N. Gurung

Effects of pine bark supplementation on performance, rumen fermentation, and carcass characteristics of Kiko crossbred male goats.

Twenty-two Kiko crossbred male goats (Capra hircus; initial BW = 27.5 ± 1.04 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding pine bark (PB; Pinus taeda L.) on animal performance, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, fecal egg counts (FEC), and carcass characteristics in goats. Experimental treatments included the control diet [0% PB plus 30% wheat straw (WS)], 15% PB plus 15% WS, and 30% PB plus 0% WS (on as-fed basis), where PB replaced WS. Freshly air-dried PB and WS were finely (1.5 to 3.0 mm) ground and incorporated in the grain mixes. Experimental diets provided a total of 1.9, 16.3, and 32 g of condense tannins (CT)/kg DM in 0%, 15%, and 30% PB diets, respectively. The grain mixes were fed daily at 85% of the feed offered, with remaining 15% consisting of Bermuda grass hay (Cynodon dactylon). Animals were fed once a day at 0800 h, and feed offered and refused was monitored for an 83-d performance period. Rumen and blood samples were collected at d 0, 50, and 80 of the study. Carcass traits were assessed after slaughter at the end of performance period. There was no difference in initial BW, hay, and total NDF intake among treatments; however, final BW (P = 0.06), ADG (P < 0.01), grain mix intake (P < 0.001), total DMI (P < 0.001), and G:F (P < 0.04) increased linearly as the PB increased in the diets. Rumen ammonia N, acetate, isovalerate and acetate-to-propionate ratio were reduced linearly (P < 0.05). There was no difference in carcass traits except cold carcass weight (P = 0.06), which tended to increase linearly in goats fed 15% and 30% PB. Breast, sirloin, trim trait, liver, and hide weight increased (linear; P < 0.01) with addition of PB. Blood basophils, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, Na, and Cl concentrations decreased (linear; P < 0.02 to 0.01) as PB supplementation increased. Supplementation of PB reduced (linear; P < 0.01) average FEC. Addition of PB in the diets improved performance, reduced FEC, and favorably modified rumen fermentation.

Effects of breed and harvest age on feed intake, growth, carcass traits, blood metabolites, and lipogenic gene expression in Boer and Kiko goats.

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of 2 different breeds (BR), Boer and Kiko, and 4 post-weaning harvest ages (HA; Days 0, 29, 56, and 85) on growth, carcass traits, blood metabolites, and lipogenic gene expression. Forty-eight goat (Capra hircus) kids (BW = 23.9 ± 1.50 kg; 3 to 4 mo) were used in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Goats were stratified by BW within BR and randomly assigned to 4 HA. Kids were born between March 15 and April 7 to purebred does, and were represented by at least 3 purebred sires within each BR. They were fed a grain/hay (80:20) diet once per day. At designated HA, randomly pre-assigned goats (n = 6) from each BR were transported to the Meat Science Lab at Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, and were harvested. There were no interactions (P > 0.10) between BR and HA. Boer tended (P = 0.08) to have greater initial BW, final BW (P = 0.05), and G/F ratio (P = 0.05). Although the 80:20 grain/hay diet was reinforced by adjusting DMI, both BR had similar total DMI, Boer kept that ratio, while Kiko consumed more (P = 0.001) hay (70:30, grain/hay) and had more (P = 0.001) DMI when expressed as g/kg BW. Boer tended to have greater transportation shrink (P = 0.07), HCW (P = 0.08), and cold carcass weights (CCW; P = 0.08), with greater (P = 0.001) carcass fat. No differences (P > 0.10) were observed in carcass shrink, dressing percentage, 12th rib fat thickness, and LM area between the 2 BR. When expressed as percentage empty BW, carcass bone was similar (P = 0.25), whereas muscle percentage (P = 0.02) was greater for Kiko and fat percentage was greater (P = 0.001) for Boer. Fat as a percentage of CCW remained relatively similar (P > 0.10) for both BR for the 2nd and 3rd HA. Differences were more evident (P = 0.01) at the 4th HA. Boer reached targeted harvest weight (29 kg) at the 3rd HA, while fat deposition continued (P = 0.01) during the 4th HA. Breed had no effect (P > 0.10) on meat color (L*, a*, b*) but HA affected (P = 0.001) all color values. Boer had similar 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase mRNA abundance, but was greater (P < 0.03) in acetyl CoA carboxylase compared with Kiko. There was no difference (P = 0.52) in total serum fatty acids (FA, mg/mL) between the 2 BR. As animals aged, their total serum FA increased (P < 0.05) and changed to an undesirable profile. Kiko had a greater (P = 0.02) percentage of muscle and less (P = 0.001) fat in the carcass. We concluded that different BR might need different harvest endpoints and feed input according to consumer acceptability.

Agroforestry research and extension education at 1890 universities and its impact in the Southeast

Agroforestry is a sustainable land-use system that involves an intentional integration and management of trees, crops, and/or livestock in a single management unit. Well managed agroforestry systems offer more economical, environmental, and social benefits compared to monocultures of its components. Continuous research, education, and extension efforts are necessary to promote agroforestry practices. Agroforestry research, education, and extension activities ongoing at the 1890 universities located in the South and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, Epes, Alabama are presented in this article. Additionally, some of the funding support received by these institutions to conduct agroforestry activities, and the involvement of professionals, farmers, landowners, and students in these activities are discussed.

Effects of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Lamb

Dry Distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) is the major coproduct of ethanol production from corn. It contains more than 30% crude protein with approximately 55% ruminally undegradable protein and 2.25 Mcal/kg net energy (Schingoethe et al., 2009). However, it contains high fiber (~ 46% NDF) which negatively affects DDGS digestibility. The composition of DDGS is an ideal supplement for ruminants consuming low-to moderatequality forages (NRC, 2000; Stock et al., 2000; Spiehs et al., 2002; Archibeque et al., 2008; Jacob et al., 2008; Klopfenstein et al., 2008; Van Emon et al., 2008; Leupp et al., 2009; Koger et al., 2010). However, DDGS are relatively low in rumendegradable protein (DIP; 27.2% of CP) and relatively high in undegraded intake protein (UIP) (Archibeque et al., 2008; NRC, 2000). Hence, when DDGS are fed at levels of 6 to 15% of diet DM, their primary purpose is to serve as a protein source, and when fed at greater levels, DDGS become a source of energy (Klopfenstein, 2001). The growth in the biofuel industries and subsequent development of dry-milling production facilities (Renewable Fuels Association, 2009; Gunn et al., 2010; Koger et al., 2010) resulted in volatile futures markets and increased grain costs traditionally used in feedlot diets (Gunn et al., 2010; Schmit et al., 2009). Consequently, to sustain profitability and thrive within their respective industries, livestock producers from all sectors began to seek ways to reduce feed costs, particularly the usage of byproducts such as DDGS, which can be used as a substitute for energy and protein sources in beef cattle diets (Stock et al., 2000, Archibeque et al., 2008; Klopfenstein et al., 2008; Vander et al., 2009; Gunn et al., 2010; Whitney and Lupton, 2010a). Limited data is available on carcass characteristics of livestock fed DDGS (Depenbusch et al., 2008); and to our best

The effects of distillers dried grains with solubles on apparent nutrient digestibility and passage kinetics of Boer×Spanish castrated male goats

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different inclusion rates of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on apparent nutrient digestibility, and passage kinetics in meat goats. Four uniform mature Boer×Spanish castrated goats (51.4±0.9 kg BW) were used in a 4×4 Latin square experimental design. Animals had free-choice access to twice daily 36.5% bermudagrass hay (BGH) and 63.5% concentrates containing 0, 12.7, 25.4 and 38.1% of DDGS (dry matter[DM]basis; w/w proportion) replacing corn and soybean meal in the diet. Concentrates were isonitrogenous with 16% crude protein (CP). Each period consisted of 16 days for diets adjustment followed by 5 days of total fecal and urine collection for the digestion and passage kinetics. Concentrate and hay offered and refused, fecal and urine outputs were monitored daily. The ytterbium-marked BGH was used to determine the passage kinetics. Results indicated that with the inclusion of DDGS increased ether extract (EE) concentrations of total diets from 2.91 (0% DDGS) to 4.33% (38.1% DDGS). No differences were observed in DM and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility (P>0.05) among treatments. However, DDGS supplementation had a quadratic effect on apparent digestibilities of acid detergent fibre (ADF) and EE (P=0.04). Passage kinetics and nitrogen utilisation were unaffected by DDGS inclusion (P>0.05). Results of this experiment indicated that DDGS can replace up to 38.1% of diet DM for Boer×Spanish castrated goats with no adverse effects on nutrient digestion and passage kinetics.

The Effect of Forage-Based Meat Goat Production Systems on Live Performance, Carcass Traits and Fatty Acid Composition of Kiko Crossbred Goats

It is hypothesize that combining legume forages with grasses will increase plant protein output as well as animal performance. Two years of winter grazing experiments were conducted at the Caprine Research and Education Unit at George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station, Tuskegee University to develop a profitable and sustainable forage-based meat goats production system. Forty-eight Kiko-crossbred (Capra hircus; 19.6±1.5) meat goats were randomly allocated to 6 groups as following: (1) annual ryegrass/wheat (RW; Lolium multiflorum/Triticum aestivum, respectively) + Berseem clover (BC; Trifolium alexandrinum), (2) RW + Austrian pea (AP; Pisum sativum), (3) RW + Hairy vetch (HV; Vicia villosa) + AP, (4) RW + HV + AP + BC, (5) RW + HV, and (6) annual RW as a control with 2 replicates per treatment during 2 years. An average multi-culture forage dry matter (DM; kg/DM/ha) production during 2 years tended to be (P = 0.07) greater for RW+BC than other forage combinations. Biomass production in February and April were higher (P < 0.01) for RW+BC than RW+HV and RW forage combinations, but there was no forage treatment x year interactions. There were no differences in initial body weight (BW), final BW and average daily gain (ADG) among treatments, with no treatment x year interactions for animal BW changes and ADG. However, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, and dressing percentage were greater (P<0.05) for RW+BC and RW +HV+AP than for RW grasses. Sirloin weight was greater (P<0.04) for RW+BC than for RW pasture, while leg weight was greater (P < 0.03) for RW+HV + AP than for RW control. Goats grazed on grasses-based diet (RW), had higher average saturated fatty acids (SFA; P < 0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; P<0.05) in intramuscular fat content, but both were lower in mescentric kidney fat (MKF) and subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05-0.01) compared to legume forage-based diets. Goats grazed on grass-based diets, had higher omega-3 and -6 fatty acids in intramuscular fat content (P < 0.05-0.08), but both were lower in subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05-0.01) compared to legume forage-based diets. This is probably due to higher nutritive values of forage diets throughout the winter grazing period. The results produced indicated a greater increase in carcass yield with more desirable fatty acids compositions in intramuscular fat content in meat goats from grass-legume multiple combinations compared to mono-culture forage.

Influence of Feeding Peanut Skins on Performance of Gulf Coast Ewe Lambs

1 Department of Food and Animal Sciences, Alabama A & M University, Normal, AL, 35762; 2 Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27411; 3 Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, Auburn, AL, 36832; 4 College of Agricultural, Environmental and Natural Sciences; Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088; 5 School of Animal Science, Mt. Ida College, Newton, MA 02459.