Development of ruminating behavior in Holstein calves between birth and 30 days of age.

Ruminating behavior accompanies the development of the rumen and the intake of solid feed in calves. However, few studies have reported on the emergence and development of rumination. In this study, we observed ruminating behavior changes of 56 Holstein calves (body weight at birth = 40.1 ± 3.96 kg; mean ± standard deviation) from birth to 30 d of age under the feeding management of suckling calves that were only fed pelleted concentrate feed and milk. All calves were housed in individual pens equipped with infrared cameras. We explored feed intake within 30 d of age, body weight on 61 d of age, and other apparent indicators, including the age of first eating the bedding, duration of non-nutritive oral behavior at 25 and 30 d of age, total starter feed intake within 30 d of age, average daily starter feed intake within 30 d of age, and duration of ruminating behavior at 25 and 30 d of age for all calves, to further explore the effects of the age of first ruminating behavior (AFR). The AFR fitted the normal distribution and ranged from 15 to 20 d of age for 50% of the experimental population. The AFR was positively correlated with the age of first eating the bedding and duration of non-nutritive oral behavior at 30 d of age. Total starter feed intake within 30 d of age, average daily starter feed intake within 30 d of age, duration of ruminating behavior at 25 and 30 d of age, and duration of eating the bedding at 25 and 30 d of age were negatively correlated with AFR. Overall, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that has analyzed the correlation between AFR and other indicators. We found that earlier AFR was associated with shorter duration of non-nutritive oral behavior, longer durations of rumination and eating the bedding, and higher feed intake by 30 d of age.

Invited review: Current perspectives on eating and rumination activity in dairy cows.

Many early studies laid the foundation for our understanding of the mechanics of chewing, the physiological role of chewing for the cow, and how chewing behavior is affected by dietary characteristics. However, the dairy cow has changed significantly over the past decades, as have the types of diets fed and the production systems used. The plethora of literature published in recent years provides new insights on eating and ruminating activity of dairy cows. Lactating dairy cows spend about 4.5 h/d eating (range: 2.4-8.5 h/d) and 7 h/d ruminating (range: 2.5-10.5 h/d), with a maximum total chewing time of 16 h/d. Chewing time is affected by many factors, most importantly whether access to feed is restricted, intake of neutral detergent fiber from forages, and mean particle size of the diet. Feed restriction and long particles (≥19 mm) have a greater effect on eating time, whereas intake of forage neutral detergent fiber and medium particles (4-19 mm) affects rumination time. It is well entrenched in the literature that promoting chewing increases salivary secretion of dairy cows, which helps reduce the risk of acidosis. However, the net effect of a change in chewing time on rumen buffing is likely rather small; therefore, acidosis prevention strategies need to be broad. Damage to plant tissues during mastication creates sites that provide access to fungi, adhesion of bacteria, and formation of biofilms that progressively degrade carbohydrates. Rumination and eating are the main ways in which feed is reduced in particle size. Contractions of the rumen increase during eating and ruminating activity and help move small particles to the escapable pool and into the omasum. Use of recently developed low-cost sensors that monitor chewing activity of dairy cows in commercial facilities can provide information that is helpful in management decisions, especially when combined with other criteria. Although accuracy and precision can be somewhat variable depending on sensor and conditions of use, relative changes in cow behavior, such as a marked decrease in rumination time of a cow or sustained low rumination time compared with a contemporary group of cows, can be used to help detect estrus, parturition, and some illnesses. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the dietary, animal, and management factors that affect eating and ruminating behavior in dairy cows and presents an overview of the physiological importance of chewing with emphasis on recent developments and practical implications for feeding and managing the modern housed dairy cow.

A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors.

The objective of this study was to evaluate commercially available precision dairy technologies against direct visual observations of feeding, rumination, and lying behaviors. Primiparous (n=24) and multiparous (n=24) lactating Holstein dairy cattle (mean ± standard deviation; 223.4±117.8 d in milk, producing 29.2±8.2kg of milk/d) were fitted with 6 different triaxial accelerometer technologies evaluating cow behaviors at or before freshening. The AfiAct Pedometer Plus (Afimilk, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel) was used to monitor lying time. The CowManager SensOor (Agis, Harmelen, Netherlands) monitored rumination and feeding time. The HOBO Data Logger (HOBO Pendant G Acceleration Data Logger, Onset Computer Corp., Pocasset, MA) monitored lying time. The CowAlert IceQube (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland) monitored lying time. The Smartbow (Smartbow GmbH, Jutogasse, Austria) monitored rumination time. The Track A Cow (ENGS, Rosh Pina, Israel) monitored lying time and time spent around feeding areas for the calculation of feeding time. Over 8 d, 6 cows per day were visually observed for feeding, rumination, and lying behaviors for 2 h after morning and evening milking. The time of day was recorded when each behavior began and ended. These times were used to generate the length of time behaviors were visually observed. Pearson correlations (r; calculated using the CORR procedure of SAS Version 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC), and concordance correlations (CCC; calculated using the epiR package of R version 3.1.0, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) evaluated association between visual observations and technology-recorded behaviors. Visually recorded feeding behaviors were moderately correlated with the CowManager SensOor (r=0.88, CCC=0.82) and Track A Cow (r=0.93, CCC=0.79) monitors. Visually recorded rumination behaviors were strongly correlated with the Smartbow (r=0.97, CCC=0.96), and weakly correlated with the CowManager SensOor (r=0.69, CCC=0.59). Visually recorded lying behaviors were strongly correlated with the AfiAct Pedometer Plus (r >0.99, CCC >0.99), CowAlert IceQube (r >0.99, CCC >0.99), and Track A Cow (r >0.99, CCC >0.99). The HOBO Data Loggers were moderately correlated (r >0.83, CCC >0.81) with visual observations. Based on these results, the evaluated precision dairy monitoring technologies accurately monitored dairy cattle behavior.

Technical note: Evaluation of an ear-attached movement sensor to record cow feeding behavior and activity.

The ability to monitor dairy cow feeding behavior and activity could improve dairy herd management. A 3-dimensional accelerometer (SensOor; Agis Automatisering BV, Harmelen, the Netherlands) has been developed that can be attached to ear identification tags. Based on the principle that behavior can be identified by ear movements, a proprietary model classifies sensor data as "ruminating," "eating," "resting," or "active." The objective of the study was to evaluate this sensor on accuracy and precision. First, a pilot evaluation of agreement between 2 independent observers, recording behavior from 3 cows for a period of approximately 9h each, was performed. Second, to evaluate the sensor, the behavior of 15 cows was monitored both visually (VIS) and with the sensor (SENS), with approximately 20 h of registration per cow, evenly distributed over a 24-h period, excluding milking. Cows were chosen from groups of animals in different lactation stages and parities. Each minute of SENS and VIS data was classified into 1 of 9 categories (8 behaviors and 1 transition behavior) and summarized into 4 behavioral groups, namely ruminating, eating, resting, or active, which were analyzed by calculating kappa (κ) values. For the pilot evaluation, a high level of agreement between observers was obtained, with κ values of ≥ 0.96 for all behavioral categories, indicating that visual observation provides a good standard. For the second trial, relationships between SENS and VIS were studied by κ values on a minute basis and Pearson correlation and concordance correlation coefficient analysis on behavior expressed as percentage of total registration time. Times spent ruminating, eating, resting, and active were 42.6, 15.9, 31.6, and 9.9% (SENS) respectively, and 42.1, 13.0, 30.0, and 14.9% (VIS), respectively. Overall κ for the comparison of SENS and VIS was substantial (0.78), with κ values of 0.85, 0.77, 0.86, and 0.47 for "ruminating," "eating," "resting," and "active," respectively. Pearson correlation and concordance correlation coefficients between SENS and VIS for "ruminating," "eating," "resting," and "active" were 0.93, 0.88, 0.98, and 0.73, and 0.93, 0.75, 0.97, and 0.35, respectively. In conclusion, the results provide strong evidence that the present ear sensor technology can be used to monitor ruminating and resting behavior of freestall-housed dairy cattle. Our results also suggest that this technology shows promise for monitoring eating behavior, whereas more work is needed to determine its suitability to monitor activity of dairy cattle.

The effect of routine hoof trimming on locomotion score, ruminating time, activity, and milk yield of dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of hoof trimming on cow behavior (ruminating time, activity, and locomotion score) and performance (milk yield) over time. Data were gathered from a commercial dairy farm in Israel where routine hoof trimming is done by a trained hoof trimmer twice per year on the entire herd. In total, 288 cows spread over 6 groups with varying production levels were used for the analysis. Cow behavior was measured continuously with a commercial neck activity logger and a ruminating time logger (HR-Tag, SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel). Milk yield was recorded during each milking session with a commercial milk flow sensor (Free Flow, SCR Engineers Ltd.). A trained observer assigned on the spot 5-point locomotion scores during 19 nighttime milking occasions between 22 October 2012 and 4 February 2013. Behavioral and performance data were gathered from 1wk before hoof trimming until 1wk after hoof trimming. A generalized linear mixed model was used to statistically test all main and interactive effects of hoof trimming, parity, lactation stage, and hoof lesion presence on ruminating time, neck activity, milk yield, and locomotion score. The results on locomotion scores show that the proportional distribution of cows in the different locomotion score classes changes significantly after trimming. The proportion of cows with a locomotion score ≥3 increases from 14% before to 34% directly after the hoof trimming. Two months after the trimming, the number of cows with a locomotion score ≥3 reduced to 20%, which was still higher than the baseline values 2wk before the trimming. The neck activity level was significantly reduced 1d after trimming (380±6 bits/d) compared with before trimming (389±6 bits/d). Each one-unit increase in locomotion score reduced cow activity level by 4.488 bits/d. The effect of hoof trimming on ruminating time was affected by an interaction effect with parity. The effect of hoof trimming on locomotion scores was affected by an interaction effect with lactation stage and tended to be affected by interaction effects with hoof lesion presence, indicating that cows with a lesion reacted different to the trimming than cows without a lesion did. The results show that the routine hoof trimming affected dairy cow behavior and performance in this farm.

Mindfulness for the self-management of negative coping, rumination and fears of compassion in people with cancer: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer and its treatments have the potential to significantly impact mental health, provoking feelings of anxiety, depression, and distress, which can last long after treatment is over. One of the most rapidly emerging influences in the healthcare field is mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which are designed to cultivate present moment awareness, attentional flexibility, compassion and acceptance, to reduce physical and psychological distress. However, there is limited research into the efficacy of MBIs or disease specific MBIs in shifting negative coping, ruminative thinking and fears of compassion as primary outcomes in individuals with cancer. AIMS: This exploratory study was designed to evaluate inter- and intra-individual change in the management of negative coping, rumination and fears of compassion, following a cancer-specific mindfulness-based intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: A single group, non-experimental, repeated measures study of 22 participants across six cancer care centres explored the efficacy of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer (MBCT-Ca) course. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) examined reliable clinical improvement, deterioration, or no change in individuals on the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MACS), the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and the Fears of Compassion Scale (FCS). About 82% of participants (n = 18) saw an improvement in at least one measure. A significant decrease in primary outcome scores was observed in negative coping, ruminating and fears of self-compassion. There were significant correlations between the fear of self-compassion and depressive ruminating, fear of accepting compassion from others and showing it to others pre and post intervention. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the MBCT-Ca programme may significantly reduce negative coping, ruminating and fears of self-compassion improving psychological health and wellbeing in cancer survivors.

The Effect of Frequency of Fresh Pasture Allocation on the Feeding Behaviour of High Production Dairy Cows.

For ruminants, grazing and ruminating activities are essential in nutrient capture and ultimately animal performance however these activities can demand significant time and energy. This study evaluated the effect of three different pasture allocation frequencies (PAF's; 12, 24 and 36 h) on the feeding behaviour of grazing dairy cows. Eighty-seven spring calving dairy cows were divided into three treatments. Animals were rotationally grazed with fixed paddock sizes of 0.14 ha, 0.28 ha and 0.42 ha paddocks for the 12 h, 24 h and 36 h treatments, respectively. Animals (14 per treatment) were fitted with behaviour halters that monitored feeding activity. Diurnal feeding patterns were evident for all animals irrespective of PAF, concentrating the majority of grazing during daytime (90%) and ruminating activity during night (73%). Treatment significantly affected feeding behavior patterns. Peak grazing activity coincided with fresh pasture allocation in the 12 h and 24 h treatments. In the 36 h treatment, grazing was more evenly distributed over each 24 h period with peak grazing activity witnessed daily between 17:00 and 19:00 regardless of fresh pasture allocation, suggesting lack of anticipation of fresh feed delivery. In the 12 h treatment primiparous animals exhibited greater grazing and ruminating activity relative to multiparous animals in the 12 h treatment highlighting the impact of competition for resources within each feed on lower dominance animals.

Intake, performance, and feeding behavior of Holstein and Holstein × Gyr heifers grazing intensively managed tropical grasses during the rainy season.

Holstein × Gyr and Holstein are the primary dairy breeds used in tropical systems, but when rearing under pasture, feed intake, behavior, and performance might differ between them. This study aimed to evaluate the voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility, performance, and ingestive behavior of Holstein and Holstein × Gyr (½ Holstein × ½ Gyr) heifers managed in a rotational system of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaça). The experiment was conducted during the summer season throughout four periods of 21 d. Two 8-heifers (four Holstein and four Holstein × Gyr) groups, averaging 258.6 ±â€¯24.79 kg and 157.1 ±â€¯24.99 kg BW, were used. Each group grazed a separate set of 16 paddocks, and all heifers received a concentrate supplement daily. Heifers were weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment. Fecal, forage and concentrate samples were evaluated for their DM, CP, crude fat, ash, NDF, and indigestible NDF. Feeding behavior was evaluated through 24 h of live observation for 48 h of each experimental period. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and intake of concentrate times were recorded, and rumination criteria, bout criteria, mealtime, meal frequency, and meal duration were calculated. There was no difference in total dry matter intake (DMI), but forage DMI of Holstein × Gyr was 11.70 % greater than the Holstein heifers. The Holstein × Gyr heifers had greater NDF intake and feed efficiency tended to show greater CP and NDF digestibilities, consequently, they had greater average daily gain (ADG). Holstein grazed less than Holstein × Gyr heifers in the afternoon. Ruminating time was 18.43 % lower for Holstein than Holstein × Gyr heifers, and rumination criteria (i.e. longest non-feeding interval within a rumination event) were greater for Holstein heifers. Holstein heifers presented more prolonged rumination bouts and resting time than Holstein × Gyr heifers. Holstein × Gyr can ingest and ruminate greater amounts of fibrous material, and Holstein heifers needed to spend more time ruminating the cud. Overall, even though the behavior was not markedly different between breeds, rearing young Holstein heifers in tropical pasture conditions is less suitable than Holstein-Gyr because of their lower ADG. Therefore, this management condition seems appropriate for Holstein × Gyr but inappropriate for Holstein dairy heifers.

A study on meta-parenting: Yemeni parental cognition.

Over the past decade, a plethora of research stressed the importance of understanding parental cognition, including meta-parenting. The existing literature echoed a wide range of parental variations accredited more to a child's psychological attainment and parental social cognition of implicit elements, such as beliefs, emotions, values, and culture. However, increasing contemporary research is warranted to diagnose deliberate and mindful parenting constructs. This topic has not been widely examined in Yemen and Arab countries. Given this gap, the main aim of this study was to assess the relationship between meta-parenting and non-meta-parenting and an inter-correlation among all dimensions. The comparison between mothers' and fathers' parental awareness concerning (1) age, (2) marital status, and (3) education using the version of the new relatively social cognition construct, meta-parenting (anticipating, assessing, reflecting, problem-solving) and non-meta- parenting (ruminating) scale of Hawk and Holden (2006). For data collection, cross-sectional survey research composed of 21-item was administered to a sample of 317 (mothers and fathers) aged 27 to 55. Unexpectedly, results denote a high level of parental cognition among Yemenis parents; it indicated positive correlations between the overall meta-parenting and non-parenting among Yemenis parents. Findings also revealed significant differences in problem-solving dimension and ruminating favoured fathers. Results indicated significant differences in all dimensions except anticipating, problem-solving, and ruminating, which favoured parents 31 years old and above. In addition, a significant correlation was found in overall meta-parenting except problem-solving and ruminating, which favoured the married group of parents and those with a university level.

Grazing behavior, dietary value and performance of sheep, goats, cattle and camels co-grazing range with mixed species of grazing and browsing plants.

A study was conducted to assess grazing behavior (GB), dietary value and performance of co-grazing sheep, goats, cattle and camels with initial body weights (BW) of 20.6 ± 2.09, 16.6 ± 0.97, 96.8 ± 3.43 and 162.3 ± 21.28 kg, respectively. Grazing lasted 16 weeks, using 6 growing animals per animal species. Animals co-grazed 6 ha of range containing grass, forb and browse species. GB observations for position and activity were made during day light. In weeks 4, 8 and 14 hand-plucked forages similar to that being selected by animal species were sampled for laboratory evaluation. BW was measured initially and at 28-days interval. Time allotted for feed consumption (grazing plus browsing), ruminating and idle was similar among animal species. However, camels and goats spent lower time grazing and higher time browsing than sheep and cattle. The CP content of hand-plucked forages was highest for camels (16.8%), intermediate for sheep (9.3%) and goats (10.2%) and lowest for cattle (4.5%); while NDF values took opposite trend. The IVDMD contents of forages took the trend of CP contents and were 55.8, 51.0, 43.6 and 72.8% for sheep, goats, cattle and camels, respectively. Daily BW gain was 34, 31, 94 and 358 g/day and BW change as percentage of initial BW was 19, 22, 11 and 26% for sheep, goats, cattle and camels, respectively, the former was higher for camels and the latter was lower for cattle. These results indicated reduced dietary overlap among animal species and consequently greater animal yield through co-grazing than perhaps could have achieved through mono-species grazing.

The Equipment Used in the SF6 Technique to Estimate Methane Emissions Has No Major Effect on Dairy Cow Behavior.

The natural behavior of animals can be disrupted by the techniques and materials of research methodologies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the equipment used in the SF6 tracer technique to estimate enteric methane emissions on the behavior of lactating dairy cows. The cows (n = 24) were allocated to one of two diets: CONTROL and experimental diet (MIX). Behavior was assessed through video recordings between milking times during four phases: 3 days before fitting the cows with the SF6 equipment (PRE), first 2 days after the cows were fitted with the SF6 equipment (ADAP), 3 days during methane emission measurements (MEAS), and 2 days after the SF6 equipment removal (POST). The behaviors recorded included eating, ruminating or idling, resting, and others. Affiliative or agonistic and discomfort behaviors (scratching or pushing the equipment) were also recorded. Lying time was recorded over 14 days using dataloggers fitted to the cows' leg. Milk production and feed intake were recorded daily. MIX cows ruminated more than CONTROL cows (P = 0.05). The cows ruminated more at MEAS than in any other phase (P < 0.01). Time spent idling gradually decreased from PRE to MEAS for MIX cows (P < 0.01). The cows were lying down longer in MEAS than in ADAP and POST (P < 0.01). The time spent lying with the head down was shorter during PRE and ADAP than during POST (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the occurrence of discomfort or agonistic behaviors (P > 0.05). Affiliative behaviors occurred more often in ADAP than in MEAS (P < 0.05). There was no difference between phases in daily lying time, number of lying bouts per day, or mean bout duration (P > 0.05). Milk production was not influenced by the SF6 equipment (P > 0.05). Dry matter intake was higher for CONTROL cows (P < 0.01), and it decreased from PRE to MEAS (P < 0.01). However, milk yield did not differ between cows wearing the SF6 equipment and those without it (P > 0.05). We conclude that the SF6 equipment had a minimal effect on dairy cow behavior.

Environmental conditions alter behavioural organization and rhythmicity of a large Arctic ruminant across the annual cycle.

The existence and persistence of rhythmicity in animal activity during phases of environmental change is of interest in ecology, evolution and chronobiology. A wide diversity of biological rhythms in response to exogenous conditions and internal stimuli have been uncovered, especially for polar vertebrates. However, empirical data supporting circadian organization in behaviour of large ruminating herbivores remains inconclusive. Using year-round tracking data of the largest Arctic ruminant, the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), we modelled rhythmicity as a function of behaviour and environmental conditions. Behavioural states were classified based on patterns in hourly movements, and incorporated within a periodicity analyses framework. Although circadian rhythmicity in muskox behaviour was detected throughout the year, ultradian rhythmicity was most prevalent, especially when muskoxen were foraging and resting in mid-winter (continuous darkness). However, when combining circadian and ultradian rhythmicity together, the probability of behavioural rhythmicity declined with increasing photoperiod until largely disrupted in mid-summer (continuous light). Individuals that remained behaviourally rhythmic during mid-summer foraged in areas with lower plant productivity (NDVI) than individuals with arrhythmic behaviour. Based on our study, we conclude that muskoxen may use an interval timer to schedule their behavioural cycles when forage resources are low, but that the importance and duration of this timer are reduced once environmental conditions allow energetic reserves to be replenished ad libitum. We argue that alimentary function and metabolic requirements are critical determinants of biological rhythmicity in muskoxen, which probably applies to ruminating herbivores in general.

Metadata Analysis Approaches for Understanding and Improving the Functional Involvement of Rumen Microbial Consortium in Digestion and Metabolism of Plant Biomass.

Rumen is one of the most complex gastro-intestinal system in ruminating animals. With bountiful of microorganisms supporting in breakdown and consumption of minerals and nutrients from the complex plant biomass. It is predicted that a table spoon of ruminal fluid can reside up to 150 billion microorganisms including various species of bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Several studies in the past have extensively explained about the structural and functional physiology of the rumen. Studies based on rumen and its microbiota has increased significantly in the last decade to understand and reveal applications of the rumen microbiota in food processing, pharmaceutical, biofuel and biorefining industries. Recent high-throughput meta-genomic and proteomic studies have revealed humongous information on rumen microbial diversity. In this study, we have extensively reviewed and reported present-day's progress in understanding the rumen microbial diversity. As of today, NCBI resides about 821,870 records based on rumen with approximately 889 genome sequencing studies. We have retrieved all the rumen-based records from NCBI and extensively catalogued the rumen microbial diversity and the corresponding genomic and proteomic studies respectively. Also, we have provided a brief inventory of metadata analysis software packages and reviewed the metadata analysis approaches for understanding the functional involvement of these microorganisms. Knowing and understanding the present progress on rumen microbiota and performing metadata analysis studies will significantly benefit the researchers in identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in plant biomass degradation. These studies are also necessary for developing highly efficient microorganisms and enzyme mixtures for enhancing the benefits of cattle-feedstock and biofuel industries.

Genome Wide Analysis Reveals the Extrinsic Cellulolytic and Biohydrogen Generating Abilities of Neocallimastigomycota Fungi.

Ruminating animals, especially cattle lack the carbohydrate active enzyme encoding genes which are required for the degradation of the glycosidic linkages of plant cell wall carbohydrates (such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin). Thus, ruminating animals are completely dependent on the microorganisms (anaerobic bacteria and fungi, methanogenic archaea and protozoa) residing in their rumen (hindgut). In this study, we have retrieved and analyzed the complete genome wide annotations of the Neocallimastigomycota division fungi such as Anaeromyces robustus, Neocallismatix californiae, Orpinomyces sp, Piromyces finnis, Piromyces sp E2. We have retrieved the InterPro, CAZy, KOG, KEGG, SM Clusters and MEROPS genome level data of these anaerobic fungi from JGI-MycoCosm database. Results obtained in our study reveals that, the genomes of anaerobic fungi completely lack genes encoding for lignin degrading auxiliary activity enzymes. Contrastingly, these fungi outnumbered other fungi by having highest number of CAZyme encoding genes. The genes encoding for dockerins and carbohydrate binding modules exaggerated other CAZymes which are involved in the structure and functioning of cellulosomes. Presence of cellulosomes and higher number of carbohydrate transport and metabolism genes also endorses the plant cell wall carbohydrate degrading abilities of these fungi. We also reported the tentative total cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic and pectinolytic abilities. And we have explicitly reported the genes, enzymes and the mechanisms involved in structure and functioning of the cellulosomes and hydrogenosomes. Our present work reveals the genomic machinery underlying the extrinsic plant cell wall degrading abilities of the anaerobic fungi. Results obtained in our study can be significantly applied in improving the gut health of cattle and especially in the fields of biofuel, biorefining and bioremediation-based industries.

Nutritional evaluation of corn silage with different levels of inclusion of wet corn gluten feed in sheep / Avaliação nutricional de milho ensilado com diferentes níveis de inclusão de farelo úmido de glúten de milho em ovinos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients, as well as the feeding behavior of sheep fed an exclusively corn silage diet (0%); this diet incorporated wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) in increments of 30%, 50%, 60%, and 90%, together with the profile of the particles of these silages. Five crossbreed sheep were used with an average weight of 40 kg; they were housed in metabolic cages and were arranged in a Latin square 5×5 experimental design. There was a quadratic effect on dry matter (DM) intake, with a maximum consumption of 1.75 kg/day­1 to an inclusion of 39.09% of WCGF. The crude protein (CP) consumption exhibited an ascending linear effect with the inclusion of the co-product, and fiber consumption in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber decreased linearly with the inclusion of WCGF. The apparent digestibility of DM, CP, and NDF increased linearly with the increasing inclusion of co-product in corn silage. Rumination time, total chewing, and idleness were influenced by increases in the inclusion of WCGF in corn silage, and there was a decreasing linear effect on the amount of time spent ruminating and total chewing, as well as an increasing linear effect for idleness duration. The chewing time for bolus, the number of chews for bolus, and the number of chews per day were influenced by the inclusion of WCGF. Through the obtained results, especially the equation of DM intake, which estimated a maximum point of 39.09%, as well as the presence of diarrhea at levels up to 50%, it was concluded that the addition of up to 40% of WCGF in corn silage can be recommended as it improves nutrient intake and features good digestibility without negatively altering the normal behavior of sheep.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, e o comportamento ingestivo de ovinos alimentados com dieta exclusiva de silagem de milho (0%), e acrescidas de 30, 50, 60 e 90% de farelo úmido de glúten de milho (FUGM), na matéria natural, juntamente com o perfil das partículas dessas silagens. Foram utilizadas cinco ovelhas sem raça definida com peso vivo médio de 40 kg, alojadas em gaiolas metabólicas, arranjadas no delineamento experimental em quadrado latino 5x5. Houve efeito quadrático para o consumo de matéria seca, com consumo máximo de 1,75kg/dia aos 39,09% de inclusão de FUGM. O consumo de proteína bruta sofreu efeito linear ascendente a com a inclusão do coproduto, e os consumos de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) diminuíram linearmente com a inclusão de FUGM. A digestibilidade aparente da MS, PB e FDN aumentaram linearmente com o aumento na inclusão do coproduto na silagem de milho. Os tempos de ruminação, mastigação total, e ócio foram influenciados pelo aumento na inclusão de FUGM na silagem de milho, houve efeito linear decrescente para o tempo em ruminação, e mastigação total, e efeito linear crescente para o tempo em ócio. O tempo de mastigação por bolo, número de mastigações por bolo, e o número de mastigações por dia, sofreram influencia da inclusão de FUGM. Através dos resultados obtidos, especialmente da equação de consumo de matéria seca, que estimou ponto de máximo de 39,09% e pela presença de diarreia em animais que consumiam níveis de inclusão acima de 50%, conclui-se que adições de até 40% de FUGM na silagem de milho são recomendadas devido ao fato do mesmo melhorar o consumo de nutrientes, tendo boa digestibilidade sem alterar negativamente o comportamento normal dos ovinos.

Métodos para avaliação do comportamento e correlações entre variáveis comportamentais, metabólicas e produtivas de bovinos em pastagem tropical / Methods for evaluating behavior and correlations among behavioral, metabolic and productive variables in cattle in tropical grassland / Métodos para evaluación de comportamiento y correlaciones entre variables comportamentales, metabólicas y productivas de ganado en pastizales tropicales

Objetivou-se avaliar as metodologias para avaliação do comportamento e correlações entre o comportamento e consumo, digestibilidade e desempenho. Foram utilizadas 20 novilhas com grau de sangue 5/8 Guzerá linhagem leiteira e 3/8 Holandesa, com média de 18 meses de idade e peso corporal médio de 187 ± 13,1 kg. Os percentuais do pastejo (PAS), da duração de avaliação de 8h e 12h diferiram da duração de avaliação padrão de 24h (P<0,05). A duração de avaliação em testes (8h e 12h) apresentou diferenças da duração de avaliação de 24 horas para os percentuais de ruminação (RUM) (P<0,05). Verificou-se uma correlação positiva entre o PAS e o ganho de peso e ganho médio diário. A duração de avaliação de 24 horas é a recomendada para avaliação do comportamento ingestivo em termos de parâmetros nutricionais e metabólicos. Com exceção dos períodos discretos das atividades comportamentais, o estudo do comportamento pode ser realizado em intervalos de até 30 minutos, sem interferir na precisão dos resultados. O tempo de pastejo, em desacordo com a literatura nacional e internacional, não correlacionou com o consumo em bovinos a pasto. O número e tempo por períodos das atividades, e a taxa de bocado demonstraram estar altamente associados com as variáveis do consumo. Com exceção do coeficiente de digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro, o tempo de pastejo e ruminação não apresentaram relação com os demais coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente de bovinos a pasto. Além disso, o desempenho não foi associado ao comportamento ingestivo de bovinos a pasto...

The objective is to assess the methods for evaluating the behavior and correlations between behavior and intake, digestibility and performance. A total of 20 heifers with 5/8 Guzerá from dairy lineage and 3/8 Holstein blood level, with an average of 18 months of age and body weight of 187 ± 13.1 kg were used. The percentages of grazing (GRA), of the duration of 8h and 12h evaluation differed from the standard 24h evaluation (P<0,05). The duration of evaluation tests (8h and 12h) presented differences from the duration of the 24-hour evaluation for rumination (RUM) percentages (P<0,05). There is a positive correlation between GRA and weight gain and average daily gain. The 24-hour evaluation is recommended for the assessment of ingestive behavior in terms of nutritional and metabolic parameters. Except for discrete periods of behavioral activities, the behavior study can be performed at intervals of up to 30 minutes, without interfering with the accuracy of results. Grazing time, at odds with national and international literature, was not correlated with the intake in cattle on pasture. The number and duration of activity periods and bite rate proved to be highly associated with the intake variables. With the exception of the digestibility coefficient for neutral detergent fiber, grazing and ruminating time did not correlate with the other apparent digestibility coefficients for cattle on pasture. Moreover, the performance was not associated with ingestive behavior of cattle on pasture...

Esta investigación ha buscado analizar las metodologías para evaluación del comportamiento y correlaciones entre el comportamiento, consumo, digestibilidad y rendimiento en ganado de pastoreo. Se utilizaron 20 novillas con grado de sangre de 5/8 línea lechera Guzerat y 3/8 Holstein, con una media de 18 meses de edad y peso corpor al medio de 187 ± 13,1 kg. El porcentaje de pastoreo (PAS), de la duración de evaluación de 8h y 12h difirieron de la duración de evaluación estándar de 24 h (P<0,05). La duración de evaluación en pruebas (8h y 12h) mostró diferencias en la duración de 24 horas para los porcentuales de la rumia (RUM) (<0,05). Se ha verificado una correlación positiva entre el PAS y la ganancia de peso y la ganancia media diaria. La duración de evaluación de 24 horas es la recomendada para evaluación de la conducta alimentaria en términos de parámetros nutricionales y metabólicos. Con excepción de los periodos discretos de las actividades comportamentales, el estudio del comportamiento puede ser realizado en intervalos de hasta 30 minutos, sin interferir en la exactitud de los resultados. El tiempo de pastoreo, en desacuerdo con la literatura nacional e internacional, no se correlaciona con el consumo de ganado en pastoreo. El número y tiempo por periodos de las actividades, y la tasa de bocado demostraron estar altamente asociados con las variables del consumo. Con excepción del coeficiente de digestibilidad de la fibra en detergente neutro, el tiempo de pastoreo y la rumia no presentaron relación con los demás coeficientes de digestibilidad aparente de ganado a pastizales. Además, el rendimiento no fue asociado al comportamiento de ingestión de ganado de pastoreo...

Avaliação do efeito do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar in natura obtido por dois métodos sobre o desempenho e o comportamento ingestivo de bovinos de corte / Effect of raw sugar cane bagasse on performance and ingestive behavior of beef cattle

Avaliou-se o efeito da utilização do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar in natura (BIN), obtido por dois métodos de extração do açúcar, moagem convencional ou difusão, como fonte de fibra em dietas que continham bagaço tratado sob pressão e vapor (BTPV), como principal fonte de volumoso sobre o desempenho e o comportamento ingestivo de bovinos confinados. Para avaliação do desempenho, foram utilizados 84 machos não castrados das raças Nelore, Canchim e Holandesa, com média de peso inicial de 270kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso. Para a avaliação do comportamento ingestivo, foram utilizados quatro garrotes da raça Nelore, em delineamento de quadrado latino 4 x 4. Os tratamentos consistiram na substituição do BTPV pelo BIN na matéria seca, constituindo as dietas experimentais: 5 por cento BIN moagem convencional; 5 por cento BIN difusão, 10 por cento BIN difusão e 15 por cento BIN difusão. O consumo de MS foi menor no tratamento com 15 por cento de BIN obtido por difusão (BINdif), em relação ao teor de inclusão de 10 por cento. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos para ganho diário de peso, conversão alimentar e peso vivo final entre os tratamentos. Os tempos despendidos com as atividades de ruminação (minutos/kg de MS) e mastigação (minutos/kg de MS ou de FDN) foram maiores (P<0,05) no tratamento com 15 por cento de BINdif na dieta. O BINdif pode ser utilizado como fonte de fibra íntegra em até 15 por cento da MS da dieta sem prejudicar o desempenho dos animais.

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of replacing steam pressure treated sugar cane bagasse by two types of raw sugar cane bagasse extracted through grinding or diffusion, on performance and ingestive behavior of beef cattle. Eighty four young bulls (Nelore, Canchim and Holstein) with 270kg of body weight at the beginning of the experiment were used in a randomized block design. Ingestive behavior was evaluated using four Nelore young bulls in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Treatments were the direct substitution of steam pressure treated sugarcane bagasse by raw bagasse (RB), corresponding to the experimental treatments: 5 percent RB from grinding; 5 percent RB from diffusion; 10 percent RB from diffusion and 15 percent RB from diffusion. Dry matter intake was lower in treatment with 15 percent of bagasse obtained by diffusion (BINdif) in comparison to 10 percent BINdif. There were no differences (P>0.05) among treatments for average daily gain, feed conversion and final live weight. Ruminating time (minutes/kg of DM) and chewing time (minutes/kg of DM or NDF) was greater (P>0.05) when BINdif was added at 15 percent level to diets. BINdif can be added up to 15 percent of the dietary DM with no detrimental effect on beef cattle performance.