Soil Science Commons^™

Intake, Digestibility And Rate Of Passage Of Grass In Grazing By Light Breed Horses On Different Pastures, Masahito Kawai, N. Yabu, T. Asa, K. Deguchi, S. Matsuoka

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In a previous study, grazing light breed horses could ingest CP and DE requirements for maintenance without supplements. However, their grazing behaviour, such as biting and chewing efficiency, which related to the passage rate of forage in the digestive tract and fibre digestibility, was affected by the pasture conditions (Kawai et al., 2004). In this study, the DM intake, digestibility and mean retention time (MRT) of grass in light breed horses were determined and compared in spring, summer and autumn on an improved pasture.

Elasticity Of Ingestive Behaviour And Intake In Sheep Associated With Food Diversity On Plurispecific Swards, C. Cortes, J. C. Damasceno, G. Bechet, J. Jamot, S. Prache

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Animals on heterogeneous swards generally opt for a varied diet. This may stimulate their intake, unless searching constraints limit intake rate (Champion et al., 1998). However the management of plurispecific swards presents a risk of overgrazing the preferred species and undergrazing the less-preferred species. This study aimed to test the effect of type of diversity and type of management on the elasticity of ingestive behaviour and intake in sheep.

Estimating Pasture Intake By Dairy Cows, Dennis R. Cosgrove, D. P. Cooper

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Proper nutrient management planning minimizes the environmental impact of manure from dairy farms. Manure output from dairy cows can be predicted from feed intake (Wilkerson et al., 1997). Weighing feed and refusals each day can determine accurately the feed intake of dairy cows in confinement. Intake determination is more difficult for dairy cows on pasture (Vasquez & Smith, 2000). As part of a larger study aimed at estimating manure production of dairy cows on pasture, this study compares 3 methods for estimating pasture yield and feed intake.

Estimating Pasture Intake By Cattle Using Alkanes And A Known Amount Of Supplement, E. Charmley, J. L. Duynisveld, H. Dove

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The alkane ratio method for estimating pasture intake involves calculating the fecal ratio of plant (endogenous) and exogenous alkanes. This method is effective for sheep, although the delivery mechanism for the exogenous alkanes has presented challenges in cattle (Charmley et al. 2003). Dove et al. (2003) have shown that the relative concentration of components in a mixed diet can be estimated from fecal alkane concentrations using least squares methods. Further, if the amount of one dietary component is known, then the amount of all components, and hence intake, can be determined. In this trial beeswax was added to …

Using The N-Alkane Technique To Estimate The Herbage Intake And Diet Composition Of Cattle Grazing A Miscanthus Sinensis Grassland, Y. J. Zhang, Y. Togamura, K. Otsuki

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Plant wax alkanes are now widely used as marker substances (Dove & Mayes 1991) for the estimation of forage intake and diet composition of grazing herbivores. The objective of this study was to evaluate this method with cattle grazing a M. sinensis grassland in Japan.

Rich Information In The Acoustic Signals From Feeding And Grazing In Ruminants, Montague W. Demment, J. R. Galli, Carlos A. Cangiano, Emilio A. Laca

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Because of their impact on productivity and the environment, feeding behaviour, ingestion and rumination are critical to understand intake in grazing ruminants. Many systems, mainly mechanical, have been developed to measure ingestive behaviour. However, these systems have problems, including mechanical failure and the inability to distinguish between the complex jaw movements of prehension and ingestion (Laca et al., 1994). The sounds generated by these behaviours are rich in information that holds potential not only to distinguish and count behaviours, but also identify aspects of the nature of the foods ingested.

The Sound Of Chewing, J. R. Galli, Carlos A. Cangiano, Emilio A. Laca, M. W. Demment

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acoustic biotelemetry has been proposed as a way to count ingestive bites and chews of grazing animals. Recent work has indicated the possibility that detailed analysis of 'sounds of chewing' contains information about other characteristics of the ingestive process that can be used to study grazing behaviour of free ranging animals (Laca & Wallis DeVries, 2000), or to monitor stall-fed animals in more detail.

Ensiling Characteristics And Nutritive Value Of Browse/Maize Forage Mixtures, F. B. Bareeba, H. Kato, Elly N. Sabiiti

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The practice of growing fodder tree and shrubs is being advocated for and adopted in smallholder dairy production systems. In Uganda, Calliandra calothyrsus, Gliricidia sepium, and Leucaena leucocephala have been identified and recommended as the most suitable species (Sabiiti, 2001). However tree foliage contains toxic compounds (Lowry, 1990), which may be alleviated by ensiling. The objective of the experiment was to study the ensiling characteristics of browse/ maize forage mixtures and their nutritive value when fed to lactating dairy cows.

The Feeding Value Of Silage Made From Peas Grown Alone Or In Mixture With Cereals, A. Kirilov

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The interest in pea as a forage crop rich in protein does not decrease. In areas frequent summer drought pea (Pisum sativum) as a whole plant for forage gives assured yield and may be used for zero grazing, hay or silage. The winter varieties use winter-spring soil moisture better and give higher yield than the spring varieties, but they lodge, so it is necessary to sow them with supporting cereal crops to increase lodging resistance. The objective of the study was to compare the intake, digestibility, energy value and quality index of two wilted silage made from winter …

Predicting Intake From Indigestible Fibre, Kenneth J. Moore, J. R. Russell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dry matter intake (DMI) of forages is often estimated as a reciprocal function of fibre concentration: DMI = fibre intake capacity / dietary fibre concentration (Mertens, 1987). This theoretical relationship is based on the concept that consumption of forage diets is limited by fill and that fibre represents the bulk of forage diets. This model, however, does not account for differences in DMI which should occur among forages with similar fibre concentrations but differing fibre digestibility. To account for these differences, we proposed an intake model where DMI is a reciprocal function of indigestible fibre concentration: DMI = c / …

Whole Crop Cereal Silage In Dairy Production, J. Wallsten, L. Ericson, K. Martinsson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Whole-crop cereal silages (WCCS) are used to some extent in Sweden, but knowledge about the use of this feed for high yielding dairy cows is scarce. The crop is often harvested at different stages of maturity, from heading to yellow ripeness, which gives forages that differ in chemical composition. The purpose of this trial was to compare intake and milk production of dairy cows fed a WCCS based on barley harvested at three different stages of maturity.

Using The N-Alkane Technique To Estimate The Herbage Intake And Diet Composition Of Cattle Grazing A Miscanthus Sinensis Grassland, Y. Zhang, Y. Togamura, K. Otsuki

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Plant wax alkanes are now widely used as marker substances (Dove & Mayes 1991) for the estimation of forage intake and diet composition of grazing herbivores. The objective of this study was to evaluate this method with cattle grazing a M. sinensis grassland in Japan.

Intake And Milk Production Of Lactating Dairy Cows Grazing Diverse Forage Mixtures Over Two Grazing Seasons, K. Soder, M. A. Sanderson, J. L. Stack, L. Muller

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Voluntary intake and stocking rate are key determinants of animal performance on pasture. Greater plant diversity in grassland plant communities has been linked to increased primary production, greater stability in response to disturbance, and reduced weed pressure. Thus, increasing plant diversity may be one approach to improving animal productivity. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of forage diversity on intake and milk production of lactating dairy cows over two grazing seasons.

Intake By Lactating Goats Browsing On Mediterranean Shrubland, M. Decandia, G. Pinna, A. Cabiddu, G. Molle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Mediterranean regions goat feeding systems are mainly based on shrubland that contain a wide variety of species. There are only a few equations for predicting feed intake of stall-fed goats (Luo et al., 2004). The objective of this study was to develop a model for predicting the intake of lactating goats browsing on Mediterranean shrubland.

Use Of Alkanes To Estimate Dry Matter Intake Of Beef Steers Grazing High Quality Pastures, G. Scaglia, H. T. Boland, I. Lopez-Guerrero, R. K. Shanklin, J. P. Fontenot

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pastures remain the most important source of nutrients for ruminant livestock and nutrition is critical to optimize animal production. The daily quantity of dry matter that is consumed by an animal is a critical measurement to make nutritional inferences about feed and subsequent animal response. Researchers are facing the dilemma that, while estimates of individual animal performance are readily obtained, it is still difficult to estimate the herbage intake of individual animals. The objectives of this experiment were to estimate forage intake in beef steers grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa)/tall fescue pastures …

Effects Of Rumen Fill On Intake And Milk Production In Dairy Cows Fed Perennial Ryegrass, A. V. Chaves, A. Boudon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Physical limitation often limits dry matter intake (DMI) of high producing cows or cows fed high forage diets. The extent to which DMI is regulated by distention in the rumen depends upon the cow’s energy requirement and filling effects of the diet offered (Allen, 2000). The objective here was to challenge middle lactation dairy cows with rumen fill (rumen inert bulk – RIB) feeding ryegrass fresh cut (indoors) or grazed to determine whether RIB affects intake and milk production.

The Effect Of Chop Length And Additive On Silage Intake And Milk Production In Cows, V. Toivonen, T. Heikkilä

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Effects of reduced silage chop length on silage intake and milk production by dairy cows have been variable. Chopping of grass at harvest generally improves silage fermentation quality and consequently intake. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of chopping flail harvested silage ensiled with acid or biological additive prior to feeding on intake, milk yield and milk composition in dairy cows.

The Influence Of Crop Maturity And Type Of Baler On Whole Crop Barley Silage Production, P. Lingvall, M. Knicky, B. Frank, B. Rustas, J. Wallsten

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bale ensiling is based on long cut forages. Earlier studies (Honig, 1984; 1987) have shown the importance of laceration and high density in preventing fungi growth and storage instability. On the other hand use of an efficient baling technology reduces the time between moving and wrapping of bale to less than 10 minutes with a combi-baler compared to two hours with a separate wrapper. Even during feeding late fermentation is restricted as the bale is fed within some hours after opening. Ensiling of whole crop cereals needs the addition of silage additives to avoid clostridial fermentation (Weissbach et al., …

The Importance Of Patch Size In Estimating Steady-State Bite Rate In Grazing Cattle, E. D. Ungar, N. Ravid, T. Zada, E. Ben-Moshe, R. Yonatan, S. Brenner, H. Baram, A. Genizi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Since the pioneering work of Black and Kenney (1984), various intake studies have been conducted at the spatial scale of a single feeding station ("patch") to elucidate the processes that determine instantaneous intake rate (e.g. Laca et al., 1994). While these are well-suited for patch depletion studies, it is less clear how well they represent non-patchy and relatively homogeneous environments (Ungar & Griffiths, 2002). Clearly, grazing should be restricted to the upper grazing horizon (i.e. layer of bites), but sample duration may be insufficient to characterize steady-state behaviour, especially when grazing commences on an empty mouth. We examined the …

Plant And Sward Characteristics To Achieve High Intake In Ruminants, W. J. Wales, C. R. Stockdale, P. T. Doyle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. Intake is affected by complex interactions between signals from the digestive tract, intermediary metabolism and energy supply, and behavioural signals associated with learned behaviours or sensory signals.
2. The ideal sward needs to have characteristics that are similar to total mixed rations to achieve high intake and animal performance.
3. Genetic manipulation of plants may offer an accelerated rate of plant improvement, but benefits need to be demonstrated in a systems context.

How Herbivores Optimise Diet Quality And Intake In Heterogeneous Pastures, And The Consequences For Vegetation Dynamics, R. Baumont, Cécile Ginane, F. Garcia, P. Carrère

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Understanding the interplay between foraging behaviour and vegetation dynamics in heterogeneous pasture is an essential requirement for evaluating the value of the resource for large herbivores and for managing that resource. The orientation of selective grazing behaviour between intake and diet quality depends on the spatial and temporal scales considered. In the short-term scale of a grazing sequence, there is evidence that large herbivores tend to optimise the intake rate of digestible materials by adaptation of their biting behaviour and by patch choice. On a day-to-day scale, there is evidence that large herbivores tend to prioritise the quality of the …

Predicting Forage Intake By Sheep Through The Pampa Corte Model Or Nrc, C. A. Pozo, Gilberto V. Kozloski, H. M. N. Ribeiro Filho, J. F. Tourrand, Vicente Celestino Pires Silveira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the Pampa Corte and National Research Council (2007; NRC) models for predicting forage intake (FI) by sheep. Individual data (n = 213) of observed FI, body weight and chemical composition of consumed diet were taken from fifteen indoor digestibility trials conducted with male sheep housed in metabolic cages and fed only forage ad libitum. The diets were composed of tropical grasses, temperate grasses and legumes. Individual observations of FI were averaged by treatment (n = 32) into each experiment which were then compared to FI …

Annual Ryegrass Pasture For Dairy Cows Receiving Total Mixed Ration, M. Civiero, L. H. Schaitz, C. P. Ferris, Henrique M. N. Ribeiro-Filho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The inclusion of herbage in the diet of medium yielding dairy cows offered a total mixed ration (TMR) may be beneficial. This study, which involved mid lactation dairy cows, examined the effect of partial replacement of a TMR with annual temperate pasture. Treatments were ad libitum TMR (TMR₁₀₀), 75% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ‘Maximus’) (TMR₇₅), and 50% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (TMR₅₀). Twelve multiparous Holstein and F1 Jersey × Holstein cows were divided into six homogeneous groups, taking account of milk production (26.6 ± 4.5 kg/day), days in milk …

Dairy Cow Performance On Pasture-Based Feeding Systems And In Confinement, Renato S. Fontaneli, Lynn E. Sollenberger, C. R. Staples

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interest in grazing systems is growing among farmers in the USA as a means of reducing feed costs for lactating dairy cows. An experiment was conducted near Gainesville, FL to compare milk production and composition and milk income minus feed costs from two pasture-based systems with those of a conventional confinement housing system over a 276-d period. System 1 was based on a mixture of rye (Secale cereale L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) during the winter-spring seasons and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] …

Intake Estimation Of Rams Under Grazing Condition In A Deferred Pastures Of Panicum Coloratum By Two Techniques, C. M. Ferri, M. A. Brizuela, N. P. Stritzler, H. J. Petruzzi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The goal of this study was to quantify the organic matter intake (OMI) of Pampinta rams grazing in a Panicum coloratum cv Verde differed pasture. The OMI was compared by two methods: a) the difference between the forage measured in pre and post-grazing condition, and b) the faecal production:digestibility ratio of the diet, estimated by total faecal gathering, and from the quantity of total faecal N in g per 100 g^-1 of OMI and the concentration of total faecal N, respectively. The OMI estimated by difference between the forage measured in pre and post-grazing was 9 % higher (P …

Estimation Of Organic Matter Digestibility And Intake From Faecal Organic Matter And Daily N Excretion And Concentration, C. M. Ferri, N. P. Stritzler, M. A. Brizuela

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was performed with grazing sheep, to establish: a) if the amount of total faecal N (C; in g 100g^-1 of organic matter intake (OMI)) remains constant at three feeding levels, in four utilisation periods of deferred Panicum coloratum cv. Verde; b) the relationship between C and faecal N fractions, and c) the relationship between faecal daily excretion of OM and N, and OMI. Intake increased (P< 0.01) with utilisation period, and was related (r = - 0.82; P< 0.01) to the protein content of food, the insoluble N fraction (r = -0.49; P< 0.01) and the soluble:insoluble N ratio (r = 0.41; P< 0.01) in faeces. No relation with total N concentration (r = -0.22; P> 0.05) or soluble N fraction (r = -0.02; P> 0.05) in faeces could be found. Daily excretion of OM and N were positively related (R² = 0.93 and 0.96, respectively; …

Quality Of Ammoniated Brachiaria Decumbens Hay, L. O. Fernandes, Ricardo A. Reis, L. R. A. Rodrigues

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The experiment was conducted at UNESP-Jaboticabal to evaluate the quality of Brachiaria decumbens hays harvested after seed ripening. The hays were submitted to the following treatments: control, anhydrous ammonia (3.0% NH₃ in the DM), and urea (5.0% in the DM). The chemical composition, digestibility and the performance of steers were evaluated using a complete randomized block design with three treatments and six replications. The ammoniation either with NH3 or urea increased (P< 0.05) the CP content, and the IVDMD. The NH₃ treatment reduced (P < 0.05) the contents of NDF and ADF, and the urea application reduced (P < 0.05) the contents of hemicellulose and lignin. The ammoniation did not affect (P > 0.05) the neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen, and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen values. Steers receiving Brachiaria hay plus soybean meal (1.08 kg DM.day), hay …

Roots And Potatoes As Supplements To An Alfalfa – Grass Diet To Dairy Cows, T. Eriksson, P. Ciszuk, E. Burstedt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fourteen multiparous dairy cows were used in 3 x 3 change-over experiment designed to study effects of replacing barley by roots and potatoes in diets based on leguminous forage on feed intake, milk production and utilisation of feed nitrogen. The cows received a mixture of alfalfa (Medicago L.) and grass silage ad libitum and an isoenergetic quantity of a supplement based on either barley and potatoes (Ba/P), fodder beets (Beta vulgaris L.) and potatoes (Be/P) or barley (Ba). The grass in grass silage was dominated by timothy (Phleum pratense L.). Total DM intake as well as yield …

Intake Characteristics And Performance Of Contrasting Grass Varieties Continuously Stocked With Sheep, R. J. Orr, J. E. Cook, R. A. Champion, A. J. Rook

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fifteen intermediate-heading perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) varieties were grazed by sheep under continuous variable stocking management. Mean daily grass dry matter intake per ewe was positively correlated with liveweight gain per ewe (r = 0.63) and per ha (r = 0.58) over an 8-month grazing season. Daily intake was not correlated with grazing time (r = 0.12) but was positively correlated with instantaneous dry matter intake rate (r = 0.75). Breeding varieties with high intake rate characteristics should allow increases in the contribution of grazed grass to grassland-based livestock farming. There is now a …

Intake And Digestibility Of Black Locust Foliage Fed To Growing Goat Wethers, L. J. Unruh, J-M. Luginbuhl, J. P. Mueller

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Leaves of Black locust (BL, Robinia pseudoacacia), a native southeastern United States tree species known to contain substantial levels of condensed tannins, were fed to 16, four month old (20.4 kg body weight [BW]) Boer wether goats (Capra hircus hircus) to determine their effects on intake and digestibility. Four diets were stall fed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Diets included: (1) 100% eastern gamagrass (EGH; Tripsacum dactyloides) hay; (2) 70% EGH and 30% mixture of ground corn (GC; Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) meal (SBM); (3) 75% …