Least-cost Ration Research Articles

328 Comparison of Predicted Nutritional Requirements of Two Feeding Systems for Dairy Cattle Implemented in a Monte-Carlo Simulation Model of Herd Dynamics

Abstract There is increased interest in precision-feeding systems that account for individual-animal variation and temporal dairy herd dynamics to increase feed-efficiency and reduce environmental footprints. The Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS; Hansen et al., 2021) model simulates individual animals on a daily timestep using a stochastic, Monte Carlo framework to represent the phenotypic diversity and population dynamics expected in a dairy herd. Within RuFaS, individual animal nutrient requirements are used to inform pen-level diet formulations and feed delivery. However, nutritional requirements for feeding dairy cattle were recently updated via consideration of both animal and diet-related factors. Our aim was to calculate individual animal predictions for dry matter intake (DMI), as well as energy and metabolizable protein requirements, and compare the methods described in the 7th (NRC, 2001) and 8th (NASEM, 2021) editions of the Nutrient Requirements for Dairy Cattle. For that purpose, we simulated dairy herds (ca. 6,000 individual Holstein animals per simulation, mean adult body weight = 671 kg, standard deviation = 79, mean daily milk production = 39.8 kg·day-1·cow-1 , standard deviation = 7.5) for 10+ year time periods with an updated version of RuFaS. The simulated herds provided a wide range of values with which to test the nutrient requirement models, and their implications. The NASEM DMI estimates were less across the board but began to converge towards NRC calculated values at the larger simulated animal body weights. The principal differences in energy requirements between the two models (NRC vs. NASEM) were: 1) predicted requirements for pregnancy were significantly greater for NASEM than NRC across all life history stages; 2) NASEM displayed slightly greater energy requirements for growth in first and second lactation cows, and; 3) NASEM predicted decreased maintenance requirements for all heifer stages but the opposite was true for mature cows. Metabolizable protein requirements were greater following NASEM calculations in heifers over 300 kg, but strikingly similar to NRC-computed values for lactating cows. Overall, results from this modeling study align with our expectations and demonstrate successful implementation of the two nutrition models within the RuFaS model. These outputs confirm the usefulness of data obtained to explore applications of the two nutrient requirement models under different precision feeding management practices and, to some extent, to quantitatively evaluate their viability of the models in edge cases that can occur within the expected variation of a herd’s population. Future work will explore downstream consequences of the nutrient requirement models within the automated, least-cost ration formulation framework using nonlinear programming and metrics related to manure output and storage. These data will guide further developments of RuFaS as whole farm simulation model and provide insights into expected variation in nutritional requirements within a dynamic set of animals.

An Insight on Feed Formulation for Livestock

Animal diets now a days contain a wide range of plant-based materials, as well as rendered animals and animal waste, antibiotics, and vitamins. Various feed components are utilised in the meal, depending on the animal. Animals will need to be supplemented during late pregnancy, early lactation, or rapid growth to ensure that requirements are satisfied. The required nutrients by each animal differs according on body weight, milk output, milk fat, and other factors. As an outcome, the feed formulation tool can now be developed using a variety of unique ration formulation methods, such as linear programming, stochastic programming, and goal programming. Many programmes exist that create rations for various livestock species using the most cost-effective feeds available. It will also help the farmer choose feeds that fulfil the ration’s nutritional needs. ICAR-NIANP Smart Tools, Dairy cattle nutrition and feed calculator, Application for Least-Cost Ration Formulation, and Feed Chart are only a few examples.

LEAST COST HOMEMADE STARTER’S RATION EFFECT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF INDIGENOUS AND SASSO BREED CHICKS

The objective of this study was commercial starters ration substitution by least-cost ration in various levels on the growth performance of Indigenous and Sasso chicks in Farta Woreda. The research area is 666km far from the capital city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 150 Indigenous local and 450 Sasso T-44 day-old chicks were randomly assigned into five dietary groups, which contained 0% (T5), 25 (T4), 50 (T3), 75 (T2), and 100 (T1) of commercial starter’s ration in factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications for two months feeding period. The results showed that the commercial ration level decreased and the increased level of the least cost homemade ration was significantly low (p<0.001) retaining dry matter and nitrogen, mean daily feed consumption and metabolizable energy. On the opposing, there was an increase in fiber content and feed conversion ratio in high-level dilution of starter’s commercial diet with a homemade diet. Yet, chicks on 0, 25, and 50% commercial starters rations groups substituted by homemade rations were significantly higher (p<0.001) in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mean daily feed intake and final body weight attained. According to these results, up to 50% of expensive commercial starter rations were replaced by the least-cost homemade ration without adversely affecting the growth performance of chicks.

FeedMaster: A least-cost feed formulation App for minimizing the cost and maximizing milk yield.

The study aimed to develop and assess an Android app designed for farmers with a low educational status that can formulate a least-cost ration. First, a computer-android-based app named BLRI FeedMaster was developed to guide users in formulating a balanced ration at the least cost. A survey was conducted on 30 livestock officers and 18 farmers with 50 cattle to evaluate its efficacy at the field level. The study outcomes were milk yield, feeding cost, milk composition, time, and cost for management before and after using the BLRI FeedMaster app. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests were used to analyze the data. After adopting the BLRI FeedMaster app, a significant increase was observed in daily average milk yield (9.39 ± 0.32 l from 8.37 ± 0.36 l), while a considerable decrease was observed in daily average feed quantity (4.88 ± 0.15 kg from 5.60 ± 0.17 kg) and feed cost (BDT 28.00 ± 0.50 from BDT 29.75 ± 0.49). Besides, the number of visits, time, and cost for seeking professional services regarding feed, health care, and other information was significantly minimized. The number of visits decreased to 0.36 ± 013 from 3.07 ± 0.38, and the consumed time was reduced from 270 ± 34.30 to 235.71 ± 59.42 min (p < 0.05) after adopting the app. Hence, this app was very beneficial for farmers with a low economic and educational background and may ultimately help farmers with profitable animal farming and sustainable production in the least developed countries like Bangladesh.

Nutrient requirement equations for Indian goat by multiple regression analysis and least cost ration formulation using a linear and non-linear stochastic model.

An elaborate multiple regression analysis was done to arrive a nutrient requirement equation for goat including dry matter intake, DMI (kg/day), total digestible nutrient, TDN (g/day) and crude protein, CP (g/day) based on animal body weight (BW) (kg) and average daily gain (ADG)(g/day). The derived equations were highly significant (p<0.001) and had high R2 (0.99) values. The estimated values of TDN, CP and DMI are compared with NRC (1981), Kearl (Nutrient Requirements of Ruminants in Developing Countries, All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, 1982), as well as ICAR (Livestock Management, 2013). The estimated total TDN and CP requirements at different body weights and ADG are close to the values of recommended feeding standards of Mandal et al. (Small Ruminant Res., 58, 2005, 201). The estimated DMI values are close to the values of ICAR (Livestock Management, 2013) but lower (26.5%-43.8%) as compared to NRC (1981). Regressed values are used to develop a linear programming (LP) model and a stochastic model (SM) for least-cost ration formulation for the Indian goat breed, whose average BW is about 45kg and ADG is 130 (g/day), and which is solved using LP simplex and Generalised Reduced Gradient (GRG) nonlinear of Microsoft Excel. The models satisfy the nutrient requirement calculated by regression equations with minimum specified level of variation (usually 5%-10%) in CP and TDN. Both methods adequately meet the nutritional requirements. Therefore, an electronic sheet is developed in Excel to calculate DMI, TDN and CP for different body weights, ADG and formulate the ration by LP and stochastic model.

Using Linear Equations Approach to Formulate Balanced and Least-Cost Ration for Dairy Cattl

The main objective of this study was to find an effective way to use linear equations for the purpose of creating a balanced ration at the lowest possible cost for dairy cattle by using linear equations and solving these equations through the Solver tool provided by MS-Excel. Samples of barley, corn, wheat bran, soybean meal and wheat straw were collected from the local markets and the necessary chemical analyzes were performed for them. after that the mathematical formulas of the linear equations were developed according to the specified constraints for crude protein ratio, value of metabolizable energy and the percentage of each calcium and phosphorus, which meets the needs of a medium-production dairy cow (15 kg) and weighting (650 kg). then the data was entered into Microsoft Excel and the equations were solved by Solver tool. The results showed a superior ability of linear equations to solve the problems consisting of several variables where the feed was formed by mixing barley, Corn, wheat bran, soybean meal, wheat hay, calcium phosphate and salt in proportions ( 5, 17.91, 50, 10.76, 13.66, 1.64 and 1) respectively, The cost of the feed mixture was (268.6 $/ton), which is the lowest possible cost for a ration that meets the required needs, linear programming will provide the animal breeders efficiency with the highest production by reducing the costs and balancing of the ration through the steps described in the search.

Performance and income over feed costs when feeding alfalfa or grass hays and corn or wheat grains to high-producing dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production performance, nutrient digestibility, and income over feed cost (IOFC) of high-producing dairy cows consuming diets containing alfalfa or grass hays with either corn or wheat grain. Twenty-four Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (hay and grain types) and 21-d periods. Diets were formulated using a least-cost approach. To determine revenues from milk produced, the amount of ECM (kg·d −1 ) was multiplied by $0.303·kg −1 (i.e., class III milk price; US Federal Milk Marketing Order 5). The cost of the ration provided by the formulation software ($·cow −1 ·d −1 ) was divided by the predicted DMI (kg·cow −1 ·d −1 ) to obtain the cost of feed ($·kg −1 ), which was then multiplied by DMI (kg·cow −1 ·d −1 ) to provide the actual daily feed cost ($·cow −1 ·d −1 ). Cows consuming diets containing alfalfa hay consumed more DM than cows consuming diets with grass hay (27.1 vs. 24.4 kg·d −1 ). Cows consuming diets containing alfalfa hay produced more milk than cows consuming diets containing grass hay (47.5 vs. 44.7 kg·d −1 ). Milk from cows consuming diets containing grass hay had greater fat concentrations than milk from cows consuming diets containing alfalfa hay (4.22 vs. 3.89%). Using hay prices of $418 and $154∙t −1 , respectively, for alfalfa and grass hays, diets containing grass hay resulted in greater IOFC than diets containing alfalfa hay ($8.39·d −1 vs. $7.68·d −1 , respectively). Results of this study showed that IOFC can be supported when feeding grass hay using a least-cost ration formulation approach.

Inclusion of fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) fortified bread waste in broiler chickens\u2019 diets

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to produce a least-cost ration from the use of fluted pumpkin leaf meal and bread waste in broiler chickens’ diets. Fluted pumpkin leaves (FPL) were sourced in Akure and its environs. The leaves were air-dried and milled to produce fluted pumpkin leaf meal (FPLM), while bread wastes were collected from different bakeries in Ilara-mokin and Akure towns, Ondo State, Nigeria. The bread wastes were sun-dried and milled and tagged BWM. The fluted pumpkin meal and bread waste meal were mixed in ratio 1:9 (1 kg FPLM + 9 kg BWM) to produce the fortified bread waste meal (FBWM) and used as one of the feed ingredients in broiler chickens’ diets. The FBWM were included in the diets at 0, 5, 10 and 15% to serve as diets I, II, III and IV, respectively. Two hundred day-old Abor-acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted to the four (4) dietary treatments at fifty (50) chicks per treatment at five (5) replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. The experimental diets (starter and finisher) and freshwater were offered to the chicks ad libitum for fifty-six (56) days.ResultsThe results showed that the final weights and total weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. The highest final weight (2.12 ± 13.16 kg/bird) and the highest total weight gain (2.08 ± 13.14 kg/bird) were recorded in birds fed diet I, while the lowest final weight (1.73 ± 11.67 kg/bird) and the lowest total weight gain (1.69 ± 11.15 kg/bird) were recorded in birds fed diet IV. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the feed conversion ratio for all birds fed diets I–IV. The highest dressed weight (92.64 ± 8.30%) and the highest eviscerated weight (79.52 ± 6.50%) were recorded in birds fed diet I. The lowest cholesterol (21.23 ± 3.15 mg/dl) was recorded in bird fed diet IV and the highest (32.78 ± 3.78 mg/dl) in birds fed diet I. Highest net profit (N 683.27) was recorded in bird fed diet IV.ConclusionConceivably, within the limit of this study, the inclusion of FBWM in the diet of broiler chickens at 0% had better results than other test diets, but looking at the level of significant, up to 5% is practicable considering the final weight and weight gain. Bird fed 15% yielded the highest profit/bird produced.

Optimizing Nutrient Intake of Holstein Dairy Cattle during Early Lactation using Locally-available By-products

Objective: This study made use of a computer-based technique to optimize the nutrient intake of Holstein dairy cattle during early lactation using locally available by-products in order to investigate, analyze and determine how best locally available by-products can be combined effectively and efficiently to formulate least-cost ration. Method: Eight locallyavailable by-products, namely fish meal, corn bran, soybean meal, copra meal, limestone, cracked corn, molasses and spent grain, were considered in this study. In order to obtain optimal feed rations, mathematical models were formulated and solved by taking into consideration the nutrient requirements (net energy for lactation (NEl ), Rumen Degradable Protein (RDP), Crude Protein (CP), Calcium (Ca), and Phosphorus (P)) of lactating dairy cattle, and the nutrient compositions and any restriction factor of the by-products. Findings: Results of the study provide least cost rations that meet the specified nutrient requirements of lactating Holstein dairy cattle. Novelty: Dairy cattle contribute much to the milk production in the country. Hence there is a need for proper cattle feeding management since feeds greatly affect milk production. Keywords: Holstein Dairy Cattle, Locally-Available By-Products, Least Cost Feed Ration, Optimization

Linear Programming Approach for Feed Ration Formulation of Pre-Starter Swine using Locally- Available Feed Ingredients in the Philippines

Objectives: In this study, alternative feed rations for backyard pre-starter swine are formulated using various combinations of locally-available feed ingredients in the Philippines. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Feed rations are formulated using linear programming techniques. Various combinations of feed ingredients, namely coconut residue, water spinach, sweet potato leaves, cassava leaves, banana pseudo stem, duckweed fern, lead tree leaves, taro leaves, madre de agua leaves, water hyacinth leaves, rice bran D1and rice bran D2, mixed with preferred commercially-available pre-starter feeds are considered to find cheaper feed rations while ensuring that required basic nutrients for pre-starter swine are met. Findings: Results of the numerical experiments provide cheaper feed ration formulations for pre-starter swine. Specifically, 18 least-cost feed rations were obtained using various combinations of the 12 ingredients with the cheapest at PHP 9.20 (Ration 1) per kilo and the most expensive at PHP 11.57 (Ration 13). When the feed rations are formulated to include 10%, 25% or 50% of the preferred commercially-available pre-starter feed, the cheapest feed ration costs, respectively, PHP 13.93 (Ration1), PHP 21.07 (Rations 1 and 5), and PHP 33.10 (Ration 1). Feed ration formulations obtained in all 4 cases considered in this study were way cheaper as compared to the most preferred pre-starter feed available in the market which is sold at PHP 42 per kilo. Based on linear programming formulations, all feed rations obtained in this study contain the required amount of calcium, crude protein, moisture, crude fiber, phosphorus and crude fat for pre-starter swine. Application/ Improvements: Using the results of this study, backyard swine raisers can have cheaper pre-starter swine feed rations by mixing commercially-available pre-starter feed with the appropriate locally-available feed ingredients.

Nitrous oxide, ammonia and methane from Australian meat chicken houses measured under commercial operating conditions and with mitigation strategies applied

Greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions are important environmental impacts from meat chicken houses. This study measured ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) in two trials from paired, commercial meat chicken houses using standard (control) and mitigation strategies. In Trial 1, emissions from houses with standard litter depth of 47 mm (LD47) or increased litter depth of 67 mm (LD67) were compared. When standardised to a 42-day-old bird, emissions were 11.9 g NH3/bird, 0.30 g N2O/bird and 0.16 g CH4/bird from the LD47 and 11.7 g NH3/bird, 0.69 g N2O/bird and 0.12 g CH4/bird from the LD67. Emissions per kilogram of manure N were 0.14 and 0.11 for NH3-N, 0.003 and 0.005 N2O-N and CH4 conversion factors were 0.08% and 0.05%. Total direct and indirect GHG emissions reported in carbon dioxide equivalents were found to be higher in LD67 in response to the elevated direct N2O emissions. Trial 2 compared the impact of reduced crude protein (CP19.8) and a standard diet (CP21.3) developed using least-cost ration formulation, on emissions. Emissions per bird for the CP19.8 diet were 7.7 g NH3/bird, 0.39 g N2O/bird and 0.14 g CH4/bird, while emissions from birds fed the CP21.3 diet were 10.6 g NH3/bird, 0.42 g N2O/bird and 0.19 g CH4/bird. Significant differences were observed only in the NH3 results, where emissions were reduced by 27% for the low-CP diet. Because of the low emission levels, total mitigation potential from indirect GHG emissions was relatively small in Trial 2, corresponding to 11 t carbon dioxide equivalents/year per million birds.

Synchronous Least-Cost Ration Formulation for Lactating Barki Ewes using Nonlinear Programming

Least-cost procedures do not always produce the most practical rations for ruminants. The aim of this work was to incorporate the concept of synchronizing ruminal energy and protein digestion in the traditional leastcost procedure, in order to produce more appropriate and practical rations for lactating Barki ewes. The degree of dietary nutrient synchrony is measured using the synchrony index (SI) reported by Sinclair et al., (1993). In a preliminary study, degradation kinetics of seven commonly used feedstuffs were estimated using nylon bag technique. The observed patterns of crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) degradability of feedstuffs were largely varied and greatly depend on the rumen outflow rate (fraction/h). We developed a new userfriendly software application ‘Lacto-sheep’ based on the C# language and the. NET Framework 4.0 to facilitate the processes of ration formulation. Simplex and Hybrid local search solvers in Microsoft Solver Foundation 3.1 have been used to solve both linear and nonlinear programming models, respectively. Example synchronous least-cost ration (SLCR) and least-cost ration (LCR) formulations of 35.46 kg (body weight) lactating ewe based on the NRC recommendation is presented. SLCR and LCR showed two different patterns of N/OM release within a day. The calculated SI was about 0.87 and 0.60, respectively. As cost is often a limiting factor in the traditional least cost ration formulation therefore, LCR did not contain any source of protein-rich sources. We conclude this synchronous least-cost procedure is more appropriate to produce practical rations.

Feeding of Low-Fibre Sunflower (&lt;i&gt;Helianthus annus &lt;/i&gt;L.) Meal as Substitute of Soybean Meal in Turkey Rations: Effects on Growth Performance and Meat Quality

Soybean meal (SBM) is the most widely and expensive protein source used in the formulation of poultry diets; however, when the price of SBM increases, poultry nutritionists seek alternative sources that are more economical in formulating least-cost rations. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of air classified sunflower meal (SFM) in diets of turkeys on their growth performance, carcass yields and meat quality. A total of 140 1-d-old female turkeys (Nicholas 500) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments which were fed from hatch to 16 wk. The birds were fed two wheat middlings-based diets comprising of a control diet which contained SBM (145 g/kg) and a test diet containing micronized-air classified SFM (172 g/kg) as the main protein source. The substitution of SBM with sunflower had no adverse effect on growth performance and dressing percentage, improving breast and thigh muscles relative weights of the turkeys. A significant effect was found for feed intake (P<0.05) which was lower in birds fed diet containing sunflower compared to those fed soybean, without however any negative effects on feed efficiency (P<0.05). Meat from turkeys fed the sunflower diet had less cholesterol (P<0.01) and higher concentrations of phospholipids (P<0.01). Our results suggest that replacing the conventional SBM as protein source, with micronized-air classified SFM in diets of turkeys can improve carcass quality and favourable lipid profile without adverse effects on growth traits, reducing also the production costs.

Influence of Substituting Dietary Soybean for Air‐Classified Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Meal on Egg Production and Steroid Hormones in Early‐Phase Laying Hens

Soybean meal (SBM) is the most widely and expensive protein source used in the formulation of poultry diets; however, when the price of SBM increases, poultry nutritionists seek alternative sources that are more economical in formulating least-cost rations. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary air-classified sunflower meal (SFM) on some productive parameters and plasma steroid hormones in laying hens. In this trial, 20-week-old laying hens (ISA Brown strain) in the early phase of production were randomly assigned to two groups and fed wheat middlings-based diets containing soybean (135g/kg; 48% CP) or air-classified SFM (160g/kg; 41% CP) as the main protein source. Laying performance, egg size and feed conversion ratio were evaluated for 10week. Plasma steroid hormones (progesterone and oestradiol) in the hens were quantified weekly. Substituting SBM with air-classified SFM did not change (p>0.05) the hens' growth performance, whereas feed consumption and efficiency were positively influenced (p<0.05) by SFM treatment. Egg production rate was improved in hens fed the SFM diet (p<0.05), as well as the percentage of medium-size eggs that was higher for SFM treatment (p<0.05). Steroid hormones levels were affected by dietary treatment (p<0.01). From our findings, it could be effective to include air-classified SFM in early-phase laying hen diets as an alternative protein source substituting SBM, without negative influence on productive performance and egg traits, reducing also the production costs.

Determination of Optimum Inclusion Level of Some Plant and Animal Protein-rich Feed Ingredients in Least-cost Ration for African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings using Linear Programming Technique

Determination of Optimum Inclusion Level of Some Plant and Animal Protein-rich Feed Ingredients in Least-cost Ration for African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings using Linear Programming Technique

Escherichia coli O157:H7 populations in ruminants can be reduced by orange peel product feeding.

Foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 are threats to the safety of beef. Citrus peel and dried orange pulp are by-products from citrus juice production that have natural antimicrobial effects and are often incorporated into least-cost ration formulations for beef and dairy cattle. This study was designed to determine if orange peel and pulp affected E. coli O157:H7 populations in vivo. Sheep (n = 24) were fed a cracked corn grain-based diet that was supplemented with a 50-50 mixture of dried orange pellet and fresh orange peel to achieve a final concentration (dry matter basis, wt/wt) of 0, 5, or 10% pelleted orange peel (OP) for 10 days. Sheep were artificially inoculated with 10(10) CFU of E. coli O157:H7 by oral dosing. Fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 was measured daily for 5 days after inoculation, after which all animals were humanely euthanized. At 96 h postinoculation, E. coli O157:H7 shedding was reduced (P < 0.05) in sheep fed 10% OP. Populations of inoculated E. coli O157:H7 were reduced by OP treatment throughout the gastrointestinal tract; however, this reduction reached significant levels in the rumen (P < 0.05) of sheep fed 10% OP diets. Cecal and rectal populations of E. coli O157:H7 were reduced (P < 0.05) by inclusion of both 5 and 10% OP diets. Our results demonstrate that orange peel products can be used as a preharvest intervention strategy as part of an integrated pathogen reduction scheme.

Application of Linear Programming Technique in Least-cost Ration Formulation for African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Semi-intensive Culture System in Nigeria

Application of Linear Programming Technique in Least-cost Ration Formulation for African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Semi-intensive Culture System in Nigeria

Orange Peel Products Can ReduceSalmonellaPopulations in Ruminants

Salmonella can live undetected in the gut of food animals and be transmitted to humans. Animal diets can impact intestinal populations of foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella spp. Orange juice production results in a waste product, orange peel and orange pulp, which has a high nutritive value and is often included in cattle diets as a least-cost ration ingredient. Here we show that the inclusion of orange peel products reduced Salmonella Typhimurium populations in the gut of experimentally inoculated sheep. Sheep (n=24) were fed a cracked corn grain-based high grain diet that was supplemented with a 50%/50% (dry matter [DM], w/w) mixture of dried orange pellet and fresh orange peel to achieve a final concentration (DM, basis) of 0%, 10%, or 20% orange product (OP) for 10 days before inoculation with Salmonella Typhimurium. Sheep were experimentally inoculated with 10(10) colony forming units Salmonella Typhimurium, and fecal samples were collected every 24 h after inoculation. Sheep were humanely euthanized at 96 h after oral Salmonella inoculation. Populations of inoculated Salmonella Typhimurium were numerically reduced by OP treatment throughout the gastrointestinal tract, and this reduction only reached significant levels in the cecum (p<0.05) of sheep fed 10% OP diets. Apparent palatability issues decreased the consumption of OP in sheep fed 20% OP to intake levels below that of 10% OP (approximately 7% dry matter intake [DMI]/d feed refusal), thereby reducing the potential effects of OP feeding at this higher level. Our results demonstrate that orange peel and pellets are environmentally friendly and low-cost products that can be used as a pre-harvest intervention as part of an integrated pathogen reduction scheme.

Nutritional Evaluation of Some Locally Available Ingredients use for Least-cost Ration Formulation for African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Nigeria

Nutritional Evaluation of Some Locally Available Ingredients use for Least-cost Ration Formulation for African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Nigeria

Dairy farm nutrient management model: 2. Evaluation of different strategies to mitigate phosphorus surplus

To reduce (P) surpluses on dairy farms and thereby the risk of P losses to natural waters we studied different management alternatives by a nutrient balance model described in the companion paper. The strategies evaluated mitigating the P surpluses were: mineral P fertilisation, dietary mineral P supplementation, replacement rate, animal density, production level, feeding intensity, dietary P concentration and nutrient efficiency in crop production. Responses to several interventions (e.g. mineral P fertilisation, purchased feed P, replacement rate) were similar to those observed in Finnish field studies. Reducing or completely giving up the use of purchased mineral P fertilisers was the most efficient measure to reduce P surplus. The slope between the amount of mineral fertilisers and P surplus was 0.98–0.99 (in the field data 1.0). Increased animal density resulted in a greater P surplus, but the slope between P input from purchased feed and surplus was considerably smaller (0.65) than that of P fertilisation. Increasing milk yield with improved genetic potential of the cows would have minimal effects on P surplus per unit of product, but it would increase P surplus per hectare. When the intensity of energy and protein feeding was increased, P surplus rose markedly both per unit of product and hectare. This is (1) due to increased dietary P concentration and (2) due to smaller marginal production responses than those calculated from feeding standards. Reducing dietary P concentration by constraining P excess per kg milk in least-cost ration formulation improved P efficiency in milk production and dairy farming system. However, feed cost increased as low P energy (sugar-beet pulp) and protein (soybean meal) supplements are more expensive than cereal grains or rapeseed feeds. Improving the nutrient use efficiency in crop production had a strong influence in the whole-farm efficiency and P surplus. The modelling results showed that Finnish dairy farms have a great potential to improve P efficiency and reduce P losses to the environment, even by increasing production intensity (milk/ha). It is concluded that the most cost-effective scenario to mitigate P surpluses at a dairy farm would be to reduce or give up the use of mineral P as fertilisers and supplements, and to improve the use of present soil P reserves.