Sustainable utilization of unsaleable walnut kernel in substitution for corn grain in the diet of fattening lambs improves growth performance and meat quality

As a cost-effective typical co-product of walnut processing; this study aimed to investigate the effects of feeding poor quality, unsaleable walnut kernel, also known as wasted walnut (WW) kernel, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and fatty acid (FA) composition of fattening lambs. The experiment was conducted using 24 fattening lambs (27 ±1.07 kg initial BW) assigned to two total mixed concentrate-based diets, over a 80-day experimental period on a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were: 1) WW (10% WW), and 2) CON (without WW). Average daily and total gain, and final weight increased with WW inclusion (P < 0.05). Also, a significant enhancement in feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) and carcass cooler shrink loss (P = 0.03) were observed by feeding WW. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not influenced by feeding WW as did carcass prime cuts, meat, bone and fat-tail; however, the backfat thickness was increased (P = 0.01). WW inclusion reduced cholesterol and increased protein load in muscle tissue (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, this inclusion led to higher concentration of vaccenic acid (VA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and C20 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA), total n3 and n6 PUFA in muscle and fat-tail (P ≤ 0.05). Due to enhanced animal performance, also chemical and FA composition of muscle and adipose tissue, WW can be included in fattening lamb diets as a rich source of protein and PUFA.

Feed intake and milk yield and composition of lactating dairy goats in response to partial substitution of soybean meal for formaldehyde-treated sesame meal in the diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of substitution of soybean meal (SBM) for formaldehyde-treated sesame meal (FTSM) on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal and blood parameters and milk production and composition in lactating Murciano-Granadina goats. Forty lactating goats were randomly assigned to one of the following four treatments: (1) diet with 16.5% CP, containing SBM (CON); (2) diet with 16.5% CP, containing untreated SM (USM); (3) diet with 16.5% CP, containing FTSM (FT); and (4) diet with 14.5% CP containing FTSM (LPFT). The results showed that nutrient intake was highest in the FT group (p < 0.001), while it was similar between the CON and LPFT groups, except for the intake of CP, which was higher in the CON group. The FT and LPFT had lower ruminal pH compared to CON and USM groups (p < 0.001), with goats in group FT having the highest volatile fatty acids (VFA) production (p < 0.001). The highest propionate concentration was observed in the LPFT treatment (p < 0.001), followed by the FT, CON, and USM treatments. Goats offered USM and LPFT treatments presented the highest and lowest acetate: propionate values, respectively, among the experimental groups (p < 0.001). The results also showed that LPFT goats had the lowest blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level (p = 0.004), while FT goats presented a lower non-esterified FA (NEFA) level compared with CON and LPFT goats (p = 0.01). Goats offered the FT diet had the highest milk yield (p = 0.002) and energy-corrected milk yield (p < 0.001) among all dietary groups. The highest milk fat (p < 0.001), protein (p = 0.001), lactose (p = 0.007), total solids (p = 0.003), and solids-not-fat (SNF) (p = 0.003) contents were observed in FT goats, which didn't differ from USM goats. The inclusion of formaldehyde-treated SM increased the percentage of C18:3 (p < 0.001) and C20:1 (p = 0.04) FAs compared with USM and CON treatments. Milk from USM, FT, and LPFT goats had lower levels of saturated (p < 0.001) and medium-chain FAs (p = 0.014) compared with CON goats, whereas milk from CON goats had lower levels of unsaturated, monounsaturated, and long-chain FAs compared to other groups (p < 0.001). The lowest and the highest concentrations of polyunsaturated FAs were observed in CON and LPFT goats, respectively (p = 0.001). It can be concluded that SBM can be advantageously replaced by formaldehyde-treated SM in the diet as a feasible alternative to improve feed intake and production performance of dairy goats.

Influence of flaxseed with rumen undegradable protein level on milk yield, milk fatty acids and blood metabolites in transition ewes

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of two levels of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) without or with whole or extruded flaxseed on milk yield, milk component, milk fatty acids (FAs) profile and plasma metabolites in transition ewes. Three weeks before and after lambing, seventy-two Baluchi ewes were used in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The treatments contained 1) no flaxseed + 20% RUP (no flaxseed, low RUP [NFLR]); 2) no flaxseed + 40% RUP (no flaxseed, high RUP [NFHR]); 3) 10% whole flaxseed + 20% RUP (whole flaxseed, low RUP [WFLR]); 4) 10% whole flaxseed + 40% RUP (whole flaxseed, high RUP [WFHR]); 5) 10% extruded flaxseed + 20% RUP (extruded flaxseed, low RUP [EFLR]), and 6) 10% extruded flaxseed + 40% RUP (extruded flaxseed, high RUP [EFHR]). Ewes fed 10% extruded flaxseed exhibited higher (p < 0.001) dry matter intake (DMI) and colostrum yield (p < 0.1) compared to other treatments. Two types of flaxseed and RUP levels had no significant effect on milk yield, but milk fat and protein contents decreased and increased in diets containing 40% RUP, respectively. Ewes fed extruded flaxseed produced milk with lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and higher α-linolenic and linoleic acids and also polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to other groups (p < 0.05). During post-lambing, the ewes fed diets containing flaxseed exhibited higher concentration of serum non-esterified FAs (NEFA) compared to diets without flaxseed (p < 0.01). The concentration of serum β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) decreased in the diets containing flaxseed types at pre-lambing, but increased in diets containing extruded flaxseed at post-lambing (p < 0.01). The serum glucose concentration of ewes (pre and post-lambing) which consumed diets containing extruded flaxseed or 40% RUP increased, but blood urea concentration was elevated following supplementation of diet with whole flaxseed or 40% RUP (p < 0.001). In conclusion, utilization of 10% extruded flaxseed in the diets of transition ewes had positive effects on animal performance with favorable changes in milk FAs profile. However, there is no considerable advantage to supply more than 20% RUP level in the diet of transition dairy sheep.

Ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed diets with different levels of date pulp

Four ruminally cannulated mature Kermani sheep (50 ± 2.3 kg and 40 ± 2.1 months old) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the effects of diets with different levels of date pulp (DP) on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and microbial protein synthesis. DP was replaced for wheat bran in diets at no DP (0 DP), 7 (7 DP), 14 (14 DP) and 21% (21 DP) of diet dry matter (DM) and were fed twice daily (0800 hours and 1800 hours). In this study, increasing the amount of DP in diets of sheep did not affect DM intake and apparent digestibility of nutrient (P > 0.05). Inclusion of DP in diets increased ruminal pH linearly (P < 0.05), but did not influence total volatile fatty acids and molar proportion of individual volatile fatty acids (P > 0.05). Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration (6.04 vs 10.13 mmol/L), and blood urea nitrogen (8.59 vs 13.10 mg/dL) were affected by diets (P < 0.05). Moreover, urinary nitrogen excretion was higher (P < 0.05) for Control diet (no DP) than the 21 DP diet. In this study, urinary excretion of purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis were affected by experimental diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that DP at 14% can be used as an alternative feed resource in sheep nutrition especially in semiarid areas.

Determination of physical characteristics, chemical composition and digestion coefficients of treated lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in goat diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing of lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on physical properties, chemical composition, digestion coefficients and blood parameters. Eight adult male Raeini goats were used in a 28-day period. The experimental design was a completely randomised design with two treatments and four replicates. The first 21 days were for adaptation, and the last 7 days were for collecting samples. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages equipped with a urine-faeces separator and were fed with diet containing alfalfa hay (60%) and lemon pulp (40%) at the maintenance level. Collected data were subjected to analysis of completely randomised design. With diet containing processed lemon pulp, functional specific gravity, bulk density, soluble dry matter, percentage of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and crude ash were significantly increased and water-holding capacity, insoluble dry matter, insoluble ash percentage of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, non-fibrous carbohydrates and nitrogen-free extract were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Digestion coefficient of organic matter in dry matter and metabolisable energy were also decreased in treated lemon pulp (p < 0.05). Compared with untreated lemon pulp, digestibility of crude protein and NDF was higher (p < 0.05), but digestibility of crude fat was lower (p < 0.05). In general, processing of lemon pulp with S. cerevisiae improved the physical characteristics and increased the percentage of crude protein and the digestion coefficients of protein and NDF.

Supplementation with whole cottonseed changes milk composition and milk fatty acid profile in dairy cows

Eight multiparous Holstein cows in mid lactation (average days in milking of 160 ± 40) were used in a replicated 4 by 4 Latin square design, each experimental period lasting 3 weeks, to determine the effects of whole cottonseed (WCS) treatment and dietary crude protein (CP) concentration on the profile of milk fatty acids. Each 3-week experimental period consisted of 2 weeks for ration adaptation followed by 1 week for data collection. The experimental diets consisted of: (1) Control (without WCS), 16% CP; (2) 20% WCS, 16% CP; (3) 20% WCS, 13% CP; and (4) 20% crushed WCS, 13% CP. Minerals and vitamin supplements were the same in all experimental diets. The WCS treatment led to increased DM intake, fat-corrected milk yield, fat concentration, proportion of long-chain fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids and ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Decreased concentration of dietary CP from 16 to 13% (diet 2 compared with diet 3) led to a decrease in both milk yield and milk composition (P < 0.05). WCS crushed in diets with 13% CP (diet 4 compared with diet 3) increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in milk fat. The results demonstrated that adding WCS to the diet of lactating cows improves both milk yield and milk fatty acid profile, particularly the proportion of conjugated linoleic acid.

Lambing season and fertility of fat-tailed ewes under an extensive production system are associated with liveweight and body condition around mating

The objective of this study was to investigate to what extent fertility and lambing season of fat-tailed ewes raised under an extensive production system are related to liveweight, body condition and changes around mating. Ewe liveweight and body condition score (BSC) were recorded in June, July and August over a period of 3 years (1999–2001) in 11 flocks (eight flocks of Kurdi breed and three flocks of Kurdi × Sanjabi crossbred). Both Kurdi and Sanjabi are native fat-tailed breeds in western Iran. In total, 3278 lambing records relating to 1592 ewes and data on mating date, liveweight and BCS of 1930 ewes (3975 records) were used for statistical analyses. The statistical model for bodyweight and body condition data included fixed effects of breed group, flock nested within breed group, year, the future lambing status following summer breeding (barren, autumn lambing and winter lambing), ewe age and all two-way interactions. Breed group had a significant effect on ewe liveweight (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between BCS of the two breed groups around mating. Ewe liveweights measured in June, July and August had significant effects on fertility and lambing season (P < 0.01). Ewes that produced lambs were generally heavier at mating than barren ewes (P < 0.01). Autumn-lambing ewes were heavier than winter-lambing ewes in June and July (P < 0.01). Effects of changes in liveweight on fertility and lambing season were significant (P < 0.01). The effects of BCS in June, July and August (P < 0.01) and changes in BCS during the mating period (P < 0.05) on fertility and lambing season were also significant. The mean BCS (in June and July) of autumn-lambing ewes was greater than that of the winter-lambing and barren ewes (P < 0.05). The proportion of autumn-lambing ewes significantly increased as BCS in July increased, whereas the proportion of barren ewes decreased (P < 0.01). Fertility was associated with age so that as the age of the ewes increased from 2 to 7 years, the proportion of barren ewes significantly decreased from 29 to 5% (P < 0.01). There was a relatively high proportion of very thin ewes of 2 and 3 years of age. These findings imply that low body condition is a particular problem in younger ewes suggesting the importance of giving special nutritional treatment to younger ewes to reduce the proportion of barren ewes.

Effect of dietary soybean or sunflower seeds on milk production, milk fatty acid profile and yield of conjugated linoleic acid

Eight cows in mid-lactation were used to determine the effects of feeding diets containing soybeans (SBS) or sunflower seed (SFS) on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) yield and concentration in milk during two 3-wk periods. All cows were fed a standard pre-trial diet for 2 wk, before assignment to treatment diets in both periods of the 2 × 2 cross-over design used in the study. The two treatment diets contained on a dry matter (DM) basis: (1) SBS: 20% barley silage, 34.7% barley grain, 30% alfalfa cube, 13% crushed soybean seed and 0.36% sunflower oil, and (2) SFS: 17% barley silage, 34.6% barley grain, 40% sunflower seed incorporated into alfalfa cubes (cubes comprised 18% whole sunflower seed and 82% alfalfa hay), and 6.5% heat-treated soybean meal. The ingredients in the two diets were adjusted so that they would provide similar levels of energy (1.5 MCal kg-1) and have similar nutrient composition with regard to protein (16.7%), ether extract (5.2%) and fibre components (41%). Milk samples were collected, on 2 d prior to initiation of treatment diets and on days 6, 7, 13, 1 4, 20 and 21 of each experimental period. Cholecystokinin and insulin concentrations in blood samples collected at the start and end of each experimental period indicated no significant differences. Dry matter and net energy intake of cows fed the SBS and SFS were 23.3 and 21.4 ± 0.9 kg d-1; 34.4 and 31.6 ± 1.4 Mcal d-1, respectively, and in vitro volatile fatty acid concentration after 24 h of incubation was 123.3 and 114.7 ± 1.3 mM, respectively, and lower (P < 0.05) for the SFS diet. Milk, milk fat, protein and lactose yields from cows fed the SBS and SFS diets were similar (32.9 and 32.0 ± 2.4; 1.10 and 0.97 ± 0.07; 1.05 and 1.00 ± 0.05; 1.46 and 1.39 ± 0.12, respectively), but the CLA cis-9, trans-11 concentrations in the milk from cows fed the SBS and SFS diets were 4.05 and 7.28 mg g-1 of lipid and resulted in 66% higher (P < 0.01) CLA yield (g d-1) in milk for cows fed the SFS diet. This study confirmed that feeding sunflower seeds as a component of a hay cube increased CLA yield in the milk of dairy cows without affecting yields of other milk components. Key words: Dairy cows, sunflower, soybeans, milk production, conjugated linoleic acid