scholarly journals Effects of Replacing Grass with Foliage on Growth Rate and Feed Intake in Goats—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3163
Author(s):  
Cecilia Kronqvist ◽  
Daovy Kongmanila ◽  
Ewa Wredle

Small ruminants such as goats have a higher preference for browse species than cattle and sheep. In a meta-analysis of 42 papers describing 117 experimental treatments found by a search performed in June 2021 in PubMed and Web of Knowledge, we examined the general effect of including foliage in the diet of goats, replacing grasses, on dry matter intake and average daily weight gain. The inclusion requirement for a paper was that it described a controlled trial with a control diet of grass and with grass replaced by foliage in the experimental diet. Publication bias was estimated by calculating the Fail-safe n. Random effects analyses were conducted, using effect size calculated as Hedges’ d. The results showed that inclusion of foliage increased feed intake (Hedges’ d = 1.350, SE = 0.388) and average daily weight gain (Hedges’ d = 1.417, SE = 0.444) compared with a grass-based control. The positive effect of foliage inclusion on dry matter intake was associated with lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and higher crude protein (CP) in the foliage than in the grass it replaced. The positive effect on average daily weight gain was associated with higher CP concentration in the foliage than in grass. Foliage inclusion level showed a quadratic relationship with dry matter intake, with maximum dry matter intake achieved at a level of 50–60%. There was wide variation between the studies reviewed, and this variation was not reduced by subgroup analysis based on different kinds of foliage. In conclusion, the addition of foliage to goat diets can increase feed intake and daily weight gain, as an effect of the dietary preferences of goats and of generally higher nutritional value in foliage species compared with natural/semi-natural grass species.

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Dheynne Alves Vieira ◽  
Andréia Santos Cezário ◽  
Wallacy Barbacena Rosa dos Santos ◽  
Jeferson Corrêa Ribeiro ◽  
Tiago Neves Pereira Valente ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of crossbred Holstein × Zebu steers fed on the diets containing sugarcane in natura or ensiled with two levels of concentrate (30% and 70%). A total of 32 males of 394 kg of body weight were used in a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments and seven repetitions. The animals reported a high dry matter intake (DMI) (P < 0.05) when fed on the high concentrate levels. The increase in concentrate levels resulted in an approximately 25% to 60% higher DMI as compared to the lowest level offered by silage-based diets and sugarcane in natura. The highest apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter were observed in the diets based on sugarcane in natura (P < 0.05). The sugarcane based diets also affected (P > 0.05) the digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, ether extract, and non-fiber carbohydrates. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between the diets for average daily weight gain, carcass dressing, carcass gain, and feed conversion. The diets based on sugarcane in nature or ensiled with 30% and 70% concentrates do not influence the performance of crossbred Holstein × Zebu cattle.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Malafaia ◽  
Yury T.G. Salcedo ◽  
Ricardo A.R. Uscategui ◽  
Vinícius C. Souza ◽  
Diogo Fleury A. Costa ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: We developed and evaluated a fast and simple method to obtain suitable bone samples for densitometry and chemical analysis through biopsies of the 12th rib of cattle. The postoperative recovery, dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily weight gain (ADG) was evaluated in 36 Nellore steers, nine of which were randomly selected for the control group and 27 others were rib biopsied. Every 30 days, rib biopsy was performed in nine steers, using a corded-electric pistol-grip drill coupled with a hole saw of a 3mm diameter pilot drill bit. This rib biopsy technique provided a suitable sample obtained in a fast way and allowed the surgeon to work alone with the animal slightly sedated and restrained in the crush. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected in biopsied animals. At the end of the experimental period (116 days) the average daily weight gain (ADG) was similar in the steers biopsied or not. The described method provided rib samples from cattle suitable for densitometry and chemical analysis of bone tissue without effects on health and performance. This information could greatly increase the accuracy for the diagnosis of phosphorus deficiency in cattle raised on pasture and allow the evaluation of bone metabolism in experimental animals.


2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1830-1834 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Luis Kill ◽  
Ismail Ramalho Haddade ◽  
Iron Cardoso dos Santos Júnior ◽  
Douglas Haese ◽  
Alberto Chambela Neto ◽  
...  

The effect of four levels of inclusion (0; 450; 900 and 1,350g T-1) of Ractopamine hydrochloride was assessed concerning weight gain, feed conversion, dry matter intake, carcass traits and quality of castrated male cattle meat in confinement. Forty Nellore steers were used, with an average age of 26 months and initial average weight of 423.4±2.7kg, in a randomized block experimental design with four treatments and ten replications. The diet was fixed with the ratio of forage to concentrate dry matter of 75.3:24.7. A Linear positive effect observed was the inclusion of Ractopamine on daily weight gain and linear negative effect on feed conversion, highlighting the improvements with the increasing inclusion of Ractopamine hydrochloride. In relation to carcass traits, the linear effect was negative for fat thickness and no differences were found regarding the hot carcass weight ; carcass yield; area, width and depth of rib eye area of the Longissimus dorsi muscle, and noble courts. In relation to dry matter intake, the comparison of the treatments demonstrated that Ractopamine didn't influence negatively, which highlights its positive effect on the animal performance. The use of Ractopamine improves performance and decreases de amount of superficial fat in male nellore carcass in confinement.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sayuti Mas’ud ◽  
Aminuddin Parakkasi

Growth performance of white rat (Rattus norvegicus) fed by various of shrimp waste levelsABSTRACT. The objectives of this research are to investigate: (1) The effect of shrimp waste levels in experimental diets on feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed convertion (F/G) of white rats; (2) Optimal level of shrimp waste in white rat diets; and (3) The responses of both male and female white rats to shrimp waste levels. 15 male and 15 female white rats were given pellet ration contain shrimp waste for four weeks. The experimental design used in this research is Completely Randomized Design with 2 x 5 factorial arrangement in 3 replications. The A factor was sex (male and female) and the B factor was shrimp waste levels in ration (0% as control. 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%). The parameters determined are feed intake, weight gain, and feed convertion of white rats. The results indicate that shrimp waste levels in ration was significantly (P0.05) affect the dry matter intake, whereas the effect on weight gain and feed convertion of white rats was highly significant (P0.01). Sex was significantly affect weight gain (P0.05%), however it was not significance (P0.05%) on dry matter intake and feed convertion of white rats. There were no interaction (P0.05%) between shrimp waste levels in ration and sex of white rats. The conclusion of this research that shrimp waste levels in ration of white rats increase dry matter intake and daily weight gain. Whereas, it decreased feed convertion. The optimal level of shrimp waste in the diet for daily weight gain was 19.44%, while optimal feed convertion 16.62%. Male daily weight gain was higher than female. 


1969 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Miles ◽  
R. J. K. Walters ◽  
E. M. Evans

SUMMARYA series of animal feeding trials was designed to determine differences between grasses in dry-matter intake and animal live-weight gain, with a view to indicating better selection criteria for improving the feeding value of herbage.Wide differences were demonstrated in feed intake and live-weight gain between single-variety grass feeds at similar levels of digestibility.S.37 cocksfoot gave consistently good and S.51 timothy, consistently poor responses.Supplementation of grass feeds with red clover frequently resulted in marked improvement in feed intake and animal performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 1427
Author(s):  
Thais Valéria Souza Silva ◽  
Luciano Fernandes Sousa ◽  
Antônio Clementino dos Santos ◽  
Ana Cristina Holanda Ferreira ◽  
Rebeca Rocha Cardoso ◽  
...  

The effects of phosphate and nitrogen fertilization on aspects of forage composition and ruminal fermentation were separately evaluated pre- and post-grazing, in addition to the dry matter intake and weight gain of sheep grazing Panicum maximum cv. Massai under a rotational system on Quartzipsamment soil. The aim was to evaluate the effect of fertilization with different levels of phosphorous (50 and 200 kg P2O5/ha) and nitrogen (100 and 400 kg N/ha) compared to unfertilized control soil. The experiment was conducted at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at Universidade Federal do Tocantins – UFT, in a randomized complete block design with four replicates in a factorial 2 × 2 design. The study area consisted of 32 paddocks (301 m²), each of which had previously been sown with Panicum maximum cv. Massai. The experimental area was managed under intermittent stocking with a variable stocking rate. Twenty-eight crossbreed sheep were used for grazing management. Evaluations were made before and after grazing, including forage evaluation and measurement of ruminal degradability and intake (using titanium dioxide as the external marker). Regarding the forage composition, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the control and fertilizer treatments for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, crude protein, lignin and phosphorous content. Fertilization was found to alter the nutritional quality of Panicum maximum cv. Massai grass. Among the nutritional aspects evaluated, fertilization influenced NDF, grass digestibility and dry matter intake. The forage composition of Massai grass is improved by fertilization with nitrogen at 100 kg N/ha and phosphate up to 50 kg P2O5/ha, which represents a relevant management practice for increasing quantity and quality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e295996877
Author(s):  
Giovani Ogliari ◽  
Julcemar Dias Kessler ◽  
José Franscisco Manta Bragança ◽  
Anderson Elias Bianchi ◽  
Aline Zampar ◽  
...  

Soybeans in natura can be used in the feed of confined animals as a source of protein and energy. We measured consumption, performance, in vivo biometry, and metabolic profiles lambs fed whole grain soybean in natura. We used Ile de France breed lambs, weaned and confined in a completely randomized design with six repetitions and three treatments: Control, soybean grain (SG) 6.25%, and SG 14% (based on dry matter) in feed. The control and SG 6.25% groups showed higher average daily gain (0.296 kg/day) and total weight gain (17.57 kg) than did the SG 14% group. There were no differences among groups in terms of consumption of dry matter, protein, neutral detergent fiber, acidic detergent fiber, or feed conversion. The inclusion of soybean grain was associated with linear increases in consumption of ethereal extract, and in percentage of live weight. There were no differences among groups in terms of concentrations of studied metabolites. Regarding in vivo biometrics, the control treatment and SG 6.25% groups were superior in terms of conformation and body conditions. Inclusion of soybean whole grain in natura in the feed of confined lambs may be reduced consumption of dry matter and average daily weight gain.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 41-43
Author(s):  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
I.D. Corson ◽  
R.P. Littlejohn

Deer are seasonal animals with a feed intake that varies with day length, reaching a low in winter. Feed intake then rises rapidly in spring. Superimposed on the nutritional response to day length are the genetics of the deer. This paper documents preliminary findings of live weight gain in winter and spring and intake during September for red deer (Cervus elaphus) and elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) x red deer hybrids. Two experiments examined the relative growth rates and feed intake of rising 1 year old red and elk x red hybrid male deer during winter and spring 2001 and 2002. Live weight gain was higher in the elk x red than the red deer in both winter (averaging 262 and 144 g/d respectively) and spring (averaging 390 and 272 g/d respectively). Dry matter intake in September 2001 was 1.64 and 2.13 kg DM/d for red and elk x red deer respectively (P=0.003). Dry matter intake in September 2002 averaged 2.04 and 2.35 kg DM/d (P


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