• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.845-851
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• 2006

Spent compost wheat straw is an available by-product from edible mushroom production, which constitutes a potential pollutant and is cost effective for disposal. This study was conducted to determine the nutritive value as ruminant feed of spent wheat straw compost from Agaricus bisporus mushroom production. The compost was provided from a mushroom farm, the casing soil was removed from the whole compost, and then it was sun dried and sampled for chemical analysis. An experiment was conducted, in which four wheat straw-based diets comprising control (I), 10% spent straw (II), 20% spent straw (III) and 30% spent straw (IV) were tested in a cross-over design using 8 sheep. Dry matter intake (DMI) was 74.0, 73.8, 70.2 and 57.1 and organic matter intake (OMI) was 62.7, 63.4, 58.0 and 44.4 g per kg $BW^{0.75}$ for diets I, II, III and IV, respectively, which, were significantly (p<0.05) lower for diet IV. Digestible OMI was respectively 33.1, 32.6, 30.6 and, 20.2 g per kg $BW^{0.75}$ on the four diets which were significantly (p<0.05) different between the treatments. Inclusion of spent compost straw up to 20% of the diet did not affect the digestibility of DM, OM, CF, ADF and NDF, but the diet containing 30% compost straw had statistically (p<0.05) lower digestibilities. Nitrogen balance was also significantly (p<0.05) different between the treatments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 1994

Two studies were conducted using 40 cross-bred bulls to study the effect of chopping, moistening with water or common salt solution on the nutritive value of rice straw (variety BG-400). Moistening with water did not significantly effect digestibility or intake of rice straw. As compared to straw fed in the long form, chopping did not significantly influence intake (2.33 vs 1.97kg $100kgBW^{-1}day^{-1}$, respectively), but significantly (p<0.05) decreased the digestibility (41.6 vs 37.4%) and intake of digestible dry matter (0.99 vs 0.74kg $100kgBW^{-1}day^{-1}$). Rice straw moistened with 2 or 4% common sea salt solution and directly fed to animals (Exp. 1) did not significantly effect its digestibility (43.9 and 43.1%, respectively) or intake (2.66 or 2.59kg $100kgBW^{-1}day^{-1}$, respectively), but over night storing of 2% salt solution sprayed straw (Exp. 2) significantly reduced its digestibility (33.6%). The latter is difficult to explain because the sodium concentration (mg/g straw dry matter) was lower than 4% salt solution treatment used in experiment 1 (3.30 vs 5.22). It is concluded that chopping, moistening with water or NaCl salt solution did not significantly improve the nutritive value of rice straw.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1546-1557
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• 2023

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of extruded and unextruded feeding on the performance, milk composition, digestibility and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows through a meta-analysis. Methods: The database was compiled from 53 studies in Scopus and PubMed. The data were analyzed using a random effects model in OpenMEE software. Extruded feed was grouped as the experiment group while and the others as control group. The bias of publication in the main parameter of dairy performance was evaluated by a funnel plot. Results: The result showed that extruded feed enhanced the milk yield, dry matter and crude protein digestibility, butyrate and valerate acid production (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the extruded feed significantly decreased the milk fat and protein concentration (p<0.05). Also, the iso-butyrate and iso-valerate in unextruded feeding was significantly higher than the extruded feed (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded from the meta-analysis that extruded feed effectively improved the milk production and milk lactose concentration, dry matter and protein digestibility, but not the milk fat and protein concentration.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.4204-4212
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• 2023

Background: Storage reservoirs of radioactive waste could be the source of atmospheric pollution due to the efflux of aqueous aerosol from their water areas. The main mechanism of formation of aqueous aerosols is the collapse of gas bubbles at the water surface. In this paper, we discuss the potential influence of biological factors on gas ebullition in the water areas of the radioactively contaminated industrial reservoirs R-9 (Lake Karachay) and R-4 (Metlinsky pond) of the Mayak PA. The emission of the released non-dissolved gases captured with gas traps in reservoir R-9 was (88-290) ml/m² per day (2015) and in reservoir R-4 (270-460) ml/m² per day (2016). The analysis of gas composition in reservoir R-4 (60% methane, 35% nitrogen, 2.4% oxygen, 1.5% carbon dioxide) confirms their biological origin. It is associated with the processes of organic matter destruction in bottom sediments. The major source of organic matter in bottom sediments is the dying phytoplankton developing in these reservoirs. Conclusion: The obtained results form the basis to set a task to quantify the relationship between the phytoplankton development, gases ebullition and radioactive atmosphere contamination.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.658-664
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• 2002

This study was conducted to determine a proper feeding regime for lactating Holstein cows during the warm season in Taiwan. In Feeding Trial, 21 lactating Holstein cows were randomly allotted into three feeding regimes in a Completely Randomized Design. The feeding regimes were roughage fed ad libitum along with concentrate fed either twice daily (2C) or four times daily (4C), and total mixed ration (TMR) for 8 weeks. No significant differences among the three feeding regimes were found in body weight changes, and intakes in terms of dry matter, crude protein and net energy. For milk yield and 4% FCM yield, 4C were higher than the other two feeding regimes (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in milk compositions or differences noted in the yields of the respective milk components. TMR was worse than 2C and 4C (p<0.05) in milk production efficiencies in terms of dry matter intake per kg milk yield, crude protein intake per kg milk protein yield, as well as dry matter intake, net energy intake and crude protein intake per kg 4% FCM yield. Three ruminally fistulated Holstein dry cows were randomly assigned into the same three feeding regimes in a 3${\times}$3 Latin Square Design. No significant differences were found among the feeding regimes in ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen, total VFA concentration, molar percentages of VFA, and acetic acid: propionic acid ratio (C$_2$/C$_3$). Taken all together, roughage fed ad libitum and concentrate fed four times daily was the better feeding regime for lactating cows during the warm season in Taiwan.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.216-222
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• 2017

This study was conducted to examine the effect of corn (Zea mays L.) - soybean (Glycine max L.) silage prepared by intercropping method on the nutritive value of the silage, in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, dry matter degradability, as well as milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows. In a couple of experiments intercropped corn-soybean silage (CSBS) was compared with corn silage (CS) and/or Italian ryegrass hay (IRG). Numerically, CSBS had higher crude protein, ether extract, and lactic acid contents compared to CS. In vitro rumen fermentation analysis demonstrated that up to a 24-h incubation period, both CS and CSBS showed higher total gas production, ammonia N concentration, and dry matter degradability compared to IRG (p<0.05). The investigation on animals was conducted in a commercial dairy farm located in Gyeongju, South Korea, employing 42 Holstein cows that were divided into 2 group treatments: CS and CSBS in a completely randomized design. Although no significant difference was observed in milk yield, animals fed on CSBS showed significantly higher milk protein (p<0.05) and milk fat content (p<0.01), compared to animals fed on CS. Taken together, our findings indicate that corn-soybean silage that is cultivated, harvested, and prepared through intercropping can improve the protein content of the silage, and can also enhance in vitro rumen fermentation, dry matter degradability, and performance of dairy cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.637-647
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• 2019

Objective: The study aimed at quantifying seasonal and spatial variations in availability and nutritive value of herbaceous vegetation on native pastures and supplement feedstuffs for domestic ruminants in Western Kenya. Methods: Samples of herbaceous pasture vegetation (n = 75) and local supplement feedstuffs (n = 46) for cattle, sheep, and goats were collected in 20 villages of three geographic zones (Highlands, Mid-slopes, Lowlands) in Lower Nyando, Western Kenya, over four seasons of one year. Concentrations of dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), gross energy (GE), and minerals were determined. Apparent total tract organic matter digestibility (dOM) was estimated from in vitro gas production and proximate nutrient concentrations or chemical composition alone using published prediction equations. Results: Nutrient, energy, and mineral concentrations were 52 to 168 g CA, 367 to 741 g NDF, 32 to 140 g CP, 6 to 45 g EE, 14.5 to 18.8 MJ GE, 7.0 to 54.2 g potassium, 0.01 to 0.47 g sodium, 136 to 1825 mg iron, and 0.07 to 0.52 mg selenium/kg DM. The dOM was 416 to 650 g/kg organic matter but differed depending on the estimation method. Nutritive value of pasture herbage was superior to most supplement feedstuffs, but its value strongly declined in the driest season. Biomass yields and concentrations of CP and potassium in pasture herbage were highest in the Highlands amongst the three zones. Conclusion: Availability and nutritive value of pasture herbage and supplement feedstuffs greatly vary between seasons and geographical zones, suggesting need for season- and region-specific feeding strategies. Local supplement feedstuffs partly compensate for nutritional deficiencies. However, equations to accurately predict dOM and improved knowledge on nutritional characteristics of tropical ruminant feedstuffs are needed to enhance livestock production in this and similar environments.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of condensed molasses fermentation solubles (CMS) on lactation performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters of dairy cows. Methods: A total of 75 healthy Holstein cows with the same parity (milk production = 35±2.5 kg, body weight = 570±28 kg) were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups. One group served as control group (CON; no CMS), whereas the other 4 groups were CMS1 (accounted for 1% of the diet), CMS2 (2%), CMS3 (3%), and CMS4 (4%). All cows were fed regularly three times each day at 0800, 1600, and 2400 h. Cows received diet and water ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Results: Results showed that the dry matter intake, milk yield, and protein of CMS2 were maximum and higher (p<0.05) than CMS4. The ruminal pH was observed less than 6 in CMS3 and CMS4 groups. No noticeable difference of microbial protein was found between CON and CMS2 groups, while the microbial protein in these groups was higher (p<0.05) than CMS3 and CMS4 groups. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein in CMS2 group was higher (p<0.05) than CMS3 and CMS4 groups. Compared to CMS3 and CMS4 groups, the CMS2 group increased (p<0.05) the serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M on d 60. Conclusion: Therefore, it is practicable that CMS substitutes for a part of concentrates in lactating cows' diets, but higher addition of CMS (more than 3% of the diet) could decrease production performance of dairy cows as seen in the present study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1395-1399
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary fat inclusion on nutrient intake, body weight, milk production, return to estrus, pregnancy and lambing of winter-lambing, postpartum Awassi ewes. Thirty multiparous, winter-lambing Awassi ewes (body weight=51${\pm}$7.0 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (n=10) for 62 days using a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were isonitrogenous, and were formulated to contain 0 (CON), 2.5 (MF), and 5% (HF) added fat, and 33% of the dietary crude protein (CP) as undegradable intake protein (UIP). On day 26 postpartum (day 0=parturition), ewes and their lambs were housed in individual pens for 28 days. Feed offered and refused was recorded daily. At the end of this period, ewes and their lambs within each treatment were combined into one group and fed their respective diet ad libitum. One fertile Awassi ram fitted with a marking harness was allowed with each group for 34 days. No significant (p>0.05) differences in dry matter intake, organic matter intake, and crude protein intake were observed for ewes fed the three experimental diets. No difference was observed in metabolizable energy intake (MEI) for ewes fed the CON and the MF diets (average 8.3 Mcal/d) diet. However, ewes fed the HF diet had greater(p<0.05) MEI compared with the rest of the treatments. Ewe body weights increased throughout the study, unaffected by the experimental diets. No significant differences in milk production were found among ewes fed the three experimental diets. No significant differences were observed in pregnancy rate (6/10, 5/10, 6/10 for CON, MF and HF diets, respectively), lambing rate and the number of lambs per ewe among the three treatments. postpartum reproductive performance of well-fed, winter-lambing Awassi ewes.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.74-83
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• 2024

Objective: Mitragyna speciosa Korth is traditionally used in Thailand. They have a high level of antioxidant capacities and bioactive compounds, the potential to modulate rumen fermentation and decrease methane production. The aim of the study was to investigate the different levels of microencapsulated-Mitragyna leaves extracts (MMLE) supplementation on nutrient degradability, rumen ecology, microbial dynamics, and methane production in an in vitro study. Methods: A completely randomized design was used to assign the experimental treatments, MMLE was supplemented at 0%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of the total dry matter (DM) substrate. Results: The addition of MMLE significantly increased in vitro dry matter degradability both at 12, 24, and 48 h, while ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentration was improved with MMLE supplementation. The MMLE had the greatest propionate and total volatile fatty acid production when added with 6% of total DM substrate, while decreased the methane production (12, 24, and 48 h). Furthermore, the microbial population of cellulolytic bacteria and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens were increased, whilst Methanobacteriales was decreased with MMLE feeding. Conclusion: The results indicated that MMLE could be a potential alternative plant-based bioactive compound supplement to be used as ruminant feed additives.