Nutrient digestibilities of soft winter wheat, improved triticale cultivars, and pearl millet for finishing pigs

A replicated 4 x 4 Latin square digestion trial was conducted to determine apparent nutrient digestibilities and N and energy balances for soft red winter wheat, Beagle 82 triticale, Florico triticale, and pearl millet using finishing pigs fitted with ileal T-cannulas. Fortified experimental diets contained 97.5% of each respective grain. Nitrogen and amino acid digestibilities of soft winter wheat and triticale were similar (P greater than .13) when measured near the end of the small intestine and over the total digestive tract. Ileal digestibilities of alanine, isoleucine, leucine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine were higher (P less than .05) for pearl millet than for the other grains. Total tract N and amino acid digestibilities were all higher than ileal digestibilities. Gross energy and DM digestibilities determined at the small intestine were higher (P less than .05) for wheat and pearl millet than for Beagle 82 triticale, with the Florico variety being intermediate in energy digestibility. Total tract digestible and ME concentrations followed essentially the same pattern as ileal GE digestibility and were 2 to 3% higher (P less than .05) for wheat and pearl millet than Beagle 82 triticale. Florico triticale had similar (P greater than .05) DE but was 1.3% lower (P less than .05) in ME content than wheat.     

Effects of exogenous enzymes in corn-based and Canadian pearl millet-based diets with reduced soybean meal on growth performance, intestinal nutrient digestibility, villus development, and selected microbial populations in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to compare a commercial corn-soybean meal diet with a pearl millet diet containing less soybean meal (-27%), alone or in combination with exogenous enzymes, on growth performance, jejunal villus development, ileal CP, and AA digestibility, and cecal microbial populations in broilers. One hundred sixty 1-d-old male Ross 508 broilers (5/cage) were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary treatments: 1) a standard corn-soybean meal control diet (CTL); 2) a pearl millet-soybean meal diet (PM); 3) CTL + exogenous enzymes (CE); and 4) PM + exogenous enzymes (PE) with 8 replicate cages/treatment. The PM and PE diets contained less soybean meal because of greater CP and AA contents of pearl millet. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly over 35 d. At d 21 and 35, 8 broilers per treatment were euthanized for sample collection and analyses. Gain-to-feed was greater (P < 0.01) for pearl millet- than corn-based diets. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and most AA was similar between corn-based and pearl millet-based diets, and enzyme supplementation improved AID of CP (P < 0.01) and most AA at both d 21 and 35. However, for AID of some AA at d 21, the response to enzyme supplementation was less pronounced in broilers fed pearl millet-based diets than those fed corn-based diets (grain × enzyme, P ≤ 0.05). The villus was longer (P < 0.01) in broilers fed PM and PE than CTL and CE at d 35. Similarly, at d 35, lactobacilli loads were greater (P < 0.01) in broilers fed PM and PE than CTL and CE. It is concluded that, in comparison with corn, broiler diets formulated with pearl millet require less soybean meal and can be used to improve growth performance traits, intestinal lactobacilli populations, and villus development, whereas enzyme supplementation increases AID of CP and AA.     

Effects of dietary energy level and supplemental protein source on performance of growing steers and nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in lambs

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate three crude protein (CP) sources (urea, U; soybean meal, SBM; corn gluten meal, CGM) in diets based on corn silage (high energy) or grass hay (low energy). In Exp. 1 and 2, growing steers were fed all combinations of energy and protein source at 10.5 or 12% CP. Steers fed high energy diets or 12% CP had improved (P less than .05) daily gains and feed:gain over 84 d. Protein source had no effect (P greater than .05) on performance except that steers fed U consumed more (P less than .05) feed than those fed CGM. Steers were fed experimental diets to a common weight and switched to an 85% concentrate diet for finishing. During finishing, steers fed low energy diets in the growing period consumed more (P less than .05) feed and had increased (P less than .05) feed:gain compared with those fed high energy diets. Growing lambs were fed the same diets as steers. At 10.5% CP, lambs fed high energy diets had higher (P less than .05) digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N) and fiber components, and retained more (P less than .05) N. For lambs on 12% CP, high energy diets had higher (P less than .05) DM and OM digestibilities and lower (P less than .05) N digestibilities. At 12% CP, energy level had no effect (P greater than .05) on N retained. Protein source had no effect (P greater than .05) on N retention. There appeared to be no advantage in supplementing with ruminally undegradable proteins, i.e. CGM, in these experiments.     

Replacing corn with pearl millet (raw and sprouted) with and without enzyme in chickens' diet

An experiment was conducted to compare a commercial corn–soya bean meal diet with a pearl millet (raw and sprouted) diet containing less soya bean meal, alone or in combination with exogenous enzyme, on growth performance and ileal villus development of chicks. Two‐hundred‐and‐forty‐one‐day‐old male broilers (10/pen) were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary treatments: (i) a standard corn–soya bean meal control diet (CTL); (ii) a raw pearl millet‐soya bean meal diet (PM); (iii) a sprouted pearl millet‐soya bean meal diet (SPM); (iv) CTL + exogenous enzymes (CE); (v) PM + exogenous enzymes (PE); and (vi) SPM + exogenous enzymes (SPE) with four replicate pens/treatment. Body weight of birds at day 21 did not differ between those fed the CTL, and SPM and PE diets. In comparison with feeding broilers the CTL diet, feeding the PE and SPM diets caused significant decrease in feed intake, but with equivalent growth and feed efficiency. However, at day 21, feed conversion ratio did not differ between birds fed the CTL diet and those fed the PM, PE and SPM diets. At day 21, broilers fed the PM and PE diets had longer villi (p < 0.05) than those fed the CTL diet. At day 21, villi width was reduced (p < 0.05) by raw pearl millet supplementation than CTL diet. It is concluded that, in comparison with corn, broiler diets formulated with sprouted pearl millet or pearl millet with enzyme require less soya bean meal and can be used to improve growth performance traits and villus development.     

Influence of dietary crude protein on peanut skin digestibility and utilization by feedlot steers

Peanut skins were fed at 15% of steer diets in metabolism and feedlot trials. Elevation of dietary protein using soybean meal or soybean meal plus urea and ammoniation of skins were evaluated as methods of overcoming detrimental performance and digestibility effects of tannins in peanut skins. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and energy were not different (P greater than .05) for steers fed a control diet with 11.4% crude protein with no skins compared with high-protein 15% peanut skin diets with soybean meal (15.5% crude protein) or soybean meal plus urea (16% crude protein). Dry matter, crude protein and energy digestibilities of control and of high-protein peanut skin diets were higher (P less than .05) compared with an 11.4% crude protein peanut skin diet and a 12.2% crude protein diet with ammoniated peanut skins. Ether extract digestibility was higher (P less than .05) for all peanut skin diets compared with the control. Nitrogen retention (g/d) was not different (P greater than .05) for control and high-protein peanut skin diets, and nitrogen retention on these diets was higher (P less than .05) compared with the lower protein and ammoniated peanut skin diets. Diets fed in the metabolism trial, except for the ammoniated peanut skin diet, were fed to 96 steers (345 kg initial wt) in a 109-d feedlot trial. Performance was lower (P less than .05) for steers fed the lower-protein peanut skin diet compared with other treatments through d 56; this diet was discontinued as a treatment on d 62.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Associative effects of sorghum silage and sorghum grain diets

A metabolism trial was conducted to quantitate associative effects between sorghum silage and sorghum grain, and to identify responsible factors. Diets were formulated by mixing ground sorghum grain (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% of diet dry matter) with sorghum silage and were adjusted to 15.0% crude protein with soybean meal. Cannulated Beefmaster-cross steers (300 kg) were adapted to diets for 14 d followed by 5 d of fecal collection during which digestibility of components was determined. Intake of digestible dry matter and digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber increased with increases in diet grain content (linear effect: P less than .01, P less than .01, P less than .05, respectively; quadratic effect: P less than .05, P less than .005, P less than .06, respectively). Digestibilities of starch, crude protein and hemicellulose were not significantly affected by grain level. Ruminal pH averaged 6.0 and was not significantly affected by grain level or time of sampling. Ruminal in situ digestion of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber at 48 h decreased (linear contrast, P less than .001) with increasing grain content. Rate of passage of liquid digesta was not affected by grain level in the diet. The rate of passage of particulate digesta decreased linearly (P less than .005, orthogonal contrast) with increasing levels of grain. Low levels of sorghum grain (15 and 30%) improved digestibility and intake of digestible dry matter of sorghum silage-based diets, whereas higher rates of grain supplementation (45 and 60%) did not result in further improvement.     

Rumen protected fat in kline barley or corn diets for beef cattle: digestibility, physiological, and feedlot responses.

A rumen protected fat product composed of Ca salts of fatty acids (CAF) was evaluated in beef cattle diets. Dietary treatments in a metabolism trial (six steers, 251 +/- 15 kg) and Feedlot Trial 1 (15 individually fed heifers, 355 +/- 11 kg) consisted of 62.1% corn and 3.2% soybean meal (C), 32.6% corn and 33.1% Kline barley (CB), and 28.2% corn, 33.1% barley, and 4.5% CAF (CBF) on a DM basis. Apparent DM and OM digestibilities were higher (P less than .05) and NDF digestibility was lower (P less than .05) for C than for CB and CBF. Apparent ether extract digestibility was higher (P less than .01) for CBF than for CB. Retention of N was higher (P less than .05) for C than for CB and CBF. On d 42, Feedlot Trial 1 ruminal fluid acetate:propionate ratio was lower (P less than .01) for C than for CB and CBF, and the ratio was lower (P less than .01) for CB than for CBF. Treatments did not affect (P less than .10) ADG and DMI of heifers, but feed/gain was lower (P less than .05) for C than for CB and CBF, and feed/gain was higher (P less than .05) for CBF than for CB. In Feedlot Trial 2, steers and heifers were fed the C diet or a 57% corn, 21.4% peanut hull, 4.1% soybean meal, and 4.5% CAF diet (CF) on an ad libitum basis for 50 d. Ruminal fluid acetate and propionate were unaffected (P greater than .10) by dietary treatments. Cattle ADG tended to be lower (P greater than .10), DMI was lower (P less than .05), and feed/gain tended to be improved (P greater than .10) for CF compared with C. Kline barley has potential as a feed grain for cattle, but CAF may not improve beef cattle performance, especially when diets contain barley.     

Nutritional value of quality protein maize and food corn for starter and growth pigs

Growth traits with starter and grower pigs and a digestion trial were conducted to compare the nutritional value of Quality Protein Maize (QPM), food corn and conventional feed corn. The QPM, food and feed corn contained .45, .31 and .29% lysine, respectively. The growth trials evaluated a QPM-soybean meal diet formulated on a lysine basis (.96% in starter and .7% in grower diets) and four diets arranged in a 2 (food corn vs feed corn) X 2 (low vs high soybean meal) factorial. Soybean meal was either added in the same amount as in the QPM diet or was added to provide the lysine content of the QPM diet. Performance was similar for pigs fed food corn and feed corn in both trials. The QPM diets resulted in greater performance than food and feed corn diets containing the same level of soybean meal supplementation; starter pigs were more (P less than .10) efficient and grower pigs had a higher (P less than .01) rate and efficiency of gain. However, performance of pigs fed the QPM diets was not equal to that of pigs fed isolysinic food and feed corn diets; growth rate was lower (P less than .05) in starter pigs and gain:feed was lower (P less than .05) in grower pigs. Diets in the digestion trial consisted of the corns plus 3.25% casein. Energy digestibility was similar for all diets. Ileal N and amino acid digestibilities were highest for QPM, intermediate for food corn and lowest for feed corn. In most instances, these differences were significant (P less than .05). Apparent biological value was highest (P less than .05) for QPM. These trials indicate that food corn and feed corn have similar nutritional value, and that starter and grower pigs can benefit from the higher protein quality of QPM.     

Effect of extrusion on the ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine, nitrogen, and energy in diets for young pigs.

Forty crossbred barrows (initial average BW of 20 kg) were fitted with T-cannulas in the distal ileum to determine the effects of extrusion of soybean meal on the apparent ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine, N, and GE. A basal corn-soybean meal diet was formulated to contain .525% lysine. Nonextruded soybean meal (SM), extruded soybean meal (ESM), and L-lysine.HCl (LLH) replaced cornstarch in the basal diet to make diets containing .60, .675, and .75% total dietary lysine for each lysine source. Treatments were arranged as a 3 x 3 factorial with the basal diet as an additional treatment. Ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine were not affected (P greater than .05) by source of lysine. However, linear increases (P less than .05) occurred in ileal lysine digestibilities with increasing concentrations of dietary lysine provided as LLH, but not when lysine was provided as SM or ESM. Apparent ileal and fecal retention of N as percentages of N absorbed or consumed were greater (P less than .05) for diets containing LLH than for diets containing SM, and diets containing ESM were intermediate. Linear increases (P less than .05) occurred in ileal and fecal N retained as percentages of N absorbed or consumed with increasing concentration of dietary lysine provided as LLH or ESM, but not when provided as SM. Fecal DE and ME (kilocalories per gram of diet) for diets containing LLH and ESM were similar and greater (P less than .05) than the values obtained for diets containing SM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparative feeding value of steam-flaked corn and sorghum in finishing diets supplemented with or without sodium bicarbonate.

A feedlot growth-performance trial involving 64 yearling steers and a metabolism trial involving four steers with cannulas in the rumen, proximal duodenum, and distal ileum were conducted to evaluate the comparative feeding value of steam-flaked corn (SFC, density = .30 kg/liter) and sorghum (SFS, density = .36 kg/liter) in finishing diets supplemented with or without .75% sodium bicarbonate (BICARB). No interactions between BICARB and grain type proved to be significant. Supplemental BICARB increased ADG 5.9% (P less than .10) and DMI 4.6% (P less than .05) but did not influence (P greater than .10) the NE value of the diet. Supplemental BICARB increased ruminal pH (P less than .01) and total tract fiber digestion (P less than .05). Differences in ruminal and total tract OM, starch, and N digestion were small (P greater than .10). Replacing SFC with SFS decreased (P less than .05) ADG 6.1% and increased (P less than .01) DMI/gain 9.7%. Corresponding diet NEm and NEg were decreased (P less than .01) 7.0 and 9.3%, respectively. Ruminal digestion of OM and starch tended to be lower (11.8 and 7.2%, respectively, P less than .10) for SFS. Ruminal degradation of feed N was 31% lower (P less than .05) for the SFS diets. Total tract digestibility of OM, N, DE, and ME were 3.3, 10.8, 4.4, and 5.5% lower (P less than .05), respectively, for the SFS vs SFC diets. In conclusion, 1) SFS had 92% the NEm of SFC; 2) differences in total tract starch digestibility were small and cannot explain the higher feeding value of SFC; 3) the low ruminal degradation of sorghum N (roughly 20%) should be considered in diet formulation to avoid a deficit in ruminally available N; and 4) .75% BICARB supplementation increased DMI and ADG of cattle fed highly processed grain-based diets.     

Effect of extrusion on the ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine in yellow corn in diets for young pigs

Forty crossbred barrows (initial avg BW of 20 kg) were fitted with T-cannulas to determine the effects of extrusion of yellow corn on lysine digestibility. A basal corn-cornstarch-soybean meal diet was formulated to contain .55% lysine. Extruded corn (EC), non-extruded corn (C) and L-Lysine-HCl (LLH) replaced cornstarch in the basal diet to provide total dietary lysine levels of .60, .65 and .70% lysine for each lysine source. Diet intake was 5.5% of BW. Treatments were arranged as a 3 x 3 factorial with the basal diet as an extra dietary treatment. Apparent ileal digestibilities of lysine, threonine, methionine and isoleucine were greater (P less than .05) for diets with added LLH than for diets containing EC or C, which were similar (P greater than .05). Apparent ileal and fecal digestibilities and retention of nitrogen (N) as a percentage of N absorbed or consumed were greater (P less than .05) for diets containing LLH than for those containing EC or C, which were not different (P greater than .05). Plasma urea N levels were also lower (P less than .05) for pigs fed diets containing LLH than for pigs fed EC or C. Fecal DE and ME as a percentage of GE were greater (P less than .05) in diets containing EC than in those containing C. In summary, extrusion improved (P less than .05) energy utilization but did not affect the utilization of lysine or N in corn by pigs. However, lysine and N utilization were greater (P less than .05) in diets supplemented with LLH compared with EC or C.     

Comparative protein and amino acid digestibilities in growing pigs and sows.

An experiment was conducted to compare apparent total tract protein digestibilities and apparent ileal digestibilities of protein and amino acids in growing pigs and adult pregnant and lactating sows. Twelve growing pigs and 12 sows were used and surgically fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum. Six experimental diets based on corn, barley, wheat, soybean meal, canola meal, or meat and bone meal were formulated, and each diet was fed to growing pigs, gestating sows, and lactating sows for 7 d. Chromium oxide was included in all diets as an indigestible marker (.25%) for calculating nutrient digestibilities. Fecal material was collected on d 5 of each feeding period by grab sampling, and ileal samples were collected for 12 h/d during the last 2 d of each feeding period. Apparent fecal protein digestibilities for all feed ingredients were higher (P < .05) in gestating and lactating sows compared to growing pigs, but no differences between the two groups of sows were observed (P > .05). At the distal ileum, no differences (P > .05) in protein digestibilities were detected between sows and growing pigs regardless of feed ingredient. For all feed ingredients tested, lactating sows had apparent ileal digestibilities of most amino acids that were two to six percentage units higher than those obtained in growing pigs, but not all of the differences were significant. Gestating sows had digestibilities of most amino acids that were intermediate between those of growing pigs and lactating sows. The combined results from the six feed ingredients showed that lactating sows had higher (P < .05) digestibilities of all indispensable amino acids except arginine, and gestating sows had higher (P < .05) digestibilities of five of the indispensable amino acids than did growing pigs. The results of this experiment indicate that apparent fecal protein and apparent ileal amino acid digestibilities obtained in growing pigs are not always representative of digestibilities in either gestating or lactating sows.     

Dietary urea influences on digestibility and utilization of diets containing peanut skins by steers

Metabolism and feedlot trials were conducted to evaluate increased dietary urea as a method of reducing detrimental effects of peanut skin (PS) tannins on nutrient digestibility and finishing steer performance. The PS fed in the trials contained 17.8% crude protein and 20.1% tannin. Urea (.7%) was included in a control (C) diet without PS, and with 15% PS in low-urea (.3%; LUPS), moderate-urea (.7%; MUPS) and high-urea (1.1%; HUPS) diets that contained ground corn and 15% peanut hulls. Apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter, organic matter and crude protein were higher (P less than .05) for the C diet than for PS diets. Fecal N (g/d) was consistently higher (P less than .05) for PS diets than for the C diet. Retained N (g/d) was similar for steers fed C and HUPS diets, but lower (P less than .05) than C for LUPS and MUPS diets. Average daily gain at 91 d was highest (P less than .05) for C steers in the feedlot, intermediate (P less than .05) for MUPS and HUPS steers and lowest (P less than .05) for LUPS steers. Feed:gain ratio was 97% higher (P less than .05) for LUPS steers compared with C steers, but average daily feed intake was similar for all treatments. Rumen fluid propionic acid was lower (P less than .05) on all PS diets compared with the C diet on d 90. Plasma urea nitrogen (d 90) was reduced (P less than .05) by 48.5, 55.5 and 57.6%, respectively, on LUPS, MUPS and HUPS diets compared with the C diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of protein degradability in range supplements on abomasal nitrogen flow, nitrogen balance and nutrient digestibility

Two metabolism trials were conducted with yearling steers fed mature native forage to measure the effect of supplemental protein degradability on selected metabolic variables. Supplements contained 40% crude protein equivalence. In Trial 1, four abomasal-cannulated steers weighing 290 to 379 kg were fed supplements containing the following N sources: (1) 15% corn, 85% urea (U); (2) 100% soybean meal (SBM); (3) 10% corn, 40% soybean meal, 50% urea (SBM-U) and (4) 14% corn, 36% blood meal, 50% urea (BM-U). Equal portions of the daily diet (2.2% of body weight) were fed every 2 h. Treatment differences were not significant for organic matter digestibility, abomasal organic matter flow, nonammonia N flow, feed N flow, bacterial N flow and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. There was a positive (P less than .05) relationship between quantity of slowly degraded protein fed and nonammonia N flow (r = .97) or feed N flow (r = .98). Escape N was determined to be 21.5, 16.5 and 54.2% in SBM, SBM-U and BM-U supplements, respectively. In the second trial, no supplement, SBM, SBM-U and BM-U were fed in a N balance trial. Dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were higher (P less than .05) for steers fed supplemented diets. Acid detergent fiber digestibility was higher (P less than .05) for steers supplemented with SBM than steers fed the unsupplemented diets. Nitrogen retention was greater (P less than .05) for cattle fed SBM and BM-U than for cattle fed SBM-U or no supplement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of forage and protein source on feedlot performance and carcass traits of Holstein and crossbred beef steers.

Fifty-eight Holstein and 58 crossbred beef steers were individually fed one of four isonitrogenous diets to evaluate the effects of forage source (corn silage and alfalfa haylage) and protein source (soybean meal and fish meal) on feedlot performance. Phase 1 diets (up to 354 kg of BW) were 40% forage and 60% concentrates and were fed for 70 to 136 d (depending on diet and breed group). Phase 2 diets (354 kg of BW until slaughter) were 20% forage and 80% concentrates and were fed for 127 to 150 d (depending on diet and breed group). Slaughter end points were .6 cm of 12th rib fat for Holsteins and 1.0 cm of rib fat for crossbreds using real-time ultrasonic estimates. The steers were fed for a maximum of 330 d each year. Forage source was a significant component of variation for most growth, efficiency, and carcass traits. Holstein and crossbred steers fed alfalfa haylage had significantly lower average daily gain, feed efficiency, dressing percentage, and empty body fat and required more days on feed to reach slaughter end points, but had higher total feed energy intake available for production. Steers fed corn silage diets had significantly greater energetic efficiency (P less than .05) than those fed alfalfa haylage, due to increased use of ME to produce fat in the carcass. Protein type did not influence gain, feed or energetic efficiency, energy intake, or most carcass traits. A significant protein system x forage source interaction among the four diets was detected for crossbred steers fed corn silage and fish meal, for which there was significantly greater feed conversion with lower energy intake above maintenance, possibly due to better fiber digestion and(or) amino acid flow to the lower tract. Alfalfa haylage plus soybean meal diets decreased (P less than .05) the percentage of Holsteins grading USDA Choice or higher. These results indicate that corn silage, because of greater energy concentration, was a more desirable forage in feedlot diets composed of less than or equal to 40% forage and that protein type (soybean meal and fish meal) in growing diets is not an important factor in feedlot performance or carcass traits of Holstein or crossbred steers that are fed these diets.     

Effect of reconstituting field-dried and early-harvested sorghum grain on the ensiling characteristics of the grain and on growth performance and carcass merit of feedlot heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine whether reconstituting field-dried and early-harvested sorghum grain affected the fermentation characteristics and feed value of the ensiled grain when fed to feedlot heifers. In Trial 1, sorghum grain was harvested at 14% moisture, rolled, and reconstituted to 25, 30, or 35% moisture, then ensiled in laboratory-scale silos. Lactic acid concentration increased (d 5 to 90) and pH decreased more rapidly (d 3 to 90) as moisture level increased (P < .05). Acetic acid concentration increased (P < .05) with moisture and day postfilling. Concentration of ethanol was highest (P < .05) in the 30 and 35% moisture grains from d 1 to 5, but by d 90 the ethanol concentration in the 25% moisture grain exceeded (P < .05) that of the two higher-moisture grains. Ammonia N concentration was lowest (P < .05) in the 25% moisture grain at all sampling times postfilling. In Trial 2, 288 heifers (BW = 286+/-83 kg) were used to compare the feeding value of rolled, ensiled sorghum grain harvested at 25% moisture to the same grain reconstituted to 30 or 35% moisture. A steam-flaked corn (SFC) diet served as the control. Final live weight; ADG; hot carcass weight; backfat depth; marbling score; kidney, pelvic, and heart fat; and liver abscess score were not affected by grain treatment (P > .10). Dry matter intake was highest (P < .10) for heifers fed the 25 or 30% moisture sorghum grain diets and lowest for those fed the SFC diet; DMI for heifers fed the 35% moisture sorghum grain diet was intermediate. Feeding 35% moisture sorghum grain improved gain efficiency (P < .10) compared with feeding 25 or 30% moisture sorghum grain by 9.0 and 5.7%, respectively. We conclude that reconstituting sorghum grain beyond the typical moisture levels of 25 to 30% would enhance the fermentation characteristics of the ensiled grain and improve gain efficiency in feedlot heifers.     

Effects of supplemental protein source and level of urea on intestinal amino acid supply and feedlot performance of lambs fed diets based on alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplemental CP source and level of urea on intestinal amino acid (AA) supply and feedlot performance of lambs fed diets based on alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw (AHPWS). In Exp. 1, five cannulated (ruminal, duodenal, and ileal) crossbred wethers (61 kg) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of different sources of CP and included soybean meal (SBM), a combination of urea, distillers dried grains (DDG), and fish meal, each provided an equal portion of supplemental CP (UDF), and three levels of urea (17, 33, and 50% of supplemental CP) fed in combination with DDG (U17, U33, and U50). Organic matter and N digestibilities decreased (P less than .05) when lambs were fed U17 compared with those fed SBM. There were no differences (P greater than .05) in bacterial N or AA flows to the duodenum due to CP source despite large differences in ruminal NH3 N concentrations and lower ruminal OM digestion when lambs were fed U17. Duodenal nonbacterial N and AA flows were highest (P less than .05) in lambs fed U17 and UDF and lowest when lambs were fed U50 and SBM. Lysine concentration in duodenal digesta decreased with incremental increases in DDG. In Exp. 2, 30 individually penned ram lambs (33 kg) were allotted to five CP treatments in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were similar to those of Exp. 1, with the exception that U17 was replaced by a 14% CP diet with SBM as the supplemental CP source; all other diets were formulated to contain 12% CP. Lambs fed U50 had decreased (P less than .08) ADG and gain/feed compared with all other treatments, and lambs fed UDF had greater (P less than .05) ADG and gain/feed than lambs fed U33. It was concluded that 17% of the supplemental CP from urea seems adequate to maximize bacterial protein synthesis and that no more than 33% of the supplemental CP should be provided by urea in diets based on AHPWS. Feeding a combination of ruminally resistant protein sources with complementary AA profiles of lysine and methionine (UDF) may enhance quality of protein entering the duodenum and feedlot performance.     

Comparison of the effects of three methods of harvesting and storing alfalfa on nutrient digestibility by lambs and feedlot performance of steers

Two lamb digestion and three steer growth experiments were conducted to study the feeding value of alfalfa harvested as direct-cut silage (DCS) with grain added prior to ensiling or as low-moisture silage (LMS) or hay with grain added at feeding. In all experiments, alfalfa-grain mixtures contained approximately 50% alfalfa and 50% concentrate (dry matter [DM] basis). In Exp. 1, lambs fed DCS alone consumed less DM than lambs fed LMS or hay alone or any of the alfalfa-grain mixtures. Apparent digestibilities of DM and fiber components were higher (P less than .05) for DCS than for LMS or hay. Lambs that were fed LMS digested more (P less than .05) DM and fiber components than lambs fed hay. Addition of grain resulted in increased (P less than .05) DM digestibility and decreased (P less than .05) digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. In Exp. 2, growing steers (271 kg) fed DCS-grain had increased (P less than .05) weight gains compared with steers fed hay-grain. Steers fed any of the alfalfa-grain mixtures gained weight more rapidly (P less than .05) than steers fed corn silage (CS)-based diets. In a third experiment, finishing steers (283 kg) fed DCS-grain, LMS-grain, hay-grain or CS-based diets performed similarly (P greater than .05), although steers fed DCS-grain had higher (P less than .05) dressing percentages and yield grades than steers that were fed the other three diets and were fatter (P less than .05) than those fed LMS-grain or CS. In Exp. 4, lambs fed DCS-grain or LMS-grain had higher (P less than .05) apparent DM and organic matter digestibilities than lambs fed CS-based diets with similar forage:grain proportions. In Exp. 5, finishing steers (326 kg) fed DCS-grain gained similarly (P greater than .05) to steers fed LMS-grain or an 85% concentrate diet based on high-moisture corn. Steers fed CS diets had lower (P less than .05) gains and increased (P less than .05) feed per gain compared with steers fed DCS-grain, LMS-grain or high-moisture corn.     

Comparative digestibility of amino acids of maize, sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet in cockerels and Japanese quails

1. The objective of the present study was to determine the apparent digestibilities of amino acids of maize, low tannin sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in adult cockerels and Japanese quails. 2. Adult White Leghorn cockerels (25 weeks of age) and adult Japanese quails (15 weeks of age) were used to determine the apparent digestibilities of amino acids in cereal grains. 3. The digestibilities of amino acids in sorghum determined with quails were similar to cockerels, with the exception of histidine, which was significantly lower in quails. 4. In finger millet, the digestibilities of methionine and leucine were significantly higher, while that of histidine and cystine were significantly lower in adult quails than in adult cockerels. 5. The digestibilities of pearl millet amino acids were similar in quails and cockerels, except for that of histidine, which was significantly lower in quails. 6. Almost all the amino acids in maize, except histidine, had significantly higher digestibility values in quails than in cockerels. Histidine digestibility of all the 4 cereal grains was significantly lower in quails than in cockerels. 7. The amino acid digestibility values for certain cereal grains determined with cockerels do not support their use in formulating practical quail diets. The amino acid digestibility values of maize were underestimated by using cockerels while that of finger millet was overestimated.     

Effect of high moisture storage of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) with or without feed enzymes on growth and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens

Effect of reconstitution of pearl millet with or without enzymes on its utilization in broiler chickens was studied. The pearl millet grains were reconstituted by adding water to raise the moisture level to 30%, followed by storage in sealed plastic buckets with or without feed enzymes (0.5 g/kg) for 21 days at room temperature (25°C). Subsequently, the grains were sun-dried to reduce the moisture content up to 10% to avoid mould growth. Nine dietary treatments were formulated incorporating pearl millet either raw with or without enzymes or reconstituted with or without enzymes in maize-soya based control diet replacing maize at 50 and 75% levels. The birds fed on diets containing enzyme reconstituted pearl millet accrued higher body weight than maize based control diet. Addition of enzymes to raw pearl-millet based diet improved the body weight gain significantly. The reconstitution of pearl millet with or without enzymes increased ( P  < 0.01) the dietary nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values and the highest improvement (6.11%) was recorded in diets containing pearl millet reconstituted with enzymes at 75% level of maize replacement. The percent nitrogen retention in pearl millet based diets was comparable to maize based control diet. It may be concluded that the supplementation of the feed enzymes or reconstitution of pearl millet may improve the utilization of pearl millet in broiler chickens.