Archaeal abundance in post-mortem ruminal digesta may help predict methane emissions from beef cattle

The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and SRUC are funded by the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS) of the Scottish Government. The project was supported by DEFRA and DA funded Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research Platform. Our thanks are due to the excellent support staff at the SRUC Beef Research Centre, Edinburgh, also to Graham Horgan of BioSS, Aberdeen, for conducting multivariate analysis.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Methane emission, intake, digestibility, performance and blood metabolites in sheep supplemented with cupuassu and tucuma cake in the eastern Amazon

The use of co-products as a feed supplement for ruminants makes livestock sustainable and optimizes the use of available areas and animal performance. Furthermore, when cakes are used, the residual fat composition can influence ruminal metabolism and methane (CH4) production. This study aimed to assess the effects of a diet containing cupuassu (CUP; Theobroma grandiflorum) and tucuma (TUC; Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.) cakes on intake, digestibility, serum metabolites, performance, and CH4 emissions in confined sheep in the Amazon. Approximately 28 animals, Dorper-Santa Inês, castrated, with an average initial live weight (ILW) of 35 ± 2.3 kg, were distributed in metabolic cages, in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and seven replications: (1) Control (C40), without the addition of Amazonian cake and with 40 g of ether extract (EE)/kg of dietary dry matter (DM); (2) CUP, the inclusion of the CUP cake and 70 g of EE/kg; (3) TUC, the inclusion of the TUC cake and 70 g of EE/kg; and (4) Control (C80), without the addition of Amazonian cake and with 80 g of EE/kg of dietary DM, with roughage to concentrate ratio of 40:60. The use of the TUC cake as a feed supplement reduced the intake of DM, crude protein (CP), and EE compared to the inclusion of the CUP cake (p < 0.05); however, it increased the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) by 32% (p < 0.01). The highest averages of DM (732 g/kg) and CP (743 g/kg) digestibility were presented in C40, while the highest digestibility of NDF was presented in TUC (590 g/kg). Albumin levels stayed above and protein levels were below the reference values, and the C40 diet also obtained below results for cholesterol, triglycerides and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.05). Sheep fed CUP (91 g) and TUC (45 g) had lower daily weight gains (DWGs) than those fed with diets without the inclusion of cakes (C40 = 119 g; C80 = 148 g), and feed efficiency (FE) was also lower in CUP (84) and TUC (60) diets than in C40 (119) and C80 (137) diets. CH4 emissions were lower in animals fed TUC (26 L/day) and higher in C40 (35 L/day); however, TUC resulted in higher CH4 emissions in grams/body live weight (BW) gain/day (353 g/BW/day) vs. 183 g/BW/day (C40), 157 g/BW/day (C80), and 221 g/BW/day (CUP). The supplementation with cakes did not improve intake, digestibility and performance, did not compromise blood metabolites and did not reduce the enteric CH4 emission in confined sheep in the Amazon; however, the use of CUP cake showed similar results to the control treatments and did not increase CH4 emissions, as occurred with the inclusion of TUC cake

Nutrient intake, digestibility, performance, carcass traits and sensory analysis of meat from lambs fed with co-products of Amazon oilseeds

Introduction:The increase in availability and nutritional composition of oilseed co-products has made it essential to study the use of this biomass.Methods:The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of including oilseed cakes on intake and digestibility, performance, carcass characteristics and meat sensory in feedlot lambs. Twenty-four crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês lambs, with initial body weight of 30 ± 1.3 kg, male, castrated, aged 4–5 months, were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments (diets) and six replications (animals), confined in individual stalls for 70 days.Results:The inclusion of tucuma cake (Tuc) reduced dry matter intake (p < 0.01) and diets with cupuassu cake (Cup) and palm kernel cake (Palm) reduced dry matter digestibility (p < 0.05). The Tuc diet also provided the lowest final body weight (p = 0.02); lower average daily gain (p = 0.03); lower feed efficiency (p = 0.03) and lower carcass weight (p < 0.01). However, diets did not influence carcass yield (%), fat thickness (mm) and loin eye area (cm2; p > 0.05). Meat from lambs on the control diet was rated as less fibrous and more tender (p < 0.05).Conclusion:The inclusion of tucuma cake does not influence digestibility, but reduces intake, performance and influences carcass characteristics and meat texture. Diets with cupuassu cake or palmiste cake reduced digestibility, however, intake, performance and carcass characteristics were similar to the control diet

Corn gluten bran in feeding of cows during lactation

Desenvolveu-se este trabalho, com objetivo de avaliar o efeito da substituição da mistura contendo milho e farelos de soja e de trigo pelo farelo de glúten de milho, em dietas à base de silagem de milho para vacas de leite, sobre os consumos e a digestibilidade aparente, a produção e composição de leite, a variação de peso corporal dos animais, a economicidade das dietas, a excreção de uréia na urina, a concentração de uréia no plasma e no leite, o balanço de compostos nitrogenados e a síntese de proteína microbiana. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas da raça Holandesa, em sistema de confinamento em baias individuais, distribuídas em três quadrados latinos 4x4, de acordo com o período de lactação. As dietas foram isonitrogenadas, com 14% de proteína bruta, com base na matéria seca (MS). Foram utilizadas quatro dietas, com níveis crescentes de substituição da ração concentrada (RC) à base de milho, farelo de soja e farelo de trigo, pelo farelo de glúten de milho (FGM), nos níveis 0, 33, 66 e 100%, com base na MS. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Willians (Willians, 1971), utilizando-se o programa SAS, e adotando nível de 1% de significância. Não se observaram diferenças nos consumos de MS (em kg/dia, %PV e g/kg0,75) entre as dietas experimentais. Houve decréscimo nos consumos MO, PB, EE e CNF (P<0,01) a partir de 67% de substituição da RC pelo FGM em relação às demais as dietas. Os consumos de FDN (em kg/dia e % do PV) não diferiram entre si (P<0,01). O consumo de NDT foi menor (P<0,01) para a dieta contendo maior nível de inclusão de farelo de glúten de milho em relação aos demais tratamentos. Não foram verificadas diferenças nos CDMS, CDMO, CDPB, CDEE, CDCT, CDCNF e no teor de NDT entre os diferentes níveis de inclusão do FGM. Não foram encontradas diferenças para PL, PLC, para os níveis de 0 e 33%. Os teores de PB, GL, LA e ESD não diferiram entre as dietas experimentais. Até 33% de substituição da RC pelo farelo de glúten de milho verificou-se a viabilidade econômica, justificando a sua utilização para redução dos custos de alimentação, em dietas à base de silagem de milho. Não foram observadas diferenças para EU-urina, NUL, NUP e na relação NUL/NUP entre os diferentes tratamentos. Pode-se observar que o nitrogênio total ingerido foi menor (P<0,01) para o nível de maior inclusão do FGM, o que refletiu em um menor balanço de compostos nitrogenado (g/dia) entre as dietas. O valor de N-leite também diferiu (P<0,01) para a dieta que substituiu 100% da RC pelo FGM. Em dietas à base de silagem de milho, até o nível de 33% de substituição da mistura contendo milho, farelo de soja e trigo pelo farelo de glúten de milho, pode ser utilizado para vacas de leite com produção de 20-25 kg/dia, de acordo com a disponibilidade e conveniência econômica.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the substitution of the mixture containing corn and soybean meal and wheat bran by corn gluten bran, in diets based of corn silage for milk cows, over the consumption and apparent digestibility, the milk production and composition, the body weight variation of the animals, the diet lower price, the urea excretion in the urine, the urea concentration in plasma and in milk, the balance of nitrogen compounds and the microbial protein synthesis. Twelve Holstein cows have been used in dry lot system in individual bails, distributed in three Latin squares 4X4, according the lactation period. The diets have been isonitrogenated, with 14% of crude protein, based on dry matter (DM). Four diets have been used, with increasing levels of substitution of the concentrated ration (CR) based of corn, soybean meal and wheat bran, by corn gluten bran (CGB), on levels 0, 33, 66 and 100%, based on DM. The data have been submitted to variance analysis and Willians test (Willians, 1971), using SAS software, adopting 1% significance level. It has not been observed differences on DM consumption (in kg/day, %PV and g/kg0,75) between the experimental diets. A decrease in the MO, PB, EE and CNF occurred (P<0,01) beginning at 67% of CR substitution by CGB in relation to other diets. The FDN consumption (in kg/day and % of PV) did not differ between themselves (P<0,01). NDT consumption was smaller (P<0,01) for the diet containing higher level of inclusion of corn gluten bran in relation to the other treatments. It has not been verified any difference on CDMS, CDMO, CDPB, CDEE, CDCT, CDCNF and in the tenor of NDT between the different inclusion levels of FGM. It has not been found differences for PL, PLC, for the 0% and 33% levels. The tenors of PB, GL, LA and ESD did not differ between the experimental diets. Until 33% of substitution of the RC by the corn gluten bran it has been verified the economical viability, justifying its use for the feeding cost reduction in diets based of corn silage. It has not been observed differences for EUurine, NUL, NUP and on NUL/NUP ratio between the different treatments. It can be observed that total nitrogen ingested was the smallest (P<0,01) for the level of higher CGB inclusion, what reflected in a minor balance of nitrogen compounds (g/day) between the diets. The N-milk value also differed (P<0, 01) for the diet which substituted 100% of the CR by CGB. In diets based on corn silage, until the level of 33% of substitution of the mixture containing corn, soybean meal and wheat bran by corn gluten bran, can be used for milk cows with 20-25 kg/day production, according to the availability and economical convenience.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

Meta-análise do impacto da fibra em detergente neutro sobre o consumo, a digestibilidade e o desempenho de vacas leiteiras em lactação

Avaliaram-se os efeitos das características químicas e da digestibilidade in vivo da FDN (DFDN) sobre o consumo, a digestibilidade e o desempenho de vacas leiteiras em confinamento utilizando-se meta-análise a partir de 285 observações de seis experimentos. Utilizaram-se dados de animais alimentados com dietas à base de silagem de milho (n = 213) ou cana-de-açúcar (n = 72). Apesar do menor teor de FDN da cana-de-açúcar (45,27% da MS) em relação à silagem de milho (54,48%), observaram-se menores consumos de MS e FDN, que refletiram em menor produção de leite. Verificou-se maior redução no comsumo de matéria seca (kg/dia) com aumento do teor de FDNf (FDN de forragem, % da MS) em dietas com canade-açúcar (332,4 g de MS para cada 1% no teor de FDNf) em relação à silagem de milho (96 g de MS para cada 1% no teor de FDNf). O maior efeito de repleção ruminal da FDN da cana-de-açúcar deve-se à fração indigestível, majoritária, apesar da maior taxa de degradação da fração potencialmente degradável da FDN em relação à silagem de milho. A produção de leite não-corrigida (PL) e corrigida para 4% de gordura (PLC) e o teor de proteína do leite reduziram linearmente com o aumento no teor de FDNf, independentemente da fonte de forragem. Porém, a PL e PLC não foram afetadas pelo nível de FDNnf (FDN de não-forragem). Os consumos de MS, FDN e NDT e o teor de gordura no leite reduziram linearmente com aumento na relação lignina:FDN, com maior amplitude em dietas à base de cana-de-açúcar em relação à silagem de milho. O consumo de MS, a produção de leite e a produção de leite corrigida reduziram linearmente e na mesma magnitude entre as fontes de forragens, com o aumento na DFDN da dieta. O efeito do teor FDN e lignina sobre o consumo, a digestibilidade e o desempenho animal depende da fonte utilizada

Balanço de nitrogênio em fêmeas leiteiras em confinamento alimentadas com concentrado à base de farelo de soja ou farelo de algodão Nitrogen use efficiency of growing dairy heifers fed concentrate rations based on soybean or cottonseed meal

Avaliou-se a influência do fornecimento de concentrados à base de farelo de soja ou farelo de algodão em dietas com silagem de milho sobre o balanço de nitrogênio e a produção de proteína microbiana em fêmeas leiteiras em crescimento. As dietas foram constituídas da combinação de dois níveis de concentrado (1 ou 2 kg) e duas fontes proteicas (farelo de soja ou farelo de algodão). Os animais que consumiram concentrado na quantidade de 2 kg/dia apresentaram maior consumo de nitrogênio total, entretanto não houve efeito significativo sobre o N-fecal, N-urinário e o balanço de nitrogênio. A interação entre o nível de concentrado e a fonte proteica influenciou o nitrogênio ureico na urina (N-urina), mas não alterou os níveis de nitrogênio ureico no plasma. Os níveis de concentrado e as fontes proteicas não afetaram as concentrações de purinas totais e alantoína na urina, a porcentagem de alantoína em relação às purinas totais, os níveis de ácido úrico na urina e nitrogênio microbiano nem a eficiência microbiana. O fornecimento de 1 ou 2 kg de concentrado contendo farelo de soja ou farelo de algodão como fontes proteicas para novilhas leiteiras em crescimento não afeta a eficiência microbiana, entretanto o fornecimento de 2 kg de concentrado aumenta a excreção de nitrogênio nas fezes.<br>The objective of this work was to evaluate effect of based-soybean or cottonseed meal concentrate rations in diets with corn silage on nitrogen balance (NB) and microbial protein production in growing dairy females. diets consisted of the combination of two levels of concentrate ration, 1 or 2 kg, and two protein sources, soybean meal or cottonseed meal. The animals that consumed 2 kg of concentrate ration showed greater total nitrogen intake, however, there was no significant effect on fecal-N, urine-N and nitrogen balance. The interaction among the concentrade levels and the protein source affected the urine uric N (N-urine) but did not change the levels of ureic nitrogen in the plasma. Levels of concentrate and protein sources did not affect concentrations of total purine and allantoin in the urine, the percentage of allantoin regarded to total purine, the levels of uric acid in the urine, microbial nitrogen neither the microbial efficiency. The supply of 1 or 2 kg of concentrate ration for growing dairy heifers, using soybean meal or cottonseed meal as protein sources does not affect microbial efficiency, although the supply of 2 kg of concentrate ration causes N waste in feces

Urea in sugarcane-based diets for dairy cows

We evaluated the effect of adding four levels (0, 4, 8 and 12 g/kg, as fed) of a mixture (9:1) of urea and ammonium sulfate (UAs) to sugarcane on feed intake and digestibility, productive performance and metabolism of nitrogen compounds of dairy cows. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (12.6±0.5 kg/d of milk, 225±90 days in milk) were distributed in three 4 × 4 Latin squares, receiving diets with the same amount of nitrogen (125 g crude protein/kg of dry matter). Concentrate feed was supplied at a ratio of 1 kg for each 3 kg of milk produced. The sugarcane presented 21.9 ºBrix. The level of UAs did not affect intake, total digestibility of diet components, milk production or milk components. Increasing UAs level linearly increased concentration of plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), urinary excretion of nitrogen and contribution of non-urea nitrogen in the urinary excretion and linearly reduced milk production/urinary excretion of nitrogen ratio. In spite of the linear increase of PUN with increased urea, the maximum value observed (14.31 mg/dL) was below the threshold value of 20 mg/dL, above which reproductive function may be compromised. In diets with sugarcane for dairy cows with production below 15 kg/day, the UAs level may be raised from 0 to 12 g/kg natural matter without impairing performance

Urea in sugarcane-based diets for dairy cows

We evaluated the effect of adding four levels (0, 4, 8 and 12 g/kg, as fed) of a mixture (9:1) of urea and ammonium sulfate (UAs) to sugarcane on feed intake and digestibility, productive performance and metabolism of nitrogen compounds of dairy cows. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (12.6±0.5 kg/d of milk, 225±90 days in milk) were distributed in three 4 × 4 Latin squares, receiving diets with the same amount of nitrogen (125 g crude protein/kg of dry matter). Concentrate feed was supplied at a ratio of 1 kg for each 3 kg of milk produced. The sugarcane presented 21.9 ºBrix. The level of UAs did not affect intake, total digestibility of diet components, milk production or milk components. Increasing UAs level linearly increased concentration of plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), urinary excretion of nitrogen and contribution of non-urea nitrogen in the urinary excretion and linearly reduced milk production/urinary excretion of nitrogen ratio. In spite of the linear increase of PUN with increased urea, the maximum value observed (14.31 mg/dL) was below the threshold value of 20 mg/dL, above which reproductive function may be compromised. In diets with sugarcane for dairy cows with production below 15 kg/day, the UAs level may be raised from 0 to 12 g/kg natural matter without impairing performance