Forage Type Research Articles

Forage type affects the temporal methane emission profiles in dairy cows fed fresh forages

Methane (CH4) emission rates increase after feeding till a peak and then decrease until the next feeding. Understanding the CH4 emission patterns when animals are fed different forages and the drivers for variation in temporal CH4 emission may be a tool for using short-lived CH4 inhibitors efficiently in grazing systems when fed during milking only. The objectives of this study were: a) to compare the temporal CH4 emission profile of non-lactating cows fed plantain or ryegrass and, b) evaluate the relationship between feed nutrient intake and dry matter intake rate, with CH4 emissions accumulated during the first 3 h after feeding as a percentage of 24 h CH4 emissions. After the CH4 emissions peaked, they decreased more rapidly in PLT compared to RG fed cows. The cumulative CH4 emissions during the first 3 h after feeding as a percentage of 24 h emissions was 18 % greater in PLT than in RG fed cows, and 13 % greater in the afternoon compared to the morning. The soluble sugars concentration in the forage was the only feed feature with significant effect on the cumulative CH4 emissions during the first 3 h after feed delivery, whereas there was no relationship with dry matter intake during the first 3 h after feeding. In grazing systems forages resulting in greater CH4 emissions during the first 3 h after feeding as a percentage of 24 h emissions would be more suitable to be combined with short lifespan CH4 inhibitors.

Practical Considerations for Using the NeoSpectra-Scanner Handheld Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectrometer to Predict the Nutritive Value of Undried Ensiled Forage.

Prediction models of different types of forage were developed using a dataset of near-infrared reflectance spectra collected by three handheld NeoSpectra-Scanners and laboratory reference values for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude protein (CP), Ash, and moisture content (MO) from a total of 555 undried ensiled corn, grass, and alfalfa samples. Data analyses and results of models developed in this study indicated that the scanning method significantly impacted the accuracy of the prediction of forage constituents, and using the NEO instrument with the sliding method improved calibration model performance (p < 0.05) for nearly all constituents. In general, poorer-performing models were more impacted by instrument-to-instrument variability. The exception, however, was moisture content (p = 0.02), where the validation set with an independent instrument resulted in an RMSEP of 2.39 compared to 1.44 where the same instruments were used for both calibration and validation. Validation model performance for NDF, IVTD, NDFD, ADL, ADF, Ash, CP, and moisture content were 4.18, 3.86, 6.14, 1.10, 2.75, 1.42, 2.71, and 1.67 for alfalfa-grass silage samples and 3.22, 2.21, 4.55, 0.38, 2.07, 0.50, 0.51, and 1.62 for corn silage, respectively. Based on the results of this study, the handheld spectrometer would be useful for predicting moisture content in undried and unground alfalfa-grass (R2 = 0.97) and corn (R2 = 0.93) forage samples.

Dietary Guanidine Acetic Acid Addition Improved Carcass Quality with Less Back-Fat Thickness and Remarkably Increased Meat Protein Deposition in Rapid-Growing Lambs Fed Different Forage Types.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether guanidine acetic acid (GAA) yields a response in rapid-growing lambs depending on forage type. In this study, seventy-two small-tailed Han lambs (initial body weights = 12 ± 1.6 kg) were used in a 120-d feeding experiment after a 7-d adaptation period. A 2 × 3 factorial experimental feeding design was applied to the lambs, which were fed a total mixed ration with two forage types (OH: oaten hay; OHWS: oaten hay plus wheat silage) and three forms of additional GAA (GAA: 0 g/kg; UGAA: Uncoated GAA, 1 g/kg; CGAA: Coated GAA, 1 g/kg). The OH diet had a greater dry matter intake, average daily gain, and hot carcass weight than the OHWS diet. The GAA supplementation increased the final body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and ribeye area in the longissimus lumborum. Meanwhile, it decreased backfat thickness and serum triglycerides. Dietary GAA decreased the acidity of the meat and elevated the water-holding capacity in mutton. In addition, the crude protein content in mutton increased with GAA addition. Dietary GAA (UGAA or CGAA) might be an effective additive in lamb fed by different forage types, as it has potential to improve growth performance and meat quality.

Environmental impacts and animal performance of finishing bulls fed different silage-based total mixed rations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three different grass silage (GS) based diets on environmental impacts and animal performance of finishing bulls. Experiment 1 (Exp 1) was conducted using 53 Aberdeen angus (AA) and 52 Simmental (SI) beef bulls and experiment 2 (Exp 2) included 69 Holstein (HO) and 36 Nordic Red (NR) dairy bulls. The three experimental diets included three different proportions of concentrates and two different types of forages. Moderate concentrate diet (MC) included GS, barley grain and mineral-vitamin mixture in proportions of 600:385:15 on dry matter (DM) basis while the respective proportions on low concentrate diet (LC) were 850:135:15. No concentrate diet (NC) included GS, whole crop barley silage and mineral-vitamin mixture (685:300:15). The bulls were fed total mixed rations ad libitum. Environmental impacts of the dietary treatments were estimated using a gate-to-gate life cycle assessment approach with the following key impact categories; global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication, and acidification potential. In Exp 1 the carcass gain, carcass weight and carcass conformation of the SI bulls were 10, 8 and 23% higher, respectively, compared to the AA bulls (P < 0.001) but there was no difference in feed conversion (kg DM/kg carcass gain) between AA and SI. In Exp 2 the NR bulls had 12% better conformed carcasses compared to the HO bulls (P < 0.001) but the carcass gain of the HO bulls tended to be 4% higher (P = 0.06) compared to NR. There was no difference in feed conversion or carcass weight between HO and NR. In both experiments, LC and NC diets impaired growth performance, feed conversion and carcass conformation compared to MC. In Exp 1 the GWP was 19.1 kg CO2 eq/kg of produced beef during the experiment with MC, 20.7 kg with LC and 25.9 kg with NC. Eutrophic emissions were 17.1, 21.3 and 21.8 g PO4 eq/kg of produced beef and acidifying emissions 38.6, 49.9 and 53.7 AE eq/kg of produced beef, respectively for MC, LC, and NC treatments. In Exp 2 the GWP was 20.7, 21.7 and 26.3 CO2 eq/kg of produced beef, eutrophic emissions 16.4, 18.9 and 20,8 PO4 eq/kg of produced beef and acidifying emissions 39.4, 50.6 and 59.2 AE eq/kg of produced beef for MC, LC, and NC treatments, respectively. It can be concluded that impaired feed conversion in LC and NC diets led to the higher environmental impacts compared to MC.

Milk Fatty Acids: The Impact of Grazing Diverse Pasture and the Potential to Predict Rumen-Derived Methane

The sustainability of dairying has been questioned, yet cattle exploit non-food resources (especially forages) and provide key nutrients for consumers’ health. This study, using different forage types, considered milk’s nutritional quality, focusing on fatty acid profiles alongside methane emissions—investigating whether methane can be predicted from milk fatty acids (FAs). Compared with grass/clover/maize silage, cows grazing grass/clover pasture produced milk 70% higher in beneficial omega-3 FAs, which increased by an additional 15% when grazing more diverse pasture. Milk from grazing also had less omega-6 FAs (compared with silage diets), and their ratio with omega-3 FAs fell from 2.5:1 on silage to 1.2:1 when grazing grass/clover and 1.1:1 on diverse pasture. Measured methane emissions (at 8.7 g/kg energy-corrected milk) were lower than published values, and existing models for estimating methane from lactating cows were poor predictors for this dataset. The multiple regression of methane against milk FAs in this study provided predictions with an R2 of 0.56 for daily emissions and 0.65 relative to milk output. Grazing quality and a diverse pasture with productive cows were potentially beneficial to milk nutritional quality, and our results reinforce the theory that milk fat composition could be an accessible tool for methane prediction; however, they also suggest that more work is needed for alternative production systems.

Effect of forage types differing in undigested neutral detergent fiber concentration and forage inclusion rate on reticulo-ruminal motility and fermentation, total tract barrier function, and blood metabolites of finishing beef heifers.

This study evaluated the effects of forages (BarS vs. STR) that differ in the uNDF concentration and FI rate on ruminal fermentation, total tract barrier function, reticulo-ruminal motility, and blood metabolites of beef heifers. Six ruminally cannulated Hereford × Simmental heifers (699 ± 69.1 kg BW) were used in a 6 × 6 Latin square (26 d periods) with a 2 × 3 factorial treatment arrangement. However, 1 heifer was removed from the study after period 2 due to health problems unrelated to treatment, resulting in an incomplete 6 × 6 Latin square design. Barley grain-based diets were formulated using BarS or wheat STR to alter uNDF (7.1% vs. 8.5% DM) with FI rates of 5%, 10%, or 15% of DM. There were limited interactions between the forage type and FI. DM intake was not affected (P ≥ 0.10) by forage type or FI. Use of STR vs. BarS increased uNDF intake (P < 0.001). Increasing FI increased (P < 0.001) uNDF intake for those fed 15% forage. Ruminal pH was not affected (P ≥ 0.10) by forage type; however, cattle fed 5% FI had lesser (P = 0.017) mean ruminal pH and maximum pH (P = 0.018) than those fed 10% and 15% of forage. The total SCFA concentration was not affected by forage type (P = 0.84) but cattle fed the 5% FI rate had lesser (P < 0.001) molar proportion of acetate when compared with cattle fed 10% and 15% forage. Increasing the FI rate decreased the molar proportion of propionate (P < 0.001). Feeding STR relative to BarS decreased (P = 0.041) the reticulo-ruminal contraction duration. In contrast, cattle fed the 10% and 15% FI rates had a greater (P = 0.028) contraction frequency with lower (P = 0.048) contraction area than those fed 5% forage. Plasma glucose, serum insulin, and serum amyloid A were not affected by forage type or FI rate (P ≥ 0.10). Cattle fed 15% forage had lesser (P = 0.040) concentration of serum haptoglobin when compared with cattle fed 5% or 10% forage. In conclusion, forage type used to affect the dietary uNDF concentration, and FI rate act independently suggesting that the provision of STR to increase uNDF reduces reticulo-ruminal contraction duration and total tract permeability but may not affect ruminal pH. Increasing the FI increased dietary uNDF, stabilized ruminal pH, stimulated more frequent reticulo-ruminal contractions, and may decrease the permeability of the gastrointestinal tract and systemic inflammation.

GPS-derived foraging behaviour of red deer and liveweight gain of red deer and wapiti crossbred sire lines on contrasting winter forage types

Context It is common practice to manage red deer on highly digestible easily harvested forage during winter on New Zealand deer farms, particularly in areas that experience low or no pasture growth during this period. However, not all individuals within these production systems perform equally. Aims To investigate foraging behaviour of young red deer and liveweight gain of young red deer and wapiti crossbred sire lines when offered two contrasting winter forage diets. Methods One hundred and sixty-three rising 1-year-old female red deer and red deer wapiti crossbreds representing five red deer and two wapiti sires, were split into two management groups balanced by sire and liveweight and managed on either an easily harvested highly digestible diet (forage kale) or a harder-to-harvest more poorly digestible diet (pasture) for a 6-week period during winter. Foraging behaviour was monitored on 95 red deer yearlings by using GPS collars over a 2-week period. Liveweights were recorded at the start and end of the 6-week period. Key results Progeny managed on the kale treatment exhibited an extended activity period during the dawn period and a suppressed activity period during the middle of the day. Progeny managed on the pasture treatment exhibited frequent shorter activity periods from dawn to dusk. Time spent foraging and the number of foraging bouts greater than 5 min in duration were different among progeny of different sires. These differences in behaviour did not affect liveweight gain. Liveweight gain over the 6-week trial period was significantly higher for progeny from one wapiti sire than for all red deer sire progeny while being managed on the kale diet (P &lt; 0.001), but there were no differences among progeny on the pasture diet. Conclusion Foraging behaviour varied considerably between sire lines and appeared to vary between forage type, but there were no correlations between behaviour and liveweight gain in this trial. Implications Forage type offered to young red deer may alter their foraging behaviour. Offering an easier to harvest high digestible forage diet may increase liveweight gain of progeny that have a higher genetic potential to grow during the winter period.

Optimal balance of individual and collective in honeybee foraging

Purpose. Previously, we developed a minimal foraging model in a honey bee colony that is applicable to describe both the decision-making process and the phase transition between two behavioral modes of the colony, individual and collective. In this paper, we show that this model is also applicable to determine the optimal division of labor in the colony, namely, to determine the optimal proportions between different types of foragers, scouts and recruits. Model. We represent the steps in the foraging process as reactions of chemical kinetics, which leads to reaction–diffusion equations. The reaction part describes the dynamic modes of the foraging process: the recruitment of unemployed foragers to profitable food sources, that have become unprofitable as a result of their exploitation, and scouting. Diffusion describes the transfer of information in a honey bee colony. We assume almost perfect accuracy in the transmission and use of information about food sources in the colony, which is modeled by a very small diffusion coefficient of working foragers in the information space. On the contrary, the diffusion coefficient of unemployed foragers is chosen large to ensure their full mixing in the information space. This models the equal accessibility to transmitted information for all unemployed foragers in the hive. Results. We consider the profit of a colony on an exploited food source as the number of foragers working on that source, weighted by its value to the colony. It was found that with an increase in the intensity of scouting, the profit of the colony first grows, and then begins to fall, thus illustrating that there is an optimal balance of scouts and recruits, which ensures the greatest influx of food resources into the colony. Conclusion. An optimal division of labor in a honey bee colony, defining a dynamic balance between exploration and exploitation in a constantly changing environment, is essential to the survival of the colony. Considering that scouts use exclusively personal information, and recruits take advantage of social information, we can say that our model describes the optimal balance between the individual and the collective in the colony.

Energy balance and methane emission prediction in Simmental Cross-breed Cattle Feeding different types of forages and concentrates

This study aims to examine the energy balance of Simmental Cross-breed Cattle given different forage and different proportion of concentrates. This research was conducted at Izzah Farm, Boyolali Regency, Central Java. The material for this research consisted of nine bulls with an average initial body weight of 506±80.09 kg. The research design used a completely randomized design with three treatments and three replications each treatment. The feed proportion was 70:30 (concentrate:forage). The treatments were T1=pollard bran+rice bran (1:4) and kolonjono grass, T2 = pollard bran+rice bran (1:4) and fermented rice straw, and T3 = pollard bran+commercial concentrate (1:4) and fermented rice straw. Data were analysed using the Anova test. The results of this study showed that there was no difference (P&lt;.05) in digested energy and metabolized energy with an average of 1.01 MJ/BB0.75/day and 0.77 MJ/BB0.75/day. Energy intake was 1.65 MJ/BB0.75/day. Energy digestibility and methane emission emission were significantly different with an average of 60.22% and 7.40 KJ/100 KJ GEI. The conclusion of this study is that ransom containing pollard bran+commercial concentrate (1:4) and Fermented Rice Straw has low methane emission.

Influence of feed supplement based on Andrographis paniculata and irradiated chitosan on in vitro fermentation and methane production of selected forage

The Wallacean region of Indonesia, specifically the Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi regions in Indonesia, carry a large population of cattle. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate methane production from forage-based feed in this region. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed supplement containing Andrographis paniculata and irradiated chitosan on the in vitro fermentation and methane production, of forage-based rations in this region. This study evaluates five forages that are mainly used as feed ingredients by smallholder farmers nnamely, (Sorghum forage, Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott, Pennisetum purpupoides, Indigofera zollingeriana and cocoa pod husk. That five forages were supplemented with Andrographis paniculata and irradiated chitosan. There were a total of 10 treatments with four replications. The samples were subjected to in vitro analysis using the gas production technique. There was no differences between the treatment with and without feed supplements on in vitro gas production. There was no interaction between feed supplement addition and forage type. Feed supplement addition influence pH (P&lt;0.05) and single chain fatty acids (SCFAs) value (P&lt;0.01). The addition of feed supplements with added Andrographis paniculata and irradiated chitosan in the Pennisetum purpupoides forage can reduce the production of enteric methane (P&lt;0.05). The results suggest that, except for sorghum forages, the addition of feed supplements tended to reduce methane gas emissions from forage samples. Moreover, except for pH and SCFAs, In vitro gas production and digestibility of forage from eastern Indonesia were not affected by the addition of feed supplement.

Botanical Composition And Biomassa Production Of Forages In Sentajo Raya, Kuantan Singingi District Riau

This study aims to determine the type of forage that grows in Kuantan Singingi District. The research began with a survey (field observation and location determination) and then forages sampling in 5 Village, namely koto sentajo, kampung baru, muaro, pulau komang, geringging. Each District was taken 5 locations, each location was taken 4 point. Then proceed with the identification of the type forage. The tools used for forage sampling consisted of a 0.5 x 0.5 m2 quadrant, grass clippers, sickle, plastic bag size 10 and size 2 kg, sack, plastic rope, and stationery. Calculation of forage by percentage of forage, Calculation of forage production with the average of each village. The results showed that there were 11 types of forage, consisting of grass, legumes and weeds. The conclusion of this study is that the The most dominant forage growing in Sentajo Raya Subdistrict is of the type of grass/gramineae 82.01%, namely, Bede Grass (Brachiaria decumbens) 5.62% and Leguminosae 13.07%. The highest forage biomass production in the geringging 59.17 tons/ha/year. The highest nutrient content is 10.8 crude protein in the Kampung Baru.

Effects of Replacing Alfalfa Hay with Oat Hay in Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Growth Performance and Rumen Microbiota in Lambs

The use of the fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) is a promising approach for the preservation of feedstuff, but the effect of FTMR on the between growth performance and ruminal microflora of lambs are still limited. This study aimed to assess the effects of different roughage types in the FTMR on growth performance and rumen microbiota of lambs. Forty-five six-month-old Small tail Han sheep × Ujumqin male lambs were randomly allocated into three groups (three pens per treatment and five lambs per pen) with the initial body weight (BW) of 28.50 ± 1.50 kg. The three treatments were as follows: the low oat percentages group (LO) contained 200 g/kg oat hay + 400 g/kg alfalfa hay, the medium oat percentages group (MO) contained 300 g/kg oat hay + 300 g/kg alfalfa hay, and the high oat percentages group (HO) contained 400 g/kg oat hay + 200 g/kg alfalfa hay. The result revealed that the dry matter intake and average daily gain were markedly (p &lt; 0.05) higher in the MO treatment than in the LO and HO treatments, whereas no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) was found in the final body weight. There were no significant (p &gt; 0.05) differences on the Shannon and Simpson index among the three treatments. The PCoA score plot illustrated the individual separation in the LO, MO, and HO treatments. At the phylum level, the presence of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes belonging to the dominant phyla is widely described in rumen communities among the three treatments. The relative abundances of Prevotella, Fibrobacter, and Succinivibrio in the level of the genes were remarkably higher (p &lt; 0.05) in MO treatment than that in LO and HO treatments, while the relative abundance of Sediminispirochaeta was remarkably higher (p &lt; 0.05) in LO treatment than that in MO and HO treatments. These results indicated that the MO treatments could more effectively improve growth performance than the LO and HO treatments, and also revealed that the different forage types in diets reshaped the compositions and function of the rumen microbiota. Consequently, the findings presented in this study provide a reference for the application of FTMR in animal production and the understanding of the interaction between diet, animal performance, and ruminal microbiota.

Goat production systems of the central highlands of Veracruz, Mexico

Objective: This study was to characterize the goat production units of the central mountain area of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Disign/methodology/approach: A multiple case study was carried out taking into consideration socioeconomic aspects, type of forage, goat feeding, reproduction, improvement, and health. Results: The results showed that goat and cheese production account for 50-100% of the producers' income. The forages grown and the type of goat feed used in the production units of the mountain area are: King grass, CT-115, maralfalfa, giant star grass, alfalfa, and corn. Animal reproduction is carried out by controlled mating and births take place at the beginning and end of each year. Flocks do not exceed 150 heads; the predominant breeds are Saanen and Alpine. The average daily production of milk ranges from 16 to 90 L, with a production of 0.75-3 L milk animal-1 day-1. Study limitations/implications: None Findings/conclusions: The activity is family-based and involves cultivation, animal management, and milk and artisanal cheese production. Further studies are required to confirm individual milk production.

Regression trees to identify combinations of farming practices that achieve the best overall intrinsic quality of milk

Many studies over the last 30 years have shown the effects of farming practices on milk compounds. Combinations of practices may have antagonistic or synergistic effects on milk compounds, but these combination effects remain underinvestigated. Research needs to focus on overall intrinsic milk quality (including sensory, technological, health, and nutritional dimensions) and identify the combinations that can optimize it. The aim of this study was to identify which combinations of farming practices achieved the best scores for sensory, technological, health, and nutritional dimensions and for overall intrinsic milk quality. Ninety-nine private farms were visited once each to sample their bulk tank milk and survey their farming practices. The surveyed practices concerned herd characteristics, feeding management, housing conditions, and milking and milk storage conditions on the day of test. Analyses of bulk tank milk were designed to evaluate the overall intrinsic quality of the milk for 2 target products: raw milk cheese and semi-skimmed UHT milk. Regression trees were then used to identify the combinations of farming practices that achieved the best scores on each dimension and on overall intrinsic quality of the milk. Breed and diet (type of forage) were the most influential factors for sensory and health dimensions and for technological and nutritional dimension scores, respectively, in the cheese assessment. Overall cheese quality was highly positively correlated with these 4 dimension scores. Therefore, breed and diet emerged as the most influential practices in the regression tree for overall cheese quality. However, the combinations of practices that resulted in the best quality scores differed according to dimension studied and product targeted. This suggests that advice on farming practices to improve intrinsic milk quality needs to be adapted according to the end-purpose of the collected milk. This innovative approach combining on-farm data and regression trees provides farm managers with a valuable and practical tool to prioritize practices in terms of their role in shaping milk quality, and to identify the combinations of practices that promote good milk quality and practice thresholds or modalities needed to achieve it.

Soil fertility characteristics in North Carolina pastures as affected by spatial separation and renovation with annual forages

AbstractSpatial variation in soil properties is often considered significant across broad geographical regions due to soil formation factors. However, fine‐scale variations might also be significant. This study was conducted with the original intent of assessing how simple and complex mixtures of annual forages might be used to renovate perennial pastures. Private farmers in the Flatwoods, Piedmont, and Blue Ridge Major Land Resource Areas of North Carolina tested annual forages to renovate tall fescue pastures. Soil was sampled in multiple random locations in each field at depths of 0–6, 6–12, and 12–20 cm at the beginning and ending of a 3‐yr annual forage evaluation. Relative variation among five components (year of sampling [n = 2], physiographic region [n = 3], annual forage treatment [n = 2], soil depth [n = 3], and random variation from pseudoreplicates [n = 3 in 2015 and n = 5 in 2018]) was assessed for four soil physical, 10 soil biological, and 16 soil chemical properties. Soil chemical properties were mostly affected by physiographic region (47 ± 26% of total variation) and soil depth (33 ± 18%), soil biological properties were mostly affected by soil depth (63 ± 25%) and random pseudoreplication (14 ± 6%), and soil physical properties were equally affected by pseudoreplication (35 ± 21%), physiographic region (32 ± 18%), and soil depth (29 ± 22%). The type of annual forage had no discernible effect on soil properties, even the most biologically active. A diversity of spatial variations was important, suggesting that regional‐level ecological investigations require careful attention to an appropriate sampling design considering multiple factors.

Phenotypic traits differentiating the genetic resources of pea (Pisum sativum L.) by the type of use.

The paper presents an analysis of the data obtained for pea accessions from the VIR collection studied at the Adler Experiment Station in the setting of the Krasnodar Territory in 2017-2019. It was for the f irst time that these accessions were studied for a set of phenotypic traits. The object of the study was a sample of 494 pea accessions originated from 43 countries and 18 regions and territories of the Russian Federation. The work was carried out in compliance with the methodological guidelines developed at VIR. Statistica 13.3 software was employed for statistical data processing. An assessment of four qualitative, 10 quantitative and four phenological traits in the accessions made it possible to differentiate them by the type of use, that is, as dry, forage and garden peas. The varieties differing in the type of use signif icantly differed by the values of such traits as stem length, number of pods per plant, number of nodes to the f irst f lower, number of f lowers in the inf lorescence, the maximum number of seeds per pod, pod length, and a narrower pod of forage pea compared to that of dry and garden peas. The average values of these traits were recorded for the peas with different types of use. The maximum difference was noted between garden and forage pea varieties. Dry pea varieties occupied an intermediate position. The complex of phenotypic traits identif ied determines the differences between three types of pea use, which is important when selecting the initial material for breeding appropriate varieties.

The Epidemiology of Infundibular Caries in Donkeys in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China and Associated Risk Factors

Infundibular caries (IC) affects donkeys of all ages and causes pain, difficulty in mastication and weight loss. The study aimed to determine the epidemiology of IC in donkeys and examine the potential risk factors associated with the disease development. A total of 2118 donkeys in Inner Mongolia were sampled. The first section of the survey was performed by veterinarians and included the oral health of the donkeys. A survey on the donkey's signalment, diet, and husbandry was also conducted. The risk factors associated with IC were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Univariate analysis of 11 variables assessed revealed that only four factors, including age, type of forage, pasture time and water source, increased the risk of IC. The findings of this study enhance our knowledge of the management and prevention of IC in donkeys.

Farming with forages can reconnect crop and livestock operations to enhance circularity and foster ecosystem services

AbstractAgriculture has undergone dramatic technological and cultural changes over the past century. Many would argue that the changes have been unquestionably positive with huge gains in productivity, reduced labour requirements, and alleviation of food insecurity for most people. However, the adoption of increasingly specialized and separated crop and livestock enterprises has also had widespread negative consequences resulting in (a) decline in biodiversity, (b) degradation of groundwater and surface waters with agrochemical pollutants, (c) poor soil health with monoculture crop production and frequent soil disturbance, (d) intensive greenhouse gas emissions from both specialized cropping systems relying on external inputs and concentrated animal feeding operations that accumulate wastes, and (e) general lack of ecological integrity among components of these specialized systems. Diversified agricultural systems using annual and perennial forages offer opportunities to elevate ecological synergies when crop and livestock operations are integrated. Integrated crop‐livestock systems can internalize nutrient cycling, provide cultural control of weeds, insects and diseases, and share resources in a circular‐based agroecosystem. Cover crops could be transitioned into nutritious annual forages for livestock grazing on currently specialized crop production farms with appropriate local incentives. Perennial forages in ley farming or in pasture‐crop rotations have historical relevance and are a proven practice for conserving nutrients, improving soil health and enhancing biodiversity. Redesigning contemporary agriculture with mixed‐use farming techniques could greatly reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and invigorate soil health. We suggest that incorporating different types of forages across a diverse landscape can enhance agricultural sustainability and ecological integrity.

Effects of intake-based weaning and forage type on feeding behavior and growth of dairy calves fed by automated feeders.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of intake-based weaning methods and forage type on feeding behavior and growth of dairy calves. Holstein dairy calves (n = 108), housed in 12 groups of 9, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 weaning treatments: milk reduction based on age (wean-by-age), individual dry matter intake (DMI; wean-by-intake), or a combination of individual DMI and age (wean-by-combination). Groups of calves were alternately assigned to 1 of 2 forage treatments: grass hay or a silage-based total mix ration (TMR; n = 6 groups per treatment). Until 30 d of age, all calves were offered 12 L/d of whole milk. Starting on d 31, milk was gradually reduced by 25% of the individual's average milk intake. For wean-by-age calves (n = 31), the milk allowance remained stable until d 62 when milk was again reduced gradually until weaning at d 70. For wean-by-intake calves (n = 35), milk allowance was reduced by a further 25% once calves consumed on average 200, 600, and (finally) 1,150 g of dry matter (DM) per day of calf starter and forage. For wean-by-combination calves (n = 35), milk intake remained stable until calves consumed on average 200 g of DM/d, at which point milk was reduced linearly until weaning at d 70. If calves failed to reach DMI targets by d 62 (n = 10), milk was then reduced gradually until weaning at d 70. Of the 35 wean-by-intake calves, 27 met all 3 DMI targets (successful-intake), and 33 of the 35 calves in the wean-by-combination treatment met the 200 g of DM/d target (successful-combination). Successful-intake and successful-combination calves had greater final body weight (BW) at 12 wk of age than wean-by-age calves (123.7 vs. 122.3 vs. 117.7 ± 3.1 kg, respectively). During weaning, successful-intake calves ate more starter and consumed less milk than successful-combination and wean-by-age calves (starter: 1.19 vs. 0.89 vs. 0.49 ± 0.07 kg of DM/d, respectively; milk: 2.7 vs. 4.2 vs. 5.9 ± 0.17 L/d, respectively). After weaning, successful-combination and successful-intake calves consumed similar amounts of starter; however, wean-by-age calves continued to consume less starter (2.85 vs. 2.78 vs. 2.44 ± 0.10 kg of DM/d, respectively). During weaning, hay and TMR calves ate similar amounts of forage, but hay calves consumed more starter (0.96 vs. 0.75 ± 0.07 kg of DM/d, respectively). After weaning, hay calves continued to consume more starter (2.88 vs. 2.50 ± 0.10 kg of DM/d, respectively), whereas TMR calves consumed more forage (0.33 vs. 0.15 ± 0.02 kg of DM/d, respectively). Hay calves had greater final BW at 84 d compared with TMR calves (124.0 vs. 119.0 ± 1.6 kg, respectively). These results show that the inclusion of a DMI target can improve starter intake and BW for calves that successfully wean, and that forage type can influence the transition onto solid feed. We also found that approximately 10% of calves failed to consume even 200 g of DM/d by 9 wk of age; more research is needed to better understand why some calves struggle to transition onto solid feed.

Effects of particle size and toasting of fava beans and forage source on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and metabolizable protein supply in dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of heat treatment (toasting) and particle size alterations (grinding; rolling) on nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, and supply of metabolizable protein (MP), and to study the interaction between processing conditions of fava beans and forage type. Six Danish Holstein dairy cows fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 6 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 4 periods of 21-d duration. Cows were fed ad libitum with 6 experimental diets: diets high in either grass-clover silage or corn silage were combined with ground untoasted, ground toasted, or rolled untoasted fava beans. Samples of ruminal fluid, digesta from duodenum and ileum, and feces were collected, and nutrient digestibility was estimated using Cr2O3 and TiO2 as flow markers. Diets high in corn silage resulted in higher ruminal pH and higher proportion of propionate in ruminal volatile fatty acids compared with diets high in grass-clover silage. Diets high in corn silage resulted in higher apparent total-tract digestibility of crude protein and starch but lower apparent ruminal and total-tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber compared with diets high in grass-clover silage. Rolling of fava beans decreased the in situ small intestinal disappearance of rumen-undegradable protein corrected for particle losses. Compared with grinding, rolling of fava beans reduced apparent ruminal digestibility of starch, true ruminal digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and AA, and small intestinal digestibility of AA and starch. Grinding of fava beans increased apparent ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and reduced the proportion of propionate in ruminal volatile fatty acids compared with rolling of fava beans. In addition, rolling of fava beans had no effect on MP supply. Toasting of fava beans had no effect on in vivo nutrient digestibility except for an interaction with forage source on apparent ruminal dry matter and organic matter digestibility. Toasting of fava beans did not affect small intestinal digestion of individual and total AA, and therefore failed to increase MP supply. In conclusion, neither replacing grass-clover silage with corn silage, nor toasting nor rolling of fava beans had an effect on supply of MP.