Adding wheat to a pre-partum diet of Holstein cows favours post-partum protein utilization and benefits calcium status

This study evaluated the effects of replacing corn with wheat on the lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, plasma metabolites and hormonal profiles of multiparous Holstein cows. Thirty-four multiparous cows were divided into two equal groups, based on parity, body condition score, and bodyweight. The basal diet was supplemented with 186 g/kg corn or wheat, and was offered from day -28 (±7) relative to the date of expected calving. After calving, all cows received the same diet for four weeks (day +28). The wheat diets increased (P <0.05) the body condition score in the peri-parturient period and caused greater changes in dry matter intake and bodyweight post-partum, with no differences in energy balance compared with the corn diets. Further, the wheat increased (P <0.05) the concentration of propionate in the rumen, thus reducing the ratio of acetate to propionate, and produced (P <0.05) more milk and milk protein, but had reduced levels of urea nitrogen in the milk and serum. Similarly, the wheat diets increased (P <0.05) the plasma concentrations of albumin and glucose, and reduced (P <0.05) triglycerides with no effect (P >0.10) post partum on insulin, cortisol, β-hydroxybutyric acid and aspartate aminotransferase. The replacement of corn with wheat increased (P <0.05) plasma calcium and reduced non-esterified fatty acids around calving (day 0±1) and post-partum (days 0 to +28), and reduced urinary pH during the last week relative to the date of expected calving.Keywords: calving, energy balance, grain source, peri-parturient perio

In situ dry matter, protein and neutral detergent fibre degradation kinetics of Cholistan Desert grasses

Global climate change is evident and poses serious threats to the sustainability of traditional rangeland livestock production systems. This study tested the feeding potential of perennial grasses of Cholistan Desert for various species of ruminants at different physiological stages. Eight common and nutritionally important grass species (Cenchrus ciliaris, Stipagrostis plumose, Panicum antidotale, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Cenchrus pennisitiformis, Lasiurus scindicus, Ochthochloa compressa and Vetiveria zizanioides) were investigated for in situ degradation parameters according to Nordic feed evaluation system (NorFor) standards. The collected, dried and milled grass samples were incubated for 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours to determine dry matter and crude protein biodegradation and additionally for 96 and 168 hours for neutral detergent fibre degradation in the rumens of lactating Nili-Ravi buffalo and Cholistan Desert cows and heifers (two from each species and from each physiological stage). All of these grass species influenced the dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre degradation fractions significantly. The overall effective degradability of dry matter for asymptotic extent of degradation did not differ. However, the potentially degradable but insoluble fraction and rate of degradation were influenced significantly by the species of the animals. All the proximate parametric characteristics of perennial desert grasses were within the nutrient range for typical ruminant diets except for crude protein. It was concluded that rumen availability of grasses was highly influenced by grass species. However, these grasses are equally nutritionally important for various species of ruminants for example buffalo versus cattle at different physiological stages and heifers versus lactating animals.Keywords: buffalo, Cenchrus ciliaris, desert cows, desert forage, feeding valu

Zon bukan parameter mesokurtosis analisis isyarat pencirian dinamik bahan logam

Kertas ini membentangkan pembangunan dan aplikasi sebuah kaedah analisis isyarat statistik alternative yang dinamakan Mesokurtosis Zonal Nonparametric (M-Z-N) dalam mencirikan sifat kenyal bahan logam. Tindak balas getaran tindak balas dan radiasi akustik daripada bar segi empat tepat daripada pelbagai bahan logam yang bergetar dianalisis secara statistik untuk menentukan corak isyarat dan untuk menganggarkan perbezaan yang signifikan di kalangan bahan-bahan logam. Ramalan gelombang dan kaedah untuk mengurangkan penjanaan bunyi daripada kesan ini yang diperolehi oleh proses yang luas untuk alternatif baru teknik penapisan Z-batang yang telah dibangunkan dalam kertas ini. Lengkungan eksperimen yang diperolehi daripada penentuan pekali M-Z-N untuk pelbagai daya bahan logam mendapati bahawa keputusan adalah secara statistiknya signifikan dan boleh digunakan untuk menentukan korelasi antara ciri-ciri keluk dan sifat-sifat yang berkaitan elastik bahan logam. Uji kaji kaedah analisis ke atas empat bahan logam ini menunjukkan satu hubungan yang baik antara pekali kuadratik dengan sifat kenyal bahan logam