Replacement of soybean meal with levels of inclusion of soya waste in the diet of growing goats

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing soybean meal with soya waste at different levels on intake, digestibility and growth in goats. Eighteen male goat kids with initial body weight (BW) of 13.0 kg were distributed equally to three dietary groups. They were fed Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and concentrate mixture, and each goat was assigned to an individual pen. Soybean meal in the concentrate mixture was replaced with soya waste at 0% (T1), 50% (T2) and 100% (T3) levels in respective dietary groups. These diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Results showed that animals fed T3 diet exhibited higher Napier grass intake than those fed T1 or T2 diet. There was no influence on total intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), metabolic BW, per cent BW and metabolisable energy by the dietary groups. However, there was an increasing trend on intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) with increasing levels of soya waste in the diets. Animals fed T3 diet showed higher intake and digestibility of NDF than those fed T1 diet. There was no influence of the dietary groups on digestibilities of DM, OM and CP. Similarly, there was no effect of them on the final BW, total BW gain, daily BW gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost. Soya waste can replace 100% soybean meal in diets for growing goats, because no change was observed in nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance; inclusion of soya waste enhanced the intake and digestibility of NDF.

     

Indigestion in Young Calves: I. Different Lactose Levels in Milk Diets and Milk Replacers

Increasing the lactose content of different milk replacers or milk diets by approx. 30 % of the dry matter increased the frequency of diarrhoea the first 10–12 days in young calves on all occasions in 5 experiments comprising 120 calves. For all diets taken together, this effect was highly significant. Total daily intakes of lactose amounted to 200–480 g. When lactose was given on top of the milk rations, the growth rate increased significantly, whereas the growth rate was usually insignificantly reduced when lactose replaced other nutrients in milk diets or milk replacers, their levels of protein and fat becoming low. Albumin and total protein in blood plasma were significantly lower when the dietary protein level was low. Milk replacers with 20 or 40 % whey powder, replacing skim milk powder, performed equally well, but gave significantly less growth than the old-fashioned feeding of whole milk-skim milk. Intake of hay and barley and a number of clinical and histological or pathological parameters did not vary consistently with dietary level of whey powder or lactose. Feeding whole milk all the time resulted in low intake of hay and barley and poorly developed forestomachs, but high dressing-out %. Substituting soya for part of the skim milk powder in milk replacers gave abomasal content with no curds. In most cases, pH in the rumen appeared to be nearly up to neutral until the calves ate ground barley, about 1 month old.     

Effect of roughage to concentrate ratio of sweet sorghum (Sorghum biclor L. Moench) bagasse-based complete diet on nutrient utilization and microbial N supply in lambs

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of roughage to the concentrate ratio of complete diets containing sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB), an agro-industrial by product, as sole roughage source on nutrient utilization in ram lambs. Twenty-four Nellore × Deccani cross ram lambs aged about 3?months (average body wt. 10.62?±?0.03?kg) were randomly allotted into four groups fed with CR-I (60R:40C), CR-II (50R:50C), CR-III (40R:60C), and CR-IV (30R:70C) complete diets. The roughage to concentrate ratio did not affect the dry matter intake (in grams/day or grams/kilogram weight(0.75)). The crude protein (P?相似文献   

High calcium intake lowers apparent digestibility of energy in veal calves.

Veal calves aged 8 weeks were fed iso-energetic amounts of milk replacers with either a low (7.1 g of calcium/kg of air-dry diet) or a high concentration of calcium (11.6 g of calcium/kg of air-dry diet) for a period of 10 weeks. The extra calcium was added in the form of calcium formiate. Final body weight of the two dietary groups was similar. Faeces were collected during the final week of the trial. The high calcium diet raised faecal dry matter output by 87% and faecal energy by 70%. The extra output of faecal dry matter was composed of 36% and 37% of crude fat and ash, respectively. The extra faecal energy output was for 75% in the form of crude fat. The high versus low calcium intake not only depressed apparent digestibility of total lipids but also that of crude protein, carbohydrates and ash. It is concluded that a high calcium intake by veal calves reduced energy availability without affecting body weight gain.     

Effects of calcium soaps of long-chain fatty acids on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and ruminal metabolism of steers

Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of calcium soaps of long-chain fatty acids (calcium soap) on feedlot performance, diet digestibility, carcass characteristics and ruminal metabolism of steers fed diets (85% concentrate:15% corn silage) containing 0, 2, 4 or 6% calcium soap. In Trial 1, increasing calcium soap decreased (P less than .05) DM, CP and gross energy intake but increased total fatty acid intake. Feed to gain ratio tended to improve with increased calcium soap; gross energy conversion was not affected (P greater than .05) by diet. Average daily gain and hot carcass weight decreased (P less than .05) with addition of calcium soap; other carcass characteristics were not affected (P greater than .05). Apparent digestibilities of DM, N, energy and ash were not affected (P greater than .05) by calcium soap. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility increased linearly (P less than .08) with increasing calcium soap, whereas digestibility of total fatty acids was affected quadratically (P less than .05); fatty acid digestibility was similar among 0, 2 and 4% calcium soap diets but decreased for the 6% calcium soap diet. In Trial 2, increased calcium soap did not affect (P greater than .05) ruminal VFA concentrations, pH or in sacco NDF disappearance of orchardgrass following 12, 24 and 48 h of incubation. Calcium soap increased (P less than .07) ruminal concentrations of calcium soap fatty acids at 1, 2, 4 and 8 h postfeeding. Calcium soap did not improve performance of feedlot cattle fed high-concentrate diets. Further, calcium soap did not affect ruminal fermentation and did not dissociate significantly even when ruminal pH was below 6 for extended periods of time.     

Studies on the evaluation of feed protein for ruminants. 1. Passage of nitrogen fractions to the duodenum of dairy cows fed different protein and carbohydrate sources

The duodenal passages of non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN), amino acid N (AA-N) and microbial N (MN) were measured in seven duodenal fistulated dairy cows (6130 kg FCM/305 d) during lactation receiving 30 different rations similar to those used in dairy practice. The rations consisted of roughage (protein-rich silages, hay) and concentrate mixture (corn, barley, oat) in a ratio of 60:40 on a DM basis or roughage/concentrate mixture/fodder beets in the proportions 60:20:20 or 60:0:40 respectively. N supplements consisted of soya bean meal and peas meal (untreated or treated with formaldehyde in each case), rapeseed meal, fish meal and urea. DM intake varied between 9.6 and 19.1 kg/d, the crude fibre content between 166 and 270 g/kg DM, the crude protein (CP) content between 111 and 184 g/kg DM, the AA content (N basis) of the CP between 51 and 82%, the unfermentable CP content of the CP between 23 and 49% and the organic matter digestibility between 70 and 79%. The duodenal passage of NAN was 24.2 +/- 2.7 g/kg DM intake, 34.9 +/- 4.1 g/kg apparently digestible organic matter (in total tract, DOM), 43.3 +/- 5.5 g/kg apparently digestible carbohydrates or 4.2 +/- 0.5 g/MJ net energy fat, (y +/- s, n = 90). The value measured for AA-N was 16.8 +/- 2.9 g/kg DM intake, and that for RNA-labelled microbial CP was 146 +/- 26 g/kg DOM. NAN passage (g/kg DM intake) correlated more closely with the duodenal digesta flow rate (DFR) (kg digesta/kg DM intake) as an intrinsic animal factor (r = 0.78) and with the rumen content dilution rate (RDR) (passage of microbial-free organic matter at duodenum/kg BW0.75.h) as a ration dependent factor (r = 0.64) than with the UDP fraction (% of ration CP) (r = 0.50) or other ration parameters. It was concluded that the specific effect of protein concentrates in mixed rations on duodenal NAN yields in lactating dairy cows is lower than hitherto assumed. The duodenal NAN yield of a single feedstuff or ration (g/kg DM) in cows is dependent on animal and feeding factors. The DFR could represents a suitable target for breeding activities.     

日粮组成对牦犊牛消化和能量代谢的影响

 在海拔３９８０ｍ 的果洛州大武乡对３头牦犊牛分别饲喂１００％的青贮披碱草（Ａ）、４０％精料＋６０％青贮披碱草（Ｂ）、６０％精料＋４０％青贮披碱草（Ｃ）３种不同日粮,按３×３ 拉丁方设计了消化代谢试验。结果表明,１）日粮干物质、有机质、粗蛋白和能量消化率差异显著（P＜０．０５）,粗灰分消化率差异不显著（P＞０．０５）,且随日粮中精料比例的增加,各营养成分的消化率逐渐降低;２）日粮Ｃ 的能量代谢率显著低于日粮Ａ 和日粮Ｂ（P＜０．０５）,但消化能转化为代谢能的效率差异不显著（P＞０．０５）,其平均转化效率为０．７８;３）粪和尿中排出钙差异显著（P＜０．０５）,粪中排出磷差异不显著（P＞０．０５）,而尿中排出磷差异显著（P＜０．０５）;钙存留量随日粮中精料比例的增加而减小,磷存留量在Ａ 日粮下最大。以上结果说明牦犊牛对日粮的消化和能量代谢与其组成密切相关,而且表观消化率随日粮水平的提高而降低,其能量转化率低于生长牦牛和成年牦牛。因此,该结果可为牦犊牛的补饲和快速育肥提供科学依据。     

日粮中添加脂肪酸钙对奶牛生产性能的影响

选取24头处于泌乳前期的中国荷斯坦奶牛,采用配对设计分成4组,研究奶牛日粮中分别添加200g棕榈油脂肪酸钙、大豆油脂肪酸钙和葵花籽油脂肪酸钙对奶牛采食量、产奶量及乳品质的影响。结果表明:日粮中添加3种脂肪酸钙均不影响奶牛采食量(P>0.05);添加棕榈油脂肪酸钙后产奶量提高10.45%、乳脂率提高7.42%、乳蛋白率降低4.67%、乳干物质提高1.41%(P>0.05);添加大豆油脂肪酸钙后产奶量提高4.25%、乳脂率提高8.54%、乳蛋白率降低4.64%、乳干物质提高2.67%(P>0.05);添加葵花籽油脂肪酸钙后产奶量提高4.76%、乳脂率提高3.52%、乳蛋白率降低3.35%、乳干物质提高1.42%(P>0.05)。     

裹包TMR饲喂对泌乳中期奶牛生产性能、养分表观消化率及血液生化指标的影响

为了研究裹包全混合日粮(TMR)饲喂方式对泌乳奶牛生产性能、养分表观消化率和血液指标的影响,本试验选择24头泌乳天数为(124±20)d的荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为2个处理组,进行为期10周的饲养试验。对照组采用传统的精粗分开饲喂方式,试验组采用裹包TMR饲喂方式,精粗分开饲喂组和裹包TMR饲喂组的日粮配方组成和比例均相同,日粮精料比例为50∶50,裹包TMR水分含量调整为50%。结果表明,1)饲喂裹包TMR,可以显著增加干物质采食量(P<0.05),提高产奶量7.69%并提高3.5%标准乳产量5.20%(P>0.05);2)裹包TMR饲喂方式与精粗分开饲喂方式对乳成分含量和产量的影响差异不显著;3)裹包TMR饲喂可以显著提高粗蛋白和粗脂肪的表观消化率(P<0.05),干物质消化率有提高的趋势(P<0.1);4)裹包TMR饲喂显著降低了血清中尿素氮的含量(P<0.05),但对其他血液指标影响2组间差异不显著。裹包TMR技术可以作为一种有效的全混合日粮供给方式,可在我国中小规模奶牛养殖场和个体养殖户中推荐使用,以期提高奶牛生产性能和综合收益。     

Effect of diets containing potato protein or soya bean meal on the incidence of spontaneously-occurring subclinical necrotic enteritis and the physiological response in broiler chickens

1. An experiment was conducted to compare and explain the incidence of spontaneously occurring subclinical necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens that were fed on two practical broiler diets that differed in the major protein concentrates (soya bean meal or potato protein concentrates) and examine the relationships between the severity of the disease and the growth performance and physiological responses of the chickens. 2. A total of 840, 20-d-old birds were randomly allocated to 12 pens. Two maize-based nutritionally complete diets that either contained some potato protein or soya bean meal as the major protein supplement were fed for 16 d. Twelve birds were randomly sampled from each pen at the end of the feeding period and their blood sampled and intestinal tracts and livers dissected. 3. The birds fed on the potato protein diet had a significantly 7·7% lower feed intake and a significantly 7·8% lower growth rate compared with the birds fed on the soya-based diet. There were no significant differences in feed conversion efficiency or mortality. There were no differences in the determined apparent metabolisable energy concentrations, however, the apparent dry matter digestibility of the potato protein diet was significantly higher than that of the soya based diet and the apparent crude protein digestibility of the potato protein diet was significantly lower. 4. A significantly higher alpha toxin antibody titre was found in the birds fed on the potato protein diet compared with those fed on the soya protein diet. There was a significantly increased incidence of hepatic lesions in the birds fed on the potato protein diet compared with the birds fed on the soya diet. The mean incidence of intestinal necroses tended to be greater in the birds fed on the potato protein diet (23·6%) compared with the birds fed on the soya-based diet (15·3%). 5. There was a significant linear relationship between ileal digesta sialic acid concentration and serum alpha toxin antibodies, although there were a considerable number of outliers to this relationship. Measurement of sialic acid concentration may be a useful variable to indicate the severity of necrotic enteritis in broiler flocks.     

Amino acid and energy digestibility of protein sources for growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA and DE, and to estimate ME and NE of rice protein concentrate, salmon protein hydrolysate, whey protein concentrate, and spray-dried plasma protein. In Exp. 1, 6 barrows (initially 29.5 +/- 2.5 kg of BW) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and fed each of 5 cornstarch-based diets in a balanced crossover design over 35 d. During a given week, there were either 1 or 2 replications of each treatment, resulting in 6 total replications over 5 wk. The 4 test diets (fed from d 0 to 28) were formulated to contain 12.5% CP by using analyzed nutrient compositions of rice protein concentrate, salmon protein hydrolysate, whey protein concentrate, or spray-dried plasma protein. The fifth (N-free) diet was fed from d 28 to 35 to estimate basal endogenous losses of CP and AA, which were used to calculate SID. Ileal digesta were collected and analyzed, and AID and SID values were calculated. Apparent ileal digestible Lys, Met, and Thr values were 80.0 +/- 3.3, 65.6 +/- 3.1, and 68.4 +/- 4.5% for rice protein concentrate; 85.6 +/- 4.8, 85.5 +/- 4.3, and 69.8 +/- 8.5% for salmon protein hydrolysate; 93.3 +/- 1.4, 89.9 +/- 5.8, and 83.6 +/- 5.3% for whey protein concentrate; and 92.8 +/- 0.9, 85.7 +/- 2.1, 86.5 +/- 2.3% for spray-dried plasma protein, respectively. In Exp. 2, 6 barrows (initially 37.6 +/- 1.7 kg of BW) were fed each of 5 corn-based diets in a balanced crossover design over 35 d. During a given week, there were either 1 or 2 replications of each treatment, resulting in 6 total replications over 5 wk. The 4 diets containing the test ingredients were formulated to contain approximately 20% CP by using their analyzed nutrient compositions. The fifth (corn control) diet containing 8.2% CP was also used to calculate energy values by difference. Feces were collected to determine DE. The ME and NE contents were estimated using published regression equations. The DE, ME, and NE (as-fed) values were 4,724 +/- 461, 4,226 +/- 437, and 3,235 +/- 380 kcal/kg for rice protein concentrate; 4,173 +/- 1,052, 3,523 +/- 1,002, and 2,623 +/- 872 kcal/kg for salmon protein hydrolysate; 4,949 +/- 1,002, 4,352 +/- 955, and 3,344 +/- 831 kcal/kg for whey protein concentrate; and 4,546 +/- 673, 3,979 +/- 652, and 3,020 +/- 567 kcal/kg for spray-dried plasma protein, respectively. The excellent AA digestibility and relatively high DE, ME, and NE values indicate that these protein sources warrant further investigation as ingredients for growing pig diets.     

The effect of monensin Na on the protein content of cow's milk and further performance criteria

In two feeding experiments with 10 dairy cows each the effect of 200 mg monensin Na per animal and day in rations either rich in roughage or in concentrate was studied. In principle, the reactions caused by monensin supplement did not differ between the two types of rations. Monensin supplements resulted in a slight reduction of feed intake, a significantly lower milk fat content and, as a tendency, also a lower milk protein, particularly casein, content and a diminished amount of fat corrected milk (FCM). The pattern of fatty acids in the rumen was shifted in favour of propionic acid and the live weight gain of the cows was higher in the monensin group. There were no improvements with regard to the expenditure of feed and energy per kg FCM.     

Effect of varying ruminally degradable to ruminally undegradable protein ratio on nutrient intake, digestibility and N metabolism in Nili Ravi buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Four Nili-Ravi buffalo calves (100 ± 4 kg) were used in 4 × 4 Latin Square Design to evaluate the influence of varying ruminally degradable protein (RDP) to ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) ratio on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility and nitrogen (N) metabolism. Four experimental diets A, B, C and D were formulated to contain RDP:RUP of 70:30, 65:35, 60:40 and 55:45, respectively. The calves were fed ad libitum. Dry matter intake by calves fed C diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed D diet and lower (P < 0.05) than calves fed A diet, however, it was similar to those fed B diet. There was a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in DMI with decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio. Similar trend was noticed in crude protein (CP) intake. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was significantly different across all treatment. The decrease in CP and NDF intake was due to decreasing trend of DMI. Dry matter (DM) digestibility in calves fed A and B diets was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed C and D diets. A linear decrease (P < 0.01) in DM digestibility was observed with decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio. Crude protein digestibility remained unaltered across all treatments. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was higher in calves fed A and B diets than those fed C and D diets. Higher NDF digestibility in calves fed A and B diets was due to higher level of dietary RDP that might resulted in higher ruminal ammonia concentration which stimulate activity of cellulytic bacteria and ultimately increased NDF digestibility. The N retention (g/d) was similar among the calves fed B, C and D diets, however, it was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed A diet. Decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear increase (P < 0.01) in N retention. The N retention, as percent of N intake was significantly different across all treatments. Decreasing RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear increase (P < 0.01) in N retention, as percent of N intake. A similar trend was noticed in N retention, as percentage of N digestion. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration in calves fed B diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed D diet and was lower (P < 0.05) than those fed A diet, however, it was not different from calves fed C diet. Decreasing dietary RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear decrease (P < 0.05) in BUN concentrations. The decrease in BUN concentration was because of decreasing level of dietary RDP. The N retention can be increased by decreasing RDP to RUP ratio in the diet of growing buffalo calves and diet containing RDP to RUP ratio 55:45 is considered optimum regarding N retention in buffalo calves.     

Performance of tropical dairy cows fed whole crop rice silage with varying levels of concentrate

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of concentrate/milk yield ratios on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation efficiency, and milk production in dairy cows fed with a basal diet of whole crop rice silage (WCRS). Sixteen crossbred cows (75 % Holstein-Friesian (HF) and 25 % Thai cows) in mid-lactation were assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments corresponding to four concentrate/milk yield ratios (0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 (kg/kg)) were used. All cows were offered WCRS (with 1.5 % urea and 3 % molasses) ad libitum. Silage and concentrate were fed individually twice a day. Results revealed that dry matter intake (12.8–14.5 kg/day), nutrient digestibility (62.5–68.7 %), and rumen fermentation efficiency were not significantly affected by concentrate supplementation. Milk yield (10.2–11.5 kg/day) and milk composition were similar between cows fed with sole WCRS and those supplemented with concentrate mixture, although milk fat tended to increase in cows fed with sole WCRS. In conclusion, sole WCRS fed to dairy cows without concentrate supplementation resulted in similar feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and milk production as compared to those supplemented with concentrate in lactating dairy cows. These results suggest that in tropical areas where rice crop is surplus, WCRS could sustain reasonable levels of milk production among dairy cows with little or no concentrate supplementation provided that urea and molasses are included in the silage.     

Apparent digestibility of crude fibre in ponies fed either a low or high-protein diet

The question addressed was whether apparent crude fibre digestibility in ponies would change after lowering protein intake from adequate to borderline deficient. Four adult ponies were fed a low- and high-protein diet according to a cross-over design. The diets consisted of grass hay and concentrates and provided either 1.5 or 3.6 g digestible crude protein/kg^0.75 per day. The two whole rations provided 2.4 g crude fibre/kg body weight per day. Apparent crude fibre digestibility was not affected by protein intake (low-protein diet: 42.9 ± 4.03%; high-protein diet: 38.1 ± 1.14%, means ± SE, n =4). The low-protein diet caused a significant increase in the ratio of faecal: urinary nitrogen. It is suggested that, when the low-protein diet was fed, sufficient urea flew from the blood into the intestine and ammonia released in the hindgut was conserved so that microbial growth, and thus fibre fermentation, was maintained.     

不同品质粗饲料对断奶至7月龄犊牛生长发育及营养物质消化率的影响

选用从哺乳期开始分别补饲玉米秸秆(CFS组)和青干草(H组)的两组试验犊牛(n=5)。断奶后继续分别饲喂CFS和H,定量饲喂精料（2 kg/d）。通过消化试验和饲养试验,跟踪研究了饲喂不同品质粗饲料对断奶到7月龄阶段犊牛营养物质摄入量、消化率和生长发育的影响。结果显示,7月龄时,CFS和H组日采食量分别为2.25和3.81 kg（P<0.01）;H组和CFS组比较,DMI、NDF、ADF、CP、Fat摄入量明显提高,其消化率分别为63.6%、51.2%、43.5%、64.3%、55.6%和57.5%、43.3%、40.4%、44.4%、59.4%,除了CP消化率差异极显著外（P<0.01）,其余均不显著（P>0.05）;H组和CFS组日增重(kg/d)差异极显著（0.788和0.522 kg/d,P<0.01),体斜长增量（18.3和9.5 cm）和胸围增量(24.1和18.6 cm)差异显著(P<0.05),体高增量（14.0和9.7 cm）差异不显著（P>0.05）。结果表明,给断奶至7月龄阶段犊牛饲喂混合青干草比饲喂玉米秸秆,更能提高粗饲料采食量和干物质总摄入量,有利于营养物质消化利用,促进犊牛生长发育,尤其对体长和胸围的发育效果明显。     

Impact of diet composition and temperature–humidity index on water and dry matter intake of high‐yielding dairy cows

The temperature–humidity index (THI) is widely used to characterize heat stress in dairy cattle. Diet composition is known to induce variation in metabolic‐associated heat production. However, the relationships between THI and diet are poorly characterized with regard to performance and intake behaviour. Therefore, the objectives were to evaluate the impact of THI on water intake (WI), dry matter intake (DMI) and the frequency of drinking and feeding bouts in lactating dairy cows offered four dietary treatments: each contained 20% grass silage and additionally (i) 20% maize silage, 60% concentrate (M‐HC); (ii) 60% maize silage, 20% concentrate (M‐LC); (iii) 20% pressed beet pulp silage, 60% concentrate (BPS‐HC); or (iv) 60% pressed beet pulp silage, 20% concentrate (BPS‐LC) (DM basis). Individual WI and DMI were recorded from April to July 2013. Furthermore, dietary effects on milk production and reticular pH were estimated. Milk yield was lowest for M‐LC, while energy‐corrected milk was similar for all diets. Milk fat percentage was higher and milk protein amount lower for cows offered both LC diets. Reticular pH below 6.3, 6.0 and 5.8 lasted longest for BPS‐LC. WI was higher for HC diets. However, the frequency of drinking bouts was not influenced by the ration. Lower DMI occurred for BPS‐LC compared to M‐LC. Frequency of feeding bouts was significantly higher for LC diets. THI was significantly related to WI, DMI as well as drinking and feeding bouts. Per increasing THI, WI increased slightly more for LC diets and DMI decreased more for HC diets. Frequency of drinking bouts increased slightly higher for BPS rations per rising THI, while the decrease in feeding bouts was highest for M‐HC. In conclusion, TMR composition and moderate heat stress impacted WI and DMI of dairy cows, while both dietary energy density and ruminal filling might intensify the THI impact.     

Effect of supplementation of dietary protected lipids on intake and nutrient utilization in Deccani lambs

Four complete isonitrogenous (crude protein 13%) rations with 0 (T₁), 5 (T₂), 10 (T₃) and 15 (T₄) per cent calcium soap from red palm oil (protected fat) were formulated and evaluated using four Deccani lambs (19.32 ± 0.82 kg) in a completely randomized design at the end of a growth trial. The average daily dry matter intake (% body weight or g/kg W^0.75 per day) in lambs fed ration T₄ was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in those fed rations T₁, T₂, and T₃. There was no significant difference in the digestibility of proximate principles and cell-wall constituents except for ether extract (EE) and cellulose. EE digestibility was significantly (p < 0.05) higher by 15.71, 14.65 and 11.56 percentage units, respectively in lambs fed rations T₂, T₃ and T₄ as compared to those fed ration T₁. Ration T₄ had significantly (p < 0.05) lower cellulose digestibility than rations T₁, T₂ and T₃. Nitrogen and phosphorous balances (g/day) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different among the four rations. Calcium balance (g/day) was higher by 0.65, 1.39 and 1.40, respectively, in lambs fed rations T₂ (p > 0.05) and T₃ and T₄ (p < 0.05) in comparison to those fed ration T₁. Digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients content (g/kg DM) of rations were not significantly (p > 0.05) different among the four rations. It is concluded that calcium soap from red palm oil can be supplemented up to 10% level as a concentrated energy source in the rations of Deccani lambs without any adverse effect on dry matter intake and cellulose digestibility.     

Effect of trypsin inhibitor activity in soya bean on growth performance, protein digestibility and incidence of sub-clinical necrotic enteritis in broiler chicken flocks

1. The effect of three different levels of dietary trypsin inhibitor activity (achieved by varying the amount of non-toasted full fat soya bean in replacement for toasted full fat soya bean) on the incidence of spontaneously-occurring sub-clinical necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens was compared. A fourth dietary treatment compared the effect of a diet that used potato protein concentrate as the major protein source. The determined trypsin inhibitor activity increased with the increasing content of non-toasted soya bean: 1·90, 6·21, 8·46 and 3·72 mg/g for the three soya bean diets (0, 100 and 200 g of non-toasted soya bean/kg) and the potato protein diet respectively. 2. Although increasing amounts of the non-toasted full-fat soya bean increased the feed intakes of the birds, there was a marked reduction in protein digestibility, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. 3. There was a linear increase in sub-clinical NE lesions in the duodenum, jejunum, mid small intestine and ileum with increasing non-toasted soya bean. Caecal Clostridium perfringens counts increased with the increasing dietary content of non-toasted soya bean. Serum α-toxin antibodies were higher in the birds fed the 200 g non-toasted soya bean/kg diet compared with the other diets. 4. The results demonstrated that variation in the amount of non-toasted dietary soya bean not only affects growth performance of broilers but also affects the incidence of sub-clinical necrotic enteritis in the flock. Ensuring the lowest possible trypsin-inhibitor activity in soya bean samples is a valuable tool to improve the health and welfare of birds and in reducing the financial losses from this disease.     

Effect of wheat content, fat source and enzyme supplementation on diet metabolisability and broiler performance.

1. A 3x3x2 factorial experiment studied the interactions of fat source (tallow, soya, tallow:soya [2:1] blend), wheat level (700, 350, 0 g/kg) and enzyme inclusion (Avizyme 1300, absent, present) in diets for broilers fed ad libitum in individual cages from 7 to 35d. Bird performance, fat digestibility, viscosity of ileal contents and diet metabolisability (AME) were measured. 2. There were no significant effects of fat source on bird performance. However, there was a significant effect on fat digestibility, which was highest for soya and lowest for tallow. Diet AME content was also significantly affected by fat source and reflected differences in fat digestibility. 3. Dry matter (DM) intake, liveweight gain (LWG) and gain:food were all reduced at 700 g wheat/kg. Viscosity of ileal contents increased with increasing wheat inclusion. 4. There were no significant effects of enzyme on DM intake or LWG but gain:food was improved by 2%. Diet AME content was increased with enzyme addition, the effect being greatest (9%) with tallow at 700 g wheat/kg. 5. Viscosity of ileal contents was reduced and fat digestibility increased with enzyme addition and there were significant wheat enzyme interactions attributable to no differences with zero wheat but marked responses to enzyme at 700 g wheat/kg. 6. The results confirm important interactions between wheat content and fat composition in relation to fat digestibility, AME content and food efficiency.