alireza aghashahi; alireza Ashkvari; Hasan Fazaeli; Hasan Khamisabadi; Mehdi Eftekhari
Abstract
Objective: It is very important to choose an optimal and principled method for producing silage from high-moisture food materials such as fodder beet for use in animal nutrition. This study was conducted with the aim of qualitative assessment the preparation of fodder beet silage as total mixed and partial ...
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Objective: It is very important to choose an optimal and principled method for producing silage from high-moisture food materials such as fodder beet for use in animal nutrition. This study was conducted with the aim of qualitative assessment the preparation of fodder beet silage as total mixed and partial mixed ration and investigating their effect in the diet of fattening calves.
Methods: Fodder beet cultivation and harvesting were carried out at the appropriate time (the root bulking stage – prior to the initiation of reproductive growth or seed production), and after initial sampling and determination of the chemical composition of the forage, total mixed and partial mixed ration silages were produced depending on the nutritional needs of fattening calves (Holstein and Holstein- Montbéliard crossbreeds). Twenty fattening male calves with an average weight of 287±25 kg were randomly and equally divided into two groups, each fed one of the experimental treatments containing total mixed and partial mixed ration silages. This study was conducted over a period of 110 days (90 days’ main period), during which the animals were weighed and samples of feed, feed residue, and feces were taken at 30-day intervals after adaptation period to assess daily weight gain, feed consumption, and digestibility.
Results: The visual and qualitative evaluation of silages showed that the preparation of fodder beet silage as a partial mixed ration had a lower pH and fleig point compared to total mixed ration, however, no difference was observed between the two treatments in terms of color, odor, and texture of silage. Changes in crude protein and ammonia nitrogen content indicated better conditions in the partial mixed ration silage (P<0.05). The intake of dry matter and crude protein was higher in partial mixed ration silage compared to total mixed ration(P<0.05). Nutrient digestibility in calves fed the partial mixed ration was superior and showed a significant difference compared to total mixed ration (P<0.05). The average initial and final weights of calves were not affected by the two treatments. Although the average daily weight gain was higher in the partial mixed ration (P<0.05), due to the higher dry matter intake, the feed conversion ratio was not statistically significant in the two treatments. Economic analysis of diets and performance of the fattening male calves showed that the income and profit from rearing male calves fed with fodder beet silage as a partial mixed ration were higher compared to total mixed ration (P<0.05).
Conclusions: The evaluation of the qualitative and visual conditions of silage showed that although both methods of preparing silage as total mixed and partial mixed ration achieved acceptable conditions and can be used to preserve high-moisture forages in livestock farming, but the qualitative performance of silage production was better in partial mixed ration mode. The intake and digestibility of nutrients in lambs fed with partial mixed ration were better compared to total mixed ration silage, and considering the greater daily weight gain of fattening male calves in this group and the greater profit achieved in this treatment, it seems that depending on the breeding conditions and if labor is available, partial mixed ration silage can be used compared to feeding livestock with total mixed ration silage. Overall, due to the limited existing research, further complementary studies are recommended to confirm these findings and to assess their effects on different livestock species.
Hamed Gholami; Taghi Ghoorchi; Abdolhakim Toghdory
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing corn silage with sorghum silage on digestibility, production performance, blood parameters and feeding behaviors of Holstein dairy cows, which the forage sorghum varieties used were equivalent to corn in terms of yield under ...
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Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing corn silage with sorghum silage on digestibility, production performance, blood parameters and feeding behaviors of Holstein dairy cows, which the forage sorghum varieties used were equivalent to corn in terms of yield under the best conditions.
Research method: For this purpose, sorghum silage of the Speedfeed variety was replaced with corn silage of the Single Cross 704 variety at ratios of zero (control), 33, 66 and 100%. Eight lactating cows with an average milk production of 34.5 kg per day were assigned in a Latin square experimental design with 4 treatments and 8 replications (repeated in 4 21-day periods) which was carried out in Semnan province, Shahrood county, Meighan village in the Koohpayeh dairy complex.
Findings: In this study, the results showed that there was no significant difference in dry matter intake between the treatments; However, all levels of substitution except for protein, which had digestibility equal to corn silage, decreased digestibility in dry matter intake, organic matter, fat, and NDF (P<0.05). Although milk production in the control treatment (containing 100% corn silage) was significantly higher than in the other treatments (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in milk production efficiency (kg of corrected milk produced per kg of dry matter intake) between the groups receiving the experimental diets. Milk fat percentage and fat to protein ratio were significantly higher in the treatment containing 100% sorghum silage than in the other treatments (P<0.05). In this study, the use of speed-feed sorghum silage significantly increased the amount of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids (P<0.05). Also, the highest eating and rumination time was related to the control treatment (containing 100% corn silage) and the lowest time was related to the 100% sorghum silage treatment (P<0.05). Since the more chewing and rumination activity, the less rest time is left for the animal, it seems that the level of comfort was higher in the treatments consuming sorghum silage.
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that sorghum silage can be fed to lactating Holstein cows as a complete alternative to corn silage without adverse effects on animal performance, but with positive effects on milk unsaturated fatty acids. This forage can be an excellent choice for dairy farms in arid and desert areas where corn cultivation is difficult due to water shortages. On the other hand, the cost of producing sorghum is significantly lower than corn.
Ali Reza Ghiasvand; Hassan Shirzadi; Hossein Ali Ghasemi; Kamran Taherpour; Shokoufeh Hasanvand; Ali Khatibjoo
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal arginine level in the diet of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and evaluate its effects on growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass yield using broken-line and quadratic regression models.
Method: For this purpose, a total ...
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Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal arginine level in the diet of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and evaluate its effects on growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass yield using broken-line and quadratic regression models.
Method: For this purpose, a total of 600 twenty-one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were divided into five different treatments with digestible arginine levels of 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25%, 1.50%, and 1.75%. Six replicates were used for each treatment, with 20 quails per replicate. The experimental diets were similar in all essential nutrients except for arginine. The experiment was conducted from day 21 to day 35, and during the experimental period, various performance parameters, including body weight gain, feed efficiency, and carcass yield, were measured. Additionally, the effects of different arginine levels on the chemical composition of breast and thigh meat were evaluated.
Results: The results indicated that increasing arginine levels had a significant impact on body weight gain and feed efficiency in the quails (P<0.05). Specifically, the 1.25% arginine treatment showed the greatest body weight gain and feed efficiency compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). This treatment showed a significant difference compared to the 0.75% and 1.00% treatments (P<0.05), with no significant difference compared to the 1.50% arginine treatment. No significant changes in feed intake were observed (P>0.05), indicating that greater arginine levels improved feed utilization efficiency due to increased body weight gain. To estimate the arginine requirement, both broken-line linear and quadratic regression models were employed. The broken-line linear model with a single slope identified breakpoints at 1.15% for body weight gain and 1.21% for feed efficiency. Additionally, the quadratic broken-line model predicted breakpoints at 1.30% for body weight gain and 1.29% for feed efficiency. The quadratic regression model showed that at 1.37% arginine, the greatest body weight gain was observed, and at 1.36%, the greatest feed efficiency was recorded. For carcass yield, the 1.25% arginine treatment showed the greatest carcass yield on day 35, with a significant difference compared to the 0.75% and 1.75% treatments. Both broken-line and quadratic regression models indicated that the optimal arginine level for the greatest carcass yield was approximately 1.12% and 1.26%, respectively. Additionally, the quadratic regression model predicted that the optimal level for carcass yield was 1.32% arginine. However, the chemical composition of breast and thigh meat was not affected by the arginine levels, and no significant changes in dry matter, organic matter, and ash content were observed.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that the use of broken-line linear and quadratic regression models are effective tools for accurately estimating the arginine requirement in the diet of Japanese quails. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the optimal arginine level for improving growth performance and carcass yield in Japanese quails was set between 1.15% and 1.37%. These findings can contribute to optimizing dietary formulations in the quail farming industry, improving production efficiency, and reducing feed costs.
Tahere Amirabadi Farahani
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding a close-up premix on the incidence of retained placenta and other metabolic disorders, milk yield, and reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows.
Methods: A total of 190 multiparous Holstein cows (Farm 1 = 94 cows, Farm ...
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Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding a close-up premix on the incidence of retained placenta and other metabolic disorders, milk yield, and reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows.
Methods: A total of 190 multiparous Holstein cows (Farm 1 = 94 cows, Farm 2 = 96 cows) with similar parity, body condition score, and previous lactation milk yield were enrolled in the study 21 days before the expected calving date. The cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: cows fed the herd’s close-up diet (control group) and cows received a premix, which replaced 7.5% DM of the basal diet (Power Close). The premix contained protein supplements, macro and micro minerals, vitamins, and additives. The sex and weight of calves were determined immediately after calving, and the amount of colostrum produced at the first milking was recorded. Milk yield and composition were recorded monthly at each milking within 150 DIM, and milk samples were collected monthly to measure milk composition. The incidence of metabolic disorders including dystocia, retained placenta, milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, metritis, clinical endometritis, and culling were recorded within 60 DIM. Reproductive factors such as calving interval to first insemination, pregnancy rates at first and second insemination, pregnancy rate, number of inseminations per pregnancy, and open days were recorded.
Results: The results of this study indicated that feeding Power Close during the close-up period significantly reduced the incidence of retained placenta (P < 0.05) and ketosis (P 0.05). Additionally, the incidence of metritis and culling tended to decrease in cows fed Power Close compared to the control group. However, the incidence of other metabolic disorders, including dystocia, milk fever, displaced abomasum, and endometritis was not significantly affected. Colostrum yield during the first milking (P 0.05), milk yield (P < 0.05), and 4% fat-corrected milk yield (P 0.05) were higher in cows fed Power Close compared to the control group. However, milk fat content was lower in the Power Close group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Calf birth weight and reproductive parameters, including the number of inseminations per conception, conception rate in the first and second inseminations, and pregnancy rate up to 150 days in milk were not affected by Power Close supplementation. However, the interval to first insemination and days open were reduced in cows fed Power Close compared to those fed the control diet (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that feeding Power Close during the transition period can effectively reduce the incidence of retained placenta, metritis, and culling within the first 60 days of lactation, while also increasing colostrum and milk production. However, despite its positive effect on the average days open, it did not significantly impact pregnancy rate.
Nooshin Assadi-Fakhrnejad; Ali Assadi-Alamouti; Behzad Khorrami
Abstract
Objective: Forage harvesting at an appropriate stage of maturity is a key factor determining the productivity and nutritional quality of ensiled forages, improving silage fermentation, and reducing its loss. Likewise, forage intercropping strategies targeting the advantage of the additive characteristics ...
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Objective: Forage harvesting at an appropriate stage of maturity is a key factor determining the productivity and nutritional quality of ensiled forages, improving silage fermentation, and reducing its loss. Likewise, forage intercropping strategies targeting the advantage of the additive characteristics of different plant species improve the quality of the forage product. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of forage maturity at harvest and intercropping on ensiling characteristics, effluent production, and in vitro (laboratory) digestibility in three small-grain forages (barley, triticale and oat).
Method: In this study, whole plant barley was harvested at early heading and hard dough stage of growth; whole plant triticale was harvested at the tillering and soft dough stage, and the oats forage were harvested at the tillering and stem elongation stages. The intercropping treatments consisted of 53% barley, 33% triticale, and 14% oat, and were harvested at the above-mentioned stages. The experimental design was a 2×4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with eight treatments and three replicates.
Results: The results showed that with the progress of growth stages, dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein yields increased in triticale, oat, and mixed-crop treatments. The highest dry matter (32.1%) was observed in the mixed crop in the second harvest stage, and the lowest (13.5%) was observed in the first stage in oats (p<0.001). The highest crude protein (19.3 %) was obtained from oats in the first harvest, and the lowest (10.8%) from barley in the second harvest stage (p<0.001). The lowest NDF content was observed in oats (49.5%) and the highest in barley (58.2%) (p<0.001). The interaction effect of forage type and harvest time on dry matter, crude protein, and ADF contents was significant, while other chemical components such as crude ash, lignin, acid-, and neutral-detergent insoluble nitrogen, crude fat, and water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) were similar in both harvest stages. Overall, harvesting at a later stage increased lignin and decreased crude protein, WSC, and NDF. Interestingly, the intercropping of oats with the other crops increased crude protein and improved digestibility in vitro, while decreasing silage NDF content. The silages of the second harvest crops had no effluent production. They also had an appropriate pH (close to 4.2) and an ammonia nitrogen level of less than 10% total nitrogen, demonstrating improved fermentation in silages with higher dry matter content.
Conclusions: The results suggested the second harvesting stage (hard dough in barley, soft dough in triticale, and stem elongation in oats) as the suitable times for harvesting small grain forages in the current study, whether ensiled as a sole forage or intercropped, because they increased the yield of organic matter, CP, energy, and digestible dry matter per hectare. Considering the greater yield performance of triticale compared to barley, it is suggested to incorporate triticale as the main crop in intercropping systems.