Organic Matter Digestibility Research Articles

Evaluation of perilla seeds (Perilla frutescens) based on nutrient digestibility and pH in vitro tilley and terry

The study was carried out to evaluate the provision of perilla seeds (Perilla frutescens) with the addition of tannins to pH, IVDMD (in vitro dry matter digestibility), and IVOMD (in vitro organic matter digestibility) in the rumen and post rumen. The research used according Completely Randomized Design with four treatments and four replications: T1 = 100% perilla seeds, T2 = 100% perilla seeds + 1% tannin, T3 = 90% basal ration + 10% perilla seeds, T4 = 90% basal ration + 10% perilla seeds + 1% tannin. The method used in vitro two-stage digestibility to the observed of stage I (rumen) and stage II (total). The variables evaluated in this study included IVDMD stage I, IVDMD stage II, IVOMD stage I, IVOMD stage II, and pH. The results showed that giving perilla seeds with the addition of tannin had a pH value obtained in accordance with the pH standard in the rumen (P>0.05); IVDMD stage I and stage II respectively 22.91-35.85% and 36.01-44.15% (P<0.05); IVOMD stage I and stage II were 38.15-48.36% (P<0.05) and 50.04-55.35% (P<0.05), respectively. The conclusion of this research was carried out to give perilla seeds at a level of 10% and 1% tannin in the ration had diverse nutrient digestibility in the rumen and post-rumen. However, it does not affect the pH of the rumen.

Effect of Change of Agronomic Practices on Nutritive Value of Hybrid Fodder Sorghum Cultivated in Lowland Paddy Fields of the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of low fertilizer rate and irrigation along with increased plant density on nutritive value of hybrid fodder sorghum cultivated in lowland fallowed paddy fields in dry zone during May to September. Seeds were sown in Yala season and continued as a ratoon crop to inter-monsoonal (Third) season. Four agronomic management packages (AMP1, AMP2, AMP3 and AMP4), which differ in fertilizer application rates, plant spacing, and irrigation intervals were tested with two fodder sorghum varieties (SX-17 and Dairygreen) in a split-plot design. The initial and first ratoon crops were harvested at dough grain stage. High fertilizer rate in combination with short irrigation interval, resulted in high (P&lt;0.05) crude protein content in the initial harvest. AMP2 and AMP4 produced equally high (P&lt;0.05) total dry matter yield (DMY) for SX-17 (24.7 and 20.9 MT/ha, respectively) and Dairygreen (27.7 and 25.7 MT/ha, respectively) varieties. Total digestible organic matter, crude protein and metabolizable energy yields were higher under AMP2 and AMP4 compared to other two packages for both varieties. Nutritive value was high in SX-17 under AMP1 for ratoon crop. In conclusion, AMP4 with plant spacing of 45 x 15 cm, low fertilizer rate (338-47-28 kg/ha, urea-TSP-MOP) and extended irrigation interval, could be recommended for cultivation of hybrid fodder sorghum in lowland paddy fields in the dry zone during Yala season. However, for cultivating SX-17 targeting to produce fodder with high nutritive level, AMP1 with spacing of 45 x 30 cm, high fertilizer rate (400-62-37 kg/ha of urea-TSP-MOP) and frequent irrigation could be recommended.

Assessment of Nutritional Potential and Methane Mitigation Efficacy of Napier Grass Cultivars

Napier grass is cultivated as a high-yielding forage crop and widely utilized in the nutrition of grazing animals such as cattle and goats due to its rapid growth rate, expansive leaf surface, and ability to thrive even in low-quality soils, making it a valuable animal feed option. In this study, the chemical compositions, in vitro gas (GP) and methane (CH4) production, metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD), true digestible dry matter (TDDM), microbial protein (MP), partitioning factor (PF), microbial protein synthesis efficiency (MPSE, and relative feed values (RFV) of the grasses Packhong1 (Penisetum purpureum x Penisetum americanum), Chinese Pennisetum (Penisetum purpureum x Penisetum alopecurides), and Dwarf Elephant (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) were investigated. Significant differences were found in the chemical contents of napier varieties used in the study (p

The effect of fermented natural lactic acid bacteria liquid and water-soluble carbohydrate admixture on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility and methane production

This study was carried out to determine the effect of fermented natural lactic acid bacteria liquid and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) admixture on alfalfa silage fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility and methane production. In the study, analyses (pH, total lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeast, mold, lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), LA/AA) of naturally fermented lactic acid bacteria liquid (PFJ) prepared with 3% fructose addition to alfalfa plant were conducted. Treatments included alfalfa (control, C), alfalfa + PFJ (PFJ-C), alfalfa + PFJ +1,5% molasses (PFJ-CM), alfalfa + PFJ + 1,5% fructose (PFJ-CF), alfalfa + PFJ + 1,5% sucrose (PFJ-CS). In the study, while the differences between the groups were found statistically insignificant in crude ash (CA) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values of the silages, the differences between the groups were found statistically significant in dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME) and methane (CH4) values. Compared to the control group, increases in IVOMD and ME were observed in silages obtained by adding PFJ, molasses, fructose and sucrose. When the fermentation characteristics (pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), yeast-mold and carbon dioxide (CO2) after aerobic stability) of the silages were analyzed, the differences between the groups were statistically significant. When the CO2 content and post aerobic yeast mold values (PAYMV) of the silages were examined, it was observed that there was a decrease in all experimental groups compared to the control group. LA and AA values of silages increased in all experimental groups compared to the control group.

The effect of the addition of fermented natural lactic acid bacterial liquid and some lactic acid bacterial inoculants on alfalfa silage quality, in vitro digestibility and gas production

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding fermented natural lactic acid bacteria (PFJ) obtained from different sources and some lactic acid bacteria inoculants to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage on fermentation, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and in vitro gas production. In the study, (i) pure alfalfa plant constituted the control group, whereas (ii) 2% molasses added group (iii) PFJ (3% molasses) prepared from alfalfa + 2% molasses to alfalfa plant, (iv) PFJ (3% molasses) prepared from meadow grass + 2% molasses alfalfa. plant, (v) PFJ (3% Molasses) prepared from maize + 2% molasses to alfalfa plant, (vi) homofermentative added group + 2% molasses to alfalfa plant, (vii) heterofermentative group + 2% molasses to alfalfa plant, added groups formed the trial groups. Homofermentative and heterofermentative LAB inoculants were added to alfalfa plant at the level of 108 cfu/kg. When the DM, CA, ADF, NDF, IVOMD, ME and CH4 values of the prepared silages were examined, the differences between the groups were found to be statistically significant. When the fermentation characteristics (pH, NH3-N, CO2, LA, AA, BA, mold) of the silages prepared by adding PFJ and some LAB inoculants to alfalfa plant, the differences between groups were found to be statistically significant. When examined in terms of all parameters, it was determined that the addition of PFJ (3% molasses) prepared from meadow grass + 2% molasses to alfalfa plant had positive effects on silage quality, fermentation characteristics and in vitro organic matter digestion.

DUCKWEED AS A NON-CONVENTIONAL FORAGE FOR RUMINANTS IN THE TROPICS

The high cost of grain-based concentrates and crop residues are increasingly affecting profitable ruminant farming in Nigeria because of inadequate green forage all year round. Duckweeds are aquatic plants which constitute a nuisance in an earthen fish pond. However, information about their forage value is limited. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value, secondary metabolites and in vitro fermentation characteristics of duckweed from earthen fish ponds. Duckweed represented as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 from different locations were collected, dried and analysed for chemical composition and in vitro gas production using buffered rumen fluid from goats. Cumulative gas production was measured at 3 to 48 hours of incubation periods. Results indicated that crude protein content was similar, while NDF, ADF and ADL were significantly different, with mean values of 54.11 %, 29.53 % and 11.57 %, respectively. Saponin content (0.407 − 0.468 %) was higher than alkaloids (0.312 − 0.433 %) and total phenols (0.158 − 0.175 %). Calcium and phosphorus varied from 0.09 to 0.54 % and 0.01 to 1.05 %, respectively. Lead and cadmium ranged from 0.01 to 0.17 mg.kg-1 and 0.01 to 0.03 mg.kg-1, respectively. Gas from the insoluble fraction (b), potential gas (a+b), the rate (c) and volume (Y) of gas produced were comparable. Cumulative gas produced increased as hours of incubation progressed, with gas volumes higher (3.93 mL/200 g DM) at 48 hr and least (1.07 mL/200 g DM) at 12 hr post-incubations. Metabolizable energy was similar and ranged from 3.13 to 3.68 MJ/Kg DM. Organic matter digestibility was higher (40.58 %) for T1 and comparable with T5 (36.76 %). Short-chain fatty acids (ranged = 0.02 − 0.05 µmol/200 mg DM) were comparable. In vitro dry matter degradability (ranged = 24.00 to 39.67 %) was significantly different. In conclusion, duckweed from earthen fish ponds is fairly degradable in vitro, and the nutrient contents elucidate its forage value for ruminants.

How neonatal diet affects the long-term development of rumination behavior, rumen fermentation and feed digestion in dairy calves fed a high milk level?

This study was to investigate growth performance, rumination development, rumen fermentation and feed digestion in young calves provided high volumes (about 20% of calf birth weight) of milk with or without forage inclusion and how these parameters correlate with each other. Immediately after birth, 160 newborn Holstein female calves (41.6 ± 4.2 kg of initial BW) were randomly divided into 2 treatments: 1) starter (CON, only starter) and 2) starter and hay (HAY, both starter and hay). The calves were fed their respective experimental diets from d 4 to 84, after which they were all introduced to similar diets until the end of the experiment on d 196. Treatment had no effect on growth and structural measurements throughout the experimental period. However, treatment had an effect on the other parameters, mainly during the post-weaning period. Forage supplementation tended to reduce starter dry matter intake (P = 0.05), while increasing the forage intake (P < 0.01) and the feed-to-gain ratio (P < 0.01). HAY calves had increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and physically effective NDF (peNDF) intakes (P < 0.05) and tended to lower (P < 0.01) starch intake compared to CON calves. The HAY calves had a higher rumination time (P < 0.01), ruminal pH (P < 0.01), and acetate-to-propionate ratio (P = 0.05) compared to the CON calves. Spearman correlation analysis showed that rumination time was positively related to the ruminal pH at d 84 (P = 0.01) and 196 (P = 0.02). The HAY calves had similar apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), NDF and ether extract (EE), but lower digestibility of organic matter (OM, P = 0.03), crude protein (CP, P < 0.01) and starch (P < 0.01) compared to those of the CON calves at week 12. Furthermore, there were no positive relationships between rumination time and nutrient digestibility or between rumination time per kilogram DM and nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, feeding hay to calves fed a high milk level improved rumination during the post-weaning period only, without a concomitant effect on growth performance throughout the experimental period, suggesting no detrimental effect of feeding forage in calves fed high milk level.

Using in feed xylanase or stimbiotic to reduce the variability in corn nutritive value for broiler chickens

This study investigated the effects of xylanase and stimbiotic (fiber fermentation enhancer) on the response of broiler chickens fed different corn varieties and determine correlations between variables of interest. Four corn genetic varieties were selected based on their range in nutrient composition. Diets containing 600 g/kg of each corn were supplemented with 0 or 100 g/ton of xylanase or stimbiotic. A total of 1,152 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were divided into 12 treatments, each with 8 pens and 12 birds per pen, for a 21-day study. On d 21, performance parameters were measured, and the ileal energy and organic matter (OM) digestibility and cecal xylanase activity determined. Stimbiotic supplementation improved mFCR compared with all other treatments. There was a treatment by corn variety interaction for body weight (BW), BW gain and coefficient of variation (CV) of BW (P ≤ 0.05). Birds fed corn Variety 1 (highest neutral dietary fiber, protein and soluble arabinoxylan content) supplemented with stimbiotic had the highest BW, while Variety 2 control diet had the lowest. The BW CV in corn Variety 2 was the highest, which improved with stimbiotic supplementation. The BW CV in corn Variety 1 responded better to stimbiotic than xylanase. There were no treatment differences on BW CV in corn Varieties 3 and 4. The lowest OM digestibility was observed in birds fed corn Variety 1 with xylanase, and the highest value was associated with corn Variety 3 with xylanase (highest total arabinoxylan). Xylanase and stimbiotic supplementation increased the endogenous xylanase activity regardless of the corn variety (P ≤ 0.05). Positive correlations between corn fiber contents and phytic acid and the arabinose:xylose ratio were seen, while nonstarch polysaccharide content was negatively correlated with apparent metabolizable energy. In conclusion, corn variety influenced nutrient digestibility and broiler chicken growth. The response to supplementation with xylanase or stimbiotic varied based on the nutritional profile of corn with regards to improvements in digestibility and performance in broiler chickens.

Fermentation Characteristics (In Vitro) of Palm Oil Trunk Waste as Feed for Lactating Dairy Cow

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of palm oil trunk waste utilization as a feed source for lactating dairy cows using an in vitro approach. This study used a randomized complete block design with 4 treatments and 3 groups. Treatment consisted of P0 (control diet), P1 (control diet supplemented with 12.5% palm oil trunk), P2 (control diet supplemented with 25% palm oil trunk), P3 (control diet with commercial concentrate). The parameters observed were rumen pH, NH3 concentration, total VFA concentration, and in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility (IVDMD and IVOMD) coefficients. The findings of this study showed a significant 41.73% in NH3 concentration, 24.96% in total VFA concentration, 10.47% in IVDMD, and 10.91% in IVOMD, upon introducing 25% palm oil trunk waste into the ration (p&lt;0.05), except for rumen pH. It can be concluded that palm oil trunk waste can be used at a level of up to 25% in the diet of lactating dairy cows.&#x0D; Keywords: digestibility, fermentation, in vitro, palm oil trunk, unconventional feed

Agronomic impacts of new regulations governing land application of Class B biosolids in Florida

AbstractAlthough land application of biosolids is an attractive option for beneficial reuse, it represents a complex challenge for government and private organizations. This 3‐year field study evaluated the agronomic impacts of reduced biosolids rates imposed by new regulations in Florida on bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) herbage accumulation and nutritive value. Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of two phosphorus (P) sources (triple superphosphate and biosolids) applied at 0 (control), 20 (low), 40 (intermediate), and 60 kg total P ha−1 (high). Triple superphosphate plots received the same nitrogen (N) load (from ammonium nitrate) as the corresponding biosolids treatments. Bahiagrass herbage accumulation increased with increasing P and associated N rates. Bahiagrass annual herbage accumulation ranged from 2120 kg ha−1 in 2022 to 6970 kg ha−1 in 2020 and was 33%–80% less than previously published data. This was likely due to the reduced biosolids rates that did not supply sufficient N and P to sustain adequate forage production. Lesser herbage accumulation will likely lead to greater application of inorganic fertilizers, which generally have greater environmental footprint than biosolids. Biosolids generally resulted in either similar or greater bahiagrass crude protein, in vitro digestible organic matter, and tissue mineral concentrations than inorganic fertilizer. Similarly, no differences in bahiagrass N and P recovery between biosolids and inorganic fertilizer were observed. This study, along with a significant body of literature, demonstrated that biosolids have considerable fertilizer value and can be an effective alternative to commercial inorganic fertilizer while also providing environmental and economic benefits.

Intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation and nitrogen balance in sheep offered alfalfa silage with different proportions of the tannin-rich legume sericea lespedeza

Dietary manipulations to include tannins can change the proportion and amounts of nitrogen (N) excreted in the urine and feces as well as improve nitrogen use efficiency by ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of adding different proportions of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneate) hay (SL) containing tannins (16.8% total condensed tannins; CT) to alfalfa (Medicago sativa) silage. Alfalfa silage was either offered alone (0 g/kg; CONT) or mixed with chopped SL to provide 90 (LOW), 180 (MED), or 270 g/kg SL (HIGH) or 15, 30, or 45 g CT/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis. These diets were offered randomly for ad libitum consumption to 16 Dorper ewe lambs (42.1 ± 1.15 kg BW; Period 1; 41.7 ± 1.12 kg BW; Period 2) in a randomized complete block design experiment where each treatment was offered to four lambs during each of two periods. The same 16 lambs were used in both periods, resulting in eight total observations/treatment. Each period consisted of a 14-d dietary adaptation period followed by 5 d of total fecal and urine collection. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility as well as digestible DM and OM intake (g/day or g/kg BW) decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing SL in the diet. Ruminal acetate and butyrate molar proportions increased quadratically (P = 0.01), whereas ruminal isobutyrate and isovalerate decreased linearly (P = 0.02) with increasing SL in the diet. Apparent N absorption (g/kg N intake) decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing SL in the diet. Urinary N excretions (g/kg N intake) tended (P = 0.10) to respond quadratically while fecal N (g/kg N intake) increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing SL proportion in the diet. In this study, supplementation with sericea lespedeza as a tannin source to alfalfa silage decreased forage digestibility without affecting feed intake, and significantly increased N excreted in feces and tended to decrease urine N excretion without affecting N balance. Therefore, feeding tannins in diet can alter N excretion route from urine to feces but may not improve N-use efficiency by the animal.

Effect of crossbreeding and dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen parameters and nitrogen retention of beef cattle

This experiment sought to evaluate the influence of varying levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the diet on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen conditions, and nitrogen retention in crossbred cattle. Beef cattle aged 18 months were organized into groups using a 2x (4x4) Latin square design. The NDF levels investigated were 47%, 51%, 55%, and 59% of dry matter (referred to as NDF47, NDF51, NDF55, and NDF59 treatments, respectively). While dry matter (DM) consumption per 100 kg body weight (BW) did not exhibit significant differences between treatments, Charolais crossbred cattle (2.16 kg DM) demonstrated higher intake than Black Angus crossbred cattle (2.04 kg DM). Metabolizable energy intake in Charolais crossbred cattle significantly differed from that in Black Angus crossbred cattle (17.6 and 16.7 MJ/100 kg BW, respectively). Regarding NDF treatments, NDF47 did not differ from NDF51 and NDF55, but it was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than the NDF59 treatment (18.1, 17.3, 17.1, and 16.0 MJ/100 kg BW, respectively). Although dry matter and organic matter digestibility did not significantly differ between Charolais and Black Angus crossbred cattle, variations were noted among treatments (P&lt;0.05). Specifically, DM digestibility of NDF47 (62.8%) was significantly higher than NDF59 (55.4%), with no significant differences observed for NDF51 (59.8%) and NDF55 treatments (58.9%). Rumen pH, N-NH3, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations at 0h and 3h post-feeding did not exhibit significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in this study. However, nitrogen retention in Black Angus crossbred cattle was significantly lower than in Charolais crossbred cattle (0.124 and 0.166 g/kg BW, respectively). Across treatments, nitrogen retention values were numerically higher (P&gt;0.05) in NDF47, NDF51, NDF55, and NDF59 treatments (0.166, 0.148, 0.139, and 0.126 g/kg BW, respectively). In summary, this study determined that Charolais crossbred cattle displayed increased feed intake, crude protein digestibility, and nitrogen retention compared to Black Angus crossbred cattle. Furthermore, a dietary NDF level of 55% was suggested as suitable for practical use in terms of feed utilization by farmers. Keywords: Forage, crossbreeding, rumen fermentation, and ruminant. Abbreviations: DM: dry matter, OM: organic matter, CP: crude protein, NDF: neutral detergent fiber and ME: metabolic energy, BW: body weight. NDF

In-vitro digestibility and methane gas emission of indigenous and introduced grasses in the rangeland ecosystems of south eastern Kenya

Various grass species with high biomass yield and low moisture demand have been introduced in the rangelands of Kenya to realize increased ruminant productivity that could not be achieved with the low quality of the indigenous grasses. However, this intervention ignores the different methane emission of the indigenous and introduced grasses, a necessary consideration for realizing increased productivity while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. This study determined in-vitro digestibility and methane emission of three indigenous grasses: Eragrostis superba (E. superba), Cenchrus ciliaris (C. ciliaris), Enteropogon macrostachyus (E. macrostachyus) and two introduced grasses (two varieties of Chloris gayana; Boma rhodes and Extozi rhodes. Samples of these five grasses (whole plant above ground) were collected from established pasture plots in South Eastern rangelands of Kenya. The grass samples were collected at bloom stage using one-meter square quadrats for proximate analysis and determination of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) using AOAC (1990) methods. On average, relative to the indigenous grasses, the introduced grasses were higher in crude protein (74.05 g Kg-1 dry matter (DM) vs. 52.11 g Kg-1 DM), organic matter digestibility 62.7% vs 53.6%) and in NDF (712.7 g Kg-1 DM vs. 708.0 g Kg-1 DM), metabolizable energy (16.35 vs 12.90 MJ/kg DM), methane emission (25.61 ml vs 15.93 ml) but with lower in-vitro-dry matter digestibility 54.24% vs 58.12%. Methane production positively correlated with crude protein, NDF, metabolizable energy, ADF and in-vitro organic matter digestibility. Hence, utilizing the introduced grasses to boost cattle production would achieve increased productivity but a point of concern are the higher methane emissions, not to mention the ecosystem change caused by the introduction of new species, which should affect the sustainability of the rangeland ecosystem.

Replacing the forage portion of the ration with triticale hay improves the performance of Holstein dairy cows

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of replacing the forage portion (alfalfa, corn silage, and barley straw) in the diet of lactating Holstein cows with triticale hay (TH, × Triticosecale L.) on DMI, digestibility, ruminal fermentation variables, estimated microbial-N synthesis (EMNS), and milk production and composition. Eight Holstein cows were used in a replicated Latin square design (two 4 × 4 squares) with four 28-d periods and 4 treatments, including a TH-free diet (control), and diets replacing 33%, 66%, and 100% of the forage portion with TH. Cows were fed ad libitum with 10% carryover during the experimental periods. Intakes and in vivo digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ash-free neutral detergent fiber, rumen pH, ammonia-N, total and individual short-chain fatty acids, protozoa, and bacteria populations were evaluated using specific methods. Moreover, in vitro total gas and methane release and in vivo urinary purine derivatives, EMNS, milk production, and composition were measured. The results showed that TH diets lowered DMI, compared with the control. Apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, and NDF increased with dietary TH inclusion. The addition of TH instead of the diet forage portion increased in vivo rumen pH; acetic, propionic, valeric, and isovaleric acids concentrations; cellulolytic bacteria number; and in vitro gas production. In vivo rumen ammonia-N, short-chain fatty acids, butyric acid, in vivo and in vitro total protozoa and Entodiniinae numbers, and in vitro methane production decreased with increasing dietary levels of TH instead of the forage portion. The dietary addition of TH did not affect milk yield, protein, and lactose, but increased fat-corrected milk, milk fat, fat-corrected milk:DMI ratio, and milk yield:DMI ratio. Milk urea N decreased, but urinary purine derivatives excretion and EMNS increased with increasing levels of TH in the diet. For variables with significant changes, except for isovaleric acid, there was a linear response of animals to increasing levels of TH in the diet. Results suggest that TH, which is grown with less water compared with alfalfa, corn forage, and straw, is a potential alternative to those forages by increasing milk production efficiency, milk fat, and decreasing methane emission.

Nutrient Digestibility and Retention of Potential Feed Ingredients for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) Aquaculture in Iran

To overcome the aquafeed challenges for aquaculture in Iran, the world’s largest rainbow trout producer, the nutrient digestibility and retention of eight rendered poultry by-products, and two plant protein sources were investigated. The test ingredients were added to a casein-based semipurified reference diet as control diet and fed to juvenile rainbow trout in three runs. During the experimental runs, test ingredients were added to the control diet in a ratio of 30 : 70. The diets were then fed to the animals in four replicates. TiO2 was used as marker and feces were collected by settling method. The apparent protein digestibility coefficient for poultry by-product meals (PBM), feather meals (FeM), poultry protein concentrate (PPCon), blood meal (BM), canola meal (CM), and Iranian soybean meal (IRSBM) were 73%–93%, 73%–96%, 100%, 87%, 94%, and 97%, respectively. The nitrogen productive value for PBM ranged 27%–46%, both PPCon and IRSBM 37%, CM 24%, BM 23%, and FeM from −6% to 18%. Citric acid supplementation of the alkaline thermochemically hydrolyzed FeM improved the digestibility of crude lipid and organic matter from 6% and 88% to 55% and 92%, respectively. The assessment of digestibility as well as nutrient retention analysis for tested feed components indicated that refined PBM and PPCon, both CM and IRSBM could be used in rainbow trout diets as value-added and eco-friendly protein sources. The findings of this study can assist fish nutritionists and key players in the aquafeed industry in adopting a sustainable approach to aquaculture by selecting locally available raw materials that demonstrate high nutrient retention in rainbow trout.

In vitro ruminal-microbial fermentation pattern: nutritional insights about some agricultural crop mesocarps (peel) in ruminant nutrition

Different agricultural crop wastes (ACW) such as mesocarps (peel) are annually produced after consuming their edible parts in the world without any scientific information about their nutritional potential. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the ruminal-microbial fermentation pattern and nutritional potential of some crop mesocarps (peel) including different species of melons (Watermelon, Galia melon, Rockmelon, Til sabz, and Til atashi) as well as cucumber and eggplant using common and standard laboratory methods. The amount of crude protein (CP) varied from 7.19 to 19.1% of dry matter (DM) for Til sabz and cucumber mesocarps, respectively. The highest (34.1% of DM) and lowest (15.4%) content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were related to eggplant and Til sabz peels, respectively (p < 0.05). The content of non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) varied from 38.7% for eggplant peel to 66.6% for Til sabz. All mesocarps had a low DM percentage (4.88% of DM for cucumber to 8.45 for eggplant). Rockmelon peel had the highest amount of calcium (5.25 g/kg DM) and magnesium (5.75 g/kg DM) compared with the other mesocarps (p < 0.05). The highest amounts of potassium (33.4 g/kg of DM), sodium (7.15 g/kg of DM), and zinc (21 mg/kg of DM) were observed in the peels of watermelon, Til atashi, and cucumber, respectively (p < 0.05). The potential of ruminal-microbial gas production also differed from 55.6 ml/200 mg of DM for eggplant to 63.1 ml for Til sabz peel. Except for cucumber (8.75 MJ/kg of DM) and eggplant (8.71 MJ), other mesocarps (different melon species) had almost similar metabolizable energy (ME, 9.06–9.50 MJ/kg of DM). Among the studied mesocarps, the lowest ruminal-microbial DM and organic matter (OM) digestibility was also observed in eggplant and cucumber (p < 0.05). Gallia melon had the highest acid-base buffering capacity (267 mEq×10− 3, p < 0.05). According to our findings, the mesocarps of melons showed a higher nutritional value than the cucumber and eggplant. In general, Til sabz exhibited a notable favorite and superior nutritional characteristic compared with the other mesocarps.

Influence of adding sage leaves on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation in Awassi lambs

This study was conducted to determine the effect of adding different levels of sage leaf powder (SLP) to the diet of local Awassi lambs on growth performance, feed intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation. Sixteen Awassi male lambs 4-5 months of age were randomly distributed into four treatment groups: no feed additive (SLP0), 5g (SLP5), 10g (SLP10) and 15 g (SLP15) of sage leaves powder/kg of dry matter (DM) were added to the diet. Results revealed that adding SLP did not affect feed intake. However, growth performance, dry matter and organic matter digestion were recorded higher significances (P≤0.05) in lambs fed SLP5 and SLP10 than in lambs fed SLP15 and SLP0. Total volatile fatty acids concentrations were significantly increased (P≤0.05) in lambs fed SLP5 than other lambs. In conclusion, the addition of SLP at 5g/kg DM in the diet of Awassi lambs improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility with a positive effect on ruminal fermentation. Keywords: Salvia officinalis; Awassi lambs; Growth performance; Nutrient digestibility; Rumen fermentation

Эффективность применения новой кормовой добавки в птицеводстве

Purpose. Assessment of the influence of the organomineral feed additive "Si-lact" on the productivity and metabolism of broiler chickens. Materials and Мethods. The object of the study was broiler chickens of the Arbor Acres cross and an organomineral feed additive. The studies were carried out on 90 broiler chickens, divided into 3 groups: control and two experimental ones. The control bird received a diet according to the recommendations of VNITIP (2019), chickens of experimental group I were given an organomineral feed additive (lactulose, succinic acid, arginine, silicon), II – were given a feed additive devoid of lactulose. Morphological blood parameters were determined using a DF 50 VetPlus device (URIT Medial Electronic Co., Ltd, China). Biochemical studies of blood serum were carried out on a CS-T240 apparatus (DIRUI Industrial Co., Ltd, China) using commercial kits for veterinary research DiaVetTest (Russia). The chemical composition of broiler droppings, feed and body tissue was determined using standard methods. Statistical analysis of the data obtained during the experiment was carried out using the Statistica 10.0 program (StatSoft Inc., USA) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, USA). Results. Feeding with an organomineral feed additive (group I) ensured an increase in live weight of 2.28 kg, which was 10.7% (P≤0.05) higher than the same parameter in the control. The growth rate during the experiment in experimental group II was similar (2.27 kg; P≤0.05). At the same time, chickens of experimental group I in terms of live weight by the end of the experiment exceeded their peers from the control group by 17.9% (P≤0.05), group II – by 10.8%. The organomineral additive improved some metabolic parameters. The level of digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, carbohydrates and nitrogen-free extractive substances increases in experimental I by 5.6 (P≤0.05); 4.2; 5.9 (P≤0.05) and 5.3%, respectively, compared with control. Conclusion. An organomineral feed additive containing lactulose has a greater effect on the growth and, as a consequence, the productivity of broiler chickens.

Effect of feeding increasing levels of whole cottonseed on milk and milk components, milk fatty acid profile, and total-tract digestibility in lactating dairy cows

Dietary fat is fed to increase energy intake and provide fatty acids (FA) to support milk fat production. Oilseeds contain unsaturated FA that increase the risk for biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression, but FA in whole cottonseed (WCS) are expected to be slowly released in the rumen and thus have a lower risk for biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression. Our hypothesis was that increasing dietary WCS would increase milk fat yield by providing additional dietary FA without induction of milk fat depression. Four primiparous and 8 multiparous lactating Holstein cows, 136 ± 35 and 127 ± 4 DIM, respectively, were arranged in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Treatments were WCS provided at 0%, 3.4%, 6.8%, and 9.9% of dietary dry matter, and WCS was substituted for cottonseed hulls and soybean meal to maintain dietary fiber and protein. Treatment did not change milk yield. There was a treatment-by-parity interaction for milk fat percent and yield with a quadratic decreased in primiparous cows but no effect of WCS in multiparous cows. Cottonseed linearly increased milk fat trans-10 18:1 in primiparous cows but not in multiparous cows. Increasing WCS increased milk preformed (18C) FA yield and partially overcame the trans-10 18:1 inhibition of de novo FA synthesis in the primiparous cows. Apparent transfer of 18C FA from feed to milk decreased in all cows as WCS increased, but the magnitude of the change was greater in primiparous cows. Increasing WCS decreased total-tract apparent dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. There was no change in total FA digestibility. However, 18C FA digestibility tended to be decreased in both parities and 16C FA digestibility was quadratically increased in multiparous cows but not changed in primiparous cows. Total fecal flow of intact WCS increased as WCS level increased, but fecal flow of intact seeds as a percentage consumed was similar across treatments. Fecal flow of intact seeds was greater in multiparous cows (4.3% vs. 1.1% of consumed). Plasma concentrations of glucose, nonesterified FA, triglycerides, and insulin were not changed. However, plasma urea-N increased with increasing WCS. Plasma gossypol increased with WCS (0.08-1.15 µg/mL) but was well below expected toxic levels. In conclusion, WCS maintained milk and milk component yield when fed at up to 9.9% of the diet to multiparous cows without concerns of gossypol toxicity, but primiparous cows were more susceptible to biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression in the current trial. This highlights the interactions of parity with diet composition when feeding rumen-available unsaturated fat to dairy cows.

Implementación de Biodigestores para el aprovechamiento de residuos en pequeñas unidades productivas agropecuarias

In isolated areas that are difficult to access for energy interconnection, it is necessary the production of alternative energies highlighting biomethane which is generated from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. The objective of this document is to present some results of an intervention experience in 6 agricultural production units located in villages near the city of Fusagasugá, in which biodigesters were developed to improve the conditions of energy production under environmental sustainability parameters. For the selection of the 6 productive units, there were analyzed the conditions of 21 productive units from 13 villages near the city of Fusagasugá, referenced by the Sumapáz livestock committee. The analysis was based on the availability of waste in accordance with the requirements for the proper functioning of the biodigesters, and the willingness of the owners for the implementation of biodigesters as energy complementarity in small agricultural units. Among the most relevant results, it was found that there are drawbacks of adopting this type of alternative energy in rural productive units with the decision of only 6 properties from the 21 productive units consulted representing 28,5%, situation that shows some challenges related to strategies to connect isolated rural populations with the implementation of biodigesters as complementary energy in small agricultural units.