Foraging behaviour and dry matter intake by lambs in a silvopastoral system

Dry matter intake, nutritional contribution of forage to the diet and Lamb foraging behavior were assessed in a silvopastoral system. Twelve Pelibuey female lambs (6.3 months of age, 23.74 ± 3.5 kg live weight), were randomly assigned to two treatments: pastures of Digitaria eriantha (monoculture) or pastures of D. eriantha and Guazuma ulmifolia (silvopastoral). During a 15 day period, lambs foraged individually in 20.14 m2 paddocks each day; time spent grazing and browsing were assessed by scan sampling; dry matter intake was estimated (day 11-15), using the chromic oxide (Cr2O3) method, and metabolizable energy (ME) and protein (CP) ingested by the lambs were estimated. Data analyses were performed using a complete randomized design (dry matter intake) and a repeated-measure design (ME and CP, foraging time) with factorial treatment structure of season (windy and dry) and pasture (monoculture and silvopastoral). Voluntary intake (season*treatment interaction, p = 0.015) was lower in the windy-silvopastoral treatment (448.5±38.2 g day-1) than in the other treatments (625.8±38.2 to 680.5±38.2 g day-1). The contribution of ME (719.7-1190.2 kcal·day-1) and CP (53.7-100.7 g day-1) was low to cover the lamb requirements in all treatments, because forage availability and dry matter intake were low. Lambs dedicated from 6.65±0.26 to 7.50 ± 0.26 h to foraging; time spent grazing was longer that browsing in the silvopastoral system (p < 0.0001). The time dedicated to foraging, intake, and nutritive quality of forage from in both pasture types did not provide nutrients and energy during any season for maintenance of the lambs.

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Effects of supplementing maize and grass silages with barley, and maize silage with urea or ammonia, on the intake and performance of fattening bulls

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100024570 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 243-250 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

K. Aston ◽

J. C. Tayler

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Carcass Quality ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Ad Libitum

ABSTRACT1. Experiment 1. Six treatment groups of one British Friesian and four South Devon × British Friesian bulls, initially 432 kg mean live weight and aged 491 days, were offered individually maize or grass silage ad libitum plus 0, 5 or 10g barley dry matter per kg live weight daily for 80 days. The silages had similar digestible dry matter and estimated metabolizable energy contents but the grass silage contained more ammonia and acetic, propionic and butyric acids. Mean values for groups receiving respectively maize and grass silage diets were for dry-matter intake 17·7, 20·3, 20·4 and 13·0, 16·6, 18·7 g/kg live weight and for live-weight gain 1·00, 1·32, 1·46 and 0·65, 0·98, 1·22kg/day. Significantly more maize than grass silage dry matter was eaten when the silages were given alone and dry-matter intakes, live-weight and carcass gains were greater for maize silage diets. Dry-matter intake, live-weight and carcass gains, efficiency of feed use and carcass quality significantly improved when barley was given.2. Experiment 2. Six groups of five British Friesian bulls, initially 418 kg mean live weight and aged 474 days, were offered individually maize silage ad libitum with either urea or one of two quantities of aqueous ammonia mixed in at the time of feeding, plus 0 or 5 g barley dry matter per kg live weight daily for 90 days. The urea and ammonia-treated silages contained 125, 124 and 148 g crude protein per kg dry matter respectively, with pH values of 3·8, 3·9 and 4·3, and when given alone or with barley mean daily intakes (g dry matter per kg live weight) were 17·1, 18·6 for urea-treated silage diets, and 17·8, 18·8 and 16·9, 19·1 respectively for ammoniatreated silage diets. Live-weight gains were 0·69, 0·94, 0·63, 1·09, 0·64 and 1·07 kg/day. Ammonia treatment had no effect on intake or live-weight gain. Live-weight and carcass gains and carcass quality improved when barley was given.3. The maize silage offered in Experiment 1 contained similar metabolizable energy but more starch than that in Experiment 2 and was used more efficiently for live-weight gain.

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Beef production from formic acid-treated and wilted silages

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100030919 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 217-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

C. E. Hinks ◽

I. E. Edwards ◽

A. R. Henderson

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Formic Acid ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Soluble Carbohydrates ◽

Live Weight Gain

SUMMARY1. Herbage was ensiled, fresh at 17% DM or wilted to 32% DM, with and without the addition of formic acid (19·2 kg/tonne DM). The silages were fed individually ad libitum to 36 fifteen-month-old British Friesian steers of about 280 kg initial live weight (nine animals per treatment).2. Wilting and the application of formic acid both inhibited fermentation, resulting in silages with higher levels of water-soluble carbohydrates, lower concentrations of volatile nitrogen and lower organic acid contents.3. There were no significant dry matter × formic acid interactions in dry-matter intake or daily live-weight gain.4. Treatment with formic acid did not enhance significantly either dry-matter intake or daily live-weight gain. Furthermore, it had little effect on digestibility, nitrogen retention or metabolizable energy (ME) concentration.5. Wilting before ensiling increased dry-matter intake from 5·0 to 8·3 kg/head per day with consequent marked increases in ME intake, nitrogen retention and live-weight gain. Wilting, however, had little effect on digestibility, ME concentration, or the efficiency with which dietary nitrogen intake was retained.

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235 Effects of cottonseed hulls and bermudagrass hay particle size on dry matter intake, physiological parameters, and growth performance of feedlot lambs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.321 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 174-175

Author(s):

Danilo G Quadros ◽

Travis R Whitney ◽

Cassie Weishuhn ◽

Jose M Diaz ◽

Douglas R Tolleson

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Blood Serum ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Physiological Parameters ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Feedlot Lambs

Abstract A randomized design trial was used to evaluated effects of cottonseed hulls (CSH) and bermudagrass hay (BGH) particle size in feedlot diets fed to female Rambouillet lambs (n = 10/treatment) on dry matter intake (DMI), physiological parameters, and growth performance. After 14 days of adaptation, lambs were individually fed 80% concentrate diets during two distinct 21-d periods with either CSH or BGH as the roughage source, respectively. Diets were identical except for the roughage particle size (3/8, 1/4, or 3/16-inch hammermill screens); control diets contained unground CSH or course-ground BGH. Data were analyzed by period using a model including treatment as main effect and animal as repeated measure. No differences in initial and final BW were observed. Lamb DMI (g/d) did not vary (P > 0.10) among the different particle sizes. However, there was a linear decrease (P = 0.007) in DMI as a percentage of BW when CSH particle size increased, while no difference was observed for BGH (P > 0.55). Rumen fluid pH was not affected by roughage particle size (P > 0.19) in either Period. No differences (P > 0.10) in rumen fluid FAs concentration were observed related to CSH despite a quadratic trend (P = 0.07) in acetate concentration. Total VFA (P = 0.01), acetate (P = 0.008), and propionate (P = 0.04) concentrations in ruminal fluid from lambs fed diets containing BGH quadratically increased, while butyrate linearly decreased (P = 0.03). There was a trend for a quadratic increase (P = 0.09) in blood serum ammonia when CSH particle size increased. Blood serum urea during both periods and ammonia during Period 2, did not vary with roughage particle size. Results suggested that particle size is dependent upon type of roughage. Generally, in high concentrate lamb feedlot diets a course particle size (3/8” screen) is recommended.

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Complete diets for dairy cows: comparisons of feeding to appetite with rationing according to milk yield

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600028707 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 94 (3) ◽

pp. 715-726 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J. F. D. Greenhalgh ◽

G. W. Reid

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Energy Content ◽

Energy Requirement ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Late Winter ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Under Nutrition

SummaryTwo experiments were made, each with 35 autumn-calving cows fed on complete diets containing 40–70% hay and 60–30% concentrates. In both experiments, cows fed to appetite on a diet containing 11 MJ metabolizable energy/kg D.M. for weeks 7–24 of lactation ate about 20% more than cows rationed according to yield, but produced only about 3% more milk. The cows fed to appetite gained more in live weight, but lost their weight advantage during the subsequent grazing season.In Expt 1, a further group of cows were fed to appetite on diets progressively reduced in metabolizable energy content from 11·0 to 9·2 MJ/kg. Dry-matter intake decreased by about 1·2 kg/day per 1 MJ reduction in energy content. The lower dry-matter and energy intakes of cows on this treatment did not significantly reduce their milk yield, but their response when turned out to grass suggested under-nutrition in late winter. In Expt 2, increasing the energy content of the diet in early lactation (weeks 7–12) and reducing it thereafter had no significant effect on milk yield.Within each treatment group there were reasonably close relationships between energy intake and energy requirement. Nevertheless, it seems likely that the efficiency of feed utilization of cows fed on complete diets will be low unless intake is controlled by energy dilution.

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Production characteristics of high-yielding dairy cows

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100010369 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 321-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

D. R. Neilson ◽

C. T. Whittemore ◽

M. Lewis ◽

J. C. Alliston ◽

D. J. Roberts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Gross Efficiency

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the relationships between food intake, milk output and body condition in high-yielding dairy cows is crucial in determining suitable management strategies. During two winter feeding periods 38 and 37 cows were individually fed, to appetite, complete diets which on average contained 11·7 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter and comprised grass silage, concentrate meal and brewers' grains (draff). The groups' mean 305-day yield was 7 240 kg (s.d. 1 281) with 42 g (s.d. 4·3) fat per kg. Regression analysis was carried out to describe dry-matter intake both for 26 weeks post calving and for four successive 6-week periods from calving. The final equations, which had a residual s.d. of 0·07 to 0·10 of the observed intake, included milk yield, cow size and a measure of body-condition change. The cows were divided into three groups (high, medium and low) on two criteria: (1) mean milk yield (MJ/day) during the first 26 weeks of lactation and (2) post-calving backfat index determined ultrasonically. Differences were found between milk-yield groups from gross efficiency (milk yield (MJ)/energy intake (MJ metabolizable energy)) (P < 0·001), mean metabolizable energy intake (MJ/day) (P < 0·01), dry-matter intake as a proportion of live weight (P < 0·05), and post calving live weight (kg) (P < 0·05). Differences were found between backfat-index groups for maximum backfat loss and loss to day 42 (P < 0·001); also for mean live weight during the 26 weeks and post calving live weight (P < 0·001), dry-matter intake as a proportion of live weight (P < 0·05) and lactation number (P < 0·05). Interactions were found between the milk yield groups and backfat groups for milk yield (P < 0·01) and gross efficiency (P < 0·05) with the fattest group containing the highest and lowest yields and efficiencies.

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Effect of concentrate: roughage ratio on the production of beef from Israeli-Friesian bulls slaughtered at different live weights

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100035194 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 199-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

D. Levy ◽

Z. Holzer ◽

Y. Folman

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Factorial Design ◽

Feed Rate ◽

Lower Energy ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Energy Content ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Slaughter Weight

SummaryThe effects of roughage level (15 and 35% of the ration) and of slaughter weight (400,450 and 500 kg) were studied in an experiment of 2 x 3 factorial design. Daily live-weight gains and carcass gains were significantly higher on the lower roughage levels, but there was no difference in degree of fatness of the carcass. Dry-matter intake expressed as a percentage of body weight was 2·91 on 35% roughage compared with 2·53 and 15% roughage, i.e. 15% higher on the highroughage diet. This compensated the animals on the high-roughage diet for the lower energy content of their feed. Rate of gain increased with an increase in slaughter weight. The percentage of fat trim and of saleable meat increased, while that of bone decreased significantly with an increase in slaughter weight. The animals on the lowroughage diet were approximately 11% more efficient than the others in converting metabolizable energy into live weight.

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Effect of diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on Dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and Nitrogen balance of Friesian x Bunaji Bulls

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v45i1.354 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 342-350

Author(s):

H. I. Finangwai ◽

O. W. Ehoche ◽

G. E. Jokthan ◽

P. P. Barje

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Balance ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Energy Content ◽

Control Diet ◽

Nutrient Balance ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Percent Nitrogen

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing varying levels of groundnut haulms on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and nutrient balance in Friesian x Bunaji bulls. The feed consisted of four concentrate mixed diets formulated to contain on average 14.45- 14.65% crude protein. Groundnut haulms (GH) in the concentrate diets were on nitrogen basis at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels with control diet having 0% inclusion of GH. Sixteen bulls aged 12-18months were divided into four each and were randomly allotted to the four treatment diets in a completely randomized design for metabolic trial. During trial, the bulls were housed in metabolic crates and fed Gamba hay adlib and the basal or particular test concentrate mixture at 40% of estimated DM intake. Chemical composition and energy contents of the diets were determined. Dry matter intake (D M ) and organic matter intake (OMI) were also determined. The CP value averaged 14.45±0.44 - 14.65±1.22% for the four experimental diets. The metabolizable energy content expressed in Kcal/kg of diets decreased with increase in GH level from 0-75% (3166-1752 kcal/kg). There was no significant (P>0.05) difference on voluntary DMI and OMI. The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and ash were significantly (P<0.05) higher at 75% level of groundnut haulms. CF and ADF digestibility were significantly influenced (P<0.05) when groundnut haulms level reached 25%. Conversely, the digestibility of NFE did not differ (P>0.05) across treatments. Nitrogen balance were similar (P>0.05) among animals fed concentrate mixtures. Nitrogen balance expressed in percent was slightly higher at 75% level of groundnut haulms. It is concluded that inclusion of GH in concentrate diets of crossed bulls up to 75% can improve nutrient digestibility and the percent Nitrogen balance.

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Nutrition of the early-weaned calf. XI. Intake of diets differing in energy concentration

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100028956 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 413-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M. Kay ◽

N. A. MacLeod ◽

Margaret McLaren

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Low Energy ◽

Energy Ratio ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Energy Concentration ◽

Dry Matter Digestibility ◽

Low Energy Diet

SUMMARY1. A growth and digestibility trial was carried out with 27 British Friesian calves given diets having either 3·1, 2·8 or 2·4 Meal metabolizable energy per kg dry matter and either the same concentration of protein or the same protein-to-energy ratio.2. Daily dry-matter intake and rate of gain in live weight increased significantly as the energy concentration of the diet was reduced. There were no significant differences in digestible-energy intake between calves given the different diets, although the trend was the same as for dry-matter intake.3. Both dry-matter digestibility and energy digestibility were lowest for the low-energy diet.

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Relationship between live weight, age and dry-matter intake for beef cattle after different levels of food restriction

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s000335610003542x ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 61-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

C. Lopez Saubidet ◽

L. S. Verde

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Food Restriction ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Compensatory Growth ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Different Levels

SummaryFive groups of 24 Aberdeen Angus steers, initially 8 months old and 185 kg in weight were subjected to varying degrees of restriction of energy intake, by feeding them on diets containing 1·45 to 2·85 Meal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg dry matter (DM) for 16 weeks. During the realimentation period that followed, all animals were fed ad libitum on the diet containing 2·85 Meal ME/kg DM. When realimentation began the feed consumption of all animals, which had been markedly different, rapidly became similar. When compared at equal live weight the restricted animals had higher intakes than the controls; at an equal age, however, feed intakes were practically the same. This led us to discard compensatory feed intake as a possible explanation for compensatory growth. Age explained 65% of the variability in feed intake, live weight explained 43% and both parameters jointly explained 73%. It is concluded that in restricted and realimented animals, age is a better predictor of feed intake than live weight. Compensatory growth is attributed to a lower maintenance requirement in restricted animals because of their lower live weight at the beginning of the realimentation period.

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The effect of diet and frequency of watering on the performance of growing cattle given food at maintenance

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800028253 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 33-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

P. R. Hatendi ◽

F. M. Mulenga ◽

S. Sibanda ◽

P. Ndlovu

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Average Weight ◽

Free Access ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Eye Muscle ◽

Growing Cattle

AbstractAn 18-week experiment investigated the effects of type of diet and frequency of watering on the performance of growing cattle given food at maintenance (metabolizable energy (ME) allowance (MJ) = 8·3 + 0·091 M where M = live weight of the animal). Three diets with 20: 80 (low, L), 50:50 (medium, M) and 80: 20 (high, H) roughage to concentrate ratios (10·2, 7·8 and 5·4 MJME per kg dry matter) were used in combination with free access to water for 2·5 h once daily or once every 3rd day. A completely randomized-block design with a 3 (diets) × 2 (watering frequencies) factorial arrangement of treatments was used. Five animals were allocated per treatment (average weight 245 (s.d. 21·6) kg).Dry-matter intake increased as the roughage content of the diet increased (P < 0·05) but was not affected by the watering regime (P > 0·05). Total water intake was found to be positively correlated with dry-matter intake and increased with dietary roughage level. Animals watered daily drank more (P < 0·05) water (12·6 v. 10·0 kg/day) than those watered every 3rd day. The apparent digestibility of the diets decreased as the amount of roughage increased (diet L 734g/kg, M471 g/kg and H 433 g/kg). Similar apparent digestibilities were observed under the two watering frequencies (546 g/kg and 547 g/kg).Type of diet significantly (P < 0·05) affected the final weights of the steers. Animals given diet H were proportionately 0·07 heavier than those offered diet L corresponding to total weight changes of −0·8 and +18·4 kg respectively. Carcass weight, backfat thickness and eye muscle area were not affected by the treatments. The chemical composition of the 9 to 11th rib joint was only affected by diet H which gave less fat (P < 0·05). Water, fat, protein and ash content averaged 607,118,190 and 84 g/kg respectively.

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