Temporal variations of herbage production and nutritive value of three grasslands at different elevation zones regarding grazing needs and welfare of ruminants

Abstract. Interannual and monthly variations of herbage production and nutritive value regarding grazing ruminants' needs and welfare were evaluated in three grasslands (semi-mountainous, mountainous and sub-alpine) located at different altitudes (480–900, 901–1500 and 1501–2334 m, respectively) in northern Greece during 2015–2016. Herbage biomass was collected from 30 experimental cages (10 per grassland), weighed, dried at 65 ∘C, milled and analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The sub-alpine grassland was the most productive (1031 and 1231 kg DM ha−1) with the highest mean annual herbage CP content (93 and 87 g kg−1 dry matter; DM) for 2015 and 2016, respectively. CP content was sufficient to meet small ruminants' and beef cattle maintenance requirements until April and May in the semi-mountainous and mountainous grasslands, respectively, while it could cover the above requirements in the sub-alpine grassland until June and August, respectively. The herbage Ca concentration was higher than the grazing ruminants' needs, while the phosphorus concentration was insufficient. Protein and phosphorus supplementation should be provided to animals to cover their maintenance requirements during the whole period and to reach high levels of welfare. Even though grazing is considered as a welfare-friendly procedure, it is uncertain whether all the welfare principals are satisfied in extensive production systems due to variations of forage availability and nutritive value as well as the lack of infrastructure in grasslands.

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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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Dwarf and Tall Elephantgrass Genotypes under Irrigation as Forage Sources for Ruminants: Herbage Accumulation and Nutritive Value

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082392 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2392

Author(s):

Rayanne Thalita de Almeida Souza ◽

Mércia Virginia Ferreira dos Santos ◽

Márcio Vieira da Cunha ◽

Geane Dias Gonçalves ◽

Valdson José da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rainy Season ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Accumulation Rate ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Pennisetum Purpureum ◽

Fiber Deposition ◽

Leaf Accumulation ◽

Dry And Rainy Seasons

This two-year study evaluated the effect of Pennisetum purpureum genotypes under rainfed or irrigated conditions, during the dry and rainy seasons, on herbage, leaf, and stem dry matter (DM) accumulation rates, nutritive value, and carbohydrate and protein fractionation. Treatments were tall (Iri 381 and Elefante B) or dwarf (Mott and Taiwan A-146 2.37) genotypes under rainfed or irrigated conditions. Taiwan A-146 2.37 (146 kg DM ha per day) showed similar herbage accumulation rate (HAR) to tall genotypes during the rainy season (124 and 150 kg DM/ha per day, respectively). Dwarf genotypes showed differences in leaf accumulation rate (LAR) (66 and 49 kg DM/ha per day). Mott leaf had less neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (589 g/kg DM) than Taiwan A-146 2.37 (598 g/kg DM), and tall genotypes had generally greater NDF (668 g/kg DM) than the dwarf genotypes. Irrigation increased fiber deposition in the leaf. Stems of all genotypes had lower in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) (378 g/kg DM) under rainfed conditions in the rainy season. Leaf from irrigated plots had 23% more carbohydrate C fraction (160 g/kg CHO) than those from rainfed plots (122 g/kg CHO). Dwarf genotypes had generally greater nutritive value than tall genotypes. These genotypes show promise under irrigation to fill forage gaps during dry periods.

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Chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of sugar cane oxide treated with calcium

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-41625930 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 529-538 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C.O. Romão ◽

G.G.P. Carvalho ◽

V.M. Leite ◽

A.S. Santos ◽

D.M.T. Chagas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Sugar Cane ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Calcium Content ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Mineral Matter ◽

Phosphorus Concentration ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Dry Matter Digestibility

The aim of this study was to identify the most adequate level of calcium oxide (CaO) in the treatment of sugar cane by evaluating the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of dry matter. The sugar cane was homogenized with CaO levels 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25, 3.0, 3.75 and 4.5%, in natura matter, for 24 hours. The dry matter and mineral matter increased, while the organic matter of the sugar cane decreased (P <0.05) linearly as a result of the CaO levels. The CaO had no effect on the levels of crude protein and ether extract. The phosphorus concentration remained unchanged, but there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the calcium content. The contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and cellulose decreased linearly with the levels of CaO. The average levels of indigestible dry matter and indigestible neutral detergent fiber significantly decreased with increasing levels of CaO. The results showed that the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was different between fresh sugar cane and sugar cane with added levels of CaO from 1.5%. The IVDMD and nutritional value of the sugar cane was improved by adding 1.5% CaO based on fresh content.

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PSXI-30 The effects of hybrid and maturity on the nutritive value of snaplage

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.802 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 404-405

Author(s):

Jessica Gusmão ◽

Marcio Bastos ◽

Luciana Lima ◽

Marcus Cardoso ◽

Thiago Bernardes

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

In Vitro Digestion ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Maturity Stage ◽

Model Data ◽

Corn Hybrids ◽

Nutrient Analysis

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the nutritive value of snaplage as affected by hybrid and maturity. Five corn hybrids were grown at 70,000 plants/ha on three replicate plots (5 x 5 m) in each of three blocks (21°14′ S, 44°58′ W). Hybrids were harvested at target maturity stage of 40, 35, and 30% of moisture (M1, M2, and M3, respectively) by removing ears from two rows in each plot. Ears were weighed and split into two subsamples. One was split into kernels, husk and shank, and cob, weighed and oven-dried. The second subsample was processed and ensiled in 5-L jars for 90 d. Measurements included dry matter (DM) yield, nutrient analysis and in vitro digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF-D, 48h). The experimental design was randomized complete blocks using a mixed repeated-measures model. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS, followed by a Tukey test at P ≤ 0.05. Mean moisture at harvest were 42.9, 36.8, and 31.3% for M1, M2, and M3, respectively. The DM yield was unaffected by hybrid and maturity (on average = 19 t/ha). The NDF concentration of husk increased at each maturity (81.5, 83.4, and 83.7% DM, respectively) and NDF-D decreased (45.5, 43.4, and 41.4%, respectively). The NDF concentration of cob increased at each maturity (76.0, 79.5, and 81.6% DM, respectively) and NDF-D decreased (47.3, 43.7, and 38.4%, respectively). Among hybrids, NDF concentration of snaplage varied from 20.9 to 24.5% DM (P = 0.014). The NDF-D of snaplage decreased at each maturity (Figure 1; P = 0.001). The starch concentration of snaplage increased from M1 to M2, but no difference between M2 and M3 (P = 0.009). Snaplage has a wide harvest window; however, changes in the nutritive value of snaplage as affected by maturity should be considered when formulating diets.

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Delayed harvest affects mineral and NDF concentrations, and digestibility of timothy

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas07123 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 325-329 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S. Pelletier ◽

G. F. Tremblay ◽

G. Bélanger ◽

P. Seguin ◽

R. Drapeau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Metabolic Disorders ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Phleum Pratense ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Fiber Concentration ◽

Harvest Delay ◽

Phleum Pratense L

A 1-wk delay after late heading in the harvest of timothy spring growth reduced dietary cation-anion difference (-17%), in vitro digestibilities of dry matter (-7%) and neutral detergent fiber (-10%), and increased neutral detergent fiber concentration (+5%). In summer regrowth, the harvest delay tended to have similar effects, but variations (1-6%) were smaller. Key words: Nutritive value, stages of development, Phleum pratense L., metabolic disorders

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Agronomic Performance and Nutritive Value of Mucuna Legume (Stilozobium Deeringianum (Bort) Merr.) as Influenced by Cutting Dates in Peruvian Central Coast

International Journal of Applied Science ◽

10.30560/ijas.v3n3p1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. p1

Author(s):

D. Escudero ◽

M. G. Echevarria ◽

Y E. D. Malpartida

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Net Energy ◽

Agronomic Performance ◽

Central Coast ◽

Fresh Matter ◽

Dry Matter Digestibility

The agronomic performance and nutritive value of Mucuna legume (Stilozobium deeringianum (Bort) Merr.) in five stages were evaluated under climatic conditions of Peruvian central coast to estimate optimum stage of use. Five cutting ages were: 21, 42, 63, 84 and 105 days. Crop growing, forage yield, chemical composition, vitro dry matter digestibility and net energy for lactation of Mucuna were evaluated. The optimum cutting age was 84 days with 25633.3 kg. Ha-1 of fresh matter and 6422.6 kg-1 ha-1 of dry matter. In this age crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber and in vitro dry matter digestibility contents were 14.94%, 44.80%, 33.15% and 66.12 %. Net energy for lactation was 1.43 Mcal.kg-1. These results show that Mucuna was well adapted to Peruvian Central Coast with high forage yield and nutritive value.

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The Impact of Ammoniation Treatment on the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Rice Straw in Chinese Holsteins

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10101854 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1854

Author(s):

Yulin Ma ◽

Xu Chen ◽

Muhammad Zahoor Khan ◽

Jianxin Xiao ◽

Shuai Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Rice Straw ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Corn Steep Liquor ◽

Gas Production ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

The Impact

The current study was conducted to explore the ammoniation treatment effects on the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of rice straw in Chinese Holsteins. For this purpose, rice straw was stored in polyethylene bags (35 × 25 cm, 350 g per bag) including (i) no additives (RS); (ii) 5% urea (5U, dry matter (DM) basis); (iii) 9% corn steep liquor + 5% urea (9C5U, DM basis); (iv) 9C2.5U; and (v) 9C2.5U + 3% molasses (9C2.5U3M, DM basis). The air-dry matter of the mixture was kept at the same level at 55% for all treatments. Fifteen bags (5 treatments × 3 repeats) were prepared and stored at ambient temperature (25 ± 3 °C). The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were measured at day 60 after storage. Our analysis revealed that all the four ammoniation treatments improved the in vitro DM and neutral detergent fiber (IVNDFD) digestibility. In addition, all the four ammoniation treatments significantly (P < 0.001) increased the levels of crude protein (CP), gas production (GP), acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) contents of the rice straw and decreased the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of the rice straw compared to the control. Within four treated groups, the 9C5U treatment was most effective. Finally, we concluded that ammoniation treatments increased the nutritive value of rice straw. In addition the 9C5U treatment could be an effective ammoniation treatment for the better utilization of rice straw.

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Impact of water deficit in the relationship among alfalfa traits

Bioscience Journal ◽

10.14393/bj-v36n3a2020-41869 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Iara Gonçalves dos Santos ◽

Paulo Eduardo Teodoro ◽

Cosme Damião Cruz ◽

Reinaldo de Paula Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Water Deficit ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Block Design ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Full Irrigation ◽

The Relationship

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship among traits related to yield and nutritive value of alfalfa genotypes grown under deficit and full irrigation conditions. Seventy-seven alfalfa genotypes were evaluated in two different cuts, the first one with full irrigation, and the second, with water deficit. A randomized block design with three replications was used. The evaluated traits were vigor, plant height, dry matter biomass, stem-to-leaf ratio, dry matter percentage, leaf and stem protein contents, in vitro dry matter digestibility, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and lignin. Significant interaction between genotypes and environments was reported for vigor, plant height, and lignin. The correlation between traits and path analysis of dry matter biomass was performed for each cut, aiming to identify auxiliary traits for indirect selection. Water availability did not alter the phenotypic and genotypic correlations, only their magnitudes. Regardless of the environment, plant height is one of the most promising traits for the selection of alfalfa genotypes with higher dry matter biomass since it showed a high direct effect in the same sense of its phenotypic correlations. However, the coefficient of determination obtained by the model applied to full irrigation was higher than that of the water-deficit environment, indicating the importance of variables not included in this study in the determination of alfalfa dry matter biomass under dry conditions.

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Chemical Composition and Digestibility of Tropical Grasses

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v60i2.10570 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 186-200

Author(s):

H. Kayongo-Male ◽

J. W. Thomas ◽

D. E. Ullrey ◽

R. J. Deans ◽

J. A. Arroyo-Aguilú

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Predictive Equations ◽

Tropical Grasses

One hundred and one tropical grasses, lightly fertilized with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 350 kg/ha, were harvested by hand (machete) at 30 days of growth. Crude protein content ranged from 9.8 to 23.8% while lignin content ranged from 2.6 to 7.9%. Wide ranges in the percentage of neutral-detergent fiber (45.7 to 79.2%), acid-detergent fiber (30.9 to 45.3%), hemicellulose (11.7 to 37.5%), and silica (0.4 to 5.5%) were obtained. Digestibility estimates obtained by the Tilley and Terry method and neutral-detergent fiber digestibilities had wide ranges: 42.6 to 66.0% and 22.0 to 62.0%, respectively. Total dry matter disappearance ranged from 44.3 to 78.2%. Digestibility estimates from predictive equations ranged from 74.0 to 94.5% for estimated digestible dry matter, 67.3 to 91.7% for estimated true digestible dry matter, and 54.4 to 78.8% for estimated apparent digestible dry matter. Analysis of variance showed significant variations between and within genera, indicating a possibility of genetic improvement through selection for high nutritive value. Silica was variably correlated with digestibility depending on genera. Acid-detergent fiber seemed more important than lignin in determining digestibility values. The significance of the term L/ADF in relation to digestibility estimates among all data and among genera was much less for in vitro estimates than for estimates calculated from predictive equations. This may indicate that lignification of cellulose has less influence on digestibility of tropical than of temperate forages. The estimated digestibility values based on fibrous constituents were poorly correlated to in vitro digestibility values, indicating inadequacy of using predictive equations developed for temperate forages with tropical grasses. Correlation coefficients between measured parameters showed great variation among four genera: Paspalum, Pennisetum, Digitaria, and Panicum.

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Fractional Harvest of Fodder Galega for Improved Herbage Nutritive Value

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11030480 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 480

Author(s):

Stanisław Ignaczak ◽

Jadwiga Andrzejewska ◽

Katarzyna Sadowska ◽

Kenneth A. Albrecht

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Development Stages ◽

Galega Orientalis ◽

Perennial Legume ◽

Advanced Development

Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) is a long-lived perennial legume grown for forage and green manure in northern and central Europe. It is distinguished by a high proportion of leaves in the aboveground mass, tall hollow stems, and rhizomes. A method to harvest galega allowing the separation of leaves, upper stem fragments, and inflorescences from the thick, woody parts of the stem is therefore justified. This would significantly expand the possibilities of using galega herbage, including as feed for monogastric animals. A modified flail chopper (MFC), a machine originally used for harvesting green forage, was used for the fractionated harvest of galega. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield potential of various plant fractions of the first and second cut of fodder galega at three development stages and their nutritive value when harvested with an MFC. With this harvest system, 68–78% of the potential dry matter yield of galega was harvested, where leaves accounted for 73% of the dry matter on average, while the proportion of leaves in the yield of galega harvested with a mower (M) ranged from 50% to 60%. In the biomass of the first cut of galega, harvested with the MFC, protein concentration was 215 g kg−1, 11.5% greater than in the biomass of the whole aboveground mass harvested with a mower. In the second cut, this difference, in favor of the MCF, was greater by 14%. The concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was 7.5% lower and acid detergent fiber 11% lower in galega forage harvested with the MFC compared to with a mower. Furthermore, galega harvested with MFC had 13% greater NDF digestibility and 6% greater in vitro true digestibility. The stubble remaining after MFC harvest accounted for 33% of the total height and 27% of the plant dry mass, and its qualitative composition indicates that it could be used in rations of livestock with low nutritional requirements or for non-forage purposes. Galega harvest with the MFC resulted in greater protein concentrations and overall improved nutritive value of the forage even at advanced development stages.

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