Inclusion Of Wheat Research Articles

Alteration of growth performance, glycolipid metabolism, and bone characteristics of broiler chickens in response to different inclusion levels of dietary wheat.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of wheat inclusion on growth performance, glycolipid metabolism, and tibial properties of broiler chickens. A total of 480 1-d-old male broiler chickens were initially fed identical starter diets until d 10. Subsequently, they were divided into 3 treatments consisting of 8 replicates with 20 birds per replicate, i.e., 1) low-level wheat addition group, with wheat ratios of 15% and 25% during the grower and finisher periods, respectively; 2) medium-level wheat inclusion group, incorporating 30% and 40% wheat in the grower and finisher diets, respectively; and 3) high-level wheat addition group, containing 55.8% and 62.4% wheat in the grower and finisher diets, until d 39. When compared to the low- and medium-level wheat diet, the high-level wheat inclusion in the diet increased feed intake and reduced the feed conversion ratio (both p<0.01), which was accompanied by a longer jejunum (p=0.031). Meanwhile, the high-level addition of wheat displayed a decreased abundance of Ruminococcin, Bacteroidetes, and Lactobacillus than the low-wheat group. With the increase of the proportion of wheat treatment, the contents of cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were elevated in serum, whereas the concentration of serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, a bone resorption marker, was decreased. In addition, the diet with medium and high levels of wheat improved the yield load of tibia, along with comparable bone dimension and weight. The medium- and high-level wheat additions increased serum glycolipid deposition and enhanced tibial mechanical properties, whereas the high-level wheat diet compromised the growth performance of broiler chickens, which might be associated with the alteration of gut microbiota.

Influence of grain type and fat source on performance, nutrient utilization, and gut properties in broilers fed pelleted diets

The influence of grain type and fat source on the performance, coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID), and intestinal characteristics in broiler starters fed pelleted diets were studied. The experiment included 8 treatments arranged as a 2 × 4 factorial with 2 grains (wheat and corn) and 4 fat sources (soybean oil, fish oil, tallow, and palm oil). In all fat sources, corn-fed birds had a higher weight gain than those fed wheat-based diets. However, improvement in the weight gain of birds fed wheat-based diets supplemented with tallow resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) interaction between grain type and fat source. Inclusion of wheat and tallow increased feed intake compared to corn and other fat sources, respectively. Pellets made from wheat were harder (P < 0.01) than those based on corn. Broilers fed corn-based diets, had higher CAID of fat, Ca, and phosphorus (P < 0.01) than those fed wheat-based diets. Soybean oil inclusion, also increased (P < 0.01) fat digestibility compared to other fat sources. An interaction occurred between grain type and fat source where pellets made from corn and soybean oil had higher protein digestibility compared to the other treatments (P < 0.01). Feeding wheat-based diets increased pH of gizzard and proventriculus compared to corn-based diets (P < 0.01). Highest viscosity value was observed in wheat-diets supplemented with fish oil, and palm oil (P < 0.01). The pancrease, gizzard and cecum were heavier in corn-based fed birds compared to those fed wheat-based diets (P < 0.01). A significant interaction between grain type and fat source was noted for Lactobacillus spp. and the total anaerobic bacteria population in the cecum. Overall, the effect of grain type on weight gain, CIAD of protein and cecal microbiota differed depending on the fat sources. Feeding corn and soybean oil resulted in better gut development and growth performance in broilers fed pelleted diets.

Different fat-to-fiber ratios by changing wheat inclusion level impact energy metabolism and microbial structure of broilers.

Dietary nutrient content is crucial for energy metabolism and development of gut microbiota. Herein, this study aimed to explore the effects of fat-to-fiber ratios on nutrient transporter, energy metabolism and gut microbiota when ingredients composition was altered. A total of 240 as-hatched broiler chickens were randomly assigned into three groups including low fat-high dietary fiber (LF-HD), medium fat-medium dietary fiber (MF-MD) and high fat-low dietary fiber (HF-LD), with diets being iso-protein, and broilers were offered the same commercial diets from 21 to 42 d. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA of SPSS. Results showed that HF-LD diet significantly increased glucose content and decreased triglyceride in serum of broilers (p < 0.05). The mRNA abundance of jejunal gene involved in glucose transporter and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was significantly increased in broilers fed with HF-LD diets. Compared with LF-HD, HF-LD had a lower abundance of Anaerofilum and CHKCI001, and an increased proportion of beneficial bacteria such as Alistipes, Catenibacillus, Intestinimonas, Lactobacillus, and Peptococcus (p < 0.05). Functional prediction of these microbial changes indicated that HF-LD diet drove caecal microbiota to participate in carbohydrate metabolism and TCA cycle (p < 0.05). Dietary HF-LD-induced microbiota changes were positively correlated with growth performance of broilers (p < 0.05). Therefore, HF-LD diet increased glucose transporters and energy metabolism in intestine and shaped microbial structure and metabolic pathways, which may benefit the growth performance of broilers.

Effects of varying wheat levels on growth performance, intestinal barrier, and cecal microbiota of broilers.

The study aimed to investigate the potential effects of varying wheat levels in broiler diets on growth performance, intestinal barrier, and cecal microbiota. Day-old male broilers were fed the same diet until 10 d of age. Then they were randomly assigned to 1) the low-level wheat group, where inclusion of 15.0% and 25.0% wheat in the grower and finisher diet, respectively, 2) the medium-level wheat group with 30.0% and 40.0% of wheat in the grower and finisher periods; and 3) the high-level wheat dietary group, in which the grower and finisher diets contained 55.77% and 62.38% of wheat, respectively. Dietary treatments unaffected the body weight at 39 d, whereas incorporating high wheat in diets significantly increased the feed intake and reduced the feed conversion ratio from 10 to 39 d (p < 0.05). Except for increased phosphorus digestibility in the high wheat group, dietary treatments had no significant effect on the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract. Meanwhile, the broilers that consumed the medium and high content of wheat presented a higher villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth than those fed the low-level wheat birds. Feeding the medium-level wheat enhanced ileal integrity and depressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the ileum. The addition of high levels of wheat reduced the Chao1 index and the abundance of Lactobacillaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Ruminococcacea in cecal content, which probably decreased the metabolism of histidine, sulfur-containing amino acids, and the biosynthesis of lysine. These results support the medium-level wheat diet improved intestinal barrier function and had no deleterious effects on the growth performance of broiler; dietary inclusion of high wheat reduced the feed conversion rate, which might be associated with the disturbed gut microbiota and decreased metabolism of amino acids.

The Effect of Free Choice Whole Grain Wheat on Turkey Performance, Caecal Health and Foot Pad Dermatitis

This study was conducted to determine the effect of inclusion of whole grain wheat by a free choice method in the diet of turkey poults on bird performance, caecal health and foot pad dermatitis. A total of 192, four week old, as hatched, commercial line turkeys. Birds were blocked by live weight and then randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments or whole grain wheat with starter pellet control (CON) treatment. Turkeys were offered their respective treatments for the duration of the study. Feed offered and refused and body weights were determined weekly. Turkeys were fed whole grain wheat (WGW) as free choice, it was observed that intake of WGW was much more variable in birds offered free choice WGW, although mean intake of WGW was greater. Bird performance was better if WGW was not fed. The weight of the (crop, gizzard, liver, pancreas and caecum) were not effect by treatment. Digesta pH was affected by treatment (P=0.045) gizzard digesta pH being lower when birds were offered WGW at 28-48 d old. Cecal content pH, cecal visual appearance scores, cecal content visual appearance scores, foot pad dermatitis were not affected by the WGW to the diet.

Quality evaluation of beef patties formulated with wheat and sweet potato flour blends

The use of fat replacers in meat products has been explored due to the demand for nutritious and healthy meat products. The optimal blend of wheat and sweet potato flour as healthy alternatives was investigated. Using standard procedure, samples formulated were analyzed for proximate, color, texture, sensory, and cooking properties. The cooking yield, diameter reduction and cooking loss value ranged between 56.13 -77.27%, 10.35 - 15.03% and 18.01 - 22.72% respectively. A significant difference was observed in all the cooking properties of the beef patties. The color attributes of the beef patties with the inclusion of wheat and sweet potato flour were significantly affected by the incorporation of the flour blends. An increase was observed in protein content as the addition of wheat flour increased while the inclusion of sweet potato flour decreased fat content. The presence of sweet potato flour significantly affected all the textural attributes of the beef patties samples. The optimum ingredient ratio obtained was 24% wheat flour and 76% sweet potato flour. Replacing meat fat with wheat and sweet potato flour blends will produce acceptable beef patties.

Impact of Storage on Chemical Composition of Wheat and Efficiency of Its Utilization in Broilers

This present study was designed to evaluate the effect of storage duration (1.5 years and 2.5 years storage) on wheat quality and the impact of the inclusion of stored wheat in the diet of broilers on performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass parameters. A total of 560 one-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to the 56 pens, and each pen had 10 birds. A corn-soybean-based diet was considered as the control diet and the other six dietary treatments were prepared by replacing corn of the corn-soybean diet with 50% and 100% replacement of fresh, 1.5-year stored, and 2.5-year stored wheat. The data of proximate composition of wheat represents that dry matter was improved (p &lt; 0.05) and acid detergent fiber was decreased in 2.5-year-old wheat (p &lt; 0.05). Performance parameters data represents that both in the starter phase and finisher phase, the replacement of corn with 50% and 100% fresh wheat in the diet significantly reduced the feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and body weight gain (p &lt; 0.05), and 100% replacement of corn with fresh wheat resulted in higher FCR (p &lt; 0.05). Based on the findings of this current study, it is concluded that the storage of wheat improves the performance of birds.

Effect of germinated and heat-moisture treated ancient wheat on some quality attributes and bioactive components of noodles

Utilization of germinated and heat-moisture treated wheat in noodle formulation to improve bioactive components and technologic quality was investigated. Flour of untreated, germinated, heat-moisture treated germinated wheat varieties (Esperia, einkorn and emmer) were used at five ratios (0–60 %) in noodles according to (3 × 3 × 5) × 2 factorial design. Forty-five different noodle formulations were produced. Cooking loss values of the noodles raised with increasing ratios of germinated wheat flours. Heat-moisture treatment partially decreased the cooking loss of noodle prepared with germinated wheat flour. The ash, protein, phytic acid, total yellow pigment, total phenolic content, minerals (except K) and antioxidant activity values of the noodle increased with the inclusion of ancient wheat compared to modern wheat. These increases were much more evident with the use of germinated flours of modern and ancient wheat. While the germination process increased the bioactive components content, the heat-moisture treatment improved the technological quality of the noodle prepared from germinated wheat.

Effect of Whole Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Feeding on the Performance of Commercial Broilers

An experiment was conducted for six weeks to study the effect of mixed or choice feeding of whole wheat on the performance of commercial broiler chicken. A total of 352 straight-run day-old commercial broiler chickens were randomly divided into 11 treatments from T1 to T11, with 32 chicks in each treatment and eight chicks in each of four replicates. The corn soya control diet (T1) was fed to the broiler birds without the inclusion of wheat. Results indicated that final body weight, weight gain, and FCR were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) improved in broiler birds fed with 40% choice feeding of wheat at marketing age without affecting feed consumption. The wheat consumption was linearly increased in the wheat choice feeding levels from 20 to 100 %. The study concluded that the choice feeding of wheat instead of maize at 40% was cost-effective and beneficial for improving growth performance.

Using machine learning regression models to predict the pellet quality of pelleted feeds

Pelleted feeds are widely used in monogastric animal production systems because they not only improve animal performance (increasing digestibility and feed consumption) but are convenient to store and handle. However, pellet quality can be affected by many factors. While previous studies have reported the effect of a single or several factors on pellet quality, no studies have investigated how pellet quality can be affected by the large number of factors that vary during feed manufacturing. Therefore, the current study reports using machine learning regression models to predict pellet quality using commercial feed mill data. A dataset consisting of 2471 observations describing the pellet manufacturing process, the feed formulation, and environmental conditions (e.g. outdoor temperature) were collected from two feed mill lines for 8 months. Sixteen features (13 continuous, 3 categorical) were used for building the regression models, and the output was the pellet durability index (PDI) of the pelleted feeds. Twelve regression algorithms including Linear Regression (LR), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, Ridge Regression (RR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Linear Support Vector Regression (LSVR), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR), Adaptive Boosting Regression (ABR), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Stacking Regression (SR) were examined in this study. Feature importance analysis using permutation importance was performed to identify what features were most relevant for each model. Average outdoor temperature, bakery byproduct and wheat inclusion levels, as well as production line all had high permutation importance values, while the fat added into the mixer (with controls at the mill already in place to limit it) was less important than most features. The cleaned dataset was preprocessed and then split into a training (80 % of total samples, n = 1147) and a testing (20 % of total samples, n = 287) set. A 5-fold cross-validation process was applied and learning curves were used to verify the presence of overfitting for each algorithm before and after tuning the hyperparameters on the training set. The models that exhibited overfitting were excluded from the final results and only models with tuned hyperparameters were evaluated on the testing set. The SVR algorithm was selected as the best overall model for predicting PDI, as it had the lowest mean absolute and mean squared prediction errors (MAE = 3.280, MSPE = 16.192), and the second highest concordance correlation coefficient (CCC = 0.636). In conclusion, this study shows that feed mill features describing manufacturing parameters, feed formulation, and environmental data can be successfully used to build machine learning regression models for pellet quality prediction.

Effect of Partial Substitution of Corn with Whole-Grain Wheat in Fattening Lamb Diets on their Growth Performance

Summary Wheat grain is commonly used for animal feeding in some regions while it is rarely used in others. Its nutrient composition is quite similar to more commonly used corn grain, but there are some concerns regarding its effect on animal performance and health. However, it appears that usage of wheat grain in animal feeding is dominantly affected by economic rather than nutritional reasons. When used with caution, wheat can be a good alternative to corn. In order to test this, 20 Wurttemberg lambs, three months old, were randomly separated in two groups and fed diets containing 600 g of corn grain, or 300 g of corn grain and 300 g of wheat grain, for a period of one month. The used grains were whole, non processed grains. Two diets contained the same commercial protein supplement and alfalfa hay was offered ad libitum. Both groups accepted their experimental diet well and readily consumed the amounts offered. No health problems were observed. Growth rate was higher in male than in female lambs, but was not affected by wheat inclusion.

Yield, nitrogen, and water use benefits of diversifying crop rotations with specialty oilseeds

Decreased agricultural diversity from extensive use of the corn (Zea mays L.)- soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation and occasional inclusion of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), has threatened cropping system sustainability. Using specialty oilseeds crops to extend the corn-soybean rotation might improve yields and promote sustainability. We tested whether corn, soybean, and wheat yields would be improved in a rotation following oilseed crops versus corn or soybean. In Phase 1, replicated blocks of nine different flowering oilseeds and two traditional grain crops (corn and soybean) were grown. In phase 2, corn, soybean, and wheat were planted in replicated blocks perpendicular to the previous year crops. This 2-year rotation was repeated for three site-years, two in Morris, MN and one in Brookings, SD. Soil water balance was evaluated during Phase 1 of the rotation to determine seasonal water use. Potential N mineralization was measured in the spring prior to planting in a subset of phase 1 treatments (spring canola, cuphea, corn, and soybean). Linear mixed models were used to analyze Phase 2 corn, soybean and wheat yield responses to previous crop. N dynamics and water use responses to phase 1 crops were also analyzed with mixed models. Corn yield was higher with any previous crop other than corn. Soybean and wheat yields did not significantly respond to previous crop. Yield patterns were partially explained by N mineralization potential and previous crop water use. Spring canola treatments provided higher potential net nitrification compared to corn. Canola, camelina, borage, and crambe had lower seasonal water use than both corn and soybean in at least one site-year. This short-term study indicated that corn and soybean yields following specialty oilseed crops had similar yields to a traditional corn-soybean rotation. Further, oilseed crops in rotation provided additional environmental benefits.

Corn and soybean yields and returns are greater in rotations with wheat

AbstractSimple rotations containing only corn (Zea mays L.) and/or soybean (Glycine max L.) dominate landscapes despite agronomic, soil health, and environmental benefits associated with diversification. We hypothesize that inclusion of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in corn–soybean (CS) rotations increases yield and net returns and that this benefit is becoming larger over time. Yields from rotation–tillage trials located near Elora and Ridgetown, ON, Canada, respectively, were used to investigate the yield and return effects of diversifying CS rotation using wheat with/without red clover (Trifolium pratense L). At Elora, wheat inclusion increased rate of yield increase in corn and soybean over 36 yr. During the latter 16 yr, adding wheat to CS rotation increased conventional tillage (CT) 1st and 2nd‐year corn yields (with red clover) by 0.43 Mg ha−1 (4.2%) and 0.98 Mg ha−1 (11.8%), respectively, no‐till 1st and 2nd‐year corn yields (no red clover) by 0.78 Mg ha−1 (9.9%) and 0.45 Mg ha−1 (5.3%), respectively, and 1st‐year soybean yield by 0.34 Mg ha−1 (11.8%). At Elora, net returns in the 4‐yr wheat‐containing rotations were 10% greater compared to the CS rotation. Similar corn and soybean yield responses including wheat in 2 or 3 yr rotations also occurred at the greater‐yielding Ridgetown trial, however net returns were not increased relative to the CS rotation. Inclusion of wheat in CS rotation once every 4–5 yr may provide the optimal balance between accruing higher net returns from corn and soybean while minimizing direct net revenue reductions associated with wheat.

Inclusion of Wheat Dried Distillers' Grains with Solubles from Bioethanol Plants in Diets for Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryThere are environmental concerns about feeding imported soya bean meal to dairy cows in Europe. An alternative protein source is dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS), a co-product of bioethanol manufacture. Corn is the main source of bioethanol and DDGS in the USA, and corn DDGS is widely researched. Wheat is used for bioethanol and DDGS manufacture in Canada and Europe, but most studies of wheat DDGS in dairy diets have used one dietary inclusion level. Responses of dairy cows to inclusion level of wheat DDGS made in Europe are unknown. In this study, we tested two batches of wheat DDGS from UK bioethanol plants, which replaced soya and rapeseed meal in diets for high-yielding dairy cows. One batch of wheat DDGS had a low proportion of solubles, which decreased its metabolisable energy content and limited inclusion level to below 20% of diet dry matter before dry matter intake and milk yield were depressed. The other batch of wheat DDGS had a typical proportion of solubles, resulting in higher metabolisable energy content, and could be included to at least 22.5% of diet dry matter without affecting dry matter intake and milk yield. Results of this study give confidence that wheat DDGS produced in Europe can be used at high inclusion levels in diets for high-yielding dairy cows.Dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) from bioethanol production can replace soya in diets for dairy cows, but the optimum inclusion level of European wheat DDGS (wDDGS) is unknown. Two batches of wDDGS from different UK bioethanol plants were fed to 44 (Experiment 1) and 40 (Experiment 2) cows in a Latin square design. Each wDDGS replaced soya and rapeseed at four inclusion levels (g/kg of diet dry matter (DM): 0, 80, 160 and 240—Experiment 1; 0, 75, 150 and 225—Experiment 2). Diets were balanced for metabolisable energy (ME) and protein (MP), and for minimum starch and saturated fat in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, DM intake (29 kg/day) and milk yield (42.3 kg/day) were unaffected by wDDGS inclusion up to 160 g/kg but were lower than control with 240 g/kg inclusion, which was attributed to the low proportion of solubles in this wDDGS batch. In Experiment 2, DM intake (22.4 kg/day) and milk yield (32.1 kg/day) were unaffected by wDDGS inclusion up to 225 g/kg. ME content of wDDGS, determined in vivo (MJ/kg DM) was 12.1 (Experiment 1) and 13.4 (Experiment 2). It is concluded that the optimum inclusion level of wDDGS is at least 225 g/kg DM in diets balanced for minimum starch and saturated fat as well as ME and MP supplies.

Breast meat yield, muscle linear measurements and meat composition of turkeys fed 2 diet containing wheat or sorghum as sole cereal source

Breast meat yield, chemical composition, mineral profile and linear measurement of the resultant breast meat Supracoracoides and Pectoralis thoracicus of one hundred and eighty (28 days old BUT) male turkeys fed diet containing wheat or sorghum as sole cereal source were studied. One hundred and eighty 28-days old male turkeys (British United Turkeys, BUT) were randomly allotted into 18 pens with 10 poults housed in each pen (of dimension 3.0× 2.0 m). Three experimental diets were formulated for the starter (29-56 days), grower (57-84) and finisher phase (85-112 days) such that ground maize (control), wheat or sorghum (light brown coat variety) was used as the only cereal source. The turkeys were randomly allotted to 18 pens (each housing 10 turkeys) with each pen allocated to one of the experimental diets. Growth response, breast meat yield, chemical composition, mineral profile and linear measurement of the resultant breast meat yield were measured at the end of finishing phase. Turkeys fed with wheat and sorghum had similar dressing percentage values. Turkeys fed with sorghum recorded lower (P&lt;0.05) final live weight (10,002.10 g), weight gain (9084.90 g), feed intake (19,942.67 g), dressed weight (8099.94 g), breast meat yield (2691g) and higher relative BMY (269.05 g/kg LWT) than those fed with wheat. However, turkeys fed with wheat had higher (P&lt;0.05) Supracoccoides weight (672.15 g) and length (26.9 g) than those fed with sorghum which recorded higher relative Supracoccoides weight (58.81 g) than those fed with sole wheat (53.76 19 g). Crude protein, ether extract, ash content, gross energy and mineral content of the BMY were not affected by dietary inclusion of wheat or sorghum as sole cereal source. However, the breast meat of turkeys fed with sorghum had lower (P&lt;0.05) moisture (60.12%), cholesterol (19.05 mg/100g) and LDL (2.01 mg/100g) values than other corresponding values obtained for turkeys fed with wheat or control diet

Nutritive value of ensiled Italian ryegrass and winter cereal mixture

Nutritive value of ensiled Italian ryegrass and winter cereal mixture

Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 Journal &gt; Special Issue &gt; Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 &gt; Page 5 “Quantative Methods in Modern Science” organized by Academic Paper Ltd, Russia MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF THE GENUS GAGEA SALISB., GROWING IN THE EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION Authors: Zhamal T. Igissinova,Almash A. Kitapbayeva,Anargul S. Sharipkhanova,Alexander L. Vorobyev,Svetlana F. Kolosova,Zhanat

Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 Journal &gt; Special Issue &gt; Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 &gt; Page 5 “Quantative Methods in Modern Science” organized by Academic Paper Ltd, Russia MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF THE GENUS GAGEA SALISB., GROWING IN THE EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION Authors: Zhamal T. Igissinova,Almash A. Kitapbayeva,Anargul S. Sharipkhanova,Alexander L. Vorobyev,Svetlana F. Kolosova,Zhanat

Crop rotations in the Rolling Pampas: Characterization, spatial pattern and its potential controls

One of the most important decisions made by farmers every year involves land allocation to different crops. Accurate information on crop sequences over large areas is a key prerequisite to address social concerns as soybean monoculture, to map good agronomic practices and to assess farmers' adaptive capacity among others. Here we aimed to characterize crop sequences and describe the crop rotation patterns in an area of the Rolling Pampas in Argentina. We performed annual supervised classifications for the 2010/2011 to 2016/2017 growing seasons using high resolution satellite images and in situ data. Classification's accuracies were always higher than 85%. Analysis of crop sequences showed that the most common practice was alternating periods of continuous planting of early soybean with periods where maize and/or wheat were included in the rotation. In addition, during the period analyzed nearly 10% of the study area exhibited continuous soybean monoculture, and 6% of the area showed a strict crop rotation of maize, soybean, and wheat-soybean double crop. Changes in early soybean planted area were significantly associated (p < 0.1) to its previous year's international price, and were probably affected by political economy regulations. The inclusion of maize or wheat in the rotation was more frequently observed at larger cadastral units, while soybean monoculture was more frequent in smaller cadastral units. This suggests that farmers’ capitalization may be associated to different crop rotation decisions through a different long term planning capacity.

Impact of no-till, cover crop, and irrigation on Cotton yield

Water is the limiting factor for crop production within the southern US Great Plains and it has become a critical resource for multiple stakeholders. Hence, efficient irrigation and cropping systems are of paramount importance to conserve water resources. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of irrigation timing and quantity, cover crop use and tillage on cotton production in an established conservation tillage system. Evaluated tillage systems included: 1) conventional tillage (CT); 2) strip-tillage (ST); 3) no-till (NT); and 4) NT with a terminated wheat cover crop (NT-W). Irrigation treatments included 1) 5.08-6.35 mm d−1 initiated mid-season (LOW); 2) 6.35-8.38 mm d−1 initiated mid-season (MED); and 3) 5.08-6.35 mm d−1 initiated early-season (HIGH). No significant differences in lint yield or irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were observed between MED and HIGH. Although HIGH resulted in 12 % greater lint yields than LOW, HIGH resulted in 67 % greater irrigation water applications. LOW resulted in significantly greater IWUE than MED and HIGH. No-till systems, with and without a cover crop, had significantly greater lint yields and IWUE than CT. Furthermore, inclusion of wheat in NT increased yields and IWUE compared with ST. Applying irrigation water at a critical growth stage proved to be more water efficient than early season irrigation that was used to bank moisture in the soil profile. Delaying irrigation application until critical growth stages and using cover crops should be considered as best management approaches to conserve water resources while sustaining cotton production in the Southern Great Plains.

Viscosity and growth response of broilers fed high fiber diets supplemented with a corn-produced recombinant carbohydrase

SUMMARY Feed ingredients containing high levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), such as wheat and corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), can form viscous digesta in the gastrointestinal tract, limiting broiler performance. A study was conducted to determine efficacy of a corn-produced recombinant carbohydrase (AC1) on dietary and intestinal viscosity and broiler performance with a high NSP diet. Hubbard × Ross 708, a day old, male broiler chicks (n = 960) were fed 1 of 8 dietary treatments for 21 d. Diets included a corn–soybean meal based diet (PC_1) and a diet of similar essential nutrient density, but with a 10% inclusion of both wheat and DDGS (PC_2) and a negative control (NC) with similar ingredients as PC_2, but with ME reduced by 125 kcal/kg. Additional treatments had varying levels of AC1, supplying 50, 100, 200, 400, or 600 U β-Glucanase (β-Glu-U) per kg of feed, mixed into the NC diet. Dietary and digesta (d14) viscosity and weekly bird performance were measured. The inclusion of wheat and DDGS increased d1–7 feed conversion ratio (FCR) and supplementing AC1 at 50–400 β-Glu-U/kg reduced FCR equivalent to PC_1. Intestinal viscosity correlated with d1–21 FCR and inversely correlated with d1–21 live weight gain (LWG). When analyzed categorically, dietary viscosity inversely correlated with d1–21 LWG (P