Feed Dry Matter Intake Research Articles

Methane production of growing and finishing pigs in southern China

Methane from enteric fermentation and manure decomposition from livestock contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Research on CH4 production from enteric fermentation has mainly focused on ruminant livestock. However, CH4 production from enteric fermentation in pigs may be important due to the large global pig population. This experiment measured enteric CH4 from growing and finishing pigs in China. Five 58.9±1.15kg and five 89.4±0.85kg Duroc×Landrace×Large Yorkshire female pigs were randomly selected from a commercial farm in Shenzhen, Guangdong province (China). The pigs were transferred to individual 2.0m×1.0m×1.2m respiration chambers located on the same farm and continued to be fed the commercial diets of their respective weight group on the farm. After 3 d of adaptation to the respiration chambers, daily CH4 emissions were measured from the 10 pigs for 3 d. The CH4 production of the 60 and 90kg pigs was 1.13 and 2.01g pig/d, respectively, with that of 90kg pigs higher than the 60kg group (P<0.05). When the values are adjusted/kg DM feed intake (i.e., 0.70g/kg DM versus 0.82g/kg DM) and per kg body weight (19.01g/kg versus 22.47g/kg) for the 60 and 90kg groups, there were no differences. Using these values, estimated annual CH4 production from the 60 and 90kg pigs was 0.41kg and 0.73kg, respectively, values which are lower than the 1kg pig/year adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The high variation in CH4 emission among our pigs, and those in the literature, suggest that differences in CH4 emission exist among pigs within the same herd housed under similar nutritional and husbandry management.This article is part of the special issue entitled: Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture – Finding a Balance between Food and Emissions, Guest Edited by T.A. McAllister, Section Guest Editors; K.A. Beauchemin, X. Hao, S. McGinn and Editor for Animal Feed Science and Technology, P.H. Robinson.

Repeatability of methane emissions from sheep

Breeding of ruminant livestock for low CH4 emission is an attractive means of mitigating enteric CH4 emissions. However success requires that the mechanism responsible for among animal variation in emissions is repeatable and heritable and has a negligible negative impact on production and functional traits. This study was designed to estimate repeatability and heritability of the CH4 emission trait in sheep, and to determine whether the ranking of sheep based on their CH4 emissions is maintained over a range of contrasting diets. A flock of 105 ewe lambs (10 months old) of a progeny testing program were screened for their CH4 yields (i.e., emissions/unit feed dry matter (DM) intake) when a molasses containing grass silage was fed at restricted intake (1.3×maintenance metabolisable energy requirements). Methane emissions were measured on a single day in respiration chambers over 4 measurement periods with 13–15d between consecutive measurements (i.e., screening phase). Mean CH4 yield of lambs was 18.4±0.38g/kg DM intake during the screening phase, and estimates of repeatability and heritability for CH4 yield were 0.16 and 0.30, respectively. Methane yield in the screening phase was 7.9% higher for the high versus low ranked sheep (19.2±0.18 versus 17.8±0.26g/kg DM intake). The 10 lowest (low rank) and the 10 highest (high rank) CH4 yielding sheep were selected and retained for further study. Two repeated measurements of CH4 yield were conducted, the first measurement while sheep were fed fresh cut perennial ryegrass pasture (grass), the second with the same sheep fed a 400:600 concentrate:forage (wheat grain:lucerne hay; fresh basis) pelleted diet (pellet). Repeated measurements revealed that rankings were maintained among diets, but that there was a CH4 rank×diet interaction for CH4 yield. When fed the grass diet, the high ranked sheep had 13% higher CH4 yield than the low ranked sheep, but when fed the pelleted diet, the high ranked sheep had 36% higher CH4 yield than the low ranked sheep. Emissions of hydrogen were only measurable when sheep were fed the pelleted diet. This study is the first to report that ranking of sheep for CH4 emissions is consistent among diets, although the magnitude of difference among the rankings was affected by diet, suggesting that among animal variation in CH4 emission could be exploited to breed animals for low CH4 emission.This paper is part of the special issue entitled: Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture – Finding a Balance between Food and Emissions, Guest Edited by T.A. McAllister, Section Guest Editors; K.A. Beauchemin, X. Hao, S. McGinn and Editor for Animal Feed Science and Technology, P.H. Robinson.

Variation in carbon footprint of milk due to management differences between Swedish dairy farms

To identify mitigation options to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from milk production (i.e. the carbon footprint (CF) of milk), this study examined the variation in GHG emissions among dairy farms using data from previous CF studies on Swedish milk. Variations between farms in these production data, which were found to have a strong influence on milk CF, were obtained from existing databases of 1051 dairy farms in Sweden in 2005. Monte Carlo (MC) analysis was used to analyse the impact of variations in seven important parameters on milk CF concerning milk yield (energy-corrected milk (ECM) produced and delivered), feed dry matter intake (DMI), enteric CH4 emissions, N content in feed DMI, N-fertiliser rate and diesel used on farm. The largest between-farm variations among the analysed production data were N-fertiliser rate (kg/ha) and diesel used (l/ha) on farm (CV = 31% to 38%). For the parameters concerning milk yield and feed DMI, the CV was approximately 11% and 8%, respectively. The smallest variation in production data was found for N content in feed DMI. According to the MC analysis, these variations in production data led to a variation in milk CF of between 0.94 and 1.33 kg CO2 equivalents (CO2e)/kg ECM, with an average value of 1.13 kg CO2e/kg ECM. We consider that this variation of ±17%, which was found to be based on the used farm data, would be even greater if all Swedish dairy farms were included, as the sample of farms in this study was not totally unbiased. The variation identified in milk CF indicates that a potential exists to reduce GHG emissions from milk production on both the national and farm levels through changes in management. As milk yield and feed DMI are two of the most influential parameters for milk CF, feed conversion efficiency (i.e. units ECM produced/unit DMI) can be used as a rough key performance indicator for predicting CF reductions. However, it must be borne in mind that feeds have different CF due to where and how they are produced.

Molasses protected palm kernel cake as source of protein for young male Ettawah Grade goats.

Palm kernel cake has a relatively high protein content, however its degradability in the rumen is high resulting in loosing its function as protein source for ruminant. This experiment was aimed toinvestigate the effect of feeding molasses protected palm kernel cake (BIS-M) on growth of young male Ettawah Grade (Peranakan Etawah = PE) goat. Twenty four (24) PE goats were divided into 4 groups and allocated to respective feeding BIS-M treatments. The treatments were R0 = control (without BIS-M), R1 = 15% BIS-M, R2 = 30% BIS-M and R3 = 45% BIS-M. The concentrate was fed at 400 gh -1 d -1 for each individual in all treatment groups, while napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ) was offered ad libitum. The live weight of the goats were between 17-18 kg at the beginning of experiment. Feeding trial was carried out for 14 weeks consisting of 2 weeks for preliminary and 12 weeks for growth performance period. The digestibility study of the nutrient was carried out during the last 7 days of the experiment. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 6 replications. Drinking water was available at any time. Feed intake was recorded daily while the body weight was recorded every 2 weeks. The parameters of observation were feed intake, live weight gain, nutrient digestibility and feed conversion ratio. The results indicated that the dietary treatments affected the intake and digestibility of nutrients, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). The total feed dry matter intakes were 599,30; 620,74; 690,19 and 740,04 gh -1 d -1 with DM and Protein digestibility of 64.74 and 75.99; 67.47 and 73.05; 70.06 and 73.02; and 72.88 and 72.25% respectively for R0, R1, R2 and R3. The ADG were 42.06; 52.78; 61.90 and 70.24 g; with feed conversion ratio of 14.68; 10.51; 9.08; and 9.85 for R0, R1, R2 and R3. It was concluded that BIS-M can be used as source of protein with optimal utilization level at 30% of the concentrate. Key W ords: Palm Kernel Cake, Molasses, Ettawah Grade goats, Performance

Cereal type in diet and housing system influences on growth performance and carcass yield in two Japanese quail genotypes

We assessed the effects of cereal type (corn-based, CB or rice-based, RB) and housing system (floor, F, or cage, C) on the performance of two Japanese quail genotypes (non-selected, JAP, and a Jumbo variety, JUM) in two, 2 × 2 factorially designed, experiments. In Exp. 1, during the 15-d experimental period, there were 4 experimental groups: JAP quail fed the CB diet, JAP-CB; JAP quail fed the RB diet, JAP-RB; JUM quail fed the CB diet, JUM-CB; JUM quail fed the RB diet, JUM-RB. Quail in each of the 4 groups (42 quail/group) were housed in 7 pens, each with 6 birds. In Exp. 2, there were also 4 experimental groups (42 quail/group, 7 pens, each with 6 birds) examined during a 19-d experimental period under two different rearing systems: JAP-F, JUM-F, JAP-CF and JUM-C. Genotype did not affect dry matter feed intake (DMI) in Exp. 1, but both JAP and JUM quail consumed more (P<0.001) of the CB than RB diets. Average daily gain (ADG) was similarly higher (P<0.001) in JAP-CB and JUM-CB quail compared to the other 2 treatment groups. Feed conversion (FC) differed (P<0.001) as follows (best to worst): JUM-CB > JAP-CB = JAP-RB = JUM-RB. Final BW was similarly higher (P<0.001) in the JUM-CB, and JAP-CB groups compared to the JAP-RB and JUM-RB, groups and carcass yield (CY, P<0.001) differed as follows: JUM-RB = JUM-CB = JAP-RB > JAP-CB. In Exp. 2, DMI was similarly higher (P<0.05) in the JAP-C, JUM-F, and JUM-C groups compared to JAP-F quail and ADG was notably higher (P=0.07) in JUM-F quail than the other 3 groups. Regardless of housing system, FC was better (P=0.04) in JUM quail. Although final BW was higher (P<0.05) in F- than C-housed quail, CY was greater (P<0.01) in caged birds. Final BW and CY were unaffected by quail genome and its interaction with housing system. With a few exceptions, better performance was generally observed in quail fed diets containing corn regardless of genotype (Exp. 1), while C-reared JUM quail generally outperformed the other genotype × housing system groups (Exp. 2).

Feed utilization and growth of Dorper wethers on Opuntia-based diets

Incremental levels of sun-dried and coarsely ground cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica var. Algerian) cladodes were used to substitute part of the lucerne hay in balanced diets fed to Dorper wethers (n = 28; 33.90 ± 2.98 kg) during a trial period of 63 days. The three treatment diets (T0, T24 and T36) comprised respectively (air dry basis) 0, 240 and 360 g/kg Opuntia; 660, 410 and 285 g/kg lucerne hay; 300 g/kg maize meal; 0, 10 and 15 g/kg feed grade urea; and 40 g/kg molasses meal. Apparent DM digestibility coefficients increased significantly (0.714, 0.732, and 0.756) with Opuntia inclusion in diets. Feed dry matter (DM) intake (1.368, 1.345 and 1.317 kg DM/day) and average daily gain (117.8, 116.4 and 95.6 g/day) decreased slightly as Opuntia inclusion increased. Similar to previous studies the ingestion of Opuntia caused the production of wet faeces by the wethers. It was concluded that adequate nutrients were provided by these diets for maintenance and a moderate level of production in the Dorper wethers.

Short communication: effect of substituting hydroponic green barley forage for a commercial feed on performance of growing rabbits

The effect of replacing a commercial feed with hydroponic green barley forage (HGBF) was studied on productive performance and carcass yield of growing New Zealand rabbits. Four mixed diets based on a pelleted commercial feed (15.7% crude protein and 12.3% crude fiber) were made by substituting wet HGBF (containing 16.1% dry matter, 2.18% crude protein and 2.36% crude fiber) for the commercial feed (0, 10, 20 and 30%). Sixty-four rabbits, 35 d of age and with an average body weight of 917±9.7 (standard error) g were assigned to the 4 treatments and caged in groups of 4 rabbits (2 females and 2 males/cage). HGBF was grown for 15 d, and administered immediately after harvesting, including the radicular pad (roots and seed) and leaves. Feed intake and growth rate from 35 to 70 d of age were recorded. The rabbits were then slaughtered and the dressing-out percentage computed. Both dry matter feed intake and growth rate decreased linearly by 0.75±0.091 g/d (P&lt;0.001) and 0.20±0.040 g/d (P&lt;0.001) per unit of HGBF increase. Rabbits consumed daily all the HGBF offered 0, 2.3, 4.6 and 7.0 g DM for 0, 10, 20 and 30% substitution level, respectively. Feed conversion (average 3.26±0.026) and carcass yield percentage (average 58.1±0.32 %) were not affected by treatments. It was therefore concluded that replacing pelleted commercial feed by wet HGBF impaired growth performances.

ALTERNATIVE FEED RESOURCES FOR FORMULATING CONCENTRATE DIETS OF RABBITS. 1. UNTHRESHED GRAIN AMARANTH SEEDHEAD.

The acceptable level of inclusion of unthreshed inflorescence or seedheads of mature grain amaranth plants (GASH) as feed ingredient of concentrate diets of rabbits was examined. Four diets were formulated with GASH inclusion levels of O (control), 10, 20 and 30%, respectively, by partially replacing the levels of oil cakes in the diets. These were fed to rabbits in an eight-week long feeding trial (8 rabbits/treatment) and a digestibility trials (4 rabbits per treatment). The initial weight of the 7-8 week old rabbits was 710 g (adult weight of this population is 1 .8 to 2.4 kg). The proximate composition (g/kg DM) of GASH was: 151 crude protein; 43 crude fibre; 572 nitrogen free extract. lntake and weight gain were reduced with diets containing 20 and 30% GASH but values of the control diet, which were highest, were not significantly higher than those of the 10% GASH diet (daily intake 44 and 37.4 g DM, and weight gain 10.0 and 8.2 g for 0 and 10 % GASH). Feed efficiency was similar for the 4 diets: 0.22 weight gain/g DM feed intake. Dry matter and nutrient digestibility and feed conversion efficiency of the GASH diets were generally high with minar differences among the diets. Haematological parameters and serum metabolites were generally better with the 1 O and 20% GASH diets than with the control diet but poorer with the 30% GASH diet. Higher white blood cell counts were recorded in the GASH diets than the control. Thus, unthreshed mature grain amaranth seedhead can be used as a componen! of the concentrate feeds of rabbits, up to 10% dietary level, to partially replace expensive oil cakes in the diets.

Nutritive Values of Whole-crop Wheat Hay and Silage and Effect of Microbial Inoculants on In vitro Gas Production

Kilic, U. 2010. Nutritive values of whole-crop wheat hay and silage and effect of microbial inoculants on in vitro gas production. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 37: 67–71. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritive value and in vitro gas production kinetics of wheat hay (WH) and wheat silage (WS) by using in vitro gas production technique and to determine the effects of microbial inoculant (Maize-All) on rumen fermentation and gas production parameters. There were no significant differences between WH and WS in terms of in vitro gas production kinetics and estimated parameters such as metabolizable energy (ME), net energy lactation (NE L ) and organic matter digestibility (OMD). WH without Maize-All had higher ME, NEL and OMD values compared to WH with Maize-All. However, this difference was not found between WS without Maize-All and WS with Maize-All. The crude protein degradability of WH was significantly higher than that of WS (P<0.01). No difference in in vitro gas production between WH and WS was found. However, the reduction in gas production by the inclusion of Maize-All might be due to the change of microbial population in a negative way. The relative feed value (RFV) and dry matter intake (DMI) of WS were significantly higher than those of WH (P<0.01). The RFV of WS was significantly higher than that of WH. However, in vivo experiments are required to evaluate how these differences will affect the performance of ruminants.

Effect of acarbose on milk yield and composition in early-lactation dairy cattle fed a ration to induce subacute ruminal acidosis

Subacute ruminal acidosis reduces lactation performance in dairy cattle and most often occurs in animals fed a high concentrate:forage ration with large amounts of readily fermentable starch, which results in increased production of volatile fatty acids and lactic acid and a reduction in ruminal pH. Acarbose is commercially available (Glucobay, Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany) and indicated for the control of blood glucose in diabetic patients. In cattle, acarbose acts as an α-amylase and glucosidase inhibitor that slows the rate of degradation of starch to glucose, thereby reducing the rate of volatile fatty acid production and maintaining rumen pH at higher levels. The ability of acarbose to reverse the reduced feed intake and milk fat percentage and yield associated with a high concentrate:forage ration with a high risk of inducing subacute ruminal acidosis was evaluated in 2 experiments with lactating dairy cattle. In 2 preliminary experiments, the effects of a 70:30 concentrate:forage ration on ruminal pH and lactation were evaluated. Ruminal pH was monitored in 5 Holstein steers with ruminal cannulas every 10min for 5 d. Ruminal pH was <5.5 for at least 4h in 79% of the animal days. In dairy cows, the 70:30 concentrate:forage ration decreased feed intake 5%, milk fat percentage 7%, and milk fat yield 8% compared with a 50:50 concentrate:forage ration but did not affect milk yield. Early lactating dairy cattle were offered the 70:30 concentrate:forage ration with 0 or 0.75g/d of acarbose added in a crossover design in 2 experiments. In the first experiment, acarbose increased dry matter feed intake (23.1 vs. 21.6kg/d) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (33.7 vs. 31.7kg/d) because of an increase in percentage milk fat (3.33 vs. 3.04%) compared with control cows. In the second experiment, cows were fasted for 3h before the morning feeding to induce consumption of a large meal to mimic conditions that might be associated with unplanned delayed feeding. In this experiment, acarbose also increased feed intake (22.5 vs. 21.8kg/d) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (36.9 vs. 33.9kg/d) due to increased percentage milk fat (3.14 vs. 2.66%) compared with controls. Thus, acarbose reversed the decreased feed intake and low milk fat percentage and yield associated with feeding a high concentrate:forage ration shown to induce subacute ruminal acidosis in Holstein steers.

Fermented feed for laying hens: effects on egg production, egg quality, plumage condition and composition and activity of the intestinal microflora

1. An experiment with a total of 480 hens (Babcock) was carried out from 16 to 38 weeks of age to evaluate the suitability of wet fermented feed (feed water ratio, 1:1·2–1:1·4) for layers, taking aspects of nutrition and gastrointestinal health into consideration. The production performance, egg shell quality, plumage condition, litter dry matter (DM) content, as well as the composition and activity of the intestinal microbial flora were analysed. 2. Fermented feed was characterised by a high concentration of lactic acid (160–250 mmol/kg feed) and a moderate level of acetic acid (20–30 mmol/kg feed), high numbers of lactic acid bacteria (log 9–10 CFU/g feed) and a pH of approximately 4·5. Feed fermentation reduced the concentration of dietary sugar from 32·1 to 7·3 g/kg DM and the phytate bound phosphorus from 2·7 to 1·9 g/kg DM. 3. Fermented feed seemed to loose attractiveness for the birds quite rapidly, resulting in a more aggressive behaviour and a poorer plumage condition than in birds given dry feed. The use of fermented feed reduced the litter DM content. 4. During the experimental period, the body weight gain of hens receiving fermented feed was 80 g higher than of hens fed the dry mash. Presumably because of an extended adaptation time to the feed, the onset of lay occurred later when hens were fed on fermented feed, resulting in non-significantly reduced total egg production (75 vs. 82%). 5. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to the total egg mass production (g/d/hen, 42 and 45 for fermented feed and dry mash, respectively). Throughout the experimental period, the feed DM intake of hens fed with fermented feed was lower than that of hens receiving the dry mash (110 vs. 125 g). From week 26 to 37, fermented feed improved the feed conversion as compared with the dry mash (g feed DM/g egg mass, 2·28 vs. 2·53). 6. The use of fermented feed increased egg weight in the period from 34 to 37 weeks (61·4 vs. 60·0) and increased shell weight (g/100 g egg weight, 10·2 vs. 9·9) and shell stiffness (N/mm, 161 vs. 150) of eggs collected at 37 weeks. 7. The feeding of fermented feed increased intestinal health by acidification of the upper digestive tract, forming a natural barrier towards infection with acid sensitive pathogens, e.g. E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. 8. It was concluded that fermented wet feed offers potential benefits for health and nutrition, but may become suitable for layers only after the practical problems related to this feeding form have been overcome. However, an early adaptation of the birds during the rearing period seems to be necessary.

The Effect of Silage and Concentrate Type on Intake Behavior, Rumen Function, and Milk Production in Dairy Cows in Early and Late Lactation

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of feeding total mixed rations (TMR) that differ in structural and nonstructural carbohydrates to dairy cows in early and late lactation on short-term feed intake, dry matter intake (DMI), rumen fermentation variables, and milk yield. A 5×5 Latin square experiment with 15 dairy cows was repeated during early and late lactation. The 5 treatments were a TMR with (all on dry matter basis) 55% roughage (a 50:50 mixture of corn silage and grass silage) and 45% concentrate (a 50:50 mixture of concentrate rich in structural carbohydrates and concentrate rich in nonstructural carbohydrates; treatment CON), a TMR with the concentrate mixture and 55% grass silage (RGS) or 55% corn silage (RCS), and a TMR with the roughage mixture and 45% of the concentrate rich in structural carbohydrates (CSC) or the concentrate rich in nonstructural carbohydrates (CNS). Meal criteria, determined using the Gaussian-Gaussian-Weibull method per animal per treatment, showed an interaction between lactation stage and treatment. Feed intake behavior variables were therefore calculated with meal criteria per treatment-lactation stage combination. Differences in feed intake behavior were more pronounced between treatments differing in roughage composition than between treatments differing in concentrate composition, probably related to larger differences in chemical composition and particle size between corn silage and grass silage than between the 2 concentrates. The number of meals was similar between treatments, but eating time was greater in RGS (227 min/d) and lesser in RCS (177 min/d) than the other treatments. Intake rate increased when the amount of grass silage decreased, whereas meal duration decreased simultaneously. These effects were in line with a decreased DMI of the RGS diet vs. the other treatments, probably related to the high neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. However, this effect was not found in CSC, although NDF content of the TMR, fractional clearance rate of NDF, and fractional degradation rate of NDF was similar between CSC and RGS. Rumen fluid pH was lesser, and molar proportions of acetic acid and of propionic acid were lesser and greater, respectively, in RCS compared with all other diets. Milk production did not differ between treatments. There was no effect of type of concentrate on milk composition, but diet RCS resulted in a lesser milk fat content and greater milk protein content than diet RGS. Lactation stage did affect short-term feed intake behavior and DMI, although different grass silages were fed during early and late lactation. The results indicate that short-term feed intake behavior is related to DMI and therefore may be a helpful tool in optimizing DMI and milk production in high-production dairy cows.

Water intake and utilization in mithun (Bos frontalis): Effect of environmental temperature, rearing system and concentrate feed supplement

Seasonal and sexual variations as well as the effect of dry feed supplement on total drinking water intake and its utilization were observed in mithun (Bos frontalis) — a semi-wild animal found in North Eastern Hill Region (NEHR) of India. In a completely randomized design, twelve adult mithuns (B. frontalis) as per their sex and body weight were assigned in two different rearing systems (free grazing and free grazing with dry concentrate feed supplementation), and ten growing male mithuns as per their body weight assigned in two different levels of dry concentrate feed supplementation (1.0 kg and 2.0 kg dry concentrate feeds on green forage based diet) and in two different seasons (summer and winter). It was observed that the environmental temperature had a significant effect on drinking water intake by mithuns. Drinking water consumption (per unit of body weight) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in summer than in winter. Supplementation of concentrate feed on free grazing animals resulted in increase in water consumption. Total water consumption (drinking as well as performed water) was found to be 15.18 litres per 100 kg body weight by growing mithun. Feed dry matter and digestible nutrient intakes by growing mithun were observed to be increased with the increase of supplementation of dry concentrate feed. Roughage to concentrate ratio did not affect the nutrient digestibility. Mithun calves drank an average of 4.30 litres water for each kg of dry matter intake. Metabolic water was significantly (P<0.01) increased with the increase of supplementation of concentrate feed whereas water turn over, which depends upon the body weight of the animals, did not differ significantly on offering of lower or higher level of dry feed. Faecal water loss of growing mithun was decreased with the increase in intake of concentrate feed and was estimated to be 33 ∼ 40% of total water intake. Excretion of water through faeces of mithun was about 3.8 % of body weight. It could, therefore, be inferred that water intake by mithun varied with seasons, rearing systems and dry feed consumption. As far as the water nutrition is concerned, it is needed to give an attention while feeding mithun in summer with dry feed supplementation under semi-intensive system of rearing.

Abomasal infusion of casein, starch and soybean oil differentially affect plasma concentrations of gut peptides and feed intake in lactating dairy cows

The effects of specific nutrients on secretion and plasma concentrations of gut peptides (glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36) amide (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and cholecystokinin-8 (CCK)) differ across species, but are not reported for cattle. Our objective was to determine acute (hours) and chronic (1 week) effects of increased abomasal supply of protein, carbohydrate, or fat to the small intestine on dry matter intake (DMI) and plasma concentrations of GLP-1, GIP, CCK, and insulin. Four mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment. Treatments were 7-day abomasal infusions of water, soybean oil (500 g/d), corn starch (1100 g/d), or casein (800 g/d). Jugular vein plasma was obtained over 7 h at the end of the first and last day of infusions. Oil infusion decreased DMI on day 7, but total metabolizable energy (ME) supply (diet plus infusate) did not differ from water infusion. Casein and starch infusion had no effect on feed DMI; thus, ME supply increased. Decreased DMI on day 7 of oil infusion was accompanied by increased plasma GLP-1 concentration, but decreased plasma CCK concentration. Increased plasma GIP concentration was associated with increased ME supply on day 7 of casein and starch infusion. Casein infusion tended to increase plasma CCK concentration on both days of sampling, and increased plasma GLP-1 and insulin concentration on day 1 of infusion. The present data indicate a sustained elevation of plasma concentration of GLP-1, but not CCK, may contribute to the reduced DMI observed in dairy cows provided supplemental fat.

Effect of Dietary Fiber Level on the Performance and Carcass Traits of Mong Cai, F1 Crossbred (Mong횞Cai??Yorkshire) and Landrace횞Yorkshire Pigs

The effects of feeding diets containing 20% (L) or 30% (H) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (DM basis) on performance and carcass traits were studied in three breeds of pig, including pure Mong Cai (MC), crossbred Landrace×Yorkshire (LY) and crossbred MC×Yorkshire (F1). The experiment had a factorial design with two factors, breed and diet. Eighteen piglets of each breed (60±3 days) were randomly allocated to three treatments: L-L, low fiber diet in both growing and finishing periods; L-H, low and high fiber diet in the growing and finishing period, respectively; and H-H, high fiber diet in both periods. The diets were iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous within feeding period. The main fibrous ingredients of the diets were rice bran and cassava residue. There were no effects of fiber level on daily dry matter feed intake (DMI), expressed as g/kg metabolic body weight (BW0.75), in both feeding periods (p>0.05). DMI was highest for MC, followed by F1 and LY (p<0.001). Average daily gain (ADG) in L-L and L-H was higher than in H-H in the growing period (p<0.001) and overall (p<0.05), while feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in H-H than in L-L and L-H in the growing period (p<0.05) and overall, but no significant differences between treatments were found in the finishing period. In both periods, Landrace×Yorkshire had the highest ADG and the lowest FCR, followed by F1 and Mong Cai (p<0.001). There were no interactions between breed and diet for performance and carcass traits. Carcass and dressing percentage was lower for L-H and H-H than for L-L (p<0.05). There were no significant differences among treatments in back fat thickness and lean meat percentage, or in crude pr otein and ether extract contents of lean meat. Carcass, dressing and lean meat percentage was highest for LY, lowest for MC and intermediate for F1 (p<0.001). It can be concluded that feeding a high fiber diet in the growing period reduced pig performance, but there was no effect in the finishing period. Pure Mong Cai pigs are not particularly suitable for meat purposes, although the F1 cross with Large White had reasonably good growth perform ance and carcass quality.

Response of sheep to supplementation of Probio-catalytic in the diets

biotic and catalytic supplement, on the productive performances of sheep fed Pennisetum purpuphoides (King grass). The concentrate was made of rice bran, molasses-coated palm kernel cake, minerals and salt. Probio-catalytic supplements were added either at 0.5% or 1.0% of the concentrate. The probiotic in the probio-catalytic supplements was either Probion (produced by Balitnak) and assigned as probio-catalytic supplement A, or a mixture of rumen microbes of buffaloes which was assigned as probio-catalytic B. The catalytic supplement consisted of gelatinized sago, Zn, Co, urea and sulfur. Twenty heads of male young sheep with an average liveweight of 18.8 ± 1.7 kg were divided into 4 groups based on the bodyweight and allocated to 5 feeding treatments. The treatments were (1) Control (without probio-catalytic supplement), (2) R1 addition of probio-catalytic supplement A at 0.5%, (3) R2 addition of probio-catalytic supplement A at 1.0%, (4) R3 addition of probio-catalytic supplement B at 0.5%, and (5) R4 addition of probio-catalytic supplement B at 1.0%. The experiment was carried out by a randomized block design. A four-week adaptation period was then followed by a 12-week feed intake data collection and growth trial. An intake and digestibility study of the feed was carried out for 7 days. Rumen fluids were taken for analysis of pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids and microbial population. Results indicated a significantly greater weight gain in the group received R1 than that of the other treatments. Feed dry matter intakes were less in the groups supplemented with probio-catalytic resulting in a better feed conversion ratio. The pH and concentration of ammonia of rumen fluid were not significantly different among treatments. While the acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations were not different among treatments, the butyric acid was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the groups received R3 and R4, whereas those received R2 and R3 was not significantly different than that of the control group. The molar proportion of volatile fatty acid components was within the normal values. Based on the results of the present experiment, it was concluded that addition of probio-catalytic supplement A at 0.5% was advantageous and it could be suggested to be included in the diet to improve the productive performance of sheep. Key Words : Probio-Catalytic Supplement, Productive Performance, Sheep

Methane emissions from dairy cattle divergently selected for bloat susceptibility

Bloat susceptibility is a genetically inherited trait and this study explored whether cattle divergently selected for this trait (low or high bloat susceptibility) also differ in methane (CH4) emissions. Twelve low bloat (402 ± 12 kg liveweight, LW) and 12 high bloat (334 ± 13 kg LW) Friesian × Jersey mixed age (2–4 years old) non-lactating and non-pregnant female cattle were used in a late autumn (June) grazing experiment involving two periods (P1 and P2). Methane emissions were measured during 5 (P1) or 4 (P2) consecutive days using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique. In P1 only, titanium dioxide (TiO2) was used for faecal output and feed dry matter intake (DMI) estimations and it was found that the selection lines did not differ in DMI per unit of LW (17.3 ± 1.3 v. 15.4 ± 1.3 g DMI/kg LW, P &gt; 0.05; for low and high bloat cows, respectively). In both periods, the mean absolute CH4 emissions from low bloat cows were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.001) than from high bloat cows (144.5 ± 6.3 v. 107.4 ± 7.2 and 147.9 ± 4.6 v. 119.6 ± 6.5 g/day for P1 and P2, respectively), but on per unit of LW basis, CH4 emissions from low and high bloat animals were not different from each other (P &gt; 0.05) either at P1 (346 ± 16 v. 312 ± 11 mg/kg LW) or P2 (345 ± 11 v. 347 ± 10 mg/kg LW). In P1, when DMI was estimated using TiO2, the selection lines did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) in CH4 yields per unit of intake (20.6 ± 0.8 v. 21.3 ± 1.4 g/kg DMI for low and high bloat, respectively). Previous studies with the same herd showed that the selection lines did not differ in DMI per unit of LW, which was confirmed by the present study from estimations of DMI by TiO2 dosing in P1. It is concluded that low and high bloat susceptible genotypes did not differ in their CH4 yields per unit of feed intake.

Characteristic of duodenal myoelectric activity in relation to food in piglets during the 3rd and 4th week of life

The relationship between duodenal myoelectric activity and liquid food intake was investigated in eight conscious piglets with bipolar electrodes implanted on the wall of the duodenum. Piglets were fed with commercial milk formula and the effects of volume and feed dry matter intake on duodenal myoelectric activity were measured by means of an analog–digital recording system. The cyclic pattern of duodenal myoelectric activity, i.e. the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), was preserved when piglets received small meals at regular intervals. The duration of the whole MMC cycle, as well as the duration of phase II of the MMC, were only weakly correlated ( r = 0.2, P < 0.05 for both parameters, respectively) to the amount of ingested food. However, the increase of the amount of feed dry matter intake of a meal from 2.1 to 4.5 g kg − 1 of live body mass (LBM) as well as an increase of volume of a meal from 13 to 26 ml kg − 1 LBM significantly increased the duration of the MMC cycles ( P < 0.05) due to the elongation of phase II of the MMC ( P < 0.05). The present study shows that in piglets fed with a liquid diet the upper gut motility response to food is similar to that previously observed in adult animals.

Plasma Concentrations of Gut Peptides in Dairy Cattle Increase after Calving

Effects of transition from late gestation to early lactation on plasma concentrations of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide 1-(7-36) amide (GLP-1), and cholecystokinin (CCK) have not been reported in cattle. The objective of the present study was to measure plasma concentrations of GLP-1, GIP, CCK, insulin, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acids in blood plasma obtained from the coccygeal vein of 32 Holstein cows at an average of 11 d before, and 5, 12, and 19 d after calving. Feed dry matter intake (DMI) averaged 14.4, 17.7, and 19.9 kg/d on d 5, 12, and 19 of lactation, respectively, as milk yield increased (30.6, 36.6, and 39.7 kg/d, respectively). Plasma concentrations of insulin and glucose were lower postpartum than prepartum, but did not differ among samples collected after calving. In contrast, plasma concentration of gut peptides increased linearly after calving, perhaps as a consequence of increased feed intake and nutrient absorption; however, the increases in plasma concentrations of GIP and GLP-1 as lactation progressed were not associated with increased DMI per se, and likely reflect the endocrine and metabolic adaptations of lacto-genesis. In contrast, increased concentration of CCK was related both to increasing days in milk and DMI. By 19 d postpartum, concentrations of GLP-1, GIP, and CCK increased by 2.3-, 1.8-, and 2.8-fold, respectively, compared with values at 11 d before calving. Although these peptides have direct and indirect effects that reduce appetite and DMI in other species (including increased insulin secretion), these may be glucose- or insulin-dependent functions, and insulin and glucose concentrations were reduced in early lactation.

Effect of Restricted Feeding, Breed and Diet on Sheep Milk Yield

Al-Saiady, M.Y. 2006. Effect of restricted feeding, breed and diet on sheep milk yield. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 85–88. Seventy-two lactating ewes (36 Awasee and 36 Sawakny*) were used to determine the effects of restriction of dry matter intake, breed and diet on performance. Ewes were fed dry matter either at normal level (3% of body weight) or 15% less. Three treatment A, B, C had 80, 70 or 60% complete feed with remaining Rhodes grass hay (Chlorus gayana), respectively. Daily milk yield was significantly (P<0.01) higher Awasee ewes on diet A and on normal dry matter intake. Feeding ewes on complete feed with Rhodes grass hay in ratio of 80 to 20 produced more milk with less feed dry matter intake and better feed efficiency.