Average Daily Gain Of Animals Research Articles

Performance, feed efficiency, feeding behavior, and cortisol concentration of lambs ranked for Residual Feed Intake and Residual Intake and Gain.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance, feed efficiency, feeding behavior, and cortisol concentrations of lambs ranked into different groups of Residual Feed Intake (RFI) and Residual Intake and Gain (RIG). Forty Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial age of 120 ± 30 days and mean initial (IBW) and final body weight (FBW) of 28.9 ± 3.2 and 43.7 ± 3.9 kg, respectively, were used. The animals were fed at an automatic feed and water station (Intergado®) for 60 days and classified at the end of the experiment as low-RFI/RIG, medium-RFI/RIG, and high-RFI/RIG according to RFI and RIG. Performance, feed efficiency measures, ingestive behavior, temperament, and cortisol concentrations were measured, and Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the variables studied. The variables that differed most between RFI groups were dry matter intake, feed conversion, and feed efficiency, with better values in efficient animals (RFI-). Regarding the RGI groups, the average daily gain of animals classified as RIG- was 19.37% lower than that of animals classified as RIG± and 39.28% lower than that of animals classified as RIG+. Only the hourly feeding rate per day (p = 0.04) differed significantly between RFI and RIG classes, while no differences were observed for the ingestive behavior variables or cortisol. The number of visits to the feed bunk (total, with or without intake) showed no correlation with any performance or efficiency measure. Identifying animals ranked into different RFI and RIG classes shows that more efficient animals have a lower feed intake for the same weight gain and spend less time at the feed bunk.

142 Influence of Comfort on Growth, Intramuscular Fat Accretion, and Ultrasound Ribeye Area in Akaushi Steers and Heifers at Time of Weaning

Abstract Comfort (Ralco Agriculture; Marshall, MN) is a feed additive that contains essential oils and capsicum which are antioxidants and selectively antimicrobial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of Comfort on growth, intramuscular fat (IMF) accretion, and ultrasound ribeye area (REAU) in Akaushi and Akaushi crossbred steers and heifers at time of weaning. Steers and heifers (body weight = 257 ± 26.8 kg; n = 56) were weaned on d 0 at the ranch where they were born (Flatonia, TX). On d 0 animals were weighed, ultrasound scanned, and allocated to treatment. Treatments were a negative control that received no Comfort and a Comfort treatment, received 0.23 kg∙animal-1∙day-1 top-dressed on the ration. An equal number of steers and heifers were allocated to each treatment. Average daily high temperature was 38º C. On d 50, animals were shipped to the West Texas A&M University research feedyard (Canyon, TX); weighed and ultrasound scanned upon arrival. Data reported are the difference between d 0 and d 50 measurements. Data were analyzed using treatment as the fixed effect and individual animal as the experimental unit. Statistical analysis used PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4. Animal final BW was not different between treatments (285 COMF vs. 282 kg control; P = 0.77). Animal average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater in the Comfort cattle compared with the control (0.61 vs. 0.47 kg/d; P = 0.09). Percentage IMF was significantly different between Comfort and control animals (0.14 vs. -0.12 %; P = 0.02). Animal REAU was not different between the treatments (3.39 for Comfort vs. 3.73 cm2 for control; P = 0.83). Fat thickness was not different between Comfort (0.1397 cm) and control cattle (0.1497 cm; P = 0.74). Data collected in this trial indicate that Comfort increased ADG and fat percentage with minimal changes to fat thickness and REAU.

INFLUENCE OF MICRO-CLIMATE PARAMETERS IN SPRING AND SUMMER ON PRODUCTIVITY DURING BREEDING AND FATTENING OF PIGS

INFLUENCE OF MICRO-CLIMATE PARAMETERS IN SPRING AND SUMMER ON PRODUCTIVITY DURING BREEDING AND FATTENING OF PIGS

Effect of Dietary Level of Beet Pulp, with or without Molasses, on Health Status, Growth Performance, and Carcass and Digestive Tract Traits of Rabbits.

To evaluate the effect of dietary level of beet pulp, with or without molasses, on growth performance, a total of 470 28-day-old rabbits were used (614 ± 6 g). Animals were randomly allocated into five dietary treatment groups: Control, without beet pulp; BP20, and BP40 with 20 and 40% of beet pulp without molasses, respectively; and BPM20 and BPM40, with 20 and 40% of beet pulp with molasses, respectively. Daily feed intake (DFI) and average daily gain (ADG) were controlled at 28, 49, and 59 days of age. Carcass and digestive tract traits were also determined at 59 days of age. Mortality and morbidity were controlled daily. Mortality during the growing period was higher in BPM than in BP groups (+9.2%; p < 0.05). The higher the inclusion of beet pulp, the lower the DFI and ADG of animals (5.5 and 4.6% for every 20% inclusion, respectively; p < 0.001), as well as the dressing out percentage, the liver proportion, and the dissectible fat percentage of their carcasses. However, the best feed efficiency during the last 10 days was obtained with the BPM40 group. The higher the inclusion of beet pulp, the higher the weight of the empty gastrointestinal tract and cecum (+2.4 and +3.0 percentage points for every 20% inclusion, respectively; p < 0.001). In fact, a higher inclusion of beet pulp decreased the pH and dry matter and decreased the total volatile fatty acids content of cecum richer in acetic acid but poorer in propionic, isobutiric, isovaleric, and valeric acids. Stomach weight was lower, and the capric acid content in the cecum was higher in the BPM than in the BP group. The inclusion of beet pulp in the feed reduced the growth performance and carcass yield of growing rabbits, and an even higher incidence of digestive disorders was observed when beet pulp included molasses.

Physiological status of the BLV-infected cows offspring under dyspeptic manifestations correction

The BLV-infected cows’ offspring are at risk due to a decrease in their viability and productivity indicators. The purpose of the studies is a comparative analysis of hematological parameters and indicators of body weight gain in obtained from immunocompromised cows calves when correcting their clinical status using the composition we have developed (patent No 2646831) and a broadspectrum antibiotic. According to our data, calves from BLV-infected mothers were born with a body weight of 6-7% less than calves from intact cows. With the correction of dyspeptic manifestations in calves by the proposed method, the average daily gain in animals remained at the level with intact ones (630-660 g / day), and when using an antibiotic, it was 300-500 g per day. Hematological studies have shown that with clinical manifestations of dyspepsia in neonatal calves, hypovolemia and pronounced leukocytosis are noted in the blood, the signs of which decrease by the 12th day of life during therapy. The glucose of blood serum in calves with dyspeptic syndrome was slightly reduced on the first day. There was a change in the blood electrolytes ratio, a decrease in total blood protein and albumin content, compared to intact animals. Thus, our studies have shown that when correcting dyspepsia in neonatal calves from immunocompromised cows using the composition we have developed, the body weight gain retained, which was due to the rapid normalization of the homeostasis in animals.

The use of wastes from the fat-and-oil industry in feeding calves in order to improve environmental safety

The present article provides the results of the commercial farm-based scientific trial conducted in calves up to six months of the age. In the rearing period of young animals, a promising technology would be the way, when premixes are included in the diet in the dairy period. The conducted study showed that the use of fat and oil industry waste as the basis for premixes helps to solve several problems, namely, to expand the ingredient list and provide alternative materials for farm animals, which allows to increase the protein level in animal diet, as well as to solve the problem of disposal the waste from the fat-and-oil industry. The experiment carried out on the Holstein dairy cows positively estimated the studied premix ZP61-2S. The results show that giving it to the calves had a beneficial effect on the digestibility of dry matter, which was better in the animals of the experimental group by 2.1% than in the control and amounted to 75.2%. Nitrogen utilization by animals in both control and experimental groups were not reduced, and the balance was positive. Thus, the ZP61-2S premix in the compound feed for young cattle increases the average daily gain of animals by 6.85%.

Natural factors of increasing the resistance of animals

It has been studied the issue of technology and economic efficiency of housing different sex, age and production groups of pigs in summer camps; to give the features of housing lactating and single sows, repair and fattening pigs in the camps; to study the expediency of combining camp maintenance with the pasture; to develop equipment that will improve the technology of summer camp housing pigs. Experimental studies on the development of technological elements of summer camp housing pigs and determining its benefits were conducted in the farms of Poltava and Myrhorod districts of Poltava region on the live-stock of pigs of the Large White and Myrhorod breeds. The camps of simpler design with shadow canopies were equipped for the group housing of other age and production groups of pigs. It has been determined the cost of green mass and concentrated feed per head, the average daily gain of animals, their safety, time spent on the production of one quintal of live weight, as well as took into account the load per operator, in an innovative plan it has been developed the detachment (Fig. 1) for grazing pigs, which provides the preimaginal principle of pasture use and gentle vegetation. In the course of research the generally accepted zootechnical and economic indexes were studied. Regular motion, sun, clean air - this is a set of healing natural factors that have allowed to grow strong and healthy piglets, capable of high growth rate in their further rearing for reproductive and fattening purposes. The camp housing helped to increase the reproductive function of the maternal live-stock. The productivity of young animals also increased significantly with a significant reduction in their deaths. The live weight of piglets at weaning increased by two kilograms compared to those indoors ones. Net profit from pork sales amounted to 17.6% of total net profit from livestock. We also developed in co-authorship a detachment for grazing pigs, which prevents damage to the sod layer of the pasture, reduces material consumption, labor costs for the movement of the detachment on the pasture. So, camp and pasture maintenance in the experimental conditions had a positive effect on the economic efficiency of pig breeding in the whole enterprise, as well as increased the reproductive characteristics of the breeding stock. The use of green and succulent feeds, up to 35 percent in nutritional value, significantly improved the taste qualities and biological value of the diet of pigs. Key words: pigs, summer camp pasture maintenance, pasture, green conveyor, natural factors, animal resilience, mobile detachment.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРЕПАРАТА БИСОЛБИ НА БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЕ И ПРОДУКТИВНЫЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ТЕЛЯТ ГОЛШТИНО-ФРИЗСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ

The purpose of the research is increasing the average daily gain of animals due to the use of the Bisolbi drug. The effect of Bisolbi preparation based on Bacillus subtilis H-13 1.5×108 (LLC «Bisolbi-Inter») on the biochemical and productive life of calves was studied. The scientific and production experiment was carried out on the basis of a dairy farm of the State «Kupinskoe» Unitary Enterprise of the Samara region involving 30 Holstein-Friesian calves. The biological effect of the drug is provided due to its adsorption properties, the ability to enhance the activity of a number of enzyme systems and increase the digestive and systemic immunity of the body. The drug use increases the integration intensity of animals: the amount of total protein in the blood serum of calves of the experimental group at &#x0D; 120 days of age was higher by 8.9% (p&lt;0.05), albumin – by 9.2% (p&lt;0.01), compared with the animal data of con-trolled group. The Bisolbi indication contributed to an increase in the intensity of carbohydrate-lipoid metabolism: the cholesterol amount was higher by 23% (p&lt;0.01), the glucose content – by 0.4 mmol/l (p&lt;0.05) in the blood of &#x0D; 120 day old calves of the experimental group, compared with the data of controlled animals. It was found that the body weight of calves in the control group of 100 days age was 105.23±2.11 kg, in the experimental group – 108.6±2.19 kg, which is 3.37 kg higher. The average daily weight gain of animals in experimental group was signif-icantly higher by 0.075 kg (p&lt;0.01). At 120 days of age, the body weight of the experimental calves was higher by 4.19 kg (p&lt;0.05), the average daily weight gain by 0.080 kg (p&lt;0.05), compared with the data of the controlled ani-mals. The indication of Bisolbi 5-10 ml (LLC «Bisolbi-Inter») to calves daily for 2 months resulted in an additional profit constructively of 137 rubles from each head.

Implications of Tributyrin on Gut Microbiota Shifts Related to Performances of Weaning Piglets.

Alternatives to antibiotic treatments are required owing to the ban on the use of these drugs as growth promoters in food animal production. Tributyrin appears to play a role in improving growth performance in pigs, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness. So far, very little is known about its effects on gut microbiota composition. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota changes of piglets receiving, at weaning, 0.2% tributyrin added to their basal diet. Microbiota composition was assessed through 16S-rRNA gene sequencing on stools collected from tributyrin and control groups. The functional profiles of microbial communities were predicted from amplicon abundance data. A comparison between dietary groups revealed that tributyrin strongly modulated gut microbiota composition in piglets, increasing the relative abundance of a number of bacterial genera such as Oscillospira, Oscillibacter, Mucispirillum and Butyrivibrio. These genera were positively correlated to animal average daily gain (ADG) and/or body weight (BW). Based on the function profile prediction, the gut microbiome of the tributyrin group possessed an enhanced potential for energy metabolism and a reduced potential for carbohydrate metabolism. In conclusion, our results indicated that tributyrin can promote changes to gut microbial communities, which could contribute to improving animal performance after weaning.

Potential role of rumen microbiota in altering average daily gain and feed efficiency in meat goats fed simple and mixed pastures using bacterial tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing1.

Cost-effective and feasible production system of meat goats requires that grazed forages are converted to profitable goat meat product. However, there are studies as how altering forage type influences ruminal fermentation parameters and animal growth performance, and interact with microbiota in meat goats. Our objective for current study was to examine whether the comparative abundance of the Bacteroidetes (B) and Firmicutes (F) bacterial phyla in meat goats fed simple and mixed forages influenced average daily gain (ADG) and rumen fermentation parameters. In the present study, a molecular approach, bacterial tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) was applied to accomplish diversity analyses of rumen bacterial populations. Thirty-six Kiko-cross growing meat goats (body weight (BW) = 27.7 ± 2.83 kg) at approximately 7 mo of age were used in this study. Animals were randomly allocated to 3 pasture treatment groups (n = 12) as follows: 1) bermudagrass pasture (BG; Cynodon dactylon), 2) sunn hemp forage (SH; Crotalaria juncea), and 3) BG + SH forage combinations. There were 2 replicates per treatment and animals grazed these pastures for 45 d. Results indicated that treatments had similar initial BW, but final BW and ADG were higher (P < 0.01) for SH and BG + SH combinations than for BG alone. Animal ADG and rumen fermentation (acetate to propionate; A/P ratios) were highly correlated with the abundance of various bacterial populations within the rumen microbiome. There were linear decreases in percentage of Bacteroidetes (R2 = -0.84; P < 0.05) associated with decreasing ADG. In contrast, increased ADG was linearly associated with higher percentages of Firmicutes (R2 = 0.79; P < 0.05), F/B ratios (R2 = 0.88; P = 0.07), total VFA (R2 = 0.45; P < 0.05), and lower A/P ratio (R2 = -0.72; P < 0.01). This suggests that the substrates (diets) and bacterial community have the role in adapting host biological parameters in meat goats. The abundance examination of both Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes will be useful for exploring the structure of gut microbiota as an estimate of animal performance.

Effect of Licuri cake supplementation on performance, digestibility, ingestive behavior, carcass traits and meat quality of grazing lambs

This study evaluated the effect of Licuri cake (LC) supplementation replacing soybean meal in concentrate on performance, digestibility, ingestive behavior, carcass traits and meat quality of grazing lambs. Thirty-two uncastrated Santa Inês lambs with a mean body weight (BW) of 24.7 ± 0.9 kg were distributed into 4 treatment diets in a randomized design. Lambs were fed Aruana grass (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana) as roughage and supplemented with a concentrate composed of ground corn, soybean meal and mineral premix. Licuri (Syagrus coronata) cake was added to concentrate at 0 (control), 87.0 (LOW), 174 (MED), and 260 (HIGH) g/kg of dietary DM. Lambs supplemented with LC did not affect DM Panicum maximum intake (P >0.05). However, there was a linear increase (P <0.001) in the concentrate mixture and total intake of ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The total intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and crude protein (CP) intake of concentrate supplementation decreased (P < 0.001) by LC inclusion. The CP total intake quadratically decreased by LC inclusion. The digestibilities of DM, CP and EE were not influenced (P> 0.05) by LC inclusion. However, the digestibility of NFC and NDF (P < 0.05) decreased with the inclusion of LC. Licuri cake inclusion promoted a linear reduction in the time spent feeding and a linear increase in the time spent ruminating, DM, CP and NDF feeding efficiency and NDF rumination. However, DM and CP rumination efficiency presented a linear reduction (P <0.05). Licuri cake inclusion in concentrate mixture up to 174 g/kg DM improved final BW, total weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (P <0.001). No differences (P>0.05) on carcass traits, morphometric measurements, weight of commercial cuts, cooking weight loss, shear force, sarcomere length, moisture, ash and protein content of the longissimus lumborum were observed among treatments. There was a quadratic increase (P = 0.03) on the lipid content of meat lamb. The inclusion of LC in the diet of lambs linearly increased the a* (P = 0.007), b* (P=0.091) and C* (P = 0.011) color index of the meat. It is recommended the medium level of LC (174 g/kg DM) replacing soybean meal in concentrate of grazing lambs because increases the time spent eating, final weight and ADG of animals and improved the feed conversion rate without change most of the carcass traits and meat quality.

Implementation of silvopastoral systems in Brazil with Eucalyptus urograndis and Brachiaria brizantha: Productivity of forage and an exploratory test of the animal response

The loss of productive capacity of pastures has a direct impact on livestock productivity and there is an inefficient use of natural resources. In this scenario, a production strategy that can reverse this degradation is the use of silvopastoral systems. This study aimed to evaluate the animal performance associated with the Piatã grass traits under open pasture and two silvopastoral arrangements in the Brazilian Cerrado. The forage was Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, and the tree species was the Eucalyptus urograndis (Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla) planted in the North-South direction in the treatments: forage grown in treeless area (control); forage grown in eucalyptus understory with 22 m spacing between rows (SSP22); forage grown in eucalyptus understory with 12 m spacing between rows (SSP12). There was a higher availability of forage dry mass of Piatã grass in the treeless treatment in the rainy and dry seasons, and treatment SSP22 was superior to SSP12 in the rainy season. SSP12 and SSP22 pasture presented the highest content of crude protein and the lowest forage density. The leaf/stem ratio and in vitro dry matter digestibility were higher in control compared to SSP12. Cell wall components were affected by the season, but not by the treatments. The stocking rate was higher in the treeless treatment and the average daily gain of animals did not differ between treatments. The live weight gain per area (hectare) was higher in SSP22 compared to SSP12 and both were lower than the control. Chemical and structural characteristics of Piatã grass were affected by silvopastoral systems, which directly influenced animal performance. If livestock production is the only goal, spacing between tree rows not less than 22 m should be prioritized under silvopastoral system with eucalyptus trees planted in the North-South direction.

Grazing Evaluation of Annual and Perennial Cool‐Season Forage Systems for Stocker Production in the Lower Transition Zone

Core Ideas A simultaneous grazing evaluation of perennial and annual cool‐season forages was conducted in the Southeast. A real‐world evaluation used production practices common in the lower transition zone. Cool‐season forages can meet stocker nutritional needs and provide high‐quality forage for grazing. Novel endophyte tall fescue has greater long‐term profit potential compared with these annual forages. Cool‐season forages provide high‐quality forage throughout the cooler months, which can reduce winter feed and hay consumption by extending the grazing season in the Southeast. Limited research has been conducted to simultaneously evaluate common annual and perennial cool‐season forage options during this time period. A 2‐year grazing trial was conducted to evaluate annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), mixtures of cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) and annual ryegrass, and novel endophyte tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Shreb.) Darbysh.] seeded with annual crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), perennial white clover (Trifolium repens L.), or treated with spring‐applied N fertilizer. Parameters evaluated were timing and length of grazing season, forage nutritive value, forage dry matter (DM) availability, animal performance, and economic returns. Economic analysis evaluated monetary returns per acre. In Year 1 (2013–2014) annual treatments provided 68 days of grazing while perennial treatments provided 75 days. In Year 2 (2014–2015) mixtures of cereal rye and annual ryegrass provided 57 days, while annual ryegrass and novel endophyte tall fescue treatments provided 85 and 84 days, respectively. Animal average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) gain/acre was greatest for ryegrass and tall fescue and least in treatments containing cereal rye. No differences in animal performance were observed between legume and N fertilizer within forage base. Novel endophyte tall fescue treatments had positive returns per acre compared with negative returns for annual treatments. These results indicate that under conditions of similar animal performance and forage production, novel endophyte tall fescue systems may provide a more economical option for producers in the lower transition zone of the Southeast.

Impact of including growth, carcass and feed efficiency traits in the breeding goal for combined milk and beef production systems

Improving feed efficiency in dairy cattle could result in more profitable and environmentally sustainable dairy production through lowering feed costs and emissions from dairy farming. In addition, beef production based on dairy herds generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions per unit of meat output than beef production from suckler cow systems. Different scenarios were used to assess the profitability of adding traits, excluded from the current selection index for Finnish Ayrshire, to the breeding goal for combined dairy and beef production systems. The additional breeding goal traits were growth traits (average daily gain of animals in the fattening and rearing periods), carcass traits (fat covering, fleshiness and dressing percentage), mature live weight (LW) of cows and residual feed intake (RFI) traits. A breeding scheme was modeled for Finnish Ayrshire under the current market situation in Finland using the deterministic simulation software ZPLAN+. With the economic values derived for the current production system, the inclusion of growth and carcass traits, while preventing LW increase generated the highest improvement in the discounted profit of the breeding program (3.7%), followed by the scenario where all additional traits were included simultaneously (5.1%). The use of a selection index that included growth and carcass traits excluding LW, increased the profit (0.8%), but reduced the benefits resulted from breeding for beef traits together with LW. A moderate decrease in the profit of the breeding program was obtained when adding only LW to the breeding goal (−3.1%), whereas, adding only RFI traits to the breeding goal resulted in a minor increase in the profit (1.4%). Including beef traits with LW in the breeding goal showed to be the most potential option to improve the profitability of the combined dairy and beef production systems and would also enable a higher rate of self-sufficiency in beef. When considering feed efficiency related traits, the inclusion of LW traits in the breeding goal that includes growth and carcass traits could be more profitable than the inclusion of RFI, because the marginal costs of measuring LW can be expected to be lower than for RFI and it is readily available for selection. In addition, before RFI can be implemented as a breeding objective, the genetic correlations between RFI and other breeding goal traits estimated for the studied population as well as information on the most suitable indicator traits for RFI are needed to assess more carefully the consequences of selecting for RFI.

Ověření nutriční hodnoty a hypocholesterolemického efektu jarních linií ječmenů na laboratorních potkanech

The aim of a growth model experiment in laboratory rats was to check the nutritive value of the set of newly bred spring barley lines with different grain characteristics. The followed set contained feed type hulless lines bred in the Agricultural Research Institute Kroměříž , Ltd. KM1771 (1), KM 1057 (2), food type hulless lines KM 2082 (3), KM 2092 (4), KM 2062 (5) and lines formed on the basis of crossing with food donors of a waxy endosperm type – hulless line Wabet x Washonubet (6), hulled line Wabet x Krona (7) and Wabet x Kompakt (8). The line Kompakt x Krona (9) and the malting variety Nordus were used as a control (10).The best results of an average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (9.19 g; 2.29) were achieved by feeding the line KM 1057 (2), conversely, the worst by feeding food barley of the waxy type (average daily gain in animals of experimental group 6 was only 8.01 g and FCR 2.54). This material also had the highest β-glucan content (7.1 %) out of the followed set. The lowest β-glucan content was detected in the sample 9 (3.88 %). Linear dependence between intake of β-glucans (x) and cholesterol content in rat´s blood (y) was: y = -0.0591x + 3.8102, R2 = 0.4681. The found dependence was statistically highly significant (PThe highest values of digestibility coefficients of crude protein (75.96 %) and crude fibre (49.63 %) were measured in animals in a group 2, on the contrary the lowest digestibility of crude fibre (31.10 %), fat (56.96 %) and ash (45.65 %) was exhibited by a control group 10. Differences in digestibility of all followed nutrients after the 14th day and at the end (28th day) of the experiment were observed (crude protein digestibility was lower by 5.65 %, ash digestibility by 11.47 %, fibre by 10.85 % and fat by 3.75 %).It was confirmed that the tested waxy lines exhibited hypocholesterolemic effect; we, however, do not recommend them for feeding of monogastric animals due to high β-glucan content, reduced intake of mixture and impaired feed conversion.

Efficacy and safety of an oral somatostatin DNA vaccine without antibiotic resistance gene in promoting growth of piglets.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an oral DNA vaccine against somatostatin (SS) (pGS/2SS-asd, encoding two copies of somatostatin genes) mediated by attenuated Salmonella choleraesuis C500 without antibiotic resistance gene on piglets growth. A total of 50 piglets were uniformly divided into five groups. The animals in the first three groups were orally given vaccine in dose of either 5 9 1010, 5 9 109 or 5 9 108 colony-forming units (CFU).The remaining two groups were orally administered with either bacteria C500(containing pVAX-asd plasmid without somatostatin gene) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as controls. The results indicated that the vaccine induced SS-specific antibodies in a dose-dependent pattern. Compared with the PBS control, animals in the high-dose group showed lower SS levels and higher growth hormone (GH) levels in sera. Average daily gain of animals in the high dose group was increased by 32.88% and 26.46% during 4 and 8 weeks,respectively. Anti-SS antibodies were positively correlated with either GH levels or average daily gain at week 8 after primary immunization (P < 0.05). Faecal,soil and water samples originating from immunized piglets and surrounding environment were collected. The target gene (the fusion gene GS/2SS) of C500(pGS/2SS-asd) was not detected by PCR amplification in these samples,indicating that the surrounding environment was not contaminated by residual recombinant bacteria. In conclusion, the vaccine without antibiotic resistance gene is attributable to improve growth performance of piglets through an influence on GH secretion. Moreover, the immunization did not contaminate the surrounding environment of animals.

Levels of multiple supplements or nitrogen salt for beef heifers in pasture during the dry season

The study assessed performance, microbial protein synthesis, intake and digestibility of nutrients by beef heifers receiving levels of multiple supplements or nitrogen salt, in a self-controlled intake, on pasture, during the dry season. Thirty-five beef heifers, from 6 to 9 months of age and average initial body weight of 203.4 + 4.5 kg, were used. Study factors were: control - mineral mixture; nitrogen salt - 50% of urea + mineral mixture, at proportion of 1:1, and 50% of corn (75% of crude protein); levels of multiple supplementation - multiple supplements with different percentages of intake controller mixture (urea + mineral mixture, at the proportion of 1:1), corn and soybean meal (45% of crude protein). Supplement consumptions observed were: 115, 173, 572 and 1214 g/animal/day for animals fed on nitrogen salt, low, medium and high levels of multiple supplement, respectively. Supplemented animals had greater average daily gain, evidencing the positive linear effect of the levels of multiple supplementation on average daily gain. Overall, there were no significant differences between average daily gain of animals fed on multiple supplements or nitrogen salt. Supplementation increased the intake and digestibility of nutrients, except for digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, although the intake of digested neutral detergent fiber increased. Supplementation increased the production of microbial nitrogen as well as nitrogen losses in urine, although the quantity of nitrogen assimilated by bacteria, proportionally to intake, was higher. Supplementation improves nutritional parameters and weight gain.

Effects of Supplementing Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus) with Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Hay and Cassava Root Chips on Feed Intake, Digestibility and Growth in Goats

The effects of supplementing Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) with varying levels of hay from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and dried cassava root chip on growth and diet digestibility were studied using local male goats with an average initial body weight of 14.0 kg. Thirty-two animals were allocated to a completely randomized 2x2 factorial design with eight animals per treatment. The factors were two levels of cassava hay (25% and 35% of an expected dry matter (DM) intake of 3% of body weight) and cassava root chips (0 or 1% of body weight) on an individual basis with grass offered ad libitum. Another four animals were assigned to a 4x4 Latin square design to study digestibility, and were given the same four diets as in the growth experiment. Total DM intake was significantly higher in the group fed diets with cassava hay and root while the DM intake of Gamba grass was not significantly different between treatments. The supplementation with cassava hay and root increased the apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter and N and resulted in a higher N-retention. The apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fiber was not affected significantly. The average daily gain of animals fed diets supplemented with both cassava hay and root was significantly higher than for the animals supplemented with cassava hay alone. The highest daily gain recorded was 70 g/day. In conclusion, supplementing a basal diet of Gamba grass with cassava hay and root chips improved DM intake, digestibility, N-retention and weight gain. In order to minimize the waste of cassava hay, the inclusion level of cassava hay can be recommended to be 25% of expected DM intake, which would give acceptable intake and growth performance when cassava root is included in the diet.

Effect of a diet high in energy and protein on growth, carcase characteristics and parasite resistance in goats

The effects of a high-energy and high-protein diet on growth, parasite resistance and carcase characteristics were studied using local goats with an average initial body weight (BW) of 12.0 (SD = 0.7) kg. Thirty-two animals were allocated to a completely randomized factorial design, with four animals of each sex per treatment. The factors were: two diets (diet H with high content of crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME), and diet L with low content of CP and ME) and deworming (DW) or non-deworming (NDW). The highest dry matter (DM) intake was obtained for goats fed diet H combined with DW, but there was no significant difference between DW or NDW for goats fed diet H. The goats fed diet L and DW had significantly better total DM intake than NDW goats. The average daily gain of animals fed diet H was 86 and 92 g/day compared to 27 and 40 g/day for diet L, for NDW and DW animals, respectively. Feeding diet H resulted in higher slaughter weight and consequently also higher empty BW, carcase weight and dressing percentage and lower feed conversion ratio. Dewormed animals had significantly higher empty BW than NDW animals. There were significant effects of diet and parasite control on Faecal egg count (FEC: number of parasite eggs per gram of faeces (e.p.g.)), with NDW animals fed diet L having higher FEC than animals fed diet H.

Efeitos de diferentes intensidades de pastejo em pastagem nativa melhorada sobre o desempenho animal

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de duas intensidades de pastejo sobre a produção animal em pastagem natural sobressemeada com espécies leguminosas exóticas (trevo branco, Trifolium repens; trevo vermelho, Trifolium pratense; e cornichão, Lotus corniculatus) sob pastejo contínuo com taxa de lotação variável. Os tratamentos consistiram de duas massas de forragem: baixa massa de forragem (MB) (1.021 kg de MS/ha) e alta massa de forragem (MA) (1.751 kg de MS/ha). As avaliações da pastagem e dos animais foram realizadas em intervalos de aproximadamente 30 dias. Houve forte interação tratamento &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;´&lt;/FONT&gt; período experimental para a variável carga animal, que apresentou médias de 690 e 437 kg de MS/ha para MB e MA, respectivamente. O tratamento de MA (480 g/animal/dia) resultou em ganho de peso médio diário superior ao MB (282 g/animal/dia). Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para produção animal total por área, observando-se valores de 231 e 207 kg/ha para MA e MB, respectivamente. Este resultados indicam que o manejo das pastagens nativas deve ser conduzido com valores de massa de forragem próximos a 1.700 kg MS/ha, pois mantêm satisfatória taxa de ganho dos animais.