Faecal index to estimate intake and digestibility in grazing sheep

2013 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. DAVID ◽  
C. H. E. C. POLI ◽  
J. V. SAVIAN ◽  
G. A. AMARAL ◽  
E. B. AZEVEDO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Linear Equation ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Multiple Model ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship

SUMMARYThe current research was carried out to evaluate the use of crude protein and fibre components in faeces for estimating intake and digestibility in sheep fed with pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke). The equations were developed from four trials in metabolism cages with 16 sheep in each trial. Each animal received a different quantity of millet leaves in the diet: 0·015, 0·020 and 0·025 dry matter (DM) as a proportion of live weight (LW) and ad libitum with at least 0·2 of daily feed refusals. Organic matter intake (OMI, g/day) was measured, through the difference between offer and refusals; total faeces were collected for 5 days, which was used to determine faecal crude protein (CPf, g/day and g/kg of organic matter (OM)), faecal neutral detergent fibre (NDFf, g/day and g/kg OM), faecal acid detergent fibre (ADFf, g/day and g/kg OM) and OM digestibility (OMD). Linear regression equations were calculated to determine the relationship between OMI and CPf (P<0·001, R2=0·90, relative prediction error (RPE=14·02%). A multiple linear equation was generated for OMI including CPf and NDFf (P<0·001, R2=0·94; RPE=9·25%). Hyperbolic (single and multiple) and exponential models were tested to estimate OMD, where the hyperbolic multiple model including CPf and NDFf showed lower RPE (3·90%). These equations for estimating OMI and OMD were evaluated on sheep grazing P. americanum fertilized with increasing levels of nitrogen (N) (50, 100, 200 and 400 kg N/ha), comparing measured and estimated OMI. The intake estimated by multiple regression (CP and NDFf) showed a higher R2 (0·98) and lower RPE (5·25%) than the simple (CPf only) linear equation (R2=0·94; RPE=20·45%). The results demonstrated the feasibility of using the faecal index generated in metabolism cages for estimating intake and digestibility in sheep grazing P. americanum.

scholarly journals The effect of date of cut and barley substitution on gain and on the efficiency of utilization of grass silage by growing cattle

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Thomas ◽  
B. G. Gibbs ◽  
D. E. Beever ◽  
B. R. Thurnham
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Lactic Acid Content ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Energy Retention ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Daily Allowance ◽  
The Difference

1. A primary growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was cut early or late to produce silages of high and low digestibility. The crops were wilted for 2–4 h and preserved with formic acid at 2.4 litres/t fresh weight. The resulting silages were well preserved with a pH of 3.9 and 3.8, lactic acid content of 108 and 73 g/kg dry matter (DM) and total nitrogen content of 24.6 and 18.4 g/kg DM for early- and late-cut silage respectively.2. Forty-two British Friesian male castrates (steers) initially 12 months of age and 305 kg live weight (LW) were used, of which ten were slaughtered at the start of the experiment. The remaining steers were divided into four groups of eight animals and were given the early-cut silage alone (H) or the late-cut silage alone (L) or with barley at either 280 (LCI) or 560 (LC2) g DM/kg total DM. The intake of total DM was restricted to a daily allowance of 18 g DM/kg LW and the steers were slaughtered in two groups after 119 and 140 d on experiment.3. Both earlier cutting of herbage and substitution of late-cut silage with barley significantly (P <0.001) increased the apparent digestibility of gross energy (H0.748, L0.619, LC10.668, LC20.705), whereas earlier cutting increased the digestibility of acid-detergent fibre from 0.638 (L) to 0.777 (H) and substitution with barley resulted in a significant (P <0.001) depression to 0.595 (LCI) and 0.519 (LC2). Substitution of late-cut silage with barley significantly (P <0.001) increased metabolizable energy (ME) intake from 58.9 (L) to 69.5 MJ/d (LC2) and crude protein (N × 6.25; CP) intake from 688 (L) to 779 g/d (LC2), but the highest intakes of ME and CP (73.5 MJ/d and 952 g/d respectively) were achieved with the early-cut silage.4. Earlier cutting resulted in significant (P <0.001) increases in body-weight gain from 292 to 696 g/d, fat gain from 121 to 260 g/d, protein gain from 31.1 to 86.9 g/d and energy retention from 5.5 to 12.2 MJ/d for silages L and H respectively. However, substitution of the late-cut silage with barley increased gains to a greater extent. Thus, empty-body gain was increased to 552 and 800 g/d, fat gain to 189 and 302 g/d, protein gain to 76 and 116 g/d and energy retention to 9.2 and 14.6 MJ/d for diets LCI and LC2 respectively. The difference in gains between diets H and LC2 achieved significance (P <0.05) for all components except fat.5. It is concluded that although earlier cutting of herbage for silage results in increased gains of protein and energy, the amounts retained are less than those from a similar increment of ME and CP achieved by substituting a late-cut silage with barley.

The growth of hill lambs on herbage diets

1977 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Armstrong ◽  
J. Eadie
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Grazing Experiment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship

SUMMARYEarly-weaned lambs were penned indoors for 6 weeks and individually fed to appetite on cold-stored ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or indigenous Agrostis-Festuca herbage of differing maturity. In another experiment similar lambs grazed for 12 weeks on swards of perennial ryegrass or Agrostis-Festuca. Live-weight gain (LWG), herbage organic-matter intake (OMI) and digestibility (OMD) were measured. In the indoor experiment ryegrass was 4–6 percentage units higher in OMD than was Agrostis-Festuca;first harvests were superior to later harvests by the same amount. The intake of ryegrass was 22% greater than that of Agrostis-Festuca. The correlation between OMI/W'73 and herbage cell-wall constituents was —0·80, and that between OMI/W'3 and OMD was 0·78. OMI/W0·73 increased progressively up to about 13 weeks of age.LWG was higher on ryegrass than on Agrostis-Festuca; and LWG on the early harvests of each herbage type exceeded those on the later harvests. LWG was significantly correlated with the intake of digested organic matter (DOMI) (r = 0·85).In the grazing experiment, OMD, OMI and LWG were all lower than in the indoor experiment. LWG on ryegrass was again superior to that on Agrostis-Festuca, and the difference was partly explained by the relationship between DOMI and LWG which had been established indoors.These results suggest that the increase in the growth rates of hill lambs consequent on the improvement of indigenous Agrostis-Festucaswards would be less than that due to the provision of sown pastures of perennial ryegrass.

Diet attributes of lactating ewes at pasture using faecal NIRS and relationship to pasture characteristics and milk production

2010 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. BOVAL ◽  
E. ORTEGA-JIMENEZ ◽  
A. FANCHONE ◽  
G. ALEXANDRE
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
The Other ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
The One ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

SUMMARYIn order to assess the diet of lactating ewes fed at pasture and the relationship of diet quality to pasture characteristics and milk production (MP), 12 lactating ewes were monitored during five lactation cycles (LCs). Individual faecal samples were collected three times per LC and scanned using a Foss NIRSystem 6500 monochromator. The organic matter digestibility (OMD), organic matter intake (OMI), digestible OMI (DOMI) and the chemical composition of the herbage ingested, i.e. the crude protein (CP) content of the herbage ingested (CPi) and the acid detergent fibre and lignin contents of the herbage ingested (ADFi and ADLi), were determined. The MP of the ewes and the pasture characteristics were measured and their relationships with diet quality were analysed.OMI and DOMI were higher during the first and the fourth LC (P<0·01). OMD and CPi were higher during the second and the fifth LC (P<0·01). MP varied with OMI (P<0·01) and with DOMI (MP=0·1362×DOMI0·53, R2=0·40, P<0·001), whereas it was negatively correlated with OMD (r=−0·46, P<0·001). OMD and CPi were both positively correlated with the CP content of the pasture (r=0·25, P<0·03; r=0·50, P<0·001), whereas the ADFi was negatively correlated with CP content (r=−0·48, P<0·01). The variation in OMI, DOMI and MP, on the one hand, and OMD and CPi, on the other, throughout the different LCs illustrates the importance of measuring several parameters when evaluating diets at pasture.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF SOURCE AND LEVEL OF NITROGEN ON THE UTILIZATION OF SORGHUM STOVER BY YANKASA RAMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-192
Author(s):  
F. OLALERU ◽  
T. A. ADEGBOLA
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Designed Experiment ◽  
Digestible Crude Protein

The effects of cotton seed cake (CSC) or urea in supplying either 12% or 16% crude protein on sorghum stover utilization by Yankasa rams was studied for twelve weeks, using a 2 x 2 factorially designed experiment. Nutrient intake, digestibility, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored. In vitro volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH,-N) concentrations were also determined. The result of the study indicated that the source and/or level of nitrogen (or crude protein) significantly (P<0.05) affected crude protein intake (CPI), digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) and in vitro NH,-N concentration. Total feed intake, live weight gain (LWG), FCR and DCPI were significantly (P<0.05) affected by source x level interaction. Acid detergent fibre (A DF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intakes, CP, ADF and NDF digestibilities, digestible ADF and NDF intakes, stover intake and in vitro VFA concentration were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by either main effects of CP source and level or their interaction. The rams on the 16% CSC and 12% urea ration gained more weight and had lower FCR than those on the 12% CSC and 16% urea. The 16% CSC ration gave the best result in terms of sorghum stover supplementation. The 12% urea treatment which also had a good result in terms of weight gain and FCR could also be recommended for use.

Relationship between dry matter, fibre and nitrogen degradation characteristics of silage and silage intake of steers

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.E.R. Dawson ◽  
R.W.J. Street
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Fibre Concentration ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Poor Relationship

AbstractA study was carried out to examine the relationship between silage intake and rumen degradability characteristics of silage. The dry matter (DM), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), acid-detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose and nitrogen (N) degradability characteristics of 136 silages were determined using polyester bags in three rumen fistulated beef cross steers. The bags were incubated for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. Intakes of these silages, by steers, were reported by Steen et al., 1998. The relationships between silage DM intake (g/kg metabolic live weight) and DM, fibre and N degradability characteristics of the silages were poor (R2 < 0·32). Degradability characteristics of the silages were highly negatively correlated with fibre concentration of the silages (R < –0·82) and highly positively correlated with the soluble N minus ammonia concentration (R < 0·77). Some of the degradability characteristics were highly correlated with organic matter digestibility, particularly the proportion of DM, fibre and N degraded after 72 h (R = 0·75 to 0·85). In view of the poor relationship between silage intake and degradability, the results of this study question the rôle of degradation characteristics of DM, fibre and N in the rumen on silage intake.

scholarly journals Efficiency of Crude Protein Utilisation in Grazing Dairy Cows: A Case Study Comparing Two Production Systems Differing in Intensification Level in New Zealand

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1036
Author(s):  
Martín Correa-Luna ◽  
Daniel Donaghy ◽  
Peter Kemp ◽  
Michael Schutz ◽  
Nicolas López-Villalobos
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Total N ◽  
Protein Utilisation ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows ◽  
Supplementary Feed

In this study, we modelled and compared lactation curves of efficiency of crude protein utilisation (ECPU) and the nitrogen (N) excreta partitioning of milking cows of two contrasting spring-calving pasture-based herds to test some aspects of farming intensification practices on cow performance and N partition. In the low-intensity production system (LIPS), 257 cows were milked once-daily and fed diets comprised of pasture with low supplementary feed inclusion during lactation (304 kg pasture silage/cow). In the high-intensity production system (HIPS), 207 cows were milked twice-daily and fed pasture with higher supplementary feed inclusion (429 kg pasture silage and 1695 kg concentrate/cow). The dietary crude protein (CP) utilisation was calculated for each cow at every herd test date as the ECPU as a proportion of protein yield (PY) from the CP intake (CPI) derived from intake assessments based on metabolisable energy requirements, and the CP balance (CPB) calculated as the difference between CPI and PY. Total N excreta partitioned to faeces (FN) and urine (UN) was estimated by back-calculating UN from FN, considering dietary N, and from N retained in body tissues, taking into account live weight change during the lactation. The higher CPI (2.7 vs. 2.5 kg CP/day), along with the reduced milk yield (1100 kg milk/cow less), of the LIPS cows led to a lower ECPU (23% vs. 31%) and to a higher CPB (2.1 vs. 1.8 kg CP/day) when compared to the HIPS cows. Mean N excreta, and particularly UN, was significantly higher in LIPS cows, and this was explained by higher dietary CP and by the reduced PY when compared to the HIPS cows. Reducing the low-CP supplementation in the “de-intensified” herd lessened the ECPU, resulting in higher UN, which is sensitive in terms of body water eutrophication.

scholarly journals Effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility and consumption time of diet for equines

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
F.C.D. Araújo ◽  
M.G. Cruz ◽  
J.C.C. Balieiro ◽  
M.L. Menezes ◽  
C.G. Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Acid Detergent Fiber ◽  
Dietary Nutrients ◽  
Before And After

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility of diet for horses, consumption time, and particle size of feces. Nine horses were used, aged 14.5±3.3 years and weightng 531±38.7kg. The diet consisted of 1.5% of live weight (LW) in Tifton 85 hay and 0.75% of LW in concentrate for both assays. The experiment consisted of two tests of apparent digestibility using the method of total collection, before and after the odontoplasty, where the consumption time of hay and concentrate was also evaluated and the particle size of the feces was analyzed. An effect (P<0.05) of odontoplasty on the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was observed. Effect of the consumption time for the concentrate (P<0.05) was observed, but not for the forage (P<0.05). There was more retention (P<0.05) of the fecal particles in the sieves of bigger granulometry. The odontoplasty increases the digestibility of dietary nutrients and feces particle size, without changing feces quality. Animals after the procedure have shorter concentrate consumption time.

scholarly journals Influence of lucerne and meadow hay quality on the digestibility of nutrients in the roe deer

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Sommer ◽  
M. Vodňanský ◽  
P. Petrikovič ◽  
R. Požgaj
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Nitrogen Free Extract ◽  
Significant Difference

It was confirmed in metabolic experiments with 4 individuals of roe deer (2 males and 2 females with the live weight of 20.8 and 17.9 kg, respectively) that due to the animals&rsquo; selective choice of a part of feeds there was no significant difference in the intake of lucerne hay of different quality and high-quality meadow hay (515.86 &plusmn; 66.97 and 597.82 &plusmn; 94.87 g, respectively). However, different quality of lucerne hay influenced the animals&rsquo; intake of crude protein and crude fibre. When the animals were fed meadow hay, they took in significantly less crude protein and fibre and significantly more nitrogen-free extract, fat and ash. Digestibility of crude protein was observed to be significantly decreased in hay of lower quality (by 10.1%). Digestibility coefficients for crude protein, crude fibre, organic matter and fat were significantly lower in grass hay compared to lucerne hay. Based on the coefficients of nutrient digestibility it can be stated that meadow hay, even if of excellent quality, is not a suitable supplement for the roe deer. &nbsp;

Stimulation of wool growth by thyroxine implantation. II. Feed intake of grazing Merino wethers treated repeatedly with thyroxine.

1964 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 676 ◽  
Author(s):  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Substantial Rise ◽  
Stimulation Of

Estimates have been made of the feed intake of wethers that received implantations of 60 mg thyroxine every 3 months, and of untreated sheep, grazing together. The estimated intake of digestible organic matter (D.O.M.) by treated wethers was higher than that of controls in 24 out of 27 measurement periods. The difference in feed intake was least in the iirst month after implantation, when the treated sheep lost weight, and greatest in the second and third months when the treated sheep were regaining weight. The overall increase in intake resulting from thyroxine treatment (20–25%) was greater than the increase in wool production (7% greasy weight, 3-7 % clean weight), and the efficiency of wool production was therefore lower in thyroxinetreated wethers. From the relationships between feed intake and rate of weight change it was concluded that in the month after implantation, when pulse rates indicated a substantial rise in metabolic rate, the maintenance feed requirement was raised from about 560 g to about 780 g D.O.M. per day. Observations in two winters with recently shorn sheep gave estimates of maintenance requirements for untreated wethers ranging from 850 to 1300 g D.O.M. per day. During recovery from repeated thyroxine implantation the wethers gained in weight no more efficiently than the controls. The mechanism of action of exogenous thyroxine is discussed in the light of these and other data.

A note on the influence of a supplement of barley and dried lucerne on the intake of barley straw by cattle

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. J. Horton ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Total Organic Matter ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Concentrate Level

SUMMARYSix castrated male cattle of 350 kg live weight were used in an incomplete Latin square design to measure intake and digestibility of barley straw offered ad libitum alone and with 5 levels, 1·5 to 7·5 kg/day, of a barley and dried lucerne concentrate. Straw intake declined and total organic-matter intake increased linearly with increasing concentrate level. On average 1 kg additional organic matter as concentrate, increased total organic-matter intake by 0·68 kg. There was no evidence that the crude protein content of the whole diet affected straw consumption.

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