Feed Preparation Research Articles

Oral feed-based administration of phage cocktail protects rohu fish (Labeo rohita) against Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

Aeromonas hydrophila is one of the major freshwater fish pathogens. In the current study, a cocktail of D6 and CF7 phages was given orally to Labeo rohita to assess phage survival in fish organs as well as to determine the therapeutic efficacy of phage treatment against fish mortality caused by A. hydrophila. In the phage-coated feed, prepared by simple spraying method, phage counts were quite stable for up to 2 months with a decline of ≤ 0.23 log10 and ≤ 1.66 log10 PFU/g feed during 4 oC and room temperature storage. Throughout the experimental period of 7 days, both phages could be detected in the gut of fish fed with phage-coated feed. Besides, both CF7 and D6 phages were also detected in fish kidneys indicating the ability of both the phage to cross the intestinal barrier. During challenge studies with LD50 dose of A. hydrophila, phage cocktail doses of 1 × 106 - 1 × 108 PFU/g feed prevented the mortality in L. rohita with relative percentage survival (RPS) of 8.7-65.2. When challenged with LD90 dose of A. hydrophila, an RPS value of 28.6 was obtained at a phage cocktail dose of 1 × 108 PFU/g feed. The RPS data showed that orally-fed phage cocktail protected the fish against the mortality caused by A. hydrophila in a dose-dependent manner. Simple practical approaches for phage cocktail development, medicated feed preparation and oral administration along with phage survival and protection data make the current study useful for farmer-level application.

Effect of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin and Antidopamine on the gonads of female bileh fish (Rasbora maninjau)

Bileh fish (Rasbora maninjau) still have difficulty spawning in a controlled manner in aquaculture containers because the maturation of female fish gonads is slow and takes a long time. Internal factors, including the hormonal system, strongly influence the maturation of fish gonads. This study aims to determine the effect of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) and antidopamine on female gonads of bileh fish. The research used an experiment with a CRD (Completely Randomized Design) experimental design. The experiment consisted of four treatments and three repetitions. The treatments were the administration of PMSG and antidopamine hormones at different doses through feed, namely: 0 ml/kg feed (P1), 0.5 ml/kg feed (P2), 1 ml/kg feed (P3) and 2 ml/kg feed (P4). The research procedures included container and fish preparation, hormone, and feed preparation, fish rearing, and data collection. The test parameters evaluated were weight gain (Wg), gonadosomatic index (GSI), and gonadal maturity level (GML). Data on test parameters were analyzed with statistics (Anova). The research results showed that the administration of PMSG hormones and antidopamine through feed had a significant effect on weight gain, gonadosomatic index and gonad maturity level of bileh fish (P<0.05). Effective and best treatment at P3 (1 ml/kg feed) with Wg 0.22grams, GSI 8.58%, and GML IV 60%.

Microbiome studies in veterinary field: communities’ diversity measurements pitfalls

In recent years, the role of the microbiota has proved to be extremely important in medicine as one of the most important aspects for the characterization of living beings in both healthy and pathological conditions. Moreover, the development of shotgun technology, and in particular the cheaper 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing, made possible its wide diffusion. In veterinary sciences, microbiome studies have seen applications not only in medicine in the strict sense (e.g diagnosis) but also, for example, in food inspection (quality, fraud, etc.) and in animal feed preparation itself. However, focusing on microbial profiling by 16S rRNA sequencing, there are several crucial aspects to be considered: from the experimental design definition and the sample size problem to the data analysis steps. This latter involves several layers, e.g. which 16S rRNA databases to use, which metrics for alpha and beta diversity, etc. In this work, we want to present, as a case study, a critical discussion about the large number of alpha and beta diversity metrics and their impact in the statistical comparisons among groups.

Impact of the grinding method on oil shale flotation

Oil shale’s natural floatability depends on its organic content which is negatively affected by the presence of inorganic impurities. Thus, the feed preparation, particularly in the crushing and grinding processes, affects the liberation of organic components as well as their surface properties. In this article, attrition scrubbing and ball milling, as different feed preparation techniques, were used to study their effects on oil shale flotation. The ground products using either technique were floated, using either pine oil or sodium oleate. The flotation results indicated that the organic recovery was improved using both reagents with higher improvement in the case of pine oil. Starting from 10% organics in the feed, the floated organics, at pH 3 using 0.4 kg/t pine oil and particle size of −0.1 + 0.045 mm, are improved to 23.5% and 17.8% using ball mill and attrition products, respectively. Interestingly, at a higher pine oil dosage, floated attrition products result in a higher grade and recovery than the ball mill products. The shearing mechanism in attrition is found to be more suitable for liberating organics in oil shale whereas maximum organic content and recovery of 25.7% and 91.4%, respectively were achieved using 7.5 kg/t pine oil.

Increasing the Efficiency of the Feed Preparation Process Using a Chopper With a Tool of Hammer-Segment Type

Based on an analysis of existing choppers and grinders, the most promising direction in the development of a technical device with a tool of hammer-segment type was chosen. Analytical dependencies have been derived, which at the design stage make it possible to determine energy intensity, linear speed, and the number of rows of hammers.

Adaptation and Performance Evaluation of Layer (Bovan Brown) Chicken Breed in Peri-Urban Areas of Agro-Pastoralist, South Omo Zone, Ethiopia

An experiment targeted the adaptation and performance evaluation of the Bovan Brown chicken breed in peri-urban areas of Agro-pastoralist was conducted in the Malle district. One kebele and 25 households were selected purposively. Training was provided and 21 pullet chickens were distributed to each household. Vaccination was given for the common poultry diseases. The commercial feed was used for the first two months, and then home-prepared feed in addition to kitchen refusal, garden forages, insects, and worms. Mortality was the collective effect of disease, stress, predators, and injury. The average body weight of the breed was 1.5 Kg with an average age of sexual maturity of 6 months. On average the breed laid 237 eggs per hen per year with a relative egg weight of 48, 51, 53, and 57 g at 5%, 10%, 50%, and 95% lay periods, respectively. The breed was preferred due to its survival, egg production, feed conversion ability, and fast age of sexual maturity with some constraints such as feed shortage, absence of the breed, veterinary drugs, and vaccines in the district. The “Bovan Brown” breed was adapted, performed well, and was preferred by the users with the limitation of chicken feed and the awareness gap of keepers. Therefore, the chicken keepers should be trained for the preparation of the layers feed, especially, protein sources, and the distribution of the breed should be limited to urban, per-urban, and trained keepers with access to the road to buy inputs and sale outputs.

Addition To Green-Based Feed Preparations With Fermentation Technology Innovation Good Ruminant Feeding Practices

Improving ruminant feed quality is an important factor in increasing livestock productivity and health. To improve feed quality, accompanying forage-based ruminant feed preparation with fermentation technology innovation is the focus of community service activities. Accompanying forage-based ruminant feed preparations with a fermentation technology approach is intended to optimize the nutrition and microbial content in the feed, thereby increasing the availability of nutrients and digestion of livestock, with impact factors on growth, animal health, and milk production. Fermentation technology innovations can improve feed quality by increasing nutritional content, reducing anti-nutritional ingredients, and increasing nutritional availability for livestock without depending on or being influenced by changes from the rainy season to the dry season.

Экономическое обоснование уборки зерновых культур ранних фаз спелости очесом и приготовления корма из необмолоченного вороха

Abstract. The stripping of grain allows organizing the separate harvesting of grain for feed in early phases and for food purposes in the phase of full ripeness. Purpose. To carry out the economic justification of the technology of harvesting early ripening grains by stripping without threshing and the technology of preparing pelleted fish feed for fish from unthreshed ears and additives. Methods. Economical estimation of the technology of winter wheat harvesting by stripping in early phases of ripeness without threshing and its processing into feed has been carried out by comparing operational and indicated expenses of the total technological operations. Scientific novelty lies in the joint estimation of the economic efficiency of technologies of harvesting and processing of grain crops. Results. The prime cost of harvesting cereals without threshing and separation is 2.65 times lower than that of the harvesting technology with combine threshing and separation. The cost of performing operations under the traditional (from grain) and the new (from ears) technologies of pelleted fish feed production is almost equal. However, the total cost of technological operations of harvesting grain without threshing and preparation of pelleted feed from unthreshed ears using the new technology is 24.3 % lower than that of traditional technology of harvesting with threshing and preparation of feed from grain. The use of non-grain part of ears of early ripeness in the composition of feed will increase the amount of raw material from hectare of sown area by 20–30 %. The proposed technologies is cost-effective and promising for implementation in the agricultural enterprises of southern Russia.

Strategy For Sustainable Development and Feed Processing Technology Using Chopper Machine for Goat Farming in Dolok Ilir I Simalungun Regency

Sustainable development in animal husbandry through feed processing technology using modern machines is needed to increase the productivity of goats in Dolok Ilir I, Dolok Batu Nanggar District, Simalungun Regency. The problems faced by the service partners include maintenance management and preparation of animal feed that could be more optimal, thus reducing the productivity of goats. In addition, technology in the form of automatic equipment or machines and housing management for incentive management is also needed. Some solutions to problems are the Assisted Village Service Team conducting activities in the form of 1) Training on feed preparation and making herbal nutritional supplements for goats, 2) Provision of goat feed production machines and training in the use of chopper machines, 3) Construction of goat cages for intensive management. The service method applied is using media in the form of banners and training practices. Training practices are carried out by providing material and demonstrations on preparing feed, making herbal nutritional supplements, and operating a grass chopper machine. The results of the activities that have been carried out show an increase in farmers' knowledge and skills related to making feed preparation, making herbal nutritional supplements and operating chopper machines with an achievement rate of 95%. Science and technology in community service activities have been applied by farmers so that they can increase the sustainable development of animal husbandry in the Fostered Village. The participation of village officials also supports the progress of livestock development in the Assisted Village of Dolok Ilir, Simalungun Regency.

Comparison of Mechanized and Automated Technologies in the Scope of Cumulative Energy in Sustainable Milk Production

The labor and energy inputs for milking and milk cooling, the preparation and distribution of feed, and manure removal were analyzed on eight farms in the Masovian, Podlaskie, Lower Silesian, and Kuyavian–Pomeranian voivodeships. In these facilities, milking was carried out using milking robots, which were also employed during feed preparation and discharge. The cleaning of manure channels and walking corridors were also automated. Based on labor, fuel, energy consumption, weight of machinery and equipment, and building area, the cumulative energy intensity of the farms was calculated, taking into account the average density of cow herds. The lowest energy input, 0.974 kWh∙LU−1∙day, and the lowest cumulative energy intensity, amounting to 19.601 MJ∙day−1∙LU−1 were observed in a farm with AF-AM5 technology, that is, an automated milking system (AMS) and an automated feeding system (AFS). The second lowest total energy intensity was measured in a farm utilizing the AF-AM7 technology and amounted to 22.505 MJ∙day−1∙LU−1. The highest cumulative energy intensity was measured in a farm practicing conventional milking in a fishbone milking parlor, with a traditional feeding wagon powered by an agricultural tractor. A high level of cumulative energy intensity, for the majority, was connected with a high energy and fuel consumption, especially during the preparation of feed and feed distribution.

Assessing the production processes on the most typical farms and milk production complexes

The article presents the results of research, according to an energy assessment, of the most common options for combining spatial planning and technological solutions of buildings and structures, the set of technological equipment used on the most typical operating farms and milk production complexes. The most significant elements of technology and technological equipment, its operating modes, energy consumption by cost elements for the processes of preparation and distribution of feed, manure removal and provision of the required microclimate parameters, determining the intensity level of the production process in various variants of building layout and livestock, have been studied. The results obtained allow us to determine the most effective options for mechanization and automation of the production process and improve the technological methods of their implementation.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ВАРОЧНОГО КОТЛА С ЭНЕРГОНЕЗАВИСИМЫМ ГАЗОГОРЕЛОЧНЫМ УСТРОЙСТВОМ

Intensive gasification of the village makes it possible to use natural gas on a large scale for the heat treatment of animal feed. The paper proposes a gas-using power supply system for a digester for cooking feed and food in peasant farms, which allows it to operate during the failures of centralized power supply due to accidents in electrical grids or planned outages for their repair. (Research purpose) The research purpose is increasing the efficiency of natural gas use, reducing energy consumption by improving the energy supply system of the gas-using digester. (Materials and methods) Automation of the process of ignition of the gas burner, control of the flame, draft in the chimney, ensuring safe operation of the digester with analysis and modern automation tools used in domestic gas-using heating boilers was performed. The design and technological scheme of the power supply system of the gas burner device with automatic power control was presented. Studies were carried out and showed the dynamics of gas consumption and the temperature of the product in the cooking digester during different modes of operation. (Results and discussion) The operating mode of the digester was substantiated, in which the saving of natural gas amounted to 11.4 percent due to the use of an automated system for its energy supply. (Conclusions) It was shown that the power supply system of the gas-using digester is independent from electrical grid, which makes it possible to operate the boiler during failures of centralized power supply. It was found that the use of smooth automatic regulation of gas consumption in the digester during the preparation of feed and food allows saving it up to 11.4 percent. It was determined that the boiler efficiency for the full cycle of product preparation in automatic mode is 0.87, in manual mode - 0.83.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЯ ПЕРЕРАБОТКИ НЕОБМОЛОЧЕННЫХ КОЛОСЬЕВ ПШЕНИЦЫ РАННИХ ФАЗ СПЕЛОСТИ В КОРМ ДЛЯ РЫБ: ПРОБЛЕМЫ И РЕШЕНИЯ

The grain crops’ nonthreshed ears of the early stages of ripeness as raw materials for feed preparation can be used. The purpose of this study was: nonthreshed ears of early ripeness phases into food for omnivorous fish processing technology developing and substantiating. This study object - was the technological process of granulated feed from nonthreshed ears of early ripeness phases preparing. A preliminary technological scheme for granular feed preparation from ears had been developed. An experimental test had revealed shortcomings in technological process of feed from nonthreshed ears producing implementation, reducing its energy and economic efficiency and the processing line’s productivity and feed quality’s negative affecting. Possible solutions had been developed. For granular feed production from early ripening phases ears technology effective implementation, it is necessary the raw materials’ drying and grinding as technological operations, as well as its grinding and mixing to combine, for which new technological solutions were proposed. An improved technological scheme for granular fish feed from nonthreshed ears of early ripening producing has been developed, including combined technological operations. New technical means to be developed and already developed into the new scheme are integrated. The results of the study had shown that the technology of granulated feed from nonthreshed ears producing - is an effective means of livestock production’s profitability increasing, since feed produced by this technology using contains more protein than traditional one based on threshed forage grains, as a result fewer expensive protein additives in its composition can be included. The introduction of a new technology for the granular fish feed from nonthreshed ears preparation will make it possible early grain crops harvesting by the ochesmethod using for the feed nutritional value increasing.

Determination of grinding condition by grain elasticity and hammer width for sustainable feed production in livestock farming

Livestock farming is one of the important sectors of Uzbekistan that provides food. An integral part of livestock farming is feed production. Grinding grain is a very important stage in the preparation of complete feed. The study aims to justify the hammer’s width and theoretically investigate the parameters for grinding grain. Technical mechanics fundamentals were used in theoretical investigations. There is a schematic showing how the grain is ground in the grinding chamber. Theoretical studies indicate that for grain crushing, the internal loading resulting from grain particle compression should exceed the grain loading strength limit. According to the analytical relationship analysis to determine the width of the crusher, the width of the crusher depends on the strength limit and modulus of elasticity of the grains, the radius of rotation of the crusher, the number of blows and the diameter of the hole of the grinding chamber. In order to ensure that the grains are crushed at the required level, the width of the crusher hammer is greater than 1 cm, the radius of rotation is 21.5 cm, the number of blows is 25 times, the diameter of the hole of the grinding chamber is equal to or less than 0.0019 m.

Dependence of the uniformity of feed mixing in the feed mixing device of the granulation line on the number of paddle shaft revolutions and mixing time

Today, 87 percent of the number of cattle, as well as 90 percent of the number of sheep and goats in Uzbekistan are cared for by farmers. 85-90 percent of the number of livestock in our Republic belongs to peasant farms, and the preparation of feed for the livestock kept in these peasant farms should be implemented using best practices and modern technologies in developed countries, increasing the competitiveness and economic efficiency of the livestock sector is important. Based on the aforementioned information, a small-sized granulation line and a feed mixing device were created that are comparable to large-sized devices in terms of work quality and meet small livestock and poultry farms in terms of size, productivity, and energy consumption. The homogeneity of the feed mixing ratio in relation to the device’s paddle shaft rotation count and mixing duration was investigated through experimentation. The results of the trials showed that when the feed mixer paddle rotor was turning at a speed of 50 revolutions per minute and the mixing period was set for five minutes, the optimal mixing quality of ground wheat grain, ground maize grain, ground rice, and wheat bran for the manufacturing of granular feed was reached.

Theoretical study of the process of grain materials grinding in agriculture machinery

This paper outlines the findings of theoretical investigations into the grain materials grinding process in agriculture, focusing on the particle breakdown occurring at the moving edge of the rotor groove relative to the fixed edge of the stator. The choice of grinding methods is influenced by the processed feed, its intended purpose, the adopted feed preparation technology, and the specific farm animals involved. The study highlights the significant variations in the grinding process due to differences in dimensional characteristics and strength properties of grain materials, which impact the selection of working chamber parameters and operating modes. The paper introduces a hexagonal rotary crusher design and technological scheme, which offers the flexibility to adjust the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the working elements, energy of the process, and grinding quality within a wide range. Further research on the system dynamics requires experimental studies of grain material grinders utilizing diverse destruction methods. This study aims to advance understanding of the grain materials grinding process and optimize feed processing techniques for improved livestock productivity and product quality.

From waste to protein: a new strategy of converting composted distilled grain wastes into animal feed.

Distilled grain waste (DGW) is rich in nutrients and can be a potential resource as animal feed. However, DGW contains as much as 14% lignin, dramatically reducing the feeding value. White-rot fungi such as Pleurotus ostreatus could preferentially degrade lignin with high efficiency. However, lignin derivatives generated during alcohol distillation inhibit P. ostreatus growth. Thus, finding a new strategy to adjust the DGW properties to facilitate P. ostreatus growth is critical for animal feed preparation and DGW recycling. In this study, three dominant indigenous bacteria, including Sphingobacterium thermophilum X1, Pseudoxanthomonas byssovorax X3, and Bacillus velezensis 15F were chosen to generate single and compound microbial inoculums for DGW composting to prepare substrates for P. ostreatus growth. Compared with non-inoculated control or single microbial inoculation, all composite inoculations, especially the three-microbial compound, led to faster organic metabolism, shorter composting process, and improved physicochemical properties of DGW. P. ostreatus growth assays showed the fastest mycelial colonization (20.43 μg·g-1 ergosterol) and extension (9 mm/d), the highest ligninolytic enzyme activities (Lac, 152.68 U·g-1; Lip, 15.56 U·g-1; MnP, 0.34 U·g-1; Xylanase, 10.98 U·g-1; FPase, 0.71 U·g-1), and the highest lignin degradation ratio (30.77%) in the DGW sample after 12 h of composting with the three-microbial compound inoculation when compared to other groups. This sample was relatively abundant in bacteria playing critical roles in amino acid, carbohydrate, energy metabolism, and xenobiotic biodegradation, as suggested by metagenomic analysis. The feed value analysis revealed that P. ostreatus mycelia full colonization in composted DGW led to high fiber content retention and decreased lignin content (final ratio of 5% lignin) but elevated protein concentrations (about 130 g·kg-1 DM). An additional daily weight gain of 0.4 kg/d was shown in cattle feeding experiments by replacing 60% of regular feed with it. These findings demonstrate that compound inoculant consisting of three indigenous microorganisms is efficient to compost DGW and facilitate P. ostreatus growth. P. ostreatus decreased the lignin content of composted DGW during its mycelial growth, improving the quality of DGW for feeding cattle.

Method for automated diagnostics of the technical condition of a feed crusher

The material of the scientific article represents a separate stage of research on a topical topic dedicated to increasing the economic efficiency of feed mills. The solution to this problem significantly depends on the technical condition and quality of the work process carried out by technological equipment. Based on an analysis of the state of the issue on the topic under consideration, it was established that the most important and energy-intensive operation of the feed preparation process is grinding, performed in feed crushers. A study of the operating conditions of hammer crushers revealed the least reliable working element - the grinding rotor, the technical condition of which is determined by wear of the support bearings, increased vibration and imbalance. In order to substantiate the method of automated diagnostics of rotor malfunctions during operation, determine the accuracy of manufacturing crushers at factories, and assess the quality of service and repair at service enterprises, a scheme for static and dynamic loading of the rotor has been developed.

Studies on Fish Feed Formulation

Good nutrition in animal production systems is essential to produce a healthy, high-quality product economically. In fish farming, nutrition is critical because feed represents 40-50% of the production costs. Fish nutrition has advanced dramatically in recent years with the development of new, balanced commercial diets that promote optimal fish growth and health. The development of new species-specific diet formulations supports the aquaculture (fish farming) industry as it expands to satisfy increasing demand for affordable, safe, and high-quality fish and seafood products Conducted experiments on studies on fish feed formulation at CIPHET, Ludhiana. The present study evaluates the importance of fish feed pellets as alternative feed ingredients for fish feed preparation. Commonly available materials i.e., debittered mustard oil cake, fish meal, maize powder, and mineral powder mixture. The crude protein content of the feed ingredients ranged from 10 to 60 % and the crude fat contents were recorded as 4 to 12%. Crude fiber contents were between 1 and 8 % and ash contents ranged from 6.9 to 38 %. In this study, results showed that the minimum volume of pellets is 700.4 mm3 and maximum volume is 925.504 mm3 and the minimum density of pellets is 0.00092 g. mm-3 and the maximum density of pellets is 0.00107 g. mm-3 of the pellets. The 0.5838g weight of the pellet will take less time to dissolve completely when compared with more 0.9127g weight of the pellet.

Application of near infrared spectroscopy for identification and quantitative determination of amino acids in their crystalline and salt forms in the preparation of animal feed

Methods. For the first time, a comprehensive calibration model has been developed and presented for the rapid determination of basic near-infrared spectroscopy (IR) methods in feed amino acids, with application in the production of animal feed. The research principle is based on the Fourier equation for spectroscopy. In this work, Fourier methods in the Italian region (FTIR, FT-NIRS) were applied. The data obtained from the calibration models were confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography. FT-NIR predictions agreed well with the chromatography data and had predictive deviation (RPD) values &gt;1.3 in all cases.Results. The results indicate that FT-NIR spectroscopy can be used as a simple and rapid tool for monitoring amino acids. In the course of the work, experimental confirmation of previously known facts was obtained — the possibility of visual separation of the spectra of not only counterfeit amino acids, but also the possibility of separation by L- and DL-optical isomers. The work shows that the discrepancies between the values obtained by the classical “wet chemistry” method and the values obtained from the constructed calibration models do not exceed the reproducibility limits of arbitration methods. A predictive model was used based on information flow elements using the OPUS/QUANT2 software package for multivariate calibration and construction of calibration models for amino acids. This chemometric analysis proved the fundamental possibility of determining amino acids in the product. It has been shown that the use of information channels opens up opportunities for the use of many chemometrics algorithms, including data preprocessing and the construction of predictive models.