• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.341-351
• /
• 1991

Sixteen Holstein heifer calves were used in an 112-day trial to study the effects of probiotic supplementation on growth performance and rumen metabolism. Calves were divided into four groups of four calves each, with two groups receiving the probiotic supplement and two groups serving as controls. Calves were limited to 1.6 kg dry matter of a corn-barley based grain mix per day. Long-stem bromegrass hay was fed as forage the first 56 days and bromegrass silage the last 56 days of the trial. Probiotic (28 g/d/calf) was fed along with the grain mix twice daily. Data were analyzed for the entire trial and also for the separate hay and silage feeding periods. Total weight gain and average daily gain were not affected (p>.05) by probiotic supplementation. Dry matter intake was lower (p<.05) and feed efficiency (kg feed/kg weight gain) was improved slightly during the hay feeding period for the probiotic-supplemented calves. Wither height gain was greater (p<.05) during the hay period and lower (p<.05) during the silage period for probiotic-supplemented calves. Heart girth gain was improved (p<.07) by probiotic supplementation, particularly during the hay feeding period (p<.05). Total rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was higher (p<.05) with the probiotic-supplemented calves. Molar proportions of individual VFA were not affected (p>.05). Rumen ammonia-N and plasma urea-N concentration were lower (p<.05) for probiotic-supplemented calves during the hay feeding period. Total tract nutrient digestibility was not affected (p>.05). Some improvements in animal performance and changes in rumen and blood metabolites were observed when calves were supplemented with probiotic. Effects due to probiotic supplementation were most pronounced during the hay feeding period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.11
• /
• pp.1564-1568
• /
• 2005

The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of n-alkanes to estimate DM intake and digestibility by beef cattle. Six steers were blocked (3 blocks, 2 animals/block) according to the body weight (279${\pm}$19 kg) and randomly allotted within blocks to two diets (3 steers/diet). A second trial was conducted with the same animals (321${\pm}$18 kg) after 36 days (d), using a switch back design. The diets consisted of two types of chopped sun-cured hay, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) hay, or fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) and alfalfa mixture, which were fed in equal amounts to steers. Animals were dosed with $C_{32}$ and $C_{36}$ alkanes, employing an intra-ruminal controlled-release device at the beginning of each trial. Hay intake per animal was measured from d 6 to 12 and sub samples were taken for chemical analysis. Rectal samples of feces were taken from each animal once/daily from d 8 to 14, freeze dried, and ground prior to alkane analysis. Alkanes were extracted from ground hay and feces. Feed intake was calculated from the dose rate of $C_{32}$ alkane and, the herbage and fecal concentrations of adjacent odd ($C_{33}$ or $C_{31}$) and even ($C_{32}$) chain length alkanes. Crude Protein, NDF, ADF, ash concentrations and In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were 17.7, 42.2, 28.4, 7.9 and 71.7 for alfalfa, and 12.4, 56.5, 30.4, 6.9 and 69.1% for fescue/alfalfa mixture, respectively. For both diets, intake estimated from $C_{33}$:$C_{32}$ ratio was not different from the measured intake, but intake estimated from $C_{31}$:$C_{32}$ ratio was lower (p<0.05), than the measured intake for both diets. The average estimated forage intake from $C_{33}$:$C_{32}$ ratio was 4.86 and 0.69% below than the measured intake for alfalfa and, fescue/alfalfa mixed diets, respectively. The respective estimates with $C_{31}$:$C_{32}$ ratio were 9.59 and 11.33% below than the measured intake. According to these results, alkane $C_{33}$:$C_{32}$ ratio is better than alkane $C_{31}$:$C_{32}$ ratio for the estimation of intake by beef steers.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.212-217
• /
• 2006

Effects of feeding high quality roughage (timothy hay) in growing period on growth performance and carcass characteristics during 24 month (5 month from 28 month to) in twenty of Hanwoo steers were investigated. The hanwoo steers were randomly allotted to 2 treatments (10 heads/treatment) ; rice straw group (control) and timothy hay group (treatment). The final body weights of rice straw group and timothy hay group on 28 month were 667.70 kg and 681.75kg, respectively. The daily gain of total period was slightly higher in timothy hay group (0.83kg ) than in rice straw group (0.81 kg). The daily roughage intake in the growing period was tended to be higher in timothy hay group (4.27kg ) than rice straw group (3.80 kg). The carcass grades (yield grade and quality grade) and Longissimus dorsi area were significantly higher in timothy hay group ($85.62 cm^2$, 2.02 and 2.20 point) than in rice straw group ($81.29 cm^2$, 2.00 and 1.60 point respectively) (p<0.05), and were affected by the feeding with high quality roughage in the growing period.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.52-57
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary whole-crop barley silage on the daily feed intake, daily weight gain, velvet antler yield and economic efficacy in elk during growth. A total of 21 elk (average BW 303 kg, 5 years old) were allotted randomly to three treatments. The three treatments were T1 (hay diet), T2 (whole-crop barley silage), and T3 (50% hay + 50% whole-crop barley silage). The average daily weight gain of T3 was higher than the others throughout the entire experimental period. The average daily feed intake of elk in decreasing order was as follows; T1>T3>T2. The velvet antler yield was higher in T3 group (8,585 g) compared with T1 (8,037 g) and T2 (7,713 g). However, there were no significant differences in the average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, or velvet antler yield (p>0.05). In economic efficacy, T3 was gained about 29~43% more value than T1 or T2. In conclusion, the mixed feeding of 50% hay and 50% whole-crop barley silage was more effective than feeding hay of barley alone, in terms of average daily weight gain, velvet antler yield, and economic efficacy in elk.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.115-122
• /
• 2002

In this study, the effects of alfalfa hay included in different ratios of 60%(A), 50%(B), 40%(C) and 30%(D) for the diets of young weaned Korean native goats were investigated on feed intake, digestibilities of nutrients, nitrogen retention, average daily gain and feed efficiency. Crude protein contents of experimental diets were 18% in all treatments. The contents of ADF, NDF and crude ash were higher in A as 26.1, 37.0 and 9.0% compared to the lowest values in D of 20.3, 30.4 and 6.6%. However the contents of non-structural carbohydrates was in the opposite tendency. Daily feed intake (DM) was highest in A (414.4g) and B (417.7g) and significantly (p<0.05) lower in D(362.6g). Dry matter intake per metabolic basal weight (DM g/kg of $BW^{0.75}$ ) were highest in A(73.9g) and lowest in D(64.0g). Average daily gain and feed efficiencies were in the range of 33.3~48.7g and 8.1~13.4% respectively with no statistical differences, however with the increasing trends according to higher percent of roughage in the diets. Digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ADF, NBF, crude ash (CA) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) were in the tendency of becoming higher according to higher ratios of concentrate but becoming lower according to higher ratio of alfalfa hay in the diets fed to Korean native goats. Nitrogen retention was lowest in A (1.8g, 15.5%) and highest in D (2.7g, 25.7%). In overall, inclusion of 30~40% alfalfa hay as a roughage in the diets of weaned Korean native goats was superior to the higher rates of inclusion of alfalfa hay in aspects of average daily gain and feed efficiency. The fixed 18% of crude protein content in the diets was efficient for the growth of weaned goats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 1989

Twenty-four Hereford steers, 22 months old and a mean liveweight (${\pm}\;s.e.$) of $250\;{\pm}\;7\;kg$ were used in an experiment to evaluate over 42 days two rates of copra meal supplementation to cattle on a low N ($8.6\;{\pm}\;0.9$ g N/kg dry matter (DM)), low digestible ($45\;{\pm}\;5.2%$ DM) native pasture hay. Steers given the two rates (500, 1000 g/steer/day; i.e. 500C, 1000C) were compared to steers on a non-supplemental diet and to the effects on steers of supplemental urea (30g/steer/day; 30U) or with copra meal (500 g/steer/day; 500C.U), or of cottonseed meal (500 g/steer/day; 500S). Liveweight change was increased (P<0.01) by all of the supplements except by supplemental urea. The most effective treatment, 1000C, increased significantly (P<0.01) liveweight change (946 g/day) in steers above all supplements except those steers given 500C.U (718 g/day). Hay intake per unit liveweight was increased (P<0.05) by 7% by the 30U and 500C.U treatment, and by 9% by 500C; this group having the highest supplements, being greatest (P<0.05) for the 1000C group (6.0 g feed intake/g gain) and least for the 500S supplemented group (11.5 g/g gain). Efficiency was lowest (18.6 g/g gain) for the non-supplemented steers on the basal hay diet. Copra meal N was less degradable (i.e. 29%) in nylon bags over 15 hours in the rumen than was cottonseed meal N (37%), and rumen ammonia concentrations were lower (P<0.05) in cattle supplemented with copra meal (25, 27 mg N/L) than in cattle given urea (36 mg N/L) or cottonseed meal (39 mg N/L). It is concluded that copra meal at a daily rate of 500 g/head, and with rumen soluble nitrogen from urea, is an effective supplement for improving growth of cattle on a low quality forage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.561-567
• /
• 1993

Twenty Korean native bulls averaging 181 kg body weight were fed a fixed amount (1.5% of live weight) of concentrate and free choice roughage cubes which had four ratios of rice straw and orchard grass hay; 100:0, 85:15, 70:30 and 55:45 on a weight basis. Five bulls were assigned to each treatment and fed for 98 days in a confinement house. Nutrient digestibility and available energy content of mixed rations (40% concentrate and 60% roughage cubes) was determined in a digestion trial with twelve wethers. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in situ dry matter disappearance of the roughage cubes were also determined. The ratio of grass hay to rice straw did not influence dry matter intake. Significant improvements in body weight gains and feed/gain ratios were obtained as grass hay levels increased. Average daily gain and feed/gain for each treatment was 0.83, 0.88, 0.98 and 0.99 kg; 7.63m 7.59, 6.83 and 6.41, respectively. Digestibility of the nutrients was improved with increasing levels of grass hay in the cubes. The IVDMD of roughage samples having a ritio of 100:0, 85:15, 70:30 and 55:45 between rice straw and orchard grass hay were 31.0, 37.1, 41.8 and 43.4%, respectively. Grass hay improved the IVDMD of rice straw diets in a linear manner up to 30%. In situ dry matter disappearance rate was also increased as the level of orchard grass hay increased.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.68-76
• /
• 1988

The variation of rumination response in steers fed a same amount of orcharograss hay was investigated. With three steers (6, 12, 24 months) of the Japanese Black Breed, rumination behaviour was measured continuously during a 5 days period by masseter EMG telemetry system. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The average daily ruminatio time of respective animals were 438,447 and 433 min. with small daily variation both within and among animal. But the rumination time per DM kg of hay consumed varied from 66 to 138 min., and calf spent longer than older calf. 2. Actural chewing time showed small variation, and percentage of actural chewing time spent in rumination time was from 88 to 93% on individual average. 3. The daily number of chewing in rumination was approximately 25,000 to 30,000 with large individual differences. The chews per DM kg intake varied from 3,800 to 9,600, and calf chewed more than older calf. 4. The average rate of chewing per 100 sec. (chewing speed), there was a large difference between animals I.e. 104, 114, 131 respectively, but very little variance between days in individual. 5. No relation between day to day variations in eating time and rumination behavior, but significantly positive correlation was observed in the relation among rumination time, chewing time, No. of boluses and No. of chews. 6. Active time of day in rumination altered considerably day to day, but variation in the amount of rumination per day as expressed by the rumination time was relatively small.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 1995

'Ihis experiment was canied out to investigate the feed intake, chewing activities and ruminal characteristics by change in roughage intake and concentrate feeding amount with 15 Holstein cows. 1. DM intake of cow fed rice straw, corn silage and grass hay was 4.97, 5.47 and 5.60% of metabolic weight, respectively, and that by kg increase of concentrate was decreased by 0.330, 0.294 and 0.461 kg, respectively. 2. RVI of rice straw, com silage and grass hay was 98.3, 93.7 and 87.1 respectively, and correlations between RVIfl) and concentrate level@) were the following; $Y_1$(rice straw) = 99.4543 - 5.9759X + 0.0230$X^2$ This experiment was carried out to investigate the feed intake, chewing activities and ruminal characteristics by change in roughage intake and concentrate feeding amount with 15 Holstein cows. 1. DM intake of cow fed rice straw, corn silage and grass hay was 4.97, 5.47 and 5.60% of metabolic weight, respectively, and that by kg increase of concentrate was decreased by 0.330, 0.294 and 0.461 kg, respectively. 2. RVI of rice straw, com silage and grass hay was 98.3, 93.7 and 87.1 respectively, and correlations between RVI(Y) and concentrate level(X) were the following; $Y_1$(rice straw) = 99.4543 - 5.9759X + 0.0230$X^2$ $Y_2$(com silage) = 88.7601 - 2.9000X - 0.2111$X^2$ $Y_3$(grass hay) = 95.1515 - 6.3096X + 0.0873$X^2$ 3. Average ruminal pH in rice straw feeding group was the highest and correlations between ruminal pH(Y) and concentrate level(X) were the following; $Y_1$ = 7.0920 - 0.0309X - 0.0023$X^2$ $Y_2$ = 6.5000 - 0.0516X + 0.0002$X^2$ $Y_3$= 6.7666 - 0.0072X - 0.0044$X^2$ 4. Average ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentration in forage hay feeding group was the highest and correlations between ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentration(Y) and concentrate level(X) were the following. $Y_1$ = 3.3777 - 0.0587X + 0.0682$X^2$ $Y_2$ = 4.2765 + 0.5921X + 0.0181$X^2$ $Y_3$= 5.3634 - 0.4203X + 0.0223$X^2$ 5. Ruminal VFA wncentmtion in corn silage feeding group was the highest.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.1 no.4
• /
• pp.185-187
• /
• 1988

A total of 22 energy balance trials were done for calves fed a liquid milk replacer, calf starter and second cut mixed hay during weaning period. Milk replacer supplied 50% of the total dietary energy, calf starter 42% and hay 8% Live weight of calves averaged 64.6 ($S.D.{\pm}7.8$) kg and daily gain 0.54 (${\pm}0.22$) kg. The metabolizability of gross energy averaged 0.751. A regression was calculated relating energy retention (ER, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$) to the intake of metabolizable energy (IME, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$): $$ER=0.69({\pm}0.09)IME-395,\;r=0.888,\;P<0.01,\;S.E.{\pm}7.1$$. Metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) was calculated to be $572kJ/kg^{0.75}$ when ER = 0. The amount of IME over MEm for an individual animal (MEg, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$) was regressed on average daily gain (ADG, kg) by the method of regression through the origin: $$MEg=364({\pm}55)ADG,\;r=0.634,\;P<0.01,\;S.E.{\pm}12$$. The amount of ME required for maintenance and growth was estimated to be $936kJ/kg^{0.75}$.