Influence of Ruminally Protected Fat and Urea Treated Corncobs Ensiled with or without Corn Steep Liquor on Nutrient Intake, Digestibility, Milk Yield and Its Composition in Nili-Ravi Buffaloes

Effect of acetic acid addition to rice straw pre-treated with urea on performance of dairy ewes

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of acetic acid addition to rice straws that had been already treated with urea on chemical composition, digestibility, nutritive value, and productive performance of ewes. Thirty ewes with an initial body weight of 44 ± 0.41 kg were chosen 7 days after parturition and divided into 3 groups (10 of each) for 3 months. Each group was assigned randomly to receive one of the three experimental rations composed of concentrate feed mixture and untreated rice straw as a control group (G1), urea-treated rice straw (G2), and urea-acetic acid-treated rice straw (G3). Digestibility coefficients and nutritive value were determined using fifteen mature rams and blood samples were obtained at the end of the collecting period. Findings indicated that the crude protein of rice straw was increased, and crude fiber content was decreased by either urea or urea-acetic acid rations (i.e., G2 and G3). Digestibility of most nutrients was increased (P < 0.05) for animals fed either G2 or G3 rations. There were no significant differences in nutritive value as total digestible nutrients (TDN) among tested groups; however, digestible crude protein (DCP) increased (P < 0.05) for G2 and G3 rations. Plasma total protein, AST, creatinine, and urea were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding on G2 or G3 ration; however, plasma ALT was not affected. The average daily intake of dry matter (DM), TDN, and DCP was higher for G2 and G3 rations. Actual milk yield, fat-corrected milk (FCM), percentages of fat, and total solids and constituents yield were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding on treated rice straw rations (i.e., G2 and G3); however, the percentages of protein, lactose, solids not fat, and ash were not affected. In the 1st month after parturition, the changes in ewes body weight were less (P < 0.05) when they fed on G2 and G3 rations than the control one (G1)). Dams' production and offspring performance were improved (P < 0.05) by feeding on G2 and G3 rations. Feed conversion as kg DMI/kg FCM, kg TDN/kg FCM, and economic efficiency was improved for G2 and G3. In concluded, adding acetic acid to urea-treated rice straw may improve the performance of ewes fed on it and increase their milk production and profitability. The same trend was observed with (G2) which received urea-treated rice straw ration.

Effect of diet synchrony on rumen fermentation, production performance, immunity status and endocrine in Chinese Holstein cows

In order to maximise utilisation of nutrients for ruminants, researchers directed the supply of nitrogen and organic matter synchronously to the rumen. In the current research, two experiments were conducted, one using the in situ nylon bag technique and the other using in vivo study. In Experiment 1, dynamic degradation rates of organic matter (OM) and nitrogen of each feedstuff were determined using the in situ nylon bag technique. Accordingly, three diets were formulated with the same chemical components, but differing in synchrony index (0.74, 0.85 and 0.97). Experiment 2 was subsequently carried out in vivo to evaluate the influence of diet synchrony on rumen fermentation, productive performance, immunity status and endocrine in Chinese Holstein cows. Rumen degradability of OM and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and total tract digestibility of OM were linearly increased with the increase of synchrony index, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). Total volatile fatty acids concentration of rumen fluid was increased linearly with the increase of synchrony index (P &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration and blood urea nitrogen concentration were decreased in cows with the increase of synchrony index, (P &lt; 0.05). Microbial crude protein production, the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, and milk protein percentage, were linearly increased with the increase of synchrony index (P &lt; 0.05). Serum concentrations of prostaglandin E2 and immunoreactive fibronectin-γ were linearly decreased with the increase of diet synchrony index (P &lt; 0.05). The aforementioned results implicate that an increase of diet synchrony index could improve diet’s nitrogen utilisation, apparent digestibility of OM, and NDF. Additionally, it could promote rumen fermentation capacity, productive performance and immunity status in dairy cows.

Effect of supplemental Bacillus cultures on rumen fermentation and milk yield in Chinese Holstein cows

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of supplemental 100 g/day of live Bacillus cultures (2 x 10(11) cell of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on rumen fermentation as well as milk yield and composition in Chinese Holstein cows. In experiment 1, investigating 3 x 10 cows, milk yield and milk protein were increased by using B. licheniformis (p < 0.05) in comparison with an unsupplemented group and the B. subtilis group. Body weight was not significantly affected by Bacillus culture supplementation (p > 0.05). Percentage of milk fat and lactose was not significantly different between treatments (p > 0.05). But milk protein increased with B. licheniformis supplementation (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, carried out with three non-lactating ruminally and duodenally fistulated cows, results showed that B. licheniformis supplementation increased microbial crude protein flow into duodenum (p < 0.05) and decreased the ammonia nitrogen concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis supplementation increased total VFA and acetate concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus subtilis had no significant effect on rumen fermentation characteristics, duodenal microbial N flow and ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis increased ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and organic matter (p < 0.05).