scholarly journals Intake, performance, and feeding behavior of Holstein and Holstein x Gyr heifers grazing intensive managed tropical grasses during the rainy season

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiana F Quirino ◽  
Marcos I Marcondes ◽  
Luciana N Renno ◽  
Camila S Cunha ◽  
Alex L Silva ◽  
...  

Holstein × Gyr and Holstein are the primary dairy breed used in tropical systems, but when rearing under pasture, feed intake, behavior, and performance might differ between them. This study aimed to evaluate the voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility, performance, and ingestive behavior of Holstein and Holstein × Gyr (½ Holstein × ½ Gyr) heifers managed in an intermittent grazing system of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaca). The experiment was conducted during the summer season throughout four periods of 21 d. Two 8-heifers (four Holstein and four Holstein × Gyr) groups, averaging 258.6 ± 24.8 kg and 157.1 ± 24.99 kg body weight, were used. Each group grazed a separate set of 16 paddocks, and all heifers received a concentrate supplement daily. Heifers were weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment. Fecal, forage and concentrate samples were evaluated for their dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and indigestible NDF. Feeding behavior was evaluated through 24 h of live observation for 48 h of each experimental period. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and intake of concentrate times were recorded, and rumination criteria, bout criteria, mealtime, meal frequency, and meal duration were estimated. There was no difference in dry matter intake (DMI). The Holstein × Gyr heifers had greater NDF intake and average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency tended to show greater CP and NDF digestibilities. The forage DMI of Holstein × Gyr was 11.70% greater than the Holstein heifers. Holstein grazed less than Holstein × Gyr heifers in the afternoon. Ruminating time was 18.43% lower for Holstein than Holstein × Gyr heifers, and rumination criteria were greater for Holstein heifers. Holstein heifers presented more prolonged rumination bouts and resting time than Holstein × Gyr heifers. Holstein × Gyr can ingest and ruminate greater amounts of fibrous material. Holstein heifers select lower fiber material, and they need to spend more time ruminating small portions of feed. Overall, we do not recommend using young Holstein heifers in tropical pasture conditions because their ADG is low because of its lower adaptability to fibrous feed and heat stress. However, this management condition is appropriate for Holstein × Gyr heifers and results in an adequate performance.

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Fernandes Perazzo ◽  
Sansão De Paula Homem Neto ◽  
Ossival Lolato Ribeiro ◽  
Edson Mauro Santos ◽  
Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho ◽  
...  

<p>This study aimed to evaluate the correlations of intake, digestibility and performance with the ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay. Buffel grass hay was treated with four levels of urea (0, 18, 36 and 54 g/kg DM basis) and eight repetitions. Thirty-two sheep with no defined breed and an average body weight of 17.7 ± 1.8 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design. It was observed positive correlations were found between the feeding time and the intake of dry matter (r = 0.3120), organic matter (r = 0.3242), neutral detergent fiber (r = 0.3800), total carbohydrates (r = 0.3343) and total digestible nutrients (r = 0.3233). Positive correlations (P &lt; 0.05) were found among the rumination efficiencies, g of DM/h and g of NDF/h with nutrient intake variables, except for ether extract intake. Positive correlations were observed (P &lt; 0.05) between both total weight gain (TWG) and average daily gain (ADG) and the rumination efficiency, g of DM/h (r = 0.3330) and g of NDF/h (r = 0.3304). The feeding and rumination efficiencies have a positive relationship with the total digestible nutrients. The correlation among intake, digestibility and performance variables with the ingestive behavior, it was important for the understanding of diet containing ammoniated buffel grass hay, in which the positive correlation of rumination efficiency with intake and weight gain explained the favorable effect on productive performance of feedlot sheep.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo S Goulart ◽  
Ricardo A M Vieira ◽  
Joao L P Daniel ◽  
Rafael C Amaral ◽  
Vanessa P Santos ◽  
...  

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 &lt; 0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by 20CS, SC, SH, or LOCH. Steers fed 20CS or LOCH diets had 16% and 20% greater DMI, respectively, (P &lt; 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 &lt; 0.05) rumen content, ruminal in situ disappearance, nutrient digestibility, and solid fractional passage rate. Chewing time was affected (P &lt; 0.05) by roughage sources and concentration. Lower values of distance travel inside the rumen (min/cm) were observed (P &lt; 0.05) for the SCB and SC diets in comparison with any other diet. Except for SCB, there was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) in rumen fill, among other treatments. Mean daily ruminal pH was not affected (P &gt; 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 &lt; 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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 933
Author(s):  
Camila Carvalho da Paz ◽  
Aníbal Coutinho do Rêgo ◽  
Cristian Faturi ◽  
Luiz Fernando De Souza Rodrigues ◽  
José Adérito Rodrigues Filho ◽  
...  

Protein nutrition plays a key role in ruminant performance and represents the largest proportion of costs in animal feed. The present study evaluated whether the roughage portion of Santa Inês sheep diets could be supplemented with different ratios of tropical kudzu as a protein source and assessed the best inclusion level of tropical kudzu based on digestibility, intake, nitrogen balance and feeding behavior. Twenty rams were evaluated during the 20-day experimental period, and they were fed formulated diets with a roughage portion (60%) consisting of Elephant grass and tropical kudzu, the latter supplemented at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 75% on a dry matter basis). Forty percent of the concentrate portion consisted primarily of ground corn and soybean meal adjusted to obtain an isoproteic diet. Chemical and bromatological analyses, as well as, analyses to assess intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and feeding behavior, were conducted. No statistically significant differences were found (P>0.05) for the intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), hemicellulose (HEMI), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) or for the feeding behavior (feeding, rumination and idle times in h/day) and nitrogen balance between the diets studied. Thus, tropical kudzu can be considered a feed alternative to supplementation with prime protein foods (in this case, soybean meal) in sheep diets.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 761-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Henry Hilscher ◽  
Dirk B Burken ◽  
Curt J Bittner ◽  
Jana L Gramkow ◽  
Robert G Bondurant ◽  
...  

Abstract Three experiments evaluated delaying corn silage harvest, silage concentration, and source of supplemental protein on performance and nutrient digestibility in growing and finishing diets. Experiment 1 used 180 crossbred yearling steers (body weight [BW] = 428; SD = 39 kg) to evaluate corn silage dry matter (DM) (37% or 43%) and replacing corn with silage (15% or 45% of diet DM) in finishing diets containing 40% modified distillers grains with solubles. Experiment 2 used 60 crossbred steers (BW = 271; SD = 32 kg) to evaluate corn silage harvest DM (37% or 43%) and response to rumen undegradable protein (RUP) supplementation (0.5%, 1.4%, 2.4%, 3.3%, or 4.2% of diet DM) in silage growing diets. Experiment 3 used 9 crossbred lambs (BW = 30.1; SD = 4.1 kg) to evaluate nutrient digestibility of 37% or 43% DM corn silage in silage growing diets fed ad libitum or restricted to 1.5% of BW. In experiment 1, as corn silage concentration increased from 15% to 45%, average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) decreased (P ≤ 0.04). Carcass-adjusted final BW and hot carcass weight (HCW) were lower (P ≤ 0.04) for steers fed 45% corn silage compared to 15% when fed for equal days. As DM of corn silage was increased from 37% to 43%, no differences (P ≥ 0.30) in dry matter intake (DMI), ADG, G:F, or HCW were observed. In experiment 2, as DM of corn silage increased from 37% to 43%, ADG and G:F decreased (P ≤ 0.04). Increasing supplemental RUP in the diet increased (P ≤ 0.05) ending BW, DMI, ADG, and G:F linearly as supplemental RUP increased from 0.5% to 4.2%. In experiment 3, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.56) in DM digestibility and organic matter digestibility between silage harvest DM and intake level. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was reduced (P &lt; 0.01) for lambs fed the delayed harvest corn silage compared to earlier corn silage harvest. As silage harvest was delayed from 37% to 43% DM, NDF digestibility decreased (P &lt; 0.01) from 64.39% to 53.41%. Although increasing corn silage concentration in place of corn in finishing diets reduced ADG and G:F, delayed silage harvest did not affect performance of finishing cattle. Delayed silage harvest in growing cattle resulted in lower ADG and G:F, possibly due to increased starch or maturity leading to decreased NDF digestibility. The addition of RUP to silage-based, growing diets improves performance by supplying more metabolizable protein and suggests RUP of corn silage is limiting.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 42553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Do Vale Maciel ◽  
Francisco Fernando Ramos de Carvalho ◽  
Ângela Maria Vieira Batista ◽  
Evaristo Jorge Oliveira de Souza ◽  
Laura Priscila Araújo Amaro Maciel ◽  
...  

 The aim of this study was to evaluate the replacement of Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.) by maniçoba hay or silage (Manihot glaziovii Muell. Arg) on sheep intake and performance. Twenty-four male Santa Ines animals were used, with initial body weight of 19.77 ± 1.95 kg and average age of 160 days. The animals were distributed in three treatments (Tifton 85 hay-TH, Maniçoba hay-MH and Maniçoba silage-MS), arranged in a randomized blocks design, with 8 replicates per treatment. The feedlot period lasted for 71 days. The means of the variables were tested by Tukey’s test at 5% probability. Sheep fed MH presented higher dry matter intake (p > 0.05) than those fed TH (1.17 kg day-1 vs 1.06 kg day-1). Neutral detergent fiber intake was higher (p > 0.05) for MH-fed sheep (0.394 kg day-1) when compared to MS (0.340 kg day-1). The digestibility of total carbohydrates was higher (p > 0.05) for MH diet (0.71 g kg-1) than TH (0.67 g kg-1). The average daily gain and body weight at slaughter did not differ (p > 0.05) among treatments. Maniçoba hay or silage can replace Tifton 85 hay in sheep diets. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Hatungimana ◽  
Tess C Stahl ◽  
Peter S Erickson

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth performance and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility of Holstein heifers limit-fed diets containing different amounts of wet brewer’s grains (WBG). A 12-wk randomized complete block study was conducted using 30 yearling Holstein heifers [378 ± 27 d of age, and body weight (BW) of 357.8 ± 27.6 kg (mean ± SD)]. Treatments were 0%, 10% and 20% of WBG on a dry matter (DM) basis and diets were formulated to be limit-fed for dry matter intake (DMI) at 2.35% of BW and provided 15% crude protein (CP) and 2.27 Mcal metabolizable energy/kg of DM. Dry matter intake was recorded daily, while BW and skeletal measurements were measured every 2 wk. During week 12, fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum over four consecutive days and composited by heifer to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility using acid detergent insoluble ash as a marker. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Dry matter intakes, BW, and average daily gain were not different among treatments (P = 0.2, P = 0.4, and P = 0.6, respectively). Dry matter intakes ranged from 8.6 to 9.0 kg/d. Average BW were 404.4, 411.5, and 409.3 kg for heifers fed the 0%, 10%, and 20% WBG diets, respectively. Average daily gains were 1.03, 1.04, and 0.96 kg/d for heifers fed the 0%, 10%, and 20% WBG diets respectively. Skeletal measurements and body condition scores (BCS) were not different among treatments except for the change in heart girth (P &lt; 0.01) and initial BCS (P &lt; 0.01). Apparent total tract digestibilities of DM, organic matter, CP, fat, and hemicellulose were greater or tended to be greater in heifers fed 0% and 20% WBG treatments than heifers fed 10 % WBG (P = 0.04, P = 0.04, P = 0.06, P = 0.06, and P = 0.01, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and fat digestibilities were similar among treatments (P = 0.2, P = 0.3, and P = 0.3, respectively). During the digestibility phase, DMI tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for the 10% WBG treatment. These results demonstrate that limit-feeding heifers with diets containing up to 20% WBG could replace soybean- and corn-based concentrates in diets without adverse consequences to the heifer growth performance.


Author(s):  
B.D. Sutherland ◽  
J.A. Johnson ◽  
J.J. McKinnon ◽  
T.A. McAllister ◽  
G.B. Penner

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding barley silage (BS) or corn silage (CS) with dry-rolled barley (BG), dry-rolled corn (CG), or a blend of barley and corn grain (BCG), on growth performance and nutrient digestibility, the latter predicted using near-infrared spectroscopy for backgrounding cattle. Steers (n = 288) were stratified by body weight (BW) into 24 pens and pens were randomly assigned to one of six treatments (n = 4) in a 2 × 3 factorial design. Main factors included BS or CS in combination with BG, CG, or BCG. There were no silage × grain interactions. Dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.018) and final BW (P = 0.004) were greater for steers fed CS than BS, but average daily gain (1.01 kg d−1) and gain-to-feed ratio (0.10 kg kg−1) were not affected by silage or grain source. Steers fed CS also had greater dry matter, organic matter, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), starch, and gross energy digestibility values (P < 0.01) than BS. Feeding BG increased starch, neutral detergent fiber, ADF, and CP digestibility values (P ≤ 0.01) over CG and BCG. Relative to BS, feeding CS increased DMI, final BW, and nutrient digestibility, whereas dry-rolled BG improved nutrient digestibility when compared with CG and BCG in backgrounding diets.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
Y. Yang ◽  
J.H. Park ◽  
I.H. Kim

A total of 150 weaning pigs (7.53 ± 1.23 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatments consisting of basal diet, and the basal diet supplemented with 300 and 600 mg kg−1 of probiotics, respectively, in a 42 d trial. The incremental levels of probiotics linearly increased average daily gain during week 1 and through the overall experimental period (P < 0.05). The average daily feed intake, body weight, and the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy also increased (P < 0.05) with the increased level of probiotics. A significant reduction in Escherichia coli counts (P = 0.0037) and increase (P = 0.0016) in Lactobacillus counts were observed on day 42.


Author(s):  
Chang Hee Lee ◽  
Min Ho Song ◽  
Won Yun ◽  
Ji Hwan Lee ◽  
Woo Gi Kwak ◽  
...  

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of fermented whole crop cereal on palatability and performance in finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 20 finishing pigs ((Landrace ´ Yorkshier) Duroc) were allotted to 4 dietary treatments to check the palatability of the dietary feed. Diet treatments were included a basal diet; FW = basal diets + 1% fermented wheat without inoculum, FWI = basal diets + 1% fermented wheat with inoculum, FB = basal diets + 1% fermented barley without inoculum, FBI = basal diets + 1% fermented barley with inoculum. Throughout the experimental period, pigs fed FWI and FBI diets had significantly higher feed palatability compared with FW, FB diets. In Exp. 2, a total of 20 finishing pigs were allotted to 4 dietary treatments (1 pigs/pen, 5 pigs/treatment). Dietary treatments were same as Exp. 1. In nutrient digestibility, pigs fed FWI had higher dry matter digestibility. The number of Lactobacillus in feces was significantly higher in FWI treatments inoculated with feed microorganisms. Our results indicated that dietary supplementation with fermented wheat and barley with supplementing inoculant had a beneficial effect in finishing pigs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 3295
Author(s):  
Thomaz Cyro Guimarães de Carvalho Rodrigues ◽  
Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho ◽  
Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo ◽  
Edson Mauro Santos ◽  
Poliane Meire Dias de Freitas ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations among the feeding behavior, intake, in vitro digestibility and production parameters of feedlot-finished lambs. Thirty-two male uncastrated mixed-breed lambs with an average initial live weight of 17.39 ± 2.16 kg were distributed into four treatments (diets) with eight replicates (animals) each, as a function of their weight, in a completely randomized block design. Diets were composed of pearl millet silage with addition of levels of urea (0, 2, 4, and 6%, DM basis), ground corn, soybean meal, and a mineral mixture. The experimental period was 62 days, consisting of 10 days of adaptation and 52 days of data collection. Positive correlations were observed (P < 0.05) for rumination time and feeding efficiency in dry matter with the intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter (OM), and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC). Negative correlations were detected (P < 0.05) between rumination efficiency in NDF and the intakes of DM, EE, NDF, OM, and NFC. Correlations were negative (P < 0.05) between the number of chews per cud and the digestibilities of DM, NDF, NFC, and TDN. The number of chews per day was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with the digestibility of NDF and with TDN. Rumination time had a positive correlation (P < 0.05) with average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE). Feeding efficiency in DM was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with ADG and FE, whereas rumination efficiency in NDF was negatively correlated with ADG and positively with feed conversion. The increase in feeding efficiency for dry matter generated positive effects on nutrient intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency of the lambs fed diets containing pearl millet silage with addition of urea.


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