Mixed Grass Research Articles

Changes in salivary analytes in cows due to the in vitro presence of feed

BackgroundThe effect in a sialochemistry profile of the presence of usually available feed in dairy cows was evaluated by an in vitro experiment. For this purpose, a pooled clean saliva from five healthy dairy cows was incubated five times with a standard feed based on a total mixed ration (F), wheat hay (H), and grass (G). The salivary panel was integrated by biomarkers of stress (cortisol -sCor-, salivary alpha-amylase -sAA-, butyrylcholinesterase -BChE-, total esterase -TEA-, and lipase -Lip-), immunity (adenosine deaminase -ADA-), oxidative status (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity -TEAC-, the ferric reducing ability of saliva -FRAS-, the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity -CUPRAC-, uric acid, and advanced oxidation protein products -AOPP-), and enzymes, proteins, and minerals of general metabolism and markers of liver, muscle, and renal damage (aspartate aminotransferase -AST-, alanine aminotransferase -ALP-, γ-glutamyl transferase -gGT-, lactate dehydrogenase -LDH-, creatine kinase -CK-, creatinine, urea, triglycerides, glucose, lactate, total protein, phosphorus, and total calcium).ResultsMost of the evaluated analytes showed a coefficient of variations (CV) higher than 15% and/or significant changes compared with the clean saliva when feed was present. Some analytes, such as the oxidative status biomarkers (CV > 80%), AST (CV > 60%), or glucose (CV > 100%), showed significant changes with all the feed types tested. Others showed significant differences only with certain types of feed, such as LDH with F (CV > 60%) or triglycerides with F (CV > 100%) and H (CV > 95%). However, sCor or gGT remained unchanged (CV < 15%, P > 0.05) in all the treatments.ConclusionsThe presence of feed can produce changes in most of the analytes measured in cows’ saliva, being of high importance to consider this factor when saliva is used as a sample to avoid errors in the interpretation of the results.

Fecal microbiome of horses transitioning between warm-season and cool-season grass pasture within integrated rotational grazing systems

BackgroundDiet is a key driver of equine hindgut microbial community structure and composition. The aim of this study was to characterize shifts in the fecal microbiota of grazing horses during transitions between forage types within integrated warm- (WSG) and cool-season grass (CSG) rotational grazing systems (IRS). Eight mares were randomly assigned to two IRS containing mixed cool-season grass and one of two warm-season grasses: bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] or crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]. Fecal samples were collected during transitions from CSG to WSG pasture sections (C–W) and WSG to CSG (W–C) on days 0, 2, 4, and 6 following pasture rotation and compared using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsRegardless of IRS or transition (C–W vs. W–C), species richness was greater on day 4 and 6 in comparison to day 0 (P < 0.05). Evenness, however, did not differ by day. Weighted UniFrac also did not differ by day, and the most influential factor impacting β-diversity was the individual horse (R2 ≥ 0.24; P = 0.0001). Random forest modeling was unable to accurately predict days within C–W and W–C, but could predict the individual horse based on microbial composition (accuracy: 0.92 ± 0.05). Only three differentially abundant bacterial co-abundance groups (BCG) were identified across days within all C–W and W–C for both IRS (W ≥ 126). The BCG differing by day for all transitions included amplicon sequence variants (ASV) assigned to bacterial groups with known fibrolytic and butyrate-producing functions including members of Lachnospiraceae, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Anaerovorax the NK4A214 group of Oscillospiraceae, and Sarcina maxima. In comparison, 38 BCG were identified as differentially abundant by horse (W ≥ 704). The ASV in these groups were most commonly assigned to genera associated with degradation of structural carbohydrates included Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Treponema, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and the NK4A214 group of Oscillospiraceae. Fecal pH also did not differ by day.ConclusionsOverall, these results demonstrated a strong influence of individual horse on the fecal microbial community, particularly on the specific composition of fiber-degraders. The equine fecal microbiota were largely stable across transitions between forages within IRS suggesting that the equine gut microbiota adjusted at the individual level to the subtle dietary changes imposed by these transitions. This adaptive capacity indicates that horses can be managed in IRS without inducing gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Adding corn meal into mixed elephant grass–butterfly pea legume silages improves nutritive value and dry matter recovery

AbstractThe objective of this study was to describe and explain the effect of adding corn meal (CM) on losses, fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of silages from two elephant grass [Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone] genotypes (Taiwan A-146 2.37 and IRI-381) mixed with butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) legume. The forage was harvested at 75 days of regrowth from elephant grass plots intercropped with butterfly pea legume and ensiled with or without CM at 5% of dry matter (DM) content. Greater gas losses (12 g/kg) and pH (4.2) were observed in the Taiwan A-146 2.37 + butterfly pea silages. The greatest crude protein content was observed in the ‘Taiwan A-146 2.37’ + butterfly pea silage added with CM (116 g/kg). Silages with additive and those containing IRI-381 had a greater acid detergent fibre content (367 and 366 g/kg, respectively). CM increased the silage DM (221 g/kg), remaining water-soluble carbohydrates contents (26 g/kg) and in vitro digestibility of DM. The aerobic stability was maintained until 45 h after opening the silos. All silages presented a good fermentative profile and were not affected by the relatively large proportion of butterfly pea (&gt;34%) in the ensiled mass as indicated by the reduced contents of butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen. CM reduces total losses, increases DM recovery and improves the nutritional value of silages from mixed elephant grass–butterfly pea legume.

Plant succession of natural grasslands under radical improvement in the southern forest-steppe of the Western Siberia

The low fodder productivity of vast areas of natural forage lands in Siberia necessitates their radical improvement. High fodder productivity will strengthen the fodder base of the region, which is important for the developing cattle breeding. The authors carried out an experiment of radical improvement of natural grasslands in order to clarify and develop methods of increasing the productivity of natural grasslands in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. The authors studied the effect of two factors: The first factor - tillage followed by sowing of perennial grasses; The second factor - the effect of organic fertilizers (20 t/ha). By the second year of observations in the variant where soil disking was carried out, only motley grasses were noted. Disking followed by seeding of perennial grasses promoted the development of seeded grasses (80% of the composition of the herbage). The remaining niche of grass stand was occupied by motley grasses. The influence of organic fertilizers in the second year of observations almost does not affect the structure of herbage, only in the variant with the sowing of grasses the distribution of different botanical groups is more uniform. The composition of grass stand changes significantly between the second and sixth years of observations under the influence of tillage and organic fertilizers. The development of cereals and legumes in the herbage in the variant without tillage in the third and subsequent years is noted. By the sixth year of observations in the herbage remain only cereal grass (60%) and mixed grass (40%). Dynamics of herbage structure by years of development on the background of organic fertilizers differs little from the herbage without fertilizers. By the second year of observations, there is no significant influence of fertilizers and tillage on the yield of grasses. In the sixth year of observations (2016) there was a significant influence of organic fertilizers. Even without soil treatment, the yield almost doubled from 0.6 t/ha in the version without fertilizers to 1.1 t/ha of absolutely dry matter in fertilized variants. The greatest increase in yield was noted in the variant with discing, 2.7 times (from 0.6 to 1.6 t/ha); in the variant with grass seeding and discing 1.4 times (from 1.1 to 1.6 t/ha) (absolute dry matter). The effect of tillage on the yield without fertilizer was much less. Consequently, tillage and fertilization contribute to a more uniform distribution of representatives of different botanical groups of grasses in the herbage. The productivity of the natural meadow increases significantly by the sixth year of observations after the improvement.

Crabgrass as an equine pasture forage: impact of establishment method on yield, nutrient composition, and horse preference

Warm-season grasses (WSG) incorporated into traditional cool-season rotational grazing systems to increase summer yields are typically established in monoculture in separate pasture areas. Few studies have evaluated alternative interseeded establishment of WSG, despite potential benefits for improving biodiversity and land-use efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of establishment method (monoculture vs. interseeded) on crabgrass pasture forage yield, nutritive value, and preference under equine grazing. Three adult standardbred mares grazed two main plots on two consecutive days (8 hr/d) for three grazing events in 2019: Jul 28/29 (GRAZE 1), Aug 20/30 (GRAZE 2), Oct 1/2 (GRAZE 3). Each main plot contained four replicates of three treatments: mixed cool-season grass (CSG); Quick-N-Big crabgrass (CRB) [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] interseeded into existing cool-season grass (INT), and CRB established as a monoculture (MON). The cool-season grass mix included Inavale orchardgrass [Dactylis glomerata (L.)], Tower tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.], and Argyle Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis (L.)]. Herbage mass (HM) and sward height (SH) were measured prior to each grazing event and samples were collected (0800–1000 h) for chemical composition analysis. Observed grazing time (GT) in each sub-plot as determined by 5-min scan sampling was utilized as marker of horse preference. Forage HM was greater in MON (8043 ± 1220 kg/ha) than CSG (5001 ± 1308 kg/ha; P = 0.003), with a trend for greater total HM in MON vs. INT (6582 ± 1220 kg/ha: P = 0.06), but HM did not differ between INT and CSG. The SH was also greatest for MON (28 ± 1.11; INT: 23.6 ± 1.11; CSG: 19.7 ± 1.37 cm; P < 0.003). Forage nutrients (digestible energy and crude protein) were largely similar across treatments and met requirements of horses at maintenance. Horse GT was lower in MON (22.6 ± 3.77 min/sub-plot) than in INT (31.9 ± 3.79 min/sub-plot; P = 0.003) and there was a trend for lower GT in MON vs. CSG (29.9 ± 4.17 min/sub-plot: P = 0.07). These results indicate interseeding CRB would not effectively increase yields of traditional cool-season grass equine rotational grazing systems and would not supply similar levels of summer forage provided by monoculture establishment. Results of this study also suggest horses may prefer cool-season grass pasture forage over warm-season crabgrass.

CO2 fluxes from three different temperate grazed pastures using Eddy covariance measurements

Grasslands cover around 25% of the global ice-free land surface, they are used predominantly for forage and livestock production and are considered to contribute significantly to soil carbon (C) sequestration. Recent investigations into using ‘nature-based solutions’ to limit warming to <2 °C suggest up to 25% of GHG mitigation might be achieved through changes to grassland management. In this study we evaluate pasture management interventions at the Rothamsted Research North Wyke Farm Platform, under commercial farming conditions, over two years and consider their impacts on net CO2 exchange. We investigate if our permanent pasture system (PP) is, in the short-term, a net sink for CO2 and whether reseeding this with deep-rooting, high-sugar grass (HS) or a mix of high-sugar grass and clover (HSC) might increase the net removal of atmospheric CO2. In general CO2 fluxes were less variable in 2018 than in 2017 while overall we found that net CO2 fluxes for the PP treatment changed from a sink in 2017 (−5.40 t CO2 ha−1 y−1) to a source in 2018 (6.17 t CO2 ha−1 y−1), resulting in an overall small source of 0.76 t CO2 ha−1 over the two years for this treatment. HS showed a similar trend, changing from a net sink in 2017 (−4.82 t CO2 ha−1 y−1) to a net source in 2018 (3.91 t CO2 ha−1 y−1) whilst the HSC field was a net source in both years (3.92 and 4.10 t CO2 ha−1 y−1, respectively). These results suggested that pasture type has an influence in the atmospheric CO2 balance and our regression modelling supported this conclusion, with pasture type and time of the year (and their interaction) being significant factors in predicting fluxes.

Plant community development trends on mixed grass prairie well sites 5 years after reclamation

Over the last 90 years, dry mixed grass prairie across North America has been severely impacted by agriculture, urbanization, and oil and gas operations, presenting significant challenges for land reclamation and range management. This study examined how seed mix and natural recovery revegetation treatments influenced plant community development trends on reclaimed well sites in Alberta, Canada. Three seed mixes, dominant wheatgrass (four species with 95% wheatgrass), non-dominant wheatgrass (five species with 80% non-wheatgrass), and diverse (22 grass and forb species), and natural recovery (unseeded) revegetation treatments were compared to undisturbed mixed grass prairie. Five years after reclamation natural recovery led to a plant community with lesser graminoid and greater forb cover, greater species richness and diversity, and greater bare ground relative to seed mix treatments. Seeded treatments resulted in communities dominated by native wheatgrass species. Multivariate tests revealed community composition of undisturbed prairie and the natural recovery treatment differed from seeded treatments. Indicator species analysis showed the natural recovery treatment was dominated by secondary successional perennial species, while the diverse treatment was dominated by native and non-native early to late successional perennial species. This implies that vegetation recovered more rapidly after disturbance with natural recovery than with a diverse seed mix. Non-native species cover showed a declining trend, and five years after reclamation it was <5% across treatments. Natural recovery revegetation was more effective than seeded treatments; however, a diverse seed mix could be used for mixed grass prairie reclamation.

Grasshopper feeding preference affects cascading effects of predators on plant biomass in a mixed-grass prairie

The importance of cascading effects of grasshopper predators on plant biomass involving grasshoppers in grassland ecosystems appears variable. A constraint of most grasshopper trophic cascade studies to date is that they examine responses of a single grasshopper species, while grasshopper feeding guilds could affect whether a trophic cascade is observed. As grasslands are grass dominated, grass feeding grasshoppers generally have stronger impacts on plant biomass than mixed grass and forb feeding species indicating that trophic cascades should be observed more commonly with grass feeding species. Grasshopper feeding preference could have important implications for predicting the outcome of grasshopper predator-prey interactions. I conducted similar experiments in two years with different grasshopper feeding guilds, grass feeding and mixed grass and forb feeding, to examine the importance of cascading predator effects at a grass dominated prairie site. For both experiments, treatments consisted of invertebrate removal, herbivore only, and herbivore plus predator treatments. There was no indication of a trophic cascade with high densities of a mixed feeding grasshopper species in a year with lower biomass production. Although plant regrowth following herbivory can weaken the appearance of trophic cascades, a trophic cascade on grass biomass was evident with high densities of a grass feeding grasshopper during a year with higher biomass production. As a result, plant preference appears to impact the importance of cascading effects of predators on plant biomass in this system.

A field experiment characterizing variable detection rates during plant surveys.

Surveys aimed at finding threatened and invasive species can be challenging due to individual rarity and low and variable individual detection rates. Detection rate in plant surveys typically varies due to differences among observers, among the individual plants being surveyed (targets), and across background environments. Interactions among these 3 components may occur but are rarely estimated due to limited replication and control during data collection. We conducted an experiment to investigate sources of variation in detection of 2 Pilosella species that are invasive and sparsely distributed in the Alpine National Park, Australia. These species are superficially similar in appearance to other yellow‐flowered plants occurring in this landscape. We controlled the presence and color of flowers on target Pilosella plants and controlled their placement in plots, which were selected for their variation in cover of non‐target yellow flowers and dominant vegetation type. Observers mimicked Pilosella surveys in the plots and reported 1 categorical and 4 quantitative indicators of their survey experience level. We applied survival analysis to detection data to model the influence of both controlled and uncontrolled variables on detection rate. Orange‐ and yellow‐flowering Pilosella in grass‐ and heath‐dominated vegetation were detected at a higher rate than nonflowering Pilosella. However, this detection gain diminished as the cover of other co‐occurring yellow‐flowering species increased. Recent experience with Pilosella surveys improved detection rate. Detection experiments are a direct and accessible means of understanding detection processes and interpreting survey data for threatened and invasive species. Our detection findings have been used for survey planning and can inform progress toward eradication. Interaction of target and background characteristics determined detection rate, which enhanced predictions in the Pilosella eradication program and demonstrated the difficulty of transferring detection findings into untested environments.

Thermal tolerance regulates foraging behaviour of ants

Abstract Theory suggests that performance increases with temperature up to an optimization point before rapidly decreasing as an animal approaches its upper thermal limit. Here, we use the red harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, to test predictions about how daily temperature fluctuations and thermal tolerance combine to influence one metric of performance—foraging. Over 2 years, we tracked 322 foraging trips from 15 colonies in a mixed grass prairie of southwestern Oklahoma. During each trip, we measured surface temperature, distance, time, worker mass, seed mass, and foraging tempo (i.e., running speed). To assess P. barbatus heat tolerance, we measured CTmax and knock‐down resistance of field‐collected workers in the lab. Trip time, but not distance, decreased with increasing temperature, resulting in an increased foraging tempo as ants neared their CTmax of 50°C. Knock‐down resistance trials confirmed that 50°C is an upper thermal limit, as individuals showed decreasing survival from 100% at 45°C to 0% at 50°C. Worker size and collected seed size were unrelated to temperature. Our results highlight how daily temperature fluctuations drive activity, not only by limiting foraging but also by increasing foraging rates near the thermal limit. If temperatures continue to increase, the foraging ability of this and similar species may be restricted to an ever‐narrowing window with effects potentially extending to the surrounding community.

Abnormal sperm morphology is associated with sensitization to inhaled allergens.

Background: Allergy is associated with the loss of tolerance of environmental antigens, combined with a pathological immune response. There were no studies up to date that would show whether the quality of semen decreases in people with allergic diseases. Material and methods: The research included men who reported to the Gynecological Outpatient Clinic due to reproductive difficulties, defined as the lack of pregnancy after one year of regular intercourse. Semen quality was assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. All patients underwent skin prick tests with the most important inhalation allergens (such as hazel, silver birch, mugwort, rye, dog, cat, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, alder, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, and grass mix). The data was statistically analyzed. Results: Results of 52 patients aged 25–52 years (34.62 ± 4.96) were analyzed. The mean BMI (Body mass index) was 28.25 (+ −3.77). It was found that 38 men (73%) had increased body weight, and 14 men (26.9%) were obese (BMI > = 30). 13 patients were smokers (25%), and 24 patients (46%) had skin tests positive for at least one inhaled allergen. Sperm tail defects were statistically more significant in patients allergic to birch, rye, cat, alder, and grass. In patients allergic to Alternaria alternata, head defects were statistically more significant (p < .05). No association was found between allergy to house dust mites, mugwort, hazel, and dogs and the deterioration of semen. Conclusion: Allergy due to inhalation allergens had an influence on the quality of male semen. Further research is necessary to establish the immunological bases of this phenomenon.

Soil Carbon Sequestration in Novel Ecosystems at Post-Mine Sites—A New Insight into the Determination of Key Factors in the Restoration of Terrestrial Ecosystems

Mining activities are one of the main causes of land degradation around the world and reduce the quality of the surrounding ecosystems. Restoration approaches using different vegetations and reclamation methods have been implemented to address this issue. In this review, paper, different studies focusing on the effect of the restoration of mining sites on the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) were analyzed. SOC in reclaimed mining soil (RMS) increased considerably after various restoration efforts were implemented. The amount of SOC accumulated in RMS was mostly influenced by the restoration age, vegetation type, and substrate or type of reclamation used. From the scientific papers analyzed, we found that SOC accumulation increases with restoration age; however, vegetation type and reclamation have varied effects. According to the review, the restoration of mine sites with vegetation resulted in a rate of SOC accumulation ranging from 0.37 to 5.68 Mg SOC ha−1 year−1. Climate conditions influenced the type of vegetation used for restoration. Regrading, liming, NPK fertilization, and seeding a mix of legumes and grasses were the most efficient reclamation techniques. Additionally, the use of grass and legume better facilitates the early accumulation of SOC compared with afforestation. Thus, the selection of appropriate tree species composition, reclamation treatments, and restoration age are the key factors for a high SOC accumulation rate.

Sensitization to common aeroallergens in the atopic population of Malatya Province, Turkey: A retrospective analysis using skin prick test

Aim: Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are chronic disorders that occur frequently and affect the quality of life. It is important to identify aeroallergens in a certain region to diagnose and treat asthma and AR in susceptible persons. We aimed to determine the distribution of aeroallergen sensitization rates using the skin prick test (SPT) in adult patients with AR and/or asthma in Malatya Province, Turkey. Materials and Methods: Between May 2018 and December 2021, we retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with AR and/or asthma and sensitivity to at least one aeroallergen on the SPT. Results: Of the 419 patients enrolled in our study, 334 (79.7%) had only AR, 68 (16.2%) had both AR and asthma, and 17 (4.1%) had only asthma. A total of 259 (61.8%) patients were women, and the mean age was 30.52 ± 10.06 years. Sensitization to grass mix was most common (71.8%), and its rate was higher among patients with only AR and those with AR and asthma (75.1% vs. 64.7%, p = 0.001) than in patients with only asthma. However, the sensitization rate to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was higher in patients with only asthma (47.1%, p &lt; 0.001) than in the other groups. Conclusions: We found that grass mix was the most common sensitizing aeroallergen in accordance with the geographic and climatic characteristics of Malatya Province. This information may help with diagnosis, management, and prevention of AR and asthma.

Dynamics of the Species Composition of Phytocenoses of Floodplain Mountain Meadows of the Carpathians Subject to Superficial Improvement

The conducted research of various authors has developed a number of measures for surface improvement of meadowland in various soil and climatic conditions. However, studies on the influence of such surface improvement measures as the use of organic and mineral fertilizers and sowing of perennial grasses and legumes in the sod on the dynamics of the species composition of Floodplain Mountain meadows of the Carpathians have not yet been conducted, which confirms the relevance of this study. The article presents the results of three-year studies conducted during 2017-2019 in the peasant farm of V.F. Martyshchuk (the Verkhovinsky District of the Ivano-Frankivsk region) to study the features of transformation of the species composition of natural phytocenoses of floodplain Meadows of the Black Cheremosh river of the mountain and forest belt of the Carpathians under the influence of their surface improvement with the use of organic and mineral fertilizers and sowing of a cereal mixture for haymaking use and Tribolium repens L. for multipurpose use. It was found that floodplain Meadow phytocenoses were mainly cereals and mixed grasses with a share of wild cereals of 57-58% (up to 15 of them % Festuca rubra L. s. str. and 5-6% of low-value ones in feed terms Calamagrostis arundinaceae (L.) Roth and Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv.), mixed grasses – 35-38% and unseeded Fabaceae 5-7%. When applying a set of measures for surface improvement of cereals and mixed grasses, low productive (within 1.95-2.15 t/ha of dry weight) floodplain mountain meadowlands, their species composition improved. For making P30K60 the content of wild plants increased by 2-5% Fabaceae, and N60P30K60 – by 9-10% unseeded Poaceae. For haymaking use, Poaceae with Phleum pratense L. and Festuca pratensis Huds. against the background of making N60P30K60 for sowing a mixture in the sod in the spring, their share increased to 74%, and for multi-year use and sowing Trifolium repens L. against the background of making P30K60 the quantity of Fabaceae increased to 44% or by 32%. The highest floral saturation (43 species from 19 families and 93-98% from perennials) was observed in variants without fertilization and with the introduction of P30K60 for multi-year use, which is 4-14 species more compared to haymaking use, or with the introduction of N60P30K60 and or with sowing a mixture of cereals on the background of N60P30K60 for haymaking use, or sowing Trifolium repens L. against the background of P30K60 for multipurpose use

Diurnal Variation in Forage Nutrient Composition of Mixed Cool-Season Grass, Crabgrass, and Bermudagrass Pastures

Warm-season grasses have been suggested as alternative low non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) pasture forages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nutrient composition and diurnal changes in soluble carbohydrates for the warm-season annual 'Quick-N-Big' crabgrass [CRB; Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] and the warm-season perennial 'Wrangler' bermudagrass [BER; Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] in comparison to mixed cool-season grass [CSG; 'Inavale' orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata [L.]), 'Tower' tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum [Schreb.] Darbysh.), and 'Argyle' Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis [L.])]. Samples were collected at 4-hour intervals over 3 d when each forage reached the boot stage of maturity. Digestible energy was greatest for CSG (2.29 ± 0.34 Mcal/kg) and lowest for BER (2.13 ± 0.34 Mcal/kg), while crude protein was lowest for CSG (16.1 ± 0.29%) and neutral detergent fiber was greatest for BER (60.0 ± 0.41; P ≤ .0008). Non-structural carbohydrates were greater for CSG (17.6% ± 0.26%) compared to BER (10.6% ± 0.26%) or CRB (10.9% ± 0.26%; P < .0001). Overall, NSC was greatest in the afternoon and evening (14.5–14.9 ± 0.60%) and lowest in the early morning (11.2–11.4 ± 0.60%; P ≤ .04), but diurnal variation was most pronounced in CSG versus either Warm-season grasses. Results of this study provide needed data on nutritional composition of CRB and BER and demonstrate that these grasses may serve as pasture forages for horses where NSC intake is of concern. Results also support recommendations for restricting grazing to early morning to limit NSC consumption, particularly in CSG pastures.

Mix of cassava pulp, napier grass, and enzymes can be used as low cost alternative feed ingredient for laying hens.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of mixed cassava pulp and napier grass (MCN) supplemented with multi-component enzymes on the hen performance and egg quality as well as nutrient digestibility. In experiment 1, forty laying hens (Isa Brown) of 34weeks in age were randomly allotted to 5 groups: control and 5, 10, 15, and 20% MCN for 10days (one bird per cage, eight cage replicates). The results indicated that dry matter, and organic matter digestibilities, or nitrogen retention (P > 0.05) showed no significant alteration when used MCN up to 20%. In experiment 2, one hundred and eighty Isa Brown laying hens of 67weeks in age were randomly assigned to 5 groups (control and 4 MCN: 5, 10, 15, and 20%) and raised for 8weeks. It revealed that the inclusion rate of MCN up to 20% did not affect the productive performance, plasma cholesterol concentration, cecal microbial populations, or ammonia production (P > 0.05). In addition, egg yolk cholesterol was found to be lower in laying hens fed 20% MCN compared to 5% MCN (P < 0.05), but no significant differences compared to the control. In conclusion, it is indicated that MCN can be used as a partial part of an energy source in laying hen diets with no adverse effects on productive performance, nutrient digestibility or egg quality.

Short-Term Adaptation of Dairy Cattle Production Parameters to Individualized Changes in Dietary Top Dress.

Simple Summary“Short-Term Adaptation of Dairy Cattle Production Parameters to Individualized Changes in Dietary Top Dress” focuses on feeding dairy cattle varying amounts of top dressed corn grain, soybean meal, or grass hay in order to obtain data on individual cow responses to be utilized for future development of individualized dairy precision feeding models. Precision feeding systems aimed at feeding dairy cattle individually to increase feed efficiency could contribute to profitability of dairies. The information provided in this study includes considerations of how we should design such systems.Immediate and short-term changes in diet composition can support individualized, real-time interventions in precision dairy production systems, and might increase feed efficiency (FE) of dairy cattle in the short-term. The objective of this study was to determine immediate and short-term effects of changes in diet composition on production parameters of dairy cattle fed varying amounts of top dressed commodities. A 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design was used to evaluate responses of twenty-four Holstein cows fed either no top dress (Control) or increasing amounts of: corn grain (CG), soybean meal (SBM), or chopped mixed grass hay (GH) top dressed on a total mixed ration (TMR) over four, 9-day periods. Throughout each period, top dressed commodities were incrementally increased, providing 0% to 20% of calculated net energy of lactation (NEL) intake. Measured production responses were analyzed for each 9-d period using a mixed-effects model considering two different time ranges. Samples collected from d 3 and 4 and from d 7 and 8 of each period were averaged and used to reflect “immediate” vs. “short-term” responses, respectively. In the immediate response time frame, control fed cows had lower milk yield, milk fat yield, and milk true protein yield than CG and SBM supplemented animals but similar responses to GH supplemented animals. Milk fat and protein percentages were not affected by top dress type in the immediate term. In the short-term response time-frame, GH supplemented animals had lower DMI and milk fat yield than all other groups. Control and GH supplemented cows had lower milk yield than CG and SBM fed cows. In the immediate response time frame, FE of SBM supplemented cows was superior to other groups. In the short-term time frame, FE of GH and SBM groups was improved over the control group. Results suggest that lactating dairy cows show rapid performance responses to small (<20% NEL) changes in dietary composition, which may be leveraged within automated precision feeding systems to optimize efficiency of production. Before this potential can be realized, further research is needed to examine integration of such strategies into automatic feeding systems and downstream impacts on individual animal FE and farm profitability.

A lucerne-digit grass pasture offers herbage production and rainwater productivity equal to a digit grass pasture fertilized with applied nitrogen

In recent years, livestock producers have widely sown tropical perennial grasses, such as digit grass (Digitaria eriantha), in the frost-prone summer dominant rainfall zone of eastern Australia. Tropical grasses require substantial nitrogen inputs to maintain water productivity and forage quality. Perennial legumes offer a potential nitrogen source for these perennial grasses when sown in a mixed sward. Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is the perennial legume most widely sown in grazing systems in south-eastern Australia. In this study, conducted over the period 2014–2018, we compared the soil water dynamics and rainwater productivity of pure stands of digit grass (fertilized with applied nitrogen), lucerne, desmanthus (Desmanthus virgatus) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and binary mixtures of digit grass (not fertilized with applied nitrogen) with each legume. We found that often growing season actual evapotranspiration (ETa) was similar among the treatments (P > 0.05), but rainwater productivity (kg DM/ha.mm) and proportion (%) of legume herbage mass were not (P < 0.05). Our results showed that the lucerne-digit grass mix was equally productive and efficient as fertilized digit grass (P > 0.05), particularly in the latter three seasons. However, lucerne dominated the herbage mass (c. > 67% legume). Leucaena production was delayed by frost and severely impacted by competition with digit grass, and generally underperformed both lucerne and desmanthus. This observation did always not hold when alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) impacted desmanthus in specific seasons. Our experiment has shown that a mixed sward of lucerne-digit grass is highly productive and offered high rainwater productivity. Both desmanthus and leucaena, in mixes with digit grass, provided useful contributions of legume herbage mass, in specific seasons and under specific conditions, but both underperformed overall compared with lucerne.

358 Effect of Molasses Type on Pre-weaning Lamb and Ewe Performance

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of form of molasses on lamb and ewe performance. Creep feeding of lambs is essential to lamb growth, rumen development, and reduction of milk production from dams. Molasses is often added for increased palatability and energy. Crossbred lambs (n = 47; average age = 30 d) and their accompanying dams (n= 35) were assigned to one of two treatments using a completely randomized design with similar distributions of single and twin-born lambs and sexes. Treatment diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and contained either wet (WMOL) or dry (DMOL) molasses. Dry molasses was added at 10% of the diet DM, whereas, wet molasses was added at 14.3% of the diet DM. Lambs were fed creep rations for 42 d prior to weaning. Creep feed was provided ad libitum and mixed grass hay was offered free-choice. Lamb weights were recorded weekly until weaning (d 42) and ewe BCS was measured at d 0 and d 42 (weaning). Overall lamb ADG was comparable (DMOL = 0.268 kg/hd, WMOL = 0.293 kg/hd; P = 0.30). Lamb weaning weights were similar between DMOL and WMOL (DMOL = 27.9 kg; WMOL = 27.5; P = 0.79). Ewe BCS was similar (P = 0.88) between DMOL and WMOL at 1.4 and 1.4, respectively. Estimated creep intake was calculated based upon total consumption following the end of the project and was found to be similar between treatments (DMOL = 0.54 kg/hd/d; WMOL = 0.59 kg/hd/d). Lamb pre-weaning growth and ewe performance was similar between DMOL and WMOL. Further research is needed to further explore the economic impact and use post-weaning.

PSII-13 Impact of maternal phosphorus intake on colostrum quality, calf growth, and calf immunoglobulin concentrations in primiparous beef cows

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of maternal phosphorus intake on growth and health of their calves. Treatments were 1) a free-choice mineral containing no supplemental P or 2) a free-choice mineral with 4% supplement phosphorus. Primiparous crossbred Angus beef cows (n = 36) were stratified by body weight and pregnancy status (bred by artificial insemination or natural service) then assigned to pasture groups (4 groups, 2/treatment, 9 heifers/group). These bred heifers had been receiving these same dietary treatments from 30 days after weaning until confirmation of pregnancy. Eighteen bred heifers from each treatment were selected randomly to continue into this experiment. At calving, colostrum and blood samples were collected from a subset of 12 heifers/treatment (6/group) and evaluated. Body weights and calf viability scores were obtained for all cattle. Data were analyzed using the MIXED (for continuous data) and GLIMMIX (for scoring data) procedures of SAS using group as the experimental unit. Cows grazed mixed grass pastures; monthly forage samples ranged from 0.28 to 0.36% P. There were no differences (P &amp;gt; 0.10) for cow body weight during gestation, calf birth weight, calf viability scores at birth, or calf weight at an average age of 21 days. There were also no differences (P &amp;gt; 0.10) in colostrum components (fat, protein, lactose, and IgG), or in the serum IgG or plasma mineral concentrations for both cows and calves 48 hours after parturition. All calves were sampled at approximately 21 days of age and there were no treatment differences (P &amp;gt; 0.10) in serum IgG concentrations. There were no benefits to supplementing gestating heifers with phosphorus when they grazed pasture with a history of fertilization with livestock manure.