• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding system and NDF levels of TMR on blood metabolites in Holstein heifers. Fifty heifers were assigned to one of five treatments according to feed type and level of NDF: TMR (total mixed ration), CON (concentration + mixed forage), T1 (${\geq}53%$ NDF), T2 (50~53% NDF), and T3 (${\leq}50%$ NDF). Although GLU concentrate was not effected by feed type, increased significantly as the level of NDF decreased. There was no effect on concentrate of blood metabolite related with protein. As the level of NDF decreased, the blood ALB concentration was increased (p<0.05). The concentration of blood CHOL was higher in CON than those of TMR (p<0.05), and increased as the level of NDF decreased. The concentration of blood lipid was higher in CON than those of TMR and increased at lower level of NDF. The concentration of blood ALT were significantly lower in T3 than T1 and T2 (p<0.05). Thus, the results of this study suggest that the feeding system and NDF level may affect the blood metabolite concentration; however, the feed intake and other nutrient levels should also be considered.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2008

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of replacing a conventional concentrate with mixed cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage and legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) foliage. In Exp. 1, three rumen fistulated crossbred cows were used for in sacco rumen degradability studies. In vitro gas production was also studied. In Exp. 2, 11 crossbred F2 heifers (Red Sindhi$\times$Holstein Friesian), with initial live weight of $129{\pm}6kg$ and aged six months, were allocated in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate a mixture (ratio 3:1) of cassava and legume foliage (CA-LE feed) as a protein source compared to a traditional concentrate feed (Control) in diets based on fresh elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and urea treated rice straw ad libitum. The Control feed was replaced by the CA-LE feed at levels of 0% (Control), 40% (CA-LE40), and 60% (CA-LE60) based on dry matter (DM). The in sacco degradation of CA-LE feed was higher than Control feed (p<0.05). After 48 h incubation the degradation of CA-LE feed and Control feed was 73% vs. 58% of DM and 83% vs. 65% of CP, respectively. The gas production of CA-LE feed was also significantly higher than of Control feed during the first 12 h of incubation. The results of the performance study (Exp. 2) showed that the level of CA-LE feed in the concentrate had no effect on total dry matter intake (p>0.05), but live weight gains (LWG) in CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 were significantly higher (551 and 609 g/d, respectively) than in the Control group (281 g/d). The intake of CP was higher (p<0.05) for the treatments CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 (556 and 590 g/d, respectively) compared to that of Control (458 g/d), while there was no significant difference in ME intake. The feed conversion ratio was 16.8, 9.0 and 7.9 kg DM/kg LWG in Control, CA-LE40 and CA-LE60, respectively. The feed cost of CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 corresponded to 43% and 35%, respectively, of the feed cost of Control feed. The best results were found when CA-LE feed replaced 60% of DM in Control feed and considerably decreased feed cost. It is concluded that feeding cassava foliage in combination with Phaseolus calcaratus legume as a protein supplement could be a potentially valuable strategy which leads to reduced feed costs and a more sustainable system in smallholder dairy production in Vietnam.