Kg Of Dry Matter Research Articles

Effects of choline chloride on the ruminal microbiome at 2 dietary neutral detergent fiber concentrations in continuous culture

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of unprotected choline chloride (Cho) on the ruminal microbiome at 2 dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations. We hypothesized that the effects of Cho on ruminal bacterial populations would depend on NDF. Eight dual-flow continuous-culture fermentors were arranged in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square as a 2 × 2 factorial with the following treatments: (1) 30% NDF-control (30% NDF diet, no supplemental choline); (2) 30% NDF-Cho (30% NDF diet plus 1.9 g of choline ion per kg of dry matter); (3) 40% NDF-control (40% NDF diet, no supplemental choline); and (4) 40% NDF-Cho (40% NDF diet plus 1.9 g of choline ion per kg of dry matter). We did 4 fermentation periods of 10 d each and used the last 3 d for collection of samples of solid and liquid digesta effluents for DNA extraction. Overall, 32 solid and 32 liquid samples were analyzed by amplification of the V4 variable region of bacterial 16S rRNA. Data were analyzed with R (R Project for Statistical Computing) and SAS (SAS Institute Inc.) to determine effects of Cho, NDF, and NDF × Cho on taxa relative abundance. The correlation of propionate molar proportion with taxa relative abundance was also analyzed. At the phylum level, relative abundance of Firmicutes in the liquid fraction tended to be greater when Cho was supplemented with a 30% NDF diet. At the order level, Cho increased Coriobacteriales in solid fraction and decreased Fibrobacterales in liquid fraction. Moreover, Cho decreased abundance of Clostridiales and increased Selenomonadales in the solid fraction, only with the 30% NDF diet. For genera, lower abundance of Pseudobutyrivibrio resulted from Cho in solid and liquid fractions. Greater abundance of Succinivibrio in solid and Selenomonas and Selenomonas 1 in liquid resulted from Cho with the 30% NDF diet. Propionate molar proportion was positively correlated with relative abundance of order Selenomonadales in solid and liquid fractions, and with genus Succinivibrio in solid and genera Selenomonas and Selenomonas 1 in liquid. Our results indicate that Cho primarily decreases abundance of bacteria involved in fiber degradation and increases abundance of bacteria mainly involved in nonstructural carbohydrate degradation and synthesis of propionate, particularly when a diet with 30% NDF is provided.

SELECTION OF MESOAMERICAN COMMON BEAN LINES FOR FAST COOKING AND MINERAL BIOFORTIFICATION

ABSTRACT Developing fast-cooking, mineral-biofortified common bean lines represents an important innovation for breeding programs. Thus, this study was conducted to determine whether elite Mesoamerican common bean lines differ for cooking time and mineral concentration and to select fast-cooking, mineral- biofortified lines. The experiments were carried out in two growing seasons, in which 16 common bean genotypes were evaluated. Cooking time was determined using a Mattson cooker, and the minerals were analyzed by acid digestion. The resulting data were subjected to individual analysis of variance, combined analysis of variance, clustering by the Scott-Knott test, and selection index (multiplicative). There was a significant genotype × environment interaction effect for cooking time and the concentrations of potassium, iron, zinc and copper. Only the phosphorus concentration showed no genetic variability between the common bean lines. The ranking of the best common bean lines differed for all traits examined in the different environments, according to the Scott-Knott test. The use of the multiplicative selection index allows selecting superior common bean lines for all traits, namely, DF 07-11, DF 08-21, DF 08-20 and DF 08-28. These lines exhibit a very short cooking time (up to 15 min), high potassium concentration (> 12.00 g kg-1 of dry matter) and the highest mean values of micromineral concentration, and will thus be selected by the breeding program.

Sugarcane replaced by cactus cladodes improves the ruminal dynamics of sheep

We evaluated the effect of the sugarcane replacement (Saccharum officinarum L.) by cactus cladodes (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) at different levels (0, 180, 360, 540 and 720 g kg-1 on a dry matter (DM) basis) in the diet of sheep on nutrient intake and digestibility, ingestive behaviour, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen and water balance, dry matter and fibre dynamics and ruminal parameters in sheep. Five castrated male crossbred sheep, with an initial average body weight (BW) of 63.38 ± 7.70 kg, were allocated in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The intakes of DM (P < 0.001), crude protein (CP) (P = 0.009), neutral detergent fibre content adjusted for ash and nitrogen compounds (NDFcp) (P = 0.0016), non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC) (P < 0.001), indigestible NDF (iNDF) (P = 0.0018) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) (P < 0.001) showed a quadratic effect, and the replacement levels on DM did not affect nutrient digestibility. Rumination (P = 0.001) and idle (P = 0.001) times decreased with increasing levels of cactus cladodes. Plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) (P = 0.039) increased, and there was no effect on microbial nitrogen synthesis and microbial efficiency. The pools of DM (P = 0.037), NDF (P = 0.008) and indigestible NDF (iNDF) (P = 0.010) were reduced with increasing replacement levels. The DM ingestive (P = 0.005) and degradation (P = 0.005) rates increased, and the passage rate (P = 0.049) showed a quadratic response, with a maximum value of 0.035 h-1 estimated for 44% replacement. Intake (P = 0.004), degradation (P = 0.006) and passage (P = 0.016) rates of NDF, as well as the iNDF passage rate (P = 0.014), increased. The ruminal pH (P = 0.012) reduced with increasing replacement levels. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) (P = 0.020) showed a quadratic response over time, presenting an estimated maximum value of 17.9 mg dL-1 at 0.68 h after feeding. Regarding volatile fatty acids, there was an increase for acetate (P < 0.001), whereas propionate was not influenced. The butyrate (P < 0.001) concentration demonstrated a quadratic effect, with a maximum value of 14.1 mmol L-1. Replacing up to 440 g kg-1 DM of sugarcane by cactus cladodes is recommended to maximise ruminal dynamics and parameters and to improve nutrient use in sheep.

Evaluation of promising varieties of winter barley in order to obtain high-quality raw materials for the production of bulky feed

The influence of the use of fertilizer doses at different intensity of tillage on the yield and quality of green feed based on winter barley varieties Romance, Kondrat, Dobrynya, Carioca was studied. The research was carried out in 2018-2020 in the Republic of Adygea on low-humus heavy-duty heavy-clay merged leached chernozems according to the method of field experience of B.A. Dospekhov. It was revealed that disking reduced the productivity of the green mass of various varieties of winter barley by 14,0–41,0%; the average yield for both processing methods varied from 5,75 to 11,2 t/ha. It was found that the most effective method of cultivation was the introduction of 60 kg of d.v. N by background, by both methods of processing, but plowing options are preferable in terms of yield. The use of this method of cultivation allowed to obtain the highest level of yield on these options for all studied varieties: Romance 15,3 t/ha, Dobrynya 14,6 t/ha, Kondrat 14,2 t/ha, Carioca 7,4 t/ha (on average for both methods of processing). The nutrient content in 1 kg of dry matter of feed varied from 8,02 to 11,0% crude protein; 11,1–11,74 MJ of exchange energy; 1,04–1,14 KE. The green mass of the Kondrat, Carioca, Romance varieties is classified as low- and medium-protein feeds, however, in terms of the content of feed units and exchange energy, all varieties are Class I feeds. The studied varieties contain an average of 0,42 to 0,605 EQ of cattle (energy feed units) in 1 kg of natural feed. According to the qualitative indicators in 1 kg of dry matter of feed, as well as the content of EKE in 1 kg of natural feed, the advantage belongs to the Dobrynya variety. The best variety in terms of yield, as well as nutritional and energy value for harvesting from 1 ha is the Romance variety.

The Effect of an Engineered Biostimulant Derived from Ascophyllum nodosum on Grass Yield under a Reduced Nitrogen Regime in an Agronomic Setting

Nitrogen (N) is the most important macronutrient used in modern agricultural systems to enhance crop yields; however, a significant amount of applied N is not taken up by the crop and is lost to the environment. Improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of crops can curb these environmental losses while concurrently delivering economic gains. Plant biostimulants have potential to improve NUE in agronomic settings. In this research, a granular N-containing fertilizer coated with the biostimulant PSI-362, an extract from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, was applied to grass managed under different production systems to assess its impact on NUE. The role of soil type, pH, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on the efficacy of the biostimulant in improving NUE was assessed using lysimeters filled with six different soils. A significant increase in grass yield (29%) was found with PSI-362 addition at a 75% N rate over the 75% N control (8478 kg of dry matter (DM) ha−1 vs. 6772 kg of DM ha−1) over two years of trials under a simulated grazing platform of six rotations. The NUE increased to 96.6% for the PSI-362-treated grass compared to 82.8% for controls. Field-based evaluations demonstrated no decrease in yield and quality from harvested and grazed grass treated with the biostimulant when the N rate was reduced by 20 to 25%. Based on these results, the application of PSI-362 allows a reduction in nitrogen input by up to 25% without losses of grass yield or quality.

High-digestible silages allow low concentrate supply without affecting milk production or methane emissions

In this study, we tested a response function comprising responses in milk to changes in organic matter digestibility of silages and concentrate supply. We studied the effect of changes in silage digestibility and concentrate supply on milk yield, feed intake, body weight, and methane production using 60 Norwegian Red cows. The experiment was a complete randomized block design comprising 3 periods. The pre-experimental period lasted 20 d and all the cows were fed a common silage for ad libitum intake and concentrate according to yield. Next, response period 1 lasted 17 d and the cows were divided into 2 treatments, where a low-digestible silage (LDS) was fed to half of the cows, and the other half were fed a high-digestible silage (HDS). Both groups were fed silage for ad libitum silage intake. Concentrate was optimized according to the yield and type of silage offered. In this period, the effect of silage was evaluated using a mixed model, including the results from pre-experimental period, with parity as a covariate and animal as a random effect. In response period 2, which lasted 20 d, the concentrate level was evaluated by dividing the silage digestibility treatments further into 3 subgroups. Concentrate was increased by 2 kg of dry matter (DM) per day, decreased by 2 kg of DM/d, or remained unchanged. In response period 1, silage treatments were optimized to obtain similar yields and resulted in a lower concentrate offer to HDS treatment. However, the HDS treatment showed a 3.0 kg of DM/d higher total feed intake due to a higher than expected silage intake. This resulted in 3.5 kg higher energy-corrected milk (ECM). Methane emissions were similar between silage treatments, but HDS showed lower methane per kilogram of DM due to its higher intake. The effect of concentrate supply level and interaction with silage digestibility was evaluated using mixed models, including the results for response period 1, with parity as a covariate and animal as a random effect. The reduction in concentrate offer by 2 kg/d in response period 2 was compensated for by increased 1.3 kg of DM/d of silage intake for HDS, resulting in similar intake (22.1 kg of DM/d and 21.7 kg of DM/d without and with concentrate reduction, respectively) and ECM yields (29.4 and 29 kg of ECM without and with concentrate reduction, respectively). However, concentrate offer reduction could not be compensated for by increased silage intake for LDS and resulted in lower milk yields (27.5 kg of ECM). Increased concentrate showed a higher marginal ECM response (kg of ECM per kg of additional concentrate intake) for LDS (1.8 vs. 3.3 kg of ECM for HDS and LDS, respectively). Thus, the drop in milk yields could be compensated for by increased concentrate offers if LDS are fed. Total methane production increased with increased concentrate intake, regardless of silage digestibility. Methane emissions per unit of milk were affected by total DM intake rather than by changes in silage digestibility and concentrate level. The results of this study are based on short-term periods and could show differences if study periods were longer; the results should be interpreted accordingly.

Энергосберегающая укосная технология с долголетними разнопоспевающими злаковыми травостоями

On the basis of a comprehensive assessment (including agro-energy) of field experience data, an energy-saving technology has been developed for creating different-ripening cereal agrocenoses and their long-term (up to the 38th year of herb life) three -moving use. Purposefully selected grass mixtures with the domination of rhizome species of zoned varieties of cereals ensured the production of energy-rich raw materials for harvesting haylage. The herbal raw materials contained 9.6–10.1 MJ of metabolic energy in 1 kg of dry matter. The total anthropogenic energy consumption on these stands on average for 12–37 years of use amounted to 24.4–24.8 GJ/ha. They paid off by collecting metabolic energy of 57.7 GJ/ha in the early (with meadow foxtail) and 66.9–70.0 GJ/ha in mid-ripening agrocenoses (with awnless brome and reed canary grass), that is, 2.4–2.8 times. In the production process of the recommended herbage, the leading role belongs to natural factors. In the structure of metabolic energy production, they account for 58–65%. The mobilization of natural factors on agrocenoses occurs due to the productive longevity of self-renewing herbage with the annual application of N180P40K155. Long-term use of promising highly productive agrocenoses for the early and middle link of the moving conveyor system makes it possible to exclude 4–6 renewal of meadow. This saves energy capital investments for the creation of meadowlands and improves the organization of the procurement of bulky forage.

Effect of rumen-protected fat on performance, carcass characteristics and beef quality of the progeny from Nellore cows fed by different planes of nutrition during gestation

The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance, carcass traits, meat quality and the expression of myogenic and lipogenic genes in muscle of steers finished with or without rumen-protected fat and born from dams that were supplemented with protein or not during mid- to late gestation. Forty-eight Nellore steers with an initial body weight (BW) of 341 ± 7.54 kg at 21 ± 0.7 months of age, were distributed in a completely randomized design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the following treatments: two offspring feedlot diets and two nutritional planes for pregnant dams. Steers born from dams of both maternal nutritional planes and reared on pasture, were allocated to individual pens for 135 days, with half of each group being fed a diet without (NFAT) or with rumen-protected fat (RPF; 6% calcium salts and 7.6% ether extract - EE). Regarding maternal nutritional planes, after 124 ± 21 days of gestation until calving, half of the grazed cows received 1 kg/cow/day protein supplement (SUPP; ∼369 g of crude protein [CP] per kg of dry matter [DM]), and the other half received only mineral salt (CTL). Steers were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, and the weight of the feed and orts was recorded daily for performance measures. After slaughter in a commercial slaughterhouse, carcass evaluations were performed and longissimus thoracis muscle samples were collected for meat quality and gene expression analyzes using RT-qPCR. There was no interaction between the finishing diets and the maternal nutritional background for performance, carcass and meat quality traits, and gene expression of the offspring. Feeding with RPF decreased the dry matter intake, final BW, average daily gain and carcass weight (P < 0.05). Diet with RPF upregulated the MyHCI, MyHCIIx, IGFR1, COL3A1, FN1 and ACACA genes (P < 0.05) and tended to upregulate the SREBF1 (P = 0.07). Maternal supplementation did not affect feedlot performance, carcass and meat quality traits (P > 0.05). Maternal supplementation upregulated the MyHCI and CPT2 genes (P < 0.05) and tended to upregulate the FASN and ACACA genes (P < 0.10) of the offspring. In conclusion, feeding RPF to the offspring regardless of maternal nutritional background affected the performance and weight of the carcasses, as well as the expression of myogenic and fibro/lipogenic genes, without affecting the deposition of intramuscular fat, total collagen or meat tenderness.

Influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids of feed on metabolic parameters in herd horses of Yakutia

The research of lipid metabolism is especially relevant for the breeds of herd horses in Yakutia, because the energy balance of their body under extreme conditions of the region in winter largely depends on the fat reserves in the body of animals and the efficiency of lipid assimilation in the body of horses, mainly from plant feed. Therefore, the study of the lipid composition of pasture feed of herd horses in Yakutia depending on the seasons of the year, their digestibility in the body of horses, the effect of the lipid composition of feed on the chemical composition of horse meat is very relevant. The purpose of the work was to investigate the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids of feed on metabolic parameters in breeds of herd horses in Yakutia and to develop the technology for obtaining a concentrate with polyunsaturated fatty acids from the internal fat of foals. The object of research were: 1) samples of pasture grasses from horsetail and horsetail-free vegetation of the pastures in the Verkhoyansky area; 2) winter-green mass of oats and afterfeed of natural grass; 3) samples of flax press-cake; 4) samples of adipose tissue of young Yakut horses aged 6 months and adult horses; 5) meat samples of meat of types of Yakut breed such as Kolymsky, Yansky and Korennoy and horses of Megezheskaya breed; 6) horses of Yakut breed in OOO “Khoroobut” in the Megino-Kangalassky area, OOO “Sartansky” in the Verkhoyansky area. It has been found by studies that the consumption of dry matter of feed during the breeding of horses on the winter-green mass of oats was 31,3 % significantly higher than during the breeding on the afterfeed of natural grass and amounted to 14,7±0,30 kg (P ≥ 0,95). Differences were also found in the content of metabolic energy in 1 kg of dry matter of consumed feed. Thus, the content of metabolic energy in the winter grazing from the winter-green mass of oats was 16,2 % higher (9,9±0,04 MJ) than in the natural herbage (8,3±0,23 MJ), the difference was statistically significant (P ≥ 0,95). The internal fat of Yakut horses can serve as a highly valuable raw material as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for the production of functional food products.

Replacing concentrates with a high-quality hay in the starter feed in dairy calves: I. Effects on nutrient intake, growth performance, and blood metabolic profile

Concentrate-rich starter feeds are commonly fed to dairy calves to stimulate early solid feed intake and growth performance; yet, starter feeds lacking in forage fiber may jeopardize gut development. This research primarily aimed to test a complete or partial replacement of concentrates with hay of different qualities in the starter feed on nutrient intake, growth performance, apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and blood metabolites in dairy calves. Immediately after birth, 40 Holstein Friesian calves were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 starter diets, which differed in hay quality and concentrate inclusion [MQH = 100% medium-quality hay, 9.4 MJ of metabolizable energy (ME), 149 g of crude protein (CP), 522 g of neutral detergent fiber (NDF)/kg of dry matter (DM); HQH = 100% high-quality hay, 11.2 MJ of ME, 210 g of CP, 455 g of NDF/kg of DM; MQH+C = 30% medium-quality hay + 70% starter concentrate; HQH+C = 30% high-quality hay + 70% starter concentrate]. The concentrate consisted mainly of grains, oilseeds, and mineral supplements (13.5 MJ of ME, 193 g of CP, 204 g of NDF/kg of DM). Calves were used in the experiment from d 1 to 99 of life. During the first 4 wk, all calves were fed acidified whole milk ad libitum, and afterward they were gradually weaned from wk 5 to 12. Calves had ad libitum access to their starter diets and water throughout the experiment. Milk, water, and solid feed intake was recorded daily, live weight was measured once a week, and blood samples were collected on d 1, 3, 7, 21, 49, 77, and 91 and analyzed for selected metabolites. The ATTD was measured in wk 14 of life. Total DM intake and daily weight gain of calves were not affected by the starter feed during the first 8 wk of life. However, from wk 9 to 14, calves fed the MQH diet had lower DM, ME, and CP intake and gained less weight than calves from the other experimental groups. Feeding the HQH diet resulted in similar CP and ME intake and growth performance compared with calves receiving diets containing concentrates. Furthermore, feeding the HQH diet improved the ATTD of NDF, resulting in similar ATTD of organic matter with the HQH+C and MQH+C groups. Interestingly, calves fed the HQH+C diet showed less sorting for concentrate, compared with the MQH+C group. Concentration of blood metabolites, including glucose, lactate, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, and total protein, did not differ after the first week of life. However, serum β-hydroxybutyrate was higher in calves fed the HQH diet starting from wk 11. Both groups fed the hay-only diets maintained higher cholesterol levels after weaning compared with the groups fed hay-concentrate mixtures. In conclusion, feeding high-quality hay can fully replace starter concentrates in the feeding of dairy calves without adverse effects on performance during the rearing period, while increasing forage fiber intake and utilization, which enhanced ruminal ketogenesis and cholesterogenesis around weaning. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term effects of feeding high-quality hay on health and development of dairy calves, especially in terms of the observed improvements in ruminal ketogenesis and cholesterogenesis around weaning.

Effect of amino acid supplementation and choline chloride for low protein diet on nitrogen efficiency and methane emission of dairy cows

Ruminants are one of the largest anthropogenic methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Therefore, the hypothesis was to study the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) level on environmental contaminators when rumen-protected amino acids and choline chloride were supplemented. Sixty Holstein dairy cows were used during the experiment. Test diets were: (1) CD = Control diet with16.2 g of crude protein/ Kg of DM); (2) LM = Low protein diet with 14.2 g of crude protein/ Kg of DM + methionine ; (3) LL = Low protein diet with 14.2 g of crude protein/ Kg of DM + lysine; (4) LML = Low protein diet with 14.2 g of crude protein/ Kg of DM + methionine + lysine; (5) LMLC = Low protein diet with 14.2 g of crude protein/ Kg of DM + methionine + lysine + choline. Dry matter and NDF intake were not different, but the control group received higher CP and ADF compared with other groups (P &lt; 0.05). Fecal CP and ADF of control group were lower (P &lt; 0.05), but no differences were observed for fecal dry matter (DM) and NDF. Milk yield and protein content were higher for LML and LMLC like control group (P &lt; 0.05). Nitrogen intake, urinary N, urinary urea N and total excreta N decreased (P &lt; 0.05) when animals fed low protein. There was no difference in ruminal pH and acetate to propionate ratio, whereas the ruminal ammonia-N decreased with the low protein (P &lt; 0.05). The 120-h gas production test, showed no difference on the kinetics of digestion and in vitro methane emission. However, the inclusion of DMI in the calculations revealed that low protein can reduce (P &lt; 0.05) methane emission. Overall, our findings indicated that low protein can be compensated for by adding rumen-protected amino acids, not only to maintain the animal performance, but also to decrease nitrogen excretion and methane emission.

Influence of type of production on the contents of selected nutrients/phytochemicals in buckwheat grains

On a global level and over a number of years, many researchers have been studying the effects of organic and conventional production methods on the chemical composition of plants and their products. The aim of this study was to determine the potential difference in the contents of several nutrients/phytochemicals in organically and conventionally produced buckwheat grains. Buckwheat was sown in 2016 at a site in Nova Varoš. The experimental plot covered a surface area of 1 ha. The contents of the following nutrients and phytochemicals in buckwheat grains were determined: proteins, pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids), soluble sugars, starch, free and bound polyphenols and flavonoids, and phytosterols. In addition, the antioxidant properties of the grains were assessed using the ABTS •+ ((2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) test (ability to inhibit ABTS •+ radical cations). There was no statistically significant difference in the contents of proteins, chlorophyll a and free phenols or in regard to the % of antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, two different production methods caused differences in the other chemical parameters. In organic grains, higher contents of carotenoids (6.998 µg g-1 dry matter (DM)), soluble sugar (6.48 mg 100 g-1 DM), starch (2.46 mg 100 g-1 DM), bound polyphenols (1034.3 mg (FAE) kg kg-1 DM), free flavonoids (1094.7 mg (QE) kg-1 DM) and bound flavonoids (1087.2 mg (QE) kg-1 DM) were detected, while in conventional buckwheat grains, there were higher levels of chlorophyll b (24.16 µg g-1 DM) and phytosterols (185.15 mg kg-1 DM). The study showed no clear influence of the production method on the examined parameters.

Effect of prepartum dietary-cation anion difference on performance, blood mineral and metabolite concentrations in Holstein dairy cows

Dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) initiates a compensatory metabolic acidosis, which improves calcium (Ca) absorption and mobilization before calving and minimizes clinical and subclinical hypocalcaemia after calving. The goal of this study was to evaluate how mineral concentrations, blood metabolites, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and productive performance were affected by prepartum dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD mEq [(Na + K – Cl + S)]/kg of dry matter (DM)) in postpartum dairy cows. Forty-eight multiparous Holstein cows ranging from 2 to 5 lactations with an average body weight of 685 ± 10 kg (mean ± SD) were allocated in a randomized block design with three prepartum diets differing in DCAD (0, –100, and –180 mEq/ kg DM). All cows were fed the same postpartum diet and kept on trial for 66 days. Cows fed –180 and –100 mEq DCAD had greater prepartum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations than cows fed 0 mEq DCAD. Cows fed –180 mEq DCAD had greater serum Ca concentrations than cows fed –100 and 0 mEq DCAD. PTH concentrations were greater in cows fed 0 mEq DCAD than in cows fed –100 or –180 mEq DCAD. Cows fed 0 mEq DCAD had higher milk protein and solid-not-fat (SNF) levels than cows fed –100 or –180 mEq DCAD. Treatment and interaction had no effect on milk yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), energy-corrected milk (ECM), milk fat, total solids (TS), lactose, milk urea nitrogen (MUN), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), potassium (K), beta hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), and liver or kidney functions. We concluded that adding anionic salts to dairy cows’ diets (–100 and –180 mEq DCAD) improved postpartum Ca availability and reduced clinical and subclinical hypocalcaemia while having no effect on milk yield or fat-corrected milk.

Effective use of innovative technologies in mixed sowing of annual crops

It is impossible to organize proper feeding of farm animals without a detailed study of the composition of the nutritional content of feed. Legume-grass mixtures occupy one of main places in solving the problem of high-quality feed production. Since mixed crops of legumes and cereals retain high fodder quality of green mass due to high protein content in legumes. To meet the need for a high-quality feed base, it is necessary to look for ways to increase the yield of fodder crops. The use of innovative technologies is one of the components of modern crop production. The aim of the study was to study the methods of seed treatment in conjunction with the technology of mixed crops; it allows obtaining a green mass with the desired productive properties. Thus, the article presents the materials of a field study on the development of a highly productive green feed. The results of the study of combined and mixed crops on the nutritional value and productivity of annual forages of peas, millet, and barley using pre-sowing seed treatment with ultrafine particles of SiO2; MoO2; Fe3O4 and growth regulators AgroVerm and RibavExtra were obtained. As a result of the experiment, it was shown that the use of pre-sowing treatment of seeds with ultradispersed SiO2 particles in combined crops showed the maximum leaf surface area of 85.5 thousand m2/ha. By the time of harvesting, the safety of plants on variants with the use of SiO2; Fe3O4; MoO2 was 88.4%; 87.5%; 86.5% respectively. According to the collection of digestible protein, variant with the use of ultrafine particles SiO2 was 20% in both sowing methods. Low protein content was 16.1%; 16.4% in the control variants respectively. According to the content of feed units in 1 kg of dry matter, SiO2 variants prevail with 0.91. Thus, the research is the basis for possible studying of combined and mixed crops with the use of pre-sowing seed treatment with ultrafine particles. It allows obtaining high-quality feed.

Efeitos do ácido ricinoleico do óleo de mamona e do líquido da castanha de caju sobre a digestibilidade de nutrientes e fermentação ruminal de novilhas leiteiras

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining functional oils (FO) [ricinoleic acid (RA) and cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL)] on nutrient intake and total-tract apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen utilization, and predicted rumen microbial protein (Pmic) in heifers. Twelve Jersey heifers (14±0.6 months and 264±18.7 kg BW) were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with the following treatments: Control (CON), diet without feed additives; Ricinoleic acid, dietary inclusion of RA at 2 g kg-1 dry matter (DM); Cashew nutshell liquid, dietary inclusion of CNSL at 2 g kg-1 DM; and a mixture of 1 g kg-1 DM of RA and 1 g kg-1 DM of CNSL (RA+CNSL). Heifers were allowed 14 d for treatment adaptation followed by 5 days of sampling. Total feces collection was performed to determine digestibility. Rumen fluid was collected to determine short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration. Urine samples were collected for nitrogen and purine derivatives analyses. Feeding RA decreased intake of DM, but increased crude protein (CP) digestibility and ruminal acetate concentration. Feeding CSNL increased NDF digestibility and lowered Pmic. The association of RA+CNSL increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility and ruminal concentration of total SCFA without affecting DM intake. Feeding RA treatment decreased N intake and N excreted in feces and urine. CNSL group had the highest values of N balance. Heifers fed RA had lower Pmic than CNSL and RA+CNSL. The association of RA+CNSL improved digestibility of fiber and increased ruminal concentration of SCFA without altering N balance and Pmic.

Histopathological Effects of Different Levels of Palm Kernel Cake Fed to Dorper Lambs

Palm kernel cake (PKC) is a nutrient-rich by-product of oil mills that contained a high concentration of copper (Cu) among other minerals elements. The higher dietary concentration of Cu was reported to impair some physiological functions in some breeds of sheep due to Cu toxicity. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of PKC based diet on vital organs of Dorper lambs. Fifteen male Dorper lambs (8 month-old) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Lambs were fed with a diet supplemented with different levels of PKC based on dry matter (DM) (PKC 750 gm kg-1 DM, PKC 700 gm kg-1 DM, and PKC 650 gm kg-1 DM) for 120 days. At the end of the experiment, all the lambs were slaughtered, liver, kidney, and testis samples were examined for gross pathological lesions. Microscopic examination showed that the liver of PKC75 group animals was histologically normal. However, cell hepatocyte abnormality was observed in PKC70 and PKC65 groups. No clinical symptoms or severe histological lesions were noticed in the kidney and testis of all groups. Therefore, the histomorphological normal organs observed indicated the PKC contents provided detoxification and immune defense in male lambs.

Ефективність азотного удобрення на багаторічному злаковому лучному агрофітоценозі в умовах південної частини Лісостепу Західного

Goal. To determine the influence of nitrogen fertilizer on the productivity and botanical composition of sown cereal grass on the slope and economic efficiency of mineral nitrogen application on dry meadows of the Southern part of the Western Forest-Steppe. Methods. Field — to account yield of green mass, laboratory — to determine the dry matter content, statistical — to mathematically process the yield data by analysis of variance, comparative — to determine the economic efficiency of the studied methods of growing perennial grasses. Results. The highly productive use of sown cereal grass is impossible without fertilizers. Thus, on average for 5 years of use, the productivity of sown cereals without fertilizer was 3.72 t/ha of dry matter. With the application of nitrogen fertilizer at a dose of N30 under the 1st mow, it increased by 1.05 t/ha compared to the control. The further increase in the rate of nitrogen fertilizer application to N30 under the 1st and N30 under the 2nd mows ensured an increase in productivity to 5.57 t/ha of dry matter. The productivity of cereal grass was high with the introduction of N60 under the 1st and N30 under the 2nd mows. The total dry matter yield in that variant of fertilizer was 6.61 t/ha, the payback of 1 kg of nitrogen fertilizers — 32.1 kg of dry matter. However, with the introduction of N30, the payback of 1 kg of nitrogen fertilizer the yield was higher and amounted to 35 kg of dry matter. In the variant without fertilizer, on average, for 5 years of use, a grass stand with a predominance of perennial grasses was formed, but nitrogen fertilizer increased the share of cereal components by 9.4–17.2%. The application of nitrogen fertilizer proved to be an economically feasible way to increase the productivity of sown grass. Thus, the highest conditional net profit on average for 5 years of grass use was in the variant with the application of N90 with different distribution of nitrogen under the mows during the growing season (N60 — under the 1st, N30 — under the 2nd mows) — 5.38 thousand UAH/ha. Conclusions. On the gray forest soils of the Western Forest-Steppe on sown cereal grassland application of mineral nitrogen in doses from N30 to N90 increased productivity of grassland by 28–78%, and increased the share of perennial grasses in the agro phytocoenosis by 9.4–17.2%. The payback of 1 kg of nitrogen fertilizers was high and made 31–35 kg of dry matter. On average, for 5 years of use of grass the highest conditional net profit was obtained in the variant with the introduction of N90 (N60 — under the 1st and N30 — under the 2nd mows).

The economic efficiency of the use of mixed ligand complexes of Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt in the rations of highlyproductive cows of the Ukrain-ian Red-Spotted Dairy breed

The article deals with the results of research on the economic efficiency of the use of mixed ligand complexes of Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt in the feeding rations of highlyproductive cows of Ukrainian Red-Spotted Dairy breed in the first 100 days of lactation. The research was performed on five groups (one control and four experimental) of analogous cows in the conditions of ALC “Terezyne” Bila Tserkva district of Kyiv region. The control was the optimal dose of mixed ligand complexes of Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt, which was previously established with a concentration of 1 kg of dry matter (DM) of the feed mixture (FM), mg: Zinc – 60.8; Manganese – 60.8 and Cobalt – 0.78. For the 2nd experimental group, the concentration of these trace elements was increased by 10 %, and in the 3rd, 4th and 5th experimental groups – on the contrary, the concentration of Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt in 1 kg of DM of feed mixture was reduced by 10 %, 20 and 30 %, respectively, compared with the control. The best results on milk yield of natural and basic fat content were got from cows of the 4th experimental group, where the concentration of Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt due to their mixed ligand complexes in 1 kg of DM of feed mixture was, mg: Zinc – 48.6; Manganese – 48.6; Cobalt – 0.62. The cost of products got from experimental cows ranged from UAH 12702.3 up to UAH 13783.7 and it was the highest in the 4th experimental group. It was set up that for cows of Ukrainian Red-Spotted Dairy breed in the first 100 days of lactation the most economically advantageous was the dose of mixed ligand complexes, in which the concentration of Zinc and Manganese was 48.6 mg, and Cobalt – 0.62 mg/kg DM, which allowed to obtain a profit of 14.37 % more than in the control group. Doses of mixed ligand complexes with a concentration of Zinc and Manganese – 66.9 mg; 54.7 and 42.6 mg, and Cobalt – 0.86 mg; 0.7 and 0.55 mg/kg CF gave a much lower economic effect. Additional profit in the 2nd experimental group amounted to UAH 66.8 or 1.34 %; in the 3rd – UAH 95.6 or 1.92 % and in the 5th – UAH 561.6 or 11.28 %, compared with the control group.

Evaluation of the nutritional value of faba beans with high and low tannin content for use as feed for ruminants.

Faba bean varieties with low or zero tannin content have been developed in Canada to overcome the negative effects of condensed tannins on the utilization by ruminants of crude protein (CP) and starch. However, their nutritional value has not been evaluated for incorporation in dairy rations. The objectives of this study were to investigate (i) the chemical profile; (ii) the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) protein and carbohydrate subfractions; (iii) the energy values; (iv) the ruminal, intestinal, and total digestibility of CP; (v) the metabolizable protein (MP) supply to dairy cows; and (vi) the protein-inherent molecular spectral characteristics of brown-seeded (var. Fatima) faba beans with high tannin content and yellow-seeded (var. Snowbird) faba beans with low tannin content. The results revealed that Fatima beans had higher (P < 0.001) CP content than Snowbird (324 versus 295 g kg-1 dry matter (DM)), and lower (P < 0.01) starch content than Snowbird (411 g kg-1 DM versus 444 g kg-1 DM). Fatima had a lower (P=0.001) soluble subfraction (201 g kg-1 DM versus 220 g kg-1 DM) and higher (P < 0.05) slowly degradable fiber-bounded (24.9 g kg-1 DM versus 14.7 g kg-1 DM) and non-degradable (3.24 g kg-1 DM versus 0 g kg-1 DM) CNCPS CP subfractions than Snowbird. Fatima had higher (P=0.03) MP content (117 g kg-1 DM versus 111 gkg-1 DM) and metabolizable energy content (ME) 3.12 Mcal kg-1 versus 3.10 Mcal kg-1 ) than Snowbird. Molecular spectral intensities of amide I and II proteins (height and area) of Fatima were higher (P < 0.05) than those of Snowbird, reflecting their higher CP content. The ratio of protein spectral intensities, the amide I:amide II height ratio, and the α-helix:β-sheet height ratio differed (P < 0.05) between the two types of bean, highlighting differences in their inherent protein molecular structures. The (Fatima) faba beans with high condensed tannin content had higher MP and ME content. On average, both Faba beans had higher ME and MP content than barley grains, highlighting their promising nutritional value for dairy rations. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Growth stage and ensiling: impact on chemical composition, conservation quality and in situ ruminal degradability of whole-crop oat.

The effects of growth stage (GS) and ensiling were assessed on whole-crop oat's (Avena sativa L. cv. Cantara) chemical composition, silage fermentation quality and in situ ruminal degradability. Oat was harvested and ensiled at six GS: boot, heading, water ripe, early milk, early dough and grain ripe (144, 151, 178, 234, 362 and 512 g kg-1 of dry matter (DM) of whole-crop forage, respectively). GS influenced chemical composition, silage fermentation quality and ruminal degradability of whole-crop oat. Lower DM and higher water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) contents lead to adequate forage compaction and fermentation at early GS; however, effluent was produced until the dough stage (L and Q; P ≤ 0.003). Advancing in maturity increased (P < 0.001) crop yield (4.5 to 9.4t DM ha-1 ), DM (144 to 512 g kg-1 ), neutral detergent fibre (NDF; 537 to 571 g kg-1 DM), lignin (44.6 to 71.3g kg-1 DM) and starch contents (26.4 to 201 g kg-1 DM), and reduced (P < 0.001) crude protein (107 to 60 g kg-1 DM) and WSC (115 to 17.5g kg-1 DM). DM and NDF ruminal degradability declined with maturity for fresh and ensiled forages (L and Q; P < 0.05). Density and buffering capacity decreased with GS (L and Q; P < 0.001), whereas pH and soluble protein increased (L and Q; P ≤ 0.004). The growth stage of oat influenced the nutritive value and ruminal degradation to a greater extent than ensiling, and thus it can play a paramount role in whole-crop oat silage quality. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.