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Kelln B, Penner GB, Acharya SN, McAllister TA, Larson K, McKinnon J, Biligetu B, Lardner HA. Effect of sod-seeding bloat-free legumes on pasture productivity, steer performance, and production economics. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2021-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A five-year experiment evaluated the effects of sod-seeding sainfoin and cicer milkvetch into monoculture grass (Lanigan, SK) or legume (Lethbridge, AB) stands on pasture productivity, steer performance, and economics. At Lanigan, sainfoin decreased (treatment × year P = 0.01) from 13% in yr 1 to 2% in yr 2 (% plant population) and did not differ thereafter, while cicer milkvetch, maintained a proportion of 16% in the stand. Forage yield was greater (treatment × year; P < 0.01) in yr 1 in the sainfoin and cicer milkvetch treatments compared to control. DMI of steers was greater only in yr 5 and ADG was greater (P < 0.01) in sainfoin and cicer milkvetch treatments compared to control. At Lethbridge, sainfoin decreased (treatment × year; P = 0.01) from 46 to 17% (% DM yield), while cicer milkvetch maintained its proportion at 11%. Forage yield increased (treatment × year; P < 0.01) only in yr 2 and 3 of sainfoin, compared to cicer milkvetch or control. ADG gain was not affected by treatment. At Lanigan, sainfoin and cicer milkvetch generated greater gross returns compared to control; however, once establishment costs were applied there were no differences in present value of net returns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breeanna Kelln
- University of Saskatchewan, 7235, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada,
| | - Gregory B. Penner
- University of Saskatchewan, Animal and Poultry Science, 6D18 Agriculture Building, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N 5A8,
| | - Surya N. Acharya
- AAFC, Lethbridge Research Centre, 5403 - 1st Ave. S., Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1J 4B1, ,
| | - Tim A. McAllister
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, 5403-1st Ave South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1J 4B1, ,
| | - Kathy Larson
- University of Saskatchewan, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Saskatoon , Saskatchewan, Canada,
| | - John McKinnon
- University of Saskatchewan, Animal and Poultry Science, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Canada, S7H4L3, ,
| | - Bill Biligetu
- University of Saskatchewan, Department of Plant Science, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N5A8
| | - Herbert A. Lardner
- University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources, 98627, Animal and Poultry Science, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N 5A8
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Schulmeister TM, Ruiz-Moreno M, Garcia-Ascolani ME, Ciriaco FM, Henry DD, Benitez J, Santos ERS, Dubeux JCB, Lamb GC, DiLorenzo N. Apparent total tract digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites in beef steers fed green-chopped cool-season forages. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:5851499. [PMID: 32498088 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An experiment was conducted during the winter of two consecutive years to evaluate the effects of feeding green-chopped cool-season forages on digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood parameters in beef steers. Nine ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (year 1: 359 ± 79 kg; year 2: 481 ± 105 kg) received ad libitum green-chopped forages from pastures planted with one of the following mixtures: 1) OAT = Horizon 201 oats (Avena sativa L.)/Prine annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) at 95 and 17 kg/ha, respectively; 2) RYE = FL401 cereal rye (Secale cereale L.)/Prine annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) at 78 and 17 kg/ha, respectively; or 3) TRIT = Trical 342 triticale (X Triticosecale spp.)/Prine annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) at 95 and 17 kg/ha, respectively. Intake was measured using the GrowSafe system and orts were discarded prior to subsequent feeding. After a 14-d adaptation, feed and fecal samples were collected twice daily for 4 d to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility using indigestible neutral detergent fiber (NDF) as an internal marker. On day 19, blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected every 3 h during a 24-h period to analyze plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and glucose, ruminal pH, and concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Data were analyzed as a generalized randomized block design with repeated measures using the PROC MIX of SAS. No effect of treatment (P > 0.05) was observed for intake of dry matter, organic matter (OM), crude protein, NDF, or acid detergent fiber. Apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients was greater (P < 0.05) for OAT and TRIT when compared with RYE, with OM digestibility being 82.7%, 79.6%, and 69.5%, respectively. An effect of time (P < 0.01) was observed for ruminal pH. Plasma concentration of glucose was greater (P < 0.01) in steers consuming OAT, whereas steers fed RYE had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of ruminal NH3-N and PUN, and the least concentration of total ruminal VFA (P < 0.05), despite having the greatest (P > 0.05) molar proportion of acetate, branched-chain VFA, and acetate:propionate. Increased nutrient digestibility and favorable ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites of OAT and TRIT are potentially conducive to enhanced growth performance when compared with RYE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M Schulmeister
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
| | - Martin Ruiz-Moreno
- Agronomy Department, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
| | - Mariana E Garcia-Ascolani
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
| | - Francine M Ciriaco
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Darren D Henry
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Jefferson Benitez
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
| | - Erick R S Santos
- Agronomy Department, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
| | - Jose C B Dubeux
- Agronomy Department, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
| | - Graham C Lamb
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Nicolas DiLorenzo
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
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Kelln L, Newkirk R, Smillie J, Lardner H, Penner G. Does pellet size affect the ability of beef heifers to consume a pelleted supplement in a simulated grazing model? CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2018-0238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to evaluate pellet consumption and refusals as affected by pellet size. Six ruminally cannulated heifers were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square. Heifers were individually housed and fed a diet of grass hay (57.5%), mineral and vitamin supplement (8.0%), and canola meal (11.9%) in a feed bunk, and their respective wheat- and wheat-middling-based treatment pellet (22.7%) on artificial turf. The artificial turf had a mean staple length of 5 cm and a blade density of 45 blades cm−2. The pellets were small (SM; 4 mm diameter), medium (MED; 11 mm diameter), or large (LG; 50 mm diameter) in size. Heifers fed LG had greater pellet intake than SM (2.24 vs. 2.06 kg; P = 0.035), with MED being intermediate (2.12 kg). Heifers fed LG tended to have less pellet waste than SM (P = 0.074). Heifers fed MED pellets had greater concentration of ruminal short-chain fatty acids than SM and LG (91.3 vs. 84.7 and 89.0 mmol L−1; P = 0.009). The results indicate that feeding a LG pellet may increase intake and reduce waste compared with SM, and that pellet size may also affect ruminal fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Kelln
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - R.W. Newkirk
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - J. Smillie
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - H.A. Lardner
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - G.B. Penner
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
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Añez-Osuna F, Penner GB, Campbell J, Dugan MER, Fitzsimmons CJ, Jefferson PG, Lardner HA, McKinnon JJ. Level and source of fat in the diet of gestating beef cows: I. Effects on the prepartum performance of the dam and birth weight of the progeny1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:3103-3119. [PMID: 31095685 PMCID: PMC6606498 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of level and source of fat in the diet of gestating beef cows on their prepartum performance and birth weight of progeny. Each year, 75 multiparous (≥3 calving) pregnant Angus cows were stratified by BW (663 ± 21.5 kg) and BCS (2.6 ± 0.12; 1 to 5 scale) and randomly assigned to 1 of 15 outdoor pens. Subsequently, each pen was randomly assigned to 1 of 3 (n = 5) treatments: a low-fat diet (LF; 1.4 ± 0.12% EE) consisting of grass-legume hay, barley straw, and barley grain, or 1 of 2 high-fat diets (HF; 3.3 ± 0.20% EE) that included either a canola seed (CAN) or a flaxseed (FLX) based pelleted feed. Diets were formulated to meet the requirements of pregnant beef cows during the last 2 trimesters of gestation (0.183 ± 4.8 d), adjusted for changes in environmental conditions, and offered such that each pen on average received similar daily amounts of DE (31.2 ± 2.8 Mcal/cow), CP (1.36 ± 0.13 kg/cow), and DM (12.9 ± 1.0 kg/cow). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with contrasts to separate the effects of level (LF vs. HF) and source (CAN vs. FLX) of fat. After 160 d on trial, conceptus corrected-BW (CC-BW) of LF cows (708 kg) and the proportion of overconditioned cows (13.2%) were greater (P ≤ 0.04) than those of HF, with no difference (P ≥ 0.84) between CAN and FLX for CC-BW (697 kg) and proportion of overconditioned cows (3.6% vs. 2.9%). Feeding FLX diet during gestation resulted in cows with a greater (P ≤ 0.01) concentration of conjugated linolenic acid (0.12% vs. 0.05%) and n-3 (0.58% vs. 0.37%) fatty acids, and a tendency (P = 0.09) for conjugated linoleic acid concentration (1.05% vs. 0.88%) to be greater in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) when compared with cows fed the CAN diet. By the end of gestation, serum NEFA concentration of LF cows (592 µEq/L) was lower (P < 0.01) than that of HF cows, and FLX cows had greater (P < 0.01) serum NEFA concentration than CAN cows (636 vs. 961 µEq/L). Cows receiving the LF diet during gestation gave birth to lighter (P < 0.01) calves compared with those receiving the HF diets (40.2 vs. 42.9 kg), with no difference (P = 0.24) between calves born to CAN (42.4 kg) and FLX (43.3 kg) cows. In conclusion, these results suggest a partitioning of the ME in pregnant beef cows that is dependent on the type of dietary energy, resulting in heavier calves at birth for cows fed high-fat diets. Also, the type of fatty acid in the diet of gestating beef cows affected the fatty acid profile in SCAT and serum NEFA concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Añez-Osuna
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Gregory B Penner
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - John Campbell
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Michael E R Dugan
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, AB, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Fitzsimmons
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, AB, Canada
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Herbert A Lardner
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Western Beef Development Centre, Humboldt, SK, Canada
| | - John J McKinnon
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Vinyard JR, Hall JB, Sprinkle JE, Chibisa GE. Effects of maturity at harvest on the nutritive value and ruminal digestion of Eragrostis tef (cv. Moxie) when fed to beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:3420-3432. [PMID: 29788095 PMCID: PMC6095295 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Teff (Eragrostis tef cv. Moxie), a warm-season annual grass, could be an excellent forage for beef cattle. However, there is limited information on its nutritive value to cattle when harvested at different stages of maturity. Thus, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of feeding teff hay harvested at the boot (BT), early-heading (EH), or late-heading (LH) stages of maturity on nutrient intake, ruminal fermentation characteristics, omasal nutrient flow, and N utilization in beef cattle. Six ruminally cannulated beef heifers (mean initial BW ± SD, 476 ± 32.6) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods (18 d for adaptation and 10 d for measurements). Dry matter intake was measured daily. Indwelling pH loggers were used to measure ruminal pH from days 21 to 28. Ruminal fluid and omasal digesta were collected from days 26 to 28 to determine fermentation characteristics and omasal nutrient flow. Fecal and urine samples to quantify N excretion were also collected (days 26 to 28). Blood samples for plasma urea-N (PUN) determination were collected 3 h post-feeding on day 28. There were no changes (P > 0.28) in the ADF or NDF content of teff with advancing maturity, but indigestible NDF increased (P < 0.01) with increasing maturity. Maturity had no effect (P ≥ 0.14) on DMI, and ruminal total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration, pH, digestibility, and outflow of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and CP. However, the CP content of BT hay was greater (P < 0.01) than for EH and LH hay (18.1, 14.1, and 11.5%, respectively, DM basis), and this resulted in the higher CP intake (P < 0.01) for heifers fed the BT than the EH and LH hay. Consequently, ruminal ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentration was greater (P < 0.01) for heifers fed BT than EH and LH hay, thereby possibly explaining the tendency for a decrease (P = 0.08) in PUN concentration, and a decrease (P < 0.01) in the excretion of total N, urine N, and urea-N (UUN) with advancing maturity. However, fecal N excretion (g/d) did not differ (P = 0.76). In conclusion, despite a decrease in CP intake and ruminal NH3-N concentration, feeding beef heifers EH and LH compared to BT teff hay did not compromise ruminal digestion and outflow of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and CP, and microbial protein synthesis. Advancing maturity in teff hay also resulted in a decrease in the excretion of total N and urine N and UUN when fed to cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Vinyard
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - John B Hall
- Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center, University of Idaho, Carmen, ID
| | - James E Sprinkle
- Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center, University of Idaho, Carmen, ID
| | - Gwinyai E Chibisa
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
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Añez-Osuna F, Penner GB, Jefferson PG, Lardner HA, McKinnon JJ. Effects of alternate day supplementation at two levels of energy on intake, rumen fermentation, and digestibility of beef heifers fed cool-season perennial grass hay. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:407-419. [PMID: 28177359 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.1063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing energy daily vs. on alternate days at levels that were 1.5 and 2 times the daily amount on DMI, rumen fermentation parameters, and apparent total tract digestibility of beef heifers fed grass hay. Four cannulated Hereford heifers (339 ± 11 kg) were randomly assigned over 4 periods to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Heifers were fed a cool-season perennial grass (CSPG) hay (10% CP and 42% ADF) and supplemented with a pelleted feed formulated to provide 3.2 Mcal/kg of DE. Treatments consisted of a nonsupplemented control (CON) and 3 supplemented treatments where the supplement was offered daily at 0.6% BW (DLY) or on alternate days at 0.9% BW (LA) and 1.2% BW (HA). Heifers fed DLY had lower ( ≤ 0.04) CSPG hay DMI (7.1 vs. 8.1 kg/d) and mean ruminal pH (6.65 vs. 6.75) and greater ( < 0.01) total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA; 77.1 vs. 69.2 m) and NH-N (4.6 vs. 3.4 mg/dL) concentrations in ruminal fluid than CON heifers. The concentration of ruminal NH-N for LA (5.8 mg/dL) was greater ( < 0.01) than for DLY. Total tract DM digestibility was greater for DLY (52.5%; ≤ 0.03) than for CON (44.2%) and LA (49.7%), whereas no effects were found ( ≥ 0.11) for DLY vs. HA. When data was analyzed for days when LA and HA were supplemented, hay DMI was greater ( < 0.05) for DLY (7.3 kg/d) vs. HA (6.0 kg/d) but not different ( = 0.16) vs. LA (6.4 kg/d), mean ruminal pH of DLY (6.64) was greater vs. HA (6.59; = 0.04) and tended to be greater vs. LA (6.60; < 0.09), and total SCFA concentration of DLY (77.9 m) was lower ( < 0.01) vs. HA (88.2 m) and tended ( = 0.08) to be lower vs. LA (84.0 m). On days when LA and HA were not supplemented, hay DMI was not different ( ≥ 0.48) for DLY vs. LA and HA, mean ruminal pH was greater ( ≤ 0.03) for LA (6.79) and HA (6.85) compared with DLY (6.67), and total SCFA concentration of DLY (76.2 m) was not different ( = 0.15) vs. LA (67.5 m) but greater ( = 0.03) vs. HA (62.0 m). These results show that reducing the amount of supplement fed on alternate supplementation programs from 2 to 1.5 times the amount of daily programs can minimize the negative effects on rumen fermentation and forage DMI.
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