Use Of Feed Resources Research Articles

Responses of nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation and microorganisms to different roughage of dairy buffaloes

Dairy buffaloes are typically fed a high-forage, low-quality diet with high fiber. These conditions result in an inherent energy and protein inefficiency. In order to make full and rational use of feed resources and improve the production level and breeding efficiency of dairy buffaloes, the effects of various roughages on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation parameters, and microorganisms in dairy buffaloes were studied in this experiment. Three ternary hybrid buffaloes, with an average body weight of 365 ± 22.1 kg, were selected and fitted with permanent rumen fistulas. They were fed six different diets, each consisting of 1 kg concentrate supplement and one of six types of roughage, including alfalfa hay (A diet), oat hay (O diet), whole corn silage (W diet), king grass (K diet), sugarcane shoot silage (S diet), and rice straw hay (R diet) according to an incomplete Latin square design of 3 × 6, respectively. The pre-feeding period of each period was 12 d. From day 13 to 15 was the official experimental period. During the prefeeding period, free feed intake for each roughage was determined, and during the experiment, the roughage was fed at 90% of the voluntary feed intake. Digestion and metabolism tests were carried out using the total manure collection method to determine the feed intake and fecal output of each buffalo, and to collect feed and fecal samples for chemical analysis. On day 15, rumen fluid samples were collected two hours after morning feeding to determine rumen fermentation parameters and bacterial 16 S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was performed. The results showed that DM and OM digestibility were greatest for the W diet and lowest for the S diet. The rumen pH of the O diet was significantly greater than that of the W diet. The concentration of rumen fluid NH3-N (mg/dL) increased with increased CP content. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (mmol/L) in the rumen decreased with increased NDF content but increased with increased NFC content. The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Spirochaetes were 57.03-74.84%, 14.29-21.86%, and 0.44-1.43% in the different quality roughage groups. Bacteroidetes were mainly Prevotellaceae1 and Rikenellaceae RC_gut_group with relative abundances of 30.17-45.75% and 3.23-7.82%. The relative abundance of Patescibacteria and Spirochaetes decreased with increasing roughage quality. These results provide a theoretical and practical basis for evaluating the nutritional value of dairy buffalo feed, utilizing feed resources, matching rations, feeding scientifically, and protecting animal health.

Insects as an alternative protein source in poultry nutrition: review

In today’s world, poultry farming is the most dynamically developing branch of agro-industrial complex, providing the population of the planet with products of animal origin. However, poultry meat producers in developing countries face the challenges of high cost and low-quality poultry feed. Limited use of available protein sources forces professionals to consider using alternative protein sources such as forage insects. Due to high content of fat (30–40 %) and protein components (40–60 %) and wide distribution, insects are a cost-effective and potentially sustainable feed resource for poultry feeding. The conducted studies confirm that insect meal (larvae of black soldier fly, housefly, large mealworm, silkworm, grasshopper and locust) can be considered as a potential replacement for fishmeal and soybean meal in poultry feed mixtures. A review of scientific literature is presented, which highlights the use of insects as a source of protein and biologically active substances (polyunsaturated fatty acids and antimicrobial peptides) for poultry feeding and possibility of large-scale insect cliching for feed production. Information is provided on the chemical composition, nutritional and biological value of insect-based feed meal in comparison with soybean and fishmeal. There is practically no information in the literature about the negative consequences for chicken growth when using insect meal in feeding. Most scientific publications indicate that physiological indicators and productivity, when insect meal was used in poultry feeding, were practically not inferior to those in birds fed with soy or fishmeal. Thus, the use of insects as a feed component in poultry farming is a promising aspect for sustainable development of animal husbandry, which allows solving the problems of waste processing and rational use of feed resources.

Effectiveness of fattening cattle on diets of different energy levels with the use of probiotic feed additive “PROGALplv”

A full-fledged yearling of young cattle should be based on scientifically based standards, guaranteeing their genetic productivity potential, rational use of feed resources, and proper payment for feed with meat products. The current situation regarding the rationing of yearling livestock in global and domestic, both scientific and production practices, has fundamentally changed, which requires a significant revision of traditional provisions on the organization of rationed yearling and feeding of farm animals. At the same time, the conceptual requirements for the organization of standardized feeding of young livestock should be based on the general world experience of the need for energy, nutrients, and biologically active substances of animals, taking into account the age period of the growing season, with an emphasis on the quality and biosafety of products. In the intensive production of meat products, to ensure high productivity, it is only possible to do so by using feed products of natural substance, which should include additives with a phytobiological effect. One of these consists of the feed supplement “PROGALplv,” which contains the probiotic component maltodenstrin and fructooligosaccharides and belongs to the probiotic supplement for ruminants. Based on the research, optimizing the standardized feeding of fattening young animals on diets with different energy levels and using the biological feed additive “PROGALplv” at the rate of 6, 10, and 15 g/head was set a day. The research was conducted on Simmental bulls in the conditions of the farm “Pchany-Denkovych” of the Stryi district of the Lviv region. It was established that using “PROGALplv” bio-additives in the ration against the background of different energy nutrition contributed to an increase in the intensity of physiologically helpful microflora of the rumen, which had a stimulating effect in the processes of additional assimilation of nutrients. A positive result was obtained regarding the average daily gains and quality indicators of meat products and the economic efficiency of the final fattening period. Thus, based on the results of our research, it is possible to recommend the introduction of an increased level of energy nutrition of 110 % of the explicit norms into the intensive technology of livestock removal at the expense of an entirely rational feed mixture with the inclusion of the probiotic feed additive “PROGALplv” at the rate of 10 g/head per day. The optimal introduction dose to compound feed compliance is 10 g/head. The maximum amount can be no more than 15 g/h. daily. No adverse side effects of “PROGALplv” bio-additives on the general functional condition of Bugai residents were found.

Techniques Used to Determine Botanical Composition, Intake, and Digestibility of Forages by Ruminants

The botanical and chemical composition of diets consumed by ruminants is different from the composition of plant species available in the rangeland or pastures on which they graze. Exploring alternative and improving existing methods of estimating botanical composition (diet selection) is imperative in advancing sustainable feeding practices in extensive production systems. The ability to predict the intake and digestibility of the diet consumed is important in designing grazing management for different feeding systems as well as supplementation strategies. This facilitates the efficient use of feed resources for optimal animal performance. This review assesses the merits, limitations, and potential advancements in techniques used to estimate botanical composition, forage intake, and digestibility in ruminants. Supplements containing sufficient quantity and identifiable n-alkanes can be used to determine the total forage intake in grazing ruminants without dosing the animals with synthetic even-numbered n-alkanes. When the botanical composition, intake, and digestibility of diet are estimated using internal markers, the results should be validated with those of faecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) or plant cuticular compounds to enhance the prediction accuracy. This should be done to determine the degree of error in the use of internal markers. Conclusively, the use of internal markers with automated solver routine software is a prudent approach to predicting botanical composition due to the analytical ease of the markers involved and the associated model assumptions.

Development factors of the state of the livestock sector in Uzbekistan

In each district of Uzbekistan, 3,000 inter-farm fattening enterprises have been established, and the weight of young cattle has reached 450-550 kilograms. Large quantities of beef were produced. It should be noted that the largest industrial complexes (10,000 heads) have been operating effectively. In this research, the state and development of animal husbandry in Uzbekistan for 1985-2017, issues of selection and breeding of cattle, the use of feed resources, the results of the privatization of livestock facilities and animals were studied. Besides, different fodder crops, including alfalfa (hay), oats, feed peas, barley, maize (for silage and grain), seed for intermediate crops, and soybean, were studied and analyzed in term of structure of arable land (%), arable land (ha), productivity (quintals/ha), gross yield (tons). According to the results, the area of land allocated to livestock farms with 500 head of cattle, including 200 cows (380 conditional cattle), was 115 hectares (0.30 hectares for each conditional cattle). According to the results of the experiment, it was proposed to plant alfalfa in 25% of this fodder area and intermediate and secondary fodder crops in 75%.

Valorization of dietary edible mushrooms waste: chemical and physical properties, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen balance in sheep.

The optimal use of feed resources must be considered by most livestock farmers. The use of low-cost agricultural by-products and the processing of these materials is one possible solution in this respect. One such compound is edible button mushroom waste (EM), a large amount of which is produced annually in the mushroom production cycle worldwide. Bulk density 100 of EM was smaller than the other groups. These changes also applied to alfalfa for bulk density, which was higher than the replaced waste. The dry matter solubility of EM was higher than that of alfalfa hay, whereas the ash solubility rate for EM was greater compared to alfalfa. Replacing up to 210 g kg-1 alfalfa with EM did not affect the production of purine derivatives, microbial protein, nitrogen excreted in urine and feces, and retained nitrogen, although the organic matter digestibility (OMD) increased, whereas the crude protein digestibility and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) decreased (P < 0.05). Fermentation potential, gas production rate, metabolizable energy and short-chain fatty acids were increased. On replacing up to 210 g kg-1 alfalfa with EM, the diet OMD increased, whereas the crude protein and NDF digestibility decreased (P < 0.05). EM usage in the experimental diets did not affect the production of purine derivatives, microbial protein, nitrogen excreted in urine and feces, and retained nitrogen. The physical properties, chemical composition and nutritional value of EM, as well as its low cost, show that it can be used as an alternative part of the diet forage in the ruminant's diet. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

HIGH PROTEIN FEED MARKET: CURRENT TRENDS AND PROSPECTS FOR UKRAINE

Abstract. The research is devoted to the problem of formation of high-protein feeds market for farm animals in Ukraine in conditions of European integration processes. The problem of providing the population with high quality food is becoming more global, the demand for high protein food products of a good quality is growing as well as the need for protein-balanced feeds for livestock. The dynamics of high-protein feed production in Ukraine and EU countries has been studied. The tendencies of the high-protein feeds market formation in Ukraine are considered. By means of benchmarking, price trends in the protein feed market in the EU and Ukraine have been analyzed. Ukraine has favorable soil and climatic conditions for the production of quality, safe products as well as efficient logistic routes available. As a result of the study it was found that the key factor for Ukraine’s penetration into the EU feed market is the need for high-protein feeds. The directions of solving the problem of feed protein deficiency for the needs of animal husbandry are determined. Environmental problems regarding feed quality and safety in the context of Ukraine’s aspirations for European integration are substantiated. The legislative basis for ensuring the quality and safety of feed and feed resources is considered. As a result of SWOT-analysis of vegetable protein production in Ukraine, it was found that Ukraine has significant potential for the production of competitive feed protein that meets domestic needs, form high export potential and promote entry into European and Asian markets. It is emphasized that the process of Ukraine’s European integration requires constant marketing research of the sectoral situation changes with account of the specific features of domestic production of high-protein feeds, highlighting key factors of Ukraine’s presence and its potentialities in the EU agricultural market and outlining the prospects for its development. Increase in the performance of farm animals and margins of livestock production requires balanced diets and reduction of feed cost in the costs structure due to the use of high protein feeds. It is important for Ukraine to promote the development of the market for high-protein and bulk feeds on the industrial basis as well as the development of organic feed and livestock production. Development of the competitive feed market in Ukraine and solving of the environmental and social problems of intensive animal husbandry requires the improvement of legislation to meet the requirements of EU Directives on the production, processing and efficient use of feed resources. Keywords: feed market, feed production, high-protein feed, protein balance, price, SWOT-analysis. Formulas: 0; fig.: 6; tabl.: 4; bibl.: 19.

Feeding Models to Optimize Dairy Feed Rations in View of Feed Availability, Feed Prices and Milk Production Scenarios

In the global dairy production sector, feed ingredient price and availability are highly volatile; they may shape the composition of the feed ration and, in consequence, impact feed cost and enteric methane (CH4) emissions. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of changes in feed ingredients’ prices and feed ingredients’ availability on dairy ration composition, feed cost and predicted methane yield under different levels of milk production. To meet the research aim, a series of multi-period linear programming models were developed. The models were then used to simulate 14 feed rations formulations, each covering 162 months and three dairy production levels of 10, 25 and 35 kg milk/d, representing a total of 6804 feed rations altogether. Across milk production levels, the inclusion of alfalfa hay into the feed rations declined from 55% to 38% when daily milk production increased from 10 to 35 kg, reflecting the cows’ increased energy requirements. At a daily milk production level of 35 kg, CH4 production (per kg milk) was 21% and 53% lower than in average and low milk producing cows, respectively, whereas at 10 kg of milk production the potential to reduce CH4 production varied between 0.6% and 5.5% (average = 3.9%). At all production levels, a reduction in CH4 output was associated with an increase in feed costs. Overall, and considering feeding scenarios in low milk producing cows, feed cost per kg milk was 30% and 37% higher compared to that of average and high milk production, respectively. The feed ration modeling approach allows us to account for the interaction between feed ingredients over time, taking into consideration volatile global feed prices. Overall, the model provides a decision-making tool to improve the use of feed resources in the dairy sector.

Effectiveness of milk production when using by cows mineral and energy complex Reactor

The Vologda region is an area of developed dairy cattle breeding and the organization of comlete-fledged feeding of highly productive cows requires a special approach due to difficult soil and climatic conditions, which causes an insufficient balance of feed and rations. This paper has been solving the problem that is important for the region. The purpose of this work was to study the effectiveness of milk production with the use of the mineral and energy complex Reactor in feeding of cows. Researches on the effectiveness of using the feed additive Reactor have been carried out in the APC “Verny” in the Ustyuzhensky district in the Vologda region. In order to implement the set tasks 4 groups of cows of Black-and-White breed have been formed based on the principle of pairs-analogues, taking into account their age (2,4 lactation), live weight (540 kg), milk yield for 305 days of the last lactation (6250 kg) and physiological state. Cows of all groups have been received the main ration, but the animals of the 1st experimental group in the fresh period and the cows of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups in the transit period have been additionally fed the mineral and energy complex Reactor. As the result of researches, new data on the zootechnical and economic feasibility of using this feed additive in the feeding of cows with the milk yield of 6000–7000 kg per lactation have been obtained, which allows identifying additional reserves for increasing milk yield with rational use of feed resources. The level of profitability of milk production for the period of increasing the milk yield in the control group was 10,4 %, and in the experimental group – 15,0; 16,8 and 20,7 %, respectively, i.e. there is the increase in this indicator by 1,5–2 times if the feed additive Reactor is used before and after calving.

Optimal dairy feed input selection under alternative feeds availability and relative prices

Feed formulation is essential in the dairy production chain from economic, nutritional, and environmental perspectives. Optimizing the feed formulation across those three domains – given uncertainty of input prices, input availability, and regional climatic conditions – is a challenge for those in the industry. The diet formulation method that is widely used by trading firms and feed production facilities employs a static linear programming (LP) approach. This approach does not allow for intertemporal feed formulations and switches between dietary feed commodities under feed availability conditions, which result in foregone economic gains for feed producers.The current study develops a multi-period LP feed model that uses historical data to capture ration switch opportunities between available feed resources for dairy cows and demonstrates the potential use of the method in different commodity feed availability situations. We apply 14 diet formulations, each covering 150 months, representing a total of 2100 diets. The diet formulation considers a specific milk production level for a “model cow”, alternative feed formulations available, and volatility in feed prices. The results demonstrate that there is an opportunity for efficiency gains in the dairy industry with respect to feed formulation.Based on dietary feed inclusion and price spreads, barley can be an important dairy feed grain which completely replaces wheat, corn, and sorghum at price spreads of less than 94%, less than 78%, and less than 67%, respectively. Grain-based feed scenarios represent the lowest nutrient variation while multiple meal feeds had the lowest costs. Furthermore, and on average, multiple meal feed scenarios provided 10% higher dietary crude protein contents compared to grain based feed scenarios (i.e. 163 vs 179 g/kg DM formulated feed). Meanwhile, multiple meal feeding cost was 11% lower than that in the grain based feeding scenarios. Additionally, the use of multiple meals reduces alfalfa dietary inclusion by 7% on dry matter basis. Our analysis shows a strong reduction in feed cost associated with dietary crude protein reduction equivalent to 7.6 USD/tonne per 1% reduction in dietary crude protein level.The modeling approach allows for the interaction between feed components over time taking into consideration volatile global feed prices, thereby improving feed availability and feed formulation. Overall, the model provides a decision making tool to improve the use of feed resources in the dairy sector.

Use of Feed Resources in Intensive Urban Ruminant Production Systems of West Africa: A Case Study from Burkina Faso

A longitudinal study was conducted in the built-up area of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) to assess the resource use efficiency in zero-grazing beef cattle production enterprises, determine the animals’ liveweight (LW) changes; and evaluate whether the feeding regime was able to meet the animals’ energy requirements for maintenance and growth. Five representative farms were purposively selected out of a total of 133 farms surveyed in a previous study. The average number of cattle per farm was 3.6±2.01. Measurements were carried out in bi-weekly intervals for ten months. LW of animals averaged 270±128.8 kg and LW gain (LWG) ranged from 162 to 423g/day with an average of 290±161 g/day. The average daily supplies of crude protein (CPoffer) and metabolizable energy (MEoffer) of 25±12.7g/kg0.75 and 1.3±0.67 MJ/kg0.75 (dry season) and 33±9.6 g/kg0.75 and 1.8±0.63 MJ/kg0.75 (rainy season), respectively, clearly exceeded the animals’ requirements for maintenance plus growth. Hence, the calculated conversion ratios for offered feed and protein as well as energy use efficiency were very low. With the current management, part of the offered feeds ends up at the dung heap. Monthly manure mass collected per farm and tropical livestock unit averaged 93±30.9 kg dry matter; if well recycled, it could contribute substantially to crop production and yield high revenue, especially, in urban vegetable production.

Impact of Differences in Land Management on Natural Vegetation in Semi-Dry Areas: The Case Study of the Adi Zaboy Watershed in the Kilite Awlaelo District, Eastern Tigray Region, Ethiopia

The search for a sustainable land management has become a universal issue. It is especially necessary to discuss sustainable land management and to secure a site with enough feed supply to improve the lives of the farmers in the Ethiopian Highlands. This research studied the Adi Zaboy watershed in Tigray in order to reveal the changes in land management, assess how the different forms of land management affected the vegetation through unsupervised classification and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) analysis with geographic information system (GIS) 10.5 using a WorldView-2 satellite image taken in September 2016 and field investigation, and consider how to allow both environmental preservation and sustainable use of feed resources. The land management types at the research site were classified as “seasonally-closed grazing land”, “prohibited grazing and protected forest land”, and “free grazing land”. On comparing the NDVI of each type of land management, it was found that the seasonally-closed grazing land makes it highly possible to secure and supply feed resources by limiting the grazing period. The expansion of the prohibited grazing and protected forest land is likely to tighten the restriction on the use of resources. Therefore, sustainable land management to secure feed resources may be possible by securing and actively using seasonally-closed grazing land, securing feed by a cut-and-carry, and using satellite images and GIS.

Influence of roughage: Concentrate ratio in the ration and feed prices on profitability of commercial dairy farms

Feed is the major input factor in all livestock production systems. The productivity of livestock is strongly related to the availability of feed resource. Given the scarcity of feeds and fodder in the country and their rising prices, efficient use of feed resources is important. Simulation of changes in feed and fodder prices on project viability of a herd of 100 dairy animals was done. At the prevailing prices of milk and feed inputs, changes in the roughage: concentrate ratio from 60: 40 to 50: 50 in case of commercial dairy herd increased the feed cost by 23–24/animal/d. Increased concentrate in diet was economically viable only if there was a corresponding increase in the milk yield by 660–700 g/animal/d. The profitability of the herd is highly sensitive to prices of concentrate with benefit: cost ratio changes from 1.48 to 1.42 for 10% rise in the prices of concentrate.

Genome-wide association study reveals putative role of gga-miR-15a in controlling feed conversion ratio in layer chickens

BackgroundEfficient use of feed resources for farm animals is a critical concern in animal husbandry. Numerous genetic and nutritional studies have been conducted to investigate feed efficiency during the regular laying cycle of chickens. However, by prolonging the laying period of layers, the performance of feed utilization in the late-laying period becomes increasingly important. In the present study, we measured daily feed intake (FI), residual feed intake (RFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 808 hens during 81–82 weeks of age to evaluate genetic properties and then used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to reveal the genetic determinants.ResultsThe heritability estimates for the investigated traits were medium and between 0.15 and 0.28 in both pedigree- and genomic-based estimates, whereas the genetic correlations among these traits were high and ranged from 0.49 to 0.90. Three genome-wide significant SNPs located on chromosome 1 (GGA1) were detected for FCR. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and conditional GWA analysis indicated that these 3 SNPs were highly correlated with one another, located at 13.55–45.16 Kb upstream of gga-miR-15a. Results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis in liver tissue showed that the expression of gga-miR-15a was significantly higher in the high FCR birds than that in the medium or low FCR birds. Bioinformatics analysis further revealed that gga-mir-15a could act on many target genes, such as forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) that is involved in the insulin-signaling pathway, which influences nutrient metabolism in many organisms. Additionally, some suggestively significant variants, located on GGA3 and GGA9, were identified to associate with FI and RFI.ConclusionsThis GWA analysis was conducted on feed intake and efficiency traits for chickens and was innovative for application in the late laying period. Our findings can be used as a reference in the genomic breeding programs for increasing the efficiency performance of old hens and to improve our understanding of the molecular determinants for feed efficiency.

Genome-wide association analysis reveals genetic loci and candidate genes for feeding behavior and eating efficiency in Duroc boars.

Efficient use of feed resources is a challenge in the pork industry because the largest variability in expenditure is attributed to the cost of fodder. Efficiency of feeding is directly related to feeding behavior. In order to identify genomic regions controlling feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits, 338 Duroc boars were used in this study. The Illumina Porcine SNP60K BeadChip was used for genotyping. Data pertaining to individual daily feed intake (DFI), total daily time spent in feeder (TPD), number of daily visits to feeder (NVD), average duration of each visit (TPV), mean feed intake per visit (FPV), mean feed intake rate (FR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were collected for these pigs. Despite the limited sample size, the genome-wide association study was acceptable to detect candidate regions association with feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits in pigs. We detected three genome-wide (P < 1.40E-06) and 11 suggestive (P < 2.79E-05) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-trait associations. Six SNPs were located in genomic regions where quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have previously been reported for feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits in pigs. Five candidate genes (SERPINA3, MYC, LEF1, PITX2, and MAP3K14) with biochemical and physiological roles that were relevant to feeding behavior and eating efficiency were discovered proximal to significant or suggestive markers. Gene ontology analysis indicated that most of the candidate genes were involved in the development of the hypothalamus (GO:0021854, P < 0.0398). Our results provide new insights into the genetic basis of feeding behavior and eating efficiency in pigs. Furthermore, some significant SNPs identified in this study could be incorporated into artificial selection programs for Duroc-related pigs to select for increased feeding efficiency.

DRY MATTER AND NUTRIENT INTAKE AND DIET COMPOSITION IN Leucaena leucocephala – BASED INTENSIVE SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEMS

&lt;p&gt;Knowledge of forage intake and grazing selectivity is vital to improve the use of feed resources by grazing animals. To estimate forage selectivity and intake by steers grazing in intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) under tropical dry forest (bs-T) conditions. Intake was evaluated using the n-alkane technique in: 1) a &lt;em&gt;Leucaena leucocephala &lt;/em&gt;(over 10000 shrubs/ha) and &lt;em&gt;Megathyrsus maximus &lt;/em&gt;ISS system and, 2) a &lt;em&gt;M. maximus &lt;/em&gt;monoculture system. Eight steers with an average weight of 248±23.1 kg live weight were evaluated. Animals grazing in the ISS system had greater dry matter intake (26.1 vs. 20.4 g kg&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; d&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; of BW, P = 0.044) and had greater intake (g d&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;; P ≤ 0.02) of crude protein (954 vs. 499), calcium (62.1 vs. 36.2) and fat (94.2 vs. 69.6) than those grazing in the &lt;em&gt;M. maximus &lt;/em&gt;monoculture system, respectively. Compared to conventional pastures, DMI of animals grazing in ISS increases, contributing to greater animal productivity.&lt;/p&gt;

Management and use of dairy cattle feed resources on smallholder certified organic pineapple farms in Central Uganda

Formulation of exclusively organic diets that meet maintenance and production requirements of dairy cattle is a major limitation to production of premium organic products of animal origin. This study was therefore carried out to assess the use and availability of feed resources and the coping strategies used by farmers to overcome dry season feed shortages on 64 smallholder certified organic pineapple farms. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and two focus group discussions. Majority of households were headed by males (62.9%) while average age of respondents was 42.5 years. Farmers allocated more land (P<0.05) to organic pineapple production compared to livestock. Beside dairy cattle, farmers also kept chickens, goats and pigs. Tethering was the commonest cattle management system. Fifty three percent of respondents reported using both natural pastures and crop residues as major dairy cattle feed resources while only 19% reported using elephant grass. Banana peels (25.1%) and sweet potato vines (24.7%) were the most important crop residues fed to cattle. Farmers reported high cost of concentrates and scarcity of feeds as their biggest challenges in dairy cattle production. Of the respondents, 51.4% conserved feed for their cattle as fodder banks. As a coping strategy to feed shortages, majority (42.9%) of farmer scavenged for feed resources from both organic certified and nonorganic neighbouring farms which is contrary to organic livestock farming standards. It was, therefore, concluded that management of livestock feeding in the study area fell short of the requirements for organic livestock feeding standards. Research to develop strategies that can use alternative on-farm feed resources through ensiling organic pineapple wastes during the dry season is recommended as a long term strategy to address feed challenges for organic livestock farmers.

Feed intake, average daily gain, feed efficiency, and real-time ultrasound traits in Duroc pigs: II. Genomewide association.

Efficient use of feed resources has become a clear challenge for the U.S. pork industry as feed costs continue to be the largest variable expense. The availability of the Illumina Porcine60K BeadChip has greatly facilitated whole-genome association studies to identify chromosomal regions harboring genes influencing those traits. The current study aimed at identifying genomic regions associated with variation in feed efficiency and several production traits in a Duroc terminal sire population, including ADFI, ADG, feed conversion ratio, residual feed intake (RFI), real-time ultrasound back fat thickness (BF), ultrasound muscle depth, intramuscular fat content (IMF), birth weight (BW at birth), and weaning weight (BW at weaning). Single trait association analyses were performed using Bayes B models with 35,140 SNP on 18 autosomes after quality control. Significance of nonoverlapping 1-Mb length windows (n = 2,380) were tested across 3 QTL inference methods: posterior distribution of windows variances from Monte Carlo Markov Chain, naive Bayes factor, and nonparametric bootstrapping. Genes within the informative QTL regions for the traits were annotated. A region ranging from166 to 140 Mb (4-Mb length) on SSC 1, approximately 8 Mb upstream of the MC4R gene, was significantly associated with ADFI, ADG, and BF, where SOCS6 and DOK6 are proposed as the most likely candidate genes. Another region affecting BW at weaning was identified on SSC 4 (84-85 Mb), harboring genes previously found to influence both human and cattle height: PLAG1, CHCHD7, RDHE2 (or SDR16C5), MOS, RPS20, LYN, and PENK. No QTL were identified for RFI, IMF, and BW at birth. In conclusion, we have identified several genomic regions associated with traits affecting nutrient utilization that could be considered for future genomic prediction to improve feed utilization.

Seasonal changes in the use of feeding resources by fish in stands of aquatic macrophytes in an Amazonian floodplain, Brazil

This study aimed to characterize the food intake by the fish assemblage inhabiting aquatic macrophytes stands, evaluating the changes in food availability among the periods of the hydrologic cycle and the trophic responses of the fish assemblage along with food availability. Fish sampling was conducted in stands of aquatic macrophytes (predominantly Paspalum repens, Poaceae) along banks of the Trombetas River during the four hydrologic periods (rising, high, receding, and low water level) that represent different phenological conditions of the habitat. The food consumption by the fish assemblage was analyzed for 41 species with stomach contents. The assemblage fed mainly on aquatic insects, periphytic algae and detritus. Food availability analysis showed that food resources changed among periods. Fifteen species were present in more than one period and most of those species showed dietary changes along with the hydrologic cycle, feeding mainly on invertebrates in the rising water period and periphytic algae and detritus in receding and low water periods. Only four species showed sufficient numbers to be analyzed in relation to diet and food availability along the at least three hydrologic periods, two of which showed a positive correlation between diet and food availability for three of the four periods; the other two species did not show this correlation, and presented omnivorous habits. In all cases, the selectivity values for the most important food items were near zero, indicating that intake was not motivated by feeding preference. Our results suggest that both trophic plasticity and omnivorous diets are important adaptations for species that inhabit temporally variable habitats such as aquatic macrophytes stands.

Longitudinal use of feeding resources and distribution of fish trophic guilds in a coastal Atlantic stream, southern Brazil

This study described the use of food resources and the distribution of fish trophic guilds along the longitudinal gradient of a coastal Atlantic stream, southern Brazil. Allochthonous resources (terrestrial insects) predominated in the headwaters, whereas autochthonous food items (algae, fish) and detritus predominated in the mouth section. Detritivorous, aquaticinvertivorous, and terrestrial- and aquatic-insectivorous species occurred throughout the gradient, while omnivorous and piscivorous in the headwaters and middle stretches, respectively, and herbivorous in the middle and mouth. Detritivores and aquatic-insectivores were significantly more specialized than the other guilds, however, there was no evidence of a longitudinal increase in trophic specialization. Density and biomass of aquatic-invertivores and aquatic-insectivores decreased, whereas that of detritivores increased longitudinally. The distribution of trophic guilds was significantly associated with the stream section, where aquatic and terrestrial insectivorous were more frequent in rocky and flowed stretches from the headwater and detritivores in deeper environments with finer particles of substrate from the mouth. This suggests that fish assemblages in coastal streams with a steep longitudinal gradient may follow patterns in the use of food resources according with the food availability along the river, as predicted by the River Continuum Concept.