• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.123-132
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• 2006

This study was conducted to determine the volume of Holstein heifers manure excreted and its characteristics. The average dry matter intake of heifers was 6.7 kg/head/day. The intake rate was lowest in spring among four seasons. The average dry matter intake rate during spring, summer, fall, and winter was 4.6, 8.3, 7.1, and 6.8 kg/head/day, respectively. The average water intake of heifers was $19.3{\ell}/head/day$. The wale. consumption was highest value ($21.8{\ell}/head/day$) in summer and lowest values ($18.3{\ell}/head/day$) in spring and winter. Values were found not to be statiscally different for the four seasons. The average manure production of heifers (average live weight was 363.1 kg) was 20.3 kg/head/day and it was 5.6% of live animal weight. The manure production during spring, summer, fall, and winter was 13.7, 23.5, 25.0, and 20.2 kg/head/day, respectively. Production during spring was lower than the other seasons (p<0.05). A higher correlation between live weight and manure production ($R^2=0.7816$) and between live weight and feed intake ($R^2=0.7296$) was observed for heifers. Correlations between manure production and water intake and between manure production and feed intake were found to be relatively low for heifers. The moisture content of feces was 83.5% and that of urine 94.6%. The pH of feces and urine were in the ranges of 7.4 and 7.5, respectively. The $BOD_5$, COD, SS, T-N, T-P concentrations of the heifer feces were 18,048, 50,114, 119,833, 2,519, and $427mg/{\ell}$, respectively. Heifer urine showed lower levels of $BOD_5(5,434mg/{\ell})$, COD$(6,550mg/{\ell})$, SS$(825mg/{\ell})$, T-N$(3,616mg/{\ell})$, and $T-P(28mg/{\ell})$ than feces. The fertilizer nutrient concentrations of heifer feces was 0.25% N, 0.1% $P_2O_5$ and 0.14% $K_2O$. Urine was found to contain 0.36% N, 0.006% of $P_2O_5$ and 0.31% $K_2O$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.624-630
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• 2001

Two experiments on the effects of molasses additive on cassava tops silage quality to its feed intake and digestibility by growing Holstein$\times$local crossbred heifers were carried out. Sixteen plastic bags of one meter diameter and two meters length were allocated in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design with four replicates in the ensiling study, with and without the molasses additive and with two storage times (2 and 3 months). The silage produced in the first experiment was used in the feed intake and digestibility study. Six crossbred Holstein heifers, 160-180 kg live weight, were randomly allocated in a $3{\times}2$ change-over design to three treatments: Guinea grass ad libitum, 70% of grass ad libitum with a supplement of non-molasses cassava silage ad libitum, and 70% of grass ad libitum with a supplement of molasses cassava silage ad libitum. Ensiling was shown to be a satisfactory method for preservation of cassava tops. The HCN content was significantly reduced from $840mg\;kg^{-1}$ to 300 or $130mg\;kg^{-1}$, depending on storage period. The tannin content was not significantly changed. Molasses additive resulted in lower pH, Crude Protein (CP), NDF and higher DM content but did not otherwise affect chemical composition. The voluntary feed intake per 100 kg live weight of the heifers was 2.59, 2.65 and 2.91 kg DM of Guinea grass, non-molasses cassava tops silage and molasses cassava tops silage diet, respectively. Crude protein intake was significantly improved in the cassava tops silage diets. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF decreased with the silage supplement diets. No significant difference in digestibility was found between the non-molasses and molasses silage diets. The digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF in non-molasses cassava tops silage and molasses cassava tops silage was 49.4, 52.1, 45.81, 36.6, 27.7 and 49.7, 51.9, 47.55, 28.1, 19.5, respectively. It is concluded that cassava tops can be preserved successfully by ensiling and that cassava tops silage is a good feed resource for cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1388-1393
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to examine the feasibility of utilising bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea) shoot shell (BSS) in ruminants. Chemical composition, rumen degradability and some antinutritional compounds were determined for fresh and boiled BSSs to evaluate its feed value and safety. Thirty-two Holstein heifers were allocated to four groups and used to investigate the response in growth rate to supplementing ammoniated rice straw with fresh shell (phase 1) or silage of boiled BSS (phase 2). All animals were offered ammoniated straw ad libitum with 1kg of cotton seed meal (phase 1) or 0.5 kg of cotton seed meal and 0.5 kg of concentrate mixture (phase 2) per head per day. The BSS was supplemented at levels of 0, 3, 6 or 9 kg/d (phase 1) and 0, 5, 10 or 15 kg/d (phase 2) (as fed basis). The BSS was very high in moisture content, and its contents of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were 13~16% DM and 65~76% DM, respectively; boiling resulting in higher moisture and protein. No hydrocyanic acid was detected in both BSSs and content of tannins was negligible. Rumen degradability of BSS was reasonably high, and with boiling the rapidly degradable fraction decreased, and potentially degradable component increased. Silage of the boiled BSS was slightly lower in both rapidly and slowly degraded fractions than the fresh BSS. Animals consumed all supplemented BSSs without any adverse health problems. Intake of ammoniated straw decreased with the increasing levels of BSS, but total intake was higher in almost all supplementary groups than in the non-BSS. Heifers had a higher growth rate in phase 1 with fresh BSS than in phase 2 with ensiled shell, and daily weight gains were 622, 629, 744 or 690 g in phase 1, and 578, 575, 677 or 635 g in phase 2 at four BSS levels, respectively. For both phases growth rate was significantly higher for the animals in groups 3 and 4 than those in groups 1 and 2 (p<0.01), with little difference between groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05) but significant difference between groups 3 and 4 (p<0.05). Supplementation with BSS also resulted in an improved feed conversion rate, with the least concentrate consumption in group 3 for both phases. It is concluded that the BSS has a high potential nutritional value as indicated by its medium protein content, reasonably high rumen degradability, and that inclusion of BSS in ammoniated rice straw diet is not only safe to animals, but also may improve growth rate of ruminants and feed conversion rate. It may be disadvantageous to use high amounts of BSS in ammoniated straw diets.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.511-515
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• 1990

Induction of twinning was attempted by transfer of two whole- or demi-embryos in Holstein cows and heifers. Cows were superovulated with follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) administered twice daily in intra-muscular injection. On day of 6.5 to 7 post-estrus, embryos were collected nonsurgically, Normal morulae and early balstocysts were obtained from superovulated cows. The embryos were hisected with a micro-blade made from a razor. Twenty seven pairs of half embryos were successfully produced and 23 pairs of half embryos were transferred to recipients( Group A). Twenty cows were treated with low unit of FSH (3mg${\times}$2,2mg${\times}$2 ; Group B1, 2mg${\times}$2, 1mg${\times}$2, 1mg${\times}$2 ; Group 32) to induce double or triple ovulations. The cows of Group B1 and B2 were Inseminated artificially(A1) at following estrus. Twenty four heifers were bred by A1 and received an additional embryo into the uterine horn contralateral to the corpus luteum(CL) 6 days later(Group C). One embryo was transferred into each uterine hem of 16 heifers 6 days after estrus(Group D). Fourteen heifers were received two embryos into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the CL at day 6 of estrous cycle(Group I). Pregnancy rates at 60 days in Group A, B1, B2, C, D and E were 34.8％, 70.0％, 60.0％, 66.7％, 62.5％ and 57.1％, respectively. Twinning rates were 8.7％, 20.0%, 10.0％, 16.7％, 18.7％ and 21.4％, respectively. The present experiments demonstrate that FSH treatment( Group 31) and ipsilateral transfer( Group I ) of two whole-embryos are more useful methods to produce twins than the others.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.806-817
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• 2014

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of providing different levels of a supplement on the nutritional characteristics and productive performance of heifers on pasture during the rainy-dry transition and dry season in Brazil or tropical area. Thirty crossbred heifers with predominance of Zebu breed were used in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of a mineral supplement and 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 kg/animal/d of a protein supplement containing 300 g crude protein (CP)/kg of dry matter (DM). In the rainy-dry transition season there was quadratic effect of the protein supplementation (p<0.10) on daily weight gain (DWG). A linear relationship (p<0.10) was found between increasing supplement intake and intakes of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), non fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). Coefficients of apparent digestibility of CP, EE, and NFC increased linearly (p<0.10) with increasing supplement levels, but there was no effect on the DM apparent digestibility (p>0.10); the microbial efficiency (g CPmic/kg TDN) and the relationship of microbial nitrogen flow with nitrogen intake (g/g nitrogen intake) were negative linear profiles. In the dry season, the descriptive pattern least squares means showed a trend of stabilization of DWG from the supply of 0.98 kg of protein supplement; the intakes of DM, OM, CP, EE, NFC, and TDN showed increasing linear relationship (p<0.10) with protein supplement levels; the means of apparent digestibility coefficients of the different dietary fractions presented a linear-response-plateau (LRP); the microbial nitrogen flow (g/d) showed positive linear profile (p<0.10) for supplementation levels. It is concluded that supplementation improves the productive performance of grazing heifers and that 1.0 kg/d of supplement per animal gives the maximum increment of weight gain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1719-1724
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content in total mixed ration (TMR) on dry matter intake, digestibility, and chewing activity in fattening Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) heifers. The experiment was designed as a replicated $3{\times}3$ Latin square using 12 heifers. Fattening heifers were offered one of three diets [high (T1), medium (T2), and low (T3) peNDF] obtained by different mixing times (3, 10, and 25 min) for the same TMR feed. The peNDF content of TMR was determined by multiplying the proportion of dry matter retained by a 1.18 mm-screen in a Penn State Particle Separator by the dietary NDF content. The $peNDF_{1.18}$ content was 30.36%, 29.20%, and 27.50% for the T1, T2, and T3 diets, respectively (p<0.05). Dry matter intake was not affected by peNDF content in TMR. Total weight gain in T1 group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in T2 and T3 groups. However, weight gain did not differ between T2 and T3 groups. The feed conversion ratio decreased with an increase in the peNDF content (T1: 12.18, T2: 14.17, and T3: 14.01 g/g). An increase in the peNDF content of TMR was associated with a linear increase in the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (p<0.05). Also, an increase in peNDF content of the TMR resulted in a linear increase in the number of chews in eating and ruminating (p<0.05), and consequently in the number of total chews (p<0.05). These results indicate that peNDF content affects digestibility and chewing activity. Consequently, the peNDF content of TMR should be considered for improving feed efficiency, digestibility, body weight gain, and performance in fattening heifers.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2012

This study was operated to establish induction using ultrasonography by estimating the relation of follicle size and estrus manifestation. Clinical estrus symptoms were observed 97.4% in cows and 87.5% in heifers when overall 55 cows were induced to estrus in a single dose of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ after verifying CL through ultrasonography, which means estrus hours among those 52 cows showing the clinical estrus symptoms were estimated 2.39 days on cows and for 2.37 days on heifers which showed no differences (p>0.05). The estrus manifestation hours according to the follicle size in cows didn't have any significance each other (p>0.05), though estrus hours was 54 hours (the shortest) with follicle size bigger than 10 mm and were made up within 69 hours. The estrus manifestation hours according to the follicle size in heifers didn't have any significance each other (p>0.05) and took around 42 hours (the shortest) with follicle size of 5mm (the smallest) and were made up within 66 hours. Follicles after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection were ovulated and assigned to many phases as follows; Group 1 (growing phase) - continuously growing into ovulation, Group 2 (growing and static phase) - delaying in growth after the growth of follicles, Group 3 (static and growing phase) - growing after growth delay, Group 4 (regressing and new growing phase) - the follicle is closed and a new follicle grows. In addition, the process of follicle development and estrus hours had no significance each other (p>0.05), though estrus manifestation hours in Group 1 and 2 was relatively short, and in Group 3 and 4 for a relatively long time. In the result of all above, the estrus manifestation hours after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection has no differences accoring to the follicle size in cows and heifers. Therefore, High pregnancy rate is obtained when practicing artificial insemination within 3 days in estrus or TAI in 72 to 80 hours after adminitrating $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1349-1354
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• 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the best approach for handling missing records of first to successful insemination (FS) in Japanese Black heifers. Methods: Of a total of 2,367 records of heifers born between 2003 and 2015 used, 206 (8.7%) of open heifers were missing. Four penalty methods based on the number of inseminations were set as follows: C1, FS average according to the number of inseminations; C2, constant number of days, 359; C3, maximum number of FS days to each insemination; and C4, average of FS at the last insemination and FS of C2. C5 was generated by adding a constant number (21 d) to the highest number of FS days in each contemporary group. The bootstrap method was used to compare among the 5 methods in terms of bias, mean squared error (MSE) and coefficient of correlation between estimated breeding value (EBV) of non-censored data and censored data. Three percentages (5%, 10%, and 15%) were investigated using the random censoring scheme. The univariate animal model was used to conduct genetic analysis. Results: Heritability of FS in non-censored data was $0.012{\pm}0.016$, slightly lower than the average estimate from the five penalty methods. C1, C2, and C3 showed lower standard errors of estimated heritability but demonstrated inconsistent results for different percentages of missing records. C4 showed moderate standard errors but more stable ones for all percentages of the missing records, whereas C5 showed the highest standard errors compared with noncensored data. The MSE in C4 heritability was $0.633{\times}10^{-4}$, $0.879{\times}10^{-4}$, $0.876{\times}10^{-4}$ and $0.866{\times}10^{-4}$ for 5%, 8.7%, 10%, and 15%, respectively, of the missing records. Thus, C4 showed the lowest and the most stable MSE of heritability; the coefficient of correlation for EBV was 0.88; 0.93 and 0.90 for heifer, sire and dam, respectively. Conclusion: C4 demonstrated the highest positive correlation with the non-censored data set and was consistent within different percentages of the missing records. We concluded that C4 was the best penalty method for missing records due to the stable value of estimated parameters and the highest coefficient of correlation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2024

Given the recent increases in feed cost, the demand for rice straw has been increasing on dairy farms because it is cheaper than expensive imported forages. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effect of rice straw feeding on the growth and productivity of dairy heifers. This study compared how feeding tall fescue and rice straw affects the growth, age at first calving, and feed cost of heifers. we compared the growth, age at first calving, and feed cost for each group during the breeding period. Body height was higher in the tall fescue-fed group than in the rice straw-fed group (p<0.05). The length of the growing stage was significantly shorter in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.001) and the age at calving also showed a significant reduction in the tall fescue group compared to the rice straw group (p<0.001). However, the feed cost was lower in the rice straw group because of the difference in the unit price of forage (p<0.001). Based on these results, during the growing period, the rice straw group had delays in growth and the age at first calving compared to the tall fescue group, but also had reduced feed costs in the short term.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.325-326
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• 1989