Nitrogen excretion of adult sheep fed silages made of a mixed sward or of pure unfertilised grass alone and in combination with barley

Four adult rumen-fistulated wether sheep were fed silages combined with barley. The silages consisted of 48% grasses, 28% legumes and 24% other forbs (GCF) or of pure grass (G). The swards received no mineral fertiliser. The dry matter (DM) and fibre contents were lower in GCF than in G. Crude protein content of DM in GCF and G were 145 g/kg and 102 g/kg respectively. DM content as ash, lipids and non-fibrous carbohydrates were rather similar in both silages. About 40g DM were offered per kg BW0.75 and day either as silage alone or as a mixture of silage and barley (60:40). Faecal N excretion was greater with GCF than with G. The proportion of faecal bacterial and endogenous debris N reached 75 and 73% when GCF or G was fed, respectively. Undigested dietary N represented about 20%, and water soluble N accounted for 5-6% of faecal N. GCF caused more urinary N than G. Barley reduced urinary N excretion when supplemented to GCF. No dietary influence on urinary non-urea nitrogenous compounds was shown. GCF caused higher urinary urea N excretion than G and barley reduced this fraction when replacing part of GCF. Based on the urinary urea N proportions, it is concluded that N intake exceeded N requirement for any of the four diets fed. Dietary supplementation of ruminally fermentable carbohydrates can reduce urinary N excretion and this improves the efficiency of utilisation of N in N-unfertilised biodiverse grassland/ruminant farming systems.     

Nitrogen excretion of adult sheep fed silages made of a mixed sward or of pure unfertilised grass alone and in combination with barley

Four adult rumen-fistulated wether sheep were fed silages combined with barley. The silages consisted of 48% grasses, 28% legumes and 24% other forbs (GCF) or of pure grass (G). The swards received no mineral fertiliser. The dry matter (DM) and fibre contents were lower in GCF than in G. Crude protein content of DM in GCF and G were 145 g/kg and 102 g/kg respectively. DM content as ash, lipids and non-fibrous carbohydrates were rather similar in both silages. About 40g DM were offered per kg BW^0.75 and day either as silage alone or as a mixture of silage and barley (60:40). Faecal N excretion was greater with GCF than with G. The proportion of faecal bacterial and endogenous debris N reached 75 and 73% when GCF or G was fed, respectively. Undigested dietary N represented about 20%, and water soluble N accounted for 5–6% of faecal N. GCF caused more urinary N than G. Barley reduced urinary N excretion when supplemented to GCF. No dietary influence on urinary non-urea nitrogenous compounds was shown. GCF caused higher urinary urea N excretion than G and barley reduced this fraction when replacing part of GCF. Based on the urinary urea N proportions, it is concluded that N intake exceeded N requirement for any of the four diets fed. Dietary supplementation of ruminally fermentable carbohydrates can reduce urinary N excretion and this improves the efficiency of utilisation of N in N-unfertilised biodiverse grassland/ruminant farming systems.     

Urea and short-chain fatty acids metabolism in Holstein cows fed a low-nitrogen grass-based diet

Three ruminally cannulated and multicatheterised lactating dairy cows were used to investigate the effect of different supplement strategies to fresh clover grass on urea and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism in a zero-grazing experiment with 24-h blood and ruminal samplings. Fresh clover grass was cut every morning and offered from 0800 to 1500 h. Maize silage was fed at 1530 h. The three treatments, arranged in a Latin square, differed by timing of feeding rolled barley and soya-bean hulls relative to fresh clover grass. All diets had the same overall composition. Treatments were soya-bean hulls fed at 0700 h and barley fed at 1530 h (SAM), barley fed at 0700 h and soya-bean hulls fed at 1530 h (BAM), and both soya-bean hulls and barley fed at 1530 h (SBPM). The grass had an unexpectedly low content of crude protein (12.7%) and the cows were severely undersupplied with rumen degradable protein. The treatment effects were numerically small; greater arterial ammonia concentration, net portal flux of ammonia and net hepatic flux of urea during part of the day were observed when no supplementary carbohydrate was fed before grass feeding. A marked diurnal variation in ruminal fermentation was observed and grass feeding increased ruminal concentrations of propionate and butyrate. The net portal fluxes of propionate, butyrate, isovalerate and valerate as well as the net hepatic uptake of propionate, butyrate, valerate and caproate increased after feeding at 0700 h. The hepatic extraction of butyrate showed a relatively large depression with grass feeding with nadir at 1200 to 1330 h. The increased net portal absorption and the decreased hepatic extraction resulted in an approximately six-fold increase in the arterial blood concentration of butyrate. The gut entry rate of urea accounted for 70 ± 10% of the net hepatic production of urea. Saliva contributed to 14% of the total amount of urea recycled to the gut. Urea recycling to the gut was equivalent to 58% of the dietary nitrogen intake. Despite the severe undersupply of rumen degradable protein, the portal-drained viscera did not extract more than 4.3% of the urea supplied with arterial blood. This value is in line with the literature values for cows fed diets only moderately deficient in rumen degradable protein and indicates that cows maximise urea transfer across gut epithelia even when the diet is moderately deficient in rumen degradable protein.     

Degradability characteristics of dry matter and crude protein of forages in ruminants

Twelve corn silages, 22 grass silages and 14 grass hays, obtained from various farms located in the lower Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, and 16 alfalfa hays, grown primarily in the Columbia basin of central Washington State, were evaluated using both the rumen and the mobile nylon bag in situ techniques. Nylon bags containing each forage were incubated in duplicate for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, or 96 h in two of six non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with rumen and duodenal cannulae. All forage types were evaluated in terms of the following dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestion characteristics: soluble fraction A, degradable fraction B, degradation rate, lag phase, and effective degradability. The mobile nylon bag technique was used to determine intestinal disappearance of DM and CP from the forages following pre-incubation in the rumen for 12 h. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in degradation characteristics occurred within all forages with regard to the soluble and potentially degradable DM and CP fractions. Soluble CP content in the rumen varied from 44.08 to 75.37% and from 18.74 to 65.38% in the corn and grass silages, respectively, and from 48.27 to 75.43% and from 30.13 to 65.95% in the alfalfa and grass hays, respectively. Significant differences within each forage type were also observed for the degradable CP in fraction B: 10.89 to 45.28% for corn silage, 20.72 to 82.77% for grass silage, 16.67 to 44.88% for grass hay and 25.44 to 62.93% for alfalfa hays. Significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in fractional rates of ruminal DM degradation of the grass hays and corn silages. Significant differences did exist in the fractional rates of ruminal CP degradation within all forage types with the exception of alfalfa hays. Effective degradabilities of DM and CP were also significantly different between samples of a particular forage type. The mobile nylon bag data indicated that approximately 20% of the original CP in the grass silage, grass hay and alfalfa hay samples disappeared in the intestine and that there was significant variation between individual samples. On average, in the corn silage samples more than 10% of the original nitrogenous material disappeared in the intestine. The results presented in this study clearly demonstrate that the use of tabulated values for describing individual batches of forages in terms of their degradability characteristics is inaccurate since they may not reflect the particular forage being used in the ration and thus may lead to errors in diet formulation.     

Effects of Agave salmiana Otto Ex Salm-Dyck silage as forage on ruminal fermentation and growth in goats

Ensiling of Agave salmiana Otto Ex Salm-Dyck, a widespread plant in Mexico, as a viable preservation method to create a potential animal feed resource for ruminants was investigated. Fresh A. salmiana with 205 g dry matter (DM)/kg and wilted alfalfa with 602 g DM/kg were ensiled in combinations (DM:DM) of 1000:0, 500:500 and 350:650, to evaluate feeding value of agave:alfalfa silages on ruminal fermentation and growth of goats. Chemical composition and in situ ruminal disappearance of three total mixed rations (TMRs), which included 240 g/kg DM of each silage (1000:0, 500:500 and 350:650) were determined. The TMR were used to assess ruminal fermentation and growth of 15 goats (20 ± 2.2 kg body weight (BW)). Silage pH (≤4), lactate (>25 g/kg DM) and ammonia (<50 g/kg total N) concentrations indicate that silage quality was good. Lactic acid was the main acid in all silages, acetic acid concentrations were relatively low, and butyrate was only detected in only the 1000:0 agave:alfalfa silage. Potential DM disappearance of the TMR increased quadratically as the amount of alfalfa included in the silage mixture increased. The BW gain and feed efficiency were not changed by treatment, even though DM intake decreased and aNDF intake increased linearly as the amount of alfalfa included in the silage mixture increased. Ruminal pH and butyrate increased, and ammonia N, lactate and propionate decreased linearly as alfalfa proportion of alfalfa in the silage mixture was increased. The TMR ingredient selectivity by the goats may have limited goat performance when alfalfa was included in agave silage mixtures. Because the agave:alfalfa blend improved nutritional quality, ruminal digestibility and intake of agave silage, alfalfa inclusion may improve nutritional characteristics of agave plants silages for ruminants.     

The effects of concentrate energy source on feed intake and rumen fermentation parameters of dairy cows offered a range of grass silages

The effects of concentrate energy source on feed intake and rumen fermentation parameters of lactating dairy cattle, offered one of three grass silages differing in fermentation and intake characteristics, were evaluated in a partially balanced changeover design experiment involving four rumen fistulated dairy cows. Three silages were harvested using different management practices prior to and at ensiling. Silages A and C and silage B were harvested from primary or secondary regrowths either untreated or treated with a bacterial inoculant. For silages A, B and C, dry matter (DM) concentrations were 334, 197 and 183 g/kg (S.E. 3.1), pH values 4.00, 4.79 and 4.80 (S.E. 0.042) and ammonia nitrogen (N) concentrations were 123, 319 and 295 g/kg total N (S.E. 20.0), respectively. Two concentrates were formulated to contain similar crude protein, effective rumen degradable protein, digestible undegradable protein and metabolisable energy concentrations but using different carbohydrate sources to achieve a wide range of starch concentrations. For the low and high starch concentrates starch concentrations were 17 and 304 g/kg DM and acid detergent fibre concentrations were 170 and 80 g/kg DM, respectively. The silages were offered ad libitum, supplemented with 10 kg fresh concentrate daily. For silages A, B and C, DM intakes were 10.9, 7.2 and 8.6 kg/day and concentrate energy sources did not alter (P>0.05) intake. Increasing the level of starch in the concentrate decreased the molar concentration of acetate (P<0.05) and tended to increase the molar concentration of propionate (P<0.1). Silage type altered the molar concentration of acetate (P<0.01) and the acetate:propionate ratio (P<0.05). There were no silagetype×concentrate interactions (P>0.05) on silage intake or rumen fermentation parameters. It is concluded that when concentrate and silage form equal proportions of the diet, the composition of the silage has an over-riding influence on rumen fermentation parameters. Furthermore, the changes in milk fat concentration, observed in a concurrent production study, due to changes in silage and concentrate types can be accounted for by changes in the ratio of lipogenic to glucogenic precursors in the rumen fluid.     

Effect of niacin supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrient flow at the duodenum in lactating dairy cows fed a diet with a negative rumen nitrogen balance

The aim of the present experiment was to ascertain if a daily niacin supplementation of 6 g/cow to lactating dairy cow diets can compensate for the decrease in rumen microbial fermentation due to a negative rumen nitrogen balance (RNB). A total of nine ruminally and duodenally fistulated lactating multiparous German Holstein cows was used. The diets consisted of 10 kg dry matter (DM) maize silage and 7 kg DM concentrate and differed as follows: (i) Diet RNB- (n = 6) with energy and utilisable crude protein (CP) at the duodenum (uCP) according to the average requirement of the animals, but with a negative RNB (-0.41 g N/MJ metabolisable energy [ME]); (ii) Diet RNB0 (n = 7) with energy, uCP, and RNB (0.08 g N/MJ ME) according to the average requirement of the animals; and (iii) Diet NA (nicotinic acid; n = 5), which was the same diet as RNB-, but supplemented with 6 g niacin/d. The negative RNB affected the rumen fermentation pattern and reduced ammonia content in rumen fluid and the daily duodenal flows of microbial CP (MP) and uCP. Niacin supplementation increased the apparent ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fibre. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis per unit of rumen degradable CP was higher, whereby the amount of MP reaching the duodenum was unaffected by niacin supplementation. The number of protozoa in rumen fluid was higher in NA treatment. The results indicated a more efficient use of rumen degradable N due to changes in the microbial population in the rumen when niacin was supplemented to diets deficient in RNB for lactating dairy cows.     

Effects of condensed tannins in wrapped silage bales of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on in vivo and in situ digestion in sheep

The objective of this study was to characterize the condensed tannins (CTs) in wrapped silage bales of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and examine their potential action on in vivo and in situ digestive characteristics in sheep. Silage was made from sainfoin, cut at two phenological stages. The first phenological stage, at which silage was made, was from the first vegetation cycle at the end of flowering and the second stage silage was made from regrowth, 5 weeks after the first cut, but before flowering. The silages made from the two phenological stages were fed to 12 rumen-fistulated sheep in a crossover design. Of the 12 sheep, six received polyethylene glycol (PEG) to bind with and remove the effects of CT, whereas the other six were dosed with water. Organic matter digestibility, total-tract N digestibility and N (N) balance were measured over 6 days. Kinetic studies were performed on total N, ammonia N (NH3-N) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in rumen fluid before and 1.5, 3 and 6 h after feeding. The kinetics of degradation of dry matter and N from Dacron bags suspended in the rumen were also determined. Biological activity of CT (protein-binding capacity) and CT concentration were greater for the silage made from sainfoin at the early flowering stage. Total-tract N digestibility was increased by the addition of PEG (P < 0.001) to the sainfoin silage before flowering (P < 0.001). CTs decreased N excretion in urine (P < 0.05) and increased faecal N excretion (P < 0.001), but had no effect on body N retention, which is beneficial for the animal. Ruminal N degradability was smaller in the presence of active CT (P < 0.001) at both phenological stages; however, soluble N (P = 0.2060) and NH3-N (P = 0.5225) concentrations in rumen fluid remained unchanged. The results of this experiment indicate that CT in the sainfoin retain their ability to affect the nutritive value of preserved forage legumes.     

Relationship between chemical composition and in situ rumen degradation characteristics of maize silages in dairy cows

Several in situ studies have been conducted on maize silages to determine the effect of individual factors such as maturity stage, chop length and ensiling of maize crop on the rumen degradation but the information on the relationship between chemical composition and in situ rumen degradation characteristics remains scarce. The objectives of this study were to determine and describe relationships between the chemical composition and the rumen degradation characteristics of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, starch and aNDFom (NDF assayed with a heat stable amylase and expressed exclusive of residual ash) of maize silages. In all, 75 maize silage samples were selected, with a broad range in chemical composition and quality parameters. The samples were incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 72 and 336 h, using the nylon bag technique. Large range was found in the rumen degradable fractions of DM, OM, CP, starch and aNDFom because of the broad range in chemical composition and quality parameters. The new database with in situ rumen degradation characteristics of DM, OM, CP, starch and aNDFom of the maize silages was obtained under uniform experimental conditions; same cows, same incubation protocol and same chemical analysis procedures. Regression equations were developed with significant predictors (P<0.05) describing moderate and weak relationships between the chemical composition and the washout fraction, rumen undegradable fraction, potentially rumen degradable fraction, fractional degradation rate and effective rumen degradable fraction of DM, OM, CP, starch and aNDFom.     

A simulation model “CTR Dairy” to predict the supply of nutrients in dairy cows managed under discontinuous feeding patterns

A simulation rumen model has been developed to function under non-steady state conditions in order to allow prediction of nutrient availability in dairy cows managed under discontinuous feeding systems. The model simulates availability of glycogenic, aminogenic and lipogenic nutrients to lactating dairy cows fed discontinuously. The model structure considers input of up to three different feeds fed independently at any time during the day. Feeds are described by their nitrogen (N), carbohydrate and fatty acid fractions. The N containing feed fractions include ruminally undegraded crude protein (CP), ruminally insoluble but potentially degradable CP, ruminally soluble CP and ammonia N. The feed carbohydrate fractions include ruminally undegradable neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ruminally degradable NDF, ruminally insoluble starch, ruminally soluble starch and sugars. The fatty acids in the feeds are divided between long chain fatty acids and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Additionally four pools were defined representing absorption of amino acids, glucose, long chain fatty acids and volatile fatty acids. The rumen microbial population is represented as a single pool. Besides a flexible structure, new features to the extant model include adoption of the concept of chewing efficiency (or chewing effectiveness) during eating, variable fractional ruminal absorption rates of VFA and variable fractional ruminal degradation rates of NDF as a function of rumen liquid pH, as well as a variable rumen volume which directly affects rumen concentrations of metabolites. The model continuously (i.e., by minute) predicts release of soluble components from the feeds in the rumen, concentration and absorption of fermentation end products in the rumen, rumen pools of nutrients and microbial biomass dynamics, as well as passage of microbial biomass and non-fermented nutrients from the rumen, in response to various feeding strategies. Model evaluation covered a wide range of feeding strategies that included pasture and housed feeding systems. Overall, the mean square prediction error (MSPE) as a percentage of the observed mean was relatively low (<10%) with a high amount of the total variation explained by random variation (>65%). Deviation from unity varied between 23% (rumen dry matter content) and 25% (NDF), indicating some consistent over and/or under prediction. A more detailed evaluation was done based on studies available that reported diurnal behaviour of key model outputs such as rumen pools, rumen pH, and rumen VFA. The predictions broadly simulated the observed values quantitatively, relative to general diurnal patterns, and relative to differences between treatments in the predicted diurnal patterns. Results show that the model provides a tool to assess potential outcomes of changing feeding strategies which may be particularly valuable in assessing selection of feeds, amounts and times of the day to offer the feeds. The continuous nature of the simulated output also allows determination of the time(s) of the day that ruminal (and/or post-ruminal) delivery of nutrients may limit ruminal output of nutrients (and/or availability of nutrients) to support milk nutrient synthesis.     

Effect of ambient temperature on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed brown-midrib maize silage

The aim of the experiment was to determine the impact of heat stress on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed silages differing in fibre quality. The digestibility trial was conducted at three different ambient temperatures (15°C, 25°C and 35°C for 24 h/d). The tested brown-midrib maize (Bm) silage had a higher nutrient digestibility, except for ether extract (EE) and a higher metabolisable energy (ME) content than the control maize (Con) silage. Nitrogen (N) excretion with faeces was higher but N excretion with urine was lower for sheep fed Bm silage, subsequently N balance did not differ between the two silages. Temperature had no effect on nutrient digestibility, except for crude protein (CP), but N excretion with urine was lower at elevated temperatures. A diet by temperature interaction was found for dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility. When the ambient temperature increased from 15°C to 25°C, the DM and OM digestibility increased in animals fed Con silage, but decreased in animals fed Bm silage. Concomitantly, ME estimated from digestible nutrients was higher for Bm than for Con at 15°C, but no differences were found at 25°C and 35°C. Effects of diet by temperature interaction, furthermore, were observed for EE and CP digestibility. Therefore, forage quality has to be considered when feeding heat-stressed animals.     

Protein value of cereals and cereal by-products for ruminants: a comparison between crude protein and protein-based estimates

In situ estimates of ruminal undegraded fraction (RU) and effective intestinal digestibility (EID, corrected for microbial colonisation) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total analysed amino acids (TAA) of rye, wheat and corn grains, wheat bran, wheat and barley distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed were measured on three rumen and duodenum cannulated wethers using ¹⁵N labelling techniques and considering ruminal rates of particle comminution (k_c) and outflow. Results indicate that not considering k_c and microbial colonisation led to considerable overestimations of RU which increased with feed ruminal degradation. Microbial colonisation may be also associated with overestimations of EID, whose estimates for DM, CP and TAA were predicted from parameters related with the ruminal escape of intestinally indigestible materials. The RU estimates were higher for TAA than for CP in grains, but the opposite was observed in by-products, whereas EID estimates were higher for TAA in all feeds. To obtain accurate protein values in these feedstuffs, it is required to consider both k_c and ruminal microbial colonisation. The CP-based results underestimate the intestinally digested protein in grains and the opposite is evidenced in cereal by-products. Microbial protein synthesised in the rumen is largely the major fraction of the feedstuff protein value with the exception of DDGS.     

Investigations on the effect of forage source, grinding, and urea supplementation on ruminal fermentation and microbial protein flow in a semi-continuous rumen simulation system

The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of maize silage and grass silage on microbial fermentation and protein flow in a semi-continuous rumen simulation system (Rusitec) when milling screen size (MSS) during grinding was varied. Oven-dried silages were milled through screens of 1, 4 or 9 mm pore size and incubated for 48 h in a Rusitec system. Furthermore, the effect of N supplementation to maize silage (MSS: 4 mm) was investigated and single dose vs. continuous infusion of urea-N were compared. Degradation of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), fibre fractions and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) as well as short-chain fatty acid production differed significantly between forage sources. Urea-N supplementation improved the degradation of NSC, but not that of fibre fractions in maize silage. The way of urea supply had only marginal effects on fermentation characteristics. An increase in MSS, and consequently in mean feed particle size, led to an improvement in the degradation of OM, CP and NSC, but efficiency of microbial net protein synthesis (EMPS; mg microbial N flow/g degraded OM) and the microbial amino acid profile were less affected. EMPS was higher in grass silage than in maize silage and was improved by urea-N supplementation in maize silage. This study indicates that fermentation of NSC as well as EMPS during incubation of maize silage was limited by availability of NH3-N. Furthermore, an increase in MSS above 1 mm seems to improve fermentation of silages in the Rusitec system.     

Effects of formic acid,molasses and inoculant additives on corn silage composition,organic matter digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in sheep

This study examined the production of com silages with low or high lactic acid concentrations, provided by the addition of formic acid (0.5%), molasses (5%) or microbial inoculant (homofermentative lactic acid bacteria, 10 g/tonne). After the fermentation period, sheep were fed the silages to determine true and apparent digestibility of the organic matter and microbial protein synthesis. The experiment were carried out with four KıvırcıkxMorkaraman sheep, 1.5 years old, fixed with cannula in their rumen and duodenum.Lactic acid concentrations were significantly higher in silages treated with enzyme or molasses compared to other specific treatments. Acetic acid concentration was highest in silage treated with formic acid, and lowest in silage treated with molasses (P < 0.05). The by-pass of crude protein was highest in silage treated with formic acid.     

Effect of organic grass-clover silage on fiber digestion in dairy cows

There are differences in grass-clover proportions and chemical composition between herbage from primary growth (PG) and regrowth (RG) in grass-clover leys. Mixing silages made from PG and RG may provide a more optimal diet to dairy cows than when fed separately. We tested the hypotheses that increasing dietary proportions of grass-clover silage made from RG compared with PG would increase digestion rate of potentially degradable NDF (pdNDF), and increase ruminal accumulation of indigestible NDF (iNDF). Eight rumen cannulated Norwegian Red cows were used in two replicated 4×4 Latin squares with 21-day periods. Silages were prepared from PG and RG of an organically cultivated ley, where PG and RG silages were fed ad libitum in treatments with RG replacing PG in ratios of 0, 0.33, 0.67 and 1 on dry matter basis in addition to 8 kg concentrate. We evaluated the effect of the four diets with emphasis on rumen- and total tract fiber digestibility. Increasing RG proportions decreased silage intake by 7%. Omasal flow of pdNDF decreased, whereas iNDF flow increased with increasing RG proportions. Increasing RG proportions decreased rumen pool sizes of NDF and pdNDF, whereas pool sizes of iNDF and CP increased. Increasing RG proportions increased digestion rate of NDF, which resulted in greater total tract digestion of NDF. Pure PG diet had the highest calculated energy intake, but the improved rumen digestion of NDF by cows offered 0.33 and 0.67 of RG leveled out milk fat and protein yields among the three PG containing diets.     

Influence of feeding sunflower seed and meal protected against ruminal fermentation on ruminal fermentation,bacterial composition and in situ degradability in sheep

ABSTRACT

The effects of treating sunflower seed (SS) and meal (SM), as well as of a mixture of both feeds (SSM; 45:55) with a solution of malic acid (1 M; 400 ml/kg feed) and heating for protection against ruminal degradation were studied. Four rumen-fistulated sheep were fed two mixed diets composed of oat hay and concentrate (40:60) and differing only in the concentrate, that contained either a mixture of untreated SS and SM (control diet) or treated SS and SM (MAH diet). A crossover design with two 24-d experimental periods was used, and each period included 10 d of diet adaptation, 9 d for in situ incubations of SS, SM and SSM, and 5 d for measuring ruminal fermentation characteristics and rumen emptying. From day 6 onwards a solution of (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ was continuously infused into the rumen of each sheep to label ruminal bacteria. Feeding the MAH diet did not affect either ruminal pH or concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and NH₃-N, but decreased (p ≤ 0.01) the molar proportions of acetate and propionate and increased those of butyrate (p< 0.001). Organic matter and lipid contents of ruminal bacteria were lower whereas both N content and ¹⁵N enrichment were greater (p ≤ 0.05) in MAH-fed sheep. The in situ effective degradability (ED) of different fractions of SS, SM and SSM were calculated from the ruminal rates of particle comminution and passage, and values were corrected for microbial contamination. The MAH treatment decreased the ED of most fractions for all feeds and increased the supply of by-pass crude protein (CP) by 19.1% and 120% for SS and SM, respectively, and that of fat by 34% for SS. The MAH treatment also increased the in vitro intestinal digestibility of the by-pass CP for both SS (from 60.1% to 75.4%) and SM (from 83.2% to 91.0%). The simultaneous heating of both feeds (SSM) reinforced the protective effect of the MAH treatment and increased the by-pass CP without altering its intestinal digestibility, increasing the intestinally digested CP content by 16.8% compared with the value estimated from the results obtained for MAH-treated SS and SM incubated independently. These results indicate that the MAH treatment was effective to protect sunflower protein against rumen degradation and increased its intestinal digestibility.     

Solubility and flow of calcium,magnesium and phosphorus in the digestive tract of sheep given maize or alfalfa silages

Four sheep, each fitted with a rumen cannula and a re-entrant cannula in the proximal duodenum and terminal ileum, were used for collection of rumen, duodenal and ileal digesta. Four normal sheep were used for collection of faeces. They were given maize silage, maize silage ensiled with urea, wilted alfalfa silage or formic acid-treated alfalfa silage. Although the solubility of the calcium (Ca) in the duodenal digesta was higher with sheep on maize silages than with those on alfalfa silages, sheep fed on maize silage showed negative apparent absorption (?32.7 and ?16.5%) owing to the low concentration of Ca in whole-plant maize. The apparent absorption of magnesium (Mg) was 40.6–42.3% for maize silages and 24.2–26.8% for alfalfa silages. The differences between silages with respect to apparent absorption of phosphorus (P) were not significant and ranged between 1.5 and 10.9%. There were no appreciable differences in soluble proportions, flow and apparent absorption of Ca, Mg and P between the two maize silages or the two alfalfa silages. There was a net absorption of Ca and Mg and a net secretion of P in the stomach of animals on all silages.     

Using mixed silages of sweet sorghum and alfalfa in total mixed rations to improve growth performance,nutrient digestibility,carcass traits and meat quality of sheep

Combining sweet sorghum (SS) with alfalfa for ensiling has the potential to make a high-quality silage with relatively a better nutrient balance. However, the existing data are insufficient about how changes in ratios of SS to alfalfa in different silage mixtures affect animal performance and meat quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding total mixed rations containing mixed silages of SS and alfalfa on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality of Karakul sheep. Five total mixed rations were formulated with different SS proportions at 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% on a fresh weight basis. Thirty 4-month old male Karakul sheep with 25.5 ± 1.4 kg BW were randomly allocated into five treatment groups, each with six lambs for this experiment. The results indicated that the Karakul sheep consuming total mixed rations containing SS-Alfalfa (SS-AF) silage mixtures with a lower proportion of SS tended to increase nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality. Feeding diets with SS at 40% and 20% inclusion rate showed a significant linear increase in the apparent digestibility of DM, CP and NDF, as well as subcutaneous fat thickness and water holding capacity (P < 0.5). Moreover, reduction in SS inclusion rate in these diets caused significant (P < 0.05) linear and quadratic increases in DM intake, final BW, average daily gain, carcass weight, and the amino acid contents of meat (P < 0.05). Conversely, feeding diet with lower SS inclusion rate led to decrease in feed conversion ratio and shear force significantly (P < 0.05) for these sheep. It appears that 40% inclusion of SS was the optimal rate in making the SS-AF silage mixture for lambs to achieve a superior production performance and high-quality meat products in Karakul sheep. However, further research is needed to investigate the effect of feeding SS-AF silage mixtures alongside contrasting ingredients on rumen function, ruminal microorganisms and digestive enzyme activity of sheep and other ruminant animals.     

Ensiling and subsequent ruminal degradation characteristics of barley tea grounds treated with contrasting additives

The objective of this experiment was to determine the ensiling characteristics and in situ degradation of barley tea grounds (BTG) treated with contrasting additives. The BTG was ensiled without additive (control), or with mixtures of lactic acid bacteria and Acremonium cellulase (LAB + AUS), formic acid (FA), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for a period of 60 days. Three ruminal-fistulated steers were used to determine in situ degradabilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) in the BTG and its silages. In the LAB + AUS treated silage, the pH value (P<0.001) and ammonia-N content (P=0.007) were lower and the lactic acid content (P<0.001) was higher than the control. The FA and NaOH treated silages were well preserved as indicated by low ammonia-N content (P=0.007), no propionic acid and butyric acid. The LAB + AUS treated silage had higher rapidly degradable fraction of DM and CP than the control and BTG (P<0.001). The NaOH treated silage had higher contents of rapidly degradable fraction, slowly degradable fraction and effective degradability of DM and CP than control and BTG (P<0.01).     

The effects of barley, unmolassed sugar-beet pulp and molasses supplements on organic matter, nitrogen and fibre digestion in the rumen of cattle given a silage diet

In a 4 × 4 Latin-square experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, 4 cattle fitted with a rumen and duodenal cannula were given four grass-containing diets [480 g kg⁻¹ of the total dry matter (DM) intake] and barley (BU), barley + molasses (2:1) (BM), sugar-beet pulp (SU) or sugar-beet pulp + molasses (SM). Duodenal flow was estimated using Cr-mordanted straw and CoEDTA as markers, and microbial nitrogen entering the small intestine using purine bases of nucleic acids.

Molasses-containing diets had a higher (P < 0.01) organic matter (OM) digestibility. The proportion of digestible OM apparently disappearing in the rumen averaged 0.72 and was not significantly affected by the diet. When cattle received molasses, the quantity of microbial N entering the small intestine was higher (P < 0.05) and there was a trend towards a higher efficiency of microbial N synthesis (28.8 vs. 25.6 g N kg⁻¹ OM apparently digested in the rumen). When S diets were consumed, total non-ammonia N flow at the duodenum exceeded N intake by 7.0 g day⁻¹ and when B diets were consumed, it was 0.7 g day⁻¹ less than N intake. Feed N degradability in the rumen and apparent N digestibility of S diets were lower (P < 0.05; P < 0.001) than those of B diets.

Rumen (P < 0.05) and total (P < 0.001) digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) was higher when S diets were given. The proportion of digestible fibre disappearing in the rumen was not affected by the diet. The rate and extent of silage and hay DM degradation were not significantly affected by the diet. However, dietary inclusion of molasses decreased (P < 0.05) the lag time of both hay and silage DM degradation.

The rumen dilution rate of liquid averaged 0.097 and that of particles, 0.049; neither was significantly different for either B and S diets or U and M diets. Duodenal liquid flow was higher (P < 0.05) for M diets.

Average rumen pH was not affected by the diet, but the molasses diets increased (P < 0.05) the range in rumen pH. The BM diet was associated with higher (P < 0.01) rumen ammonia concentration than the other diets. Low rumen ammonia concentrations (< 2 mM) were observed for long periods between feeds. The molar proportion of butyrate was higher on B diets and there was a trend towards a higher proportion of acetate and propionate on S diets. Molasses tended to increase the molar proportion of propionate and butyrate.