Productive and reproductive performance and metabolic profiles of ewes supplemented with hydroponically grown green wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Inclusion of high levels of concentrate in the diets of late gestation and lactating ewes to improve productive and reproductive performance is a common practice. However cost-effective alternate feeding strategies for small ruminants must be developed and evaluated in order to counteract sustainability issues of feeding them concentrate feeds (Alexandre and Mandonnet, 2005). Hydroponically grown green forages are a potential high feed quality feedstuff in arid and semiarid regions of the world (Al-Faraki and Al-Hashimi, 2012). The nutritive value and fermentative characteristics of hydroponically grown forages positively influenced the performance of late gestation and lactating ewes (Herrera et al., 2010; Gebremedhin, 2015). Earlier investigations emphasized effects of dietary quality on endocrine and metabolic profiles in ewes during pregnancy and lactation (Lemley et al., 2014; Vonnahme et al., 2013). However adequate nutritional status of ewes is associated with favorable productive and reproductive performance whereby blood glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are utilized to sustain a desirable protein and energy balance in ewes during gestation and lactation (Hatfield et al., 1999). Changes in metabolic hormones, such as insulin, play an important role in metabolic adaptation to changes in body weight (BW) and body condition while providing diagnostic information to evaluate ewe nutritional status (Caldeira et al., 2007). Cortisol may be particularly important in this regard as it is the predominant glucocorticoid in sheep blood and has been used as a reliable physiological endpoint to determine ewe responses to a variety of physiological, physical and environmental stress (Moolchandani et al., 2008). A paucity of information is available with respect to the metabolic profile and performance during mating, gestation and lactation of ewes fed diets containing hydroponically grown green wheat (HGW). Thus this experiment was conducted to determine effects of replacement of dry-rolled corn (DRC) and cottonseed meal (CSM) by HGW in an oat hay-based diet on the metabolic profile as well as the productive and reproductive performance of Katahdin female lambs.Twenty six Katahdin ewes (i.e., female lambs from breeding to 2 mo of their 1st lactation) were used in a completely randomized design (13/treatment)to evaluate effects of replacement of dietary dry-rolled corn grain (DRC) and cottonseed meal(CSM) with hydroponically grown whole plant green wheat (HGW; Triticum aestivum L.) on productive parameters and blood metabolites during mating, gestation and lactation, and on body weight (BW) gain of their lambs in their 1st 60 days of age. The gestation diet contained 70% oat hay, 20% rolled corn grain and 10% cottonseed meal, while the lactation diet contained 50% oat hay, 20% DRC and 30% CSM. Treatments consisted of total replacement of DRC and CSM with HGW in the gestation diet, while in the lactation diet HGW replaced 100% of the DRC and 33% of the CSM. There were no diet effects on reproductive parameters, and substitution of DRC and CSM with HGW did not affect dry matter intake during gestation and lactation. The BW gain of the lambs that were fed HGW did not differ from controls in the first 2 months of gestation, while it was lower (P < 0.05) at the last 3 months of gestation. Feeding HGW did not affect birth BW of lambs or subsequent BW gains through 60 days of age. Plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not affected by the diets fed during gestation, but were 56% lower (P < 0.05) at day 60 of lactation. Plasma glucose was only lower (P < 0.05) at day 90 of gestation, and blood urea nitrogen was only lower (P < 0.05) at day 30 of lactation. There were no effects of diets on plasma insulin, cortisol or progesterone during gestation and lactation. Hydroponically grown green wheat is a suitable substitute for a portion of the DRC and CSM in ewes diets during gestation and lactation without negative effects

Production and quality of meat from hair sheep grazing on Tanzania grass and supplemented with different protein levels

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a supplementary feeding (with different crude protein (CP) levels) in the yield and growth performance and meat characteristics of hair lambs grazed on Tanzania grass. Design/Methodology/Approach: A 120-d-1 experiment was conducted; it included four treatments and seven replications in a completely randomized design. Twenty-eight hair lambs (22.6 ± 1.6 kg LW) were allowed to graze on Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) and were provided concentrate feeds (with 10, 12, 14, and 16% crude protein). The aim was to assess the effects of the latter food on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Results: Compared with the lambs fed with 10, 12, and 14% CP, the heaviest carcasses (P&lt;0.05) were obtained from lambs fed with 16% CP. The percentage of crude protein and fat of the biceps femoris linearly increased (P&lt;0.05) as the CP percentage increased in the concentrate feed. Meat color, water retention capacity, and cutting force were not impacted by the CP percentage of the concentrate feeds. Compared with the lambs fed with 10, 12, and 14%, the lowest palmitic acid percentage and the highest oleic acid percentage were found in the meat of lambs fed with 16% CP. Study Limitations/Implications: A high area was selected to avoid excessive rain. Findings/Conclusions: Compared with the lambs fed with 10, 12, and 14% CP, the lambs grazed on Tanzania grass and supplemented with 16% CP grew more, recorded a higher carcass yield, and their meat had a better unsaturated fatty acids ratio

Valor alimenticio comparativo del pasto kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum, var. Whittet) en dos estaciones de crecimiento con ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ) Y sudán (Sorgum sudanense) ofrecido a novillos Holstein

P. 135-139Cuatro novillos Holstein (167kg) con cánulas en rumen y duodeno proximal fueron distribuidos en un diseño Cuadro Latino 4×4 para estimar el valor alimenticio comparativo del pasto kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum var. Whittet) cosechado en verano e invierno con el de henos de gramínea de verano (pasto sudán; Sorgum sudanense) e invierno (ryegrass anual; Lolium multiflorum var. Oregon). Las dietas experimentales (88,4% MO, 35,5% FDN y 11,8% PC) fueron formuladas con 70% forraje y 30% suplemento. No hubo efecto de tratamientos (P>0,05) en digestión ruminal de la FDN, N, eficiencia microbial ruminal (g de NM/kg de MO fermentada), ni en eficiencia ruminal del N (N no amoniacal que entra a tracto bajo/N consumido). No hubo efecto (P>0,10) de la estación (cosecha en verano vs invierno) en la digestión ruminal y total de la MO, FDN y N en dietas con kikuyo. La digestión ruminal y total de MO, FDN y N fueron similares (P>0,10) para dietas compuestas por kikuyo y sudán. Sin embargo, la digestión ruminal y total de MO y N fue menor (19, 12 y 9%, respectivamente) para dietas con kikuyo a la observada con ryegrass (P0,05) en la relación acetato-propionato. Se concluye que kikuyo tiene un valor alimenticio similar a sudán y representa una alternativa en la alimentación animal como cultivo perenne con aceptable valor nutricional durante el verano.S

A comparison of via of administration of the injection of vitamin E in newly received feedlot calves

Fifty Holstein steers calves (121 ± 4 kg) were used in order to determine the effects of route of administration of vitamin E at the time of arrival of feedlot cattle on levels of plasma alphatocopherol concentrations during the initial 16 days following their arrival into the feedlot. Ten steers served as controls, the remaining 40 steers (20 steers/treatment) were injected either intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SQ) with 1500 IU of vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol). Vitamin E treatments were administered on days 1 and 8 of the arrival, while blood samples were obtained on days 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16. Injection sites were examined visually on day 16 to determine if route of administration affected incidence of injection-site inflammation. Steers were fed a steam-flaked corn based receiving diet with a 72:28 concentrate-to-forage ratio. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations of control steers remained low (range from 0.06 to 0.10 mg/dL) throughout the 16-d period. Vitamin E injection increased (P 0.10) the incidence of injection site inflammation, averaging 17.5% (χ2, P>0.05). Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations were not affected (P > 0.30) by the presence of injection site inflammation. Since the risk of lesions in meat are considerably higher with intramuscular application and plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations were not different between routes of application, it is concluded that subcutaneous administration is a practical alternative to the traditional intramuscular of administration of injectable vitamin E for feedlot cattle.Cincuenta becerros Holstein (121 ± 4 kg) se utilizaron con el objetivo de determinar la eficacia de la vía de administración de la vitamina E al tiempo de llegada de los becerros al corral de engorda sobre los niveles de concentración plasmática de alfa-tocoferol durante los primeros 16 días de su llegada al corral. Diez becerros se utilizaron como testigos y los 40 restantes (20 becerros por tratamiento) fueron inyectados con 1500 IU de vitamina E (d-alfa tocoferol) ya sea por vía intramuscular (IM) o por vía subcutánea (SC). Los tratamientos de vitamina E se administraron al primer día y al día 8 de la llegada, mientras que las muestras de sangre se obtuvieron en los días 1, 4, 8, 12 y 16. Los sitios de inyección se examinaron visualmente en el día 16 para determinar si la vía de administración afectaba la incidencia de la inflamación. Los becerros fueron alimentados con una dieta de recepción conteniendo una proporción concentrado: forraje de 72:28. La concentración plasmática de alfa-tocoferol permaneció baja (rango de 0.06 a 0.10 mg/dL) en el grupo testigo durante los 16 días. La inyección de vitamina E incrementó (P 0.10) la incidencia de la inflamación en el lugar de la inyección promediando 17,5% (χ2, P> 0,05). Las concentraciones de alfa-tocoferol en plasma no se vieron afectados (P> 0.30) por la presencia de inflamación en el lugar de inyección. La administración subcutánea de vitamina E inyectable es una alternativa práctica a la tradicional ruta de administración intramuscular

Influencia de la sustitución parcial del maíz y dela pasta de soja por zeolita en ovinos en etapa de finalización: Características de la canal, composición tisular y masa visceral

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different supplemental levels (0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5%) of zeolite in partial substitution of dry rolled corn and soybean meal in a finishing diet formulated on dry-rolled corn basis (16.51% CP and 1.39 Mcal/kg NEg) on carcass characteristics, tissue composition and visceral organ mass in hairy lambs. Total quantity of zeolite included replaces corn and soybean meal in equal parts, so that, for each level of which corn and soybean meal were substituted, CP concentration decreased 0.11 percentage points and net energy decreased 0.03 Mcal NEg/kg. Feeding phase was performed with 40 lambs ¾ Kathadin × ¼ Pelibuey (initial weight = 32.28 ± 2.34 kg) which were assigned to 20 pens (2 lambs/pen, 5 pens/treatment) and were feeding for 75 days with one of the four treatments. Zeolite inclusion did not affect carcass characteristics, but tended to linearly increase (p=0.10) LM area. Zeolite inclusion linearly increased (p≤0.04) the quantity and the proportion of muscle, and decreased (p=0.02) the quantity and the proportion of fat in shoulder, thus increasing (linear component, p=0.02) the muscle:fat ratio. In proportion to the half carcass, the weight of forequarter tended (p=0.08) to increase, while the weight of hindquarter tended (p=0.08) to decrease with zeolite inclusion. Zeolite inclusion tended (linear component, p=0.08) to increase the weight (as g/kg of EBW) of intestines. As result of a linearly decreases of mesenteric (pEl objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la adición de diferentes niveles (0, 1,5, 3 y 4,5%) de zeolita en sustitución parcial de maíz quebrado y de pasta de soja de una dieta de finalización formulada en base de maíz quebrado (16,51% proteína bruta y 1,39 Mcal/kg ENg) sobre las características de la canal, composición tisular y masa visceral de ovinos de pelo. La cantidad total de zeolita incluida en cada tratamiento sustituyó al maíz y a la pasta de soja en partes iguales por lo que con cada nivel de sustitución del maíz y de pasta de soja se disminuyó la concentración de proteína bruta (PB) en 0,11 puntos porcentuales y la energía neta en 0,03 Mcal/kg. La fase de alimentación se llevó a cabo con 40 ovinos machos ¾ Kathadin × ¼ Pelibuey (peso inicial = 32,28±2,34 kg) asignados a 20 corraletas (2 ovinos/corraleta, 5 corrales/tratamiento) alimentándose durante 75 días con alguno de los 4 tratamientos hasta su sacrificio. La inclusión de zeolita no afectó las características de la canal aunque tendió a aumentar linealmente (p=0,10) el área del ojo de la costilla. La zeolita aumentó linealmente (p≤0,04) la cantidad y proporción de músculo y disminuyó (p=0,02) la cantidad y proporción de grasa en la paleta aumentando (componente lineal, p=0,02) la proporción músculo:grasa. En proporción relativa a la media canal, el peso del cuarto delantero tendió (p=0,08) a incrementarse, mientras que el peso del cuarto trasero tendió (p=0,08) a disminuir con la inclusión de zeolita. La inclusión de zeolita tendió (componente lineal, p=0,08) a incrementar el peso (g/kg del peso corporal vacío) de los intestinos. Como resultado de una disminución lineal de la grasa mesentérica (

COMPOSICION QUIMICA Y CONCENTRACION DE PRECURSORES DE ACIDO RUMENICO Y VACCENICO EN FORRAJES ALTERNATIVOS PARA LA ALIMENTACION DE RUMIANTES EN ECOSISTEMAS ARIDOS

Se determinó el valor nutrimental de alfalfa henificada (AH), dos genotipos de fríjol yorimón [IT90K-277-2 (FYG18) y Sesenteño (FYG25)], un clon de pasto taiwán (PT), un cultivar local de nopal en dos presentaciones, pencas tiernas de 15 días de edad o ";;;nopalitos";;; (NT) y pencas maduras (NM) de 60 días de edad y germinado de semillas de maíz (GM) del genotipo ASGROW 7573. Se cuantificó el contenido de materia seca (MS), proteína cruda (PC), lípidos totales (LT), cenizas (C), fibra cruda (FC) y energía bruta (EB), así como la concentración de ácido linoleico (LA), ácido α-linolénico (ALA), ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (PUFA) y ácidos grasos n-3. Los resultados revelan que los genotipos de frijol yorimón FYG25 y FYG18, mostraron el mayor contenido de PC. Respecto a la concentración de LT, el genotipo de yorimón FYG25 mostró la mayor cantidad seguido del FYG18 y AH. Los forrajes verdes de frijol yorimón (FYG25 y FYG18), así como el pasto Taiwán tuvieron el contenido mayor de ácido α-linolénico. Las semillas de germinado de maíz mostraron los contenidos mayores de ácido linolénico seguido del nopal tierno. Ambos ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (ALA y LA) son precursores del ácido ruménico y del ácido vaccénico en rumiantes. Por lo tanto, el uso de estos forrajes verdes en la alimentación de rumiantes es una alternativa que podría modificar las proporciones de ácido grasos en la leche y la carne con el propósito de incrementar los PUFA, específicamente el ácido ruménico así como el ácido vaccénico

Partial sustitution of soybean meal and ground corn grain by cull chickpeas on productive response and carcass yield of japanese quail

Para determinar el efecto de la sustitución parcial de harina de soja y grano de maíz molido por el subproducto garbanzo de descarte en la respuesta productiva de codorniz japonesa (Coturnix coturnix japonica) en engorde se utilizaron 1.125 codornices (1 d de edad; peso inicial de 9,79 ± 0,13 g), asignadas a 25 jaulas (45 codornices/jaula), de acuerdo con un diseño completamente aleatorizado. La prueba duró 29 días. La dieta basal contenía 55% de grano de maíz molido y 35% de harina de soja; los tratamientos consistieron en la sustitución en la dieta del grano de maíz molido y de harina de soja por garbanzo de descarte (0; 15; 30; 45 y 60%). Al final de la prueba se sacrificaron 25 codornices por tratamiento para obtener peso del páncreas, longitud del intestino delgado, peso de la canal y su rendimiento. Las características fisicoquímicas del garbanzo de descarte fueron: 92,44% materia seca; 20,13% proteína cruda; 6,77% fibra cruda; 6,26% extracto etéreo; 3,35% cenizas; 54,73% extracto libre de nitrógeno; 0,76 kg/L–1 densidad y 44,48% grano dañado. El peso corporal final (200,6 g), la ganancia de peso (GP) (190,5 g), el peso de la canal (112 g) y rendimiento en canal (60,84%) no se afectaron (P>0,05) con la inclusión de hasta 45% de garbanzo de descarte. Con 60% de garbanzo de descarte disminuyó (P<0,05) el peso corporal (4,76%), la GP (5,20%), el peso de la canal (6,34%) y el rendimiento de la canal (1,14%). El consumo de alimento por ave (482,3 g) y eficiencia alimenticia (0,386) fueron similares entre tratamientos (P>0,05). El peso del páncreas y la longitud del intestino delgado incrementaron conforme al nivel del garbanzo de descarte. Estos resultados indican que, en dietas de engorde para codorniz japonesa, el garbanzo de descarte puede sustituir parcialmente hasta en 45% a la harina de soja y el grano de maíz molido sin disminuir la respuesta productiva y el rendimiento en la [email protected] determinate the effect of partial substitution soybean meal and ground corn grain by cull-chickpeas on productive response of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in fattening were used 1125 quails unsexed (age 1 d; initial weight 9.79 ± 0.13 g), placed to 25 cages (45 quails/pen) agree with a complete randomize design. The experiment lasted 29 d. The basal diet contained 55% ground corn grain and 35% soybean meal; the treatments consisted in the replaced in the diet for cull-chickpeas (0, 15, 30, 45 or 60%). Upon complete fattening period, 25 quails by treatment were slaughtered, and carcass weight and carcass dressing was obtained. Physicochemical characteristics of cull-chickpeas were: 92.44% dry matter; 20.13% crude protein; 6.77% crude fiber; 6.26% ether extract; 3.35% ashes; 54.73% nitrogen-free extract; 0.76 kg/L–1 density and 44.48% damaged grain. Body weight (200.6 g), weight gain (190.5 g), carcass weight (112 g), and carcass dressing (60.84%), were not affected (P>0.05) by the inclusión of up to 45% cull-chickpeas. With 60% of cull-chickpeas diminished (P<0.05) final body weight (4.76%), weight gain (5.20%), carcass weight (6.34%), and carcass yield (1.14%). Feed intake (482.3 g) and feed efficiency (0.386) were similar among treatments (P>0.05). Pancreas weight and small intestine length increased at the level of cull chickpeas. These results suggests that, in fattening diets for Japanese quail, cull-chickpeas can partially replace up to 45% the soybean meal an ground corn without affecting the growth performance or carcass yield

Impacto da filtragem da água de bebida no desempenho produtivo de ovinos em terminação

Twenty-four Pelibuey × Katahdin lambs were used under a randomized complete block design to evaluate the impact of filtering drinking water on growth-performance. Treatments consisted of ad libitum supply of filtered dam water (FILT; 256 ppm TDS) and unfiltered dam water (RAW; 776 ppm TDS). The experiment lasted 89 days. Based on TDS content, both FILT and RAW qualify as "safe drinking water" for livestock. However, water intake was 10% higher in lambs receiving FILT. Moreover, FILT consumption improved daily weight gain (8%, P = 0.03) and dietary energy utilization efficiency (2.9% P = 0.04). The results of this study indicate that filtering the water qualified as "safe" improves the productive performance of finishing lambs.Se utilizaron 24 ovinos de la cruza de razas Pelibuey × Katahdin, bajo un diseño de bloques completos al azar para evaluar el impacto del filtrado del agua de bebida sobre el rendimiento productivo. Los tratamientos consistieron en el suministro ad libitum de agua de dique filtrada (FILT; 256 ppm TDS) y agua de dique no filtrada (RAW; 776 ppm TDS). El experimento duró 89 días. En base al contenido de TDS, tanto FILT como RAW se califican como agua segura para bebida de ganado. Sin embargo, el consumo de agua fue 10% mayor en corderos que recibieron FILT. Así mismo, FILT mejoró la ganancia diaria de peso (8%, P = 0.03) y la eficiencia en la utilización de la energía de la dieta (2.9% P = 0.04). Los resultados de este estudio indican que el filtrado del agua calificada como “segura”, mejora el comportamiento productivo de ovinos en finalización.Vinte e quatro cordeiros Pelibuey × Katahdin foram usados em um delineamento de blocos completos ao acaso para avaliar o impacto da filtragem da água de beber no desempenho de crescimento. Os tratamentos consistiram de fornecimento ad libitum de água filtrada da barragem (FILT; 256 ppm TDS) e água não filtrada da barragem (RAW; 776 ppm TDS). O experimento durou 89 dias. Com base no conteúdo de TDS, tanto o FILT quanto o RAW se qualificam como "água potável segura" para o gado. No entanto, a ingestão de água foi 10% maior nos cordeiros que receberam FILT. Além disso, o consumo de FILT melhorou o ganho de peso diário (8%, P = 0,03) e a eficiência de utilização de energia da dieta (2,9% P = 0,04). Os resultados deste estudo indicam que filtrar a água qualificada como “segura” melhora o desempenho produtivo de cordeiros em terminação

Digestion and energy value of macerated sudangrass hay used in growing-finishing diets for feedlot cattle

Mechanical maceration enhances site and extent of digestion of low-moisture, low-quality forages. Four Holstein steers (172 ± 8 kg) with cannulas in rumen and proximal duodenum were used in 4x4 Latin square design to evaluate the process of mechanical maceration of sudangrass hay on the characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion. Treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based growing diet supplemented with 21 % forage (DM basis) as: i) wheat straw (Triticum aestivum, STRW), ii) sudangrass hay (Sorghum sudanense, SG), iii) macerated SG at intensity of 4,134 kPa (MAC600) and 4) macerated SG at intensity of 6,200 kPa (MAC900). All forages were ground to pass through a 3.8 cm screen before incorporation into complete mixed diets (21:79 forage to concentrate ratio). Maceration did not affect (p &#8805; 0.17) on site and extent of OM, N and ADF, and DE of sudangrass supplemented diets. Characteristics of ruminal digestion of OM, ADF, starch, as well as, microbial efficiency (microbial N, g kg-1 of OM fermentad) and protein efficiency (nonammonia N, g g-1 of N intake) were not different (p &#8805; 0.11) for wheat straw versus sudangrass supplemented diets. However, total tract digestion of OM, ADF, N, and DE diet were greater (p &#8804; 0.05) for sudangrass than for wheat straw supplemented diets. Using the replacement technique, DE value of SG averaged 9.59 MJ kg-1, very close to the expected value given its chemical composition. Mechanical maceration did not enhance the feeding value of sudangrass hay. Increase the intensity of maceration from 4,134 to 6,200 kPa did not altered ruminal or total tract digestion of OM, NDF or energy value of processed ha