A comparison between different concentrations and sources of cobalt in goat kid nutrition

There have been extensive studies in sheep and cattle considering cobalt (Co) supplementation and its effects on vitamin B₁₂ concentrations in the body. However, there are limited studies on goats. The aim of this study was to compare two different sources of Co (sulfate v. glucoheptonate) at two different concentrations (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg dry matter) in goat kid nutrition, and to evaluate the effects of these supplements on performance, serum vitamin B₁₂, blood biochemistry and rumen volatile fatty acids. For this purpose, 30 weaned male goat kids were randomly allotted to five treatments. Serum vitamin B₁₂ increased during the trial in the Co-supplemented groups. Co supplementation increased serum glucose concentrations. On day 35, Co-supplemented groups had greater glucose concentrations compared with control. Propionic+iso-butyric acid concentrations increased only in the 0.5 mg Co glucoheptonate treatment (P<0.05). Our results suggest that, despite the two sources of Co proving mostly similar, the main advantage of Co glucoheptonate compared with Co sulfate was in the ruminal synthesis of vitamin B₁₂. However, although providing Co at National Research Council recommendation levels maintained vitamin B₁₂ above or at normal concentrations, Co supplementation of the Co sufficient basal diet increased vitamin B₁₂ and glucose concentrations.     

Milk fat depression and plasma lipids in dairy cows and goats

This study examines the effects of diets supplemented with various lipids selected to induce divergent milk fat content responses (including a milk fat depression) between dairy cows and goats on plasma lipid composition. The objective was to better understand the mechanisms behind the regulation of milk fat secretion in these two ruminant species. Twelve Holstein cows and 12 Alpine goats were fed a basal diet not supplemented (CTL) or supplemented with corn oil plus wheat starch (COS, 5% DM intake (DMI)), marine algae powder of Schizochytrium sp. (MAP, 1.5% DMI), or hydrogenated palm oil (HPO, 3% DMI), in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, during 28 days. On day 27, blood samples were collected for lipid analysis. Plasma lipid classes were quantified by high-performance thin-layer chromatography, with triacylglycerol (TAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) fractions analysed for FA composition by GLC. Plasma molecular species of TAG and ceramides were determined by HPLC–high-resolution MS and by liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole, respectively. Irrespective of diet, plasma total lipid content was higher in cows than goats (+61%), and TAG concentration was higher in goats than cows (+157%). In cows, conversely to goats, COS increased the trans-10 C18:1 proportion in the free FA (+248%) and the TAG (+195%) fractions. In cows and goats, MAP induced increases in cholesterol esters, cholesterol and phospholipids compared to CTL and changes in the plasma free FA and FA of TAG profiles. In both ruminant species, the concentrations of the lipid fractions were unchanged by HPO compared to CTL. Our results point to species specificities and different diet effects in plasma concentrations and compositions of lipid fractions in cows and goats. These new data highlight how diets, that induce large variations in milk fat secretions, affect the plasma lipid classes available for milk fat synthesis.     

Effect of dietary hempseed cake on milk performance and haemato-chemicals in lactating Alpine dairy goats

Owing to the high concentrations of crude protein and beneficial fatty acids, hempseed cake could be a high-quality feedstuff for ruminants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of hempseed cake on milk production and quality, as well as haemato-chemical parameters in Alpine goats. In total, 28 French Alpine dairy goats were evaluated over 45 days. All goats were fed meadow hay supplemented with 1.2 kg/day feed mixture. The feed mixture in control group contained soybean meal and extruded soybean. In the first experimental group, soybean meal and extruded soybean were partially replaced with 60 g/kg of hempseed cake (HC6). In the second experimental group, soybean meal and extruded soybean were partially replaced with 120 g/kg of hempseed cake (HC12). Feeding goats with HC6 and HC12 did not influence milk yield, although the concentration of milk urea was higher in the HC12 compared to control group. The HC12 decreased the linoleic acid (LA)/linolenic acid (ALA) ratio and glutathione peroxidase activity in the serum. Under the conditions evaluated in this study, the inclusion of HC6 in the diet was optimal with respect to chemical composition of milk and haemato-chemical parameters. Even though HC12 resulted in lowered LA/ALA ratio, which confers functional properties to goat milk, HC12 increased milk urea concentrations, and worsened serum antioxidant status.     

Genetic polymorphism of αs1- and αs2-caseins in Hungarian Milking Goats

The aim of this study was to perform an initial characterization of milk quality and to determine genetic polymorphism at the CSN1S1 and CSN1S2 locus in two herds of local dairy goats (Hungarian Milking). The fat, protein and lactose level of milk samples in Hungarian Milking Goats were compared to other local goat breeds worldwide and it was concluded that the mean milk production of the Hungarian goats should be improved. The presence of the A, B, C + D, E, F and O alleles of CSN1S1 locus and A + B + C + E, D, F and O alleles of CSN1S2 locus were genotyped for by PCR-AS and PCR-RFLP methods in 103 goats. The strong B allele of CSN1S1 is more frequent in the local Hungarian Milking than in the imported Alpine and Saanen goats. The relatively high incidence of the O allele of CSN1S2 gene is also characteristic for the Hungarian Milking Goats and those special allele distribution patterns could be used to develop selection strategies to breed specialised lines of Hungarian local breeds.     

Characteristics of Korean-Saanen goat milk caseins and somatic cell counts in comparison with Holstein cow milk counterparts

Characteristics of α- and β-casein fractions in the milk of Korean-Saanen goats were compared with those of Holstein cow milk using capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis. The αs₁-CN content of the Saanen goat milk samples varied from 2.4% to 9.3% of total proteins. Total αs-CN content of the goat milk varied from 10.1% to 17.0%. Total β-CN content containing β₁-CN and the β₂-CN varied from 49.6% to 61.0% of total proteins. Average αs-CN to β-CN ratio of the Saanen goat milk from different farms was 0.24 ± 0.04, ranging from 0.17 to 0.33. The αs-CN (αs₁-CN + αs₀-CN) to β-CN (β_A1-CN + β_A2-CN) ratio of Holstein cow milk was 0.81, which was much higher than that of Korean-Saanen goat milk. The goat milk samples having more than 1.5 million cells/ml somatic cell counts (SCC) contained higher αs-CNs (P < 0.01) and lower β-CNs (P < 0.05) contents than milks with <1.5 million SCC. This resulted in a higher αs-CN to β-CN ratio (P < 0.01) in the milk with >1.5 million SCC.     

Rumen-protected choline and vitamin E supplementation in periparturient dairy goats: effects on milk production and folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin E status

We investigated the effects of rumen-protected choline (RPC) and vitamin E (VITE) administration on milk production and status of folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin E during the periparturient period of dairy goats. Forty-eight Saanen multiparous goats were selected for the 72-day experiment, being moved to a maternity pen 30 days before expected parturition and assigned to one of the four experimental groups: control (CTR), no choline or vitamin E supplementation; choline (RPC), supplemented with 4 g/day choline chloride in rumen-protected form; vitamin E (VITE), supplemented with 200 IU/day vitamin E in rumen-protected form; and choline and vitamin E (RPCE), supplemented with 4 g/day RPC chloride and 200 IU/day vitamin E. Supplements were administered individually before the morning feed to ensure complete consumption, starting 30 days before kidding and continuing for 35 days after. During the experiment, milk yield and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield were, respectively, 210 and 350 g/day higher in RPC-supplemented goats than in non-supplemented goats. Milk fat concentration and fat yield were also increased by RPC treatment. Milk yield and composition were unaffected by vitamin E supplementation. There were no significant interactions between RPC and VITE for any of the variables measured. Plasma metabolites did not differ between treatments before and after kidding except that plasma folate at parturition was higher in RPC-supplemented goats. Neither choline nor vitamin E affected vitamin B12 plasma concentrations, while a time effect was evident after the second week of lactation, when B12 levels in each treatment group started to increase. Vitamin E administration resulted in plasma α-tocopherol levels that were 2 to 2.5 times higher than in non-supplemented goats. Overall, these results suggest that greater choline availability can improve milk production and methyl group metabolism in transition dairy goats.     

Renal excretion of urea in response to changes in nitrogen intake in desert (black Bedouin) and non-desert (Swiss Saanen) goats

• 1.1. Renal responses were compared between desert (black Bedouin) and non-desert (Swiss Saanen) goats fed (a) Lucerne hay ad. lib., (b) Lucerne hay restricted to 65% of the ad. lib. consumption and (c) wheat straw.
• 2.2. Reduced feeding in both breeds resulted in proportional reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the amount of urea excreted with no change in the percentage of urea reabsorbed.
• 3.3. In both breeds appreciably less urea was filtered at the glomerulus when a low-nitrogen diet was fed compared with a high nitrogen diet and the percentage of filtered urea reabsorbed increased from about 55 to about 90%.
• 4.4. In both breeds the reduction in GFR is quantitatively more important than the increase in the percentage of filtered urea reabsorbed in regard to renal urea conservation.
• 5.5. The results indicate no qualitative differences between desert and non-desert breeds of goat. The advantages of the Bedouin over the Saanen goats is related to the lower GFR values in the Bedouin goat and mainly their ability to reduce its GFR much more than the Saanen goats in response to lower nitrogen intake.

     

Using dried orange pulp in the diet of dairy goats: effects on milk yield and composition and blood parameters of dams and growth performance and carcass quality of kids

Although dried orange pulp (DOP) may conveniently replace cereals in ruminant diets, few studies have considered similar diet substitution for goats. We hypothesised that DOP could replace cereal-based concentrate in goat diets without detrimental effects on growth performance and carcass quality of suckling kids and milk performance and blood biochemical parameters of dams in early lactation. We also hypothesised that DOP substitution may increase the levels of antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds and vitamin E, in milk and improve its total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Therefore, 44 primiparous Payoya dairy goats were allocated to three experimental groups, each fed a different diet: control (CD, n = 14) based on a commercial concentrate with alfalfa hay as forage; and DOP40 (n = 16) in which 40% and DOP80 (n = 14) in which 80% of the cereal in the concentrate were replaced by DOP. The experiment lasted from the final month of pregnancy to 55 days postpartum. The DOP diets did not affect suckling kids’ carcass quality, but at 28 days, led to improvement in live weight (LW) and average daily gain (ADG) from birth, although no differences were found between DOP40 and DOP80 (for CD, DOP40 and DOP80, LW at 28 days was 8.00, 8.58 and 8.34 kg and ADG was 184, 199 and 195 g/day, respectively). Diet had no significant effect on milk yield (average daily milk yield and total yield at 55 days were 1.66 l/day and 90.6 l, respectively) and commercial and fatty acid composition. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol, total phenolic compound (TPC) and TAC concentration in milk increased with substitution of cereals by DOP (for CD, DOP40 and DOP80, concentration of α-tocopherol was 21.7, 32.8 and 42.3 μg/100 g, TPCs was 63.5, 84.1 and 102 mg gallic acid equivalents/l, and TAC was 6.63, 11.1 and 12.8 μmol Trolox equivalents/ml, respectively). Every plasma biochemistry parameter considered was within reference values for healthy goats; therefore, no pathological effect was detected for these variables due to dietary treatment. However, DOP diets caused a reduction in plasmatic creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, implying reduced oxidative damage to muscles. In conclusion, DOP may be an interesting alternative to cereals in early lactation goat diets for increasing farmers’ income and the healthy antioxidant capacity of milk.     

The effect of cultivated mixed-species green fodder on intake,milk production and milk composition of housed dairy goats

The majority of New Zealand dairy goat farmers utilise cultivated green-fed fodder dominated by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), but evidence from other ruminant species suggests that milk production may be improved when using a more diverse array of species within the green fodder. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether feeding lactating dairy goats a mixed-species green fodder (MF, consisting of perennial ryegrass, timothy (Phleum pratense L.), prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth), white clover, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) improves dietary intake, milk yield and composition compared with a standard ryegrass and white clover green fodder (SF). Thirty-six mid-lactation goats were housed indoors in pairs and split into two groups (A and B). The trial was split into three periods – firstly a uniformity period of 6 days, in which all goats were fed a combination of both green fodder types, followed by two treatment periods (P1 and P2) of 12 days, respectively. For P1, group A was fed MF and group B was fed SF, and then the group diets were switched for P2. Goats fed MF had 13% greater dry matter intake and 7% greater milk yield than goats fed SF. In addition, the milk protein and fat concentration of goats fed MF were 4% greater than for those fed SF, whereas there was no effect on milk lactose concentration. There was no treatment effect on the levels of protein, glucose, urea or non-esterified fatty acids in the blood of the goats. An effect of green fodder type on milk fat profile was demonstrated, with proportions of pentadecylic acid (C15:0), cis-vaccenic acid (C18:1 c11), linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n3) being increased in response to MF consumption. In contrast, iso-C15 and iso-C17 proportions were lesser. In summary, this study demonstrated that goats fed MF increased green fodder intake and milk production compared with goats fed SF. The green fodder type affected the fatty acid profile of goat’s milk, with MF increasing the levels of beneficial polyunsaturated omega fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic acids).     

Repeatability of traits for characterizing feed intake patterns in dairy goats: a basis for phenotyping in the precision farming context

In ruminants, feeding behaviour variables are parameters involved in feed efficiency that show variation among individuals. This study aimed to evaluate during the first two production cycles in ruminants the repeatability of feed intake pattern, which is an important aspect of feeding behaviour. Thirty-five dairy goats from Alpine or Saanen breeds were housed in individual pens at four periods (end of first gestation, middle of first and second lactations and middle of second gestation which is also the end of first lactation) and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum. Individual cumulative dry matter intake (DMI) was automatically measured every 2 min during the last 4 days of each period. Feed intake pattern was characterized by several measures related to the quantity of feed eaten or to the rate of intake during the 15 h following the afternoon feed delivery. Two main methods were used: modelling cumulative DMI evolution by an exponential model or by a segmentation-clustering method. The goat ability to sort against dietary fibre was also evaluated. There was a very good repeatability of the aggregate measures between days within a period for a given goat estimated by the day effect within breed and goat, tested on the residual variance (P > 0.95). The correlations between periods were the highest between the second and either the third or fourth periods. With increasing age, goats sorted more against the fibrous part of the TMR and increased their initial rate of intake. Alpine goats ate more slowly than Saanen goats but ate during a longer duration. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on all the aggregate measures of feed intake patterns. The factor score plots generated by the PCA highlighted the opposition between the different measures of feed intake patterns and the sorting behaviour. The projection of the animals on the scoring plots showed a breed effect and that there was a continuum for the feed intake pattern of goats. In conclusion, this study showed that the feed intake pattern was highly repeatable for an animal in a given period and between periods. This means that phenotyping goats in a younger age might be of interest, either to select them on feeding behaviour and choose preferentially the slow eaters or to adapt the quantity offered and restrict feed delivery to the fast eaters in order to increase feed efficiency and welfare by limiting the occurrence of acidosis, for example.     

Impact of diet management and composition on vitamin B12 concentration in milk of Holstein cows

As vitamin B₁₂ is only synthesized by bacteria, ruminant products, especially dairy products, are excellent sources of this vitamin. This study aims to identify if diet and cow characteristics could affect vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk of dairy cows. Information on 1484 first, 1093 second and 1763 third and greater parity Holstein cows in 100 herds was collected during three consecutive milkings. During the first morning milking, all dietary ingredients given to cows were sampled and quantities offered were recorded throughout the day. Nutrient composition of ingredients was obtained by wet chemistry to reconstitute nutrient composition of the ration. Milk samples were taken with in-line milk meters during the evening milking of the 1^st day and the morning milking of the 2nd day and were analyzed for vitamin B₁₂ concentration. Milk yields were recorded and milk components were separately analyzed for each milking. Daily vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk was obtained using morning and evening vitamin B₁₂ concentrations weighted with respective milk yield, then divided by daily yield. To decrease the number of interdependent variables to include in the multivariable model, a principal component analysis was carried out. Daily milk concentration of vitamin B₁₂ averaged 3809±80 pg/ml, 4178±79 pg/ml and 4399±77 pg/ml for first, second and third, and greater lactation cows. Out of 11 principal components, six were significantly related to daily milk concentration of vitamin B₁₂ when entered in the multivariable model. Results suggested that vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk was positively related to percentage of fiber and negatively related to starch as well as energy of the diet. Negative relationships were noted between vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk and milk yield as well as milk lactose concentration and positive relationships were observed between vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk and milk fat as well as protein concentrations. The percentages of chopped mixed silage and commercial energy supplement in the diet as well as cow BW were positively related to vitamin B₁₂ in milk and percentages of baled mixed silage, corn and commercial protein supplement in the ration were negatively related to vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk. The pseudo-R² of the model was low (52%) suggesting that diet and cow characteristics have moderate impact on vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk. Moreover, when entering solely the principal component related to milk production in the model, the pseudo-R² was 46%. In conclusion, it suggests that studied diet characteristics have a marginal impact on vitamin B₁₂ concentration in milk variation.     

Feeding corn grain steeped in citric acid modulates rumen fermentation and inflammatory responses in dairy goats

Cereal grains treated with organic acids were proved to increase ruminal resistant starch and can relieve the risk of ruminal acidosis. However, previous study mainly focussed on acid-treated barley, the effects of organic acid-treated corn is still unknown. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether feeding ground corn steeped in citric acid (CA) would affect ruminal pH and fermentation patterns, milk production and innate immunity responses in dairy goats. Eight ruminally cannulated Saanen dairy goats were used in a crossover designed experiment. Each experimental period was 21 day long including 14 days for adaption to new diet and 7 days for sampling and data collection. The goats were fed high-grain diet contained 30% hay and 70% corn-based concentrate. The corn was steeped either in water (control) or in 0.5% (wt/vol) CA solution for 48 h. Goats fed CA diet showed improved ruminal pH status with greater mean and minimum ruminal pH, and shorter (P<0.05) duration of ruminal pH<5.6 and less area of ruminal pH<5.6, 5.8 and 6.0. Concentration of total volatile fatty acid and molar proportion of propionate were less but the molar proportion of acetate was greater (P<0.05) in goats fed the CA diet than the control diet. Concentration of ruminal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was lower (P<0.05) and that of lactic acid also tended (P<0.10) to be lower in goats fed CA than the control. Although dry matter intake, actual milk yield, yield and content of milk protein and lactose were not affected, the milk fat content and 4% fat-corrected milk tended (P<0.10) to be greater in goats fed CA diet. For the inflammatory responses, peripheral LPS did not differ, whereas the concentration of LPS binding protein and serum amyloid A tended (P<0.10) to be less in goats fed CA diet. Similarly, goats fed CA diet had less (P<0.05) concentration of haptoglobin and tumour necrosis factor. These results indicated that feeding ground corn treated with CA effectively improved ruminal pH status, thus alleviated the risk of ruminal acidosis, reduced inflammatory response, and tend to improve milk yield and milk fat test.     

Vitamin A metabolism: α-Tocopherol modulates tissue retinol levels in vivo,and retinyl palmitate hydrolysis in vitro

The steady-state concentrations of retinol in rat tissues varied as a function of dietary α-tocopherol. The liver, kidney, and intestinal retinol concentrations increased in animals fed an α-tocopherol-deficient diet despite a decrease (liver) or no change (kidney and intestine) in the concentrations of total vitamin A. In contrast, in lung the concentrations of both retinol and total vitamin A decreased. α-Tocopherol inhibited retinyl palmitate hydrolase in vitro in liver, kidney, and intestine; had minimal effect on the testes hydrolase; and stimulated the lung hydrolase. Fifty percent inhibition of the liver hydrolase was provided by an α-tocopherol concentration (100 μm), close to that reported in livers of rats fed a purified diet, constituted with moderately low amounts of α-tocopheryl acetate. Phylloquinone (vitamin K₁) inhibited the retinyl palmitate hydrolase in vitro in all tissues tested, and was about fivefold more potent than α-tocopherol. The effects of phylloquinone and α-tocopherol on the liver hydrolase were additive, not synergistic. The antioxidant N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, the most effective synthetic vitamin E substitute known, had little effect on the hydrolase. These data show that α-tocopherol effects vitamin A metabolism in several tissues, and suggest that it may be a physiological effector of tissue retinol homeostasis.     

Effect of grass silage harvesting time and level of concentrate supplementation on goat milk quality

Milk fat lipolysis giving high concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and off-flavor in the goat's milk is a challenge for the dairy industry in Norway. This has been considered to be caused by underfeeding of the goats and thereby energy mobilization in early and mid lactation. Energy intake can be improved by feeding silage of early harvesting time (HT) and supplementation with concentrate. In the present experiment, 18 goats in early lactation were fed grass silages prepared from the primary growth at a very early, early or normal stage of maturity (HT 1, HT 2 and HT 3, respectively), supplemented with a low (LC; 0.6 kg per goat daily) or normal (NC; 1.2 kg per goat daily) level of concentrate. The experiment was conducted as a cyclic change-over design with four periods of 28 days using three blocks of goats according to their initial body condition (poor, medium or high). Milk and blood samples were collected at the end of each period. Milk yield and yields of milk constituents decreased with delayed harvesting time and with LC. Sensory milk taste quality was not affected by dietary treatment, and milk FFA was highest when NC was fed. The proportion of short and medium chain fatty acids in milk fat decreased with postponed harvesting time and LC, while most of the long chain fatty acids (including C18:1c9) increased with postponed harvesting time and LC. The calculated energy balance decreased and the serum concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased with decreasing energy content in the diet (postponed harvesting time and low level of concentrate). Goats with initial poor body condition had higher milk FFA concentrations than goats in higher initial body condition. High milk FFA concentration was correlated to poor milk taste quality, low serum NEFA concentration, low C18:1c9 proportion and high energy balance. Our findings suggest that increasing energy intake and energy balance during the first 4 months of lactation does not reduce FFA concentration in goats’ milk.     

Genetic diversity analyses reveal first insights into breed‐specific selection signatures within Swiss goat breeds

We used genotype data from the caprine 50k Illumina BeadChip for the assessment of genetic diversity within and between 10 local Swiss goat breeds. Three different cluster methods allowed the goat samples to be assigned to the respective breed groups, whilst the samples of Nera Verzasca and Tessin Grey goats could not be differentiated from each other. The results of the different genetic diversity measures show that Appenzell, Toggenburg, Valais and Booted goats should be prioritized in future conservation activities. Furthermore, we examined runs of homozygosity (ROH) and compared genomic inbreeding coefficients based on ROH (F_ROH) with pedigree‐based inbreeding coefficients (F_PED). The linear relationship between F_ROH and F_PED was confirmed for goats by including samples from the three main breeds (Saanen, Chamois and Toggenburg goats). F_ROH appears to be a suitable measure for describing levels of inbreeding in goat breeds with missing pedigree information. Finally, we derived selection signatures between the breeds. We report a total of 384 putative selection signals. The 25 most significant windows contained genes known for traits such as: coat color variation (MITF, KIT, ASIP), growth (IGF2, IGF2R, HRAS, FGFR3) and milk composition (PITX2). Several other putative genes involved in the formation of populations, which might have been selected for adaptation to the alpine environment, are highlighted. The results provide a contemporary background for the management of genetic diversity in local Swiss goat breeds.     

Influence of vitamin E supplementation and basal diet on the vitamin E status, performance and tissue fatty acid concentration in lambs

In order to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E level and basal diet on vitamin E status, performance and tissue fatty acid content, five groups of eight Suffolk × Charollais wether lambs with an initial live weight of 28.4 (s.d. 1.6) kg were allocated to one of five concentrate-based diets supplemented with all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate to contain 30 mg (C-30), 60 mg (C-60), 120 mg (C-120), 250 mg (C-250) or 500 mg (C-500) α-tocopheryl acetate/kg dry matter (DM), for 63 days. Two additional groups of eight lambs entered the study at 31.2 (s.d. 3.3) kg and were fed grass silage and 400 g/day concentrate for 56 days, with the whole diet providing the equivalent of 60 mg (S-60) or 500 mg (S-500) α-tocopheryl acetate/kg DM. Lambs were weighed and blood samples obtained by venipuncture weekly. Dietary vitamin E level did not affect performance (P > 0.05), but lambs fed grass silage grew more slowly (P < 0.001) and had a higher (P < 0.001) feed conversion ratio (kg feed/kg gain) than those fed concentrates. At day 0 plasma α-tocopherol concentrations were 0.8 μg/ml and did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Plasma α-tocopherol concentrations then decreased in all lambs except for those fed S-500, which increased, and at slaughter were (μg/ml) 0.07, 0.23, 0.39, 0.76 and 1.57 in C-30, C-60, C-120, C-250 and C-500 and 1.18 and 1.93 in S-60 and S-500, respectively. At slaughter, muscle and liver α-tocopherol concentrations were in the deficiency range for lambs fed C-30, C-60 or C-120, whereas plasma creatine kinase and tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids were unaffected by dietary vitamin E level, but creatine kinase levels were higher (P < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidise levels lower (P < 0.001) in lambs fed grass silage than concentrates alone. Muscle and liver α-tocopherol concentrations were 1.8- and 4.1-fold higher in lambs fed S-60 than C-60, but there was less of a difference between lambs fed S-500 or C-500 with muscle and liver differences of 0.4- and 0.7-fold, respectively. Tissue n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) and n-6 fatty acids lower in lambs receiving the grass silage compared to concentrate-based diets, but were not affected by dietary vitamin E level. It is concluded that lower plasma and tissue levels of α-tocopherol are present in lambs supplemented with all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate on a concentrate compared to a mixed diet of silage and concentrates, and that normal growth can be achieved at tissue levels previously considered to represent deficiency.     

Effects of replacing grass silage with either maize silage or concentrates during late pregnancy on the performance of breeding ewes fed isonitrogenous diets

A study was undertaken to investigate the performance of breeding ewes fed a range of forage and concentrate-based diets in late pregnancy, balanced for supply of metabolizable protein (MP). For the final 6 weeks before lambing, 104 twin-bearing multiparous ewes were offered one of four diets: ad libitum precision-chop grass silage + 0.55 kg/day concentrates (GS); ad libitum maize silage + 0.55 kg/day concentrates (MS); a 1 : 1 mixture (on a dry matter (DM) basis) of grass silage and maize silage fed ad libitum + 0.55 kg/day (GSMS); or 1.55 kg/day concentrates + 50 g/day chopped barley straw (C). The CP content of the concentrates was varied between treatments (157 to 296 g/kg DM) with the aim of achieving a daily intake of 130 g/day MP across all treatments. Compared with ewes fed GS, forage DM intake was higher (P < 0.05) in ewes fed MS (+0.21 kg/day) and GSMS (+0.16 kg/day), resulting in higher (P < 0.001) total DM intakes with these treatments. C ewes had the lowest total DM intake of all the treatments examined (P < 0.001). C ewes lost more live weight (LW; P < 0.001) and body condition score (BCS; P < 0.05) during the first 3 weeks of the study but there were no dietary effects on ewe LW or BCS thereafter. The incidence of dystocia was lower (P < 0.01) in C ewes compared with those offered silage-based diets (7.5% v. 37.4% ewes), and was higher (P < 0.01) in ewes fed MS compared with GS or GSMS (50.7%, 34.7% and 26.9%, respectively). There were no significant dietary effects on the plasma metabolite concentrations of ewes in late pregnancy, pre-weaning lamb mortality, weaned lamb output per ewe or on lamb growth rate. The results of this study demonstrate that both maize silage and all-concentrate diets can replace grass silage in pregnant ewe rations without impacting on performance, provided the supply of MP is non-limiting. The higher incidence of dystocia in ewes fed maize silage as the sole forage is a concern.     

Dairy goat kids fed liquid diets in substitution of goat milk and slaughtered at different ages: an economic viability analysis using Monte Carlo techniques

The aim of this study was to analyze the economic viability of producing dairy goat kids fed liquid diets in alternative of goat milk and slaughtered at two different ages. Forty-eight male newborn Saanen and Alpine kids were selected and allocated to four groups using a completely randomized factorial design: goat milk (GM), cow milk (CM), commercial milk replacer (CMR) and fermented cow colostrum (FC). Each group was then divided into two groups: slaughter at 60 and 90 days of age. The animals received Tifton hay and concentrate ad libitum. The values of total costs of liquid and solid feed plus labor, income and average gross margin were calculated. The data were then analyzed using the Monte Carlo techniques with the @Risk 5.5 software, with 1000 iterations of the variables being studied through the model. The kids fed GM and CMR generated negative profitability values when slaughtered at 60 days (US$ −16.4 and US$ −2.17, respectively) and also at 90 days (US$ −30.8 and US$ −0.18, respectively). The risk analysis showed that there is a 98% probability that profitability would be negative when GM is used. In this regard, CM and FC presented low risk when the kids were slaughtered at 60 days (8.5% and 21.2%, respectively) and an even lower risk when animals were slaughtered at 90 days (5.2% and 3.8%, respectively). The kids fed CM and slaughtered at 90 days presented the highest average gross income (US$ 67.88) and also average gross margin (US$ 18.43/animal). For the 60-day rearing regime to be economically viable, the CMR cost should not exceed 11.47% of the animal-selling price. This implies that the replacer cannot cost more than US$ 0.39 and 0.43/kg for the 60- and 90-day feeding regimes, respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed that the variables with the greatest impact on the final model’s results were animal selling price, liquid diet cost, final weight at slaughter and labor. In conclusion, the production of male dairy goat kids can be economically viable when the kids diet consists mainly of either cow milk or fermented colostrum, especially when kids are slaughtered at 90 days of age.