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 mango seeds as an untraditional source of energy on the productive performance of dairy Damascus goats

Eighteen dairy Damascus goats weighing 38-45 kg live body weight and aged 3-4 years were divided into three groups according to their body weight, with six goats in each group. Yellow corn grain in their concentrate feed mixture was replaced with mango seeds (MS) at levels of 0% MS in group 1 (G1, control), 20% MS in group 2 (G2), and 40% MS in group 3 (G3). The digestibility coefficients of the organic matter, dry matter, crude fiber, crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, and total digestible nutrients increased (P < 0.05) upon feeding MS to G2 and G3. The amounts of dry matter, total digestible nutrients, and digestible crude protein required per 1 kg 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) were lower (P < 0.05) in G2 and G3 vs. G1. Actual milk and 3.5% FCM yield increased (P < 0.05) with the increasing MS dietary level. G2 and G3 had the highest significant (P < 0.05) total solids, total protein, non-protein nitrogen, casein, ash, fat, solids not fat, lactose, and calcium contents compared with G1. Replacing yellow corn grain with MS in G2 and G3 significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the cholesterol concentration and AST activity. Feeding MS increased the concentrations of caprioc, caprylic, capric, stearic, oleic, elaidic, and linoleic acids and decreased the concentrations of butyric, laueic, tridecanoic, myristic, myristoleic, pentadecanoic, heptadecanoic, cis-10-Heptadecanoic, cis-11-eicosenoic, linolenic, arachidonic, and lignoseric acids in the milk fat. The results show that the replacement of corn grain with MS improved the digestibility, milk yield, feed conversion, and economic efficiency, with no adverse effects on the performance of Damascus goats.

Inclusion of Azolla pinnata as an unconventional feed of Zaraibi dairy goats, and effects on milk production and offspring performance

Introduction

This study investigated the effects of using sun-dried Azolla (Azolla pinnata) meal (SDAM) protein to replace sunflower meal protein in the diets of Zaraibi goats dams on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, composition, and economics.

Method

A total of 15 Zaraibi goats (32.23 ± 0.2 kg) were randomly divided into three equal groups, R1, R2, and R3 which were fed based on average milk production. The basal ration was a concentrated feed mixture containing 0, 10, and 20% SDAM which replaced 0, 25, and 50% of sunflower meal protein in the respective groups.

Results

Nutrient digestibility and feeding values were improved with R3 goats, which had the highest level of azolla (20%) R3 versus R2 and R1 goats. The total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration in the in-rumen liquor was elevated by increasing the level of azolla up to 20% in R3 goats. The results revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) mean milk yield in the SDAM groups in comparison to R1 (1184, 1131 and 1034 respectively). The beneficial effects of the tested groups were observed in milk composition, milk fat, milk protein, and non- fats solids. Whereas the milk fat yield was higher in the SDAM group in comparison with the control group (40.84, 37.20, and 33.92). Ration inclusion of SDAM improved economic feed efficiency (relative feed cost and relative daily profit) and had a significant effect on the yield of milk constituents. In general, using up to a level of 20% SDAM in place of sunflower meal for feeding lactating Zaraibi goats improved milk production, milk fat yield, and cost-benefit ratio.

Discussion

This study recommended that, inclusion of sun-dried azolla meal up to 20%, as an unconventional feed for Zaraibi dairy goats and offspring, improved milk production and economically feed efficiency.

Dietary inclusion of restaurant food waste effects on nutrient digestibility, milk yield and its composition, blood metabolites of lactating Zaraibi goats, and their offspring performance

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rations containing restaurant food waste (RFW) on nutrient digestibility, milk yield and its composition, and some blood parameters of lactating Zaraibi goats. In the last month of pregnancy, 30 goats (32.8 + 0.91 kg body weight and aged 3-4 years) were chosen and divided into three similar groups (10 goats per group). Each group was randomly assigned to be fed one of the experimental rations. The control group (R1) fed on a ration comprising concentrate feed mixture (CFM1) and berseem as a fresh roughage whereas the second (R2) and the third groups (R3) fed on CFM partially substituted by 15 and 30% of RFW (CFM2 and CFM3, respectively). Nutrient digestibility and feeding values were improved with R3 goats, which had the highest level of RFW (30%) versus R2 and R1 goats. The total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration in the in-rumen liquor was elevated by increasing the level of RFW up to 30% in CFM3 of R3 goats. Actual daily milk yields were significantly (P < 0.05) higher (1269.30 g/h/d) for R3 goats versus R1 and R2 (1037.57 and 1180.70 g/h/d, respectively). The inclusion of RFW in rations had a significant effect on the yield of milk constituents, without significant different among experimental rations regarding some blood constituents and offspring performance. Economic feed efficiency (relative feed cost and relative daily profit) was improved by including RFW in the CFM. Therefore, it can be concluded that the inclusion of up to 30% RFW improved productive performance and economic efficiency in lactating Zaraibi goat rations.