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Objective: This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing concentrates with cassava root-top silage (CARTOS) on feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and growth performance of beef cattle. Methods: Twenty crossbred bulls with a body weight (BW) of 226±56 kg were randomly assigned to one of five treatments for 90 d in a randomized complete block design having four blocks based on BW. The concentrates were replaced by CARTOS at levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% dry matter (DM). Animals were fed dietary treatments at 1.8% BW, with rice straw offered ad libitum. Results: The DM and crude protein (CP) intake were decreased (p<0.01, p = 0.04) when the diet’s CARTOS level was increased. The digestibility of DM, OM, and CP were not different among treatments, while fiber digestibility was increased with the inclusion of CARTOS (p = 0.03). The addition of CARTOS to replace concentrates did not change ruminal pH or volatile fatty acid proportions except for acetic acid, which increased with the addition of CARTOS (p = 0.03). The ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) was decreased (p<0.01) with increasing levels of CARTOS. The blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen decreased (p = 0.01) with the addition of CARTOS at 100%, whereas total protein and hematological parameters did not change with increasing levels of CARTOS. The use of CARTOS to substitute concentrates at 75% and 100% decreased average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) (p<0.01); therefore, the addition of CARTOS up to 50% maintained ADG and G:F in beef cattle. Conclusion: CARTOS can replace concentrates up to 50% in beef cattle diets without adversely affecting feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, blood parameters, or growth performance of beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural indigo dye production produces indigo waste as a by-product. Our purpose of this study was to examine the effects of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), cellulase (CE), molasses (MO), and their combinations on the silage quality, in vitro degradability, and rumen fermentation parameters of indigo waste silage. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used for the experiment. Indigo waste was chopped and ensiled in a small-scale silo with no additive (control), Ca(OH)2, MO, CE, Ca(OH)2:MO, Ca(OH)2:CE, MO:CE, and MO:CE:Ca(OH)2. After 30 days of storage, the silages were tested for quality and chemical composition, as well as an in vitro fermentation. The ruminal fluid inoculum was collected from two beef cattle with a body weight (BW) of 200±10 kg, and the inoculum had been pre-heated before being transported to the laboratory. Silage with MO, CE, or their combination increased the amount of lactic acid (p < 0.01). The silage pH was lowest in MO:CE (4.5) and was highest in Ca(OH)2:CE (10.6) in indigo waste (p < 0.01). In comparison to the control (19.5% CP), the CP content of all additives increased by 20.7% to 21.5% (p = 0.02). The addition of Ca(OH)2:MO and Ca(OH)2:CE resulted in a reduction of NDF content by 60.7% and 59.4%, respectively, in comparison to the control group (72.4%) (p < 0.01). Silage with additives had no effect on the cumulative gas production or gas kinetics, except that the constant rate of gas production for the insoluble fraction (c) was higher in MO (p = 0.03). In vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) was higher in CE and MO and highest in MO:CE-treated silage (p < 0.01). The in vitro organic matter degradability (IVOMD) increased in Ca(OH)2:MO compared with the control (p = 0.03). The additives alone or in their two combinations in silage reduced the ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration (28.0 to 31.5 mg/dL) when compared to the control (32.7 mg/dL) (p < 0.01). In addition, the highest total volatile fatty acid (VFA) level was found in the silage of the MO (92.9 mmol/L) compared with the control (71.3 mmol/l) (p < 0.01). The proportion of propionic acid and butyric acid increased (p < 0.01) whereas acetic acid decreased (p < 0.01) in the rumen of silage with MO and CE. In summary, the addition of MO and CE has the potential to be used in the silage of indigo waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the nutritive values of fruit peel residues could expand our feed atlas in sustaining livestock production systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), cellulase enzyme, molasses, and their combinations on the fermentation quality and in vitro digestibility of coconut peel (CCP), sugar palm peel (SPP), and durian peel (DRP) silage. The CCP, SPP, and DRP were ensiled in a small-scale silo without additive (control), and with LAB strain TH14 (TH14), molasses, or Acremonium cellulase (AC) using a small-scale silage preparation technique according to a completely randomized design. All fresh peels had sufficient factors for ensiling such as moisture content (78–83%), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC, 4.20–4.61% dry matter (DM)), and epiphytic LAB population (104–105 colony-forming units (cfu)/g fresh matter (FM)). However, aerobic bacteria counts were high (107–109 cfu/g FM). The fiber content of these fruit peels was high, with lignin abundances ranging from 9.1–21.8% DM and crude protein was low (2.7–5.4% DM). After ensiling, the pH values of the silage were optimal (≤4.25) and lower (p < 0.01) for SPP silage. The addition of molasses+TH14, molasses+AC, and molasses+TH14+AC has the potential to enhance fermentation characteristics and improve chemical composition. Silages treated with molasses alone improved the in vitro digestibility of tropical fruit peels. The residue of tropical fruits has the potential to be used as an alternative feed source for ruminants. Adding molasses, TH14, and AC during silage preparation could improve its nutritive value and digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Indigo waste is a by-product of the processing of natural indigo dye. Indigo waste could be utilized as a protein source in ruminant rations, which would reduce the cost of feed. We evaluated the effects of the inclusion of indigo waste in concentrate diets on the feed utilization, rumen fermentation, hematology, immune function and growth performance of growing beef cattle. The present findings suggest that the inclusion of indigo waste at low levels in concentrate diets maintains feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation or growth performance in growing beef cattle without affecting hematology or immune function. This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of indigo waste on the feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, hematology, immune response and growth performance in growing beef cattle. Twenty crossbred beef cattle with an initial body weight (BW) of 145 ± 11 kg were fed four levels of indigo waste for 90 days in a trial. Additions of indigo waste at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% in a concentrate diet using a completely randomized design (CRD). Cattle were fed concentrate at 1.8% BW, with rice straw fed ad libitum. The concentrate intake decreased linearly (p = 0.01) with the addition of indigo waste. The supplementation with indigo waste reduced dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility cubically (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively), while increasing neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility cubically (p = 0.02). The final BW of beef cattle decreased linearly (p = 0.03) with the addition of indigo waste. The inclusion of indigo waste decreased the average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) linearly (p < 0.01) from 0 to 90 days. The nutrient digestibility, ADG and G:F of beef cattle fed 10% indigo waste in the diet was similar when compared with the control (0% indigo waste). The ruminal pH, ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). The proportion of acetate increased linearly (p < 0.01) but propionate decreased linearly (p < 0.01), resulting in an increase in the acetate to propionate ratio (p < 0.01) when cattle were fed with indigo waste supplementation. Increasing indigo waste levels did not influence blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, hematological parameters or immune responses (IgA, IgM and IgG) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of indigo waste at 10% in a concentrate diet did not have a negative effect on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, hematology, immune function or growth performance in growing beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Thai native cattle grazing in the lowland or mountain forest on carcass characteristics, meat quality, sensory palatability, and chemical composition., Methods: Twelve male Thai native cattle with an average weight of 110±10 kg are allowed to be grazing in the lowland or Phu Phan mountain forest during the rainy season in northeastern Thailand., Results: The carcass characteristics, meat pH, and meat color were unaffected by treatment (p>0.05). The boiling loss was lower in the cattle grazing on the mountain forest (p = 0.027). The cattle grazing in the mountain forest had increased shear force (p = 0.039), tenderness (p = 0.011), and flavor intensity (p = 0.003). The protein and fat were higher (p<0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively) in cattle grazing in the mountain forest. The different grazing systems of the cattle had no effect (p>0.05) fatty acids in meat, except for capric acid (C10:0) and lauric acid (C12:0), which were higher (p = 0.046 and p = 0.049, respectively) when the cattle were grazing in the mountain forest. The different grazing systems did not influence (p>0.05) the unsaturated fatty acids in meat., Conclusion: Thai native cattle grazing in the Phu Phan mountain forest in the rainy season improves meat quality, sensory evaluation, and chemical composition.