High NDF Content Research Articles

Nutritive Value and Degradation Kinetic Parameters of Three Plants for Feeding Bradypus variegatus Schinz, In Vitro Evaluation.

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritive value of three feeds (Cecropia sp., Pterodon sp., and Inga sp.) for sloths (Bradypus variegatus), based on nutritional composition and in vitro gas production. After a 14-day adaptation period to these feeds, approximately 500 g of gastric contents were collected from three female sloths, processed, and incubated with the food samples to evaluate digestibility and in vitro degradation kinetics. Regarding the nutritional composition, the neutral detergent fiber (NDFcp) content was higher with 404 g kg-1 DM (p = 0.001) in the leaves of Cecropia sp. The non-fibrous carbohydrate contents were greater with 499 g kg-1 DM in Pterodon sp. (p = 0.002). The greatest cellulose content (211 g kg-1 DM) was found in the leaves of C. pachystachya, as well as the lowest value of 143 g kg-1 DM for hemicellulose. Significant differences in the in vitro digestibility of crude protein (p = 0.041) were observed, with Inga sp. showing the highest value at 547 g kg-1 DM. In terms of kinetic parameters, Pterodon sp. exhibited higher total gas production (Vt) at 99 mL (p = 0.023) and digestion rates of fibrous carbohydrates (kdFC) at 0.0223%/h (p = 0.020) (p < 0.05). The leaves of Pterodon sp. and Inga sp. showed potential as suitable feeds for B. variegatus, while Cecropia sp. may have negative effects on dry matter intake due to its high NDF content, because of possible repletion effects on the stomach.

Relationship between Chemical Composition and In Vitro Methane Production of High Andean Grasses.

Simple SummaryHigh Andean grasses have phenological cycles that are influenced by the season of the year (rainy and dry), which could affect their nutritional chemical composition and methane production. Based on this, the in vitro digestibility technique was used to measure this effect. The results of this study show that there is an effect of the chemical composition on methane production and that it changes depending on the season of the year.The present study aims to establish the relationship between chemical composition and in vitro methane (CH4) production of high Andean grasses. For this purpose, eight species were collected in dry and rainy seasons: Alchemilla pinnata, Distichia muscoides, Carex ecuadorica, Hipochoeris taraxacoides, Mulhenbergia fastigiata, Mulhenbergia peruviana, Stipa brachiphylla and Stipa mucronata. They were chemically analyzed and incubated under an in vitro system. Species such as A. pinnata and H. taraxacoides were characterized by high crude protein (CP. 124 g/kg DM) and low neutral detergent fiber (NDF. 293 g/kg DM) contents in both seasons, contrary to Stipa grasses. This same pattern was obtained for H. taraxacoides, which presented the highest values of gas production, organic matter digestibility (DOM), metabolizable energy (ME) and CH4 production (241 mL/g DM, 59% DOM, 8.4 MJ ME/kg DM and 37.7 mL CH4/g DM, on average). For most species, the content of CP, acid detergent fiber (FDA) and ME was higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, which was the opposite for CH4 production (p ≥ 0.05). In general, the nutritional content that most explained the behavior of CH4 production was the NDF content (R2 = 0.69). Grasses characterized by high NDF content produced less CH4 (R = −0.85).

Possibility of Using By-Products with High NDF Content to Alter the Fecal Short Chain Fatty Acid Profiles, Bacterial Community, and Digestibility of Lactating Dairy Cows.

This study aimed to investigate whether agricultural by-products with a high NDF content and small-particle-size substitute for forage could cause hindgut acidosis and dysbacteriosis in lactating dairy cows. We investigated the impact of soybean hull and beet pulp on the fecal fermentation, bacterial community, and digestibility of cows. Sixteen lactating Holstein cows were treated as follows (% of dry matter (DM)): amount of by-product added was 0 (control, CON), 1.67% (low by-products, LB), 3.33% (medium by-products, MB), and 5% (high by-products, HB). The results showed the fecal pH of cows to be 7.23–7.29, implying no hindgut acidosis. With increased inclusion of by-products in the diets, the proportion of fecal propionate; relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes, the family Lachnospiraceae, and genera unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae, Acetitomaculum, and Prevotella; and the DM and NDF digestibility of cows all increased linearly. Meanwhile, the fecal genera Turicibacter and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 decreased linearly. By-products promoted the abundance of fecal bacteria genes related to energy metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and propanoate metabolism; and correlations between fecal short chain fatty acids, digestibility, and the bacteria genera were seen. Overall, our study suggested that adding 5% by-products could be a viable dietary formulation strategy that promotes digestibility and makes positive changes in hindgut fermentation and bacteria.

Processed feed for cattle: Risks related to fiber contents

In the process of natural selection and evolution of ruminants their diet was composed in its entirety by bulky foods containing low nutritive value with high NDF content. And because of the low selectivity gassing habit and its physiological adaptations, bovine has become one of the most efficient domestic ruminants in the use of foods with high NDF content and consequently the most demanding of this type of diet. The concentration of NDF is inversely proportional to the energy content of the diet, so several professionals have drastically reduced the NDF content to increase the energy content in the search for better performance of the animals, however, this may cause the opposite effect. In formulating diets for cattle, fiber requirements must be guaranteed, and contrary to what is not a simple task due to the influence of various chemical and physical factors inherent in the various types of feed used for these animals. The recommended minimum physically effective fiber limit is 21%.

Effect of grazing rotation length on milk production and composition of dairy cows strip-grazing at the same herbage allowance during a dry summer

Grazing rotation length is one of the most important tools that dairy farmers possess to control pre-grazing herbage mass (HM), pasture characteristics and utilization. An experiment was carried out in the INIA Remehue dairy farm during summer, from 29 December, 2014, to 28 March, 2015, in which two grazing rotation lengths (GRL): 30 vs. 45 days were compared. The experiment was carried out with 48 Holstein Friesian cows in mid lactation (130 days in milk), which were producing an average of 25.9 kg/d of milk with concentrations of 33.6 and 33.2 g/kg of milkfat and protein, respectively. Body condition score was 2.9 and body weight was 521 kg. At the beginning of the experiment, herbage allowance was fixed at 22 kg DM/d > 3 cm. Due to dry conditions and reduced pasture growth during summer, herbage allowance was then reduced to 18 kg DM/d, and supplementation was included: 4.4 kg DM/d of concentrate (from 28 January) and 4.6 kg DM/d of herbage silage (from 1 March). Pre-grazing HM above 3 cm was lower with 30 than 45 days GRL (2077 vs. 2656 kg DM/ha). On average, pre-grazing platemeter sward height was 8.4 cm and was not affected by treatments. Due to dry conditions, herbage presented low quality with high NDF content and low digestibility (565 g/kg and 0.69 (in vitro), respectively). Post-grazing herbage characteristics were similar between treatments. Post-grazing platemeter sward height and herbage mass > 3 cm averaged 4.7 cm and 660 kg DM/ha, respectively. On average, milk production was 14.9 kg/day and body condition score was 2.83. Productions per ha of 4% fat corrected milk (1430 vs. 1985 kg/ha) and milk solids (106 vs. 142 kg/ha) were lower with 30 than 45 d GRL. Overall, the effect of GRL during summer was null for animal performance. This may be related to similar herbage characteristics between treatments, even if significant differences in pre-grazing HM were generated. The fact of including relatively high supplementation may also have reduced the effect of GRL. On the other hand, under these grazing conditions, a longer GRL results in greater production per ha.

PHYSICAL AND BROMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF COWPEA VARIETIES PREFERRED BY Callosobruchus maculatus (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE) 1

ABSTRACT Cowpea is an herbaceous legume susceptible to several insects and diseases; and the beetle Callosobruchus maculatus is the main pest causing direct losses in the production of this crop. The objective of this work was to assess the physical and bromatological characteristics of beans of cowpea varieties (Bico-de-Ouro, BRS-Novaera, BRS-Guariba and BRS-Tumucumaque) preferred by C. maculatus. Adults of C. maculatus were obtained from a storage unit of cowpea beans. The physical and bromatological characteristics and attractiveness of cowpea beans to insects were evaluated in laboratory. The preferences for oviposition with no choice and attraction to cowpea beans by C. maculatus are not related to the high protein content or physical characteristics of the bean seed coat (thickness and fiber content), since the insects were more attracted to beans of the variety Bico-de-Ouro, which had low crude protein content, the thickest seed coat and high NDF content.

The effect of replacing maize with dried apple pomace in the concentrate on performance of Jersey cows grazing kikuyu pasture

Dried apple pulp (DAP) is a by-product of the apple juice industry. It has a comparable ME and CP content to maize but has a higher NDF content. It has been used as a substitute to maize with success in various TMR systems, offering an affordable alternative to maize. The aim of the study was to determine whether the replacement of maize with DAP would be beneficial to milk production and rumen health of Jersey cows grazing kikuyu pasture. Seventy two lactating Jersey cows were blocked according to milk yield, days in milk and lactation number. Cows within blocks were randomly allocated to one of four treatments. Treatments were: 0% DAP inclusion (AP 0), 25% DAP inclusion (AP 25), 50% DAP inclusion (AP 50) and 75% DAP inclusion (AP 75). Cows received 6 kg as is/day of the allocated concentrate in the milking parlour. Cows of all four treatments strip grazed kikuyu-ryegrass pasture, as one group, over an area of 8.6 ha. A rising plate meter was used to estimate pasture DM yield pre- and post-grazing and manage the allocation of pasture. Pasture samples and feed samples were collected on a weekly basis, dried at 60° C for 72 h and pooled every two weeks. An additional eight ruminally cannulated cows were used and were subjected to a four period crossover design with a 14 day adaptation period between treatments. Rumen pH, pasture DM and NDF degradability and VFA profile were determined. Treatment did not have an effect on milk yield; however, there was a linear decrease in 4% FCM and fat yield as the level of DAP inclusion in the diet increased. Cows receiving the AP 0 concentrate supplement yielded 0.9 and 1.2 kg more 4% FCM than cows on the AP 50 and AP 75 concentrate supplements (P < 0.001), respectively. Treatment had no effect on milk composition, except for the lactose content which was lower for cows receiving the AP 0 concentrate supplement (P < 0.001). Average rumen pH was lower for cows receiving the AP 75 concentrate supplement (P < 0.001); however, treatment did not affect the VFA profile or pasture DM and NDF degradability. It was concluded that the replacement of maize with DAP for cows grazing kikuyu pasture is a viable option; however, the possible decrease in 4% FCM yield should be taken into consideration.

Effects of distillers' dried grains with solubles and soybean oil on dietary lipid, fiber, and amino acid digestibility in corn-based diets fed to growing pigs.

The use of corn coproducts increases the concentration of fiber and, often, the use of supplemental lipids in swine diets, which may affect energy and nutrient digestibility. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of reduced-oil distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean oil (SBO) on dietary AA, acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE), and NDF digestibility in corn-based diets fed to growing pigs. Eighteen growing pigs (33.8 ± 2.2 kg BW) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allocated to 1 of 6 dietary treatment groups in a 3-period incomplete Latin square design, with 9 observations per treatment. Six dietary treatments were obtained by adding 0, 20, and 40% DDGS to corn-casein diets formulated with 2 and 6% SBO. Ileal digesta and fecal samples were collected and the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of AEE and NDF and the AID of AA were determined. Apparent values were corrected for endogenous losses of lipids, and true ileal (TID) and true total tract digestibility (TTTD) values of lipids were calculated. Results showed that the AID of Lys decreased ( < 0.001) with the inclusion of DDGS but was not affected ( = 0.63) by the inclusion of SBO. An interaction between DDGS and SBO on the AID ( = 0.002) and ATTD ( = 0.009) of NDF was observed, where the AID and ATTD of NDF decreased with DDGS at 6% SBO but no effect was observed at 2% SBO. The AID of NDF increased with SBO at 0% DDGS, but no effect was observed at 20 or 40% DDGS. An interaction between DDGS and SBO on the AID ( = 0.011) and ATTD ( = 0.008) of AEE was observed, where the AID and ATTD of AEE increased with SBO. The AID and ATTD of AEE increased with DDGS at 2% SBO, but no effect was observed at 6% SBO. Correction by ileal and fecal endogenous loss of AEE (9.5 and 13.6 g/kg of DMI, respectively) showed that increasing dietary AEE had no effect on the TID and TTD of AEE ( > 0.05). In conclusion, the AID of Lys decreased with DDGS and was not affected by lipids from SBO. The greatest AID and ATTD of NDF was observed in diets with a high AEE and low NDF content. Low values of apparent digestibility of AEE in lower-lipid diets are possibly the result of endogenous losses of lipids, because the true digestibility of AEE was not affected by the dietary increase of AEE.

Intake, Nutrient Apparent Digestibility, and Ruminal Constituents of Crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês Sheep Fed Diets with Babassu Mesocarp Flour.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on intake, apparent digestibility, and ruminal constituents of sheep in response to the addition of increasing levels of babassu mesocarp flour (BMF) to the diet. Twenty crossbred sheep (29.17 ± 2.23 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design. Lambs were confined for 21 days, with 16 days for diet adaptation and 5 days for data collection, in which they were fed an isonitrogenous diet (16.5 ± 0.2 CP, DM basis) containing 70% of concentrate and 30% (DM basis) of Tifton 85 hay. Increasing levels of BMF were 0, 10, 20, and 30% (DM basis). There was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the DM intake, nutrients intake, and digestibility of CP and NFC. The digestibility of DM, OM, TC, and NDF decreased linearly, while EE digestibility increased linearly with increasing levels of BMF. The high NDF content presented in the chemical composition of the babassu mesocarp flour ranked the same as fibrous food, which can limit the inclusion in the diet of high production animals. So, babassu mesocarp flour is an alternative for energy source in lambs feed and can be added at levels up to 10%.

Yield and herbage quality from organic grass clover leys—a meta-analysis of Norwegian field trials

A meta-analysis based on experiments in organically cultivated grasslands in Norway was conducted to quantify the effects of management factors on herbage yield and feed quality. A dataset was collected that included 496 treatment means from experiments in five studies carried out at eight locations with the latitude range of 58.8 to 69.6 N between 1993 and 2010. We tested the effect of harvesting system (two vs. three cuts annually), plant developmental stage at the first cut, growth period (temperature sum) and the herbage clover proportion. Plant maturity at the first cut and herbage clover proportion explained to a large extent herbage yield and quality of the first cut and annual yield. The timing of the first cut influenced also the yield and herbage quality of the second cut. The analysis confirmed the importance of legumes performance for herbage yield and quality from grasslands in organic production. Estimated annual herbage DM yield harvested at standardized plant development stage and at average clover proportion was 9 % higher in the two—compared to the three-cut system. The crude protein concentration and in vitro dry matter digestibility was 17 and 3 % higher and the NDF concentration 7 % lower in the annual herbage from the three-cut than from the two-cut system, respectively. The empirical equations developed in this study may be applied to explore different options for grassland management as basis for ration and production planning and in scenario analysis of economic performance of individual and model farms. The equations do also reveal in numeric terms the trade-offs in management practice between high yields, yield digestibility, NDF and crude protein content in organic forage production relying on red clover N2 fixation as the engine in the system.

Determination of the Nutritive Value of Sugar Cane Tops, Mulberry Leaves (M. Alba) and Calliandra (C. Calothyrsus) as Feed Supplements for Goats in Kenya

A study to determine the nutritive value of fresh sugarcane tops (SCT), ensiled sugarcane tops, Mulberry (Morus Alba) and Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) in dairy goats’ diets was conducted using proximate analysis. The digestibility of the feeds was also determined using in Sacco degradation and in vitro gas production. Dry matter (DM) ranged between 93.96% – 96.37% whereby fresh SCT had the highest DM while SCT silage had the lowest DM. Crude protein (CP) ranged between 4.71% - 20.60%. The legumes had higher CP contents than the SCT. Calliandra calothyrsus had the highest CP of 20.60% and was followed by Mulberry which had 19.35%. Fresh sugarcane tops had the lowest CP of 4.71%. Mulberry leaves had the highest ash content (15.36%) while Calliandra had the lowest value (1.5%). SCT silage had a higher value (8.15%) than fresh SCT (6.94%). Mulberry leaves had the lowest NDF content (46%) while fresh SCT had the highest NDF content (87%). Likewise, Mulberry had the lowest ADF content (40%) while Calliandra had the highest ADF content (53%). Fresh SCT also had the highest CF content (41%) while Mulberry had the lowest CF content (11.51%). When comparing the forage legumes, Calliandra had a higher CF content (19.67%) than Mulberry. Mulberry had the highest potential and effective degradability of 91% and 64% respectively. Fresh SCT and SCT silage followed with potential degradabilities of 81% and 73% respectively and effective degradability of 31.2% and 28% respectively. Calliandra had the lowest potential and effective degradability of 33.9% and 17.9% respectively. It was concluded that Mulberry leaves have a high potential as a protein supplement for goats.

Effects of hybrid on maize grain and plant carbohydrates

Maize is one of the most important naturally renewable carbohydrate raw materials. The basic chemical composition (content of starch, protein, oil, crude fibre and ash) and the content of lignocellulose fibres (content of NDF, ADF, ADL, hemicelullose and cellulose) were determined for grain and the whole maize plant of the seven ZP maize hybrids. The negative very significant correlation between protein and starch content (r=-0.78) and significant correlation between oil and starch content (r=-0.65) was obtained in grain. The hybrid ZP 666 had the highest starch, crude fibre, ADF and cellulose content, high NDF content, the lowest ADL and low protein content in grain. The lowest starch, crude fibre, ADF, cellulose content and the highest protein and oil content in grain was determined in hybrid ZP 158. The hybrid ZP 730 had the highest and hybrid ZP158 the lowest dry matter yield of whole plant, whole plant without ear, ear and yield of digestible dry matter of whole plant. The differences in the contents of NDF, ADF, ADL, hemicelluloses, cellulose and digestibility of the whole maize plant among observed ZP hybrids were 6.21%, 4.01%, 0.79%, 5.65%, 3.88% and 6.79%, respectively. Obtained values for the content of lignocellulose fibres differed significantly among hybrids and were closely related to digestibility.

Fibre and ergosterol contents in forage of Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata and Festulolium at the end of the growing seaso

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the contents of CF, NDF, ADF and ergosterol in the forage of &lt;I&gt;Fistulolium, Dactylis glomerata&lt;/I&gt; and &lt;I&gt;Arrhenatherum elatius&lt;/I&gt; from stands harvested at the end of the growing season. The contents of CF, NDF and ADF were analysed using the ANKOM Fibre Analyzer instrument. The ergosterol content was analysed by the HPLC method. The lowest CF content was in the &lt;I&gt;Festulolium&lt;/I&gt; forage matter (26.8%). Conversely, the highest content was in the &lt;I&gt;Arrhenatherum elatius&lt;/I&gt; forage (30.2%). The CF content gradually increased during autumn from 28.0% to 29.4%. Likewise, the NDF and ADF contents were lowest in &lt;I&gt;Festulolium&lt;/I&gt; (58.3% and 32.3%, respectively). The highest NDF content was in &lt;I&gt;Arrhenatherum elatius&lt;/I&gt; (60.5%). The ADF contents in &lt;I&gt;Arrhenatherum elatius&lt;/I&gt; and &lt;I&gt;Dactylis glomerata&lt;/I&gt; were comparable (35.9% and 35.1%, respectively). The NDF content increased during autumn from 56.4% to 62.0% and ADF content from 32.8% to 36.4%. The ergosterol content suggests a lower infestation of the &lt;I&gt;Festulolium&lt;/I&gt; forage by fungi. While this content in the &lt;I&gt;Festulolium&lt;/I&gt; forage was 94.9 mg/kg of dry matter (DM), in the &lt;I&gt;Dactylis glomerata&lt;/I&gt; forage it was 136.7 mg/kg DM and in the &lt;I&gt;Arrhenatherum elatiu&lt;/I&gt;s forage 139.9 mg/kg DM. Forage samples taken in December contained ergosterol on a level of 248.6 mg/kg DM. The species under study and the time of use in autumn exhibited a statistically highly significant effect (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.01) on the contents of CF, NDF, ADF and ergosterol in the forage matter.

Use of maize silage in beef cattle feeding during the finishing period

The research investigated the use of maize silage (MS) in beef cattle diets during the finishing period by monitoring a sample of 406 commercial farms located in the Po Valley. Farms were selected in order to cover the most diverse rearing situations, in terms of farm size and cattle genotype, in which MS was fed to beef cattle during the finishing period. Each farm was visited to collect information about the feeding regimen and representative samples of total mixed ration (TMR) and MS were collected for chemical and physical analysis. Two specific classification factors of the farm population were created for statistical analysis of experimental data. The former considered the quantity of MS included in the TMR and the latter was based on the content of long particles of MS (>13 mm). Regardless of chop length, the quality of MS population was satisfactory both by a nutritional and a preservation standpoint, as indicated by the dry matter (DM) (350 ± 38 g/kg of fresh weight) and the high starch content (310 ± 28 g/kg DM) and lactic acid concentration (49 ± 12 g/kg DM). Physical analysis of MS samples showed a wide range of particle size, as result of the different chopping lengths during harvest. The average content of long particles retained by a 13-mm screen was 143 ± 73 g/kg of fresh weight. On average, MS accounted for 33.4% to the total dietary DM but a large standard deviation (11.4%) was observed across farms. The decision about the amount of MS to be included in the TMR has shown to be independent on both chemical composition and particle size of the roughage. In diets with a high quantity of MS the risk of occurrence of rumen acidosis due to the additional starch brought by this silage is balanced either by a significant reduction in the amount of other starch sources or by the higher NDF content and the coarser size of the dietary particles which should promote a prolonged rumination. The analysis of TMR particle size showed that in more than 30% of the farms MS was damaged during diet preparation with a loss of long particles. A logistic analysis demonstrated that the relative risk of MS damage was significantly increased either by a larger inclusion of the roughage in the TMR or by the use of silage with coarse particles.

Fibra solúvel e amido como fontes de carboidratos para terminação de novilhos em confinamento

Avaliou-se o efeito da utilização de duas fontes de carboidratos solúveis, amido ou fibra solúvel em detergente neutro, associadas a dois níveis de FDN, sobre o desempenho de novilhos de corte em confinamento na fase de terminação. Foram confinados 24 novilhos ½ Angus x ½ Nelore, com idade inicial de 18 meses e peso de 329 ± 24 kg. As quatro dietas foram calculadas para fornecer nível de PB suficiente para ganho diário de 1,4 kg. As dietas foram constituídas de 40% de silagem de milho e 60% de concentrado (grão de milho, polpa cítrica e casca de soja), além de minerais e uréia, arranjados de forma a promover nível alto de amido associado a dois níveis de FDN (48 e 39%) ou nível alto de fibra solúvel associado aos dois níveis de FDN. Observou-se que os animais alimentados com a dieta com maior nível de polpa cítrica (45%), com baixos teores de fibra solúvel e FDN, apresentaram consumo reduzido e, conseqüentemente, baixo ganho de peso e pior conversão alimentar. Entre as dietas com maior nível de FDN, verificou-se que os animais alimentados com fibra solúvel apresentaram o melhor ganho de peso (1,435 vs 1,262 kg/dia) e a melhor conversão alimentar (7,494 vs 8,651), mas não diferiram daqueles do tratamento com amido e baixo teor de FDN. Os resultados demonstraram que é possível alterar o desempenho animal manipulando a fonte e a concentração dos carboidratos solúveis.

Chemical Composition, Degradation Characteristics and Effect of Tannin on Digestibility of Some Browse Species from Kenya Harvested during the Wet Season

A study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nutritive value of some browse species from Kenya. The species evaluated included: Bauhinia alba, Bauhinia variegata, Bridelia micrantha, Calliandra calothyrsus, Carisa edulis, Cratylia argentea, Gliricidia sepium, Lantana camara, Maerua angolensis, Sesbania micrantha and S. sesban. The browses were evaluated by their chemical composition including phenolics, in vitro gas production and tannin activity (tannin bioassay). All the species had high crude protein content (149-268 g/kg DM) and low NDF content (239-549 g/kg DM). The feeds had varying contents of total extractable tannins (TET) ranging from low (3-22 mg/g DM), moderate (42-58 mg/g DM) and high (77-152 mg/g DM). Calliandra calothyrsus had the highest tannin content. Significant (p<0.05) variation in gas production was recorded among the species. Sesbania micrantha had the highest (p<0.05) potential gas production while Gliricidia sepium had the highest (p<0.05) rate of gas production. Use of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000), to assess the adverse affect of tannins, indicated that tannins in browse species with high tannin content had inhibitory effects on rumen microbial fermentation as indicated by the gas production. Estimated organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy also increased with PEG addition. The results of this study indicate that such Kenyan browse species have the potential to be used as feed supplements for ruminant animals. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 1 : 54-60)

Feed intake, digestion kinetics and rumen volatile fatty acids in Menz rams supplemented with Lablab purpureus or graded levels of Leucaena pallida 14203 and Sesbania sesban 1198

35 Menz rams weighing 19.3 ± 0.87 kg (mean ± S.D.) were used in a randomized block design experiment that was conducted for 35 days at Debre Zeit Research Station of the International Livestock Research Institute, Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to determine feed intake, apparent digestibility, passage rate and level of rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) in Menz rams fed tef ( Eragrostis tef) straw. The basal diet was supplemented daily on DM basis with dried foliage of Lablab purpureus, LAB – (230 g) or graded levels of Leucaena pallida 14203, namely, LP1 – (170 g), LP2 – (230 g), LP3 – (290 g), and Sesbania sesban 1198, namely, SS1 – (170 g), SS2 – (230 g), and SS3 – (290 g). The nitrogen (N) content of the supplement feeds was over 28.8 g kg −1 DM, whereas it was only 8.5 g kg −1 DM in the basal feed. High contents of NDF (747.6 g kg −1 DM) and ADF (419.5 g kg −1 DM) were determined in tef straw compared to the supplement feeds. Among the supplement feeds, L. purpureus had relatively high NDF (454 g kg −1 DM) and ADF (346.2 g kg −1 DM) content. L. pallida 14203 contained relatively high levels of the anti-nutritive factors, namely, condensed tannins (82.7 Abs g −1 NDF) and soluble phenolics (27.9 g kg −1 DM). Basal feed DM intake ( P < 0.05) reduced with an increase in the level of L. pallida 14203 supplementation. The apparent digestibility of N, ADF and ADL was lower ( P < 0.001) in L. pallida 14203 than in L. purpureus or S. sesban 1198 supplemented rams. L. pallida 14203 promoted lower ( P < 0.05) fractional outflow rate of particulate matter from the rumen and longer rumen mean retention time than L. purpureus and S. sesban 1198. Higher levels of total VFA ( P < 0.001) were observed in S. sesban 1198 than in L. pallida 14203 supplemented rams. It was concluded that the anti-nutritive factors in L. pallida 14203 have a major impact on fractional outflow rate of particulate matter from the rumen, and the digestibility of nutrients, with particular limitations on N digestibility. Increasing levels of S. sesban 1198 supplementation reduced nutrient digestibility due to increased passage rate, and thus supplementation of animals with the lowest level of the fodder tree appears to be more appropriate. The relatively high fiber content of L. purpureus reduced intake and apparent digestibility of feed on a limited scale.

Flow of endogenous and exogenous nitrogen in different segments of the small intestine in pigs fed diets with soyabean concentrate, soyabean meal or rapeseed cake

Six barrows of an average initial BW 27.5±1.2 kg were used. Each pig was fitted with two cannulas in different segments of the small intestine: pig 1 in the duodenum (C1) and upper jejunum (C2), pig 2 in C2 and the lower jejunum (C3), pig 3 in C2 and C3, pig 4 in C1 and the terminal ileum (C4), pig 5 in C3 and C4, pig 6 in C1 and C4. Pigs were also fitted with one catheter in the vena jugularis for blood sampling and with a second one in the arteria carotis for continuous infusion of 15N-leucine (4.2 mg/kg0.75 BW/d). Pigs were used in a crossover design experiment with three treatments and three periods of digesta collection (36 h) and blood sampling (36 h). Maize starch-based diets that contained: soyabean concentrate (SC), a mixture of toasted and untoasted soyabean meal (mSBM) of a high trypsin inhibitor activity, or rapeseed cake (RC) of a high NDF content were used in the experiment. The flow of endogenous and exogenous N along the small intestine and the net reabsorption rate of endogenous N were estimated. In the C1 digesta of pigs fed on the SC, mSBM and RC diets, total N was 138, 127 and 126% of the ingested N, respectively. Sixteen, 15 and 10% of the ingested N was absorbed up to C1, and 11.1, 11.6 and 9.4 g of endogenous N (Ed-N) per kg DM intake was secreted, respectively. For corresponding diets in the C2 digesta, total N was 126, 117 and 111% of the ingested N. Thirty four, 11 and 31% of the exogenous N (Ex-N) inflow and -32, 1 and -39% of the Ed-N inflow was absorbed. In the C3 digesta, total N was 44, 47 and 43% of the ingested N, while 81, 71 and 71% of the Ex-N inflow and 54, 38 and 49% of the Ed-N inflow was absorbed, respectively. Accordingly, in the C4 digesta total N was 24, 33 and 33% of the ingested N, and 45, 43 and 4% of the Ex-N inflow was absorbed. True N digestibility at the terminal ileum was 94, 88 and 82% for the SC, mSBM and RC diets. The reabsorption rate of endogenous N before the terminal ileum was estimated as 75, 51 and 69%, respectively. It was concluded that regardless of the dietary protein source, the middle segment of the small intestine is the site of the most intense absorption of endogenous and exogenous N. Reabsorption rather than secretion of endogenous nitrogen along the pig's small intestine seems to be influenced by dietary factors.

Effect of concentrate supplementation on herbage intake and milk yield of dairy cows grazing an alpine pasture

Abstract The research was performed on a natural alpine pasture (at an average altitude of 1300 m) from June to August, with 18 Brown Swiss cows divided into three groups and fed different levels of concentrates above 12 kg 4% fat corrected milk (FCM): low (L) 1 kg per 3 kg FCM, medium (M) 1 kg per 2.5 kg FCM and high (H) 1 kg per 2 kg FCM. Herbage intake was estimated during an initial 21 day period with the n -alkanes method, by collecting daily four grab samples of faeces per day and 60 samples of herbage with the hand-plucking technique. Milk production and the fat and protein contents were recorded for the entire 3 month experimental period. The average intake of herbage (12.2 kg OM) during the 21 day period was not significantly influenced by the level of supplementary concentrates. During the entire period, the production of FCM showed an increasing trend, but without significant differences, from group L to group H, namely 15.0, 15.8 and 16.9 kg, respectively. The protein content was highest (although not significantly) with the highest level of concentrates. The possibility that the lack of a relationship between herbage consumption and concentrate level was principally due to the high herbage NDF content was discussed.

The evaluation of new sources of fodder (Clitoria and phillipesara) under Egyptian conditions

Clitoria and phillipesara were cultivated during the summer. They produced 17.0 and 24.9 ton/hectare green fodder in two consecutive cuts. The yield of the first cut was three times and double the yield of the second cut for clitoria and phillipesara, respectively. Phillipesara was more productive than clitoria because of the plant structure. The chemical composition of the hays from the two cuts of clitoria and phillipesara revealed no differences in DM, OM, EE and ash contents compared to berseem hay. However, clitoria and phillipesara hays contained significantly higher CP, CF, NDF, ADF, ADL, hemicellulose and cellulose contents than berseem hay. Thus, the IVOMD was significantly lower for both clitoria and phillipesara hays. Berseem hay was more digestible (in sacco) than both cuts of the other crops (P≤0.01). Both cuts of clitoria were superior to those of phillipesara (P≤0.01 ) particularly after 24 h or more incubation. In vivo evaluation of clitoria hay compared with berseem hay in sheep confirmed...