• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.197-204
• /
• 2010

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of replacing 30% (% in diet DM) of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) hay with citrus pulp in Merino ewe diets: i) an in vitro study which measured ruminal fermentation; and ii) an in vivo study in which twelve Merino ewes pre- and post-lambing were fed experimental diets in a cross-over design over 120 days to evaluate effects on ewe performance (i.e. DM intake, average daily gain (ADG) and wool growth). In both the in vitro and in vivo studies, the control treatment consisted of lucerne (91.3% in diet DM), lupins (8.3% in diet DM) and phosphate (0.42% in diet DM), while the citrus pulp treatment consisted of lucerne (57.7% in diet DM), lupins (9.5% in diet DM), phosphate (0.48% in diet DM) and fresh citrus pulp (32.3% in diet DM). Data were analysed using the mixed model procedure of SAS. In the in vitro study, gas production, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) yield, proportion of propionic acid to total VFA and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were higher (p<0.02) in the citrus pulp treatment compared to the control treatment. In contrast, in vitro ammonia production, pH and the acetate to propionate ratio were lower (p<0.03) for the citrus pulp treatment compared to the control treatment. In the in vivo study, DM intake of ewes fed the citrus pulp diet was lower than their control ewe counterparts throughout both the pre- and post-lambing periods (928.9 vs. 1,115.0 g/d pre-; 1,285.0 vs. 1,620.3 g/d post-lambing, p<0.01), however ADG was similar (p = 0.12). Wool growth parameters and lamb performance did not differ (p>0.32) between treatments. In summary, the in vitro study demonstrated that the replacement of 30% of a lucerne diet with fresh citrus pulp improved total VFA yield, increased total gas production and improved IVDMD, while decreasing the production of ammonia, acetic acid and rumen pH. In addition, the in vivo study demonstrated that the replacement of 30% of a lucerne diet with fresh citrus pulp pre- and post-lambing decreased intake but did not affect ewe performance in terms of ADG and wool growth. These findings, of course, would be of significant interest to sheep producers endeavouring to control cost of feed ingredients whilst maintaining productivity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.10
• /
• pp.1643-1653
• /
• 2018

Objective: This study investigated the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) supplementation on nutrient intake, nitrogen (N) utilisation, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation and growth performance of young Holstein bulls. Methods: Twenty-one young bulls weighing $277{\pm}11.2kg$ were equally divided into three groups and were offered diets formulated with low CP (LCP; 10.21% CP and 4.22% rumen degradable protein [RDP]), medium CP (MCP; 12.35% CP and 5.17% RDP) and high CP (HCP; 14.24% CP and 6.03% RDP). Yellow corn silage was used as a unique forage source and was mixed with concentrate. This mixed feed was given ad libitum to the young bulls included in the study. Results: Results showed that CP intake, blood urea nitrogen, N intake, total N excretion and N balance increased linearly with an increase in dietary CP level (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in nutrient digestibility among the bulls receiving the different diets. Ruminal pH (p<0.05) and ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3-N$) concentration (p<0.01) were significantly higher in the bulls receiving the MCP and HCP diets than in those receiving the LCP diet. The bulls receiving the HCP diet showed significantly higher ruminal bacterial protein level, propionate, acetate and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations than bulls receiving the LCP diet (p<0.05). Moreover, dietary CP level exerted a significant positive effect on the final body weight, average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio of the bulls (p<0.05). Conclusion: High dietary CP level is optimal for achieving maximum growth and high profitability without exerting a negative effect on the physiology of growing Holstein bulls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.355-362
• /
• 2017

Objective: The use of locally produced forage (LPF) in cattle production has economic and environmental advantages over imported forage. The objective of this study was to characterize the nutritional value of LPF commonly used in Korea. Differences in ruminal fermentation characteristics were also examined for the LPF species commonly produced from two major production regions: Chungcheong and Jeolla. Methods: Ten LPF (five from each of the two regions) and six of the most widely used imported forages originating from North America were obtained at least three times throughout a year. Each forage species was pooled and analyzed for nutrient content using detailed chemical analysis. Ruminal fermentation characteristics were also determined by in vitro anaerobic incubations using strained rumen fluid for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. At each incubation time, total gas, pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were measured. By fitting an exponential model, gas production kinetics were obtained. Results: Significant differences were found in the non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) content among the forage species and the regions (p<0.01). No nutrient, other than NFC, showed significant differences among the regions. Crude protein, NFC, and acid detergent lignin significantly differed by forage species. The amount of acid detergent insoluble protein tended to differ among the forages. The forages produced in Chungcheong had a higher amount of NFC than that in Jeolla (p<0.05). There were differences in ruminal fermentation of LPF between the two regions and interactions between regions and forage species were also significant (p<0.05). The pH following a 48-h ruminal fermentation was lower in the forages from Chungcheong than from Jeolla (p<0.01), and total VFA concentration was higher in Chungcheong than in Jeolla (p = 0.05). This implies that fermentation was more active with the forages from Chungcheong than from Jeolla. Analysis of gas production profiles showed the rate of fermentation differed among forage species (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the nutritional values of some LPF (i.e., corn silage and Italian ryegrass) are comparable to those of imported forages widely used in Korea. This study also indicated that the nutritional value of LPF differs by origin, as well as by forage species. Detailed analyses of nutrient composition and digestion kinetics of LPF should be routinely employed to evaluate the correct nutritional value of LPF and to increase their use in the field.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.437-450
• /
• 2013

Miscanthus sacchariflorus var. No. 1 has been newly developed in Korea. This study was conducted to assess the feed value of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at different growth and harvesting time. Total 3 different miscanthus - 1y4m (first shoot and harvested at 4 month), 2y4m (second shoot and harvested at 4 month) and 2y8m (second shoot and harvested at 8 month). Two experiments were carried out, In vitro rumen simulated fermentation and In situ dry matter digestibility (DMD). Ruminal pH at in vitro fermentation were higher in M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 treatments compared to the rice straw (RS). In volatile fatty acid production, 1y4m resulted in higher acetate production than the other M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at higher maturity stages. Significant differences among treatments were observed in propionate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) productions at 9, 24 and 48 h of incubation times. Higher ammonia nitrogen productions were found as increased maturity of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1. At In situ experiment, high DMD was detected in the order of RS (60.51%) > 1y4m (57.65%) > 2y4m (57.63%) > 2y8m (46.28%). The results from this study indicate that young and early harvested M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 are able to improve its nutrient values in the ruminant animal.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.629-646
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate effects of terpenoids-rich plant extracts (TRPE) on the in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane production. The ruminal fluid was collected from a cannulated Hanwoo cow fed concentrate and timothy in the ratio of 6 to 4. The TRPE as Mint (Mentha arvensis var. piperascens), Pine (Pinus densiflora), Japan cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum), Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtuse) and Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) were used in this study. The 15 mL of mixture, contains McDougall buffer and rumen fluid in the ratio of 2 to 1. The mixture was dispensed anaerobically 50 mL serum bottles and it is contained 0.3 g timothy substrate and 5% TRPE. The bottles were incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The pH value decrease by increased incubation times and the pH values at all times were significantly (p<0.05) higher in treatments than in control. The digestibility of dry matter at 3 hours was significantly (p<0.05) higher in mint treatment than in control. Productions of total gas and carbon dioxide at before 12 hours was significantly lower (p<0.05) in treatments than in control. The methane production at 24 hours was significantly (p<0.05) lower in treatments than in control. The concentrations of acetic acid and propionic acid at 24 hours were significantly higher (p<0.05) in mint and pine treatments than in control. In conclusion, the terpenoid-rich plant extracts were shown to decreased methane emission and without adversely affected ruminal fermentation. Therefore, the terpenoid-rich plant extracts as mint and pine were shown to decreased methane production and it has potential possibility for ruminal fermentations.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2006

Fresh dairy cow manure was mixed with dried sawdust at the following moisture contents and manure: sawdust ratios: 50% and 57:43 ($\underline{M50}$), 55% and 64:36 ($\underline{M55}$), 60% and 70:30 ($\underline{M60}$), 65% and 76:24 ($\underline{M65}$), 70% and 83:17 ($\underline{M70}$) 75% and 90:10($\underline{M75}$) and 80% and 96:04($\underline{M80}$). The mixtures were fermented by a fungal mycelium of Fomitella flaxinea for 2wk at 29 C to recycle cow manure along with sawdust and fungal mycelium as a ruminant feedstuff. Chemical composition and in vitro rumen dry matter digestibilities of fermented mixtures were compared with unfermented mixture. The crude protein contents of mixtures were not changed by fermentation with fungal mycelium. Neutral detergent fiber contents of 4WK fermented mixtures (90.6, 85.3, 80.4, and 76.4% for $\underline{M50}$, $\underline{M60}$, $\underline{M70}$ and $\underline{M80}$, respectively were lower (P<0.05) than those of unfermented mixtures (91.1, 89.9, 84.3, and 79.4%). However, acid detergent fiber contents of fermented mixtures (73.8, 68.9, 65.3, and 58.0%) were higher (P<0.05) than those unfermented mixtures (70.2, 67.8, 61.7, and 56.3%). In vitro rumen dry matter digestibilities of fermented mixtures for four weeks(49.4, 36.8, 28.6, and 22.3% for $\underline{M50}$, $\underline{M60}$, $\underline{M70}$ and $\underline{M80}$) were higher than those of unfermented mixtures(34.1, 27.5, 20.6, and 15.4%) (P<0.05).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.757-768
• /
• 2002

These study were conducted to determine the effects of a whole or steam-flaked corn based diet on rumen microbial fermentation in vitro and ruminal metabolism in the Korean Native Goat(KNG) in vivo. The experiments consisted of two dietary treatments: control, steam-flaked corn(SFC) based diet(80%) + rice straw mixed(20%)(SFCR); 100% whole corn based diet(WC). The first experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of whole corn on ruminal metabolism in vitro for 0 to 48 h. pH values were optimally maintained during incubation time, and were not significantly different between treatments. Gas production of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). $NH_3$-N concentration tended to increase for WC, but not significantly different between treatments. The mean value of total volatile fatty acid concentration of WC was significantly lower than SFCR(p<0.01), but SFCR and WC linearly increased as the time of incubation approached 48 h. Mean value of acetate concentration of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). Propionate concentration of WC for the total incubation time was significantly higher than SFCR(p<0.01). The digestibility of dry matter was not significantly different between treatments, but SFCR was somewhat higher than WC. The second experiment was conducted to effect of whole shelled corn based diet on rumen metabolism in KNG. pH values tended to decrease through all treatments. There was not a significantly difference between treatments. Microbial protein yield of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). $NH_3$-N concentration of WC was significantly (p<0.01) higher than SFCR. Total VFA and propionate concentration of WC was significantly higher than SFCR(p<0.01), but acetate concentrate of WC was not significantly higher than SFCR. The mean value of total lactate concentration was significantly(p<0.01) different but the value of SFCR and WC were lower than the average concentration of acidosis. In sacco DM disappearance rate of SFC was significantly(p<0.01) higher than WC.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.801-818
• /
• 2007

This study was carried out to determine the effects of processing methods of barley as a proper source of grain in diets of Hanwoo on fermentation pattern in the rumen fluid and digestibility of the diets, the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo. The degree of ruminal pH change in the cows fed diets of the Corn(corn basis) and GDRB(ground and dry-rolled barley) tended to be greater than those in the cows fed other two diets (ground barley, GB and dry-rolled barley, DRB). The diet of GDRB showed the lowest ruminal pH(5.5), indicating the rapid degradation of the diet in the rumen. Although ammonia concentration was not affected by diet, the GR and DBR diets maintained the low concentrations of ruminal ammonia compared with other two treatments. And the effects of feeding processed barley grain on body weight gain and meat quality of Hanwoo steers were as follows. Steers fed DRB diet had the highest body weight, 683.0kg at 28 months old, while those fed the GDRB showed the lowest body weight, 653.3kg. The average daily gain(ADG) was similar between the steers fed Corn and GR throughout the whole period, but the GDRB showed the lowest ADG. The steers fed the DRB showed the significant increase in ADG(0.89kg/d from 19 to 23 months old and 0.43kg/d from 24 to 28 months old) compared with those fed other diets. Feeding diets containing corn and/or barley did not influence live body weight, cold carcass weight, carcass yield, back-fat thickness and carcass grade of Hanwoo steers.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.199-208
• /
• 2008

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ruminally protected amino acids (Methionine and Lysine) on in vitro ruminal parameters, and in vivo milk yield and milk composition in mid-lactating cows. In the first in vitro experiment, there were no statistical significances between treatments in ruminal pH and dry matter digestibility during various incubation times. In the second in vivo experiment, milk yield decreased by 11.92% in control and 5.68% in the treatment respectively, but decrease rate of milk yield in the treatment was lower than control. Milk yields naturally decreased as time goes by since the DIMs(Days in milk) of the cows in experiment were in mid-lactation period. 4% FCM(Fat corrected milk) and milk protein yields also, respectively, decreased by 11.25% and 11.09% in control and 6.16% and 5.47% in the treatment as compared with the intial. Milk protein and milk fat production were higher in the treatment(0.90kg, 1.10kg) than those of control(0.66kg, 0.79kg). Milk fat content significantly increased with supplementing protected amino acids as compared to control(P<0.05). From the above results, protected amino acids were positively utilized in the performances of mid-lactating cows without inhibiting rumen fermentation. Further investigation is suggested for essential amino acid composition and intestinal digestion rate out of rumen bypass protein in dietary protein to be estimated.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.468-476
• /
• 2021

This study examined the effects of a hydrothermal pretreatment (HP) on the nutritional values and in vitro fermentation characteristics of tall fescue and corn silage. This study was conducted through a factorial design of 2 (control or HP) × 2 (hay; tall fescue or silage; corn). For the HP, forage was placed into a glass bottle with 20% w/v of water, and the glass bottle was sealed and heated to reach a temperature of 121℃ (0.12 MPa). The solid residue and liquid were collected and oven-dried at 65℃ for three days. The dried materials were tested for in vitro fermentation at 39℃ for 24 and 48 h. The content of ADF increased significantly regardless of the forage type. After in vitro incubation for 24 h, the total VFA content was significantly lower after HP, regardless of the forage type (p ≤ 0.05), and the propionate concentration was increased in corn silage with HP (p ≤ 0.05). After 48 hours of in vitro incubation, the propionate content increased significantly (p ≤ 0.03) in corn silage with HP (p ≤ 0.05), but the butyrate content decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). There was no change in the in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility by HP regardless of the forage type. Therefore, the use of hydrothermally pretreated corn silage could be advantageous for the supply of energy for ruminants.