bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of bacterial protein grown on natural gas on growth performance and sensory quality of broiler chickens
Authors: Skrede A. , Faaland Schøyen H. , Svihus B. , Storebakken T.
Published: April 2011

Bacterial protein meal (BPM) produced from natural gas by Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), Alcaligenes acidovorans, Bacillus brevis and Bacillus firmus was studied as a protein source for broiler chickens. Three experiments from day-old to slaughter at 35 d were carried out. In exp. 1, BPM was fed at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 g kg-1 diet (as fed) replacing soybean meal protein. Levels of BPM up to 60 g kg-1 had no effect on 0-5 wk gain, while the 80 and 100 g kg-1 levels significantly reduced gain, especially in the 0–2 wk period. In exp. 2, chickens were fed diets containing 0, 30, 60 and 90 g kg-1 BPM and two protein levels, 23 and 21 g kg-1. The highest level of BPM significantly reduced growth, independent of protein level, whereas growth responses to lower levels of BPM were similar to the control diet. In exp. 3, 90 g kg-1 BPM in diets containing 23 g kg-1 protein had no negative effect on growth, but significantly reduced the abdominal fat pad. Overall, substitution of soybean meal protein with increasing levels of BPM significantly lowered feed-to-gain ratio during the last part of the feeding period. Sensory analysis of thigh meat after 2 mo of frozen storage (exp. 1) showed that meat from 35-d-old chickens fed 60 and 100 g kg-1 BPM had less odor intensity and less rancid flavor than meat from control animals fed no BPM. Other sensory attributes were not affected by treatment. Key words: Bacterial protein meal, chicken, growth performance, feed:gain ratio, feed conversion, sensory quality
Ensiling characteristics, ruminal nutrient degradabilities and whole tract nutrient utilization of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) silage
Authors: Mustafa A. F. , Seguin P.
Published: April 2011

A study was conducted to determine ensiling characteristics and nutrient utilization by ruminants of berseem clover silage (BCS). Ensiling characteristics were determined by ensiling forage in mini-silos for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 70 d. Two lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas were utilized to determine ruminal nutrient degradabilities while six ram lambs were used to determine total tract nutrient digestibilities. Ruminal and whole tract nutrient utilization of BCS were compared with those of alfalfa silage (AS). Results showed that BCS went through a rapid fermentation as shown by a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in pH during the first 2 d post-ensiling. Most of the proteolytic activity took place between day 0 and day 2 as indicated by a reduction (P < 0.05) in true protein and neutral detergent insoluble protein and an increase (P < 0.05) in non-protein nitrogen. Relative to AS, BCS had a similar ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), a lower degradability of crude protein (CP), and a higher (P < 0.05) degradability of neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Relative to AS, BCS had a higher (P < 0.05) whole-tract digestibility of DM (70.7 vs. 66.0%), organic matter (71.5 vs. 65.9%), NDF (65.6 vs. 54.5), acid detergent fiber (64.6 vs. 54.6) and gross energy (69.6 vs. 64.0), but a lower (P < 0.05) wholetract digestibility of CP (69.2 vs. 75.9%). These results suggest that BSC could replace AS as a forage source for ruminants. Key words: Berseem clover silage, ruminal degradability, total tract nutrient utilization
Histological alterations of intestinal villi in growing pigs fed soybean and pigeon pea seed meals
Authors: Mekbungwan A. , Yamauchi K. , Thongwittaya N.
Published: April 2011

To clarify whether specific damage to intestinal tissue is induced by feeding pigs pigeon pea seed meal (PM), growing pigs were fed soybean meal (SM) or PM, and intestinal villi and epithelial cells on the tip of villi were compared using light and electron microscopy. Fifteen 85-d-old pigs were allotted to three groups of five animals each. Within each group, a pig was randomly assigned to: (1) a conventional (control) diet, (2) SM or (3) raw PM for 10 d. At the end of the experiment three pigs per group were randomly slaughtered. Intestinal villus height, cell area and cell mitosis tended to be highest in the SM group and lowest in the PM group. Dome-like cells were seen on the surface of villi in SM group, but flat cells were observed in the PM group. These histological data suggest that intestinal villi are much more activated in pigs fed SM than PM. However, the fact that physical damage was not observed on the tips of villi in pigs fed PM suggests that raw PM could be used as a plant protein source by adding it as a supplement to conventional diets. Key words: Pigeon pea, soybean, intestinal villi, pig
Effect of pelleting and enzyme supplementation on variation in feed value of wheat-based diets fed to broiler chicks
Authors: Scott T. A. , Silversides F. G. , Zijlstra R. T.
Published: April 2011

The effect of wheat cultivar, pelleting, and enzyme supplementation was measured with a broiler chick bioassay comparing differences in feed intake, growth, FCR and metabolisable e nergy (ME) level. Samples of two wheat cultivars from each of six classes were ground and were either unpelleted or pelleted and ground before including (80%) in mash diets with or without enzyme (Avizyme 1302). Two common control diets were fed in the two bioassay series required to evaluate the 48 diets. Each diet was fed to four cages of six male broilers from 4 to 17 d of age. Apparent metabolisable energy (AME) was determined on excreta collected at 16 d of age. There was more than a 25% difference in feed intake among the 48 diets; the largest contribution of the variation was due to wheat cultivar. Feed intake was significantly increased by enzyme addition and decreased by pelleting. Variation in feed intake explained more than 70% of the variation in body weight and had only a minor association with determined AME. The AME of all wheat samples, except the two Durum wheats, was increased by both enzyme supplementation and processing. The increase in AME with processing may represent an anomaly of using different bioassay series to measure unpelleted and pelleted wheat samples or it may represent changes in AME of all wheat samples, except Durum wheats, with storage after harvesting. The relative AME and FCR measurements for the 12 wheat samples were similar whether the wheats were pelleted or not. However, there was no relationship between measurements of feed intake when the different cultivars of unpelleted and pelleted wheat were compared. The marked variation in feed intake and growth rate of broilers fed different cultivars of wheat continues to be a concern as it suggests that other factors may limit intake and prevent the broiler from obtaining the required levels of nutrients from the diet. Key words: Wheat, feed processing, enzymes, feed value, broilers
Effects of feeding different levels of conjugated linoleic acid and total oil to pigs on subsequent pork quality and palatability
Authors: Dugan M. E. R. , Aalhus J. L. , Rolland D. C. , Jeremiah L. E.
Published: April 2011

The objective of the present study was to compare pork quality, composition and palatability of pigs fed different levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and total oil (TO). A 3 × 2 factorial design was used feeding three levels of CLA (0, 0.25, and 0. 5%) and two levels of TO (2 and 5% made up with canola oil). Thirty-six pigs were allotted per diet and diets were fed from 35 to 115 kg liveweight. TO had no effect on longissimus thoracis (LT) moisture or intramuscular fat contents, but feeding CLA decreased LT moisture (P = 0.04) and increased LT intramuscular fat (P = 0.04). CLA and TO had no effect on LT subjective color, structure or marbling scores. Post-mortem LT temperature was also unaffected by feeding CLA or TO. Pigs fed 0.5% CLA had a marginally higher muscle pH (P = 0.01), a tendency toward lower post-mortem lactate levels (P = 0.06) and had higher glycogen concentrations (P = 0.03) at 30 min post mortem. Feeding CLA may thus offer limited protection against rapid post-mortem pH decline. Adding CLA to the diet increased subcutaneous fat hardness (P = 0.01), which was related to increased saturated (P = 0.01) and reduced monounsaturated fatty acid levels (P = 0.01). Increasing TO had an opposite effect resulting in softer fat with lower saturated and higher mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (P = 0.01). Supplementing diets with CLA in combination with canola oil did not have any detrimental effect on pork quality, composition or palatability. Feeding CLA does, however, have the potential to improve pork quality by increasing intramuscular fat levels, reducing post-mortem glycogen utilization rates and increasing subcutaneous fat hardness. Key words: Conjugated linoleic acid, canola oil, pork quality, palatability, marbling, fat composition
Dietary manipulation to increase conjugated linoleic acids and other desirable fatty acids in beef: A review
Authors: Mir P. S. , Ivan M. , He M. L. , Pink B. , Okine E. , Goonewardene L. , McAllister T. A. , Weselake R. , Mir Z.
Published: April 2011

The diet is the source of many essential fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids for all mammals. These fatty acids either, as altered isomers or as other elongated products, have been found to provide unique advantages to human health. Currently two conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) isomers (cis-9, trans-11 C18:2; trans-10, cis-12 C18:2) and two elongated products of linolenic acid [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3)] have been recognized for their roles in maintaining human health. Consumers can obtain these functional fatty acids from beef if the feeding management of beef cattle can be altered to include precursor fatty acids. Diet, breed, and gender are important factors that affect total fat content and/or the fatty acid profile of beef with regard to CLA, EPA, and DHA. Diet provides the precursor fatty acids that are altered and deposited, and breed dictates, the amount of fat that is deposited. These fatty acids can be increased in beef by increasing the forage:concentrate ratio, inclusion of non-fermented forage, and supplementation with various oils or oil seeds. The CLA and vaccenic acid (trans-11 C18:1) concentration in beef was increased by feeding sunflower oil or seeds, linseed, and soybean oil supplemented diets, while cattle fed linseed and fish oil supplemented diets had increased concentrations of EPA and DHA. Although the concentration of these fatty acids can be increased in beef, there is a need to further the understanding of the mechanism by which they exert positive affects on human health. Key words: Cattle, beef, fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid
Effect of iron bioavailability on muscle fibre types and on quality and oxidative stability of grain-fed veal
Authors: Ahmad Ghodratnama Claude Gariépy, , Scott Shannon L.
Published: April 2011

The bioavailability of dietary iron can be reduced by using a chelator in the ration. In order to characterise the effects of supplementing veal calf rations with three doses of EDTA (0, 5 or 15 mg EDTA mg-1 Fe in the ration) for 8 or 18 wk, histochemical characteristics of the longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle and meat colour, composition, quality and stability were evaluated. Meat pH, colour, drip loss, cooking loss and shear forces were measured after a keeping period of 0, 7 and 14 d at 4°C, while lipid stability (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) was measured on thawed ground meat stored for 1, 3 and 5 d at 4°C. EDTA treatments had no effect on dissectible tissue composition of the 9–11th rib section (P > 0.05) or on the chemical composition of the LT muscle (P > 0.05). EDTA dose had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the proportion of slow-twitch, oxidative (SO) fibres and a negative, linear effect (P < 0.01) on the proportion of fast-twitch, oxidoglycolytic (FOG) fibres in the LT. The chelator was effective in enhancing paleness of veal, particularly with long-term administration of the highest dose (P < 0.05). This interaction, however, had a negative effect on shear force and also on oxidative stability of the meat during storage (P < 0.05). Key words: Veal quality, EDTA, fibre type, oxidative stability, TBARS
Wheat by-products in poultry nutrition. Part II. Nutritive value of wheat screenings, bakery by-products and wheat mill run and their improved utilization by enzyme supplementation
Authors: Boros D. , Slominski B. A. , Guenter W. , Campbell L. D. , Jones O.
Published: April 2011

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the nutritive value of wheat screenings, bakery by-products and wheat mill run used by the feed industry in Canada and to investigate the effect of enzyme supplementation on available energy content, nutrient digestibility and broiler chicken growth performance. Broiler chicken performance (2-wk growth trial) was compared using a wheat/soybean meal-based control diet and diets substituted with wheat by-products (wheat screenings, 200 g kg-1; bakery by-products or mill run, 100 g kg-1). In addition, diets containing one sample of each of the by-products were fed to broiler chickens with enzyme supplementation (Superzyme W®). Chicken performance was not affected by dietary substitution of wheat by-products for wheat as values for control, wheat screenings (three samples), bakery by-products (two samples) and mill run (one sample) were similar for body weight gain (514, 520, 515, 500 g bird-1) and for feed to gain ratio (1.52, 1.52, 1.52, 1.50), respectively. Response to enzyme supplementation was highest for wheat screenings showing a statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvement in body weight gain (523 vs. 548 g bird-1) and feed to gain ratio (1.54 vs. 1.47). To further substantiate the importance of enzyme supplementation, a long-term production trial with broiler chickens was conducted. Five replicate pens of 60 birds per treatment were used in the starter (21 d) and grower (16 d) phases of the experiment consisting of three treatments: positive control (PC) (wheat/soybean meal/fish meal), negative control (NC) (wheat/wheat screenings/barley/soybean/ canola meal) and NC + Enzyme (Superzyme W®). In comparison to PC, the NC diet contained 5% less metabolizable energy, 8–10% less crude protein, amino acids and calcium and 25% less available phosphorus. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio averaged 2.14, 2.10, 2.17 kg bird-1 and 1.68, 1.76, 1.66 for PC, NC and NC + Enzyme, respectively. A significant (P < 0.05) improvement in broiler chicken performance with enzyme supplementation was further substantiated by the same magnitude of difference in dry matter (71.2, 68.7, 75.1%), starch (92.5, 90.3, 95.6%), non-starch poly saccharides (NSP) (4.8, 15.0, 36.1%), energy (AME) (12.37, 11.83, 12.84 MJ kg-1) and phytate (44.3, 37.5, 69.5%) digestibilities. It is evident from this study that the use of wheat by-products in concert with an effective enzyme supplement in broiler chicken diets will allow for optimum growth performance. Key words: Broilers, by-products, feeding value, enzymes
Nutritional practices on Manitoba dairy farms
Authors: Plaizier J. C. , Garner T. , Droppo T. , Whiting T.
Published: April 2011

A survey was conducted on 40 randomly selected dairy farms across Manitoba to document nutritional practices and diet compositions, and study relationships between diet composition and milk production. Samples from all feeds, diets, and the bulk milk tank were collected and analyzed. Inclusion rates of feed ingredients were recorded. Production data were obtained from Western Canada Dairy Herd Improvement Services (WCDHIS). Component feeding and total mixed ration (TMR) feeding were used in 37.5 and 62.5% of herds, respectively. Only 24% of TMR-fed herds used two or more TMR. The medians of dietary contents of crude protein (CP), rumen degradable protein (RDP), rumen undegradable protein (RUP), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) were 18.3% dry matter (DM), 12.2% DM, 5.7% DM, 34.8% DM, and 15.6 mg dL-1, respectively. On average, diets contained 6.2% more net energy for lactation (NEl), 35.9% more RDP, 15.8% less RUP, 74.6% more calcium (Ca), 51.9% more phosphorous (P), 44.9% more potassium (K), 116.1% more magnesium (Mg), and 4.2% more sodium (Na) than the estimated requirements based on the average milk production and estimated DM intake of the cows on each farm. In 25% of TMR-fed herds, TMR was coarser than recommended. Milk yield, and milk fat percentage were affected by breed, but were not affected by feeding practice (TMR or component feeding), diet composition, and physically effective NDF (peNDF) determined as the percent age of feed particles retained by the 8- and 19-mm screens of the Penn State Particle Separator multiplied by dietary NDF. Milk protein percentage was positively correlated to RUP. MUN was positively correlated to RDP, RUP, NDF, and days in milk (DIM). Reductions in dietary CP, RDP, Ca, P, Mg, and K could reduce nutrient excretions to the environment without reducing milk production and health. Increasing dietary RUP content could improve milk production on Manitoba dairy farms. Key words: Dairy cattle, milk production, protein, fibre, minerals, particle size.
Global gene expression patterns spanning 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation
Authors: Hansen C. , Fu A. , Li C. , Dixon W. T. , Christopherson R. , Moore S. S.
Published: April 2011

Adipogenesis is of significant relevance from an agricultural perspective. Traits such as subcutaneous fat thickness, marbling and waste fat are of substantial economic importance in animal production. In order to discover more about the genetic basis of this process, a study was undertaken to examine the changes that occur daily in global gene expression as 3T3-L1 cells differentiate from preadipocyte to adipocyte. Duplicate RNA samples were collected daily during the differentiation process and probed with the Affymetrix U74Av2 GeneChip® microarray to allow the time-course analysis of the gene expression profile in these differentiating cells. Self-organizing maps (SOM) clustering was performed to extract patterns of expression over the course of the experiment (day 0 to day 6). The clustering generated nine distinct expression patterns containing between 74 and 420 genes/ESTs. Functional clusters and important chronological changes in the expression of key genes and gene groups were identified. The pattern of expression observed for many genes not only confirmed what has been shown previously for the early stages of differentiation, but also expanded this pattern to cover the whole differentiation process thus giving a very comprehensive overview of patterns and changes in gene expression over the time course of adipocyte differentiation. Key words: Adipocyte differentiation, gene expression, SOM clustering
Effect of carbohydrase supplementation of wheat- and canola-meal-based diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in group-housed weaned pigs
Authors: Zijlstra R. T. , Li S. , Owusu-Asiedu A. , Simmins P. H. , Patience J. F.
Published: April 2011

Fibrous components in canola meal and wheat limit their effective use in diets for weaned pigs. Effects of supplementing a carbohydrase (845 and 327 Units g-1 xylanase and β-glucanase) to a wheat-canola meal diet on growth performance, small intestine nutrient digestibility and digesta viscosity were investigated. Ninety-six weaned pigs (7.2 ± 1.2 kg) had free access to control diet [65% wheat, 25% canola meal; 3.15 Mcal digestible energy (DE) kg-1, 10.6 g digestible lysine kg-1] or control diet supplemented with carbohydrase at three inclusion rates (1, 2, or 4 g kg-1) for 28 d. Four pigs were housed per pen for six pens per diet. On days 19 to 21, six pigs per diet were euthanised to collect small intestine digesta. Carbohydrase increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) quadratically (P < 0.01) for days 1 to 28, resulting in 16% higher ADFI and 13% higher ADG for 2 g kg-1 carbohydrase compared to control. Carbohydrase did not affect feed efficiency (P > 0.10). The ADG was positively correlated to ADFI (r = 0.94; P < 0.01), but not to feed efficiency (P > 0.10). Carbohydrase did not affect digestibility of dry matter (DM) and energy (P > 0.10). Carbohydrase at 4 g kg-1 only reduced digesta viscosity 30% in the distal small intestine compared to control (P < 0.05). Carbohydrase supplementation increased ADFI and thereby ADG, but not feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility, suggesting that reduction of dietary fibrous components using carbohydrase may stimulate voluntary feed intake of pigs fed diets limiting in DE. Key words: Carbohydrase, canola meal, wheat, pig, feed intake, digestibility
Effects of methods of collection and sample preparation on the concentrations of B-vitamins in ruminal fluid of dairy cows
Authors: Santschi D. E. , Chiquette J. , Berthiaume R. , Matte J. J. , Mustafa A. F. , Girard C. L.
Published: April 2011

Ruminal fluid was collected from dairy cows using three methods: (1) a stomach tube, or directly through the ruminal cannula with (2) a syringe screwed to a stainless tube covered by a fine metal mesh; or (3) a rubber tube connected to a vacuum pump. Fluid samples were either acidified to disrupt bacterial membranes or centrifuged to remove the bacterial fraction. B-vitamin concentrations were higher in the acidified than in the centrifuged fluid, while the collection method had only a limited effect. Results of this study strongly suggest that B-vitamin concentration in ruminal fluid is not a good indicator of their synthesis, and that the bacterial fractions should probably be considered. Key words: B-vitamins, ruminal fluid, dairy cow
Effects of the forage to concentrate ratio on B-vitamin concentrations in different ruminal fractions of dairy cows
Authors: Santschi D. E. , Chiquette J. , Berthiaume R. , Martineau R. , Matte J. J. , Mustafa A. F. , Girard C. L.
Published: April 2011

Two studies were undertaken to verify the effect of the forage to concentrate ratio of the diet on B-vitamin concentrations in ruminal contents. In Study 1, eight primiparous and eight multiparous cows were used in a cross-over design, and concentrations of biotin, folates and vitamin B12 were determined in ruminal fluid and plasma of cows fed a high-forage (HF; 58:42 forage to concentrate ratio; DM basis) or a low-forage (LF; 37:63 forage to concentrate ratio; DM basis) diet. In Study 2, six ruminally cannulated lactating cows were used in a cross-over design to evaluate the effects of forage to concentrate ratio (HF = 60:40; LF = 40:60; DM basis) on concentrations of seven B-vitamins in the particle-free fluid and in both liquid- and solid-associated bacteria. Results showed that B-vitamins were present mainly in the bacterial fractions of the ruminal content, while only limited amounts were found in the surrounding fluid. A change in the forage to concentrate ratio had a greater effect on vitamin concentration in the bacteria associated with the solid fraction than in those present in the liquid portion of the rumen. The most noticeable effects of a low forage diet were an increase in riboflavin, but a decrease in true vitamin B12 concentrations in solid-associated bacteria as well as a decrease in biotin concentration in particle-free fluid. In conclusion, it appears that ruminal B-vitamin concentration is altered by changes in the forage to concentrate ratio, which suggests that the supply of vitamins to dairy cows is influenced by diet composition. Key words: B-vitamins, dairy cow, ruminal fractions, forage to concentrate ratio
Nutrient digestibility, fecal output and eating behavior for different cattle background feeding strategies
Authors: Klinger S. A. , Block H. C. , McKinnon J. J.
Published: April 2011

To examine the effects of limit feeding a high grain barley-based diet to growing cattle on nutrient digestibility, fecal DM out put and eating behavior, sixteen crossbred steers (326 ± 42.1 kg) housed in individual indoor pens were fed one of two feeding regimes in a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments included a high-grain diet containing 1.94 Mcal NEm and 1.27 Mcal NEg kg-1 of DM and limit-fed to achieve similar NE intake to an ad libitum-fed high-forage diet containing 1.57 Mcal NEm and 0.97 Mcal NEg kg-1 DM. Chromic oxide was used to determine nutrient digestibility and fecal output. The limit-fed high-grain diet reduced (P < 0.05) fecal DM output (1.1 vs. 1.6 kg DM d-1) and improved (P < 0.05) apparent DM digestibility (82.8 vs. 79.4%) relative to the ad libitum-fed high-forage diet. Crude protein digestibility was similar (P > 0.05) across treatments; however, fiber digestibility was poorer (P < 0.05) for the limit-fed high-grain than the ad libitum-fed high-forage diet. The high-grain limit-fed cattle spent less (P < 0.05) time eating and ruminating than the ad libitum-fed high-forage cattle. These results indicate that limit feeding a high-grain barley-based diet to backgrounding cattle can improve feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility and reduce fecal DM output while targeting the same gain as an ad libitum-fed high forage backgrounding diet. Key words: Cattle, limit feeding, nutrient digestibility, fecal output
Relationship between udder and teat conformation and milk yield performance in dairy cows pre- and post-milking
Authors: Sabuncuoglu Nilufer , Coban Omer
Published: April 2011

The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between udder floor area (UFA) and milk production traits in dairy cows, pre- and post-milking, as well as to examine the usefulness of a simple method of measuring UFA. The absolute reduction (AR, cm2) and relative reduction (RR, %) in UFA post-milking relative to pre-milking was calculated. Absolute reduction was influenced by breed and lactation stage, but not by parity of the cows (P < 0.05). There was no effect of breed and stage of lactation on the RR of UFA. Moderate correlations were observed between absolute reduction of UFA and daily milk yield (r2 = 0.422), lactation milk yield (r2 = 0.426), and absolute fat yield (r2 = 0.515) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Moderate and weak correlations were found between RR of UFA and daily milk yield (r2 = 0.335) (P < 0.01), AR of the udder area and the 305-d lactation milk yield (r2 = 0.326) (P < 0.10). It was concluded that measuring UFA using the method described may be useful for the selection of dairy cattle mammary conformation traits. Key words: Dairy cow, udder and teat conformation, milk production traits, measurement technique
Evaluation of the potential protein-sparing effects of sodium bicarbonate when added to grass silage for growing steers
Authors: Fellner V. , Phillip L. E. , Garino H.
Published: April 2011

Six Hereford-cross steers were used to determine whether or not the addition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to grass silage (GS) would reduce the need for supplemental protein from fish meal (FM). Grass silage (31% DM; pH 4.8) was either unsupplemented or supplemented with FM (10% of silage DM); NaHCO3 was added at 0, 2, or 4% of silage DM. Supplementation with FM increased N retention (P < 0.01) but had no effects (P > 0.10) on feed intake or digestibility of organic matter (OM). Urinary N excretion decreased (P < 0.05) linearly with the addition of NaHCO3 but due to an increase in fecal N there was no significant effect (P > 0.10) of NaHCO3 on N balance. Urinary excretion of bicarbonate (HCO3) increased linearly (P < 0.01) with NaHCO3 addition, but there was no effect (P > 0.10) on urine pH or measures of blood acid-base status. Addition of NaHCO3 increased silage pH to 6.5 but had no effect (P > 0.10) on voluntary feed intake, or digestibility of OM and ADF. The results indicate that the addition of NaHCO3 to grass silage did not spare dietary protein but led to a shift in the partition of N between urine and feces. Key words: Steers, grass silage, sodium bicarbonate, nitrogen retention
Evaluation of the growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs produced in Quebec
Authors: Hammell K. L. , Laforest J. P.
Published: April 2011

Data for a total of approximately 1100 lambs tested in 12 trials from 1992 to 1995 in commercial lamb test stations in Quebec were used to determine the effect of sex, sire breed and genetic type on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Lambs were housed two to a pen and fed commercial diets. Maximum test length was 112 d. Lambs were slaughtered when their liveweight was approximately 47 ± 5 kg for the males and 43 ± 4 kg for the females. Feed intake and growth rate were measured during the test, and carcass measurements were taken at slaughter and at 24 h following slaughter. Feed intake was the average for the pen, while the growth and carcass measurements were taken individually. Males ate more per day, had better gain and were younger at slaughter than females. Females had more body fat and better carcass conformation scores than males. However, males did not have a greater loin muscle thickness compared to females. Lambs sired by Hampshire or Suffolk rams had superior growth performance and leaner carcasses than lambs sired by Dorset rams. However, Hampshire and Suffolk-sired lambs did not have a greater loin muscle thickness compared to Dorset-sired lambs. Analysis of different genetic types did not demonstrate a pronounced effect on lamb performance. No specific genetic composition was clearly superior to the others for the various variables studied. Genetic quality within a breed of sheep bought or kept for reproduction is as important as the choice of breed or the combination of breeds. Key words: Lamb, growth performance, carcass composition
Effect of environmental temperature and dietary lipid supplement on activity and protein abundance of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissues of sheep
Authors: Moibi J. A. , Christopherson R. J. , Okine E. K.
Published: April 2011

To determine the effects of temperature and dietary lipid on the key enzymes regulating fatty acid synthesis, 24 wether lambs were exposed to three temperature treatments (+23 °C warm, 0 °C cold, or coldpairfed) and fed either a control barley-based diet or a lipid supplemented diet for a 5-wk period. After slaughter, tissue samples were collected and frozen for analysis for enzyme activity and enzyme protein abundance. Thermal environment or lipid supplementation did not affect (P > 0.05) acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) activity in longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. In liver, cold exposure increased (P < 0.05) while lipid supplementation depressed (P < 0.05) ACC activity. In subcutaneous (SC) and mesenteric (MS) adipose tissue ACC activity was not affected (P > 0.05) by cold exposure. Dietary lipid supplementation increased (P < 0.05) ACC activity in both SC and MS but the increase in perirenal (PR) fat was not significant. Western-blot analysis with peroxidase-labelled streptavidin identified two isoforms of ACC (280 and 265 kDa) in LD muscle and the 280 kDa was the more abundant isoform. In liver and adipose tissues only one isoform (265 kDa) was identified but there was a poor relationship between enzyme protein abundance and activity. Neither environment nor diet affected fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity in LD or liver. Cold exposure reduced (P < 0.05) FAS activity in SC tissue of ad libitum fed animals but increased FAS activity in MS tissue of pair-fed sheep and had no effect in PR fat. Dietary lipid supplementation reduced (P < 0.05) FAS activity by 30% in all three fat depots. A single isoform of FAS with MW of 260 kDa was present in all tissues examined with cold exposure increasing FAS protein expression in all tissues. The results indicate that temperature and dietary lipid affect enzyme catalytic activity with differential responses in different tissues. Key words: Environmental temperature, lipid supplement, lipogenic enzymes, enzyme activity, protein abundance, sheep
Comparison of growth performance, carcass yield and composition, and fatty acid profiles of Pekin and Muscovy ducklings fed diets based on food wastes
Authors: Farhat A. , Normand L. , Chavez E. R. , Touchburn S. P.
Published: April 2011

Pekin and Muscovy male ducklings were raised on diets based on food wastes. Three feeding systems were offered: commercial pellets (control), partial food waste (PFW) and 100% food waste (FW). For the starting, growing and finishing periods, respectively, the control system provided 25, 23 and 21% crude protein (CP) on a dry matter (DM) basis. The two experimental systems each had a dry pelleted diet and a wet mash diet offered free choice. The PFW system had two rations for the dry diet containing 23 and 22% CP for the starting and growing–finishing periods, respectively, whereas the wet diet had a single ration with 17% CP on a DM basis. The FW also had two forms of diets: dry pellets (18% CP) and wet mash (20% CP). The PFW ducks had higher (P < 0.05) body weights than those of the control system. Both breeds consumed less feed of PFW and FW than those on the control. Feed efficiency was significantly improved for PFW and FW relative to control for both breeds. The birds fed food waste diets consumed higher proportions of fat and less protein. Pekins had higher (P < 0.05) content of skin and fat, whereas the Muscovies had a higher (P < 0.05) content of meat and bone. Both breeds had a preference for wet over dry diets as a percentage of the total feed consumption. Fatty acid profiles of the subcutaneous fat showed significant breed but no feeding system differences. These results suggest industrial food wastes have potential nutritional value as alternative feedstuffs. Key words: Food waste, duck, performance, carcass, fatty acid
Effect of the brown midrib trait and stage of development at harvest on cell wall composition and degradability of forage pearl millet leaves and stems
Authors: Hassanat Fadi , Mustafa Arif F , Seguin Philippe
Published: April 2011

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the brown midrib trait and stage of development [vegetative (VS) vs. heading (HS) stage] on chemical composition and in situ rumen disappearance of forage millet leaves and stems. Forage yield of brown midrib millet was 80 and 50% of that of regular millet at VS and HS, respectively. The reduction in brown midrib millet yield was mainly due to reduction in plant height and tillers m-2. The brown midrib trait reduced concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) in stems by 8, 16, and 58%, respectively, and concentrations of ADF and ADL in leaves by 6 and 49%, respectively. Effects of stage of development on fiber fractions were more pronounced in stems than in leaves. Millet stems harvested at HS had greater concentration of NDF, ADF and ADL than at VS, while only ADL concentration in millet leaves increased with advancing development. Leaves and stems of brown midrib millet (BM) contained more arabinose and xylose than those of regular millet (RM), while glucose concentration was not affected by millet type. Concentrations of xylose and arabinose were higher in leaves, while those of glucose and arabinose were higher in stems of millet harvested at HS than at VS. The brown midrib trait reduced concentrations of ester- linked p-coumaric acid and ether-linked p-coumaric and ferulic acids in both leaves and stems. However, concentration of ester-linked ferulic acid was only reduced in stems. Concentrations of all phenolic acids were higher in stems of millet harvested at HS than at VS. However, the effects of stage of development for most phenolic acids were more pronounced for stems of RM than BM. In situ DM and NDF disappearances were higher in leaves and stems of BM than RM and were higher in leaves and stems of millet harvested at VS than at HS. The brown midrib trait reduced the negative impact of increasing maturity on in situ DM and NDF disappearance in leaves and in situ DM disappearance in stems. It was concluded that the brown midrib trait caused significant changes in cell wall composition of both leaf and stem fractions which resulted in improved in situ nutrient disappearances. The trait also reduced the negative effect of advanced maturity on nutrient digestibility. Key words: Brown midrib; forage millet; in situ disappearance; Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.; phenolic acids
Long-term effects of feeding diets without mineral phosphorus supplementation on the performance and phosphorus excretion in high-yielding dairy cows
Authors: Odongo N. E. , McKnight D. , KoekKoek A. , Fisher J. W. , Sharpe P. , Kebreab E. , France J. , McBride B. W.
Published: April 2011

The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effects of feeding a diet with no mineral phosphorus (P) supplementation on performance and P excretion in high-yielding dairy cows. In exp. 1, 24 primiparous (PP) and 40 multiparous (MP) Holstein cows were allocated to one of two treatments at calving: (1) regular corn silage and alfalfa haylage based milking cow total mixed ration (TMR; 0.42% P diet) or (2) milking cow total mixed ration (TMR) without supplemental mineral P (0.35% P diet) in a completely randomized design. The trial lasted until after two lactations were completed or the cow was culled. In exp. 2, eight MP Holstein cows (108 ± 8.0 d in milk) were used to determine P digestibility and retention in a completely randomized block design. In exp. 1, the 0.35% P diet cows had lower body weight, body condition score and milk urea nitrogen and higher faecal P than the 0.42% P cows. The dry matter intake (DMI) of PP cows on the 0.35% P diet was lower than that of PP cows on the 0.42% P diet. There was no difference in the DMI of MP cows. The P intake of 0.35% P diet PP cows was 30% lower than that of 0.42% P diet PP cows. The P intake of 0.35% P diet MP cows was 20% lower than that of 0.42% P diet MP. The digestibility coefficient of P for the 0.35% P diet was higher than that for the 0.42% P diet. These results suggest that the forages used in the present study contained adequate amounts of P to sustain milk production in high-yielding MP cows. However, for PP cows some mineral P supplementation is recommended especially during early lactation. Key words: Phosphorus, environmental pollution, intensive dairy operations
Analysis of periparturient risk factors affecting sow longevity in breeding herds
Authors: Anil Sukumarannair S , Anil Leena , Deen John
Published: April 2011

The association of periparturient risk factors with sow longevity and the validity of sow removal decisions made during the periparturient period were analyzed. Data pertaining to 2066 sows from a commercial breeding herd from the US Midwest were used in this study. The likelihood of removal from the herd within 35 d post-farrowing decreased with a younger parity, the absence of lameness or other health problems, a higher lactation feed intake (LFI) and a greater number of live-born piglets (P < 0.05 for all). A greater number of piglets born alive, the absence of lameness and a younger parity lowered (P < 0.05 for all) the likelihood of removal of sows from the herd before the next parity. The number of piglets born alive was higher (P < 0.05) among sows without any health problems during the previous periparturient period. A greater (P < 0.05) number of sows that were retained without any health problems during the periparturient period farrowed. More sows (P < 0.05) retained with health problems during the periparturient period were culled compared with sows retained without health problems during the periparturient period. In summary, periparturient factors such as LFI, the incidence of lameness or health problems, as well as sow-level characteristics such as higher parity and fewer piglets born alive predicted the removal of a sow from the breeding herd. Sows retained with periparturient health problems had reduced longevity and fewer live-born piglets, and fewer such sows had another farrowing. Key words: Longevity, sow, risk factor, feed intake
Effects of monensin on beef cow reproduction
Authors: Bailey C. R. , Goetsch A. L. , Hubbell D. S. , Rosenkrans, Jr. C. F.
Published: April 2011

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of monensin with or without grain supplementation on reproduction of beef cows consuming bermudagrass hay. Monensin supplemented at 200 mg head-1 d-1, with or without grain supplementation, shortened the period from calving to conception and increased calving percentage in beef cows consuming bermudagrass hay. Key words: Monensin, beef cows, reproduction
Effects of feeding time on behaviour, thermoregulation and growth of steers in winter
Authors: Bergen R. D. , Schwartzkopf-Genswein K. S. , McAllister T. A. , Kennedy A. D.
Published: April 2011

Two trials were conducted to determine whether the effects of morning (1000) vs. evening (2000) feed delivery on the frequency and duration of feedbunk visits, thermoregulatory physiology and growth performance of feedlot steers were modified by ambient winter temperatures. Night-time feeding behaviours were more pronounced for evening-fed than for morning-fed cattle during both the forage-based backgrounding and concentrate-based finishing periods. Evening feeding also led to increased core body temperatures during the coldest part of the day during the backgrounding period but had little effect during the finishing period. Although ambient temperatures were similar in both trials, evening feeding improved growth rate and efficiency during the coldest part of the backgrounding period in Trial 1 but not in Trial 2. Feeding time did not affect feedlot performance during the finishing period of either trial. Evening feeding successfully altered feeding behaviours and appeared to improve thermoregulatory status during the coldest part of the backgrounding period, but did not improve growth performance or efficiency. Key words: Beef cattle, thermoregulation, evening feeding, feeding behaviour
Protein value of a new genotype oat (CDC SO-I) for the NRC dairy model: Protein degradation balance and kinetics, protein fractions and total metabolizable protein supply
Authors: Yu P. , Rossnagel B. G. , Niu Z.
Published: April 2011

Recently, a new genotype of oat has been developed specifically for feed purposes by the Crop Development Centre called CDC SO-I (“SuperOat”) containing a low-lignin hull and a high-fat groat. However, no quantitative evaluation of protein supply from CDC SO-I to dairy cow has been done in terms of potential protein degradation balance (PDB) and total metabolizable protein (MP) supply. These data are crucial in order to develop more efficient, competitive and optimal feeding the new genotype of oat (CDC SO-I) for livestock. Unlike DVE/OEB, PBI, ARC and NKJ-NJF models, NRC-2001 is a total digestible nutrient (TDN-) based model which is more popular in North America. The objectives of this study were to use the NRC model with inputs based on laboratory and in situ techniques to predict the potential nutrient supply to dairy cows from CDC SO-I in comparison with two conventional oat varieties, CDC Dancer and Derby, in western Canada. The quantitative predictions were made in terms of: (1) Rumen-synthesized microbial protein truly absorbed in the small intestine (AMCP); (2) Rumen undegraded feed protein truly absorbed in the small intestine (ARUP); (3) Endogenous protein in the digestive tract (AECP); (4) Total metabolizable protein supply in the small intestine (MP), and (5) Protein degraded balance (PDB). The results show that using the NRC model, the predicted PDB and total MP supplies to dairy cattle were significantly increased from the newly developed genotype of oat (CDC SO-I). Compared with the normal oat, CDC Dancer, CDC SO-I significantly increased (P < 0.05) ARUP, by 24%, and total MP supply by 9%, but did not change (P > 0.05) AMCP, AECP and PDB, with averages of 55.7, 4.5 and -11.96 g kg-1 dry matter (DM), respectively. Compared with the normal variety, Derby, CDC SO-I significantly increased (P < 0.05) AMCP, by 19%, total MP supply by 13% and increased PDB by 114%, but did not change (P > 0.05) ARUP and AECP values with averages of 19.2 and 4.5 g kg-1 DM, respectively. In conclusion, CDC SO-I oat increased total absorbed metabolizable protein supply to dairy cattle by 9–13% in comparison with the two conventional oat varieties used in western Canada. However, although CDC SO-I improved protein degraded balance, it still had a negative value (-10.6 g kg-1 DM), indicating the potential imbalance between microbial protein synthesis from available rumen-degradable crude protein (CP) and potential energy from fermentation in the rumen. Key words: TDN-based model, dairy cattle, oat genotype, protein degradation balance, metabolizable protein supply
Comparison of techniques for estimation offorage dry matter intake bygrazing beef cattle
Authors: Undi M. , Wilson C. , Ominski K. H. , Wittenberg K. M.
Published: April 2011

Four techniques were compared for their ability to estimate forage dry matter intake (DMI) of grazing animals. In the Cage technique, 10 grazing cages were placed within each pasture, and forage inside and outside the cages was clipped from 0.25-m2 quadrats after 12 to 20 d of grazing. The difference between forage inside and outside the grazing cage represented forage consumed by grazing animals. The second technique used n-alkane controlled release capsules to measure DMI of individual grazing animals (N-alkane marker technique). The remaining two techniques were prediction equations; one utilized body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) to estimate DMI (Minson equation) and the other related dietary net energy concentration and BW to DMI (Net Energy equation). The four methodologies were applied to a 3-yr study evaluating liquid hog manure on the productivity of grass pastures. The study utilized steers of a relatively uniform body size on six continuously grazed grass pastures. When individual animal intakes were compared, the Net Energy equation estimated lower (P < 0.05) DMI than the Minson equation, with the N-alkane marker technique being intermediate. Dry matter intake (mean ± SD, kg d-1) was 5.3 ± 0.76, 7.4 ± 1.86, and 6.5 ± 2.58 for the Net Energy equation, Minson equation, and N-alkane marker technique, respectively. The Cage technique estimated average DMI of animals in each pasture of 17.5 ± 11.61 kg d-1 and this was higher (P < 0.05) than estimates from the other techniques. Dry matter intake estimates from different techniques were ranked: Cage technique > Minson equation > N-alkane marker technique > Net Energy equation. The DMI estimates generated by the Cage technique were associated with the largest coefficient of variation, with extreme values representing a range from 0.3 to 15.2% BW. The N-alkane marker technique estimated DMI that ranged from 0.6 to 4.5% BW. The strongest correlation (r = 0.30; P = 0.001) in DMI estimates was between the Net Energy and Minson equations due to the inclusion of BW as a component in both equations. Results of this study suggest that prediction equations can be useful for rapid DMI estimation. The N-alkane marker technique may be the preferred technique when a wide range of pasture conditions is anticipated. Key words: Grazing cages, n-alkanes, prediction equations, dry matter intake, grazing animals
Helios hard red spring wheat
Authors: DePauw R. M. , Knox R. E. , Clarke F. R. , Clarke J. M. , Fernandez M. R. , McCaig T. N.
Published: April 2011

Helios hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has expressed high grain yield and medium time to maturity. The straw length and strength, volume weight, and seed size were intermediate to the check cultivars. It expressed resistance to prevalent races of stem rust and loose smut, intermediate resistance to common bunt and Fusarium head blight, and moderate susceptibility to leaf rust and leaf spots. It expressed resistance to pre-harvest sprouting and high Hagberg falling number. The end-use suitability of Helios was similar to that of the controls and, therefore, it is eligible for all grades of the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat class. Key words: Triticum aestivum L., cultivar description, grain yield, disease resistance, Hagberg falling number