Rate Of DM Disappearance Research Articles

Reducing rumen starch fermentation of wheat with 3% NaOH does not reduce whole tract starch digestibility and increases energy utilization in wethers during heat stress

• The starch in wheat is fermented more thoroughly than starch in maize. • Protection of wheat starch by sodium hydroxide reduces in vitro fermentation but not in vivo whole tract digestibility. • Heat stress reduces the digestibility of starch and dry matter of concentrate diets. • Treating wheat with NaOH mitigates the negative effects on digestion of organic matter and starch due by heat stress. Previous studies have suggested that feeding slowly fermentable grains might improve heat-tolerance in ruminants, due to increased post-rumen starch digestion and a reduction in the heat increment of feeding. During heat stress gastrointestinal function may be compromised which could impact on the site and extent of digestion. To characterize the in vitro rumen starch and DM disappearance of corn, wheat, and 3% NaOH-treated wheat grains, grain samples were incubated during 0, 5, 8, and 24 h at 39 °C in buffered rumen fluid. Then faecal pH and whole tract apparent starch, DM, and organic matter ( OM ) digestibility were determined in wethers fed, with either corn ( CD ), wheat ( WD ) or 3% NaOH- treated wheat ( TWD ) based diets during heat stress in two experiments. In experiment 1, 22 wethers were fed either CD or WD ( n = 11 per diet) during three different stages in climate controlled rooms: stage 1 ( TNFR ), 7 days of thermoneutral conditions 18–21 °C and 40–50% relative humidity) and 1.3 times maintenance feed intake; stage 2 ( HSFR ), 7 days of heat stress (28–38 °C and 30–50% relative humidity) and feed intake as TNFR ; and stage 3 ( HSFU ), 7 days of heat stress as in HSFR stage and 1.5 times maintenance feed intake. In experiment 2, 31 wethers were fed either CD ( n = 10), WD ( n = 10) or TWD ( n = 11) during three different stages with the same temperature and relative humidity regimes as experiment 1, however during TNFR and HSFR stages wethers received 1.7 times maintenance feed intake while in HSFU stage wethers received 2 times maintenance feed intake. After 24 h of incubation, untreated wheat had the fastest rate of starch and DM disappearance followed by 3% NaOH-treated wheat and corn grain ( P < 0.001). Wethers fed CD had lower apparent starch (P < 0.001) and higher DM (P < 0.001) and OM (P < 0.001) digestibility than those fed WD, which was associated with lower faecal pH (P < 0.001) and higher faecal starch content (P < 0.001) than wheat diets. 3% NaOH treatment of wheat did not affect the whole tract starch digestibility of wheat being faecal pH and starch content of TWD like WD. At low feed intakes (1.3 times maintenance) there was no effect of heat stress on digestibility whereas at higher feed intakes heat stress reduced starch, OM, and DM digestibility. However, starch digestibility of TWD was similar to WD and metabolizable energy intake, DM and OM digestibility were higher. It is concluded that 3% NaOH treatment of wheat could reduce the rumen starch disappearance ( in vitro condition) without reducing the whole tract starch digestibility (tested in vivo ) of wheat in heat-stressed wethers. The study demonstrated the treated wheat with NaOH can be a strategy to increase OM digestibility and energy retention of wethers under heat stress.

What is the digestibility and caloric value of different botanical parts in corn residue to cattle?1.

Two experiments were conducted to measure rates of ruminal disappearance, and energy and nutrient availability and N balance among cows fed corn husks, leaves, or stalks. Ruminal disappearance was estimated after incubation of polyester bags containing husks, leaves or stalks in 2 separate ruminally cannulated cows in a completely randomized design. Organic matter (OM) that initially disappeared was greatest for stalks and least for husks and leaves (P < 0.01), but amounts of NDF that initially disappeared was greatest for husks, intermediate for stalks, and least for leaves (P < 0.01). Amounts of DM and OM that slowly disappeared were greatest in husks, intermediate in leaves, and least in stalks (P < 0.01). However, amounts of NDF that slowly disappeared were greatest in leaves, intermediate in husks, and least in stalks (P < 0.01). Rate of DM and OM disappearance was greater for leaves, intermediate for husks and least for stalks, but rate of NDF disappearance was greatest for stalks, intermediate for leaves, and least for husks (P < 0.01). Energy and nutrient availability in husks, leaves, or stalks were measured by feeding ruminally cannulated cows husk-, leaf-, or stalk-based diets in a replicated Latin square. Digestible energy lost as methane was less (P = 0.02) when cows were fed leaves in comparison to husks or stalks, and metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg DM) was greater (P = 0.03) when cows were fed husks and leaves compared with stalks. Heat production (Mcal/d) was not different (P = 0.74) between husks, leaves, or stalks; however, amounts of heat produced as a proportion of digestible energy intake were less (P = 0.05) among cows fed leaves in comparison to stalks or husks. Subsequently, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for net energy available for maintenance from leaves (1.42 Mcal/kg DM) to be greater than stalks (0.91 Mcal/kg DM), and husks (1.30 Mcal/kg DM) were intermediate. Nitrogen balance was greater when cows were fed leaves, intermediate for husks, and least for stalks (P = 0.01). Total tract digestion of NDF was greater (P < 0.01) for husks and leaves compared with stalks. Husks had greater (P = 0.04) OM digestibility in comparison to stalks, and leaves were intermediate. Apparently, greater production of methane from husks in comparison to leaves limited amounts of energy available for maintenance from husks even though total-tract nutrient digestion was greatest when cows were fed husks or leaves.

Effect of tannins-rich extract from Acacia mearnsii or monensin as feed additives on ruminal fermentation efficiency in cattle

Abstract Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is considered to be a significant loss of productive potential in ruminants. The objective was to evaluate the effect of monensin and Acacia mearnsii tannins on ruminal fermentation efficiency in cattle. Six rumen-cannulated cows were distributed three diets, each of which differed in the additive used, in a replicated 3×3 Latin square experimental design. Treatments were the Control, Monensin (300 mg per animal and day or about 18 mg/kg of dry matter - DM) and a tannin-rich extract from Acacia mearnsii (100 g per animal and day or about 0.6% of DM). Each experimental period consisted of 21 days; the first 15 days were used for diet adaptation and the last 5 days for data collection. On experimental day 21, ruminal pH was analyzed by a continuous measurement probe. In order to quantify short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), methane (CH 4 ), NH 3 -N (ammonia nitrogen) production, protozoa and the ruminal dynamics, rumen contents were sampled prior to and 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after morning feeding. The fermentation technique consisted of incubation of liquid and solid rumen contents in bottles in a water bath (39 °C) for 30 min. Subsequent measurement of methane production was made using gas chromatography and used for the final estimation of Relative Energy Loss (REL). There was no effect (P>0.05) of additives on pH, ruminal DM disappearance rate, the concentrations of NH 3 -N, the production of acetic or butyric acids or the total ruminal SCFA. Monensin treatment was responsible for reducing CH 4 production by 10.7%, whereas tannin inclusion reduced it by 8.0%, when compared to the control treatment. The REL was decreased (P

Effects of volume weight, processing method and processing index of barley grain on in situ digestibility of dry matter and starch in beef heifers

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of volume weight (VW; g/L), processing method (PM; control vs. precision processing [PP]), and processing index (PI; VW after rolling/VW before rolling) of barley grain on in situ ruminal kinetics and in vitro intestinal digestion. The study was designed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: VW (low vs. high), PM (control vs. PP) and PI (0.75 vs. 0.85). Ten barley samples, 5 low (580 g/L) and 5 high (680 g/L) VW, were either dry-rolled with a single roller setting (control) or screened into two fractions of small or large kernels using a 4-mm sieve, and then dry-rolled (i.e., PP). Each sample was dry-rolled moderately or coarsely with PI of 0.75 or 0.85. Three beef heifers (650 ± 25.5 kg body weight) fitted with rumen cannulas and fed a diet consisting of 700 g/kg barley silage and 300 g/kg concentrate mix (dry matter [DM] basis) were used for the in situ study. In situ degradation kinetics of DM and starch were estimated after 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h of ruminal incubation. Data from DM and starch degradation at different times of incubation were fitted to a model y = a + b (1 − e − c ( t − L ) ). in vitro intestinal disappearances of DM and starch of ruminal residue after 12 h of incubation were determined using a modified three-step procedure. Interactions between VW and PM on effective degradability (ED; P a (P b (P c and ED were higher (P

Effect of corn dry distiller grains plus solubles supplementation level on performance and digestion characteristics of steers grazing native range during forage growing season1

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of corn dry distiller grains plus condensed solubles (DDGS) supplementation level on performance digestion characteristics of steers grazing native range during the forage growing season. In the performance study, 72 (206 ± 23.6 kg; 2008) and 60 (230 ± 11.3 kg; 2009) English crossbred steer calves were used in a randomized complete block design replicated over 2 yr. The grazing periods lasted 56 and 58 d and started on August 11 and 18 for 2008 and 2009, respectively. Each year, steers were blocked by BW (light, medium, and heavy), stratified by BW within blocks, and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 grazing groups. Each grazing group (6 steers in 2008 and 5 in 2009) was assigned to a DDGS supplementation levels (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% BW). Grazing group served as the experimental unit with 12 groups per year receiving 1 of 4 treatments for 2 yr (n = 6). In the metabolism study, 16 English crossbred steers (360 ± 28.9 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas grazing native range during the summer growing season were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate treatment effects on forage intake and digestion. The experiment was conducted during the first and second weeks of October 2008. Steers were randomly assigned to supplement level (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% BW; n = 4) and grazed a single native range pasture with supplements offered individually once daily at 0700 h. In the performance study, ADG (0.64, 0.75, 0.80, and 0.86 ± 0.03 kg/d for 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% BW, respectively) increased linearly (P = 0.01) with increasing DDGS supplementation level. In the metabolism study, forage OM, NDF, CP, and ether extract (EE) intake decreased (P ≤ 0.05) linearly with increasing DDGS supplementation level. Total CP and EE intake increased (P ≤ 0.002) with increasing DDGS supplementation level. Digestibility of OM, NDF, and EE increased (linear; P ≤ 0.008) whereas the soluble CP fraction of forage masticate sample linearly increased (P = 0.01) and slowly degradable CP fraction linearly decreased (P = 0.05) with increasing DDGS supplementation level. Forage in situ masticate DM and NDF disappearance rate decreased (quadratic; P ≤ 0.05) and DDGS in situ DM disappearance rate increased (linear; P = 0.03) with increasing supplementation levels. These results indicate that DDGS supplementation enhanced grazing performance and total-tract digestion of steers grazing native range during the forage growing season.

Effect of Total Mixed Ration with Fermented Feed on Ruminal In vitro Fermentation, Growth Performance and Blood Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers.

In this study, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the total mixed ration with fermented feed (TMRF) and total mixed ration (TMR) by rumen in vitro fermentation and their effects on the growth performance and blood characteristics of Hanwoo steers. In experiment 1, three Hanwoo steers (600±47 kg), each permanently fitted with a ruminal cannula were used. In this experiment, three diets designated as T1, TMRF (18.4% fermented feed, tall fescue, mammoth wild rye forage and whole crop barley); T2, TMRF (17.7% fermented feed, rice straw and whole crop barley); and T3, TMR (rice straw, whole crop barley and probiotics, but no fermented feed), which were subjected to rumen in vitro fermentation for 48 h. The results demonstrated that DM disappearance rate gradually increased with advancing fermentation time, but T1 and T2 were higher than the T3 (p<0.05) from 3 h to 12 h, but insignificant (p>0.05) at 24 and 48 h. None of the specific VFAs were affected except for acetic and non volatile lactic acids, which were produced more in T2 than in T1 and T3 at 24 h and 48 h of incubation. A/P was lower in T1 and T2 than inT3 at 24 h (p<0.05) and 48 h (p>0.05) of incubation. These results confirmed that TMRF-related treatment shows a superior performance to that of TMR during the ruminal fermentation period. In experiment 2, the three diets in experiment 1 plus 1 more control diet (concentrates, probiotics and 2% rice straw of body weight) were fed to the 48 Hanwoo steers (160±10 kg) for a period of 168 d. The results demonstrated that the daily and total live weight gain and feed efficiency were higher (p<0.05) in the TMRF and TMR groups than in the control group. SGOT, SGPT and BUN (p<0.05) were reduced in TMRF relative to the control and TMR groups by 168 d which confirmed that TMRF shows better blood profiles than the TMR and control groups. Overall, these results appear to show that TMRF has better in vitro ruminal characteristics than those of TMR; growth performance and blood profiles were also found to be superior in TMRF than in the TMR and control groups. Thus, our findings suggest that TMRF-based feed supplies are favorable for Hanwoo cattle.

Effects of Micronization on the In situ and In vitro Digestion of Cereal Grains

The effects of micronization on in situ and in vitro nutrient disappearances of wheat, barley and corn were investigated in a series of experiments. In Experiment 1, chemical composition and in situ dry matter disappearance (DMD) of six varieties of wheat were determined. In addition, an in vitro study was completed using ground micronized and unmicronized wheat (var. Kansas). In Experiment 2, three varieties of wheat (Kansas, Sceptre and Laura) and in Experiment 3, three cereal grains (wheat, barley and corn) were either micronized for 1 min to attain internal kernel temperatures of 90-100 or not (controls), and DM, protein and starch disappearances were estimated. In Experiment 2, an in vitro study was also completed using ground micronized and unmicronized wheat (var. Kansas). Wheat samples varied with respect to crude protein (10.0-21.2%), starch (61.6-73.9%), NDF (8.5-11.8%), volume weight (753-842 g/L) and kernel hardness (0.0-32.0). Rate (p = 0.003) and extent (p = 0.001) of in situ DMD differed among wheat varieties. Correlations between in situ kinetics, and chemical and physical properties of wheat varieties showed that protein content was negatively correlated with the rate of disappearance ( = -0.77). Micronization of all grains markedly reduced (p = 0.001) the rate and extent of DM, and protein disappearances as compared to control samples. Micronization increased (pbarley>corn. Micronization reduced the rate of DM disappearance (p = 0.011) and slowly degradable protein fractions (p = 0.03), however, increased (p = 0.004) slowly degradable starch fractions of all three cereals. Examination of in situ samples by scanning electron microscopy confirmed that microbial colonization focused on starch granules in micronized grains, and that the protein matrix exhibited resistance to microbial colonization. These results suggest that micronization may be used to increase the ruminal escape value of protein in cereal grains, but may lead to increased starch digestion if grains are finely ground.

Effect of herbage depletion on short-term foraging dynamics and diet quality of steers grazing wheat pastures1

Two complementary experiments were completed to assess short-term foraging dynamics, diet quality, and ruminal degradation kinetics of herbage consumed by steers with 3 levels of herbage depletion. Experiment 1 was a behavioral study in which 2 ruminally cannulated steers were allocated to grazing scenarios simulating 3 levels of herbage depletion. These treatments included an ungrazed sward (control), as well as medium and high levels of herbage depletion. Grazing scenarios were sampled for sward surface height and amount of green leaf and stem before being grazed. Foraging dynamics were determined through measurements of bite rate, bite depth, eating step rate, eating distance, potential area consumed while grazing, and bites and intake per eating step. Also, quality of potential herbage consumed was estimated from hand-plucked herbage. In Exp. 2, ruminal degradation kinetics of DM for samples of herbage consumed (masticate) by steers during Exp. 1 were assessed in situ using 5 ruminally cannulated steers. The immediately soluble, degraded, and undegraded DM fractions were determined. The DM disappearance rate and lag times were determined from a nonlinear regression model, and the effective degradability of DM was calculated. Herbage depletion resulted in increased eating steps/minute, as well as the potential area harvested while grazing (P < 0.05) and reduced herbage intake/eating step (P < 0.05). Neither the herbage potentially consumed nor the ruminal degradation kinetics was affected by extent of depletion (P > 0.05). Under these experimental conditions, steers adapted their foraging dynamic and were able to sustain diet quality in the short term. These results imply that behavioral adaptations would make diet quality less sensitive to certain levels of herbage depletion.

Effects of increasing levels of corn distillers dried grains with solubles to steers offered moderate-quality forage1

Supplementation of forage-fed livestock has been studied for decades; however, as by-products become available research is needed to determine optimal feeding rates for increased efficiency. Five ruminally and duodenally cannulated beef steers (446 +/- 42 kg of initial BW) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square to evaluate effects of increasing level of supplemental corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 25.4% CP, 9.8% fat, DM basis) on DMI, rate and site of digestion, ruminal fermentation, and microbial efficiency. Diets consisted of ad libitum quantities of moderate-quality smooth brome hay (10.6% CP; DM basis), free access to water and trace mineral salt block, and 1 of 5 levels of DDGS (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2% of BW daily of DDGS; DM basis). Diets were formulated to meet or exceed the estimated rumen degradable protein requirements (assumed microbial yield = 10.5%). All supplements were fed at 0600 h before forage was fed. Steers were adapted to diets for 14 d followed by a 7-d collection period. Hay OM intake decreased (linear; P < 0.001), whereas total OM intake increased (linear; P < 0.001) with increasing DDGS level. Total CP intake, duodenal OM and CP flows, and total tract OM and NDF digestibilities increased (linear; P <or= 0.01) with increasing level of DDGS. Apparent ruminal and true ruminal CP digestibilities increased linearly (P <or= 0.007), and total-tract CP digestibility increased quadratically (P = 0.02) with increasing DDGS level. Average ruminal pH was not different (P = 0.89) among treatments. Ammonia concentration increased (quadratic; P = 0.02) with increasing DDGS. Acetate proportions (molar %) decreased linearly (P < 0.001), whereas butyrate (molar %) increased linearly (P = 0.007), and propionate (molar %) increased quadratically (P = 0.04) with increasing DDGS. Ruminal DM fill decreased quadratically (P = 0.03), whereas fluid dilution rate tended to increase cubically (P = 0.08) with increasing DDGS. In situ rate of hay and DDGS DM disappearance responded cubically (P <or= 0.03) with greatest disappearance occurring with the 0.9% treatment. In situ rate of ruminal CP degradation of hay and DDGS increased (linear; P <or= 0.003) with increasing DDGS. Feeding 0.3% up to 1.2% of BW daily of DDGS as a supplement to forage-based diets resulted in no adverse effects on forage digestion or fermentation and resulted in increased nutrient supply in steers fed moderate-quality smooth brome hay.

Effect of intake level and alfalfa substitution for grass hay on ruminal kinetics of fiber digestion and particle passage in beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate digestion kinetics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) substitution for grass hay in beef cattle. In Exp. 1, forage combinations evaluated in situ consisted of 0% alfalfa-100% big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman), 25% alfalfa-75% big bluestem, 50% alfalfa-50% big bluestem, and 100% alfalfa-0% big bluestem. Nonlinear regression was used to determine the immediately soluble fraction A, the potentially degradable fraction B, the undegraded fraction C, and the disappearance rate of DM and NDF. Dry matter fraction A increased linearly (P = 0.03), and DM and NDF fraction B decreased linearly (P = 0.01) with increasing alfalfa substitution. Rate of DM and NDF disappearance increased linearly (P </= 0.02) with increasing alfalfa substitution. In Exp. 2, treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial testing alfalfa substitution [none or 25% (as-fed basis)] to orchardgrass hay (Dactylis glomerata L.) and intake level [restricted to 1% of BW daily (DM basis) or ad libitum]. Nutrient intakes were lowest (P </= 0.05) by steers fed restricted diets, intermediate by steers fed orchardgrass ad libitum, and greatest by steers fed orchardgrass plus alfalfa ad libitum. Intake level and forage source had no effect (P >/= 0.23) on total tract apparent digestibility of all nutrients except CP. Steers fed orchardgrass plus alfalfa had 33% greater (P = 0.01) total tract apparent digestibility for CP than those fed orchardgrass alone. Lag time of DM and NDF disappearance was not affected (P >/= 0.20) by alfalfa supplementation or intake level. Rate of DM and NDF disappearance of orchardgrass was faster (P </= 0.01) in steers fed orchardgrass plus alfalfa, at both restricted and ad libitum levels of feeding, than in animals fed orchardgrass alone. Mean retention times of large and small particles of orchardgrass tended to be shorter (P </= 0.06) when steers consumed ad libitum vs. restricted diets. Small orchardgrass particles tended to have a faster (P = 0.09) rate of passage under ad libitum feeding conditions and with alfalfa addition. Ad libitum intake was associated with a shorter mean retention time of orchardgrass and faster rate of passage of small orchardgrass particles, whereas alfalfa addition increased the rate of passage of small orchardgrass particles and the rate of DM and NDF disappearance.

Effects of concentrated separator by-product (desugared molasses) on intake, ruminal fermentation, digestion, and microbial efficiency in beef steers fed grass hay1

Concentrated separator by-product (CSB) is produced when beet molasses goes through an industrial desugaring process. To investigate the nutritional value of CSB as a supplement for grass hay diets (12.5% CP; DM basis), 4 ruminally and duodenally cannulated beef steers (332 +/- 2.3 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors were intake level: ad libitum (AL) vs. restricted (RE; 1.25% of BW, DM basis) and dietary CSB addition (0 vs. 10%; DM basis). Experimental periods were 21 d in length, with the last 7 d used for collections. By design, intakes of both DM and OM (g/kg of BW) were greater (P < 0.01; 18.8 vs. 13.1 +/- 0.69 and 16.8 vs. 11.7 +/- 0.62, respectively) for animals consuming AL compared with RE diets. Main effect means for intake were not affected by CSB (P = 0.59). However, within AL-fed steers, CSB tended (P = 0.12) to improve DMI (6,018 vs. 6,585 +/- 185 g for 0 and 10% CSB, respectively). Feeding CSB resulted in similar total tract DM and OM digestion compared with controls (P = 0.50 and 0.87, respectively). There were no effects of CSB on apparent total tract NDF (P = 0.27) or ADF (P = 0.35) digestion; however, apparent N absorption increased (P = 0.10) with CSB addition. Total tract NDF, ADF, or N digestion coefficients were not different between AL- and RE-fed steers. Nitrogen intake (P = 0.02), total duodenal N flow (P = 0.02), and feed N escaping to the small intestine (P = 0.02) were increased with CSB addition. Microbial efficiency was unaffected by treatment (P = 0.17). Supplementation with CSB increased the rate of DM disappearance (P = 0.001; 4.9 vs. 6.9 +/- 0.33 %/h). Restricted intake increased the rate of in situ DM disappearance (P = 0.03; 6.4 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.33 %/h) compared with AL-fed steers. Ruminal DM fill was greater (P = 0.01) in AL compared with RE. Total VFA concentrations were greater (P = 0.04) for CSB compared with controls; however, ammonia concentrations were reduced (P = 0.03) with CSB addition. At different levels of dietary intake, supplementing medium-quality forage with 10% CSB increased N intake, small intestinal protein supply, and total ruminal VFA.

Effect of preservation on fermentative activity of rumen fluid inoculum for in vitro gas production techniques

Use of preserved rumen fluid (RF) as microbial inoculum for in vitro gas production techniques (IVGPT) would be of practical importance when access to ruminally cannulated animals is limited. This experiment was designed to study effects of RF preservation on its subsequent fermentative activity. Four substrates being: alfalfa hay (AH), barley straw NDF (BS-NDF), cellulose and starch were incubated with rumen inoculum obtained from 12 rumen cannulated grazing sheep, of which six (G) received no supplement and the other 6 (G+S) received 500 g/day of a concentrate. Sub-samples of RF were processed without delay (i.e., control) or stored at approximately 0 °C in a chest with crushed ice for 3, 6 and 24 h (treatments 3, 6 and 24 h, respectively) or at −18 °C for 24 h in a freezer (treatment 24 F). An IVGPT was used to determine the rate and extent of gas production and DM disappearance. Average fermentation rate (AFR) and extent of degradation in the rumen (ED) were estimated. Incubations with inoculum derived from supplemented sheep (G+S) resulted in faster rates of gas production (with differences, as proportionate increases, of 0.77 for the barley straw NDF; P<0.01), lower lag times (e.g., 13.2 versus 4.0 h for the starch; P<0.05), and higher ED values (e.g., 229 versus 331 g/kg for the barley straw NDF or 173 versus 409 g/kg for the cellulose; P<0.05). Storing RF in ice for 3 or 6 h had no effect on any fermentation parameter. Treatment 24 h did not affect IVGPT parameters when starch and cellulose were fermented, but estimates of rates and ED were lower (P<0.05) with BS-NDF and AH. Fermentative activity of rumen inoculum was, in general, reduced by freezing (24 F). However, incubations of starch and cellulose were less affected by frozen inoculum than those of AH or BS-NDF. Preservation of RF for up to 6 h in crushed ice may be a practical alternative, when necessary, to use fresh RF as microbial inoculum.

Recria de bezerros em pastagem de aveia e azevém utilizando suplementação energética com níveis de promotor de crescimento

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a produção animal em pastagem de aveia (Avena strigosa Schreb) e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), recebendo ou não suplementação, com e sem promotor de crescimento. O experimento foi conduzido no Setor de Bovinocultura de Leite do Departamento de Zootecnia da UFSM, no período de abril a setembro de 2003. Os animais utilizados foram bezerros machos desaleitados, da raça Holandês com idade média inicial de 3 meses e peso médio inicial de 88,7kg. Estes animais foram submetidos a pastejo contínuo com lotação fixa (carga média de 1.479kg de Peso Vivo por hectare (PV ha-1)) em pastagem de aveia e azevém recebendo ou não suplementação, com e sem um promotor de crescimento natural à base de óleos essenciais extraídos de plantas. Os tratamentos foram: S-0% = pastagem sem suplementação; S-1% = pastagem + 1% do peso vivo (PV) em matéria seca (MS) do suplemento ao dia; S-1% PC250 = pastagem + 1% do PV em MS do suplemento ao dia (com 250g de promotor de crescimento por tonelada de suplemento); S-1% PC500 = pastagem + 1% do PV em MS do suplemento ao dia (com 500g de promotor de crescimento por tonelada de suplemento). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de um quadrado latino 4x4, com duas repetições. As medidas dos animais e seu ganho médio diário (GMD), a massa de forragem (MF), altura da pastagem (ALT), taxa de acúmulo da pastagem (TAMS), taxa de desaparecimento de matéria seca (TDMS) e valor nutritivo da pastagem foram avaliadas. O GMD médio foi de 622g animal-1dia-1 para os animais suplementados e 294,5g animal-1dia-1para os não suplementados (P&lt;0,05). Os valores médios de massa de forragem (943,9 kg ha-1,MS), taxa de acúmulo (142,7kg ha-1 dia-1, MS) e taxa de desaparecimento de MS (133,2kg ha-1 dia-1, MS) não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos (P&gt;0,05). As diferenças de MF total são conseqüência da taxa de desaparecimento, já que as taxas de acúmulo de matéria seca foram semelhantes. O promotor de crescimento não afetou o desempenho e o desenvolvimento dos animais.

Effect of field pea-based creep feed on intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and performance by nursing calves grazing native range in western North Dakota.

Two experiments evaluated digestive and performance effects of field pea-based creep feed in nursing calf diets. In Exp.1, eight nursing steer calves (145 +/- 27 kg initial BW) with ruminal cannulas were used to evaluate effects of supplementation and advancing season on dietary composition, intake, digestion, and ruminal fermentation characteristics. Treatments were unsupplemented control (CON) and field pea-based creep (SUP; 19.1% CP, DM basis) fed at 0.45% BW (DM basis) daily. Calves grazed native range with their dams from early July through early November. Periods were 24 d long and occurred in July (JUL), August (AUG), September (SEP), and October (OCT). Experiment 2 used 80 crossbred nursing calves, 48 calves in yr 1 and 32 calves in yr 2 (yr 1 = 144 +/- 24 kg; yr 2 = 121 +/- 20 kg initial BW), to evaluate effects of field pea-based creep on calf performance. Treatments included unsupplemented control (CON); field pea-based creep feeds containing either 8% (LS); or 16% (HS) salt; and soybean meal/field pea-based creep containing (as-fed basis) 16% salt (HIPRO). Masticate samples from SUP calves in Exp.1 had greater CP (P = 0.05) than those from CON calves. Forage CP and ADIN decreased linearly with advancing season (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). In vitro OM digestibility of diet masticate decreased from JUL to OCT (P < 0.01; 58.5 to 41.3%). Forage intake did not differ (P = 0.33) between treatments but increased linearly with advancing season (1.67, 1.90, 3.12, 3.38 kg/d for JUL, AUG, SEP, and OCT, respectively; P < 0.01). Milk intake (percentage of BW) did not differ (P = 0.56) between CON and SUP calves but decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with advancing season. Supplemented calves had greater (P = 0.03) total intake (g/kg of BW; forage + milk + creep) compared with CON calves. Treatment did not affect (P < 0.30) rate of in situ disappearance of forage or creep. Forage DM, CP, and creep DM disappearance rate decreased linearly (P < or = 0.02) with advancing season. Supplementation decreased (P = 0.05) ruminal pH, whereas ruminal ammonia and VFA concentrations were greater (P < or = 0.02) in SUP calves. In Exp. 2, creep-fed calves had greater ADG and final BW than CON calves (P < 0.01). Calves offered HS tended (P = 0.07) to have increased gain efficiency above CON than LS calves. Field peas can be used as an ingredient in creep feed to increase calf weight gain without negatively affecting ruminal fermentation and digestion.

Effect of field pea replacement level on intake and digestion in beef steers fed by-product-based medium-concentrate diets.

Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers (703.4 +/- 41 kg initial BW) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square to evaluate the effects of field pea inclusion level on intake and site of digestion in beef steers fed medium-concentrate diets. Steers were offered feed ad libitum at 0700 and 1900 daily and were allowed free access to water. Diets consisted of 45% grass hay and 55% by-products based concentrate mixture and were formulated to contain a minimum of 12% CP (DM basis). Treatments consisted of (DM basis) 1) control, no pea; 2) 15% pea; 3) 30% pea; and 4) 45% pea in the total diet, with pea replacing wheat middlings, soybean hulls, and barley malt sprouts in the concentrate mixture. Experimental periods consisted of a 9-d dietary adjustment period followed by a 5-d collection period. Grass hay was incubated in situ, beginning on d 10, for 0, 2, 5, 9, 14, 24, 36, 72, and 98 h; and field pea and soybean hulls for 0, 2, 5, 9, 14, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h. Total DMI (15.0, 13.5, 14.1, 13.5 +/- 0.65 kg/d) and OM intake (13.4, 12.0, 12.6, 12.0 +/- 0.58 kg/d) decreased linearly (P = 0.10) with field pea inclusion. Apparent ruminal (17.5, 12.0, 0.6, 6.5 +/- 4.31%) and true ruminal CP digestibility (53.5, 48.7, 37.8, 46.2 +/- 3.83) decreased linearly (P < 0.10) with increasing field pea. Neutral detergent fiber intake (8.9, 7.9, 7.8, 7.0 +/- 0.3 kg/d) and fecal NDF output (3.1, 2.9, 2.6, 2.3 +/- 0.2 k/d) decreased linearly (P < 0.03) with increasing field pea. No effects were observed for microbial efficiency or total-tract digestibility of OM, CP, NDF, and ADF (P > or = 0.16). In situ DM and NDF disappearance rates of grass hay and soybean hulls decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing field pea. Field pea in situ DM disappearance rate responded quadratically (P < 0.01; 5.9, 8.4, 5.5, and 4.9 +/- 0.52%/h, for 0, 15, 30, and 45% field pea level, respectively). Rate of in situ CP disappearance of grass hay decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing field pea level. Field pea is a suitable ingredient for beef cattle consuming medium-concentrate diets, and the inclusion of up to 45% pea in by-products-based medium-concentrate growing diets decreased DMI, increased dietary UIP, and did not alter OM, NDF, or ADF digestibility.

Wet corn gluten feed and alfalfa hay combinations in steam-flaked corn finishing cattle diets.

One finishing trial and one digestibility trial were used to evaluate wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and alfalfa hay (AH) combinations in steam-flaked corn (SFC) finishing diets. In Exp. 1, 631 crossbred heifers (initial BW = 284 +/- 7.9 kg) were fed SFC-based diets containing combinations of WCGF (25, 35, or 45% of diet DM) and AH (2 or 6% of dietary DM) in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. No interactions existed between WCGF and AH for heifer performance. Increasing dietary WCGF linearly decreased gain efficiency (P < 0.01), dietary NEg concentration (P < 0.05), and 12th-rib fat thickness (P = 0.10). Cattle fed 35% WCGF had the lowest occurrence of abscessed livers, resulting in a quadratic response (P < 0.05) as dietary WCGF increased. In Exp. 2, 12 ruminally cannulated Jersey steers (585 kg) were fed SFC-based diets containing combinations of WCGF (25 or 45% of diet DM) and AH (0, 2, or 6% of diet DM) in an incomplete Latin square design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Starch intake was lower (P < 0.05), but NDF intake was greater (P < 0.05) as AH and WCGF increased in the diet. Ruminal pH was increased by AH (linear, P < 0.05) and tended (P < 0.07) to increase with WCGF. Feeding 2% AH led to the greatest ruminal NH3 but the lowest total VFA and propionate (quadratic, P < 0.05). Addition of AH to diets containing 25% WCGF increased acetate to a greater extent than addition to diets containing 45% WCGF (AH x WCGF interaction, P < 0.05). Feeding 45% WCGF tended to increase passage rate (P = 0.17) and decrease (P < 0.05) total tract OM digestibility but increase (P < 0.05) in situ degradation of DM from AH and WCGF. Interactions between AH and WCGF existed (P < 0.05) for ruminal fluid volume (quadratic effect of AH x WCGF level), in situ SFC degradation (linear effect of AH x WCGF level), and in situ rate of WCGF DM disappearance (quadratic effect of AH x WCGF level). We conclude that AH levels may be decreased when WCGF is added to SFC diets as 25% or more of the dietary DM.

Effect of hybrid, maturity, and mechanical processing of corn silage on intake and digestibility by beef cattle.

A study involving a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was conducted to evaluate effects of hybrid (Pioneer 3335 and 3489), maturity (half milkline and blacklayer), and mechanical processing (field chopper with and without on-board rollers engaged) on intake and digestibility of corn silage. Forty Angus steers (322 +/- 5.2 kg BW) were assigned to the eight silage treatments (five steers per treatment) and individually fed using electronic gates. Diets consisted of 60% corn silage and 40% chopped alfalfa hay (DM basis). Following a 5-d adaptation period, intake was measured for 7 d and subsequently fecal samples were collected for 5 d. Chromic oxide (5 g/d) was fed beginning 7 d before fecal sample collection and digestibility was determined by the ratio of Cr in the feed and feces. Steers were reallocated to treatments and these procedures were repeated, providing 10 observations per treatment. In addition, all silages were ruminally incubated in six mature cows for 0, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 96 h to determine extent and rate of DM, starch, NDF, and ADF disappearance. Processing increased DMI of hybrid 3489 but did not affect DMI of hybrid 3335 (hybrid x processing; P < 0.06). Total tract digestibility of DM, starch, NDF, and ADF decreased (P < 0.01) as plant maturity increased. Maturity tended to decrease starch digestibility more for hybrid 3489 than for hybrid 3335 (hybrid x maturity; P < 0.10). Processing increased (P < 0.01) starch digestibility but decreased (P < 0.01) NDF and ADF digestibility, resulting in no processing effect on DM digestibility. There was a numerical trend for processing to increase starch digestibility more for latethan for early-maturity corn silage (maturity x processing; P = 0.11). Processing increased in situ rates of DM and starch disappearance and maturity decreased in situ disappearance rates of starch and fiber. These data indicate that hybrid, maturity, and processing all affect corn silage digestibility. Mechanical processing of corn silage increased starch digestibility, which may have been associated with the observed decreased fiber digestibility.

Estimation of dairy pastures - the need for standardisation

A study was undertaken to determine the reason for the differences in the estimation of pasture mass between dairying research centres in New Zealand and to define a common system of estimation that would overcome these differences and be able to describe the pasture situation on commercial dairy farms in different parts of New Zealand. Differences in the visual estimation of pasture between a standard observer and a local observer at the different dairying research centres in the order of 900 kg DM/ha were identified. This was attributed to a lack of regular visual calibration of persons who regularly assessed pasture, as differences between centres in the actual harvested DM yields of the visually assessed plots varied less (200-400 kg DM/ha). To achieve uniformity it is recommended that all centres measure total herbage mass (the amount of herbage above ground level) to regularly calibrate pasture assessment in dairy grazing management studies and on dairy farms. A reasonably consistent estimation of average farm cover, the ranking of paddocks (r2 &gt; 0.9) for the purposes of determining grazing order and the estimation of pre- and post-grazing herbage mass was achieved using the rising plate meter and L'Huillier &amp; Thomson's standard set of calibration equations published in 1988. With these recommendations, estimation of pasture will be more uniform. Standard calibration of the plate meter for the determination of rate of DM disappearance (pre-post grazing) achieved less consistency. Keywords: herbage mass, pasture assessment, pasture height, rising plate meter, visual pasture estimation

Effects of Cubing Alfalfa Hay on Development of Yearling Beef Heifers and In Situ Rate and Extent of Disappearance

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cubing alfalfa on heifer development and in situ ruminai NDF and CP disappearance. One hundred ninety-two prepuberal crossbred heifers were allotted to 16 pens with each pen randomly allotted to treatment; 1) cubed alfalfa (CA) or 2) long alfalfa (LA). Diets were consumed ad libitum. Heifers were weighed every 28 d throughout the 96-d trial. Following synchronization, heifers were bred by AI 12 h after observed estrus. Hay intake by CA heifers was lower (P .25)or in total pregnancy (P > .25). Six mature beef cows fitted with ruminal cannula were used in a switchback design to determine influence of cubing on in situruminal CP and NDF disappearance. During each period animals consumed their respective diets ad libitum for 14 d of adaptation and 5 d of data collection. Nylon bags containing 5-g samples of either CA or LA were ruminally incubated for 12,24,36,48,72, and 96 h. Bag residues were analyzed for DM, CP, and NDF content. The DM and NDF disappearance rate constants and extent of DM disappearance for CA (.27, .11, and 79.6%, respectively) were higher (P .05) forCA (.33) and LA (.28). Results from the heifer development trial suggest that heifers fed CA gained faster and were more efficient than heifers fed LA. No differences were detected in reproductive performance, possibly because all heifers reached the recommended weight for puberty at the beginning of the breeding season regardless of treatment (average, 409 kg). Results from the in situ trial indicate ruminal DM and NDF disappearance were enhanced by cubing alfalfa, but not rate of CP disappearance.

Supplemental methionine and time of supplementation effects on ruminal fermentation, digesta kinetics, and in situ dry matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance in cattle.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of methionine supplementation on ruminal fermentation and digesta kinetics. In Exp. 1, nine ruminally cannulated beef heifers (average initial BW = 527 kg) in a crossover design were fed low-quality grass hay and cottonseed meal with or without 11.4 g of supplemental methionine (polysaccharide-coated). Particulate and fluid kinetics, rate of DM and NDF disappearance, ruminal VFA and NH3 N concentrations, and pH were not altered (P > .10) by supplemental methionine; however, ruminal purine concentration was greater (P < .05) in methionine-supplemented heifers than in unsupplemented heifers. In Exp. 2, 12 ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (average initial BW = 622 kg) grazing a fescue pasture were allotted to one of three groups: no supplemental methionine (CON) or 11.4 g of supplemental methionine fed at 0700 (AM) or at 1200 (PM). Forage intake, particulate kinetics, ruminal fluid kinetics, pH, VFA, and NH3 N concentrations were not altered (P > .10) by supplemental methionine or supplementation time. In situ rate of DM and NDF disappearance was greater (P < .05) in supplemented steers than in CON steers; AM steers exhibited faster (P < .05) rates than PM steers. Overall, methionine supplementation of low-quality forage increased ruminal purine concentration but did not alter in situ fermentation or digesta passage, whereas supplementation at 0700, but not at 1200, of steers grazing fescue forage increased rate of NDF fermentation.