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[Simulation of nutrient dynamics in the rumen of sheep and cattle considering the feed composition, level of feed intake and feeding frequency. 2. Model validation].

A mathematical model of rumen fermentation processes was validated with 65 sheep experiments and 45 cattle experiments, respectively. Further, it was shown how the model reacts when the feed composition, the level of feed intake and the feeding frequency was changed. The model predictions were satisfactory for the digestibility of organic matter and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in rumen, the production of volatile fatty acids and the non-ammonia-N (NAN) flow to duodenum. The partition of NAN in microbial and feed N was estimated with lower reliability. The effects of variation of feeding level, feeding frequency and roughage quality (crude protein, lignin) on digestion processes have been simulated correctly. On the other hand, the effects of the proportion of roughage to concentrate have not been reproduced sufficiently with the mechanisms included in the model. To make correct predictions in this area too, it is necessary to integrate the rumen pH and its effects on rumen processes into the model. A mechanistic approach for estimation of the velocity constants for passage of substances out of the rumen would improve the model.

Animal Feed↗

Genetic parameter estimation of postweaning gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency for Hereford and Angus bulls fed two different diets.

Postweaning gain performance and individual feed intake on 271 Hereford and 263 Angus bulls were recorded during three 168-d test periods from 1984 to 1986. Each breed was composed of two lines and within each breed bulls were fed either a high-energy (HD) or a medium-energy (MD) diet. Energy intake was partitioned into energy for maintenance and growth based on predicted individual animal requirements. Estimates of heritability were obtained using Restricted Maximum Likelihood with an individual animal model including fixed effects of year, diet, and covariates of initial weight and backfat change by breed and with line effects for overall data. Bulls fed the HD grew faster and had higher metabolizable energy intake per day (MEI), residual feed consumption (RFC), and gross and net feed efficiency (FE and NFE) (P < .001) than those fed the MD. Estimates of heritability for Hereford and Angus bulls, respectively, were .46 and .16 for 200-d weaning weight (WWT), .16 and .43 for average daily gain (ADG), .19 and .31 for intake per day (MEI), .43 and .45 for yearling weight (YWT), .07 and .23 for RFC, .08 and .35 for FE, and .14 and .28 for NFE. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between MEI and ADG, MEI and YWT, ADG and YWT, ADG and FE, YWT and FE, and FE and NFE were moderately to highly positive for both breeds. Negative genetic and phenotypic correlations between NFE and ADG show partial correlations of FE with ADG after accounting for energy requirement for maintenance. Residual feed consumption was negatively associated with YWT, FE, and NFE, indicating a possible genetic improvement.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of temperature on the performance of finishing swine: II. Effects of a cold, diurnal temperature on average daily gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency.

Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts weighing 84.5 +/- .33 kg were used during two 21-d trials to investigate the effects of a cold, diurnal temperature (CD; -5.0 to 8.0 degrees C) compared with a constant, thermoneutral temperature (TN; 20 degrees C) and the effects of sex (barrows vs gilts) on performance. A second objective was to determine shrinkage as a result of a 24-h fast immediately after the 21-d study of hogs commingled vs those not commingled for both environmental treatments (CD vs TN). Pigs housed in the CD chamber gained 27.2% more slowly (P less than .001; 75 vs 1.03 kg/d) than those in the TN environment and consumed 5.7% more feed (P less than .05; 3.88 vs 3.67 kg/d). The lower ADG and higher feed intake (FI) exhibited by the CD pigs resulted in poorer (P less than .05) feed efficiency (F/G; 5.33 vs 3.73, respectively). A temperature x sex interaction occurred for ADG but not for FI or F/G. Twenty-four-hour shrink for the CD pigs was 16.4% less than for the TN pigs (3.72 vs 4.45%, respectively); however, commingling did not affect shrinkage.

Animals↗

Effects of temperature on the performance of finishing swine: I. Effects of a hot, diurnal temperature on average daily gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency.

Ninety-six crossbred barrows and gilts weighing 90 +/- .67 kg were used during a 21-d study to determine the effects of a hot, diurnal temperature (H; 22.5 to 35 degrees C) compared with a constant, thermoneutral temperature (TN; 20 degrees C) and the effects of sex (barrows vs gilts) on performance. A secondary objective included the determination of weight loss as a result of a 24-h fast immediately after the 21-d feeding study of commingled vs not commingled hogs of both environmental treatments (TN and H). Pigs housed in the hot, diurnal temperature gained 16.3% more slowly (P less than .001;.77 vs. .92 kg/d) than those in the constant, thermoneutral environment. Feed intake (FI) for the H pigs was 10.9% less (P less than .001; 3.01 vs 3.38 kg/d) than that for the TN pigs. The H pigs gained 17.6 g/d less and consumed 43.5 g/d less feed for every C degrees above 20 degrees C; however, no differences were observed for feed efficiency (F/G; 3.86 vs 4.19 kg for the TN and H pigs, respectively). Average daily gain and feed/gain (F/G) were not affected by sex. Likewise, no significant interactions of temperature x sex were observed for ADG, FI, or F/G. Weight loss (shrinkage) during the 24-h fast was not affected by commingling; however, the H pigs lost 17.5% more weight (P less than .05) than the TN pigs (3.82 vs 3.25%, respectively).

Animals↗

Role of water in regulating feed intake and feed efficiency of broilers.

Three trials were conducted to investigate the influence of restricting feed and water intake levels of a fast-growing selected broiler line to the same feed and water intake levels of a nonselected line and to investigate the relationship of water/feed ratios to feed conversion (feed/grain) ratios. The water intake of birds from the selected line on feed restriction was similar to that of birds from the selected line not on feed restriction from 1 to 14 days. However, restriction of water intake of selected line birds resulted in feed intake similar to that of nonselected line birds. From 1 to 14 days, feed conversions of the feed-restricted selected line birds were similar to those of the selected line birds not on feed restriction. Feed conversions of the water-restricted selected line birds were similar to those of nonselected line birds. The maximum deviation in water intake between the selected and nonselected lines was observed before the maximum deviation in feed intake between the two lines; and the maximum deviation in feed intake was observed before the maximum deviation in body weight. Data presented indicate that high water/feed ratios are associated with low feed/gain ratios.

Animal Feed↗

Genetic and statistical properties of residual feed intake.

Residual feed intake is defined as the difference between actual feed intake and that predicted on the basis of requirements for production and maintenance of body weight. Formulas were developed to obtain genetic parameters of residual feed intake from knowledge of the genetic and phenotypic parameters of the component traits. Genetic parameters of residual feed intake were determined for a range of heritabilities (h2 = .1, .3, or .5) for component traits of feed intake and production, and genetic (rg = .1, .5, or .9) and environmental (re = .1, .5, or .9) correlations between them. Resulting heritability of residual feed intake ranged from .03 to .84 and the genetic correlation between residual feed intake and production ranged from -.90 to .87. Heritability of residual feed intake depends considerably on the environmental correlation between feed intake and production. Residual feed intake based on phenotypic regression of feed intake on production usually contains a genetic component due to production. Residual feed intake based on genotypic regression of feed intake on production is genetically independent of production and its use is equivalent to use of a selection index restricted to hold production constant. Multiple-trait selection on residual feed intake, based on either phenotypic or genetic regressions, and production is equivalent to multiple-trait selection on feed intake and production. Residual energy intake in dairy cattle was examined as an example. Heritability of residual energy intake based on genotypic regression was close to zero and indicated that measurement of feed intake provides little additional genetic information over and above that provided by milk production and body weight. The principles outlined in this study have broader application than just to residual feed intake and apply to any trait that is defined as a linear function of other traits.

Animals↗

[Simulation of nutrient dynamics in the rumen of sheep and cattle considering the feed composition, level of feed intake and feeding frequency. 1. Model description].

The aim of this work was to develop a dynamic, mechanistic computer-model, which can be used to simulate digestion, outflow and pools of different nutrients in the rumen of sheep and cattle and which reacts on changes of the feed composition, on the level and the frequency of feeding. The model consists of 35 flux- and 17 differential equations and works under cyclic steady-state conditions. The following mechanism are integrated into the model: The three substrates protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and non-fibre-carbohydrates are degraded by three specific groups of microbes. A fourth group degrades NDF and non-fibre-carbohydrates following the principle of competitive inhibition. The fermentation in the rumen serves for supply of energy for growth and for the maintenance of microbes. The rates of degradation are calculated from the turnover-time of the specific substrate and the amount of microbes. Recycling of N occurs through recycling of the microbial protein and the ruminohepatic pathway. If concentration of ammonia in rumen fluid decreases below 50 mg/l then the growth of microbes declines.

Animal Feed↗

Influence of prefast feed intake on recovery from feed and water deprivation by beef steers.

A trial was conducted with 60 steers (257 kg) to determine the influence of prefast feed intake on recovery from feed and water deprivation. For 3 d, steers were fed a 35% roughage diet at 1 (LI) or 1.75% (MI) of body weight or ad libitum (AL). Steers were then deprived of feed and water for 24 h, limit-fed and watered for 24 h, deprived of feed and water for 48 h and then allowed ad libitum feed and water consumption for 2 wk. A fourth group of control steers was fed at 1.75% of body weight during the alimentation period and was not fasted. Realimentation feed intake was positively related to prefast feed intake, with the order of realimentation feed intake being AL greater than MI greater than LI (P less than .05). During deprivation, rumen volume declined (P less than .05) in AL-fed steers, but was not affected in LI and MI steers. Blood hemoglobin and serum urea-N increased during deprivation in all fasted groups. Prefast serum cholesterol levels were inversely related to prefast energy intake. During deprivation, rumen fluid total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and propionate and butyrate molar proportions declined (P less than .05) and acetate, isobutyrate and valerate + isovalerate molar proportions increased (P less than .05). Results of this study indicate that an increased prefast feed intake will provide a greater reserve of energy, water and electrolytes to the steer during deprivation and result in a shorter postfast adaptation period.

Animal Feed↗

Feed intake pattern of group-housed growing-finishing pigs monitored using a computerized feed intake recording system.

The feed intake pattern and growth performance of boars, barrows, and gilts fed diets differing in lysine and protein content were measured on 120 crossbred pigs from 27 (SD 3.7) to 81.5 (SD 9.2) kg live weight. The pigs were housed in eight mixed-sex groups with five pigs of each sex in each group. They were fed from an electronic feed station that recorded individual meal sizes and the time and duration of visits to the feeder for each animal in the group. Four dietary treatments were compared. During the grower period (27 to 55 kg), diets ranged in lysine content form .98 to 1.31%; for the remainder of the study, lysine content was .88 to 1.18%. Barrows had a greater (P < .01) number of meals per day than the other two sexes (7.4 vs 7.0 vs 7.0 +/- .10, respectively), but there were no significant differences among sexes for daily feed intake or other feed intake traits. Daily feed intake increased with dietary lysine content, largely because of increased meal sizes resulting from longer feeder occupation times at each visit. Visits to the feeder were greatest between 0900 and 1100 and lowest between 2000 and 0400. Correlations between feeding pattern and growth traits were relatively low. Repeatabilities of feeding pattern traits were generally higher when measured over shorter time periods. These results suggest a change in feeding behavior with increasing dietary lysine levels and a relatively small effect of sex on feeding pattern for mixed-sex groups of 15 pigs fed from a single electronic feed station.

Analysis of Variance↗

Feed intake effects upon gain, carcass yield, and ration digestibility in broilers force fed five feed intakes.

Broiler chicks were force fed 75, 100, 125, 140 and 160% of the consumption observed by ad libitum-fed controls to examine feed intake effects upon productivity. Live body weight gain increased with feed intake up to the 140% consumption but was depressed above this point. Feed efficiency and fat, ash, ration (corrected for uric excretion mass), protein (corrected for uric acid excretion nitrogen), and starch digestibility estimates declined by 30, 56, 25, 16, 16, and 2%, respectively, as feed consumption increased from 75 to 160% of ad libitum consumption. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was not affected by amount of feed consumption. Initial digesta passage rate, estimated by first appearance of ferric oxide in feces, averaged 215 min and was not correlated (P greater than .4) with feed intake. Gastrointestinal tract mass plus contents increased with feed intake and accounted for up to 67% of the increased live body weight gain. Birds apparently adjusted to feed intake level by varying gastrointestinal tract size (mass) and not passage rate. Dressing percentage declined from a high of 73% for birds fed at the lowest feed intake to a low of 63% at the highest feed intake. Carcass gain was 50% greater for the 160 vs 75% group, but most of this (41%) was reached at the ad libitum consumption level. Carcass gain-to-feed ratios were .42, .41, .32, .27, and .21 for the five intakes, respectively. Drumstick, breast, and thigh gains were not (P greater than .01) influenced by increased feed consumption above the ad libitum-fed controls but were depressed (P greater than .05) at the 75% feed intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Technical note: A model to estimate individual feed intake of swine in group feeding.

In most animal growth experiments, groups of animals are housed within a pen. Occasionally, an individual animal shows a very different growth rate than its pen mates or dies during the experiment. When this happens, if pen feed intake (PFI) cannot be reestimated for the calculation of ADFI and feed efficiency, an observation will be lost from the data set. Therefore, we propose a model to estimate individual feed intake (IFI) of pigs in group feeding, with subsequent validation of the model using group feeding simulation studies. In the proposed model, the feed intake (FI) of each affected pen is partitioned into FI for maintenance (FI(m)) and FI for growth (FI(g)) for each animal within that pen. First, individual pig FI(m) for the period is calculated using the 1998 National Research Council estimation of ME for maintenance. Then, FI(m) for all pigs in the pen is summed. The difference between the summed FI(m) and the total PFI is that which supported growth in the pen. Next, FI(g) is calculated by apportioning the remaining feed equally to each unit of gain within the pen. Finally, the estimated IFI for the pig being removed from the pen is the sum of FI(m) and FI(g) for that pig; this FI estimate is subtracted from the original PFI to leave the new PFI for the remaining pigs. The validity of the estimated IFI is dependent on the accuracy of the maintenance energy equation and the energy analysis of the feedstuffs. In simulation studies, we compared the accuracy of the proposed method with 2 other methods. In simulation study 1, the proposed model showed better accuracy than at least one of the other methods during all tested periods (P < 0.001). In simulation study 2, the greater accuracy of the proposed method compared with 2 other methods was demonstrated again. Because calculation of IFI is relatively cumbersome, we developed a feed intake correction spreadsheet (FICS), an Excel spreadsheet containing macros for FI correction. All of the calculation procedures in the proposed model are included within the feed intake correction spreadsheet. The Excel file and instructions are being made available via a Web site.

Animals↗

Influence of feed intake fluctuation and frequency of feeding on nutrient digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal fermentation profiles in limit-fed steers.

Nine crossbred beef steers (344 +/- 26 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of feeding frequency and feed intake fluctuation on total tract digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal fermentation profiles in limit-fed steers. In Period 1, steers were allotted randomly to one of four dietary treatments: 1) feed offered once daily at 0800; 2) feed offered once daily at 0800 with a 10% fluctuation in day-to-day feed intake; 3) feed offered twice daily at 0800 and 1700; and 4) feed offered twice daily at 0800 and 1700 with a 10% fluctuation in a day-to-day feed intake. In Period 2, steers were reallocated across treatments. The 90% concentrate diet was fed at 90% of the ad-libitum consumption by each steer. Chromium-EDTA and Yb-labeled steam-flaked corn were intraruminally infused at 0800 on d 1 and 3 and Co-EDTA and Er-labeled steam-flaked corn were infused on d 2 and 4 of the 4-d collection period. Ruminal samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 h after the 0800 feeding, and total feces were collected for 4 d. Total tract digestibilities of OM, N, and starch were lowest (fluctuation x frequency, P < .05) when feed was offered twice daily with a 10% fluctuation in intake. Ruminal fluid volume and passage rate were not affected (P > .10) by feeding frequency or intake fluctuation. A frequency x fluctuation x sampling time interaction occurred (P < .01) for ruminal pH. Steers fed a constant amount of feed once daily had higher (P < .05) ruminal pH at 0, 3, 18, and 24 h than steers fed once daily with a 10% fluctuation in feed intake. Total VFA concentration was greater (P < .01) at 9 h after the 0800 feeding when feed was offered once vs twice daily. Feeding twice daily increased (P < .05) the molar proportion of acetate and decreased (P < .05) the molar proportion of propionate. Increasing feeding frequency resulted in a more stable ruminal environment; however, the increased acetate:propionate ratio with twice-daily feeding might result in lower efficiency of energy utilization by limit-fed steers.

Animal Feed↗

Phenotypic and genetic relationships between residual energy intake and growth, feed intake, and carcass traits of young bulls.

Residual energy intake, defined as actual minus predicted energy intake during a production period, was estimated for each of 650 bull calves of 31 Holstein Friesian or Brown Swiss sires. Residual energy intake, measured under ad libitum feeding, had heritabilities similar to those of growth rate and energy conversion ratio with an estimate of approximately .3. Residual energy intake was related to average daily energy intake both phenotypically and genetically such that selection for decreased residual energy intake would lead to a decrease in daily feed intake. Such selection would also tend to increase carcass fatness (i.e., genetically fat animals are the most efficient). Residual energy intake estimated with and without correction for carcass composition were closely correlated. Thus, residual energy intake may be estimated without the knowledge of carcass composition in growing bulls of dual-purpose breeds.

Adipose Tissue↗

Influence of hay particle size at different concentrate and feeding levels on digestive processes and feed intake in ruminants. 2. Passage, digestibility and feed intake.

In order to study the main effects of particle size, three ruminally fistulated cows (550 to 580 kg BW) were fed a constant low concentrate level (3.56 kg DM/d, 20% of total DMI) and a fibre-rich hay (approximately 60% NDF in DM) in long (28.7 mm), chopped (9.2 mm) and fine ground (2.9 mm) form in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. In another three factorial experiment with 8 wethers (4 animals were ruminally fistulated, mean BW = 68 kg) the main effects and interactions of the above mentioned hay particle sizes at two concentrate levels (10.4 to 13.3% and 29.5 to 40.1% of DMI, resp.) and two intake levels (restricted and ad libitum) were investigated. In comparison to long hay (28.7 mm), feeding of chopped hay (9.2 mm) at low concentrate levels, increased not only the hay intake (7% in dairy cows and 13% in sheep) but also the intake of digestible organic matter (12% in dairy cows and 32% in sheep), due to an increase in the apparent digestibility of OM by 3.8% in dairy cows and 8.2% in sheep. Ad libitum feeding of fine ground hay in combination with low concentrate amount in the ration increased the passage rate in the hindgut and consequently the hay intake, but not the intake of DOM, due to a significant depression of digestibility, especially of fibre fractions (4 to 7% in dairy cows and 4.5 to 14% in sheep), in comparison to 28.7 and 9.2 mm hay particle sizes. The digestibility decreased significantly with restricted feeding of fine ground hay in sheep only in comparison to 9.2 mm particle size. A threefold increase of concentrate amount leveled out all effects of the particle size reduction. The effect of particle size was more pronounced in sheep than in dairy cows.

Animal Feed↗

The effect of dietary fibre on feed intake and growth in beagle puppies.

We studied the growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of groups of female Beagle puppies fed 16% or 22% crude protein rations to which 6% or 12% wheat bean was added at the expense of the total diet. The final neutral detergent fibre concentrations were 12%, 16%, 22% and 23% (dry matter basis). The addition of wheat bran to puppy rations, bringing the neutral detergent fibre up to 16% in a 21% crude protein diet had no deleterious effects on feed intake, feed and protein efficiency or growth in Beagle puppies. Over a sufficiently long period of time, the growth of this group did not differ from that of the controls (12% neutral detergent fibre, 23% crude protein) although it was higher at intermediate times. The effects of the high fibre (22 or 23% neutral detergent fibre) diets on growth, feed intake feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio are consistent with an energy deficit resulting from the animals' inability to adapt fully to the dilution of their rations leading to lower growth, less efficient use of feed and, in the case of group 3 (22% crude protein, 22% neutral detergent fibre), a lower protein efficiency ratio. The protein efficiency ratio of group 4 (16% crude protein, 23% neutral detergent fibre) was higher than that of group 3, most likely the result of a more limiting amount of dietary protein leading to a more efficient use for growth by the animal. We have concluded that intermediate levels of neutral detergent fibre (up to 16%) were not deleterious even in puppy rations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗