Effects of Stage of Growth and Inoculation on Fermentation Quality of Field Pea Silage

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) are a short-term catch crop with a high crude protein content, which provides a high forage yield in a short growing period. Since field peas are a succulent crop and are difficult to field cure, it is preferable to directly ensile them to prevent weather damage and excessive grain losses. The onset of lodging is delayed in field pea varieties, since the crop is supported by the tendrils in a more erect manner, and this allows easy harvesting without soil contamination even at advanced stages of maturity (Koivisto et al., 2003). To our knowledge, no information is available on the ensiling of peas in Southern Europe. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the stage of maturity and inoculant application on the quality of silage produced from directly-cut field peas in the Po Valley, NW Italy

Effects of the Stage of Growth and Inoculation on Proteolysis in Field Pea Silage

Ensiling legumes is a good way of providing home-grown protein in dairy farms but severe protein degradation can occur when conserving legumes. Peas (Pisum sativum L.) are legumes with a high crude protein and starch content, that provide a high forage yield in a short growing period. Very little information is available on the protein value of field pea silage. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of stage of maturity and inoculant application on proteolysis in field pea silage in the Po Valley, NW Italy

Effect of inoculation with Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei on the maize silage volatilome: the advantages of advanced 2d-chromatographic fingerprinting approaches

[Image: see text] In this study, the complex volatilome of maize silage samples conserved for 229 d, inoculated with Lentilactobacillus buchneri (Lbuc) and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (Lpar), is explored by means of advanced fingerprinting methodologies based on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The combined untargeted and targeted (UT) fingerprinting strategy covers 452 features, 269 of which were putatively identified and assigned within their characteristic classes. The high amounts of short-chain free fatty acids and alcohols were produced by fermentation and led to a large number of esters. The impact of Lbuc fermentation was not clearly distinguishable from the control samples; however, Lpar had a strong and distinctive signature that was dominated by propionic acid and 1-propanol characteristic volatiles. The approach provides a better understanding of silage stabilization mechanisms against the degradative action of yeasts and molds during the exposure of silage to air

Evaluation of the environmental impacts of suckler calf-to-beef mixedcrop-livestock farms in northern Italy: A farm-based study

The issue of the environmental impacts of beef production has been extensively debated in recent years. However, the research on this theme has mainly been based on farm-model studies with limited attention to contribution analysis of impact categories and aspects linked to cropping systems and feed self-sufficiency in mixed crop-livestock farms. This study evaluated the cradle-tofarm gate environmental impacts of mixed-crop livestock farms rearing the Piedmontese beef breed and suckler calf-to-beef operations in Northwest Italy. Data have been collected from detailed on-farm questionnaires, field books, and invoices of 11 farms over two years (2017-2018). The environmental impacts have been evaluated in terms of land occupation (LO, m2/year), global warming potential (GWP, kg CO2-eq), acidification potential (AP, g SO2-eq) and non-renewable cumulative energy demand (CED, MJ), using life cycle assessment methodology. The functional unit considered was one kilogram of live weight produced at the farm gate. The Piedmontese beef production system showed comparable average environmental impacts with those found in other studies, even though high variability was observed in the studied farms. The GWP averaged 15.7 kg of CO2 eq/kg LW and ranged from 12.1 to 17.6 kg of CO2 eq/kg LW. The CED, LO and AP were on average 62.4 MJ/kg LW, 18.5 m2/y/kg LW and 305 g SO2 eq/kg LW, respectively. Differences in environmental impacts and GWP contribution analysis were mainly due to differences in cropping system management strategies and the consequent levels of feed self-sufficiency. A positive effect of high fertility and animal productivity was observed on the GWP (r=0.62; P<0.01), highlighting the importance of improving efficiency of these aspects for the reduction of emissions. From the contribution analysis of impact categories, the high cost of purchased feeds (in particular protein feeds), transport, and mineral fertilizers for feed production were highly relevant. However further research is needed to confirm these findings. Highlights - Study of 11 farms for two years. - High relevance of purchased feeds on environmental impacts. - Productive and reproductive performances are key points in reducing environmental impacts. - Importance of the valorisation of farm crop surfaces to satisfy animals' needs

Prediction of the chemical composition and nutritive value of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) by Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Lucerne is a low input energy efficient crop that improves soil fertility, and its importance is rising with the increase of public interest in sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, it occupies a significant economic position in the animal feed market (i.e. hay, dehydrated forage, pellets and silage products) and deserves a particular interest in the Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padano cheese production areas of Northern Italy (Torricelli et al., 2000)

Effects of an aquagym training in postmepausal women

Los cambios en la composición corporal de mujeres posmenopáusicas, principalmente, el aumento del tejido adiposo visceral y abdominal, son indicadores de enfermedades metabólicas y cardiovasculares. Veintiuna mujeres posmenopáusicas participaron en un programa de 16 semanas de clases de Aquagym. Las variables analizadas fueron la circunferencia de cintura (CCi), la circunferencia de cadera (CCa), el índice cintura-cadera (ICC), el diámetro sagital abdominal (DAS) y el tejido adiposo visceral (TAV). El tratamiento estadístico empleado fue una prueba t para comparar entre los grupos y el test de Goodman para analizar las alteraciones en la clasificación cualitativa del ICC. Se han obtenido reducciones significativas (p≤0,05) para todas las variables medidas después de la intervención de ejercicio. El programa de Aquagym fue capaz de reducir el tejido adiposo visceral y abdominal, además de disminuir el riego para el desarrollo de enfermedades de enfermedades metabólicas y cardiovasculares, constituyendo una estrategia eficaz para tratar la obesidad central.Changes in body composition in postmenopausal women and increased abdominal visceral adipose tissue are markers of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Twenty-one postmenopausal women participated in Aquagym's classes during 16 weeks. The analyzed variables included measures of waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-hip ratio (ICC), abdominal sagittal diameter (ASD) and intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT). Statistical treatment was used as the paired t test for comparisons between the groups before and after Aquagym practice and Goodman`s test to analyze the changes in the qualitative classification of the ICC. Significant reductions (p≤0.05) have been found for all measured variables. Aquagym program was able to reduce the abdominal visceral adipose tissue, thus decreasing the risk of developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, constituting an effective strategy to deal with central obesity