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Simple Summary: Global livestock production systems face feed availability and cost challenges, particularly for high-quality fattening beef cattle. Thus, we require research on grain-rich energy alternatives in their diets. Our study investigated the impact of substituting cassava pulp with broken rice and cassava chips in crossbred Holstein steer diets and the practical implications on the ruminant feeding system. The findings indicate that while broken rice is a superior nutrient compared to cassava pulp and chips, it significantly increased the feed costs. However, substituting cassava pulp and chips positively influenced the ensilage quality and microbial populations without adverse effects on feed intake, enteric methane emissions, and energy utilization. These results suggest that broken rice, an agro-industrial by-product, could be an efficient alternative grain-rich feed resource for ruminants. This study highlights the potential benefits of strategic feeding strategies using broken rice, particularly in tropical cattle production systems. This study evaluates the effects of substituting cassava pulp with broken rice and cassava chips in the total mixed ration silage diets of beef cattle on feed composition, ensiling quality, digestibility, and energy utilization. Fifteen Holstein Thai native crossbred (89% Bos taurus × 11% Bos indicus) steers in the fattening phase, with an average age of 2.5 ± 0.1 years and an initial body weight of 603.7 ± 14.3 kg, were used in the energy balance trial. Using a randomized complete block design with five replications, the steers received one of three treatments. The three dietary treatments included substituting cassava pulp with cassava chips and broken rice on a dry matter basis with ratios of 50:0:0, 30:20:0, or 10:20:20. The results show that broken rice is a superior nutrient source and provides greater energy balance (p < 0.01). Despite the cost implications, substituting cassava pulp and chips positively impacts the ensilage pH and reduces the acetic acid concentration (p < 0.01). There was an increase in the lactic acid bacteria count (p < 0.05) and a reduction in the rumen ammonia, propionate, and butyrate concentrations (p < 0.05) without adverse effects (p > 0.05) on digestibility, blood metabolites, or enteric methane emissions. These findings suggest that broken rice is a promising alternative grain-rich ruminant feed. Future research should explore on-farm long-term feeding and economic evaluations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The surging global demand for beef products has spurred farmers to adopt practices enhancing both quantity and quality, particularly in selecting cattle breeds. This study addresses a knowledge gap in understanding how beef and dairy crossbreeding respond to varying energy nutrition, which is crucial for designing effective tropical feeding regimes. Over six months with thirty-six steers, the research examined the impact of different dietary metabolizable energy densities on two crossbred beef cattle—Holstein Friesian and Charolais. Despite fewer carcass yields, Holstein Friesian crossbreds demonstrate superior eating quality, reduced meat drip loss, elevated meat iron content, and lower Warner–Bratzler shear force due to increased intramuscular fat. Meat color remains consistent across beef and dairy crossbreeding. Higher dietary energy density positively influences nutrient intake and rumen fermentation but unaffected growth performance and carcass traits. The study highlights the potential of Holstein Friesian crossbred steers in intensive beef production, providing valuable insights for achieving quality meat outcomes under the Thai feedlot management system. This study determines the effects of varying dietary metabolizable energy densities on Holstein Friesian and Charolais crossbred beef cattle in fattening phases. The research focuses on nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality. Thirty-six steers were used in the feeding trial that lasted for six months according to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (Factor A, cattle breeds (Holstein Frisian, Charolais crossbred); B, metabolizable energy density (10.5, 11.1 and 11.8 MJ/kg DM)) with six replications. The dietary energy density had no interaction with the cattle breeds (p > 0.05). Despite fewer carcass yields, Holstein Friesian crossbreds indicate superior eating quality to Charolais crossbreds on drip loss, meat iron content, and Warner–Bratzler shear force due to increased intramuscular fat content (p < 0.05) with similar meat color (p > 0.05). Increased dietary energy density positively impacts nutrient and energy intake and rumen fermentation (p < 0.05) but did not affect growth and carcass traits (p > 0.05). This research suggests the potential of Holstein Friesian crossbreds for intensive beef production, providing valuable insights into optimal feeding strategies for achieving quality meat outcomes. On-farm feeding trials are needed to develop a practical and economical Thai beef feedlot management system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The net energy for lactation of feedstuffs is critical data for a precision dairy feeding system aimed at improving animal productivity and sustainability. The energy value of feedstuffs is required to determine the energy requirements. Broken rice is a byproduct of rice (Oryza sativa) processing that can be used as an energy feed for livestock. In research on broken rice for lactating dairy cows in the tropics, data on energy utilization still needs to be included. Evaluation of the net energy content of broken rice will allow for more precise feeding for lactating dairy cows. Therefore, we aimed to determine the net energy content of broken rice for lactation using animal calorimetry. The findings indicate that increasing the amount of broken rice in cows' diets could improve dry matter, organic matter, and fiber digestibility but not adversely affect intake, energy balance, or production performance. The net energy for lactation of broken rice in dairy cows was estimated at 8.68 MJ/kg. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the net energy for lactation of broken rice in dairy cows and (2) the effects of broken rice substituting in diets on feed intake, nutrient energy utilization, and milk production. An energy metabolism experiment was conducted using a respiration chamber system in four multiparous Holstein crossbred cows (88.6% Holstein × 11.4% Native Thai; body weight of 438 ± 16.0 kg; 70 ± 31 days in milk) according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 21-d periods. The four dietary treatments included a basal diet substitution with broken rice at 0%, 12%, 24%, and 36%. Increasing the substitution rate of broken rice in the diet resulted in unaffected feed intake, milk yield and composition, and energy balance (p > 0.05); however, a linear increase in the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber (p < 0.05). The estimated net energy for lactation of broken rice was 8.68 MJ/kg. The net energy requirement for maintenance was estimated at 504 kJ/kg of metabolic body weight. Our results indicated that broken rice is a good energy-feed resource and that increasing the proportion in the diet up to 36% had no adverse effect on dairy cows' production performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of roughage sources in the fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) and the level of energy intake on meat quality, collagen solubility, and troponin T degradation in longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of native Thai cattle (NTC) were investigated. Results showed that roughage source affected fatty acid composition in the LT muscle (p < 0.05), as NTC fed Pakchong 1-Napier-based FTMR had higher monounsaturated fatty acid content and ω 6:ω 3 ratio. The high-energy ad libitum group had lower drip loss, lower shear force, and higher percent collagen solubility (p < 0.05). However, energy intake had no effect on troponin T degradation and fatty acid composition (p > 0.05). Longer aging of 14 days showed lower shear force values, higher collagen solubility, and troponin T degradation rate but higher cooking loss (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the meat quality of NTC could be improved by ad libitum feeding with NG-FTMR, as their meat had higher MUFA content, lower drip loss, lower shear force, and higher collagen solubility. In addition, the tenderness of NTC meat could be further improved by longer aging of 14 days post-mortem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of substituting rice straw with cassava in total mixed ration silage on feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, ruminating activity, and energy balance. An energy balance experiment was conducted to determine nutrient and energy utilization in dairy bulls. Four Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred young bulls (93.19% HF × 6.81% Native Thai; average age of 12.08 ± 0.22 months and body weight of 266 ± 9.80 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 28-d periods. The four dietary treatments included substituting cassava with rice straw on a 50, 150, 250, and 350 g/kg dry matter basis. Increasing the amount of cassava in the diet resulted in linearly decreased rumination behaviors and enteric methane emissions (p < 0.05) but a linear increase in feed intake and digestibility, total volatile fatty acid concentration, and propionic acid: acetic acid ratio in the rumen fluid (p < 0.05), thus leading to a greater energy balance status (p < 0.01). Our results indicated that replacing cassava with rice straw from 5% to 35% in the ration of Holstein bulls resulted in a substantial reduction in physically effective fiber and chewing time but improved nutrient and energy supply. The metabolizable energy requirement for the maintenance of crossbred dairy bulls was estimated to be 599.9 kJ/kg metabolic body weight and the efficiency of metabolizable energy used for growth was 0.88. We concluded that cassava is a good energy feed resource for Holstein crossbred bulls in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The net energy value of feedstuff for lactation is a critical piece of data for the development of the dairy feeding system toward improving animal productivity and sustainability. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a tuber crop in the tropics, is available year-round for Thai cassava starch and the export feed industry. It contains abundant digestible starch, so its nutritive value makes it suitable as an alternative energy feed source for ruminants. Determination of the net energy value of cassava chips for lactation will allow for the more precise formulation of diets that are optimal for dairy cows. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the effects of cassava, including in the diets offered to mid-lactation dairy cows, on production performance and (2) determine the net energy for lactation content of cassava chips. The findings indicate that increasing the cassava chips in the diets of Holstein–Friesian crossbred dairy cows could result in improved nutrient intake, digestibility, energy balance status, milk yield, and milk composition without the effect on enteric methane yield and intensity. The net energy for the lactation of cassava chips was estimated as 8.03 MJ/kg DM. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine the feed intake, digestibility, and energy utilization and (2) estimate the net energy value of cassava chips consumed by lactating dairy cows. Four multiparous Holstein–Friesian crossbred cows at 139 ± 33 (mean ± SD) day in milk were assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with four periods. The four treatments included a diet substituted with cassava chips on a 0%, 12%, 24%, and 36% dry matter (DM) basis in the basal diet. Indirect calorimetry with a head cage respiration system was used to determine nutrient and energy utilization. Increasing the number of cassava chips in the diet resulted in a linear increase (p < 0.05) in nutrient intake and digestibility but a linear decrease (p < 0.01) in crude protein (CP) and fiber. The enteric methane yield and intensity were not affected (p > 0.05), while energy was lost as feces and urine reduced linearly (p < 0.05). Milk yield and milk composition (protein, fat, lactose) also increased linearly (p < 0.05). The net energy requirement for the maintenance of the lactating cows was estimated as 327 kJ/kg of metabolic body weight, and the efficiency of metabolizable energy used for lactation was 0.66. The estimated net energy value of cassava chips for lactation was 8.03 MJ/kg DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of dietary energy density in rice straw and cassava pulp fermented total mixed ration on pH, cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and collagen content of 2- or 14-d-aged native Thai cattle (NTC) Longissimus thoracic (LT) muscles and fatty acids and ribonucleotides of 2-d-aged LT. Eighteen yearling NTC (Bos indicus) were randomly divided into three dietary treatments (T1 = 8.9, T2 = 9.7, and T3 = 10.5 MJ ME/kg), with six bulls per treatment. The results showed that T1 had the highest WBSF (p < 0.05). However, T2 had similar WBSF to T3 (p > 0.05). With aging, cooking loss increased (p < 0.01), while WBSF decreased (p < 0.01). Insoluble and total collagen decreased with aging (p < 0.05). Dietary energy density had no effect (p > 0.05) on collagen content, ribonucleotides and most fatty acids. However, T1 had more (p < 0.05) decanoic (C10:0), vaccenic (C18:1n9t), trans-linolelaidic (C18:2n6t), eicosatrienoic (C20:3n6), and docosadienoic (C22:2) acids than T2 and T3. In terms of lowest feed cost with comparable tenderness to T2 and highest energy density, T3 may be well suited for feeding NTC. Aging for 14 days improves LT tenderness, but its cooking loss may affect yield and juiciness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]