• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.1139-1146
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• 2002

Sixty crossbred Anglo-Nubian goats (growing females), 18-24 mo of age, with a mean pre-experimental live weight of $20.9{\pm}0.44kg$ were used to investigate voluntary dry matter intake (DMI) and digestibility of supplements of Leucaena leucocephala (LL) leaves to a basal diet of guinea grass. The experiment was a 3 forms of presentation: fresh, wilted and $dry{\times}4$ levels of supplementation: 10, 20, 30 and 40% of total forage allowance with LL leaves. The goats were assigned based on weight and age to one of the twelve diets in a randomized manner and each level had five animals (replicates) per diet for 56 days. The form of presentation of LL leaves had effects on dry matter (DM) and nutrient composition. DM and NDF were higher in the dry LL leaves (p<0.05). In the diets, CP increased as the level of supplementation with LL leaves increased (p<0.05). Mean CP was similar in the fresh ($14.8{\pm}3.5%$), wilted ($14.3{\pm}3.3%$) and dry forms ($13.9{\pm}3.1%$). Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased linearly (p<0.05) with increase in levels of supplementation. Organic matter (OM) followed the trend of CP concentration (p<0.05). Drying was observed to reduce the availability of CP at the different levels of supplementation and subsequently this affected the NDF of the diets. DM intake of the goats on the fresh and wilted LL leaves was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in those on the dry LL leaves. DM intake of the basal diet was observed to decrease as the level of supplementation (p<0.05) increased regardless of the form of presentation of LL. Growth rate was best (p<0.05) on the fresh form followed by wilted and the least in the dry form. Growth rate decreased linearly (p<0.05) with increase in the level of supplementation in the dry form. The form of presentation and level of supplementation influenced DM, CP and OM digestibility (p<0.05). Except for NDF, the digestibility of DM, CP and OM were better (p<0.05) in the goats on fresh LL leaves compared to the wilted and dry leaves. Based on the data on DMI, growth rate and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients, the results suggest that LL leaves is best utilized when fed fresh or wilted to goats. In the dry form of presentation, the best level of supplementation without a reduction in voluntary DMI and growth rate is the 20%. In the fresh and wilted form, LL leaves could be fed up to the 40% level with improved DMI, growth rate and nutrient utilization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1452-1460
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• 2014

The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional parameters of young bulls supplemented with different ratios of protein: carbohydrate on tropical pastures from 4 until 18 months old. Fifty-five non-castrated beef calves ($138.3{\pm}3.4kg$, 90 to 150 d of age) were used. The calves (young bulls) were subjected to a 430-d experimental period encompassing 4 seasons. The treatments were as follows: control, only mineral mixture; HPHC, high protein and high carbohydrate supplement; HPLC, high protein and low carbohydrate supplement; LPHC, low protein and high carbohydrate supplement; and LPLC, low protein and low carbohydrate supplement. The amount of supplement was adjusted every 28 d. Dry matter (DM) intake was higher in the dry-to-rainy transition and rainy seasons for all nutritional plans. Non-supplemented animals had lower intakes of DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) than supplemented young bulls in all seasons. Although differences in DM intake were not observed between supplemented animals, the supplements with high carbohydrate (HPHC and LPHC) had lower forage intake during suckling (rainy-to-dry transition season) and in the rainy season. However, the HPHC treatment animals had higher intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. It can be concluded that supplementation with high protein levels (supplying 50% of the crude protein requirement) provide the best nutritional parameters for grazing young bulls in most seasons, increasing intake and digestibility of diet, and these effects are more intense when associated with high carbohydrate levels level (supplying 30% TDN requirement).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 1999

This experiment was carried out to determine voluntary intake according to growth stage of sorghum $\times$ sudangrass hybrid in mono and intercropping. The results obtained from these experiments are as follows; Crude protein content of intercropping cultivation(sorghum $\times$ sudangrass hybrid + soybean) was higher than monocropping(sorghum $\times$ sudangrass hybrid), while ADF content was not different. Intake rates of leaf and stem showed highly at the intercropping comparing with monocropping(180cm~milk stage), but there was no difference at dough and yellow stage. Also, voluntary intake of fresh and dry matter showed same tendency. Voluntary intake of dry matter was the highest value of $98.4g/kg^{0.75}$ at milk stage treatment of intercropping. The intakes of crude protein were 9.6, 8.5, 7.2 and $7.2g/kg^{0.75}$ at 180cm, 250cm, boot stage and milk stage of intercropping treatment, respectively. These were higher than those for monocropping treatment. As mentioned above the results, intercropping cultivation could be recommended as increasing method of sorghum $\times$ sudangrass hybrid utilization when intake of dry matter and crude protein were considered.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 1985

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of maturity and intake on digestibility of grass hay harvested at different dates. Hay was prepared from first-growth forage which cutting dates were: 4 June (vegetative, called early-cut) 30 June (heading, called late-cut). The grass hay fed to wethers at restricted and ad libitum levels of intake. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. As delay in cutting date, contents of crude protein and crude fat decreased, while fibre and lignin increased. 2. On ad libitum feeding of early-cut and late-cut hay, the DM intake were $82g/W_{kg}^{0.75}\;and\;68g/W_{kg}^{0.75}$ respectively. 3. There was no significant difference in dry matter digestibility of early-cut hay between restricted and ad libitum feeding, but dry matter digestibility was decreased markedly in ad libitum feeding when leaves fecal condition out of account. Digestibility of crude protein, organic matter and fibre contained in early-cut hay were tended to decrease slightly in ad libitum when compared with restricted feeding, but were not significantly. 4. Digestibilities decreased significantly with increase of intake in late-cut except for crude protein (P<0.05 or P<0.01). 5. In the comparison of digestibility for all composition, early-cut hay was higher (P<0.01) than late-cut hay.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1738-1746
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of increasing amounts of Leucaena leucocephala forage on dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), enteric methane production, rumen fermentation pattern and protozoa population in cattle fed Pennisetum purpureum and housed in respiration chambers. Methods: Five crossbred heifers (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) (BW: $295{\pm}6kg$) were fed chopped P. purpureum grass and increasing levels of L. leucocephala (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of dry matter [DM]) in a $5{\times}5$ Latin square design. Results: The voluntary intake and methane production were measured for 23 h per day in respiration chambers; molar proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were determined at 6 h postprandial period. Molar concentration of VFAs in rumen liquor were similar (p>0.05) between treatments. However, methane production decreased linearly (p<0.005), recording a maximum reduction of up to ~61% with 80% of DM incorporation of L. leucocephala in the ration and no changes (p>0.05) in rumen protozoa population were found. Conclusion: Inclusion of 80% of L. leucocephala in the diet of heifers fed low-quality tropical forages has the capacity to reduce up to 61.3% enteric methane emission without affecting DMI, OMI, and protozoa population in rumen liquor.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing additional sucrose, in the form of black sugar (BS), into the diet of Holstein dairy cows on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and milk composition. Eight Holstein dairy cows ($741{\pm}65.8kg$ body weight) were divided into two groups, including the control and BS groups. Animals in the control group were offered a total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum, and the BS group was offered TMR with 300 g of BS/head/d. After two weeks of adaptation period, the animal performance, including DMI, milk yield and milk composition, was measured. Cows supplemented with BS appeared to consume more feed than that by the controls (i.e., 17.08 and 18.28 kg/d for the control and BS groups, respectively). However, there were no significant differences between treatments. Milk yield or milk composition, such as milk fat, milk protein, lactose, solids-non-fat, total solids and pH, did not differ between treatments. However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the concentration of milk urea nitrogen (MUN). The MUN concentration of the BS group was approximately 15% lower than that of the control group (i.e., 18.75 vs. 16.05 mg/dL for the control and BS groups, respectively), which suggests improved nitrogen metabolism in the animals. The somatic cell count was numerically lower in the cows of the BS group compared to those in the control group. However, a significant difference was not noted due to the substantial amount of variation among cows. In terms of the trace mineral composition for milk, the concentration of Cu from BS animals was higher (p<0.05) than that of the control animals. In summary, supplementing the diets of dairy cows with BS marginally affected animal performance and improved nitrogen metabolism. The level of supplementation and other factors, such as animal variation were discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of various roughage sources on nutrient digestibility and enteric methane ($CH_4$), and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) production in goats. Four castrated black goats ($48.5{\pm}0.6kg$) were individually housed in environmentally controlled respiration-metabolism chambers. The experiment design was a $4{\times}4$ balanced Latin square design with 4 roughage types and 4 periods. Alfalfa, tall fescue, rice straw, and corn silage was used as representative of legume, grass, straw, and silage, respectively. Dry matter digestibility was higher (p < 0.001) in corn silage than in alfalfa hay. Dry matter digestibility of alfalfa hay was higher than those of tall fescue or rice straw (p < 0.001). Neutral detergent fiber digestibility of tall fescue was lower (p < 0.001) than those of alfalfa, rice straw, or corn silage. Daily enteric $CH_4$ production and the daily enteric $CH_4$ production per kilogram of $BW^{0.75}$, dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), digested DMI, and digested OMI of rice straw did not differ from those of tall fescue but were higher (p < 0.001) than those of alfalfa or corn silage. Roughage type had no effect on enteric $CO_2$ emission in goats. Straw appeared to generate more enteric $CH_4$ production than legume or silage, but similar to grass.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2010

This experiment was carried out to estimate the nutritive value of mixed-sowing winter forage crop and whole crop barley by investigating the effects of feeding mixed-sowing winter forage crop and whole crop barley in KBG (Korean black goat) on feed intake, average daily body weight gain, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention. The 12 male KBG were divided into four experimental groups - i.e. T1: barley silage added group, T2: mixed-sowing hairy vetch silage added group, T3: mixed-sowing field peas added silage, T4: mixed-sowing Italian rye grass added silage group. Three KBG per each treatment were allotted into individual metabolic cages by Latin-square design. The results from this study are as follow. The DMI (dry matter intake) and organic matter intake in T4 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in T1 and T3 and crude protein intake in T4 also recorded the highest among treatments (p<0.05). The highest values in intakes of ADF and NDF were observed in T4 followed by T2, T1 and T3 in order. The average daily body weight gains in T4 and T2 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in TI and T3. The dry and organic matter digestibility in T2 and T4 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in T1 and T3. The crude protein digestibility in T1 was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those in T2 and T4. The nitrogen intakes in T2 and T4 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in T3. The results obtained from this study suggested that the feeds supplemented with whole crop barley with hairy vetch and Italian rye grass mixture silage increased KBG productivity resulted from increases in feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.383-388
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the dry matter intake, weight gain and the required area of grazing pasture for dairy goats. The experimental trials were conducted from April, 2007 to June, 2008 at the animal experimental station in Chungnam National University. The seed mixtures of grazing pasture were composed of orchardgrass (40%) + tall fescue (20%) + perennial ryegrass (10%) + alfalfa (15%) + red clover (15%). The grazing area was $5,000\;m^2$ which was composed of 4 paddocks (average $1,250\;m^2$/plot) and the goats were grazed twelve times by a rotational grazing system. The dairy goats (Saanen) were selected which had nearly the same body weight (average 31.1kg). The average chemical composition of herbage of mixture in grazing periods was crude protein (20.4%), NDF (65.3%) and ADF (31.1%) respectively and the in vitro dry matter digestibility was 68.9%. The average dry matter intake amount per head was 1.253 kg, and the intake amount per body weight was 3.01%. The average body weight gain during the grazing periods (184 days) was 17.4 kg, and the daily gain was 98 g. The required area of grazing pasture was calculated at $467.7\;m^2$ a dairy goat (weight 50 kg basis). This figure, being converted into animal unit (AU), corresponded to approximately 2.14 AU/ha.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2002

To determine availability as a feed source of deer of by-products that produced at reforestation areas and comprised shrubs and wild grasses, mixed forest by-product silage(FBS), arrowroot silage(ARS), bristletooth oak tree silage(BOS), white oak tree silage(WOS) were prepared to compare dry matter intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance in digestion balance trials with spotted deer. Dry matter intake was highest in WOS and lowest in ARS but there was no significant difference(P＞0.05). Digestible dry matter intake was higher in FBS and ARS that had higher dry matter digestibility than in WOS and BOS that had lower dry matter digestibility(P＞0.05). Dry matter digestibility was highest fur ARS and lowest for BOS(P＜0.05). Digestibility of crude protein was similar to that of dry matter. That of crude fiber was higher for FBS and ARS than for BOS and WOS(P＞0.05). Daily gain of body weight was slightly greater for WOS than fer other treatments(P＞0.05). Nitrogen intake was highest for ARS and lowest for BOS(P＜0.05), and fecal nitrogen was opposite to nitrogen intake(P＜0.05). Nitrogen excretion with urine was highest for ARS that had higher nitrogen intake and lowest for BOS and there was a significant difference(P＜0.05). Retained nitrogen was highest for FBS and lowest for. BOS (P＞0.05). Although there was no significant difference(P＞0.05): the ration of nitrogen intake to retained nitrogen was highest in FBS for 43.9% and lowest in BOS for 24.7%. Consequently because by-products that produced at reforestation areas had high intake and internal availability, it was evaluated to valuable feed source for deer.