Rice Straw Diet Research Articles

Enhancing feed fermentation in rice straw basal diets using leaf protein concentrate as a novel ruminant supplement derived from Indigofera zollingeriana.

Rice straw, a widely available agricultural byproduct globally, has significant potential as a basal diet for livestock. The major challenge lies in obtaining high-protein foliage that can be easily extracted using natural water rather than chemical solvents. This study aimed to assess the ability of distilled water to extract protein concentrate from Indigofera leaves (Indigofera zollingeriana Miq.) and to evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing rumen feed fermentation and digestibility in low-quality rice straw basal diets. The study was conducted in two experimental series. Experiment 1 was designed to explore the ability of distilled water to extract protein concentrate from fresh and dry Indigofera leaves by comparing it with the 0.1 N NaOH standard solvent. Experiment 2 focused on the in vitro digestibility of protein concentrates extracted from fresh Indigofera leaves based on optimal findings from experiment 1. Five treatments consisting of 0.5% and 1.0% protein concentrate and two extractants (distilled water and 0.1 N NaOH) were used to extract protein from Indigofera leaves. These extracts were then added to rice straw-based diets. Rice straw without supplements was used as a control. The treatments were arranged using a randomized complete design with five replicates. The results of experiment 1 showed that distilled water was superior to 0.1 N NaOH for extracting protein concentrate from fresh Indigofera leaves, as revealed by higher dry matter, protein yield, total amino acids (AA), and total essential AA (EAA) production. For in vitro experiment 2, supplementation with distilled water-extracted protein concentrates successfully increased rumen fermentation and digestibility in rice straw basal diets, as indicated by higher gas production, total volatile fatty acid, and microbial protein levels compared with 0.1 N NaOH. Findings from this study confirm that Indigofera leaf protein concentrate offers a new alternative for enhancing rumen feed fermentation and the digestibility of low-quality rice straw diets. This study implies that it is an easy, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach, particularly beneficial for smallholders, to extract protein concentrate from fresh Indigofera leaves using distilled water and use it to enhance the quality of rice straw for ruminant feed. The limitation of this study is that the Indigofera supplement was established using in vitro digestibility under controlled laboratory conditions, which does not reflect real rumen conditions. Therefore, further studies using in vivo digestibility in ruminant animals are required to confirm the ability of the protein extracted from indigofera to enhance rumen feed fermentation in low-protein basal diets.

Growth rate of male Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) fed leucaena and rice straw diets with increasing levels of cassava

Growth rate of male Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) fed leucaena and rice straw diets with increasing levels of cassava

Typologie des systemes de productions du bovin de race djelli (Bos taurus indicus) dans les communes de Gotheye, Sinder et Say au Niger

The development of Djelli cattle breeding in Niger remains a challenge due to prejudices about its productivity. The particularities of its production systems have not been sufficiently developed. The aim of this study is to develop a typology of local Djelli cattle production systems in six localities in the communes of Gothèye, Sinder and Say in Niger. A survey was carried out among 150 breeders. Discriminant factor analysis (DFA) and hierarchical ascending classification (HAC) were used to identify three types of production system: The first type is made up of transhumant herders whose main activity is livestock rearing and who belong to the Peulh ethnic group. This type is characterized by large herds (27 head). They have 3 breeding cows and 4 suckling cows for 16 breeding females. The second type is made up of sedentary breeders. Their main activities are fishing and trading, and they belong to the Sonrai socio-cultural ethnic group. Their herds are modest (17 head), comprising 2 breeding and 5 suckling cows for 11 breeding females. The third type is made up of semi-transhumant herders. Their main activity is farming, and they belong to the Sonrai socio-cultural ethnic group, with an equally modest herd size (18 head). The number of breeding cows is similar to that of the sedentary herders (2 head). However, the number of sucklers is reduced to 3 head for 10 breeding females. The daily intake of bran concentrate per suckling female is the highest (5 kg of bran concentrate per day). The ratio of lactating females to females of breeding age was r =0.45 in the sedentary group, compared with r =0.30 in the semi-transhumant group and r = 0.25 in the transhumant group. The results also showed that the rearing environment is dominated by a diet of rice straw (39%) and rice bran (49%). The most frequently vaccinated disease on the farms was pasteurellosis (87.3%), and the highest deworming rate was 40%. The environment also revealed a variation in lactating females for the riparian localities of Say and Yelwani (5.4±2.6b and 6.0±2.8b respectively), which are very significantly different (P<0.001) from the non-riparian localities of Koulbaga and Tassikoirey (2.9±1.2a and 2.8±1.20a respectively). In conclusion, sedentary farmers are the most productive in a food environment dominated by rice crop residues and diseases such as pasteurellosis and endoparasites. Key words : Production systems, herd size, sedentary breeders, lactating female

Effects of fodder tree leave supplementation for basal rice straw diet on rumen ammonia, pH, and degradation characteristics in sheep

Fodder tree leaves (FTLs) contain high levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals that play a major role in enhancing roughage intake by ruminants, thus improving low-quality roughage utilization. The study sought to measure the rumen degradation characteristics, pH, and ammonia N concentration of sheep fed rice straw (RS) and supplemented with FTLs. Four forest-type rumen-fistulated rams of an average weight of 19.0±1.2 kg were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design. Treatment diets consisted of urea-ammoniated straw (UAS; control), RS+100% Leucaena leucocephala (L), RS+100% Samanea saman (S), and RS+50% L+50% S (LS). Data obtained were subjected to the Glimmix procedure of SAS (2016) and significant means were separated using Tukey’s test at (P<0.05). Treatments differed significantly (P<0.001) in the quantity of readily soluble materials (a), rate of degradation (c), and a potentially degradable fraction (P) with LS recording the highest a, c, and P among the treatments. Ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations differed significantly (P<0.0001) among the treatments. Overall mean rumen pH values obtained ranged from 6.44 in UAS to 6.72 in the S-supplemented diet whereas mean rumen ammonia values ranged from 4.59 mg/100 ml in sheep fed UAS diet to 9.15 mg/L in sheep fed L diet. The pH values obtained imply that the experimental diets could improve rumen fermentation and, hence, serve as good sources of feed for ruminants. The rumen DM degradation values indicated that sufficient amounts of DM would be degraded over a period of time, thus releasing substantial quantities into the small intestines for digestion to provide essential nutrients needed for better animal performance. The rumen ammonia values obtained were higher than the minimum values recommended for optimal microbial activity for animals fed lignocellulosic materials. This indicated that such FTLs could be utilized for moderate animal performance, especially during the dry seasons when natural pastures are qualitatively and quantitatively poor.

Dry Matter Intake and Digestibility of Napier and Treated Rice Straw Diet in Goats

Plant by-products such as rice straw can be utilized to optimize ruminant feed resources and productivity. This study aimed to determine the intake and digestibility of the basal diet (Napier grass) and treated rice straw diet in goats. A total of 16 heads of male and female Philippine native goats were used in the study. Experimental animals were arranged in randomized complete block design with four treatments and four blocks – weight and sex were used as bases for blocking. The treatments were the following: Treatment 1 (T1): 60% Napier grass + 40% untreated rice straw (control); T2: 60% Napier grass + 40% urea-treated rice straw; T3: 60% Napier grass + 40% fish amino acid (FAA)-treated rice straw; and T4: 60% Napier grass + 40% fermented plant juice (FPJ)-treated rice straw. The gathered data were dry matter intake (DMI), DMI as percent body weight (% BW), total and percent dry matter digestibility (% DMD), rumen pH and weight gain. All data were analyzed using the analysis of variance for RCBD. Comparisons of treatment means were determined using the least significance difference test. The results showed that DMI and DMI as % BW were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the treatments. Furthermore, total DMD and % DMD were significant (p < 0.05). FPJ treatment gave the highest DMI for rice straw. Moreover, goats fed with rice straw treated with urea, FPJ and FAA efficiently digested the diet compared with the control treatment.

Fennel and Ginger Improved Nutrient Digestibility and Milk Yield and Quality in Early Lactating Egyptian Buffaloes

Abstract The supplementation with herbal and medicinal plants to animals showed positive effects on feed digestion, performance and animal’s health. Fifteen multiparous Egyptian buffaloes (537 ± 18.1 kg body weight), 7 days after parturition, were randomly assigned to 3 treatments in a quintupled 3 × 3 Latin square design in a 63-day experiment. Each experimental period lasted 21 days (15 days of adaptation + 7 days for measurements and samples collection). Buffaloes were assigned according to their previous milk production, weight and parity to study the effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) or ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on feed utilization and lactational performance. Buffaloes were fed a basal diet of concentrates, berseem clover and rice straw in a ratio of 60:30:10 dry matter (DM) basis. The first group was fed the basal diet with no additive as the control treatment, while other buffaloes were fed on the basal diet supplemented with 75 g fennel or ginger/buffalo daily. Additives supplementation did not affect feed intake; however, fennel followed by ginger improved (P<0.05) dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities compared to the control. Without affecting blood chemistry, fennel and ginger supplementation improved (P<0.05) production of milk and energy corrected milk, fat concentration and milk energy content and output. Fennel followed by ginger decreased the somatic cell count (P=0.035) compared with the control. Fennel and ginger improved feed efficiency (P<0.05) compared with the control. Fennel increased the proportion of milk trans-10, cis-12 C18:2 (P=0.028), total conjugated linoleic acid without affecting other fatty acids. It is concluded that fennel or ginger at 75 g/buffalo/d improved nutrient digestibility and milk production of lactating buffaloes. Fennel improved milk nutritive value more than ginger.

Effects of supplementing Rice Straw with Pigeon Pea Forage on Performance of Yankasa Sheep

Studies were conducted to evolution the feeding value of rice straw (RS) supplemented with varying levels of pigeon pea forage (PPF)as dry season feed for yearling Yankasa ewes. Twent yearling ewes with an average live weight of 15.02kg were randomly assigned to four treatments. Five ewes ner treatment comprising a basal RS diet fed ad libiitium (0.0% PPF), and ad libitium RS supplemented the feed ingredients showed tha RS had 10.81% CP, 5/11% liginin and 4.2% silica while ppf had 15.75% CP, 3.63% ligmim and 0.5mh/kg tannin. in terms of mineral contents analyzed. PPF was higher thanRS only in calcium. The results of the feeding trial showed increase feed intake with increase in level of PPF supplementation. Ewes on the unsupplemented and 0.5% body weight supplementation lost weight (-2.01kg and -1.6kg respectively) while those on 1.0 and 1.5% supplementation had minimal(1.25kg and 1.06kg respectively) weight gain. The digestibility and nitrogen balance showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the digestion of DM, NDF and ADF across the treatments. Supplementing RS diet wit o.1% of the body weight PPF resulted in better digestibility of all nutrients. Nitrogen retention across all treatments were high and ranged between 86.18 to 90.06 percent

Effect of Supplementing Rice Straw with Pigeon Pea Forage on Rumen and Blood Metabolites of Yankasa Sheep

A study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing rice straw with pigeon pea forage on rumen and blood metabolites of Yankasa sheep. Sixteen yearling Yankasa ewes were used for the study. A completely randomized design was used with four animals per treatment. A basal rice straw diet was provided ad libitum and pigeon pea forage supplemented at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%of the body weight. Rumen and blood samples were collected at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hours post-feeding. Results of the study showed low (1.16-3.81mg/100ml) NH3-N concentration in the unsupplemented ewes. Supplementation at 1 % body weight improved the level of NH3-N concentration to 10.38mg/100ml. Volatile faty acids also increased from 26.33 to 43.33mg/l in 0.0% and 1.0% of body weight pigeon pea forage supplementation. pH variations within treatments remain within acceptable range for rumen microbial activity: There was a uniformly low level of plasma urea nitrogen in the unsupplemented diet across sampling time, supplementing at 1.0% of the body weight had the highest plasma urea nitrogen level with 3 and 6 hours post-feeding being significantly (P<0.05) higher than other sampling time. Levels of packed cell volume and haemoglobin improved from 21.00% and 48% in the supplemented diet to 32.00% and 73% at 1.0% pigeon pea forage supplementation respectively

Estrous and pregnancy rate responses of postpartum Bali cattle to concentrate supplementation with different protein levels of rice-straw as basal ration

The aim of the research is to determine the effect of concentrate with different protein level rice straw as basal ration on the percentage of pregnancy rate of Bali cattle maintained on traditional farming system. The research was divided into two experiments. First experiment: a number of 46 cows divided into 4 treatment groups. Each group respectively protein level 0%, 10%, 12%, and 14%. Experiment 2: a number of 324 Bali cows postpartum got concentrate supplementation with different protein levels were divided into three groups, each got a protein level of 10%; 12%, and 14%. The rice straw diet given ad-libitum and concentrate as much as 1 kg per head per day for two months. Livestock that appears estrous after feeding directly mated naturally and partially performed artificial insemination. Pregnancy examinations carried rectal palpation and partly validated with ultrasound. The results showed that estrous respon in the first experiment not significantly affected by supplementation of concentrate with protein level for 10–14%. In contrast, estrous intensity was obviously visible in group treatment with 14% protein level. The supplementation of protein level in concentrate increased natural estrous 66.05% and natural mating generated 91.65% of pregnancy rate. However, 43.95% cows were artificially inseminated generating 81.63% of pregnancy rate. It’s sonclude that supplementation of concentrate for feed Bali cows with rice straw as basal in the dry season caused increasing the percentage of postpartum estrous and highest of pregnancy rate.

Effect of cashew nut shell liquid feeding on fermentation and microbiota in the rumen of Thai native cattle and swamp buffaloes

Effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) feeding on rumen fermentation and microbial profiles were investigated using Thai native cattle (n = 4) and swamp buffaloes (n = 4). Rumen fistulated animals were assigned to an experiment in one factor design: they were fed a concentrate (1 kg) and rice straw (90% of ad libitum intake) diet supplemented with control pellets followed by CNSL-containing pellets for 4 wk each (control and CNSL periods, respectively). Rumen content was sampled at the end of the control period (d 27 and 28) and at 2 wk (d 13 and 14) and 4 wk (d 27 and 28) of the CNSL period to monitor rumen characteristics. Feed intake, ruminal DM disappearance, ruminal pH and ammonia concentration were not obviously affected by CNSL feeding. Methane production potential, monitored by a batch culture system supplemented with the same diet formula, was decreased by 53% and 73%, after 4-wk CNSL feeding to Thai native cattle and swamp buffaloes, respectively. Although volatile fatty acid level in the rumen was not changed by CNSL feeding, propionate proportion was greatly elevated by 23% and 31% in native cattle and buffaloes, respectively, after 4-wk CNSL feeding. Enhanced propionate was observed even in the 2-wk samples. Results of quantitative PCR analysis showed that although numbers of methanogenic archaea in the rumen did not change, protozoa were decreased and some bacterial groups including genus Prevotella were increased by CNSL feeding in both native cattle and buffaloes. This is in agreement with the results of Miseq analysis of 16S rRNA genes of rumen microbes, which showed increases of Prevotella with CNSL feeding. Increase of Succiniclasticum and decrease of unclassified Bacteroidales by CNSL were also observed for both native cattle and buffaloes. Changes in archaeal community were also similar between these two genera of ruminants. These ruminal responses indicate that CNSL feeding is useful for modulating rumen fermentation in Thai local ruminants, major contributors to methane emission in this area. This is the first report describing the effect of CNSL feeding on rumen fermentation in relation to detailed analysis of rumen microbial community.

Effects of corn supplementation on the antioxidant activity, selected minerals, and gene expression of selenoprotein and metallothionein in serum, liver, and kidney of sheep-fed palm kernel cake: urea-treated rice straw diets.

This study aimed to determine influence of corn inclusion on glutathion peroxidase (GPx) activity, selected minerals concentration, and gene expression in sheep-fed palm kernel cake (PKC) and urea-treated rice straw. Twenty-seven of Dorper sheep were divided into three groups and fed a basal diet of (20% rice straw and 80% concentrate) with addition of ground corn at either 0% (T1), 5% (T2), or 10% (T3), respectively. After 120days feeding trial, all animals were slaughtered and tissue samples of kidney, liver, and muscles were taken for enzyme and mineral analyses. The results showed that Cu concentration in the liver was lower treatment T3 compared to the control and T2. The serum activity of GPx was higher in T2 than in T3 at day 120 of experiment. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations decreased at day 80 in sheep on T3, whereas MDA of liver increased linearly with increasing corn supplementation. The qRT-PCR analyses revealed significant up-regulation of ATP7A and MIa genes in T3, while hepatic Cu/Zn SOD, GPx1, and GPx4 mRNA showed a higher expression in lamb hepatocytes in T3 compared to those on T1. Present study results suggest that feeding PKC as basal diet can increase antioxidant activity, but cause liver dysfunction in sheep. Inclusion corn was found to regulate transcriptional levels of the GPx family and metallothionein genes. These genes may play a role in the antioxidant protection response and reduce incidence of toxicity associated with Cu.

Effects of ambient temperature and rumen–protected fat supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation and blood parameters during cold season in Korean cattle steers

ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate whether cold ambient temperature and dietary rumen-protected fat (RPF) supplementation affect growth performance, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters in Korean cattle steers.MethodsTwenty Korean cattle steers (body weight [BW], 550.6±9.14 kg; age, 19.7±0.13 months) were divided into a conventional control diet group (n = 10) and a 0.5% RPF supplementation group (n = 10). Steers were fed a concentrate diet (1.6% BW) and a rice straw diet (1 kg/d) for 16 weeks (January 9 to February 5 [P1], February 6 to March 5 [P2], March 6 to April 3 [P3], and April 4 to May 2 [P4]).ResultsThe mean and minimum indoor ambient temperatures in P1 (−3.44°C, −9.40°C) were lower (p<0.001) than those in P3 (5.87°C, −1.86°C) and P4 (11.18°C, 4.28°C). The minimum temperature in P1 fell within the moderate cold-stress (CS) category, as previously reported for dairy cattle, and the minimum temperatures of P2 and P3 were within the mild CS category. Neither month nor RPF supplementation affected the average daily gain or gain-to-feed ratio (p>0.05). Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in cold winter than spring. Plasma cortisol concentrations were lower (p<0.05) in the coldest month than in the other months. Serum glucose concentrations were generally higher in colder months than in the other months but were unaffected by RPF supplementation. RPF supplementation increased both total cholesterol (p = 0.004) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations (p = 0.03).ConclusionKorean cattle may not be significantly affected by moderate CS, considering that the growth performance of cattle remained unchanged, although variations in blood parameters were observed among the studied months. RPF supplementation altered cholesterol and HDL concentrations but did not affect growth performance.

Effects of supplementing low-quality hay with groundnut foliage and cassava tops on feed intake, apparent digestibility and rumen fermentation in crossbred cattle

Four adult crossbred cattle, fitted with rumen fistula in the dorsal sac, were randomly allocated to four treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin-square design to study the effects of supplementing sun-dried groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) foliage (DGF) and sun-dried cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) tops (DCT) on feed intake, apparent digestibility and rumen fermentation. All animals were fed a basal diet of rice straw ad libitum and para grass (Brachiaria mutica) at 1% of liveweight (LW). The four experimental diets were as follows: (1) control, basal diet without supplement; (2) DGF, basal diet + DGF; (3) DCT, basal diet + DCT; and (4) DGF+DCT, basal diet + DGF + DCT. The supplementary feeds were fed to the level of 2 g crude protein (CP)/kg LW in Diets 2 and 3 and 1 g CP/kg LW of each feed in Diet 4. The results indicated that total intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter and CP increased with DGF and DGF+DCT diets, while neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake was highest in the DGF diet. Digestibilities of DM, organic matter, CP and NDF were improved in DGF and DGF+DCT treatments. However, the diet with DCT supplement had lowest CP and NDF digestibility. Ruminal NH3-N and total volatile fatty acids increased in all diets with supplements, but ruminal pH, volatile fatty acid profile and in sacco losses of DM, CP and NDF of sun-dried para grass in the rumen did not differ among the treatments.

Arteriovenous blood metabolomics: An efficient method to determine the key metabolic pathway for milk synthesis in the intra-mammary gland

The present study aimed to identify metabolic signature changes of the arteriovenous metabolome and the new metabolites that involved in mammary biological process during milk synthesis. GC/MS-based metabolomics profiling of arteriovenous plasma from 30 lactating dairy cows fed three diets identified a total of 144 metabolites. Phenylalanine and tyrosine, involved in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism, were shown higher expression in the artery than in the vein based on both GC/MS and targeted analysis for cows fed both alfalfa hay diet and rice straw diet. Mammary uptake or clearance of citric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, fructose, β-mannosylglycerate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, and D-talose were significantly correlated with milk performance or feed intake, indicating that these metabolites might be newly identified precursors or indicators of milk synthesis. This comprehensive assessment of metabolic changes in the arteriovenous metabolome will provide a fundamental understanding of the key metabolites involved in milk synthesis and shows implications of how metabolites from arteriovenous plasma across MG are involved in biological processes or physiological functions for milk synthesis. The newly identified metabolites from the present study provide potential new targeted insights into the study of physiological process for milk synthesis in the MG.

Responses in the rumen microbiome of Bos taurus and indicus steers fed a low-quality rice straw diet and supplemented protein.

Bos indicus typically perform better than Bos taurus when consuming a low-quality diet; however, the response to supplementation is generally greater in B. taurus. The underlying mechanisms supporting these responses have not been fully elucidated. Characterization of differences in rumen prokaryotic populations and their functional role in the two subspecies may provide additional insight. Ten cannulated steers (5 Angus and 5 Brahman) were used in concurrent 5 × 5 Latin squares. Animals were offered ad libitum access to rice straw (4.7% CP). Treatments consisted of an unsupplemented control diet and two levels (50 or 120 mg N/kg BW) of isonitrogenous supplements (30% CP), that were either high (H; 74%) or low (L; 26%) in undegradable intake protein. Rumen samples were collected at 0 and 4 h postfeeding and separated into liquid and solid fractions. Rumen bacterial taxa were sequenced utilizing a Roche 454 platform based on the 16s rRNA gene. At 97% sequence similarity, 97,826 operational taxonomic units were identified, which included 24 phyla, 108 families, and 255 genera. Analysis included SAS PROC mixed model, QIIME, and PICRUSt. Across all samples, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes accounted for 65% and 28% of total bacterial abundance, respectively. The families Prevotellaceae (P = 0.05) and Ruminococcaceae (P = 0.004) and the genera Prevotellaceae (family; P = 0.003) within the phyla Bacteroidetes differed significantly in relative abundance with added protein when compared to the control. Consistent differences in the relative abundance of family and genus taxa between B. indicus and B. taurus suggest roles the symbiotic rumen microbiome may have in the capacity of B. indicus to utilize low-quality forage over a range of supplement types and levels including (Prevotella, Ruminococcus [family], Sphingobacteriaceae [family], Bacteroidales [order], Pontibacter, Bacteroides, Succiclasticum, Barnesiella, and Xylanibacter). Overall bacterial community diversity differences across parameters were limited. Rice straw is recalcitrant to bacterial digestion because of high levels of silica in the epidermis making this straw more resistant to bacterial attachment. Thus, this analysis represents the bacterial diversity and function of the rumen under conditions depleted CP, recalcitrant fiber matrix and restricted digestibility which appear to limit the microbial population to those capable of attaching and digesting complexed structural carbohydrates, resulting in reduced plasticity, and more evenness in diversity across parameters.

Effect of Using Fungal Treated Rice Straw in Sheep Diet on Nutrients Digestibility and Microbial Protein Synthesis

Background and Objective: Biological methods by using white-rot fungi is one of the viable alternatives to improve the nutritional value of rice straw. Moreover, biological method is environmental friendly and potentially economic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of utilisation of fungal treated rice straw in the diet of sheep on feed intake and nutrient digestibility when compared to untreated or urea treated rice straw. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 male Phan Rang sheep with body weight (20.58±1.16 kg) were randomly assigned to either a Rice Straw (RS) or a urea treated rice straw (UTR) or fugal treated rice straw (FTR) diet over an experimental period of 20 days in a completely randomized design. The RS diet was a mixture of rice straw, guinea grass and concentrates. In the UTR and the FTR diets, rice straw was replaced by urea treated rice straw and fungal treated rice straw, respectively. During 14 days of adaptation, all sheep were kept in individual pens and received their assigned diets ad libitum. During the following 6 days, the sheep were offered at 95% of ad libitum intake and moved to metabolism crates for total urine and fecal collection to evaluate feed intake, nutrients digestibility and N balance. All data were tested by ANOVA using the general model procedure of SAS. Results: The nutrient intake did not differ among three diets. However, apparent nutrient digestibility were highest (p<0.05) in sheep fed the FTR diet. The nitrogen retention and microbial protein synthesis were also greatest (4.32 and 6.04 g/day, respectively, p<0.05) for sheep fed the FTR diet. Conclusion: These results suggest that using fungal treated rice straw in the diet of sheep showed the best improvement of nutrient digestibility, N retention and microbial protein synthesis.

Effect of replacing fresh water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) to rice straw diet on feed intake, rumen fermentation and weight gain of Lai Sind cattle

Four local male cattle with average live weight of 290 kg were arranged in a Latin-square design with four treatments, which included fresh water hyacinth (WH) replacing rice straw at levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75% in the diets [dry matter (DM) basis]. The aim of this study was to find out the optimum level of fresh WH in cattle diet based on nutrient digestibility, rumen parameters, nitrogen retention and daily weight gain. The multi-nutrient cake containing 323 g CP/kg DM was supplemented in all the diets to adjust the daily crude protein intake to 210 g/100 kg body weight. The results of the study showed that daily DM, organic matter and metabolizable energy intakes were significantly different (P0.05) among the treatments. The daily nitrogen retention and weight gain were 0.482, 0.502, 0.510 and 0.480 g/kgW0.75 and 250, 334, 448 and 403 g for the WH25, WH50, WH75 and WH100 treatments, respectively. The results indicated that feeding the fresh WH to replace rice straw up to 75% in local cattle diet could improve metabolizable energy intake, nutrient digestibility and growth performance. The optimum level of WH replacement to rice straw in the diet was 50%.

Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Cranz) Foliage Replacing Brewer’s Grains as Protein Supplement for Yellow Cattle fed a Basal Diet of Cassava Pulp-Urea and Rice Straw

Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Cranz) Foliage Replacing Brewer’s Grains as Protein Supplement for Yellow Cattle fed a Basal Diet of Cassava Pulp-Urea and Rice Straw

Effects of supplementing different levels of sun-dried groundnut foliage on intake, apparent digestibility and nitrogen metabolism in cattle offered a basal diet of a mixture of rice straw and para grass.

Eight male Cambodian yellow cattle, initial body weight (BW) 136±11.9 (±SD) kg; age 20±2.5 (±SD) months, were randomly allocated to treatments in a double 4×4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of different levels of crude protein (CP) from sun-dried groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) foliage (DGF) on feed intake, apparent digestibility and nitrogen metabolism. All animals were fed a basal diet of rice straw ad libitum and para grass (Brachiaria mutica) at 1% of BW. The DGF was offered as a supplement at 0, 1, 2 and 3g CP/kg BW, denoted DGF0, DGF1, DGF2 and DGF3, respectively. The results showed that the intake of DGF contributed 0, 25, 34 and 42% of total dry matter (DM) intake. Rice straw intake decreased when DGF intake increased. Total intake of DM, organic matter (OM), digestible OM, ash, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre increased with increased level of DGF inclusion but did not differ for the two highest DGF levels. Total DM intake as proportion of BW increased from 2.3% in DGF0 to 2.8% in DGF3. Crude protein digestibility and nitrogen retention improved as DGF intake increased. Daily weight gain of DGF1 cattle was higher than DGF0 but was not further improved at the higher levels of DGF inclusion. Microbial protein synthesis and efficiency of microbial protein production in DGF1 did not differ from DGF0 but both measures were higher in DGF2 and DGF3. The responses were diminished at higher DGF inclusion so it is suggested that DGF supplementation at 1g CP/kg BW may be the optimal level.

Effect of cereal straw and alfalfa hay diet on amino acid profile of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating dairy cows.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing alfalfa hay with rice straw (RS) or corn stover (CS) on amino acid (AA) profiles of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating cows. Eighteen lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n=6) and fed identical concentrate and corn silage with different forages on dry matter basis: (i) 23% alfalfa hay and 7% Chinese wild rye hay (AH); (ii) 30% CS; and (iii) 30% RS. After the 14-week feeding, a total of 18 cows were slaughtered to collect digesta from four representative organs, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum. The AA profiles of ruminal microbial fraction were similar among the treatments, except for greater Arg in cows fed RS than in cows fed AH or CS. Most of the analysed AA changed under different diets. Significant differences were found among the microbial fraction, rumen fluid and rumen digesta, with greater essential AA in digesta than in microbial fraction or rumen fluid and greater essential AA in microbial fraction than rumen fluid. Significant differences in individual AA profiles of digesta and relevant fluid were found across the four representative digestive tract parts, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum, showing much lower Leu proportion in CS and RS than in AH in duodenal fluid. In summary, ruminal microbes may prefer using essential AA, rather than non-essential AA. The AA profile of ruminal microbes was constant except for Arg. The AA composition of digesta across the four digestive tracts changed dramatically, which indicated differences in the ability and efficiency of AA absorption. The lower duodenum absorbable Leu proportion in cows fed CS or RS indicated the shortage of Leu in CS or RS diets, which might also restrict the balanced AA absorption.