• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine effects of probiotics on performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in Korean black goats fed two diets differing in forage to concentrate (F:C) ratio (30:70 and 70:30), for the establishment of their more efficient feeding management system. The probiotics employed in this trial were mixtures of different microbial species, which consisted of Lactobacillus casei, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus oryzae and Streptomyces griseus. Additional levels of probiotics to each F:C ratio (70:30 or 30:70) were 0 and 0.2%, respectively. Thus, twelve Korean black male goats were allotted to treatments in four groups of three goats per treatment and then they were housed in individual metabolism cages with a randomized complete block design for 21 days. Dry matter (DM) intakes were not affected by dietary F:C ratio and probiotics. Digestible DM amounts were significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increasing levels of dietary forage, but they were not affected by probiotics addition. Dry matter intakes per metabolic body weight and their ratio per body weight had a similar trend to DM intakes with no significant difference by F:C ratio and probiotics addition. The nutrient digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) increased with decreasing levels of forage in the diet, but it was not affected by probiotics addition. Urinary nitrogen loss was significantly (p<0.05) decreased with decreasing levels of dietary forage, but there was no significant difference between probiotics-supplemented and unsupplemented groups within the same F:C ratio. On the contrary, nitrogen retention was decreased with increasing levels of dietary forage, and probiotics supplementation to two diets differing in F:C ratio showed slightly increasing trends in the nitrogen retention. From the above results, probiotics supplementation to two diets differing in F:C ratio did not have the significant influence on feed intakes, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention. Consequently, these parameters of Korean black goats were dominated rather by F:C ratio than by dietary probiotics.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 1999

The corn is mostly planted in mid-April in single-cropping silage system if possible, however, in a double-cropping silage system, the corn planting date is delayed until after the mid-May. The objective of this study was to evaluate agronomic characteristics and forage performance of the eight government recommended corn hybrids for silage at two dates of planting. Split-plot design replicated three times was used, that is, main plots were planting dates, sub-plots were eight hybrids at Suweon in 1997. Days from planting to silking of optimum planting was 84 days and that of late was 69 days. The difference in silking day among the hybrids was 6 days at optimum planting and 2 days at late planting. Plant height of optimum planting corn was higher than that of late one, however, ear height and stem diameter of optimum planting were lower than those of late planting corn. Among the corn hybrids tested, plant heights of 'P3156' and 'P3163' were higher than those of the other hybrids. Ear height of 'DK713' was the lowest among the corn hybrids and stem diameter of 'P3394' was thicker than that of the other hybrids. European corn borer(ECB) damage(16.6%) at optimum planting was lower than that(49.9%) of late, however, there were no significant ECB damage differences among the corn hybrids tested. Whole plant dry matter(DM) contents of 'P3525', 'P3394' and 'P3352' hybrids were higher than those of the other corn hybrids at harvest. Ear percentages of the total dry matter(DM) of 'P3394' and 'P3156' were higher than those of the other corn hybrids. Dry matter(DM) and total digestible nutrients(TDN) yields(19,696 and 14,621kg/ha) at optimum planting were higher than those (17,163 and 12,570kg/ha) of late planting, while there were no significant differences in DM and TDN yields among the corn hybrids tested. And those hybrids with greater proportion of grain in the whole plant have higher DM and TDN yields. Correlation coefficients for days from planting to silking with DM and TDN yields were $0.84^{**}$ and $0.87^{**}$, and those for ear percent were $0.86^{**}$ and $0.87^{**}$. Results of this study indicate that optimum planting date(15 April) is better than late planting date(16 May) in agronomic characteristics and forage production of silage corn. Days from planting to silking and ear percent as welI as other characters are important factors screening the corn hybrid for silage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2013

This study estimated the fermentation characteristics and nutrient value of corn-lablab bean mixture silages relative to corn silages. The effects of feeding corn-lablab bean mixture silages on nutrient apparent digestibility and milk production of dairy cows in northern China were also investigated. Three ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used to determine the ruminal digestion kinetics and ruminal nutrient degradability of corn silage and corn-lablab bean mixture silages. Sixty lactating Holstein cows were randomly divided into two groups of 30 cows each. Two diets were formulated with a 59:41 forage: concentrate ratio. Corn silage and corn-lablab bean mixture silages constituted 39.3% of the forage in each diet, with Chinese wildrye hay constituting the remaining 60.7%. Corn-lablab bean mixture silages had higher lactic acid, acetic acid, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, Ca, ether extract concentrations and ruminal nutrient degradability than monoculture corn silage (p<0.05). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations of corn-lablab bean mixture silages were lower than those of corn silage (p<0.05). The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF for cows fed corn-lablab bean mixture silages was higher than for those fed corn silage (p<0.05). Feeding corn-lablab bean mixture silages increased milk yield and milk protein of dairy cows when compared with feeding corn silage (p<0.05). The economic benefit for cow fed corn-lablab bean mixture silages was 8.43 yuan/day/cow higher than that for that fed corn silage. In conclusion, corn-lablab bean mixture improved the fermentation characteristics and nutrient value of silage compared with monoculture corn. In this study, feeding corn-lablab bean mixture silages increased milk yield, milk protein and nutrient apparent digestibility of dairy cows compared with corn silage in northern China.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different concentrate levels in diets based on cactus Opuntia Stricta (Haw.) Haw cladodes on the performance of lactating Girolando cows. Methods: The experiment involved 10 Girolando multiparous dairy cows at 512.6 kg of body weight (BW) and producing 13.2 kg milk/d, allocated into two 5×5 Latin squares. The experimental treatments consisted of control diet composed by cactus Nopalea cochenillifera. Salm-Dyck. cladodes (Nopalea), forage sorghum silage and concentrate at 20% on dry matter (DM) basis, and four concentrate levels diets (20%, 24%, 28%, and 32%) plus cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. cladodes (Opuntia) and forage sorghum silage. Results: Regarding cows fed control diet, the nutrients intake were greater than for cows fed with cactus Opuntia and concentrate. Regarding concentrate levels, intakes of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients of cows increased linearly. Organic matter, CP, and NDF digestibilities were similar in between to control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets. The digestibility of NFC increased linearly when the concentrate was inserted. The N balance was the same for control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets, irrespective the concentrate levels. Conclusion: For cows producing 14 kg/d with 3.5% of fat, it is recommended 32% of concentrate to be included in cactus Opuntia-based diets, and the increase in concentrate level promotes a linear increase in milk yield.

• 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2013

This study elucidated the effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth, plasma profile, and gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes and visfatin in the liver of Hanwoo beef calves. The purpose of this study was to test that reducing the amount of concentrate would partially be compensated by increasing the intake of forage and by altering the metabolic status. The study utilized 20 Korean native beef calves (Hanwoo; 60 to 70 d of age) divided into two groups of 10 calves each for 158 d. Control group calves received the amount of concentrate as per the established Korean feeding standards for Hanwoo, whereas calves in the restricted group only received half the amount of concentrate as per standard requirements. Good quality forage (Timothy hay) was available for ad libitum consumption to both groups. Since calves were with their dam until 4 months of age in breeding pens before weaning, the intake of milk before weaning was not recorded, however, the concentrate and forage intakes were recorded daily. Body weights (BW) were recorded at start and on 10 d interval. Blood samples were collected at start and at 50 d interval. On the final day of the experiment, liver biopsies were collected from all animals in each group. The BW was not different between the groups at all times, but tended to be higher (p = 0.061) only at final BW in control than restricted group. Total BW gain in the control group was 116.2 kg as opposed to 84.1 kg in restricted group that led to average BW gain of 736 g/d and 532 g/d in respective groups, and the differences were significant (p<0.01). As planned, the calves in the control group had higher concentrate and lower forage intake than the restricted group. The plasma variables like total protein and urea were higher (p<0.05) in control than restricted group. The mRNA expressions for the gluconeogenic enzymes such as cytosolic phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1), and visfatin measured by quantitative real-time PCR in liver biopsies showed higher expression (p<0.05) in restricted group than control. Overall, restricting concentrate severely reduced the growth intensity and affected few plasma indices, and gene expression in liver was increased indicating that restricting concentrate in the feeding schemes during early growth for beef calves is not advocated.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.1.1-1.6
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• 2018

Background: Maize fodder is being used as staple feed for livestock but it lacks protein and essential amino acids; lysine and tryptophan. Intercropping maize with leguminous soybean crop is promising technique under limited land resources of South Korea but it can only give considerable advantages when adequate distance is provided between corn and soybean rows. Main aim of present study was to find-out adequate distance between corn and soybean seeding rows for optimum growth, yield and nutritive value of intercropped forage. Methods: Different interrow distances between corn and soybean were evaluated under four treatments, viz. 1) Corn sole as positive control treatment 2) Zero cm between corn and soybean (control); 2) Five cm between corn and soybean; 3) 10 cm between corn and soybean, with three replicates under randomized block design. Results: Findings depicted that height and number of corn stalks and ears were similar (P > 0.05) among different treatments. Numerically average corn ear height was decreased at zero cm distance. Dry matter percentage in all components; corn stalk, corn ear and soybean was also found not different (P > 0.05) but dry matter yield in component of corn ear was lower (P < 0.05) at zero cm distance as compared to that of 5 and 10 cm interrow distances. In case of nutritive value, total digestible nutrient yield in intercropped corn was also found lower (P < 0.05) at zero cm distance than that of 5 and 10 cm interrow distances between corn and soybean seeding rows. Substantial decrease in dry matter yield of maize ear at zero cm distance might be attributed to factor of closed interrow spacing which made interplant competition more intensified for light interception, necessary for photosynthetic activity. Lower dry matter yield in ear also reduced total digestible nutrients in intercropped maize because it was determining factor in calculation of digestible nutrients. The optimum yield and nutritive value of forage at wider interrow distance i.e. 5 cm between corn and soybean might be due to adequate interseed distance. Conclusion: Conclusively, pattern of corn and soybean seeding in rows at 5 cm distance was found suitable which provided adequate interrow distance to maintain enough mutual cooperation and decreased competition between both species for optimum production performance and nutritive value of intercropped forage.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.350-357
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• 2017

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a rapid and accurate method for analyzing the quality of cereals, and dried animal forage. However, one limitation of this method is its inability to measure fermentation parameters in dried and ground samples because they are volatile, and therefore, respectively lost during the drying process. In order to overcome this limitation, in this study, fresh coarse haylage was used to test the potential of NIRS to accurately determine chemical composition and fermentation parameters. Fresh coarse Italian ryegrass haylage samples were scanned at 1 nm intervals over a wavelength range of 680 to 2500 nm, and optical data were recorded as log 1/reflectance. Spectral data, together with first- and second-order derivatives, were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) multivariate regressions; scatter correction procedures (standard normal variate and detrend) were used in order to reduce the effect of extraneous noise. Optimum calibrations were selected based on their low standard error of cross validation (SECV) values. Further, ratio of performance deviation, obtained by dividing the standard deviation of reference values by SECV values, was used to evaluate the reliability of predictive models. Our results showed that the NIRS method can predict chemical constituents accurately (correlation coefficient of cross validation, $R_{cv}^2$, ranged from 0.76 to 0.97); the exception to this result was crude ash ($R_{cv}^2=0.49$ and RPD = 2.09). Comparison of mathematical treatments for raw spectra showed that second-order derivatives yielded better predictions than first-order derivatives. The best mathematical treatment for DM, ADF, and NDF, respectively was 2, 16, 16, whereas the best mathematical treatment for CP and crude ash, respectively was 2, 8, 8. The calibration models for fermentation parameters had low predictive accuracy for acetic, propionic, and butyric acids (RPD < 2.5). However, pH, and lactic and total acids were predicted with considerable accuracy ($R_{cv}^2$ 0.73 to 0.78; RPD values exceeded 2.5), and the best mathematical treatment for them was 1, 8, 8. Our findings show that, when fresh haylage is used, NIRS-based calibrations are reliable for the prediction of haylage characteristics, and therefore useful for the assessment of the forage quality.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 1993

The barley plant for whole crop forage is advantageous to have traits with higher photosynthetic rate, biomass, lodging resistance, and awnless spikes. The objective of this study is to investigate performance of near-isogenic line pairs for the awned and awnless in the field, and to observe the variations in photosynthetic rate, yield and their related traits under removal of flag leaf and awns. Grain yield was 6% higher, but biomass and photosynthetic rate were 6～16% and 6% lower in the awned line than those in the awnless grown in the field ,respectively. Defoliation of flag leaf resulted in approximately 3～4%, and 5～6% decreases in 1,000 kernels and grain weights, respectively. Deawning at the heading stage of the long awned line decreased 1,000 kernels and grain weights by 7% and 15%, respectively, The removal of both assimilative tissues caused 14 and 21% decrements in 1,000 kernels and grain weights. Apparent photosynthetic rate of leaf blade in awnless line was 6.1 -9. 7 $CO_2$$_2$ ${\mu}$mole $m^{-2}$ $s{-1}$, much higher than that in awned line. The relative rates in the second and third leaves were about 93% and 55～63%, respectively as compared with that in the flag leaf. The results of the experiments suggest that the awnless line selected for whole crop forage is a potential plant type with higher photosynthetic rate, leaf area and greater biomass.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.327-337
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• 1996

A field experiment was conducted at SNU Experimental Livestock Farm, Suweon in 1995 to determine effect of planting date on forage performance of wm hybrids of four different maturity groups. A split-plot design replicated three times was used, with com hybrids representing four maturity groups (115, 118, 121 and 125 days) being the main plots and planting dates (3124, 415, 415, 425, 515 and 5/15) the sub-plots. 1. Days to emergence and percent emergence from the March 24 planting were, on the average, 36 days and 58%, respectively, but those from the April 5 to May 15 planting averaged 12 days and 92%, respectively. 2. Plant and ear heights increased gradually as the dates of planting were delayed except the May 15 planting, however, percent ear was decreased as the dates of planting were delayed. There was a trend for the mean lodging percentage of the hybrids to be higher as the planting date was delayed. 3. The 115-and 118-day mediumearly maturing hybrids harvested on August 18 produced silages with a dry matter content between 27 and 30% at all planting dates except the May 15 planting, while the 121-and 125-day medium-late maturing hybrids produced silages with a dry matter wntent less than 27% regardless of any planting dates. 4. There were no significant differences in mean dry matter yield among the hybrids, but significant mean TDN yield differences were found. The 115-, 118- and 125-day hybrids had significantly higher mean TDN yield than the 121-day hybrid. There were significant differences in mean dry matter and TDN yields among the planting dates. The mean dry matter and TDN yields from the April 5, 15 and 25 plantings were significantly higher than those of other plantings, however, there were no significant differences in mean TDN yield among the April 5, April 15 and April 25 plantings. No significant planting date $\times$ maturity interactions were found for both the dry matter and TDN yields. 5. Mean stover NDF and ADF contents of the 115- and 118day hybrids were higher than those of the 121- and 125-day hybrids, but the reverse was true for mean stover IVDMD and RFV. Mean stover NDF an ADF contents increased with earlier plantings, but mean stover IVDMD and RFV increased when planting was delayed. Results of this experiment indicate that for corn planting in central and northern areas of Korea, early to mid-April may be the right time with the 115-to 118-day maturity hybrids when silage making before August 20 is taken into consideration.