Studies were conducted to: (1) examine an in situ technique with sorghum grain substrates using monofilament nylon bags, (2) evaluate in vitro various reconstituted sorghum grain treatments, (3) determine digestibility and nitrogen balance of steers fed reconstituted sorghum grain and (4) evaluate sorghum grain processing methods on performance of finishing steers. Dry matter efflux, DME (water bath) and in situ dry matter disappearance, ISDMD (ventral sac of rumen) from nylon bags were higher (P < .05) as bag porosity (5 to 80 um) and incubation time (4 to 24 h) increased, and as substrate weight: bag surface area ratio (7 to 56 mg/cm²) decreased. High linear correlations were obtained between DME and ISDMD, and also between nitrogen efflux and in situ nitrogen disapperance. No permanent influx of ruminal dry matter into nylon bags were detected. In vitro dry matter digestibility (mixed rumen inoculum) of reconstituted whole sorghum grain was influenced (P<.001) by grain moisture level (18 to 31%), constant or variable temperature during storage (-18 to 41 C) and length of storage time (3 to 28 d). All interactions of these three factors were significant (P<.05 or higher). Short term flushing with O₂, CO₂ and N₂ did not affect (P>.10) the digestibility of reconstituted whole sorghum grain. With reconstituted whole sorghum grain, grain pH could be used as a satisfactory measure of quality control. Apparent digestion coefficients for dry matter, organic matter, protein and energy were similar (P>.05) for steers fed 90% concentrate diets containing reconstituted whole or flaked sorghum grain. Nitrogen retention as a percent of nitrogen intake was 35% higher (P<.05) for steers fed reconstituted than flaked sorghum grain diets. In two finishing trials with steers, feed intake and feed conversion were higher (P<.05) for dry rolled than for flaked or reconstituted sorghum grain.

We conducted two experiments evaluating perennial ryegrass straw as a forage source for ruminants. Experiment 1 evaluated digestion and physiological variables in steers offered perennial ryegrass straw containing increasing levels of lolitrem B. Sixteen ruminally cannulated Angus X Hereford steers (231 ± 2 kg BW) were blocked by weight and assigned randomly to one of four treatments (TRT). Steers were provided perennial ryegrass straw at 120% of the previous 5-d average intake. Prior to straw feeding, soybean meal (SBM) was provided (0.1% BW; CP basis) to meet the estimated requirement for degradable intake protein. Low (L) and high (H) lolitrem B straws (<100 and 1550 ppb, respectively) were used to formulate TRT diets: LOW (100% L); LOW MIX (67% L:33% H); HIGH MIX (33% L:67% H); HIGH (100% H). Intake and digestibility of DM and OM, and ruminal pH, total VFA, and NH₃-N were not affected by increasing lolitrem B concentration (P>0.13). Ruminal indigestible ADF (IADF) fill increased linearly (P=0.01) and IADF passage rate (%/h) decreased linearly (P=0.04) as lolitrem B level increased. Experiment 2 evaluated performance and production of 72 Angus X Hereford cows (539 ± 5 kg BW) consuming perennial ryegrass straw containing increasing levels of lolitrem B during the last third of gestation. Cows were blocked by body condition score (BCS) and randomly assigned to one of three TRT. Cows were provided perennial ryegrass straw ad libitum and supplemented with SBM (0.1% BW; CP basis) to meet the estimated requirement for degradable intake protein. Mixtures of a L and H lolitrem B straw (467 and 2017 ppb, respectively) were used to formulate TRT diets: LOW (100% L); MIX (50% L:50% H); HIGH (100% H). Thirteen of 24 cows on the HIGH TRT exhibited signs of ryegrass staggers and were removed from the study. Dry matter intake was not affected (P>0.12) by increasing lolitrem B concentration; however, estimated DM digestibility decreased linearly (P<0.01) as lolitrem B concentration increased. Lolitrem B concentration did not influence pre- or post calving weight or BCS change (P>0.10). These data suggest that feeding perennial ryegrass straw containing up to 1550 ppb lolitrem B does not adversely affect nutrient digestion or physiological response variables in steers. However, providing straw with a lolitrem B concentration of approximately 2000 ppb resulted in 54% of cows exhibiting signs of ryegrass staggers. Blending of H and L straws appears to be a successful management practice. Keywords: Alkaloid, Beef Cattle, Endophyte, Lolitrem B, Perennial Ryegrass, Straw / Graduation date: 2004

Kikuyu pasture (Pennisetum clandestinum) is potentially the most important source of roughage used to feed dairy heifers in summer in KwaZulu-Natal. It is commonly believed that on kikuyu pasture beef breed females grow at a faster rate than those from dairy breeds when no supplementation is given. Little conclusive evidence is, however, available to support this. Explanations as to why such differences may exist are also limited. Eight Hereford and eight Holstein heifers of similar age and maturity stage were used in a trial. The trial was run over a twenty week period. For the first ten weeks all the animals in the trial grazed ad libitum kikuyu pasture with no supplementation except for a mineral lick. Over this (grass only) period the two breed groups formed the two treatments. During the second ten week period of the trial all of the Holsteins and four of the Herefords were fed a restricted but equivalent amount (1 .7 kg) of a maize meal based concentrate. The use of a computerized, mobile feeding system allowed concentrate intake of individual animals to be measured. Animal height, weight and condition score readings were taken weekly over the grass only and the concentrate (final seven weeks) periods of the trial. Herbage intake and digestibility were estimated using n-alkanes as indigestible markers in two experiments conducted during the grass only and concentrate periods. The Herefords had a significantly higher ADG than the Holsteins (0.82 vs. 0.04 kg/day; P < 0.01) over the grass only period. During the concentrate period the rate of mass gain of the Holstein treatment did not differ significantly (P >0.05) from the Hereford treatment receiving concentrate. The Herefords receiving concentrate were also not significantly different (P > 0.05) in rate of mass gain from the Herefords not receiving concentrate. Rate of height gain was not significantly different (P> 0.05) between treatments over either the concentrate or the grass only periods. During the grass only period the Holsteins lost condition (0.07 condition score units per week) whilst the Herefords gained condition at an equivalent rate. The voluntary intake of concentrates was not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the Herefords and Holsteins (19.19 vs. 16.40 g/kg/L.W(liveweight) (0.75)). Regression coefficients relating level of concentrate intake to rate of mass gain were also not significant (P > 0.05) for either of the treatments receiving concentrate. The use of n-alkanes as indigestible markers showed the intake of the Holstein treatment to have an intake 55% (P < 0.0 1) higher than the Herefords (185.4 vs. 120.5 g/kg L.W(0.75)) over the first experiment where both treatments were grazing ad lib. kikuyu alone (grass only period). During the concentrate period intake of the Herefords receiving concentrate exceeded that of the Holsteins (P < 0.01) by 23% (139.1 vs. 113.1 g/kg L.W(0.75)). Review of the literature, suggests that the double alkanes technique greatly over-estimated intake. Errors in herbage sampling (accentuated by pasture rotation in the first experiment), a low daily dose of the synthetic alkane (C(32)) and incorrect estimation of the C(32) content in the daily doses are identified as possible causes of the over-estimation of intake. Faecal recoveries of the herbage n-alkanes were demonstrated to increase with increasing chain length and hence C(35) was proposed as the most reliable herbage alkane for dry matter digestibility determination. Digestibility differences between treatments estimated using the C(35) alkane were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in either the first or second experiments. The mean digestibility estimates (using the C(35) alkane) for the first and second experiments were 64.9 and 56.61 %, respectively. In conclusion, higher growth rates of Herefords on kikuyu pasture would seem to be primarily due to differences in the dry matter intake of the grazed herbage. Further work using other breeds of dairy and beef animals is required. The underlying cause of differences in dry matter intake between breeds also requires investigation. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1995.

A computer modeling experiment showed that grouping dairy cattle based on requirements of crude protein and net energy per kilogram expected dry matter intake (Grouper) had unique characteristics relative to other grouping systems. The objective of this study was to adapt the computerized Grouper system for practical use by implementing a field trial in commercial dairy herds to determine its managerial benefits and economic merit. Ten cooperating dairy herds participated in the one year trial. Herds were grouped monthly using test day information obtained from the Dairy Records Processing Center, Raleigh, NC and reports mailed to the cooperators. Feed consumption data and a record of cows not placed according to Grouper recommendations were collected during monthly herd visits or by mail. One set of analyses examined trends in Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) variables through trial duration while another set compared Grouper to a comparable milk production grouping program with all herd test day information grouped with both systems. No significant changes in DHI variables could be attributed to the Grouper system. Grouper retained younger, smaller cows and those with higher fat test in the high group longer and moved older, larger cows and cows with lower fat test into the low group sooner than grouping by milk production. Grouper produced higher intraclass correlations among cows in groups for percent Total Digestible Nutrients (0.59 versus 0.41) and percent crude protein (0.65 versus 0.57) than milk production grouping. Economically, Grouper was significantly more expensive when comparing systems based on average feed cost per cow per day. However, this did not consider increased income or decreased costs associated with the system or account for possible benefits such as better health and higher production resulting from feeding more precisely each individual's nutrient requirements. The Grouper program has been automated to be used through either a dairy records processing center or an individual microcomputer and can be considered a practical management tool to help the dairy manager group cows more efficiently and feed more accurately. / Master of Science

Equations to predict daily dry matter intake (DMI) of individual animals were developed with 118 Holstein heifers fed totally mixed rations (TMR). Animals grouped according to body weight (136, 227, 317 kg) were fed TMR (corn silage, ground hay, high moisture corn, soybean meal) once daily for 28 days. Rations were balanced to mean body weight according to National Research Council (NRC) recommendations for protein, vitamins and minerals, and to 85, 95, 105, and 115% of recommendation for energy. Independent variables were body weight (BWT, kg/day) daily body weight gain (GAIN, kg), environmental temperature (AMBT, °C), ration acid detergent fiber (ADF, percent of dry matter), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, percent of dry matter), net energy for maintenance and gain (NEM, NEG, megacalories), total digestible nutrients (TDN, percent of dry matter), and bulk density (BULK, g/ml as fed). Squared terms, appropriate interaction terms, and metabolic body weight (MBWT, kg^.75) were included in the model. Stepwise regression was utilized to generate two models, simplified and expanded. Simplified model was: DMI (kg/day) = -29.86 + (-.54E-05 * BWT²) + (.157 * MBWT) + (2.090 * GAIN) + (-.118 * GAIN²) + (.730 * TDN) + (-.005 * TDN²) + (-.001 * BWT * GAIN) + (-.019 * TDN * GAIN); n = 4797, r² = .59, s_y.x = 1.18. Expanded model was: DMI (kg/ day) = -1906.91 + (-0.04 * BWT) + (0.37 * MBWT) + (32.36 * ADF) + (2305.51 * NEM) + (-664.06 * NEG) + (-0.08 * AMBT) + (-0.13 * ADFSQ) + (-637.68 * NEMSQ) + (42.31 * NEGSQ) + (-5.35 * BULKSQ) + (0.001 * AMBTSQ) + (-1.56E-04 * BWT * ADF) + (8.873E-05 * BWT * AMBT) + (246.30 * NEM * NEG) + (-21.30 * NEM * ADF) + (7.83 * NEG * ADF) + (0.04 * NEG * AMBT) + (0.01 * GAIN * ADF) + (-0.01 * GAIN * AMBT); n = 4429, r² = .65, s_y.x = 1.09. Predicted intakes by simplified equation agree with those of NRC at TDN recommended by NRC and .7 kg/day. Computerized ration formulation systems were developed using simplified model. Expanded model requires further refinement prior to incorporation into a ration formulation system. / Ph. D.

Degradation kinetics of carbohydrate fraction of commercial concentrate feeds for weaned calves, heifers, lactating and dry dairy cattle / Variations in composition and disappearance of nutrients in dairy cattle feeds are dictated by ingredients, methods of processing, storage while milk production levels depend on the animal, environmental factors and largely on pools of available carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals in the concentrate feeds. There is a wide variety of concentrates for dairy cattle on the formal and informal markets and dairy farmers need to be astute in selecting feeds appropriate for specific production periods and animals to sustain their businesses. Composition of nutrients displayed on concentrate containers is however inadequate for in-depth assessment of products. This study determined nutrient composition, rumen dry matter disappearance and microbial colonization on residual substrate on commercial concentrate feeds and simulated total mixed rations for dairy calves, heifers, lactating and dry cows based on common feeding guidelines. Equivalent feeds for each herd group were obtained from three suppliers in the formal markets in Gauteng province of South Africa, making a total of twelve. An analysis of the data on container labels for the herd groups displayed similar feed values, as also reflected on the recommendation Tables of Act 36: Feeds and Fertilizer bill 1947 of South Africa. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

Variations in composition and disappearance of nutrients in dairy cattle feeds are dictated by ingredients, methods of processing, storage while milk production levels depend on the animal, environmental factors and largely on pools of available carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals in the concentrate feeds. There is a wide variety of concentrates for dairy cattle on the formal and informal markets and dairy farmers need to be astute in selecting feeds appropriate for specific production periods and animals to sustain their businesses. Composition of nutrients displayed on concentrate containers is however inadequate for in-depth assessment of products. This study determined nutrient composition, rumen dry matter disappearance and microbial colonization on residual substrate on commercial concentrate feeds and simulated total mixed rations for dairy calves, heifers, lactating and dry cows based on common feeding guidelines. Equivalent feeds for each herd group were obtained from three suppliers in the formal markets in Gauteng province of South Africa, making a total of twelve. An analysis of the data on container labels for the herd groups displayed similar feed values, as also reflected on the recommendation Tables of Act 36: Feeds and Fertilizer bill 1947 of South Africa. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

LD2668 .T4 1966 D44 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 G462 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 M94 / Master of Science