Juan Carlos García-López

Chemical and Digestibility Characteristics of Some Woody Species Browsed by Goats in Central Mexico

Abstract Pinos-Rodriguez, J.M., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R., Mellado, M., García-López, J.C., Álvarez-Fuentes, G., Méndez-Villazana, J.C. 2007. Chemical and digestibility characteristics of some woody species browsed by goats in Central Mexico. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 149–153. A study was conducted during fall in Central Mexico to determine the chemical composition, the in situ disappearance and rate of in situ fermentation of ten common woody species used by goats in a semi-humid landscape. Leaves of Parkinsonia aculeata, Pithecellobium dulce, Ceratonia siliqua, Leucaena glauca, Crataegus pubescens, Calliandra eriophylla, Dalea bicolor, Eysenhardtia texana, Atriplex canescens and Amelanchier denticulata were analyzed. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ash content of fodder tree leaves ranged between 29.3 and 63.9, 8.5 and 28.2 and 3 and 18.9, respectively. Both acid detergent fiber (21–47%) and neutral detergent fiber (56.4–81.2%) contents were high. DM disappearance of shrubs and trees was in the range 48–85%, with the highest (P<0.05) disappearance rate at all incubation time for Atriplex canescens, Pithecellobium dulce and Leucaena glauca. These data reaffirm the considerable potential of Atriplex canescens, Leucaena glauca and Pithecellobium dulce as high quality forages for ruminants.

Use of “Maguey” (Agave salmiana Otto ex. Salm-Dick) as Forage for Ewes

Abstract Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R., García-López, J.C, Rivera-Miranda, M.T., González-Muñoz, S., López-Aguirre, S. and Chávez-Villalobos, D. 2006 Use of “maguey” (Agave salmiana Otto ex. Salm-Dick) as forage for ewes. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 101–107. Nutritive value of various parts of maguey (Agave salmiana) was estimated. Results suggest that heads of nine months old castrate maguey showed a better nutrient composition. On sheep feeding trial, body weight (BW) gain was observed to be larger (P<0.05) for ewes fed chopped bagasse as compared to whole ones. In another trial, ewes were fed whole maguey, upper portion maguey leaves or immature flowering stalk, plus concentrate (300 g/ewe); BW gain was larger (P<0.05) for ewes fed flowering stalk (quiotes), as compared to those fed whole maguey, and ewes showed no digestive problems. Maguey bagasse and quiotes with little supplemental concentrate constitute maintenance ration for sheep.

Effect of Species and Age on Nutrient Content and in vitro Digestibility of Opuntia spp.

Abstract Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Duque-Briones, R., Reyes-Agüero, J.A., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R., García-López, J.C. and González-Muñoz, S. 2006. Effect of species and age on nutrient content and digestibility of Opuntia spp. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 13–17. Proximal and cell wall analysis, as well as in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of Opuntia robusta, O. ficus-indica and O. rastrera (one, two and three years old cladodes) were performed in order to evaluate the effect of species and age on nutrients contents and dry matter digestibility. The Cp was higher (P<0.05) for O. ficus-indica and O. robusta than for O. rastrera, which showed the highest levels of ash. There were no differences (P>0.05) for NDF and ADF among the three species of cactus pear; besides, the age of the cladodes did not affect (P>0.05) the DM, Cp, ADF and ash content. IVDMD for O. ficus-indica and O. robusta was generally higher than that for O. rastrera. The one year old cladodes showed a higher (P<0.05) IVDMD up to 12 h of incubation. O. ficus-indica and O. robusta showed a higher (P<0.05) nutrients content than O. rastrera.

Egg components, lipid fraction and fatty acid composition of Creole and Plymouth Rock×Rhode Island Red cross hens fed with three diets

27 Creole and 27 Plymouth Rock x Rhode Island Red hens (cross) 47 months old were used to estimate the effect of three diets; commercial diet, corn + alfalfa and homemade diet on egg weight, white, yolk, egg shell, dry matter, protein, fat and ash content of the yolk; lipid fraction and fatty acid profile of the yolk was estimated too. Eggs were collected at 53 weeks of age, 30 eggs per treatment were randomly selected for laboratory analysis. No differences (P>0.05) were found on egg, white, yolk and egg shell weight between genetic groups; inside groups there was a significant effect of diet on yolk weight in both groups. There was no effect of diet and genetic group on yolk composition (P>0.05); however there was a trend of less content of dry matter and more ash with the homemade diet in both groups. There was a group effect (P<0.05) on cholesterol, cholesterol esters and lecithin content; inside groups there was a diet effect (P<0.05) on total lipid content and triglycerides. No differences (P>0.05) between groups were found for the fatty acid profile; inside groups stearic acid was higher (P<0.05) in the yolk of hens fed with no commercial diet and linoleic acid percentage was higher (P<0.05) with corn plus alfalfa diet. Results indicated that corn + alfalfa and homemade diet seem to alter the egg components, yolk lipids and fatty acid profile.

Chemical Composition and Ruminal in vitro Degradation of Fresh or Silage of Agave salmiana Otto ex. Salm-Dick

Abstract Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Gonzalez-Muñoz, S., Badillo, B., García-López, J.C, Aguirre-Rivera, J.R. and Infante, S. 2008. Chemical composition and ruminal in vitro degradation of fresh or silage of Agave salmiana Otto ex. Salm-Dick. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 33: 45–48. Chemical composition and in vitro DM ruminal degradation of whole plant or leaves of Agave salmiana immature, mature or castrated, fresh or silage were estimated. Results suggest that silage process affected pH, DM, NDF, ADF, ash and in vitro DM ruminal degradation, but did not reduce saponin concentration. DM, OM, CP, ADF, ash and DM degradation rate was modified by maturity. Moreover, segment plant impacted OM, CP, ash, saponin and DM degradation rate. Fermentative compounds were found in normal concentrations in the A. salmiana silages.

Analysis of a goat milk cheese industry in a desert rangeland of Mexico

The study aimed to identify the goat milk value chain for the benefit of producers in a desert rangeland of Mexico. Using retrospective analysis, we characterized goat milk and cheese production and commercialization and profitability at the community and regional levels. What should be done for a cooperative with all stakeholders, using strategic management methodologies is determined. Goat husbandry had an explosive growth in the second third of last century, but disorganized growth deteriorated the rangelands and the activity is declining. Milk productivity has declined up to seven times in some regions compared with the 1960s. It is still the main source of earned income in the region but disorganization persists in all aspects from production to commercialization, and the common use of the rangelands. Producers are depleting their natural resources due to low incomes. Milking and cheese production are unhygienic, uncomfortable and too time consuming, while commercialization is informal. The vision and mission show a group that wants to succeed through profitable and sustainable commercialization. Milk production potential should be increased through better use of natural resources and optimization of the herd’s general management. Organization for the use of the rangelands, standardized small-scale processing, commercialization and technology transfer is the hope for sustainable rural development in this region. The high fat content of the goat milk in the region should increase its price.

Evaluation of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as Forage in a High Concentrate Total Mixed Ration on Finishing Lambs

Abstract Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Velásquez-Bianco, J.C., González-Muñoz, S.S., García-López, J.C., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R. and Bárcena, R. 2007. Evaluation of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as forage in a high concentrate total mixed ration on finishing lambs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 161–164. A study was conducted to compare two total mixed rations with similar level of NDF using cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) or alfalfa as forages, in a high level concentrate rations on (i) growth performance in finishing lambs, (ii) nutrients in vivo digestibility and N and energy balance and (iii) ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA). The high moisture level of cactus pear limited its incorporation in the ration, which was less than 2% of DM, compared to 12% of alfalfa hay. Average daily gain, dry matter intake, N, energy balance and ruminal pH in lambs fed on a ration containing cactus pear were lower than those fed on alfalfa hay as forage. The inclusion of 1.6% (DM basis) of cactus pear in the ration was not an appropriate level to consider the cactus pear as sole forage source for lambs.

Effects of urea-prickly pear-molasses block supplementation on growth and milk production of crossbred goats on arid rangelands

This paper discusses the potential use of feed blocks as supplements for grazing goats under a harsh arid zone of northern Mexico. The study was carried out during fall and winter. A flock of 64 goats was randomly allotted into two groups (equal number of animals and categories of goats) both groups were fed a total mixed ration containing 50% ground corn stover, 40% spineless cladodes of Opuntia spp. and 10% corn grain. Additionally, at night, one group had access to a urea-prickly pear-molasses block supplementation, whereas the other group was not supplemented (Control). The block supplementation increased (P<0.05) litter size (1.3 vs. 1.5), litter weight (4.8 vs. 5.2) and daily milk yield in twin bearing does. Results indicate that providing a block supplementation could ameliorate the depressing effect of scarce forage, with a marked improvement in litter size and weight, as well as an increased milk yield in those goats raising twins.

Effects of feed intake restriction and micronutrients supplementation on ascites mortality and leg characteristics of broilers

The aim of the present study was to compare two feed restriction regimes with two levels of micronutrients on ascites and leg abnormalities in broilers. A complete randomised design within a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments examined the effects of feed restriction and micronutrients on ascites and leg abnormalities presentation. Twelve hundred day old Ross×Peterson chicks were assigned to the following treatments: Feed restriction time, FRT, (112 and 210 h) and micronutrient supplementation, MNS, (+ and −). Weight gain and feed conversion were not affected (P>0.05) by FRT or MNS. Total mortality, ascites mortality and leg abnormalities were modified (P<0.05) by both FRT and MNS, chickens with a feed restriction of 112 h had higher (P<0.05) mortalities (as total and as by ascites) and leg abnormalities than chickens with a feed restriction of 210 h. Also, chickens supplemented with micronutrients had lower (P<0.05) mortalities than chickens not supplemented. Tibia characteristics (weight, length, density and ash content) were not modified by FRT and MNS. Also, FRT did not affect (P >0.01) Ca and P concentrations, and the Ca:P ratio in tibia. However, both Ca and P, and Ca:P ratio were modified by MNS (P<0.001). Chickens supplemented with micronutrients had lower Ca concentrations and higher P concentrations in tibia than chickens not supplemented. Feed restriction for 210 h and micronutrient supplementation decrease ascites mortality.

Effect of Chrysactinia mexicana Gray Extract on Laying Hens Organs Challenged with Salmonella typhimurium

Introduction: Backyard poultry production systems are a very important source of meat and egg protein especially for children in rural areas. Aim: Evaluate the biocide effect of Chrysactinia mexicana Gray extract on laying hens organs challenged with Salmonella typhimurium. Study Design: In vitro and in vivo testing. Original Research Article Garcia-Lopez et al.; JALSI, 5(1): 1-8, 2016; Article no.JALSI.24672 2 Methodology: Two trials were conducted. In the first trial an in vitro experiment was performed with different solvents: aqueous, methylene chloride, ethanol and hexane for the plant extraction. Bactericide effect was determined. The second trial was an in vivo experiment 24 Plymouth Rock Barred hens, 21 weeks old (6 hens/treatment) were used with the following treatments: T1 control, no challenge and no plant extract; T2 control with challenge; T3 challenge and ethanol extract of C. mexicana and; T4 challenge and antibiotic. Colony Forming Units (CFU) of S. typhimurium in gizzard, ceca, crop and duodenum contents was measured. Results: Bactericide assessment of C. mexicana with different solvent extracts resulted effective against S. typhimurium on concentrations between 20 and 25 mg/ml of extract. Ethanol extract has higher bactericide activity. Feed intake, total weight gain and final body weight was higher for T1 among the other treatments. Treatment 2 had the lowest trait performance. T3 and T4 had similar feed intake, total weight gain and final body weight response. The control group had lower CFU for crop, gizzard, ceca and duodenum compared with the other treatments. The highest content of CFU for all four organs was for the T2. The treatment challenged with S. typhimurium and C. mexicana extract had lower CFU for the organs than T2. Treatment challenged and with antibiotic showed better CFU counts than T3. Conclusion: C. mexicana extract had a beneficial effect both in vitro and in vivo trials.