Total Digestible Nutrients Research Articles

PSIII-1 Effect of Cannabidiol Extraction on the Cell Wall Carbohydrate Composition of Hemp Inflorescences

Abstract Since the 2018 Farm Bill, US growers have been allowed to cultivate hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), prompting interest in exploring the use of hemp products in ruminant diets. Extraction of cannabidiol (CBD) oil from hemp biomass generates spent inflorescent material that could be upcycled as a feedstuff, yet little is known about its fiber composition. A recent study measured in vitro true digestibility and fermentation parameters of multiple hemp cultivars, some intact and some CBD-extracted (Altman et al., 2022). Both categories of hemp inflorescence material had similar or greater total digestible nutrients (TDN) than an alfalfa cube control, supporting hemp’s potential as a feedstuff. However, comparisons between non-extracted and CBD-extracted samples could not be made, and the fiber content was only described as neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Fiber composition can significantly impact ruminal digestibility, and in-depth characterizations of cell wall carbohydrate composition can provide further insight into the digestibility of a specific plant-based feed. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effect of CBD oil extraction on the cell wall carbohydrate composition of the inflorescent material of two hemp cultivars. Intact (Biomass) and CBD-extracted (Spent) inflorescent material from two hemp cultivars, Mary and Zelios, were analyzed. The scell wall monosaccharides of the samples were released via two complementary acid hydrolyses, methanolysis and Saeman (sulfuric acid) hydrolysis, and separated and quantified using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). Additionally, the carbohydrate linkage patterns were assessed by generating partially methylated alditol acetates (PMAAs). Student’s unpaired t-tests were run in GraphPad Prism, and no differences (P > 0.05) in monosaccharide concentrations based upon treatment (CBD extraction) or cultivar were found with either hydrolysis method except for the methanolysis glucose concentration between the biomass forms of the two cultivars where Mary Biomass possessed more glucose than Zelios Biomass (P <b0.001). In the Saeman hydrolysates, glucose was the dominant monosaccharide (38.75 ± 1.44 molar %), indicating a large amount of cellulose, supported by the presence of 1,4-Glcp in the linkage analysis. Linkage analysis also revealed the presence of xyloglucans and rhamnogalacturonan Type 1 pectins in all materials. The data showed no effect of CBD oil extraction on the monosaccharide composition, suggesting that the extraction process leaves the fiber components mostly intact, but there may be differences in glucose concentration (and consequently cellulose content) between cultivars of hemp. Future studies may benefit more from investigating the impact of hemp cultivar on fiber digestibility rather than impact of the CBD extraction process.

The feasibility of partial replacement of berseem hay by spent mushroom (Pleurotus osteratus) substrate in rabbit diets on growth performance, digestibility, caecum fermentation, and economic efficiency

ABSTRACTNowadays, agricultural by-product disposal is a major concern. The mushroom by-products could be used as an alternative feed source in rabbit diets. Therefore, partial replacement of berseem hay (BH) with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was conducted in four experimental groups as follows: 0, 20, 40, and 60% of SMS. Forty weaned New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits at 6th weeks of age with an initial body weight of 520.25 ± 70.01 g were fed the experimental diet for 8 weeks. The results showed that ash content and cell wall constituents in SMS were higher than in BH, while the other nutrient compounds in SMS were lower than in BH. Dietary SMS at a level of 60% increased the final body weight (p = 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (p ≤ 0.05). However, average daily gain and total feed intake were not affected by treatments. The replacement of SMS at levels of 40 and 60% significantly improved nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrient value. SMS 60% decreased (p = 0.040) faecal N and improved (p = 0.006) retained nitrogen. The SMS replacement increased caecum length (p = 0.001), and full and empty caecum weight (p = 0.001 and 0.021, respectively) compared to the control. The SMS inclusion caused a decrease (p = 0.021 and 0.007) in the pH and NH3-N concentrations, respectively. Total VFA, acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid proportions increased with the dietary inclusion of SMS in a level-dependent manner. Using SMS as a replacement for BH in growing rabbit diets reduced the total feed cost, and consequently improved net revenue, economic efficiency, and relative economic efficiency.

Effects of energy levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid composition of Holstein steers at different slaughter ages.

We investigated the effect of energy levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid composition of Holstein steers at different slaughter ages. Forty Holstein steers with an average body weight (BW) of 234.21 ± 7.42 kg and 7.78 ± 0.22 months were randomly allocated to two experimental groups; a 22-month-old experimental group and a 24-month-old experimental group. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) for each group were set to 70% (T1) and 72% (T2) during fattening phase and 74% (T3) and 76% (T4) for the finishing phase, respectively. No difference was observed in the final BW between the experimental groups during the fattening phase. However, in the finishing phase, the final BW of T4 (820.31 kg) group was significantly higher than that of T1 (745.57 kg; p < 0.05). The average daily gain (ADG) of T2 group in the finishing phase and overall period were 1.27 kg and 1.26 kg, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of T1 (1.11 kg and 1.12 kg; p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and TDN conversion ratio of T2 group in the finishing phase also decreased by 10.23% and 7.73%, respectively, compared to those of T1. The cold carcass weight of T4 group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of T1, whereas back fat thickness, longissimus area, and marbling score were not significantly different among groups. No differences were observed in physicochemical characteristics of the carcass including moisture, crude protein, and crude fat content among groups. However, the composition of fatty acids differed significantly between the groups. The content of C18:0 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in T4 than in T1 group, and the content of C18:2 was higher in T4 than in T1 and T3 (p < 0.05). Therefore, feeding Holstein steers at a high-energy feeding level during the fattening and finishing phases improves ADG and reduces the slaughter age from 24 months to 22 months.

Comparison of dehulling efficiency and grain nutritional parameters of two cultivated barnyard millet species (Echinochloa spp.)

Due to increased awareness regarding the health-promoting profile of millets, inclination towards their consumption has increased considerably. In the Himalayan region of India, cultivars of the two species of barnyard millet, namely Indian (Echinochloa frumentacea) and Japanese barnyard millet (E. esculenta), are grown. To compare the dehulled grain recovery, grain physical parameters, nutritional profile and antioxidant activity, an experiment was carried out at ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, Uttarakhand hills for two years using released and popular cultivars of Indian barnyard millet (VL 207 and VL 172) and Japanese barnyard millet (PRJ-1). The results indicated that the whole grain yield of Japanese barnyard millet cultivar PRJ-1 was significantly higher than Indian Barnyard millet cultivars VL 172 and VL 207; however, the dehulled grain recovery was considerably higher in VL 172 and VL 207 than PRJ-1. Similarly, the physical grain parameters were significantly higher in PRJ-1, but most dehulled grain parameters were at par in cultivars of both species. The nutritional estimation of dehulled grains of both species did not show remarkable differences for most traits. Still, crude fibre, Mn, and Zn were high in PRJ-1, while total digestible nutrients and phosphorous were high in VL 172 and VL 207. Dehulled grains exhibited much more crude protein, ash, minerals, and total digestible nutrients, but the husk accumulated significantly higher crude fibre and total polyphenols.

Understanding the agronomic impacts of defoliation strategies in “Bulldog 805” Alfalfa + “Tifton 85” bermudagrass mixed stands

AbstractBackgroundThe incorporation of legumes, specifically alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), into bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.)‐based pasture systems in the southeastern United States has increased in recent years as an alternative to synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilization.MethodsA small plot evaluation was conducted in Shorter, Alabama, and Tifton, Georgia, USA, to evaluate the impact of harvest height (HH) and harvest frequency (HF) on agronomic characteristics of alfalfa+bermudagrass mixtures in southeastern United States.ResultsResults from both locations revealed that the longer the HF and the shorter the HH, the greater the alfalfa retention was in the stand (p &lt; 0.01). HH did not impact any of the reported nutritive value parameters, while longer HF resulted in lower total digestible nutrients, lower crude protein, higher acid detergent fiber, and lower 48 h in vitro dry matter digestibility (p &lt; 0.01). Both HH and HF impacted forage accumulation at both locations (p &lt; 0.01). HH resulted in different trends at each location, while longer frequencies generally increased forage accumulation.ConclusionsThis research confirmed recent findings from comparable evaluations in the southeastern United States, in that increasing HH and decreasing HF improved alfalfa retention while having a negligible effect on nutritive value or forage accumulation.

Forage Properties of Fresh and Composted Cotton Gin Byproducts as Feed Supplements

Cotton ginning generates millions of tons of byproducts every year. If not properly managed, these materials become waste, which may constitute significant environmental, economic, and logistical issues. The objectives of this study were to characterize fresh and composted cotton gin byproducts (CGBs) for utilization as animal feed supplements and investigate the effects of composting on the forage properties. The study analyzed and compared the nutrients and energy contents of fresh and composted CGB from four commercial cotton gins in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee states, USA. The results suggest that composting CGB may result in more than a 47% increase in fiber and crude protein and at least a 25% decrease in total digestible nutrients and net energy estimations. The differences in macro- and micro-nutrient contents and feed properties suggest that composting CGB may improve the potential for utilization as an animal feed supplement. Establishing the forage properties of CGB is crucial for determining animal feed formulations using CGB as supplements.

Can the post-ruminal urea release impact liver metabolism, and nutritional status of beef cows at late gestation?

We aimed to evaluate the effects of post-ruminal supply of urea (PRU) on nutritional status, and liver metabolism of pregnant beef cows during late gestation. Twenty-four Brahman dams, pregnant from a single sire, and weighing 545 kg ± 23 kg were confined into individual pens at 174 ± 23 d of gestation, and randomly assigned into one of two dietary treatments up to 270 d of gestation: Control (CON, n = 12), consisting of a basal diet supplemented with conventional urea, where the cows were fed with diets containing 13.5 g conventional urea per kg dry matter; and PRU (PRU, n = 12), consisting of a basal diet supplemented with a urea coated to extensively prevent ruminal degradation while being intestinally digestible, where the cows were fed with diets containing 14,8 g urea protected from ruminal degradation per kg dry matter. Post-ruminal supply of urea reduced the urine levels of 3-methylhistidine (P = 0.02). There were no differences between treatments for dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.76), total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake (P = 0.30), and in the body composition variables, such as, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT; P = 0.72), and rib eye area (REA; P = 0.85). In addition, there were no differences between treatments for serum levels of glucose (P = 0.87), and serum levels of glucogenic (P = 0.28), ketogenic (P = 0.72), glucogenic, and ketogenic (P = 0.45) amino acids, neither for urea in urine (P = 0.51) as well as urea serum (P = 0.30). One the other hand, enriched pathways were differentiated related to carbohydrate digestion, and absorption, glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, pentose phosphate pathway, and biosynthesis of amino acids of the exclusively expressed proteins in PRU cows. Shifting urea supply from the rumen to post-ruminal compartments decreases muscle catabolism in cows during late gestation. Our findings indicate that post-ruminal urea supplementation for beef cows at late gestation may improve the energy metabolism to support maternal demands. In addition, the post-ruminal urea release seems to be able to trigger pathways to counterbalance the oxidative stress associated to the increase liver metabolic rate.

Sustainable oil palm biomass waste utilization in Southeast Asia: Cascade recycling for mushroom growing, animal feedstock production, and composting animal excrement as fertilizer

Palm oil production has increased greatly due to its high stability and growing global population, causing the waste generated by the palm oil industry to grow rapidly. Research utilizing palm oil waste as a substrate for mushroom cultivation is currently ongoing in palm oil-producing countries. This research explores the possibility of utilizing oil palm waste-based mushroom cultivation medium as feedstock for goats and further extends the experiment to the use of excrement as compost material for B. campestris. In this research, we report that oil palm trunk (OPT) and fermented empty fruit bunches (FEFBs) as mushroom cultivation substrates produce yields of 98.3 and 97.2 g/bottle, respectively, while the conventional substrate produces 96.6 g/bottle, showing similar yields but with reduced cultivation time. The in vivo digestion experiments showed no significant differences in the total digestible nutrient (TDN) content between the control group and the group that used fermented total mixed ration (TMR) feed containing 10% palm biomass spent mushroom substrate (SMS). Although the plant height and fresh and dry weights of B. campestris were higher in the excrement-treated groups than in the control group, the germination rate was lower, although the difference was not significant. Based on these results, it was shown that palm biomass could be used in cascade recycling through edible mushroom substrates to livestock feed and compost, thereby adding value to palm biomass.

The nutritive value of Panicum maximum and, Brachiaria brizantha grass species

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of Panicum maximum and Brachiaria brizantha cultivars in terms of nutrient composition, dry matter intake, and digestibility at different harvesting stages. The factors investigated were three cultivars; Mombaca, Gutton (Panicum maximum), and Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha), and three harvesting intervals (6, 10, and 14 weeks) after planting (WAP). Collected grass samples were subjected to nutrient and in-vitro dry matter digestibility analysis. The cultivars and harvesting stages influenced (P < 0.05) the nutrient composition, dry matter intake (DMI), invitro dryy matter digestibility (IVDMD), relative feed value (RFV), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) of grasses. There was an interaction between the cultivars and harvesting intervals on acid detergent lignin (ADL), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), K/Ca + Mg, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). It can be concluded that Panicum maximum and Brachiaria brizantha cultivars can support optimum ruminant livestock production, and, the nutritive value of the Marandu cultivar supersedes minimum animal requirements.

Ewes fed high-concentrate diets containing flint corn and increasing levels of exogenous amylolytic enzyme: effects on nutrient intake and digestibility

The aim was to evaluate if the inclusion of exogenous amylolytic enzyme affect the nutrient intake and digestibility in ewes fed high-concentrate diets containing flint corn. Five Santa Inês × Dorper crossbred ewes (54.04 ± 4.5 kg and aged 8 months) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. All animals were housed in individual metabolic cages for 60 days. The treatments consisted of a control diet (without amylolytic enzyme) and four inclusion levels of an amylolytic enzyme (3,000, 6,000, 9,000, and 12,000 α-amylase dextrinizing units [DU] kg-1 dry matter [DM]). The enzyme was mixed into the feed at the time of supply to the animals. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, and orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used. Nutrient intake was not influenced by amylolytic enzyme inclusion. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and gross energy showed a quadratic increase with enzyme inclusion (P&lt;0.05), with maximum values at levels of 7,600, 7,500, 6,300, 7,500, 7,400, and 7,800 DU kg-1 DM, respectively. Total digestible nutrients of diets also showed a quadratic increase, with a maximum value of 894 g kg-1 at a level of α-amylase activity of 7,786 DU kg-1 DM. The inclusion of the exogenous amylolytic enzyme from 6,300 to 7,800 DU kg-1 DM doesn’t alter nutrient intake and improves the digestibility in ewes fed high-concentrate diets.

Effect of Phosphorus and Zinc on Fodder Yield and Quality of Leguminous Fodder: Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)

The contribution of the livestock sector to the Indian Economy is 4.11% of its total GDP and it is nearly 25.6% for total agricultural GDP. Small and marginal farmers are mainly attached to the mixed farming of field crops and dairy animals. Farmers get regular income from their dairy unit and also use dairy animals as economic security. Though India comes under the highest livestock populated countries, the production of milk is lower than expected because of improper feeding quality. Through the last two decades, the demand and price of milk both increase gradually, and farmers are not getting that much profit because of their dependency on ready cattle food. The gross profit after the selling of milk is nearly equal to the feeding expenditure. For the use of paddy straw as dry fodder, the quality and quantity of milk production are decreased. So, green fodder is the best option for livestock as it contains adequate nutrients as well as crude fibre. Among the fodder and forage crops, berseem is the second maximum cultivated fodder crop which possesses a 2 million ha area of fodder crops in India. There are several advantages of berseem as a fodder crop such as a short-duration crop, multi-cut nature, the capability of higher biomass production, the presence of a good amount of crude protein, cellulose, total digestible nutrients and succulent nature. Though Phosphorus and zinc play an antagonistic effect on each other, both are required for the growth and development of berseem crops. From cellular respiration to enzymatic reactions, phosphorus is essential for completing several metabolic activities. Zinc is related to yield and fodder quality by completing plant metabolisms like carbohydrates and auxin production. Adequate management practice is required to maintain the concentration of both nutrients at an optimum level. In Indian soil, zinc is deficient and phosphorus is mostly present in organic form. So, the use of biofertilizers will be effective to convert those complex nutrients form into simple and available for the plant.

Application of Bio-Fertilizers Improves Forage Quantity and Quality of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Intercropped with Soybean (Glycine max L.).

In recent years, application of bio-fertilizers (BFs) in intercropping systems has become known as one of the main sustainable and eco-friendly strategies for improving the quantity and quality of forage crops. In order to evaluate the forage quantity and quality of sorghum intercropped with soybean, a two-year field experiment was carried out as factorial based on a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications. The first factor was different cropping patterns including soybean monocultures with densities of 40 and 50 plants m-2 (G40 and G50), sorghum monocultures with densities of 10 and 15 plants m-2 (S10 and S15) and intercropping of two plants with the mentioned densities. The second factor was non-application (control) and application of bio-fertilizers. The results demonstrated that the highest dry forage yield of sorghum (21.22 t ha-1) was obtained in monoculture conditions with density of 15 plants m-2 and inoculation with bio-fertilizer (S15+BF). The maximum crude protein (CP = 149.6 g kg-1 DM), ash (113.2 g kg-1 DM), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC = 251.16 g kg-1 DM), dry matter intake (DMI = 26.83 g kg-1 of body weight), digestible dry matter (DDM = 668.01 g kg-1 DM), total digestible nutrients (TDN = 680.42 g kg-1 DM), relative feed value (RFV = 142.98%) and net energy for lactation (NEL = 1.625 Mcal kg-1) were observed in the intercropping of S10G50 inoculated with BF. Interestingly, application of bio-fertilizers enhanced the content of CP, ash, WSC, DMI, DDM, TDN, RFV and NEL by 7.5, 8, 11.7, 3.6, 2.3, 12.3, 5.9 and 3.5% when compared with the control (non-application of bio-fertilizers). In all intercropping patterns, the total land equivalent ratio (LER) value was greater than one, representing the advantage of these cropping patterns in comparison with sorghum monoculture. The highest total LER was recorded in the intercropping of S15G40 and S10G50 following application of BF. Additionally, the highest monetary advantage index (MAI) was calculated in the intercropping of S15G40+BF. Generally, it can be concluded that the intercropping of S10G50 along with bio-fertilizer inoculation could be suggested as an eco-friendly strategy for improving the forage quantity and quality under low-input conditions.

Effect of Fodder Cutting Management on Quality of Different Varieties of Oat (Avena sativa L.)

The present study aims to study the effect of cutting and splitting of nitrogen management on the quality of different varieties of fodder oat (Avena sativa L.). The field experiment was conducted at the Genetics and Plant Breeding farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (U.P.), India during Rabi 2019-2020. The experiment was carried out with three treatments consisting of three varieties (RO-19, JHO-851, UPO-212) and four fodder cutting and splitting of nitrogen viz. (T1) Two cuttings (55 DAS &amp; 50% flowering) + 60% N as basal + 40% N at Ist cut; (T2) Two cuttings (55 DAS &amp; 50% flowering) + 50% N as basal + 50% N at Ist cut; (T3) Three cuttings (55 DAS, 35 days after 1st cut &amp; 50% flowering) + 50% N as basal + 25% N at Ist cut + 25% N at IInd cut and (T4)Three cuttings (55 DAS, 35 days after 1st cut &amp; 50% flowering) + 40% N as basal + 30% N at Ist cut + 30% N at IInd cut were laid out in split plot design with three replications. As per the results, the values of RO-19 obtained the highest Crude fibre (%), Digestible crude protein (%), Total Digestible Nutrient (%), and Water soluble carbohydrates (%) as compared to JHO-851 and UPO-212. As regarded cutting and splitting of nitrogen management on Crude fibre (%), Digestible crude protein (%), Total Digestible Nutrient (%) and Water soluble carbohydrates (%) were found maximum under Three cuttings (55 DAS, 35 days after 1st cut &amp; 50% flowering) + 50% N as basal + 25% N at Ist cut + 25% N at IInd cut.

The diversity and quality of forages and their potency as herbal anthelmintic for swamp buffalo in Brebes District, Central Java.

Swamp buffaloes play an important role in the rural economy of Indonesia. They consume various forages during their grazing time, including those with anti-parasitic potential. However, the information about the type and quality of forages and their potential as a natural anthelmintic for swamp buffalo is very limited. This study aimed to identify the diversity, quality, and anthelmintic potency of forages consumed by swamp buffaloes reared in Bantarkawung Subdistrict, Brebes District, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Samples of forages were obtained during three observation periods of the study, with a 12-week interval between each period. Forage diversity was evaluated by identifying its consumption by swamp buffaloes during their grazing activity in the field and feeding time in their shed. The quality of forages was analyzed using proximate analysis to measure their dry matter (DM), crude fiber (CF), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CFat), and ash contents. This is followed by the calculation of their total digestible nutrient based on the proximate analysis results. Botanical composition analysis was then conducted to measure the predominance of forages consumed by the livestock during their grazing activity. Literature reviews were carried out to explore forage's anthelmintic activity. The results showed that swamp buffaloes consume nine species of forage in the shed and 47 in the grazing area, including nine legumes, 18 grass, and 20 others. Swamp buffaloes consumed forages of lower quality, which contained high CF contents and varying levels of other nutrients below their daily nutritional needs. The grazing activity allowed swamp buffaloes to consume a higher variety of forages with better nutritional quality, thereby enabling them to meet their nutritional needs. Legumes and other forages served as the major protein sources, providing CP of 20.03% DM and 11.53% DM, and CF levels of 17.01% DM and 20.35% DM, respectively. The results also showed that the consumption of these forages increased during the rainy season. The predominant species of legumes consumed were Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia spp., while Alternanthera sessilis and Merremia umbellata were the predominant species of other forages. A total of 13 of the 47 species could potentially be used as natural anthelmintic due to their secondary metabolites, namely, tannin, flavonoid, saponin, terpenoid, diterpenoid, and mimosine. These compounds exert anthelmintic effects by inhibiting egg-hatching and larval development, as well as damaging the surface structure of both larvae and adult worms, ultimately leading to the death of the parasites. Overall, swamp buffaloes consumed more variety of forages during grazing compared to when they were kept in sheds. While the low-variety and low-quality forages provisioned for swamp buffaloes in their shed resulted in a low nutrient intake below their daily requirement. Furthermore, daily grazing activities allowed swamp buffaloes to fulfill and supplement their need by consuming a variety of grasses, legumes, and other forages in their respective grazing areas. Some of these forages also have the potential to become natural anthelmintic because they contain secondary metabolites, such as tannins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, diterpenoids, and mimosine.

The Determination of Nutrient Intake on Productivity and Potential Methane Emission of Fat-Tailed Sheep Fed Odot Grass as a Source of Crude Fibre

The purposes of this study were to examine the determination of crude protein (CP), Crude Fibre (Cfi) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) on the productivity and potential methane emission of fat-tailed sheep (FTS) fed Odot grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) as a source of crude fibre. The materials used were 15 male FTS with an initial body weight (BW) of 19.5 kg ± 0.61 (CV = 0.59). The feed consisted of 28.57% Odot grass, 14.29% coffee peel, 4.28% rice bran, 7.86% pollard, 21.43% cassava, 21.43% corn cobs and 2% molasses. Sheep were reared intensively in pens for 30 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The parameters in this study were dry matter intake (DMI), CP intake, Cfi intake, TDN, FTS productivity, and the determination of nutrient intake on FTS productivity and methane output. The data were analysed using correlation regression analysis. The results showed that the DMI was 956.67 g/day, CP intake was 119.31 g/day, Cfi intake was 256,22 g/day, TDN intake was 634.54 g/day, ADG 102,03 g/day and FCR of 10.1 g feed/g ADG. The potential methane emission of FTS-fed Odot grass as a source of fibre was 59.49 litres/day. DMI, CP and TDN positively correlate with methane emission (r=0.77). Cfi intake consumption is very closely related to methane output (r=1). Based on the results of the study, to increase FTS ADGs of 100 g required DM 4.76% BW, CP requirement was 120.8 g/100 gADG and TDN requirement was 642.4 g/100gADG, Cfi requirement was 259.40g/100gADG with methane emission of 60.26 litres.

Productivity, nutritive value, and profitability of high-digestibility alfalfa cultivars harvested at two stages of development in eastern Canada

Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) cultivars developed for improved digestibility by conventional breeding or genetic modification have not been evaluated in eastern Canada. This study compared yield, nutritive value, and profitability of two reduced-lignin genetically modified (GM) cultivars, three conventionally selected for low lignin or high pectin, and one population with improved stem degradability, with two commercially adapted cultivars as controls. Alfalfa was harvested at the early bud (intensive management) or early flower (extensive management) stage of development during the first post-seeding year at three sites and the second post-seeding year at one site. All cultivars/populations had similar annual dry matter (DM) yields, except for the lower DM yield (−20%) of the improved stem degradability population. Conventionally selected cultivars for improved digestibility did not differ from control cultivars for in vitro DM digestibility (IVTD) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFd). Reduced-lignin GM cultivars, however, had a greater IVTD and NDFd (+10%) and less lignin (−10%) than control cultivars at the same stage of development. Reduced-lignin GM cultivars under extensive management had similar NDFd and greater annual DM yield (+1 to 2 Mg DM ha−1), but reduced total digestible nutrients (−41 to 44 g kg−1 DM), in comparison to control cultivars under intensive management. Using partial budget analysis, the comparison of more digestible GM cultivars to the control cultivars resulted in an increase in annual farm net profits ranging from CAD$7.40 to $79.60 cow−1 year−1 depending on stage of development at harvest. Further investigations are needed to quantify the performance of dairy cows fed cultivars with improved digestibility.

Effect of phenophases on nutritive value, fodder quality and digestibility of different ecotypes of Moringa oleifera

A study was conducted to assess fodder quality and digestibility with varying levels of maturity of leaves and phenophases among fourteen Moringa oleifera ecotypes collected from different geographical regions of India. Mature leaves had near to neutral pH (6.23) with high crude protein (24.50%); however, dry matter was observed maximum (26.80%) in twigs. In general, dry matter was higher in north Indian ecotypes, while CP was more in south Indian ecotypes (28.70%). South Indian ecotypes had low concentration of fibre and as a result found best for fodder quality traits. Dry matter intake, digestible dry matter, total digestible nutrients, and relative feed value were maximum in tender leaves due to comparative low amount of NDF and ADF in tender leaves. ME was found higher in tender leaves. In vitro dry matter digestibility was found higher in mature leaves than twigs and tender leaves. North Indian ecotypes showed higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (81.90%) than others. In general, MO3 (ODC-3) ecotype was found best for high crude protein (~28.7%), while MO3 (ODC-3) and MO4 (PAU local source) both had highest metabolized energy (~2.83 Mcal/kg), and highest in vitro dry matter digestibility (~81.90%) was recorded in MO11 (PAU-5). However, MO4 (Mandya, Karnataka) ecotype was found best for fodder quality traits. The high proximate composition and adequate cell wall fractions in M. oleifera leaves showed its potentiality as quality forage.

Ensiling Sorghum with Urea, Aerobic Exposure and Effects on Intake, Digestibility, Ingestive Behaviour and Blood Parameters of Feedlot Lambs.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of ensiling sorghum silage with urea and amending the aerobic exposure nutrients intake and apparent digestibility, ingestive behaviour and blood serum metabolites of feedlot lambs. Forty uncastrated crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês lambs, aged 150 ± 15 days and with an initial body weight of 21.73 ± 2.40 kg, were used. Animals were assigned in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Thus, six silage diets were produced with various urea addition levels (UA: 0 and 5 g/kg on a natural matter basis) and periods of aerobic exposure of silages (PAE: 0, 24 and 48 h). An effect was observed for nutrient intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) and total digestive nutrients TDN (g/day) and for the total apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP. There was an interaction effect between urea levels and aerobic exposure for ether extract (EE) and NDFap intakes (g/kg) and nonfibrous carbohydrate (NFC) digestibility (g/kg) (p = 0.012). The addition of 5 g/kg of urea to sorghum ensilage improved the digestibility parameters without changing dry matter intake and ingestive behaviour. The addition or not of urea does not change the blood parameters of the animals.

Sustainable Production of Maize with Grass and Pigeon Pea Intercropping

This study aimed to assess the impact of intercropping pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan cv. Super N) with maize (Zea mays cv. AG 5055) and Paiaguás palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás) on grain yield, silage chemical composition, and post-harvest grazing forage. The experiment was conducted on the School Farm of Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Iporá. The experiment treatments consisted of three cropping systems: pigeon pea and Paiaguás palisadegrass intercropping (PPPG), maize and Paiaguás palisadegrass intercropping (CPG), and maize, pigeon pea, and Paiaguás palisadegrass intercropping (CPPPG), respectively. It was observed after the fermentation process that the PPPG silage promoted the lowest values of forage mass (FM) and a reduction in the dry matter (DM) concentration. The PPPG silage showed higher values of crude protein (75.28 g kg−1 DM), while the CPPPG silage showed proportionately higher values of total digestible nutrients (616.11 g kg−1 DM). The intercropping did not affect the corn grain productivity, thus obtaining an average value of 4.78 Mg ha-1. After the silage harvest, during the dry season, a similar forage availability was obtained between the treatments (3.73 Mg ha−1). All three cultivation strategies produced abundant forage for grazing, showing that integrated intercropping systems can mitigate the seasonality in tropical forage production.

Pengaruh Pemberian Silase Rumput Kume dan Alysicarpus vaginalis dengan Imbangan yang Berbeda Terhadap Total Digestible Nutrien (TDN) dan Retensi Nitrogen pada Sapi Persilangan Ongole Brahman

This study aims to determine the administration of kume grass silage and Alysicarpus vaginalis with different balances on total digestible nutrient (TDN) and nitrogen retention in ongole brahman crossbreed cattle. In this study, 4 ongole Brahman cross cattle were used with an age range of 8-12 months, and a body weight range of 137.0 -200 kg, with an average body weight of 167.25 kg. The research method used was the Latin square design method (RBSL) with 4 treatments and 4 replications. The treatment used in this study was silage feed consisting of: P0: Kume grass 64% + 36% concentrate feed, P20: Kume grass 51.2% + Alysicarpus vaginalis 12.8% + 36% concentrate feed, P40: Kume grass 38.4% + Alysicarpus vaginalis 25.6% + 36% concentrate feed, P60: Kume grass 25.6% + Alysicarpus vaginalis 38.4% + 36% concentrate feed. The variables measured were TDN, N consumption, urine N production, faecal N production, and N retention. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and if there was a difference then it was continued with Duncan's further test. The results showed that the administration of kume grass silage and Alysicarpus vaginalis with different balances up to a level of 60% had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the TDN value, stool N production, urine N production, but had a very significant effect (P&lt;0,01) on the N retention value. It was concluded that the administration of kume grass silage and Alysicarpus vaginalis with different proportions up to a level of 60% decreased TDN values, N retention, N consumption, fecal N production and urine N production.