• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.637-647
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• 2019

Objective: The study aimed at quantifying seasonal and spatial variations in availability and nutritive value of herbaceous vegetation on native pastures and supplement feedstuffs for domestic ruminants in Western Kenya. Methods: Samples of herbaceous pasture vegetation (n = 75) and local supplement feedstuffs (n = 46) for cattle, sheep, and goats were collected in 20 villages of three geographic zones (Highlands, Mid-slopes, Lowlands) in Lower Nyando, Western Kenya, over four seasons of one year. Concentrations of dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), gross energy (GE), and minerals were determined. Apparent total tract organic matter digestibility (dOM) was estimated from in vitro gas production and proximate nutrient concentrations or chemical composition alone using published prediction equations. Results: Nutrient, energy, and mineral concentrations were 52 to 168 g CA, 367 to 741 g NDF, 32 to 140 g CP, 6 to 45 g EE, 14.5 to 18.8 MJ GE, 7.0 to 54.2 g potassium, 0.01 to 0.47 g sodium, 136 to 1825 mg iron, and 0.07 to 0.52 mg selenium/kg DM. The dOM was 416 to 650 g/kg organic matter but differed depending on the estimation method. Nutritive value of pasture herbage was superior to most supplement feedstuffs, but its value strongly declined in the driest season. Biomass yields and concentrations of CP and potassium in pasture herbage were highest in the Highlands amongst the three zones. Conclusion: Availability and nutritive value of pasture herbage and supplement feedstuffs greatly vary between seasons and geographical zones, suggesting need for season- and region-specific feeding strategies. Local supplement feedstuffs partly compensate for nutritional deficiencies. However, equations to accurately predict dOM and improved knowledge on nutritional characteristics of tropical ruminant feedstuffs are needed to enhance livestock production in this and similar environments.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.33.1-33.7
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• 2016

Background: The continuing growth of the ethanol industry has generated large amounts of various distillers grains co-products. These are characterized by a wide variation in chemical composition and ruminal degradability. Therefore, their precise formulation in the ruminant diet requires the systematic evaluation of their degradation profiles in the rumen. Methods: Three distillers grains plus soluble co-products (DDGS) namely, corn DDGS, high-protein corn DDGS (HP-DDGS), and wheat DDGS, were subjected to an in situ trial to determine the degradation kinetics of the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). Soybean meal (SBM), a feed with highly degradable protein in the rumen, was included as the fourth feed. The four feeds were incubated in duplicate at each time point in the rumen of three ruminally cannulated Hanwoo cattle for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. Results: Wheat DDGS had the highest filterable and soluble A fraction of its DM (37.2 %), but the lowest degradable B (49.5 %; P < 0.001) and an undegradable C fraction (13.3 %; P < 0.001). The filterable and soluble A fraction of CP was greatest with wheat DDGS, intermediate with corn DDGS, and lowest with HP-DDGS and SBM; however, the undegradable C fraction of CP was the greatest with HP-DDGS (41.2 %), intermediate with corn DDGS (2.7 %), and lowest with wheat DDGS and SMB (average 4.3 %). The degradation rate of degradable B fraction ($%\;h^{-1}$) was ranked from highest to lowest as follows for 1) DM: SBM (13.3), wheat DDGS (9.1), and corn DDGS and HP-DDGS (average 5.2); 2) CP: SBM (17.6), wheat DDGS (11.6), and corn DDGS and HP-DDGS (average 4.4). The in situ effective degradability of CP, assuming a passage rate of $0.06h^{-1}$, was the highest (P < 0.001) for SBM (73.9 %) and wheat DDGS (71.2 %), intermediate for corn DDGS (42.5 %), and the lowest for HP-DDGS (28.6 %), which suggests that corn DDGS and HP-DDGS are a good source of undegraded intake protein for ruminants. Conclusions: This study provided a comparative estimate of ruminal DM and CP degradation characteristics for three DDGS co-products and SBM, which might be useful for their inclusion in the diet according to the ruminally undegraded to degraded intake protein ratio.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.844-850
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• 2002

The potential nutritive value was studied on leaves of seven fodder trees in Central Sudan during dry season at two distinct periods, the early dry and the late. The chemical composition, mineral concentration, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), in situ OM or nitrogen degradability and estimated metabolizable energy showed a wide variation among fodder tree species and between different periods of the dry season. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 285 to 197 g/kg DM at early dry season, with a significant reduction in late dry season. Ziziphus spina-christi and Balanites aegyptiaca showed the least reduction in CP content. The NDF, ADF and lignin were about 200, 160 and 19 g/kg DM, respectively at the early period, and significantly increased at the late period of the dry season, except for lignin of Z. spina-christi. For mineral concentration, all fodder tree leaves were rich in calcium but poor in phosphorus. In situ OM degradability significantly decreased at the late period of dry season, but values remained as high as over 600 g/kg OM. At both periods, Z. spina-christi showed the highest value, while the lowest was recorded in Acacia seyal. The IVOMD showed a similar trend to those of in situ OM degradability, except for A. seyal. The nitrogen degradability was highest in B. aegyptiaca and lowest in Z. spina-christi at both periods. A significant and positive correlation had existed between CP and IVOMD or in situ OM degradability (r=0.68, p<0.05; r=0.77, p<0.05, respectively). Also, a significant but negative correlation was found between condensed tannins and nitrogen degradability (r=-0.87, p<0.01). Results demonstrated that Z. spina-christi potentially has a good nutritive value as dry season feed or supplement, while A. seyal tends to be less promising. A. nubica and B. aegyptiaca may be a useful source for degradable protein, even though it may have a limited supply of energy to animals. A. tortilis, A. mellifera and A. ehrenbergiana may have potential value for a supplementation of energy or protein, if they were harvested in the early dry season or in wet season as preserved feed. It is highly recommended to supplement with an appropriate amount of phosphorus when these fodder trees were used.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1430-1438
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• 2012

The present experiment was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) content, and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy in growing pigs fed diets containing one of ten cottonseed meals (CSM) collected from different provinces of China and to develop in vitro prediction equations for DE and ME content from chemical composition of the CSM samples. Twelve growing barrows with an initial body weight of $35.2{\pm}1.7$ kg were allotted to two $6{\times}6$ Latin square designs, with six barrows and six periods and six diets for each. A corn-dehulled soybean meal diet was used as the basal diet, and the other ten diets were formulated with corn, dehulled soybean meal and 19.20% CSM. The DE, ME and ATTD of gross energy among different CSM sources varied largely and ranged from 1,856 to 2,730 kcal/kg dry matter (DM), 1,778 to 2,534 kcal/kg DM, and 42.08 to 60.47%, respectively. Several chemical parameters were identified to predict the DE and ME values of CSM, and the accuracy of prediction models were also tested. The best fit equations were: DE, kcal/kg DM = 670.14+31.12 CP+659.15 EE with $R^2$ = 0.82, RSD = 172.02, p<0.05; and ME, kcal/kg DM = 843.98+25.03 CP+673.97 EE with $R^2$ = 0.84, RSD = 144.79, p<0.05. These results indicate that DE, ME values and ATTD of gross energy varied substantially among different CSM sources, and that some prediction equations can be applied to predict DE and ME in CSM with an acceptable accuracy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2021

This study was carried out to evaluate the forage yield and feed value of winter crops such as Italian ryegrass (IRG), oat, rye, barley, and hairy vetch. Forage crops were sown on 15^th October 2018 in a paddy field after harvesting rice and forage crops were harvested at two times of 25^th April 2019 and 18^th May 201 9. The highest dry matter (DM) yield was harvested from rye among the five species of forage crop on 18^th May. DM yield of all forages was increased 14.4% on 18^th May compared to 25^th April. The highest yield of crude protein (CP) was obtained from hairy vetch on 25^th April, whereas it was decreased (38.1%) on 18^th May. Moreover, the highest total digestible nutrient (TDN) yield and relative feed value (RFV) was harvested respectively from rye and hairy vetch on 25^th April. Delay of harvest time considerably increased DM yield but significantly decreased CP and RFV. In conclusion, rye was the best source of DM and TDN and hairy vetch was the high-quality feed. Rye harvested on 25^th April is the proper forage for resolving Korea's problem of insufficient forage yield.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1449-1457
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• 2018

Objective: The objective was to evaluate feed intake, digestibility, body weight change and carcass characteristics of sheep fed a basal diet of hay supplemented with banana leaves and silver leaf desmodium. Methods: Thirty yearling lambs with an average initial body weight of $15.85{\pm}1.6kg$ were grouped into six blocks of five rams in each block. The treatments were: hay alone (T1), hay+100% banana leaf (T2), hay+67% banana leaf+33% desmodium leaf (T3), hay+33% banana leaf+67% desmodium leaf (T4), andhay+100% desmodium leaf (T5). Three hundred grams of treatment diets were offered daily on as fed basis. The feeding and digestibility trials lasted for 84 and 7 days, respectively, followed by carcass evaluation. Results: The total dry matter (DM) intake for T3, T4, and T5 were greater (p<0.05) than those fed T1 and T2 diets. The lowest (p<0.05) organic matter (OM) intake was recorded in rams reared on T1 diet. The total crude protein (CP) intake was in the following order: T5>T4>T3>T2>T1. Ram lambs receiving supplementary diets had higher (p<0.05) DM, OM, CP, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility compared with the control diet. The empty body weight and slaughter weight was highest (p<0.05) in rams receiving T3, T4, and T5 diets. The average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency was highest (p<0.05) in rams receiving the supplementary diets. The dressing percentage on the basis of hot carcass weight linearly increased with increasing levels of desmodium. Rams reared on supplementary diet had higher (p<0.05) rib eye area compared with the control diet. Conclusion: In conclusion, when banana leaf is used as a supplement to poor quality grass, better body weight gain was obtained when fed in combination with desmodium.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics and forage production of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) in Jeju. Bermudagrass cultivars evaluated were Common and Ecotype. Bahiagrass cultivars evaluated were Tifton 9 and Argentine. Two warm season grasses were established at the Subtropical Animal Experiment Station in spring 2007. Emergence of bremudagrass and bahiagrass was observed approximately 16 days and 28 days after seeding, respectively. The heading dates of bermudagrass and bahiagrass were on 26 May and in mid-July, respectively. Bermudagrass cultivars had higher dry matter (DM) than bahiagrass at first harvest. Dry matter yield of bahiagrass was higher than that of bermudagrass (p<0.05). Peak forage DM production of bermudagrass and bahiagrass cultivars was in June and July, respectively. The content of crude protein (CP) and total digestibility nutrient (TDN) of bermudagrass cultivars were higher than those of bahiagrass during the first harvest. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) were similar across the four cultivars. In Jeju, bermudagrass and bahiagrass provide a useful option for supplemental summer forage in most livestock forage systems.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.38-51
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• 2022

Whole-plant corn (Zea may L.) and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] are major summer crops that can be fed as direct-cut or silage. Proso millet is a short-season growing crop with distinct agronomic characteristics that can be productive in marginal lands. However, information is limited about the potential production, feed value, and ensilability of proso millet forage. We evaluated proso millet as a silage crop in comparison with conventional silage crops. Proso millet was sown on June 8 and harvested on September 5 at soft-dough stage. Corn and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid were planted on May 10 and harvested on September 10 at the half milk-line and soft-dough stages, respectively. The fermentation was evaluated at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 45 days after ensiling. Although forage yield of proso millet was lower than corn and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid, its relative feed value was greater than sorghum-sudangrass hybrid. Concentrations of dry matter (DM), crude protein, and water-soluble carbohydrate decreased commonly in the ensiling forage crops. The DM loss was greater in proso millet than those in corn and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid. The in vitro dry matter digestibility declined in the forage crops as fermentation progressed. In the early stages of fermentation, pH dropped rapidly, which was stabilized in the later stages. Compared to corn and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid, the concentration of ammonia-nitrogen was greater in proso millet. The count of lactic acid bacteria reached the maximum level on day 10, with the values of 6.96, 7.77, and 6.95 Log₁₀ CFU/g fresh weight for proso millet, corn, and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid, respectively. As ensiling progressed, the concentrations of lactic acid and acetic acid of the three crops increased and lactic acid proportion became higher in the order of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid, corn, and proso millet. Overall, the shorter, fast-growing proso millet comparing with corn and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid makes this forage crop an alternative option, particularly in areas where agricultural inputs are limited. However, additional research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of viable strategies such as chemical additives or microbial inoculants to minimize ammonia-nitrogen formation and DM loss during ensiling.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.469-478
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• 2004

Pig slurry, urine and fermented liquid manure were evaluated measuring electrical conductivity (EC), dry matter (DM) contents and other components. Samples were collected during a period from February to April, 2001: slurry samples from 70 storage tanks, urine samples from 19 and 20 fermented liquid manure samples from 109 pig farms in Jeju. Samples were analyzed for pH, EC, DM, $NH_4$-N, K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, BOD, S-S, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and OM. Relationships between EC or DM and various mineral and $NH_4$-N contents were examined using linear regression. EC, DM, all mineral contents and $NH_4$-N were higher in slurry samples than in urine or fermented liquid manure. EC, $NH_4$-N, Ca, Mg and Na concentration was similar in urine and fermented liquid manure, but K and DM values in liquid manure were twice as much as in urine. P concentration was higher in urine than in liquid manure. $NH_4$-N and Na in slurry, $NH_4$-N in urine and $NH_4$-N, P and Ca in fermented liquid manure were highly correlated with EC, while $NH_4$-N, P, Ca and Mg in slurry, $NH_4$-N and Ca in urine, and K, P, Ca, Mg, and Na in fermented liquid manure with DM (P<0.05). BOO in slurry (22,520 mg/mL) was higher than that in urine (4,763) and fermented liquid manure (2,701). Results indicated that slurry is a better fertilizer source than urine or fermented liquid manure. However, slurry may pollute soil more than urine or fermented liquid manure when applied to land, although the levels are not above the permit.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.871-880
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• 1999

The effects of dry roasting (110, 130, $150^{\circ}C$ for 15, 30, 45 min) on potential ruminant protein nutritional values in terms of: a), rumen bypass protein (BCP); b), rumen bypass starch (BST); c), fermented organic matter (FOM); d), true absorbed bypass protein (ABCP); e) microbial protein synthesized in the rumen based on available energy (E_MP); f), microbial protein synthesized in the rumen based on available nitrogen (N_MP); g), true protein supplied to the small intestine (TPSI); h), true absorbed rumen synthesized microbial protein (AMP); i), endogenous protein losses (ENDP); j), true digested protein in the small intestine (DVE); k), degraded protein balance (OEB) of whole lupin seeds (WLS) and faba beans (WFB) were evaluated by the new Dutch DV/OEB protein evaluation system. Dry roasting significantly increased BCP, BST, TPSI, ABCP, DVE (p<0.001) and decreased FOM, E_MP, AMP, N_MP and OEB (p<0.001) with increasing temperatures and times except that when temperature was at $110^{\circ}C$. The values of BCP, BST, TPSI, ABCP and DVE at $150^{\circ}C/45min$ for WLS and WFB were increased 2.2, 3.7; -, 2.0; 1.7, 1.7; 2.3, 3.7 and 1.7, 1.7 times and the values of FOM, E_MP, AMP, N_MP and OEB at $150^{\circ}C/45min$ for WLS and WFB were decreased by 15.3, 25.8; 18.1, 25.8; 18.7, 25.8; 54.6, 41.6 and 82.3% 54.7%, respectively, over the raw WLS and WFB. The results indicated that though dry roasting reduced microbial protein synthesis due to reducing FOM, TPSI didn't decrease but highly increased due to increasing BCP more than enough for compensation of the microbial protein decreasing. Therefore the net absorbable DVE in the small intestine was highly increased. The OEB values were significantly reduced for both WLS and WFB but not to the level of negative. It indicated that microbial protein synthesis might not be impaired due to the sufficient N supplied in the rumen, but the high positive OEB values in the most treatments except of $150^{\circ}C$ for 30 and 45 min of WLS (The OEB values: 54.8 and 26.0 g/kg DM) indicated that there were the large amounts of N loss in the rumen. It was concluded that dry roasting at high temperature was effective in shifting protein degradation from rumen to intestines and it increased the DVE values without reaching the negative OEB values. No optimal treatment was found in WLS due to the too high OEB values in all treatments. But dry roasting at $150^{\circ}C$ for 30 and 45 min might be optimal treatments for WLS due to the very lower OEB values.