Effect of replacing alfalfa hay with a mixture of cassava foliage silage and sweet potato vine silage on ruminal and intestinal digestion in sheep

This study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing alfalfa hay (AH) with a mixture of cassava foliage silage and sweet potato vine silage (CSP) (1:1 on a dry matter (DM) basis) on ruminal and intestinal nutrient digestion in sheep. Four wethers were fed a control diet containing 35% of AH and two treatment diets containing 15% and 30% of the CSP as substitute for AH at 1.5 times the metabolizable energy required for maintenance. Replacing AH with the CSP silage did not affect DM intake, whereas it linearly increased (P < 0.05) the intake of ether extract and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN). Increasing the CSP substitution linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) digestibility; however, it did not affect total tract aNDFom digestibility. The CSP substitution did not affect nitrogen (N) intake and duodenal total N flow, whereas it linearly increased duodenal ADIN flow (P < 0.01) and decreased ruminal ammonia‐N concentration (P < 0.01), and intestinal (P = 0.08) and total N digestibility (P < 0.01). These results indicate that replacing AH with the CSP reduced the ruminal N degradation as well as the digestion of ruminal aNDFom and intestinal N.     

Effects of substituting kraft pulp with corn silage on dry matter intake,ruminal mat formation,rumen fermentation,and rumination activity in non‐lactating cows

The present study examined the effects of substituting kraft pulp (KP) with corn silage (CS) on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal mat and rumen fermentation characteristics, and rumination. Four non‐lactating, rumen‐cannulated Holstein cows were fed a CS diet comprising 36% grass silage (GS) and 64% CS or a KP diet comprising 36% GS, 57% KP, and 7% soybean meal. DMI was significantly lower in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.05), whereas rumination time did not significantly differ between the treatments. Dry matter content in the rumen immediately before and 3 h after feeding was significantly higher in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.05). The consistency and thickness of the ruminal mat did not significantly differ between the treatments. The ruminal mean retention time of feed particles tended to be longer in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.10). The ruminal digestion rate of KP was comparable to that of GS and CS. Because ruminal mat was formed and rumination was stimulated, KP was considered to have the equivalent physical effectiveness as CS.     

Effect of particle size and partial replacement of alfalfa hay by soya bean hulls on nutrient intake,total tract digestibility and rumen degradability of diets by Holstein steers

This study examined the effect of alfalfa hay (AH) particle size and the replacement of soya bean hull (SH) for AH within the diet of restricted fed Holstein steers on dry matter intake (DMI), total tract digestion, ruminal digestion, ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen content, and faecal pH. Four rumen‐cannulated Holstein steers averaging 353 ± 9.6 kg of BW were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with four periods and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factor A was AH particle size (fine vs. coarse) and factor B was diet SH content (0% vs. 10%; substituted for AH). Steers were fed at 1% of body weight of TMR containing 400 g/kg forage and 600 g/kg concentrate. Chopping of AH to fine particles decreased (p = 0.01) amount of dietary materials retained on the medium sieve (8 mm). The inclusion of SH significantly increased (p = 0.01) materials retained on the 1.18‐mm sieve and tended to decrease (p = 0.07) materials on 19‐mm sieves. The inclusion of SH increased (p = 0.01) ether extract (EE) intake and increased (p = 0.07) DMI. Inclusion of SH increased (p = 0.01) EE digestion and decreased (p < 0.01) faecal pH. Neither AH particle size nor SH inclusion in diets affected (p > 0.10) the in situ ruminal degradability coefficients of DM (‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’ or ‘a+b’). No interaction of AH×SH was seen on nutrient intake, digestibility and in situ ruminal degradability of Holstein steers.     

Intake and ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diets with ammoniated buffel grass hay on the ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs. Thirty-two sheep of no defined breed with an average body weight of 17.7?±?1.8 kg were used. A completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 18, 36, and 54 g/kg dry matter (DM) basis) and eight repetitions was used. Ingestive behavior, rumination, and idle time were similar (P?>?0.05) among the diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay, with mean values of 294.5, 554.44, and 594.25 min per day, respectively. Regarding the chews, all of the variables resulted in similar behavior (P?>?0.05). The quadratic effect (P?<?0.05) observed for daily intake can be explained based on the amount of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) per meal per rumination. There was no effect of urea levels from the ammoniation (P?>?0.05) on the efficiency of DM and NDF consumption. However, the rumination efficiency of DM and NDF showed a quadratic effect (P?<?0.05). Thus, the use of ammoniated buffel grass hay with urea in lamb diet affects the ingestive behavior by increasing the rumination efficiency, increased intake, and feed utilization.     

Effects of Bermudagrass hay and soybean hulls inclusion on performance of sheep fed cactus-based diets

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of replacing corn with soybean hulls (SH) or Bermudagrass tifton hay (TH) on performance of sheep fed cactus-based diets. Three ruminally fistulated sheep were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square experiment with 21-day periods. All diets contained 75% spineless cactus (dry matter basis, DM) and formulated to be isonitrogenous. Fiber source had no influence on nutrient intakes except for the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) which was lower (p < 0.05) for animals fed corn relative to those fed SH or TH. Time expended in rumination and total chewing time were higher (p < 0.05) for animals fed TH than those fed SH or corn. In vivo nutrient digestibilities were similar for all dietary treatments and averaged 69.6%, 74.8%, 69.9%, and 61.8% for DM, organic matter, crude protein, and NDF, respectively. Feeding SH relative to TH and corn decreased ruminal pH (p < 0.05) and increased concentration of total volatile fatty acids (p < 0.05). However, ruminal NH₃–N concentration was higher (p < 0.05) for animal fed TH than for those fed SH or corn. Abdominal distension and ruminal biofilm production were greater (p < 0.05) in animals fed corn or SH than in those fed TH. It was concluded that replacing corn with SH or TH up to 15% of the diet DM in a cactus-based diet had no effect on nutrient intakes or total tract nutrient utilization. Changes in ruminal fermentation parameters reflected differences in ruminal degradability between the two fiber sources. Bermudagrass tifton hay was more effective than SH in reducing the risk of bloat associated with feeding high levels of spineless cactus to ruminants.     

Effects of corn straw or mixed forage diet on rumen fermentation parameters of lactating cows using a wireless data logger

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different forage types on rumen fermentation parameters and profiles using a wireless data logger. Eight lactating cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments with a low forage diet with corn straw (CS) or a high forage diet with mixed forage (MF) as the forage source, respectively. Dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content was 11.3% greater in CS. Dry matter intake and milk fatty acid content decreased upon CS (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH, temperature and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) were monitored for 14 weeks. The CS group had significantly higher pH but lower temperature and ORP compared to MF (P < 0.01). With the CS diet regime, pH at the time before morning feeding, rumination and post‐ingestion were significantly higher than those in the MF group (P < 0.05). However, times with the ruminal pH below 6.0 and 5.8 were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas ruminal pH below 5.6 tended to be lower (P = 0.07). The results indicated that rumen fermentation parameters were affected by forage types and dietary peNDF content might be predominant in ruminal pH regulation.     

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.     

Physical and nutritional properties of buffalo meat finished on hay or maize silage‐based diets

The current study examines the effect of different finishing diets (hay‐ vs. maize‐silage on meal ration) on carcass quality, physical, chemical and sensory properties, and fatty acid profiles of buffalo meat. Twenty male Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (246 ± 9.00 kg live weight) were distributed at random into two groups at the beginning of the finishing period (368 ± 20 days). The buffaloes were offered two finishing diets: a maize silage (MS) or an alfalfa hay (AH) diet. No significant differences were found between dietary treatments for live and carcass weight. Meat chemical composition was influenced by dietary treatment. A higher fat content was detected in meat from animals finished with MS than AH (P < 0.05). Overall, the data indicated differences between the fatty acid profiles of meat as a consequence of different feeding systems. The higher fat deposition in the MS group resulted in meat with a less favorable fatty acid profile (i.e. a lower polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and α‐linolenic fatty acid content) in relation to human health compared with meat from animals fed the AH diet.     

Effects of roughage type on particle separation,rumination, fiber mat characteristics,in situ degradation,and ruminal fermentation parameters in beef steers

Six ruminally cannulated steers (average BW = 791 ± 71 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment to determine the effects of roughage type on rumination, fiber mat characteristics, and rumen fermentation variables. Three roughages were included at 7% (DM basis) in a steam flaked corn-based diet: cotton burrs (CB), wheat silage (WS), or corn stalks (CS). Steers were fitted with a sensory collar to record rumination behaviors in 2-h intervals at the beginning of the experiment. Each 30-d period consisted of 7 d of recovery, 14 d of diet adaptation, 7 d of rumination data collection (daily and bi-hourly average rumination), 1 d of rumen fluid collection, and 1 d of rumen evacuations. In situ degradation of individual roughages was determined for 4 d after period 3 evacuations. During rumen evacuations, ruminal contents were removed; the rumen fiber mat (RF) was separated from the liquid portion with a 2-mm sieve, weighed, and a subsample was dried. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with steer as the experimental unit and roughage (CB, WS, and CS) as the main effect. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not different for CB and WS (P = 0.25) and greatest for steers consuming CS diet (P ≤ 0.01). Roughage type did not influence the weight of the RF dry matter (%; DM; P = 0.92), RF weight (P = 0.69), or RF:DMI ratio (P = 0.29). Daily rumination (min/d) did not differ among roughages (P = 0.40), but min of rumination/kg of DMI was greatest for CS (18.0 min), min/kg of NDF was greatest for WS (89.8 min; P = 0.02), and min/kg of peNDF was greatest for CS (132.4 min; P ≤ 0.01). Wheat silage had the greatest percentage of soluble and degradable DM. Rumen fiber mat did not differ for roughages, although rumination min/kg of DMI and peNDF was greatest for steers consuming CS and WS. In situ degradation determined that CB-R and CS-R had the greatest percentage of ruminal undegraded DM. Based on the objective of the experiment, roughage type did not influence daily rumination or fiber mat characteristics.     

Effect of Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus) ensilaging with two developed enzyme cocktails on feed intake,nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation in sheep

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of feeding Atriplex halimus (AH) silage treated with two developed enzyme cocktails to sheep on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation. The AH silage was treated without or with 2 L of ZAD1^® or ZAD2^®/1000 kg with 5% molasses and ensiled for 30 days. Barley grain (300 g/head/day) was fed as an energy supplement once daily at 10.00 hours and AH silage with or without enzyme treatment was offered ad libitum to animals twice daily at 09.00 and 16.00 hours. Sheep were fed on four experimental forage diets comprised of AH silage and barley (D1), AH silage treated with ZAD1^® and barley (D2), AH silage treated with ZAD2^® and barley (D3) and AH silage treated with a combination of ZAD1^® and ZAD2^® (1:1) and barley (D4). Ensiling AH with enzymes reduced its contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. The dry matter intake of AH of D2, D3 and D4 decreased (P < 0.001) as compared to D1. However, enzyme‐treated diets had greater total digestible nutrients intake (P < 0.001) as compared to D1. The nutrients digestibility for D2, D3 and D4 were higher than those for D1 (P < 0.001), and were higher for D3 as compared to both D2 and D4. Sheep fed on D3 had highest (P < 0.001) ruminal total volatile fatty acids concentration, ammonia nitrogen concentration and microbial protein yield. It could be concluded that AH silage treated with ZAD1^® or ZAD2^® improved digestibility and rumen fermentation in sheep.     

Effects of grass hay proportion in a corn silage‐based diet on rumen digesta kinetics and digestibility in dairy cows

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of six levels of orchardgrass hay (GH) proportion (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% of dry matter) in finely chopped corn silage (CS)‐based diets on digesta kinetics of CS and GH in the rumen. Six non‐lactating, rumen‐cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 6 × 6 Latin square design. Ruminal digesta kinetics was measured by ruminal dosing of feed particle markers (dysprosium for CS, erbium for GH) followed by fecal sampling. The increase of GH proportion had a quadratic effect (P < 0.01) on total tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber. The proportion of GH did not affect the particle size distribution of rumen digesta, total weight of dry matter or NDF in the rumen. The rates of large particle size reduction in the rumen for CS tended to increase linearly with increasing GH proportion (P = 0.077). A quadratic effect (P < 0.05) was found with increasing the GH proportion for the ruminal passage rate of small GH particles, but not for CS particles. The results suggested that associative effects between CS and GH could be generated on rumen digesta kinetics when cows were fed a CS‐based diet with an increased proportion of GH.     

Ruminal fermentation,microbial growth and amino acid flow in single‐flow continuous culture fermenters fed a diet containing olive leaves

Six single‐flow continuous culture fermenters were used to determine fermentation profile, microbial growth and amino acid (AA) flow promoted by olive leaves supplemented with barley grains and faba beans (OLSUP), and alfalfa hay (AH). Two incubation runs were carried out with three fermenters inoculated with ruminal fluid from wethers and three from goats. The inoculum source did not affect (p = 0.059 to 0.980) any of the parameters. Daily volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and carbohydrate digestibility were greater (p = 0.009 and 0.024, respectively) for AH, therefore the pH values were lower (p = 0.015) than for OLSUP. Acetate was greater (p < 0.001) and isobutyrate, isovalerate and caproate lower (p < 0.001 to 0.006) for AH with greater acetate/propionate (p = 0.014) and ‘VFA/digested carbohydrate’ (p = 0.026) ratios. Daily microbial N flow and efficiency were greater (p = 0.016 and p = 0.041) for diet AH. Individual AA flows were greater (p < 0.001 to 0.016) for AH, but microbial essential AA proportion was greater for OLSUP (p = 0.015). The results indicate that OLSUP promoted lower bacterial growth and AA flow than AH, which could have been partially due to a limitation of N availability to ruminal microbes.     

Effect of cereal straw and alfalfa hay diet on amino acid profile of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating dairy cows

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing alfalfa hay with rice straw (RS) or corn stover (CS) on amino acid (AA) profiles of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating cows. Eighteen lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 6) and fed identical concentrate and corn silage with different forages on dry matter basis: (i) 23% alfalfa hay and 7% Chinese wild rye hay (AH); (ii) 30% CS; and (iii) 30% RS. After the 14‐week feeding, a total of 18 cows were slaughtered to collect digesta from four representative organs, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum. The AA profiles of ruminal microbial fraction were similar among the treatments, except for greater Arg in cows fed RS than in cows fed AH or CS. Most of the analysed AA changed under different diets. Significant differences were found among the microbial fraction, rumen fluid and rumen digesta, with greater essential AA in digesta than in microbial fraction or rumen fluid and greater essential AA in microbial fraction than rumen fluid. Significant differences in individual AA profiles of digesta and relevant fluid were found across the four representative digestive tract parts, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum, showing much lower Leu proportion in CS and RS than in AH in duodenal fluid. In summary, ruminal microbes may prefer using essential AA, rather than non‐essential AA. The AA profile of ruminal microbes was constant except for Arg. The AA composition of digesta across the four digestive tracts changed dramatically, which indicated differences in the ability and efficiency of AA absorption. The lower duodenum absorbable Leu proportion in cows fed CS or RS indicated the shortage of Leu in CS or RS diets, which might also restrict the balanced AA absorption.     

Behaviour of pigs of Slovenian local indigenous breed and modern hybrid fed with concentrate and hay

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the feeding behaviour differences between Kr?kopolje pig (KP) and a modern hybrid (MH) pig. The behaviour was recorded during concentrate and hay consumption after the body weight of pigs was 100 kg. Animals (N=24) were observed in a straw-bedded system in eight pens of three pigs. During concentrate consumption, feeding, drinking and displacement at the trough (when a pig changed a feeding place) were directly recorded. During hay consumption, hay chewing, resting, exploring, playing and synchronisation while hay chewing were scored. MH ate faster and drank less than KP; however, they changed their feeding places more often and showed a higher probability to chew hay (overall P<0.01). MH pigs tended to chew hay more synchronously than KP (P<0.10). The results show that concentrate and hay consumption habits vary between the Slovene KP and the MH pig.     

On farm evaluation of sun-dried Ziziphus spina-christi leaves substitution for natural pasture hay on feed intake and body weight change of Bati goat breeds in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of sun-dried Ziziphus spina-christi (ZC) leaves on feed intake and live weight gain of local male goats. Twenty-five male local breed of goats at 1 year of age (body weight; BW?=?20.7?±?0.72 kg) were randomly allocated to five treatments and five replications. Treatments were as follows: T1 (grass hay only; control group); T2 (75% grass hay + 25% ZC leaves); T3 (50% grass hay + 50% ZC leaves); T4 (25% grass hay + 75% ZC leaves), and T5 (100% ZC leaves). The study lasted for 90 days. During this period, feed intake, BW change, and average daily gain were evaluated. There was a significant difference in total dry matter intake of goats fed on different levels of ZC leaves compared with the control group. Mixing of the pasture grass hay diet improved (P?<?0.05) goats feed intake from 440 to 592 g/head/day at the minimum proportion of 25% ZC and natural pasture mixture. However, there was no significant difference (P?>?0.05) in feed intake among the supplemented groups (T2–T5) as ZC leaves proportion increased. Goats in the control group and in the 25% ZC treatment diet gained 31.4 and 46.7 g, which was not different (P?>?0.05). The highest average daily BW was gained (P?<?0.05) in goats supplemented with the highest level (100%) of ZC leaves. T5 (100% ZC leaves supplementation) showed a significant increment (P?<?0.05) in body weight gain of goats over other treatments and the control. Feed conversion ratio was increased (P?<?0.05) with increased inclusion level of ZC leaves. Goats on supplemented treatments 1 and 2; treatments 4 and 5 had no significant difference (P?>?0.05) in feed conversion efficiency while there was a significant (P?<?0.05) difference between treatments 2 and 3 diets which had higher (P?<?0.05) feed conversion ratio than the control groups. Generally, the results of the current study showed that supplementation of goats with above 50% level of dried ZC leaves in their diet significantly increased feed intake and body weight gain by improving feed conversion efficiency of goats.

     

Effects of inclusion levels of pelleted silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis Andress.) in the diet on digestibility,chewing activity,ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites in breeding Japanese Black cows

To examine the effects of inclusion levels of pelleted silvergrass (PS) in the diet on digestibility, ruminal fermentation and nutrient status of breeding Japanese Black cows, four cows were allotted to a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment. Treatments were control fed a diet consisting of 89.4% Sudangrass hay and 10.6% soybean meal on a dry matter (DM) basis, and PS18, PS27 and PS45 fed the diet replaced with 18%, 27% and 45% of control with PS, respectively. The total digestible nutrients (TDN) content of PS was 45.6% on a DM basis. The TDN intakes were significantly decreased by increasing PS level in the diet (P < 0.05), but were higher than the TDN requirement of maintenance cows in all treatments. The total chewing time was decreased significantly by increasing PS level in the diets (P < 0.05). However, the pH and concentration of volatile fatty acid in the ruminal fluid and serum metabolite concentrations were not significantly different among the treatments. The results suggested that including PS up to 45% in the diet did not have adverse effects on the ruminal fermentation and nutrient status in breeding Japanese Black cows at the maintenance stage.     

Intake and digestion of wethers fed with dwarf elephant grass hay with or without the inclusion of peanut hay

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) hay in diets based on dwarf elephant grass (DEG, Pennisetum purpureum Schum cv. Kurumi) hay of different regrowth ages on forage intake and digestibility in wether lambs. The experimental treatments consisted of DEG hay with an interval of regrowth of 30 or 45 days offered as the only feed or in mixture with peanut hay (300 g/kg of total dry matter (DM)), which were tested in eight Texel?×?Suffolk crossbred wethers in a replicated 4?×?4 Latin square experiment. Both organic matter (OM) and digestible OM intakes were higher (P?<?0.05) in animals receiving the legume forage. Total apparent OM digestibility was higher (P?<?0.05) at an increased grass regrowth age. Ruminal OM digestibility increased (P?<?0.05) with legume inclusion and at a higher grass regrowth age. The nitrogen (N) intake was higher (P?<?0.05) in legume treatments and lower (P?<?0.05) as the grass regrowth age increased, but retention of N was not affected by treatments. Duodenal flow of both, non-ammonia N and microbial N, were not affected by legume inclusion and were lower (P?<?0.05) as grass regrowth age increased. The efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis (ERMPS) was negatively affected (P?<?0.05) by legume inclusion and was lower (P?<?0.05) as the grass regrowth age increased. Supplementation of dwarf elephant grass hay cut at the vegetative stage with peanut legume hay improves nutritional supply to wethers due to an increase in the forage intake.     

The effects of urea‐treated potato pulp (PP) ensiled with beet pulp or wheat bran pellets to reduce moisture of PP and flake density of corn grain supplemented with the PP silage on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers

The effects of adding beet pulp or wheat bran to urea‐treated potato pulp (PP) in order to reduce moisture of PP silage and flake density of corn grain on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers were studied in a split‐plot design experiment. The whole‐plot treatments were PP silage mixed with 0% added pellets (CON), 9% (as‐fed basis) beet pulp pellets (BP) or 9% (as‐fed basis) wheat bran pellets (WB) as water‐absorbing materials. The subplot treatments consisted of supplements formulated to contain either high‐density corn (HDC) or low‐density corn (LDC). BP steers consumed more (BP vs WB, P = 0.011) concentrate than did WB steers, whereas hay intake did not differ between the treatments. Dry matter (BP vs WB, P = 0.023) and organic matter (BP vs WB, P = 0.029) digestibility were higher for BP steers than for WB steers. Starch digestibility was higher (P = 0.006) for LDC than for HDC. There were no differences in the concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen among the treatments. Molar proportions of ruminal acetate were higher for BP steers than for WB steers (BP vs WB, P = 0.030). Conversely, molar proportions of propionate were lower for BP steers than for WB steers (BP vs WB, P = 0.044). Flake density of corn did not affect ruminal characteristics. In conclusion, from the viewpoint of feed intake and digestibility, BP is superior to WB as a moisture control material for urea‐treated PP silage, and flake density of corn supplemented with urea‐treated PP silage does not alter ruminal fermentation.     

Tifton hay, soybean hulls, and whole cottonseed as fiber source in spineless cactus diets for sheep

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of three different sources of fiber (tifton hay, soybean hulls, and whole cottonseed) in spineless cactus diets for sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Twenty-one sheep in finishing phase with indeterminate breed, non-castrated, and with initial weight of 18.90?±?1.07 kg were randomly distributed to individual stalls where they were confined for the duration of the experiment. The intakes of dry and organic matter, total carbohydrates, and total digestive nutrients were not influenced (P?>?0.10) by the different fiber sources (1.10, 0.97, 0.73, and 0.80 kg/day, respectively). However, sheep which received the whole cottonseed diet were characterized by a lower (P?<?0.10) intake of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber and greater (P?<?0.10) intake of ether extract (0.11, 0.29, and 0.048 kg/day, respectively). The different sources of fiber resulted in similar times spent feeding (P?>?0.10), although the rumination time was greater for tifton hay (P?<?0.10) (429.05 min/day). The digestibility coefficient of dry and organic matter differed between the treatments (P?<?0.10), with the soybean hull diet showing a higher level of digestion (83.23 and 86.72 %, respectively). The whole cottonseed diet gave the smallest digestibility coefficient of crude protein (68.95 %) and greatest for ether extract (85.94 %). The daily weight gain of animals fed on whole cottonseed was significantly lower (P?<?0.10). On the basis of these findings, we recommend the use of tifton hay or soybean hulls as important additional source of fiber in forage spineless cactus diets for sheep in finishing phase.     

Growth performance of indigenous sheep fed Sporobolus virginicus grass hay grown in saline desert lands and irrigated with high salt content ground water

Twenty-eight indigenous ewe lambs (6 months of age and 14.4 kg body weight (BW)) were used to evaluate the effect of feeding Sporobolus grass hay (SGH) as the only source of forage on growth, and feed and water intakes. The ewe lambs were randomly and equally allocated to two treatment groups (14 lambs/group). The ewe lambs in group 1 (treatment 1) received SGH, while lambs in group 2 (treatment 2) received Rhodes grass hay (RGH) as the only source of forage. Water was available at all times for both treatment groups. Sporobolus grass was irrigated with brackish water of high salt content (20,000 ppm) and grown in saline desert lands (sabkha) in the United Arab Emirates. The average daily dry matter intake was significantly (P < .05) higher for the animals fed SGH than those fed RGH at all stages. Both water intakes per unit body gain and water intake per unit feed intake were significant (P < .05) between the two treatments group at all stages. Average daily gain did not differ significantly (P > .05) between the two groups at all stages. From these data, we conclude that SGH can replace Rhodes hay in sheep diet without significant effect on sheep performance.