NE Value Research Articles

Energy value of unfermented dried grape pomace as substitute of alfalfa hay in diets for growing lambs

The energy value of unfermented dried grape pomace (DGP) was evaluated in an 84 d feeding trial on 16 PelibueyxDorper lambs (17.8 ± 2.0 kg). The control diet contained 90% mature alfalfa hay and 10% concentrates. Treatments consisted in the replacement (DM basis) of alfalfa hay by DGP at 0, 10, 20 or 30%. Lambs were blocked by weight and assigned individually to pens. Increasing DGP level in diet tended (P=0.06) to decrease daily gain and linearly increased (P=0.04) dry matter intake (DMI); thus, feed efficiency, dietary energy, and observed-to-expected diet NE were linearly decreased (P<0.01), increasing linearly (P<0.01) observed-to-expected DMI coefficient as DGP level was increased in the diet. There were no effects of treatments on carcass characteristics. Using the replacement technique, the energy value of DGP were 0.80, 0.75 and 0.67 Mcal ENm/kg DM, for 10, 20 and 30% of inclusion, respectively. It is concluded that the estimated NE of DGP at 10% inclusion level in the diet is very similar to the NE value assigned by the NRC (2007) for the fermented DGP. Increasing the inclusion of DGP levels beyond 10% decreases its energy value, maybe due to the negative associative effects of chemical compounds (such as phenols) naturally contained in DGP.

Effect of Breed and Gender on Hematological Parameters and Some Serum Biochemical Profiles of Apparently Healthy indigenous Sheep of Nepal

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of some factors such as breed and sex on biochemical and serum parameters as well as to establish normal physiological reference values for indigenous breed of sheep of Nepal. Blood sample were collected from 25 apparently healthy sheep (11 males and 14 females) from on station flock at Khumaltar, Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) were used. In case of serum biochemical parameters, overall LS mean for total Protein (TP) was less than physiological range while Albumin (Alb) was recorded higher than normal physiological range. The breed differences were observed in TP where Lampuchhre sheep (lowland sheep) showed the lower value than hill sheep breeds (Baruwal and Kage sheep) taken in the study. The same breed exhibited gender variation in the same parameter with values in males were significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than females. Comparing LS Mean for Alb and Phosphrous (P) for Nepalese sheep, value recorded for females were found to be significantly higher P (&lt;0.05) than males in case of serum Alb while serum P was significantly lower (P&lt;0.05) in females. For RBC indices, Nepalese sheep exhibited higher Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) was higher than normal physiological range. LYM and NE value was significantly higher in Kage breed in comparison to Lampuchhre and Baruwal. The highly significant gender variation for Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) (P&lt;0.01) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin MCH (P&lt;0.05) where female showed the higher value than males. The result of the preliminary study revealed the breed and sex variation in case of hematological and biochemical indices Further research with more number of samples is warranted for concrete information which could be used to monitor animal health status to improve the management and conservation of these breeds.

3D electron density specification to support LEO and MEO satellite applications

The TaD three-dimensional (3D) electron density (Ne) specification model is compared with in situ measured Ne by the Instrument Sonde Langmuir (ISL) onboard DEMETER satellite. For this purpose, over 2000 parts of satellite orbits over the European region in the years 2009–2011 were selected. For each measured Ne value, a corresponding value was calculated with the TaD 3D model, using maps of foF2 and hmF2 from ionosondes and maps of TEC values from CODE software. To compare modelled and measured Ne, the relative to the model deviation between the two quantities was calculated. The comparisons exceeded the total number of 180,000. The main result shows that the modelled Ne extracted by the TaD profiles that have been calculated through adjustment with the TEC CODE parameters, exhibit significant deviations from the measured Ne at the satellite orbit height. Histograms of the relative deviations relNe show an average offset of 50–60%, while the standard deviation is around 30%. Separate analysis was performed to compare the modelled Ne over 11 ionosonde stations with the measured Ne by the satellite over the ionosonde locations and thus to eliminate the error inferred from the mapping procedure. Here the TaD profiles were adjusted with both the TEC CODE parameters and with TEC values extracted with the single GNSS station solution software with data from GNSS receivers co-located with the ionosondes. In the latter case, the lower TEC values compared to those of TEC CODE yield lower modelled Ne which resulted to smaller deviations with the satellite data. The present study reveals the low consistency between different measurements involved in modeled reconstruction. The comparison presented here shows the importance of assessing the inconsistency between different measurements being assimilated or ingested in the 3D Ne models. Probable inconsistency of different data can create a wrong base for further geophysical studies.

Effect of increasing dietary canola meal inclusion on lactation performance, milk composition, and nutrient digestibility of lactating sows.

The aim was to determine the effects of increasing dietary canola meal in substitution for soybean meal in lactation sow diets. Forty-five sows with an average parity of 1.8 (SD = 0.83) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments ( = 15) consisting of a corn-based control diet and 2 diets with 15% and 30% canola meal formulated by replacing soybean meal with canola meal. Diets were formulated to be similar in standardized ileal digestible AA content and NE value and to meet or exceed nutrient recommendations for lactating sows. Sows were moved to farrowing on d 111 of gestation and fed the experimental diets until weaning on d 21. Sows were fed 3.0 kg/d from d 111 of gestation until parturition. After farrowing, feed was gradually increased through d 6 after which the diets were offered on an ad libitum basis until weaning. Sows were weighed and backfat thickness measured on d 111 of gestation and also on d 0, 7, and 21 postfarrowing. Litters were weighed on d 0, 7, and 21. Weaning to estrus interval in sows was also recorded. Blood and milk samples were collected 2 h postfeeding from sows on d 0, 7, and 21 and analyzed for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and milk composition. Fecal samples were collected on d 10, 11, and 12 postfarrowing to determine energy and nutrient digestibility. There were no dietary effects on lactation feed intake, sow BW and backfat change, weaning to estrus interval, and milk fat, protein, lactose, and urea composition. Also, there were no dietary effects on piglet ADG ( 0.10). Sows fed diets containing 15% and 30% canola meal had lower (linear, < 0.05) PUN values compared with those fed the control diet on d 0, 7, and 21 postfarrowing. Apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, CP, and P were reduced linearly ( < 0.05) with increasing canola meal inclusion. In conclusion, up to 30% canola meal in lactation diet can support satisfactory sow and suckling piglet performance.

Tuning Voc for high performance organic ternary solar cells with non-fullerene acceptor alloys

A non-fullerene acceptor with a high Ne value is efficient to enhance Voc as the third component for OSCs, leading to an efficiency of ∼11%.

Nutritive value of extruded or multi-enzyme supplemented cold-pressed soybean cake for pigs.

The objectives were to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA and NE value of cold-pressed soybean cake (CP-SBC), and the effect of extrusion or adding multi-enzyme to CP-SBC diet for growing pigs. Eight ileal-cannulated pigs (initial BW = 79.7 ± 3.97 kg) were fed 4 diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design to give 8 replicates per diet. Diets included a cornstarch-based diet with CP-SBC, extruded CP-SBC, and SBC plus multi-enzyme (1,200 U of xylanase, 150 U of glucanase, 500 U of cellulase, 60 U of mannanase, 700 U of invertase, 5,000 U of protease, and 12,000 U of amylase/kilogram of diet; Superzyme-CS, 0.5 g/kg); and a N-free diet. The CP-SBC was the sole source of protein in the CP-SBC-containing diets. The ratio of cornstarch to sugar and soybean oil in CP-SBC-containing diets was identical to the N-free diet to allow calculation of energy digestibility of CP-SBC by the difference method. The evaluated CP-SBC had been produced by heating the soybean seed at 105°C for 60 min followed by pressing of the heated soybean seeds at less than 42°C (barrel temperature). On a DM basis, CP-SBC and extruded CP-SBC contained 47.8 and 47.1% CP, 15.6 and 10.5% ADF, 7.23 and 8.85% ether extract, 3.11 and 3.08% Lys, and 2.25 and 3.70 trypsin inhibitor units per mg, respectively. Extrusion increased ( < 0.001) the SID of AA for the CP-SBC by an average of 12%. Also, extrusion increased ( < 0.001) the NE value of the CP-SBC from 2,743 to 2,853 kcal/kg of DM. Supplementation of CP-SBC diet with the multi-enzyme increased ( < 0.05) the SID of Arg and Pro, and tended to increase ( < 0.1) the SID of Ile and Tyr. However, the multi-enzyme supplementation did not affect the NE value of CP-SBC. In conclusion, the CP-SBC evaluated in the present study could be an alternative source of AA and energy in swine diets, and its nutritive value can be increased by extrusion following cold-pressing. The multi-enzyme used in this study improved the digestibility of some AA, but had limited effect on energy digestibility and hence NE value of the CP-SBC.

Genetic variation and local differences in Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus around Japan

The population structure of the Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus was examined using 15 microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA (ND2 region). In total, 274 individuals were sampled from 16 locations around Japan to estimate the level of genetic differentiation and effective population size (Ne ). Pairwise FST , analysis of molecular variance and Bayesian clustering analysis suggested the presence of two genetically distinct groups in waters around Japan, with a higher Ne value in the eastern group than in the western group. A possible factor that restricts gene flow between groups may be related to the water temperature differences in the south-western part of the Sea of Japan, where the Tsushima Warm Current flows around the area inhabited by the western group, which may limit migration between the west and east.

The Efficiency of AMEn and TMEn Utilization for NE in Broiler Diets

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the feed intake, body weight gain, total energy (kJ), protein (g) intake, energy and protein efficiency ratio (EER, PER), net energy, and metabolic body weight, on two commercial broiler chickens (Arian and Ross 308 strains). Four treatmentsincluded diets formulated based onAMEn(kJ/g) Total Amino Acid (TAA) (T1), AMEn(kJ/g) Digestible Amino Acid (T2), TMEn (kJ/g) Total Amino Acid (T3), and TMEn (kJ/g) Digestible Amino Acid (DAA) (T4) for commercial broilers chickens. The findings of the study indicated that AMEn or TMEn treatments yielded improved utilization of net energy in 42 days, but did not affect the efficiency of dietary AMEn and TMEn for net energy, diet energy and protein efficiency ratio (EER, PER) in broilers. Findings indicated that NE is a better predictor of poultry feeds than AMEn or TMEn. This is attributed to the fact that AMEn had a significant effect on NE and efficiency of AMEn or TMEn and HI (Heat Increment) for NE value. Finally, NE is the final objective of energy evaluation of feed and feedstuffs for poultry nutrition.

Compositional effects of corn distillers dried grains with solubles with variable oil content on digestible, metabolizable, and net energy values in growing pigs

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted in growing-finishing pigs to determine the DE and ME (Exp. 1, 96.3 kg of BW) and NE (Exp. 2, 45.4 kg of BW) content of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (C-DDGS), and to refine or develop DE, ME, and NE prediction equations based on chemical composition of C-DDGS. Composition of the 6 C-DDGS sources varied (ash, 4.71 to 5.63%; CP, 29.65 to 32.21%; ether extract, 6.99 to 13.34%; NDF, 38.27 to 39.58%; total dietary fiber, 31.12 to 32.81%; DM basis), with the determined DE ranging from 3,836 to 4,038 kcal/kg of DM, ME from 3,716 to 3,893 kcal/kg of DM, and NE from 2,107 to 2,310 kcal/kg of DM. Regardless of the range in C-DDGS composition and the resulting DE, ME, or NE value, no chemical parameter measured (GE, CP, starch, total dietary fiber, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, ether extract, or ash) was significant at P ≤ 0.15 to be retained in the regression model to predict DE, ME, or NE content in the C-DDGS sources evaluated. Apparent total-tract digestibilities of several nutritional components were also measured for comparative purposes but were not included in the prediction model. On average, the C-DDGS used in these studies contained 3,931, 3,793, and 2,207 kcal of DE, ME, and NE per kilogram of DM, respectively. These results suggest that C-DDGS composition and subsequent DE, ME, and NE can be highly variable and that a wider range in ingredient chemical composition and DE, ME, and NE values, as well as more C-DDGS sources, appear to be necessary to generate energy-prediction equations than used in the current experiments.

Diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance of weaned pigs fed sugar beet pulp

Dietary inclusion of fibrous alternative feedstuffs in swine diets to replace cereal grains can be economically important for pork producers; however, limits for young pigs to ingest high-fibre diets are not well established. The effects of increasing inclusion of sugar beet pulp (SBP) by substituting wheat grain on diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance of young pigs were evaluated. In total, 220 pigs (initial body weight 7.5kg) were fed Phase 1 diets for 2 weeks (day 1–14) starting 1 week after weaning at 19 days of age and sequentially Phase 2 diets for 3 weeks (day 15–35). Five pelleted wheat-based diets including 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240g SBP/kg were fed. The SBP contained (as-fed) 90g crude protein (CP) and 249g acid detergent fibre (ADF)/kg. Phase 1 and 2 diets were formulated to provide 9.6 and 9.4MJ NE/kg and 1.3 and 1.2g standardised ileal digestible (SID) Lys/MJ NE, respectively. Diets were balanced for NE by increasing canola oil from 5 to 50g/kg for Phase 1 and 2 diets and for AA by increasing crystalline AA. Increasing dietary inclusion of SBP up to 240g/kg increased ADF content of diets to 101g/kg, linearly reduced (P<0.001) apparent total tract digestibility coefficient (CATTD) of gross energy (GE) by 0.04 and of CP by 0.08 feeding Phase 1 diets, quadratically reduced (P<0.001) CATTD of GE by 0.01 and linearly reduced (P<0.001) CATTD of CP by 0.06 feeding Phase 2 diets. Increasing inclusion of SBP up to 240g/kg linearly reduced (P<0.001) calculated diet NE value by 0.35MJ/kg in Phase 1 and quadratically increased (P<0.001) calculated diet NE value by 0.29MJ/kg in Phase 2. Increasing inclusion of SBP quadratically reduced ADFI (P<0.05) for day 29–35 and linearly reduced average daily gain (ADG; P<0.05) for day 15–35. The G:F was linearly increased (P<0.05) for day 1–7, linearly reduced (P=0.01) for day 15–21 and quadratically reduced (P<0.05) for day 15–28. Overall (day 1–35), increasing dietary inclusion of SBP up to 240g/kg linearly reduced (P<0.05) ADFI and ADG by 46g/d, quadratically reduced (P<0.01) G:F and linearly reduced (P<0.05) final BW at day 35 by 1.1kg. However, growth performance did not differ (P>0.05) between pigs fed diets containing 0 or 60g SBP/kg. In conclusion, weaned pigs maintained growth performance with diets containing 65g ADF/kg, but not for diets containing up to 101g ADF/kg.

Net energy content of dry extruded-expelled soybean meal fed with or without enzyme supplementation to growing pigs as determined by indirect calorimetry.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the NE content of dry extruded-expelled soybean (DESBM) and the effect of a multienzyme carbohydrase (MC) mixture on the NE content of DESBM and to determine the effect of diet design on NE values in growing pigs using indirect calorimetry (IC). In Exp. 1, 24 barrows (19.6 ± 0.51 kg BW) were allotted in a completely randomized design to 4 dietary treatments: a corn–soybean meal basal diet (Diet A), a diet containing Diet A and DESBM in an 80:20 ratio with a constant CP (Diet B), a diet with an 80:20 ratio of Diet A and DESBM with a constant corn:soybean meal ratio (Diet C), and a diet with simple substitution of Diet A with DESBM in an 80:20 ratio (Diet D). Pigs were fed in metabolism crates for a period of 16 d to determine the DE and ME and thereafter were moved into an indirect calorimeter where O2 consumption and CO2 production were measured to determine heat production and fasting heat production. The NE content of DESBM was calculated (difference method) to be 2,632, 2,548 and 2,540 kcal/kg DM in diets B, C, and D, respectively. Respective values obtained with published prediction equations were 2,624, 2,530 and 2,436 kcal/kg. In Exp. 2, 24 barrows (16.9 ± 0.76 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments. The diets were a corn–soybean meal basal diet and a diet containing the basal diet and DESBM in an 80:20 ratio with a constant corn:soybean meal ratio with or without 2 levels (0.05% and 0.1%) of MC. The experimental procedures were similar to those described in Exp. 1. Enzyme supplementation improved (P < 0.0001) the DE, ME, and NE content of the DESBM. Multienzyme carbohydrase at 0.05% and 0.1% of the diet improved NE values of DESBM by 4.9% and 3.7%, respectively. In conclusion, the NE values of DESBM obtained with the IC method were higher than the values obtained with prediction equations; the disparity was least when diets were formulated with a constant CP level. However, as the difference method was used to determine the NE of ingredient, it is more appropriate to maintain a constant ratio between the ingredients. Also, the NE value of DESBM obtained for diets C and D were not different. Hence, the average NE value of DESBM evaluated was 2,544 kcal/kg DM. Enzyme supplementation improved the NE content of DESBM fed to growing pigs.

Population Health of Horseshoe Crabs (Limulus polyphemus) at Harvested and Unharvested Beaches in South Carolina

The horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is a valuable species environmentally, commercially, and biomedically. The population genetic health of horseshoe crab populations in South Carolina has been relatively unstudied. This project is a part of a greater ongoing study examining the genetic health of horseshoe crab populations along the southern coast of South Carolina. A suite of 11 microsatellites was used to analyze the Coffin Point and Harbor Island horseshoe crab spawning sites. Genetic structure was analyzed along with various genetic health metric tests. Results indicated the two sites represent a single population (Jost's D=0.0019, p=0.2679; FST=0.0058, p=0.2385). The population analyses showed moderately high diversity (HE= 0.762), no inbreeding (FIS= ‐0.0057), and a high Ne value based on the lower 95% confidence interval obtained from linkage disequilibrium‐based estimates of Ne (Ne &gt; 2240.7). These are all positive indicators for the adaptive potential of the population. The results of this study serve as an important baseline for future conservation and management of horseshoe crab populations.

Influence of Ionophore Supplementation on Growth Performance, Dietary Energetics and Carcass Characteristics in Finishing Cattle during Period of Heat Stress.

Forty-eight crossbred heifers (378.1±18 kg) were used in a 56-d feeding trial (four pens per treatment in a randomised complete block design) to evaluate the influence of ionophore supplementation on growth performance, dietary energetics and carcass characteristics in finishing cattle during a period of heat stress. Heifers were fed a diet based on steam-flaked corn (2.22 Mcal NEm/kg) with and without an ionophore. Treatments were: i) control, no ionophore; ii) 30 mg/kg monensin sodium (RUM30); iii) 20 mg/kg lasalocid sodium (BOV20), and iv) 30 mg/kg lasalocid sodium (BOV30). Both dry matter intake (DMI) and climatic variables were measured daily and the temperature humidity index (THI) was estimated. The maximum THI during the study averaged 93, while the minimum was 70 (THI average = 79.2±2.3). Compared to controls, monensin supplementation did not influence average daily gain, the estimated NE value of the diet, or observed-to-expected DMI, but tended (p = 0.07) to increase (4.8%) gain to feed. Compared to controls, the group fed BOV30 increased (p≤0.03) daily gain (11.8%), gain to feed (8.3%), net energy of the diet (5%), and observed-to-expected DMI (5.2%). Daily weight gain was greater (7.6%, p = 0.05) for heifers fed BOV30 than for heifers fed MON30. Otherwise, differences between the two treatments in DMI, gain to feed, and dietary NE were not statistically significant (p>0.11). Plotting weekly intakes versus THI, observed intake of controls was greater (p<0.05) at THI values ≤77 than ionophore groups. When THI values were greater than 79, DMI of control and MON30 were not different (p = 0.42), although less than that of groups fed lasalocid (p = 0.04). Variation in energy intake was lower (p>0.05) in the ionophores group (CV = 1.7%) than in the control group (CV = 4.5%). Inclusion of ionophores in the diet resulted in relatively minor changes in carcass characteristics. It is concluded that ionophore supplementation did not exacerbate the decline of DM intake in heat-stressed cattle fed a high-energy finishing diet; on the contrary, it stabilised feed intake and favoured feed efficiency. Ionophore supplementation reduced estimated maintenance coefficients around 10% in finishing cattle during a period of heat stress. This effect was greatest for heifers supplemented with 30 mg lasalocid/kg of diet.

Nutrient digestibility of lentil and regular- and low-oligosaccharide, micronized full-fat soybean fed to grower pigs1

A study was conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA and calculate the NE value for regular-oligosaccharide, micronized full-fat soybean (R-MFFSB), low-oligosaccharide, micronized full-fat soybean (LO-MFFSB), lentil, and enzymatically hydrolyzed casein (EHC) for growing pigs. Six ileal-cannulated barrows (31.4 kg BW) were fed 6 diets in a 6 × 6 Latin square. Five diets were cornstarch based, containing either soybean meal (SBM), R-MFFSB, LO-MFFSB, or EHC as sole protein source or N free. The sixth diet contained lentil as sole protein and energy source. The SID of AA for diets was calculated using the N-free diet. Digestibility of AA in feedstuffs was determined by the direct method. Energy digestibility in SBM, R-MFFSB, and LO-MFFSB was determined by difference from the N-free diet whereas energy digestibility in lentil was determined by the direct method. On DM basis, SBM, R-MFFSB, LO-MFFSB, and lentil contained 52, 43, 43, and 27% CP, 8, 12, 14, and 16% NDF, and 1.8, 19, 21, and 1.6% ether extract, respectively. The SID of Lys for SBM was greater (P < 0.05) than that for R-MFFSB or LO-MFFSB (76 vs. 79 and 79%). The SID of other indispensable AA (except Trp) for SBM was also greater (P < 0.05) than that for R-MFFSB or LO-MFFSB. The R-MFFSB and LO-MFFSB were similar in SID of AA. The SID of Lys for lentil (81%) was lower (P < 0.05) than that for SBM with a similar trend for SID of other indispensable AA except for Met and Thr whose SID was similar to SBM. The SID of AA for EHC ranged from 98 to 112%. The SBM had a lower (P < 0.05) NE value than R-MFFSB or LO-MFFSB (2.63 vs. 2.95 and 3.00 Mcal/kg DM). Lentil and SBM were similar in NE value (2.60 vs. 2.63 Mcal/kg DM). In conclusion, R-MFFSB and LO-MFFSB were similar in energy and AA value for pigs. Lentil had lower SID of AA than SBM. However, lentil and SBM were similar in NE value; therefore, lentil can serve as alternative pulse feedstuff for pigs. The AA in EHC were mostly completely digested indicating that EHC can be fed to estimate ileal endogenous AA losses.

Application of UHF PD Online Monitoring to Oil-Paper Insulation Life Assessment for Transformers

Pattern of number of PD events ("NE" for short) variation detected by UHF online monitoring was found through experiments, demonstrating that in the first half life of oil-paper insulation the NE value declined at the beginning and then kept stable, while it increased sharply in the later half. Least square linear regression was applied to calculate the changing rate ("CR" for short) of the latest 168 measurements of NE, which turned out to be an appropriate indicator of life stage for its monotonicity over time from the initiation of PD till final breakdown. The Grubbs method was also applied to exclude erroneous data and to determine the credible variation of CRs.

Short communication: Analysis of inbreeding of the South African Dairy Swiss breed

In South Africa, the Dairy Swiss breed, which originated in Switzerland, consists of 27 breeders and 1135 breeding cows. Pedigree information on the breed was analysed to determine its effective population size (Ne) and rate of inbreeding. The rate of inbreeding was 0.08% per year and 0.38% per generation. It was estimated that in 2008, over 90% of the animals were inbred. This is within the acceptable recommendation for an effective population size of 50 - 100, with an Ne value of 89. However, the high percentage of inbred animals may start to have a detrimental impact on the effective population size and breeders need to exercise caution in their breeding decisions.Keywords: Effective population size, genetic diversity, inbreeding coefficient

Comparative feeding value of distillers dried grains plus solubles as a partial replacement for steam-flaked corn in diets for calf-fed Holstein steers: Characteristics of digestion, growth performance, and dietary energetics

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of level of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) supplementation (0, 10, 20, and 30%; DM basis), replacing steam-flaked (SF) corn in finishing diets, on characteristics of digestion (Exp. 1) and growth performance (Exp. 2) in calf-fed Holstein steers. In Exp.1, 4 cannulated Holstein steers (349 ± 12 kg) were used to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of digestion. Ruminal NDF digestion tended to increase (quadratic effect, P = 0.09) and ruminal OM digestion decreased (linear effect, P = 0.01) with DDGS substitution. There were no treatment effects on duodenal flow of microbial N (MN). Substitution with DDGS increased (linear effect, P < 0.01) N flow to the small intestine. The undegradable intake protein (UIP) value of DDGS was 35%. Postruminal digestion of OM (linear effect, P = 0.04) and fatty acids (linear effect, P = 0.03) and total tract digestion of OM and GE decreased (linear effect, P < 0.03) with increasing level of DDGS substitution. Substitution with DDGS did not affect (P = 0.80) ruminal pH but increased (linear effect, P = 0.01) acetate:propionate molar ratio. In Exp.2, 144 Holsteins steer (112 ± 6 kg) were used in a 305-d trial to evaluate treatment effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. During the initial 126 d, DDGS substitution increased ADG (linear effect, P = 0.03), G:F (quadratic effect, P = 0.03), and dietary NE (quadratic effect, P = 0.02), maximal for both at 20% DDGS inclusion rate. Based on estimated indispensable AA supply to the small intestine as a percentage of requirements during the initial 126-d period, histidine was first limiting followed by methionine. During the final 179-d period and overall (305-d feeding period), treatment effects on ADG and G:F were small (P ≥ 0.22). Compared with the other treatments, HCW was greater (3.4; P = 0.03) at the 20% level of DDGS substitution. The NE value for DDGS in SF corn-based diets for the calf-fed Holstein are consistent with current tabular standards. Extra-caloric value of DDGS as a metabolizable AA source is apparent during the initial growing phase. The UIP value of DDGS used in this study (35%) was considerably less than current tabular estimates (52%; NRC, 2000).

Net energy of diets containing wheat-corn distillers dried grains with solubles as determined by indirect calorimetry, comparative slaughter, and chemical composition methods1

The NE content of diets containing wheat-corn distillers dried grains with solubles (wcDDGS; 1:1 ratio) fed to growing pigs was determined using the comparative slaughter (CS), indirect calorimetry (IC), and chemical composition (CH) methods. The experimental diets were a corn-soybean meal control diet (CTRL), CTRL + 15% wcDDGS, and CTRL + 30% wcDDGS. In Exp. 1, 56 barrows (18.5 kg BW) were used to determine the NE value of diets using the CS method. Pigs were initially placed in 8 groups (7/group), based on BW and 1 pig/group was killed at the start of the experiment to obtain baseline body composition. The remaining 48 pigs were housed in pairs and allotted to the 3 diets (n = 8). Pigs had free access to feed and water for a 28-d period, after which 1 pig/pen was slaughtered to determine final body composition. Based on the CS method, NE values of 2,430, 2,427, and 2,429 kcal/kg DM were obtained for diets containing 0%, 15%, and 30% wcDDGS, respectively. In Exp. 2, 18 barrows (20.4 kg BW) were used to determine the NE value of diets using the IC and CH methods. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates and fed the 3 diets (n = 6) at 550 kcal ME/kg BW/d for a 16-d period. Feces and urine were collected from d 11 to 16, followed by measurement of O(2) consumption, CO(2) production, and urinary N, over a 36-h period using an IC system. For the IC method, NE values of 2,586, 2,513, and 2,520 kcal/kg DM were obtained for diets containing 0%, 15%, and 30% wcDDGS, respectively, and corresponding values for the CH method were 2,447, 2,451, and 2,368 kcal/kg DM, respectively. The NE values that were obtained with the CS, IC, and CH methods were not different.

Feeding value of dried shredded sugarbeets as a partial replacement for steam-flaked corn in finishing diets for feedlot cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the comparative feeding value of dried shredded sugarbeets (DSSB; 0, 20, and 40% of diet DM) as a replacement for steam-flaked corn (SFC) in finishing diets for feedlot cattle. In Exp. 1, 60 calf-fed Holstein steers (476 ± 6.3 kg) were used in a 97-d finishing trial. Substitution of SFC with DSSB did not affect ADG or DMI (P > 0.20). Increasing DSSB decreased gain efficiency (ADG:DMI; linear effect, P = 0.04) and dietary NE (linear effect, P = 0.03). Given that SFC has a NE(m) value of 2.38 Mcal/kg, the replacement NE(m) and NE(g) values for DSSB were 1.94 and 1.29 Mcal/kg, respectively. There were no treatment effects (P > 0.20) on carcass characteristics. In Exp. 2, 6 cannulated Holstein steers (205 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to evaluate treatment effects on digestion. Ruminal digestion of starch, NDF, and feed N were not affected (P > 0.10) by DSSB, although ruminal OM digestion tended to increase (linear effect, P < 0.08). Replacing SFC with DSSB decreased flow of starch to the small intestine, but it increased flow of microbial N (linear effect, P = 0.05). There were no treatment effects (P > 0.14) on postruminal digestion of OM, NDF, starch, or feed N or total tract digestion of OM, starch, and N. Substitution of DSSB increased (linear effect, P = 0.05) total tract NDF digestion and decreased (linear effect, P = 0.05) dietary DE (Mcal/kg). Given that SFC has a DE value of 4.19 Mcal/kg, the replacement DE value of DSSB was 3.68 Mcal/kg. There were no treatment effects (P > 0.12) on ruminal pH or total VFA; however, DSSB decreased propionate (linear effect, P = 0.05) and increased acetate (linear effect, P = 0.07), butyrate (linear effect, P = 0.05), valerate (linear effect, P = 0.04), and estimated methane production (linear effect, P = 0.05). We concluded that DSSB may replace SFC in finishing diets at levels of up to 40% without detrimental effects on ADG and carcass characteristics. The NE value of DSSB is 82% that of SFC (DM basis). Partial replacement of SFC with DSSB alters ruminal VFA patterns, increasing estimated methane energy loss and slightly decreasing the efficiency of DE utilization.

Daily feed intake, energy intake, growth rate and measures of dietary energy efficiency of pigs from four sire lines fed diets with high or low metabolizable and net energy concentrations.

A trial was conducted to: i) evaluate the BW growth, energy intakes and energetic efficiency of pigs fed high and low density diets from 27 to 141 kg BW, ii) evaluate sire line and sex differences when fed both diets, and iii) to compare ME to NE as predictor of pig performance. The experiment had a replicated factorial arrangement of treatments including four sire lines, two sexes (2,192 barrows and 2,280 gilts), two dietary energy densities and a light or heavy target BW, 118 and 131.5 kg in replicates 1 to 6 and 127 and 140.6 kg in replicates 7 to 10. Pigs were allocated to a series of low energy (LE, 3.27 Mcal ME/kg) corn-soybean meal based diets with 16% wheat midds or high energy diets (HE, 3.53 to 3.55 Mcal ME/kg) with 4.5 to 4.95% choice white grease. All diets contained 6% DDGS. The HE and LE diets of each of the four phases were formulated to have equal lysine:Mcal ME ratios. Pigs were weighed and pen feed intake (11 or 12 pigs/pen) recorded at 28-d intervals. The barrow and gilt daily feed (DFI), ME (MEI) and NE (NEI) intake data were fitted to a Bridges function of BW. The BW data of each sex were fitted to a generalized Michaelis-Menten function of days of age. ME and NE required for maintenance (Mcal/d) were predicted using functions of BW (0.255 and 0.179 BW^0.60 respectively). Pigs fed LE diets had decreased ADG (915 vs. 945 g/d, p<0.001) than pigs fed HE diets. Overall, DFI was greater (p<0.001) for pigs fed the LE diets (2.62 vs. 2.45 kg/d). However, no diet differences were observed for MEI (8.76 vs. 8.78 Mcal/d, p = 0.49) or NEI (6.39 vs. 6.44 Mcal/d, p = 0.13), thereby indicating that the pigs compensated for the decreased energy content of the diet. Overall ADG:DFI (0.362 vs. 0.377) and ADG:Mcal MEI (0.109 vs. 0.113) was less (p<0.001) for pigs fed LE compared to HE diets. Pigs fed HE diets had 3.6% greater ADG:Mcal MEI above maintenance and only 1.3% greater ADG:Mcal NEI (0.152 versus 0.150), therefore NEI is a more accurate predictor of growth and G:F than MEI. Pigs fed HE diets had 3.4% greater ADG:Mcal MEI and 0.11% greater ADG:NEI above maintenance than pigs fed LE diets, again demonstrating that NEI is a better predictor of pig performance than MEI. Pigs fed LE diets had similar daily NEI and MEI but grew slower and less efficiently on both ME and NE basis than pigs fed HE diets. The data suggest that the midds NE value (2.132 Mcal/kg) was too high for this source or that maintenance was increased for pigs fed LE diets.