27 kg of 13.5% CP textured feed with FC chopped grass hay, or D) 2.27 kg of 16.5% CP textured feed with FC chopped grass hay. In trial 2, 96 steers (initially 80 ± 1 kg) were fed 16.5% CP diets consisting of a textured diet containing either A) 5% chopped hay, B) 15% chopped hay, C) 5% cottonseed hulls (CSH), or D) 15% CSH. In both trials, calves fed 4.5 or 5% of either dietary roughage had greater ADG than calves fed FC hay or 15% hay or CSH because of reduced intake. In trial 1, ADG was greater for calves fed textured feeds with 16.5% CP than for calves fed feeds with 13.5% CP, regardless of the amount of roughage fed. As-fed textured feed intakes averaged 3.17 kg/d in the low-roughage diets and were more than typical recommendations to limit intake to 2.27 to 2.73 kg/d. Limiting concentrate intake to 2.27 kg/d in 8- to 12-wk-old calves in these trials reduced ADG, and ADG was maximal at 5% roughage in the diet.

Comparison of Feeding Management and Body Condition of Dairy Cows in Herds with Low and High Mastitis Rates

Feeding practices, ration composition, and body condition scores (BCS) were assessed in an observational case-contrast study of Norwegian dairy herds with low (n = 98) and high (n = 94) mastitis infection rates. Differences between the 2 groups of herds were associated with feeding practices and amount of roughage. More herds in the low-infection group were fed a reduced amount of roughage at drying off, and reduced rations during the dry period resulted in lower BCS at calving. Cows in the low-infection herds had significantly lower BCS in the last month before calving and the first month of lactation than cows in the high-infection herds. The significant associations between mastitis infection rates and BCS, frequency of concentrate feeding, and amount of roughage at drying off and during the dry period indicated that feeding practices may have an important influence on the risk of mastitis in Norwegian dairy cows.

Comparison of Plasma Metabolite Concentrations and Enzyme Activities in Beef Cattle Raised by Different Feeding Systems in Korea, Japan and New Zealand

Concentrations of metabolites and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism were measured in plasma of Korean and Japanese beef cattle, which were raised by the indoor feeding system programmed to feed larger amount of roughage in their growing periods and larger amount of concentrate diet in their finishing periods (Japanese feeding system), and grazing New Zealand beef cattle. By the Japanese beef grading system, Korean and Japanese beef cattle showed high beef quality score, average grade 3.3 and 3.6, respectively. The plasma free fatty acid and lactate concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in Korean beef cattle were significantly higher than those in Japanese beef cattle. The plasma lactate concentration in Korean beef cattle was 8.40 mmol/l, which was similar to the values observed in lactic acidosis. The higher activities of plasma LDH, MDH and AST may indicate slight liver damage by slightly acidotic conditions in Korean beef cattle. New Zealand beef cattle fed on pasture which they harvest by grazing showed significantly lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, lactate and IRI concentrations and enzyme activities than those in Korean and Japanese beef cattle fed on larger amount of concentrate diets. Plasma metabolite concentrations and energy metabolism-related enzyme activities may be good indicators for evaluating metabolic conditions of beef cattle raised by different feeding systems.

Welfare, health and product quality in organic beef production: a Danish perspective

In Europe, organic beef production is based on grazing in summer and feeding a minimum of 60% roughage during the whole year. Although these recommendations were intended to improve animal health and welfare, several factors may cause problems in organic beef production systems. This paper gives an overview of welfare, health and product quality in organic beef production, with emphasis on organic steer production based on dairy-breed bull calves. A short overview of different production systems, highlighting the effect on health and welfare, is also given. Feeding aspects are discussed. Farm studies have shown that organic steer production involves large amounts of roughage; only small quantities of cereals are used compared to conventional production of bulls and calves. Fattening of organic steers may result in metabolic disorders due to sudden changes in the feed ration when changing from high roughage to high cereal content. Various problems relating to the production system are discussed. Subjective monthly observations indicate a good level of general health and welfare in organic steer production systems. On pasture, parasitic infection is the primary factor affecting animal health and productivity of organic beef. Rearing of young calves and the utilization of marginal grazing areas requires further attention. The effect of castration on health and welfare, and the effect of castration age and method, are also discussed. Product quality of organic beef is affected by the production system, especially sex, grazing and exercise. Grazing and exercise, which are inevitable components of an organic beef production system, may affect the eating quality due to darker meat color, risk of off-flavor, yellow fat, and a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Nevertheless, the overall effect on sensory attributes may be of minor importance. For the future, feeding large amounts of roughage, combined with a high bioactive forage content, could be one way of improving the product quality of organic beef.

Clinical and pathological study of an outbreak of obstructive urolithiasis in feedlot cattle in southern Brazil

The epidemiology, clinical picture and pathology of an outbreak of urolithiasis in cattle in southern Brazil are described. The disease occurred in August 1999 in a feedlot beef cattle herd. Five out of 1,100 castrated steers were affected. Clinical signs included colic and ventral abdominal distension. White, sand-grain-like mineral deposits precipitated on the preputial hairs. Affected cattle died spontaneously 24-48 hrs after the onset of the clinical signs. Only one animal recovered after perineal urethrostomy. Necropsy findings included calculi blocking the urethral lumen of the distal portion of the penile sigmoid flexure, urinary bladder rupture with leakage of urine into the abdominal cavity and secondary fibrinous peritonitis. Daily water intake was low since water sources were scarce and not readily available. The animals were fed rations high in grains and received limited amounts of roughage. Biochemical analysis revealed that the calculi were composed of ammonium phosphate. A calcium-phosphorus imbalance (0.4:0.6) was detected in the feedlot ration. For the outbreak, it is suggested that contributing factors to urolith formation include insufficient fiber ingestion, low water intake and high dietary levels of phosphorus. No additional cases were observed in that feedlot after preventive measures were established. Similar dietary mismanagement in fattening steers has been associated with obstructive urolithiasis in feedlot beef cattle in other countries.

Risk factors associated with behavioural disorders of crib-biting, weaving and box-walking in Swiss horses.

Studies on the prevalence of behavioural disorders in horses and on associated risk factors have revealed inconsistent results. There are many studies on the neuropharmacological, surgical or mechanical therapy of stereotypies, but little is known about their causation. To explore risk factors associated with the occurrence of behavioural disorders in horses. A sample of horse owners, selected randomly and representative for Switzerland, was contacted in a postal survey. Answers were provided for 622 stables (response rate 35.2%). Individual data of 2,341 horses were examined with path analysis (multivariable linear and logistic regression), and adjustment made for possible confounding effects due to age and breed. Out of 60 possible risk factors, 11 were associated with the outcome at the univariable level (null-hypothesis path model) and 3 factors remained after the backward logistic regression procedure. Mature Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, assessed by the owners to be reactive, fed 4 times a day and without daily pasture, had increased odds of displaying crib-biting, weaving and box-walking. Furthermore, indirect associations of 5 factors with the outcome were identified. The final logistic regression model of risk factors leads to the hypotheses that causal prevention of stereotypic behaviours should be based upon housing and management conditions which allow tactile contact with other horses (e.g. mutual grooming), daily free movement (paddock or pasture), as well as the provision of high amounts of roughage but of little or no concentrates. It is one of the aims of population medicine to prevent the development of behavioural disorders. Further research is needed to test the concluding hypotheses in experimental studies or to verify them in the context of similar observational studies.

Influence of pre partum and post partum plane of nutrition on the performance of crossbred suckler cows and their progeny

The objective of the experiment was to study the effects of two pre partum and four post partum feeding levels on the performance of 28 Hereford-Ayrshire and 30 Limousine-Ayrshire spring-calving mature cows in calf to Limousin and their calves from the beginning of indoor feeding until the end of grazing under Finnish climatic conditions. A 2 H 2 factorial design experiment consisted of a low (L) and moderate (M) pre partum feeding levels based on hay and straw and two post partum concentrate feeding levels, 1.5 and 3.5 kg/d (1 and 2, respectively). The treatments were replicated across the genotypes. For feeding level L the amount of roughage offered was restricted to proportionately 0.7 on a dry matter (DM) basis of feeding level M. Milled barley was offered at 1.3 kg DM/d to all cows 72 days pre calving. The experiment was divided into two parts, an indoor feeding (215 days) and grazing period (114 days). The indoor feeding period included three periods, from start of the study to the beginning of additional concentrate feeding (P1) and feeding additional concentrate supplements both pre (P2) and post calving (P3). On feeding level M cows had a daily intake of 9.1 and 10.4 kg DM during periods P1 and P2, respectively. During period P3 intake was 10.4 and 12.0 kg DM for 1 and 2. Corresponding values for feeding level L were 6.7, 8.0, 8.0 and 9.7 kg DM, respectively. At the onset of grazing, cows on feeding level M were 47 kg heavier (P

Effect of amount and degradability of dietary starch on animal performance and meat quality in beef bulls

Introduction Even at a similar energy concentration of the diet, energy source may affect animal performance. O wens et al. (1997) reported that daily dry matter (DM) intake tended to be lowest for wheat‐based diets and highest for milo and oat‐based diets. O’M ara et al. (1997) found a lower pH and less ammonia in the rumen of lactating cows, when unmolassed beet pulp was replaced with ground wheat. Contrary to the results of O’M ara et al. (1997), M alestein et al. (1984) found a greater risk for lactic acidosis for citrus and beet pulp than for maize meal and tapioca. For years it has been known that rapidly degradable carbohydrates may provoke acidosis (H untington and B ritton 1979; F iems et al. 1993). Furthermore, low ruminal pH may inhibit cellulose digestion (M ould et al. 1983) and decrease efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (R ussell et al. 1979).As energy concentration of the diet is important for finishing cattle (B oucqu&amp; eacute; et al. 1980), the amount of roughage is rather limited. This may result in sub‐clinical acidosis with a negative impact on animal performance (O wens et al. 1998), especially when the diet is rich in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates. Therefore an experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of energy source in the finishing diet on voluntary daily feed intake, daily liveweight gain, feed efficiency, blood metabolites and carcass quality.Energy source may also affect meat quality. C asteels et al. (1969) found differences in meat colour when concentrates were based on cereals or sugarbeet pulp. W ood (1984) reported that the concentrate : forage ratio in the diet affects the fatty acid composition of body fat through an increase in propionate production in the rumen. Therefore the effect on meat quality was also studied.