Forage Yield and Soil Moisture Content in \u3cem\u3ePanicum Maximum\u3c/em\u3e cv. Tanzania Monoculture and in a Mixture with \u3cem\u3eLeucaena Leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e with Different Densities in Mexico

Cattle production is limited by forage availability during the dry season since water and soil fertility are the main factors limiting production. Leucaena leucocephala has good nutritive value (24-30% CP). It can stand drought and grazing and so its introduction into pastures is recommended as an alternative to forage production during the dry season. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the introduction of L. leucocephala with different densities on biomass production of P. maximum and soil water content

Supplementation with \u3ci\u3eBrosimum alicastrum\u3c/i\u3e Swartz to Pelibuey Sheep Fed Low Quality Rations

The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of supplementing increasing levels of ramón (Brosimum alicastrum) foliage to Pelibuey sheep fed guinea grass (Panicum maximum) hay. Rate and extent of rumen degradation of organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) of ramón foliage were high. Dry matter (DM) intake of the diet was increased by the inclusion of ramón foliage. However, rate and extent of digestion of guinea grass was not affected by the ramón foliage. Rate of passage of solid was linearly increased as a result of the inclusion of ramón foliage in the ration. Supply of microbial N to the small intestine was significantly increased by the tree foliage. Ramón foliage is a suitable source of nutrients for ruminant during the dry season in tropical Mexico

Intake and Yield of \u3ci\u3eCynodon nlemfuensis\u3c/i\u3e Alone and Associated with \u3ci\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/i\u3e Grazed by Sheep

The objective of the present study was to determine dry matter intake (DMI) and the forage yield of green dry matter (GDM) of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) alone and associated with Leucaena leucocephala cv. Perú grazed by sheep. The experimental treatments were: Systems T1) Star grass alone, and T2) Star grass + L. leucocephala. These treatments were evaluated during three seasons (i.e. Late-rainy, Dry and Rainy seasons). The availability of forage was lower (P \u3c 0.0001) in T1, 2543 kg GDM/ha, than with T2, 3092 kg GDM/ha. Green dry matter in the rainy season was greater (P \u3c 0.0001), with 3910 kg GDM/ha, than in the late-rainy and dry seasons, 2492 and 2052 kg GDM/ha, respectively. DMI was 5.9 and 7.6 g DM/kg of LW 0.75/hour for the T1 and T2, respectively (P \u3c 0.0001). DMI during the rainy season was lower (P \u3c 0.01) than that of the dry and late-rainy seasons, 6.2, 6.4 and 7.5 g DM/kg LW0.75/hour, respectively. The association C. nlemfuensis-L. leucocephala increased the availability of forage and the voluntary intake

Root Density in \u3cem\u3ePanicum maximum\u3c/em\u3e cv. Tanzania Monoculture and in a Mixture with \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e with Different Densities in Mexico

In Yucatan cattle production is limited by forage availability during the dry season. L. leucocephala has good nutritive value (24 - 30% CP) and can stand drought and grazing, therefore its use in mixture with grasses is recommended. However, in association both species could compete for light, water and nutrients. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of introduction of L. leucocephala with different densities on root density of P. maximum

Effect of Defoliation Frequency on Forage Yield from Intensive Silvopastoral Systems Compared to a Monoculture Grassland

Livestock production in the tropical regions of the world faces serious constraints as a result of climate change. Monoculture based pastures require the use of large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers to sustain production throughout the year. In general terms, tropical grasses are of low quality and when consumed by ruminant species, contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) (Herrero et al. 2009; Place et al. 2009). The establishment of intensive silvopastoral systems (iSPS) with associated shrubs legumes and grasses can increase the yield and quality of forage as well as fixation and transfer of atmospheric nitrogen (N) (Murgueitio et al. 2011). Therefore, the costs of nitrogen fertilizers and the emissions of greenhouse gases under practical conditions can be reduced. The intensive silvopastoral system is a kind of agroforestal practice that it is environmentally friendly and at the same time improves productivity of livestock systems. However, several aspects of its management have not been fully evaluated. This is the case of the response to defoliation, which is an important management factor associated to the overall biomass productivity (Solorio 2005)

Urinary Excretion of Mimosine Derivatives by Cows with and without Experience in Consumption of \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e

Leucaena leucocephala is a leguminous tree widely distributed in the tropical regions of the world. In Mexico, it has been incorporated into silvopastoral systems and is highly regarded, owing to its high content of crude protein. Nonetheless, L. leucocephala contains secondary metab-olites, such as mimosine, a non-protein free amino acid, which may induce toxic effects in unadapted ruminants that consume the forage (Hammond 1995). Although Synergistes jonesii, an anaerobic bacterium, has the ability to degrade 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP to non-toxic compounds (Allison et al. 1992), in Mexico its presence has not yet been confirmed. Recent work has suggested the occurrence of sub-clinical toxicity to 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP in cattle grazing L. leucocephala in Australia and Thailand (Graham 2007; Dalzell et al. 2012; Phaikaew et al. 2012). Several options such as the transfer of rumen liquor and the adaptation of ruminants to the intake of L. leucocephala have been studied in an attempt to reduce the excretion of mimosine and its metabolites (Palmer et al. 2010). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the experience of consumption of L. leucocephala on excretion of mimosine derivatives (3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP) in the urine of cattle

Productive Performance of Growing Cattle Grazing a Silvopastoral System with \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e

In tropical regions, the feeding of cattle is usually based on the grazing of medium to low quality grasses. Low fertility of soils, changing climatic conditions and the poor management of pastures, have further reduced the quality and forage yield of pastures. The low availability and quality of grasses gives modest weight gains for grazing cattle and this in-turn causes low economical efficiency of cattle production systems (Campos et al. 2011). Silvopastoral systems represent a sustainable option for meat and milk production in the tropics. The association of grasses with legumes such as Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) supply forage with high concentration of crude protein (Barros et al. 2012). There are reports in the scientific literature which show that intake of leucaena can result in good rates of growth in cattle (e.g. Shelton and Dalzell 2007); however the presence of the free amino acid mimosine and its metabolites (3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP) in leucaena when the anaerobic bacteria Synergistes jonesii (Allison et al. 1992) is absent from the rumen, may induce subclinical toxicity in grazing ruminants (Graham 2007; Dalzell et al. 2012; Phaikaew et al. 2012). There are no reports in Mexico regarding the rate of growth of cattle grazing silvopastoral systems with leucaena. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the rate of growth of cattle grazing an association of Panicum maximum and leucaena compared to that of cattle fed a high grain ration (feedlot)

Urinary Excretion of Mimosine Metabolites by Hair Sheep Fed Foliage of \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e

Leucaena leucocephala is an adapted legume widely distributed in the tropical regions of Mexico. The high crude protein content of leucaena leaves renders it appropriate for ruminant feeding under commercial conditions. However, the foliage contains the non-protein amino acid mimosine, which, if consumed in high amounts, may induce toxicity in animals which have not previously consumed the legume or without microorganisms capable of degrading mimosine and its derivatives 2,3-DHP (dihydroxypyridine) and 3,4-DHP (Hammond 1995, Palmer et al. 2010, Dalzell et al. 2012). Barros-Rodríguez et al. (2012) found that dry matter intake and weight gain were reduced when sheep grazed paddocks with 55,000 plants of leucaena per hectare. Early work in Australia led to the isolation of Synergistes jonesii, an anaerobic bacterium able to degrade 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP to non-toxic compounds (Allison et al. 1992). In Mexico, the presence of this microorganism in the rumen has not yet been confirmed. Inoculation of non-accustomed animals with rumen liquor of ruminants adapted to the consumption of leucaena can reduce the impact of mimosine and its metabolites on animal health (Ghosh et al. 2009; Palmer et al. 2010). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of transferring rumen liquor of cows adapted to the consumption of L. leucocephala to sheep without experience of consumption, on urinary excretion of 3.4-DHP and 2.3-DHP by means of a colorimetric technique

Impact of orange essential oil on enteric methane emissions of heifers fed bermudagrass hay

In this study, the effects of orange essential oil (OEO) on the rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and methane (CH₄) emissions of beef heifers fed a diet of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) were examined. In addition, in vitro and in situ experiments were conducted. The in vitro experiment consisted of three treatments: control (CTL, no OEO), OEO1 (0.25% OEO), and OEO2 (0.5% OEO). The forage to concentrate ratio was 70:30 (dry matter [DM] basis) in all treatments. No changes in pH, proportions of volatile fatty acids, and the acetate:propionate ratio were observed (P > 0.05). The addition of 0.25% OEO resulted in a reduction in CH₄ production (mL/g) relative to the control (P 0.05). In the in vivo study, six crossbred beef heifers (Bos indicus × Bos taurus), fitted with rumen cannulas, were assigned to three different treatments: no additive (CTL), 0.25% OEO (OEO1), and 0.5% OEO (OEO2) in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square (21-day periods). Heifers were fed at 2.8% body weight. In vivo CH₄ production was measured in open-circuit respiration chambers. Reductions in gross energy consumption, apparent total tract digestibility, and rumen valerate concentration were observed for OEO2 compared to the control (P < 0.05). Additionally, decreases in CH₄ emissions (g/day; P < 0.05) and CH4 (MJ gross energy intake/day; P < 0.05) were observed in response to supplementation of 0.5% OEO as compared to the CTL treatment. Thus, supplementation of 0.5% OEO reduced CH₄ emissions (g/day) by 12% without impacting the DM intake of heifers fed bermudagrass hay as a basal ration