• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.631-639
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• 2001

Two experiments were carried out concerning the effects of urea-molasses cake (UMC) and its separate components as supplements on rumen environment, in sacco feed degradability and intake of swamp buffaloes fed rice straw, grasses or a mixture of grasses and rice straw. Experiment 1 was a change-over design with 4 animals and 6 treatments. The buffaloes were fed rice straw ad libitum, and the experimental treatments were: no supplementation (R); 700 g of the complete urea-molasses cake (RUMC); 53.2 g urea (RU); 276 g rice bran and 52.5 coconut meal (RRC); 26.6 g salt, 26.6 g bone meal and 2.1 g trace minerals (RMi); and 25 g molasses (RMo). Experiment 2 was a Latin square design with four diets and four animals. The treatments were: rice straw ad libitum and mixed grass (RG) at 2.5 g dry matter per kg live weight (LW); RG plus 700 g urea-molasses cake (RGUMC); mixed grass ad libitum (G); and G plus 700 g cake (GUMC). In both experiments the supplements were fed once daily. In Exp. 1 although the rumen pH was significantly different (p<0.05) among diets, it varied only from 6.90 to 7.06. The ruminal ammonia was also significantly (p<0.05) different among the diets with RUMC significantly higher than R. Total bacterial and protozoal counts were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the RUMC, RU, RMo and RRC diets. Total feed and rice straw intakes were highest for RUMC (p<0.05) and lowest for the RMi and RMo diets, but in sacco degradability of four different roughages were not significantly different among diets. In Exp. 2, rumen pHs of the diets differed significantly and (p<0.01) ranged from 7.04 - 7.19. Ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentrations (mg/100 ml) were also significantly different (p<0.05), and higher for the RGUMC, G and GUMC diets. The total counts of bacteria and protozoa were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the RGUMC, G and GUMC diets. The total feed intake and roughage intake were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the RGUMC, G and GUMC diets compared to the RG diet. Correspondingly, LW changes also differed among treatments (p=0.06). It was concluded that there were significant increases in rumen $NH_3-N$ concentration, microbial populations and feed intake in the buffaloes by UMC supplementation, whereas the significant difference in in sacco DM degradation was not found by any type of supplementation. There seemed to be a need of a combination of urea, molasses, minerals and other protein nitrogen sources to enhance rice straw intake. Adding grass to the rice straw diet at 0.25% LW (DM) should also be considered to maintain buffalo rumen function and production with UMC supplementation, when rice straw is the main roughage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 1997

Ten rice varieties were planted at two locations (lowland and highland), during the wet and dry seasons of different years. In vivo digestibility and voluntary intake of the straw, were determined in groups of fat-tail sheep, supplemented with $18g{\cdot}kg^{-0.75}$ concentrate DM, containing ~20% crude protein. Voluntary intake of digestible straw organic matter (DOMI) consistently varied from 15.2 to $20.9g{\cdot}kg^{-0.75}$ between straw varieties, averaged over locations, years and seasons, despite considerable variation between individual batches. This variation in the nutritive value of the straw was independent of straw and grain yield, so it would seem that there is scope for selection of rice varieties with straw of higher nutritive value. The variation in DOMI of straw among location of growth, year and season, was of a magnitude similar to the improvement brought about by urea-ammoniation. The in sacco degradation characteristics and digestibility of rice straw residues were superior to those of the offered straw. This can be attributed to a preference for rice straw leaves relative to stems. Averaged over location of growth, year and season, characteristics of in sacco degradation, i.e. the rate of fermentative degradation and the truly undegradable fraction, emerged as accurate predictors of the nutritive value of rice straw.

• 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.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.421-432
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of processing methods of corn grains on protein and starch degradability in the rumen by three ruminally cannulated dry Holstein cows. The corns for these experiments were untreated; whole corn L(density; 660 g/$\ell$), whole corn H(density; 740 g/$\ell$), and treated by four different types: Ground corn, 3.8 mm, 2.8 mm, and 1.5 mm flaked corn. The results obtained were summarized as follows: For 48 hrs, the protein degradabilities were high in order, ground corn, 1.5 mm, 2.8 mm, and 3.8 mm flaked corn(82.6, 76.5, 64.5, and 33.9%, respectively). Flaked corn grains were degraded lower than ground corn. However, as increasing the processing degree of flaking, the protein degradabilities, from 4 hrs to 48 hrs, were increased. The starch degradabilities on 48 hrs were higher in 1.5 and 2.8 mm flaked corns, ground corn, 3.8 mm flaked corn(99.1, 91.5, 89.5, and 68.9%, respectively) than whole corn L(32.0%) and whole corn H(20.5%)(P<0.05). By increasing the processing degree of flaking, the protein degradabilty between 2.8 mm and 3.8 mm was increased significantly from 68.9% to 91.5%, however, that of 1.5 mm flaked corn, processed thinner, tended to be increased slightly, but was not significantly different. From 12 hrs to 24 hrs, whole corn L was degraded little more than whole corn H in starch, was not significantly different. However, after 48 hr incubation in the rumen, whole corn L was degraded more 50% than whole corn H(P<0.05). The value of degradation parameter “a” of protein was lower in all flaked corns than in ground corn. In contrast, the value of degradation parameter “a” of starch was significantly higher in all flaked corns than in ground corn(P<0.05). It seemed that by flaking the corn grains, starch particles were gelatinized, and then, starch was degraded more rapidly, while protein was degraded more slowly. Referring to these kinds of physical characteristics of grain sources in ruminal degradabilities, it is possible to synchronize the fermentation of nitrogen and carbohydrate sources, in formulating the cattle diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.978-983
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• 2006

Forages from grazing lands comprise conventional feed resources for ruminants in the tropical region. A study was conducted to assess fodder productivity and nutritive potential of deferred forages of six silvopastoral traditional fodder banks in central northwest Tanzania, traditionally known as Ngitiri. The grazing lands were dominated by low quality increaser grass species: Eragrostis spp., Aristida spp., Urochloa spp., Rottboellia exaltata, Cenchrus spp., Cynodon spp. and Chloris spp., and forbs species. The grazing lands had low vegetative basal cover that varied (p<0.05) from 34.7 to 75%, and low forage biomass productivity that varied (p<0.05) from 0.76 to 3.69 tones (t) dry matter (DM)/ha. The forages contained low crude protein (CP) that varied (p<0.05) from 16 to 27 g/kg DM; and had high fibre contents, which varied (p<0.05) from 702-725, 497-573 and 119-225 g/kg DM for neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), respectively. The forages were poorly degraded in sacco, and showed low DM degradability (DMD) characteristics of 74, 473 and 576 g/kg DM for DM washing losses (a), slowly degradable feed fraction (b) and potential degradability, (a+b), respectively; and low DMD at 48 h incubation, which varied from 317-345 g/kg DM, and contained low metabolizable energy (ME), (4.2-4.36 MJ/kg DM). The herbage forages would not meet protein and energy requirements for maintenance and production, which could be reflected through low animal productivity. Further work is needed to assess animal productivity (growth, milk, draft force) from conserved forages in traditional fodder banks in the dry season.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.941-947
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• 2000

Three fistulated Malaysian local bulls were used in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design to determine the effects of different levels of concentrate with oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) frond (OPF) on rumen pH and $NH_3$-N concentration, and DM degradability of different fractions of OPF. Three diets namely, 60% OPF pellet and 40% concentrate (Diet 1), 50% OPF pellet and 50% concentrate (Diet 2) and 40% OPF pellets and 60% concentrate (Diet 3) were used. The levels of concentrate in the diets affected rumen pH and $NH_3$-N concentration. The pH and $NH_3$-N concentration almost in all hourly samples did not show any difference (p>0.05) among the diets except the 6 h and 9 h samples. The highest (p<0.01) $NH_3$-N concentration was obtained on Diet 3 followed by Diet 2 and Diet 1, but there was a slightly higher (p>0.05) pH on Diet 1. The $NH_3$-N concentrations of rumen liquor at 9 h sampling on Diet 1 and Diet 2 were below the critical level (50 mg/liter) required for efficient fermentation of fibrous feeds. The in sacco DM degradation of different fractions of OPF was affected by diets. The DM degradation of fractions of OPF was higher on Diet 3, which showed differences (p<0.01) with the other diets. It was found that a higher level of concentrate (60%) with OPF gave a higher rumen $NH_3$-N concentration that increased the DM degradation of OPF fractions. The results showed that OPF could support an efficient rumen function in terms of $NH_3$-N concentration and pH when ${\leq}50%$ in the diet. A higher level of OPF (>50%) does not support an efficient rumen fermentation in terms of $NH_3$-N concentration, and resulted in lower DM degradation values of the fractions. The results suggested that there is a need to supplement additional nitrogen to OPF based diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of three categories of supplements on intake and diet induced difference on degradation of straw substrates. Sixteen crossbred cattle fitted with rumen cannula were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. Animals were fed on wheat straw ad libitum without any supplement except mineral mixture (control; $T_1$) or supplemented with concentrate mixture (CS; $T_2$) or green Lucerne (GLS; $T_3$) or urea-molasses block lick (ULS; $T_4$). Total dry matter intake in $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ was increased by 70, 54 and 49%, respectively compared to $T_1$ which was only 1.55 kg/100 kg B.Wt. Other than control animals, straw intake was less on $T_3$ than $T_2$ or $T_4$. In Sacco degradation of untreated and urea treated wheat or paddy straw in different treatments indicated that the supplements had a significant (p<0.01) impact on rapidly soluble (A) and insoluble but potentially degradable (B) fractions of straw. Urea treatment increased fraction-A but, provision of supplement improved fraction-B also. Effective degradation (ED) of OM was better on $T_2$. Rate of degradation (C) of OM and CWC was dependent on diet and type of straw but hemicellulose and cellulose were related to latter factor only. ED of cell wall carbohydrates (CWC) was similar in $T_2$ and $T_4$ but higher than $T_3$. CS was more effective in improving the degradation of both untreated and urea treated straw while ULS was effective on the former only. CS had more impact on superior quality straw while contrary was true with ULS. Although GLS improved intake and degradability of untreated and urea treated straws, its bulkiness affected the straw intake compared to other supplements.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1681-1688
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• 2004

Soaked and pasteurised wheat straw was inoculated with five species of Pleurotus fungi (coded P-21, P-30, P-41, P-60 and P-90), packed in polyethylene bags and incubated in a fermentation chamber for 21 days. The chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and in sacco degradability of the treated and untreated straw were estimated using a complete randomised design consisting of six treatments and four replicates. In a feeding trial, in vivo digestibility and voluntary intake were determined in bulls, using a $3{\times}3$change over design. Dietary treatments were: 1) untreated wheat straw (UWS) as control; 2) fungal treated (P-41) wheat straw before mushroom formation (FTWS); 3) spent wheat straw (SPWS) after mushrooms were harvested. Apart from P-90, fungal treatment significantly (p<0.05) increased the crude protein (CP) and reduced the cell wall components of the straw. The in vitro dry mater and organic mater digestibility significantly (p<0.05) increased in the treated straw particularly with the treatments of P-41 and P-60. The in situ degradability and in vivo digestibility of DM and OM were significantly (p<0.05) increased in treated straws with the highest values observed for treatment P-41. The intake of DM, OM and digestible organic mater (DOM) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in cows fed FTWS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1102-1110
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• 2013

Following the extraction of oil for biodiesel production, oilseed press cakes are high in fat. As the dietary supplementation of fat is currently considered the most promising strategy of consistently depressing methanogenesis, it follows that oilseed press cakes may have a similar potential for $CH_4$ abatement. As such, this study aimed to characterise the nutritive value of several oilseed press cakes, glycerine and soybean meal (SBM) and to examine their effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation, digestion kinetics and $CH_4$ production. Moringa press oil seeds exhibited the greatest in sacco effective degradability (ED) of DM and CP (p<0.05). In vitro gas production (ml/g digested DM) was not affected (p = 0.70) by supplement at 48 h of incubation. In vitro DMD was increased with the supplementation of glycerine and SBM at all levels of inclusion. Moringa oilseed press cakes produced the lowest $CH_4$ (mg/g digested DM) at 6 and 12 h of incubation (p<0.05). The findings suggest that moringa oilseed press cake at 400 g/kg DM has the greatest potential of the oilseed press cakes examined in this study, to reduce $CH_4$ production, without adversely affecting nutrient degradability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.358-365
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• 1999

The effects of dry roasting whole lupin seeds (lupinus albus, WLS) at 110, 130 or $150{^{\circ}C}$ for 15, 30 or 45 minutes on the in sacco rumen degradation characteristics, optimal heating conditions of time and temperature and in vitro enzyme digestibility were determined. Ruminant degradation characteristics (RDC) of crude protein (CP) of WLS were determined by in sacco technique in dairy cows. Measure ROC were soluble (S), undegradable (U), potentially degradable (D) fractions, lag time (TO) and rate of degradation (Kd) of insoluble but degradable fraction. Based on measured ROC, percentage bypass CP (%BCP) and bypass CP (BCP in g/kg, DM) were calculated. Degradability of CP was significantly reduced by dry roasting (p<0.001). The interaction of dry roasting temperature and time had significant effects on D (p<0.05), Kd (p<0.01), U (p<0.01), %BCP (p<0.001) and BCP (p<0.001) but not on S (p=0.923>0.05). With increasing time and temperature, S, D, Kd and U varied from 31.8%, 67.4%, 10.3%/h and 0.8% in the raw WLS (RWLS) to 27.1 %, 35.8%, 3.6%/h, 38.4% in $150{^{\circ}C}/45\;min$, respectively. All these effects resulted in increasing %BCP from 25.9 in RWLS to 61.0% in the $150{^{\circ}C}/45\;min$. Therefore BCP increased form 111.2 to 261.2 g/kg DM, respectively. Both %BCP and BCP at $150{^{\circ}C}/45\;min$ increased nearly 2.5 times over the RWLS. The effects of dry roasting on %BCP and BCP seemed to be linear up to the highest value tested. Although ROC had been altered by dry roasting, the In vitro perpsin-cellulase digestibility was generally unchanged. It was concluded that dry roasting was effective in shifting CP degradation from rumen to the lower gastrointestinal tract to potential reduce unnecessary N loss in the rumen. It might be of great value in successfully synchronizing the rhythms of release of nitrogen and energy in the rumen, thus achieving a more efficient fermentation of diets with high proportions of lignocellulosic resources. To determine the optimal dry roasting conditions, the digestibility of each treatment in the cows will be measured in the next trial using mobile bags technique.