• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1763-1769
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• 2003

Two experiments were conducted to examine the production and quality of cassava hay and its utilization in diets for dairy cows. In experiment I, a $2{\times}2$ Factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications was carried out to determine the effects of different initial (IC) and subsequent cutting (SC) on yield and composition of cassava plant. The results revealed that cassava could produce from 4 to 7 tonne of DM and 1.2 to 1.6 tonne of CP for the first six months after planting. CP content in cassava plant ranged from 20.8 to 28.5% and was affected by different SC regimes. Condensed tannin in cassava foliage ranged from 4.9 to 5.5%. Initial cutting at 2 months with subsequent cutting at 2 month intervals was the optimal to obtain high dry matter and protein yield. In the second experiment, five crossbred Holstein-Friesian cows in mid lactation with an initial live-weight of 505${\pm}6.1kg$ and average milk yield of 10.78${\pm}1.2kg/d$ were randomly assigned in a $5{\times}5$ Latin square design to study the effects of 2 levels of CH (1 and 2 kg/hd/d) and concentrate (1 to 2 kg of milk and 1 to 3 kg of milk) on milk yield and milk composition. The results showed that cassava hay increased rumen $NH_3-N$ and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) (p<0.05). Cassava hay tended to increase milk production and 4% FCM. Milk protein increased in cows fed cassava hay (p<0.05). Moreover, cassava hay could reduce concentrate levels in dairy rations thus resulting in increased economic returns. Cassava hay can be a good source of forage to reduce concentrate supplementation and improve milk quality.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.239-248
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• 2006

This study was conducted not only to investigate effects of different supplementation levels of Acanthopanax senticosus leaves on feed intakes, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, and blood metabolites in Korean black goats but also to obtain basic data for nutritive value of Acanthopanax senticosus leaves and production of high quality functional animal products. Twelve Korean black goats were allotted to treatments in four groups of three goats per treatment and then they were housed in individual metabolism cages with completely random arrangements for 21 days. Four treatments were separated into controls and three different supplementation levels of Acanthopanax senticosus such as 10, 20 and 30%, respectively. For the chemical composition of experimental diets, crude protein (CP) contents of controls were 13.39% and those of supplementation treatments were lowered with increasing levels of Acanthopanax senticosus. Control groups tended to have higher acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents as compared to supplementation groups, but non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) contents tended to be higher far supplementation groups than those for controls. Feed intakes had no significant difference among treatments, but digestible dry matter amounts were significantly higher for 20 and 30% supplementation groups than those for other treatments. Dry matter intakes per metabolic body weight and their ratio per body weight were highest in 20% group, but those of 40% groups were lowest (p<0.05). Crude protein, ADF and NDF digestibilities were significantly higher in Acanthopanax senticosus supplementation groups in comparison to controls (p<0.05), and in particular, they were increased with increasing supplementation levels of tranthopanax senticosus. Nitrogen retention was significantly higher for 20 and 30% treatments than those fur controls (p<0.05). Plasma urea nitrogen concentration was significantly lower for 30% supplementation group than those fur controls (p<0.05). Furthermore, plasma triglyceride concentration was significantly lower for Acanthopanax senticosus groups than those for controls (p<0.05). The results showed that supplemental level of 20% Acanthopnnax senticosus leaves to Korean black goats improved nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, and plasma urea nitrogen and triglyceride concentrations. Consequently, it might contribute to more efficient production of Korean black goats.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.847-860
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• 2006

This study investigated the effects of feeding Charolais steers on diets rich in either n-6 or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and time on feed (TOF) on muscle fatty acid composition and content. Twenty eight steers were fed on ad libitum forage and one of two concentrates varying in the source of fat; soya (high in C18:2 n-6) or whole linseed (high in C18:3 n-3) for either 60 or 90 days in IGER (Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, UK). The concentrates were fed at approximately 0.73 of total DM intake. TOF influenced carcass weight, conformation and fatness scores, which were higher at 90 v. 60 days (P<0.05). Diet did not affect total fatty acid content of neutral lipid in m. longissimus thoracis but feeding linseed increased total phospholipid fatty acid by approx- imately 15%(P<0.05). Linseed increased the amount and proportion of C18:3 n-3 (P<0.001) and the proportion of CLA (cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid), while soya increased the content (P<0.05) and proportion (P<0.001) of C18:2 n-6 in muscle neutral lipid. In muscle phospholipid, linseed significantly increased the amount of CLA, C18:3 n-3 and its longer chain derivatives as well as C14:0, C16:0, C18:0. C18:1 trans and C18:2 n-6. The amount and proportion of C18:2 n-6 and its longer chain C20 derivatives were higher on feeding soya. TOF (90 v. 60 day) increased the content of C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, CLA, C18:1 n-9, C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3 in muscle neutral lipid. The P:S was not affected by diet or TOF. The ratio of C18:2 n-6 : C18:3 n-3 and sum of n-6 : n-3 fatty acids were higher in muscle from animals fed on linseed v. soya (P<0.001). The study indicates that the PUFA composition of beef muscle may be significantly modified by feeding contrasting dietary lipids, soya vs. linseed. Feeding linseed produced a better balance of muscle fatty acids, more in line with current nutritional recommendations with a lower C18:2 n-6:C18:3 n-3 ratio associated with higher muscle content of C18:3 n-3 and C20:5 n-3 and CLA and lower C20:4 n-6.