Feeding Value of High Protein Oat Silage Versus Corn Silage for Dairy Cows

Corn accounts for 80% of the total silage production in the United States while oats ranks second as a feed grain crop. Oats are a major crop in areas of the world where temperatures are cool and short growing seasons are not well suited for corn production. South Dakota is the leading oat producing state in the nation with 1. 68 million kilograms of oats produced annually. Oats play an important roll as animal feed because among common cereals in the United States it ranks highest in both protein and lysine content. Due to the wide genetic diversity of oat protein content, it seems possible to raise protein quantity in cultivated oat cultivars. Oat silage contains higher crude protein and a higher percent of digestible protein than corn silage, sorghum silage, and barley-pea silage. However, corn silage is superior to oat silage in total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible energy (17, 56, 96). The protein yield in oat groats (dehulled kernels) of Spear (Neal x Clintland 64 cross) oats is one of the highest of currently available varieties. This high average protein yield indicates a combination of high protein percent and adaption to South Dakota\u27s environment. The grain contains 7% oil as compared to 5 or 6% for most other varieties (21, 68). In addition, Spear oat has a stiff straw and moderate rust resistance which makes it favorable to farmers who grow it for livestock feeding. Regular oatlage has been compared to corn silage by various workers at various times, but no comparison has been made between com silage and oat silage ·from high protein oat varieties. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the high protein oats variety (Spear) to corn silage as a sole forage for lactating cows

Lactational and Chemical Evaluation of Soybean Meals Heat-treated by Two Methods

A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate regular, commercially available solvent extracted soybean mean (SBM), and SBM subjected to additional heat either during desolventizing (HSBM), or by extrusion (ESBM). Soluble nitrogen (14.8, 9.3, and 7.0% of crude protein for SBM, HSBM, and ESBM) and degradable protein (71.0, 68.7, and 58.7% of crude protein) were reduced by heat-treating soybean meal. Nonessential amino acids in soybean meals were more soluble and degradable than essential amino acids. The first five limiting amino acids (methionine, lysine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine) for milk production were the same, although relative order was altered by heat treatment, for all fractions of the three soybean meals, except that threonine replaced leucine in the insoluble fraction of ESBM and the undegradable fraction of HSBM and ESBM. Completely mixed rations were made of (dry matter basis) 40% corn silage, 10% chopped alfalfa hay, and 50% concentrate mix containing the respective protein sources (SBM, HSBM, and ESBM). Milk production (33.8, 34.9, and 35.3 kg/day) was increased when heat-treated soybean meals were fed to high producing cows, with most of the increased production occurring during the first 4 wk on the experiment (wk 4 through 7 postpartum). Four percent fat-corrected milk was 30.9, 32.6, and 33.4 kg/day. Increases in milk production were modest when heated soybean meals were fed to lower producing cows. Concentration of milk fat, protein, and solids as well as rumen ammonia, and blood ammonia were similar

Effect of body condition score and nutritional flushing on the reproductive performances of Spanish and Spanish x boer crossbred does

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) and short-term supplementation with high levels of energy and protein sources on the reproductive performance of 180 does consisting of 90 Spanish and 90 Spanish x Boer (60 ½ Boer = F1-cross; and 30 ¾ Boer = F2-cross) genotypes. Each of the 3 genotypes was equally distributed to treatments of 2 body condition groups (BCG, low and high) and 3 flushing treatments consisting of no supplementation (control), supplementation with protein mixture (PM) alone and PM + ground corn (PE) in a 2 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. The flushing period lasted 11 days, after which does were exposed to sexually active Boer bucks for 42 days. The results indicated that although not significant, flushing with PM and PE diets numerically increased the body weight and body condition score of all genotypes in high BCG. In low BCG, flushing with PM and PE diets significantly (

Access to Water Source, Latrine Facilities and Other Risk Factors of Active Trachoma in Ankober, Ethiopia

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence and correlates of active trachoma in Ankober, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted during July 2007. A total of 507 children (ages 1–9 years), from 232 households were included in the study. All children were examined for trachoma by ophthalmic nurses using the WHO simplified clinical grading system. Interviews and observations were used to assess risk factors. Logistic regression procedures were used to determine associations between potential risk factors and signs of active trachoma. Results: Overall, the prevalence of active trachoma was found to be 53.9 % (95%CI 49.6%–58.2%). Presence of fly-eye (fly contact with the eyelid margin during eye examination) (Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.03 95 % CI 1.40–11.59), absence of facial cleanliness (OR = 7.59; 95%CI 4.60–12.52), an illiterate mother (OR = 5.88; 95%CI 2.10–15.95), lack of access to piped water (OR = 2.19; 95%CI 1.14–6.08), and lack of access to latrine facilities (OR = 4.36; 95%CI 1.49–12.74) were statistically significantly associated with increased risk of active trachoma. Conclusion: Active trachoma among children 1–9 years of age in Ankober is highly prevalent and significantly associated with a number of risk factors including access to water and latrine facilities. Trachoma prevention programs that include improved access to water and sanitation, active fly control, and hygiene education are recommended to lower the burde

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AN ON-LINE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR GOAT PRODUCERS

In 2006, Langston University unveiled an on-line training and certification program for meat goat producers consisting of 22 learning modules. Participants take pre- and post-tests and must record a minimum score of 85% to pass the 16 required and a minimum of 3 elective modules for certification. As of May 31, 2008, 638 participants had registered for the program and 64 had completed the requirements for certification.  An equal proportion of males (335) and females (303) have registered for the certification program (c2=1.61; P=0.21). The same nearly-equal gender frequency of registered participants also existed for those becoming certified, 39 males vs. 25 females, (c2=3.06; P=0.08).  A higher proportion of registered females (c2=17.38;

Effects of restricted periods of feed access on feed intake, digestion, behaviour, heat energy, and performance of Alpine goats

Fifty Alpine goats at 125 ± 3.0 days-in-milk were given access in Calan gate feeders to a 40% forage diet for 12 wk continuously (Control), during daytime (Day) or night (Night), or for 2 or 4 h/day after milking in the morning and afternoon (2Hour and 4Hour, respectively), resulting in few significant effects. In a second 12-wk experiment, average daily gain (ADG) by 40 Alpines at 14 ± 0.7 days-in-milk (73, 39, 11, 24, and 21 g) was greater for Control than for the average of other treatments, milk yield was similar among treatments, milk fat was lower (P = .089) for Control (3.41%, 3.88%, 4.21%, 3.70%, and 3.49%), and milk energy was not affected (8.20, 7.36, 9.53, 8.56, and 6.91 MJ/day for Control, 2Hour, 4Hour, Day, and Night, respectively). Metabolizable energy intake (31.25, 22.69, 25.92, 26.69, and 23.46 MJ/day) and heat energy (17.51, 13.34, 14.09, 15.54, and 15.25MJ/day) were greater and milk energy relative to ME intake was lower for Control (26.0%, 31.9%, 37.6%, 31.4%, and 30.0% for Control, 2Hour, 4Hour, Day, and Night, respectively). In conclusion, continuous diet access of dairy goats in early to mid-lactation can affect partitioning of nutrients between milk synthesis and tissue accretion differently than some restricted feeder access treatments

Genetic Selection for Resistance to Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Meat Goats and Hair Sheep through a Performance Test with Artificial Infection of <i>Haemonchus contortus</i>

Internal parasitism has been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in small ruminants in many areas such as the southcentral USA. Among the different approaches and management practices to cope with internal parasitism, genetic selection for internal parasite resistance is recognized as one with considerable potential long-term impact. A central performance test with artificial infection of Haemonchus contortus for selection of growing meat goats and hair sheep for breeding to increase resistance to internal parasitism and on-farm selection of females was conducted for 3 years. The results varied considerably among breeds of goats and flocks of sheep. Spanish goats and St. Croix sheep maintained relatively low fecal egg count (FEC) each year, whereas for goats categorized as being of high resistance and Dorper sheep FEC decreased with advancing year. Packed call volume (PCV) and total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were not strongly related to FEC. Genetic parameters varied between the two species, which might be related to previous selection pressure exerted for parasite resistance. Heritability of FEC was higher in goats than sheep. The genetic correlation between FEC and IgM and IgG was negative for both species, which suggests possible genetic association. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between ADG and FEC were nonsignificant for both species. In conclusion, different relationships of FEC and PCV between species require careful attention during selection and the lack of relationship between ADG and FEC suggests that selection of growing male meat goats and hair sheep for resistance to internal parasitism will not adversely affect growth performance

Immunohematological reference ranges for adult Ethiopians

A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 485 healthy working adult Ethiopians who are participating in a cohort study on the progression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection to establish hematological reference ranges for adult HIV-negative Ethiopians. In addition, enumeration of absolute numbers and percentages of leukocyte subsets was performed for 142 randomly selected HIV-negative individuals. Immunological results were compared to those of 1,356 healthy HIV-negative Dutch blood donor controls. Immunohematological mean values, medians, and 95th percentile reference ranges were established. Mean values were as follows: leukocyte (WBC) counts, 6.1 x 10(9)/liter (both genders); erythrocyte counts, 5.1 x 10(12)/liter (males) and 4.5 x 10(12)/liter (females); hemoglobin, 16.1 (male) and 14.3 (female) g/dl; hematocrit, 48.3% (male) and 42.0% (female); platelets, 205 x 10(9)/liter (both genders); monocytes, 343/microl; granulocytes, 3, 057/microl; lymphocytes, 1,857/microl; CD4 T cells, 775/microl; CD8 T cells, 747/microl; CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, 1.2; T cells, 1, 555/microl; B cells, 191/microl; and NK cells, 250/microl. The major conclusions follow. (i) The WBC and platelet values of healthy HIV-negative Ethiopians are lower than the adopted reference values of Ethiopia. (ii) The absolute CD4 T-cell counts of healthy HIV-negative Ethiopians are considerably lower than those of the Dutch controls, while the opposite is true for the absolute CD8 T-cell counts. This results in a significantly reduced CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio for healthy Ethiopians, compared to the ratio for Dutch control