• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 1995

Data on available feed resources, feeding practices and nutrient adequacy of rations under small farm conditions in Sri Lanka were obtained in a baseline survey involving 104 pig farms. The results showed that a wide range of non-conventional feedstuffs are used for pig feeding under typical small farm conditions and that dietary protein quality is a major factor limiting productivity. Following the survey, two on-farm trials were conducted to evaluate cheaper, alternative feeding strategies. In trial 1, a test diet was formulated using several non-conventional feedstuffs and compared with a commercial feed that is normally fed in the farms. In trial 2, the possibility of improving growth rates by amino acid supplementation was evaluated. The results demonstrated that feed costs can be considerably lowered through these packages. Some problems inherent to on-farm livestock trials are highlighted.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1445-1454
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• 2010

Two separate animal trials were conducted to evaluate the coincidence of dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) predicted by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) and observed actually in crossbred growing bulls kept in a traditionally confined feeding system in China. In Trial 1, 45 growing Simmental${\times}$Mongolia crossbred F1 bulls were assigned to three treatments (T1-3) with 15 animals in each treatment. Trial 2 was conducted with 60 Limousin${\times}$Fuzhou crossbred F2 bulls allocated to 4 treatments (t1-4). All of the animals were confined in individual stalls. DMI and ADG for each bull were measured as a mean of each treatment. All of the data about animals, environment, management and feeds required by the CNCPS model were collected, and model predictions were generated for animals on each treatment. Subsequently, model-predicted DMI and ADG were compared with the actually recorded results. In the three treatments in Trial 1, 93.3, 80.0 and 73.3% of points fell within the range from -0.4 to 0.4 kg/d for DMI mean bias; similarly, in the four treatments in Trial 2, about 86.7, 73.3, 73.3 and 80.0% of points fell within the same range. These results indicate that the CNCPS model can accurately predict DMI of crossbred bulls in the traditionally confined feeding system in China. There were no significant differences between predicted and observed ADG for T1 (p = 0.06) and T2 (p = 0.09) in Trial 1, and for t1 (p = 0.07), t2 (p = 0.14) and t4 (p = 0.83) in Trial 2. However, significant differences between predicted and observed ADG values were observed for T3 in Trial 1 (p<0.01) and for t3 in Trial 2 (p = 0.04). By regression analysis, a statistically different value of intercept from zero for the regression equation of DMI (p<0.01) or an identical value of ADG (p = 0.06) were obtained, whereas the slopes were significantly different (p<0.01) from unity for both DMI and ADG. Additionally, small root mean square error (RMSE) values were obtained for the unbiased estimator of the two variances (DMI and ADG). Thus, the present results indicated that the CNCPS model can give acceptable estimates of DMI and ADG of crossbred growing bulls kept in a traditionally confined feeding system in China.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.838-843
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• 2002

The objectives of this study were to examine growth performance and meat quality by three different feeding patterns in Korean native cattle (KNC). In each of 3 years, fifteen KNC were randomly assigned in a (3 feeding management)${\times}$(3 sex) factorial design experiment; thus, in total, there were 5 animals in each of the 9 treatments. The three feeding management treatments were longterm (24 month) restriction feeding (LTFR), long-term restriction feeding-hormone implant (LTFR-tH), and short-term (18 month) nonrestriction feeding (STFNR). Three sexes were bull, steer, and heifer. Concentrate diet was fed restriction-feeding method based on body weight in LTFR and LTFR-tH. However, the diet was fed ad libitum in STFNR. Hormonal implantation was made three times with M-$PO^{TM}$ for bulls and with F-$TO^{TM}$ for heifers at 18, 20, 22 month of age in LTFR-tH. Animal were purchased from the local cattle market and managed in two local farms and at the university research unit. Animals were slaughtered at 24 months for long-term trial and at 18 month for short-term trial. The growth rate was the highest in bulls and the lowest in heifers. However, the differences were diminished in F-$TO^{TM}$ implanted heifers. The average daily gain was high in STFNR due to ad libitum feeding. The carcass grade was similar among the treatments on percentage bases. Hormonal implants improved significantly the meat quality grade in all sexes. Castration increased body fat content and improved meat quality grade by intramuscular fat deposition. In conclusion, long-term feeding and hormone treatment increased meat quality grade more than short-term feeding. However, ADG was higher in the short-term trial although feedefficiency was lower.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.185-191
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• 1996

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of skip-a-day feeding program in early growing stage of male broiler chicks on the compensatory growth, and development of visceral organs during the later realimentation period. Day-old 328 male broiler chickens( Avian x Avian) were divided into control(ad libitum feeding) and skip-a-day feeding(limited feeding) treatments. Each treatment was consisted of 4 pens( replicates) of 41 birds each. Chickens on the skip-a-day program were fasted every other day during the second wk of age(8~15 d of age). During the starter period(0~4 wk), chickens were fed a commercial crumble diet. A commercial pellet diet was fed to chickens during the finishing period( 5~8 wk). Chickens were group-weighed every week, and one bird was selected from each pen to measure carcass characteristics. The skip-a-day program delayed the growth rate of male broilers up to 4 wk of age(P

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 1995

In order to investigate the effect of feeding live yeast culture on the performance of laying hens, a feeding trial was conducted with 96 20-wk-old Hy4ine brown layers during their laying period of 60 wk. The live yeast culture used was a product from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that was cultured on the corn-based substrate followed by careful drying of whole material not to lose the viability of yeast. Three levels of yeast culture as 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% for three treatments and 0% for the control were included in the experimental diets. The feeding trial was carried out for 60 wk from August 26, 1992 to October 26, 1993. To evaluate the performance of layers during cold or hot periods as affected by the yeast culture feeding, data from the 12-wk winter period and 12-wk summer period were separated and analyzed accordingly. During 60 wk of laying period hen-day egg production was slightly but significantly(P<.05) improved by feeding the yeast culture. The average egg weight and daily egg weight(g /day) were also increased by the yeast culture. Feeding the yeast culture did not increase feed intake but feed efficiency was improved significantly (P<.05). No significant difference was detected in egg or eggshell qualities between control and yeast culture-treated groups. Feed intake and egg weight were not affected by the yeast culture feeding under both cold and hot period, but egg production and feed efficiency during hot summer improved significantly by its feeding. This result indicates that the effectiveness of the yeast culture feeding is greater during summer than winter for laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 1991

Sixteen Holstein heifer calves were used in an 112-day trial to study the effects of probiotic supplementation on growth performance and rumen metabolism. Calves were divided into four groups of four calves each, with two groups receiving the probiotic supplement and two groups serving as controls. Calves were limited to 1.6 kg dry matter of a corn-barley based grain mix per day. Long-stem bromegrass hay was fed as forage the first 56 days and bromegrass silage the last 56 days of the trial. Probiotic (28 g/d/calf) was fed along with the grain mix twice daily. Data were analyzed for the entire trial and also for the separate hay and silage feeding periods. Total weight gain and average daily gain were not affected (p>.05) by probiotic supplementation. Dry matter intake was lower (p<.05) and feed efficiency (kg feed/kg weight gain) was improved slightly during the hay feeding period for the probiotic-supplemented calves. Wither height gain was greater (p<.05) during the hay period and lower (p<.05) during the silage period for probiotic-supplemented calves. Heart girth gain was improved (p<.07) by probiotic supplementation, particularly during the hay feeding period (p<.05). Total rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was higher (p<.05) with the probiotic-supplemented calves. Molar proportions of individual VFA were not affected (p>.05). Rumen ammonia-N and plasma urea-N concentration were lower (p<.05) for probiotic-supplemented calves during the hay feeding period. Total tract nutrient digestibility was not affected (p>.05). Some improvements in animal performance and changes in rumen and blood metabolites were observed when calves were supplemented with probiotic. Effects due to probiotic supplementation were most pronounced during the hay feeding period.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2009

This study was performed to determine the effect of temperature condition on growth of juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai with the different feeds. Two types of feed (dry sea tangle and experimental diet) at water temperatures of 20 and $23^{\circ}C$, and 23 and $26^{\circ}C$ were applied to experimental abalone twice. Forty-five juvenile abalone averaging 10.1 g in the first feeding trial and 11.5 g in the second feeding trial were randomly stocked into 6 of 50 L plastic rectangular containers each. Fishmeal, soybean meal and shrimp head meal was used as the primary protein source in the experimental diet. And dextrin and wheat flour, and soybean oil were used as the primary carbohydrate and lipid sources in the experimental diet, respectively. The dry sea tangle and experimental diet were fed to abalone once a day at the ratio of 1.5-2.0% total biomass of abalone with a little leftover in each experimental condition. Weight gain of abalone was significantly affected by feed type, but not by water temperature in the first feeding trial. Regardless of water temperature, weight gain of abalone fed the experimental diet was significantly higher than that of abalone fed the dry sea tangle. However, weight gain of abalone was significantly affected by water temperature, but not by feed type in the second feeding trial. Weight gain was highest in abalone fed the experimental diet at $23^{\circ}C$, followed by abalone fed the dry sea tangle at $23^{\circ}C$, abalone fed the experimental diet and dry sea tangle at $26^{\circ}C$, which was lowest. Moisture and crude protein content of the edible portion of abalone was significantly affected by feed type, but not by water temperature in the second feeding trial. However, ash content of the edible portion of abalone was significantly affected by water temperature, but not by feed type. In considering these results, it can be concluded that the well formulated feed was superior to the dry sea tangle for growth of juvenile abalone, and water temperature conditions of 20 and $23^{\circ}C$ seemed to be better than $26^{\circ}C$ to improve weight gain of abalone.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.271-277
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• 2004

The purpose of this experiment was to study the feeding behavior and running speed under various feed deprivation lengths and social environments. Three trials were conducted. Trial 1: ten pigs were trained individually to run a course and eat their feed at the end of the course. The pigs were deprived feed for 1, 5, 10 or 20 h. Trial 2: 1. Two pigs ran and ate together. Both pigs had 5 h of feed deprivation before the run (D5). 2. Two pigs ran and ate alone, but both pigs had 5 h of feed deprivation before the run (S5). 3. Two pigs ran and ate together. Both had 1 h of feed deprivation before the run (D1). 4. Two pigs ran and ate alone and both pigs had 1 h of feed deprivation before the run (S1). 5. Two pigs ran together, one had 5 h of feed deprivation, and the other had 1 h of feed deprivation before the run (51). Trial 3: 1. On the 1st day 5 pairs of pigs had 5 h feed deprivation and could eat feed together at (B) point (D1). 2. On the 2nd day the pigs ran and ate alone at (B) point after 5 h of feed deprivation. Feed was obtainable (D2). On the 3rd to 6th days, the pigs ran in pairs after 5 h of feed deprivation and only the dominant pig ate feed at point (B). The inferior pig was chased back to room and fed there. This stage was continued for four consecutive days, d 3 to 6. In trial 1, the running speed of pigs increased with the length of feed deprivation until 10 h, then being stable afterwards. Total feeding time increased with the length of feed deprivation (p<0.001). Eating speed did not increase with the length of feed deprivation (p>0.05). In trial 2, nine of ten pigs in treatment D5 ran faster than those in S5. Seven of the ten pigs in treatment S1 ran faster than those in treatment D1. The pigs in treatment D5 had significantly higher feed intake (p<0.001) and eating speed (p<0.05) than the pigs in other treatments. In trial 3, there were significant differences on running speed between D1 and D6 (p<0.01) and between D2 and D1, D3, D4 and D5. The inferior pig ran faster in D2 but from 3 to 6 it was the dominant pig that showed the greatest speed in completing the whole course. The results demonstrated that the pigs with low feeding motivation may cause low running speed to feed and low feed intake of the neighbor when compared with pigs kept individually.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1881-1889
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• 2018

Objective: In dryland areas of China, alfalfa hay (AH) is a possible substitute for concentrate feed for beef cattle. To evaluate the potential benefits of this substitution, we studied the effect of the ratio of AH intake to total dry matter (DM) intake on average daily body-weight gain (ADG), dietary energy utilization status, and economic benefit in Gansu province. Methods: In each of two feeding trials in 2016 (trial 1 [T1], July 3 to 17; trial 2 [T2], August 15 to September 23), crossbred male Simmental calves were allocated to low AH (LA), medium AH (MA), and high AH (HA) feeding groups (n = 4 per group). The target ADG was set as 1 kg for both trials. In a one-way-layout design based on conventional feeding practices in the province, calves received diets containing the different AH amounts, with a constant ratio of corn stover:total DM and decreasing rations of concentrate feed proportional to the increase in AH. Calves in T1 received AH at 15% (T1-LA), 23% (T1-MA), or 31% (T1-HA) of their dietary DM allowances; those in T2 received 9% (T2-LA), 24% (T2-MA), or 34% (T2-HA) AH. Results: Among the T1 groups, both ADG and economic benefit were highest in T1-LA; whereas in T2, they were higher in the T2-LA and T2-MA groups than in T2-HA. Energy digestibility did not significantly differ among the groups in either trial. The dietary AH inclusion ratios of 14% in the warm season and 8% to 21% in the cool season appeared to yield optimal ADG, metabolizable energy intake, and economic benefit. Conclusion: Low-level inclusion of AH, ranging from 8% to 21%, is a practical approach for beef cattle feeding. This modified feeding regimen likely will promote increased growth performance during the fattening stage of beef steers in dryland areas of Gansu province, China.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2007

For establishing a basal diet for the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (PBT), feeding stimulants were initially identified by omission test using the synthetic extract of horse mackerel, Trachurus japonicus. Four feeding trials were conducted using juvenile PBT weighing $9.0{\pm}0.91\;g$ (trial 1, 2 and 3) and $1.6{\pm}0.23\;g$ (trial 4), which were originated from an artificial seedling production. The fish fed the casein diet with each test solution were added at the ratio of 100 g casein diet to 100 g jack mackerel muscle. A complete synthetic extract of jack mackerel containing all 3 fractions, amino acid, nucleotide and organic nitrogenous base, exhibited a comparable feeding stimulant activity compared to that of natural extract. The omission of nucleotide or amino acid fraction showed lower feeding activity, but the omission of other nitrogenous fraction maintained a similar feeding stimulant activity compared to that of the synthetic extract (trial 1). Inosine-5' monophosphate $Na_2$ (IMP) was identified as a major constituent for maintaining feeding activity. The mixture of L-alanine, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, L-lysine, taurine and IMP induced a similar feeding activity compared to that of the synthetic extract (trial 2 and 3). In trial 4, the highest feeding activity was finally obtained in the mixture of L-histidine, L-glutamine and IMP, followed by the synthetic extract, the mixture of L-lysine, L-alanine and IMP, IMP and the mixture of L-histidine, L-glutamic acid, L-lysine and L-alanine. These results revealed that the mixture of L-histidine, L-glutamic acid and IMP for the proper feeding stimulant of PBT in this study.