Exposure to ammoniated wheat straw as suckling calves improves performance of mature beef cows wintered on ammoniated wheat straw

We studied how exposure to ammoniated wheat straw (AWS) early in life affected the performance of 32 mature crossbred beef cows (Bos taurus) (mean BW = 615 kg) wintered on AWS. Half (16) of these cows had been exposed as suckling calves to AWS for 66 d (Exposed), while the other 16 cows had no previous exposure to AWS (Na?ve). Five years after the initial exposure, cows were stratified by BW and bred into 8 groups of 4 cows each. Exposed and Na?ve cows occurred in each group, and groups of 4 cows were randomly assigned to one of eight pens. Cows were fed in these pens for a 150-d wintering period from December to May for 3 consecutive years. All cows were allowed ad libitum access to AWS and supplemented with alfalfa hay, vitamins, and minerals. Cows and their calves grazed irrigated meadow pastures for the remainder of the year. Cow BW and body condition score (BCS) were monitored monthly during the 3-yr study. Milk production was measured monthly from June to November of each year using the weigh-suckle-weigh technique. For all 3 yr, yearly average BW (P = 0.06, 0.03, 0.07) and BCS (P=0.07,0.001,0.01)were higher for Exposed than Na?ve cows. Postpartum interval (PPI) to rebreeding, monitored using consecutive calving dates, was shorter for Exposed than Na?ve cows during yr 1 and 2 (P = 0.004 and 0.02, respectively), but similar in yr 3 (P = 0.19). Exposed cows also produced more milk than Na?ve cows during yr 1 and 2 (P = 0.04 and 0.07, respectively), but milk production was similar in yr 3 (P = 0.74). Collectively, calves exposed to AWS briefly early in life performed better as cows when reexposed to AWS from 5 to 8 yr later in life. Thus, researchers and managers should consider previous exposure to low-quality forages (LQF) when assigning cattle to studies involving the use of LQF or when considering using LQF to reduce food costs.     

Influence of urea molasses treated wheat straw fermented with cattle manure on chemical composition and feeding value for growing buffalo calves

The study was conducted to examine the chemical composition of urea–molasses treated wheat straw (WS) fermented with cattle manure (CM) and its feeding value for growing buffalo male calves. Wheat straw treated with varying levels of urea (0%, 2% and 4%) and molasses (2% and 4%) was ensiled with 30% cattle manure (on dry matter basis) for different fermentation periods (20, 30 and 40 days). Fermented wheat straw (FWS) after each fermentation period was analyzed for pH, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), true protein (TP), ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Maximum pH, DM, CP, TP and NH₃-N and minimum NDF contents were observed with 4% urea. The 4% molasses level increased the CP, TP and NH₃-N contents of FWS, but pH, DM and NDF remained unchanged after 40 days of fermentation. The 4% urea × 4% molasses interaction resulted in maximum DM, CP, TP, NH₃-N after 40 days of fermentation period and this combination was used for large scale production of FWS to evaluate its feeding value for calves. Four isonitrogen and isocaloric diets were formulated. The control FWS 0 diet contained no FWS while in FWS 15, FWS 25 and FWS 35 diets concentrate was replaced with 15%, 25% and 35% FWS, respectively. The diets were randomly allotted to four groups of 28 calves 9–12 months of age, seven in each group, in a randomized complete block design to examine the nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and weight gain. An increased DM, organic matter (OM), CP and NDF intakes were observed in calves fed FWS diets compared to those fed FWS 0 diet. Nitrogen retention increased significantly with increasing the level of FWS. The DM, OM, CP and NDF apparent digestibilities were non-significant in calves fed different levels of FWS. A linear increase in weight gain was noticed in calves fed diets containing increasing level of FWS.     

向日葵秆和向日葵盘对绵羊营养价值的评定

试验选用6只体重28 kg左右安装永久瘤胃瘘管的甘肃高山细毛羯羊, 采用3×3无重复拉丁方设计, 通过消化代谢试验, 对向日葵秆和向日葵盘对绵羊的营养价值进行了评定。结果表明:向日葵秆和向日葵盘风干样品中干物质、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、粗灰分、钙、磷分别为90.73%, 5.72%, 0.89%, 30.15%, 53.09%, 39.40%, 11.61%, 0.84%, 0.13%和89.63%, 11.84%, 2.13%, 12.48%, 23.51%, 15.41%, 14.04%, 0.97%, 0.29%;向日葵秆和向日葵盘对绵羊干物质消化率、氮消化率、氮存留率、有机物消化率、中性洗涤纤维消化率、酸性洗涤纤维消化率、钙消化率、磷消化率及消化能分别为61.61%, 65.37%, 34.72%, 65.19%, 48.18%, 44.89%, 29.10%, 26.07%, 8.75 MJ/kg和70.96%, 69.57%, 41.60%, 76.26%, 60.87%, 58.60%, 37.98%, 44.75%, 9.97 MJ/kg。饲粮中添加向日葵秆对绵羊瘤胃液中乙酸摩尔比及氨氮含量产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对瘤胃液pH、总挥发性脂肪酸、丙酸摩尔比、丁酸摩尔比、其他酸摩尔比及瘤胃液中总氮、尿素氮、蛋白氮浓度均无显著影响(P>0.05);饲粮中添加向日葵盘对绵羊瘤胃液乙酸摩尔比、丙酸摩尔比和乙酸/丙酸产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对pH、总挥发性脂肪酸、丁酸摩尔比、其他酸摩尔比和瘤胃液含氮量无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Effect of diet on preweaning performance of Sahiwal calves

The objective was to study the growth potential of Sahiwal calves given milk or milk replacer with or without concentrates. For this purpose, forty-eight Sahiwal calves were divided into four groups of 12 animals each with equal sex ratio. In each group, the calves were offered either milk or a milk replacer (MR) at a rate of 10% of their body weight adjusted weekly. In addition to this, calves were fed either a starter ration plus Egyptian clover hay (SR + H) or hay only (H) until the end of trial. The milk or MR was withdrawn gradually from day 56 until animals were weaned completely by day 84. Calves offered milk grew faster than those offered MR (357 ± 9 vs. 162 ± 9 g/day; p < 0.05) and displayed higher weaning weights (51.6 ± 0.8 vs. 35.2 ± 0.8 kg; p < 0.05). The calves offered SR + H grew faster (311 ± 9 vs. 208 ± 9 g/day; p < 0.05) and displayed higher weaning weights (48.7 ± 0.8 vs. 38.1 ± 0.8 kg; p < 0.05) than those fed H alone. Calves offered milk plus SR + H showed the highest growth rate and weaning weights (401 ± 13 g/day and 56.3 ± 1 kg, respectively). The lowest growth rate and weaning weights were observed in calves offered MR and H only (115 ± 13 g/day and 30.3 ± 1 kg, respectively). Calves offered the MR had higher number of scour days than those offered milk (13.5 vs. 3.3). The feeding of whole milk in combination with the starter ration and hay resulted in superior growth rates, higher weaning weights, and healthier calves than the other feeding regimens.     

茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳对绵羊营养价值的评定

选择6只体重28 kg左右,安装永久瘤胃瘘管甘肃高山细毛羯羊, 采用3×3无重复拉丁方试验设计,通过消化代谢试验,对茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳对绵羊的营养价值进行了评定。结果表明,绵羊对茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳的干物质消化率、氮消化率、氮存留率、有机物消化率、中性洗涤纤维消化率、酸性洗涤纤维消化率、钙消化率、磷消化率和消化能分别为62.11%和61.63%,63.83%和65.63%,50.58%和47.72%,62.63%和62.50%,54.95%和53.02%,52.18%和49.50%,23.19%和20.35%,31.98%和35.03%,以及9.86和9.51 MJ/kg。绵羊对茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳的消化率较高。饲粮中添加茴香秸秆对绵羊瘤胃液pH、乙酸摩尔比、丙酸摩尔比、丁酸摩尔比、乙酸/丙酸以及瘤胃液中尿素氮和蛋白氮浓度均产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对其他酸摩尔比、瘤胃液总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)、总氮和氨氮浓度无显著影响(P>0.05);饲粮中添加茴香秕壳对绵羊瘤胃液乙酸、丁酸和其他酸摩尔比产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对pH、丙酸摩尔比、乙酸/丙酸、瘤胃液TVFA和氮浓度无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

纤维素酶和酵母菌处理小麦秸秆喂育肥羊试验

选择18只5月龄左右的小尾寒羊,随机分为2组,进行小麦秸秆酶解后的饲喂对比试验,2组精料日粮完全相同,粗饲料试验组饲喂酶解小麦秸秆,对照组饲喂普通小麦秸秆。结果表明,试验组只均日增质量148g,比对照组高60g,日增质量提高68.2%,差异极显著,试验组只均盈利56.1元,比对照组高32.7元,经济效益提高139.7%。应用酶解后的小麦秸秆饲喂小尾寒羊可显著提高生长速度,增加养殖户的经济收入。     

Feeding value of urea molasses-treated wheat straw ensiled with fresh cattle manure for growing crossbred cattle calves

The study was carried out to evaluate the influence of urea plus molasses-treated wheat straw (WS) ensiled with cattle manure (CM) on nutrients intake, their digestibilities, and growth performance of crossbred (Sahiwal × Holstein Friesian) cattle calves. The CM was mixed with ground WS in a ratio of 30:70 on dry matter (DM) basis. The WS–CM mixture treated with urea (4% DM) and molasses (4% DM) was allowed to ferment for 40 days in a cemented pit. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic fermented wheat straw (FWS)-based experimental diets were formulated. The FWS0, FWS20, FWS30, and FWS40 diets contained 0%, 20%, 30%, and 40% FWS, respectively. Twenty calves (9–10 months of age) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design, five in each group. Increasing trends for DM, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber intakes by calves were observed with increasing dietary FWS level. Weight gain was significantly different among calves fed different levels of FWS. The highest weight gain (491.8 g/day) was observed in calves fed FWS40 diet, while calves fed FWS0 and FWS20 diets gained 350.0 and 449.6 g/day, respectively. The results from this study imply that the FWS can be added up to 30% in the diet of growing crossbred calves without any detrimental effect on their performance.     

氢氧化钙与尿素复合处理对小麦秸营养品质的影响

通过化学成分分析、活体外消化率测定和绵羊饲养试验，研究了2％尿素与氢氧化钙复合处理对小麦秸营养价值的影响。结果表明，秸秆中氮保留率直接受氢氧化钙的影响（P〈0．01），氢氧化钙大于6％时，氮保留率可达到98％。2％尿素和氢氧化钙复合处理，氢氧化钙为4％时，提高营养价值效果与单纯6％尿素处理相当；氢氧化钙为6％时，效果与4％NaOH处理相当。羊的饲养试验表明，2％尿素和6％氢氧化钙复合处理小麦秸效果最好。     

Prospects of raising Sahiwal cow calves for veal production under tropical environment

The objective of present study was to evaluate the growth potential of Sahiwal calves for veal production on whole milk or whole milk and milk replacer combined in a ratio of 50:50 (MMR). For this purpose, 48 Sahiwal calves (both male and female) were assigned to four dietary treatments having 12 animals/treatment. Calves in the treatments A and B were offered whole milk at 15 or 20 % of their body weight (BW), respectively, up to day 84 adjusted on weekly basis. The calves in treatments C and D received the same amount of milk as in treatments A and B until day 21, respectively, after which 50 % of the milk offered was replaced with a blend of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) flour and vegetable (corn) oil mixed in water (MR) until day 84. The constituted MR had 3.1, 2.8, and 14.3 %, CP, EE, and DM, respectively. The growth and intake data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis, with MIXED Procedures of SAS in a 2?×?2 factorial design. The two factors were feeding level and feeding source. Calves offered whole milk grew faster (P?<?0.05) and had greater weaning weights (P?<?0.05) than those offered MMR (606.4?±?18.1 vs 331.3?±?18.1 g/day and 70.4?±?1.5 vs 47.8?±?1.5 kg, respectively). Greatest daily BW gain (656?±?26 g/day) and weaning weight (74.6?±?2.1 kg) were observed in calves given treatment B while the lowest production cost/kg of BW gain (≈US$3.6?±?0.2) was observed in calves given treatment A. The daily BW gain of calves fed milk ad libitum was 716?±?40 and 836?±?40 g/day, during 5–8 and 9–12 weeks, respectively. The number of days calves exhibited scours was higher in calves offered MMR than those offered whole milk. Replacement of 50 % milk with a blend of chickpea flour and vegetable oil, as an alternative to milk replacer, did not support growth equivalent to whole milk and was not effective in reducing feeding cost during the weaning period. Sahiwal calves may have promise for being raised for veal production under tropical environments.     

Nutritional physiology of neonatal calves

The gastrointestinal tract of neonatal calves is relatively mature but still requires morphological and functional changes. The intake of colostrum with its nutrient and non-nutrient components exerts marked effects on gastrointestinal development and function. Colostrum intake provides immunoprotection (passive immunity by immunoglobulins) and is essential for survival of neonates of most species. Furthermore, there are important transient as well as long-lasting systemic effects on the nutritional status, on metabolism, and on various endocrine systems due to intake of nutrient and non-nutrient colostral components that contribute to survival in the stressful postnatal period. Colostrum is much more than just a supplier of immunoglobulins.     

体外法评价张杂谷秸秆、全株青贮张杂谷和燕麦草的营养价值

试验旨在通过体外产气法评价张杂谷秸秆、全株青贮张杂谷和燕麦草的营养价值。采用单因素试验设计,将1 g张杂谷秸秆、全株青贮张杂谷和燕麦草分别进行体外发酵,每组设4个重复,测定和分析三种粗饲料对体外产气量、挥发性脂肪酸、营养物质降解率、pH值、微生物蛋白、氨态氮的影响。结果表明,张杂谷秸秆、全株青贮张杂谷4、8、16、24、36、48、72 h的产气量及理论最大产气量(B)均极显著小于燕麦草的(P<0.01),全株青贮张杂谷8、16、24、36、72 h的产气量极显著大于张杂谷秸秆(P<0.01);产气速率(c)和延搁时间(Lag)张杂谷秸秆和燕麦草的差异均不显著(P>0.05),极显著低于全株青贮张杂谷(P<0.01)。体外发酵72 h后,乙酸、丁酸、总挥发性脂肪酸浓度均是张杂谷秸秆产生的极显著低于全株青贮张杂谷、燕麦草的(P<0.01);丙酸、乙酸/丙酸浓度张杂谷秸秆极显著低于全株青贮张杂谷(P<0.01),全株青贮张杂谷极显著低于燕麦草(P<0.01)。干物质、粗蛋白质、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维降解率均表现出张杂谷秸秆极显著低于全株青贮张杂谷(P<0.01),全株青贮张杂谷极显著低于燕麦草(P<0.01);pH值变化为张杂谷秸秆、全株青贮张杂谷极显著高于燕麦草(P<0.01);微生物蛋白质产量三者差异均不显著(P>0.05),NH3-N浓度为张杂谷秸秆显著低于全株青贮张杂谷(P<0.05),两者与燕麦草差异不显著(P>0.05)。因此,该试验条件下,张杂谷秸秆、全株青贮张杂谷体外发酵在产气量、营养物质降解率方面相对次于燕麦草,全株青贮张杂谷相对优于张杂谷秸秆,具体原因及实际饲喂应用效果有待研究。     

氨化麦秸饲喂育肥牛的效果试验

农作物秸秆经过氨化处理后饲喂育肥牛,增重效果十分显著,养牛的经济效益也随之提高.本试验的目的在于结合氨化麦秸饲喂育肥牛的确切效果,将麦秸更加合理的利用,以促进养殖业的发展.     

Altered protein expression in neutrophils of calves treated with dexamethasone

The effect of glucocorticoid treatment on protein expression in bovine neutrophils was examined with a proteomic approach to address the mechanisms by which stress alters neutrophil function and predisposes to bacterial pneumonia in cattle. Calves 6 to 8 mo old were treated with dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg), neutrophils were isolated 24 h later, and whole-cell lysates were examined by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Differentially expressed protein spots were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. The antimicrobial protein lactotransferrin was detected at increased amounts in the neutrophils of the dexamethasone-treated calves. Proteins detected at reduced amounts in the neutrophils of the dexamethasone-treated calves included annexin 1, phosphoglycerate mutase, Na(+) - K+ ATPase, and cathelicidin 1. These findings identify glucocorticoid-induced changes in the levels of neutrophil proteins involved in host defense, inflammation, and cellular metabolism and suggest additional mechanisms by which glucocorticoids affect neutrophil function.