A NIRS-aided Methodology to Elucidate the Nutrition of the Endangered Mountain Gazelle (Gazella gazella) using Samples of Rumen Contents from Roadkills

The populations of the endangered mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), which inhabit large parts of Israel, across various ecosystems and climatic conditions, shrunk drastically over the last decades. To date, data on gazelle nutrition, how these relate with individual characteristics and respond to seasonal and environmental changes, have not been available. We analyzed 110 samples from gazelle rumen contents collected throughout the country from occasional fatalities, mainly roadkills, and tested the feasibility of using them for near-infrared spectrometry (NIRS) calibrations. Although NIR calibrations for crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and ash were reasonable, we found that using calibrations based on local forage and feed plant species performed better, and used these to estimate several nutritional constituents in gazelle rumens, using NIRS. We tested how constituents relate to the sex, age-class, and weight of the individual gazelle, and to season and ecosystem type, and found that season plays a major role in gazelle nutrition. Winter is the most propitious season, when crude protein, ash and digestibility are highest, and acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio are lowest. Autumn, being the harshest season, mirrors winter conditions, and summer and spring show intermediate levels. Yet the relative changes between seasons were mild: about 30%, for crude protein, digestibility, and ash, and 14–22% for ADF, NDF, and C:N ratio. Ecosystem type affected several constituents, and nutrition was slightly better in Mediterranean than in dry ecosystems. Gazelle sex, weight, and age-class had minor effects on nutrition. Overall, it seems that the adaptation of gazelles to their environment is germane to keeping relatively steady nutrition throughout the year. Our results, which do not show a dramatic decline in the quality of gazelle nutrition during any season or among the climatic regions that were studied, suggest that nutrition is not a major driver of the survival of gazelles in the populations surveyed.

Download Full-text

260 Comparison of nutrients and in vitro degradability of ryegrass (Lolium Multiforum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) in central region of Turkey

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.183 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 89-89

Author(s):

Mehmet Basalan ◽

A Volkan Cetinkaya

Keyword(s):

Central Region ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Energy Levels ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Medicago Sativa L

Abstract Study was conducted to determine the adaptability of ryegrass to the ration of ruminants in central region of Turkey. Both ryegrass and alfalfa were planted in Cankiri and Corum cities which are located in similar geographic and climatic conditions. Forage samples were obtained during second, third and fourth harvesting times. in each sample, dry matter (DM), crude fat (EE), crude protein (CP), crude ash (CA), crude cellulose (CS), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels were determined based on AOAC methods. Metabolizable Energy levels of both ryegrass and alfalfa were calculated. In vitro disappearance of dry matter was measured by incubation of dacron bags in rumen fluid for 72 hours in Ankom® daisy incubator and extent of disappearance were determined. Generalized linear model was applied to analyze data and means were separated by using LSD. Although dry matter levels were similar (P > 0,05), ash and fat levels were significantly higher in ryegrass than those in alfalfa (P < 0,05). Additionally, as it was expected, crude protein content of ryegrass was significantly lower than that of alfalfa (P < 0,05). NDF contents of both feeds were similar and ADF levels of alfalfa were slightly higher in only second harvest date. Metabolizable energy levels of ryegrass in all harvested times were statistically higher than those in all harvested dates in alfalfa (P < 0,05). DM disappearance of ryegrass was significantly higher than that of alfalfa (P < 0,05). In conclusion, ryegrass may have some advantages in regions with limited forage sources. Additionally it may be alternative or substitute to the traditional small grain forages. Further research needed to show those advantages of ryegrass in nutrients to extrapolate consumption preferences or performance of beef or dairy cattle.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the Nutrient Composition, In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics, and In Situ Degradability of Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus, and Amaranthus hypochondriacus in Cattle

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 18

Author(s):

Kim Margarette C. Nogoy ◽

Jia Yu ◽

Young Gyu Song ◽

Shida Li ◽

Jong-Wook Chung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Gas Production ◽

Nutrient Composition ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Amaranthus Cruentus ◽

Amaranthus Caudatus ◽

Amaranthus Hypochondriacus

The amaranth plants showed high potential feed value as forage for ruminants. An in-depth study of this plant, particularly in cattle, will help extend its utilization as an alternative protein and fiber feed source in cattle feeding. In this study, the nutrient compositions of three different species of amaranth, Amaranthus caudatus L., Amaranthus cruentus L., and Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.—two varieties for each species, A.ca 74, A.ca 91, A.cu 62, A.cu 66, A. hy 30, and A. hy 48—were evaluated. The in vitro technique was used to evaluate the fermentation characteristics such as total gas production, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, pH, and ammonia concentration of the rumen fluid. Moreover, the effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM) and crude protein (EDCP) of the amaranth forages were determined through in situ bag technique. The amaranth forages: A. caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus showed better nutritive value than the locally produced forages in Chungcheong province of Korea. The CP of the amaranth ranged from 11.95% to 14.19%, and the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents ranged from 45.53% to 70.88% and 34.17% to 49.83%, respectively. Among the amaranth varieties, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the most excellent ruminant feed nutrient quality (CP, 14.19%; NDF, 45.53%; and ADF, 34.17%). The effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM; 33–56%) and crude protein EDCP (27–59%) of the amaranth were lower compared to other studies, which could be due to the maturity stage at which the forages were harvested. Nonetheless, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the highest EDDM (56.73%) and EDCP (59.09%). The different amaranth species did not differ greatly in terms of total VFA concentration or molar proportions, total gas production, or ammonia-N concentration. The high nutrient composition, and highly effective degradability of dry matter and crude protein, coupled with the favorable fermentation characteristics, suggest that the amaranth forages showed good to excellent feed quality for cattle.

Download Full-text

The Relative Performance of a Benchtop Scanning Monochromator and Handheld Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectrometer in Predicting Forage Nutritive Value

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s22020658 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 658

Author(s):

Matthew F. Digman ◽

Jerry H. Cherney ◽

Debbie J. R. Cherney

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Low Cost ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Near Infrared Reflectance ◽

Average Decrease ◽

Manufacturing Techniques

Advanced manufacturing techniques have enabled low-cost, on-chip spectrometers. Little research exists, however, on their performance relative to the state of technology systems. The present study compares the utility of a benchtop FOSS NIRSystems 6500 (FOSS) to a handheld NeoSpectra-Scanner (NEO) to develop models that predict the composition of dried and ground grass, and alfalfa forages. Mixed-species prediction models were developed for several forage constituents, and performance was assessed using an independent dataset. Prediction models developed with spectra from the FOSS instrument had a standard error of prediction (SEP, % DM) of 1.4, 1.8, 3.3, 1.0, 0.42, and 1.3, for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), true in vitro digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and crude protein (CP), respectively. The R2P for these models ranged from 0.90 to 0.97. Models developed with the NEO resulted in an average increase in SEP of 0.14 and an average decrease in R2P of 0.002.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy: Different Strategies for Local Calibrations in Analyses of Forage Quality

Applied Spectroscopy ◽

10.1366/0003702934334912 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 463-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Are Halvor Aastveit ◽

Petter Marum

Keyword(s):

Near Infrared ◽

Scatter Correction ◽

Calibration Method ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Optimum Number ◽

Local Regression ◽

Near Infrared Reflectance ◽

Data Set ◽

Positive Effects

This paper deals with the problem of how to utilize a large calibration set with 10 different analytes in order to make the best predictions possible on a routine basis. Ten different strategies of using the data set were studied with the use of numbers of principal components ranging from 4 to 12. We found positive effects of scatter correction for most of the analytes. On average, the local regression methods were superior to the others. The optimum number of samples for local regression seems to be between 50 and 100. The largest reduction in root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), in comparison to results for the traditional method, was found on scatter-corrected spectra and a proposed local calibration with 50 calibration samples. The gain in RMSEP for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude fiber was about 25% and for protein and in vitro digestible dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) about 10%, compared to results for the traditional universal calibration method.

Download Full-text

YIELD, QUALITY AND PRESERVATION OF MOIST HAY SUBJECTED TO RAIN-FREE AND WEATHERED CONDITIONS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas90-073 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 611-622

Author(s):

V. S. BARON ◽

G. W. MATHISON

Keyword(s):

Propionic Acid ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Moisture Level ◽

Digestible Organic Matter ◽

Medium Level ◽

Large Round ◽

Yield Quality ◽

Medicago Sativa L

The effects of moisture level and a neutralized propionate preservative on yield, quality and preservation of rain-free and weathered alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay were studied in separate trials. Moisture levels of 252, 185 and 138 g kg−1 in rain-free hay and 297, 211 and 180 g kg−1 in weathered hay were designated as High, Medium and Low, respectively. The weathered hay received 66 mm of rain at about 600 g kg−1 moisture and another 15 mm prior to baling at the Low moisture level. The preservative (680 g kg−1 propionic acid equivalent) was applied at 1.25 and 1.50% (wt wt−1) for rain-free and weathered hay, respectively. The High and Medium moisture level treatments had similar harvested dry matter (DM) yields in both rain-free and weathered hay. Rain-free hay DM yield at harvest was 6–9% higher for the High and Medium treatments than the Low moisture level, while for the weathered hay the Medium level was 3.0% higher (P < 0.05) than the Low moisture level. Poststorage forage qualities of the Low and Medium moisture level treatments were similar and higher than the High moisture treatment (P < 0.05) in rain-free hays, while the Medium level treatment was highest (P < 0.05) for forage quality in weathered hay. The Medium moisture level compared with Low moisture level resulted in 10.4, 10.6 and 15.8% higher yields of DM, in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) and crude protein, respectively, in rain-free hay and 3.1, 6.3 and 5.7% higher, respectively, in weathered hay. The propionate was inconsistent in preventing DM loss during storage, but reduced temperature and mould count in both hay types. Application of 1.25 and 1.50% (wt wt−1) of propionate improved poststorage IVDOM by 2.0 and 3.6%; increased crude protein yield by 3.0 and 5.7% and IVDOM yield by 3.3 and 5.7%; reduced neutral detergent fiber by 5.4 and 7.6%; reduced acid detergent fiber by 5.4 and 7.1%; and reduced acid detergent insoluble nitrogen by 9 and 18% in rain-free and weathered hay, respectively. It is recommended that large round bales be harvested at moisture levels somewhat above 170 g kg−1 for both rain-free and weathered hay with or without a neutralized propionic acid preservative. Serious losses may occur above 250 g kg−1 moisture with or without the use of a preservative. Key words: Alfalfa, moist hay, neutralized propionate, large round bales, weathering, preservation

Download Full-text

Effect of extruding on ruminal disappearance and lower gastrointestinal tract digestion of white lupin seeds

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas93-061 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 73 (3) ◽

pp. 571-579 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

A. R. Kibelolaud ◽

M. Vernay ◽

C. Bayourthe ◽

R. Moncoulon

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Lupinus Albus ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

White Lupin ◽

Lower Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Rumen Degradation ◽

Outflow Rate ◽

Lupin Seeds

The effect of extruding white lupin (Lupinus albus 'Lublanc') seeds (WLS) at 110, 130, 150 or 180 °C on the in vitro solubility of crude protein (CP) and in sacco rumen degradation and intestinal digestion of rumen escape CP and fiber was determined. Rumen degradation was estimated by incubating nylon bags in the rumen of cows for 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h. Extruding WLS at 110, 130, 150 and 180 °C reduced the CP-solubility by 32.8, 47.7, 58.4 and 67.5%, respectively. The effective ruminal degradabilities of CP, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were evaluated assuming a ruminal outflow rate of 0.06 h−1. Heating WLS at 110, 130, 150 and 180 °C decreased the ruminal degradability of CP value: 89.8, 79.9, 65.1, 61.8 vs. 93.4% (raw), respectively; the corresponding values for ADF and NDF were: 38.4, 35.3, 34.2, 27.6 vs. 43.6% (raw) and 37.7, 33.1, 32.2, 26.5 vs. 39.4% (raw). Postruminal digestion was estimated using a sequence of ruminal in situ incubation for 4, 8 and 16 h, in vitro incubation in an acid-pepsin bath for 3 h and a mobile nylon bag technique distal to the abomasum. Extrusion of WLS decreased the degradability of CP, ADF and NDF in the rumen with a corresponding increase in the amounts digested in the postruminal sections; the whole-tract digestibility was generally unchanged. Therefore, the processing shifted the digestion of these components from rumen to the lower gastrointestinal tract. Key words: White lupin seed, in vitro solubility, rumen degradability, postruminal digestion, crude protein, detergent fiber

Download Full-text

Methanogenic potential of forages consumed throughout the year by cattle in a Sahelian pastoral area

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an15487 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 613 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. Doreau ◽

H. Benhissi ◽

Y. E. Thior ◽

B. Bois ◽

C. Leydet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Pastoral Systems ◽

Ch4 Production ◽

Pastoral Area ◽

Acid Detergent Fibre ◽

Dry Seasons ◽

Plant Components

Methane (CH4) emission from ruminants in African pastoral systems may be affected by intake and type of plants, which vary highly between rainy and dry seasons. In each of two sites located in the semiarid Sahelian area of Senegal, three Gobra zebus were monitored throughout 1 year. A representative sample of their diet was obtained once every month. Diet was mainly composed of grasses, herbaceous legumes, tree and shrub foliage and pods, and dried forage residues. CH4 production and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, which reflects VFA production, were determined in vitro. Crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre were measured by near-infrared spectrophotometry. CH4 production varied between 24.6 and 35.2 mL/g forage dry matter (DM), being minimal in August (rainy season) and maximal in February (dry season). Seasonal difference disappeared when CH4 was expressed in mL/g NDF. The acetate : propionate ratio varied in the same way as CH4 (3.2 and 4.6 in August and February, respectively); VFA concentration was minimum in March and maximum in September (69.2 and 77.4 mmol/L, respectively). CH4 production was closely related to dietary NDF content (r = 0.82) and to acetate : propionate ratio (r = 0.96). For six successive periods (February to July), plant categories constituting the diet were incubated separately. Reconstituting the CH4 production and VFA concentration in the diet on the basis of the proportion of plant components gave values similar to those of the global diet (33.4 and 34.2 mL CH4/g DM and 75.9 and 70.9 mmol VFA/L, respectively). This result suggests the absence of interaction among plant components on rumen fermentation.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text