• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1098-1106
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• 2004

In a split-unit design, 12 Javan rusa (Cervus timorensis russa) stags (6 castrated and 6 entire) were used to investigate seasonal (winter, spring and summer) effects on intake, digestibility of food constituents, volatile fatty acid profile, and nitrogen retention, when given lucerne (Medicago sativa) or rhodes grass (Chloris guyana) hays. Entire stags ate 9% more dry matter (DM) than castrates (p<0.05). Both castrated and entire stags exhibited seasonal changes in DM intake, these being higher (p<0.05) in winter (62.3 g/kg $W^{0.75}$) than spring (56.9 g/kg $W^{0.75}$) or summer (55.3 g/kg $W^{0.75}$). Intakes of lucerne hay (211 g protein/kg DM) were significantly higher than of rhodes grass hay (49 g protein/kg DM) in all seasons (p<0.05). Digestibilities of DM (0.58), neutral detergent fibre (0.59) and acid detergent fibre (0.47) were similar between castrates and entires. DM digestibility was higher (p<0.0001) for lucerne (0.66) than rhodes grass (0.55), and was higher (p<0.05) in winter (0.60) than spring (0.58) or summer (0.57). The ruminal acetate concentrations were higher (p<0.001) in spring than summer (78 and 73 molar % respectively). Apparent digestibility of protein was significantly less (p<0.0001) for rhodes grass (0.37) than lucerne (0.75). N retention was positive for lucerne (15.2 g/d) but negative for rhodes grass (-2.8 g/d) (p<0.0001), and was higher (p<0.001) in summer (12.0 g/d) than spring (4.3 g/d) or winter (2.4 g/d). The tropical rusa deer exhibits seasonal variations in feed intake, food constituent digestibilities, VFA profile and N retention. Castration did not alter these traits. The results do not support the view that rusa deer can thrive on low-quality pastures. The productivity and commercial exploitation of rusa deer could be optimised if they are given high-protein feed during spring and summer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.116-123
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• 2003

Forages are the most important feed resource for ruminants worldwide, whether fed as pastures, forage crops or conserved hay, silage or haylage. There is large variability in the quality of forages so measurement and prediction of feeding value and nutritive value are essential for high levels of production. Within a commercial animal production system, methods of prediction must be inexpensive and rapid. At least 50% of the variation in feeding value of forages is due to variation in voluntary feed intake. Identification of the factors that constrain voluntary feed intake allows these differences to be managed and exploited in forage selection. Constraints to intake have been predicted using combinations of metabolic and physical factors within the animal while simple measurements such as the energy required to shear the plant material are related to constraints to intake with some plant material. Animals respond to both pre- and post-ingestive feedback signals from forages. Pre-ingestive signals may play a role in intake with signals including taste, odour and texture together with learned aversions to nutrients or toxins (post-ingestive feedback signals). The challenge to forage evaluation is identification of the factors which are most important contributors to these feedback signals. Empirical models incorporating chemical composition are also widely used. The models tend to be useful within the ranges of the datasets used in their development but none can claim to have universal application. Mechanistic models are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated and incorporate both feed characteristics and use of biochemical pathways within the animal. Improvement in utilisation through the deliberate selection of pasture plants for high feeding value appears to have potential and has been poorly exploited. Use of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy is a simple method that offers significant potential for the preliminary screening of plants with genetic differences in feeding value. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy will only be as reliable as the calibration sets from which the equations are generated.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.481-487
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• 1995

A survey of physical inputs was conducted on the total population of dairy farms supplying milk to the Rewa cooperative dairy company in Fiji. The critical inputs associated with total farm milk production were determined using multiple regression, with analyses being conducted for each of the three identified supplier groups, bulk milk, canned milk and cream. Mean annual milk production per cow averaged 1460 (s.d. = 319), 889 (s.d. = 321) and 800 (s.d. = 451) litres for the bulk milk, canned milk and cream suppliers respectively. Stocking rate averaged 1.37 (s.d. = 1.18) cows per hectare over all farms. Inputs to pasture were universally low and Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus) was identified as a major weed. The average amount of supplement fed annually on a grain equivalent basis was 700 (s.d. = 984) kg per cow for bulk milk, 84 (s.d. = 198) kg per cow for canned milk and 146 (s.d. = 542) kg per cow for cream suppliers. The analysis of data from a small group of farms using nitrogen fertiliser indicated that their production levels were higher than the general population. This suggests that there is potential for the Fijian dairy industry to increase milk production through the use of higher inputs to cows and pastures. The regression models relating annual milk production from farms to the two key inputs of number of cows milked and the amount of supplement fed were all significant (p < 0.001). The coefficients of determination for these models ranged from 56.9 to 89.4 percent.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1452-1460
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• 2014

The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional parameters of young bulls supplemented with different ratios of protein: carbohydrate on tropical pastures from 4 until 18 months old. Fifty-five non-castrated beef calves ($138.3{\pm}3.4kg$, 90 to 150 d of age) were used. The calves (young bulls) were subjected to a 430-d experimental period encompassing 4 seasons. The treatments were as follows: control, only mineral mixture; HPHC, high protein and high carbohydrate supplement; HPLC, high protein and low carbohydrate supplement; LPHC, low protein and high carbohydrate supplement; and LPLC, low protein and low carbohydrate supplement. The amount of supplement was adjusted every 28 d. Dry matter (DM) intake was higher in the dry-to-rainy transition and rainy seasons for all nutritional plans. Non-supplemented animals had lower intakes of DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) than supplemented young bulls in all seasons. Although differences in DM intake were not observed between supplemented animals, the supplements with high carbohydrate (HPHC and LPHC) had lower forage intake during suckling (rainy-to-dry transition season) and in the rainy season. However, the HPHC treatment animals had higher intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. It can be concluded that supplementation with high protein levels (supplying 50% of the crude protein requirement) provide the best nutritional parameters for grazing young bulls in most seasons, increasing intake and digestibility of diet, and these effects are more intense when associated with high carbohydrate levels level (supplying 30% TDN requirement).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 1996

A 13-month study was conducted to determine the monthly variation of crude protein(CP), cell contents(CC), fiber fractions and mineral concentrations of paragrass [Brachiaria mutica (Forsk.) Stapf.] and stargrass (Cynodon plectostachyum Pilger) and to estimate the correlations among the nutrient fractions and climatic factors. The forage samples collected by hand plucking were found to contain CP and mineral concentrations. i.e. calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), potassium(K) and zinc(Zn) above the critical levels based on ruminant veeds. Monthly differences(p<0.05) were observed in all CP, CC, neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF), hemicellulose(HE), cellulose(CE) and acid detergent lignin(ADL) between the two grass species. Monthly differences(p<0.05) were also observed in all concentrations of forage Ca, K, phosphorus(P), copper(Cu) and Zn except in Mg of both grasses and K of stargrass. Species differences(p<0.05) were observed in all nutrient fractions except Mg and K concentrations. Rainfall had positive correlations to CP, P(p<0.01) and CC(p<0.05); it had negative correlations to NDF(p<0.05). ADF, CE, Ca, Cu and Zn(p<0.01). Temperature, humidity and daylength had also some correlations to various nutrient fractions.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2009

Dung beetles (family Scarabaeidae) are one of the largest families of beetles worldwide. Due to biological behavior of these arthropods, they are considered to play an important role in the life cycle of some helminths. In the present study, dung beetles collected from cattle pastures in rural areas of Ardabil province, north-west of Iran were examined for infection with larval stages of helminths. According to the results, nematodes of 2 genera were identified including Rhabditis and Gongylonema. The more common species was Rhabditis sp. which was found in 9 species of beetles. Out of 15 different species of dung beetles, Copris lunaris was the only scarabaeid to be found naturally infected with the larval stages of Gongylonema sp. Our new findings introduce C. lunaris as a potential biological vector for transmission of Gongylonema sp. to vertebrates in the surveyed region.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 1994

Slow seedling growth rate and nodulation failure of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) has been limited its good establishment to pastures. The experiment was done to determine the effect of removal of cotyledon and unifoliolate on the shoot, root growth, and nodule formation of 4 white clover cultivars for 8 weeks after the treatment. Four white clover cv. Regal (large leaf), Louisiana S-I (medium-large leaf), Grasslands Huia (mediumsmall leaf), and Aberystwyth S184 (small leaf), were grown in IOcm plastic pot containing 2:l:l soi1:sand:peat moss mixture until grown to cotyledon or unifoliolate stage and then removed one (Cl) or two cotyledons (C2) at cotyledon stage, and unifoliolate only (U), unifoliolate and one cotyledon (UCl) or unifoliolate and two cotyledons (UC2) at the unifoliolate stage, and the plants were sampled at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the treatments. The intact plants had greater shoot and root dry weights, and no. of nodules than removal-treated ones. Removal treatments at cotyledon stage, the dry weight and no. of nodules more decreased in C1 and C2 than that of unifoliolate stage. While the severer cotyledon removal, the more reduction. Although the dry weights and no. of nodules steadily inclined with regrowing period, the former were higher in Regal and La. S-1 than in the others since 6 weeks after removal treatment but the latter was more in S 184 than in the others 8 weeks after removal treatment. Relationship between no. of nodules and shoot or root dry weight was analysed as linear mode while the earlier and severe removal, the steeper slope. It was concluded that severer damage of cotyledon and unifoliolate had detrimental effects on the shoot and root growth, nodule formation, and aftermath establishment of white clover.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 1994

This experiment was conducted to find out the response of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomrrata L.) varieties to grazing at the condition of monocultures and mixed pastures on the field of Livestock Experiment Station at Suwon from Sep. 1989 to Oct. 1991. The varieties of orchardgrass used in this experiment were Potomac, Hallmark and Syn. No. 2 as a early maturing type, and Lidacta, Rancho and Syn. No. 10 as a late maturing type. The results obtained were as follows: I. Heading date of early maturing varieties among orchardgrass like as Potomac, Hallmark and Syn. 2 ranged from May 9 to May 14. Otherwise those of late varieties(Lidacta Rancho and Syn. 10) were between May 21 to May 25. Leaf types of early varieties were shown erect, those of late varieties were erect or semi-erect. 2. In dry matter production per ha, mixture with Rancho variety(T5) was the highest as 7.818 kg and mixture with Hallmark(T2) was the lowest as 7,013 kg. But there was not significantly different(P>0.05) among mixtures. While in monocultures, Syn. 10 variety was the highest(6.626 kglha) and Lidacta was Iowest(5,775 kg). But no difference was found(P>0.05). 3. In mean grass height after grazing, mixtures with early maturing types were higher as 9.8 cm than that of late (8.8cm), and early types were higher as 10.5cm than that of late(9.4cm) in monocultures. But there was no significant difference both mixtures and monocultures.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 1994

This experiment was undertaken to study the relationship between dry weight of plant(DW) and yield components. varietal differences in seasonal production at each of three cutting. and to classiQ them into some patterns of seasonal production in tall fescue varieties. The varieties examined were Barvetia. Fuego, Demeter. Safe, Barcel. Forager, Johnstone. Enforcer and Stef. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The Fuego and Barcel with high number of tiller per plant(NT) which had more dry wieght of plant(DW) than those of varieties with low number of tillers per plant(NT) at each cutting. 2. The dry weight of plant(DW) in 1st cutting indicated positive significant correlation with the number of tillers per plant(NT) and dry weight of a tiller(WT). But there was only positive correlation between the number of tillers per plant(NT) and dry weight of plant(DW) in 2nd and 3rd cutting. 3. Mean relative yield of each cutting were 3 1 %. 29.7% and 39.3% in 1st. 2nd and 3rd cutting, respectively. 4. Tall fescue varieties could be classified into 3 different seasonal growth patterns according to their mode of relative yield at each cutting. Barvetia, Fuego, Johnstone. Enforcer and Stef belong to the group of ABA with high relative yield in 1st and 3rd cutting. Demeter, Safe and Forager belong to the group of CBA with relative yield increased linearly up to 3rd cutting. And, Barcel belong to the group of BAB with high relative yield in 2nd cutting.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 1984

Rhipicephilus sanguineus (Latreille 1806) the brown dog tick, is one of the most widely distributed ixodid ticks in the world, however, there was no report for the discovery of the species in Korea. Specimens unfed or partly fed were collected from the dogs rearing in the livestock farms and the pastures near the farms located in Kyunggi-Do, Chungchong-Namdo, Cholla-Pukdo and Cheju-Do, in summer seasons during 1981 to 1984. The specimens were examined at the Institute of Veterinary Research in Anyang and were identified as R. sanguineus. The morphological characteristics observed by means of the scanning electron microscope were presented with some SEM microphotographs. As. R. sanguineus is firstly discovered to occur in Korea, a total of 20 species of ticks belonging to E: genera, such as, Argas, Amblyomma, Boophilus, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephilus, has now been recorded.