Forage intake processes by goats on a massai grass pasture with different sward heights

The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage-intake process of goats feeding on Massai grass pastures with different heights (40, 50, 60, and 70 cm). The experimental design was completely randomized, with treatments corresponding to four sward heights with two replicates over time and space. Collected data were related to the forage-intake process and the chemical and morphological composition of the pasture. Grazing trials (45 min) were performed with four Anglo-Nubian crossbred goats. Total forage mass intake, bite mass, and intake rate were expressed in relation to animal weight. Pasture density, forage mass, and leaf blade increased as forage height increased. The chemical composition of forage at the evaluated heights was similar, except for reduced crude protein content at 70-cm height. Bite rate, intake rate, and time per bite had a quadratic relationship with increasing sward height. The greatest intake rate was observed at 54.7 cm of height, with 0.136 g DM min-1 kg-1 LW. Bite rate exhibited a linear and positive correlation with increase in intake. At the 50-cm height, goats harvested a mass of 3.65 g DM bite-1 kg-1 LW, when they performed 34.5 bites per minute. Adult goats had a greater forage intake on 50-cm high Massai grass pastures because they could obtain a greater bite mass in a shorter time per bite.

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509 Environmental impact based on life cycle assessment of starting pig production receiving diets with reduced crude protein content

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/asasann.2017.509 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (suppl_4) ◽

pp. 248-248

Author(s):

A. N. T. R. Monteiro ◽

M. R. Fachinello ◽

L. M. Diaz-Huepa ◽

A. V. S. Partyka ◽

R. V. Nunes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Protein Content ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Crude Protein Content ◽

Pig Production ◽

Reduced Crude Protein

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Nitrogen losses and the utilization of ammonium nitrogen by herbage from spread slurry produced by pigs offered diets formulated to reduce nitrogen excretion

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600031172 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 1996 ◽

pp. 150-150

Author(s):

T.H. Misselbrook ◽

B.F. Pain ◽

R.M. Kay ◽

P.A. Lee

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Ammonia Volatilization ◽

Ammonium Nitrogen ◽

Nitrogen Excretion ◽

Nitrogen Losses ◽

Small Scale ◽

Pig Slurry ◽

Crude Protein Content ◽

Available N ◽

Reduced Crude Protein

Nitrogen losses following application of pig slurry to grassland represent not only a loss of available N for plant growth, but also a source of air and water pollution by ammonia volatilization, denitrification and nitrate leaching. Previous small scale experiments showed that by reducing the crude protein content of the pigs diet, the slurry nitrogen content was also reduced (Hobbs et al., in press). The aim of this study was to investigate the nitrogen uptake by herbage and losses to the environment following application to grassland of slurry from pigs fed a reduced crude protein diet.

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Sward structure and short-term herbage intake in Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte subjected to varying intensities of grazing

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859617000855 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 156 (1) ◽

pp. 92-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G. P. Silva ◽

C. A. Fialho ◽

L. R. Carvalho ◽

L. Fonseca ◽

P. C. F. Carvalho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Block Design ◽

Intake Rate ◽

Short Term ◽

Tropical Pastures ◽

Dairy Heifers ◽

Bite Rate ◽

Sward Height ◽

Herbage Intake ◽

Sward Structure

AbstractThe use of forage legumes has been proposed as a means of generating sustainable grazing environments. Their limited use, particularly in tropical pastures, is partially due to the limited knowledge regarding the efficiency of utilization by animals. The present study characterized the sward structure, nutritive value and ingestive behaviour of dairy heifers in pastures of peanut cv. Belmonte under continuous stocking management. Treatments corresponded to sward heights of 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm, according to a randomized complete block design, with four replications. The following response variables were evaluated: vertical distribution of the morphological components within the sward, forage mass, nutritive value (simulated grazing), bite rate (BR), bite mass (BM) and short-term herbage intake rate (STIR). The top half of the sward height was mainly composed of leaves and the bottom half mainly of stolon and dead material regardless of management height. Greater values of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were recorded during autumn, while higher values of in-vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility (0·85) occurred during spring regardless of management height for the grazed stratum. In relation to treatments, greater values of crude protein were recorded on swards managed at 5 cm (0·27) and 10 cm (0·26). Bite rate, BM and STIR varied with sward height, but not with a season of the year. The STIR followed a broken line response to sward height, with increasing values up to 13·1 cm (106 g DM/kg body weight). Sward structure played an important role in determining the STIR. To maximize the STIR of dairy heifers under continuous stocking management, swards should be managed at heights of not <13·1 cm.

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Effect of nitrogen on intake and digestibility of a tropical grass grazed by Creole heifers

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859601001721 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 138 (1) ◽

pp. 73-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

M. BOVAL ◽

P. CRUZ ◽

J. E. LEDET ◽

O. COPPRY ◽

H. ARCHIMEDE

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Live Weight ◽

Leaf Number ◽

Intake Rate ◽

Bite Size ◽

Nitrogen Levels ◽

Sward Height ◽

Biting Rate

So far, little has been done on the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on intake and digestibility in tropical grazing conditions. The effect of two nitrogen levels, 0 (NF) and 50 kg/ha (F) for three successive grazing cycles, on organic matter intake (OMi) and digestibility (OMd) for Creole heifers (208 kg live weight) was determined. Two groups of four tethered heifers, allowed 18 kg of dry matter daily, grazed individual NF or F circular areas at 28 re-growth days. The heifers were moved and watered daily. Sward characteristics (height, herbage mass, morphological and chemical composition and in situ tiller measurements), OMi, OMd and feeding behaviour (biting rate, bite size, intake rate, grazing and ruminating times) were evaluated simultaneously per circular area.Under nitrogen fertilizer, the stems elongated rapidly (by 133%) as did the leaves, but to a lesser extent (by 40%). Consequently, canopy height, leaf and stem masses and crude protein content increased (respectively by 100%, 66%, 186% and 40%), while total bulk density decreased (by 10·5%). Throughout the successive grazing cycles, there was a particular effect on leaf number, both in the F and NF swards, whereas this parameter was not affected by the fertilizer level. Under fertilizer, OMi and OMd were both 9% greater than for the NF sward. The increase in herbage CP content partly explains the rise in OMi, and there is evidence that rumen load has a determining effect on OMi. Leaf mass is the major factor accounting for the 9% increase in OMd under fertilizer regime. On the other hand, whatever the fertilizer regime, OMd was positively influenced by the greater leaf number throughout the grazing cycles. Biting rate, bite size and intake rate were determined respectively by sward height, CP content and stem fraction, whereas grazing and ruminating times were partially influenced by sward characteristics.

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Factors affecting diet selection by sheep. 2. Height and density of pasture

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9840565 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 565 ◽

Cited By ~ 162

Author(s):

JL Black ◽

PA Kenney

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Intake Rate ◽

Jaw Movements ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Bite Rate ◽

Sward Height ◽

In Series ◽

The One ◽

Tiller Density ◽

Ingestive Behaviour

Boards of artificial pasture were prepared by threading the top two leaves of tillers from either ryegrass or kikuyu grass, in their vegetative stage of growth, through 5-mm-diameter holes in pressed hardwood sheets. The holes were spaced in rows from 10 to 50 mm apart, and, with one, two or three tillers per hole, tiller density ranged from 346 to 25 980/m2. Sward height was varied by pulling tillers different distances through the holes before they were fastened to the underside of the boards, and the mass of herbage dry matter ranged from 0.04 to 7.61 t/ha. In series I experiments, the effects of sward characteristics on ingestive behaviour of two sheep were examined, whereas, in series I1 experiments, pastures that were consumed at different rates were offered in pairs and the preference of one sheep observed. The rate of pasture intake was related to sward height only when tiller density was constant and to herbage mass per unit volume (bulk density) only at similar sward heights. Intake rate was better described by herbage mass per unit area but, at herbage availabilities of less than 1 t/ha, intake rate was several-fold greater when sheep grazed tall, sparse pastures than short, dense pastures. The best predictor of pasture intake rate was herbage mass per area effectively covered by one bite. Intake per prehending bite declined with a reduction in both sward height and density, and was also best described by herbage mass per area effectively covered by one bite. Prehending bite rate doubled as intake per bite declined from 200 to 10 mg dry matter. The rate of jaw movements during grazing was virtually unaffected by sward characteristics; prehending bites accounted for 20% of jaw movements when intake per bite was 200 mg dry matter and 80% of jaw movements with short, widely spaced swards. When two pastures with different sward characteristics were offered together, sheep generally preferred the one they could eat faster.

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Evaluation of the availability of mass of forage: morphological responses and chemical composition of Tanzania grass subjected to two pasture-management strategies

Bioscience Journal ◽

10.14393/bj-v36n6a2020-47870 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Michele Gabriel Camilo ◽

Alberto Magno Fernandes ◽

Tadeu Silva de Oliveira ◽

Danielle Ferreira Baffa ◽

Sarah Ellen Eduardo Bernardo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Protein Content ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Rest Period ◽

Light Interception ◽

The Other ◽

Crude Protein Content ◽

Pasture Management ◽

Sward Height

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphogenetic traits and chemical composition of Tanzania grass using a fixed rest period or according to light interception at 95%. The treatments consisted of evaluations of two Tanzania-grass pasture-management strategies: (1) LI95 - animals entered the paddocks when the pasture reached 95% of light interception (LI), with three days of paddock occupation; and (2) FR - the pasture was managed with a defoliation interval (DI) of 30 days, and three days of paddock occupation. The experimental area consisted of 4 ha, with 22 paddocks per treatments. Ten recently-calved cows were used per treatment in year 1, and eight cows were used per treatment in year 2. Sward height, forage mass, and morphological components and their chemical composition were evaluated. The management strategies used on the Tanzania grass pasture did not affect pasture mass or height in the pre- and post-grazing conditions, or the proportion of stems. However, the proportion of leaves was greater in the paddocks with 95% light interception. The crude protein content was higher in the paddocks with 95% light interception; the other nutrients were not affected. In conclusion, management adopting 95% light interception does not influence morphogenetic traits. Nevertheless, it promotes an increase in the crude protein content of grasses.

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Sward structural characteristics and ingestive behaviour of beef heifers in a Pearl Millet pasture

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/s1516-35982009000900005 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 38 (9) ◽

pp. 1668-1674 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Denise Baptaglin Montagner ◽

Marta Gomes da Rocha ◽

Teresa Cristina Moraes Genro ◽

Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros ◽

Juliano Roman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Leaf Blade ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Pasture Management ◽

Bite Rate ◽

Sward Height ◽

Ingestive Behaviour

Ingestive behaviour of beef heifers and sward structural characteristics of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete design following a repeated measure arrangement (three experimental periods) with three replications of two leaf blade masses (600 and 1,000 kg/ha DM), which were maintained using continuous grazing with variable stocking rate. The variables measured were sward height, herbage mass, leaf blade and stem bulk density in sward vertical strata (sward structural characteristics), grazing, idling, rumination time and bite rate of heifers (ingestive behaviour). Bite rate was modified by pasture management and was lower when the leaf blade mass was 1,000 kg/ha DM. The daily grazing, rumination and idling time of beef heifers were similar for both leaf blade masses. Structural variation of the sward, during the experimental period, altered the grazing, rumination and idling time of heifers, and affected the bite rate. In Southern Brazil, the beef heifers concentrate their grazing activities in the 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. period, decreasing the grazing between 12 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., even in the hottest season of the year.

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Preliminary Observations On The Use Of Dry Urea Treatment And Toasting For Improving The Nutritive Value Of Jackbean

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v19i.2091 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 125-131

Author(s):

A. B. I. Udedibie ◽

C. N. Obaji

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Control Diet ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Crude Protein Content ◽

Feeding Trial ◽

Feed Ingredient ◽

Urea Treatment ◽

Reduced Crude Protein ◽

Hydrolysis Of

Raw unprocessed jackbean contains 28 - 30% crude protein but also contains toxic elements that limit its use as feed ingredient for monogastric animals. A 21-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dry urea treatment prior to toasting on its nutritive value for young broiler chicks. One of two batches of raw jackbean was mixed with 2.5% of its weight of crushed urea and allowed to stand for 10 days and then toasted. The other batch was toasted without urea application. The two treated jackbean meals were used to compound broiler starter diets at 10 and 20% dietary levels, respectively, and along with control diet fed to groups of 40 young broiler chicks for 21 days. Hydrolysis of urea by the urease of the jackbean was completed in six days. Urea treatment/toasting slightly reduced crude protein content of jackbean, but diets containing it at both 10% and 20% compared favourably with the control. Raw toasted jackbean significantly (P<0.05) depressed performance of the young broiler chicks at 20% dietary level.

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