Neutral Detergent Fiber Intake Research Articles

236 The effects of replacing dried distiller’s grains with solubles with heat-treated soybean meal on nutrient intake and digestibility in forage-based diets

Abstract Cattle growth is calculated through dry matter intake, average daily gain and gain:feed measures that assume performance and digestibility are correlated. Hence, evaluating nutrient digestibility and flow provides additional explanations for subsequent growth performance. Therefore, five fistulated Jersey steers [Initial body weight (BW) = 288 ± 22 kg) fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were utilized in a 4 × 5 row-column design to determine intake and total tract nutrient digestibility when replacing dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) with heat-treated soybean meal (TSBM) in forage-based growing diets. The 56-d study contained 4 periods, each period lasting 14 d [9 d of adaptation and 5 d of collection (d 0 to 4)]. Dietary treatments partially replaced DDGS, included at 16% diet dry matter (DM), with TSBM at increasing inclusion levels of 0 (TSBM0), 4 (TSBM4), 8 (TSBM8), and 12% (TSBM12) DM. Basal diets contained 43.5% corn silage, 36.5% oat hay, and 4% meal supplement (DM). Chromic oxide was incorporated into the diet daily at 0.25% DM as a digesta marker. Steers were housed in individual tie stalls during the 5-d collection period. Treatment diets were fed daily at 0800 h with orts being weighed at 0730 h and subsampled on d 0 to d 4 each period. Fecal collection bags were harnessed to each steer from d 0 to d 4 to collect fecal weight and subsampled twice daily (0700 and 1900 h). Digestibility and feed intake were analyzed utilizing the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment and period as fixed effects and animal as a random effect. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.14) in DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), starch and nitrogen (N) intakes among treatments. Fecal DM, OM, NDF, starch, and N output resulted in no treatment effects (P ≥ 0.24). Subsequently, total tract apparent digestibility differences (P ≥ 0.32) were not detected for DM, OM, NDF, and starch content. However, N total tract apparent digestibility was significantly different (P < 0.03) with TSBM0 resulting in less N digestibility than TSBM12 (65.54% and 71.59%, respectively). Replacing a portion of DDGS with TSBM does not result in deleterious digestive effects in forage-based growing diets. As a result, the utilization of DDGS or TSBM as the primary protein source will depend on growth performance, feedstuff availability and economics.

Evaluation of different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions on performance, ingestive behavior, and nitrogen balance in dairy goats.

Cell components soluble in neutral detergent are a diverse group, both compositionally and nutritionally. The present study aimed to evaluate production responses, behavior (eating, ruminating, and idling), and nitrogen balance of dairy goats fed different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions. Five multiparous Alpine does with mean ± SD initial body mass of 49.5 ± 7.9kg and 60days of lactation were randomly assigned in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments were the ratios of starch (starch associated with soluble sugar [StSS]) to neutral detergent-soluble fiber (NDSF) (StSS:NDSF): 0.89, 1.05, 1.24, 1.73, and 2.92. No effect was observed (P > 0.05) of StSS:NDSF on the intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and NDSC. However, DM intake showed a quadratic behavior (P = 0.049). The ingestive behavior was affected by StSS:NDSF linearly increased (P = 0.002) the feeding efficiency. The increase in StSS:NDSF caused a linear increase in fecal (P = 0.011), urinary (P < 0.001), and milk nitrogen excretion (P = 0.024). The increase in StSS:NDSF affected (P = 0.048) milk yield and net energy lactation (P = 0.036). In conclusion, dairy goats experience reduced dry matter intake and milk yield when subjected to high-NDSC diets, specifically those above 1.24 StSS:NDSF ratio. Elevated NDSC levels in the diets lead to decreased feeding time, whereas rumination remains unaffected. Nitrogen losses in goats increase linearly with high-NDSC diets, and a significant impact on nitrogen balance.

Intake, in vivo digestibility and protein utilization of wethers fed timothy or tall fescue when harvested at different dates in the first regrowth cycle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of harvest date in the first regrowth cycle and grass species on intake, in vivo digestibility and its relation to protein utilization in wethers fed timothy or tall fescue silages. Timothy and tall fescue were harvested at regular (RTI and RTF, respectively) or late date (LTI and LTF, respectively) in the first regrowth, creating four experimental silages. Eight wethers were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square. Experimental periods lasted for 4 wk and wethers were fed ad libitum during the first 3 wk, with intake recorded during the third week. During the fourth week, wethers were fed 80% of ad libitum, and feces and urine were collected during the last 4 d. Wethers receiving RTI showed the greatest DM intake when expressed as kg/d or as percentage of body weight (BW) (P≤0.05). The intake of neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) was affected by forage species only, where animals fed timothy silages had greater aNDFom intake than animals fed tall fescue silages (P<0.001). Intakes of CP and sum of the protein fractions A, B1 and B2 (AB1B2) were affected by the interaction between harvest date and forage species, where wethers fed RTI showed the greatest intakes of CP (P=0.001) and AB1B2 (P=0.02). Harvesting the forages at late date decreased the in vivo digestibility in wethers but only for timothy, where animals fed LTI silage showed the lowest DM (P<0.001), organic matter (OM) (P<0.001), aNDFom (P=0.02) and acid detergent fiber (P=0.004) digestibility, and a tendency for lower CP digestibility (P=0.07) compared with the other silages. Wethers fed RTI silage showed greater intake of nitrogen (N) (P=0.001) and digestible OM (P=0.003), greater allantoin (P=0.03) and hippuric acid (P=0.05) excretions, greater microbial N flow (P=0.03), and a tendency for greater excretion of fecal N (P=0.09) compared with the other silage-fed animals. In conclusion, delayed harvest decreased in vivo digestibility only in timothy, but even with lower in vivo digestibility wethers fed timothy silages showed a greater intake than wethers fed tall fescue silages, likely due to lower concentration of hydroxycinnamic acids observed in timothy compared with tall fescue as published previously.

Effect of odontoplasty on intake, nutrient digestibility, and intake time of tifton hay in ponies

We aimed to evaluate the effects of dental correction on voluntary nutrient intake, time of intake, apparent digestibility and fecal particle size in Brazilian ponies. Twelve mares, with no history of previous dental treatments, housed in individual pens and fed a diet based on tifton 85 were used. The study comprised two consecutive experimental phases, pre and post dental treatment. Each phase consisted of 15 days for adaptation to the pen and treatment and 5 days for data collection, totaling 20 days. To calculate nutrient intake and digestibility coefficients, samples of diets, leftovers, and feces were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude fat (CF), mineral matter (MM), organic matter (OM), and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC). Food intake time was recorded using a digital video recorder. Fecal particles were analyzed by wet sieving. Dental correction did not influence the intake of DM, CP, NDF, CF, and OM by the animals. However, there was an increase in NFC intake from 0.12 kg to 0.14 kg and in food intake time from 654.50 ± 138.98 to 774.95 ± 167.14. There was a decrease in the digestibility of CP from 0.08 kg to 0.04 kg and an increase in the digestibility of NDF from 0.65 kg to 0.82 kg. Although odontoplasty increased the time of hay intake and the digestibility of the fibrous fractions of the feed of ponies, it did not influence the intake of nutrients and the size of the fecal particles.

Effects of supplementing cassava root silage to grazing dairy cows on nutrient utilization, milk production and composition in the tropics.

The current study evaluated the effects of supplementing cassava root silage (CRS) to dairy cows grazing on Megathyrsus maximus cv Mombasa on nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on milk production and composition. Ten primiparous Girolando cows with average body weight ± (SEM) of 373.45 ± (63.55) kg were used in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square. Animals were subjected to five treatments: (I) grazing cows without supplementation (WCS); (II) grazing cows provided with 5kg DM of supplement without CRS (0g/kg DM of CRS) or including (III) 260, (IV) 520, and (V) 780g/kg DM of CRS. Statistical analyses were performed using the PROC MIXED of SAS with significance at P < 0.05. Intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ether extract decreased (P < 0.01), while intake of non-fiber carbohydrates increased (P < 0.01), with increased CRS in the diets. Total DM intake and digestibility of DM, and digestibility of nutritional components were lower (P < 0.03) in WCS animals compared to supplemented animals, except for intake and digestibility of NDF, which was the opposite. Milk yield (MY) and fat corrected milk (FCM), as well as all milk components were unaffected (P > 0.05) by CRS inclusion. In contrast, MY, FCM, protein, lactose, casein, and non-fat milk solids (NFMS) were greater for animals that received supplementation (P < 0.05), compared to animals WCS. Milk fat and total dry extract (TMS) did not differ (P > 0.11) between two groups. In conclusion, CRS may be a potential corn meal replacer in the supplement of dairy cows under tropical conditions.

Effect of supplementing concentrate mixture with field pea hull on yearling ram lambs of local sheep: Nutrient intake, linear body measurements, and changes in body weight

The fattening of sheep has been recognized as a potentially profitable activity in the highlands of Ethiopia. However, feed shortage and increasing prices for conventional feed ingredients and commercially formulated concentrate mixtures critically affect the fattening practice of sheep in the country. So, this feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding field pea hull at different inclusion levels with a concentrate mixture on feed intakes, nutrient utilization, linear body measurements, and body weight gain. Eighteen yearling ram lambs were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments using a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were T1 (control), fed native hay adlibitum + concentrate mixture formulated using only conventional feed ingredients (0% field pea hull); T2 and T3 were fed native hay adlibitum + concentrate mixture formulated with inclusion of 35% field pea hull and 50% field pea hull, respectively along with other feed ingredients. The feeding trial was conducted for 90 days. Data were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS, and Turkey’s HSD multiple-comparison was used for means separation. The result showed a significant (p&lt;0.001) variation in dry matter and nutrient intake among treatments. The DMI was the highest in T3, followed by T2, while it was the lowest in T1. The average total neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber intakes and metabolizable energy intake were highest in T3 and followed by T2, while they were the lowest in T1. The average total body weight gain (kg) was higher in T3 (9.0kg) and T2 (8.67kg) than in T1 (6.58kg). Similarly, higher average daily body weight gains were recorded in T3 (100g) and T2 (96.3g) than in T1 (73.2g). Sheep that were fed field pea hull by the inclusion of 50 % in concentrate mixtures (T3) were more efficient in feed utilization (p&lt;0.05) than T1 as they consumed significantly less amount of feed per 1 g of body weight gain. Hence, it is concluded that feeding of 50% field pea hull along with concentrate mixture could be used for better fattening performance of sheep.

47 Inclusion of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass as an alternative protein source in the diet of Florida native yearling ewes.

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with black soldier fly larvae frass (BSFL) on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and blood profile of ewes consuming diets with approximately 10% SBM on a DM basis. Six yearling Florida native ewes, averaging (mean ± SD) 44 ± 3 kg BW were enrolled in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 experimental periods of 21 d each (14 d adaptation + 4 d samples collection + 3 d washout). First 14 d of each period, ewes were housed in 7.4 × 1.8 m individual pens with rubber mats, one automatic waterer and two plastic feeders. During collection, ewes were moved to 1.4 × 0.7 m metabolic crates equipped with an individual waterer and feeder and two trays for the collection of feces and urine. Animals were fed TMR ad libitum twice daily at 0730 and 1530 h consisting of different levels of SBM replacement with BSFL, as follows: no replacement (CON), partial replacement of SBM with 25% BSFL (BSFL25) and 50% BSFL (BSFL50) on a DM basis. Data on DM and nutrient intake, excretion, and apparent digestibility, and also plasma concentrations of glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urine concentrations of allantoin, urine blood nitrogen, and uric acid, were collected. Data were analyzed with SAS 9.4 evaluating orthogonal polynomial contrasts to determine linear and quadratic effects of SBM replacement with BSFL for each response variable. The intakes of DM, NDF, ADF, EE, and starch were greater for BSFL25 compared with control (Quadratic effect; P &amp;lt; 0.01) while no differences were observed between BSFL25 and BSFL50. Similarly apparent digestibilities of DM, NDF, ADF and starch was less for BSFL25 than CON (Quadratic effect; P ≤ 0.01). Intake of CP linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) with BSFL, while apparent digestibility of CP linearly decreased and that of EE increased, with inclusion of BSFL. There was a quadratic effect of BSFL on total feces excretion (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and water consumption (P &amp;lt; 0.01) being greater in BSFL25 compared with CON. Urine BUN (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and urine nitrogen (P &amp;lt; 0.01) linearly increased with BSFL inclusion. Results indicate that partial replacement of SBM with BSFL in the diet of yearling Florida native ewes may quadratically increase feed intake and decrease nutrient apparent digestibility. Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications of incorporating BSFL into animal diets, considering their impact on overall growth and performance.

Whole-plant sesame silage in substitution of whole-plant corn silage in diets of feedlot lambs

ABSTRACT The study evaluated the replacement of whole-corn plant silage (WCPS) by whole-sesame plant silage (WSPS) in diets for finishing lambs. Forty castrated crossbred Santa Inês lambs with an average initial body weight of 21.8 ± 1.97 kg were randomly assigned to four replacement levels: 0, 333, 670 and 1000 g kg−1 DM. The intake of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased linearly while ether extract intake increased linearly. The digestibility of NDF decreased linearly while crude protein digestibility decreased quadratically with the lowest value (690 g kg−1) found at the level of 333 g kg−1. Digestibility and intake of the other nutrients, such as the performance did not display differences. The time spent per chewed bolus decreased quadratically, reaching the minimum value of 39 sec/bolus at the level of 370 g kg−1. The feeding efficiency of NDF decreased quadratically with the lowest efficiency of 77 g/h at the level of 600 g kg−1. Rumination efficiency (RE) of DM increased linearly while RENDF reduced quadratically, reaching the lowest value of 36 g/h at the level of 370 g kg−1. Carcass traits were not affected by the diets. Thus, WSPS can be used up to 400 g kg−1 DM in diets for finishing lambs.

Nutritional strategies, performance, digestibility, and carcass traits of Santa Ines and Rabo Largo breeds in a tropical climate.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance, intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, carcass traits, and the yield of commercial cuts of Santa Ines (SI) and Rabo Largo (RL) breeds fed diets with high or low roughage-to-concentrate ratio (R:C) under a tropical climate. Twenty lambs from each breed were individually housed in covered pens and fed the experimental diets for 58days. The diets were formulated to meet the growth requirements of lambs with a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 70:30 and 30:70. Significant interactions of breed × diet for nutrient intake were observed (P < 0.05), with SI lambs fed low R:C diet showing higher intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrates compared to RL lambs fed the same diet. SI lambs fed high R:C diet had higher intake of neutral detergent fiber than RL lambs (P < 0.05). SI lambs displayed better average daily gain and feed efficiency, regardless of diet (P < 0.05). Carcass traits and gastrointestinal components were influenced by breed and diet (P < 0.05). SI lambs fed low R:C diet showed higher subcutaneous fat thickness and better carcass finishing compared to RL lambs (P < 0.05). SI breed lambs exhibited better growth performance, carcass traits, and gastrointestinal characteristics, even when fed diets with a high roughage-to-concentrate ratio.

Effects of decreasing roughage NDF in diets with high inclusion of DDGS on performance, feeding behavior, and ruminal parameters in Nellore bulls

This study evaluated decreasing levels of roughage NDF (10, 7, and 4 % in DM) in DDGS-based finishing diets. In experiment 1, growth performance, feeding behavior, and carcass characteristics were evaluated on 18 Nellore bulls blocked by initial body weight (BW), with 6 replicates per treatment, in a complete randomized block design. In experiment 2, digestibility, feeding behavior, and ruminal fermentation were evaluated on 6 Zebu crossbred steers in two, 3 × 3 Latin square designs. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05 and trends were declared at P < 0.10. In experiment 1, DMI increased quadratically with decreasing roughage NDF (rNDF) with the greatest DMI value achieved at 7.43 % rNDF (P<0.01). Average daily gain tended to respond quadratically, with the greatest estimated value occurring at 7.23 % rNDF (P<0.09). Similarly, hot carcass weight and final BW tended to respond quadratically (P<0.09). No effects of roughage NDF level were observed on carcass dressing percentage. Animals that received the lowest dietary rNDF selected for particles longer than 8 mm (P<0.05). Increasing roughage NDF levels in the diet tended to increase time spent ruminating (P<0.06). In experiment 2, a greater inclusion level of rNDF did not affect DMI, but linearly increased NDF intake (P<0.01) and tended to decrease DM digestibility (P<0.09). Ruminal pH remained, on average, above 6. Ruminal ammonia-nitrogen increased up to an inclusion level of 6.6 % rNDF and then decreased (P<0.02). Acetate: propionate ratio linearly decreased with increasing levels of dietary roughage NDF (P<0.02). Decreasing roughage NDF inclusion level in diets with high levels of corn DDGS is viable without compromising performance or increasing the risk of ruminal acidosis occurrence. Diets containing between 7.23 % and 7.43 % of roughage NDF are proposed to be suitable when corn DDGS-based diets are used to maximize intake and weight gain.

Influence of Dietary Cation-Anion Differences (DCAD) on Nutrient Intake, Milk Yield and Metabolic Parameters of Transition Buffaloes

The study was divided into 2 phases. During 1st phase, 20 pre-partum buffaloes were divided into two groups, given -100 (high negative; HN) and -50 (low negative; LN) mEq/kg of dry matter (DM) diets. In the second phase, +200 (low positive; LP) and +400 (high positive; HP) mEq/kg of DM diets were formulated for postpartum buffaloes. Buffaloes that received LN DCAD were divided into 2 groups (LN-LP and LN-HP), and those that received HN DCAD were also divided into 2 groups (HN-LP and HN-HP). In the first phase, the group fed the HN DCAD diet had significantly lesser DM, nutrient intake, and urine pH (p&lt;0.05) but higher ME intake and ADF digestibility. Also, higher serum phosphorus levels (p&lt;0.05), fewer cases of hypocalcemia and ketosis, and a relatively smaller decrease in body weight were reported with the HN group. In the second phase, DM, organic matter, and NDF intakes were higher (p&lt;0.05) in HN-HP and LN-LP groups, whereas ME intake and nutrient digestibility were higher in HN-LP and LN-HP (p&lt;0.05). Daily milk, solid not fat (SNF), fat, protein, lactose yields, and plasma total protein, urea, and cholesterol concentrations were the highest in the HN-HP group (p&lt;0.05), but the highest fat content and fat yield were recorded in the HN-LP group (p&lt;0.05). Better efficiency of milk production and the lowest cases of hypocalcemia and ketosis were observed for both groups. In conclusion, for transition buffaloes, the HN and LN DCAD (-100 and +200 mEq/kg of DM, respectively) diets showed a beneficial impact.

Effect of wheat middling incorporation into wet corn distillers grains with solubles on apparent diet digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics in growing and finishing diets.

Two separate cross-over experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of incorporating wheat middlings into wet corn distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) on apparent diet digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics in growing and finishing diets. In experiment 1, four ruminally cannulated heifers (313 ± 42.9kg) were limit fed a high-energy growing diet that included WDGS (CON) or WDGS + wheat middlings (CON + WM) at 40% of diet dry matter (DM). The diet also contained (DM basis) 39.5% dry-rolled corn, 7.5% supplement, and 13% warm-season grass hay. In experiment 2, four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (321 ± 17.4kg) were fed a finishing diet that included WDGS (CON) or WDGS + wheat middlings (CON + WM) at 30% of diet DM. The diet also contained (DM basis) 60.3% dry-rolled corn, 2.7% supplement, and 7.0% warm-season grass hay. Experiments consisted of two 15-d periods that were conducted concurrently. Each period included 10 d of diet adaptation, 4 d of fecal collection, and 1 d of ruminal fluid collection. Fecal samples were collected on days 11 to 14 of each period and composite samples were analyzed for chromium to estimate apparent diet digestibility. On day 15, ruminal fluid samples were collected prior to feeding and again at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24-h post-feeding. In experiment 1, DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake did not differ (P ≥ 0.11) between diets; however, starch intake was greater (P = 0.03) for heifers fed CON + WM compared with CON. Apparent DM, OM, NDF, and starch digestibilities were similar between diets (P ≥ 0.13), but feeding CON + WM tended to lead to lesser (P = 0.06) apparent ADF digestibility. Ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations did not differ between diets (P ≥ 0.16); however, ruminal ammonia concentrations tended to be less (P = 0.09) for CON + WM compared with CON. In experiment 2, DM intake did not differ (P = 0.65) between diets. Apparent DM digestibility was greater (P = 0.01) for CON + WM compared with CON but the difference was small. Intake and apparent digestibility of OM, NDF, ADF, and starch did not differ (P ≥ 0.25) between diets. Ruminal ammonia concentrations were lesser (P = 0.03) while ruminal pH was greater (P = 0.02) for CON + WM compared with CON. Overall, incorporation of wheat middlings into WDGS had minimal impacts on feed intake, apparent diet digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics when fed to growing and finishing cattle.

Consumo, desempenho e comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros terminados em confinamento com resíduo úmido de cervejaria como volumoso

ABSTRACT: The present study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of wet brewery residue (WBR) as a source of roughage on nutrient intake, performance and ingestive behaviour in lambs finished in confinement. Thirty-two uncastrated male lambs were used, weaned at 50 days of age. The treatments comprised increasing levels of WBR as roughage in the diet: 31, 44, 57 and 70%, on a dry-matter. The concentrate consisted of disintegrated corn, soybean meal, calcitic limestone and mineral salt. There was a quadratic effect (P ≤ 0.05) from the increasing levels of WBR on the intake of DM, OM, CP and TCH. The intake of EE, NDF and ADF increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01), while TDN intake showed a linear reduction (P &lt; .0001) for increases in the level of WBR. There was a quadratic effect (P ≤ 0.010) on the average daily weight gain (ADG) from the addition of WBR to the diet. The time spent on feeding and rumination (P ≤ 0.05), expressed in minutes, showed a linear increase. Feeding rate for DM showed decreasing linear behaviour (P ≤ 0.006), while NDF rumination rate showed increasing linear behaviour (P ≤ 0.013) due to the increased levels of WBR in the diet. There was a linear increase in the time spent on each feeding activity (P ≤ 0.007) with the increase in WBR in the diet. Maximum weight gain is achieved when 46.9% WBR is used as a source of roughage in the diet, and this level can be recommended for terminating lambs in confinement.

The Effect of Supplementing White Sweet Lupine Grain Meal (Lupinus albus L.) on Blood and Milk Metabolites, Milk Yield, and Quality of Dairy Cows in Ethiopia

Feed is the cornerstone of dairy production, serving as a crucial input for sustainable milk production. This trial aimed to investigate the effect of white sweet lupine grain meal inclusion on feed intake, blood and milk metabolites, milk yield, and quality. The experimental cows had a parity of 2±0.71 (mean ± SD), a daily milk yield of 12.72 ± 0.9, and an average body weight of 412.6 ± 21.5 kg. The varying proportions of treatment diets were: 75, 50, 25 and 0% (T1, T2, T3 and T4) treatment groups respectively. Data collected during the study were subjected to analysis of variance to determine significant differences. Cows fed diet T1 showed a better dry matter (10.39 kg/day), organic matter (7.31 kg/day), nitrogen (2.42 kg/day), and NDF intakes (3.75 kg/day) that had significant difference on (p&lt;0.05). When lupine inclusions dropped from 75 to 50 and even to 25%, the N digestibility decreased from 76.63, 70.66, and 65.6%, respectively, and the digestibility of N in all treatment diets significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.01). Once more, cows fed T1 diet had the highest (p&lt;0.01) plasma glucose concentration (116.81 mg/dl) among the four experimental groups. Cows fed T2 and T4 diets showed significant variation at (p&lt;0.05) in plasma glucose levels, with values of 108.7 and 110.16 mg/dl, respectively. Cows fed T1 had relatively lower plasma beta-Hydroxybutyric acid and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations (p&lt;0.05) than others, with mean values of 3.23 and 1.28 mg/dl respectively. The partial inclusion of white sweet lupine grain meal up to the level of 75% is highly suggested as a better alternative feed source.

How neonatal diet affects the long-term development of rumination behavior, rumen fermentation and feed digestion in dairy calves fed a high milk level?

This study was to investigate growth performance, rumination development, rumen fermentation and feed digestion in young calves provided high volumes (about 20% of calf birth weight) of milk with or without forage inclusion and how these parameters correlate with each other. Immediately after birth, 160 newborn Holstein female calves (41.6 ± 4.2 kg of initial BW) were randomly divided into 2 treatments: 1) starter (CON, only starter) and 2) starter and hay (HAY, both starter and hay). The calves were fed their respective experimental diets from d 4 to 84, after which they were all introduced to similar diets until the end of the experiment on d 196. Treatment had no effect on growth and structural measurements throughout the experimental period. However, treatment had an effect on the other parameters, mainly during the post-weaning period. Forage supplementation tended to reduce starter dry matter intake (P = 0.05), while increasing the forage intake (P < 0.01) and the feed-to-gain ratio (P < 0.01). HAY calves had increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and physically effective NDF (peNDF) intakes (P < 0.05) and tended to lower (P < 0.01) starch intake compared to CON calves. The HAY calves had a higher rumination time (P < 0.01), ruminal pH (P < 0.01), and acetate-to-propionate ratio (P = 0.05) compared to the CON calves. Spearman correlation analysis showed that rumination time was positively related to the ruminal pH at d 84 (P = 0.01) and 196 (P = 0.02). The HAY calves had similar apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), NDF and ether extract (EE), but lower digestibility of organic matter (OM, P = 0.03), crude protein (CP, P < 0.01) and starch (P < 0.01) compared to those of the CON calves at week 12. Furthermore, there were no positive relationships between rumination time and nutrient digestibility or between rumination time per kilogram DM and nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, feeding hay to calves fed a high milk level improved rumination during the post-weaning period only, without a concomitant effect on growth performance throughout the experimental period, suggesting no detrimental effect of feeding forage in calves fed high milk level.

Unveiling microbial biomarkers of ruminant methane emission through machine learning.

Enteric methane from cow burps, which results from microbial fermentation of high-fiber feed in the rumen, is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. A promising strategy to address this problem is microbiome-based precision feed, which involves identifying key microorganisms for methane production. While machine learning algorithms have shown success in associating human gut microbiome with various human diseases, there have been limited efforts to employ these algorithms to establish microbial biomarkers for methane emissions in ruminants. In this study, we aim to identify potential methane biomarkers for methane emission from ruminants by employing regression algorithms commonly used in human microbiome studies, coupled with different feature selection methods. To achieve this, we analyzed the microbiome compositions and identified possible confounding metadata variables in two large public datasets of Holstein cows. Using both the microbiome features and identified metadata variables, we trained different regressors to predict methane emission. With the optimized models, permutation tests were used to determine feature importance to find informative microbial features. Among the regression algorithms tested, random forest regression outperformed others and allowed the identification of several crucial microbial taxa for methane emission as members of the native rumen microbiome, including the genera Piromyces, Succinivibrionaceae UCG-002, and Acetobacter. Additionally, our results revealed that certain herd locations and feed composition markers, such as the lipid intake and neutral-detergent fiber intake, are also predictive features for methane emissions. We demonstrated that machine learning, particularly regression algorithms, can effectively predict cow methane emissions and identify relevant rumen microorganisms. Our findings offer valuable insights for the development of microbiome-based precision feed strategies aiming at reducing methane emissions.

Assessing the In Vitro and In Vivo Effect of Supplementation with a Garlic (Allium sativum) and Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Essential Oil Mixture on Digestibility in West African Sheep.

This study assessed the impact of a mixture of garlic (Allium sativum) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oils (EOGOs) on in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vivo apparent nutrient digestibility. Different EOGO inclusion levels were evaluated to assess the dose response and potential effects of the mixture. Three EOGO inclusion levels (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mL/kg of incubated dry matter) were evaluated in vitro, while four treatments (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mL/day of EOGO and a control group) were tested in vivo on 12 West African sheep. A randomized controlled trial was conducted using a 4 × 4 design. Blood parameters (glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and β-hydroxybutyrate) were measured to observe the effect of EOGO on the metabolism. The results showed that the inclusion of EOGO significantly enhanced IVDMD at low levels (p < 0.052) compared with the highest levels in treatments containing 0.5 and 0.75 mL/kg of EOGO dry matter. A higher intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p < 0.05) was observed in the in vivo diets with the inclusion of EOGO. In terms of in vivo apparent digestibility, significant differences were found among treatments in the digestibility coefficients of DM, CP, and NDF. EOGO inclusion increased the digestibility of DM. CP digestibility displayed a cubic effect (p < 0.038), with the lowest values of digestibility observed at 1 mL EOGO inclusion. Additionally, NDF digestibility showed a cubic effect (p < 0.012), with the highest value obtained at 0.75 mL of EOGO inclusion. The inclusion levels above 0.75 mL EOGO showed a cubic effect, which indicates that higher concentrations of EOGO may not be beneficial for the digestibility of CP and NDF. Although no significant difference was observed in total digestible nutrients, a linear trend was observed (p < 0.059). EOGO improved the intake of DM, CP, and NDF. EOGO supplementation improved the digestibility of DM and NDF, with optimal levels observed at 0.5 mL/day. No significant effects were observed in the blood parameters. These results suggest that EOGO has the potential as an additive in ruminal nutrition to improve food digestibility and serve as an alternative to antibiotic additives. The use of EOGO potentially improves fiber digestion and may reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock production. Garlic (A. sativum) and oregano (O. vulgare) essential oils effectively modulated fiber digestibility at 0.75 mL/day. Garlic (A. sativum) and oregano (O. vulgare) essential oils have the potential to improve digestibility at low inclusion levels and serve as an alternative to antibiotic additives. The effectiveness of essential oils is greater in a mixture and at lower doses.

Effects of forage quality and particle size on feed intake and ruminoreticulum content of goats.

The aim was to evaluate the effect of particle size and hay quality on feed intake, granulometric profile, and composition of the ruminoreticulum content in goats. We used 54 Alpine bucks in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of 3 × 3. Treatments were a combination of Bermuda grass hay (Cynodon dactylon) with three quality levels: high (35 days), medium (50 days), and low (65 d) harvested at regrowth times. Were evaluated three particle sizes: small (16% ≥4.76 mm), medium (48% ≥4.76 mm), and large (75% ≥4.76 mm), which accounted for 66%, 75%, and 94% of physically effective fiber, respectively. Samples of offered diet, intake, and ruminoreticulum content were used to generate the granulometric profile. The offered diet, intake, and ruminoreticulum content presented different granulometric profiles regarding hay quality and particle size. Dry matter intake (DMI) and neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI) increased (P < 0.05) when low-quality hay and large particles were offered. However, when particle size in low-quality hay was reduced, DMI and NDF decreased (P < 0.05). When analyzing the ruminoreticulum content (DM, NDF, peNDF, and indigestible DM), we did not observe any effect (P > 0.05) of hay quality or particle size on the variables. Thus, reducing hay quality and increasing particle size increase dry matter and fiber intake, presenting an interaction between forage quality and particle size. Forage quality and particle size promote intense selective behavior and chewing, which leads to a homogeneous content of particle profile in ruminoreticulum and a uniform average retention time.

Effect of feeding Pleurotus pulmonarius-treated empty fruit bunch on nutrient digestibility and milk fatty acid profiles in goats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding P. pulmonarius-treated empty fruit bunch (FTEFB) on the nutrient intakes, digestibility, milk yield and milk profiles of lactating Saanen goats. A total of nine lactating Saanen goats were used in an incomplete cross-over experimental design. The balanced dietary treatments contain different replacement levels of Napier grass with FTEFB at 0% (0-FT), 25% (25-FT) and 50% (50-FT). The FTEFB contained crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) at 4.10, 94.6, 70.8 and 19.4% DM, respectively. The replacement of FTEFB in 25-FT did not alter dry matter, NDF, hemicellulose, ADL, ether extract and gross energy intakes when compared to the control fed group (0-FT). The ADF and cellulose intake was higher in 25-FT than in the others (P < 0.001). The digestibility of hemicellulose, cellulose and ADL were not changed in 25-FT compared to the control group (P < 0.05) whereas when 50% FTEFB was incorporated to the diet, intermediate digestibility was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Milk yield and protein content did not differ between the goat received 25-FT and the control group (P > 0.05). There are no differences in milk fatty profiles between dietary treatments (P > 0.05), except for OCFA. Goat fed with 25-FT had the lowest OCFA (P < 0.01) and significantly reduced the lauric acid concentration (P < 0 .05) when compared to the control group. Thus, replacement of NG in 25-FT does not adversely affect nutrient intake, fibre digestibility (cellulose and hemicellulose), milk yield, milk composition and milk fatty acid profiles. Overall, FTEFB may have potential to be used in the dairy goat diet as a roughage source to replace Napier grass.

Performance of grazing sheep kept on tamani grass supplemented with Parkia platycephala pods replacing corn in the multiple supplements

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Parkia platycephala pods in the supplements for grazing sheep on intake, digestibility, and animal performance. Twenty-four sheep (21.26 ± 2.87 kg) were used by a completely randomised design with six animals per treatment. The evaluated treatments were mineral salt (MS), mineral salt + urea/ammonium sulfate (urea-supplement; UR), multiple supplements based on corn + soybean meal (MSCS), and multiple supplements in which P. platycephala pods replaced 50% of corn (MSPP). The supplements evaluated did not affect pasture intake, and total dry matter (DM) intake was higher for animals fed multiple or UR than those fed with MS. Sheep fed multiple supplements presented 55.57% higher crude protein (CP) intake than those fed MS or UR. Neutral detergent fibre intake was 17.76% lower in sheep fed MS than those fed other supplements. Animals fed multiple supplements presented higher digestibility for DM and CP than those fed MS or US. Animals fed multiple supplements presented 54.61% higher total body weight gain and 54.79% higher average daily gain than those fed MS or US. Thus, Parkia platycephala pods can replace 50% of corn in multiple supplements without compromising the performance of grazing sheep.