Barley Silage Research Articles

Effects of barley-based diets with 3 different rumen-degradable protein balances on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers

ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of varying the dietary degradable protein balance (DPB) on finishing cattle performance. Crossbred yearling steers (n = 300; BW = 460 ± 26 kg) were allotted to 12 pens (25 steers/pen) and fed barley grain-based finishing diets with negative DPB (− 12 g/kg of DM), neutral DPB (0 g/ kg of DM), or positive DPB (14 g/kg of DM). The diet with negative DPB contained 88.3% barley grain and 4.7% barley silage. For the neutral and positive DPB diets, 11 and 22% of dietary barley grain, respectively, was replaced by wheat-based dried distillers grains with solubles. Increasing DPB in the diet increased the concentration of most nutrients linearly (P 0.05) starch (88.3 ± 1.36%), whereas protein supply in the small intestine (78.8 to 91.2 g/kg of DM) increased (P 0.05) among treatments. In conclusion, when diets were formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements for targeted performance, changing dietary DPB from − 12 to 14 g/kg had no major effect on animal performance and carcass characteristics.

Effects of bulk density, precision processing and processing index on in vitro ruminal fermentation of dry-rolled barley grain

A study using a batch culture technique was conducted to evaluate the effects of bulk density (BD, g/L), processing method (PM; control vs. precision processing [PP]: sieving grains into large versus small kernels and rolling based on kernel size), and processing index (PI; BD after rolling/BD before rolling) on kinetics of gas production, dry matter degradability (DMD), molar proportions and total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) of dry rolled barley grain. The study was arranged in a 2×2×2 factorial design. Gas production and DMD were measured at 3, 6, 12 and 24h of incubation using rumen fluid from 3 fistulated beef heifers fed diet containing 700g barley silage and 300g of a barley grain-based concentrate. We hypothesized that incorporating other factors with PI would help improve prediction of the feeding value of processed barley grain. Barley samples were collected monthly from ten different feedlots in Southern Alberta for one year. Samples were ranked according to their BD into low (580g/L) and high (680g/L) BD which were subjected to different processing (control vs. PP) before being dry-rolled with extent of processing expressed as PI of 0.75 or 0.85±0.03. The dry-rolled samples used in the study were not subjected to further grinding. Cumulative gas production (GP; mL/g organic matter) was fitted to an exponential model GP=B(1−exp−c×[t−lag]). Processing method×PI interactions (P<0.01) were observed for asymptotic gas volume, rate, lag time and absolute initial gas produced during the first hour. In addition, a PM×BD interaction (P<0.05) was noted for asymptotic gas volume. Data from DMD at different times of incubation were fitted to a model DMD=a+b(1−e−c(t−L)). Effective degradability coefficients ranged from 0.18 to 0.26. Only PI had an effect (P<0.05) on the rate of DMD. Total SCFA values ranged from 30.2 to 40.1mmol/L. Apart from PM and PI interaction (P<0.05) on C2:C3, no other interaction was observed after 24h of incubation. Regression results showed that BD and PM were better for predicting rate of DMD than PI. This is consistent with our hypothesis that using only PI as a measurement for extensity of grain processing may not be reliable when barley grain kernels are highly variable in size.

Using a fibrolytic enzyme in barley-based diets containing wheat dried distillers grains with solubles: ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and growth performance of feedlot steers.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of adding an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (FE) on ruminal pH and fermentation, digestibility, and growth performance of feedlot beef cattle fed a finishing diet containing wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In Exp. 1, 4 ruminally cannulated Angus heifers (average BW of 807 ± 93.9 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were 1) control (CON; 10% barley silage and 90% barley grain-based concentrate), 2) CON diet substituting 30% wheat DDGS for barley grain (WDG), 3) WDG diet supplemented with low FE (WDGL), and 4) WDG diet supplemented with high FE (WDGH). Heifers fed WDG had less (P = 0.01) total tract DM digestibility than heifers fed CON. Increasing FE linearly (P < 0.05) increased starch digestibility without affecting digestibility of other nutrients. Addition of FE also reduced (P = 0.03) ruminal ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentration but did not affect VFA concentration. Moreover, application of FE to wheat DDGS linearly increased in situ ruminal DM (P < 0.01) and NDF (P = 0.02) disappearance after 48 h of incubation. In Exp. 2, 160 yearling steers (initial BW = 495 ± 37.9 kg) were fed the same diets as in Exp. 1. No differences in DMI, final BW, ADG, dietary NEg, or carcass characteristics were observed among diets. However, the steers fed WDG had less (P < 0.05) G:F and greater number of (P < 0.01) abscessed livers than steers fed CON. Increasing FE application in wheat DDGS diets did not affect DMI, final BW, or ADG but tended (P < 0.09) to linearly improve feed efficiency and decreased (P = 0.03) the incidence of abscessed livers. These results demonstrated adverse effects of including wheat DDGS in finishing diets on feed digestion, feed efficiency, and animal health. Application of FE in wheat DDGS-based diets potentially improved starch digestion, protein metabolism in the rumen, feed efficiency, and animal health.

Effect of low-oil corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles on growth performance, carcass traits and beef fatty acid profile of feedlot cattle

He, M. L., Xu, L., Yang, W. Z., Gibb, D. and McAllister, T. A. 2014. Effect of low-oil corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles on growth performance, carcass traits and beef fatty acid profile of feedlot cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 343–347. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of low-oil corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (LO-DDGS) on growth, carcass traits and beef fatty acids profiles of finishing feedlot cattle. One hundred and eighty British crossbred steers (450±28.5 kg; six pens/treatment) were offered barley grain-barley silage as the control diet with LO-DDGS replacing barley grain at 200 and 300 g kg−1 dry matter basis in treatment diets. Compared with control, LO-DDGS at 200 g kg−1 did not affect growth performance or carcass traits, whereas at 300 g kg−1 it decreased (P&lt;0.05) gain:feed, but increased (P&lt;0.05) levels of desirable fatty acids in beef. LO-DDGS can replace 200 g kg−1 barley grain in finishing feedlot diets without undesirable impacts on growth performance or carcass traits.

Incidence, prevalence, severity, and risk factors for ruminal acidosis in feedlot steers during backgrounding, diet transition, and finishing.

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, prevalence, severity, and risk factors for ruminal acidosis in feedlot steers during backgrounding, diet transition, and finishing. Steers were purchased from a local auction market (n = 250; mean ± SD; 330 ± 20.0 kg initial BW) and were grouped together with 28 steers fitted with a ruminal cannula (248 ± 25.5 kg initial BW). Steers were randomly allocated to 1 of 8 pens (3 to 4 cannulated steers per pen with a total of 35 steers/pen). The feeding period (143 d) was divided into 4 phases: backgrounding (BKGD; d 1 to 20), diet transition (TRAN; d 21 to 40), and the first (FIN1; d 41 to 91) and second half (FIN2; d 92 to 143) of finishing. The BKGD diet contained (% DM) barley silage (45.7%), barley grain (41.6%), canola meal (4.2%), and a pelleted mineral and vitamin supplement (8.5%). Steers were transitioned to a finishing diet containing (% DM) barley silage (5%), barley grain (80.9%), canola meal (4.9%), and a pelleted mineral and vitamin supplement (9.2%) using 4 transition diets. Feed was offered to achieve 5% refusals (as-is basis). Ruminal pH was recorded in cannulated steers every 10 min throughout the study, and feed refusals and BW were recorded at 2 wk intervals. Mean ruminal pH (P < 0.01) was 6.4, 6.3, 6.2, and 6.0 ± 0.01 during the BKGD, TRAN, FIN1, and FIN2, respectively. The duration (P < 0.01) pH < 5.5 was 4.1, 12.1, 78.7, and 194 ± 9.4 min/d during BKGD, TRAN, FIN1, and FIN2, respectively. Using a threshold of ruminal pH < 5.5 for at least 180 min to diagnose ruminal acidosis, incidence was defined as the number of times steers experienced ruminal acidosis during each period and prevalence was defined as the percentage of steers that experienced acidosis during each period. On average, the incidence rate (P < 0.01) of ruminal acidosis was 0.1, 0.3, 6.7, and 14.8 ± 0.97 episodes during BKGD, TRAN, FIN1, and FIN2, respectively. In the same order, the prevalence (P < 0.01) was 0.7, 1.7, 15.4, and 37.8 ± 2.0%. Based on multiple regression, factors associated with prevalence of ruminal acidosis and the duration pH < 5.5 were feeding phase (P < 0.01) and DMI (P < 0.01). Overall, the greatest incidence, prevalence, and severity of ruminal acidosis were observed towards the end of the finishing phase and were associated with days on feed and DMI.

Enhancing Nutritional Quality of Silage by Fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum.

The present study was aimed to investigate the nutritive profiles, microbial counts and fermentation metabolites in rye, Italian rye-grass (IRG) and barley supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum under the field condition, and its probiotic properties. After preparation of silage, the content of crude protein (CP), crude ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), microbes such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeast and fungi counts, and fermentation metabolites lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid was assessed. Results indicated that the content of ADF and NDF were significantly varied between rye, IRG and barley mediated silages. The content of CP was increased in L. plantarum supplemented with IRG, but slightly decreased in rye and barley mediated silages. The maximum LAB count was recorded at 53.10 × 10(7) cfu/g in rye, 16.18 × 10(7) cfu/g in IRG and 2.63 × 10(7) cfu/g in barley silages respectively. A considerable number of the yeasts were observed in the IRG silages than the rye silages (P<0.05). The amount of lactic acid production is higher in L. plantarum supplemented silages as compared with control samples (P<0.05). It was confirmed that higher amount of lactic acid produced only due to more number of LAB found in the silages. L. plantarum was able to survive at low pH and bile salt and the duodenum passage with the highest percentage of hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the strain was sensitive towards the antibiotics commonly used to maintain the microbes in food industrial setups. In conclusion, supplementation of L. plantarum is most beneficial in rye, IRG and barley silage preparations and probiotic characteristics of L. plantarum was an intrinsic feature for the application in the preparation of animal feeds and functional foods.

Evaluation of feeding corn or wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles on animal health of finishing feedlot steers

Amat, S., McKinnon, J. J., Simko, E. and Hendrick, S. 2014. Evaluation of feeding corn or wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles on animal health of finishing feedlot steers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 525–531. Using dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) as a replacement for barley grain is believed to reduce the incidence of rumen acidosis and liver abscessation due to its low starch content. However, feeding DDGS has the potential to induce polioencephalomalacia (PEM) owing to its high sulfur (S) content. The present commercial feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding corn or wheat DDGS on the health of finishing steers with a focus on the impact of these by-products on mortality, prevalence of ruminitis, cystitis, PEM and liver abscessation. The trial was conducted as a complete randomized design with three treatments using a total of 6815 crossbred steers in 10 pens per treatment. The control group diet consisted of 93.1% dry-rolled barley, 5.0% barley silage and 1.9% s...

Effects of including alfalfa hay cut in the afternoon or morning at three stages of maturity in high concentrate rations on dairy cows performance, diet digestibility and feeding behavior

Stage of maturity (SM) and cutting time (CT) are important factors affecting the feeding value of alfalfa hay in ruminants. No data is currently available about the effects of including alfalfa hay cut at different CT and SM in total mixed rations (TMR) containing high levels of concentrates on dairy cows performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of including 200g/kg dry matter (DM) alfalfa hay cut at two CT (18:00 and 06:00h) and three SM (early bud, late bud and early flower) in a TMR with 650g/kg DM concentrates and 150g/kg DM barley silage on dairy cows performance, diet digestibility and feeding behavior. Eighteen cows were used in a cyclic change over design with six treatments (2 CT×3 SM) in three 21d periods. Leaf:stem ratio, crude protein (CP) and soluble carbohydrate (SC) concentration of alfalfa hay decreased with advancing maturity. Including alfalfa hay with advancing maturity in the TMR decreased CP intake (kg/d) and fecal N (g/100g DM) concentration in dairy cows (P<0.05). Neutral detergent insoluble CP (NDICP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of alfalfa hay, mean particle size and physically effective factor of TMR and eating behavior (min/kg DMI) of dairy cows increased with advancing alfalfa hay maturity (P<0.05). Cutting alfalfa hay in the afternoon vs. morning increased leaf:stem ratio, leaf content and SC concentration (P<0.05). Feeding TMR with afternoon cut alfalfa hay to dairy cows increased apparent total tract digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and CP and serum total protein and decreased fecal nitrogen production (N; g/d), fecal N:milk N ratio (P<0.05) and tended to decrease fecal N concentration (g/100g DM; P<0.10). At the early bud and early flower stage, afternoon cutting vs. morning cutting increased DM, OM and CP digestibility, serum total protein and decreased fecal nitrogen production (g/d) in dairy cows. At the late bud stage, afternoon cutting vs. morning cutting improved milk lactose and total solid non-fat yield (SNF; kg/d; P<0.05). In general, alfalfa hay CT at different SM had more effect on nutrient digestibility and N metabolism than on animal production. In conclusion, stage of maturity of alfalfa hay included in TMR did not greatly affect dairy cow performance when it was included at a rate of 200g/kg DM. The TMRs with alfalfa hay cut in the afternoon improved N efficiency in dairy cows.

Nitrogen Budgets Following Land Application of Composted or Stockpiled Feedlot Manure Containing Wood-Chips or Straw Bedding to Barley Silage for 12 Years

ABSTRACTLand application of composted feedlot manure (CM) instead of stockpiled manure (SM) at increasing application rates to cropland, or use of wood-chip (WD) instead of straw (ST) bedding, may influence the nitrogen (N) balance and cause N surpluses. This could result in environmental losses of N to the atmosphere, surface, or ground waters. We determined the influence of manure type, bedding material, and application rate (13, 39, 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt.) on cumulative N inputs, outputs, and N balance (aboveground system) for a long-term (since 1998) field experiment where manure had been repeatedly applied for 2, 7, and 12 yr. The annual N inputs considered were N in organic amendments or inorganic fertilizer (IN), and N in irrigation water. The annual N outputs considered were N in crop uptake, NH3 volatilization, and N2O gaseous loss. After 12 applications, cumulative N deficits occurred for the unamended control (−1140 kg N ha−1) and IN treatment (−678 kg N ha−1), and cumulative N surpluses were found for the organic amendments (689 to 12,200 kg N ha−1). Manure type, bedding, and application rate influenced the N balance for the three timelines but their effects often involved two- or three-way interactions. The N balance after 7 and 12 applications was significantly lower for CM-WD treatment compared to CM-ST, SM-ST, and SM-WD at the 39 and 77 Mg ha−1 rates, suggesting that composted manure with wood chips might be used to reduce cumulative N surplus at these two higher rates in the longer term.

Effects of microbial additives on chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of barley silage.

This study examined the effects of bacterial inoculants on chemical composition and fermentation indices of barley silage. Barley forage (Youngyang) was harvested at 24% dry matter (DM) and wilted to 47.9% DM. The wilted barley forage was chopped to 3–5 cm length and applied with no inoculant (CON), L. plantarum (1×1010 cfu/g, LP) or Effective Microorganisms (0.5×109 cfu/g, EM). Then the forages were ensiled in four replications for each treatment in 20 L mini silos and stored for 100 days. The contents of crude protein and ether extract were higher in CON silage ensiled for 100-d, while the contents of DM and crude ash were higher in EM silage (p<0.05). The contents of ADF, NDF and hemicellulose as well as the in vitro DM digestibility were not affected by microbial inoculation (p>0.05). The pH, ammonia-N concentration and lactate to acetate ratio were higher (p<0.05) in CON silage, while lactate concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in CON and LP silage. Acetate concentration and lactic acid bacteria was increased (p<0.05) by both inoculants (LP and EM), but propionate concentration and yeast was increased (p<0.05) by EM and LP, respectively. These results indicated that the fermentation quality of barley silage was improved by the application of bacterial inoculants.

Effect of Propionibacterium spp. on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and methane emissions in beef heifers fed a high-forage diet1

The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of different Propionibacterium strains in mitigating methane (CH4) emissions in beef heifers fed a high-forage diet. Twenty ruminally cannulated beef heifers were used in a randomized block design with 28-d periods. Treatments included 1) Control, 2) Propionibacterium acidipropionici strain P169, 3) Propionibacterium acidipropionici strain P5, and 4) Propionibacterium jensenii strain P54. Strains (5 × 10(9) CFU) were administered daily directly into the rumen in 10 g of a maltodextrin carrier in a gel capsule. Control heifers received the carrier only. All heifers were fed a basal diet (70:30 forage to concentrate, DM basis) based on barley silage and corn grain. No treatment effects were observed for overall DMI (P = 0.78) or DMI in chambers (P = 0.29). Dry matter intake was 12 to 29% less in the chambers, with intake depression numerically lower in heifers receiving Propionibacterium than Control. Mean ruminal pH averaged 6.47 and was not affected by treatments (P = 0.34). Likewise, no treatment differences were observed for ruminal concentrations of total VFA (P = 0.24) and ammonia-N (P = 0.49) or for molar proportion of individual VFA. Total daily enteric CH4 production was not affected by Propionibacterium strains as compared to Control and averaged 178 g/d (P = 0.69). However, enteric CH4 emission intensity (g CH4/kg of DMI) was reduced by 12, 8, and 13% with P169, P5, and P54 as compared to Control, respectively (P = 0.03). No treatment effects were observed for total tract digestibility of nutrients. Likewise, total universal bacterial (P = 0.22) and methanogen (P = 0.64) counts were similar among treatments. However, the relative abundance of total Propionibacteria tended to increase with inoculation as compared to Control (P = 0.06). The relative abundance of Propionibacterium P169 tended to be greater at 3 h postdosing, but returned to pretreatment (0 h) levels within 9 h, suggesting it failed to persist at detectable levels in the rumen. In conclusion, Propionibacterium spp. did not reduce total enteric CH4 production, possibly due to their inability to persist and integrate into the ruminal microbial community. However, CH4 emission intensity was reduced with Propionibacterium strains, a response attributed to the numerically greater DMI of heifers receiving Propionibacterium.

Short Communication: Effects of feeding Falcon or Tyto whole plant barley silage on milk production and feed efficiency

Oba, M. and Swift, M. L. 2014. Short Communication: Effects of feeding Falcon or Tyto whole plant barley silage on milk production and feed efficiency. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 151–153. Eight lactating dairy cows were fed diets containing either Falcon or Tyto whole-plant barley silage (Hordeum vulgare; WPBS) in a crossover design to study effects on milk production and feed efficiency. The in vitro fibre digestibility (IVFD) of Falcon and Tyto WPBS was 61.6 and 57.2%, respectively. Cows consuming the Falcon WPBS utilized feed more efficiently compared with those consuming the Tyto WPBS (1.44 vs. 1.32 kg milk kg−1dry matter intake) although milk yield was not affected. This research demonstrates that IVFD may be an important quality indicator of WPBS when balancing diets for high producing lactating cows.

Effects of replacing barley grain with graded levels of wheat bran on rumen fermentation, voluntary intake and nutrient digestion in beef cattle

Friedt, A. D., McAllister, T. A., He, M. L., Penner, G. B. and McKinnon, J. J. 2014. Effects of replacing barley grain with graded levels of wheat bran on rumen fermentation, voluntary intake and nutrient digestion in beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 129–137. Abrasion-milled wheat bran (AMWB) is a relatively new by-product from wheat-based ethanol production. Few published studies are available on the nutritional value of this by-product feed for growing cattle. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of replacing rolled barley with AMWB on apparent nutrient digestibility, voluntary intake and rumen fermentation parameters of beef heifers fed a backgrounding diet formulated to 1.50 and 0.91 Mcal kg−1 dry matter (DM) of NEm and NEg, respectively. Five spayed and rumen-cannulated Angus heifers (584±40 kg) were used in a 5×5 Latin square design. The control diet consisted of 36% barley silage, 24% grass hay, 8% supplement and 32% rolled barley grain (DM basis). Dietary treatments replaced barley grain with AMWB at 8, 16, 24 and 32% of the diet DM. Voluntary DM (P=0.30) and organic matter (OM) (P=0.19) intake were not affected by AMWB inclusion level. Mean rumen pH (P=0.68) as well as duration (min) (P=0.68) and area under the pH curve 5.8 (P=0.27) were not affected by AMWB. Other than acetate, which linearly increased (P=0.03) with increasing AMWB, effects on rumen volatile fatty acids or NH3-N levels were minimal. There was a linear decrease (P&lt;0.01) in DM, OM and gross energy digestibility with increasing AMWB, while acid (P=0.01) and neutral (P=0.03) detergent fibre digestibility decreased in a quadratic manner. A similar quadratic trend (P=0.06) for decreased digestible energy content was also noted with increasing levels of AMWB. Crude protein digestibility was not affected (P=0.94) by treatment. These results indicate AMWB will not support similar gains to barley grain in growing diets due to reduced total tract nutrient utilization and lower digestible energy content.

Evaluation of mineral status in high dietary sulfur exposed or sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia affected beef cattle

Amat, S., McKinnon, J. J., Penner, G. B., Simko, E. and Hendrick, S. 2014. Evaluation of mineral status in high dietary sulfur exposed or sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia affected beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 139–149. We examined the mineral status in beef heifers fed high S containing diets with differing forage-to-concentrate ratio (F:C), and in S-induced polioencephalomalacia (PEM) affected feedlot steers. A metabolism trial was conducted as a randomized complete block design using a 2×2 factorial treatment arrangement with main effects of dietary S and F:C using 16 ruminally cannulated heifers. The F:C was modified by altering the proportion of barley silage (4 vs. 51% dry matter), whereas, the S content was modified by using differing sources of wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles (WDDGS) to achieve low and high S diets (LS=0.30 vs. HS=0.67%). Minerals including Cu, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn were determined from rumen fluid, blood, brain tissue and urine. Urinary mineral excretion was also assed. During the course of the metabolic trial, an outbreak of S-induced PEM in a commercial feedlot was documented and brain minerals of these PEM steers (n=4) were contrasted with the experimental heifers fed HS diet. There were no interactions between dietary S concentration and F:C (P&gt;0.05). Heifers fed HS diet had reduced (P&lt;0.05) mineral intakes (except for Mo), ruminal Co, Fe and Mn, and serum Mg and Fe relative to those fed LS diet. Heifers fed low F:C diet had reduced (P&lt;0.05) Cu, Fe, Mo and Se intakes, greater (P&lt;0.05) ruminal Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, and reduced (P&lt;0.05) serum Cu and Se, and greater (P&lt;0.05) serum Mg than heifers fed high F:C diet. Brain minerals were not affected (P&gt;0.05) by F:C or dietary S. However, the PEM brains had reduced Cu (P=0.058), Fe (P=0.003) and Mo (P&lt;0.001) relative to normal brains. Dietary S and F:C did alter the mineral status of the heifers, but no deficiencies or PEM were induced.

Identification and phylogenetic characterization of novel Lactobacillus plantarum species and their metabolite profiles in grass silage

Italian ryegrass (IRG), barley, and rye are types of forage that are difficult to ensile with an assurance of good quality. Therefore, the addition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is the best way to enhance the preservation of this silage. However, applications of LAB have been impeded due to its poor growth characteristics, the sudden decline in pH, and other non-beneficial microbial growth associated with its presence. To overcome these limitations, a new Lactobacillus sp. KCC-10 and KCC-19 strain was isolated from well-fermented IRG silage samples. Biochemical and physiological studies revealed that the strains were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and produced gas from glucose, and produced more lactic acid in fermentation. The 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic affiliation was determined by using bioinformatic tools that identified Lactobacillus sp. KCC-10 and KCC-19 with 100 % sequence similarity to Lactobacillus plantarum. Novel L. plantarum strains were deposited in the Korean Collection for Type Cultures under the accession numbers KACC 91785P and KACC 91758P, respectively. The shake-flask cultivation of these new strains under aerobic, microaerobic, and anaerobic conditions showed a higher specific growth rate than that achieved using the well-studied L. plantarum KACC 91016 and KACC 91096 on MRS broth and grass juice. Lactic acid was detected as the dominant organic acid in IRG (78.45 mM), barley (51.28 mM), corn (16.28 mM), and rice paddy (11.05 mM), followed by acetic acid and succinic acid. The KCC-10 in the silage was observed to increase from 2.4 × 105 CFU/g per sample at day 0 to 0.58, 0.60, and 0.59 × 109 CFU/g at day 5 for IRG, barley, and rye, respectively. The growth of KCC-10 and KCC-19 in all the silages decreased, as the storage period increased from 5 to 50 days. Whereas, KCC-19 was noted to increase from 2.7 × 105 CFU/g per sample at day 0 to 0.71, 0.72, and 0.711 × 109 CFU/g at day 5 for IRG, barley, and rye. Among the total organic acids, lactic acid was detected as the dominant acid present in IRG, barley, and rye silages. From these results, we concluded that strains KCC-10 and KCC-19 can be used as appropriate inoculants to prolong the stability of silage and fermentation quality.

Effects of increasing levels of corn dried distillers grains with solubles and monensin on ruminal biohydrogenation and duodenal flows of fatty acids in beef heifers fed high-grain diets1

Corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) contains high crude fat and is reported to confer to PUFA some degree of protection from ruminal biohydrogenation (BH). There is also indication that inclusion in diets of high energy feed such as DDGS results in a reduced response to monensin in feedlot cattle. This study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing corn DDGS inclusion and monensin on ruminal BH and duodenal flows of fatty acid (FA). Five ruminally and duodenally cannulated Angus heifers (initial BW, 556 ± 36 kg) were assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square with 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement. Treatments were control (CON; 10% barley silage, 87.8% barley grain, 2.2% mineral and vitamin supplement, and 28 mg monensin/kg DM) and diets substituting 20% (LDG) or 40% (HDG) corn DDGS for barley grain combined with 28 (ML) or 48 mg (MH) monensin/kg diet DM: 1) CONML, 2) LDGML, 3) LDGMH, 4) HDGML, and 5) HDGMH. Intakes of total and individual FA increased (P < 0.01) with inclusion of DDGS in the diet and tended (P = 0.10) to be less for heifers fed MH than ML diets. Overall, there was no interaction between levels of DDGS and monensin on ruminal BH, flows of FA to duodenum, and intestinal digestibility. Flows (g/d) of CLA c9,t11, α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), MUFA, and PUFA to the duodenum were linearly increased (P < 0.01) with increasing DDGS inclusion. However, increased monensin trended to decrease the flows of linoleic acid (C18:2 c9 c12; P = 0.07), α-linolenic acid (P = 0.07), and MUFA (P = 0.08) and decreased that of PUFA (P = 0.05). Ruminal BH of unsaturated FA (USFA), PUFA, and C18:2 c9,c12 did not differ among treatments. The FA profiles in the duodenal digesta were not different except for the percentage of CLA c9,t11, which tended (P = 0.06) to linearly increase with increasing DDGS such that it was greater (P = 0.04) for HDG than for the LDG diet. Additionally, the percentage of CLA t10,c12 linearly (P < 0.01) increased with increasing DDGS inclusion. Intestinal digestibility of SFA (P < 0.01), USFA (P = 0.05), and total FA (P = 0.01) was greater for heifers fed HDG than heifers fed LDG diets. These results indicate that increasing corn DDGS in finishing diet increases the provision of PUFA to feedlot cattle due to increased intake and flows of PUFA to the duodenum. Increasing supplementation of monensin from 28 to 48 mg/kg DM had no effect on ruminal BH and intestinal digestibility of FA but decreased intake and duodenal flows of FA.

The use of (green field) biomass pretreatment liquor for fermentative butanol production and the catalytic oxidation of biobutanol

In this study, pretreatment liquor of acid-stored green and yellowish barley silage was used for fermentative acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) production. Further, the catalytic oxidation of biobutanol over Pt catalysts was studied to investigate the behaviour of butanol as a fuel in the combustion engine. After the hydrothermal treatment of green and yellowish barley silage followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, approximately 88% and 100% of the available sugars were recovered, respectively. Batch fermentations of pretreatment barley silage liquor, supplemented with gelatinised barley grain, showed good fermentability with total ABE concentrations of 9.0g/L and 10.9g/L. Butanol yields of 0.20, 0.17 and ABE yields of 0.28, 0.26 (g/g monosaccharide) were obtained, respectively. In catalytic activity measurements, the conversion of biobutanol became appreciable in the 120–140°C range, whereas conversions greater than 95% were obtained over 200°C. Selectivities were also high, although formation of by-products, such as butyraldehyde, was observed.

Effects of feeding a high-fiber byproduct feedstuff as a substitute for barley grain on rumen fermentation and productivity of dairy cows in early lactation

The objective of the study was to evaluate effects of partial substitution of dietary grain with wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on dry matter intake (DMI), sorting behavior, rumen fermentation, apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, and milk production of dairy cows in early lactation. Sixty-one Holstein cows, including 13 ruminally cannulated cows, were blocked by parity and calving date and assigned to 1 of 2 experimental diets immediately after calving until 12 wk in lactation. The control (CON) diet contained 43% barley silage, 17.3% dry-rolled barley grain, and 39.7% concentrate mix on a dry matter basis, and wheat DDGS replaced dry-rolled barley grain in the DDGS diet. Dietary starch content was 29.2 and 19.1% for CON and DDGS diets, respectively. Despite the 10-percentage-unit difference in dietary starch content, cows fed the DDGS diet did not increase ruminal pH. A significant treatment by parity interaction was observed for DMI; feeding the DDGS diet decreased DMI of multiparous cows compared with CON (20.1 vs. 21.3kg/d) but increased that of primiparous cows (16.2 vs. 14.7kg/d). Although milk yield was not affected by treatment, cows fed the DDGS diet had lower apparent total-tract digestibility of starch compared with CON (81.9 vs. 91.2%) and tended to have higher plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (173 vs. 143 mEq/L). High-fiber byproduct feedstuffs such as wheat DDGS can be used as a partial substitute for grains in diets of dairy cows in early lactation but the substitution may not mitigate rumen acidosis problems and may decrease energy intake of multiparous cows in early lactation.

The effects of active dried and killed dried yeast on subacute ruminal acidosis, ruminal fermentation, and nutrient digestibility in beef heifers1

The study addressed the importance of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) viability for reducing the incidence of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) and improving total tract nutrient digestibility in beef heifers. Six ruminally cannulated beef heifers (680 ± 50 kg BW) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design and were fed a diet consisting of 40% barley silage, 10% chopped grass hay, and 50% barley grain-based concentrate (DM basis). Treatments were 1) no yeast (Control), 2) active dried yeast (ADY; 4 g providing 10(10) cfu/g; AB Vista, Marlborough, UK), and 3) killed dried yeast (KDY; 4 g autoclaved ADY). The treatments were directly dosed via the ruminal cannula daily at the time of feeding. The periods consisted of 2 wk of adaptation (d 1 to 14) and 7 d of measurements (d 15 to 21). Ruminal pH was continuously measured (d 15 to 21) using an indwelling system. Ruminal contents were sampled on d 15 and 17 at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after feeding. Total tract nutrient digestibility was measured using an external marker (YbCl3) from d 15 to 19. No treatment difference was observed for DMI (P = 0.86). Yeast supplementation (ADY and KDY) tended to increase total tract digestibility of starch (P = 0.07) whereas no effects were observed on digestibility of other nutrients. Both ADY and KDY elevated minimum (P < 0.01) and mean ruminal pH (P = 0.02) whereas no effects were observed on maximum pH (P = 0.12). Irrespective of its viability, yeast supplementation was effective in reducing time that ruminal pH was below 5.8 (P < 0.01) and 5.6 (P < 0.01). No treatment differences were observed for the ruminal VFA profile and lactate concentration. No treatment differences were observed on the relative population size of Streptococcus bovis, Fibrobacter succinogenes, and Megasphaera elsdenii (P > 0.10); however, the proportion of Ruminococcus flavefaciens in solid fraction of digesta was greater with KDY (P = 0.05). The study demonstrates the positive effects of yeast, irrespective of its viability, in reducing the severity of SARA. However, further studies are required to evaluate the importance of yeast viability for other dietary conditions, particularly when the risk of acidosis is high.

Net irrigation water requirements for major irrigated crops with variation in evaporative demand and precipitation in southern Alberta

Weather variability has a profound influence on crop and irrigation water requirements. Estimates of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and net irrigation water requirements are needed for water allocation, risk management and irrigation system planning. Seasonal ETc and net irrigation water requirement estimates based on the standardized Penman-Monteith method were examined through frequency analysis of historical weather data. Seasonal ETc calculated using the Penman-Monteith equation is based on daily solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Historical weather data from 1983 to 2012 at Lethbridge and Vauxhall were used to determine seasonal ETc, seasonal precipitation and net irrigation water requirements for 11 major (most prevalent) irrigated crops in southern Alberta. Seasonal ETc was consistently greater at Lethbridge than Vauxhall, whereas seasonal precipitation was generally less at Vauxhall than Lethbridge for all major crops. Mean seasonal ETc ranged from 355 mm for barley silage at Vauxhall to 728 mm for alfalfa hay at Lethbridge at a 10% chance of exceedance. Mean net irrigation water requirements ranged from 273 mm for barley silage at Vauxhall to 526 mm for alfalfa hay at Lethbridge at a 10% chance of exceedance. Area-weighted seasonal ETc demand within the irrigation districts is currently about 500 mm (2.8 billion m3) and the net irrigation water requirement within the irrigation districts is at least 380 mm (2.1 billion m3) at a 10% chance of exceedance. Annual gross diversion requirements for the irrigation districts could approach the licensed water allocation limit of 3.45 billion m3 at a 10% chance of exceedance when conveyance losses, irrigation system application efficiencies, and current irrigation management practices are considered. The frequency with which annual gross irrigation water requirements approach or exceed this licensed water allocation limit may increase in the future with climate change in southern Alberta.