• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.960-964
• /
• 2014

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of diets containing coarse-texture rice straw and small particle size alfalfa pellets as a part of total mixed ration (TMR) on milk productivity and chewing activity in lactating dairy cows. Sixteen multiparous Holstein dairy cows ($670{\pm}21kg$ body weight) in mid-lactation ($194.1{\pm}13.6$ days in milk) were randomly assigned to TMR containing 50% of timothy hay (TH) or TMR containing 20% of rice straw and 30% of alfalfa pellet mixture (RSAP). Geometric mean lengths of TH and RSAP were found to be 5.8 and 3.6, respectively. Dry matter intake, milk yield and milk composition were measured. Moreover, eating and ruminating times were recorded continuously using infrared digital camcorders. Milk yield and milk composition were not detected to have significant differences between TH and RSAP. Dry matter intake (DMI) did not significantly differ for cows fed with TH or RSAP. Although particle size of TH was larger than RSAP, eating, ruminating and total chewing time (min/d or min/kg of DMI) on TH and RSAP were similar. Taken together, our results suggest that using a proper amount of coarse-texture rice straw with high value nutritive alfalfa pellets may stimulate chewing activity in dairy cows without decreasing milk yield and composition even though the quantity of rice straw was 40% of TH.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.968-973
• /
• 2002

To evaluate the chewing activity of ruminant feeds, four Holstein steers (average body weight $742{\pm}15kg$) were employed. Experimental feeds were four roughages ($NH_3$-treated rice straw, alfalfa hay, corn silage, orchard grass hay) and four concentrate ingredients (cotton seed hull, beet pulp pellet, barley grain, oat grain). Regarding palatability for each experimental feeds which was overviewed during the adjustment period, animals were fed roughages alone, but with 50% $NH_3$-treated rice straw ($NH_3$-RS) for concentrate ingredients. Therefore, all the data for concentrate ingredients was derived by extracting the result per unit obtained from steers fed $NH_3$-RS alone. The experiment was conducted using a 4${\times}$4 Latin square designs for roughages and concentrate ingredients. Experimental feeds were fed during a 10 d adaptation and 2 d chewing data collection during each experimental period. Animals were gradually adjusted to the experimental diet. Dry matter intake (DMI) was restricted at a 1.4% of mean body weight (10.4 kg DM/d). Time spent eating and eating chews per kilogram of DMI were greatest for beet pulp pellet, and lowest for barley grain (p<0.05). Time spent rumination per kilogram of DMI was greatest for $NH_3$-RS, cotton seed hull and orchard grass, but rumination chews were greatest for cotton seed hull and orchard grass except $NH_3$-RS (p<0.05). Roughage index value (chewing time, minute/kg DMI) was 58.0 for cotton seed hull, 56.1 for beet pulp pellet, 55.5 for $NH_3$-RS, 53.1 for orchard grass hay, 45.9 for corn silage, 43.0 for alfalfa hay, 30.0 for oat grain, and 10.9 for barley grain. The ratio of rumination time to total chewing time (eating plus ruminating) was about 72% for the roughages except corn silage (66.9%), and followed by cotton seed hull (69.5%), and ranged from 49.5% to 52.9% for other feeds. Higher percentages of rumination in total chewing time may be evidently indicate the characteristics of roughage. Therefore, this indicate that the chewing activity of concentrate ingredients can be more fully reflects by the ruminating time than total chewing time (RVI), although it is reasonable to define the RVI for roughages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.53-62
• /
• 2004

The aim of this study was to predict the energy value and dynamic degradation of roughage in Taiwan using the $Daisy^{(R)}$. in vitro fermentation method to provide information on one of the very important nutrients for ration formulation. The second objective was to study the effects of Aspergillus oryzae (AFE) inclusion on nutrient utilization. Three ruminal fistulated dry dairy cows were used for rumen fluid and fifteen conventional forages used in dairy cattle were collected around this island. The degradability of these feedstuffs with and without AFE ($Amaferm^{(R)}$.) treatment was measured using the $Daisy^{(R)}$. in vitro method. The roughage energy values, including TDN and NEL, were calculated according to Robinson (2000). Results from the 30 h in vitro neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability and predicted energy evaluations showed that alfalfa (among the forages) contained the highest degradability and energy values, Bermuda straw having the lowest. Peanut vines and corn silage contained higher energy values and the lowest value found in Pangola and Napier grasses among the locally produced forages. Pangola and Napier grasses had lower values than most imported forages except Bermuda straw. Among the by-products, wheat middling contained the highest NDF degradability, while rice bran contained the richest energy value due to its high oil content. From the dynamic dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradation, corn silage contained the highest effective degradation among the local forages; wheat middling (among the by-products) degraded the fastest in DM, OM, ADF and NDF and showed the highest effective degradability. AFE inclusion was inconsistent among the forages. Alfalfa hay showed significantly increased 30 h NDF degradability and energy values, Pangola hay, Napier grass and brewer's grains showed decreased degradability and energy values. AFE inclusion increased the DM, OM and NDF degradation rate in most forage, but only increased the DM degradation rate in sorghum distiller's grains, the OM degradation rate in bean curd pomace and the NDF and ADF degradation rates in soy pomace (among the by-products).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.370-378
• /
• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a specific mixture of essential oils (MEO), containing thyme, clove and cinnamon EO, on rumen microbial fermentation, nutrient apparent digestibility and blood metabolites in fistulated sheep. Methods: Six sheep fitted with ruminal fistulas were used in a repeated measurement design with two 24-d periods to investigate the effect of adding MEO at 0 (control), 0.8, and 1.6 mL/d on apparent nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, rumen microbial population and blood chemical metabolites. Animals were fed with a 50:50 alfalfa hay:concentrate diet. Results: Ruminal pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, molar proportion of individual VFA, acetate: propionate ratio and methane production were not affected with MEO. Relative to the control, Small peptides plus amino acid nitrogen and large peptides nitrogen concentration in rumen fluid were not affected with MEO supplementation; while, rumen fluid ammonia nitrogen concentration at 0 and 6 h after morning feeding in sheep fed with 1.6 mL/d of MEO was lower (p<0.05) compared to the control and 0.8 mL/d of MEO. At 0 h after morning feeding, ammonia nitrogen concentration was higher (p<0.05) in sheep fed 0.8 mL/d of MEO relative to 1.6 mL/d and control diet. Ruminal protozoa and hyper ammonia producing (HAP) bacteria counts were not affected by addition of MEO in the diet. Relative to the control, no changes were observed in the red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase concentration. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude proten, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber were not influenced by MEO supplementation. Conclusion:The results of the present study suggested that supplementation of MEO may have limited effects on apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and protozoa and HAP bacteria count, blood cells and metabolites.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.478-482
• /
• 2000

Whole cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) crop was harvested about 10-15 cm above ground at 3 months after planting and sun dried for 1-3 days or until the leaves were crispy-dried and the branches and stems were mostly wilted to produce cassava hay. Cassava hay (CH) contained 86.3% DM, 8.9% ash, 23.6% CP, 44.3% NDF, 30.0% ADF, 5.8% ADL, 0.257% condensed tannin and 0.35 mg % HCN, respectively. In addition, CH contained relatively higher amino acid than alfalfa hay especially methionine, isoleucine, leucine and lysine. Ruminal fermentation of CH resulted in high concentrations of $C_2$, $C_3$, and $C_4$ at 72, 17 and 7 mol/100 mole, respectively. A feeding trial was conducted to study on effect of feeding of cassava hay in late lactating dairy cows fed on urea-treated rice straw during the dry season on their intake, ruminal pH, $NH_3$-N, milk yield and compositions. Thirty, Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows in their first lactation were randomly assigned in a randomized complete block design to receive five different dietary treatments: T1=supplementation of concentrate to milk yield at 1:2, T2=supplementation of concentrate to milk yield at 1:2+0.56 kg DM, T3=supplementation of concentrate to milk yield at 1:3+1.3 kg DM CH, T4=supplementation of concentrate to milk yield at 1:4+1.70 kg DM CH, T5=CH fed on ad libitum+small concentrate supplement. All cows received urea-treated rice straw as a roughage source throughout a 80 d feeding trial. The experiment revealed that cassava hay contained high level of protein and minimal level of tannin at 3 months of harvest. Tannin intake ranged from 1.44 to 13.36 g/hd/d and did not affect on urea-treated rice straw intake. Milk yield across treatments were similar (5.4-6.3 kg/hd/d) (p>0.05) but 3.5% FCM was highest in cows received CH at 1.70 kg/hd/d. Feeding of cassava hay resulted in increasing milk fat (4.0 to 4.6%) (p<0.05) and milk protein (3.8 to 5.3%) (p<0.05). Moreover, the use of CH could reduce concentrate supplementation to milk yield from 1:2 to 1:4, respectively, thus resulted in more milk income return.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.12
• /
• pp.1660-1668
• /
• 2007

The non-ionic surfactant (NIS) Tween 80 was evaluated for its ability to influence invitro cumulative gas production, dry matter digestibility, cellulolytic enzyme activities, anaerobic microbial growth rates, and adhesion to substrates by mixed rumen microorganisms on rice straw, alfalfa hay, cellulose filter paper and tall fescue hay. The addition of NIS Tween 80 at a level of 0.05% increased significantly (P<0.05) in vitro DM digestibility, cumulative gas production, microbial growth rate and cellulolytic enzyme activity from all of substrates used in this study. In vitro cumulative gas production from the NIS-treated substrates; rice straw, alfalfa hay, filter paper and tall fescue hay was significantly (P<0.05) improved by 274.8, 235.2, 231.1 and 719.5% compared with the control, when substrates were incubated for 48 hr in vitro. The addition of 0.05% NIS Tween 80 to cultures growing on alfalfa hay resulted in a significant increase in CMCase (38.1%), xylanase (121.4%), Avicelase (not changed) and amylase (38.2%) activities after 36 h incubation. These results indicated that the addition of 0.05% Tween 80 could greatly stimulate the release of some kinds of cellulolytic enzymes without decreasing cell growth rate in contrast to trends reported with aerobic microorganism. Our SEM observation showed that NIS Tween. 80 did not influence the microbial adhesion to substrates used in the study. Present data clearly show that improved gas production, DM digestibility and cellulolytic enzyme activity by Tween 80 is not due to increased bacterial adhesion on the substrates.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.451-456
• /
• 2000

Fifty mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a six-week feeding trial to study effects of high-forage, and high-fat diets on blood constituents, rumen fermentation and dry matter digestibility. Cows were divided into 10 replicates, each consisting of five cows. Each cow was assigned to a control (diet 1) or one of the four experimental diets (high-forage (75%), high-fat (7.5%) (diet 2); high-forage. medium-fat (5.0%) (diet 3); medium forage (65%), high-fat (diet 4); medium-forage, medium-fat (diet 5)), or a control diet containing about 50% forage and 2% fat. All diets were isonitrogenous (17.7% crude protein). The forage mixture consisted of 20% alfalfa hay, 40% alfalfa haylage, and 40% corn silage. Supplemental fat included 80% rumen-protected fat and 20% yellow grease. A non-significant difference was observed in concentrations of blood glucose for cows on different experimental and control diets. Plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were higher in cows consuming experimental diets than those consuming the control diet. However, differences in NEFA concentrations in the plasma of cows consuming diets with different forage and fat levels were not significant. Rumen pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in rumen contents, and dry matter digestibility of control and experimental diets, and diets with different levels of forage and supplemental fat did not differ significantly.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 1999

No comprehensive study of yield and quality losses of forage legumes harvested and cured in spring has been conducted in Korea, therefore, this experiment was carried out to gain information on yield and quality, losses of alfalfa(Medicgo sativa L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and red clover(Trifolium pratense L.) during field curing in spring(mid-May). Alfalfa was highest in dry matter content of 15% at harvest, while crimson clover and red clover had 12.4 and 11.5%, respectively. Species differences for the dry matter content were maintained and consistent trends were observed during the field curing. Alfalfa took seven days to reach dry matter content over 80%, while both crimson clover and red clover took eight days. Crimson clover and alfalfa tended to show a higher leaf-stem ratio than red clover based on dry matter, but red clover showed a higher leaf-stem ratio than alfalfa and crimson clover based on crude protein content. Losses in dry matter of alfalfa from leaf shattering were higher than crimson clover and red clover, and similar trends were detected losses in crude protein for three different legumes. Fresh legume forages averaged higher in clude protein(CP), total digestible nutrients(TDN), and relative feed value(RFV), while dry legume forages averaged lower in acid detergent fiber(ADF) and neutral detergent fiber(NDF). Results of the experiment indicate that hay curing in spring affects crude protein concentration more than ADF and NDF, and this is due, in part, to leaf shattering caused by field operations.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.269-274
• /
• 2013

This study is conducted to estimate the nutrient compositions and in-situ ruminal disappearancerates of roughage sources which are commonly used in South Korea. Twelve types of roughage sources are being selected based on surveys from more than 50 farms, and 12 samples from various farms and companies are collected and analyzed for their nutritive components and minerals. Two Hanwoo steers (BW $526{\pm}14$ kg) with ruminal cannula are used to investigate in situ ruminal degradability. Five roughage sources, timothy hay, alfalfa pellet, rice straw, klein grass hay and tall fescue straw, are all selected from 12 roughage sources above for further experiments. Overall, the nutrient components and minerals from the 12 roughage sources have shown low values when comparing with standard tables of feed compositions in Korea. In situ dry matter disappearance rate is recorded as high in order of klein grass, timothy, alfalfa pellet, tall fescue and rice straw. In situ crude protein disappearance rate is high in order of alfalfa pellet, klein grass, timothy, tall fescue and rice straw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1881-1889
• /
• 2018

Objective: In dryland areas of China, alfalfa hay (AH) is a possible substitute for concentrate feed for beef cattle. To evaluate the potential benefits of this substitution, we studied the effect of the ratio of AH intake to total dry matter (DM) intake on average daily body-weight gain (ADG), dietary energy utilization status, and economic benefit in Gansu province. Methods: In each of two feeding trials in 2016 (trial 1 [T1], July 3 to 17; trial 2 [T2], August 15 to September 23), crossbred male Simmental calves were allocated to low AH (LA), medium AH (MA), and high AH (HA) feeding groups (n = 4 per group). The target ADG was set as 1 kg for both trials. In a one-way-layout design based on conventional feeding practices in the province, calves received diets containing the different AH amounts, with a constant ratio of corn stover:total DM and decreasing rations of concentrate feed proportional to the increase in AH. Calves in T1 received AH at 15% (T1-LA), 23% (T1-MA), or 31% (T1-HA) of their dietary DM allowances; those in T2 received 9% (T2-LA), 24% (T2-MA), or 34% (T2-HA) AH. Results: Among the T1 groups, both ADG and economic benefit were highest in T1-LA; whereas in T2, they were higher in the T2-LA and T2-MA groups than in T2-HA. Energy digestibility did not significantly differ among the groups in either trial. The dietary AH inclusion ratios of 14% in the warm season and 8% to 21% in the cool season appeared to yield optimal ADG, metabolizable energy intake, and economic benefit. Conclusion: Low-level inclusion of AH, ranging from 8% to 21%, is a practical approach for beef cattle feeding. This modified feeding regimen likely will promote increased growth performance during the fattening stage of beef steers in dryland areas of Gansu province, China.