Effect of feeding forage characteristic of wet- or dry-season tropical C4 grass in northern Australia, on methane production, intake and rumen outflow rates in Bos indicus steers

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2033 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Perry ◽  
R. Al Jassim ◽  
J. B. Gaughan ◽  
N. W. Tomkins
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Total N ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Brahman Steers

Methane production (MP) from Bos indicus steers fed Chloris gayana hay characteristic of the ‘dry season’ (LQH), and a fresh Urochloa mosambicensis grass (PAS) or a C. gayana hay (HQH) characteristic of the ‘wet’ season was determined. A longitudinal feeding trial incorporated a 42-day covariate period (P1) in which Brahman steers (total n = 12) were fed ad libitum LQH (g/kg DM: crude protein (CP) 25; acid detergent fibre expressed exclusive of residual ash (ADFom) 487; DM digestibility (DMD) 380) followed by a 42-day treatment period where steers (n = 4 in each) were randomly assigned to PAS, HQH or remained on LQH (control). The diet composition in P2 was HQH (g/kg DM: CP 88; ADFom 376; DMD 590), PAS (g/kg DM: CP 90; ADFom 324; DMD 630) and LQH (g/kg DM: CP 31; ADFom 461; DMD 410). For each period, on Days 35–41, individual dry-matter intakes (DMI), rumen fermentation parameters and both fluid and particulate fractional rumen outflow rates were measured. On Days 41 and 42, MP was determined using open-circuit respiration chambers. There were diet effects on MP, DMI, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia-N. Both PAS- and HQH-fed steers had greater MP (g/day; P < 0.05) and DMI (P < 0.05) than did those fed LQH, but a lower MP per kilogram DMI digested. The use of predictive equations compared with measured data confirmed prior observations that MP from tropical grasses in the northern Australian rangelands may be overestimated using the current equations for greenhouse gas accounting.

Prepartum supplementation effects on growth and fertility in Bos indicus-cross cows

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Fordyce ◽  
L. A. Fitzpatrick ◽  
T. J. Mullins ◽  
N. J. Cooper ◽  
D. J. Reid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Calving Season

Summary. Three experiments were conducted in the dry tropics of north Australia using Bos indicus-cross cows. Cows in mid–late pregnancy were either unsupplemented during the late dry season or offered ad libitum (2 kg/day) molasses with 7.4% urea (w/w) (M8U) or cottonseed meal (1 kg/day) for up to 54 days commencing 2 months before the start of the calving season. Supplementation reduced weight loss in experiments 1 and 2 (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on weight or body condition in experiment 3. Supplementation had no effect on subsequent calf growth or cow lactation yields. Following early wet season rains in experiment 1, 9 and 49% of cows were ovulating 40 and 80 days post-partum, respectively, with no effect of supplementation. In experiment 2, 10 and 100% of cows had ovulated by 60 and 200 days post-partum, respectively. At any time between 80 and 180 days post-partum, supplemented cows were more likely to be cycling (P<0.05), independent of supplementation effects on weight or body condition. The average post-partum interval to oestrus was 30 days less in cows supplemented for 42 days (P = 0.08). In experiment 3, pregnancy rates in 1/2 and 3/4 Brahmans supplemented with M8U for 54 days (MU54) or whose calves were weaned at 2–3 months of age (WEAN) were 14% higher in the latter 2 months of mating than in cows supplemented for less than 40 days. Good seasonal conditions resulted in high pregnancy rates in all mature 5/8 Brahmans; when not weaned early, their average calving to conception interval (CCI) was 54 days (s.e. = 8.5 days). Pregnancy rates of first-lactation 5/8 Brahmans (average CCI of 125 days) supplemented for 39 days or less and weaned when calves averaged 6 months of age were 14–32% lower between 2 and 9 months post-partum than in contemporaries in the MU54 or WEAN treatment groups. It was concluded that dry-season supplementation of mid- to late-pregnant Bos indicus-cross cows with an energy concentrate for 42–54 days (‘spike’ feeding) may reduce post-partum anoestrus intervals via a mechanism which is not dependent on the effects on weight or body condition.

Nitrate supplementation has marginal effects on enteric methane production from Bos indicus steers fed Flinders grass (Iseilema spp.) hay, but elevates blood methaemoglobin concentrations

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 262 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Tomkins ◽  
A. J. Parker ◽  
G. Hepworth ◽  
M. J. Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Methane Yield ◽  
Elevated Concentration ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acid Concentration ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Supplement Intake

This experiment has quantified the methane abatement potential of nitrate in the context of extensively managed cattle. The experimental protocol consisted of two, 4 × 4 Latin square design using eight rumen fistulated Bos indicus steers fed Flinders grass (Iseilema spp.) hay ad libitum. The treatments were Control (nil nitrogen supplement), urea (32.5 g/day urea) and two levels of calcium nitrate: CaN1 and CaN2 (to provide 4.6 g and 7.9 g NO3/kg DM equivalent to ~0.46% and 0.80% of DM, respectively). Complete supplement intake was ensured by dosing any supplement that had not been voluntarily consumed, through the rumen fistula, 1 h after feeding. Enteric methane production was measured using open circuit respiration chambers. Methane yield (g/kg DM intake) from the CaN2 treatment tended to be lower (P < 0.07) than either the Control or urea treatments. There were no significant differences in methane yield between Control, urea or CaN1 treatments. Mean blood methaemoglobin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) higher for CaN2 animals compared with the Control, urea or CaN1 treatments. In addition, a significant time effect after dosing (P < 0.001) and a significant interaction between treatment and time after dosing (P < 0.001) was apparent. Overall mean total volatile fatty acid concentration was 74.0 ± 1.53 mM with no significant treatment effect, but a significant effect for both time of sampling (3 h vs 6 h) within days and among 7 sampling days. The inclusion of calcium nitrate as a non-protein-N source significantly reduced the molar proportions of butyrate (P < 0.001), iso-butyrate (P < 0.05) and iso-valerate (P < 0.001) compared with the Control. The provision of nitrate supplements, providing both a NPN and an alternative sink for H that would otherwise support enteric methanogenesis, has some potential. In extensive grazing systems effective methane abatement strategies are required. The elevated concentration of MetHb using CaN2 suggests that the strategy of replacing urea with nitrate in supplements fed to extensively managed cattle in the northern rangelands may be inappropriate where supplement intake cannot be controlled on an individual animal basis and forage quality is seasonally variable.

Supplementation of steers grazing Stylosanthes hamata pastures at Katherine, Northern Territory

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 669 ◽  
Author(s):  
WH Winter
Keyword(s):  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Active Growth ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
Stylosanthes Hamata ◽  
Brahman Steers ◽  
Native Perennial Grass

Native perennial grass pastures were oversown with Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano at 3 fertility levels, i.e, without fertiliser or with suboptimal levels of superphosphate or rock phosphate. Brahman steers, of varying ages, grazed the pastures and their responses to fertility level and direct supplementation with phosphorus and sulfur were determined over 4 years. Phosphorus supplementation doubled liveweight gains during the early and late wet season periods to about 0.9 and 0-7 kg/day, respectively. Pasture fertility level did not affect gains in the early wet season in most years but superphosphate increased the late wet season gains by about 0.1 kg/day. Small weight losses usually occurred in all treatments during the early dry season, with losses increasing with animal age. Weight losses were highest during the late dry season, particularly for the older, phosphorus supplemented, steers. This response was attributed to size rather than to age or supplementation per se. Sulfur supplementation had no effect upon liveweight gain or upon the pastures at any time. In unfertilised pastures, Verano increased to about 25% of the dry matter composition whilst pastures fertilised with superphosphate and rock phosphate became legume dominant after 2 and 3 years, respectively. Fertiliser also increased the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur concentrations in the forage, particularly the Verano, with superphosphate more effective than rock phosphate. In pastures where steers were supplemented with phosphorus there was a higher proportion of the naturalised legume Alysicarpus vaginalis and a lesser quantity of forage on offer. Blood inorganic phosphate and rib cortical thickness were reliable indicators of responsiveness of steers to phosphorus supplementation when measured during, or immediately after, the period of active growth.

The performance of Brahman-Shorthorn and Sahiwal-Shorthorn cattle in the dry tropics of northern Queensland. 4. Postweaning growth and carcass traits

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Fordyce ◽  
ID Loxton ◽  
RG Holroyd ◽  
RJ Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Meat Processing ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Longissimus Dorsi Muscle ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Breed Crosses ◽  
Brahman Steers

Postweaning growth to slaughter at 42 months of age in males and to initial mating at 27 months of age in females was studied in 4 inter se mated Bos indicus crosses in a dry tropical environment. Six-monthly growth periods from weaning (at about 6 months of age) generally coincided with wet and dry seasons. The cattle represented were second and subsequent generations of 112 Brahman and 112 Sahiwal crosses and first backcross and later generations of 314 Brahman and 314 Sahiwal crosses, The Bos taurus component of the crosses was primarily Beef Shorthorn. Annual growth averaged 300 g/day, with annual gain ranging from 60 to 180 kg. Average growth rates were about 50 g/day in the dry season (-352 to +374 g/day) and 500 g/day in the wet season (221-830 g/day). Postweaning growth of Brahman crosses was about 4% higher than Sahiwal crosses, with most of this advantage expressed in wet seasons. Sahiwal crosses were earlier maturing than Brahman crosses. Wet season growth was higher in 314 crosses than in 1/2 crosses, which probably reflected significant environmental stress in this period. Higher growth of 3/4 crosses tended to be maintained during dry seasons. Calves born late in a wet season grew more rapidly in dry seasons than early-born calves, so that liveweight differences which were apparent at weaning were reduced by one-third at 24 months of age. The difference between liveweights of weaners with young dams and those with mature dams was also reduced from 12-18 kg to 5-6 kg by 24 months. Dressing percentages of 3/4 cross steers at slaughter were 0.6 units higher than in half crosses, with no difference between Brahman and Sahiwal crosses. Sarcomere lengths, Warner-Bratzler shear force values, and Instron compression values together showed that M. longissimus dorsi muscle samples from 1/2 Brahman steers were the most tender of the breed crosses studied. Samples from Sahiwal cross and 3/4 Brahman steers appeared most affected by connective tissue toughness. Those from 3/4 Sahiwals appeared most affected by meat processing factors, causing them to be the least tender.

scholarly journals Seasonal study on soil salinity and its relation to other properties at Satkhira district in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-164
Author(s):  
U Kumar ◽  
JR Mitra ◽  
MY Mia
Keyword(s):  
Soil Salinity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
P Value ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Total N ◽  
Properties Of Soil

The study was conducted at Shyamnagar and Talaupazila of Satkhira district in Bangladesh to know about the soil salinity and its relation to other properties of soil in both dry and wet season and comparison the present status of soil between two upazilas. Electrical Conductivity (EC) value of the study area showed that yield of many crops can be restricted in dry season due to salinity. Mean EC was slightly saline (5.93 dsm-1) in dry season and non- saline (0.61 dsm-1) in wet season. Ranges of pH were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.2 to 7.5) in dry season and slightly acidic to neutral (5.7 to 6.9) in wet season. pH values indicate it was suitable for crop production. Mean Organic Matter (OM) status was low in both seasons (1.5 % in dry season and 1.6 % in wet season). Mean total N status was very low (0.08 %) in dry season and low (0.10 %) in wet season. Mean status of P in the study areas was low (8.08 µgg-1 soil) in dry season and very low (4.98 µgg-1 soil) in wet season. Mean status of K, Ca, Mg, S and Zn were very high in both season of study area and this was may be due to excessive fertilizer use and inherent properties of soil in the agricultural land. Mean status of B was high in Tala in both season and in Shyamnagar was high in dry season and optimum in wet season. To test the significance of the pair of parameters p-value has been measured. Pearson’s correlations among the different parameters were done to identify the highly correlated and interrelated soil quality parameters. EC showed significant and positive correlation with Potassium, Sulphur and Zinc in dry season. Although chemical properties of soil at Shyamnagar and Talaupazila was not found similar and optimum level but it was found that the chemical properties of soil of wet season more suitable than the dry season because of soil salinity. Progressive Agriculture 30 (2): 157-164, 2019

Effects of different weaning strategies on postweaning growth rate, mortality and fertility of Bos indicus cross cattle

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
PK O'Rourke ◽  
R Tyler ◽  
HP Stephenson ◽  
GWJ Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Subsequent Growth ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lower Growth ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Native Pastures

Three drafts of Brahman cross calves (phenotypically half to three-quarters Bos indicus) were either early weaned (EW) in April (mean age 5 months) or late weaned (LW) in July (mean age of 8 months). Their postweaning performance on native pastures in the dry tropics of North Queensland was monitored through to 2.5 years of age for females and 3.5 years for males. At late weaning, LW calves of both sexes were significantly (P<0.01) heavier than EW calves. Mean liveweight differences over the 3 drafts were 53.8 kg for males and 54.4 kg for females. From late weaning until final liveweight, EW animals partially compensated in growth and were on average 13.6 kg lighter at 3.5 years for males and 20.3 kg lighter at 2.5 years for females than LW animals. In draft 2, pregnancy rate at 2.5 years favoured LW heifers (P<0.05) by 38% units. Mortalities occurred only in the first dry season postweaning with 0, 5 (11.1%) and 5 (8.9%) deaths from poverty in the EW group in drafts 1 to '3 respectively but none in the LW group. Pooled data across treatment groups showed that older calves at weaning had lower growth rates during the first dry season but still had heavier final liveweights. Age at weaning did not influence subsequent growth rate in the first wet season or males in year 2 or year 3 postweaning.

Composition and utilization in sheep of unwilted and wilted silages prepared from seeding year red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cut at two maturity stages

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Narasimhalu ◽  
J. B. Sanderson
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Total N ◽  
Faecal Excretion ◽  
First Feeding ◽  
Ammonium N ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Trifolium Pratense L

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivar Florex was seeded in May and cut at the vegetative stage on 5 August or at the 20% bloom stage on 25 August. The cut material was stored as unwilted silage or, after 26–30 h of field drying, as wilted silage. The silage types prepared from vegetative herbage were compared in the first feeding trial using 12 sheep per silage type. The silage types prepared from the 20% bloom stage herbage were compared in a second feeding trial using the 24 sheep from the first trial. Unwilted silage prepared from vegetative herbage contained less total-N and butyric acid, and more acid detergent fibre and ammonium-N than when this herbage was stored as wilted silage. Unwilted silage prepared from the 20% bloom stage herbage contained more total-N, soluble-N and ammonium-N and less propionic acid than wilted silage produced from herbage of the same maturity. All the silages contained low levels of volatile fatty acids and lactic acid due to restricted fermentation. Silage DM intake and digestibility in sheep were not affected by the type of silage produced within each stage of herbage maturity. Unwilted silage prepared from vegetative herbage provided lower intake, faecal excretion and retention of total-N in sheep than when this herbage was used as wilted silage. Silage types prepared from 20% bloom stage herbage showed no difference in total-N utilization in sheep. It was concluded that the seeding-year red clover harvested as unwilted or wilted silage in late August, can be used as a high quality buffer feed to meet forage shortfall due to severe winter kill. Key words: Red clover, silage, intake, digestibility, N retention

Ruminal volatile fatty acids and ammonia in cattle grazing dry tropical pastures

1976 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Playne ◽  
P. M. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Butyric Acid ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Grazing Cattle

SummaryTotal VFA concentrations, individual VFA proportions and ammonia concentrations in the rumen of cattle grazing tropical pastures for 7 months during the dry season were compared with concentrations of these metabolites in cattle grazing in the wet season and in cattle given two pasture hays in pens.Neither total VFA nor ammonia concentrations were altered by periods of new pasture growth within the dry season although responses in live weight occurred. Further evidence that concentrations of total VFA were insensitive to differences in feed quality was shown in the pen experiment.VFA concentrations were 53% higher in the rainy season than in the dry season and ammonia concentrations doubled from 62 mg/1 in the dry to 128 mg/1 in the wet season. Ruminal ammonia was related to ingested bolus N concentration (r= 0·58,P< 0.001) during the dry season.Individual VFA proportions did not vary greatly. The highest acetic (79·1%) and lowest butyric acid (5.10%) proportions occurred in the same sample. Iso-valeric and valeric acid proportions were related positively to ruminal ammonia (P< 0·001).In grazing cattle, concentrations of VFA and ammonia in their rumen taken at hourly intervals between 07.00 and 18.00 h did not vary greatly with time. Samples taken before 10.00 h had higher VFA and ammonia levels.

scholarly journals Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free-ranging goats in a southern African savanna

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242231
Author(s):  
Casper C. Nyamukanza ◽  
Allan Sebata
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Selectivity Index ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Broad Leaved Species

Broad- and fine-leaved woody species respond to seasonal changes from wet to dry season differently. For example, broad-leaved species shed their leaves earlier, while fine-leaved species, especially acacias retain green foliage well into the dry season. These differences are expected to result in variation in selection of broad- and fine-leaved woody species as browse by free-ranging goats. We tested the hypothesis that free-ranging goats select broad-leaved woody species more than fine-leaved species during wet (growth) season and fine-leaved woody species more than broad-leaved species during dry season. In addition, we tested if broad- and fine-leaved woody species had different foliar dry matter digestibility and chemical composition (crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, total phenolics and condensed tannins concentration). Free-ranging goats were observed foraging on broad- and fine-leaved woody species over a two-year period (2014 and 2015) during three seasons: early wet (October/November), late wet (February/March) and dry (May/June). Ivlev’s selectivity or Jacob’s index (Ei) was calculated for five woody species (two broad-leaved and three fine-leaved) browsed by goats during wet and dry season. Jacob’s selectivity index was higher for broad–leaved (Ziziphus mucronata and Searsia (Rhus) tenuinervis) than fine-leaved woody species (Acacia nilotica, Acacia karroo and Dichrostachys cinerea) during wet season. However, the trend was reversed during dry season with fine-leaved species having higher Jacob’s selectivity index than broad-leaved species. Leaf dry matter digestibility and chemical composition was similar between broad- and fine-leaved woody species throughout the year. We conclude that goats selected broad-leaved woody species during wet season when browse was plentiful and then switched to fine-leaved species which retained leaves during dry season.

scholarly journals Diversity of larvae of littoral Chironomidae (Diptera: Insecta) and their role as bioindicators in urban reservoirs of different trophic levels

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 995-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
SS. Morais ◽  
J. Molozzi ◽  
AL. Viana ◽  
TH. Viana ◽  
M. Callisto
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Taxonomic Richness ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Total N ◽  
Chironomid Larvae ◽  
Chironomid Assemblages

The Chironomidae (Diptera: Insecta) have a high species richness, with species adapted to live under widely different environmental conditions. The study of the taxonomic composition of chironomid larvae and the percentage of occurrence of deformities in mouthparts, mainly in the mentum, are used in biomonitoring programmes in order to obtain information on the levels of organic and chemical pollution of aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the abundance of chironomid larvae and to quantify the occurrence of mentum deformities in the specimens collected in three urban reservoirs with different trophic levels. The reservoirs are located in the hydrographic basin of the Paraopeba River, an affluent of the São Francisco River basin (Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil). The Serra Azul Reservoir is oligotrophic, the Vargem das Flores Reservoir is mesotrophic, and the Ibirité Reservoir is eutrophic. Along the littoral zone of each reservoir, 30 samples were collected during each sampling campaign. Sampling was carried out every three months for one year, with two sampling campaigns during the wet season and two during the dry season in 2008. Physical and chemical parameters measured in the water column included the water depth, Secchi depth, air and water temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, redox potential, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, Total-N, Total-P, P-ortho, and chlorophyll-a. The chironomid larvae were identified to the genus level. The structure of the chironomid assemblages was evaluated based on taxonomic richness (24 genera), density, equitability, and diversity. The potential indicator taxa for each reservoir were established through an Indicator Species Analysis. The values for taxonomic richness (20 taxa), equitability (0.737), and Shannon-Wiener diversity (2.215) were highest in the Serra Azul Reservoir. Fissimentum was the indicator taxon in Serra Azul, the oligotrophic reservoir; whereas Pelomus was the indicator taxon in Vargem das Flores, and Chironomus in Ibirité. The highest percentage of mentum deformities was found during the dry season in Serra Azul (6.9%), while the lowest percentage was found during the wet season in Vargem das Flores (0.8%). The results of this study evidenced significant differences in the taxonomic composition, richness, equitability, and diversity of the chironomid assemblages in these three reservoirs of different trophic levels.

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