• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.281-287
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• 1995

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of different inclusion levels of urea treated whole-crop wheat silage (UWCWS) in grass silage based rations on the performance of growing beef cattle. The winter wheat (variety, Riband) was harvested (in the summer of 1991) at a dry matter proportion of 520 g/kg and treated with feed grade urea at the rate of 37 kg/tonne crop dry matter and preserved in a heavy duty plastic bag using a silo press. The urea treated whole crop wheat silage (UWCWS) was mixed with grass silage to replace 0.00 (S100), 0.33 (S33) and 0.67 (S67) parts of the forage dry matter and fed ad libitum in a cross over design to 18 Simmental X Holstein Friesian growing beef animals. Two energy sources {one high in starch, rolled barley (RB) and one high in digestible fibre, sugar beet pulp (SBP)} were fed to supply sufficient energy for the efficient use of nitrogen by the rumen micro-organisms. The data on DMIF (dry matter intake of forage), TDMI (total dry matter intake), DLWG (daily live weight gain), FCR (feed conversion ratio) were recorded and faecal samples were collected to determine the digestibility coefficients. Results revealed that with the inclusion of UWCW in the animals' diets the DMI of the forage was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The highest DMIF was found in the treatment "S33" ($6.28{\pm}0.25kg$) where 67% of the silage dry matter was replaced with the UWCW and the lowest value for DMIF was observed in the control treatment ($5.03{\pm}0.23kg$). The DLWG did not differ significantly between the treatments. However, treatment "S100" showed a trend towards a superior DLWG. Feed conversion ratio in the control treatment differed significantly from "S67" and "S33". The addition of the UWCW in the animals' diet resulted in the lower FCR There was no effect of type of energy supplement on any aspect of performance either overall or in interaction with grass silage: UWCWS ratio. The regression and correlation coefficients for DMIF (r = 5.22 + 0.0184x*), DLWG (r = $1.04-0.00086x^{NS}$) and FCR (r = 4.78 = 0.022x*) on the inclusion of UWCW in the diet were calculated. The effect of the inclusion of UWCW on the overall digestibility coefficients was significant (p < 0.05). The addition of the UWCWS in the diet decreased the digestibility of the DM, OM, ADF and NFE but effect on the protein digestibility was non significant. The results of present study suggests that a DLWG slightly over 1 kg can be achieved with UWCW during the store period (period in which animal performance targets are low especially during winter) and the prediction of ME was overestimated as the high intake of DM did not reflect in improved animal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.316-320
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• 2001

Sixteen growing crossbred Anglo-Nubian goats, 10-12 months old, pre-experimental average body weights of $18.3{\pm}0.28kg$ were randomly allotted to four diets to investigate the efficiency of utilisation of diets containing increasing levels of desiccated coconut waste meal (DCWM) in the tropical environment of Samoa, South Pacific region. The four diets were designated as 1, 2, 3 and 4. Diet 1 that has no DCWM served as the control, while diets 2, 3 and contained different levels of DCWM. Voluntary concentrate intake, growth rate, feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility coefficients were measured. Gross energy (GE) and organic matter (OM) values of the diets increased linearly with increase in the levels of DCWM in the diets. Voluntary concentrate intake decreased with increasing proportion of DCWM in the diets. Forage intake increased with increase in the levels of DCWM diets offered to the growing goats. Total voluntary feed intakes were statistical significant (p<0.05) and the goats on diet 4 had the least intake followed by those on diet 3. Goats an diets 1 and 2 were different in total feed intake but not at a significant level (p>0.05). Feed efficiency (FE) followed the trend of voluntary concentrate intake and daily live weight gains. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly different (p<0.05) among the goats offered the different diets. DMD improved with increasing levels of DCWM. The goats accepted all, the diets that were compounded with the different levels of dried DCWM and this seems to suggest that DCWM have no deleterious effects. However, the best level at which dried DCWM could replace brewers dried grains in the diets of growing goats is at 38.5% (diet II). Based on voluntary feed intake, live-weight gain and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients of the goats it could be concluded that DCWM based diets merits further attention as a locally available feed source in ruminants nutrition in the Pacific Island countries where feed availability is seasonal.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.685-692
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• 2003

Information on nutrient requirements and forage intake of fallow weaner deer is required for the development of feeding strategies during the year. An experiment was conducted in which 60 fallow weaner deer (grazing on medic and ryegrass based pastures) were supplemented with a concentrated diet at three levels. The diet contained 2% minerals, 30% lupin and 68% barley grain. Twelve deer from each treatment were dosed with commercial alkane capsules in May, June, July, September and October to predict nutrient intake. The relationships between body weight gain and intake of metabolisable energy and crude protein were established using a general linear models analysis. Dry matter intake from pastures ranged from 0.137 kg to 0.304 kg in May and June and increased to 1.2 kg in October. Nutrient intake from pastures was strongly influenced by amount of supplementary feed and gender. Digestible energy intake from pastures was 1.3, 3.8 and 6.1 MJ/day higher for males than females in July, August and October, respectively. The protein and energy intake was strongly correlated with body weight gain. The energy requirement for maintenance were 7.3, 8.2, 10.2, 10.2 and 10.7 MJ DE/day and the DE required for each kg body weight gain were 19, 18, 29, 34 and 49 MJ in May, June, August and October, respectively. The protein requirement for maintenance was 12.2, 12.6, 15.0, 11.4 and $8.5g/W^{0.75}$ in May, June, July, August and October, respectively. The nutrient requirement defined from this study can be used to assist farmers to explore the possible pasture and stock management practices under southern Australian conditions. However, further research is required to develop rapid and cheap methods for estimating dry matter intake, nutritive value of pastures and to quantify the potential growth rate of fallow deer in southern Australia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1409-1418
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• 2001

Two trials were carried out during two different grazing seasons to evaluate effect of grass silage supplementation, when amount of pasture is limited on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and gross energetic efficiency (GEE) of grazed lactating cows on a high forage-based diet. Fifty-one Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: high pasture group or high silage group. In the spring flush, pasture and silage DMI, milk yield, milk fat percentage, and GEE were not different between the dietary groups. After the spring flush, pasture and silage DMI were higher for the high silage group than for the high pasture group. After the spring flush, although these were the higher total DMI of the high silage group than the high pasture group, milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the high pasture group than the high silage group. Milk fat percentage tended to be higher for the high silage group than the high pasture group. The GEE was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the high pasture group than the high silage group during after the spring flush. This study indicated that supplementation of grass silage, especially after the spring flush, can have a significant effect of increasing of forage intake and maintenance of the milk fat percentage; but not increase milk yield and GEE.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.209-212
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• 2002

The understanding of seasonal forage intake of grazing deer is essential for the development of supplementary feeding strategies in southern Australia. The alkane technique is used in other animal species for estimating feed intake of individual animals and their diet composition. To assess the potential of using alkanes as a marker for predicting feed intake of fallow deer, the daily faecal recovery of alkanes and excretion rate of dosed artificial alkanes (C32 and C36) were measured with 6 deer fed three forage based diets. The artificial alkane capsule designed for use in sheep is suitable for fallow deer. Faecal samples need to be collected over days 7-19 after dosing. The daily excretion rate was 40 mg for C32 and 37 mg for C36. The faecal recovery of natural alkanes is incomplete and the faecal concentrations of alkanes need to be adjusted for an accurate estimation of intake. The actual feed intake of 6 experimental deer over a 5 day period was accurately estimated ($R^2$=0.52) using alkanes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1726-1733
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• 2012

The effect of genotype, fibre level and fibre source on gut morphology, environment and microflora was studied using 18 Mong Cai (MC) and 18 Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire (LY) pigs, aged around 60 d. The diets were based on maize, rice bran, soybean meal, fish meal and soybean oil, and cassava residue (CR) or brewer's grain (BG) as fibrous ingredient sources in the high-fibre diets (HF). A low-fibre diet (LF), containing around 200 g NDF/kg dry matter (DM), was formulated without CR and BG as feed ingredients. The HF diets (HF-CR and HF-BG) were formulated to contain around 270 g NDF/kg DM. The experiment was arranged according to a $2{\times}3$ factorial completely randomized design with six replications, and lasted 30 d. Crypt density in ileum was lowest (p<0.05) and villus height in jejunum and ileum were the greatest (p<0.05) in pigs fed diet HF-BG. Villus width in ileum was greatest in pigs fed diets HF-CR and HF-BG (p<0.05). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts in stomach were greatest (p<0.05) and E. coli counts in ileum and colon were lowest (p<0.05) in pigs fed diet HF-CR. The concentration of total organic acids in ileum, caecum and colon were greatest (p<0.05), and pH in ileum and colon were lowest (p<0.05) in pigs fed diet HF-CR. Crypt density in ileum was lowest, and villus height in ileum and villus width in jejunum and ileum was greatest in LY pigs (p<0.05). LAB counts in stomach and ileum were greatest, and E. coli counts in ileum were lowest in MC pigs (p<0.05). The concentration of total organic acids in ileum, caecum and colon were greatest (p<0.05) and pH lowest (p<0.05) in MC pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.545-562
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• 2021

A 3 yr experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of diet and feeding location on animal performance, carcass characteristics, whole blood counts, and internal parasite burden of lambs assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) confinement fed 71% alfalfa, 18% barley pellet, 5% molasses, 0.013% Bovatec, 6.1% vitamin/mineral package diet (CALF), 2) confinement fed 60% barley, 26% alfalfa pellet, 4% molasses, 2.5% soybean-hi pro, 0.016% Bovatec, 7.4% vitamin/mineral package diet (CBAR), 3) field fed 71% alfalfa, 18% barley pellet, 5% molasses, 0.013% Bovatec, 6.1% vitamin/mineral package diet (FALF), and 4) field fed 60% barley, 26% alfalfa pellet, 4% molasses, 2.5% soybean-hi pro, 0.016% Bovatec, 7.4% vitamin/mineral package diet (FBAR). A year × location interaction was detected for ending body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and dry matter intake (DMI); therefore results are presented by year. In all years, cost of gain and DMI were greater for CALF and FALF than for CBAR and FBAR feed treatments (p ≤ 0.03). In yr 2 and 3 field treatments had greater ending BW and ADG than confinement treatments. For all years, diet did not affect ending BW or ADG. In yr 1 dressing percent and rib eye area were greater for field finished lambs than confinement finished (p ≤ 0.02) and Warner-Bratzler shear force was greater for CALF and FALF (p = 0.03). In yr 2 lambs in FALF and FBAR treatments had greater leg scores and conformation than CALF and CBAR (p = 0.09). In yr 1, FALF had a greater small intestine total worm count than all other treatments. In yr 1, ending Trichostrongyle type egg counts were greater for FALF (p = 0.05). In yr 2, ending Nematodirus spp. egg counts were greater for FALF and lowest for CBAR (p < 0.01). Abomasum Teladorsagia circumcinta worm burden was greater in CALF than all other treatments (p = 0.07) in yr 2. While field finishing lambs with a grain- or forage-based diet we conclude that it is possible to produce a quality lamb product without adverse effects to animal performance, carcass quality or increasing parasite burdens.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2021

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of a dietary addition of red ginseng marc, mineral^® and black sugar^® on the dry matter intake, daily gain, yield grade and quality grade of Holstein steers(Bos taurus). A total of 32 fattening Holstein steers(avg. BW 590kg) were assigned to four treatments which included a control diet(mixed concentrate and forage; namely, C) and three treatments diet(T1; control diet+red ginseng marc 200g, T2; control diet+red ginseng marc 100g+mineral 50g, T3; control diet+mineral 50g+ black sugar 20g). The results are summarized as follows; the total feed intake and daily feed intake were significantly(p<0.05) higher in T2 and T3 than in the other two treatments(C and T1). The daily gain was higher in T2 than in the other treatments, but there was no significant difference. The back fat thickness, longissimus muscle area and meat yield grade were no significant difference. The marbling score showed significantly(p<0.05) higher in order of T3(4.5) > T1(4.0) > T2(2.7) > C(2.5). The meat color, fat color, texture and maturity were no significant difference. The quality grade was higher in T3 than in the other treatments(C, T1 and T2), but there was no significant difference. T3, which numerically had a higher daily gain and carcass quality grade, showed higher economic efficiency, whereas C showed low economic efficiency. Based on the above results, T3 treatment compared to the other treatments improved the daily gain, carcass quality grade and economic efficiency.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2013

The present study was conducted with three ruminally cannulated non-lactating Holstein cattle in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design to determine the fermentation characteristics and effective degradability (ED) in the rumen, as well as the whole tract digestibility of whole crop silage based total mixed ration (TMR) in comparison with conventional separate feeding of concentrate and rice straw for late fattening Hanwoo steers. The cattle in each group were fed separate feeding of concentrate and rice straw (control), whole crop barley silage based TMR (BS-TMR) or whole crop rye silage based TMR (RS-TMR). The ruminal fermentation characteristics such as pH, ammonia-N concentration and total volatile fatty acid were not affected by the experimental diet. The molar portion of acetate ($C_2$) was lowest in rumen fluid 1 h after feeding when cattle were fed BS-TMR (p<0.033). Molar proportions of propionate ($C_3$), butyrate and $C_2/C_3$ were not influenced by the experimental diet. There were no differences in effective degradability or whole tract digestibility of feed components among any of the experimental diets. The data obtained from the metabolism trial indicate that the feeding value of TMR with BS or RS is equal to that of a conventional separate feeding of concentrate and rice straw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1455-1463
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• 2006

Effects of different levels of molasses in a concentrate supplement on milk yield of cows grazing Setaria grass pastures were investigated. Thirty Friesian cows, 6-7 years old with mean pre-experimental body weight of $428{\pm}6.5$ kg, in early stage of lactation were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design experiment that lasted for 126 days. Experimental dietary treatments were forage alone and forage/concentrate mixtures with molasses included at 0, 5, 10 or 15% levels designated as $T_1$, $T_2$, $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_5$, respectively. The parameters studied were voluntary dry matter (DM) intake, average daily live weight change (LWC), milk yield, body condition score (BCS) and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients. The DM and energy contents of Setaria grass were low compared to the concentrate diets. Fibre fractions-NDF, ADF, ADL, hemicellulose and cellulose; and gross energy were higher in concentrate mixtures than in the forage. Total DM intake (forage+concentrate mixtures) was significantly higher (p<0.001) in cows on the concentrate mixtures. LWC was not significantly different (p>0.05) between the cows. Average milk yields were significantly different (p<0.05) between cows. Fat corrected milk (FCM) was similar among cows in the treatments. BCS was better (p<0.001) in cows on concentrate mixtures. Digestibilities of DM, CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, OM, and energy were significantly higher (p<0.001) in cows on $T_2$, $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_5$ than in those on $T_1$. There were no significant differences in the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and ADL (p>0.001) in cows on concentrate mixtures. This study therefore demonstrated that lactating dairy cows in Fiji need a level of readily fermented energy source such as molasses in their diets; however, a level above 10% is not nutritionally suitable for lactating dairy cows. Based on data on production parameters-milk yield, fat corrected milk, body condition score and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients-molasses levels that range between 5-10% are recommended, however, 10% is the best and therefore recommended for inclusion in the concentrate mixture of lactating dairy cows on a basal diet of Setaria sphacelata in Fiji.