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As a novel oilseed crop in Florida, Brassica carinata has the capacity of producing high-quality jet biofuel, with a protein-dense meal (~40% crude protein; CP) obtained as a by-product of oil extraction. Characterization of the meal protein is limited, yet necessary for formulation of beef cattle diets; therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine ruminal and postruminal digestibility of protein from B. carinata. Eight ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (473 ± 119 kg) were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, in which in situ ruminal and postruminal degradability of nutrients were evaluated. The three-step in vitro procedure was used to compare CP and amino acid (AA) degradation in B. carinata meal pellets (BCM) with that of cottonseed meal (CSM), dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and soybean meal (SBM). In situ bags were incubated in the rumen for 0 to 96 hr, with the undegraded supplement remaining after 16 hr subjected to serial in vitro enzymatic solutions. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Ruminal rate of degradation of dry matter, organic matter, and CP was greatest (P ˂ 0.01; 10.9, 11.3, and 11.5 %/h, respectively) for SBM. Rumen degradable protein (RDP) content did not differ (P = 0.20; 47.8% and 55.1%, respectively) between CSM and DDGS, but was decreased (P ˂ 0.01) compared with SBM and BCM, which did not differ (P = 0.99; 72.3% and 71.8% RDP, respectively). Compared with DDGS, SBM had greater (P < 0.01) intestinal digestibility of rumen undegradable protein (RUP). Intestinally absorbable digestible protein (IADP) was greatest (P < 0.01) for CSM, with SBM and BCM having the least IADP. Total tract digestibility of CP (TTDP) was greater (P < 0.01) for SBM compared with CSM and DDGS. The contribution of RUP to intestinally absorbable AA was 7.2 and 3.1 g of lysine and methionine per kilogram of CP in BCM, respectively. The evaluation of B. carinata meal as protein supplemented for cattle consuming a forage-based diet resulted in 71.8% RDP and 97.1% TTDP, thus indicating its viability as a high-quality protein supplement for beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop in Florida with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein; CP) is obtained as a byproduct of oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the utilization of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A generalized randomized block design was used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal pellets on performance and attainment of puberty in growing beef heifers consuming bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon) ad libitum. Sixty-four Angus crossbred heifers (240 ± 39 kg initial body weight; BW) were stratified and blocked (2 blocks: light and heavy) by initial BW and randomly allocated into 18 pens over 2 consecutive years (10 in year 1 and 8 in year 2). Within block, pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 0 (CTL) or 0.3% of BW/d (as fed) of B. carinata meal pellets (BCM). Blood samples and BW were collected weekly for 70 d, before daily supplementation. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, day, treatment × day interactions, block, and block × treatment interactions, with the random effect of year. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone, triiodothyronine (T 3 ), thyroxine (T 4 ), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and haptoglobin (Hp). An effect of treatment was observed (P ˂ 0.01) for ADG between CTL (0.14 kg) and BCM (0.42 kg). There was no treatment or block (P > 0.05) effect for concentrations of T3, T4, or Hp; however, there was an effect of day (P < 0.01) for T3, T4, and Cp. An effect of treatment (P ˂ 0.01) was observed for Cp, with CTL having greater concentrations compared with BCM. Time to attainment of puberty did not differ (P = 0.93) between treatments. Feeding B. carinata meal as a protein supplement at 0.3% of BW/d is a viable option for increasing ADG of growing beef heifers, without affecting attainment of puberty, thyroid hormone status, or eliciting an acute phase response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein) is obtained as a byproduct of hexane-solvent oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the use of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to determine the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and blood metabolites in beef cattle consuming bahiagrass hay (Paspalum notatum Flüggé), compared with frequently used protein supplements. Eight Angus crossbred steers (473 ± 119 kg initial BW) were randomly allocated to 8 pens, over 4 periods of 28-d each. Within period, steers were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) 1.62 kg/d cottonseed meal (CSM); 2) 2.15 kg/d dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS); 3) 1.39 kg/d B. carinata meal pellets (BCM) ; or 4) 1.17 kg/d soybean meal (SBM), supplemented daily, on an isonitrogenous basis. Steers had ad libitum access to bahiagrass hay and water. Intake was measured using the GrowSafe system. Following a 14-d adaptation, feed and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility using indigestible NDF as an internal marker. Blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected before providing the protein supplements and then every 3 h, during a 24-h period, to analyze urea nitrogen (PUN) and glucose in plasma, as well as ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and VFA concentrations. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, time, treatment × time, square, and period, and the random effects of steer(square) and steer(treatment). No effect of treatment (P > 0.05) was observed for pH, NH3-N, or glucose concentration. An effect of treatment (P < 0.01) was observed for PUN, with steers receiving SBM having greater concentrations. A treatment × time interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for total VFA concentration, acetate to propionate ratio, and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate. Steers consuming SBM had greater molar proportions of branched-chain VFA (P < 0.01) compared with CSM and DDGS. There was no effect of treatment (P > 0.05) on intake or apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. Brassica carinata performed similarly to commonly used protein supplements indicating its viability as a protein supplement for beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Phase 1 (days 0 to 56) of a two-phase experiment, 81 steers (initial BW = 189 ± 22 kg) were arranged in a generalized randomized block design, allocated to nine pens (nine steers per pen) and assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of different inclusion rates of Fermenten (FER) in a backgrounding diet fed ad libitum, and were as follows: 0% (CON), 2%, or s FER in the diet DM. Steer was considered the experimental unit, and individual DMI was measured using the GrowSafe system. In Phase 2 (days 57 to 112), treatments were discontinued and steers were relocated to a paddock with free access to a common basal diet, to assess potential residual effects of FER. Effect of treatment was measured on performance, concentration of serum urea nitrogen (SUN), NEFA and glucose, and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. On day 56, steers fed 4% FER had lesser (P = 0.01) BW than 2% FER steers. Steers fed CON also tended (P = 0.08) to have greater BW than 4% FER steers. ADG was not different (P = 0.96) between CON and 2% FER steers, whereas steers in the 4% FER treatment had lesser (P ≤ 0.01) ADG than CON and 2% FER. Steers in the 4% FER treatment had lesser (P = 0.04) DMI than CON, and were less feed efficient (P ≤ 0.04) than 2% FER and CON steers. However, DMI as a percentage of the BW did not differ (P = 0.07) across treatments. A treatment effect was observed for final BW on day 112 (P = 0.05), where 4% FER tended (P = 0.07) to have lesser BW than CON. In Phase 2, ADG was not different (P = 0.18) among treatments. However, overall ADG (days 0 to 112) was lesser (P = 0.02) for steers fed 4% FER when compared with CON. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.12) in longissimus muscle area gain or 12th rib fat depth gain. There was a treatment × day interaction for serum concentrations of glucose (P < 0.001), NEFA (P < 0.001), and SUN (P < 0.001). Steers fed 4% FER had greater (P < 0.001) DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and CP apparent total tract digestibility than CON. Similarly, 4% FER steers had greater (P ≤ 0.02) DM, OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility than 2% FER. Results show that although inclusion of FER increased apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, DMI and overall performance of growing beef cattle were negatively affected, mainly when FER was included at 4% of the diet DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of carinata, a non-food oilseed crop, has been demonstrated as a high-quality jet fuel alternative and successful cover crop in the southeastern U.S.; however, research is limited regarding carinata as an alternative for commonly used protein sources in livestock. Eighty-four Angus crossbred heifers were used in a generalized randomized block design to evaluate the effects of supplementing carinata meal compared with cottonseed meal on performance, intake, and digestibility in a backgrounding corn silagebased diet. Treatments included: corn silage only (CS), corn silage + Brassica carinata meal (BCM) at 10% (BCM10) or 20 % (BCM20) inclusion, or corn silage + cottonseed meal at 10% inclusion (CSM). Protein sources were mixed with corn silage prior to delivery and provided ad libitum, with individual intake measured using the GrowSafe system. Data were analyzed using Proc Glimmix of SAS. An effect of treatment was observed (P < 0.01) for final body weight (BW), average daily gain, and gain to feed ratio, where CS was least. Dry matter intake (DMI; kg/d) was greatest (P = 0.01) for BCM10 compared with CS, yet BCM20 and CSM did not differ from CS or BCM10. No effect of treatment was observed on DMI as a percentage of BW (P = 0.35) or residual feed intake (P = 0.94). Heifers receiving CSM had the greatest (P < 0.01) intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Intake of crude protein (CP; P < 0.01) was least for CS and greatest for BCM20 and CSM, with BCM10 intermediate. Digestibility of all nutrients was least (P < 0.01) for CS, and greatest (P < 0.01) for BCM20 in CP and NDF, only, where BCM10 and CSM did not differ. Digestibility of DM, OM, and ADF was less (P < 0.01) in BCM10, greater in BCM20, while CSM did not differ between BCM10 and BCM20. Carinata supplemented at 10% diet DM performed similarly to cottonseed meal in backgrounding beef heifers fed a corn silage-based diet, thereby enhancing its value in the southeastern U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of carinata, a non-food oilseed crop, has been demonstrated as a high-quality jet fuel alternative and successful cover crop in the southeastern U.S.; however, research is limited regarding carinata as an alternative for commonly used protein sources in livestock. Thirty-two Angus crossbred steers were used in a generalized randomized block design to evaluate the effects of supplementing carinata meal compared with cottonseed meal on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat sensory attributes in a finishing diet. Treatments included: either 90% basal diet + 10% inclusion of Brassica carinata meal (BCM) or 90% basal diet + 10% inclusion of cottonseed meal (CSM), on a dry matter (DM) basis. The basal diet consisted of 40% cracked corn, 35% soyhull pellets, 5% gin trash, 5% bermudagrass hay, and 5% vitamin-mineral supplement. Treatments were premixed before delivery and provided ad libitum, with individual intake measured using the GrowSafe system. Data were analyzed using Proc Glimmix of SAS. Protein source did not affect (P > 0.05) final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, gain to feed ratio, or residual feed intake. Protein supplementation did not affect (P > 0.05) initial or final evaluations of longissimus muscle area (LMA), rib fat thickness (RF), and intramuscular fat performed via ultrasound during the performance portion of the experiment. Hot carcass weight (P = 0.10) dressing percentage (P = 0.61), LMA (P = 0.33), RF (P = 0.42), yield grade (P = 0.47), and marbling score (P = 0.89) were not affected by protein source. No effect of protein source was observed (P > 0.05) on slice shear force, juiciness, beef flavor, tenderness, connective tissue, off-flavor, crude fat, thaw loss, cook loss, lightness, redness, or yellowness. The frequency of Prime (P = 0.76), upper 2/3 Choice (P = 0.71), low Choice (P = 0.46), and Select (P = 0.34) USDA quality grades did not differ with protein source. carinata meal inclusion at 10% of the diet DM performed similarly to cottonseed meal in steers fed a finishing diet, thereby enhancing its value in the southeastern U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forage-livestock systems in the southeastern United States are based on N-fertilized perennial grass pastures, with minimal legume contribution. The legume rhizoma peanut (RP, Arachis glabrata Benth.) can persist and spread in grazed mixtures with C4 grasses, and Ecoturf RP is of particular interest because it is relatively decumbent and may vary its growth habit in response to defoliation management. The objective was to quantify effects of grazing frequency and intensity of Ecoturf on herbage accumulation (HA), canopy characteristics, storage organ mass, and total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentration. Treatments were the factorial combinations of three levels of regrowth interval (RI; 1, 4, and 7 wk) between grazing events and two levels of post-grazing stubble height (SH; 4 and 8 cm). For the 4-cm SH, HA increased from 8.4 to 10.5 Mg ha-1 in 2015 and from 9.8 to 13.6 Mg ha-1 in 2016 as RI decreased from 7 to 1 wk. The effect of RI was less pronounced for the 8-cm SH. When grazed to a 4-cm SH, herbage bulk density and post-grazing leaflet mass increased linearly as RI decreased from 7 to 1 wk in both years. Changes in root-rhizome mass and TNC pool during 2 yr of grazing were not affected by SH or RI. Ecoturf adapted to frequent, close grazing by increasing herbage bulk density and positioning leaves close to the soil surface, allowing rapid regrowth after defoliation without depleting reserves. Ecoturf is tolerant of a range of grazing strategies, showing promise for use in pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty-four Angus crossbred heifers (13 ± 1 mo, 329.5 ± 61.92 kg of BW) were used in a generalized randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The objective was to evaluate the effect of a feed additive inclusion under two growing diets. Factors included: 1) diet type (whole plant sorghum silage- or byproducts-based diet) and 2) feed additive inclusion [Amaferm (Aspergillus oryzae (extract)] included at 0 or 0.02% of the diet DM. This resulted in four treatments: sorghum-control (SC), sorghum-amaferm (SA), byproducts-control (BC) and byproducts-amaferm (BA). Heifers were housed in 12 pens (108 m2/pen; 7 heifers/pen) equipped with GrowSafe technology, to measure individual dry matter intake (DMI). After a 14-d adaptation, BW was measured every 14 d, during 56 days, and chewing activity was monitored through collar-mounted HR-Tags (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel). Apparent total tract digestibility was measured on 10 heifers per treatment after the 56-d performance period, using indigestible NDF as a marker. Heifers fed the byproducts diet had (P ≤ 0.01) greater DMI as % of BW (2.92 vs. 2.59%) and greater average daily gain (1.16 vs. 0.68 kg/d). Amaferm improved gain-to-feed ratio by 15% in the byproducts diet (P ≤ 0.05) but it had no effect in the sorghum silage diet (P = 0.59). Conversely, Amaferm inclusion increased apparent total tract organic matter digestibility in the sorghum silage diet (SC = 49.8 vs. SA = 55.9%; P ≤ 0.01), whereas reduced it in the byproducts diet (BC = 65.8 vs. BA = 61.7%; P ≤ 0.05). Heifers fed a sorghum silagebased diet had (P ≤ 0.01) 39 and 63% greater chewing in min/d and min/kg of DMI, respectively; however, chewing in min/kg of NDF intake was similar across diets (average 111.3 min/kg of NDF intake). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop in Florida with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein; CP) is obtained as a byproduct of oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the utilization of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A generalized randomized block design was used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal pellets on performance and attainment of puberty in growing beef heifers consuming bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon) ad libitum. Sixty-four Angus crossbred heifers (240 ± 39 kg initial body weight; BW) were stratified and blocked (2 blocks: light and heavy) by initial BW and randomly allocated into 18 pens over 2 consecutive years (10 in year 1 and 8 in year 2). Within block, pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 0 (CTL) or 0.3% of BW/d (as fed) of B. carinata meal pellets (BCM). Blood samples and BW were collected weekly for 70 d, before daily supplementation. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, day, treatment × day interactions, block, and block × treatment interactions, with the random effect of year. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone, triiodothyronine (T 3 ), thyroxine (T 4 ), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and haptoglobin (Hp). An effect of treatment was observed (P ˂ 0.01) for ADG between CTL (0.14 kg) and BCM (0.42 kg). There was no treatment or block (P > 0.05) effect for concentrations of T3, T4, or Hp; however, there was an effect of day (P < 0.01) for T3, T4, and Cp. An effect of treatment (P ˂ 0.01) was observed for Cp, with CTL having greater concentrations compared with BCM. Time to attainment of puberty did not differ (P = 0.93) between treatments. Feeding B. carinata meal as a protein supplement at 0.3% of BW/d is a viable option for increasing ADG of growing beef heifers, without affecting attainment of puberty, thyroid hormone status, or eliciting an acute phase response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limpograss ( Hemarthria altissima ) is a warm-season perennial grass that has the potential to feed livestock during scarcity periods. This study evaluated the intake, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance of beef heifers fed 'Gibtuck' limpograss silage combined with different levels of a range cube supplementation. Twenty-four heifers (330 ± 16 kg live weight) were submitted to four different treatments with 6 replicates: (1) control, no supplementation + limpograss silage ad libitum; (2) 1.4 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum; (3) 2.8 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum; and (4) 4.2 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein showed a positive quadratic effect with increasing supplementation levels ( p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Overall, the supplement improved diet digestibility and total DM intake but reduced silage intake, indicating a combined effect (substitutive and additive effect) of the protein supplement. The increasing level of protein supplement increased the average daily gain with a quadratic effect ( p ≤ 0.0001). Limpograss silage associated with supplementation can improve diet digestibility and increase the animal performance of growing heifers, providing an alternative for livestock in North Florida.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing polyclonal antibodies (PAP) of avian origin against the ruminal methanogens Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii Ho (PAP-Ho) and M. ruminantium M1 (PAP-M1) on ruminal fermentation profile and methane production in Angus crossbred cattle (13 steers and 1 heifer). The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, replicated in 3 periods. The factors included proportions of PAP against Ho and M1 in the mixture (100:0, 50:50, and 0:100 Ho:M1) and level of each mixture (3- or 6-mL per d). Cattle in control treatment did not receive PAP supplementation. Ruminal fluid was collected from the animals on days 0, 14, and 21 of treatment to determine of ruminal fermentation profile and ex vivo methane production. There was no effect of level of inclusion on ex vivo methane production. Supplementation with PAP-M1, either alone or in combination with PAP-Ho, decreased ex vivo methane output compared to the control group. Furthermore, in vivo molar proportion of propionate tended to be greater with PAP-M1, alone or combined with PAP-Ho, when compared with the control group. The study concluded that polyclonal antibodies against ruminal methanogens have the potential to decrease enteric methane emissions in cattle. The research provided important insights into the potential use of PAP as a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the practicality and feasibility of using PAP., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Stable isotopes are useful for estimating livestock diet selection. The objective was to compare δ 13 C and δ 15 N to estimate diet proportion of C 3 -C 4 forages when steers (Bos spp.) were fed quantities of rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata; RP; C 3 ) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum; C 4 ).Treatments were proportions of RP with bahiagrass hay: 100% bahiagrass (0%RP); 25% RP + 75% bahiagrass (25%RP); 50% RP + 50% bahiagrass (50%RP); 75% RP + 25% bahiagrass (75%RP); and 100% RP (100% RP). Feces, plasma, red blood cell (RBC), and hair were collected at 8-days intervals, for 32 days. Two-pool mixing model was utilized to back-calculate the proportion of RP based on the sample and forage δ 13 C or δ 15 N. Feces showed changes using δ 13 C by 8 days, and adj. R 2 between predicted and observed RP proportion was 0.81 by 8 days. Plasma, hair, and RBC required beyond 32-days to reach equilibrium, therefore were not useful predictors of diet composition during the study. Diets were best represented using fecal δ 13 C at both 8-days and 32-days. By 32-days, fecal δ 15 N showed promise (R 2  = 0.71) for predicting diet composition in C 3 -C 4 diets. Further studies are warranted to further corroborate fecal δ 15 N as a predictor of diet composition in cattle., (© 2022. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Background: Cultivars of bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum Flüggé) are widely used for pasture in the Southeastern USA. Soil microbial communities are unexplored in bahiagrass and they may be cultivar-dependent, as previously proven for other grass species. Understanding the influence of cultivar selection on soil microbial communities is crucial as microbiome taxa have repeatedly been shown to be directly linked to plant performance., Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether different bahiagrass cultivars interactively influence soil bacterial and fungal communities., Methods: Six bahiagrass cultivars ('Argentine', 'Pensacola', 'Sand Mountain', 'Tifton 9', 'TifQuik', and 'UF-Riata') were grown in a randomized complete block design with four replicate plots of 4.6 × 1.8 m per cultivar in a Rhodic Kandiudults soil in Northwest Florida, USA. Three soil subsamples per replicate plot were randomly collected. Soil DNA was extracted and bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA and fungal ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 genes were amplified and sequenced with one Illumina Miseq Nano., Results: The soil bacterial and fungal community across bahiagrass cultivars showed similarities with communities recovered from other grassland ecosystems. Few differences in community composition and diversity of soil bacteria among cultivars were detected; none were detected for soil fungi. The relative abundance of sequences assigned to nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospira was greater under 'Sand Mountain' than 'UF-Riata'. Indicator species analysis revealed that several bacterial and fungal indicators associated with either a single cultivar or a combination of cultivars are likely to be plant pathogens or antagonists., Conclusions: Our results suggest a low impact of plant cultivar choice on the soil bacterial community composition, whereas the soil fungal community was unaffected. Shifts in the relative abundance of Nitrospira members in response to cultivar choice may have implications for soil N dynamics. The cultivars associated with presumptive plant pathogens or antagonists indicates that the ability of bahiagrass to control plant pathogens may be cultivar-dependent, however, physiological studies on plant-microbe interactions are required to confirm this presumption. We therefore suggest that future studies should explore the potential of different bahiagrass cultivars on plant pathogen control, particularly in sod-based crop rotation., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.