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Application Of Nirs In Nutrient Composition Evaluation Of Lathyrus Sativus, Yanpei Wu, Yanrong Wang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) Analysis has applied to measure nutrient composition successfully in many forage species (Jerry et al. 2003). Lathyrus sativus, an annual legume, is the only edible legume among Lathyrus with crude protein up to 30% (Jackson and Yunus 1984). It has high drought tolerance, and can grow well in barren soil. Thus, this species has a great potential as a crude protein source for livestock in arid and semi-arid area. To introduce this species into a grassland system in Northwest of China, developing a rapid method to deter-mine nutrient composition of various accessions is …

Fibre Quality In Timothy, Festulolium And Tall Fescue Around First Cut, Magnus A. Halling

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fibre quality and available energy expressed as iNDF (indigestible neutral detergent fibre) decrease with maturity stage in timothy (Nordheim-Viken and Volden 2009). It is widely accepted that fibre quality also decreases with plant age in other forage grasses. However, climate factors such as temperature and water availability can interact with maturity stage in determining iNDF (Nordheim-Viken and Volden 2009). In the Norfor system, iNDF is an important measure of available energy in forage evaluation for ruminants (Åkerlind et al. 2011). This study examined how fibre quality in different forage grasses was affected by maturity stage and climate.

Pastures In Production Management In Madagascar, Isabelle H. Hantanirina, Jean De N. Rakotozandriny

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Madagascar, natural pasture is found across extensive areas of the landscape and has inherently low productivity. There is limited management of these areas and limited management inputs, such as fertiliser or introduced sown pastures (Morat 1973). Natural pasture has a prominent place in animal production, however, consumer demand for milk, meat and other products mean that greater animal productivity is required than that achieved on natural pastures. This is the case for dairy farming in the highlands of Madagascar. The use of exotic pastures has become necessary for better production.

The aim of this study was to evaluate feed …

Use Of N-Alkane Technique To Estimate Sheep Dry Matter Intake, Glaucia A. Amaral, Teresa C. M. Genro, Armindo B. Neto, Jean V. Savian, Diego B. De David, Eduardo B. Azevedo, Felipe Jochims, Paulo C. De F. Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Given the complexity of evaluating intake on grazing, some compounds have been studied to promote qualitative and quantitative estimates of animal physiology. In this sense, the technique using n-alkanes as a marker has been used in several animal species, especially in grazing ruminants (Dove and Mayes 1996). By definition, validation under grazing or browsing conditions is not possible, because actual intakes are unknown (Dove and Mayes 2005). Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the methodology of n-alkanes to estimate herbage intake by sheep in metabolic cages.

Daily Faecal Excretion Of Alkane C32 In Beef Cattle Females Grazing Natural Grasslands In Southern Brazil And In Uruguay, Teresa C. M. Genro, Carolina Bremm, Júlio K. Da Trindade, Alexandre C. Varella, Pablo Soca

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The n-alkane technique is accepted as an appropriate method to estimate herbage intake by grazing ruminants. This method reinforces issues similar to those raised by other methods based on markers such as the effect of carrier matrix or dosing method and frequency on the excretion kinetics of the dosed n-alkanes (Dove et al. 2002; Molina et al. 2004, Oliván et al. 2007). The time of dosage needed to reach the dynamical equilibrium between the concentrations of alkanes in the diet and in the faeces of ruminants is still unclear for the natural grassland environments. The aim of this study was …

Use Of N-Alkanes To Estimate The Intake Of Beef Heifers On Natural Grassland In Southern Brazil, Teresa C. M. Genro, Júlio K. Da Trindade, Paulo C. De F. Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The technique of alkanes to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) by wild and domestic herbivores has advanced considerably in the last 20 years (Dove and Mayes, 2006). Alkanes are long chain, saturated hydrocarbons present in the plant cuticle. They are relatively indigestible in the gastrointestinal tract and can be recuperated in the faeces. Compared to other markers normally used (e.g. chromium oxide, ytterbium), it is possible to determine simultaneously the external and internal marker in a unique analysis and to estimate digestibility, faecal excretion, DMI and diet composition (Dove and Mayes 1991). This is a great advantage of …

A Comparison Of Fermentation Kinetics In The Rumen Of Grazing Sheep On A Dwarf Bamboo Pasture And A Grass Pasture, Masato Yayota, Noriya Tanaka, Kazuya Doi, Shigeru Ohtani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Native grasses grown as forest understory are important forage resources for grazing ruminants and in agroforestry. Dwarf bamboo is one such typical grass and has traditionally been used in Japan. The name “dwarf bamboo” refers to a group of native grasses from certain genera (e.g., Sasa spp. and Pleioblastus spp.). These grasses are generally rhizomatous, perennial, and semi-woody (Usui, 1961). The results of an earlier study suggested that the in sacco ruminal degradation of the dwarf bamboo was inferior to that of a common tropical grass (Yayota et al. 2009), and cattle grazing on a forest …

Morning And Afternoon Sampling And Herbage Chemical Composition Of Rotationally Stocked Elephant Grass Cv. Napier, Laiz P. De Oliveira, Adenilson J. Paiva, Lilian E. T. Peireira, Eliana V. Geremia, Sila C. Da Silva

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nutrient intake by grazing animals depends on the amount of dry matter consumed and its chemical composition. Forage grasses, as with any other plants, produce assimilates during the day via photosynthesis to sustain live tissues, plant growth and organic reserves (Taiz and Zeiger 2013). In that context, herbage chemical composition may vary according to variations in the photosynthesis-respiration balance throughout the day. From dawn to dusk the balance increases and herbage dry matter content as well as concentration of soluble carbohydrates increase, the reverse happening from dusk to dawn. That could interfere with nutritive value and nutrient intake of grazing …

Forage Quality Characteristics Of Lotus Tenuis, Narrow-Leaf Birdsfoot Trefoil, Adam D. Langworthy, Peter A. Lane, David Parsons, Eric Hall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Narrow-leaf birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus tenuis Waldst. & Kit.) is a herbaceous perennial legume of Mediterranean origin, which can grow in saline and waterlogged environments (Teakle et al. 2010). If this species is to be cultivated in regions constrained by these abiotic factors, it is also vital that herbage produced has a forage quality acceptable for ruminant production. In addition, proanthocyanidin (PA) content is important, and legume species can cause animal production issues if PA content is low, (< 0.02%), e.g. fro-thy bloat, or high (> 5 %), e.g. decreased palatability and digestibility (Larkin et al. 1999). This study examined the PA content and …

Quality And Vitamins In Forage Herb And Legume Species, Anjo Elgersma, Karen Søegaard, Søren Krogh Jensen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grasslands provide an important part of the feed used by domestic and wild ruminants. Fresh herbage is an important natural source of vitamins in ruminant diets. Concentrations of vitamins in plants depend on factors such as regrowth stage, temperature and day length, N fertilisation and leaf proportion in the harvested herbage. Most studies on vitamin concentrations in forages have been carried out with agronomical important grass species such as perennial ryegrass and legume species such as white clover, but hardly with other grassland forage species. As data of dicotyledonous species grown in a sward are scarce, yield, quality and vitamin …

Forage Nutritive Value Changes In A Stratified Canopy Of A Mixed Cool-Season Grass Sward Affected By Season, Renata L. Nave, Reuben M. Sulc, David J. Barker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The seasonal pattern of herbage growth rate is an important determinant on forage system productivity. Pasture stocking rates and supplemental feed requirements are influenced by the dynamic balance between forage growth and the amount of herbage available. There is limited in-formation regarding vertical distribution patterns (layers within the sward) in nutritive value in cool-season grasses, especially for vegetative herbage (Burner and Belesky 2004). More complete information could support decisions regarding cutting schedules, residual mass and heights to meet nutritional value targets, and timing of pasture allocation. The objective of this study was to characterize the vertical distribution of nutritive value …

Effect Of Defoliation Management On Expression Of The ‘High Sugar’ Cultivar Trait In Tasmania, Lydia R. Turner, Daniel J. Donaghy, Keith G. Pembleton, Richard P. Rawnsley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The proposed benefits of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars with a high concentration of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) for the dairy industry in Australia include enhanced rumen protein metabolism, and potential improvements in milk components (Stewart et al. 2009). Perennial ryegrass cultivars have been developed to express higher levels of WSC, and extensive trials have shown consistent trait expression in Europe (reviewed by Edwards et al. 2007a). In New Zealand and Australia, there has been less consistent expression of the high sugar trait (Smith et al. 1998; Parsons et al. 2004; Francis et al …

Evaluation Of Acid Detergent Fibre, Sulphuric Acid Lignin And N-Alkanes As Markers For Estimating Ruminal Digestibility In Cattle, Gilberto V. Kozloski, Francisco R. Mesquita, Tiago P. Alves, Cristiano M. Stefanello, Lisandre De Oliveira, Teresa C. M. Genro

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Most of the published studies on estimating organic matter (OM) rumen digestibility (OMRD) use research animals fitted with simple t-type cannulas and an external or inter-nal marker for estimating the duodenal digesta flow. Although there is not an ideal or standard marker, com-pared to external markers, internal markers have the advantage of occurring naturally in the diet and, conse-quently, they flow intimately associated with digesta (Titgemeyer 1997). In digestibility studies where total faec-es output is measured, duodenal digesta flow may be estimated based on both faeces output and the ratio of a marker concentration in faeces and in duodenal digesta. …

Evaluation Of Internal Markers For Estimating Duodenal Digesta Flow In Ruminants: Acid Detergent Fibre And Lignin Disappearance At The Lower Gastrointestinal Tract, Gilberto V. Kozloski, Francisco R. Mesquita, Tiago P. Alves, Thais R. Longo, Mariana P. Mezzomo, Filipe Zanferari

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Most of published studies carried out for estimating organic matter (OM) rumen digestibility (OMRD) use research an-imals fitted with simple t-type cannulas and an external or internal marker for estimating the duodenal digesta flow. Compared to external, the internal markers have the advan-tage of occurring naturally in diet and, consequently, they flow intimately associated with digesta (Titgemeyer 1997). Porter and Singleton (1971a) reported from a study with sheep fitted with re-entrant duodenal cannula that lignin degradation takes place entirely in the stomach. Thus, in digestibility studies where total faeces output is measured, duodenal digesta flow may be estimated based on …

Improving Forage Nonstructural Carbohydrates Through Management And Breeding, Gilles Bélanger, Gaëtan F. Tremblay, Annick Bertrand, Yves Castonguay, Robert Berthiaume, Réal Michaud, Sophie Pelletier, Chantale Morin, Carole Lafrenière, Guy Allard

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) are an important source of readily fermentable energy available to rumen microbes. Limited concentrations of readily available energy in forages combined with fast and intensive protein degradation contribute to poor N use efficiency by dairy cows and other ruminants. Increasing NSC in forages has been shown to improve intake, milk yield, and N use efficiency (Brito et al. 2009). We assessed several strategies to increase forage NSC accumulation, including PM-cutting, species selection and genetic improvement.

Mineral Content In Some Species Of Leguminosae In Bandar Torkaman Plain Rangelands, Iran, Mohammadreza Tatian, Maedeh Yousefian, Reza Tamartash, Fatemeh Montazeri, Mehdi Jafari, Morteza Shaabani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Improving the forage quality and balance of their minerals in rangeland ecosystems is important for rangeland managers to improve livestock productivity (Mohamed et al. 2003; Epstein and Bloom 2005). This research investigated the amount of several minerals; Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Magnesium (Mg), in some important species of Leguminosae including Medicago sativa, Trifolium repens, Trifolium pratense and Lathyrus pratensis, that are grazed by livestock in the Bandar Torkaman plain rangelands in north of Iran.

Copper Status Of Free Ranging Cattle: What’S Hidden Behind? A Pilot Study At The Gilgel Gibe Catchment, Ethiopia, Veronique Dermauw, Thomas Van Hecke, Kechero Yisehak, Gijs Du Laing, Eric Van Ranst, Luc Duchateau, Geert P. J. Janssens

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Copper (Cu) deficiency is known to be a major risk for cattle health and production. The widespread problem is due to low absorption rates in the rumen, low Cu concentrations in the natural diet and the presence of dietary Cu antagonists, such as S, Mo and Fe (Suttle 2010). Cattle in the tropics are even more prone to shortage of this mineral, given that the animals are often extensively kept and largely dependent on natural pasture for mineral supply (McDowell and Arthington, 2005). More specifically, in Ethiopia, Cu deficiency was previously described in zebu (Bos indicus) cattle by …

Dry Matter, Protein And Fibre Digestibility By West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Varying Levels Of Vernonia Amygdalina Meal In Cassava Starch Residue-Based Diets, O. B. Omotoso, Adebowale N. Fajemisin, J. A. Alokan, Y. A. Shuiabu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

It is imperative to find alternative source(s) of feed for livestock in lieu of the limited availability of conventional concentrates and the competition for this resource by man. One plant with great potential for the livestock is bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina). It is wide spread with about 200 species, is edible, drought tolerant, nutritious and has been found to have medicinal qualities (John 1994). V. amygdalina has an astringent taste which affects its intake. Bitter leaf meal contains 20-34% crude protein (CP) and can be used as protein supplement (Aregheore et al. 1998). With the recent introduction …

Improving The Feeding Value Of Dryland Lucerne In Australia, Hayley C. Norman, Steve J. Hughes, Elizabeth L. Hulm, Alan W. Humphries, K. Oldach, Dean K. Revell, Zoey Durmic, J. Vadhanabhuti, Philip E. Vercoe

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is the most widely grown perennial legume species in southern Australia. Within Australian farming systems it plays an important role in the provision of high-quality feed for livestock, nitrogen fixation and dewatering soils to reduce watertable recharge and dryland salinity (Cocks 2001). The majority of lucerne varieties have been developed for the areas with high rainfall or supplementary irrigation. The new challenge is to develop lucerne cultivars specifically for dryland mixed farming systems in temperate and mediterranean climate zones (Humphries and Auricht, 2001). Persistence in these environments and feeding value to sheep are critical selection …

Influence Of Cutting Height On Seasonal Composition Of Moringa Oleifera In The Rainforest Zone Of Nigeria, A. A. Fadiyimu, J. A. Alokan, Adebowale N. Fajemisin, R. D. Aladesanwa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Moringa oleifera, a native of sub-Himalayan regions of northwestern India, is now indigenous to many countries in Africa. Matured leaves and young branches of Moringa are potentially useful livestock fodder, for ruminants (Akinbamijo et al. 2004) and non-ruminants (Ly et al. 2001). However, in Nigeria it has been grossly underexploited as it is restricted to the arid northern zone where it is used mainly as live fence and as vegetable salad. The study was initiated because not enough information on the nutritive value of Moringa foliage and its change with season, harvesting or grazing had been accumulated …

Effect Of Enclosure And Open Grazing On Diet Selection, Relative Preference Index And Voluntary Intake By Sheep At El-Khuwei Locality North Kordofan State Sudan, Mohammed Abdelkreim, Babo Fadlalla

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The nutritive value of a pasture depends mainly on its in-take and the selection animals exert in consuming the different species or the various parts of a determined plant (Mayes and Dove 2000). Animal production in North Kordofan State is mainly traditional depending on natural rangeland (Cook and Fadlalla 1987; DHP 1998). The State is rich in animal and range resources. It contains more than 13 million head of sheep, goats, camels and cattle (IFAD 2011).

The study aims to provide information that contributes to a better understanding of the plant-animal inter-actions through knowledge of diet botanical composition, forage biomass …

Nutrition Diet Of Grazing Sheep And Forage Supply On Natural Grassland, Guomei Yin, Yingjun Zhang, Yongzhi Liu, Zhijun Wei, Heping Zhao

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forages are a major asset of any livestock operation and the foundation of most rations in a forage-based livestock system. The available nutrients in a forage influence individual animal production (e.g. gain per animal), while the amount of forage produced affects production per hectare. The relationship between voluntary food intake and animal productivity is well recognized. Many studies related to the regulation of food consumption by sheep and cattle have been reported (Provenza 1996). Willoughby (1958) dis-cussed a number of factors which might influence the herbage intake of grazing animals. By contrast, less attention has been given to …

Potential Of Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (Nirs) To Predict Nutrient Composition Of Bromus Tomentellus, Hossein Arzani, Anvar Sour, Javad Motamedi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to analyse the nitrogen (N), acid detergent fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility (DMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and seeding) of Bromus tomentellus samples in grazing pastures of Iran. The sample set consisted of 40 samples for calibration and 23 samples for validation was used to predict N, ADF, DMD and ME, separately. The samples were measured by reflectance NIR in a 950-1650 nm range. Calibration models between chemical data and NIR spectra were produced using the method of partial least squares (PLS). The coefficients of determination (R2) …

Trace Element Imbalance In Vegetation As A Threat To Free Ranging Cattle In The Gilgel Gibe Valley, Ethiopia, Thomas Van Hecke, Veronique Dermauw, Kechero Yisehak, Gijs Du Laing, Luc Duchateau, Geert P. J. Janssens

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As in many tropical countries, natural pastures are the main source of nutrients for cattle in Ethiopia. However, there is limited information available with regard to trace element concentrations in Ethiopian forages. In this study, 58 plants were sampled in the Gilgel Gibe valley based on the observed ingestion by zebu cattle (Bos indicus) herds, grazing at different elevation and soil types, and analysed for copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), sulfur (S), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). The effect of elevation, soil type and plant type on the above trace element concentrations was …

Variations An Α-Tocopherol And Β-Carotene Concentrations In Forage Legumes And Grasses Harvested At Different Sites And Maturity Stages, Elisabet Nadeau, Hanna Lindqvist, Søren Krogh Jensen, Nilla Nilsdotter-Linde, Anne-Maj Gustavsson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage is a major source of natural α-tocopherol and β-carotene for dairy cows. This study examined vitamin concentrations of birdsfoot trefoil (Bft), red clover (Rc), timothy (Ti) and meadow fescue (Mf) at different sites, years and cutting dates. Mixtures of Bft+Ti, Rc+Ti and Rc+Mf were established at Skara (58°21’N; 13°08’E) and Umeå (63°45’N; 20°17’E) in Sweden. First-year leys were cut on three occasions in spring (Umeå 2005, Skara 2005 and 2007); one week before heading of timothy, at heading and one week after heading. Birdsfoot trefoil had higher α-tocopherol concentration at Skara than at Umeå in the first two cuts …

Comparing Drying Protocols For Perennial Ryegrass Samples In Preparation For Chemical Analysis, Marion Beecher, Deirdre Hennessy, Tommy M. Boland, Michael O’Donovan, Eva Lewis

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Diet formulation for animals requires accurate estimation of feed nutritive value. In order to determine the nutritive value of grass, the moisture in the samples must be removed, with minimum damage to cell structure, and then the dried samples milled, prior to chemical analysis. Generally samples are oven dried. The aim of this study was to verify if differing drying protocols gave diverging results when drying grass samples. The drying protocols investigated were 40°C for 48 hours, 60°C for 48 hours and 95°C for 15 hours in forced convection ovens. Four perennial ryegrass samples were cut to 4 cm from …

Remote Sensing Of Pasture Quality, Reddy R. Pullanagari, Robyn A. Dynes, Warren M. King, Ian Yule, Susanne Thulin, Nichola M. Knox, Abel Ramoelo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Worldwide, farming systems are undergoing significant changes due to economic, environmental and social drivers. Agribusinesses must increasingly deliver products specified in terms of safety, health and quality. Increasing constraints are being placed on them by the market, the community and by government to achieve a financial benefit within social and environmental limits (Dynes et al. 2003).

In order to meet these goals, producers must know the quantity and quality of the inputs into their feeding systems, be able to reliably predict the products and by-products being generated, and have the skills to be able to manage their business accordingly. …

Infrastructure To Improve Beef Business Outcomes In The Queensland Gulf, Kiri C. Broad, Bernie H. English, Rebecca A. Gunther, Emma S. Hegarty, Joe W. Rolfe, Steven G. Bray

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There are significant economic and environmental issues impacting on the short and long term viability of family-run breeding enterprises in the Queensland Gulf. Falling cattle prices and increased business costs threaten the social and financial well-being of many beef producers. Set stocking and overgrazing combine to reduce native 3P (productive, palatable and perennial) grass frequency and herd productivity. The Ryan family on Greenhills Station at George-town in the Queensland Gulf embarked on a 5 year water and fencing infrastructure development program aiming to improve pasture utilisation, land condition and long term carrying capacity.

Does Targeted Short-Term Grazing Of Lucerne Increase Twinning Rates In Unsynchronised Merino Ewes?, Jessica M. Rummery, Susan M. Robertson, Belinda J. King, Michael A. Friend

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Reproduction is one of the key profit drivers in the sheep industry and increased reproductive output is needed to address the decline in sheep numbers in Australia to maintain supply to export markets (Curtis 2009). Increased nutrition around mating, or ‘flushing’, is a well-known means of increasing twinning rates. Studies using synchronisation methods have shown that short-term (acute) supplementation can increase prolificacy if targeted at days 9-14 of the oestrous cycle (Stewart and Oldham 1986). However, synchronisation involves increased chemical and labour costs, so may not suit extensive production systems. This study aimed to test whether an increase in twinning …

Endangered Whale Species In A Pristine Environment: Pollutant Concentrations Indicative Of A Problem?, Briana R. Coulter

Scientific Communication News

No abstract provided.