• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.794-798
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• 2004

An attempt was made to improve the efficiency of growth and lactation performance of dairy heifers subjected to a stair-step growth scheme using rice straw as the sole roughage source. Twenty-four young Holstein heifers were randomly assigned to either control or test group. The control diet met the National Research Council (NRC) requirement, with heifers calving at 24 to 26 mo of age. The test group was individually fed according to a schedule of 3, 2, 4, 2, 5 and 2 mo in which feed intake was alternately 20% below or 25% above the NRC requirements. Heifers on the stair-step growth pattern gained more body weight and consumed less dry matter (10.80 and 11.22%, respectively), resulting an increasing growth efficiency compared with the control. Body condition, first estrus, first conception, services per conception and calving difficulty (data not shown) were not affected. Milk yield of the test group was 8.5% higher than that of the control group. During the early lactation period, the milk yield was significantly higher in the stair-step group than in that of the control group (p<0.05). Milk composition was not affected by compensatory growth induced by the stair-step scheme. Also, weight at calving and calf growth performance was not affected by stair-step growth. The results indicate that using rice straw as a sole roughage source in a stair-step compensatory growth scheme can contribute to the improvement of growth efficiency and early lactation performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1285-1292
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• 2014

An in vitro experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Aspergillus oryzae culture (AOC) and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMB) on rumen fermentation and microbial populations between different roughage sources. Two roughage sources (Chinese wild rye [CWR] vs corn silage [CS]) were assigned in a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement with HMB (0 or 15 mg) and AOC (0, 3, or 6 mg). Gas production (GP), microbial protein (MCP) and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) were increased in response to addition of HMB and AOC (p<0.01) for the two roughages. The HMB and AOC showed inconsistent effects on ammonia-N with different substrates. For CWR, neither HMB nor AOC had significant effect on molar proportion of individual VFA. For CS, acetate was increased (p = 0.02) and butyrate was decreased (p<0.01) by adding HMB and AOC. Increase of propionate was only occurred with AOC (p<0.01). Populations of protozoa ($p{\leq}0.03$) and fungi ($p{\leq}0.02$) of CWR were differently influenced by HMB and AOC. Percentages of F. succinogenes, R. albus, and R. flavefaciens (p<0.01) increased when AOC was added to CWR. For CS, HMB decreased the protozoa population (p = 0.01) and increased the populations of F. succinogenes and R. albus ($p{\leq}0.03$). Populations of fungi, F. succinogenes (p = 0.02) and R. flavefacien (p = 0.03) were increased by adding AOC. The HMB${\times}$AOC interactions were noted in MCP, fungi and R. flavefacien for CWR and GP, ammonia-N, MCP, total VFA, propionate, acetate/propionate (A/P) and R. albus for CS. It is inferred that addition of HMB and AOC could influence rumen fermentation of forages by increasing the number of rumen microbes.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1235-1239
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• 2013

The effects of probiotic additions to feed and manure on temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) emissions in Hanwoo manure during summer (4 weeks) were evaluated. Fifteen Hanwoo (24-mo-old, $580{\pm}20kg$) were housed in individual pens ($5{\times}8m$) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (n = 5 cattle per treatment). Hanwoo were fed experimental rations as follows: control (10 kg roughage + 2 kg concentrate); T1 (10 kg roughage + 2 kg concentrate, 2% probiotics on as-fed basis); and T2 (10 kg roughage + 2 kg concentrate, 2% probiotics on as-fed basis + 7 kg probiotics as top-dressing on the surface of Hanwoo manure). In comparison to the control, the addition of probiotics to feed or feed and manure had an effect (P < 0.05) on temperature and humidity over the 4 weeks, except for humidity at 0 weeks. The only significant difference (P < 0.05) observed in $CO_2$ emission was among all treatments at 3 and 4 weeks (but not at 0 through 2 weeks). These results indicated that use of probiotics as feed and manure additives did not have a significant effect on environmental parameters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.474-477
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• 2000

Two experiments were conducted to study the use of urea-treated rice straw (UTRS) and whole sugar cane (WSC) crop as roughage sources for dairy cattle during the dry season. Experiment I, four rumen-fistulated dairy crossbred steers were assigned to receive roughage treatments according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design: $T_1=urea-treated$ (5%) rice straw, $T_2=UTRS$ and WSC at 75:25% DM, $T_3=UTRS$ and WSC at 25:75% DM, and $T_4=WSC$. Experiment II, three rumen fistulated, late lactating multiparous Holstein-Friesian crossbreds were randomly allotted to a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design to receive three types of roughages; $T_1=WSC$, $T_2=UTRS$, $T_3=WSC+UTRS$ at 50:50% DM. It was found that combination of UTRS and WSC at 75:25 ratio significantly increased DM intake while intake of WSC alone was lowest. Moreover, inclusion of UTRS into WSC enhanced digestibilites (Exp. I). In Exp. II, combination of UTRS with WSC at 50:50 ratio (DM) enhanced DM intake (kg/d) (p<0.05) and especially milk yield, milk fat and protein percentages. The findings suggest the combined use of WSC and UTRS improved the feeding values of these roughages for dairy cattle during the dry season.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to predict the energy value and dynamic degradation of roughage in Taiwan using the $Daisy^{(R)}$. in vitro fermentation method to provide information on one of the very important nutrients for ration formulation. The second objective was to study the effects of Aspergillus oryzae (AFE) inclusion on nutrient utilization. Three ruminal fistulated dry dairy cows were used for rumen fluid and fifteen conventional forages used in dairy cattle were collected around this island. The degradability of these feedstuffs with and without AFE ($Amaferm^{(R)}$.) treatment was measured using the $Daisy^{(R)}$. in vitro method. The roughage energy values, including TDN and NEL, were calculated according to Robinson (2000). Results from the 30 h in vitro neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability and predicted energy evaluations showed that alfalfa (among the forages) contained the highest degradability and energy values, Bermuda straw having the lowest. Peanut vines and corn silage contained higher energy values and the lowest value found in Pangola and Napier grasses among the locally produced forages. Pangola and Napier grasses had lower values than most imported forages except Bermuda straw. Among the by-products, wheat middling contained the highest NDF degradability, while rice bran contained the richest energy value due to its high oil content. From the dynamic dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradation, corn silage contained the highest effective degradation among the local forages; wheat middling (among the by-products) degraded the fastest in DM, OM, ADF and NDF and showed the highest effective degradability. AFE inclusion was inconsistent among the forages. Alfalfa hay showed significantly increased 30 h NDF degradability and energy values, Pangola hay, Napier grass and brewer's grains showed decreased degradability and energy values. AFE inclusion increased the DM, OM and NDF degradation rate in most forage, but only increased the DM degradation rate in sorghum distiller's grains, the OM degradation rate in bean curd pomace and the NDF and ADF degradation rates in soy pomace (among the by-products).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.671-674
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• 2002

This study investigated the use of multinutrient blocks (MNB) composed of 35% date syrup, 35% date syrup byproducts, 10% date fronds, 7% urea, 7% cement and 6% common salt for growing small ruminants, as partial substitute for the roughage component of the diet (Rhodes grass hay) and its effect on feedlot performance and economics of feeding. Eight growing local Omani goats and 8 sheep (each about one year old) were used in this study. Mean body weights for goats and sheep (kg), respectively were $21.1{\pm}4.5$ and $25.5{\pm}4.1$. The goats and sheep were subdivided into two sub-groups of more or less equal body weights for each species. Each sub-group in both species was either fed on 0.5 kg concentrate+ad libitum Rhodes grass hay or the same diet+restricted hay (about 0.2 kg/head/day) and ad libitum amount of MNB. Sheep significantly (p<0.05) consumed greater amounts of MNB ($36{\pm}17$g/head/day) than goats ($6{\pm}2.5$ g/head/day). Feeding of the MNB was effective in sparing about 40% of the roughage Rhodes grass hay for goats (from 240 to 140 g) and about 42% for sheep (from 252 to 146 g) or approximately 100 g/head/day for both goats and sheep. This reduction (or sparing) in the consumption of Rhodes grass hay was coupled by an improvement in daily liveweight gain (g/head/day) in both goats (from 29 to 46 by 58.6%) and sheep (from 26 to 39 by 50%) and also by an improvement in the feed conversion efficiency (g feed/g gain) of both goats (from 25 to 13.8 by 45%) and sheep (from 28.7 to 17.2 by 40%). Cost of daily consumed feeds as well as cost/kg gain (or cost of meat) were both reduced due to feeding of MNB. They were both respectively reduced by 7.5% (from 53 Baisa/day to 49) and 38% (from 1,828 Baisa/kg to 1,140). It was economically viable to feed MNBs containing date by-products and urea to small ruminants in the Sultanate of Oman.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.356-362
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• 2006

This study aimed to assess the effects of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from rice straw on blood metabolites and productivity of dairy cows in the tropics. Eight Holstein ${\times}$ indigenous (75-87.5% Holstein) were randomly allocated to dietary treatments according to a double $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Contents of roughage NDF from rice straw were 12.8, 14.8, 16.8 and 18.8% dry matter (DM) and concentrate NDF content was 10.2% DM, so that levels of dietary NDF were 23, 25, 27 and 29% DM. Dietary treatments were isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets. The average maximum and minimum temperature humidity index during the experimental period were 85.6 and 76.9, respectively. Plasma glucose (p<0.05), dry matter intake and 4% fat corrected milk (p<0.01) decreased with increasing contents of roughage NDF from rice straw, while rectal temperature, serum urea, cortisol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p<0.05), serum total protein and ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (p<0.01) increased. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were not affected (p>0.05). Decreased rectal temperature and concentrations of serum cortisol were associated with decreasing levels of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate and serum urea, but with increased concentrations of plasma glucose, DMI and 4% fat corrected milk indicating that lactating cows fed lower fiber diets were in lower oxidative stress. Therefore higher intake and metabolic efficiency in dairy cows fed diets lower in roughage NDF from rice straw would be of an advantage in productive systems under tropical conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.365-372
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine effects of salinomycin (SL) on feeding-induced changes in glucose kinetics and blood VFA concentrations in sheep fed a high-roughage diet. Four sheep were fed the diet with or without 20 mg/kg diet of SL once daily for 21 d. Glucose entry and utilization rates were determined during the prefeeding and 3 h postfeeding periods, using a [$^{13}C_6$]glucose dilution method and non-steady state equations. Ruminal characteristics and concentrations of blood VFA, plasma glucose and insulin were also measured during the same periods. A feeding-induced increase in ruminal total VFA concentration tended to be inhibited (p<0.10) with SL, although ruminal pH was unaffected (p>0.10) with SL or by feeding. Salinomycin decreased (p<0.05) acetate proportion and increased (p<0.05) propionate proportion in the rumen, but did not modify these changes in response to feeding (p>0.10). A feeding-induced increase in blood acetate concentration was attenuated (p<0.05) with SL. Salinomycin tended to increase (p<0.10) blood propionate concentration without modifying its response patterns to feeding (p>0.10). Plasma concentrations of glucose or insulin were unaffected (p>0.10) with SL. Salinomycin tended to enhance (p<0.10) glucose entry and utilization rates. Feeding also enhanced (p<0.01) both rates, whereas their interactive effect was not detected (p>0.10). We conclude that SL possibly enhances whole body glucose entry and utilization with an increase in blood propionate concentration in sheep given a high-roughage diet, although SL does not appear to affect their responses to feeding.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.387-396
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• 2012

A study was conducted to determine the dietary effects of Na-bentonite (NaB) and probiotics on meat characteristics and health of Hanwoo steers fed rice straw as a sole roughage source. A total of 24 growing Hanwoo steers (avg BW 232 kg) were assigned to two treatments which included a control diet (concentrate mix and rice straw) and a treatment diet (control diet + 0.5-1.0% NaB + 0.5-1.0% probiotics. The diets were fed for 22 months up to the time the animals were slaughtered. Dietary treatment increased (p<0.05) concentrations of trace minerals such as Zn, Cu, and Fe in the longissimus muscle compared to the control. The treatment diet did not affect cold carcass weight, yield traits such as backfat thickness, longissimus muscle area, yield index, yield grade and quality traits such as marbling score, meat color, fat color, texture, maturity and quality grade. Blood profiles of growing steers were within the normal ranges for healthy cattle. In conclusion, feeding a combination of clay mineral and probiotics to Hanwoo steers fed rice straw as a sole roughage source could have a desirable effect on improving trace mineral retention in longissimus muscle without any deleterious effects on carcass traits of steers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2017

A total of nine Korean indigenous goats were used in a cross-over arrangement to give nine replicates per treatment, and they were housed individually assigned to 1 of 9 dietary treatments. Nine treatments were 0, 500, and 1000 ppm of quercetin supplementation in diets by mixing roughage and concentrate with different ratios (RC ratio) of 3:7 (RC 30), 5:5 (RC 50) and 7:3 (RC 70). Nutrient utilizations of dry matter, crude fat and NDF were not affected by neither RC ratio nor dietary quercetin (p>0.05), but the rate of crude protein and ADF increased in animals in RC 70 group regardless of quercetin supplementation (p<0.05). In addition, higher RC ratio increased (p<0.05) N retention and N retention rate. Total VFA, acetic acid, propionic acid, iso-butyric acid, butyric acid, iso-valeric acid and valeric acid contents were not affected (p>0.05) by dietary quercetin. Meanwhile, lower total cholesterol level exhibited in animals in RC 70 group compared to RC 30 or 50 groups, unrelated to dietary quercetin (p<0.05), however other plasma parameters were not influenced (p>0.05) by RC ratio and dietary quercetin. Our results indicated that both RC ratio and dietary quercetin may not directly affect the production indices and immune responses in Korean indigenous goat.