Rumen bacterial community profile and fermentation in Barki sheep fed olive cake and date palm byproducts

Rumen bacteria make the greatest contribution to rumen fermentation that enables the host animal to utilize the ingested feeds. Agro-industrial byproducts (AIP) such as olive cake (OC) and date palm byproducts (discarded dates (DD), and date palm fronds (DPF)) represent a practical solution to the deficiency in common feed resources. In this study, thirty-six growing Barki lambs were divided into three groups to evaluate the effect of untraditional diets including the AIP on the growth performance. Subsequently, nine adult Barki rams were used to evaluate the effect of experimental diets on rumen fermentation and rumen bacteria. Three rations were used: common concentrate mixture (S1), common untraditional concentrate mixture including OC and DD (S2), and the same concentrate mixture in S2 supplemented with roughage as DPF enriched with 15% molasses (S3). The animals in S2 group showed higher dry matter intake (DMI) and lower relative growth rate (RGR) as compared to the animals in S1 group. However, the animals in S3 group were the lowest in DMI but achieved RGR by about 87.6% of that in the S1 group. Rumen pH, acetic and butyric acids were more prevalent in animals of S3 group and rumen ammonia (NH3-N), total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), propionic acid were higher in S1. Rumen enzymes activities were higher in S1 group followed by S3 and S2. The bacterial population was more prevalent in S1 and microbial diversity was higher in the S3 group. Principal coordinate analysis revealed clusters associated with diet type and the relative abundance of bacteria varied between sheep groups. The bacterial community was dominated by phylum Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes; whereas, Prevotella, Ruminococcus, and Butyrivibrio were the dominant genera. Results indicate that diet S3 supplemented by OC, DD, and DPF could replace the conventional feed mixture.

Comparison of three different rumen fluid as a source of inoculum to evaluate in vitro gas production and digestibility of elephant grass-concentrate mixture

This study aimed at elucidating the use of three different rumen fluid (RF) of indigenous cattle breeds i.e. Bali, Madura and Crossbred Ongole immediately after slaughtered at abattoir to evaluate the nutritive value of elephant grass( EG) -concentrate mixture using a standard in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique. Approximately 500 mg feed dry matter/syringe was added with 50 ml RF-buffer solution and incubated in a 39 0C water bath for 48 hours where gas production was observed at time intervals. Following termination of incubation the content was transferred into tare glass crucible to measure rumen dry matter (RDMD) and organic matter (ROMD) digestibility. The results showed that there was no significant different (P>0.05) in gas production parameters. In contrast, RDMD and ROMD differed significantly (P<0.01) among cattle breeds. RF from OCB resulted in the highest IVGP, RDMD and ROMD as compared with other RF sources. In conclusion, the use of RF from abattoir for IVGP measurement can be warranted using the same source of RF. The highest values resulted from OCB suggests that the abundance and variation in rumen microbiota may exist among cattle breeds.

Effect of Hydroponic Maize Fodder Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutritive Ratio and Intake of Digestible Nutrient in Gir Calves

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of addition of hydroponic maize fodder in concentrate mixture on growth performance of gir calves. A feeding trial of 120 days was undertaken on 16 gir calves divided in four groups of four calves. The animals in control group were fed 1.5 kg concentrate mixture, 2.5 kg groundnut straw and wheat straw ad lib. In group second, 75% of CP was met through concentrate mixture and rest through hydroponic maize fodder along with 2.5 kg groundnut straw and ad lib. wheat straw was given. While, in third group, 50% of CP was met through concentrate mixture and rest through hydroponic maize fodder and 2.5 kg of groundnut straw was given along with ad lib. wheat straw. In group fourth, 25% of CP was met through concentrate mixture and remaining by hydroponic maize fodder and 2.5 kg groundnut straw with ad lib. wheat straw was offered. Significantly higher daily weight gain, digestible crude protein percent, total digestible nutrient percent and intake of digestible dry matter and organic matter in respect of g D-1 was observed in the group in which up to 75% of crude protein of concentrate mixture was replaced by hydroponic maize fodder. Highest (p<0.01) digestible crude protein intake and total digestible nutrient intake g D-1, Kg 100 kg BW-1 and g 100 kg-1 MBS (Metabolic body size) was observed in group provided with 75% crude protein through hydroponic fodder. Hydroponics maize fodder has beneficial effect on growth performance and intake of digestible nutrients in gir calves and it can replace up to 75% of crude protein of concentrate mixture.

​Effect of Inclusion of Moringa oliefera Leaf Meal on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Carcass Characteristics of Deccani Lambs

Background: Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a highly valued plant grown in tropical and subtropical countries. Moringa has a high amount of crude protein, a well-balanced amino acid profile, vitamins and minerals and fewer quantities of antinutritive factors. Methods: Eighteen growing Deccani lambs of uniform body weight (14.22±1.5 kg) and age were randomly allotted to three treatment groups viz., 100 per cent groundnut cake (T1), 75% groundnut cake+ 25% Moringa oliefera leaf meal (T2) and 50% groundnut cake+ 50% M. oliefera leaf meal (T3) as a protein source in the concentrate mixture. The experiment was conducted for 90 days. Result: No significant difference was found in the fortnightly body weights of the lambs from 1st to 6th fortnights among three dietary groups. Total weight gain and Average Daily gain (ADG) were significant (P less than 0.01) among the treatment groups whereas DMI (kg/day), per 100 kg and FCR was non-significant. The digestibility coefficients (%) of all nutrients were non-significant (P greater than 0.05) except the NFE. Pre-slaughter weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weights and dressing percent on pre-slaughter weight and empty body weight were comparable among the three groups. Results of the present study indicated that inclusion of 25% Moringa oleifera leaf meal in concentrate mixture proved to be superior and improved the growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and carcass traits without any adverse effects on experimental lambs.

Effects of concentrate mixture level on nutrient digestibility, growth, production and reproduction performance of Jamunapari goat under semi intensive condition

Twenty female Jamunapari goats of live weight of 10.5 ± 1.2 kg at 08± 0.56 months of age were used for 240 days feeding trial. Goats were assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with five (05) goats in each group. All animals were supplied ad libitum green grass and water. They were supplied 150, 200, 250, 300 gm concentrate mixture per day with roughage for group T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. Total dry matter (TDM) intake (413.2, 456.67, 489.2 and 495.7g/day) in groups T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, was significantly (p≤0.01) influenced by the level of concentrate in the diet. Average total digestible crude protein (DCP) intake (3.1, 3.5, 3.9, 4.0 g/kg body weight and average total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake 21.1, 22.3, 24.7, 25.1 g/kg body weight was significantly (p≤0.01) higher in group T4 and lower in group T1. The nutrient intake and digestibility were also significantly higher (p≤0.01) in T4 group. The percent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) were 70.1, 75.99, 73.50, 67.24, 62.13 and 49.60%, 73.14, 76.97,76.84, 68.32, 64.04 and 53.25%, 75.45,78.44,78.67,70.43,68.43 and 59.77%, 79.56, 80.16,81.69,72.45,70.82 and 63.09% in T1, T2, T3 and T4 group, respectively. Reproductive performances, birth weight of kids and litter size did not differ significantly between groups, but had significant effect on feed digestibility and milk production. Daily 300 gm concentrate mixture along with roughage is necessary for better growth, production and reproduction performance of Jamunapari doe in semi-intensive system. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(2): 223-230, August 2021

​Effect of Concurrent Feeding of Hydroponics Maize Fodder and Probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on Growth Performance in Gir Calves

Background: Technology advancement has introduced hydroponics technology for green fodder production. The present investigation was undertaken to study the growth performance of Gir cattle calves fed hydroponics maize fodder (HMF) with and without supplementation of probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Methods: A feeding trial of 120 days was conducted on 36 male Gir calves divided into nine groups. Group T1 was treated as control. In group T2, T3, T4 and T5, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of CP supplied through concentrate mixture was replaced by HMF, respectively. Whereas in group T6, T7, T8 and T9, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of CP supplied through concentrate mixture was replaced by HMF with probiotic, respectively. Result: There was highly significant (P less than 0.01) effect of treatments i.e. feeding of HMF with and without supplementation of probiotic as well as period (age of calves) on periodical body weight and ADG. There was significantly higher mean periodical body weight (kg) and ADG (g/d) in calves fed HMF and probiotic than control. The highest overall mean body weight and ADG was observed in group T8, followed by T4 and lowest in control group. Overall mean body measurements viz. BH, BL and BG was highest in group T8 and lowest in group T1 but the variation was statistically non-significant for BG. Highly significant (P less than 0.01) effect of treatments and period were observed on FCR also. Lowest FCR was recorded in group T8, followed by T4 and highest FCR was recorded in control group. It was concluded that better growth performance was evoked in Gir cattle calves fed 75% CP of concentrate mixture replaced by hydroponics maize green fodder with probiotic.

Combinations of Urochloa hybrid Mulato II and natural pasture hays as a basal diet for growing Farta lambs in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the feed intake, digestibility, bodyweight change and carcass characteristics of Farta lambs fed Brachiaria (now: Urochloa) hybrid Mulato II and natural pasture hays in various proportions as a basal diet supplemented with a local concentrate mixture (CM). Twenty-five yearling male Farta lambs with a mean initial body weight of 19.6±0.29 kg (mean±s.e.) were used in feeding (90 days) and digestibility (7 days) trials. The lambs were randomly allocated to the following 5 dietary treatments on the basis of stratified body weight: 100% natural pasture hay (NPH) (T1); 75% NPH+25% Urochloa hybrid Mulato II hay (MH) (T2); 50% NPH+50% MH (T3); 25% NPH+75% MH (T4); and 100% MH (T5). A local concentrate mixture [300 g dry matter (DM)/hd/d] was fed to all animals. Crude protein (CP) concentration of the basal diet increased as proportion of MH in the ration increased (P<0.05). Intake of DM and nutrients, and nutrient digestibility coefficients increased significantly (P<0.05) as proportion of MH in the roughage component of the ration increased. Final body weight, average daily bodyweight gain, feed conversion efficiency and most carcass parameters measured were significantly (P<0.05) higher as proportion of MH increased from 0 to 100% in the basal diet. Based on the biological performance of the experimental lambs, performance of sheep in the region could be enhanced significantly by incorporating MH with native pasture hay and concentrate supplement in feeding rations. Economic assessments would reveal the optimal combinations of native pasture and MH for feeding to achieve particular outcomes. Other improved grass and legume species may fill the same role and should be investigated in differing environments.

Effect of Dietary Enrichment with Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids on Blood Metabolites, Hormone Concentration and Ovarian Function in Sahiwal Heifers

Background: Supplementation of fat, especially those having unsaturated fatty acids has been proposed to carry positive effects on the reproductive organ, beside providing dietary energy to the animals. This experiment was designed to examine the effects of dietary ω-3 or ω-6 fatty acid (FA) rich oil supplementation on blood FA, metabolite and hormone concentrations; ovarian follicular growth and corpus luteum (CL) size in Sahiwal breed heifers.Methods: Eighteen heifers of 18.33±1.14 months of age and 194±4.16 kg of mean body weight were randomly assigned to 3 diets and individually fed as per ICAR (2013) diets. The diets include chopped wheat straw, green fodder and concentrate mixture containing either (i) no added PUFA rich oil but palm oil @ 3.5% (PO; n=6); (ii) 3.5% added soybean oil as ω-6 FA source (SO; n=6); or (iii) 3.5% added linseed oil as ω-3 FA source (LO; n=6).Result: SO increased (P less than 0.05) the plasma concentration of ω-6 FA while LO increased (P less than 0.05) the plasma ω-3 FA. Plasma glucose, triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations was not affected due to different diets. Plasma total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in SO and LO in comparison to PO. However, LDL-cholesterol was at par among all the treatments. Growth Hormone (GH) was not influenced due to different types of oil in heifers’ concentrate mixture. Insulin concentration increased (P less than 0.05) in LO compared to others. IGF-1 was statistically higher (P less than 0.05) in SO and LO as compared to CON, which among themselves also varied significantly. Plasma progesterone concentration at day 12 post estrous was higher (P less than 0.05) in LO. PUFA rich oil supplementation in the concentrate mixture of heifers (SO and LO) increased (P less than 0.05) the size of the ovulatory follicles as well as size of CL. It was inferred that feeding PUFA rich oil to pre-pubertal Sahiwal heifer’s results in advantageous changes in the blood metabolites, plasma hormones and ovarian functions.