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).     

Chemical composition, in situ ruminal degradability and post-ruminal disappearance of dry matter and crude protein from the halophytic plants Kochia scoparia, Atriplex dimorphostegia, Suaeda arcuata and Gamanthus gamacarpus

Samples of Kochia (K. scoparia), Atriplex (A. dimorphostegia), Suaeda (S. arcuata) and Gamanthus (G. gamacarpus) were collected and analyzed for chemical composition including crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDFom), acid detergent fiber (ADFom), non-protein N (NPN), Ca, P, Na, K, Cl, Mg, Fe, Cu and Se. In addition, in situ ruminal degradability and post-ruminal disappearance of dry matter (DM) and CP of the samples using a mobile bag technique were determined. Results indicate that the chemical composition of Kochia and Atriplex was notably different from those of Suaeda and Gamanthus. All of these halophytic plants had high concentrations of Na, K, Cl, Cu and Se, and low levels of Ca, P and Mg. The rapidly degradable fractions of DM and CP (g/g) of Kochia (0.31 and 0.35, respectively) and Atriplex (0.39 and 0.50, respectively) were lower than for Suaeda (0.53 and 0.55, respectively) and Gamanthus (0.56 and 0.66, respectively). Ruminal DM and CP disappearance of Kochia (444 and 517 g/kg, respectively) and Atriplex (472 and 529 g/kg, respectively) were lower (P<0.05) than those of Suaeda (553 and 577 g/kg, respectively) and Gamanthus (663 and 677 g/kg, respectively) (P<0.05) using the mobile bag technique. Suaeda had the lowest (P<0.05) NDFom and ADFom disappearance (214 and 232 g/kg, respectively) in the rumen. Kochia scoparia and Atriplex dimorphostegia have more beneficial chemical nutritive components and digestible values versus Suaeda arcuata and Gamanthus gamacarpus.     

Nutritive value and voluntary feed intake by goats of three browse fodder species in the Sahelian zone of West Africa

Browsing ruminants have access to different biomass, depending on how high they can reach. Foliage consisting of leaves and green pods from Acacia senegal, Pterocarpus lucens and Guiera senegalensis, was collected according to height above ground accessible to either sheep (0.90 m), goats (1.65 m) or cattle (1.50 m). There was a significant variation in the chemical composition of the biomass between species. The crude protein (CP) content was 114, 157 and 217 g/kg dry matter (DM) and the neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) content 604, 534 and 412 g/kg DM for G. senegalensis, P. lucens and A. senegal, respectively. There was no significant variation in chemical composition according to the height accessible by cattle, sheep or goats. The voluntary intake was studied using eight goats per diet. The six diets consisted of the three browse leaves and two pods (A. senegal and P. lucens) and a control. The leaves were fed combined with hay of Schoenefeldia gracilis (maximum 30%) and the control was pure hay. Apparent digestibilities of the same diets, with the exception of G. senegalensis, were measured using five goats per diet. All browse fodders used in the feeding and digestibility trials were high in CP (105–170 g/kg DM) and lignin (164–234 g/kg DM except A. senegal leaves) and low in fiber (322–590 g/kg DM of NDF) compared to the hay (31 g/kg DM of CP and 755 g/kg DM of NDF). The highest intake was of the P. lucens diet (864 g) and the lowest of the G. senegalensis diet (397 g). The intake of pods from A. senegal was higher (1033 g) than from P. lucens pods (691 g). The apparent digestibility of OM and CP in the browse leaves was 0.63 and 0.57 and 0.63 and 0.64 for A. senegal and P. lucens, respectively, higher than for the hay, which showed higher digestibility of NDF. A. senegal pods had higher digestibility for all nutrients than P. lucens pods. Based on the high CP content and the intake and digestibility characteristics, P. lucens leaves and A. senegal leaves and pods can be recommended as protein supplements to low quality diets.     

The potential of Commelina benghalensis as a forage for ruminants

To evaluate the potential of Commelina benghalensis as a forage for ruminants, effects of plant maturity on chemical composition, rumen degradability as well as its increased dietary inclusion level on intake, digestibility and N balance in sheep fed Sorghum almum were investigated with forage obtained from the wild, re-established and harvested at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of growth. Composite herbage samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), chemical components, total extractable phenolics (TEP) and amino acid content. In sacco rumen degradability measurements used six individually confined wethers (8 ± 0.5 months of age; 21 ± 2.6 kg live-weight (LW)) fitted with rumen cannulae and fed a ration of 3:1 fresh S. almum and Medicago sativa hay (about 1:2 on a DM basis). In sacco bags containing 5 g each of dry herbage were inserted into the rumen and withdrawn sequentially after 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. Metabolizable energy (ME) was estimated from 24 h in vitro gas production. In the digestibility study, 12 wethers fitted with rumen canula were housed in metabolic crates and allotted to four treatment diets (i. e., D0, D10, D20 and D30) constituted from fresh S. almum and pre-wilted C. benghalensis in a randomized complete block design. The control diet (D0) was 3 kg fresh S. almum (≈535.5 g DM/wether/d about 30 g/kg LW), whereas D10, D20 and D30 were D0 +300, 600 or 900 g of wilted C. benghalensis (≈34, 68 or about 102 g DM/wether/d), respectively. The study lasted for 21 d. Dry matter, fibre and TEP content increased (P<0.001) with maturity of the forage, whereas those of CP and EE decreased (P<0.0001) over the same period. Amino acids (AA) also declined with maturity (P<0.05). Rumen degradability of DM and OM were unaffected, but DM intake increased linearly (P<0.0001) at a decreasing rate (Q: P<0.05) and DM digestibility (DMD) and N intake increased linearly (P<0.01 and P<0.0001, respectively) as level of C. benghalensis in the diet increased. Results indicate that advancing maturity affected chemical composition, but not rumen degradability, of C. benghalensis and also demonstrated that inclusion of C. benghalensis in S. almum diet improved intake, digestibility and N intake, suggesting its potential use as a feed supplement.     

Chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation of common tree forages in the semi-arid rangelands of Swaziland

Browse plants play an important role in providing feed for livestock in semi-arid rangelands of Africa. Chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation of leaves collected from Acacia burkei, Acacia tortilis, Acacia nilotica, Dichrostachys cinerea and Ehretia obtusifolia in communal grazing lands in the lowveld of Swaziland is presented. Leaves were collected from trees located on two soil types (i.e., lithosol and vertisol) in the communal land but it had no effect on the chemical composition of tree leaves. The NDFom and ADFom content were highest in D. cinerea and A. burkei and lowest in E. obtusifolia and A. nilotica. Crude protein (CP) contents ranged between 108 g/kg and 122 g/kg DM. D. cinerea had the highest Ca and Mg content, while A. tortilis had the lowest. There were marked variations in K level amongst browse species, with A. tortilis (9.1 g/kg DM) having the highest value. The P, Zn and Fe did not differ between browse species. Soil type and tree species interaction impacted in vitro fermentation parameters. Extent of fermentation, as measured by 48 h cumulative gas production, and organic matter degradability was highest in E. obtusifolia leaves and lowest in D. cinerea leaves within soil type. Fermentation efficiency, as measured by partitioning factors, was highest in A. nilotica leaves. Leaves of E. obtusifolia could be a valuable supplementary feedstuff for ruminant livestock due to its in vitro fermentation characteristics as well as low fibre and moderate CP levels.     

Effects of linseed lipids fed as rolled seeds, extruded seeds or oil on organic matter and crude protein digestion in cows

Effects of fatty acids of linseed in different forms, on ruminal fermentation and digestibility were studied in dry cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas. Four diets based on maize silage, lucerne hay and concentrates (65/10/25 dry matter (DM)) were compared in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment where the diets were: control diet (C), diet RL supplied 75 g/kg DM rolled linseeds, diet EL supplied 75 g/kg DM extruded linseeds, and diet LO supplied 26 g/kg DM linseed oil and 49 g/kg DM linseed meal. The diets did not differ in total organic matter (OM) and fibre digestibility, in forestomach and intestinal OM digestibility, and in duodenal N flow. Microbial N duodenal flow tended to be lower for RL versus C diet (P<0.1). Extrusion did not reduce ruminal crude protein (CP) degradation in vivo and in situ. Volatile fatty acid concentration and pattern, and protozoa concentration in the rumen, did not vary among diets. Results confirm the absence of a negative effect of a moderate supply of linseed on rumen function, as well as no effect of extrusion on its ruminal CP degradability.     

In sacco rumen disappearance of condensed tannins, fiber, and nitrogen from herbaceous native Texas legumes in goats

Condensed tannins (CT) can play a role in rumen protein and fiber degradability, especially in legumes high in CT. In order to better understand their potential role in ruminant nutrition, three legume species native to Texas, Acacia angustissima var. hirta (prairie acacia) (288.0 g/kg neutral detergent fiber (NDFom), 40.9 g/kg N), Desmodium paniculatum (panicled tick-clover) (479.7 g/kg NDFom, 24.8 g/kg N), and Lespedeza procumbens (trailing bush-clover) (401.0 g/kg NDFom, 21.7 g/kg N) were studied to determine in sacco disappearance rates of key nutritional components compared to that of Medicago sativa (alfalfa) (226.8 g/kg NDFom, 34.6 g/kg N). Herbage was incubated in rumen-cannulated goats fed a basal diet of Sorghum bicolor×S. sudanense (sorghum-Sudan) hay, with disappearance measured at 0, 4, 8, 16, 28, 48 and 96 h. Among the native legumes, the highest CT concentrations were measured in prairie acacia (263 g CT/kg DM foliage) and the lowest (120 g CT/kg DM) in trailing bush-clover. The lowest concentrations of acid detergent fiber (ADFom), NDFom, and sulfuric acid lignin (lignin(sa)) were measured in prairie acacia, the first two fractions being comparable to alfalfa. Proportion remaining was calculated for CT, ADFom, lignin(sa), NDFom, and N for 0, 24 and 48 h of rumen incubation. Disappearance parameters were measured for ADFom, lignin(sa), NDFom and N for the three native legumes and compared to alfalfa. Alfalfa had the highest disappearance of all degradable fractions except lignin(sa). Potential disappearance (PD) fraction for ADFom, lignin(sa) and N were lower for the native legumes versus alfalfa. No differences in N proportion remaining at 24 and 48 h occurred in the native legumes despite differences in protein-bound CT proportion remaining at those same times. Of the native legumes studied, prairie acacia shows the greatest potential for contributing rumen-escape protein, suggesting it may be a candidate for further development as a pasture and rangeland renovation legume.     

Effects of Brosimum alicastrum and Lysiloma latisiliquum mixtures on voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed tropical pastures

Effects of supplementing tree foliage mixtures on voluntary intake, apparent digestibility and N balance was evaluated using Pelibuey sheep fed low quality diets. Five treatments were examined in a 5 × 5 Latin square design, which consisted of a basal diet of grass (Sorghum halepense) hay supplemented with Brosimum alicastrum (B) and Lysiloma latisiliquum (L) at the following rates (g DM/kg diet): B264, L0; B198, L66; B132, L132; B66, L198 and B0, L264. Additionally, an in situ degradability evaluation was completed with two ruminally cannulated cows. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN), lignin(sa) and total phenols (TP) were higher (P<0.01) in L. latisiliquum versus B. alicastrum. Daily intake (g/kg LW^0.75/day) of DM (from 98 to 73) and OM (from 88 to 66) decreased quadratically (P<0.01), whereas CP (from 8.0 to 5.6) and ME (from 7.7 to 5.2, MJ/sheep/day) reduced linearly (P<0.01), as L. latisiliquum increased in the diet. Apparent digestibility of DM (from 0.486 to 0.445), OM (from 0.511 to 0.458) and CP (from 0.417 to 0.198) decreased linearly (P<0.01) and was associated with a low ruminal in situ CP degradability of L. latisiliquum. The decrease in N intake and digestibility induced lower (P<0.01) N retention (from 2.7 to 0.1 g/sheep/day). Although the incremental substitution of B. alicastrum with L. latisiliquum negatively affected intake, rumen degradation, digestibility and N balance, results indicate that this foliage mixture, but with no more than 132 g DM/kg diet of L. latisiliquum, could be used as a supplementation strategy to sheep fed low quality forage without negative effects on voluntary intake.     

The effect of dietary crude protein level on intake,growth, protein retention and utilization of growing male Saanen kids

The effects of increasing dietary levels of crude protein on growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and composition of gain in male Saanen kids were studied. Four groups of four kids each initially weighing 12.1±0.18 kg and having a weight gain of 195±16 g/d were penned individually and fed for 73 to 124 days up to 25 kg of BW. They were fed chaffed wheat straw (45 g CP/kg DM) which had been molasses sprayed (10%) and pelleted concentrates containing 8.7, 11.7, 14.4 and 17.6% crude protein (CP) on DM basis, the ratio of straw to concentrate being 1:5. Kids were fed controlled to satiation in which case small amounts of the feeds were offered about five times a day as long as the kids wanted to eat. Retention of protein, fat and energy were calculated from their initial and final concentrations in the empty body homogenates of the slaughtered kids. With increasing CP level in the diet, feed intake increased from 448 to 608 g DM/d, weight gain from 94 to 181 g/d, retention of protein from 9.7 to 27.8 g/d, retention of fat from 9.6 to 19.1 g/d and feed efficiency improved from 4.79 to 3.39 kg DM/kg weight gain. Protein composition of gain increased from 103 to 154 g/kg BWG while fat (103–105 g/kg BWG) remained constant. Regression analyses showed that BWG can be optimized at 136 g CP/kg DM and protein retention at 180 g CP/kg DM, whereas, dietary nitrogen was utilized most efficiently at 120 g CP/kg DM. Extrapolated from the regression equations, maintenance N requirement of the kids at zero N-retention and at zero BWG were 0.38 and 0.16 g N/kg W^0.75, respectively. Recommended dietary CP concentrations and maintenance N requirements depend on the traits desired.     

Effects of condensed tannins in white clover flowers on their digestion in vitro

Protein in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) is poorly utilised by ruminants because of its extensive degradation to ammonia in the rumen. However, white clover produces condensed tannins (CT) in its flowers, which can reduce rumen proteolysis. Effects of increasing proportions of clover dry matter (DM) as flowers (and therefore floral CT) on soluble protein, ammonia and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were determined with in vitro incubations. Minced mixtures of 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/kg of DM as white clover flower (F) with the remainder as white clover leaf, were incubated in vitro and sampled after 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. Treatments contained 0, 13, 26, 39 and 52 g CT/kg DM, respectively. A further treatment with 500 g/kg DM as flower and 500 g/kg DM as leaf had polyethylene glycol added to remove effects of CT. Increasing the proportion of white clover as flowers from 0 to 1000 g/kg DM reduced net conversion of plant N to ammonia N from 290 to 120 mM/M at least partly due to reduced solubility of the protein. Treatments with 750 g/kg DM or more as clover flowers reduced ammonia concentrations to levels likely to limit microbial growth. Total VFA production was not affected by flower content, although the proportion of acetate to propionate increased. The contribution of CT to treatment effects was small compared to effects attributed to difference in chemical composition between flowers and leaves.     

Legume-Cereal Intercropping Improves Forage Yield,Quality and Degradability

Intercropping legume with cereal is an extensively applied planting pattern in crop cultivation. However, forage potential and the degradability of harvested mixtures from intercropping system remain unclear. To investigate the feasibility of applying an intercropping system as a forage supply source to ruminants, two consecutive experiments (experiments 1 and 2) involving a field cultivation trial and a subsequent in vivo degradable experiment were conducted to determine the forage production performance and the ruminally degradable characteristics of a harvested mixture from an alfalfa/corn-rye intercropping system. In experiment 1, the intercropping system was established by alternating alfalfa and corn or rye with a row ratio of 5:2. Dry matter (DM) and nutrient yields were determined. In experiment 2, forages harvested from the different treatments were used as feedstuff to identify nutrient degradation kinetics and distribution of components between the rapidly degradable (a), potentially degradable (b) and the degradation rate constant (c) of ‘b’ fraction by in sacco method in Small-Tail Han wether Sheep. The intercropping system of alfalfa and corn-rye provided higher forage production performance with net increases of 9.52% and 34.81% in DM yield, 42.13% and 16.74% in crude protein (CP) yield, 25.94% and 69.99% in degradable DM yield, and 16.96% and 5.50% in degradable CP yield than rotation and alfalfa sole cropping systems, respectively. In addition, the harvest mixture from intercropping system also had greater ‘a’ fraction, ‘b’ fraction, ‘c’ values, and effective degradability (E value) of DM and CP than corn or rye hay harvested from rotation system. After 48-h exposure to rumen microbes, intercropping harvest materials were degraded to a higher extent than separately degraded crop stems from the sole system as indicated by visual microscopic examination with more tissues disappeared. Thus, the intercropping of alfalfa and corn-rye exhibited a greater forage production potential, and could be applied as forage supply source for ruminants. The improved effective degradability of harvest mixture material could be attributed to greater degradable components involving the rapidly degradable fractions (a), potentially degradable (b) fractions, and degradable rate constant (c), than that of corn and rye hay.     

Effect of ruminally protected fat on in vitro fermentation and apparent nutrient digestibility in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of supplementation of calcium salts of long chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) as a rumen inert fat (PF) on in vitro fermentation and apparent nutrient digestion in adult buffaloes fed wheat straw based diets. For the in vitro fermentation study, five total mixed rations (TMR) consisting of a concentrate mixture (CM), green Sorghum bicolor, WS and supplemented without (C) or with 30 g/kg dry matter (DM) rice bran fatty acid oil (RBO) (30 RBO) or 20 g/kg RBO + 10 g/kg PF (20 RBO/10 PF) or 10 g/kg RBO + 20 g/kg PF (10 RBO/20 PF) or 30 g/kg PF in the DM in the ratio of 340:50:580:30 were prepared. The in vitro DM degradability (IVDMD), TN, trichloro acetic acid precipitable N (TCA-N), non-protein N (NPN) and ammonia N (NH₃-N) were similar among groups. Within the fat supplemented groups, total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration increased linearly (P=0.025) with PF supplementation. Apparent nutrient digestibility was determined on 20 adult buffaloes divided into five equal groups fed CM supplemented without (C) or with 300 g RBO (30 RBO) or 200 g RBO + 100 g PF (20 RBO/10 PF) or 100 g RBO + 200 g PF (10 RBO/20 PF) or 300 g PF (30 PF) along with limited green S. bicolor and WS maintaining forage: concentrate ratio of 650:350. Fat supplementation had no effect on the DM intake and apparent digestibilities of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), total carbohydrate (TCHO) and neutral detergent fiber (aNDF). Within fat supplemented groups, inclusion of PF increased digestibilities of DM, OM, ether extract (EE), TCHO, aNDF and ADF. Supplemental fat also increased the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of the diet, which also increased linearly with PF supplementation. All buffaloes were in positive N, Ca and P balances. We conclude that 200–300 g supplemental PF in the form of Ca-LCFA can be included in straw based diets fed to buffaloes to increase its energy density without adversely affecting DM intake and digestibility.     

Influence of condensed tannins from Brazilian semi-arid legumes on ruminal degradability,microbial colonization and ruminal enzymatic activity in Saanen goats

The present study aimed at determining the influence of condensed tannins present in the Brazilian legume species Mimosa hostilis, Mimosa caesalpinifolia and Bauhinia cheilantha on ruminal degradability, microbial colonization and enzymatic activity. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to reduce the astringency and concentration of soluble condensed tannins. Four ruminally-cannulated Saanen goats (60 ± 8 kg BW) were fed, in two experimental periods, with a hay diet based on the studied legumes treated or non-treated with PEG. Voluntary intake, microbial colonization, DM, CP, NDF, and ruminal degradability of PEG treated and non-treated forage leaves, as well as pH, ammonia and 1,4 β-endoglucanase activity of the rumen content were evaluated. Astringency and soluble tannin concentration of the studied legumes were reduced by approximately 70% and 50%, respectively, with PEG treatment. Average DM intake was higher for the treated diet (16.76 g DM/kg BW/day against 13.06 g DM/kg BW/day). Percentile values for degradation parameters and for potential and effective degradabilities of DM, CP and NDF were also affected by the tannins, but at different intensities. Electron microscopic observations of ruminally-incubated legume leaves showed a more effective microbial colonization of PEG-treated leaves for all legume species. A decrease in pH and an increase in ammonia concentration and in endoglucanase activity in the ruminal content was also observed for PEG-treated diets at all sampling periods. Condensed tannins of the studied legume species have influenced the adhesion conditions, colonization and enzymatic activity of the microbial ecosystem, and consequently the ruminal degradation of the different dietary fractions. For this reason, the reduction in condensed tannin would be of great importance to improve the nutrition of ruminant feeding of these species.     

Effects of level and source of supplemental protein in a concentrate-based diet on growth performance of Boer × Spanish wether goats

Boer×Spanish wether goats (50; 26.8±4.04 kg initial BW and 7 months of age) were used in a 27 week experiment to determine effects of two levels of CP (13 and 19%) and five protein sources varying in ruminal degradability (blood, corn gluten, feather, fish and soybean meals). Diets were 70% concentrate, had a ratio of ruminally degraded intake protein (DIP) to total digestible nutrients (TDNs) of at least 0.09 and were formulated to maximize ruminally undegradaed protein from supplemental protein sources. There were no interactions between dietary CP level and supplemental protein source. Voluntary DM intake (1043, 1089, 1153, 1086 and 1112 g per day; S.E.=74.4), ADG (136, 134, 143, 145 and 138 g per day; S.E.=9.8) and gain efficiency (ADG:DM intake) (131, 124, 125, 136 and 128 g/kg for blood, corn gluten, feather, fish and soybean meals, respectively; S.E.=5.7) were similar between CP levels and among sources of supplemental protein. In summary, with a dietary concentrate level of 70% and at least 13% CP, differences in amino acid profiles among blood, corn gluten, feather, fish and soybean meals did not impact rate or efficiency of growth by Boer×Spanish wethers.     

Seasonal chemical composition, in vitro fermentation and in sacco dry matter degradation of four indigenous multipurpose tree species in Nigeria

A study was carried out to estimate the nutritive value of four indigenous multi-purpose tree (MPT) species (Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Treculia africana, Gliricidia sepium and Millettia griffoniana) by the evaluation of their seasonal chemical composition, in vitro fermentation and in sacco dry matter (DM) degradation. The main objective of the study was to assess the potential of these indigenous MPT in supplementing the feed of ruminant animals during the dry season when grasses are scarce and their quality generally fall short of animal requirements. Leaf samples were randomly collected from the trees for estimation of DM, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, neutral detergent fibre (NDFom), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), lignin (sa), in vitro fermentation and in sacco DM degradation. Samples were collected three times to represent seasonal variations as follows: November: early dry; February: mid-dry and April: late dry seasons. All samples had high CP (160–199 g/kg DM) and moderate fibre concentrations (NDFom, 380–580 g/kg DM; ADFom, 290–400 g/kg DM and lignin (sa), 75–107 g/kg DM). T. africana recorded the highest (180–199 g/kg DM) (P<0.001) CP content throughout the seasons. The values obtained for the in vitro fermentation characteristics and in sacco DM degradation of these indigenous MPT indicated the presence of potentially degradable nutrients in the MPT. Data from this study showed that E. cyclocarpum, T. africana, G. sepium and M. griffoniana have potentials that could be harnessed as feed supplements for ruminant animal production in Nigeria during the dry season.     

Effects of extrusion of flaxseed on ruminal and postruminal nutrient digestibilities

A study was conducted to determine the effects of extrusion on ruminal, post-ruminal and whole tract digestibility of flaxseed. Extrusion was performed at 155°C with a residence time of 43?s. Two non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a randomized complete block design. Results showed that extruded flaxseed had higher (P?in situ soluble and lower (P?P?P?P?P?P?相似文献   

Effects of different forms of Acacia saligna leaves inclusion on feed intake, digestibility and body weight gain in lambs fed grass hay basal diet

The study was undertaken to determine the effects of different forms of Acacia saligna leaves inclusion on feed intake, digestibility and body weight gain in lambs fed grass hay basal diet. Twenty local ‘Farta’ yearling male lambs weighing 17.4 ± 0.10 kg (mean ± SD) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments consisting of daily feeding of lambs in T1 with 700 g grass hay (dry matter basis), and daily free choice feeding of lambs in T2, T3, and T4 with 700 g grass hay + 700 g fresh, wilted, and dried A. saligna leaves, respectively. Inclusion of different forms of A. saligna leaves improved (P<0.01) the daily intake of total DM by 8–9% and that of OM and CP by 7 and 38%, respectively compared to the control. The daily intake of NDFom was lower (P<0.01) by 1–2.3%, whereas that of the ADFom intake declined (P<0.01) by 1.3–3.4% for lambs on wilted and dried forms of A. saligna leaves. Inclusion of A. saligna leaves replaced the intake of the grass hay by 26–27% of the total diet and reduced (P<0.05) apparent digestibility coefficient of the total DM by 9, 7, and 4%, OM by 7, 6 and 4%, and CP by 12, 12, and 9%, but improved (P<0.05) apparent digestibility coefficient of NDFom by 3–4% compared to the control diet. Dried A. saligna leaves improved (P<0.05) apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP compared to fresh A. saligna leaves. Lambs fed on hay alone lost (P<0.05) body weight, while the lambs supplemented with A. saligna leaves gained (P<0.05) weight. The results of this study revealed that A. saligna leaves could be best included in the grass hay based feeding in dried form at the rate of 265 g/kg DM for improved nutrient utilization and growth performance of yearling lambs.     

Rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility of brewers' grains as affected by origin and heat treatment and of barley rootlets

The rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) of three samples of brewers' grains (BG) and three of barley rootlets (BR) were determined. Rumen degradability was determined by the nylon bag technique in three rumen fistulated wethers. Intestinal digestibility was determined by the mobile nylon bag technique in two duodenal fistulated wethers. N content ranged from 41.2 to 46.4 g/kg DM for BG, and from 42.8 to 53.7 g/kg DM for BR. N effective degradability (NED), calculated for rumen outflow rates determined in each sheep, ranged from 57.2% to 70.9% for BG and from 79.0% to 84.0% for BR. N intestinal digestibility (NID) determined on 8 h-rumen incubated residues, ranged from 84.9% to 89.8% for BG and from 67.3% to 81.3% for BR. Lower rumen degradability was partially compensated by higher intestinal digestibility, resulting in a smaller variation in the estimated amount of digestible bypass N, which ranged from 24.7% to 36.7% for BG and from 10.8% to 17.1% for BR. One BG sample was selected to study the effects of heat treatment (HT) on its chemical composition, rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility. The BG sample was either freeze-dried (UBG) or dried at 50°C (50BG), 100°C (100BG), 135°C (135BG) and 175°C (175BG). Total N content was not affected by HT, but the acid–detergent insoluble N (expressed as percentage of total N content) increased from 13.7% to 54.1%. HT reduced the NED (from 76.5% to 25.6%) and, as a consequence, the supply of undegraded N to the duodenum was increased by 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.2 times for 50BG, 100BG, 135BG and 175BG, respectively. Drying at 50°C and 100°C had no adverse effects on the NID determined on 8 h-rumen incubation residues (mean value of 84.3%), but drying at 135 and 175°C decreased it to values of 80.1 and 51.6%, respectively. As a consequence, the estimated amount of digestible bypass N was increased by 1.2, 1.8, 2.3 and 1.9 times when drying at 50°C, 100°C, 135°C and 175°C, respectively.     

Chemical composition and in vitro fermentation of tannin-rich tree fruits

Dry and mature tree fruits are a potential source of protein for goats in the semi-arid areas of southern Africa, but their chemical composition and feeding value is largely unknown. This study presents the chemical composition and in vitro fermentation of indehiscent whole fruits and separated seed and hull fractions from Acacia nilotica, Acacia erubescens, Acacia sieberiana, Acacia erioloba, Piliostigma thonningii and Dichrostachys cinerea trees. Results indicate that the N contents of whole fruits ranged between 13.5 g/kg DM (A. nilotica) and 27.1 g/kg DM (A. erubescens). Seeds had a higher N content than hulls for all tree species. A. nilotica, D. cinerea and P. thonningii fruits had high levels of extractable phenolics (758, 458 and 299 g/kg DM, respectively). Soluble phenolics (SPh) and ytterbium precipitable phenolics (YbPh) levels were negatively correlated to in vitro gas production but positively correlated to in vitro organic matter degradability (iOMD). Partition factors for whole fruits at 48 h ranged between 3.6 mg/ml for A. erioloba and 7.8 mg/ml for A. nilotica. Seeds of A. erioloba, A. erubescens and P. thonningii were consistently fermented more efficiently throughout the incubation period compared to their whole fruits or hulls. Estimating in vitro degradability of phenolic-rich substrates through filtration procedures can give erroneous results due to the loss of soluble phenolics, which are not necessarily degradable. The feeding value of fruits from D. cinerea and A. nilotica tree species may be reduced due to the presence of high levels of phenolics.     

The influence of mannan oligosaccharides, acidifiers and their combination on caecal microflora of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the dietary supplementation of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) extracted from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, acidifiers -calcium formate (CF), calcium propionate (CP)- and their combination on the caecal microflora of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Four hundred and fifty 1-day old quail where divided in six groups with three replicates each. One group that served as control received the basal diet. The five experimental diets consisted of the basal diet to which either 1 g MOS/kg, or 6 g CF/kg, or 6 g CP/kg, or 1 g MOS plus 6 g CF/kg or 1 g MOS plus 6 g CP/kg were added. The body weight was examined at weekly intervals and mortality was recorded daily. At days 21 and 42 of age, the total count of aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, enterobacteriaceae and coliforms in the caecal content of one bird of each replicate was determined. Also, at day 42 of age, two birds of each replicate were slaughtered and their carcass weight was determined. The results showed that MOS significantly (P ≤ 0.050) increased the total aerobic plate and lactic acid bacteria counts on day 21. Furthermore, CP significantly (P ≤ 0.050) decreased the total aerobic plate and lactic acid bacteria counts compared to controls on day 21. Significant interaction between MOS and acidifiers was noticed on total aerobic plate count on day 21. No significant (P > 0.050) difference was found in the caecal microflora on day 42. Finally, no significant (P > 0.050) difference was noticed on mortality, body and carcass weight.