Winter Feeding Research Articles

The winter munchies: feeding throughout winter is common in juvenile Pumpkinseed and improves energy reserves available in spring

In warmwater fishes, feeding during winter is often assumed to be negligible; however, there is growing evidence that juveniles will feed opportunistically even at cold temperatures. If fishes are able to effectively digest prey, then feeding during winter could supplement energy reserves and mitigate the risk of winter starvation. We use laboratory and pond experiments to determine whether feeding during winter can supplement energy reserves in a warmwater species. We compared juvenile Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) from two cold-climate (native Canadian) and two warm-climate (non-native Spanish) populations raised in a common environment to determine whether winter feeding is more prevalent in populations that typically experience longer winters. Under simulated winter conditions, Pumpkinseed with access to prey readily fed and had greater lipid mass in spring than those without access to prey. Despite similar rates of consumption, winter feeding improved lipid mass to a greater extent in the Canadian populations, indicating that feeding benefitted the cold-climate populations more than the warm-climate populations. All populations of Pumpkinseed overwintering in outdoor ponds also fed regularly, with 88% of individuals collected mid-winter containing at least one prey item. The pattern of loss in energy reserves over time varied dramatically among populations suggesting that pond-specific environmental conditions were important in shaping how energy reserves were used. These results indicate that winter feeding may be more common in juvenile warmwater fishes than previously thought and that supplementation of energy reserves during winter should be taken into account when considering the factors influencing first year recruitment success.

Influence of winter feeding on colony development and the antioxidant system of the honey bee, Apis mellifera

The effects of supplementary feeding (artificial diet cake + sucrose syrup supplemented with vitamin C) for different periods (feeding for 12, 15 and 18 weeks) on colony development, protein content and antioxidant system in newly emerged workers were investigated from October to March for two consecutive beekeeping seasons. Sugar syrup was used as the control. The results revealed that there was a marked increase in colony growth parameters (sealed brood areas and adult bee population sizes) in colonies provided with supplemental diet for different periods compared to control colonies. Moreover, colonies fed longest (feeding for 18 weeks) recorded significantly higher sealed brood areas and adult bee population sizes in comparison to other treatment groups. Also, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes together with levels of glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured in newly emerged honey bee workers sampled from colonies fed supplemental diet for different periods and control group. There was a clear improvement in the antioxidant system in bee colonies that were provided with supplemental diet for 18 weeks compared to other treatments and control ones. This suggests that honey bee workers supplemented with artificial feeding during the winter season possess mechanisms that reduce their oxidative stress. Together, our results suggest that supplemental winter feeding for 18 weeks (from 1 November to 11 March) has the potential to improve colony development and health during overwintering, a period of elevated colony losses.

Parasitological Monitoring of European Bison (Bison Bonasus) from Three Forests of North-eastern Poland between 2014 and 2016.

IntroductionCommon parasites of the European bison include gastro-intestinal and pulmonary nematodes, liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica), tapeworms, and protozoa of the genus Coccidia. This study compared the extensiveness and intensities of European bison parasitic invasions in three north-eastern Polish forests in different seasons and queried the role of parasitological monitoring in sanitary and hygienic control of feeding places.Material and MethodsFaecal samples were collected in the Białowieża, Knyszyńska, and Borecka Forests between 2014 and 2016, as were some from an area neighbouring the Białowieża Forest outside the Natura 2000 protected area. Parasites were detected in individual samples with the flotation, decanting and Baermann methods.ResultsThe eggs of Trichostrongylidae, Aonchotheca sp., Nematodirus sp., Strongyloides spp., Trichuris sp., Moniezia spp., and Fasciola hepatica; the larvae of Dictyocaulus viviparus; and the oocytes of Eimeria spp. were identified. Significant variation in invasion intensity and diversity was seen by origin and season. The relationships were assessed first by univariable tests and next multivariately, when origin and season emerged as the major risk factors for exposure to most of the parasites.ConclusionThe differences in the level of parasitic infection between the forests did not have implications for its sufficiency to cause clinical symptoms. However, the associations and risk factors found enable the necessary preventive measures to be taken to protect the E. bison from exposure or decrease the risks. Additionally, parasitological monitoring is appropriate as the method of sanitary and hygienic control of European bison winter feeding places. Threats to public health through adventitious invasions by zoonotic factors such as F. hepatica have been identified.

The Effect of Feeding Roughages of Varying Digestibility Prepartum on Energy Status and Metabolic Profiles in Beef Cows around Parturition.

Simple SummaryGrass silages based on timothy-meadow fescue are commonly fed to pregnant beef cows during winter. As beef cows usually are given free access to roughage for rational reasons, the use of these silages has been questioned due to their relatively high nutritional value, which may result in nutrient intakes above animal requirements and, hence, a waste of resources. Therefore, other roughage alternatives are requested, but their effects on cow intake and energy status before calving must be evaluated before applied in practice. Four diets based on timothy-meadow fescue silage, festulolium silage plus urea, reed canarygrass silage or barley straw supplemented with urea and rapeseed meal were fed in free access to mature pregnant beef cows. Timothy-meadow fescue and festulolium diets resulted in overfeeding of energy and protein and in body weight and body condition gains, whereas the opposite was observed for cows fed the other two diets. Hence, reed canarygrass or barley straw supplemented with urea and rapeseed meal prepartum may be suitable alternatives to the traditional timothy-meadow fescue diet, if cows are able to regain lost BCS during the grazing period, and may reduce winter feed costs of the cow-calf producer due to the low intakes of these diets.Resource efficient winter-feeding of mature pregnant beef cows requires knowledge of how different roughage-based feeding strategies affect cow intake and energy status. Four diets based on traditional timothy-meadow fescue silage (TM), festulolium silage plus urea (FE), reed canarygrass silage (RC) or barley straw supplemented with urea and rapeseed meal (BR), were fed ad libitum for 16 weeks prepartum to 36 Hereford cows. Postpartum, cows were fed the same diet before release on pasture. Individual data on cow intake, changes in body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and plasma metabolites, calf birth and weaning weights were recorded. The TM and FE diets resulted in increased BW and BCS prepartum (p < 0.001), while the RC and BR diets resulted in a catabolic state, as indicated by a loss of BCS, lower insulin levels and higher non-esterified fatty acid levels in cows fed BR (p < 0.001). There were no dietary effects on calf parameters (p > 0.29). Feeding RC or BR prepartum might be a possible alternative to traditional timothy-meadow fescue silage if cows are allowed to regain lost BCS during the grazing period. The influence on cow reproductive- and calf performance should be considered before making this management change.

Smaller does not mean worse: variation of roe deer antlers from two distant populations in their mechanical and structural properties and mineral profile

AbstractAntler size, structure, composition and mechanics have been shown to reflect nutrition, climate and body effects in red deer, but studies have only assessed effects on size in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Roe deer show little sexual dimorphism, lower inter‐male fighting and could form groups during part of the year but does not form harems, in contrast to red deer. Thus, it is interesting to assess how nutrition and habitat affects investment in antlers as compared to red deer. Antlers were collected from adult males of two game estates differing in location, climate and management: 13 from the south‐east of Spain (mild winter, hot summer, dry habitat and rich supplementary feeding), and 10 specimens came from central‐southern part of the Czech Republic (snowy winter, mild summer, humid habitat and limited supplementary feeding). After measuring whole‐antler parameters, a destructive sampling was performed to obtain a full‐transversal section and cortical bone samples from two sampling position along the main beam. Then bone structure, mechanical properties (three‐point bending test, impact test) and the mineral profile were studied. Roe deer from Spain had heavier and longer antlers than Czech roe deer. Their bone material had a higher mechanical quality, although Czech roe deer compensated by developing antlers with thicker walls. Mineral composition also differs, particularly by greater contents in Czech antlers in 3 minerals associated with nutrient stress: Fe, K and Zn. We concluded that the differences found between populations may be caused by differences in habitat quality and diet, in a similar way as reported for red deer, despite interspecific differences. Our study suggests that habitat affects antler parameters and, as previous results in red deer, suggests that improving diet quality may affect size, composition and mechanical quality of antler material. Certainly, antlers of roe deer provide information useful for population management.

Effects of inoculants on the fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) silage on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

To effectively use local available grass resources to cover the winter feed shortage on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, direct-cut and wilted reed canary grass (RCG) silages were prepared by using a rolled-bale system, and their ensiling characteristics and in vitro digestibility were studied. Silages were treated without (control) or with inoculants including LP (Lactobacillus plantarum), LPLB (L. plantarum, L. buchneri), and LPLBc (L. plantarum, L. buchneri, and cellulase), and were stored at ambient temperature (5.7-14.6°C) for 90days. Compared with control, the inoculated silages increased (p<.05) lactic acid and acetic acid contents, and reduced (p<.05) final pH value and ammonia-N ratio of total N. The highest WSC content (41.2g/kg DM) occurred for LPLB-inoculated silage, whereas LPLBc-treated silage displayed the lowest contents of NDF (522.9g/kg DM) and ADF (275.5g/kg DM). In addition, LPLBc-inoculated silage had the highest in vitro gas production (51.0ml/g DM), in vitro DM digestibility (619.3g/kg DM), and metabolic energy (9.6kJ/kg DM). These results confirmed that treatments with inoculants at ensiling could improve silage fermentation and in vitro digestibility of RCG, and this could be a potential winter feed for animals on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

A prospectus for sustainability of rainfed maize production systems in South Africa

AbstractThe rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) production systems of South Africa require an integrated approach to use the limited soil available water more efficiently, and to increase system productivity and sustainability. The soils across the major maize production regions are highly susceptible to wind and water erosion. Rigorous soil tillage, maize monoculture, and fallow periods are common, which depletes the soil from organic matter and nutrients. Despite the pressing need for transforming the highly degraded rainfed maize production systems, adoption of more sustainable management approaches has been limited, likely due to a shortage of local scientific field trials to evaluate current and alternative maize agronomic management practices. Erratic interseasonal rainfall patterns cause high variability in maize grain yields. Major challenges associated with no‐tillage are poor crop establishment, subsoil compaction, and high maize grain yield variability. The use of fallow in the maize–fallow production system leads to excessive runoff and soil erosion losses despite increased maize grain yields. Crop intensification and alternative crops are needed to increase rainfall water use efficiency and lower fallow frequency. The use of cover and forage crops may provide the opportunity to diversify and intensify maize production systems. Cover crop biomass could be beneficial in livestock‐integrated production systems providing livestock feed in either winter or summer. Research is drastically required to improve the understanding of current South African rainfed maize production systems and to facilitate the development of fitting sustainable agronomic management practices.

Bringing Whales Ashore: Oceans and the Environment of Early Modern Japan by Jakobina K. Arch

Reviewed by: Bringing Whales Ashore: Oceans and the Environment of Early Modern Japan by Jakobina K. Arch Jonathan Stockdale (bio) Bringing Whales Ashore: Oceans and the Environment of Early Modern Japan. By Jakobina K. Arch. University of Washington Press, Seattle, 2019. xxii, 247 pages. $40.00. With Bringing Whales Ashore, Jakobina Arch almost singlehandedly places the emerging field regarding whales and whaling in Japanese history on solid ground. As the title hints, Arch is interested in exploring not just the detailed practice of early modern Japanese whaling, but also the myriad ways in which whales entered mainstream Tokugawa society and culture: as consumer products (primarily meat, oil, fertilizer, and pesticide), as "food for thought" (as in the fiction of Ihara Saikaku), and even as spiritual beings, speaking in dreams and in turn being memorialized in temples and graveyards. In the process, Arch also takes aim at historiographic issues within studies of the Tokugawa period, arguing powerfully for the importance of the oceanic environment for understanding a society too often characterized as "closed" to the sea or based overwhelmingly in agrarian rice production. More than an environmental and cultural history, however, Bringing Whales Ashore serves also as a work of environmental ethics, each chapter pausing amid Arch's detailed historical analysis to issue strongly worded rebukes of pro-whaling interests in contemporary Japan, who voice their legitimacy through claims to an "unbroken tradition" of Japanese whaling. Lucid, thoughtful, and thought provoking, Bringing Whales Ashore is a richly textured work that not only fills an important gap for scholars of Japanese history but also provides engaging material that should stimulate discussion—as well as debate—in the classroom. The first two chapters lay the foundation for the book regarding whales and whaling per se: chapter 1 reconstructs a natural history of the whales that once flourished in the waters around Japan, while chapter 2 explores the actual practice of coastal whaling that lasted from slightly before until slightly after the Tokugawa era. In chapter 1, Arch shows through Tokugawa-period illustrated manuscripts that a wide spectrum of whales was familiar to the Japanese, including toothed (sperm and beaked whales) as well as baleen varieties (primarily right, gray, and humpback, but also fin and sei whales), all of whom passed alongside Japan during their long-distance migrations, heading northward in the summer toward Arctic feeding grounds and southward in the winter to breed in warmer waters. (An inadvertent error on page 25 flips these seasons to read "summer breeding grounds" and "winter feeding grounds," but if one flips the two seasons within that sentence back again, the sentence is in agreement with the [End Page 174] detailed discussion in the rest of the chapter.) For early modern Japanese whalers, however—who launched their oar boats from the shore after sighting whales, and who processed their catch back on the shore—their targets were almost exclusively the shore-hugging baleen whales, and of those, the slowest moving, hence primarily right, gray, and humpback whales. Reconstructing historical whale populations is a much more difficult task, as Arch herself indicates: "historical whaling records are our best source for numbers and locations of whales before the twentieth century" (p. 23), but those records are not always extant and only show the number of whales taken, not the numbers actually present. As a result, Arch combines current whale population data with historical whaling records to yield a sense of the vast numbers of whales that would have been present in Japanese waters: if today only about 500 right whales exist in the entire North Pacific, but 30,000 right whales were taken by American whalers in the 1840s alone (p. 33), then the number of right and other whales that would have been visible in early modern Japan was surely considerable, and Arch is no doubt right to conclude that even on a purely environmental level, "whales were a powerful presence throughout early modern Japan" (p. 47). In chapter 2 Arch provides a nuanced analysis of the historical practice of Japanese coastal whaling. As she details, coastal whaling (as opposed to the opportunistic harvest of stranded whales) began in the 1570s with the advent of harpoon whaling from...

HERITABILITY AND GENETIC ADVANCE OF YIELD AND YIELD RELATED TRAITS IN WINTER FEED BARLEY VARIETIES

A field experiment was conducted at the Institute of Agriculture – Karnobat, Southeastern Bulgaria in three growing seasons. Twenty barley varieties were laid out in a complete block design with 4 replications. Variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield-related traits and grain yield were studied. There were significant differences among varieties for all studied traits including grain yield. Heritability in broad sense ranged from 10.10% for grain yield to 94.60% for spike length. High heritability estimates and genetic advance as percent of mean was computed for spike length and 1000 grain weight. Besides, genotypic coefficient of variance and phenotypic coefficient of variance had low differences for these characters. Therefore, these traits could be easily improved by selection. Grain yields of the check varieties Veslets and Izgrev were 5.27 t/ha and 5.09 t/ha, respectively. The varieties that performed better than the checks for grain yield were PA86-49-95 (6.43 t/ha), Bojin (6.01 t/ha), and Express (5.90 t/ha). Hence, using these varieties in the breeding program of winter feed barley could lead to the improvement of grain yield.

ОСНОВНЫЕ ЗАКОНОМЕРНОСТИ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННОЙ СТРУКТУРЫ ПРОМЫСЛОВЫХ СКОПЛЕНИЙ КОРЮШКИ АЗИАТСКОЙ ЗУБАСТОЙ OSMERUS MORDAX ЗАПАДНОЙ КАМЧАТКИ В ВЕСЕННЕ-ЛЕТНИЙ ПЕРИОД

Results of the research allow to figure out modern boundaries of forming general commercial aggregations of the species in visinity of spawning rivers and in the shelf zone of West Kamchatka. It is demonstrated the dynamics of the regional commercial catches and evaluated stock of toothed smelt for the period of the historical highest stock abundance in the second decade of the ХХI century. The data obtained allow to think of a united system of forming toothed smelt commercial stock on the west coast of Kamchatka, although there are obvious centers of reproduction in the rivers of the West Kamchatka subzone (the Rivers Moroshechnaya, Khairyuzova, Belogolovaya and Kovran) and in the Kamchatka Kurile subzone (the Rivers Bolshaya, Opala and Golygina). Redistribution of stock at the level of particular “local stocks” takes place during the autumn and winter feeding of the fish in the shelf zone of West Kamchatka.

Double Cropping Productivity of Main Whole-Crop Silage Rice and Winter Feed Crops in the Central Plains of Korea

Double Cropping Productivity of Main Whole-Crop Silage Rice and Winter Feed Crops in the Central Plains of Korea

Short Communication: Mineral assessment of rangeland-managed beef cows in the high desert region of Oregon

ABSTRACT Objective Our objective was to assess the mineral status of rangeland-managed beef cows and available forages in the Oregon high desert, which is currently unknown. Materials and Methods Mineral concentrations were measured at the end of the annual grazing season from common range forage plants and 30 randomly selected beef cows on communal range (10 cows per group): unsupplemented Angus (UA), unsupplemented Longhorn (UL), and Angus cows supplemented before the grazing season with minerals and true protein (SA). CONTRAST statements in PROC GLM were used to determine the effect of breed (UL vs. UA) and winter mineral and protein supplementation (SA vs. UA). Results and Discussion Imbalanced mineral concentrations (minerals above and below respective minimum requirements) were observed in common range forage plants and beef cattle; most beef cows were deficient for copper, sodium, selenium, and zinc. Specifically, serum selenium concentrations of unsupplemented cows were in the clinical deficiency range (2–21 ng of Se/mL). Whereas breed did not alter serum mineral concentrations, mineral and protein supplementation during winter improved serum concentrations of selenium at the end of the fall season to marginally deficient concentrations between 53 and 90 ng/mL. Implications and Applications Imbalanced mineral concentrations are prevalent in beef cows after grazing the Oregon high desert range, which can be in part improved through mineral and protein supplementation over winter. Blood analysis from a subset of animals on return to the winter feeding grounds would help to formulate a mineral supplement that addresses specific cow requirements during the winter feeding period.

Cow-calf performance, forage utilization, and economics of warm-season annual baleage in beef cattle winter feeding systems.

A 52-d winter feeding trial was conducted to determine animal performance, utilization, and economics of pearl millet (PM) baleage, sorghum × sudangrass (SS) baleage, and "Tifton 85" bermudagrass (B) hay for lactating beef cow-calf pairs. Cone (C) and open-shaped (O) rings were evaluated for potential to minimize forage wastage. The experiment was a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments for each forage type × hay ring (3 cow-calf pairs per treatment; 2 replications per treatment). Animal response measures included cow body weight (BW) change and body condition score (BCS) over the 52-d trial, initial and final calf BW, and cow milk production at the midpoint and end of the study. Forage nutritive value parameters evaluated for each forage type included ash, crude protein (CP), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Forage wastage was estimated for each forage × ring treatment as the percentage of the bale weight remaining in feeding rings at the time of bale replacement. An economic evaluation of the relative costs associated with production and utilization of each forage type was calculated. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.10) in cow BW change or BCS change among forage types, between ring shapes, or an interaction observed for these response variables. Proportion of waste from PM and SS baleage was greater (P < 0.10) than for B hay, although there was no forage type × hay ring interaction or differences between O and C hay ring treatments for forage waste (P ≥ 0.10, respectively). Cow milk production and calf BW gain did not differ among forage type (P ≥ 0.10, respectively); however, beef calves in pens containing the O ring feeder weighed 6 kg more (P ≤ 0.05) than calves whose dams were fed using C rings. The economic analysis implies that it is more costly to feed warm-season annual forage baleage to cow-calf pairs than dry hay, largely due to greater costs of production, lack of difference in animal performance responses, and less utilization of baleage compared with feeding bermudagrass hay in this trial.

Anthropogenic food subsidies hinder the ecological role of wolves: Insights for conservation of apex predators in human-modified landscapes

In ecologically pristine ecosystems, top-down effects of apex predators play a fundamental role in shaping trophic cascades and structuring ecosystems, but in human-modified landscapes anthropogenic effects may markedly alter the ecological role of predators. In particular, human-provisioned food subsidies represent a serious concern for the conservation of apex predators, even though little empirical attention has been given to this aspect in assessing conservation outcomes. To assess the extent to which anthropogenic food subsidies affected feeding ecology of a protected wolf (Canis lupus) population in a human-modified landscape, we integrated scat-analysis (n = 1141 from 4 packs; Jan 2005–Mar 2009) and winter field inspections of Global Positioning System telemetry re-locations (n = 595 clusters and 96 single locations from 5 wolves in 5 packs and 3 floaters; 2008–2011) of wolves living in a historical national park of central Italy hosting both wild prey and livestock at high densities. We revealed that livestock dominated the wolf diet (mean biomass = 63.3 ± 14.2% SD), secondarily supplemented by wild prey (36.7 ± 5.3%, mostly wild boar [Sus scrofa], roe deer [Capreolus capreolus], and red deer [Cervus elaphus]). During winter, we revealed a higher propensity of wolves to scavenge (72.5%; n = 91 feeding events) rather than killing prey, and feeding behavior was affected by prey type (i.e., domestic vs wild ungulates) as the large majority of scavenged carrions (75.8%) were livestock carcasses abandoned on the ground that died for causes different from predation. Feeding behavior of wolves was not affected by social affiliation (i.e., pack members vs solitary wolves), indicating that pack members, even if aided by cooperative hunting, were equally likely than solitary wolves to scavenge rather than killing prey; yet, 27.5% of winter feeding events involved predation, exclusively targeted to wild prey. Our findings indicate that large livestock carrion subsidies may strongly depress predatory behavior in wolves, despite the occurrence of an abundant wild prey community, and have relevant ecological, evolutionary and management implications. Reliance on human-provided livestock carrion subsidies likely alters the ecological role of wolves by reducing their top-down cascading effects on the ecosystem, and this has relevant implications for the conservation of wolves and other apex predators in national parks. Accordingly, we call for more strict regulations to govern livestock management and practices and argue that, at least in national parks, conservation goals of apex predators need to explicitly consider their ecological role.

Comparative assessment of the seasonal breeding patterns of the paddlefish Polyodon spathula (Walbaum, 1792) and the impact of growth tendency during winter and summer feeding

Comparative assessment of the seasonal breeding patterns of the paddlefish Polyodon spathula (Walbaum, 1792) and the impact of growth tendency during winter and summer feeding

Oat hay as winter feed improves digestibility, nitrogen balance and energy utilization of Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau

The objective of this study was to detect the digestion and metabolism of Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) fed on either natural pasture or cultivated oat, which can provide a theoretical basis for the seasonal supplementary feeding of livestock in alpine meadows. Twelve (18-month-old), Tibetan sheep with an average body weight of 40 ± 0.23 kg were used in a metabolism study. During the formal experimental period, a 100 g from each forages were collected and analysed to determine the Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Ether Extract (EE), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) and Gross Energy (GE) contents. Oat OM, CP, EE, and WSC contents were higher (P < 0.001) than those of native herbage, while native forage contained higher (P < 0.001) DM, NDF, and ADF content. Throughout the experimental period, the daily Dry Matter Intake (DMI) and Organic Matter Intake (OMI) of sheep were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The oat fed group showed higher (P < 0.001) CP daily intake compared to native herbage fed group. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, and EE were higher (P < 0.001) in oat fed animals compared to sheep fed native herbage. Our data indicated that nitrogen retention (nitrogen balance) for Tibetan sheep was positive with nitrogen more than 8.1 g/d (R² = 0.860, P = 0.001) and the digestible nitrogen exceeding 3.6 g/d (R² = 0.874, P = 0.001). Energy utilization results indicated that oat herbage Digestible Energy (DE), DE/ Gross Energy (GE), Metabolizable Energy (ME), ME/DE and ME/GE were higher (P < 0.001) than that of native grass. It was concluded that the nutritional quality of oat forage was higher than of native herbage. Hence, it can be fed to animals as hay to expand the source of fodder in winter.

Impact of supplemental winter feeding on ruminal microbiota of roe deer Capreolus capreolus

European ungulates such as the roe deer face seasonally varying climatic conditions as well as food availability and quality. In some European countries, including Austria, it is common practice to provide game animals with supplemental feeding in winter. In this study we investigated if supplemental feeding significantly affects the composition of the bacterial rumen community. The rumen microbial composition of eight adult female roe deer was analysed by Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Animals from a study area with supplemental feeding sites were compared to individuals relying on natural feed. Furthermore, the microbial community composition of different ruminal compartments (liquid phase, solid phase and wall) was compared. Our results revealed a significant qualitative difference between the microbiota composition of the two populations studied. Easily fermentable supplemental feeding promoted the proliferation of phylotypes correlated with conditions of acidosis in domestic ruminants, suggesting a possible similar adaptation and a hypothetical negative effect on health status also in roe deer. The results furthermore confirmed that in roe deer, like in other ruminant species, the most represented phyla are Firmicutes (63.2%) and Bacteroidetes (23.5%), and that the ruminal microenvironments influence the microbial community composition, with the lowest species richness and variation in the epimural microbiota.

Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores.

Knowing the migratory movements and behaviour of baleen whales is fundamental to understanding their ecology. We compared δ15N and δ13C values in the skin of blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales sighted in the Azores in spring with the values of potential prey from different regions within the North Atlantic using Bayesian mixing models to investigate their trophic ecology and migration patterns. Fin whale δ15N values were higher than those recorded in blue and sei whales, reflecting feeding at higher trophic levels. Whales' skin δ15N and δ13C values did not reflect prey from high-latitude summer foraging grounds; instead mixing models identified tropical or subtropical regions as the most likely feeding areas for all species during winter and spring. Yet, differences in δ13C values among whale species suggest use of different regions within this range. Blue and sei whales primarily used resources from the Northwest African upwelling and pelagic tropical/subtropical regions, while fin whales fed off Iberia. However, determining feeding habitats from stable isotope values remains difficult. In conclusion, winter feeding appears common among North Atlantic blue, fin and sei whales, and may play a crucial role in determining their winter distribution. A better understanding of winter feeding behaviour is therefore fundamental for the effective conservation of these species.

38 Enhancing production efficiency on southern beef farms with an interactive extension approach using forage management

Abstract Production efficiency in beef grazing systems can be improved by several relatively simple changes in forage management practices. During a 4-year project period funded by the NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant Program (68-3A75-14–251) and in collaboration with the University of Georgia, the Amazing Grazing Program in North Carolina utilized several innovative forage management approaches on 6 private farms and 3 public research stations to educate beef producers. On-farm grid sampling illustrated spatial distribution of soil nutrients as influenced by long-term historical management, particularly of winter hay feeding stations. Side-by-side testing of simple and complex annual forage mixes on three private farms demonstrated the opportunities to enhance forage nutritive value, capture the value of diverse botanical composition, and to defer grazing on perennial pastures. Smallplot testing of yield response to fall-stockpiled tall fescue nitrogen fertilizer rate allowed producers to reap the economic benefits of improved soil health and to help improve the environment surrounding their farm. At each private farm, summer, and winter forage management workshops explored innovative approaches to beef farm management, including the nature and importance of dung beetles, value of simple compared with complex annual forages, how to approach winter grazing, benefits of hay unrolling, need for mineral supplementation, utilizing temporary fencing, and frost-seeding clovers. As the project progressed, interest and attendance at workshops grew and cooperating farmer engagement increased. We found that many small-scale beef farmers were interested in simple practices such as hay unrolling and frost seeding when demonstrated by their peers. Using a variety of educational approaches, workshop audiences responded positively to hands-on activities and time for open discussion. Attendees were interested, attentive, and motivated to adopt new practices based on these practical demonstrations on peer farms.

370 Predicting nitrogen and phosphorous flows in beef open lots

Abstract This research summarizes a large existing data base collected over fifteen years to examine origin and fate of nitrogen and phosphorous in an open lot beef system, as impacted by seasonal changes, diets, and management practices. Data from 15 winter trials, including 200 pens, and 15 summer trials, including 216 pens were reviewed for nutrient mass balance, which was then used to determine the correlations of season, diet, and management with nitrogen and phosphorous intake, retention, manure harvested, loss, and runoff. All relationships were evaluated using linear regression SAS. Results suggested N in harvested manure for winter and summer averaged 90 and 51 g/steer daily, respectively (compared to ASABE standard of 88.5) and P harvested in manure for winter and summer averaged 26 and 17.7 g/steer daily, respectively (compared to ASABE standard of 37.5). Results of this summary show that the amount of nitrogen lost and retained in the manure is correlated to season (winter versus summer feeding period). Nitrogen in the manure (R2=0.21) and amount lost (R2=0.65) correlations with N intake in the summer were greater compared to winter (R2=0.06) and (R2=0.22). There is a greater correlation of phosphorous intake with amount harvested in manure (R2=0.32) in the winter versus the summer (R2=0.19). Results of the mass balance data compared with ASABE standards suggest greater observed dietary nutrient intakes than assumed by these standards. For example, average winter and summer nitrogen intakes of 220 and 250 g/steer daily exceeds the ASABE standard of 192 g/steer daily. These unique data describe the variability of nutrient recovery and losses from beef systems—and the importance of basing standard planning estimates on dietary concentration and evolving with current practices.