• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 1993

This experiment was carried out to examine the effects of urea-treated rice straw feeding on the growth performance of crossbred Holstein heifers under different feeding conditions. In the first experiment, the animals were given diets having 2 levels of TDN and CP and 3 levels of crude fiber (22, 30 and 36%) which were formulated with urea-treated rice straw and concentrates. Daily weight gain of heifers was not different between 22% and 30% CF diets, but the reduction of TDN or CP level to 90% of the requirements decreased the weight gain. Fiber content of 36% also reduced the body weight gain. The reduction of TDN significantly reduced DM intake and increased feed conversion ratio. Feed cost per kg weight gain was significantly increased by an increase in CF to 36%. In the second experiment, separate feeding and total mixing feeding were compared. There were no significant differences between the two feeding systems in body weight gain although the possibility of superiority in SF to TMF remained. DM intake was not affected by the feeding system, but 30% CF diet gave higher DM intake. Feed cost per kg weight gain was lower in the 30% CF diet.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2012

This study was designed to adopt two estrus synchronization protocols in zebu and crossbred heifers and their effects on pregnancy rate after timed artificial insemination (TAI). A number of 120 cyclic heifers were allotted for two different treatment groups and one control group. Heifers under protocol A were injected with GnRH at first day followed by a single dose of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ at Day 11 and injection of GnRH at the day of AI; and heifers belonged to protocol B were treated with GnRH, two $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injections at 11 days apart and injection of GnRH at AI. AI was done at fixed time (within 72~96 hours after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection) in both protocols and pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation on 80~120 days of post AI. In control group; local heifers were conceived higher (30%) proportion than that of crossbred heifers (25%; p<0.05). In protocol A, the local breed were conceived higher (38.9%) proportion compared with crossbred (25%; p<0.05). In protocol B, local breed heifers were conceived higher (38.9%) proportion compared with crossbred heifers (33.3%; p<0.05). The overall pregnancy rate in protocol A and protocol B was 33.3% and 36.6%, respectively. The proportion of pregnancy rate of local heifers (38.9%; Protocol A) was significant (p<0.05) in comparison with local heifers (30%) in control group (p<0.05). The overall pregnancy rate between pooled control group (28.3%) and treatment group (35%) was significantly (p<0.05) differ from each other's. Results of present study concluded that estrus synchronization followed by fixed time AI could be applied for higher pregnancy rate in zebu and crossbred heifers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 1992

Fourteen Sahiwal ${\times}$ Friesian crossbred heifers were used in a 10-wk feeding trial to determine maintenance energy requirements and efficiency of gain. The heifers were individually fed with a diet consisting of 30% dry grass and 70% concentrates at either 110, 140 or 180% of the anticipated maintenance requirement ($494kJ\;ME/kg^{0.75}/day$). Liveweight of individual heifers was measured weekly to calculate diet requirements and average daily gain (ADG). Diet digestibility was determined for all heifers to determine ME intake. Retained energy (RE) of individual heifers was determined from changes in total body fat and protein using a TOH isotope dilution procedure and, assuming calorific values of 39.3 and 23.6 kJ/g for fat and protein respectively. The estimated ME for maintenance was 433 and $470kJ/kg^{0.75}/day$ by liveweight (ADG) equilibrium and energy (RE) equilibrium analysis respectively. ME requirement for one g of liveight gain was 28 kJ.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.471-477
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• 1997

A study detennined whether certain biochemical and physiological variables were altered during marginal Zn deficiency. Ten weaned crossbred Hereford Angus heifer calves, weighing $163{\pm}2kg$, were utilized. Five calves were fed a Zn - deficient (- Zn) brome-alfalfa hay diet containing 17 mg Zn/kg diet DM, and five calves were fed a Zn-adequate (+Zn) diet with 23 mg Zn/kg diet DM from $ZnSO_4$ added to the - Zn diet (total diet, 40 mg Zn/kg diet DM), for 32 d. At 21 d the - Zn calves had a reduction (p < .05) in feed efficiency. By 25 d, plasma Zn and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were reduced (p < .05) in the - Zn calves. Blood urea nitrogen, glucose, insulin, IGF-I, Cu plasma concentration and Zn and Cu concentrations of red blood cell (RBC) and liver were not altered (p > .05) by the - Zn diet through 25 d. In response to a single i. m. injection of dexamethasone (20 mg) on d 25, calves fed the two dietary Zn amounts showed no changes (p > .05) in plasma or RBC Zn and Cu concentrations, serum IGF-I, insulin, and glucose when measured at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after injection. In response to an intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin on d 30, cell mediated immune (CMI) response was reduced (p < .05) in the - Zn calves. These observations indicate that during a marginal Zn deficiency in calves, there was a decrease in feed efficiency, plasma Zn, serum alkaline phosphatase, and CMI response.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.624-630
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• 2001

Two experiments on the effects of molasses additive on cassava tops silage quality to its feed intake and digestibility by growing Holstein$\times$local crossbred heifers were carried out. Sixteen plastic bags of one meter diameter and two meters length were allocated in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design with four replicates in the ensiling study, with and without the molasses additive and with two storage times (2 and 3 months). The silage produced in the first experiment was used in the feed intake and digestibility study. Six crossbred Holstein heifers, 160-180 kg live weight, were randomly allocated in a $3{\times}2$ change-over design to three treatments: Guinea grass ad libitum, 70% of grass ad libitum with a supplement of non-molasses cassava silage ad libitum, and 70% of grass ad libitum with a supplement of molasses cassava silage ad libitum. Ensiling was shown to be a satisfactory method for preservation of cassava tops. The HCN content was significantly reduced from $840mg\;kg^{-1}$ to 300 or $130mg\;kg^{-1}$, depending on storage period. The tannin content was not significantly changed. Molasses additive resulted in lower pH, Crude Protein (CP), NDF and higher DM content but did not otherwise affect chemical composition. The voluntary feed intake per 100 kg live weight of the heifers was 2.59, 2.65 and 2.91 kg DM of Guinea grass, non-molasses cassava tops silage and molasses cassava tops silage diet, respectively. Crude protein intake was significantly improved in the cassava tops silage diets. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF decreased with the silage supplement diets. No significant difference in digestibility was found between the non-molasses and molasses silage diets. The digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF in non-molasses cassava tops silage and molasses cassava tops silage was 49.4, 52.1, 45.81, 36.6, 27.7 and 49.7, 51.9, 47.55, 28.1, 19.5, respectively. It is concluded that cassava tops can be preserved successfully by ensiling and that cassava tops silage is a good feed resource for cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2008

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of replacing a conventional concentrate with mixed cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage and legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) foliage. In Exp. 1, three rumen fistulated crossbred cows were used for in sacco rumen degradability studies. In vitro gas production was also studied. In Exp. 2, 11 crossbred F2 heifers (Red Sindhi$\times$Holstein Friesian), with initial live weight of $129{\pm}6kg$ and aged six months, were allocated in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate a mixture (ratio 3:1) of cassava and legume foliage (CA-LE feed) as a protein source compared to a traditional concentrate feed (Control) in diets based on fresh elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and urea treated rice straw ad libitum. The Control feed was replaced by the CA-LE feed at levels of 0% (Control), 40% (CA-LE40), and 60% (CA-LE60) based on dry matter (DM). The in sacco degradation of CA-LE feed was higher than Control feed (p<0.05). After 48 h incubation the degradation of CA-LE feed and Control feed was 73% vs. 58% of DM and 83% vs. 65% of CP, respectively. The gas production of CA-LE feed was also significantly higher than of Control feed during the first 12 h of incubation. The results of the performance study (Exp. 2) showed that the level of CA-LE feed in the concentrate had no effect on total dry matter intake (p>0.05), but live weight gains (LWG) in CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 were significantly higher (551 and 609 g/d, respectively) than in the Control group (281 g/d). The intake of CP was higher (p<0.05) for the treatments CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 (556 and 590 g/d, respectively) compared to that of Control (458 g/d), while there was no significant difference in ME intake. The feed conversion ratio was 16.8, 9.0 and 7.9 kg DM/kg LWG in Control, CA-LE40 and CA-LE60, respectively. The feed cost of CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 corresponded to 43% and 35%, respectively, of the feed cost of Control feed. The best results were found when CA-LE feed replaced 60% of DM in Control feed and considerably decreased feed cost. It is concluded that feeding cassava foliage in combination with Phaseolus calcaratus legume as a protein supplement could be a potentially valuable strategy which leads to reduced feed costs and a more sustainable system in smallholder dairy production in Vietnam.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.509-513
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• 1996

The data analysed consisted of body weight records at birth, and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age of 549 half Friesian $\times$ Bunaji crossbred heifers collected over a twenty-five year period (1965-1989). Least squares $means{\pm}s.e$. of body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were $26.7{\pm}1.3$, $72.4{\pm}4.5$, $112.9{\pm}6.9$, $147.2{\pm}9.2$ and $182.1{\pm}11.1kg$, respectively. Year of birth was highly significant (p < 0.01) in affecting body weights at all ages, while the effect of month of birth was not. Seasonal influence on birth weight and body weights at 3 and 6 months of age was significant (p < 0.05). Phenotypic correlations between body weights at all ages were positive and highly significant (p < 0.01), ranging from 0.30 to 0.79. The results of this study showed that the beneficial effect of crossbreeding Friesian with Bunaji cattle was reflected in the growth performance of the $F_1$ crosses, since they grew faster than the indigenous Bunaji from brith to yearling age. The study also indicated that heifer selection for yearling body weight can be done early on the basis of weights at 3 and 6 months of age.