Sacco Dry Matter Disappearance Research Articles

Day and Night Grazing by Cattle in the Sahel

The influence of night grazing on feeding behavior, nutrition and performance of cattle was studied. Twenty-four steers weighing 367 kg (SD = 76) grazed either from 0900 to 1900 (day grazers), 2100 to 0700 (night grazers) or 0900 to 1900 and 2400 to 0400 (day-and-night grazers) during 13 weeks. Four esophageally fistulated steers were used in a cross-over design to sample the diet selected during the day and at night. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the diet selected in the day or at night. As the season progressed the fiber components of the diet increased (P < 0.01) significantly while nitrogen and in sacco dry matter disappearance declined (P < 0.01). Actual grazing time (min day(-1), SE = 16) were 352, 376, and 476 for day, night, and day-and-night grazers, respectively. Day-and-night grazers had a higher intake of organic matter than either day or night grazers. Night grazers had the lowest forage intake and also the slowest rate of consumption. Steers that grazed in the night had the lowest water intake: 22.7 liter day(-1) (SE = 1.5) in week 4; 19.9 liter day(-1) (SE = 1.1) in week 8. Average weight changes (g day(-1), SE = 62) were -435, -548 and -239 for day, night, and day-and-night grazers, respectively. These results show that during the dry season, grazing exclusively in the night cannot substitute for day time grazing, but that it is rather complementary to the latter. Timing (day or night) of grazing did not affect diet selection but nocturnal grazing decreased the need for water. DOI:10.2458/azu_jrm_v55i2_ayantunde

Day and night grazing by cattle in the Sahel

The influence of night grazing on feeding behavior, nutrition and performance of cattle was studied. Twenty-four steers weighing 367 kg (SD = 76) grazed either from 0900 to 1900 (day grazers), 2100 to 0700 (night grazers) or 0900 to 1900 and 2400 to 0400 (day-and-night grazers) during 13 weeks. Four esophageally fistulated steers were used in a cross-over design to sample the diet selected during the day and at night. No differences (P &gt; 0.05) were observed in the diet selected in the day or at night. As the season progressed the fiber components of the diet increased (P &lt; 0.01) significantly while nitrogen and in sacco dry matter disappearance declined (P &lt; 0.01). Actual grazing time (min day(-1), SE = 16) were 352, 376, and 476 for day, night, and day-and-night grazers, respectively. Day-and-night grazers had a higher intake of organic matter than either day or night grazers. Night grazers had the lowest forage intake and also the slowest rate of consumption. Steers that grazed in the night had the lowest water intake: 22.7 liter day(-1) (SE = 1.5) in week 4; 19.9 liter day(-1) (SE = 1.1) in week 8. Average weight changes (g day(-1), SE = 62) were -435, -548 and -239 for day, night, and day-and-night grazers, respectively. These results show that during the dry season, grazing exclusively in the night cannot substitute for day time grazing, but that it is rather complementary to the latter. Timing (day or night) of grazing did not affect diet selection but nocturnal grazing decreased the need for water.

Genetic variation in the nutritive value of Gliricidia sepium: 1. Acceptability, intake, digestibility and live weight gain in small ruminants

There are widely varying perceptions of the acceptability of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. to ruminants in different parts of the tropics. The possibility that there is a genetic basis for this apparent variation was investigated in a series of feeding experiments with small ruminants. The same five provenances of G. sepium (three high-yielding provenances from the native range, plus two land races locally considered to be of high and low acceptability, respectively) were planted at sites in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Colombia and Nigeria. They were compared in terms of their relative acceptability and their effects on intake, live weight gain, and in vivo and in sacco dry matter disappearance. In preference tests, both sheep and goats could distinguish between provenances, and displayed a clear preference for local material (to which they had previous exposure). In seven trials where each animal received a single provenance, there was a significant effect of provenance on total intake in only one case, but this was not reflected in any significant variation in live weight gain or in vivo digestibility at any of the sites. Provenance differences in sacco dry matter disappearance were apparent at 24 and 48 h, but the differences were not consistent across sites. The findings of the study suggest that superior genetic material of G. sepium can be selected for fodder on the basis of growth and yield only, since there appears to be much greater within-species variation in yield than in nutritive value.

Effect of silica on the colonization of rice straw by ruminal bacteria

The relationship between silica distribution and microbial colonization in the cuticle of rice straw was examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). Rice straw stems cut into 1 -cm lengths were either treated with 40 g NH3 kg−1 dry matter (DM) or left untreated. Microbial colonization was examined using cultures of Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 grown on rice straw as the sole source of carbohydrate. The nylon bag technique was also used to study the colonization of rice straw by mixed ruminal microorganisms and to determine in sacco dry matter disappearance (ISDMD). Examination by EDX revealed the outer (abaxial) surface of the leaf sheath to be virtually covered by silica, with high levels of accumulation within distinctly arranged opaline bodies (phytoliths). Silica was distributed diffusely over most of the inner (adaxial) surface of the leaf sheath, but phytoliths were absent and some regions were devoid of silica. Ammonia treatment dramatically increased the ISDMD of rice straw, but did not alter the content or distribution of silica on either surface of the leaf sheath. Trichomes contained no silica and were major sites of invasion and colonization in the intact cuticle of rice straw. Cuticular damage and loss were more prevalent in treated than in untreated rice straw, and underlying tissues were found to be devoid of silica and extensively colonized. The improved digestibility of ammonia-treated rice straw may be partially due to a weakening of the adhesion between the cuticle and underlying tissues. Detachment of the cuticle removes this barrier to digestion and exposes underlying silica-free tissues to bacterial colonization.

Effect of Yeast Culture Supplement on Ruminal Microbial Populations and Metabolism in Buffalo Calves Fed a High Roughage Diet

The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture (YC, Yea-Sacc 1026) as a supplement to the high-roughage diet of buffalo calves on the rumen microbial populations, fermentation pattern and in sacco dry matter disappearance of dietary constituents was examined. A control group was fed a diet consisting of, on a dry matter basis, 2·12 kg bajra (Pennisetum typhoides) hay and 0·45 kg groundnut cake per day per calf, while the treatment group had the same diet plus 5 g YC. After feeding for 6 weeks, inclusion of YC was stopped and both groups were given the control diet for 2 weeks. At week 4 the pH in the rumen fluid (RF) was significantly higher (P<0·05) up to 6 h post-feeding in the treatment group compared with the control group. The concentrations of total, total viable and cellulolytic bacteria were increased by 41·0 (P<0·05), 33·5 and 57·4% (P<0·01), respectively, with YC supplement. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (P<0·05), particularly at 4 h post-feeding (P<0·01) and acetate (P<0·01) and acetate to propionate ratio (P<0·05) were higher in the treatment compared with the control group. On YC supplementation, the concentration of NH3-N was decreased (P<0·05) while that of TCA-precipitable protein in RF was marginally but non-significantly increased. Withdrawal of YC from the diet reversed these effects and the rumen variables returned to values close to control levels after 2 weeks. The in sacco dry matter disappearance of dietary components was higher in the treatment compared with the control group, particularly during the first 24 h of incubation. © 1997 SCI.

Effect of Yeast Culture Supplement on Ruminal Microbial Populations and Metabolism in Buffalo Calves Fed a High Roughage Diet

The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture (YC, Yea-Sacc 1026) as a supplement to the high-roughage diet of buffalo calves on the rumen microbial populations, fermentation pattern and in sacco dry matter disappearance of dietary constituents was examined. A control group was fed a diet consisting of, on a dry matter basis, 2·12 kg bajra (Pennisetum typhoides) hay and 0·45 kg groundnut cake per day per calf, while the treatment group had the same diet plus 5 g YC. After feeding for 6 weeks, inclusion of YC was stopped and both groups were given the control diet for 2 weeks. At week 4 the pH in the rumen fluid (RF) was significantly higher (P<0·05) up to 6 h post-feeding in the treatment group compared with the control group. The concentrations of total, total viable and cellulolytic bacteria were increased by 41·0 (P<0·05), 33·5 and 57·4% (P<0·01), respectively, with YC supplement. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (P<0·05), particularly at 4 h post-feeding (P<0·01) and acetate (P<0·01) and acetate to propionate ratio (P<0·05) were higher in the treatment compared with the control group. On YC supplementation, the concentration of NH3-N was decreased (P<0·05) while that of TCA-precipitable protein in RF was marginally but non-significantly increased. Withdrawal of YC from the diet reversed these effects and the rumen variables returned to values close to control levels after 2 weeks. The in sacco dry matter disappearance of dietary components was higher in the treatment compared with the control group, particularly during the first 24 h of incubation. © 1997 SCI.

Effects of Ruminant Digestion on Germination of Lehmann Love-Grass Seed

Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees) seed (germination 96%, dormant 0%) was used in 4 experiments to study the potential of sheep as a dispersal agent. Five, 4-year-old, ruminally cannulated wethers were used to examine effects of ruminant digestion on seed recovery and germination. All wethers were ruminally evacuated, and rumens were cleansed and reinoculated with strained ruminal fluid. After a 21-day adaptation to pelleted alfalfa, 4 experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 was designed to test viability of Lehmann lovegrass seeds exposed to ruminal and postruminal digestion. Lehmann lovegrass seed (10 g) was dosed intra-ruminally via ruminal fistula, and total fecal collections made. Of the viable seed ruminally dosed, 37% germinated within 21 days after recovery. Also, 98 to 100% of the seed that germinated was recovered within 72 hours of dosing. Experiment 2 was designed to test the influence of ruminal microbial digestion on seed degradation and viability, using in sacco nylon bag techniques. In sacco dry matter disappearance increased linearly from 5.5% at 3 hours of incubation to 16% at 120 hours. Germination of seed was not greatly affected until after 72 hours of ruminal incubation. Experiment 3 was designed to examine the effect of mastication on viability of Lehmann lovegrass seeds. Seeds were mixed with seed-free Lehmann lovegrass straw in a proportion of 1 to 10 (seed to straw) and 10 g fed to each wether. Boli were recovered manually via ruminal fistula. Thirty five percent of the seed fed entered the rumen without damage due to mastication. Experiment 4 compared in vitro techniques and in sacco techniques used to estimate the effect of digestion on seed viability. In vitro incubation techniques yielded similar results as in sacco techniques. We conclude that ruminants are potential disseminating agents of Lehmann lovegrass seed.

Effect ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeyeast culture supplement on ruminal metabolism in buffalo calves given a high concentrate diet

AbstractThe effect of inclusion of live yeast culture (YC, Saccharomyces cerevisiae plus growth medium) in a high concentrate diet given to buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves on the rumen microbial population and fermentation pattern and in sacco dry matter disappearance of dietary constituents was examined. Six rumen-fistulated buffalo calves of about 120 kg live iveight were divided into two equal groups. The control group was given a diet consisting of, on a dry-matter basis, 0·90 kg ivheat straw, 1 kg berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and ISO kg concentrate per day per calf and the yeast group the above diet plus 5 g YC which was put directly into the rumen via the fistula. After feeding this diet for 6 weeks (supplementation period), inclusion of YC was stopped and both groups were given the control diet for a period of 3 weeks to examine the performance of the YC group after withdrawal of YC. At week 4 of YC supplementation the pH was significantly increased (P&lt; 0·01) and lactate concentration was decreased (P&lt; 0·01) in the rumen fluid for up to 6 h post feeding. The number of total bacteria, total viable bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria, amylolytic bacteria and protozoa were increased proportionately by 0·554 (P&lt; 002), 0·482 (P&lt;0·01), 0·670 (P&lt;0·01), 0·077 (P &gt; 0·05) and 0·079 (P&gt;0·05), respectively. The concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, particularly at 4 h post feeding (P&lt; 0·01), acetate fP&lt; 0·01) and propionate and the acetate to propionate ratio were higher in the YC compared with the control group. On YC inclusion, the concentration of ammonia-nitrogen was decreased while that of trichloracetic acid insoluble protein was marginally increased. All these differences in rumen variables started to disappear on YC withdrawal and values returned to control levels by the 3rd week after YC withdrawal. YC supplementation increased the in sacco dry-matter disappearance of various dietary components particularly after 3, 6 and 22 h incubation.

Effect of ammoniation and urea addition on chemical composition and digestibility of mature timothy hay, and rumen fluid characteristics of growing steers

Feed quality of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) harvested at the beginning of heading (H), with a crude protein (CP) content of 13.3%, was compared to timothy harvested at a late stage of growth either untreated (M) or treated with anhydrous ammonia (30 g kg−1 dry weight) (MA); or with urea added at feeding (MU) making it isonitrogenous with MA. These diets were fed to eight ruminally fistulated steers (220 ± 12 kg) in a 4 × 4 double Latin square. Treatments MA and MU increased the crude protein (CP) content of timothy from 8.3 (M) to 19.8 and 21.8%, respectively. Ammoniation improved the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) (68 vs. 62%), CP (66 vs. 47%), hemicellulose (HC) (85 vs. 67%), and cellulose (C) (79 vs. 65%), compared to M. In support, in sacco DM disappearance was about 18% units greater (P &lt; 0.01) for ammoniated hay (MA) as compared with M. Ammoniated timothy hay had apparent digestibility of DM, CP and C (68, 66 and 79%, respectively) similar to that of timothy hay from early harvest (67, 65 and 75%, respectively) and greater HC digestibility (85%) than that of all other hays (77, 67 and 66% for H, M and MU, respectively). Except for CP, digestibility of the other constituents was greater following ammonia treatment than following urea application. Soluble protein was significantly higher in rumen fluid of steers fed MA compared to other treatments. Ammoniation increased energy released from structural carbohydrates, made available following the delignification process, which resulted in improved overall DM digestibility. Ammoniation compensated for deterioration caused by late harvest, resulting in forage constituent digestibility comparable to that of early harvested hay, while additional nitrogen (N) brought about by MU did not improve the overall digestibility of the forage. Ammoniation appears to be an efficient means of increasing N and structural carbohydrate digestibility of low-quality timothy forage. Key words: Ammoniation, urea addition, Phleum pratense L., digestion, rumen fluid

Physical characteristics of feeds and their relation to nutrient components and dry matter disappearance in sacco

Samples of alfalfa hay (AA), orchardgrass hay (OG), maize silage (CS), alfalfa silage (AS), 70 : 30 (w/w) cracked maize to OG (70G) and 70 : 30 (w/w) barley straw to AA (70S) were collected weekly during each period (six samples per period) of a 6 × 6 Latin square design experiment. The weekly feed samples were pooled within each period and chemically analyzed for protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), lignin and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) content. Grinding resistance, defined as the weight of the dried, preground (to pass through a 5-mm screen) feed that could be ground to pass through a 1-mm screen within the first 10 s, was measured in five replicates. Density of the feeds ground to pass through either a 5-mm or 1-mm screen was also determined dry and after a 24 h soak at 37°C in McDougall's buffer. Significant correlation coefficients were noted among these parameters, with the highest being 0.90 between grinding resistance and ADF content of the feeds. The density and hydration capacity values of the feeds were significantly correlated with various chemical components. Therefore multiple regression equations were developed to estimate feed composition.

Profile of isoacids in rumen fluid and influence of added isoacids on in sacco dry matter disappearance of untreated and ammonia treated wheat straw

The influence of type of diet and time after feeding on concentration of isoacids in rumen fluid of 6 fistulated sheep were investigated. The concentration of isoacids in rumen fluid was higher in diets rich in concentrate and protein (5.6) than in roughage diets (3.4) or in straw-starch-urea diets poor in native protein (highest concentration: 2.1 mmol/l rumen fluid). Feeding of roughage diet or straw-starch-urea-diet effected a significant decrease of concentration of isoacids in the rumen fluid after morning feeding, but concentrate-roughage diet, increased the isoacids-concentration. Reasons for decreased concentration of isoacids may be a shortage of corresponding amino acids and a high activity of cellulolytic microbes. Infusion of isoacids (3 g per day) in the rumen of sheep fed with a straw-starch-sugar-urea diet did not significantly influence the in sacco dry matter degradability of untreated wheat straw, but increased the dry matter loss of ammonia treated wheat straw from 16.0; 26.6; 39.4; 54.0 and 58.8% to 17.3; 29.7; 43.1; 56.3 and 63.0% after 6; 12; 24; 48 and 72 h rumen incubation time respectively. Further experiments seem to be necessary. The effect of isoacids may be expected to occur with poor quality feeds, rich in fibre low in protein and hence low in branched-chain amino acids.

Degradation in vitro and in sacco of red clover leaves and stems

Methods of estimating degradability of red clover leaves and stems in vitro and in sacco were compared. An initial experiment revealed that the in vitro system underestimated dry matter degradability of mixtures of leaves and stems which had a leaf content higher than about 50%. Degradation in sacco of both leaves and stems was faster and more extensive than that in vitro, while the difference between dry matter disappearance in sacco and in vitro was greater for leaves than for stems. In addition, the pattern of disappearance of individual components differed markedly between the two methods when leaves, but not stems, were degraded.

Alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatments of crop residues to increase ruminal dry matter disappearance in sacco

Five experiments were conducted to determine the effects of treating wheat straw (WS) with alkaline (pH 11.5) solutions of hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) on ruminal dry matter disapperance (DMD) in sacco. When WS was neutralized with 6 N phosphoric acid (H 3PO 4) to recover alkalisoluble hemicellulosic constituents, WS neutralized prior to washing had higher disappearance values at 24 and 36 h ( P<0.05) than when WS was washed and then neutralized. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), cellulose and acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentrations were increased by alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) treatments when solubilized components were washed from treated substrates. Cotton fibre (CF), WS and soya bean stover (SBS), representative of low, moderate and high lignin products, respectively, were treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH) 2] or ammonium hydroxide (NH 4OH) in combination with 100 g H 2O 2 kg −1 DM. The DMD in sacco of WS was improved ( P<0.05) by the various chemical treatments while treatment of CF and SBS gave DMD values similar to those of their respective water-treated controls. Results of ammoniation (NH 3) of WS at 0, 20 or 40 g NH 3 kg −1 DM, followed by treatment with 0, 20 or 40 g H 2O 2 kg −1 DM individually and in all combinations, showed that NH 3 and H 2O 2 treatment effects were significant ( P<0.05). Wheat straw, treated with 50, 75 or 100 g H 2O 2 kg −1 DM to test AHP treatment effects at various H 2O 2 concentrations, was exposed to alkali either as a 12-h alkaline soak with NaOH or NaOH + Ca(OH) 2 prior to H 2O 2 addition (mixture then allowed to react for 12 h more), or added together with H 2O 2 for a 24-h reaction period. Wheat straw treated with NaOH + Ca(OH) 2 for 12 h prior to H 2O 2 additions had the greatest ( P<0.05) DMD. When NaOH and Ca(OH) 2 were used together and WS was soaked in this mixture for 12 h, the lowest level of H 2O 2 (50 g) resulted in 24- and 36-h disappearance values superior to those of 100 g H 2O 2 and NaOH added together or employed as a 12-h NaOH-12-h H 2O 2 soak. Reactant solutions, prepared either with fresh reagents or used as a sequential wash, were utilized to treat WS and determine AHP solution effectiveness after use. Results of this experiment indicated the ability of the supernatant to retain reactivity for up to four recyclings with minimal reactant supplementation.

Improving utilization of crop residues. Evaluation of two chemicals used to improve digestibility of crop residues

Two chemical treatments involving chelating metal caustic swelling (CMCS) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were evaluated for their ability to affect in vitro dry matter and in vitro cellulose disappearance (IVDMD and IVCD, respectively), dry matter disappearance in sacco and the chemical composition of two low-quality crop residues, cornstalks (CS) and soya bean residue (SBR). At chemical substrate ratios ranging from 0.25:1 to 5:1, linear increases in IVCD of both roughages were noted. Improvements in IVCD of CS and SBR were noted at 1:1, 3:1 and 5:1 chemical substrate ratios, regardless of whether the treated roughages were used immediately after treatment (fresh basis) or preserved by drying or freezing. Decreased concentrations of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and crude protein (CP) resulted from chemical treatment. No effects of the water component of the solvent solutions were observed. Dry matter disappearance in sacco of CMCS- and NaOH-treated roughages was increased at all chemical substrate ratios tested. Treatment of either roughage with CMCS resulted in greater digestibility in sacco than did treatment with NaOH. Treatment of CS with CMCS resulted in higher rates of digestion than did treatment with NaOH. No differences in rates of digestion of SBR were noted between chemicals. Both chemicals were more effective in improving digestibility of CS than of SBR.