Digestibility and nitrogen and water balance in horses fed rhizoma peanut hay

Rhizoma peanut (RP, Arachis glabrata) hay has the potential to meet horses’ crude protein requirements with less nitrogen excretion than other legumes. This study aimed to evaluate nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, and nitrogen balance of RP ‘Florigraze’ hay compared to alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L. ‘Legendary XHD’) and bermudagrass (BG, Cynodon dactylon L. ‘Coastal’) hays when fed to maintenance horses at 2% BW/d on a dry matter (DM) basis. We hypothesized that nutrient intake would be comparable between the legume hays and lesser for BG, and that RP would result in reduced nitrogen excretion compared to alfalfa. Six mature Quarter Horse geldings (593 ± 40 kg; mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to one of the hays in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square with 21-d periods. A 14-d adaptation phase was followed by a 3-d total fecal and urine collection. Days 18 to 21 were used for a companion study. Intake of nutrients is reported on a DM basis. Digestible energy (DE) intakes from ALF (29.91 Mcal/d) and RP (29.37 Mcal/d) were greater (P < 0.0001) than BG (20.78 Mcal/d). Crude protein (CP) intake was greater (P < 0.0001) for ALF (2.5 kg/d), followed by RP (1.9 kg/d), and BG (1.5 kg/d). All hays exceeded maintenance requirements for DE, CP, Ca, and P. Apparent digestibility of DM and CP were greatest (P < 0.0001) for ALF (69 and 84%), intermediate for RP (61 and 72%), and least for BG (46 and 64%). Apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber did not differ (P = 0.2228) among hays, while digestibility of acid detergent fiber (P = 0.0054) was least for RP but similar for ALF and BG. Water intake (kg/d) for ALF (57) was greater (P=0.0068) than RP (45) and BG (41). Greater (P = 0.0271) water retention (kg/d) was observed for ALF (13.5), followed by RP (10.8) and BG (7.5). There was a difference in nitrogen excretion, with greatest urinary nitrogen excretion for ALF (P < 0.0001) and greatest fecal nitrogen excretion for BG (P = 0.0001). Total nitrogen excretion was greater (P < 0.0001) for ALF (278 g/d), followed by RP (211 g/d), and BG (179 g/d). Nitrogen retention was greater (P = 0.0005) for ALF when represented as g/d (ALF: 129, RP: 86, and BG: 57 g/d), but similar (P = 0.0377) to RP when presented as percent of nitrogen intake (ALF: 32, RP: 29, and BG: 24%). Results indicate that rhizoma peanut hay is a suitable legume for horses by meeting DE and CP requirements and having a significant reduction in nitrogen compared to alfalfa.

Evaluating Soybean Cultivars for Forage Yield and Nutritive Values

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) are frequently utilized by equine producers in the Southeast. However, challenges related to their production have producers searching for alternative legume options. In 2019 and 2020, five soybean cultivars, “Tower of Leaves,” “Stonewall,” “Laredo,” “AG79X9,” and “AG64X8,” were evaluated for yield and nutritive value. Soybeans were grown at two row spacings (36 and 71 cm), two locations (Central and South Alabama), and harvested at three heights (10, 15, and 20 cm; HH). Forages were harvested using a plot harvester, dried at 55°C, and ground to 1 mm. Forage quality was determined using a NIRS, with verification by wet chemistry analyses. The study was a randomized, complete block design (n = 4) and statistical analysis was carried out using PROC Glimmix of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., - Cary, NC). Forage yields were greatest in “Stonewall” and “Tower of Leaves,” and lowest in “Laredo” (2,074, 1,978, and 1,348 kg/ha, respectively). Across years, HH and forage cultivar had a significant effect on yield (P < 0.0001). As expected, yield increased as HH decreased (P < 0.0001). In 2019, crude protein (CP) was affected by HH (P < 0.0001), with 10 cm having lower CP than 15 and 20 cm (14 vs 16%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were affected (P < 0.01) by HH and variety. “Stonewall” had the lowest NDF (30.84%) and ADF (29.27%; P < 0.01). “Stonewall” and “AG79X9” had the greatest TDN (74 and 73%, respectively; P < 0.01). The cultivar “Stonewall” shows promise as a forage, with greater yields and moderate forage nutritive value compared with the other cultivars tested. Further research is needed to evaluate “Stonewall” in mixtures with other warm-season annual forages.

111 Grazing behavior of horses managed on legume-grass mixed pastures

Intercropping legume into grass pastures improves pasture quality and decreases the need for nitrogen (N) fertilizer, while providing a more heterogenic grazing environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rhizoma peanut (RP, Arachis glabrata) intercropped into bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pasture on horse grazing performance. Unfertilized bahiagrass (UNF) with no N fertilizer, bahiagrass with 120 kg N ha-1 (FER), and bahiagrass with RP and 30 kg N ha-1 (RP) pastures were evaluated using twelve mature Quarter Horses continuously stocked for 84 days in a randomized block design with two blocks. Grazing, activity and leisure behaviors were recorded every 10 minutes for 24 hours on day 35 and 70 using scan sampling. Chew (CR, chew/min) and bite (BR, bite/min) rates were counted for five consecutive 1-min intervals on days 36 and 71. Data were analyzed using a repeated measure mixed model ANOVA. Pasture did not affect (P > 0.05) total time spent on grazing (13.57 ± 1.81 h, mean ± SD), leisure (9.64 ± 1.64 h), and activity (0.79 ± 0.60 h). Pasture x time of day interaction (P < 0.05) was significant for grazing, leisure and activity. Horses grazing FER spent more time grazing between 1100 and 1700 h, whereas horses grazing RP spent more time grazing between 2300 and 500 h when compared to horses grazing FER. Horses grazing FER spent more time in leisure between 2300 and 700 h. No day or pasture effects were observed for BR (30.8 ± 6.3 bites/min, mean ± SD), but a pasture x day interaction was observed for CR. On day 36, CR of horses grazing FER was similar to RP (50.8 and 53.8 chews/min), but lower than RP on day 71 (41.4 and 61.3 chews/min). Intercropping RP into bahiagrass pastures does not affect total grazing, leisure and activity time of horses.

Effet de quelques légumineuses fourragères sur la reproduction, la croissance et la carcasse chez les cochons d’inde (Cavia porcellus L.)

Malgré l’importance de la caviaculture en milieu rural, la maîtrise de l’alimentation des cochons d’inde reste encore un handicap à cet élevage. C’est ainsi qu’entre octobre 2018 et mars 2019, un essai a été mené à la Ferme d’Application et de Recherche (FAR) de l’Université de Dschang en vue d’évaluer l’effet de quelques légumineuses fourragères comme source de protéine dans la ration sur les performances de production du cochon d’Inde. Pour cet essai, 56 cochons d’Inde de 5 mois d’âge de race locale pesant en moyenne 450 ± 50 g nés à la FAR ont été utilisés. En effet, 48 femelles repartis en quatre lots ont été mises en croisement avec 2 mâles par lot pendant une période de 31 jours selon un dispositif factoriel. Les animaux de chaque lot recevaient la graminée ad libitum associé à 20 g/j/animal de l’aliment composé contenant ou non une légumineuse. Les résultats montrent que les tailles de la portée sont restées comparables entre les traitements. Les taux de mortalité pré et post-sevrage (15,38% et 9,10%) ainsi que le poids des cochonnets à 8 semaines les plus élevés ont été enregistrés avec la ration contenant Arachis glabrata. A la naissance et au sevrage, le poids moyen le plus élevé des cochonnets a été obtenu avec la ration contenant Desmodium intortum. Les gains de poids des cochonnets sont restés comparables entre les traitements. Les rations contenant les légumineuses ont donné des rendements carcasses, le poids du foie et celui du cæcum significativement plus élevé. Compte tenu du coût de production, les légumineuses de cette étude peuvent être utilisées comme des sources de protéine de choix pour l'amélioration des performances de production des cobayes en milieu paysan.Mots clés : Arachis glabrata, Calliandra calothyrsus, Desmodium intortum, Panicum maximum, Performances de production. Enlgish Title: Effect of some legumes forages on reproduction, growth and carcass of Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus L.)Despite the importance of caviaculture in rural landscape, cavie’s feeding remains a handicap for this breeding. Thus, between October 2018 and March 2019, experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Experimental Farm of University of Dschang on the evaluation of some leguminaceous plants as protein source in the diet on production performances of Guinea pig. A total of 56 adults Guinea pigs of about 5 months and 450 ± 50 g were used for the experiments. Females were first put in breeding with 8 males for a period of 31 days and then organized in a completely randomized design of four groups of 12 females each. Each group received Panicum maximum ad libitum and 20 g DM/day/animal of a diet corresponding to the group. Mains results of this study showed that no significant difference (P > 0.05) has been noticed for mean litter size. Total mortality rate was 8.33 for diet containing Calliandra calothyrsus. No mortality was registered for others groups. High pre-weaning and post-weaning mortality (15.38 and 9.10%) was obtained with treatment based on Arachis glabrata. From birth to 8th week of age, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed between average live weights. Total and daily weight gains remain comparable (P > 0.05) in weaning and in post-weaning whatever the diet. Results for carcass evaluation showed that diet containing these plants as sources of protein has permitted to obtain the highest values. The same result was observed with the liver weight and cæcum. Considering the low production cost, legumes plants appear to be good protein sources for the improvement of production performances of the guinea pigs in small farmer environment. Keywords : Arachis glabrata, Calliandra calothyrsus, Desmodium intortum, Panicum maximum, production performances.

TANAMAN PAKAN LEGUMINOSA DALAM SISTEM INTEGRASI DENGAN PERKEBUNAN JERUK

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik morfologi dan potensi beberapa tanaman legum sebagai sumber pakan dan cover crop di lahan perkebunan jeruk, empat spesies legum yang digunakan yaitu: Arachis glabrata, Stylosanthes guianensis, Clitoria ternatea dan Chamaecrista rotundifolia. Uji potensi dilakukan dilahan perkebunan jeruk seluas 1200 m2 dalam rancangan acak lengkap dengan empat perlakuan (spesies legum) dan tiga ulangan. Karakteristik morfologi menunjukkan Stylosanthes guianensis adalah tanaman tertinggi (78,03 cm), Clitoria ternatea memiliki daun terlebar (31,14 mm) dan terpanjang (47,27 mm), Arachis glabrata memiliki jumlah daun terbanyak (125,46 lembar), sedangkan Chamaecrista rotundifolia memiliki rasio daun: batang tertinggi (1,77). Warna hijau pada daun dimiliki oleh Stylosanthes guianensis, sedangkan ketiga jenis lainya berwarna hijau muda. Produksi bahan kering (BK) tertinggi (P<0,05) pada Stylosanthes guianensis (22,67 ton ha-1 tahun-1). Komposisi kimiawi menunjukkan kadar BK tertinggi (P<0,05) pada tanaman Stylosanthes guianensis (27,72%). Clitoria ternatea memiliki protein kasar (PK) tertinggi (17,16%) dan serat kasar (SK) terendah (29,80%). Kanndungan n itrogen (N) pada tanah naik pada akhir kegiatan, tertinggi pada Stylosanthes guianensis (0,21%). Disimpulkan bahwa jenis Stylosanthes guianensis dan Clitoria ternatea merupakan tanaman yang banyak keunggulan sebagai sumber pakan dan cover crop dalam sistem integrasi dengan perkebunan jeruk. Kata kunci: leguminosa, integrasi, cover crop, tanaman pakan