Dietary Crude Protein Content Research Articles

Comparison of Soybean‐Based Practical Diets Containing 32, 36, or 40% Crude Protein Fed to Hybrid Striped Bass in Earthen Culture Ponds

AbstractThree practical diets were formulated for hybrid striped bass (striped bass Morone saxatilis × white bass M. chrysops) grow out. The diets were formulated to contain 32, 36, or 40% crude protein and high levels of soybean meal and met the established or predicted essential amino acid requirements for this hybrid. All diets were extruded by a commercial feed mill. Diets were fed to fish in triplicate ponds for two growing seasons. Mean final weight, consumption, feed conversion ratio, and final standing crop were not significantly affected by the dietary crude protein concentration. Feed consumption appeared to be related to water temperature, maximum values occurring between 17°C and 27°C. Expenditures related to feed, labor, fingerlings, and electricity for agitation were the largest contributors to the cost of production. Based on these data, optimal dietary crude protein concentrations for hybrid striped bass grow out in earthen culture ponds do not appear to be greater than 32% when fish are fed practical diets containing high levels of soybean meal.

Predicting Diet Quality of Donkeys via Fecal-NIRS Calibrations

Abstract Successful applications of fecal-near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (fecal-NIRS) techniques have been reported for ruminant animals. Information on the ability of fecal-NIRS to characterize diet quality in equines is lacking. The objective of these studies was to determine the potential of fecal-NIRS to predict diet quality of free-grazing equines. Two independent in vivo feeding trials, one in Texas (United States) and one in Kenya, were conducted to generate paired samples of diet chemistry:fecal spectrum (D:F). Using 20 female donkeys ( Equus asinus ), 14 (10 US, 4 Kenya) in vivo pen feeding trials were conducted to generate 140 (100 US, 40 Kenya) D:F paired samples. Over 25 species of forage and crop residues ranging from 3.3% to 21.4% crude protein (CP) were used to blend unique diets. Three CP predictive equations based on paired samples from US alone, Kenya alone, US + Kenya combined, and one predictive equation for digestible organic matter (DOM) from US alone were developed. The standard errors of calibration (SEC) and R 2 values were 0.77 and 0.97, 0.97 and 0.95, and 0.88 and 0.90, respectively, for the US, US + Kenya, and Kenya CP equations. The US DOM equation resulted in an SEC of 2.58 with a corresponding R 2 of 0.60. Validation of the US CP equation using an independent dataset resulted in standard error of prediction (SEP) and R 2 of 1.79 and 0.82, respectively, indicating acceptable predictive ability. The validation results (SEP = 15.56) for the US DOM equation were not satisfactory. We calibrated and validated fecal-NIRS equations to predict the DOM and CP contents of diets for donkeys. Crude protein content of diets was predicted with acceptable levels of accuracy, but prediction of diet digestibility was less successful. The degree of accuracy obtained for CP equations indicated that fecal-NIRS can be considered as a tool for routine nutritional management of donkeys.

Relação lisina digestível: proteína bruta em dietas para frangos de corte no período de 1 a 21 dias de idade. Desempenho e metabolismo

Objetivou-se neste experimento testar diferentes relações lisina digestível:proteína bruta (PB) em dietas para frangos de corte na fase inicial de criação. Utilizou-se um lote misto de 1.800 aves da linhagem Cobb, com um dia de idade. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com um modelo de classificação hierárquica com três níveis de PB e quatro relações lisina digestível:PB. No ensaio de desempenho, as rações foram fornecidas a 30 aves em cada uma das cinco repetições. Aos 21 dias de idade, avaliaram-se consumo de ração, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar. Não houve efeito significativo das diferentes relações dentro dos três níveis de PB. Observou-se comportamento linear do ganho de peso nas relações de lisina dentro dos níveis de 18,5 e 21,5% de PB. A conversão alimentar melhorou linearmente segundo as relações de lisina dentro dos três níveis de PB estudados. O rendimento de carcaça elevou-se linearmente com o aumento das relações no nível de 15,5% de PB, não sendo significativo nos demais níveis. No ensaio de metabolismo, as relações lisina digestível:proteína bruta apresentaram efeito linear sobre a EMAn (21,5% de PB) e excreção de nitrogênio (18,5% de PB) e efeito quadrático sobre a EMAn (15,5 e 18,5% de PB) e o coeficiente de retenção de N (15,5% de PB). Considerando os resultados de ganho de peso, a relação ideal de lisina digestível:proteína bruta na fase inicial foi de 6,8% (18,5% de PB) e 5,9% (21,5% de PB) ou 1,26 e 1,27% de lisina digestível. Os teores de PB das rações para frangos de corte na fase inicial podem ser reduzidos para 18,5%, sem afetar o desempenho das aves, mas reduzindo a excreção de nitrogênio em 24%, desde que as rações sejam suplementadas com aminoácidos sintéticos.

Relationships between dietary factors and milk urea nitrogen level in goats grazing herbaceous pasture

This investigation aimed to individuate the dietary factors affecting the milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration in goats grazing herbaceous pasture and, particularly, to verify the relationship linking the diet crude protein (CP) content to MUN.A total of 205 individual observations regarding dietary and milk variables of 37 Girgentana goats involved in two experiments were used. Goats, averaging 154±14 days in milk and 38.1±5.4 kg of live weight, grazed on swards and received 500 g/d of barley meal. Sward biomass, herbage selected by goats and individual milk yield were measured and sampled weekly. The herbage intake and diet digestibility were estimated by the n-alkane method. Milk urea content was determined by an enzymatic method and transformed in MUN (MUN=urea*0.4665).The MUN concentration (9.7-35.4 mg/dl) was positively correlated with diet CP content (13.7-26.0% of dry matter (DM); r=0.76; P<0.001), pasture allowance (39-151 kg DM/goat; r=0.42; P<0.001), diet net energy for lactation concentration (NEl) (1.5-1.9 Mcal/kg DM; r=0.37; P<0.001) and milk yield (320-2250 g/d; r=0.25; P<0.001), and negatively related with NDF (18.7-37.4% DM; r=-0.69; P<0.001) and diet digestibility (72.6-92.5%; r=-0.33; P< 0.001).The stepwise selection from dietary variables and milk yield showed dietary CP percentage to be the single variable explaining the most variation in MUN (R2=0.56; P< 0.0001). The other variables entering into the model were diet NDF, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), DM intake and NDF intake (total R2=0.66). Including the CP/NEl and CP/NDF ratios of diet in the stepwise regression model, the CP/NDF ratio alone explained 60.1% of MUN variability, followed by barley proportion in the diet, FCM and diet CP concentration, absorbing an extra 4.6% of MUN variability.A linear regression, fitting mean feeding treatment per time data of MUN and dietary CP concentration (n=28)[CP(% of DM)=6.91±1.42+0.61±0.06*MUN (mg/dl); R²=0.79; P<0.0001], suggests that MUN could be used for predicting the CP content of the diet, as a tool for developing feeding strategies aimed at balancing the rations of grazing goats through adequate supplementation. Further data from experiments on grazing goats in different environmental conditions are required in order to define a more robust relationship by which to predict the dietary CP content by MUN.

Prediction of Ammonia Emission from Dairy Cattle Manure Based on Milk Urea Nitrogen: Relation of Milk Urea Nitrogen to Urine Urea Nitrogen Excretion

The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between urinary urea N (UUN) excretion (g/d) and milk urea N (MUN; mg/dL) and to test whether the relationship was affected by stage of lactation and the dietary crude protein (CP) content. Twelve lactating multiparous Holstein cows were randomly selected and blocked into 3 groups of 4 cows intended to represent early [123±26 d in milk (DIM); mean±standard deviation], mid (175±3 DIM), and late (221±12 DIM) lactation stages. Cows within each stage of lactation were randomly assigned to a treatment sequence within a split-plot Latin square balanced for carryover effects. Stage of lactation formed the main plots (squares) and dietary CP levels (15, 17, 19, and 21% of diet dry matter) formed the subplots. Graded amounts of urea were added to the basal total mixed ration to linearly increase dietary CP content while maintaining similar concentrations of all other nutrients among treatments. The experimental periods lasted 7 d, with d 1 to 6 used for adjustment to diets and d 7 used for total collection of urine as well as milk and blood sample collection. Dry matter intake and yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose declined progressively with lactation stage and were unaffected by dietary CP content. Milk and plasma urea-N as well as UUN concentration and excretion increased in response to dietary CP content. Milk and urine urea-N concentration rose at increasing and decreasing rates, respectively, as a function of plasma urea-N. The renal urea-N clearance rate differed among lactation stages and dietary CP contents. The relationship between UUN excretion and MUN differed among lactation stages and diverged from linearity for cows in early and late lactation. However, these differences were restricted to very high MUN concentrations. Milk urea N may be a useful tool to predict the UUN excretion and ultimately NH3 emission from dairy cattle manure.

Optimal dietary protein levels in juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

A study was undertaken to determine the dietary protein level for optimal growth performance and body composition of juvenile Senegalese sole. Five experimental extruded diets were formulated to contain increasing levels of protein [430, 480, 530, 570 and 600 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)] and a constant lipid level, ranging from 100 to 130 g kg−1 DM. Triplicate groups of 35 sole (initial body weight: 11.9 ± 0.5 g) were grown over 84 days in 60-L tanks supplied with recirculated seawater. Fish were fed by means of automatic feeders in eight meals per day. At the start and end of the trial, whole-body samples were withdrawn for proximate composition analysis. At the end of 84 days of experimental feeding, daily weight gain and specific growth rate in fish fed diets P43 and P48 were significantly lower than those found in fish fed higher protein level diets (P53, P57 and P59). Similarly, feed efficiency was also significantly lower in fish fed diet P43 than in fish fed all other dietary treatments. Sole juveniles fed lower protein level diets (P43 and P48) showed a significantly lower protein content than fish fed the higher dietary protein level treatments (P53, P57 and P60). Changes within the tested dietary protein levels did not affect significantly protein productive value or total nitrogen (N) losses in fish. However, daily N gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed diets P53 and P60 than in fish fed the lowest protein level diet (P43). Data from the present study indicate that diets for juvenile Senegalese sole should include at least 53% crude protein to maintain a good overall growth performance. Based on a second-order polynomial regression model, the daily crude protein requirement for maximum whole-body N gain as estimated here for Senegalese sole juveniles was 6.43 g kg−1 body weight day−1 which corresponds to a value of 1.03 g N intake kg−1 body weight day−1. If the present data are expressed on a dietary crude protein concentration basis, the allowance for maximum protein accretion (N gain) would be met by a diet containing a crude protein level of 600 g kg−1.

Effect of Dietary Cation-Anion Difference and Dietary Crude Protein on Milk Yield, Acid-Base Chemistry, and Rumen Fermentation

Eight primiparous lactating Holstein cows (47±10 d in milk) fitted with ruminal cannulae were used to determine the effect of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) and dietary crude protein (CP) concentration on milk yield and composition, acid-base chemistry, and measures of N metabolism in lactating dairy cows. Treatments were arranged as a 2×2 factorial in a randomized complete block design to provide 15 or 17% CP and DCAD of 25 or 50 mEq (Na + K-Cl)/100g of feed dry matter [15 or 39 mEq (Na + K)-(Cl + S)/100g of feed dry matter]. High DCAD improved dry matter intake, milk yield, and concentrations of milk fat and protein. An interaction of DCAD and CP was observed for uric acid excretion, an indicator of microbial protein yield. Uric acid excretion was higher for high DCAD than for low DCAD in low CP diets and was similar for low and high DCAD with high CP. Serum bicarbonate concentration, urinary bicarbonate excretion, blood pH, and serum Na were elevated for high DCAD compared with low DCAD. Fractional excretion of Na, K, Cl, and Ca increased for high DCAD. Blood urea N and urinary urea N were greater for high than for low CP diets. No differences due to DCAD were observed for these parameters. Results of this study suggest that, in early lactation cows, blood acid-base chemistry is altered by differences in DCAD that range between the high and low ends of the desired DCAD range. Modifications of acid-base chemistry and the corresponding changes in protein metabolism may allow for more efficient feeding of protein and better nutritional management of the lactating dairy cow.

Effects of increasing crude protein concentrations on performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing steers and heifers

A 2 × 3 factorial design was utilized to ascertain the effects of three dietary crude protein (CP) concentrations on performance, carcass characteristics, and serum urea nitrogen (SUN) concentration in steers and heifers. Animals were blocked by gender ( n = 9) and body weight (BW; n = 3/gender), randomly assigned to a diet containing 110, 125 or 140 g/kg dietary CP ( n = 6), subjected to a growing period of 56, 84 or 112 d, depending on start BW, and a finishing period of 84 d. Animals were weighed and bled at 28 d intervals and daily dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), and gain to feed (G:F) were calculated and SUN was analyzed as a repeated measure throughout the study. Following slaughter, carcass data was collected for hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percent (DP), kidney, pelvic and heart fat (KPH), 12th rib backfat (BF), loin muscle (LM) area, marbling score (MS), and yield grade (YG). Growing steers and heifers were programmed to gain 1.02 and 0.91 kg/d, respectively. Therefore, heifers consumed less than steers and steers gained more than heifers (P<0.01) with no differences in feed efficiency. Dietary CP treatment did not effect DMI, but did result in a quadratic (P=0.04) increase in ADG; thereby quadratically (P=0.06) and linearly (P=0.08) increasing final BW, and G:F, respectively. Finishing heifers consumed and gained less than steers (P<0.01), had lighter HCW (P<0.01) and greater DP (P=0.01) and LM area (P=0.01) than steers. DMI (P=0.02), ADG (P=0.05), HCW (P=0.08), and DP (P=0.06) reacted quadratically with increasing dietary CP. HCW (P=0.02) increased linearly with increasing dietary CP. G:F, KPH, BF, LM area, MS and YG was not affected by dietary CP concentration and G:F, KPH, BF, MS, and YG did not differ between genders. However, there was a gender × dietary CP interaction (P=0.01) for G:F. Steers were the most efficient at 125 g/kg dietary CP, while heifers were most efficient at 140 g/kg dietary CP. Gender had no effect on SUN concentrations, but SUN increased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing dietary CP concentrations. In conclusion, quadratic responses in DMI and ADG indicate that a 125 g/kg dietary CP concentration is optimal for either steers or heifers during the finishing period.

Effect of Varying Concentrations of Dietary Crude Protein and Metabolizable Energy on Laying Performance of Pearl Grey Guinea Fowl Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate optimum dietary concentrations of ME and CP for egg production performance of the Pearl Gray guinea fowl laying hens. In a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, 360 Pearl Gray guinea fowl replacement pullets (22 wk of age) were randomly assigned to experimental diets with 2,800 and 2,900 kcal of ME/kg of diet, each containing 14, 16, and 18% CP, respectively. Each dietary treatment was replicated 4 times, and feed and water were provided ad libitum. Experimental birds were raised in laying cages and received 16 h of light throughout the study period. The birds were observed for feed consumption, hen-day egg production (HDEP), egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM), feed conversion ratio, internal egg quality, shell thickness (ST), and BW at the end of each 28-d lay period at 26 to 50 wk of age and at 62 to 86 wk of age. Mortality was recorded as it occurred. Mean HDEP, EW, EM, and ST were higher (P < 0.05) in hens receiving diets with 2,800 kcal of ME/kg of feed than those fed diets containing 2,900 kcal of ME/kg of diet. Hens on 14% CP diets also exhibited higher (P < 0.05) HDEP, EM, and ST than those fed diets containing 16 and 18% CP diets. Mean feed conversion ratio of birds on 2,800 kcal of ME/kg of diet and 14% CP diets were significantly lower than those of hens on other dietary treatments. Differences in feed consumption, EW, internal egg quality, BW, and mortality among dietary ME and CP concentrations were not significant (P > 0.05). Overall, diets composed of 2,800 kcal of ME/kg of diet and 14% CP were utilized more efficiently by the Pearl Gray guinea fowl laying hens at 26 to 50 and 62 to 86 wk of age.

Dietary crude protein has minimal effect on the activity of selected enzymes of methionine catabolism in kittens fed diets near‐limiting in methionine*

Previous experiments have shown that increasing the dietary crude protein (CP) of cats does not increase urea cycle enzymes or alanine amino transferase as occurs in rats. Also when an essential amino acid (EAA) is limiting in a diet for growing kittens, the kittens do not exhibit an amino acid imbalance when other EAAs are added to the diet. To study the metabolic basis for these observations which are different from that found in omnivores and herbivores, the hypothesis that increased dietary CP decreases methionine catabolism, so more is spared for growth, was tested. Fifteen male kittens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Each diet contained 2.5 g l-methionine/kg diet and 200, 300 or 500 g CP/kg diet. The livers and kidneys were removed and assayed for methionine transaminase (MTA), cystathionase (CASE) and cystathionine synthase (CS). Free amino acid concentrations were determined in liver, kidney and plasma. The 300 and 500 g CP/kg groups had significantly greater kidney weights and body weight gains than the 200 g CP/kg group. Hepatic MTA activity was lower in the 300 than the 200 or 500 g CP/kg groups (p < 0.05). Renal MTA and CASE activities were 35% and 50% greater, respectively, for the 500 g CP/kg group than for the 200 g CP/kg diet group (p < 0.05). Renal CS activities for the 300 and 500 g CP/kg groups were 29% (p > 0.05) and 38% (p < 0.05) greater, respectively, than the 200 g CP/kg group. Cyst(e)ine concentrations were lower in the livers of the 500 g CP/kg group than the 200 g CP/kg group (p < 0.05). Cystathionine was lower in plasma and kidney from the 500 g CP/kg diet group than from the 200 g CP/kg diet group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the metabolic basis for the increased growth of kittens fed diets marginally limiting in methionine, with increasing concentrations of dietary CP, was not mediated through decreased enzyme activity associated with the catabolism of methionine, but was the result of an increase in food (methionine) intake.

Dietary Cation-Anion Difference and Dietary Protein Effects on Performance and Acid-Base Status of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation

Our objective was to examine the effects of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) with different concentrations of dietary crude protein (CP) on performance and acid-base status in early lactation cows. Six lactating Holstein cows averaging 44 d in milk were used in a 6×6 Latin square design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments: DCAD of −3, 22, or 47 milliequivalents (Na + K–Cl–S)/100g of dry matter (DM), and 16 or 19% CP on a DM basis. Linear increases with DCAD occurred in DM intake, milk fat percentage, 4% fat-corrected milk production, milk true protein, milk lactose, and milk solids-not-fat. Milk production itself was unaffected by DCAD. Jugular venous blood pH, base excess and HCO3− concentration, and urine pH increased, but jugular venous blood Cl− concentration, urine titratable acidity, and net acid excretion decreased linearly with increasing DCAD. An elevated ratio of coccygeal venous plasma essential AA to nonessential AA with increasing DCAD indicated that N metabolism in the rumen was affected, probably resulting in more microbial protein flowing to the small intestine. Cows fed 16% CP had lower urea N in milk than cows fed 19% CP; the same was true for urea N in coccygeal venous plasma and urine. Dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, and acid-base status did not differ between the 16 and 19% CP treatments. It was concluded that DCAD affected DM intake and performance of dairy cows in early lactation. Feeding 16% dietary CP to cows in early lactation, compared with 19% CP, maintained lactation performance while reducing urea N excretion in milk and urine.

Influence of dietary protein on digestive enzyme activity, growth and tail muscle composition in redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein on digestive enzyme profiles, growth and tail muscle composition in the freshwater redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. Crayfish were fed five diets that consisted of a commercial crayfish pellet and experimental diets containing 13%, 18%,25% or 32% crude protein (CP), for a period of 12 weeks. Analysis of digestive enzyme profiles from the midgut gland (MG) revealed a positive correlation between protease, amylase and cellulase activities and dietary protein level. For all treatments, carbohydrase activity levels (cellulase and amylase) were significantly higher than those detected for protease. As dietary protein was elevated, there was a general increase in specific growth rate (SGR), with the highest SGR (0.58 + 0.06) values observed in crayfish fed the diet containing 25% CP. Feed onversion ratio (FCR)ranged between 5.84 and 6.97 and did not differ significantly among the treatment groups including the reference diet, with the exception of the low-protein diet (13% CP) which showed an FCR of 9.31. Finally,regression analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between the level of dietary protein and CP content in the tail muscle (P50.004; r250.99).

Effect of Dietary Cation-Anion Difference and Dietary Crude Protein on Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows During Hot Weather

Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows (225±63 d in milk) were used in a 6-wk trial to determine the effect of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) and dietary crude protein (CP) concentration on milk and component yield, acid-base status, and serum AA concentrations during hot weather. Treatments were arranged as a 2×2 factorial within a randomized complete block design to provide 15 or 17% CP and a DCAD of 25 or 50 mEq (Na + K-Cl)/100g of dry matter (DM). A DCAD×CP interaction was detected for milk yield; milk yield was less for high DCAD than for low DCAD for the high-CP diets. No differences were noted at low dietary CP. Milk fat percentage was greater for high DCAD than for low DCAD, and high-CP diets supported greater milk fat percentage than low-CP diets. No differences were observed among treatments for dry matter intake or milk protein percentage. Serum total AA and essential AA concentrations and ratio of essential AA:total AA were greater for high DCAD. These results suggest that increasing DCAD improves AA availability for protein synthesis by taking the place of AA that would otherwise be used for maintenance of acid-base balance. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind this AA-sparing effect will improve management of protein nutrition in the lactating dairy cow.

Increasing dietary crude protein does not increase the methionine requirement in kittens*†‡

The objective of this study was to determine if the methionine (met) requirement of kittens is correlated with the concentration of dietary crude protein (CP). The study used 48 male kittens in two replications of six 4 x 4 Latin squares, each representing one concentration of met (1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 6.0 or 9.0 g/kg diet) with four CP concentrations (150, 200, 300 and 500 g/kg diet) in 2-week periods. Cystine was present in the lowest CP diet at 5.3 g/kg diet and increased as dietary CP increased. Body weight gain, food intake, nitrogen balance and plasma amino acids, glucose, insulin, cortisol, somatomedin C, T(3) and T(4) concentrations on day 12 were measured. From breakpoint analysis of the nitrogen retention curves, the met requirement of kittens was found to be 3.1, 3.8, 3.1 and 2.4 g met/kg for the 150, 200, 300 and 500 g CP/kg diets, respectively. When met was limiting (1.5 or 2.5 g/kg diet), increasing dietary CP did not decrease, but rather increased food intake, body weight gain and nitrogen retention. Plasma met concentrations increased as dietary met increased and at 2.5-3.5 g met/kg diet were not different among kittens fed the various CP diets. Total plasma T(3) and T(4) increased significantly as dietary CP increased in kittens given the 2.5 and 4.5 g met/kg diets. Results indicate that food intake and possibly altered hormonal secretion play a role in this growth response. In conclusion, the met requirement of growing kittens, unlike omnivores and herbivores studied, was not positively correlated with the concentration of dietary CP.

Effects of Dietary Protein and Starch on Intake, Milk Production, and Milk Fatty Acid Profiles of Dairy Cows Fed Corn Silage-Based Diets

Feed intake, milk production, and milk fatty acid profiles of dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets with different protein and starch concentrations were measured in a 3-period experiment in a changeover design using 12 Holstein cows. Each experimental period lasted for 3 wk. The diet fed as a total mixed ration consisted of 45% corn silage, 5% coarsely chopped wheat straw, and 50% concentrate, on a dry matter (DM) basis. The 4 treatments, formulated to be isoenergetic and to differ in concentrations of dietary crude protein (CP) and starch (DM basis), were as follows: low CP and low starch (LPLS; 14% CP and 15% starch), low CP and high starch (LPHS; 14% CP and 25% starch), high CP and low starch (HPLS; 16% CP and 15% starch), and high CP and high starch (HPHS; 16% CP and 25% starch). The LPLS treatment led to lower DM intake, milk yield, milk protein concentration, and milk lactose yield, probably due to a shortage of both rumen-degradable protein supply to rumen microbes and glucogenic nutrients to the animal. There were no differences between protein-rich diets and LPHS, suggesting that this diet satisfied the rumen-degradable protein requirements of rumen microbes and did not limit feed intake, and the increased supply of glucogenic nutrients spared AA so that the nutrient requirements of mid lactation dairy cows were met. Further increases in CP concentration increased plasma urea concentration and resulted in decreased efficiency of conversion of dietary N into milk N. Milk fatty acid profiles were affected by starch and protein supply, with starch having the largest effect. Additionally, increasing dietary starch concentration decreased the apparent transfer of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids to milk, suggesting an increased channeling of fatty acids to adipose tissue. The results further suggest that C15:0 and C17:0 are synthesized de novo in animal tissues.

The effect of dietary crude protein concentration and inulin supplementation on nitrogen excretion and intestinal microflora from finisher pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was used to investigate the interaction between dietary crude protein (CP) concentration (200 vs 140 g/kg) and inulin supplementation (0 vs 12.5 g/kg) on nitrogen (N) excretion and intestinal microflora from 16 boars (n = 4, 74.0 kg live weight). The diets were formulated to contain similar concentrations of digestible energy and lysine. Pigs offered the high CP diets had a higher excretion of urinary N (P < 0.01), faecal N (P < 0.01) and total N (P < 0.001) than the pigs offered the low CP diets. Inulin supplementation increased faecal N excretion (P < 0.05) and decreased urine: faeces N ratio (P < 0.05) compared to the inulin free diets. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on N retention. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between dietary CP concentration and inulin supplementation on caecal E.coli. Pigs offered the diet containing 200 g/kg CP plus inulin decreased the population of E.coli compared to the inulin supplemented 140 g/kg protein diet. However, CP concentration had no significant effect on the population of E.coli in the unsupplemented diets. Inulin supplementation increased caecal bifidobacteria (P < 0.01) compared to the inulin free diets. In conclusion, inulin supplementation favourably altered N excretion and lowered the population of E.coli at high CP concentrations.

Growth performance and metabolic responses in barrows fed low-protein diets supplemented with essential amino acids

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with Lys, Met, Thr to low-protein diets on growth performance and metabolic responses in growing barrows. Seventy crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshine), with an average initial body weight of 16 kg, were fed diets containing five crude protein (CP) levels (18.2, 16.5, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.6%) and 0.83% true ileal digestible lysine. On d 17 of the trial, all pigs were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter for blood collection. On d 18 and 53, blood samples were obtained at 4 h post feeding. Reducing dietary CP concentration linearly decreased ( P P P P r = 0.76, P r = − 0.64, P r = 0.91, P

Nitrogen efficiency of dairy cows as affected by diet and milk yield

Abstract The aim of this study, which was part of the EU-financed project Life Ammonia, was to evaluate the effects of dietary components and milk production on nitrogen efficiency of dairy cows. The study included examining the effects of decreased crude protein (CP) concentration in a grass-clover silage based diet and results of mixing whole-crop barley silage (WCBS) with grass-clover silage in the diet, on feed intake, milk production and nitrogen efficiency. Rations were formulated and milk production data were registered individually each month for 42 cows of the Swedish Red Cattle breed during four indoor periods from 1999 to 2003. The range in nitrogen efficiency by the cows, 11 to 398 days in milk, was 18 to 40%, when fed a diet containing 135 to 184 g CP/kg DM, 44 to 56% of NDF as rumen degradable fibre (RDF) and milking 13 to 57 kg of ECM daily. The average CP concentration of the diet, containing mainly grass-clover silage and concentrate, was decreased from 168 g/kg DM (170 g in early lactation) in the control treatment period to 160 g/kg DM (163 g in early lactation) during the following treatment period. The CP concentration was 170 g/kg DM (171 g in early lactation) during the third treatment period, when the grass-clover silage was fed in a mixture with WCBS. Using the whole data set ( n = 284 for primiparous, n = 440 for multiparous cows based on measurements each month) resulted in models, in which total DM intake, ECM yield, dietary CP concentration and RDF were the most important factors affecting nitrogen utilisation of primiparous and multiparous cows. Increases in both average DM intake and milk yield by multiparous cows and no changes in average intake and milk yield by primiparous cows fed the low CP diet or the normal CP diet containing WCBS, compared to cows fed the normal CP diet, resulted in similar nitrogen efficiencies among the treatments. Hence, dietary CP concentrations of 160 to 170 g/kg DM can be used for cows in early lactation in commercial herds to improve nitrogen utilisation without causing a simultaneous decrease in milk yield.

Diet Composition of Cattle Grazing Sandhills Range During Spring

The grazing season on upland Sandhills range traditionally begins in mid-May when the dominant warm-season grasses have initiated growth. Initiating grazing earlier would improve efficiency of use of cool-season plants and reduce the time period during which hay is fed. A 2-year study was conducted to determine nutrient and botanical composition of cattle diets when grazing upland Sandhills range during spring. Diets were collected from esophageally-fistulated cows on 10 April, 1 May, and 22 May each year. Concurrently, current-year, and residual herbage was clipped to determine pasture composition and calculate preference indices for the primary plant species and groups. Averaged across dates, needleandthread (Stipa comata Trin. & Rupr.), bluegrasses (Poa spp.), and sedges (Carex spp.) accounted for 19% of the total herbage and 68% of the current-year herbage yield. These species constituted an average of 74% of cow diets. Diet composition of sedges was less on 10 April than on 22 May (P < 0.05), whereas similar amounts of needleandthread and bluegrasses were present on all dates. Preference indices indicated strong selection for species with abundant current-year growth and avoidance of residual herbage. Crude protein content of diets was less on 10 April (10.7%) than on 1 May or 22 May (13.9%, P < 0.05), likely because of a greater amount of residual herbage present in 10 April diets. Overall quality of diets would meet requirements of average spring-calving cows; however, grazing management strategies would need to account for the limited availability of current-year growth during spring, particularly April, to ensure that cattle are meeting their nutrient needs.

Effects of the dietary protein content and the feeding level on protein and energy metabolism in Iberian pigs growing from 50 to 100 kg body weight

Nutritional requirements of the Iberian pig, a slow-growing, obese porcine breed, are not well defined and seem to differ from those of conventional or high-performing pigs. The effects of the dietary protein content and the feeding level on the utilisation of metabolisable energy (ME) and the rates of gain, protein, and fat deposition were studied with 81 Iberian castrates growing from 50 to 100 kg body weight (BW) by using the comparative slaughter technique. The animals were fed 4 diets providing 145, 120, 95, and 70 g ideal crude protein (CP) per kg dry matter (DM), and containing 13.94, 14.29, 14.56, and 14.83 MJ ME per kg DM, respectively. Three levels of feeding were evaluated: 0.60, 0.80, and 0.95 × ad libitum intake. Growth rate increased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.001) as the dietary ideal CP content decreased. It also increased with the feeding level (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.05). Gain:feed and gain:ME intake improved by decreasing the ideal CP content in the diet (linear, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively; quadratic P < 0.001 for both variables). Increasing the feeding level improved linearly gain:feed and gain:ME intake ( P < 0.001). Protein deposition (PD):ME intake ranged between 1.23 and 1.44 g/MJ, and it showed a tendency to reach the maximum value when the diet providing 95 g ideal CP per kg DM was fed (quadratic, P = 0.078). When this diet was offered at 0.95 × ad libitum, PD reached a maximum value of 71 g/day. This dietary treatment resulted in average values for average daily gain and retained energy (RE) of 854 g/day and 21.4 MJ/day, respectively. The average rate of gain was 19.93 g/MJ increase in ME intake, equivalent to an energy cost of 50.2 kJ ME per g gain, irrespective of the dietary ideal CP content. Also, the overall marginal efficiency of protein deposition (ΔPD:ΔME; g/MJ) was 1.34. Increasing the feeding level led to increases in PD (linear, P < 0.001) and RE (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.01) irrespective of the dietary ideal CP concentrations. Between 50 and 100 kg BW, the chemical composition of 1 kg gain averaged 78, 592, 28.7, and 284 g for CP, fat, ash, and water respectively. The net efficiency of use of ME for growth ( kg) and the maintenance energy requirements were 0.606 and 396 kJ/kg BW 0.75 per day, respectively. The results support earlier findings that the genotype has marked effects on protein and energy metabolism of growing pigs and underline important compositional differences of the Iberian pig compared with conventional or modern porcine genotypes.