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Beet pulp as component of cattle feed can be processed in different way. Tis study was performed to characterize the physical properties of so called fine beet pulp (FBP); normal beet pulp (NBP) and pelleted beet pulp (PBP). The following parameters were determined: bulk density, kinetics of hydration, functional specific gravity (FSG), water holding capacity (WHC), soluble dry matter and intrinsic osmotic pressure (IOP) were investigated. Furthermore particle size distribution and its geometric mean were determined according to ASAE S424.1. All three types of beet pulp had similar composition, but different acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, bulk density, WHC, hydration rate, soluble matter and IOP. PBP had the highest (0.967 g/mL) and NBP had the lowest (0.623 g/mL) bulk density. WHC was 4.318, 5.261, 4.881 (g/DM) and hydration rate 0.0527, 0.0663, 0.0657 (g/DM/Min) for FBP, NBP and PBP, respectively. Grinding and pelleting significantly decreased WHC. Initial FSG of FBP was higher than of NBP and PBP (1.416 vs. 1.371 and 1.384, respectively). FSG changed with incubation time as particle size decreased. Final FSG of all three beet pulp types were similar. FBP had the highest soluble DM (28.61 vs. 17.98 and 23.66% of initial DM in NBP and PBP, respectively). In addition, FBP had the highest soluble ash (45.18 vs. 37.79 and 39.36% of initial ash in NBP and PBP, respectively). FBP had the highest IOP and there are not significant differences between NBP and PBP. The studied physical properties were highly correlated with the chemical composition of the pulp. So was bulk density negatively correlated with the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP) and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), hydration rate and WHC and was positively correlated with the DM, EE, FSG, soluble DM and ash, and IOP. In addition, WHC was positively correlated with dry matter (DM), NDF, NFC, CP and EE, but also negatively correlated with bulk density, FSG, soluble DM, soluble ash and IOP. FSG was highly negatively correlated with DM, NDF, CP, NFC, EE, hydration rate and WHC and positive correlated with bulk density, soluble DM, soluble ash and IOP. The physical properties of beet pulp aid in establishing the nutritive value of feedstuffs for ruminant. They physical properties of feedstuff take into account the modifying role of the reticulo-ruminal function on the speed of the character of the quantitative and qualitative biochemical degradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the use of antibiotics in animal feeds has been banned, researches on alternative natural products that modulate ruminal fermentation have been intensified. Natural compounds such as plant extracts have been considered to be replaced antibiotics as safe and sustainable alternatives. Plant extracts especially essential oils and saponins have strong antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal and anti-inflammatory properties. These natural compounds have been modulated the ruminal fermentation to improve nutrient utilization in ruminants. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the literature surrounding use of herbal plants as feed additives in ruminant nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little scientific information is available that has evaluated safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cake as a substitute to conventional ingredients in small ruminants diet. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of feeding safflower cake in total mixed rations (TMRs) on lamb and kid growth rates, carcass traits and meat fatty acid composition. Two consecutive trials were conducted using Comisana breed lambs and Garganica breed kids. Animals were randomly allocated to two isocaloric and isonitrogenous TMRs formulated to meet or exceed nutritional requirements, and consisted of the control diet and an experimental diet contained safflower cake. Animals were slaughtered after the feeding trial which lasted 50 days and the carcass traits and meat quality were evaluated. In both slaughter trials, none of the parameters studied were (P>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments except for slaughter weight and cold-carcass dressing that were improved in lambs fed safflower. Feeding the safflower diet resulted in significantly lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) content in meat, as well as the n-6 / n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio and saturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, while total PUFA and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) as well as the indices related to human health increased. These results suggest that including safflower cake in diet for small ruminants can produce meat with an improved meat lipid profile. As result, safflower maintained carcass yields with no detrimental effect on meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the substitution of imported raw materials (corn and soyabeans) by local food resources (barley, white sorghum, triticale and horse bean) on the parameters of facies fermentation and digestibility in the rumen of sheep was evaluated. Four Sicilo-Sarde rams 4.8±0.5 years of age with an average live weight of 45.25±3.5 kg, permanently canulated in the rumen and housed in individual cages were used. Rams received a daily ration in two equal meals. The diet contained 1.5 kg DM of oat hay, complemented by one of four concentrates. During the test, 50 mL of rumen fluid were collected from each animal before and 2, 5, and 8 hours after the morning meal to measure the pH and ammonia nitrogen. Determining the total gas (CO2 and CH4) was performed on filtered rumen contents, collected before the distribution of the morning meal. Counting and classifying different types of ciliates were carried out on unfiltered rumen juice, collected two hours after the morning meal distribution. The dry matter digestibility of the basal diet was determined by nylon bags calibrated during fixed hours (3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48). Results showed that the rumen pH was statistically different (P<0.05) before and 2 hours after the morning meal distribution among different types of concentrates, but remained constant at the end of the day (P>0.05). The rate of ammonia nitrogen was in favor (P<0.05) of CCbf and CCms concentrates 5 and 8 hours postprandially. The amount of ammonia in the rumen decreased significantly without a significant difference among diets (P>0.05). The population of ciliates for the concentrate CCbf was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those for CCms, CCsf and CCtf concentrates while different genus of these protozoa were comparable among diets. The total volume of gas produced was lower for the CCbf regimen (P<0.05) compared to other diets. The degradation of DM evolves for different schemes with significant difference (P<0.05) for concentrates CCbf and CCtf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted in early lactating buffaloes for the period of 3 months in Jadakheria and Polisimal village of Limkheda Taluka in Dahod district of Gujarat to assess the effect of supplementation of bypass fat on milk production, composition, body weight change and economic efficiency. Forty buffaloes in their 2nd and 3rd lactation were equally divided in completely randomized design in two groups according to their milk production and body weight, control group 'CON' was fed with a basal diet without bypass fat and treatment group 'BYFAT' was supplemented with bypass fat (Ca salt of palm oil fatty acids) at 20 g/kg milk yield. Fortnightly body weight changes, feed intake, milk production and composition were recorded for individual animal. The result revealed that the average daily milk yield and 6% fat corrected milk (FCM) was significantly (P<0.01) increased in BYFAT group compared to CON. Milk fat percent and fat yield was increased (P<0.001) due to feeding of bypass fat than control diet. There was significant (P<0.001) decrease in body weight loss in BYFAT group compared to control. The receipt for sale of milk was significantly (P<0.001) improved in bypass fat supplemented buffaloes compared to control animals. Feeding of bypass fat significantly (P<0.01) improved net returns on sale of milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]