Silage Diets Research Articles

PSIII-A-13 Intramuscular fat and Expression of Genes Involved in Lipid Metabolism and Gluconeogenesis in Nellore Bulls fed Snaplage

Abstract We hypothesized that diets with snaplage would increase the expression of lipogenic genes, resulting in higher marbling fat content, compared to a diet of whole-plant silage and reconstituted corn silage. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition, as well as the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and liver gluconeogenesis of Nellore bulls fed snaplage. Seventy-two Nellore bulls (24 months, initial body weight 400 ±27.4 kg) were used in a completely randomized design. Animals were stratified by body weight, housed in 24 pens (3 animals per pen), and designed to one of the three treatments (8 pens per treatment). Experimental diets (around 14% of crude protein) were: control (corn silage, ground and reconstituted corn grain, protein sources), snaplage + ground corn, replacing completely corn silage (SNAP65, with 65% snaplage), and snaplage 85, replacing completely corn silage and corn grain (SNAP85, with 85% snaplage). Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with fixed effects of dietary treatment, and random effects of pen nested within treatment. Overall, diets did not affect (P>0.11) the intramuscular fat. However, animals fed SNAP85 showed higher PPARG expression (P=0.03). The muscle of animals fed snaplage (SNAP65 and SNAP85) also had higher expression of ACACA and SCD1 genes (P≤0.03) than the control animals. The FABP4 expression tended to be higher (P=0.10) in the muscle of animals fed SNAP85 compared with SNAP65. In addition, animals fed control diet tended to have higher (P=0.07) expression of PC in the liver compared with animals fed SNAP65 and SNAP85. Also, PEPCK2 expression was lower (P=0.05) in in the liver of animals fed SNAP65 diet than control SNAP85. We conclude that diets with snaplage increased the expression of genes involved in the muscle lipogenesis, without increase intramuscular fat.

Comparisons of Ramie and Corn Stover Silages: Effects on Chewing Activity, Rumen Fermentation, Microbiota and Methane Emissions in Goats

The study aimed to investigate the nutritional value of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) silage, and its consequences for chewing activity, rumen fermentation, and enteric methane (CH4) emissions in goats, by comparing it with corn stover (CS) silage. An in vitro ruminal experiment was firstly performed to investigate the substrate degradation and fermentation of CS and ramie silage. The ramie silage diet was formulated by replacing 60% of CS silage with ramie silage (dry matter (DM) basis). Eight female Xiangdong Black goats (a local breed in Southern China, 1 to 1.2 years of age) with BW of 21.0 ± 1.05 kg were used for this experiment and were randomly assigned to either one of the two dietary treatments in a cross-over design. The ramie silage had higher crude protein (CP) and ash content and lower hemicellulose content, together with decreased (p < 0.05) nutrient degradation and methane production and increased (p < 0.05) acetate molar percentage and acetate to propionate ratio through in vitro ruminal fermentation. Feeding the ramie silage diet did not alter feed intake (p > 0.05), decreased (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility, and increased (p < 0.05) chewing activity and rumination activity, with reductions (p < 0.05) in eating activity and idle activity. Although feeding the ramie silage diet caused a greater (p < 0.05) molar percentage of acetate and lower molar percentage of propionate, it decreased the rumen-dissolved CH4 concentration and enteric CH4 emissions (p < 0.05). Feeding the ramie silage diet did not alter (p > 0.05) the population of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi; it increased the 16S rRNA gene copies of Ruminococcus flavefaciens (p < 0.05). Further 16SrRNA gene amplicon analysis indicated a distinct bacterial composition between the two treatments (p < 0.05). Feeding the ramie silage diet led to a lower abundance of genera Lawsonibacter, Sedimentibacter, Saccharofermentans, Sediminibacterium, and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05). Ramie can be an alternative forage resource to stimulate chewing activity and reduce CH4 emissions in ruminants.

Lactational performance, feeding behavior, ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility in dairy cows fed whole-plant faba bean silage-based diet with fibrolytic enzyme

Whole-plant faba bean silage has a high content in indigestible fiber. Improvement of fiber digestibility of faba bean silage would benefit animal production. However, there is no study on pretreating fibrolytic enzyme in whole-plant faba bean silage-based diet for dairy cows on animal performance. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of pretreating whole-plant faba bean silage-baseddiet with fibrolytic enzyme (a mixture of xylanase and cellulase; AB Vista, UK) derived from Trichoderma reesei(FETR) on lactational performance, digestibility, ruminal fermentation characteristics, and feeding behavior of dairy cows. The animal trial was conducted using eight lactating Holstein cows (BW = 710 ± 44 kg and Days in Milk (DIM) = 121 ± 17 days) with four levels of FETR (0, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mL of FETR/kg DM of silage) in a replicated Latin square design. These enzyme treatments were selected based on the previous in situ and in vitro findings that showed positive responses to the whole-plant faba bean silage. The enzyme treatments were directly applied on the silage prior to mixing process. The total mixed rations contained 31% of faba bean silage, 14% of grass hay, 3.5% of straw, 30% of barley and corn grain and 21.5% of concentrate. There was no significant difference of applying FETR on nutrient intake (P > 0.05) except for CP intake, which was reduced in FETR group compared to control (P < 0.01, 4.4 vs 4.54 kg/d). There was a linear effect found in NDF digestibility when treated with FETR, where maximum improvement was achieved with 0.5 mL of FETR application. The milk fat yield, percentage of milk fat and fat-corrected milk were linearly affected by the increasing level of enzyme. The cows fed a diet supplemented with enzymes tended to have a lower milk fat. Feed efficiency linearly responded to incremental levels of FETR. There was no enzyme effect on feeding behavior and nitrogen balance and utilization. Results from this study indicated that supplementing fibrolytic enzyme on whole-plant faba bean silage diets for dairy cows improved lactational performance, intake and digestibility with 0.5 mL of FETR application. However, adding higher enzyme level resulted in negative effects on animal performance.

Dietary silage supplement modifies fatty acid composition and boar taint in pork fat

Abstract In organic pig husbandry, the use of roughage is mandatory as dietary supplement. This study investigated the effects of oat silage on the fatty acid composition, in entire males and gilts, as well as indole and skatole levels in perirenal adipose tissue of entire males. Entire males and gilts (forty-five to forty-eight pigs/sex) were assigned to two dietary roughage feeds (control with straw vs. oat silage). There was no significant effect of silage or sex on total SFA and MUFA in pork fat. However, the oat silage increased the total PUFA n-3 and decreased the PUFA n-6/n-3 ratio. The content of boar taint compounds (skatole and indole) in the entire male pigs did not differ between diets, although human nose scoring rejected in a greater extent more pork fat from entire males supplemented with oat silage, compared with those only supplied with straw. Approximately 50% of the entire males (90 to 97 kg of carcass) had low skatole values (≤0.1 μg/g), that were below the range of boar taint detection, regardless of the feeding regime. This finding indicates that more studies should be performed to avoid the problem of taint detection in entire males under organic production.

Feeding of vegetable waste silage to lambs by replacing maize silage

ABSTRACT The study examined the vegetable waste (VW) silage as feedstuff for lambs. Therefore, mechanically shredded VW was ensiled solely (T0) or by adding molasses (95:5 ratio; T1), or molasses and either wheat bran (T2) or rice polish (T3) or rice straw (T4) at an 85:5:10 ratio in 5 replicates for 45 days for evaluation. Then, the maize silage diet of two of the three groups of lambs (5 each) of 9.92 (±1.25) kg live weight (LW) was replaced with T4 silage at 50% and 100% on a fresh basis for 90 days and supplemented with a concentrated mixture at 1.5% of LWs. The significantly different pH (5.88, 5.21, 4.34, 4.33 and 4.23, respectively), lactic acid bacteria (not detected, 5.81, 6.51, 7.48 and 6.04 log10 cfu/g, respectively), and total volatile fatty acids (21.0, 29.2, 32.4, 36.0 and 32.0 mM/L, respectively) (P < .01) indicated that T2, T3 and T4 were of good quality silage. The dry matter intake and gain of lambs fed 100% T4 silage were significantly (P < .01) higher than others (2.30, 2.30 and 2.72% LW, respectively; 110, 128 and 141 g/d, respectively). It may be concluded that T4 silage may produce higher LW gain in lambs than maize silage.

Using Expert Elicitation for ranking hazards, promoters and animal-based measures for on-farm welfare assessment of indoor reared beef cattle: an Italian experience.

On-farm welfare assessment gives the opportunity to monitor and improve the quality of the animal life on the farm. In order to build the first Italian public standard for the welfare of indoor reared beef cattle, a list of 25 potential hazards and 22 potential promoters of beef cattle welfare was judged by a group of national experts by taking into account their negative or positive impacts on the welfare-state of the target population. In addition, the experts were asked to rank a list of 11 animal-based measures for identifying the most appropriate and important for measuring negative welfare outcomes in beef cattle. Based on experts' ratings, an "impact score" (ISoverall) was calculated for the proposed measures. Management hazards and promoters were ranked to have a greater impact on beef cattle welfare than housing factors. Keeping cattle in large (≥ 40 animals) and heterogeneous groups obtained the highest ISoverall among the proposed hazards (ISoverall = 5.54), followed by the presence of animals without free access to drinking water (ISoverall = 4.39) and the use of high-concentrate corn silage diets (concentrate > 80% and fiber < 6%) (ISoverall = 4.39). On the other hand, housing animals in small (≤ 20 animals) and homogeneous groups (ISoverall = 5.41), checking them at least twice a day (ISoverall = 4.62) and rearing cattle in loose housing systems with access to an outdoor area/pasture (ISoverall = 4.27) were ranked among the top 3 promoters. Concerning animal-based measures, experts scored lameness, severe respiratory diseases, body condition scoring and mortality rate to be measures most important for assessing serious welfare impairment.

Effects of Different Protein Levels on Fattening Performance and Meat Parameters in Merino Lambs

Background: A correct supply of protein in the feed diets is required for the efficient conversion of feed and better fattening performances in lambs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the increase in the protein level of the diets by approx. 20% on fattening performance and meat parameters in Merino lambs. Methods: The study was performed during the year 2020. Forty-two lambs (aged 2.5-3 months) were divided randomly into three groups (14 lambs/group). The groups were fed with diets of compound feed and corn silage differentiated by the level of protein. All diets were isoenergetic. The experiment has lasted for 68 days. Result: The results of this study showed that the protein supplementation of diets by approx. 20% determined an increase in the average daily gain (P less than 0.05) in the first phase of fattening and an improvement in dry matter and protein consumption when the protein supplementation was done only in the first phase of fattening in Merino lambs. Also, the findings of this study indicated that this increase in protein level affected carcass quality and led to higher proportion of muscles and significantly lower fat in the carcass.

Whole-plant corn silage improves rumen fermentation and growth performance of beef cattle by altering rumen microbiota.

In recent years, whole-plant corn silage has been widely used in China. Roughage is an important source of nutrition for ruminants and has an important effect on rumen microbiota, which plays an important role in animal growth performance and feed digestion. To better understand the effects of different silages on rumen microbiota, the effects of whole-plant corn silage or corn straw silage on growth performance, rumen fermentation products, and rumen microbiota of Simmental hybrid cattle were studied. Sixty healthy Simmental hybrid cattle were randomly divided into 2 groups with 6 replicates in each group and 5 cattle in each replicate. They were fed with whole-plant corn silage (WS) diet and corn straw silage (CS) diet respectively. Compared with corn straw silage, whole-plant corn silage significantly increased daily gain and decreased the feed intake-to-weight gain ratio (F/G) of beef cattle. Whole-plant corn silage also decreased the acetic acid in the rumen and the acetate-to-propionate ratio (A/P) compared with corn straw silage. On the genus level, the relative abundance of Prevotella_1 was significantly increased while the relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 was decreased in cattle fed whole-plant corn silage compared with those fed corn straw silage. Prevotella_1 was positively correlated with acetic acid and A/P. Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 was positively correlated with propionic acid and butyric acid, and negatively correlated with pH. Feeding whole-plant corn silage improved amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Correlation analysis between rumen microbiota and metabolic pathways showed that Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 was negatively correlated with glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, metabolism of co-factors and vitamins, nucleotide metabolism, and translation while Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 was positively correlated with amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, genetic information processing, lipid metabolism, membrane transport, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, nucleotide metabolism, replication and repair, and translation. Ruminococcus_2 was positively correlated with amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. Feeding whole-plant corn silage can improve the growth performance and rumen fermentation of beef cattle by altering rumen microbiota and regulating the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and nucleotides. KEY POINTS: • Feeding whole-plant corn silage could decrease the F/G of beef cattle • Feeding whole-plant corn silage improves rumen fermentation in beef cattle • Growth performance of beef cattle is related to rumen microbiota and metabolism.

Enteric methane emissions, growth, and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers fed a garlic- and citrus-based feed additive in diets with three different forage concentrations.

One hundred and forty-four Angus × Simmental steers were allotted by body weight (BW; 363 kg), breed composition, and farm origin to a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of six treatments (4 pens per treatment) to determine the effect of Mootral (garlic + citrus extract; 0.25% of the diet dry matter [DM] vs. 0.0%) on methane (CH4) emissions, growth, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. During the first 84 d, cattle were fed three different forage concentrations in the diet (15%, 41.5%, or 68% corn silage) with or without Mootral. From day 85 to slaughter, corn silage was included at 15% of the diet DM with or without Mootral. CH4 emissions were measured on day 42 to 46 and day 203 to 207. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Mootral did not affect CH4 emissions on days 42 to 46 (P ≥ 0.47), but there was a forage effect, where steers fed the 68% corn silage emitted more CH4 on a g/d (P = 0.05) and a g/kg of dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.007) basis and tended (P = 0.07) to produce more CH4 on g/kg BW basis compared to steers fed the 15% corn silage diet. On day 203 to 207, steers fed Mootral emitted less (P ≤ 0.03) CH4 on a g/d, g/kg DMI, and g/kg BW basis compared to steers not fed Mootral. There was an interaction (P = 0.03) between forage concentration and Mootral for DMI from day 0 to 84, where Mootral decreased DMI of steers fed 15% corn silage but did not affect DMI of steers fed 41.5% or 68% corn silage. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.22) of forage concentration or Mootral on BW or average daily gain at any time, or on DMI from day 84 to slaughter and overall. However, overall calculated net energy for maintenance (NEm) and net energy for gain (NEg) tended to be greater for steers fed Mootral (P ≤ 0.10). Intake from day 0 to 84 was lower and gain:feed from day 0 to 84 and overall was greater (P = 0.04) for steers fed 68% compared to steers fed 41.5% corn silage. Calculated NEm and NEg from day 0 to 84 and overall were greater for steers fed 68% corn silage compared to steers fed 41.5% corn silage (P ≤ 0.03). Mootral tended to decrease (P ≤ 0.09) fat thickness and yield grade. In conclusion, increasing forage concentration increased CH4 emissions and Mootral decreased CH4 production in 15% corn silage diets and tended to improve carcass leanness.

209 Effects of Biochar in Finishing Beef Cattle Diets on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate impacts of biochar on methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing beef cattle. Experiment 1 (initial BW = 329 kg ± 19 kg) utilized biochar sourced from pistachio shells (VGrid Energy Systems) in a 70% corn, 20% distillers grains, and 5% corn residue diet. Experiment 2 (initial BW = 386 kg ± 19 kg) utilized biochar sourced from ponderosa pine wood waste (Vital Ag) in a 40% corn, 40% Sweet Bran, and 15% corn silage diet. Both experiments evaluated 2 treatments: control (CON) diet containing no biochar and biochar (BIO) replacing 1% of dietary corn. Pen was the experimental unit with 8 steers per pen and 8 replications. Four replications rotated through a two-chamber emissions barn in 5-d cycles to measure CH4 and CO2 emissions. Cattle performance data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment and body weight block as fixed effects and emissions data analyzed as repeated measure. There were no statistical differences in experiment 1 for CH4, g/d (P = 0.75) and g/kg of dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.99) or CO2 as g/d (P = 0.94) and g/kg DMI (P = 0.88). No impact on cattle performance or carcass characteristics were observed (final BW, DMI, average daily gain, gain to feed, hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, USDA quality grade, 12th rib fat; P ≥ 0.21). In experiment 2, there were no statistical differences between treatments for CH4, g/d (P = 0.78) and g/kg DMI (P = 0.84) or CO2, g/d (P = 0.50) and g/kg DMI (P = 0.52). Supplementing biochar at 1% of diet DM did not impact CH4 and CO2 emissions from finishing beef cattle. Cattle performance and carcass characteristics were not impacted by biochar in experiment 1.

Partial replacement of soybean meal with soybean silage in lactating dairy cows diet: part 1, milk production, digestibility, and N balance

The high reliance of the European livestock sector on imported soybean meal (SBM), especially from South America, poses environmental problems, like greenhouse gas emissions for transportation and land-use change with the loss of carbon stock and biodiversity. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the partial substitution of SBM with whole-plant soybean silage in the diet of dairy cows. Thirty-six lactating Holstein cows were arranged according to a change-over design, with 2 weeks of adaptation and 5 days of sampling per period. A control diet (CON) was based on maize silage and SBM, representing 10.7% of total dry matter (DM). In a soybean silage diet (SBS) 35% (on DM basis) of SBM was replaced by soybean silage. The dietary treatment did not affect DM intake, milk production, and dairy efficiency while cows fed SBS resulted in lower milk crude protein (3.43 vs. 3.55%, p < .001) and higher milk urea (30.5 vs. 28.7 mg/dL, p = .002), in comparison with CON. Nutrients digestibility was lower for SBS than CON; particularly fibre digestibility was 31.5 vs. 38.8% (p < .001). The efficiency of nitrogen utilisation was higher for CON than SBS (32.7 vs. 31.3%, p = .003). Soybean silage did not penalise feed intake and milk production. However, to fully exploit this forage, digestibility, and nitrogen utilisation efficiency should be improved. Highlights Soybean silage can substitute one-third of soybean meal in dairy cow diet Soybean silage inclusion in the diet did not affect milk yield and DMI Soybean silage inclusion in the diet reduced N use efficiency

Effects of nutritional management regimen and residual feed intake (RFI) classification on RFI reranking and feeding behaviour for finishing beef steers

Over 2 years, 207 steers were fed an alfalfa/corn silage diet to determine growing phase (GP) residual feed intake (RFI) classification (low, medium, and high) for individual cattle. Steers were then allocated to two finishing management regimens (MR): MR 1 cattle gradually adjusted to an 84.7% concentrate (dry matter (DM) basis) diet; MR 2 included backgrounding on pasture before finishing using the same diet as MR 1 cattle. Treatment differences in growth performance were examined using GP and finishing phase (FP) RFI classifications. Based on GP RFI classification, FP average daily gain was greater in MR 2 cattle (P = 0.01) with no RFI classification differences for most FP performance traits. However, low-RFI steers had lower FP dry matter intake (DMI) and greater G:F (P ≤ 0.05) than high-RFI steers based on FP RFI classification. Low-RFI steers had fewer visits to the feeder with a lower eating rate than high-RFI steers in both production phases (P ≤ 0.05). Extensive RFI reranking occurred between production phases with 64.3% of steers changing RFI classification. Given extensive reranking in the present study, RFI classification was poorly repeatable between growing and finishing production phases when diverse diets are fed and does not accurately predict feed efficiency.

Effect of Different Dietary Regimes on the Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolites of Père David’s Deer

Simple SummaryPère David’s deer is native to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River in China. However, the wild population became extinct in China around 1900. In 1986, 39 Père David’s deer were reintroduced into Dafeng. Up until now, its wild population has reached 2658, with a total of 6119 in 2021. At present, due to the continuous increase in the population, the repeated grazing on the same plants by the Père David’s deer has affected the re-growth of plants, which has led to insufficient natural food. Therefore, feeding supplement with silage is necessary. As a key nutritional factor, diet is the most important for the gut microbiota and metabolites of wild animals. In order to determine the effect of different dietary patterns on the nutrition and health of Père David’s deer in Dafeng Reserve in spring, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of Père David’s deer feces by UPLC-MS/MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to reveal its intestinal chemical environment and the differences in the fecal microbiome. Altogether, our data explored the significant changes in the gut microbiota and metabolic pathways during the transition from full silage to a combination diet with silage and plant in spring. These data provided important information to make more reasonable measures for Père David’s deer’s protection.A deep understanding of the effect of seasonal dietary changes on the nutrition and health of Père David’s deer in Dafeng Reserve will contribute greatly to Père David’s deer’s protection. In this reserve, there were three seasonal dietary regimes: feeding on naturally occurring plants (PLANT diet), silage (SILAGE diet), and a combination of natural plants and silage (COMB diet). To some extent, the COMB diet reflects the seasonal transition from silage to the all-natural plant diet, especially in early spring. However, little is known regarding the gut microbiota changes and metabolic consequences under the COMB diet. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry, the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites of Père David’s deer under these three diets were compared. Results showed the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota was significantly lower under the COMB diet compared to either the SILAGE or PLANT diets. Although no significant changes were observed in the core phyla, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, among the three dietary regimes, a significant lower abundance of several other phyla (Spirochaetes, Melainabacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucobacteria) was observed in the COMB diet compared to the SILAGE diet. A greater number of fecal metabolite differences was identified between the COMB and SILAGE or COMB and PLANT diets than between the SILAGE and PLANT diets, suggesting that the COMB diet had more of an effect on the metabolism of Père David’s deer. The integrated pathway analysis showed that several metabolic pathways were significantly affected by the different dietary regimes, such as tryptophan metabolism, vitamin metabolism, and the platelet activation pathways. These metabolic changes reflect the responses and adaptations of Père David’s deer to different diets. Taken overall, our data reveal the difference in the gut microbiota and metabolic pathways of Père David’s deer under three dietary regimes in Dafeng Reserve, which provides important information for Père David’s deer conservation.

Assessment of components related to flavor and taste in Tan-lamb meat under different silage-feeding regimens using integrative metabolomics.

Two untargeted metabolomics approaches based on gas chromatography mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used to identify the effects of different feeding regimes (concentrate, corn silage, alfalfa silage, mulberry leaf silage) on the potential meat flavor and taste components of Tan-lamb. Among 31 identified volatiles, hexanal was affected by the alfalfa silage diet, and 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid was changed by the mulberry leaf silage diet. l-Pipecolic acid (area under the curve=1, fold change=0.18-0.48) and trimethylamine N-oxide (area under the curve=1, fold change=5.26-22.84) was the potential best discriminant biomarker under alfalfa silage and concentrate feeding, respectively. The hydrophilic components were more readily changed by feeding regimes than volatile flavor compounds. Our findings are helpful for the illustration of Tan-lamb meat chemistry and producing high-quality lamb meat with improved flavor and taste by corn silage, alfalfa silage, or mulberry leaf silage.

Cotton cake as an economically viable alternative fibre source of forage in a high-concentrate diet for finishing beef cattle in feedlots.

Cotton cake can be a sustainable and economically viable alternative to maize silage as an effective fibre source in the finishing diet of feedlot beef cattle. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the economic viability and the productive performance of Nellore steers finished in feedlots using cotton cake as a source of fibre, replacing maize silage in the diet. Twenty-four non-castrated Nellore steers, with an average weight of 377.8kg and an age of approximately 24months, kept in individual pens, were used. The diet was 30% roughage, in the form of maize silage, and a diet without forage containing 30% cotton cake as an effective fibre source, based on dry matter. The design used was completely randomised with two treatments and 12 replications. Effects (p < 0.05) of the dietary fibre source were observed for final body weight (BW), total weight gain, hot carcass weight (HCW) and carcass yield (CY). Revenue and net margin were higher for the treatment with cotton cake. The corn silage diet promoted higher total costs per animal (U$ 408.41 vs. U$ 336.06) and daily costs (U$ 3.65 vs. U$ 3.00). Greater differences were observed between fibre sources for the concentrate cost, and the maize silage diet had a cost U$ 98.29 higher than the treatment with cotton cake (U$ 314.04 vs. U$ 215.75). The cotton cake treatment had a higher cost of U$106.98/animal for the net margin. Cotton cake is a viable alternative and can be used as a source of fibre in forage-free diets without affecting production performance, promoting benefits in economic performance for finishing beef steers in feedlots.

Effect of replacement of forage sorghum silage with biomass sorghum silage in diets for dairy heifers

This trial aimed to analyze the replacement of forage sorghum silage (FS silage) with biomass sorghum silage (BRS 716 silage) in diets for heifers ¾ Holstein x ¼ Zebu on their nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, microbial production, feeding behavior, and animal performance. Eight heifers with average age 18±4 months (mo) and average body weight (BW) 271 ± 57 kg were used. The experimental design was double-Latin square, 4×4, being four diets, four experimental periods and four animals. Four experimental diets with 0, 33, 67 and 100% substitution of forage sorghum silage with biomass sorghum silage were used. The roughage:concentrate ratio in the total dry matter (DM) of the diets was 75:25. The fraction “b” of DM was higher in the BRS 716 silage. There was no difference (p&gt; 0.05) for dry matter intake (DMI; p = 0.45) and total digestible nutrients intake (p = 0.76). The dry matter digestibility (DMD), crude protein, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber increased linearly with the inclusion of BRS 716 silage. The feeding times, ruminating and idle have not been changed (p &gt; 0.05). The replacement of FS silage with BRS 716 silage did not modify the average daily weight gain (ADG; p &gt; 0.05; mean 1.30 ± 0.025 kg). Biomass sorghum silage can replace up to 100% forage sorghum silage in the diets of ¾ Holstein x ¼ Zebu heifers.

Syngenta Enogen Corn Fed as Corn Grain and Corn Silage in Diets Containing Corn Coproducts Did Not Enhance Diet Digestibility in Growing Heifers

Objective: Evaluate the effect of feeding corn grain and corn silage from Enogen corn (EC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC., Downers Grove, IL) or conventional corn (CON) in diets containing either wet distillers grain (WDG; ICM Biofuels, St. Joseph, MO) or Sweet Bran [proprietary wet corn gluten feed (WCGF); Cargill Animal Nutrition, Blair, NE] on intake and digestibility in growing cattle. Study Description: Eight ruminally cannulated crossbred heifers (initial body weight = 816 ± 94 lb) were used in an intake and digestibility study designed as a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. Four consecutive, 15-day periods consisted of 10 days for diet adaptation, 4 days of fecal sampling, and 1 day of ruminal sampling. Heifers were fed once daily at 10:00 a.m. Chromic oxide (Cr2O3) was used as an external digestion marker to calculate apparent total-tract diet digestibility. Results: Heifers eating EC tended to have greater starch digestibility (P = 0.07) than heifers eating CON. No differences (P > 0.34) in dry matter or fiber digestibilities were observed between corn sources. There were coproduct × hour interactions for concentration of ruminal ammonia (P < 0.01) and two branched chain fatty acids, isobutyrate (P < 0.01) and isovalerate (P < 0.01). In heifers fed WCGF, isobutyrate and isovalerate concentrations reached a peak at 2 hours after feeding, then declined between 2 and 24 hours after feeding. Heifers fed WDG isobutyrate and isovalerate concentrations were greatest at 0 hours after feeding. Differences between concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate can be explained by differences in protein digestibility of WCGF and WDG. The Bottom Line: Enogen corn hybrids fed as dry rolled corn and corn silage in diets containing corn coproducts did not result in better diet digestibility compared to conventional corn hybrids, but diets containing WDG may offer better growth performance (Scilacci et al., 2022) for growing cattle due to more ruminally undegradable protein compared to diets containing WCGF.

Syngenta Enogen Corn Fed as Corn Grain and Corn Silage in Diets Containing Corn Coproducts Did Not Enhance Growth Performance of Growing Heifers

Objective: Evaluate the effect of feeding corn grain and corn silage from Syngenta Enogen corn hybrids (EC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC., Downers Grove, IL) or conventional corn hybrids in diets containing either wet distillers grain (WDG; ICM Biofuels, St. Joseph, MO) or Sweet Bran (WCGF; Cargill Animal Nutrition, Blair, NE) on growth performance in growing cattle.

Partial replacement of sugarcane with cactus (Opuntia stricta) cladodes improves milk yield and composition in Holstein dairy cows

Context Sugarcane is widely used as a forage source for dairy production in tropical areas worldwide. However, due to its low fibre degradability, large amounts of concentrates are needed to meet the energy requirements of high-producing cows, increasing production costs. Aims To evaluate how partially replacing sugarcane with cactus (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw) cladodes affects nutrient intake and digestibility, feeding behaviour, protein efficiency, milk yield, and milk composition of Holstein dairy cows. Methods Ten lactating Holstein cows producing 22.04 kg/day (s.d. ± 1.94) were assigned to one of five diets in a duplicated 5 × 5 Latin square design. The diets were a control diet of sorghum silage and concentrates and four dietary treatments containing different proportions of cactus cladodes as a substitute for sugarcane (replacement levels of 0%, 17%, 34%, 52% on a DM basis). Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, and the roughage:concentrate ratio was 64:36 on a DM basis. Key results Milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield increased quadratically with an increasing amount of cactus cladodes in the diet. Maximum yields of 23.7 kg milk/day and 26.1 kg energy-corrected milk/day were achieved when 34.6% and 37.6% of sugarcane was replaced with cactus cladodes respectively. Milk protein and solids contents increased linearly, and there was no impact on fat and lactose content. Feed intake changed in a quadratic manner in response to an increased cactus cladode content, with maximum intakes being observed when cactus cladodes replaced 30% of sugarcane in the diet. Nutrient digestibility was unaffected by dietary treatments. Time spent on feeding was reduced and idling time was increased as the concentration of cactus cladodes increased in the diet. Conclusion Partial replacement of sugarcane with cactus cladodes can increase dairy cows’ milk yield without causing any detrimental effects on milk composition or other production-related variables. Implications Cactus cladodes can be an important forage source for dairy cows and other ruminants in the semiarid region of Brazil and other drylands across the globe.

Fatty acid profile and beef quality of Nellore and Angus bulls fed whole shelled corn

This study aimed to evaluate the quality traits and fatty acid profile of beef from Nellore and Angus bulls fed whole shelled corn (WSC) and ground corn plus maize silage (GC) diets. Eighteen Nellore and 18 Angus young bulls [381 ± 12 kg initial body weight (BW) and an average age of 20 ± 1.9 months] were used in a completely randomized design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement and were slaughtered at a final BW of 451.5 kg and 545.5 kg, respectively. Twenty–four hours after slaughter, samples of longissimus thoracis muscle were collected for the analysis of lipid oxidation, color, fatty acid profile, shear force, and cooking loss. There was no effect of diet × breed interaction on meat color, lipid oxidation, shear force, and cooking loss. Angus beef had lower shear force (p < 0.05) than Nellore beef and had a greater concentration of linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (p < 0.01). Beef of bulls fed WSC tended to have greater concentration of CLA C18:2c9t11 (p = 0.09), greater concentration of CLA C18:2t10c12 (p = 0.01), and PUFA (p = 0.05), and consequently, higher oxidation levels. Angus bulls produced beef with greater tenderness and PUFA concentration. The results of fatty acid show a possible change in biohydrogenation when animals are fed the WSC diet, reducing lipogenesis, as this diet increases the C18:2t10c12 content.