Effects of different feeding regimens with protease supplementation on growth, amino acid digestibility, economic efficiency, blood biochemical parameters, and intestinal histology in broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to estimate the impacts of using varied feeding regimens with or without protease supplementation on the growth performance, apparent amino acid ileal digestibility (AID%), economic efficiency, intestinal histology, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Three hundred one-day-old chicks (Ross 308 broiler) were randomly allotted to a 3 × 2 factorial design. The experimental design consisted of three feeding regimens; FR1: a recommended protein SBM diet, FR2: a low-protein SBM diet, and FR3: a low-protein diet with the inclusion of 5% DDGS and 5% SFM, with or without protease supplementation (250 mg/kg). RESULTS: Increased feed intake and feed conversion ratio were observed in the FR3 treatment during the starter stage and decreased body weight and body weight gain during the grower stage. However, there was no significant effect of the different feeding regimens, protease supplementation, or interaction on the overall performance. The economic value of diets also remained unaffected by the different feeding regimens, protease supplementation, or interaction. Protease supplementation resulted in lowering the AID% of tryptophan and leucine. Reduced AID% of methionine was evident in the FR2 + VE and FR3 - VE treatments. Histological findings substantiated the FR3 treatment mediated a decrease in the duodenal and jejunal villous height (VH), jejunal villous width (VW), and ileal VW, whereas, increase in the ileal crypt depth (CD). The FR2 + VE treatment reduced the VH:CD ratio in the duodenum. The duodenal CD and the jejunal goblet cell count were reduced as a consequence of protease supplementation. The FR3 + VE treatment documented a rise in duodenal CD, while an increase in the jejunal goblet cell count was observed in the FR3 - VE treatment. The FR3 treatment enhanced the IgM serum levels compared to the FR1 and FR2 treatments. IgM serum levels were also elevated following protease supplementation. FR3 + VE treatment increased IgM serum levels. The highest serum ALP was found in the FR3 treatment, whereas the lowest level was obtained in the FR2 treatment. CONCLUSION: Low-protein SBM-based diets could be used without affecting the birds' growth. Altered morphometric measures of the intestine and increased IgM and ALP levels indicated the low-protein SBM/DDGS-SFM diet-induced damage of the intestinal histoarchitecture and immune system of birds. These different diets and protease supplementation failed to affect economic efficiency positively.

Effect of dried distillers' grain with solubles as a replacer of peanut cake for sheep fed on low quality forage.

Several concerns exist on the performance and health attributes of sheep fed on complete replacements of the traditional feed ingredients with dried distillers' grain solubles (DDGS). The study intended to know the effect of DDGS on replacing the peanut cake (PNC) at 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in sheep fed Jowar stover-based diet. Replacing PNC with DDGS increased (P < 0.05) the final body weight and concentrate intake. The weight gain and average daily gain tended to increase (P = 0.086), whereas the feed conversion ratio tended to decrease (P = 0.092) with increased DDGS inclusion levels. The CP intake increased linearly (P < 0.01) with an increase in DDGS levels. However, the intakes of DM, OM, NDF, and ADF increased quadratically (P < 0.01) and showed a quadratic maximum at 75% replacements group. The in vitro dry matter digestibility and 24 h-gas (ml) production linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increased DDGS inclusion levels, while the CH4 (% total gas) and CH4 (ml) showed a quadratic increase (P < 0.05). The metabolisable energy, ammonia nitrogen, and volatile fatty acid concentrations were higher for DDGS diets. Further, the Gompertz curve fitting of the gas production data revealed higher asymptotic volume with lower constant of integration (b) and rate of production (k) of the DDGS incubations. No significant differences were observed for any of the carcass characteristics, except for leg weight, which showed a linear increase (P < 0.05). Increased tendency was observed for EBW, loin eye area at 12th rib, and edible portion of the sheep fed DDGS groups. Further, the visceral organs and carcass composition did not show any significant differences, except for kidney weight (linear, P < 0.05). The income over feed cost (IOFC) was higher for 100% DDGS group with lower feed cost and higher income per Kg mutton. Replacing the traditional peanut cake with DDGS in the crop residue-based diets of growing lambs contributes to higher yields for producers.

Effects of agroindustrial by-product supplementation on dairy goat milk characteristics, nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, and methane production.

The use of agroindustrial by-products, such as dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and dried citrus pulp (DCP), has been widely investigated in dairy cows, but information on their effects in dairy goats is limited. The influence of feeding olive cake (a by-product of olive oil production) to dairy goats has been assessed in some studies, but exhausted olive cake (EOC) has been much less investigated. Twelve Murciano-Granadina goats were used in a crossover design trial with 2 periods to assess the effects of including agroindustrial by-products on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, methane production, urinary excretion of purine derivatives, and milk yield and composition. In each period, 6 goats received daily a control diet comprising 1 kg of alfalfa hay and 1 kg of high-cereal concentrate, and another 6 goats received a diet (BYP) comprising 1 kg of alfalfa hay and 1 kg of a concentrate including corn DDGS, DCP, and EOC in proportions of 180, 180, and 80 g/kg of concentrate (as-fed basis), respectively. Diet had no effect on total dry matter intake, but intake of alfalfa hay, CP, and fat was greater for the BYP group than for the control group. There were no differences between diets in nutrient apparent digestibility, with the exception of fat, which was greater for the BYP diet compared with the control diet. Although fecal N tended to be greater for the BYP diet, there were no differences in N utilization. Compared with the control diet, milk yield tended to be greater and daily production of milk CP, fat, whey protein, and TS as well as milk gross energy were greater for the BYP diet. The concentration of C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0 fatty acids (FA) was or tended to be lower and the concentration of polyunsaturated FA was greater in the milk of BYP-fed goats compared with goats fed the control diet. Diet had no effect on ruminal parameters (pH, volatile FA, and NH3-N concentrations) and methane emissions, but urinary excretion of total purine derivatives tended to be lower in BYP-fed goats than in those fed the control diet. A mixture of corn DDGS (180 g), DCP (180 g), and EOC (80 g) could replace 44% of cereal grains and protein feeds in the concentrate for dairy goats without compromising nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, or milk yield and led to a more unsaturated FA profile in milk.

Reducing methane production with corn oil and calcium sulfate: Responses on whole-animal energy and nitrogen balance in dairy cattle.

The addition of fat and calcium sulfate to diets fed to ruminants has resulted in a reduction in methane production, but the effects on energy balance have not been studied. A study using indirect calorimetry and 16 multiparous (8 Holstein and 8 Jersey; 78 ± 15 d in milk; mean ± standard deviation) lactating dairy cows was conducted to determine how mitigating methane production by adding corn oil or calcium sulfate to diets containing reduced-fat distillers grains affects energy and nitrogen balance. A replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 35-d periods (28 d of adaption and 4 d of collections) was used to compare 4 different dietary treatments. Treatments were composed of a control (CON) diet, which did not contain reduced-fat distillers grain and solubles (DDGS), and treatment diets containing 20% (dry matter basis) DDGS (DG), 20% DDGS with 1.38% (dry matter basis) added corn oil (CO), and 20% DDGS with 0.93% (dry matter basis) added calcium sulfate (CaS). Compared with CON, dry matter intake was not affected by treatment, averaging 29.6 ± 0.67 kg/d. Milk production was increased for diets containing DDGS compared with CON (26.3 vs. 27.8 ± 0.47 kg/d for CON vs. DDGS, respectively), likely supported by increased energy intake. Compared with CON, energy-corrected milk was greater in DG and CO (30.1 vs. 31.4, 31.7, and 31.0 ± 0.67 kg/d for CON, DG, CO, and CaS, respectively). Compared with CON, the addition of calcium sulfate and corn oil to diets containing DDGS reduced methane production per kg of dry matter intake (22.3, 19.9, and 19.6 ± 0.75 L/kg per d for CON, CO, and CaS, respectively). Similarly, methane production per kilogram of energy-corrected milk was reduced with the addition of calcium sulfate and corn oil to diets containing DDGS (14.2, 12.5, and 12.4 ± 0.50 L/kg per d for CON, CO, and CaS, respectively). Compared with CON and CaS, the intake of digestible energy was greater for DG and CO treatments (57.7, 62.1, 62.0, and 59.0 ± 1.38 Mcal/d for CON, DG, CO, and CaS, respectively). Intake of metabolizable energy was greater in all treatments containing DDGS compared with CON (50.5 vs. 54.0 ± 1.08 Mcal/d for CON vs. DDGS, respectively). Net balance (milk plus tissue energy) per unit of dry matter was greater in CO (containing DDGS and oil) than CON (1.55 vs. 1.35 ± 0.06 Mcal/kg for CO vs. CON, respectively). Tissue energy was greater in DG and CO compared with CON (6.08, 7.04, and 3.16 ± 0.99 Mcal/d for DG, CO, and CON, respectively. Results of this study suggest that the addition of oil and calcium sulfate to diets containing DDGS may be a viable option to reduce methane production and in the case of oil also improve net energy balance in lactating dairy cows.

Feeding reduced-fat dried distillers grains with solubles to lactating Holstein dairy cows does not alter milk composition or cause late blowing in cheese.

Feeding dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) to lactating dairy cows has been implicated as a cause of late blowing defects in the production of Swiss-style cheeses. Our objectives were (1) to test the effect of feeding reduced-fat DDGS (RF-DDGS; ∼6% fat) to lactating dairy cows on the composition of milk and on the suitability of the milk for production of baby Swiss cheese and (2) to evaluate the effect of diet on cow lactation performance. Lactating Holstein dairy cows were fed both dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 crossover design. Cows were housed in a 48-cow freestall pen equipped with individual feeding gates to record feed intake. The control diet was a corn, corn silage, and alfalfa hay diet supplemented with mechanically expelled soybean meal. The experimental diet was the same base ration, but 20% (dry matter basis) RF-DDGS were included in place of the expelled soybean meal. The RF-DDGS diet was additionally supplemented with rumen-protected lysine; diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. Cows were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water, fed twice daily, and milked 3 times daily. For cheese production, milk was collected and pooled 6 times for each dietary treatment. There was no treatment effect on milk yield (35.66 and 35.39 kg/d), milk fat production (1.27 and 1.25 kg/d), milk fat percentage (3.65 and 3.61%), milk protein production (1.05 and 1.08 kg/d), lactose percentage (4.62 and 4.64%), milk total solids (12.19 and 12.28%), and somatic cell count (232.57 and 287.22 × 103 cells/mL) for control and RF-DDGS, respectively. However, dry matter intake was increased by treatment, which implied a reduction in feed efficiency. Milk protein percentage also increased (3.01 and 3.11%), whereas milk urea nitrogen decreased (14.18 and 12.99 mg/dL), indicating that protein utilization may be more efficient when cows are fed RF-DDGS. No differences in cheese were observed by a trained panel except cheese appearance; control cheese eyes were significantly, but not practically, larger than the RF-DDGS cheese. These results indicate that RF-DDGS can be effectively used in the rations of lactating Holstein cows with no deleterious effects on milk production and composition and metrics of the physiology of the cow (i.e., blood glucose and nonesterified fatty acids); however, feeding RF-DDGS increased dry matter intake, which decreased feed efficiency. Finally, feeding RF-DDGS did not negatively influence quality and suitability of milk for production of baby Swiss cheese.

Effect of substituting soybean meal and canola cake with dried distillers grains with solubles at 2 dietary crude protein levels on feed intake, milk production, and milk quality in dairy cows.

Dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) is an alternative source of feed protein for dairy cows. Previous studies found that DDGS, based on grains other than corn, can substitute for soybean meal and canola cake as a dietary protein source without reducing milk production or quality. As societal concerns exist, and in many areas strict regulation, regarding nitrogen excretion from dairy cows, the dairy industry has focused on reducing dietary protein level and nitrogen excretion. In the present study, we investigated the use of DDGS as a protein source, at a marginally low dietary crude protein (CP) levels, in a grass-clover and corn silage-based ration. The experiment involved 24 Holstein cows and 2 protein sources (DDGS or soybean-canola mixture) fed at 2 levels of CP (14 or 16%) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both protein source and protein level on feed intake, milk yield, and milk quality. The results indicated that feed intake, milk yield, and protein in milk increased when the protein level in the ration was 16% CP compared with 14%. We found no effect of substituting the soybean-canola mixture with DDGS. Moreover, no sensory problems were observed when comparing fresh milk with stored milk, and milk taste was unaffected by DDGS. Milk from cows fed DDGS had a slightly higher content of linoleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA 9-11), and lower content of C11 to C17 fatty acids than cows fed diets with the soybean-canola mixture. Cows fed the diets with 16% CP produced milk with higher oleic acids and lower palmitic acid content than cows fed 14% CP diets. To conclude, DDGS can substitute for a soybean-canola mixture without affecting feed intake, milk yield and quality, or sensory quality. Under the conditions of this experiment, feeding 16% CP compared with 14% CP in the ration can increase feed intake and milk production.

Effect of substituting soybean meal and canola cake with grain-based dried distillers grains with solubles as a protein source on feed intake, milk production, and milk quality in dairy cows.

The growth of the bioethanol industry is leading to an increase in the production of coproducts such as dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Both corn-based DDGS and grain-based DDGS (gDDGS; defined as originating from grain sources such as barley, wheat, triticale, or a mix, excluding corn) appear to be relevant sources of feed and protein for dairy cows. To date, most of the studies investigating DDGS have been performed with corn-based DDGS. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of the proportion of gDDGS in the diet on feed intake, milk production, and milk quality. The present experiment involved 48 Holstein cows in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 grass-based dietary treatments consisting of 4, 13.5, and 23% gDDGS on a dry matter (DM) basis (L, M, and H, respectively) as a replacement for a concentrate mix. The concentrate mix consisted of soybean meal, canola cake, and beet pulp. Dry matter intake and energy-corrected milk yield were not affected by the proportion of gDDGS in the diet. Daily milk yield decreased with the H diet compared with the L and M diets. The percentage of fat in milk was higher when cows were fed the H diet compared with the L and M diets, whereas milk fat yield was not affected by dietary treatment. The M diet had a higher percentage of protein in milk compared with the L and H diets. Milk protein yield was similar for the L and M diets; however, it decreased for the H diet. Milk taste was not affected by the proportion of gDDGS in the diet or when milk was stored for 7 d. Linoleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid cis-9,trans-11 in milk increased with increasing proportion of gDDGS. To conclude, gDDGS can replace soybean meal and canola cake as a protein source in the diet of dairy cows. Up to 13.5% of the diet may consist of gDDGS without negatively affecting milk production, milk quality, or milk taste. When gDDGS represents 23% of dietary DM, milk production is reduced by 1.6 kg/d, whereas energy-corrected milk production is numerically reduced by 1 kg.

Towards a methodology to formulate sustainable diets for livestock: accounting for environmental impact in diet formulation.

The objective of this study was to develop a novel methodology that enables pig diets to be formulated explicitly for environmental impact objectives using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. To achieve this, the following methodological issues had to be addressed: (1) account for environmental impacts caused by both ingredient choice and nutrient excretion, (2) formulate diets for multiple environmental impact objectives and (3) allow flexibility to identify the optimal nutritional composition for each environmental impact objective. An LCA model based on Canadian pig farms was integrated into a diet formulation tool to compare the use of different ingredients in Eastern and Western Canada. By allowing the feed energy content to vary, it was possible to identify the optimum energy density for different environmental impact objectives, while accounting for the expected effect of energy density on feed intake. A least-cost diet was compared with diets formulated to minimise the following objectives: non-renewable resource use, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, global warming potential and a combined environmental impact score (using these four categories). The resulting environmental impacts were compared using parallel Monte Carlo simulations to account for shared uncertainty. When optimising diets to minimise a single environmental impact category, reductions in the said category were observed in all cases. However, this was at the expense of increasing the impact in other categories and higher dietary costs. The methodology can identify nutritional strategies to minimise environmental impacts, such as increasing the nutritional density of the diets, compared with the least-cost formulation.

Effects of extruding wheat dried distillers grains with solubles with peas or canola meal on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, nutrient digestion, and milk production in dairy cows.

Our objective was to examine the effects of feeding coextruded and nonextruded supplements consisting of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles with peas (WDDGS-peas) or canola meal (WDDGS-CM) on ruminal fermentation, omasal flow, and production performance in Holstein cows. Eight cows (4 ruminally cannulated) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square with 28-d periods and a 2×2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were coextruded or nonextruded mixtures of WDDGS-peas and WDDGS-CM that were included in total mixed rations at 15.1% [dry matter (DM) basis]. Diet had no effect on DM intake. Milk yield was greater in cows fed coextruded diets compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Milk fat content was greater in cows fed nonextruded diets compared with those fed coextruded diets, but milk fat yield was greater in cows fed coextruded diets compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Milk yield tended to be greater and milk protein yield was greater in cows fed WDDGS-peas compared with those fed WDDGS-CM. Cows fed nonextruded diets had a greater milk urea-N concentration compared with those fed coextruded diets. Cows fed coextruded diets had greater ruminal digestion of DM and tended to have greater ruminal digestion of organic matter compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Total-tract digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and starch were greater, whereas that of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber tended to be greater in cows fed coextruded compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Total-tract digestibility of ether extract was lower whereas that of starch was greater and that of crude protein tended to be greater in cows fed WDDGS-peas compared with those fed WDDGS-CM. Total N excretion and milk N efficiency were unaffected by diet. Ruminal NH3-N concentration tended to be greater in cows fed WDDGS-CM compared with those fed WDDGS-peas. Ruminal propionate concentration was greater whereas plasma urea-N concentration tended to be lower in cows fed coextruded compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Plasma glucose concentration was greater in cows fed diets containing WDDGS-CM compared with those fed diets containing WDDGS-peas, but the difference in plasma glucose concentration between WDDGS-CM and WDDGS-peas was greater in cows fed coextruded diets compared with those fed nonextruded diets. In summary, feeding coextruded compared with nonextruded supplements or WDDGS-peas compared WDDGS-CM increased yields of milk, fat, and protein.

Effects of reducing dietary starch content by replacing barley grain with wheat dried distillers grains plus solubles in dairy cow rations on ovarian function.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary starch content, altered by partial substitution of dietary grain with wheat dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS), on the interval from calving to first ovulation, concentrations of hormones and metabolites in plasma and follicular fluid, and granulosa cell gene expression in preovulatory follicles. Sixty lactating dairy cows were assigned to 1 of 2 diets from calving until 84d postpartum. Diets were formulated to contain either 17.3% rolled barley grain (29.2% starch) or 17.2% wheat DDGS (19.1% starch), with 43.0% barley silage and 21.6% rolled corn grain as the other major ingredients (dry matter basis). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed twice weekly to monitor ovarian dynamics from 7 ± 2d postpartum until ovulation or until 56d in milk, whichever occurred earlier. Plasma concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were determined in all 60 cows, and that of glucose, fatty acids, and urea in a subset of 24 cows, representing those in which the first ovulation occurred spontaneously within 5 wk postpartum. Estradiol (proestrus) and progesterone (12d postovulation) in plasma were also measured. Concentrations of insulin, IGF-1, glucose, fatty acids, and urea were determined in follicular fluid (wk 9), and the expression of LH receptor, estrogen receptor ß, cytochrome P450 aromatase, and plasma type glutathione peroxidase genes measured in granulosa cells obtained from the preovulatory follicles at wk 9 postpartum in the subset of 24 cows. Diets did not alter the interval from calving to first ovulation (32.3 ± 2.5d), but a significantly lower proportion of cows on the DDGS diet (20%) ovulated multiple (≥ 2) follicles at the first ovulation than those on the barley grain diet (40%). The incidence of multiple ovulations tended to be lower at first insemination (10 vs. 21% for cows fed DDGS and barley grain diets, respectively). Mean plasma concentration of insulin was higher in cows fed the barley grain diet (2.5 vs 1.6 IU/mL), and a diet by time interaction was noted, with cows on the barley grain ration having higher insulin from wk 6 to 12 postpartum; however, mean plasma IGF-1 concentration did not differ between dietary groups. In the subsets, mean plasma concentrations of metabolites or estradiol and progesterone were not affected by diet, parity, or diet by parity interactions. Cows on the DDGS diet had lower concentrations of IGF-I (69 vs. 108 ng/mL) and higher fatty acids (222 vs. 149 mEq/L) in the follicular fluid obtained from preovulatory follicles. Diet, parity, and diet by parity interactions did not affect the concentrations of insulin, glucose, urea, estradiol, and progesterone in follicular fluid. Diets did not alter the expression profiles of LHr, estrogen receptor ß, CYP19, and GPx3 genes in granulosa cells. In summary, diets did not affect the interval from calving to first ovulation or granulosa cell gene expression. However, reducing dietary starch content by a partial replacement of dietary grain with wheat DDGS increased fatty acids in follicular fluid and reduced the concentrations of insulin in plasma, IGF-1 in follicular fluid, and the incidence of multiple ovulations.

Effects of feeding canola meal or wheat dried distillers grains with solubles as a major protein source in low- or high-crude protein diets on ruminal fermentation, omasal flow, and production in cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding canola meal (CM) or wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (W-DDGS) as the major source of protein in diets varying in crude protein (CP) content on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein production, omasal nutrient flow, and production performance in lactating dairy cows. Eight lactating dairy cows were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with 29-d periods (21 d of dietary adaptation and 8 d of measurements) and a 2×2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Four cows in 1 Latin square were ruminally cannulated to allow ruminal and omasal sampling. The treatment factors were (1) source of supplemental protein (CM vs. W-DDGS) and (2) dietary CP content (15 vs. 17%; DM basis). Diets contained 50% forage and 50% concentrate, and were fed twice daily at 0900 and 1600 h as total mixed rations for ad libitum intake. Dry matter intake and milk yield were unaffected by dietary treatments; however, milk yield in cows that were fed CM was numerically greater (+1.1 kg/d) when compared with cows fed W-DDGS. Feeding CM increased milk lactose content compared with feeding W-DDGS. Milk urea nitrogen and ruminal NH3-N concentrations were greater in cows fed the high-CP compared with those fed the low-CP diet. The rumen-degradable protein supply was greater in cows fed the high-CP when compared with those fed the low-CP diet when diets contained CM, whereas rumen-degradable protein supply was lower in cows fed the high-CP when compared with those fed the low-CP diet when diets contained W-DDGS. Total N flow at the omasal canal was not affected by diet; however, omasal flow of NH3-N was greater in cows fed CM when compared with those fed W-DDGS. The rumen-undegradable protein supply was greater in cows fed the low-CP when compared with those fed the high-CP diet when diets contained CM, whereas rumen-undegradable protein supply was lower in cows fed the low-CP when compared with those fed the high-CP diet when diets contained W-DDGS. Omasal flow of fluid-associated bacteria was greater and that of particle-associated bacteria tended to be greater in cows fed CM when compared with those fed W-DDGS; however, omasal flow of total microbial nonammonia N was unaffected by dietary treatment. Omasal flows of threonine and tryptophan were greater, whereas that of histidine and lysine tended to be greater in cows fed CM when compared with those fed W-DDGS. Our results show that when dairy diets are formulated to contain 15 or 17% CP, CM or W-DDGS can be used as the major source of protein and achieve similar levels of milk production.

Effect of forage level and replacing canola meal with dry distillers grains with solubles in precision-fed heifer diets: Digestibility and rumen fermentation.

Objectives of this study were to determine the effects of feeding differing forage-to-concentrate ratios (F:C) and inclusion rates of corn dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) on digestion and rumen fermentation in precision-fed dairy heifer rations. A split-plot design with F:C as whole plot and DDGS inclusion level as sub-plot was administered in a 4-period (19 d) 4 × 4 Latin square. Eight rumen-cannulated Holstein heifers (12.5 ± 0.5 mo of age and 344 ± 15 kg of body weight) housed in individual stalls were allocated to 2 F:C [50:50, low forage, or 75:25 high forage; dry matter (DM) basis] and to a sequence of DDGS inclusion (0, 7, 14, and 21%; DM basis). Forage was a mix of 50% corn silage and 50% grass hay (DM basis). Diets were fed to allow for 800 g/d of body weight gain and fed 1×/d. Rumen contents were sampled at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 20 h after feeding for rumen fermentation measures. Low-forage rations had greater DM and organic matter apparent digestibility. We detected a quadratic effect for DM, organic matter, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber apparent digestibility, with the 14% DDGS inclusion level having the highest values. Nitrogen retention decreased with increasing levels of DDGS. Molar proportions of acetate tended to be greater for HF and decreased as DDGS increased; propionate increased as DDGS increased, resulting in the opposite effect on acetate to propionate ratio. Rumen protozoa count decreased as DDGS increased. Moderate levels (14% of DM) of DDGS appear to enhance nutrient utilization and fermentation in precision-fed dairy heifers fed different F:C diets.

Energy content of reduced-fat dried distillers grains with solubles for lactating dairy cows.

Eight Holstein and 8 Jersey multiparous, lactating cows were used to complete 56 energy balances to determine the energy content of reduced-fat dried distillers grains with solubles (RFDDGS). A repeated switchback design was used to compare treatments with and without RFDDGS. Diets consisted of 24.2% corn silage, 18.4% alfalfa hay, 6.94% brome hay with either 22.9% rolled corn or 14.8% soybean meal (control), or 8.95% rolled corn, 28.8% RFDDGS, and 0% soybean meal [Co-P; dry-matter (DM) basis]. The inclusion of RFDDGS did not affect DM intake, averaging 21.4 ± 0.53 kg of DM for all cows, but milk production tended to increase from 29.8 to 30.9 ± 1.46 kg/d for control and Co-P treatments, respectively. Milk fat percentage and energy-corrected milk did not differ between treatments, averaging 4.33 ± 0.14% and 34.1 kg/d, respectively. Milk protein was significantly decreased by the Co-P treatment (3.56 and 3.41 ± 0.08% for control and Co-P treatments), but protein yield was not affected. Milk energies were 1.40 Mcal/d greater with Co-P. Energy lost as methane was reduced by 0.31 Mcal/d with the addition of RFDDGS to the diet. Heat loss averaged 29.9 ± 0.55 Mcal/d and was not different between diets. Average energy retained as tissue energy was -2.99 ± 0.93 Mcal/d and did not differ between treatments. Intake of digestible and metabolizable energy were not different between the control and Co-P treatments, averaging 2.68 and 2.31 Mcal/kg of DM, respectively. The net energy of lactation values of control and Co-P diets were calculated to be 1.43 and 1.47 Mcal/kg of DM, respectively. These energy estimates suggest greater energy content of diets containing RFDDGS than diets containing a mixture of corn and soybean meal in lactating dairy cows.

Fortification of dried distillers grains plus solubles with grape seed meal in the diet modulates methane mitigation and rumen microbiota in Rusitec.

The role of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) and associative effects of different levels of grape seed meal (GSM) fortified in DDGS, used as both protein and energy sources in the diet, on ruminal fermentation and microbiota were investigated using rumen-simulation technique. All diets consisted of hay and concentrate mixture with a ratio of 48:52 [dry matter (DM) basis], but were different in the concentrate composition. The control diet contained soybean meal (13.5% of diet DM) and barley grain (37%), whereas DDGS treatments, unfortified DDGS (19.5% of diet DM), or DDGS fortified with GSM, either at 1, 5, 10, or 20% were used entirely in place of soybean meal and part of barley grain at a 19.5 to 25% inclusion level. All diets had similar DM, organic matter, and crude protein contents, but consisted of increasing neutral detergent fiber and decreasing nonfiber carbohydrates levels with DDGS-GSM inclusion. Compared with the soy-based control diet, the unfortified DDGS treatment elevated ammonia concentration (19.1%) of rumen fluid associated with greater crude protein degradation (~19.5%). Methane formation decreased with increasing GSM fortification levels (≥ 5%) in DDGS by which the methane concentration significantly decreased by 18.9 to 23.4 and 12.8 to 17.6% compared with control and unfortified DDGS, respectively. Compared with control, unfortified DDGS decreased butyrate proportion, and GSM fortification in the diet further decreased this variable. The proportions of genus Prevotella and Clostridium cluster XIVa were enhanced by the presence of DDGS without any associative effect of GSM fortification. The abundance of methanogenic archaea was similar, but their composition differed among treatments; whereas Methanosphaera spp. remained unchanged, proportion of Methanobrevibacter spp. decreased in DDGS-based diets, being the lowest with 20% GSM inclusion. The abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, anaerobic fungi, and protozoa were decreased by the GSM inclusion. As revealed by principal component analysis, these variables were the microorganisms associated with the methane formation. Grape seed meal fortification level in the diet decreased DM and organic matter degradation, but this effect was more related to a depression of nonfiber carbohydrates degradation. It can be concluded that DDGS fortified with GSM can favorably modulate ruminal fermentation.

Apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of reduced-oil distillers dried grains with solubles fed to broilers from 23 to 31 days of age.

An experiment was conducted using male Ross×Ross 708 broiler chicks to determine the effect of oil extraction from corn distillers dried grains with solubles on apparent ileal amino acid digestibility from 23 to 31 d of age. On an as-fed basis, ether extract concentrations were determined as 5.4% (L-distillers dried grains with solubles), 7.9% (M-distillers dried grains with solubles), and 10.5% (H-distillers dried grains with solubles) for the 3 experimental distillers dried grains with solubles sources. Prior to experimentation, each sample (H-distillers dried grains with solubles (control), M-distillers dried grains with solubles and L-distillers dried grains with solubles) was analyzed on an as-fed basis for crude protein (29.2, 27.6, and 27.9%), starch (4.4, 5.2, and 6.1%), neutral detergent fiber (29.5, 33.2, and 29.9%), and total dietary fiber (31.4, 36.6, and 33.6 %). Four hundred and thirty-two male chicks (12 birds per cage; 0.04 m2 per bird) were randomly assigned to 36 battery grower cages. Broilers were fed one of 3 semi-purified diets, which were comprised of 76% L-distillers dried grains with solubles, M- distillers dried grains with solubles, or H-distillers dried grains with solubles as the sole amino acid source from 23 to 31 d of age. Apparent ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients were negatively affected (P<0.05) by oil extraction for Met (0.722, 0.788, and 0.791), Lys (0.504, 0.510, and 0.552), Thr (0.563, 0.566, and 0.612), Trp (0.708, 0.733, and 0.767), and Arg (0.762, 0.776, and 0.799) for L-distillers dried grains with solubles, M-distillers dried grains with solubles, and H-distillers dried grains with solubles, respectively. Conversely, no differences in apparent amino acid coefficients were reported for Ile, Leu, and Val. These results indicated that L-distillers dried grains with solubles had lower apparent amino acid digestibility coefficients for Met, Lys, Thr, Trp, and Arg compared with H-distillers dried grains with solubles.

Impacts of dietary fat level and saturation when feeding distillers grains to high producing dairy cows.

This experiment was conducted to determine whether increasing the net energy (NEL ) of a total mixed ration (TMR) with mainly unsaturated fat from corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) vs. rumen inert (RI)-saturated fat has similar impacts on animal performance. The experiment was an incomplete Youden square with three treatments and four 28-days periods, completed on a large commercial dairy using three early lactation pens each with approximately 380 multiparity cows. The TMR for all treatments was the same, except for 150 g/kg dry matter (DM) of each TMR which contained 90 g/kg high-protein DDGS (HPDDGS) and 60 g/kg beet pulp (i.e. low-fat control diet; LFC); 150 g/kg DDGS (i.e. high-fat diet with unsaturated fat; HFU); or 111 g/kg HPDDGS, 20 g/kg beet pulp and 19 g/kg RI fat (i.e. high-fat diet with saturated fat; HFS). The DM intake was highest (p < 0.05) for HFU-fed cows. Milk, fat and true protein yields, as well as milk energy output, were higher (p < 0.01) when cows were fed HFS vs. HFU and LFC diets. Milk true protein concentration was lowest (p < 0.01) for HFS-fed cows, but milk fat % was lowest (p < 0.01) for HFU and highest (p < 0.01) for HFS-fed cows. There were numerous differences (p < 0.01) in milk fatty acid levels amongst diets. The increase in body condition score was lowest (p < 0.01) for LFC. Whole tract digestibility of acid detergent fibre was lower (p < 0.01) for LFC vs. HFS cows, and fat digestion was lowest (p < 0.01) for LFC-fed cows. This DDGS, high in unsaturated fatty acids, was fed at high levels (i.e. 152 g/kg DM) with little impact on animal performance vs. a lower fat control diet, although addition of an RI-saturated fat to create a diet with a similarly higher fat level resulted in higher animal productivity.

Effects of feeding a high-fiber byproduct feedstuff as a substitute for barley grain on rumen fermentation and productivity of dairy cows in early lactation.

The objective of the study was to evaluate effects of partial substitution of dietary grain with wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on dry matter intake (DMI), sorting behavior, rumen fermentation, apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, and milk production of dairy cows in early lactation. Sixty-one Holstein cows, including 13 ruminally cannulated cows, were blocked by parity and calving date and assigned to 1 of 2 experimental diets immediately after calving until 12 wk in lactation. The control (CON) diet contained 43% barley silage, 17.3% dry-rolled barley grain, and 39.7% concentrate mix on a dry matter basis, and wheat DDGS replaced dry-rolled barley grain in the DDGS diet. Dietary starch content was 29.2 and 19.1% for CON and DDGS diets, respectively. Despite the 10-percentage-unit difference in dietary starch content, cows fed the DDGS diet did not increase ruminal pH. A significant treatment by parity interaction was observed for DMI; feeding the DDGS diet decreased DMI of multiparous cows compared with CON (20.1 vs. 21.3 kg/d) but increased that of primiparous cows (16.2 vs. 14.7 kg/d). Although milk yield was not affected by treatment, cows fed the DDGS diet had lower apparent total-tract digestibility of starch compared with CON (81.9 vs. 91.2%) and tended to have higher plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (173 vs. 143 mEq/L). High-fiber byproduct feedstuffs such as wheat DDGS can be used as a partial substitute for grains in diets of dairy cows in early lactation but the substitution may not mitigate rumen acidosis problems and may decrease energy intake of multiparous cows in early lactation.

Validation of prediction equations for apparent metabolizable energy of corn distillers dried grains with solubles in broiler chicks.

An experiment consisting of 3 nearly identical trials was conducted to determine the AMEn content of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to validate 4 previously published prediction equations for AMEn of corn DDGS in broilers. In addition, prior research data were used to generate a best-fit equation for AMEn based on proximate analysis. Fifteen samples of DDGS ranging in ether extract (EE) from 4.98 to 14.29% (DM basis) were collected from various dry-grind ethanol plants and were subsequently fed to broiler chicks to determine AMEn content. A corn-soybean meal control diet was formulated to contain 15% dextrose and test diets were created by mixing the control diet with 15% DDGS at the expense of dextrose. In each trial, male Ross × Ross 708 chicks were housed in grower battery cages and received a common starter diet until the experimental period. Each cage was randomly assigned to 1 of the dietary treatments (trial 1 and trial 2: control + 6 test diets, 13 replicates per diet; trial 3: control + 3 test diets, 12 replicates per diet). Experimental diets were fed over a 6-d acclimation period, followed by a 48-h total excreta collection period. On a DM basis, AMEn of the 15 DDGS samples ranged from 1,975 to 3,634 kcal/kg. Analyses were conducted to determine gross energy, CP, EE, DM, starch, total dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber, and ash content of the DDGS samples. All results were reported on a DM basis. Application of the 4 equations to the validation data resulted in root mean square error (RMSE) values of 335, 381, 488, and 502 kcal/kg, respectively. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator technique was applied to proximate analysis data for 30 corn coproducts adapted from prior research and resulted in the following best-fit equation: [AMEn (kcal/kg) = 3,673 - (121.35 × CF) + (51.29 × EE) - (121.08 × ash); P < 0.01; R(2) = 0.70; R(2) adj = 0.67; RMSE = 270 kcal/kg]. The RMSE values obtained through validation were not consistent with the expectation of predictive performance based on internal measures of fit for each equation. These results indicated that validation is necessary to quantify the expected error associated with practical application of each individual prediction equation to external data.

The effects of conjugated linoleic acid on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and fatty acid composition of broilers fed corn dried distillers grains with solubles.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and fatty acid composition of broilers fed corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Four hundred eighty 1-d-old broilers were randomly assigned to 4 groups, consisting of 6 replicates with 20 broilers each. Broilers were allocated 1 of 4 diets and fed for 49 d in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The dietary treatments consisted of 2 levels of DDGS (0 or 15%) and 2 levels of CLA (0 or 1%). The results of growth performance analyses showed that dietary supplementation with 1% CLA, 15% DDGS, or both in broilers had no significant effects on ADG, ADFI, and feed/gain (P > 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 15% DDGS did not significantly affect meat color values, drip loss percentage, pH value at 15 min, crude fat content, or shear force value (P > 0.05). Diets supplemented with 15% DDGS decreased the proportions of saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) and monounsaturated fatty acids but increased the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the thigh meat (P < 0.05). Diets supplemented with 1% CLA significantly decreased the abdominal fat percentage (P < 0.05). Supplementation with 1% CLA increased the crude fat content and decreased the color (b*) value and shear force value of the breast meat (P < 0.05). Diets supplemented with 1% CLA increased the total superoxide dismutase activity of the serum, breast meat, and liver, and decreased the malondialdehyde content of the serum and breast meat (P < 0.05). Supplementation with 1% CLA decreased the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids and increased the proportion of saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Accumulation of CLA in the thigh meat was significantly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing CLA level in the diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1% CLA had positive effects on meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and fatty acid composition of broilers, although it had no significant effect on growth performance.

Short-term effects of lower oil dried distillers grains with solubles in laying hen rations.

Extraction of oil from dried distillers grains has become a common practice among US ethanol producers. The valuable oil has been diverted to markets other than poultry feed, leaving new dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) products higher in fiber and purportedly lower in ME. This study compared 3 DDGS products with 10.3, 7.3, or 5.2% ether extract, respectively, with a corn-soy control ration in young Bovan laying hens for a feeding period from 20 to 33 wk of age. The DDGS was fed at the rate of 20% of the ration. Lower oil content of DDGS had no effect on short-term egg production parameters: feed intake, egg production, egg weight or mass, and hen weight gain. The diets containing lower fat DDGS (5.2%) did have reduced AME and kilocalories per day intake for laying hens. For each percent reduction in oil from a normal DDGS sample (10.3%) to medium oil (7.3%) DDGS, AME decreased 42.3 kcal/kg of diet. However, total kilocalories per day intake did sustain good egg production during this short trial.