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Wei C, Tao H, Liu G, Tian K. Isobutyramide and Slow-Release Urea as Substitutes for Soybean Meal in the Finishing Diet of Beef Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1321. [PMID: 38731325 PMCID: PMC11083629 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of isobutyramide (IBA) and slow-release urea (SRU) as substitutes for soybean meal (SBM) in the finishing diet of beef cattle. The completely randomized design in vitro experiment with five treatments, i.e., control, 0.9% SRU group, 0.6% SRU + 0.3% IBA group (SRU-I), 0.3% SRU + 0.6% IBA group (IBA-S), 0.9% IBA group was conducted. The results showed that the IBA-S and IBA increased (p ≤ 0.05) substrate disappearance of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), total gas, and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA). The SRU group had the highest (p < 0.01) crude protein disappearance and ammonia nitrogen concentration, but the IBA contrarily decreased (p < 0.01) them compared with the control. Inclusion of IBA increased isobutyrate concentrations (p = 0.01) with the highest value for the IBA group. Then, an 84-day replicate 4 × 4 Latin square design with 8 Angus steers and four treatments, i.e., control, SRU, SRU-I, IBA-S was performed. The results showed that the treatments did not affect DM intake (p > 0.05) but tended (p = 0.09) to increase average daily gain. The inclusion of IBA increased (p < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, NDF, ADF, TVFA, and microbial crude protein with the highest values for the IBA-S group. The IBA-contained groups also increased (p ≤ 0.01) isobutyrate concentration, activities of carboxymethyl cellulase and xylanase, and the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens with the highest values for the IBA-S group. The SRU had no effect on animal growth and nutrient apparent digestibility. In conclusion, IBA was developed as a new substitute for SBM in the finishing diet of beef cattle, and the optimal strategy was the isonitrogenous substitution of SBM with 0.3% SRU and 0.6% IBA of the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wei
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China; (C.W.); (H.T.)
- Shandong Key Lab of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Haiying Tao
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China; (C.W.); (H.T.)
- Shandong Key Lab of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Guifen Liu
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China; (C.W.); (H.T.)
- Shandong Key Lab of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Kechuan Tian
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China; (C.W.); (H.T.)
- Shandong Key Lab of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan 250100, China
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Sasongko WT, Wahyono T, Astuti DA, Syahputra AR, Widodo S, Jayanegara A. Use of irradiated chitosan as a matrix for slow-release urea and in vitro fermentation characteristics of slow-release urea supplementation in ruminant rations. Vet World 2024; 17:319-328. [PMID: 38595659 PMCID: PMC11000474 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.319-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Irradiated chitosan can be used as a matrix for slow-release urea (SRU) production. This study aimed to (1) determine the optimal formulation of irradiated chitosan matrix for controlling nitrogen release and (2) evaluate the characteristics of SRU in vitro fermentation based on irradiated chitosan as a feed supplement. Materials and Methods In the first phase of the investigation, four chitosan-based SRU formulations with varying amounts of acrylamide (3 and 5 g) and gamma irradiation (5 and 10 kGy) were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy, and ammonia release characteristics were used to observe morphological, functional group, and ammonia release characteristics. In the second phase of research, the most effective SRU formulation was utilized as a supplement to ruminant rations based on rice straw, sorghum straw, and alfalfa. Gas production, rumen fermentation characteristics, and methane gas production were observed in vitro. Results On the basis of surface image analysis, the four SRU formulas generate a similar appearance. Compared with untreated urea, the SRU3 formula reduced the percentage of ammonia emission by 12.85%-27.64% after 24 h of incubation (p = 0.05), as determined by the first phase study. SRU3 became the basis for the second testing phase. The addition of SRU3 did not affect the optimal gas production in vitro. SRU3 treatment produced less gas than Optigen® treatment (p = 0.05). With regard to rumen fermentation and digestibility, Optigen® yielded better results than SRU3 (p = 0.05). However, the treatment with SRU3 resulted in reduced methane production compared to that in the control (p = 0.05). Conclusion Irradiated chitosan as an SRU matrix may control the release of ammonia in the rumen medium. The SRU3 formulation is the most effective. The addition of SRU to rice straw-based rations reduces methane production without affecting in vitro digestibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wahidin Teguh Sasongko
- Graduate School of Nutrition and Feed Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
- Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Teguh Wahyono
- Research Center for Food Technology and Processing, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, Gunungkidul 55861, Indonesia
| | - Dewi Apri Astuti
- Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Akhmad Rasyid Syahputra
- Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
| | - Slamet Widodo
- Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Anuraga Jayanegara
- Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
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Saro C, Degeneffe MA, Andrés S, Mateo J, Caro I, López-Ferreras L, Horst EH, López S, Giráldez FJ. Conventional Feed-Grade or Slow-Release Coated Urea as Sources of Dietary Nitrogen for Fattening Lambs. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3465. [PMID: 38003083 PMCID: PMC10668866 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Twenty-two Assaf male lambs (29.2 ± 0.9 kg live weight and 89 ± 0.2 days of age), distributed in two experimental groups, were used to evaluate the use of either feed-grade conventional urea (Control diet; n = 11) or slow-release urea (SRU diet; n = 11) as sources of dietary nitrogen on animal performance, ruminal fermentation, blood acid-base status, plasmatic metabolic profile, and carcass and meat quality. Animals were housed individually and fed ad libitum. At the end of the fattening period (day 70), the animals were slaughtered to compare the fermentation patterns in ruminal digesta and to evaluate the carcass and meat characteristics. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between treatments in the dry matter intake, final live weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion rate. Regarding the ruminal fermentation parameters, the molar proportion of propionic acid was higher (p < 0.05) and that of butyric acid was lower (p < 0.05) with the SRU than with the Control diet. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between experimental treatments in the blood acid-base status and biochemical profile, except for the concentration of urea in plasma, which was significantly (p < 0. 05) greater in SRU than in Control lambs. No statistically significant differences were observed between treatments (p > 0.05) in the carcass and meat characteristics. In conclusion, the use of slow-release urea as a replacement for feed-grade conventional urea in the diet of Assaf fattening lambs, under the experimental conditions of this study, did not improve animal performance and increased the feeding costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Saro
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, Finca Marzanas s/n, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain; (M.A.D.); (S.A.); (S.L.); (F.J.G.)
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Universidad de León, Campus Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Miguel Alonso Degeneffe
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, Finca Marzanas s/n, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain; (M.A.D.); (S.A.); (S.L.); (F.J.G.)
| | - Sonia Andrés
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, Finca Marzanas s/n, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain; (M.A.D.); (S.A.); (S.L.); (F.J.G.)
| | - Javier Mateo
- Departamento de Higiene y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de León, Campus Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (J.M.); (I.C.)
| | - Irma Caro
- Departamento de Higiene y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de León, Campus Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (J.M.); (I.C.)
- Departamento de Pediatría e Inmunología, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Nutrición y Bromatología, Psiquiatría e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 7, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Lorena López-Ferreras
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus Vegazana, s/n, 24071 León, Spain;
| | - Egon Henrique Horst
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Parana Midwestern State University, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil;
| | - Secundino López
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, Finca Marzanas s/n, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain; (M.A.D.); (S.A.); (S.L.); (F.J.G.)
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Universidad de León, Campus Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Giráldez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, Finca Marzanas s/n, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain; (M.A.D.); (S.A.); (S.L.); (F.J.G.)
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Relationship between different sources of non-protein nitrogen and supplementation times on performance and metabolism of grazing Nellore cattle during the dry season. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:382. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03383-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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A Meta-Analysis of Essential Oils Use for Beef Cattle Feed: Rumen Fermentation, Blood Metabolites, Meat Quality, Performance and, Environmental and Economic Impact. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8060254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to see how dietary supplementation with essential oils (EOs) affected rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, growth performance and meat quality of beef cattle through a meta-analysis. In addition, a simulation analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of EOs on the economic and environmental impact of beef production. Data were extracted from 34 peer-reviewed studies and analyzed using random-effects statistical models to assess the weighted mean difference (WMD) between control and EOs treatments. Dietary supplementation of EOs increased (p < 0.01) dry matter intake (WMD = 0.209 kg/d), final body weight (WMD = 12.843 kg), daily weight gain (WMD = 0.087 kg/d), feed efficiency (WMD = 0.004 kg/kg), hot carcass weight (WMD = 5.45 kg), and Longissimus dorsi muscle area (WMD = 3.48 cm2). Lower (p < 0.05) ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen (WMD = −1.18 mg/dL), acetate (WMD = −4.37 mol/100 mol) and total protozoa (WMD = −2.17 × 105/mL), and higher concentration of propionate (WMD = 0.878 mol/100 mol, p < 0.001) were observed in response to EOs supplementation. Serum urea concentration (WMD = −1.35 mg/dL, p = 0.026) and haptoglobin (WMD = −39.67 μg/mL, p = 0.031) were lower in cattle supplemented with EOs. In meat, EOs supplementation reduced (p < 0.001) cooking loss (WMD = −61.765 g/kg), shear force (WMD = −0.211 kgf/cm2), and malondialdehyde content (WMD = −0.040 mg/kg), but did not affect pH, color (L* a* and b*), or chemical composition (p > 0.05). Simulation analysis showed that EOs increased economic income by 1.44% and reduced the environmental footprint by 0.83%. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of EOs improves productive performance and rumen fermentation, while increasing the economic profitability and reducing the environmental impact of beef cattle. In addition, supplementation with EOs improves beef tenderness and oxidative stability.
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Feeding Bakery Former Foodstuffs and Wheat Distiller’s as Partial Replacement for Corn and Soybean Enhances the Environmental Sustainability and Circularity of Beef Cattle Farming. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14094908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The effects of the partial substitution of corn and soybean meals with bakery former foodstuffs (BFF) and wheat wet distiller’s grains (WDGs) on environmental sustainability, production performance, and health status were evaluated in beef cattle. Newly arrived Limousine beef heifers (n = 408) housed an intensive farm in Campagnatico (Grosseto, Italy) were balanced for initial weight and body conformation and then randomly divided in two groups: (i) Traditional corn–soybean meal diet; (ii) Circular diet with average as-fed 1.5 kg BFF and 1.5 kg WDGs as substitute for 1.6 kg corn and 0.3 kg soybean meal. The environmental impact of the diet was analyzed considering greenhouse gases emissions (GHG, kg CO2 eq), water (H2O, L), and land use (LU, m2) as well as consumption of human-edible feeds (HE, kg). The growth performance, feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, apparent total tract digestibility (aTTD), and health status of heifers were evaluated. The Circular diet led to a reduction per kg of cold carcass weight (CCW) of 1.00 kg CO2 eq of GHG, 72.38 L of H2O, 1.20 m2 of LU, and 0.95 kg of HE (p < 0.0001). Growth performances, carcass characteristics, and health status were not affected (p > 0.05). Sugar and pectin aTTD were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the Circular group. Replacing traditional feed ingredients with BFF and WDGs reduced the environmental impact of the diet of fattening Limousine heifers and the food competition between humans and beef cattle in accordance with circular economy principles.
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Malau-Aduli AEO, Curran J, Gall H, Henriksen E, O'Connor A, Paine L, Richardson B, van Sliedregt H, Smith L. Genetics and nutrition impacts on herd productivity in the Northern Australian beef cattle production cycle. Vet Anim Sci 2022; 15:100228. [PMID: 35024494 PMCID: PMC8724957 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2021.100228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetics and nutrition drive herd productivity due to significant impacts on all components of the beef cattle production cycle. In northern Australia, the beef production system is largely extensive and relies heavily on tropical cattle grazing low quality, phosphorus-deficient pastures with seasonal variations in nutritive value. The existing feedlots are predominantly grain-based; providing high-energy rations, faster turn-off and finishing of backgrounded cattle to meet market specifications. This review focusses on the beef cattle production cycle components of maternal nutrition, foetal development, bull fertility, post-natal to weaning, backgrounding, feedlotting, rumen microbes and carcass quality as influenced by genetics and nutrition. This student-driven review identified the following knowledge gaps in the published literature on northern Australian beef cattle production cycle: 1. Long-term benefits and effects of maternal supplementation to alter foetal enzymes on the performance and productivity of beef cattle; 2. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes to increase nutrient availability from the cell wall and better utilisation of fibrous and phosphorus deficient pasture feedbase during backgrounding; 3. Supplementation with novel encapsulated calcium butyrate and probiotics to stimulate the early development of rumen papillae and enhance early weaning of calves; 4. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms as genetic markers for the early selection of tropical beef cattle for carcass and meat eating quality traits prior to feedlotting; The review concludes by recommending future research in whole genome sequencing to target specific genes associated with meat quality characteristics in order to explore the development of breeds with superior genes more suited to the North Australian beef industry. Further research into diverse nutritional strategies of phosphorus supplementation and fortifying tropically adapted grasses with protein-rich legumes and forages for backgrounding and supplementing lot-fed beef cattle with omega-3 oil of plant origin will ensure sustainable production of beef with a healthy composition, tenderness, taste and eating quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aduli E O Malau-Aduli
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Jessica Curran
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Holly Gall
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Erica Henriksen
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Alina O'Connor
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Lydia Paine
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Bailey Richardson
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Hannake van Sliedregt
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Lucy Smith
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Science Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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Wahyono T, Sholikin MM, Konca Y, Obitsu T, Sadarman S, Jayanegara A. Effects of urea supplementation on ruminal fermentation characteristics, nutrient intake, digestibility, and performance in sheep: A meta-analysis. Vet World 2022; 15:331-340. [PMID: 35400956 PMCID: PMC8980397 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.331-340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: As a non-protein nitrogen source, urea is a popular, low cost, and easily obtained protein supplement. The objective of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis of the effects of urea supplementation on rumen fermentation and sheep performance. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 experiments from 21 articles were compiled into a dataset. The levels of dietary urea varied from 0 to 31 g/kg of dry matter (DM). Parameters observed were rumen fermentation product, nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, and sheep performance. This dataset was analyzed using a mixed model methodology, with urea supplementation levels as fixed effects and the different experiments as random effects. Results: Increasing levels of urea were associated with increases (p=0.008) in rumen pH, butyrate (C4) production, and ammonia (NH3–N) concentration. Urea supplementation had minor effects on total volatile fatty acids (p=0.242), total protozoa (p=0.429), and the microbial N supply (p=0.619), but tended to increase methane production (CH4; p<0.001). Supplementation of urea increased the intake of dry matter (DM; p=0.004) and crude protein (CP; p=0.001). Digestibility parameters, such as DM digestibility (DMD) and CP digestibility (CPD), also increased (p<0.01) as a result of urea supplementation. Retained N (p=0.042) and N intake (p<0.001) were higher with increasing levels of urea supplementation. In terms of animal performance, supplementation of urea increased average daily gain (ADG; p=0.024), but decreased the hot carcass weight percentage (p=0.017). Conclusion: This meta-analysis reports the positive effects of urea supplementation on rumen fermentation products (i.e., pH, C4, and NH3–N), intake (DM, CP, and N), digestibility (DMD and CPD), and ADG in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teguh Wahyono
- National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia; Animal Feed and Nutrition Modelling Research Group, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Mohammad Miftakhus Sholikin
- National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia; Animal Feed and Nutrition Modelling Research Group, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Yusuf Konca
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Taketo Obitsu
- Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Sadarman Sadarman
- Animal Feed and Nutrition Modelling Research Group, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia; Department of Animal Science, UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
| | - Anuraga Jayanegara
- Animal Feed and Nutrition Modelling Research Group, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia; Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
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Slow-release urea partially replace soybean in the diet of Holstein dairy cows: intake, blood parameters, nutrients digestibility, energy utilization, and milk production. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2021-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The present experiment aimed to evaluate the partial replacement of soybean with slow-release urea (Optigen 1200™) in the diet of lactating cows for 84 d. Three-hundred multiparous lactating Holstein (635 ± 25 kg of body weight, BW) cows were stratified by live body weight; parity and previous milk production were randomly assigned into two experimental groups with 150 cows per each treatment. In the control treatment, 25 g soybean meal was replaced by 5.7 g slow-release urea for 84 d. Optigen treatment did not affect feed intake, daily milk production, milk composition, or milk (feed) efficiency; however, increased (P<0.01) total BW gain and daily BW gain. Optigen treatment increased (P<0.01) the digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. Optigen treatment increased (P<0.01) estimated N balance, milk urea-N, and net energy (NE) for gain. Without affecting blood total protein, creatinine, urea-N, triglycerides, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, or non-esterified free fatty acids, Optigen treatment increased the concentrations of blood albumin and cholesterol compared to the control (P<0.05). In conclusion, slow-release urea could replace soybean meal in ruminant diets with no adverse effects on feed intake, nitrogen utilization, or digestibility; however, improve the total tract digestibility of fiber and crude protein in cows.
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Effect of Slow-Release Urea Administration on Production Performance, Health Status, Diet Digestibility, and Environmental Sustainability in Lactating Dairy Cows. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082405. [PMID: 34438862 PMCID: PMC8388657 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with a slow-release urea source (SRU) on production performance, feed efficiency, digestibility, and environmental sustainability of dairy cows were evaluated. A total of 140 lactating Holstein Frisian cows were allocated into two study groups: (i) control (diet entirely based on SBM), and (ii) treatment (diet of 0.22% on dry matter basis (d.m.)) of SRU. Milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion rate (FCR), body condition score (BCS), reproductive parameters, and milk quality were evaluated. The chemical composition of the feeds and feces were analyzed to calculate the in vivo digestibility of the two diets. The carbon footprint (CFP) and predicted methane (CH4) emissions were evaluated. The inclusion of SRU significantly increases milk yield, DMI, and FCR (p < 0.0001), whereas milk quality, BCS, and reproductive indicators were not affected (p > 0.05). In the treatment group, the digestibility of crude protein (CP) (p = 0.012), NDF (p = 0.039), and cellulose (p = 0.033) was significantly higher, while the other nutritional parameters weren't affected. All the environmental parameters were significantly improved in the treatment group (p < 0.0001). Replacing SBM with SRU can be a strategy to enhance dairy cows' sustainability due to improved production efficiency, reduced feed CFP, and predicted CH4 production.
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Slow-Release Urea as a Sustainable Alternative to Soybean Meal in Ruminant Nutrition. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13052464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using a commercial slow-release urea product (SRU; Optigen®, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY, USA) as a partial replacement for vegetable protein sources in cattle diets. The first experiment was an in vitro rumen fermentation that evaluated the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) nitrogen with nitrogen from either SRU or free urea in diets varying in forage:concentrate ratios. The second experiment examined the effect of replacing SBM with SRU on in situ dry matter and nitrogen degradability in the rumen. In the third experiment, a feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing SBM (0% as-fed SRU) with 1% or 3% as-fed SRU on feed carbon footprint (CFP; total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the life cycle of feed raw materials) and the toxicity potential of SRU in growing beef cattle. Results showed that replacing SBM with SRU up to 1.3% did not negatively affect in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. Supplementing SRU favourably decreased ruminal accumulation of ammonia and lactic acid when compared to free urea. There was no significant effect on effective rumen degradability of dry matter and nitrogen when one-third of SBM was replaced by SRU in the in situ study. Compared with the 0% SRU diet, feed CFP decreased by 18% and 54% in 1% SRU and 3% SRU diets, respectively. Additionally, feeding up to 3% SRU diet to beef cattle did not affect health and intake, and blood hematological and biochemical indices were within the physiological range for healthy bulls, suggesting no indication of ammonia toxicity. Overall, these results indicate that SRU can be used as a sustainable alternative to partially replace vegetable protein sources in ruminant diets without compromising rumen function and health of ruminants.
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Salami SA, Moran CA, Warren HE, Taylor-Pickard J. Meta-analysis and sustainability of feeding slow-release urea in dairy production. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246922. [PMID: 33577610 PMCID: PMC7880434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Slow-release urea (SRU) is a coated non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source for providing rumen degradable protein in ruminant nutrition. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing vegetable protein sources with SRU (Optigen®, Alltech Inc., USA) on the production performance of dairy cows. Additionally, the impact of SRU supplementation on dairy sustainability was examined by quantifying the carbon footprint (CFP) of feed use for milk production and manure nitrogen (N) excretion of dairy cows. Data on diet composition and performance variables were extracted from 17 experiments with 44 dietary comparisons (control vs. SRU). A linear mixed model and linear regression were applied to statistically analyse the effect of SRU on feed intake and production performance. Feeding SRU decreased (P < 0.05) dry matter intake (DMI, -500 g/d) and N intake (NI, -20 g/d). There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) on milk yield, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk fat and protein composition. However, SRU supplementation improved (P < 0.05) feed efficiency (+3%) and N use efficiency (NUE, +4%). Regression analyses revealed that increasing SRU inclusion level decreased DMI and NI whereas increasing dietary crude protein (CP) increased both parameters. However, milk yield and feed efficiency increased in response to increasing levels of SRU inclusion and dietary CP. The NUE had a positive relationship with SRU level whereas NUE decreased with increasing dietary CP. The inclusion of SRU in dairy diets reduced the CFP of feed use for milk production (-14.5%; 373.13 vs. 319.15 g CO2 equivalent/kg milk). Moreover, feeding SRU decreased manure N excretion by 2.7% to 3.1% (-12 to -13 g/cow/d) and N excretion intensity by 3.6% to 4.0% (-0.50 to -0.53 g N/kg milk). In conclusion, feeding SRU can contribute to sustainable dairy production through improvement in production efficiency and reduction in environmental impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saheed A. Salami
- Solutions Deployment Team, Alltech (UK) Ltd., Stamford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Colm A. Moran
- Regulatory Affairs Department, Alltech SARL, Vire, France
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