MJ MJ Metabolizable Energy Research Articles

Optimal feed level during the transition period to achieve faster farrowing and high colostrum yield in sows.

This study aimed to determine the optimal supply of lactation feed during the transition period to minimize farrowing duration (FD) and maximize colostrum yield (CY) and quality with the overall aim of reducing piglet mortality. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight and assigned to six levels of feed supply (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, and 5.0 kg/d) from day 108 of gestation until 24 h after the onset of farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn piglets; birth time and birth weight of each piglet; and frequency of farrowing assistance (FA) was recorded, and blood samples were obtained from newborn piglets at birth. Live-born piglets were further weighed at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which in turn was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Colostrum samples were collected at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. FD was shortest (4.2 h) at intermediate (3.7 kg/d), longest (7.1 to 7.6 h) at low (1.8 and 2.4 kg/d), and intermediate (5.6 to 5.7 h) at high (4.3 and 5.0 kg/d) feed intake (P = 0.004; mean comparison). FA was lowest (0.7% to 0.8%) at intermediate feed intake (3.7 and 4.3 kg/d) and substantially elevated (4.3% to 4.7%) at both lower and higher feed intake (P = 0.01; mean comparison). The cubic contrast revealed 4.1 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to achieve the shortest FD and to minimize FA. Newborn piglets from second-parity sows were less vital than piglets from gilts as evaluated by blood biochemical variables immediately after birth. CY was greatest at 3.1 kg/d (P = 0.04), whereas the cubic contrast revealed 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to maximize CY. Concentrations of colostral components were affected by the diet, parity, and their interaction except for lactose concentrations. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the importance of proper feed level during the transition period on sow productivity. Moreover, this study estimated 4.1 and 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake during the transition period to improve farrowing characteristic and CY, respectively, and these two feed intake levels supplied daily 38.8 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 23.9 g standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (3.0 kg/d) or 53.0 MJ ME and 32.7 g SID lysine (4.1 kg/d). The discrepancy of optimal feed intake for optimal farrowing and colostrum performance suggests that it may be advantageous to lower dietary lysine concentration in the diet fed prepartum.

Effects of feed energy and protein level on growth and pelt parameters in blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in the late growing-furring period

The aim of the present study was to determine whether a decrease in feed energy content would prevent extreme body weight (BW) gain and fatness in blue foxes in the late growing-furring period, without compromising pelt quality or pelt size. BW gain, body mass index (BMI), body condition score (BCS), and pelt characteristics were studied in 60 blue foxes divided into four equal-sized groups from mid-October until pelting (50 days). Experimental diets in were “high energy – high protein”, “high energy – low protein”, “low energy – high protein”, and “low energy – low protein”. High-energy diets contained 19.3 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) in kg dry matter (DM) and high-protein diets contained digestible crude protein (DCP) 20% of ME. Low-energy diets contained 16.3 MJ ME in kg DM and low-protein diets DCP 17% of ME. Feeding was gradually increased towards ad libitum. Reduced ME intake had no effect on pelt size or pelt quality. High-energy feeds resulted in heavier animals with higher BMI. However, the final BW exceeded 20 kg and BCS was “fat” or “extremely fat” in all groups.

Effect of supplementing non-starch polysaccharide hydrolyzing enzymes in guar meal based diets on performance, carcass variables and bone mineralization in Vanaraja chicken

The aim of the experiment was to find out the possibility of utilizing guar meal (GM) as a source of protein in Vanaraja chicken diet. In experiment-I, 432 one day-old Vanaraja chicks were distributed into 72 battery brooder pens (replicates) as per complete randomized design. The chicks received soybean meal (SBM) based control diet containing 10.9MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 200g protein per kg. Another two basal diets (BD) containing two levels of GM (75 and 150g/kg) were prepared with similar ME and protein levels of the control diet. The three diets were fed either without or with an enzyme premix (xylanase 3250, glucanase 1200, cellulase 890, mannanase 4000 and protease 4000 unit/kg diet) from 1 to 42 days of age. Inclusion of GM at 75g/kg with or without enzymes supplementation resulted in similar body weight (BW) gain (BWG) and feed efficiency with that of control diet. However, supplementation of GM at 150g/kg with or without enzyme premix (P<0.01) depressed the BWG and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 21 days, but not at 42 days of age. In Experiment-II, 420 one day-old Vanaraja chicks were distributed randomly into 70 battery brooder pens having 7 treatments with 10 replicates. The chicks received SBM based control diet containing 10.9MJ ME and 200g protein/kg. Another BD containing 200g/kg of GM was prepared with similar ME and protein level of the control diet. Further, five BDs with GM 200g/kg diets were fed with incremental levels of enzyme premix. Inclusion of 200gGM/kg without enzyme supplementation significantly (P<0.01) depressed the BWG and FCR. However, diet with incremental levels of enzyme supplements along with 200gGM/kg appeared to have higher BW compared to the GM control diet at 42 days of age. Liver fat and protein were higher (P<0.01) in groups fed 200gGM/kg supplemented diets compared to those fed SBM based control diet. These results indicated that, feeding chicks with 200gGM/kg diet with incremental levels of enzyme supplements resulted in improved performance compared to other 200gGM/kg supplemented dietary groups at 42 day of age. Therefore, it has been concluded that GM can be incorporated up to 150g/kg in Vanaraja diet without affecting the performance at 42 days of age. Guar meal at 200g/kg supplementation resulted in depression in performance. However, supplementation of non-starch polysaccharide hydrolyzing enzymes improved the performance of Vanaraja birds compared to those fed 200gGM/kg without enzymes.

Carcass traits and organ weights of 10–25-kg body weight Iberian pigs fed diets with different protein-to-energy ratio

Fifty-eight purebred castrated male Iberian (IB) piglets were used to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein concentration (CP, 201, 176, 149 and 123 g CP (kg dry matter (DM) −1) and level of feeding (FL, 0.95 and 0.70 × ad libitum) on carcass traits and relative organ weights from 10 to 25 kg body weight (BW). Six piglets were slaughtered at the start of the trial to estimate initial carcass composition. The remaining piglets ( n = 52) were randomly assigned to experimental treatments following a factorial design (4 CP × 2 FL) with six or seven piglets per treatment combination. Dietary amino-acid profile (ideal protein) remained constant. Piglets were individually housed (27 ± 1.5 °C) and feed allowance was adjusted weekly. Crude protein and water concentration (g kg −1) in the carcasses of piglets slaughtered at 25-kg BW increased linearly as CP was raised (P<0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between diets containing 201 and 176 g CP (kg DM) −1. Total ash content was also higher as CP increased (P<0.05), whereas crude fat and energy content followed the inverse trend (P<0.001). Protein deposition (PD, g day −1) in carcass increased linearly with increasing dietary CP and was maximal in piglets fed diets with 201 and 176 g CP (kg DM) −1 (P<0.001). The effect of dietary CP upon ash and water deposition in carcass was similar as for PD (P<0.001). Fat daily accretion increased linearly with decreasing dietary CP (P<0.001). Average chemical composition of carcass gain was 153, 215, 31 and 602 g kg −1 for CP, crude fat, total ash and water, respectively. Total viscera weight increased by 20% (P<0.001), digestive tract by 25% (P<0.001) and liver and kidneys by 30% (P<0.001) in piglets at the higher FL. Weights of sirloin and ham and total carcass lean (as g (kg carcass) −1) increased linearly as CP increased. Lean tissue proportions in shoulder and ham increased and intermuscular dissectable fat in ham decreased as dietary CP was raised. Proportional weights of skin, bone and lean tissue in shoulder and ham increased as FL was reduced (P<0.05) and the opposite trend was found for intermuscular (P<0.05) and subcutaneous (P<0.01) fat in shoulder and intermuscular fat in ham (P<0.01). A diet containing at least 201 g ideal CP (kg DM) −1 (13.7 g ideal CP (MJ metabolisable energy (ME)) −1 or 0.99 g total lysine (Lys) (MJ ME) −1) provides an adequate CP-to-energy ratio for maximising carcass lean growth in Iberian pigs weighing from 10 to 25 kg BW.

The value of protein-rich supplements on the performance of Red Chittagong heifers (Bos indicus) fed urea molasses straw-based diet

The objective of the study was to observe the effect of protein density of concentrate mixture on the growth performance of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) heifers (Bos indicus), an endangered variety in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted for a period of 90 days with 12 RCC heifers, and the animals were divided into four groups on the basis of their initial live weight. The animals were assigned at random to four dietary treatments having three replications in each in a randomized complete block design. Three iso-energetic [10.5 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg dry matter (DM)] concentrate mixtures were formulated to provide protein concentrations (%) of 15, 20, and 25 for T(1), T(2), and T(3), respectively. Crude protein (CP) content of control diet was 7.08%. Animals of all groups were fed urea molasses straw (UMS) ad libitum and green grass at a rate of 20% of total DM intake. Digestibility of DM was highest in the treatment group fed 25% CP supplement (T(3)) and lowest in the unsupplemented group (T(0)). Average daily gain increased with increasing CP concentration in supplements, but mean difference was not significant between the 20% and 25% CP groups. Feed cost per kilogram live weight gain was lowest (P > 0.05) in 20% CP supplement and highest in the unsupplemented group. The results revealed that the CP concentration of 20% in concentrate mixture containing 10.5 MJ ME is cost effective with the UMS-based diet of RCC heifers for better nutrient digestibility and growth.

Dystocia in 3-year-old beef heifers; Relationship to maternal nutrient intake during early- and mid-gestation, pelvic area and hormonal indicators of placental function

The influence of nutrition during the first and second trimesters of gestation on the occurrence of dystocia was investigated in 3-year-old composite-breed beef heifers. Heifers were allocated according to stratification by weight and genotype to either a high (H/− = 76 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) and 1.4 kg crude protein (CP)), or low (L/− = 62 MJ ME and 0.4 kg CP daily) nutritional treatment on the day of artificial insemination (day 0) to the same Senepol bull. Half of each nutritional group changed to an opposite nutritional group on day 93 of gestation (−/H = 82 MJ ME and 1.4 kg CP; −/L = 63 MJ ME and 0.4 kg CP daily), resulting in four treatment groups: HH ( n = 16); HL ( n = 19); LH ( n = 17); LL ( n = 19). From 180 days until calving all heifers were fed the same diets. Pelvic area measures were taken at heifer selection (−72 days) and at 117 days. Maternal circulating concentrations of estrone sulphate (ES), bovine placental lactogen (bPL), bovine pregnancy associated glycoprotein and progesterone were monitored throughout gestation. Heifers were observed continuously over the calving period and delivery type classified as being either eutocic or dystocic. The occurrence of dystocia was 14.1%. Increased calf birth weight increased the odds of occurrence of dystocia (odds ratio (OR) = 1.40; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.12–1.76; P < 0.01). High diets in the second trimester were associated with heavier calves at birth ( P = 0.01). The mean pelvic area of eutocic heifers on −72 d, tended to be greater compared to that of dystocic heifers ( P = 0.08) such that a 1-cm 2 difference in pelvic area tended to decrease the risk of dystocia (OR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.93–1.01; P = 0.09). Longer gestation length was associated with an increased risk of dystocia ( P = 0.03). ES ( P = 0.04) and bPL ( P = 0.09) at calving were positively associated with the risk of dystocia. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates (a) that pelvic area measurement at selection in 3-year-old Bos indicus × Bos taurus heifers may be useful for identifying heifers at an increased risk of dystocia and (b) increased ES and bPL concentrations at calving are associated with increased risk of dystocia. Pelvic area measurements obtained prior to conception remain valid in their assessment of the relationship between pelvic area and likelihood of dystocia occurring in the event of changing maternal nutrient intake during gestation. This is an important finding given maternal diets high in protein and energy during the second trimester of gestation increased calf birth weight and calf birth weight was associated with an increase in the occurrence of dystocia in heifers calving as 3-year olds.

Heifer nutrition during early- and mid-pregnancy alters fetal growth trajectory and birth weight

Maternal nutrient intake during gestation can alter fetal growth. Whilst this has been studied extensively in the sheep, less is known about effects in the bovine. Composite-breed beef heifers were allocated to either a high (H/− = 76 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) and 1.4 kg crude protein (CP)) or low (L/− = 62 MJ ME and 0.4 kg CP daily) nutritional treatment at artificial insemination. Half of each nutritional group changed to an opposite nutritional group at the end of the first trimester (−/H = 82 MJ ME and 1.4 kg CP; −/L = 62 MJ ME and 0.4 kg CP daily), resulting in 4 treatment groups: HH ( n = 16); HL ( n = 19); LH ( n = 17); LL ( n = 19). During the third trimester all heifers were fed the same diets. Fetuses were measured at 4-weekly intervals beginning at day 39 of gestation. Calves were also measured at birth for physical body variables. Low maternal nutrient intake was associated with decreased crown-rump length at day 39 ( P < 0.01) and increased thoracic diameter at day 95 ( P < 0.01). Umbilical cord diameter was reduced in L/− fetuses in the first trimester ( P < 0.05) but was greater in −/L fetuses in the second trimester compared to their respective H counterparts ( P < 0.05). Calf birth weight was decreased in association with −/L maternal diets ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, fetal development of cattle may be affected by maternal nutrition as early as day 39 of gestation. This may be followed by either compensatory fetal growth, or alternatively, preferential fetal tissue growth that is dependant upon maternal nutrition. Clearly, calf birth weight may be altered by maternal nutrition during mid-gestation.

Effects of winter feeding strategies with alternative feeds on the performance of mature suckler cows and their progeny

The present study evaluated the effects of feeding strategies with alternative feeds on the performance of mature suckler cows and their progeny during indoor feeding and subsequent grazing. In both experiments, a 2 × 2 factorially arranged design consisted of two feeding strategies (Step-up, Sas offered on Strategy S, but at a constant daily level. In Experiment 1, cows on Diet C were offered grass silage and straw and on Diet A grass silage and a fl our-mill industry by-product. On Strategy S, feeding was stepped with barley (0, 1.5 and 3.5 kg d-1). On Strategy F, barley was offered 1.43 kg per head daily. In Experiment 2, cows were offered either grass silage (C) or whole-crop barley silage (A) as a sole feed. Strategy S was carried out by offering 68, 95 and 119 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per cow daily. On Strategy F, roughage was given daily 97 MJ ME. In both experiments, there were no signifi cant differences between treatments in the cow live weight, body condition score, calf pre-weaning live weight gain and cow reproduction. Strategy F can be practised in the nutrition of mature suckler cows in marginal circumstances. Flour-mill industry by-product can partly replace grass silage and straw in the winter diet. Wholecrop barley silage can be offered as a sole feed to suckler cows with good body condition score in autumn.;

Responses to supplementation by dairy cows given low pasture allowances in different seasons 1. Pasture intake and substitution

AbstractTwo factorial experiments were designed to determine the effects of stage of lactation, and season of the year, on cow responses to supplementary feeding. These experiments were conducted over consecutive years with 128 high genetic merit multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in early, mid and late lactation in spring, summer, autumn and winter. At each stage of lactation, and in each season of the year, cows were offered a restricted pasture allowance (25 to 35 kg dry matter (DM) per cow per day), either unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with 50 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per cow per day in experiment 1 and 80 MJ ME per cow per day in experiment 2. Two different supplements were offered, namely, rolled maize grain (MG) and a mixture of foods (BR) formulated to nutritionally balance the diet. In experiment 2, a fourth treatment consisting solely of a generous pasture allowance (60 to 75 kg DM per cow per day, AP) was introduced. Offering MG and BR increased DM intake (DMI). At the restricted pasture allowance, increasing total ME allowance (MEA) by offering supplementary foods increased ME intake (MEI) by 0·68 (s.e. 0·047) MJ per extra MJ ME offered. This highly significant (P&lt;0·001) linear relationship was consistent across seasons, and did not diminish at higher MEA. In experiment 2, cows in early lactation had lower substitution rates than mid and late lactation cows irrespective of season. Substitution rate was higher when higher pasture allowance or quality of pasture on offer enabled the unsupplemented cows to achieve higher DMI from pasture than at other times of the year. These results suggest that one of the key factors determining the intake response to supplementary foods is pasture allowance. Within spring calving dairying systems, the largest increases in total DMI per kg of supplement offered is likely when offering supplements to early lactation cows grazing restricted allowances of high quality pasture.

Responses to supplementation by dairy cows given low pasture allowances in different seasons 2. Milk production

AbstractTwo factorial experiments were designed to determine the effects of stage of lactation, and season of the year, on cow responses to supplementary feeding. These experiments were conducted over consecutive years with 128 high genetic merit multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in early, mid and late lactation in spring, summer, autumn and winter. At each stage of lactation, and in each season of the year, cows were offered a restricted pasture allowance (25 to 35 kg dry matter (DM) per cow per day), either unsupplemented (control) or with supplement at 50 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per cow per day in experiment 1 and 80 MJ ME per cow per day in experiment 2. The two supplements given in both years were rolled maize grain (MG) and a mixture of foods formulated to nutritionally balance the diet (BR). In experiment 2, another treatment, of a generous pasture allowance (60 to 75 kg DM per cow per day) (AP), was imposed on an additional group of early lactation cows during each season. Direct milk solids (MS) (milk fat plus milk protein) responses in experiment 1 to MG were 169, 279, 195 and 251 g MS per cow per day in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, while those to BR were 107, 250, 192, 289 g MS per cow per day. In experiment 2, however, milk solids responses to both supplements during spring were slightly below the control treatment, with values similar to those in experiment 1 in summer and autumn for cows on the BR but not the MG supplement. Milk solids responses to supplementary foods were largest during seasons of the year when the quantity and quality of pasture on offer resulted in the lowest milk solids yield from unsupplemented cows. When carry-over effects of feeding MG and BR on milk solids production were detected, they were only about half the magnitude of the direct effects. Serum urea concentrations were higher in control cows than those offered MG with a similar effect for BR in all but summer in experiment 1, while serum glucose concentrations were highest in winter and lowest in summer. The most important factor influencing milk solids responses was the relative food deficit (RFD) represented by the decline in milk solids yield of the respective control groups after changing from a generous pasture allowance to restricted allowance when the feeding treatments were imposed. Total milk solids responses (direct and carry-over) to supplements were greatest when severe food restrictions, relative to the cows' current food demand, resulted in large reductions in milk solids yield of the control groups. The RFD was the best predictor of milk solids response to supplementary foods. Therefore, it is likely that cows are most responsive to supplementary foods during or immediately after the imposition of a severe food restriction.

Energetic Efficiency of Starch, Protein and Lipid Utilization in Growing Pigs

Mathematical models are increasingly used to predict the response of an animal to a changing nutrient supply. The objective of this experiment was to provide data that can be used in model development or evaluation and concerns the energetic efficiency with which nutrients are used for protein and lipid deposition. A basal diet (D1), limiting in lysine supply, was fed at 1.7 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/(kg BW(0.60) x d1) to growing pigs that weighed approximately 60 kg. Four additional diets were formulated: the basal diet and a dietary supplement that consisted of starch (D2), starch and corn gluten meal (D3), starch and casein (D4) or starch and lipid (D5). The latter four diets were fed at 2.55 MJ ME/(kg BW(0.60) x d1) and ensured the same intake of the basal diet across treatments; the difference was supplied by the supplement. Metabolic utilization of the basal diet and supplements was determined using nitrogen and energy balances (indirect calorimetry). The N retention was similar in pigs fed diets D1, D2, D3 and D5 but considerably higher in those fed D4. A data analysis model was developed to account for differences in ME utilization between nutrients. The ME not deposited as protein entered a common pool of energy, which was used for adenosine triphosphate synthesis or lipid deposition. The energetic efficiencies of ME utilization were 0.842, 0.520 and 0.883 for starch, protein and lipid, respectively. Due to the energy cost of protein deposition (or protein turnover), the energetic efficiencies of depositing dietary protein as protein or lipid were similar.

Effect of diet energy density and season on voluntary dry-matter and energy intake in male red deer

AbstractFood intake and growth of red deer is lower in winter than in spring and this reduces the efficiency of venison production. Rumen capacity is also lower during winter and this may contribute to the reduced food intake and therefore growth. In the present study, we investigated the ability of deer to regulate food intake during winter and spring by feeding diets of differing energy densities.Six groups of eight male red deer calves were housed indoors in separate pens. Each group was given,ad libitum, a pelleted diet of a different energy density (8·5, 9·0, 9·5, 10·0, 10·5 and 11·0 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg dry matter (DM) for groups 1 to 6 respectively) but the same amount of protein (156 g/kg DM). Food intake of each group was recorded every 2nd day and animals were weighed every 6 days from 17 May to 9 December. For seasonal comparisons, winter was defined as 24 May to 31 August and spring as 1 September to 9 December.There was no difference (P&gt; 0·05) between the mean live weights of the groups at any time during the study. Live-weight gain (LWG) reached a minimum on 4 July and was lower in winter than spring (161 v. 308 g/day, s.e.d. = 10·0,P&lt; 0·001). LWG was positively related (P&lt; 0·001) to diet ME during winter. DM intake (g/kg M0·75per day) and ME intake (MJ ME per kg M0·75per day) decreased until 16 July and increased thereafter. Mean DM intake was lower in winter than spring (83·5 v. 97·2 g/kg M0·75per day, s.e.d. = 2·05,P&lt; 0·001). DM intake increased as diet energy decreased (P&lt; 0·001) in winter and spring with a steeper slope (P&lt; 0·05) in spring than winter. ME intake was not related to diet ME (P&gt; 0·005) and was lower in winter than spring (0·82 v. 0·95 MJ/kg M0·75per day, s.e.d. = 0·25,P&lt; 0·001). Maintenance energy requirement (MEm) across groups and seasons was calculated to be 0·45 (s.e. 0·22) MJ ME per kg M0·75and the energy requirement for LWG (MEf) was 53 (s.e. 8·5) MJ/kg LWG. MEfwas related (P&lt; 0·01) negatively to diet ME during winter.In summary, deer consuming diets with a wide range of energy densities, altered their DM intake, resulting in similar energy intakes and growth rates on all diets. Animals seemed less able to achieve this compensation in winter compared with spring when food intake increased to support the natural rise in growth rate at that time. These results indicate that deer have target growth rates and/or energy intakes that change with season, and are defended by adjusting food intake.

Energy intake and patterns of growth for male and female fallow deer of two genotypes, between 10 and 21 months of age

AbstractEuropean (no. = 36) and hybrid (¼ Mesopotamian, ¾ European; no. = 36) fallow deer (Dama dama) were evaluated for weight gain and energy intake from 10 to 21 months of age. Twelve each of bucks, does and castrated males (haviers) were tested for each genotype, in both concentrate-fed and pasture-based feeding systems. Based on weekly weighing hybrids (H) in each of the sex classes grew more rapidly (5 g/day across all groups) than the European (E) fallow deer (P &lt; 0·05). Haviers given concentrates grew significantly faster than pasture-fed haviers (P &lt; 0·01), whilst does grown on pasture grew significantly faster than those given concentrates (P &lt; 0·01). There was no significant difference in pattern of growth between bucks on pasture and those given concentrates (P &gt; 0·05). Does grew significantly less (P &lt; 0·01) than bucks and haviers in spring, summer and winter but environmental differences between years could not be accounted for in the analysis.Animals of all sexes and genotypes experienced rapid growth from 10 to 12 months of age (spring) and this was associated with energy intakes according to metabolic body weight (M0·75) these ranging between 0·8 and 1·1 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg M0·75 per day. There were significantly (P &lt; 0·01) higher levels of energy consumed by H does and haviers in the summer, compared with their E counterparts but this was not associated with greater growth rates. However, H does had significantly higher (P &lt; 0·01) dressing proportions at slaughter than E does. The energy intake on a metabolic body weight basis for most groups declined to between 0·7 and 0·8 MJ ME per kg M0·75 per day from 12 to 21 months of age, except for the does, which declined even further to between 0·5 and 0·6 MJ ME per kg M0·75 per day from 17 months of age.There were no significant differences between E and H deer for energy intakes per M0·75, and H deer were slightly more energy efficient than their E counterparts in terms of growth rate in relation to annual gross energy intake. The food intake : weight gain ratio increased considerably for both genotypes after 14 months of age, indicating the desirability for slaughtering as soon as animals reach the target live weight. It was concluded that the crossbreeding system described is production efficient and produced offspring that reached slaughter weight sooner than E fallow deer and thereby produced carcasses with a greater wholesale value than their E counterparts of the same age.

Effect of feeding level and diet type on the performance of crossbred suckler cows and their calves

A 2 ×2 factorial design experiment with 32 spring-calving Hereford-Ayrshire and 31 Limousine-Ayrshire suckler cows was conducted to compare the effects of diets based on hay (H)or urea-treated straw (US)at two feeding levels (moderatekg/day from day 30 to 0 pre partum Post partum cows received 3.0 kg/day of the same mixture. All cows were in calf to Charolais sires. During the mating period, cows were inseminated after oestrus synchronisation and subsequently exposed to a bull. Average daily intakes of the cows were on treatment MH 9.1 kg DM/day and 77.4 MJ metabolizable energy (ME), on treatment MUS 8.5 kg DM and 67.2 MJ ME,on treatment LH 6.9 kg DM and 58.9 MJ ME and on treatment LUS 6.7 kg DM and 53.7 MJ ME, respectively. Live weight gain (LWG) during the indoor feeding was lower (P

The influence of energy intake on some blood biochemical parameters in Scottish Blackface sheep infected with Trypanosomacongolense

The intensity of parasitaemia, degree of anaemia, live body weight gains and blood biochemical changes were measured in two groups of Scottish Blackface sheep infected experimentally with Trypanosoma congolense and allowed either a high (9.9 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) per day) or a low (6.1 MJ ME per day) energy intake. It was observed that infected animals on the low energy intake had a longer mean prepatent period, but following patency they developed more severe anaemia and greater growth retardation than those on the high energy intake. Both infected groups exhibited significant reductions in serum total lipids, phospholipids, plasma cholesterol and albumin. However, these changes were more severe in the animals on the low energy intake than in those on the high energy intake. It was concluded that adequate energy nutrition enhances the ability of infected animals to withstand the adverse effects of infection by promoting body weight gains and moderating the severity of the pathophysiological changes associated with ovine trypanosomosis.

Eating traits in relation to performance and carcass traits of restrictedly fed group-housed finishing pigs

AbstractSeventy-two crossbred barrows (28.7 ± 0.3 kg live weight (LW)) were used to examine whether there is a relation between eating traits, and performance and carcass traits in ad libitum and restrictedly fed group-housed pigs. The experiment included two replicates, each consisting of 36 pigs. From day 1 to 42, all pigs were maintained with free access to a starter diet containing 12.7 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 8.2 g ileal apparent digestible lysine per kg. The experimental period was from day 42 (55.9 kg LW) to the end of the experiment (110.2 kg LW). The pigs in treatment 1 were maintained with free access to a high (H) energy diet (13.1 MJ ME and 7.1 g ileal apparent digestible lysine per kg). For pigs in treatments 2 and 3 the daily energy allowance per pig was restricted to 18 MJ ME above the daily energy requirement for maintenance using diet H, and a low (L) energy diet (12.5 MJ ME and 6.7 g ileal apparent digestible lysine per kg), respectively. The weekly measured LW was used to compute the energy requirements for maintenance (M = 0·719 MJ ME × LW (kg)0.63). Daily food intake and eating traits per pig were determined using transponders and an electronic feeding station equipped with an antenna.Daily energy intake of the ad libitum and restrictedly fed pigs was correlated with growth and lean meat tissue content of the carcass. In the pigs given food ad libitum, daily energy intake was correlated with daily feeder visiting time, time per meal and food intake per meal, but not with number of meals per day and rate of food intake. In the restricted treatments, number of meals per day was correlated with energy intake, but not with lean tissue content of the carcass. In conclusion, number of meals per day explained part of the variation of lean tissue content of the carcass in ad libitum, but not in restrictedly fed group-housed pigs.

Effect of feeding level in late pregnancy and early lactation and fibre level in mid lactation on body mass, milk production and quality in Awassi ewes

AbstractIn west Asia, it is traditional for sheep to gain body condition when low-cost native pastures are available and to mobilize reserves thus built up at other times. With diminishing shares of native pasture, crop by-products and food grains are increasing in sheep diets, and facilitate feeding for constant body condition.In a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment, 48 Awassi ewes were individually fed indoors, nursed single lambs for 42 days, and were hand-milked from day 29 after lambing. Dietary treatments were imposed at different times: level of feeding (i) in the last 24 days of pregnancy (Lconstv. Lmob), (ii) in days 18 to 60 after lambing (Lconstv. Lmob), and (iii) level of fibre in days 60 to 102 after lambing (Fhighv. Flow). RationsPconst, Lconst, Flowand Fhighwere calculated to maintain body condition. Fhighprovided the calculated maximum ingestible quantity of barley straw and Flowprovided 0·08 kg barley straw per kg diet. Live weights (M) of ewes and lambs, milk yield and milk quality were recorded.WithPconst, andPmob(0·51 and 0·33 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg M0.75per day), M gains were 140 and 23 g/day (P&lt; 0·001). Lamb birth mass and subsequent maternal milk yield were not affected. WithLconstandLmob(0·81 and 0·61 MJ ME per kg M0.75 per day), M changes were -28 and -70 g/day (P&lt; 0·001) and milk yields (calculated in part from lamb growth) were 1042 and 892 g/day (P &lt; 0·01). Fhighand Flow(385 and 170 g acid-detergent fibre per kg dry matter) were compared in a two-period change-over design experiment. Milk yields were similar (414 and 427 g/day), milk fat concentrations were 64·8 and 72·9 g/kg (P &lt; 0·001) and milk fat yields were 26·5 and 31·1 g/day (P &lt; 0·001) but solids-not-fat and protein yields were not affected.There were benefits and costs in manipulating body reserves in Awassi sheep. M at lambing affects milk yield and body condition around mating is known to improve lambing rate. The existence of body reserves also allows body condition to be lost in late pregnancy and early lactation without affecting health or apparent welfare, which simplifies management of pregnant ewes, permits feeding of milk-fat-increasing high-fibre diets but the ME to maintain increased body reserves must not be ignored.

A two-diet system andad libitumlactation feeding of the sow 1. Sow performance

AbstractEffects of a two-diet system combined withad libitumlactation feeding of sows on food consumption, sow live weight (LW), backfat depth, condition scoring, rebreeding interval, symptoms of agalactia and culling were studied on 60 sows followed for four parities. Feeding regimes were: CR, conventional i.e. restricted during gestation and lactation; SA, a simplified diet offered at a restricted level during gestation and a conventional dietad libitumduring lactation; CA, conventional during gestation and the same dietad libitumduring lactation. During lactation CR sows consumed 5·9 kg food daily (71 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)), whereas SA and CA sows consumed on average 7·0 kg (85 MJ ME), the difference being larger in multiparous than in primiparous sows and larger in the first than in later weeks of lactation. From the second farrowing onward sows on CR treatment were lighter and had thinner backfat and lower condition scores than sows on CA treatment, with sows on SA treatment in between, i.e. approaching the CR sows in the gestation periods and the CA sows in the lactation periods. At first service LW was 130 kg and backfat thickness 14 mm. During the fourth lactation LW averaged 190 kg in CR sows and around 220 kg for SA and CA sows, and backfat thickness was 11 mm in CR sows and around 16 mm in SA and CA sows. SA sows tended to rebreed earlier after weaning than did CR or CA sows. CA sows and in particular SA sows had higher incidences of agalactia symptoms and higher rectal temperatures post partum than CR sows. The culling rates did not differ between feeding regimes, although the predominant causes for culling did, being shoulder lesions and abscesses in thin CR sows and leg disorders in SA and CA sows. At the end of the experiment, however, more SA sows than others were retained in the experimental herd. It was concluded that the SA feeding regime was superior in terms of sow performance, despite an increased incidence of agalactia symptoms.

The influence of energy intake on the pathophysiology of Trypanosoma congolense infection in Scottish Blackface sheep

The intensity of parasitaemia, degree of anaemia, live body weight gains and blood biochemical changes were measured in two groups of Scottish Blackface sheep infected experimentally with Trypanosoma congolense and allowed either a high (9.9 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) day −1) or a low (6.1 MJ ME day −1) energy intake. It was observed that infected animals on the low energy intake had a longer mean prepatent period, but following patency they developed more severe anaemia and greater growth retardation than those on the high energy intake. Both infected groups exhibited significant reductions in serum total lipids, phospholipids, plasma cholesterol and albumin. However, these changes were more severe in the animals on the low energy intake than in those on the high energy intake. It was concluded that adequate energy nutrition enhances the ability of infected animals to withstand the adverse effects of infection, by promoting body weight gains and moderating the severity of the pathophysiological changes associated with ovine trypanosomosis.

The effect of pre- and post-partum energy and protein supply on the blood metabolites and reproductive performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows

AbstractChanges in certain blood metabolites, serum progesterone concentration and pregnancy rate, were monitored for single- and twin-suckling cows in two experiments. In experiment 1, cows were managed to achieve condition scores at calving of 2·1 (low) and 3·1 (moderate). Subsequently, these animals were placed on a fixed level of energy intake (80 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day) for 16 weeks. Post-partum diets contained differing amounts of digestible undegradable protein (DUP), but similar amounts of effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP). In experiment 2, all cows were fed to achieve a condition score at calving of around 2·75. These animals were subsequently placed on two levels of energy intake (80 MJ and 130 MJ ME per day) for 16 weeks. The diets providing these levels of energy intake also contained differing amounts of DUP. Pregnancies were established by embryo transfer following induced oestrus.Cows in moderate body condition at calving subsequently had higher (P &lt; 0·05) serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Cows on 130 MJ ME per day had lower serum NEFA concentrations than cows on 80 MJ ME per day. Cows given higher DUP diets had higher (P &lt;0 ·05) serum NEFA concentrations when in negative energy balance and lower serum NEFA concentrations when close to energy equilibrium than cows given lower DUP diets. Twin-suckling cows had higher (P &lt; 0·05) serum NEFA concentrations than single-suckling cows, but only during the first 3 weeks post partum. Plasma glucose concentrations were below 3 mmol/lfor twin-suckling cows until week 7 post partum when they became similar to the values for single-suckling cows. Serum D-3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations mirrored those of plasma glucose. Serum urea-nitrogen concentrations were high for twin-suckling cows on 80 MJ ME per day and single-suckling cows on 130 MJ ME per day.Neither body condition at calving nor post-partum energy intake significantly influenced the time taken for cows to overcome anovulation nor did they significantly influence the proportion of cows which eventually resumed normal oestrous cyclicity. DUP concentration in the post-partum diet had no overall effect on the various measures of fertility assessed but thin cows at calving subsequently placed on the high DUP diet took longer to ovulate (55 days; P &lt; 0·05) and had the lowest pregnancy rate (0·30). The post-partum anovulatory period was longer (P &lt; 0·01) by 27 days in experiment 1 and 12 days in experiment 2 for hvin-suckling cows compared with singlesuckling cows. A lower proportion (P &lt; 0·001) of twin-suckling cows regained oestrous cyclicity and became pregnant in experiment 1. Fertility traits were improved when twin-suckling cows were in moderate body condition at calving and/or offered 130 MJ ME per day during the post-partum period.