Higher Dry Matter Digestibility Research Articles

Consumo, digestibilidade e balanço de nitrogênio de cordeiros alimentados com alto teor de amido ou fibra solúvel em detergente neutro associados ao óleo de girassol

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different carbohydrate sources associated with sunflower oil on intake, digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen balance in diets of lambs. Twenty lambs were used, assigned in a completely randomized design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with two sources of neutral detergent soluble carbohydrate, starch and neutral detergent soluble fiber, with and without the inclusion of 4.2% sunflower oil. The dry matter intake was not affected by carbohydrate sources and the inclusion of oil. Diets with a high percentage of starch provided higher digestibility of dry matter, starch and ether extract. The different sources of carbohydrates had no interference on digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent soluble fiber, nonfiber carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose and acid detergent fiber. The addition of oil in the diets increased the digestibility of ether extract. The combination of 4.2% oil in the diet high in soluble neutral detergent fiber had no influence on the nutrient digestibility, otherwise, the addition of oil at high starch diet caused a significant reduction in the digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose and nonfiber carbohydrates. The quantities of nitrogen intake, absorbed and retained, did not differ as sources of carbohydrates and oil inclusion in the diet. The association of 4.2 % sunflower oil to the different sources of carbohydrates in the diet does not affect consumption and nitrogen metabolism in lambs. The addition of 4.2 % oil in the diet with high starch (28% of DM diet) promotes reduction in digestibility of organic matter, of fibrous and nonfibrous carbohydrate in the diet.

Effect of genotype on chemical composition, ruminal degradability and in vitro fermentation characteristics of maize residual plants

The objective of this study was to determine the changes to residual plant feeding value of early- and late-maturing maize varieties. The influence of the cell wall carbohydrate composition, in terms of neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDF and ADF) content, NDF and dry matter (DM) degradability, and in vitro organic matter digestibility and gas production on the feeding value of a range of maize genotypes, was measured. The different genotypes were allotted into two maturity groups (MG I--early to mid-early: S210-S240; MG II--mid-late to late: S 250-S280) and harvested at four different harvest dates (depending on the DM content of the kernels). The maize varieties of MG I had lower NDF and ADF contents and higher ruminal DM degradability, in vitro digestibility and gas production and thus a higher feeding value than MG II at the same stage of physiological maturity. A strong negative relationship between NDF content and the ruminal DM degradability (r = -0.81) was observed. The data indicate that the early-maturing varieties permit a larger flexibility in harvesting due to a longer period of starch inclusion into the kernel whilst simultaneously maintaining a good supply of rumen-available fibre. Conclusively, the higher feeding value of the early-maturing varieties, based on lower NDF and high DM digestibility, permits more flexibility in the harvesting period over the later-maturing varieties.

Relações entre consumo alimentar residual, comportamento ingestivo e digestibilidade em novilhas Nelore

The aim of this study was to evaluate digestibility and feeding behavior of Nellore heifers belonging to different classes of residual feed intake (RFI). Thirty-two heifers ranked high in RFI (0.491± 0.51 kg/d; n=15) and RFI low (- 0.447 ± 0.51 kg/d; n=17) with a mean age of 502 ± 23.61 days and average weight 364 ± 27.96 kg were kept in confinement for 48 days, with formulated diet based on Tifton 85 hay, corn, cottonseed meal and urea, and ratio of forage: concentrate ratio of 45:55%. The parameters analyzed were digestibility, ingestive behavior and their correlation. Animals low RFI showed higher digestibility of dry matter (DMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and cellulose that high RFI animals (49.14% versus 45.38%, 56.65% versus 49.88%, 49.96% versus 45.08%, 61.61% versus 56.40% for DMD, NDFD, ADFD, CELD, respectively). These results indicate that more efficient animals have better food utilization. No differences were found in the variables of ingestive behavior among classes of RFI. Changes in the RFI can be partly explained by the digestibility of nutrients, which is related to ingestive behavior of animals.

Chemical composition and digestion of shurbs browsed by white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus texanus)

The aim of the study was to determine, seasonally, the nutritional value of the native shrubs: Acacia amentacea, Castela erecta, Celtis pallida, Croton cortesianus, Forestiera angustifolia, Karwinskia humboldtiana, Lantana macropoda, Leucophyllum frutescens, Prosopis laevigata, Syderoxylon celastrinum and Zanthoxylum fagara. Leave samples were collected seasonally during 2 years from Summer 2004 to Spring 2006 in three county sites: China, Linares and Los Ramones in the state Nuevo Leon, Mexico and evaluated for the content of their Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL). Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD) was also estimated. The CP content (range of total means = 13-22% dry matter) in most plants significantly varied among sites and seasons and between years. The same pattern occurred for NDF (40-55), ADL (8-22) and DMD (48-73). Celtis pallida had the highest nutritional value. However, due to their high CP and DMD and low NDF and ADL all studied plants in all sites, most seasons and years may be considered as good food sources for white-tailed deer.

Switchgrass silage for methane production as affected by date of harvest

Bélanger, G., Savoie, P., Parent, G., Claessens, A., Bertrand, A., Tremblay, G. F., Massé, D., Gilbert, Y. and Babineau, D. 2012. Switchgrass silage for methane production as affected by date of harvest. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1187–1197. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season grass recognized as a potential biomass crop for energy production in North America, but little information exists on the effect of harvest date on forage and silage characteristics of switchgrass grown in eastern Canada. Our objectives were to determine how harvest date affects several forage and silage characteristics of switchgrass and to relate these to specific methane yield from anaerobically digested switchgrass silage. Switchgrass, seeded in 2002 and 2006, was harvested and ensiled as a one-cut system on three dates in 2007: late July, early September, and early October. The regrowth from the late July harvest was also harvested in early October as a two-cut system. Silage quality parameters [pH, and concentrations of N, N-NH3, total amino acids (TAA), and volatile fatty acids (VFA)] indicated adequate fermentation of all silage samples. In a one-cut system, delaying harvest from late July to early September increased forage dry matter (DM) yield from 9.0 to 11.5 Mg ha−1, forage soluble carbohydrate (SC) concentration from 51 to 85 g kg−1 DM, and silage SC concentration from 13 to 25 g kg−1 DM; delaying harvest from late July to early October decreased forage in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) from 720 to 582 g kg−1 DM, forage in vitro digestibility of the neutral detergent fibre (dNDF) from 590 to 409 g kg−1 DM, and silage acetate concentration from 7.7 to 2.6 g kg−1 DM. The regrowth had higher IVTD and dNDF, lower acid detergent fibre concentration, and higher silage lactate and acetate concentrations than a single harvest taken in early September or early October. The two-cut system and the single harvest in early September produced the highest seasonal forage DM yields (11.5 and 11.9 Mg ha−1). High specific methane yield was (i) correlated with low forage fibre concentration and high DM digestibility and (ii) more correlated to silage concentrations of lactate and acetate than to silage SC concentration.

Novel use of the wild species Cephalaria joppensis for silage preparation and its nutritive value for feeding lactating dairy cows

This study presents a novel method for use of the wild plant species Cephalaria joppensis (CJ) as agricultural forage for ruminants. Domesticated CJ tends to have higher crop mass yield per hectare than a commercial wheat variety (W) but is similar in in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility. This study was composed of 3 experiments. Experiment 1 aimed to measure effects of ensiling CJ versus W in packed polyethylene-wrapped bales. Three types of ensiled bales were produced for each plant: 1) direct-cut CJ versus W packed solely; 2) direct-cut CJ versus W mixed as sole roughage source together with dietary ingredient and packed in bales to create CJ total mixed ration (CJ-TMR) or W-TMR; 3) CJ silage versus W silage mixed as one-third of dietary roughage source together with two-thirds sorghum (S) silage and additional dietary ingredients and packed in bales to create CJ-S-TMR or W-S-TMR. Data showed that packing and wrapping created anaerobic conditions within the 4 types of TMR bales while reducing pH (4.12 to 4.37). Dry matter loss during ensilage was higher for the 2 types of TMR containing W compared with CJ. Ensilage decreased soluble nitrate content as well as yeast and mold contamination, and the 4 types of TMR bales were characterized by a long outdoor shelf life (3 mo) and high stability under aerobic exposure. Experiment 2 aimed to measure the intake and digestibility by sheep of the 4 types of packed TMR after 90 d of ensiling. Data demonstrated higher voluntary intake of the CJ-TMR compared with the other TMR types. The CJ-TMR was characterized by higher digestibility of DM, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber components compared with the CJ-S-TMR. Experiment 3 examined intake, digestibility, and milk production by 21 pairs of lactating cows individually fed CJ-S-TMR versus W-S-TMR. Similar intake (21.6 to 22.0kg/d) and digestibility of DM and crude protein were observed in cows fed the 2 TMR types (68 to 69% and 66 to 68%, respectively). However, neutral detergent fiber and cellulose digestibility were slightly higher in the cows fed W-S-TMR and this was reflected in a small increase in their milk and energy-corrected milk yield (36.5 and 31.4kg/cow per day, respectively) compared with cows fed CJ-S-TMR (35.5 and 30.4kg/cow per day, respectively). Results demonstrate that direct-cut CJ used as is, or CJ silage can be included and ensiled in TMR bales for feeding productive ruminants as a substitute for wheat silage.

In vitro ruminal dry matter digestibility and methane production of fermented total mixed ration containing whole-crop rice and rice bran

Three in vitro incubation experiments were conducted to determine the effect of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) and fresh TMR containing whole-crop rice and rice bran on dry matter (DM) digestibility and methane production in the rumen. In incubation 1, FTMR and fresh TMR were each incubated with neutral culture medium for 2, 4 or 6 h. The FTMR had higher (P < 0.05) DM digestibility but lower (P < 0.05) methane production than fresh TMR. In incubation 2, the two TMR with or without lactic acid (5%, DM basis) were incubated with neutral culture medium for 6 h. Regardless the addition of lactic acid, the FTMR showed higher DM digestibility (P < 0.05) and lower methane production (P < 0.05) than fresh TMR. In incubation 3, the two TMR were each incubated for 6 h in three types of culture medium with pH 7.08, 5.86 or 6.56, respectively. Regardless of the TMR, DM digestibility and methane production decreased with pH declining, when the final pH was 5.62–5.66, the DM digestibility and methane production reached the lowest level, and the propionic acid reached the highest level. These results suggest that FTMR had higher DM digestibility and lower methane production than fresh TMR, and that final pH seemed to contribute to the conversion of lactate to propionate and inhibit methane production in the rumen.

Corn texture and particle size in broiler diets

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of corn texture and the particle size on broiler performance, carcass yield, nutrient digestibility, and digestive organ morphometrics. In Experiment I, 720 male Cobb chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, consisting two corn textures (dented and hard) and three corn particle sizes, was applied, with four replicates of 30 birds each. Corn particle size was classified according to geometric mean diameter (GMD) as fine - 0.46 mm; medium - 0.73 mm, and coarse - 0.87 mm. In Experiment II, 120 broiler chicks were used to evaluate corn digestibility during the periods of 16 to 22 days and 35 to 41 days of age, using the method of total excreta collection. In Experiment I, corn particle size influenced body weight, average weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of 21-day-old birds. Corn texture and particle size did not affect the performance of 42-day-old broilers or carcass traits. In Experiment II, there was no influence of corn texture and particle size on digestive organ weights. Dented corn increased nitrogen excretion in the first trial, and hard corn improved dry matter digestibility in the second metabolic trial. Corn with fine particle size promotes better performance of broilers at 21 days of age. Hard corn results in higher dry matter digestibility and lower nitrogen excretion, and consequently higher production factor in 42-day-old broilers.

조사료원에 따른 한국 재래산양의 채식습성에 관한 연구

The object of this experiment was to investigate the food habits of Korean native goats fed with various roughage sources. The experimental trials were conducted at Unbong Animal Genetic Resources Station in 2008. The experimental roughages include five sources and 25 species in all; grasses and legumes: 5 species (mixed grasses, orchardgrass, tall fescue, alfalfa, white clover), native grasses and weeds: 5 species (mixed native grasses, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss, Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) Tanaka, Barnyard grass, short awn, forage crops and straw: 5 species (barley + hairy vetch wheat + hairy vetch, rye silage, barley silage, baled rice straw), browse and fallen leaves: 5 species (Mixed browse, Oriental white oak, Quercus serrta Thunb., Oriental cherry fallen leaves, Japanese chestnut fallen leaves), and imported hay and straw: 5 species(timothy hay, tall fescue straw, annual ryegrass straw, klinegrass hay, alfalfa hay). Ten Korean native goats were selected which had nearly the same body weight (average 24±2.8 kg). The chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of each roughage source and species were significantly different at the sampling area, plant species, growth stages and cutting period (p<0.05). Among all the 25 species of roughages, the favorite intake species order by Korean native goat was observed like this: Quercus aliena, Querancas serrta Thunb and Mixed browse, which was a lower intake compared to other domestic herbivores. The Korean native goats ate more roughages which had low fibrous contents, but high dry matter digestibility. The Korean native goats ate more roughages which had low fibrous contents, but high dry matter digestibility. On the other hand, compared to each roughage source, total intake amount by Korean native goats was showed as browse and fallen leaves (33.1%) among trials roughage sources. Based on these results, the food habit of Korean native goats seems to be closer to the browser.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria inoculant and beet pulp addition on fermentation characteristics and in vitro ruminal digestion of vegetable residue silage

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of beet pulp (BP) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on silage fermentation quality and in vitro ruminal dry matter (DM) digestion of vegetable residues, including white cabbage, Chinese cabbage, red cabbage, and lettuce. Silage was prepared using a small-scale fermentation system, and treatments were designed as control silage without additive or with BP (30% fresh matter basis), LAB inoculant Chikuso-1 (Lactobacillus plantarum, 5mg/kg, fresh matter basis), and BP+LAB. In vitro incubation was performed using rumen fluid mixed with McDougall's artificial saliva (at a ratio of 1:4, vol/vol) at 39°C for 6h to determine the ruminal fermentability of the vegetable residue silages. These vegetable residues contained high levels of crude protein (20.6–22.8% of DM) and moderate levels of neutral detergent fiber (22.7–33.6% of DM). In all silages, the pH sharply decreased and lactic acid increased, and the growth of bacilli, coliform bacteria, molds, and yeasts was inhibited by the low pH at the early stage of ensiling. The silage treated with BP or LAB had a lower pH and a higher lactic acid content than the control silage. After 6h of incubation, all silages had relatively high DM digestibility (38.6–44.9%); in particular, the LAB-inoculated silage had the highest DM digestibility and the lowest methane production. The vegetable residues had high nutritional content and high in vitro DM digestibility. Also, both the addition of a LAB inoculant and moisture adjustment with BP improved the fermentation quality of the vegetable residue silages. In addition, LAB increased DM digestibility and decreased ruminal methane production.

Methane emissions from grazing Angus beef cows selected for divergent residual feed intake

Residual feed intake (RFI) is the difference between actual feed intake and expected feed intake required for maintenance and production, such as growth of beef cattle and milk production in dairy cattle. RFI has been shown to be linked with a reduction in CH4 emissions in studies that used grain based diets. Our study quantified CH4 emissions from 48 Angus cows selected based on estimated breeding values (EBV) for extremes in RFI. These EBV were based on a post weaning RFI test conducted at the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food Vasse Research Centre. Two groups of cows with divergent RFI were used being: 25 high RFI (i.e., HRFI, low efficiency) cows with an EBV of 0.68±0.220kg/d, and 23 low RFI (i.e., LRFI, high efficiency) cows with an EBV of −0.69±0.335kg/d. Methane emissions were measured under grazing conditions in a Western Australian annual pasture production system using the Open Path Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (OP-FTIR) technique. A group average emission rate was obtained for the two RFI lines of cows. Each group was measured separately over a two 6d periods being in the summer when the cows were pregnant and grazing annual pastures of a low dry matter (DM) digestibility of 550g/kg, and in the winter when the cows were nursing calves and grazing annual pastures with a high DM digestibility of 810g/kg. It was hypothesised that LRFI cows would produce less CH4 when grazing both high and low quality pastures. When pregnant and grazing low quality pastures, both groups of cows produced similar amounts of CH4/day (0.26±0.013 versus 0.26±0.018g CH4/kg of liveweight (LW) for LRFI and HRFI cows respectively. While nursing calves and grazing high quality pastures, there was a difference (P<0.05) in daily CH4 emissions between the LRFI and HRFI cows of 0.34 CH4±0.017 versus 0.46±0.023g CH4/kg LW). The hypothesis that LRFI cows produce less CH4 is not supported by results for these cows grazing low quality summer pasture, but it is supported when grazing high quality winter pastures. Results indicate LRFI cattle may have the potential to contribute to reduced CH4 emissions under grazing systems when provided with a high nutritional quality pasture source.This paper is part of the special issue entitled: Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture – Finding a Balance between Food and Emissions, Guest Edited by T. A. McAllister, Section Guest Editor; K.A. Beauchemin, X. Hao, S. McGinn and Editor for Animal Feed Science and Technology, P.H. Robinson.

A study on the food habits of Sika Deer (Saanen) fed with roughage sources

Abstract : The object of this experiment was to investigate the food habits of sika deer fed with various roughage sources. The experimental trials were conducted at Unbong Animal Genetic Resources Station in 2008. The experimental roughages include five sources and 25 species in all; grasses and legumes: 5 species (mixed grasses, orchardgrass, tall fescue, alfalfa, white clover), native grasses and weeds: 5 species (mixed native grasses, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss, Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) Tanaka, barnyard grass, short awn, forage crops (hay, silages and straw): 5 species (barley + hairy vetch, Wheat + hairy vetch, rye silage, barley silage, baled rice straw), browse and fallen leaves: 5 species (mixed browse, oriental white oak, Quercus serrta Thunb., oriental cherry fallen leaves, Japanese chestnut fallen leaves), and imported hays and straws: 5 species (timothy hay, tall fescue straw, annual ryegrass straw, klinegrass hay, alfalfa hay). Five sika deer were used as experimental animals and the averaged body weight was 95+5.4kg. The chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of each roughage source and species were significantly different at the sampling area, plant species, growth stages and cutting period(p<0.05). The sika deer ate more roughages which had low fibrous contents, but high dry matter digestibility. Among all the 25 species of roughages, the favorite intake roughage sources ranking by sika deer was observed like this: browse and fallen leaves (32.2%), grass and legumes (27.0%), native grasses and weeds (22.0%), imported hays (12.9%) and forages crops (5.5%) respectively. Although, the sika deer ate more browse leaves, but ate more roughage which had low fibrous contents (NDF and ADF), but high drymatter digestibility. On the other hand, compared to each roughage source, total intake amount by sika deer was showed as browse and fallen leaves (32.2%). Based on the result, the food habit of sika deer seems to be closer to the typical browser.

Perennial pastures for recharge control in temperate drought-prone environments. Part 1: productivity, persistence and herbage quality of key species

Perennial-based pasture swards potentially offer land managers the capacity for recharge control in temperate cropping zone environments to satisfy the dual role of fostering increased agricultural productivity and reduced deep drainage. This study evaluated the productivity, persistence and herbage quality of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), perennial veldt grass (Ehrhata calcycina Sm.), grazing brome (Bromus stamineus E. Desv.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea syn. Lolium arundinaceum Schreb. syn. Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) in two contrasting environments in the cropping zone of southern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The performance of two cultivars with contrasting levels of summer activity of each of the latter two species was also assessed. Lucerne was the most productive species evaluated, producing 54–85% more herbage than phalaris, the next most productive species. Lucerne was also the most persistent species with a higher basal frequency than all other species during the experimental period and, averaged across samplings, had the highest crude protein (22.3%) in the leaf and stem of any species. Chicory herbage had the highest dry matter digestibility (76.7%) and ash content (15.1%) and lowest neutral (35.4%) and acid detergent fibre contents (21.8%) compared with the other species. The more summer-dormant cultivars of cocksfoot (cv. Kasbah) and tall fescue (cv. Fraydo) were both found to be more persistent than their semi-summer-active counterparts (cvv. Currie and Demeter, respectively), demonstrating the importance of summer dormancy for the persistence of both species in these environments. Tall fescue cv. Fraydo was equally persistent yet produced only 42–51% of the cumulative biomass of phalaris over 5 years, indicating that tall fescue is not a viable species in these drought-prone environments, nor were plantain and grazing brome due to their inferior productivity and persistence. The study highlighted the lack of viable perennial pasture options currently available in cropping zone environments of southern NSW other than lucerne, phalaris and the summer-dormant cultivar of cocksfoot, Kasbah. Chicory and perennial veldt grass, with further breeding and selection under Australian environmental conditions, could have the potential to be viable perennial pasture options for the cropping zone of southern NSW.

Dry matter intake and digestibility of temperate pastures supplemented with sorghum grain in wethers and heifers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sorghum grain supplementation on total and forage dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility of wethers and heifers consuming temperate pasture. Twenty four Corriedale x Milchschaf wethers and 24 crossbred heifers fed temperate pasture were non-supplemented or supplemented with sorghum grain at 5, 10 or 15 g/kg body weight (BW). Offered and refused feed were measured for 11 days and faeces voided were recorded daily during five days. Samples of feeds and faeces were collected daily and analyzed for DM. Supplement inclusion led to an inverse response in both species. Total dry matter intake (TDMI) of supplemented wethers was 20% lower than non-supplemented ones. Forage dry matter intake (FDMI) averaged 40% less in supplemented groups than in non-supplemented ones. Heifers receiving the supplement had 23% more TDMI but 10% less FDMI than non-supplemented, and lower FDMI was observed as supplementation increased. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was 0.69 for wethers and 0.65 for heifers, with no differences between treatments. When the results from all animals were analyzed together, no differences on TDMI, lower FDMI and higher DMD were observed for the supplemented groups. In conclusion, sorghum grain supplementation affected TDMI differently in the two species, reducing TDMI in wethers and increasing TDMI in heifers. Supplementation reduced FDMI, the reduction being higher in wethers than in heifers. Dry matter digestibility of supplemented diets was higher, probably due to grain digestibility.

Abomasal or ruminal administration of flax oil and hulls on milk production, digestibility, and milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows

Four ruminally fistulated primiparous lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the effects of the site of administration (rumen or abomasum) of flax oil and flax hulls on diet digestibility and milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows. The treatments were 1) oil and hulls administered in the rumen and abomasal infusion of water (RUM/RUM), 2) oil and hulls infused in the abomasum (ABO/ABO), 3) oil administered in the rumen and hulls infused in the abomasum (RUM/ABO), and 4) oil infused in the abomasum and hulls placed in the rumen (ABO/RUM). Cows on the ABO/ABO and RUM/RUM treatments had the highest and lowest amounts of basal dry matter eaten, respectively. Higher dry matter digestibility was obtained when flax oil bypassed the rumen (ABO/ABO and ABO/RUM) compared with when flax oil was administered directly in the rumen (RUM/ABO and RUM/RUM). Apparent digestibility of ether extract was higher when flax hulls were administered in the rumen (RUM/RUM and ABO/RUM) compared with when flax hulls were infused in the abomasum (ABO/ABO and RUM/ABO). The lowest digestibility of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber was obtained when both flax products were added in the rumen, which may be attributed to the high amount of oil present in the rumen (7.8% of total dry matter input). The lowest yield of 4% fat-corrected milk was obtained for cows on the RUM/RUM treatment, probably as a result of lower dry matter intake and digestibility of fiber. Milk concentrations of protein, fat, total solids, and lactose were similar among treatments. Administration of oil and hulls in the rumen resulted in the highest concentrations of intermediate products of biohydrogenation and total trans fatty acids in milk fat compared with the other treatments. All ratios of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in milk fat were lower than the 4 to 1 ratio recommended to improve human health. These results suggest that the presence of both flax oil and flax hulls in the rumen decreases 4% fat-corrected milk yield and digestibility but provides a desirable fatty acid profile of milk to enhance consumers’ health.

Effect of crude protein and phosphorus level in a phytase supplemented grower finisher pig diet on phosphorus and calcium metabolism

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein level (CP) on mineral metabolism in a low and high phosphorus (P) diet supplemented with phytase. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of CP inclusion (130 versus 200 g/kg) and dietary P inclusion (4.0 versus 6.0 g/kg) on P and calcium (Ca) metabolism in pigs. The dietary treatments contained 500 FTU/kg of phytase. Sixteen entire male pigs (body weight 78 kg) were randomly allocated to the diets in a digestibility and mineral balance study. Pigs offered high P diets had higher faecal dry matter output (P < 0.05) than pigs offered low P diets. Pigs offered low P diets had a higher dry matter digestibility (P < 0.01) than those offered high P diets. Pigs offered high CP diets had a higher urine pH than those offered low CP diets (P < 0.001). Pigs offered low P diets had higher N digestibility than those offered high P diets (P < 0.05). Pigs offered low P diets had a higher P (P < 0.05) and Ca (P < 0.01) digestibility than those offered high P diets. In conclusion dietary CP level had little impact on Ca and P digestibility however offering grower finisher pigs a high P diet supplemented with phytase resulted in a decrease in N digestibility.

Características de produção e qualidade nutricional de genótipos de capim- colonião colhidos em três estádios de maturidade

Objetivou- se verificar a existência de variação genética entre cultivares de capim- colonião quanto ao efeito da maturidade sobre a composição química e a digestibilidade, e classificar os genótipos de acordo com características produtivas e de qualidade nutricional. Utilizou- se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas e três repetições, considerando parcelas as datas de corte e subparcelas, os genótipos. A produção de MS diferiu entre os genótipos somente aos 90 dias de crescimento, mas a porcentagem de folhas, colmos e material morto variou tanto aos 60 como aos 90 dias de crescimento. Ao contrário do observado para as folhas, a composição química e a digestibilidade do colmo apresentou grande variabilidade entre os genótipos. O colmo apresentou concentrações mais elevadas de FDN, FDA e lignina e menores valores de PB em comparação às folhas. Apresentou ainda maior digestibilidade da MS aos 60 dias de crescimento e maior digestibilidade da FDN aos 30 e 60 dias de crescimento. No agrupamento dos cultivares, os genótipos PM39 e PM47 foram apontados como os mais promissores no programa de melhoramento, por apresentarem alta produtividade e alta qualidade nutricional. A maturidade pouco afeta a digestibilidade de folhas em comparação ao colmo. Quando a participação de colmo no total de massa seca aumenta, esse componente passa a ser o limitador da qualidade de plantas forrageiras. Portanto, programas de melhoramento devem considerar, além da relação folha:colmo, também a digestibilidade in vitro da FDN do colmo na seleção de genótipos.

유산양의 조사료 채식습성에 관한 실증적 연구

본 연구에 이용될 공시시료는 2007년과 2008년에 걸쳐 채집되었으며, 기호성 조사는 2008년 6월 21일 수행하였다. 공시시료는 화본과와 두과목초(passes and legumes)류는 mixed passes, orchardgrass, tall fescue, alfalfa 및 white clover 의 5종, 야초와 잡초(native grasses 및 weeds)류는 mixed native grasses, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss, Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) Tanaka, barnyard grass 및 short awn의 5종, 사료작물과 볏짚(forage crops and straw)류는 barley +hairy vetch, wheat + hairy vetch, rye silage, barley silage 및 baled rice straw의 5종, 수염과 낙엽(browse and fallen leaves)류는 mixed browse, oriental white oak browse, Quercus serrta Thunb. oriental cherry fallen leaves 및 Japanese chestnut fallen leaves의 5종, 그리고 수입건초(imported hay and straw)류로 timothy, tall fescue hay, annual ryegrass, klinegrass 및 alfalfa의 5종 등 총 25종을 공시하였다. 공시축은 유산양(Saanen 우, 평균체중 <TEX>$25{\pm}2.1kg$</TEX>) 10두를 공시하였고, 시험은 유산양은 충남 금산군 추부면 유산양목장에서 수행하였다. CP, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin 함량및 IVDMD는 채취장소, 초종, 생육단계 및 예취시기에 따라 조사료원별로 차이를 나타내었다(p<0.05). 유산양은 혼합목초(mixed grasses) 와 두과목초인 화이트 클로버(white clover)나알팔파(alfalfa) 등을 즐겨 채식하였으나, 콘포볏짚(baled rice straw)이나 호밀 사일리지 (rye silage) 등은 거의 채식하지 않았다. 유산양이 즐겨 채식한 조사료원은 NDF나 ADF와 같은 섬유소물질의 함량이 낮은 반면에 IVDMD는 높은 조사료를 주로 선택하여 채식하는 습성을 나타내었다(p<0.05). 유산양(Saanen)은 화본과 와 두과목초(34.6%)를 가장 즐겨 채식하였던 것으로 보아 초류채식형 (grazers)에 가까운 것을 재확인하였다. The experiment was conducted from 2007 to 2008. The experimental roughages include five sources and 25 species in all; grasses and legumes: 5 species (mixed grasses, orchardgrass, tall fescue, alfalfa, white clover), native grasses and weeds: 5 species (mixed native grasses, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss, Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) Tanaka, barnyard grass, short awn, forage crops and straw: 5 species (barley 4- hairy vetch, wheat 4- hairy vetch, rye silage, barley silage, baled rice straw), browse and fallen leaves: 5 species (mixed browse, oriental white oak browse, Quercus serrta Thunb., browse oriental cherry fallen leaves, Japanese chestnut fallen leaves), and imported hay and straw: 5 species (timothy hay, tail fescue straw, annual ryegrass straw, klinegrass hay, alfalfa hay). Ten dairy goats (Saanen) were selected which had nearly the same body weight (25kg). The experiment was carried out on the dairy goats farm at Geumsan-Cun in Chungnam province. The chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of each roughage source and species were significantly different at the sampling area, plant species, growth stages and cutting period. Among all the 25 species of roughages, the favorite intake species order by dairy goats was observed like this: mixed grasses, white clover, alfalfa and the lower intake species order was baled rice straw and rye silages. The dairy goats ate more roughages which had low fibrous contents, but high dry matter digestibility. On the other hand, compared to each roughage source, the goat's favorite roughage were grasses and legumes (34.6%) among the trial species. Based on the result, it is reconfirmed that the food habit of dairy goats seems to be closer to that of graters.

Associations Between Vrs1 Alleles and Grain Quality Traits in Spring Barley Hordeum vulgare L.

ABSTRACTBarley head row type is a major trait affecting end‐use quality. Six‐rowed forms emerged due to mutations in the Vrs1 gene in two‐rowed barleys. Whether barley is two (Vrs1) or six rowed (vrs1) directly affects a wide range of morphological traits related to seed yield and grain quality. Vrs1 has been cloned and encodes a homeodomain transcription factor with a linked leucine zipper motif. To test the association between Vrs1 alleles and grain quality, we characterized the Vrs1 alleles among a well‐described collection of 81 spring barley accessions selected for divergence in head type and dry matter digestibility (DMD). The results indicated that the majority of two‐rowed barleys have the Vrs1.b3‐1 allele and the majority of six‐rowed barleys carry the vrs1.a1‐8 allele. In comparison with two‐rowed barleys, six‐rowed barleys were more variable in grain hardness. This divergence in hardness values was associated with specific vrs1 alleles, with barley accessions carrying the less severe amino acid missense mutation VRS1.a3‐1 isoform being softer and having higher DMD than those accessions carrying the more common VRS1.a1‐1 amino acid frameshift isoform. The assignment of six‐rowed barley cultivars to different vrs1 allele groups may prove beneficial for the selection of specific grain‐quality parameters.

여러 가지 조사료를 급여한 재래산양의 채식습성에 관한 연구

본 연구는 2007년 3월부터 10월까지 충남대학교 부속사육장 및 전북 남원시 운봉읍 소재 가축유전자원시험장에서 수행하였다. 공시시료는 화본과목초(gasses)는 Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, Poa pratensis, Agrostis alba 및 mixed grasses의 5종과, 두과목초(legumes)는 Trifolium pratense, Medicago sative, Trifolium repens, Melilotus officinalis 및 Vicia villosa의 5종 수엽(樹葉, browse)으로 Quercus serrata Thunb., Prunus jamasakura Sieb., Quercus aliena Blume, Robinia pseudoaccacia 및 Pinus densiflora의 5종과 잡초(weeds)는 Artemisia princeps Pampanini, Erigeron canadensis, Alopecurus aegualis Sobolewski, Echinochloa crusgalli var. frumentacea(Roxb.) Wight 및 Rumex crispus의 5종을, 야초(native grasses)는 Zoysia japonica Steudel, Agropyron tsukushiense var. transiens(HACK) Ohwi., Arundinella hirta(Thunb.) Tanaka, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss 및 Phragmites comunis Trin의 5종 등 총 25종을 공시하였다. 시험축은 재래산양(남) 10두를 공시하였으며, 평균체중은 30.6kg이었다. 시료는 초종 당 건물기준으로 0.5kg씩 급여하였고 오전 8시부터 오후 8시까지 전북 남원시 운봉읍 소재 가축유전자원시험장 축사내에서 수행하였으며 시험결과는 다음과 같다. 공시시료의 조사료원별로 분석한 화학적 성분과 5건물소화율은 대체적으로 채취장소 초종, 생육단계 및 예취시기에 따라 차이를 보였다. 채식량, 채식비율 및 채식순위는 초종 및 수종에 따라 차이를 보였으며, 대체적으로 섬유소물질의 함량이 낮은 반면에 건물소화율이 높은 조사료를 더 즐겨 채식하는 양상이었다. 재래산양은 Quercus serrata Thunb.(졸참나무 잎, 500g)을 가장 즐겨 채식하였으며, 다음은 Quercus aliena Blume(갈참나무 잎, 441g), Trifolium repens(white clover, 433g), Pinus densiflora(소나무 잎, 417g) 순이었으며 다른 가축이 즐겨 먹지 않는 Pinus densiflora나 Artemisia princeps Pampanini(쑥)도 즐겨 채식하였다. 재래산양의 조사료원별 채식분포를 보면 수엽 29.9%, 두과목초 23%, 잡초 21.6%, 화본과목초 21.5% 및 야초 4.0%를 채식하였던 것으로 보아 채식습성은 수엽채식형(browser type)에 더 가까운 것으로 판단되었다. The object of this experiment was to investigate the food habits of Korean native goats fed with various roughage sources. The feeding trials were conducted at Chungnam National University and Unbong Animal Genetic Resources Station in 2007. The experimental roughages sources were five including 25 species in all; grass sources: 5 species (Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, Poa pratensis, Agrostis alba and mixed grass, legume sources: 5 species (Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, Trifolium repens, Melilotus officinalis and Vicia villosa), browse sources: 5 species(Quercus serrata Thunb., Prunus jamasakura Sieb., Quercus aliena Blume, Robinia pseudoaccacia and Pinus densiflora), weed sources: 5 species(Artemisia princeps Pampanini, Erigeron canadensis, Alopecurus aegualis Sobolewski, Echinochloa crusgalli var. frumentacea (Roxb.) Wight and Rumex crispus), and native grass sources: 5 species(Zoysia japonica Steudel, Agropyron tsukushiense var. transiens(Hack) Ohwi., Arundinella hirta(Thunb.) Tanaka, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss and Phragmites comunis Trin). Ten Korean native goats were selected which had nearly the same body weight(average 30.6kg, 남) as experimental animals. Experimental roughages were prepared by 0.5kg per 1 species fed to Korean native goats, and the experiment was carried out from 08:00 to 20:00. The chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of each roughage source and species were significantly different at the sampling area, plant species, growth stages and cutting period (p<0.05). The Korean native goats ate more roughages which had low fibrous contents, but high dry matter digestibility. Among all the 25 species of roughages, the favorite intake species order by Korean native goats was observed like this: Quercus serrata Thunb., Quercus aliena Blume, Trifolium repens, and Pinus densiflora and Artemisia princeps Pampanini which was lower intake compared to other domestic herbivores. On the other hand, compared to each roughage source, total intake amount by Korean native goats was showed as browse(29.9%), legumes(23.0%), weeds(21.6%), grasses(21.5%) and native grasses(4.0%), respectively. Based on the result, the food habit of Korean native goats seems to be closer to browser type.