Effects of three slow-release urea inclusions in rice straw-based diets on yearling Bali bull performances

The effects of slow-release zinc-urea complexes (ZnU), urea-impregnated zeolite (UZ) and zinc-ureaimpregnated zeolite (ZnUZ) on the performance of yearling Bali bulls were assessed using 20 Bali bulls (145.3 ± 2.5 kg bodyweight (BW)), which were allocated to five treatments and four replications in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: Diets supplemented with no urea (NU) and with urea (U), ZnU, UZ and ZnUZ. The results of the in vivo study revealed that both ZnU and UZ might replace urea effectively by increasing feed intake. Moreover, substituting urea with ZnU, UZ or ZnUZ increased crude protein total tract apparent digestibility whereas ZnU or UZ replacing urea, improved fibre total tract apparent digestibility. Furthermore, inclusion of UZ in the diet improved live weight gain and feed efficiency in Bali bulls above that of the U and NU diets. Thus, the inclusion of ZnUZ in rice straw-based diets showed slow-release urea had positive impacts on feed intake and nutrient digestibility, and increased the efficiency of feed utilization in Bali bulls.Keywords: Apparent digestibility, feed intake, urea-impregnated zeolite, zin

In vitro slow-release urea characteristics under different molasses levels contained in rice straw based diets

Slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea were examined using in vitro techniques. The objective of this experiment was to study the in vitro slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea under different molasses concentrations in relation to the ruminal fermentative changes observed in different incubation time. The experimental design employed was randomized block design with a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement plus a control treatment, and conducted in two replications. Factors were various urea sources (urea, zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea) and molasses concentrations (0%, 6%, and 12%) in rice straw based diets. The control treatment was rice straw based diet containing neither urea nor molasses. Diets consisted of 45% rice straw and 55% concentrates (DM basis) were formulated to have similar N and TDN levels. Responses of parameters measured were subjected to MANOVA using the GLM procedure of SPSS 16.00 and differences among mean values, if applicable, were examined using HSD-test. Orthogonal comparisons were used to determine the effects of control treatment vs. various urea sources following significance for the two-factor ANOVA model. Results indicated that zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea under different molasses concentrations contained in rice straw based diets decreased ruminal ammonia up to 48 hours incubation, controlled total VFA level and pH values revealed from lower NH3:VFA ratio, and improved both in vitro dry matter and organic matter degradabilities. The best impact of the in vitro slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea on the ruminal fermentative changes (NH3, VFA, pH, DMD, OMD) was well attributed to the diets contained 6% molasses. Key words: Slow-Release Urea, Molasses, Rice Straw, In Vitr

In vitro slow-release urea contained in rice straw-based diets to increase efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis

Effect of slow-release urea on efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis (EMPS) was examined using an in vitro technique. The objective of this experiment was to reveal the in vitro slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea in relation to EMPS observed in different incubation time. The experimental design employed was randomized block design with 4 x 3 factorial plus a control treatment, and conducted in two replications. Factors were various urea sources (urea, zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea) and molasses concentrations (0%, 6%, and 12%) in rice straw-based diets. The control treatment was the rice straw-based diets containing neither urea nor molasses. Diets consisting of 45% rice straw and 55% concentrates (DM basis) were formulated to have similar N and TDN levels. Responses of parameters measured were subjected to MANOVA using the GLM procedure of SPSS 16.00 and differences among mean values, if applicable, were examined using HSD-test. Orthogonal comparisons were used to determine the effects of the control treatment vs. various urea sources. Results indicated that treatment of UZ combined with 6% of molasses showed the highest microbial biomass production (2.71 mg/l) at 24 hours fermentation period with its peak production estimation (3.2 mg/l) reached at 33.5 hours of fermentation period. Moreover, UZ treatment resulted in the highest microbial protein synthesis (1,381.45 ± 77.1 mg/l) at 24 hours fermentation period with its peak microbial protein synthesis estimation (1,756.04 mg/l) reached at 33.7 hours of fermentation period. The highest EMPS (25.98 ± 1.21 mg/100 mg OMD) was achieved when ration contained 6% of molasses. Key words: Slow-Release Urea, Microbial Protein Synthesis, Microbial Biomass, In vitr

In vitro slow-release urea contained in rice straw-based diets to increase efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis

Effect of slow-release urea on efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis (EMPS) was examined using an in vitro technique. The objective of this experiment was to reveal the in vitro slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea in relation to EMPS observed in different incubation time. The experimental design employed was randomized block design with 4 x 3 factorial plus a control treatment, and conducted in two replications. Factors were various urea sources (urea, zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea) and molasses concentrations (0%, 6%, and 12%) in rice straw-based diets. The control treatment was the rice straw-based diets containing neither urea nor molasses. Diets consisting of 45% rice straw and 55% concentrates (DM basis) were formulated to have similar N and TDN levels. Responses of parameters measured were subjected to MANOVA using the GLM procedure of SPSS 16.00 and differences among mean values, if applicable, were examined using HSD-test. Orthogonal comparisons were used to determine the effects of the control treatment vs. various urea sources. Results indicated that treatment of UZ combined with 6% of molasses showed the highest microbial biomass production (2.71 mg/l) at 24 hours fermentation period with its peak production estimation (3.2 mg/l) reached at 33.5 hours of fermentation period. Moreover, UZ treatment resulted in the highest microbial protein synthesis (1,381.45 ± 77.1 mg/l) at 24 hours fermentation period with its peak microbial protein synthesis estimation (1,756.04 mg/l) reached at 33.7 hours of fermentation period. The highest EMPS (25.98 ± 1.21 mg/100 mg OMD) was achieved when ration contained 6% of molasses

In vitro slow-release urea characteristics under different molasses levels contained in rice straw based diets

Slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea were examined using in vitro techniques. The objective of this experiment was to study the in vitro slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea under different molasses concentrations in relation to the ruminal fermentative changes observed in different incubation time. The experimental design employed was randomized block design with a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement plus a control treatment, and conducted in two replications. Factors were various urea sources (urea, zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea) and molasses concentrations (0%, 6%, and 12%) in rice straw based diets. The control treatment was rice straw based diet containing neither urea nor molasses. Diets consisted of 45% rice straw and 55% concentrates (DM basis) were formulated to have similar N and TDN levels. Responses of parameters measured were subjected to MANOVA using the GLM procedure of SPSS 16.00 and differences among mean values, if applicable, were examined using HSD-test. Orthogonal comparisons were used to determine the effects of control treatment vs. various urea sources following significance for the two-factor ANOVA model. Results indicated that zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea under different molasses concentrations contained in rice straw based diets decreased ruminal ammonia up to 48 hours incubation, controlled total VFA level and pH values revealed from lower NH3:VFA ratio, and improved both in vitro dry matter and organic matter degradabilities. The best impact of the in vitro slow-release urea characteristics of zinc-urea, zeolites-urea, and zeolites-zinc-urea on the ruminal fermentative changes (NH3, VFA, pH, DMD, OMD) was well attributed to the diets contained 6% molasses

Production and physical composition of Priangan male sheep carcass supplemented by Pasak Bumi peptide (Eurycoma longifolia Jack)

Pasak Bumi (Eurycoma longifolia Jack/ELJ) is frequently claimmed to increase expression of masculinity, including inducing the lean growth. This study was aimed to determine the effect of ELJ peptide supplementation on yield and physical composition of lamb carcasses. Sixteen Priangan rams about 1 year old with average weight of 30.43±1.41 kg were maintained in individual cages. The experimental rams were divided into 4 treatments i.e. T0, T1, T2, and T3. In T0, T1 and T2 treatments, the experimental rams were administered: 0, 1.5, and 3 mg ELJ peptide/kg BW, respectively. In the T3 treatment, the experimental ram were administered 1 mg/kg commercial product eurypeptide®. The ELJ peptide and commercial product were administered first in the morning prior to feeding. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design of four treatments and four replications. Data were covariance analyzed with an empty body weight as covariate for carcass weight and the right carcass weight as covariate for carcasses physical composition. The results showed that the weights of dissection body fat of T2 and T3 were lower than T0 (P < 0.05) and T1 (P < 0.01). Fat weight reduction was found in all parts of the carcass and more apparent in the fore saddle. Lean weights were higher ( P < 0.05) in T3 and T2 as compared to T1 and T0. The pattern of lean weight differed among treatments in the wholesale cuts that follow the total lean weight eventhough it was not significant. ELJ peptide treatment did not significantly affect either bone weight or wholesale cuts weight. In conclusion, T2 and T3 can improve carcass composition with equal ability

Use of an in vitro gas production method to study kinetics of rumen dry matter degradation of forages

In addition to assessing rate and extent of gas production from fermenting forages in vitro with rumen micro-organisms, gas production methods (e.g. Theodorou et at, 1994) may be used also to study the degradation kinetics of forage dry matter and its fractions. As the substrate dry matter can be lost only through fermentation or solution, this removes the error inherent in the polyester bag method caused by fine particle losses from bags being deemed part of the ‘soluble’ fraction. The pressure transducer technique (PTT) of Theodorou et al. (1994) was used to measure gas production from nine tropical forage samples (Table 1). Nine bottles were prepared from each of the forage samples. Two bottles of each forage were harvested after 8, 24 and 48 h of incubation and a further three bottles at 72 h, to determine dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) losses. The same nine forages were assessed using the polyester bag method (Mehrez and Ørskov, 1977) to obtain DM and OM disappearance after rumen incubations of 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 h. The soluble fraction was determined by hand washing. The reproducibility of measured losses, at given times, was examined using concordance (rc ) correlation (Lin, 1989) and mean square prediction error (MSPE, Bibby and Toutenberg, 1977). Also the simple exponential model was used to estimate the fractional rate of DM degradation (kd ) and asymptote A (%) for each forage and the values obtained using PTT (kd,ptt ) and in situ (kd,bag) compared using rc and MSPE