scholarly journals Combining Orchardgrass and Alfalfa: Effects of Forage Ratios on In Vitro Rumen Degradation and Fermentation Characteristics of Silage Compared with Hay

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhulin Xue ◽  
Nan Liu ◽  
Yanlu Wang ◽  
Hongjian Yang ◽  
Yuqi Wei ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different forage ratios of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) on in vitro rumen degradation and fermentation characteristics. Orchardgrass and alfalfa were harvested separately and prepared as hay and silage mixtures at ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100 (w/w on a dry matter basis) and anaerobically incubated for 48 h with rumen fluid obtained from lactating dairy cows. Fermented residues and cultured fluids were used to determine nutrient degradability, fermentation parameters, and associative effect indices. Increasing the proportion of alfalfa in hay and silage mixtures quadratically increased in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD, up +5.14%) and marginally decreased in vitro neutral detergent fiber disappearance (NDFD, down −1.79%). Meanwhile, increasing the proportion of alfalfa accelerated the rumen fermentation process (e.g., gas production) and remarkably enhanced the growth of rumen microbes as indicated by microbial protein production (MCP, 13.4% increase). Increments of rumen degradability and methane production were more pronounced in silage mixtures than hay mixtures. In combination, a forage ratio of 50:50 for orchardgrass and alfalfa is recommended for both hay and silage in order to improve the feed use potential in ruminants.

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 194-195
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Marden ◽  
Virginie Marquis ◽  
Kheira Hadjeba Medjdoub ◽  
Marine Lacombe

Abstract Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus species known to be the most prevalent contaminants in feedstuffs. In ruminants, contaminated AFB1 feeds usually exhibit symptoms including reduced feed efficiency and milk production and decreased appetite. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of AFB1 on rumen fermentation parameters by using the ANKOM gas production protocol. Rumen fluid was collected from a cannulated dry dairy cow, filtered with cheese-cloth and diluted (1:1) with a standard buffer. Triplicates of 75 mL flasks were fed 0,75g of feed (79% corn silage, 15% alfalfa and 6% concentrates) and inoculated with 0 (blank), 0,2, 0,5, 1 and 2 ppm of AFB1. Flasks were placed in a rotating incubation at 39°C for 96h and connected to ANKOM GP system. After 96h of incubation, the contents of each flask were centrifuged. Supernatants were analyzed for total VFA and AFB1 while precipitates were dried at 104°C for DM disappearance. The experimentation was repeated weekly 3 times and named wk1, 2 and 3. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS using a univariate model. Results showed no significant differences on GP max at 96h among AFB1 concentrations. Only wk 1 showed that higher AFB1 concentration (2 ppm) decreased significantly (P < 0,05) DM disappearance (- 8,2 pts) when compared to the blank. Total VFA contents (75,0 ± 1,6 mM) were not affected by AFB1. Wk 2 and 3 did not show any difference neither on DM disappearance nor on VFA (89,1 ± 1,6 mM; 110,2 ± 4,8 mM). It can be concluded that our in vitro model, GP did not reflect DM disappearance and it can be put forward that rumen fluid with low total VFA concentrations (≤ 75 mM) could be more sensible to AFB1 challenge.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Kim Margarette C. Nogoy ◽  
Jia Yu ◽  
Young Gyu Song ◽  
Shida Li ◽  
Jong-Wook Chung ◽  
...  

The amaranth plants showed high potential feed value as forage for ruminants. An in-depth study of this plant, particularly in cattle, will help extend its utilization as an alternative protein and fiber feed source in cattle feeding. In this study, the nutrient compositions of three different species of amaranth, Amaranthus caudatus L., Amaranthus cruentus L., and Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.—two varieties for each species, A.ca 74, A.ca 91, A.cu 62, A.cu 66, A. hy 30, and A. hy 48—were evaluated. The in vitro technique was used to evaluate the fermentation characteristics such as total gas production, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, pH, and ammonia concentration of the rumen fluid. Moreover, the effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM) and crude protein (EDCP) of the amaranth forages were determined through in situ bag technique. The amaranth forages: A. caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus showed better nutritive value than the locally produced forages in Chungcheong province of Korea. The CP of the amaranth ranged from 11.95% to 14.19%, and the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents ranged from 45.53% to 70.88% and 34.17% to 49.83%, respectively. Among the amaranth varieties, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the most excellent ruminant feed nutrient quality (CP, 14.19%; NDF, 45.53%; and ADF, 34.17%). The effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM; 33–56%) and crude protein EDCP (27–59%) of the amaranth were lower compared to other studies, which could be due to the maturity stage at which the forages were harvested. Nonetheless, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the highest EDDM (56.73%) and EDCP (59.09%). The different amaranth species did not differ greatly in terms of total VFA concentration or molar proportions, total gas production, or ammonia-N concentration. The high nutrient composition, and highly effective degradability of dry matter and crude protein, coupled with the favorable fermentation characteristics, suggest that the amaranth forages showed good to excellent feed quality for cattle.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1205
Author(s):  
Musen Wang ◽  
Fujin Zhang ◽  
Xinxin Zhang ◽  
Ying Yun ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
...  

The objective of this work was to evaluate the pH, chemical composition, minerals, vitamins, and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with lucerne, sweet maize stalk (MS), and their mixtures. Freshly chopped lucerne and MS were combined in ratios of 100:0 (M0, control), 80:20 (M20), 60:40 (M40), 40:60 (M60), 20:80 (M80), and 0:100 (M100) on a fresh matter basis. Each treatment was prepared in triplicate, and a total of eighteen silos were fermented for 65 days. After 65 days of fermentation, the pH values in M0, M20, M40, M60, M80, and M100 silages were 5.47, 4.84, 4.23, 4.13, 3.79, and 3.61, respectively. As the MS proportion in the mixtures increased, silage K, Ca, P, Na, Fe, and Cu concentrations linearly decreased (p < 0.001) and so did vitamins B5 and K1 and α-tocopherol. In vitro rumen dry matter and organic matter degradability, pH, ammonia, total volatile fatty acid, and gas production linearly decreased (p < 0.01), while neutral detergent fiber concentration linearly increased (p < 0.001), with increasing proportion of MS. The in vitro dry matter and organic matter degradability rapidly decreased when the MS percentage was ≥60%. In conclusion, the M40 silage is the most suitable for livestock utilization in local forage production considering the balance of silage pH, nutritional quality, and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics.


1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 151-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.C.S. Bueno ◽  
A.L. Abdalla ◽  
S.L.S. Cabral Filho ◽  
D.M.S.S. Vitti ◽  
E. Owen ◽  
...  

The use of small ruminants, such as sheep, in metabolism studies is more convenient as handling problems are reduced and their maintenance costs are lower, in comparison with cattle. However in vivo digestibility estimates obtained at maintenance are known to differ between these two species. With the increased use ofin vitrogas production techniques, to evaluate ruminant feedingstuffs, it is of great importance to identify whether the species from which the rumen fluid inoculum is obtained has a significant influence on the results obtained.Rumen fluid samples were obtained from a non-lactating Holstein cow (C) and six wether sheep (S) offered the same diet (80 % tropical grass and 20 % dairy concentrate) and prepared so as to have similar dry matter (DM) contents and therefore potentially the microbial mass. Nine substrates (two tropical grasses 1-2, tropical alfalfa 3, barley straw 4, and five temperate grasses 5-9) were examined.


2021 ◽  
Vol 888 (1) ◽  
pp. 012076
Author(s):  
H Soetanto ◽  
RM Aprilia ◽  
MS Pramita ◽  
I Banna

Abstract 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.


1998 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 241-243
Author(s):  
A. Fariani ◽  
L. Warly ◽  
T. Ichinohe ◽  
T. Fujihara

Legumes have a significant role in many farming systems of the tropics and subtropics through their contribution to enhanced nutritive value of the animal diet, biological nitrogen fixation and landscape stability (Humphreys, 1995). The great potential of legumes to increase productivity of livestock is being related with their high content of nutrients, especially protein and other nutrients often deficient in grass or low quality hay diets for ruminants. In Indonesia, legumes are often used for replacement of costly concentrate in ruminants diets. Norton and Poppi (1995) reported that quality of tropical legumes varies between and within species but is generally higher than that of tropical grasses. It is well known that the major factors limiting intake and digestibility are those associated with rate and extent of forage degradation by microbial and physical factors in the rumen, primarily the amount of cell wall constituents and the extent of lignification. Association of polysaccharides of cell wall with lignin hinders attack by microbial enzymes and prevents the physical attachment of bacteria to the cell wall. Menke et al. (1979) reported that the amount of gas released when a food is incubated in vitro in the rumen fluid, is also closely related to digestibility of the food and could be used to predict food intake. There is very little information available on the rumen degradation characteristics and in vitro gas production of the tropical legumes. Objectives of the present study were to assess differences in in vitro degradation and gas production between five commonly used legumes in south Sumatra, Indonesia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanon Suntara ◽  
Anusorn Cherdthong ◽  
Suthipong Uriyapongson ◽  
Metha Wanapat ◽  
Pin Chanjula

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Crabtree-negative ruminal yeast and Crabtree-positive yeast in ensiled rice straw (RS) on the ensilage quality, nutritive value, and microorganism composition, including the evaluation of the ensiled RS using the in vitro gas production technique. The experiment was conducted in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete design. Factor A was yeast species with no inoculant, Crabtree-negative yeasts (Pichia kudriavzevii KKU20 and Candida tropicalis KKU20), and Crabtree-positive yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae), whereas factor B was ensilage times (7, 14, and 21 days). The rate of growth was revealed to be lower in Crabtree-positive yeasts than the other Crabtree-negative yeast strains (p < 0.01). RS ensiled with S. cerevisiae showed decreased dry matter (DM) content by 9.0% when compared to the sample without a yeast inoculant. In addition, organic matter (OM) content was greater (p < 0.01) for P. kudriavzevii KKU20 than C. tropicalis KKU20 and without an inoculant. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) by yeast inoculants by about 2.75% when compared to the control group. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and aerobic bacteria were low (p < 0.05) when yeasts were added. However, no interaction was found between yeast and ensilage times on the quality of ensiled RS (p > 0.05). The P. kudriavzevii KKU20 addition was associated with the highest value (p < 0.01) of gas produced—an insoluble fraction (b), potential extent of gas production (a + b), and cumulative gas production at 96 h—when compared with S. cerevisiae or the control group. The highest in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility was observed in RS ensiled with P. kudriavzevii KKU20 for 14 days (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). The maximum total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) at 4 and 8 h of incubation and the mean value were observed in RS ensiled with P. kudriavzevii KKU20 (p < 0.01). RS ensiled with all yeast strains showed an increased propionate concentration at 8 h (p < 0.01). In conclusion, ensiling RS with isolated Crabtree-negative ruminal yeasts could benefit feed digestion and in vitro gas production more than Crabtree-positive yeast does. P. kudriavzevii KKU20, an isolated Crabtree-negative ruminal yeast used to treat RS, had the highest potential for increasing cumulative gas production and enhancing in vitro digestibility.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Martins Olivo ◽  
Geraldo Tadeu dos Santos ◽  
Luís Carlos Vinhas Ítavo ◽  
Ranulfo Combuca da Silva Junior ◽  
Eduardo Souza Leal ◽  
...  

Agroindustrial co-products are a viable alternative for use in animal nutrition. Tests were conducted using eight different types of co-products and feed to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber, and gas production by them. The co-products tested were: coffee hulls; pelleted citrus pulp; grape residue; soybean hulls; cottonseed; cassava foliage; and foods usually supplied to ruminants: corn silage and ground corn concentrate. Data of in vitro digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were tested by analysis of variance using the least square method; the results of gas production were interpreted by a non-linear regression by the Gauss-Newton method; and the effects of treatments were evaluated by the Tukey’s test. The coefficients of in vitro digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber of co-products were different. Gas production was also different between co-products and feeds evaluated for the volume of gas produced from the fast and slow degradation fractions, degradation rate, bacterial colonization time, and the total volume of gas produced. The evaluated co-products exhibited greater in vitro dry matter digestibility compared to corn silage, except for cottonseed, grape residue, and cassava foliage. Co-products showed higher values of in vitro crude protein digestibility compared to corn silage, and a reduced in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, except for pelleted citrus pulp and soybean hulls. Corn silage produced larger volume of gas from the fast degradation fraction compared to the co-products and corn concentrate. Co-products analyzed had appropriate nutritional characteristics according to the techniques applied and can be included in ruminant diets. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1242-1251
Author(s):  
Chunmei Wang ◽  
Fujiang Hou ◽  
Metha Wanapat ◽  
Tianhai Yan ◽  
Eun Joong Kim ◽  
...  

Objective: The 3×3 factorial arrangement was used to investigate if either high watersoluble carbohydrates (WSC) cultivars or suitable time of day that the grass cut could improve nutrient values and <i>in vitro</i> fermentation characteristics.Methods: The 3 cultivars were mowed at 3 diurnal time points and included a benchmark WSC ryegrass cultivar ‘Premium’, and 2 high WSC cultivars AberAvon and AberMagic, which contained, on average, 157, 173, and 193 g/kg dry matter (DM) of WSC, and 36.0, 36.5, and 34.1 g/kg DM of N during 7th regrowth stage, respectively. The fermentation jars were run at 39°C with gas production recorded and sampled at 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 22, 28, 36, and 48 h. The rumen liquid was collected from 3 rumen fistulated cows grazing on ryegrass pasture.Results: High WSC cultivars had significantly greater WSC content, <i>in vitro</i> DM digestibility (IVDMD) and total gas production (TGP), and lower lag time than Premium cultivar. Methane production for AberMagic cultivar containing lower N concentration was marginally lower than that for AberAvon and Premium cultivars. Grass cut at Noon or PM contained greater WSC concentration, IVDMD and TGP, and lower N and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents, but CH<sub>4</sub> production was also increased, compared to grass cut in AM. Meanwhile, the effects of diurnal cutting time were influenced by cultivars, such as <i>in vitro</i> CH<sub>4</sub> production for AberMagic was not affected by cutting time. The IVDMD and gas production per unit of DM incubated were positively related to WSC concentration, WSC/N and WSC/NDF, respectively, and negatively related to N and NDF concentrations.Conclusion: These results imply either grass cut in Noon or PM or high WSC cultivars could improve nutrient values, IVDMD and <i>in vitro</i> TGP, and that AberMagic cultivar has a slightly lower CH<sub>4</sub> production compared to AberAvon and Premium. Further study is necessary to determine whether the increase of CH<sub>4</sub> production response incurred by shifting from AM cutting to Noon and/or PM cutting could be compensated for by high daily gain from increased WSC concentration and DM digestibility.


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