Validation of the n-alkane technique for estimating diet composition, digestibility and dry matter intake in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Monks ◽  
Ian Payton ◽  
Murray Efford
Keyword(s):  
Chain Length ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Dietary Components ◽  
Diet Estimation ◽  
Alkane Chain

Few validated studies have tested the n-alkane method for diet estimation in non-ruminants and the technique has rarely been validated for estimating diet composition for more than two dietary components. The arboreal marsupial Trichosurus vulpecula was fed leaf and fruit diets with up to five component species in two trials. In Trial 1, alkane recovery was estimated, and in Trial 2 these estimates were used to predict digestibility, diet composition and dry matter intake. Alkane recovery increased non-linearly (convex up) with increasing n-alkane chain length. Recovery was linearly and negatively correlated with diet digestibility and appeared to explain a progressive bias with observed digestibility in the alkane estimates of digestibility (slope = 0.37). Diet composition was successfully estimated for up to five leaf dietary components without correction for recovery. Correcting for recovery gave less reliable diet-composition predictions, indicating that the recovery estimates could not be extrapolated to the second trial. Dry matter intake appeared to be relatively robust to variation in alkane recovery between individuals (mean bias =1.6%). If recovery is shown to vary with digestibility in other taxa, calibration of the alkane technique will require diet- and taxon-specific calibration trials to give reliable estimates of diet composition and dry matter digestibility.

Nitrogen Metabolism and Nitrogen Requirements of the Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus Vulpecula (Kerr).

1981 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
GA Wellard ◽  
ID Hume
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Arid Zones ◽  
Maintenance Energy ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Faecal Nitrogen ◽  
Maintenance Energy Requirement

Nitrogen metabolism was studied in adult Trichosurus vulpecula maintained on semipurified diets of different nitrogen and fibre contents. The maintenance nitrogen requirement was estimated to be 203 mg per kg W*0.75 per day on a dietary basis, and a mean of 189 mg per kg W*0.75 per day on a truly digestible basis. Both are low compared with estimates from most eutherians, and are similar to estimates from macropods adapted to arid zones. Metabolic faecal nitrogen (mg per 100 g dry matter intake) was directly related to dietary fibre level, viz. 336 on 41% neutral detergent fibre (NDF) diets, 184 on 17% NDF diets, and 78 on 9.5% NDF diets. Dry matter intakes were low compared with those of the rabbit, suggesting that, as with nitrogen, the maintenance energy requirement of the brushtail is below that of most eutherians.

Use of n-alkanes for the estimation of herbage intake in sheep: accuracy and precision of the estimates

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Vulich ◽  
E. G. O'Riordan ◽  
J. P. Hanrahan
Keyword(s):  
Chain Length ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Cellulose Fibre ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Alkane Chain

SUMMARYTwo experiments at Belclare, Co. Galway, in late autumn 1988, evaluated the use of herbage and dosed n-alkanes for estimating herbage intake by sheep. The first experiment examined faecal recoveries of dosed and herbage n-alkanes. The second experiment assessed the accuracy and precision of herbage intake estimates obtained using the n-alkane technique, and tested the effect of supplying n-alkanes to animals either in gelatine. capsules (containing different ratios of n-alkane: cellulose fibre) or in pellets prepared from shredded paper onto which the n-alkanes had been adsorbed. Individually penned wether lambs were offered freshly cut herbage ad libitum (+ 10%) and actual dry matter intake was recorded daily. Intake was estimated using the C31:C32 and C33:C32 (natural:dosed) n-alkane ratios.There was no significant effect of n-alkane chain length on faecal recovery rate for either the dosed n-alkanes (C32 and C36), the herbage odd-chained n-alkanes (C29, C31, C33 and C36) or those used for the estimation of herbage intake (C31, C32 and C33). The accuracy and precision of the n-alkane technique for estimating herbage intake were unaffected by whether the dosed n-alkane was supplied in capsules or pellets or by the n-alkane:cellulose fibre ratio in the capsules. The bias in the estimated intake was – 8% (± 1·1%) and + 3% (± 1·2%) for estimates based on C31:C32 and C33:C32 ratios, respectively. The estimates based on C31:C32 and C33:C32 exhibited similar precision in the estimation of herbage intake, with a R.S.D. of 6% in actual intake when adjusted for variation in estimated intake and a correlation of +0·92 between actual and estimated herbage intake. The C.V. for actual herbage intake was 17%. The repeatability of actual dry matter intake over three consecutive 6-day periods was 0·54 while those of estimated intake were 0·57 and 0·60 for estimates based on C31:C32 and C33:C32, respectively. The results show that the n-alkane technique can provide an accurate and precise estimate of herbage intake.

ACCEPTABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF GRADED LEVELS OF GMELINA ARBOREA AND CASSAVA PEELS CONCENTRATES IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422
Author(s):  
Amoka Pius ◽  
Tawose O M
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Gmelina Arborea ◽  
Leaf Meal ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Inclusion Level ◽  
Cassava Peels

The nutritive value ,voluntary dry matter intake, and the nutrient digestibility of graded levels of Gmelina arborea and cassava peels concentrates in WAD sheep was investigated. Twelve WAD sheep aged 1-2 years old and weighting 14.00± 0.45 kg were used in a complete randomized design. Diets were formulated such that cassava peels was replaced with Gmelina arborea leaf meal at 0, 33.33, 66.67, 100% levels, designated as diets A, B, C, and D respectively. Diet without Gmelina arborea leaf meal was tagged the control diet. The concentrate feed was compounded to contain 16% CP. Diets with 33.33% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea had significantly (P<0.05) higher dry matter intake (DMI) 598.80g day-1, while the lowest DMI 425.00g day-1 was obtained in animals fed 100% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea. Crude protein intake (CPI) of animals fed diets with 33.33% inclusion levels of Gmelina arborea were significantly (P<0.05) highest, followed by 66.67% inclusion level and the least was observed in 0% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly (P<0.05) different across the dietary treatments, animals placed on diets with 33.33% inclusion level had the highest DMD, followed by animals on diets with 66.67, 100 and 0% inclusion levels. CP digestibility (P<0.05) increased from 33.33% to 100% inclusion levels of Gmelina arborea leaf meal, the lowest CP digestibility was observed at 0% inclusion level. CF digestibility (P<0.05) increased from 33.33% to 100% inclusion levels of Gmelina arborea leaf meal, while the lowest CF digestibility was observed at 0% inclusion level. N intake increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in the level of Gmelina arborea inclusion from 33.33% to 100%. N retention was significantly (P<0.05) different, diets with 33.33% Gmelina arborea inclusion had the highest value (64.36g day-1) followed by 66.67%, 100% and the least (52.64g day-1) was at 0% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea.  N balance values also followed the same trend. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the inclusion of Gmelina arborea leaf meal in WAD rams diet was well tolerated without adverse effect on acceptability, intake and nutrient digestibility, and inclusion level of 33.33% is hereby recommended in ruminants diet for optimum performance and productivity.

EVALUATION OF TIMOTHY CULTIVARS FOR VOLUNTARY INTAKE AND NUTRIENT COMPONENTS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1121-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. N. MASON ◽  
P. M. FLIPOT
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Flower Stage ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Phleum Pratense L

Five timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cultivars, Clair, Champ, Milton, Climax and Bounty, were harvested at first flower stage during 2 consecutive years and in the regrowth for 1 yr. The forages were each offered as hay to 15 young rams to evaluate voluntary intake. Five animals were used to determine initial harvest dry matter digestibility. The cultivars varied significantly in voluntary intake at first flower stage. The highest intake (g kg−0.75 d−1) averaged for the years was obtained in the early cultivar Champ (65.9), which was 10% more than that of the medium-late cultivar Climax. The cultivars did not differ significantly in dry matter digestibility. In the regrowth, the relative intakes of the cultivars were essentially reversed from that of the initial harvest. The voluntary intake was substantially higher but the differences among forages were less marked. Climax regrowth voluntary intake was higher (P < 0.05) than all cultivars, except Bounty. A 15% range in digestible dry matter intake was present among cultivars. The ranking of the culivars for digestible dry matter was different than for dry matter yield. Key words: Timothy, Phleum pratense L., voluntary intake, dry matter digestibility

Dry matter intake, nutrient selection and milk production of dairy cows grazing rainfed perennial pastures at different herbage allowances in spring

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 923 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Moate ◽  
D. E. Dalley ◽  
J. R. Roche ◽  
C. Grainger
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Selection Differentials

Summary. The effect of herbage allowance (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 kg DM/cow. day) on the consumption of nutrients from herbage and milk production by cows in early lactation, was examined. The experiment was conducted on rainfed perennial ryegrass pastures in September and October 1997 in south-eastern Victoria, Australia. The herbage on offer comprised 64% perennial ryegrass, 21% other grasses, 1% white clover, 5% weeds and 9% dead material on a dry matter (DM) basis. The average pregrazing herbage height was 13 cm, at an estimated pregrazing herbage mass of 3.6 t DM/ha. The herbage on offer was of high quality containing 11.6 MJ metabolisable energy/kg DM, 202 g crude protein/kg DM and 525 g neutral detergent fibre/kg DM. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and chloride were 4.4, 2.2, 4.4, 31.2, 3.5, 2.7 and 11.4 g/kg DM, respectively. As daily herbage allowance per cow increased, dry matter intake increased curvilinearly (P<0.01) from 11.2 to 18.7 kg DM/cow. day. This was associated with a decrease in utilisation of herbage from 54 to 26% and an increase in milk production from 25.9 to 29.1 kg/cow. day. The cows on all treatments grazed for less than 8.7 h/day. The increase in intake was achieved by an increase in the rate of herbage intake from 1.5 to 2.2 kg DM/h for herbage allowances of 20 and 70 kg/cow.day, respectively. Irrespective of herbage allowance, cows selected a diet that was approximately 10% higher in in vitro dry matter digestibility and 30% higher in crude protein than that in the herbage on offer. The neutral detergent fibre content of the herbage selected was lower (P<0.05) than that on offer. The herbage consumed contained more (P<0.05) magnesium, potassium and sulfur, the same amount of calcium and phosphorus and less (P<0.05) sodium and chloride than the herbage on offer. For rainfed perennial pastures in spring, herbage allowance is an important factor in determining voluntary feed intake and production of dairy cows. To achieve 30 L from herbage, without supplementation, high herbage allowances are required. The increase in herbage intake, with increasing herbage allowance, resulted from an increase in rate of dry matter intake and not an increase in grazing time. No relationship was evident between herbage allowance and the selection differentials for in vitro dry matter digestibility, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre. Selection differentials for rainfed perennial pastures in spring are similar to those reported for irrigated perennial pastures in northern Victoria in spring and autumn. When determining nutrient requirements it is important to consider the interaction between herbage intake and nutrient concentration in the herbage.

A note on the in vitro dry-matter digestibility determination of mixed herbage and browse samples collected with oesophageal fistulated steers

1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Shorrock
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Faecal Output ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Grazing Cattle ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
Number Of Authors

The determination of in vitro dry-matter digestibility (DMD) of grass and pasture legumes under both temperate and tropical conditions is well established (Tilley & Terry, 1963; Minson & McLeod, 1972). One application of the in vitro DMD estimation of pasture samples is, together with an estimate of faecal output, the measurement of the herbage dry-matter intake of grazing cattle. Pasture samples are usually collected with oesophageal fistulated cattle. This technique is well documented and has been reviewed by a number of authors (Langlands, 1975; Minson et al. 1976).

Effect of monensin supplementation on growth, feed digestibility and utilization in young calves

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Ilan ◽  
A. Ben-Asher ◽  
Z. Holzer ◽  
Z. Nitsan ◽  
I. Nir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Milk Replacer ◽  
Similar Group ◽  
Suckling Period ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Feed Digestibility ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Feeding Trials

ABSTRACTTwo feeding trials were carried out with Israeli Friesian male calves, commencing at an average age of 7 to 10 days, and covering a suckling period of 30 days followed by a further 90 days. A conventional starter, or one that contained cotton hulls, was used. In each experiment one group of 10 animals served as a control and a similar group was monensin-supplemented. No coccidia were found in the animals. In experiments 1 and 2 monensin supplementation was associated with increased daily gains of 10% and 47% during the suckling period and of 6% and 17% during the next 90 days, but only the differences obtained in experiment 2 were significant. In both experiments, dry-matter intake relative to body weight was higher with monensin supplementation in period 1, but reduced in period 2. The effect of monensin on molar proportions of acetic and propionic acids was smaller than that reported by previous authors for older cattle.A separate digestibility trial showed that monensin administered to suckling calves, either with milk replacer or directly into the rumen, improved dry-matter digestibility, increased the excretion of amylase, and tended to reduce that of trypsin and chymotrypsin.

Utilization of oaten hay by cattle: effects of milling and urea supplementation

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (120) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
NG Yates ◽  
RJ Moir
Keyword(s):  
Retention Time ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Cellulose Digestion ◽  
Mean Retention Time ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Cellulose Digestibility

Oaten hay in either long or milled form, with or without a continuous intra-ruminal infusion of urea at the rate of 160 g/d, was offered ad libitum to four rumen fistulated steers in a 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment. Milling increased dry matter intake from 49.2 to 65.4 g/kg LW0 75.d (P< 0.001) and decreased mean retention time from 66.7 to 54.2 h (P< 0.001). Rates of cellulose digestion and dry matter digestibilities were similar for long and milled hay. Urea increased dry matter intake (from 49.0 to 65.6 g/kg LW0 75.d; P< 0.001), dry matter digestibility (from 58.1 to 65.3%; P< 0.01) cellulose digestibility (from 48.5 to 63.1%; P< 0.01) and the rate of cellulose digestion (P< 0.001), and decreased mean retention time from 65.3 to 55.6 h ( P < 0.01). Digestible dry matter intakes increased 29% with milling and 52% with urea and the effects were additive. Urea increased digestible cellulose intake to a greater extent with milled hay (91 %) than with long hay (64%). Digestible dry matter intake was closely related to liveweight change. When urea was given liveweight gain was higher for milled hay than for long hay (0.69 vs 0.11 kg/head.d) and without urea liveweight loss was less for milled hay than for long hay (-0.07 vs -0.45 kg/head.d). Nitrogen digestibility and balance were significantly higher when urea was given. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were significantly higher and rumen pH significantly lower with urea compared with no urea and with milled hay compared with long hay. Urea increased rumen-ammonia concentration from 1.65 to 19.68 mg1100 ml (P< 0.001) and total free bacterial concentration (P < 0.05). The results demonstrate significant and additive benefits from the administration of urea to hay containing 0.8% nitrogen and from milling through a screen size of 7.6 mm.

Effects of feeding wheat straw and middlings ensiled with whey on digestibility and growth of cattle

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. ZoBell ◽  
E. K. Okine ◽  
K. C. Olson ◽  
R. D. Wiedmeier ◽  
L. A. Goonewardene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Alfalfa Hay ◽  
Growing Cattle ◽  
Wheat Middlings

Two studies were conducted with the objective of evaluating the effects of feeding different levels of whey ensiled with wheat straw and wheat middlings (whey silage) compared to control diets on production parameters in growing cattle. Whey silage was included in diets at 55 and 65.5% on a dry matter basis with net energy for maintenance and crude protein calculated to be similar to control diets containing a combination of alfalfa hay, corn silage and wheat middlings at 1.74 Mcal kg-1 and 13.4%, respectively. Dry matter intake averaged 8.41 versus 8.91 kg d-1 (P < 0.05) and 8.68 versus 7.09 kg d-1 (P < 0.05) when whey silage was included at either 55 or 65.5% of the diets compared to the control diets. Average daily gains of cattle fed whey silage incorporated at 55% was 1.00 versus 1.14 kg d-1 (P < 0.05), and reflected the difference in dry matter intake; no differences (P > 0.05) in feed efficiency (8.73:1 versus 8.71:1) were observed. However, the higher dry matter intake (DMI) of cattle fed diets with whey silage incorporated at 65.5% did not (P > 0.05) translate into higher average daily gain (1.23 versus 1.18 kg d-1), resulting in a higher (P < 0.05) feed to gain (7.00:1 versus 6.01:1) for the whey-based silage diets. Incorporation of whey silage in diets at 55% increased (P > 0.05) the dry matter digestibility by 12%, whereas incorporation at 65.5% decreased (P < 0.05) dry matter digestibility by 12% compared to control diets, with no differences (P > 0.05) in percent neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) at either level. We conclude that whey silage can be included at between 55 and 65.5% of the total dry matter in diets with no adverse effects on production compared to cattle fed diets containing a combination of alfalfa hay, corn silage and wheat middlings. Key words: Agricultural by products, crop residues, digestibility, growing cattle, production, whey silage

Long- and short-term effects on intake of pelleting a roughage for sheep

1974 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. D. Greenhalgh ◽  
G. W. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Short Term ◽  
05 C ◽  
Digestive Organs ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Chopped Grass

SUMMARY1. Four groups of eight castrated male lambs, weighing initially about 37 kg, were fed ad libitum for 18 weeks on: C, chopped dried grass throughout; P, pelleted grass throughout; C/P (or P/C), the two forms alternated every 3 weeks; or C + P, both forms on offer.2. Daily dry-matter intake (g/kg W0·75) was 58·2 for treatment C and 814 for treatment P; thus the long-term difference in intake was 40%. However, in the alternated sheep, dry-matter intake was 53·6 g/kg W0·75 for chopped grass and 86·5 g for pelleted; this short-term difference (61%) was significantly greater than the long-term difference. Dry-matter intake for treatment C+P was 84·9 g/kg W0·75; after the first week, chopped grass comprised only 10% of this. Dry-matter digestibility coefficients (%) were: C, 740; P, 61·4 and C+P, 62·0.3. The sheep were killed in week 19 and the dimensions of digestive organs and their contents were adjusted to an animal of 50 kg empty body weight. The weight of the reticulo-rumen was greater for C (1·30 kg) than for P (0·94) or C+ P (1·05), C/P and P/C being inter-mediate (1·15). The water-filled volume of the rumen was proportional to weight, except that C/P (alternated sheep finishing on pelleted grass) had low volumes. Reticulo-rumen fill was greater for C (7·28 kg) than for P (3·97) or C+ P (4·53), P/C (5·90) and C/P (4·34) being intermediate. There were no other significant differences in organs or contents.4. Gains in empty-body weight (g/day) were: C, 112; P, 181; C/P and P/C, 126; C + P, 195.

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