Influence of Re-growth Interval on Chemical Composition, Herbage Yield, Digestibility and Digestion Kinetics of Setaria sphacelata and Cenchrus ciliaris in Buffaloes

Mahr-un-Nisa, Mahr-un-Nisa,Khan, M. Ajmal,Sarwar, Muhammad,Mushtaque, M.,Murtaza, G.,Lee, W.S.,Kim, H.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.3

This study examined the influence of re-growth periods on chemical composition, biomass production, nutritive value and digestion kinetics of Setaria sphacelata (SS) and Cenchrus ciliaris (CC) in ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls. Two re-growth intervals i.e. clipping every month ($CI_1$) and clipping after every two months ($CI_2$) were compared with the control (clipped after 4 months). Mean values of leaf to stem ratio in SS and CC grasses were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. The lowest leaf to stem ratio was recorded in control plots of both grasses. In both grasses, increasing growth period increased the concentrations of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) and decreased crude protein (CP). Mean dry herbage, OM and CP yields of SS and CC were increased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. Ruminal DM and NDF digestibilities of SS and CC were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing interval. Ruminal rate of DM and NDF disappearance was higher while the ruminal lag time of these nutrients was lower with monthly than with bi-monthly clipping interval. The results from present study imply that SS and CC clipped after every two months is more beneficial than when clipped every month or every four months in terms of optimal biomass with adequate nutritional value for buffaloes.

Influence of Corn Steep Liquor on Feeding Value of Urea Treated Wheat Straw in Buffaloes Fed at Restricted Diets

Mahr-un-Nisa, Mahr-un-Nisa,Khan, M. Ajmal,Sarwar, M.,Lee, W.S.,Lee, H.J.,Ki, K.S.,Ahn, B.S.,Kim, H.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.11

Influence of different levels of corn steep liquor (CSL) on chemical composition of urea treated wheat straw (UTWS), ruminal characteristics, digestion kinetics, nitrogen (N) utilization, and nutrient digestibility by ruminally-cannulated buffalo bulls was studied in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square Design. The CSL was used to ensile 5% UTWS at the rate of 0, 3, 6, and 9% on a dry matter (DM) basis. Total N and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were increased with increasing level of CSL. Increased NDF content was attributable to increased neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen. Four diets were formulated to contain 20% concentrate and 80% UTWS ensiled with 0, (control), 3 (CSL3), 6 (CSL6), and 9% CSL (CSL9). All diets were mixed daily and fed at 1.5% of body weight twice daily. Ruminal NH3 concentration decreased with level of CSL used to ensile UTWS at 3 and 6 h post prandial, however, at 9 h post parandial it was similar across all diets and at 12 h post prandial was higher with diets containing UTWS ensiled with CSL. Concentrations of total ruminal volatile fatty acid and acetate were increased with the CSL level used to ensile UTWS. Increased rate of disappearance and reduction in lag time of DM and NDF was recorded with diets containing UTWS ensiled with CSL. Dry matter and NDF digestibilities were higher with CSL diets than on the control diet. Buffalo bulls retained more N with diets containing UTWS ensiled with CSL. The present results indicated that UTWS could be ensiled with CSL to improve its nutritive value and N utilization by ruminants.

Influence of Varying Ruminally Degradable to Undegradable Protein Ratio on Nutrient Intake, Milk Yield, Nitrogen Balance, Conception Rate and Days Open in Early Lactating Nili-Ravi Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Nisa, Mahr-un,Javaid, A.,Shahzad, M. Aasif,Sarwar, M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.9

Twenty four early lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes, eight in each group, were used in a Randomized Complete Block Design to evaluate the influence of varying ruminally degradable protein (RDP) to ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) ratio on feed intake, digestibility, N balance, milk yield and its composition, conception rate and days open. Three experimental diets were formulated to contain RDP:RUP of 50:50, 66:34 and 82:18 and were denoted as HRUP, MRUP and LRUP, respectively. Dry matter (DM) intake was higher (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than in those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. Dry matter digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed LRUP diet than in those fed HRUP and MRUP diets. Linear increase was observed in DM digestibility with increasing RDP:RUP while Neutral detergent fiber digestibility remained unaltered in buffaloes fed HRUP and MRUP diets, however, it was higher than in those fed LRUP diet. Crude protein digestibility remained unaltered across all treatments. Milk and 4 percent fat corrected milk (4% FCM) yield was higher (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. Linear decrease in milk yield was observed with increased RDP:RUP. Milk protein and fat yields were higher (p<0.05) in animals fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. Milk protein percent in animals fed HRUP diet was higher than in those fed LRUP diet, whereas it did not differ with those fed MRUP diet. Percent of fat, total solids, solid not fat and lactose remained unaltered across all diets. Nitrogen balance was higher in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than in those fed other diets. Increasing the RDP:RUP resulted in a linear decrease in N balance. The blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen were lower (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. The blood pH remained unaltered across all treatments. Days open did not differ significantly. Conception rate was higher in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. The findings of the present study indicate that feeding high (50% of the total crude protein) ruminally undegradable protein diet not only increased nutrient intake and milk yield but also improved conception rate in early lactating buffaloes.

Nutritive Value of Urea Treated Wheat Straw Ensiled with or without Corn Steep Liquor for Lactating Nili-ravi Buffaloes

Nisa, Mahr-un,Sarwar, M.,Khan, M. Ajmal Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.6

Influence of different levels of corn steep liquor (CSL) on chemical composition of urea treated wheat straw (UTWS) and its dietary effect on nutrient intake, digestibility, milk yield and its composition were studied. The 5% UTWS was ensiled with 0, 3, 6 and 9% CSL on dry matter (DM) basis. Total nitrogen and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents of UTWS ensiled with 0, 3, 6 and 9% CSL increased linearly with the increasing level of CSL. Increase in NDF content was due to increased neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen contents. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain 35% UTWS ensiled without CSL (control), 45 (WS45), 55 (WS55) and 65% (WS65) UTWS ensiled with 9% CSL, respectively. Dry matter, NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intakes by lactating buffaloes fed diets containing varying levels of UTWS ensiled with or without CSL remained similar across all treatments. However, DM, NDF and ADF intakes as a percent of body weight and digestible DM, NDF and ADF intakes were higher in animals fed WS65 diet compared to those fed other diets. Apparent DM, crude protein (CP), NDF and ADF digestibilities were higher in diets containing UTWS ensiled with CSL compared to control. These differences may be attributed to higher rates of degradability of UTWS ensiled with 9% CSL than that ensiled without CSL. The 4% fat corrected milk and CP were statistically higher with WS65 diet compared to other diets. Percent milk fat, solid not fat and total solid remained unchanged across all treatments.

Effect of Additives and Fermentation Periods on Chemical Composition and In situ Digestion Kinetics of Mott Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Silage

Nisa, Mahr-un,Touqir, N.A.,Sarwar, M.,Khan, M. Ajmal,Akhtar, Mumtaz Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.6

This study was conducted to see the influence of additives and fermentation periods on Mott grass silage (MGS) characteristics, its chemical composition and to compare the digestion kinetics of Mott grass (MG) and MGS in Nili buffaloes. Mott grass chopped with a locally manufactured chopper was ensiled using two additives, cane molasses and crushed corn grains each at 2, 4 and 6% of forage DM for 30 and 40 days in laboratory silos. The pH, lactic acid concentration, dry matter (DM), crude protein and fiber fractions of MGS were not affected by the type or level of additive and fermentation periods. The non-significant pH lactic acid concentration, and chemical composition of MGS indicated that the both molasses and crushed corn were utilized at similar rate for the growth of lactic acid bacteria and production of organic acids. The MG ensiled with molasses at 2% of fodder DM for 30 days was screened out for in situ digestion kinetics in Nili buffaloes. Ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradabilities of MGS were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of MG. The DM and NDF rate of degradation, lag time and extent of degradation was nonsignificant between MGS and MG. The higher ruminal degradation of DM and NDF of MGS than MG was probably a reflection of fermentation of MG during ensilation that improved its degradability by improving the availability of easily degradable structural polysaccharides to ruminal microbial population. The results in the present study have indicated that MG ensiled with either 2% molasses or 2% crushed corn for 30 days has better nutritive value for buffalo.

Ruminal Characteristics, Blood pH, Blood Urea Nitrogen and Nitrogen Balance in Nili-ravi Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Bulls Fed Diets Containing Various Levels of Ruminally Degradable Protein

Javaid, A.,Nisa, Mahr-un,Sarwar, M.,Aasif Shahzad, M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

Four ruminally cannulated Nili-ravi buffalo bulls were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design to determine the influence of varying levels of ruminally degradable protein (RDP) on ruminal characteristics, digestibility, blood pH, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and nitrogen (N) balance. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated (NRC, 2001). The control diet contained 50% RDP. The medium (MRDP), high (HRDP) and very high (VHRDP) ruminally degradable protein diets had 66, 82 and 100% RDP, respectively. Increasing the level of dietary RDP resulted in a linear decrease in ruminal pH. A quadratic effect of RDP on ruminal pH was also observed with quadratic maxima at the 66% RDP diet. Dietary RDP had a quadratic effect on total bacterial and protozoal count with maximum microbial count at the 82% RDP diet. Increased microbial count was due to increasing level of ruminal ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3-N$). Increasing dietary RDP resulted in a linear increase in dry matter digestibility. Provision of an adequate amount of RDP caused optimum microbial activity, which resulted in improvement in DM digestibility. Increasing the level of dietary RDP resulted in a linear decrease in crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Blood pH remained unaltered across all diets. A linear increase in ruminal $NH_3-N$ and BUN was noted with increasing level of dietary RDP. The increase in BUN was due to increased ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentrations. A positive N balance was noted across all diets. The results are interpreted to suggest that buffalo bulls can utilize up to 82% RDP of total CP (16%) with optimum results.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Stage of Maturity of Mottgrass (Pennisetum purpureum) on its Chemical Composition, Dry Matter Intake, Ruminal Characteristics and Digestibility in Buffalo Bulls

Sarwar, M.,Mahr-un-Nisa, Mahr-un-Nisa Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.7

Four ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls were fed mottgrass diets using a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Treatments were arranged factorially and consisted of mottgrass fertilized with 0 for Kg nitrogen (N) per acre and harvested at 40 and 60 days of age. Nitrogen fertilization improved the concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in early-cut mottgrass (ECM) but, the acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents were higher in the late-cut mottgrass (LCM). The crude protein (CP) contents of the mottgrass decreased with advancing maturity, but N fertilization increased CP at both maturities. The intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, NDF and ADF were higher by buffalo bulls fed ECM than those fed LCM. The ruminal pH increased in first 6 hours post feeding in animals fed N fertilized mottgrass and may be due to higher concentration of ruminal ammonia. The digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF were higher by buffalo bulls fed ECM than those fed LCM. However, the application of N fertilizer did not affect the digestibilities of these nutrients.

In Situ Ruminal Digestion Kinetics of Forages and Feed Byproducts in Cattle and Buffalo

Sarwar, M.,Mahr-un-Nisa, Mahr-un-Nisa,Bhatti, S.A.,Ali, C.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1998 Animal Bioscience Vol.11 No.2

The relative disappearance and rate of degradation of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of nine different feedstuffs were determined by simultaneously suspending groups of substrates, using the nylon bags, in the rumen of males of Sahiwal cattle and Nili-Ravi buffalo. The digestion kinetics of leguminous forages (Lucerne, berseem and cowpeas) and feed byproducts (cotton seed cake, wheat bran and wheat straw) did not differ between the two species. However, the DM and NDF digestibilities and rates of digestion of grasses and wheat straw were greater in buffalo than in cow bulls, indicating that buffaloes are better converters of poor quality roughages than are Sahiwal. The lag time for DM of grasses did not differ between these two species but the NDF lag time was lower in buffalo than in cows, indicating that both the rate and lag time of digestion may be reliable indicators for assessing the NDF quality.

In Situ Digestion Kinetics of Mottgrass (Pennisesetum Purpureum) With or Without Supplemental Legume at Two Levels by Buffalo Calves

Sarwar, M.,Mahr-un-Nisa, Mahr-un-Nisa Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.3

The present study was conducted to evaluate the mottgrass alone and in combination with berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) at different intake levels to determine the lag time, rate and extent of digestion of DM and NDF of mottgrass. Four ruminally cannulated buffalo calves were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square Design with $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of treatments. The two factors were forage intake levels (ad libitum versus restricted) and forage source (mottgrass versus mottgrass plus 25% berseem). Four dietary treatment consisted of 1) ad libitum mottgrass, 2) restricted feeding of mottgrass, 3) ad libitum mottgrass plus berseem with a ratio of 3:1 and 4) restricted mottgrass plus berseem in a ratio of 3:1 Calves fed ad libitum mottgrass supplemented with 25% berseem consumed 25% more DM and 15 % more NDF than those fed mottgrass only. The in situ DM digestibility, the lag time and extent of digestion were not affected by intake level. However, rate of disappearance was greater in restricted fed animals than those fed ad libitum. This increased rate could be due to greater concentration of fibrolytic bacteria in restrict fed animals. The DM digestibility was greater (64.1%) in calves fed mottgrass supplemented with 25% berseem than those fed mottgrass only (57.7%). The reduced mottgrass DM digestion may be due to its higher NDF contents. The NDF digestibility, the lag and extent of NDF digestion were not affected by varying intake levels. However, rate of digestion of NDF was higher in restricted fed animals than those of ad libitum fed animals. The NDF digestibility was greater (58.4%) in calves fed mottgrass supplemented with 25% berseem than those fed mottgrass (48.7%) only.

Chemical Composition, Herbage Yield and Nutritive Value of Panicum antidotale and Pennisetum orientale for Nili Buffaloes at Different Clipping Intervals

M. Sarwar,Mahr-un-Nisa,M. Ajmal Khan,M. Mushtaque 아세아·태평양축산학회 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.2

This study was carried out to establish clipping interval of Pennisetum orientale (PO) and Panicum antidotale (PA) to get maximum biomass production with optimal nutritional value for Nili buffaloes. Two clipping intervals i.e. CI1, and CI2 (clipped after every one and two months, respectively) were studied for both grasses. The data on various parameters were compared with PO and PA each clipped at 4 months of age (control). Leaf to stem ratio in both PO and PA declined with increasing clipping interval. Concentration of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) increased (p<0.05) whereas crude protein contents decreased with increasing clipping interval in both grasses. Crude protein and dry herbage yields in PO and PA increased (p<0.05) with increasing clipping interval. The DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibilities of PO and PA in ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls decreased (p<0.05) due to more lignification with increasing clipping interval. Ruminal extent of digestion, rate of disappearance of DM and neutral detergent fiber of PO and PA decreased in buffaloes while ruminal lag time of these nutrients increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing clipping interval. The results from the study imply that two month clipping interval for both PO and PA grasses favored higher biomass with greater nutritional value for Nili buffaloes and sustained grass vigor.