Effect of substituting maize grain with cobs treated with combinations of urea and wood ash on chemical composition and in sacco degradability

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of substituting maize grain with maize cobs treated with 25% urea (U) plus 75% wood ash (WA) on chemical composition and in sacco degradability. Maize grain was substituted with graded levels of 25U75WA in the dietary ingredients and the treatments were: 100M = 100% maize grain, 66M34C = 66% maize grain plus 34% treated maize cobs, 34M66C = 34% maize grain plus 66% treated maize cobs and 100C = 100% treated maize cobs. Samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL); they were incubated in saccofor 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs and their DM degradation kinetics described using the equation y = a + b ct (1- e- ). Results indicated that as maize grain is substituted with treated maize cobs, NDF, ADF and ADL also increased, however only the neutral detergent soluble (NDS) for treatment 100C was reduced. At 72 hrs of incubation, treatment 34M66C had the highest DM degradation, rapidly soluble fraction 'a' and potential degradability 'a+b'. It was concluded that maize cobs treated with combinations of urea and WA could substitute 66% of maize grain in sheep diets. Une expérience a été menée pour déterminer l'effet de la substitution du grain de maïs par des épis de maïs traités avec 25 % d'urée (U) plus 75 % de cendre de bois (WA) sur la composition chimique et la dégradabilité du sac. Le grain de maïs a été remplacé par des niveaux gradués de 25U75WA dans les ingrédients alimentaires et les traitements étaient : et 100C = 100 % d'épis de maïs traités. Les échantillons ont été analysés pour la matière sèche (MS), la matière organique (MO), les cendres, les protéines brutes (CP), les fibres au détergent neutre (NDF), les fibres au détergent acide (ADF) et la lignine au détergent acide (ADL) ; ils ont été incubés dans sacco pour 6, 12, 24, 48 et 72 heures et leur cinétique de dégradation de la matière sèche décrite en utilisant l'équation y = a + b (1-e-ct). Les résultats ont indiqué que lorsque le grain de maïs est remplacé par des épis de maïs traités, NDF, ADF et ADL ont également augmenté, mais que seul le détergent neutre soluble (NDS) pour le traitement 100C a été réduit. À 72 heures d'incubation, le traitement 34M66C présentait la plus forte dégradation de MS, la fraction rapidement soluble « a » et la dégradabilité potentielle « a+b ». Il a été conclu que les épis de maïs traités avec des combinaisons d'urée et d'AO pouvaient remplacer 66% des grains de maïs dans l'alimentation des moutons.

Rumen degradation properties of tropical legumes feed under in sacco studies

Degradation properties of protein feed sources such as tropical legumes is very important to match with microbial protein synthesis and by pass protein requirements in dairy cattle ration formulation. However, the information is still limited. This study aims to determine the degradability of dry matter (DMD) and organic matter (OMD) from several legumes in Indonesia using in sacco method. There are 11 types of tropical legumes that are commonly used in dairy cattle ration have been studied, namely acacia, alfalfa, pterocarpus, gliricidia, indigofera, calliandra, butterfly leaf, leucaena, albizia, tamarind, and sesbania. The dried forage mesh samples were put into nylon bags and incubated in the rumen of two fistulated Friesian Holstein bulls for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Parameter observed were degradability of dry matter (DMD), and organic matter (OMD), kinetic parameters, and effective degradation. The data were analysed using descriptive statistic and regression from SAS University software. The result that sesbania and indigofera grouped into highly degradable forage (degradability > 80%), while acacia, albizia, calliandra grouped into low degradable forage (degradability < 50%). From this study it can be concluded that each type of legume has different degradability characteristics using in sacco method.

Estimation rumen degradable protein of local feeds in dairy cattle using in sacco method

There is a lack of nutrition information on local feeds protein in Indonesia, especially to determine protein fraction of dairy feed. The objective of this study was to determine rumen degradable protein (RDP) of local feeds in dairy cattle using in sacco method. The local feeds are copra meal, palm kernel meal, coffee husk, tofu waste, soy-sauce waste, brewer waste, and habbatussauda waste. Two ruminal fistulated male Frisian Holstein were used to determine rumen degradable protein using in sacco method. The parameters observed include the estimated kinetic parameters, effective degradability (ED), and RDP. The parameters were evaluated with analysis of variance using SAS University software. The result showed that tofu waste and habbatussauda waste had high potential rapid degradation of CP following by brewer waste, palm kernel waste, soy-sauce waste, copra meal, and coffee husk. Habbatussauda waste had higher RDP followed by brewer waste, tofu waste, copra meal, palm kernel meal, soy-sauce waste, and coffee husk. There was a positive correlation between RDP and crude protein content, and a negative correlation between RDP and crude fiber. It is concluded that local feeds have various characteristics of quality feed protein, which is shown by rumen degradable protein and rumen undegradable protein.

Nutritional Value and In sacco Rumen Degradability of Pod and Leaf Meals from Raintree (Samanea saman) in Comparison with a Commercial Dairy Feed

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutritive values and in sacco rumen degradability of pod and leaf meals, derived from raintree (Samanea saman), in comparison with a commercial dairy feed for decision making of smallholder dairy farmers for efficient management of local feed resources. Treatments were: raintree pod meal (RPM), raintree leaf meal (RLM), and commercial dairy feed (CDF). The experiment was assigned in a completely randomized design. The results indicated that RPM, RLM, and CDF had the same amount of crude protein (CP) content (P =.17), whereas RLM was the highest in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents while CDF was the lowest in NDF and ADF (P =.001). Dry matter disappearances at various incubated times were the highest for RPM, followed by CDF, and RLM, respectively (P =.001). The rapidly soluble dry matter fraction (a) was the highest for RPM (P =.023), while the insoluble but fermentable fraction (b) was the highest for CDF (P =.001). The constant degradation rate of b (c) did not differ among treatments (P = .095). The potential degradability (PD) was the highest for CDF, compared with RPM, and RLM, respectively (P =.001). In contrast, the effective degradability (ED) parameters was the highest for RPM, followed by CDF and RLM, respectively (P =.001). Overall, this work demonstrated that RPM is more beneficial than RLM compared with CDF in nutritional values and degradability characteristics. Hence, RPM is recommended as an alternative local feed source for dairy cows raised by smallholder dairy farms in the tropics.

In vitro and in sacco digestibility of almond hulls

The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro digestibility and in sacco disappearance of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in total almond hulls (TAH), pure almond hulls (PAH) or Debris. The TAH were used because there are no data on the effect of debris (non-hull material) on the nutritional value of almond hulls. Twelve samples of commercial almond hulls were used, with one subsample representing the TAH and the other subsample hand sorted to separate the hulls (PAH) from Debris. Gas production and Ankom Daisy method were used to determine in vitro digestibility, while two rumen-fistulated cows were used to measure in sacco disappearance of PAH and TAH. For in vitro digestibility, both PAH and TAH were more digestible and had greater gas production than Debris. The PAH had greater in vitro true digestibility on a DM basis and NDF digestibility at 48 and 72 h compared with TAH. Nonpareil hulls provided greater metabolizable energy (ME) concentration when compared with other almond varieties, with PAH supplying numerically more ME than TAH for both varieties. For in sacco disappearance, PAH had greater DM and NDF disappearance along with a greater rate of disappearance for NDF compared with TAH. This research demonstrated that Debris is highly indigestible; therefore, hulling, agronomic and harvesting practices should be focused on reducing Debris in commercial almond hulls to improve their nutritive value as a feedstuff for livestock.

The Impact of Ensiling at Different Moisture Contents on Germinability and Viability of Selected Weed Species’ Seeds

Weeds are an increasingly significant issue inhibiting agricultural production worldwide. Forage conservation could form part of an integrated weed management program if ensiling killed weed seeds. In Experiment 1, seeds of five grass (Hordeum spp., Bromus diandrus, Bromus hordeaceum, Lolium rigidum and Vulpia spp.) and two broad-leaved temperate weed species (Echium spp. and Raphanus raphanistrum), that were either untreated, ensiled in pasture (Trifolium subterranean/Lolium rigidum mixture) forage for a minimum of three months, underwent 48 h in sacco digestion in steers or ensiled prior to digestion were tested for germinability and viability. In Experiment 2, seeds of eight tropical weed species (Cenchrus ciliaris, Rumex spp., Bidens pilosa, Sorghum halepense, Urochloa panicaoides, Paspalum dilatatum, Brachiara eruciformis and Choris truncata) were ensiled in Sorghum bicolor forage. In Experiment 3, L. rigidum and R. raphanistrum seeds were ensiled in either Medicago sativa forage wilted to 336.9, 506.5 or 610.7 g/kg dry matter; or in chaff to which water or water plus acid was added at rates to achieve 350, 450 or 550 g/kg dry matter content with lactic plus acetic acid added in the ratio of 3:2 at 80, 45 or 10 g/kg DM, respectively. In Experiment 4, L. rigidum and R. raphanistrum seeds were ensiled in cotton wool to which water or water plus acid was added at the same rates as in Experiment 3. Germinability of all seeds following ensiling was substantially reduced or nil. The extent of the reduction varied with species and experiment. In sacco digestion reduced germinability in Experiment 1, but to a lesser extent than ensiling; while ensiling plus digestion reduced germination rates to 0%.

In sacco nutrient degradability of silage containing intact and defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

This study aimed to evaluate the in sacco nutrient degradability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing intact and defatted black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. The study evaluated four dietary treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of control TMR silage without BSF larvae (R1), 20% intact BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R2), 20% chemically defatted BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R3), and 20% mechanically defatted BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R4). Samples were placed in polyester bags and incubated in the rumen in sacco up to 72 h. Nutrient degradability was evaluated for each time point interval. Results revealed that the lowest dry matter degradability (DMD) was found in R1 compared to all treatments (p < 0.05), while the highest DMD was found in R2 (p < 0.05). The highest organic matter degradability was found in R2 compared to R1, R3 and R4 (p < 0.05). Addition of BSF larvae to TMR silage increased the crude protein degradability (p < 0.05). In conclusion, inclusion of both intact and defatted BSF larvae into TMR silage did not have any adverse effects on nutrient profiles and showed a good nutrient degradation values in the rumen.

Effect of Graded Levels of Fishmeal or Urea Supplementation on Rumen Environment and Ruminal Feed Degradation in Bali Cows

An experiment to study the effects of supplementation of graded levels of urea or fishmeal on rumen environment and ruminal feed degradation in Bali cows fed low quality tropical grass hay (crude protein, CP = 3.53%) was conducted according to a 5 × 5 Latin square experimental design with five animals and five periods. In each period lasting for 3 weeks, five non-pregnant Bali cows were given ad libitum access to grass hay (G) or supplemented daily with two level of urea, i.e. 38 g (U38) and 74 g (U74), or two levels of fishmeal, i.e. 156 g (FM156) and 312 g (FM312). Supplementation of both urea and fishmeal reduced significantly (P < 0.01) the average rumen pH from 6.89 in G to 6.74 in FM156. Rumen ammonia concentration increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing levels of supplementation and the increase was more pronounced with urea than with fishmeal supplementation. Rumen ammonia concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in urea than fishmeal supplemented cows at both levels of supplementation. Ruminal total as well as individual VFAs (Acetate, Butyrate and Propionate) concentrations were not affected by the increasing level of supplementation of both urea and fishmeal. Supplementation improved significantly (P < 0.05) in sacco rumen degradation of DM but not protein. Ruminal DM effective degradability was increased significantly with increasing level of fishmeal supplementation but not with increasing level of urea supplementation. Supplementation of increasing level of both urea and fishmeal improved rumen environment and feed degradability in Bali cows maintained on low quality tropical grass hay with fishmeal was proven to be the better supplement over urea.