Kg Of Initial BW Research Articles

Toward better estimates of the real-time individual amino acid requirements of growing-finishing pigs showing deviations from their typical feeding patterns

Pigs exposed to stressors might change their daily typical feeding intake pattern. The objective of this study was to develop a method for the early identification of deviations from an individual pig’s typical feeding patterns. In addition, a general approach was proposed to model feed intake and real-time individual nutrient requirements for pigs with atypical feeding patterns. First, a dynamic linear model (DLM) was proposed to model the typical daily feed intake (DFI) and daily gain (DG) patterns of pigs. Individual DFI and DG dynamics are described by a univariate DLM in conjunction with Kalman filtering. A standardized tabular cumulative sum (CUMSUM) control chart was applied to the forecast errors generated by DLM to activate an alarm when a pig showed deviations from its typical feeding patterns. The relative feed intake (RFI) during a challenge period was calculated. For that, the forecasted individual pig DFI is expressed as its highest DFI relative to the intake during pre-challenge period. Finally, the DLM and RFI approaches were integrated into the actual precision-feeding model (original model) to estimate real-time individual nutrient requirements for pigs with atypical feeding patterns. This general approach was evaluated with data from two studies (130 pigs, at 35.25 ± 3.9 kg of initial BW) that investigated during 84 days the effect of precision-feeding systems for growing-finishing pigs. The proposed general approach to estimating real-time individual nutrient requirements (updated model) was evaluated by comparing its estimates with those generated by the original model. For 11 individuals out of 130, the DLM did not fit the observed data well in a specific period, resulting in an increase in the sum of standardized forecast errors and in the number of time steps that the model needed to adapt to the new patterns. This poor fit can be identified by the increase in the CUMSUM with a consequent alarm generated. The results of this study show that the updated model made it possible to reduce intra-individual variation for the estimated lysine requirements in comparison with the original model, especially for individuals with atypical feeding patterns. In conclusion, the DLM in conjunction with CUMSUM could be used as a tool for the online monitoring of DFI for growing-finishing pigs. Moreover, the proposed general approach allows the estimation of real-time amino acid requirements and accounts for the reduced feed intake and growth potential of pigs with atypical feeding patterns.

PSIII-1 Characterization of eating pattern and animal behavior according to productive system of intensive beef fattening fed high-concentrate diets

Abstract Eating pattern and animal behavior of three different intensive beef fattening systems, combining cattle breed, gender, and fattening days were studied under the same commercial farming conditions. A total of 120 animals were allocated in 6 pens (two per treatment), and each pen was assigned to 1 of 3 treatments according to productive system: 1) Holstein bulls, slaughtered at 11.5 months of age (142 ± 3.3 days of age and 176 ± 5.5 kg of initial BW), 2) crossbred heifers at 10 months (141 ± 3.3 days of age and 165 ± 5.5 kg of initial BW), and, 3) crossbred Angus bulls at 12.5 months (154 ± 3.3 days of age and 192 ± 5.5 kg of initial BW). Each pen had two separate feeders for concentrate and straw, and a water trough. Eating pattern was recorded per day and animal, and animal behavior was analyzed fortnightly by scan pen sampling. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model with repeated measures. Most relevant interaction revealed that around 215 days of age (onset of puberty) heifers visited less frequently the feeder (7.5 vs 8.1 ± 0.23) and devoted more time to eat (7.5 vs 6.5 ± 0.22 min), decreasing eating rate (153.8 vs 177.4 ± 4.97 g/min) compared with bulls. Regardless of age, heifers tended (P < 0.10) to exhibit more frequently non-agonistic (20.4 vs 13.0 ± 1.53 n/15 min), less agonistic (1.2 vs 3.8 ± 0.92 n/15 min) and sexual (1.3 vs 5.5 ± 1.65 n/15 min) behaviors, and more stereotypies (1.5 vs 0.3 ± 0.08 n/15 min) compared with bulls. In conclusion, when animals spent time performing agonistic and sexual behaviors, the time devoted to eat was reduced, identifying a gender effect. This finding could have implications in terms of feeder design, number of feeding spaces, and feeder access.

Effects of a microencapsulated blend of essential oils supplemented alone or in combination with monensin on performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing beef steers

ABSTRACT Objective A microencapsulated blend of essential oils (EO) fed to feedlot cattle was evaluated against monensin (MON) or used in association with MON and compared against MON alone or MON + tylosin (TYL). Materials and Methods We used a randomized complete block design using weaned steers (n = 656; 254.4 ± 7.9 kg of initial BW) assigned to 32 pens (8 replicates per treatment) and fed for 208 d. The treatments were as follows: MON + TYL (33 mg and 11 mg/kg of DM, respectively); MON (33 mg/kg of DM); EO (150 mg/kg of DM); and MON + EO (33 mg and 150 mg/kg of DM, respectively). Results and Discussion Treatments were similar for final BW (P ≥ 0.24) and overall ADG (P ≥ 0.27). Overall DMI did not differ for MON versus EO (P ≥ 0.93); however, MON + EO had reduced overall DMI compared with MON (P = 0.03; 9.2 vs. 9.6 kg/d, respectively) or MON + TYL (P = 0.04; 9.2 vs. 9.6 kg/d, respectively). There was no effect (P ≥ 0.14) on overall G:F; however, adjusted overall G:F tended to be greater for MON + EO versus MON (P = 0.08; 0.187 vs. 0.182, respectively) and for MON + EO versus MON + TYL (P = 0.07; 0.187 vs. 0.183, respectively). Carcass characteristics were similar (P ≥ 0.11) for all treatments. Implications and Applications Steers receiving EO had similar performance and carcass characteristics compared with steers fed MON. The MON + EO tended to improve carcass-adjusted performance compared with MON. The replacement of TYL with EO when in combination with MON may result in additional improvement in feed efficiency without changes in liver abscesses.

Effects of fermented Chinese herbal medicines on milk performance and immune function in late-lactation cows under heat stress conditions

Heat stress (HS) causes significant economic losses and has become a continual challenge in the dairy industry worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary supplement on milk performance and immune function in late-lactation cows under HS conditions. The supplement was a fermented Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) mixture consisting of 18 herbs. Forty lactating Holstein cows (560 ± 51.0 kg of initial BW, 230 ± 10.0 DIM, 16 ± 3.0 kg of milk per day) were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups (10 cows per group). Each group was fed a dietary supplemented with 0, 25, 50, or 100 g CHMs per cow per day. Cows were housed at high ambient temperature-humidity index (average 74.5) for an experimental period of 42 d during the summer months. Milk yield, composition, immune responses involving blood lymphocyte apoptosis rate, serum biochemical parameters, and genes expression in lymphocytes were evaluated on days 14, 28, and 42, respectively. Results showed that milk yield, milk fat, and protein content were greater (all P < 0.05) for 50 or 100 g/d CHMs compared with the group without CHMs supplements throughout the experimental period. On the other hand, increasing CHMs dose demonstrated a greater lymphocyte or leukocyte count (P < 0.01). By flow cytometry analysis, early or late apoptosis rate of the lymphocytes was decreased (P < 0.05) by CHMs supplements. The immunity-related biochemistry and genes transcript responses involving cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12), apoptosis (Bak, Mcl-1, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and P53), and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) were investigated. Compared with the unsupplemented group, the serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels, as well as IL-2 mRNA expression, increased (P < 0.05) for 100 g/d. However, the serum IL-1 level tended to decrease (P = 0.08) with increasing CHMs dose, and IL-1 mRNA expression was down-regulated (P = 0.02) by up to 24% for 100 g/d. Additionally, the serum Bax level decreased (P < 0.01) and Bcl-2 level increased (P = 0.01) for 100 g/d. Bax and Bak mRNA expressions were down-regulated (P < 0.05), and Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression were up-regulated (P < 0.05) for 50 or 100 g/d. The mRNA expressions of P53 and Mcl-1 were not affected by CHMs (P > 0.10). Besides, serum IgG levels were greater (P < 0.01) for 50 or 100 g/d, compared with unsupplemented group. In conclusion, CHMs supplements may improve milk performance and immune function in dairy cows under HS conditions.

113 Effects of Bismuth Subsalicylate and Calcium-Ammonium Nitrate on Liver Mineral Concentration and Performance of Growing Beef Heifers.

To evaluate the effects of bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate (eCAN) on performance and liver mineral concentration of growing cattle, 75 Bos taurus × Bos indicus heifers (279 ± 57 kg of initial BW; 15.6 ± 4.1 mo of age) were used in an incomplete randomized block design with a 2 × 2 + 1 arrangement of treatments. The experiment consisted of a 28-d adaptation period followed by a 56-d data collection period in which heifers were weighed every 14 d. Heifers were stratified, blocked by weight, and allotted to 25 dormant bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures where they received 1.07 kg/heifer/d of molasses and ad libitum access to bahiagrass hay. Pastures were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments: NCTRL (no added NPN or BSS), U (urea supplemented at 182 mg/kg of BW), NIT (eCAN supplemented at 350 mg/kg of BW), UB (urea supplemented at 182 mg/kg of BW and BSS supplemented at 58.4 mg/kg of BW) and NITB (eCAN supplemented at 350 mg/kg of BW and BSS supplemented at 58.4 mg/kg of BW). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with pasture as the experimental unit. Contrasts were used to determine: effect of NCTRL vs. all other treatments (N); source of NPN (NS); effect of BSS (B); and the interaction between NPN source and BSS (B×NS). Final BW was not affected by N (P = 0.470), NS (P = 0.384), or B (P = 0.600); however, there was a B×NS interaction (P = 0.048) where NITB heifers had lesser BW compared with UB heifers. There was no effect of N, NS, B, or B×NS for ADG measured within any time points (P > 0.05). For carcass ultrasound measurements, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of N, NS, or B on LM area; however, a B×NS interaction (P = 0.001) was observed for 12th-rib fat thickness where NITB heifers had less back-fat compared with UB heifers on d 56. Concentration of minerals in the liver was not affected by NS (P > 0.05). No B×NS interactions (P = 0.05) were observed affecting liver mineral concentration; however, the addition of BSS decreased liver concentration of Cu (P = 0.002). In conclusion, the addition of eCAN did not affect performance of growing heifers unless it was provided in combination with BSS, which may decrease growth performance. Furthermore, BSS may negatively affect trace mineral concentrations in the liver.

Comparison of wet and dry distillers grains plus solubles to corn as an energy source in forage-based diets

ABSTRACT Four experiments compared wet or dry distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS or DDGS) to corn as energy sources in forage-based diets. In Exp. 1, 66 individually fed steers (268 kg of initial BW) were fed a 60:40 blend of sorghum silage and alfalfa hay and supplemented at 0, 0.33, 0.67, or 1.0% of BW with either WDGS or DDGS. In Exp. 2, 160 steers (286 kg of initial BW) were fed 25% WDGS or 33.6% dry rolled corn (DRC) in 35% sorghum silage and grass hay diets (DM basis). In Exp. 3, 60 individually fed steers (231 kg of initial BW) were fed DRC at 22.0, 41.0, or 60.0%, or WDGS at 15.0, 25.0, or 35.0% of diet DM in 30% sorghum silage and grass hay diets. In Exp. 4, 120 individually fed steers (282 kg of initial BW) were fed DDGS, WDGS (15 or 30% of diet DM), or DRC (22 or 50% of diet DM) in sorghum silage and grass hay diets. In Exp. 1, 3, and 4, increasing DGS inclusion increased ADG (P

Pre- and postweaning performance by cows and calves that grazed toxic or nontoxic endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures

Negative effects on cattle grazing tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] infected with the wild-type endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (E+) are well documented, but information about the carryover effects on weaned calves is limited. Our objective was to compare pre- and postweaning performance by spring-calving cows and calves grazing E+ with that by cows grazing a nontoxic endophyte–tall fescue association (NE+). Pregnant Gelbvieh × Angus crossbred cows (n = 136; 492 ± 19.2 kg of initial BW) were stratified by BW and age and allocated randomly to one of four 10-ha pastures in yr 1 (October 15) and one of eight 10-ha pastures in yr 2 (November 30). Pastures were allocated randomly before establishment to E+ or NE+. Cows remained on their assigned pastures until weaning in yr 2 but were removed from NE+ in the summer of yr 1 because of low forage mass. After weaning, calves grazed bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] followed by cool-season annual grasses. Cow BW and pregnancy rate, and calf weaning weight and preweaning gain were greater (P < 0.05) from NE+ versus E+. Weaning weight differentials were maintained throughout postweaning production phases, resulting in heavier HCW (P < 0.05) by steers and a tendency for greater (P < 0.10) subsequent calving rates by heifers. Therefore, replacing E+ with NE+ may improve preweaning cow and calf performance and heifer reproductive rates, but postweaning gains may not be affected by previous exposure to E+.

Nutrient digestibility and ruminal fatty acid metabolism in lambs supplemented with soybean oil partially replaced by fish oil blend

The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing soybean oil with small amounts of fish oil blend on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, ruminal SCFA and pH, and duodenal flow of fatty acids. Five ram lambs rumen and proximal duodenum-cannulated (51.7±3.1kg of initial BW; mean±SD) were assigned to a 5×5 Latin square design. The oils were added to a basal diet that contained 900g/kg DM of concentrate (corn, soybean meal, soybean hulls, urea, ammonium chloride, limestone, mineral mix, and Rumensin® 100) and 100g/kg DM of forage (fresh sugarcane bagasse). The treatments were as follows: (1) basal diet without added oil (CONT); (2) 40g/kg DM of soybean oil (0FO); (3) 2.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+37.5g/kg DM of soybean oil (2.5FO); (4) 5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+35g/kg DM of soybean oil (5.0FO); and (5) 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil (7.5FO). All diets were isonitrogenous (160±3g/kg DM of CP). Intakes of DM, organic matter (OM), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (kg/d) were not affected by the treatments. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, and NDF were similar for all diets. The soybean oil and fish oil blend supplements decreased CP digestibility. Total fatty acids digestibility and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were higher in the diets with oils in comparison to the control diet. Ruminal concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were higher for animals fed the control diet. The ruminal pH was lower for animals consuming the control diet in comparison to the diets with oils. The duodenal flow of C18:0 and C18:1 trans-11 was greater for ram lambs that received soybean oil supplements, and the duodenal flow of C18:1 trans-11 and CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 was greater for diets with oils. In addition, C18:1 trans-11 flow to the duodenum increased linearly as fish oil blend was added to the diets. The ruminal biohydrogenarion of C18:2 cis-12; C18:3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were similar for all diets. When associated with high amounts of soybean oil, only a small amount of fish oil blend (2.5g/kg DM) was necessary to optimize the ruminal concentration of CLA. In spite of this finding, the addition of 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend mixed with 32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil is recommended, because it increased the duodenal flow of C18:1 trans-11 vaccenic acid. Using soybean oil as the only source of additional fat improved the lipid profile of the duodenal contents, but the partial replacement of soybean oil with fish oil blend shown to be a more efficient strategy to raise the profile of fatty in the duodenal content.

Feedlot performance and carcass traits of hairbreed ewe lambs in response to zilpaterol hydrochloride and soybean oil supplementation.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH; 0 or 10 mg/lamb daily) and soybean oil (SBO; 0 or 6%) supplementation on feedlot performance, carcass traits, and wholesale cut yield of 32 Dorper × Pelibuey ewe lambs (30.55 ± 2. 57 kg of initial BW). Lambs were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to treatments under a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. After a 34-d feeding period, all ewes were slaughtered. No ZH × SBO interactions were detected (P ≥ 0.11) for the variables evaluated. In the overall feeding period and first 17 d of experiment, feedlot performance was not affected (P ≥ 0.26) by ZH supplementation, but from d 18 to 34, ZH increased (P ≤ 0.03) total gain, ADG, and G:F without affecting DMI (P = 0.58). Also, ZH increased (P ≤ 0.02) HCW, cold carcass weight, dressing percentage, LM area, and leg perimeter. Lung weight as percentage of final BW decreased (P = 0.05) whereas other noncarcass components and wholesale cut yields were not affected (P ≥ 0.06) by ZH supplementation. Inclusion of SBO did not affect (P ≥ 0.08) feedlot performance or wholesale cut yields. The LM pH at 24 h postmortem as well as liver and peritoneum percentages were decreased (P ≤ 0.05) by SBO supplementation, but no other carcass characteristics or noncarcass components were affected (P ≥ 0.08) by SBO. In conclusion, feedlot performance and carcass characteristics were not altered by the interaction of ZH × SBO. However, ZH alone increased the growth of ewes during the last 17 d of the feeding period. Likewise, carcass characteristics of economic importance (i.e., HCW, dressing percentage, LM area, and leg perimeter) increased with ZH supplementation. In general, feedlot performance, carcass traits, and wholesale cut yields were not altered by including 6% of SBO in the finishing diet of ewe lambs.

2,6-Diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) in microbial protein quantification of heifers fed different forage sources

The objective of this study was to evaluate the flow of nitrogenous compounds, protein degradability, rumen degradation of total carbohydrate and organic matter and microbial efficiency in heifers subjected to diets containing corn silage, sugarcane or Tifton. For this purpose, the 2,6-diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) technique was adopted and analytical procedures for amino acids by HPLC were adapted. Six rumen-fistulated Holstein-Zebu heifers with 480 kg of initial BW and at 24 months of age kept in individual tie stalls were assigned to two 3 × 3 Latin squares. Omasal digesta dry matter and microbial dry matter flows were determined using the isolated, purified and enriched lignin (LIPE®) and DAPA markers, respectively. Isolated bacteria from rumen showed on average 5.84 g/100 g microbial N, 0.25 g/100 g DAPA in dry matter and 44.61 DAPA:N ratio. The forage sources did not influence the flows of nitrogen compounds, except for total omasal flow and non-ammonia N in relation to N intake for the corn silage diet, for which there was an upward trend compared with the other diets. The degradation of the organic matter and total carbohydrates did not differ, averaging 6.1 kg/day and 5.2 kg/day, respectively. The studied forage sources do not influence the flows of nitrogen compounds, except for total omasal flow and non-ammonia N in relation N intake for the corn silage diet, for which there is an upward trend compared with the other diets. Protein degradability and microbial efficiency are similar between evaluated diets.

Effects of feeding crude glycerin on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics in finishing goats

Twenty-four crossbred male (Thai Native×Anglo Nubian) weaned goats (17.4±2.8kg of initial BW) were used to assess the effect of the dietary supplementation of crude glycerin (CG) for corn grain on performance, carcass traits, muscle chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and blood metabolites. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were offered to the experimental animals (6 goats per treatment) for 91 days using randomized completely block design. The goats individually received dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10, and 20% of CG (87.61% pure) on a DM basis. The diets were offered ad libitum as total mixed rations twice daily. Weight gain and concentrations of blood metabolites were determined. At the end of the experimental period, the harvest data and carcass characteristics of the goats were recorded, and muscular longissimus dorsi (LD) composition was determined. No significant effect of CG inclusion was observed in any of the growth performance, carcass, and meat quality traits studied. Likewise, mean serum glucose and BHBA concentrations were not affected (P>0.05) by dietary treatments whereas serum insulin concentration linearly increased (L, P=0.02) with increasing the amount of CGLY supplementation. Also, no apparent effects on FA composition were detected, except for C15:0, C16:0, C16:1, and C22:5n-3 were affected (P<0.05) by CG level. We conclude that crude glycerin can be used as substitution for corn grain up to the level of approximately 20% of dry matter in the diets of finishing goats, and this study was a good approach in exploiting the use of biodiesel production for goat production.

Effects of endo-1,4-β-d-mannanase enzyme (Hemicell HT 1.5 ×) on the growth performance of nursery pigs

ABSTRACT The objective of the current study was to compare nursery pigs fed endo-1,4-β- d -mannanase enzyme (Hemicell HT 1.5x) and 1% added fat with those fed a control diet (no enzyme) and increasing added fat. Soybean meal contains β-mannans, which are polysaccharides in cell walls of legumes. These β-mannans induce an immune response that prevents nursery pigs from reaching maximum growth potential. Endo-1,4-β- d -mannanase hydrolyzes β-mannans, which allows pigs to realize full growth potential. Nine hundred twenty total cross-bred pigs were used in a randomized complete block design at 5.78 kg of initial BW for 42 d. Treatments were (1) 250 mg/kg of endo-1,4-β- d -mannanase with 1% added fat, (2) control (no enzyme) with 1% added fat, (3) control with 2% added fat, (4) control with 3% added fat, and (5) control with 4% added fat. Data were analyzed using a Dunnett’s test of difference from control to determine the effects of the enzyme. Endo-1,4-β- d -mannanase did not affect ADG (P ≥ 0.29) or ADFI (P ≥ 0.96). No differences in G:F were noted between the enzyme-fed pigs and pigs fed 1 or 2% added fat (P = 0.68). Pigs fed 3% added fat (0.716; P = 0.02) were 2.58% more efficient, whereas pigs fed 4% added fat (0.728; P d -mannanase and 1% added fat (0.698). Endo-1,4-β- d -mannanase was not effective in improving feed efficiency in pigs fed an isocaloric diet and was not able to improve feed efficiency to levels demonstrated by nursery pigs fed 3 and 4% added choice white grease.

Comparative digestibility by cattle versus sheep: Effect of forage quality1,2

The objective was to determine the effect of forage quality on apparent total tract digestibility and ruminal fermentation in cattle versus sheep. Five yearling English crossbred (Hereford × Angus) steers (440.4 ± 35.6 kg of initial BW) and 5 yearling whiteface (Rambouillet × Columbia × Debouillet) wethers (44.4 ± 4.6 kg of initial BW), each fitted with a ruminal cannula, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 forage sources within ruminant specie, and the study was conducted over 3 periods. For forage source, both animal and period served as the blocking factor with all forage sources represented once within each animal and all forage sources represented at least once within each period. The treatment structure was arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with ruminant species (2) and forage source (3) as the factors. Forage sources were 1) alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa; 17.5% CP and 34.1% NDF, DM basis), 2) warm-season grass hay mix (Bothriochloa ischaemum and Cynodon dactylon; 7.3% CP and 74.7% NDF, DM basis), and 3) lovegrass hay (Eragrostis curvula; 2.5% CP and 81.9% NDF, DM basis). As a percent of BW, steers and wethers consumed similar (P ≤ 0.06) amounts of forage, and intake was more influenced by forage quality (P < 0.001) than ruminant species (P = 0.35). When expressed per unit of metabolic BW, cattle consumed more (P < 0.001) DM, NDF, and N than sheep. Apparent total tract digestibility was similar among steers and wethers when alfalfa or grass hay was fed, but decreased to a greater extent in wethers when low-quality lovegrass hay was fed (ruminant species × diet interaction, P ≤ 0.01). Rate (%/h) of ruminal NDF disappearance was greater (P = 0.02) for alfalfa and grass hay than lovegrass, but was not influenced (P = 0.12) by ruminant species. In addition, ruminal DM fill was influenced more (P < 0.01) by forage than by ruminant species (P = 0.07). Steers and wethers had greater (P < 0.01) DM fill from grass hay and lovegrass hay than alfalfa before and 5 h after feeding. Ruminal VFA were generally not influenced (P ≥ 0.06) by ruminant specie. Results suggest that apparent total tract digestibilities are more similar among ruminant species when moderate- to high-quality forages are evaluated. However, sheep are not an adequate model for cattle when low-quality forages are compared because cattle digest low-quality forages to a greater extent than sheep. Expressing digestibility as digestible intake per unit of BW allows for a wider range of forage qualities to be compared when substituting sheep for cattle.

Lamb performance, milk production and composition from ewes supplemented with soybean oil partially replaced by fish oil blend

The objectives of these experiment were to evaluate the effects of small amounts of fish oil blend supply in partial replacement of soybean oil on dry matter intake (DMI), lactation performance and milk fatty acid composition of ewes and also on performance of their lambs. Fifty Santa Inês lactating ewes (63±6kg of initial BW; mean±SD) were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design with 10 blocks and 5 treatments. The oils were added to a basal diet that contained 700g/kg DM of concentrate and 300g/kg DM of forage (fresh sugarcane bagasse). The treatments were as follows: (1) basal diet without added oil (CONT); (2) 40g/kg DM of soybean oil (0FO); (3) 2.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+37.5g/kg DM of soybean oil (25FO); (4) 5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+35g/kg DM of soybean oil (50FO); and (5) 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil (75FO). All diets were isonitrogen (140±4g/kg DM of CP). Once a week, from the second to the eighth week of lactation (weaning time), ewes were separated from their lambs, stimulated by a 6-IU intravenous oxytocin injection, and milked to empty the udder. After 3h, milk production was obtained after the same procedure. DMI (kg/d; % of BW and g/kg BW0.75) was higher for ewes fed the control diets vs. fat-supplemented. However, no effect was observed on DMI when fish oil blend inclusion in the diets increased. Nevertheless, milk production increased linearly when fish oil blend replaced soybean oil. As a consequence, the preweaning average daily gain (ADG) of lambs increased linearly. Milk fat concentration was similar for all diets. Milk protein and total solids concentrations decreased linearly when fish oil blend addition increased. Lactose milk concentration was higher for ewes fed the fat-supplemented diets vs. the control. Stearic acid, oleic acid, vaccenic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and CLA cis-9, trans-11 showed higher concentrations in milk of animals fed diets containing soybean oil and fish oil blend compared to the control diet. Vaccenic acid, CLA trans-10, cis-12, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased linearly with fish oil blend inclusion. Small amounts of fish oil supplementation does not exert an additional effect on the concentration of CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 as compered to exclusive use of soybean oil. However, the addition of 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend mixed with 32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil is recommended, because it increased the concentration of EPA, DHA and C18:1 trans-11 in the milk, as well increasing the performance of the ewes and their lambs.

Effect of dried distillers grains plus solubles on enteric methane emissions and nitrogen excretion from growing beef cattle1

The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of corn- or wheat-based dried distillers grains with solubles (CDDGS or WDDGS) on enteric methane (CH4) emissions from growing beef cattle and determine if the oil in CDDGS was responsible for any response observed. Effects of CDDGS or WDDGS on total N excretion and partitioning between urine and fecal N were also examined in this replicated 4 × 4 Latin square using 16 ruminally cannulated crossbreed heifers (388.5 ± 34.9 kg of initial BW). The control diet contained (DM basis) 55% whole crop barley silage, 35% barley grain, 5% canola meal, and 5% vitamin and mineral supplement. Three dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) diets were formulated by replacing barley grain and canola meal (40% of dietary DM) with CDDGS, WDDGS, or WDDGS plus corn oil (WDDGS+oil). For WDDGS+oil, corn oil was added to WDDGS (4.11% fat DM basis) to achieve the same fat level as in CDDGS (9.95% fat DM basis). All total mixed diets were fed once daily ad libitum. Total collection of urine and feces was conducted between d 11 and 14. Enteric CH4 was measured between d 18 and 21 using 4 environmental chambers (2 animals fed the same diet per chamber). Methane emissions per kilogram of DM intake (DMI) and as percent of GE intake (GEI) among heifers fed WDDGS (23.9 g/kg DMI and 7.3% of GEI) and the control (25.3 g/kg DMI and 7.8% of GEI) were similar (P = 0.21 and P = 0.19) whereas heifers fed CDDGS (21.5 g/kg DMI and 6.6% of GEI) and WDDGS+oil (21.1 g/kg DMI and 6.3% of GEI) produced less (P < 0.05) CH4. Total N excretion (g/d) differed (P < 0.001) among treatments with WDDGS resulting in the greatest total N excretion (303 g/d) followed by WDDGS+oil (259 g/d), CDDGS (206 g/d), and the control diet (170 g/d), respectively. Compared with the control diet, heifers offered WDDGS, CDDGS, and WDDGS+oil excreted less fecal N (P < 0.001) but more (P < 0.001) urinary N. Results suggest that high-fat CDDGS or WDDGS+oil can mitigate enteric CH4 emissions in growing beef cattle. However, to completely assess the impact of DDGS on greenhouse gas emissions of growing feedlot cattle, the potential contribution of increased N excretion to heightened NH3 and nitrous oxide emissions requires consideration.

Effects of increasing field pea (Pisum sativum) level in high-concentrate diets on meat tenderness and sensory taste panel attributes in finishing steers and heifers

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2> Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of increasing field pea level in high-concentrate finishing cattle diets on beef palatability including Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), sensory panel tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and off-flavor. In Exp. 1, 118 yearling heifers (417 ± 2.4 kg of initial BW) were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments (0, 10, 20, or 30% dry-rolled field pea, DM basis; 4 pens/treatment), where field pea replaced dry-rolled and high-moisture corn. In Exp. 2, 143 beef steers (433 ± 19.1 kg of initial BW) were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments (0, 10, 20, or 30% dry-rolled field pea, DM basis; 6 pens/treatment) where field pea replaced dry-rolled corn. In Exp. 1, field pea inclusion linearly decreased WBSF (P = 0.001) and linearly increased sensory taste panel tenderness (P = 0.002) and juiciness (P = 0.04) scores, whereas cook loss, flavor, and off-flavor scores were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.16). In Exp. 2, field pea inclusion did not affect WBSF, cook loss, or sensory taste panel scores for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, or off-flavor (P ≥ 0.19); however, there was a tendency for a decrease in calpastatin activity (P = 0.10) and a tendency for an increase in troponin-T degradation (P = 0.08) with increasing dietary field pea inclusion. These results indicate that dietary field pea does not negatively affect beef palatability traits. Additional research should focus on understanding the potential mechanism by which field pea inclusion may influence beef tenderness.

Macromineral requirements for the maintenance and growth of Boer crossbred kids 1

Advances in mineral nutrition of goats have been made during the last decade, especially in our understanding of Ca and P requirements. However, few studies have focused on the mineral requirements of crossbred Boer goats in their growth phase. Our objective for this study was to determine the macromineral (Ca, P, Mg, K, and Na) requirements for the maintenance and growth of intact, male three-fourths Boer × one-fourth Saanen kids (n = 34; 20.5 ± 0.24 kg of initial BW). Two trials were conducted: 1 for maintenance and 1 for growth requirements. In the maintenance trial, 28 kids were used. The baseline (BL) group consisted of 7 randomly selected kids averaging 21.2 ± 0.36 kg BW and 122 d old. The remaining kids (n = 21; age 168 ± 5 d) were randomly allocated into 7 slaughter groups (blocks) including 3 animals distributed among 3 amounts of DMI (treatments: ad libitum and restricted to 70 or 40% of ad libitum intake). Animals in a group were slaughtered when the ad libitum-treatment kid in the block reached 35 kg BW. The BL and ad libitum-fed groups in the maintenance trial were also part of the growth trial. Therefore, in the growth trial, 20 kids fed for ad libitum intake were used as follows: 7 kids slaughtered at 21.2 ± 0.36 kg BW (BL), 6 kids slaughtered at 28.2 ± 0.39 kg BW (intermediate slaughter), and 7 kids slaughtered at 35.6 ± 0.36 kg BW. Empty whole bodies of the kids (head + feet, hide, internal organs + blood, and carcass) were weighed, ground, mixed, and subsampled for chemical analyses. Daily maintenance requirements, calculated using the comparative slaughter technique (P < 0.001), were estimated as 32.3 ± 1.1 mg Ca, 30.8 ± 1.2 mg P, 1.31 ± 0.5 mg Mg, 8.41 ± 3.0 mg K, and 5.14 ± 1.0 mg Na/kg of empty BW (EBW). Net requirements for growth increased from 6.2 to 6.6 g Ca, 5.3 to 5.4 g P, and 0.29 to 0.30 g Mg and decreased from 1.20 to 1.07 g K and 0.65 to 0.59 g Na/kg of EBW gain for kids from 20 to 35 kg BW. This study indicated that the net mineral requirements for Boer crossbred goat kids may be different from those of purebred or other genotypes, and more data are needed for goats in general.

Supplementation of dried distillers grains with solubles to beef cows consuming low-quality forage during late gestation and early lactation1

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate supplementation of dried distillers grains with solubles (DGS) to spring-calving beef cows (n = 120; 541 kg of initial BW; 5.1 initial BCS) consuming low-quality forage during late gestation and early lactation. Supplemental treatments included (DM basis) 1) 0.77 kg/d DGS (DGSL); 2) 1.54 kg/d DGS (DGSI); 3) 2.31 kg/d DGS (DGSH); 4) 1.54 kg/d of a blend of 49% wheat middlings and 51% cottonseed meal (POS); and 5) 0.23 kg/d of a cottonseed hull-based pellet (NEG). Feeding rate and CP intake were similar for DGSI and POS. In Exp. 1, cows were individually fed 3 d/wk until calving and 4 d/wk during lactation; total supplementation period was 119 d, encompassing 106 d of gestation and 13 d of lactation. Tall-grass prairie hay (5.6% CP, 50% TDN, 73% NDF; DM basis) was fed for ad libitum intake throughout the supplementation period. Change in cow BW and BCS during gestation was similar for DGSI and POS (-5.0 kg, P = 0.61 and -0.13, P = 0.25, respectively) and linearly increased with increasing DGS level (P < 0.01). Likewise, during the 119-d supplementation period, BW and BCS change were similar for DGSI and POS (-72 kg, P = 0.22 and -0.60, P = 0.10) and increased linearly with respect to increasing DGS (P < 0.01). The percentage of cows exhibiting luteal activity at the beginning of breeding season (56%, P = 0.31), AI conception rate (57%, P = 0.62), or pregnancy rate at weaning (88%, P = 0.74) were not influenced by supplementation. In Exp. 2, 30 cows from a separate herd were used to evaluate the effect of DGS on hay intake and digestion. Supplementation improved all digestibility measures compared with NEG. Hay intake was not influenced by DGS (P > 0.10); digestibility of NDF, ADF, CP, and fat linearly increased with increasing DGS. In Exp. 3, milk production and composition were determined for cows (n = 16/treatment) of similar days postpartum from Exp. 1. Daily milk production was not influenced by supplementation (6.3 kg/d, P = 0.25). Milk fat (2.1%) and lactose (5.0%) were not different (P > 0.10). Milk protein linearly increased as DGS increased (P < 0.05) and was greater for DGSI compared with POS. Similar cow performance was achieved when cows were fed DGS at the same rate and level of CP as a traditional cottonseed meal-based supplement. Increasing amounts of DGS did not negatively influence forage intake or diet digestibility.

Evaluation of performance, carcass characteristics, and sensory attributes of beef from finishing steers fed field peas.

Whole field peas were fed at 0, 10, 20, and 30% of DM to 139 yearling steers (British cross; 409 ± 31 kg of initial BW) for a 119-d finishing period. Carcass data and Choice grade strip loins (n = 98) were collected from a commercial abattoir in Lexington, Nebraska. Consumer sensory and Warner-Bratzler shear force analyses were performed on 2.5-cm strip steaks. No differences (P ≥ 0.17) were observed in final BW, ADG, DMI, and G:F of steers. Likewise, no differences (P ≥ 0.23) were observed for HCW, LM area, fat thickness at the 12th rib, yield grade, and marbling scores. However, KPH responded quadratically to increasing dietary amount of field peas (P = 0.02). Regarding the sensorial analysis, feeding peas linearly increased subjective tenderness (P < 0.01) and led to a quadratic response of overall like ratings (P = 0.01) and flavor like ratings (P = 0.12). Feeding peas did not alter (P ≥ 0.64) juiciness, but decreased shear force values linearly when quantities were increased (P = 0.02). These data suggest that feeding peas does not affect steer performance or carcass characteristics differently from dry-rolled corn, but does improve objective and subjective tenderness, overall desirability, and flavor of beef. Field peas could be fed to cattle and give positive attributes to the quality of the meat up to 30% inclusion in the diet.

Effect of inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet of finishing swines

The aim of this work was to study the effect of inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet of finishing pigs. In the first trial, 16 Topigs barrows with 80.5±4.7 kg of initial BW were used to evaluate the digestibility of citrus pulp. Having 18.85% of neutral detergent fiber and 41.18% of neutral detergent soluble fiber, citrus pulp showed as a feasible alternative ingredient to be added in the diets of feed restricted finishing pigs. Second trial tested the use of 0, 10, 20, 30% of citrus pulp in the diets of 36-feed-restricted barrows with initial BW of 83.7±5.1 kg. A quadratic trend (P&lt;0.05) as function of citrus pulp levels was observed for daily weight gain and number of experimental days to reach 130kg BW, being the best estimated inclusion levels of citrus pulp 10.79 and 10.97%, respectively. For urea and triacylglycerol serological parameters, no effects of citrus pulp were observed (P&gt;0.05), but a quadratic trend existed on cholesterol serological content.