TDN Values Research Articles

PSVII-9 Improvement of feed efficiency in Korean Hanwoo cattle: investigation of feed intake and analysis of residual feed intake (RFI)

Abstract Feed efficiency is an important economic trait in beef cattle production, and improving feed efficiency can reduce production costs and environmental impact. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a useful measure of individual feed efficiency, representing the difference between the actual feed intake of an animal and its predicted feed intake based on its body weight (BW) and growth. This study aimed to investigate feed intake and analyze RFI in Hanwoo cattle to improve feed efficiency. Data were collected from 120 Hanwoo steers (9 to 11 mo old) from six different test stations across the country. Individual daily feed intake of concentrates and forage was recorded over 70 d, and BW was measured at the beginning and end of the feeding trial. Daily feed intake was calculated using the TDN values of the concentrates and forage. Expected feed intake was estimated using a linear regression model based on metabolic BW and daily gain. RFI was calculated as the difference between expected and actual feed intake. Average daily gain ranged from 1.05 to 1.71 kg/d, and average daily feed intake ranged from 5.10 to 7.72 kg/d across the test stations. RFI values ranged from -0.84 to 0.95 kg/d, indicating significant variation in feed efficiency among the animals. This study provides valuable information on feed intake and RFI in Hanwoo cattle. Further research with a larger dataset is needed to develop a genetic evaluation model for RFI and to select animals with superior feed efficiency for improving Hanwoo cattle production.

224 Yield and nutritive values of a polycrop and annual cereal monoculture used in winter swath grazing

Abstract This 3-yr study evaluated a comparative biomass yield and nutritive values of 2 forage systems: 1) a cereal monoculture (CDC-SO1 oats) and 2) a polycrops (PC) consisting of oat, brassicas (turnip and rape) and forage pea (4010) harvested at the hard dough (HD) stage for winter swath grazing purpose. A 12-ha field was divided into six, 2-ha paddocks, where each paddock was randomly assigned to 1 of 2 replicated (n = 3) forage systems. Forages were seeded in June and sampled for biomass yield and nutritive value at the soft dough (SD) and HD stages of oats. The seeding rate of oat monoculture (OM) was 157 kg/ha, while the PC was 45 kg/ha (oat), 11 kg/ha (forage pea) and 6 kg/ha (brassica). Forage samples were collected from a 0.6 m2 area at 24 pre-selected GPS points (4 per paddock), weighed and then oven-dried to a constant weight to determine DM yield. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS and included treatment effects and treatments × stage interactions. Year was treated as a random effect due to climatic variations across years. For OM, there was a significant difference (P = 0.03) in biomass yield between SD (7,762.7 ± 1,217.9 kg/ha) and HD (8,902.8 ± 1,217.9 kg/ha) stages, while PC biomass yield did not differ (P = 0.94) between SD (5,922.4 ± 1,217.9 kg/ha) and HD (6,163.1±1,217.9 kg/ha) stages. The biomass yields between the two forage systems were different (P < 0.05) at the SD and HD stages. Crude protein (CP) concentration did not differ (P > 0.05) between the OM and PC at SD (10.4 vs 10.3%) and HD (8.9 vs 9.6%) stages. At the SD stage, significant differences (P < 0.05) between OM and the PC were observed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 50.9 vs 44.1%), calcium (0.2 vs 0.5%), phosphorus (0.2 vs 0.3%), and RFV-relative feed value (120.3 vs 142.2). Similarly, the starch (20.9 vs 16.5%), calcium (0.2 vs 0.5%), and phosphorus (0.2 vs 0.3%) values for OM and PC, respectively, also differed (P < 0.05) at the HD stage. Differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the SD and HD stages of OM for acid detergent fiber (ADF, 30.1 vs 27.0%), total digestible nutrient (TDN, 65.4 vs 67.9%), and starch (14.9 vs 20.9%) content, respectively. Study results suggest that swathing OM at the HD stage would be beneficial in terms of greater biomass yield without compromising quality, while PC can be harvested at either SD or HD stages based on the annual cereal component. Also, the lack of significant difference in the RFV, CP and TDN values between the PC and OM at the HD stage suggests that PC could be a viable alternative forage system for winter swath grazing.

Feed Quality of Sweet Sorghum Grains

Sweet sorghum crop produces grains at its ear-head which can be utilised as food and feed, produces stalks for the production of syrup, bio-ethanol, bio-diesel, bagasse and green foliage for use as organic fertiliser and excellent animal fodder. Approximately 4000 sweet sorghum cultivars are spread over the globe, providing a broad and varied genetic foundation for the development of highly productive, region-specific cultivars. A study was conducted to assess the grains of selected 10 different sweet sorghum varieties for the feed quality characters. For this aim, ADF, NDF, ADL, DMD, DMI, TDN, RFV, DE and ME values of sweet sorghum grains were determined. As a result of the study, crude ash, CP, ADF, NDF, ADL, DMD, DMI, RFV, TDN, DE and ME values were determined as 0.19-3.74%; 9.03-11.05%; 10.0-24.6%; 24.3-38.0%; 1.07-9.13%; 69.69-81.09%; 3.16-4.94%; 170.5-309.5%; 63.85-74.84%; 3.25-3.74 MJ/kg and 9.85-11.78 Mcal/kg, respectively. Variety "Smith" stands out with its ADF, NDF and ADL characteristics. Gülşeker, USDA-Taiwan and Erdurmuş varieties were significant in terms of CP. Ulusoy variety stands out with DMI, TDN, RFV, DE and ME.

Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes supplementation to improve voluntary intake, availability of nutrients and growth performance in weaned crossbred calves

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) on voluntary feed intake, availability of different nutrients and growth performance in weaned crossbred calves. Fifteen weaned healthy female Jersey crossbred calves (weight 79.73±3.46 kg; age 234.5±11.33 days) were divided equally into three groups viz., Control (T0), Treatment-1 (T1) and Treatment-2 (T2). Growth trial was conducted on these calves for 90 days. Animals in each treatment group were fed ad lib. total mixed ration (TMR) (CP 12%, TDN 65%) individually for 90 days. Calves under control (T0) group were fed ad lib. TMR (without EFE). Calves under T1 and T2 were fed ad lib. TMR supplemented with EFE cellulase and xylanase @ 8000 and 16000 IU/kg DM of TMR and with EFE cellulase and xylanase @ 12000 and 24000 IU/kg DM of TMR, respectively. Significantly greater DMI per unit body weight (kg/100 kg BW and g/kg W0.75) was recorded in enzyme supplemented groups compared to control group; however, difference between T1 and T2 was non-significant. Addition of EFE in the TMR diet of calves increased TDN and DCP intake (g/kg W0.75) in T1 and T2 than T0 . Supplementation of EFE also enhanced TDN (%), DCP (%), DNDF (%), DE (Mcal/kg of feed) and ME (Mcal/kg of feed) value of the diets under T1 and T2 than T0. Average daily weight gain (g/d/calf) was estimated greater in T1 and T2 than T0. The feed conversion efficiency was similar among three treatments. Whereas, plasma total protein and albumin concentration increased significantly due to supplementation of EFE in the diet of calves. Therefore, it may be concluded that supplementation of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (cellulase and xylanase @ 8000 and 16000 IU/kg TMR DM) may boost growth potential of finisher Jersey crossbred calves with enhanced intake of nutrients.

Proximate principles and dry matter digestibility of fodder maize and sugargraze in response to potassium management

The study was carried out to evaluate the forage quality of maize and sugargraze as influenced by different potassium management practices. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design in which two fodder crops, viz. maize and sugargraze, were taken as the main plot, and different potassium management regimes were taken as a subplot. Results revealed that the quality parameters of sugargraze and fodder maize crops, viz. Dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash content, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and acid detergent lignin were significantly influenced favourably by potassium management. Comparing the quality parameters, remarkably highest CP (9.70%), total ash content (9.87%) as well as potassium uptake (230 kg/ha) were obtained with 50 kg K2O + KSB + 2% KNO3 foliar spray; however, higher ether extract (1.73%) was recorded in 50 kg K2O + KSB + 2% K2SO4 foliar spray. The fibre fractions, viz. NDF (66.1%), ADF (35.4%) and ADL (4.70%) recorded considerably lower values with 25 kg K2O + KSB + 2% KNO3 foliar spray over control. The higher values of TDN (59.3%), DMD (63.6 g/kg), RFV (94.7%) and DMI (1.92 g/kg) were recorded in fodder maize over sugargraze with an application of 25 kg K2O + KSB + 2% KNO3 foliar spray. Therefore, considering all the studied parameters, it can be concluded that getting higher quality green biomass production of fodder maize and sugargraze with the application of 25 kg K2O + KSB + 2% KNO3 would be a more feasible agro-practice.

Dietary supplementation of Ficus hookeri leaves as herbal feed additive affects nutrient utilization and growth performances in growing crossbred calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Da qing shu (Ficus hookeri) leaf meal as herbal feed additive on nutrients utilization and growth performance of growing crossbred calves. Ten Jersey male cross-bred calves (~ 4 months of age) were divided equally into two groups (G1 and G2) and were fed ad lib. under stall feeding on a paddy straw based mixed ration consisting of 50% paddy straw and 50% concentrate mixture for a duration of 140 days. Two types (C1 and C2) of iso-nitrogenous concentrate mixtures were prepared. Four per cent (w/w) wheat bran in concentrate mixture (C2) of test group (G2) was replaced by sun dried ground Ficus hookeri leaf meal. Experimental calves of test group (G2) were fed Ficus hookeri leaf meal @ 2% of the diet. Daily dry matter intake (g/d) was similar among the calves of two experimental groups. Apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, ADF and cellulose improved in the Ficus hookeri leaf meal fed calves (G2). DCP value of the ration was similar while, TDN value of the ration was higher in the calves of Ficus hookeri leaf meal supplemented group (G2). However, plane of nutrition among the calves of both experimental groups was similar. Average finishing body weight, daily body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and blood glucose level were higher in Ficus hookeri leaf fed calves (G2). Therefore, it may be concluded from the results of the study that dietary supplementation of Da qing shu (Ficus hookeri) leaf meal as herbal feed additive @ 2% of total mixed diet significantly improved the fibre digestibility, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency in growing Jersey male crossbred calves.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Ginger and Garlic Mixture on Performance of Ardi Goats under Stressful Conditions

Background: Among the different range animals, goats can adapt and survive greatly under harsh environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using a mixture of garlic and ginger as supplementation to improve the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Ardi goats. Methods: A total of twenty Ardi goats (40.35±1.8 kg) were assigned randomly into four experimental groups. The first group received a basal diet (control), the second to fourth groups were dietary supplemented with a mixture of garlic and ginger at the different levels of 20, 40, and 60 g/animal/day, respectively for 12 weeks. Result: There were no significant differences in the final body weight and feed conversion ratio of goats fed different levels of dietary supplemented of ginger and garlic mixture. The TDMI and daily DMI significantly reduced in groups fed diets supplemented with 20 and 40 g/animal/day than the control group. The digestion coefficients of CP, fiber fraction digestibility, and TDN values decreased in different groups. In conclusion, the addition of ginger and garlic mixture at the studied levels did not significantly affect animal performance and had negative impacts on feed utilization and nutrient digestibility.

Kecernaan Nutrien dan Status Fisiologis Domba Akhir Kebuntingan dengan Ransum Flushing Minyak Sawit dan Minyak Lemuru

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient digestibility and physiological status of local sheep at late pregnancy fed with flushing diet containing palm oil, lemuru oil, and their combination. In this research, the livestock used were 12 female local sheep at late pregnancy with an average body weight of 43.58 ± 5.57 kg were placed in metabolic cages. This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with 4 treatments and 3 block replications. The treatments were P1 = control ration (30% grass + 70% concentrate), P2 = control ration + 6% palm oil supplementation, P3 = control ration + 3% lemuru oil and 3% palm oil supplementation, P4 = control ration + 6% lemuru oil supplementation. The feed consumption, nutrient digestibility, and physiological status were measured in this study. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA. Means values differences were analyzed using Duncan test. The results showed that the addition of palm oil and lemuru oil to the concentrate diet increased (p<0.05) crude fat consumption, dry matter digestibility, and crude fat digestibility, but decreased (p<0.05) Nitrogen free extract consumption. Addition of palm oil and lemuru oil on the concentrate diet had no significant effect on dry matter consumption, crude protein consumption, crude fiber consumption, crude protein digestibility, crude fiber digestibility, Nitrogen free extract digestibility, and TDN value. The treatments did not affect significantly on physiological status. It can be concluded that the use of 6% palm oil in the ration can increase crude fat consumption and crude fat digestibility in pregnant ewes.
 Key words: digestibility, ewes, flushing, oil, physiological status

Influence of diets supplemented with naturally protected or unprotected eucalyptus oil on methane production and lactating buffalo productivity.

This study was designed to investigate the influence of naturally protected eucalyptus oil supplementation in a form of leaves (EUL) or mature seed capsules (EUS) compared to crude eucalyptus oil (EUO). The control group (G1) received a diet containing concentrate feed mixture, fresh berseem, rice straw, and corn silage, whereas the G2, G3, and G4 animals have a diet supplemented with 200g/head/day of EUL or EUS or 4mL/head/day EUO, respectively. Supplementation of EUL or EUS increased NH3-N, short-chain fatty acids, and concentrations of acetic acid in vitro. Bacterial total count, protozoa, and cellulolytic bacteria increased (P < 0.05) with EUL and EUS supplementation. Methane production dropped (P < 0.05) with EUS, EUL, and EUO supplementation. Milk fat decreased (P < 0.05) with EUO supplementation, while an adverse trend was shown for lactose. No differences in feed conversion were found among EUS, EUL, and EUO. Blood total protein, albumin, and urea increased (P < 0.05) with supplementation of EUL or EUS compared to EUO. EUO supplementation yielded increased (P < 0.05) AST, ALT, glucose, and creatinine. Supplementation with EUL, EUS, or EUO decreased (P < 0.05) DM, OM, and CP digestibility, while digestibility of EE with supplementation by EUL, EUS, or EUO was higher (P < 0.05). The digestion coefficient of NDF and ADF decreased (P < 0.05) with supplemental EUL, EUS, or EUO compared to the G1 diet. Feeding EUS increased the values of TDN and DCP compared to EUL, which increased than EUO. Our results confirm that the naturally protected form of leaves or seeds mitigates the undesirable effects of directly supplementing crude eucalyptus oil.

Nutrient requirement equations for Indian goat by multiple regression analysis and least cost ration formulation using a linear and non-linear stochastic model.

An elaborate multiple regression analysis was done to arrive a nutrient requirement equation for goat including dry matter intake, DMI (kg/day), total digestible nutrient, TDN (g/day) and crude protein, CP (g/day) based on animal body weight (BW) (kg) and average daily gain (ADG)(g/day). The derived equations were highly significant (p<0.001) and had high R2 (0.99) values. The estimated values of TDN, CP and DMI are compared with NRC (1981), Kearl (Nutrient Requirements of Ruminants in Developing Countries, All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, 1982), as well as ICAR (Livestock Management, 2013). The estimated total TDN and CP requirements at different body weights and ADG are close to the values of recommended feeding standards of Mandal et al. (Small Ruminant Res., 58, 2005, 201). The estimated DMI values are close to the values of ICAR (Livestock Management, 2013) but lower (26.5%-43.8%) as compared to NRC (1981). Regressed values are used to develop a linear programming (LP) model and a stochastic model (SM) for least-cost ration formulation for the Indian goat breed, whose average BW is about 45kg and ADG is 130 (g/day), and which is solved using LP simplex and Generalised Reduced Gradient (GRG) nonlinear of Microsoft Excel. The models satisfy the nutrient requirement calculated by regression equations with minimum specified level of variation (usually 5%-10%) in CP and TDN. Both methods adequately meet the nutritional requirements. Therefore, an electronic sheet is developed in Excel to calculate DMI, TDN and CP for different body weights, ADG and formulate the ration by LP and stochastic model.

Evaluation of potential and local forages nutrition as ruminant feed-in Payo Agro-Tourism Area, Solok City, West Sumatera, Indonesia

This study aims to evaluate local forage’s potential and nutritional content in the Payo agro-tourism area of Solok, West Sumatra, Indonesia, to be used as a ruminant feed. This study used a survey method by taking a sample of the forage that grows a lot in the area and then analyzed its nutritional content. The nutritional content analyzed were dry matter, ash, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, calcium, and phosphorus minerals. At the same time, the TDN value and the extracted material without nitrogen were calculated based on the formula. The results showed that 12 types of forage have the potential as ruminant feed, namely Panicum maximum, Tithonia diversifolia, Gliricidia sepium, Digitaria sp, Centrocema pubescens, Calliandra calothyrsus, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Bidens pilosa, Ipomea triloba, Micania Scandens, Asystasia gangetica, and corn straw. This study shows that Calliandra calothyrsus has the highest crude protein content, and Corn straw contains the lowest crude protein. The highest and lowest TDN values were Gliricidia sepium and Panicum maximum, respectively. Through the linear programming program, these 12 plants can be formulated into 4 ration formulations with 58% TDN and 15-16% crude protein.

THE EFFECT OF USING EUCALYPTUS OIL, LEAVES, AND SEED CAPSULES AS SUPPLEMENT IN DIETS ON LACTATING EGYPTIAN BUFFALO PRODUCTIVITY AND METHANE PRODUCTION

Sixteen lactating Egyptian buffaloes randomly assigned to a 4×4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of eucalyptus oil naturally protected in the form of leaves (EUL) or mature seed capsules (EUS) or unprotected crude oil (EUO). The control group (G1) got the basal diet consisting of concentrate feed mixture (CFM), fresh berseem (FB), rice straw (RS), and corn silage (CS) to be 40:60 concentrate: roughage ratio. In the G2, G3, and G4 animals fed the basal diet with a supplement of 200 g/head/day of EUL, EUS, or 4 ml EUO, respectively. Supplement of EUL or EUS increased NH3-N, SCFA's, and acetic acid concentrations in-vitro than EUO. While C2/C3 ratio decreased (P<0.05) with supplement EUL or EUS compared to EUO or control diet. The total bacteria count, and cellulolytic bacteria increased (P<0.05) with supplement EUL or EUS, compared to EUO. While protozoa count increased with supplement EUO compared with EUL, EUS, or control. Methane production and degradability of NDF were lower (P<0.05) with the supplementation of EUS, EUL, or EUO compared to the control diet. Milk fat decreased (P<0.05) with EUO-supplement than the control diet, while an adverse trend was shown for lactose. No differences were found for feed conversion among EUS, EUL, or EUO. Total protein and albumin increased (P<0.05) with supplement EUL or EUS compared to EUO. Supplement EUO increased (P<0.05) AST, ALT, glucose, and creatinine. Blood urea increased (P<0.05) with feeding EUL or EUS compared to EUO, but no difference when compared to the control group. The supplementation of EUL, EUS, or EUO decreased (P<0.05) DM, OM, and CP digestibility compared to the control diet. Digestibility of EE with EUL, EUS, or EUO was higher (P<0.05) than the control diet, while it was higher (P<0.05) with supplementing EUL or EUS than supplementing EUO to the diet. Digestibility of NDF and ADF decreased (P<0.05) with supplement EUL, EUS, or EUO compared to the control diet. Feeding EUS increased (P<0.05) digestibility of NDF and ADF compared to EUL supplementation, which was increased (P<0.05) than feeding EUO. Feeding EUS increased values of TDN and DCP compared to EUL, which was higher than EUO. Finally, the results of the current study confirm that the effect of a supplement of EUO naturally protected in the form of leaves or seeds mitigates the negative effects of directly supplementing crude eucalyptus oil.

77 Evaluation of Models Used to Predict Dry Matter Intake in Forage-Based Diets

Abstract Data from experiments conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln were pooled to compare predicted and observed dry matter intake (DMI) of growing cattle consuming foraged-based diets (corn silage, grass, alfalfa, or sorghum-hay) to determine the accuracy of current modeling systems. Experiments (n = 22) were a minimum of 84 days and included individually fed calves using the Calan gate system with 8 to 12 calves per treatment mean or pen-fed calves with 8 to 12 head per pen. Average body weight (BW) of calves ranged from 235 to 397 kg with average daily gain (ADG) between 0.16 and 1.65 kg. Cattle were fed ad libitum and mid-point BW and ADG were entered into the Beef Cattle Nutrient Requirements Model (2016) to determine predicted DMI. Simple regression was used to compare predicted and observed DMI to determine the accuracy of the prediction model. Ninety-three treatment means were evaluated and were separated into three categories: hay-based diets (n = 24), hay-based diets with distillers grains (n = 31), and corn silage-based diets (n =38). The model for observed versus predicted DMI was significant (P &amp;lt; 0.05; R2 = 0.09) when comparing all means but had a poor R2. The model was the best at predicting DMI for forage-based diets (P &amp;lt; 0.08; R2 = 0.22). Observed and predicted DMI were regressed along TDN values, calculated using book values and digestion studies. As TDN increased, observed DMI increased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and predicted DMI had a quadratic response (P &amp;lt; 0.01), increasing up to 63% and then decreasing with increasing TDN. The model over predicted DMI intake for TDN &amp;lt; 63% and under predicted DMI in forage-based diets greater than 63% TDN. Further development of the current modeling system through addition of intake data from forage fed growing cattle is needed

Influence of Kamela (Mallotus philippensis) leaves as herbal feed additive on nutrient utilization and performances in growing crossbred calves

This work was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Kamela (Mallotus philippensis) leaf meal as herbal feed additive on nutrients utilization and growth performance of growing crossbred calves. Ten numbers of growing Jersey male cross-bred calves were divided in to two groups (G1 and G2) and were fed individually under stall feeding on a paddy straw based mixed ration (50% paddy straw and 50% concentrate mixture) for 140 days. Two types (C1 and C2) of iso-nitrogenous concentrate mixtures were prepared. Wheat bran in concentrate mixture (C2) of test group (G2) was partially replaced (4 parts w/w) with sun dried ground Mallotus philippensis leaf meal. Experimental calves of test group (G2) fed Mallotus philippensis leaf meal @ 2% of the diet. Daily dry matter intake (g/d) was similar among the calves of two experimental groups. Apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, ADF and cellulose were higher in the Mallotus philippensis leaf meal fed calves (G2). DCP value of the ration was similar while, TDN value of the ration was higher in the calves of Mallotus philippensis leaf meal supplemented group (G2). However, plane of nutrition among the calves of both experimental groups was similar. Average finishing body weight, daily body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and blood glucose level were higher in Mallotus philippensis leaf fed calves (G2). The results of the study indicated that dietary supplementation Kamela (Mallotus philippensis) leaf meal as herbal feed additive @ 2% of total diet significantly improved the performance in growing male crossbred calves.

Estimating the daily nutritive value of bermudagrass for grazing livestock

ABSTRACT Objective Our objective was to develop models to estimate the CP, NDF, lignin, and ash concentrations of bermudagrass [Cynodondactylon (L.) Pers.] forage daily throughout the grazing season and use them to estimate TDN daily. We hypothesized that the CP, NDF, lignin, ash, and TDN concentrations might change daily. Materials and Methods Coastal bermudagrass forage CP, NDF, lignin, and ash concentrations spanning several years were obtained from Overton, Texas. The forage samples used comprised hand-plucked plant parts intended to estimate animal-selected diets. We developed an empirical model for each nutritive variable with the day of the year (DOY) as a predictor. By incorporating these models into a pre-existing summative equation, we estimated the daily values of TDN. These nutritive value models were evaluated using the Willmott index, modeling efficiency, root mean squared error, and R2 as the measures of fit. Results and Discussion Bermudagrass CP concentration had a negative, curvilinear association with DOY, whereas lignin and NDF concentrations were positively, curvilinearly related to DOY. The ash concentration had a negative, linear association with DOY. The likely causal factors for these relationships were plant maturity and weather conditions, especially temperature. The Willmott index, modeling efficiency, and R2 values were greater than 0.87, 0.64, and 0.65, respectively. The root mean squared error and percent error values were less than 3.1 and 11%, respectively. These values indicated that the nutritive value models were reliable. Implications and Applications We showed that the CP, NDF, lignin, ash, and TDN values of bermudagrass forage changed daily. By incorporating these trends into a nutritive value prediction system, accurate estimates of daily TDN could be made. These nutritive value models could be a valuable asset in forage-animal modeling for more accurately studying the effects of various management strategies and environmental factors on forage nutritive value and animal performance.

The Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients and Energy Value to Pigs of Plantains (Musa Sapientum Var. Paradisiaca Linn)

The proximate and mineral constituents of six plantain forms, raw green plantain (RGP), cooked green plantain (CGP), raw ripe plantain (RRP), cooked ripe plantain (CRP), green plantain meal (GPM) and ripe plantain meal (RPM) were determined by chemical analysis. 24 large white barrows, weighing initially, between 40-45 kg., were used to study the apparent digestibility of nutrients, digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen retention (ME(n) and total digestible nutrients when the plantains served as the only source of nutrients. In a second experiment ME and ME(n) were measured for the plantain forms using 28 Large White barrows, with diets in which the plantains replaced 50% of maize in a basal diet. All the plantain forms had low fat, crude fibre and crude protein content but high in nitrogen-free extract, phosphorus, potassium and Iron. Identically high dry matter (D.M.) and nitrogen-free extract (N.F.E.) digestion coefficients were obtained for all the plantain forms except RPM, which had significantly lower values. Digestion coefficients for crude protein (46.9, 53.6, 51.8, 34.3,-32.7 %), crude fibre, (46.6, 49.5, 58.7, 62.6, 56.9, 39.6 %), ether extract (55.9, 56.6, 66.9, 69.2, 54.7 and 34.6 %) for RGP, CGP, RRP, CRP, GPM and RPM respectively were considerably lower than for D.M. and N.F.E. The DE, ME ME(n) and TDN values were comparable for all plantain forms except RPM, which had significantly lower values in most cases. The fresh green plantains and green plantain meals had slightly higher energy values than the ripe plantains, even though the nutrients in the ripe plantains were better digested than in the green forms. The results are discussed in relation to variations in the relative proportions of the simple and more complex carbohydrates during ripening.

Modelling feed energy and protein values for ruminants

This study aimed to estimate feed metabolizable energy (ME) and metabolizable protein (MP) contents by their chemical composition. A total of 134 feeds from various categories (dry forage, fresh forage, silage, concentrate rich in energy, concentrate rich in protein and by-product) were integrated into a database. Values of TDN and CP were regressed against ME and MP, respectively. The value of ME was predicted from neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), ether extract (EE) and CP whereas MP was predicted from rumen degradable protein (RDP) and rumen undegradable protein (RUP). The RDP to RUP ratio was regressed to MP in order to obtain optimum value of the ratio. Results showed that TDN and CP could predict quite accurately ME and MP by explaining 78.2% and 92.7% of their total variations, respectively. The ME was accurately predicted by NFC, NDF, EE and CP, whereas MP was accurately predicted by RDP and RUP. Lower RDP/RUP led to a higher MP percentage to CP. It can be concluded that TDN, CP and other feed chemical constituents could predict quite accurately ME and MP. This indicates that the old system is still valid to be used for formulating ruminant diets.

Accuracy analysis of inverting provincial-level carbon emissions from night-time light data in China: comparison based on international carbon emission data

It is an indisputable fact that carbon emissions lead to global warming. Finding a rapid and accurate method for estimating carbon emissions is the prerequisite for making real-time emission reduction measures. In this paper, an estimation method for quick inversion of provincial-level carbon emissions in China is proposed by using night-time light data. This method was based on the corrected night-time light image and combined with the statistical data of the built-up area to extract the total night light value (TDN) in the built-up areas of 30 provinces (Municipalities directly under the Central Government and autonomous regions were collectively referred to as provinces; Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan were not involved here) in Chinese mainland from 1997 to 2017. The regression equation was established by using the TDN of the built-up areas in each province from 1997 to 2014 and the provincial-level carbon emission data released by CEADs (China emission accounts and datasets) in the same period, and then the TDN values from 2015 to 2017 were used as the independent variable to estimate the carbon emission of each province according to the established regression equation. Finally, we used the entropy method and carbon emission allocation model to distribute China’s national-level carbon emission data released by the international authoritative databases to each province and compared them with the provincial-level carbon emissions estimated by the above regression equations from 2015 to 2017. The results show that: (1) There was a significant linear relationship between the established carbon emission estimation models in all provinces, with R2 values greater than 0.8 except Beijing, Hainan and Shanxi. (2) Comparing the difference between the estimated carbon emissions and the carbon emissions allocated to provinces by the database, except for Shandong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi provinces, the errors of the other provinces were relatively small, RMSE and MAE were less than 260mt, and the MAPE of most provinces were less than 50%, indicating that the estimation models have high goodness-of-fit and accuracy. (3)The provincial-level carbon emissions allocated by the four international databases from 2015 to 2017 and the carbon emissions estimated by the model were plotted separately, and it is found that the corresponding scatter points of most provinces were distributed near the 1:1 line, which once again showed that the carbon emissions inverted based on night-time light data were close to the carbon emissions allocated to the provinces by each database, especially the provincial-level carbon emissions from CEADs database. The above results demonstrate that this method can provide a faster and more accurate estimation of provincial-level carbon emissions for China.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND IMMUNITY RESPONSE OF SUCKLING FRIESIAN CALVES FED ON RATION SUPPLEMENTED WITH ORGANIC OR NANO SELENIUM PRODUCED BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

Eighteen suckling Friesian calves with average live body weight of 32.70±0.79 kg were divided into three comparable groups based on sex and birth weight. All calves were fed on a whole milk, starter and berseem hay without supplement in the control group or supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg DM intake as organic selenium (OSe) or nano selenium (NSe) for 2nd and 3rd groups. The results showed that organic-and nano selenium groups recorded significantly (P 0.05) affected by selenium additives. While, albumin concentration and albumin to globulin ratio were significantly (P<0.05) decreased, however, globulin concentration in plasma of calves supplemented with OSe and NSe was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of control group, Organic and nano selenium supplementation significantly decreased (P<0.05) the activity of AST and ALT enzymes and creatinine concentration in plasma compared to that of the control group. The concentrations of IgA and IgG in plasma were increased significantly (P<0.05) with OSe and NSe supplementation compared to the control group, The IgM concentration was comparable among all groups. The percentages of various disease incidence decreased significantly (P<0.05) in OSe and NSe supplemented groups than those of the control group, Morality rate was higher in the control group than that of OSe group, however no mortality was observed in calves of NSe group. Dry matter intake values were the same for different groups, whereas, values of TDN and DCP intake tended to increase with OSe and NSe supplemented diet than those of the control group. Birth weight was comparable among all groups. While, weaning weight, total weight gain and average daily weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) higher for OSe and NSe groups than to the control. Supplementation with OSe and NSe improved feed conversion ratio, which significant decreased (P<0.05), where the amounts of DM, TDN and DCP per one kg weigh gain were less than those of control group. Daily feed cost was comparable among all groups, where feed cost per kg gain was significantly (P<0.05) lower for OSe and NSe groups than control group. The cost price of daily weight gain and net revenue as well as economic efficiency were significantly (P<0.05) higher for OSe and NSe groups compared to those of control group.

NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMICAL EVALUATION OF INCLUSION OF HOTELS LEFTOVER FOOD IN GROWING LAMBS RATIONS

This experiment was conducted to study the nutritional and economical evaluation of inclusion of hotels leftover food in growing lambs rations. Fifteen crossbred lambs (Ossimi × Finnish) with 23.5±0.3 kg average live body weight of, and 7 months of age were distributed into 3 similar groups (5 lambs each) and randomly assigned to 3 experimental rations. The experimental rations were formulated from concentrate feed mixture (CFM) that partially substituted by 0, 25 and 50% of dried leftover food (DLF) for CFM1, CFM2 and CFM3, respectively, plus corn silage. The experiment lasted 120 days. Results indicated that most nutrient digestibilities were markedly improved with increasing level of DLF in ration. Feeding values expressed as DCP did not significantly differ among the experimental rations, while TDN values were significantly improved with increasing the level of DLF. Ruminal pH values were significantly decreased with increasing DLF level at 3 hrs post feeding, however, concentrations of ruminal NH3N and TVFA´s were not affected by inclusion of DLF. No significant differences were observed in blood constituents among the experimental groups. Moreover, improving in average daily gain and the lowest feed cost to get one kg gain were observed with ration containing 50% DLF (R3), recording 10.97% and 12.44%, respectively. At the same time, the positive percentage of DLF gave the highest economic efficiency. It was concluded that inclusion of DLF in growing crossbred lambs' rations up to 50% in CFM improved their performance.