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Chacko Kaitholil SR, Mooney MH, Aubry A, Rezwan F, Shirali M. Insights into the influence of diet and genetics on feed efficiency and meat production in sheep. Anim Genet 2024; 55:20-46. [PMID: 38112204 PMCID: PMC10952161 DOI: 10.1111/age.13383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Feed costs and carcass yields affect the profitability and sustainability of sheep production. Therefore, it is crucial to select animals with a higher feed efficiency and high-quality meat production. This study focuses on the impact of dietary and genetic factors on production traits such as feed efficiency, carcass quality, and meat quality. Diets promote optimal sheep growth and development and provide sufficient protein can lead to higher-quality meat. However, establishing an optimized production system requires careful consideration and balance of dietary parameters. This includes ensuring adequate protein intake and feeding diets with higher intestinal absorption rates to enhance nutrient absorption in the gut. The study identifies specific genes, such as Callipyge, Calpastatin, and Myostatin, and the presence of causal mutations in these genes, as factors influencing animal growth rates, feed efficiency, and meat fatty acid profiles. Additionally, variants of other reported genes, including PIGY, UCP1, MEF2B, TNNC2, FABP4, SCD, FASN, ADCY8, ME1, CA1, GLIS1, IL1RAPL1, SOX5, SOX6, and IGF1, show potential as markers for sheep selection. A meta-analysis of reported heritability estimates reveals that residual feed intake (0.27 ± 0.07), hot carcass weight (0.26 ± 0.05), dressing percentage (0.23 ± 0.05), and intramuscular fat content (0.45 ± 0.04) are moderately to highly heritable traits. This suggests that these traits are less influenced by environmental factors and could be improved through genetic selection. Additionally, positive genetic correlations exist between body weight and hot carcass weight (0.91 ± 0.06), dressing percentage (0.35 ± 0.15), and shear force (0.27 ± 0.24), indicating that selecting for higher body weight could lead to favorable changes in carcass quality, and meat quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffimol Rose Chacko Kaitholil
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
- Agri‐Food and Biosciences InstituteHillsboroughUK
| | - Mark H. Mooney
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | | | - Faisal Rezwan
- Department of Computer ScienceAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Masoud Shirali
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
- Agri‐Food and Biosciences InstituteHillsboroughUK
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The Effect of Combining Millet and Corn Straw as Source Forage for Beef Cattle Diets on Ruminal Degradability and Fungal Community. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040548. [PMID: 36830335 PMCID: PMC9951761 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040548] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Three ruminal cannulated Simmental crossbreed bulls (approximately 3 years of age and with 380 ± 20 kg live weight at initiation of the experiment) were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square experiment in order to determine the effects of the treatments on ruminal pH and degradability of nutrients, as well as the rumen fungal community. The experimental periods were 21 d, with 18 d of adjustment to the respective dietary treatments and 3 d of sample collection. Treatments consisted of a basal diet containing a 47.11% composition of two sources of forage as follows: (1) 100% millet straw (MILLSTR), (2) 50:50 millet straw and corn straw (COMB), and (3) 100% corn straw (CORNSTR). Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were tested for ruminal degradability using the nylon bag method, which was incubated for 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h, and rumen fungal community in rumen fluid was determined by high-throughput gene sequencing technology. Ruminal pH was not affected by treatments. At 72 h, compared to MILLSTR, DM degradability of CORNSTR was 4.8% greater (p < 0.05), but when corn was combined with millet straw, the difference in DM degradability was 9.4%. During the first 24 h, degradability of CP was lower for CORNSTR, intermediate for MILLSTR, and higher for COMB. However, at 72 h, MILLSTR and COMB had a similar CP degradability value, staying greater than the CP degradability value of the CORNSTR treatment. Compared to MILLSTR, the rumen degradability of NDF was greater for CORNSTR and intermediate for the COMB. There was a greater degradability for ADF in CORNSTR, intermediate for COMB, and lower for MILLSTR. In all treatments, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were dominant flora. Abundance of Basidiomycota in the group COMB was higher (p < 0.05) than that in the group CORNSTR at 12 h. Relative to the fungal genus level, the Thelebolus, Cladosporium, and Meyerozyma were the dominant fungus, and the abundance of Meyerozyma in COMB and CORNSTR were greater (p < 0.05) than MILLSTR at 12, 24, and 36 h of incubation. In conclusion, it is suggested to feed beef cattle with different proportions of millet straw and corn straw combinations.
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Wang M, Li Y, Feng J, Shen Y, Cao Y, Li Q, Gao Y, Li J. Effects of substitution of millet straw for corn silage and alfalfa hay on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites in late-lactation Holstein dairy cows. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2023.115622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
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Finger Millet Production in Ethiopia: Opportunities, Problem Diagnosis, Key Challenges and Recommendations for Breeding. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132313463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is a highly nutritious crop, predominantly grown in the semi-arid tropics of the world. Finger millet has a niche market opportunity due to its human health benefits and being rich in calcium, iron and dietary fiber and gluten-free. Ethiopia is the center of the genetic diversity of the crop. However, the productivity of finger millet in the country is low (<2.4 tons ha−1) compared with its potential yield (6 tons ha−1). The yield gap in Ethiopia is due to a range of biotic and abiotic stresses and socio-economic constraints that are yet to be systemically documented and prioritized to guide future production and improved variety development and release. The objective of this study was to document finger millet production opportunities, constraints and farmer-preferred traits in Ethiopia as a guide to variety design in improvement programs. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) study was undertaken in six selected districts of the Southern Nation Nationalities People Region (SNNPR) and Oromia Region in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 240 and 180 participant farmers through a semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion, respectively. Finger millet was the most important crop in the study areas grown mainly for a combination of uses, including for food, feed and cash (reported by 38.8% of respondent farmers), food and feed (14.5%), food and cash (13.7%), food (11.5%) and food, cash, feed and construction material (9.7%). Hand weeding was used by 59.2% of the respondent farmers, followed by hand weeding and chemical herbicides (40.8%). Finger millet was mainly planted as a sole crop (reported by 97.0% respondents), mixed (1.7%) and sole and mixed (1.3%). About 75.6% of respondent farmers only practiced finger millet rotation with other crops. Respondent farmers indicated their source of fresh seed was from the Bureau of Agriculture (49.1%), farmer-to-farmer seed exchange (22.1%), own saved seed (7.5%), local producers (7.5%), research institutions (5.8%), unknown sources (4.1%), local market (3.5%) and cooperatives (0.42%). The total cost of finger millet production per hectare was calculated at 1249 USD with a total income of 2139 USD/ha, making a benefit to cost ratio of 1.71:1.00 and indicating the relatively low yield gains using the currently grown varieties. The main constraints to finger millet production in the study areas were drought stress (reported by 41.3% respondents), lack of improved varieties (12.9%), lack of financial resources (11.3%), small land holdings (10.8%), limited access to seed (10.0%), a shortage of fertilizers (5.4%), poor soil fertility (4.6%), shortage of draught power (1.3%), labour shortages (1.3%) and high labour costs (1.3%). The most important farmer-preferred traits in a finger millet variety were high grain yield, compact head shape, ‘enjera’-making quality, high marketability and early maturity, resolved through principal component analysis. The above-mentioned production constraints and farmer-preferred traits are strategic drivers to enhance finger millet productivity and need to be incorporated into Ethiopia’s finger millet breeding and technology development.
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Feng T, Ding H, Wang J, Xu W, Liu Y, Kenéz Á. Metabolite Profile of Sheep Serum With High or Low Average Daily Gain. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:662536. [PMID: 34026897 PMCID: PMC8131665 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.662536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Feng
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (IAHVM), Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS), Beijing, China.,Joint Laboratory of Animal Science Between IAHVM of BAAFS and Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resource of Oklahoma State University, Beijing, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Hongxiang Ding
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (IAHVM), Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS), Beijing, China.,Joint Laboratory of Animal Science Between IAHVM of BAAFS and Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resource of Oklahoma State University, Beijing, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (IAHVM), Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS), Beijing, China.,Joint Laboratory of Animal Science Between IAHVM of BAAFS and Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resource of Oklahoma State University, Beijing, China
| | - Ákos Kenéz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Hao XY, Zhang MZ, Zhang XZ, Mu CT, Zhang CX, Zhao JX, Zhang JX. Effects of feeding corn bran and soybean hulls on nutrient digestibility, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and growth performance of finishing lambs. Animal 2021; 15:100172. [PMID: 33589350 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Some grain processing by-products rich in digestible fiber are good feed resources for ruminants. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing a portion of corn and corn stover with the combinations of corn bran and soybean hulls in the diet of fattening lambs on nutrient digestion, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and growth performance. A total of 36 Dorper × Small Thin-Tailed crossbred ram lambs (BW = 22.2 ± 0.92 kg; mean ± SD) were randomly divided into three groups, and each group was fed 1 of 3 treatment diets: 1) 0% corn bran and soybean hulls (control); 2) 9% corn bran and 9% soybean hulls (18MIX); and 3) 17% corn bran and 17% soybean hulls (34MIX). The feeding experiment was conducted for 70 days, with the first 10 days for adaption. The DM intake was higher for 34MIX (1635.3 g/d) than for control diet (1434.7 g/d; P = 0.001). Lambs fed 18MIX and 34MIX diets (230.2 and 263.6 g/d, respectively) had higher average daily gain and feed efficiency than those fed control diet (194.8 g/d; P < 0.01). Dry matter and NDF digestibility for 34MIX group (60.9 and 49.5%) were higher than for control (55.2 and 41.3%; P < 0.01). No difference was observed in nitrogen digestibility among treatment diets (P = 0.778). The lambs fed 34MIX diet excreted more urinary purine derivatives, indicating that more microbial protein was yielded than those fed control diet (P < 0.01), while 18MIX was not different from the other two diets (P > 0.05). The metabolizable protein supplies were improved with increasing co-products inclusion rate. The results indicated that corn bran and soybean hulls in combination can effectively replace a portion of corn and corn stover in the ration of finishing lambs with positive effect on nutrient digestion and growth performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Y Hao
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - M Z Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - X Z Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - C T Mu
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - C X Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Safe Production of Livestock, College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - J X Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Safe Production of Livestock, College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - J X Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Safe Production of Livestock, College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China.
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