• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the milk productivity and nutrient balance in organic dairy farms located at Gochang-gun of Korea with different feed sources. The total number of organic dairy farms was 12 in 2012, 13 in 2013, and 14 in 2014. The numbers of farms and dairy herds were increased each year. The average milk yields in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were 25.5, 24.6, and 24.4 kg/d, respectively. The average milk fat contents in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were 3.5%, 3.6%, and 3.7%, respectively. The average milk protein contents in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were 3.3%, 3.4%, and 3.4% in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. Although the average milk yield of organic dairy farms was 9 kg/cows/d less than the average milk yield of other dairy farms in Korea, milk fat and protein contents of organic dairy farms were higher than those of other dairy farms. Alfalfa hay, oat hay, corn silage, rye grass silage, Sudan grass silage, rice straw, and barley silage were commonly used as forage sources in organic dairy farms. The average silage intake (15.6 kg/cow/d) of organic dairy farms in 2013 was higher (P < 0.05), while the average hay intake (5.1 kg/cow/d) in 2014 was higher (P < 0.05) than that of other feed intake. Net energy for lactation ($NE_L$) and metabolizable protein (MP) were calculated in accordance with NRC (2001). Net energy for lactation intake was higher (P < 0.05) while MP intake was lower (P < 0.05) than NRC recommendation values in 2013 and 2014. These results indicate that domestic organic dairy farms should use feed considering energy and protein balance recommended by NRC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.206-215
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• 2009

This experiment was carried out to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of 40 crossbred young bulls ($Zebu{\times}European$) finished in a feedlot under two roughage sources (Bermuda grass hay or sorghum silage) with or without the addition of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae). The bulls were 20 months old, their initial average weight was 356 kg and they were allocated into four groups of ten animals. The experimental diets were Bermuda grass, Bermuda grass+yeast, sorghum silage and sorghum silage +yeast. Animal performance and carcass characteristics were not influenced by roughage source or yeast addition. The average daily weight gain was 1.50 kg, dry matter intake (DMI) was 11.1 kg/d, DMI as percentage of liveweight was 2.60% and feed dry matter conversion was 7.70. The mean dressing percentage was 52.0% and hot carcass weight was 268 kg. Carcass conformation was classified between good-minus to good. Carcass length (137 cm), leg length (72.9 cm) and cushion thickness (26.6 cm) were not influenced by treatments. The average fat thickness was 3.80 mm and the Longissimus muscle area was 66.9 $cm^{2}$. The classification of color, texture and marbling were slightly dark red to red, fine and slight-minus to light-typical, respectively. The mean percentage of bone, muscle and fat in the carcass was 15.5%, 62.3% and 22.5%, respectively. Yeast addition increased ${\gamma}$-linolenic fatty acid (0.15 vs. 0.11%) deposition. Bermuda grass hay increased deposition of ${\alpha}$-linolenic (0.49 vs. 0.41%), arachidonic (2.30 vs. 1.57%), eicosapentaenoic (0.41 vs. 0.29%), docosapentaenoic (0.80 vs. 0.62%), docosahexaenoic (0.11 vs. 0.06%) and n-3 fatty acids, and reduced n-6: n-3 ratio in meat, when compared to sorghum silage treatments. The treatments had no effect on saturated fatty acids (49.5%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (11.8%), n-6 fatty acids (9.87%), n-3 (1.61%) and PUFA:SFA ratio (0.24). Monounsaturated fatty acid levels were higher on sorghum silage (40.7 vs. 37.7%). The addition of yeast caused higher n-6: n-3 ratio (7.28 vs. 5.70) than treatments without yeast.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.763-769
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• 2020

Objective: The experiment was conducted to study the effect of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit peel powder (RP) on feed consumption, digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation dynamics and microbial population in Thai breed cattle. Methods: Four, 2-year old (250±15 kg) beef bull crossbreds (75% Brahman×25% local breed) were allotted to experimental treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design. Four dietary supplementation treatments were imposed; non-supplementation (control, T1); supplementation of RP fed at 2% of dry matter intake (DMI) (low, T2); supplementation of RP fed at 4% of DMI (medium, T3) and supplementation of RP fed at 6% of DMI (high, T4). All cattle were given a concentrate supplement at 1% of body weight while Napier grass was provided as a free choice. Results: The findings revealed that RP supplementation did not negatively affect (p>0.05) DMI of Napier grass, while RP intake and total DMI were the greatest in the RP supplementation at 4% and 6% DMI. Nevertheless, the nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) digestibilities were not changed in the RP supplementation groups. Rumen fermentation parameters especially those of total volatile fatty acids, acetate and butyrate were not significantly changed. However, the propionate concentration was remarkably increased (p<0.05) in the RP supplementation. Notably, the ratio of acetate to propionate, the number of protozoa, as well as the methane estimation were significantly reduced in the RP supplemented groups (4% and 6% of DMI), while the counts of bacteria was not altered. Conclusion: Supplementation of RP (4% of DMI) improved rumen propionate production, reduced protozoal population and methane estimation (p<0.05) without a negative effect on feed consumption and nutrients total tract digestibilities in beef cattle. Using dietary rambutan fruit peel powder has potential promise as a rumen regulator.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of various roughage sources on nutrient digestibility and enteric methane ($CH_4$), and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) production in goats. Four castrated black goats ($48.5{\pm}0.6kg$) were individually housed in environmentally controlled respiration-metabolism chambers. The experiment design was a $4{\times}4$ balanced Latin square design with 4 roughage types and 4 periods. Alfalfa, tall fescue, rice straw, and corn silage was used as representative of legume, grass, straw, and silage, respectively. Dry matter digestibility was higher (p < 0.001) in corn silage than in alfalfa hay. Dry matter digestibility of alfalfa hay was higher than those of tall fescue or rice straw (p < 0.001). Neutral detergent fiber digestibility of tall fescue was lower (p < 0.001) than those of alfalfa, rice straw, or corn silage. Daily enteric $CH_4$ production and the daily enteric $CH_4$ production per kilogram of $BW^{0.75}$, dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), digested DMI, and digested OMI of rice straw did not differ from those of tall fescue but were higher (p < 0.001) than those of alfalfa or corn silage. Roughage type had no effect on enteric $CO_2$ emission in goats. Straw appeared to generate more enteric $CH_4$ production than legume or silage, but similar to grass.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.901-903
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• 1999

Twenty-four multiparous crossbred Friesian dairy cows (60-90 days in lactation) were randomly assigned into a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Factors were two levels of concentrate supplementation (1:2, high vs 1:1.2, very high; concentrate:milk yield) and two levels of high-quality feed block (HQFB) supplementation (non vs ad libitum block licking). Ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) was fed as a roughage throughout the 70 day feeding trial. High level of concentrate fed group resulted in higher roughage and HQFB intakes, compared with very high concentrate supplemented group. HQFB supplementation tended to increase roughage intake and significantly improved milk yield (2 kg/hd/d in high concentrate supplementation) and quality (% fat) which resulted in higher economical return. HQFB was recommended to be used as a strategic supplement in lactating dairy cows especially when fed on low-quality roughages or crop residues.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 1988

The preference, chemical composition, intake, digestibility and chewing efficiency of collected herbage sample from sheep using esophageal fistula and fecal collection method were compared to those of offered herbage samples on the native and improved pastures at the 3rd flush stage(25 cm grass height). Experimental field was treated by one plot design and the begining of September 1987, at Chungnam National University, Daejon. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Preference indices were not different among herbage species on improved pasture, while those on in native pasture were markedly different and this difference seemed to depend on diet selection. 2. Chemical compositions of collected herbage samples were different from those of offered herbage samples. Crude protein content was significantly high on native pasture, but NDF, cellulose and lignin content were significantly low on improved pasture (p < 0.01). 3. DM intake, digestibility and herbage utilization percent on improved pasture were significantly higher than those on native pasture (P < 0.01). 4. Eating rate, ruminating and chewing efficiency were influenced by the amounts of NDF intake. Therefore, eating rate, ruminating and chewing efficiency on improved pasture tended to be higher than those on native pasture (p <0.01).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2001

To access the feeding value of the herbage produced from the wildflower pasture, DM intake, digestibility and utilization of nitrogen and energy of herbages by Korean native goats were determined. The experimental herbage included two treatments: Conventional pasture(forage 6 species), wildflower pasture(turf grass 6 species + native wildflower 11 species + introduced wildflower 9 species). The voluntary DM intake of Korean native goats fed with herbages harvested from conventional pasture was higher than that from wildflower pasture(p<0.05). The digestibility of DM, NDF and ADF from conventional pasture was slightly higher than that of wildflower pasture, but no significant difference was observed(p>0.05). The utilization of nitrogen and energy by Korean native goats did not show any difference(pz0.05). In conclusion, the utilization of nitrogen and energy by Korean native goats did not show any significant difference. Thus, possibility of utilizing herbages from wildflower pasture for livestock was to be some extent expected. (Key words : Wildflower pasture, Digestibility, Nitrogen utilization, Energy utilization, Korean native goat)

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.326-332
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• 2001

On a urea-molasses-straw (3:15:82; UMS) based diet effect of graded levels of cottonseed cake (CSC) supplementation on the performance of native (Bos indicus) bulls has been studied for 167 days. Eighteen growing bulls of $129{\pm}13.4kg$ weight and about 14 months old were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments designed in a completely randomized design, having six animals in each treatment. Three dietary treatments were 0, 0.5 and 1.0 kg CSC per head/d. In addition, each animal also received ad lib. UMS, 4 kg Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) grass, 500 g of each of rice and wheat bran and 60 g mineral mix daily. For unit increase in CSC, total DM intake was increased by $1g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$ but the straw DM intake decreased by $0.54g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$. Whole gut digestibility of DM and OM was not effected but N and ADF digestibility increased with incremental increase in dietary CSC. For unit (1kg) increase in dietary CSC intake N and ADF digestibility increased by 10 (${\pm}1.155$) and 3 (${\pm}1.732$) unit respectively. Microbial N yield for the 0, 0.5 and 1.0 kg CSC were 5.63, 5.28 and 5.16 g/kg OM apparently fermented in the rumen respectively. For each gram increase in CSC, N intake and N balance increased by 0.626 (${\pm}0.015$) and 0.625 (${\pm}0.0814$) mg/kg $W^{0.75}/d$. High apparent N balance was contrasted with low live weight gain, e.g., for 1 kg increase in CSC supplementation, live weight gain increased by only 0.077 (${\pm}0.00288$) kg/d ($r^{2}=0.99$; p<0.01). The conversion efficiency was 12.98 kg CSC per kg of live weight gain. It was concluded that unless the protein is being protected from the rumen degradation, addition of CSC to UMS diet would have little nutritional or economic advantages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.510-521
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• 1998

The effects of two types of protein, soybean meal (SBM) and fish meal (FM); and two types of energy supplements, corn flour (CF) and paper pulp (PP), on intake of guinea grass (Panicum maximum), fibre digestion and microbial activities in four Merino rams with an average weight of $54.4{\pm}4.5kg$ were studied. Each animal was fitted with a ruminal cannula and a duodenal cannula at the proximal position. The animals were fed twice daily with chopped guinea grass (5 cm) ad libitum and one of the four dietary supplements: 170 g FM+268 g PP; 170 g FM+268 g CF; 200 g SBM+200 g PP or 200 g SBM+200 g CF. All the supplements were mixed with 100 g molasses. In sacco and in vivo digestibilities, digesta flow rates, fermentation and microbial population were studied in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design with a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. The effects of energy or protein sources were not significant on grass intake of sheep. The potential degradabilities of NDF and ADF were not significantly affected by any of the supplements. However, the energy and protein sources had significant efects on disappearance rate of NDF and ADF. The disappearance rate of both NDF and ADF were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in animals fed PP when compared to animals fed CF. Animals fed FM also showed significantly (p < 0.03) higher disappearance rate of ADF than those fed SBM. Animals fed PP showed better digestion in the rumen and total tract. Total flow of NDF and ADF through the duodenum was not significantly affected by the various supplements. The mean rumen pH values (5.8-6.1) were not significantly different among the four different diets. The concentration of rumen ammonia was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in animals fed SBM (235-266.4 mg N/L) supplement than in animals fed FM (174.9-179.7 mg N/L), while total VFA concentration was not significantly affected by both energy and protein supplements. Mean values of total VFA ranged from 72.5-82.3 mM. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate were typical of a roughage type fermentation. Molar proportion of acetate was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in sheep fed PP when compared to sheep fed CF. Animals fed FM had higher total viable bacterial counts, while animals fed CF showed higher protozoal numbers. Proportions of cellulolytic bacteria were only slightly higher in animals fed SBM or PP.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1233-1242
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• 2011

The in vivo digestibility of mulberry leaves (Morus alba) and the effects of the partial replacement of cotton seed with fresh mulberry leaf in rations on the performance of growing Vietnamese cattle was investigated. For the in vivo digestibility trial, twenty castrated rams of Phanrang breed (a local prolific breed) with an initial weight of 23-25 kg, were first assigned to four groups according to weight and then randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments to determine digestibility of nutrients in mulberry leaves (M. alba), natural Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and buffalo grass (Panicum maximum cv. TD 58). All forages were cut and chopped daily before being offered (at 120% maintenance) to the sheep. In the feeding trial, 20 Laisind (Vietnam yellow cows${\times}$Red Sindhy bulls) crossbred bulls averaged 18 month old and 184 kg were used to investigate the effect of partial replacement of cottonseed in the diet by mulberry leaves on live weight gain and feed conversion rate. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four levels of fresh mulberry leaves which varied from 0 to 15% of total dietary dry mater and five animals per treatment over an 84 day period. The in vivo digestion trial showed the superior quality of mulberry leaves compared with the grasses. Chemical analysis indicated that mulberry leaves had the highest CP and the lowest NDF contents (22.3 and 31.1% DM, respectively) among the four forages tested. Digestibility of DM and OM of the mulberry leaf (66.4 and 71.8%, respectively) was also the highest but that of CP (58.2%) and NDF (58.4%) was the lowest of the four forages evaluated (p<0.05). Consequently, the ME value and therefore net energy (NE) and unit feed for lactation (UFL) values of the mulberry leaves, which was estimated from chemical composition and digestibility values, were the highest among the forages investigated in the present study. Results of the feeding trial showed no treatment effect on average daily gain (ADG) of the cattle. The values were 554, 583, 565 and 568 g/d for animals in the diets of 0, 5, 10, and 15% mulberry leaves inclusion, respectively. Total DM intake of the animal was not affected by the treatment when expressed as kg/animal/d. However, when adjusted for metabolic weight of the animal the DM intake was reduced (p<0.05) as whole cottonseed was replaced by mulberry leaves in the ration. When the level of mulberry leaves in the ration increased from 5 to 15% of dietary DM at the expense of whole cottonseed, CP and ME intakes of the cattle were significantly decreased (p<0.05) and the feed to gain ratio reduced by 8 to 14% as compared with the control diet (p<0.05). Mulberry leaf is a good feed ingredient for ruminants because of its high level of crude protein and high digestibility of nutrients and energy. Mulberry leaves can be efficiently used as a source of protein supplement to replace cottonseed, a more expensive animal feeds ingredient, in the diet for Vietnamese cattle.