Similar Dry Matter Intake Research Articles

Soybean oil and beef tallow in dry extruded diets for adult dogs

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of two different fat sources (soybean oil (SO) and beef tallow (BT)) in dry extruded dog diets on the intake of food and metabolizable energy (ME), on faecal characteristics and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy. Ten adult dogs of different breeds were used in a Latin square design. Five experimental diets were designed from a basal diet. A Control diet was coated with 1% SO and four other diets were obtained by coating the basal diet with 6.5% and 13% of SO or BT. The Control, 6.5% and 13% coated diets contained approximately 8.5%, 15% and 20% fat, respectively. The dogs had similar dry matter (DM) intakes and, consequently, higher ME intakes with an increased fat content for both sources (p < 0.05). Fat digestibility was highest for Diet SO13% (p < 0.05). The ATTD of DM and organic matter was highest (p < 0.05) for Diets SO13% and BT13%. Fat coating improved the faecal score, especially for Diet BT13%. The dietary ratios of protein:fat:carbohydrate [% of ME] were close to AAFCO’s estimates. For SO a higher ATTD (99.1%) and ME content (38.88 MJ/kg) was estimated than for BT (ATTD 92.9% and 36.37 MJ ME/kg). Both SO and BT can comprise up to 13% of the diet. However, SO was more susceptible to leaking from the kibbles with the coating method applied.

Using clover/grass silage as a protein feed for dairy bull calves

Soybean meal (SBM) is globally used as a protein feed of good nutritional quality, e.g. for calves. However, the environmental impact of soybean cultivation is often questioned and SBM can therefore of ethical reasons be replaced by nitrogen-fixing forage and grain legumes and rapeseed products. In two experiments (exp.), we examined whether feeding dairy bull calves forages with a high inclusion of red clover together with cold-pressed rapeseed cake (CRC; exps. 1 and 2) and field bean (FB; exp. 2) met their protein requirement for proper growth, and calculated the profitability of using these diets. The calves were allocated to one of three protein feed treatments per experiment and studied from 97 to 275 kg live weight. In exp. 1, red clover/grass silage was combined with either smaller or greater amounts of CRC, which was compared with SBM. In exp. 2, red clover/grass silage, CRC and FB were combined with silage constituting 40, 50 or 60 % of DM in the total diet, to find the best combination. The profitability was calculated as value of calf gain minus feed costs. Soybean meal gave the highest live weight gain (LWG) and profitability in exp. 1, closely followed by the diet with greater amount of CRC together with clover/grass silage. In exp. 2, the diets with 40 or 50 % silage resulted in similar DM intake and LWG, both higher than with 60 % silage. At conventional prices, the 40 % silage diet had the highest profitability, whereas at organic prices, the 50 % silage diet was more profitable.

Effect of dietary organic selenium on milk selenium concentration and antioxidant and immune status in midlactation dairy cows

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the dietary selenium (Se) source on milk yield, milk Se concentration and antioxidant and immune status in dairy cows. Fourteen multiparous Holstein cows with similar dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield and parity were randomly divided into two groups with seven replicates in each group. The cows in both groups were fed basal diets supplemented with 0.3mg Se/kg DM from sodium selenite or Se yeast, and the background Se level of the basal diet was 0.02mg/kg DM. The experimental period lasted for 60 days. The results indicated that the DMI, milk yield and composition were not affected by the dietary Se source (P>0.10). During the entire experimental period, Se yeast supplementation significantly increased the serum glutathione peroxidase activity and decreased the malondialdehyde content (P=0.00) compared with selenite. The serum selenoprotein P content (30d), thioredoxin reductase and catalase activities (60d), and total antioxidant capacity (60d) were also higher (P<0.05) with Se yeast supplementation than with selenite. Compared with selenite, organic Se supplementation increased the values of immunoglobulin (Ig) A and soluble CD4/soluble CD8 on day 30, soluble CD4 on day 60, and interleukin (IL)-1 during the trial (P<0.05). However, other measures of immunity, such as IgM, IgG, soluble CD8, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor, were not affected by the dietary Se source (p>0.10). The total Se in the whole blood and milk were higher with Se yeast supplementation than selenite (P<0.05), and the milk Se concentration was increased markedly over the duration of Se supplementation from day 30 to 60. These results suggested that Se yeast may be more effective than sodium selenite in improving the antioxidant status and increasing the whole blood and milk Se concentrations of dairy cows.

Effect of dietary physically effective fiber on ruminal fermentation and the fatty acid profile of milk in dairy goats

The objective of this experiment was to characterize the relationship among rumen fermentation variables, milk fatty acid profile, and dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content in a study that controlled for the potential confounding effects of dissimilar dry matter intake among treatments. Ten multiparous Xinong Saanen dairy goats were divided into 2 groups with 2 ruminally cannulated goats per group. Goats in each group were assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments (high and low peNDF) according to a 2×2 crossover design with 2 periods. The peNDF content of alfalfa hay (proportion of neutral detergent fiber retained on an 8.0-mm screen) was 42.1% for the high-peNDF and 14.5% for the low-peNDF group. To ensure similar dry matter intake, each morning the amount of alfalfa hay consumed on the prior day by the high-peNDF group was determined (amount offered minus morning refusals), and this was the amount of hay offered to the low-peNDF group that day. Each adaptation period consisted of 21d, followed by a 9-d sampling period. Dry matter intake and milk production and composition were similar between treatments. Milk energy efficiency increased with low dietary peNDF. Duration of pH below 5.60 was longer for goats fed the low-peNDF ration compared with the high-peNDF ration (4.08 vs. 0.41h/d); however, mean rumen pH (6.05 vs. 6.13) was not different between treatments. Reducing dietary peNDF increased rumen total volatile fatty acids (114.6 vs. 95.1mM) and decreased chewing time (404 vs. 673min/d), but did not affect the ratios of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The relative abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens increased with reduced dietary peNDF, but Ruminococcus albus proportions were not influenced by treatment. Reducing dietary peNDF decreased the proportion of iso C14:0, iso C15:0, and trans-11 C18:1 in milk fat, whereas the iso C17:0 and trans-10 C18:1 increased. This study demonstrated that low dietary peNDF in dairy goats increases rumen volatile fatty acids, reduces chewing time, and is correlated to the amount of F. succinogenes and R. flavefaciens.

Milk production and enteric methane emissions by dairy cows grazing fertilized perennial ryegrass pasture with or without inclusion of white clover

An experiment was undertaken to investigate the effect of white clover inclusion in grass swards (GWc) compared with grass-only (GO) swards receiving high nitrogen fertilization and subjected to frequent and tight grazing on herbage and dairy cow productivity and enteric methane (CH4) emissions. Thirty cows were allocated to graze either a GO or GWc sward (n=15) from April 17 to October 31, 2011. Fresh herbage [16kg of dry matter (DM)/cow] and 1kg of concentrate/cow were offered daily. Herbage DM intake (DMI) was estimated on 3 occasions (May, July, and September) during which 17kg of DM/cow per day was offered (and concentrate supplementation was withdrawn). In September, an additional 5 cows were added to each sward treatment (n=20) and individual CH4 emissions were estimated using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) technique. Annual clover proportion (±SE) in the GWc swards was 0.20±0.011. Swards had similar pregrazing herbage mass (1,800±96kg of DM/ha) and herbage production (13,110±80kg of DM/ha). The GWc swards tended to have lower DM and NDF contents but greater CP content than GO swards, but only significant differences were observed in the last part of the grazing season. Cows had similar milk and milk solids yields (19.4±0.59 and 1.49±0.049kg/d, respectively) and similar milk composition. Cows also had similar DMI in the 3 measurement periods (16.0±0.70kg DM/cow per d). Similar sward and animal performance was observed during the CH4 estimation period, but GWc swards had 7.4% less NDF than GO swards. Cows had similar daily and per-unit-of-output CH4 emissions (357.1±13.6g of CH4/cow per day, 26.3±1.14g of CH4/kg of milk, and 312.3±11.5g of CH4/kg of milk solids) but cows grazing GWc swards had 11.9% lower CH4 emissions per unit of feed intake than cows grazing GO swards due to the numerically lower CH4 per cow per day and a tendency for the GWc cows to have greater DMI compared with the GO cows. As a conclusion, under the conditions of this study, sward clover content in the GWc swards was not sufficient to improve overall sward herbage production and quality, or dairy cow productivity. Although GWc cows had a tendency to consume more and emitted less CH4 per unit of feed intake than GO cows, no difference was observed in daily or per-unit-of-output CH4 emissions.

NMR-based metabolomic evaluation in dairy cows with displaced abomasum

This study is the first to evaluate nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics in cows with displaced abomasum (DA), which is an internationally recognized problem in dairy cows. Some biochemical parameters have been used for monitoring DA. However, to date, few data have been available on the blood metabolomic profile of dairy cows. Forty Holstein multiparous cows with DA (30 left, 10 right) and 10 clinically healthy Holstein multiparous cows were the subjects of the study. All the animals had similar dry matter intake. An NMR-based metabolomics approach and hematological and biochemical analyses were performed. Some changes in biochemical parameters were observed between the groups. Among the cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA), 10 were associated with concomitant ketosis. Disease periods between the 2 DA groups were different. The metabolites identified and quantified by NMR analysis were valine, 3 beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), alanine, glutamine, glutamate, and succinate. The last of these was significantly decreased in cows with right displaced abomasum (RDA). Glutamine, glutamate, and 3 BHB levels were significantly different between DA groups. There was a positive correlation between BHB and valine, glutamine, and glutamate in the LDA group. Overall, this work suggests that the additional information obtained by NMR-based metabolomics evaluation may contribute to assessing the metabolic status of cows with DA.

Growth, feed intake, carcass characteristics, and meat fatty acid profile of lambs fed soybean oil partially replaced by fish oil blend

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soybean oil by fish oil on dry matter intake (DMI), growth, carcass characteristics, and meat fatty acid profile of feedlot lambs. Fifty Santa Ines male lambs with 17.1±2.8 of initial body weight (BW) were individually penned and used in a randomized complete block design with 10 blocks and 5 treatments. Dietary treatments, dry matter (DM) basis, consisted of: (1) control diet (CONT) with a 10:90 of forage to concentrate ratio, (2) control diet supplemented with 40g/kg of soybean oil (0FO), (3) control diet supplemented with 2.5g/kg of fish oil blend+37.5g/kg of soybean oil (25FO), (4) control diet supplemented with 5g/kg of fish oil blend+35g/kg of soybean oil (50FO), and (5) control diet supplemented with 7.5g/kg of fish oil blend+32.5g/kg of soybean oil (75FO). Diets were mixed once daily and fed ad libitum. At the end of the 84-day feeding trial, all animals were slaughtered for carcass characteristics evaluations and meat fat acid profile determination. Animals fed soybean oil had reduced DMI compared to control; however, the average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE) and final BW were not affected. The animals fed fish oil had similar DMI, ADG, FE and final BW to those receiving the control treatment. The DMI, ADG, FE and final BW were not affected by the increasing substitution of soybean oil for fish oil. Most carcass characteristics were not affected by treatments. The shrink after chilling was lower for the 50FO diet. Short, medium, and long-chain fatty acids were similar for all diets. Stearic acid concentration was higher for lambs fed the fat diets vs. control. However, stearic acid concentration decreased linearly when fish oil replaced soybean oil. Vaccenic acid concentration was higher for lambs fed fat diets vs. control. In addition, vaccenic acid increased linearly with fish oil inclusion. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 showed higher concentration in meat of animals fed diets containing fish oil compared to control, but it was not affected by soybean oil inclusion. Feeding small amounts of fish oil blend plus soybean oil does not exert an additional effect on the concentration of CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 in relation to the exclusive use of soybean oil. However, the mixture of 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend with 32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil is recommended, because it improves the lipid profile of the meat by increasing the concentration of vaccenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Additionally, supplementing 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend mixed with 32.5g/kg DM of soybean had no negative effect on the feed intake, ADG, FE and carcass characteristics of the lambs fed high concentrate diet.

Evaluation of rumen-protected lysine supplementation to lactating dairy cows consuming increasing amounts of distillers dried grains with solubles

Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were used in four 5×5 Latin squares to determine the effects of feeding increasing amounts of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in diets with or without the supplementation (60g/d) of a rumen-protected Lys (RPL) product (AminoShure-L, 38% l-Lys; Balchem Encapsulates, New Hampton, NY) on milk yield and composition and plasma concentration of AA. Dietary treatments were (1) control (CON; no DDGS), (2) 10% DDGS (10DG), (3) 20% DDGS (20DG), (4) 10% DDGS plus RPL (10DGRPL), and (5) 20% DDGS plus RPL (20DGRPL). Diets were formulated using the Cornell-Penn-Miner Dairy model (CPM v3.0; http://cahpwww.vet.upenn.edu/node/77) to provide a predicted decreasing supply of Lys (117, 99, and 91% of requirements) for the CON, 10DG, and 20DG diets, respectively. Addition of RPL to the 10DG and 20DG diets (unsupplemented diets) resulted in 2 additional treatments, 10DGRPL and 20DGRPL diets, respectively. The 10DGRPL and 20DGRPL diets met 110 and 100% of the Lys requirements, respectively. Periods lasted 21d, with the last 3d for data collection. Compared with cows fed the CON diet, cows fed diets with DDGS had a similar dry matter intake (DMI; 25.4±0.88kg/d), milk yield (30.7±1.67kg/d), and composition, except for protein percentage, which was higher (3.15 vs. 3.21±0.05%) and resulted in higher (0.94 vs. 1.00±0.05kg/d) protein yield by cows fed diets containing 20% DDGS. Unexpectedly, despite diets being formulated based on predicted DMI of 23.3kg/d and milk yield of 38.5kg/d, cows had a greater DMI and lower milk yield across all treatments, which resulted in diets that were predicted by CPM Dairy to supply sufficient amounts of Lys (140, 118, and 104% of requirement for the CON, 10DG, and 20DG diet, respectively) and consequently, supplementation with RPL did not have an effect on milk production or composition. Plasma concentration of Lys decreased (11.8%) as DDGS inclusion increased. For other essential AA, plasma concentrations of cows fed diets with DDGS were lower for Arg, His, and Val and greater for Leu and Met compared with cows fed the CON diet. Supplementation with RPL failed to decrease the plasma concentration of other essential AA, which provides support that Lys was not limiting.

Degradation of quinolizidine alkaloids of lupin by Rhizopus oligosporus

Rhizopus oligosporus has proven beneficial in the detoxification of lupin seeds. The fermentation process is mainly affected by the initial pH in the medium. In the range of growth of mold, there are maximum enzymatic activities in pH of 3.5 and 5.5. Metabolism change occurs at these pH levels; therefore, we studied the growth, pH changes, dry matter intake, and alkaloid degradation within 48 h of fermentation. Cultures of lupin agar (LA) with pH of 3.5 and 5.5 were made in Petri dishes with lupin flour. Results showed pH directly affects the degradation of alkaloids and fungal growth. Detoxification levels achieved were 16.58 and 63.23 % in treatments LA 3.5 and LA 5.5, respectively. Fungal growth was 0.919 mg/cm(2) in LA 3.5 and 1.081 mg/cm(2) in LA 5.5. Maximum degradation rate in LA 5.5 was given between 16 and 20 h, which coincided with maximum fungal growth. Despite having similar dry matter intake in both treatments, a pH of 3.5 did not show the same degree of detoxification. The analysis with exponential, yield of growth, yield of dry matter intake and luedeking and piret equations, confirm the relation between intake and growth with detoxification. Dry matter intake equation predicts with R (2) of 0.94 the detoxification in LA 5.5. A pH of 5.5 is directly related with detoxification and fungal development.

Gas Emissions from Dairy Cows Fed Typical Diets of Midwest, South, and West Regions of the United States

Gas emissions were determined for dairy cows fed three diets formulated to represent feed ingredients typical of the Midwest, South, or West regions of the United States. Dairy cows were housed and monitored in 12 environmentally controlled rooms (4 cows diet). Two experiments were performed, representing two lactation stages (initial days in milk were 115 ± 39 d in Stage 1 and 216 ± 48 d in Stage 2). The results demonstrated that the combination of different dietary ingredients resulted in different gas emissions while maintaining similar dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield (MY). Diet effect on ammonia (NH) emissions was more prominent in Stage 1. During Stage 1, cows fed the Midwest diet had the highest daily NH emission, corresponding to the highest crude protein (CP) concentration among the three regions. The differences in NH emissions (39.0%) were much larger than the percent difference in CP concentrations between diets (6.8%). Differences in N intake, N excretion, or milk urea N alone may not serve as a strong indicator of the potential to reduce NH emissions. Lower emissions of methane (CH) per unit DMI or per unit MY were observed for cows offered the South diet during Stage 1 as compared with that from cows offered the Midwest or West diets. No diet effect was observed for hydrogen sulfide (HS) emission per unit S intake, nor for nitrous oxide (NO) emission. The measured NH and CH emissions were comparable, but the NO emissions were much higher than those reported for tie-stall dairy barns in the literature.

Voluntary ingestion of wood shavings by obese horses under dietary restriction

Dietary restriction for the weight-loss management of obese horses limits the natural trickle-feeding behaviour. During feed restriction, wood shavings are often advised as bedding to prevent dietary supplementation from non-feed sources. Data from twelve overweight/obese horses and ponies of mixed breed and sex, bedded on wood shavings during 16 weeks of feed restriction, were retrospectively evaluated. DM intake (DMI) was restricted to 1.25 % of body mass (BM) daily. Animals were randomly assigned to one of two diets (hay/chaff, n 6; hay/balancer meal, n 6). BM was recorded weekly. Feeding behaviour was recorded by continual observation over 24 h during week 15. The apparent digestibility (gross energy (GE), acid-detergent fibre (ADF) and DM) of feed was determined for all animals by total faecal collection (72 h, week 16). Rates of weight loss were independent of diet type, DM (R(2) 0.15), GE (R(2) 0.20) and ADF digestibilities (R(2) 0.18). Despite similar DMI, faecal DM ranged between 0.52 and 1.16 % of BM daily and was associated with wide ranges in apparent digestibility (GE--11.34 to 53.08 %; ADF--50.37 to 42.83 % and DM 2.14 to 57.32 %), which were improbably low for some animals. Apparent digestibilities were associated with DM output (GE R2 0.96; ADF R(2) 0.99 and DM R(2) 0.99) and time spent feeding (GE R(2) 0.62; DM R(2) 0.61 and ADF R(2) 0.59), indicating that feed intake was supplemented with wood shavings in at least five of the twelve animals. Quantities of wood shavings ingested (negligible to >3.0 kg/d) were back-calculated from predicted feed digestibilities. All animals remained healthy. Implications of 'feed-bulking/energy dilution' for feed-restricted animals need further consideration.

Effects of an amino-oligosaccharide on diet degradation and milk production in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of an amino-oligosaccharide (AAOS) on milk production and in vitro dry matter degradation (IVDMD) of a total mixed ratio (50:50 forage:concentrate) for lactating dairy cows. Treatments (diets) were control (0 g AAOS) and AAOS (0.17% of diet, DM basis). In vitro incubations were carried out at 12, 24, 48 and 70 h. Sixty multiparous Jersey cows (81±7 days in milk) were randomly assigned to the two treatments. Milk production and milk components were evaluated during 42 days. The IVDMD was reduced by AAOS only at 12 h incubation. Cows fed AAOS showed similar dry matter intake, milk yield, milk fat, milk non-fat solids and milk lactose as compared to control. However, AAOS increased milk protein percentage and decreased milk urea-nitrogen, as compared to control.

Influence of calcium (0.6 or 1.2%) and phosphorus (0.3 or 0.6%) content and ratio on the formation of urolithogenic compounds in the urine of Boer-cross goats fed high-concentrate diets

The population of meat goats in the U.S. increased dramatically between 2002 and 2007. With this increase has come an increase in the number of cases of obstructive urolithiasis being seen by veterinarians. Since this condition is often associated with imbalances in dietary Ca and P, the goal of this project was to investigate the influence of concentration and ratio of Ca and P in diets for meat goats on the formation of urolithogenic precursors. Using 8 Boer-cross, wether goats in replicated Latin squares, 4 diets containing either 0.3 or 0.6% P, 0.6 or 1.2% Ca, 0 or 2% added salt, and Ca:P ratios of 1:1 or 2:1 were offered (0.3% P, 2:1; 0.6% P, 1:1; 0.6% P, 2:1; and 0.6% P, 2:1 + salt). Serum, urine, and feces were collected in conjunction with water and feed intake measurements. All treatment groups had similar dry matter intakes (DMI; 838–887 g/d, P = 0.19) and N retention rates (6.2–7.0 g/d, P = 0.54). Water consumption per unit DMI was similar for goats eating both Ca:P = 2:1 diets without 2% added salt (2.06 g/g DMI and 1.89 g/g DMI for 0.6% P and 0.3% P, respectively). Water consumption was also similar for goats receiving the Ca:P = 1:1 (2.50 g water/g DMI) and 2% added salt diet (2.79 g water/g DMI); and, these levels were higher than those for the lower salt, 2:1 diets ( P = 0.0002). Serum Ca, PO 4, Mg, K, Na, Cl, HCO 3, and anion gap all fell within normal ranges throughout the trial, as did serum urea N and glucose. Fecal DM was 10% lower in goats consuming 0.6% P, 1:1 than when other diets were offered (32% vs. 42%, P < 0.0001), possibly the result of changes in Na and water absorption in the gastrointestinal tract caused by high P and Ca:P imbalance. Goats consuming the 0.3% P, 2:1 diet had similar urinary crystal density scores (2.47 out of 3) to goats receiving the 0.6% P, 1:1 diet with Ca:P = 0.81 (2.31 out of 3). The 0.6% P, 2:1 diets without and with 2% added salt also had similar, but lower crystal density scores (1.50 for 0.6% P, 2:1 and 1.06 for 0.6% P, 2:1 + salt; P = .002). Goats with high crystal density scores had higher urinary P, Mg, or both. Our results suggested that the formation of urolithogenic compounds is highly complex and is the result of an interrelationship between multiple minerals in the diet, not only Ca and P. Mineral concentrations may interact with mineral imbalance to impact overall mineral and water absorption from the intestines. We also demonstrated that urolithogenic precursor crystals may easily be observed using light microscopy and suggested that the crystal precursors may provide a useful predictor of which goats may be prone to developing clinical urolithiasis.

Utilisation of forage rape (Brassica napus) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) diets by sheep: effects on whole tract digestibility and rumen parameters

This study investigated the effect of increasing the proportion of forage rape or Persian clover in the diet on dry matter intake (DMI), whole tract digestibility and rumen function. Two experiments were conducted simultaneously; each in a 3 by 3 Latin square design with rumen-fistulated sheep fed either increasing amounts (10, 25 or 40% DM of the diet) of forage rape (experiment 1) or Persian clover (experiment 2). The remaining diet comprised short-rotation ryegrass, cereal-based pellets and maize silage, formulated to give similar metabolisable energy (MJ/kg DM), neutral detergent fibre and protein values between treatments. Purine derivatives excreted in the urine were used to estimate microbial protein synthesis. The study found similar DMI within forage rape and Persian clover treatments, although total DMI was 16% higher for the latter (29 v. 25 g/kg liveweight.day, respectively). The in vivo DM (mean = 0.75) and neutral detergent fibre (mean = 0.65) digestibility coefficients were similar (P &gt; 0.05) within and between experiments. The mean (±s.e.) rumen pH in sheep fed forage rape-based diets (6.17 ± 0.10) was higher than for Persian clover-based diets (5.70 ± 0.09). The efficiency of microbial N supply expressed as microbial N (g/day) per kg of digestible organic matter fermented in the rumen was also similar (P &gt; 0.05) within and between forage rape and Persian clover treatments (mean = 23.4 g microbial N/kg digestible organic matter fermented). The results indicate that increasing the proportion of high nutritive value forage rape or Persian clover within the diet of sheep did not affect the efficiency of feed utilisation.

Timothy silage with low dietary cation-anion difference fed to nonlactating cows

Decreasing the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) by using anion sources before calving reduces hypocalcemia in cows at calving. Reduced DCAD from CaCl2-fertilized timothy hay achieves similar results, but the effects of feeding low-DCAD forage as silage have not been determined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-DCAD timothy silage on dry cows. Six nonlactating and nonpregnant Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square. Treatments were 1) control diet (DCAD=232mEq/kg of dry matter, DM); 2) low-DCAD diet using a low-DCAD timothy silage (LDTS; DCAD=−21mEq/kg of DM); and 3) low-DCAD diet using a fermentation by-product (LDBP; DCAD=−32mEq/kg of DM). Differences between dietary treatments were considered statistically significant at P≤0.05 and tendencies were noted when 0.05<P<0.10. Compared with the control, feeding LDTS tended to decrease DM intake (10.6 vs. 12.5 kg/d) and decreased urinary pH (6.15 vs. 8.18) as well as apparent digestibility of DM (67 vs. 69%). Blood pH (7.37 vs. 7.42), HCO3− (25.3 vs. 27.5mM), and base excess (0.4 vs. 3.1mM) were decreased, and blood Cl− (29.6 vs. 29.1mg/dL) was increased. Apparently absorbed Na and Cl were higher and apparently absorbed K, P, and digested ADF were lower for LDTS compared with the control. Both LDTS and LDBP resulted in similar DM intake. Urinary pH tended to be higher (6.15 vs. 5.98) and percentage of digested DM was lower (67 vs. 70%) with LDTS compared with LDBP. Blood ionized Ca (5.3 vs. 5.4mg/dL) tended to be lower and blood Cl− (29.6 vs. 30.1mg/dL) was lower, whereas blood pH (7.37 vs. 7.33), HCO3− (25.3 vs. 21.5mM), and base excess (0.4 vs. −3.8mM) were higher with LDTS compared with LDBP. Apparent absorption of Na, Cl, S, and P, as well as apparent digestion of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and N were lower, and K, Cl, S, P, Mg, and N were less retained with LDTS compared with LDBP. Results confirm that low-DCAD timothy silage can be used to produce a compensated metabolic acidosis by decreasing the DCAD of rations served to nonlactating dairy cows.

Crossbreds of Jersey × Holstein Compared with Pure Holsteins for Body Weight, Body Condition Score, Dry Matter Intake, and Feed Efficiency During the First One Hundred Fifty Days of First Lactation

Jersey×Holstein crossbred (J×H) cows (n=24) were compared with pure Holstein cows (n=17) for body weight, body condition score, dry matter intake (DMI), and feed efficiency during the first 150 d of first lactation. Cows were housed in the University of Minnesota dairy facility at the St. Paul campus and calved from September 2004 to January 2005. The J×H cows were mated by artificial insemination with Montbeliarde bulls, and Holstein cows were mated by artificial insemination with Holstein bulls. Cows were weighed and body condition was scored every other week. Cows were individually fed a TMR twice daily, and feed refusals were measured once daily. The DMI of cows was measured daily and averaged across 7-d periods. Milk production and milk composition were from monthly Dairy Herd Improvement records. Best Prediction was used to calculate actual production (milk, fat, protein) for each cow from the 4th to 150th day of first lactation. The J×H cows had significantly less body weight (467 vs. 500kg) and significantly higher body condition scores (2.90 vs. 2.76) than pure Holstein cows. The J×H cows had significantly less milk production (4,388 vs. 4,644kg) during the 4th to 150th day of lactation than did pure Holstein cows. However, fat plus protein production during the first 150 d of lactation was not significantly different for J×H (302kg) and Holstein (309kg) cows. The J×H and pure Holstein cows did not differ significantly for daily DMI (22.0 vs. 22.7kg, respectively), and the J×H (4.7%) and pure Holstein (4.5%) cows consumed similar DMI based on percentage of body weight. Consequently, feed efficiency for the 4th to 150th day of lactation did not differ for J×H and pure Holstein cows.

Foreword

Physically effective NDF (peNDF) and undegraded aNDF at 240 h (uNDF.240) are important parameters for characterizing NDF in fibre evaluation and are associated with dietary physical form and fibre digestibility characteristics. A new concept that combines peNDF and uNDF.240, physically effective uNDF.240 (peuNDF.240 = pef × uNDF.240), was recently established. The peuNDF.240 value allows determination of dry matter intake (DMI), and the productive response of cows even in the absence of variation in DMI or when cows are fed rations with low uNDF.240 and high peNDF or rations with high uNDF.240 and more finely chopped fibre. The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of the relationships between dietary uNDF.240 content to other fibre fractions, average cow DMI, gross feed efficiency, and milk yield at the farm level. Furthermore, the relation between peuNDF.240 and the productive response of cows was also investigated at the farm level. In the Po’ Valley, which is a representative area for dairy production in Italy, a cohort of 22 Holstein dairy farms was monitored over two years (2019–2020). Information regarding average cow DMI, milk yield, and ration composition was obtained through interviews with farmers, and feed samples were collected and chemically analysed. Farms were classified according to their dietary uNDF.240 (% of DM) content: low (uL) ≤ 8.29 or high (uH) > 8.29. Farms with low dietary uNDF.240 used less alfalfa forage as a fibre source compared with farms with high dietary uNDF.240 (6.27 vs. 15.5 % of DM) and showed higher average milk yield (35.9 vs. 33.6 kg/cow/day, respectively) and similar DMI (23.9 vs. 24.3 kg/cow/day, respectively). Dietary peuNDF.240 was negatively related to milk yield (milk yield = 47.4 – 1.87 peuNDF.240, R2 = 0.62, adjusted R2 = 0.60, residual standard error (RSE) = 1.87, P = 0.001) and gross feed efficiency (gross feed efficiency = 1.96 – 0.08 peuNDF.240, R2 = 0.65, adjusted R2 = 0.64, RSE = 0.07, P = 0.001). The results of this study have practical significance for farmers, as they suggest that the inclusion of low digestible forages in the ration (i.e., late-harvested alfalfa characterized by high uNDF.240) may require more fine shredding to reduce the overall value of peuNDF.240 and increase cow production.

Effect of supplemental palm oil on nutrient utilization, feeding economics and carcass characteristics in post-weaned Muzafarnagari lambs under feedlot condition

Thirty male post-weaned Muzafarnagari lambs, of about 3 months of age and similar body weight (18.47 ± 1.31 kg), were divided into 5 similar groups in order to observe the effect of graded levels of palm oil supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, cost of feeding, carcass characteristics and meat quality under feedlot regimen. Lambs in different treatment groups were fed with concentrate mash supplemented with 0% (T 1), 2.5% (T 2), 5.0% (T 3), 7.5% (T 4) and 10% (T 5) palm oil and gram straw ( Cicer arietinum) ad libitum. The growth trial was continued for 12 weeks. A metabolism trial of 6 days collection was conducted after 60 days of experimental feeding. After 90 days of feeding, randomly selected three animals from each group were slaughtered according to standard procedure for assessment of carcass traits and meat quality. Separated thoracic portion of Longissimus thoracis muscle from each carcass was collected for analysis of moisture, protein and fat. Accelerated growth in lambs under T 3 ( P < 0.05) was observed as compared to other treatments with similar DM intake. Similarly, DM intake (kg)/kg gain was found most efficient ( P < 0.01) in T 3 and least efficient in 10% palm oil supplemented T 5. Due to this, feed cost (rupees)/kg weight gain was calculated less (44.23) in T 3 than other palm oil supplemented treatments. DM, CP, Ca and P intakes were similar in all treatment groups during metabolism trial. Intake ratio of Ca and P was recorded 3.68:1.00, 3.42:1.00, 3.37:1.00, 3.69:1.00 and 3.44:1.00 in T 1 to T 5 treatments, respectively. Water intake and water intake/kg DM intake was also similar in different treatment groups. OM digestibility was significantly higher ( P < 0.01) in 2.5% palm oil supplemented T 2 ration as compared to other treatments. DM, CP, EE, CF, NFE and P digestibilities were found similar among different treatment groups. TDN percentage in the feed increased from 60.16 (T 1) to 66.17 (T 5), which was mainly due gradual increase of palm oil in the diet, although the difference was non-significant. Whereas, DCP percentage in feed gradually depressed ( P < 0.05) due to higher level of palm oil supplementation. Nitrogen retention (%) as percentage of N-absorbed was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in palm oil supplemented groups than control T 1, being highest in T 3 and T 4. This could be the reason for higher body weight gain in T 3 and T 4. Dressing and meat percentages (empty weight basis) ranged from 52.00 (T 4) to 55.06 (T 2) and 58.10 (T 2) to 62.27 (T 5), respectively, however, the differences were similar. Muscle fat% (DM basis) increased ( P < 0.01) from 19.84 (T 1) to 28.94 (T 5) due to palm oil addition. Meat protein% (DM basis) remained unaffected due to these treatments, which ranged from 59.95 (T 1) to 70.47 (T 2). Result indicates that addition of 5% palm oil in concentrate mixture improved growth performance and feed conversion efficiency of weaned Muzafarnagari lambs keeping the quality of meat unaffected.

Environmental factors affecting feed intake of steers in different housing systems in the summer

A total of 188 yearling steers of predominantly Angus and Hereford breeds, with mean body weight of 299 kg, were used in this study, which started on 8 April and finished on 3 October, to assess the effects of environmental factors on feed intake of steers in various housing systems. Housing consisted of outside lots with access to overhead shelter, outside lots with no overhead shelter and a cold confinement building. Ad libitum corn, 2.27 kg of 35% dry matter whole plant sorghum silage and 0.68 kg of a 61% protein-vitamin-mineral supplement was offered. Feed that was not consumed was measured to determine feed intake. The temperature data were recorded by hygro-thermographs. Hourly temperatures and humidity were used to develop weather variables. Regression analysis was used and weather variables were regressed on dry matter intake (DMI). When addition of a new variable did not improve R (2) more than one unit, then the number of variables in the model was truncated. Cattle in confinement had lower DMI than those in open lots and those in open lots with access to an overhead shelter (P < 0.05). Cattle in outside lots with access to overhead shelter had similar DMI compared to those in open lots (P = 0.065). Effect of heat was predominantly displayed in August in the three housing systems. In terms of explaining variation in DMI, in outside lots with access to overhead shelter, average and daytime temperatures were important factors, whereas in open lots, nocturnal, peak and average temperatures were important factors. In confinement buildings, the previous day's temperature and humidity index were the most important factors explaining variation in DMI. Results show the effect of housing and weather variables on DMI in summer and when considering these results, cattle producers wishing to improve cattle feedlot performance should consider housing conditions providing less stress or more comfort.

Nutritional value of animal feed grade wheat as replacement for maize in lamb feeding for mutton production

AbstractThe utilization of abundantly available animal feed grade wheat (AFW) as a replacement for conventional and costly cereal supplement in lamb feeding to lower the cost of mutton production was explored. Thirty‐five growing lambs divided into five equal groups and were fed diets containing 0, 118, 235, 353 or 470 g kg−1 AFW replacing equal quantity of maize. The diets were fed in the form of composite feed mixture, which had a roughage (Prosopis cineraria leaves) to concentrate ratio of 25:75. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not different in these groups, ranging from 35 to 42 g kg−1 body weight, while AFW inclusion linearly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced DMI. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and cellulose were not affected by AFW addition, whereas neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility coefficients were reduced (P &lt; 0.05). The digestible CP content (142.7–162.7 g kg−1 diet) increased (P &lt; 0.01) linearly with increased AFW inclusion levels. However, AFW additions did not affect metabolizable energy (ME) value of diet (10.2–10.5 MJ kg−1 diet DM). Digestible CP intake was similar but digestible DM and OM intake tended to decrease (P &lt; 0.05) linearly when expressed in terms of g kg−1 W0.75. ME intake (MJ d−1) was not different among the diets but showed linear (P = 0.041) reducing trends with increasing AFW levels in diet. The efficiency of ME and N utilization for unit gain was also not affected by AFW incorporation. N retained as g d−1, percentage of intake and percentage of absorbed ranged from 15.4 to 19.5 g, 49.7% to 60.3% and 62.6% to 74.6%, respectively. Intake and utilization of dietary N was not affected but urinary N excretion reduced (P &lt; 0.05) linearly by AFW. Daily microbial N (MN) flow estimated by urinary purine derivative excretion was significantly (P &lt; 0.01) higher for lambs fed a diet with AFW 235 g kg−1 (3.05 g MN) and 353 g kg−1 (2.51 g MN) compared to without AFW diet (1.31 g MN). MN when expressed as g kg−1digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) and microbial protein g kg−1 digestible organic matter apparently fermented in rumen (DOMR) followed a similar trend. During the growth trial, lambs fed diets containing AFW (353 g kg−1), which replaced 75% maize had higher total gain (14 kg, P &lt; 0.05) and average daily gain (ADG 154 g, P &lt; 0.05). However, feed efficiency (feed consumed kg−1 live weight gain) was not different. Rumen pH and microbial enzyme activities studied 4 h post feeding revealed that AFW did not affect rumen pH, which ranged from 5.95 to 6.30. Similarly, carboxymethyl cellulase and β‐xylosidase enzyme activities were not different among treatments, but AFW inclusion linearly (P = 003) increased carboxymethyl cellulase enzyme activities. The α‐amylase enzyme activity differed significantly (P &lt; 0.05) and was highest (22.6 IU) in groups where AFW replaced maize completely. It was concluded that, in lambs reared under intensive system for mutton production on high concentrate diets, conventional and costly energy supplements like maize can be replaced up to 75% with a low‐cost animal feed grade wheat to economize on cost of production. However, more studies are required to confirm these inclusion levels for greater economic returns. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry