Can Grassland Chemical Quality Be Quantified Using Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy?

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and closed spectroscopy methods have been applied to analyse the quality of forage and animal feed. However, grasslands are linked to variability factors (e.g., site, year, occurring species, etc.) which restrict the prediction capacity of the NIRS. The aim of this study is to test the Fourier transform NIRS application in order to determine the chemical characteristics of fresh, undried and unground samples of grassland located in north-central Apennine. The results indicated the success of FT-NIRS models for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) on fresh grassland samples (R2 > 0.90, in validation). The model can be used to quantitatively determine CP and ADF (residual prediction deviation-RPD > 3 and range error ratio- RER > 10), followed by DM and NDF that maintain a RER > 10, and are sufficient for screening for the lignin fraction (RPD = 2.4 and RER = 8.8). On the contrary, models for both lipid and ash seem not to be usable at a practical level. The success of FT-NIRS quantification for the main chemical parameters is promising from the practical point of view considering both the absence of samples preparation and the importance of these parameters for diet formulation.

Compositional Changes of the High-Fat Diet-Induced Gut Microbiota upon Consumption of Common Pulses

The gut microbiome is involved in the host’s metabolism, development, and immunity, which translates to measurable impacts on disease risk and overall health. Emerging evidence supports pulses, i.e., grain legumes, as underutilized nutrient-dense, culinarily versatile, and sustainable staple foods that promote health benefits through modulating the gut microbiota. Herein, the effects of pulse consumption on microbial composition in the cecal content of mice were assessed. Male mice were fed an obesogenic diet formulation with or without 35% of the protein component comprised by each of four commonly consumed pulses—lentil (Lens culinaris L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), or dry pea (Pisum sativum L.). Mice consuming pulses had distinct microbial communities from animals on the pulse-free diet, as evidenced by β-diversity ordinations. At the phylum level, animals consuming pulses showed an increase in Bacteroidetes and decreases in Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Furthermore, α-diversity was significantly higher in pulse-fed animals. An ecosystem of the common bacteria that were enhanced, suppressed, or unaffected by most of the pulses was identified. These compositional changes are accompanied by shifts in predicted metagenome functions and are concurrent with previously reported anti-obesogenic physiologic outcomes, suggestive of microbiota-associated benefits of pulse consumption.

Feeding Strategies to Reduce Nutrient Losses and Improve the Sustainability of Growing Pigs

The efficiency of pig production using nutrients has increased over the years. Still, better efficiency of nutrient utilization can be achieved by feeding pigs with diets adjusted to their estimated requirements. An increase in nutrient efficiency of utilization represents economic gains while maximizing environmental performance. The objective of this paper is to review the impact of different methods of diet formulation that provide farm animals with the amount of nutrients to satisfy their needs while minimizing nutrient excretion and greenhouse gas emissions. Diet formulation is one tool that can help to maximize nitrogen and energy utilization by decreasing crude protein content in diets. The use of local feedstuff and non-human-edible products (e.g., canola meal) associated with synthetic amino acid inclusion in the diet are valuable techniques to reduce carbon footprint. Precision feeding and nutrition is another powerful tool that allows not only daily tailoring of diets for maximal nutrient efficiency of utilization but also to reduce costs and improve nitrogen efficiency of utilization. In this review, we simulated through mathematical models the nitrogen and energy efficiency of utilization resulting from crude protein reduction in the diet. An 8% crude protein reduction in the diet can increase nitrogen efficiency of utilization by 54% while costing 11% less than a control diet without synthetic amino acids. The same reduction in crude protein represented a major improvement in available energy due to the decrease of energetic losses linked to protein deamination. Urinary and hindgut fermentation energy losses were 24% lower for pigs fed with low-protein diets when compared to control diets. In terms of modern feeding techniques and strategies, precision feeding and nutrition can decrease nitrogen excretion by 30% when compared to group phase feeding. The benefits of feeding pigs with low-protein diets and precision feeding techniques are additive and might result in a 61% nitrogen efficiency of utilization. There is room for improvement in the way nutrient requirements are estimated in pigs. Improving the understanding of the variation of nutrient utilization among pigs can contribute to further environmental gains.

β-Mannanase Supplementation as an Eco-Friendly Feed Strategy to Reduce the Environmental Impacts of Pig and Poultry Feeding Programs

Little is still known about the environmental impacts of exogenous enzyme supplementation in pig and poultry feeding programs. Thus, this study aimed to assess the potential environmental impacts of producing feeds for pigs and broilers by simulating the effects of β-mannanase Hemicell™ HT supplementation through energy savings during diet formulation. Life-cycle assessment standards were applied to simulate a cradle-to-feed mill gate scope. The functional units used were the production of 1 kg of the enzyme and 1 kg of feed at a feed mill gate located in Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Climate change, eutrophication, and acidification were the chosen environmental impact categories. Energy savings through β-mannanase supplementation were assessed by different metabolizable energy (ME) matrices (45 or 90 kcal of ME/kg of feed) during diet formulation in different grain production scenarios (Southern and/or Central-West origin). A total of 28 feeds were formulated based on the nutritional requirements and feeding programs described in the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine. The least-cost formulation method was used based on real price averages practiced in a local industry over 12 months. The production of 1 kg of β-mannanase was associated with the emission of 1,800 g of CO2-eq, 4.53 g of PO4-eq, and 7.89 g of SO2-eq. For pig feeds, β-mannanase supplementation mitigated both climate change and eutrophication impacts up to 8.5 and 1.4% (45 kcal of ME/kg of feed) or up to 16.2 and 2.7% (90 kcal of ME/kg of feed) compared to control diets formulated without the enzyme. For broiler feeds, these impacts were mitigated up to 5.6 and 1.1% (45 kcal of ME/kg of feed), respectively. On the other hand, the effect of using β-mannanase on the acidification impact was not consistent among feeds/species. Overall, β-mannanase supplementation reduced the amount of soybean oil in feed formulas, which is associated with high environmental impacts. Consequently, the potential impacts of climate change and eutrophication associated with producing feeds for pigs and broilers were substantially mitigated. These results suggest that β-mannanase supplementation is an eco-friendly feed strategy to reduce the environmental impacts of pig and poultry feeding programs.

PSVII-3 Evaluation of dietary OmniGen AF supplementation and PG600 injection on reproductive characteristics of gilts

A cooperative study evaluated effects of supplemental dietary OmniGen AF (OG; Phibro Animal Health Corporation) on reproductive characteristics of gilts. Crossbred gilts (n = 56; initial body weight = 152.3 ± 9.7 kg) were assigned to treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design [diet (OG or control) and PG600 (Merck Animal Health, El Dora, KS) injection (Yes or No)]. Dietary treatments were: 1) corn-SBM basal diet (control) that met NRC (2012) requirement estimates, or 2) control plus 0.75% OG and were fed 35 to 40 d prior to breeding. A common diet formulation was used by both stations. Gilts were estrous-synchronized by 14-d feeding of Matrix (Merck Animal Health). PG600 injections occurred 24 hours after Matrix withdrawal. Gilts were weighed at breeding and preslaughter (at d 39 to 48 postbreeding) and were euthanized to evaluate reproductive characteristics. There were no OG x PG600 interactions on any response measures (P > 0.15). Mean responses did not differ (P > 0.20) when gilts were fed control or OG diets, respectively, for total uterus weight (6,065 vs. 5,883 g), uterine horn length (129.2 vs. 123.9 cm), ovary weight (9.66 vs. 9.94 g), total corpora lutea (CL) number (25.0 vs. 25.3), individual CL weight (0.41 vs. 0.43 g), total follicular fluid weight (3.17 vs. 3.03 g), individual placenta weight (86.3 vs. 86.4 g), total fetuses (14.2 vs. 13.0), and fetus crown-rump length (7.97 vs. 7.66 cm). Supplementation with OG reduced (P = 0.04) individual placenta fluid volume of gilts (150.6 vs. 115.4 mL). PG600 injection increased (P < 0.001) ovary weight (9.03 vs. 10.57 g), total CL (18.09 vs 32.27) and reduced CL weight (0.46 vs. 0.38 g). The results demonstrated classic PG600 responses on reproductive characteristics but no effects of 0.75% OG supplementation nor an interaction between the two factors.

PSXIII-9 Effects of lipid and starch isoenergetic supplementation as mitigation techniques on water footprint and health of nursing Holstein calves

Water footprint (WF) of livestock can be manipulated to improve water use efficiency. The dynamics of water use by Holstein nursing bull calves (HBC) is not very well stablished. The physiological and anatomical status of HBC permits for precise-diet manipulation aiming to decreasing voluntary water intake (WI); however, WI mitigation raises concerns about potential adverse effects on hydration and health. The goals herein involve investigation of the effects of two isoenergetic supplements top-dressed on ad libitum non-medicated milk-replacer (MR) on health, hydration, and WF of HBC. A total of 23 HBC weighing 94.67 ± 12.07 kg, 2 months old, were distributed in a completely randomized design receiving one of three diets for 67 days: control (CON; n = 7) received MR only, the lipid (FAT; n = 8) received MR supplemented with fish oil (3%), and the carbohydrate (CHO; n = 8) received corn starch (7%). All animals were offered mineral mix and water ad libitum, and 120 g daily dried brewer’s spent grains. Data were analyzed with the GLMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with diets as fixed effect. The WF was significantly decreased for the CHO group (P < 0.01). When WF values were adjusted by cold carcass weight (CCW), the CHO and FAT groups displayed a 100 L decrease in WF values compared to the CON. Though statistically significant differences were observed for Neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and their ratio (NLR, as well as for total protein and fecal fluidity score (P < 0.05), the observed ranges were within healthy thresholds for HBC. Skin hydration was assessed through use of a skin moisture meter which resulted in the CHO group having significantly higher skin capacitance of 5.30 compared to CON = 3.76, and FAT= 3.99. These results evidence the possibility of increasing water use efficiency with precision diet formulation without adverse health and hydration effects.

PSXIV-11 Silage source, physically effective neutral detergent fiber, and undigested neutral detergent fiber concentrations affect eating behavior, ruminal pH and reticular motility of finishing heifers

This study evaluated the effects of silage source, physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF), and undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) concentrations on eating behavior, ruminal pH, and reticular contractions for finishing beef heifers. Six Hereford′Simmental heifers (579±51.2 kg) were used in a replicated 6×6 Latin square (21-d periods) balanced for carry-over effects with 2×2 + 2 factorial treatment arrangement. Barley grain-based diets included barley (BarS) or wheat silage (WhS) at 10% of dietary DM. Silages were harvested at two chop lengths to yield low (LpeNDF) vs. high peNDF (HpeNDF) silage. For both BarS and WhS, chopped wheat straw was included (5% of DM) by replacing an equal proportion of LpeNDF silages to evaluate low vs. high uNDF (7.3 vs. 8.2% dietary DM) concentrations. Heifers fed HpeNDF WhS had greater DMI (silage′peNDF; P < 0.01) than those fed HpeNDF BarS, but DMI did not differ for LpeNDF treatments. Ruminating and eating time increased for heifers fed HpeNDF WhS relative to LpeNDF WhS, but were not different for BarS (silage′peNDF; P ≤ 0.02). Increasing uNDF increased eating and ruminating times for heifers fed WhS, but not BarS (silage′uNDF; P ≤ 0.03). Mean ruminal pH averaged 5.97 and was not affected by silage, peNDF, uNDF, or the interactions (P ≥ 0.12). Feeding BarS increased the duration (384 vs. 256 min/d; P = 0.02) and area (84.5 vs. 43.8 pH×min/d; P = 0.02) that pH was < 5.5 relative to WhS. Increasing peNDF numerically reduced the frequency of reticular contractions when fed BarS but numerically increased them when fed WhS (silage′peNDF; P < 0.01). Reticular contractions were not affected by dietary uNDF concentration (P ≥ 0.13). These data highlight that at a constant inclusion rate, silage source and chop length interact to affect DMI, eating behavior, ruminal pH, and reticular motility indicating the need to account for silage type, peNDF, and uNDF in diet formulation for finishing cattle.

114 Evaluation of Extrusion Processing Method and Protein Source on Standardized Amino Acid Digestibility

While the majority of dry complete and balanced foods for pet animals are extruded, the interaction between ingredient matrix and processing methods and stages are poorly understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine how the use of plant-based and poultry-based proteins processed under different extrusion condition may affect amino acid digestibility in extruded canine diets using a rooster model. Eight diet formulas were made using chicken (CK), chicken byproduct meal (CM), yellow pea (YP), green lentil (GL), and garbanzo bean (GB) as the primary protein sources. These diets were extruded through a single-screw and a twin-screw extruder. Food samples were collected at various stages of processing (i.e., raw, and after preconditioner, extruder, drier, and coating). Four cecectomized single-comb White Leghorn roosters were used for each diet sample. The roosters were fasted for 26 h and then fed with the treatment diets. The excreta were collected 48 h after feeding. Freeze dried excreta were used to calculate standardized amino acid digestibility (SAAD). For all essential amino acids, a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between diet and processing method was observed. The SAAD of arginine, tryptophan, and methionine were greater than 80% for all diets collected at the end of the extruder. The CK diet supplemented with synthetic taurine and processed through twin-extrusion had 70% to 80% SAAD of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, and valine. Overall, twin-screw extrusion resulted in lower SAAD for all essential amino acids (P < 0.05), except for isoleucine and valine. However, the differences were smaller than 2.5%, and therefore may not negatively impact diet formulation and final product nutrient composition or guaranteed analysis. In addition, the extruded canine diets made with plant-based protein did not have lower amino acid digestibility than those made with animal-based protein.

PSVII-11 Long-term evaluation of dietary OmniGen AF supplementation on reproductive performance and milk composition of sows

A cooperative study involving 189 litters from 114 sows [initial breeding body weight (BW), 200.8 ± 37.1 kg] was conducted at two experiment stations to investigate the effects of OmniGen AF (OG; Phibro Animal Health Corporation) supplementation in sow diets on reproductive performance and milk composition. Diets were: 1) corn-soybean meal-based control diet that met NRC (2012) requirement estimates or 2) control plus 0.75% OG. A common diet formulation was used by both stations. Sow allotment was balanced for breed, parity, and BW. Sows were allotted to diets at least 21 days prebreeding and were fed the diets continuously at 1.82 kg daily in gestation and ad libitum in lactation. Sow BWs were measured at breeding, prefarrowing, postfarrowing and weaning. Litter size responses were recorded within 24 h postpartum and individual pig weights were measured at birth and weaning. Milk samples were collected twice during lactation on d 5–7 and d 14–17. Supplementation with OG resulted in less (P < 0.05) BW change of sows during lactation (-12.1 vs. -8.2 kg). Total born (12.9 vs. 13.0), live born (11.7 vs. 12.0), and weaned (10.3 vs. 10.5) were similar for control and OG sows, respectively. Sows fed OG-based diets had greater (P < 0.05) litter weight for total born (18.3 vs. 19.3 kg) and weaned (63.2 vs. 67.0 kg), and lactation litter gain (47.8 vs. 50.7 kg). Lactation feed intake for control and OG sows (5.32 vs 5.52 kg, respectively) did not differ. Supplementing sow diets with OG increased (P = 0.057) lactose content (5.78 vs. 5.84%) and reduced (P = 0.047) protein content (4.77 vs. 4.68%) in milk. The results of this study demonstrated that supplemental OG at 0.75% in sow diets reduced weight loss during lactation and improved litter weights with marginal effects on milk composition of sows.