JOURNAL OF RUMINANT RESEARCH
Year:2019 | Volume:7 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:8

Background and objectives: Sheep breeding in Iran has been relied heavily on rangeland, but in the current situation, this breeding method needs to be reviewed. In order to preserve this profession, it is necessary to seek new methods and solutions in order to make it a professionally dynamic and economical job. One of the effective methods for increasing the growth rate of lambs and improving the quantitative and qualitative efficiency of carcasses is the use of crossbreeding and produce of commercial breed for lamb production systems. Therefore, this research was done for producing, promoting and developing livestock production in intensive breeding system. Material and methods: Two hundreds heads of 2-4 year old Zel ewes were purchased from the flocks of the Golestan province (according to Zel breed characteristics) and transferred to the Shirang experimental station. Ewes were randomly assigned to two groups of 100 heads with regard to age groups. They were breed in two different reproductive methods: 1-pure Zel (Zel  Zel) breeding, synchronization, multiplicity (with Hormone therapy), and multiplicity (three times in two years), 2-crossbreeding (Shal  Zel), synchronization, multiplicity (with hormone therapy), and multiplicity (three times in two years). The experimental animals were flushed for 14 days before mating with flushing diets. The reproductive characteristics of ewes, including: Apparent fertility, prolificacy, ewe reproduction performance, and ewe production performance, were investigated. Results: Under traditional (conventional) breeding conditions in the region, from every 100 heads ewe, on average with 55 to 60% parturition and 70 lambs, about 2030 kilograms live weight of lambs were obtained at the end of the 100 days of fattening period, while under industrial (intensive) conditions in the Zel pure breed, this factor was 5382 kilograms live weight (increased by 165%) and in the crossbred lambs (Shal  Zel) increase to 6774 kilograms live weight (with an increase of 234%). In fact, production costs in the industrial breeding system were up to 30% higher than the current breeding method in the region. The average lambing rate under triditional conditions of the Zel breeding system was 70 lambs per 100 ewes per year but in this experiment with the Zell pure breed, during two years, from 207 ewes 624 lambs was born. That is, each year, 151 lambs per 100 ewes have produced, which has almost doubled than usual. Conclusions: In the industrial breeding method, during breeding in two years, the average lambs per ewe was 1. 55, while in the usual breeding method in the region, each lamb is produced at 0. 7 lamb per year. At the end of the breeding period, the lambs of pure zeal 165% and crossbred lambs (shale  zel) yielded (234%) more lamb weight than the usual breeding in the region.

Background and objectives: Potato waste can be used as an energy-rich feed in the diet of livestock. In addition, the amount of metabolizable energy in this product is equal to the grain's barley energy, but the starch in the rumen is slowly fermentable. In scientific studies on livestock, it showed that potato waste processing by cooking and other methods of its processing in the ruminant diet had beneficial effects on growth performance and apparent digestibility of nutrients. Considering this point, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing barley with different levels of cooked potato wastes in diet on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients and qualitative and quantitative characteristics of carcasses of fattened Zell male lambs Materials and methods: Twenty Zell male lambs with an average initial weight 33 ± 2 kg and 195 ± 15 days’ age was used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates in 80 days. Experimental treatments include: 0, 15, 30 and 45 percent cooked potato wastes (DM basis). Results: The results of performance traits showed that lambs receiving diets containing 30 and 45% potato waste had more weight gain rather than other treatments (P<0. 05). While experimental diets had no significant effect on feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The results of apparent digestibility of nutrients showed that diets containing 45% of cooked potato waste had the highest apparent digestibility of DM and control diet had the highest apparent digestibility of crude protein and NDF (P<0. 05). The results of the carcass chemical composition analysis showed that the use of different levels of potato waste only had a significant effect on carcass moisture content (P<0. 05) and characteristics of carcass lambs were not statistically significant different between experimental groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that due to the results of growth performance, especially the increase in final weights, as well as the increase in the level of consumption of cooked potato waste and the increased digestibility of dry matter, this processed waste is an appropriate replacement for barley as a source of energy in the diet. In addition, the use of different levels of cooked potato waste did not have a significant effect on the carcass characteristics of fattening lambs.

Background and objectives: The transition period of dairy animals is most important because of the sudden and profound physiological and metabolic changes in the course of transition from pregnancy to lactation. The use of different energy supply methods by glucogenic or lipogenic diets during the pre and postpartum periods has been recognized as the main strategies for prevention of metabolic diseases and increasing the pregnancy efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sources of starch and fatty acids on performance, milk yield and composition and nutrients digestibility of Qezel ewes during transition period. Materials and methods: Twenty pregnant Qezel ewes with average age of three years and average body weight of 65 ± 2 kg from 30 days to the expected time of parturition until 30 days after parturition in a completely randomized design and implemented with 2 × 2 factorial method. Treatments included: 1) corn-based diet + saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid supplement (Roomi Fat)® ); 2) corn-based diet + unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 fish) (Persia fat)® ); 3) barley-based diet + saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid supplement) and 4) barleybased diet + unsaturated fatty acids (supplement omega-3 fish). Results: The results of this study showed that the experimental treatments had no significant effect on digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, protein, ether extract and ash (P > 0. 05). The starch and fatty acids source had no significant effect on feed intake before and after parturition and birth weight of lambs (P > 0. 05). After parturition, the effect of starch and fatty acids source on the ewe’ s weight changes was significant and in the ewes fed diets containing barley grain, weight loss was higher than corn grain diets (P < 0. 05). Milk production and milk protein was not affected by the source of starch and fatty acid (P > 0. 05). Milk fat percentage in treatments containing barley grain was significantly higher than corn grain (P < 0. 05), as well as in barley-containing treatments, supplemental palmitic acid treatment had a higher milk fat percentage than diets containing of omega-3 fatty acid. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the use of corn grain and supplementation of saturated fatty acid would reduce the weight loss in ewes after parturition, which confirmation of these results requires more functional and metabolic experiment.

Background and objectives: Lathyrus sativus as a source of protein have been used in ruminants’ diet and because of similar amino acids profile to soybean meal can use instead of soybean meal in ruminants’ diets. Heat processing increased extent of amino acids pass into the intestine in dairy cattle fed by heat processed Lathyrus sativus. There is limitation information about effect of Lathyrus sativus in dairy calf performance. Furthermore, the goal of this study is evaluating effect of processed Lathyrus sativus (milled or extruded) instead of soybean meal in starter on performance, nutrients digestibility, rumen and blood parameters in Holstein dairy calves. Materials and methods: Eighteen Holstein female dairy calves with an average birth weight of 38 ± 3. 5 kg were allocated randomly in complete randomized design. The experimental treatments consisted of: 1) control; starter containing soybean meal, 2) starter containing 10% milled Lathyrus sativus instead of soybean meal, and 3) starter containing 10% extruded Lathyrus sativus instead of soybean meal. The calves were fed colostrum for first three days after berthing and followed by equal of 10% of their body weight milk up to 80 days. Sampling of feed and residual feed at all days of experiment before morning feeding, sampling of feces in last 5 day of experiment (d 75 to 80) by rectum six times every 24 h, sampling of rumen fluid in d 78 in 3 h after morning feeding, sampling of blood in d 79 and 3 h after morning feeding and measuring of body weight and other growth parameters were done in d 1, 40 and 80. Data were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS using a completely randomized design with 6 replications. Results: Starter intake in the calves fed by extruded Lathyrus sativus than those of fed milled Lathyrus sativus and control group was significantly increased (P= 0. 043). Average daily gain, final body weight and feed efficiency were not affected by experimental treatments (P > 0. 05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, natural detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and ether extract were not statistically affected among treatment (P > 0. 05). pH value was not affected by experimental treatments (P > 0. 05), but rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration using extruded Lathyrus sativus than milled form or control group was significantly decreased (P= 0. 049). There were not any difference (P > 0. 05) in blood glucose, triglyceride, total protein and cholesterol in claves during the experiment. Also, body measurements include body length, hip height, hip width, heart girth, body barrel and withers height in the middle and end of the experiment were not affected significantly (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: Using of Lathyrus sativus grain may replace soybean meal in starter diets until 80 days of age without harming growth performance. Extruding of Lathyrus sativus grain than milled form leads to improve of feed intake and average daily gain at the end of experiment. It seems with reducing of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen and blood, extruding of Lathyrus sativus grain can pass the protein into the intestine and improve nitrogen utilization efficiency.

Background and objectives: Previous studies comparing the effects of soybean meal versus canola meal have shown that canola meal can improve DMI, nitrogen (N) utilization and performance when fed to lactating dairy cows. Considering the high price of soybean meal compared to canola meal and the limited studies conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of replacement, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal with canola meal at different levels on performance, rumen and blood parameters in early lactation Holstein cows. Materials and methods: To evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal with canola meal at different levels on performance, ruminal and blood parameters, twelve multiparous Holstein cows in early lactation were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four treatments. Treatments including different levels of replacement of soybean meal with canola meal in the diet were: 1) Soybean meal as the main source of dietary protein (0% of canola meal), 2) replacing 50% soybean meal with canola meal in diet and 3) Canola meal as the main source of dietary protein (0% of soybean meal). Feed intake and milk production were recorded for each cow during the last six days of the period. Rumen samples were taken from cows on the last day of each experimental period to measure the concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen. Blood samples were also taken at the end of each experimental period to determine plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, total protein, albumin, globulin and blood urea nitrogen. Results: Dry matter was not affected by treatments. Milk production was significantly higher in cows fed diets containing canola meal than in cows fed diet containing 100% soybean meal. The use of different levels of canola meal in the diet caused a significant reduction in the MUN concentration. The other milk compounds concentrations were not affected by experimental treatments. The use of combination of soybean meal and canola meal in the diet together increased the apparent digestibility of the dry matter. The apparent digestibility of the protein was increased by feeding canola meal compared to soybean meal. Ruminal pH and ruminal volatile fatty acids concentration were not significantly affected by experimental diets. Except for albumin, none of the blood parameters were affected by the experimental treatments. Concentration of plasma albumin was greater in cows fed diet containing 100% canola meal compared to cows fed two other diets. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that replacing soybean meal with canola meal at 50% and 100% levels in early lactating cows improved milk production, efficiency of intake nitrogen and apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein.

Background and objectives: Transition period is the period between three weeks before and three weeks after parturition which is one of the most critical physiological stage in dairy cows. Decreasing dry matter intake (DMI) and negative energy balance (NEB) potentially weakens immunity system and increases higher incidence of metabolic and infectious diseases. High temperature in summer results in heat stress which subsequently reduce DMI and changes metabolic reaction in lactating dairy cows. Use of some vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and copper could reduce negative effects of transition period and heat stress. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of injection of vitamin C and copper to transition dairy cows on milk production and composition and body condition score (BCS), DMI in calving day and blood cells in summer season. Materials and methods: Twenty multiparous (second parity, 603. 18 ± 51 kg BW) and twenty multiparous (third and fourth parity, 669. 05 ± 53 kg BW) Holstein cows were used in a completely randomized block design with 2*2 factorial arrangement. Experiment extended from 40 d before expected calving till 90 d after calving. Experimental treatments consisted of control (injection of 7 mL of NaCl % 0. 9), Vitamin C (injection of 25 mg vitamin C solution/kg body weight), Copper (injection of 75 mg copper solution/day) and Vitamin C-Copper (simultaneous injection of 25 mg vitamin C solution/ kg body weight and 75 mg copper solution/day). Solutions were injected on 20 and 40 d before expected calving, calving day and 20 d after calving. Maximum temperature-humidity index during the experiment was 68. 27-78. 20. Body condition score (BCS) changes, DMI in calving day, milk production and composition and blood cells were determined. Results: Results showed that BCS, DMI in calving day, milk production and composition on d 7, 30, 60 and 90 after calving and cell blood count except of neutrophil count were not influenced by simultaneous injection of vitamin C and copper solutions. Blood neutrophil count on d 20 before expected calving did not affect by injection of vitamin C while as vitamin C injection enhanced blood neutrophil count on calving day, 10, 20 and 30 d after calving (P < 0. 05). Copper solution injection in compare to lack of injection tended to less changes on BCS form calving day till 30 d after calving (P = 0. 06). Red blood cell counts on calving day in cows receiving copper solution injection were greater in compare to lack of injection (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: Although, individual injection of vitamin C and copper to transition dairy cows resulted in some changes in blood cell counts but simultaneous injection of vitamin C and copper to heat loaded transition dairy cows had no considerable effect on milk composition and production of the first 90 d calving.

Background and objectives: The postpartum stage in dairy cows is one of the most important stages in the performance of dairy cattle. Providing food nutritious with feed processing at this time interval can be effective in meeting the needs of the livestock. Recent experiences suggest that the use of processed grains (corn and barley) instead of milled grains can greatly improve the production and reproductive conditions in dairy cattle. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the production and reproductive performance of freshly-produced dairy cows in two modes of steam flaked-and-grained cereal grains. Material and methods: This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design in a 100-day period in which 40 multiparous dairy cows were reared in four treatments included: Milled barley and corn, corn steam flaked and milled barley, barley steam flaked and corn and barley steam flaked. Throughout the experiment, cows were housed in the straw yard. Treatment diets were: 1) control diet (milled grains), 2): steam flacked corn with milled barley (SCGB) 3): steam flacked barley with milled corn (GCSB), 4): steam flacked corn and barley (SCSB). Diets were arranged in CNCPS software based on NRC requirements for dairy cattle. Productive performance (milk, fat, protein), feed consumption behavior, and reproductive performance were evaluated among the four groups. All statistical analyzes were performed in SAS software version 9. 1. Results: The results showed that the use of steam flaked barley and corn in ration increased the production efficiency in fresh cows (P < 0. 05), So that the simultaneous use of steam flaked corn and barley compared to the milled, increased the amount of 535 kg, but the percentage of lipid and milk protein was not affected by experimental treatments. The reproductive performances such as pregnancy rates and open days in barley and corn treated with steam flaked were improved by 13% and 11 days, respectively (P < 0. 05). The chewing activity rates were higher in steam flaked corn and barley compared to the milled (64 times in treatment 4 to 58 times in treatment 1), which had a significant difference. The present research indicates that reproduction responses in dairy cattle may be partly due to breeding cows that have sufficient energy and protein to support pregnancy and improve disorders, as it might change the ruminal fermentation pattern. Conclusion: The use of steam flaked corn and barley improves reproductive, reproductive performance and improve production performance in freshly dairy cows instead of barley and corn milled also reduces open days, calving interval and increase conception rate, pregnancy rate in first 100 days and total pregnancy rate, which can lead to economically important.

Background and objectives: Studies have shown that the addition of oilseeds to ruminants diets can affect the fatty acid composition of livestock products. Linseed oil contains more than 70% poly unsaturated fatty acids with alpha-linolenic acid generally contributing over 50% of total fatty acids. Hence, protection against rumen biohydrogenation determines the amount of alpha-linolenic acid reach to the duodenum. The extrusion of linseed may protect unsaturated fatty acids against ruminal biohydrogenation. However, the effects of extrusion on ruminal degradability of linseed are inconsistent in the literature. Meta-analysis can combine the results of studies about linseed supplementation to the fattening lamb diets for accurate and reliable estimation. Materials and methods: A literature search was initially conducted using PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, and Google Scholar data bases and investigated references in the papers. It was also based on the following key words: fatty acid, linseed supplementation, linseed oil, growth performance, and fattening lamb. Then, 12 studies were included in this meta-analysis; and prepared comparisons for average daily gain, feed intake and hot carcass weight and concentration of n3, n6 and conjugated linoleic acid fatty acids in subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus thoracis muscle. Meta-analyses were carried out using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis package, version 3. The effect sizes of across studies were calculated with fixed and random effect models. The presence of true heterogeneity among studies was identified with Cochran’ s Q– tests and quantification of the degree of heterogeneity was done with the I2 index. Possible publication bias was evaluated with funnel plot and statistical tests. Results: The results of this meta-analysis showed that the addition of linseed in the diet, has a positive effects on average daily body weight gain and hot carcass weight. However, linseed supplementation had no significant effects feed intake. Additions of linseed in the diet increase n3 fatty acids content and decrease n6 fatty acids concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus thoracis muscle, respectively. Subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus thoracis muscle conjugated linoleic acid concentration were not influenced by linseed supplementation. Comparison of the effect size of type of supplements to the overall effect size for the amount of n3 and n6 fatty acids in subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus thoracis muscle showed that the addition of flaxseed oil had the most effect on the concentration of this fatty acids. Conclusion: The results indicate that feeding linseed increase growth parameters such as lambs’ average daily body weight gain, hot carcass weight and n3 fatty acids content in subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus thoracis muscle in fattening lambs. Nevertheless, adding linseed to diets reduced n6 fatty acids content in subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus thoracis muscle of lamb.