STUDIES ON THE FEEDING VALUE OF Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. HAY FOR BEEF CATTLE

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 735-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. H. COHEN ◽  
A. D. IWAASA ◽  
M. E. MANN ◽  
E. COXWORTH ◽  
J. A. KERNAN

Intake, digestibility, nitrogen retention and the effects of 2.6% soluble oxalates in the dry matter (DM) of kochia (Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.) were examined when beef steers were fed rations varying from 100 to 0% kochia hay and 100 - 0% bromegrass (Bromus inermis Lyess.)/alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay. Plasma Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Fe and Cu concentrations were normal and not affected by supplementation with CaCO3. The organic matter digestibility (OMD) of kochia (55.4%) was less (P < 0.05) than that of the bromegrass/alfalfa hay (61.3%). However, in a second trial, OMD was not influenced if kochia was included at up to 60% of the ration. In a third trial, DM intake remained constant until 60% kochia was present in the ration but was reduced (P < 0.01), even with careful adaptation, when kochia exceeded 60% of the diet. Nitrogen retention declined (P < 0.05) as the proportion of kochia in the ration increased and was negligible at 100% kochia. Key words: Kochia, digestibility, intake, nitrogen retention, plasma minerals, cattle (beef)

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. JAMES CROOM Jr. ◽  
R. W. HARVEY ◽  
M. FROETSCHEL ◽  
A. C. LINNERUD

Trials were conducted to determine the effectiveness of adding elevated levels of NaCl and limestone to the diet of fattening beef steers as a means of improving feedlot performance. In Trial 1, 24 Hereford steers were fed high grain diets containing 0.5% (control), 3%, 5%, or 7% NaCl for 126 days. Growth and feed efficiency were not affected by level of NaCl, although feed intakes, organic matter intakes and carcass weights were reduced at the 7% level as compared with the control. Acetate to propionate ratio increased from 1.9 to 2.8 (P < 0.05) with NaCl supplementation while fecal starch tended to increase from 10.3% to 18.7% (P < 0.12). In Trial 2, 24 steers were fed finishing diets containing 0.5% NaCl (control), 2% limestone, 5% NaCl or 5% NaCl plus 2% limestone for 119 days. Steers consuming 5% NaCl or 5% NaCl plus 2% limestone showed 7.4% and 8.9% increases (P < 0.05) in efficiency of organic matter utilization over those fed the control diet. Addition of limestone to the 5% NaCl diet did not markedly increase performance over that seen with NaCl supplementation alone. Similar to Trail 1, fecal starch concentrations tended to increase (P < 0.10) in diets containing NaCl regardless of limestone supplementation. Use of 5% NaCl in the diet of finishing steers may be useful in increasing feed efficiency. Key words: Beef cattle, sodium chloride, high grain


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suwarno Suwarno ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
W. P. McCaughey

A study was conducted to monitor nutrient and microbial count changes during wilting of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to varying degrees of maceration at mowing. Early bloom alfalfa was mowed with either a roller-conditioner (CONV) or a macerator set to deliver four degrees of maceration during alfalfa mowing: LIGHT, LIGHT+, SEVERE, and SEVERE+. Macerated alfalfa reached 80% dry matter in 9–11 h compared with alfalfa mowed by roller-conditioner, which required 54 h. The most rapid wilting rates were associated with LIGHT+, SEVERE, and SEVERE+ maceration treatments when alfalfa was not exposed to precipitation. The wilting coefficient in the first 24 h was increased by more than 100% for the SEVERE treatment compared with alfalfa mowed using a conventional roller-conditioner in alfalfa that was not exposed to precipitation. Precipitation at 1.5 h post-mowing increased wilting time by 8.3 h to achieve 45% DM, and by 17.5 to achieve 80% DM in the SEVERE+ maceration treatment relative to alfalfa from the same conditioning treatment that was not exposed to precipitation. Precipitation at 24 h post-mowing increased wilting time to reach 80% DM by 11 h and 21 h for the LIGHT and LIGHT+ maceration treatments relative to alfalfa of the same mowing treatments not exposed to precipitation. Maceration of alfalfa resulted in a 24.2 to 26.8 h shorter wilting time relative to the conventional roller-conditioner treatment when alfalfa was exposed to precipitation at 24 h post-mowing. SEVERE and SEVERE+ maceration treatments at mowing resulted in higher (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre levels post-wilting. Lactic acid bacteria populations on alfalfa tended to be higher with maceration within 1 h post-mowing (P < 0.10) and post-wilting (P < 0.08). Key words: Alfalfa, maceration, precipitation, wilting time, bacteria, nutrient profile, compressibility


2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 93-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.W.J. Keady ◽  
C.S. Mayne ◽  
D J Kilpatrick

Grass silage forms the basal forage for the majority of dairy and beef cattle during the winter indoor feeding period. However its feeding value, as determined by intake potential and digestibility can differ dramatically at farm level as indicated by the Hillsborough Feeding Information System (HFIS). For example, for 7000 silages which were offered to dairy and beef cattle during the 1999/2000 indoor feeding period in Ireland and analysed through the HFIS, dry matter digestibility (DMD) varied from 540 to 830 g/kg DM (Keady, 2000). Many models used to predict feed intake by dairy cattle include a digestibility component (Keady and Mayne, 2000). However some models use DMD whereas others use digestible organic matter digestibility (DOMD). Furthermore commercial laboratories in Ireland measure silage digestibility as DMD while in the UK it is measured as DOMD. To facilitate the use of different models to predict food intake by dairy cattle, often it is necessary to be able to predict DMD from DOMD or vice versa. The present study was undertaken to develop a relationship between DMD and DOMD to facilitate the use of different models for the prediction of food intake when digestibility is available only either as DMD or as DOMD.


1968 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Cooke ◽  
S. E. Beacom ◽  
W. K. Dawley

Two 6-year-old grass–alfalfa mixtures were compared when fertilized with 0, 84 and 168 kg nitrogen per hectare and grazed by yearling Hereford steers. The effect of stocking rate, fertilization, forage mixture and year on the cumulative liveweight gain per hectare was also determined. The bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixture showed a linear increase in dry matter yield, but the nitrogen requirement of the intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium L.) and alfalfa mixture was fully met by the 84-kg/ha N treatment. In 1960, the addition of 84 and 168 kg/ha N to the bromegrass–alfalfa increased animal production by 61 and 98% respectively. Corresponding increases of 53 and 56% were obtained from the fertilized intermediate wheatgrass–alfalfa mixture. Similar percentage increases were obtained in 1961. The 84-kg/ha N treatment reduced the alfalfa content of both mixtures by more than 40%. The 168-kg/ha N treatment practically eliminated the alfalfa from the stands. Nitrogen recovery by the bromegrass–alfalfa was similar at both fertility levels and amounted to 62% in 1960, and 24% in 1961. Recovery of nitrogen by intermediate wheatgrass–alfalfa was 62 and 36% from the 84- and 168-kg/ha N treatments in 1960, and 23 and 12% respectively in 1961.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 39492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Henrique de Tonissi e Buschinelli de Goes ◽  
Luiz Henrique Xavier da Silva ◽  
Tatiana García Díaz ◽  
Antonio Ferriani Branco ◽  
Ana Lúcia Teodoro ◽  
...  

 The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of sunflower cake replacing soybean meal in beef cattle diets on the in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDDM), organic matter (IVDOM), crude protein (IVDCP) and the ruminal fermentation kinetics and parameters. The experiment was analyzed according to a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of four levels of sunflower cake, 0, 200, 400, 600 g kg-1, replacing soybean meal in the concentrate of beef cattle diets. The coefficients of IVDDM, IVDOM and IVDCP presented a quadratic effect with the addition of sunflower cake. The soluble fraction (fraction B) degradation rate and total gas production decreased linearly with the inclusion of sunflower cake. Values of pH in ruminal fluid were higher for levels 0, 200 and 600 g kg-1 sunflower cake. Sunflower cake can replace soybean meal by up to 280 g kg-1 in the concentrate of beef cattle diets, improving the in vitro digestibility of dry matter organic, matter and crude protein. Levels above 400 g kg-1 reduce ruminal digestion rate, digestibility and release of final fermentation products. 


Author(s):  
C.L. Thorp ◽  
R.W.J. Steen ◽  
A.R.G. Wylie ◽  
J.D. McEvoy ◽  
C. Shaw

Studies have shown that reducing energy intake by restricting dry matter intake (DMI) at a constant forage: concentrate (F:C) ratio is more effective at increasing carcass lean and reducing carcass fat content than is reducing energy intake by increasing the F:C ratio (1). Research at this Institute has also shown that, per megajoule of digestible energy (DE), diets restricted in this manner are 45 % more efficient at producing carcass lean.The mechanism by which these methods of restriction result in these differences in carcass composition has previously been assumed to be that of rumen fermentation. More recently however, the significance of rumen fermentation in controlling the carcass composition of beef cattle has been questioned (2,3).The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of decreasing the F:C ratio, at constant DE and DMI, on both rumen and endocrinological parameters, in particular the hormones insulin and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), in finishing beef steers.


1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Kaiser ◽  
D. F. Osbourn ◽  
P. England

ABSTRACTPrimary growths of perennial ryegrass and red clover were ensiled with formic acid (2 1/t fresh crop), o an equal quantity of formic acid together with formaldehyde (46 or 49 g/kg crude protein in the ryegrass or red clover respectively). The four silages were offered ad libitum to 12 groups, each of five British Friesian steer calves, either alone or with urea or maize starch supplements at 18·4 or 185·2 g/kg total dry-matter intake respectively.Digestible organic matter and digestible energy intake, live-weight gain, carcass weight, nitrogen retention and all digestibility measurements were higher on the ryegrass silages than on the red clover silages. However, dry-matter intake was higher on the red clover silages.Formaldehyde treatment reduced lactic and total acid content, and protein degradation in the silages. It also increased intake, live-weight gain and nitrogen retention on ryegrass but not on red clover, the effect being greater when the urea supplement was given. Digestibility measurements were depressed by formaldehyde treatment, although cellulose digestibility was only depressed in the ryegrass silage.Supplementation with starch depressed silage intake and nitrogen and cellulose digestibility, but increased dry matter, organic matter and energy digestibilities, digestible organic matter and digestible energy intakes, live-weight gain and carcass weight. The positive intake, live-weight gain and carcass weight responses were greater on the silages treated with formic acid, while the digestibility and the live-weight gain responses were greater on the red clover silages. Starch supplementation did not improve nitrogen retention.The different animal production responses to formaldehyde treatment on the ryegrass and red clover silages are discussed.


1967 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Minson

1. Experiments were conducted with wether sheep in 1964 and 1965 fed pelleted or chopped mature Digitaria decubemes Stent (pangola grass) bay containing different crude protein contents. The voluntary intake of food, digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen, nitrogen retention and apparent time of retention of feed organic matter in the reticulo-rumen were measured. The different crude protein contents of the grass were obtained by applications of urea to the sward 14 and 28 days before cutting for hay in 1964 and 1965 respectively. This treatment increased the crude protein content of the dry matter from 4.9% to 8.7% in 1964 and from 3.7% to 7.2% in 1965. The size of the particles of the ground hay before pelleting is given.2. The mean voluntary intake of chopped fertilized grass was 10% and 54% greater than that of the unfertilized; the voluntary intake of pellets made from fertilized grass was 35% and 75% greater than of those made from the unfertilized grass in 1964 and 1965 respectively.3. The voluntary intake of pellets of unfertilized grass was 7% and 14% greater than that 30% greater than that of chopped fertilized grass in 1964 and 1965 respectively.4. The digestibility of the pellets was less than that of the chopped grass.5. The apparent digestibility of the feed nitrogen was increased by the fertilizer nitrogen, but grinding and pelleting had no consistent effect. Sheep eating chopped or pelleted fertilized hay were in positive nitrogen balance.6. The apparent retention time of organic matter in the reticulo-rumen was longer when the sheep were eating chopped hay than when they were eating pellets. In 1964 the apparent retention time of organic matter in the reticulo-rumen was shorter for chopped and pelleted unfertilized grass than for chopped and pelleted fertilized grass, but in 1965 the order was reversed.7. The relationship between voluntary intake, apparent retention time of organic matter in the rumen and the protein content of the food is discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Gugołek ◽  
Janusz Strychalski ◽  
Małgorzata Konstantynowicz ◽  
Cezary Zwoliński

Abstract The aim of this study, conducted in November 2012, was to determine whether farming of common foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) leads to changes in nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in comparison with their wild counterparts. Wild and farmed animals were compared within and between species. Each group consisted of five males and five females aged around eight months. Farmed silver foxes - a variety of the common red fox (group FSF) and farmed raccoon dogs (group FRD) were purchased from a breeding farm in southeastern Poland. Wild red foxes (group WRF) and wild raccoon dogs (group WRD) were trapped in the hunting grounds of the Polish Hunting Association (Olsztyn Division). The animals were placed in metabolism cages. The coefficients of nutrient and energy digestibility, and daily nitrogen balance and retention values were compared between groups. Farmed animals tended to have higher digestibility coefficients than their wild counterparts. No significant differences were noted within species. The coefficients of dry matter (P≤0.01), organic matter (P≤0.05, P≤0.05) and protein (only FSF vs. WRD - P≤0.05) digestibility were higher in foxes. Raccoon dogs were characterized by higher digestibility of carbohydrates - N-free extracts (P≤0.01). Nitrogen retention was higher in farmed animals. The highest and lowest levels of retained nitrogen were observed in groups FSF and WRD, respectively


1965 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Cooke ◽  
S. E. Beacom ◽  
W. K. Dawley

Two grass–alfalfa mixtures were compared for seven consecutive years when continuously and when rotationally grazed by yearling Hereford steers. The productivity of rotationally grazed pastures as affected by annual application of fertilizers was also determined. Intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) compared favorably with the standard mixture of bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) and alfalfa for pasture purposes. Production of dry matter ranged from approximately 2.5 to 0.5 tons per acre in the first and seventh year respectively. Precipitation in these two years was 20.7 and 7.7 in. respectively. Rotational grazing did not increase beef production. Fertilization of bromegrass–alfalfa with 20 lb of N per acre and with 20 lb of N + 40 lb of P2O5 per acre resulted in average yearly increase of 18 and 32 lb of beef per acre respectively. Fertilization of intermediate wheatgrass– alfalfa resulted in comparable increase of 1 and 26 lb of beef per acre respectively.


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