Quantity and characteristics of microorganisms associated with ruminal fluid or particles

An experiment was conducted to 1) determine quantity of microbial CP and DM associated with undigested feed particles, 2) quantify the amount of microorganisms removed from ruminally incubated forages and 3) compare forage disappearances (D) corrected for microbial contamination, using diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) ratios obtained from particle-associated or fluid-associated microorganisms. Samples of alfalfa hay, bermudagrass hay and orchardgrass hay placed in dacron bags were incubated via ruminal cannula for 6 and 12 h. Whole ruminal contents (WRC) were sampled at the time of bag removal and partitioned into fluid- and particle-associated microorganisms. Particle-associated microorganisms were further divided into loosely-associated (LA) and firmly associated (FA) microorganisms. Percentage microbial CP and DAPA, quantities of OM, CP (mg) and DAPA (micrograms), microbial contamination and microbial contribution to ruminal contents were not affected by time (P greater than .05). The highest concentrations of CP and DAPA were found in fluid and LA, respectively (P less than .01). The total amount (content) of OM, CP and DAPA were highest in FA and lowest in microbes in the fluid fraction. Firmly-associated microorganisms constituted 54.1% of the particle-associated population. Corrected DMD were higher (P less than .01) based on FA than on fluid and LA microbe compositions. Corrected CPD were similar (P greater than .10) between populations except at 6 h, when LA corrected CPD were lower. Theoretically, using FA microorganisms should give the most accurate correction for microbial contamination. However, results indicate that, although the three populations differed in composition, fluid and FA corrected CPD were similar. Corrections based on composition of any of these three populations will yield higher estimates of disappearance compared with uncorrected values.     

杂交构树、玉米秸秆青贮和燕麦青干草不同配比的体外消化特性及组合效应

本试验旨在探究不同配比杂交构树、玉米秸秆青贮和燕麦青干草组合的体外消化特性及组合效应,以筛选出三种饲草间最适组合配比。采用单因素试验设计,将杂交构树、玉米秸秆青贮和燕麦青干草组成不同配比的混合粗饲料,以精粗比40:60混合作为发酵底物,进行48 h的山羊瘤胃体外发酵试验,共15个处理,每处理3个重复,测定48 h总产气量、pH、氨态氮、微生物蛋白、干物质降解率、中性洗涤纤维降解率、酸性洗涤纤维降解率,计算单项组合效应和多项组合效应。结果显示:混合饲草比单一饲草更能提高体外发酵效果,组合杂交构树:燕麦青干草=50:50、杂交构树:燕麦青干草=75:25、杂交构树:玉米秸秆青贮=50:50体外发酵效果不佳及多项组合效应为负,筛选出三个最优组合为玉米秸秆青贮:燕麦青干草=50:50、玉米秸秆青贮:燕麦青干草=25:75和杂交构树:玉米秸秆青贮:燕麦青干草=50:25:25,且玉米秸秆青贮:燕麦青干草比例1:1组合效应较好。     

Effects of Sodium Caseinate and Varying Protein Sources on In Vitro Fermentation of Forages by Mixed Equine Cecal Microorganisms

To assess the impact of protein on fermentation by equine cecal microorganisms, cecal fluid from 4 cecally cannulated horses was used to inoculate fermentation bottles containing buffer, forage, and supplemental protein. In experiment 1, sodium caseinate (SC) provided 0, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 4% additional crude protein (CP) to bottles containing alfalfa or native warm-season prairie grass hay. Bottles were equipped with continuous gas pressure monitors and placed into a shaking incubator for 48 hours at 39°C. Cultures with alfalfa had greater (P < .0001) in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber disappearance (NDFD), acid detergent fiber disappearance (ADFD), cumulative gas production, and total volatile fatty acid (VFA). Sodium caseinate increased gas production (P ≤ .05) and decreased pH (P < .003) in cultures with grass hay. Sodium caseinate at 1%, 2%, or 4% additional CP increased IVDMD, NDFD, and ADFD (P < .01), while 4% additional CP also increased total VFA (P < .01). For experiment 2, SC, fishmeal, soybean meal (SBM), whey, porcine blood plasma, and L-lysine hydrochloride were added to supply 2% additional CP to cultures with grass hay. All protein sources decreased pH and increased IVDMD, NDFD, and ADFD (P ≤ .01), with the largest effects elicited by SC, L-lysine, and whey (P ≤ .05). Total VFA (P ≤ .04) and gas (P ≤ .05) production increased with L-lysine, whey, SC, SBM, and fishmeal. While protein supplementation had minimal effects on cultures containing alfalfa, it altered fermentation of grass hay, more notably with more soluble protein sources.     

Effects of corn condensed distillers solubles supplementation on ruminal fermentation, digestion, and in situ disappearance in steers consuming low-quality hay

Two metabolism (4 x 4 Latin square design) experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of corn condensed distillers solubles (CCDS) supplementation on intake, ruminal fermentation, site of digestion, and the in situ disappearance rate of forage in beef steers fed low-quality switchgrass hay (Panicum virgatum L.). Experimental periods for both trials consisted of a 9-d diet adaptation and 5 d of collection. In Exp. 1, 4 ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers (561 +/- 53 kg of initial BW) were fed low-quality switchgrass hay (5.1% CP, 40.3% ADF, 7.5% ash; DM basis) and supplemented with CCDS (15.4% CP, 4.2% fat; DM basis). Treatments included 1) no CCDS; 2) 5% CCDS; 3) 10% CCDS; and 4) 15% CCDS (DM basis), which was offered separately from the hay. In Exp. 2, 4 ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers (266.7 +/- 9.5 kg of initial BW) were assigned to treatments similar to Exp. 1, except forage (Panicum virgatum L.; 3.3% CP, 42.5% ADF, 5.9% ash; DM basis) and CCDS (21.6% CP, 17.4% fat; DM basis) were fed as a mixed ration, using a forage mixer to blend the CCDS with the hay. In Exp. 1, ruminal, postruminal, and total tract OM digestibilities were not affected (P = 0.21 to 0.59) by treatment. Crude protein intake and total tract CP digestibility increased linearly with increasing CCDS (P = 0.001 and 0.009, respectively). Microbial CP synthesis tended (P = 0.11) to increase linearly with increasing CCDS, whereas microbial efficiency was not different (P = 0.38). Supplementation of CCDS to low-quality hay-based diets tended to increase total DM and OM intakes (P = 0.11 and 0.13, respectively) without affecting hay DMI (P = 0.70). In Exp. 2, ruminal OM digestion increased linearly (P = 0.003) with increasing CCDS, whereas postruminal and total tract OM digestibilities were not affected (P > or = 0.37) by treatment. Crude protein intake, total tract CP digestibility, and microbial CP synthesis increased (P < or = 0.06) with increasing level of CCDS supplementation, whereas microbial efficiency did not change (P = 0.43). Ruminal digestion of ADF and NDF increased (P = 0.02 and 0.008, respectively) with CCDS supplementation. Based on this data, CCDS used in Exp. 2 was 86.7% rumen degradable protein. The results indicate that CCDS supplementation improves nutrient availability and use of low-quality forages.     

小麦秸秆与米糠粕瘤胃体外发酵组合效应研究

为了探讨小麦秸秆与米糠粕间的组合效应,采用体外产气法评价了小麦秸秆与米糠粕按100:0(RBM0)、75:25(RBM25)、50:50(RBM50)、25:75(RBM75)、0:100(RBM100)的比例组合后的发酵特性。结果表明,1)在产气特性方面,随着米糠粕比例的增加,12,24,48 h累计产气量(GP)、理论最大产气量(HM)和产气速率(B)逐渐增大,而体外延滞时间(Lag)逐渐降低,各比例之间差异显著(P<0.05)。2)在体外发酵12,24,48 h时,当米糠粕占25%时,小麦秸秆与米糠粕的产气量产生最大组合效应(P<0.05)。3)当米糠粕占75%时,小麦秸秆与米糠粕的干物质降解率(DMD)、中性洗涤纤维降解率(NDFD)、酸性洗涤纤维降解率(ADFD)最大,各比例之间差异显著(P<0.05);当米糠粕占25%时,小麦秸秆与米糠粕的DMD产生最大的组合效应(P<0.05);当米糠粕占75%时,小麦秸秆与米糠粕的NDFD、ADFD产生最大组合效应(P<0.05)。4)当米糠粕占75%时,小麦秸秆与米糠粕组合体外发酵48 h的乙酸、丙酸、丁酸以及总挥发性脂肪酸浓度最高,乙酸/丙酸最低。5)48 h累计产气量、产气速率与干物质(DM)、粗蛋白(CP)、粗灰分(Ash)以及中性洗涤可溶物(NDS)极显著正相关(P<0.01),与中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)、有机物(OM)、半纤维(HC)以及中性洗涤可溶物/粗蛋白(NDS/CP)呈极显著负相关(P<0.01);理论最大产气量与DM、CP、Ash、NDS显著正相关(P<0.05),与NDF、ADF、OM和HC显著负相关(P<0.05);Lag与NDS/CP极显著正相关(P<0.01)。本试验结果提示,在本试验条件下,从产气量及干物质降解率的组合效应方面来看,小麦秸秆与米糠粕的最优组合是75:25;从纤维降解率的组合效应方面来看,小麦秸秆与米糠粕的最优组合是25:75。     

Use of fibrolytic enzymes additives to enhance in vitro ruminal fermentation of corn silage

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of four enzyme additives on ruminal fermentation of corn silage using a 48 h batch culture in vitro assay with buffer and ruminal fluid. Experiment 1 (Exp. 1) and Experiment 2 (Exp. 2) were conducted as completely randomized designs each with two runs and four replicates. The enzyme additives (E1, E2, E3, and E4) were commercial products that provided a range in endoglucanase, exoglucanase, and xylanase activities. For both xylanase (birch wood and oat spelt substrate) and endoglucanase (carboxymethylcellulose substrate), the enzyme products (per ml) were ranked E4>E1>E2>E3. In Exp. 1, the four enzymes were added at 0, 2, 4, and 8 μl/g of corn silage dry matter (DM), whereas in Exp. 2 enzymes were added at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 μl/g DM. Gas production (GP) was measured at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h after incubation. Disappearance of DM (DMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDFD), and acid detergent fiber (ADFD), and volatile fatty acid concentrations (VFA; total and individual molar proportions) were determined after 24 and 48 h. In Exp. 1, E1 and E2 had higher NDFD and ADFD at 24 and 48 h of incubation (P<0.001) compared with E3 and E4. Increasing dose rate increased NDFD and ADFD for all enzymes (except ADFD for E4 at 48 h), with the optimum dose rate dependant on the enzyme additive (dose×enzyme; P<0.01). There were some treatment effects on DMD and total GP at 24 and 48 h, but these responses were not consistent with responses in NDFD and ADFD. Experiment 2 was conducted to confirm the effects and optimum dose rate of each enzyme additive. In Exp. 2, DMD was not affected by enzyme after 24 and 48 h incubation. There were no enzyme×dose interactions for DMD, NDFD, or ADFD after 24 or 48 h of incubation (except for ADFD at 48 h). After 24 h, DMD, NDFD, and ADFD increased linearly with increasing dose (P<0.05); after 48 h DMD increased linearly, whereas NDFD increased quadratically with increasing enzyme dose (P<0.05). The ADFD increased linearly after 48 h for E3 and E4, but after 48 h ADFD increased quadratically for E1 and E2. Total GP was consistently lowest for E4 at both incubation times (P<0.05). There were no enzyme×dose interactions (P>0.05) for any of the fermentation variables at either 24 or 48 h of incubation in Exp. 2. There were differences amongst the additives for total VFA at 24 and 48 h (P≤0.05); increasing enzyme dose decreased total VFA after 24 h but increased total VFA at 48 h, such that all doses were higher than the control (P<0.001). Overall, the enzyme additives increased NDFD and ADFD of corn silage in vitro; however, E1 and E2 were more effective than E3 or E4. Responses to increasing dose of enzyme were generally linear or curvilinear, and the optimum dose rate differed amongst the products evaluated. Evaluation of the enzymes at 24 and 48 h generally led to the same ranking of the additives, and the degradation of NDF and ADF was more useful in differentiating the enzymes compared with DM and total GP.     

Growth performance of stocker calves backgrounded on sod-seeded winter annuals or hay and grain

Economically viable options for retaining ownership of spring-born calves through a winter backgrounding program are somewhat limited in the southeastern United States. Although sod-seeded winter annual forages produce less forage than those same forages planted using conventional tillage practices, sod-seeded winter annual forages have the potential to provide a low-cost, rapid-gain, ecologically and economically viable option for retaining ownership of fall-weaned calves. A study was conducted during the winters of 1998, 1999, and 2000 using 180 crossbred calves (261 +/- 2.8 kg initial BW; n = 60 each year) to compare sod-seeded winter annual forages with conventional hay and supplement backgrounding programs in southeast Arkansas. Calves were provided bermudagrass hay (ad libitum) and a grain sorghum-based supplement (2.7 kg/d) on 1-ha dormant bermudagrass pastures or were grazed on 2-ha pastures of bermudagrass/dallisgrass overseeded with 1) annual ryegrass, 2) wheat plus annual ryegrass, or 3) rye plus annual ryegrass at a set stocking rate of 2.5 calves/ha. Calves grazed from mid-December until mid-April but were fed bermudagrass hay during times of low forage mass. Mean CP and IVDMD concentrations were 19.0 and 71.1%, respectively, across sampling dates and winter annual forages, but three-way interactions among forage treatments, year, and sampling date were detected (P < 0.01) for forage mass, concentrations of CP, and IVDMD. The IVDMD of rye plus ryegrass was greater (P < 0.05) than that of ryegrass in yr 2. A forage treatment x sampling date interaction was detected for forage CP in yr 1 (P < 0.05) and 2 (P = 0.05) but not in yr 3 (P = 0.40). Forage mass did not differ (P > or = 0.22) among winter annual treatments on any sampling date. During the first 2 yr, calves fed hay plus supplement gained less (P < 0.05) BW than calves that grazed winter annual forages; gains did not differ (P > or = 0.23) among winter annual treatments. During the 3rd yr, undesirable environmental conditions limited growth of the winter annual forages; total gain did not differ (P = 0.66) among the four treatments. Winter annual forages offer potential to provide high-quality forage for calves retained until spring, but consistent forage production and quality are a concern when sod-seeding techniques are used.     

Nonstructural carbohydrate supplementation of yearling heifers and range beef cows

A digestion study with 28 yearling heifers (428 +/- 9.9 kg; Exp. 1) and a 2-yr winter grazing trial with 60 crossbred cows (552 +/- 6.9 kg; Exp. 2) were used to determine the effects of level of nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) supplementation on intake and digestibility of low-quality forage. Treatments were as follows: 1) control, no supplement; 2) 0.32 kg of NSC (1.8 kg/d of soybean hulls and soybean meal; DM basis); 3) 0.64 kg of NSC (1.7 kg/d of wheat middlings; DM basis); and 4) 0.96 kg of NSC (1.7 kg/d of barley and soybean meal; DM basis). Supplements provided 0.34 kg of CP/d and 5.1 Mcal of ME/d. In Exp. 1, heifers were individually fed hay (5.5% CP, DM basis) and their respective supplements in Calan gates for 28 d. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. In Exp. 2, cows were individually fed supplement on alternate days, and grazed a single rangeland pasture stocked at 1.8 ha/ animal unit month. Two ruminally cannulated cows were used per treatment to obtain forage extrusa and to measure in situ DM disappearance (DMD) and carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activity of particle-associated ruminal microbes. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with the effects of treatment, year, and their interaction. In both experiments, Cr2O3 boluses were used to determine fecal output, individual animal was the experimental unit, and contrasts were used to test linear and quadratic effects of NSC level and control vs. supplemented treatments. In Exp. 1, hay and diet DM, NDF, and CP intakes and digestibilities were increased (P < 0.01) by NSC supplementation compared with the control. In Exp. 2, 72-h in situ DMD and CMCase were decreased linearly (P < 0.08) with increasing NSC supplementation. Intake of forage DM, NDF, and CP was decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing NSC supplementation during both years. Supplementation with NSC decreased (P = 0.01) cow BW loss compared with the control in yr 1, whereas in yr 2, cow BW loss was linearly increased (P = 0.03) by increasing NSC supplementation. Supplements containing NSC improved forage digestion and intake when heifers consumed forage deficient in CP relative to energy (digestible OM:CP > 7), but decreased forage digestion and intake when cows grazed forage with adequate CP relative to energy (digestible OM:CP < 7). Forage and supplement digestible OM:CP seemed to be superior predictors of response to supplementation with NSC compared with forage CP levels alone.     

不同生育期芦竹的营养价值及体外产气特征

本试验旨在探究不同生育期芦竹的营养价值及体外产气特征。采用常规分析法测定生育期分别为75、90、105、120、135d的整株芦竹、芦竹茎、芦竹叶的营养成分含量;用体外产气法测定芦竹体外发酵72h的发酵液pH、干物质消失率(DMD)、中性洗涤纤维消失率(NDFD)和酸性洗涤纤维消失率(ADFD)以及产气量(GP)和产气动态参数。结果表明:1)随着生育期的推移,整株芦竹的粗蛋白质含量逐渐降低,中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)及酸性洗涤木质素(ADL)含量呈升-降-升的波浪状变动,但总体呈上升趋势;茎、叶中的营养成分含量波动较大。2)随生育期的推移,DMD、NDFD和ADFD逐渐降低,75d与90d差异不显著(P0.05),这2者显著或极显著高于105、120d(P0.05或P0.01)。3)随着生育期的推移,最大GP呈现递减趋势,其中75d与90d无显著差异(P0.05),二者均显著或极显著低于其他生育期(P0.05或P0.01),其中105、120和135d的最大GP分别比90d低了40.22%、50.98%和51.53%;产气速度呈现相似的变化趋势。综合得出,芦竹做为牧草的最佳生育期为90d。     

Effects of canola seed supplementation on intake, digestion, duodenal protein supply, and microbial efficiency in steers fed forage-based diets

Fourteen Holstein steers (446 +/- 4.4 kg of initial BW) with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate effects of whole or ground canola seed (23.3% CP and 39.6% ether extract; DM basis) on intake, digestion, duodenal protein supply, and microbial efficiency in steers fed low-quality hay. Our hypothesis was that processing would be necessary to optimize canola use in diets based on low-quality forage. The basal diet consisted of ad libitum access to switchgrass hay (5.8% CP; DM basis) offered at 0700 daily. Treatments consisted of hay only (control), hay plus whole canola (8% of dietary DM), or hay plus ground canola (8% of dietary DM). Supplemental canola was provided based on the hay intake of the previous day. Steers were adapted to diets for 14 d followed by a 7-d collection period. Total DMI, OM intake, and OM digestibility were not affected (P > or = 0.31) by treatment. Similarly, no differences (P > or = 0.62) were observed for NDF or ADF total tract digestion. Bacterial OM at the duodenum increased (P = 0.01) with canola-containing diets compared with the control diet and increased (P = 0.08) in steers consuming ground canola compared with whole canola. Apparent and true ruminal CP digestibilities were increased (P = 0.01) with canola supplementation compared with the control diet. Canola supplementation decreased ruminal pH (P = 0.03) compared with the control diet. The molar proportion of acetate in the rumen tended (P = 0.10) to decrease with canola supplementation. The molar proportion of acetate in ruminal fluid decreased (P = 0.01), and the proportion of propionate increased (P = 0.01), with ground canola compared with whole canola. In situ disappearance rate of hay DM, NDF, and ADF were not altered by treatment (P > or = 0.32). In situ disappearance rate of canola DM, NDF, and ADF increased (P = 0.01) for ground canola compared with whole canola. Similarly, ground canola had greater (P = 0.01) soluble CP fraction and CP disappearance rate compared with whole canola. No treatment effects were observed for ruminal fill, fluid dilution rate, or microbial efficiency (P > or = 0.60). The results suggest that canola processing enhanced in situ degradation but had minimal effects on ruminal or total tract digestibility in low-quality, forage-based diets.     

Relationships between nutritive quality and fiber components of cool season and warm season forages: a retrospective study

Feeding trials were conducted with 428 forages in three forage classes (C3 grasses, legumes, C4 grasses) fed ad libitum to sheep and with 170 forages fed to cattle over a 20-yr period. Of this total, 153 forages were fed concurrently to sheep and cattle. Where the same forages were fed, mean dry matter digestibility (DMD) and dry matter intake (DMI) were lower (P less than .01) for sheep than for cattle, with significant effects of forage class. With the main population of forages, the regression of DMI on DMD was positive and curvilinear (P less than .01) for sheep, with no effect of forage class, and positive and linear (P less than .0001) for cattle, with a significant effect of class. For all forages, correlations between DMI and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration were -.57 for sheep and -.41 for cattle; regressions differed (P less than .05) with class and animal species. Correlations of DMD with NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations were -.45 and -.59 (P less than .01), respectively, for sheep, and -.32 and -.39 (P less than .01) for cattle; again, regressions differed significantly with class and animal species. Within forage class, regressions of DMD and DMI on fiber components generally were linear. Intake of NDF (NDFI) was related to NDF percentage for all forages by a quadratic regression, with significant differences due to animal species and forage class. Results indicate that relationships between DMD, DMI and fiber fractions differ between forage classes and animal species, that C4 grasses are consumed at levels higher than would be expected from their DMD and fiber concentrations and that ruminants increase NDFI in response to higher NDF concentrations in the forage.     

Effect of forage conservation method on microbial flora and fermentation pattern in forage and in equine colon and faeces

The influence of forage conservation method on microbial and chemical composition in forage and on colon content and faeces in horses fed with the forages was investigated. Hay (815 g DM/kg), haylage (548 g DM/kg) and silage (343 g DM/kg) was produced from the same grass crop and fed to four fistulated horses in a crossover study. Horses were sampled in right ventral colon and of faeces after a feeding period of 21 days (for each forage). Fermentation kinetics of right ventral colon was also studied on two subsequent days in each period, with sampling times immediately before and 2, 4, 8 and 12 h after the morning meal. Forage conservation method influenced microbial and chemical composition of the forages. Silage differed from haylage and hay in more variables than haylage differed from hay. However, the different forage types had similar influence on microbial and chemical composition of right ventral colon content and faeces in horses at Day 21, with the exception of counts of Streptococci which were highest when horses were fed with hay. However, interaction among forage types and sampling locations (right ventral colon and faeces) was also present for Streptococci as well as for pH. In general, pH was lower and counts of lactate utilizing and lactate producing bacteria were higher in faeces compared to right ventral colon. Fermentation kinetics in colon varied little among forage types and sampling times, and no interaction between forage types and sampling times were found, indicating that silage, haylage and hay had very similar fermentation kinetics in right ventral colon of horses. In conclusion, silage, haylage and hay produced from the same grass crop tended to produce similar responses in microbial and chemical composition in right ventral colon and faeces in horses fed with the forages.     

Effect of field pea level on intake, digestion, microbial efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and in situ disappearance in beef steers fed forage-based diets

Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated crossbred beef steers (397+/-55 kg initial BW) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square to evaluate the effects of increasing level of field pea supplementation on intake, digestion, microbial efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and in situ disappearance in steers fed moderate-quality (8.0% CP, DM basis) grass hay. Basal diets, offered ad libitum twice daily, consisted of chopped (15.2-cm screen) grass hay. Supplements were 0, 0.81, 1.62, and 2.43 kg (DM basis) per steer daily of rolled field pea (23.4% CP, DM basis) offered in equal proportions twice daily. Steers were adapted to diets on d 1 to 9; on d 10 to 14, DMI were measured. Field pea and grass hay were incubated in situ, beginning on d 10, for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h. Ruminal fluid was collected and pH recorded at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after feeding on d 13. Duodenal samples were taken for three consecutive days beginning on d 10 in a manner that allowed for a collection to take place every other hour over a 24-h period. Linear, quadratic, and cubic contrasts were used to evaluate the effects of increasing field pea level. Total DMI and OMI increased quadratically (P = 0.09), whereas forage DMI decreased quadratically (P = 0.09) with increasing field pea supplementation. There was a cubic effect (P < 0.001) for ruminal pH. Ruminal (P = 0.02) and apparent total-tract (P = 0.09) NDF disappearance decreased linearly with increasing field pea supplementation. Total ruminal VFA concentrations responded cubically (P = 0.008). Bacterial N flow (P = 0.002) and true ruminal N disappearance (P = 0.003) increased linearly, and apparent total-tract N disappearance increased quadratically (P = 0.09) with increasing field pea supplementation. No treatment effects were observed for ruminal DM fill (P = 0.82), true ruminal OM disappearance (P = 0.38), apparent intestinal OM digestion (P = 0.50), ruminal ADF disappearance (P = 0.17), apparent total-tract ADF disappearance (P = 0.35), or in situ DM disappearance of forage (P = 0.33). Because of effects on forage intake and ruminal pH, field peas seem to act like cereal grain supplements when used as supplements for forage-based diets. Supplementing field peas seems to effectively increase OM and N intakes of moderate-quality grass hay diets.     

不同类型草地牧草消化率季节动态与营养品质的关系研究

试验选用5只瘤胃瘘管羊,用尼龙袋法对采自甘肃玛曲高寒草甸、沼泽化草甸、甘肃张掖平山湖荒漠草原及新疆温性草原天然混合牧草的干物质消化率(DMD)和营养成分进行测定。结果表明,高海拔地区的高寒草甸和沼泽化草甸牧草干物质消化率显著高于低海拔地区荒漠草原,且随着时间的推移,高寒草甸和沼泽化草甸牧草干物质消化率先升高后降低,且在6月体内消化率达到最高,而平山湖荒漠草原表现相反趋势。新疆温性荒漠草原则随着季节的变化,从花期—果期—枯草期牧草干物质消化率逐渐降低。玛曲高寒草甸牧草干物质消化率与牧草粗蛋白含量(CP)呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与牧草中酸性洗涤纤维(ADF), 中性洗涤纤维(NDF)呈极显著负相关(P<0.01);牧草生育期与CP含量和DMD呈极显著负相关,与DM, ADF, NDF均呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),说明在高寒牧区,6,7和8月牧草营养价值较高,可满足放牧家畜维持和生产能量需要。     

Effect of forage quality on digestion and performance responses of cattle to supplementation with cooked molasses blocks

We evaluated the effect of forage quality on response of cattle to supplementation with cooked molasses blocks. In Exp. 1, 175 heifers had ad libitum access to prairie hay (5.2% CP, DM basis). Treatments were a 2 x 3 factorial: supplementation with 0 or 1.96 kg/d of alfalfa DM, and supplementation with no cooked molasses block or with a low-protein or a high-protein cooked molasses block (14.4 and 27.5% CP, respectively, DM basis). There were no significant interactions between alfalfa and cooked molasses block for intake or gain. Forage intake and ADG were increased (P < 0.05) by alfalfa supplementation. Heifers fed high-protein cooked molasses blocks gained more (P < 0.05) weight than those fed low-protein cooked molasses blocks or no cooked molasses block. Heifers fed high-protein cooked molasses blocks ate more (P < 0.05) forage than those fed low-protein cooked molasses blocks, with heifers fed no cooked molasses block being intermediate. In Exp. 2, responses to cooked molasses blocks containing 33% CP (DM basis) were measured in 18 steers fed: 1) brome (8.4% CP), 2) alfalfa (19.2% CP), or 3) brome supplemented with 1.93 kg/d of alfalfa DM. Forages were available ad libitum. Forage DM intake was not affected by cooked molasses block and was greater (P < 0.05) for alfalfa than the alfalfa/brome mix, which in turn was greater (P < 0.05) than brome. Digestibility of DM was greater (P < 0.05) for alfalfa than brome or the alfalfa/brome mix and was not affected by cooked molasses block supplementation. Supplementation with cooked molasses blocks had only small effects on intake and digestion of medium- to high-quality forages, but it improved gains and feed efficiencies of heifers fed prairie hay ad libitum, with or without supplemental alfalfa.     

Effects of calendar date and summer management on the in situ dry matter and fiber degradation of stockpiled forage from bermudagrass pastures.

Limited information is available that describes the disappearance kinetics of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) during fall and early winter. Five ruminally cannulated, crossbred steers (387 +/- 18.3 kg) were used to determine the effects of calendar date and previous summer management on the in situ degradation kinetics of DM and NDF for forage clipped from stockpiled 'Greenfield' bermudagrass pastures. Forage was stockpiled at two sites following summer hay or pasture management, and samples were taken outside (GRAZED) and under caged exclosures (UNGRAZED) at 4-wk intervals beginning October 17, 1997, and ending January 9, 1998. No effort was made to remove or avoid contaminate species. Concentrations of NDF increased (P < 0.001) to a maximum for UNGRAZED forages at the hay site between October 17 and December 12, but sampling date had no effect (P = 0.627) on concentrations of NDF at the pasture site. Concentrations of ADF and lignin increased (P < or = 0.023) during at least one sampling interval in UNGRAZED forages at both sites. At the hay site, degradation rates of DM decreased (P < 0.001) by 0.013/h for UNGRAZED forage between October 17 and January 9, whereas the effective ruminal degradability of DM decreased (P < 0.001) by 33.5% during the same time period. Fractional degradation rates of NDF for UNGRAZED forages at the hay site decreased (P < 0.001) by 0.014/h between October 17 and November 14 but did not change (P > or = 0.077) throughout the remainder of the study. The effective ruminal degradability of NDF decreased (P < 0.001) by 33.8% between the first and last sampling date. At the pasture site, sampling date did not affect (P = 0.458) rates of DM degradation, but the effective degradability of DM for UNGRAZED forages decreased (P = 0.001) by 19.0% from October 17 to December 12. Rates of NDF degradation for UNGRAZED forages did not differ (P > or = 0.113) on the first three sampling dates, but the rate on January 9 was slower than that observed on October 17 (P = 0.025) and November 14 (P = 0.044). The effective degradability of NDF decreased (P < 0.001) by 19.2% between October 17 and December 12. These data indicate that stockpiled bermudagrass should be used during a limited window during the late fall; after this time, the nutritive value becomes very poor.     

Effect of supplementing Rhodes grass hay (Chloris gayana) with Berchemia discolor or Zizyphus mucronata on the performance of growing goats in Kenya

Twenty growing Small East African goats were used to determine the effects of feeding sun-dried leaves of the browse forages Berchemia discolor and Zizyphus mucronata as supplements to low-quality basal diet, Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay, on voluntary feed intake (VFI), digestibility and growth performance. The grass hay and maize bran were used as a control. The dried leaves were then included at the rates of 15% and 30% of the dry matter intake (DMI). Berchemia discolor had the highest crude protein (CP) content of 195.5 g/kg DM, while Z. mucronata had CP content of 169.5 g/kg DM. The grass hay had the lowest CP content of 50.9 g/kg DM. The browse forages had low fibre content [Neutral detergent fibre (NDF); 257.9-369.5 g/kg DM], while the grass hay had high fibre content (NDF; 713.1 g/kg DM). Goats in the groups supplemented with either of the browse forages had higher total DMI, nitrogen (N) intake and retention and live-weight gains than those in the control diet group. The digestibility of DM and organic matter (OM) was not affected by supplementation, but the CP digestibility increased with supplementation. The use of the browse forages as supplements for goats fed on poor-quality basal diets would enhance the performance of the animals.     

体外产气法研究不同NFC/NDF底物条件下外源纤维素酶的适宜添加水平

本试验旨在利用体外产气法研究不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维(non-fiber carbohydrates/neutral detergent fiber, NFC/NDF)的底物条件下外源纤维素酶(exogenous fibrolytic enzymes, EFE)对底物产气、降解和发酵特性的影响,找出不同底物条件下适宜的EFE添加水平。采用2×5交叉分组试验设计,5个NFC/NDF底物水平 (0.85、1.02、1.19、1.36和1.53)分别添加5种水平的EFE(0, 2, 4, 8 和16 mg/g DM)进行体外发酵。结果表明,1)不同NFC/NDF底物和EFE水平对体外总产气量(GP₄₈)和产气参数(b、c和L)均有显著的影响(P<0.05),且两因素互作显著(P<0.05);底物1中, GP₄₈、b和c值随EFE剂量的增加显著地线性和二次提高(P<0.05),其中以16 mg/g 水平组较高,L值则呈相反趋势;底物2~4中,GP₄₈、b和c值随EFE剂量增加显著地二次提高(P<0.05),其中以4 mg/g 水平组较高。2)不同底物对干物质消失率(DMD)、酸性洗涤纤维降解率(ADFD)、中性洗涤纤维降解率(NDFD)和氮降解率(ND)均有显著的影响(P<0.05),除ND外,EFE水平的添加效应呈现相似结果;底物1条件下,随着EFE添加剂量的提高,DMD、ADFD和NDFD显著地线性提高(P<0.05),其中均以16 mg/g组最高(P<0.05);而底物2~4中则以4 mg/g组最高(P<0.05)。3)不同NFC/NDF底物和EFE水平对瘤胃发酵参数均有显著影响(P<0.05),除丙酸外,两种因素对其他指标的互作效应均显著(P<0.05);在底物1~4条件下,随着EFE添加剂量的提高,除丙酸以外的其他发酵参数显著地线性和二次提高或降低(P<0.05);底物1中,对照组pH值、氨态氮含量和丁酸摩尔浓度显著高于4、8和16 mg/g组(P<0.05),相反,16 mg/g组的总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)、乙酸摩尔浓度和乙酸∶丙酸值较高;底物2~4条件下,pH值和氨态氮含量以4 mg/g组较低,而TVFA、乙酸摩尔浓度和乙酸∶丙酸值则呈相反的趋势。4)NFC/NDF=1.53时,添加EFE对体外产气参数、降解特性和发酵特性均无显著影响(P>0.05)。由此,本试验发现,NFC/NDF底物影响了EFE的添加效应,NFC/NDF=0.85时,16 mg/g EFE水平组有较好纤维降解效果;NFC/NDF分别为1.02、1.19和1.36时,EFE最适添加剂量为4 mg/g;NFC/NDF=1.53时,底物中添加EFE没有正面效应。     

Ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of dry matter and fiber in growing steers for common crabgrass forages sampled on seven dates in northern Arkansas

Southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris [Retz.] Koel.) is often viewed as an undesirable weed, largely because it encroaches upon field and forage crops, gardens, and lawns. However, visual observations of livestock grazing mixed-species pastures suggest that cattle seem to prefer crabgrass to many other summer forages. The objectives of this study were to assess the nutritive value of crabgrass sampled weekly between July 11, and August 22, 2001, and then to determine ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of DM and NDF for these crabgrass forages. A secondary objective was to compare these kinetic estimates with those of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.), and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) control hays. All forages were evaluated in situ using five (383 +/- 22.7 kg) ruminally cannulated crossbred (Gelbvieh x Angus x Brangus) steers. Whole-plant crabgrass exhibited more rapid (P < or = 0.002) ruminal disappearance rates of DM (overall range = 0.069 to 0.084 h(-1)) than did bermudagrass (0.054 h(-1)) and orchardgrass (0.060 h(-1)) hays, but disappearance rates were slower (P < 0.001) for crabgrass than for alfalfa hay (0.143 h(-1)). Effective ruminal disappearance of DM was greater (P < 0.001) for crabgrass (overall range = 69.3 to 75.4%) than for all the control hays. Similarly, disappearance rates of NDF for crabgrass (overall range = 0.069 to 0.086 h(-1)) were more rapid (P < 0.001) than observed for bermudagrass and orchardgrass hays; however, NDF in alfalfa disappeared at a faster (P < 0.001) rate (0.107 h(-1)) than crabgrass. These results indicate that crabgrass offers greater effective ruminal degradability of DM and NDF than orchardgrass or alfalfa of moderate quality. More importantly, it potentially offers faster and more extensive ruminal disappearance than perennial warm-season grasses typically found throughout the southeastern United States, and it should likely support improved performance by ruminant livestock in this region.     

Effects of lactational status on forage intake, digestibility, and particulate passage rate of beef cows supplemented with soybean meal, wheat middlings, and corn and soybean meal

Sixteen mature, lactating (453 kg) and 16 nonlactating (487 kg) Hereford and Angus x Hereford cows were used to determine effects of different dietary supplements and lactational status on forage intake, digestibility, and particulate passage rate. Supplement treatments and amounts fed (kg/d) were as follows: control, 0; and equal daily amounts of CP from soybean meal (SBM), 1.36; wheat middlings (WM), 3.41; or a blend of corn and soybean meal (corn-SBM; 22% corn and 76% SBM), 3.41. Cows were fed supplements at 0800 and had ad libitum access to prairie hay (4.9% CP) in stalls from 0800 to 1100 and from 1300 to 1600 for three 17-d periods. Lactational status and supplement type did not interact (P greater than .50) for hay DMI, DM digestibility, or particulate passage rate. Cows fed SBM ate more hay DM (P less than .01) and had greater hay DM digestibility (P less than .01) than did cows in other treatment groups. Average hay DMI (kg/100 kg of BW) was 1.95, 2.16, 1.94, and 1.89, and hay DM digestibility was 52, 61, 55, and 53% for control, SBM, WM, and corn-SBM supplements, respectively. Total diet DM digestibility was increased by supplementation (P less than .01), but no differences (P greater than .18) were observed among supplements. Lactating cows ate more (P = .13) hay DM (2.11 vs 1.87 kg/100 kg of BW) and had greater (P less than .05) fecal output (4.6 vs 4.3 kg/d) than did nonlactating cows. Dry matter digestibility and particulate passage rate were not affected (P greater than .35) by lactational status.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)