Forage Type Research Articles

Biomass estimation of pasture plots with multitemporal UAV-based photogrammetric surveys

Pastures account for more than 56% of the total agricultural area of Ecuador and constitute the main food source for livestock. Hence, the agile, affordable, and reliable quantification of aboveground biomass (AGB) is an essential task in grazing utilization and management. In this paper, a method to estimate the AGB via aerial photogrammetry with a low-cost UAV multirotor is proposed. Digital terrain models and crop surface models were generated from data captured during two flights at different times, and the volume between them was calculated. An empirical relationship between volume and dry biomass was obtained by harvesting and weighing some samples and deriving a density factor (DF). The method was tested over 54 plots with different types of forage under differential fertilization treatments. Fertilized annual ryegrass exhibited the best growth and highest biomass (2632 kg/ha). The estimation and calculation of the crop volume via UAV-based photogrammetry saves time and generates notably precise (R2 = 0.78) information on the dry biomass.

47 Integrated warm- and cool-season grass rotational grazing management and the equine fecal microbiome

Warm-season grasses can be integrated into traditional cool-season grass equine rotational grazing systems to increase summer pasture yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate impacts of this management strategy on the fecal microbiome of grazing horses. Eight mares were randomly assigned to 2 integrated rotational systems (IRS) containing mixed cool-season grass and 1 of 2 warm-season grasses: bermudagrass or crabgrass. Fecal samples were collected after a 3-wk adaptation to each of the following forages: initial cool-season hay (HAY-SP); cool-season pasture in spring (CSG-SP), warm-season pasture in summer (WSG), and cool-season pasture in fall (CSG-FA); and after transition back to hay in the fall (HAY-FA). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences was conducted in QIIME 2, and taxonomy was assigned with SILVA. Alpha diversity metrics were analyzed using a mixed effects model, and β diversity by PERMANOVA. Amplicon sequence variants (ASV) were clustered into bacterial co-abundance groups (BCG) using Sparse Cooccurrence Network Investigation for Compositional data. A random forest classifier was applied to determine if forage could be predicted by BCG composition. BCG specific to each forage were identified by LEfSe, with significance set at LDA > 2.0. Differences were not found between IRS, and combined data are presented (n = 8). Alpha and β diversity metrics differed across forages ( P < 0.05). In addition, random forest modeling was able to predict forage type (accuracy: 0.78 ± 0.15), indicating that shifts in microbiome structure and species composition occur as horses adapt to different forages within IRS. BCG including ASV assigned to Oscillospiraceae and Lachnospiraceae families and within Christenellaceae R-7 group and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group genera were identified by LEfSe as markers for all forages. BCG specific to HAY-SP included ASV within Roseburia, Blautia , and Saccharofermentans , while Bacteriodales BS11 gut group was enriched in CSG-SP. BCG including ASV from Alloprevotella and Denitrobacterium detoxificans were enriched in CSG-FA, and Streptococcus and Lactobacillus equigenerosa in HAY-FA. BCG members characteristic of WSG included ASV within Bacillus, Akkermansia, and Clostridium butyricum – taxa associated with healthy gut function and investigated for probiotic use in humans and other animal species. These results suggest incorporation of WSG in IRS may be of benefit to grazing horses. However, given the complexity of microbial community dynamics and limitations of taxon-based functional inference, future research is necessary to evaluate potential physiological implications.

Meta-analysis of effects of inoculation with Lactobacillus buchneri, with or without other bacteria, on silage fermentation, aerobic stability, and performance of dairy cows

A meta-analysis of 158 peer-reviewed articles was conducted to examine effects of inoculation with Lactobacillus buchneri (LB)-based inoculants (LBB) that did or did not include homolactic or obligate heterolactic bacteria on silage fermentation and aerobic stability. A complementary meta-analysis of 12 articles examined LBB inoculation effects on dairy cow performance. Raw mean differences between inoculant and control treatment means weighted by inverse variance were compared with a hierarchical effects model that included robust variance estimation. Meta-regression and subgrouping analysis were used to identify effects of covariates including forage type, application rate (≤104, 105, 106, or ≥ 107 cfu/g as fed), bacteria type (LB vs. LB plus other bacteria), enzyme inclusion, ensiling duration, and silo type (laboratory or farm scale). Inoculation with LBB increased acetate (62%), 1, 2 propanediol (364%) and propionate (30%) concentration and aerobic stability (73.8%) and reduced lactate concentration (7.2%), yeast counts (7-fold) and mold counts (3-fold). Feeding inoculated silage did not affect milk yield, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency in lactating dairy cows. However, forage type, inoculant composition, and dose effects on silage quality measures were evident. Inoculation with LBB increased aerobic stability of all silages except tropical grasses. Adding obligate homolactic or facultative heterolactic bacteria to LB prevented the small increase in DM losses caused by LB alone. The 105 and 106 cfu/g rates were most effective at minimizing DM losses while aerobic stability was only increased with 105, 106, and ≥ 107 cfu/g rates. Inoculation with LBB increased acetate concentration, reduced yeast counts and improved aerobic stability but did not improve dairy cow performance.

Typical Correlation Analysis between Forage Type Triticale Production Performance and Different Pilot Ecological Factors

Domestic and foreign researches on triticale mainly focus on hereditary traits and excellent characteristics, but there are few reports on triticale yield and quality in the severe cold pastoral areas of Gansu and Qinghai. In this study, Gannong 2 triticale cultivars have been bred and planted in typical ecological areas according to the characteristics of different ecological regions. By studying the relationship between quality traits and various ecological factors, the effects of different ecological factors on the quality of Triticale hay have been clarified, which provides a reasonable basis for future triticale breeding and large-scale and targeted planting layout. The production performance and nutritional qualities of Triticale Trial in Maqu County, Gansu Province and Gannong No. 2 in Dulan County, Qinghai Province are obviously superior to other pilot sites. Through reasonable fertilization, the production performance and nutritional quality of triticale are the best. Triticale production performance is significantly related to climatic factors in different pilots. The most suitable planting area for Gannong 2 is Maqu County, Gansu Province.

Riparian populations of minnesota reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) are most likely native, based on SNPs (DArTseqLD)

The native vs. exotic status of reed canarygrass (RCG), a major invasive species of Minnesota wetlands, is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate this native vs. exotic status to enhance its management. Genetic comparison of wild RCG populations from six Minnesota and six Czech Republic rivers was performed. A total of 2521 polymorphic SNP markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were used to evaluate 478 RCG samples across all collections. In the PCoA, all (n = 256) tested extant wild, riparian RCG genotypes from six Minnesota Rivers and six Czech Republic Rivers were genetically distinct, although some SNPs were common in both populations since they are the same species. DAPC analysis also resulted in the formation of two primary clusters separating the Minnesota Rivers and Czech Republic Rivers riparian samples, with little overlap; STRUCTURE analysis also supported this clustering with k = 4 groups as it separated the Czech Republic Rivers populations into three groups, along with Minnesota Rivers. The uniformity of PCoA, DAPC, STRUCTURE, and Evanno results indicates the distinct separation of Minnesota Rivers and Czech Republic Rivers populations. Portions of the genome (specific SNPs) are preserved or in common across continents, as indicated by STRUCTURE similarities. Nonetheless, overall significant SNP differences between the continents indicate that the Minnesota riparian populations are distinct enough from the European (Czech) collections to be delineated as native N. American RCG. PCoA of all the Minnesota RCG collections clustered Minnesota Rivers, Herbarium, Extant Herbarium, Research Field and Native Field collections together. STRUCTURE analysis (k = 2; Evanno) divided these Minnesota collections from the Commercial Field and Cultivars collections. There are two genetically distinct groups of RCG in Minnesota and since the Minnesota Rivers, the Research Field, the Native Field and pre-1930 herbaria collections clustered together, they are most likely native N. American types. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the genetic variation was more significant within, rather than among, the RCG populations. Native, historic herbaria types cluster together with all wild RCG river populations in Minnesota, all of which were distinct from those in Central Europe, suggesting native RCG type persistence in N. America. Also, cultivated forage types of RCG are distinct from wild RCG Minnesota river populations. The SNP genetic data shows that riparian Minnesota RCG populations are native. These data will facilitate future management strategies to control RCG as a native, but invasive, species.

Characterization and identification of cellulase-producing Enterococcus species isolated from Tibetan yak (Bos grunniens) rumen and their application in various forage silages.

Cellulase-producing Enterococcus species isolated from the rumen of Tibetan yak (Bos grunniens) were characterized, and their combined effects on the silage quality of various forages were studied. The two isolated strains with high cellulolytic potential were identified as Enterococcus faecalis (EF85) and E. faecium (EF83) by 16S rRNA sequencing. Both EF85 and EF83 could grow well at 15-55°C, pH 3·0-6·0 and in 3·0-6·5% NaCl. The cellulase secreted by EF85 and EF83 showed good stability at temperatures from 20 to 45°C and pH from 4·5 to 7·0. A commercial inoculant (CLP), a commercial cellulase (CE) and the two cellulolytic strains (EF85+EF83) were added to whole-crop corn, sweet sorghum and Napier grass ensiling for 120days respectively. In Napier grass silage, all inoculants significantly increased lactic acid content and ratio of lactic to acetic acid and decreased pH, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen contents. The acid detergent fibre and cellulose contents in EF85+EF83 treatment were significantly lower than those in the other treatments. In whole-crop corn and sweet sorghum silages, all additives had no significant effect on the fermentation quality, while CE and EF85+EF83 markedly enhanced cellulose degradation and increased free sugar content. The combined inoculation of the cellulolytic strain EF85 and EF83 to various forages reduced the fibre content of the resulting silages. Few studies involved inoculation of silage with Enterococcus species in different forage types. The isolated cellulolytic strains of E. faecalis EF85 and E. faecium EF83 could be a great alternative for commercial inoculants and enzymes in silage production.

Rumen degradation characteristics of two tropical forages supplemented with monensin in the rumen of N’dama Steer

Rumen degradation characteristics of Panicum maximum and Gmelina arborea forages in response to monensin supplementation were studied in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment using an Ndama fistulated steer. Monensin had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the soluble fraction 'a' of nutrients but showed reductions (P&lt;0.05) in the degradable fractions b' of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM supplementation levels relative to the control. These reductions were within the range of 45.76 - 49.52, 37.88 - 43.57, 44.60 - 45.31 and 45.18 - 46.85% for DM, CP, NDF and ADF, respectively. The potenti al degradation 'p' of DM, NDF, and ADF reduced (P&lt;0.05) at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM while p' for CP reduced at 45 mg/kg DM. Forage type had significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on nutrient degradation with Panicum maximum having lower nutrient degradation characteristics values than those of Gmelina arborea. While monens resulted in reduced nutrient degradation from Panicum maximum at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM, reduction in nutrients degradation from Gmelina arborea was observed only at 45 mg/kg DM. Comparatively, at similar levels of 15, 30 and 45 mg of monensin/kg DM, Panicum maximum had lower (P&lt;0.05) degradation values to those observed for Gmelina arborea. The reduction effect of monensin on nutrient degradation from both forages suggests an inhibition of microbial digestion. This could increase rumen fill, reduce ruminal outflow rate and possibly increase the proportion of un-degradable proteins leaving the rumen for the lower tract. The particular level of monensin supplementation at which such reductions would occur depends on forage type &#x0D; Keywords: , , .

IDENTIFICATION OF LOCAL FEED POTENTIAL IN BALI CATTLE BREEDING AREA IN KONAWE SELATAN REGENCY

This study was aimed to identify and inventory the availability potentiation of local feed in the South Konawe Bali Cattle Development Area. The material and methods in this study were types of Forage and agricultural waste that potential as animal feed sources. This research was conducted in 2018 in Tinanggea, Palangga, Buke, and Baito Districts, South Konawe Region. Local Forage was feed material that used for the development of cattle in the South Konawe District. The forage potential was calculated based on the feed production of ingredients according to the harvested area and expressed in dry matter (BK). The Forage and agricultural waste types in Konawe Selatan Regency were a) Forage feed, among others; Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant Grass), Apluda mutica (Field grass), Acconopus compresses (pait grass), Cenchrus salaries (foxtail grass), Chrisopogon articulates (Needlegrass); b) Agricultural crop agricultural waste, among others; Rice Straw, Corn straw, Cassava leaves, Sweet potato leaves, Peanut straw, and Soybean straw. The results showed that the production of Forage in South Konawe Bali Cattle Development Area was dominated by field grass (Apluda mutica), namely (a) Tinanggea Subdistrict as much as 23,706.67 tons/year (b) Palangga District as much as 4,128.72 tons/year; (c) Baito Subdistrict as much as 8,077.26 tons/year, and (d) Buke SubDistrict as much as 10,712.95 tons/year. Whereas food crop agricultural waste was rice straw feed namely (1) Tinanggea Subdistrict as much as 3,272,780 BK/kg/year; (2) Palangga District as much as 2,982,875 BK/kg/year; (3) Baito Subdistrict as much as 2,756,250 BK/kg/year and (4) Buke Subdistrict with 945,000 BK/kg/year, while corn straw, peanut straw, and cassava leaves cannot be determined.

The Effects of Different Forage Types on Feed Values and Digestibilities in Some Brassica Fodder Crops

This study was conducted to explore the effects of different forage types (fresh, hay and silage) on the chemical composition, forage quality and in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of fodder turnip (Brassica rapa), fodder mustard (Brassica nigra) and canola (Brassica napus L.). Ankom Daisy incubator was used to determine the IVTD and forages were incubated for 48 hours. According to the findings of this study, canola silage and mustard silage have the highest ether extract (EE) content, while mustard silage has the highest crude protein (CP) content (P&amp;lt;0.001). It was found that, among the samples, turnip silage has the highest value in terms of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content; mustard grass, turnip grass and canola hay have higher values in terms of lignin content while mustard silage has the lowest lignin content. As a result, it was concluded that grass, hay and silage obtained from Brassica fodder crops could be used as alternative forage souces. However, use of Brassica silages is recommended in ruminant nutrition.

The Natural Forages of Northern Nigeria I. Nitrogen and Mineral composition of Grasses and Browse from the Northern Guinea Savanna and Standing Hays from the different Savanna Zones

THE mineral status of nine native grass species and ten browse species from the Northern Guinea Savanna Vegetation was investigated together with the mineral Composition of standing hays from Daura and Kano areas of the Sudan Savanna, Bauchi ranch of the sub-Sudan, Samaru (Shika Kadama) of the Northern Guinea Savanna and Jos area of the Plateau vegetation, in Northern Nigeria. All forage types (grasses, browse and standing hays) which were sampled in April of 1975 were analysed for nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). The grass species included: Andropogon gayanus, A. ascinodis, Brachiaria jubata, Cynodon dactylon, Hyparthelia dissoluta, Pancium phragmitoides, Setaria anceps, Sporobolus pyramidalis and Urelytram muricatum, while the browse consisted of Adenodolichos panicu latus, Annogeissus leocarpus, Briddelia ferruginea, Crossopteryx febrifug, Dichrostachys cenerea (glometata), Khaya senegalensis, Mimosa pigra, Parinari curatellifolis, Psorospermum guineense, and Pterocarpus erinaceus. Both grass and browse species were leafy materials from among those Species considered to be highly consumed by cattle. in general, the average values for Na, P, and Zn in the grasses, browse and standing hays were inadequate for the nutritional needs of cattle one standing hays from all locations contained suboptimum amounts of N, Ca, P, K, Mg, Na and The Cu content of all three forage types was adequate for cattle nutrition. The grass and browse species contained adequate amounts of N, K, Mg and Cu. The trace elements and Ca and Mg tended to be more concentrated in the browse species than in the grass species. The opposite was true of K. Grasses, browse and standing hays contained equal amounts of Na. Similarly, the grass and browse species contained identical amounts of P. Supplementation of mineral concentrates to include Na, P, K, Ca and Zn was suggested.

Effect of forage type, season, and ripening time on selected quality properties of sheep milk cheese

The aim of this research was to study changes in the microbial populations, free AA profile, biogenic amine content, and sensory characteristics of ripened cheeses (100 and 180 d) produced in different seasons (summer, autumn, winter, and spring) from pasteurized sheep milk from 8 commercial flocks fed hay or silage diets. Twenty-one individual AA and 6 biogenic amines were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. Type of conserved forage for sheep feeding did not affect the variables studied, which is of great interest because hay and silage are low-cost ingredients for sheep feeding. Proteolysis led total free AA concentrations ranging between 35,179.26 and 138,063.71 mg/kg of cheese at 180 d of ripening. γ-Aminobutyric acid, which has been associated with beneficial effects on human health, was the second most abundant AA in all cheese samples, accounting for 15% of total free AA. Spring cheeses showed 2-fold higher concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid than summer and autumn cheeses at the end of ripening. Overall, spring, winter, and autumn cheeses had lower average concentration of biogenic amines (431.99 mg/kg of cheese) than summer cheeses (825.70 mg/kg of cheese) as well as better sensory characteristics. Therefore, this study could provide the dairy industry with useful information for producing cheeses with valuable nutritional and sensory quality for consumers.

Applying RGB- and Thermal-Based Vegetation Indices from UAVs for High-Throughput Field Phenotyping of Drought Tolerance in Forage Grasses

The persistence and productivity of forage grasses, important sources for feed production, are threatened by climate change-induced drought. Breeding programs are in search of new drought tolerant forage grass varieties, but those programs still rely on time-consuming and less consistent visual scoring by breeders. In this study, we evaluate whether Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based remote sensing can complement or replace this visual breeder score. A field experiment was set up to test the drought tolerance of genotypes from three common forage types of two different species: Festuca arundinacea, diploid Lolium perenne and tetraploid Lolium perenne. Drought stress was imposed by using mobile rainout shelters. UAV flights with RGB and thermal sensors were conducted at five time points during the experiment. Visual-based indices from different colour spaces were selected that were closely correlated to the breeder score. Furthermore, several indices, in particular H and NDLab, from the HSV (Hue Saturation Value) and CIELab (Commission Internationale de l’éclairage) colour space, respectively, displayed a broad-sense heritability that was as high or higher than the visual breeder score, making these indices highly suited for high-throughput field phenotyping applications that can complement or even replace the breeder score. The thermal-based Crop Water Stress Index CWSI provided complementary information to visual-based indices, enabling the analysis of differences in ecophysiological mechanisms for coping with reduced water availability between species and ploidy levels. All species/types displayed variation in drought stress tolerance, which confirms that there is sufficient variation for selection within these groups of grasses. Our results confirmed the better drought tolerance potential of Festuca arundinacea, but also showed which Lolium perenne genotypes are more tolerant.

Grazing behaviour and forage selection pattern of heifers in the range

The grazing behaviour of eight yearling white Fulani heifers was studied in two season of year in the south western zone of Nigeria. Time spent on different activities such as drinking, walking, grazing, resting and ruminating were determined using direct eye observation technique. The types of forage selected in both seasons were identified. Visual observations revealed that behaviour was influenced by seasons. The heifers spent 2, 8, 15, 14 and 62% of their time drinking, ruminating, resting, walking and grazing respectively as overall percentage for the two seasons. The forage selection pattern revealed that forbs were mostly selected in the late dry season and grasses in the early rain season. The forages selected in the late dry season were Panicum maximum, Cynodon dactylon, Ipomea aquatical, Leucaena leucocephela, Centrosema mole and Althernanthera dentata. In the early rain season forages selected include Setaria bartata, Echinochloa stagirina, Pennisetum purpureum and Panicum maximum regrowth. It is therefore concluded that the study provides a quick insight into behavioural and forage selection pattern of heifers. Therefore the study can be used to assess grazing animal nutrition condition.

Comparison of gastrointestinal transit times in stabled Thoroughbred horses fed freshly cut pasture and three conserved forage-based diets

Context The type of forage offered to horses varies in physical form, moisture content and nutrient quality, and these variables could affect the intake, passage rate and digestibility of the forage consumed. Aims To investigate the changes in passage rate of digesta through the gastrointestinal tract in horses fed four different forage-based diets (diet effect). Methods Thoroughbred mares (n = 6) were stabled in loose boxes for 6 weeks. During Weeks 1, 3 and 5 (washout periods), all horses were fed freshly cut pasture, either in restricted quantities (Week 1) or ad libitum (Weeks 3 and 5). Using a 3 × 3 Latin square design during Weeks 2, 4 and 6, each pair of horses was abruptly transitioned to one of three conserved forage-based diets (chopped ensiled forage fed exclusively or with oats, or perennial ryegrass hay with oats) fed ad libitum. At the beginning of each week, indigestible polyethylene markers (n = 200) were administered to the horses via a nasogastric tube, followed immediately by transition to the new diet. Key results There was a significant diet effect on the daily dry-matter intake of feed (P &lt; 0.0001), percentage of time spent eating (P &lt; 0.001), frequency of voiding faeces (P &lt; 0.05) and quantity of faeces voided (P &lt; 0.0001). There was a significant horse effect on the daily dry-matter intake of feed (P &lt; 0.0001) and quantity of faeces voided (P &lt; 0.0001), but no differences in the percentage of time spent eating or the frequency of voiding faeces. There were significant diet and horse effects on the time to recovery of the first marker in the faeces (P &lt; 0.01 and P &lt; 0.01 respectively) and the mean retention time of markers in the gastrointestinal tract (P &lt; 0.05 and P &lt; 0.001 respectively). Mean retention time was negatively correlated with feed intake and quantity of faeces voided (r2 = –0.51 and r2 = –0.64 respectively). Conclusions Longer mean retention time was associated with a greater fibre content in the diet and a restricted feed supply, thus supporting the hypothesis that horses alter mean retention time on the basis of a nutrient absorption optimisation model. Implications Feed composition, but also the quantities offered, may alter measurement of apparent feed digestibility in horses.

Forecasting of the number of bird collisions with turbines in the territory of Pre-Azov region wind park using the route census method

The information system has been designed to ensure the analysis of information on the monitoring results of the wind power plant (WPP) territory using the route census method. The database contains 48 fields, reflecting the monitoring results of birds’ behavior in the territory of WPP and processing the initial data: year, month and day of observation, a number of birds of this species, flight altitude, flight speed, direction of flight, coordinates of the bird registration point on the Google-map, average number of birds flying over the territory of the wind park at a given time, coordinates of the points of intersection of the bird flight path with the perimeter of the wind park or observation site, the length of bird flight path over the observation site, and other parameters. The analysis of distribution of birds in the territory of the “Primorsk-1” WPP according to the types of migration (forage, transit, nesting, and ground), direction of flight and altitude characteristics has been carried out. The total number of registered birds was 8927 specimens of 72 species, of which 802 specimens of 11 species were referred to the transit type, 2511 specimens of 32 species – to the forage type, 5614 specimens of 60 species were on the ground (ground type). Most birds (63%) belong to the ground type. 28% of birds were registered in the forage group, 9.0% of birds were flying in transit. The greatest activity of birds is manifested in the autumn migration season, when the transit group accounts for 77% of all annual transit flights. The proportion of birds of forage and ground types, registered in autumn, is 68% and 74%, respectively, of the total number of birds registered in autumn. In the group of ground birds, the overwhelming majority of specimens belong to the period of autumn migration (4141 birds or 74%). The least number was observed in the winter season (317 birds or 5.6%). The author proposes a mathematical model for analyzing birds’ interaction with turbines using the results of monitoring the territory of wind power plants by means of route census method. The model makes it possible to obtain information on the probability of different species of bird collisions with wind wheels and the number of collisions with turbines, depending on the flight characteristics of birds, parameters of wind parks and observation conditions in different seasons. In the risk zone of birds’ interaction with turbines, only specimens of one species, Buteo buteo, were observed. The calculated probability of one bird collision when passing through the wind wheel is 0.19. The anticipated number of bird collisions with turbines during one year of the “Primorsk-1” wind park functioning is in the range of 5.6÷6.7 specimens.

Technical note: Effects of filter bags on neutral detergent fiber recovery and fiber digestion in vitro

Filter bags facilitate the measurement of amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) and in vitro (IV) undigested aNDF (uNDF) by eliminating the transfer of residues from beakers into filtration crucibles. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine effects of filter bags on recovery of aNDF and (2) evaluate effects of filter bags on IV uNDF. For study 1, 6 samples each of grass hay (GR), alfalfa (AL), and corn silage (CS) were selected. Large standard deviations (SD) of ash-free aNDF (aNDFom) for samples in each forage type indicated compositional diversity (15.1, 7.45, and 12.9% of DM for GR, AL, and CS, respectively), and starch SD for CS was 16.4% of DM. Samples were weighed into Berzelius beakers or filter bags [25-µm pores (F57) or 6-µm pores (F58); Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY] for measurement of aNDF and aNDFom. All samples were extracted with neutral detergent, thermostable α-amylase, and sodium sulfite, and then soaked in boiling water and then acetone. Residues from beakers were filtered through a sea sand-covered GF/D filter (Whatman, Marlborough, MA) in Gooch crucibles (CR). Filter bags were extracted in a pressurized chamber at 100°C. The aNDF values did not differ between F57 and CR, but F58 was greater than CR for CS and AL. For GR, F58 was greater than CR for aNDFom. For study 2, diverse samples with large SD of aNDFom (20.7, 7.45, and 12.9% of DM for GR, AL, and CS, respectively) were weighed as loose powder into medium bottles (LS) or F57 bags, which were weighted to prevent floating. Blended ruminal fluid from 3 steers fed a 30% aNDFom diet was used as inoculum. Three samples of 1 forage type were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 IV runs using both treatments (LS and F57), and 3 bottles of each sample-treatment combination were removed after 12 h and 2 were removed after 120 h to measure uNDF. For LS, residues were extracted as in study 1 for CR. For F57, bags were rinsed in cold water and extracted as described in study 1. After 12 h, uNDF of F57 was greater than LS in CS, AL, and overall types. Ash-free uNDF (uNDFom) after 12 h of F57 was greater than LS in CS and overall types. After 120 h, F57 was greater than LS for uNDF of CS, but no differences were detected for uNDFom. The SD of uNDFom, but not uNDF, was higher after 12 and 120 h for F57 compared with LS. From 6 to 96 h, overall gas production of F57 was less than LS, and F57 was less than LS for CS from 3 to 96 h. Overall, LS gave greater maximum and faster rates of gas production than F57, as did AL and CS, but lag did not vary. Results indicate that filter bags affected aNDF and aNDFom measurement and inhibited fermentation for some materials.

Fatty Acid Composition and Volatile Profile of M. longissimus thoracis from Commercial Lambs Reared in Different Forage Systems.

Animal production factors can affect the fatty acid and volatile profile of lamb meat. The fatty acid and volatile composition of the M. longissimus thoracis was evaluated from 150 lambs from 10 groups of commercial lambs that differed in age, sex, diet and breed, from three farms, which represent typical forage lamb production systems in New Zealand. The meat from 4-month-old composite lambs slaughtered at weaning had a similar polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio compared to 6- to 8-month-old composite lambs, but a greater ratio than that of 12-month-old Merino lambs (p < 0.05), with all ratios being lower than the recommended ≥0.45. All lamb production systems produced meat with an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio below 1.5, well below the recommended ratio ≤ 4.0. Meat from 4-month-old lambs had higher C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 and lower C18:0, reflecting the composition of the milk diet, resulting in higher atherogenic index than meat from other animal groups, while meat from 12-month-old Merino lambs, with lower content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, showed higher thrombogenic index. Meat from lambs processed at weaning contained the greatest concentration of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, which would qualify as a ‘source’ or ‘good source’ of these target fatty acids based on the Commission of Regulation of the European Union or the Food Standards Australia New Zealand guidelines, respectively. Volatiles were extracted from the headspace of raw lean meat and 36 volatile compounds were identified. The abundance of carbon disulphide, isododecane, heptanal, 2,5-hexanediol and 3-octanone and pentanoic, octanoic, nonanoic and heptanoic acids was similar between all groups of lambs. Meat from 12-month-old Merino lambs had low abundance of acetic, propanoic, butanoic and hexanoic acids, and hexanal, octanal and dimethyl sulphide. For 6- to 8-month-old composite lambs, hexanal, octanal and nonanal were present at higher relative abundance in meat from lambs that grazed on chicory than perennial ryegrass. The significant differences in the fatty acid and volatile profiles in meat from 12-month-old Merino lambs compared with lambs slaughtered at weaning or further grazed on red clover, chicory or mixed pasture may result in distinctive nutritional value and lamb flavour.

Effects of grass and maize silage feed value, offering soybean meal with maize silage, and concentrate feed level in late pregnancy, on ewe and lamb performance

In many countries, daily herbage accumulation on pasture declines towards zero during the winter period; thus, many pregnant ewes are housed and offered conserved forages supplemented with concentrate prior to parturition. The effects of forage type and feed value (FV), offering soybean meal with maize silage during mid and late pregnancy, and concentrate feed level in late pregnancy on the performance of ewes and their progeny (to slaughter) were evaluated. Ewes (n = 151) were assigned to one of nine treatments from mid-pregnancy until lambing. Medium FV and high FV grass silages (metabolisable energy concentrations of 10.7 and 12.0 MJ/kg DM) were offered ad libitum supplemented with either 15 or 25 kg concentrate/ewe during late pregnancy. Low and high DM maize silages (starch concentrations of 80 and 315 g/kg DM) were offered ad libitum either alone or with soybean meal (200 g/d) and supplemented with 15 kg concentrate during late pregnancy. A final treatment consisted of high FV grass silage supplemented with 5 kg soybean/ewe over the final 4 weeks of pregnancy. Ewes and lambs were put to pasture in a rotational-grazing system within 3 days of lambing. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between grass silage FV and concentrate feed level for ewe or lamb traits. Increasing grass silage FV increased food intake (P < 0.001) during late pregnancy, ewe BW and body condition score (BCS) at lambing (P < 0.001), lamb BW at birth (P < 0.001) and weaning (P < 0.05), and reduced age at slaughter (P = 0.06). Increasing concentrate feed level increased metabolisable energy (P < 0.05) intake during late pregnancy but had no effect (P > 0.05) on ewe or lamb performance. Increasing maize DM at harvest and offering soybean meal with maize silage increased food intake (P < 0.001) and ewe BW and BCS at lambing (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Offering soybean meal with maize silage increased lamb BW at birth (P < 0.01) and reduced age at slaughter (P < 0.05). Reducing supplementation of high FV grass silage to 5 kg of soybean meal had no effect (P > 0.05) on animal performance. Replacing grass silage with maize silage did not affect (P > 0.05) BW gain of lambs. It is concluded that increasing the FV of the grass silage offered during pregnancy had the greatest positive impact on ewe and lamb performance.

Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify Candidate Loci for Biomass Formation Under Water Deficit in Perennial Ryegrass.

Global warming is predicted to impact many agricultural areas, which will suffer from reduced water availability. Due to precipitation changes, mild summer droughts are expected to become more frequent, even in temperate regions. For perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), an important forage grass of the Poaceae family, leaf growth is a crucial factor determining biomass accumulation and hence forage yield. Although leaf elongation has been shown to be temperature-dependent under normal conditions, the genetic regulation of leaf growth under water deficit in perennial ryegrass is poorly understood. Herein, we evaluated the response to water deprivation in a diverse panel of perennial ryegrass genotypes, employing a high-precision phenotyping platform. The study revealed phenotypic variation for growth-related traits and significant (P < 0.05) differences in leaf growth under normal conditions within the subgroups of turf and forage type cultivars. The phenotypic data was combined with genotypic variants identified using genotyping-by-sequencing to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Using GWAS, we identified DNA polymorphisms significantly associated with leaf growth reduction under water deprivation. These polymorphisms were adjacent to genes predicted to encode for phytochrome B and a MYB41 transcription factor. The result obtained in the present study will increase our understanding on the complex molecular mechanisms involved in plant growth under water deficit. Moreover, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers identified will serve as a valuable resource in future breeding programs to select for enhanced biomass formation under mild summer drought conditions.

FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI SERVICE PER CONCEPTION PADA SAPI KRUI DI KECAMATAN PESISIR SELATAN

Research on service per conception (S/C) of Krui Cattles in Pesisir Selatan Regency was carried out in December 2019 using two inseminators collection data, 75 farmers and 166 Krui Cattles that have been artificially inseminated. The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) the S/C value of Krui cattle in the Pesisir Selatan District, 2) the factors and its magnitude that influence the S/C of Krui cattle in Pesisir Selatan Regency. Data was analysed with multiple regression using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) programs. The results showed that the S/C value of Krui Cattles in Pesisir Selatan Regency was 1.53�0.71. The factors that affected the S/C value of Krui Cattless in Pesisir Selatan Regency were derived from the variable of farmers and livestock. At the farmer level the factors that influence wee the type of forage that is negatively associated with a factor of 0.229, the shape of the cage wall which is negatively associated with 0.287, and the sanitation of the cage that is negatively associated with 0.355. Factors influencing S/C values at the livestock level were negative associated body condition scores (BCS) of 0.429, age of first mated was negative associations of 0.039, and estrus postpartum negative associations of 0.118.&#x0D; Keywords: Factors and factors value, Service per conception, Krui cattle