Higher Dry Matter Digestibility Research Articles

In vitro evaluation of ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics of local feedstuff-based beef cattle ration

Background: Optimum productivity of beef cattle is achieved with adequate feed supply, both in quality and quantity. Consumption of local feedstuff Neptunia plena L. Benth and Leersia hexandra Swartz as a ration by the animal subject is expected to promote cost efficiency and production, as well as provide essential nutrition needs. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), N-NH3 production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) in beef cattle. Methods: Feed and rumen inoculum samples were prepared and analyzed for their proximate contents. There were five treatment groups based on the diet received by beef cattle. In vitro approaches were used to determine the DMD, OMD, N-NH3 production, and VFA in beef cattle. The research was conducted in the Laboratory of Feed Nutrient Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Agriculture, Diponegoro University, Semarang. The data were analyzed using ANOVA at a significance level of 95%, and a Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results: The results showed that the highest DMD (P<0.05) was derived from T5 (56.47%), followed by T4 (56.45%) and T3 (55.90%). T5=62.40% significantly (P<0.05) generated the highest OMD followed by T4=61.95% and T3=60.82%. This treatment had the highest N-NH3 value, namely 5.02 mM, compared with T3=4.55 mM, T4=4.50 mM, T2=4.22 mM, and T1=3.99 mM. Furthermore, T5 had the highest VFA (P<0.05) compared with T4, T3, T2, and T1 with the value of 150.5, 133.0, 130.5, 130.0, and 123.5 mM, respectively. Conclusions: The local feedstuff-based ration contributed to beef cattle production.

Effects of peppermint essential oil and artifier on growth performance, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibilities in broiler chickens fed with low energy diets

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of peppermint essential oil (PEO) and an emulsifier called artifier on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed low-energy diets. A total of 240 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into five treatments: control, low-energy diet, low-energy diet + 150 ppm PEO, low-energy diet + 300 ppm artifier, and low-energy diet + 150 ppm PEO + 300 ppm artifier. Each treatment was replicated four times in a completely randomized design. The chickens were fed these treatments during the starter, grower, and finisher periods for a total of 42 days. The results indicated that broiler chickens receiving the low-energy diet supplemented with PEO + artifier had similar body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and breast percentage, but exhibited significantly lower abdominal fat percentage compared to those fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Furthermore, birds receiving PEO and artifier in low-energy diets, either individually or in combination, demonstrated higher digestibility of dry matter and fat during the starter and grower periods in comparison to those receiving the low-energy diet without any additives (P < 0.05). Over the entire rearing period, the simultaneous inclusion of 150 ppm PEO and 300 ppm artifier in the low-energy diet resulted in comparable growth performance to the control diet. Additionally, the concurrent use of PEO and artifier in the low-energy diet for broiler chickens led to a decrease in abdominal fat, increased digestibility of fat and dry matter, and enhanced nutrient utilization compared to the control diet.

Effects of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera methanolic extract on productive performance, humoral immunity and nutrient digestibility in Japanese quails

ABSTRACT A total of 180 unsexed, 1-day-old quail chicks were divided into four treatments (three replicates). The treatment groups were designated as MOLE-0, MOLE-1, MOLE-2 and MOLE-3. In the MOLE-0 group, quails received a basal diet without supplementation. For MOLE-1, quails were provided with 100 mg/L of MOLE in their water, while MOLE-2 received 200 mg/L of water with MOLE supplementation. The fourth treatment, MOLE-3, received a concentration of 300 mg/L of MOLE in their drinking water. The findings revealed that MOLE-3 exhibited significantly higher weight gain and dressing percentage, along with a lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), while the control group (MOLE-0) exhibited the least growth performance. MOLE-3 showed statistically higher antibody titres and immune organ weights, followed by MOLE-2 and MOLE-1. Conversely, the control group (MOLE-0) had a lower antibody titre against ND. Additionally, nutrient digestibility analysis indicated that MOLE-3 had higher digestibility of dry matter and crude protein (P < 0.05), while group MOLE-0 exhibited lower digestibility (P < 0.05). We concluded that supplementing Moringa oleifera leaf extract at a rate of 300 mg/L resulted in improved growth performance, immunity and nutrient digestibility in Japanese quails.

Effect of Different Dietary Lipid Sources on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Intestinal Health in Weaned Pigs.

To investigate the effects of lipid sources on growth performance and intestinal health, 72 weaned pigs were randomly allocated to three treatments. Pigs were fed with a corn-soybean meal diet containing 2% soybean oil (SO), or fish-palm-rice oil mixture (FPRO), or coconut-palm-rice oil mixture (CPRO). The trial lasted for 28 days; blood and intestinal tissue samples were collected. The results showed that the crude fat digestibility of the FPRO group was higher than that of the SO and CPRO groups (p < 0.05). The FPRO group also had higher digestibility of dry matter, ash, and gross energy than the SO group (p < 0.05); compared to the SO group, the serum interlukin-6 (IL-6) concentration was decreased. Interestingly, the FPRO and CPRO groups had higher villus height than the SO group in the jejunum and ileum, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, the FPRO group had higher Lactobacillus abundance than the SO group in the colon and cecum (p < 0.05). Importantly, the expression levels of tight junction protein ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin in the duodenal and ileal mucosa were higher in the FPRO group than in the SO and CPRO groups (p < 0.05). The expression levels of nutrient transporters such as the CAT-1, PepT1, FATP1, and SGLT1 were higher in the FPRO group than in the SO group (p < 0.05). The improved digestibility and intestinal epithelium functions, as well as the reduced inflammatory cytokines, in the FPRO and CPRO group suggest that a mixed lipid source such as the FPRO deserves further attention.

Effect of green seaweed meal blend on feed quality and zootechnical performance in shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) juveniles

Aim of study: To evaluate a green seaweed meal in the diets of Penaeus vannamei juveniles, comprising Ulva spp., Caulerpa spp. and Enteromorpha spp. as a feed blend at inclusion levels at 4% and 8%. Area of study: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Perú. Material and methods: Analyses were conducted to determine the pellet quality through percentages of dry matter retention (DMR), protein loss and water absorption capacity; and to evaluate the effect of this seaweed meal in the digestibility and zootechnical shrimp performance. Three treatments (diets) were formulated to contain 0% (control diet), 4% (M4) and 8% (M8 of green seaweed meals (blend)), in isonitrogenous (crude protein; 300 g kg-1) and isocaloric (3.3 Mcal kg-1) diets. The shrimps were reared at a density of 286 juveniles m-3 for 29 days in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Main results: Among the diets, M4 had the highest DMR value (97.06%), whereas M8 had highest water absorption capacity (185.48%) with lower % of protein loss between the treatments diets. No differences were observed in the zootechnical performance, except for survival (p&lt;0.05), with the M8 diet having highest mortality rate (44.4%) between the treatments diets. Research highlights: Incorporating 4% green seaweed meal in shrimp feed supported adequate growth and survival of juvenile P. vannamei with adequate DMR values, water absorption capacity, protein loss and high apparent dry matter digestibility and apparent digestibility of the reference diet.

In vitro evaluation of ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics of local feedstuff-based beef cattle ration

Background: Consumption of local feedstuff Neptunia plena L. Benth and Leersia hexandra Swartz as a ration by the animal subject is expected to promote cost efficiency and production, as well as provide essential nutrition needs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate ruminal dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), ammonia (NH 3) production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) in beef cattle. Methods: Feed and rumen inoculum samples were prepared and analyzed for their proximate contents. There were five treatment groups based on the diet received by beef cattle, namely: T 1 ( Leersia hexandra Swartz 100 %); T 2 ( Neptunia plena L. Benth 100%); T 3 ( Leersia hexandra Swartz 15% + ( Neptunia plena L. Benth 15% + 70 % Other Feedstuffs); T 4 ( Leersia hexandra Swartz 20% + ( Neptunia plena L. Benth 20% + 60% Other Feedstuffs); T 5 ( Leersia hexandra Swartz 25% + ( Neptunia plena L. Benth 25% + 50% Other Feedstuffs). In vitro approaches were used to determine the DMD, OMD, NH 3 production, and VFA in beef cattle. Results: The results showed that the highest DMD (P&lt;0.05) was derived from T 5 (56.47%), followed by T 4 (56.45%) and T 3 (55.90%). T 5=62.40% significantly (P&lt;0.05) generated the highest OMD followed by T 4=61.95% and T 3=60.82%. This treatment had the highest NH 3 value, namely 5.02 mM, compared with T 3=4.55 mM, T 4=4.50 mM, T 2=4.22 mM, and T 1=3.99 mM. Furthermore, T 5 had the highest VFA (P&lt;0.05) compared with T 4, T 3, T 2, and T 1 with the value of 150.5, 133.0, 130.5, 130.0, and 123.5 mM, respectively. Conclusions: The local feedstuff-based ration can be used to ensure the sustainable production of beef cattle

Variety and Digestibility of Forages Fed to Sacrificial-goats: A Preliminary Study in Mataram City

The study evaluated the variety and digestibility of forages fed to sacrificial-goats in Mataram. The study was carried out by direct observation method. A total of 20 points vendors selling sacrificial goats were used as sampling locations. From all stall selling point, all types of forage as feed were collected. The collected feed samples were identified and tested for digestibility. The results showed that Turi (Sesbania glandiflora) leaves had the highest Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), which was 65.54%, compared to the DMD of other forage samples, while the lowest DMD was obtained of Gayam (Inocarpus fagifer) leaves, which was 24.86% (P&lt;0.05). As with the DMD value, the highest organic matter digestibility (OMD) was by Turi (61.08%) and the lowest OMD obtain by Gayam which had an OMD value of 11.85% (P&lt;0.05). The OMD of Waru leaves (48.68%) was not different but does not show any difference of Ketapang (Terminalia catappa) leaves (44.73%). It was concluded that among the ten forages offered by vendor to sacrificial-goats; by order of their digestibility, Turi (Sesbania glandiflora), Waru, (Hibiscus tiliaceus), and Ketapang (Terminalia catappa) leaves produced the highest DMD and OMD.

Effects of a Blend of Live Yeast and Organic Minerals as an Alternative to Monensin on Intake, Digestibility, Performance and Beef Quality of Nellore Bulls Finished on Pasture with High Concentrate Supplementation

Effects of a blend of live yeast and organic minerals as an alternative to monensin and inorganic trace minerals for beef cattle finished on pasture with high concentrate supplementation, on growth performance, intake, digestibility, liver trace mineral and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Forty-eight Nellore bulls were blocked by initial body weight and randomly assigned to one of the two experimental diets. The animals were raised in an experimental pasture divided into 12 paddocks equipped with an electronic system for monitoring individual feeding behavior and feed intake. Treatments were: (1) Monensin (MON), 30 mg/kg supplement dry matter of sodium monensin and trace minerals supplementation from inorganic sources; (2) AdvantageTM (ADV), 1.6 g/kg supplement DM of a blend of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains) and organic trace minerals. The use of ADV instead of MON led to greater supplement intake and greater intake of dietary components. Bulls fed ADV also had higher digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates. Bulls fed MON had a greater number of visits to the feeder, however with a shorter time spent feeding per visit. The use of ADV resulted in higher average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency was similar between treatments. In the carcass, ADV tended toward greater Longissimus muscle area. Liver Zn concentration tended to be lower in the ADV treatment. The use of ADV generated higher meat lightness and redness. In summary, the blend of live yeast and organic minerals can be an alternative to monensin and inorganic sources of trace minerals for beef cattle finished on pasture with high concentrate supplementation, without negative effects on supplement feed efficiency and with benefits to animal growth.

Effect of diurnal feeding times and sources of energy supplementation to optimise rearing of F1 Angus × Nellore young bulls

Context Energy supplementation with highly fermentable carbohydrates can be a strategy to maximise the efficiency of nitrogen use (ENU) from high-nutritional value forages. Aims The study aimed to investigate the independent or associated effects of two diurnal feeding times (0900 or 1700 hours) with two sources of energy supplementation (corn or citrus pulp) in the growing of F1 Angus × Nellore young bulls on palisade grass pastures, and their implications on the forage chemical composition, nutrient intake and digestibility, ENU, microbial protein synthesis, animal performance, and gain per area. Methods There were 36 bulls used as experimental animals, with initial bodyweight (BW) of 290 ± 5 kg, and 32 similar bulls were used in a put-and-take system to maintain sward characteristics. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomised design with four treatments and three replications (paddocks). The treatments consisted of energy supplementation at 0.3% BW with corn or citrus pulp fed at 0900 or 1700 hours for four periods of 28 days. For evaluation of ruminal and blood parameters, ENU, intake, and nutrient digestibility, eight ruminal cannulated 1/2 Aberdeen Angus × 1/2 Nellore young bulls were used, with 280 ± 7 kg of initial BW, distributed in a 4 × 4 double Latin square design, consisting of four periods and four treatments. Key results Supplementation at 0.3% of BW with corn or citrus pulp at 0900 or 1700 hours can reach up to 1.06 kg/day of young bulls reared on palisade grass pastures fertilised with 180 kg nitrogen/ha/year and managed at 25 cm of height compared with corn-based supplements. There were no effects on microbial protein synthesis or its efficiency. Conclusions Citrus pulp can be used as an alternative energy source to corn, because it has the same potential for animal performance, ENU and microbial protein synthesis in tropical pastures with a high proportion of soluble protein, and structural and non-fibrous carbohydrates with high dry matter digestibility. Implications Supplementing grazing beef cattle at 0.3% BW with corn or citrus pulp in the morning or afternoon is an efficient nutritional strategy to improve animal performance.

Corn silage, a systematic review of the quality and yield in different regions around the world

Corn sialge (Zea mays L.) is the most widely used in the world in dairy cattle diets because of its higher biomass yields, palatability, homogeneous quality at harvest, and ease of silage due to its higher soluble sugar content. Studies were systematically searched to know the silage corn quality and yield from different countries concerning dry matter yield (t/ha), population density (plant density/ha), quantity of Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Non-Fibrous Carbohydrates (NFC), Organic Matter (OM), DM Digestibility (DMD), Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility (NDFD), and milk production (kg) per hectare (kg milk/ha) using MILK2006®. Six clusters (CL, PROC CLUSTER) of corn silage were analyzed: CL1: “Starch,” which included DMD, DNDF, TDN1 x DM, Mega calories per kg of DM, and kg of milk/t DM; CL2: “ether extract” which included TDN1 x DM, Mcal/kg DM, and kg of milk/t DM; CL3: “DM,” composed only of DNDF; CL4: “Plant Density,” including Yield of DM/ha and Milk Production/ha; CL5: “NDF,” and CL6: “CP.” In conclusion, CL1 is characterized by a higher DMD, NDFD, CNF, and starch, which allow higher TDN1 x DM and an energy concentration (Mcal/kg DM) with higher milk production (kg milk/ha). CL2 with a higher ether extract (EE) allows higher TDN1 x DM and an energy concentration (Mcal/kg DM) having a higher milk production (kg milk/ha). The DM concentration increases in the whole plant because of maturity, affecting the starch content and NDFD; the DM content (&gt; 35 g/100 g DM) mainly causes a decrease in the NDFD, while in a very early stage of DM harvest (&lt; 25 g/100 g DM) a low ratio of starch:NDFD is present.

In vitro evaluation of ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics of local feedstuff-based beef cattle ration

Background: Consumption of local feedstuff Neptunia plena L. Benth and Leersia hexandra Swartz as a ration by the animal subject is expected to promote cost efficiency and production, as well as provide essential nutrition needs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), ammonia (NH3) production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) in beef cattle. Methods: Feed and rumen inoculum samples were prepared and analyzed for their proximate contents. There were five treatment groups based on the diet received by beef cattle, namely: T1 (Leersia hexandra Swartz 100 %); T2 (Neptunia plena L. Benth 100%); T3 (Leersia hexandra Swartz 15% + (Neptunia plena L. Benth 15% + 70 % Other Feedstuffs); T4 (Leersia hexandra Swartz 20% + (Neptunia plena L. Benth 20% + 60% Other Feedstuffs); T5 (Leersia hexandra Swartz 25% + (Neptunia plena L. Benth 25% + 50% Other Feedstuffs). In vitro approaches were used to determine the DMD, OMD, NH3 production, and VFA in beef cattle. The data were analyzed using ANOVA at a significance level of 95%, and a Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results: The results showed that the highest DMD (P&lt;0.05) was derived from T 5 (56.47%), followed by T 4 (56.45%) and T 3 (55.90%). T 5=62.40% significantly (P&lt;0.05) generated the highest OMD followed by T 4=61.95% and T 3=60.82%. This treatment had the highest NH 3 value, namely 5.02 mM, compared with T 3=4.55 mM, T 4=4.50 mM, T 2=4.22 mM, and T 1=3.99 mM. Furthermore, T5 had the highest VFA (P&lt;0.05) compared with T 4, T 3, T 2, and T 1 with the value of 150.5, 133.0, 130.5, 130.0, and 123.5 mM, respectively. Conclusions: The local feedstuff-based ration contributed to beef cattle production.

Steam explosion processing intensifies the nutritional values of most crop byproducts: Morphological structure, carbohydrate-protein fractions, and rumen fermentation profile

To investigate the feasibility of steam explosion on the exploitation of ruminant feedstuff, the morphological structure, carbohydrate-protein fractions, and rumen fermentation profile of five typical crop byproducts (corn cob, rice straw, peanut shell, millet stalk, and sugarcane tip) were analyzed before and after steam explosion processing. The results showed that these crop byproducts had different physicochemical properties and rumen fermentation profiles, most of which could be improved by steam explosion processing, i.e., more rough morphological surface, much-broken structure, more digestible carbohydrate fraction (non-NDF +49.92-452.24%), faster gas production rate (c +9.72-68.75%), higher dry matter digestibility (DMD48 +11.38-47.36%), more available energy (ME -3.69-+42.13%, except for peanut shell), along with more unavailable protein fraction (ADICP +27.16-102.70%). It is suggested that steam explosion processing could intensify the feeding value of most crop byproducts for ruminants, but with a caution of heat damage to proteins.

Comparison of Changing Cultivation Pattern on Morphological and Biochemical Characteristics of Forage of Two Types of Crop Legumes in The Tropical Climate of Southern Kerman Province

Reduction of the quantity and quality of forage is one of the main restrictions on the productivity of livestock systems. Tropical legumes are the most important crops to improve livestock feeds and, thus, for providing livestock products for human consumption in arid regions. In order to investigate the shift of cultivation date of two legumes from summer to spring in arid weather conditions, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replication was conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute of south Kerman, Iran, during two cropping seasons. Treatment was planting in three and two tropical legumes (Tapary bean and cowpea). The results showed that changing planting dates led to a significant effect on seed yield and forage quality of two legumes in the region. All agronomic traits for cowpea increased compared to Tepary bean due to differences in their genetic backgrounds. The two legumes were not different in terms of nitrogen, crude protein, and ash. On all three planting dates, the hemicellulose-free cell wall of cowpea was higher than Tepary. In contrast, neutral detergent fiber for Tepary was observed more than cowpea. The highest dry matter index was recorded for cowpea. Whereas the highest dry matter digestibility, the net energy of lactation, and metabolizable energy were related for Tepary. According to the different physiological and phenological responses of the two legumes, it is necessary to examine the selection of suitable planting dates for improving the quantitative and qualitative yield of forage.

In vitro evaluation of ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics of local feedstuff-based beef cattle ration

Background: Optimum productivity of beef cattle is achieved with adequate feed supply, both in quality and quantity. Consumption of local feedstuff Neptunia plena L. Benth and Leersia hexandra Swartz as a ration by the animal subject is expected to promote cost efficiency and production, as well as provide essential nutrition needs. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), N-NH3 production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) in beef cattle. Methods: Feed and rumen inoculum samples were prepared and analyzed for their proximate contents. There were five treatment groups based on the diet received by beef cattle. In vitro approaches were used to determine the DMD, OMD, N-NH3 production, and VFA in beef cattle. The research was conducted in the Laboratory of Feed Nutrient Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Agriculture, Diponegoro University, Semarang. The data were analyzed using ANOVA at a significance level of 95%, and a Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results: The results showed that the highest DMD (P&lt;0.05) was derived from T5 (56.47%), followed by T4 (56.45%) and T3 (55.90%). T5=62.40% significantly (P&lt;0.05) generated the highest OMD followed by T4=61.95% and T3=60.82%. This treatment had the highest N-NH3 value, namely 5.02 mM, compared with T3=4.55 mM, T4=4.50 mM, T2=4.22 mM, and T1=3.99 mM. Furthermore, T5 had the highest VFA (P&lt;0.05) compared with T4, T3, T2, and T1 with the value of 150.5, 133.0, 130.5, 130.0, and 123.5 mM, respectively. Conclusions: The local feedstuff-based ration contributed to beef cattle production.

Розчинність протеїну кормів як індикатор перетравності і доступності поживних речовин в раціонах бугайців

The research was conducted on steppe red bulls with duodenal and ileocecal anastomoses when feeding isoenergetic, isoprotein hay-concentrate diets with different levels of soluble protein (SP) and rumen degradable protein (RDP). We studied the transformation of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude ash (CA), crude fat (CF), crude fiber (CF) and nitrogen-free extractives (NFE) separately in a complex stomach, small (SI) and large (LI) parts of the intestine. Assimilation of protein by animals was assessed by the amount of it digested in SI, and unproductive costs — by the part of nitrogen in the urine. Diets consisted of hay, peas and mineral supplements. Different amounts of SP in the diets were achieved by feeding natural pea (control) or pea grilled at a temperature of +105°C (experiment). When feeding a diet with a reduced level of SP and RDP, the apparent intensity of digestion decreased, which was manifested in a slightly smaller amount of feed consumed, and in a smaller number of duodenal and ileocecal chyme. In a complex stomach, the CP digestibility of the experimental diet with a reduced level of SP was 10% lower. In the control diet with a high level of SP, more CP was degraded in rumen and more ammonium nitrogen was supplied to SI. The availability of CP for digestion in SI on the experimental diet was 5.8% higher, against control, with 8–10% higher digestibility of DM, OM and CP, but lower digestibility of CA and CF. In LI, the digestibility of nutrients in the studied diets was multidirectional. A significant amount of dietary protein was depreciated in the control diet with a high level of SP due to a 40% increase in urinary nitrogen excretion.

Combination of carbohydrases and essential oils improve dietary performance of feedlot steers on a high-energy diet

Essential oils and enzymes are alternatives to feed additives for ruminants that aim to replace the use of ionophores and improve animal performance, but their mechanisms of action are different. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify if there is a synergistic effect in the combined use of enzymes carbohydrates and essential oils on the performance, ingestive behavior and carcass traits of steers fed a high-energy diet. During the finishing period of 78 days, 40 steers were assigned to four treatments: CON- control; ENZ- enzymatic complex; EO- essential oil blend; ENZ+EO - enzymatic complex combined with essential oil blend. Regardless of the feedlot periods, the ENZ+EO treatment caused a reduction in the dry matter intake (12.48%) compared to the control. The ENZ+EO treatment resulted in the lowest mean fecal output and, consequently, the highest dry matter digestibility (DMD) and starch digestibility (SD), compared to the other treatments. Animals that received EO and ENZ+EO in the diet spent more time in feeding. As for the number of times animals visited the feeding trough, the highest values were presented by the animals in the EO, ENZ and ENZ+EO treatments. For the carcass parameters, only the subcutaneous fat thickness on the rib was significantly different between treatments, with the highest values obtained by adding EO and ENZ+EO (8.80 and 8.10 mm respectively). Thus, the combination of carbohydrate enzymes and essential oils proved to be synergistically beneficial in relation to better use of nutrients and productive performance of feedlot steers.

Feed form and nutritional level for rearing growing broilers in thermoneutral or heat stress environments

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different physical forms of feed and feeding programs on nutrient digestibility and performance of grower-finisher broilers under thermoneutrality or thermal stress. Three experiments were conducted using male broiler chickens (n=720) aged 19-42d. The design of two of the experiments was fully randomized in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with two forms of feed (mash and pellet) and two nutritional levels (13.19MJ/kg and 194.8g/kg CP - normal level and 13.61MJ/kg and 210.3g/kg CP - high level). The experiments took place in a climate-controlled room: Experiment 1 at thermoneutrality (21-23°C and 58-60% relative humidity) for 24h/day; Experiment 2 under thermal stress cycle (31-32°C and 63-65% relative humidity), for 6h/day and thermoneutrality (21-23°C, 58-60% relative humidity) for 18h/day. The nutrient digestibility and performance was analyzed. The design of the third experiment was fully randomized with two ambient condition treatments (thermoneutral and thermal stress) on heat production, caloric increment and net energy. Pellet feed obtained higher digestibility of dry matter, digestibility of crude protein, AME and AMEn (P<0.05) than mash feed for broilers reared in the thermoneutral environment. At the high nutritional level there was no effect of treatments on the coefficient of dry matter and crude protein (DCCP) (P>0.05), while the highest digestibility of AME and AMEn were obtained by the high nutritional level diet (P<0.05). Pellet feed had higher DCCP (P<0.05) than mash feed for broilers reared under cyclic heat stress. Broiler chickens under cyclic stress experienced increased caloric increment, rectal temperature and respiratory rate. The appropriate strategy to minimize these effects in both ambient conditions is to pellet feed.

Predicted milk production per hectare based on yield and chemical composition of native and hybrid maize silage varieties on temperate and tropical regions

The objective of the present study was to characterize maize silage according to chemical composition, maize silage yield, as well as their predicted milk production. A search was made on studies related to maize silage yield, density, chemical composition (DM, CP, NDF, starch), and dry matter digestibility (DMD). In this study, 41 maize varieties from temperate regions and 101 maize varieties from tropical origin were analyzed. The net energy of lactation (NEL Mcal/kg DM), kilograms of milk per t of silage (kg of milk/t DM), and kilograms of milk per hectare of silage (kg of milk/ha) were determined. A cluster (CL) analysis was performed, and six CL of maize silage were obtained. The CL1 included digestibility for dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, NEL, and kg of milk/t DM. CL2 was characterized by maize silage with the highest number of plants per hectare and NDF. CL3 included the highest ash content. CL4 consisted of intermediate values for all variables. CL5 included the highest forage yield (t DM/ha) and kg of milk/ha whereas CL6 included the highest kg of milk/t. Overall, CL1 resulted in the highest DMD and NEL, producing more milk per t DM. Results suggested that the ideal option is maize silage with a higher forage yield and more than 35 % DM (CL5) since this produces more kg of milk per hectare.

PSI-9 Digestibility and metabolizable energy content of supplemented diets based on native shrubs and buffelgrass for small ruminants in northeastern Mexico

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing 10% of sorghum grain (SG), soybean meal (SBM) or dried citrus pulp (DCP) upon dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), and metabolizable energy content (ME) of diets based on dried leaves of two shrub species (Acacia farnesiana and Acacia rigidula) and one grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) browsed by small ruminants. Twelve experimental diets were elaborated using three forage sources: C. ciliaris, A. farnesiana and A. rigidula and evaluated either alone (0% supplementation) or supplemented with 10% of SG (9.0% CP, 22.3% NDF), SBM (42.8% CP, 16.3% NDF) or DCP (4.9% CP, 19.1% NDF). In vitro DMD (Daisy incubator, ANKOM) at 48 h, and in vitro gas production (GP, in calibrated 100 mL glass syringes) at 24 h, were determined by incubating samples in an inoculum prepared by using rumen liquor of two rumen fistulated sheep and artificial saliva in a 1:4 ratio. OMD and ME content were calculated from the gas production, crude protein, ash, and ether extract content. Data were evaluated according to a 3 x 4 factorial experiment. There were no significant (P &amp;gt; 0.05) forage source x supplement interaction effects. Leaves of A. farnesiana had higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) DMD (64%), GP (26 mL), ME (1910 kcal ME/kg DM), and OMD (53%) than other forages (mean 47% DMD, 17 mL GP, 1232 kcal ME/kg DM, and 39% DMO). Supplements increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) DMD (average +8%), but only DCP increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the GP (+23%) of evaluated forages. Leaves of A. farnesiana had higher DMD (P &amp;lt; 0.05; 64%). There were no effects (P &amp;gt;0.05) of the 10% added supplements in ME content or DMO. In conclusion, leaves of A. farnesiana and DCP are valuable sources of nutrients and energy for small ruminants in northeastern Mexico.

Dietary supplementation of tributyrin improved the growth, feed utilization and intestinal histology of grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella )

To investigate the effects of dietary tributyrin (TB) on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), five diets were prepared with supplementing TB at 0 (TB-0), 200 (TB-200), 400 (TB-400), 600 (TB-600) and 800 (TB-800) mg/kg and then fed to grass carp with initial body weight of 17.0 ± 0.2 g for 60 days. TB-400 and TB-600 groups presented higher weight gain, higher retention of protein, lipid, ash and lower feed conversion ratio than TB-0 group (p < .05), and TB-400 group also showed higher digestibility of dry matter and protein as well as intestinal amylase activity than TB-0 group (p < .05). Compared with the control, the serum superoxide dismutase activity was increased, and malondialdehyde content was decreased in TB-400 and TB-600 groups (p < .05), while TB-200 and TB-400 groups presented higher serum lysozyme activity than TB-0 group (p < .05). The villus height in foregut was increased in all the tributyrin-supplemented groups, but the villus height in midgut was increased only in TB-400 and T-600 groups (p < .05). The relative abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium tended to increase, and Aeromonas tended to decrease in TB-400 group. In conclusion, dietary tributyrin promoted the growth and feed utilization, enhanced serum antioxidant capacity and improved intestinal health of grass carp. Based on growth performance, the appropriate dietary supplementation of tributyrin is 443.5 mg/kg by using quadratic regression analysis.