• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.355-361
• /
• 2012

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of concentrate feeding on rumen papillae development in suckling Hanwoo calves before weaning (60 days of age). Twenty-four Hanwoo calves (12 heifers and 12 bulls) at six days of age were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments [hay and two levels (low and high) of concentrate feeding] and given each diet with free access to their dams for suckling until 60 days of age. At 60 days of age, two calves from each treatment were sacrificed and used for post-mortem examination of rumen papillae development. Feed intake between 31 and 60 days of age was significantly higher (P<0.05) for the high concentrate treatment (380.2 g/d) than for other treatments (58.3 and 76.9 g/d for hay and low concentrate treatments, respectively). Although feed intake showed a large difference between the low and high concentrate treatments, body weights at birth and 60 days of age were similar between the two treatments, suggesting that calves in the low concentrate feeding suckled more milk from their dams than those in the high concentrate feeding. The ratio of reticulo-rumen weight to body weight at 60 days of age was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the high concentrate (1.39%), compared with those in the hay (0.85%) and low concentrate (1.06%) treatments. Furthermore, the high concentrate feeding significantly increased both rumen papillae length and width, compared with the hay and low concentrate feeding group. This was also detected clearly by visual observation. The blood concentration of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate was significantly higher for the high concentrate (176.4 ${\mu}mol/L$) than for other treatments (58.9 and 59.2 ${\mu}mol/L$ for the hay and the low concentrate group, respectively). In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that, to achieve a large development of rumen papillae before weaning (60 days of age) in suckling Hanwoo calves, the amount of concentrate intake should be important. And also the results implied that hay might not be included in the diet for suckling Hanwoo calves before weaning (60 days of age).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.968-973
• /
• 2002

To evaluate the chewing activity of ruminant feeds, four Holstein steers (average body weight $742{\pm}15kg$) were employed. Experimental feeds were four roughages ($NH_3$-treated rice straw, alfalfa hay, corn silage, orchard grass hay) and four concentrate ingredients (cotton seed hull, beet pulp pellet, barley grain, oat grain). Regarding palatability for each experimental feeds which was overviewed during the adjustment period, animals were fed roughages alone, but with 50% $NH_3$-treated rice straw ($NH_3$-RS) for concentrate ingredients. Therefore, all the data for concentrate ingredients was derived by extracting the result per unit obtained from steers fed $NH_3$-RS alone. The experiment was conducted using a 4${\times}$4 Latin square designs for roughages and concentrate ingredients. Experimental feeds were fed during a 10 d adaptation and 2 d chewing data collection during each experimental period. Animals were gradually adjusted to the experimental diet. Dry matter intake (DMI) was restricted at a 1.4% of mean body weight (10.4 kg DM/d). Time spent eating and eating chews per kilogram of DMI were greatest for beet pulp pellet, and lowest for barley grain (p<0.05). Time spent rumination per kilogram of DMI was greatest for $NH_3$-RS, cotton seed hull and orchard grass, but rumination chews were greatest for cotton seed hull and orchard grass except $NH_3$-RS (p<0.05). Roughage index value (chewing time, minute/kg DMI) was 58.0 for cotton seed hull, 56.1 for beet pulp pellet, 55.5 for $NH_3$-RS, 53.1 for orchard grass hay, 45.9 for corn silage, 43.0 for alfalfa hay, 30.0 for oat grain, and 10.9 for barley grain. The ratio of rumination time to total chewing time (eating plus ruminating) was about 72% for the roughages except corn silage (66.9%), and followed by cotton seed hull (69.5%), and ranged from 49.5% to 52.9% for other feeds. Higher percentages of rumination in total chewing time may be evidently indicate the characteristics of roughage. Therefore, this indicate that the chewing activity of concentrate ingredients can be more fully reflects by the ruminating time than total chewing time (RVI), although it is reasonable to define the RVI for roughages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.10
• /
• pp.1364-1373
• /
• 2012

Four crossbred (75% Holstein Friesian) lactating dairy cows, with an average live weight of $418{\pm}5$ kg and $36{\pm}10$ d in milk were randomly assigned according to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to evaluate the effects of cassava hay (CH) and rice bran oil (RBO) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and milk composition. Factor A was non-supplementation or supplementation with CH in the concentrate. Factor B was supplementation with RBO at 0% or 4% in the concentrate mixture. The four dietary treatments were (T1) control (Concentrate with non-CH plus 0% RBO; C), (T2) Concentrate with CH plus 0% RBO (CH), (T3) Concentrate with non-CH plus 4% RBO (RBO), and (T4) Concentrate with CH plus 4% RBO (CHRBO). The cows were offered concentrate, at a ratio of concentrate to milk production of 1:2, and urea-lime treated rice straw was fed ad libitum. Urea-lime treated rice straw involved 2.5 g urea and 2.5 g $Ca(OH)_2$ (purchased as hydrated lime) in 100 ml water, the relevant volume of solution was sprayed onto a 100 g air-dry (91% DM) straw, and then covering the stack with a plastic sheet for a minimum of 10 d before feeding directly to animals. The CH based concentrate resulted in significantly higher roughage intake and total DM intake expressed as a percentage of BW (p<0.05). Ruminal pH, $NH_3$-N, BUN and total VFA did not differ among treatments, while RBO supplementation increased propionate, but decreased acetate concentration (p<0.05). Furthermore, the population of total ruminal bacteria was significantly lower on the RBO diet (p<0.05). In contrast, the total ruminal bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria on the CH diet were higher than on the other treatments. Supplementation with CH increased (p<0.05) F. succinogens and R. flavefaciens populations, whereas the populations of B. fibrisolvens and M. elsdenii were increased on the RBO diet. In addition, supplementation with CH and RBO had no effect on milk production and composition in dairy cows, while fatty acid composition of milk was influenced by RBO supplementation, and resulted in significantly lower (p<0.05) concentrations of both short-chain and medium-chain FA, and increased (p<0.05) the proportion of long-chain FA in milk fat, as well as significantly increased cis-9, trans-11 CLA and total CLA. In conclusion, RBO or CH exhibited specific effects on DMI, rumen fermentation, microbial population, milk yield and composition in lactating dairy cows, which were not interactions between CH and RBO in the diets. Feeding lactating dairy cows with RBO could improve fatty acid in milk fat by increasing cis-9, trans-11 CLA.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 2013

The present study was conducted to investigate effects of feeding concentrate on development of intestinal tract and composition of muscle in suckling Hanwoo calves before weaning(60 days of age). Twenty-four Hanwoo calves(12 heifers and 12 bulls) at six days of age were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments[hay and two levels(low and high) of concentrate feeding] and given each diet with free access to their dams for suckling until 60 days of age. At 60 days of age, two calves from each treatment were used for post-mortem examination of intestine development and chemical analysis of muscle. Feed intake between 31 and 60 days of age was significantly(P<0.05) higher for the high concentrate treatment(532.4g/d) than for other treatments(78.9 and 108.9g/d for hay and low concentrate treatments, respectively). Although feed intake showed a large difference between the low and high concentrate treatments, body weights at birth and 60 days of age were similar between the treatments, suggesting that calves in the low concentrate feeding were supplied more milk from their dams than those in the high concentrate feeding. The ratio of intestine weight to body weight at 60 days of age was increased in the high concentrate(3.35%), compared with those in the hay(2.93%) and low concentrate(3.03%) treatments. The chemical composition of muscle in sirloin and hind leg was not affected by the treatments. In conclusions, the results of the present study showed that feeding concentrate to Hanwoo calves before weaning might stimulate intestine development relative to feeding hay.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.7
• /
• pp.1004-1009
• /
• 2006

Four male crossbred native beef cattle (average body weight of 427.7 kg) were randomly allocated to four types of cassoy-urea pellet as a source of protein in concentrate according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to determine effect of diets on ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility. The four types of cassoy-urea pellets contained cassava hay, soybean meal, urea and binding agent at 79.2:19.8:0:1 (27.9% CP dry matter), 78.4:19.6:1:1 (30.4% CP), 77.6:19.4:2:1 (33.0% CP) and 99:0:0:1 (23.8% CP) for dietary treatments; 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. All four concentrate mixtures contained similar crude protein levels (11% CP) and were fed to animals in two equal parts (0.5% of body weight per day) while urea-treated rice straw (5% urea) was given ad libitum. The experiment revealed that dietary concentrate treatments had no effect on dry matter intake while digestibilities of neutral-detergent fiber and crude protein were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed dietary treatments 1, 2 and 3 than in cattle fed dietary treatment 4. Ruminal ammonia-nitrogen ($NH_3$-N), was higher and acetic acid concentration (C2) and ratio of C2 to propionic acid (C3) were lower (p<0.05) in cattle fed dietary treatments 1, 2 and 3 than in those on treatment 4. It is concluded that use of cassoy-urea pellet as a protein source in concentrates for cattle resulted in improvement of digestibility, ruminal fermentation and rumen ecology. Further research using cassoy-urea pellet in feeding trials with milking cows and fattening beef should be undertaken.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.1022-1028
• /
• 2021

Objective: Supplemental nitrate is known to be an effective tool to mitigate methane emission by ruminants. Based on theoretical considerations, supplemental nitrate can improve but also deteriorate the growth performance. The overall effect of supplemental nitrate on growth performance, however, is not yet known. The objective of the current study was therefore to evaluate the effect of a higher dose of NO3- on overall growth performance when feeding either Pangola grass hay or rice straw. Methods: Thirty-two crossbred, 3-month-old Thai native×Anglo-Nubian crossbred male goats were used. The experiment had a 2×2 factorial design with an experimental period of 60 days. Eight goats were randomly allocated to each dietary treatment, i.e. a ration containing either Pangola hay (Digitaria eriantha Steud) or rice straw (Oryza Sativa) as a source of roughage, supplemented with a concentrate containing either 3.2% or 4.8% potassium nitrate. The rations were formulated to be isonitrogenous. The animals were weighed at the start of the experiment and at days 30 and 60. Feces were collected during the last five days of each 30-day period. Results: High-nitrate increased overall DM intake by approximately 3%, irrespective the source of roughage, but only the goats fed a rice straw-based ration responded with an increase in body weight (BW). Thus, the overall feed conversion ratio (kg feed/kg BW gain) was influenced by roughage source ×nitrate and decreased by almost 60% when the goats were fed rice straw in combination with a high versus a low dietary nitrate content. The digestibility of macronutrients was only affected by the source of roughage and the digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fibre was greater when the goats were fed Pangola hay. Conclusion: It was concluded that the replacement of soybean meal by nitrate improves the growth performance of meat goats fed rations based on rice straw, but not Pangola hay.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.10
• /
• pp.1400-1410
• /
• 2004

Eight crossbred (75% Holstein Friesian) cows in mid-lactation were randomly assigned to a switchback design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement to evaluate two nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) sources (corn meal and cassava chips) with different rumen degradability and used at two levels of NSC (55 vs. 75%) with protein source (supplied by urea in the concentrate mix). The treatments were 1) Low degradable low level of corn (55%) 2) Low degradable high level of corn (75%) 3) High degradable low level of cassava (55%) and 4) High degradable high level of cassava (75%). The cows were offered the treatment concentrate at a ratio to milk yield at 1:2. Urea-treated rice straw was offered ad libitum as the roughage and supplement with 1 kg/hd/d cassava hay. The results revealed that total DM intake, BW and digestion coefficients of DM were not affected by either level or source of energy. Rumen fermentation parameters; NH3-N, blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen were unaffected by source of energy, but were dramatically increased by level of NSC. Rumen microorganism populations were not affected (p>0.05) by source of energy, but fungal zoospores were greater for cassava-based concentrate than corn-based concentrate. Milk production and milk composition were not affected significantly by diets containing either source or level of NSC, however concentrate than corn-based concentrate averaging (4.4 and 4.2, respectively). Likewise, income over feed, as estimated from 3.5% FCM, was higher on cassava-based concentrate than corn-based concentrate averaging (54.0 and 51.4 US$/mo, respectively). These results indicate that feeding diets containing either cassava-based diets and/or a higher of oncentrates up to 75% of DM with NPN (supplied by urea up to 4.5% of DM) can be used in dairy rations without altering rumen ecology or animal performance compared with corn-based concentrate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.11
• /
• pp.1604-1609
• /
• 2003

A metabolism trial with four ruminally fistulated sheep was conducted in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to examine the effect of concentrate to roughage ratio (70:30 vs. 85:15) and oil source (soybean oil vs. rapeseed oil) on the ruminal fermentation pattern and $C_{18}$-fatty acids composition including trans11-$C_{18:1}$ (trans11-ODA) and cis9, trans11-18:2 (cis9, trans11-CLA) in the rumen fluid and plasma. Oil was added to the concentrate at 5% level of the total diet (DM basis) and chopped rye grass hay was fed as roughage. An increased level of concentrate (85%) within supplemented oil slightly lowered pH but increased ammonia concentration. Supplementation of rapeseed oil relatively increased pH and ammonia concentration. Higher concentrate level resulted in increased tendencies of total VFA concentration while oil source did not affect the total VFA concentration and VFA proportion. Whole tract digestibilities of DM, CP, EE, NDF and OM in diets slightly increased at higher concentrate level. Proportions of oleic acid ($C_{18:1}$) and linoleic acid ($C_{18:2}$) in the rumen fluid were influenced by the fatty acid composition of oil source but oil source did not affect the in vitro formations of trans11-ODA and cis9, trans11-CLA. Slightly increased trans11-ODA and cis9, trans11-CLA proportions, however, were observed from the sheep fed high roughage diet supplemented with both soybean oil and rapeseed oil. The $C_{18:1}$ and $C_{18:2}$ composition in supplemented oils responded to those in plasma of sheep. Effects of concentrate to roughage ratio and oil source on trans11-ODA and cis9, trans11-CLA proportions in plasma were found to be small. Proportion of cis9, trans11-CLA in plasma tended to be increased from the sheep fed high roughage diet and collection time at 9h post feeding.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.224-233
• /
• 2012

The limiting sequence and relative ratio of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) for calves about 2 mo of age fed milk replacers (MR) containing soy protein are not clearly defined. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of supplementing MR containing 22% CP, half from soy protein concentrate (SPC, 40.56% CP, flour) and half from whey proteins, with Lys, Met, and Thr to estimate amino acid (AA) sequence and their relative ratio for calves about 2 mo of age. A method of partial deduction of AA was adopted. Twenty-four newborn calves (half males and half females, $40.7{\pm}0.9$ kg of BW) were fed 1 of 4 MR diets for 56 d (n = 6/diet). The diets were supplemented with all (positive control) or with 2 of the 3 AAs: Lys, Met and Thr, (i.e., PC (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.80% Thr), PC-Lys (22% CP, 1.64% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.80% Thr), PC-Met (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.50% Met and 1.80% Thr), and PC-Thr (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.26% Thr)). Calves were fed thrice daily; starter (20% CP, 1.03% Lys, 0.30% Met and 0.69% Thr), hay (3.23% CP, 0.29% Lys, 0.12% Met and 0.23% Thr) and water were offered free choice. Starter and hay were only offered beginning on d 36 (after 5 wk) and d 43 (after 6 wk), respectively. BW, body size and blood samples measures were taken every two weeks. Three-day total collection of feed refusals, feces, and urine were recorded starting at d 33 and d 54 of age, respectively. From the results, the limiting sequence and relative ratio between the 3 AAs in calves with different diet structures were calculated. The limiting sequence of the 3 AAs were ranked as Lys, Met and Thr; the proper ratio was 100:29:70 for MR-only diet and 100:30:60 for diets consisted of MR, starter and hay. Nitrogen digestion and utilization and nutrient digestibility were negatively affected by AA deletion treatments. From the evidence of this experiment, it did not appear that the AA limiting sequence was selectively altered by differences in diet structures such as would be encountered in practice. The relative ratio between the 3 AAs varied with the offer of starter and hay to calves, and the average ratio was 100:29.5:65 for calves during 2 to 10 wk of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.370-378
• /
• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a specific mixture of essential oils (MEO), containing thyme, clove and cinnamon EO, on rumen microbial fermentation, nutrient apparent digestibility and blood metabolites in fistulated sheep. Methods: Six sheep fitted with ruminal fistulas were used in a repeated measurement design with two 24-d periods to investigate the effect of adding MEO at 0 (control), 0.8, and 1.6 mL/d on apparent nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, rumen microbial population and blood chemical metabolites. Animals were fed with a 50:50 alfalfa hay:concentrate diet. Results: Ruminal pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, molar proportion of individual VFA, acetate: propionate ratio and methane production were not affected with MEO. Relative to the control, Small peptides plus amino acid nitrogen and large peptides nitrogen concentration in rumen fluid were not affected with MEO supplementation; while, rumen fluid ammonia nitrogen concentration at 0 and 6 h after morning feeding in sheep fed with 1.6 mL/d of MEO was lower (p<0.05) compared to the control and 0.8 mL/d of MEO. At 0 h after morning feeding, ammonia nitrogen concentration was higher (p<0.05) in sheep fed 0.8 mL/d of MEO relative to 1.6 mL/d and control diet. Ruminal protozoa and hyper ammonia producing (HAP) bacteria counts were not affected by addition of MEO in the diet. Relative to the control, no changes were observed in the red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase concentration. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude proten, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber were not influenced by MEO supplementation. Conclusion:The results of the present study suggested that supplementation of MEO may have limited effects on apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and protozoa and HAP bacteria count, blood cells and metabolites.