Biomedical subjects

R C Cochran

Publications and source records attributed to R C Cochran.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Effect of supplementation frequency and supplemental urea level on dormant tallgrass-prairie hay intake and digestion by beef steers and prepartum performance of beef cows grazing dormant tallgrass-prairie.

Effect of supplementation frequency and supplemental urea level on forage use (Exp. 1) and performance (Exp. 2 and 3) of beef cattle consuming low-quality tallgrass-prairie were evaluated. For Exp. 1 and 2, a 2 x 2 factorial treatment structure was used, such that two supplements (30% CP) containing 0 or 30% of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) from urea were fed daily or on alternate days. In Exp. 1 and 2, supplement was fed at 0.41% BW daily or at 0.83% BW (DM basis) on alternate days. For Exp. 3, a 2 x 4 factorial treatment structure was used, such that four supplements (40% CP) containing 0, 15, 30, or 45% of supplemental DIP from urea were fed daily or 3 d/wk. Supplements were group-fed at 0.32% BW daily or at 0.73% BW (DM basis) 3 d/wk. In Exp. 1, 16 Angus x Hereford steers (initial BW = 252 kg) were blocked by BW and assigned to treatment. Urea level x supplementation frequency interactions were not evident for forage intake, digestion, or rate of passage. Forage OM intake (OMI) and total digestible OMI (TDOMI) were not significantly affected by treatment. Total-tract digestion of OM (P = 0.03) and NDF (P = 0.06) were greater for steers supplemented daily. In Exp. 2, 48 Angus x Hereford cows (initial BW = 490 kg) grazing winter tallgrass prairie were used. Significant frequency x urea interactions were not evident for BW and body condition (BC) change; similarly, the main effects were not substantive for these variables. In Exp. 3, 160 Angus x Hereford cows (initial BW = 525 kg) grazing dormant, tallgrass prairie were used. Supplement refusal occurred for cows fed the highest urea levels, particularly for cows fed the supplement with 45% of the DIP from urea 3 d/wk, and supplement refusal increased closer to calving. A frequency x urea interaction (P = 0.02) was observed for prepartum BW changes. As supplemental urea level increased, prepartum BW loss increased quadratically (P = 0.02); however, a greater magnitude of loss occurred when feeding supplements containing > or = 30% of DIP from urea 3 d/ wk. Cumulative BC change followed a similar trend. In conclusion, moderate protein (< or = 30% CP) supplements with < or = 30% of supplemental DIP from urea can be fed on alternate days without a substantive performance penalty. However, infrequent feeding of higher protein (> 30% CP) supplements with significant urea levels (> 15% of DIP from urea) may result in decreased performance compared with lower urea levels.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Ruminal and host adaptations to changes in frequency of protein supplementation.

The effect of altering supplementation frequency on host N balance and key N transactions in the ruminal ecosystem were monitored. Four ruminally fistulated beef steers (BW = 513 kg; SEM = 6.5) were used in a 2 x 2 crossover design with two periods and two supplementation frequency treatments. Supplementation frequencies were 2 and 7 d/wk. Steers were fed tallgrass prairie hay (73.1% NDF, 5.3% CP) ad libitum. Supplement (42% CP; DM basis) was fed at 0.36% BW/d to steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Steers supplemented 2 d/wk received the same amount of supplement per week, but it was equally split among the two supplementation events. Steers supplemented 7 d/wk had higher forage (P < 0.02) and total digestible OM intake (P < 0.06), total N intake, fecal N excretion, and N retention. Although both supplementation frequencies were characterized by positive N balance, the decrease in N retention in the steers supplemented 2 d/wk was due to higher (P < 0.01) urinary N loss. Ruminal fluid was sampled at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after supplementation beginning on a day when both treatments were supplemented. Frequency x hour interactions (P < 0.02) were observed for ruminal N metabolism criteria. Counts of peptide- and AA-fermenting bacteria peaked at 2 h and returned to nadir by 12 h for steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Steers supplemented 2 d/wk peaked at 6 h with a greater population and returned to nadir at 48 h. Ruminal ammonia concentrations followed a similar trend. Specific activity of ammonia production was lower (P < or = 0.05) immediately after supplementation for steers supplemented 2 d/wk, but by 12 h was the same as for 7 d/wk steers. Ruminal peptides and free AA peaked at 2 h for steers supplemented 2 d/wk and were generally higher (P < or = 0.05) during the first 6 h compared with steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Total VFA concentration was not different (P = 0.35) due to supplementation frequency. Frequency x hour interactions (P < 0.01) were observed for all molar proportions of VFA. The molar proportion of acetate and acetate:propionate ratio were lower (P < 0.01) and the molar proportions of propionate and butyrate were higher for steers supplemented 2 d/wk from 4 h to 24 h. In conclusion, forage use and N balance improved with supplementation 7 d/wk, but supplementation 2 d/wk was associated with some desirable shifts in select ruminal events that may contribute to moderating potential negative impacts of supplementing infrequently.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2002

Appraisal of risks from nonoccupational exposure to chlorpyrifos.

The toxicological database for chlorpyrifos indicates that humans are not more sensitive than laboratory animals to the toxic effects. Although an oral dose of 1 mg/kg-day resulted in measurable levels of chlorpyrifos in the blood, daily dosing at this level from 9 days to 2 years did not affect brain acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) in laboratory animals. Developmental toxicity did not occur at doses below maternal toxicity. Most nonoccupational illnesses resulting from entry into areas treated with chlorpyrifos likely stem from odor, rather than the ability of the organophosphate to inhibit AChE. Based on biological monitoring studies, chronic aggregate nonoccupational exposures to chlorpyrifos ranged from 0.0002 mg/kg-day (adults) to 0.0005 mg/kg-day (infants and small children)-1 order of magnitude less than exposures estimated by standard procedures. Other biological monitoring data indicated that cumulative exposure to all organophosphate pesticides ranged from 0.0003 mg/kg-day (adults) to 0.003 mg/kg-day (children). Considering all these factors, the risks of aggregate, nonoccupational exposure to chlorpyrifos have been overstated by more than a 1000-fold.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed2002

Effect of increasing proportion of supplemental N from urea in prepartum supplements on range beef cow performance and on forage intake and digestibility by steers fed low-quality forage.

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of changing the proportion of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) from urea on forage intake, digestion, and performance by beef cattle consuming either low-quality, tallgrass prairie forage (Exp. 1, 2, and 4) or forage sorghum hay (Exp. 3). Experiments 1, 2, and 3 were intended to have four levels of supplemental DIP from urea: 0, 20, 40, and 60%. However, refusal to consume the 60% supplement by cows grazing tallgrass prairie resulted in elimination of this treatment from Exp. 1 and 2. Levels of supplemental DIP from urea in Exp. 4 were 0, 15, 30, and 45%. Supplements contained approximately 30% CP, provided sufficient DIP to maximize digestible OM intake (DOMI) of low-quality forage diets, and were fed to cows during the prepartum period. In Exp. 1, 12 Angus x Hereford steers (average initial BW = 379) were assigned to the 0, 20, and 40% treatments. Forage OM intake, DOMI, OM, and NDF digestion were not affected by urea level. In Exp. 2, 90 pregnant, Angus x Hereford cows (average initial BW = 504 kg and body condition [BC] = 5.0) were assigned to the 0, 20, and 40% treatments. Treatment had little effect on cow BW and BC changes and calf birth weight, ADG, or weaning weight. However, pregnancy rate tended to be lowest (P = 0.13) for the greatest level of urea. In Exp. 3, 120 pregnant, crossbred beef cows (average initial BW = 498 kg and BC = 4.6) were assigned to the 0, 20, 40, and 60% treatments. Prepartum BC change tended (P = 0.08) to be quadratic (least increase for 60% treatment), although BW change was not statistically significant. Treatment effect on calf birth weight was inconsistent (cubic; P = 0.03), but calf ADG and weaning weight were not affected by treatment. Pregnancy rate was not affected by prepartum treatment. In Exp. 4, 132 pregnant, Angus x Hereford cows (average initial BW = 533 and BC = 5.3) were assigned to the 0, 15, 30, and 45% treatments. Prepartum BC loss was greatest (quadratic; P = 0.04) for the high-urea (45%) treatment, although BW loss during this period declined linearly (P < 0.01). Prepartum treatment did not affect pregnancy rate, calf birth weight, or ADG. In conclusion, when sufficient DIP was offered to prepartum cows to maximize low-quality forage DOMI, urea could replace between 20 and 40% of the DIP in a high-protein (30%) supplement without significantly altering supplement palatability or cow and calf performance.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2001

Could pesticide toxicology studies be more relevant to occupational risk assessment?

Pesticide toxicology study design has evolved from concern for oral exposure via food residues. The emphasis on the oral route does not generally apply to workers that are exposed primarily via the dermal route either handling pesticides or re-entering treated fields. As a result numerous assumptions about how oral toxicology results relate to dermal exposure must be made when conducting worker risk assessments. These assumptions introduce a high degree of uncertainty. Alternative toxicology study designs are suggested to reduce uncertainty when assessing risk. Because the dermal route is so important to characterizing occupational risk, methods to improve the accuracy of dermal absorption estimates are suggested, including the use of human subjects to study dermal absorption. Additional suggestions include tailoring dermal, oral and inhalation kinetic study designs to reflect worker exposure dosages. Suggestions are made to routinely conduct a single dose toxicity study patterned after the neurotoxicity study design to distinguish single dose effects and NOAELs from those resulting from multiple doses. Finally, interspecies pharmacokinetics studies are proposed to determine which toxicology study regimen of dosing best reflects intermittent worker exposure.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed2001

Effect of ruminal vs postruminal administration of degradable protein on utilization of low-quality forage by beef steers.

An experiment was designed to determine the effects of ruminal and postruminal infusions of ruminally degradable protein (casein) on intake and digestion of low-quality hay by beef steers. Twelve ruminally fistulated Angus x Hereford steers (initial BW = 563 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to one of three treatments: control (C; hay only) or hay plus ruminal (R) or postruminal (P) infusion of 400 g/d of sodium caseinate. The trial consisted of five periods: 1) 10-d adaptation to the hay diet; 2) 7-d measurement of hay intake (without infusions); 3) 10-d adaptation to protein infusion treatments (intake measurements continued); 4) 7-d measurement of hay intake and digestibility (infusions continued); and 5) 3-d ruminal sampling period (infusions continued). Steers were given ad libitum access to tallgrass-prairie hay (3.4% CP, 76.6% NDF) throughout the study. Casein was administered once daily before feeding, either directly into the rumen or via anchored infusion lines into the abomasum. Hay intake was increased by supplementation (P < 0.01). Ruminal infusion elicited a greater (P = 0.04) increase in hay intake than postruminal infusion. Intake tended (P = 0.11) to be lower in period 4 than in period 2 for control steers but was greater in period 4 than in period 2 (P < or = 0.03) for both R and P steers. The increase in intake between periods 2 and 4 was greater for R than for P steers (P = 0.03). Supplementation improved diet OM digestion (P = 0.04) but not NDF digestion (P = 0.18); however, greater relative error for NDF digestion may have limited the ability to elucidate significant treatment effects. There were no differences in either OM digestion (P = 0.42) or NDF digestion (P = 0.35) between R and P steers. Plasma urea N at 0 and 3 h after feeding on the last day of the experiment was lower (P = 0.05) for C than for R and P steers, but no difference (P = 0.48) was evident between R and P steers. Ruminal ammonia N levels also were increased by supplementation (P < 0.01), with a much larger increase for R than for P steers (P < 0.01). Total VFA concentrations were not affected (P = 0.21) by treatment, but R steers exhibited lower proportions of acetate and higher proportions of isobutyrate, valerate, and isovalerate than P steers (P < 0.01). In conclusion, ruminal and postruminal infusion of a degradable protein source improved forage utilization, although the response in forage OM intake and total digestible OM intake was greater for ruminal infusion than for postruminal infusion.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2001

The effects of several supplementation frequencies on forage use and the performance of beef cattle consuming dormant tallgrass prairie forage.

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the impact on forage use and performance of varying supplementation frequency of cattle consuming forage diets across a range of frequencies. In both experiments, a common supplement was used that contained a relatively high concentration of CP (43%) and was fed at the following frequencies: 1) 2 d/wk; 2) 3 d/wk; 3) 5 d/wk; and 4) 7 d/wk. In Exp. 1, 120 Hereford x Angus cows (BW = 537 kg) grazing winter tallgrass-prairie range were supplemented at the various frequencies from December 7 until calving (average calving date = 3/7/99). All treatments provided the same quantity of supplement on a weekly basis (12.74 kg, as-fed) but divided the amount delivered on a given day equally among the number of supplementation events for that treatment. Less BW was lost from December 7 through calving (linear effect, P = 0.02) as frequency of supplementation increased, but the magnitude of difference in weight change was relatively small. Body condition responded similarly through early February (linear effect, P = 0.02), although treatment effects were not as distinct at calving (cubic effect, P = 0.11). In Exp. 2, 16 ruminally fistulated Hereford x Angus steers (BW = 257 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to one of the four frequencies of supplementation. Steers were offered tallgrass prairie hay (73.5% NDF, 4.8% CP) ad libitum and were supplemented at a rate (relative to BW) similar to that of the cows in Exp. 1. Increasing frequency of supplementation increased (linear effect, P < or = 0.02) forage OM intake, OM and NDF digestion, and digestible OM intake. However, the most prominent differences in forage OM intake tended (cubic effect, P = 0.07) to occur with the two extreme frequencies of supplementation. In conclusion, forage use was improved with an increased frequency of supplementation, but the impact on performance is not likely to be large unless extreme differences in frequency occur.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2001

Impact of different wheat milling by-products in supplements on the forage use and performance of beef cattle consuming low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the impacts on forage use and beef cattle performance of incorporating divergent wheat milling by-products in a 30% CP supplement. The by-products were wheat bran (high fiber) and second clears (high starch). The by-products were added as 1) 100% wheat bran; 2) 67% wheat bran, 33% second clears; or 3) 33% wheat bran, 67% second clears to constitute approximately 47 to 49% of the supplement. In Exp. 1, 90 Hereford x Angus cows (BW = 554 kg) grazing winter, tallgrass-prairie range were fed the supplement treatments (2.27 kg/cow daily) from early December 1997 until calving (average calving date = 3/11/98). Cumulative BW and condition changes from trial initiation through calving were not significantly different among treatments. Similarly, significant treatment effects on cow pregnancy rates as well as calf birth weights, ADG, and ending weights were not evident. In Exp. 2, 16 ruminally fistulated Hereford x Angus steers (BW = 484 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to one of the same three supplement treatments or to a negative control (forage only). Steers had ad libitum access to tallgrass-prairie hay (76.4% NDF, 3.1% CP) and were fed supplement at the same rate (relative to BW) as the cows in Exp. 1. Forage OM, NDF, and digestible OM intakes were lower (P < 0.01) for the negative control than for supplemented steers but were not significantly different among the supplemented steers. Digestion of OM was lower (P = 0.03) for the negative control than for supplemented steers, although significant treatment differences were not evident among the supplemented groups. Digestion of NDF was not affected (P = 0.49) by treatment. Within the context of the amount of supplemental protein offered, changes in the combination of wheat milling by-products in the supplement did not affect cow performance or intake and digestion of low-quality forage.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2000

Effects of supplemental degradable intake protein on utilization of medium- to low-quality forages.

Three independent experiments were conducted each using 16 ruminally fistulated beef steers fed bermudagrass (8.2% CP, 71% NDF; Exp. 1), bromegrass (5.9% CP, 65% NDF; Exp. 2), or forage sorghum (4.3% CP, 60% NDF; Exp. 3) hays to evaluate the effects of increasing level of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) on forage utilization. In each experiment, steers were blocked by weight and assigned to one of four treatments, and hay was offered to each steer at 130% of average voluntary intake for the preceding 5-d period. Supplemental DIP (sodium caseinate) was placed in the rumen at 0700, immediately before feeding forage. Levels of DIP supplementation were .041, .082, and .124% BW; the control received no supplemental DIP. Following a 10-d adaptation, intake and total fecal output were measured for 7 d. In Exp. 1, neither forage OM intake (FOMI) nor fiber (NDF) digestion were influenced (P > or = .20) by increasing level of DIP supplementation. The DIP supplied by the bermudagrass hay was estimated to be 8.2% of the total digestible OM intake (TDOMI) for control steers. In Exp. 2, increasing level of supplemental DIP did not affect (P > or = .26) FOMI but tended to increase total OM intake linearly (TOMI; P = .10). The tendency for a rise in TOMI coupled with a slight numeric increase in digestion resulted in an increase (linear; P = .06) in TDOMI. In the treatment group in which the maximum TDOMI was observed (supplemental DIP treatment of .082% BW), total DIP intake constituted approximately 9.8% of the TDOMI. In Exp. 3, FOMI, TOMI, organic matter digestion (OMD), and TDOMI were improved (P < .01) by increasing amounts of supplemental DIP. Although there was some evidence of a tendency for a decrease in the magnitude of change in TDOMI in response to increasing DIP supplementation, a clear plateau was not achieved with the levels of supplement provided. When the highest level of supplemental DIP was fed, DIP constituted approximately 12.8% of the TDOMI. In conclusion, significant variation was observed among forage in the amount of DIP needed to maximize intake and digestion when expressed in relationship to the digestible OM.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Effects of different supplemental sugars and starch fed in combination with degradable intake protein on low-quality forage use by beef steers.

Twenty ruminally fistulated steers (Exp. 1, 448 kg and Exp. 2, 450 kg) were used in two consecutive randomized complete block experiments with five treatments in each experiment. The purpose was to evaluate the impact of feeding different supplemental sugars or starch in combination with supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) on the utilization of low-quality tallgrass-prairie hay. In Exp. 1, steers were given ad libitum access to forage and, except for the negative control (NC), received a limited supply (insufficient to maximize forage use) of supplemental DIP (.031% BW/d, DM basis). In addition to the NC, this experiment included four supplementation treatments in which one of four carbohydrate (CHO) sources (starch, glucose, fructose, or sucrose) was fed at .30% BW of DM/d. In Exp. 2, the treatment structure was identical except that the supplemental DIP level (.122% BW, DM basis) was near the level needed to maximize forage use. Forage OM intake (FOMI) was not affected (P> or =.26) by supplementation in Exp. 1 but was increased (P = .05) in Exp. 2. However, no difference (P> or =.46) in FOMI occurred among CHO sources in either experiment. Total OM and digestible OM intakes were increased (P<.01) by supplementation in both experiments. In Exp. 1, no difference (P>.26) in OM digestion (OMD) occurred among treatments. In Exp. 2, supplementation increased (P<.01) OMD. Additionally, sugars yielded a higher (P = .04) OMD than starch, and the monosaccharides yielded a higher (P = .02) OMD than sucrose. In Exp. 1, NDF digestion (NDFD) was decreased (P = .02) by supplementation, but no differences (P> or =.21) occurred among CHO sources. In Exp. 2, NDFD was increased (P = .03) by supplementation. Additionally, sugars led to higher (P = .05) NDFD than starch, and the monosaccharides led to higher (P = .03) NDFD than sucrose. In both experiments, discernible patterns were observable with regard to the effects of supplementation and type of supplemental CHO on ruminal fermentation characteristics. In conclusion, even though some consistency in fermentation profiles for different carbohydrate sources was evident in both experiments, forage intake and digestion responses were not consistent across experiments. This raises the possibility that carbohydrate source may interact with the amount of supplemental DIP fed and, as such, deserves additional investigation.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

In situ disappearance of neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen from alfalfa and eastern gamagrass at three maturities.

In situ digestion kinetics of neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) harvested at one-tenth bloom and eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.) harvested at the boot (GGB), anthesis (GGA), and physiological maturity (GGM) stages of growth were determined with nonlinear regression techniques. Whole-plant tissue and associated leaf and stem fractions were incubated in the ventral rumen simultaneously. On a wholeplant basis, potential extents of degradation were particularly high (> or =904 g/kg NDIN) for GGB and GGA, relative to those of GGM and alfalfa (772 and 658 g/kg NDIN, respectively). For all plant parts, degradation rates of NDIN were faster (P<.05) for alfalfa than for all gamagrass forages. Degradation rate of NDIN did not differ (P>.05) across maturities for any gamagrass tissue type. These results indicate 1) that phenological development and lignification do not limit the rate of NDIN degradation in gamagrass forages but do markedly limit the potential extent of NDIN availability and 2) that most of the NDIN in these forages is potentially available in the rumen and can contribute to the ruminal N supply. Our secondary objective was to compare estimates of N escaping ruminal degradation that were determined on the basis of NDIN degradation kinetics (NDIN method) with those determined traditionally, on the basis of total residual N. The NDIN method mathematically eliminates all neutral detergent soluble N from consideration as part of the pool of dietary N potentially escaping the rumen intact. Estimates of rumen escape nitrogen determined on the basis of degradation rates of NDIN were consistently less than corresponding estimates that were determined on the basis of total residual N. When ruminal escape N that was determined with the NDIN method was regressed on corresponding estimates with the total residual N method, the slopes of the regression lines were .53 and .66 for assumed passage rates of .02 and .06 h(-1), respectively. For the forages evaluated in this study, these results indicate that neutral detergent soluble N may make important contributions to the pool of N escaping ruminal degradation.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects of level and source of carbohydrate and level of degradable intake protein on intake and digestion of low-quality tallgrass-prairie hay by beef steers.

Ruminally fistulated steers (n = 13; 263 kg) were used in an incomplete Latin square with 13 treatments and four periods to evaluate the effects of level and source of supplemental carbohydrate (CHO) and level of degradable intake protein (DIP) on the utilization of low-quality, tallgrass-prairie hay. Steers were given ad libitum access to forage (5.7% CP, 2.6% DIP, and 74.9% NDF). The supplementation treatments were fashioned as a 2x3x2 factorial arrangement plus a negative control (NC; no supplement). The factors included two DIP levels (.031 and .122% BW) and three CHO sources (starch, glucose, and fiber) fed at two levels (.15 and .30% BW) within each level of DIP supplementation. The effect of supplementation on forage OM intake (FOMI) was dependent (P<.01) on level and source of CHO and level of DIP fed. When DIP was low, forage, total, and digestible OM intakes were generally greater for the starch treatment than for the nonstarch treatments. However, when the DIP level was high, intakes were greater for the nonstarch (i.e., fiber and glucose) treatments. Generally, FOMI decreased (P<.01) when more supplemental CHO was provided. Supplementation typically increased fiber digestion, but the response was dependent (P<.01) on level and source of CHO and level of DIP. Generally, supplements with low levels of CHO improved NDF digestion (NDFD). However, supplements with the high level of CHO decreased NDFD, except for fiber at the high level of DIP. Organic matter digestion was increased by supplementation, but the impact of increasing CHO was dependent (P<.01) on source of CHO and level of DIP. Supplementation treatments had significant impact on ruminal pH, NH3 N, and the total concentration of organic acids as well as their relative proportions. In conclusion, supplemental DIP enhanced the use of low-quality forage; however, the impact of supplemental CHO on low-quality forage use was dependent on source and level of CHO offered, as well as the level of DIP provided.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Impacts of increasing amounts of supplemental soybean meal on intake and digestion by beef steers and performance by beef cows consuming low-quality tallgrass-prairie forage.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the impacts of increasing levels of supplemental soybean meal (SBM) on intake, digestion, and performance of beef cattle consuming low-quality prairie forage. In Exp. 1, ruminally fistulated beef steers (n = 20; 369 kg) were assigned to one of five treatments: control (forage only) and .08, .16, .33, and .50% BW/d of supplemental SBM (DM basis). Prairie hay (5.3% CP; 49% DIP) was offered for ad libitum consumption. Forage OM intake (FOMI) and total OM intake (TOMI) were increased (cubic, P = .01) by level of supplemental SBM, but FOMI reached a plateau when the daily level of SBM supplementation reached .16% BW. The concomitant rises in TOMI and OM digestibility (quadratic, P = .02) resulted in an increase (cubic, P = .03) in total digestible OM intake (TDOMI). In Exp. 2, spring-calving Hereford x Angus cows (n = 120; BW = 518 kg; body condition [BC] = 5.3) grazing low-quality, tall-grass-prairie forage were assigned to one of three pastures and one of eight treatments. The supplemental SBM (DM basis) was fed at .08, .12, .16, .20, .24, .32, .40, and .48% BW/d from December 2, 1996, until February 10, 1997 (beginning of the calving season). Performance seemed to reach a plateau when cows received SBM at approximately .30% BW/d. Below this level, cows lost approximately .5 unit of BC for every .1% BW decrease in the amount of supplemental SBM fed. Providing supplemental SBM is an effective means of improving forage intake, digestion, and performance of beef cattle consuming low-quality forages.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Effects of ruminal administration of supplemental degradable intake protein and starch on utilization of low-quality warm-season grass hay by beef steers.

Hereford x Angus steers were used in a 13-treatment, four-period, incomplete Latin square design to examine the effects of starch and degradable intake protein (DIP) supplements on forage utilization and ruminal function. Steers were given ad libitum access to low-quality hay (4.9% CP) and were not supplemented (NS) or received different amounts of starch (cornstarch grits; 0, .15, and .3% of initial BW) and DIP (Na-caseinate; .03, .06, .09, and .12% of initial BW) administered via ruminal fistulae in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Supplemented steers consumed more (P < .01) forage OM, total OM, NDF, and digestible OM (DOM) than NS steers. Forage OM, total OM, NDF, and DOM intakes increased linearly (P < .01) as the amount of supplemental DIP increased. The addition of starch to supplements linearly decreased ( P < .01) the intake of forage OM, NDF, and DOM. The digestion of DM, OM, and NDF increased linearly (P < .01) with supplemental DIP and decreased linearly (P < or = .06) with supplemental starch. Particulate and liquid passages generally increased with DIP; however, starch level influenced the nature of the response (P = .03 and .06, respectively). Similarly, ruminal acid detergent-insoluble ash content generally decreased as starch increased, but the effect was dependent on DIP level (P < .01). Supplementation increased (P < .01) ruminal NH3 and total VFA and decreased (P < .01) ruminal pH relative to NS. All treatments supported average pH values in a range (6.3 to 6.7) unlikely to inhibit fibrolytic bacteria. Ruminal NH3 concentration increased quadratically (P = .03) with DIP and decreased linearly (P = .02) with starch. As DIP increased, total VFA concentration increased linearly (P = .02). Providing supplemental DIP to steers fed low-quality forage increased OM intake and digestion, whereas addition of starch to supplements decreased forage intake and digestion.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Degradability of forage proteins by in situ and in vitro enzymatic methods.

The overall objective of these two studies was to evaluate the efficacy of using the proteolytic enzyme from Streptomyces griseus to estimate concentrations of ruminally degradable protein (RDP) in a wide array of forages. In the first study, alfalfa and prairie hays that previously had been evaluated in vivo for RDP were incubated in a replicated 3 x 3 factorial combination of enzyme concentrations (6.6, 0.66, and 0.066 activity units/ml of incubation medium) and incubation times (2, 4, and 48 h). Two treatment combinations (6.6 activity units for 4 h and 0.066 activity units for 48 h) yielded respective RDP estimates for alfalfa and prairie hay that were close to the known in vivo values. In the second study, 20 diverse forages were evaluated for RDP by using the in situ technique. These forages also were evaluated for RDP with the two enzyme concentrations identified in the first study, but incubation times were expanded to include 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h at the high concentration and 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, and 54 h at the low concentration. At the high enzyme concentration, r2 statistics from linear regressions of enzymatic estimates of RDP on corresponding estimates obtained by the in situ procedure were high (r2 > or = 0.898) at all incubation times; in addition, slopes (range = 0.88 to 1.00) and intercepts (range = -9.4 to 3.5%) approached unity and 0, respectively. At the lower enzyme concentration, r2 statistics were still good (> 0.81), but slopes (0.59 to 0.67) and intercepts (18.5 to 21.9%) for all incubation times did not meet the respective goals of unity and 0.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1998

Standardization of in situ techniques for ruminant feedstuff evaluation.

Over the last two decades, in situ techniques have been used extensively for measuring ruminal degradation of feedstuffs. Current predictive models put renewed emphasis on the need for quantitative information regarding rates and extents of ruminal degradation. However, in situ techniques suffer from tremendous variation, both within and among laboratories. A considerable number of studies have evaluated the influence of various factors on in situ-derived estimates of ruminal degradation. Factors that should be addressed in a standardized procedure include bag and sample sizes; bag material and pore size; sample processing; animal diet, feeding level, and frequency; bag insertion and removal procedures; location of bags within the rumen and containment procedures for the bags; rinsing procedures; microbial correction; incubation times; mathematical models; and numbers of replicate animals, days, and bags required to obtain repeatable estimates of ruminal degradation. Several recommendations that should increase the precision of in situ measurements are presented. Currently, the lack of standardization in rinsing techniques and the failure or inability to correct for microbial contamination of in situ residues seem to be the major sources of variability with in situ procedures.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1998

In situ dry matter, nitrogen, and fiber degradation of alfalfa, red clover, and eastern gamagrass at four maturities.

This study compared in situ degradation characteristics of dry matter, N, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) for alfalfa and red clover with those for eastern gamagrass, a perennial, warm season grass that is native to the Flint Hills of Kansas. Gamagrass had a high proportion of leaf tissue (> 69%) at boot and anthesis stages, at physiological maturity, and after 56 d of regrowth following clipping at boot stage. Gamagrass also had high N concentrations at boot and anthesis stages (2.82 and 2.16%, respectively). Whole-plant gamagrass tissue contained a large proportion of N that was insoluble in neutral detergent (> 51%); however, this was a characteristic only of leaf tissue and was observed on a whole-plant basis because of the large proportion of leaf tissue at all plant maturities. Degradation characteristics of dry matter and NDF generally indicated that stem and cell-wall components from gamagrass at boot and anthesis stages had large maximum extents of degradation. Nitrogen degradation rates (0.047 to 0.059/h) were slower for whole-plant gamagrass than for alfalfa (0.213/h). The most distinguishing characteristic of these findings was not that N from gamagrass degraded more slowly in the rumen than did N from alfalfa or red clover, but that this trait was coupled with N concentrations at harvestable growth stages (boot or anthesis stages) that were similar to legumes.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1997

Characterization of risks associated with the use of molinate.

A review of the toxicological information indicated that the most critical/sensitive toxicological endpoints of concern for human exposure to molinate, a thiocarbamate, preemergent herbicide, were adverse reproductive effects, neurotoxicity, and possible oncogenicity. Occupational and nonoccupational exposures to molinate potentially involved oral, dermal, and inhalation routes. Margins of safety for potential short-term, seasonal, annual, and lifetime exposures to workers associated with handling and application of molinate, the general public, and farmers were greater than the values conventionally recommended to protect people from the toxic effects of a chemical.

Adult↗