Thitima Norrapoke

Effects of Protein Level and Mangosteen Peel Pellets (Mago-pel) in Concentrate Diets on Rumen Fermentation and Milk Production in Lactating Dairy Crossbreds

Four, lactating dairy crossbreds (50%×50% Holstein Friesian×Native Zebu cattle) were randomly assigned according to a 2×2 factorial arrangement (two protein levels and two levels of mangosteen peel pellets (Mago-pel)) in a 4×4 Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. All cows received concentrate at a proportion of 1 kg concentrate per 2 kg of milk yield, and urea-treated 5% rice straw (UTRS) was given ad libitum. It was found that total dry matter intakes, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH and NH3-N concentrations were not affected (p>0.05) by treatments. Concentrations of ruminal pH and NH3-N were not affected by dietary treatments although the concentration of BUN varied significantly (p<0.05) between protein levels (p<0.05). The populations of rumen bacteria and fungal zoospores did not differ among treatments (p>0.05); however, the population of protozoa was decreased (p<0.05) when cows received Mago-pel supplementation. The composition of the population of bacteria, identified by real-time PCR technique, including total bacteria, methanogens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus was similar (p>0.05) among dietary treatments (p>0.05); however, copy numbers of Ruminococcus flavefaciens was increased when protein level increased (p<0.05). Microbial protein synthesis, in terms of both quantity and efficiency, was enriched by Mago-pel supplementation. Milk yield was greatest in cows fed UTRS based diets with concentrate containing protein at 16% CP with Mago-pel, but were lowest without Mago-pel (p<0.05). In addition, protein level and supplementation of Mago-pel did not affect (p>0.05) milk composition except solids-not-fat which was higher in cows fed the diet with 19% CP. Therefore, feeding a concentrate containing 16% CP together with 300 g/hd/d Mago-pel supplementation results in changes in rumen fermentation and microbial population and improvements in milk production in lactating dairy crossbreds fed on UTRS.

Effect of Grape Pomace Powder, Mangosteen Peel Powder and Monensin on Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Nitrogen Balance and Microbial Protein Synthesis in Dairy Steers

This study was designed to investigate the effect of grape pomace powder (GPP), mangosteen peel powder (MPP) and monensin on feed intake, nutrients digestibility, microorganisms, rumen fermentation characteristic, microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen balance in dairy steers. Four, rumen fistulated dairy steers with initial body weight (BW) of 220±15 kg were randomly assigned according to a 4×4 Latin square design to receive four treatments. The treatments were as follows: T1 = control, T2 = supplementation with monensin at 33 mg/kg diet, T3 = supplementation with GPP at 2% of dry matter intake, and T4 = supplementation with MPP at 30 g/kg diet. The steers were offered the concentrate diet at 0.2% BW and 3% urea treated rice straw (UTRS) was fed ad libitum. It was found that GPP supplemented group had higher UTRS intake and nutrient digestibility in terms of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber than those in control group (p<0.05). Ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and blood urea-nitrogen concentration were higher in monensin, GPP and MPP supplemented groups (p<0.05). Total volatile fatty acids and propionate in the GPP group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05) while acetate concentration, and acetate to propionate ratio were decreased (p<0.01) when steers were supplemented with GPP, monensin, and MPP, respectively. Moreover, protozoal populations in GPP, MPP, and monensin supplementation were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05), while cellulolytic bacterial population was significantly higher in the control group (p<0.05). Nitrogen retention, microbial crude protein and efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis were found significantly higher in steers that received GPP (p<0.05). Based on this study it could be concluded that the GPP has potential as an alternative feed supplement in concentrate diets which can result in improved rumen fermentation efficiency, digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in steers fed on treated rice straw.

In vitro rumen fermentation and digestibility of buffaloes as influenced by grape pomace powder and urea treated rice straw supplementation

This study aimed to investigate the effect of grape pomace powder levels and roughage sources on gas kinetics, digestibility and fermentation of swamp buffaloes by using in vitro techniques. The experimental design was a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Factor A was two sources of roughage (untreated rice straw, RS, and 3% urea treated rice straw, UTRS) and factor B was four levels of grape pomace powder (GPP) supplementation (0, 2, 4, 6% of substrate) on a dry matter basis. Results revealed that GPP supplementation at 2, 4 and 6% of substrate influenced gas kinetics. Cumulative gas production tended to be lower in the supplemented group. In vitro true digestibility was higher in the GPP supplementation at 2% with UTRS while microbial mass was higher in the supplemented groups. Supplementation of GPP significantly increased the total volatile fatty acids, especially propionate. Calculated methane production was subsequently decreased in the supplemented groups. Bacterial population was higher while protozoal population was lower by GPP supplementation. It could be concluded that supplementation of GPP at 2% of the substrate with UTRS improved in vitro true digestibility, rumen fermentation end-products as well as reducing methane production.

Using krabok (Irvingia malayana) seed oil and Flemingia macrophylla leaf meal as a rumen enhancer in an in vitro gas production system

An in vitro gas production system was conducted to investigate the effect of krabok (Irvingia malayana) seed oil (KSO) and Flemingia (Flemingia macrophylla) leaf powder (FLM) supplementation on gas production kinetics, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and methane production with different ratios of rice straw to cassava chip (RS : CC). The treatments were arranged according to a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design using four different ratios of RS : CC (100 : 0; 60 : 40; 20 : 80; and 0 : 100), two levels of KSO supplement (0% and 2.5% of total dietary substrate) and two levels of FLM supplement (0% and 2.5% of total dietary substrate). The gas production kinetics were affected by RS : CC, KSO and FLM supplementation (P < 0.05). However, there was no interaction between RS : CC*FLM, FLM*KSO, or RS : CC*FLM*KSO; with the exception of RS : CC*KSO (P < 0.05). Cumulative gas at 96 h post incubation was increased with increasing RS : CC especially at 0 : 100. However, KSO supplementation suppressed gas production whereas FLM could enhance gas production from feed fraction (P < 0.05). Increasing RS : CC ratio resulted in increasing total VFA, propionic acid and butyric acid whereas acetic acid concentration was reduced; therefore, ratio of acetic acid : propionic acid was reduced. However, KSO supplementation depressed VFA production whereas the FLM supplement had no effect. The methane production was reduced with increasing level of RS : CC especially with supplementation of KSO. Based on this study, it is concluded that KSO addition could reduce methane production whereas FLM could enhance the gas production and fermentation end products; hence, the combined use is potentially beneficial. However, further research under in vivo conditions should be conducted.

Improvement of nutritive value of cassava pulp and in vitro fermentation and microbial population by urea and molasses supplementation

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effect of urea (U) and molasses (M) supplement on the nutritive value of cassava pulp and in vitro gas fermentation. The ensiling study was randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The first factor was U supplementation at U0, U2, U4, and U6% and the second was M supplementation at M0, M2, M4, and M6% of dry matter, respectively. After 14 days of ensiling, treated cassava pulp was sampled for chemical composition analysis and subsequently used to study in vitro fermentation. The results revealed that increasing U supplement levels could increase crude protein and decrease fibre contents of treated cassava pulp (P < .05). Increasing U and M supplement levels increased gas production and in vitro true digestibility (P < .05). Total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens were increased in cassava pulp treated with U and M supplemented groups (P < .05). Based on this experiment, it could be concluded that U4 and M4% supplement could improve the nutritive value of treated cassava pulp and increase gas production, in vitro digestibility, and the growth of dominant cellulolytic bacterial population. However, further research should be conducted on the use of treated cassava pulp in ruminant feeding.

Feeding tropical dairy cattle with local protein and energy sources for sustainable production

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high protein feed (Hipro-feed) formulated with carbohydrate source in concentrate mixture on feed intake, rumen fermentation, and milk performance of lactating cows fed Ruzi grass. Sixty cross-bred dairy cows (75% Holstein–Friesian and 25% Thai cows) in mid-lactation, 390 ± 50.0 kg body weight, 85 ± 5 days in milk with daily milk production of 10 ± 2.0 kg/day, were selected from 15 smallholder dairy farms and assigned according to a randomized complete block design. Four cows per farm were subjected to two groups to receive dietary treatments: Formulation I = control formula used by farmers and Formulation II = Mixed carbohydrate source + Hipro-feed (48% crude protein). The results showed that cows that received Formulation II had higher total feed intake and nutrient digestibility (P < .05). However, ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids, and propionic acid were increased in cows that consumed Formulation II, while acetic acid and butyric acid, ruminal pH, temperature, and blood urea nitrogen were similar between groups. Milk yield and economic return were increased in cows receiving Formulation II. In conclusion, Hipro-feed could usefully be incorporated with carbohydrate source in concentrate formulation for the improvement of diary performance of smallholder dairy farming in the northeastern region of Thailand.