• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.606-612
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• 2005

Individual production traits, such as reproduction and mortality rates, are partial measures, but may be used to evaluate the performance of different systems by comparing the rate of flock growth and potential offtake. The productivity of two existing sheep production systems, one extensive, one intensive, was compared with an alternative semi-intensive system. The future flock sizes, offtakes and structures were predicted based on the age structure of the flock and age-specific reproduction, mortality and growth rates. The measurements were illustrated with reference to growth of a sheep flock of different age and sex categories. The flock was in a socalled dynamic situation. During the dry period, the digestible organic matter intake of the animals in the intensive system and both extensive and semi-extensive systems was 36 and 20.1 g kg$^{-0.75}$ d$^{-1}$, respectively. During the cold period, the digestible organic matter intake of the animals in extensive, intensive and semi-extensive systems was 34, 34.5 and 41 g kg$^{-0.75}$ d$^{-1}$, respectively. During the dry period, the animals in the both extensive and semi-intensive systems lost in body weight at a rate of 19 g per day, but the rate of gain in body weight of the animals in intensive system was 57 g per day. During the cold period, the animals in extensive, intensive and semiintensive systems gained in body weight at rates of 56, 67 and 97 g per day, respectively. The higher gain of animals during the cold period in the semi-intensive system was related to a sustained higher intake of low-quality roughage and more efficient use of the available feed. Compared to the intensive system, the annual concentrate input of the semi-intensive system was about 48% lower for each livestock unit. The productivity of the semi-intensive system was higher than that of the extensive system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1446-1458
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• 2013

The study assessed the effect of dietary supplementation of leaf meal mixture (LMM) containing condensed tannins (CT) on feed intake, nutrient utilization and performance of sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus. Eighteen adult sheep of similar age and body weight ($25.03{\pm}1.52$) were included in this study and out of these, 12 sheep were infected with single dose of infective third stage larvae of H. contortus at 2,000 larvae per sheep. The experimental sheep were allocated in three different groups' i.e. negative control (NC; no infection), control (C; H. contortus infected) and treatment (T; H. contortus infected+CT at 1.5% of the DM through LMM) and the experiment was conducted for a period of 90 d. The intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and digestibility of DM, OM, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were comparable among three animal groups. However, digestibility of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in NC group as compared to both C and T groups. Nitrogen (N) retention (g/d or % of N intake) was significantly (p = 0.038) lower in C group as compared to T and NC groups. Daily intake (g/kg $W^{0.75}$) of digestible crude protein (DCP), digestible organic matter (DOM) and total digestible nutrient (TDN) did not differ significantly (p<0.05) in the three groups. Haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly (p<0.001) higher in treatment group as compared to control. The level of Hb and PCV reduced (p<0.001) after 30 days of experimental feeding. CT significantly (p<0.001) reduced serum urea in T group as compared to NC and C groups. Serum proteins differed significantly (p<0.01) among the three groups. The activity of serum enzymes AST, ALT, ALP and LDH were also statistically non significant (p<0.05) among treatments. The weight of abomasal lymph nodes (ALN) in T group was higher (p<0.05) than in C group. Treatment group had lower (p<0.05) total worms and fecal egg count compared to control group. It may be concluded that dietary supplementation of CT through LMM significantly improved the N retention, and inhibited the different developmental stages of Haemonchus contortus in experimental sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.226-235
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• 2000

A survey on feeding practices was conducted with thirty-one cattle farmers belonging to three categories: households without land and no income from agricultural labour (Class 100;10 farms), households without land but deriving considerable income from agricultural labour (Class 101;10 farms), and households with land and without income from agricultural labour (Class 110;11 farms). Information on the types of feeds given of one year. In addition, samples of the feeds offered and refused were collected every two weeks and analysed for dry matter, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD). Grass was usually cut at an early stage of growth, as such the CP(11.8%) and OMD (62%) were relatively high. All types of rice straw (whole, lower and upper part) and sugarcane forage (tops and leaves) were low in CP (<6 and <8.9%, respectively) and OMD (<45 and <47%, respectively). Rice bran and tofu waste was of much better quality than any other feed. The average number of different feeds in the rations (mean of all farms) was 1.98, with a lower value for class 101 (1.80), than for classes 100 and 110 (2.11 and 2.02, respectively). Of the total amount of OM consumed, 42% was rice straw, 21% grass, 19% maize forage, 10% sugarcane forage, <4% other forages (soya and groundnut straw), 1.3% rice bran and 2.9% tofu waste. The total amount of OM offered varied from <80 $g/kg^{0.75}/d$ in August/September to 1.5 times as much in May (P<0.01). The intake of digestible organic matter (IDOM) for farm class 110 ($37.7g/kg^{0.75}/d$) was significantly (p<0.001) lower than that for classes 100 and 101 (44.1 and $41.3g/kg^{0.75}/d$, respectively). The highest CP/IDOM ratio was recorded for farm class 101 (0.201 as compared to 0.181-0.184).

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2001

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of application levels of nightsoil sludge compost(NSC) in 3 and 4 cuttings per annum on the dry matter yields and nutritive value of orchardgrass(Dactylis glomerata L.). Annual nightsoil sludge compost(NSC) were applied at levels of 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ton $㏊^{respectively}$ . Relative yields of each cut to annual dry matter yield were 29.9%, 46.% and 23.2% for 1st cut, 2nd cut and 3rd cut in 3 cutting system, 23.7%, 29.3%, 34.0% and 13.0% for 1st cut, 2nd cut, 3rd cut and 4th cut in 4 cutting system, respectively. Significantly higher dry matter yield of orchardgrass obtained were 8.11 ton $㏊^{-1}$ at level of 40 ton ㏊$^{-1}$ $yr^{-1}$ in 3 cutting systems, ranges of 7.50~10.71 ton $㏊^{-1}$ at level of 10~80 ton ㏊$^{-1}$ $yr^{-1}$ in 4 cutting systems than those of non application level of NSC, respectively(p〈0.05). The mean efficiency of dry matter production to application of NSC(kg DM/ton NSC) were 46 and 102 kg in 3 and 4 cutting systems, respectively. Although th contents of crude protein(CP, %) of orchardgrass were significantly higher at the application levels of 10~80 ton $㏊^{-1}$ $yr^{-1}$ -1/ by NSC than those of the application levels at the 0 ton $㏊^{-1}$ $yr^{-1}$ in 3 and 4 cutting systems(p〈0.05), the contents of neutral detergent fiber(NDF, %) and acid detergent fiber(ADF, %) were lower in NSC plots than those at the non-application plots of NSC. The contents of total digestible nutrient(TDN, %) and relative feed value(RFV) of orchardgrass were significantly increased with increase the applicaton levels of NSC(p〈0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1422-1428
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• 2006

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of niacin supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, their balance and blood biochemical profile, 15 male buffalo calves (9-10 months of age, $88.4{\pm}4.37kg$ average body weight) were divided into 3 equal groups each of 5 calves, following a completely randomized design, and fed individually for 120 days with wheat straw and concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements. In addition calves were supplemented with 0 ppm (control, group I), 100 ppm (group II) and 200 ppm (group III) niacin. After 90 days of experimental feeding a metabolism trial was conducted to estimate the digestibility of nutrients and their balance. Fortnightly body weights were recorded to assess their growth rate and blood was collected from the jugular vein at day 0 and subsequently at 30-day intervals from all the experimental buffalo calves to study blood biochemical parameters. Results showed that intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose and hemicelluloses were statistically similar in the 3 groups. Buffalo calves in all three groups were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance, without showing any significant effect of the treatments. Dry matter, crude protein, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient intake ($g/d/kgW^{0.75}$) were similar in the control and niacin supplemented groups. Digestible crude protein (%) and total digestible nutrients (%) in the ration of the 3 groups were 8.07, 7.99, 7.92 and 56.70, 56.63, 56.74, respectively, and were comparable among the groups. The average daily gain (g) in-group II (567.50) was not significantly (p>0.05) higher than group I (500.0) and group III (510.0). Blood biochemical constituents (glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea-N, insulin) showed no significant effect of niacin supplementation. However, serum cholesterol (mg/100 ml) was significantly (p<0.01) lower in the 200 ppm niacin-supplemented group than in the control and 100 ppm niacin-supplemented groups. It can be concluded that supplementation of niacin at 100 and 200 ppm in the diet of buffalo calves had no significant beneficial effect on their growth and nutrient utilization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.206-209
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• 1997

The effect of supplementation of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterrophyllus) tree leaves and mashkalai (Vigna mungo) barn on the intake and digestibility of freshly cut common grass by Black Bengal goats was evaluated. Twelve castrated goats of approximately 5-6 months age were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments: freshly cut common grass ad libitum, common grass+100g Jackfruit tree leaves and common grass+100g mashkalai bran. Although digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen and neutral detergent fibre were very similar in the grass alone and mashkalai bran supplemented goats but the values were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those observed in the Jackfruit leaves supplemented goats. Supplementation of mashkalai bran promoted higher (p < 0.05) digestible nutrients intake with the consequent higher daily live weight gain (75 g) than those fed grass alone (31 g). It could be concluded that mashkalai bran could be a suitable supplement for goats consuming common grass in the tropics and subtropics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.965-970
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• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the effects of freezing and supplementation of molasses (M), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and LAB+enzyme mixture on chemical and nutritional composition of sunflower silage (SF). Sunflower crops were harvested (at about $29.2%{\pm}1.2%$ dry matter) and half of fresh sunflower was ensiled alone and half was frozen (F) at $-20^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. Silage additives were admixed into frozen SF material. All samples were ensiled in glass jars with six replicates for 90 days. The treatments were as follows: i) positive control (non-frozen and no additives, NF), ii) negative control (frozen, no additives, F), iii) F+5% molasses (FM), iv) F+LAB (1.5 g/tons, Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium, FLAB); v) F+LAB+enzyme (2 g/tons Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium and cellulase and amylase enzymes, FLEN). Freezing silage increased dry matter, crude ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin. The organic matter, total digestible nutrient, non-fiber carbohydrate, metabolizable energy and in vitro dry matter digestibility were negatively influenced by freezing treatments (p<0.05). In conclusion, freezing sunflower plants prior to ensiling may negatively affect silage quality, while molasses supplementation improved some quality traits of frozen silage. Lactic acid bacteria and LAB+enzyme inoculations did not effectively compensate the negative impacts of freezing on sunflower silage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.785-790
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• 2001

Twelve indigenous male goats, comprising of six intact and six castrated (2.5-3 years; $24.4{\pm}0.62kg$) were assigned evenly into two dietary treatments, viz. $I_0$ and $I_{100}$ and were used to study the effect of supplementation of iodine on the nutrient utilization when their diet contained Leucaena leaf meal. They were offered a conventional concentrate mixture along with Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal, the latter to meet 50% of their crude protein (CP) requirements, and supplemented with either no iodine ($I_0$) or 0.1 mg of iodine ($I_{100}$)/day/animal as potassium iodide for a period of 105 days. Wheat straw given ad libitum was the sole source of roughage. A metabolism trial of 8 days duration was conducted after 90 days of experimental feeding. It was observed that the overall dry matter (DM) intake during experimental period was higher (p<0.05) in $I_{100}$ group as compared to $I_0$ group (508.6 vs. $443.7g\;d^{-1}$). The intake of CP, digestible crude protein (DCP) and metabolisable energy (ME), although non-significant, tended to be higher in the iodine supplemented group, $I_{100}$. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter (OM), CP, ether extract and crude fiber (CF) did not differ (p>0.05) between the treatments. However, nitrogen retention was higher (p<0.01) in $I_{100}$ than $I_0$ with the values being 2.63 and $1.70g\;d^{-1}$, respectively. No difference (p>0.05) was evident in the retention of calcium and phosphorus between the two groups. The castrated animal exhibited lower DM intake concurrent with higher digestibility of DM and crude fibre (p<0.05), and organic matter and total carbohydrates (p<0.01) when compared to intact ones. It was concluded that supplementation of iodine to leucaena based ration may help in improving the DM intake and nitrogen utilization by goats.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2004

This study, in which sheep were used as models for beef cattle, was conducted to determine the effect of replacing 100% of rice straw with deepstacked broiler Iitter(BL) as a roughage source on total tract apparent digestibility, digestible nutrient intake, ruminal and blood parameters, and N balance of sheep. Under the conventional formulated mix-rice straw(60: 40) feeding system(control), replacement of rice straw with BL resulted in similar(P> 0.05) total tract apparent digestibilities of fiber and organic matter, similar(P> 0.05) intake of digestible NDF, ADF and organic matter, and higher(P <0.05) intake of digestible crude protein. Feeding BL instead of rice straw resulted in 10wer(P <0.05) ruminal pH, higher(P <0.05) $NH^3-N$ concentration and similar(P> 0.05) rominal volatile fatty acid percentage and blood urea concentration. In a N balance study, increased(P<0.05) N intake for the BIAed group induced higher(P <0.05) quantities(g/d) of fecal and urinary N excretion, bodily N absorption, and N retention. It was concluded that deepstacked BL fiber was comparable to rice straw fiber as a roughage source and BL protein was also favorably utilized within the body of ruminant.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 1997

The minimum amounts of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) required to improve the performance of cattle on a straw diet has been studied. Four levels of leucaena, namely 0 (0%), 2 kg (10%), 4 kg (18%) and 6 kg (27% of dietary dry matter intake) were supplied to 4 adult indigenous bulls ($355{\pm}21.5kg$ weight) fed rice straw alone, in a $4{\times}4$ latin square design. Measurements were made on intake, digestibility, N balance and microbial N yield. Up to 10% level of leucaena supplementation, there were no significant improvement on intake, digestibility, microbial N yield and N balance. Both straw and total dry matter intake showed diminishing return to increasing levels of leucaena supplementation and the maximum intake was observed at around 20% level. However, dietary N and digestible organic matter intake, the microbial N yield and the N balance increased linearly to the increasing levels of leucaena supplementation. On a rice straw based diet, the minimum level of leucaena required to improve the animal performance would probably be at around 20% of the dietary intake.