Effect of sodium bicarbonate and sodium bentonite on digestion and rumen fermentation characteristics of forage sorghum silage-based diets fed to growing steers

One percent sodium bicarbonate (NaHCo3) increased intake of a 50% silage - 50% grain diet, but had no effect on intake of a full-feed sorghum silage diet. The addition of concentrate (rolled milo) slightly lowered rumen pH and decreased acid detergent fiber (ADF) and starch digestion. NaHC03 had no effect on digestibility, but 2% bentonite lowered digestibility of NDF and ADF. Neither compound affected rumen fermentation characteristics.; Dairy Day, 1985, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1985

Influence of source and amount of dietary protein on the performance and reproductive function of first-calf heifers

Increasing the amount of dietary protein above the NRC requirement increased weight gain of nursing first-calf heifers. Feeding a protein source with higher ruminal escape potential and increasing protein in the diet both improved calf gains. No significant changes in reproductive function or milk production were observed from either source or amount of dietary protein

Effects of Post-weaning Nutritional Conditions on Isowean Pigs

This study quantifies the responses of isowean pigs to post-weaning nutritional conditions as may be encountered during extended shipment. PIC breeding stock pigs at 8 to 12 days of age (3.5 to 4.0 kg body weight) were subjected to four nutritional regimens for 72 h. The pigs were then raised with ad libitum feeding for 14 days. Thermoneutral environments were used throughout the experiment. Pigs deprived of feed and water (i.e., Fast) had higher body weight loss (of 0.61 kg/pig or 17% of their initial body weight) as compared with pigs provided with feed and water supplement (0.39 kg/pig or 11% of their initial body weight) or water supplement only (0.43 kg/pig or 11.5% IBW) (P \u3c 0.05). All the treatments led to significant rise in blood urea nitrogen but fall in blood glucose (P \u3c 0.05). However, the glucose levels were much higher than the generally considered hypoglycemic level (75 mg/dL). All pigs showed a similar degree of dehydration, as evidenced by elevated hematocrit and blood electrolyte concentrations (P \u3c 0.05). The physiological responses returned to normal during the 14-day growth period and were similar for all the pigs. The results suggest that isowean pigs (PIC genetic line) responded well to post-weaning nutritional conditions typically encountered during extended shipments. Supply of bacteria-resistant water supplement such as Aqua-Jel seemed beneficial in reducing stress and may be considered for extended commercial shipment. However, in-transit supply of feed added little benefit to the pigs and thus may be omitted. This omission has special implications for international shipments because certain countries prohibit inclusion of feed in shipment. The energetics data of this study may be used to design and operate ventilation systems in transportation and production facilities for the isowean pigs

In Vitro Measurements of True Digestibility and Products of Digestion Using Multiple Cultivars of Non-Extracted and CBD-Extracted Industrial Hemp Biomass (Cannabis sativa)

Since 2018, the growth of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) for extraction of cannabidiol (CBD) oil has increased in popularity. By-products resulting from the extraction of the oil have become more available but remain largely unutilized due to their novelty and current restrictions on animal feeding. One potential use for the leftover inflorescence may be as a feedstuff, but reports examining its nutrient quality are limited. Therefore, experiments were conducted to evaluate 9 cultivars of non-extracted and 9 separate cultivars of CBD-extracted foliage. Ground alfalfa cubes were included in experiments as a control. All samples were analyzed for ash, ether extract, crude protein, lignin, ash-free neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble crude protein, and neutral detergent insoluble crude protein. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) were calculated using summative equations. In vitro true digestibility (IVTD) was determined using a filter bag technique and 48-h digestion period. Cumulative gas production was measured in batch culture over a 48-h period, with methane and ammonia production, volatile fatty acid (VFA) formation, and dry matter disappearance (DMD) measured following this period. Substrates for gas production measurements were composed of the hemp sample, rye silage, and ground corn mixed at a 30:35:35 ratio. Grind size (0.5 vs. 2.0 mm) was evaluated using non-extracted hemp and did not influence IVTD. Nutrient composition ranges of non- and CBD-extracted samples were similar, except for a numerically higher mean ether extract (17.66% vs. 9.29%) and TDN (73.01% vs. 54.03%) in non-extracted hemp. None of the measured nutrients for alfalfa cubes fell within the observed concentration ranges of either hemp group, but TDN was numerically similar to that of CBD-extracted hemp. IVTD was numerically similar between both hemp groups and alfalfa cubes. In comparison to alfalfa cubes, VFA (both concentration and molar proportions), ammonia concentrations, pH, DMD, methane, and total gas production were numerically similar with concurrently run non- and CBD-extracted hemp groups. The results of this study serve as a foundation from which a larger database of nutrient component values for hemp may be compiled. Such databases are necessary to fully evaluate the feasibility of a feedstuff for inclusion in animal diets

Effects of Fluctuating Temperatures on Isowean Pigs

This study quantifies responses of isowean pigs (10 to 12 days of age, PIC breed) to potential in-transit temperature fluctuations for 54 h, followed by a 14-day growth period under thermoneutrality. The 54-h temperature regimens included a constant air temperature of 26.7°C (as control) and three cyclic air temperatures of 26.7 ± 2.8°C, 26.7 ± 5.6°C and 26.7 ± 8.3°C, all using woodshavings bedding atop rigid board insulation. The pigs received an average dosage of 0.91 kg/pig water replacement supply during the 54-h treatment period, and ad-libitum feeding and watering during the growth period. Pigs in all three treatments and the control had similar growth performance, physiological, and energetic responses during both treatment and growth periods. At the end of the treatment period, the pigs had elevated concentrations of hematocrit, plasma protein, blood urea nitrogen, sodium and chloride, but declined concentration of glucose (P \u3c 0.05). Potassium and bicarbonate levels remained relatively constant (P \u3e 0.05). Concentrations of the blood constituents returned to normal during the growth period. The results suggest that the isowean pigs respond well to air temperature fluctuations of up to ±8.3°C around the thermoneutral condition of 26.7°C air temperature coupled with woodshavings bedding

The common ‘thermolabile' variant of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase is a major determinant of mild hyperhomocysteinaemia

Mild hyperhomocysteinaemia is a major risk factor for vascular disease and neural tube defects (NTDs), conferring an approximately three-fold relative risk for each condition. It has several possible causes: heterozygosity for rare loss of function mutations in the genes for 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) or cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS); dietary insufficiency of vitamin co-factors B6, B12 or folates; or homozygosity for a common ‘thermolabile' mutation in the MTHFR gene which has also been associated with vascular disease and NTDs. We quantified the contribution of the thermolabile mutation to the hyperhomocysteinaemic phenotype in a working male population (625 individuals). Serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were also measured and their relationship with homocysteine status and MTHFR genotype assessed. The homozygous thermolabile genotype occurred in 48.4, 35.5, and 23.4% of the top 5,10, and 20% of individuals (respectively) ranked by plasma homocysteine levels, compared with a frequency of 11.5% in the study population as a whole, establishing that the mutation is a major determinant of homocysteine levels at the upper end of the range. Serum folate concentrations also varied with genotype, being lowest in thermolabile homozygotes. The MTHFR thermolabile genotype should be considered when population studies are designed to determine the effective homocysteine-lowering dose of dietary folate supplements, and when prophylactic doses of folate are recommended for individual