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PubMed1999

Identification and characterization of Enterococcus species isolated from forage crops and their influence on silage fermentation.

Forty-eight strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from forage crops, and their identification, characterization and influence on silage fermentation were studied. All isolates were Gram-positive, short-chain-forming, catalase-negative, and facultatively anaerobic cocci that did not produce gas from glucose, only formed L-lactic acid, and were able to grow at pH 9.6%, in 6.5% NaCl, or with 40% bile, but not below pH 4.5. These isolates were commonly isolated from forage crops, and they were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) according to sugar fermentation characteristics. Selected strains of FA 5, FA 27, FA 45, and FA 57 were identified as Enterococcus hirae, E. faecalis, E. casseliflavus, and E. mundtii, respectively, on the basis of DNA-DNA homology, Strains FA 5, FA 27, FA 45, and FA 57 and two strains from commercial inoculants, LC 10 (Lactobacillus casei) and LP 15 (L. plantarum), were used as additives to alfalfa and guinea grass silages. Alphalfa and guinea grass silages inoculated with LC 10, LP 15, FA 5 + LC 10, and FA 5 + LP 15-treatments in alfalfa and guinea grass silages had significantly lower pH values, contents of butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen, gas production, and dry matter losses compared with the control silage after 60 d of fermentation. However, the E. hirae FA 5, E. faecalis FA 27, E. casseliflavus FA 45, and E. mundtii FA 57-inoculated silages gave similar values to the control in both types of silage. The FA 27 + LC 10 and FA 27 + LP 15-inoculated silages did not differ in fermentation quality from LC 10 and LP 15-inoculated silages alone. The results confirmed that Enterococcus species were not able to improve silage quality.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge of resources and competitors in human foraging.

The allocation of human participants to resources was studied by observing the population dynamics of people interacting in real time within a common virtual world. Resources were distributed in two spatially separated pools with varying relative reinforcement rates (50-50, 65-35, or 80-20). We manipulated whether the participants could see each other and the distribution of the resources. When the participants could see each other but not the resources, the richer pool was underutilized. When the participants could see the resources but not each other, the richer pool was overutilized. In conjunction with prior experiments that correlated the visibility of agents and resources (Goldstone & Ashpole, 2004), these results indicate that participants' foraging decisions are influenced by both forager and resource information. The results suggest that the presence of a crowd at a resource is a deterring, rather than an attractive, factor. Both fast and slow oscillations in the harvesting rates of the pools across time were revealed by Fourier analyses. The slow waves of crowd migration were most prevalent when the resources were invisible, whereas the fast cycles were most prevalent when the resources were visible and the participants were invisible.

Awareness↗
PubMed2000

Effects of fescue and clover forage on serum lactate dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase isoenzymic profiles in steers.

We determined the effects of forage type on isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Forty-eight crossbred steers were randomly allotted to replicated pastures consisting of fungus-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) fescue or fungus-free fescue each with or without ladino clover overseeding. At the end of the 180-d grazing period, serum was harvested from the steers. Steers were finished in a feedlot and slaughtered after approximately 150 d in the feedlot. Isoenzymes for LDH and G6PDH were separated using PAGE. Five LDH isoenzymes (L1-15) were typically detected. Isoenzyme L1 (most anodic) had the greatest area percent as detected by laser densitometry (72, 12, 10, 5, and 7%, respectively, for L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5). Four proteins had G6PDH activity (G1-G4) with G2 having the greatest area percent (15, 52, 27, and 14, respectively, for G1, G2, G3, and G4). Isoenzymes within a dehydrogenase were correlated (P < .05). In addition, area percentage of L1 was correlated (P < .05; r = .34) with area percentage of G2, and area percentage of L4 was correlated (P < .07; r = .73) with area percentage of G1. Area percentages of L1, L2, and L3 were affected by an interaction (P < .09) of forage types. Body weight gains for steers grazing endophyte-infected fescue were depressed (P < .05); however, steers compensated with increased (P < .05) weight gains during the finishing phase. Fungal toxins produced by Neotyphodium coenophialum may alter an animal's metabolism, growth, and development via shifts in reducing equivalents (NADH).

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Alternative forages--back to the future.

The BSE crisis, restrictions over export of UK beef and bans on animal-derived concentrate feeds are driving agriculture in the UK 'back' towards more sustainable, low input systems for feeding cattle and sheep using 'natural' home-grown forages. Research is in progress to answer some of the questions surrounding the use of protein- and energy-rich alternative forages as feeds for ruminants.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2001

Drought associated poisoning of cattle in South Texas by the high quality forage legume Leucaena leucocephala.

Approximately 80 head of yearling cattle grazing on 680 acres exhibited signs of Leucaena leucocephala toxicosis, which was confirmed in 3 animals by detection of 3-hydroxy-4 (IH)-pyridone, the metabolite of the poisonous principle mimosine, in their urine. The animals had grazed leucaena almost exclusively due to lack of alternative forage resulting from drought conditions. Toxicosis from this otherwise high quality forage would likely not have occurred had animals consumed lower amounts of leucaena and could probably have been prevented, as it has been elsewhere, had the animals been colonized with Synergistes jonesii, a beneficial ruminal bacterium capable of degrading the toxic metabolites.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of water (moisture) and dry matter in animal feed, grain, and forage (plant tissue) by Karl Fischer titration: collaborative study.

A Karl Fischer method for determining water (dry matter) in animal feed and forages was collaboratively studied. Water was extracted from animal feed or forage material into methanol-formamide (1 + 1) directly in the Karl Fischer titration vessel by high-speed homogenization. The water was titrated at 50 degrees C with one-component Karl Fischer reagent based on imidazole. Ten blind samples were sent to 9 collaborators in the United States, Canada, and Germany. The within-laboratory relative standard deviation (repeatability) ranged from 1.14 to 6.99% for water or from 0.09 to 0.56% for dry matter. Among-laboratory (including within-) relative standard deviation (reproducibility) ranged from 5.35 to 10.73%, or from 0.44 to 0.77% for dry matter. The authors recommend that the method be adopted as Official First Action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL. A comparable alternative extraction procedure using boiling methanol is also recommended for Official First Action.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

[Effects of refined konjac meal on lipid metabolism and blood viscosity of rats fed by high fat forage].

Male SD rats are fed by high fat diet supplemented with refined konjac meal for 6 weeks and the effect of refined konjac meal on the serum lipid peroxides (LPO) and blood viscosity are observed. The results showed that the refined konjac meal can obviously decrease serum cholesterol, triglyceride and serum LPO of rats in comparison with those of rats fed only by high fat forage, and can elevate, at the same time, the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/triglyceride value. It is also shown that the refined konjac meal can decrease the blood viscosity, but has no effect on forage intake and weight gain of rats.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Crude fat, diethyl ether extraction, in feed, cereal grain, and forage (Randall/Soxtec/submersion method): collaborative study.

A method for determining crude fat in animal feed, cereal grain, and forage (plant tissue) was collaboratively studied. Crude fat was extracted from the animal feed, cereal grain, or forage material with diethyl ether by the Randall method, also called the Soxtec method or the submersion method. The proposed submersion method considerably decreases the extraction time required to complete a batch of samples. The increase in throughput is very desirable in the quest for faster turnaround times and the greater efficiency in the use of labor. In addition, this method provides for reclamation of the solvent as a step of the method. The submersion method for fat extraction was previously studied for meat and meat products and was accepted as AOAC Official Method 991.36. Fourteen blind samples were sent to 12 collaborators in the United States, Sweden, Canada, and Germany. The within-laboratory relative standard deviation (repeatability) ranged from 1.09 to 9.26% for crude fat. Among-laboratory (including within) relative standard deviation (reproducibility) ranged from 1.0 to 21.0%. The method is recommended for Official First Action.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Crude fat, hexanes extraction, in feed, cereal grain, and forage (Randall/Soxtec/submersion method): collaborative study.

A method for determining crude fat in animal feed, cereal grain, and forage (plant tissue) was collaboratively studied. Crude fat was extracted from the animal feed, cereal grain, or forage material with hexanes by the Randall method, also called the Soxtec method or the submersion method. The use of hexanes provides for an alternative to diethyl ether for fat extractions. The proposed submersion method considerably decreases the extraction time required to complete a batch of samples compared to Soxhlet. The increase in throughput is very desirable in the quest for faster turnaround times and the greater efficiency in the use of labor. In addition, this method provides for reclamation of the solvent as a step of the method. The submersion method for fat extraction was previously studied for meat and meat products and was accepted as AOAC Official Method 991.36. Fourteen blind samples were sent to 14 collaborators in the United States, Sweden, Canada, and Germany. The within-laboratory relative standard deviation (repeatability) ranged from 1.23 to 5.80% for crude fat. Among-laboratory (including within) relative standard deviation (reproducibility) ranged from 1.88 to 14.1%. The method is recommended for Official First Action.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The dependence of accumulation of 137Cs and 90Sr radionuclides in the forages cultivation degree of sod-podzolic soils].

For prognosis of accumulation of 137Cs and 90Sr in forages harvested in radionuclide contaminated sod-podzolic soils, it is suggested to use transfer factors (TF9a) (Bq/kg)/(kBq/m2)) established not only by the content of mobile potassium (137Cs, r = -0.53) and the value of exchange acidity (90Sr, r = -0.73), but also by the index of agrochemical soil cultivation I(cd) (137Cs, r = -0.69; 90Sr, r = -0.64). The possibility of obtaining forages conforming to the state standards on the haymaking and pasture areas with high density of radioactive contamination of soils was shown by the example of "Sudkovo" collective farm. The approach is based on achievement of a high degree of cultivation (l(cd) - 0.81-1.0) due to a complex of protective measures, which resulted in a 10-fold decrease in the specific activity of 137Cs and a 4-fold decrease in the activity of 90Sr, compared to the soils with a low degree of cultivation (I(cd) - 0.41-0.60).

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

[Foraging habitat selection of Otis tarda dybowskil during its breeding season].

From April to July of 2000 and 2001, the authors studied the foraging habitat selection of Otis tarda dybowskil in the southeast Keerqin of Inner Mongolia by sampling method. The results showed that whether at burned or at non-burned grassland, the foraging habitat of Otis tarda dybowski had the same feature in vegetation structure, the plant height was about 13 cm on average, with the highest of 30 cm, and there were abundant species of plants and insects with big density that the bird favored to eat. The bird more concerned with the abundance of plants at burned grassland, while that of insects at non-burned grassland.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Use of a grooming and foraging substrate to reduce cage stereotypies in macaques.

We examined the effects of a synthetic fleece pad on cage stereotypies in individually housed cynomolgus monkeys. Animals which received the fleece alone engaged in grooming which was associated with an increase in time spent resting. Monkeys given fleece pads sprinkled with morsels of food did not groom the fleece, but rather foraged for long periods (up to 27 min/h). Stereotyped behaviours were reduced by up to 73% by use of the fleece pad both alone and with foraging crumbles.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Increasing foraging opportunities for a group of captive capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus).

Capuchin monkeys often employ complex manipulative skills while recovering food items. Five captive Cebus capucinus were presented with two identical feeders that required the monkeys to lift up flaps, search through hay, and perform coordinated hand movements in order to obtain food items. The intent of this study was not to merely increase the amount of time the animals spent feeding, but to provide opportunities for greater expression of species-typical foraging behavior. In addition to their regular diet, figs and various types of unshelled nuts were placed inside the feeders. The monkeys avidly searched for and removed food from the feeders, displaying a wide variety of manipulative abilities. The amount of time the animals spent foraging significantly increased (p less than 0.05) whereas the amount of time the animals spent locomoting and resting significantly decreased (p less than 0.05) when the feeders were available. The feeders were portable, durable, easy to clean, and relatively inexpensive.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1977

Effect of quality of forage on availability of trace elements and some major elements.

The effect of forage quality on copper, zinc, manganese, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium availability were studied. Six growing lambs (25 kg) received successively frozen grass (Italian Rye Grass, first cycle at earing stage) and the same plant as hay dried after a very wet period in two balance trials. Copper and zinc digestibility and retention dropped more significantly with poor hay than with grass. Manganese availability was not modified by forage quality but by its content. There was a drop in calcium and phosphorus retention and no change in Mg digestibility when lambs were fed with hay.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Forage nitrate analysis: laboratory performance study.

Four forage samples were analyzed by 16 laboratories for KNO3 content. Individual reported KNO3 values varied widely for each sample; coefficients of variation for the 4 samples were 36.0, 51.0, 12.8, and 55.0%. Recovery of KNO3 from the spiked sample averaged 105%. The analytical results, as a group, were unacceptable both statistically and for use in feeding recommendations. Three values reported could have resulted in feeding potentially toxic forage to livestock.

Nitrates↗
PubMed1982

Associative influence on the foraging behavior of pigeons (Columba livia).

In a laboratory simulation of foraging conditions, pigeons maintained ad lib weight by treadle pressing for lengthy periods of access to grain in a 24-hr live-in environment. Localized visual signals produced by treadle pressing evoked approach and pecking behavior if they signaled impending food presentation (Pavlovian first-order conditioning) or the presentation of an established signal for food (Pavlovian second-order conditioning). These findings imply a role for associative mechanisms in the control of foraging.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Injuries associated with self-unloading forage wagons--New York, 1991-1994.

In New York, an estimated 3600 injuries occur each year to farmers operating farm machines (1). In October 1993, the Occupational Health Nurses in Agricultural Communities (OHNAC) program in the New York State Department of Health received a report of a man who sustained severe injuries when he became entangled in the power take-off (PTO) driveline to a self-unloading forage wagon. Subsequent investigation by OHNAC identified four additional similar incidents in New York that occurred during September 1991-October 1994, including one fatality and one injury to a 9-year-old girl working on a family farm. This report summarizes the results of the investigation of these forage-wagon-related injuries and presents recommendations to reduce the risk for such injuries.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1995

A non-linear compartmental model to describe forage degradation kinetics during incubation in polyester bags in the rumen.

A new model for describing forage degradation kinetics during incubation in the rumen using polyester bags is presented. Attention is given to dealing with the problem of deviations from exponential behaviour in the early stages of degradation by devising a function capable of representing exponential or sigmoidal trends. This is achieved by allowing part of the fractional degradation rate to vary with time of incubation, thus enabling responses other than those expected under simple first-order kinetics to be described. Seven sets of data consisting of 620 curves were analysed to study the performance of the new model compared with a commonly used exponential model. The proportion of significantly better fits varied from set to set. The new model deals successfully with sigmoidal behaviour and, thus, provides a means of analysing the degradation profiles of low-quality forage feeds.

Animal Feed↗