• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1719-1724
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content in total mixed ration (TMR) on dry matter intake, digestibility, and chewing activity in fattening Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) heifers. The experiment was designed as a replicated $3{\times}3$ Latin square using 12 heifers. Fattening heifers were offered one of three diets [high (T1), medium (T2), and low (T3) peNDF] obtained by different mixing times (3, 10, and 25 min) for the same TMR feed. The peNDF content of TMR was determined by multiplying the proportion of dry matter retained by a 1.18 mm-screen in a Penn State Particle Separator by the dietary NDF content. The $peNDF_{1.18}$ content was 30.36%, 29.20%, and 27.50% for the T1, T2, and T3 diets, respectively (p<0.05). Dry matter intake was not affected by peNDF content in TMR. Total weight gain in T1 group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in T2 and T3 groups. However, weight gain did not differ between T2 and T3 groups. The feed conversion ratio decreased with an increase in the peNDF content (T1: 12.18, T2: 14.17, and T3: 14.01 g/g). An increase in the peNDF content of TMR was associated with a linear increase in the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (p<0.05). Also, an increase in peNDF content of the TMR resulted in a linear increase in the number of chews in eating and ruminating (p<0.05), and consequently in the number of total chews (p<0.05). These results indicate that peNDF content affects digestibility and chewing activity. Consequently, the peNDF content of TMR should be considered for improving feed efficiency, digestibility, body weight gain, and performance in fattening heifers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1710-1718
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplements with different crude protein (CP) contents on grazing cattle intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation pattern, and nitrogen (N) metabolism characteristics during the rainy season. Five ruminal and abomasal cannulated Holstein${\times}$Zebu steers (296 kg body weight, BW) were used in a $5{\times}5$ Latin square design. The animals grazed five signal grass paddocks (0.34 ha). The five treatments evaluated were: Control (no supplement) and 1.0 g of supplement/kg BW with 0, 330, 660, and 1,000 g of CP/kg as-fed. The supplement was composed of starch, soybean meal, urea, and ammonium sulphate. There was a positive linear effect ($p{\leq}0.033$) of the CP content in the supplements on the organic matter (OM), CP, and digested OM intakes. The provision of supplements did not increase ($p{\geq}0.158$), on average, total and ruminal digestibilities of OM and CP. However, the increase in CP content in the supplements caused a positive linear effect ($p{\leq}0.018$) on ruminal digestibilities of OM and CP. Additionally, a quadratic effect of the CP contents of the supplements were observed (p = 0.041) for the ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein, with the highest estimate obtained with the CP content of 670 g/kg. The supply of supplements increased (p<0.001) the ruminal ammonia N concentration, which also changed linearly and positively (p<0.001) according to increase in CP content in the supplements. The apparent N balance and relative N balance (g/g N intake) were not, on average, changed ($p{\geq}0.164$) by the supplements supply. However, both showed a tendency of a linear increase ($p{\leq}0.099$) with increasing supplement CP content. The supplements increased (p = 0.007) microbial N production in the rumen, which also changed linearly and positively (p = 0.016) with increasing supplement CP content. In conclusion, protein supplementation in grazing cattle during the rainy season, while stimulating voluntary forage intake, results in higher efficiency of N utilization when compared to energy supplementation. This is a possible response to increased microbial protein synthesis in the rumen and improved N status in the animal body.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1416-1424
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of alfalfa flavonoids on the production performance, immunity, and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows. Methods: The experiments employed four primiparous Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas, and used a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Cattle were fed total mixed ration supplemented with 0 (control group, Con), 20, 60, or 100 mg of alfalfa flavonoids extract (AFE) per kg of dairy cow body weight (BW). Results: The feed intake of the group receiving 60 mg/kg BW of AFE were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the group receiving 100 mg/kg BW. Milk yields and the fat, protein and lactose of milk were unaffected by AFE, while the total solids content of milk reduced (p = 0.05) linearly as AFE supplementation was increased. The somatic cell count of milk in group receiving 60 mg/kg BW of AFE was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control group. Apparent total-tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein showed a tendency to increase (0.05<$p{\leq}0.10$) with ingestion of AFE. Methane dicarboxylic aldehyde concentration decreased (p = 0.03) linearly, whereas superoxide dismutase activity showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.10) quadratically, with increasing levels of AFE supplementation. The lymphocyte count and the proportion of lymphocytes decreased (p = 0.03) linearly, whereas the proportion of neutrophil granulocytes increased (p = 0.01) linearly with increasing levels of dietary AFE supplementation. The valeric acid/total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) ratio was increased (p = 0.01) linearly with increasing of the level of AFE supplementation, the other ruminal fermentation parameters were not affected by AFE supplementation. Relative levels of the rumen microbe Ruminococcus flavefaciens tended to decrease (p = 0.09) quadratically, whereas those of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.07) quadratically in response to AFE supplementation. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that AFE supplementation can alter composition of milk, and may also have an increase tendency of nutrient digestion by regulating populations of microbes in the rumen, improve antioxidant properties by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, and affect immunity by altering the proportions of lymphocyte and neutrophil granulocytes in dairy cows. The addition of 60 mg/kg BW of AFE to the diet of dairy cows was shown to be beneficial in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1435-1441
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding water to total mixed ration (TMR) on fresh water intake, nutrient digestibility, wool cortisol, and blood indices in Corriedale ewes under hot and humid conditions. Methods: Nine non-pregnant Corriedale ewes (ave. body weight = $41{\pm}3.5kg$) were individually fed diets based on maintenance requirements in metabolic crates. Ewes were assigned to three treatment groups according to a triplicate $3{\times}3$ Latin Square design for 3 periods of 21 days duration each (9 ewes per treatment, 27 replications). Treatments were TMR (crude protein [CP] = 16.1, total digestible nutrients = 69.1%) moisture levels for 40%, 50%, and 60%. Results: No differences were found in body weight gain among all treatment groups (p>0.05). Nitrogen balance including digestible N, retained N, and urinary and fecal N showed no change among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Fresh water intake was the lower in 50% TMR moisture group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Other than ether extract which was higher in 60% TMR moisture group (p<0.05) the differences among nutrient digestibilities including CP, organic matter, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and non-fiber carbohydrate were not significant (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed for serum protein, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and triglyceride among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Wool and blood cortisol were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Blood hematology including red blood cell, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, basophils, and eosinophils were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that TMR moisture at 40%, 50%, and 60% had no effects on N balance parameters, and nutrient digestibilities except for the ether extract under hot and humid conditions. Additionally there were no effects on stress conditions include wool cortisol, as well as blood cortisol levels of ewes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1396-1404
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• 2017

Objective: This study was determined the influence of virginiamycin supplementation on growth-performance and characteristics of digestion of cattle with decreasing dietary net energy value of the diet for maintenance ($NE_m$) from 2.22 to 2.10 Mcal/kg. Methods: Eighty crossbred beef steers ($298.2{\pm}6.3kg$) were used in a 152-d performance evaluation consisting of a 28-d adaptation period followed by a 124-d growing-finishing period. During the 124-d period steers were fed either a lesser energy dense (LED, $2.10Mcal/kg\;NE_m$) or higher energy dense (HED, $2.22Mcal/kg\;NE_m$) diet. Diets were fed with or without 28 mg/kg (dry matter [DM] basis) virginiamycin in a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement. Four Holstein steers ($170.4{\pm}5.6kg$) with cannulas in the rumen (3.8 cm internal diameter) and proximal duodenum were used in $4{\times}4$ Latin square experiment to study treatment effects on characteristics of digestion. Results: Neither diet energy density nor virginiamycin affected average daily gain (p>0.10). As expected, dry matter intake and gain efficiency were greater (p<0.01) for LED- than for HED-fed steers. Virginiamycin did not affect estimated net energy value of the LED diet. Virginiamycin increased estimated NE of the HED diet. During daylight hours when the temperature humidity index averaged $81.3{\pm}2.7$, virginiamycin decreased (p<0.05) ruminal temperature. Virginiamycin did not influence (p>0.10) ruminal or total tract digestion. Ruminal (p = 0.02) and total tract digestion (p<0.01) of organic matter, and digestible energy (p<0.01) were greater for HED vs LED. Ruminal microbial efficiency was lower (p<0.01) for HED vs LED diets. Conclusion: The positive effect of virginiamycin on growth performance of cattle is due to increased efficiency of energy utilization, as effects of virginiamycin on characteristics of digestion were not appreciable. Under conditions of high ambient temperature virginiamycin may reduce body temperature.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1724-1732
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to determine apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acid (AA) in 15 sources of soybean meal (SBM) produced from soybeans from different countries and subsequently to establish equations for predicting the AID and SID in SBM based on their chemical composition. Methods: Eighteen barrows ($57.9{\pm}6.1kg$) fitted with a simple T-cannula were allotted into three $6{\times}6$ Latin square designs. Each period comprised a 6-d adaption period followed by a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. The 15 test diets included SBM as a sole source of AA in the diet. Another nitrogen-free diet was used to measure basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was used as an inert marker in each diet. Results: The AID of lysine in SBM from China and USA tended to be greater than in SBM from Brazil (p<0.10). The SID of valine and proline in SBM from China was greater than in SBM from Brazil (p<0.05). The SID of lysine, threonine, cysteine and glycine in SBM from China tended to be greater than in SBM from Brazil (p<0.10). From a stepwise regression analysis, a series of AID and SID prediction equations were generated. The best fit equations for lysine in SBM were: AID lysine = 1.16 sucrose-1.81 raffinose+82.10 ($R^2=0.69$, p<0.01) and SID lysine = 1.14 sucrose-1.93 raffinose-0.99 ether extract (EE)+85.26 ($R^2=0.77$, p<0.01). Conclusion: It was concluded that under the conditions of this experiment, the oligosaccharides (such as sucrose and raffinose) can be used to predict the AID and SID of AA in SBM with reasonable accuracy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.349-354
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• 2004

The effects of probiotic-vitacogen and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) supplementation on methanogesis, energy and nitrogen utilization in replacement dairy cows were evaluated. A basal diet comprising orchardgrass hay, lucerne hay cube and concentrate (2:2:1, DM basis) were fed with or without supplements to four cows at $80g\;DM/kgBW^{0.75}$per day in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square arrangement. The four treatments were; 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet plus 100 g probiotic-vitacogen, 3) basal diet plus 50 g GOS, 4) basal diet plus 50 g GOS and 100 g probiotic-vitacogen. Nutrient apparent digestibility was not altered by the effect of supplementation. Nitrogen intake was significantly (p<0.001) higher for the two vitacogen-supplemented diets compared to control and GOS supplemented diets. However, vitacogen supplemented diets had numerically higher fecal and urinary nitrogen losses, thereby, having lower nitrogen retention compared to control and GOS supplemented diets. Gross energy intake was also significantly (p<0.05) higher for vitacogen-supplemented diets compared to control and GOS diets, however, due to higher losses in feces, urine, methane and heat, GOS supplemented diet had numerically higher energy retention. There was an 11% reduction in methane emission (liters/day) in GOS supplemented diet compared to control diet. However, the combination of GOS with vitacogen resulted in an increased methane emission. When expressed per unit of animal production (g/kg live-weight gain), methane production tended to be lower in vitacogensupplemented diets compared to control and GOS diets. The supplementation of replacement dairy cows with GOS reduced methane emission (liters/day), while, vitacogen supplementation reduced methane emission per unit animal production. The two feed supplements may contribute to the abatement of methane as a greenhouse gas.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.497-503
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• 2004

The effect of adding carbohydrate-rich feedstuffs to sweet potato leaves (SPL) on silage quality was studied using a total of 180 laboratory silos. Silage quality was assessed by changes of pH, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ammonia nitrogen ($NH_{3}$-N). Pre-wilted SPL was mixed with cassava root meal (CRM), sweet potato root meal (SPM) or sugar cane molasses (Mo) at levels of 0, 30, 60 and 90 g $kg^{-1}$ (air-dry weight of additives to pre-wilted weight of SPL). Samples for assessing silage quality were collected after mixing the SPL with the additive and thereafter at 7, 14, 28 and 56 days of ensiling. There was a marked decrease in pH after 7 days and the pH remained low and stable until day 56. Addition of 60 and 90 g $kg^{-1}$ resulted in a lower pH (p<0.05) than the other treatments. The DM content of the silage increased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of additive, while there were no differences in DM with time of ensiling. The CP content of the silage decreased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of additive. The CP content did not change up to 28 days, but was lower (p<0.05) after 56 days in all treatments. The $NH_{3}$-N levels were increasing (p<0.05) with time of ensiling, and were lower (p<0.05) with additive levels of 60 g $kg^{-1}$ or higher. Also, the additive source affected the $NH_{3}$-N values, with the lowest values found for Mo. Castrated male pigs (Large White$\times$Mongcai) were used in 4$\times$4 Latin square design to study the total tract digestibility and nitrogen (N) utilisation of diets with inclusion of ensiled SPL. The diets were based on cassava root meal with inclusion of protein from either fish meal (C) or SPL ensiled with CRM (D1), SPL ensiled with SPM (D2) and SPL ensiled with Mo (D3). The digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and CP were higher (p<0.05), and the digestibility of crude fibre (CF) was lower (p<0.05), in diet C than in diets D1, D2 and D3. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in digestibility of dietary components between diets D1, D2 and D3. Also, the excretion of N in faeces was higher (p<0.05) and the N retention was lower (p<0.05) in diets D1, D2 and D3 than in diet C. It can be concluded from the present experiments, that a good quality silage can be produced from pre-wilted SPL by addition of 60 g $kg^{-1}$ of either CRM, SPM or Mo. Diets with inclusion of 450 g ensiled SPL $kg^{-1}$ DM showed a high digestibility of dietary components and thus ensiled SPL should be considered as a potential feed resource for growing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 2011

The objectives of experiments were to compare directly the effects of synchrony of slowly fermented (corn and corn gluten meal; C-CGM) and of rapidly fermented ingredients (barley and soybean meal; B-SBM) in the rumen on starch disappearances in gastrointestinal tracts (Experiment 1) and growth performance (Experiment 2) of Hanwoo steers in the feedlot barn. In experiment 1, four Hanwoo steers ($288{\pm}21$ kg) fitted with ruminal and "T" shaped duodenal cannula were placed in one pen with Calan gate and assigned randomly to a duplicate $2{\times}2$ Latin square design. In experiment 2, eight intact Hanwoo steers ($311{\pm}8$ kg) were assigned randomly to one of two pens with Calan gate to evaluate the effect of the same diets as like in experiment 1 on growth performance. There were no differences in ruminal pH, ammonia and total VFA concentrations between treatments. Percentage of apparent ruminal starch disappearance was 33.3% unit lower (p<0.05) for steers fed C-CGM than for steers fed B-SBM diets and this difference resulted in 268% higher (p<0.05) in duodenal starch flows for steers fed C-CGM diet than for steers fed B-SMB diet. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in quantity (927 vs. 400 g/d) of corn starch digested post-ruminally compared to barley starch. However, percentage of starch apparently digested post-ruminally was 8% higher (p=0.1) in steers fed fast synchrony diet with B-SBM than in steers fed slow synchrony diets with C-CGM. The differences of percentage and amount of starch apparently digested post-ruminally between C-CGM and B-SBM diets did not affect rice straw DM intake, average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency. In conclusion, there is some uncertainty in regards to the relationship between site of starch digestion and DM intake, ADG, and feed efficiency in this study.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.21.1-21.8
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• 2015

The digestibility of different vegetable protein sources were investigated and the effects of supplementing canola meal (CM) as partial inclusions were studied in growing pigs, to determine the performance parameters and its economic importance. In Exp. 1, four pigs (average initial $BW=15.4{\pm}0.35kg$, 5 weeks of age) fitted with simple T-cannula at terminal ileum, were fed four diets following repeated $4{\times}4$ Latin square design having adoption period of 7 days. Diet 1 was Nitrogen free diet containing corn starch. Diets 2, 3, and 4 were the basal diet supplemented with soybean meal (SBM), rapeseed meal (RSM), and domestic CM respectively. The AID of crude protein was decrease in RSM in comparison to SBM supplementation. The AID of Dietary indispensable amino acids (DIAA) such as Lys, Meth, Pha, and dispensable amino acid Ala, Pro, Asp were decreased (P < 0.05) in RSM supplemented diets. The SID of DIAA does not differ but the SID of Asp was higher (P < 0.05) in RSM and CM diets while SID of Pro was lower (P < 0.05) in RSM in comparison to SBM supplemented diets. In Exp. 2, 192 growing pigs (average initial BW $24.76{\pm}2.55kg$) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with increasing levels of CM i.e. 0, 3.75, 7.50, and 11.25 % respectively. Diets were fed in meal form for 35 days. Increasing CM levels in diets had no effects (P > 0.05) on growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy. Total weight gain, total feed intake, and feed cost per kg weight gain were not affected by increasing levels of CM in diets but total feed cost (TFC) per pigs was linearly reduced (26.463 to 25.674; P < 0.05). Broadly, the AID, and SID of amino acid was reduced in RSM but was not effected in CM in comparison to SBM supplemented pigs. Moreover, increasing levels of CM in pigs diet had no effect on the ATTD and performance but TFC per pig was reduced. Thus CM inclusion of up to 11.25 % in diets can be used for reducing the production cost in growing pigs without any negative effect.