• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.464-469
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• 2000

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of soybean meal (SBM) as a source of protein and sago meal (SM) as a source of carbohydrate on in situ and in vivo digestibility of dietary components in four male goats (Kambing Katjang) and four male sheep (Malin) weighing 25-35 kg. Rumen volume, as well as rumen fluid dilution rate were also determined. The animals were housed in single pens with individual feeding and drinking troughs and each animal was fitted with a rumen fistula. They were fed two diets : chopped rice straw+200 g soybean meal (SBM), and chopped rice straw+190 g soybean meal+300 g sago meal (SBM+SM). Rice straw was offered ad libitum. The supplements were isonitrogenous (80 g crude protein/animal/d), but the proportions of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were lower in the SBM supplement (191, 165, 11, 40, 15 g/animal/d for DM, OM, CF, NDF and ADF, respectively) than in the SBM+SM supplement (445, 423, 25, 102, 38 g/animal/d for DM, OM, CF, NDF and ADF, respectively). Two animals from each species were fed either supplement in a cross-over design in two periods. Each period lasted for four weeks. In situ and in vivo digestibility studies were carried out, followed by the determination of rumen volume and rumen fluid dilution rate. The results showed that straw DM and total DM intakes of goats (average of $48.7g/kg\;W^{0.75}$, $72.7g/kg\;W^{0.75}$, respectively) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than sheep (average of $3.56g/kg\;W^{0.75}$, $61.6g/kg\;W^{0.75}$, respectively), but OM, N and GE intakes were not significantly different between the two animal species. When the effect of supplements was compared, animals fed SBM+SM supplement had significantly (p<0.001) higher DM, OM and GE intakes than animals fed SBM supplement. Potential degradabilities of rice straw DM were significantly (p<0.01) higher in goats (average of 48.8%) than in sheep (average of 46.1 %). The supplements had no significant effect on the potential degradabilities of DM, OM and NDF, but they had a significant (p<0.05) effect on the degradation rates of DM and NDF. The addition of sago meal in the diet reduced the degradation rates of DM and NDF of rice straw in the rumen. Potential degradability of DM of soybean meal was not significantly different between animal species as well as between supplements. Sago meal was highly degradable. At 24 h of incubation in the rumen, 90-95% of DM loss was observed. There was a significant interaction between animal species and supplements in the in vivo digestibility of ADF and GE. In animals fed SBM supplement, the in vivo digestibility of ADF was significantly (p<0.05) higher in goats ($50.6{\pm}4.22%$) than in sheep ($44.4{\pm}3.21%$), but digestibility of GE was significantly (p<0.05) higher in sheep ($70.2{\pm}1.93%$) than in goats ($63.0{\pm}3.07%$). The digestibility values of CP and OM were significantly (p<0.05) higher in sheep when compared to goats. Animals fed SBM+SM supplement showed significantly (p<0.05) higher DM and OM digestibility values than animals fed SBM supplement, but digestibility values of CP were significantly (p<0.05) higher in animals fed SBM supplement. Differences in in vivo digestibility values of CF and NDF were not significantly different between animal species or supplements. Water intake, rumen volume ($1/kg\;W^{0.75}$), rumen fluid dilution rate and mean retention time were similar between the two animal species. However, rumen fluid dilution rate and mean retention time was significantly (p<0.01) affected by supplements. Animals fed SBM+SM had faster rumen fluid dilution rate and consequently shorter mean retention time.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1204-1210
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• 2014

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of feeding fibrous diets on growth performance and occurrence of aggressive behaviours in growing pigs. Sixty healthy castrated pigs (initial body weight: $46.7{\pm}4.35$ kg) were used. A basal diet was diluted with maize cobs to two levels (0 and 160 g/kg dry matter). Behavioural activities were observed using video cameras for three weeks, 8 h/d starting at 0800 h. Pigs subjected to control diet gained more weight compared to pigs receiving fibrous diet in week 1 (0.47 vs 0.15 kg, respectively) and 2 (1.37 vs 1.04, respectively) (p<0.05). Average daily gain was not affected by treatment diet in the third week. Pigs on high fibrous spent more time eating, lying down, standing, walking and fighting (p<0.05) compared to pigs on control diet. Time spent eating increased as the weeks progressed whilst time spent lying down decreased. Time of day had an effect on time spent on different behavioural activities exhibited by all pigs on different treatment diet (p<0.05). Inactivity was greatest in 5th (1200 to 1300 h) hour of the day for all the pigs on different dietary treatments. Skin lesions appeared the most on neck and shoulder region followed by chest, stomach and hind leg region, and finally head region (p<0.05). Pigs on high fibre diet had more skin lesions in all body regions compared to pigs on control diet (p<0.05). It can be concluded that the high fibrous diet with maize cobs did not affect growth performance and also did not reduce aggressive behaviours. Aggressive behaviours emanated out of frustration when queuing on the feeder. The findings of this study suggest that maize cobs can be included at a level of 160 g/kg in diets of pigs. However, to reduce the level of aggression more feeding space should be provided.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.465-474
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• 2010

The effects of four types of tropical protein-rich trees on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, urinary purine derivative (PD) excretion and blood metabolites in four Thai Brahman cattle (290${\pm}$2.5 kg) were studied. The animals were fed twice daily, with each feeding consisting of 1 kg (fresh weight) rice straw and one of the four dietary supplements: i) 1.98 kg oven-dried rain tree pods (RTP) and 20 g premix (RTPP), ii) 980 g RTP and 1 kg sun-dried leucaena leaves and 20 g premix (LLRT), iii) 980 g RTP and 1 kg sun-dried cassia leaves and 20 g premix (CLRT) and iv) 980 g RTP and 1 kg sun-dried mulberry leaves and 20 g premix (MLRT). The apparent dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed the CLRT supplement than in those fed the other supplements, whilst the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed the CLRT and MLRT supplements than in those fed the other supplements. The N-balance of cattle fed LLRT and CLRT supplements was higher (p<0.05) than in cattle fed RTPP and MLRT supplements, whilst the apparent digestibility of N was highest (p<0.05) in cattle fed RTPP supplement, compared to the other supplements. Allantoin and PD excretion in the urine, and the ratios of allantoin/DOMI and PD/DOMI were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed RTPP and MLRT than for those fed LLRT and CLRT supplements. Plasma ${\beta}$-hydroxy butyrate (${\beta}$-HBA) and insulin concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed RTPP supplement than in those fed the other supplements. The study demonstrated the value of using local multipurpose trees (MPTs) to improve Brahman cattle feeding systems in the tropics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of dried and ground foliage of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) on feed intake and utilization, and production performance of crossbred lactating cows. Methods: Eighteen lactating crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) cows (body weight $330.93{\pm}10.82kg$) at their second and mid lactation (milk yield $6.77{\pm}0.54kg/d$) were randomly divided into three groups of six each in a completely randomized block design. Three supplements were formulated by quantitatively replacing 0, 50, and 100 per cent of dietary wheat bran of concentrate mixture with dried and ground foliage of black gram. The designated supplement was fed to each group with basal diet of rice straw (ad libitum) to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production. Daily feed intake and milk yield was recorded. A digestion trial was conducted to determine the total tract digestibility of various nutrients. Results: The daily feed intake was increased (p<0.05) with the supplementation of black gram foliage. Although the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract did not vary (p>0.05), the fibre digestibility was increased (p<0.05), which ultimately improved (p<0.05) the total digestible nutrients content of composite diet. Although, the average milk yield (kg/animal/d) and composition did not differ (p>0.05) among the groups, milk yield was increased by 10 per cent with total replacement of wheat bran in concentrate mixture with of black gram foliage. The economics of milk production calculated as feed cost per kg milk yield (INR 10.61 vs 7.98) was reduced by complete replacement of wheat bran with black gram foliage. Conclusion: Black gram foliage could be used as complete replacement for wheat bran in concentrate mixture of dairy cows in formulating least cost ration for economic milk production in small holders' animal production.

• Journal of the Korean Professional Engineers Association
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.28-39
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• 1984

Experiments were carried out for the development of a processing method of soybean into full-fat or defatted flour, using two varieties of soybean (kwangkyo produced in Korea and Bragg produced in India) Samples were subjected to dry dehulling, size reduction and wet heat treatment processes to make soybean flours. The quality of soybean flours were evaluated, and the results obtained were summarized as follows. 1. Crude fiber content of dehulled soybean was under 3.0% which indicated satisfactory dehulling, and there was no significant difference in crude fibre content between two varieties. 2. When dehulled soybean was cracked into soy grits by a hammer mill, 98.71∼98.86％ of the soy grit was in the range of 10∼18 mesh which was the optimum size of particle for quick and uniform penetration of heat into the intra-particle air spaces. 3. Moisture content of soy flour after steam treatment at 15 psig for 5 to 30 min was only 0.29∼1.68% which did not hinder the next milling operation. 4. From the color analysis of soy flours, it was observed that the dominant wavelength for all the samples are in a very narrow range from 575 to 581 nm and the color variation was from yellow to yellowish orange. Twenty to twenty five ％ higher reflectance was observed in the defatted flours than full fat flours. The ％ chroma of the defatted flour slightly increased as the duration of steaming of soy grits increased, whereas that of the full-fat flour did not. 5. The protein extractability in the defatted flour at pH 7.6 showed progressive decrease in solubility from 48.40％ (Bragg), 75.20％ (kwangkyo) for untreated flours to 9.75％ (Bragg), 26.27％ (kwangkyo) for 30 min steaming. But Kwangkyo variety showed twice higher protein extractability than Bragg variety.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.725-732
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• 2007

The effects of supplementing Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) with varying levels of hay from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and dried cassava root chip on growth and diet digestibility were studied using local male goats with an average initial body weight of 14.0 kg. Thirty-two animals were allocated to a completely randomized $2{\times}2$ factorial design with eight animals per treatment. The factors were two levels of cassava hay (25% and 35% of an expected dry matter (DM) intake of 3% of body weight) and cassava root chips (0 or 1% of body weight) on an individual basis with grass offered ad libitum. Another four animals were assigned to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to study digestibility, and were given the same four diets as in the growth experiment. Total DM intake was significantly higher in the group fed diets with cassava hay and root while the DM intake of Gamba grass was not significantly different between treatments. The supplementation with cassava hay and root increased the apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter and N and resulted in a higher N-retention. The apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fiber was not affected significantly. The average daily gain of animals fed diets supplemented with both cassava hay and root was significantly higher than for the animals supplemented with cassava hay alone. The highest daily gain recorded was 70 g/day. In conclusion, supplementing a basal diet of Gamba grass with cassava hay and root chips improved DM intake, digestibility, N-retention and weight gain. In order to minimize the waste of cassava hay, the inclusion level of cassava hay can be recommended to be 25% of expected DM intake, which would give acceptable intake and growth performance when cassava root is included in the diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.686-693
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• 2000

Biomass yield, nutritive value and nutrient utilization efficiency of different genera of duckweed (DW, Lemnaceae) under the same nutritional and management conditions were studied. Three genera of DW namely: Lemna perpusilla, Spirodela polyrhiza and Woljfia arrhiza, were cultivated in 18 plastic sinks each of $59{\times}54{\times}35cm^3$ size. Each sink contained approximately 80 L of water and was charged once with 6.648 kg of anaerobically fermented cow dung effluent. The seed rate for Spirodela, Lemna and Wolffia were 600, 400 and $600g/m^2$ respectively. Duckweed were harvested at 48 hours intervals. Media total N concentration for Lemna and Wolffia gradually increased with time. Growth of duckweed was measured by subtracting the inoculum from the total biomass production. Growth of Spirodela ceased within 4 days but Lemna and Wolffia continue to grow up to 34 days. Bio-mass yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Wolffia (906 kg/ha/d) than Lemna (631 kg/ha/d). Dry matter (DM) yield was very similar in Lemna (14.80 kg/ha/d) and Wolffia (14.57 kg/ha/d). The N content was non-significant higher in Lemna (5.45%) than Wolffia (5.00%) and Spirodela (4.6%). The crude protein (CP, $N{\times}6.25$) yield was non-significantly higher in Lemna (4.83 kg/ha/d) than Wolffia (4.32 kg/ha/d). The acid detergent fibre (ADF) content was the highest in Wolffia (28.59%), followed by Spirodela (19.47%) and Lemna (12.39%). Utilization efficiency of CP was 273 and 314% respectively for Wolffia and Lemna. However, similar efficiency values for Spirodela was only 1.5%. Considering the bio-mass yield, nutritive value and nutrient utilization efficiency, production performance of DW were in the order of Lemna>Wolffia>Spirodela under the present experimental conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.818-823
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• 2008

The interaction of fibre degrading microbes and methanogens was studied using two forages, lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay and maize (Zea mays) hay, as substrate and 2-bromoethanesulphonic acid (BES) as an additive in an in vitro gas production test. Gas and methane production (ml/g dry matter) were significantly higher (p<0.05) on lucerne as compared to maize hay. Inclusion of BES in the incubation medium significantly suppressed methane emission irrespective of substrate. The population density of total bacteria, fungi, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogenes was higher, whereas that of methanogens was lower with maize hay as compared to lucerne as substrate. BES suppressed methanogen population by 7 fold on lucerene and by 8.5 fold on maize at 24 h incubation as estimated by real time-PCR. This suppression was accompanied by almost complete (>98% of control) inhibition of methanogenesis. The proportion of acetate decreased, whereas that of propionate increased significantly by inclusion of BES, resulting in narrowing of acetate to propionate ratio. In vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of lucerne was significantly higher as compared to maize but BES inclusion did not affect IVTD.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.323-327
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• 1992

An experiment was conducted to determine whether there were any apparent differences in the microbial population, colonization pattern and digestion of guinea grass in situ, between cattle and swamp buffalo. Percentage losses in dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of guinea grass were significantly (p<0.01) higher when incubated in the rumen of buffalo than in cattle. Buffalo also showed significantly (p<0.05) faster degradation rates than cattle for each grass component (DM, N, DNF). Light microscopy and SEM examination of the incubated grass materials showed that there were no apparent differences in the pattern of bacterial and fungal invasion and colonization of the grass materials between cattle and buffalo. Attachment of bacteria and fungal zoospores on the grass fragments occurred at 15 min after rumen incubation. After 3 h of rumen incubation, dense population of bacteria was observed in the thin-walled mesophyll and parenchyma tissues, whereas root-like fungal rhizoids were observed in both thin-walled and thick-walled cells. By 6 h, eroded zones were apparent in the thin-walled tissues and in thick-walled tissues with profuse rhizoids. After 24. 48 and 72 h of rumen incubation, most thin-walled tissues were degraded leaving mostly the thick-walled tissues. The predominant bacteria were the curved rods resembling Butyrivibrio sp., the thick rods resembling Fibrobacter sp., the diplococcoids resumbling Ruminococcus sp. And spirochetes. Fungi were predominantly those with spherical or oval sporangia. Fusiform sporangia with acuminate apices which resembled Ruminomyces sp. Were of lesser occurrence. Few protozoa were found on the grass fragments at all incubation times.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.783-791
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• 2019

Objective: This study was to evaluate the fermentation dynamics, structural and nonstructural carbohydrate composition and in vitro gas production of rice straw ensiled with lactic acid bacteria and molasses. Methods: Fresh rice straw was ensiled in 1-L laboratory silos with no additive control (C), Lactobacillus plantarum (L), molasses (M) and molasses+Lactobacillus plantarum (ML) for 6, 15, 30, and 60 days. After storage, the silages were subjected to microbial and chemical analyses as well as the further in vitro fermentation trial. Results: All additives increased lactic acid concentration, and reduced pH, dry matter (DM) loss and structural carbohydrate content relative to the control (p<0.05). The highest organic acid and residual sugar contents and lignocellulose reduction were observed in ML silage. L silage had the highest V-score with 88.10 followed by ML silage. L and ML silage improved in vitro DM digestibility as compared with other treatments, while in vitro neutral detergent fibre degradability (IVNDFD) was increased in M and ML silage (p<0.05). M silage significantly (p<0.05) increased propionic acid (PA) content and decreased butyric acid content and acetic acid/PA as well as 72-h cumulative gas production. Conclusion: The application of ML was effective for improving both the fermentation quality and in vitro digestibility of rice straw silage. Inclusion with molasses to rice straw could reduce in vitro ruminal gas production.