Five studies were conducted to determine the effect of inoculating (Pioneer Sila-Bac 11H50RTM) on the silage quality and the feeding value of high DM (55.3 %) alfalfa silage. The inoculant contained multi strains of Lactobacillus plantarum developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Inc. In the first study, the effects of inoculation on ensiling characteristics of alfalfa were determined in a completely randomized design using 30 mini-silos. In the 2nd study, 9 containers were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of inoculation on the aerobic stability of alfalfa silage. In the 3d study, 2 ruminally fistulated cows were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of inoculation on ruminal degradation of alfalfa silage. In the 4th study, 4 ruminally fistulated cows were used in a switch back experiment to determine the effects of feeding inoculated alfalfa on total tract nutrient utilization. In the last study, 27 Holstein cows in early lactation were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding inoculated alfalfa on intake, milk yield, and milk composition.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of replacing calf starter feed with lucerne leaf-meal (LLM) on diet intake, rumen degradation and growth of Holstein heifer calves. The treatments were calf starter pellets (PEL), a mixture of 65% calf starter concentrate pellets and 35% LLM (P65L35), and a mixture of 50% calf starter concentrate pellets and 50% LLM (P50L50). The first part of the study determined nutrient composition of lucerne leaf-meal (LLM), calf starter pellets and lucerne leaf-meal substituted diets. The experimental design was a completely randomised design (CRD). Lucerne leaf-meal had high protein (25% DM) and gross energy (GE) (16.2 MJ/kg DM) levels; low starch (0.2% DM) and fibre fractions. All diets had similar (P>0.05) crude protein (CP) and GE values. The concentrate diet was higher (P<0.05) in starch, ether extracts and fibre bound CP (neutral detergent insoluble crude protein). The second part of the study estimated the supply of energy and protein fractions and carbohydrate composition from LLM and the diets. A CRD was used. Lucerne leaf-meal had high energy density and protein supply with low unavailable fibre and protein contents. All the treatments had TDN above 80%. Non-fibre carbohydrate levels differed (P<0.05) across treatments. The energy fractions were similar (P>0.05) across all dietary treatments. However, Diets P65L35 and P50L50 had higher (P<0.05) soluble and non-fibre carbohydrates than PEL diet. The third part of the study determined in vitro degradation of LLM and the three dietary treatments using the ANKOM DaisyII incubator system. Lucerne leaf-meal had high in vitro dry matter (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD), crude protein (IVCPD) and neutral detergent fibre (IVNDFD) degradation. All diets had similar (P>0.05) IVDMD and IVOMD at 0, 4, 10 and 48 hours of incubation. Higher (P<0.05) IVNDFD, IVCPD and effective degradation (ED) were observed in Diets P65L35 and P50L50 than in Diet PEL. No differences (P>0.05) in IVNDFD and IVCPD were observed at 24 and 48 hours of incubation. The rate of degradation (‘c’) was similar (P>0.05) across all the diets. The data demonstrated that LLM diets had higher (P<0.05) degradation values than Diet PEL. vi The fourth part of the study determined the effects of replacing calf starter pellets with lucerne leaf-meal on diet intake, feed conversion ratio and growth of pre-weaned (21 to 42 days old calves) and transition (43 to 56 days old calves) Holstein heifer calves. The experimental design was a completely randomised design, with a total of 24 calves housed in individual pens. This study was divided into two experimental phases, namely, pre-weaning (Experiment 1) and transition (Experiment 2) phases. In each experiment, different calves were used. Body weights were taken weekly. The balance of ruminal nitrogen (% RNB) was predicted using Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS) model. In Experiment 1 calves had free access to clean water and fed 4 litres/calf/day of unpasteurised milk. During the pre-weaning phase, differences (P<0.05) were observed in solid feed dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and starch intakes with Diet P50L50 having higher (P<0.05) intakes than Diets PEL and P65L35. Similarly, higher (P<0.05) % RNB and daily weight gains (ADG) were observed with calves on Diet P50L50. However, calves had similar (P>0.05) initial and final weights and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Calves in Experiment 2 were fed 2 litres/calf/day of unpasteurised milk. Calves were weaned at the age of 56 days. During the transition phase, calves on Diet HP50L50 had higher (P<0.05) CP intake and % RNB than those on HPEL and HP65L35 diets. However, higher (P<0.05) solid feed starch intake was observed with calves on Diet HPEL. All dietary treatments had similar (P>0.05) DM intake, initial and final live weights, ADG and FCR. The fifth part of the study predicted diet concentrations of Holstein heifer calves under specific conditions using the level 1 solution of Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS) model. During the pre-weaning phase, P65L35 and P50L50 diets indicated higher (P<0.05) energy density values than Diet PEL. However, all diets had similar (P>0.05) metabolisable energy levels. No differences (P>0.05) in net energy for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) during the transition phase were observed. However, Diet HPEL had higher (P<0.05) apparent TDN and ME levels compared to other dietary treatments. Diets P65L35 and P50L50 had higher (P<0.05) protein, energy density and degradation values than Diet PEL. It is concluded LLM inclusions in the calf diet improved Holstein heifer calves’ performance. / Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

No description available.

In this experiment, we used four male llamas that were three to four years of age from the Khara race. They were divided into two ad libitum feeding groups. The digestible energy (ED) was determined using samples that were sent to the laboratory. These samples were derived from a conventional in vivo assay using the method of total fecal collection in order to determine the difference between energy consumed and energy excreted. Metabolizable energy was calculated by deducting digestible energy, energy loss in the urine and energy loss in the gases (methane). Urinary energy was determined through the measurement of nitrogen in the urine as urea. Other studies have reported the energy values of alfalfa hay and barley as 414.05 Kcal/100g and 405.11 Kcal/100g, respectively. Additionally, alfalfa hay and barley have been recorded as having gross energy values of 6,973.92 Kcal/day and 4,373.65 Kcal/day, respectively. In this study, the energies excreted in the feces were 2,365.42 Kcal/day for alfalfa and 1,643.26 Kcal/day for barley. In order to determine the value of metabolizable energy, it is first necessary to obtain the urinary energy values (EU) by measuring the amount of nitrogen excretion as well as the energy of the gases (methane). Then, by deducting the energy calculated from the digestible energy, metabolizable energy may be estimated. The nitrogen content in urinary excretions from the llamas tested was highly variable from one treatment to another. With barley, the observed content was 0.59 g/day whereas with alfalfa hay it was 7.36 g/day. According to the data obtained for nitrogen content in urinary excretions, the amount of urea excreted each day was also obtained. It was also found to be variable from one food to another. Values of urea excretion for alfalfa and barley were 15.76 and 1.27 grams of urea/day respectively. By multiplying the daily amount of urea excreted by its caloric value (2.528 Kcal/g), the energy lost in the urine was determined to be 38.84 Kcal/day for alfalfa and 3.23 Kcal/day for barley. It was not possible to determine the energy of the gases. Instead, we used data obtained from llamas fed with forage (Engelhardt and Schneider, 1977). The data established that the energy loss as methane gas is approximately 7.1% of the gross energy. With this value as a reference for llamas, the energy losses as methane gas in this study were 495.08 Kcal/Kg/MS for alfalfa hay and 310.53 Kcal/Kg/MS for barley. By definition, the metabolic energy (EM) is the amount of energy from food that is calculated by determining the difference between the digestible energy (ED) and the energy lost in urine (EU) and gases (EG) according to the following equation (NRC, 1981): EM = ED - (EU + EG). Based on the equation, the metabolizable energy of alfalfa hay and barley are as follows: EB = 4140.49 Kcal/Kg/MS and EM = 2408.43 Kcal/Kg/MS for alfalfa compared to EB = 4051.20 Kcal/Kg/MS and EM = 2061.32 Kcal/Kg/MS for barley.

South American camelids are a source of fiber and meat for the inhabitants of the Andean region of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. When camelids are well fed they efficiently convert the Andean flora into meat with high protein content. Vicuñas have a great capacity to produce wool to be used as a high quality fiber. However, the yield of vicuña meat production is generally low. There have been several studies concerning nutritional forage sources for camelids, resulting in improved nutrition, decreased morbidity and mortality, and intensified production systems. Soft straw is a source of tough forage with low protein content. Soft straw is rich in insoluble carbohydrates that are difficult to digest. However, camelids are able to easily digest these carbohydrates. For this reason, this study compared the digestibility of soft straw with alfalfa in vicuñas.

Experiments were conducted to investigate the fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of mixtures containing different proportions of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw ensiled with and without molasses, microbial inoculant and molasses + microbial inoculant. In experiment 1, chopped alfalfa harvested at 1/10 bloom and chopped wheat straw were ensiled in the following proportions (DM basis): 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0, 0:100 (urea-treated), with O and 5% dry molasses, and 0 and .1% microbial inoculant (Lactobaci]lus plantarum and Streptococcus faecium) in a 6 x 2 x 2 completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement. Each mixture was ensiled in 3.8-liter cardboard containers double lined with polyethylene. The pH values for the ensiled mixtures of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 alfalfa:straw without additives were 4.70, 4.76, 4.65, 4.76 and 4.82, respectively. Urea treatment of the 0:100 mixture (wheat straw) increased (P < .01) pH to 8.84. Overall lower pH (P < .01) occurred when molasses was added, compared to untreated and inoculated silages. Lactic acid concentration decreased (P < .01) linearly with decreased level of alfalfa, over all additives. Molasses increased (P < .01) lactic acid concentration. Overall, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in pre-ensiled mixtures increased (P < .01) linearly with increases in alfalfa. The WSC decreased (P < .01) after ensiling. Microbial inoculant did not affect pH or lactic acid content in the silages. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) increased (P < .01) linearly with level of alfalfa, and molasses increased (P < .01) IVDMD. In experiment 2, chopped alfalfa (1/10 bloom, third cutting) and wheat straw were ensiled in the following respective proportions (DM basis): 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0, 100:0 + 5% dry molasses, and 0:100 (urea-treated) in 210-liter metal drums double lined with .08 mm polyethylene bags. Increased proportions of wheat straw to alfalfa increased (P < .01) DM content and lactic acid concentration, and decreased pH and total VFA content. The CP, Ca, P, Mg and K contents decreased (P < .01) with increases in wheat straw. Addition of molasses to alfalfa increased (P < .01) WSC and lactic acid, and decreased (P < .01) pH and total VFA. Urea treatment of wheat straw increased (P < .01) pH and acetic acid, and decreased (P < .01) lactic acid, compared to untreated wheat straw. The NDF (P < .05) and hemicellulose (P < .01) were decreased with urea treatment. Two metabolism trials were conducted, each with 21 crossbred wethers. The diets were alfalfa and wheat straw silages made in 210-liter metal drums described above. Wheat straw ensiled alone was supplemented with soybean meal because of insufficient consumption when the straw was fed alone. Linear increases (P < .01) in DM, OM, and CP digestibilities were observed with increased level of alfalfa. Adding molasses increased (P < .05) DM digestibility. A linear increase (P < .01) in N retention was observed with increasing alfalfa level. Ruminal NH₃-N and blood urea-N increased (P < .01) with increased proportion of alfalfa. Feeding urea-treated straw increased (P < .01) ruminal NH₃-N and blood urea-N, compared to untreated wheat straw. A palatability trial was conducted with 42 sheep fed the same diets as in the metabolism trials. Daily DM intake increased linearly (P < .01) with increased proportion of alfalfa. It is concluded that ensiling cereal crop residues with leguminous forage has potential in improving fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of alfalfa silage and improving the nutritional value and utilization of cereal crop residues. / Ph. D.

The following investigation was carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Center Condoriri (CEAC), dependent on the Faculty of Agricultural Livestock Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, located to the North of the Province border of the Department of Oruro, a distance of 12 km from the town of Caracollo and 49 km from the city of Oruro. The production of llamas and alpacas in our country is an activity of ecological, social, and especially ecological importance for Andean inhabitants. In nutrition, the fundamental factor is the power of absorption; this is because the yield of animal production depends on the quantity and quality of forage consumed. Digestibility in animals is established based on basic consumption comparison and the values of digestibility of the food. For this reason, as previously expressed, we propose in the following research "Living digestibility of alfalfa and barley in llamas in the CEAC" to establish parameters of digestibility, with the following objectives: To evaluate the characteristics of production: consumption of food, consumption of water, excretion of wastes, elimination of urine and gain of living weight. To determine the digestibility of the nutrients: dry matter, raw protein, ash, air intake, raw fiber, nitrogen free extract, and total digestible nutrients. For this purpose 4 male llamas (sarijos) were utilized, taking into account the live weight, age, and breed. The investigation had two evaluation groups: the first group with a supply of alfalfa and the second group with a diet of barley. The investigation's duration was a total of 30 days, considering the following variables: characteristics of production (consumption of food, consumption of water, wastes excreted, volume of urine, and behavior of body weight); digestibility of nutrients (raw protein, ash, raw fiber, air intake, nitrogen free extract, and total digestible nutrients); leading to the following conclusions: > The average consumption of alfalfa by the llama is 6.49 kg/MF per day, of which 1344.5 g is MS, superior and distinct in respect to the fodder barley with 4.92 kg of MF/day and 1328.4 g of MS/day. Water consumption by the llama with the supply of alfalfa is of 0.77 liters; with barley it is 0.35 liters. The llamas with the supply of alfalfa excreted an average of 1.44 kg of waste, of which is 365.9 g of MS and the group with barley registered an average of 1.27 kg and 359.9 g of MS. With regard to the elimination of the volume of urine was between 2.80 and 1.22 liters per day respectively. Live weight at the start of the study was of 116.25 kg per llama and subsequent to the experimental stage of live digestibility the weight averaged 117.69 kg. Therefore, the increase of live weight during the experimental phase was equal to 1.44 kg. The daily increase of living weight in the llamas submitted to the consumption of alfalfa came to an average of 142.9 g/day/animal with a conversion allowance of 9.4. In contrast, the animals fed with barley registered a greater gain of 257 g/day/animal and a conversion allowance of 5.2. > The ratio of digestibility demonstrated by the Coefficients of Digestibility (%) of the alfalfa: MS = 72.85, C = 57.30, PC = 81.49, EE= 85.52, FC = 58.61, ELN = 77.96 and NDT = 69.17. In contrast, the coefficients of digestibility with the barley they were of 72.88% of MS, 33.13% of Ash, 74.62% PC, 84.19% of EE, 65.29% of FC, 77.08% of ELN and 68.74% of NDT.

No description available.

No description available.