• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.218-228
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the effects of feeding anthocyanin-rich black cane treated with ferrous sulfate and molasses on animal performance, rumen fermentation, microbial composition, blood biochemical indices, and carcass characteristics in meat goats. Methods: Thirty-two Thai-native×Anglo-Nubian crossbred male goats (14.47±2.3 kg) were divided equally into two groups (n = 16) to investigate the effect of feeding diet containing 50% untreated anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (BS) vs diet containing anthocyaninrich black cane silage treated with 0.03% ferrous sulfate and 4% molasses (TBS) on average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI). At the end of 90 d feeding trial, the goats were slaughtered to determine blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation, microbial composition, and carcass characteristics differences between the two dietary groups. Results: Goats fed the TBS diet had greater ADG and ADG to DMI ratio (p<0.05). TBS diet did not affect rumen fluid pH; however, goats in the TBS group had lower rumen ammonia N levels (p<0.05) and higher total volatile fatty acid concentrations (p<0.05). Goats in the TBS group had a higher (p<0.05) concentration of Ruminococcus albus but a lower (p<0.05) concentration of methanogenic bacteria. The TBS diet also resulted in lower (p<0.05) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentration but higher (p<0.05) total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase concentrations in blood plasma, while having no effect on plasma protein, glucose, lipid, immunoglobin G, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Meat from goats fed the TBS diet contained more intramuscular fat (p<0.05) and was more tender (p<0.05). Conclusion: In comparison to goats fed a diet containing 50% untreated anthocyanin-rich black cane silage, feeding a diet containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane silage treated with 0.03% ferrous sulfate and 4% molasses improved rumen fermentation and reduced oxidative stress, resulting in higher growth and more tender meat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1255-1259
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of halogenated compounds, organic acids, unsaturated fatty acids and their mixtures on in vitro methane production and fermentative characteristics of mixed rumen microorganisms. Agents used in two in vitro experiments were bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES) and pyromellitic diimide (PMDI) as halogenated compound, fumarate and malate as organic acid, and linoleic acid and linolenic acid as unsaturated fatty acid sources. Ruminal fluid collected from a Holstein steer fed tall fescue and concentrate mixtures was incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ for 48 h with addition of those materials. Single supplementation of halogenated compounds, organic acids or unsaturated fatty acids decreased in vitro methane production (p<0.05). The second experiment was designed to investigate effects of combination of one of halogenated compounds and either organic acids or fatty acids on methane production. Lower concentration of methane and lower A:P ratio were observed with PMDI compared with BES (p<0.01). In general medium pH, VFA, total gas and hydrogen production, and dry matter degradability were affected by addition of the same compounds. In addition, PMDI+malate treatment resulted in the highest molar proportion of propionate, and lowest A:P ratio and methane production (p<0.01). Hydrogen production was highest in PMDI+linolenic acid and lowest in BES+malate treatment (p<0.01). PMDI+malate combination was the most recommendable in reducing methane production without too much influence on digestibility under conditions of present studies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2005

Four male crossbred beef steers about 2 years old were used in a 4$\{times}$4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of pelleted sugarcane tops on voluntary feed intake, rumen fermentation and digestibility of nutrients. Experimental treatments were; Control (dried-chopped sugarcane tops (DCST)); PS1 (Pelleted sugarcane tops at 1 cm of diameter); PS2 (Pelleted sugarcane tops at 2 cm of diameter) and PS3 (Pelleted sugarcane tops at 3 cm of diameter). Roughage intake and total dry matter intake were 1.59, 1.62, 1.61, 1.63% BW and 2.09, 2.12, 2.11 and 2.13% BW in control, PS1, PS2 and PS3 treatments, respectively (p<0.05). Digestibility of DM, OM and CP were similar in control and PS3 treatment but there was significant difference (p<0.05) between control and PS1, PS2 treatments. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were 52.89, 50.01, 50.05 and 50.56% and 41.91, 39.96, 39.91 and 39.69% in control, PS1, PS2 and PS3, respectively (p<0.05). Total volatile fatty acids concentrations in rumen contents was 67.68, 65.93, 66.15 and 66.67 mM in control, PS1, PS2 and PS3, respectively (p<0.05). Even though, concentrations of acetate and butyrate (%) were significant different (p<0.05) but concentration of propionate (%) was not affected by treatments (p>0.05). Rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen and plasma urea nitrogen were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. From this experiment, it was found that dried-chopped sugarcane tops increased digestibility of nutrients whereas pelleted sugarcane tops increased feed intake in beef cattle. However, pelleted sugarcane tops at 3 cm of diameter did similar result in digestibility and rumen parameters with DCST. Therefore, it could be concluded that pelleting sugarcane top is an alternative way to improve the quality of sugarcane tops for use as ruminant roughage source.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2013

A lab-scale ensiling study was carried out to investigate the fermentation quality of water hyacinth (WH) supplemented with molasses, rice bran, as an absorbent, and an inoculant in the form of fermented vegetable juice and their combinations. After wilting the water hyacinths for 7 h to a dry matter (DM) content of 240 to 250 g/kg, the following treatments were applied: i) Control (C), WH only; ii) WH with sugarcane molasses at 40 g/kg WH (CM); iii) WH inoculated with fermented vegetable juice at 10 ml/kg WH (CI); iv) CM and CI (CMI) combined; v) WH with 150 g rice bran/kg WH (CA); vi) CA and CI combined (CAI); vii) CA and CM combined (CAM); and viii) CA, CM and CI combined (CAMI). After application of additives, the differently treated forages were mixed and ensiled in triplicates in 1,500-ml polyethylene jars. After ensiling for 3 d, pH values in all treatments, except C and CI, had decreased to approximately 4.0 and remained low till 14 d. After 56 d, pH had increased between 0.4 to 0.9 pH-units compared to those at 14 d. The ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) concentration ranged from an acceptable level in treatment CM (8 g/kg N) to a high $NH_3$-N value in treatment CMI (16 g/kg N). Lactic acid formation was higher in CI than in all other treatments. Butyric acid contents, which indicate badly fermented silages, were low in all silages (<2 g/kg DM). There were two-way interactions (p-values from <0.001 to 0.045) for almost all fermentation end-products and pH, except for the molasses${\times}$inoculant interaction on $NH_3$-N (p = 0.26). Significant 3-way interactions were found on all observed variables except for weight losses of silages. It is concluded that conserving wilted WH as silage for ruminants may be improved by the addition of molasses or rice bran.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1104-1113
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• 2014

The effects of feeding pelleted citrus pulp (PCP) as a natural antioxidant source on the performance and milk quality of dairy cows fed highly polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) diets were evaluated. Four lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a $4{\times}4$ Latinsquare. Treatments, on a dry matter (DM) basis, were i) control diet; ii) 3% soybean oil; iii) 3% soybean oil and 9% PCP and; iv) 3% soybean oil and 18% PCP. When cows fed on citrus pulp, the DM intake tended to decrease. The total tract apparent digestibility of DM and ether extract decreased when cows fed on the control diet compared to other diets. Cows fed PCP had higher polyphenols and flavonoids content and higher total ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in milk compared to those fed no pelleted citrus pulp. Cows fed 18% PCP showed higher monounsaturated FA and lower saturated FA in milk fat compared with cows fed the other diets. The lowest n-6 FA proportion was in milk fat from cows fed control. The present study suggests that pelleted citrus pulp added to 9% to 18% DM increases total polyphenols and flavonoids concentration, and the FRAP in milk.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.525-530
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• 1999

Prior to ensiling Rhodesgrass (RG) and Italian ryegrass (lRG) were treated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or with LAB+cellulases to compare their fermentation characteristics and chemical compositions. LAB (Lactobacillus casei) was added to all ensiling materials (except the untreated control) of RG and IRG at a concentration of $1.0{\times}10^5\;cfu.g^{-1}$ fresh forage. The enzymes used were Acremoniumcellulase (A), Meicelase (M) or a mixture of both (AM). Each enzyme was applied at levels of 0.005, 0.01 and 0.02 % of fresh forage. The silages with each treatment were incubated at 20, 30 and $40^{\circ}C$ and stored for about 2 months. While no marked differences were found between the RG and IRG silages with various treatments on dry matter (DM), volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents, there were significant differences in pH value, and lactic acid and butyric acid contents. LAB inoculation did not affect the fermentation characteristics of either the RG or IRG silages. The combined treatments of LAB+cellulases improved the fermentation quality of both the RG and IRG silages as evidenced by the decrease in pH value and increase in lactic acid content. Increasing the amount of added cellulase resulted in a decrease in pH value and an increase in lactic acid content in both the RG and IRG silages. Cellulases A and AM had a greater effect than cellulase M on the fermentation quality of the RG and IRG silages. Incubation temperatures of 30 and $40^{\circ}C$ appeared to be more appropriate environments for stimulating good fermentation than $20^{\circ}C$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.530-537
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• 1998

The proportion of dry matter (DM) and mineral elements (Ca, Mg, P, Na, K, Zn) released from eight feeds (2 rice straws, RSI and RS2; 2 grasses, NB21 and guinea; 2 leguminous fodders, glyricidia and erythrina; jak leaves and rice bran) were studied using the nylon bag procedure. Bag incubations up to 10 days were performed in the rumen of cows fed on a ration consisting of 50% wheat straw and 50% hay. Both the type of feed and the incubation time in the rumen significantly influenced (p < 0.01) the proportion of minerals released. In legumes, jak leaves and rice bran about 80% of the potentially degradable DM fraction was solubilized within 24 h in the rumen, and with the grasses, rice straws and jak leaves a considerable proportion of DM was released between 48 and 240 h in the rumen. During the early hours of incubation (up to 24 h) there were distinct differences between and within the feed classes in their ability to release all mineral elements studied. In all test feeds, high proportions of Mg and K were released within 24 h. Some feeds showed a tendency to ad/absorb Ca (grasses, rice straws and rice bran), P (jak leaves, rice straws), Na (glyricidia and rice bran) and Zn (jak leaves) from water and rumen fluid, and this was partly related to the low initial concentration. In terms of absolute quantity of mineral released, legumes (erythrina is superior to glyricidia) are a good source of Ca, Mg, P and Zn, and jak leaves a good source of Ca and Na. Within grasses, guinea contains appreciable quantity of available Mg and P. Rice bran is rich in available Mg, P and Zn.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.522-529
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• 1998

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculation either alone or in combination with cell wall degrading enzymes on the fermentation characteristics and chemical compositions of Rhodesgrass silage. Over to 1 kg of fresh Rhodesgrass sample a treatment of inoculant LAB with or without addition of an enzyme of Acremoniumcellulase (A) or Meicelase (M) or a mixture of both enzymes (AM) was applied. The treatments were control untreated, LAB-treated (application rate $1.0{\times}10^5cfu/g$ fresh sample), LAB+A 0.005%, LAB+A 0.01%, LAB+A 0.02%, LAB+M 0.005%, LAB+M 0.01%, LAB+M 0.02 %, LAB+AM 0.005%, LAB+AM 0.01%, and LAB+AM 0.02%. The sample was ensiled into 2-L vinyl bottle silo, with 9 silages of each treatment were made. Three silages of each treatment were incubated at 20, 30 and $40^{\circ}C$ for 2-months of storage period. All silages were well preserved with their fermentation quality has low pH values (3.91-4.26) and high lactic acid concentrations (4.11-9.89 %DM). No differences were found in fermentation quality and chemical composition of the control untreated silage as compared to the LAB-treated silage. Combined treatment of LAB+cellulases improved the fermentation quality of silages measured in terms of lower (p < 0.01) pH values and higher (p < 0.05) lactic concentrations than those of LAB-treated silages. Increasing amount of cellulase addition resulted in decrease (p < 0.05) of pH value and increase (p < 0.05) of lactic acid concentration. LAB + cellulase treatments (all cellulase types) reduced (p < 0.01) NDF, ADF and in vitro dry matter digestibility of silages compared with the control untreated silages. The fermentation quality and the rate of cell wall reduction were higher (p < 0.01) in the silages treated with LAB + cellulase A than in the silages treated with either LAB+cellulase M or LAB + cellulase AM. Incubation temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ was likely to be more appropriate environment for stimulating the fermentation of Rhodesgrass silages than those of 20 and $30^{\circ}C$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.534-540
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementation of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on methane emission, nutrient digestibility, energy utilization and blood metabolites by Holstein cows fed silages. In two sequential digestion and respiratory trials, two non-lactating Holstein cows were arranged to a balanced incomplete block design. Experimental diets consisted of two silage types; orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) based silage (OS), mixed silage (orchardgrass based silage and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage) (MS), while two GOS levels were without supplementation (0) and 2% of dry matter intake supplementation (2). Four combination diets were OS-0, OS-2, MS-0 and MS-2. Significant effects of silage types and GOS supplementation levels were not observed for DM and OM intake. Whereas the digestibility of OM, NDF and ADF was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cows fed OS with and without GOS compared cows fed MS diets. As percentage of GE intake, fecal energy loss for OS diets was significantly (p<0.05) declined than for MS diets. In contrast, cows fed MS diets had lower (p<0.05) urine energy loss as a proportion of GE intake compared to OS diets. Energy loss as CH4 and heat production was numerically increased when cows fed both OS and MS with GOS supplementation. Compared to OS, CH4 emission in cows fed MS was numerically decreased by 10.8 %. Methane conversion ratio (energy loss as CH4 per unit of GE intake) for OS-0, OS-2, MS-0 and MS-2 were 7.1, 7.2, 6.8 and 7.0, respectively. Plasma of glucose and urea-N concentration were significantly (p<0.05) elevated from 1 h to 6 h after feeding, otherwise total protein in plasma was declined (p<0.01) at 6 after feeding.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.609-624
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• 2003

The genesis of methods for defining the nutritional value of feeds and the nutrient requirements of animals, and their development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and the USA are outlined. Current energy and protein feeding systems for ruminants are described. Particular reference is made to the Australian systems which are applicable to grazing animals as well as to those given prepared feeds, and enable the effective nutritional management of a imals at pasture by means of the decision support tool GrazFeed. The scheme for predicting intakes by cattle and sheep from pastures allows for the effects of selective grazing on the composition of the feed eaten, and for reduction in herbage intake when a supplementary feed is consumed. For herbage of any given concentration of metabolizable energy (ME) in the feed dry matter the changes with season of year in the net efficiency of use of the ME for growth and fattening and in the yield of microbial crude protein, g/MJ ME, which both vary with latitude, are defined. An equation to predict the energy requirements for maintenance (MEm) of both cattle and sheep includes predictions of the additional energy costs incurred by grazing compared with housed animals and the cost, if any, of cold stress. The equation allows for the change in MEm with feed intake. A flexible procedure predicts the composition of liveweight gain made by any given breed or sex of cattle and sheep at any stage of growth, and the variation with rate of gain. Protein requirements for maintenance, production including wool growth, and reproduction, are related to the quantities of microbial true protein and undegraded dietary protein truly digested in the small intestine.