The Effects of Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Content and Forage Type on Rumen Microbiome of Dairy Cows

The main objective of our current study was evaluating the effects of NFC supplementation and forage type on rumen microbiota and metabolism, by comparing microbial structures and composition among samples collected from cows fed AH (alfalfa-based diet), H-NFC (CS-based diet with high NFC) and L-NFC (CS-based diet with low NFC) diets. Our results show that microbial communities were structurally different but functionally similar among groups. When compared with L-HFC, NFC increased the population of Treponema, Ruminobacter, Selenomonas and Succinimonas that were negatively correlated with ruminal NH3-N, and urea nitrogen in blood, milk and urine, as well as significantly increasing the number of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. However, when compared to the AH group, H-NFC showed a higher abundance of bacteria relating to starch degradation and lactate production, but a lower abundance of bacteria utilizing pectin and other soluble fibers. This may lead to a slower proliferation of lignocellulose bacteria, such as Ruminococcus, Marvinbryantia and Syntrophococcus. Lower fibrolytic capacity in the rumen may reduce rumen rotation rate and may limit dry matter intake and milk yield in cows fed H-NFC. The enzyme activity assays further confirmed that cellulase and xylanase activity in AH were significantly higher than H-NFC. In addition, the lower cobalt content in Gramineae plants compared to legumes, might have led to the significantly down-regulated microbial genes involved in vitamin B12 biosynthesis in H-NFC compared to AH. A lower dietary supply with vitamin B12 may restrict the synthesis of milk lactose, one of the key factors influencing milk yield. In conclusion, supplementation of a CS-based diet with additional NFC was beneficial for nitrogen conversion by increasing the activity of amino acid biosynthesis in rumen microbiota in dairy cattle. However, lower levels of fibrolytic capacity may limit dry matter intake of cows fed H-NFC and may prevent increased milk yield.

267 Effect of Hay Type on the Winter Growth of Bos Grunniens Raised in Eastern Kentucky

Bos grunniens (yak) have been utilized as a source of fiber, milk, dung, meat and transportation in the high-altitude regions of Asia for centuries. Limited research has been conducted on the species in North America. The objective of this on-farm research was to evaluate the effect of hay type on growth rate of growing yaks. Forages evaluated included alfalfa (A), orchardgrass-red clover (O) and a cool-season pasture grass species mixture (P). The experimental design was a partially balanced 3x3 Latin square with an extra pen. Yaks were stratified to pens by age and sex resulting in a pen of mixed sex (3 males/2 females) recently weaned calves, a pen of five yearling females, and two pens of five yearling males. Each period lasted for 45 days and animal weights were collected at the beginning and end to assess weight change and daily gain. Hay offered was weighed and feeding losses were visually estimated to determine hay DM disappearance. Forage samples were collected and analyzed for nutrient content. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLM procedure of SAS. No carryover effects were noted and means were separated using Tukey’s multiple comparison test where α=0.10. Forage type had a significant impact on period weight change of growing yaks during the winter with O having greater weight gain (9.5 kg) than P (-4.7 kg) with A being intermediate (8.5 kg). Forage DM disappearance when expressed as percent of body weight was greater for A (2.70) compared to P (2.25) while O (2.28) was not different from either. Forage type and quality can impact weight gain and forage disappearance during the winter months for growing yaks with higher quality forage providing greater weight gain.

Effects of feeding system and pre-partum supplementation on the β-carotene status of South African Holstein cows

The objectives were to investigate the β-carotene status of dairy cows under various production systems, and to determine the effect of pre-partum β-carotene supplementation on their post-partum β-carotene status. Ten farms were selected from each of the three production systems, namely pasture-based, hay-based total mixed ration (TMR) and silage-based TMR. Twenty cows per farm were sampled in each system, and blood plasma β-carotene concentration was determined with a portable spectrophotometer (n = 200 cows per system). Mean blood β-carotene concentrations of pasture-fed cows were 5.54 mg/L, and were higher (P <0.05) than concentrations of cows on hay-based (2.98 mg/L) and maize silage-based TMR systems (1.71 mg/L); in β-carotene status, therefore, these systems were optimal, marginal, and deficient, respectively. In the second experiment, 10 cows received a hay-based control TMR, and 10 were supplemented with 1.2 g/day of β-carotene pre-partum from day -56 to calving and monitored until day 56 postpartum. The supplemented cows were in optimal β-carotene status until calving, with a minor carry-over effect until 10 days post partum, and then declined gradually in status until they needed supplementation. The β-carotene status between the groups differed from three weeks pre-partum to two weeks post partum, with the control group being marginal to deficient from three weeks pre-partum onwards. Forage type and its β-carotene content play a major role in the β-carotene status of cows and more research is needed on the potential storage and mobilization of β-carotene in cows.

Rumen Microbial Community and Functions of Rumen Bacteria under Different Feeding Regime

The aim of the study was to evaluate the variations in the rumen ecosystem at genus level and predicted functions of rumen bacteria by using whole crop corn silage (WCS), whole crop rice silage (WRS) or rice straw (RS) as forage sources in beef cattle ration. Ruminal digesta samples from 10 bulls per treatment were collected at day 60 of experimental period. The PCoA plots based on the Bray-Curtis distance matrix (BDM) expressed separation between WRS and WCS , WRS and RS using PC1 (P<0.05, 45.56%). The PCoA plots based on BDM also expressed separation among WRS, WCS and RS group using PC2 (P<0.05, 11.95%). Microbiota composition resutls at genus level showed that the most abundant genera were Prevotella (13.37%) and Ruminococcus (4.00%). Comparison of treatments represented that Prevotella, Treponema and Anaerostipes were higher in bulls fed WCS forage. Clostridium, Anaeroplasma and RFN20 were higher in bulls fed RS forage than animals fed WCS and WRS. Butyrivibrio was higher in WRS and RS treatments than WCS treatment group. Pseudobutyrivibrio was higher in bulls fed WRS forage than animals fed RS and WCS forage. Fibrobacter was higher in RS and WCS as compared to WRS. The results of functional alteration of rumen microbiota in different experimental groups represented that the leading modified function of the microbiome was the transporter. Based on findings of current study, it is concluded that microbial community at genus level in the rumen of bulls was highly altered by forage type.

Potential Forage of Animal Feed on Rice Fields Lora Village District Mata Oleo Bombana District

Research has been conducted for 2 months, namely March to April 2020 aims to find out the type of forage animal feed on the rice fields lora village District Mata Oleo Bombana District Southeast Sulawesi Province. Determination of research locations by purposive sampling with observation variables in the form of forage type of animal feed, botanical composition, weight of fresh materials and capacity of capacity. The results showed the type of fodder forage consists of 10 types namely Cyperus esculentus, Bixa orellana, Cyperus iria L., Fimbristylis moliaceae (L.) Vahl, Digitaria sp., Echinocloa colona, Digitaria setigera, Monochoria vaginalis, Cyperus difformis L. and Desmodium triflorum. Botanical composition with an important value comparison dominated feed forage type Cyperus esculentus (18.72) and the lowest dominance Bixa orellana (1.72). Fresh weight production is 590.40 kg/ha with a capacity of 0.3 UT/ha/month.

Typical correlation analysis between forage type triticale production performance and different pilot ecological factors

国内外对小黑麦的研究主要集中在遗传性状和优良特性上，但在甘肃和青海严寒牧区的小黑麦的产量和品质方面的报道很少。【方法】本研究选育了甘农2个小黑麦品种根据不同生态区域的特点，在典型的生态区域内种植。通过研究品质性状与各种生态因子之间的关系，弄清了不同生态因子对黑小麦干草质量的影响，为今后的黑小麦育种和大规模有针对性的种植布局提供了合理的依据。【结果】甘肃省玛曲县黑小麦试种的生产性能和营养品质，都兰县甘农二号。青海省显然优于其他试点。通过合理的施肥，黑小麦的生产性能和营养品质是最好的。【结论】甘农2号最适合种植的地区是甘肃省玛曲县。

Rumen degradation characteristics of two tropical forages supplemented with monensin in the rumen of N’dama Steer

Rumen degradation characteristics of Panicum maximum and Gmelina arborea forages in response to monensin supplementation were studied in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment using an Ndama fistulated steer. Monensin had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the soluble fraction 'a' of nutrients but showed reductions (P<0.05) in the degradable fractions b' of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM supplementation levels relative to the control. These reductions were within the range of 45.76 - 49.52, 37.88 - 43.57, 44.60 - 45.31 and 45.18 - 46.85% for DM, CP, NDF and ADF, respectively. The potenti al degradation 'p' of DM, NDF, and ADF reduced (P<0.05) at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM while p' for CP reduced at 45 mg/kg DM. Forage type had significant effect (P<0.05) on nutrient degradation with Panicum maximum having lower nutrient degradation characteristics values than those of Gmelina arborea. While monens resulted in reduced nutrient degradation from Panicum maximum at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM, reduction in nutrients degradation from Gmelina arborea was observed only at 45 mg/kg DM. Comparatively, at similar levels of 15, 30 and 45 mg of monensin/kg DM, Panicum maximum had lower (P<0.05) degradation values to those observed for Gmelina arborea. The reduction effect of monensin on nutrient degradation from both forages suggests an inhibition of microbial digestion. This could increase rumen fill, reduce ruminal outflow rate and possibly increase the proportion of un-degradable proteins leaving the rumen for the lower tract. The particular level of monensin supplementation at which such reductions would occur depends on forage type Keywords: , , .

Influence of corn forage type and flaxseed on the productive parameters, meat quality and sensory analysis in Pelibuey lambs

The effect of corn straw (CS) or silage (CL), combined with flaxseed (Fx) on meat quality production and sensory analysis of Pelibuey lambs were evaluated. Sixty-four Pelibuey lambs were divided to each of the following treatments: T1) Corn Straw (CS: 16.3%) without flaxseed (Fx) in the diet, T2) CS plus 6% of Fx, T3) Corn silage (CL: 15%) without Fx and T4) CL plus 6% of Fx. Dry matter intake improved by 9.2% with CL vs. CS. The feed conversion improved with the use of CL in 1-14d (P≤ 0.02) and 14-28d (0.05) in 11.7% and 10.4%, respectively. Coordinate b was increased by 38% (P=0.01) in the animals fed with CS. Thus results show that Fx did not influence the physical-chemical and sensory variables of the meat. CL favorably changed the feed intake, flavor and juiciness of the meat, as in the fattening of lambs.