Dry Matter Degradation Characteristics Research Articles

DRY MATTER DEGRADATION CHA RACTERISTICS OF RICE STOVER WITH DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF Ficus capensis OR Alchornea cordifolia IN RUMEN FISTULATED SHEEP, GOATS OR CATTLE

Rumen dry matter degradation characteristics (soluble fraction, degradable fraction, rate of degradation and effective degradability) of leaves of two browse species (Alchornea cordifolia, Ficus capensis) and rice stover and their varying proportions (10, 20 or 30% of each browse: crop residue mixture) were evaluated in rumen fistulated West African Dwarf sheep and goats and Bunaji cattle. The forages differed (P<0.05) in soluble fraction (a) rate of degradation (c) and effective degradability (ED) but did not differ in the degradable fraction (b). Rice stover bad the highest rate of degradation and F. capensis the least. Effective degradability (ED) was highest in cattle followed by sheep and goats with a high degree of correlation among them. The inclusion of the different proportions of browse in the mixtures show some significance in a, b and ED (P<0.05). Mixture had a depressive effect on the soluble fraction of the feeds in rice stover: A. cordifolia mixtures. Degradable fraction differed mainly in F. capensis mixtures. The rate of degradation was affected mainly in sheep and cattle among the feeds in rice stover: F. capensis mixtures. The different mixtures influenced effective degradability. As with the sole feeds, ED was highest in cattle, followed by sheep and goats.

Effects of feeding systems on rumen environment, degradability and passage kinetics in Ankole × Friesian crossbred steers

Natural pastures constitute a large proportion of the feed resource base for meat and milk production in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is increasing use of agro-industrial by-products, especially those that are cereal-based as supplementary feedstuff to grazing animals and in diets under semi-intensive and intensive production systems. This study evaluated the influence of feeding systems on rumen environment, degradability and passage kinetics. Six Ankole x Friesian F1 crossbred steers weighing 339 ± 29 kg (about two years of age), each fitted with permanent rumen cannula were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design (ns = 2). Two steers were allocated per period to one of three feeding systems i.e. (1) sole grazing (control), (2) control plus concentrate supplement (composition g/kg DM: 375 maize bran, 559 brewer's spent grain, 62.5 molasses and 3.75 NaCl), and (3) feedlot systems where steers were fed total mixed ration (TMR) comprising g/kg DM: 200 maize stover, 300 maize bran, 447 brewers’ spent grain, 50 molasses and 3 NaCl. Data was collected on rumen pH, ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids (VFA) and degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Rumen pH was lowest (P < 0.001) at feedlot (5.3) but highest (P < 0.001) under sole grazing (6.2). Rumen NH3-N ranged between 62.8 and 120 mg/l and was higher (P < 0.001) in sole grazing than in grazing but supplemented steers and those at the feedlot. Total VFA concentration for sole grazing steers (124 mmol/Mol) was higher (P < 0.05) than values observed under feedlot (102 mmol/Mol) while grazing but supplemented steers showed an intermediate value (108 mmol/Mol), not differing significantly from the two other systems. Molar proportion of acetate was higher (P < 0.001) in grazing steers compared to values for either grazing but supplemented or those under feedlot while the reverse was true for propionate. The degradation characteristics of DM, CP and NDF were generally higher in sole grazing steers. Although, in most cases, the influence of feeding system on degradability was dependent on the type of feedstuff, feeding systems did not influence total mean retention time. The high extent of DM, CP and fiber degradation in grazing steers compared to supplemented and feedlot steers demonstrates that forage diversity under grazing positively influences degradability. However, attention to the nature and fermentation characteristics of proteins and carbohydrate sources and how they modify rumen environment in different production systems is needed to improve utilization of supplements and TMR.

Determining Chemical Composition and Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Different Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Lines Straw

This study aimed to identfy chemical composition, ruminal degradation characeristics and metabolizable energy (ME) content of five different chickpea line and a check cultivar’s straw using nylon bag technique. Feed samples were incubated as three replicates of each fistulated Holstein heifer for 0, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. Degradation characteristics of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in rumen were determined by using this mathematical expression D=a+b(1-e-ct). Crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ash contents of straw were ranged from 5.61 to 7.42%, 51.33 to 56.0%, 63.67 to 67.0%, and 8.0 to 9.0% respectively. Besides Rapidly soluble fraction (a), potantial degradability (a+b) and effective dry matter degradability (EDDM ) were ranged from 17.86 to 21.41, 54.40 to 59.43, 49.65 to 54.91% respectively. Estimated ME of chickpea entries straw were ranged from 5.96 to 7.37 MJ/kg. Metabolizable energy content of control chickpea cultivar was significantly higher than the other chickpea straw of lines. The research values of ME revealed that significant differences were determined among the lines in terms of energy content. In addition to, a strong relationship between straw NDF level and ME content were determined.

In situ ruminal degradation characteristics of dry matter and crude protein from dried corn, high-protein corn, and wheat distillers grains.

BackgroundThe continuing growth of the ethanol industry has generated large amounts of various distillers grains co-products. These are characterized by a wide variation in chemical composition and ruminal degradability. Therefore, their precise formulation in the ruminant diet requires the systematic evaluation of their degradation profiles in the rumen.MethodsThree distillers grains plus soluble co-products (DDGS) namely, corn DDGS, high-protein corn DDGS (HP-DDGS), and wheat DDGS, were subjected to an in situ trial to determine the degradation kinetics of the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). Soybean meal (SBM), a feed with highly degradable protein in the rumen, was included as the fourth feed. The four feeds were incubated in duplicate at each time point in the rumen of three ruminally cannulated Hanwoo cattle for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h.ResultsWheat DDGS had the highest filterable and soluble A fraction of its DM (37.2 %), but the lowest degradable B (49.5 %; P < 0.001) and an undegradable C fraction (13.3 %; P < 0.001). The filterable and soluble A fraction of CP was greatest with wheat DDGS, intermediate with corn DDGS, and lowest with HP-DDGS and SBM; however, the undegradable C fraction of CP was the greatest with HP-DDGS (41.2 %), intermediate with corn DDGS (2.7 %), and lowest with wheat DDGS and SMB (average 4.3 %). The degradation rate of degradable B fraction (% h−1) was ranked from highest to lowest as follows for 1) DM: SBM (13.3), wheat DDGS (9.1), and corn DDGS and HP-DDGS (average 5.2); 2) CP: SBM (17.6), wheat DDGS (11.6), and corn DDGS and HP-DDGS (average 4.4). The in situ effective degradability of CP, assuming a passage rate of 0.06 h−1, was the highest (P < 0.001) for SBM (73.9 %) and wheat DDGS (71.2 %), intermediate for corn DDGS (42.5 %), and the lowest for HP-DDGS (28.6 %), which suggests that corn DDGS and HP-DDGS are a good source of undegraded intake protein for ruminants.ConclusionsThis study provided a comparative estimate of ruminal DM and CP degradation characteristics for three DDGS co-products and SBM, which might be useful for their inclusion in the diet according to the ruminally undegraded to degraded intake protein ratio.

Variation between individual cows in in situ rumen degradation characteristics of maize and grass silages

Different numbers of animals have been used in different studies to cover the variation between individual animals in in situ rumen degradation characteristics of maize and grass silages. The objective of this study was to determine whether three cows are sufficient or not to cover the variation between individual cows in in situ rumen degradation characteristics of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), starch and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) for maize and grass silages. Fifteen maize and 15 grass silage samples, with a broad range in chemical composition, were selected. The maize and grass silage samples were incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 72 and 336h, using the nylon bag technique. Three cows were used for nylon bag incubation of maize silages and three other cows for grass silages. The variation between individual cows was found significant (P<0.05) for degradation rate (kd) of DM, OM and CP, and the effective rumen degradation (ED) of DM and CP of maize silages whereas non-significant (P>0.05) differences were found for all other parameters of DM, OM, CP, starch and NDF. The variation between individual cows was found non-significant (P>0.05) for rumen undegradable fraction (U), potentially rumen degradable fraction (D), kd and ED of DM, OM, CP and NDF of grass silages. The results of this study indicate that the use of three cows for nylon bag incubations of grass silages is sufficient whereas the use of three cows for nylon bag incubations of maize silages is not sufficient to cover variation between the individual cows.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Supplementation and Anhydrous Ammonia Treatment of Wheat Straw on In-situ Degradability and, Rumen Fermentation and Growth Performance of Yearling Lambs.

The effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation (6.6×108 cfu) and anhydrous ammonia treatment (3%) of wheat straw (WS) were investigated on in-situ dry matter (DM) degradability, and on rumen fermentation and growth performance of lambs. Rumen-fistulated Menemen sheep fed a diet with and without live yeast were used to assess the DM degradability characteristics of WS and ammonia-treated wheat straw (WSNH3). Twenty-six yearling Menemen male lambs were fed in four groups. Lambs of control group (WS) received untreated WS without supplemental yeast, whereas other three groups were fed WS treated with anhydrous ammonia (WSNH3 group), untreated WS and yeast (WS+YEAST group) or WS treated with anhydrous ammonia and yeast (WSNH3+YEAST group). Supplemented live yeast (4 g/d) was added in the diet. Lambs were offered untreated or ammonia treated WS ad-libitum and concentrate was fed at 1% of live body weight. The degradability of the water-insoluble (fraction B) was significantly increased by all of the treatment groups. Potential degradability (A+B), effective DM degradability’s (pe2, pe5, and pe8) and average daily weight gain increased only in WSNH3+YEAST group (p<0.05). Voluntary DM intake was not increased by the treatments (p>0.05), but voluntary metabolizable energy and crude protein intake were increased by WSNH3 and by WSNH3+YEAST (p<0.05). Average daily rumen pH was not affected by any of the treatments, but average daily NH3-N was significantly higher in the WSNH3 and WSNH3+YEAST groups, and total volatile fatty acids were significantly higher in the WS+YEAST and WSNH3+YEAST groups. In conclusion, the improvement of feed value of WS was better by the combination of ammonia-treatment and yeast supplementation compared to either treatment alone.

Relationship between chemical composition and in situ rumen degradation characteristics of grass silages in dairy cows

The DVE/OEB2010 system in the Netherlands uses a large database of in situ rumen incubations with grass silage and grass hay samples to derive prediction formulas to estimate the rumen degradation characteristics of a number of feed value parameters. These in situ rumen incubations were not performed for this specific purpose and the data were generated at different research institutes over more than 40 years, using different grass management and fertilization practices and using different protocols. The objectives of this study were to 1) generate a new database on the rumen degradability of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of grass silages, 2) compare this new database with the old database used in the DVE/OEB2010 system, and 3) derive regression equations using the new database to investigate the relationships between chemical composition and in situ ruminal degradation characteristics of DM, OM, CP and NDF of the grass silages. Sixty nine grass silages, with a broad range in chemical composition and quality parameters, were selected and incubated using the nylon bag technique in the rumen of three lactating Holstein Friesian cows for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 72 and 336h. There was a large range in the rumen degradable fractions of DM, OM, CP and NDF of the grass silages at each rumen incubation period. The data on the rumen degradation characteristics of DM, OM, CP and NDF in the present study were determined using the same standard incubation protocol, the same cows, and the same chemical analysis procedures for all the grass silage samples. Regression analysis, using the new database, showed relationships between the washable (W) fraction, rumen undegradable (U) fraction, potentially rumen degradable (D) fraction and effective rumen degradation (ED) of DM, OM, CP and NDF, respectively, and the chemical composition of the grass silages.

Mineral Concentrations and Rumen Degradability of Biodegraded &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Enterolobium cyclocarpum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Jacq) and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pterocarpus santalinoides&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (L’Her) with &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Aspergillus niger&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

The effects of solid state fermentation on the mineral concentrations and in sacco degradation characteristics of dry matter in two multipurpose tree leaves was investigated. Biodegraded Enterolobium cyclocarpum (EC) and Pterocarpus santalinoides (PS) leaves were previously inoculated with Aspergillus niger and incubated at 30&degC for five incubation periods (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days). After each incubation period, samples were oven dried at 60&degC, allowed to cool and ground for mineral analysis and in sacco dry matter degradability. Three fistulated West African Dwarf (WAD) rams (Ovis aries) were then used for the dry matter degradability. Five grams of each sample was emptied into nylon bag (Polymon, Switzeland) with pore size of 4 μ and effective size of 5 cm × 18 cm and incubated in the rumen of the fistulated animals for 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The results showed that the mineral contents of biodegraded EC samples were affected by incubation period. Mean values of Ca, Cu, K, Na, and Zn were significantly increased (0.05), while mean values of Fe, Mg, and Mn were first reduced before significantly increasing (0.05). However, the composition of P showed significant reduction (0.05) up to day 28 where no change was observed. Mineral concentrations in biodegraded PS were also affected by incubation periods. Values of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn were significantly increased (0.05). However values of Cu, and Fe only increased after day 14, while the value of P was reduced significantly over the different incubation periods. Potential degradability (PD) for biodegraded EC was highest at day 0 (50.79%) but not significantly different from potential degradability of longer incubation periods to day 28 (48.68%). PS had higher PD than EC. In spite of high PD values, PS comparatively degraded faster than EC. Effective degradability (ED) for EC was highest for day28 (36.71%) and not significantly different from days 21 (34.83%) and 7 (35.29%) but significantly different from days 0 (31.32%) and 14 (31.75%) respectively. However, the ED for PS was highest for day 0 (31.39) samples and significantly differed from other incubation periods, further increase in period only showed lower but similar ED values for days 7 (27.52%), 14 (26.76%), 21 (27.42%) and 28 (26.86%) respectively. In this study, the continued reduction in P concentrations in both biodegraded EC and PS suggest that Aspergillus niger has preferential demand for P and in sacco degradation showed increase in PD and ED values for fungal biodegraded EC and reduction in PS, suggesting improved quality of EC.

Relationship between chemical composition and in situ rumen degradation characteristics of maize silages in dairy cows

Several in situ studies have been conducted on maize silages to determine the effect of individual factors such as maturity stage, chop length and ensiling of maize crop on the rumen degradation but the information on the relationship between chemical composition and in situ rumen degradation characteristics remains scarce. The objectives of this study were to determine and describe relationships between the chemical composition and the rumen degradation characteristics of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, starch and aNDFom (NDF assayed with a heat stable amylase and expressed exclusive of residual ash) of maize silages. In all, 75 maize silage samples were selected, with a broad range in chemical composition and quality parameters. The samples were incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 72 and 336 h, using the nylon bag technique. Large range was found in the rumen degradable fractions of DM, OM, CP, starch and aNDFom because of the broad range in chemical composition and quality parameters. The new database with in situ rumen degradation characteristics of DM, OM, CP, starch and aNDFom of the maize silages was obtained under uniform experimental conditions; same cows, same incubation protocol and same chemical analysis procedures. Regression equations were developed with significant predictors (P<0.05) describing moderate and weak relationships between the chemical composition and the washout fraction, rumen undegradable fraction, potentially rumen degradable fraction, fractional degradation rate and effective rumen degradable fraction of DM, OM, CP, starch and aNDFom.

Chemical composition and dry matter degradation characteristics of multi-purpose trees and shrubs in the humid lowlands of southeastern Nigeria

Twenty weeks forage re-growth from 20 multipurpose trees and shrubs (MPTS) species (Albizia ferruginea, Albizia gummifera, Albizia niopoides, Berlinia grandiflora, Bauhimia monandra, Dialium guineense, Dalbergia sissoo, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Leucaena leucocephala, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Milletia griffoneanus, Milletia thoningii, Napoliana imperialis, Parkia bicolor, Pterocarpus santalinoides, Senna spectabilis, Treculia africana, Terminalia superba, Tetrapluera tetraptera and Xylia xylocarpa) were investigated for their feed value. The MPTS were grown on an ultisol in southeastern Nigeria and were subjected to proximate analyses, nylon bag degradability studies and cluster analysis. Among species, crude protein (CP) ranged from 104 g kg−1 DM in P. bicolor to 205 g kg−1 DM in A. gummifera, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ranged from 498 g kg−1 DM in L. leucocephala to 771 g kg−1 DM in L. sericeus, acid detergent fibre (ADF) ranged from 303 g kg−1 DM in T. superba to 661 g kg−1 DM in L. sericeus, acid detergent lignin (ADL) ranged from 75 g kg−1 DM in T. superba to 305 g kg−1 DM in L. sericeus. Also, ADF-ash ranged from 0.78 g kg−1 DM in E. cyclocarpum to 15.58 g kg−1 DM in D. guineense. Except E. cyclocarpum and S. spectabilis, the remaining 18 MPTS studied had effective degradabilities (ED) less than 500 g kg−1 DM effective degradability. Eight MPTS (A. ferruginea, A. niopoides, B. monandra, D. sissoo, E. cyclocarpum, L. leucocephala, S. spectabilis, T. superba) were classified as high quality, another eight (A. gummifera, B. grandiflora, L. sericeus, N. imperialis, P. bicolor, P. santalinoides, T. tetraptera and X. xylocarpa) as medium quality while, the remaining four (D. guineensis, M. griffoneanus, M. thoningii, T. africana) fell into the low quality class based on their nutrient composition and ruminal DM degradability. The results indicate that most of the MPTS could be used as good quality feed for small ruminants in Nigeria.

&lt;i&gt;In situ&lt;/i&gt; degradability of soyabean meal treated with &lt;i&gt;Acacia saligna&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Atriplex halimus&lt;/i&gt; extracts in sheep

1. In situ ruminal degradation characteristics of dry matter and crude protein from dried corn, high-protein corn, and wheat distillers grains Y. H. Lee, F. Ahmadi, D. Y. Choi, W. S. Kwak Journal of Animal Science and Technology CrossRef

Utilization of stover from six improved dual-purpose Groundnut(&lt;i&gt;arachis hypogaea l.&lt;/i&gt;) Cultivars by West African dwarf sheep

The study was set up to evaluate fodder from six dual-purpose groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars for animal performance and rumen dry matter (DM) degradability characteristics. Thirty-six West African dwarf (WAD) sheep were used to evaluate the utilization of groundnut stover from six improved dual-purpose cultivars (M170-80I; M554-76; M572-80I; RMP-12; UGA-2; UGA-5) as sole diets over 70 d. Rumen DM degradability characteristics were studied using four WAD sheep in a completely randomized design. Dry matter, crude protein (CP), neutraldetergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and metabolisable energy (ME) contents were similar while, cultivar RMP-12 recorded the highest (P < 0.05) hemicellulose (64 g/kg DM and cellulose (396 g/kg DM) contents. Organic matter (58.1 to 71.9 g/kg metabolic weight (W0.75)/d) and NDF (32 to 41 g/kg W0.75/d) intake were significantly different (P < 0.05). The digestibility of DM (508 to 623 g/kg DM), OM (498 to 626 g/kg DM) and CP (488 to 588 g/kg DM)differed (P < 0.05). Similarly, NDF digestibility (488 to 635 g/kg DM) and ADF digestibility (406 to 572 g/kg DM) were significantly different (P < 0.05). Nitrogen balance (3.0±0.98 g/d) was similar (P > 0.05) among cultivars, whereas available protein ranged (P < 0.05) from 2.5 g d-1 for RMP-12 to 29.0 g d-1 for M170-80I. Liveweight changes (LWC) varied between 6 g/d weight loss by sheep on UGA-2 fodder and 46 g/d in M170-80I. Soluble fraction (a) differed significantly (P < 0.05)ranging between 197 and 351 g/kg DM, while degradable fraction (b) and rate of degradation of b (c) were not significantly different. The 48-h degradation (501 to 596 g/kg DM), potential degradability; PD (584 to 687 g/kg DM) and effective degradability; ED (415 to 489 g/kg DM) varied (P < 0.05). Groundnut stover could be fed as sole diets or supplements to WAD sheep, and the cultivars ranked in decreasing order of stover quality as: M170-80I > UGA-5 > M572-80I = UGA-2 > 50 RMP-12 > M554-76. While sole-feeding groundnut has been illustrated to result in improvedweight gain in WAD sheep, it might also be economical to use the fodder as a supplement.

Chemical composition and in sacco degradability of four varieties of cassava leaves grown in Southwestern Nigeria in the rumen of sheep

The nutritive value of leaves of four varieties of cassava (MS 6, TMS 30555, Idileruwa and TMS 30572) were studied through analysis of their chemical components and degradability of their dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in the rumen of sheep. Results of the chemical analyses showed that the leaves of the four varieties contained different proportions of organic matter which was significantly (P < 0.05) highest in TMS 30572 with value of 935 g/kg DM, while CP (gram per kilogramme DM) was significantly highest in TMS 30555 (240), followed by MS 6 (235), TMS 30572 (208) and least in Idileruwa (177). Mean metabolisable energy (megajoules per kilogramme DM) was significantly (P < 0.05) highest in TMS 30572 (8.2) and similar with Idileruwa (8.0) but different from TMS 30555 and MS 6, respectively (7.8 and 7.6). The mineral contents (gram per kilogramme DM) showed that leaves of MS 6 and Idileruwa had the highest concentrations of K (2.86) and a significantly lowest value (1.83) in TMS 30555. Also, the highest concentration of Ca and Fe (6.81 and 6.23) was recorded in MS 6. The highest Ca:P of 3.20 was obtained in TMS 30555. DM degradation characteristics and effective degradability varied significantly (P < 0.05) and were consistently highest in TMS 30572. The washing loss (a) ranged from 15.9% in MS 6 to 21.3% in TMS 30572. TMS 30572 tended to have higher (P = 0.546) insoluble but fermentable fraction (b) than all other varieties. Moreover, the potential degradability (a + b) tended to be higher (P = 0.041) in TMS 30572 (69.5%) followed by TMS 30555 (67.1%) and the lowest was in Idileruwa (42.7%). The highest effective degradability was recorded in TMS 30572 (63.9%) and the lowest in Idileruwa (40.7%). The degradation rate constants (c) of Idileruwa was significantly higher (P = 0.001) than those of MS6, TMS 30555 and TMS 30572. The results generally indicated that the leaves could be ranked for their potential feeding value as TMS 30572 (71.5%) > MS6 (65.8%) > Idileruwa (63.0%) > TMS 30555 (50.4%). It is therefore concluded from this study that leaves of TMS 30572 and MS 6 have good potential as feed resources for ruminant animals and could be used in ruminant feeding as protein source ingredient.

Effect of feeding level on dry matter degradation characteristics of canola meal and soybean meal

Effect of feeding level on dry matter degradation characteristics of canola meal and soybean meal

Variety diversity effect on the chemical composition and dry matter degradation characteristics of residue and by‐products of oil palm fruits

The materials palm press fibre (PPF), palm calyx (PCL) and palm oil sludge (POS) obtained from three varieties of oil palm: dura, oleifera and tenera were investigated for the effect of variety on their nutritive value. Analysis of proximate composition, cell wall fractions, some mineral concentration as well as in-situ dry matter degradation in the rumen of steers were carried out. Significant effects of materials (i.e. PPF, PCL and POS) as well as variety (i.e. dura, oleifera and tenera) were noticed in all the parameters studied except sodium (Na) and organic matter (OM) components. Crude protein (CP) values in all the varieties were lowest in PCL (3.15-5.48%) and highest in POS (9.02-10.02%), while crude fibre (CF) values were highest in PCL (33.00-46.19%) and lowest in POS (3.15-5.48%). The upper and lower values respectively for CP and CF in the materials were in most cases for the tenera variety. The cell wall fractions (NDF, ADF, Lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose) were all higher in PCL and lowest in POS. In the three varieties, POS had highest concentration of Mg (0.117-0.231 g/100 g), K (1.21-2.33 g/100 g) and Cu (75.07-87.34 mg/kg) but lowest content of Ca (0.016-0.089 g/100 g) while PPF had lowest concentration of Mg (0.031-0.039 g/100 g) and Cu (20.96-22.28 mg/kg). Iron (Fe, mg/kg) values were generally high, but highest in PCL (2015.41-4042.16). Dry matter degradability and effective degradability values were best in POS irrespective of the variety and least in PCL. Among the three varieties, dry matter degradation characteristics of tenera were the best and oleifera the least. Generally the residue and by-products irrespective of the variety of oil palm they are obtained from can be ranked for their nutritive value as POS > PPF > PCL, while nutritive ranking based on variety is tenera > dura > oleifera. Conclusively, POS and PPF from any variety of oil palm could be adopted directly as feed resources for ruminant livestock, while PCL will require hydrolytic nutritive value enhancement treatment. Ruminant livestock will however be at an advantage if materials from tenera variety are fed.

Chemical composition and in sacco dry matter degradability of residue and by‐products of palm fruit processing in the rumen of steers

ABSTRACTThe nutritive value of residue (palm calyx leaves (PCL)) and by‐products (palm press fiber (PPF) and palm oil sludge (POS)) of palm fruit processing were studied through analysis of their chemical components and degradability of their dry matter (DM) in the rumen of steers. Chemical analysis showed that the materials have similar organic matter components (mean = 95.2%), while crude protein (CP, g/100 g) and metabolisable energy (ME, MJ/kg DM) were highest in POS (10.02 and 9.43), followed by PPF (7.02 and 8.61) and least in PCL (5.42 and 8.04). An opposite trend of CP and ME was noticed in NDF and ADF contents, being 61.53 and 49.11% in PCL, 44.84 and 32.08% in PPF and 25.35 and 20.29% in POS. Mineral contents showed that PPF and POS had the lowest and highest concentration, respectively, of Mg (0.07 vs. 0.11%), Cu (58.5 vs. 143.9 mg/kg) and Fe (1374.5 vs. 4086.0 mg/kg). Dry matter degradation characteristics and effective degradability varied significantly (P &lt; 0.05) and were consistently highest in POS and least in PCL. Results have generally shown that the residue and by‐products could be ranked for their potential feeding value as POS &gt; PPF &gt; PCL. It is concluded that POS and PPF can be harnessed directly as feed resources for ruminant animals, while PCL will require some treatments to enhance its nutritive value in ruminants.

Effect of heat treatment on &lt;i&gt;in situ&lt;/i&gt; rumen degradability and &lt;i&gt;in vitro &lt;/i&gt;gas production of full-fat soyabeans and soyabean meal

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the heat treatment of full-fat soyabean (FFSB) and solvent extracted soyabean meal (SBM) on the in situ dry matter (DM) and protein degradability, and in vitro gas production kinetics of the protein sources. Ruminal disappearance of DM and crude protein (CP), and in vitro gas production were determined after 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h incubation using the in situ ruminal degradation and in vitro gas production techniques, respectively. In situ DM and CP disappearances were fitted to the exponential equation p = a + b (1-e-ct), where a is the rapid degradable fraction and b is the slow degradable fraction. In vitro gas production data were fitted to the equation, y = A {1 – exp [- b (t-T) – c (&#8730;t - &#8730;T)]}. Where b and c are the initial gas production rate constant (h-1) and later gas production rate constant (h-1/2), respectively. The two protein sources were heat treated both with steam pressure in an autoclave at 120 °C and in an oven at 150 °C for 20 min. Heat treatment had a significant effect on effective DM degradability (EDMD), effective CP degradability (ECPD) and in vitro gas production. Although the heat treatments reduced the EDMD, ECPD and the amount of gas produced, the results were inconsistent between protein sources. The heat treatments applied in the autoclave and the oven reduced the ECPD0.02 of FFSB by 12.5% and 10.9%, respectively. On the other hand, heat treatment applied through the autoclave decreased the ECPD0.02 of SBM by 13.9%, but by 18.7% when heat was applied through the oven. Heat treatment of SBM using the oven seemed to be more effective than using autoclaving. Heat treatments in the autoclave and oven reduced the total gas production from FFSB by 7.25 and 7.32%, respectively, and from SBM by 12.69 and 7.91%, respectively. It was concluded that heat treatment is an effective method of altering the rumen degradation characteristics of DM and CP in SBM and FFSB. Both methods could be used to increase the proportion of the rumen non-degradable protein fraction in protein sources which would then reach the small intestines unaffected by ruminal fermentation. Keywords: Full-fat soyabean; soyabean meal; heat treatment; in situ protein degradation; in vitro gas production South African Journal of Animal Sciences Vol. 35 (3) 2005: pp.186-194

Rumen degradation characteristics of sweet potato foliage and performance by local and crossbred calves fed milk and foliage from three cultivars

The study investigated rumen dry matter (DM) degradability characteristics in a completely randomized design and the effects of milk, sweet potato foliage (SPF) from three cultivars (A = TIS-87/0087; B = TIS-8164; C = TIS-2532.OP.1.13), dried brewers' grains (DBG) and cottonseed meal (CSM) as supplements to Panicum maximum (Panicum) for pre-weaned calves in randomized complete block designs. Diet 1 = milk + SPF-A foliage + Panicum, Diet 2 = milk + SPF-B foliage + Panicum, Diet 3 = milk + SPF-C foliage + Panicum, and Diet 4 = milk + DBG & CSM + Panicum (as control). Dry matter (130 ± 0.4 to 864 ± 3.9 g kg − 1 ), ash (54 ± 4.2 to 173 ± 2.8 g kg − 1 DM), OM (827 ± 4.2 to 946 ± 5.7 g kg − 1 DM), N (7.4 ± 0.6 to 38.6 ± 1.4 g kg − 1 DM), and NDF (439 ± 1.4 to 774 ± 8.5 g kg − 1 DM) contents were highly significant ( P < 0.01). In Trial I, 16 pre-weaned calves were used over 70 d with milk intake (34.8 ± 4.4 ml kg W − 0.75 d − 1 ), Panicum DMI (22.3 ± 2.77 g kg W − 0.75 d − 1 ), total DMI (35.7 ± 2.83 g kg W − 0.75 d − 1 ), and LWG (198 ± 44.6 g d − 1 ) not significantly different ( P > 0.05). Supplement DMI varied ( P < 0.05) from 11.6 g kg W − 0.75 d − 1 in Diet 3 to 16.6 g kg W − 0.75 d − 1 in Diet 4. In Trial II, 16 pre-weaned local and crossbred calves were involved over 77 d with initial age of calves, Panicum intake, metabolic DMI, and LWG similar ( P > 0.05) among crosses. Birthweight varied ( P < 0.05) from 17.3 kg for N'Dama × Jersey crosses to 21.2 kg for White Fulani × Brown Swiss crosses. Supplement and total DMI ranged ( P < 0.05) from 172 to 483 g d − 1 for N'Dama × Jersey crosses to 233 and 674 g d − 1 for non-inseminate or purebred calves, respectively. The LWG in the White Fulani × Brown Swiss and the N'Dama × Jersey calves were respectively 30% and 24% better, though not significantly, than purebred calves. In Trial III, rumen DM degradability characteristics of feeds in three N'Dama steers showed no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in slowly degradable fraction ( b) and rate of degradation of b ( c). Soluble fraction ( a), 48-h degradation, potential degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED) varied significantly ( P < 0.05) and were lowest in Panicum, but similar for foliage among the three sweet potato cultivars. Panicum fodder showed improvements in degradation characteristics with supplementation.

Sweet potato and Green panic as sole fodder for stall-fed lactating White Fulani cows and growing calves

Three sweet potato varieties (TIS-87/ 0087; TIS-8164; TIS-2532.OP.1.13) and Green panic (Panicum maximum) were evaluated for forage quality in a completely randomized design (CRD) using 12 sole-fed lactating White Fulani cows for 21 days, and 12 growing White Fulani and White Fulani x Brown Swiss calves for 77 days. Dry matter intake of cows ranged (p<0.05) between 131 g/Wkg(0.734) in TIS-87/0087 and 152 g/Wkg(0.734) in TIS-8164. Daily milk yields increased (p<0.05) in TIS-87/0087 (2%) and TIS-8164 (5%), but decreased in TIS-2532.OP.1.13 (5%) and Green panic (19%). Mean (+/-SEM) milk total solids (13.16+/-0.05 g/100 g), ash (0.78+/-0.01 g/100 g), protein (3.79+/-0.07 g/100 g), fat (3.98+/-0.06 g/100 g), and lactose (4.62+/-0.14 g/100 g) were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. The White Fulani x Brown Swiss calves recorded about 10, 25 and 29% higher birthweight, milk intake and bodyweight gains respectively, but about 3% lower dry matter intake than the purebred White Fulani calves. The rumen degradation rates were similar (p>0.05), while the rest rumen dry matter degradation characteristics were lowest (p< 0.05) for Green panic. Sweet potato forage could be used as sole feed or supplement for dry-season Green panic.

Fodder and tuber yields, and fodder quality of sweet potato cultivars at different maturity stages in the West African humid forest and savanna zones

A 2-year study was conducted in the West African humid forest and southern Guinea savanna zones to determine fodder and tuber yields, fodder crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre concentrations, and dry matter (DM) degradation characteristics of 18 sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas) cultivars harvested at 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks after planting (WAP). Significant (P<0.05) differences were found in fodder and tuber yields, and fodder CP and DM degradation characteristics among cultivars. Fodder yields showed both linear and non-linear trends, whilst tuber yields increased linearly in response to increasing WAP. The average CP, degradable fraction, rate of degradation, and effective degradability were relatively higher when the fodder was harvested at 12 WAP than at 20 WAP. In terms of fodder and tuber yields, and fodder quality attributes, cultivars TIS-8470, TIS-8164, TIS-87/0087, and TIS-82/0070.OP.120 could be classified to have high potential for both fodder and tuber production in both zones, whilst cultivars TIS-2534, GR-1-9-5, and TIS-82/0270.OP.13 showed low potential. The promising cultivars could be harvested between 12 and 16 WAP in the savanna zone, and 20 WAP in the humid forest zone to maximize yields of tuber and quality of fodder.