Ruminant Diets Research Articles

Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Acceptability of Graded Levels of Ensiled Cabbage Waste and Wheat Offals as Ruminants’ Supplemental Diet

Animal nutritionists are now searching for new non-traditional feed sources to enhance ruminants’ diets due to price increases and the unavailability of some unconventional feed ingredients. In a Completely Randomized Design, wheat offal was substituted with cabbage waste silage in diets 1 to 5 at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%, respectively for 30 days to assess the physicochemical characteristics and acceptability of the new diets by Yankasa rams. Temperatures of 29.00 ± 0.14 and 28.05 ± 0.78 °C, respectively, were noticeably lower in diets 4 and 5. Diets 4 (4.26) and 5 (4.38) considerably lowered (P > 0.05) the pH. All of the diets had good silages based on color, smell, and texture, with diet 5 having a firm and wet texture. Diets 4 and 5 had sweet aromatic odour. With increasing the amount of cabbage waste in the silage, the dry matter dropped, going from 80.11 to 46.88% in diets 1 and 5, respectively. Diet 4’s lowest CP of 12.68%, is sufficient for ruminant feeding. In diet 4, the values of crude fiber and ether extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Although there were substantial differences (P < 0.05) in each diet’s fiber content, the NDF, ADF, and ADL all fell within the acceptable range for excellent silage. All the silages made in diets 1 to 5 were acceptable by Yankasa rams, but diet 5 ranked highest in terms of coefficient of preference (CoP). According to all findings, cabbage waste could be a valuable silage additive in ruminants’ diets. Wheat offal can be replaced by cabbage waste up to 30% and 40% in the diet of ruminants with good silage formation and better CoP.

Effects of graded levels of dietary pomegranate peel on methane and nitrogen losses, and metabolic and health indicators in dairy cows

This study aimed to quantify the effects of dietary inclusion of tannin-rich pomegranate peel (PP) on intake, methane and nitrogen (N) losses, and metabolic and health indicators in dairy cows. Four multiparous, late-lactating Brown Swiss dairy cows (796 kg body weight; 29 kg/d of energy corrected milk yield) were randomly allocated to 3 treatments in a randomized cyclic change-over design with 3 periods, each comprising 14 d of adaptation, 7 d of milk, urine, and feces collection, and 2 d of methane measurements. Treatments were formulated using PP that replaced on a dry matter (DM) basis 0% (control), 5%, and 10% of the basal mixed ration (BMR) consisting of corn and grass silage, alfalfa, and concentrate. Gaseous exchange of the cows was determined in open-circuit respiration chambers. Blood samples were collected on d 15 of each period. Individual feed intake as well as feces and urine excretion were quantified, and representative samples were collected for analyses of nutrients and phenol composition. Milk was analyzed for concentrations of fat, protein, lactose, milk urea N, and fatty acids. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity in milk and plasma were determined. In serum, the concentrations of urea and bilirubin as well as the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyl transferase were measured. The data were subjected to ANOVA with the Mixed procedure of SAS, with treatment and period as fixed and animal as random effects. The PP and BMR contained 218 and 3.5 g of total extractable tannins per kg DM, respectively, and thereof 203 and 3.3 g of hydrolyzable tannins. Total DM intake, energy corrected milk, and methane emission (total, yield, and intensity) were not affected by PP supplementation. The proportions of C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 in milk increased linearly as the amount of PP was increased in the diet. Milk urea N, blood urea N, and urinary N excretion decreased linearly with the increase in dietary PP content. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity in milk and plasma were not affected by the inclusion of PP. The activity of ALT increased in a linear manner with the inclusion of PP. In conclusion, replacing up to 10% of BMR with PP improved milk fatty acid composition and alleviated metabolic and environmental N load. However, the elevated serum ALT activity indicates an onset of liver stress even at 5% PP, requiring the development of adaptation protocols for safe inclusion of PP in ruminant diets.

Effect of technical cashew nut shell liquid on growth, physicochemical and fatty acid composition of lamb meat

The cashew nut shell liquid is one natural antioxidant rich in phenolic lipids, and when detoxified (technical CNSL or tCNSL), it can be added as a natural antioxidant and energy source in the diets of ruminants. The tCNSL was added to the lambs' diet replacing ground corn to evaluate its effect on meat quality. A total of 40 Dorper × Santa Inês crossbred male lambs with a mean age of five months and initial body weight of 27.0 ± 0.5 kg were distributed in a randomized blocks design with four treatments [tCNSL inclusion at 0 (control), 0.75; 1.5 % and 2.25 % in dry matter (DM)] with 10 lambs per treatment. The tCNSL showed high (P < 0.05) antioxidant activity. Adding the tCNSL in lamb diet up to 1.5 % of DM improved the DMI, energy intake and growth performance of the lambs (P ≤ 0.05). The redness coloration and saturation index, the concentrations of vaccenic acid and the sum of trans-fatty acids of the meat increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) by tCNSL inclusion in lamb diets. The lamb meat concentrations of oleic and rumenic acid ∑MUFAcis and ∑MUFA/∑SFA ratio reduced linearly (P ≤ 0.05), and hypocholesterolemic and hypercolesterolemic (h: H) ratio tended to be linearly reduced (P ≤ 0.10) due tCNSL diets inclusion. The inclusion of tCNSL in lamb diets did not affect (P > 0.05) the total fatty acids intake, feeding efficiency, meat quality parameters, such as pH, cooking loss, color indexes lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*), water holding capacity (WHC) and shear force (WBSF) and chemical composition (moisture, dry matter and crude ash). The tCNSL feed supplements are an alternative to synthetic additives in the lamb diet. Dietary tCNSL supplementation at 0.75 % in the diet of lambs, replacing ground corn, improves DMI, energy intake, performance, and meat coloration. In addition, the inclusion of the tCNSL changes the profile of fatty acids in meat because it increases vaccenic acid and consequently ∑MUFAtrans, and reduces ∑MUFAcis, h:H index and ∑MUFA of meat of the lamb.

Potential Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Tannin-Rich Forage on Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Production, Defaunation and Rumen Function.

This experiment evaluated the effect of including Acacia mearnsii leaves in a high-fiber diet (corn stover), on ruminal degradation kinetics, digestibility, microbial biomass production, and gas, CH4, and CO2 production. Four experimental diets were tested, including a control with 100% corn stover (T1), and three additional diets with corn stover supplemented at 15% A. mearnsii leaves (T2), 30% A. mearnsii leaves (T3) and 45% of A. mearnsii leaves (T4). The highest dry matter in situ degradation (p ≤ 0.001) and in vitro digestibility (p ≤ 0.001) was found in T1 (80.6 and 53.4%, respectively) and T2 (76.4 and 49.6%, respectively) diets. A higher population of holotrich and entodiniomorph ruminal protozoa was found (p = 0.0001) in T1 at 12 and 24 h. Diets of T1 and T2 promoted a higher (p = 0.0001) microbial protein production (314.5 and 321.1 mg/0.5 g DM, respectively). Furthermore, a lower amount of CH4 was found (p < 0.05) with T2, T3 and T4. It is concluded that it is possible to supplement up to 15% of A. mearnsii leaves (30.5 g TC/kg DM) in ruminant's diets. This decreased the population of protozoa (holotrich and entodiniomorph) as well as the CH4 production by 35.8 and 18.5%, respectively, without generating adverse effects on the ruminal degradation kinetics, nutrient digestibility and microbial protein production.

Effectiveness of herbal plants on rumen fermentation, methane gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and population of protozoa.

Herbal plants have the potential to reduce the population of metagonic bacteria and protozoa due to the bioactive compound contained in herbal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics, methane (CH4) gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and protozoan populations. This study consisted of two stages. Stage I involved determining the potential of herbal plants to increase total gas production (Orskov and McDonald methods) and reduce the protozoan population (Hristov method). Three potential herbs were selected at this stage and used in Stage II as supplements in the palm kernel cake (PKC)-based diet (30% herbal plants + 70% PKC). Proximate and Van Soest analyses were used to determine the chemical composition. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD), and rumen fermentation characteristics were determined using Theodorous method. Conway microdiffusion was used to determine ammonia concentration (NH3). Gas chromatography was used to determine the total and partial volatile fatty acid production. The results of the first stage showed that seven herbal plants (Moringa oleifera, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Clerodendron serratum, Curcuma longa Linn., Urena lobata, Uncaria, and Parkia timoriana) significantly differed in terms of total gas production (p < 0.05). Herbal plants can increase gas production and reduce protozoan populations. The highest total gas production was observed using P. timoriana, M. oleifera, and C. longa Linn. Moringa oleifera plants were the most effective in lowering protozoa population. In Stage 2, the supplementation of herbal plants in PKC-based-diet significantly increased IVDMD, that was ranged from 56.72% to 65.77%, IVOMD that was ranged from 52.10% to 59.54%, and NH3, that was ranged from 13.20 mM to 17.91 mM. Volatile fatty acid partial and total gas production potential and CH4 gas emissions were also significantly different from those of the control (p < 0.05). Supplementation of M. oleifera, C. longa Linn., and P. timoriana in ruminant diet effectively increased total gas production, IVDMD percentage, and IVOMD, and reduced CH4 gas emissions and protozoa populations during rumen fermentation.

O10 Tithonia diversifolia as unconventional roughage source for ruminant diets reduces in vitro gas production

O10 Tithonia diversifolia as unconventional roughage source for ruminant diets reduces in vitro gas production

Beneficial impacts of biochar as a potential feed additive in animal husbandry

In the last decade, biochar production and use have grown in popularity. Biochar is comparable to charcoal and activated charcoal because it is a pyrogenic carbonaceous matter made by pyrolyzing organic carbon-rich materials. There is a lack of research into the effects of adding biochar to animal feed. Based on the reviewed literature, including its impact on the adsorption of toxins, blood biochemistry, feed conversion rate, digestion, meat quality, and greenhouse gas emissions, adding biochar to the diet of farm animals is a good idea. This study compiles the most important research on biochar's potential as a supplement to the diets of ruminants (including cows and goats), swine, poultry, and aquatic organisms like fish. Biochar supplementation improves animal growth, haematological profiles, meat, milk and egg yield, resistance to illnesses (especially gut pathogenic bacteria), and reduced ruminant methane emission. Biochar's strong sorption capacity also helps efficiently remove contaminants and poisons from the animals' bodies and the farm surroundings where they are raised. Animal farmers are predicted to make greater use of biochar in the future. Biochar could potentially be of value in the healthcare and human health fields; hence research into this area is encouraged. The present review highlights the potential benefits of biochar as an additive to animal feed and demonstrates how, when combined with other environmentally friendly practices, biochar feeding can extend the longevity of animal husbandry.

Assessing the impact of essential oil blends as antibiotic alternatives on nutritional and metabolic parameters in non-forage-based diet-fed Nellore steers

Essential oils (EO) are antimicrobials with the potential to replace conventional ones in ruminant diets. Despite the advantage of the EO serving markets that prohibit antibiotics in animal nutrition, the results that prove their effectiveness vary with the type of EO, dose, diet, etc. This study aimed to assess the effects of a blend of essential oil, based on cinnamaldehyde and diallyl disulfide, associated or not with antibiotics on nutritional and metabolic parameters for feedlot Nellore steers fed non-forage-based diet. Five Nellore steers were distributed in a 5×5 simple Latin square design. The treatments assessed were a basal no-roughage diet with the inclusion of monensin (MON), monensin + virginiamycin (MV), monensin + blend of EO (MEO25), monensin + blend of EO (MEO35), and a blend of essential oil (EO). Feed, orts, feces, ruminal fluid, blood, and urine samples were utilized to assess the intake, digestibility, ruminal pH, ruminal NH3, nitrogen balance, microbial nitrogen synthesis, fecal cortisol metabolites, blood glucose, and D and L-lactate. No difference (P &gt; 0.05) has been observed in additives in intake, nutrient digestibility, and ingestive behavior. There was a trend (P = 0.0553) of the effect of additives on ruminal pH, and the MV presented the highest value. No difference (P &gt; 0.05) for the ruminal NH3, microbial N synthesis, and nitrogen balance concentration was also verified. The blood glucose and blood lactate concentration were not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by additives. The blend of essential oils based on cinnamaldehyde and diallyl disulfide could then be indicated in replacement or association with antibiotics in a non-forage-based diet for Nellore steers.

Effects of extruded urea levels on the productive performance and carcass and meat characteristics of Nellore cattle.

Because the non-protein nitrogen sources can be an option for a ruminant diet to replace true-protein sources, we hypothesized that using extruded urea in increasing levels by reducing soybean meal in the diet can maintain or improve the productive performance of beef cattle in a feedlot. It was aimed to evaluate the effects of extruded urea levels on the productive performance and carcass and meat characteristics of Nellore steers in feedlot. Twenty-four Nellore steers, with an average age of 22months and an average initial weight of 333.5kg, were used. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments: 50, 60, 70, and 80g/100kg BW of extruded urea. There was no effect of extruded urea levels on nutrient intake. The final weight and average daily gain were adjusted by a quadratic equation, with maximum estimated values of 479.18kg and 1.02kg/day with the inclusion of 59.71, 54.14, and 54.16g/100kg BW of extruded urea, respectively. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of extruded urea levels on hot carcass weight (233.3kg), carcass yield (53.2%), ribeye area (72.7 cm2), and subcutaneous fat thickness (5.3mm). Likewise, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of extruded urea levels on meat chemical composition, shear force (8.9 KgF), cooking losses (28.2%), pH (5.6), and meat color parameters. We recommended the use of 70g/100kg BW of extruded urea in the diet for finishing Nellore steers in confinement.

Evaluation of the red seaweed Mazzaella japonica as a feed additive for beef cattle

Supplementing ruminant diets with macroalgae is gaining interest globally because bromoform-containing seaweeds (e.g., Asparagopsis spp.) have been shown to be highly effective enteric methane (CH4) inhibitors. Some alternative seaweeds decrease in vitro CH4 production, but few have been evaluated in animals. This study examined the effects of including the red seaweed Mazzaella japonica in the diet of beef cattle on dry matter intake (DMI), rumen fermentation, digestibility, nitrogen (N) utilization, and enteric CH4 production. Six ruminally cannulated, mature beef heifers (824 ± 47.1 kg) were used in a double 3 × 3 Latin square with 35-d periods. The basal diet consisted of 52% barley silage, 44% barley straw, and 4% vitamin and mineral supplement [dry matter (DM) basis]. The treatments were (DM basis): 0% (control), 1%, and 2% M. japonica. The DMI increased quadratically (P = 0.025) with the inclusion of M. japonica, such that the DMI of heifers consuming 1% was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than that of control heifers. The apparent total-tract digestibility of DM decreased linearly (P = 0.002) with the inclusion of M. japonica, but there were no treatment differences in the digestibility of organic matter, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber, or starch. The level of M. japonica linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.001) increased the N intake of the heifers. Fecal N excretion linearly increased (P = 0.020) with M. japonica, but there were no differences in total urinary N excretion, N fractions (allantoin, uric acid), total purine derivatives, microbial purine derivatives absorbed, microbial N flow, or retained N. There were no treatment effects on rumen pH or total volatile fatty acids (VFAs); however, adding M. japonica to the diet quadratically (P = 0.023) decreased the proportion of acetate, whereas 1% inclusion decreased the acetate proportion. Methane production (g/day) decreased quadratically (P = 0.037), such that the heifers receiving 2% M. japonica produced 9.2% less CH4 than control animals; however, CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) did not differ among treatments. We conclude that supplementing a forage-based diet with up to 2% M. japonica failed to lower the enteric CH4 yield of beef heifers. M. japonica can be used in diets to help meet the CP requirements of cattle, but inclusion rates may be limited by high inorganic matter proportions. When comprising up to 2% of the diet, M. japonica cannot be recommended as a CH4 inhibitor for beef cattle fed on high-forage diets.

Chemical Characterization and In Vitro Gas Production Kinetics of Alternative Feed Resources for Small Ruminants in the Maltese Islands.

The ever-increasing human population, the problem associated with climate change and recent crises-COVID-19 disease and trade conflicts-all impacted on the availability and cost of animal feed raw materials. This is clearly visible in realities which heavily rely on importation such as islands and small states, where producers involved in the agricultural sector were strongly affected by the sharp increase in prices. To deal with these global issues, alternative resources are perceived to replace conventional ingredients. This work aimed at assessing the nutritive value of different resources (sheep feed, mature carob, Maltese bread, wild asparagus, prickly lettuce, and loquat) for small ruminants present in the Maltese Islands, analyzing their chemical composition, gas production kinetics and antioxidant properties. In general, the variation in chemical composition resulted in different rumen fermentation kinetics (p < 0.007). The ratio between GP-24 h and GP-48 h was higher in Maltese bread than other substrates; loquat, prickly lettuce and wild asparagus showed lower fermentation kinetics in accordance with their high NDF and ADF contents. The antioxidant activity may be partially related to the polyphenolic content that was higher in wild asparagus, prickly lettuce and loquat. All feed characteristic confirmed their potential to be included as ingredients in ruminant diets and as a source of fiber.

The effect of various additives on the microbiota of ruminant rumen and the course of metabolic processes in the rumen &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; studies

Relevance. In an in vitro study, changes in the taxonomic scar and the course of fermentation processes in response to the addition of various lipid additives to the ruminant diet were studied.Methods. Three samples were formed: control — without the addition of oil, the experimental ones were supplemented with sunflower oil (3%) (I) and soy (3%) (II). The object of the study is the scar content obtained from Kazakh white-headed bulls with chronic scar fistula (n = 3) by the Latin square method. Studies of the digestibility of SV were carried out using the incubator «ANKOM DaisyII» according to a specialized technique. Laboratory studies: the level of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the contents of the scar was determined by gas chromatography on a gas chromatograph «Crystallux-4000M», determination of nitrogen forms according — to GOST 26180-84. Microbial biodiversity of the rumen contents was carried out using MiSeq («Illumina», USA) by the new generation sequencing method (NGS) with a set of reagents MiSeq® Reagent Kit v3 (600 cycle).Results. The addition of oils had a stimulating effect on the digestibility of SV feed in the rumen, increasing this indicator by 2.7%. Compared with the control, the addition of oil reduced the concentration of total and protein nitrogen in the scar content, while the content of non-protein nitrogen increased (by 5.4%) when using sunflower and (by 7.8%) soybean oil. The additional inclusion of oils showed an increase in the level of acetic and butyric acids, respectively: in the group using sunflower oil — by 46.8% and 55.6%, in the group with soybean oil — by 51.5% and 60.5% relative to the control. The additional inclusion of sunflower oil in the diet showed a change in the number of microorganisms in the RYE, but the qualitative composition of the microbiota relative to the control group did not change significantly.

Nutritional compositions of Katuk leaves and their supplementation to hays of different quality: an in vitro study

AbstractKatuk leaves (Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.; KL) are widely consumed by breast-feeding Indonesian mothers as it has been reported to increase breast milk production. It is hypothesized that supplementing KL in diets might increase crude protein (CP) concentration and fibre digestibility in the diet. The KL had high CP and non-fibre carbohydrate concentrations (333 and 332 g/kg dry matter; DM, respectively), but low neutral detergent fibre assayed with heat, a stable amylase and expressed exclusive of residual ash (aNDFom; 200 g/kg DM). Fibre digestibility linearly increased with increasing of KL supplementation in low-quality hay (LQH) diets. The KL did not contain a considerable amount of tannins. In LQH diets, gas production after 24 h incubation (GP24) linearly increased with increasing of KL supplementation (P &lt; 0.001). Meanwhile, GP24 linearly decreased with increasing of KL supplementation in medium- and high-quality hays (MQH and HQH; P &lt; 0.001). Metabolizable energy tended to linearly increase in LQH diets, but tended to linearly decrease with increasing of KL supplementation in MQH and HQH diets (P = 0.078). Therefore, this study suggested that KL can be a potential supplement in the ruminant diet due to its abundant dietary proteins but low fibre concentration in its leaves. However, further studies (e.g. in vitro or in vivo) investigating other rumen parameters after incubation should be performed to validate how KL can be supplemented in the diet of ruminant livestock.

Ensiling Typha (Typha latifolia) Forage with Different Additives for Ruminant Feeding: In Vitro Studies

Typha is a wild plant with invasive growth that causes environmental problems in different areas worldwide. This study investigated the ensiling potential of typha (Typha latifolia) to be preserved and used for ruminant feeding. Four silage treatments were evaluated: typha with no additives (CON); with formic acid (FA; 4 mL/kg); with urea and molasses (UM; 19 and 24 g/kg, respectively); and with formic acid, urea, and molasses (FAUM; all at previous concentrations). Three bags of each silage were prepared and stored for 4 months before being analysed and fermented in vitro with ruminal fluid from sheep. All of the silages were well preserved, and their pH was greater (p &lt; 0.05) for UM and FAUM (8.50 and 7.70, respectively) compared with CON and FA (5.39 and 4.75). The high concentrations of volatile fatty acid and ammonia−nitrogen in the UM and FAUM silages indicated undesirable fermentations and precluded their use in practice. However, neither CON nor FA silages improved the in vitro ruminal degradability of pre-ensiling typha (61.7, 58.2, and 65.2%, respectively), which was lower than that of a medium-quality triticale hay (68.0%). The results indicate that typha silage could replace low-quality forages in ruminant diets, being adequate especially for low-producing animals or for those under maintenance conditions. More studies with different doses of additives are needed to identify the optimal conditions for ensiling typha and increasing its nutritive value.

NAUKOWE I PRAKTYCZNE ASPEKTY WYKORZYSTANIA PRO-, PRE- I SYNBIOTYKÓW W ZYWIENIU PRZE ˙ ZUWACZY NA TLE BADA ˙ N PROWADZONYCH NA UKRAINIE

The review article provides up-to-date scientific information on the characteristics, classification and mechanisms of biological action of pro-, pre- and synbiotics in the digestive tract of ruminants. The literature sources of recent years on the influence of pro-, pre- and synbiotic supplements (when adding them to the diets of ruminants) on the metabolic processes in the body, intensity of growth, development and the quality of products obtained from domestic ruminant animals are systematized and analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the degree of metabolic and productive action of these diet supplements in ruminants is determined primarily by the qualitative composition, technology of production, method of storage and quantity added to fodder. It is noted that the main mechanism of pro-, pre- and synbiotics action when entering the digestive tract of ruminant animals is optimizing the composition of its microflora, strengthening the barrier functions of the rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum and intestine, as well as activation of interferon synthesis by blood leukocytes, stimulation of digestive functions and strengthening immune status. Also it is stated that the use of these fodder additives in the diet optimizes the quantitative and qualitative composition of the symbiotic microbiota of the digestive tract, has an immunostimulatory effect, activates metabolic processes and improves the productive qualities of ruminants.

100 Methane Production in Roughage-Lacking Diets Containing Ionized Amino Acids as Antibiotic Alternative

Abstract The use of antibiotics in animal feed, commonly used as a strategy to achieve greater daily weight gains and recently as way to reduce methane emission, might result in the selection of resistant microorganisms and certain bacterial strains isolated from cattle are resistant to multiple antibiotics and could be human health hazards. To evaluate methane production in ruminant diet without roughage containing ionized amino acids as antibiotic alternative, twenty-four Nellore young bulls were allotted into two groups. The first group was fed with high-grain diet without roughage and without antibiotics diet, containing 82 mg/kg of ionized amino acids mixture (L-lysine and L-taurine HCl 99%, pH 9.74) manufactured by MJ Animal Nutrition. The second group was fed with high-grain diet containing Brachiaria brizantha hay (15% dry matter) and sodium monensin (120 mgּּ animal -1 ּּ day-1). It was not used a negative control group to avoid metabolic disturbances. The feedlot time was 100 days. The weight measurements were performed at the beginning of the trial period and monthly, always with water restriction and fasting for 18 hours, even before slaughter. A completely randomized design was used. Methane emission was measured using the sulfur hexafluoride technique and daily dry matter intake were measured in GrowSafe system. There was no detection of lameness or laminitis in any groups and there were no changes in feed conversion ratio (FCR). The total methane emission (-77.11%) and the methane emission per dry matter intake (DMI; -57.12 %), per average daily weight gain (ADG; -71.11%) and per kilogram of carcass (-70.07%) were different between treatments (P &amp;lt; 0.0001), resulting in decreased emission intensities for group fed without roughage with diet containing ionized amino acids. We conclude that fed without roughage with diet containing ionized amino acids was an effective strategy as an antibiotic alternative, mitigate GHG emissions and facilitate feedlot diets management. In field conditions, the roughage-lacking diets represent advantage, especially regarding its administration to a large amount of the animals just once a week or less, no need area, infra-structure and expertise to produce, preserve and feeding roughage.

Estimation of rumen undegradable starch from chemical composition in the feeds of ruminants

In ruminant diets, rumen undegradable starch (RUS) contributes to maintaining rumen health by maximizing post-ruminal starch absorption. This present study aimed to estimate dietary RUS values from their chemical composition. The database was developed from some literature search engines and obtained 41 studies from 17 references. The chemical composition of ash, dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), organic matter (OM), starch, and rumen undegradable starch (RUS) was included into the database. Pearson correlation analysis was employed in order to establish the relationship between chemical composition with RUS of feedstuff. The chemical composition with significant correlation (P<0.05) was used to estimate RUS using multiple linear regression. The RUS estimate equation was validated by calculating the root mean square error (RMSE) and plotting the RUS estimated and observed. As a result, RUS was significantly correlated with CP, NDF, ADF, and starch. The equation for estimate RUS was: RUS = 29.814 – 3.148 CP – 0.208 NDF – 0.396 ADF + 0.418 Starch. It is concluded that rumen undegradable starch (RUS) can be accurately estimated from the chemical composition of feedstuff.

Sharpening the mesowear tool: geometric morphometric analysis of cusp shape and diet in ruminants

Mesowear is a dietary proxy that relates attritive wear and abrasive wear to the shape of worn tooth cusps of ungulates. Traditional mesowear methods categorize cusps according to relief and sharpness. A geometric morphometric approach has the potential to measure shape with higher precision and to discover unrecognized aspects of cusp shape, possibly improving the efficacy of mesowear. We quantified mesowear in extant Ruminantia, using a 2-D semilandmark outline technique on upper second molar metacones generated from photographs. Among the 91 species sampled, 65 were preassigned to dietary categories, browser, grazer, mixed feeder, and frugivore based on substantiated documentation of diet in the wildlife literature. Metacone cusp shape and metacone mesowear score were found to be independent of size. Principal component and discriminant function analyses of Procrustes transformed semilandmark coordinates revealed two diet-related components of cusp shape. The primary component is related to the traditional mesowear variables of cusp height and side steepness. The secondary shape component reveals variation in the mesiodistal symmetry of the metacone and may relate to a proal vector during the power stroke phase or the relative orientation of the cusps with respect to the chewing stroke vector. Discriminant function analysis of semilandmark data accurately classified the diets of species more frequently (67.2%) than the traditional mesowear method (56.1%). The semilandmark data successfully recognized the diets of grazing and browsing species with correct classification rates ranging from 69% to 95%. The diets of frugivorous and mixed feeding species were less frequently correctly recognized (33%–53%). Mixed feeding diets may be more difficult to recognize due to more heterogeneous diets when compared to browsers and grazers. Frugivores are more difficult to recognize because their rounded cusp apices resemble those of mixed feeders and grazers. We conclude that quantitative shape analysis improves the potential of mesowear. When used as a dietary proxy, we anticipate that mesowear analysis will correctly categorize the diets of most species. When misclassifications are made, they may most often be misclassifications of generalist mixed feeders and frugivores as either browsers or grazers.

In situ ruminal degradability of forage cactus-based diets associated with pornunça silage

The knowledge of ruminal degradation kinetics of forage cactus-based diets associated with Euphorbiaceae species of the genus Manihot assist in understanding nutrient quality and use, contributing to the indication of combinations of these ingredients in ruminant diets. This study aimed to evaluate the in situ ruminal degradability of diets with increasing association of forage cactus Elephant Ear (MEE) and pornunça (Manihot sp.) silage, as well as to analyze and evaluate the indigestible neutral detergent fiber (FDNi) content of forage cactus MEE and pornunça silage. The treatments consisted of diets with cactus pear associated with pornunça silage in the roughage portion in the proportions of 375, 250, 125 and 0 g kg-1 of DM. The feed was composed of 50% roughage and 50% concentrate of dry matter. Incubation times of 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144 hours were evaluated for the ingredients and 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours for the diets. Incubation to obtain the iNDF was given for 288 hours. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with three replications. Regarding roughage ingredients, MEE showed higher average disappearance, potential degradability (PD), and effective degradability (ED) in relation to pornunça silage, as well as lower NDFi content. The proportion of 375 g kg-1 MEE and 125 g kg-1 pornunça silage provided higher fractions a, b, and c, increasing ED considering the three passage rates, with higher PD. In conclusion, the association between MEE and pornunça silage at a proportion of 375 g kg-1 MEE and125g kg-1 pornunça silage of the roughage portion increases the in situ degradability of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber.

In Vitro Degradability and Methane Production from By-Products Fed to Ruminants

The feasibility of unconventional feed for ruminants must be analyzed for appropriate use as sources of energy or protein that contribute to a sustainable production system addressing concerns about climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and food security. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of by-products including bean residue (BR), bean straw (BS), cassava bagasse (CB), corn straw (CS), orange bagasse (OB), peanut shell (PS), sugarcane bagasse (SB), soybean hull (SH), and sugarcane straw (SS). Chemical composition, in vitro degradability, and fermentative parameters were analyzed and subjected to multivariate and principal component analyses. Crude protein content was highly variable among by-products with BR and SH presenting the highest values (p &lt; 0.001). These values did not differ between BR and SH, while the lowest values were observed in OB, PS, SB, SS, CS, and CB. Neutral detergent fiber content was higher in SB, PS, CS, and SS (p &lt; 0.001), while greater in vitro degradability was found for CB, BR, OB, BS, and SH (p &lt; 0.001). However, the in vitro gas production (p &lt; 0.001) and total short-chain fatty acid concentration (p &lt; 0.001) were higher in CB, BR, BS, and OB. Multivariate cluster analysis showed three distinct groups with the most degradable in group 1 followed by group 2. These results demonstrate that the by-products used in this study did not impair in vitro fermentation, and thus have the potential to be used in the diets of ruminants and to improve the sustainability of the livestock production sector.