A study on feeding hazelnut kernel oil meal as a protein source for broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of substituting different levels of hazelnut kernel oil meal (HKM) for soybean meal (SBM) in diets for broiler. A total of 450 one-day-old female Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated randomly to three treatment groups of 150 birds each in a randomized design. Each treatment group consisted of five replicates each of 30 chicks. All diets (in mash form) were formulated to meet nutrient concentrations recommended for broilers. The experiment lasted for six weeks. In the experiment, an SBM control (SBM) diet was compared to two HKM diets, replacing 50 (50HKM) and 100% (HKM) of SBM protein, respectively. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broilers were adversely affected ( P  < 0.05) by the HKM diets at 42 days of age. Broilers fed 50HKM and HKM had growth performances similar ( P  > 0.05). The carcass yield and abdominal fat pads of birds fed diets with SBM were higher ( P  < 0.05) than those of chicks fed the 50HKM and HKM diets. The edible inner organ weight of chicks fed diets with HKM was the heaviest ( P  < 0.05). It is concluded that SBM cannot be replaced even up to 50% with HKM in commercial broiler diet.     

Net energy value of canola meal,field pea,and wheat millrun fed to growing-finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to (1) determine net energy (NE) values of soybean meal (SBM), Napus canola meal (NCM), Juncea canola meal (JCM), field pea, and wheat millrun (WM) using indirect calorimetry, and (2) compare the determined NE values with the calculated NE values of the same feedstuffs based on a prediction equation. In experiment 1, six ileal-cannulated barrows (31 kg) were fed five diets in 5 × 6 Youden square to give six replicates per diet. Diets were cornstarch-based diets containing SBM, NCM, JCM, field pea, or WM. The SBM was included as a reference. In experiment 2, six ileal-cannulated barrows (70 kg) were fed a N-free diet for determining energy digestibility and NE values of test feedstuffs fed in experiment 1 by difference method. The NE values of test feedstuffs were also calculated from the digestible energy (DE) values and analyzed macronutrient content of the test feedstuffs. On dry matter (DM) basis, SBM, NCM, JCM, field pea, and WM contained 51%, 41%, 42%, 28%, and 18% crude protein; 1.52%, 2.95%, 2.36%, 1.33%, and 3.12% ether extract; 2.93%, 0.14%, 1.44%, 36.7%, and 28.7% starch; and 5.30%, 21.0%, 13.4%, 9.49%, and 16.1% acid detergent fiber, respectively. The determined NE value for SBM (2.29 Mcal/kg) did not differ from that of NCM (1.72 Mcal/kg DM) or JCM (2.14 Mcal/kg DM). The NCM and JCM did not differ in NE value. Also, the determined NE value did not differ between field pea (2.00 Mcal/kg) and WM (2.55 Mcal/kg). The calculated NE values for SBM (2.18 Mcal/kg DM), NCM (1.73 Mcal/kg DM), and JCM (1.86 Mcal/kg DM) did not differ from the corresponding determined NE values of the same feedstuffs. However, the calculated NE value for field pea (2.51 Mcal/kg DM) was greater (P = 0.004) than the determined NE value of field pea, whereas the calculated NE value for WM (2.27 Mcal/kg DM) tended to be lower (P = 0.054) than the determined NE value of WM. In conclusion, the NE value for SBM and canola meals can be predicted based on the DE value and the macronutrient composition of the same feedstuffs. However, the NE value for field pea and WM may not be predicted precisely based on the DE value and the macronutrient composition of the same feedstuffs.     

Performance of Broilers Fed on Diets Containing Different Amounts of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) Leaf Meal

The performance and gut measurements of broilers fed on diets containing different amounts of chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf meal (CLM) were examined in two experiments. In the first experiment, 60 Hubbard chickens (30 males and 30 females; 2 weeks old) were fed on five maize diets; these were formulated using 0, 150 (CLM150), 250 (CLM250) or 350 (CLM350) g CLM/kg, and the fifth diet contained soyabean. In the second experiment, 148 Ross male chicks, 1 day old, were fed on three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic maize–soyabean-based diets, which included 0 (control), 150 (C150) or 250 (C250) g CLM/kg. The diets were offered ad libitum for 2 or 3 weeks in the first and second experiments, respectively. Food intake, weight gain and the food:weight gain ratio were recorded. The weight of the gizzard and intestine and the weight and length of the caeca were also determined in the second experiment. In experiment 1, the birds fed on the maize–soyabean diet had a higher (p<0.05) weight gain and final weight than birds fed on maize only or on the CLM150 diets. There were no differences for any of the variables studied between the birds fed on the maize–soyabean diet and those fed on the CLM250, nor between males and females. In the second experiment, weight gain, food intake and the food:weight gain ratio for birds fed on C250 were lower (p<0.05) than those in birds fed on either the control or C150 diets. The weights of the gizzard and intestine were the lowest and the highest, respectively, in birds fed on C250 (p<0.05). The length and weight of the caecum from birds fed on the control diet were lower (p<0.05) than those of birds fed on either the C150 or C250 diets. The results from this study suggest that CLM may be included up to 150 g/kg in commercial diets without having an adverse effect on poultry performance, and may also be mixed with maize up to 250 g/kg to improve the performance of chickens fed on low-protein diets.     

Effects of feeding growing broiler chickens with practical diets containing sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal

1. Two experiments with growing broiler chickens were carried out to study the effects of the inclusion in their diets of whole or dehulled lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal on productive and physiological parameters. The effects of the addition of a commercial protease (1 g/kg, Bio-Feed Pro, Novo. Nordisk, Madrid) were also tested. 2. Diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of energy (12.55 kJ/g) and protein (210 g/kg). Raw whole (not heat treated) or dehulled sweet (low in alkaloids) lupin seed meal (400 and 320 g/kg, respectively) were used to formulate the lupin-based diets, and the protein content was completed with either defatted soybean or casein. 3. Final body weight and feed intake of chickens fed diets containing whole lupin seed meal (400 g/kg) were lower than controls, but gain:feed ratios were not different. The presence of soybean or casein in the diet did not affect productive parameters. Birds fed dehulled (320 g/kg) instead of whole lupin seed meal had similar body weight, feed intake and gain:feed values to controls. The addition of a commercial protease (1 g/kg, Bio-Feed Pro CT) to whole lupin/soy or whole lupin/casein diets tended to increase feed intake and final weight of the birds. 4. Plasma uric acid concentration was higher, and plasma cholesterol and triglycerides lower, in chicks fed whole lupin but not in those fed dehulled lupin seed meal. Plasma amino acid concentrations were not different from controls in birds fed lupin diets. 5. Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids was not different from controls for the different lupin diets. The relative weight of the liver was higher than controls in lupin-fed birds, but not in those fed enzyme supplemented lupin-based diets. Liver concentrations of DNA tended to rise, while those of glycogen tended to decrease and liver RNA was lower in lupin-fed chicks.     

Effect of different protein sources on growth and carcass traits in growing-finishing pigs

Crossbred gilts (n = 180) and barrows (n = 180) from the Louisiana State University (LSU) Agricultural Center and the University of Illinois (UI) were used to compare the effect of soybean meal in swine diets, relative to other protein sources, on growth performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs. Four replications with five pigs each at each location were allotted to nine dietary treatments: soybean meal control (SBM), crystalline AA (corn-AA), extruded soybeans (ESB), canola meal (CAN), peanut meal (PNT), sunflower meal (SFLR), ground peas, meat and bone meal (MBM), and poultry by-product meal (PLTY). The diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC nutrient requirements and to have equal Lys:ME according to dietary phase and sex. Corn was the grain source in all diets and the protein sources were the sole source of supplemental protein in all diets except when AA were added to meet the requirement. Pigs (three per pen at each location) were killed at an average final BW of 114 kg in the LSU or UI Meat Science Laboratories. Pigs fed SBM had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the corn-AA, CAN, SFLR, MBM, or PLTY and greater (P < 0.05) ADFI relative to pigs fed the corn-AA, ESB, MBM, or PLTY. Gain:feed was decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed corn-AA or SFLR but increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed ESB compared with pigs fed the SBM diet. Loin muscle area was decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the corn-AA or MBM diets compared with pigs fed the SBM diet. Tenth-rib backfat thickness was greater (P < 0.10) in pigs fed corn-AA, peas, or MBM than in those fed SBM. The NPPC percentage acceptable quality lean and kilograms of lean were decreased (P < 0.10) in pigs fed corn-AA, peas, or MBM compared with those fed SBM. Results from this experiment suggest that pigs fed SBM have equal or better growth performance and carcass traits than pigs fed other protein sources.     

Additivity of values for apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in mixed diets fed to growing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine whether the digestibility of CP and AA in a mixed diet fed to growing pigs is better predicted when based on standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SID) or apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AID). Eight growing pigs (initial BW = 92.1 +/- 3.19 kg) were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and arranged in an 8 x 8 Latin square design with eight diets and eight periods. Three of the diets contained corn, soybean meal (SBM), or canola meal (CM) as the sole source of CP and AA. Four mixed diets also were formulated using corn and soybean meal (CS); corn and canola meal (CCM); soybean meal and canola meal (SCM); or corn, soybean meal, and canola meal (CSCM). A N-free diet was used to measure the basal ileal endogenous losses (IAAend) of CP and AA. Pigs were fed each of the eight diets during one 7-d period, and ileal digesta were collected during two 10-h periods on d 6 and 7. The AID values were calculated for CP and AA in all diets, except the N-free diet. By correcting the AID for IAAend, the SID for CP and AA in each of the seven protein-containing diets were calculated. As expected, the AID for CP and the majority of AA were greater in SBM than in corn and CM (P < 0.05); however, the SID for CP and most AA did not differ between corn and SBM. For the majority of the AA, SID were less (P < 0.05) in CM than in the other two ingredients. Using the AID and the SID that were measured for CP and AA in corn, SBM, and CM, the AID and the SID in the four mixed diets were predicted and compared with the measured values for these diets. For the three mixed diets containing corn, the measured AID for CP and most AA were greater (P < 0.05) than the predicted AID, but with a few exceptions, no differences between predicted and measured values for SID were observed. For the diet based on SCM, there were no differences between predicted and measured values regardless of the procedure used, except for the AID of Ser. The results of this experiment demonstrate that the digestibility coefficients for a mixed diet containing low-protein feed ingredients, such as corn, are more accurately predicted using SID than AID.     

Effects of heat treatment on the nutritional value of raw soybean selected for low trypsin inhibitor activity

1. Two broiler experimentss and a layer experiments were conducted on Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (Kti) soybeans (SB) of low trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity to determine their nutritive value when included as mash in least-cost poultry diets. 2. Experiment 1 compared chick performance on the Kti or raw SB using a commercial full-fat SB meal (FFSBM) and a solvent extracted SB meal (SBM) as controls during a 20 d experimental period. Broiler experiment 2 compared Kti and raw SB, non-steamed, or steam-pelleted with and without DL-methionine supplementation added to every treatment containing 170 g SB/kg. For each broiler experiment the levels of each SB were 70, 120 and 170 g/kg with the control birds fed only 170 g SB/kg. 3. The layer experiment, compared steam-pelleted Kti and raw SB against a non-steamed Kti and raw SB each fed at two levels (70 and 110 g/kg) x 30 replicates from 29 weeks of age for 19 weeks in a completely randomised design. Production parameters were measured when diets were formulated to contain minimum required specifications and calculated apparent metabolisable energy (AME). At the completion of each trial, 2 broiler birds from each cage and 5 layer birds per treatment were killed, weighed, and their liver and pancreas weighed. 4. Both broiler experiments indicated that production parameters on the Kti SB treatments were significantly lower (P<0.05) than on the two commercial control SB treatments. However, the Kti treatments were superior to the raw SB treatments. 5. Pancreas weight increased with increasing inclusion of both raw and Kti SB, suggesting that a TI was causing the depression in performance. The AME of the Kti SB was similar to that of commercial FFSB meal. After steam conditioning, the raw SB meal AME value of 9.5 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) was improved to 14.1 MJ/kg DM by reduced TI activity, but this AME improvement with TI activity reduction, plus the supplementation with DL-methionine on birds fed the raw SB had no effect (P>0.05) on any parameter evaluated in experiment 2. 6. The layer experiment showed that hens on the Kti SB treatments had significantly greater live weight gain (LWG), egg weight and daily egg mass than birds given raw SB. A reduced food intake (FI) was observed in the Kti treatments but egg mass was generally similar to that on the FFSB control diet, indicating that Kti SB supported excellent egg production at an inclusion of 110 g/kg. The depressed performance observed for broiler chicks suggest that younger birds are more susceptible to the effects of SB TI.     

Lactobacilli counts in crop,ileum and caecum of growing broiler chickens fed on practical diets containing whole or dehulled sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal

1. Four experiments with growing broiler chickens were carried out to study the effects of the inclusion in their diets of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius ) seed meal on E. coli and lactobacilli counts in crop, ileum and caeca at 3 or 4 weeks of age. 2. Diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of metabolisable energy (12.55 MJ/kg) and protein (210 g/kg). Raw whole (heat-untreated) or dehulled sweet (low in alkaloids) lupin seed meal (400 and 320 g/kg respectively) were used to prepare the lupin-based diets, whose protein content was completed with either defatted soyabean meal or casein. 3. Final body weight and food intake of chickens fed on whole lupin seed meal diets were lower than controls, but gain: food ratios were not different. However, birds given the diet with dehulled lupin seed meal had similar body weight, food intake and gain: food values as those of controls. 4. While E. coli counts were not affected, lactobacilli numbers were consistently increased compared to controls in all intestinal sections of chickens fed on the whole or dehulled lupin-based diets, irrespective of the age of the birds or the presence of soyabean meal or casein in the diet. The lactobacilli species isolated were: Lactobacillus fermentum, L. acidophilus, L. salivarius and L. brevis 5. The results suggest that the use of whole or dehulled sweet lupin seed meal in diets for growing broilers might enhance the growth of lactic acid-fermenting bacteria in the gut.     

Utilization of alternative protein meals with or without multiple-enzyme supplementation in broilers fed low-energy diets

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different protein meals, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the performance of broilers. A diet based on a combination of protein meals (15% soybean meal, and 5% each of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, and cottonseed meal) was compared with 4 other diets containing 15% soybean meal and 20% of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, or cottonseed meal. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 2,630 kcal of ME/kg and 0.95% digestible lysine, with all other essential amino acids set to meet or exceed the ideal protein ratios. Each diet was fed with or without supplemental exogenous enzyme (Rovabio Excel at 500 g/metric ton of feed) to 6 replicate pens of 50 chicks from 1 to 35 d posthatch as coarse mash. In the cottonseed meal-based diet, supplemental enzyme resulted in high 35-d feed intake and FCR compared with the cottonseed meal-fed groups with no enzyme. There was a significant (P < 0.05) diet × enzyme interaction for 35-d feed intake and FCR. Birds fed the sunflower meal-based diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher final BW gain and lower FCR as compared with those fed rapeseed meal- or cottonseed meal-based diets, whereas the BW gain of birds fed the rapeseed meal-based diet was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with birds in all other groups. In conclusion, in low-ME broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis, up to 20% sunflower meal and canola meal can be safely incorporated into the diet. Supplementation of Rovabio failed to exert any positive effect on production parameters when used with diets containing high levels of each of the common protein meals.     

Influence of supplemental protein source and protein concentration on ruminal and intestinal digestion in heifers

Six pregnant Holstein heifers fitted with ruminal cannulas and T-type duodenal cannulas were used in a 6 x 6 latin square design experiment to determine whether diets formulated on a rumen undegraded CP (UDP) equivalent basis would provide a more accurate estimate of protein quality for ruminants. Six diets (barley [B]/brome-alfalfa hay-based) were formulated to contain three concentrations of CP (14.0%, 16.5% and 19.0%) and three protein sources (canola meal [CM], meat and bone meal [MBM] and soybean meal [SBM]). The six diets were B, 14% CP, CM, 16.5% CP; SBM, 16.5% CP; MBM, 16.5% CP; CM, 19% CP; and SBM, 19% CP. The diets were formulated so that the 16.5% CP diets were equivalent on a CP basis, whereas the MBM16.5, CM19 and SBM19 were equivalent on a UDP basis. Diets were compared with regard to protein degradability in the rumen and protein flow to, and digestion in, the intestine. Animals fed the CM and SBM diets had higher (P less than .05) ruminal levels of branched-chain VFA than the control diet. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (N) concentrations were affected (P less than .05) by supplemental protein source and concentration (8.8, 10.9, 11.2, 11.2, 13.2 and 17.7 mM for B14, CM16.5, SBM16.5, MBM16.5, CM19 and SBM19, respectively). Ruminal OM digestion was affected (P less than .05) by protein source MBM16.5, which was lower than protein source in all other diets. Total N flow to the small intestine for the three diets formulated on a UDP equivalent basis was 224.0, 225.6 and 241.1 g N/d for MBM16.5, CM19 and SBM19, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Utilisation of sesame (Sesamum indicum) seed meal in broiler chicken diets

1. Soybean meal (SBM) was replaced with sesame seed meal (SSM) at proportions of 0.00, 0.33, 0.67 and 1.00 on a protein basis in broiler diets (2 to 42 d of age). Each diet was fed to 8 replicates of 5 birds each. 2. Body weight gain, food efficiency, ready-to-cook (RTC) yield, relative weights of giblet, liver and abdominal fat were not affected by including SSM up to 0.67 proportion of SBM in starter and finisher diets (360 and 310 g/kg, respectively). The relation between level of SSM and growth performance variable (weight gain, food efficiency and RTC yield) was non-linear. 3. Weight, breaking strength and ash content of tibia decreased non-linearly with the proportion of SSM in diet. 4. The activity of alkaline phosphatase and protein concentration in serum decreased linearly with the amount of SSM in the diet.     

The evaluation of soybean meals from 3 major soybean-producing countries on productive performance and feeding value of pig diets

This study was conducted to evaluate 1) the effects of soybean meal (SBM) from 3 major SBM-producing countries (United States, Brazil, and India) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs and 2) the feeding value of the evaluated SBM as a feedstuff for growing-finishing pigs. Soybean meal representative of each country was purchased on the open market. A total of 144 barrows with the average BW of 23.77 (SD = 1.52 kg) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 12 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. The US SBM used in this trial had greater CP and total AA contents, greater KOH protein solubility, and less crude fiber than SBM from either Brazil or India. Diets were formulated to be isolysinic and isocaloric. Pigs fed diets containing US SBM were heavier (P < 0.05) than pigs fed diets containing Brazilian or Indian SBM at 12 and 18 wk. Pigs fed diets containing US SBM had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F throughout the overall period when compared with pigs fed SBM produced in Brazil or India. The DM and N digestibility were greater for US SBM (P < 0.05) than Brazilian and India SBM at 6, 12, and 18 wk. Pigs were slaughtered at the end of 18 wk, and no differences were observed on meat quality (backfat thickness, LM area, pH, meat color, water holding capacity, and drip loss) among the treatments, except lean percentages were less and backfat thickness was greater in pigs fed Brazilian and Indian SBM than US SBM. The cost per kilogram of BW gain of the experimental diet containing US SBM was less than that of diets containing Brazilian or Indian SBM, but it would depend on the relative prices of each SBM. Based on the results of the current experiment, the productivity and feeding value of US SBM seems to be greater than the SBM produced in Brazil and India.     

The digestibility of biotin in protein supplements and cereal grains for growing pigs

Studies were carried out with six growing barrows fitted with a simple T-cannula 5 to 10 cm anterior to the ileo-cecal sphincter. In Exp. 1, the digestibility of biotin was determined in three cornstarch-based diets formulated to contain 16% CP by supplementation with soybean meal (SBM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and canola meal (CM). In Exp. 2 the digestibility of biotin was determined in three diets that contained 96.8% barley, corn or wheat. Experiments 1 and 2 were conducted according to a replicated 3 X 3 latin square design. In Exp. 3 pigs were fed a cornstarch-based diet supplemented with 12% vitamin-free casein to determine the amount of endogenous biotin. In Exp. 4 the digestibility of supplemental biotin was determined. There was a small amount of endogenous biotin in ileal digesta, 11 micrograms/kg DMI. Digestibilities of biotin determined at the distal ileum (apparent digestibilities corrected for endogenous biotin) were 55.4, 2.7 and 3.9% in SBM, MBM and CM, respectively, and 4.8, 4.0 and 21.6% in barley, corn and wheat, respectively. The digestibility of supplemental biotin was 93.5%. There was a large increase in the level of biotin between digesta collected from the distal ileum and in feces, ranging from 138 to 324 micrograms/kg DMI. With the exception of the CM diet, this increase exceeded dietary biotin intake. Biotin in many feedstuffs was not available in the small intestine.     

Effect of diets containing n-3 fatty acids on muscle long-chain n-3 fatty acid content in lambs fed low- and medium-quality roughage diets

In two experiments, each with 32 cross-bred ([Merino x Border Leicester] x Poll Dorset) wether lambs (26 to 33 kg weight range), animals were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. A mixture of lucerne chaff:oaten chaff was used as a basal diet, offered in different ratios. Animals were allowed to consume on a free-access basis in Exp. 1 or 90% of ad libitum intake in Exp. 2 in order to provide a low- (6.5 MJ ME/d) and medium- (9.5 MJ ME/d) quality basal diet, respectively. Isoenergetic amounts of lipid supplements, fish meal (80 g DM), canola meal (84 g DM), and soy meal (75 g DM) were tested in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, fish meal (9% DM), unprotected rapeseed (7% DM), and protected canola seed (6% DM) were fed as supplements. At the end of 53-d (Exp. 1) or 46-d (Exp. 2) experimental periods, lambs were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir and at 24 h postmortem longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle was collected for the analysis of fatty acid (FA) composition of structural phospholipid and storage triglyceride fractions. Fish meal diet increased LT muscle long-chain n-3 FA content by 27% (P < 0.02) in Exp. 1 and 30% (P < 0.001) in Exp. 2 compared with lambs fed the basal diet, but fish meal decreased (P < 0.01) the n-6 FA content only in Exp. 1. Soy meal and protected canola seed diets increased (P < 0.01) LT muscle n-6 FA content but did not affect long-chain n-3 FA content. Longissimus thoracis muscle long-chain n-3 FA were mainly deposited in structural phospholipid, rather than in storage triglyceride. In both Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, the ratio of n-6:n-3 FA in LT muscle was lowest (P < 0.01) in lambs fed fish meal supplement compared with all other treatments. Protected canola seed diet increased the ratio of n-6:n-3 FA (P < 0.01) and PUFA:saturated fatty acid (P < 0.03) content from those animals fed the basal, fish meal, and unprotected rapeseed diets in Exp. 2. This was due to an increase in muscle n-6 FA content, mainly linoleic acid, of both phospholipid (P < 0.001) and triglyceride (P < 0.01) fractions and not to an increase in muscle n-3 FA content. The results indicate that by feeding fish meal supplement, the essential n-3 FA can be increased while lowering the ratio of n-6:n-3 content in lamb meat to an extent that could affect nutritional value, attractiveness, and the economic value of meat.     

Processing conditions affect nutrient digestibility of cold-pressed canola cake for grower pigs

Cold-pressed canola cake is a coproduct of biodiesel production that contains more residual oil than expeller-pressed and solvent-extracted canola meal. Cold-pressed canola cake might be an attractive feedstuff for swine due to local availability from small plants. However, the nutritional quality and content of anti-nutritional factors of cold-pressed canola cake are poorly defined and vary with processing conditions. This experiment evaluated cold-pressed canola cake processed using 4 different conditions: a nonheated and heated barrel at slow and fast screw speed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Seven ileally cannulated barrows (26 kg of BW) were fed twice daily at 2.8 × maintenance diets containing either 44% of 1 of the 4 cold-pressed canola cake samples, expeller-pressed canola meal, canola seed, or an N-free diet in a 7 × 7 Latin square. The objectives were to measure the energy and AA digestibility and to calculate standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA and NE content. Each 9-d experimental period consisted of a 5-d diet adaptation, followed by 2-d feces and 2-d ileal digesta collections, and 7 observations per diet were obtained. Cold-pressed canola cake contained 41% CP, 16% ether extract, and 5 μmol of total glucosinolates/g (DM basis). Both apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and total tract energy digestibility of energy in cold-pressed canola cake was 36% greater (P < 0.05) in heated vs. nonheated conditions and 8% greater (P < 0.05) in fast vs. slow screw speed without interaction, indicating that heat enhanced energy digestibility. The AID of energy of cold-pressed canola cake was 13 and 118% greater (P < 0.01) than expeller-pressed canola meal and canola seed, respectively. Heat and speed interacted (P < 0.05) for SID of AA of test ingredients, but effects were not consistent among AA. The DE and calculated NE content of cold-pressed canola cake was 0.73 and 0.52 Mcal/kg greater (P=0.001; DM basis), respectively, than expeller-pressed canola meal and did not differ from canola seed. Cold-pressed canola cake averaged 4.17 Mcal of DE/kg, 2.84 Mcal of NE/kg, 0.87% SID Lys, 0.46% SID Met, and 0.79% SID Thr (DM basis). In conclusion, processing conditions greatly affected the digestible nutrient content of cold-pressed canola cake. Content of residual ether extract was an important determinant of the energy value of cold-press canola cake, whereas residual glucosinolates did not seem to hamper nutrient digestibility.     

Effect of stachyose supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and caecal fermentation characteristics in broilers

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the oligosaccharide stachyose enhances gastrointestinal tract health by fermentation and proliferation of desirable bacteria species and thus affects growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broilers. 2. A total of 432 1-d-old male Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly allocated to one of 6 treatments, with 12 replicate pens per treatment and 6 birds per pen. Chicks were fed a maize-hamlet protein 300 (HP300) basal diet with 0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0 or 16.0 g/kg stachyose. A sixth diet contained no HP300 but soybean meal (SBM) and provided 8.7 g/kg stachyose and 3.1 g/kg raffinose. The duration of the study was 42 d. 3. Stachyose contents above 12.0 g/kg depressed group body weights, average daily gain and feed/gain but not feed intake during the whole experimental period. Broiler growth decreased linearly and quadratically with increasing stachyose content. No differences were detected between diets supplemented with 12.0 g/kg stachyose and SBM. 4. Nutrient digestibility tended to decrease but not significantly with increasing stachyose. 5. Stachyose content had no significant positive effects on caecal pH, microflora population and the resulting short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites during the 42 d experiment, with only butyrate differing significantly in the initial period.     

Growth and meat yield responses of Ross × Ross 708 male broilers fed diets formulated with distillers dried grains with solubles varying in ether extract content and inclusion rate from 1 to 49 days of age

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing low-, moderate-, or high-oil dried distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) included at conventional- or increased-inclusion rates fed to 1,500 Ross × Ross 708 male broilers that were assigned to 60 floor pens from 1 to 49 d of age. Three sources of DDGS had ether extract composition of 6.06, 8.80, or 11.59%, on dry matter (DM) basis, representing low-oil, moderate-oil, or high-oil DDGS, respectively. Diets were formulated to contain corn, soybean meal, animal protein meal as the primary ingredients, and 1 of the 3 DDGS sources at either 5, 7, 9, or 11% (conventional-inclusion rate) and 8, 10, 12, or 14% (increased-inclusion rate) in the starter (1 to 14 d), grower (15 to 24 d), finisher 1 (25 to 34 d), and finisher 2 (35 to 49 d) periods, respectively. Apparent ME_n (low-oil:1,975, moderate-oil: 2,644, and high-oil: 3,137 kcal/kg) and digestible amino acid (AA) values of the 3 DDGS sources were determined from previous research. No differences were detected for cumulative BW gain and feed conversion 1 to 49 d of age or meat yields at 50 d of age. Feeding broilers diets containing the low-oil DDGS source increased feed cost per BW gain and breast meat weight of $0.025/kg and $0.004/kg compared with birds fed diets containing high-oil DDGS or moderate-oil and high-oil DDGS sources, respectively. These data indicated that DDGS source and inclusion rate did not affect cumulative growth and carcass characteristics of broilers from 1 to 50 d of age but demonstrate differences in feed cost/BW gain and feed cost/breast meat weight.     

Dietary replacement of fish meal by defatted and fermented soybean meals with taurine supplementation for pompano fish: effects on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,and biological parameters in a long-term feeding period

A 16-wk growth trial was conducted to examine the effects of dietary replacement of fish meal by defatted soybean meal (SBM) and fermented soybean meal (FSBM) with taurine supplementation on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) and biological parameters of pompano fish. The FSBM was produced by fermenting SBM with Lactobacillus spp. Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to replace 35% or 50% of fish meal by SBM or FSBM with taurine supplementation. The diets are denoted as follows: FM, SBM35, SBM35T, FSBM35T, SBM50, SBM50T, and FSBM50T. The FM (the basal diet) contained fish meal as a main source of dietary protein. Taurine was supplemented to SBM35T, FSBM35T, SBM50T, and FSBM50T at the level of 15 g/kg diet. Pompano juveniles with an initial body weight (BW) of 80 g reared in floating net cages were fed the experimental diets twice daily for 16 wk. Results showed that the final BW, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of fish fed SBM35 and SBM50 were significantly lower than those of fish fed FM (P < 0.05), indicating that the replacement of fish meal by SBM at the rate of 35% in the diet is excessive for pompano. Supplementation of taurine to the SBM-included diets significantly increased growth performance and feed utilization (P < 0.05); however, these diets did not restore the performance back to a level equivalent to that of fish offered the basal diet. Meanwhile, fish fed FSBM35T had comparable growth and feed performances to those fed FM. Hematocrit values, total biliary bile acid levels, whole body lipid contents, and tissue taurine concentrations of fish fed SBM35 and SBM50 were the lowest among the treatments, but these parameters were improved by taurine supplementation and FSBM inclusion in the diet. Taurine supplementation increased lipid ADC, and SBM fermentation slightly enhanced both lipid and protein ADCs of the fish. These findings suggest that the combination of FSBM and taurine supplementation is an effective way to improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and biological parameters, and that FSBM with taurine supplementation can replace 35% of fish meal in pompano diets without any negative effects on growth and feed performances in a long-term feeding period.     

Rapeseed meals in broiler diets: Effect on performance and sensory evaluation of carcasses

1. The effect of including rapeseed meal (RSM) in lieu of soyabean meal in broiler diets was determined.

2. Live‐weight gains, from 8 to 63 d, were depressed when the diet contained 150 g RSM/kg and there was a highly significant negative correlation between weight gain and inclusion rate of RSM over this period.

3. The efficiency of food utilisation was worse when the diet included 150 g solvent RSM/kg than when it contained no RSM: food efficiency was consistently poorer whenever RSM was included in the diet but the difference was significant only when the diet contained 10 g tallow/kg.

4. Carcasses from birds fed on diets containing 10 g tallow/kg had a better appearance than those from birds on diets containing 30 g tallow/kg, while the flavour of meat from birds fed on a diet containing 150 g solvent RSM/kg treatment was adversely affected. However, up to 100 g solvent RSM/kg may be included in broiler diets without affecting appearance, taste, texture or acceptability of the meat.

5. Inclusion of 50 g or more, solvent RSM/kg reduced growth rate and worsened food efficiency.     

Alternate day supplementation of corn stalk diets with soybean meal or corn gluten meal fed to ruminants.

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effect of adding corn gluten mean (CGM) or soybean meal (SBM) at 24- or 48-h intervals to diets based on corn stalks. In each experiment corn stalks was the primary diet ingredient fed to wethers or steers. Monensin was also fed to determine whether its effects on ruminal fermentation would improve the efficiency of N utilization under these conditions. Evaluation criteria included ruminal fermentation characteristics, DM intake and utilization, N balance in sheep, and steer feedlot performance. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3 N) concentrations measured over time were higher (P < .05) when diets contained SBM. Diet did not influence (P > .10) total VFA concentrations in ruminal fluid. Differences in diurnal shifts in ruminal NH3 N and total VFA due to protein source resulted in diet x hour interactions (P < .05). Dry matter intake response to protein source and frequency of supplement feeding was variable. Dry matter digestibility and nitrogen digestibility were not affected (P > .10) by protein source or feeding interval. The 48-h interval feeding of CGM was favorable compared with 24-h interval feeding (P < .05). The opposite response occurred with SBM, resulting in a diet x feeding interval interaction (P < .05). Nitrogen retention was greater (P < .05) when CGM was fed and with alternate day feeding. Diets that contained CGM supported higher (P < .05) ADG and gain/feed than diets that contained SBM when fed to steer calves. Alternate day feeding of supplements that contained monensin was detrimental to steer performance under the conditions of these experiments. Corn gluten meal is an effective substitute for SBM when alternate day protein supplementation is practiced.