Feed Cost Research Articles

An overview of alternative protein sources for ruminants in the tropical area

Abstract Investigating alternative protein sources for ruminants in tropical regions is crucial due to distinct climatic conditions and limited resources. Scientists, acknowledging the challenges, are exploring locally accessible alternatives to develop cost-effective and sustainable protein supplements for ruminant nutrition, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nutritional composition for advancing livestock husbandry sustainability. The aim of this research is to elucidate alternative local protein sources for ruminants in tropical areas and assess their effectiveness in promoting sustainable production and enhancing ruminant nutrition. Protein feed sources are essential for providing amino acids to animals and producing animal products such as meat, milk, and wool. Inadequate protein in animal feed may have a detrimental impact on rumen fermentation and animal output. Therefore, alternative protein sources have received increased attention in order to replace the main protein source. The alternative protein sources in this review were divided into five categories: agricultural biomass, fodder shrubs, biological protein and plant weeds, insect protein and agro-industry biomass. Furthermore, plant secondary compounds found in alternative protein sources might be used to modulate rumen fermentation and improve animal performance. By focusing on regional sources of protein, feed costs are reduced while availability is raised. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that there are a number of alternative protein sources that might be used in place of primary protein sources and that they could support ruminant production in the face of several animal feed crises. However, the potential use of any protein source should be assessed in light of the country’s availability and animal production practices.

18 Effect of precision feeding standardized ileal digestible lysine to lactating sows compared with conventional feeding strategies in a commercial farm

Abstract A total of 728 sows and litters were used in a 19-d lactation study to evaluate effects of precision feeding SID Lys and other amino acids on sow and litter performance and feed cost in a commercial farm. Sows were blocked by parity and allotted to 1 of 2 treatments at entry into farrowing. Treatments consisted of a control diet or a feed blending curve. Two diets were used to create treatment curves, a low Lys diet (0.60% SID Lys) or a high Lys diet (1.07% SID Lys). Sows on the control treatment were fed only the high Lys diet and sows on the blend curve were fed a blend of the low and high Lys diets using the Gestal Quattro Opti Feeder (Jyga Technologies, St-Lambert-de-Lauzon, Quebec, Canada) to target a specific Lys intake/d. Lysine intake targets were based on the NRC (2012) model requirements, except targets were increased by 20% to reach average Lys intake of approximately 63 g/d. The blend of the low and high Lys diet was adjusted on d 7 and 14 for sows fed the blend curve in an attempt to reach target Lys intake. Average Lys intake was 87% of target Lys intake because feed intake was lower than predicted. Sows fed the control diet had greater (P < 0.001; 72.0 vs 54.8 g/d) Lys intake compared with sows on blend curves because they were fed only the high Lys diet (Table). No differences (P > 0.05) in body weight (BW), backfat, loin depth, caliper score, or average daily feed intake (ADFI) were observed. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in litter size at d 2 after equalization or weaning; however, piglets and litters from sows fed the control treatment tended to have greater weaning weights (P = 0.090) and average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.071) compared with piglets and litters from sows fed the blend curve, likely due to insufficient Lys intake for sows on the blend curve to maximize litter growth performance. Feed cost per sow was less (P < 0.05) for sows fed the blend curve in both a low and high ingredient price scenario. No differences (P > 0.05) in feed cost per kg of litter weight gain were observed; however, feed cost per weaned pig was less (P < 0.05) for sows on the blend treatment. Serum urea nitrogen was greater (P < 0.05) at weaning compared with d 10 for control fed sows and was greater (P < 0.05) than blend-fed sows at both time points. Sows fed the control diet had greater milk crude protein (P = 0.05) compared with sows fed the blend curve. While precision feeding sows using diet blending during lactation can be used to reduce feed cost, future research should focus on using technology to automatically adjust diet blend for low or high-feed intake sows to avoid the over or under-feeding of nutrients.

25 Effects of dietary standardized ileal digestible lysine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics of pigs from 100 to 130 kg

Abstract A total of 1,570 finishing pigs (337 × 1050, PIC; initially 103.4 ± 0.85 kg) were used in a 28-d trial to determine the effects of feeding increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys to pigs between 100 to 130 kg on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics. Before the beginning of the study, the 3 heaviest pigs per pen were removed and marketed with all remaining pigs marketed 28-d later at the end of the study. Pigs were housed in mixed sex pens, with 20 pigs per pen and 20 pens per treatment. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four dietary treatments: 0.63, 0.68, 0.75, and 0.82% SID Lys. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based and fed in meal form. Dietary treatments were similar in NE and increasing SID Lys was achieved by increasing soybean meal and feed grade amino acids. For the first 14 d from 100 to approximately 118 kg, there was a linear tendency for increased (P = 0.074) average daily gain (ADG), a linear improvement (P < 0.05) in gain to feed ratio (G:F), and increase (P < 0.001) in SID lysine intake per kg of gain as SID Lys increased (Table). For the second 14 d from 118 to 128 kg, SID Lys intake per kg of gain increased (P < 0.001) as SID Lys increased, however; there was no evidence for difference (P > 0.10) for any growth performance traits. Overall, there was a linear increase (P = 0.018) in G:F and increase (P < 0.001) in SID lysine intake per kg of gain as SID Lys increased. Increasing SID Lys also linearly increased (P < 0.05) percentage lean and decreased (P < 0.05) backfat depth with no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in other carcass criteria. For economics, feed cost and feed cost per kg of gain linearly increased (P < 0.05) as SID Lys increased in both low and high-price scenarios. Income over feed cost linearly decreased (P < 0.05) as dietary SID Lys increased in a low-price scenario, but there was no difference between treatments in a high-price scenario (P > 0.10). In conclusion, increasing dietary SID lysine in the last 28-d of the finisher period linearly increased G:F and SID Lys intake per kg of gain without significantly influencing other growth performance traits. Feed cost per kg of gain was linearly increased for both low and high-price scenarios with a detriment for IOFC with increasing SID Lys in the low-price scenario.

252 Evaluation of phase feeding and complete diet blending at different standardized ileal digestible lysine levels on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics and diet costs

Abstract A total of 2,160 mixed-gender pigs [PIC 337 × 1050; initial body weight (BW) = 24.9 ± 0.97 kg) were used in the 120-d study to compare feeding strategies (phase feeding vs complete diet blending) at different SID Lys levels (90 vs 100% of suggested requirement estimates) on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics. Pens of 27 pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a completely randomized block design with barn and initial BW as blocking factors resulting in 20 pens/treatment. The treatments included two feeding programs: a 5-phase feeding strategy at either 90% (Phase-90) or 100% of SID Lys requirement estimates (Phase-100) or blending of complete diets with pre-defined mixing proportions of a low and high SID Lys diet to meet 90 (Blend-90) or 100% (Blend-100) of the SID Lys curve requirement estimates for 23 to 127 kg pigs. Lysine levels were based on PIC 2021 requirement estimates. The 90% SID Lys diets were formulated to contain 4.38, 3.73, 3.06, 2.66 and 2.44 g SID Lys per Mcal NE for phases 1 to 5, respectively. The 100% SID Lys diets were formulated to contain 4.86, 4.15, 3.40, 2.96 and 2.71 g SID Lys per Mcal NE for phases 1 to 5, respectively. Pigs in phase-feeding strategies were fed on a feed budget with 21, 65, 67, 63 and 62 kg per pig for phases 1 to 5, respectively. Final BW and overall average daily gain (ADG; d 0 to 120) were not affected by the feeding strategy nor by diet SID Lys levels. In contrast, overall average daily feed intake (ADFI0 of pigs fed by diet blending was less than those fed by phase feeding (P = 0.002) resulting in increased gain to feed ratio (G:F; P < 0.001) for pigs fed by diet blending (table). The SID Lys levels did not influence overall ADFI or G:F. Hot carcass weight, carcass yield, percentage lean, fat depth and loin depth were not affected by the feeding program. Despite the decreased overall ADFI and increased G:F of pigs fed by diet blending, feeding strategy resulted in no significant differences in economic criteria except for reduced feed cost per kg gain at high price scenario (P = 0.049) for diet blending. With low diet cost, the 90% SID Lys level resulted in decreased feed cost per pig and feed cost per kg gain than 100% SID Lys (P < 0.001), but differences were not detected in income over feed cost (IOFC). In conclusion, diet blending at either 90 or 100% of the SID Lys requirement estimate reduced ADFI and increased G:F without impacting average daily gain (ADG) or carcass characteristics. At ingredient prices used in this study, feeding strategies at either 90 or 100% SID Lys did not significantly affect IOFC, but feeding 90% of SID Lys recommendation reduced feed cost.

PSII-18 Evaluating the effects of sodium diformate on finishing pig growth performance

Abstract A total of 2,200 pigs (Duroc sire (PIC 800 or DNA 600) × PIC Camborough; initial body weight = 24.2 ± 0.30 kg) were used in a 117-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary sodium diformate on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pens of pigs (25 pigs per pen) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 22 replicates per treatment. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based with the addition of none, 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75% sodium diformate (Formi NDF; ADDCON Nordic AS, Porsgrunn, Norway). Diets were fed in 6 phases from 24 to 141 kg. From d 0 to 32, increasing sodium diformate tended to decrease (quadratic, P = 0.081; Table 1) average daily feed intake (ADFI) up to the 0.50% inclusion level and had a quadratic (P < 0.001) effect on feed efficiency with the best gain to feed ratio (G:F) observed at 0.25% sodium diformate. From d 32 to 60, there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in average daily gain (ADG) or ADFI; however, there was a tendency for a quadratic effect (P = 0.093) on G:F, with 0.25 and 0.50% inclusion of sodium diformate having the least G:F. From d 60 to 93, increasing sodium diformate increased (linear, P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI. Additionally, from d 93 to 117, increasing sodium diformate increased (linear, P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F. For the overall period (d 0 to 117), pigs fed increasing sodium diformate had increased (linear, P < 0.01) ADG and a tendency for increased (linear, P = 0.075) ADFI; however, there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in G:F. Treatment did not impact carcass characteristics (P > 0.10). Overall mortality was 1.1% and was not influenced (P > 0.10) by treatment. For economics, increasing sodium diformate increased (linear, P < 0.001) feed cost and feed cost per kg of gain in both low and high price scenarios. However, there was a tendency for a quadratic effect (P = 0.059) for revenue with pigs fed 0.25% sodium diformate generating the greatest revenue in both the low and high price scenarios. Due to the increased feed cost and quadratic response in revenue, pigs fed increasing sodium diformate resulted in a quadratic (P < 0.05) response in IOFC with pigs fed no sodium diformate having the greatest IOFC. In conclusion, these data suggest that feeding increasing sodium diformate improved ADG and ADFI after d 60 (~82 kg) in the finishing period. However, it is currently not economical to feed sodium diformate throughout the entire finishing period.

47 Application of a ‘high’ or ‘low’ energy matrix to a nutrient-reduced diet supplemented with a novel phytase maintained growth performance and conferred production and sustainability benefit

Abstract This study assessed the capacity of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) to maintain growth performance of weaned pigs when added to a nutrient-reduced mixed cereal diet with two levels of dietary net energy (NE) reduction applied. A total of 360 newly weaned pigs [Greater York × Norsvin Landrace; initial body weight (BW) 8.4 ± 0.78 kg] were assigned to 60 floor-pens and 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 2 blocks (weaning group), 6 replicate pens per block, and 6 pigs/pen (3 male, 3 female), in total of 12 replications per treatment. Diets were based on wheat, corn, barley, and soybean meal and were offered to pigs in 2 phases in pelleted form (0–14 and 14–35 d post-weaning). Treatments comprised a nutritionally adequate positive control (PC) and 4 negative control (NC) diets supplemented with PhyG. The NC diets were reduced in digestible P, Ca, Na, and digestible amino acids vs. PC, according to the expected contribution of PhyG added at 1,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg (NC1) or 2,000 FTU/kg (NC2), respectively. Each NC1 and NC2 was formulated at two NE reduction levels, designated ‘low’ and ‘high’ (‘low’: -53 to -65 kcal/kg and ‘high’: -73 to -86 kcal/kg, vs. PC at 1,000 and 2,000 FTU/kg PhyG, respectively). Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Means separation was by Tukey’s HSD test. During both phases and overall (0–35 d), average BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient- and NE-reduced treatments, were either not different or were improved compared with the PC. Overall ADG, ADFI, and final BW (d 35) were greater in NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg ‘low’ vs. PC (466 vs. 424 g, 9.9%, 622 vs. 567 g, 9.7%, and 24.7 vs. 23.1 kg, 6.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). Total feed costs (ingredients price, February 2023) and estimated carbon footprint (CFP; FeedPrint, WUR, The Netherland) per kilogram of BW gain (BWG) were reduced in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient- and NE-reduced treatments vs. PC. Feed costs saving per kg BWG were greater with ‘high’ than ‘low’ NE reduction applied (-0.013 vs. -0.007 €, respectively, vs. PC) with PhyG at 1,000 FTU/kg, and it was greatest in NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg with ‘low’ NE reduction (-0.036 € vs. PC). Similarly, the CFP was reduced from 2,068 to 1,840 g CO2 eq/kg BWG (-11 %) by NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg with ‘low’ NE reduction vs. PC. In conclusion, the application of a full nutrient matrix with ‘high’ or ‘low’ NE reduction combined with supplementation of PhyG maintained growth performance of weaned pigs and reduced the total feed costs and carbon footprint per kg BW gain, lead to production and sustainability benefits.

51 Application of an energy and nutrient matrix to a mixed cereals-based diet supplemented with a novel phytase and xylanase–β-glucanase achieved a production benefit from wean-to-finish in pigs

Abstract The effect of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) without or with a xylanase–β-glucanase (XB) when added to an energy and nutrient-reduced diet on growth performance and production benefit was evaluated in pigs from wean-to-finish. A total of 192 weaned pigs [DanBred x Pi; initial body weight (BW) 7.18 ± 0.38 kg] were randomized to 4 treatments with 12 (4 piglets/pen) and 24 pens (2 pigs/pen) per treatment (1:1 male to female) for nursery and grow-finish phases, respectively. Diets were wheat-corn-barley-rye-soybean meal-based and fed in 5 phases (pre-starter, 7–11 kg, starter, 11–25 kg, grower I, 25–55 kg, grower II, 55–85 kg and finisher, 85–110 kg BW). Treatments comprised: 1) a nutritionally adequate positive control (PC); 2) a negative control (NC1) without added inorganic phosphate, reduced (based on specific PhyG dose) in net energy (NE), calcium (Ca), digestible amino acids (AA) and sodium (Na) vs. PC, supplemented with PhyG at 1,000, 1000, 750, 500 and 500 FTU/kg during pre-starter, starter, grower I, II and finisher phase, respectively (NC1+PhyG ‘low’); 3) a negative control (NC2) without added inorganic phosphate, supplemented with PhyG at 2,000, 2,000, 1,000, 750 and 750 FTU/kg in each phase with reduction in NE, Ca, dig AA and Na vs. PC based on the specific PhyG dose (NC2+PhyG ‘high’); and 4) a negative control (NC3) that was similar to 2) but supplemented with XB to provide 2,400 U/kg xylanase and 304 U/kg β-glucanase, with additional reduction in NE and dig AA based on the contribution of XB vs NC1 (NC3+PhyG ‘low’+XB). Data were analyzed by ANOVA, and means separation was by Tukey’s HSD test. Growth performance in all enzyme-supplemented diets was maintained or improved compared with PC. The NC3+PhyG ‘low’+XB treatment significantly improved performance vs. PC; average daily gain (ADG) and BW were greater vs. PC in starter (620 g and 28.2 kg vs. 557 g and 26.4 kg) and grower I (859 g and 65.1 kg vs. 777 g and 60.0 kg) respectively; feed conversion ratio (FCR) was reduced in grower II vs. PC (2.10 vs. 2.25; P < 0.05). The final BW was 114.5, 114.8, 115.6 and 116.7 kg in PC, NC1+PhyG ‘low’, NC2+PhyG ‘high’ and NC3+PhyG ‘low’+XB, respectively (P > 0.05). Carcass parameters were unaffected by treatments. Compared with PC, NC1+PhyG ‘low’, NC2+PhyG ‘high’ and NC3+PhyG ‘low’+XB conferred a 3.8 to 5.8% reduction in total feed cost (ingredients price, October 2023)/kg BWG and 4.4 to 6.8% reduction in the total carbon footprint (FeedPrint, WUR, The Netherland, CO2 eq., g)/kg BWG. The results confirm the appropriacy of the applied matrix values with PhyG supplementation, with or without XB, in mixed cereal diets from wean-to-finish and highlight the potential feed cost and sustainability benefit of using the phytase alone or in combination with the carbohydrase enzymes.

292 Effects of feeding mycotoxins-contaminated feed with a mitigation strategy on growth performance and health status in weaned pigs

Abstract Various types and levels of mycotoxins are present in feed ingredients, thus negatively impacting swine health and productivity. Appropriate sampling and frequent testing of feed ingredients are recommended to assess the risk of mycotoxins in feed and to determine mitigation strategies for mycotoxin control. However, monitoring plans do not guarantee feed will be free of mycotoxins, so in-feed mitigation strategies are implemented to minimize production losses. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a mycotoxin mitigation product (MultiSHIELD, modified clinoptilolite-based product) on growth performance and health status of weaned pigs under dietary challenges with various types and levels of mycotoxins commonly found in feed. The presence of mycotoxins was confirmed in the ground corn, which was obtained from the Midwestern United States and then used in a standard corn and soybean meal-based diet for three dietary treatments. Treatments were as follows: 1) control diet containing mycotoxins without mitigation (fumonisins B1 at 390, 454, and 527 ppb; zearalenone at 727, 846, and 982 ppb; deoxynivalenol at 671, 781, and 907 ppb in N1, N2, and N3 diets, respectively), 2) control diet with 0.15% of MultiSHIELD as mitigation level 1, and 3) control diet with 0.3% of MultiSHIELD as mitigation level 2. A total of 912 weaned pigs were allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (19 pigs per pen and 16 replicates per treatment) in a randomized complete block design with the initial body weight (as blocking. The results revealed that mycotoxin mitigation, regardless of the mitigation levels, had decreased removal rate (P < 0.01), incidence of injectable medication treatments (P = 0.01), ear necrosis (P = 0.27), and scours (P = 0.18) compared with control. Overall, pigs fed mycotoxin mitigation treatment diets had heavier pen weight (P = 0.06) than those fed the control diet due to fewer removals. The results also demonstrated a significant improvement of economic parameters (i.e., income over feed cost per pen; P = 0.01) for pigs fed diets with MultiSHIELD, regardless of the inclusion level, than pigs fed control diet. In conclusion, poor swine productivity was observed due to the presence of mycotoxins in feed, and the inclusion of MultiSHIELD in feed under the mycotoxin challenge delivers a positive impact on health and economic performance of nursery pigs.

PSIV-15 Effects of dietary supplementation of carbohydrase on growth performance and health status of growing-finishing pigs

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of carbohydrase supplementation in finishing diets with 30-35% DDGS on growth performance and health status of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 432 DNA-sired growing pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 31.1 ± 1.14 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. There were 16 to 20 pigs in each pen and 11 to 12 replicate pens per treatment. The 2 dietary treatments were 1) a standard finishing diet with phytase inclusion (CON); 2) CON + 90 g per ton of Endopower Green (ENZ). Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded by pen on d 0, 21, 42, 64, and 84 and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). After d 84, an equal number of pigs from each pen were marketed, and marketed weight was recorded based on the 4 individual cuts. Morbidity, mortality, and medical injectable treatments were measured for the entire experimental period. Data were used to calculate all variables and were analyzed using the GLM procedure in Minitab with Fisher’s t-test determining differences between treatments. There was a significant difference in the initial BW of pigs fed control and Endopower Green (dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product as a source of xylanase, beta-glucanase, beta-mannanase and alpha-galactosidase) containing diets. Thus, the initial BW was included in the model as a covariate for adjusting growth performance data. Results (Table 1) indicate that final BW tended to be greater (P < 0.10) in pigs fed ENZ compared with pigs fed CON. Endopower treatment had greater (P < 0.05, respectively) ADG from d 0 to 21 and d 21 to 42 than control treatment and ADG tended to be greater (P < 0.10) in pigs fed ENZ compared with pigs fed CON from d 0 to MKT. While pigs fed ENZ had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI from d 0 to 21 than pigs fed CON, there was no difference in ADFI between the 2 treatments from the overall period. G:F tended to be greater (P < 0.10) from d 21 to 42 and G:F was greater (P < 0.05, respectively) in pigs fed ENZ compared with pigs fed CON from d 42 to 63 and the overall period. These results suggested providing Endopower Green in finishing diets can improve feed efficiency and therefore reduce feed cost per kg of gain and support environmental sustainability whilst utilizing greater content of DDGS.

A Study on Potential Feed Sources to Boost Guppy Fish, Poecilia reticulata Productivity

Aquaculture may simply be referred as “Underwater Agriculture.”India is a major maritime state and an important aquaculture- based country in the worldhaving major aquaculture activitiesin the production of Carp from Freshwater,Shrimp from Brackish water, etc. Feed requirements of fish vary in quantity and quality according to the feeding habits, physiological stages of the species and environmental variations viz., temperature; amount and type of natural food availability in the culture system.A nutritious and cheap feed is a pre requested for profitable aquaculture. Though, use of commercially available feed is in practice in many countries. The feed cost consumes more Than half of running expenditure. Therefore, the search of nutritionally well-balanced feed Prepared from very cheap locally available ingredients in progress in all the aqua farming countries. In the present study, an attempt has been made to well-balanced nutritious feed Particularly from the locally available cheaper ingredients. The objectives of the present study are: to assess the effect of feed on the growth of finfish and shellfish in the laboratory, to prepare the conventional feed with traditional ingredients and to check the effect of feed on the growth performance of ornamental fish - Guppy, Poecilia reticulata.

Lifetime milk production of Holstein cattle in the humid tropics compared to Holstein-Gyr and Holstein-Brahman crosses.

Crossbred cattle are commonly used for milk production in the tropics, combining the potential benefits of pure breeds with the heterosis effects of the offspring. However, no comprehensive assessment of lifetime productivity for crossbred versus purebred cattle in low-altitude tropical environments has been carried out. The present study compares the lifetime productivity of purebred Holstein (HO, n = 17,269), Gyr (GY4, n = 435), and Brahman (BR4, n = 622) with crossbreds Gyr × Holstein (GY × HO, n = 5521) and Brahman×Holstein (BR × HO, n = 5429) cows from dairy farms located in low and medium altitude tropical regions in Costa Rica. The production traits of interest were age at first calving (AFC), days open (DO), milk production per lactation (TMP), lactation length (LLEN), age at culling (ACUL), and number of lactations (NLAC). Estimates of heterosis were also calculated. The AFC for GY × HO crosses (33-34 months) was not significantly different (p > .05) from HO (33.8 months). For BR × HO crosses, a significant (p < .05) decrease in AFC (BR3HO1 35.6 months, BR2HO2 34.5 months, and BR1H03 33.3 months) was observed as the fraction of HO breed increased. Estimates of heterosis for AFC were favourable for both crosses, of a magnitude close to 3%. The DO for F1 crosses (GY2HO2 94 days; BR2HO2 96 days) was significantly (p < .05) lower than HO (123 days). Estimates of heterosis for DO were also favourable and above 15% for both crosses. The TMP and LLEN were higher for HO (TMP = 5003 kg; LLEN = 324 days) compared with GY × HO (TMP = 4428 to 4773 kg; LLEN = 298 to 312 days) and BR × HO (TMP = 3950 to 4761 kg; LLEN = 273 to 313 days) crosses. Heterosis for TMP was favourable but low for both crosses, with a magnitude below 3.0%. The NLAC for HO (4.6 lactations) was significantly (p < .05) lower than F1 (GY2HO2, 5.8 lactations; BR2HO2, 5.4 lactations). Heterosis for NLAC was above 6.0% for both crosses. Overall, estimates of lifetime income over feed costs per cow on average were USD 2637 (30.3%) and USD 734 (8.4%) higher in F1 GY × HO and BR × HO, respectively, compared to HO. In conclusion, crossbred animals, specifically those with Gyr and Brahman genetics, extend the productive lifespan, increasing economic returns.

ZOOTECHNICAL RESPONSE, PROFITABILITY INDICES, BLOOD PARAMETERS, ORGAN WEIGHT, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES OF PIGS FED PROCESSED CASSAVA ROOT MEAL

Forty (40) weaned pigs (Large white x Landrace, 10 week old, 14.9±0.18 kg body weight) were used to assess the effect of processed cassava root meal on the zootechnical response, profitability, blood parameters, organ weight, carcass characteristics and organoleptic properties of the pigs. The pigs were randomly allotted into four treatments with ten pigs serving as replicates in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted for forty-nine (49) days. The feed had 0.00%, 32.50%, 48.80% and 65.00% processed cassava root meal in the diets tagged D1, D2, D3 and D4 respectively. The final weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly different (P&lt;0.05). There were significant differences (P &lt;0.05) in the profitability indices except the feed cost per kg weight gain. All the hematological parameters were significantly affected (P&lt;0.05) except for the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and platelet. All the serum biochemical parameters were significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected except aspartate aminotransferase, urea, total protein, glucose and triglyceride. The weight of the empty stomach, pancreas and heart were not significantly influenced (P&gt;0.05) across the treatments while others were significantly influenced (P&lt;0.05). All the carcass parameters were significantly influenced by processed cassava root meal (P&lt;0.05) except the bled weight, trotter, picnic shoulder and spare rib. The color and juiciness of the meat were also significantly influenced by processed cassava root meal (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, up to 48.8% is considered favorable in the diet of weaned pigs.

Effect of varying levels of processed Black plum Vitex doniana supplemented meals on growth performance of broiler chickens

The search for nonconventional feed supplements that can act as growth promoter with cost effectiveness for broiler chickens production and are capable of maximizing its growth performance will create increase supply of protein for the growing populace and growth in the investment of Nigerian poultry farmers. Therefore, a feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying levels of processed black plum meal on growth performance of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty day-old chicks were used for the starter phase and one hundred and eighty four weeks old chicks were used for the finisher phase. Vitex doniana leaf meal had significant effects on final weight, weight gain, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broiler starter chicks. Birds fed T2, T3 and T4 diets had similar results in terms of the final weight, weight gain and average daily weight gain compared to chicks fed the control diet. Results showed that broiler finisher chickens fed T2, T3 and T4 diets had similar final weight, weight gain, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg weight gain. Birds fed the control had the least weight gain. In conclusion, processed black plum meal improved growth performance and reduced cost of feed to gain a kilogramme of meat at both the starter and finisher phases. Therefore, processed black plum meal as supplement in broiler chicken diets will increase efficiency for sustainable broiler chicken production.

Optimization of Feed Ration Cost in Dairy Cattle by Genetic Algorithm

Feeding animals is one of the important problems of those dealing with livestock breeding. In order for animals to live a healthy life, they need to have adequate and balanced nutrition. Providing nutrients from cheaper sources has an important place in animal husbandry. In this study, it was aimed to prepare low-cost feed rations for dairy cattle with Genetic Algorithm (GA). In the experiments, a milk yield of 20 and 25 Kg with 3.5% fat was targeted, taking as reference dairy cattle with a body weight of 450 to 600 Kg in the 10th lactation week. GA's results were compared to the National Dairy Council's raw milk production cost in June 2023, yielding an approximately 20% gain in feed cost.

Effect of poverty level and food insecurity status on poultry farmers' response to high feed costs in south-west Nigeria

The rising cost of feed is a major challenge in Nigeria’s poultry industry. It impacts production costs and threatens the industry's sustainability and food security. Implementing effective coping strategies for rising feed costs is crucial for poultry enterprises. This study examines poverty level, food insecurity status, and poultry farmers’ coping strategies to high feed costs in South-West, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed for this study. Three states (Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo) were purposively selected from the six states in the South-West of Nigeria. In the second stage, 575 poultry farmers from all Poultry Association of Nigeria zones were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data on the production activities of poultry farms were collected from the farmers using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean per capita household expenditure, household food insecurity access scale, double log regression, multinomial logistic regression, and stochastic frontier production models at p&lt; 0.05. The results of data analysis showed that 48% of the poultry farmers adopted mixed farming to cope with the rising feed cost while 24.7%, 16.1% and 6.2% adopted the use of finished feed, downsizing their flock size and at the verge of exiting the venture, respectively, while 5.2% did not change strategy. At a poverty line of ₦48,500/year, 70.7% of the poultry farmers were poor. The results also indicated that 25.8% of the poultry farmers were food secure, 1.6%, 27.2% and 45.4% were mildly, moderately and severely food insecure, respectively. The multinomial logit analysis results showed that sex (p&lt;0.1), age (p&lt;0.05), education (p&lt;0.01), farm size (p&lt;0.05), food security status (p&lt;0.01), and access to credit (p&lt;0.01) were factors for coping with rising feed costs in South-west Nigeria. The study concludes that the more educated the poultry farmers are the likely they will adopt the most suitable strategies to reduce the effect of rising feed costs. The study recommends that poultry farmers should engage in mixed farming which enables them to be in production. Key words: Adopted strategies, Food security, Poverty level, Poultry farmers, Feed costs

Performance and Cost Benefit of Organic Acid Supplementation in Broiler Diets Containing Graded Levels of Soaked &lt;i&gt;Balanite Aegyptiaca&lt;/i&gt; Fruit Meal

Balanite aegyptiaca fruit meal (BAFM) is an alternative feed source that requires processing and supplementation with additives to  enhance its utilization in broiler diets. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) day old broiler chickens were used for the study. They  were allotted to four experimental treatments each replicated thrice with ten (10) chickens per replicate in a completely randomized  design. Raw BAFM fruit was processed by soaking for 24 hours, dried and incorporated in the diets at 0.00, 2.50, 5.00 and 7.50% in T1, T2,  T3 and T4 respectively. Acidifier (Fysal®) was supplemented in the diets of T2-T4 at 0.1%. The study monitored the following parameters;  initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed efficiency, and mortality rate. Cost benefit was also determined at the end of the study.  Results obtained indicate that growth performance was poorer in chickens fed the control diet compared to others. Starter-phase chicks  fed diets with the highest BAFM dietary inclusion level (7.5%) exhibited enhanced weight gain, improved feed conversion efficiency, and  reduced feed cost per unit weight gain, while the pooled performance showed that the parameters declined at 7.5%. Cost benefit showed  that feed cost per kilogram gain reduced up to 5% inclusion level of BAFM in the diets while it slightly increased at 7.5%, though  better than the control group. At 5% dietary inclusion of BAFM with acidifier supplementation, feed cost per kilogram gain reduced by  ₦95.22 (18.49%). Based on the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that soaked BAFM and acidifiers are good supplements that  can be utilized in broiler diets at 5.0% and 0.1% respectively. 

USO DEL ENSILADO DE SORGO VARIEDAD TOP GREEN Y VARIEDAD CAÑA DULCE PARA LA PRODUCCIÓN DE LECHE EN SISTEMAS DE PEQUEÑA ESCALA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;. Sorghum is a crop that stands out as an alternative to maize due to its higher drought tolerance and lower soil fertility demand. &lt;strong&gt;Objective&lt;/strong&gt;. To evaluate the productive response of lactating cows fed maize silage (&lt;em&gt;Zea mays&lt;/em&gt;) in substitution with sorghum silage (&lt;em&gt;Sorghum bicolor&lt;/em&gt; L.). &lt;strong&gt;Methodology&lt;/strong&gt;. The research was carried out in the central highlands of Mexico, in the farmer of a small-scale dairy family. Nine cows were used, distributed in three 3X3 Latin squares with test periods of 14 days, of which 12 were for adaptation of the animals to diets and 2 d to the collection of samples. The treatments were: 1) Top Green = 5 kg DM sorghum silage cv Top Green + 5 kg DM maize silage; 2) Caña Dulce = 5 kg DM sorghum silage cv Caña Dulce + 5 kg DM maize silage; 3) Maize silage = 10 kg DM maize silage (testigo). The study included the productive behaviour of the cows, feed composition and feeding costs. Treatment data were analysed with a split-plot arrangement. &lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;. Inclusion of sorghum silage in the diet reduced dry matter intake (P&amp;lt;0.05), but did not affect average production (22.9 kg/day) and milk composition of cows (P&amp;gt;0.05). There were no differences (P&amp;gt;0.05) for variables related to the nutritional value of the silages. Although there were no significant differences in animal response variables, economic analysis showed that the inclusion of sorghum silage increased feed costs by 15% due to lower dry matter yields. &lt;strong&gt;Implications&lt;/strong&gt;. Sorghum has been proposed as a resilient alternative to maize especially in drought stress scenarios, when the availability of quality forages decreases and grain and forage prices increase. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions&lt;/strong&gt;. Although feeding costs were higher, sorghum silage can be a substitute for maize silage.&lt;/p&gt;

Economic assessment of using Bermudagrass stockpiling and annual cereal pasture to extend grazing in cow-calf operations.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) stockpiling and cool-season annual pastures can extend grazing seasons in cow-calf operations and reduce winter feeding costs, but less is known about how these practices interact and their effect on producer profitability. Data from a completely randomized-design experiment in South-Central Oklahoma were collected on three grazing systems for cows and calves: bermudagrass pasture (CONTROL), stockpiled bermudagrass and interseeded cool-season pasture (SPINT), and stockpiled bermudagrass plus cropland no-till seeded with a summer cover-crop followed by cool-season annuals (SPCROP). A mixed model was used to estimate the effects of grazing system on weaning weights, total hay, and total range cubes (crude protein [CP] = 30%) fed in each system. Enterprise budgeting was used to calculate the expected net return of each system. Weaning weight did not vary between systems (P = 0.6940), resulting in similar revenues. Relative to other treatments, the quantity of cubes fed in the CONTROL system were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) while hay fed was significantly higher in the SPCROP system (P = 0.0036). Increased machinery costs, seed costs, and fertilization requirements in bermudagrass stockpiling, interseeding, and cropland production outweighed the cost savings associated with less feeding. Total costs were $446 ha-1 ($722 hd-1), $451 ha-1 ($732 hd-1), and $553 ha-1 ($895 ha-1) for the CONTROL, SPINT, and SPCROP systems, respectively. Overall, the CONTROL system was $3.13 ha-1 ($5.08 hd-1) and $98.91 ha-1 ($160.10 hd-1) more profitable than the SPINT and SPCROP systems.

Influence of behavior and conditions on feed costs of young american mink Standard dark brown

Influence of behavior and conditions on feed costs of young american mink Standard dark brown

Analysing the Cost of Concentrated Feed and Income from Meat in Relation to Relative Growth Rate and Kleiber’s Ratio in Intensive Fattening of Latvian Dark-Headed Lambs

One of the goals of the breeding program of the Latvian national sheep breed Latvian dark-head (LT; Latvijas tumšgalve) is the improvement of meat productivity, in parallel with good reproduction characteristics. The main part of the costs is the cost of feeding, which can be reduced by raising sheep with high feed efficiency. This goal can be achieved by selecting sheep based on feed efficiency indicators. The fattening data of 100 LT lambs were analysed using the relative growth rate (RGR) and Kleiber’s ratio (KR) indicators. The statistical difference was determined between low- and high-efficiency groups by calculating the cost of concentrate feed and income from meat realisation. The difference in the cost of concentrate feed was found after 60-days of intensive fattening and on the day needed for fattening up to 50 kg of live weight of lambs. When calculating the income of lamb meat, the differences between low and high RGR and/or KR efficiency groups were established. Thus, selecting high-ranking RGR and KR sheep can improve the cost and/or income of LT sheep breeders in Latvia.