The effect of stage of regrowth on the physical composition and nutritive value of the various vertical strata of kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) pastures

A plot study was conducted at the Gatton Research Dairy, Queensland, Australia, to quantify the effects of 5 regrowth periods (9, 11, 14, 16 and 18 days) and 4 vertical strata on the composition and nutritive value of kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) pastures using a block factorial design with 4 replicates. Pasture samples were analyzed for crude protein (CP), ethanol-soluble carbohydrates (ESC), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom), in vitro indigestible neutral detergent fibre (iNDF240) and minerals. Metabolizable energy (ME) was then calculated from the concentrations of other nutrients. Regardless of the stage of regrowth, stems were located mainly in the bottom 1 or 2 strata, while leaves were present mainly in the top 2 or 3 strata. CP, ESC and ME declined, but aNDFom, ADF and iNDF240 increased with stage of regrowth and from top to bottom of the swards (P<0.05). While herbage quality variables were affected by both factors, vertical stratum had a much larger impact on quality than stage of regrowth. These results indicate that grazing management of kikuyu pastures should be based not only on stage of regrowth but also on level of defoliation, as both have strong impacts on the nutritive value of the consumed forage.

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Partitioning of Forage Mass and Nutritive Value in Sunn Hemp Leaf and Stem Components

International Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1155/2021/5547120 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Isaac Lepcha ◽

Harley D. Naumann

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Warm Season ◽

Growing Season ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Cool Season ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

True Digestibility ◽

Sunn Hemp

Sunn hemp (SH; Crotalaria juncea L.) is a fast-growing, annual, warm-season tropical legume that could complement less productive cool-season forages such as tall fescue during summer. Little is known about seasonal forage mass and nutritive value partitioning in SH plant components when SH is managed for forage. We determined partitioning of forage mass and nutritive value (crude protein (CP), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD)) concentrations in SH leaves and stems harvested 35, 45, and 55 days after planting (DAP) at Bradford Research Center, Columbia, MO, in a 2-year field study. Leaf and stem mass increased with increasing DAP and was greatest ( P ≤ 0.05 ) at 55 DAP followed by 45 and 35 DAP. Stems contributed most to the total forage mass beyond 45 DAP. Across years, CP was greatest ( P ≤ 0.05 ) in leaves (281 g kg−1 DM) and lowest for stems (81 g kg−1 DM) at 55 DAP. The lowest NDF ( P ≤ 0.05 ) was observed in leaves (251 g kg−1 DM) and stems (585 g kg−1 DM) at 35 DAP. Acid detergent fiber was lowest ( P ≤ 0.05 ) for SH leaves (178 g kg−1 DM) and stems (484 g kg−1 DM) at 35 DAP. Digestibility of leaves was greater than that of stems and generally decreased with maturity. The nutritive value of leaves was consistently greater than that of stems and decreased with maturity, except for CP of leaves, which was maintained throughout the season. Results suggested that SH leaves can maintain forage mass and greater quality than its stem throughout the growing season.

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Nutritive value of sugarcane silages with different bacterial additives and fermentation periods

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-9940210212020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Ivone Rodrigues da Silva ◽

Francirose Shigaki ◽

Rosane Cláudia Rodrigues ◽

Ana Paula Ribeiro Jesus ◽

Clésio dos Santos Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Soluble Fraction ◽

B Value ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Fermentation Period

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of sugarcane silage with or without inoculation with P. acidipropionici or L. buchneri, over three fermentation periods. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 x 3 inoculant by fermentation period factorial arrangement (without inoculant, inoculant 1, inoculant 2; x three fermentation periods, 10, 60, 90 days). Values of pH, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose (HEM) and lignin were determined and in situ DM degradability profiles were modelled for parameters a, b and c, potential degradation (A) and effective degradability (ED). The 90 day fermentation yielded a lower pH for both inoculants. There was an interaction between inoculant and fermentation period (P < 0.05) for DM content, with a reduction in silage DM without the additive at 90 days. The CP, HEM, ADF and lignin contents of sugarcane were not influenced by the treatments. The addition of P. acidipropionici provided the lowest NDF content at 10 days and presented a higher fraction a, potential degradation and ED. At 60 days, there was no variation in soluble fraction, the control silage showed a higher fraction b, higher potential degradation and ED. At 90 days of fermentation, L. buchneri silages presented a higher fraction a, degradation rate and DE and a higher b value was obtained in the silage without inoculant. Inoculants are effective in maintaining the silage DM content and nutritional value during prolonged fermentation periods.

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Seasonal changes in forage nutritive value of common weeds encountered in Missouri pastures

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2019.89 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 164-171

Author(s):

Gatlin Bunton ◽

Zach Trower ◽

Craig Roberts ◽

Kevin W. Bradley

Keyword(s):

Tall Fescue ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Late Summer ◽

Growing Season ◽

Quality Parameter ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Weed Species ◽

Growing Seasons

AbstractDuring the 2015, 2016, and 2017 growing seasons, weed and weed-free mixed tall fescue and legume forage samples were harvested from 29 pastures throughout Missouri for investigation of the nutritive value of 20 common pasture weed species throughout the season. At certain times during the growing season, many broadleaf weed species had greater nutritive values for a given quality parameter as compared with the available weed-free, mixed tall fescue and legume forage harvested from the same location. There were no significant differences in crude protein concentration between the weed-free forage and many weeds throughout the growing season. However, crude protein content of common burdock, common cocklebur, common ragweed, dandelion, horsenettle, and lanceleaf ragweed was greater than that of the corresponding forage sample at multiple collection periods. The digestible neutral detergent fiber (dNDF) content of all broadleaf weeds except lanceleaf ragweed was significantly lower than that of the weed-free forage at all collection periods. Conversely, large crabgrass had significantly greater digestible neutral detergent fiber levels than did the mixed tall fescue forage at all sampling dates. Dandelion and spiny amaranth had greater in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) content than did the forage for the entire growing season. Three perennial weeds—horsenettle, vervains, and late boneset—did not differ in IVTD levels as compared with the mixed tall fescue and legume forage at any collection date. For most summer annual weeds, the trend was toward greater digestibility earlier in the season, with a gradual decline and often lower IVTD by the late summer or early fall. The results of this study will enable producers to make more informed management decisions about the potential benefit or detriment a weed may provide to the overall nutritive value of the pasture system.

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Chemical characteristics, aerobic stability, and microbiological counts in corn silage re-ensiled with bacterial inoculant

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2018000900008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (9) ◽

pp. 1045-1052

Author(s):

Mateus Merlo Coelho ◽

Lúcio Carlos Gonçalves ◽

José Avelino Santos Rodrigues ◽

Kelly Moura Keller ◽

Gustavo Vinícius de Souza dos Anjos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Dry Matter Digestibility ◽

Aerobic Stability ◽

Whole Plant

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of re-ensiling and bacterial inoculation on the quality of corn silage. The experiment was carried out in a 2x2 factorial design with or without inoculant (association of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici), and with re-ensiling after 36 hours of aerobic exposure or only ensiling of the whole plant of 'BRS 1055' corn. The fermentative quality, nutritional parameters, dry matter losses, aerobic stability, and microbiological counts of silages were evaluated. Re-ensiling caused an increase of pH and in acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations, as well as in the dry matter (DM), crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber crude protein contents. Conversely, there was a reduction in the nonfiber carbohydrates concentration and in in vitro dry matter digestibility for the re-ensiled material. All changes were explained by the higher-effluent production and DM loss of re-ensiled material that was subjected to two compactions. Microbiology was not altered by the treatments. The use of inoculant altered ash content, but it did not influence other parameters. In contrast, re-ensiling after 36 hours of aerobic exposure caused a reduction in the nutritive value of corn silage and accentuated the DM losses.

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Leaf and stem nutritive value of timothy genotypes under varying N fertilization

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p03-139 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 1101-1104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. Bélanger ◽

A. Brégard ◽

R. Michaud ◽

G. F. Tremblay

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Phleum Pratense ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

True Digestibility ◽

Sib Families ◽

Phleum Pratense L

Populations and half-sib families of timothy (Phleum pratense L.), contrasting in forage N concentration, were studied in two experiments conducted in growth rooms with varying N applications. They differed in leaf and stem in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of DM and in vitro cell wall digestibility (IVCWD), and in stem neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration; this confirms the presence of genetic variability for leaf and stem nutritive value in timothy under both limiting and non-limiting N conditions. Key words: Digestibility, grasses, Phleum pratense, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber

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Animal performance and nutritional characteristics of Piatã-grass in integrated systems

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-4162-11065 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

pp. 1027-1033

Author(s):

D.C. Martins ◽

S.D.J. Villela ◽

R.G. Almeida ◽

S.A.C. Araújo ◽

L.D. Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Soil Cover ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Integrated Systems ◽

Animal Performance ◽

Brachiaria Brizantha ◽

Nutritional Characteristics

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate animal performance and nutritional characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã in two integrated systems, during the summer and winter, five years after the initial establishment of the area. The randomized block experimental design was adopted with treatments consisting of a control (five native trees per hectare) and an integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) system with 227 eucalyptus trees per hectare. Animal performance, canopy height, soil cover, forage mass (leaf, stem and senescent material), and forage nutritive value were evaluated. Differences between systems were observed in forage mass (total, leaf, stem and senescent material), soil cover and forage nutritive value in both seasons. Shading conditions provided by eucalyptus in the ICLF system lead to a reduction in forage mass and neutral detergent fiber content, and to an increase in crude protein and in vitro organic matter digestibility. However, no effect on animal performance was obtained. The presence of trees improves the forage nutritive value without impacting animal performance in integrated systems.

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Validating prediction equations of metabolizable energy of soybean meal for growing pigs

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n6sup2p4541 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (6Supl2) ◽

pp. 4541

Author(s):

Tiago Junior Pasquetti ◽

Paulo Cesar Pozza ◽

Newton Tavares Escocard de Oliveira ◽

Ricardo Vianna Nunes ◽

Doglas Batista Lazzeri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soybean Meal ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Prediction Equations ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Calcium Phosphorus

The aim of this study was to evaluate equations to predict the metabolizable energy (ME) of soybean meal (SBM) for swine. Seven SBM were used, which were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ash, calcium, phosphorus, solubility in potassium hydroxide (KOH) and urease index. To determine the ME of SBM, 32 barrows, with an average initial weight of 29.01 ± 3.64 kg, were used and distributed in a randomized blocks design, with seven treatments and four replicates. To validate the prediction equations, linear regression models were adjusted, using observed values of ME (metabolism trial) as a function of the estimated ME (obtained by applying the chemical composition of the SBM in selected equations found in the literature). The existence of regression was evaluated by the “t” test, partially applied to each parameter (?0 and ?1). The validation of the prediction models of first degree was obtained by accepting the joint null hypothesis ?0 = 0 and ?1 = 1. The equations ME = 5.42 - 17.2FDN - 19.4MM + 0.709GE and ME= 1099 + 0.740GE - 5.5MM - 3.7NDF are effective for estimating the ME of SBM for growing pigs.

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Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of whole-crop maize fertilized with synthetic fertilizer or digestate and harvested at two maturity stages in Boreal growing conditions

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.60068 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 47 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Mahmoud F. Seleiman ◽

Shaimaa Selim ◽

Seija Jaakkola ◽

Pirjo S.A. Mäkelä

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Soluble Carbohydrate ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Maturity Stages ◽

Synthetic Fertilizer

Maize cultivation for silage could be a sustainable option in Boreal conditions, especially when combined with nutrient recycling. Effects of digestate (sludge from biogas of domestic origin) application in comparison with synthetic fertilizer and two maturity stages on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of whole-crop maize were investigated. Starch, neutral detergent fiber, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and digestible organic matter (DOM) contents of maize did not differ in response to the two fertilizer treatments. However, starch, DOM and metabolizable energy of maize increased, while ash, crude protein and WSC contents decreased with increasing maize maturity. Heavy metals in maize fertilized with digestate remained low. The results indicate that whole-crop maize fertilized with digestate and harvested at 150 days after sowing is a promising feed and has good nutritive value, even in Boreal conditions.

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Evaluation of Stylosanthes scabra Accessions as Forage Source for Ruminants: Growth Performance, Nutritive Value and In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10111939 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1939

Author(s):

Thamsanqa Doctor Empire Mpanza ◽

Abubeker Hassen ◽

Abiodun Mayowa Akanmu

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Livestock Production ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Stylosanthes Scabra

Feed shortage is the main cause of poor production performance in livestock under smallholder farmer’s in South Africa. Therefore, this study evaluated the growth performance, nutritive value and in vitro ruminal fermentation of Stylosanthes scabra accessions in climatic condition of Pretoria, South Africa as potential forage sources in order to improve feed quality and subsequently livestock production. Stylosanthes scabra accessions were planted in 6 m2 plots following a complete randomized block design with three replicates per accession. The plants were allowed to grow to full maturity after which forage was harvested and yield, chemical composition, phenolic compounds, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristic were determined. Forage yield of accessions ranged between 4.3 to 5.3 t ha−1 in dry matter (DM), and only twelve accessions were identified to be adaptable over the three-year evaluation under rain-fed. Accessions 140, 9281, 11,252, 11,595, 11,604 and 11,625 were consistent in terms of forage yield over the three years. Significant differences among accessions were observed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), IVOMD, metabolizable energy, metabolizable energy yield, gas production, total phenols, total hydrolysable tannins and total condensed tannins. Principal component and clustering analysis showed that accessions 11,255 and 11,625 are distinct in their characteristics as compared to the rest of the accessions, and both accessions are suitable forage source for animals since they contain low NDF with good forage production and crude protein content. However, there is a need for further study to integrate these accessions into the feeding systems in order to improve livestock production.

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In vitro and in vivo nutrient digestibility in sheep of rations with and without residue from the extraction of tamarind pulp

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n6supl2p4507 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (6Supl2) ◽

pp. 4507

Author(s):

Luiz Juliano Valério Geron ◽

Fabiana Gomes da Costa ◽

Silvia Cristina de Aguiar ◽

Jocilaine Garcia ◽

Matheus Gonçalves Ribeiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Ruminal Fluid ◽

Ph Values

This study evaluated the digestibility of nutrients by, and parameters associated with, in vitro fermentation using different inocula (sheep ruminal fluid and feces) as well as the in vivo digestibility in sheep that were fed rations with 50% concentrate containing either no (0%) residue from the extraction of tamarind pulp (RETP) or 15% RETP. To determine the in vitro digestibility (IVD) of nutrients, two sheep, weighing 40.38 ± 2.10 kg, were used as inoculum donors. To determine the in vivo digestibility of nutrients, we used four sheep and a 3×2 factorial experimental design, with three methods of digestion of nutrients and two experimental rations (0% and 15% RETP). The variables were subjected to analysis of variance and the variables that showed differences at 5% probability were further analyzed using the Tukey test at 5% significance. The IVD using different inocula did not significantly differ (p>0.05) from the in vivo digestibility in sheep for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The different methods for determining nutrient digestibility did not affect (p>0.05) the digestibility of DM, OM, crude protein (CP), NDF, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in rations with 0% and 15% RETP. However, the IVD of CP for rations containing 0% and 15% RETP incubated with both inocula was lower (p<0.05) than the CP digestibility in vivo. The in vivo digestibility of ADF for rations containing 0% and 15% RETP was higher (P<0.05) than the IVD using sheep ruminal fluid and feces as inocula. The pH values and concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) after in vitro incubation for 24 h and the in vivo assay were not different (p>0.05) for the rations containing 0% and 15% RETP, but the pH and NH3-N of both fermented and rumen contents differed (p<0.05) depending on the inocula used and the in vivo assay. In summary, the digestibility of DM, OM, and NDF can be determined by the in vitro fermentation method using the ruminal fluid or feces of sheep as inocula in rations containing 0% or 15% RETP. However, in vitro fermentation is not a suitable method for the determination of pH and NH3-N concentration.

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