Utilization of Tithonia diversifolia as Ruminant Feed

<p>Forage is an important component in raising ruminants. Limited land specifically for forage cultivation is a big challenge in providing forage. <em>Tithonia diversifolia</em> is a promising species used as feed for ruminants because it is easy to grow in various places without being cultivated, such as on roadsides or as fences. This paper aims to give information about <em>Tithonia diversifolia</em> and its cultivation, production, nutritional value and its utilization as forage for ruminant. This plant can be propagated vegetatively and generatively. The spread of seeds can be carried by vectors such as humans, livestock, water currents and wind. <em>T. diversifolia</em> plants have several advantages: fast growing, high production, high crude protein content, resistance to high cutting frequencies and tolerance to acidic soils. Apart from these advantages, this plant also has some weaknesses because it contains several secondary compounds which may affect rumen fermentation. This weakness can be overcome by addition of feed aditive, charcoal or by processing it into silage. <em>T. diversifolia</em> has been used as feed for small and large ruminants either as single or mixed feed with concentrates and other forages with relatively high digestibility. The dry matter consumption of <em>T. diversifolia</em> reaches nearly 600 g/h/d when given as single feed to goats. However, recommended feeding level is 30% of total ration. </p>

PSXI-30 Effects of feeding levels on digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of fattening Korean native goats (Capra hircus coreanae)

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding levels on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of fattening Korean native goats. Five Korean native goat (Capra hircus coreanae) bucks (38.0±1.7 kg) with an average age of 2.4-year-old were randomly allocated to one of five feeding levels (maintenance [M], 1.1 x M, 1.2 x M, 1.4 x M, and 1.6 x M). The experimental design was 5 × 5 Latin square design and all animals were housed individual pens (1.2 m × 0.9 m) for an adaption period of 2 weeks and collection period for 1 weeks. The average daily gain (P &lt; 0.05) and nutrient digestibility (P &lt; 0.01) were increased linearly in goat as feeding level increased. Rumen pH showed no significantly differences among feeding levels. Total volatile fatty acid, acetate and propionate concentrations were increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) and quadratically (P &lt; 0.01) with increased feeding levels. Butyrate and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were linearly increased with increased feeding levels (P &lt; 0.01), but valerate concentration did not differ among feeding levels. Blood metabolites did not differ among feeding levels except for albumin concentration which was linearly increased with increased feeding levels (P &lt; 0.05). The fecal energy loss was not influenced by feeding levels, but digestible energy was increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) and quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) with increased feeding levels. The metabolizable energy requirement was estimated using quadratic line model and ranged from 153 to 161 kcal per metabolic body weight based on average daily gain and ME intake. These results found that the increased feeding level might be improve an average daily gain and ruminal fermentation of Korean native goats in fattening phase. These results may also serve as a basis for the establishment of feeding standard of goats in Republic of Korea.

OPTIMIZATION OF STAGES OF PRE-SPAWNING AND SPAWNING PERIODS OF TILAPIA IN COMMERCIAL GROWING

The article describes the process of commercial fish production in modern aquaculture, which requires high technologies and significant input. Optimization of technological processes while breeding fish is a necessary condition for the development of the industry. It is difficult and virtually impossible to develop a universal production pattern, this is why it is reasonable to split the whole process into several optimization tasks corresponding to each of the stages of the technological cycle. It is proposed to regulate such indicators as the level of feeding, pH value, age of producers as control actions at the stages of pre-spawning and spawning periods. The possibility to use the mentioned parameters for stage optimization, as well as for selecting the best values for each of the factors was assessed. The optimization target is to define the optimal amount of viable eggs, which would correspond to the minimal prime cost. It has been demonstrated that the optimal feeding level for the producers equals to 4 – 4.5 per cent of the fish body weight. The increase in the feeding level influences the fertility of producers insufficiently, inflating the costs. It has been found out that 12 – 24 months old producers have the best reproduction indices. The preferred quality and the vital capacity of spawn received from the producers within this group have also been registered. Another factor which may be used in order to control the process is the pH of water in pools. Regardless of the fact that tilapia producers are relatively undemanding to the habitat conditions and resistant to pH values, it is possible to single out the optimal range of this factor. It corresponds to pH values between 6 and 7.5. This is when the best rates of eggs fertilization and survival are observed.

Effects of Feeding Level and Breed Composition on Intake, Digestibility, and Methane Emissions of Dairy Heifers

The dairy Nutrients Requirements of Cattle (NRC) was developed using data from purebred Holsteins and it might not accurately predict the performance of crossbred cattle. Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of two feeding levels (FLs) and three breed compositions (BCs) on nutrient intake, digestibility, performance, and methane (CH4) emissions of prepubertal dairy heifers. We used thirty-six heifers from three BCs: purebred Holstein (H), purebred Gyr (G), and F1 Holstein × Gyr (HG). Each BC had 12 animals and the experiment was designed as twelve incomplete three by three Latin squares, in a factorial arrangement three by two, with three BCs and two FLs (400 and 800 g/day). Total tract nutrient digestibility was determined using total fecal collection and DMI was individually measured. The data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED in SAS. Dry matter intake of all nutrients increased from the medium to high feeding level and the nutrients digestibility coefficients did differ among BCs. Achieved body weight gain in the medium FL treatment was greater than those predicted using the NRC, suggesting that crossbred and Gyr heifers have similar performance to Holsteins. Breed composition does not influence body weight gain of confined dairy heifers, but Holstein heifers fed a medium FL had higher feed efficiency and reduced CH4 emissions intensity.