Cattle Consumption Research Articles

PSIX-10 Effect of different levels of DMI on O2 consumed, CO2 released, growth and carcass characteristic in feedlot cattle

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effect of different levels of dry matter intake (DMI) on O2 consumption, CO2 emission, growth, and carcass characteristic in feedlot cattle. The experiment used 60 individually fed backgrounded Angus × SimAngus-crossbred steers (n = 30) in a randomized complete block design. Steers (paired blocked by body weight and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: ad-libitum (AI) or restricted intake (RI; the same diet fed at 85% of the AI) finishing diet. The diet contained 61% cracked corn, 9% corn silage, 15% DDGS, 5% soyhulls, and 10% of a protein-mineral-vitamin premix. Measurement of CO2 emission, and consumption of O2, were taken using the Greenfeed system (n = 15/treatment) once the steers were fed for 140 days. Plasma and gas samples were collected 10 d before slaughter, 1 h before and 2 h after feeding. Plasma glucose and insulin concentration and gasses (O2 and CO2) were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS evaluating the fixed effect of treatment, time (repeated measurement) and their interaction. Growth and carcass characteristics were analyzed with a similar model, without the time statement and its interaction. Compared with RI, AI steers had greater (P < 0.01) DMI and average daily gain (ADG). Steers on AI tended to have greater final body-weight (BW) (P = 0.07) and ribeye area (P = 0.09) (Table 1). There was no effect of treatment (P ≥ 0.11) on G:F, subcutaneous (BF) and intramuscular (IM) fat, O2 consumption and CO2 emission. Plasma glucose concentration of AI steers were greater before and after feeding than RI (P < 0.05; Table 2). In conclusion, feeding steers ad-libitum increased DMI, ADG, and plasma glucose concentration, but does not affect G:F, BF, IM fat, CO2 emission, and consumption of O2.

Chemical Analysis of Ground water in Hinganghat, District Wardha (Ms), India

Ground water is one of the most useful water sources found in earth. The importance of the chemical analysis underlies the fact that the chemistry of ground water can directly be rated with the source of water, climate and geology of the region. Contamination of such water is responsible for creating health hazards. In this paper chemical analysis of the ground water has been carried out for Hinganghat in Wardha district. The water sample collected from different location in Hinganghat, Wardha (India). The ground water samples were analyzed for the following chemical parameters; pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Alkalinity (TA), Total Hardness (TH), Chloride, Nitrate, Sulphate, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS). The results Obtained shown that it is free from anomalies and suitable for human and cattle consumption as well as irrigation purpose in Hinganghat, Wardha districts, Maharashtra, India.

Chemical analysis of ground water in Hinganghat, district Wardha (Ms), India

Ground water is one of the most useful water sources found in earth. The importance of the chemical analysis underlies the fact that the chemistry of ground water can directly be rated with the source of water, climate and geology of the region. Contamination of such water is responsible for creating health hazards. In this paper chemical analysis of the ground water has been carried out for Hinganghat in Wardha district. The water sample collected from different location in Hinganghat, Wardha (India). The ground water samples were analyzed for the following chemical parameters; pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Alkalinity (TA), Total Hardness (TH), Chloride, Nitrate, Sulphate, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS). The results Obtained shown that it is free from anomalies and suitable for human and cattle consumption as well as irrigation purpose in Hinganghat, Wardha districts, Maharashtra, India. In overall ten location ground water sample parameters are showed best results which are within the limitations of BIS, ICMR and WHO standards.

Comparison of two water measurement systems for feedlot beef cattle

The objective of this study was to compare cattle drinking water consumption collected electronically with that of direct human observation using water metres and to analyse whether an automated system compensates due to its greater precision. The study was conducted in the feedlot of Embrapa Pecuaria Sudeste. The reference unit had four pens: two with electronic drinkers and two with water metres. Experiment 1 utilised 52 Nelore steers and Experiment 2 utilised 44 Canchim steers. Nelore fed a conventional diet, the automated system median daily water intake (DWI) was higher than for animals drinking from the water metre, 17.9 L day-1 and 15.6 L day-1. The reverse was observed for animals fed the co-product diet, the automated system median DWI was 18.9 L day-1 and in the water metre pen was 23.0 L day-1. When the Canchim drank from water metres, the median DWI was lower than with the automated system group, 25.9 L day-1 and 27.8 L day-1, respectively. In Experiment 1, there was a statistical difference between the two sets of equipment for both diets. In Experiment 2, the animals were the same breed, had similar weights and were fed the same diet. There was no statistical difference between the equipment in these conditions. The results indicate that the water meter can have the same performance as high technology at a much lower cost. If a more simplified system for measuring water consumption has the same performance as an automated system, this will justify its use with environmental and economic advantages.

Plant quality and primary productivity modulate plant biomass responses to the joint effects of grazing and fertilization in a mesic grassland

AbstractQuestions: Human activities are increasing the density of domestic grazers and global nutrient loads, modifying the main determinants of vegetation community dynamics. Grazing (top‐down control) and nutrient availability (bottom‐up control) may interactively modify plant biomass, which is particularly important in grasslands devoted to livestock production. Here, we aim to understand the interactive effects of grazing and fertilization on grassland plant biomass. We hypothesized that the joint effects of nutrient addition and domestic grazing on above‐ground plant biomass are not additive, but they modify each other through changes in ground‐level light, leaf nutritional quality, above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP), and below‐ground plant allocation.Location: Flooding Pampa (Buenos Aires, Argentina).Methods: We carried out a factorial experiment of grazing exclusion and fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium + micronutrients during ​several years in a mesic grassland devoted to livestock production.Results: After four years, grazing reduced live above‐ground plant biomass by 52%, and when combined with fertilization this reduction was 70%. Nutrient addition in the grazed grassland increased ANPP and leaf nutrient concentration. These changes in turn intensified grazing pressure and cattle’s plant consumption. By contrast, fertilization did not produce any significant effect on plant biomass or ANPP inside the exclosures, where ground‐level light was low. A structural equation model revealed that the increase in ANPP fostered above‐ground and reduced below‐ground plant biomass.Conclusions: This is the first study conducted in the Pampas grasslands that evaluated the effect of cattle grazing and fertilization on plant communities under field conditions over several years. Grazing and nutrient addition synergistically controlled grassland plant biomass, as the reduction in above‐ground biomass by cattle consumption was greater in fertilized plots. Our results provided empirical evidence that leaf nitrogen and ANPP modulated plant biomass dynamics in grasslands devoted to livestock production in the context of increased nutrient loads in terrestrial ecosystems.

Diseño de una picadora de pencas de maguey y nopal

Se diseñó una máquina para picar penca de maguey y nopal a un tamaño de 2 a 3 cm de largo, que cumpla las condiciones de ensilaje (25% de materia seca y mínimo espacio con aire). En el desarrollo de la herramienta para la máquina de picar penca de maguey y nopal, se requirió del conocimiento de ciertas propiedades físicas de la planta, además de: realizar un adecuado análisis estático y dinámico de la interacción cuchilla-masa vegetal-sufridera. Se determinó: la fuerza de corte, la dirección de alimentación y capacidad de succión de la masa vegetal por el órgano de trabajo, así como la velocidad y potencia de corte, sin descuidar el desalojo de la masa vegetal en forma continua. Los resultados mostraron que el proceso tecnológico de la máquina cumple perfectamente con el objetivo planteado y que el tamaño del material es el adecuado para el ensilaje y consumo del ganado.

Seroprevalence of neosporosis in stray adult dogs in Chalkidiki, Northern Greece

Despite the importance of N. caninum in veterinary medicine, knowledge on the prevalence of this parasitosis in dogs is limited in some countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of canine neosporosis in dogs in Chalkidiki, Northern Greece. This prospective study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2019 in stray dogs aged ≥6 months old. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture before the female and male dogs underwent the spay and castration procedures, respectively. The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to screen dogs for the presence of IgG antibodies against N. caninum . Of 511 dogs included in this study, 39 (7.63%) were positive for IgG antibodies against N. caninum . Of all the dogs, 221 were males and 290 females, with positive results for IgG antibodies found in 16 (7.24%) males and 23 (7.93%) females. Because of their free ranging, stray adult dogs, in addition to ingestion of sporulated oocysts from the environment, they can have direct access to ingest tissue cysts originating from miscarriage products of cattle abortions or consumption of row meat of other intermediate hosts. Preventive measures should be developed and implemented to break the domestic cycle between dogs and bovine. We want to highlight the importance of regional reporting of neosporosis prevalence and control measures by veterinarians and veterinary authorities to farmers and public, in order to avoid this disease’s spread.

The impact of livestock grazing on the evapotranspiration-vegetation biomass relationship in a Southern Hemisphere salt marsh, Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Among the ecosystem services provided by salt marshes is the use of their natural vegetation as pastures for livestock production. As a result, the prediction of biomass productivity can be of great interest for the sustainable management of these environments. Evapotranspiration is one of the variables most used to estimate the yield of green biomass in pastures and crops, which to date has not been examined for natural environments such as salt marshes. We studied the aboveground biomass and species cover variability for two categories (erect and sward plants) in three plots affected by low, moderate, and high cattle grazing. Erect biomass was associated only with Spartina densiflora while for sward plants it gathered a diverse set of prostrate and stoloniferous species with high seasonal turnover. The evapotranspiration was estimated with a coupled surface resistance-Penman-Monteith model developed for these environments. The biomass of the plant categories shows different growth response according to livestock impact. S. densiflora has a slow-growing response after cattle consumption, even with high evapotranspiration. On the other hand, sward plants respond with biomass overproduction to livestock consumption, and a significantly positive relationship to evapotranspiration rate.

A 20 y Analysis of Weather and Management Effects on a Small White Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) Population in Manitoba

The small white lady's-slipper, Cypripedium candidum, is a rare perennial orchid with a limited distribution in Canada, occurring as isolated populations in remnant tallgrass prairie in southern Manitoba and Ontario. The species is listed as endangered in both provinces and as threatened federally. Despite its status, information on how environmental conditions and land management affect population size and persistence of this species is limited. We used 20 y of monitoring data collected for a subset of the largest population in Canada to evaluate the response of small white lady's-slipper to land management and weather. Long-term monitoring suggests the population is in decline and may not persist under the current climate and management regime. Temperature appears to regulate vegetative growth and flowering proximately. Warm temperatures early in the spring, when shoots are emerging, appear favored, but high temperatures during anthesis appear detrimental, reducing both vegetative growth and flowering. In contrast, precipitation appears to have a lag effect on growth and flowering. However, snow depth was identified as a positive influence on vegetative growth, suggesting precipitation in early spring, when shoots are emerging, is also important for above-ground growth. Some grazing appears to benefit the species presumably by reducing competition and shading, but frequent grazing may increase the risk of direct damage to individuals from cattle consumption and trampling and does not provide sufficient time for individuals to recover following grazing events. Our findings add to the knowledge of orchid conservation and management, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring in detecting population trends in species with erratic life cycles and fluctuating populations, such as the small white lady's-slipper.

A 20 y Analysis of Weather and Management Effects on a Small White Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) Population in Manitoba

The small white lady's-slipper, Cypripedium candidum, is a rare perennial orchid with a limited distribution in Canada, occurring as isolated populations in remnant tallgrass prairie in southern Manitoba and Ontario. The species is listed as endangered in both provinces and as threatened federally. Despite its status, information on how environmental conditions and land management affect population size and persistence of this species is limited. We used 20 y of monitoring data collected for a subset of the largest population in Canada to evaluate the response of small white lady's-slipper to land management and weather. Long-term monitoring suggests the population is in decline and may not persist under the current climate and management regime. Temperature appears to regulate vegetative growth and flowering proximately. Warm temperatures early in the spring, when shoots are emerging, appear favored, but high temperatures during anthesis appear detrimental, reducing both vegetative growth and flowering. In contrast, precipitation appears to have a lag effect on growth and flowering. However, snow depth was identified as a positive influence on vegetative growth, suggesting precipitation in early spring, when shoots are emerging, is also important for above-ground growth. Some grazing appears to benefit the species presumably by reducing competition and shading, but frequent grazing may increase the risk of direct damage to individuals from cattle consumption and trampling and does not provide sufficient time for individuals to recover following grazing events. Our findings add to the knowledge of orchid conservation and management, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring in detecting population trends in species with erratic life cycles and fluctuating populations, such as the small white lady's-slipper.

Nematicidal Effect and Histological Modifications Induced by Hydrolysable Tannin Extract on the Third-Stage Infective Larvae of Haemonchus contortus.

Simple SummaryHaemonchus contortus is the most frequent and most important nematode parasite in the ruminants production of tropical and subtropical regions. The conduction of research to find resources that allow effective control of this parasitic disease, preferably focusing on green production, is necessary. Hydrolysable tannins (HT) are an important group of compounds synthetized by plants, some of them exhibit anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerative, or antiparasitic properties. We evaluated the effect of hydrolysable tannin extract (HTE) on larvae of H. contortus (L3). L3 were exposed to different HTE concentrations and times to analyze the mortality, and microscopically we explored physical damage on L3 caused by HTE. After 72 h of incubation with 2 mg/mL of HTE, we found a half of death larvae, and by microscopy we observed larvae destruction. Our results suggest that hydrolysable tannin extracted from chestnut could be considered as an alternative for parasitic control as a food additive in cattle.Haemonchus contortus is the most frequent and most important nematode parasite in the ruminants production of tropical and subtropical regions. There are strains resistant to all families of available anthelmintics. Consequently, the conduction of research to find other resources that allow effective control of this parasitic disease, preferably focusing on green production, is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrolysable tannin extract (HTE) on larvae 3 (L3) of H. contortus in vitro. L3 were exposed to different HTE concentrations and times. In addition, both light and scanning electron microscopy were used to explore physical damage on L3 subjected to HTE activity. After 72 h of incubation, the mean lethal concentration of HTE was 2 mg/mL; this concentration has been previously referred to as safe for consumption in cattle. Scanning electron microscopy revealed H. contortus L3 destruction, damage was evident by separation of the sheath mainly in the cervical and caudal regions of the larva and by rupture of the cuticle with larval evisceration. Our results suggest that hydrolysable tannin extract from chestnut could be considered as a green alternative for parasitic control in ruminants.

167 Addition of garlic powder at low doses stimulated mineral consumption in feedlot cattle

Abstract The trial evaluated whether the addition of garlic powder increased mineral intake and reduced fly abundance in feedlot cattle. Following a completely randomized design, one hundred and four (104) spring-born crossbred steers (BW 529 ± 8kg) were recruited for the feeding trial at Lakeland College, Vermilion Alberta, Canada. Each steer was assigned to one of four treatment groups (26 steers each) where each group received a commercial feedlot mineral mixed with garlic powder to give a final supplement mix that contained either 2.5% or 5% garlic powder or 0.3% garlic-oil-based premix or 0% garlic product (as control). The animals received a feedlot ration. The different treatment groups were kept within side-by-side pens, each equipped with water troughs and automatic feeding equipment to measure individual feed and mineral consumption. Feed and mineral supplements were provided ad libitum. Differences were observed for mineral intake (P = 0.003), ADG (P = 0.002) and feed conversion efficiency (P = 0.01). Compared to the control, mineral supplement consumption increased between 18 to 50% in groups that received garlic-infused supplements. Fly counts did not differ among the groups, in part, due to low overall fly abundance. While there were no differences (P = 0.21) in the length of time the steers spent consuming feed, differences existed for time spent consuming minerals (P = 0.002) and mineral bunk visits (P = 0.0003). There was no difference (P > 0.18) in DMI, final body weight or hot carcass weight among the different groups. The hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal ranges for healthy cattle, and there was no difference in carcass quality grades (P = 0.78). Even though the impact on fly-counts was inconclusive, the preliminary results show that including low-dose garlic powder could be a practical strategy of increasing mineral consumption without any associated negative health consequences.

Botanical Composition and Carrying Capacity in Various Agroecosystems on The Timor Island

This research aims to know the type of vegetation, nutrient components of feed and carrying capacity based on agroecosystems on Timor Island conducted from January-March 2018 (transition from the rainy season to the dry season). The research location was chosen purposively so that those it represented the pasture were in the District of Belu, Malaka, and TTU; agriculture in the District of Kupang and Kota Kupang; plantation in Kupang District; and forests in TTS District. Forage samples were taken using the 1x1m2 quadrant method. The quadrant is thrown at random. All vegetation in the quadrant is cut and analyzed in the laboratory. Descriptive data analysis. The result is that the main vegetation types of Bali cattle consumption in pasture agroecosystems is natural grass with a nutrient composition of ash (9.9%), CP (5.7%), CF (38.5%), EE (2.2%), NFE (36.4%) and TDN (42.1%). Agriculture agroecosystem is ricestraw with a nutrient composition of ash (9.6%), CP (5.8%), CF (27.6%), EE (2.1%), NFE (48.8% ) and TDN (52.8%). Plantation agroecosystems is lamtoro with a nutrient composition of ash (13.6%), CP (12.0%), CF (20.4%), EE (3.3%), NFE (42.8%) and TDN (54.9%). Forest agroecosystems is kabesak with a nutrient composition of ash (8.6%), CP (11.5%), CF (26.9%), EE (1.2%), NFE (44.2%) and TDN (53.1%). The carrying capacity of pasture, agriculture, plantation and forest in sequence are very high, namely 4.8 UT and CCI 0.4 with an average body weight of 229.3 kg; 5.6 UT and CCI 0.6 with an average BB of 188 kg; 6.8 UT and CCI 0.7 with an average BB of 227.5 kg; and 5.8 UT and CCI 0.7 with an average BB of 194.9 kg. The entire agroecosystem area on Timor Island is classified as a very critical area.

There and back again: A zooarchaeological perspective on Early and Middle Bronze Age urbanism in the southern Levant

Multiple arguments for or against the presence of ‘urban’ settlements in the Early Bronze Age of the southern Levant have identified the need to compare these settlements against their rural hinterlands through multiple lines of evidence. This meta-analysis of zooarchaeological data from the region compares and identifies patterns of animal production, provisioning and consumption between the supposed “urban” and rural sites of the southern Levant from the Early Bronze (EB) against the (more widely recognised urban) Middle Bronze (MB) Ages. It also identifies distinct and regionally specific patterns in animal production and consumption that can be detected between urban and rural sites of the southern Levant. The taxonomic and age profiles from EB Ia and Ib sites do not demonstrate any urban versus rural differentiation patterning, even though fortifications appear in the EB Ib. Beginning in the EB II and clearly visible in the EB III, there is differentiation between rural and urban sites in the taxonomic and age proportions. Differentiation is repeated in the MB II. The clear differentiation between “urban” and rural zooarchaeological assemblages from the EB II-III and MB suggest that rural sites are provisioning the larger fortified settlements. This pattern indicates that these sites are indeed urban in nature, and these societies are organized at the state-level. From the EB II onwards, there is a clear bias in the large centres towards the consumption of cattle and of subadult sheep and goats with a corresponding bias in smaller rural sites towards the consumption of adult sheep and goats and a reduced presence of cattle. After the emergence of this differential pattern, it disappears with the decline in social complexity at the end of the Early Bronze Age, only to come ‘back again’ with the re-emergence of urban settlement systems in the Middle Bronze Age.

Effect of KOROPASS, an extruded jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis)-derived supplement, on productivity and economic performance of beef cattle.

Aim:This study evaluated the effect of feeding a graded amount of extruded jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) on nutritional status, production performances, and economic performance of beef cattle.Materials and Methods:The supplement called “KOROPASS” was prepared from the extruded jack bean (according to the extrusion heating process). Sixteen male Friesian-Holstein crossbred cattle were divided into four groups and fed on KOROPASS as per the regimen: R0 (total mixed ration [TMR] without KOROPASS), R1 (TMR supplemented with 3% KOROPASS), R2 (TMR supplemented with 6% KOROPASS), and R3 (TMR supplemented with 9% KOROPASS). The in vivo experiment lasted 44 days. TMR contained 12% crude protein and 60% total digestible nutrient. The consumption and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and total protein (TP), feed efficiency, average daily gain, and income over feed cost (IOFC) were evaluated.Results:KOROPASS supplementation significantly increased (p<0.05) beef cattle consumption of DM (from 7.83 [R0] to 8.33 [R1], 8.91 [R2], and 9.69 kg/day [R3]), OM (from 6.72 to 7.17, 7.69, and 8.38 kg/day, respectively), and TP (from 892 to 1020, 1182, and 1406 g/day, respectively). The elevated levels of KOROPASS significantly increased (p<0.05) digestibility in terms of the levels of DM (from 42.9 [R0] to 50.6 [R1], 58.0 [R2], and 63.6% [R3]), OM (from 54.3 to 59.6, 66.3, and 70.6%, respectively), and TP (from 65.0 to 67.1, 75.0, and 80.7%, respectively). Dietary supplementation of KOROPASS significantly increased (p<0.05) metabolizable protein, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency of beef cattle. Finally, dietary KOROPASS supplementation, especially at 9%, resulted in the highest (p<0.05) IOFC value of beef cattle.Conclusion:Dietary supplementation of KOROPASS improved feed utility, as reflected by the increase in consumption and digestibility of DM, OM, and TP. Further, KOROPASS supplementation improved feed efficiency, growth, and economic performance of beef cattle. The findings indicate the potential value of KOROPASS as a feed supplement for beef cattle.

Hydrological functioning of cattle ranching impoundments in the Dry Chaco rangelands of Argentina

Abstract Rainwater harvesting and associated storage is essential for cattle ranching in the drylands of Argentina and elsewhere. This is the first study to attempt to quantify the hydrological inflows and losses from rainwater harvesting impoundments. To address the direct effect of cattle within impoundments, a typical cattle-affected impoundment was instrumented and compared with that of a similar impoundment but without cattle access. Analysis of the storage dynamics with reference to the controlling variables demonstrated the highly episodic nature of the generation of infiltration-excess overland flow that recharged the impoundments. The impoundments experienced 43 and 35% of storage loss to open-water-evaporation for the cattle-affected and control impoundments, respectively. Critically, the cattle-effected impoundment lost only 15% of storage to leakage (after cattle consumption was taken into account), while the control lost 65% of its water to basal leakage. Indeed systems modelling of the rainfall-storage dynamics showed that the cattle-affected impoundment, despite consumption by 300 cows, maintained water in the impoundment (per a unit input of rainfall) for longer than the control (a 65- versus 25-day residence time). These results highlight the unintended beneficial effect of cattle trampling on the floor of the impoundment reducing leakage losses.

Dietary rambutan peel powder as a rumen modifier in beef cattle.

ObjectiveThe experiment was conducted to study the effect of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit peel powder (RP) on feed consumption, digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation dynamics and microbial population in Thai breed cattle.MethodsFour, 2-year old (250±15 kg) beef bull crossbreds (75% Brahman×25% local breed) were allotted to experimental treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design. Four dietary supplementation treatments were imposed; non-supplementation (control, T1); supplementation of RP fed at 2% of dry matter intake (DMI) (low, T2); supplementation of RP fed at 4% of DMI (medium, T3) and supplementation of RP fed at 6% of DMI (high, T4). All cattle were given a concentrate supplement at 1% of body weight while Napier grass was provided as a free choice.ResultsThe findings revealed that RP supplementation did not negatively affect (p>0.05) DMI of Napier grass, while RP intake and total DMI were the greatest in the RP supplementation at 4% and 6% DMI. Nevertheless, the nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) digestibilities were not changed in the RP supplementation groups. Rumen fermentation parameters especially those of total volatile fatty acids, acetate and butyrate were not significantly changed. However, the propionate concentration was remarkably increased (p<0.05) in the RP supplementation. Notably, the ratio of acetate to propionate, the number of protozoa, as well as the methane estimation were significantly reduced in the RP supplemented groups (4% and 6% of DMI), while the counts of bacteria was not altered.ConclusionSupplementation of RP (4% of DMI) improved rumen propionate production, reduced protozoal population and methane estimation (p<0.05) without a negative effect on feed consumption and nutrients total tract digestibilities in beef cattle. Using dietary rambutan fruit peel powder has potential promise as a rumen regulator.

A multi-isotope analysis of Neolithic human groups in the Yonne valley, Northern France: insights into dietary patterns and social structure

With the arrival of the Neolithic to Europe, new ways of life and new subsistence strategies emerged. In the Paris Basin (northern France), the appearance of some monumental funerary structures during the Middle Neolithic highlights in particular the increasing complexity of the social organisation. At the same time, several sites, such as open-air cemeteries, do not display any evidence of such arrangement. In the southeast of this area, the two primary routes of neolithisation meet. Several funerary parameters attest to the diverse influence received from other surrounding cultures. In order to assess potential differences in diet, and therefore on purported social distinctions at the inter- and intra-site level, stable isotope analyses (carbon, nitrogen and sulphur) were performed on bone collagen of humans (n = 177) and non-human animals (n = 62) from seven archaeological sites located in the same area (< 10 km). This study is the biggest so far on French Neolithic material and thus allows for an extensive investigation at a regional scale. Results show that the human nitrogen isotopic ratios are relatively enriched in nitrogen-15 comparing to those of the domesticated animals. This reflects a trophic step that is rarely observed elsewhere in the surrounding Neolithic people, particularly for humans of the biggest site Gurgy “Les Noisats”. Though zooarchaeological data support a predominant cattle consumption, here, we propose a mixed protein consumption of cattle and pig, possibly complemented with some freshwater resources. Furthermore, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotopic ratios suggest some slight differences between sexes and sites. This sexual distinction has rarely been identified in the diet within a Neolithic context. Some variations over time were also detected. On the whole, this study seems to support previous observations made from burial practices about a specific regional Neolithic pattern in the Paris Basin as well as bring new elements into discussion of social organisation in human populations.

New Data on the Chronology and Development of Cattle Breading During the Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age in the Southern Ural Region

Introduction. The article considers the features of cattle breeding and consumption of meat products in the Eneolithic cultures (the Samara culture) and the Early Bronze Age cultures (the Repin stage of the Pit Grave culture) on the territory of the Southern Urals (the Samara Trans-Volga region). The paper specifies the chronology of these cultures on the base of radiocarbon dating. The main site for the study was Turganik settlement located in the Southern Ural region (Orenburg region). Methods. More than 800 m2 of the settlement area was excavated. There were six paleosoil layers. Four upper layers were empty, without artifacts. The sixth layer contained Eneolithic finds. The fifth layer contained finds of the Early Bronze Age. The archaeozoological collection was analyzed in accordance with the methodological scheme developed by E.E. Antipina. For radiocarbon dating collagen was treated from bone samples on the base of the standard procedure and radiocarbon activity was measured by Quantulus 1220 low background scintillation counter. Analysis and Results. As a result 32 radiocarbon dates were obtained on animal bones and on organics from pottery of different types from different cultural layers of Turganik settlement. The Eneolithic complex includes ceramics, flint and bone tools. The paper specifies the finds of developed and later stages of the Samara culture. The artifacts of the second stage of the Samara culture were dated to 4900–4500 cal BC. The artifacts of the later stage belong to the period of 4300–3800 cal BC. We suggest that from the Early Eneolithic local people practiced cattle breeding without agriculture. Hunting played a secondary role and fishing was poorly developed. Beef was the main food in the people’s diet during the Eneolithic period. The Early Bronze Age assemblage includes ceramics of the Repin stage of the Pit Grave culture, stone macro-tools, flint arrowheads, items made of bones and copper, slags and scarps of copper ore. The technological analysis supported that ceramics belong to the Pit Grave culture. The layer age is from 3800 to 3300 cal BC. During the Repin stage the role of sheep breeding was increased and consumption of sheep meat prevailed in comparison with the Eneolithic period. This is an evidence of the transition to the nomadic form of stock breeding.

Análisis energético de la biomasa en Michoacán: Con caso de estudio para generación eléctrica de 4MWh

The energy reform promotes the use of renewable energies to face the reduction of fossil energy consumption. Michoacán is a state where agriculture proliferates, counting on a diversity of climates that favors the cultivation of a significant variety of fruits, in addition that its harvest area is abundant. On many occasions the waste generated from the harvest represents a problem for the farmers, because the volume is too much and they do not know what to do, unfortunately they opt by the illegal burning. However, biomass can be used as fuel with high thermal outputs, with a lower cost than other fuels, which represents an alternative for many industries that require combustion in their processes. Michoacán stands out continuously at the first places in the production of diverse fruts at national level, but its residues are used only for cattle consumption, so this research work not only takes into account the net harvest, it also makes an estimate of effective waste that can be considered biomass available for use in thermal processes, indicating according to its calorific value the energy potential wasted until the moment.