Ruminal release of minerals from six forage species

An in vitro technique and an in situ technique were used to measure release of Ca, Mg, P and Zn over time from hand-clipped alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Maximal release of P and Zn was greater using the in situ technique. 'Florida 77' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), 'Florigraze' rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.), 'Mott' dwarf elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.), 'Tifton 78' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers.), 'Pensacola' bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) and 'Floralta' limpograss (Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf and Hubbard) were used to examine the ruminal release of Ca, Mg, P, K, Cu and Zn by means of the in situ technique. Minerals were ranked from highest to lowest for extent of immediate and maximal release in the rumen. Averaged across forage species, ranking was K at 100% and 100%, Mg at 82% and 95%, Cu at 71% and 84%, P at 66% and 80%, Zn at 26% and 69% and Ca at 29% and 70%. A large proportion of Ca was associated with the plant cell wall, based on the duration of incubation time needed to maximize its release and the large fractinal amount of Ca slowly released. A large portion of the Zn was released slowly as well (mean, 43.8%), but release of Zn was maximal in less than 24 h. Most of the Mg, K, P and Cu probably reside in the cell contents. Forages with high NDF concentrations can have high release coefficients for their minerals.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Ruminal and total tract phosphorus release from feedstuffs in cattle measured using the mobile nylon bag technique

Phosphorus (P) excretion in manure is a concern for dairy and beef producers. Excess P released into surface water runoff can lead to eutrophication and algal blooms in streams and lakes. One approach to reducing P excretion is to reduce dietary P. Data regarding P release from feedstuffs is limited and more precise formulations based on specific feed P release in the digestive tract may be one way to lower excreted P. In this experiment, the mobile nylon bag technique was used to determine the disappearance of P in corn silage, alfalfa hay, Coastal bermudagrass hay, and Tifton‐85 bermudagrass hay in steers after ruminal (24 h), ruminal + pepsin/HCl (rumen + PHCl), and ruminal + pepsin/HCl + intestinal (rumen + PHCl + I) incubation. Ruminal disappearance of P differed (p < 0.05) between feedstuffs and by site of incubation. Total tract (rumen + PHCl + I) P disappearance for corn silage, alfalfa hay, Coastal bermudagrass hay, and Tifton‐85 bermudagrass hay were 90.6%, 93.7%, 83.8% and 84.0% respectively. The range in P release (approximately 7%) indicates that considering P availability when balancing rations could have a measurable impact on subsequent P excretion from ruminants. More data concerning P availability as affected by other feed ingredients or plant species, maturity, and/or quality are needed to more accurately define P release from ruminant feeds.     

Maturity of coastal bermudagrass and alfalfa affects ruminal in situ and total tract dry matter and phosphorus disappearance in cannulated steers

Variability of phosphorus (P) availability among forage species and plant maturity is largely ignored when formulating ruminant diets. To determine if variability in P availability changes with forage species and/or maturity, ruminal in situ and total (ruminal+post-ruminal) dry matter (DM) and phosphorus disappearance (PD) from alfalfa (ALF; Medicago sativa) and coastal bermudagrass (CB; Cynodon dactylon) harvested at four stages of maturity was measured in cattle. Forages were hand clipped at 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after first cutting. Ruminal in situ DM disappearance (DMD) and PD were measured after 24 h ruminal incubation in Dacron bags. Total tract DMD and PD were measured using the mobile nylon bag technique. Disappearance of DM and P were greater (p≤0.05) in the rumen than post-rumen for both species regardless of maturity; however, 80 g PD/kg DM in 35-day ALF (9% of total PD) and 224 g PD/kg of 35-day CB (38% of total PD) occurred post ruminally. Alfalfa DM disappeared to a greater (p ≤ 0.05) extent than CB and showed 5% greater total tract PD at 14 days and 13% more at 35 days compared to the grass. Alfalfa total tract PD decreased (p ≤ 0.05) 5.4% from 14- to 35-day maturity while the decrease was far greater for CB, 12.4%. Results from this study indicate that ruminant nutritionists should take into account forage species and maturity when calculating PD in diets; these details can be used to aid in formulating more precise rations that reduce fecal-phosphorus excretion into the environment.     

Ruminal solubility of nitrogen and minerals from fescue and fescue-red clover herbage

Ruminal solubility of N, K, P, Ca, Mg and S were measured for three forages at six growth stages. The three forages were Kentucky 31 tall fescue (TF), Kenhy fescue (KN) and a red clover-tall fescue mixture (RC). Disappearance parameters were measured by means of the dacron bag technique using cannulated steers. Exposures were for 48 h; maximum extent of disappearance for all elements occurred before this time. High proportions (greater than 60%) of P, K and Mg were released from all three forages during the first 3 h of incubation, with small losses thereafter. Amounts of N and S released during the first 3 h ranged between 40 to 75%. Ca had the lowest initial disappearance. Forages differed (P less than .05) in extent of mineral disappearance after 3- and 48-h incubations and in rate of disappearance (Kd) of the potentially available, slowly solubilizing, fraction of N, Ca and S. Across growth stages, TF had generally the lowest extent and rate of disappearance. With increasing maturity, Kd for Mg, Ca and S decreased (P less than .05). For each element, Kd was not correlated with herbage concentration or initial (3 h) disappearance. Partial correlations between disappearance of N, K, Ca, Mg and S after the 48-h incubation and herbage concentration were significant. Solubilization values corrected for rate of passage (ERS) showed significant differences among forages for K, Ca and S. Average ERS values for S and K were highest for KN; RC herbage had higher ERS values for Ca. Increases in forage maturity lowered (P less than .001) ERS for all elements. The results indicate that for all growth stages, ruminal solubility and potential availability of N and minerals from the three forages was high. The rate of release differed among elements and may have affected efficiency of microbial fermentation. Although ruminal solubility of minerals from TF was generally lower than from the other two forages, the difference was not sufficient to explain fully the lower apparent availability observed in previous studies.     

Factors affecting disappearance of feedstuffs from bags suspended in the rumen

Four experiments were conducted to examine the effect of various factors on in situ digestion of feedstuffs in the rumen of Holstein cows. In Exp. 1, the effect of various days, animals and animal diets on in situ digestion was evaluated. Measured disappearance of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) from soybean meal (SBM) suspended in dacron bags was lowest when the host animal was fed a high grain diet. No effect due to animals, day of incubation or period of experimentation was observed. The effect of bag porosity and substrate particle size on DM and N disappearance from bags was studied in Exp. 2. Rip-stop nylon, a material with small pores, appeared to decrease the influx of digesting agents into bags and limited efflux of digested residues from bags when compared with bags made from dacron polyester material. Disappearance of DM and N from SBM and distillers grains (DG) in rip-stop nylon bags was greater when these feedstuffs were in the pulverized form rather than in the commercially processed form. In Exp. 3, dacron and Acropore bags, with pore sizes of 52 and 5 microns, respectively, were used to examine DM and N disappearance, in the rumen of cows, from total mixed diets containing various dietary N sources. Lower DM and N disappearance from Acropore bags was observed for each of the diets regardless of time spent in the rumen; much of the difference was established within the first hour. The effect of formaldehyde treatment on degradation of amino acids from SBM suspended in dacron bags in the rumen for 16 h was studied in Exp. 4. Increased resistance of SBM amino acids to degradation in the rumen was observed as a result of formaldehyde treatment levels as low as .3% by weight. A possible increase in protection of lysine from degradation relative to other amino acids was also observed.     

草颗粒饲料在牛瘤胃内的降解与饲养价值

用3头瘘管牛，以尼龙袋法（in situ)测定草颗粒，牧草与秸秆在瘤胃培养24hDM、CP、NDF和ADF的消失率，结果表明，草颗粒中营养物质的消失率均高于秸秆和羊草及秋白草，用颗粒饲料喂育肥牛，牛的日增重和饲料转化率均显著高于对照组，颗粒饲料的密度增加，牛的采食速度加快30%-50%。     

In vitro effect of pH variations on rumen fermentation, and in vivo effects of buffers in lambs before and after adaptation to high concentrate diets

An in vitro wheat fermentation study (Exp. 1) was conducted to investigate the effect of pH (pH 7, 6, 5 and 4) on rumen lactate and VFA production. In another study (Exp. 2), lambs were fed high concentrate diets containing either no additions (control), 2% sodium bentonite, 2% limestone, 2% NaHCO3 or 10% alfalfa hay. The effect of these diets was determined on ruminal and systemic measurements before and after dietary adaptation. Effect of the control, bentonite, limestone and NaHCO3 treatments on nutrient digestibilities and mineral retentions after adaptation were also determined. Lactate production in the rumen fluid incubated at pH 7 or 6 was negligible. Reducing incubation pH from 6 to 5 resulted in accumulation of both total and L(+)-lactate, but further reduction to pH 4 did not result in an additional increase in lactate production. Variations in incubation pH or time did not affect the ratio of D to L isomers. Lowering the incubation pH to below 6 reduced total VFA production and increased the acetate to propionate ratio. In Exp. 2, the feeding of buffers or alfalfa hay was effective in maintaining a more normal feed intake and ruminal pH, and reduced ruminal lactate. Blood measurements were not affected by dietary treatment. When animals were adapted to the experimental diets, the dietary buffers did not influence rumen and blood measurements. Lambs fed 2% NaHCO3 digested more (P less than .05) organic matter, crude protein, N-free extract and starch, and 2% limestone increased (P less than .05) fiber digestibility. Dietary buffers tended to increase fecal pH and reduce fecal starch Magnesium retention with 2% bentonite, Ca retention with 2% limestone and Na and Mg retention with NaHCO3 were all increased (P less than .05).     

Effects of a return chewing gum/packaging material mixture on in situ disappearance and on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal characteristics of growing steers

In situ and in vivo digestibility experiments were conducted to determine the acceptability, digestibility, and safety of a return chewing gum/packaging (G/P) material mixture when fed to steers. In the in situ experiment, both ruminal and intestinal disappearances were measured. Two ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers, which were given free access to alfalfa hay (AH), were used in this study. Duplicate Dacron bags containing the G/P were incubated in the rumen for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. After ruminal incubation, the 12-, 24-, and 48-h bags were placed in the duodenum and collected in the feces to determine intestinal disappearance. In situ ruminal DM disappearance was greater than 70% for all substrates tested at 0 h, indicating high solubility of the substrates in water, and began to reach a plateau after 12 h of incubation. Intestinal in situ disappearance was not different (P>.25) from zero. In the digestion trial, four ruminally cannulated steers (337+/-21.3 kg BW; mean +/- SD) were used in a 4x4 Latin square design with the following treatments: 0) 50% corn (C), 50% AH; 10) 45% C, 45% AH, 10% G/P; 20) 40% C, 40% AH, 20% G/P; 30) 35% C, 35% AH, 30% G/P. Steers fed G/P-containing diets had greater (P<.01) DMI than the control steers. Increasing the G/P resulted in a linear (P<.05) increase in DMI. Apparent DM digestibility tended to be higher (P<.10) for the G/P-containing diets than for the control. A quadratic effect (P<.05) on digestible DMI was observed, with greater (P<.01) digestible DMI values for G/P-containing diets (4.8 vs. 5.8 kg/d). Digestible organic matter and total nonstructural carbohydrate intakes followed trends similar to those of DM. Apparent aluminum digestibility of G/P-containing diets was not different (P>.13) from zero. The level of G/P in the diet had no effect (P>.2) on total VFA concentration or ruminal pH. There was a linear decrease (P<.01) in the molar percentage of isobutyrate and isovalerate in addition to a linear increase (P<.01) in butyrate and valerate with increasing levels of G/P. There was a quadratic effect (P<.01) on molar proportions of acetate and propionate and on the acetate:propionate ratio. Results of both experiments suggest that G/P may be fed to safely replace up to 30% of corn-alfalfa hay diets for growing steers with advantages in improving DMI and digestibility.     

Effect of water-filled bags in the rumen of wethers on ruminal digesta kinetics and total tract nutrient digestibility

Four ruminal cannulated wethers (65 +/- 2.4 kg) were used in a Latin square design experiment to determine the effects of water-filled bags on ruminal liquid and particulate dilution rates. Treatments consisted of ratios of water volume (liters) in bags to pretrial ruminal volume (liters) and were A) 0, B) .22, C) .44, and D) .66. Diet DM, consisting of 75% concentrate and 25% chopped alfalfa hay, was offered once daily at 2.3% of each wether's pretrial live weight. The largest water-filled bag decreased ruminal liquid volume by 68%, increased ruminal liquid dilution rate by 64%, and increased ruminal pool size of non-water soluble concentrate (NWSC) by 137% compared with the control. Ruminal dilution rate of ytterbium-marked NWSC decreased by 37% compared with the control. Ruminal fluid concentrations of NH3 N, pH, and molar ratios of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and isovalerate and plasma urea nitrogen varied over time postfeeding depending on water-filled bag size. Total tract apparent digestibility of DM, OM, ADF, starch, and energy were decreased (P less than .05) with increasing water-filled bag size in the rumen. In this study, water-filled bags acted to increase ruminal liquid dilution rate and decrease ruminal liquid volume and total tract nutrient digestibility but to retard passage of NWSC and hay fiber.     

尼龙袋法评价香蕉叶单宁对瘤胃降解特性的影响

旨在探究香蕉叶单宁对奶牛瘤胃降解特性的影响和评价香蕉叶的饲喂价值。样品分别为苜蓿干草组(100%的苜蓿干草)、苜蓿干草和香蕉叶混合组(50%苜蓿干草+50%香蕉叶)、香蕉叶组(100%香蕉叶)、苜蓿干草组(100%的苜蓿干草)+6%聚乙二醇(6% PEG)、苜蓿干草和香蕉叶混合组(50%苜蓿干草+50%香蕉叶)+6%聚乙二醇(6% PEG)、香蕉叶组(100%香蕉叶)+6%聚乙二醇(6% PEG)。测定样品中的营养成分含量,使用3头安装了瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛进行半体内试验,用尼龙袋法测定上述样品在瘤胃内0、2、4、8、12、24、48、72 h的干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)的降解率,得到各营养物质的动态降解参数。结果表明,相较于苜蓿干草,香蕉叶干物质和粗蛋白的快速降解部分、慢速降解部分、慢速降解部分的降解速率、有效降解率是显著低于苜蓿干草的(P<0.001),香蕉叶和苜蓿的NDF的有效降解率没有显著差异。添加了PEG后,香蕉叶和香蕉叶苜蓿混合组的快速降解部分和有效降解率显著高于未添加PEG的两组(P<0.001)。结果表明香蕉叶中的单宁会抑制香蕉叶的瘤胃降解率,因此在使用香蕉叶调制反刍动物的饲料时需要控制单宁的含量。     

In vitro and in vivo studies of factors affecting digestion of feeds in synthetic fiber bags.

Dry matter disappearance (DMD) and cellulose disappearance (CD) from alfalfa hay were measured simultaneously in synthetic fiber bags incubated in vitro. In general, DMD, CD, and pH were reduced (P less than .05) inside the bags compared with values in the fermentation flasks. Bags became fully expanded with gas soon after the fermentation started, which seemed to inhibit fluid movement into and out of the bag. By creating a vacuum in the flask, fluid exchange was enhanced, and DMD, CD, and pH increased (P less than .01) inside the bags. Sample size, type of fabric, and fabric pore size affected pH, DMD, and CD. Inoculum source (forage or concentrate diet) did not affect DMD in either bags or flasks. In contrast, DMD in bags incubated in vivo was affected (P less than .01) by animal diet. When bags were incubated in vivo inside a rigid plastic container, both pH and DMD were reduced (P less than .01) compared with bags suspended freely in the rumen. Direct physical action of ruminal contents on the bags apparently enhanced exchange of fluid. Bacterial concentrations in bags suspended freely in the rumen were greater than those in bags incubated inside containers. Synthetic fiber bags may be useful in comparing digestibility between diets; however, caution is needed in evaluating such data in absolute terms.     

不同紫花苜蓿品种瘤胃降解特性比较

为研究不同紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa L.）品种在牛瘤胃中的降解规律,本试验以10个紫花苜蓿品种为材料,以3头装有永久性瘘管的晋南牛作为试验动物,采用尼龙袋法测定不同紫花苜蓿品种干物质（DM）、粗蛋白质（CP）、中性洗涤纤维（NDF）和酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）的瘤胃降解率和降解参数。结果表明：不同紫花苜蓿品种DM,CP,NDF和ADF的降解率随着其在瘤胃内培养时间的延长,均呈升高趋势,但不同品种在同一培养时间段内的降解率存在显著差异;不同紫花苜蓿品种的有效降解率（ED）的差异较大,‘WL-319HQ DM’的ED最高,显著高于‘中苜一号’和‘首领’（P<0.01）;‘金皇后’CP的ED显著高于除‘赛迪’之外的其他品种;‘WL-168HQ’、‘中苜一号’NDF的ED显著高于除‘首领’之外的其他品种;‘三得利’、‘皇后’ADF的ED显著高于其他品种（P<0.05）。由此可见,不同紫花苜蓿品种在瘤胃内的降解特性不同。     

不同牧草在黄牛瘤胃内的降解特性

选择装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的云南黄牛3只,用尼龙袋法测定六种牧草干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)的瘤胃降解率。结果表明,苜蓿草和一年生黑麦草的干物质有效降解率显著高于苜蓿草块、光叶紫花苕、大麦秸、非洲狗尾草(P<0.01),但两者之间无显著差异(P>0.05);苜蓿草蛋白质的有效降解率极显著高于苜蓿草块、一年生黑麦草、光叶紫花苕、大麦秸、非洲狗尾草(P<0.01),且大小顺序为:苜蓿草>苜蓿草块>一年生黑麦草>光叶紫花苕>大麦秸>非洲狗尾草。     

Screening of exogenous enzymes for ruminant diets: relationship between biochemical characteristics and in vitro ruminal degradation

With the objective of developing a rational approach for the selection of feed enzymes for ruminants, 22 commercial enzyme products were examined in terms of protein concentration, enzymic activities on model substrates, and hydrolytic capacity, the latter determined from the release of reducing sugars from alfalfa hay and corn silage. An in vitro ruminal degradation assessment was carried out using the same substrates, untreated or treated with the 22 enzyme products at 1.5 microL/g forage DM. Stepwise regressions were then performed to establish relationships between these factors. Protein concentration and enzymic activities explained at least 84% (P < 0.01) of the variation in the release of reducing sugars from alfalfa and corn silage. Alfalfa DM degradation after incubation with ruminal fluid for 18 h was positively related to xylanase activity (R2 = 0.29, P < 0.01), but the same activity was negatively related to DM degradation of corn silage (R2 = 0.19, P < 0.05). Protease activity explained a further 10% of the alfalfa DM degradation (P < 0.10). Following sequential steps involving the determination of rate and extent of DM and fiber degradation, the best candidates for alfalfa and corn silage were selected. Enzyme products effective with alfalfa hay seemed to exert part of their effect during the pretreatment period, whereas enzymes effective with corn silage worked exclusively after ruminal fluid was added. This finding suggests that different modes of action of exogenous enzymes are attacking different substrates and may partly explain enzyme-feed specificity. In alfalfa, it seems that effective enzymes work by removing structural barriers that retard the microbial colonization of digestible fractions, increasing the rate of degradation. In corn silage, effective enzymes seem to interact with ruminal enzymes to degrade the forage more rapidly, which is consistent with previous findings of synergism between exogenous and ruminal enzymes.     

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 calcium source and level on site of digestion and calcium levels in the digestive tract of cattle fed high-concentrate diets

The effect of calcium (Ca) source and level on site of digestion of an 88% concentrate diet was tested with four 431-kg, intestine-cannulated steers in a 4 X 4 Latin square experiment. Diets, limit-fed at 1.3% of body weight, contained .25% Ca with no supplemental Ca (B), .40 or .48% Ca from addition of either .95% CaCl2-2H2O (Cl) or .65% CaCO3 (LL), or 1.11% Ca from addition of 2.5% CaCO3 (HL). No effects of source of Ca (CaCl2-2H2O vs CaCO3) were observed, although ruminal pH and ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (N) concentrations tended to be lower with Cl. Ruminal fluid dilution rate increased linearly (P less than .05) with the addition of Ca to the diet. Ruminal fluid dilution rate and volume were negatively related (r = -.72; P less than .01). Organic matter (OM) and starch digestibilities in the rumen tended to decline with the addition of Ca to the diet, while postruminal OM and starch disappearance increased (P less than .05) to compensate. Flow of N to the duodenum decreased (P greater than .05) with addition of Ca to the diet. Concentrations of soluble Ca found in ruminal and duodenal fluid increased linearly (P less than .05) with dietary Ca intake. Intestinal Ca disappearance increased linearly and quadratically (P less than .05) with increasing dietary Ca and exceeded 80% of Ca entering the small intestine. In a second experiment, the rate of in situ dry matter (DM) disappearance of rolled corn was not greatly altered by addition of Ca to the diet.     

Technical note: mineral deposits on Dacron bags during ruminal incubation.

Extensive DM contamination was found on Dacron bags that were incubated for prolonged periods of time in the rumen of steers fed alfalfa hay. The ash content of the contaminant was high, and most of it was acid-soluble X-ray analysis indicated the presence of hydroxylapatite and synthetic calcium magnesium phosphate or whitlockite. The contaminant appeared as a smooth coating on the Dacron fiber, suggesting that contamination was a gradual process rather than the result of entrapment of dislodged crystals from plant material. Contamination seemed to occur exponentially within the range of observations (0 to 42 d). Contamination also occurred in steers fed orchardgrass, although to a lesser extent than in steers fed alfalfa hay. The DM contamination was less than .04 g per bag (average bag weight was 1.2 g) during the first 10 d of incubation. However, correction for contamination might be required for studies involving longterm incubation or mineral digestion.     

Effects of source and level of dietary neutral detergent fiber on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, ruminal digestion in situ, and total tract digestion in beef cattle fed pelleted concentrates with or without supplemental roughage.

The effects of source and level of dietary NDF on intake, ruminal digestion in situ, ruminal fermentation, and total tract digestion were evaluated in Hereford steers using a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square design. Diets contained 62 to 64% TDN and included 1) 80% control concentrate (contained pelleted ground grains) and 20% timothy hay (traditional diet), 2) 80% control concentrate and 20% alfalfa cubes, 3) 90% control concentrate and 10% cubes, 4) a completely pelleted diet using corn cobs as the primary NDF source, and 5) 80% textured (rolled instead of ground grains) concentrate and 20% hay. Dry matter intake differed (P less than .05) between the traditional and cube diets due to limited acceptance of alfalfa cubes. Increased (P less than .05) ruminal osmolality, total VFA, and NH3 N and lower (P less than .01) ruminal pH in steers fed corn cob and cube diets relative to steers fed the traditional diet were due to preferential consumption of concentrate over supplemental roughage and the resultant rapid fermentation of concentrates. Potentially degradable DM in the traditional diet exceeded (P less than .06) all other diets, resulting in the increased (P less than .10) extent of DM disappearance despite a slower (P less than .05) rate of DM disappearance. Rate of NDF disappearance and all in situ starch disappearance parameters were similar between the traditional, corn cob, and cube diets. All ruminal digestion parameters involving NDF disappearance were similar between hay diets and between cube diets, whereas rate and extent of starch disappearance differed (P less than .05) between hay diets. Although formulation of diets with different sources of dietary NDF did not affect total tract digestion of nutrients, nutrient availability and ruminal fermentation were altered due to dietary differences in sources of dietary NDF and preferential selection of feedstuffs by steers.     

Pretanned leather shavings in a supplement mixture for steers: I. In situ and in vitro disappearance, ruminal fermentation, and organic matter, nitrogen, and fiber digestion

Two digestion studies were conducted to evaluate the use of pretanned leather shavings as a component of a protein supplement. In Exp. 1, the in situ and in vitro disappearance of pretanned leather shavings and soybean meal was evaluated. Results revealed that less than 18.4% of the pretanned leather shavings was solubilized and disappeared when exposed to McDougall's buffer for 48 h, but there was 90.0% disappearance with 48-h exposure to a .1 N HCl/pepsin treatment and 97.0% disappearance with exposure to a two-stage digestion. In situ disappearance following 72 h in the rumen allowed 6.8% disappearance. Thus, leather shavings seem to be relatively indigestible in the rumen, but postruminal digestion may be possible. In Exp. 2, six Angus x Holstein steers, fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas, were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square to evaluate ruminal and digestion effects of the following supplements combined with fescue hay at 1.7% of BW (DM basis): no supplementation (control); supplementation intraruminally with soybean meal at .07% of BW (as-fed basis); and supplementation intraruminally with a combination of soybean meal and pretanned leather shavings (17:8 ratio) at .05% of BW (isonitrogenous to soybean meal; as-fed basis). Ruminal fluid passage rate was greater and fluid turnover time was shorter in steers fed leather shavings than in those fed soybean meal (P = .10). Ruminal pH was lower (P = .04) for supplemented steers than for control steers and ruminal NH3 N concentration was greater (P = .01) in steers fed soybean meal than in those fed leather shavings. Total VFA concentration was increased (P = .02) by supplementation. Supplementation with soybean meal increased (P < .05) ruminal molar proportions of butyrate, valerate, and isovalerate compared with leather shavings. Duodenal OM flow and OM disappearing in the intestines were increased by supplementation (P < .10), but not by the type of supplement fed (P > .10). Ruminal digestion of OM and total tract OM digestion were unaffected (P > .10) by supplementation and the type of supplement fed. Flow and digestion of NDF were unaffected (P > .10) by the treatments. Flow of N and the quantity of N disappearing in the intestines were increased (P < .05) by supplementation but did not differ (P > .10) between supplementation groups. Microbial N flow, N utilization for net microbial protein synthesis, and ruminal N disappearance were unaffected (P > .10) by supplementation and the type of supplement provided. Combining pretanned leather shavings with soybean meal seemed to have no deleterious effects on digestion or fermentation and to allow for escape of some N to the lower tract.     

In sacco evaluation of ruminal degradability of isoflavones from full-fat soybean and extracted soybean meal—A pilot study

The aim of the study was to determine the ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), daidzein, genistein, glycitein and total isoflavones in ground full-fat soybean (GFFS) and solvent-extracted soybean meal (SSBM) using the in sacco method. The experiment was carried out in three replications on ruminally cannulated sheep that were fed twice a day with a diet consisted of hay and supplemental mixture (6:4, DM basis). The nylon bags with 2 g feed samples ground to 2 mm were incubated in the rumen for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h. The effective degradability (ED) of DM, daidzein, genistein, glycitein and total isoflavones was calculated at outflow rate of 0.06 h. The ED of DM in GFFS was 77.8% and was higher than in SSBM being 71.8% (p < 0.001). The ED of daidzein (96.8%) and genistein (93.6%) was higher for SSBM compared with GFFS (93.9% and 92.8%, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively) while ED of glycitein was lower for SSBM than for GFFS (75.5 and 81.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). All isoflavones in the incubations were extensively degraded in the rumen, and regardless of dietary source, they were almost completely degraded after 16 h of incubation. Further, the disappearance patterns, that is the functions describing the time courses of the analyte disappearance, were assessed. The disappearance patterns of daidzein, genistein, glycitein and total isoflavones were similar and showed greater disappearance of mentioned isoflavones from SSBM compared to GFFS (p < 0.001 for daidzein, genistein and total isoflavones and p = 0.002 for glycitein). The study provides knowledge on the effect of processing on degradability of isoflavones in rumen that can be used to clarify the interrelationship between isoflavones and rumen microbiota.