Effective Neutral Detergent Fiber Content Research Articles

Spineless cactus use management on microbiological quality, performance, and nutritional disorders in sheep.

The physically effective neutral detergent fiber content alone has not been able to explain the appearance of diarrhea in ruminants fed diets with large volumes of spineless cactus, so the proliferation of enterobacteria in spineless cactus may be associated with cases of diarrhea in sheep. In the in vitro test, used two varieties of spineless cactus, both of which were chopped to particles of 4 and 2 cm2. For the in vivo test, 15 lambs were allocated to three treatment groups, namely, spineless cactus crushed and immediately supplied to the animals; spineless cactus crushed 8 h before supply; and silage of spineless cactus. The variables evaluated were dry matter intake, weight gain, fecal score, hemogram, and fecal colony count. In the in vitro test, higher Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria counts were found both at 12 h and 24 h when the spineless cactus was crushed to 2 cm2 in both varieties. The sheep fed the spineless cactus crushed 8 h prior to supply showed the highest Enterobacteriaceae count in the feces (8.48 CFU/g), compared to animals fed silage of spineless cactus (4.95 CFU/g). It can thus be concluded that the management of spineless cactus influences the development of total and fecal coliforms, especially when it is chopped to 2 cm2 and exposed to the environment for periods longer than 7 h, and that the bacterial population can be controlled by administering the spineless cactus in the form of silage.

Effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber content on dry matter intake, digestibility, and chewing activity in Korean native goats (Capra hircus coreanae) fed with total mixed ration.

ObjectiveThis experiment was to determine proper physical traits in the diet for goats by investigating the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, and chewing activity in black goats fed with total mixed ration (TMR).MethodsSix growing wethers of Korean native black goats (Capra hircus coreanae) aged 8 months and weighing between 26.9 kg and 27.1 kg (27.03±5.05 kg) were used in this experiment. Three diets of varying peNDF content were obtained by original TMR (T1), 12,000 rpm grinding (T2), and 15,500 rpm grinding (T3) of the same TMR diet. The peNDF1.18 content of the experimental diets was 23.85%, 21.71%, and 16.22% for T1, T2, and T3, respectively.ResultsAverage daily gain (ADG) was higher in T2 group compared to those of the control and T3 groups, but ADG and DMI were not affected by the dietary particle size and peNDF content. Also, there was no difference between apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, crude fiber, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. Although there was no significant difference, rumination and total chewing time were associated with decreased peNDF content.ConclusionThe feeding of peNDF-based TMR showed no impact on apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. Further studies are required with a wider range of dietary peNDF level and particle size to better identify the effect of dietary peNDF and particle size on chewing activity and performance in goats.

Effects of dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber content on the feeding behavior, digestibility, and growth of 8- to 10-month-old Holstein replacement heifers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content on the feeding behavior, digestion, ruminal fermentation parameters, and growth of 8- to 10-mo-old dairy heifers and to predict the adequacy of dietary fiber in growing dairy heifers. Twenty-four Holstein dairy heifers (245 ± 10.8 d of age, 305.6 ± 8.5 kg initial live weight) were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates as a completely randomized design. During the 60-d period with a 10-d adaptation, heifers were offered 1 of 4 diets, which were chemically identical but included different peNDF8.0 (particle size is >8 mm and <19 mm) content (% DM): 10.8, 13.5, 18.0, or 19.8%, which was achieved by chopping forage into different lengths (fine = 1 cm, short = 3 cm, medium = 5 cm, and long = 7 cm). The concentrate and silage were mixed and fed restrictedly and exclusive of forage (Chinese ryegrass hay) were offered ad libitum. The body weight and frame size of the heifers were measured every 15 d during the experimental period. Samples of the rumen content (2 h after the morning feeding) were taken for pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acid determination. The dry matter intake and average daily gain of the heifers were not significantly affected by peNDF8.0 content. The body frame size (including withers height, body length, and heart girth) of the heifers was not increased significantly by enhanced peNDF8.0 content. Ruminal pH and ammonia concentration were both increased with increasing dietary peNDF8.0 content. The ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration and percentage of acetate and butyrate profiles were not significantly affected by dietary peNDF8.0 content. However, the enhanced peNDF8.0 content led to a decrease in the propionate percentage. The ratio of acetate to propionate in the 13.5% treatment was highest among the treatments. Increasing the particle size and dietary peNDF8.0 content resulted in increased eating and chewing time but had no effect on rumination time. Heifer total eating and chewing time and eating and chewing time per kilogram of dry matter intake were increased with increasing dietary peNDF8.0 content. The apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber and crude protein was improved with an increasing content of dietary peNDF8.0. The results suggest that an optimal or advisable dietary particle size and peNDF8.0 content improves chewing activity, rumen fluid pH, and ruminal fermentation. The data based on feeding behavioral and growth responses of heifers as well as rumen fermentation and digestion by improving total eating and chewing time indicate that 18.0% dietary peNDF8.0 content is the most suitable for 8- to 10-mo-old Holstein heifers.

1619 The effects of varying undigested neutral detergent fiber and physically effective neutral detergent fiber content of fresh cow rations on dry matter intake, rumination, and milk yield in multiparous Holstein cows

1619 The effects of varying undigested neutral detergent fiber and physically effective neutral detergent fiber content of fresh cow rations on dry matter intake, rumination, and milk yield in multiparous Holstein cows

Effects of Physically Effective Neutral Detergent Fiber Content on Intake, Digestibility, and Chewing Activity in Fattening Heifer Fed Total Mixed Ration

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content in total mixed ration (TMR) on dry matter intake, digestibility, and chewing activity in fattening Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) heifers. The experiment was designed as a replicated 3×3 Latin square using 12 heifers. Fattening heifers were offered one of three diets [high (T1), medium (T2), and low (T3) peNDF] obtained by different mixing times (3, 10, and 25 min) for the same TMR feed. The peNDF content of TMR was determined by multiplying the proportion of dry matter retained by a 1.18 mm-screen in a Penn State Particle Separator by the dietary NDF content. The peNDF1.18 content was 30.36%, 29.20%, and 27.50% for the T1, T2, and T3 diets, respectively (p<0.05). Dry matter intake was not affected by peNDF content in TMR. Total weight gain in T1 group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in T2 and T3 groups. However, weight gain did not differ between T2 and T3 groups. The feed conversion ratio decreased with an increase in the peNDF content (T1: 12.18, T2: 14.17, and T3: 14.01 g/g). An increase in the peNDF content of TMR was associated with a linear increase in the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (p<0.05). Also, an increase in peNDF content of the TMR resulted in a linear increase in the number of chews in eating and ruminating (p<0.05), and consequently in the number of total chews (p<0.05). These results indicate that peNDF content affects digestibility and chewing activity. Consequently, the peNDF content of TMR should be considered for improving feed efficiency, digestibility, body weight gain, and performance in fattening heifers.

Effects of Physically Effective Neutral Detergent Fiber Content of TMR Feed on the Productivity and Carcass Characteristics in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) Steers

This study was carried out to evaluate accurately physical characteristics of total mixed rations (TMR) by investigating the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber content on the growth performance and carcass characteristics in fattening steers. Twelve Hanwoo (Bos Taurus coreanae) steers aged 26 months were used in this trial. Steers were offered one of two total mixed ration (TMR) diets - High or Low physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content groups-that were differentiated by mixing time. The carcass traits of the experimental animals were evaluated by Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation (KAPE) after slaughter. Body weight gain during the experimental period was significantly higher (P) compared with the Low group (), and daily weight gain was also high in the former. Although there was no significant difference, the carcass weight was higher in the High group () compared with the Low group (). However, the beef quality grade of the Low group () was higher than that of the High group (). Increases in body weight gain, daily gain, and carcass weight for the High group were mainly influenced by a high level of dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility; consequently, back-fat thickness increased and the beef quality grade was lowered. Because growth performance and carcass characteristics were affected by the physical traits of the diet, we suggested that proper peNDF content is also needed for fattening steers.

Influence of nonfiber carbohydrate concentration on forage fiber digestion in vitro

We quantified the effect of dietary nonfiber carbohydrate (NFC) concentration (30, 35, 40, or 45% of DM) on in vitro digestion kinetics of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from alfalfa and corn silages at pH 5.8 or 6.8. The objective was to simulate the effect of diets differing in effective fiber content on the optimal NFC-to-NDF ratio that resulted in maximal fiber digestion. Ash-free NDF was determined at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 30, 36, 48, 72, and 96h of fermentation. Kinetic parameters were estimated using logarithmic transformation and linear regression. The optimal NFC-to-NDF ratio for maximal NDF digestion differed between the two forages. For alfalfa fermented at pH 6.8, apparent extent of ruminal NDF digestion was greatest between 30 and 40% NFC, but at pH 5.8 NDF digestion was greatest at 35% NFC. For corn silage fermented at either pH 6.8 or 5.8, apparent extent of NDF digestion was greatest at 30% NFC. An NFC-to-NDF ratio of 0.70–1.20 maximized NDF digestion for alfalfa only when fermentation pH was maintained at 6.8. These in vitro results demonstrate that the optimal dietary NFC content for maximum NDF digestion in the rumen for a particular forage will be a function of fermentation pH that reflects the physically effective NDF content of the diet.