The quality of farm-scale alfalfa silages

Received: 2015-11-03   |   Accepted: 2016-01-29   |   Available online: 2016-05-30dx.doi.org/10.15414/afz.2016.19.02.54-58The aim of the work was to determine the nutritive and fermentation quality of farm-scale alfalfa silages from West part of Slovakia, analyzed in 2014 on the Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. In alfalfa silages, we found the average dry mater content 372.66 g.kg-1, while 30 % of samples had lower dry mater content than 350 g.kg-1. Only 15 % of samples had higher content of crude protein than 200 g. We don't found content of ADF lower than 300 g.kg-1 of DM in any sample. In alfalfa silages was higher content of NDF than 37.5 % in 70 % of alfalfa silages. The lactic acid content was higher than 10 g of the original mater in all samples except one, ranged from 0.73 to 14.67 % on a dry matter basis. Average content of acetic acid was 29.82 g.kg-1 of DM. Undesirable butyric acid was found in 35 % of samples with average content 8.44 g.kg-1 of DM, with maximal content 108.25 g.kg-1 of DM.Keywords: alfalfa, silage, nutritive value, fermentation, qualityReferencesBaumont, R. (1996) Palatability and feeding behaviour in ruminants. A review. Annales de Zootechnie, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 385-400. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/animres:19960501Bíro, D. et al. (2010) Influence of bacterial-enzyme additive on fermentation process of faba bean, alfalfa and oat mixture silages. In Forage Conservation. Brno 17-19.3. 2010. Brno: Mendel University, pp. 145-147.Bíro, D. et al. (2014) Conservation and Adjustment of Feed. Nitra: Slovak University of Agriculture (in Slovak).Daniel, J. L. P. et al. (2013) Performance of dairy cows fed high levels of acetic acid or ethanol. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 96, no. 1, pp. 398-406.  doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5451Doležal, P. et al. (2012) Feed Conservation. Olomouc: Petr Baštan (in Czech).Gerlach, K. et al. (2014) Aerobic exposure of grass silages and its impact on dry matter intake and preference by goats. Small Ruminant Research, vol. 117, no. 2-3, pp. 131-141. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.12.033Huhtanen,  P. et al. (2002) Prediction of the relative intake potential of grass silage by dairy cows. Livestock Production Science, vol. 73, no. 2-3, pp. 111-130. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(01)00279-2Charmley, E. (2001) Towards improved silage quality. A review. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, vol. 81, no. 2, pp. 157-168. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS10071Jendrišáková, S. (2010) Determination of protein digestible in intestine by NIRS-method in forages for ruminants. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 54-57. Retrieved from http://www.slpk.sk/acta/docs/2010/afz02-10/jendrisakova.pdfKung, L. and Shaver, R. (2001) Interpretation and use of silage fermentation analysis reports. Focus on Forage, vol. 3, no. 13, pp.1-5.Kung, L. (2010) Understanding the biology of silage preservation to maximize quality and protect the environment. In Proceedings, 2010 California Alfalfa & Forage Symposium and Corn/Cereal Silage Conference. Visalia, California 1-2. 12. 2010. University of California, pp. 1-14.Mitrík, T. (2010) Evaluation of quality and nutritive value of forage : Ph.D. Thesis. Košice: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy,. pp.126-130.Muck R. E., Moser, L. E. and Pitt, R. E. (2003) Postharvest factors affecting ensiling. In: Buxton, D. et al. (eds) Silage Science and Technology. No. 42 in the series Agronomy. Madison: Wisconsin, pp. 251-304.Pajtáš, M. et al. (2009) Nutrition and animal feeding. Nitra: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (in Slovak).Petrikovič, P. et al. (2000) Nutritive value of feed I. part. Nitra: Research institute of animal production (in Slovak).Rajčáková, Ľ. and Mlynár, R. (2009) The principles of use of the potential of silage and preservative additives in the production of high quality and hygienically safe conserved feed. [Online]. Retrieved May 29, 2015 from http://www.cvzv.sk/pdf/Konzervacia-a-silazovanie-krmiv/Silazovanie-metodicka%20prirucka.pdf (in Slovak).Regulation of the Government of Slovak Republic no. 439/2006, appendix no.7, part G, Nutritive value of feeds (in Slovak).Regulation of the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture no. 2136/2004-100 about sampling of feeds and about laboratory testing and evaluation of feeds. (in Slovak).SAS Institute Inc. (2008) SAS/STAT® 9.2 User's Guide. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.Seglar, B. (2003) Fermentation analysis and silage quality testing. In Proceedings of the Minnesota Dairy Health Conference College of Veterinary Medicine. University of Minnesota, pp.119-136. [Online].  Retrieved May 29, 2015 from http://www.cvm.umn.edu/dairy/prod/groups/cvm/@pub/@cvm/documents/asset/cvm_22260.pdfShaver, R. D. (2013) Practical application of new forage quality tests. [Online].  Retrieved May 29, 2015 from http://ext100.wsu.edu/wallawalla/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2013/07/New-Forage-Quality-Tests.pdfSchmidt, P. et al. (2014) Effects of Lactobacillus buchneri on the nutritive value of sugarcane silage for finishing beef bulls. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, vol. 43, no.1, pp. 8-13. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982014000100002 Steinshamn, H. (2010) Effect of forage legumes on feed intake, milk production and milk quality – a review. Animal Science Papers and Reports, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 195-206. Retrieved from http://www.ighz.edu.pl/?p0=5&p1=34&o=2998Škultéty, M. (1999) Evaluation of quality in silages. In Forage conservation. Nitra 6.-8. 9. 1999. Nitra: Research Institute of Animal Production, pp. 46-49 (in Slovak).Tabacco, E. et al. (2002) Effect of cutting frequency on dry matter yield and quality of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in the Po Valley. Italian Journal of Agronomy, vol. 6, no.1, pp. 27-33. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228598490_Effect_of_cutting_frequency_on_dry_matter_yield_and_quality_of_lucerne_Medicago_sativa_L_in_the_Po_ValleyTabacco, E. et al. (2006) Effect of chestnut tannin on fermentation quality, proteolysis, and protein rumen degradability of alfalfa silage. Journal of  Dairy Science, vol. 89, no. 12, pp. 4736-4746. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72523-1Van Saun, R. J. (2008) Troubleshooting silage problems: how to identify potential problems. [Online].  Retrieved May 29, 2015 from http://extension.psu.edu/animals/health/metabolic-profiling/bibliography/Bunksilo.pdfVyskočil, I. et al. (2008) Pocket catalog of feedstuffs. [Online].  Retrieved May 29, 2015 from http://web2.mendelu.cz/pcentrum/publikace/53_kapesni_katalog_krmiv.pdf (in Czech).Ward, R.T. (2008) Fermentation analysis of silage: use and interpretation. [Online].  Retrieved May 29, 2015 from http://www.foragelab.com/media/fermentation-silage-nfmp-oct-2008.pd

The effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on selected parameters of laying hens performance

DOI: 10.15414/afz.2014.17.03.96-99Received 13. May 2014 ǀ Accepted 11. July 2014 ǀ Available online 27. August 2014The aim of the study was to analyze the dietary effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on performance parameters of laying hens. Lohmann Brown Lite hens were randomly divided to three groups. Total 12 hens (6 per group) were monitored. Hens in control group (C) were fed by standard diet. First group (E1) was fed by feed mixture supplemented with pumpkin oil, and second group (E2) with flaxseed oil. Total were gained 244 eggs from C, 277 eggs from E1 and 228 eggs from E2. Average daily production was 4.84 eggs per day in control group, 5.31 eggs in first experimental group and 4.39 eggs in second experimental group.  Average weight of eggs was 62.88 g in group with standard feed mixture, 64.62 g in group with pumpkin oil supplementation and 65.28 g in group with flaxseed oil supplementation. After oil supplementation, were significant (P0.05). In egg´s production was significant (P<0.05) difference only between experimental groups.Key words: nutrition, additives, oils, eggs, layin

Sexual selection and population divergence I. the influence of socially flexible cuticular hydrocarbon expression in male field crickets (Teleogryllus oceanicus).

This is the peer reviewed version of the article which has been published in final form at DOI: 10.1111/evo.12839.© 2015 The Author(s). Evolution © 2015 The Society for the Study of Evolution.Debates about how coevolution of sexual traits and preferences might promote evolutionary diversification have permeated speciation research for over a century. Recent work demonstrates that the expression of such traits can be sensitive to variation in the social environment. Here we examined social flexibility in a sexually selected male trait - cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles - in the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus and tested whether population genetic divergence predicts the extent or direction of social flexibility in allopatric populations. We manipulated male crickets' social environments during rearing and then characterised CHC profiles. CHC signatures varied considerably across populations and also in response to the social environment, but our prediction that increased social flexibility would be selected in more recently founded populations exposed to fluctuating demographic environments was unsupported. Furthermore, models examining the influence of drift and selection failed to support a role of sexual selection in driving population divergence in CHC profiles. Variation in social environments might alter the dynamics of sexual selection, but our results align with theoretical predictions that the role social flexibility plays in modulating evolutionary divergence depends critically on whether responses to variation in the social environment are homogeneous across populations, or whether gene-by-social-environment interactions occur. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)University of California Pacific Rim Research GrantRoyal SocietyBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Erasmus Exchang

Sexual selection and population divergence I. The influence of socially flexible cuticular hydrocarbon expression in male field crickets (Teleogryllus oceanicus)

Debates about how coevolution of sexual traits and preferences might promote evolutionary diversification have permeated speciation research for over a century. Recent work demonstrates that the expression of such traits can be sensitive to variation in the social environment. Here we examined social flexibility in a sexually selected male trait – cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles – in the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus and tested whether population genetic divergence predicts the extent or direction of social flexibility in allopatric populations. We manipulated male crickets’ social environments during rearing and then characterised CHC profiles. CHC signatures varied considerably across populations and also in response to the social environment, but our prediction that increased social flexibility would be selected in more recently founded populations exposed to fluctuating demographic environments was unsupported. Furthermore, models examining the influence of drift and selection failed to support a role of sexual selection in driving population divergence in CHC profiles. Variation in social environments might alter the dynamics of sexual selection, but our results align with theoretical predictions that the role social flexibility plays in modulating evolutionary divergence depends critically on whether responses to variation in the social environment are homogeneous across populations, or whether gene-by-social-environment interactions occur.PostprintPeer reviewe

Mobiltechnológia használata az önállóság támogatásában

Vizuális támogatások készítése digitális platformon való alkalmazásba

The effect of aerobic exposure on nutritive value and fermentation parameters of maize silage

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of 24 hours aerobic exposure on the nutritive value and fermentation parameters of maize silage under operating conditions in autumn. The maize silage was treated with the addition of granulated biological silage additive (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri and Pediococcus pentosaceus) in a 0.25 kg*t-1 dose of matter. The maize silage was stored in unsheltered, impassable 36x23x6m silo, covered with thin translucent underlying sheet and black upper sheet with tires laid on the top at the University farm, Ltd. Kolíňany – large scale dairy farm Oponice. Sampling of the silage from silo was realized by block cutter on 5th of October 2011 at 4 a.m. (before feeding) and subsequently, maize silage was stored at the feeding table in dairy cow's stall. The sampling of the maize silage happened immediately after collection (H0) and after 24 hours of storage at the feeding table (H24). The air temperature in dairy cow's stall was 13.5 °C (H0) and after 24 hours of storage (H24) 15 °C. The temperature of the silage in 30cm depth was 28 °C (H0) and 40.3 °C (H24). After 24 hours of aerobic exposure, the content of dry matter, starch, hemicelluloses and neutral detergent fiber in maize silage was statistically significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Our results indicate a reduction in vitro organic matter digestibility and a decrease in energy and nitrogen values during aerobic exposure. We found statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease in lactic acid content, the degree of proteolysis and an increase in acetic acid (by 41%) in maize silage with Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri and Pediococcus pentosaceus during 24 hours aerobic exposure