Digestion and rumen metabolism of red clover and perennial ryegrass/white clover forages by red deer

1994 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. O. Freudenberger ◽  
C. J. Burns ◽  
K. Toyokawa ◽  
T. N. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Degradation Rate ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Pool Size ◽  
Total N ◽  
Protein Cell

SUMMARYRed clover (RC) and perennial ryegrass (PRG)-based forages were cut fresh during late spring/early summer and fed at similar levels of dry matter (DM) intake to rumen fistulated castrated red deer kept indoors in metabolism pens. RC contained higher concentrations of total N and non-protein cell contents than PRG and lower concentrations of fibre. Rumen pool size and fractional outflow rates of liquid (13·3 ν. 15·1%/h) and of paniculate matter (2·5 ν. 3·9%/h) were lower for deer fed RC than PRG. Apparent digestibility of energy and fibre, rumen fibre fractional degradation rate and rumen fractional disappearance rate of non-protein cell contents were all higher for RC than for PRG deer. Nitrogen retention was similar for deer fed both forages. However, the concentration, pool size and outflow of ammonia from the rumen, together with urinary N excretion, were all much greater for deer fed RC than those fed PRG. The acetate: propionate ratio in rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) was lower for the RC than the PRG group. It was concluded that the greater fibre digestion in deer fed RC was due to a faster rumen fractional degradation rate and a longer particulate mean retention time in the rumen, and that the very rapid outflow of water from the rumen relative to particulate matter in deer fed RC (5·5:1 ν. 3·8:1) may explain why deer are not susceptible to rumen frothy bloat when grazing RC. One reason for the greater voluntary feed intake (VFI) of deer grazing RC than those grazing PRG may be due to its greater concentration of protein and non-protein cell contents and their more rapid degradation and removal from the rumen.

Growth responses in red deer calves and hinds grazing red clover, chicory or perennial ryegrass/white clover swards during lactation

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Niezen ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
J. Hodgson ◽  
P. R. Wilson ◽  
A. M. Ataja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

SUMMARYTwo experiments were conducted at the Massey University Deer Unit, New Zealand in 1990 and 1991 to evaluate the performance of lactating red deer hinds and their calves grazing conventional perennial ryegrass-based pastures, red clover or chicory. In both experiments, hind and calf performance was evaluated from 1 month post-parturition over a 2½ month summer period to weaning at 3½ months of age.In Expt 1, hinds and calves were grazed on low (5·4 kg dry matter (DM)/hd/day), medium (10·8) or high (16·4) allowances of red clover, or on a medium allowance of a conventional ryegrass/white clover sward (9·9 DM/hd/day). In Expt 2, hinds and calves grazed equal DM allowances (12 kg DM/hd/day) of perennial ryegrass/white clover, chicory or red clover.Red clover generally had higher organic matter digestibility (OMD) and higher total N than ryegrass/white clover, and when grazed at equal DM allowances, promoted higher voluntary food intake in the hinds, increased calf growth (430 v. 330 g/day) and increased hind liveweight change. Although decreasing the red clover allowance in Expt 1 slightly but non-significantly decreased hind voluntary food intake and decreased both calf and hind liveweight change, all low red clover values were still consistently higher than all ryegrass/white clover values (P < 0·05). In Expt 2, chicory was of higher OMD and ash content than red clover but N content was lower and similar to ryegrass/white clover. Chicory promoted lower levels of calf liveweight change than red clover but higher than ryegrass/white clover. Hind liveweight change on chicory was lower than on red clover and was similar to ryegrass/white clover. It was concluded that red clover offers potential as a special purpose forage for deer production and that further experimental work is needed with chicory.

Growth and venison production from red deer (Cervus elaphus) grazing red clover (Trifolium pratense) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Semiadi ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
P. R. Wilson ◽  
J. Hodgson ◽  
R. W. Purchas
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Total N ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Velvet Antler ◽  
One Year

SUMMARYA study of growth and venison production from weaner red deer grazing pure tetraploid red clover (RC) or conventional perennial ryegrass/white clover (PRG) pasture was conducted in 1990, with the objective of attaining a minimum slaughter liveweight of 92 kg (50 kg carcass) by 12 months of age in the stags. Ten weaner red deer stags and ten weaner red deer hinds were randomly selected and rotationally grazed on either RC or PRG forage. In autumn and spring, forage allowances were 7 kgDM/hd/day and 8 kgDM/hd/day respectively. In winter, the animals from both groups were grazed together on PRG pasture, at a residual dry matter (DM) of 1100 kgDM/ha. Total nitrogen (N) concentration was higher in RC on offer than in PRG on offer (autumn 3·4 v. 3·1 %DM; spring 3·8 v. 3·1 %DM), whilst organic matter digestibility (OMD; autumn 80·5 v. 76·5%; spring 82·1 v. 80·3%) was also higher for RC on offer. Diet selected showed similar differences in total N concentration, but there were negligible differences between forages in OMD.Liveweight gains of RC and PRG stags were respectively 263 v. 192 g/day, 101 v. 106 g/day and 354 v. 341 g/day during autumn, winter and spring, with the corresponding values for hinds being 198. 173 g/day, 52 v. 53 g/day and 242 v. 218 g/day. At one year of age, stags grazing RC were 7 kg heavier and hinds 3 kg heavier than animals grazing PRG pasture. Animals grazing RC forage had higher voluntary feed intake (VFI) in both autumn (P < 0·10) and spring (P < 0·001), than animals grazing PRG pasture.All stags grazing RC forage reached the minimum slaughter liveweight by one year of age, compared to 75% of those grazing PRG pasture. At slaughter, stags that had grazed RC produced heavier carcass weights (59·9 v. 54·5 kg, P < 0·01), had higher carcass dressing percentage (55·3 v. 53·2 %; P < 0·01), and tended to have slightly greater carcass subcutaneous fat depth than stags grazing PRG pasture, but this effect disappeared when the data were corrected to equal carcass weight. All stags grazing RC produced velvet antler, relative to 75% of those grazing PRG; in stags producing harvestable velvet antler, there was no difference in antler weight between those grazing RC and PRG. It is concluded that RC offers potential as a special-purpose forage for the growth of weaner red deer.

scholarly journals The feeding value of forage herbs: studies with red deer

2006 ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
S.O. Hoskin ◽  
P.R. Wilson ◽  
M. Ondris ◽  
A.H. Bunod
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Selenium Status ◽  
Liver Copper ◽  
Complementary Role ◽  
Feeding Value

This paper summarises three studies that: 1) compared the feeding value of perennial ryegrass-based pasture with chicory and plantain during 8 weeks grazing by weaner red deer in spring 2003 and 13 weeks grazing plantain by weaner deer during autumn 2004; 2), compared the liver copper, liver and serum vitamin B12 and blood selenium status of weaner red deer grazing ryegrass-based pasture, chicory or plantain for 8 weeks during spring 2003; and 3) determined the effect of grazing perennial ryegrass-based pasture alone, or with intermittent grazing of plantain from 1 month pre-partum to 1 month post-partum on liver copper and vitamin B12 status of calves during December 2004 and January 2005. Feeding value (as determined by liveweight gain) of chicory was 40-48% higher than other forages in spring. Feeding value of plantain was 14% higher than pasture in autumn, but similar to pasture in spring. Grazing chicory significantly enhanced the liver copper concentration of weaner deer in spring compared with both ryegrass and plantain. Grazing plantain significantly enhanced the copper status of weaners in autumn, but not of weaners or calves in spring and early summer, enhanced the vitamin B12 status of weaners in autumn and spring and calves in early summer and increased the selenium status of weaners during both spring and autumn. This study has highlighted the complementary role of forage herbs in improving growth and maintaining trace element status of farmed deer. Keywords: chicory, plantain, copper, vitamin B12, selenium, weaner deer

scholarly journals Pastures and forages for deer growth

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 25-40
Author(s):  
A.M. Nicol ◽  
T.N. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Forage Species ◽  
Clover Pasture ◽  
Deer Grazing

Pasture is the primary feed source for NZ deer production with the greatest proportion grazed in situ. The quantity and quality of the pastures available to grazing deer varies markedly as a result of environmental factors and feed planning decisions by deer farmers. The grazing behaviour of deer responds to changes in pasture height and mass and the effect of pasture variables (height, pre -and post-grazing pasture mass and pasture allowance) on deer productivity are presented. These show that maximum levels of deer production from pasture will be achieved at a pasture height of around 8 cm (continuously stocked or post-grazing) although there is some evidence that for large genotypes, higher pasture availability is required. The relationship of liveweight gain of young deer with pasture availability shows marked seasonal effects. At the same level of pasture availability liveweight gain in spring is about twice that in winter, with autumn and summer intermediate. Increasing pasture availability cannot compensate for seasonal differences in liveweight gain. Furthermore, liveweight gain increases at a greater rate in spring than winter to increasing pasture availability, thus it is more important that appropriate pasture allowances are provided in spring than in winter. There is more variability in liveweight gain at a similar pasture availability in summer than in other seasons because of the greater variation in pasture quality in summer with the potential accumulation of seedheads and dead material. Alternative forage species are used in deer production for times of the year when quantity and quality of perennial ryegrass-based pastures limit productivity. Relative to weaner red deer grazed on perennial ryegrass/ white clover pasture, grazing on pure swards of red clover or chicory increased growth during autumn by 26-47% and during spring by 10-14%. The proportion of stags attaining target slaughter liveweight at 12 months of age increased from 75 to 94%. Pre-weaning growth during lactation was increased by approximately 20%. Red clover and chicory produce a greater proportion of their total DM during late summer and autumn than does perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture, and are therefore better aligned with deer feed requirements, particularly those of lactating hinds. Grazing on sulla in autumn and spring increased the growth of weaner deer by 33 and 10%, relative to pasture fed deer. Indoor studies showed that relative to perennial ryegrass, chicory was of higher organic matter digestibility, disintegrated more rapidly in the rumen with a low rumination time and had shorter mean retention time of material in the rumen. This explains differences in voluntary feed intake which were 56, 26 and 15% higher for deer grazing chicory than perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures during summer, autumn and spring respectively. Similar r esults have been found for the digestion of red clover versus perennial ryegrass by red deer. Plant density in stands of both chicory and red clover declines with time, with their lifetime under deer grazing being approximately 4 years. A mixture of both plants offers a food option as specialist forage for increasing deer growth and also fixing nitrogen. To ensure good persistence such forages should not be grazed in periods of prolonged wet weather. Best persistence is obtained when these are managed as specialist forages for increasing deer growth on a small area of the farm, (10- 20% total area), rather than being sown as a mixture with grasses over large areas of the farm. There is no specific comparison of deer production under different stocking systems and both continuous grazing and rotational grazing are used. Based on evidence and practices with other species, choice of stocking system has more to do with pasture/forage species, feed budgeting, pasture management and animal behaviour than with productivity. At high stocking densities (150 deer/ha), the grazing time of subordinate animals is reduced. Where possible, without inducing undue stress (e.g. at weaning), young deer should be grouped for grazing by liveweight. Deer production systems have a seasonal pattern of energy demand that does not match that of pasture growth in most NZ environments. This calls for manipulation of the feed demand by integration of livestock systems and/ or modification of the feed supply through conservation and supplementation. The most commonly used supplements are pasture and lucerne silage/baleage and grain. The quality (ME/kg DM) has a significant impact on the resulting liveweight gain.

Digestion, rumen fermentation and chewing behaviour of red deer fed fresh chicory and perennial ryegrass

1995 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. O. Hoskin ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
T. N. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Eating Time ◽  
Outflow Rate ◽  
Structural Carbohydrate ◽  
Chewing Behaviour

SUMMARYPure chicory (Cichorium intybus) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) forages were cut and fed fresh at Palmerston North, New Zealand, during March 1993 to castrated male red deer kept indoors in metabolism crates. Chicory contained lower levels of dry matter, higher levels of ash, and had a higher ratio of readily fermentable: structural carbohydrate than perennial ryegrass. Apparent digestibility of organic matter was highest for chicory (0·81 v. 0·72), but cellulose apparent digestibility was highest for perennial ryegrass (0·71 v. 0·59). Relative to perennial ryegrass, the rumen fluid of deer fed chicory contained higher concentrations of protozoa, ammonia and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) but had a lower pH at 15.00 h. Chicory-fed deer had higher rumen VFA molar proportions of n-butyrate and a higher acetate: propionate ratio. Total eating time and chews during feeding/g dry matter intake were similar for deer fed the two forages, but deer fed chicory spent much less time ruminating (33 v. 270 min/day) and had fewer rumination boluses (38 v. 305/day). It was concluded that the low rumination time may indicate rapid disintegration of chicory in the rumen to < 1 mm critical particle size, and that particle breakdown and rumen fractional outflow rate should be measured in future experiments with deer fed on chicory.

Uromol as a source of dietary nitrogen for ruminants: metabolic and rumen fermentation studies on buffalo calves

1978 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Malik ◽  
P. N. Langar ◽  
A. K. Chopra
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Buffalo Calves ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Protein Nitrogen ◽  
Total N ◽  
Groundnut Meal

SUMMARYThe nutritive value of uromol, a heated product of urea and molasses, was compared with raw urea–molasses and groundnut meal in three metabolic trials on buffalo calves. The non-protein nitrogen (NPN) as urea or uromol contributed about 65, 48 and 30% of the nitrogen in the experimental concentrate mixtures, replacing partially or completely the groundnut meal of the control diets. The results showed that at 65% nitrogen replacement, the crude fibre and cellulose digestibilities and the nitrogen retention of the uromol diet was similar to that of the control but was significantly (P < 0·05) higher than the urea–molasses diet. At 48% nitrogen replacement the nitrogen retention in the uromol-fed animals was still significantly (P < 0·05) higher than the urea–molasses fed group. At 30% nitrogen replacement, the differences between the control, urea–molasses and uromol groups were not significant.In vivo rumen studies with the diets containing 50% NPN replacement showed lower but sustained ammonia-N with uromol than the urea–molasses diet. The total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) in rumen fluid, though initially higher in the control and uromol groups, were not significantly different from the urea–molasses group. Abomasal studies with diets containing 65% N as urea or uromol indicated a higher total nitrogen content in the abomasal fluid of the control and uromol-fed animals than the urea-fed animals. The 24 h abomasal passage of total-N/100 g nitrogen consumed was 95·5, 93·5 and 77·9 g in control, uromol and urea groups, respectively. The TCA-precipitatable-N (TCA-N) was also higher in the first two groups. These studies suggest that uromol is safer and has a better feeding value than urea–molasses at high rates of nitrogen replacement.

Composition and utilization in sheep of unwilted and wilted silages prepared from seeding year red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cut at two maturity stages

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Narasimhalu ◽  
J. B. Sanderson
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Total N ◽  
Faecal Excretion ◽  
First Feeding ◽  
Ammonium N ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Trifolium Pratense L

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivar Florex was seeded in May and cut at the vegetative stage on 5 August or at the 20% bloom stage on 25 August. The cut material was stored as unwilted silage or, after 26–30 h of field drying, as wilted silage. The silage types prepared from vegetative herbage were compared in the first feeding trial using 12 sheep per silage type. The silage types prepared from the 20% bloom stage herbage were compared in a second feeding trial using the 24 sheep from the first trial. Unwilted silage prepared from vegetative herbage contained less total-N and butyric acid, and more acid detergent fibre and ammonium-N than when this herbage was stored as wilted silage. Unwilted silage prepared from the 20% bloom stage herbage contained more total-N, soluble-N and ammonium-N and less propionic acid than wilted silage produced from herbage of the same maturity. All the silages contained low levels of volatile fatty acids and lactic acid due to restricted fermentation. Silage DM intake and digestibility in sheep were not affected by the type of silage produced within each stage of herbage maturity. Unwilted silage prepared from vegetative herbage provided lower intake, faecal excretion and retention of total-N in sheep than when this herbage was used as wilted silage. Silage types prepared from 20% bloom stage herbage showed no difference in total-N utilization in sheep. It was concluded that the seeding-year red clover harvested as unwilted or wilted silage in late August, can be used as a high quality buffer feed to meet forage shortfall due to severe winter kill. Key words: Red clover, silage, intake, digestibility, N retention

The efficiency of utilization of energy and nitrogen in young sambar (Cervus unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus)

1998 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198
Author(s):  
G. SEMIADI ◽  
C. W. HOLMES ◽  
T. N. BARRY ◽  
P. D. MUIR
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Total N ◽  
Sambar Deer ◽  
Pelleted Diet

Two experiments each with two rates of feeding (maintenance and twice maintenance) were conducted during summer 1993/94 (Expt 1) and summer 1994/95 (Expt 2), at Massey University, New Zealand. Four sambar and four red deer, including stags and hinds aged 10–14 months, were used in each year. Animals were fed a pelleted diet (total N 30 g/kg DM; NDF 247 g/kg DM). Digestibility and nitrogen (N) balances were determined using deer metabolism cages, whilst methane production and heat production were determined using open circuit respiration calorimetry, with measurements made on each deer at both rates of feeding. Digestibility and metabolizability of energy were greater for sambar than for red deer in Expt 1 but not in Expt 2. Nitrogen retention, expressed as a proportion of N intake, was similar for sambar and red deer. Metabolizable energy required for maintenance (MEm) was 474 kJ kg W−0·75 d−1 for sambar deer and 567 kJ kg W−0·75 d−1 for red deer, whilst the efficiency of utilization of ME above maintenance (kg) was similar for sambar deer and red deer. These studies indicated that the sambar deer had lower rates of maintenance heat production than the red deer, which may explain the sambar's superior feed conversion measured in previous experiments. However, the two species utilized nitrogen with similar efficiency, when fed a high quality ration.

Agronomic performance and nutritive value of forage legumes in binary mixtures with perennial ryegrass under different defoliation systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. KLEEN ◽  
F. TAUBE ◽  
M. GIERUS
Keyword(s):  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Protein Quality ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Forage Legumes ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Protein Cell

SUMMARYProtein in forage legumes is often poorly utilized by ruminants and high nitrogen (N) losses are expected. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of forage legumes (white clover, WC; red clover, RC; lucerne, LG; and birdsfoot trefoil, BT) in binary mixtures with perennial ryegrass (G) under different defoliation systems (silage, simulated grazing and grazing) on agronomic performance and forage quality. A high proportion of legumes may favour dry matter (DM) yield and the defoliation system may reduce the persistence of certain forage legumes, with a negative influence on the energy and N yield. Annual DM yield under grazing was highest for WC mixtures (WC+G, 1059·2 g DM/m²) compared to all other mixtures, confirming its adaptation to grazing. Mixtures with RC (RC+G) and LG (LG+G) performed similarly to WC+G, whereas BT mixtures (BT+G) were less competitive under more intensively used systems. Analyses of crude protein, cell wall characterization and protein fractionation showed a three-way interaction between year, mixture and defoliation system. RC and BT resulted in a positive protein quality of the mixtures, probably due to their content of secondary plant compounds. In conclusion, different forage legumes did not perform equally in the cutting and grazing systems, and both legume species and defoliation systems interacted in the production of forage of high protein quality for ruminant nutrition.

THE INFLUENCE OF STAGE OF MATURITY OF AN ENSILED LEGUME–GRASS MTXTURE ON GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE OF WINTERED HEREFORD STEER CALVES

1964 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-265
Author(s):  
D. E. Waldern ◽  
W. T. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Crude Fiber ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Beef Steer ◽  
Daily Gain

Yield of total digestible nutrients (T.D.N.) per acre from an alfalfa – red clover – timothy mixture stored as silage was higher when harvested early (bud) than at medium (2% bloom) or late (full bloom) maturity. Protein declined and crude fiber increased with advancing maturity. When fed to beef steer calves, digestive coefficients as a per cent in early, medium, and late-cutting silage, for protein, 50.2, 56.0, 35.7; crude fiber, 64.9, 68.2, 54.9; energy, 57.3, 65.2, 48.3; total digestible nutrient content, 58.1, 62.0, 48.5; average daily nitrogen retention in grams, 22.1, 29.7, 0.86. Differences between treatments for the above measurements were significant (P < 0.05) only for early vs. late or medium vs. late silage, but not for early vs. medium silage. Concentration of total rumen volatile fatty acids was significantly higher for early over medium and late silage.Results from the winter feeding trial for steers fed early, medium, or late silage were: average daily gain in pounds, 0.81, 0.46, 0.28; pounds of T.D.N. per pound of gain, 6.5, 13.1, 16.4. Steer calves wintered on early legume–grass silage gained more (P < 0.05) and required less T.D.N. per pound of gain than those wintered on medium or late silage, while calves fed medium silage out-gained and required less feed per pound of gain than those fed late silage (P < 0.05).Differences in daily gain between groups were reflected in carcasses of three animals slaughtered from each group. Animals were slaughtered after being fed a standard silage for 100 days following the experimental period. Eye of lean, fat cover, dressing percentage, and carcass grades were superior for steers fed early silage.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document