Total Mixed Ration Feeding Research Articles

Cost-effectiveness of Total Mixed Ration with Varying Crude Protein Levels for Feeding Dorper Lambs for Human Consumption

The demand for food consumption had increased by 60% due to the increase of human population, resulting in an increasing demand for sheep meat. High cost of imported feed had restricted the growth of the sheep industry. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of feeding total mixed ration (TMR) in the form of creep feed (CF) and growing ration (GR) to Dorper lambs compared to the control (CON) group fed with farm routine diet consisted of Napier grass and commercial pellet. Two (2) experimental phases were conducted, i.e., Phase I (CF) and Phase II (GR), which consisted of twenty (20) Dorper lambs with five (5) lambs in each group. The CF and GR consisted of constant metabolize energy (ME) (11 MJ/kg DM ME). The crude protein (CP) (%) in CF was varied at 14, 16, 18 and 20 for CON 14, CF 16, CF 18 and CF 20 respectively, whereas the CP (%) in GR was varied at 11, 14, 16 and 18 for CON 11, GR 14, GR 16 and GR 18 respectively. The cost of feed/kg gain (RM/kg) of CON 14 (1.63) and CF 18 (1.97) was significantly lowered (p<0.05) than CF 20 (3.35) whereas, GR 16 (8.94) was significantly lowered (p<0.05) than CON 11 (22.92) and GR 18 (23.99). This finding revealed that feeding local feed ingredients in TMR form, resulting in low feeding cost and subsequently higher economic returns. It can be concluded that feeding 18% CP (CF 18) and 16% CP (GR 16) were efficient to enhance the growth performance of pre-and post-weaning Dorper lambs respectively.

Effect of feeding bypass fat on production, reproduction, feed and economic efficiency of dairy cows

The dairy cows experience negative energy balance during early lactation and feeding Bypass fat in ration can produce higher milk yield, improved reproduction with better economics. An experiment was planned to evaluate feeding of total mixed ration (TMR) supplemented with Bypass fat @ 100 g/day to dairy animals for -21 to 120 days of calving. Total sixteen animals were divided to control and Bypass fat group having eight animals in each. The effect on production, reproduction and economics was evaluated for 21 biweekly periods and for 300 days of lactation. The feeding total mix ration (TMR) supplemented with 100g/day Bypass fat (98%; -21 to 120 days of calving) was resulted in daily 1.19 kg higher (p=0.050) residual whole milk, 1.21 kg daily higher (p=0.048) residual 4% FCM yield whereas improvement in whole milk, 4% fat corrected milk yield and milking days (25 days) was numerical for period of 1-21 bi-week period. An intake of dry matter and nutrient was non-significant between the groups. The better feed conversion ratio (kg/kg milk) in terms of dry matter (1.581±0.11 vs. 2.330±0.39; p=0.048) and total digestible nutrients (0.846±0.06 vs. 1.300±0.21 kg; p=0.046), improved reproduction in terms of Artificial insemination (AI)/conception (1.857±0.14 vs. 2.286±0.18; p=0.008) and service period (113.13±20.73 vs. 177.38±20.92 days; p=0.014) and better feed cost to milk income ratio (1:1.93 vs. 1:1.63) in lactating cows during standard lactation. The lower loss of body condition score of bypass fat group cows after calving resulted in better milk yield and reproduction of dairy cows.

Is the total mixed ration the best option for feeding crossbred dairy cows using diets based on cactus cladodes on family farms?

The study aimed to evaluate the effects on the performance of lactating cows of different strategies for supplying diets based on cactus cladodes. Eight Girolando cows at 97 ± 7.6 days into lactation, producing 12.2 ± 0.26 kg milk/day, were assigned to 4 treatments in two 4 × 4 Latin squares. The feeding strategies were: total mixed ration (TMR) based on a mixture of concentrates, cactus cladodes [Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw.] and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) fed after milking; concentrate fed during milking with cactus cladodes and sugarcane offered later (Con/CC+SC); cactus cladodes combined with concentrate fed after milking with sugarcane offered later (CC+Con/SC); and sugarcane combined with concentrate fed after milking with cactus cladodes offered later (SC+Con/CC). Intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 4.54 ± 0.09 kg/d) and total digestible nutrients (TDN; 9.30 ± 0.50 kg/d) were similar (P>0.05) for all feeding strategies and there was no effect of feeding strategy on milk yield (12.2 ± 0.26 kg/d). The different feeding strategies did not change the ingestive behavior or performance of lactating Girolando cows. Since the shortage of labor prohibits the feeding of TMRs on family farms because of labor required for preparation, these rations would be appropriate only on large farms where the costs of machines to prepare diets efficiently might be available. Cows fed concentrate during milking spent longer to consume the concentrate than the time to milk, resulting in inefficient usage of scarce labor. Appropriate feeding strategies for family farms appear to be SC+Con/CC and CC+Con/SC, i.e. partial separation of dietary ingredients, and all feeding should be done after milking.

Genotype by Environment Interaction and Selection Response for Milk Yield Traits and Conformation in a Local Cattle Breed Using a Reaction Norm Approach.

Simple SummaryThis study aimed at investigating the impact of genotype by environmental interaction (GxE) in local dual-purpose cattle. Environmental conditions were based on altitude, housing, feeding system, and use of summer pasture. Genetic variability for production traits was larger in farms in plain areas, without the use of summer pasture, with loose housing and feeding of total mixed rations. On the other hand, a greater response for most conformation traits was found for mountain farms, using loose housing, hay-based feeding, and no summer pasture. This study confirms the relevance of considering GxE in local breeds reared in various environments.Local breeds are often reared in various environmental conditions (EC), suggesting that genotype by environment interaction (GxE) could influence genetic progress. This study aimed at investigating GxE and response to selection (R) in Rendena cattle under diverse EC. Traits included milk, fat, and protein yields, fat and protein percentage, and somatic cell score, three-factor scores and 24 linear type traits. The traits belonged to 11,085 cows (615 sires). Variance components were estimated in a two-step reaction norm model (RNM). A single trait animal model was run to obtain the solutions of herd-EC effect, then included in a random regression sire model. A multivariate response to selection (R) in different EC was computed for traits under selection including beef traits from a performance test. GxE accounted on average for 10% of phenotypic variance, and an average rank correlation of over 0.97 was found between bull estimated breeding values (EBVs) by either including or not including GxE, with changing top ranks. For various traits, significantly greater genetic components and R were observed in plain farms, loose housing rearing system, feeding total mixed ration, and without summer pasture. Conversely, for beef traits, a greater R was found for mountain farms, loose housing, hay-based feeding and summer pasture.

The Influence of Pasture and Non-pasture-Based Feeding Systems on the Aroma of Raw Bovine Milk.

Aroma-active compounds in raw bovine milk produced from cows fed perennial ryegrass (GRS) or total mixed ration (TMR) consisting of grass silage, maize silage, and concentrates were identified by direct immersion sorptive extraction (DI Hi-Sorb), coupled with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry and olfactometry using odour intensity (OI) and aroma extraction dilution analysis (AEDA). Ninety-nine volatile organic compounds (VOC) were identified in these raw GRS and TMR milk samples; 33 of which were also present in the feed and rumen samples from these diets. Only the abundance of 13 VOC varied significantly based on diet. However, the odours of both raw milks were quite distinct as aroma perception is not influenced by abundance alone but also by the odour activity of each VOC. Approximately, 30% of the VOC influenced the aroma perception of these raw milks. This study clearly highlighted the significant impact of VOC transferring from the diet that influenced the aroma perception of both raw GRS and TMR milk. The aroma of the raw TMR milk was more complex than that of the raw GRS milk, and many of the key dietary-derived-odour-active VOC likely arose during the production of the TMR feed as most were either derived from Maillard reactions or impacted by heat. Seventeen of the 44 odour activities detected differed between both sample types. This study has clearly demonstrated the impact of diet on the aroma perception of raw bovine milk.

Fresh Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Supplementation Enhances Milk Fatty Acid Profiles and the Antioxidant Capacities of Milk and Blood in Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a diet supplemented with fresh amla fruit as a natural feed additive on blood metabolic parameters, milk antioxidant capacity, and milk fatty acid (FA) proportions in lactating dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation dairy cows were used in a repeated crossover design. The first group of four cows received total mixed ration (TMR) feed without fresh amla fruit (control group). The remaining four cows sequentially supplemented fresh amla fruit (FAF) at three levels (200, 400, then 600 g/d) (treatment group) at 14-day intervals. In second period, control and treatment groups were exchanged. The first ten days were adjusted to diet adaptation for each sub-period, and the last four days for sampling milk and blood. A total of 514 metabolites were detected from FAF using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The five main metabolites in FAF were phenolic acids (22%), flavonoids (20%), lipids (20%), amino acids and derivatives (9%), and tannins (7%). Amla fruit supplementation reduced total saturated fatty acid and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio at 200 or 400 g/d FAF dose compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased unsaturated FA, such as C20:5 (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and C22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), and branched-chain FA in a dose-dependent manner at 200 or 400 g/d compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased the antioxidant capacity biomarkers in the blood, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and albumin; this confirms that amla fruit is an excellent antioxidant, inhibiting reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) metabolism, and can thereby protect cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, the most remarkable improvement of ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk was recorded at 400 g/d FAF doses compared to controls. Therefore, fresh amla fruit doses for lactating cows at 400 g/d on an as-fed basis can be used as an alternative additive feed in dairy cow diets to improve antioxidant capacity, protein efficiency, butter quality, and to produce more desirable milk fatty acid profiles for human consumption.

The Effect of Protected Lemuru Fish Oil Supplementation on In Vivo Nutrient Digestibility and Sheep Blood Profile

This research was intended to observe the effect of protected lemuru fish (Sardinella longiceps) oil for ruminants, especially for sheep. This study aimed to evaluate the digested nutrients and blood profile of sheep. This study was conducted in September-October 2020 in Dumbira Farm, Kalasan, Yogyakarta, using 12 sheep divided into 3 treatments with 4 replications each. Treatment P0 was Total Mixed Ration (TMR) without protected Lemuru fish oil (control), treatment P1 was TMR with 5% protected Lemuru fish oil, and treatment P2 was TMR with 10% protected Lemuru fish oil. The data were statistically analyzed using one way analysis of variance and continued with Duncan new Multiple Range Test for significant results. The results of this study indicated that the addition of 10% protected Lemuru fish oil in TMR feed had a significant effect (P<0,05) on the increased value of in vivo digestion of crude fiber and crude fat, but did not affect the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and protein. The addition of protected Lemuru fish oil did not cause hematological disorders showed by the blood profiles were in the normal range. In conclusion, protected lemuru fish oil supplementation had a favorable influence on the production performance without affecting blood profile of sheep.

Feeding Total Mixed Ration (TMR) on Production and Reproductive Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows: A Review

The development of the dairy sector is economically important to many countries of the world. However, the dairy sector has faced many constraints due to the unavailability of quality and quantity of feed resources and their responses on growth, health and reproduction in dairy animals. The total mixed ration (TMR) is an alternate strategy to overcome the feed shortage of lactating cows by utilizing available feed resources effectively and efficiently. This review article elaborates the effects of TMR on the production and reproduction performance of lactating dairy cows. Interestingly, TMR feeding has a significant effect on the body weight, feed intake, feed efficiency, milk yield and composition and reproductive performances of lactating dairy cows. Feeding TMR to dairy animals was investigated to provide a balanced diet, reduce feed wastage and save labour cost and time. Hence, feeding TMR as per the animal requirement is more efficient as compared to traditional feeds.

Effect of Yellow Wine Lees Supplementation on Milk Antioxidant Capacity and Hematological Parameters in Lactating Cows under Heat Stress.

Simple SummaryThe yellow wine lees (YWL), a byproduct of the yellow wine brewing industry which contain high levels of crude protein and anti-oxidative substrates can be a suitable ingredient in dairy rations. Total mixed rations (TMR) containing unfermented/fermented YWL were greater in total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations. Feeding lactating cows under heat stress with TMR containing unfermented or fermented YWL mix can reduce their inflammation response and oxidative stress, as well as improve fatty acid quality and oxidative stability of their milk.Fifteen multiparous lactating Chinese Holstein dairy cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin Square Design to evaluate the effect of total mixed rations (TMR) containing unfermented and fermented yellow wine lees (YWL) on the oxidative status of heat-stressed lactating cows and the oxidative stability of the milk and milk fatty acids they produced. Cows were fed with three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets as follows: (1) TMR containing 18% soybean meal, (2) TMR containing 11% unfermented YWL (UM), and (3) TMR containing 11% fermented YWL (FM). The rectal temperature (at 1300 h) and respiratory rate were higher in control cows than in cows fed UM or FM. Both types of YWL were greater in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, reducing power, and radical scavenging abilities than soybean meal. Cows fed UM or FM had higher blood neutrophil, white blood cell, and lymphocyte counts, as well as lower plasma malondialdehyde level, higher plasma superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate levels, and higher total antioxidant capacity in the plasma than those fed control diet. The proportion of milk unsaturated fatty acids was higher and that of saturated fatty acids was lower in UM- and FM-fed animals than in the control animals. Milk from UM- and FM-fed cows had lower malondialdehyde content but higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate content than the control cows. In conclusion, feeding TMR containing UM and FM to cows reduced both the oxidative stress in heat-stressed cows and improved the oxidative capacity of their milk.

Feeding strategies with total mixed ration and concentrate may improve feed intake and carcass quality of Hanwoo steers.

This study examined the impact of using total mixed ration (TMR) and concentrate on feed intake, daily gain, carcass yield grade, and carcass quality grade of Hanwoo steers and its subsequent economic efficiency. Thirty six 7-month-old Hanwoo steers were assigned to one of the four treatment groups, and each group was divided into three repeated pens, with each repeated pen comprising three steers. The treatment groups were: 1) separate feeding with commercial concentrate and forage (namely, SCF) for the entire experimental period; 2) TMR feeding for a growing period followed by SCF for the early and late fattening period (namely, TMRGSCF); 3) TMR feeding for growing and an early fattening period followed by SCF for the late fattening period (namely, TMREFSCF); and 4) TMR feeding for the entire experimental period (namely, TMRW). The results showed that the SCF treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) higher feed intake during the growing period than other treatments. In contrast, the total feed intake had little difference during early and late fattening as well as the whole period regardless of feeding strategies. Daily gain showed no difference during the growing period. However, it was significantly higher in SCF and TMREFSCF treatments for the early and late fattening period, respectively (p < 0.05). The daily gain during the total raising period is in the order of TMREFSCF > TMRGSCF > SCF > TMRW. Carcass characteristics, including carcass weight, loin eye muscle area, and carcass yield grade, did not significantly differ among different treatments. However, TMRW treatment, wherein TMR was fed for a long time, showed that the cold carcass weight was less compared with other treatments, but carcass yield grade was higher with thinner backfat. Backfat thickness was in the order of SCF > TMRGSCF > TMREFSCF > TMRW, showing that the thickness reduced with longer TMR feeding (p < 0.05). TMRGSCF, which numerically had a higher carcass quality grade, showed higher economic efficiency, whereas SCF showed low economic efficiency. In conclusion, it was more feasible to apply TMR strategy in the growing and early fattening period and then SCF for the early or late fattening period to improve carcass yield, quality grade, and economic efficiency.

Effect of the fermented total mixed ration on in-vitro gas production and digestibility in cattle

In this study, Experiments were conducted to evaluate the fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) and total mixed ration (TMR) by rumen in in vitro fermentation technique and their effects on methane (CH4) emission and digestibility measurement. Ruminal samples were collected from ruminal digesta and grind TMR feed used as a substrate. There were four diets, one was without molasses-yeast mixture (control), another was in addition of molasses at 0.1% inclusion rate (T1) and the other two were in addition of molasses-yeast mixture at 0.1% (T2) and 0.3% (T3) inclusion rate. The present study indicated that there was significant (p

Growth Performance, Nitrogen Balance and Blood Biochemical Parameters on Feeding TMR Diet Containing Sugarcane Tops Silage Supplemented with Lactic Acid Bacteria Inoculants and Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes in Crossbred Calves

Background: Preservation of green sugarcane tops (SCT) as silage is still challenging due to its low fermentation coefficient. Present study was undertaken to assess the effect of different combination of additives on nutrient utilisation and growth performance in crossbred (Karan fries) heifers fed SCT silage based total mixed diet.Methods: Sugarcane tops (300 g DM/kg fresh matter) ensiled for 30 days in plastic jumbo silo bags (500 kg capacity) in three different treatments viz. SCTB1, SCTB2 and SCTB3 silages. Total mixed ration (TMR) TMRB1, TMRB2 and TMRB3 were prepared, containing 40 part concentrate and 60 part sugarcane tops SCTB1, SCTB2 and SCTB3 silages, respectively. Eighteen crossbred calves of similar body weights (115 kg) and age (11 months) were divided in three group and offered dietary treatments: TMRB1, TMRB2 and TMRB3 for sixty days. Feed intake (daily) and body weight (weekly) was recorded. Blood samples were collected (monthly) for glucose, creatinine, BUN, plasma calcium, ALT and AST levels estimates. Result: On 30th day SCT silage samples were analysed, pH and NDF content was found lower (p less than 0.05) whereas lactic acid content was higher (p less than 0.05) in SCTB2 and SCTB3 than SCTB1 silage. Feed intake, growth performance, nitrogen balance and blood biochemical parameters were remained similar among the groups. Total tract digestibility of NDF and ADF was found higher (p less than 0.05) in groups TMRB2 and TMRB3 than TMRB1. It may be concluded that LAB and EFE supplementation on SCT silage improved fibre digestibility (NDF and ADF) of TMR diet however, feed intake, growth performance and blood parameters were not affected in crossbred calves.

Using mixed silages of sweet sorghum and alfalfa in total mixed rations to improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality of sheep

Combining sweet sorghum (SS) with alfalfa for ensiling has the potential to make a high-quality silage with relatively a better nutrient balance. However, the existing data are insufficient about how changes in ratios of SS to alfalfa in different silage mixtures affect animal performance and meat quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding total mixed rations containing mixed silages of SS and alfalfa on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality of Karakul sheep. Five total mixed rations were formulated with different SS proportions at 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% on a fresh weight basis. Thirty 4-month old male Karakul sheep with 25.5 ± 1.4 kg BW were randomly allocated into five treatment groups, each with six lambs for this experiment. The results indicated that the Karakul sheep consuming total mixed rations containing SS-Alfalfa (SS-AF) silage mixtures with a lower proportion of SS tended to increase nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality. Feeding diets with SS at 40% and 20% inclusion rate showed a significant linear increase in the apparent digestibility of DM, CP and NDF, as well as subcutaneous fat thickness and water holding capacity (P < 0.5). Moreover, reduction in SS inclusion rate in these diets caused significant (P < 0.05) linear and quadratic increases in DM intake, final BW, average daily gain, carcass weight, and the amino acid contents of meat (P < 0.05). Conversely, feeding diet with lower SS inclusion rate led to decrease in feed conversion ratio and shear force significantly (P < 0.05) for these sheep. It appears that 40% inclusion of SS was the optimal rate in making the SS-AF silage mixture for lambs to achieve a superior production performance and high-quality meat products in Karakul sheep. However, further research is needed to investigate the effect of feeding SS-AF silage mixtures alongside contrasting ingredients on rumen function, ruminal microorganisms and digestive enzyme activity of sheep and other ruminant animals.

Evaluation of Functional Feed in Total Mixed Ration (TMR) with High Protein Content and Anthelmintic Agents Towards Performance and Anti-Parasitic Effect in Sheep

Haemonchus contortus is gastrointestinal nematodes naturally bloodsucking the host and causing haemonchosis. To date, the prevention and treatment of haemonchosis rely on chemically anti-parasitic drugs. However, resistant to chemically anti-parasitic drug have been found in many previous studies. Therefore, the study on evaluation of total mixed ration (TMR) containing high protein content and forage with condensed tannin (CT) with bio-anthelmintic potential should be justified further. The study aims to evaluate the performance and its anti-parasitic effect of TMR towards H. contortus infection in sheep. Twenty sheep (± 1-year-old) with the average body weight of 20 kg had been randomly categorized into 5 treatments (n=4): T.1: Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott 761.50 g DM; T.2: P. purpureum cv. Mott 609.20 g DM+Artocarpus heterophyllus 284.13 g DM; T.3: P. purpureum cv. Mott 609.20 g DM+Soybean meal (SBM) 65 g DM; T.4: P. purpureum cv. Mott 609.20 g DM+A. heterophyllus 162.36 g DM+SBM 65.00 g DM; T.5: P. purpureum cv. Mott 609.20 g DM+A. heterophyllus 284.14 g DM+SBM 65.00 g DM. The diet was provided in TMR at 08:00 and 16:00, while water was provided ad libitum. The results showed that TMR feeding with high protein content and anthelmintic agents (TMR PTAA) reduced fecal egg counts by improving dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), extract ether (EE), crude fiber (CF), nitrogen free-extract (NFE) consumption and digestibility (P&lt;0.05). It can be concluded that TMR PTAA had positive effects in improving sheep performance and have bio-anthelmintic potentiality to alternate commercial anti-parasitic drugs.

Rapid and Non-Destructive Monitoring of Moisture Content in Livestock Feed Using a Global Hyperspectral Model.

Simple SummaryMoisture content is an important parameter for monitoring the quality of feed and feed materials as its established ranges serve as markers for safe storage, mixing, and feeding animals. The moisture content of feed materials changes very rapidly and necessitates rapid measurement. Current moisture content measurement methods are time-consuming, destructive, and require specialized skills. This often causes reduced and/or delayed testing, which results in the spoilage of feed and feed materials. Additionally, the improper balance of dry matter intake which is inversely proportional to moisture content often causes metabolic diseases for animals consuming the diet. To solve these, we have developed a rapid and non-destructive global hyperspectral model that could quantify moisture content in feed materials. Our results show that the developed model is robust, could provide a method to measure the distribution of moisture in feed, and has potential for implementation in a commercial setting.The dry matter (DM) content of feed is vital in cattle nutrition and is inversely correlated with moisture content. The established ranges of moisture content serve as a marker for factors such as safe storage limit and DM intake. Rapid changes in moisture content necessitate rapid measurements. A rapid and non-destructive global model for the measurement of moisture content in total mixed ration feed and feed materials was developed. To achieve this, we varied and measured the moisture content in the feed and feed materials using standard methods and captured their images using a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system in the spectral range of 1000–2500 nm. The spectral data from the samples were extracted and preprocessed using seven techniques and were used to develop a global model using partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis. The range preprocessing technique had the best prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.98) and standard error of prediction (2.59%). Furthermore, the visual assessment of distribution in moisture content made possible by the generated PLSR-based moisture content mapped images could facilitate precise formulation. These applications of HSI, when used in commercial feed production, could help prevent feed spoilage and resultant health complications as well as underperformance of the animals from improper DM intake.

The Effects of Total Mixed Ration Feeding with High Roughage Content on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Hanwoo Steers.

This study investigated the dietary effect of total mixed ration (TMR) based on high roughage content on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Hanwoo steers. Twenty-four Hanwoo steers (average body weight, 195.3±4.7 kg; age, 8.5 mon) were randomly allocated to three experimental groups according to forage and concentrate ratio (DM basis): 25:75 (control), 50:50 (T50), and 70:30 (T70). Productivity in the fattening period and final body weight were significantly higher in the control. Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were the same among treatments. Serum parameters, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, and total protein were higher in the control. Carcass weight was comparable in the control and T50 but feeding more roughage was significantly correlated with a higher intramuscular fat. Shear strength and drip loss were higher while n-6/n-3 was lower in T70 compared to the other groups. However, meat color was not significantly different among treatments. In terms of free amino acid contents, glutamic acid and glycine were higher in the control than T50 and T70. Overall, feeding Hanwoo steers with high forage content TMR had the lowest n-6/n-3 ratio of fatty acid content but highest intramuscular fat, shear strength, and drip loss. High forage content TMR is the best feed for Hanwoo steers that gives more benefits for human health and consumption but also provides the best meat grade and quality, which is important in the beef market in Korea.

Effects of Feeding Total Mixed Ration in the Growing and Fattening Periods on the Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers

Effects of Feeding Total Mixed Ration in the Growing and Fattening Periods on the Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers

Timing of eating during transition impacts feedlot cattle diet and liveweight gain

The timing of eating, relative to when feed is offered, is affected by the social rank of feedlot cattle due to limited feed bunk space. As cattle can select feed based on dietary preference, the timing of eating for cattle in feedlot may be associated with the ingested diet composition. Our objectives were to determine the nutritive value and timing of feed ingested by 100 feedlot cattle during transition and the association of timing of eating with feeding behaviours and average daily gain (ADG). Cattle behaviour and timing of eating were determined on 100 feedlot cattle using accelerometer-based ear tag sensors from days 3 to 6 post feedlot induction (observation period), and the ongoing impact of this period on ADG was determined for the full feed period (75 days). To determine eating patterns at the time of feed offer, cattle were grouped according to the number of days they were recorded as eating within 1 h of feed being offered across 4 observation days, G0: not present across 4 days, G1: present for 1 day, G2: 2 days, G3: 3 days and G4: present for each of the 4 days. Total mixed ration (TMR) samples were collected for nutritive value analysis from four locations along the feed bunk from the time feed was offered and at hourly intervals thereafter for 7 h each day during the observation period. The composition of feed in the bunk changed across the 7 h of measurement (P < 0.05). The DM and CP of feed increased from 65 to 70% and 15 to 16%, respectively, and the NDF decreased from 36 to 32%. Thus, the preferred TMR feed component was the fibrous dietary fraction. However, the overall composition of the ingested diet for 7 h post feeding was similar between groups. Cattle in G0 had reduced eating time (0.7 vs 4.8%; P < 0.001), rumination time (4.5 vs 19.5%; P < 0.001) and ADG (1.0 vs 1.3 kg/d; P < 0.05) across the study, as compared with cattle in G4. Offering a more fibrous ration during feedlot transition, and customised cattle segregation and/or customised feeding regimes based on sensor derived feeding behaviour profiles during acclimation to feedlot can optimise ADG, animal welfare and feedlot profit.

Effect of feeding total mixed ration blocks on productive performance of crossbred dairy cattle

A feeding trial of four weeks was conducted using forty crossbred dairy cattle reared under intensive system. The animals were divided into 2 groups, based on milk yield, parity and stage of lactation and fed either a commercially available total mixed ration (TMR) blocks or conventionally available compounded cattle feed (in form of pellet) and green grass separately at different times of the day. The results indicated that the total daily milk yield was significantly lower (p&lt;0.01) in the group fed TMR blocks when compared to the group fed conventionally. Feeding TMR blocks or conventional feeding with compounded cattle feed did not have any significant effect on the milk composition viz fat, solids not fat (SNF), lactose and protein content. The results suggested that feeding TMR blocks showed negative impact on milk production when compared to conventional feeding system with compounded cattle feed.

Genetic parameters for conception rate and milk production traits within and across Holstein herds with different housing types and feeding systems during the first 3 lactations

The housing types (HST) in which dairy cows are kept and the feeding systems (FDS) used differ among farmers in Japan. Here, we investigated the genetic relationships among conception rate at first insemination (CR) and milk production traits (PROD) during the first 3 lactations of Holstein cows by using a multiple-trait model that considered the trait values of herds with different HST [tiestall (TSL) barn, freestall (FS) barn, or grazing (GZ)] and FDS as separate traits. Milk production and conception records of Holstein cows in the Hokkaido region of Japan (283,611 records for first lactation, 253,902 for second, and 181,197 for third) were analyzed. We categorized herds with TSL or FS into 2 types of FDS for cows: separate feeding (SF) of roughage plus concentrate or feeding of total mixed ration, in which roughage and concentrates were mixed before feeding. The PROD analyzed were cumulative milk, fat, and protein yields within 305 d and lactation persistency, which we defined as the difference between milk yields at 240 and 60 d in milk. We estimated the heritabilities for CR or PROD within each HST or HST × FDS group and the genetic correlations between these traits within each group or across different groups within each lactation by using a 3-HST (TSL, FS, and GZ) × 2-trait (CR and each PROD) or 2-HST (TSL and FS) × 2-FDS × 2-trait animal model. Heritability estimates for CR in GZ were higher than those in TSL or FS, and genetic correlations for CR between GZ and TSL or FS barns were weaker than those between TSL and FS barns. In addition, genetic correlations between CR and PROD in GZ were weaker than those in TSL and FS barns. In the comparison among the 4 HST × FDS except GZ, heritability estimates for CR in FS × SF were higher than those in the others, and genetic correlations for CR between FS × SF and the other systems were relatively weak. These results indicated that differences in the production system for Holstein cows influence genotypic effects in terms of the cows' ability to conceive and the genetic relationships between fertility traits and milk production traits.