Combinations of alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed in limit-fed growing diets for beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of alfalfa hay (AH) and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) combinations on ADG and gain efficiency of cattle limit-fed growing diets. In Exp. 1, crossbred beef steers (n = 220; initial BW = 262 kg) were limit-fed diets consisting of steam-flaked corn and 40% WCGF (DM basis) with 0, 10, or 20% ground AH (0AH, 10AH, and 20AH, respectively). A fourth diet containing 20% ground AH and steam-flaked corn served as a control. All diets were fed once daily at 1.8% of BW (DM basis). Growing period ADG, gain efficiency, and dietary NE calculated from performance data decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with addition of AH to diets containing WCGF. Rate of DMI increased linearly (P < 0.05) with AH addition to diets containing WCGF. Following the growing period, steers were finished on a common diet offered ad libitum. Gain efficiencies during the finishing period were higher (P < 0.05) for steers fed the 20AH diet than for steers fed the control diet. In Exp. 2, crossbred beef heifers (n = 339; initial BW = 277 kg) were limit-fed diets containing steam-flaked corn with 10, 20, or 30% ground AH and 0, 40, or 68% WCGF in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, fed once daily at 1.6% of BW (DM basis). An AH x WCGF interaction occurred (P < 0.05) for growing period ADG and gain efficiency. Increasing AH or WCGF decreased cattle ADG, gain efficiency, and dietary NE with the exception of heifers fed 30AH/40WCGF, which had ADG that did not differ (P > 0.10) from that of heifers fed 20AH/0WCGF or 30AH/0WCGF, and which had greater gain efficiencies (P < 0.05) than heifers fed 30AH/0WCGF. Rate of DMI increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing AH and decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing WCGF. Heifers were finished on diets containing 33% WCGF with 0 or 0.5% added urea (DM basis) offered ad libitum. Increasing WCGF in growing diets tended (linear, P < 0.10) to increase finishing ADG and gain efficiency, whereas increasing AH decreased (linear, P < 0.05) kidney, pelvic, and heart fat, and the percentage of carcasses grading USDA Prime. Urea tended to increase ADG (P < 0.10), but decreased (P < 0.04) the percentage of carcasses grading USDA Choice. Results suggest that the value of WCGF relative to steam-flaked corn in limit-fed growing diets might be improved in diets containing 30% AH relative to diets containing 10 or 20% AH.     

Evaluating Binary Sorption of Phenol/Aniline fromAqueous Solutions onto Granular Activated Carbon and Hypercrosslinked Polymeric Resin (MN200)

Sorption equilibrium of phenol and aniline onto the granular activated carbon and hyperreticulated un-functionalized polymeric resin (MN200) was investigated in single and binary component aqueous systems. Higher loading was obtained for aniline than phenol onto both sorbents, which is probably due to hydrophobic difference between both solutes and the greater electronic density of the aromatic ring of the aniline. Granular activated carbon reported larger uptake than resin MN200 for both solutes, which may be attributed to the better physical properties of the granular activated carbon, for instance, larger surface area. The experimental sorption could be properly described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Five models for predicting the binary equilibrium sorption isotherm were compared in order to determine the best fit model to correlate binary experimental data: the extended Langmuir isotherm with and without a constant interaction factor, a simplified model based on the single equilibrium factors, the empirical extended Freundlich isotherm and the modified extended Langmuir equation, which considers the synergistic interactions between sorbate–sorbate and not only the competition between them defined by the extended Langmuir model. The modified extended Langmuir model provides the best agreement between predicted and experimental data indicating that the synergistic interactions between solutes play an important role in the binary phenol/aniline sorption system.     

Effects of wet corn gluten feed and intake level on diet digestibility and ruminal passage rate in steers

Twelve ruminally cannulated Jersey steers (BW = 534 kg) were used in an incomplete Latin square design experiment with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effects of wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and total DMI level on diet digestibility and ruminal passage rate. Treatments consisted of diets formulated to contain (DM basis) steam-flaked corn, 20% coarsely ground alfalfa hay, and either 0 or 40% WCGF offered once daily for ad libitum consumption or limited to 1.6% of BW (DM basis). Two consecutive 24-d periods were used, each consisting of 18 d for adaptation, 4 d for collection, and a 2-d in situ period. Rumens of all steers were evacuated once daily at 0, 4, 8, and 12 h after feeding. Chromic oxide (10 g/[steer*d]) was fed as a digestibility marker, and steers were pulse-dosed with Yb-labeled alfalfa hay to measure ruminal particulate passage rate. Dacron bags containing 5 g of steam-flaked corn, WCGF, or ground (2-mm screen) alfalfa hay were placed into the rumens of all steers and removed after 3, 6, 12, or 48 h. Wet corn gluten feed increased percent apparent total-tract digestion of OM (P < 0.01), NDF (P < 0.01), and starch (P < 0.03), decreased (P < 0.01) ruminal total VFA concentration, increased (P < 0.01) ruminal NH3 concentration, and increased (P < 0.01) ruminal pH. Wet corn gluten feed also increased (P < 0.01) ruminal passage rate of Yb. Limit feeding decreased (P < 0.01) percent apparent total-tract digestion of both OM and NDF, ruminal total VFA concentration (P < 0.01), and ruminal fill (P < 0.01), but increased (P < 0.01) ruminal NH3 concentration. Apparent total-tract digestion of starch was not affected (P = 0.70) by level of DMI. A DMI level x hour interaction (P < 0.01) occurred for ruminal pH. Limit feeding increased ruminal pH before and 12 h after feeding, but decreased ruminal pH 4 h after feeding compared with diets offered ad libitum. A diet x DMI level interaction (P < 0.02) occurred for in situ degradation of alfalfa hay, with dietary addition of WCGF increasing (P < 0.02) the extent of in situ alfalfa hay degradation in steers fed for ad libitum consumption. This study suggests that WCGF increases OM and NDF digestion, and that limit feeding diets once daily might depress OM and NDF digestion, possibly due to decreased stability of the ruminal environment.     

Wet corn gluten feed and alfalfa hay levels in dry-rolled corn finishing diets: effects on finishing performance and feedlot nitrogen mass balance

One-hundred ninety-two crossbred steers (initial BW = 351 +/- 11 kg) were used to determine the effects of removing alfalfa hay (AH) from dry-rolled corn-based diets containing wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) on animal performance and nutrient (N and OM) mass balance in open feedlot pens. Steers were stratified by weight and assigned randomly to 24 pens (2 x 3 factorial) and fed for 132 d from June to October 2002. Experimental diets contained either 0 or 35% WCGF and 0, 3.75, or 7.5% AH, and were formulated to be isonitrogenous. For efficiency of gain, an interaction occurred (P = 0.09) between AH and WCGF. Feed efficiencies of cattle fed 35% WCGF were improved 4.4% (P = 0.10) compared with efficiencies of cattle fed no WCGF at 0% AH; there was a marked improvement in ADG for cattle fed WCGF compared with no WCGF in diets with 0% AH. Within 35% WCGF diets, efficiency decreased as AH inclusion increased (P = 0.06). Efficiency was equal across AH levels when 0% WCGF was fed; however, ADG was decreased when AH was removed. Interactions between AH and WCGF were not detected for other performance or carcass criteria; therefore, main effects of AH and WCGF are discussed. Daily intake, ADG, and HCW increased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary AH level increased. Feeding 35% WCGF also resulted in greater DMI (P < 0.01) and a tendency for greater ADG and HCW (P < or = 0.10) compared with steers fed no WCGF. Interactions between AH and WCGF were not observed for feedlot N mass balance. As level of AH increased across diets, N intake, N retention, and N excretion increased (P < 0.05). Steers fed 35% WCGF consumed and excreted more N (P < 0.01) than those fed no WCGF. More manure DM (P = 0.11), OM, and N (P < 0.01) were removed from pens housing steers fed 35% WCGF as well as greater OM and N recovery in finished compost. More N (kilogram/steer) was also lost to volatilization as a result of greater N excretion when WCGF was fed. Expressed as a percentage of N excretion, loss of N from pens housing steers fed 0 and 35% WCGF was not different, averaging nearly 80%. These data suggest that AH has less value when dry-rolled corn-based diets contain 35% WCGF and can be decreased from conventional levels. Furthermore, loss of N from open feedlot pens is high during the summer months, and feeding WCGF may not reduce N losses during these times of year.     

Analysis of herbicides in olive oil by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The application of liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/TOF-MS) for the identification and quantitation of four herbicides (simazine, atrazine, diuron, and terbuthylazine) in olive oil samples is reported here. The method includes a sample treatment step based on a preliminary liquid-liquid extraction followed by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) using aminopropyl as a sorbent material. A final cleanup step is performed with florisil using acetonitrile as an eluting solvent. The identification by LC/TOF-MS is accomplished with the accurate mass (and the subsequent generated empirical formula) of the protonated molecules [M + H]+, along with the accurate mass of the main fragment ion and the characteristic chlorine isotope cluster present in all of them. Accurate mass measurements are highly useful in this type of complex sample analyses since they allow us to achieve a high degree of specificity, often needed when other interferents are present in the matrix. The mass accuracy typically obtained is routinely better than 2 ppm. The sensitivity, linearity, precision, mass accuracy, and matrix effects are studied as well, illustrating the potential of this technique for routine quantitative analyses of herbicides in olive oil. Limits of detection (LODs) range from 1 to 5 microg/kg, which are far below the required maximum residue level (MRL) of 100 microg/kg for these herbicides in olive oil.     

Evaluation of finishing performance,carcass characteristics,acid-resistant E. coli and total coliforms from steers fed combinations of wet corn gluten feed and steam-flaked corn

Crossbred beef steers (n = 615) were used in a 152-d experiment to compare steam-flaked corn (SFC) diets containing 0, 30, or 60% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). On d 114 to 118, ruminal and fecal samples were collected from 180 steers and analyzed for pH, VFA, and total and acid-resistant Escherichia coli and coliforms. Acid resistance of E. coli and coliform populations was determined by exposure of the samples for 1 h in pH 2, 4, and 7 citric acid/sodium phosphate buffers. Increasing levels of WCGF linearly decreased total ruminal VFA (P = 0.01) and total fecal VFA (P = 0.06), but linearly increased ruminal and fecal acetate:propionate (P < 0.01) ratio and ruminal and fecal pH (P < 0.05). Feeding increasing WCGF levels resulted in a quadratic response (P < 0.05) with respect to numbers of ruminal E. coli and total coliform populations resistant to pH 4 exposure. Steers fed 30% WCGF had higher (0.7 log units) ruminal E. coli and total coliforms after exposure at pH 4 compared to steers fed 0 or 60% WCGF. Populations of E. coli and total coliforms at pH 2 and 7 were similar for all dietary treatments. Dietary WCGF linearly increased DMI (P = 0.07) and liver abscesses (P = 0.03) and linearly decreased dietary NEg (P = 0.02). Average daily gain and feed efficiencies were greatest when steers were offered 30% WCGF (quadratic, P < 0.05). Dietary manipulations that reduce acid concentrations may not correspond to changes in acid resistance of E. coli and total coliform populations detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of cattle. Moderate levels of WCGF complement SFC finishing diets.     

Source of dietary lipid may modify the immune response in stressed feeder cattle

Five studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of lipid source on performance and health of stressed feeder cattle. A total of 332 heifers (195 +/- 2.37 kg initial BW) in trial 1 and 336 heifers (206 +/- 1.70 kg initial BW) in trial 2 were fed diets containing ground flaxseed (FLAX), rolled full-fat soybeans (SOY), or tallow (TAL) at 13, 20, or 4%, respectively (DM basis). All diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The ADG and G:F for the first 7 d and for the entire feeding period were greater (P < 0.05) for TAL and FLAX than for SOY. Percentage of animals treated and retreated for bovine respiratory disease did not differ among dietary treatments. The FLAX treatment increased (P < 0.05) total n-3 PUFA concentrations in the plasma, whereas SOY increased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of total n-6 PUFA. In trial 3, 18 steers were individually fed diets containing TAL and 18 steers were fed a diet containing SOY (20% of DM). In trials 4 and 5, 18 steers were individually fed diets containing TAL and 18 steers were fed diets containing FLAX (12.9% of DM). On d 14 and 17 of study 3, 4, and 5, 16 steers from each dietary treatment were injected i.v. with Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and 2 steers from each diet were injected with saline. Rectal temperatures after LPS challenge were lower (P < 0.05) for SOY and FLAX than for TAL, and plasma TNF was greater (P < 0.05) for SOY than for TAL. Serum haptoglobin and blood fibrinogen increased and white blood cell count decreased in response to LPS, but none of these variables was affected by treatment. Although this research failed to measure an effect of lipid source on feedlot morbidity or mortality, these studies indicate that altering the source and type of dietary fatty acids may modify the immune response in stressed feeder cattle and that performance may be hindered by feeding full-fat soybeans to receiving cattle.     

Early sowing and irrigation to increase barley yields and water use efficiency in Mediterranean conditions

In rainfed Mediterranean areas, early sowings which lead to early growth and maturity to escape terminal heat and drought usually give higher grain yield than late sowings in years when rains come early. We test the hypothesis that early sowing coupled with a small amount of irrigation to ensure earlier emergence increases grain yield significantly, while improving irrigation water productivity. Replicated field experiments were conducted for 4 years in the semi-arid central Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Barley was sown early, and half of the plots were irrigated with 25-30 mm of water immediately after sowing (EI). Half of the plots also received irrigation around heading stage (LI). Besides yields, other agronomic data were collected throughout crop growth, and the supplemental irrigation water use efficiency (WUE_SI) was calculated. Our results confirm the hypothesis that in Mediterranean areas early sowing followed immediately with a small amount of irrigation increases barley grain yield significantly. Farmers in the region should seriously consider practicing this technique as it produces a higher WUE_SI than irrigation at the heading stage.     

The behavior of clomazone in the soil environment

BACKGROUND: Clomazone is a herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and grasses. Clomazone use in agriculturally important crops and forests for weed control has increased and is a potential water contaminant given its high water solubility (1100 µg mL^?1). Soil sorption is an environmental fate parameter that may limit its movement to water systems. The authors used model rice and forest soils of California to test clomazone sorption affinity, capacity, desorption, interaction with soil organic matter and behavior with black carbon. RESULTS: Sorption of clomazone to the major organic matter fraction of soil, humic acid (HA) (K_d = 29–87 L kg^?1), was greater than to whole soils (K_d = 2.3–11 L kg^?1). Increased isotherm non‐linearity was observed for the whole soils (N = 0.831–0.893) when compared with the humic acids (N = 0.954–0.999). Desorption isotherm results showed hysteresis, which was greatest at the lowest solution concentration of 0.067 µg mL^?1 for all whole soils and HA extracts. Aliphatic carbon content appeared to contribute to increased isotherm linearity. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that clomazone does not sorb appreciably to sandy or clay soils. Its sorption affinity and capacity is greater in humic acid, and consequently clomazone has difficulty desorbing from soil organic matter. Sorption appears to follow processes explained by the dual‐mode model, the presence of fire residues (black carbon) and a recently proposed sorption mechanism. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry