No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dry matter (DM) production and chemical composition of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats (Avena sativa) were determined according to fresh material harvested at weekly intervals. From 75 to 166 days after planting whole plants of faba beans and oats were harvested at a height of ca. 10 cm above the ground on five randomly selected areas of 0.25 m² each. The freshly harvested material was weighed “as is” and ovendried to determine the DM content of each sample. The fresh and DM forage production per hectare was then calculated. The crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), fat (EE), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were determined according to standard laboratory techniques. The change in chemical composition of fresh whole crop material was regressed on days after planting using simple linear regressions. The fresh and DM production of whole crop faba beans and oats increased with advancing growth stage. During the 2002 production year fresh yield production of both whole crop faba beans and oats peaked at 131 days (44.7±6.9 and 28.4±7.1 ton/ha respectively). DM yield peaked at 159 and 152 days for whole crop faba beans and oats being 9.4±1.3 and 8.8±0.7 tons DM/ha respectively. The chemical composition of both forage crops decreased with advancing growth stage. The CP content of whole crop faba beans decreased (P<0.05) from 25.3% at 82 days after planting to 18.4 % at 166 days after planting in the 2002 production year, while during the 2003 production year the CP content of whole crop faba beans decreased (P<0.05) from 28.2 to 19.5 % from 75 to 159 days after planting. During 2002 the CF % of faba beans increased from 20.2 to 22.6%, while during 2003 CF % similarly increased from 21.8 to 26.5%. The CF % for oats during 2003 increased from 25.6 to 36.9%. During the same time the EE, Ca and P contents also decreased (P<0.05), while the NDF, CF and ADF contents increased (P<0.05). Two milk production studies were conducted to compare the feed intake, milk yield and milk composition of Holstein cows receiving either whole plant faba bean silage or oats as a hay or silage. Faba bean (Vicia faba) silage (FBS) was compared to that of cows receiving either oat (Avena sativa) hay (OH) or oat silage (OS) and in a 50:50 combination with FBS. Faba beans (cv. Ascot) and oats (cv. Sederberg) were planted on a Glenrosa soil. Whole crop faba beans were ensiled 145 days after planting in an above ground concrete bunker using a commercial bacterial inoculant after being wilted for one day. In the first experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, OH or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OH as forage, together with a concentrate, were fed to three groups of seven lactating Holstein cows each. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized block design. Cows were on average 112±44 days post calving producing 24.0±6.2 kg milk/day. Milk production parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were compared by analysis of variance. The DM intake and milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OH as forages did not differ (P>0.05), milk yields being 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 and 20.5±1.4 kg/cow/day respectively. With the exception of MUN, milk composition parameters did not differ among treatments (P>0.10). Cows fed OH as roughage source had a higher (P=0.06) MUN level in the milk. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OH in lactating dairy cow diets. In the second experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, oat silage (OS) or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS as forages, together with a concentrate, were fed to six Holstein cows according to a double 3 x 3 Latin Square cross-over experimental design. Each cow received 13 kg DM either FBS, OS or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS were fed as forages, together with three different concentrates at nine kg “as is” each, to each cow. Cows were on average 108±30 days post calving producing 22.0±2.0 kg milk/day. DM intake, body weight, milk yield and milk composition parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were compared statistically. The DM intake and body weight of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), although body weight changes differed significantly (P<0.10), i.e. 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 and -6.0±3.2 kg respectively. The milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OS or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), milk yields being 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 and 21.9±0.4 kg/cow/day respectively. Of the milk composition parameters, the milk CP(%) of cows fed TMR’s containing FBS differed (P<0.05) from the cows fed the 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS, as well as cows fed the OS, being 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 and 2.96±0.02% respectively. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OS in lactating dairy cow diets. The South African database on in situ protein and fiber degradability values for whole crop faba beans and oats is limited. The chemical composition of whole crop faba beans and oats constantly change as plants mature. For optimal stage of ensiling and feed formulation it would be useful to have CP, NDF and ADF degradability values available for whole crop faba beans and oats harvested at different growth stages. The objective of this study was to determine the ruminal nutrient degradabilities of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats (Avena sativa). Whole crop faba beans and oats were cut at weekly intervals from 75 to 159 days after planting. Effective DM, CP, NDF and ADF degradability values of faba beans and oats harvested at 117, 131, 145 and 159 days after planting were determined by using the in situ nylon bag technique. Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulae were used. Plant material put into Dacron bags was incubated in the rumen for 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The degradability of DM, CP, NDF and ADF fractions of whole plant faba beans and oats in four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) did not differ (P<0.05) among cows. The degradability of different fractions for both roughages were affected (P<0.05) by growth stage and incubation hours. DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance of whole crop faba beans and oats at 117 and 159 days after planting differed (P<0.05) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation time. The DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance values were fitted to the non-linear model p = a + b (1- e-ct). The effective degradabilities (P) could be calculated using a fractional outflow rate of k = 0.05. For whole crop faba beans, parameter b (potentially degradable fraction) and parameter c (the rate at which b is degraded) all differed different forages were compared by analysis of variance. The DM intake and milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OH as forages did not differ (P>0.05), milk yields being 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 and 20.5±1.4 kg/cow/day respectively. With the exception of MUN, milk composition parameters did not differ among treatments (P>0.10). Cows fed OH as roughage source had a higher (P=0.06) MUN level in the milk. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OH in lactating dairy cow diets. In the second experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, oat silage (OS) or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS as forages, together with a concentrate, were fed to six Holstein cows according to a double 3 x 3 Latin Square cross-over experimental design. Each cow received 13 kg DM either FBS, OS or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS were fed as forages, together with three different concentrates at nine kg “as is” each, to each cow. Cows were on average 108±30 days post calving producing 22.0±2.0 kg milk/day. DM intake, body weight, milk yield and milk composition parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were compared statistically. The DM intake and body weight of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), although body weight changes differed significantly (P<0.10), i.e. 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 and -6.0±3.2 kg respectively. The milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OS or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), milk yields being 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 and 21.9±0.4 kg/cow/day respectively. Of the milk composition parameters, the milk CP(%) of cows fed TMR’s containing FBS differed (P<0.05) from the cows fed the 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS, as well as cows fed the OS, being 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 and 2.96±0.02% respectively. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OS in lactating dairy cow diets. The South African database on in situ protein and fiber degradability values for whole crop faba beans and oats is limited. The chemical composition of whole crop faba beans and oats constantly change as plants mature. For optimal stage of ensiling and feed formulation it would be useful to have CP, NDF and ADF degradability values available for whole crop faba beans and oats harvested at different growth stages. The objective of this study was to determine the ruminal nutrient degradabilities of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats (Avena sativa). Whole crop faba beans and oats were cut at weekly intervals from 75 to 159 days after planting. Effective DM, CP, NDF and ADF degradability values of faba beans and oats harvested at 117, 131, 145 and 159 days after planting were determined by using the in situ nylon bag technique. Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulae were used. Plant material put into Dacron bags was incubated in the rumen for 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The degradability of DM, CP, NDF and ADF fractions of whole plant faba beans and oats in four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) did not differ (P<0.05) among cows. The degradability of different fractions for both roughages were affected (P<0.05) by growth stage and incubation hours. DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance of whole crop faba beans and oats at 117 and 159 days after planting differed (P<0.05) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation time. The DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance values were fitted to the non-linear model p = a + b (1- e-ct). The effective degradabilities (P) could be calculated using a fractional outflow rate of k = 0.05. For whole crop faba beans, parameter b (potentially degradable fraction) and parameter c (the rate at which b is degraded) all differed v significantly (P<0.05) between four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) of plant maturity for CP, NDF and ADF. In oats, parameter b and parameter c did not differ (P>0.05) between the four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) of plant maturity. Results from this study could make a valuable contribution towards the South African databases on faba bean and oats nutrient values and can be used in dynamic feed formulation. Faba beans cut as fresh crop or silage may in the foreseeable future play an increasingly larger role in the feeding of dairy cattle in the Winter Rainfall Region of South Africa. As in the case of lupin silage, though with much higher protein content, farmers will be able to produce their own quality and high protein roughage. The nutritive properties of faba bean silage holds great promise as a forage in lactating dairy cows. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die droëmateriaal (DM) produksie en chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone (Vicia faba) en hawer (Avena sativa) is bepaal deur vars plantmateriaal op ‘n weeklikse basis te sny. Plantmonsters van beide fababoon en hawerplante is gesny vanaf 75 tot 166 dae na plant op ‘n hoogte van ca. 10 cm bo die grond. Plantmonsters is weekliks gesny op vyf ewekansige persele met ‘n oppervlak van 0.25 m² elk. Die vars gesnyde plantmateriaal is geweeg en daarna ge-oonddroog om die DM inhoud van elke monster te bepaal. Die varsmateriaal en DM opbrengs per hektaar is bereken. Die ruproteïen (RP), ruvesel (RV), neutraal bestande vesel (NBV), suur bestande vesel (SBV), stikstof vrye ekstrak (NVE), eterekstrak (EE), kalsium (Ca) en fosfor (P) inhoud is bepaal volgens standaardlaboratorium metodes. Lineêre regressie is gebruik om die verandering in chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone en hawer te kwantifiseer. Vars en DM produksie van heelplant fababone en hawer het toegeneem met toename in groeistadium. Gedurende die 2002 produksiejaar het varsmateriaal opbrengs vir beide fababone en hawer gepiek op 131 dae (44.7±6.9 en 28.4±7.1 ton/ha respektiewelik). Heelplant fababoon en hawer DM opbrengs het gepiek op 159 en 152 dae na plant op 9.4±1.3 en 8.8±0.7 ton DM/ha, respektiewelik. Die chemiese samestelling van beide gewasse het afgeneem met toename in groeistadium. Die RP inhoud van heelplant fababone het verminder (P<0.05) van 25.3% op 82 dae na plant tot 18.4% op 166 dae na plant vir die 2002 produksiejaar, terwyl gedurende die 2003 produksiejaar die RP inhoud verminder (P<0.05) het vanaf 28.2 tot 19.5% vanaf 75 tot 159 dae na plant. Gedurende die 2002 produksiejaar het die ruvesel % van fababone toegeneem vanaf 20.2 tot 22.6%, terwyl gedurende die 2003 produksiejaar het die ruvesel toegeneem vanaf 21.8 tot 26.5%. Die ruvesel % vir heelplant hawer het vir die 2003 produksiejaar toegeneem vanaf 25.6 tot 36.9%. Vir dieselfde tyd, het EE, Ca en P inhoud ook verminder (P<0.05), terwyl NBV, RV en SBV inhoud toegeneem (P<0.05) het. Twee melkproduksiestudies is uitgevoer om die effek van fababoonkuilvoer op voerinname, melkopbrengs en melksamestelling van Holsteinkoeie te bepaal. Fababoonkuilvoer (FBKV) is vergelyk met behulp van koeie wat hawerhooi (HH) of hawerkuilvoer (HKV) en in ‘n 50:50 kombinasie met FBKV as ruvoere ontvang het. Fababone (cv. Ascot) en hawer (cv. Sederberg) is gevestig op ‘n Glenrosa grond. Heelplant fababone is gesny en ingekuil op 145 dae na plant. Gesnyde materiaal is toegelaat om vir ‘n dag te verlep, waarna dit in ‘n bogrondse kuilvoersloot ingekuil is met behulp van ‘n kommersiële bakteriële entstof. In die eerste eksperiment is volvoere met FBKV, HH en ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HH as ruvoer, saam met ‘n konsentraat, gevoer aan drie groepe koeie wat bestaan het uit sewe Holsteinkoeie elk. Die eksperiment is uitgevoer volgens ‘n ewekansige blokontwerp. Koeie was gemiddeld 112±44 dae in melk en het 24.0±6.2 kg melk/dag geproduseer. Melkproduksie-veranderlikes van koeie wat diëte ontvang het met verskillende ruvoere is met ‘n variansie-analise vergelyk. Die DM inname en melkopbrengs van koeie op volvoere bevattende vii FBKV, HH of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HH, het nie betekenisvol verskil (P>0.05) nie. Melkopbrengs was 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 en 20.5±1.4 kg/koei/dag, respektiewelik. Met die uitsondering van melkureumstikstof (MUN), het melksamestelling-veranderlikes nie betekenisvol (P>0.10) verskil tussen behandelings nie. Koeie wat HH as ruvoer ontvang het, het ‘n hoër (P=0.06) MUN vlak in die melk gehad. Resultate van hierdie studie dui daarop dat FBKV effektief HH in lakterende melkkoeidiëte kan vervang. In die tweede eksperiment is volvoere, betsaande uit FBKV, hawerkuilvoer (HKV) of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV as ruvoer, saam met ‘n konsentraat aan ses Holsteinkoeie gevoer volgens ‘n dubbel 3 x 3 Latynse Vierkant omskakel proefontwerp. Elke koei het 13 kg DM van FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV ontvang as ruvoere, saam met drie verskillende konsentrate van 9 kg op ‘n natuurlike vogbasis elk. Koeie was gemiddeld 108±30 dae in melk en het 22.0±2.0 kg melk/dag geproduseer. DM inname, liggaamsmassa, melkopbrengs- en melksamestelling- veranderlikes van koeie op verskillende diëte wat verskillende ruvoere ingesluit het, is statisties vergelyk. Die DM inname en liggaamsmassa van koeie op volvoere bevattende FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV, het nie betekenisvol (P>0.10) verskil nie. Verandering in liggaamsmassa het betekenisvol (P<0.10) verskil, te wete 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 en -6.0±3.2 kg, respektiewelik. Die melkopbrengs van koeie op volvoere bevattende FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV as ruvoer, het nie verskil (P>0.10) nie. Melkopbrengs was 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 en 21.9±0.4 kg/koei/dag, respektiewelik. Ten opsigte van die melksamestelling-veranderlikes van die koeie op die onderskeie volvoere, was dit slegs melk RP(%) van koeie wat volvoere met FBKV ontvang het, wat betekenisvol (P<0.05) verskil het van die koeie wat HKV en die 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV as ruvoer ontvang het. Melk RP(%) was 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 en 2.96±0.02%, respektiewelik. Resultate van hierdie studie dui daarop dat FBKV effektief HKV in lakterende melkkoei diëte kan vervang. Die Suid-Afrikaanse databasis van in situ proteïen- en veseldegradeerbaarheidswaardes vir heelplant fababone en hawer is beperk. Die chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone en hawer verander gedurig soos plante toeneem in ouderdom en groeistadium. Vir optimale stadium van inkuiling en voerformulering sou dit belangrik wees om DM, RP, NBV en SBV degradeerbaarheidswaardes van heelplant fababone en hawer ge-oes op verskillende groeistadiums te hê. Die doel van die studie was om die ruminale degradeerbaarheidswaardes vir heelplant fababone en hawer te bepaal. Effektiewe DM, RP, NBV en SBV degradeerbaarheidswaardes is vir fababone en hawer bepaal vir groeistadiums 117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant deur gebruik te maak van die in situ nylon sakkie tegniek. Drie nie-lakterende Holsteinkoeie elk toegerus met ‘n rumen- kannula is gebruik om ruminale degradeerbaarheidswaardes te bepaal. Plantmateriaal wat in Dacron sakkies afgeweeg is, is in die rumen geplaas vir 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 en 96 ure. Die degradeerbaarheid van DM, RP, NBV en SBV fraksies van heelplant fababone en hawer vir vier verskillende groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant) het nie betekenisvol (P<0.05) tussen koeie verskil nie. Die degradeerbaarheid van verskillende fraksies van beide ruvoere het verskil (P<0.05) tussen groeistadiums en inkubasie-ure. DM, RP, NBV en SBV verdwyning van heelplant fababone en hawer op 117 en 159 dae na plant het betekenisvol (P<0.05) verskil by 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 en 96 inkubasie-ure. Die DM, RP, NBV en SBV verdwyningswaardes is gepas op ‘n nie-lineêre model p = a + b (1- e-ct). Die effektiewe degradeerbaarheid (P) kon bereken word met ‘n fraksionele uitvloeitempo van k = viii 0.05 vanuit die rumen. Vir heelplant fababone het parameter b (potensieel degradeerbare fraksie) en parameter c (die tempo waarteen b degradeer word) betekenisvol verskil (P<0.05) vir alle groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant) vir degradeerbaarheidswaardes van RP, NBV en SBV. Vir hawer het parameter b en parameter c nie betekenisvol (P>0.05) tussen die vier verskillende groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 and 159 dae na plant) verskil nie. Die resultate van hierdie studie kan ‘n belangrike bydrae maak tot die Suid-Afrikaanse databasis van fababoon en hawer voedingswaardes, en kan aangewend word in dinamiese voerformulering. Die gebruik van varsgesnyde of ingekuilde heeplant fababone kan in die toekoms ‘n al groter rol speel in melkkoeivoeding in die Winterreënstreek van Suid-Afrika. Soos in die geval met lupiene, maar met ‘n hoër proteïen inhoud, sal produsente hul eie kwaliteit en hoë proteïen ruvoer kan verbou. Die voedingswaarde van fababoonkuilvoer hou groot belofte in as ruvoer vir lakterende melkkoeie.

<p dir="ltr">The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the nutrient digestibility in alternative animal and plant sources of feed ingredients for chickens and pigs. Therefore, 5 studies were carried out to determine the nutrient utilization in poultry meal (<b>PM</b>), faba beans (<b>FB</b>), and 3 cultivars field peas (<b>FP</b>).</p><p dir="ltr">In the first study, 2 experiments investigated the energy and phosphorus utilization of PM for broiler chickens. Poultry meal was used to substitute corn and soybean meal in the reference diet at 0, 80, or 160 g/kg in Experiment 1. Whereas PM was included in the diet at 0, 50, or 100 g/kg in Experiment 2. A total of 192 birds were allotted to 3 experimental diets in both experiments. The estimated ileal digestible energy (<b>IDE</b>), metabolizable energy (<b>ME</b>), and nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy (<b>MEn</b>) for PM were 4,002, 3,756, and 3,430 kcal/kg DM, respectively. In Experiment 2, the true ileal digestibility (<b>TID</b>) and true total tract utilization (<b>TTTU</b>) of P in PM were 77.5 and 79.0%, respectively.</p><p dir="ltr">The second study consisted of 3 experiments. In the first experiment, 240 birds were assigned to 5 diets to determine the energy values of FB and DS admiral FP (<b>FPD</b>). In Experiment 1, the test ingredients were incorporated into a corn-soybean meal-based diet at 0, 150 or 300 g/kg. The IDE, ME, and MEn for FB were 2,541, 2,628, and 2,394 kcal/kg, respectively. The respective values for FPD were 2,254, 2,540, and 2,331 kcal/kg DM. In each of Experiments 2 and 3, 162 birds were assigned to 3 diets. Faba beans was included at 21, 42, or 63% and FPD at 16, 32, or 48% in Experiments 2 and 3, respectively. The TID and TTTU of P in FB were 66.5 and 66.7%, respectively. The corresponding values for FPD were 73.4 and 73.8%.</p><p dir="ltr">The third study consisted of 3 experiments. In Experiment 1, the energy values for Hampton FP (<b>FPH</b>) and 4010 FP (<b>FP4</b>) fed to broiler chickens were estimated. Two hundred and forty birds were assigned to 5 diets. The test ingredients were included at 0, 150 or 300 g/kg into a corn-soybean meal-based reference diet. With regression analysis, the determined IDE, ME, and MEn were 3,274, 3,033, and 2,850 kcal/kg DM in FPH, respectively, in FP4 the energy values were 3,019, 3,155, and 2,991 kcal/kg DM, respectively. The P utilization in FPH and FP4 were determined in Experiments 2 and 3, respectively. The corresponding TID and TTTU of P in FPH were 74.6% and 68.3%, and 74.3 and 61.7% in FP4.</p><p dir="ltr">Two experiments were conducted in the fourth study to estimate the digestible energy (<b>DE</b>) and ME in FB and FP fed to pigs. Twenty-four barrows were assigned to 3 dietary treatments in each of the experiments. Faba beans or FPD in Experiment 1 and FPH or FP4 in Experiment 2 were included in the diet at 0 or 300 g/kg. The determined DE and ME values for FB using the total collection method were 3,772 and 3,606 kcal/kg DM and in FPD were 3,683 and 3,589 kcal/kg DM, respectively. In Exp. 2, the respective DE and ME for FPH were 4,164 and 4,014 kcal/kg DM and for FP4 were 3,574 and 3,467 kcal/kg DM.</p><p dir="ltr">In the last study, standardized ileal digestibility (<b>SID</b>) of amino acids (<b>AA</b>) in faba beans and three cultivars of FP between broiler chickens and pigs were compared. The test ingredients were the only source of protein providing 160 g/kg crude protein and a nitrogen-free diet was prepared to estimate the basal endogenous losses of AA. The same set of five diets was used across both species. The SID of Lys in FB, FPD, and FPH exceeded 90% but in FP4 it was 85.1% for broiler chickens. Whereas for pigs the SID of Lys in FB, FPD, and FPH exceeded 80% but for FP4 it was 89.8%. The SID of Met in the test ingredients ranged from 72.1 to 89.8% and 68.1 to 81.8% for broiler chickens and pigs, respectively. In general, the SID of AA in the test ingredients were greater compared with chickens. The energy, P, and AA digestibility of the test ingredients determined in the five studies could be used in diet formulation for chickens and pigs.</p>

The nutritional value of faba beans (Vicia faba), Australian sweet lupins (Lupinus angustifolius), white lupins (Lupinus albus) and peas (Pisum sativum) grown in New Zealand for broilers were evaluated in terms of their nutritional characteristics, protein quality (protein efficiency ratio), apparent metabolisable energy, apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids and the effects on bird performance. The effects of dehulling and extrusion cooking on the nutritive value of legumes were also investigated. The first experiment discussed in Chapter 3 evaluated the effect of cultivars on the nutrient profile and protein quality of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), Australian sweet lupins, peas and soybeans (Glycine max). With the exception of white lupins, cultivars had no effect on the proximate and fibre composition of grain legumes. Starch was the primary carbohydrate component of chickpeas and peas, whilst non-starch polysaccharides were the major carbohydrates in lupins. The legume proteins were deficient in lysine, methionine, cystine and threonine. No differences were found in protein quality between cultivars of the different grain legume species. The lowest weight gain and protein efficiency ratio, in addition to the highest relative pancreatic weight and mortality rate was found in raw soybeans, suggesting that soybeans contained high a concentration of anti-nutritional factors, such as protease inhibitors. Birds fed chickpeas, lupins and peas had a low mortality rate and relative pancreatic weight, confirming that the level of anti-nutrients in these legume seeds was low. The apparent metabolisable energy and apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of faba beans, Australian sweet lupins, white lupins and peas were determined in the second experiment (Chapter 4). Cultivar effect on the apparent metabolisable energy values was observed only for faba beans and white lupins. Faba beans, white lupins and peas had comparable apparent metabolisable energy values, but these values were higher than those of Australian sweet lupins, and lower than that of soybean meal. No cultivar differences were found in the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of grain legumes. The apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of both lupin species was found to be comparable to that of soybean meal. The effects of feeding diets containing 200 g/kg faba beans, lupins or peas on the performance, digestive tract development and litter quality of broilers were investigated in the third and fourth trials. In the cage trial (Chapter 5), the results showed that the weight gain of birds fed diets containing grain legumes was similar to that of control diet. Feed intake and feed per gain of birds fed diets containing the majority of grain legume cultivars did not differ from those fed the maize-soy diet. Birds fed diets containing faba beans had more dry and friable excreta compared to other treatment diets. The performance of birds fed diets containing 200 g/kg grain legumes during the 35 d grow-out period, in the floor pen trial (Chapter 6), confirmed the results of the cage trial. In this trial, weight gain and feed per gain of birds fed diets without meat meal were superior to those with meat meal. In cage trials, the modification of some segments of digestive tract development was probably due to the dietary NSP. Whilst in floor pen trial, digestive tract development was not influenced by the inclusion of grain legumes. The effect of methodology of determination (direct vs. difference method) on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of wheat, maize, Australian sweet lupins, peas and soybean meal for broilers was evaluated in the fifth study (Chapter 7). The influence of methodology on apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids was found to vary amongst the feed ingredients. In general, the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of test ingredients determined by the difference method was higher than those determined by the direct method, suggesting that the use of the direct method may underestimate the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids in low and medium protein ingredients. Data reported in Chapter 8 shows that dehulling increased the apparent metabolisable energy values of faba beans and Australian sweet lupins, but it had no beneficial effect on peas. The increase of apparent metabolisable energy values may be attributed to the decrease in non-starch polysaccharides of these legume seeds after dehulling. The removal of hulls increased the amino acid concentrations, but it had no effect on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of most amino acids. These results suggest that dehulling of grain legumes would be nutritionally beneficial and, likely to be economical in view of the improved amino acid concentrations and energy values. The final experiment (Chapter 9) demonstrated that extrusion of peas markedly influenced the content of crude protein, non-starch polysaccharides, starch, and trypsin inhibitors. The soluble non-starch polysaccharides and trypsin inhibitor contents of the majority of extruded pea samples were higher than those of raw peas, but insoluble and total non-starch polysaccharides decreased with extrusion. Extrusion had no effect on the apparent ileal protein digestibility and the apparent metabolisable energy of peas, but it increased ileal starch digestibility.