High Supplementation Research Articles

359 Using an Extruded 100% Dried Distillers' Grains Cube to Intensify Production in a Stocker Grazing Enterprise on Native Range in Northwestern Oklahoma

Abstract A 2-year experiment was conducted at the USDA-ARS Southern Plains Experimental Range (SPER) near Fort Supply, OK to define the effects of supplementing steers grazing native range with extruded 100% dried distillers' grains (DDGS) cubes. Each year 126 steers (259 ± 43 kg) grazed from late May to late September allocated to 3 treatments: 1) negative control (NC) stocked at 2.4 ha/steer with ad libitum mineral only, 2) positive control (PC), supplemented with 1.8 kg/steer on alternate days during the late summer stocked at 2.4 ha/steer, and 3) high supplement (HS) fed 0.75% BW supplemental DDGS cubes all season stocked at 1.6 ha/steer. Data were analyzed across years using PROC MIXED in SAS as a complete block design using year as the random block and pasture within treatment by year as the error term. Early season ADG and BW gains for HS were 0.30 ± 0.031 kg and 20 ± 2.1 kg greater (P < 0.01) than NC and PC, respectively. However, late season ADG for HS and PC steers were 0.34 ± 0.08 and 0.36 ± 0.08 kg greater (P < 0.01) than NC. Late season BW gains for HS and PC did not differ (P ≥ 0.76) but were 22.3 ± 5.3 and 23.9 ± 5.4 kg greater than NC, respectively. Hence, overall ADG, total BW gain, and BW gain/ha for HS were 0.32 ± 0.04, 0.14 ± 0.04; 42 ± 5.4, 18 ± 5.4; and 53 ± 2.2, 42 ± 2.2 kg greater (P < 0.01) than NC and PC, respectively. Supplementing 100% DDGS cubes during summer grazing is an effective management option to increase stocking rates without negatively impacting individual animal performance, and increasing gain/hectare.

The Effect of Supplementing Mushroom Growing Substrates on the Bioactive Compounds, Antimicrobial Activity, and Antioxidant Activity of Pleurotus ostreatus.

Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom contains important bioactive compounds and has several biological activities; however, mushroom growing substrates have major influence on chemical and functional characteristics of the mushroom. Hence, the study aimed to evaluate the influence of supplementing mushroom growing substrates with wheat bran (WB) towards yield/productivity, bioactive compounds, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of P. ostreatus. The mushroom was cultivated on sugarcane substrates supplemented with increasing levels of WB (0%–20%). The mushroom extracts were screened for bioactive compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity was carried out using microplate assay, while antioxidant potential was investigated using reducing power assay. The addition of supplements on mushroom growing substrates had an influence on mushroom yield; hence, higher supplementation (18% and 20%) produced higher yield. The GC-MS revealed several bioactive compounds with known activity, such as vitamin E, phenol, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Concentration-dependent antioxidant activity was observed; hence, extracts at higher concentrations gave significantly higher reducing power. The P. ostreatus extract had antimicrobial activity against all the tested organisms, with S. aureus showing high susceptibility to most of the extracts. However, mushrooms grown on bagasse substrates supplemented with 14% (0.02 mg/ml) and 20% WB (0.08 mg/ml) proved to have better antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli. The difference in susceptibility demonstrates that substrates type and composition could have an influence on bioactive compounds found within mushrooms, also influencing medicinal properties of edible mushroom. Thus, supplementing mushroom growing substrates not only improve yield, but also can contribute to bioactive compounds with medicinal potential.

Immunomodulatory and hepato-protective role of water based supplemented Bacillus clausii in broiler chicks

The study aimed to evaluate the effective role of Bacillus clausii on immunity and hepato-protection in broiler chickens. Total one hundred and twenty (1 2 0) day-old broiler chicks were alienated into four groups as group-A (Control), group-B {0.01 ml/ L (4 × 10 6 Spore)}, group-C {0.02 ml/ L (8 × 10 6 Spore)} and group-D {0.03 ml/ L (12 × 10 6 Spore)}. Each group was consisting of 3 replicate per group (10 birds/replicate). Immunization of birds was performed according to standard vaccination schedule of broiler chicks during the trial period of 35 days. The Serum biochemical parameters analyzed were liver function tests like Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the total proteins and alkaline phosphates (ALP). Similarly the Humoral antibody titers of Newcastle Disease (ND) Immunoglobulin-M (IgM), Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin-A (IgA) were also determined. The results showed that Bacillus clausii supplementation @ 0.03 ml/L significantly maintained the liver biomarkers (AST, ALT and ALP) at normal level as compared to control and other treated groups. Immuno-globulins (G, M and A) level was significantly elevated with highest supplementation (0.03 ml/L). No significant (p > 0.05) changes were observed for antigen specific antibody titer against ND. In conclusion, supplementation of Bacillus clausii @ 0.03 ml/L as probiotic in drinking water significantly improved the liver function and humoralimmunity of broiler chicks.

A Mixture of Manganese, Silica and Phosphorus Supplementation Alters the Plankton Density, Species Diversity, Gut Microbiota and Improved the Health Status of Cultured Marron (Cherax cainii, Austin and Ryan, 2002).

Trace element supplementation to the freshwater environment can influence the plankton density and species diversity, contributing to the nutrition of aquaculture species, especially during the juvenile stage. An experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the effects of supplementing different mixtures of manganese, silica and phosphorus on the plankton density and species diversity and their impact on cultured juvenile marron (Cherax cainii, Austin and Ryan, 2002). Manganese, silica and phosphorus in concentrations of 0.0024, 0.41, 0.05 mg*L-1; 0.0041, 0.82, 0.12 mg*L-1; and 0.0058, 1.26, 0.25 mg*L-1 respectively termed as low, medium and high were supplemented to tank water containing a phytoplankton density of 3.77 ± 0.16 × 106 cells*L-1 and 292.9 ± 17.6 individuals*L-1 of zooplankton, and plankton growth was observed every 24 h for 6 days. Afterwards, a 3-month trial was conducted studying the effects of these trace element concentrations and resulting plankton densities on marron growth, survival, moulting, gut microbiota and health indices. Silica supplementation at high concentration increased the diatom abundance, silica and phosphorus supplementation at higher concentration that resulted in a significant increase in plankton density and species diversity, leading to improved marron health indices than the control and the tanks receiving a low concentration. Marron-specific growth rate, weight gain and dissolved copper concentration in haemolymph were significantly higher in tanks with higher supplementation and higher plankton density. Marron survival, moult interval and total haemocyte count were not affected by the supplementation. Marron gut microbiota at higher trace element concentration supplementation showed a significant increase in abundance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria.

Productivity, Profitability and Nitrogen Utilisation Efficiency of Two Pasture-Based Milk Production Systems Differing in the Milking Frequency and Feeding Level

The aim of this study was to model the productivity, profitability and the nitrogen (N) utilisation efficiency (NUE) of two spring-calving pasture-based milk production systems differing in milking frequency and intensification levels in New Zealand. For this purpose, physical performance data from a low-intensity production system where cows were milked once per day (OAD-LI) and from a high-intensity production system where cows were milked twice per day (TAD-HI) were employed. OAD-LI cows were milked once-daily with a stocking rate (SR) of 2.1 cows/ha and fed diets with low supplementation (304 kg pasture silage/cow) with applications of 134 kg N fertiliser/ha and TAD-HI cows were milked twice-daily with a SR of 2.8 cows/ha and fed diets of higher supplementation (429 kg pasture silage and 1695 kg concentrate/cow) with applications of 87 kg N fertiliser/ha. The Moorepark Dairy System Model was used to evaluate production, economic performance and N balance on an annual basis. Despite the higher feed costs of TAD-HI as more supplementation was utilised, profitability per hectare was 16% higher because more cows were milked with a higher milk yield per cow (milking frequency) when compared to OAD-LI. At the cow level, the NUE was higher in TAD-HI (30% vs. 27%) reflecting the better balanced diet for energy and crude protein and higher milk yields as a result of milking frequency. At the farm scale the NUE was higher (38% vs. 26%) in the TAD-HI due to the losses associated with the imported feed being excluded and higher N captured in milk. These results suggest that milking frequency, the use of feed supplementation and application of N fertiliser as management tools on grazing dairy systems affect productivity, profitability and N balance. Further studies are required to find optimal stocking rates in combination with the use of supplementary feed and N fertiliser application that maximize milk production and profitability for OAD and TAD milking production systems but minimize N losses.

RELACIÓN ENTRE EL CONOCIMIENTO Y LA SUPLEMENTACIÓN CON VITAMINA B12 EN VEGETARIANOS DE ARGENTINA

ABSTRACT Introduction: the percentage of people who choose to follow vegetarian diets is rising, but several studies showed that many of them lack sufficient knowledge about the importance of B12 vitamin supplementation. Objectives: to analyze the relationship between knowledge and supplementation of vitamin B12, as well as the relation between the aforementioned variables and sex, age, education achieved, diet and the sources of information queried. Materials and methods: the sample of this study were 410 people. The studied variables were knowledge, supplementation, diet, level of education achieved, and sources of information used. To evaluate these, an online questionnaire was assembled by the author, and the data was gathered between may and august of 2020. Results: of the polled, 39% did not supplement with vitamin B12, and 81,9% didn’t meet the basic requirements. 55,4% knew that supplementation with B12 is necessary in all vegetarian diets. Only 47,6% had an adequate knowledge level. The main source of information queried was the Internet. It was found that, of the people that supplemented with B12, women, younger people and vegans, as well as people that consulted scientific societies, nutritionists and the internet as sources of information, were the ones with the highest knowledge level. It was also observed that vegans were the group with the highest supplementation rate. Conclusions: it was determined that the levels of knowledge and supplementation of vitamin B12 in vegetarians residing in Argentina were both low, and that being young, vegan and a woman were predictors of higher knowledge and consumption of supplements.

179 Using a 100% Dried Distillers Grains Cube as a Supplement for Steers Grazing Mixed Grass Prairie in Oklahoma

Abstract This research was conducted to determine effects of supplementation and implanting on BW gain by steers grazing mixed grass prairie (n = 12 pastures, 19.9 ± 0.7 ha) in northwest Oklahoma. Three main plot treatments were: 1) Negative Control (NC), no supplementation, 2) Positive Control (PC), supplemented with DDGS cubes, 1.8 kg/steer on alternate days in late summer, 3) High Supplement (HS), 1/3 increase in stocking rate with 0.75% BW supplemental DDGS cubes all season. Steers (n = 125, BW = 223.1 ± 23.2 kg) were stocked at 2.2 ha/steer for PC and NC, 1.3 ha/steer for HS. Grazing was from May 17 – September 27 (132 d). All steers were implanted with 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol benzoate (SYN, Synonvex S, Zoetis Animal Health) on May 17. On July 18 three reimplant treatments were applied: 1) no reimplant; 2) SYN; or 3) 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED in SAS as a split-plot experimental design. In early summer HS had 0.26 kg greater (P < 0.01) ADG than NC and PC. Late summer gains of PC were 0.33 kg/d more (P ≤ 0.01) than NC; and HS gained 0.49 and 0.16 kg/day more (P ≤ 0.04) than NC and PC, respectively. Gain per hectare for PC (46 kg/ha) were greater (P < 0.01) than NC (35 kg/ha) and more than doubled (P < 0.01) with HS (89 kg/ha). Reimplanting had no effect on ADG (P ≥ 0.28). Late season supplementation with PC resulted in supplemental efficiency of 2.7 kg supplement/kg added gain compared with NC. Increased stocking rates with season long supplementation in HS resulted in supplemental efficiency of 3.8 kg supplement/kg added gain per hectare. Based on these data, a 100% DDGS cube is an effective supplement option to increase BW gain during the late summer or increase carrying capacity and gain during the summer grazing period in northwestern Oklahoma.

Organoleptic, Chemical, and Physical Characteristics of Sago (Metroxylon spp.) Analog Rice Supplemented with Red Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Flour as a Functional Food

Sago analog rice is rice made from sago starch with or without supplementation of other food materials, and its shape resembles that of rice. Red bean flour is added to analog rice to increase its protein content to levels comparable to those of rice. The objective of this research is to investigate the organoleptic preference of panelists, and the chemical and physical characteristics of sago analog rice supplemented with red bean flour. We used a completely randomized design with one factor: the supplementation of red bean flour at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. Our organoleptic test applied for the hedonic scale and examined the aroma, taste, and texture of cooked sago analog rice; the observed chemical characteristics were water, ash, fat, protein, and starch content. Physical characteristics were cooking time, water content, the weight of water loss, water absorbability, and granule characteristics. Data were analyzed using the analysis of variance. When results were significantly variable, the analysis was followed by the Duncan multiple range tests (DMRT) at the significance level of α < 5%. Our results show that supplementation of red bean flour up to 10% resulted in hedonic values ranging from “like” to “quite like” for taste and aroma, and “like” for texture; BS100 analog rice had the highest hedonic value. The water content of sago rice and the weight of water loss of cooked sago rice did not show a significant difference. In addition, ash content, protein content, fat content, starch content, cooking time, and water content of cooked sago rice displayed significant differences. A higher supplementation of red bean flour to sago rice influences granule structure, which appears damaged with rough surfaces and high porosity. Moreover, the size of the granules is smaller.

Copper sulfate-resistant bacteria isolated from Blue Soil Hills, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

The objective of this study was to isolate copper sulfate-resistant bacteria in Blue Soil Hills, Sagada, Mountain, Province, Philippines. Three distinct bacterial colonies were isolated from the soil sample. The isolates were different from one another based upon colonial characteristics and growth patterns in solid and liquid medium. All three bacteria were gram-positive and were able to grow in medium supplemented with various concentrations of copper sulfate. More luxurious growth was observed in medium with highest supplementation (333.33 ppm). The isolated bacteria could be potential bioremediation agents in soil and water heavily contaminated with copper. Keywords: Copper sulfate, bioremediation, Blue Soil Hills, Sagada, Mountain Province

Scottsdale Magnesium Study: Absorption, Cellular Uptake, and Clinical Effectiveness of a Timed-Release Magnesium Supplement in a Standard Adult Clinical Population

ABSTRACTObjective: Suboptimal magnesium status is likely widespread in the United States and increasing evidence links it to many chronic diseases. Therapeutically addressing magnesium status can be challenging, as higher supplementation often leads to bowel intolerance. This study evaluated the absorption, cellular uptake, and clinical effectiveness of a timed-release formulation containing dimagnesium malate with vitamins B6, B12, and folate (MagSRT™) in a standard clinical population.Methods: A standard clinical population of 91 adults participated in a placebo-controlled study carried out at two clinics; 53 individuals received MagSRT™, containing 500 mg dimagnesium malate and vitamins B6, B12, and folate, while the remaining individuals received a placebo. Baseline serum magnesium, red blood cell (RBC) magnesium, and magnesium status questionnaire scores were collected prior to trial initiation. Serum magnesium was measured 4 and 8 hours after participants ingested 2 supplemental tablets (250 mg magnesium) or 2 placebo tablets. After 30 days, RBC magnesium was evaluated and participants completed the magnesium status questionnaire. A subset of MagSRT™ participants (24) continued the trial for 90 days. Both RBC magnesium and the magnesium status questionnaire were evaluated at 90 days.Results: More than 75% of trial participants presented with suboptimal serum and RBC magnesium status at baseline, while the magnesium status questionnaire predicted 100% of participants to have suboptimal magnesium status. MagSRT™ was well tolerated by 91% of magnesium intervention participants. RBC magnesium increased 6% and 30% over 30 and 90 days, respectively, suggesting magnesium absorption and uptake into red blood cells over time. Overall symptomatology, assessed through a magnesium status questionnaire, improved 28% over 30 days and 63% over 90 days.Conclusion: A standard adult clinical population presented with both qualitative and quantitative evidence of compromised magnesium status at the beginning of the trial. Supplementation with MagSRT™, a timed-release dimagnesium malate supplement containing vitamins B6, B12, and folate, for at least 30 days significantly improved magnesium status symptoms and increased RBC magnesium with minimal gastrointestinal symptoms.

Health and Nutritional Status of Vegetarian Candidates for Bariatric Surgery and Practical Recommendations.

Data on vegetarianism and bariatric surgery (BS) are scarce. We herein describe the health and nutritional status of vegetarian patients who plan to undergo BS and propose combined recommendations for vegetarian patients who undergo BS, based on our clinical experience and current scientific literature in both nutrition fields. Cross-sectional analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies (LSG) performed at a bariatric center of excellence between January 2014 and November 2016 was carried out querying patients who declared a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle before surgery. Preoperative data collected included demographics, anthropometrics, dietary patterns, supplementation use, physical activity, smoking habits, co-morbidities, and blood tests. Each vegetarian was matched to five different omnivores based on age, gender, and BMI. During the study period, 1470 patients underwent primary LSG surgery (63.7% females). Twenty-one declared a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle (1.4%) pre-surgery. Most were classified as lacto-ovo (57.1%) and were driven from ethical reasons (85.7%). No differences were found between vegetarian and omnivore LSG candidates regarding co-morbidities and nutritional deficiencies, except for lower prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (14.3 vs. 47.1%;P=0.007), lower ferritin levels (54.3±50.5 vs. 96.8±121.8ng/ml; P=0.052) and higher transferrin levels (313.9±42.7 vs. 278.4±40.4mg/dl; P=0.009) among the vegetarian cohort. Preoperative use of vitamin B12 and iron supplementation was higher among vegetarian LSG candidates than their omnivore counterparts (57.1 vs. 6.7%;P<0.001 and 23.8 vs. 6.7%; P=0.015, respectively). Vegetarians have comparable health status and nutritional deficiencies, lower iron stores, and higher supplementation use before surgery compared to omnivore LSG candidates.

Anaerobic co-digestion of hydrolysate from alkali pre-treated oil palm empty fruit bunches with biodiesel waste glycerol

With an attempt to utilize bio-waste, oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) were investigated as feedstock for biogas production. Bench scale experiments were carried out employing a two-stage process for the digestion of pre-treated OPEFB with and without the addition of biodiesel waste glycerol (WG). Two continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) were operated for acid and methane production. Alkali pre-treated OPEFB were initially acidified to produce an acid hydrolysate solution. Different proportions of WG, between 0.4 and 0.8% (by volume of feed), were increased stepwise. The results indicated that the acidification of these pre-treated brunches generated approximately 4.25 g/L of volatile fatty acid at an optimum pre-treatment condition with soaking in 2% of NaOH for 48 h. This was an increase of 47% compared to the acidification of raw OPEFB. The maximum methane production was achieved with the addition of 0.4% WG, which yielded a gas production of 0.542 and 0.369 L g CODrem biogas and methane, respectively. These conditions can improve the gas yield of biogas and methane by a factor of 1.67 and 2.84, respectively. However, a higher supplementation of WG seemed to promote more instability, which was reflected by a lower methane concentration and organic removal efficiency.

Effect of long term consumption of graded levels of powdered stored Ocimum gratissimum supplementation on the weight performance in Wistar rats

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; The influence of &lt;em&gt;Ocimum gratissimum&lt;/em&gt; leaf supplementation on feed intake; weight change via growth performance of Wistar rats was investigated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; A total of twenty (20) rats (average weight of 80 g±10 g), housed in a well-ventilated cages and given feed and water &lt;em&gt;ad libitum&lt;/em&gt; for 2 weeks after which they were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments comprising 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 10%, of powdered stored &lt;em&gt;Ocimum gratissimum &lt;/em&gt;leaf inclusion. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Group of rats fed with the lowest supplementation (2.5%) of &lt;em&gt;Ocimum gratissimum &lt;/em&gt;showed significant increase (P&amp;lt; 0.05) in weekly feed intake than group fed with the highest supplementation (10%). While, there was no significant difference (P &amp;gt;0.05) between the groups fed with 0% and 5%. Also, the weight gain by the rats with 2.5% &lt;em&gt;Ocimum gratissimum&lt;/em&gt; diet supplementation had highest weight gain which was significantly different to 10% supplementation and non-significantly different to 5% supplementation. Animals which received 2.5% of leaf of &lt;em&gt;Ocimum gratissimum&lt;/em&gt; had the fastest growth rate, followed by those that received 5% and 10%. However, the control feed had higher body weight gain than 10% supplementation. The observable increase in the feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency seen in the lowest supplementation level (2.5%) can be attributed to the spicing and seasoning of food with &lt;em&gt;O&lt;/em&gt;. &lt;em&gt;gratissimum&lt;/em&gt; and as such could also increase the palatability of the food. Furthermore, 2.5% has the highest dietary lipid which increases the palatability of food by absorbing and retaining flavor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; It can be concluded that 2.5% &lt;em&gt;O. gratissimum &lt;/em&gt;supplementation has a better palatability than other experimental diets which reflected on the performance characteristics of this treatment. &lt;/p&gt;

Nutritional management of search and rescue dogs.

Dogs used for search and rescue (SAR) may experience continuous micro-traumas that predispose them to skeletal disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of diet on osteo-articular apparatus in healthy SAR dogs. A total of sixteen SAR dogs were divided into two groups (low supplementation (LS) and high supplementation (HS)) and were fed for 3 months with two experimental diets, characterised by the same protein and energy density, but different in n-3 PUFA (6·2 v. 8·4 % of metabolisable energy), chondroitin sulfate (219·8 v. 989·0 mg/kg DM) and glucosamine (769·2 v. 1318·7 mg/kg DM) in the LS and HS groups, respectively. At recruitment all dogs showed no joint inflammation signs, except four that showed mild symptoms. Haematology and serum biochemistry were performed every 30 d. Joint status was scored by physical and lameness evaluations. The sampling effect analysis showed potential beneficial effects by a decrease in a specific marker of membrane integrity (creatine kinase; CK). Comparing groups, glucose was significantly higher and CK was significantly lower in the HS group; however, in both cases the levels of these parameters fell in the normal range. At the end of the experiment, erythrocytes, Hb and packed cell volume were significantly higher in the HS compared with the LS group. These could result in an improvement in dogs' performance, even if this aspect was not investigated in the present study. Concerning joint evaluation (pain on manipulation, lameness and range of motion), no statistically significant differences were detected between the groups and within the experimental period.

Dietary folic acid (FA) requirement of a genetically improved Nile tilapiaOreochromis niloticus(Linnaeus, 1758)

Summary The present study was conducted to determine the dietary folic acid (FA) requirement of genetically improved Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Experimental diets were supplemented with 0.04, 0.22, 0.48, 0.96, 2.25, or 4.07 mg/kg FA, respectively, and fed to three replicate groups of 15 tilapia (mean initial weight = 60.23 ± 2.60 g; mean ± SD) for 12 weeks. Results showed that the weight gain rate increased linearly with increasing dietary FA from 0.04 to 0.40 mg/kg, then remained stable with higher supplementation. Similarly, hepatic FA concentration, red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HB) and hematocrit (HCT) all markedly increased in fish fed with 4.07 mg/kg FA compared to those fed a control diet (p < .05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities decreased with increasing dietary FA (p < .05). The FA requirement was estimated to be 0.4 mg/kg based on weight gain rate, and 0.7 mg/kg based on liver FA accumulation.

Dietary treatment of urinary risk factors for renal stone formation. A review of CLU Working Group.

Dietary treatment of urinary risk factors for renal stone formation. A review of CLU Working Group.

Efficient economic and environmental management of pastoral systems: Theory and application

A framework for interpreting profit–environmental trade-offs in pastoral agriculture is introduced, drawing on the concepts of economic and environmental efficiency. The approach provides insights into appropriate policy mechanisms to address the environmental footprint of agricultural production. The framework is applied in the context of nitrogen leaching from pasture-based New Zealand dairy farms. This application identifies that the economic and environmental efficiency of these farms is mainly driven by imported supplement use. Grass-only farming is environmentally-efficient, with greater supplementation generating higher nutrient outflows to waterways. However, profits increase with higher supplementation within a critical range of intensification. Economic efficiency requires low use of supplement to promote herbage utilisation and reduce pasture senescence at low stocking rates, combined with high use of supplement to fill critical feed deficits at high stocking rates. Model output suggests that there exists scope for win/win solutions for private/public agents through improving the conversion of supplement to milk on New Zealand dairy farms. However, the scope to achieve such gains may be restricted in reality, given incentives for intensification, the potential cost of intensive farm planning, and personal barriers to behaviour change.

Excessive dietary taurine supplementation reduces growth performance, liver and intestinal health of weaned pigs

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary taurine (Tau) supplementation on growth performance, liver and intestinal health of weaned pigs. A total of 96 cross 28-d old barrows weaned at 21±2d (initial average BW=7.39±0.40kg) were allotted randomly on the basis of the initial body weights (BW) to dietary Tau supplementation of 0%, 0.3%, 1.5%, and 3% for 28d. Each treatment had six replicate pens, and each pen had four pigs. Our results showed that gain/feed ratio (G/F) increased with the lower supplementation of Tau but decreased with the higher supplementation (quadratic, P<0.05). The liver antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-PX and T-AOC) were lower (P<0.05) in pigs fed 0% and 3% Tau than those fed 0.3% Tau, and the lipid peroxidation (MDA) contents were lower (P<0.05) in pigs fed 0% and 0.3% Tau than those fed 1.5% and 3% Tau, which combined with the hepatic pathological analysis indicated that dietary supplementation with appropriate Tau could help maintain liver health but dietary supplementation with excessive Tau would lead to liver damage. In addition, dietary supplementation with 0.3% Tau increased (P<0.05) villus heights related to the control group. Meanwhile, the higher diarrhea index (P<0.05), lower (P<0.05) villus heights and deeper (P<0.05) crypt depths in pigs fed 3% Tau than those fed 0% or 0.3% Tau may be partially due to increased inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and Caspase-3 levels, and decreases in GLP-2 secretions. In conclusion, our results suggested that appropriate (0.3%) Tau supplementation in diets had different degrees of beneficial effects on piglet health but excessive (1.5% or 3%) Tau had adverse effects on growth performance, liver and intestinal health of piglets.

&lt;b&gt;Adaptive parameters and thermal comfort of postpartum ewes fed on concentrate supplementation in grazing system

Current analysis evaluated adaptive parameters and thermal comfort of postpartum ewes fed on concentrate supplementation in grazing system. Thirty lactating pluriparous sheep, 16 Santa Ines (SI) and 14 Morada Nova (MN) were used. Physiological parameters such as respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured, in that order, with the animals at rest in the morning (6:00-7:00 am) and in the afternoon (1:00-2:00 pm), respectively, every seven days, with 10 samples. A significant effect (p < 0.05) for RR and HR was reported in the strain. Similar behavior was reported for RR between the breeds where MN sheep had high adaptability. Supplementation levels of 0.5 and 1.5% influenced (p < 0.05) RR which was stronger in the sheep that received the highest supplementation level, possibly due to calorie increase in the diet. However, HR and RT parameters did not differ within the breed due to supplementation. HR was higher between the breeds for SI sheep at 0.5%. Results show that concentrated supplementation affected the respiratory rate of ewes in the postpartum period, with higher calorie increment at 1.5% level and superiority for Santa Ines ewes. Greater adaptability of Morada Nova sheep has been indicated when fed on concentrated diet in grazing system.

Effect of restricted time at pasture and indoor supplementation on ingestive behaviour, dry matter intake and weight gain of growing lambs

Herbage intake and production performance of animals are likely to vary between different levels of time grazing pasture because of related changes in foraging behaviour. The effect of restricting pasture access on ingesting behaviour and performance of growing lambs is poorly understood. Thirty-two castrated male Ujumuqin lambs were randomly assigned to the following four treatments: (i) 2-h access to pasture (2H), (ii) 4-h access to pasture (4H), (iii) 8-h access to pasture (8H), and (iv) 12-h access to pasture (12H; control). The lambs began to access pasture at 6:00h and were removed at 8:00h, 10:00h, 14:00h and 18:00h for 2H, 4H, 8H and 12H treatments, respectively. All lambs off the pasture were housed and separately fed supplements of concentrate and grass hay. The results showed that ingestive behaviour of lambs was significantly affected by restricting access to pasture. When time at pasture reduced from 12 to 2h, the proportion of time grazing pasture increased (P<0.001), as did the pasture intake rate (P<0.001), but the proportion of time resting and standing and walking distance decreased (P<0.001). Significant linear relationship was found between supplement and pasture intakes. On average, total feed intake and metabolisable energy intake were unaffected by restricting pasture access, but in July weight gain of lambs clearly increased with less time at pasture. Grazing lambs with supplementation have a good ability to adapt to the restricted grazing schedules through varying their ingestive behaviour. Overall, the results indicate shorter grazing times and higher supplementation in July, with longer grazing times and lower supplementation through August and September is the most efficient to maintain higher lamb growth rates.