Feeding Corn Research Articles

Comparison of the composition and sensory characteristics of goose fatty liver obtained by overfeeding and spontaneous fattening

ABSTRACTSpontaneous liver steatosis can be experimentally induced in domestic Greylag geese by combining a short photoperiod with a sequence of feed restriction followed by ad libitum corn feeding. This could offer an alternative to the conventional “foie gras” production system based on overfeeding. The present work aimed at comparing the compositional characteristics, sensory profile, and acceptability by a consumer panel of fatty livers obtained by overfeeding and spontaneous fattening. In all, 210 male geese were used: 125 geese were raised over a 31-wk period to produce fatty liver without overfeeding (“alternative livers”) and 85 were raised using conventional methods with overfeeding (“conventional livers”). Mean liver weight was over 1 kg (1,102 g) in the conventional group and 445 g in the alternative group. The characteristics of the livers were studied in 2 subpopulations: 44 conventional livers representative of the experimental population (mean liver weight 1,064 g) and 42 alternative livers weighing more than 400 g (mean 702 g). Compared with the alternative livers, livers from the conventional group showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher dry matter and lipid contents, lighter color (L*), and lower yellowness (b*). The neutral lipids of alternative livers contained significantly less triglycerides and free fatty acids and significantly more cholesterol and cholesterol esters than those from conventional livers. Detailed analysis of the fatty acid composition of triglycerides showed that the proportion of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in the alternative livers. However, covariance analysis suggested that these differences in lipid composition were mainly due to differences in lipid content between both types of livers. The evaluation of cooked livers by a trained expert panel revealed significant differences in the sensory profile between the conventional and alternative livers. The acceptability by a consumer panel was significantly lower in alternative compared to conventional livers. This difference was not related to weight and/or lipid content since livers of similar weight range (800 to 1,000 g) were compared and showed clear-cut differences for hedonic scores.

The simulation model of rainwater utilization management to fulfill the water requirement of corn feed plants in the slope area of hills: A Case study of corn feed cultivation for the planting period from March to June in Benteng Gajah village, South Sulawesi, East Indonesia

Water is a basic need of living things. When its population increased, its water needs also increased. The purpose of this research was to construct an optimal model of rainwater utilization management (RWUM) in the slope area of hills: Case study at corn feed (Zea mays L.) plants (CFP) in Benteng Gajah village, South Sulawesi, Eastern Indonesia with simulation method. The data supported in this simulation were: Water need of the CFP during May to June 2019; The average yearly rainfall data of the village; The topography data of the CFP sample location. There were three simulation scenarios of the RWUM model. Those scenarios were differentiated by altitude zones. The first scenario located in the lower zone, the second scenario located in the middle zone, and the third located in the upper zone. The study showed that the optimal RWUM model was the third scenarios. The cost differences of the scenarios mainly lied on the operational cost of pumping, the RWUM infrastructure maintenance, number of employee working hours, and fuel cost of pumping. The ratio of the estimated operational cost among scenario I, scenario II, and scenario III respectively were 9:5:1.

Synchronous feeding of liquid protein source with different grains on performance, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and carcass characters in growing lambs.

The effects of feeding corn steep liquor (CSL; 420g/kg crude protein, DM basis) along with different cereal grains on performance, digestibility, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation, and carcass characters of growing lambs were evaluated. The constant amount of CSL was included in basal diet (100g/kg, DM basis) and grain sources as experimental treatments were as follows: (1) corn grain (CG), (2) barley grain (BG), or (3) wheat grain (WG). The eighteen individually fed Farahani lambs averaging body weight 32kg were allocated in completely randomized design (6 lambs/each) in a 9-week trial. The results showed that the greatest intake and gain were found in lambs fed CG in contrast to others. Nitrogen intake was constant among diets; however, the greatest nitrogen efficiency was found for corn grain-fed animals. Digestibility of nutrients were reduced in WG-fed animals in comparison with other grains. Ruminal proportions of propionate and butyrate were reduce in WG-fed lambs. The CG-fed animals displayed greater blood glucose and lower BUN concentrations compared with others. The greatest aspartate aminotransferase concentration as well as the greatest liver fat deposition suggested a dysfunction in liver performance in WG-fed animals. Except than that of a tendency for increment in dressing percentage in CG-fed lambs, no carcass character was differed among treatments. In conclusion, results revealed that feeding liquid protein source (CSL) is recommendable when it has been fed along with corn grain in comparison with barley or wheat grains in growing lambs.

343 Feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed diets containing steam-flaked grain and corn silage from Enogen® Feed Corn

Abstract Enogen Feed Corn (EFC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC) is genetically modified to express high concentrations of amylase. Our objective was to evaluate EFC as corn silage and as steam-flaked corn in diets fed to finishing cattle. A 2 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted with steers (n = 960; 388 ± 7.4 kg initial body weight), with factors consisting of silage source (Control or EFC) and grain source (Control or Enogen). Steers were blocked by initial body weight, assigned randomly within block to treatments, housed in 48 pens with 15 or 25 cattle per pen, and harvested after 138, 152, or 166 days on feed. Grains were steam flaked to densities of 360 or 386 g/L for Control and EFC, respectively. Diets (dry basis) consisted of 8% corn silage, 2% alfalfa hay, 74.5% flaked corn, 12% Sweet Bran, and supplement. Incidences of liver abscesses and carcass weights were recorded at harvest, and longissimus muscle area, 12th-rib subcutaneous fat thickness, marbling score, and USDA yield and quality grades were determined after 36 h of refrigeration. There were no interactions between grain source and silage source (P &gt; 0.05) for feedlot performance. Cattle fed diets containing EFC silage consumed less dry matter (P &lt; 0.01) and efficiency of gain was improved by approximately 5.3% (P &lt; 0.01) compared to cattle fed Control silage. Average daily gain and dry matter intake were unaffected by grain source, but cattle fed EFC grain were less efficient (P = 0.02) compared to cattle fed control grain. Carcass weight was greater for cattle fed the combination of EFC silage and Control grain compared to other treatments (P &lt; 0.05), but liver abscess incidence and other carcass measurements were unaffected by grain or silage source. Feeding Enogen Feed Corn as corn silage, but not as grain, improved feedlot performance of steers. Keywords: Enogen, corn silage, amylase

340 Impact of essential oils blend on beef cattle performance and carcass characteristics in diets with increasing corn silage inclusions

Abstract A feedlot study was conducted comparing a natural feed additive (essential oils blend) at varying silage inclusions on receiving and finishing performance. The study utilized 480 crossbred steers (initial shrunk BW 296 kg ± 7.72 kg) in 48 pens with 10 steers/pen and 8 pens per treatment. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 3 factorial with 3 inclusions of corn silage [14, 47, 80 %; dry matter (DM) basis] with or without (+, -) the inclusion of an essential oils (EO) blend. All treatment diets contained 16% modified distillers grains plus solubles and 4% supplement with dry-rolled corn replacing corn silage (CS) on a DM basis. Steers were fed at 80% CS inclusion and adapted to 47% and 14% CS over a 10 and 24-d period, respectively. Cattle fed 80% CS were fed for 238 days, 47% CS for 195 days, and 14% CS were fed for 168 days to a common backfat of 1.28 cm (P &gt; 0.59). There were no interactions for corn silage inclusion and the inclusion of essential oils on final body weight (FBW), dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle (LM) area, marbling, or calculated yield grade (CYG; P &gt; 0.15). There was no significant difference for FBW, DMI, ADG, G:F, HCW, LM area, marbling, or CYG for cattle fed EO or no EO. However, there was a quadratic response for FBW, ADG, G:F, HCW, marbling and CYG with increased inclusion of corn silage (P &lt; 0.04). Feeding corn silage at greater inclusions decreased animal performance but increased final body weight when fed to an equal fatness. Essential oils did not affect animal performance or carcass characteristics. However, feeding greater amounts of corn silage can be an economical way to finish cattle.

Mycotoxicological study of feed corn grain (1998-2018)

For corn grain traded in the country's forage production sector over the past two decades, enzyme immunoassay showed persistent contamination with toxins of fusarium fungi, more often T-2 / HT-2 toxins, fumonisins, and more rarely with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in quantities that pose risks of animal intoxication. The cases of superintensive accumulation of cyclopiazonic acid, citrinin, mycophenolic acid and ochratoxin A. were revealed. In 2016-2018 For maize grain from 4 subjects of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation, a significant prevalence of T-2 / HT-2 toxins, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins was found with fluctuations in the frequency of occurrence of zearalenone over the years, diacetoxyscirpenol was detected in several samples from the Kursk and Voronezh regions. Contamination of grain with alternariol in 2016 and 2017 was mild both in frequency (5.3%) and accumulation levels (20–85 µg / kg), but in the collection of 2018, the proportion of samples containing this toxin was 40.7% with a content range of 25 295 µg / kg. The influence of soil and climatic factors on the nature of mycotoxin contamination of corn grain crops, the contribution of fungi belonging to dark-colored hyphomycetes and the prevailing variants of combined contamination with fusariotoxins are discussed.

KUALIFIKASI MANAJERIAL TEKNIS PRODUKSI TELUR PERUSAHAAN UD. FITRA ABADI, KECAMATAN LEIHITU, KABUPATEN MALUKU TENGAH

The technical managerial ability to produce eggs from farmers and farm company managers is an indicator of how well businesses organize successful production and business activities. This study aims to determine the technical indicators of production efficiency in the laying hens company UD. Fitra Abadi. The study used a survey method, the location was selected purposively, and the study lasted 31 days in October 2018. The sample used was one cage block with 2,100 hens laying hens. The results showed the laying hens, UD. Fitra Abadi applies a technology package that is lower in capacity by mixing shop food (35%), corn feed (45%), and bran feed (20%). Egg production produced an average of 1,738 eggs per day (82.76% of 2,100 chickens) is below the best capacity of the peak egg-laying period of 95%. Technical indicators of production show the average production of eggs per kg of food 6.43 eggs, marginal production of -0.3 eggs, and elasticity of -0.047. The efficiency of the company's production becomes negative, and the company operates in a loss phase.

Isolation of Asperigllus flavus and detection of total aflatoxins residues in feed by HPLC

Mycotoxins are natural secondary toxic anti nutritive metabolite products of fungi, that contaminate the food stuff , high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of chromatographic techniques that mainly used in quantitative and qualitative of most mycotoxin residues . A total of 100 random samples of yellow corn and silage feed samples were collected from farms in Ismailia and Suez governorates to detect total aflatoxins residues. Aspergillus flavus were isolated from 86 % , 80 % of yellow corn and silage feed samples. Total aflatoxins residues were detected by HPLC with the means average of Aflatoxin B1, G1, B2, G2 and total aflatoxins residues respectively, in examined 50 yellow corn feed samples were 74.66±12.53 µg/kg, 30.14±6.65 µg/kg,16.13± 2.15 µg/kg ,7.42± 3.28 µg/kg and 85.89 ± 34.94µg/kg. While in examined silage feed samples the mean average were 85.18 ± 17.48 µg/kg,24.02 ± 4.81 µg/kg, 11.79± 2.25 µg/kg, 5.20±1.65 µg/kg and 82.52 ± 18.77 µg/kg. HPLC is suitable technique for the quantification of aflatoxins because of its accuracy and high sensitivity

Carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of crude glycerin.

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of crude glycerin (0%, 6%, 12%, and 18%) used as a substitute for corn in lamb feed on the quantitative characteristics of the carcass.MethodsA total of 40 crossbred Santa Inês lambs that were four months old with a mean initial weight of 21.0±0.8 kg were randomly distributed in four treatments with ten replicates. The animals were slaughtered after 66 days of confinement. The effects of crude glycerin as a replacement for corn in the diet of the lambs on the carcass characteristics, commercial cut weight and yield and carcass measurements were studied.ResultsThere was an increasing linear effect for body weight at slaughter with the replacement of corn by crude glycerin. The dry matter and metabolizable energy intakes, weight of the empty body, hot carcass weight and cold carcass weight showed a quadratic effect, with maximum crude glycerin levels estimated at 10.9%, 9.8%, 10.83%, 11.78%, and 11.35%, respectively. The initial pH was not influenced by the replacement of corn for crude glycerin, while the final pH presented a quadratic effect. The other parameters of the carcass and the weights and yields of commercial cuts were not influenced. There was also no effect of the diets on carcass morphometric measurements, except for the thoracic perimeter and the carcass compactness index, which presented quadratic and linear effects, respectively.ConclusionCrude glycerin can replace up to 18% of corn because it favours muscle tissue deposition without promoting changes in the main carcass characteristics of lambs.

The impact of feeding corn dried distillers grains with solubles on milk yield and composition in lactating Awassi ewes and digestibility and N partitioning in Awassi ewe lambs

The effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on milk yield, milk composition and body weight (BW) and digestibility were evaluated by using lactating ewe (Exp. 1) and Awassi ewe lambs (Exp. 2). Dietary treatments were (1) no DDGS (CON), (2) 200 gkg−1 DDGS (DDGS200) or (3) 300 gkg−1 DDGS (DDGS300) of dietary dry matter (DM). In Exp. 1, 30 lactating Awassi ewes were randomly assigned to the corresponding diets. Nutrient intakes were determined daily throughout the experiment which lasted for 8 weeks. Body weights of ewes and lambs were measured on days 0, 28 and 56 of the study whilst milk yield and composition were recorded on days 18, 36 and 54. Ewe BW changes were similar amongst treatments. Ewes consuming the DDGS diet showed increased milk production (p<.045) over those provided the CON diet. Cost of diets and milk production reduced (p=.01) in DDGS-containing diets compared with the CON diet. In Exp. 2, 18 Awassi ewe lambs were randomly assigned into the same dietary treatments and fed their diets for 21 days. Digestibility of DM and ADF was lower (p<.017) for the CON diet than for the DDGS diets. Digestibility of CP and NDF increased (p<.036) in the DDGS200 diet than the CON diet. Results indicate DDGS has the potential to be included up to 300 gkg−1 of dietary DM of DDGS in Awassi ewes’ diets with no negative effects on production parameters whilst being cost effective.HighlightsCost of feed and milk production decreased in DDGS diets.Milk production increased in DDGS diets.Milk composition was similar among diets.

Feeding corn grain steeped in citric acid modulates rumen fermentation and inflammatory responses in dairy goats

Cereal grains treated with organic acids were proved to increase ruminal resistant starch and can relieve the risk of ruminal acidosis. However, previous study mainly focussed on acid-treated barley, the effects of organic acid-treated corn is still unknown. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether feeding ground corn steeped in citric acid (CA) would affect ruminal pH and fermentation patterns, milk production and innate immunity responses in dairy goats. Eight ruminally cannulated Saanen dairy goats were used in a crossover designed experiment. Each experimental period was 21 day long including 14 days for adaption to new diet and 7 days for sampling and data collection. The goats were fed high-grain diet contained 30% hay and 70% corn-based concentrate. The corn was steeped either in water (control) or in 0.5% (wt/vol) CA solution for 48 h. Goats fed CA diet showed improved ruminal pH status with greater mean and minimum ruminal pH, and shorter (P<0.05) duration of ruminal pH<5.6 and less area of ruminal pH<5.6, 5.8 and 6.0. Concentration of total volatile fatty acid and molar proportion of propionate were less but the molar proportion of acetate was greater (P<0.05) in goats fed the CA diet than the control diet. Concentration of ruminal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was lower (P<0.05) and that of lactic acid also tended (P<0.10) to be lower in goats fed CA than the control. Although dry matter intake, actual milk yield, yield and content of milk protein and lactose were not affected, the milk fat content and 4% fat-corrected milk tended (P<0.10) to be greater in goats fed CA diet. For the inflammatory responses, peripheral LPS did not differ, whereas the concentration of LPS binding protein and serum amyloid A tended (P<0.10) to be less in goats fed CA diet. Similarly, goats fed CA diet had less (P<0.05) concentration of haptoglobin and tumour necrosis factor. These results indicated that feeding ground corn treated with CA effectively improved ruminal pH status, thus alleviated the risk of ruminal acidosis, reduced inflammatory response, and tend to improve milk yield and milk fat test.

Metabolisable energy prediction in energy feedstuffs and evaluation of the stepwise validation procedure using bootstrapping

The use of predicted values of apparent metabolisable energy (AME), obtained from regression equations, can be useful for both research institutions and nutrition industries. However, there is a need to validate independent samples to ensure that the predicted equation for AME is reliable. In this study, data was collected in order to estimate the prediction equations of corn, sorghum and wheat bran for pig feed, based on the chemical composition, in addition to evaluating the validity of the stepwise selection procedure regressive method of non-parametric bootstrap resampling. Data from metabolism trials in pigs and the chemical composition of feedstuffs was collected from both Brazilian and international literature, expressed as dry matter. After the residue analysis, five models of multiple linear regression were adjusted to randomly generate 1000 bootstrap samples of equal size from the database via meta-analysis. The five estimated models were adjusted for all bootstrapped samples using the stepwise method. The highest percentage significance for regressor (PSR) value was observed for digestible energy (100%) in the AME1 model, and gross energy (95.7%) in the AME2 model, indicating high correlation of the regressive model with AME. The regressors selected for AME4 and AME5 resulted in a PSR of greater than 50%, and were validated for estimating the AME of pig feed. However, the percentage of joint occurrence of regressor models showed low reliability, with values between 2.6% (AME2) and 23.4% (AME4), suggesting that the stepwise procedure was invalid.

Potential of sawdust and corn cobs derived biochar to improve soil aggregate stability, water retention, and crop yield of degraded sandy loam soil

Poor soil structure is the main cause of soil degradation; however, biochar the solid carbon-rich production of pyrolysis biomass could improve the soil structure. Biochar from the feed stock sawdust (SD) and corn cobs (CC) was pyrolyzed at 450 °C. Wheat was grown as a test crop and treatments were control, NPK, SDB1% (sawdust biochar), CCB1% (corn cobs biochar), SDB0.5%+CCB0.5%, SDB1% + ½ NPK, CCB1% + ½ NPK. The higher growth, higher grain and dry matter yield were displayed by biochar + NPK. The lowest pH, the higher organic matter, available P and available K were observed in SDB0.5%+CCB0.5%. However, the highest total N (1.43 g kg−1) was by NPK treatment. The biochar increased plant available water contents, water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point, soil porosity and decreased bulk density. The highest stable aggregates were in SDB0.5%+CCB0.5%. Biochar application was found as a useful practice for soil sustainability

Effects of Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn containing an α-amylase trait on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics.

Two experiments evaluated the effects of feeding a new corn hybrid, containing an α-amylase enzyme trait, Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn (SYT-EFC), on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics at two locations. Experiment 1 utilized 300 calffed steers (298.5 ± 16.3 kg of BW) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center Mead, NE. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 + 1–factorial arrangement with factors consisting of 1) corn type (SYT-EFC or conventional [CON]) and 2) byproduct type (with or without Sweet Bran [SB]), or a BLEND of STY-EFC and CON without SB. In Exp. 2, 240 crossbred, calf-fed steers (287.6 ± 15.4 kg of BW) were utilized at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center near Scottsbluff, NE. Steers were fed SYT-EFC, CON, BLEND, or CON with a commercial α-amylase enzyme supplement (CON-E). In Exp. 1, there was an interaction for ADG (P = 0.05) and G:F (P = 0.02). Steers fed SYT-EFC with SB had greater ADG and G:F than CON; however, in diets without SB, SYT-EFC and CON were not different resulting in a 10.1% change in G:F when steers were fed SYT-EFC in SB compared with CON and only 1.6% change between SYT-EFC and CON without SB. Energy values, based on performance data, resulted in a 6.5% and 8.3% change in NEm and NEg, respectively, for steers fed SYT-EFC and CON with SB and 1.6% change for both NEm and NEg for steers fed SYT-EFC and CON without SB. For the main effect of corn trait, steers fed SYT-EFC had greater marbling scores, fat depth, and calculated yield grade compared with CON (P ≤ 0.03). In diets without SB, there was no difference between SYT-EFC, CON, or BLEND for DMI, final BW, ADG, G:F, NEm, or NEg (P ≥ 0.35). In Exp. 2, cattle fed SYT-EFC, BLEND, or CON-E had greater final BW, ADG, and G:F than cattle fed CON (P ≤ 0.03). On average, NEm and NEg were 4.9% and 7.0% greater, respectively, for steers fed amylase enzyme treatments compared with CON (P ≤ 0.01). Hot carcass weights were greater in steers fed α-amylase treatments compared with CON (P < 0.01). Feeding Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn, which contains an α-amylase enzyme trait, at both locations improved feed efficiency in finishing cattle diets containing WDGS or SB.

63 Late-Breaking: Fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of silage from Enogen® Feed Corn,

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate Enogen Feed Corn (EFC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC) as silage. Experiment 1 was a 2 x 5 factorial in which whole plant EFC or a common forage hybrid (CON) were sealed in plastic barrels (45 kg; 4 replicates) and ensiled for 30, 60, 90, 120, or 240 d. Fresh and ensiled forages were characterized with respect to DM, pH, soluble carbohydrates, and NDF, and concentrations of alcohols, lactate, and VFAs were measured in exudate pressed from forages. Silages were placed loosely into insulated containers, exposed to ambient air, and internal temperatures were recorded for 14 d to assess aerobic stability. EFC produced greater concentrations of acetate than CON (144 vs. 128 mM, P increased to 2⁰C above ambient more quickly than EFC (P freshly chopped forages were sealed in vacuum bags (4 replicates) and ensiled for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8,10, 12, 15, 18, 24, or 30 d. After ensiling, bags were opened, pH measured, and liquid extract characterized as in Exp 1. Lactate increased and pH decreased at a faster rate for EFC compared to CON. Silage produced from EFC ensiled more quickly and had improved aerobic stability compared to CON. Open in a separate window

57 Effects of particle size and heat treatment on in situ and in vitro digestion of dry-rolled Enogen® Feed Corn.

Enogen Feed Corn (EFC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC) has amplified expression of heat-stable amylase. Our objectives were to evaluate impacts of particle size and heat treatment on digestibility of EFC using a 4 x 4 x 3 factorial treatment arrangement. Mill-run corn (CON) and EFC were ground in a Wiley Mill through 9-, 6-, and 4-mm screens. CON and EFC were then blended to produce mixtures of 0, 33.3, 66.7, or 100% EFC. Duplicate samples were heated in a forced-air oven to internal temperatures of 50, 75, or 100oC, and a non-heated control also was used. In situ dry matter disappearance (14 h; ISDMD) was measured in triplicate using 6 fistulated steers. In vitro gas production (IVGP) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles were measured in duplicate after incubating for 24 h at 39oC using fermentation bottles equipped with pressure sensing modules (ANKOM Technology, Macedon, NY). Production of VFA was measured by gas chromatography. There were no 2- or 3-way interactions (P > 0.10). ISDMD, IVGP, and concentrations of propionate and butyrate increased linearly in response to decreasing particle size (P 0.16). ISDMD and IVGP increased linearly in response to increasing proportions of EFC (Table 1), but VFA production was not affected by proportion of EFC. Enogen Feed Corn is more susceptible to degradation by ruminal microbes compared to non-Enogen corn, but absence of a quadratic response suggests that its impact on other dietary components is minimal. Open in a separate window

PSI-27 Feeding corn grain steeped in citric acid modulates rumen fermentation and inflammatory responses in dairy goats.

PSI-27 Feeding corn grain steeped in citric acid modulates rumen fermentation and inflammatory responses in dairy goats.

Environmental Assessment of Amylase Used as Digestibility Improvement Factor for Intensive Chicken Production in Brazil

Industrial enzymes can be used to improve the digestibility of livestock feed components, thereby increasing the nutritional value of the feed, and allowing farmers to change and cost-optimize the feed composition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental impacts of adding a starch-degrading enzyme (amylase) to feed for Brazilian chicken production. A lifecycle assessment covering all significant processes in the value chain as well as all significant impact categories was used as analytical tool. The application of amylase increases the energy value of corn in chicken feed and allows saving of costly fat in the feed. In Brazil, the saved fat is used either for biodiesel production or as a replacement for other fats in cleaning and hygiene products. The study showed that approximately 6% of greenhouse-gas emission from Brazilian chicken production could be avoided using the amylase. Using the amylase increases the contribution to nutrient enrichment by 0.6% when the excess fat is used for biodiesel. The use of amylase has little impact on agricultural land use, water consumption and acidification.

Aplikasi Berbagai Dosis dan Dua Jenis Guano pada Budidaya Tanaman Jagung Pakan (Zea mays. L) di Lahan Podsolik

Corn feed is one animal feed that has many advantages, as corn feed is used for metabolic energy sources. Podsolic land is a land with very low nutrient value. This study aims to (i) determine the effect of various doses, and two types of guano interactions, (ii) determine the effect of various doses of guano, (iii) find out influence of two types of guano, (iv) get the best interaction, (v) get the best dose, (vi) get the best type of guano in the cultivation of corn feed in podsolic land. This research was conducted in Hawang Village, Limpasu District, Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, from March to June 2018. They are using Group Random Design (GRD) Factorial 2 factors. The first factor is various doses of guano with five levels: d1 = 1.5 kg. plot-1, d2 = 3 kg. plot-1, d3 = 4.5 kg. plot-1, d4 = 6 kg. plot-1, d5 = 7.5 kg. plot-1. The second factor is two types of guano with two levels: g1 = bat guano, g2 = swallow guano. The results showed that the interaction between various doses and two types of guano had no effect on growth and yield, except that the effect was very significant on long cob weighted, whereas a single factor of various doses had significant and very real effect on all observation variables and the factor of two types of guano had no effect on all variables. Except for significant effect on plant height growth at the age of 56 HST.

Effects of corn feeding reduced-fat distillers grains with or without monensin on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur utilization and excretion in dairy cows

This study investigated effects of high inclusion of reduced-fat corn distillers grains with solubles (RFDG) with or without monensin on utilization and excretion of dietary N, P, and S. The experiment was conducted for 11 wk (2-wk diet adaptation, 9-wk experimental period of data collection) with 36 Holstein cows in a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked by parity, days in milk, and milk yield and assigned to the following diets: (1) a control diet (CON); (2) CON with RFDG included at 28.8% (dry matter basis) by replacing soybean meal, soyhulls, and supplemental fat and phosphorus (DG); and (3) DG with monensin (Rumensin; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) supplemented at a rate of 20 mg/kg of DM offered (DGMon). Contrasts were used to compare CON versus DG and DG versus DGMon. Inclusion of RFDG at 28.8% of dietary DM replacing mainly soybean meal did not change crude protein content (17.6% on a DM basis) but decreased rumen-degradable protein and increased rumen-undegradable protein. In addition, the DG diets increased P (0.48 vs. 0.36%) and S concentrations (0.41 vs. 0.21%; DM basis) compared with the CON diet. As a result, DG versus CON decreased plasma and milk urea N concentrations and urinary N excretion. However, the increase in P concentration when feeding the DG versus CON diet to lactating cows increased P intake, plasma P concentration, and urinary and fecal P excretion without affecting milk P secretion. Intake of S was greater for cows fed the DG versus CON diet, resulting in greater plasma total S and sulfate concentration and urinary and fecal S excretion. However, milk S secretion was not affected by DG compared with CON. Monensin supplementation to the DG diet did not affect N intake, utilization, and excretion except that apparent N digestibility was lower compared with DG. In addition, feeding the DGMon diet did not affect P and S utilization and excretion compared with DG. The study suggests that inclusion of high RFDG in a ration by replacing mainly soybean meal altered N, P, and S utilization and excretion, but monensin supplementation to a high-RFDG diet, overall, had minimal effects on N, P, and S utilization and excretion in lactating dairy cows.