Ground Barley Grain Research Articles

Effect of acidification or fermentation of barley grain using Limosilactobacillus reuteri or Weissella cibaria on inositol phosphate hydrolysis in vitro

Fermentation of cereal grains may hydrolyse myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) (InsP6) and increase concentration of lower order inositol phosphates (InsP) in vitro, thereby increasing nutrient digestibility in diets of swine and poultry. Effects of chemical acidification or fermentation with the lactic acid-producing bacteria Limosilactobacillus reuteri or Weisella cibaria of high β-glucan hull-less barley grain on pH, organic acid concentration, InsP6 hydrolysis and lower order InsP formation were assessed in vitro. In 3 batches, ground barley grain was treated in four forms balanced for water content: 1) unfermented barley (Control); 2) chemically acidified barley with lactic acid and acetic acid (0.019 L/kg barley grain at a ratio of 4:1 (volume/volume)) (ACD); 3) barley fermented with L. reuteri TMW 1.656 (Fermented with L. reuteri); and 4) barley fermented with W. cibaria 10 M FUA3120 (Fermented with W. cibaria). For 24 h in an incubator, ACD and Fermented with L. reuteri were incubated at 37 °C and Fermented with W. cibaria at 30 °C. Barley inositol phosphate6-phosphorus (InsP6-P) was 68%, 64% and 41% lower, respectively, for ACD, Fermented with L. reuteri or Fermented with W. cibaria than Control. Barley grain pH after 24 h, concentration of InsP6-P, inositol phosphate5-phosphorus (InsP5-P), inositol phosphate4-phosphorus (InsP4-P) and sum inositol phosphate6–2-phosphorus (InsP6–2-P) were lower (P < 0.05) for ACD and Fermented barley grain than Control and Fermented with L. reuteri than W. cibaria. Acetate, lactate, inositol phosphate3-phosphorus (InsP3-P) and inositol phosphate2-phosphorus (InsP2-P) concentration was greater (P < 0.05) for ACD and Fermented barley grain than Control. Lactate and InsP2-P concentration were greater (P < 0.01) for Fermented with L. reuteri than W. cibaria. Total P release, cumulative P release of InsP6-P, InsP5-P, InsP4-P and InsP3-P were greater (P < 0.01) for Fermented with L. reuteri than W. cibaria. In conclusion, lower pH in ACD and Fermentation indicated that acidification is important for InsP6 hydrolysis via intrinsic phytase activation in barley grain in vitro. Between strains, fermentation with L. reuteri maximised acidification, lactate concentration and degradation of InsP6-P, InsP5-P, InsP4-P in barley grain.

Influence of input parameters setting on the operating process of the weighing system

The problem of accuracy and speed of weight dosing of feed ingredients, as well as the material for the production of pellets, remains unresolved. The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the weight dosing system with a screw feeder DH-120. To improve the accuracy and speed of the dosing process, to eliminate subjective errors in the installation; an automatic Schneider control system is implemented. The dosed materials used are different in appearance, physical and mechanical properties, and feed value ingredients: salt, chalk, whole and ground barley grain, sawdust and shavings. Conditionally, at the first stage of the experiment, the input parameters are separated with fixed and variable values. Elements of the experiment planning theory were used to construct the experiment and process the results. The relative error of the weighting is used as the optimization criterion. For the DH-120 auger dispenser, the rational values of the rotational speed of the auger shaft when dosing sawdust and shavings are experimentally established to be 31.24, salts and grains – 28.4, and swept – 34.08 min-1. Thus, based on the results of the analysis, the significance of the input parameters on the efficiency of the weight dosing system is determined.

Short communication: Effect of pre-activated Saccharomyces cerevisiae or malate salts on fermentation of ground barley grain under in vitro conditions simulating intensive ruminant feeding

Aim of study: To determine the dose response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on rumen fermentation of concentrates, and to compare it with the effect of malate salts.Material and methods: S. cerevisiae (0.7, 1.4 and 2.1 mg/g) and malic acid salts (4, 8 or 12 mg/g) were added to barley and compared with barley alone (CTL), in three 24 h in vitro incubation series, using rumen inocula from beef cattle receiving a high concentrate diet. Yeasts were pre-activated by aerobic incubation for 24 h at 30ºC. Incubation pH was recorded at 8 and 24 h and volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactate at 8 h were analysed.Main results: Gas produced with S. cerevisiae was higher than malate (p&lt;0.001). Yeast addition linearly (p&lt;0.01) and quadratically (p&lt;0.05 at 4 h and from 10 to 18 h) increased gas production, but no dose response to malate levels was observed. Dry matter disappearance at 24 h was not affected by S. cerevisiae but increased linearly with malate. Microbial mass linearly increased with the level of yeast (p&lt;0.01) and malate (p=0.09). Adding yeasts did not affect 8 h total VFA concentration compared with CTL, but linear valerate (p&lt;0.01) and butyrate (p=0.092) increases, and a decrease of acetate (p=0.064) were detected. Malate salts linearly increased (p&lt;0.05) total VFA concentration but did not affect VFA proportions.Research highlights: Addition of active yeasts linearly increased barley fermentation and microbial synthesis, whereas the effect of malate salts was of minor magnitude.

Assessment of the influence of counter ions on biosorption of copper cations in brewer's spent grain - Waste product generated during beer brewing process

The influence that conditioning leached ground barley grain (known as “brewer's spent grain” (BSG)) has on the effectiveness of copper cation sorption was analysed. Saturation with counter ions of functional groups present on the grain surface was carried out in hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium and calcium chloride solutions. For comparison, BSG was also conditioned in demineralised water. Spent barley grain is a by-product of the brewing industry which can be used as a biosorbent in the removal of heavy metals from waste water. Emphasis is placed on the effect of competitive sorption of copper and hydrogen cations and the negative influence of a solution alkalinisation on sorption efficiency. It was demonstrated that the changes of Cu2+ and H+ concentration partition coefficients in the solution and BSG during the sorption process are not monotonic. It was also demonstrated that, compared to raw BSG, conditioning BSG in a hydrochloric acid solution improves sorption efficiency by approximately 40%, which is an important conclusion as regards application. Saturation of functional groups with Na+ and Ca2+ counter ions, which have weak affinity with functional groups, does not improve Cu2+ sorption efficiency; however, it considerably increases the efficiency of hydrogen cations sorption which, in consequence, increases the solution pH. Due to similar chemical characteristics of functional groups, the analyses can be applied in order to optimise sorption processes in other biosorbents. It has been confirmed that ion exchange is the main mechanism of heavy metal sorption in natural sorbents.

Responses of fresh cows to three feeding strategies that reduce starch levels by feeding beet pulp.

The study objective was to evaluate the effects of reducing dietary starch content in fresh cow diets while maintaining NDF levels by substituting barley grain (BG), corn silage (CS), or both with beet pulp (BP) on nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, DMI, lactation performance, meal patterns, chewing activity, and sorting behavior. Thirty-six multiparous cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental diets from calving to 21 d in lactation. Experimental diets were a high-starch diet with ground BG (CO; 24.9% starch; 0% BP) and 3 low-starch diets: the CO with BP substituted for ground BG (BB; 19.6% starch; 7% BP), the CO with BP substituted for CS (BC; 20.6% starch; 12% BP), or the CO with BP substituted for CS and ground BG (BCB; 20.3% starch; 12% BP). The CO, BB, BC, and BCB contained 33.4, 34.4, 32.9, and 33.7% NDF, respectively, and 23.1, 22.0, 18.2, and 19.2% forage NDF, respectively. There was no effect of diet on total tract nutrient digestibility ( > 0.20), ruminal pH ( = 0.49), or total VFA ( = 0.39). However, diets affected molar proportions of propionate and acetate ( ≤ 0.01). Relative to CO cows, the molar propionate percentage was less in BB cows ( < 0.01) and tended to be greater in BC cows ( = 0.10), whereas the molar percentage of acetate was less in BC cows than in BB ( < 0.01) and CO cows ( = 0.02). Relative to CO cows (16.50 kg/d), DMI was greater for BC (17.70 kg/d; < 0.01) and BCB cows (17.50 kg/d; = 0.01), but it was less in BB cows (15.60 kg/d; = 0.02). Similar to DMI results, milk yields tended to be greater for BC (37.89 kg/d; = 0.08) and BCB cows (37.81 kg/d; = 0.09) compared with CO cows (35.41 kg/d), but BB cows (33.05 kg/d) tended to produce less milk than CO cows ( = 0.1). Milk fat content tended to be less in BC ( = 0.08) and BCB cows ( = 0.10) than in CO cows. There was no effect of diet on eating and rumination patterns ( ≥ 0.18), except shortened meal intervals for BC and BCB cows compared with CO cows ( = 0.02). Dietary treatments did not affect chewing activities per day or bout ( = 0.50), but BC and BCB cows spent less time on chewing activities per kilogram DM ( < 0.01) and NDF intake ( < 0.01) compared with CO cows. Cows fed the BC and BCB sorted for long particles (>19 mm; < 0.01) but against particles < 1.18 mm ( < 0.01). In the present study, propionate did not seem to play a central role in feed intake regulation of fresh cows, because BB cows had depressed DMI and the lowest molar proportion of propionate. However, reducing starch levels in fresh cow diets by replacing CS and both CS and BG with BP positively affected DMI and milk yield.

Long-term reticuloruminal pH dynamics and markers of liver health in early-lactating cows of various parities fed diets differing in grain processing

The present study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of feeding barley grain steeped in lactic acid (La) with or without thermal treatment on reticuloruminal pH dynamics and metabolic activity of the liver in 12 primiparous and 18 multiparous early-lactating dairy cows. All cows were included on d 21 postpartum and sampled until d 90 postpartum. Cows were fed a diet based on differently processed ground barley grain: untreated grain (control diet, CON), or grain treated with 1% La alone for 24 h before feeding (La), or with an additional oven-heating at 55°C for 12 h (LaH). The reticuloruminal pH and temperature were measured via indwelling sensors that allowed for continuous (every 10min) and long-term measurement from d 21 to 80 postpartum. Blood samples were taken on d 21, 40, and 90 of lactation and analyzed for liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase, as well as bilirubin, bile acids, and serum amyloid A. Dry matter intake was higher in multiparous cows (20.7±0.27 kg/d) compared with primiparous cows (18.2±0.33 kg/d), but was not affected by dietary treatment. Overall, the relatively short duration (51±5min/d) of reticuloruminal pH <5.8 suggests low risk of subacute ruminal acidosis throughout the experiment. Results indicated that La treatment of barley, with or without heat, lowered the time duration of pH <5.8 compared with CON, but only in primiparous cows (from 118±13 to 46±11 and 25±11min/d for CON, La, and LaH, respectively). In multiparous cows, the opposite effect of feeding the La-treated barley on time duration of pH <5.8 (11±8 vs. 46±9 vs. 57±9min/d for CON, La, and LaH, respectively) was observed. Multiparous cows generally showed higher pH readings and shorter periods in which the ruminal pH dropped below the threshold of pH 5.8. The reticuloruminal temperature was not affected by dietary treatment, whereas parity affected the time duration of reticuloruminal temperature >39.5°C, being 60±19min/d shorter in primiparous cows. The measured activities of the liver enzymes AST, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase, as well as bilirubin, bile acids, and the acute phase protein serum amyloid A, were not affected by grain feeding. Additionally, only one small effect of parity on investigated serum variables was noticed, showing slightly but significantly higher values of AST in multiparous (80.5±1.4 U/L) compared with primiparous cows (76.0±1.7 U/L). In conclusion, our results indicate greater risk for primiparous cows to develop subacute ruminal acidosis-like conditions during early lactation than multiparous cows. The study also suggests limited benefits of feeding processed barley grain with La with or without thermal treatment to modulate ruminal tolerance of grain feeding, whereby differing effects in primiparous cows were observed compared with multiparous cows.

Effects of inorganic and organic selenium on the fatty acid composition of rumen contents of sheep and the rumen bacteria and ciliated protozoa

The impact of 3 months of daily administration of equimolar doses of inorganic and organic Selenium (Se) on the fatty acid composition of rumen contents and rumen bacteria and protozoa was studied. Twelve sheep were fed a basal diet of meadow hay (1380g dry matter/sheep) and ground barley grain (450g dry matter/sheep) containing a background Se concentration of 0.16mg/kg DM. The sheep were randomly divided into three groups and fed the basal diet only (Control) or identical diets supplemented with inorganic (Na2SeO3; ISe) or organic Se (selenized yeast; OSe) in equimolar amounts of Se of 0.4mg/kg of feed DM. The fatty acid (FA) profile was determined in the total rumen contents (TRC), bacterial fraction (BF) and ciliated protozoal fraction (PF). In the TRC, supplementation with OSe decreased the concentration of C18:2cis-9, trans-11 (P<0.05) and increased the concentration of α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n3; LNA; P<0.01). In the BF of the ISe group the content of myristic acid (C14:0; P<0.05), palmitic acid (P<0.01) and medium chain fatty acids (P<0.01) were lower, and the content of long chain fatty acids (P<0.05), stearic acid (C18:0; P<0.01), arachidic acid (C20:0; P<0.001) and behenic acid (C22:0; P<0.01) were increased. The OSe increased the concentration of caprilic acid (C8:0; P<0.001), eicosatetraenoic acid (C20:4 n6; P<0.01) and eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3 n3; P<0.01) in the BF. In the PF the ISe decreased the concentration of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n3) and tricosylic acid (C23:0; P<0.05). The addition of OSe increased the content of LNA (P<0.01) and decreased the content of palmitooleic acid (C16:1; P<0.05) in the PF. Our results point to the probable impact of OSe on the intake of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by rumen microbes, especially by rumen ciliates, and on the biohydrogenation of PUFA to more saturated FA.

Effect of xylanase and β-glucanase on in vitro digestibility parameters of ground barley grain

Effect of xylanase and β-glucanase on in vitro digestibility parameters of ground barley grain

Grain-rich diets differently alter ruminal and colonic abundance of microbial populations and lipopolysaccharide in goats

High grain feeding has been associated with ruminal pH depression and microbial dysbiosis in cattle. Yet, the impact of high grain feeding on the caprine rumen and hindgut microbial community and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) release is largely unknown. Therefore, the objective was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary levels of barley grain on the microbial composition and LPS concentrations in the rumen and colon of goats. Effects were compared with respect to the responses of ruminal and colonic pH and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) generation. Growing goats (n = 5–6) were fed diets containing 0, 30, or 60% coarsely ground barley grain for 6 weeks. Ruminal ciliate protozoa were counted with Bürker counting chamber, and quantitative PCR was used to compare bacterial populations. Increasing dietary grain level linearly increased (P < 0.05) ruminal numbers of entodiniomorphids. With the 60% grain diet, there was a reduction in ruminal abundance of the genus Prevotella and Fibrobacter succinogenes, whereas the ruminal abundance of Lactobacillus spp. increased compared to the 0 and 30% grain diets (P < 0.05). In the colon, abundance of the genus Prevotella and F. succinogenes increased (P < 0.05) in goats fed the 60% grain diet compared to those fed the other diets. Colonic abundance of Clostridium cluster I was related to the presence of grain in the diet. Ruminal LPS concentration decreased (P < 0.05) in response to the 60% grain diet, whereas its colonic concentration increased in response to the same diet (P < 0.05). Present results provide first insight on the adaptive response of rumen protozoa and rumen and colonic bacterial populations to increasing dietary levels of grain in goats. Although luminal pH largely affects microbial populations, fermentable substrate flow to the caprine hindgut may have played a greater role for colonic bacterial populations in the present study.

Fermentation Capacity of Fecal Microbial Inocula of Przewalski Horse, Kulan, and Chapman Zebra and Polysaccharide Hydrolytic Activities of Fecal Microbial Constituents (Ciliates and Bacteria) of Kulan and Chapman Zebra

We examined fermentation capacity of fecal microbial inocula of Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), Asian wild ass - kulan (Equus hemionus hemionus), and Chapman zebra (Equus quagga chapmani) in vitro. Interactions of the substrates (amorphous cellulose, wheat straw, meadow hay, xylan from oat spelt, and ground barley grain) and type of fecal inocula in the gas volume and in vitro dry matter digestibility were detected in all substrates after 72 hours of fermentation in five replicates for each substrate and type of inocula. No effects of fecal inocula sources were detected on total short-chain fatty acids concentrations. No live fecal ciliate population was present in kulan feces. Complex ciliate populations in zebra feces and the number and genera resembled ciliates from the colon of horses. Fresh feces of kulan and zebra were fractionated by galvanotaxis and centrifugation to separate fecal ciliates and bacteria. Specific activities (μmol of reducing equivalents/mL min mg protein) of carboxymethyl cellulase (CM-cellulase), xylanase, α-amylase, and inulinase were measured in crude cell-free extract of fecal ciliates (zebra), fecal bacteria (zebra and kulan), and total fecal preparation (zebra and kulan). All examined specific enzymatic activities were present in zebra fecal samples. We were unable to measure the inulinase activity and CM-cellulase activity in kulan fecal samples. Zebra ciliates are actively involved in the digestion of plant storage (α-amylase, 0.53 ± 0.02; inulinase, 1.77 ± 0.01, specific activities) and structural polysaccharides (CM-cellulase, 0.4 ± 0.15; xylanase, 0.26 ± 0.06). For the first time, we measured inulinase activity in intestinal ciliates.

Effect of diet and absence of protozoa on the rumen microbial community and on the representativeness of bacterial fractions used in the determination of microbial protein synthesis1

Accurate estimates of microbial synthesis in the rumen are vital to optimize ruminant nutrition. Liquid- (LAB) and solid-associated bacterial fractions (SAB) harvested from the rumen are generally considered as microbial references when microbial yield is calculated; however, factors that determine their composition are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet and absence or presence of rumen protozoa on the rumen microbial community. It was hypothesized that these treatments could modify the composition and representativeness of LAB and SAB. Twenty twin lambs (Ovis aries) were used; one-half of the twins were kept protozoa-free, and each respective twin sibling was faunated. At 6 mo of age, 5 animals from each group were randomly allocated to the experimental diets consisting of either alfalfa hay as the sole diet, or 50:50 mixed with ground barley grain. After 15 d of adaptation to the diet, animals were euthanized, rumen and abomasum contents were sampled, and LAB and SAB isolated. The presence of protozoa buffered the effect of diet on the rumen bacterial population. Faunated animals fed alfalfa hay had a greater abundance of F. succinogenes, anaerobic fungi and methanogens, as well as an enhanced rumen bacterial diversity. Cellulolytic bacteria were more abundant in SAB, whereas the abomasal abundance of most of the microorganisms studied was closer to those values observed in LAB. Rumen and abomasal samples showed similar bacterial DNA concentrations, but the fungal and protozoal DNA concentration in the abomasum was only 69% and 13% of that observed in the rumen, respectively, suggesting fungal and protozoal sequestration in the rumen or possible preferential degradation of fungal and protozoal DNA in the abomasum, or both. In conclusion, absence of protozoa and type of diet extensively modified the chemical composition of LAB and SAB as a consequence of changes in the microbial composition of these fractions.

Study of the effect of presence or absence of protozoa on rumen fermentation and microbial protein contribution to the chyme1

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of presence or absence of protozoa on rumen fermentation and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis under different diets. Of 20 twin paired lambs, 1 lamb of each pair was isolated from the ewe within 24 h after birth and reared in a protozoa-free environment (n = 10), whereas their respective twin-siblings remained with the ewe (faunated, n = 10). When lambs reached 6 mo of age, 5 animals of each group were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 experimental diets consisting of either alfalfa hay as the sole diet, or 50:50 mixed with ground barley grain according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. After 15 d of adaptation to the diet, the animals were euthanized and total rumen and abomasal contents were sampled to estimate rumen microbial synthesis using C(31) alkane as flow marker. Different ((15)N and purine bases) and a novel (recombinant DNA sequences) microbial markers, combined with several microbial reference extracts (rumen protozoa, liquid and solid associated bacteria) were evaluated. Absence of rumen protozoa modified the rumen fermentation pattern and decreased total tract OM and NDF digestibility in 2.0 and 5.1 percentage points, respectively. The effect of defaunation on microbial N flow was weak, however, and was dependent on the microbial marker and microbial reference extract considered. Faunated lambs fed with mixed diet showed the greatest rumen protozoal concentration and the least efficient microbial protein synthesis (29% less than the other treatments), whereas protozoa-free lambs fed with mixed diet presented the smallest ammonia concentration and 34% greater efficiency of N utilization than the other treatments. Although (15)N gave the most precise estimates of microbial synthesis, the use of recombinant DNA sequences represents an alternative that allows separate quantification of the bacteria and protozoa contributions. This marker showed that presence of protozoa decrease the bacterial-N flow through the abomasum by 33%, whereas the protozoa-N contribution to the microbial N flow increased from 1.9 to 14.1% when barley grain was added to the alfalfa hay. Absolute data related to intestinal flow must be treated with caution because the limitations of the sampling and maker system employed.

Effect of carbohydrates in grass silage-based diets on in sacco ruminal degradability of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Lomerit) grain ground to different particle sizes

The effect of carbohydrates included in grass silage-based diets on &lt;I&gt;in sacco&lt;/I&gt; degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and cellulose (CE) of barley (&lt;I&gt;Hordeum vulgare&lt;/I&gt; L. cv. Lomerit) grain ground to different particle sizes was studied using 3 ruminally cannulated cows. The measurements were carried out as a 3 × 2 Latin square design with treatments being carbohydrates in the concentrate portion of diets (starch in diet I vs. pectin in diet II vs. sucrose in diet III) and particle size of ground barley grain (1.0 vs. 5.7 mm). The diet synchronization index between N and energy supply during the day was an average of 0.8. The rumen degradability of barley grain compounds was influenced by the type of carbohydrates included in grass silage-based diets. Higher rumen degradation rates (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) of barley CP, NDF and CE after 8 h of incubation and of CP and CE after 16 h of incubation were found in the rumen of cows receiving the diet containing sucrose compared with degradation rates found in the rumen of cows receiving the diet containing pectin or starch. The effective degradability of DM, CP, NDF and CE of barley grain in the rumen of cows receiving diets I, II and III was similar (77, 74, 39 and 41%, respectively). Replacing barley starch or beet pulp pectin with molasses sucrose in the grass silage-based diet resulted in the higher rate of barley CP, NDF and CE degradation after 8 h of incubation and of CP and CE after 16 h of incubation. It seems that the energy availability from carbohydrates affected the ruminal microbial activity as a consequence of the degradation rate of substrates. Higher (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.01) rumen degradability of CP, NDF and CE after 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h of incubation was estimated for 1.0 mm particle size in comparison with that found for grain ground to 5.7 mm particle size, and the degradability of CP after 48 h of incubation was not different (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &gt; 0.05). The degradability of barley grain CP, NDF and CE during incubation time was not influenced by the diet composition by particle size interaction (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &gt; 0.05). The increase in barley grain particle size from 1.0 to 5.7 mm slowed down the rumen digestion of barley DM, CP, NDF and CE, probably due to restricted access to microbial digestion.

Wheat grain as a prepartal cereal choice to ease metabolic transition from gestation into lactation in Holstein cows

Wheat grain (WG) is a unique cereal rich in easily fermentable starch and low in cation-anion difference (e.g. 5.3 mEq/100 g). The controlled prepartal dietary inclusion of WG, thus, has the potential to ease adapting the rumen microbes and papillae to the high-starch lactation diets, stimulate feed intake, reduce hypocalcaemia by reducing extracellular alkalinity and a moderate induction of bone resorption, and improve milk yield in periparturient cows. The primary objective was to determine the effects of prepartal feeding of WG compared to barley grain plus wheat bran on metabolic and productive criteria in periparturient Holstein cows. Twenty-four dry cows and 16 pregnant heifers were blocked based on parity and projected calving date and fed a prepartal diet containing either (i) ground WG (18% on a dry matter basis) or (ii) a conventional diet with ground barley grain and wheat bran or control diet, from 28-day prepartum until parturition. All cows were fed the control diet during 21-day postpartum. Prepartal dietary inclusion of WG increased prepartum feed intake, elevated blood glucose and attenuated hypocalcaemia at 7-day prepartum and 1-day postpartum, reduced urine pH, and increased milk fat percent and yield. Blood proteins at 7-day prepartum were higher and placenta tended to be expelled sooner in WG-fed cows than in other cows. Treatments did not affect milk protein, changes in body condition score; total time spent eating, ruminating and chewing; blood levels of urea nitrogen, cholesterol, and phosphorous, fecal pH, and calving difficulty. Therefore, the prepartal dietary use of WG proved effective in the simultaneous improvement of calcium and energy states, and thereby, in easing the metabolic transition from gestation into lactation in Holstein cows.

Effects of phlorotannins from Ascophyllum nodosum (brown seaweed) on in vitro ruminal digestion of mixed forage or barley grain

The role of terrestrial tannins in livestock nutrition has been extensively investigated, but information on effects of tannins from marine sources on nutrient utilization is limited. This study investigated effect(s) of phlorotannins (PT) from the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum on ruminal fermentation of mixed forage or barley grain. In 125-ml serum vials, buffered ruminal fluid inoculum (40 ml) was added to barley silage + alfalfa hay mixtures (500 mg/vial; Exp. 1) or ground barley grain (300 mg/vial; Exp. 2), together with crude seaweed extract in quantities to provide 0, 125, 250 or 500 μg PT/ml of medium, and polyethylene glycol (PEG; MW 3500) at 0 or 1 mg/ml. Gas production was measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h. Concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia, as well as in vitro digestibilities of neutral detergent fibre (aNDF; Exp. 1) and starch (Exp. 2) were determined at 0, 12, 24 and, Exp. 1 only, 48 h ( n = 3). Phlorotannins inhibited fermentation (P<0.05; linear), but PEG eliminated this response. Gas production and aNDF digestibility with mixed forage were greatly reduced by PT, with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 10 μg/ml as estimated by regression. With barley grain, regression analysis suggested that gas production and starch digestibility were inhibited at PT concentrations of 100 and 50 μg/ml, respectively. In Exp. 3, the forage mixture (500 mg) was incubated with PT at 0 or 500 μg/ml and PEG at 0 or 1 mg/ml, with 15N-labeled casein at 0.06 (w/v). Methane and total gas production, and concentrations of VFA and ammonia were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h ( n = 3). Net production of ammonia-N from casein ( i.e., 15N-NH 3) was lower (P<0.05) with PT than without, but was not altered by PT + PEG. Methane and total gas production were reduced (P<0.001) by PT throughout the 24-h incubation. With both diet types, in vitro ruminal fermentation and protein degradation were reduced by PT in a dose-dependent manner.

Ground, dry-rolled and steam-processed barley grain for midlactation Holstein cows

Fine grinding of barley grain has traditionally been considered to be a potential risk to rumen function, feed intake and milk yield. These concerns are thought to be reduced by steam-rolling or coarse dry rolling. We hypothesized that finely ground barley grain is as effective in stimulating feed intake and milk production as are dry- and steam-rolled barley grain, and so the objective was to determine effects of feeding either (1) finely ground, (2) steam-rolled, (3) finely dry-rolled, or (4) coarsely dry-rolled barley grain on rumen fermentation, digestibility and milk yield and composition. Eight multiparous midlactation Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design experiment with four periods of 21 d. Diets contained 256 g barley grain/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis. Processing method did not affect milk yield and composition, DM intake, rumen pH and volatile fatty acids, fecal and urine pH, and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility. Results suggest that finely ground barley grain is no different than dry-rolled and steam-rolled barley grains in stimulating feed intake and productivity of midlactation cows, when 256 g of dietary DM/kg is barley grain.

Effect of Whole Canola Inclusion on Physical Quality Characteristics of Feed Pellets Processed from Reground Alfalfa, Barley, and Canola Grains

Feed blends containing reground alfalfa meal (RAM), ground barley grain (GB) and ground canola grain (GC) were investigated for their pelleting characteristics and physical quality. The first feed blend had a composition of 25% GB, 3% GC, and 72% RAM. The second blend had 25% GB, 6% GC, and 69% RAM. Reground alfalfa meal (100% RAM) was also pelleted to serve as control. The third blend consisted of 25% GB, 9% GC, and 66% RAM. Saturated steam was added to increase the moisture and temperature of the meal. The GC feed blends and the controls were pelleted using a CPM CL-5 pilot-scale pellet mill. The results showed there were no significant differences between the GC feed blends and the control pellets in terms of durability. The durability of the GC feed blend pellets ranged from 92.8% to 93.4%. The control pellets had significantly higher hardness than the GC feed blend pellets. The hardness for the GC feed blend pellets decreased with increasing GC inclusion rate. The hardness of the GC feed blend pellets varied from 368.6 to 511.0 N. The bulk density of the control pellets was significantly higher than the GC feed blend pellets. The hardness, durability and the bulk density of the GC added pellets decreased with increasing final moisture content. The L, a, b, hue angle, and chroma values of the controls were statistically different from the GC feed blends. The controls pellets were darker and greener than the GC feed blends. The control pellets had the highest chroma (15.55) and the lowest hue angle (84.81) values compared to the GC pellets.

Use of tannic acid to protect barley meal against ruminal degradation

AbstractThe inefficiency of starch utilisation by ruminants fed readily fermentable cereal grains, such as barley, decreases the metabolic potential of such feeds and can cause serious dysfunctions related to acidosis or pre‐acidosis status in animals with higher energy requirements. The rate and extent of ruminal disappearance of grain dry matter (DM) are determined largely by the morphological features of the seed endosperm, but the presence of polyphenols may also constitute a limiting factor in ruminal hydrolysis. To assess the impact of tannins on the rate and extent of ruminal fermentation of barley grain, commercial grade tannic acid (TA) was included at 0, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0% (wt/wt, DM basis) with ground barley grain in incubation in situ, and disappearance of DM and crude protein were monitored over 48 h. A dose‐dependent effect of TA on in situ degradation of barley meal was observed; significance was attained (p &lt; 0.05) at the 5% treatment level. Scanning electron microscopy revealed limited microbial hydrolysis of endosperm cell walls in TA‐treated samples, although TA did not prevent microbial attachment to or hydrolysis of starch granules. Tannins may be effective for slowing ruminal disappearance of barley to improve starch utilisation by ruminants. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

Effects of chemically treated soybeans and expeller rapeseed meal on in vivo and in situ crude fat and crude protein disappearance from the rumen

In vivo and in situ methods were used to determine whether chemical methods designed to protect feed crude protein (CP) against ruminal degradation were also effective in protecting crude fat (CF). Four diets were formulated: two rapeseed diets, consisting of (g/kg dry matter (DM)) 400 grass hay, 250 ground barley grain and 350 untreated (RM) or xylose-treated (RMT) expeller rapeseed meal and two soybean diets, consisting of (g/kg DM) 400 grass hay, 300 ground barley grain and 300 untreated (SB) or formaldehyde-treated (SBT) ground soybeans. Four German Red Pied steers, fitted with a ruminal cannula, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square arrangement of treatments and fed once daily at 07:00 h. Each treatment period lasted 11 days. Ruminal fluid samples were collected and pH values were measured before feeding (0 h) and 2, 3 and 5 h after beginning of feeding on day 9. On day 11, the rumens of the steers were completely emptied manually 24 h after the last feeding. Additionally, feed samples were incubated in situ in the rumen of the steers for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 336 h. In vivo, steers fed the soybean diets had less CF and more DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre in the rumen compared to the steers fed the rapesed diets at 24 h after feeding. In situ, CF of all feedstuffs extensively disappeared from the bags and no treatment effect occurred. Concentrations of ammonia–N in ruminal fluid were lower for RMT and SBT than for RM and SB, indicating that CP of the treated feeds was protected against ruminal degradation, findings that are consistent with the in situ data. Treating ground soybeans with formaldehyde and expeller rapeseed meal with xylose, did not protect against CF degradation in the rumen, although CP protection was effective. Both in vivo and in situ methods were suitable to assess CP degradation in the rumen and both methods also indicated that chemical treatment had no effect on ruminal CF degradation, but the estimated extent of CF disappearance differed between the in vivo and in situ estimates.

Effect of feeding low quality date palm on growth performance and apparent digestion coefficients in fattening Najdi sheep

Fattening and digestibility trials were conducted to evaluate growth performance, feed consumption, digestibility, and N balance in Najdi lambs fed diets supplemented with low quality date palm. In the fattening experiment, animals were randomly distributed into three groups, eight lambs each. The first group (C) was fed a control diet containing 50% Rhodes grass hay, 25% wheat bran and 25% ground barley grain. Two levels of date’s flesh of 10% (group D10) and 20% (group D20) were used to substitute the same levels from the concentrate part. In the digestibility trial, three animals from each group were housed separately in metabolism cages in order to collect feces and urine. Results of the fattening experiment revealed that replacing the concentrates with 10 or 20% date flesh was associated with a non-significant decrease in daily weight gain (148, 131 and 127 g/day for group C, D10 and D20, respectively). The respective feed intakes were significantly different (1167, 1028 and 877 g/day). The corresponding feed conversions (kg DM/kg gain) were 7.87, 7.82 and 6.92. In the digestibility trial, the digestibility of OM, CP, NFE, and CF decreased significantly as the date flesh in diets increased. The same pattern was recorded for TDN and DCP. Nitrogen balance decreased insignificantly in the diets containing date flesh compared to the control ration. From an economic point of view, diets supplemented with up to 20% dates could be used efficiently in feeding Najdi lambs without adverse effects on growth and digestion of nutrients.