Effect of supplementation of fresh and ensiled clovers to ryegrass on nitrogen loss and methane emission of dairy cows

Two experiments were carried out to compare white clover with red clover as supplementation to ryegrass, in ensiled and fresh form, for differences in nitrogen loss and methane emission by dairy cows. In experiment 1, fresh ryegrass was mixed with fresh white (WF) or red clover (RF) (60/40 on dry matter basis). Experiment 2 involved similar mixed diets in ensiled form (WS and RS, respectively), and two ryegrass silage diets, without (GS) or with supplementary maize gluten meal (600 g protein/kg DM; GS+). Barley was supplemented to meet the calculated requirements for milk production. The type of clover did not affect crude protein (CP) intake in experiment 1. In experiment 2, the highest CP intakes were observed for cows on the GS+ diet (P < 0.05), followed by the WS and RS diet, compared to the GS diet. Within experiments, no treatment effects occurred for intake of digestible organic matter, milk and milk protein yield, while milk urea and urine N excretion mostly reflected the differences in CP intake in experiment 2. The highest absolute N excretions (P < 0.001) occurred with the GS+ diet, compared to the other diets. Per unit of N intake, a tendency for highest urine N losses with GS+ was still noticeable. The slurry characteristics were not affected by clover type during storage in experiment 1. In experiment 2, initial treatment differences in ammonia-N levels (P < 0.01) in the slurry were still observed after 8 weeks of storage. Clover supplementation, but not clover type, slightly enhanced gaseous N losses per cow per day in relation to GS, but not as much as GS+ (+53%). Gaseous N losses relative to milk N yield were slightly lower (P < 0.1) with fresh red clover compared to white clover, a trend not apparent in experiment 2 with silages where levels were elevated with GS+. Methane emissions were not affected (P > 0.05) either by clover supplementation or by clover type in both experiments. This study illustrates that the white and red clovers investigated were widely similar for their effects on N losses and methane emission in dairy cows. Our findings imply that supplementation of white or red clover to a high-protein ryegrass could enhance nitrogen losses to the environment, and would not be beneficial in terms of reducing methane emissions.     

Effect of protein level on performance,nitrogen utilisation and carcass composition in finisher pigs

Abstract

For 6 weeks, 256 female finisher pigs (initially 53.9 kg) were fed four dietary treatments of 136, 148, 159 and 168 g crude protein (CP)/kg diet. The latter diet was the 159 g CP/kg diet supplemented with dispensable amino acids, to study the effect of excess CP. Week 4 included use of metabolic cages. Feed intake, gain and feed utilisation were not significantly affected. Plasma urea (P < 0.001) and urinary nitrogen (P = 0.01) decreased linearly by lowering CP. The weight of the carcass tended to increase linearly by reducing CP, but neither nitrogen retention nor carcass meat percentage and back fat depth differed among treatments. In conclusion, the study indicated that CP could be decreased to 136 g/kg as-fed for growing pigs in the weight range 50–100 kg without negative impact on growth performance and carcass traits. Moreover, leanness was not affected by excess CP.     

Effect of probiotic supplementation on growth,nitrogen utilisation and serum cholesterol in broilers

1. The effect of dietary probiotic supplementation on the growth, nitrogen utilisation and serum cholesterol content of broiler chickens was studied in 2 trials.

2. In experiment 1, the birds receiving the 0, 75, 100, 125 mg probiotic/kg diets had weight gains of 1204.0, 1272.0, 1268.3 and 1210.5 g, respectively at the end of 8 weeks of feeding. The group of birds fed on the 75 mg probiotic supplemented diet retained significantly (P<0.01) more nitrogen than the control birds. Serum cholesterol content was lower in the probiotic‐supplemented birds (93.3 mg/100 ml) compared to the control birds (132.2 mg/100 ml).

3. In the second experiment the probiotic plus antibiotic‐supplemented group of birds had the maximum weight gain (1148.5 g) followed by antibiotic (1141.3 g), probiotic‐supplemented (1128.4 g) and control birds (1045.6 g) after 6 weeks. Nitrogen retention was greatest in the antibiotic—(48.5%) followed by the probiotic—(46.5%), probiotic plus antibiotic‐supplemented groups (46.3%) compared to 40.2% in control birds.

4. The apparent metabolisable energy was greatest in birds receiving the probiotic plus antibiotic‐supplemented diet (12.37 MJ/kg) followed by antibiotic—(12.00 MJ/kg), probiotic‐supplemented birds (11.92 MJ/kg) than in control birds (11.62 MJ/kg). Serum cholesterol was significantly (P<0.01) lower in probiotic‐supplemented birds (86.1 mg/dl) compared to 118.4 mg/dl in control birds.     

Effect of dietary dry matter intake on endogenous nitrogen flows in growing lambs

The effect of dietary dry matter intake (DMI) on endogenous nitrogen (N) flows at different part of the digestive tract of growing lambs was determined using a ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique. Three Kazakh male lambs (30 ± 2.75 kg of body weights and 4 months old, average daily gain 200 g/day) were fitted with ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulae and raised in metabolic cage individually. The experiment was conducted in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with three lambs, three DMI levels (1100, 920 and 736 g/day respectively) and three periods. Each period lasted 18 days, consisting of 10 days for adaptation, 8 days for the continuous infusion of l ‐[¹⁵N]leucine, during which the intestinal flow of N and ¹⁵N enrichment were determined. The total endogenous secretions in the forestomach (S_fs) were decreased (p = 0.0512) with increased level of DMI. On the contrary, endogenous nitrogen (EN) secretions into the small intestine (S_i) increased (p = 0.0249) significantly with the high level of DMI (HI) group compared with that of low level of DMI (LI). Total absorption from forestomach was reduced (p = 0.0121) with increased level of DMI, whereas total absorption from small intestine for HI group increased (p = 0.0116) significantly compared with that of LI treatment. The real digestibility of N in the rumen accompanied with the increase in feed intake is decreased (p = 0.081). In contrast, there were no effects of DMI level on the computed real digestibility of N across both small intestine and whole tract. The results of this study indicate that the total flows of EN at duodenum may be unaffected by the level of DMI; however, the EN flow at ileal level increased from 12% to 37% with the increase in DMI level, corresponding to 33% of total N flow at ileum.     

Odour and ammonia emission from pig manure as affected by dietary crude protein level

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) level on odour emission, odour intensity, odour hedonic tone, ammonia and greenhouse gaseous emission from pig manure, and on fresh faeces and manure characteristics. An experiment was conducted with finishing pigs (n = 12) in a randomized complete block arrangement with 2 treatments of 12 and 15% dietary CP in six blocks. The 2 diets were supplemented with essential AA up to the level of the animal's requirement. Pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 57.7 ± 0.7 kg were penned individually in partly slatted floor pens. Faeces and urine of each pig accumulated in separate manure pits under the slatted floor. In the 3rd week of the collection period, fresh faeces were collected for identifying fresh faeces characteristics and for assessing dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen (N), fat and non-starch polysaccharides digestibility using Cr₂O₃ as a marker. In the 6th week of the collection period, air samples were collected directly from each manure pit: one for odour, one for ammonia concentration and one for greenhouse gases. Afterwards the manure was mixed and a representative sample was taken for manure characteristic analysis. Odour samples were analyzed for odour concentration and for hedonic tone and odour intensity. Manure samples were analyzed for volatile fatty acids (VFA), indolic, phenolic, sulphurous compounds, ammonium and total N concentrations and pH. Reducing dietary CP level from 15 to 12% did not affect odour emission, odour intensity and odour hedonic tone and greenhouse gaseous concentration (CH₄, CO₂ and N₂O) (P > 0.05) of odorous air above the manure pit. Reduced dietary CP level decreased manure pH (P < 0.001), total N (P < 0.001) and ammonium (P < 0.001) concentrations and ammonia emission from pig manure (P = 0.03). In addition, total VFA, acetic, propionic, iso-butanoic and iso-pentanoic acids, phenol, 4-ethyl phenol and carbon disulfide concentrations in manure were decreased by reducing dietary CP level (P < 0.05). We conclude that reducing dietary CP from 15 to 12% did not reduce odour emission and greenhouse gaseous concentration; however, ammonia emission was significantly reduced.     

Effect of supplementation of dietary protected lipids on intake and nutrient utilization in Deccani lambs

Four complete isonitrogenous (crude protein 13%) rations with 0 (T₁), 5 (T₂), 10 (T₃) and 15 (T₄) per cent calcium soap from red palm oil (protected fat) were formulated and evaluated using four Deccani lambs (19.32 ± 0.82 kg) in a completely randomized design at the end of a growth trial. The average daily dry matter intake (% body weight or g/kg W^0.75 per day) in lambs fed ration T₄ was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in those fed rations T₁, T₂, and T₃. There was no significant difference in the digestibility of proximate principles and cell-wall constituents except for ether extract (EE) and cellulose. EE digestibility was significantly (p < 0.05) higher by 15.71, 14.65 and 11.56 percentage units, respectively in lambs fed rations T₂, T₃ and T₄ as compared to those fed ration T₁. Ration T₄ had significantly (p < 0.05) lower cellulose digestibility than rations T₁, T₂ and T₃. Nitrogen and phosphorous balances (g/day) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different among the four rations. Calcium balance (g/day) was higher by 0.65, 1.39 and 1.40, respectively, in lambs fed rations T₂ (p > 0.05) and T₃ and T₄ (p < 0.05) in comparison to those fed ration T₁. Digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients content (g/kg DM) of rations were not significantly (p > 0.05) different among the four rations. It is concluded that calcium soap from red palm oil can be supplemented up to 10% level as a concentrated energy source in the rations of Deccani lambs without any adverse effect on dry matter intake and cellulose digestibility.     

Influence of inclusion level of barley in wheat-based diets and supplementation of carbohydrase on growth performance,nutrient utilisation and gut morphometry in broiler starters

ABSTRACT

1. The influence of barley inclusion level and supplementation of a multi-component non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme on performance and nutrient utilisation in broilers was investigated. Normal-starch hulled barley was evaluated with five levels of inclusion (0, 141, 283, 424 and 565 g/kg) in a wheat-based diet and two levels of enzyme supplementation (0 and 150 g/tonne of feed; a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of 10 dietary treatments). All diets were equivalent in metabolisable energy and digestible amino acid contents. A total of 400, one-d old male broilers (five cages/treatment; eight birds/cage) were used in the experiment.

2. Regardless of enzyme supplementation, weight gain (WG) increased up to 283 g/kg of barley and was reduced afterwards (P < 0.01). Increasing levels of barley resulted in greater (P < 0.001) gain per feed (G/F). Enzyme addition increased WG (P < 0.05) and G/F (P < 0.001) at each barley inclusion level.

3. Birds fed diets with 0 and 565 g/kg barley showed the lowest and highest (P < 0.001to 0.05) digestibility for all nutrients measured, respectively. Digestibility of all nutrients was improved by enzyme supplementation at each barley inclusion level (P < 0.05). The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy improved with increasing inclusion of barley (P < 0.001) and supplemental enzyme (P < 0.01). Increasing inclusion of barley increased the relative weight of gizzard (P < 0.001) and reduced jejunal digesta viscosity (P < 0.001). Supplemental enzyme (P < 0.001) reduced digesta viscosity.

4. The optimum inclusion level of barley, with respect to growth performance, was 283 g/kg of diet. Increasing barley inclusion improved nutrient and energy utilisation, possibly through lowered digesta viscosity and better function of the gizzard. Feed efficiency and nutrient and energy utilisation can benefit from carbohydrase supplementation in barley-based diets, regardless of barley inclusion level.     

Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on utilisation of energy and protein in broiler chicken fed different dietary fat levels.

Effects of a supplementation of 80 mg L-carnitine per kg diet were studied in broiler chicken at two dietary levels of fat (4 and 8%) and different feeding levels (ad libitum in a growth trial, 95 and 85% of ad libitum in a balance trial). A low-carnitine basal diet adequate in amino acid concentration was used. In the growth trial, each diet was fed to 9 groups of 10 birds each for 16 days from day 5 of live onwards. Growth and feed intake were determined. At the end of the trial, birds were killed and homogenised for subsequent empty body analysis. Accretion of protein and energy was determined using a representative blank group killed at the beginning of the trial. In the balance trial, 8 individual birds were used per treatment. Birds were offered the feed at approximately 85 and 95% of ad libitum intake, which was determined with separate birds for both fat levels. Excreta were quantitatively collected three times daily for 8 consecutive days beginning on day 17 individually for each bird. Supplemented L-carnitine did not significantly affect any response criterion. However, growth and feed conversion tended to be improved by about 5% in the carnitine supplemented diets when fed ad libitum. An interaction between carnitine and fat level occurred with regard to feed conversion, indicating that carnitine had a positive effect at the high fat level, but not at the low fat level. L-carnitine did not positively affect the metabolisability of energy (ME/GE) and the efficiency of energy utilisation (RE/GE or RE/ME). Similarly, no significant carnitine effect was determined with regard to N accretion and the efficiency of utilisation of dietary protein in both trials. It is concluded that endogenous carnitine synthesis is not the limiting factor for energy utilisation in broiler chicken, even at high dietary fat concentration. Occasionally reported positive effects of supplemental carnitine were likewise caused by reasons other than improved energy or protein utilisation. Further studies on amino acid utilisation and catabolism should consider marginal amino acid supply.     

Effects of reducing dietary crude protein on growth performance, odor gas emission from manure and blood urea nitrogen and IGF-1 concentrations of serum in nursery pigs

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of reducing dietary crude protein on growth performance, odor gas emission from manure and blood urea nitrogen and IGF-1 concentrations of serum in nursery pigs. In experiment 1, the dietary treatments were (i) CON (CP 19.5%) and (ii) T1 (CP 16.0%). In feces samples, NH₃, H₂S, acetic acid and butyric acid emissions during the T1 treatment were lower than during the CON treatment ( P  < 0.05). In feces-urine samples, NH₃ emission during the T1 treatment was lower than during the CON treatment ( P  < 0.05). In experiment 2, 28 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) pigs (13.58 ± 0.10 kg) were used for a 42-day growth trial. Throughout the entire experimental period, ADG and ADFI of the CON treatment were higher than the T1 treatment ( P  < 0.05). On day 14, N digestibility in pigs fed the CON diet was higher than that of pigs fed the T1 diet ( P  < 0.05). On days 28 and 42, DM digestibility of the CON diet was greater than the T1 treatment ( P  < 0.05). On dat 42, serum BUN concentration of pigs fed the CON diet was higher than that of pigs fed the T1 diet ( P  < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that reduction in dietary CP concentration decreased NH₃, H₂S and VFA emissions in feces and growth performance in nursery pigs.     

Reduced diet crude protein level, benzoic acid and inulin reduced ammonia, but failed to influence odour emission from finishing pigs

Intensified pig production is associated with odour and ammonia emissions causing nuisance and environmental concerns. The aim of four experiments was to investigate the effect of different dietary interventions on odour and ammonia emissions from finishing pigs. In exp. 1, diet crude protein levels of 16% and 14% were compared. In exps. 2 and 3, the effect of adding 1% and 3% benzoic acid, respectively, to the diets was studied. In exp. 4, inclusion of 15% inulin in the diet was investigated. All experiments were carried out in two identical climate chambers with three pens. There were 12 pigs per pen in total 36 pigs per chamber. Each dietary treatment was repeated two times. The temperature, ventilation rate and concentrations of NH₃ in the exhaust air were measured every hour. Odour concentration was measured in samples of the exhaust air by olfactometry. Reduced diet crude protein, the addition of 3% benzoic acid and inclusion of 15% inulin reduced ammonia emission by 30%, 57% and 34%, respectively. It was not possible to influence odour emission in any of the experiments.     

Effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on the vitamin D status of ewes and their lambs

Pregnant ewes were injected intramuscularly with 300,000 iu of vitamin D3 in a water miscible vehicle either 10, seven or four weeks before the expected lambing date and the effects on plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were monitored. The concentrations increased quickly and remained high at parturition but at no time were they outside the normal physiological range. The concentrations in the plasma of the newborn lambs were higher than in uninjected controls and were well correlated with the concentrations in their mothers. Dosing pregnant ewes with 300,000 iu of vitamin D3 in a rapidly available form, approximately two months before lambing, provided a safe means of increasing the vitamin D status of the ewe and the newborn lamb by preventing the seasonally low concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.     

Effect of ruminal escape protein and fat on nitrogen utilization in lambs exposed to elevated ambient temperatures.

Eight wether lambs (mean BW = 28.8 kg) with ruminal and abomasal cannulas were assigned to either thermally neutral or high ambient temperature treatments. Within each temperature, lambs were randomly allotted to dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (60% corn and 24% cottonseed hulls) either with (high; 11.4% CP) or without (control; 10.1% CP) added ruminal escape CP as fish meal and with (high) or without (control) 5% added ruminally inert fat in a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement using a Latin square design. Lambs were fed 606 g of DM/d in each period, which consisted of a 10-d adjustment followed by 6 d of sample collection. High temperature increased (P less than .05) respiration rate, evaporative water loss, and rectal temperature. When compared with controls, lambs fed high escape CP retained more N when exposed to high temperatures (2.8 vs 3.6 g of N/d) and less N at neutral temperatures (3.3 vs 3.1 g of N/d; temperature x escape CP; P less than .05). Retention of N was greater (P less than .05) in lambs fed high than in those fed control fat (3.8 vs 2.7 g/d). Lambs fed high vs control escape CP had greater abomasal feed N flow (percentage of intake) when fed high-fat diets (77.3 vs 56.1%) but similar dietary N flow when fed control fat diets (55.8 vs 54.3%; fat x escape CP; P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of nitrogen intake on nitrogen recycling and urea transporter abundance in lambs

Urea recycling in ruminants has been studied extensively in the past, but the mechanisms regulating the amount of urea recycled or excreted remain obscure. To elucidate the role of urea transporters (UT) in N recycling, nine Dorset-Finn ewe lambs (20.8 +/- 0.8 kg) were fed diets containing 15.5, 28.4, and 41.3 g of N/kg of DM for 25 d. Nitrogen balance and urea N kinetics were measured during the last 3 d of the period. Animals were then slaughtered and mucosa samples from the rumen, duodenum, ileum, and cecum, as well as kidney medulla and liver, were collected. Increasing N intake tended to increase N balance quadratically (1.5, 5.1, and 4.4 +/- 0.86 g of N/d, P < 0.09), and linearly increased urinary N excretion (2.4, 10, and 16.5 +/- 0.86 g N/d, P < 0.001) and plasma urea N concentration (4.3, 20.3, and 28.4 +/- 2.62 mg of urea N/dL, P < 0.001), but did not affect fecal N excretion (5.0 +/- 0.5 g of N/d; P < 0.94). Urea N production (2.4, 11.8, and 19.2 +/- 0.83 g of N/d; P < 0.001) and urinary urea N excretion (0.7, 7.0, and 13.4 +/- 0.73 g N/d; P < 0.001) increased linearly with N intake, as well as with the urea N recycled to the gastrointestinal tract (1.8, 4.8, and 5.8 +/- 0.40 g of N/d, P < 0.001). No changes due to N intake were observed for creatinine excretion (518 +/- 82.4 mg/d; P < 0.69) and clearance (46 +/- 10.7 mL/min; P < 0.56), but urea N clearance increased linearly with N intake (14.9, 24.4, and 34.9 +/- 5.9 mL/min; P < 0.04). Urea N reabsorption by the kidney tended to decrease (66.3, 38.5, 29.1 +/- 12.6%; P < 0.06) with increasing N content of the diet. Increasing the level of N intake increased linearly the weight of the liver as a proportion of BW (1.73, 1.88, and 2.22 +/- 0.15%, P < 0.03) but only tended to increase the weight of the kidneys (0.36, 0.37, and 0.50 +/- 0.05%, P < 0.08). Urea transporter B was present in all the tissues analyzed, but UT-A was detected only in kidney medulla, liver, and duodenum. Among animals on the three diets, no differences (P > 0.10) in UT abundance, quantified by densitometry, were found. Ruminal-wall urease activity decreased linearly (P < 0.02) with increasing level of N intake. Urease activity in duodenal, ileal, and cecal mucosa did not differ from zero (P > 0.10) in lambs on the high-protein diet. In the present experiment, urea transporter abundance in the kidney medulla and the gastrointestinal tract did not reflect the increase in urea-N reabsorption by the kidney and transferred into the gut.     

Effect of glycine supplementation in low protein diets with amino acids from soy protein isolate or free amino acids on broiler growth and nitrogen utilisation

1. Here, it was investigated whether substitution of amino acids (AA) from soy protein isolate with free AA in low crude protein diets influences the growth performance and N utilisation in broilers, and whether interactions with dietary glycine equivalent (Gly_equi) concentration exist.

2. Birds were distributed in two 2 × 2 factorial arrangements of 48 floor pens containing 10 birds each, plus 48 metabolism cages containing two birds each. Experimental feed was provided for ad libitum consumption from d 7 to 22. Diets contained either a soy protein isolate at 79 g/kg or a mix of free AA, which supplied the same amount of 18 proteinogenic AA. A mix of free glycine and l-serine was used to obtain low and high (12.0 and 20.5 g/kg dry matter) levels of dietary Gly_equi.

3. Substitution of soy protein isolate with free AA reduced the average daily gain and feed efficiency, mainly due to reduced feed intake. Efficiency of N accretion was not influenced by the AA source or Gly_equi concentration on d 21, possibly due to the lower AA digestibility of soy protein isolate and higher urinary excretion of nitrogenous substances in the treatments with the AA mix.

4. The average daily weight gain of the treatments with high Gly_equi concentration was higher for both AA sources. This increase was due to higher average daily feed intake by broilers in the treatments with soy protein isolate and due to the increased feed efficiency in the treatments with the AA mix. Broilers exhibited different growth responses to dietary Gly_equi between the AA sources; however, these responses could not be attributed to the different utilisation of Gly_equi for uric acid synthesis.

     

优化教槽料脂肪源对断乳仔猪生长性能及生产效益的影响

在断乳仔猪日粮中添加脂肪酸优化的脂肪源,同时以椰子油粉作为对照,研究优化的脂肪源对断乳仔猪生长性能、腹泻情况及生产效益的影响。试验选取120头断乳仔猪,随机分为2个处理组:A组添加4%结构脂脂肪粉(商品名:乳脂能Ⅱ型),B组添加4%椰子油粉(商品名:椰香50),每组6个重复,每个重复10头猪,试验为期12 d。结果表明:A组仔猪的采食量、日增重及成活率均高于B组,且A组仔猪的腹泻率显著低于B组。经济效益分析表明:试验期间,A组每头猪增重回报比B组增加15.52元/头,净盈利增加13.54元/头。由此可见,脂肪酸优化的结构脂可促进仔猪采食,提高仔猪增重,减少仔猪腹泻,且其经济效益优于B组。     

Effect of substituting soybean meal with euglena (Euglena gracilis) on methane emission and nitrogen efficiency in sheep

This study evaluated methane (CH₄) emission, intake, digestibility, and nitrogen efficiency in sheep fed diets containing replacement levels (0%, 33%, 50%, and 67% of soybean meal with euglena). In this experiment, four Corriedale wether sheep with an initial body weight of 53.8 ± 4.6 were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. This experiment lasted 84 days, divided into four experimental periods. Each period lasted 21 days, which consists of 14 days of adaptation to the diets, 5 days to collect samples, and 2 days to collect gas emission from sheep. Methane emission expressed as L/kg DM intake or g/kg DM intake reduced by up to 37% and the energy loss via CH₄ (% of GE intake) reduced by up to 34%. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed in DM and OM intake and whole tract apparent DM digestibility due to substitution of soybean meal with euglena. The total CP loss reduced significantly (linear, p < 0.001) and CP efficiency increased linearly (p = 0.03) with increasing concentration of euglena. As a result, nitrogen balance and average daily weight gain remained unchanged despite higher nitrogen concentration in soybean supplemented group. In conclusion, substitution of soybean meal with euglena reduced methane emission without affecting the performance of animals.     

Effect of cereal type and exogenous enzyme supplementation in pig diets on odour and ammonia emissions

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between cereal type (wheat vs. barley) and exogenous enzyme supplementation (with or without) on odour concentration and ammonia emissions in grower–finisher pigs. The enzyme supplement used contained Endo-1, 3 (4)-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) and Endo-1, 4-β-xylanase (E.C 3.2.1.8). The diets were formulated to contain similar levels of digestible energy and lysine. The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) wheat-based diet, (2) wheat-based diet containing a β-glucanase and β-xylanase mixed enzyme supplement, (3) barley-based diet and (4) barley-based diet containing a β-glucanase and β-xylanase mixed enzyme supplement. The diets were offered to the pigs for 4 weeks and this was repeated 4 times (n = 4). Odour and ammonia emissions were measured on days 9, 11, 14, 16, 21 and 23 of each experimental period. Odour samples were collected in 20-litre Nalophan bags and analysed for odour concentration using an ECOMA Yes/No Olfactometer. Ammonia concentrations were measured using Dräger tubes. There was a cereal × enzyme interaction in odour emission rates (P < 0.05) and in ammonia emissions (P < 0.01). The addition of an enzyme supplement increased odour emissions and had no effect on ammonia emissions in the barley-based diet. The enzyme supplementation had no effect on odour but decreased ammonia emissions in the wheat based diet.     

瘤胃保护性色氨酸对肉羊氮代谢及生长性能的影响

试验选用20只三月龄断奶二元杂交肉羊,采用随机区组试验设计,探讨瘤胃保护性色氨酸对肉羊氮代谢及生长性能的影响。瘤胃保护性色氨酸设四个添加水平,即0g/d、1.0g/d、2.0g/d和4.0g/d。结果表明,日粮中添加瘤胃保护性色氨酸能降低尿氮的排出量,提高氮沉积、日增重和氮的生物学利用率(P0.05),但1.0g/d、2.0g/d和4.0g/d三个处理组之间比较差异不显著(P0.05),在此试验条件下,日粮中瘤胃保护性色氨酸的适宜添加量为1.0g/d。     

全饲粮颗粒料对羔羊生产性能及瘤胃氮代谢的影响

近年来,肉羊生产成为世界养羊业发展的一大热点。许多国家已将肥羔生产作为发展肉羊业的重要产业。在我国,肉羊生产还是以老、弱、病、残的淘汰羊为主,肥羔生产更是处于起步阶段,还没有配套高效的生产措施,难以形成工厂化、专业化和集约化。全饲粮饲养技术便于控制日粮的营养水     

Effect of moisture content and ambient temperature on the gaseous nitrogen loss from stored laying hen manure

1. The objectives of this study were to compare the effect of 4 storage temperatures (15.3, 18.5, 21.9 and 25.4 degrees C) and three moisture contents of laying hen manure (722, 752 and 796 g/kg) on the rate of nitrogen loss and manure decomposition characteristics over a 10-d storage. 2. The rate of loss of dry matter, nitrogen and water increased linearly with increased ambient storage temperature. The initial moisture content had a non-linear effect on the rate of loss nitrogen and moisture. The greatest rate of loss of nitrogen and lowest loss of water occurred in the intermediate manure moisture treatment. 3. There was a temperature x manure moisture interaction with a large increase in the rate of nitrogen loss of the intermediate manure moisture samples when they were stored at the highest temperature. 4. This experiment quantified the marked effect that relatively small changes in manure moisture and storage temperature can have on gaseous nitrogen losses.