• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1592-1598
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• 2008

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of cattle slurry on maize fodder (Zea mays) production. Maize fodder was produced at 4 cattle slurry levels $T_0$ (0 ton/ha), $T_1$ (10 ton/ha), $T_2$ (12 ton/ha) and $T_3$ (14 ton/ha) in a randomized block design. Agronomic characteristics, plant heights, circumference of stems, number of leaves, leaf area and dry matter yield of maize fodder were measured. Maize plant height and stem circumference were significantly (p<0.01) influenced by the increasing rate of cattle slurry at 15, 30, 45 and 56 days after sowing. Number of leaves of fodder plants was not significant but leaf area was significant (p<0.05) among the treatment groups. The highest biomass yield (p<0.01) of maize fodder was observed in $T_2$ (44.0 ton/ha). For crude protein content, a significant difference (p<0.01) was observed in the treatment groups and the highest value was observed in $T_2$ (11.99%). Organic matter content of maize fodder showed a significant difference but ash, ADF and NDF contents showed no significant differences among treatment groups. From this study it may be concluded that the application of 12 tons of cattle slurry/ha was optimal for production of biomass and nutrient content of maize fodder.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.781-784
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• 2000

A study was conducted to examine the influence of maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna unguniculata) intercropping on fodder biomass production and silage characteristics. Maize fodder was cultivated alone and intercropped with cowpea at seed ratio of 85:15 and 70:30. Fodder was harvested at heading stage (at about 35% dry matter). The data indicated significant increase in biomass and crude protein production of maize intercropped with cowpea at seed ratio 70:30 followed by seed ratio 85:15 as compared to maize alone. However, no (p>0.05) difference was observed in TDN production among the three treatments. Four types of silages from, I) maize alone, II) maize and cowpea (85:15), III) maize and cowpea (70:30) and IV) maize supplemented with 2.5% urea were prepared. After 60 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analysed for proximate composition and fermentation characteristics. Crude protein and lactic acid values of silages I, II, III and IV were 8.52, 9.82, 14.90 and 13.96% and 9.00, 9.38, 10.86 and 7.43%; respectively. In situ dry matter digestibility was maximum in silage III followed by silages II, IV and I. The results suggested that intercropping of maize and cowpea at seed ratio 70:30 increased fodder production and produced quality silage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.123-126
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• 1993

Hand dibbling in rows produced higher (p < 0.05) fresh and dry matter (DM), fodder yield, higher plant density and cob yield than broadcasted. However, the varying seed rates (40, 50 and 55 kg/ha) did not affect (p < 0.05) the fresh and DM yield and cob yield except for 30 kg/ha seed rate which produced the lowest (p < 0.01). However, the overall average fresh fodder yield and the fresh and DM yield of cob were 24.97, 10.04 and 6.90 t/ha respectively. The overall average plant height (cm), cob/plant (nos.) plant/ha, (nos.) cob/ha (nos.) and weight (g) of one cob were 178, 1.11, 664141, 70104 and 145 respectively for both the sowing methods and the four seed rates. Crude protein contents of maize plant and cob by-products (8.12% and 7.34% respectively) indicated promising cattle feeds along with human food.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1129-1129
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• 2001

Maize, in Hungary, is the fodder-plant grown in the biggest quantity. It is not only used as a fodder but other products such as iso-sugar are made from it, too. The quality of the fodder and the produce is largely dependent on the composition of the supplied maize to the processing site. The examination of quality parameters besides conventional methods are investigated and measured by NIR spectroscopy on a routine basis. The investigated parameters are the following: water, total protein, starch and oil content. The accuracy and precision of determining these parameters we, apart from the wet chemical methods, influenced by sample preparation to a great extent. One of the main features of this is the sample particle size and its distribution across the sample. The uneven distribution of particle size negatively influences the measurement accuracy, decreases model robustness and prediction ability. With these in mind the aim of our experiment was to investigate the effect of particle size on the accuracy of maize composition determination using reflection measurement setup. In addition, we tested different spectrum transformations, which are suitable for canceling this effect. In our experiment 47 samples were analyzed with three different mesh sizes (1.5mm, 1.8mm and 2mm). The results of our findings are presented here.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.366-370
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• 1999

Samples of whole plant, leaf and stem of Akbar, Neelum, UM-81 and lZ-31 cultivars of maize fodder harvested up to 14 weeks at different growth stages were drawn and analysed for dry matter contents and various cell wall constituents such as NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, cutin and silica. The dry matter contents of whole maize plant, leaf and stem increased significantly (p<0.01) with advancing plant age. Maximum dry matter was found in the leaf fraction of the plant. The cell wall components continued to increase significantly (p<0.001) in whole maize plant and its morphological fractions as the age advanced. Maximum values for NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin were observed in stem followed by whole plant and leaf, whereas hemicellulose, cutin and silica contents were higher in leaf fraction of the plant. The cultivars were observed to have some effects on chemical composition of all plant fraction. The results indicated that maturity had a much greater effect on the concentration of all the structural components than did the cultivars. It was concluded that maize fodder should be cut preferably between 8th to 9th week of age (flowering stage) to obtain more nutritious and digestible feed for livestock. Among the maize cultivars, Neelum proved to be the best, due to its higher dry matter contents and lower lignin concentration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1228-1233
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• 1999

A study was conducted on four maize cultivars to determine the dry matter and fibre digestibility as influenced by advancing plant age. Samples of maize cultivars Akbar, Neelum, UM-81 and IZ-31 were harvested at weekly intervals/ growth stages. The samples of morphological fractions such as leaf and stem were also collected at various growth stages. Whole mixed fodder and different fractions of maize plant were analysed for their chemical composition and in vitro digestibility. The results showed that in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of whole maize plant, leaf and stem decreased significantly with advancing stage of maturity. Digestibility of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose decreased significantly in all plant parts with advancing plant age/growth stages. Maximum values for the digestibility of dry matter and various cell wall constituents were observed in leaf, followed by whole plant and stem fractions. Cultivars were observed to have significant effect of IVDMD and digestibility of NDF, ADF and cellulose in all plant fractions. The results indicated that digestibility of maize fodder was affected by stage of maturity and cultivars. However, maturity had a greater effect on digestibility in all plant fractions than did cultivars. Dry matter contents were found to be significantly and negatively correlated with IVDMD of whole plant and its leaf and stem fractions. Based on correlations, regression equations were computed to predict IVDMD.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1989

Different fractions of maize plant and whole mixed fodder were analysed for their chemical composition and dry matter digestibility (DMD). Highest crude protein (CP) values were found in leaves as compared to the other portions. Younger plants contained more CP as compared to the matured ones. The crude fiber (CF) content of various fractions of the plant ranged between 19.12 to 35.60% with maximum values in the bottom portion of the stem. Matured plants contained more CF. The analysis of cell wall constituents indicated that the maximum values for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were found in the bottom portion and in the whole mixed plant. The highest levels of acid detergent fiber (ADF) were observed in bottom fraction followed by whole mixed plant, whereas the other plant fractions did not show any differences. Variation in acid detergent lignin (ADL) values existed in different fractions of the plant and the lowest were in the top portion of the stem. Although there existed a variation in the mineral composition of different fractions of the plants, the results were non significant. Maximum DMD was found in leaves followed by the whole mixed plant, middle and bottom portion of the stem. The values of DMD were higher in younger plants as compared to the matured ones. It may be concluded that younger plants and the upper portion of the plants have a higher nutritive value as compared to the matured plants and lower portion of the plants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.411-420
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• 1996

Asia Triple HIn this study an attempt was made to determine the cost of producing fodders at Savar Dairy Farm (SDF). For this purpose, all seasonal fodders, such as Maize, Jowar, Cowpea and Oat and all perennial fodders, such as Para and Napier were studied. The highest acreage of land was allocated to high-land Para (33.8%) and the lowest acreage (2.7%) was devoted to Cowpea. Jowar attained the highest yield (74.2 tons) per hectare and Maize attained the lowest yield (25.8 tons/h). The highest cost per hectare was attributed to Jowar (TK. 20944.18) while the lowest cost was attributed to low-land para (TK. 10349.86). The cost of production of fodder per kilogram was the highest (TK. 0.66) for Maize and the lowest for Oat (TK. 0.24). The cost of production of low-land Para was much lower than that of high land Para. The per kilogram cost of silage production was the highest (TK. 0.71) for Maize and the lowest (TK. 0.31) was for Napier. The gross return analysis further showed that the highest net margin and B:C ratio were observed for Napier followed by Low-land Para, Jowar, Oat, Cowpea, High-land Para and Maize. Therefore, those fodders whose B:C ratios and yield/ha were higher should be allocated more area of land to stimulate increased returns to SDF in the future is suggested.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.295-301
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• 1992

Eight crop residues : 1, sorghum (Sorqhum bicolor) straw, 2, maize (Zea mays) straw, 3, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) straw, 4, sunflower (Helianthus Sp.) straw, 5, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) seed hulls, 6, groundnut (Archais hypogaea) hulls, 7, maize (Zea mays) cobs, 8, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) bagasse and two forest grasses 9, Heteropogan contortus dry grass and 10, Sehima nervosum dry grass were subjected to three physical processing 1, chopping (2-3 cm) 2, grinding (8 mm sieve) and 3, pelleting (10 mm die holes). The processed material was fed ad lib. Along with 250 g of concentrate mixture per head per day to 6 adult local goats and 16 adult Nellore rams in ten digestion experiments and finally assessed the nutritive value of the processed roughages by difference method. Grinding increased bulk density by 32.4 (cotton seed hulls, CSH) to 88.1% (Sehima dry grass) while pelleting of ground material increased bulk density by 53.9 (maize cobs) to 235.8% (maize straw). The average particle size ranged from $584.1/^U$ (sorghum straw) to $1467/^U$ (CSH). Modulus of uniformity ranged from 2:5:3 (sorghum straw) to 7:2:1 (CSH) while modulus of fineness ranged from 3.4 (sorghum straw) to 5.4 (CSH). Molasses absorbability was highest with cotton seed hulls and least with maize cobs. Pelleting increased DM intake of the residues except cotton seed hulls compared to grinding. Grinding of chopped material/unprocessed material increased DM intake on sorghum straw and cotton seed hulls. Sheep consumed more DM compared to goats on all the residues except sorghum and sunflower straws. Pelleting increased nutritive value of all the residues compared to grinding and chopping. However, no difference was observed in the nutritive value due to grinding and chopping. Goats performed better compared to sheep in utilizing the fibrous residues.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1619-1624
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• 2003

The effect of maize hybrid (Suco and Dekalb 765, DK 765), maturity stage (milk, $R_3$ and 1/2 milk line, $R_5$) and animal diet (Diet 1: 70% lucerne hay+30% maize silage; Diet 2: 50% maize silage+20% sunflower meal+30% maize grain) on ruminal stover dry matter (DM) degradability was studied. Additionally, morphological and chemical plant composition was evaluated. Fodder samples ground at 2 mm were incubated in three Holstein steers (400 kg body weight) using the in situ technique. Ruminal degradation kinetics was studied and the effective degradability (ED) was estimated for an assumed kp of 5%/h. The in situ data was analyzed in a complete randomized block design with the animals as blocks. Significant interactions between hybrid${\times}$diet and maturity${\times}$diet on kinetic digestion parameters were detected. In Diet 1, hybrids did not differ in degradable fraction, kd or ED, although a minor difference (p<0.05) in the soluble fraction was found (25.5 and 23.2% for Suco and DK 765, respectively). In Diet 2, the DK 765 had greater degradable fraction (p<0.001) but smaller (p<0.01) kd than Suco, without differences in the soluble fraction or in ED. Anticipating the harvest increased ED of stover from 37.5% in $R_5$ to 44.6% in $R_3$ (average values across hybrids and diets) due to the increase (p<0.001) in the soluble fraction ($R_5$: 22.6%, $R_3$: 28.8%). It is concluded that hybrids had similar stover in situ DM degradability and that soluble fraction represent the main proportion of degradable substrates. Advancing the date of harvesting may not improve the in situ DM degradability of whole maize plant silage since the increase in stover quality is counteracted by the depression in the grain-to-stover ratio. The diet of the animal consuming silage might not improve stover utilization either.