Microbial feed additives in ruminant feeding.

The main purposes of feed additives administration are to increase feed quality, feed utilization, and the performance and health of animals. For many years, antibiotic-based feed additives showed promising results; however, their administration in animal feeds has been banned due to some public concerns regarding their residues in the produced milk and meat from treated animals. Some microorganisms have desirable properties and elicit certain effects, which makes them potential alternatives to antibiotics to enhance intestinal health and ruminal fermentation. The commonly evaluated microorganisms are some species of bacteria and yeasts. Supplementing microorganisms to ruminants boosts animal health, feed digestion, ruminal fermentation, animal performance (meat and milk), and feed efficiency. Moreover, feeding microorganisms helps young calves adapt quickly to consume solid feed and prevents thriving populations of enteric pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract which cause diarrhea. Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus oryzae are the commonly used microbial feed additives in ruminant production. The response of feeding such microorganisms depends on many factors including the level of administration, diet fed to animal, physiological status of animal, and many other factors. However, the precise modes of action in which microbial feed additives improve nutrient utilization and livestock production are under study. Therefore, we aim to highlight some of the uses of microorganisms-based feed additives effects on animal production, the modes of action of microorganisms, and their potential use as an alternative to antibiotic feed additives.

Turmeric rhizomes reduced in vitro methane production and improved gas production and nutrient degradability.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dry turmeric rhizomes on in vitro biogas production and diet fermentability. Turmeric rhizomes were included at gradually increased levels: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% of a diet containing per kg dr matter (DM): 500 g concentrate feed mixture, 400 g berseem hay and 100 g rice straw, and incubated for 48 h. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that ar-turmerone, α-turmerone and ß-turmerone were the major bioactive compounds in the rhizomes. Turmeric rhizomes increased (p < 0.01) asymptotic gas production (GP) and rate and lag of CH4 production and decreased (p < 0.01) rate of GP, lag of GP, asymptotic CH4 production and proportion of CH4 production. Turmeric rhizome administration linearly increased (p < 0.01) DM and fiber degradability and concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids, acetic and propionic acids and ammonia-N and quadratically (p < 0.05) decreased fermentation pH. It is concluded that including up to 2% turmeric rhizomes improved in vitro ruminal fermentation and decreased CH4 production.

Influence of Replacing Soybean Meal with Nigella sativa Seed Meal on Feed Intake, Digestibility, Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites, and Antioxidant Activity of Growing Lambs.

The present experiment aimed to evaluate the partial or complete substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with Nigella sativa seed meal (NSM) on chemical composition, in vitro ruminal fermentation, and the growth performance and economic efficiency of growing lambs. Thirty-two male Ossimi lambs weighing 41 ± 0.4 kg at 195 ± 5 d were divided randomly into four experimental groups of eight lambs each. Lambs were fed four diets containing 40% berseem clover and 60% concentrate feed mixture. Soybean meal was replaced with NSM at 0% (NSM0; control), 50% (NSM50), 75% (NSM75), or 100% (NSM100). The experiment lasted for 105 d, consisting of 15 d for adaptation and 90 days for measurements. Higher concentrations of crude protein (CP) and nonstructural carbohydrates were observed with SBM; however, NSM contained more fibers and gross energy. Moreover, SBM contained higher concentrations of individual amino acids and lower concentrations of polyphenols. The replacement did not affect in vitro gas production and decreased (p < 0.05) methane production and CP degradability. Treatments did not affect feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and diet's nutritive value measured as starch value, total digestible nutrient, digestible energy, and apparent digestible crude protein. The NSM50 and NSM75 treatments increased (p < 0.001) total weight gain and daily gain compared to the control treatment, with lower feed conversion values associated with the NSM75 treatment. Treatments decreased cholesterol (p = 0.028) and high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.029) and increased antioxidant activity. Higher economic efficiencies were observed with the NSM75 followed by NSM50 and then NSM100 treatments. It is concluded that replacing 75% of SBM with NSM enhanced feed conversion and economic efficiency.

Lupin Seed Supplementation as a Functional Feed Additive: In Vitro Ruminal Gas, Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production, Fermentation Kinetics, and Nutrient Degradability.

The inevitable enteric gas emission from ruminants is considered a modern-day problem from an environmental perspective. Addressing this problem requires nutritional approaches such as the use of phytogenic additives in ruminant diets. In this regard, lupin seed (LS) can be a useful additive due to its phytochemical constituents. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed supplementation as a functional and sustainable feed additive in sheep diet (50:50 concentrate-to-forage ratio) on in vitro gas production (GP; mL/g DM), methane (CH4; mL/g DM) and carbon dioxide (CO2; mL/g DM) emissions, fermentation parameters, and nutrient degradability (g/kg DM incubated). Gas production and CH4 were measured per gram of incubated dry matter (DM), degradable DM (dDM), degradable neutral detergent fiber (dNDF), and degradable acid detergent fiber (dADF). Lupin seeds were included at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2% of the diet. The seeds contained 3.27% essential oils (DM basis), with eucalyptol as the main phytochemical. The highest GP per gram of DM and dDM was observed (p < 0.01) with 2.0% LS supplementation level. While 1.0% LS had the highest GP per gram of dNDF, 0.5% lupin diet had the highest GP per gram of dADF. Asymptotic GP and CH4 emissions linearly and quadratically increased (p < 0.01) with increasing LS level, while lag time decreased. Despite increased CH4 production, the proportion of CH4 in total biogas was lower (p = 0.008) for LS treatments than the control, with the 0.5% LS showing the lowest CH4 proportion. Production of CO2 increased with lupin seed treatments, with 0.5% LS producing the highest proportion (p = 0.027). Degradability of DM, NDF, and ADF was greater (p < 0.01) for the high LS supplementation level, while 0.5% supplementation level decreased ADF degradability. Total short-chain fatty acids, acetic acid, and propionic acid increased (p < 0.05) with LS supplementation level, leading to a reduced acetate:propionate ratio. Rumen pH decreased (p = 0.036) with LS supplementation, while ammonia-N decreased (p = 0.045) and estimated metabolizable energy increased (p < 0.001) linearly. Calculated microbial protein synthesis (p = 0.005) and gas yield (p = 0.047) increased with LS supplementation level. LS supplementation at 2.0% of diet (DM basis) increased GP and CH4 emission (mL/g DM) and enhanced nutrient degradability, suggesting its potential use as a functional feed additive for ruminants when supplemented at a 2.0% level into diet.

Efficacy of Salvia officinalis Shrub as a Sustainable Feed Additive for Reducing Ruminal Methane Production and Enhancing Fermentation in Ruminants.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of dried Salvia officinalis (SO) shrub leaves on nutrient degradability, ruminal in vitro fermentation, gas production (GP), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) productions. Dried and ground SO shrub leaves were included at 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% DM of a diet consisting of (per kg DM) 500 g concentrate feed mixture, 400 g berseem hay, and 100 g rice straw. The diet was incubated for 48 h. The asymptotic GP and the rate of GP changed linearly and quadratically (p < 0.01), with the highest GP observed at 1% inclusion of SO and then decreasing thereafter with greater inclusion (i.e., 1.5% and 2%), while CH4 production and its rate decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with all levels of SO inclusion. A linear increase in CO2 production and its rate was also found with an increasing level of SO inclusion in the diet (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the degradability of DM, NDF, and the concentration of total short-chain fatty acids and acetate changed linearly and quadratically, with the greatest being found at 1% SO inclusion and then steadily declining after (p < 0.01) with the 1.5% and 2% inclusion levels. Meanwhile, the propionate, NH3-N, and microbial crude protein levels showed similar trends, with the plateau found at 1% inclusion of SO, where there was no change in butyrate concentration. Moreover, the pH, metabolizable energy, and partitioning factor (PF24) also changed linearly and quadratically (p < 0.05), where the pH and PF24 were considerably reduced and ME increased with a 1% inclusion of SO (p < 0.05). In summary, SO at 1% inclusion in the diet showed the potential to improve gas production kinetics, nutrient degradability, and the ruminal fermentation profile, with a more significant reduction in ruminal CH4 production suggesting that SO at 1% could be included in the ruminant diet to reduce their carbon footprint and increase the production performance.

Wheat germ meal replaces cottonseed meal at different levels in diets of Ossimi lambs: Impact on growth performance, feed utilization and economic efficiency.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the replacement of cottonseed meal (CSM) with wheat germ meal (WGM) in diets of growing lambs on feed utilization and growth performance. Twenty-eight Ossimi male lambs (38 ± 0.8 kg weight), and 180 ± 5 days were divided randomly into four experimental groups in a complete randomized design for 105 days. Cottonseed meal was replaced with WGM at 0 (WGM0 treatment), 50 (WGM50 treatment), 75 (WGM75 treatment) and 100% (WGM100 treatment). The chemical analysis of the total essential and non-essential amino acids showed an increase at the WGM diet compared to CSM. The replacement of CSM with WGM linearly and quadratically improved (p ˂ 0.05) lambs' growth performance and feed conversion. The WGM50 and WGM100 treatments lowered (p ˂ 0.05) feed intake, without affecting nutrient digestibility or diets' nutritive. Feeding WGM increased (p ˂ 0.05) total protein, albumin, and urea-N concentrations in blood of lambs. The WGM100 treatment showed the highest relative percentage of net revenue compared to the other treatments. It is concluded that the complete replacement of CSM with WGM showed positive effects on lambs' performance and economic efficiency.

Fennel seeds dietary inclusion as a sustainable approach to reduce methane production and improve nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation.

Ruminants are considered a major producer of methane (CH4 ). Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the ability of dry fennel seeds to affect in vitro gas production and fermentation. Fennel seeds were included at 0% (Control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% DM of a diet containing per kg DM: 500 g concentrate feed mixture, 400 g berseem hay, and 100 g of rice straw. The incubations lasted 48 h. Fennel seeds increased (P < 0.001) the asymptotic gas production and decreased its rate, while decreasing the production and proportion of CH4 (P < 0.05) and increased its rate. Moreover, fennel seed increased DM and neutral detergent fiber (P < 0.01) degradability, and increased total production of short-chain fatty acids, acetate, and propionate (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, fennel seeds increased (P < 0.01) metabolizable energy, partitioning factor, and microbial crude protein production. Overall, fennel seeds can be included up to 2% DM in ruminant diets as an environmentally friendly product in animal farming due to its ability to improve feed utilization, ruminal fermentation and while reducing CH4 production.

Physical, Metabolic, and Microbial Rumen Development in Goat Kids: A Review on the Challenges and Strategies of Early Weaning.

The digestive system of newborn ruminant functions is similar to monogastric animals, and therefore milk flows into the abomasum instead of rumen for digestion. The rumen undergoes tremendous changes over time in terms of structure, function, and microbiome. These changes contribute to the smooth transition from the dependence on liquid diets to solid diets. Goat kids are usually separated at early ages from their dams in commercial intensive systems. The separation from dams minimizes the transfer of microbiota from dams to newborns. In this review, understanding how weaning times and methodologies could affect the normal development and growth of newborn goats may facilitate the development of new feeding strategies to control stress in further studies.

A newly developed bacteriocin like substance to replace monensin in diets of lactating ewes.

The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of feeding a newly produced bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) as a replacement for monensin in the diets of lactating ewes. In Experiment 1, the effects of BLS or monensin at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g/kg diet on in vitro ruminal fermentation were compared. In Experiment 2, 30 multiparous Barki ewes were divided into three treatments in a complete randomized design for 90 days. The ewes were fed a basal diet without supplementation or supplemented with monensin or BLS at 0.5 g/kg DM diet. In Experiment 1, the highest levels of BLS and monensin decreased gas production, while all levels of additives linearly decreased methane production. In Experiment 2, BLS increased nutrient digestibility. Additives increased ruminal total and individual volatile fatty acids and decreased ruminal ammonia-N. The BLS increased serum albumin and decreased the concentrations of serum liver enzymes, while both additives increased serum glucose and decreased urea-N. Additives increased daily production of milk, while the BLS treatment increased the feed efficiency. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of BLS at 0.5 g/kg DM for lactating ewes is recommended to replace monensin.

A Review of Effect of Saponins on Ruminal Fermentation, Health and Performance of Ruminants.

Saponins are steroid, or triterpene glycoside, compounds found in plants and plant products, mainly legumes. However, some plants containing saponins are toxic. Saponins have both positive and negative roles in animal nutrition. Saponins have been shown to act as membrane-permeabilizing, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolaemic, and defaunating agents in the rumen for the manipulation of ruminal fermentation. Moreover, it has been reported that saponins have impair protein digestion in the gut to interact with cholesterol in the cell membrane, cause cell rupture and selective ruminal protozoa elimination, thus improving N-use efficiency and resulting in a probable increase in ruminant animal performance.

Partial replacement of corn with chocolate byproducts or protected fat in diets of early lactating Holstein cows: feed utilization and lactational performance.

This study determined the effects of the partial replacement of corn with chocolate byproducts or protected fat on the performance of cows. Forty multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design for 90 d. The control diet was a complete diet containing 41.2% concentrate feed mixture, 41.2% corn silage, and 17.6% berseem hay. In the other experimental diets, each kg of crushed corn grain in the control diet (DM basis) was replaced with 600 g chocolate byproducts (CH), 400 g protected fat (PF), or 500 g of a mixture of chocolate byproducts and protected fat (1:1 DM basis) (CHPF). Both amounts of PF and CH had the same energy concentration as 1 kg of corn. The experimental treatments did not affect total intake; however, they increased (p < 0.001) daily production of milk, milk fat content, and feed efficiency. Moreover, treatments increased (p < 0.05) blood total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride. The CH, PF, and CHPF treatments increased (p < 0.01) nutrient digestibility. It is concluded that replacing 1 kg of corn in the diet of lactating Holstein cows with PF at 400 g, followed by CHPF at 500 g, and CH at 600 g enhanced milk production and feed efficiency.

Lactation performance and feed utilization of Rahmani ewes fed with either a newly produced bacteriocin-like substance or a commercial bacteriocin.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of feeding a newly produced bacteriocin-like substance from Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (PNP) with a commercial bacteriocin (NISEEN-S; CNP) in lactating Rahmani ewe diets. In experiment 1, the effects of four levels (500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 unit/kg substrate, dry matter (DM) basis) of both bacteriocins on in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics, total gas production (TGP), methane production (CH4), and nutrient degradability were determined. In experiment 2, 2 wk before the expected parturition, 30 multiparous lactating Rahmani ewes (mean ± SD: 2 ± 0.3 parity, 46.8 ± 2.5 kg body weight, 23 ± 2.7 mo of age, and 370 ± 13 g/d of previous milk production) were equally divided into three treatments in a complete randomized design for 90 d. The ewes in the control treatment were offered a diet composed of 600 g of concentrate feed mixture, 300 g berseem hay, and 100 g of faba bean straw (Control), or supplemented with produced bacteriocin like substance (PNP) or commercial (CNP) bacteriocin at 500 unit/kg feed (DM basis). In experiment 1, both PNP and CNP linearly and quadratically decreased (P < 0.001) CH4 production; however, PNP and CNP at 500 unit/kg feed quadratically increased fiber degradability (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, both PNP and CNP increased (P < 0.05) nutrient digestibility, and ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate, while decreasing ruminal ammonia-N. The PNP treatment increased (P < 0.05) blood total proteins and albumin, while PNP and CNP treatments increase serum glucose. Both PNP and CNP treatments increased (P < 0.05) daily milk production and milk efficiency, without affecting the concentration of milk components. Both PNP and CNP are recommended to improve feed utilization and milk production, with superior results detected for PNP at 500 unit/kg feed daily.

Using probiotics to improve the utilization of chopped dried date palm leaves as a feed in diets of growing Farafra lambs.

The study determined the ability of three probiotics to improve the nutritional value of date palm leaves in diets of growing lambs. Twenty male Farafra lambs (26 ± 0.33 kg) were randomly allocated to one of four treatments (n = 6) and fed: a control or basal diet (C; 70% concentrate + 30% date palm leaves without additives) and supplemented with Bacillofort containing 2 × 1011 CFU of Bacillus subtilis/g (BAC treatment), Lacotpro containing 1 × 1012 CFU of Lactobacillus acidophilus/g (LAC treatment) or ZAD containing 6 × 108 CFU of R. albus/g (ZAD treatment) at 4 g of all additives for 150 days. As a result of this study, LAC improved (P < 0.05) growth performance and feed efficiency compared to control. Additives increased (P = 0.001) concentrations of albumin, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine, hemoglobin concentration and red blood cells and decreased (P = 0.001) globulin and urea-N. Additives increased hot carcass (P = 0.040) while BAC increased Longissimus dorsi, meat and fat without affecting water holding capacity compared to other treatments. In the metabolism experiment, BAC increased the digestibility of crude protein, while BAC and ZAD increased the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber. Additives did not affect nitrogen (N) intake and urinary N; however, decreased fecal N and increased N balance compared to the control. BAC and ZAD increased ruminal volatile fatty acids concentration compared to the control. Based on our results, Lacotpro could be used to improve growth performance and feed efficiency, while Bacillofort could be used to improve meat quality of in lambs.

A newly developed strain of Enterococcus faecium isolated from fresh dairy products to be used as a probiotic in lactating Holstein cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the ability of an isolated strain (EGY_NRC1) or commercial (NCIMB 11181) Enterococcus faecium as a probiotic for lactating cows. Two experiments were conducted: In Experiment 1, the effects of three levels (1, 2, and 3 g/kg diet, DM basis) of isolated and commercial E. faecium on in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics, gas, methane (CH4) and nutrient degradability were determined. In Experiment 2, thirty multiparous Holstein cows (633 ± 25.4 kg body weight) with 7 days in milk, were randomly assigned to 3 treatments in a completely randomized design in a 60-day experiment. Cows were fed without any additives (control treatment) or supplemented with 2 g/kg feed daily of E. faecium EGY_NRC1 (contain 1.1 × 109 CFU/g) or commercial E. faecium NCIMB 11181 (contain 2 × 1012 CFU/g). Diets were prepared to meet cow's nutrient requirements according to NRC recommendations. Probiotic doses were based on the in vitro Experiment 1. Feed intake, digestibility, blood parameters and lactation performance were evaluated. In Experiment 1, the isolated E. faecium linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.001) in vitro total gas production (TGP), the degradability of dry matter (dDM) and organic matter (dOM) while decreased (P < 0.05) methane (CH4) percent of TGP, NH3CH4 production, and pH. The commercial E. faecium increased TGP and decreased (P < 0.01) CH4 production, pH and increased the dDM and dOM, short chain fatty acids and ruminal NH3-N concentration. In Experiment 2, the isolated E. faecium increased (P < 0.01) total tract digestibility of DM, neutral and acid detergent fiber, daily milk production and feed efficiency compared to the control treatment without affecting feed intake and milk composition. Moreover, the isolated E. faecium increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of C18:1 trans-9, C18:2 cis-9-12 and C18:2 trans-10 cis-12. Both isolated and commercial E. faecium improved (P < 0.01) organic matter, crude protein and nonstructural carbohydrates digestibility, increased serum glucose (P = 0.002) and decreased serum cholesterol (P = 0.002). Additionally, both E. faecium strains decreased C23:0 (P = 0.005) in milk. In conclusion, the use of E. faecium (isolated and commercial) at 2 g/kg DM of feed improved feed efficiency and production performance, with superior effects on animal performance from isolated E. faecium compared to the commercial one.

Utilization of Waste Date Palm Leaves Biomass Ensiled with Malic or Lactic Acids in Diets of Farafra Ewes under Tropical Conditions.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the ensiling of date palm leaves (DPL) with organic acids (lactic or malic acid) for 45 day as a feed for lactating ewes under desert conditions. Two weeks before expected parturition, 50 multiparous lactating Farafra ewes (mean ± SD: 2 ± 0.3 parity, 34 ± 1.9 kg bodyweight, 25 ± 2.4 months of age, and 555 ± 13.0 g/day of previous milk production) were equally divided into five treatments in a completely randomized design for 90 day. The ewes in the control treatment were offered a diet composed of a concentrate feed mixture and DPL at 60:40 on a dry matter (DM) basis ensiled without additive. In the other treatments, DPL (ensiled without organic acids) in the control treatment was replaced with DPL ensiled with lactic or malic acid (at 5 g/kg DM) at 50 or 100% levels. Organic acids linearly and quadratically increased (p < 0.01) DPL and total intakes and digestibilities of DM, organic matter, crude protein, and nonstructural carbohydrates without affecting fiber digestibility. Malic and lactic acid treatment also increased the concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate, and ammonia-N. Additionally, malic and lactic acid-treated DPL increased serum glucose concentration and total antioxidant capacity. Without affecting daily actual milk production, treatments increased (p < 0.001) the daily production of energy-corrected milk (ECM), fat-corrected milk (FCM), milk energy output, milk contents of fats, and feed efficiency. Organic acid-treated DPL increased (p < 0.05) the proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and total conjugated linoleic acids and the unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio in milk. It is concluded that feeding DPL ensiled with malic or lactic acid at 20 or 40% of total diet DM increased daily ECM and FCM production, nutrient utilization efficiency, and milk quality. No differences were observed between lactic and malic acid treatment of DPL during ensiling; therefore, both of them are recommended to treat DPL for silage preparation.

Replacing the Concentrate Feed Mixture with Moringa oleifera Leaves Silage and Chlorella vulgaris Microalgae Mixture in Diets of Damascus Goats: Lactation Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Ruminal Fermentation.

Exploring suitable alternatives for high-cost concentrate feeds is a critical factor for successful livestock production. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera silage and Chlorella vulgaris microalgae (at 1% of total diet, DM basis) in a quintuplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design for milk production performance, nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation in Damascus goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided into three groups to be fed a diet composed of a concentrate mixture and rice straw at 60:40 (DM basis) in the control group and fed for 30 days in each period. The concentrate mixture in the control treatment was replaced with M. oleifera silage and C. vulgaris microalgae at 20% (MA20 treatment) or 40% (MA40 treatment). Treatments did not affect total feed intake but increased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) and fiber intakes while decreasing nonstructural carbohydrates intake. The digestibility of CP and acid detergent fiber increased due to silage supplementation compared to the control treatment. Treatments increased (p < 0.05) ruminal pH and the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate; however, they decreased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of ammonia-N. Treatments increased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of serum glucose and antioxidant capacity. Both MA20 and MA40 treatments increased the daily milk production, the concentrations of milk fat and lactose, and feed efficiency compared to the control treatment. Additionally, MA20 and MA40 treatments increased the proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and total conjugated linoleic acids. It is concluded that the concentrate feed mixture in the diet of lactating goats can be replaced up to 40% (equals to 24% of total diet) with M. oleifera silage to improve feed intake and nutrient utilization, and milk production performance.

Feeding Date-Palm Leaves Ensiled with Fibrolytic Enzymes or Multi-Species Probiotics to Farafra Ewes: Intake, Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation, Blood Chemistry, Milk Production and Milk Fatty Acid Profile.

The present experiment evaluated the feeding of date palm leaves (DPL) ensiled with fibrolytic enzymes (ENZ) or multi-species probiotics (MSP) on nutrient utilization and lactational performance of ewes. Fifty multiparous lactating Farafra ewes were used in a completely randomized design for 90 d. The treatments consisted of the control diet with a concentrate feed mixture and date palm leaves (at 60:40, DM basis) ensiled without additive (control) or DPL ensiled with ENZ or MSP replacing control DPL at 50 or 100%. Both ENZ and MSP increased (p < 0.01) DPL and total intakes, digestibility of all nutrients, concentrations of ammonia, total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate in the rumen. Increased milk production, concentrations of fat, lactose and energy in milk, and feed efficiency were observed with MSP and ENZ compared to the control treatment. Moreover, ENZ and MSP increased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of total n3, n6 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids and decreased (p < 0.001) the atherogenicity. The differences between ENZ and MSP and between the low and high replacement levels were minor for all measured parameters. Ensiling of DPL with MSP or fibrolytic enzymes is recommended to improve feed efficiency and improve lactational performance of ewes.

In vitro fermentation and production of methane and carbon dioxide from rations containing Moringa oleifera leave silage as a replacement of soybean meal: in vitro assessment.

Plant leaf meal of some forage trees such as Moringa oleifera has attracted an increasing interest as a good and cheap source of protein. The present in vitro experiment employed the in vitro wireless gas production (GP) technique to evaluate the inclusion of M. oleifera leaves ensiled for 45 days as a replacement for soybean meal in rations. A control basal ration was formulated to contain 17.5% soybean meal as a source of protein. Soybean meal in the control ration was replaced with silage (MOS) at increasing levels of 0 to 100%. Replacing soybean meal with MOS gradually increased (P < 0.001) GP kinetics (asymptotic GP, rate of GP, and lag time of GP). However, soybean meal replacement decreased (P < 0.001) asymptotic methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) productions, and rate of CH4 production and increased the lag time of CH4 and CO2 production. Gradual increases (P < 0.001) in the digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, ruminal bacteria count, fermentation pH, and the concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate were observed with rations containing MOS. Decreases in the digestibility of crude protein, ruminal protozoal count, and the concentrations of ruminal ammonia-N were observed with MOS rations. It is concluded soybean meal can be completely replaced by MOS with desirable effects on ruminal fermentation.

Lemongrass supplementation to Farafra ewes improved feed utilization, lactational performance and milk nutritive value in the subtropics.

Application of phytogenic feed additives in livestock production is a sustainable practice and the search for more phytogenic options continues. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of lemongrass supplementation on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation and milk production and composition. Thirty gestating Farafra ewes were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments of control (without a supplement), or with the supplementation of 5 g (LEM5 treatment), or 10 g of lemongrass/ewe/d (LEM10 treatment) for 12 weeks. Lemongrass supplementation at both doses did not influence ( p > 0.05) nutrient intake, but improved nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LEM5 and LEM10 treatments improved (p ≤ 0.001) ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate. Blood glucose was increased (p < 0.05) and cholesterol was decreased in ewes supplemented with lemongrass at both doses. Milk yield, energy corrected milk yield, and milk component were improved (p ≤ 0.001) in ewes supplemented with lemongrass at 5 and 10 g while the feed efficiency was decreased. Lemongrass supplementation at both doses increased (p = 0.040) the proportion of milk total conjugated linoleic acid without affecting other milk fatty acids. In most of the parameters evaluated, there was no significant difference between LEM5 and LEM10. Therefore, lemongrass supplementation at 5 g/ewe/d can be used in dairy production with positive impacts.

The sustainable mitigation of in vitro ruminal biogas emissions by ensiling date palm leaves and rice straw with lactic acid bacteria and Pleurotus ostreatus for cleaner livestock production.

AIMS: The sustainable utilization of date palm leaves (DPL) and rice straw (RS) as feed materials for ruminant was evaluated using an in vitro wireless gas production (GP) technique. METHODS AND RESULTS: DPL and RS were individually ensiled with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for 45 days or used as substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) mushroom for 35 days. A total mixed ration was formulated as a control ration. In the other rations, berseem hay replaced DPL (ensiled without additives or ensiled with LAB or PO) at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Ensiling with LAB did not affect the chemical composition of DPL or RS, while PO treatment reduced their fibre fraction contents. Ensiling without additives lowered (p < 0.05) the asymptotic production of total gas, methane (CH4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ), and the rate of CH4 and CO2 while increasing (p < 0.05) the lag time of CH4 and CO2 production. Ensiling of materials with LAB and treatment with PO decreased (p < 0.05) the asymptotic production of total gas, CH4 and CO2 production and decreased the rate of CH4 and CO2 production. Ensiling without additives decreased (p < 0.05) total bacterial count, and increased (p < 0.05) fermentation pH and total volatile fatty acids (VFA), while LAB-ensiled DPL increased (p < 0.05) total VFA and propionate concentrations and decreased total protozoal count. The PO-treated DPL decreased (p < 0.05) bacterial count, protozoal count and fermentation pH and increased total VFA production. CONCLUSIONS: Replacing berseem hay with LAB or PO-treated DPL at 25% increased GP; however, increased CH4 and CO2 production, whereas the other replacement levels decreased total gas, CH4 and CO2 production. The treatment with LAB is more recommended than the PO treatment.