Diet composition and gains of escape protein-supplemented growing cattle grazing corn residues

Effect of level and method of escape protein (EP) supplementation on weekly steer performance and their diet composition were evaluated in two corn residue grazing trials. In Trial 1, 60 steers (average weight 239 kg) received .8 kg.animal-1.d-1 of a 50% CP supplement to provide one of six levels of EP (60, 88, 116, 144, 172, or 200 g.animal-1.d-1). Steers grazed (2.2 animals/ha) nonirrigated fields (NIF) for 63 d. In Trial 2, 59 steers (average weight 219 kg) grazed either NIF (1.97 animals/ha) or irrigated fields (IF, 3.96 animals/ha) and were supplemented with 60, 95, 130, 165, or 200 g of EP.animal-1.d-1. In a 2 X 5 X 2 factorial arrangement, treatments were IF vs NIF, level of protein, and two supplementation methods: 1) feeding the lowest level of EP (60 g) for 21 d then for the remaining 42 d feeding one of the five EP levels or 2) feeding each EP level continuously. Weekly diet composition was evaluated using four esophageally fistulated steers. In Trial 1, no EP effect (P greater than .05) was found up to 20 d, but EP affected (P less than .05) ADG from d 20 to 34, resulting in 3.35 g of ADG/g of EP. In Trial 2, steers grazing NIF had higher (P less than .01) ADG than those grazing IF (644 vs 414 g/animal). Steer daily gains were increased (P less than .05) by level of EP but were not affected (P greater than .05) by the method of supplementation, indicating that EP supplementation was not needed during the first 21 d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Diet composition and daily gain of growing cattle grazing dryland and irrigated cornstalks at several stocking rates

Diet composition and the relationships between daily gain of calves grazing cornstalks and certain characteristics of the available residue and diets selected by esophageally fistulated cattle were studied in two trials during November and December of 1984 (Trial 1) and of 1986 (Trial 2). Eight adult steers and four esophageally fistulated calves were used in Trials 1 and 2, respectively, to collect extrusa samples from dryland and irrigated fields grazed at several stocking rates. Steers grazing irrigated cornstalks selected a diet with more (P less than .05) starch and less (P less than .05) CP than those grazing dryland fields. As grazing continued, extrusa starch content decreased (P less than .05). In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) of both diet and the roughage fraction of the diet decreased (P less than .05) with days of grazing; this decrease was greater (P less than .05) at higher stocking rates. Calves grazing dryland fields gained faster (P less than .05) than calves grazing irrigated fields. With a low level of protein supplementation (213 g CP/d, Trial 1), daily gain was positively correlated with CP of both diet (extrusa) or available leaf plus husk but not with grain available per animal or with extrusa IVDMD, suggesting that protein was first limiting. With a higher level of protein supplementation (458 g CP/d, Trial 2), daily gain was correlated positively with residue available per animal and IVDMD of extrusa at the end of the grazing season. The energy value of feed consumed by cattle grazing cornstalks decreases with time, and complex interactions between protein needs and energy intake may occur.     

The effect of extended grazing time and supplementary forage on the dry matter intake and foraging behaviour of cattle kept under traditional African grazing systems

An experiment was carried out at Alemaya University in Ethiopia to investigate the effect of night kraaling on the dry matter intake (DMI), live weight gain (LWG) and foraging behaviour of Ogaden cattle. Three groups of four animals were given either 7 h access to pasture per day, simulating traditional grazing (TG) practice; extended grazing (EG) access for 11 h per day; or traditional grazing access plus a nocturnal forage supplement (TF). Live weight gain, DMI and foraging behaviour were measured during the late dry season (EP1) and the wet season (EP2). None of the treatments had any significant effect on either DMI or LWG during EP1 or EP2. Extending pasture access time from 7 h to 11 h did not significantly increase the amount time spent grazing, but grazing intensity was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during the non-common grazing hours. Step rate was significantly lower (p < 0.01) during EP2 than during EP1 and bites per step were significantly higher (p < 0.001) during EP2 than EP1, indicating that animals had to travel a shorter distance before selecting material to eat during the wet season (EP2). Providing supplementary forage (TF) had no significant effect on any measured parameter. In this study neither of the two low-cost methods (EG and TF) of improving access to forage had any beneficial effect on cattle productivity. It is concluded that, under the prevailing conditions, the traditional grazing practices of this part of Ethiopia do provide sufficient pasture access time to achieve daily voluntary food intake.     

放牧强度对晋北盐碱化草地植物经济类群的影响

通过在晋北盐碱化草地设置不放牧（CK）、轻度放牧(LG)、中度放牧(MG)、重度放牧(HG)和极度放牧(EG)5个放牧强度研究该草地群落物种类群的变化,为确定草地合理的载畜量和放牧利用奠定基础。研究表明,随着放牧强度的增大,禾本科类群比例减小,CK与其他4个放牧强度之间差异显著（P＜0.05）;豆科类群比例呈增大的趋势,但各放牧强度之间差异不显著（P＞0.05）;菊科类群比例减小,EG与其他4个放牧强度之间差异显著（P＜0.05）;委陵菜属比例增大,CK和LG之间差异显著（P＜0.05）;杂草类群减小,CK与LG、HG、EG之间差异显著（P＜0.05）。随着放牧强度的增大,草地中禾本科类群、豆科类群和菊科类群的质量指数减小,委陵菜属和杂草类的质量指数增大。     

Yield and quality components of corn crop residues and utilization of these residues by grazing cattle

Three grazing trials were conducted to evaluate yield, relative plant part composition, quality and utilization (disappearance) of corn crop residues by growing cattle in both dryland and irrigated cornstalk fields. More (P less than .05) total residue was available from irrigated than from dryland cornstalks, but dryland cornstalks had a higher (P less than .05) proportion of leaf plus husk. In Trial 1, 18% of the residue disappeared in 53 d in irrigated fields grazed at 2.47 calves/ha, whereas 32 and 47% disappeared in dryland fields grazed at 1.54 and 2.47 calves/ha, respectively. Leaf plus husk accounted for 69% (Trial 1) and 65 to 72% (Trial 2) of the utilized residue. Utilization rate increased (P less than .05) with stocking rate. All plant parts and leaf plus husk from dryland cornstalks had more CP (P less than .05) and less NDF (P less than .05) than did these plant parts from irrigated fields. In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) was decreased (P less than .05) by grazing; this decrease was greater (P less than .05) at higher stocking rates. Husk IVDMD, CP and NDF from 13 corn hybrids differed (P less than .05).     

多花黑麦草早、晚熟品系生育进程中可消化养分变化的差异

为阐明多花黑麦草生长发育进程中养分变化的规律和品系间差异，田间试验测定了早熟品系孕穗到开花、晚熟品系拔节到开花不同器官中性洗涤纤维（NDF）、酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）、非结构性碳水化合物（NSC）含量和干物质体外消化率（IVDMD），结果表明：早熟品系孕穗到开花、晚熟品系拔节到开花，NDF和ADF含量均在孕穗期最低；同时，NSC含量最高，分别达千物质重的2．68％和2．85％，IVDMD亦较高。早熟品系抽穗后IVDMD快速降低，而晚熟品系下降较为缓慢，从拔节到开花一直保持较高的营养品质。早、晚熟品系叶鞘的IVDMD均显著低于叶片，亦略低于茎秆。     

Mefluidide effects on smooth brome composition and grazing cow-calf performance

Mefluidide, a plant growth regulator, was evaluated in two cow-calf grazing trials and one herbage trial on smooth brome (Bromus inermis) pastures stocked at recommended densities in eastern Nebraska. Mefluidide-treated pasture increased cow and calf production during August of 1982 (P = .03) and calf production was greater during July of 1983 (P = .09). Mefluidide-treated smooth brome pastures increased calf production over the 1982 grazing season (P = .11) and cow gain over the 1982 (P = .12) and 1983 grazing seasons (P = .13). Mefluidide decreased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content and increased crude protein content of smooth brome during both years (P less than .05), and increased in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) in 1982 (P less than .05). In ungrazed smooth brome, mefluidide treatment appeared to shift dry matter production to green leaves from green stem and brown leaf and stem fractions. Cell wall components [NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and lignin] of green leaves were not affected significantly by mefluidide treatment, although green stems treated with mefluidide were lower in ADF and lignin (P less than .05).     

高寒草甸植被群落特征及其营养品质对围栏封育的响应

为探究长期封育对高寒草甸植被功能群落特征和营养品质年际动态的影响,本研究以围封11年和连续放牧高寒草甸为研究对象,采用3年连续野外群落调查和室内牧草营养品质分析相结合的方法,比较了长期围封和连续放牧2种草地管理措施对5个植被功能群特征和营养品质的影响。结果表明：围封样地禾本科（Grass group,GG）、莎草科（Sedge group,SG）、豆科（Leguminous group,LG）和杂类草（Forbs group,FG）4个功能群盖度和地上生物量显著高于放牧样地（P<0.05）,功能群密度、物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、粗蛋白（Crude protein,CP）和体外干物质消化率（In vitro dry matter digestibility,IVDMD）显著低于放牧样地（P<0.05）;围封样地4个功能群的密度、群物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、CP和IVDMD表现出不受年际降雨量影响而逐渐下降的趋势。研究建议对围封11年的高寒草甸可进行适当的放牧以增加植被功能群物种多样性和牧草营养品质。     

Growth response to escape protein and forage intake by growing cattle grazing cornstalks

Two trials were conducted to study the protein requirements of growing cattle grazing cornstalks. Diet composition and forage intake were determined at different periods during the grazing season. Residue intake and dietary CP content decreased (P less than .05) .079 kg and .044 percentage units per day of grazing, respectively. In vitro DM disappearance of the roughage fraction of the diet remained high early in the grazing period when husk availability was high, then declined in a curvilinear pattern. Calves required time to learn to find and consume the residual grain. During 54 d of grazing in Trial 1, calves supplemented with 409 g CP gained .105 kg/d more than those supplemented with 213 g CP. Maximal daily gain (.308 kg) in Trial 2 was obtained with 163 g/d of ruminal escape protein. Growing cattle grazing cornstalks responded to protein supplementation at levels above current National Research Council recommendations for 250-kg calves gaining .3 kg/d.     

放牧强度对新麦草生产特性和品质的影响

在华北农牧交错带,进行新麦草人工草地划区轮牧试验。结果表明,中牧区新麦草的分蘖数增多,叶面积增加迅速、再生速度加快,精蛋白质含量提高、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维含量下降。中牧区有利于提高新麦草的产草量和品质改善。     

Livestock Forage Conditioning Among Six Northern Great Basin Grasses

Studies of Anderson and Scherzinger's forage conditioning hypothesis have generated varied results. Our objectives were: 1) to evaluate late summer/early fall forage quality of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum [Fisch. ex Link] J. A. Schultes), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Löve), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis Elmer), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides [Raf.] Swezey), Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum [Piper] Barkworth), and basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. & Merr.] A. Löve) from ungrazed paddocks and paddocks grazed at vegetative, boot, and anthesis; and 2) test hypotheses that postgrazing regrowth yields were correlated with soil moisture content when grazing occurred. Crop–year precipitation for 1997 and 1998 was 134% and 205% of average. Crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of ungrazed grasses displayed expected declines in quality. Among ungrazed grasses, late summer/early fall CP was 5.7% in 1997 and 3.6% in 1998; IVDMD was 47% and 41%, respectively. Late summer/early fall forage quality was elevated by vegetative, boot stage, or anthesis grazing. The phenologically youngest regrowth always ranked highest in CP and IVDMD. Among grasses, respective 1997 CP and IVDMD means were 9.0% and 55% for regrowth following anthesis grazing. No regrowth followed anthesis grazing in 1998, but CP and IVDMD means from boot stage treatments were 5.5% and 47%, respectively. With CP measures, a species by treatment interaction occurred in 1997, but species reacted similarly in 1998. Vegetative, boot stage, and anthesis grazing in 1997 caused respective late summer/early fall standing crop reductions of 34%, 42%, and 58%; and 34%, 54%, and 100% reductions in 1998. Forage conditioning responses were lower for bluebunch wheatgrass and crested wheatgrass than other grasses. Soil moisture content was a poor predictor of regrowth yields. Managed cattle grazing can successfully enhance late season forage quality.     

晋北盐碱化赖草草地群落特征对不同放牧强度的响应

在盐碱化赖草（Leymus secalinus）草地设置不放牧、轻度放牧、中度放牧、重度放牧和极度放牧5个放牧强度研究赖草草地群落特征的变化,以期为确定草地合理的载畜量和优化草地的利用方式及利用率奠定基础。研究表明,中度放牧强度时,主要优势种赖草和鹅绒委陵菜（Potentilla anserina）的盖度、频度都达到最大,而密度和高度的变化趋势不明显,艾蒿（Artemisia lavandulaefolia）、草地风毛菊（Saussurea amara）、蒲公英（Taraxaacum mongolium）的盖度达到最大;随着放牧强度的增大,草地主要优势物种的优势度有下降的趋势,个别耐牧且繁殖能力强的物种优势度逐渐增加;草地现存量随着放牧强度的增大逐渐减小,但在中度放牧时有增大的趋势。经过两轮放牧后,不同放牧强度下,植物群落的Shannon Wiener多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数、E.pielou均匀性系数和Margalef物种丰富度指数差异显著（P<0.05）;在中度放牧强度下,草地群落主要优势种的盖度、频度相对较大,具有较高的物种丰富度和优势度,但均匀度较低。     

高寒草甸土壤有机碳和全氮变化对牧压梯度的响应

针对高寒草甸土壤碳氮变化对牧压梯度的响应,以青海海北高寒草甸为研究对象,监测分析了禁牧(对照,CK)、轻牧、中牧、重牧试验地土壤有机碳密度、土壤全氮密度的变化特征。结果表明:SOCD和STND均与牧压梯度呈"V"形二次曲线关系(P0.05),说明禁牧可增加SOCD和STND,但放牧强度约高于7.5只羊·hm-2时存在由低向高的一个阈值转折点。同一放牧梯度上0~40cm的SOCD均表现出5月最低,升至7月后,CK、LG到9月持续升高,而MG、HG有所下降,而STND自5月到9月表现为"И"型波动变化规律。随着土层深度加深SOCD和STND下降明显。不论是季节变化还是垂直变化,SOCD和STND相互间均呈显著的正相关关系(P0.05)。C/N随生长季延长逐渐增加,随土层深度的加深而降低,放牧梯度并未改变土壤C/N的变化趋势。     

Effects of grass species on grazing steers: I. Diet composition and ingestive mastication.

In traditional grazing trials, per animal and per hectare productivity are determined, but pasture and animal measurements are generally inadequate to address reasons for different treatment responses. This 2-yr study examined the diet and diet characteristics of steers grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), flaccidgrass (Pennisetum flaccidum Griseb.), and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) pastures. A randomized complete block design was used with two agronomic replicates. In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) of masticates from tall fescue (TF), switchgrass (SG), and flaccidgrass (FG) generally were similar; all exceeded 70% (70.3 to 79.9%), except for bermudagrass (BG), which was lowest (63.5 to 65.0%). Sieving the masticate DM showed BG to contain the highest proportion (20 to 29%) of particles passing a .5-mm sieve and the lowest proportion (6 to 8%) of particles retained on a 2.8-mm sieve. This resulted in BG having the smallest mean (1.29 mm) and median (1.08 mm) particle sizes in yr 1 and a mean (1.10 mm) and median (.91 mm) particle size smaller than SG in yr 2. Except for BG, the IVDMD of the masticate DM was lowest for small particles. Canopies showed BG and SG to have the highest proportion of stem (47 and 52%, respectively); the BG canopy was composed of fractions that were consistently lowest in IVDMD. In general, BG offered the grazing animal a canopy inferior in IVDMD concentration and had canopy characteristics that limited the animals' selection of a diet with quality as high as that of TF, SG, or FG.     

Nutritive value of selected grasses in North Sumatra, Indonesia

The nutritive values of seven native grass species collected in North Sumatra, Indonesia, during dry and rainy seasons were evaluated. The chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), in vitro crude protein digestibility (IVCPD), macro mineral concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, in vitro gas production profile and metabolizable energy (ME) content of the grasses varied greatly among species and seasons. The crude protein content ranged from 6.6 (Andropogon gayanus) to 16.2% dry matter (Cynodon plectostachyus) in the rainy season, with a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the dry season. Data on the fiber fraction showed that the grasses contained more neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in the dry season and it significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the rainy season, except for Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum for NDF content and C. plectostachyus, P. maximum and Brachiaria decumbens for ADF content. Data on the mineral concentration showed that C. plectostachyus in the dry and rainy seasons had a higher calcium content than those of other species. The overall means of the seven grasses for IVDMD, IVOMD and IVCPD were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the rainy season than in the dry season. The in vitro gas production and ME concentration were numerically higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. In conclusion, the nutritive value of the observed grasses in North Sumatra was relatively higher during the rainy season compared with the dry season. Among the species of grass, P. purpureum and C. plectostachyus had a higher nutritive value in both the dry and rainy seasons.     

放牧强度对羊氮素贮量动态变化的影响

在河北坝上鱼儿山牧场研究放牧强度对杂种公羔采食氮量、排泄氮量、沉积氮量及增重的影响。结果表明,随着放牧强度的增加,羊干物质采食量逐渐减少,同时采食氮量也相应减少,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。放牧强度对羊体沉积氮占食入氮比例的顺序为中牧>轻牧>重牧,消化氮的利用率也以中牧区最高。在轻牧与中牧区羊的日增重较快。     

不同强度放牧对祁连山高寒草甸优势种牧草营养价值的影响

为了研究放牧强度对祁连山高寒草甸优势牧草营养价值的影响,本研究以10年围封、轻度、中度和重度放牧处理下的高寒草甸作为研究对象,研究放牧强度对4个优势种牧草营养价值年际、月际变化和种的影响。结果表明：放牧显著增加了矮生嵩草（Kobresia humilis Sergiev）的粗蛋白（CP）和锦鸡儿（Caragana sinica Rehder）的干物质消化率（DMD）,显著降低了锦鸡儿的中性洗涤纤维（NDF）（P<0.05）;4种优势牧草CP和DMD表现出明显的年际和月际变化规律,即多雨年份CP和DMD显著高于干旱年份（P<0.05）,6月份牧草返青季CP和DMD含量显著高于9月份牧草枯黄季（P<0.05）,而NDF含量变化趋势则与之相反;4种优势牧草CP、DMD和NDF受到放牧强度、年际变化、月际变化和种的相互影响。因此,建议对围封高寒草甸进行放牧,并在干旱年份和牧草生长季末家畜转场或补饲,实现祁连山草地畜牧业的可持续发展。     

放牧强度对新麦草土壤氮素分配及其季节动态的影响

通过不同放牧处理对新麦草人工草地土壤氮素分配及其在生长期间的动态研究。结果表明,０～３０ｃｍ土层全氮量月均值的顺序为对照〉重牧〉轻牧〉中牧（Ｐ〈０．０１）。放牧强度对铵未形成显著影响（Ｐ〉０．０５）。０～３０ｃｍ土层随着放牧强度的增加,硝态氮量逐渐增加。放牧区净可矿化氮量大于对照区,其中以中度放牧区最高。０～３０ｃｍ土层土壤微生物生物量氮的顺序为重牧〉对照〉中牧〉轻牧（Ｐ〈０．０５）。     

In vitro quality assessment of two tropical shrub legumes in relation to their extractable tannins contents

The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of the two leguminous tree fodders Gliricidia sepium and Calliandra calothyrsus which differ in their tannin content was examined by the rumen simulation technique. Extractable condensed tannin (CT) concentrations ranged from 0.57% in G. sepium to 5.05% in C. calothyrsus using the butanol-HCl extraction. On the basis of their respective CT contents, G. sepium was classified as containing traces of CT, whereas C. calothyrsus had medium amounts of CT. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added at different concentrations (0, 1.5, 5 and 10 g/100 g plant material substrate) to assess the effect of tannins on IVDMD. The IVDMD was higher for G. sepium (range: 60-65%) than for C. calothyrsus (39.5-53.5%). In vitro gas production and IVDMD increased with increased PEG concentrations especially for C. calothyrsus. A non-significant response to increasing PEG concentrations for IVDMD of G. sepium confirms PEG binding with the tannins. On the basis of these results, it is assumed that G. sepium has a higher nutritive value than C. calothyrsus. Good relationship between PEG binding and the improvement of IVDMD confirms the usefulness of this technique for improving the nutritive value of tanniniferous tropical browses.     

Escape protein for beef cows: III. Performance of lactating beef cows grazing smooth brome or big bluestem.

Grazing trials were conducted utilizing individually supplemented lactating beef cows in a 2-yr study to determine the effect of supplemental escape protein (EP) on cow/calf performance during the active growth periods of smooth brome and big bluestem. Graded levels (0, .11, .23, and .34 kg of EP/animal from an equal-protein-basis mixture of blood meal and corn gluten meal were offered daily, replacing corn starch and molasses, which was used as the energy control. All cows received 582 g of supplemental DM/d. Analyses for the smooth brome study indicated a cubic response (P less than .05) to milk production and calf daily gain. No response to EP supplementation (P greater than .10) was observed for the big bluestem study. Analysis of esophageal extrusa samples collected throughout the grazing seasons for both years demonstrated that quality of forage selected by the animal decreased as the trial progressed. Using a 16-h modified dacron bag technique that did not adjust for microbial attachment, protein escaping degradation for smooth brome and big bluestem was estimated to range from 7.0 to 14.5% and 22.2 to 30.3%, respectively. There was limited response to a moderate level of EP supplementation of lactating cows grazing smooth brome, but calf gains were depressed by both the low and the high levels of EP. Lactating cows grazing big bluestem did not respond to EP supplementation, but added energy supplement depressed calf gains.