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Large areas of tropical grass pastures are not grazed by lambs because of the difficulties in managing high growth rate swards with high selective animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and biochemical characteristics of tropical pastures offered to lambs in continuous grazing. An upright grass and a shrub legume were set out in three pasture types and grazed by lambs: (1) aruana grass monoculture (AG—Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. IZ‐5), (2) pigeon pea monoculture (PP—Cajanus cajan [L.] Millsp. cv. Anão) and (3) contiguous swards (CS), half of the paddock with AG (CSAG) and half with PP (CSPP). The pastures were evaluated for structural characteristics, production, nutritional composition and antioxidant concentrations in four periods over 92 days of continuous grazing by lambs. Hand plucking samples, similar to animal diet, were collected for chemical analysis. Regarding height, the PP legume monoculture after 42 days of grazing had uncontrollable growth by the lambs, reaching 1.2 m in height. This same legume but as a CS beside AG (CSPP) was maintained at a lower and similar height throughout the experimental periods. In general, the leaf:stem ratio of the different pastures decreased over the experimental periods from 0.7 to 0.2. In most periods, the CS showed intermediary nutritional quality compared to AG and PP. The alpha‐tocopherol content was similar among swards, with an average of 137.2 ± 13.67 mg/kg of green matter (p >.05). Pigeon pea showed the highest levels of total tannin and condensed tannin at 63 and 92 days (p <.05). The use of tropical grass together with a legume provides a better physical structure of the pigeon pea for grazing lambs than when monoculture of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the proportion of pea (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%), as a partial replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in the fattening concentrate, on ruminal fermentation in lambs. Gas and methane (CH4) production, in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD), ammonia (NH3‐N), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production after 24 h of incubation were evaluated. The concentrates were also incubated in the rumen of the wethers for 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h to evaluate the effects of pea inclusion on in situ dry matter degradability (DMD), organic matter degradability (OMD), nitrogen degradability (ND), NH3‐N, and VFA production. RESULTS: In the in vitro assay, the inclusion of pea only affected gas production (mL day−1 degraded dry matter), CH4 production (mL day−1 degraded dry matter), and IVDMD (P < 0.05), and tended to affect NH3‐N content (P < 0.10) without affecting VFA production. In the in situ assay, the inclusion of pea increased DMD, OMD, and ND linearly (P < 0.001), whereas pea inclusion decreased NH3‐N content linearly (P < 0.05). Neither total VFA production nor the proportion of acetic acid were affected by pea inclusion (P > 0.05), but the propionic proportion increased with the proportion of pea included. CONCLUSIONS: The best level of pea inclusion in the concentrate could not be established based on the results of this study. However, the results showed that the inclusion of pea provides a good alternative protein source. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that the use of rosemary and thyme residues and essential oils in animal feeding was widely documented, that of myrtle is scarce. To test the hypothesis that myrtle essential oils (MEOs) could improve goats' carcass characteristics and meat quality traits, twenty‐one male goats received a ration consisted of 40% oat hay and 60% concentrate. Experimental goat kids received the control diet supplemented with 0, 0.3 and 0.6% of myrtle essential oils (MEOs) for C, Myrt1 and Myrt2 groups respectively. The administration of MEO did not improve the daily DM intake (p > 0.05). Kids of C and Myrt2 groups had higher average daily gain than Myrt1 group (75 versus 55 g). The goats slaughtered at 19.9 kg of weight did not differ (p > 0.05) in carcass weights and carcass yield in terms of commercial dressing percentage (CDP = 41%) and real dressing percentage (RDP = 52%). The administration of MEO increased the meat polyphenol content, being higher in both Myrtle groups (87 versus. 56 μg gallic acid equivalents g‐1 fresh matter, p < 0.05). Myrtle EO administration protected kids' meat against oxidation (0.48 versus. 0.91 mg MDA/kg of meat for Myrtle and C groups, respectively, at the 9th day of storage; p < 0.05). It could be useful to include MEO as a dietary supplement in goats' rations since it improves meat's oxidative status without negative effects on FA profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The interest for grazing systems and the use of condensed tannins (CTs) as sources of natural antioxidants in animal diets has been increasing in recent years. The objective was to study the animal performance and carcass quality of the lambs according to the feeding strategy during lactation (indoors, grazing alfalfa, grazing sainfoin) and the inclusion of quebracho as a source of CTs (50 g kg−1) in the fattening concentrate. RESULTS: The feeding strategy during lactation only had effects on carcass quality. Indoor lambs had a greater dressing percentage and deposition of kidney fat than sainfoin and alfalfa lambs. The kidney fat of sainfoin‐ and alfalfa‐fed lambs had a greater yellowness, chroma and carotenoid content than the fat of indoor‐fed lambs (P < 0.05), whereas the subcutaneous fat colour was not affected by the feeding during lactation. The use of fat colour to trace the feeding strategy was assessed and found insufficiently accurate to implement its use. The inclusion of 50 g kg−1 quebracho in the concentrate fed during the fattening period increased lamb weight gains and feed intake but had little effect on the carcass characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The feeding strategies during lactation had an effect on the carcass characteristics, highlighting the importance of the dam's diet during this period. The inclusion of quebracho in the lamb's concentrate had minor effects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of rosemary essential oils results in considerable amounts of rosemary residues (RR]. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects partial substitution of concentrate by feed blocks based on rosemary distillation residues (RR]. The effects on growth, digestibility, nitrogen retention and ruminal fermentation of Barbarme ewe-lambs were assessed. Sixteen fat tail ewe-lambs (26.1+1.2 kg] were divided into two comparable and homogeneous groups according to their body weight (BW]. The basal diet consisted of 600g of oat hay for all animals; the feed supply was 500g of concentrate for the control (C] group and 250g of concentrate plus rosemary feed blocks ad libitum for the rosemary blocks group (RB]. Hay intake was similar (P>0.05] for all lambs (517 and 529g of dry matter (DM]/day for C and RB, respectively], the concentrate intake was 427 and 214 g DM for C and RB, respectively, and the feed blocks intake was 84 g DM/day for RB group. Final BW and average daily gain (ADG] were lower in RB than in C (p<0.05]. Digestibility of DM, OM, NDF and ADF were lower in RB compared to C group, while crude protein (CP] digestibility and nitrogen retention were similar among treatments. Ruminal pH was slightly higher for RB group, however, ammonia (NH3-N] and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA] concentration were not influenced by treatment (P<0.05]. It was concluded that the partial substitution of concentrate by feed blocks based on rosemary residues resulted in lower DM intake and growth rate, similar nitrogen retention and comparable fermentation parameters comparing to a conventional diet based on hay and regular compound feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of rosemary essential oils results in considerable amounts of rosemary residues (RR]. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects partial substitution of concentrate by feed blocks based on rosemary distillation residues (RR]. The effects on growth, digestibility, nitrogen retention and ruminal fermentation of Barbarme ewe-lambs were assessed. Sixteen fat tail ewe-lambs (26.1+1.2 kg] were divided into two comparable and homogeneous groups according to their body weight (BW]. The basal diet consisted of 600g of oat hay for all animals; the feed supply was 500g of concentrate for the control (C] group and 250g of concentrate plus rosemary feed blocks ad libitum for the rosemary blocks group (RB]. Hay intake was similar (P>0.05] for all lambs (517 and 529g of dry matter (DM]/day for C and RB, respectively], the concentrate intake was 427 and 214 g DM for C and RB, respectively, and the feed blocks intake was 84 g DM/day for RB group. Final BW and average daily gain (ADG] were lower in RB than in C (p<0.05]. Digestibility of DM, OM, NDF and ADF were lower in RB compared to C group, while crude protein (CP] digestibility and nitrogen retention were similar among treatments. Ruminal pH was slightly higher for RB group, however, ammonia (NH3-N] and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA] concentration were not influenced by treatment (P<0.05]. It was concluded that the partial substitution of concentrate by feed blocks based on rosemary residues resulted in lower DM intake and growth rate, similar nitrogen retention and comparable fermentation parameters comparing to a conventional diet based on hay and regular compound feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rosemary essential oils (REO) and the forage nature on ewes' performances, immune response and lambs' growth and mortality. Forty-eight dairy ewes (Sicilo-Sarde) were fed oat-hay or oat-silage supplemented with 400 g of concentrate during pregnancy and 600 g during postpartum. The experimental concentrate contained the same mixture as the control (barley, soybean meal and mineral vitamin supplement) more 0.6 g/kg of REO. Two groups were obtained with each forage (Hay groups: H-C and H-REO; Silage groups: S-C and S-REO). REO increased the dry matter (DM) intake, the nitrogen intake and retention being higher with the silage groups (P < 0.05). REO increased solid non-fat (P = 0.004) and fat contents of colostrum which was higher with hay (P = 0.002). REO decreased lamb mortality (P < 0.05) which averaged 21% for control groups and 6% for H-REO, while no mortality was recorded with S-REO. REO dietary supply improved forage intake and tended to ameliorate colostrum production; it could be a natural additive to improve ewes' performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The use of concentrates supplemented with α-tocopherol in animals is an effective method to reduce the oxidative processes that occur in meat products. The high cost of α-tocopherol requires accurate feeding, so it is necessary to define the minimum period of α-tocopherol concentrate supplementation that will ensure an acceptable meat quality. Indoor concentrate-fed light lambs ( n = 35) were supplemented with 500 mg dl- α-tocopheryl acetate ( VE) kg−1 concentrate for a period of between 4 and 28 days before being slaughtered at 22-24 kg body weight. Control lambs ( n = 12) were not supplemented with α-tocopherol. RESULTS The α-tocopherol content in both plasma and muscle tissues increased significantly with the length of supplementation ( P < 0.001). The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance ( TBARS) concentration in meat decreased exponentially when the muscle α-tocopherol concentration was increased to 0.61-0.90 mg kg−1 fresh meat ( P < 0.05). After 7 days of display, the formation of metmyoglobin ( MMb) decreased significantly as the α-tocopherol content increased to 0.31-0.60 mg kg−1 meat ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION A range of 0.61-0.90 mg α-tocopherol kg−1 fresh meat protected fresh lamb meat from lipid oxidation and MMb formation. This level can be achieved by supplementation with 500 mg VE kg−1 concentrate for a period of 7-14 days before slaughter. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field pea seeds have long been recognized as valuable feed ingredients for animal diets, due to their high-quality protein and starch digestibility. However, the chemical composition of pea cultivars can vary across different growing locations, consequently impacting their nutrient profiles. This study employs untargeted metabolomics in conjunction with the quantification of fatty acids and amino acids to explore the influence of three different growing locations in Spain (namely Andalusia, Aragon and Asturias), on the nutritional characteristics of seeds of various pea cultivars. Significant interactions between cultivar and environment were observed, with 121 metabolites distinguishing pea profiles. Lipids, lipid-like molecules, phenylpropanoids, polyketides, carbohydrates, and amino acids were the most affected metabolites. Fatty acid profiles varied across locations, with higher C16:0, C18:0, and 18:1 n-9 concentration in Aragón, while C18:2 n-6 predominated in Asturias and C18:3 n-3 in Andalusia. Amino acid content was also location-dependent, with higher levels in Asturias. These findings underscore the impact of environmental factors on pea metabolite profiles and emphasize the importance of selecting pea cultivars based on specific locations and animal requirements. Enhanced collaboration between research and industry is crucial for optimizing pea cultivation for animal feed production. • There was a clear cultivar × environment interaction on pea metabolic profiles. • Untargeted metabolomics revealed 121 significant metabolites • Lipids, phenylpropanoids and polyketides, carbohydrates and amino acids are the most differential metabolites. • Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic are the most abundant fatty acids. • Glutamic and aspartic acids were the most abundant amino acids. Methionine and cysteine showed the lowest concentrations. • Overall, cultivars grown in Asturias exhibit the highest amino acid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is an excellent forage legume to be included in sheep diets as fresh forage, but its inclusion in concentrates fed to indoor lambs reared has been scarcely studied. This study evaluated the effects of including different levels of dehydrated sainfoin in the concentrates fed to light lambs during the finishing period on animal performance, ruminal fermentation, and carcass traits. Twenty–six weaned male Rasa Aragonesa lambs (14.0 ± 0.49 kg body weight) were randomly grouped and individually fed ad libitum with isoproteic and isoenergetic pelleted concentrates containing 0% (0SF; n= 9), 20% (20SF; n= 9) or 40% sainfoin (40SF; n= 8) for 40 days, from weaning to slaughter. In addition, an in vitro assay was carried out to evaluate the concentrates. The 40SF lambs had a higher dry matter intake (P < 0.01) and tended to show an improvement in average daily gain (P < 0.10). The diet had no effect on carcass weight, dressing percentage, rectus abdominis color or subcutaneous caudal fat color (P > 0.05). Regarding the rumen study, the diet did not affect most ruminal fermentation parameters (P > 0.05), except for pH, which was greater in 40SF lambs than in 20SF lambs (P < 0.05), and the proportion of acetic acid and the acetic:propionic ratio, both of which were higher in 40SF and 20SF lambs than in 0SF lambs (P < 0.01). The results from the in vitro assay showed that the 40SF diet decreased the in vitro dry matter degradability, increased propionic, and decreased butyric proportion compared to 0SF concentrate (P < 0.05), but no effect was obtained for gas, methane, total volatile fatty acids, and ammonia formation among diets (P > 0.05). The lack of detrimental effects on lamb performance and carcass traits suggests that the inclusion of up to 40% sainfoin in the concentrate of light lambs reared indoors would be advisable to promote the use of local forages. • Lambs' fattening concentrates with 0, 20 or 40% of sainfoin were evaluated. • Lambs fed 40% sainfoin increased the intake and tended to grow more. • No effects were observed on carcass parameters. • Sainfoin inclusion increased ruminal acetic acid with no effect on total VFA. • Sainfoin can be included up to 40% in the lamb concentrate with good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]