J. H. Brendemuhl

Digestibility and nutrient retention of perennial peanut and bermudagrass hays for mature horses1

Mature horses were used to determine apparent DM, OM, NDF, and CP digestibility values of 2 bermudagrass (BG; Cynodon dactylon) hays, Coastal (CB) and Tifton 85 (T85), and Florigraze perennial peanut (PP; Arachis glabrata) hay. In addition, N, Ca, and P balances were determined in horses fed those hays. Five mature Thoroughbred geldings and 1 Quarter Horse gelding (mean initial BW = 542 +/- 37 kg) were used (5 horses for the last period) in a 3 x 3 repeated Latin square design, with 2 horses per hay and 3 adjustment and collection periods. Horses were randomly assigned to pairs and the initial hay to be fed. Each period consisted of a 10-d adjustment phase, followed by a 4-d total fecal and urine collection phase. Horses were fed at 1.5 (period 1), 1.7 (period 2), or 2% (period 3) of their BW daily (DM basis). The 2 BG were grown under similar conditions, with CB and T85 being cut at 4 and 5 wk of regrowth, respectively, and PP being of a late first cutting. The compositions (DM basis) of PP, CB, and T85, respectively, were 93, 94, and 93% DM; 92, 94, and 94% OM; 46, 73, and 77% NDF; 34, 37, and 42% ADF; 11, 10, and 8% CP; 1.10, 0.28, 0.27% Ca; and 0.19, 0.15, and 0.19% P, respectively. Least squares means (pooled SE) for apparent digestibility of PP, CB, and T85, respectively, were 65, 53, and 52% (1) DM digestibility; 67, 53, and 52% (1) OM digestibility; 44, 50, and 46% (4) NDF digestibility; and 66, 60, and 57% (1) CP digestibility. Digestibility values of DM and OM were greater (P < 0.001) for PP than for the BG. Digestibility of CP was greater (P = 0.001) for PP than for CB or T85, with no difference (P = 0.37) between PP and BG hays in NDF digestibility. There were no differences between CB and T85 for DM digestibility (P = 0.67), OM digestibility (P = 0.59), CP digestibility (P = 0.11), and NDF digestibility (P = 0.48). Nitrogen (P = 0.01) and P balances (P = 0.04) were greater for PP than BG hays, whereas N balance of CB was greater (P = 0.01) than that of T85. There were no differences among all hays in Ca balance (P = 0.54) and between the BG in P balance (P = 0.34). Results indicated that PP, CB, and T85 are suitable forages for horses.

Litter Characteristics of Gilts Artificially Inseminated with Transforming Growth Factor-β

Problem  Semen is a rich source of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and it has been proposed that this molecule promotes embryonic survival by modifying immune responses to promote tolerance toward paternal antigens and by inducing release of cytokines that promote embryonic development. The role of TGF‐β was tested using pigs by evaluating whether its addition to washed sperm improves conceptus survival and fetal growth.

Influence of Feeding Growing-Finishing Pigs Triticale, Wheat or Maize Based Diets on Resulting Carcass Composition, and on Taste and Quality Characteristics of Pork

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) or maize (Zea mays L.) based diets to growing-finishing pigs (25 to 100 kg) on resulting carcass composition, and on taste and quality of pork. Dietary grain source did not influence (P >.05) carcass lean content or quality characteristics of the longissimus muscle, such as amount of marbling, muscle texture, firmness or color. Slightly lower levels of total (P .10) due to dimly grain source. The feeding of triticale based diets resulted in small changes in carcass fat composition, however, there was no evidence that the taste of broiled loin chops was different from the taste of broiled loin chops from pigs fed maize based diets.

Synthetic Amino Acid Supplementation of Triticale and Wheat Based Diets for Growing-Finishing Pigs

Dietary supplementation of feed grade synthetic amino acids may be more advantageous for diets based on triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) or soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestiuum) than maize (Zea mays L.) for growing and fmishing pigs (25 to 109 kg). Four trials, involving 190 pigs, were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation of triticale and wheat based diets with synthetic lysine and threonine for growing and finishing pigs. Substantial replacement of supplemental protein (soybean meal) with synthetic lysine and threonine did not affect pig growth or carcass lean content (P>.10). In fact, complete or nearly complete replacement of soybean meal occurred for finishing pig (55 to 109 kg) diets formulated with triticale.

Dehydration of Restaurant Food Wastes Produces a Nutritious Feedstuff for Use in Pig Diets

Restaurant food wastes obtained from a resort complex in central Florida were dehydrated. The resulting product, when included in complete, mixed diets, was found to be quite nutritious and well utilized by finishing pigs (55 to 110 kg). In addition, no negative effects on resulting carcass or meat quality characteristics were noted.