Effects of pistachio by‐products in replacement of alfalfa hay on populations of rumen bacteria involved in biohydrogenation and fermentative parameters in the rumen of sheep

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sundried pistachio by‐products (PBP) as a replacement of alfalfa hay (AH) on blood metabolites, rumen fermentation and populations of rumen bacteria involved in biohydrogenation (BH) in Baluchi sheep. Four adult male Baluchi sheep (41 ± 1.3 kg, BW) fitted with ruminal cannulae were randomly assigned to four experimental diets in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The dietary treatments were as follows: (i) control, (ii) 12% PBP (0.33 of AH in basal diet replaced by PBP), (iii) 24% PBP (0.66 of AH in basal diet replaced by PBP) and (iv) 36% PBP (all of AH in basal diet replaced by PBP). The basal diet was 360 g/kg dry matter (DM) alfalfa hay, 160 g/kg DM wheat straw and 480 g/kg DM concentrate. The trial consisted of four periods, each composed of 16 days adaptation and 4 days data collection including measurement of blood metabolites, rumen fermentation and population of bacteria. No differences were observed in rumen pH among the treatments, while rumen ammonia‐N concentrations were decreased (p< 0.05) with increasing PBP by up to 36% DM of the diets. Using of 36% PBP in the diet reduced (p < 0.05) total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations and the molar proportion of acetate, while the concentration of propionate, butyrate and acetate to propionate ratio were similar to all other treatments. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased (p < 0.01) with increasing PBP by up to 36% DM in the diets of sheep. However, other blood metabolites were not affected by the experimental diets. It was concluded that PBP in replacement of AH had no effects on the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus in relation to the control diet.     

Comparative study between sheep and goats on rumenic acid and vaccenic acid in milk fat under the same dietary treatments

A number of studies have shown that the rumenic acid (RA = cis-9 trans-11 C_18:2 CLA) content of milk fat is usually higher in sheep than in goats, due partly to different dietary regimens. An experiment was conducted with 12 lactating dairy ewes and 12 goats with the objective to compare the two animal species (sheep/goats) fed diet with the same forage/concentrate (F/C) ratio, on their milk fatty acids (FA) profile with emphasis on RA and vaccenic acid (VA) production. The experiment was carried out in three consecutive phases, lasted 3 weeks each, immediately after weaning of lambs and kids. In phase I, the ewes and the goats were fed according to their maintenance and lactation requirements, with 14 kg alfalfa hay, 4 kg wheat straw and 12 kg concentrate the 12 ewes (F/C ratio = 60/40), and with 14 kg alfalfa hay, 4 kg straw and 24 kg concentrate the 12 goats (F/C ratio = 43/57). In phase II, 14 kg alfalfa hay, 4 kg straw and 14 kg concentrate were offered daily to each group of sheep and goats, with a F/C ratio = 56/44. In phase III, all ewes and goats were fed individually with 0.8 kg alfalfa hay, 0.2 kg wheat straw and 0.8 kg concentrate daily with a F/C ratio = 56/44. The results showed that the different F/C ratio between sheep and goats diets, in phase I, changed significantly the milk FA profile, with no significant difference in RA and VA milk fat content between sheep and goats in phase I. In phases II (group feeding) and III (individual feeding), where sheep and goats fed with the same amount of food of the same F/C ratio, the sheep milk fat had higher RA and VA content compared to goats. In conclusion, these findings support the hypothesis that there are species differences, as RA and VA production concerns, which needs further investigation.     

不同粗饲料对绵羊瘤胃内微生物的羧甲基纤维素酶活的影响

对5种粗饲料,8个时间点黏附于饲料颗粒上的瘤胃微生物的羧甲基纤维素酶活的动态变化进行研究。用4只羊,分7批进行尼龙袋试验,与早晨饲喂后2h一次性投入瘤胃腹囊处,时间点取0,6,12,24,36,48,60,72h8个点。结果:对于不同饲料的瘤胃微生物(PAM)羧甲基纤维素酶活来讲,随着时间的推移,羧甲基纤维素酶活均有一个峰值出现,只是出现时间的先后顺序不一,峰值大小不一。试验中峰值出现的先后顺序为:苜蓿、披碱草、玉米秸、麦秸和谷秸(最后两者相等),时间分别为24,36,48和60h。峰值大小顺序为麦秸、玉米秸、谷秸、苜蓿、披碱草。不同饲料的平均羧甲基纤维素酶活差异显著(P<0.05),由高到低的顺序为麦秸、玉米秸、披碱草、谷秸、苜蓿。试验表明不同粗饲料对PAM羧甲基纤维素酶活有显著影响。     

高寒地区捆裹青贮燕麦饲草饲喂绵羊效果的试验研究

在高寒地区选择青海欧拉型藏羊在饲养管理完全相同且同等补饲精饲料［0.25 kg/（只·d）］的情况下,分组饲喂捆裹青贮燕麦饲草、全株玉米青贮饲草、燕麦青干草和小麦秸秆51 d。结果表明,捆裹青贮燕麦饲草（全干物质%）粗蛋白较全株玉米青贮饲草、燕麦青干草和小麦秸秆分别提高13.77%、94.23%和130.13%,粗纤维较全株玉米青贮饲草高52.35%,较燕麦青干草和小麦秸秆分别降低11.14%和26.73%;捆裹青贮燕麦饲草日均饲草采食量较燕麦青干草和小麦秸秆分别提高130.93%和199.58%,差异均极显著（P〈0.01）,较全株玉米青贮饲草提高4.28%,差异显著（P〈0.05）;饲喂捆裹青贮燕麦饲草日增重达197.35 g/（只·d）,较全株玉米青贮饲草提高10.85%,差异不显著（P〉0.05）,较燕麦青干草和小麦秸秆分别提高40.96%和101.71%,差异均极显著（P〈0.01）;捆裹青贮燕麦饲草日均盈利1.71元/（只·d）,较小麦秸秆、燕麦青干草和全株玉米青贮饲草分别多盈利1.17、0.96和0.50元/（只·d）,分别提高216.67%、128.00%和41.32%。捆裹青贮燕麦饲草饲喂绵羊经济效益明显,在高寒地区可进行大力推广应用。     

Feeding value of enset (Ensete ventricosum), Desmodium intortum hay and untreated or urea and calcium oxide treated wheat straw for sheep

Feed intake, in vivo nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization were evaluated in male sheep fed different fractions (leaf, pseudostem, corm, whole plant) of enset, untreated or 2% urea‐ and 3% calcium oxide‐ (CaO or lime) treated wheat straw and Desmodium intortum hay as sole diets. All feeds, except D. intortum hay and enset leaf had low crude protein (CP) content. Non‐fiber carbohydrate contents were higher in enset fractions, especially in pseudostem and corm relative to other feeds. Enset leaf and pseudostem had high calcium, phosphorus and manganese contents. Corm, whole enset and D. intortum hay were rich sources of zinc. Daily dry matter and CP intakes were higher (p < 0.05) in sheep fed D. intortum hay (830 and 133 g, respectively) than those fed pseudostem (92 and 7.8 g, respectively). Organic matter digestibilities were highest for corm (0.780) and whole enset (0.776) and lowest for D. intortum hay (0.534) and untreated wheat straw (0.522). The CP digestibility ranged from 0.636 in D. intortum hay to 0.408 in corm. Nitrogen (N) balance was highest (p < 0.05) in D. intortum hay (10.4 g/day) and lowest in corm (?1.3 g/day). Enset leaf could be a useful protein supplement whereas the pseudostem and corm could be good sources of energy.     

Sorghum grain flake density and source of roughage in feedlot cattle diets.

Feedlot performance was studied in a 262-d trial using 126 crossbred beef steers (182 kg initial BW) to determine whether source of dietary roughage influences performance and carcass characteristics by steers fed growing (112 d) and finishing (150 d) diets with various flake densities (FD) of steam-processed sorghum grain. A 3 x 3 arrangement of treatments (two pens of seven steers each) was used, with dietary roughages being chopped alfalfa hay or 50:50 mixtures (equal NDF basis) of cotton-seed hulls or chopped wheat straw with alfalfa hay; sorghum grain was steam-flaked to densities of 386, 322, and 257 g/L (SF30, SF25, and SF20, reflecting bushel weight in pounds). The effects of these same FD on nutrient digestibilities were determined in three experiments with 24 crossbred steers fed finishing diets containing each of the roughage sources. No interactions between FD and roughage type were detected in any performance or carcass measurements (P > .10). Intake of DM decreased linearly (P < .05) in response to decreased FD. Daily rate and efficiency of gain were not altered (P >.10) by FD. Decreasing FD decreased linearly (P < .05) dressing percentage and fat thickness, but not other carcass measurements. Dietary roughage did not affect (P >.10) daily gains or carcass measurements, but DM intake was lower and feed efficiencies were superior (P < .05) when alfalfa hay was the sole source of roughage. Cottonseed hulls and wheat straw were relatively less valuable in the low roughage finishing diets than in higher roughage growing diets. Digestibilities of starch increased linearly as FD was decreased (P = .02) when steers were fed diets containing wheat straw, but not for alfalfa hay or cottonseed hull diets. Digestibilities of DM did not vary with changes in FD; however, changes in CP, NDF, and ADF digestibilities due to FD seemed to differ among experiments. In conclusion, performance and carcass measurement responses by growing-finishing steers to differences in sorghum grain FD were not related to source of dietary roughage, but diets with alfalfa hay as the only source of roughage were most efficient. Decreasing FD of sorghum grain below 386 g/L (30 lb/bu) was not advantageous in improving performance or carcass merit by growing-finishing steers.     

The effect of forage source and particle size on finishing yearling steer performance and ruminal metabolism.

Two finishing trials and a metabolism trial were conducted to evaluate the effect of forage source and particle size in dry-rolled corn finishing diets. In Exp. 1, 224 crossbred yearling steers (BW = 342+/-11 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design consisting of seven treatments. Treatments were an all-concentrate diet or diets containing equal NDF levels provided by alfalfa hay or wheat straw (three treatments each) with each forage source ground to pass through a .95-, 7.6-, or 12.7-cm screen. Steers fed diets containing forage had greater (P < .05) DMI than steers fed an all-concentrate diet. Steers fed alfalfa diets gained faster (P < .05) with a greater (P < .05) concentrate efficiency than steers fed either all-concentrate or straw diets. In Exp. 2, 120 crossbred yearling steers (BW = 307+/-2 kg) were used in a completely randomized design and fed dry-rolled corn diets containing 10% alfalfa ground to pass through either a .95- or 7.6-cm screen. Alfalfa particle size had no effect on performance or carcass measurements. In Exp. 3, six ruminally fistulated steers (BW = 508+/-34 kg) were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design and fed an all-concentrate diet or diets containing equal NDF levels provided by alfalfa hay, wheat straw, or ground corncobs with alfalfa and straw ground to pass through either a 2.54- or 12.7-cm screen. Steers fed straw diets spent more time (P < .10) chewing than those receiving the other diets. In conclusion, forage particle size had no effect on finishing cattle performance or ruminal metabolism data. However, cattle consuming different forage sources in dry-rolled corn finishing diets may not respond similarly in animal performance.     

Effects of roughage source and concentration on intake and performance by finishing heifers

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of roughage source and concentration on intake and performance by finishing heifers. In Exp. 1, 12 medium-framed beef heifers (average BW = 389 kg) were used in three simultaneous 4 x 4 Latin square intake trials to evaluate the effects of dietary NDF supply from alfalfa hay, sudan hay, wheat straw, or cottonseed hulls fed in each Latin square at 5, 10, or 15% of dietary DM. Within each roughage concentration, roughage NDF accounted for the majority of variation in NEg intake/kg of BW0.75 among the roughage sources. Averaged across roughage concentrations, NEg intake/kg of BW0.75 tended to be greater (P < 0.10) when heifers were fed cottonseed hulls, sudan hay, or wheat straw than when they were fed alfalfa. In Exp. 2, six medium-framed beef heifers (average BW = 273 kg) were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square design to determine whether diets containing 10% (DM basis) alfalfa, cottonseed hulls, or sudan silage differed in eating rate. Average DM eating rates did not differ (P > 0.10) among roughage sources, which we interpreted to suggest that 90% concentrate diets containing alfalfa, cottonseed hulls, and sudan silage do not differ in the amount of chewing required during eating. In Exp. 3, 105 medium-framed beef heifers (average BW = 275 kg) were used in a 140-d finishing trial to evaluate three methods of dietary roughage exchange. Alfalfa at 12.5% of the dietary DM (ALF12.5) was used as a standard, and cottonseed hulls and sudan silage were each fed at three different levels: exchanged with ALF12.5 on an equal percentage DM basis, an equal NDF basis, or an equal NDF basis, where only NDF from particles larger than 2.36 mm (retained NDF) were considered to contribute to the NDF. No differences (P > 0.10) in ADG, DMI, gain:feed ratio, or NEg intake/kg of BW0.75 were detected between alfalfa and cottonseed hulls exchanged on an equal NDF basis. For sudan silage, exchanging with ALF12.5 on an equal retained NDF basis resulted in no differences (P > 0.10) in ADG, DMI, or NEg intake/kg of BW0.75. These data provide a preliminary indication that depending on the roughage sources evaluated, roughage NDF content and(or) roughage NDF from particles larger than 2.36 mm might provide a useful index of roughage value in high-concentrate finishing diets.     

Alfalfa as a supplement of dried cornstalk diets: Associative effects on intake, digestibility, nitrogen metabolisation, rumen environment and hematological parameters in sheep

The aim of the current study was to investigate the associative effects of a cornstalk-based diet supplemented with alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay on intake, digestibility, nitrogen (N) metabolisation, rumen environment and hematological parameters in Xiaoweihan sheep. We also investigated the optimal range of alfalfa hay to achieve positive associative effects and avoid negative effects. Xiaoweihan sheep (n = 5; fitted with rumen T-cannula) were fed five cornstalk-based diets in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Diets contained 0, 50, 150, 300, 450 g alfalfa, and were supplemented with 100 g concentrate, respectively. Our results suggested that supplementation of 300 g alfalfa hay reduced (P < 0.05) cornstalk intake, but significantly increased dry matter (DM) intake (P < 0.05). Additionally, DM digestibility of 150 g alfalfa hay supplementation was slightly higher than that noted in other diets. Metabolism studies showed 50–150 g alfalfa hay supplementation had a positive associative effect (P < 0.05) on N utilization, with the greatest benefit noted with 150 g per day (P < 0.05) compared to unsupplemented diets. Alfalfa supplementation (50–450 g per day) resulted in an elevated trend of ammonia nitrogen (NH₃–N) with 50 or 150 g of alfalfa hay more likely to promote sheep rumen environment, with a noticeable increase (P < 0.05) in serum urea nitrogen (UREAN) concentrations observed with 300 g alfalfa hay per day. Our data suggested that the optimal range to achieve beneficial effects and avoid negative effects was 150–300 g per day for cornstalk-based diets for sheep.     

Substitution of fresh forage ramie for alfalfa hay in diets affects production performance,milk composition,and serum parameters of dairy cows

We hypothesized that ramie, Boehmeria nivea (a nettle native to Asia), can be used as a high-quality forage to replace alfalfa hay in diets of dairy cows. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the effects of substituting fresh forage ramie for alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay on production performance, milk composition, and serum parameters of dairy cows. Thirty-two Holstein cows (body weight (BW)?=?590?±?50.6 kg) were randomly divided into four groups of eight cows. The experimental period lasted 10 weeks. The dietary treatments consisted of four proportions of fresh forage ramie (0, 33, 67, and 100%) as a substitute for alfalfa hay (designated as CON, FR33, FR67, and FR100, respectively). On days 69 and 70 of the experimental period, milk and blood samples were collected for analysis. We found no significant differences in the milk yield and milk quality (milk protein percentage, milk fat percentage, and milk lactose percentage) between the treatments. We did find that forage ramie significantly reduced dry matter intake (DMI) and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield. Meanwhile, no significant differences were detected in serum parameters between the treatments, with the exception of triglyceride (TG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In conclusion, our data indicate that alfalfa hay can be replaced with forage ramie in the diet of Holstein cows in the milk lactation stage, with no negative effects on milk quality and blood parameters.

     

混贮模式对高丹草青贮发酵品质及体外产气动力学特性的影响

为了解决高丹草因水分高造成青贮发酵品质不佳的问题,通过添加不同种类干草(玉米秸秆、小麦秸秆和苜蓿干草)及干草添加量(12.5,25.0,37.5和50.0kg/t)对混贮高丹草营养价值、青贮发酵品质及体外产气动力学特性进行了研究。结果表明,单独青贮高丹草的丁酸含量较高,弗氏评分等级仅为"可",添加干草混贮可显著提高青贮高丹草的发酵品质,从添加干草的种类来看,添加小麦秸秆组青贮发酵品质最高,添加苜蓿干草组营养价值最高,苜蓿干草组的体外72h干物质消失率(IVDMD)、产气速率(c)和达到最大产气量1/2时的产气速率(AGPR)均为最高,3种干草在72h累积产气量、理论最大产气量以及产气延滞时期方面差异不显著(P0.05);从干草的添加量来看,添加25.0kg/t干草的青贮发酵品质最优,达到产气量1/2所需要时间也最长,添加50.0kg/t干草的营养价值和IVDMD最高,添加37.5kg/t干草的产气速率和AGPR最大,添加不同重量干草对混贮高丹草的72h累积产气量、理论最大产气量以及产气延滞时期无显著影响(P0.05)。综合考虑青贮发酵品质和饲料营养价值,得出最佳的混贮模式为在高丹草中添加37.5kg/t小麦秸秆,添加50.0kg/t苜蓿干草混贮高丹草的体外干物质消失率最高,添加37.5kg/t苜蓿干草组产气速率最快,添加50.0kg/t小麦秸秆组的72h累积产气量和理论最大产气量最高。     

Effects of environmental temperature and ammoniation on utilization of straw by sheep

Eighteen sheep were used to compare diets based on ammoniated wheat straw (AWS) or untreated wheat straw (WS) at three thermal environments: hot (HE, 36 degrees C, 70% relative humidity (RH], thermoneutral (TNE, 24 degrees C, 70% RH) and cold (CE, 4 degrees C, 70% RH). Six sheep were housed in each environment for at least 21 d prior to the trial. Two periods of 28 d were used in a crossover design. Within each period, digestibility was measured both under ad libitum intake (collections on d 16 to 20) and at restricted intake (collections on d 24 to 28). Diets consisted of 59% straw, 20% alfalfa hay and 21% concentrate. Urea was added to the untreated straw diet (.75%) to compensate partially for the N present in the AWS. Rectal temperature and respiration rates indicated that sheep in the HE were heat-stressed. Sheep housed in the CE had lower rectal temperatures and respiration rates than sheep in the TNE, but they did not shiver or show other visible signs of cold stress. Voluntary DM intake increased from 604 to 806 g/d, and ad libitum DM digestibility increased from 55.5 to 58.2% when AWS was fed. At restricted intake, ammoniation increased diet digestibility from 58.8 to 61.4%. Voluntary intake was lower in the HE (588 g/d) compared to 763 g/d in the TNE and 764 g/d in the CE. Digestibility of DM at ad libitum intake was lower in the HE (54.6%) than in the TNE (57.5%) or CE (58.6%); respective results at restricted intake were 58.5, 61.0 and 60.7%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The nutritional value of peanut hay (Arachis hypogaea L.) as an alternate forage source for sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and feeding value of peanut hay (Arachis hypogaea L.) produced under tropical environment as an alternate forage resource for sheep. Peanut hay was appreciably high in crude protein [CP; 105 g/kg dry matter (DM)] and lower in neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 466 g/kg DM). Moreover, peanut hay was rich in Ca (12 g/kg DM) and P (1.7 g/kg DM). A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of substituting wheat straw with peanut hay on nutrient intake, digestibility, and N utilization. Four adult Ramghani (Kaghani × Rambouillet) wethers (60?±?2.5 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to the four dietary treatments according to a 4?×?4 Latin square design. The four rations were formulated on isonitrogenous and isocaloric bases and differed in the proportion (in grams per kilogram DM) of wheat straw/peanut hay, i.e., 700:0, 460:240, 240:460, and 0:700. The replacement of wheat straw with peanut hay increased the intakes of DM (P?<?0.001), NDF (P?<?0.01), and N (P?<?0.001). Moreover, apparent in vivo digestibility of DM, NDF, and CP increased (P?<?0.001) with the increasing proportion of peanut hay in the ration. Nitrogen retention in the body increased (P?<?0.01; 3.2 to 8.1 g/day) with the replacement of wheat straw with peanut hay. These findings showed that substitution of wheat straw with peanut hay can improve DM and nutrients intake, digestibility, and N retention in sheep.     

Effects of Moringa oleifera silage on milk yield,nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of lactating dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) as a partial substitute of alfalfa hay on milk yield, nutrient apparent digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of dairy cows. MO was harvested at 120 days post‐seeding. Fresh MO was cut, mixed with chopped oat hay (425:575 on a DM basis), ensiled and stored for 60 days. Sixty healthy Holstein dairy cows were allocated to one of three groups: NM (no MO or control), LM (low MO; 25% alfalfa hay and 50% maize silage were replaced by MO silage) or HM (high MO; 50% alfalfa hay and 100% maize silage were replaced by MO silage). The feeding trial lasted 35 days. The LM and HM diets did not affect dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield or milk composition (lactose, milk fat, milk protein and somatic cell count). The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF was lower for HM group than NM group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in serum biochemical indexes between the LM and NM groups. The HM group had lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher serum concentrations of urea than the NM group. The partial replacement of alfalfa hay (≤50%) and maize silage with MO silage had no negative effects on milk yield, in vivo nutrient apparent digestibility or serum biochemical indexes of lactating cows.     

Diurnal Patterns of Ruminal Concentrations and Portal Appearance Rates of Short-chain Fatty Acids in Sheep Fed a Hay or a Concentrate/Straw Diet in Two Meals Daily

Abstract

Three rumen fistulated and catheterized sheep were meal-fed and used to study ruminal and arterial concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) as well as portal appearance rates of SCFA and irreversible loss rate (ILR) of acetate in 24 h periods on a hay and a concentrate/straw diet, respectively.

Ruminal and arterial concentrations as well as portal appearance rates of SCFA and ILR of acetate were significantly affected by the intake of feed. Generally, the highest concentrations and appearance rates were obtained 2 h after feeding. The portal recovery of arterial acetate was not affected by feeding or diet. The 24 h means were 0.68 ± 0.01 and 0.67 ± 0.01 on the hay and the concentrate/straw diet, respectively. Partial correlation coefficients corrected for the effects of time, sheep, and diet were calculated for the relationships evaluated. The portal appearance rate of acetate (r = 0.52, P <0.001) and the portal net appearance rate of propionate (r = 0.68, P <0.001) were linearly related to the ruminal concentrations of the two SCFA. The logarithm of the portal net appearance rate of butyrate seemed to be linearly related to the logarithm of the ruminal concentration of undissociated butyric acid (r = 0.70, P <0.001) when the effect of time was omitted from the model. The portal appearance rate of acetate (r = 0.22, P <0.05) and the portal net appearance rate of propionate (r = 0.63, P <0.001) as well as butyrate (r = 0.55, P <0.001) were linearly related to the arterial concentration of the respective SCFA. The results show that within animal and diet the ruminal as well as arterial concentrations are good predictors of SCFA portal appearance rates in sheep fed roughage at maintenance. Ruminal and arterial concentrations of SCFA seem less reliable predictors of portal appearance rates of SCFA between diets and sheep. The portal appearance of SCFA, 5.6 ± 0.5 and 7.0 ± 0.3 mol d^?1, accounted for 44 ± 4 and 43 ± 2% of the calculated metabolizable energy intake on the hay and the concentrate/straw diets, respectively.     

Feed intake,digestibility, nitrogen utilization,and body weight change of sheep consuming wheat straw supplemented with local agricultural and agro-industrial by-products

Effects of supplementing sheep consuming wheat straw with local agro-industrial by-products on feed intake, growth, digestibility and nitrogen utilization were determined. Thirty 1-year-old local wethers, with a mean (±SD) live weight of 19.8 (±1.06) kg, were assigned to five treatments: wheat straw + atella (T1), wheat straw + atella + poultry litter (T2), wheat straw + atella + coffee pulp (T3), wheat straw + atella + coffee pulp + poultry litter (T4), hay + concentrate (T5). A 7-day digestibility experiment and a 112-day growth trial were conducted. Total dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake as well as body weight gain was similar for all treatments. The highest (P < 0.05) nitrogen (N) intake was in sheep fed T1 and T4 diets, while the lowest was in those fed T2 and T5 diets. Sheep fed T1 and T2 diets had greater (P < 0.05) DM and OM digestibility than those fed T4 and T5 diets. The highest (P < 0.05) digestibility of N was for the T2, T4, and T5 diets, while the lowest was for the T1 diet. The highest N retention was in T4 diet, whereas the lowest was in T3 diet. In conclusion, in urban and peri-urban areas where atella, poultry litter, or coffee pulp are available, smallholder farmers could feed the mixtures as a supplement to straw with a good performance without using concentrate feeds.     

The supplementary value of different parts of enset (Ensete ventricosum) to sheep fed wheat straw and Desmodium intortum hay

A study which included growth and digestibility experiments was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of a) enset pseudostem, b) enset corm or c) enset mixture (containing equal amounts of pseudostem, corm and enset leaf on a DM basis) as a supplement to a basal diet of wheat straw fed ad libitum and restricted amounts of Desmodium intortum (Desmodium) hay to sheep. During the 71-day growth experiment, 18 one-year-old male sheep of indigenous breed with mean body weight (BW) of 20.2 (± 0.43) kg were randomly assigned to the three treatments. In the digestibility experiment, three male sheep with mean BW of 19.5 (± 1.06) kg were assigned to each treatment. Sheep supplemented with enset mixture consumed more (P < 0.001) wheat straw DM (335 g/day) than those supplemented with pseudostem (295 g/day). No differences were found in total dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake between diets supplemented with pseudostem, corm and enset mixture. Total nitrogen (N) intake (g/day) was higher (P = 0.0073) in sheep fed the diet with enset mixture (12.2) followed by corm (11.3) and pseudostem (10.7). The apparent digestibility of DM was higher (P < 0.001) in pseudostem (0.53) followed by corm (0.46) and enset mixture (0.41) supplemented sheep. Organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and N digestibility were similar among treatments. The amount of N lost in urine and faeces and the N-retention was similar among treatments. There were no differences in gain/day in sheep fed diets with pseudostem (29.3 g), corm (27.0 g) and enset mixture (36.5 g). It is concluded that supplementation of a wheat straw/Desmodium diet with enset fractions could be used equally at least to maintain body weight during the dry season.     

Rumen development and growth of Balouchi lambs offered alfalfa hay pre- and post-weaning

The consumption of solid feed is essential for successful transition from a pre-ruminant to a functional digestive tract. Lambs fed starter rations containing highly fermentable carbohydrates often experience dramatic changes in concentrations of rumen and blood metabolites. The optimal amount of roughage required in the diet of pre-ruminant animals is still unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding alfalfa hay on performance and rumen development in young Balouchi lambs. In a completely randomized design, 30 lambs were fed one of three experimental diets consisting of a control, without alfalfa hay (C), a diet containing 7.5% alfalfa hay (A1), and a diet containing 15% alfalfa hay (A2). Lambs fed A1 and A2 diets had lower dry matter intake during the pre-weaning period (P?P?=?0.02), but feed conversion ratio and average daily gain were not affected by feeding alfalfa hay. Concentration of beta-hydroxybutyric acid was higher in C compared with the A1 and A2 groups (P?P?=?0.04) and increased thickness of muscular layer (P?=?0.05). We concluded that including 15% alfalfa hay in the starter diet could reduce thickness of the keratinization layer and increase muscularity of rumen wall without adverse effects on growth and performance of newborn lambs.     

The effect of grain species, processing and time of feeding on the efficiency of feed utilization and microbial protein synthesis in sheep

This study investigated the effect of cereal grain species (sorghum, wheat, oats and barley), extent of processing (cracked barley, finely ground barley, and wet whole barley) and time of feeding (barley grain mixed with ryegrass hay or fed 2 h before hay was fed), on whole tract dry matter digestibility (WTDMD), and microbial protein synthesis (MPS), as a supplement to ryegrass hay when fed to rumen-cannulated sheep.Expected dry matter digestibility (EDMD) in mixtures of cereal grain and ryegrass hay was calculated by interpolation between in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD) of each grain and the ryegrass hay. These were compared with measured actual WTDMD to detect positive or negative associative effects. Among grain species, the percentage difference in digestibility between actual WTDMD and EDMD was negative at − 6.6% units for wheat but positive at + 2.3%, + 4.3% and + 5.7% units for sorghum, oats, cracked or finely ground barley, respectively.As expected, the supplementation of sheep fed ryegrass hay with different sources of carbohydrates increased urinary allantoin output (as an indicator of MPS) when compared to sheep fed ryegrass hay alone. The concentration of urinary allantoin was significantly higher in sheep supplemented with sorghum (1916 mg/sheep/day) than wheat, oats or cracked barley ([mean ± S.E.M.] 1451 ± 24 mg/sheep/day) grain. There was a significantly higher urinary allantoin concentration in sheep fed cracked barley compared to finely ground barley or wet whole barley (1479 vs. 1095 vs. 1031 mg/sheep/day, respectively). There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in urinary allantoin output, expressed as output/kg DM intake, when cracked barley was mixed and fed with the hay or fed 2 h before hay. However, in terms of total output of allantoin this was significantly higher (P < 0.05) (1479 vs. 1209 mg/sheep/day).In sacco degradability characteristics of organic matter and nitrogen for sorghum, oats, wheat, barley at different levels of processing and for ryegrass hay were also measured in the rumen of cannulated sheep.Among grain species, wheat had the highest effective organic matter degradability in the rumen (78.1%) while sorghum had the lowest. The effective degradability of protein of finely ground barley in the rumen was found to be higher than cracked barley or wet whole barley.Wheat grain, being highly degradable in the rumen, had a negative effect on WTDMD. In contrast, sorghum grain, being more slowly degradable in the rumen, would be expected to provide a substantially increased supply of energy to microbes over time in the rumen for MPS.Both cracked barley and finely ground barley also had a positive associative effect on WTDMD when fed with ryegrass increasing it by 5.7% units. The MPS was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in sheep fed cracked barley compared to finely ground barley or wet whole barley. This supports the hypothesis that slowly degrading carbohydrate sources synchronise more closely with available N from degradation of forage in the rumen.     

Digestibility and nitrogen utilization in sheep fed enset (Ensete ventricosum) pseudostem or corm and graded levels of Desmodium intortum hay to wheat straw‐based diets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of Desmodium intortum (Desmodium) hay supplementation in sheep fed fixed amounts of enset pseudostem or corm and a basal diet of wheat straw on intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization. Eighteen male sheep with a mean (± SD) live weight of 20.5 ± 1.45 kg were assigned to six treatments in a completely randomized design and fed either 108 g dry matter (DM) enset pseudostem or 165 g DM enset corm each with three levels (100, 200 and 300 g) of hay supplementation. For the pseudostem diets, there was no significant difference in total DM intake. Total crude protein (CP) intake and N retention increased with increasing levels of hay in both pseudostem and corm diets. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and microbial nitrogen supply (MN) at 100 g was lower that other levels of supplementation. For the corm diets, total DM and OM intake and MN supply increased with increasing levels of hay. The digestibility decreased (p < 0.001) with increasing levels of supplementation. The results suggest that at least 300 g (395 g/kg dietary DM) of Desmodium hay is required in pseudostem diets, whereas 200 g (337 g/kg dietary DM) may be sufficient in corm diets for efficient nutrient utilization.