Comparing the yield and nutritional value of ensiled amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) cultivars with corn silage (Zea mays) in doublecropping condition.

Yield, chemical composition, and fermentation variables were compared for amaranth silages (AMS) from five cultivars (A5, A12, A14, A28, and Maria) and corn (Zea mays; CS). In vitro methane production, organic matter disappearance, microbial protein, ammonia-N concentration, volatile fatty acid levels, cellulolytic bacteria and protozoa populations, and in situ dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability were evaluated. All crops were harvested when the plant was at the mid-milk line stage, then chopped, placed in sealed 5 L plastic bags and stored for 60 days. Data analysis was carried out using the PROC MIXED method of SAS with a randomized complete block design. The mean DM forage yield of CS was higher than the average DM yield of the amaranth cultivars (P < 0.001). In comparison with CS, the AMS had higher CP, lignin, ether extract, ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total phenolics and metabolizable protein (P < 0.001), but had lower DM, neutral detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates, organic matter disappearance, lactic acid (P < 0.01) and in vitro methane production (P = 0.001). The AMS had higher (P < 0.01) pH, ammonia-N concentration, in vitro microbial protein, in situ digestible undegradable protein, and metabolizable protein compared to CS. Overall, in comparison to CS, the amaranths produced a silage of medium-quality.

Effect of oak acorn level on colostrum composition and plasma immunoglobulin G of late-pregnant goats and their kids.

Oak acorn contains high levels of tannins which have capacity to form complexes with proteins and consequently reduce their availability and as a result it could reduce colostrum quality and immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis. Thus, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level during the last 60 days of pregnancy on colostrum composition and plasma metabolites and IgG level of goats and their kids. In all, 24 multiparous pregnant goats (41.7±2.3 kg BW) were assigned into one of the three experimental diets consisted of control diet (without OA) and diets containing 20% (OA20) or 40% (OA40) OA on dry matter basis. Goats fed OA40 had lower BW change compared with other groups (P⩽0.05). Kids birth weight was not affected by experimental diets (P>0.05). Goats fed OA containing diets had lower plasma glucose, triglyceride and Fe concentrations compared with those fed the control diet (P0.05), whereas kids born from goats fed OA containing diets had lower plasma IgG level compared with the control diet (P<0.01). It is concluded that feeding OA during the last 60 days of pregnancy decreased colostrum quality which may have adverse effect on kid's survival.

Effect of oak (Quercus persica) acorn level on apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance and urinary purine derivatives in pregnant goats.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level on dry matter intake (DMI), apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) utilization, ruminal fermentation, protozoa population and urinary purine derivatives (PD) during the last 60 days of goat pregnancy. Twenty-four multiparous pregnant goats (41.7 ± 2.3 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental diets consisted of control diet (C, without OA) and diets containing 20 (OA20 ) or 40 g/100 g of OA (OA40 ) on a DM basis in a completely randomized block design. Goats fed OA40 had lower DMI (p < .01), DM (p < .01), OM (p < .01) and NDF (p < .05) digestibility, ruminal NH3 -N concentration (p < .01), N intake (p < .01) and N retention (p < .01). Crude protein digestibility and ruminal acetate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were lower in animals fed OA-contained diets (p < .01), whereas ruminal propionate concentration was higher in goats fed the C diet (p < .01). Animals fed OA40 had higher faecal N excretion and lower urinary N excretion (p < .01). Urinary PD was lower in goats fed diets containing OA in relation to those fed the C diet (p < .01). Total protozoa population decreased linearly with increasing OA level in the diet (p < .05). These results suggest that feeding OA, especially high level, has negative impacts on DMI, nutrient digestibility, VFA concentration, N retention and urinary PD excretion that may have adverse effects on metabolism and performance of pregnant goats.

Chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, digestibility, and degradability of silages from two amaranth varieties (Kharkovskiy and Sem), corn, and an amaranth-corn combination.

Amaranth ( sp.) is a C plant adapted to poor soils and regions with limited rainfall and high temperatures. The plant is characterized by a yield of up to 85 t/ha, CP concentration of up to 28.5% of DM, and DM digestibility of 59 to 79%, which may vary depending on the species and variety. The potential of this plant as a forage source for ruminants has not been completely considered. This study aimed at assessing the nutritive value of silages from corn (), 2 amaranth () varieties (var. Kharkovskiy and Sem), and an amaranth-corn combination by chemical composition, silage fermentation characteristics, in vivo digestibility, and in situ DM degradability. Treatments evaluated were ensiled corn var. hybrid SC 704 (EC), ensiled amaranth var. Kharkovskiy (EK), ensiled amaranth var. Sem (ES), ensiled corn-amaranth var. Kharkovskiy mixture, and ensiled corn-amaranth var. Sem mixture. Five sheep were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design experiment to determine in vivo digestibility. The nylon bag technique was used to determine the in situ DM degradability using 3 ruminally fistulated sheep. Compared with EK, ES had greater ash-free NDF (NDFom) and CP concentrations. In comparison with EC, the ensiled amaranths and corn-amaranth mixtures had a greater ( < 0.001) concentration of CP but less concentrations of NDFom, ADL ( < 0.001), and water-soluble carbohydrates ( = 0.034). Silage pH and ammonia-N concentration were the least ( < 0.001) for EC and greatest for ES. The EC had greater ( < 0.001) concentrations of lactic and acetic acids but less ( < 0.001) concentrations of propionic and butyric acids compared with the other silages. The in vivo DM digestibility ( = 0.035) and ME ( = 0.030) of EK and ES were greater than those of EC. Effective degradability of DM in EK and ES was less ( < 0.001) than with the other silages. Overall, mixing amaranth with corn improved concentration of CP and digestibility of the mixed corn-amaranth silages and has the potential of completing corn in ruminant diets.

The effect of the inclusion of recycled poultry bedding and the physical form of diet on the performance, ruminal fermentation, and plasma metabolites of fattening lambs.

During a 125-d experimental period, 24 Afshari × Kurdish male lambs initially weighing 25.2 ± 1.2 kg were grouped by BW and randomly assigned to treatments under a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the effects of feeding recycled poultry bedding (RPB; 0 and 200 g/kg DM) and the physical form of the diet (mash and block) on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal and plasma parameters, microbial N supply, N balance, feeding behavior, and growth performance of the lambs. Two diets with and without RPB in both mash and block form were prepared. Neither the inclusion of RPB nor the physical form of the diet affected the concentration of VFA or the total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients. Dietary RPB inclusion increased DMI ( < 0.01), tended ( = 0.10) to reduce ADG, and decreased G:F ( = 0.05). The physical form of the diet had no effect on DMI but decreased ADG ( = 0.01) and G:F ( = 0.02) in lambs fed on the block diet compared with those fed on the mash diet. Neither the inclusion of RPB nor the physical form of the diets had any effect on microbial N supply (g/d) and N retention. Rate of eating ( = 0.07), time spent eating ( = 0.87) and ruminating ( = 0.28), and total chewing activity ( = 0.65) were not affected by dietary RPB inclusion. Rate of eating decreased ( < 0.01) and time spent eating and total chewing activity increased ( = 0.01 and = 0.02, respectively) in lambs fed on the block diet compared with those fed on the mash diet. Results of the current study showed that inclusion of RPB up to 200 g/kg DM in diets for fattening was possible without any effect on performance and animal health. Processing of feed into the mash form gave higher livestock productivity in comparison to the block form.

Chemical composition, silage fermentation characteristics, and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters of potato-wheat straw silage treated with molasses and lactic acid bacteria and corn silage.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of molasses and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the chemical composition, silage fermentation characteristics, and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters of an ensiled potato-wheat straw mixture in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates. Wheat straw was harvested at full maturity and potato tuber when the leaves turned yellowish. The potato-wheat straw (57:43 ratio, DM basis) mixture was treated with molasses, LAB, or a combination. Lalsil Fresh LB (Lallemand, France; containing NCIMB 40788) or Lalsil MS01 (Lallemand, France; containing MA18/5U and MA126/4U) were each applied at a rate of 3 × 10 cfu/g of fresh material. Treatments were mixed potato-wheat straw silage (PWSS) without additive, PWSS inoculated with Lalsil Fresh LB, PWSS inoculated with Lalsil MS01, PWSS + 5% molasses, PWSS inoculated with Lalsil Fresh LB + 5% molasses, PWSS inoculated with Lalsil MS01 + 5% molasses, and corn silage (CS). The compaction densities of PWSS treatments and CS were approximately 850 and 980 kg wet matter/m, respectively. After anaerobic storage for 90 d, chemical composition, silage fermentation characteristics, in vitro gas production (GP), estimated OM disappearance (OMD), ammonia-N, VFA, microbial CP (MCP) production, and cellulolytic bacteria count were determined. Compared to CS, PWSS had greater ( < 0.001) values of DM, ADL, water-soluble carbohydrates, pH, and ammonia-N but lower ( < 0.05) values of CP, ash free-NDF (NDFom), ash, nitrate, and lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids concentrations. When PWSS was treated with molasses, LAB, or both, the contents of CP and lactic and acetic acids increased, whereas NDFom, ammonia-N, and butyric acid decreased ( < 0.05). Based on in vitro ruminal experiments, PWSS had greater ( < 0.05) values of GP, OMD, and MCP but lower ( < 0.05) VFA and acetic acid compared to CS. With adding molasses alone or in combination with LAB inoculants to PWSS, the values of GP, OMD, MCP, cellulolytic bacteria population, VFA, and propionic acid increased ( < 0.05), whereas the acetic acid to propionic acid ratio decreased ( < 0.05). Overall, ensiling potato with wheat straw at a 57:43 ratio DM basis was possible; nevertheless, the fermentation quality of PWSS was lesser than that of CS. However, addition of molasses and molasses + LAB improved fermentation quality of PWSS.

Effects of feeding pistachio by-products silage on growth performance, serum metabolites and urine characteristics in Holstein male calves.

This study investigated physiological effects of pistachio by-products silage (PBPS) substituted in Holstein male calves diets and its effects on the growth performance. Twenty-four Holstein male calves (4-5 months of age and 155.6 ± 13.5 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (n = 6); contained 0%, 6%, 12% and 18% of PBPS (DM basis) respectively. During a 6-month experiment, dry matter intake (DMI) and weight gain were recorded and blood and urine samples were collected at different times. Results showed that mean DMI was not affected by different levels of PBPS in diets. But the calves fed 6% PBPS had the highest average daily gain (p < 0.05) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). The calves fed 12% and 18% PBPS had lower albumin, white blood cell, haemoglobin and packed cell volume (p < 0.05) than those fed other diets. However, other serum metabolites, complete blood count (CBC), insulin and liver enzymes were not affected by the experimental diets. The long-term feeding of PBPS at different levels had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on pH, specific gravity, the number of white and red blood cells and epithelial cells count in urine. The animals did not show any symptom of illness or toxicity during the experimental period and all of the blood and urine parameters were in a normal range. It was concluded that substitution of PBPS up to 18% of the total diet that provide up to 18.2 g/kg DM total tannin had no adverse effects for Holstein male calves.

Effects of electron beam irradiation on dry matter degradation of wheat straw in the rumen.

The effect of electron beam irradiation at doses of 100, 200 and 300 kGy on ruminal dry matter degradation kinetics of wheat straw was investigated. Samples were irradiated by electron beam irradiator under identical conditions of temperature and humidity. Nylon bags of untreated or irradiated wheat straw were suspended in the rumen of three Taleshi steers for up to 96 h and resulting data were fitted to non-linear degradation model to calculate degradation parameters of dry matter. Results show that the washout fractions of dry matter increased linearly (p<0.001), but potentially degradable fraction and degradation rate decreased linearly (p<0.001) by electron beam irradiation. As a consequence, the effective degradability of dry matter increased linearly (p<0.001) with increasing irradiation dose. Electron beam irradiation at doses of 100, 200 and 300 kGy increased the effective degradability of dry matter at rumen outflow rate of 0.05/h by about 7, 15 and 18%, respectively. In the condition of this study, electron beam irradiation at dose of 200 kGy appeared to be a suitable dose for improving dry matter degradability of wheat straw in the rumen.

Response of male buffalo calves to different levels of energy and protein in finishing diets.

A factorial experiment with completely randomised design was conducted, using 27 heads of 15 month buffalo male calves with initial live weight of 287 +/- 15 kg. The animals were individually housed and randomly allocated into 9 treatment groups of three animals each. Three levels of energy (E1, E2, E3) with three levels of crude protein (P1, P2, P3) were formulated to provide 90, 100 and 110% requirement equivalents for 900 g, expected body weight gain of steers derived from NRC beef cattle requirements (1976). Live weight changes were obtained by direct weighing of the animals every month and ended by slaughtering the calves for carcass index measurements. Results indicated that Dry Matter Intake (DMI) was not significantly different between treatments. Average Daily Gain (ADG) ranged from 503 to 951 g/animal that was significantly varied among the diets (p < 0.05). The significantly higher daily gain was obtained (p < 0.05) when animals received medium energy diets that was similar to 100% beef cattle steer requirements. In addition the feed conversion ratio was significantly lower, when the animals received medium energy diets (p < 0.05). The dressing yield as well as the meat % age was not affected by the type of the diet, but abdominal fat was significantly higher in medium energy diets (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that the optimum fattening performance of 15 month old buffalo male calves may be obtained by providing around 10.42 MJ/kg of dietary metabolisable energy and about 10.22% of crude protein.