scholarly journals Automatically monitoring of dietary effects on rumination and activity of finishing heifers

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1931
Author(s):  
E. Giaretta ◽  
A. L. Mordenti ◽  
G. Canestrari ◽  
A. Palmonari ◽  
A. Formigoni
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Sodium Sulfite ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
The Third ◽  
Ash Residue

Rumination and activity behaviours are important welfare indexes in beef-cattle housing. The main objective of the present study was to assess whether the automatic collars are able to reliably assess the rumination and activity patterns of beef heifers. For this purpose, individual rumination time and activity (RT and AT respectively) were continuously recorded using an automatic neck-collar system (Hr-Tag, SCR Engineers Ltd, Israel) on the three trials performed. For Experiment 1, 60 Italian crossbred heifers were randomly assigned to one of two experimental diets for 9 months: the corn–silage diet (CS), which included 50% forage on a dry-matter (DM) basis (43% corn–silage, 7% wheat straw) and the hay diet (HAY), with 57% forage on DM basis (28.5% grass hay, 28.5% alfalfa hay). Heifers consuming HAY diet showed greater (P < 0.05) RT (min/day) and AT (bits/day) than did those on CS diet. Rumination time per kilogram of dry matter and per kilogram of amylase- and sodium sulfite-treated neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash residue (aNDFom) intake were similar in the two experimental groups, while RT per kilogram of physical effective NDF (peNDF) intake was greater (P < 0.05) in the CS group than in the HAY one. Daily rumination and activity patterns (min/2 h and bits/2 h respectively) were significantly different between CS and HAY groups. In the second experiment, 32 beef heifers were randomly allocated in two homogeneous pens, each containing eight animals, and two non-homogeneous ones, in which animals were added at different periods. The AT of non-homogeneous pens was significantly higher than that of the homogeneous ones, suggesting a distress condition for values higher than 309 bits/day AT. In the third experiment, RT and AT of three animals with respiratory disease were collected using the automatic collar system and compared with AT and RT of the healthy animals. Sick animals presented a significantly lower RT and higher AT than did the healthy ones. The cut-off to distinguish sick from healthy heifers was set to 537 bits/day AT and 381 min/day RT. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that automatic collars can reliably monitor different rumination and activity behaviours of beef animals in various management conditions and different health statuses.

scholarly journals Effects of source and concentration of neutral detergent fiber from roughage in beef cattle diets on feed intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal kinetics

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo S Goulart ◽  
Ricardo A M Vieira ◽  
Joao L P Daniel ◽  
Rafael C Amaral ◽  
Vanessa P Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Ingestive Behavior ◽  
Rumen Content ◽  
Residence Times

Abstract The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of source and concentration of α-amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) from roughage on feed intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal kinetics in beef cattle receiving high-concentrate diets. Six ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (408 ± 12 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to a 6 × 6 Latin square design with six diets: 10% aNDF from corn silage (10CS); 20% aNDF from corn silage (20CS); or four diets containing 10% aNDF from corn silage and 10% aNDF from one of the following sources: sugarcane (SC), sugarcane bagasse (SCB), soybean hulls (SH), or low oil cottonseed hulls (LOCH). The parameters of passage and degradation kinetics were estimated based on a two-compartmental model with gamma- and exponential-distributed residence times. The nonlinear models were fitted by nonlinear least squares, and a linear mixed-effects model was fitted to all variables measured from the Latin square design that were related to intake, digestibility, digestion kinetic parameters, and residence times. Mean particle size (MPS) between roughage sources (CS, SCB, and SC) and coproducts (SH and LOCH) was affected (P < 0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P > 0.05) by 20CS, SC, SH, or LOCH. Steers fed 20CS or LOCH diets had 16% and 20% greater DMI, respectively, (P < 0.05) than steers fed 10CS diet. Steers fed SCB consumed the least dry matter (DM). The SH and LOCH diets had lower MPS values (about 8.77 mm) in comparison to 20CS, SCB, and SC diets (about 13.08 mm) and, consequently, affected (P < 0.05) rumen content, ruminal in situ disappearance, nutrient digestibility, and solid fractional passage rate. Chewing time was affected (P < 0.05) by roughage sources and concentration. Lower values of distance travel inside the rumen (min/cm) were observed (P < 0.05) for the SCB and SC diets in comparison with any other diet. Except for SCB, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in rumen fill, among other treatments. Mean daily ruminal pH was not affected (P > 0.05) by 20CS, SCB, SC, and LOCH diets, and it ranged from 6.1 to 6.23. Total short-chain fatty acids concentration was affected (P < 0.05) by roughage source and concentration. Based on our results, we recommend that under Brazilian finishing diets, replacing roughage sources, except for SCB, based on aNDF concentration of the roughage in high-concentrate diets containing finely ground flint corn does not affect DMI.

Effects of feeding wheat straw and middlings ensiled with whey on digestibility and growth of cattle

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. ZoBell ◽  
E. K. Okine ◽  
K. C. Olson ◽  
R. D. Wiedmeier ◽  
L. A. Goonewardene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Alfalfa Hay ◽  
Growing Cattle ◽  
Wheat Middlings

Two studies were conducted with the objective of evaluating the effects of feeding different levels of whey ensiled with wheat straw and wheat middlings (whey silage) compared to control diets on production parameters in growing cattle. Whey silage was included in diets at 55 and 65.5% on a dry matter basis with net energy for maintenance and crude protein calculated to be similar to control diets containing a combination of alfalfa hay, corn silage and wheat middlings at 1.74 Mcal kg-1 and 13.4%, respectively. Dry matter intake averaged 8.41 versus 8.91 kg d-1 (P < 0.05) and 8.68 versus 7.09 kg d-1 (P < 0.05) when whey silage was included at either 55 or 65.5% of the diets compared to the control diets. Average daily gains of cattle fed whey silage incorporated at 55% was 1.00 versus 1.14 kg d-1 (P < 0.05), and reflected the difference in dry matter intake; no differences (P > 0.05) in feed efficiency (8.73:1 versus 8.71:1) were observed. However, the higher dry matter intake (DMI) of cattle fed diets with whey silage incorporated at 65.5% did not (P > 0.05) translate into higher average daily gain (1.23 versus 1.18 kg d-1), resulting in a higher (P < 0.05) feed to gain (7.00:1 versus 6.01:1) for the whey-based silage diets. Incorporation of whey silage in diets at 55% increased (P > 0.05) the dry matter digestibility by 12%, whereas incorporation at 65.5% decreased (P < 0.05) dry matter digestibility by 12% compared to control diets, with no differences (P > 0.05) in percent neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) at either level. We conclude that whey silage can be included at between 55 and 65.5% of the total dry matter in diets with no adverse effects on production compared to cattle fed diets containing a combination of alfalfa hay, corn silage and wheat middlings. Key words: Agricultural by products, crop residues, digestibility, growing cattle, production, whey silage

scholarly journals The effect of corn silage quality on usage for digestion and balance of the body of sheep (first message)

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
M. Kambur ◽  
A. Zamazіi ◽  
O. Kalashnik
Keyword(s):  
Butyric Acid ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
The Body ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
The Third ◽  
Silage Quality ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Individual Particles

The article presents the results of studies on the effect of corn silage conditions on its quality, eating and digestion in the body of sheep. It is established that the ratio of individual particles of corn weight depends on the degree of ripeness of the corn mass. In the case of maize waxy degree of ripeness, the weight of stems, on average, is 27.30%, which is 5.41% more than when maize waxy degree of ripeness is used. The volume of foliage in the first version of the experiment was at the level of 40.5%, which is 1.19 times more than when using corn waxy ripeness of grain. At the same time, the weight of the grain in the silage was 1.31 times less than when it is used for silage corn of milky-wax degree of ripeness. It has been proved that increasing of the size of grinding corn with milk-waxy ripeness of grain to 2.0 - 3.0 cm and under conditions of reducing the parameters of silage weight consolidation from 400 to 600 kg / m3 is accompanied by the accumulation of oil acid from 0.13 to 3.40%. With the use of corn waxy degree of ripeness of the grain and grinding it from 2.0 to 3.0 cm and the seal from 400 to 600 kg / m3, the content of butyric acid in the silo ranged from 0.02 to 0.18%. Carotene content of corn silage of milky-waxy degree of ripeness of grain, grinding from 1.0 to 2.0 cm was 1, 68, 1.77, 1.65, 1, 46 and 2.75 times more than in corn silage of waxy ripeness of grain (p ≤ 0,01 - 0,001). The digestibility of organic and dry matter of corn silage in the body of sheep was quite high. The most significant differences we found in digestion of crude protein, namely the increase of this figure 36.24 ± 1.04% in animals of the first group to 47.26 ± 2.24% in sheep of the second group and to 44.66 ± 1.86 % in animals of the third group under conditions of feeding of silage from corn of milk – wax degree of ripeness of grain. In animals fed corn silage with a waxy degree of ripeness of grain, the digestibility of crude protein was 9.29%, 19.89% and 2.01% less than in those who fed corn silage with milky – waxy degree of ripeness of grain. In the future, these studies will allow the effective use of corn silage of milky - waxy degree of ripeness of grain in feeding sheep.

scholarly journals Supplementation for beef cattle on Marandu grass pastures with different herbage allowances

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. De Oliveira ◽  
D. R. Casagrande ◽  
L. M. A. Bertipaglia ◽  
R. P. Barbero ◽  
T. T. Berchielli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Gain

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of beef heifers on Stapf. cv. Marandu grass pastures that were managed at three herbage allowances under continuous grazing with a variable stocking rate and were provided with mineral mix supplement or supplements with energy and protein. Seventy-two test heifers and 48 put-and-take heifers were used in a randomised design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement [three herbage allowances (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg of green dry matter/kg of bodyweight, and two supplementation levels (mineral mix or 0.3% bodyweight of a mineral–protein–energy supplement)], with two replicates per treatment (paddocks), to maintain the pre-established forage allowance. No significant difference was observed in the gain per hectare as a function of the herbage allowance, but 2.5 kg green dry matter/kg bodyweight provided the greatest average daily gain of bodyweight (0.605 kg/animal/day). The energy/protein supplementation provided the greatest average daily gain compared with animals fed only the mineral mix. The supplements in the diet of beef heifers fed at 0.3% of bodyweight increased bodyweight gains without compromising the gain per hectare at different herbage allowances.

Cottonseed for protein and energy supplementation of high-roughage diets for beef cattle

1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Brosh ◽  
Z. Holzer ◽  
D. Levy
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Nitrogen Balance ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Supplement ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Energy Supplementation

ABSTRACTThe use of cottonseed (CS) as an energy and protein supplement to high wheat-straw diets was studied in a digestion and nitrogen balance trial, and as a component in fattening diets in a feeding trial. The proportions of CS studied were 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 g/kg diet dry matter (DM). DM intake per kg M0·75 was 33, 31, 40, 31 and 29 g, respectively. The digestibility coefficient of organic matter was 415, 463, 417, 441, 350 g/kg DM and of neutral-detergent fibre was 350, 436, 411, 309, 334 g/kg DM. Nitrogen balance was –2·52, 1·1, 5·38, 5·63, 7·60 g/day respectively, for the same order of treatments. The effect of high proportions of CS in the diet in restricting DM intake and reducing its digestibility was evident. The results of the feeding trial were in agreement with those of the digestion trial and indicate the proportion of 120 g CS per kg DM as optimal and maximal.

Nutritional parameters of beef heifers fed diets with different roughages

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1869
Author(s):  
K. A. K. de Moraes ◽  
E. H. B. K. de Moraes ◽  
D. S. Pina ◽  
S. C. Valadares Filho
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Balance ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Maximum Energy ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Diet Intake ◽  
Positive Effect

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intake, digestibility and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis of beef heifers fed with sugarcane silage with different calcium oxide (CaO) levels (0, 7.5; 15 g/kg), fresh sugarcane and corn silage. The same concentrate was offered at 5 g/kg bodyweight (BW) for every diet. Five ruminally and abomasally fistulated beef heifers (373.8 ± 33.12 kg BW) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Heifers fed sugarcane silage diets presented lower dry matter (DM) intake than those fed fresh sugarcane. Corn silage provides greatest DM intake compared with other roughages. CaO levels had a quadratic positive effect (P < 0.05) on DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN). For TDN intake (3.43 + 4.39 CaO – 2.56 CaO2) the maximum TDN intake of 5.31 kg/day was obtained at 8.6 g/kg CaO. The total apparent digestibility for neutral detergent fibre increased with CaO levels. An increase in nitrogen balance was observed with the inclusion of CaO in the sugarcane silage. Corn silages-based diets provide greater DM intake and digestibility and nitrogen balance compared with the diets based on sugarcane. Adding CaO to sugarcane as it is ensiled improves DM intake and TDN than diet sugarcane silage without CaO. However, the use of high levels of CaO (15 g/kg) in sugarcane at ensiling decreases the diet intake. Based on the maximum energy intake, the use of 8.6 g/kg CaO in sugarcane at ensiling is recommended.

BARLEY SILAGE, GROUND WHOLE PLANT BARLEY AND CORN SILAGE FOR FINISHING BEEF CATTLE

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. MOWAT ◽  
R. A. SLUMSKIE
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
First Year ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Finishing Steers ◽  
Barley Silage ◽  
Supplemental Protein ◽  
Finishing Beef Cattle

Barley silage (mid-dough), mature, dry-ground, whole-plant barley, and corn silage were evaluated for growing and finishing steers over two consecutive crop years. Adequate supplemental protein was provided. Steers fed barley silage gained the least and required the most feed dry matter per unit gain. Furthermore, barley silage produced the least fat cover and lowest dressing percent. Performance of steers fed dry-ground barley was intermediate during the first year, but comparable with performance on corn silage in gain and carcass measurements during the second trial. Digestible energy intake tended to be highest for steers fed corn silage. Sheep were used to determine digestibilities of forages fed in the feedlot studies, and of whole-plant barley at various stages of maturity. Corn silage had the highest energy digestibility of all forages studied. Energy digestibility of whole-plant barley decreased slightly to the milk stage but did not change thereafter. After the milk stage, the barley had a moisture content below 70%, thus enabling direct harvesting for silage.

EVALUATION OF STEAM-TREATED WHEAT STRAW AS A ROUGHAGE SOURCE IN DAIRY COW RATIONS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. SHARMA ◽  
J. R. INGALLS ◽  
W. GUENTER
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Mixed Diet ◽  
Ruminal Fluid ◽  
Alfalfa Hay

Two experiments were conducted involving a total of 24 Holstein cows to evaluate steam-treated (ST) wheat straw as a roughage source in mixed dairy rations. Diets containing ST straw (exp. 1) at 20 and 30% of the ration dry matter (DM) were consumed in amounts similar to a 30% ground alfalfa hay diet and in greater amounts than a mixed diet with 20% untreated (UT) wheat straw. Cows receiving the diet containing 30% alfalfa hay produced more (P < 0.05) milk per day than the group fed a mixed diet with 20% UT straw, but similar amounts to those cows fed the two ST straw diets. Milk fat (%) was not different (P > 0.05) among the four treatments. Cows fed the diet containing 30% ST straw had a lower (P < 0.05) ruminal fluid acetate: propionate ratio compared with a 20% UT straw mixed diet. In the second experiment, cows receiving a diet containing 30% ST straw plus 30% rolled barley in place of 60% corn silage consumed less (P < 0.05) total DM and produced less 4% fat-corrected milk per day with a depressed (P < 0.05) fat test. Propionic acid level in rumen fluid was elevated (P < 0.05), which lowered the acetate: propionate ratio in ruminal fluid of cows receiving the diet containing 30% ST straw compared to cows receiving the corn silage diet. Data from these studies suggest that up to 20% steam-treated wheat straw (DM basis) could be included in total mixed dairy rations without any appreciable influence on animal performance. However, at higher levels ST wheat straw is a less "effective" fiber or roughage source in dairy rations. Key words: steam-treated, wheat straw, Holstein cows, fat depression, feed consumption, effective fiber

scholarly journals Co-Occurrence of Regulated and Emerging Mycotoxins in Corn Silage: Relationships with Fermentation Quality and Bacterial Communities

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Antonio Gallo ◽  
Francesca Ghilardelli ◽  
Alberto Stanislao Atzori ◽  
Severino Zara ◽  
Barbara Novak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Kojic Acid ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Fungal Metabolites ◽  
Fusarium Mycotoxins ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Fermentation Quality ◽  
Low Levels

Sixty-four corn silages were characterized for chemicals, bacterial community, and concentrations of several fungal metabolites. Silages were grouped in five clusters, based on detected mycotoxins, and they were characterized for being contaminated by (1) low levels of Aspergillus- and Penicillium-mycotoxins; (2) low levels of fumonisins and other Fusarium-mycotoxins; (3) high levels of Aspergillus-mycotoxins; (4) high levels of non-regulated Fusarium-mycotoxins; (5) high levels of fumonisins and their metabolites. Altersetin was detected in clusters 1, 3, and 5. Rugulusovin or brevianamide F were detected in several samples, with the highest concentration in cluster 3. Emodin was detected in more than 50.0% of samples of clusters 1, 3 and 5, respectively. Kojic acid occurred mainly in clusters 1 and 2 at very low concentrations. Regarding Fusarium mycotoxins, high occurrences were observed for FB3, FB4, FA1, whereas the average concentrations of FB6 and FA2 were lower than 12.4 µg/kg dry matter. Emerging Fusarium-produced mycotoxins, such as siccanol, moniliformin, equisetin, epiequisetin and bikaverin were detected in the majority of analyzed corn silages. Pestalotin, oxaline, phenopirrozin and questiomycin A were detected at high incidences. Concluding, this work highlighted that corn silages could be contaminated by a high number of regulated and emerging mycotoxins.

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