Forage Supplementation Research Articles

Horse Agribusiness in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Mangalarga Marchador horse’s breeding systems

This work aims to describe the Mangalarga Marchador horse’s breeding systems in the Rio de Janeiro. The geographic distribution of the farms in the mesoregions of Rio de Janeiro State were defined, and the commercial and social importance the Mangalarga Marchador horse’s business is described in this study. Mangalarga Marchador horse breeders were interviewed through a survey. Sampling of the farms was stratified by the mesoregions. The state of Rio de Janeiro has 1,573 members Horse Breeder Association, with 92,162 registered horses, corresponding to 15.43% of the total of Mangalarga Marchador horses in Brazil. Approximately 95.2% of farms have their own area and more than half ranging between 100 to 500ha. Horse breeding is the main activity on 79.2% of the farms, and the main goal is the sale of horses (39%), followed by sports (32.7%) and leisure (18.6%). The properties have, on average, five registered employees. Most of the owners (90%) are male. The average number of horses at these farms is 100 heads, with an average number of 53 mares, maintained mainly on an extensive production system. About 39.9% of pastures are formed by the Brachiaria spp. grass, and Napier grass, also known as Elephant grass, the most used forage supplement. The average monthly consumption of forage and commercial concentrate feed is 12,866kg and 2,800kg respectively per farm. About 90% of breeders declared that the unskilled labor force is the biggest obstacle to the increase of the horse breeding in the Rio de Janeiro.

Effects of diet quality on energy metabolism and methane production by beef steers fed a warm-season grass-based hay diet

Our objective was to determine the effects of dietary quality and protein supplementation of a low-quality warm-season hay on energy metabolism and methane emissions of beef steers.Eight cross-bred steers were used in a respiration calorimetry study with a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Experimental diets were (1) a low-quality forage-based diet (7.4% CP, 66.6% NDF); (2) a low-quality forage with supplemental cottonseed meal (10.0% CP, 66.3% NDF); (3) a medium-quality forage-based diet (10.5% CP, 65.0% NDF); and 4) a high-quality forage-based diet (13.0% CP, 58.4% NDF). Diets were based on bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) hay cut at 2 stages of maturity.Organic matter, fiber, energy, and protein digestibility and energy retention increased (P < 0.05) as the quality of the forage-based diets increased. Total methane production was not affected by diet, but methane production per unit of digested OM or energy retention decreased (P < 0.05) with increased diet quality. Protein supplementation of the low-quality grass hay increased (P < 0.05) DM, fiber, energy, and protein digestion but did not affect methane production. Methane production per unit of energy and protein retention decreased (P < 0.05) with protein supplementation. Enteric nitrous oxide emissions were minor and not affected by diet. An automated head chamber system gave average emission results similar to respiration chambers.Results demonstrate that protein supplementation of low-quality forage or increasing the quality of forage-based diets will potentially decrease the carbon-footprint of beef production.

Koyunlarda Yeme Zeolit ve Yucca Schidigera Tozu İlavesinin Bazı Karaciğer Enzimlerine (AST, ALT, GGT) Etkilerinin Karşılaştırılması

Rumen fermantasyonunu manipüle etmek amacıyla antibiyotikler yerine yem katkı maddeleri olarak doğal ürünlerin kullanılmasına yönelik ilgi artmıştır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, koyunlarda yeme saponin içeriği yüksek Yucca schidigera (YS) bitkisi ile zeolitlerin birlikte katılmasının plazma Aspartat aminotransferaz (AST), Alanin aminotransferaz (ALT) ve Gama glutamil transferaz (GGT) düzeylerine etkilerinin belirlenmesiydi. Çalışmada her bir grupta 6 koyun olmak üzere toplam 24 baş koyun kullanıldı. Koyunlar, temel yeme; Kontrol, Zeolit (%3), Yucca schidigera (YS,1500 ppm) ve Zeolit (%3) +YS (1500 ppm) ilave edilmiş yemlerle bir ay süresince beslendi. Denemenin sonunda tüm gruplardan alınan kan örneklerinde, plazma AST, ALT ve GGT düzeyleri belirlendi. Çalışmada, yeme zeolit ve YS ilavesinin ALT ve AST üzerine etkisinin olmadığı, buna karşın zeolit ilavelerinin GGT düzeylerini düşürdüğü tespit edildi. Sonuç olarak, yeme bu çalışmada uygulanan zeolit ve YS takviyesinin koyunların karaciğer sağlığında olumsuz etkisinin olmadığı kanaatine varıldı.

The effect of concentrated feed supplementation regimes on the nutrients digestibility of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed Pennisetum purpureum as basal Feed.

The study was designed to determine the effect of concentrated feed regimes on nutrients digestibility of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed Pennisetum purpureum as basal feed. A total of fifty grower Grasscutters were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups of 10 Grasscutters each with 5 replicates, two animals serving as a replicate. Treatment was 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9%, respectively, of concentrated feed served at their weekly live weight. Parameters measured included apparent coefficient of digestibility and percentage digestible nutrients. The results obtained showed that the coefficient of digestibility showed a significant difference in all the nutrients evaluated. Percentage digestible nutrients and total digestible nutrients were also significantly affected. The high coefficient of digestibility of the various nutrients and total digestible nutrients are indications that adequate nutrients were available for growth and maintenance of the grasscutters. The findings of this study suggested that supplementation of forage with formulated concentrate can be an aid in the digestion of nutrients by grasscutters for their growth performance while in captivity. The digestibility of nutrients when concentrate supplement and elephant grass were combined, particularly 5% concentrate supplement was not affected. Based on the results, it was, therefore, recommended that it should be used in improving the growth performance of grasscutters.

Aspects related to the forage potential of sorghum: Review

For the production of small and large ruminants in regions of tropical climate, it is necessary to seek sources of food that supply the need for animals in paste or supplementary forage plants, as a strategic way to enhance animal production in these situations. It has favorable characteristics for tropical climatic regions, rapid rapid tests, resistance to water deficits and, compared to other crops, it presents low soil fertility rates, being an excellent alternative for tropical climatic regions, where there are low natural fertility values, besides the seasonality of forage production. Despite being a large capacity crop, the potential for sorghum is little explored, it is possible to find lines with potential for grain production, forage materials for silage and paste. Therefore, a review was prepared with aspects related to the forage potential of sorghum. Sorghum has good rates for the production of animals on pasture, as well as in situations that are also used as a source of supplementary fodder, however, there is still a need for greater incentives for the use of this forage material in animal feed.

Review: How Forage Feeding Early in Life Influences the Growth Rate, Ruminal Environment, and the Establishment of Feeding Behavior in Pre-Weaned Calves.

Simple SummaryUnder natural grazing systems, calves are likely to consume forage in early life. However, forage inclusion in the diet of pre-weaned calves has long been a controversial issue due to it possibly being associated with negative calf performance. Recent published literature seems to confound previous research. This review aims to understand the factors that may influence forage inclusion in the ration of pre-weaned calves. We have explored research related to the effect of feeding forage on rumen and behavioral development to better understand whether forage should be fed to the young calf. Based on the findings, it is concluded that a small amount of good quality forage is recommended for calves to improve their behavioral expression and rumen environment, which may further improve calf performance.The provision of forage to pre-weaned calves has been continuously researched and discussed by scientists, though results associated with calf growth and performance have remained inconsistent. Multiple factors, including forage type, intake level, physical form, and feeding method of both solid and liquid feed, can influence the outcomes of forage inclusion on calf performance. In the current review, we summarized published literature in order to get a comprehensive understanding of how early forage inclusion in diets affects calf growth performance, rumen fermentation, microbiota composition, and the development of feeding behavior. A small amount of good quality forage, such as alfalfa hay, supplemented in the diet, is likely to improve calf feed intake and growth rate. Provision of forage early in life may result in greater chewing (eating and ruminating) activity. Moreover, forage supplementation decreases non-nutritive oral and feed sorting behaviors, which can help to maintain rumen fluid pH and increase the number of cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen. This review argues that forage provision early in life has the potential to affect the rumen environment and the development of feeding behavior in dairy calves. Continued research is required to further understand the long-term effects of forage supplementation in pre-weaned calves, because animal-related factors, such as feed selection and sorting, early in life may persist until later in adult life.

Calliandra calothyrsus and Artocarpus heterophyllus as anti-parasite for Bligon Goat

This study investigated the nutritional potency and efficacy of tannin-containing forages as anti-parasites sources to support the performance of female Bligon goats. Fifteen female Bligon goats were divided into 3 different groups based on feeding treatments. The first group (KG) served as the control and was fed 100% king grass (dry matter basis). The second group (KGC) was fed 50% king grass and 50% Calliandra calothyrsus leaves (dry matter basis). The third group (KGA) was fed 50% king grass and 50% Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves (dry matter basis). The study showed that supplementation with tannin-containing forages could improve feed consumption and the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP). The groups that received tannin-containing forages had higher body weight gains at 22.85 g/day and 29.52 g/day for KGC and KGA respectively than the control group. The anti-parasites effects were successfully indicated by the declining number of coccidian oocysts in the feces (number/gram feces), which were 3,166; 841; and 450 for KG, KGC, and KGA respectively. Tannin-containing forage supplementation could improve the consumption and digestibility of DM, OM and CP. Supplementation improved the daily body weight gain. The number of coccidian oocysts in animals receiving supplementation was also reduced. The greatest effects on fecal coccidian oocyst reduction were attained with Jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus) supplementation

73 Within and between animal variation in supplement intake with the use of a novel precision feeding system for beef cattle

Abstract Survey data suggests that in Western Canada, approximately 62% of forage samples may not meet energy requirements for gestating beef cows in 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Individual supplementation via a precision feeder would improve animal productivity and welfare. A CV of 30% was selected as a threshold for acceptable variation based on previous studies, which reported a CV of 41% for supplements hand-fed to grazing animals. Over three, 14-d experimental periods, precision feeders were used to deliver and monitor consumption of the following supplements to 24 steers (375 kg; n = 8 per pen): 1) supplementation of low protein forage (5.5% CP) with commercial pellets (1 kg hd-1d-1 with and without flavoring); 2) supplementation of low protein forage (5.5% CP) with processed pea screening powder (PPSP), sunflower screenings, and flax screenings provided at 0.57, 1.04, and 1.34 kg hd-1d-1, respectively; and 3) supplementation of low energy forage (41.4% TDN) with wheat screenings, wheat bran, and quinoa dockage all provided at 2.61 kg hd-1d-1. Feeding commercial pellets without flavoring resulted in within animal CVs (15.12% and 13.15%) and between animal CVs (14.78% and 12.68%) similar to pellets with flavoring (13.98% within and 12.85% between animal CV). Steers offered PPSP had significantly higher within and between animal CV (31.05% and 31.41%, respectively) than was observed for animals offered sunflower screenings (14.98% within and 18.30% between animal) and flax screenings (11.19% within and 16.03% between animal). Within and between animal CV was 6.99% and 7.14% for wheat screenings, 10.47% and 11.77% for wheat bran, and 10.07% and 10.42% for quinoa dockage. Intake CV for all supplements was below 30% except for PPSP which may have resulted from the powdery texture or low amount offered relative to other feedstuffs, indicating that the precision feeders are an effective system to deliver supplements on an individual animal basis.

145 Eco-efficiency of Northeast U.S. grass-fed beef systems

Abstract Grass-fed beef systems (GFB) are one approach proposed to improve the sustainability of animal-sourced foods. Our objective was to estimate carbon (CF) and reactive nitrogen (NF) footprints and cost of production (COP) for northeastern U.S. GFB. A partial life cycle assessment was conducted using the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM). Systems were characterized using surveys and interviews. Representative operations were simulated in IFSM by grouping farms with similar environments and forage management practices. Environments were defined using USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. Farms were categorized as feed sufficient (FS: produced all supplemental forage on-farm) or feed importing (FI; purchased all supplemental forage). Differences between zones and farm types were analyzed using Dunn’s test with a Bonferroni correction and the Kruskal-Wallis test, respectively. Warmer zones supported longer grazing seasons (P &amp;lt; 0.01), greater pasture legume content (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and denser stocking rates (P &amp;lt; 0.01), resulting in twice the market weight production per hectare compared with farms in cooler zones (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Grazing season length and pasture legume content were similar between farm types (P &amp;gt; 0.1). FI herds were half the size of FS herds (P &amp;lt; 0.01), used 37% more land per animal (P &amp;lt; 0.01), and had 10% lighter market weights with 52% lower market weight production per hectare (P &amp;lt; 0.05). CF, NF, and COP/animal were 1.1, 1.3, and 2.1-fold greater for FI farms, respectively. Zone differences in climate, soils, and pasture legume content affected footprints. In warmer zones where soils had greater clay content, N2O contributed a greater portion of CF and NF, and NO3 leaching was moderate. In the coolest zone with coarser soil, N2O contributed a small portion of CF and NF, with greater NO3 losses. Analyses suggest attention to nitrogen management, efficient resource utilization, and botanical composition might reduce CF and NF.

Influence of Maternal Corn Supplementation of Beef Cattle on Muscle Fiber Type and Meat Quality of their Offspring

ObjectivesTo determine the influence of corn supplementation of beef cows during winter and their impact on offspring beef quality attributes.Materials and MethodsForty-seven multiparous Angus beef cows carrying male calves were assigned randomly to two dietary treatments: corn supplementation at 0.2% BW (SUP; n = 24) vs. non-supplementation (NSUP; n = 23) at d 110 d of gestation for 22 wks. Ad-libitum access to low-quality forage was provided to both groups. At 7 d post-calving, a muscle biopsy was collected from the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) of each calf for muscle fiber typing. Offspring were managed as a single group from nursing through to the backgrounding phase. Thereafter, the steers were placed in the feedlot and assigned to 4 pens (blocks) based on BW and offered ad-libitum access to a 100% corn silage-based ration (76.97% TDN, 11.07% CP), salt and minerals. When the steers reached a final BW of 615 kg (∼16 mo of age), they were slaughtered in a commercial abattoir. A second LD muscle biopsy sample was obtained at 45 min postmortem (PM) for muscle fiber typing. At 96 h PM, striploins (n = 42) were collected, aged for 14 d and samples obtained for Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF), proximal composition, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), collagen analysis and objective color evaluation. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design.ResultsImmunofluorescent analysis for the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform on the proportion of the fiber type or fiber dimensions was not influenced by maternal dietary treatment at both ages (P &gt; 0.05). However, regardless of maternal dietary treatment, the proportion of fiber type IIA decreased while type IIAX increased in samples from steers at 16 mo of age compared with samples from steers at 7 d of age. No differences were observed between dietary treatment groups in proximate composition (P = 0.8), MFI (P = 0.29), or collagen content (P 0.98); however, WBSF values tended to be higher in steers from SUP cows than steers from NSUP dams (P = 0.07). Maternal dietary treatment had no influence on objective color evaluation at the retail display (P &gt; 0.05). Objectives traits were not affected by dietary treatment × display time interaction (P = 0.92).ConclusionOur findings indicate that corn supplementation of cows during mid to late gestation has minimal effects on muscle fiber type and beef quality of their offspring. Thus, corn supplementation of low-quality forage offered during mid to late gestation did not have detrimental effects on muscle fibers and meat quality of offspring.

Fermentación semisólida del nopal (Opntia spp) para su uso como complemento proteico animal

In order to mitigate the severe shortage of forage and the high cost of protein sources during the winter drought in northern Mexico, new technology aimed at enriching the protein content of “nopal” (Opuntia spp) was developed. This perennial crop is highly appreciated as a forage supplement in drought conditions due to its high water content (80-90 %), although its low protein content (4-6 %) limits its nutritional value. The technology is based on semi-solid fermentation of 1-year-old spineless cladodes as substrate by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (1 %) as yeast and adding urea (1 %) and ammonium sulfate (0.1 %) as protein sources. Fermentation occurs under aerobic conditions at a temperature of 25 ± 3 °C and acid pH of 4.35 ± 0.04 during a 10-hour process with 8 motion intervals, namely 45-minute motions and 20-minute rests. Treatments were statistically analyzed using the SAS program (9.1)/GLM procedure and Tukey’s multiple comparison test in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Results showed a significant increase in the crude protein content of fermented nopal (33.52 %) as compared to the control (7.08 %), as well as in the metabolizable energy (2.64 and 2.31 Mcal∙kg-1, respectively). As a result of fermentation, non-fibrous carbohydrates were reduced significantly (55.03 vs 25.77 % for the control and fermented nopal, respectively). Dry matter showed no significant effect (8.0 % average). Crude protein obtained in fermented nopal (30 %) is higher than that reported for alfalfa (25.8 %), but it is lower when compared on a dry matter basis (8 vs 30 % for nopal and alfalfa, respectively). However, in terms of water consumption and yield, nopal is superior to alfalfa. Later tests indicated that when used as a forage supplement in feeding bovines (both for milk and meat purposes) as well as sheep and goats, fermented nopal improved the body condition and increased their weight as compared to conventional diets.

Knowledge and perception of small holding farmers on supplementation and feeding sweet potato vines to goats

Goats in rural communities are often raised in conditions which do not allow them to achieve their maximum performance nor express their genetic potentials. For goats to perform to their full potential, they require high nutritious feed especially in the winter season when there is food shortage or during high milk-producing periods. However, supplementation can be done using fresh green feeds, protein blocks or vitamins which are often expensive, hence the need to source for indigenous crop residues. This study assessed the knowledge and perceptions of farmers on feeding sweet potato vines to their goats. The data were gathered by administering a total of 105 structured questionnaires using face-to-face interviews. The results showed that the majority of farmers (71.4%) were aware and practise some sort of supplementary feeding. Most farmers (72.4%) cultivated sweet potatoes, and they used them for different purposes such as income generation (53.3%), consumption (27.5%) or both (8%). Sweet potato vines were being discarded as waste or burnt (32.4%), left on the field as manure (25.7%), conserved as propagation material (8.6%) or randomly fed to livestock (7.6%). Nevertheless, most of the farmers (78.1%) rejected the use of sweet potato vines as feed to livestock. In conclusion, more intervention measures are required for developing farmers’ knowledge and perception on feeding sweet potatoe vines to livestock. Farmers may be assisted through training and workshops on the use of sweet potato vines and other indigenous forage supplementation as feed.

The explanatory power of silent comics: An assessment in the context of knowledge transfer and agricultural extension to rural communities in southwestern Madagascar.

The distribution of silent comic illustrations can facilitate the communication and transfer of scientific recommendations about sustainable land management (SLM) to local communities in countries where many people are illiterate. However, since there are cross-cultural differences in “visual languages”, visualization styles need to be carefully selected as well as locals’ comprehension of the illustrated recommendation evaluated systematically. Three agricultural recommendations were chosen for comic-style illustrations, distributed to six communities in the Mahafaly region of southwestern Madagascar and evaluated using a three-step, interdependent approach. The silent comics illustrated (i) composting of manure and its application to improve soil fertility; (ii) cautious utilization of succulent silver thicket as supplementary forage; and (iii) sustainable harvesting practices of wild yam. Results revealed that general understandability strongly depended on the community that was surveyed and on the environmental subject that was illustrated. We found a strong relationship between the general understandability of comics and the divergence that exist in communities’ socio-economic structure. Education level was an important factor that explained a better understanding of respondents for the comic illustrating compost production, but not for comics that illustrated sustainable usage of silver thicket and wild yam harvest. Willingness to follow the recommended practice was impaired when respondents valued no change to the improved technique compared to the common one. Effects of respondents’ socio-economic characteristics on the implementation of the recommended practice could not be clarified within this study due to the small subset of data. Based on the evaluation of recurring comments made by respondents and interviewers, we conclude that comics can be a useful communication tool to increase locals’ awareness and comprehension for SLM practices. This, however, requires that drawing details used to facilitate farmers’ ability to adopt a point-of-view inside the comic story are used thoughtfully as they might interfere with the central message.

In vitro gas production from cassava peels supplemented with unconventional nitrogen sources and forages by small ruminants

A study was conducted to ascertain the nutritional value of N-source treated and forage supplemented cassava peels (CSP) using in vitro gas production technique. Cassava peels were treated and supplemented with materials rich in nitrogen: fertilizer grade urea (T1 = CSP + U), broiler litter (T2 = CSP + BL), cassava forage (T3 = CSP + CSF) and sweet potato forage (T4 = CSP + SPF). Results revealed that, CSP supplemented with CSF (T3) and SPF (T4) recorded better gas production (31.90 and 32.20 mL/200 mg DM), metabolizable energy (ME) (7.54 and 7.67 MJ/kg DM), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) (52.02 and 52.80%), respectively. Similarly, the estimated short chain fatty acids (SCFA) revealed higher values of 0.70 and 0.71 &micro;M, respectively, for cassava and sweet potato forage supplementation compared to those fed urea and broiler litter-treated cassava peels. The superiority exhibited by the forage supplemented cassava peel diets for meeting the ME levels, SCFAs and OMD reveals that, cassava peels supplemented with either cassava leaves or sweet potato forage are valuable sources of nutrients for sheep and goats in terms of meeting their energy requirements for maintenance and part or all their milk production needs depending on the level of productivity.

Хімічний склад м’яса за застосування органічних кормових добавок у відгодівлі свиней

The article presents the results of the study of the chemical composition of pork, depending on the application of feeding feed pigs feed additives of the LG-MAX and Sel-Plex in different doses according to the scientific research. It was found that probable changes in the parameters were observed in pigs in experimental group of pigs receiving in addition to the main diet the feed additive LG-MAX at a dose of 4 grams per day decreased by 6,45% moisture, the content of dry matter increased by 8,9%, the protein content – by 9,0% and fat by 35%. In the pork experimental group of pigs that received in addition to the main diet a feed supplement of LG-MAX at a dose of 2.0 g per day, along with a forage supplement Sel-Plex, 9,7% increased the protein and fat content by 14,8%. In the pork experimental group of pigs, receiving in addition to the main diet a feed supplement of LG-MAX at a dose of 2 g per day by 13,8% increased the fat content.

The potential of ramie as forage for ruminants: Impacts on growth, digestion, ruminal fermentation, carcass characteristics and meat quality of goats.

The objective was to evaluate the effects of ramie conserved as forage supplementation on growth, digestion, and meat quality of Liuyang blackcastrated goats in a 60days feedlot study. Forty-eight goats were randomly assigned to each of four treatments: 24% rice straw+36% ramie residues silage+40% concentrate; 24% rice straw+36% raw ramie silage+40% concentrate; 24% rice straw+36% ramie residues hay+40% concentrate; 24% rice straw+36% raw ramie hay+40% concentrate. There was an increased tendency for ADG in ramie hay treatment than that of ramie silage treatment (p=0.067). There was an increase for the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF in the ramie hay treatment than that of ramie silage treatment (p≤0.034). An increased tendency was found for C18:1n-9c (% of total fatty acids) in the longissimus dorsi muscle of raw ramie treatment versus ramie residues treatment (p≤0.087). These results indicate that the ramie hay or raw ramie treatment had a tendency for improving the nutrient digestibility and meat quality of goats than that of ramie silage or ramie residues treatment, respectively.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat and egg quality, and intestinal microbiota in Beijing-you chicken on diets with inclusion of fresh chicory forage

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fresh chicory forage in chicken diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat and egg quality, as well as intestinal microbiota. A total of 600 healthy 16 weeks female Beijing-you chickens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 5%, 8% and 10% chicory forage with six replicate pens and 25 chickens in each replicate. Chickens were raised in a free-range system for 13 weeks after seven days of adaptation. High-throughput sequencing was used to characterise the microbiota in three different intestinal sections (duodenum, ileum and caecum). The results showed that dietary supplementation of chicory forage increased (p < .05) egg weight, yolk colour, total amino acids and delicious amino acids in muscles, and decreased (p < .05) abdominal fat yield compared to the control. However, increased (p < .05) average daily feed intake, increased (p < .05) feed conversion ratio, increased (p < .05) mortality and decreased (p < .05) eggshell strength were observed in chickens fed chicory forage than in those fed a basal diet. Dietary supplementation of chicory forage stimulated the proliferation of the Lactobacillus in ileum and the Bacteroides in caecum, and depressed pathogenic microbes including the Rikenella, thereby further improved intestinal health and nutrient utilisation. It was concluded that 8% chicory forage could be considered as a beneficial feed additive in Beijing-you chicken diets. In addition to the good nutritional profile, medicinal properties were associated with the beneficial effects of chicory forage on chickens.HighlightsDietary supplementation of chicory forage improved muscle nutritional value and flavour.Dietary supplementation of chicory forage affected egg quality.Dietary supplementation of chicory forage regulated the intestinal microbiota.

An assessment of grazing management options for Mediterranean grasslands using Noy-Meir's model of system dynamics parameterized from a long-term field trial

AbstractNoy-Meir's simple but insightful model of grazing-system dynamics was used to draw broader inferences from empirical data generated by a 17-year field trial with beef cattle grazing a Mediterranean grassland in northern Israel. After calibration of its parameters against the field results, the model predictions were tested against an independent set of data obtained from the study site; they were within acceptable deviations from the inherently noisy field data. The calibrated model was used to analyse the effects of changes to two key grazing-management factors – stocking density and early-season grazing deferment – on biomass dynamics and forage consumption. The simulated results were used to calculate forage deficits and supplementary feed requirements for optimum herd performance during the growth (‘green’) season and throughout the year. The results revealed a critical stocking density of 0.7 Animal Units (AU)/ha, above which early-season deferment reduced the amount of supplementary feed required to maintain the optimum production of the herd. Optimum stocking is higher when the grassland is used mainly in the highly nutritious green season. Responses of the strongly seasonal Mediterranean grassland to the interaction between stocking density and early-season grazing deferment were expressed by a calibrated model, in terms that determine the efficiency of forage supplementation of the herd during the green season and throughout the year.

Effects of field pea supplementation on digestibility and rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations of beef-cattle diets containing high and low quality forages

ABSTRACT Field peas (Pisum sativum) are increasingly available with limited data on the effects on forage digestibility. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of field pea supplementation in forage-based diets on total-tract digestibility and RUP digestibility in growing beef cattle. In Exp. 1, 5 ruminally fistulated steers (202 kg) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial. The first factor was high quality forage (50% alfalfa, 50% sorghum silage) or low quality forage (50% bromegrass hay, 50% wheat straw). The second factor was supplement type: a nonsupplemented control (CON), dry-rolled corn (DRC), or ground field peas (FP), supplemented at 0.43% of BW. Each diet was fed for 14 d. There were no interactions between forage quality and supplement type for digestibility estimates (P ≥ 0.25). Intake and digestibility of OM were greater with high quality forage (4.96 kg/d and 64.2%, respectively) than with low quality forage (3.60 kg/d and 50.1%, respectively; P

Pre-almond supplemental forage improves colony survival and alters queen pheromone signaling in overwintering honey bee colonies

Supplemental forage can be used to provide nutrition to bees during winter dearth. We examined the effects of supplemental forage on colony performance, colony survival, worker quality, and queen pheromone signaling in Nosema ceranae-infected overwintering colonies. Colonies were either supplemented with rapini or left unsupplemented for 1 month before almond pollination. Unsupplemented colonies experienced higher mortality than supplemented colonies. Supplemental forage did not affect colony performance, worker mass, or hypopharyngeal gland protein content. However, supplemented queens released more of three queen QMP and QRP compounds (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanol, methyl oleate, and 1-hexadecanol) that promote queen care among workers. In addition, colonies that survived almond pollination thermoregulated their hives more than colonies that failed. Supplemental forage may prepare overwintering colonies for the stresses of early spring pollination.