• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1593-1597
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• 2000

In the quiescent state, cattle-manure slurry stratifies into three discernible layers, namely a floating scum layer, a bottom sludge layer and a watery middle layer. The proportions of top (scum), middle and bottom (sludge) layers were approximately 20, 60 and 20% respectively of the volume of the whole slurry. Particulate matter from the different stratified layers was characterised for particle size distribution and cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin composition. Total solids concentrations of top, middle and bottom layers were 12.7, 2.8 and 7.4% respectively. Larger particles were found in the top layer compared with the bottom. The top layer contained the highest amounts of Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), cellulose and hemicellulose, but the lowest amount of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN). The bottom layer contained the highest amounts of Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) and TKN. With increase in particle size, there were increases in NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose, accompanied by decreases in ADL and TKN. Biochemical methane potential of the three layers was also measured. The top layer was found to produce the most methane with the middle layer producing the least. Biomethanation rate from the top layer was also the highest. Differences in biomethanation rates and biochemical methane potential were attributed to differences in chemical composition of the particulate matter. About 48%, 23% and 30% of the total chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the top, middle and bottom layers respectively of the slurry was found to be degradable.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.978-983
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• 2006

Forages from grazing lands comprise conventional feed resources for ruminants in the tropical region. A study was conducted to assess fodder productivity and nutritive potential of deferred forages of six silvopastoral traditional fodder banks in central northwest Tanzania, traditionally known as Ngitiri. The grazing lands were dominated by low quality increaser grass species: Eragrostis spp., Aristida spp., Urochloa spp., Rottboellia exaltata, Cenchrus spp., Cynodon spp. and Chloris spp., and forbs species. The grazing lands had low vegetative basal cover that varied (p<0.05) from 34.7 to 75%, and low forage biomass productivity that varied (p<0.05) from 0.76 to 3.69 tones (t) dry matter (DM)/ha. The forages contained low crude protein (CP) that varied (p<0.05) from 16 to 27 g/kg DM; and had high fibre contents, which varied (p<0.05) from 702-725, 497-573 and 119-225 g/kg DM for neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), respectively. The forages were poorly degraded in sacco, and showed low DM degradability (DMD) characteristics of 74, 473 and 576 g/kg DM for DM washing losses (a), slowly degradable feed fraction (b) and potential degradability, (a+b), respectively; and low DMD at 48 h incubation, which varied from 317-345 g/kg DM, and contained low metabolizable energy (ME), (4.2-4.36 MJ/kg DM). The herbage forages would not meet protein and energy requirements for maintenance and production, which could be reflected through low animal productivity. Further work is needed to assess animal productivity (growth, milk, draft force) from conserved forages in traditional fodder banks in the dry season.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.517-522
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to compare in vitro gas production kinetics, metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and microbial protein (MP) production of widely used legume hays in ruminant nutrition in Turkey. Gas production were determined at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h and their kinetics were described using the equation p = a+b ($1-e^{-ct}$). There were significant differences among legume hays in terms of chemical composition. The crude protein content of legume hays ranged from 11.7 to 18.6% of dry matter (DM); crude fat from 2.1 to 3.5% DM; neutral detergent fiber from 35.6 to 52.0% DM; acid detergent fiber from 32.0 to 35.5% DM and acid detergent lignin 1.7 to 11.0% DM. Total gas production after 96 h incubation ranged between 61.67 and 76.00 ml/0.200 g of substrate. At 24, 72 and 96 h incubation the total gas production for common vetch were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those of the other legume hays. The ME, OMD and MP of legume hays ranged from 9.09 to 11.12 MJ/kg DM, 61.30 to 75.54% and 90.35 to 138.05 g/kg DM, respectively. The ME, OMD and MP of common vetch was significantly (p<0.01) higher than those of the other hays due to low cell-wall contents and high crude protein. At the end of the experiment, differences in chemical composition of legume hays resulted in the differences in the in vitro gas production, gas production kinetics and the estimated parameters such as ME, OMD and MP. Common vetch can be recommended to hay producers and ruminant breeders, due to high ME, OMD and MP production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1657-1662
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• 2004

The forage potential of mulberry (Morus alba) was evaluated under Malaysian conditions. The yield and nutrient composition of plant fractions of mulberry (whole plant, leaf and stem fractions) were determined at four harvest stages, namely, 3 (W3), 5 (W5), 7 (W7) and 9 (W9) weeks in a randomized block design. The study was conducted over a 9-month period to assess the persistence of the crop to repeated harvests. Fresh and dry matter (DM) yields of all plant fractions increased significantly (p<0.01) with increasing intervals between harvests, with highest DM yields at W9. The leaf to stem ratio declined significantly (p<0.01) from 5.2 (W3) to 0.9 (W9), indicating predominance of the stem fraction with advancing maturity. The nutritional composition of plant fractions was also significantly influenced (p<0.01) by advancing plant maturity at harvest. Crude protein (CP), ash and the metabolisable energy content of plant fractions declined significantly (p<0.01) from W3 to W9, while there was a corresponding significant increase (p<0.01) in the acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin. From this study it was concluded that the optimum stage to harvest the whole plant is 5 weeks, which is a compromise between yield, nutrient composition (CP and fibre components), and the annual number of cuts, with good crop persistence to repeated harvests. Fresh mulberry whole plant can provide a valuable supplemental source of nutrients to poor quality basal diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 1996

A 13-month study was conducted to determine the monthly variation of crude protein(CP), cell contents(CC), fiber fractions and mineral concentrations of paragrass [Brachiaria mutica (Forsk.) Stapf.] and stargrass (Cynodon plectostachyum Pilger) and to estimate the correlations among the nutrient fractions and climatic factors. The forage samples collected by hand plucking were found to contain CP and mineral concentrations. i.e. calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), potassium(K) and zinc(Zn) above the critical levels based on ruminant veeds. Monthly differences(p<0.05) were observed in all CP, CC, neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF), hemicellulose(HE), cellulose(CE) and acid detergent lignin(ADL) between the two grass species. Monthly differences(p<0.05) were also observed in all concentrations of forage Ca, K, phosphorus(P), copper(Cu) and Zn except in Mg of both grasses and K of stargrass. Species differences(p<0.05) were observed in all nutrient fractions except Mg and K concentrations. Rainfall had positive correlations to CP, P(p<0.01) and CC(p<0.05); it had negative correlations to NDF(p<0.05). ADF, CE, Ca, Cu and Zn(p<0.01). Temperature, humidity and daylength had also some correlations to various nutrient fractions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1583-1591
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• 2003

The influence of varying levels of urea and additives on nitrogen (N) retention and chemical composition of wheat straw was studied. The wheat straw was treated with 4, 6 and 8% urea and ensiled with 1.5, 2 and 2.5% of acetic or formic acid and 2, 4 and 6% of corn steep liquor (CSL) or acidified molasses for 15 days. The N content of wheat straw was significantly different across all treatments. The N content of urea treated wheat straw was increased with the increasing level of urea. The N content was higher in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled without these organic acids. The N content of urea treated wheat straw was further enhanced when it was ensiled with CSL or acidified molasses. This effect was significant across all levels of urea used to treat the wheat straw. Nitrogen retention in urea treated wheat straw was decreased linearly as the urea level was increased to treat the wheat straw. The N content was increased linearly when higher levels of CSL or acidified molasses were used to ensile the urea treated wheat straw. Most of the N in urea treated wheat straw was held as neutral detergent insoluble N (NDIN). The NDIN content was increased linearly with the increasing levels of urea and additives. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents were higher in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled without additive. The NDF content further increased in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with CSL and acidified molasses. The entire increase in NDF content was because of fiber bound N. The hemicellulose content of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with CSL or acidified molasses was higher as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid. The acid detergent fiber content of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with or without additives remained statistically non-significant. The cellulose contents of wheat straw was linearly reduced when urea level was increased from 4 to 6 and 8% to treat the wheat straw. This effect was further enhanced when urea treated wheat straw was ensiled with different additives. The results of the present study indicated that fermentable carbohydrates might improve the Nitrogen retention and bring the favorable changes in physiochemical nature of wheat straw. However, biological evaluation of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with fermentable carbohydrates is required.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1619-1626
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• 2018

Objective: This study was an attempt to investigate the effect of levels of fungal (Lentinus sajor-caju) treated oil palm fronds (FTOPF) on digestibility, rumen fermentation, and nitrogen balance in goats. Methods: Four 16 month old male crossbred (Thai Native${\times}$Anglo Nubian) goats with initial body weights of $33.5{\pm}1.7kg$ were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Four levels of FTOPF were assigned for feed intake. The experimental treatments consisted of 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% of oil palm fronds (OPF) being replaced by FTOPF. Results: The results revealed that total dry matter intake and nutrient intake were not influenced (p>0.05) by the inclusion of FTOPF. However, the efficiency values of the digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin on FTOPF were higher (p<0.05) in treatments with 33%, 67%, and 100% of FTOPF compared with 0% of FTOPF. FTOPF feeding did not change the rumen pH, temperature, and $NH_3-N$. However, the FTOPF levels did affect the total volatile fatty acid (VFA), molar proportion of acetate, propionate, butyrate, ratio of acetic (propionic acid and acetic) plus butyric (propionic acid), and production of $CH_4$. The totals of VFA and propionate was lower in goat fed with 0% of FTOPF than in those of the other groups (p<0.05). The amount of nitrogen retention based on g/d/animal or the percentage of nitrogen retained was the lowest the goat fed with 0% of FTOPF (p<0.05), whereas nitrogen intake, excretion, and absorption were not changed among treatments. Conclusion: Based on this study, FTOPF could be effectively used as an alternative roughage source in total mixed ration diets, constituting at least up to 100% of OPF.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.851-860
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to manufacture the wood based roughage using lumber from thinning of oak and pitch pine (Pinus rigida). And the study also aimed to investigate a feed value evaluation of wood based roughages. To investigate the optimization condition of steam-digestion treatment for roughage, the wood chips of oak and pitch pine were steam-digestion treated at $160^{\circ}C$ under pressure 6 atm depending on treatment times (60 min, 90 min and 120 min) followed by the content of essential oils analyzed. The essential oil content of steam-digestion treated roughages for 90 min and 120 min were under 0.1 mL/kg. The evaluation of feed value was carried out from steam-digestion treated roughages for 90 min through feed chemical composition analysis, NRC (National research Council) modeling, ruminal degradability analysis and relative economic value analysis. The feed chemical compositions including DM (dry mater), CP (crude protein), EE (ether extract), NDF (neutral detergent fiber), ADF (acid detergent fiber), ADL (acid detergent lignin), NFC (nonfiber carbohydrate) in oak roughage were 95.4, 1.36, 3.11, 90.05, 83.85, 17.33, 6.50%, respectively, and in pitch pine roughage were 94.37, 1.33, 5.48, 87.89, 86.88, 30.56, 6.32%, respectively. Both roughages showed low level of protein and very high level of NDF. The TDN (total digestible nutrient) levels using NRC (2001) model in oak and pitch pine roughages were 40.55, 31.22%, respectively. The ruminal in situ dry matter degradability was higher in oak roughage (23.84%) than in pitch pine roughage (10.02%). The economic values of oak and pitch pine rough-ages were 235, and 210 \, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2005

Wheat straw was treated with microwave for 4 min and 8 min at a power of 750 W and frequency of 2,450 MHz. Chemical compositions of untreated, 4 min treated and 8 min treated straws were analyzed and in sacco degradabilities of all these straws in yak rumens were measured. Microwave treatment didn't significantly (p>0.05) affect the chemical composition of the straw. In sacco dry matter (DM) degradability of the straw after 18 h incubation in rumen was significantly (p<0.01) improved by microwave treatment. In sacco crude protein (CP) degradability of the straw was not (p>0.05) affected by microwave treatment. In sacco organic matter (OM) degradability of the straw was increased (p<0.01) by around 20% for both the 4 min and 8 min microwave treatment, that of acid detergent fibre (ADF) was increased (p<0.01) by 61.6% and 62.8%, and that of ash free ADF was enhanced by 72.1% and 69.6% for the 4 min and 8 min microwave treatment respectively. No significant difference was observed between the 4 min and 8 min microwave treatment on the degradability of DM, OM, CP, ADF and ash-free ADF of the straw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 1997

Objective of the present study were to investigate effects of different levels of concentrate in complete rations on nutrient digestibilities and ruminal fermentation in sheep and growth performance in Korean native bulls. Increasing levels of concentrate (35, 50, 65, and 80% of complete rations) improved digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) without affecting digestibility of neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Increasing levels of concentrate decreased ruminal fluid pH but increased concentrations of $NH_3-N$, propionic acid, and total volatile fatty acids (VFA). Both the disappearance rates of DM and nitrogen (N) in an in sacco study were linearly increased as the levels of concentrate in complete rations increased. Meanwhile, increasing levels of concentrate in complete rations improved growth rate and feed conversion ratio in Korean native bulls. In conclusion, the complete rations containing 80% concentrate showed better digestibility and energy supply than those of the lower levels (35, 50 and 65%) of concentrate of the rations, resulting in improved growth performance of Korean native bulls.