Net Portal Fluxes of Nitrogen Metabolites in Holstein Steers Fed Diets Containing Different Dietary Ratios of Whole-crop Corn Silage and Alfalfa Hay

EL-Sabagh, M.,Imoto, S.,Yukizane, K.,Yokotani, A.,Sugino, T.,Obitsu, T.,Taniguchi, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.3

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of different dietary ratios of whole-crop corn silage and alfalfa hay on nitrogen (N) digestion, duodenal flow and metabolism across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) of growing beef steers, and to elucidate their relationships. Four steers (236${\pm}$7 kg BW) fitted with duodenal cannulae and chronic indwelling catheters into the portal and mesenteric veins and abdominal aorta were used in a 4${\times}$4 Latin square design. Animals were fed (at 12-h intervals) the 4 diets consisting of whole-crop corn silage (C) and alfalfa hay (A) in 80:20 (C8A2), 60:40 (C6A4), 40:60 (C4A6) and 20:80 (C2A8) ratios of which dietary crude protein (CP) was 10.5, 12.0, 13.5 and 15.0% of dry matter (DM), respectively. Feeding level was restricted to 95% of ad libitum intake to measure N digestion, blood flow and net flux of N across the PDV. Digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber and digestible energy intake linearly increased as the ratio of alfalfa hay increased. The N intake, duodenal flow and intestinal disappearance increased linearly with increasing alfalfa hay. Arterial and portal concentrations of ${\alpha}$-amino N showed a quadratic response to increasing levels of alfalfa hay and were the highest in steers fed the C6A4 diet. The net PDV release of ${\alpha}$-amino N and ammonia N increased linearly with increasing alfalfa hay, but urea N uptake by PDV did not differ among diets. As a percentage of apparently digested N in the total gut, net PDV release of ${\alpha}$-amino N linearly decreased from 66 to 48% with increasing alfalfa hay. Conversely, net PDV recovery of ${\alpha}$-amino N to intestinal N disappearance varied with increasing alfalfa hay accounting for 49, 50, 58 and 61% on C8A2, C6A4, C4A6 and C2A8 diets, respectively. Net PDV uptake of urea N, relative to apparently digested N, linearly decreased from 81 to 25% as alfalfa hay increased from 20 to 80% of DM intake. Considering PDV uptake of urea N, microbial efficiency and conversion of total tract digested N to PDV ${\alpha}$-amino N net supply, a diet consisting of 80% whole-crop corn silage and 20% alfalfa hay (10.5% CP) was the best, while considering the quantities of intestinal N disappearance and ${\alpha}$-amino N absorption, a diet of 20% whole-crop corn silage and 80% alfalfa hay (15% CP) would be preferred. The proportion of ${\alpha}$-amino N recovered by PDV relative to the intestinal N disappearance may vary with energy intake level of mixed forage diets.

Carbohydrate and lipid spectroscopic molecular structures of different alfalfa hay and their relationship with nutrient availability in ruminants

Yari, Mojtaba,Valizadeh, Reza,Nnaserian, Abbas Ali,Jonker, Arjan,Yu, Peiqiang Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.11

Objective: This study was conducted to determine molecular structures related to carbohydrates and lipid in alfalfa hay cut at early bud, late bud and early flower and in the afternoon and next morning using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR) and to determine their relationship with alfalfa hay nutrient profile and availability in ruminants. Methods: Chemical composition analysis, carbohydrate fractionation, in situ ruminal degradability, and DVE/OEB model were used to measure nutrient profile and availability of alfalfa hay. Univariate analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (CLA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were conducted to identify FT/IR spectra differences. Results: The FT/IR non-structural carbohydrate (NSCHO) to total carbohydrates and NSCHO to structural carbohydrate ratios decreased (p<0.05), while lignin to NSCHO and lipid CH3 symmetric to CH2 symmetric ratios increased with advancing maturity (p<0.05). The FT/IR spectra related to structural carbohydrates, lignin and lipids were distinguished for alfalfa hay at three maturities by PCA and CLA, while FT/IR molecular structures related to carbohydrates and lipids were similar between alfalfa hay cut in the morning and afternoon when analyzed by PCA and CLA analysis. Positive correlations were found for FT/IR NSCHO to total carbohydrate and NSCHO to structural carbohydrate ratios with non-fiber carbohydrate (by wet chemistry), ruminal fast and intermediately degradable carbohydrate fractions and total ruminal degradability of carbohydrates and predicted intestinal nutrient availability in dairy cows ($r{\geq}0.60$; p<0.05) whereas FT/IR lignin to NSCHO and CH3 to CH2 symmetric stretching ratio had negative correlation with predicted ruminal and intestinal nutrient availability of alfalfa hay in dairy cows ($r{\geq}-0.60$; p<0.05). Conclusion: FT/IR carbohydrate and lipid molecular structures in alfalfa hay changed with advancing maturity from early bud to early flower, but not during the day, and these molecular structures correlated with predicted nutrient supply of alfalfa hay in ruminants.

Effect of Particle Size of Forage in the Dairy Ration on Feed Intake, Production Parameters and Quantification of Manure Index

Moharrery, A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.4

The objectives of this study were to measure particle size and evaluate the effect of increasing alfalfa hay particle size on production characteristics in lactating Holstein dairy cows. Ninety multiparous Holstein cows in early to mid-lactation were randomly assigned in a complete randomized design for a 30-day period. Animals were offered one of the three diets, which were identical in energy, protein, and chemical composition, but differed only in particle size of alfalfa hay. The treatments were A) total mixed ration (TMR) in which only fine chopped alfalfa hay was incorporated in the ration, B) the same diet in which half of the alfalfa hay was fine chopped and incorporated in the mixed ration and half was long hay and offered as a top dressing, and C) the same diet with long hay alfalfa offered as a top dressing. Distribution of particle size of rations was determined through 20,000, 8,000 and 1,000 ${\mu}m$ sieves. The new method of quantitative determination of manure index was examined for each cow on different treatments. The geometric mean length of particle size in the rations was 5,666, 9,900 and 11,549 ${\mu}m$ for treatments A, B and C, respectively. Fat corrected milk (4%), milk fat percentage and production were significantly different (p<0.05) in treatment A versus B and C (fat corrected milk (FCM, 4%)) 28.3 vs. 35.2 and 32.3 kg/d, fat percentage 2.89, 4.04 and 3.62; but the change of ration particle size had no significant effect on milk production (p>0.05). Blood concentration of cholesterol in treatment A was significantly higher (p<0.05) than treatment B and C (181.0 vs. 150.0 and 155.2 mg/dl). Manure index in treatment C was significantly different (p<0.05) from treatment B (15.86 vs. 17.67). Based on these experimental findings, it is concluded that an increase in the ration particle size can increase milk fat percentage due to providing more physically effective fiber, which in turn could effect changes in manure consistency.

정치식 원적외선 건조기를 이용한 알팔파 건초 조제 기술 연구

김종근 한국초지조사료학회 2022 한국초지조사료학회지 Vol.42 No.2

This experiment was conducted to establish the technology for artificial hay preparation in Korea. Using far-infrared heater, a device that can control temperature, airflow, and far-infrared radiation was produced and conducted on the fourth harvested alfalfa. The drying conditions were carried out by selecting a total of four conditions. For each condition, the radiation rate was set to around 40% (33-42%), and the temperature was set at 58~65℃, and the speed of the airflow was fixed at 60m/s. The overall drying time was set to 30 min in the single and 60 min (30-30 min) and 90 min (30-30-30 min) in the complex condition, and the radiation rate and temperature were changed by time period. In the case of drying condition 1, the final dry matter (DM) content was 46.26%, which did not reach a DM suitable for hay. However, all of the alfalfa corresponding to the remaining drying conditions 2 to 7 showed a DM content of 80% or more, resulting in optimal alfalfa hay production. In power consumption according to the drying conditions, the second drying condition showed the lowest at 4.7 KW, and the remaining drying conditions were as high as 6.5 to 7.1 KW. The crude protein content was found to be high at an average of 25.91% and it showed the highest content in the 5th drying condition (26.93%) and the lowest value in the 6th drying condition (25.16%). The digestibility showed a high value with an average of 84.90%, and there was no significant difference among treatments (p>0.05). Considering the above results, it was judged that drying condition 2 was the most advantageous.

Impact of Particle Length of Alfalfa Hay in the Diet of Growing Lambs on Performance, Digestion and Carcass Characteristics

Al-Saiady, M.Y.,Abouheif, M.A.,Aziz Makkawi, A.,Ibrahim, Hafiz A.,Al-Owaimer, A.N. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.4

Thirty-six Najdi ram lambs, weighing an average of 24 kg and circa 3 months old, were utilized in this trial to evaluate the effects of various alfalfa hay particle lengths in the diet on growth performance, digestion coefficients, nitrogen retention and carcass characteristics. Lambs were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments: 9.5 and 14 mm diets, where alfalfa hay was processed to 9.5 and 14 mm particle lengths, respectively, mixed with 3 parts of concentrate and pelleted as a total mixed ration (TMR), and long hay diet, where one part of loose alfalfa hay (17.8${\pm}$2.4 cm) was offered in combination with 3 parts of only-concentrate pellet. All dietary treatments were homogeneous in their ingredient composition. All lambs were slaughtered after a 14-week feeding trial. Although the results showed no significant effect of hay particle length on DMI, TDN and DCP, lambs fed the 9.5 mm pelleted diet had higher (p<0.05) final body weight, ADG, gain efficiency and nitrogen retention than lambs fed the 14 mm and long hay diets. Altering the particle length of alfalfa hay in diets did not affect the digestibility of DM or CP, whereas digestibilities of ADF and NDF were 3.7% and 5.4% higher (p<0.05), respectively, for the long hay diet versus the 9.5 mm pelleted diet. Hot carcass weight, percentage of separable lean from the $9-11^{th}$ rib joint, and percentages of protein and EE in the separable lean increased (p<0.05) as the particle length of alfalfa hay in the diet decreased. Under the conditions of this study, the reduction of particle length in the TMR played an important role in enhancing performance without altering DM consumption, and this may lead to more efficient productivity of lamb fattening compared with longer chopping lengths.

Effect of Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and Buffered Propionic Acid on Preservation and Nutritive Value of Alfalfa and Timothy High-moisture Hay

Baah, J.,McAllister, T.A.,Bos, L.,Herk, F. Van,Charley, R.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.5

The effects of Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and buffered propionic acid on preservation, intake and digestibility of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and timothy (Phleum pratense) hay were investigated. During baling, forages were treated with L. buchneri 40788 (1.2${\times}$10$^6$ CFU/g) as a liquid (LLB) or as a granular preparation (GLB), with buffered propionic acid (10 mL/kg, BPA), or left untreated (control). Triplicate 500 kg round bales of each treatment were put up at two moisture levels for each forage: 17%${\pm}$0.33% and 20%${\pm}$0.30% for timothy and 17%${\pm}$0.20% and 19%${\pm}$0.27% for alfalfa (mean${\pm}$SD). Bales were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses after 0, 30 and 60 d of storage. Compared to controls, all preservatives reduced (p<0.05) heating of both forages at all moisture levels with the exception of alfalfa baled at 19% moisture. After 60 d of storage, GLB reduced (p<0.05) moulds in 17% timothy hay as compared to other treatments, but at 20% moisture, moulds were reduced in LLB- and BPA-treated timothy as compared to controls. In alfalfa at 17% moisture, total bacteria were lower (p<0.05) in GLB-treated bales than LLB or control bales, but yeast and total bacteria were only reduced in BPA-treated alfalfa at 19% moisture. In situ DM disappearance of timothy (both moisture levels) and alfalfa (19% moisture level) increased (p<0.05) with LLB treatment compared to control. Digestibility of both forages did not differ (p>0.05) among treatments, however, voluntary DM intake of LLB-treated timothy (1.32 kg/d) was 22.3% higher (p<0.05) than control, and 14.1% higher than BPA-treated timothy. Treating timothy and alfalfa hay with L. buchneri 40788 or buffered propionic acid may improve the nutritive value of the hay when baled at 17 to 20% moisture.

Changes in Milk Production and Metabolic Parameters by Feeding Lactating Cows Based on Different Ratios of Corn Silage: Alfalfa Hay with Addition of Extruded Soybeans

Yana, Rong,Zhang, Ruizhong,Zhang, Xian,Jiang, Chao,Han, Jian-Guo,Zhang, Ying-Jun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.6

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different ratios of corn silage (CS): alfalfa hay (AH), and extruded soybeans (ESB) on milk yield, milk composition, blood metabolites, and fatty acids in milk fat and plasma. Ninety multiparous Holstein cows were arranged in a randomized block design experiment which lasted 14 weeks. Treatments were arranged as a $3{\times}3$ factorial with 0%, 5% or 10% ESB (dry matter basis) and three forage treatments: I) 30% CS, 10% AH and 10% Leymus chinense hay (LC); ii) 20% corn silage, 20% alfalfa hay and 10% LC; iii) 10% CS, 30% AH and 10% LC. Cows were allowed to consume a total mixed ration ad libitum. There was no change of dry matter intake when cows were fed the experimental diets. As more AH was added to the diets, milk yield, milk protein content and yield, and trans9, cis11-conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) concentrations in milk fat and plasma increased. When ESB were supplemented to the diets, milk yield, and trans9, cis11-CLA concentration in milk fat and plasma increased. When 10% ESB was added to the diet containing 30% AH the trans9, cis11-CLA content (1.46 g/100 g of total fatty acids) in milk was the highest among all treatments. These results suggests that AH could replace part of a CS diet and be a good forage source of diet for dairy cows to improve milk yield and milk composition. Meanwhile, ESB could be included in the diet with high AH to improve production performance of dairy cows.

Analysis of Rumen Fermentation and Methanogen Levels in Response to Various Alfalfa Hay, Oat Hay, and Feed Concentrate Ratios

Seul Lee,Banji Kim,Chaehwa Ryu,Jinyoung Jeong,Byeonghyeon Kim,Youlchang Baek 한국초지조사료학회 2020 한국초지조사료학회지 Vol.40 No.4

This study aimed to analyze ruminal fermentation, methane emissions, and methanogen levels for different forage feed type and concentrate feed ratios. Alfalfa hay, oat hay, and a feed concentrate were used for in vitro fermentation experiments, at ratios of 9:1, 5:5, and 1:9 (forage:concentrate). After 24 h of incubation, rumen fermentation and methanogen level changes were evaluated. In the low forage treatments, the total gas, CH4, NH3-N, true dry matter digestibility, and total volatile fatty acid were higher than the other treatments, which were used as the parameters on which to assess rumen fermentation (P < 0.05). The feed ratio influenced the copy number for the total archaea and the genus Methanobrevibacter (P = 0.015, P = 0.010). The copy number result trend was like that for CH4 per digested dry matter (DDM). The PCR results and methanogen copy number analysis indicated that the composition of the methanogens affected the CH4 levels, not their copy number. The results of this study can be applied to predict rumen fermentation and methane emission patterns for cattle fed a variety of feedstuffs.

Lactation performance and rumen fermentation in dairy cows fed a diet with alfalfa hay replaced by corn stover and supplemented with molasses

Zi-Hai Wei,Shu-Lin Liang,Di-Ming Wang,Hong-Yun Liu,Metha Wanapat,Jian-Xin Liu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.8

Objective: The objective of current study was to investigate the lactation performance and rumen fermentation characteristics of dairy cows fed a diet with alfalfa hay replaced by corn stover but supplemented with molasses. Methods: Sixteen Holstein cows in mid-lactation were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments: i) alfalfa based diet (AH), and ii) corn stover based diet supplemented with molasses (CSM). The experiment was conducted according to a 2×2 crossover design with 22-d each period, consisting of 17 d for adaptation and 5 d for data and samples collection. Results: Dry matter intake and milk yield were higher for cows fed AH than CSM (p<0.01). Milk protein content and nitrogen conversion were higher (p<0.05), while milk urea nitrogen was lower (p<0.01) for cows fed AH than CSM-fed cows. Contents of milk total solids, fat and lactose were not different between two groups (p>0.10). Total rumen volatile fatty acid concentration tended to be higher (p = 0.06) for cows fed AH than CSM-fed cows. Molar proportion of acetate was lower (p = 0.04), but valerate was higher (p = 0.02) in cows fed AH than CSM-fed cows. Rumen concentration of propionate, and isobutyrate, and ratio of acetate to propionate tended to be different (p<0.10) between two groups. The feed cost per kilogram of milk was lower in CSM than AH (p<0.01). No differences were found in feed efficiency and most plasma parameters tested (p>0.10). Conclusion: In comparison with AH diet, CSM diet could be fed to dairy cows without negative effect on feed efficiency, ruminal fermentation, but economically beneficial, indicating that CSM could be an alternative choice for dairy farms instead of AH to feed mid-lactation dairy cows.

Significance of Feeding Induced Hypovolemia in Feed Intake Control of Goats Fed on Alfalfa Hay

Sunagawa, Katsunori,Prasetiyono, Bambang W.H.E.,Nagamine, Itsuki Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.3

The objective of this study was to examine whether feeding induced hypovolemia (decrease in plasma volume) acts on the regulation of feed intake in goats fed on dry forage. In order to prevent feeding induced hypovolemia, a 2 h intravenous infusion (16-18 ml/min) of isotonic mannitol solution was begun 1 h prior to feeding and continued until 1 h after the start of the 2 h feeding period. The intravenous infusion of isotonic mannitol solution (MI) decreased plasma osmolality by 1.0%, plasma total protein concentration by 4.2% and hematocrit by 5.9%, respectively. In comparison with no infusion (NI), MI significantly decreased thirst level by approximately 13%. At the completion of the 2 h feeding period, cumulative feed intake had been increased by 43% by MI. In conclusion, feeding induced hypovolemia in goats fed on dry forage increased thirst level more than the increase in plasma osmolality did. The results demonstrate that feeding induced hypovolemia is one of the factors controlling feed intake in goats fed on dry forage.