Cereal Hay Research Articles

Pathogenetic development patterns of respiratory and gastrointestinal pathologies in calves with proventriculus dysfunction history

An experiment was conducted in the conditions of an industrial complex specializing in the intensive fattening of young cattle, to study the development patterns of respiratory and gastrointestinal pathologies in calves with a history of previous proventriculus dysfunction. The object of the research were calves aged 120 days, which were divided into three groups: control, and two experimental groups - with a difference in using or the absence of phytosorbent. The diet included cereal hay and compound feed (CP 21.5%) according to the norms and regimen of feeding, for animals of this age. It appeared that for calves shortening of the adaptation period to the consumption of a large amount of compound feed had a negative impact on the rumen contractile function and the processes of digestion in it with the formation of a complex of symptoms of frothy tympany and rumen acidosis. After a course of appropriate treatment, the specific symptoms of these pathologies of the rumen disappeared, but the imbalance between the depression of symbiotic and activation of abdominal digestion remained, with the formation of a constant pre-threshold level of local autointoxication. The transfer of animals to the technological diet activated the processes of rumen metabolism and increased biochemical imbalance, which caused the progression of the endogenous intoxication syndrome and vegetative dystonia with a corresponding increase in the risk of developing respiratory and gastrointestinal pathologies. The use of a combined native premix based on the enterosorbent Rigatirin against the background of residual pathological phenomena after proventriculus dysfunctions reduced the level of toxic substances in the rumen, which excluded the generalization of autointoxication with an increase in the functional load on the digestive organs. As a result, the mechanism of pathogenetic integration (predisposition) formation in the body was leveled with a corresponding decrease in the incidence of the lungs, rumen and intestines. As a result, the mechanism of pathogenetic integration (predisposition) formation in the body was leveled, which caused a 6.7-fold decrease in the level of morbidity in animals and a 22.9 % increase in their growth.

Diverse systems and strategies to cost-effectively manage herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in no-till wheat (Triticum aestivum)-based cropping sequences in south-eastern Australia

Context Herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum; ARG) is a major weed of commercial significance globally, including no-till wheat-based production systems in south-eastern Australia. Aims To compare the cost-effectiveness of different crop sequences and intensities of weed management to control ARG in rainfed grain production. Methods Two on-farm studies in southern New South Wales, Australia, compared the effect of combinations of 3-year crop-sequence options (continuous wheat, 1- or 2-years of break crops), conservative or aggressive weed-control measures, hay cuts, legume brown manure (BM), and/or weed-free winter fallow on in-crop ARG infestations and soil seedbanks. Gross margins were calculated for each combination of treatments to compare system economic performance. Key results Double-breaks consisting of two consecutive broadleaf crops, or canola–cereal hay, were frequently the most profitable and effective ARG control strategies. Single canola or lupin crops, BM, cereal hay, and fallow all significantly reduced subsequent in-crop ARG and seedbank numbers compared with continuous wheat. Aggressive in-crop control measures in wheat were more expensive than those applied to break crops. Gains in ARG control could be lost by a single year of poor weed control. Conclusions High levels of control (>95%) over three consecutive seasons are required to reduce ARG seedbanks, and this is most cost-effectively achieved with diverse crop sequences. Implications Farmers with high populations of ARG can reduce seedbanks by growing three crops sequentially that achieve complete weed seed control. This must be followed with ongoing high levels of control in subsequent years to keep ARG seedbanks low.

Содержание NDF в объемистых кормах в ТОО «Победа» Павлодарской области Казахстана

For ruminants, the basis of the diet is voluminous feed, in the dry matter of which structural carbohydrates occupy a significant place. Despite the fact that ruminants have a complex system adapted to the digestion of fiber, the latter is far from completely absorbed in the digestive tract of animals. Established, that the highest percentage of NDF and lignin was contained in the straw and amounted to 81,4 and 24,2 %, respectively. Hay showed a lower content of these feed elements. Our results are consistent with the data of other authors where the amount of NDF and lignin in cereal hay was 67,0 and 9,3 %, and the amount of hemicellulose and cellulose was 26,7 and 31,4 %. In other feeds of Pobeda LLP, the content of NDF is as follows: in silage – 25,0 %, in haylage – 62,0 %. This quality of feed was obtained largely due to the observance of the terms of grass mowing, that is, from the quality of the initial plant material. As the research results showed, the silage harvested on the farm contains an average of 36 % dry matter. Corn silage harvested on the farm contains an average of 61,0 % NDF and 30,5 % ADF, which is consistent with the data of other authors, where the content of NDF in corn silage is 54,6 % and 34,3 % ADF of dry matter. The data are confirmed by studies of scientists, where NDF in corn silage was 59,2 % and 31,3 % ADF, as well as scientists, in the works of which, the number of NDF, ADF and lignin was 58,9; 32,9 and 5,4 %.

Study of the Content of Essential Mineral Elements in the Feed of Dairy Cows Against the Background of increased Concentrations of Toxic Metals Cd and Pb in Plants

Uncontrolled entry of pollutants – heavy metals into the environment creates obstacles to the production of environmentally safe, biologically complete cow's milk. The accumulation of pollutants in the soil reduces the supply of essential mineral elements to plants, which are necessary to ensure the full feeding of animals. In such environmental situations, it is important to analyse feed rations for the content of essential and non-essential mineral elements. Samples of feed included in the main diet were taken on four experimental farms specialising in the production of cow's milk, the agroecosystems of which were located around the industrial centre and near environmentally unfavourable objects – roads, enterprises for the extraction (processing) of gas condensate, etc. The samples were analysed for the content of mineral elements by atomic adsorption spectrophotometry. Statistical data processing – STATISTICA software suite version 10.0. The feed was found to exceed the permissible level for cadmium by an average of 2.1-3.2 times, lead – 2.4-5.7 times, copper – 1.4-2.3 times, zinc – 1.2-2.4 times. In cereal and legume hay, the concentration of cadmium and lead exceeded permissible levels by 3.2 and 5.7 times, respectively. Against this background, there is a deficiency of calcium in various types of diets of cows from 1.4% to 47.5%, phosphorus – from 1.5% to 62.3%, magnesium – from 2.7% to 64.4%, potassium – from 0.8% to 37.9%, sulphur – from 2.3% to 48.8%, among trace elements, iron – from 2.3% to 48.8%, cobalt – from 5.0% to 80.0%, iodine – from 4.0% to 60.7%. The reason for the deficiency of vital mineral elements in plants (feed) is different, including changes in soil pH, but mainly antagonism between mobile forms of toxic elements and essential elements. For the production of high-quality milk, it is necessary to normalise toxic metals in the diets of cows with different types of feeding and eliminate the lack of minerals with the help of specially developed feed additives (mineral and vitamin premixes), which will prevent elementosis in cows, which is a pressing issue in many countries of the world. Future studies will be aimed at monitoring the concentration of mineral elements in animal feed kept in the forest-steppe and steppe zone and Donetska oblast of Ukraine

The influence to the sports horses performance traits of the compound feeds from the heat-treated grain insertion in the diet

The efficiency of the horse, high sports results and the effectiveness of recovery after stress, are largely dependent on the characteristics of the organization of nutrition and diet. The comparative assessment of the performance traits and the speed of recovery after workloads in the Oryol trotterhorseis presented in this work. Six horses were each fed diets of hay and cereal grains (HG), hay and combination of cereal grains and compound feed (HGM) in a 2 x 2 Latin-square design study. The performance was assessed by heart rate (HR) indicators using a Polar M400 monitor with an H10 heart rate sensor. Recovery of the heart rate to 80 beats / min after medium work (the average heart rate to 120 beats / min) at HG and HGM horses had no statistically significant differences. Recovery of heart rate to 60 beats / min in the HGM was significantly faster (P <0.05) than in the HG. Under intense workloads (average heart rate above 120 beats / min, or at least 5% of work at a heart rate of 180 beats / min or more), the HGM showed a significant (P <0.05) faster recovery of heart rate values after work than in horses HG. In the course of the study, it was also found that the use of partial replacement of grain concentrates with specialized feeds allows us to reduce the volume of the ration and the total amount of concentrates without changing the structure of the ration.

The texture and mastication properties of sheep biceps femoris from different finishing feeds and retail packaging methods.

This study investigated the relationship among meat texture (Warner-Bratzler shear force [WBSF] and texture profile analysis [TPA]), water-holding capacity, and subsequent mastication of meat from sheep fed different diets and maintained under different packaging methods. Biceps femoris from 24 Merino sheep fed a standard pelleted diet containing grain and cereal hay or pelleted diets supplemented with either 8% camelina meal or 15% camelina forage hay was packaged in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (hiOxMAP) or vacuum skin packaging (VSP). WBSF, TPA, and water-holding capacity (purge loss and cooking loss) were measured. Twelve volunteers were recruited to chew the cooked meat samples before expectorating the bolus at their natural swallowing point. Meat stored in hiOxMAP had greater purge loss, Warner-Bratzler peak force, hardness, and chewiness compared to meat packed in VSP. Mastication testing revealed that chewing frequency increased with VSP meat compared to hiOxMAP meat. Feed type had little effect on meat texture parameters; however, sheep meat on the standard pelleted diet required a greater number of chews than sheep finished on diet supplemented with camelina meal. Increased toughness in cooked meat due to feed type or packaging methods resulted in greater chewing effort, but this did not affect meat bolus properties at the natural swallowing point.

Retail Packaging Affects Colour, Water Holding Capacity, Texture and Oxidation of Sheep Meat more than Breed and Finishing Feed.

This study investigated the CIELab colour, water holding capacity, texture and oxidative stability of sheep meat from different breeds, finishing feeds, and retail packaging methods. Leg primal cuts from a subset of Composite wether lambs (n = 21) and Merino wether yearlings (n = 21) finished on a standard diet containing grain and cereal hay, a standard diet with camelina forage, or a standard diet with camelina meal, were used in this study. Semimembranosus and Vastus lateralis were packaged in vacuum skin packaging (VSP), or modified atmosphere packaging with 80% O2 and 20% CO2 (HioxMAP), or with 50% O2, 30% N2, and 20% CO2 (TrigasMAP). Packaging had a greater effect (p < 0.001) on L*, a*, b*, hue, and chroma than the effects from breed and finishing feed. Purge loss was affected by packaging. Cooking loss was affected by breed for Semimembranosus and packaging for both muscle types. HioxMAP and TrigasMAP increased WBSF and Texture Profile Analysis hardness of the meat compared to VSP. Lipid oxidation, assessed by TBARS, were lower in camelina forage or camelina meal supplemented diets and TrigasMAP compared to standard diet and HioxMAP, respectively. Total carbonyl and free thiol content were lower in VSP. Thus, supplementing feed with camelina forage or meal and lowering oxygen content in retail packaging by TrigasMAP or VSP are recommended to ensure optimal sheep meat quality.

Dynamics of energy and protein nutritional value of roughage in the Republic of Tatarstan

The aim of the research was to analyze the dynamics of the energy and protein nutritional value of hay from cereal and leguminous herbs produced in the Republic of Tatarstan in the period from 1993 to 2018. The results of analysis of 560 samples of hay from different agroclimatic zones of the republic are presented. It was found that in the dry matter of both cereal and leguminous hay, the content of metabolizable energy practically did not change. The average content of metabolic energy in 1 kg of dry matter of cereal hay was 7.92 MJ / kg. The average deviation from the norm was minus 2.62%. The average content of metabolizable energy in 1 kg of dry matter of legume hay was 9.65 MJ / kg, which is 21.84% higher than in cereal hay. The average excess of the norm for this indicator was 13.77%. The level of net energy of lactation in cereal hay remains unchanged throughout the study, and for legumes there is a slight tendency to increase this indicator. The average value of the net energy content of lactation in 1 kg of dry matter of cereal hay was 3.72 MJ / kg, which deviates from the norm by minus 23.95%. The average content of net energy of lactation in 1 kg of dry matter of legume hay was 4.51 MJ / kg, which is 21.24% higher than in cereal hay. The deviation from the norm for the entire studied period of time was minus 8.34%. In the period from 1993 to 2018, a tendency for an increase in the content of digestible protein in dry matter was established, more pronounced in legume hay. The average long-term content of digestible protein in 1 kg of dry matter of cereal hay was 62.64 g / kg, while in legume hay its content was 70.10% higher (106.55 g / kg). The average deviation of this indicator from the norm in cereal hay was 15.04%, and in legumes - 8.51%.

The use of enzyme drugs for cows feeding during the period of increasing the milk yield

In the system of complete feeding of animals enzymes are of particular importance. The functions of enzymes in nature are very diverse. Under the action of enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, the breakdown of feed nutrients occurs: complex carbohydrates break down into simple sugars and organic acids, proteins into peptides and amino acids, and fats into fatty acids and glycerol. In an animal’s body only through enzymes do these nutrients turn into energy and structural materials necessary for growth and reproduction, product formation, and other processes. The search for multifunctional additives that combine several mechanisms of influence on the biocenoses of the digestive system is promising. Such properties possess enzymatic (cellulolytic) drugs Fibrozyme and Cellobacterin. The purpose of this work was to scientifically justify the use of new-generation enzyme drugs of domestic (Cellobacterin) and foreign (Fibrozyme) production in the ration of Black-and-White cows during the period of increasing the milk yield. The cows of the control group have received a farm ration consisting of 35 kg of feed mixture, 8,5 kg of concentrate feed and 2 kg of cereal and legume hay. Animals of the experimental groups have received the same feed and additional enzyme drugs: the 1st experimental group has received the drug Cellobacterin 25 g/head./day, and the 2nd experimental group in the addition of drug Fibrozyme 15 g/head/day. It has been established as the result of researches that the use of enzyme feed additives domestic (Cellobacterin) and foreign (Fibrozyme) during the period of increasing the milk yield cows had a positive effect on the palatability of feeds, their digestibility and absorption, and stimulated the milk yield of cows and improve milk quality. The best results have been obtained when using the imported drug Fibrozyme.

Repeatabilities, heritabilities and correlations of methane and feed intake of sheep in respiration and portable chambers

Context Knowledge of genetic and phenotypic variation and the accuracy of different measurement techniques is needed to successfully reduce livestock methane (CH4) emissions. Aims To estimate repeatabilities, heritabilities and genetic correlations of respiration-chamber (RC) and portable accumulation-chamber (PAC) measurements using two different protocols but the same management and feeding conditions. Methods Australian Information Nucleus Flock ewes were measured in seven test-batches. The 510 ewes were removed from pasture and habituated to chaffed alfalfa and cereal hay at 1.5–1.6 times maintenance. Methane was measured in RC for two 22-h periods approximately 14 days apart, and 40 min in PAC, either immediately after removal from individual pens (with feed as described above, PAC0), or 1-h after withdrawing feed (PAC1). There were up to 48 PAC0 tests per day (at 0930 hours, 1100 hours, 1230 hours, 1400 hours in 12 PAC) and 24 PAC1 tests per day (at 1100 hours and 1300 hours). Test methods (RC, PAC0, PAC1) were analysed as different traits in a multi-trait repeated-measures model. Key results Before adjustment for liveweight (Lwt) or feed intake (FI), CH4 was highly repeatable (RC 78%, PAC0 83%, PAC1 82%), with heritabilities of 39–55%, permanent environmental (PE) animal variances 23–43% of phenotypic variances (Vp), high genetic correlations between methods (98–100%), and lower PE correlations (44–58%). A second PAC test on the same day decreased CH4 by 8–12% compared with the ewe’s first test that day. Heritabilities of FI from 0800 hours until the test was complete (FIOD) were 16–17% (PAC) and 25% (RC) before adjusting for Lwt, with high PE variances (PAC 67–73%, RC 41% of Vp). FI in the previous 24 h was highly heritable and much less variable than was FIOD in the RC, suggesting that testing introduced additional variation by disrupting feeding patterns. After adjusting CH4 for Lwt, FIOD and FI in the previous 24 h and Lwt, some additive genetic variation remained, averaging 17% of Vp. Multivariate models of CH4 and FI, fitting a single animal term (representing genetic+PE variation) showed high animal correlations between FI and CH4, namely, 90–95% before, and 86–95% after adjusting for Lwt. Conclusions PAC measurements are heritable and highly correlated with RC measurements under similar management conditions. The high genetic and animal correlations of PAC CH4 and FI imply that CH4 is a useful proxy for FI of grazing animals.

Rumen cannulation of young cattle depending on protein diet

An experiment has been carried to determine the degradable and non-degradable protein content in grass and concentrated feed and its influence on operated sire rumen cannulation of black-and-white breed (with body weight of 120–160 kg). The grass chemical composition and concentrated feed research shows that there is a wide range of crude protein content and its degradable and non-degradable fractions. The level of crude protein in concentrated feed varies from 96 g (barley grain) to 380–383 g (extruded lupine grain and rapeseed meal). The amount of degradable protein is 81 (barley grain), 303 g (rapeseed meal). Degradability of crude protein ranges from 57 % (extruded rapeseed) to 84–86 % (barley and wheat grain). The crude protein content in the presented samples of grass feed is 27 (corn silage) – 93 g (cereal hay), degradable protein – from 17–19 (cereal hay and corn silage), up to 38 g (mixed grass), non-degradable – 8 (corn silage, 76 g (cereal hay). The degradable and non-degradable protein ration was 2:7. The crude protein increase in summer and winter calve diet up to 70 % contributes a lower accumulation of ammonia in the rumen fluid (by 19.6–20.6 % ) and activation of VFA synthesis (by 16.5–18.2). It also contributes the increase of the ciliate number (by15,7–15,9), total and protein nitrogen (by 7.2–7.4 and 8.0–12.3 %). Feeding on protein degradability (of 65–60 %) lets the rumen metabolism processes slow down, reduce the microbiota enzyme activity, the protein nitrogen proportion and the ammonia level increasing. According to the analysis results of economic diet indices with different protein fractional composition it has been determined that the ration use with protein degradability of 70 %, and metabolizable energy costs – by 4.0–5.0 % are economically reasonable in summer and winter periods. Key words: concentrated feeds, grain, degradable protein, non-degradable protein, calves.

Efficiency of energy feed supplement Cobiotic Energy in diets for cows

The influence of feeding high-performance cows of the energy feed additive Cobiotic Energy on the physiological state and productivity have been studied. Experiments have been carried out on with groups of dairy cows with 10 animals each during 55 days. The diet of cows of the first control group consisted of haylage of cereal and leguminous plants, corn silage, molasses, cereal hay, and feed of own production. 0.3 kg of feed additive has been introduced into the diet of animals of the experimental group II 15 days before calving, in the first 10 days after calving, as compensation for energy losses, 0.75 kg 3 times a day. In the next 30 days of the milking season with the ration of animals of the experimental group II, 0.25 kg of Cobiotic Energy has been fed, sprinkling it on top of the feed mixture. It has been established that the use of feed additives in the diets of cows has a positive effect on feed intake, physiological condition and animal productivity. It was determined that concentration of metabolizable energy in 1 kg of dry matter of the diet made 9–16– 9.2 MJ. The diet contained 12.8–13.0 % of crude protein per 1 kg of dry matter, the concentration of fiber in dry matter made 22.3– 22.0 %. The sugar-protein ratio made 1.04:1; 1.0. In terms of energy nutrition, the diet of the experimental group due to the inclusion of the feed supplement was 6 MJ higher, however, it slightly affected concentration of metabolizable energy of the diet. The energy-protein ratio corresponded to 0.2– 0.21. The nitrogen balance in the rumen was positive in all the animals and was at the level of 0.13–0.4 g. Feeding animals with supplement in the diet in the last 15 days of the dry period, during the first 10 days after calving and the next 30 days of the milking period promoted activation of protein biosynthesis and energy metabolism, as evidenced by an increase in serum total protein and its albumin fraction and ultimately increased animal productivity. The studied supplement use in the diets for cows makes it possible to increase performance of cows by 8.0 %, fat content by 0.1 %, protein by 0.24 %, lactose by 0.11 %, reduce the cost of feed for obtaining natural milk by 6.1%. Key words: feed supplement Cobiotic Energy, cows, diets, blood, milk yield, feed costs, milk quality.

84 Effect of incorporating forage pea (c.v. Pisium sativum L.) into cereal hay on ruminal fermentation and apparent digestibility when fed to beef heifers

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effect of inclusion rate of pea hay in barley and oat hay when fed to beef cattle. Six ruminally-cannulated heifers (407 ± 38 kg) were used in a 6 × 6 Latin square with a 2 × 3 factorial design and 25-d periods. Treatments included barley or oat hay blended with pea hay to achieve inclusion rates of 0, 15, or 30% (DM basis). Pea inclusion increased DMI (P = 0.03) by 0.75 kg/d, and generally reduced sorting (P ≤ 0.006) against NDF and ADF compared to the cereal-only treatments. Pea inclusion decreased CP digestibility by 2.87% relative to cereal-only treatments, but did not affect the predicted microbial protein supply or nitrogen retention (P ≥ 0.77). Pea inclusion did not affect total ruminal SCFA concentration, but increased the molar proportions of acetate and butyrate and decreased the molar proportion of propionate (P ≤ 0.01). While cereal type did not affect DMI (P = 0.36) or total SCFA concentration (P = 0.61), use of oat hay improved DM digestibility (67.73 vs. 63.22% for oat and barley, respectively; P &amp;lt; 0.001) and increased nitrogen retention (P = 0.03) when compared to barley. Overall, incorporating pea into cereal hay increased DMI, reduced CP digestibility, and altered ruminal fermentation.

Usage of the feed additive «Intermix» in the cows’ diet of summer keeping period

The present published paper focuses on results of the research which aimed at studying influence of «Intermix» concentrate in feeding of highly–productive cows and on intensity of metabolic process in the organism and level of milk production, amount of fat and protein with the herballow–concentrationdiet. The research continued for 90 days and was conducted following the scheme that, in the diet of summer period, presupposes usage of 70% – hay Medicago grass, 9.5% cereal hay, 20% stock feed (corn, wheat, barley), 0.5% salt and mineral premix. The control group is the one where premix was exchanged with the concentratefollowing the calculations of 50, 75, 100 gram per animal unit. The cows, belonging to simmental cattle, were chosen by the principle of analogues, namely 10 animal units in each group. The research proves that introduction of the feed additive «Intermix» to the diet of lactating cows of summer period has a positive impact on processes of intensive rumen metabolism, namely the concentration of the raw biomass increases, microflora, that indicates active synthesis of the easily digestible microbial protein. This process is active in the way that light fatty acids increase, which are the main predecessors of milk fat level that is increasing in the milk of tested groups’ cows. Due to the positive influence of «INTERMIX» concentrate on activation of the rumen, the direct relation between it and level of milk production has been established in the tested group of cows. The advantage of tested groups over the control group due to the last criterion equals to 6,8 – 7,7% accordingly, that allows us to draw the conclusion that it is advantageous to use «INTERMIX» concentrate in the diet of lactating cows.

Programming rumen bacterial communities in newborn Merino lambs

Establishment of the rumen microbiome can be affected by both early-life dietary measures and rumen microbial inoculation. This study used a 2×3 factorial design to evaluate the effects of inclusion of dietary fat type and the effects of rumen inoculum from different sources on ruminal bacterial communities present in early stages of the lambs’ life. Two different diets were fed ad libitum to 36 pregnant ewes (and their lambs) from 1 month pre-lambing until weaning. Diets consisted of chaffed lucerne and cereal hay and 4% molasses, with either 4% distilled coconut oil (CO) provided as a source of rumen-active fat or 4% Megalac® provided as a source of rumen-protected fat (PF). One of three inoculums was introduced orally to all lambs, being either (1) rumen fluid from donor ewes fed the PF diet; (2) rumen fluid from donor ewes fed CO; or (3) a control treatment of MilliQ-water. After weaning at 3 months of age, each of the six lamb treatment groups were grazed in spatially separated paddocks. Rumen bacterial populations of ewes and lambs were characterised using 454 amplicon pyrosequencing of the V3/V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Species richness and biodiversity of the bacterial communities were found to be affected by the diet in ewes and lambs and by inoculation treatment of the lambs. Principal coordinate analysis and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed between diet differences in bacterial community groups existed in ewes and differential bacterial clusters occurred in lambs due to both diet and neonatal inoculation. Diet and rumen inoculation acted together to clearly differentiate the bacterial communities through to weaning, however the microbiome effects of these initial early life interventions diminished with time so that rumen bacterial communities showed greater similarity 2 months after weaning. These results demonstrate that ruminal bacterial communities of newborn lambs can be altered by modifying the diet of their mothers. Moreover, the rumen microbiome of lambs can be changed by diet while they are suckling or by inoculating their rumen, and resulting changes in the rumen bacterial microbiome can persist beyond weaning.

Relationships of digestibility and intake by sheep of whole-crop cereal hays with different chemical, biological and physical methods

Whole-crop cereals could find use as hay for ruminant feeding in semi-arid areas. This work was designed to study the relationships connecting a set of chemical-composition and physical parameters linked to in vitro digestibility with the organic matter digestibility (OMD) and dry matter intake (DMI) of a selection of whole-crop cereal hays. The in vivo characteristics of the four cereal hays (barley, oats, rye and triticale) were determined using six 4-year-old sheep wethers (51.5±4.98kg live weight) per hay. There were significant positive relationships between in vitro dry matter digestibility and OMD. Crude protein content (gkg−1 dry matter (DM)) was significantly correlated with OMD (r=0.97; P<0.05), and acid detergent fibre (gkg−1 DM) was negatively correlated with OMD (r=−0.97; P<0.10). There was a significant negative relationship between bulk density of hays (gml−1 fresh matter) and DMI (r=−0.96; P<0.05) and the relationship between in vitro DM digestibility and intake was not significant (r=0.67). These results suggest that bulk density may predict whole-crop cereal hay intake in sheep. Further research is needed to test this predictability over a wider range of feedstuffs.

An Economic View to Forage and Fodder Production in Eastern India

The mixed crop–livestock systems of India are underpinned by the crop residues which contribute on an average 40–60% of the total dry matter intake per livestock unit. There is however considerable regional variation in the dominant type of crop residue: rice and wheat straws in irrigated regions compared to coarse cereal straws and hay from leguminous crops in the drier, semi-arid regions. This paper synthesizes a series of recent studies on the role and importance of crop residues and farmers’ perceptions of fodder quantity and quality in coarse cereal and groundnut based feeding systems. Crop improvement programs for sorghum, pearl millet and groundnut have traditionally focused on grain/pod yield improvement, pest and water stress tolerance. Livestock rearing plays a significant role in the economy of the Indian people. Crop residues and pastures/grasslands are the major feed resource for this activity. Forages can be a simple answer to soil erosion and decline in organic matter and fertility, a problem caused by modern cultivation and fallowing practices on much of the farmland the world over. Keeping in view the constraints in fodder production and in order to overcome the gap between demand and supply, the emphasis need to be given on several steps for augmenting the fodder production. Existing resource utilization pattern needs to be studied in totality according to a system approach. Fodder production is a component of the farming system and efforts need to be made for increasing the forage production in a farming system approach. The holistic approach of integrated resource management will be based on maintaining the fragile balance between productivity functions and conservation practices for ecological sustainability. Forage production must be taken up as a first management goal and 25% of the forest area should be put under trees with regulated accessibility to the farmers. It is suggested to grow forage grasses and fodder trees along village roads and panchayat lands, and on terrace risers/bunds - a non competitive land use system. Conservation of native biodiversity for future improvement along with breeding biotic, abiotic, stress tolerant cultivars of forage species suitable for area not used under arable agriculture can be possible answer to chronic fodder shortages. Use of participatory techniques to identify the problems and to carry out the improvement programme along with In-depth studies on migratory graziers, forage based agroforestry systems and controlled grazing to maintain the productivity of pasture (grazing should be allowed as per carrying capacity) are some other solutions to this problem.

Consumption of Pistacia lentiscus foliage alleviates coccidiosis in young goats

Coccidiosis near weaning is a major cause of diarrhea, ill-thrift, and impaired performance in small ruminants. A recent survey showed that in villages of the Samaria Hills, Israel, shepherds treat young, weaned goat kids afflicted with diarrhea by cutting and feeding them the foliage of Pistacia lentiscus L. (lentisk) or by tethering them close to lentisk bushes which they browse. The aim of the present study was to assess whether lentisk leaves do indeed have anti-coccidial value, and, if positive, to ascertain the role of tannins in this effect. We monitored for 24 (Experiment 1) and 30 (Experiment 2) days the effect of lentisk feeding on the development of naturally occurring coccidiosis in weaned kids artificially infected with parasitic nematodes. In Experiment 1, kids were infected with nematodes and fed lentisk foliage (PIS) or cereal hay (HAY). Coccidiosis developed at the early stage of the nematode infection, when dietary treatments were initiated. Kids in the PIS group had a lower (P<0.02) concentration of oocysts per gram feces (opg). In Experiment 2, aimed at verifying if tannins are the active component in lentisk foliage, coccidiosis occurred at the peak of the nematode infection, before experimental diets were initiated. Dietary treatments were: cereal hay (HAY), or lentisk foliage consumed without (PIS) or with (PISPEG) a 20-g daily supplement of polyethylene glycol (PEG; MW 4000), a molecule that impairs tannin-bonding with proteins. Goats fed the PIS diet had lower fecal opg counts than counterparts of the HAY (P<0.001) and PISPEG (P<0.002) treatments. Fecal opg counts for the HAY and PISPEG treatments did not differ, suggesting that the anti-coccidial moiety in lentisk was indeed tannins. Our results strongly suggest that: (i) in agreement with the ethno-veterinary anecdotal evidence, exposure of young, weaned goat kids to lentisk foliage alleviates coccidiosis; and (ii) this positive effect is associated with tannins. As coccidiosis is a major affliction of kids, providing them with tannin-rich browse near weaning could be an environmentally friendly way of improving their welfare and health status, in particular under bio-organic farm management.

Effects of increasing days of exposure to prepartum diets on the concentration of certain blood metabolites in dairy cows

To evaluate the effect of the number of days exposure to a prepartum transition diet on mineral, energy and protein metabolism in dairy cows. A prospective cohort study. The prepartum transition diet consisted of ryegrass pasture, cereal hay, grain, grain by-product, protein meals, BioChlor, rumen modifiers, minerals and vitamins and contained 13.9% crude protein, 10.0 MJ metabolisable energy/kg and a dietary cation anion difference of -35 meq/kg dry matter. Forty cows were bled bi-weekly from their introduction to the prepartum transition diet until day 35 of lactation. Blood samples were submitted for estimation of a range of metabolites. Cubic smoothed splines were fitted to scatterplots of metabolite concentration as a function of day relative to calving and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Linear regression modelling determined the effect of days exposed, age, body condition score (BSC) and calving day on AUC. Results The prepartum AUC of blood phosphorus and beta-hydroxybutyrate increased and the AUC of blood calcium and cholesterol decreased with increasing days exposed to the diet. The postpartum AUC of beta-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids decreased with increasing days exposed but increased with days exposed x age and days exposed x BCS, respectively. The AUC of other metabolites did not vary significantly with number of days exposed. Conclusions Increasing exposure to the prepartum diet significantly altered the AUC of blood metabolites associated with mineral, energy and protein metabolism in ways consistent with improvements in production and reproduction previously reported and the result suggests links between energy, protein and skeletal metabolism.

Effects of increasing days of exposure to prepartum transition diets on reproduction and health in dairy cows

To evaluate the effect of the number of days exposure to a prepartum transition diet on reproduction and health in dairy cows. A prospective cohort study. We enrolled 1008 dairy cows from three herds to examine the effects on reproduction and health of increased days exposure to prepartum transition diets that included ryegrass pasture, ryegrass silage, cereal hay, grain, by-products, oilseed meals, BioChlor, rumen modifiers, minerals and vitamins. Diets provided 9.9 MJ metabolisable energy per kg dry matter (DM), a metabolisable protein balance of 286 g/day and a dietary cation anion difference of -150 meq/kg DM. Statistical models controlled for herd, calving day, age and gestation period. In two of the three herds increased days exposure to prepartum transition diets increased the hazards of submission for breeding, conception and clinical mastitis, and decreased the hazard of cow removal. The odds of pregnancy by 6 and 21 weeks after the mating start date tended to increase with increasing days of exposure to prepartum transition diets. Increasing exposure to a prepartum transition diet improved the calving to conception interval, tended to improve the odds of pregnancy and reduced the risk of culling of cattle, but increased the hazard of clinical mastitis.