Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Quantifying Tree Hydration Using Electromagnetic Sensors, Lance V. Stott, Brent Black, Bruce Bugbee

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

An automated method of determining tree water status would enable tree fruit growers, foresters and arborists to reduce water consumption, reduce orchard maintenance costs and improve fruit quality. Automated measurements could also be used to irrigate based on need rather than on fixed schedules. Numerous automated approaches have been studied; all are difficult to implement. Electromagnetic sensors that measure volumetric water content can be inserted in tree trunks to determine relative changes in tree water status. We performed automated measurements of dielectric permittivity using four commercially available electromagnetic sensors in fruit tree trunks over the 2016 growing season. These sensors …

Soybean Nodule-Associated Non-Rhizobial Bacteria Inhibit Plant Pathogens And Induce Growth Promotion In Tomato, Serkan Tokgöz, Dilip K. Lakshman, Mahmoud H. Ghozlan, Hasan Pinar, Daniel P. Roberts, Amitava Mitra

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The root nodules are a unique environment formed on legume roots through a highly specific symbiotic relationship between leguminous plants and nodule-inducing bacteria. Previously, Rhizobia were presumed to be the only group of bacteria residing within nodules. However, recent studies discovered diverse groups of bacteria within the legume nodules. In this report soybean nodule-associated bacteria were studied in an effort to identify beneficial bacteria for plant disease control and growth promotion. Analysis of surface-sterilized single nodules showed bacterial diversity of the nodule microbiome. Five hundred non-rhizobial colonies from 10 nodules, 50 colonies per nodule, were tested individually against the tomato …

Volume 4, Chapter 2-2: Stream Physical Factors Affecting Bryophyte Physiology And Growth, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Subchapters

No abstract provided.

Volume 4, Chapter 2-6: Streams: Physiological Adaptations - Water, Light, And Temperature, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Subchapters

No abstract provided.

Volume 4, Chapter 2-7: Streams: Physiological Adaptations - Nutrients, Photosynthesis, And Others, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Subchapters

No abstract provided.

Planting Date, Cultivar, Seed Treatment, And Seeding Rate Effects On Soybean Growth And Yield, Thandiwe Nleya, Matthew Schutte, David Clay, Graig Reicks, Nathan Mueller

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield is a function of many factors including genetic attributes of the cultivar, environmental conditions, and management practices. Temporally variable weather patterns in North America, especially in the northern Great Plains, have resulted in the re-examination of how spring production practices interact with the environmental conditions to influence yield. This study evaluated the impact of four plantings dates, four seeding rates, and two soybean maturity groups (MGs) using treated and untreated (control) seed on soybean growth, seed yield, and composition. The study was conducted at Volga, SD, in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The planting …

Metabolic Profiles Of Six African Cultivars Of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Highlight Bottlenecks Of Root Yield, Toshihiro Obata, Patrick A.W. Klemens, Laise Rosado-Souza, Armin Schlereth, Andreas Gisel, Livia Stavolone, Wolfgang Zierer, Nicolas Morales, Lukas A. Mueller, Samuel C. Zeeman, Frank Ludewig, Mark State, Uwe Sonnewald, H. Ekkehard Neuhaus, Alisdair R. Femie

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty Publications

Cassava is an important staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa, due to its high productivity even on nutrient poor soils. The metabolic characteristics underlying this high productivity are poorly understood including the mode of photosynthesis, reasons for the high rate of photosynthesis, the extent of source/sink limitation, the impact of environment, and the extent of variation between cultivars. Six commercial African cassava cultivars were grown in a greenhouse in Erlangen, Germany, and in the field in Ibadan, Nigeria. Source leaves, sink leaves, stems and storage roots were harvested during storage root bulking and analyzed for sugars, organic acids, amino acids, phosphorylated …

Biology 4920g: Companion Planting In The Community, Jacquline A. Nathaniel

Community Engaged Learning Final Projects

LIFE*SPIN is a local organization in London, Ontario that provides resources to individuals and families dependent on low income to ultimately break the poverty cycle by encouraging sustainable living and self-sufficiency. For this Seminar in Biology course, Maria Bata and I partnered with LIFE*SPIN to plan and execute a "Seeding Planting Party" to teach children about basic botany, nutrition, and leadership. The following final paper for this seminar discusses the project deliverables and efforts, biological research concerning companion planting, and personal reflection on this experience.

Planting Date, Cultivar, Seed Treatment, And Seeding Rate Effects On Soybean Growth And Yield, Thandiwe Nleya, Matthew Schutte, David Clay, Graig Reicks, Nathan Mueller

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield is a function of many factors including genetic attributes of the cultivar, environmental conditions, and management practices. Temporally variable weather patterns in North America, especially in the northern Great Plains, have resulted in the re-examination of how spring production practices interact with the environmental conditions to influence yield. This study evaluated the impact of four plantings dates, four seeding rates, and two soybean maturity groups (MGs) using treated and untreated (control) seed on soybean growth, seed yield, and composition. The study was conducted at Volga, SD, in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The planting …

Nebline, January 2020

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

2019 Extension Highlights

Benefit to People

Extension’s Volunteers Worth Over $800,000

Resilience Makes Nebraska Strong

35,312 Youth Engaged in 4-H Programs

Find Tips and Recipes Easier at food.unl.edu

Recipe of the Month

UNL Food Processing Center Offers Assistance to Small Food Business Start-ups

Pesticide Applicator 2020 Training Dates

Successful Farmer Series Starts Jan. 10

Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop, Feb. 3

Soil Health Conference, March 3

Upcoming Green Industry Conferences

Extension’s 2020 Master Gardener Trainings, Two Sites Available

Garden Guide Things to Do This Month

Childcare Professionals — Considering Outdoor Play in Winter?

Upcoming Early Childhood Trainings

Heart of 4-H Volunteer …

Functional Characterization Of Petiolule-Like Pulvinus (Plp) Gene In Abscission Zone Development In Medicago Truncatula And Its Application To Genetic Improvement Of Alfalfa, Juan Du, Shaoyun Lu, Maofeng Chai, Chuanen Zhou, Liang Sun, Yuhong Tang, Jin Nakashima, Jaydeep Kolape, Zhaozhu Wen, Marjan Behzadirad, Tianxiu Zhong, Juan Sun, Yunwei Zhang, Zeng-Yu Wang

Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important forage crops throughout the world. Maximizing leaf retention during the haymaking process is critical for achieving superior hay quality and maintaining biomass yield. Leaf abscission process affects leaf retention. Previous studies have largely focused on the molecular mechanisms of floral organ, pedicel and seed abscission but scarcely touched on leaf and petiole abscission. This study focuses on leaf and petiole abscission in the model legume Medicago truncatula and its closely related commercial species alfalfa. By analysing the petiolule-like pulvinus (plp) mutant in M. truncatula at phenotypic level (breakstrength and …