Fat source and calcium level effects on finishing steer performance, digestion, and metabolism

A 111-d finishing study evaluated animal growth and carcass characteristics using 138 steers (366 kg) in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. The dietary treatments consisted of no supplemental fat or 3.5% tallow or soybean oil soapstock (SS) fed with .6% and .9% dietary Ca. Fat increased DMI (P less than .05) but interacted with Ca level (P less than .05) for gain/feed and ADG. All diets containing fat or .9% Ca were converted more efficiently to gain than the .6% Ca, no supplemental fat diet (P less than .05). The .9% Ca interacted with fat source to decrease gain (P less than .05) and tended to decrease efficiency in the tallow diet but improved efficiency (P less than .05) and tended to improve gain in the no-fat diet. In the SS diet, .9% Ca had no effect on ADG, DMI, or efficiency of gain. Fat addition increased backfat (P less than .10) and interacted with Ca on hot carcass weight, final weight, and dressing percentage (P less than .05). Feeding fat increased the proportion of 18:0 (P less than .02) and decreased the proportion of 16:1 fatty acids (P less than .06) in intermuscular fat. A replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design, using six Holstein steers (349 kg) fed three diets, with no supplemental fat or 3.5% SS or tallow with 1.0% Ca, was used to explore the effects of fat sources when fed with high Ca on digestion and metabolism. Ruminal fluid pH was higher (P less than .10) when steers were fed fat. Adding fat did not affect (P greater than .10) duodenal or ileal pH, VFA proportions or total concentration, or ruminal liquid volume or flow rate. Liquid retention time was shorter and liquid rate of passage was higher (P less than .05) with dietary fat addition. Adding fat did not affect site or extent of starch or DM digestion. There was net synthesis of 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1 fatty acids in the rumen. When steers were fed tallow, synthesis of 16:0 and 18:0 fatty acids in the rumen was lower (P less than .10) than when steers were fed SS. Feeding fat tended to decrease (P = .11) bacterial N flowing at the duodenum but did not affect nonbacterial N or total N. Fat addition seems to affect ruminal kinetics, and the effects may vary with fat source, particularly relative to fatty acid synthesis and digestion.     

Steam-rolled wheat diets for finishing cattle: effects of dietary roughage and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of dietary roughage concentration and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism. In Exp. 1, 126 steers (334 kg) were used in a completely randomized design and fed (120 d) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5, 10 or 15% roughage (50% alfalfa hay:50% corn silage). Steers fed 5 or 10% roughage gained faster (quadratic, P less than .05) and were more efficient (quadratic, P less than .05) than steers fed 15% or no roughage. In Exp. 2, six ruminally cannulated steers (447 kg) were used in a 6 x 6 latin square design and fed (twice daily) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5 or 15% alfalfa hay at twice or three times NE required for maintenance. Increasing dietary roughage increased (linear, P less than .01) ruminal liquid passage 38%, indigestible ADF passage 63%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 75% and fiber fill 31%. The rate of in situ starch digestion tended to increase (linear, P = .16), and ruminal VFA concentration was 40 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding with increased roughage. Increased feed intake increased (P less than .05) ruminal starch fill, fiber fill, liquid fill and liquid passage 23%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 50% and Dry-labeled hay passage 20%. It reduced protozoa five- to sixfold (P less than .01) but doubled total bacterial counts (P less than .01). Ruminal NH3N was lower (P less than .01) and total VFA concentration was 50 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding. The acetate:propionate ratio was reduced from 2.3 to 1.3 (P less than .01) with increased intake. Adding roughage to a steam-rolled wheat diet increased passage and tended to increase rate of starch digestion; increased feed intake with its associated effects on ruminal fill and passage dramatically shifted the microbial population and fermentation end products.     

Effects of forage source and particle size on chewing activity,ruminal pH,and saliva secretion in lactating Holstein cows

The present study investigated the effects of dietary forage source (quality) and particle size on chewing activity, saliva secretion, and ruminal pH. Twelve multiparous lactating Holstein cows, four of which were ruminally cannulated, were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cows fed wild‐rye hay diets had longer daily eating times than cows fed oaten hay diets. Treatments had no effect on ruminating time; therefore, resting time varied inversely to eating time. Neither the rate nor the amount of saliva secretion while eating, ruminating, or resting was affected by diet, resulting in similar total daily saliva secretions across treatments (231 L/day). Total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the ruminal fluid from animals fed oaten hay diets were higher than those from animals fed wild‐rye hay diets; further, VFAs increased with decreasing forage particle size (FPS). Consistent with elevated VFA concentrations, reducing FPS and including oaten hay in the diet decreased mean ruminal pH and increased the daily time of ruminal pH under 5.8. Results of this study suggest that forage source and particle size affect ruminal pH might be via variations in VFA production rather than increased salivary recycling of buffering substrates.     

Effects of forage source on ruminal microbial nitrogen metabolism and carbohydrate digestion in continuous culture

Eight single-flow, continuous culture fermentors were used in Exp. 1 to study the effects of forage source on ruminal bacterial N metabolism and carbohydrate digestion. Forages included alfalfa, cicer milkvetch, birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin with respective CP concentrations of 26.0, 28.7, 26.3 and 20.0%. Each forage provided 100% of the substrate for microbial metabolism and supplied 2.6 g N/d. Ammonia-N, protein degradation and efficiency of ruminal bacterial protein synthesis were lowest (P less than .05) for sainfoin. Protein degradation and efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis were higher (P less than .05) for birdsfoot trefoil than for alfalfa. Effluent flow of amino acids was highest (P less than .05) for sainfoin. Total nonstructural carbohydrate digestion tended to be highest for sainfoin and birdsfoot trefoil, whereas structural carbohydrate digestion was highest (P less than .05) for alfalfa and cicer milkvetch. In Exp. 2, mixed diets were supplied to dual-flow, continuous culture fermentors with alfalfa, cicer milkvetch, birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin contributing 85% of the total dietary CP. Each diet contained approximately 12.9% CP. Ammonia-N concentration in the effluent and CP degradation tended to be lowest with the sainfoin diet and highest with the birdsfoot trefoil diet. Effluent flow of amino acids tended to be highest with the cicer milkvetch diet and lowest with the alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil diet. Total structural and nonstructural carbohydrate digestion was not different (P greater than .05) among forages. Results from these experiments indicate that bacterial degradation of protein was lower for sainfoin than for alfalfa. Birdsfoot trefoil and cicer milkvetch appear to be comparable to alfalfa with regard to metabolism of N and carbohydrates by ruminal bacteria.     

Dietary copper effects on lipid metabolism, performance, and ruminal fermentation in finishing steers

Sixty Angus steers (391.1+/-6.1 kg) were used to determine the effects of dietary Cu concentration on lipid metabolism and ruminal fermentation. Steers were stratified by weight and randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments consisted of 0 (control), 10, or 20 mg of supplemental Cu (as CuSO4)/kg diet DM. Steers were housed in pens equipped with individual electronic Calan gate feeders. On d 86 and 92, ruminal fluid was collected from two steers/treatment for IVDMD determination. Equal numbers of steers per treatment were slaughtered after receiving the finishing diets for 96 or 112 d. Gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, IVDMD, and ruminal VFA molar proportions were not affected by Cu supplementation. Copper supplementation increased (P < .05) liver Cu concentrations, and steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM had higher (P < .05) liver Cu concentrations than steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg DM. Serum total cholesterol concentrations were reduced by d 56 and at subsequent sampling dates in steers receiving supplemental Cu. Longissimus muscle cholesterol concentrations were lower (P < .10) in steers supplemented with Cu. Backfat depth was less (P < .05) in steers receiving supplemental Cu, but marbling scores were similar across treatments. Unsaturated fatty acid composition of longissimus muscle was increased (P < .05) and saturated fatty acid composition tended (P < .12) to be reduced in Cu-supplemented steers. Polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations were higher (P < .05) in steers receiving Cu. These results indicate that addition of 10 or 20 mg Cu/kg to a high-concentrate diet containing 4.9 mg Cu/kg DM alters lipid and cholesterol metabolism in steers but does not affect ruminal fermentation.     

Influence of forage diets on ruminal particle size, passage of digesta, feed intake and digestibility by steers

To assess the influence of forage diets on particle size of digesta in the rumen, three ruminally fistulated steers were fed alfalfa, orchardgrass or switchgrass hays in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Mean sieve size of ruminal digesta for alfalfa, orchardgrass and switchgrass diets was 671, 652 and 466 microns, respectively. A second experiment examined the influence of ruminal particle size on digesta passage, digestibility and intake. Four ruminally fistulated Angus-Hereford steers were given ad libitum access to different proportions of alfalfa and switchgrass in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Either a 100% alfalfa, 50% alfalfa:50% switchgrass, 25% alfalfa:75% switchgrass or 100% switchgrass diet was offered once daily. Mean sieve sizes of the ruminal digesta of these diets responded cubically (P less than .01; 1,066, 946, 1,003 and 925 microns, respectively). Mean ruminal turnover times were 24.3, 24.8, 24.7 and 29.8 h, respectively. Dry matter intake increased linearly (P less than .10) as the proportion of legume in the diet increased; no influence of diet on DM digestibility was observed. Passage rate of dosed nylon particles 1, 3 and 5 mm in length was influenced (P less than .01) by size; however, no difference in the passage rates of the nylon particles due to diet was evident. Particle size of ruminal digesta did not respond in a linear manner to the proportion of legume in the diet. A smaller ruminal particle size was not associated with a faster turnover of digesta.     

Effect of fat type and forage level on performance of finishing cattle.

Four trials were conducted to determine the effects of adding various levels and types of fat to dry-rolled corn (DRC) finishing diets containing 0 or 7.5% forage. In Trial 1, 88 yearling steers (mean BW = 352 +/- 38 kg) and 176 heifers (mean BW 316 +/- 15 kg) were blocked by sex and weight into four replications. Treatments were 0, 2, 4, or 6% (DM basis) bleachable fancy tallow (BT) fed with 0 or 7.5% (DM basis) forage. Addition of BT to the 7.5% forage diet had no effect on ADG or gain/feed (G/F). However, adding BT to the all-concentrate diet decreased ADG (linear, P < .01) and G/F (linear, P = .08). In Trial 2, 184 yearling steers (mean BW = 347 +/- 21 kg) and 144 heifers (mean BW 322 +/- 8 kg) were blocked by sex and weight into six replications. Fat treatments were 0% fat, 4% BT, or 4% animal-vegetable oil blend (A-V); each fat treatment was fed with 0 or 7.5% forage. Across forage levels, the addition of fat increased (P < .01) ADG and G/F for cattle fed DRC. In Trial 3, 18 crossbred wether lambs (mean BW = 44.4 +/- 2.5 kg) were fed DRC and 7.5% forage and allotted randomly to the same fat treatments fed in Trial 2. Apparent total tract fat digestibility increased (P < .01) with the addition of BT or A-V. In Trial 4, 40 crossbred wethers (mean BW = 25 +/- 4.1 kg) and 16 ewes (mean BW = 23 +/- 2.7 kg) were individually fed 7.5% forage diets containing 0, 1, 2, or 4% BT. Addition of BT increased (linear, P = .10) G/F. In summary, fat addition to DRC finishing diets fed to yearling cattle did not consistently affect gain/feed, feed intake, and ADG.     

粗饲料颗粒长度对山羊咀嚼活动和瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在研究粗饲料颗粒长度对山羊咀嚼活动和瘤胃发酵的影响。以4只体重为(40.0±2.2)kg安装瘤胃和十二指肠瘘管的成年山羊为试验动物,采用4×4拉丁方设计,饲喂4种不同粗饲料长度的日粮。结果表明:随粗饲料颗粒长度的增加,反刍和咀嚼时间分别线性增加175和156min/d,进而提高了瘤胃平均pH值;增加粗饲料颗粒长度,趋向于线性提高丙酸(P=0.08)和降低(P=0.09)丁酸的摩尔比例,但不影响总VFA浓度和乙酸丙酸比。结果证实,增加粗饲料颗粒长度,刺激了动物的咀嚼活动,改善了瘤胃pH值。     

Effect of dietary phosphorus on finishing steer performance, bone status, and carcass maturity.

Yearling crossbred steers (n = 60; 386 kg) were individually fed in a completely randomized experimental design to determine their P requirement. Treatments were in a factorial arrangement with two levels of Ca (.35 or .70% of DM) and five concentrations of P (.14, .19, .24, .29, or .34% of DM). The finishing diet consisted of 34.5% dry-rolled corn, 22.5% brewers grits, 22.5% corn bran, 7.5% ground corncobs, 5% molasses, 3% fat, and 5% supplement. Supplemental P was provided as monosodium phosphate and Ca as limestone. Ash content was determined on the first phalanx bone from the lower front legs following slaughter, and rib bone breaking strength was determined with an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Carcass maturity and shear force were also evaluated on wholesale rib cuts. Because no interactions between Ca and P levels were detected, only main effects are presented. Daily gain, DMI, and feed efficiency were not affected by dietary P concentration or P intake. Bone ash (g or g/100 kg BW) and rib bone breaking strength were also unaffected by dietary P. Feeding .7% Ca decreased (P<.06) ADG and efficiency compared with feeding .35% Ca. Neither dietary Ca nor P had a significant effect on tenderness (shear force), skeletal maturity, or overall maturity. These results indicate that the P requirement for finishing yearlings is .14% of diet DM or less and that supplementing P above levels supplied by basal ingredients in many grain-based finishing diets is not necessary.     

Supplemental fat source affects feedlot performance and carcass traits of finishing yearling steers and estimated diet net energy value

Two trials that utilized 356 yearling steers were conducted to evaluate the effects of fat sources (3.5% of diet dry matter) in steam-flaked milo finishing diets. Fats differed in fatty acid composition and level of free fatty acids. In Trial 1, soybean oil, tallow and yellow grease were compared to a nonfat control. Feeding fat increased (P less than .05) daily gain, feed efficiency, estimated diet NE concentration, carcass weight and dressing percentage of steers. In Trial 2, fat treatments were control, acidulated soybean soapstock (SBSS), tallow, a blend of 70% SBSS:30% tallow, and yellow grease. Feeding tallow or the SBSS:tallow blend improved (P less than .05) feed efficiency and estimated dietary NE compared to control. Proportions of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid in longissimus muscle of steers were altered (P less than .05) by source of supplemental fat. Potential variability in animal response to fat blends was demonstrated by differences in animal response to yellow grease in the two trials. It was concluded that fats vary in feeding value and may alter carcass composition, contrary to putative thought. Further, potential associative effects of fat blends and interactions of fat with other dietary components in high-grain finishing diets require further investigation.     

Effects of dietary protein-energy interrelationships on Holstein steer performance and ruminal bacterial fermentation in continuous culture.

In vivo and in vitro 3 x 2 factorial experiments were conducted concurrently to evaluate the incorporation of 0, 15, or 30% sugar beet pulp (SBP) as an energy source in diets fed to growing Holstein steers with either soybean meal (SBM) or alcohol-treated, defatted soybean flakes (ATSBF) as primary supplemental protein sources. Three groups of 42 Holstein steers each were fed six different diets from 54 kg initial BW to 320 kg in three experimental periods. There were no overall SBP level x protein source interactions (P greater than .05). Beet pulp level tended to decrease ADG (linear, P = .05) and increase feed/gain (linear, P less than .05) and DMI (quadratic, P less than .05). Each grower diet was used in a substrate for ruminal microbial metabolism in six dual-flow, continuous-culture fermenters. Organic matter and carbohydrate digestion were similar (P greater than .05) among diets. Increasing dietary levels of SBP caused a concomitant increase (P less than .05) in acetate and decrease (P less than .05) in butyrate and isobutyrate concentrations. Beet pulp level x protein source interactions (P less than .05) were observed for CP degradation, ammonia and nonammonia N, and dietary N flow. Crude protein degradation was higher (P less than .05) for the 0% SBP with SBM diet (81.3%) than for the 30% SBP with ATSBF diet (64.4%). Efficiency of bacterial synthesis was similar (P greater than .05) among diets. Results indicated that SBP is an effective dietary energy source for high-energy grower diets at 15 or 30% of the DM but may cause a decrease in some performance traits. There were no nutritional benefits of using ATSBF vs SBM as the supplemental N source.     

Efficacy of laidlomycin propionate in low-protein diets fed to growing beef steers: effects on steer performance and ruminal nitrogen metabolism

We conducted two experiments to evaluate the effect of the ionophore laidlomycin propionate (LP) on steer performance and ruminal N metabolism. Experiment 1 was a 91-d growth study evaluating the growth and ruminal characteristics of steer calves consuming supplemental LP. Steers (n = 96; 255 +/- 3 kg; four steers/pen; six pens/treatment) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of two levels of dietary CP (formulated to be 10.5 and 12.5% of DM) with and without LP (11 mg/kg diet DM). Ruminal fluid was collected via stomach tube on d 91 from one steer randomly selected from each pen. No CP x LP interactions were observed with performance data (P > .64). Final weight and total gain were greater (P < .07) for 12.5% CP and LP compared with 10.5% CP and control steers, respectively. Also, DMI was increased (P = .08) with 12.5% CP but not with LP supplementation (P = .36). In addition, ADG and gain:feed ratio were greater (P < .03) for both 12.5% CP and supplemental LP. Ruminal NH3 N concentration was greater (P < .09) with 12.5% CP and LP. Total VFA concentration and molar proportion of acetate were not affected by treatment (P > .11). However, propionate concentration was increased (P < .09) with 12.5% CP and LP, and acetate:propionate was lower (P = .02) with LP supplementation. In Exp. 2, six steers were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design to compare ruminal fermentation and protein degradation in steers without ionophore feeding or adapted to LP or monensin. In vitro deamination of amino acids by adapted ruminal microbes was also assessed. Ionophore supplementation decreased (P = .07) ruminal NH3 N concentration compared with control steers, and LP increased (P = .02) ruminal NH3 N compared with monensin. Molar proportion of acetate was decreased (P = .02) and propionate increased (P = .01) with ionophore treatment. Consequently, ionophore supplementation depressed the acetate:propionate ratio (P = .01). In situ degradation rate of soybean meal (SBM) CP was greater (P = .09) with ionophore treatment, but estimates of SBM undegradable intake protein were not altered by treatment (P > .25). Microbial specific activity of net NH3 N release and alpha-amino N degradation were decreased (P < .04) with ionophores. Based on this study, LP and monensin did not affect the extent of ruminal degradation of SBM CP but decreased amino acid deamination.     

Effect of forage inclusion and particle size in diets of neonatal lambs on performance and rumen development

A slaughter experiment was conducted to determine the effects of alfalfa particle size on rumen morphology and performance of lambs. Twenty‐four Balouchi lambs aged 21 days (9.1 ± 1.1 kg) were randomly fed control (diet without alfalfa hay; CON) and mixed rations containing 15% finely ground (FINE; 2 mm) and 15% coarsely chopped alfalfa hay (LONG; 3 to 4 cm). After a 63 days feeding period, nine animals (three per treatment) were slaughtered to obtain ruminal tissue samples for morphological analyses. Alfalfa particle size did not affect (p > 0.05) papillae density, height, width, epithelium depth and surface area. Coarse alfalfa decreased the stratum corneum and increased (p < 0.05) muscle depth compared with fine and control diets. Neither DNA content and nor RNA concentration of rumen tissue was affected by feeding different diets. Forage particle size did not affect the blood concentration of glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN), beta‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were higher for control diet; however, there were no significant differences between treatments for average daily gain. These data suggest that coarse alfalfa significantly reduces the stratum corneum and increases muscularity of rumen wall and tended to better feed conversion ratio.     

The effect of excess protein on growth performance and protein metabolism of finishing barrows and gilts

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of excess protein on growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights, plasma urea concentration, and liver arginase activity of finishing barrows and gilts. In Exp. 1, 35 barrows and 35 gilts with an initial BW of 51 kg were used. Five pigs of each sex were slaughtered at the start of the study to determine initial body composition. The remaining 60 pigs were allotted to a randomized complete block (RCB) experiment with a 2x5 factorial arrangement of treatments (two sexes x five protein levels: 13, 16, 19, 22, and 25% CP). The experiment continued until the average BW was 115 kg, at which time three blocks of pigs (30 total) were selected randomly and slaughtered. Feed intake decreased with increasing protein concentration (linear, P<.05), and the reduction was greater in gilts than in barrows (P<.05). There was a trend toward a linear negative effect of dietary protein on ADG (P<.10) and also a quadratic effect of protein on protein accretion (P<.10). Fat accretion decreased linearly as protein level increased (P<.05). Increased protein concentrations increased liver, kidney, and pancreas weights (linear, P<.05). Plasma urea concentration increased with each protein concentration, with the exception of the 25 vs. 22% CP treatment in gilts. In Exp. 2, 18 barrows and 18 gilts (BW 63 kg) were allotted to an RCB design consisting of a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments with two sexes and two dietary protein concentrations (16 and 25% CP). The experiment was terminated when the average BW of pigs reached 105 kg. Average daily feed intake was greater (P<.10) in barrows than in gilts. Average daily gain was reduced by 18% in gilts when dietary protein was increased from 16 to 25% but was only reduced 3% in barrows (sex x protein, P<.10). Barrows had lighter livers (P<.005), greater arginase activities (P<.05), and greater plasma urea concentrations (P<.005) than did gilts. Increasing dietary protein concentration from 16 to 25% increased liver weight, arginase activity, and plasma urea concentration (P<.005). These data suggest that gilts are more sensitive than barrows to excessive intakes of protein. The more negative effects in gilts may be related to liver metabolic capacity and activity of urea cycle enzymes.     

Lysocellin effects on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen metabolism in steers fed forage diets

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of lysocellin on growth performance and metabolism of steers fed forage-based diets. Treatments in all experiments consisted of 1) control, 2) 100 mg lysocellin/d, 3) 200 mg lysocellin/d and 4) 200 mg monensin/d. In each of two 90-d performance studies, 24 Hereford steers were individually fed greenchop (fungus-free tall fescue and Coastal and Tifton-44 bermudagrass) ad libitum and .91 kg/d of a corn-trace mineral salt supplement. In Exp. 1, tall fescue was fed from d 1 to 45 and bermudagrass from d 46 to 90. Bermudagrass was offered during d 1 to 45 and tall fescue during d 46 to 90 in Exp. 2. Lysocellin improved gain (Exp. 1, P less than .01) and feed conversion (Exp. 1 and 2 combined, P less than .05), decreased total VFA concentrations (P less than .05), increased molar proportions of propionate, isobutyrate and isovalerate (P less than .01), decreased molar proportions of acetate and butyrate (P less than .01) and lowered acetate:propionate (P less than .01). Two metabolism studies involving a total of 16 Hereford steers were conducted. Steers were fed tall fescue greenchop and .91 kg/d supplement for a 34-d adjustment period followed by a 5-d total collection period. Lysocellin increased N digestibility (P less than .01) and N retention (P less than .06) but did not (P greater than .05) affect DM, NDF or ADF digestibility. Data indicate that lysocellin results in major alterations in ruminal fermentation and can increase growth performance and N retention in steers fed forage-based diets.     

Effect of supplemental zinc source and corn particle size on 40-day broiler performance

Zinc (Zn) supplementation source and particle size of feed ingredients are two factors that can affect poultry performance and should be considered for proper feeding of poultry. The objective of the current study was to assess the effects of Zn supplementation source and corn particle size on broiler performance, breast yield, and tibia Zn concentration. Treatments were arranged in a 5 × 2 factorial randomized complete block design with the main effects Zn treatment and corn particle size (550 micron vs. 1,050 micron). Zinc treatments included a basal diet (no added Zn), 80 mg/kg Zn sulfate, and 3 diets with 40 mg/kg Zn sulfate + 40 mg/kg of either Zn-glycine amino acid (AA) chelate (Zn-gly), Zn-AA complex (Zn-AA), or Zn bis(-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio)butanoic acid (Zn-HMTBA). A total of 8 replications per treatment were fed to 23 broilers per pen from d one to 40. A Zn treatment x corn particle size interaction was observed for ending bird weight (EBW; P < 0.05) demonstrating that feeding small particle corn produced larger broilers except when supplemental Zn was not included. Broilers fed small particle corn or diets supplemented with Zn consumed the most feed (P < 0.05); however, FCR was decreased (P < 0.05) by 1.9 points for broilers fed large particle corn diets. Tibia Zn concentration was higher (P < 0.0001) for Zn supplemented diets, but no other treatment effects were observed. In conclusion, Zn supplement source had little effect on broiler performance; however, Zn supplementation per se optimized performance.     

Lasalocid and dietary sodium and potassium effects on mineral metabolism, ruminal volatile fatty acids and performance of finishing steers

Thirty Angus steers averaging 357 kg were used to: 1) determine the effect of feeding lasalocid (33 mg/kg diet) on mineral metabolism and 2) determine the effects of varying dietary sodium (Na) and potassium (K) on finishing steers fed lasalocid. Treatments consisted of: 1) control (.25% Na, .5% K); 2) lasalocid (.05% Na, .5% K); 3) lasalocid (.25% Na, .5% K); 4) lasalocid (.05% Na, 1.4% K) and 5) lasalocid (.25% Na, 1.4% K). Ruminal fluid and blood samples were collected on d 28 and 90 of the 102-d study. Gain and feed conversion tended to be higher for steers fed lasalocid with the exception of the .05% Na, 1.4% K treatment. Control steers had lower (P less than .05) erythrocyte K concentrations, reduced (P less than .05) soluble concentrations of magnesium and copper in ruminal fluid and decreased plasma concentrations of zinc (P less than .05) and phosphorus (P less than .10) at 90 d compared with steers fed lasalocid and similar concentrations of Na (.25%) and K (.5%). Increasing dietary Na from .05 to .25% in the presence of lasalocid increased (P less than (P less than .05) molar proportion of ruminal acetate at 28 and 90 d reduced (P less than .05) propionate at 90 d. Increasing K from .5 to 1.4% decreased (P less than .01) soluble Na and increased (P less than .01) soluble K concentrations in ruminal fluid. Steers fed lasalocid (.25% Na, .5% K) had lower concentrations of K (P less than .10) and zinc (P less than .10) in liver than control steers. Sodium and K level also affected tissue concentrations of certain minerals. Results suggest that dietary Na and K influence mineral metabolism and that dietary Na affects ruminal molar proportion of acetate in cattle fed lasalocid.     

不同精粗比日粮对黄淮白山羊瘤胃内环境的影响

为了探讨精粗比日粮对黄淮白山羊瘤胃内环境的影响,采用3×3拉丁方试验设计,选用3只具永久瘘管的黄淮白山羊,分别饲喂3:7、4:6、5:5精粗比日粮,并于采食后0、2、4、6、8、10、12 h收集瘤胃液,测定其瘤胃pH值、氧化还原电位(ORP)、氨态氮(NH3-N)、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)和微生物蛋白(MCP)的变化情况.结果表明,3种精粗比日粮试验组的瘤胃pH值和氧化还原电位(ORP)发酵指标之间差异不显著(P＞0.05),但随着精饲料比例的增加瘤胃pH值呈下降趋势;日粮精粗比对瘤胃挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)影响显著,其中3:7试验组的乙酸和丁酸含量显著高于4:6试验组和5:5试验组(P＜0.05),丙酸含量显著低于4:6试验组和5:5试验组(P＜0.05),4:6试验组和5:5试验组VFA之间差异不显著(P＞0.05);3种精粗比日粮试验组的瘤胃氮代谢之间差异不显著(P＞0.05),但随着精饲料水平增加瘤胃NH3-N浓度和MCP产量呈增加趋势.综上所述,日粮精粗比与黄淮白山羊瘤胃内环境有着密切关系,在实际生产中为了保证其瘤胃健康并增加其动物生产品,以40％～50％精料比例适宜.     

Effects of maize grain and lucerne particle size on ruminal fermentation, digestibility and performance of cows in midlactation

This study evaluated the effects of, and interactions between, maize grain particle size (MPS) and lucerne particle size (LPS) on dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, ruminal fermentation, microbial yield, chewing activity and nutrient digestibility in midlactation cows. Four multiparous Holstein cows with ruminal cannulas were assigned randomly to a 4 x 4 Latin square design, averaged 595 kg (SD = 52) of body weight and 121 days in milk (SD = 21) at the start of the experiment. Experimental periods were 21 days in length (14 days of treatment adaptation and 7 days of data collection). All diets were fed as total mixed ration and were formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of a 600 kg multiparous cow producing 20 kg milk/day with 4.0% fat. The ratio of concentrate to forage was 39:61 (dry matter basis). Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design; two levels of LPS (2.54 and 6.22 mm) were combined with concentrates based on either ground maize grain (711 mum) or cracked maize grain (1755 mum). Maize grain and LPS did not affect milk production and milk fat percentage. Milk protein percentage increased when MPS was decreased (p = 0.04). Milk urea nitrogen was lower for cows fed ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain (118-134 mg/l, p = 0.05). Estimated microbial N supply increased 41.9 g/day for ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain. Cows fed long lucerne (LL) hay spent more time ruminating compared with cows fed short lucerne (SL) hay ranging from 293 to 336 min/day (p < 0.001). Total time spent chewing by cows increased from 505 to 574 min/day (p = 0.002) for SL and LL respectively. Based on the results from this study, midlactation cows can be fed diets that contain ground maize grain and SL hay without leading to negative effects on ruminal pH and nutrient digestibility.     

Influence of dietary forage and energy intake on metabolism and acyl-CoA synthetase activity in bovine ruminal epithelial tissue.

Twenty calves (7 mo old) were blocked by breed, sex, and weight into five groups of four calves and randomly assigned to either a 90% forage (alfalfa) or a 90% grain (50% sorghum and 50% wheat) diet fed at one (1M) or two (2M) times NEm for 140 d. Samples of ruminal epithelial tissue were collected from the anterior ventral sac, and papillae were cut free by hand and used for in vitro incubations and acyl-CoA synthetase assays. Substrates were acetate (90 mM), propionate (60 mM), butyrate (30 mM), and glucose (20 mM). Net productions of beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate from acetate were greater (P less than .01) with the 2M feeding; however, 14CO2 production from acetate was greater (P less than .05) with the grain diet. Net production of lactate (P = .09) and pyruvate (P less than .01) from propionate increased with the 2M feeding, whereas net lactate production from glucose decreased (P less than .01). Uptakes of VFA were similar with 1M and 2M feeding and were about 10-fold greater than uptakes of glucose. Production of 14CO2 from propionate was two- to fivefold greater than from acetate, butyrate, or glucose. Oxygen consumption was greater (P less than .01) with 2M feeding and unaffected by substrate. Activities of butyryl-CoA synthetase (nmol.mg of tissue-1.h-1) were greater (P less than .05) for animals consuming the forage diets. Addition of butyrate inhibited acetyl- and propionyl-CoA synthetase activity by 63 and 92%, respectively for all dietary treatments. Overall, metabolism of ruminal epithelial tissue tended to increase with the 2M feeding. Influence of dietary forage content on metabolism and activity of acyl-CoA synthetases was minimal, but the high-forage diet caused slight increases.