Inclusion Of Wheat Research Articles

Enteric methane emission and digestion in dairy cows fed wheat or molasses

The aim of this experiment was to measure enteric methane (CH4) emission and its relation with rumen digestion in dairy cows fed diets rich in 1 of the 2 carbohydrate sources, starch or sugar. The rations were based on late first-cut grass-clover silage supplemented with wheat (Wh), NaOH-treated wheat (Wh+NaOH), sugar beet molasses (Mo), or sugar beet molasses with addition of sodium bicarbonate (Mo+Bic). Wheat and molasses made up 35% of dry matter in the 2 diets with molasses and wheat, respectively. Four cows fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal canulae were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Nutrient digestibility was measured using chromium oxide and titanium oxide as flow markers, and emissions of CH4 and hydrogen were measured via open-circuit indirect calorimetry on 4 consecutive days. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) with treatment and period as fixed effects and cow as random effect. Furthermore, orthogonal contrasts were calculated. The cows produced 32.5, 33.6, 36.2, and 35.1 L of CH4/kg of dry matter intake (DMI) on diets Wh, Wh+NaOH, Mo, and Mo+Bic, respectively. The emission of CH4 per day, per kilogram of DMI, and per kilogram of energy-corrected milk as well as daily hydrogen emission were higher on the Mo diet compared with the Wh diet. With the present inclusion of wheat and molasses in the diet, no effects of NaOH treatment of wheat or of sodium bicarbonate supplementation to the Mo diet could be demonstrated on CH4 emission expressed per kilogram of DMI or per kilogram of energy-corrected milk. The duodenal flow of starch was higher when wheat was treated with NaOH. Under the conditions in the present experiment, ruminal NDF digestibility was not affected by carbohydrate source, NaOH treatment of wheat, or bicarbonate supplementation. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen and the proportions of acetate and propionate were not affected by carbohydrate source, NaOH treatment of wheat, or bicarbonate supplementation. Likewise, we could not show any influence of diet on microbial protein synthesis or efficiency of microbial protein synthesis expressed as grams of microbial protein synthesis per kilogram of true rumen-digested organic matter. We concluded that CH4 emission was increased when wheat was replaced by molasses, whereas no effect of manipulating rumen fermentation by NaOH treatment of wheat or addition of bicarbonate to molasses could be found with a level of approximately 25% of dry matter from starch and sugar, respectively.

Influence of the method of whole wheat inclusion on performance and caecal microbiota profile of broiler chickens

SummaryA study was conducted to investigate the effect of method of whole wheat inclusion on performance and caecal microbiota profile of broiler chickens. Fluorescencein situhybridisation analysis was used to characterise the microbiota by using genus-specific probes. Three treatments, namely, ground wheat (GW) or 200 g/kg whole wheat (WW) replacing GW before or after pelleting were evaluated. A total of 144, one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were allocated to 18 cages (eight broilers per cage) based on body weight and six cages were randomly assigned to each treatment. The diets were offeredad libitumfrom day 11 to 35 post-hatch. The WW fed birds, regardless of the method of inclusion, resulted in poorer weight gain (P < 0.05) and reduced feed intake (P < 0.001), but a similar feed per gain (P > 0.05) compared to those fed the GW diet. The WW diet, regardless to the method of inclusion, had no effect (P > 0.05) on the populations ofLactobacillusandBacteroides spp.compared with the GW diet. TheBifidobacterium spp.population was higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed the GW diet compared with WW feeding, regardless of the method of inclusion. A reduction (P < 0.05) in the numbers of pathogenicClostridiumandCampylobacter spp.were observed in caecal samples from birds fed WW diets, regardless of method of inclusion, compared with those fed the GW diet, which was attributed to increased gizzard activity. Birds fed WW diets, regardless to the method of inclusion, showed a reduction in gizzard pH (P < 0.05), microbial gas production (P < 0.05), and an increase in gizzard weight (P < 0.05) relative to the GW treatment. The results indicated that the gizzard has an important function as a barrier organ, one that prevents pathogenic bacteria from entering the distal digestive tract.

The effect of incremental inclusion of whole grain wheat in the diet of growing turkeys on growth performance, feed conversion ratio, cecal health, and digesta characteristics

This study was conducted to determine the effects of adding incremental amounts of whole grain wheat (0, 100, and 200 g per kilogram of feed) to the diet of growing turkey poults on growth performance, feed efficiency, digesta pH, and the incidence of cecal distension. Seventy two, 6-wk-old commercial line turkeys were blocked by live weight and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 dietary treatment (n = 4 pens/treatment). Turkeys were offered their respective treatments for the duration of the study. Feed offered and refused and body weights were determined weekly. At 63 days of age 12 turkeys from each treatment were euthanized and crop contents were collected and weighed, pH of gizzard and cecal digesta measured, and ceca and cecal contents visually scored. At 84 days of age, all remaining turkeys were euthanized and the same sampling procedure repeated. Feed conversion ratio was poorer in those turkeys offered diets containing whole grain wheat (P < 0.05), declining quadratically (P < 0.005) as the proportion of whole grain wheat (WGW) in the diet increased. The proportion of WGW found in the crop post-mortem reflected whole wheat inclusion rates of the diets. The pH of gizzard contents at 63 days was lower in turkeys receiving diets supplemented with WGW, declining quadratically (P = 0.005) as the proportion of WGW in the diet increased. However, this difference in gizzard pH was not apparent at 84 days of age. Cecal content pH, cecal visual appearance scores, and cecal content visual appearance scores were not affected by the inclusion of WGW to the diet. The inclusion of WGW to the diets of growing turkeys reduces growth performance and feed efficiency suggesting that the addition of whole wheat may have reduced the nutritional quality of the diet as a whole.

Soil organic carbon, macro- and micronutrient changes in soil fractions with different lability in response to crop intensification

Soils under no tillage have experienced unfavorable changes, mainly due to current agricultural practices that consist in monocultures that leave little residue cover. The inclusion of grass as cover crops during the winter season could be a sustainable strategy to increase crop intensification in sequences where soybean predominates, helping to maintain soil fertility, organic matter levels and enhance soil physical properties. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of 8 years of sustainable crop intensification (by increasing the proportion of cereals in crop rotations) on soil organic carbon, macro- and micronutrients associated with granulometric fractions of different lability in a Typic Argiudoll of the Rolling Pampa, Argentina. The experiment included two crop sequences commonly used in this area: soybean-soybean (S-S) and maize-soybean-wheat/soybean (M-S-W/S) combined with the inclusion of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as cover crop (CC) in winter. The intensification sequence indices (ISI) were 0.39, 0.69, 0.55 and 0.64 for S-S, S-CC-S, M-S-W/S and M-CC-S-W/S, respectively. The carbon measured in the coarse particulate fraction (Pcf) in the 0–5 cm soil depth was 3 times larger in S-CC-S than in S-S. Cropping intensity also modified N, S, P, Ca and Mn in the Pcf with no changes in Mg, K, Zn, Fe and Cu contents. Among the carbon fractions studied, only the carbon measured in the Pcf and the easy mineralizable carbon estimated by the soil respiration in the first soil layer (0–5 cm), were positively correlated with the ISI. In the present study, 8 years under sustainable crop intensification were sufficient to show changes in the mineral associated fraction (Maf). Increases in the C in the Maf in maize legume-based rotation, suggest SOC accumulation in more stable carbon pools.

Nutrient and energy digestibility, and microbial metabolites in weaned pigs fed diets containing Lactobacillus–fermented wheat

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nursery diets containing fermented wheat, with or without enzyme complex, on nutrient and energy digestibility as well as microbial metabolites in weaned pigs. Wheat was fermented using either L. plantarum (Homo) or L. buchneri (Hetero), with or without an enzyme complex (multicarbohydrases + phytase) for a 90-d of period. The Homo produces lactic acid during fermentation whereas Hetero can further convert the lactic acid into volatile fatty acids and alcohol. Control diets were formulated with unfermented wheat without (negative control) or with (positive control) 0.5 g/kg of the enzyme complex whereas the treatment diets contained fermented wheat at 437.5 g/kg without enzymes. A casein (50 g/kg)-corn starch-based diet was used to estimate the basal endogenous amino acids losses. Fourteen weaned piglets (7.8 ± 0.3 kg initial body weight) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum and allocated as per an incomplete replicated 7 × 3 Latin square design with 7 dietary treatments and 3 periods. The inclusion of fermented wheat increased (P < 0.05) the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of GE and starch, and coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE), and phosphorus. Further, pigs fed fermented wheat diets showed greater (P < 0.05) CAID of methionine, cysteine, and tyrosine, and coefficient of standardized ileal digestibility (CSID) of methionine, alanine, and proline than those fed unfermented wheat diets. Pigs fed Hetero-fermented wheat diets demonstrated greater (P < 0.05) CAID of DM, OM, and GE, and CATTD of calcium and phosphorus than those fed Homo-fermented wheat diets. However, no differences in amino acids digestibility were observed between the inoculants. The addition of an enzyme complex for wheat fermentation increased (P < 0.05) the CATTD of calcium and phosphorus; the CAID of isoleucine, phenylalanine, valine, and tyrosine; as well as the CSID of isoleucine, phenylalanine, valine, and tyrosine. However, any changes in the volatile fatty acids and lactic acid concentrations and pH of the feces or the ileal digesta were not observed among treatment. In conclusion, feeding a nursery diet comprising fermented wheat increased the nutrient and energy digestibility. Inoculating wheat with Hetero is more beneficial than inoculating it with Homo in terms of energy and mineral digestibility. The addition of an enzyme complex to wheat fermentation increased mineral and amino acids digestibility.

Mycotoxin binder increases growth performance, nutrient digestibility and digestive health of finisher pigs offered wheat based diets grown under different agronomical conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a wheat-based diet, exhibiting different levels of mycotoxin contamination and the presence of a mycotoxin binder on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and digestive health in finisher pigs. Sixty-four pigs (38.7 kg (SD 3.48 kg)) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (T1) low quality wheat diet, (T2) low quality wheat diet containing 2 g/kg of a mycotoxin binder, (T3) high quality wheat diet, (T4) high quality wheat diet containing 2 g/kg of a mycotoxin binder. The inclusion of wheat was 500 g/kg. The mycotoxin binder used was a Hydrated Sodium-Calcium-Aluminum-Silicate, which also included calcium propionate and calcium formate. The low quality wheat grain had a higher level of zearalenone (233.02 vs. 33.36 μg/kg), aflatoxin (4.08 vs. 2.94 μg/kg) and ochratoxin (28.20 vs. 4.23 μg/kg). Pigs offered the low quality wheat diet had a lower average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.001) and had a reduced coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) (P < 0.05) of nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE) compared with pigs offered the high quality wheat diets. The inclusion of a mycotoxin binder improved ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) and also increased the CATTD of N and GE compared to diets without a mycotoxin binder. Pigs offered the low quality wheat diets had increased (P < 0.05) expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the duodenum and colon and of claudin 2 (CLDN2) (P < 0.001) in the duodenum, compared to pigs offered the high quality wheat diets. Pigs offered diets containing a mycotoxin binder had increased expression of ghrelin (GHRL) (P < 0.05) in the duodenum compared to pigs offered diets without a mycotoxin binder. There was a wheat × mycotoxin binder interaction on the expression of peptide transporter 1 gene (SLC15A1/PEPT1) and sodium-glucose linked transporter 1 gene (SLC5A1/SGLT1) (P < 0.05) in the duodenum. Pigs offered the low quality wheat with a mycotoxin binder had lower expression of SLC15A1/PEPT1 and SLC5A1/SGLT1 expression compared to the low quality wheat diet only. However, there was no response to mycotoxin binder supplementation with the high quality wheat diet. In conclusion, the low quality wheat reduced ADG, ADFI, nutrient digestibility and modified the gene expression of genes involved in intestinal nutrient transport and inflammation. The supplementation of a mycotoxin binder improved ADG, ADFI, nutrient digestibility and also improved digestive health through increases in nutrient transporter and tight junction gene expression.

Variability of prececal phosphorus digestibility of triticale and wheat in broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the P digestibility of different wheat and triticale genotypes in growing broiler chickens. Additionally, the relationships between physical or chemical properties of genotypes and P digestibility were determined. A low P, low Ca basal diet based on cornstarch and soybean meal was supplemented with 20% or 40% of 8 different wheat or triticale genotypes at the expense of cornstarch. Experimental diets were fed to broilers between d 20 and 26 of age before digesta samples were collected from their lower ileum for determination of prececal P digestibility (pcdP). Triticale-based diets had an average pcdP of 54%. Neither the concentration of triticale nor the genotype itself affected the pcdP of diets. The pcdP of triticale genotypes calculated by linear regression analysis ranged from 53% to 78%. No correlations were found between physical or chemical properties (viscosity, phytase activity, total and phytate P contents) and the pcdP of triticale genotypes. In contrast, a significant (P <0.05) effect of genotype and wheat concentration was observed in wheat-based diets. The average pcdP of diets decreased from 60% to 50% by increasing the wheat concentration from 20% to 40%. As no linear relationship was observed between P intake and the amount of pcdP in the diet, the pcdP (%) of wheat genotypes was calculated separately for both concentrations, and accounted for 38% to 67% and 20% to 38% with 20% and 40% wheat inclusion in diets, respectively. Single chemical and physical characteristics could not explain the observed differences in P digestibility. Our results revealed a high variation in the pcdP of different wheat and triticale genotypes that should be considered in diet formulation. However, further research is needed to identify factors that contribute to variation of P digestibility in both grains.

Growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of yellow-feathered broilers fed graded levels of alfalfa meal with or without wheat.

The effects of 0, 40 and 80g/kg alfalfa meal on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers fed diets containing or lacking wheat (0 or 200g/kg) as part of the energy source, were examined using random design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Dressing percentage and semi-eviscerated proportion were lower, and meat color a* (redness) value was higher in birds fed diets containing wheat than diets lacking wheat (P<0.05). Drip loss was reduced by the addition of alfalfa meal to diets containing or lacking wheat (P<0.05). Average sensory score of breast meat was higher in chickens fed corn-based diets than in those fed wheat (P<0.05). Meat from those supplemented with 40g/kg alfalfa meal had better taste than the other two levels (P<0.05). The inclusion of wheat significantly reduced the activities of creatine kinase and calpain of breast muscle (P<0.05). In conclusion, Chinese yellow-feathered broilers fed diets containing wheat had better meat color and lower drip loss than those fed the diets without wheat, and adding 40g/kg alfalfa meal generally improved meat quality and taste.

Effect of Non-Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) of Wheat and Barley Supplemented with Exogenous Enzyme Blend on Growth Performance, Gut Microbial, Pancreatic Enzyme Activities, Expression of Glucose Transporter (SGLT1) and Mucin Producer (MUC2) Genes of Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 625 broiler chicks (Ross 308) for 5 repetitions (25 birds per each replicated) on the 5 treatments diet. Treatments included two different types of cereal grains (wheat, and barley) with or without an enzyme supplementation along with a corn-based diet as control group. The experimental diets were formulated to have similar contents of crude protein, metabolizable energy, total non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and were fed in two periods of starter and grower. Experimental traits were consisted growth performance, ileal flora numeration, villus morphology in 3 parts of the intestine, digesta viscosity and pancreatic enzyme activity, and determining the gene expression level of glucose transporter (SGLT1) and mucin producer (MUC2) in the jejunum. Results indicated that inclusion of wheat and barley to corn-soy based diet with or without exo-enzymes blend on growth performance traits were significant (p<0.01). Feed intake and average daily gain in wheat diet was lower, conversely FCR was higher than other groups (p<0.01). Maximum microbial count were observed in wheat and barley diets and minimum were observed in enzyme supplemented diets respectively (p<0.01). Control group and enzyme supplemented diets had minimum counting of gram negative, coliform and clostridium, but maximum counting of lactobacilli and bifidobacter were observed in enzyme supplemented diets (p<0.01). Viscosity and activities of pancreatic a-amylase and lipase were significantly increased in chicks fed wheat and barley when compared to the control group fed on corn (p<0.01). Feeding wheat and barley diets reduced villus height in different parts of the small intestine when compared to those fed on a corn diet (p<0.01). Gene expression level of glucose transporter (SGLT1) and mucin producer (MUC2) in jejunum was significantly affected by the inclusion of wheat and barley to corn-soy based diet with or without exo-enzymes blend (p<0.01). In conclusion, the inclusion of wheat and barley to corn-soy based diet without enzyme supplementation has an adverse effect on growth, ileal microflora villi morphology, digesta viscosity, pancreatic enzyme activity, and gene expression level of nutrient transporters. However, enzyme supplemented to wheat and barley diets significantly improved those traits, and restored the negative effects.

Wheat is more potent than corn or barley for dietary mitigation of enteric methane emissions from dairy cows

Wheat is the most common concentrate fed to dairy cows in Australia, but few studies have examined the effects of wheat feeding on enteric methane emissions, and no studies have compared the relative potencies of wheat, corn, and barley for their effects on enteric methane production. In this 35-d experiment, 32 Holstein dairy cows were offered 1 of 4 diets: a corn diet (CRN) of 10.0 kg of dry matter (DM)/d of single-rolled corn grain, 1.8 kg of DM/d of canola meal, 0.2 kg of DM/d of minerals, and 11.0 kg of DM/d of chopped alfalfa hay; a wheat diet (WHT) similar to the CRN diet but with the corn replaced by single-rolled wheat; a barley diet (SRB) similar to the CRN diet but with the corn replaced by single-rolled barley; and a barley diet (DRB) similar to the CRN diet but with the corn replaced by double-rolled barley. Individual cow feed intakes, milk yields, and milk compositions were measured daily but reported for the last 5 d of the experiment. During the last 5 d of the experiment, individual cow methane emissions were measured using the SF6 tracer technique for all cows, and ruminal fluid pH was continuously measured by intraruminal sensors for 3 cows in each treatment group. The average DM intake of cows offered the CRN, WHT, SRB, and DRB diets was 22.2, 21.1, 22.6, and 22.6 kg/d. The mean energy-corrected milk of cows fed the WHT diet was less than that of cows fed the other diets. This occurred because the milk fat percentage of cows fed the WHT diet was significantly less than that of cows fed the other diets. The mean methane emissions and methane yields of cows fed the WHT diet were also significantly less than those of cows fed the other diets. Indeed, the CRN, SRB, and DRB diets were associated with 49, 73, and 78% greater methane emissions, respectively, compared with the emissions from the WHT diet. Methane yield was found to be most strongly related to the minimum daily ruminal fluid pH. This study showed that although the inclusion of wheat in the diet of dairy cows could be an effective strategy for substantially reducing their methane emissions, it also reduced their milk fat percentage and production of milk fat and energy-corrected milk.

Inclusion of wheat and triticale silage in the diet of lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this experiment was to partially replace corn silage with 2 alternative forages, wheat (Triticum aestivum) or triticale (X Triticosecale) silages at 10% of the diet dry matter (DM), and investigate the effects on dairy cow productivity, nutrient utilization, enteric CH4 emissions, and farm income over feed costs. Wheat and triticale were planted in the fall as cover crops and harvested in the spring at the boot stage. Neutral- and acid-detergent fiber and lignin concentrations were higher in the wheat and triticale silages compared with corn silage. The forages had similar ruminal in situ effective degradability of DM. Both alternative forages had 1% starch or less compared with the approximately 35% starch in corn silage. Diets with the alternative forages were fed in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment with three 28-d periods and 12 Holstein cows. The control diet contained 44% (DM basis) corn silage. In the other 2 diets, wheat or triticale silages were included at 10% of dietary DM, replacing corn silage. Dry matter intake was not affected by diet, but both wheat and triticale silage decreased yield of milk (41.4 and 41.2 vs. 42.7 ± 5.18 kg/d) and milk components, compared with corn silage. Milk fat from cows fed the alternative forage diets contained higher concentrations of 4:0, 6:0, and 18:0 and tended to have lower concentrations of total trans fatty acids. Apparent total-tract digestibility of DM and organic matter was decreased in the wheat silage diet, and digestibility of neutral-and acid-detergent fiber was increased in the triticale silage diet. The wheat and triticale silage diets resulted in higher excretion of urinary urea, higher milk urea N, and lower milk N efficiency compared with the corn silage diet. Enteric CH4 emission per kilogram of energy-corrected milk was highest in the triticale silage diet, whereas CO2 emission was decreased by both wheat and triticale silage. This study showed that, at milk production of around 42 kg/d, wheat silage and triticale silage can partially replace corn silage DM and not affect DM intake, but milk yield may decrease slightly. For dairy farms in need of more forage, triticale or wheat double cropped with corn silage may be an appropriate cropping strategy.

Effects of wheat supplementation levels on growth performance, blood profiles, nutrient digestibility, and pork quality in growing-finishing pigs.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate various wheat supplementation levels on growth performance, blood profiles, nutrient digestibility, and pork quality in growing-finishing pigs.MethodsA total of 120 growing pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc), with an average 27.75± 1.319 kg body weight, were used in growth trial. Pigs were allotted into each treatment by body weight and sex in 4 replicates with 6 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Four-phase feeding programs were used in this experiment. The treatments included the following: i) corn-soybean meal (SBM) – based diet (CON), ii) corn-SBM – based diet+15% of wheat (W15), iii) corn-SBM – based diet+30% of wheat (W30), iv) corn-SBM – based diet+45% of wheat (W45), and 5) corn-SBM–based diet+60% of wheat (W60).ResultsThere was no significant difference in growth performance among the dietary treatments. However, the gain-to-feed (G:F) ratio tended to increase (quadratic, p<0.08) when the pigs were fed a higher wheat diet during the finishing period. The digestibility of crude ash and fat tended to decrease as the wheat supplementation level increased (p<0.08). The proximate analysis of the longissimus muscle was not affected by the dietary level of wheat. The crude ash content in pork was decreased linearly as the wheat supplementation level increased (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pH level, shear force, water holding capacity, and cooking loss of the pork. In pork and fat, L*, a*, and b* values were not significantly different among dietary treatments.ConclusionWheat can be supplemented up to 60% in a growing-finishing pig without detrimental effects on growth and pork quality. The G:F ratio tended to improve in the finishing period by wheat inclusion.

Pre- and post-pellet whole grain inclusions enhance feed conversion efficiency, energy utilisation and gut integrity in broiler chickens offered wheat-based diets

In order to investigate whole grain feeding strategies seven dietary treatments were offered to 8 replicates (6 birds per cage) of male Ross 308 chicks from 7 to 28days post-hatch. A steam-pelleted, wheat-based diet in which the wheat had been ground through a 3.2mm hammer-mill screen served as the control. Whole wheat was added at 4.5, 9.0 and 18.0% of the diet in substitution for ground wheat and whole wheat was incorporated into the ration either pre- or post-pelleting. For post-pelleting additions, whole wheat and pelleted concentrate were blended. The effects of dietary treatments on relative gizzard and pancreas weights, gizzard contents and their pH and the incidence of dilated proventriculi were assessed. Treatment effects on growth performance and nutrient utilisation (AME as MJ/kg and MJ/day, ME:GE ratios, N retention and AMEn) were determined. Effects of treatments on starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates in the distal ileum were investigated on the basis of inherent AIA dietary concentrations and starch concentrations in the distal ileum were considered. Feed and water intakes and dry matter of excreta over the total excreta collection period were determined. Post-pellet inclusions of whole wheat had greater impacts on bird performance than whole wheat additions prior to pelleting. Relative to the ground grain control diet, post-pellet whole wheat inclusions increased relative gizzard weights, reduced gizzard digesta pH, reduced the incidence of dilated proventriculi, improved feed conversion ratios, ostensibly increased starch digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates in the distal ileum and reduced residual starch concentrations in the distal ileum. Additionally, post-pellet whole wheat inclusions unequivocally enhanced all nutrient utilisation parameters. Collectively, post-pellet whole wheat inclusion increased relative gizzard weights by 26.1% (18.35 versus 14.55g/kg; P<0.001), reduced the incidence of dilated proventriculi from 8.4 to 0.7% (P<0.02), improved FCR by 4.25% (1.442 versus 1.506; P<0.003), increased AME by 0.81MJ (12.88 versus 12.07MJ/kg; P<0.005)) and enhanced ME:GE ratios by 6.14% (0.743 versus 0.700; P<0.005). The 18.0% pre-pellet inclusion of whole grain increased relative gizzard weights by 13.0% (16.44 versus 14.55g/kg; P<0.005), improved FCR by 5.51% (1.423 versus 1.506; P<0.001) and enhanced AME by 0.59MJ (12.66 versus 12.07MJ/kg; P<0.005). This study confirms the advantages of whole grain feeding in the context of broiler chicken performance which appeared to be driven by greater extents of starch digestion allied to heavier relative gizzard weights.

Interaction of long-term nitrogen fertilizer application, crop rotation, and tillage system on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics

Tillage system and crop rotation influences soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N (TN), but there remains considerable uncertainty in the response of C and N dynamics to fertilizer N inputs. A long-term (11-yr) experiment on a clay loam Orthic Humic Gleysol at Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada was used to evaluate the impact of fertilizer N applications (in-season zero N (−N) compared to (+N) 100 and 80 kg N ha-1 yr.-1 to corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), respectively) on soil attributes. The cropping systems consisted of continuous corn (CC), corn-soybean (Glycine max L.) (C-S) and corn-soybean-wheat (C-S-W) rotations using conventional moldboard plough and no-till systems. Soil was collected from the 0–120 cm profile in 5, 10, and 20 cm increments and analyzed for SOC and TN. The effect and interaction of N fertilization on soil attributes was highly dependent on crop rotation and tillage system. The gain in SOC and TN contents due to +N fertilizer was greatest (up to 31 and 57 % relative to the -N control, respectively) in the 0–20 cm depth with the C-S-W rotation, and lowest under CC, which showed no N fertilizer effect. However, differences in SOC and TN were not confined to the surface 20 cm, as N fertilizer treatments significantly influenced the contents at 20–60 and 60–120 cm in certain rotation and tillage systems; C-S-W was the most responsive to N fertilizer-induced SOC and TN gains. Using regression analysis, we found that higher SOC contents corresponded to lower variability in the 5-yr. mean corn yield, which suggests that the inclusion of winter wheat in a C-S rotation may have important implications for sustainable and resilient agroecosystems in humid, temperate climates.

Influence of partial replacement of ground wheat with whole wheat and exogenous enzyme supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and energy utilization in young broilers.

This study investigated the influence of pre-pelleting inclusion of whole wheat (WW) and exogenous enzyme supplementation on growth performance, coefficient of apparent ileal nutrient digestibility (CAID) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) in broilers fed wheat-based pelleted diets. A 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments was used with two methods of wheat inclusion [622g/kg ground wheat (GW) and 250g/kg WW replaced GW (wt/wt) pre-pelleting (PWW)] and three enzymes (xylanase, phytase and xylanase plus phytase). A total of 288, one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were individually weighed and allocated to 36 cages (8 broilers/cage), and the cages were randomly assigned to the six dietary treatments. Birds fed PWW diets gained more (p<0.05) weight than those fed GW diets. There was no effect (p>0.05) of WW inclusion on feed intake (FI). Phytase alone increased (p<0.05) FI compared to xylanase or the combination. Whole wheat inclusion increased (p<0.05) the gain-to-feed ratio (G:F). Feeding xylanase plus phytase and phytase-added diets resulted in the greatest and lowest G:F, respectively, with xylanase supplemented diets being intermediate. Birds fed PWW diets had greater (p<0.05) relative gizzard weights than those fed GW diets. There was no effect (p>0.05) of WW inclusion on the CAID of nitrogen (N), starch and fat. Combination of xylanase and phytase resulted in greater (p<0.05) digestibility of N, starch and fat than that of individual additions. Feeding PWW diets resulted in greater (p<0.05) AME values than GW diets. Combination of xylanase and phytase increased (p<0.05) the AME compared to the diets with individual additions of xylanase or phytase. The current results suggest that the influence of pre-pelleting WW inclusion and exogenous enzymes on nutrient digestibility and broiler performance is not additive.

Effects of whole wheat incorporated into pelleted diets on the growth performance and intestinal function of broiler chickens

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of postpelleting dietary inclusion of whole wheat seed at the expense of ground wheat on the performance and gastrointestinal characteristics of broiler chickens. After the starter period three different diets were fed. Besides control diets that did not contain wheat seed, two other diets with different wheat seed contents were composed. Treatment A contained 5, 10, and 15%, treatment B contained 5, 20 and 30% wheat seed, respectively, in grower I, grower II and finisher phases, respectively. Body weight and feed consumption of chickens were measured at the end of each phase. At 40 days of age 12 chickens were slaughtered from each treatment. Carcass parameters, enzyme activities of digesta and histological structure of the small intestine were determined.No significant differences were found between the treatments in the weight of the chickens. Chickens fed the diet containing lower percentages of whole wheat (treatment A) showed significantly better feed conversion ratio than chickens of the control group and the group fed the higher level of whole wheat (treatment B), respectively. No significant differences were found between the treatment groups in the relative carcass, breast fillet, thigh and abdominal weights. Compared to the control group, wheat seed feeding increased gizzard weight by 46.2 and 62.2% in treatment A and treatment B, respectively. Relative to the control group, higher trypsin, α-amylase and lipase activities were detected in the jenjunal digesta when the diets contained whole wheat. Dietary treatments did not cause any differences in the viscosity of the intestinal contents and in the histological structure of the small intestine.

Clinical signs and progression of lesions in the gizzard are not influenced by inclusion of ground oats or whole wheat in the diet following experimental infection with pathogenic fowl adenovirus serotype 1

In the present study the effects of dietary gizzard stimulation on the development and severity of adenoviral gizzard erosion were investigated. For this purpose, specific pathogen-free broilers were divided into six groups, investigating the influence of an oat-containing diet with higher fibre content, a whole wheat-containing diet and a control diet of nearly identical composition, but containing ground wheat. For each feed administered, one group of birds was experimentally infected on the 10th day of age by the oral route with virulent fowl adenovirus serotype 1 (FAdV-1), recently proven to induce gizzard erosions, while the respective negative control groups remained uninfected. Experimental feed was administered from 2 days post-infection onwards. No significant differences on gizzard health or in weight gain could be detected between uninfected control groups or between FAdV-1 infected groups that received different experimental feed. However, independent of the supplied diet, a significantly reduced weight gain was noted from 7 days post-infection onwards in FAdV-1 infected broilers compared to uninfected birds that received the same diet. Macroscopically, discolouration and erosion of the koilin layer and inflammation of the gizzard mucosa were observed in all FAdV-1 infected groups. Histologically, necrosis, degeneration of gizzard epithelial cells and multiple basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed. In summary, after experimental infection with FAdV-1 development of gizzard erosion in chickens was not influenced by the feeding regimes investigated. Therefore, it is unlikely that dietary gizzard stimulation influences the outcome of adenoviral gizzard erosion in vertically infected broilers.

Effect of replacing barley with wheat grain in finishing feedlot diets on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, bacterial communities and plasma metabolites in beef steers

This study investigated the effect of substituting barley grain with wheat on rumen fermentation, bacterial communities, nutrient digestibility and plasma metabolites in finishing feedlots steers. The experiment was designed as a replicated 4×4 Latin square with 8 rumen cannulated steers (742±44kg) fed diets in which wheat was substituted for 0, 30%, 60% or 89% of barley grain dry matter (DM). All grains were dry-rolled to a processing index (PI) of 80% expressed as a percentage of volume weight of processed grain divided by the volume weight of unprocessed grain. The remaining dietary ingredients consisted of 6% barley silage and 5% supplement. Duration of pH below 5.8 linearly increased (P=0.04) with increasing levels of wheat, whereas average, minimum and maximum pH as well as the time and area under pH 5.5 (P=0.08) and 5.2 (P=0.18) did not differ among diets. Likewise, volatile fatty acids (VFA) profiles, concentrations of VFA, ammonia, numbers of protozoa and total tract digestibility of nutrients were unaffected (P>0.05) by this substitution. Increasing levels of wheat linearly increased copy numbers of 16S rRNA for total bacteria (P=0.01) and Ruminococcus amylophilus (P=0.04) per g of rumen contents. Inclusion of wheat in the diet linearly reduced plasma albumin (P=0.03) and urea nitrogen (P=0.01) concentrations, but did not affect (P>0.05) other major plasma metabolites. In conclusion, replacing barley grain with wheat in the diets of feedlot steers had little negative impact on nutrient digestibility or rumen fermentation, however, it increased the daily duration that rumen pH remained below 5.8. These data suggest that there is little difference in the ruminal fermentation or digestibility of barley vs wheat if both grains are processed to a similar degree.

The role and value of combining dual-purpose crops and lucerne in a mixed-enterprise farming system

In Mediterranean-type environments, livestock productivity in mixed livestock and cropping enterprises often is limited by a period of feed scarcity that extends from late autumn, when dry residues of crops and pastures from the previous growing season are being exhausted, through to early winter when green feed is just commencing. Dual-purpose crops have been developed as a source of winter green feed, while still being a source of grain at harvest. These crops increase feed availability and boost livestock productivity. This study evaluates the role and value of dual-purpose wheat and canola crops, in combination with lucerne, in mixed-enterprise farming systems that experience a Mediterranean-type climate. Using bioeconomic modelling, the value of dual-purpose crops is assessed under a range of yield, price and technical assumptions. For an Australian study region, the robust finding is that the joint inclusion of dual-purpose crops and lucerne greatly increases the farming-system profits. Under standard assumptions when the farming system is operated to maximise profit, farm profit increases by AU$68 000 (or 88% over the base case) following the inclusion of both dual-purpose wheat and canola. The increase in profit is attributable to wool and sheep sales rising by 261%, yet the proportions of crop and pasture remain similar with or without the dual-purpose crops. Importantly, the proportion of the pasture area that is lucerne greatly increases to complement the increase in feed availability generated by the dual-purpose crops. The resultant large increase in feed availability in winter and summer allows the stocking rate to increase so sheep numbers and sheep turn-off become the main source of the increase in profit. Sensitivity analysis shows that even with significant commodity price fluctuations and further reduction in grain yield caused by grazing, and exclusion of lucerne, inclusion of dual-purpose crops in these farming systems still increases farm profit.

Effect on feed intake, milk production and milk composition of Holstein cows by replacing maize grain with wheat in total mixed rations

The effect of replacing maize grain with wheat as an energy source in total mixed rations (TMRs) on feed intake and milk yield parameters was determined for dairy cows. Three feeding trials were conducted using different roughages, namely lucerne hay (LH), oat hay (OH) and a 50 : 50 mixture of LH and OH. For each trial, five TMRs were formulated in which the maize to wheat grain ratios were 100 : 0, 75 : 25, 50 : 50, 25 : 75 and 0 : 100 to contain at least 170 g crude protein (CP)/kg and 11.1 MJ ME/kg dry matter. In each experiment, 10 randomly selected Holstein cows were fed the five diets according to a double 5 x 5 Latin square experimental design. In the trial using LH as roughage source, the fat percentage of milk, and therefore fat yield, was lower in the treatment containing only wheat as an energy source. In the trial using a 50 : 50 mixture of LH and OH as roughage source, the fat content of milk increased with rising levels of wheat in the diet. No differences were observed in any of the other milk yield parameters by increasing the wheat inclusion levels in diets. The feed intake of cows receiving TMRs containing only LH as roughage source was reduced with increasing levels of wheat in diets. Results showed no conclusive negative results associated with the replacement of maize grain with wheat grain.