• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.887-893
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• 2007

Influences of forage DM and addition of cane molasses on silage characteristics of berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) and their ruminal digestion kinetics in Nili buffaloes were studied. Berseem and lucerne fodders (at one tenth bloom) were ensiled with wheat straw in laboratory silos to achieve 20, 30, 40% forage DM and without wheat straw (control); each forage DM level was supplemented with 2, 4 and 6% of cane molasses at ensiling. The pH and lactic acid contents of berseem and lucerne silages were affected by both forage DM and addition of molasses. Dry matter, CP and true protein (TP) of berseem and lucerne silages were affected by forage DM at ensiling but were not affected by the addition of cane molasses. Higher DM, CP and TP losses were observed when berseem and lucerne fodders were ensiled either without wheat straw or with wheat straw to achieve 20% and 40% forage DM at ensiling compared with 30% DM at ensiling. Fiber fractions (NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose) of berseem silage and lucerne silage were significantly increased with increasing forage DM at ensiling. Addition of cane molasses did not affect the DM, CP, TP and fiber fractions of both berseem and lucerne silages. Berseem and lucerne ensiled at 30% DM with 2% cane molasses were screened for comparative ruminal digestion kinetics with their respective fodders. Addition of wheat straw to berseem or lucerne fodder at ensiling depressed DM and NDF ruminal degradability. However, ruminal lag time, rate of degradation and extent of digestion of silages were similar to their respective fodders. In conclusion, berseem and lucerne could be ensiled with wheat straw to increase their DM to 30% along with 2% molasses for buffaloes.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.238-247
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• 2023

Objective: Recently, indigenous Korean grass Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (SQ) has garnered much interest as a roughage source for livestock to mitigate its adverse effects on habitat diversity. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation, palatability, and nutrient digestibility of SQ for Korean native beef cattle (Hanwoo) using in vitro rumen fermentation, in situ rumen degradability, and in vivo feeding trials. Methods: Using in vitro tests with rumen fluid as the inoculum for 48 h, ruminal fermentation of SQ was evaluated and compared with that of other roughage sources commonly used in Korea (i.e., rice straw, Timothy hay, and Italian ryegrass [IRG]). Additionally, an in situ trial 96 h was performed using three cannulated Hanwoo steers. Further, an in vivo trial was performed using eight Hanwoo steers to compare the palatability of SQ with rice straw in total mixed ration (TMR) and forage-concentrate separate feeding conditions. Finally, an in vivo digestibility trial of SQ fed as TMR of two particle sizes was performed with four Hanwoo steers. Results: In vitro and in situ trials revealed that SQ was comparable or superior to rice straw in terms of the ruminal fermentation characteristics of pH, gas production, total volatile fatty acid content, and effective ruminal dry matter digestibility (DMD), although its fermentability was lower than that of Timothy hay and IRG. In the palatability test, steers showed a greater preference for SQ when given as TMR. The total tract DMD of SQ fed as TMR was 75.9%±1.37%, and it did not differ by particle size. Conclusion: The feed value of SQ as a roughage source for Hanwoo steers is comparable or superior to that of rice straw, particularly when provided as TMR.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1455-1461
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• 2010

Three rumen-cannulated Holstein steers were fed three diets, each with a different synchrony index (SI) (LS: 0.77, MS: 0.81, and HS: 0.83), in order to examine the effect of diet on rumen fermentation, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis. Synchrony index was calculated based on the carbohydrate and crude protein fractions of each ingredient and their degradation rates. Feeding the steers diets with different SIs did not influence dry matter, crude protein, NDF, or ADF digestibility. The concentrations of total and individual VFA in the rumens of steers that were fed the two higher-SI diets were higher than in those fed the low-SI diet (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two higher-SI diets. One hour after feeding, steers on the LS diet had lower ruminal pHs than did those fed the MS or HS diets (p<0.05), and animals on the LS diet generally showed higher ruminal $NH_3$-N levels than did animals on the other diets, with the 4-h post-feeding difference being significant (p<0.05). Steers receiving the LS diet excreted more nitrogen (N) in their urine than did those on the two higher-SI diets (p<0.05), and the total N excretion of those on the LS diet was also higher (p<0.05). Microbial N levels calculated from the concentration of urinary purine derivatives were generally higher when the SI was higher, with the highest microbial protein synthesis being produced by steers on the HS diet (p<0.05). In conclusion, in the current study, ingestion of a synchronous diet by Holstein steers improved microbial protein synthesis and VFA production and decreased total N output.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 1997

Objective of the present study were to investigate effects of different levels of concentrate in complete rations on nutrient digestibilities and ruminal fermentation in sheep and growth performance in Korean native bulls. Increasing levels of concentrate (35, 50, 65, and 80% of complete rations) improved digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) without affecting digestibility of neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Increasing levels of concentrate decreased ruminal fluid pH but increased concentrations of $NH_3-N$, propionic acid, and total volatile fatty acids (VFA). Both the disappearance rates of DM and nitrogen (N) in an in sacco study were linearly increased as the levels of concentrate in complete rations increased. Meanwhile, increasing levels of concentrate in complete rations improved growth rate and feed conversion ratio in Korean native bulls. In conclusion, the complete rations containing 80% concentrate showed better digestibility and energy supply than those of the lower levels (35, 50 and 65%) of concentrate of the rations, resulting in improved growth performance of Korean native bulls.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.757-768
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• 2002

These study were conducted to determine the effects of a whole or steam-flaked corn based diet on rumen microbial fermentation in vitro and ruminal metabolism in the Korean Native Goat(KNG) in vivo. The experiments consisted of two dietary treatments: control, steam-flaked corn(SFC) based diet(80%) + rice straw mixed(20%)(SFCR); 100% whole corn based diet(WC). The first experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of whole corn on ruminal metabolism in vitro for 0 to 48 h. pH values were optimally maintained during incubation time, and were not significantly different between treatments. Gas production of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). $NH_3$-N concentration tended to increase for WC, but not significantly different between treatments. The mean value of total volatile fatty acid concentration of WC was significantly lower than SFCR(p<0.01), but SFCR and WC linearly increased as the time of incubation approached 48 h. Mean value of acetate concentration of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). Propionate concentration of WC for the total incubation time was significantly higher than SFCR(p<0.01). The digestibility of dry matter was not significantly different between treatments, but SFCR was somewhat higher than WC. The second experiment was conducted to effect of whole shelled corn based diet on rumen metabolism in KNG. pH values tended to decrease through all treatments. There was not a significantly difference between treatments. Microbial protein yield of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). $NH_3$-N concentration of WC was significantly (p<0.01) higher than SFCR. Total VFA and propionate concentration of WC was significantly higher than SFCR(p<0.01), but acetate concentrate of WC was not significantly higher than SFCR. The mean value of total lactate concentration was significantly(p<0.01) different but the value of SFCR and WC were lower than the average concentration of acidosis. In sacco DM disappearance rate of SFC was significantly(p<0.01) higher than WC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.962-966
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• 2000

Effects of the pattern of energy supply on the efficiency of nitrogen utilization for microbial protein synthesis (MPS) were examined in cows consuming grass silage (7.1 kg DM/d) and supplement of 1 kg sucrose per day given as an intraruminal infusion. Three non-lactating cows received three experimental treatments in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design with each period lasting 14 days. The treatments were (1) the basal diets of silage alone given in one meal each day at 09:30 h (BASAL), supplemented with (2) 1.0 kg sucrose given a 4-h infusion starting at 09:30 h (SYNC), (3) 1.0 kg sucrose given a continuous infusion for 24 h (CONT). Compared with BASAL, sucrose infusions altered (p<0.05) the pattern of variation in ruminal pH and the concentration of ammonia at 4 h after feeding but none of the sucrose treatments resulted in any changes in the ruminal concentration of VFA. All sucrose treatments increased (p<0.05) MPS relative to BASAL by 14% and 33% for SYNC and CONT, respectively, and that for CONT was greater (p<0.05) than for SYNC. It is concluded that synchronization of energy and nitrogen over the shorter term has no further advantage of the efficiency for MPS relative to CONT.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1690-1698
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• 2011

Feedlot and in vitro ruminal experiments were conducted to assess the effects of saponin-containing surfactant applied during tempering of barley grain on cattle growth performance and on ruminal fermentation. In the feedlot experiment, treatments with three barley grain/barley silage based diets were prepared using barley grain at 7.7% moisture (dry, D), after tempering to 18% moisture (M), or after tempering with a saponin-based surfactant included at 60 ml/t (MS). Each treatment was rolled at settings determined previously to yield optimally processed barley. A total of 180 newly weaned British${\times}$Charolais steers were fed three diets in 18 pens for a 63-d backgrounding period and 91-d finishing period to determine feed intake, growth rate and feed efficiency. Cattle were slaughtered at the end of the experiment to measure the carcass characteristics. Tempering reduced (p<0.001) volume weight and processing index, but processing characteristics were similar between MS and M. Tempering increased (p<0.05) growth during backgrounding only, compared with D, but did not affect feed intake in either phase. During backgrounding, feed efficiency was improved with tempering, but during finishing and overall this response was only observed with the surfactant. Tempering did not affect carcass weight, fat content or meat yield. Surfactant doubled the proportion of carcasses grading AAA. In the in vitro experiment, barley (500 mg; ground to <1.0 mm or steam-rolled) was incubated in buffered ruminal fluid (40 ml) without or with surfactant up to 20 ${\mu}l/g$ DM substrate for 24 h. Surfactant increased (p<0.05) apparent DM disappearance and starch digestibility but reduced productions of gas and the volatile fatty acid and acetate:propionate ratio, irrespective of barley particle size. Compared with feeding diets prepared with non-tempered barley, tempering with surfactant increased the feed efficiency of feedlot steers. This may have arisen from alteration in processing characteristics of barley grain by surfactant rather than its direct effect on rumen microbial fermentation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2001

Ruminal degradation characteristics of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) in fresh leaves of two Japanese native grasses (Zoysia japonica and Miscanthus sinensis) and one sown temperate grass (Dactylis glomerata) were investigated by an in sacco method in spring (mid-May), summer (mid-July) and autumn (mid-September). Japanese native grasses had higher NDF and lower CP concentrations than D. glomerata, and the CP concentration in native grasses decreased in autumn. Ruminal degradability of DM, NDF and CP was lower in native grasses than in D. glomerata (p<0.05) in all seasons. DM and NDF degradability decreased in summer for Z. japonica and D. glomerata, while it decreased in autumn for M. sinensis. CP degradability in Z. japonica was constant throughout the seasons, whereas that in M. sinensis greatly decreased in summer and autumn (p<0.05). It was concluded that Z. japonica could stably supply ruminally digestible nutrients for grazing animals in Japanese native pasture. However, the degradation characteristics of freshly chopped native grasses did not fit the exponential model of $D=a+b(1-e^{-ct})$ proposed by Ørskov and McDonald.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.21.1-21.8
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• 2016

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of feeding trace mineralsfortified mixed microbial culture (TMC) on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, blood electrolyte status, nitrogen balance, and trace mineral balance in sheep. Methods: Mixed microbes [0.6 % (v/w) of Enterobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Lactobacillus sp., and Saccharomyces sp.] were cultured with 99 % feedstuffs and 0.4 % trace minerals including zinc and copper for ensiling. Six sheep (a mean body weight of $46.5{\pm}1.2kg$) were fed two diets: a control diet (concentrate mix and rye straw) and an experimental diet (a control diet + 3.1 % TMC). Results: TMC feeding did not induce negative effects on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, blood electrolytes, and nitrogen balance in sheep. Feeding with TMC increased the intake of trace minerals (p < 0.05) and did not affect absorption of trace minerals in the whole digestive tract. Feeding with TMC increased fecal excretion and absorbable intake, and retention of zinc and copper (p < 0.05) by 71 % and 77 %, respectively. Conclusion: Feeding with TMC resulted in higher zinc and copper bioavailability and retention without any adverse effects on sheep performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.470-478
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• 2017

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the chemical composition, fermentation quality and in vitro ruminal fermentation of various ratios and storage periods of liquid brewer's yeast (LBY) mixed with cassava pulp (CVP). Methods: Four mixtures of fresh LBY and CVP were made (LBY0, LBY10, LBY20, and LBY30 for LBY:CVP at 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, and 30:70, respectively) on a fresh matter basis, in 500 g in plastic bags and stored at 30 to $32^{\circ}C$. After storage, the bags were opened weekly from weeks 0 to 4. Fermentation quality and in vitro gas production (IVGP) were determined, as well as the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin contents. Results: The contents of CP and EE increased, whereas all other components decreased, in proportion to LBY inclusion (p<0.01). The DM and OM contents gradually decreased in weeks 3 and 4 (p<0.05), while EE contents were lowest in week 0. The pH, ammonia nitrogen per total nitrogen ($NH_3-N/TN$) and V-score in each mixture and storage period demonstrated superior fermentation quality ($pH{\leq}4.2$, $NH_3-N/TN{\leq}12.5%$, and V-score>90%). The pH increased and $NH_3-N/TN$ decreased, with proportionate increases of LBY, whereas the pH decreased and $NH_3-N/TN$ increased, as the storage periods were extended (p<0.01). Although IVGP decreased in proportion to the amount of LBY inclusion (p<0.01), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) was unaffected by the mixture ratios. The highest IVGP and IVOMD were observed in week 0 (p<0.01). Conclusion: The inclusion of LBY (as high as 30%) into CVP improves the chemical composition of the mixture, thereby increasing the CP content, while decreasing IVGP, without decreasing fermentation quality and IVOMD. In addition, a preservation period of up to four weeks can guarantee superior fermentation quality in all types of mixtures. Therefore, we recommend limiting the use of CVP as a feed ingredient, given its low nutritional value and improving feed quality with the inclusion of LBY.