Protein molecular spectral features in hull-less barley varieties and their relation to protein and energy values

Non-Peer ReviewedThe objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between the protein molecular spectral features and protein and energy values in dairy cows of four hull-less barley (HB) varieties (normal starch conventional - CDC McGwire; zero-amylose waxy- CDC Fibar, waxy – CDC Rattan, and high-amylose – HB08302) using diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy. The items included IR absorbed intensity (IR intensity unit, KM) peak area attributed to protein amide I (ca. 1715-1575 cm-1), amide II (ca. 1575-1490 cm-1), and ratio of amide I to II. The results show that (1) zero-amylose waxy was the greatest in protein amide I and II infrared reflectance peak areas; (2) α-helix to β-sheet ratio differed among HB: highamylose was the greatest, zero-amylose waxy and waxy were the intermediate, and normal starch was the lowest; (3) altered starch (CDC Fibar, CDC Rattan, and HB08302) HB varieties were similar to each other, but were different from normal starch variety in protein structural makeup; and (4) the rate and extent of rumen degradation of starch and protein were highly related to the molecular structural makeup of HB. In conclusion, this study indicated that (1) protein molecular structure affects metabolic characteristics of the proteins of HB, and (2) the altered starch HB seem to be more favorable to ruminants in terms of protein and energy values

Comparison of structural makeup of four hulless barley varieties using diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy

Non-Peer ReviewedThe objective of this study was to determine molecular structural makeup features of 3 newer hulless barley varieties (CDC Fibar, CDC Rattan, and HB08302) in comparison to the conventional feed-type barley variety in Canada (CDC McGwire) using diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. The items included IR absorbed intensity (IR intensity unit, KM) peak area attributed to protein amide I (ca. 1715-1575 cm-1), amide II (ca. 1575-1490 cm-1), total carbohydrate (CHO; ca. 1188-820 cm-1), and structural carbohydrate (StCHO; ca. 1277-1190 cm-1); and ratio of amide I to II, amide I to CHO, and CHO to StCHO. There were no differences among barley varieties in CHO. While, CDC Fibar was greatest in protein amide I and II peak areas, as well as the ratio of protein amide I to CHO among barley varieties. Newer barley varieties were similar to each other, but were different from CDC McGwire in protein amide I to II ratios. In summary, DRIFT spectroscopy associated with both univariate and multivariate techniques can be used as tool to discriminate and classify the inherent molecular structural features among the different barley varieties

Results of assessment of the current status and degree of disturbance of the desert-steppe rangelands of western Mongolia

Non-Peer ReviewedConcern about the status of Mongolia’s rangelands has increased due to dramatic increases in livestock populations of this country during the past 18 years. The objective of this study was to document the current status and degree of disturbance of the desert-steppe rangelands of western Mongolia. A total of 123 rangeland monitoring sites representing 33 million hectares (21 % of total country area) were established and inventoried in July/August 2008. Overall, our study indicated that 82.9% of the dessert-steppe rangelands, consisting of 27.36 million hectares, have been degraded to some extent. The degree of degradation varies; slight 26%, moderate 30.9%, severe 13.8% and very severe 12.2% of total the area. In conclusion, in addition to natural factors several specific human-driven causes, such as animal husbandry have led to widespread disturbance in Mongolian desert-steppe rangelands

Spectroscopic impact on protein and carbohydrate inherent molecular structures of barley, oat, and corn combined with wheat DDGS

Non-Peer Reviewe

Effect of replacing barley grain by wheat-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles in the diet on nutritional profiles, energy values, rumen degradation kinetics, and protein supply

Non-Peer ReviewedThe objectives of this study were to determine the effect of replacing barley grain portion of the diet by wheat-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles (wDDGS) on feeding value for ruminants. This study revealed that increasing wDDGS inclusion level increased most of nutritional composition linearly, except for starch which linearly decreased. With increasing wDDGS inclusion, the rumen degradation rate of all measured parameters decreased linearly, extent of degradability of organic matter (OM) was not affected. Extent of CP degradability, degraded protein balance in rumen and calculated metabolizable protein supply in small intestine increased linearly with increasing levels of wDDGS. The inclusion of wDDGS in barley based diets up to 50% did not alter energy values of the diet. Furthermore, the optimum N to energy balance of the feed mixture for microbial growth in the rumen was reached by replacing 25% of barley by wDDGS. Thus, the nutritive value of the barley-based diets can be manipulated by including wDDGS in the diet to overcome shortcomings of barley dominated diets for cattle

Determining major climatic factors and their variations in the central agricultural region of Mongolia

Non-Peer ReviewedIn accordance of the World Meteorological Organization, the weather conditions between 1961 and 1990 is defined as the climate and mean of climatic factors over that time-period is considered as the climatic normal. Climate is formed as a result of interactions between atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere (geosphere), biosphere, and cryosphere. It develops and changes due to various external factors, periodic and non-periodic fluctuations in these systems. Number of studies has shown some strong indications of global warming in Mongolia. Objective of this study was to determine the changes and trends in the major climatic factors such as annual air temperature and precipitation in Orkhon-Selenge Basin, the Central Agricultural Region of Mongolia, over the last 15 years (1991-2006). Our study has revealed that over the past 15 years, from 1991 to 2006, the mean annual air temperature in the Central Agricultural Region of Mongolia has risen by 0.7-1.2 degrees Celsius or 0.04-0.07 degrees Celsius per year. Consequently, there has been higher frequency of years exhibiting drought like conditions negatively impacting vegetation growth. The warming has been causing a higher frequency of occurrence of drier years with moisture deficit for vegetation growth

Evaluation of Forage Yield and Quality of Low-Lignin Alfalfa in Monoculture and Binary Mixtures in the Dark Brown Soil Zone of Saskatchewan

Non-Peer ReviewedThe objective of this study was to compare low-lignin Hi-Gest® 360 alfalfa to a conventional legume in both monoculture and binary mixtures. Two varieties of alfalfa (monoculture) [Medicago sativa L. cv. AC Grazeland (Grazeland) and Hi-Gest 360 (Hi-Gest] or in mixture (binary) with AC Success hybrid bromegrass (HB) (Grazeland+HB and Hi-Gest+HB) were grown at a Dark Brown soil zone site (52o07′ N, 106o 38′ W) in Saskatchewan and harvested at 3 maturity stages (stage) of alfalfa [1 = 10% bloom; 2 = 40% bloom; and 3 = 100% bloom)] over 2 yr. Forage was harvested on June 21, June 25, and June 29 2018, and July 8, July 12, and July 16 2019. All plots were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications using forages as treatments. Plot size was 6.2 m × 1.2 m (7.44 m2) with 4 rows and total of 48 plots. Dry matter yield (DMY; 2-yr) and nutritive value (1-yr) of forages were determined. Results indicate that monoculture Hi-Gest alfalfa had greater (P 0.05) for forage quantity and quality. However, forages at maturity stage 3 had greater DMY (1058 vs. 783 kg), but lower CP (17.6 vs. 19.6%) and IVNDFD48 (37.1 vs. 42.3%) than those at maturity stage 1. The sugar content of forages linearly increased (P 0.05) observed between AC Grazeland+HB and Hi-Gest+HB mixtures for DMY or quality profiles. Monoculture had greater CP (18.5 vs. 12.0 %), ADFCP (2.5 vs. 1.5%), lignin (6.9 vs. 4.7%), fat (3.0 vs. 2.6%), RFV (174.8 vs. 91.8), NEm (1.6 vs. 1.3 Mcal/kg), NEg (0.96 vs. 0.77 Mcal/kg), but lower DMY (920 vs. 3343 kg/ha), ADF (27.4 vs. 35.9%), NDF (36.3 vs. 61.9%), starch (0.41 vs. 0.82%), and IVNDFD48 (39.2 vs. 50.7%), compared to binary mixtures. Results suggest that Hi-Gest alfalfa as a monoculture yielded less than AC Grazeland, however Hi-Gest monoculture had higher nutritive value than AC Grazeland, but was similar for yield and quality in mixture, suggesting Hi-Gest 360 alfalfa is a viable alternative legume for Dark Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan

Effect of replacing corn grain by wheat-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles dietary energy and protein value in cattle

Non-Peer ReviewedThe objectives of this study were to determine the effect of replacing corn grain portion of the diet by wheat-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles (wDDGS) on feeding value for ruminants by chemical fractionation, nylon bag rumen degradation and nutrient modeling approaches. This study revealed that increasing wDDGS inclusion level increased most of nutritional composition linearly, except for starch which linearly decreased. Metabolizable protein supply in small intestine increased linearly with increasing levels of wDDGS. The inclusion of wDDGS in corn based diets decreased energy values of the diet slightly. Optimum ruminal N to energy balance for microbial growth was reached by replacing 25-50% of corn by wDDGS. In summary, this study suggests that corn and wheat DDGS combinations are a viable alternative for replace feed barley grain for the beef industry in western Canada

Effects of barley based diets with three different rumen degradable protein balances on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers

Non-Peer ReviewedThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary optimal or suboptimal rumen available protein to energy ratios generated by substituting barley grain by wheat –based dried distillers’ grains with soluble (wDDGS) on finishing feedlot cattle performance. Three hundred crossbred steers were randomly assigned to twelve pens (25 heads in each pen) and fed one of three grain based finishing diets with: (i) negative rumen degradable protein balance (DPB; -12 g/kg DM); (ii) neutral DPB (0 g/kg DM); and (iii) positive DPB (14 g/kg DM). Ration with negative DPB (conventional feed) contained 88.3% rolled barley grain, 7.0% supplement and 4.7% barley silage. For the rations with neutral - and positive DPB, the barley grain was replaced by wDDGS at 11 or 22% of the diet, respectively. Over the 131-d finishing period, animal performance and carcass traits were similar among steers fed either of 3 finishing diets. In conclusion, barley grain in common feedlot diets can be substituted by wDDGS up to 22%, without altering steer performance and carcass characteristics

Low-Lignin Alfalfa Evaluated in the Black Soil Zone

Non-Peer ReviewedA small-plot study was conducted at Lanigan (lat 51°51´N, long 105°02´W) SK, in the Black soil zone, to compare low-lignin Hi-Gest®360 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to a conventional alfalfa (AC Grazeland, check cultivar). Each cultivar was seeded in August 2017 as both a monoculture and binary mixture (binary) with AC Success hybrid bromegrass (HB). Plants were sampled in 2019 at 3 different maturity stages of alfalfa (1 = 10% bloom; 2 = 40% bloom or commercial harvest stage; and 3 = 100% bloom). Forage was harvested 27 June, and 8 and 29 July, 2019 for stage 1, stage 2 (11 d after stage 1), and stage 3 (21 d after stage 2), respectively. Treatments were replicated 4 times, a total of 48 plots with plot size of 6.2 — 1.2 m. Forage — maturity stage interaction was not observed (P > 0.05) for all measured parameters. AC Grazeland and Hi-Gest exhibited similar (P > 0.05) DMY (2978 ± 405 kg/ha). Likewise, AC Grazeland+HB and Hi-Gest+HB did not vary (P = 0.62; 9120 ± 647 kg /ha) in DMY. There was little difference between Hi-Gest and AC Grazeland (P > 0.05) in nutrient profile. As alfalfa maturity advanced, DMY increased (P 0.05) were observed between AC Grazeland+HB and Hi-Gest+HB for nutrient profiles. The ADL concentration of Hi-Gest + HB was 106.3%, 93.7%, and 90.9% of (avg. 96.7%) AC Grazeland+HB, for the stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3, respectively. Hi-Gest alfalfa had greater (P 0.05) greater EDCP (8.2% more; 370 vs. 342 g/kg CP), but had similar EDDM (388.4 g/kg DM) and EDNDF (250 g/ kg NDF) relative to AC Grazeland+HB. In both mono- and binary systems, as the maturity advanced, EDDM, EDCP, and EDNDF declined (P Hi-Gest+HB > Hi-Gest > AC Grazeland. Compared to conventional alfalfa (AC Grazeland) that was harvested at the commercial harvest stage (stage 2; 40% bloom), Hi-Gest alfalfa harvested at stage 3 (100% bloom) had $169.23/ha and$143.57/ha greater market value in mono- and binary system, respectively. Preliminary results suggest that Hi-Gest alfalfa (in both monoculture and binary systems) did not differ in DMY and nutrient profiles, but was greater in rumen degradation potential relative to AC Grazeland, suggesting Hi-Gest 360 alfalfa is a viable alternative legume in both monoculture and binary systems for the Black soil zone of Saskatchewan