A review regarding the use of molasses in animal nutrition

In the past fifty years, agriculture, and particularly livestock production, has become more resource-intensive, with negative implications regarding world environmental status. Currently, the circular economy 3R principles (to reduce, reuse and recycle materials) can offer many opportunities for the agri-food industry to become more resource-efficient. The closed-loop agri-food supply chain has the great potential of reducing environmental and economic costs, which result from food waste disposal. To meet these principles, the use of crop byproducts, such as molasses, in animal nutrition improves the nutritive value of coarse and poorly desired feedstuff, which could present a real opportunity. The aims of this study were to summarize the possible applications of molasses for animal nutrition, to improve hay and silage quality for beef and dairy cattle, to enhance industrial byproduct values using liquid feed in swine production, and to improve extensive livestock production with feed blocks. The study focused on both feed characteristics, based on molasses, and on ruminal fermentation of its carbohydrates; the techniques of the production, conservation and administration of molasses to animals have been widely described as being capable of positively influencing animal performance, milk and meat quality

The effects of Sepiolite-SPLF on piglet and heavy pig production

In order to evaluate the effects of Sepiolite for Pig Liquid Feeding (Sepiolite-SPLF) on piglet and heavy pig production,two separate trials have been performed. In the first trial a total of 319 piglets from 32 litters was used. From the 6th dayof life piglets belonging to 16 litters received a complementary feed containing Sepiolite-SPLF at 1% (Group B); theremaining piglets were fed a complementary feed without sepiolite addition (group A). At weaning (26 days of life),according to the dietary treatment of the suckling period, 80 piglets were homogeneously allocated to two groups fed upto 30 kg body weight a diet containing or not containing Sepiolite-SPLF at 1% (group B and Group A, respectively). Inthe second trial 330 barrows of the initial body weight of 60 kg were used. Animals were homogeneously allocated totwo groups: a control group traditionally fed a soybean-maize based diet and a sepiolite group in which Sepiolite-SPLFwas added at 1% (Group B). Pigs were slaughtered at about 170 kg body weight. In both trials daily weight gain, feedintake and pigs’ health were recorded.Weaned piglets on the sepiolite diet showed a highly significant (Ppoints). At slaughtering the dietary inclusion of sepiolite resulted in a higher uniformity-degree of pigs as it was demonstratedby a higher (P35%)

Lipids and fatty acids composition of eggs in relation to larval quality from cultured common sole (Solea solea) broodstock

Eggs quality optimization is a fundamental aspect in the standardization of the production cycle of a fish species. Lipids content and fatty acids composition of common sole (Solea solea) eggs were measured and correlated to eggs and larval viability parameters along an entire reproductive season. Seventeen batches of fertile eggs obtained from natural spawning of captive breeders were characterized for lipid content (L), fatty acids content (FAs), total weight (TW), spawning temperature (T), floating rate (FR), hatching rate (HR) and survival rate of larvae (SR) at 0-6 days post hatching (dph). Based on univariate regression models it was possible to formulate significant relations using L, FAs, TW and T as independent variable. T, L, and 20:5(n-3)+20:4(n-6) (EPA+ARA), were significant (P≤0.05) correlated to FR. T, 14:0, 18:0, 22:6(n-3) (DHA), ∑monounsaturated FAs, ∑polyunsaturated FAs of the (n-3) series, and EPA+ARA were significant correlated to HR and SR. It was also found that L, 16:0, 16:1(n-7), 18:2(n-6), 20:4(n-6), saturated FAs, ∑polyunsaturated FAs of the (n-6) series had a significant effect to HR, while TW, 18:1(n-7), 20:5(n-3), ∑(n-6)/∑(n-3), DHA/EPA were significant correlated to SR. The results indicate that quantitative eggs lipids and fatty acids composition can predict eggs and larval quality of common sole. Since breeders’ diet is one of the main factors affecting eggs composition, the results of this study could provide useful information for broodstock nutrition