scholarly journals Effect of acidified milk feeding on the intake, average daily gain and fecal microbiological diversity of Holsten dairy calves

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1265-1272
Author(s):  
Yong Chen ◽  
Yan Gao ◽  
Shuxin Yin ◽  
Shuai Zhang ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the effect of feeding acidified milk on the growth and fecal microbial diversity of dairy calves.Methods: Twenty healthy 3-day-old female Holstein calves with similar body weights were selected and randomly divided into two groups. One group was fed pasteurized milk (PM, Control), while the other was fed acidified milk (AM) <i>ad libitum</i> until weaned (day 60). The experiment lasted until day 180.Results: There was no difference in the nutritional components between PM and AM. The numbers of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and total bacteria in AM were lower than in PM. At 31 to 40 and 41 to 50 days of age, the milk intake of calves fed AM was higher than that of calves fed PM (p<0.05), and the solid feed intake of calves fed AM was higher than that of calves fed PM at 61 to 90 days (p<0.05). The average daily gain of calves fed AM was also higher than that of calves fed PM at 31 to 60, 61 to 180, and 7 to 180 days (p<0.05). The calves fed AM tended to have a lower diarrhea rate than those fed PM (p = 0.059). <i>Bacteroides</i> had the highest abundance in the feces of calves fed AM on day 50, while <i>Ruminococcaceae_UCG_005</i> had the highest abundance in the feces of calves fed AM on day 90 and calves fed PM on days 50 and 90. At the taxonomic level, the linear discriminant analysis scores of 27 microorganisms in the feces of calves fed AM and PM on days 50 and 90 were higher than 4.0.Conclusion: Feeding AM increased calf average daily gain and affected fecal bacterial diversity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 442-451
Author(s):  
M. Niroumand ◽  
K. Rezayazdi ◽  
M. Ganjkhanlou

This study aimed to investigate various levels of crude protein (CP) in starter diets and their supplementation with amino acids (AAs) on efficiency, health, and serum metabolites of dairy calves. Ninety-six newborn Holstein calves were allocated to eight treatments, namely T1) 18% CP unsupplemented starter, T2) T1 supplemented with additional 20% methionine, T3) T1 with additional 20% lysine and 20% methionine, T4) T1 with additional 20% lysine, T5) 22% CP unsupplemented starter, T6) T5 supplemented with additional 20% methionine, T7) T5 supplemented with additional 20% lysine and 20% methionine, and T8) T5 supplemented with additional 20% lysine. Consumption of the starter was not influenced by the level of CP. Calves that received the unsupplemented 22% CP starter had higher average daily gain (ADG) and final weight. But no significant differences among diets were found in feed efficiency. Skeletal growth did not exhibit a clear trend. Calves that received T3 had fewer bouts of diarrhea and reduced body temperature. However, there were no significant dietary effects on immunoglobin G (IgG) or total protein concentration in blood. T1–T3 decreased serum urea concentration. Thus, use of T3 resulted in an improved amino acid balance, and was less expensive than the 22% CP starter.Keywords: amino acid, feed intake, immunity, pre-ruminant calf


2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-271
Author(s):  
D. Zahmatkesh ◽  
F. Niazi ◽  
M. Hossein Yazdi ◽  
E. Mahjoubi

AbstractPerformance of female Holstein calves (n = 60) were evaluated in three step-down milk feeding programmes: step-down 1 (STP1: 7.5 litres/day milk from days 1 to 21, 6 litres/day milk from days 22 to 42, 4 litres/day milk from days 43 to 63 and 2 litres/day milk from days 64 to 84 of the study); step-down 2 (STP2; 7.5 litres/day milk from days 1 to 21, 6 litres/day milk from days 22 to 42 and 2 litres/day milk from days 43 to 63 of the study); and step-down 3 (STP3; 7.5 litres/day milk from days 1 to 21, 4 litres/day milk from days 22 to 42 and 2 litres/day milk from days 43 to 63 of the study). Intakes of starter were monitored daily and body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and wither height (WH) were measured monthly. Calves in STP3 had lower dry matter intake between 22 and 42 days than STP2 animals, but starter intake was greater in STP2 and STP3 calves than those in the STP1 treatment between 43–63 and 64–84 days. Total ADG was greater in STP2 and STP3 animals than in STP1 calves. No effect of treatment was observed on breeding age, BW, WH or service per conception. In addition, conception rate at first breeding was not influenced by treatment. It was concluded that the STP2 and STP3 milk feeding regimes improved performance in calves and there was no benefit in feeding milk for longer than 63 days in terms of breeding outcomes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 153 (8) ◽  
pp. 1506-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. DAVARMANESH ◽  
M. H. FATHI NASRI ◽  
A. R. KALANTARI FIROUZABAD ◽  
M. B. MONTAZER-TORBATI

SUMMARYThe effect on performance of adding calcium (Ca)-butyrate and Oleobiotec (a flavouring agent) additives to dairy calf starter diet was investigated. Thirty-two newborn Holstein calves (16 males and 16 females) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments as: (1) diet with no additives, (2) diet containing Ca-butyrate, (3) diet containing Oleobiotec and (4) diet containing Ca-butyrate plus Oleobiotec. Milk of calves was supplemented with additives in the first 20 days of the study and then additives were top-dressed into the starter. Calcium-butyrate had no effect on starter and alfalfa intake during pre-weaning, post-weaning and over the whole trial period but it significantly increased the average daily gain and feed efficiency of calves during post-weaning and the whole trial period. Adding Oleobiotec did not change calf performance significantly. Furthermore, no synergistic effect of experimental additives on calf performance was observed.


Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 604
Author(s):  
Zhong-Xing Rao ◽  
Mike D. Tokach ◽  
Jason C. Woodworth ◽  
Joel M. DeRouchey ◽  
Robert D. Goodband ◽  
...  

Fumonisin contamination in corn is an emerging issue in animal feed production. Fumonisin disrupts the metabolism of sphingolipids and reduces growth performance. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding fumonisin-contaminated corn on growth performance and sphinganine (SA) to sphingosine (SO) ratios of 9 to 28 kg pigs. A total of 350 pigs, were used with 5 pigs/pen and 14 pens/treatment. Dietary treatments contained fumonisin-contaminated corn (50 mg/kg of fumonisin B1 + B2) blended with low fumonisin corn (10 mg/kg of fumonisin B1 + B2) to provide dietary fumonisin concentrations of 7.2, 14.7, 21.9, 32.7, and 35.1 mg/kg. From day 0 to 28, increasing fumonisin concentration decreased (linear, p < 0.001) average daily gain, average daily feed intake (linear, p = 0.055), and gain:feed ratio (linear, p = 0.016). Although these response criteria tested linear, the greatest reduction in performance was in pigs fed with 32.7 and 35.1 mg/kg of fumonisin (B1 + B2). Increasing fumonisin concentration increased the serum SA:SO ratio (linear, p < 0.001) on day 14 and 28. In summary, for 9 to 28 kg nursery pigs, increasing fumonisin linearly decreased average daily gain and gain:feed ratio. However, despite the linear response, diets containing up to 21.9 mg/kg of fumonisin did not have as dramatic a decrease in growth performance as those fed more than 32.7 mg/kg. Further research is warranted to determine the effect of fumonisin concentrations between 21.9 and 32.7 mg/kg.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Sarah M Montgomery ◽  
Brandi Karisch ◽  
Jane A Parish ◽  
Jesse Morrison ◽  
Brian Baldwin

Abstract Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) can be divided into two cytotypes: diploid (2n = 2x) and tetraploid (2n = 4x). Polyploid versions of a given plant species result in increased seedling vigor, more robust growth and, potentially, greater yield. While most data suggest no difference in yield between diploid and tetraploid cultivars, there is still potential for weight gain advantages thanks to increased non-structural carbohydrates in tetraploid cells. The objectives of this study were to compare weight gain of cattle grazing either diploid or tetraploid cultivars of annual ryegrass. Two diploid annual ryegrass cultivars (Marshall and Tam 90) and two tetraploid cultivars (Jumbo and Nelson) were planted in 0.81-ha pastures, each replicated four times. Four steers (mean initial BW = 214 kg) were randomly assigned to each pasture for an 82-d grazing period. Body weights were recorded starting at d0 then every 28 days throughout the season. Data were analyzed in the GLM procedure of SAS using a significance level of α = 0.05. There were significant differences between cytotypes with respect to seasonal yield with diploids (9547.90 kg/ha) yielding greater than tetraploids (7762.00 kg/ha). As expected, ADF and NDF fractions were significantly less for tetraploids (ADF; 31.39%, NDF; 31.39%) compared to diploids (ADF; 33.75%, NDF; 53.25%). Tetraploids also contained significantly greater crude protein (13.50%) than diploids (12.90%). Cytotype had no effect on final average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.9427). However, final ADG was significantly impacted by cultivar (P = 0.0134). Final ADG for Tam 90 (1.10 kg/d) was greater than Marshall (0.92 kg/d). Cattle grazing Nelson (1.04 kg/d) and Jumbo (0.99 kg/d) did not differ. Results show that regardless of differences in seasonal yield and nutritive value between cytotypes, there were no advantages in ADG for cattle grazing either cytotype.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 74-74
Author(s):  
Ellen M Herring ◽  
Elizabeth B Kegley ◽  
Ken Coffey ◽  
Shane Gadberry ◽  
Jeremy G Powell ◽  
...  

Abstract This research evaluated the effects of ensiled edamame soybean processing waste on ruminant intake and total tract digestibility. Waste from processing stored edamame was obtained (3 trips) and wilted (28%, 25%, and 37% DM), then treated with or without inoculant (Lactobacillus buchneri) and ensiled in 167 L plastic barrels (2 or 3 barrels/treatment from each trip) for 72 (Trip 1) or 69 (Trip 2 and 3) days. Pregnant ewes (n = 18; body weight = 55.5 ± 1.2 kg; 2 to 3 years old) were blocked by body weight and assigned randomly within a block to treatments within a trip, then each ewe was assigned to a barrel of silage. Ewes were housed individually in 1 × 1.5-m pens and offered silage for a 10-day adaptation period followed by 7 days of total feces and urine collection. Ewes were offered silage to allow for 10% orts and were offered 0.2% of their body weight of soyhulls and 32 g of mineral supplement/day to meet their predicted nutrient requirements for gestating ewes. Ewes consumed 1,616 ± 54 g DM/day (X ± SEM) or 2.9 ± 0.12% of their body weight and there was no effect (P ≥ 0.85) of inoculant treatment on DM intake (g/day or % of body weight). Dry matter digestibility was not affected (P = 0.98) by inoculant and averaged 55.7 ± 0.66%. Ewe average daily gain for the 17-day trial tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for the ewes offered the silage without inoculant (0.18 vs. 0.04 kg/d). Ensiling edamame processing waste yielded a feed that ewes consumed in adequate amounts to maintain their body weights over 17 days when also supplemented with soyhulls. The addition of silage inoculant had minimal effects on intake, digestibility, or ewe body weight change.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 148-149
Author(s):  
Shuai Liu ◽  
Tianyu Chen ◽  
Jiaqi Li ◽  
Wenli Guo ◽  
Rong Peng ◽  
...  

Abstract Few data are available on the descriptive characteristics of colostrum quality, passive transfer status and growth performance within a national population in China. This study included 110 dairy operations in 23 provinces, and data were obtained from management software, report system and questionnaires from 2015 to 2019. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.0, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results showed that colostrum quality was measured in 96.4% of farms and colostrum was pasteurized in 91.8% of farms. 83.6% of colostrum was excellent (Brix &gt; 22%). Colostrum could be fed to calves within 1 hour after birth in 86.4% of farms. Besides, calves that experienced failure of passive transfer (serum total protein &lt; 5.2 g/dl) decreased from 2015 to 2019 and accounted for 0.75% of calves in 2019. Most farms (48.8%) feed 400 kg - 600 kg milk during the preweaning period and whole milk was the main type of liquid diet accounting for 70.6% of farms. Meanwhile, 22.0% of farms chose to feed forage before weaning, and 90.1% of these farms fed oat hay. The average birth weight of calves was 37.8 kg and the average daily gain of preweaning calves was 848.3 g/d. For preweaning calves, the proportion of single housing was more than 60%, whereas postweaning calves were mainly raised in groups. The morbidity of preweaning calves in China decreased annually, from 43.3% in 2015 to 25.4% in 2019. Digestive diseases and respiratory diseases were two main diseases, and accounted for 46.0% and 38.4%, respectively. This study provides an overview on dairy calves raising practices in China.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Krause ◽  
E. R. Moore ◽  
J. Duggin ◽  
J. R. Segers ◽  
T. D. Pringle

ObjectivesProfitability in the beef industry has narrow margins regulated by revenue from output traits like growth and carcass merit, but profitability is also largely impacted by input expenses like feed costs. Selecting for improvements in feed efficiency during the finishing phase, one of the most feed intensive segments of the industry, can help to mitigate those input costs. This study compared growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition, and carcass characteristics in Angus steers (n = 321) from bulls divergently selected for feed efficiency and marbling.Materials and MethodsAngus sires were selected based on high (10th percentile or better) and low (85th percentile or worse) residual average daily gain (RADG) EPD as well as high (fifth percentile or better) and average (near 50th percentile) marbling (MARB) EPD. These criteria resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design with four breeding lines: high RADG/high MARB, high RADG/average MARB, low RADG/high MARB, low RADG/average MARB. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedures of SAS with RADG and MARB as main effects. Significance was set at α = 0.05. Generation was also analyzed, where generation one (GEN1) steers were from a selected sire while generation two (GEN2) steers were from a selected sire and a selected dam.ResultsUltrasound and carcass data revealed no differences (P ≥ 0.12) in 12th rib backfat thickness from weaning through slaughter for the RADG EPD groups. Yield grade and dressing percent did not differ (P ≥ 0.56) across RADG or MARB groups. At the beginning and end of the feeding trial, the high RADG (P ≤ 0.02) group had larger ultrasound ribeye area (REA) than the low RADG group. Carcass REA tended (P = 0.08) to be larger in the high versus low RADG steers. During the feedlot trial and through slaughter, body weight was heavier (P ≤ 0.006) for the high versus low RADG steers but did not differ (P ≥ 0.44) across MARB EPD. Feed efficiency measures did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB groups apart from the tendency (P = 0.08) for residual feed intake to be lower in the high versus low RADG steers. Marbling scores differed (P ≤ 0.04) across RADG and MARB groups with the low RADG steers and the high MARB steers having improved marbling. The quality grade distribution across MARB EPD revealed that the average MARB steers graded 73% Choice and 25% Prime while the high MARB steers graded 56% and 42%, respectively. Slice shear force did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB EPD. Body weights tended (P = 0.06) to be heavier at the start of the feeding trial for GEN1 versus GEN2 steers. Total gain, average daily gain, and feed to gain (F:G) differed by generation (P ≤ 0.007) with increased rates of gain and reduced F:G in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers. Body weights did not differ (P = 0.72) across GEN at the end of the feeding trial. Backfat thickness at the start and end of the feedlot phase was less (P ≤ 0.03) and marbling score was improved (P = 0.02) in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers, respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest that selection using RADG EPD has negligible impacts on meat quality; and that progress in selection for efficiency can be achieved while advancing carcass quality and value. Furthermore, continued divergent selection for feed efficiency and marbling has the potential to improve feed efficiency through advancements in the rate of gain, while enhancing carcass merit through marbling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1401-1407
Author(s):  
S. Atroun ◽  
C. Aissaoui ◽  
S. Smeti ◽  
N. Atti

The objective of this work was to study the lamb’s growth, the carcass yield and composition and the importance of main organs of Berber lambs slaughtered at 4 or 6 months. The study concerned 40 lambs reared under motherhood. Lambs of the first group were slaughtered at the age of 4 months (4M) and the second at 6 months (6M). Slaughter body weights (BW), hot and cold carcass weights and organs were recorded. The carcass was cut out and dissected. The average BW at birth was 4.14 + 0.506 kg while the BW at slaughter was 22.86 kg + 3.40 and 31.51 + 3.50 kg for 4M and 6M groups, respectively. The average daily gain were 172 and 164g for 4M and 6M groups, respectively. Therefore, during 2months the lambs of 6M group gained 8.67 kg in BW. The carcasses were heavier for 6M than 4M. The carcass commercial yields were 42% and 45% for 4M and 6M groups, respectively, resulting in 4.1 kg gain of meat during 2 months. The tissular (muscle, fat and bone) and the regional (leg, shoulder …) carcass composition did not differ among groups. All organs were heavier for 6M than 4M; however, their proportion in the empty body weight were variables. The BWand carcass gain at six months are encouraging to prolong the lamb’s slaughter age without carcass composition difference given the similar fat proportion in the carcass of both groups.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3144
Author(s):  
Nanna Byrgesen ◽  
Johannes Gulmann Madsen ◽  
Christina Larsen ◽  
Niels Jørgen Kjeldsen ◽  
Malene Skovsted Cilieborg ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two dietary treatments (liquid creep feed (LCF) and dry creep feed (DCF)) offered during the suckling period on feed disappearance, number of eaters, and intestinal enzymatic development at weaning in an on-farm study with 347 piglets. Piglets were allocated to either the DCF or LCF treatment from day 10 to day 24 postpartum for 9 h a day. Red ferric oxide (1%) was added to the diet to categorize piglets into eating categories (good eaters, moderate eaters, or non-eaters) via faecal swabs. At weaning, 40 piglets were sampled for intestinal enzymatic development. The LCF treatment increased the dry matter disappearance from day 10–18 (p < 0.001). The percentage of good eaters, moderate eaters and non-eaters did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). The DCF pigs displayed greater average daily gain (ADG) pre-weaning (p = 0.024), and a greater body weight (BW) at day 61 (p < 0.001). The activity of lactase, maltase and sucrase in the proximal part of the small intestine were greatest (p < 0.001) in the DCF pigs.


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