• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.390-395
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• 2002

Two experiments were conducted to study the performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo (Korean native beef cattle) steers (Experiment 1) and the nutrient digestibility of sheep (Experiment 2) when the animals fed diets containing four levels of dried wormwood (Artemisia sp.). For both experiments the animals were given a basal diet consisting of rice straw and concentrate mixed at 3:7 ratio (on DM basis). In Experiment 1, the treatments were designed as a completely randomized design with two feeding periods. Steers were allotted in one of four dietary treatments, which were designed to progressively substitute dried wormwood for 0, 3, 5 and 10% of the rice straw in the basal diet. Bodyweight gain and average daily gain (ADG) of Hanwoo steers fed diets containing the 5 and 10% wormwood inclusion were greater (p<0.05) than the 3% wormwood-feeding group. Total and daily intakes of roughage and concentrate were not altered by all levels of dried wormwood inclusion. However, the 10% dried wormwood inclusion led to increased total feed intake (p<0.05) compared with that of the 0 and 3% of dried wormwood inclusion. Carcass weight, carcass yield and backfat thickness were not altered by dried wormwood inclusion. The highest level of dried wormwood inclusion resulted in significantly increased (p<0.05) loin-eye area compared with the 0 and 5% levels of dried wormwood inclusion. Experiment 2 was designed by a $4{\times}4$ Latin square with four periods. Sheep were allocated in one of four dietary treatments as same as in Experiment 1. Digestibilities of DM and TDN were significantly increased (p<0.05) in sheep fed the diet containing all three levels of dried wormwood inclusion compared with the control treatment. Digestibilities of CP and crude fiber in the 5% dried wormwood inclusion highly increased (p<0.05) up to 8.2 and 5.5% respectively relative to the control treatment. The palatability was significantly improved (p<0.05) by the 5% dried wormwood inclusion compared with the control treatment. It is concluded that feeding diets containing dried wormwood substituted for equal weights of rice straw at 5 and 10% levels would be anticipated to provide better quality roughage for beef cattle production and higher income for beef cattle producers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.197-202
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• 2005

The effects of feeding Brassica vegetable market wastes on intake, body weight changes and pesticide/insecticide residues in products of goats were evaluated in two experiments. In the first experiment (Exp. 1) 16 goats (Bach Thao, 9 to 10 kg, 3 months old, 9 males and 7 females) were fed four diets with leaves either from cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) or Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris subsp. pekinensis) with 30% of Para grass. The control group was fed 100% Para grass. All diets contained soybean waste as a supplement and the experiment lasted for 136 days. In the second experiment (Exp. 2) 24 goats (Bach Thao, 12 to 14 kg, all males) were assigned to three treatments in a completely randomised block design based on initial body weight. The goats were fed cabbage waste supplemented with 200 g or 100 g DM (dry matter) of concentrate. Para grass with 100 g DM concentrate supplementation was used as a control group. The experiment lasted for 90 days and at the end of the study, 12 goats were slaughtered for pesticide/insecticide analysis. Due to low DM content (5.3 and 3.7%, respectively) feed intakes of cabbage and Chinese cabbage groups were lower than those of other groups in the experiment. The highest feed intake and body weight gain was obtained when the goats were fed cauliflower (529 g DM/day and 87.5 g/day, respectively). In Exp. 2 total intake of cabbage and concentrate was similar (484 g and 453 g DM/day) whether the goats were fed 100 or 200 g concentrate/day but lower than that of Para grass and concentrate probably due to the low DM content of the cabbage (5.9%). Crude protein intake (79 g to 86 g/day) and body weight gain (70 g to 88 g/day) was not significantly different between treatments. Adding concentrate consequently resulted in higher DM intake than in Exp. 1 but did not result in any higher growth rate. Three of the pesticide/insecticide residues tested were found in cabbage, Alpha-Cypermethrin, Bassa-Fenobucarb and Dimethoate with levels of 0.175, 0.074 and 0.028 mg/kg fresh cabbage respectively. Weight of livers from goats fed cabbage was about 90 g higher than from goats fed Para grass but no pesticide/herbicide residues were found in meat or liver.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1407-1413
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted in order to assess the effect of level of RDP:UDP ratio and level of feeding concentrate on milk yield, milk composition and nutrient utilization in lactating crossbred cattle. Twenty four medium producing (-10 kg/d, 45 to 135 days postpartum) lactating crossbred cows were divided into four groups of six animals each in a 2${\times}$2 factorial completely randomized design. The cows in group 1 were fed concentrate mixture I containing 59:41 RDP:UDP ratio (low UDP) at normal plane (LUDP+NP), in group 2 were fed low UDP ration at 115% of NRC (1989) requirements (LUDP+HP), whereas cows in group 3 were fed concentrate mixture II containing 52:48 RDP:UDP ratio (high UDP) at normal plane (HUDP+NP) and in group 4 were fed high UDP ration at 115% of NRC (1989) requirements (HUDP+HP). Green jowar was fed ad libitum as the sole roughage to all the animals. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 105 days. The total dry matter intake (DMI), DMI/100 kg body weight, DMI/kg $W^{0.75}$, digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE and intakes of TDN and DCP did not differ significantly among the different groups and also due to both UDP level and plane of nutrition and also due to their interaction. The total dry matter intake varied from 145 g in group 1 (LUDP +NP) to 152.57 g/kg $W^{0.75}$ in group 2 (LUDP+HP) diet. However, increase in milk yield with increased UDP level and also with increased plane of nutrition was observed consistently throughout the experimental period. The average milk yield was 7.66, 8.15, 8.64 and 9.35 kg in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively and there was no significant difference in milk yield among different groups of cows. The overall daily average milk yields in cows fed with low and high UDP diets were 7.91 and 8.99 kg, respectively and at normal and higher plane of feeding the milk yields were 8.15 and 8.75 kg/day, respectively. Thus, there was 13.65% increase in milk yield due to high UDP level and 7.36% due to higher plane of feeding. The daily 4% FCM yields were 9.20 kg for low UDP diet and 10.28 kg for high UDP diet, whereas it was 9.11 kg at normal plane of feeding and 10.37 kg at higher plane of feeding. Fat yields for the corresponding treatment groups were 0.37, 0.43, 0.41 and 0.48 kg, respectively. The 4% FCM yield and also fat yield did not differ significantly among different dietary treatments and also due to UDP level and plane of nutrition, however, 4% FCM yield was increased by 11.74% with high UDP level and 13.83% with higher plane of feeding. The values for total solids, fat, lactose, solids-not-fat and gross energy contents in milk differed significantly (p<0.05) among the different groups and were significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk of cows fed LUDP+HP diet followed by HUDP+HP diet. Total solids (14.65 and 13.83%), lactose (5.44 and 4.92%), solids-not-fat (9.44 and 8.83%) and gross energy (887 and 838 kcal/kg) of milk decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increased UDP level while total solids (13.84 and 14.64), fat (4.84 and 5.36%) and gross energy (832 and 894 kcal/kg) increased significantly (p<0.05) with increase in plane of feeding. Gross and net energetic efficiencies and also gross and net efficiencies of nitrogen utilization for milk production were not significantly different among different groups and also were not affected significantly due to either UDP levels or plane of feeding. Results of the present study suggest that, increasing UDP level from 41% to 48% of CP in concentrate mixture and also increasing plane of feeding from normal (100%) to 115% of NRC requirements maintain a consistently higher milk production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.471-476
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• 1996

Blood biochemical and histopathological changes in vital organs of rabbits were studied after 19 wk of feeding composite diets (75 concentrate : 25 roughage) incorporating either urea (2%, wt/wt) ammoniated or alkali (1.5%, wt/wt) treated neem kernel meal (NKM) replacing peanut meal protein of control diet by either 50 or 100%. The blood biochemical constituents (Haemoglobin, Alanine amino transferase, Aspartate amino transferase, Total protein, Blood urea nitrogen &Cholesterol) in rabbits fed on processed NKM diet at either levels, were comparable to the values of thos on control diet except a lowered (p < 0.05) blood glucose concentration in processed NKM fed rabbits as compared to that in control diet fed ones. Histological examination revealed increased goblet cell activity, stunting of jejunal villi, mild tubular degeneration in kidney and hepatic fibro-cellular reaction in rabbits fed on urea ammoniated and alkali treated NKM diets with less marked changes in the latter. Testicular changes with variable degree of disorganization and vacuolation of spermatogonial cells were noticed in rabbits fed higher levels of urea-ammoniated and alkali treated NKM. Thus, alkali treatment and urea-ammoniation were effective in detoxification of meal, but the processing technology is to be further perfected to prevent cumulative effect of residual neem bitters in long term feeding.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.221-227
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• 2004

Nutrient utilization and plasma level of minerals were studied in lactating crossbred cows fed diet supplemented from different source of minerals. Twelve crossbred cows of first to third lactation during their mid stage of lactation were distributed equally under two groups and were fed concentrate mixture, green fodder (para grass) and finger millet straw as per requirement. Cows in group I were fed concentrate mixture supplemented with 1% mineral mixture whereas cows in group II were not supplemented with mineral mixture in the concentrate mixture but were offered additional quantity of green fodder (1 kg DM/cow/day) to compensate for the requirement of minerals. Balance study conducted towards the end of 120 days of feeding experiment indicated that the total dry matter intake in both the groups did not differ significantly. The cows in group II offered additional quantity of green fodder consumed significantly (p<0.05) more of green fodder (5.11 vs. 4.51 kg /animal/day) and the cows in group I consumed significantly (p<0.01) more of finger millet straw (1.71 vs. 0.92 kg/animal/day). The digestibility of major nutrients did not differ between the groups except for ether extract which was significantly (p<0.05) lower in cows fed additional green fodder. The total daily intake of P, Cu, Fe and Co did not differ significantly in both the groups whereas significantly higher intakes of Ca, Mg, Zn and Mn were observed in cows supplemented with inorganic source of minerals. However, supplementation through both the sources could meet the mineral requirement in group I and group II. The gut absorption (%) of all the minerals was comparable between the groups except for Mg which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cows supplemented mineral mixture. The net retention of all the minerals was significantly more in the group supplemented with inorganic source of minerals. Except for P, Mg and Co the retention as percentage of total intake was comparable for all minerals in both the groups. Irrespective of source of mineral supplementation the average monthly blood plasma mineral levels (Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe) were within the normal range and comparable between the groups. Lower level of Cu observed at the start of the experimental feeding in both the groups increased with the advancement of supplemental feeding. The plasma Zn and Fe content in cows of both the groups did not vary. The blood plasma level of some minerals (Ca, P, Mg and Cu) was significantly higher towards the end of experimental feeding as compared to the initial values due to the reduction in milk yield with advancement of lactation or due to supplemental effect of minerals. It could be concluded that supplementation of minerals through inorganic source is better utilized in terms of retention as compared to green fodder (para grass), which is a moderate source of most nutrients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.971-979
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• 2012

Four, lactating dairy crossbreds ($50%{\times}50%$ Holstein Friesian${\times}$Native Zebu cattle) were randomly assigned according to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement (two protein levels and two levels of mangosteen peel pellets (Mago-pel)) in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. All cows received concentrate at a proportion of 1 kg concentrate per 2 kg of milk yield, and urea-treated 5% rice straw (UTRS) was given ad libitum. It was found that total dry matter intakes, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH and $NH_3$-N concentrations were not affected (p>0.05) by treatments. Concentrations of ruminal pH and $NH_3$-N were not affected by dietary treatments although the concentration of BUN varied significantly (p<0.05) between protein levels (p<0.05). The populations of rumen bacteria and fungal zoospores did not differ among treatments (p>0.05); however, the population of protozoa was decreased (p<0.05) when cows received Mago-pel supplementation. The composition of the population of bacteria, identified by real-time PCR technique, including total bacteria, methanogens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus was similar (p>0.05) among dietary treatments (p>0.05); however, copy numbers of Ruminococcus flavefaciens was increased when protein level increased (p<0.05). Microbial protein synthesis, in terms of both quantity and efficiency, was enriched by Mago-pel supplementation. Milk yield was greatest in cows fed UTRS based diets with concentrate containing protein at 16% CP with Mago-pel, but were lowest without Mago-pel (p<0.05). In addition, protein level and supplementation of Mago-pel did not affect (p>0.05) milk composition except solids-not-fat which was higher in cows fed the diet with 19% CP. Therefore, feeding a concentrate containing 16% CP together with 300 g/hd/d Mago-pel supplementation results in changes in rumen fermentation and microbial population and improvements in milk production in lactating dairy crossbreds fed on UTRS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 1990

Thirty-six yearling (18 bulls, 18 heifers) swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with average liveweight $177{\pm}26kg$, were randomly allotted to receive 6 dietary treatments according to a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD). Factor A assigned for two types of straw; untreated rice straw (RS) and urea-treated (5%, w/w) rice straw (UTS). Factor B assigned for three ratio of roughage to concentrate (R:C) at 80:20, 50:50 and 20:80. Feeding trial lasted for 9 months during which respective feeds were offered at 3% body weight and adjusted at bi-weekly intervals using corresponding liveweights. Parameters measured under this experiment were feed intake, ruminal fluid for pH, $NH_3-N$, volatile fatty acids (VFA), liveweight change at bi-weekly intervals, carcass characteristics and cost-net profit analysis. It was found that intakes and digestion coefficients of DM, OM, CP except NDF and ADF were improved appreciably when ratio of concentrate increased. The average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were highest in group fed urea-treated rice straw at R:C levels of 20:80 (551.2 g/d, 10.7 kg/kg) and 50:50 (542.3 g/d, 10.6 kg/kg). It was obvious that FCR was best in the group fed on urea-treated rice straw (13.8 kg/kg) as compared to untreated rice straw fed-group (24 kg/kg). Carcass compositions of buffaloes measured resulted in 48.2 dressing percentage in all treatments offered at R:C levels of 50:50 and 20:80, however, loin eye area were 46.0, 53.6, 50.0 and $54.0cm^2$ for RS and UTS at respective levels of R:C. It was notable that carcass fat content was low which resulted in higher content of lean meat particularly in group fed UTS at 50:50 ratio R:C. Simple cost-net profit analysis was performed, it was found that net profits were obtained as follows 27, 30, -47, 44, 58, 22 $US/hd for respective treatment groups of RS and UTS at respective R:C levels. As shown, the best net profit resulted in group fed UTS at 50:50 R:C level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1773-1782
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• 2014

The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of feeding system on meat quality characteristics of Small East African (SEA) goats and their crosses with Norwegian ($SEA{\times}N$) goats finished under small scale farming conditions. Twenty four castrated goats at the age of 18 months with live body weight of $16.7{\pm}0.54kg$ from each breed (SEA and $SEA{\times}N$) were distributed in a completely randomized design in a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement (two breed, and three dietary treatments). The dietary treatments were; no access to concentrate (T0), 66% access to ad libitum concentrate allowance (T66) and 100% access to ad libitum concentrate allowance with 20% refusal (T100) and the experimental period was for 84 days. In addition, all goats were allowed to graze for 2 hours daily and later fed grass hay on ad libitum basis. Daily feed intakes were recorded for all 84-days of experiment after which the animals were slaughtered. Feed intake of T100 animals was 536 g/d, which was 183 g/d higher than that of T66 group. Supplemented goats had significantly (p<0.05) better feed conversion efficiency. The SEA had higher (p<0.05) hot carcass weight (8.2 vs 7.9 kg), true dressing percentage (54.5 vs 53.3) and commercial dressing percentage (43.3 vs 41.6) compared to $SEA{\times}N$. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) for dressing percentage and carcass conformation among supplemented goats except fatness score, total fat depots and carcass fat which increased (p<0.05) with increasing concentrate levels in the diet. Increasing level of concentrate on offer increased meat dry matter with subsequent increase of fat in the meat. Muscle pH of goats fed concentrate declined rapidly and reached below 6 at 6 h post-mortem but temperature remained at $28^{\circ}C$. Cooking loss and meat tenderness improved (p<0.05) and thawing loss increased (p<0.05) with ageing period. Similarly, meat tenderness improved (p<0.05) with concentrate supplementation. Shear force of muscles varied from 36 to 66, the high values been associated with Semimembranosus and Gluteobiceps muscles. The present study demonstrates that there are differences in meat quality characteristics of meat from SEA goats and their crosses with Norwegian breeds finished under small scale farming conditions in rural areas. Therefore, concentrate supplementation of goats of both breeds improves meat quality attributes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.1004-1009
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• 2006

Four male crossbred native beef cattle (average body weight of 427.7 kg) were randomly allocated to four types of cassoy-urea pellet as a source of protein in concentrate according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to determine effect of diets on ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility. The four types of cassoy-urea pellets contained cassava hay, soybean meal, urea and binding agent at 79.2:19.8:0:1 (27.9% CP dry matter), 78.4:19.6:1:1 (30.4% CP), 77.6:19.4:2:1 (33.0% CP) and 99:0:0:1 (23.8% CP) for dietary treatments; 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. All four concentrate mixtures contained similar crude protein levels (11% CP) and were fed to animals in two equal parts (0.5% of body weight per day) while urea-treated rice straw (5% urea) was given ad libitum. The experiment revealed that dietary concentrate treatments had no effect on dry matter intake while digestibilities of neutral-detergent fiber and crude protein were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed dietary treatments 1, 2 and 3 than in cattle fed dietary treatment 4. Ruminal ammonia-nitrogen ($NH_3$-N), was higher and acetic acid concentration (C2) and ratio of C2 to propionic acid (C3) were lower (p<0.05) in cattle fed dietary treatments 1, 2 and 3 than in those on treatment 4. It is concluded that use of cassoy-urea pellet as a protein source in concentrates for cattle resulted in improvement of digestibility, ruminal fermentation and rumen ecology. Further research using cassoy-urea pellet in feeding trials with milking cows and fattening beef should be undertaken.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 1998

This study conducted to evaluate effects of popped soybean on levels of ruminal peptides and blood amino acids in Holstein calves fed sudan grass hay as a forage source and popped (PSB) soybean as a concentrate supplement. At 0, 2, 4 and 6 h after feeding, rumen fluid and blood samples were collected from the rumen and jugular vein, respectively, and amino acids, peptides and other nitrogen-containing compounds in the rumen were analyzed. Ruminal pH tended to be higher in the RSB than in the PSB treatments, and declined upto 4 h after feeding, since then increased in both treatments. The concentrations of ammonia-N in all treatments increased upto 2 h after feeding, and then decreased gradually with time after feeding. The concentrations of ammonia N in the rumen were not significantly different between the treatments, however, those in RSB treatment appeared to be higher. Also, protein concentrations in the rumen were not significantly different between the treatments. Peptide productions were the highest at 2 h after feeding in the group fed RSB which is rapidly degradable in rumen, whereas those in the group fed PSB which is slowly degradable in rumen were maximized at 4 h after feeding. The concentration of total free essential amino acids in plasma was higher in the RSB treatment than in the PSB, but disappearance rates of these amino acids out of plasma was higher in the PSB treatment than in the RSB treatment. Disappearance rates of free non-essential amino acids in plasma were not significantly different between the treatments. Consequently, this study implies that the production of peptide and utilization of blood amino acid may be controlled by the modification of protein degradability.