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Fodder beet and kale are commonly used winter crops in New Zealand dairy and dairy support farm systems. Fodder beet (FB) is known to have lower crude protein, phosphorus and calcium content compared to kale. The intrauterine effects of feeding FB during late pregnancy on bone growth and development in calves requires attention. This study aimed to examine the intrauterine effects of a maternal diet of either kale or FB on measures of calf stature and bone morphology at birth. In winters 2019 and 2020, two herds of pregnant Friesian × Jersey cows were fed either kale (2019, 2020 n = 20) or FB (2019, 2020 n = 20) supplemented with pasture baleage. Calves born from these mobs were euthanised within ten days of birth and a forelimb and section of rib including the costochondral junction were harvested for peripheral quantitative computed tomography and histological analysis. Calves from the FB treatment had reduced bone density and strength compared to calves from the kale treatment (p < .05). The effect of a nutritional deficit on bone morphology at birth emphasises the importance of sufficient nutrition in pre-calving diets. Future research is required to examine the long-term impact of dam undernutrition on calf growth and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Accurate and precise predictions of microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis are crucial to predicting the supply of metabolizable protein in cattle. Inaccurate estimates of MCP can lead to over- or underfeeding of protein in beef cattle diets, which can have important animal performance and economic consequences. Extant MCP prediction equations are generally based on the intake of energy (e.g., total digestible nutrients (TDN) or digestible energy) and protein. We developed new equations based on the intake of organic matter, which yielded similar fit statistics to the extant equations for observed vs. predicted values, but the precision of all MCP predictions was less than desired, with errors averaging more than 28% of the observed mean. A simple approach of calculating MCP as 10% of the TDN intake was as effective as more complex equations. To move forward and improve the accuracy and precision of MCP prediction equations, research is needed to develop consistent and more precise techniques to measure MCP synthesis in cattle that will yield reliable estimates across a wide range of diets and production situations. Meta-omics tools might be a useful component of these new methods, but additional research is needed. Predictions of microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis for beef cattle generally rely on empirical regression equations, with intakes of energy and protein as key variables. Using a database from published literature, we developed new equations based on the intake of organic matter (OM) and intakes or concentrations of crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). We compared these new equations to several extant equations based on intakes of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and CP. Regression fit statistics were evaluated using both resampling and sampling from a simulated multivariate normal population. Newly developed equations yielded similar fit statistics to extant equations, but the root mean square error of prediction averaged 155 g (28.7% of the mean MCP of 540.7 g/d) across all equations, indicating considerable variation in predictions. A simple approach of calculating MCP as 10% of the TDN intake yielded MCP estimates and fit statistics that were similar to more complicated equations. Adding a classification code to account for unique dietary characteristics did not have significant effects. Because MCP synthesis is measured indirectly, most often using surgically altered animals, literature estimates are relatively few and highly variable. A random sample of individual studies from our literature database indicated a standard deviation for MCP synthesis that averaged 19.1% of the observed mean, likely contributing to imprecision in the MCP predictions. Research to develop additional MCP estimates across various diets and production situations is needed, with a focus on developing consistent and reliable methodologies for MCP measurements. The use of new meta-omics tools might improve the accuracy and precision of MCP predictions, but further research will be needed to assess the utility of such tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing concentrates with cassava root-top silage (CARTOS) on feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and growth performance of beef cattle. Methods: Twenty crossbred bulls with a body weight (BW) of 226±56 kg were randomly assigned to one of five treatments for 90 d in a randomized complete block design having four blocks based on BW. The concentrates were replaced by CARTOS at levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% dry matter (DM). Animals were fed dietary treatments at 1.8% BW, with rice straw offered ad libitum. Results: The DM and crude protein (CP) intake were decreased (p<0.01, p = 0.04) when the diet’s CARTOS level was increased. The digestibility of DM, OM, and CP were not different among treatments, while fiber digestibility was increased with the inclusion of CARTOS (p = 0.03). The addition of CARTOS to replace concentrates did not change ruminal pH or volatile fatty acid proportions except for acetic acid, which increased with the addition of CARTOS (p = 0.03). The ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) was decreased (p<0.01) with increasing levels of CARTOS. The blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen decreased (p = 0.01) with the addition of CARTOS at 100%, whereas total protein and hematological parameters did not change with increasing levels of CARTOS. The use of CARTOS to substitute concentrates at 75% and 100% decreased average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) (p<0.01); therefore, the addition of CARTOS up to 50% maintained ADG and G:F in beef cattle. Conclusion: CARTOS can replace concentrates up to 50% in beef cattle diets without adversely affecting feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, blood parameters, or growth performance of beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the effects of substituting winged bean tuber steam (WBTS) modified starches for cassava chips (CSC) in the concentrate diet on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites in Thai-native beef cattle. Methods: Four Thai-native bulls were assigned randomly as a 4×4 Latin square design, which represents the amount of CSC replaced with WBTS in the concentrate mixture diets at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Results: Increasing levels of WBTS replacement for CSC in the concentrate diets had a quadratic effect on total dry matter (DM) intake (p<0.05). Replacement of WBTS at 20% and 30% for CSC did not alter total DM intake compared to 0% WBTS, whereas 10% WBTS replacement could significantly increase total DM intake by 0.41 kg DM/d compared to the control group. In addition, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility showed a quadratic increase (p<0.05) when CSC was substituted at various levels of WBTS in the concentrate diet (p<0.05). Replacement of CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% showed higher NDF digestibility when compared to 0% replacement. There was a quadratic increase in blood glucose at 4 h post-feeding, and the average blood glucose value was significantly lower (p<0.01) when substituting CSC with WBTS. Substituting WBTS for CSC at 10% in the concentrate diet showed the highest blood glucose concentration when compared to other treatments. Replacing CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% shows a higher concentration of C3 than those of other treatments (0% or 30%). The nitrogen (N) intake increased linearly (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at all levels in the diet. Additionally, N retention and the ratio of N retention to N intake increased (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at 10%, 20%, and 30% compared to 0%. The gross energy intake (GEI), digestible energy intake (DEI), and energy efficiency (DEI/GEI) were quadratically increased when substituted with various levels of WBTS for CSC in the concentrate diet. Conclusion: The findings indicate that substituting 10% of CSC in the concentrate diet with WBTS may be sufficient as an alternative feed resource for improving nutrient utilization and metabolic efficiency in beef cattle diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a by‐product of cocoa. Whilst this by‐product is converted into animal feed in some countries, it is largely left to decompose and cause environmental issues in most South Pacific countries, including Vanuatu. The husk represent 70%–80% of the whole fruit. Its use as animal feed is limited by the presence of antinutritional factors, of which, theobromine is the most prominent. Other antinutritional factors include tannin and phytate. Feeding value of the CPH is improved by reducing these antinutritional factors through broiling, alkaline, and microbial treatment. Exogenous feed enzymes are used to hydrolyze crude fiber. Up to 10% of this by‐product is included in broiler feed and 15% with supplementation of exogenous feed enzymes in layer feed. In pigs, up to 20% can be included into diets of both the sow and growing pig. In ruminants, up to 35% can be used in cattle diet if treated with urea, molasses and/or fermented. The by‐product is widely used as an ingredient and/or energy/protein sources in Africa and Asia. There is scanty literature on its use in the South Pacific countries. In this review, I compiled existing literature on its chemical composition, use in livestock and poultry diets, and existing strategies to improve feeding value. The aim of this review is to project cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) as a potential feed ingredient as well as energy/protein sources for livestock and poultry in the South Pacific countries, including Vanuatu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mixtures with birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) increase herbage intake in grazing cattle. We hypothesized that BFT spatially separated from grasses would increase preferential grazing of BFT and herbage intake compared to grass and BFT in mixed rows. Methods: Binary mixtures of BFT were established with orchardgrass, meadow bromegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass in alternating and in mixed rows. Pastures were rotationally stocked with Jersey heifers, and herbage mass, intake, and preferential grazing were estimated. Results: Planting BFT in alternating rows did not affect herbage mass, intake, or BFT preference. Regardless of spatial arrangement, pasture production averaged 4116 kg ha−1 per rotation, of which 32% was BFT. BFT comprised 39% of herbage intake in alternating and mixed rows, 7% greater (p = 0.001) than offered, indicating partial preference for BFT. Greatest preferential grazing of BFT was in tall fescue and orchardgrass mixtures, but less than commonly reported for legumes grown in more contrasting spatial arrangements with cool‐season grasses. Conclusions: Grazing heifers showed partial preference for BFT over grass. However, the lack of an effect of spatial arrangement on herbage mass, herbage intake, and diet preference indicates that spatial arrangements greater than alternating rows may be needed to increase overall herbage intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a natural derivative of amino acids. They are acted upon by enzymes in the liver and transformed into essential components of the energy metabolism of muscle and nervous tissue. Although the animal synthesizes creatine, the amount is less than necessary for high growth rates, according to researchers. GAA consumed by cattle reduces fat between muscle fibers and serum cholesterol. It has a mild but positive effect on the fatty acid profile of meat—i.e., it increases myristoleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids. We also concluded that GAA consumption increases the amount of volatile fatty acids in the rumen, especially acetic, propionic, and butyric acid. We draw attention to the acetic acid related to lipid synthesis. With the increase in population, it is increasingly necessary to produce food more efficiently. This has expanded the market for additives, which are products that directly (nutritional effect) or indirectly (effect on animal health) favor productivity. Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a natural precursor of creatine. It acts as an energy reserve in skeletal muscle. In addition to being a compound with more significant bioavailability, it is more thermally stable and less expensive than creatine. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether adding GAA to the cattle diet would alter the meat's composition and fatty acid profile. We used 24 Holstein cattle males (409 ± 5.6 kg), approximately 15 months old, and separated them into four homogeneous groups, one being the control group and three groups with various dosages of GAA in the diets (3.3; 6.6, and 9.9 g/animal/day), for an experimental period of 60 days. Blood, rumen fluid, and animal weighing were performed at three points (days 1, 30, and 60), and daily feed consumption was measured. Steers fed with GAA (9.9 g/d) showed a 16.9% increase in average daily gain (ADG) compared to the control group. These same animals (T-9.9 group) fed with GAA showed a 20% increase in fed efficiency compared to the control group. Lower leukocyte, lymphocyte, and granulocyte counts and lower cholesterol levels were observed in animals that consumed 6.6 g and 9.9 g/d GAA compared to the control group. Animals from the T-6.6 and T-9.9 groups showed 30% and 27.6% reduced bacterial activity in the rumen compared to the control group, respectively. Steers from the T-6.6 and T-9.9 groups fed with GAA showed a 20% and 37% increase in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) compared to the control group, respectively. A higher concentration of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids in the ruminal fluid of cattle T-9.9 group was observed at day 60. The two highest doses of GAA showed lower fat levels in the meat, just as the cattle that received 9.9 g/d showed higher levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids. Complementary data results draw attention to the dose of 9.9 g/d GAA in cattle diets, as anti-inflammatory action can be seen and combined with a higher concentration of SCFAs, consequently increases weight gain. We concluded that consuming this GAA increases the concentration of some unsaturated fatty acids (omegas) in the meat, which adds quality to the product for the consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study was conducted with the primary aim of assessing the dosage of 3-nitrooxypropanol, its effectiveness in methane mitigation performance of feedlot cattle, and its impact on the quality of meat. The results obtained through its application have already demonstrated its efficacy as an additive for methane reduction. Consequently, further research is warranted to confirm its suitability for use in commercial production. 30 Nellore animals with an average weight of 407.25 ± 2.04 kg, were distributed in a completely randomized design across the following treatments: 1—Control (without inclusion of 3-NOP); 2—BV75 (inclusion of 3-NOP at 75 mg/kg DM); 3—BV100 (inclusion of 3-NOP at 100 mg/kg DM). No significant effects were observed between treatments on ingestive behavior. However, the notable effect on the BWfinal and ADG of animals supplemented with 3-NOP compared to the control group was measurable. Cattle beef receiving 3-NOP exhibited reduced methane emissions (p < 0.0001) for all variables analyzed, resulting in an average decrease of 38.2% in methane emissions compared to the control, along with increased hydrogen emissions (g/day) (p < 0.0001). While supplementation with BV100 demonstrated lower methane emission, the performance was lower than BV75 in DMI, BWfinal, ADG, and ADG carcasses. Partial separation of metabolomics observed between groups indicated changes in meat metabolism when comparing the control group with the 3-NOP group, identifying metabolites with a variable importance projection (VIP) score > 1. In conclusion, supplementation with 3-NOP effectively reduced methane emissions and did not negatively influence animal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The planting and use of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) to fatten cattle is both practical and profitable for smallholder farmers in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Currently smallholder farmers feed leucaena as the primary component of a cattle fattening diet. However, the high protein content in leucaena could be more effectively used if combined with a fermentable energy source, such as cassava (Manihot utilissima). Aim: An experiment was conducted to determine the ratio of leucaena to cassava corresponding to largest average daily gain and most efficient feed conversion for gain. Methods: Thirty growing male Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) ~18 months of age with an initial live weight of 164 ± 1.8 kg (mean ± s.e.) were allocated to one of six experimental treatments in a randomised block design. Bulls were held in individual stalls and had access to experimental diets and water ad libitum. The diets were 20% rice straw + 80% leucaena hay (A), 20% rice straw + 65% leucaena hay + 15% cassava meal (B), 20% rice straw + 50% leucaena hay + 30% cassava meal (C), 20% rice straw + 35% leucaena hay + 45% cassava meal (D), 20% rice straw + 20% leucaena hay + 60% cassava meal (E) and 20% rice straw + 5% leucaena hay + 75% cassava meal (F). A mineral mix was provided at 1% DM of total diet and urea was added to the cassava meal at 2% DM. In consideration of animal welfare concerns, the trial was concluded on Day 77 due to observations indicating that bulls receiving the highest level of cassava (F) were experiencing significant weight loss. Key results: The optimum level of inclusion of cassava was 29.5% (based on the quadratic response curve) but there was little difference in average daily gain up to 45% inclusion. Feeding a high level of cassava meal (more than 45% of diet) reduced feed intake, average daily gain and income over feed cost. Conclusion: Cassava meal can be successfully and profitably incorporated into leucaena-based rations of Bali bulls for fattening. Implications: Formulating rations with cassava meal and leucaena can be economically beneficial in cattle fattening systems. Supplementing Bali cattle rations in leucaena-based smallholdings with locally available cassava as an energy source, provides an opportunity to increase cattle live weight gain, extend the utilisation of leucaena and increase farmer profitability. Weight gain and profitability were maximised up to 45% cassava, but higher levels reduced feed intake, average daily gain and income over feed costs. Feeding cassava meal to leucaena-based diets is an important strategy to preserve leucaena as well as to increase profitability and meat production nationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environment surrounding invertebrates can influence the physiology of larval offspring. Dung beetles provide several significant ecological functions, including dung breakdown, fly control and nutrient cycling. Cattle diet influences the chemical and physical constituents of dung, of which pH is considered critical. Few studies have assessed this, though a pH of 6.3 is the lowest threshold for dung beetle reproduction. We investigated the effects of an introduced and widespread dung beetle (Onthophagus binodis) on cattle dung pH (7.3, 6.0 and 5.0) and pH on O. binodis reproduction, offspring phenotypic traits and development time. Dung beetle presence increased the Δ pH (more alkaline) within dung pads after 96 h. Dung beetles produced broods in dung with a pH of 5.0, though in fewer numbers compared with the other pH treatments. Larval development was delayed in pH 5.0 with an average of 50 days compared with 44 days in dung with pH 6, 7, and the control (7.3). Smaller broods (ellipsoid volume [mm3]) were produced in dung with a pH of 5.0 compared with pH 6.0 and 7.0, and offspring emerging from broods produced from dung with a pH of 6.0 were larger compared with the other pH treatments. Our results show that dung pH is important for brood production and progeny phenotypic traits of O. binodis, an agricultural ecosystem engineer and that there is no experimental evidence to support the suggestion that dung pH influences the provisioning of broods in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of monensin into cattle diets can significantly alter the physicochemical properties of excreted manure, potentially affecting waste management and treatment systems given the persistence of substantial concentrations of ionophores in the effluent. This study assessed the impact of monensin on the compositional characteristics of cattle manure and its implications for anaerobic digestion efficiency, with and without the separation of manure fractions across two hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Manure samples were collected from cattle fed with doses of monensin at 0, 1.8, 3.6, 5.4, and 7.2 mg per kg of dry matter intake. The HRTs investigated were 20 days (HRT20) and 30 days (HRT30). Increasing monensin inclusion in the diets resulted in a notable decrease in the quantities of total solids (TSs), volatile solids (VSs), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) per animal per day, accompanied by an increase in lignin content and mass. Fraction separation during anaerobic digestion enhances the reduction of TSs, VSs, and NDF, thereby optimizing biogas and methane production potentials and elevating methane concentrations. The presence of monensin correlated with the reduced degradation of organic components during the anaerobic digestion process. To maximize the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion of manure from cattle diets supplemented with monensin, a 30-day HRT combined with fraction separation is recommended. This approach can enhance biogas yield and methane content, thereby improving the sustainability and efficacy of waste treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and Aim: The existing data demonstrate that gut microbiota is involved in regulating mineral metabolism in cattle, although the data are quite contradictory. The study aimed to evaluate Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based probiotic's effects on gut microbiota, systemic metabolism, and dairy cows' essential trace element and mineral body burden. Materials and Methods: Fifteen cows received a daily supplement of a 50 g S. cerevisiae-based probiotic, fortified with methionine, choline, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and Capsicum oleoresin, for a month. 16S metagenomic sequencing was used to evaluate the taxonomic features of fecal microbiota. Serum trace elements and minerals levels were determined through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: Supplementation with S. cerevisiae-based probiotic complex significantly increased alpha and beta diversity, as well as the abundance of Mediterranea and Clostridium IV within the Bacillota phylum, whereas that of Bacteroidota and specifically unclassified Bacteroidales and unclassified Oscillospiraceae decreased. Following probiotic supplementation with the S. cerevisiae-based complex, gut microbiota modulation led to a significant boost in circulating levels of calcium, copper, selenium, and zinc. Creatinine levels decreased while total cholesterol levels increased within normal limits in the serum analysis. Conclusion: The observed improvement in trace elements and minerals in dairy cows might be due to changes in intestinal microflora caused by supplementation. Therefore, probiotic supplementation in cattle may be considered a potential tool for improvement of mineral nutrition in cattle. However, the influence of probiotic treatment and modulation of mineral metabolism on milk productivity and overall performance in cattle is yet to be estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Plants had adequate ash, dry matter, crude proteins, carbohydrates, and gross energy. • Fe, Na, Al, Se, Zn, and Mn were the most abundant trace elements and minerals. • Toxic trace elements were estimated to be in low concentrations. • Bounded tannins ranged from 0.01 to 9.12 mg TAE kg−1 in selected leguminous plants. • Leucena leucocephala was the most promising nutritional leguminous fodder species. The study aimed to investigate the nutritional composition, trace elements and anti-nutritional factors of fodder species belonging to the family Fabaceae potentially used as an alternative feed for cattle. The proximate composition, particularly dry matter, moisture, fats, crude proteins (CP), carbohydrates, crude fibre (CF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), were analysed, thereby, nonfibre carbohydrate (NFC) and gross energy (GE) were calculated. Thirty-three trace elements were determined from chemically digested dried plant material using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and ICP-OES (ICP-Optical Emission Spectrophotometry). The tannin levels, a known antinutritional factor, were estimated using Folin–Ciocalteu method. The methods were validated by the relative standard deviation (RSD) values and acceptable recovery percentage, linearity, limit of quantification (LoQ), and limit of detection (LoD). The proximate composition analysis estimated levels of dry matter (> 90 %), ash (3.77–26.98 %), crude proteins (8.22–22.19 %), carbohydrates (54.00–86.79 %), crude fibre (10.54–40.10 %), NDF (22.26–59.20 %) and GE (< 100 Kcal kg−1 DM) in leguminous species. Essential elements were detected in recommended levels including Zn (21.20–50.30 mg/kg), Co (0.06–0.045 mg kg), Cr (0.5–5.08 mg kg−1), Mn (9.02–197 mg kg−1), Mg (0.10–0.52 mg kg−1), Fe (42.40–812 mg kg−1) and Na (72.00–1721 mg kg−1). The concentration of toxic elements was below critical levels and tannin occurred at a safe level (< 50 mgTAE kg−1) for ruminant consumption. Therefore, the selected fodder can effectively contribute to cattle dietary requirements for smallscale farmers in Onderstepoort, Gauteng Province, South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The long-term use of antibiotics has led to problems such as resistance, with serious implications for global public health. Herbs are considered ideal for new antibiotic alternatives because they are natural, non-resistant, non-toxic, or low in toxicity. Licorice extract has been shown to benefit growth performance and health when added to the diets of pigs, chickens, and sheep. However, the use of licorice extract in beef cattle farming is still relatively rare. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of licorice extract on growth performance, blood index, hindgut microbiome, and metabolome of beef cattle. The results demonstrated that adding licorice extract to the beef cattle diet played a positive role in enhancing the growth performance, blood indexes, and intestinal health of beef cattle. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of licorice extract (LE) on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum index (biochemistry, hormones, humoral immunity, and antioxidant function), hindgut fecal microbiota, and metabolism in beef cattle. In total, 12 male yellow cattle aged 12 months were divided into two groups (6 cattle per group): the basal diet (CK group) and the basal diet supplemented with 2 g/kg LE (CHM group). The entire experimental phase lasted for 120 days, including a 30-day pre-feeding period. Compared to the CK group, the average daily gain, crude fiber, calcium, and crude protein nutrient digestibility were greater on d 30 than d 60 (p < 0.05) and the feed meat ratio was lower for LE addition (p < 0.01). In terms of serum indexes, the insulin and nitric oxide contents were enhanced on d 30, the alkaline phosphatase level was improved on d 60, and the levels of albumin, immunoglobulin A, and catalase were increased on d 90 (p < 0.05). In contrast, the cholesterol content was lower on d 60 for LE addition compared with the CK group (p < 0.05). The higher enrichment of [Eubacterium]-oxidoreducens-group, p-2534-18b5-gut-group, and Ileibacterium were observed in the CHM group (p < 0.05), while the relative abundances of Gallibacterium and Breznakia in the CHM group were lower compared with the CK group (p < 0.05). In addition, the differential metabolites related to healthy growth in the CHM group were increased compared with the CK group. And there was a close correlation between hindgut microbiota and metabolic differentials. In general, LE has a promoting effect on the growth performance and health status of beef cattle over a period (30 to 60 days). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was designed to study the effects of bio-fermented feed on the growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, fecal flora, and serum antioxidant indexes of beef cattle. Thirty-two head of 'Simmental × Local' cattle cattle weighing about 550 kg were selected as test animals and randomly divided into two groups with four replicates each and four cows in each replicate. The control group was fed with basal ration, and the experimental group was fed with 5% bio-fermented feed instead of basal ration. The pre-test period was 15 days, and the formal test period was 90 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, the final weight and average daily gain of beef cattle were significantly increased by 2.45% and 23.29% (P<0.05), respectively, while the feed to gain ratio was significantly decreased by 18.34% (P<0.05). The apparent digestibility of DM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF in feed increased by 5.75%, 6.01%, 2.97%, 14.87%, and 11.6%, respectively (P<0.05). The number of lactic acid bacteria increased by 6.49% (P<0.05). In the experimental group, TP, ALB, and GLU concentrations were significantly increased by 14.27%, 28.61%, and 12.85% (P<0.05), while TG and CHO concentrations were significantly decreased by 28.00% and 21.49%, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the T-AOC and the activity of GSH-Px, and SOD in the experimental group increased significantly by 18.05%, 26.20%, and 20.33%, respectively (P<0.05), and the activity of CAT increased. The study indicates that adding bio-fermented feed to beef cattle diets can improve the growth performance, enhance the ability of animals to digest and utilize nutrients, improve the structure of flora, and enhance the antioxidant capacity of beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate changes in feed intake and ruminal environmental parameters during a high-lipid diet transition in cattle. Eight Nellore steers were fed a control diet composed of 30% hay and 70% concentrate for 21 days, followed by the inclusion of 60 g/kg dry matter of soybean oil for 21 days. The DM intake expressed as a percentage of BW 21 days after lipid inclusion was lower (1.75% BW) than that observed during the control diet feeding (1.81% BW) (P<0.01). Steers fed the control diet had a lower pH than the ruminal pH recorded on days 7, 14, and 21 after lipid inclusion (P=0.034). Lower total short-chain fatty acid production in the rumen and lower microbial nitrogen synthesis were observed on day 7 after lipid inclusion compared to values found when steers were fed the control diet and on days 14 and 21 after lipid inclusion (P=0.041). Lipid inclusion in the diet decreased the population of protozoa on days 7, 14, and 21 (P<0.001). The abundances of R. albus and F. succinogenes were higher when steers were fed the control diet than the abundance observed on days 7, 14, and 21 after lipid inclusion in the diet (P<0.05). The first seven days of lipid diet inclusion are considered the most critical for ruminal adaptation, involving reductions in fibrolytic bacteria and changes in fermentation parameters. After 14 days the rumen showed signs of recovery and adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle lameness remains a significant concern, causing economic losses and compromising animal welfare. Claw horn lesions have been identified as a major cause of lameness in dairy cows, but their correlation with high-energy diets and ruminal acidosis remains unclear. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of a high-starch diet and a conventional diet on the rumen environment, acute-phase proteins, and metabolic alterations, with a particular focus on insulin resistance and the consequent implications for the histology of the hooves in Holstein steers. A total of 16 animals were divided into the high-starch (HS; 37% starch) and conventional (CON; 16.8% starch) groups. Glucose tolerance tests (GTT), blood analyses, rumen fluid analyses, and histological evaluations of the hoof tissue were conducted over a 102-d experimental period. The HS group showed a lower ruminal pH than the CON group, and with values indicating SARA. The plasma glucose and IGF-1 concentrations were higher in the HS group, suggesting an anabolic state. Both groups exhibited an increase in the insulin area under the curve (AUC) after the GTT on d 102. Histological analysis of the hooves showed a reduction in the length and width of the epidermal lamella in both groups. We found a significant negative correlation between the insulin AUC and the length and width of the epidermal lamella. Because both groups were similarly affected, the hypothesis that histological alterations were caused by the experimental diets still needs confirmation. Additionally, the development of SARA was not essential for the observed histological changes in the hoof. Further studies are warranted to thoroughly investigate the role of insulin and IGF-1 imbalances in claw health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Arginine is an important amino acid for cattle, as it can help improve their immune response and the amount of fat in their meat. However, when arginine is given to cattle through their food, bacteria in their stomach can use it up before it has a chance to benefit the animal. In a recent study, researchers looked into whether adding a special protective coating to the arginine, using carnauba wax, could change the color, tenderness, and fat content of beef in three different breeds of heifers. We found that adding this protected arginine to the cattle's diet made the meat redder, more tender, and fattier after it was aged for 28 days. However, we also found that the breed of the cattle had a big impact on these qualities, with meat from Angus cattle being the most tender, even though it had slightly less fat compared to Hereford or Angus × Hereford crossbreeds. Hence, we concluded that both the protected arginine and the breed of the cattle can affect the quality of the beef. The objective of this exploratory study was to assess if microencapsulated arginine influences the physicochemical quality of beef. The study included three genetic groups: Angus, Hereford, and Angus × Hereford crossbreed. Two encapsulation systems were used with carnauba wax, at ratios of 3:1 and 2:1, carnauba wax:core (arginine), respectively. A control treatment was also included with no arginine addition. Encapsulated arginine with a 3:1 ratio increased redness by 19.66 at 28 d aged beef compared to the control and 2:1 ratio with values of 18.55 and 16.77, respectively (p = 0.01). Encapsulated arginine at a 3:1 ratio showed the lowest meat shear force values with 24.32 N at 28 d of ageing (p < 0.001). The Angus breed also had a low value of 24.02 N (p < 0.001). Finally, the highest values of intramuscular fat were observed with the inclusion of arginine in a 3:1 ratio. The fat value reached 2.12% with a 3:1 ratio (p = 0.002), while in the Angus breed it was 1.59%. The addition of carnauba wax-encapsulated arginine can improve meat quality. It enhances red color, tenderness, and marbling in bovine meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amino-acid-fermenting bacteria are wasteful organisms within the rumens of beef cattle that remove dietary amino nitrogen by producing ammonia, which is then excreted renally. There are currently no on-label uses for the control of this microbial guild, but off-label use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials has shown efficacy, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Plant-derived antimicrobials supplemented into the diets of cattle may offer worthwhile alternatives. This study sought to investigate the role of cannabidiol (CBD) as a terpenophenolic antimicrobial. Ex vivo cell suspensions were harvested from the rumen fluid of Angus × Holstein steers in non-selective media with amino acid substrates. The suspensions were treated with five concentrations of CBD (860 μg mL−1–0.086 μg mL−1) and incubated (24 h), after which ammonia production and viable number of cells per substrate and treatment were measured. The data demonstrated a ~10–15 mM reduction in ammonia produced at the highest concentration of CBD and negligible changes in the viable number of amino-acid-fermenting bacteria. CBD does not appear to be a biologically or economically viable terpenophenolic candidate for the control of amino acid fermentation in beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The quality of meat, with a focus on compounds important for human health, is directly related to the rearing systems in which the animals are produced. The search for a balanced diet, with an emphasis on low cholesterol and adequate levels of vitamins, aligns with society's emphasis on healthy eating, directly correlated with the importance of the offer made by producers for the cattle's diet. Objective and methodology: The objective was to verify the impact of different rearing systems, in the Eastern Amazon, during the rainy season, on the concentrations of vitamins (A, E) and cholesterol in the muscle (Longissimus lumborum) of crossbred Nelore cattle, castrated, aged between 24 and 36 months, and weighing between 410 and 628 kg. Twelve animals, from each of the three pasture rearing systems: native pasture in flooded areas of Monte Alegre; native pasture in a flooded area of Santa Cruz do Arari; and pasture cultivated on dry land in São Miguel do Guamá, all located in Pará, Brazil--were sampled in commercial slaughterhouses. Results: A notable influence was observed in the concentrations of β-carotene (p < 0.01), α-Tocopherol (p = 0.02), β-Tocopherol (p < 0.01) and the combined sum of β-Tocotrienol and γ-Tocopherol (p < 0.01), as well as δ-Tocopherol (p < 0.01) when contrasting extensive with intensive systems (confinement). However, there was a difference in the content of vitamins and cholesterol between the isolated extensive systems, or between the four rearing systems (p > 0.05). Extensive systems, mainly in Monte Alegre, demonstrated greater amounts of α-Tocopherol and δ-Tocopherol. Conclusion: On the other hand, the intensive system exhibited higher levels of other investigated compounds, clarifying the nutritional variations generated by different livestock rearing practices in the region. Therefore, the results obtained are innovative in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil, in addition to inspiring the development of new research to meet other demands in this field, and achieve additional results, such as determining which meat, coming from cattle in production systems in the country, presents the better compositional quality of vitamins and lipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of different levels of Clostridium butyricum supplementation on the gas production, fermentation parameters, and nutrient digestibility in TMR diet by in vitro gas production method, so as to determine the appropriate amount of Clostridium butyricum supplementation in beef cattle diet. Holstein steers with permanent fistula were selected as rumen fluid donors and TMR as culture substrate. The control group (CON group) only contained the culture substrate, while the Clostridium butyricum test group added Clostridium butyricum with the concentrations of 2x108 (CB1 group), 4x108 (CB2 group), 6x108 (CB3 group), 8x108 (CB4 group) and 10x108 CFU/kg (CB5 group) on the basis of the culture substrate, with six replicates at each level. The results showed that the in vitro gas production of CB1 group was significantly lower than that of other groups when the fermentation time was 2 h and 4 h (P<0.05). When the fermentation time was 12 h, the in vitro gas production of CB3 group, CB2 group, CB4 group, and CB5 group was significantly higher than that of CON group and CB1 group (P<0.05). The pH value in each experimental group were significantly lower than those in CON group (P<0.05), while the content of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference among the experimental groups (P>0.05). The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and total acid in CB3 group, CB4 group and CB5 group were significantly higher than those in CON group (P<0.05). Isobutyric acid content in CB1 group, CB2 group and CB3 group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.05). Dry matter digestibility (DMD) and neutral detergent fiber degradation (NDFD) of each experimental group were significantly higher than those of CON group (P<0.05). The degradation rate of acid detergent fiber (ADFD) in CB2 group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.05). The study indicates that the addition of Clostridium butyricum can increase gas production, NH3-N, acetic acid, propionic acid, total volatile acid content and DMD. The suitable addition of Clostridium butyricum is 6x108 CFU/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Soybean meal is one of the main high-quality protein feedstuffs and deficient in China, and the sustainability of the beef cattle industry is facing more and more challenges. It is essential to seek efficient alternative N sources to ensure a steady increase in beef production. The in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to test if dietary isobutyramide and slow-release urea could benefit animal performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and blood parameters and develop a new strategy for substituting soybean meal in beef cattle. We suggest the optimal strategy is the isonitrogenous substitution of soybean meal with 0.3% slow-release urea and 0.6% isobutyramide of the diet. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of isobutyramide (IBA) and slow-release urea (SRU) as substitutes for soybean meal (SBM) in the finishing diet of beef cattle. The completely randomized design in vitro experiment with five treatments, i.e., control, 0.9% SRU group, 0.6% SRU + 0.3% IBA group (SRU-I), 0.3% SRU + 0.6% IBA group (IBA-S), 0.9% IBA group was conducted. The results showed that the IBA-S and IBA increased (p ≤ 0.05) substrate disappearance of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), total gas, and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA). The SRU group had the highest (p < 0.01) crude protein disappearance and ammonia nitrogen concentration, but the IBA contrarily decreased (p < 0.01) them compared with the control. Inclusion of IBA increased isobutyrate concentrations (p = 0.01) with the highest value for the IBA group. Then, an 84-day replicate 4 × 4 Latin square design with 8 Angus steers and four treatments, i.e., control, SRU, SRU-I, IBA-S was performed. The results showed that the treatments did not affect DM intake (p > 0.05) but tended (p = 0.09) to increase average daily gain. The inclusion of IBA increased (p < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, NDF, ADF, TVFA, and microbial crude protein with the highest values for the IBA-S group. The IBA-contained groups also increased (p ≤ 0.01) isobutyrate concentration, activities of carboxymethyl cellulase and xylanase, and the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens with the highest values for the IBA-S group. The SRU had no effect on animal growth and nutrient apparent digestibility. In conclusion, IBA was developed as a new substitute for SBM in the finishing diet of beef cattle, and the optimal strategy was the isonitrogenous substitution of SBM with 0.3% SRU and 0.6% IBA of the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palm kernel cake (PKC), a byproduct of palm oil extraction, serves an important role in Ecuador's animal feed industry. The emergence of yellow-orange fungal growth in PKC on some cattle farms in Ecuador sparked concerns within the cattle industry regarding a potential mycotoxin-producing fungus on this substrate. Due to the limited availability of analytical chemistry techniques in Ecuador for mycotoxin detection, we chose to isolate and identify the fungus to determine its association with mycotoxin-producing genera. Through molecular identification via ITS region sequencing, we identified the yellow-orange fungus as the yeast Candida ethanolica. Furthermore, we isolated two other fungi—the yeast Pichia kudriavzevii, and the fungus Geotrichum candidum. Molecular identification confirmed that all three species are not classified as mycotoxin-producing fungi but in contrast, the literature indicates that all three have demonstrated antifungal activity against Aspergillus and Penicillium species, genera associated with mycotoxin production. This suggests their potential use in biocontrol to counter the colonization of harmful fungi. We discuss preventive measures against the fungal invasion of PKC and emphasize the importance of promptly identifying fungi on this substrate. Rapid recognition of mycotoxin-producing and pathogenic genera holds the promise of mitigating cattle intoxication and the dissemination of mycotoxins throughout the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was aimed to evaluate the use of cottonseed cake (CSC) as a source of physically effective neutral detergent fibre (peNDF) to replace corn silage (CS) in diet of feedlot-finished cattle. The design used was completely randomised, with 2 treatments (30% CSC and 30% CS) and 12 replications. There was interaction between fibre source and nutrient in the material retained in the Penn State Particle Separator. The highest concentrations (P = 0.0001) of peNDF and the in vitro digestibility of peNDF (DpeNDF) were for CSC. There was a higher (p < 0.05) dry matter intake (DMI) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake (NDFI) by the animals on the CSC diet. The CSC-fed steers showed higher (P = 0.0001) final body weight (BW) and total weight gain. The steers fed CSC showed a longer (P = 0.0001) feeding time, feed efficiency, and lower rumination time (P = 0.0001) and rumination efficiency (P = 0.0001). There were positive correlations between the variables: rumination time × intake, rumination time × NDFI and peNDF × DpeNDF. It was observed that there was a negative correlation between the variables: rumination time × peNDF, rumination time × DpeNDF, NDFI × peNDF, and NDFI × DpeNDF. Cottonseed cake is an alternative source of peNDF for feedlot beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle farming is responsible for about 15% of Colombia's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). In the department of Cundinamarca, specialized dairy farms located in the high tropics contribute 14% of the national milk production, and 94% of them are small-scale producers. Therefore, mitigation strategies for dairy farms are needed to achieve national GHGE reduction targets. This study aims to quantify the carbon footprint (CF), through a Life cycle Assessment Methodology, of 82 specialized dairy farms at the farm gate in 3 regions of Cundinamarca: Central Savannah, West Savannah and Ubate Valley; and to identify the contribution of Acacia decurrens, Baccharis latifolia, and Sambucus peruviana to milk production increases and GHGE mitigation potential. The comparison of the effect of the tree species on the measured variables was carried out by analysis of variance under a completely random design. GHGE were calculated using the 2019 Refinement to 2006 IPCC guidelines and impact factors from databases. The emission factor for enteric methane from cows was estimated by considering the equation proposed by Niu et al. (Glob Chang Biol 24:3368–3389, 2018). The functional units corresponded to one kg fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) and one kg live weight gain in a cradle-to-farm-gate approach. For the 3 regions, enteric fermentation and manure left on pasture were the main on-farm sources of GHGE, and feed manufacturing was the main off-farm source. Milk CFs ranged from 1.5 to 2.2 kg CO2-eq kg FPCM−1. The inclusion Acacia decurrens, Baccharis latifolia, and Sambucus peruviana in cattle diets reduced the milk CF by 13–26% and increased milk yield by 19–37% in the three regions. Therefore, the inclusion of locally available forages in dairy cattle diets is a potential sustainable GHGE mitigation option that dairy farmers, from the Colombian high tropics, can adopt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, Japanese Black cattle, known for their exceptional meat quality owing to their abundant intramuscular fat, undergo a unique three-stage feeding system with varying concentrate ratios. There is limited research on physiological and rumen microbial changes in Japanese Black cattle during these stages. Therefore, this study aimed to examine Japanese Black steers in these three stages: early (T1, 12–14 months), middle (T2, 15–22 months), and late (T3, 23–30 months). The rumen bacteria of 21 cattle per phase was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Rumen bacterial diversity was significantly higher in T1, with a distinct distribution, than in T2 and T3. Specific phyla and genera were exclusive to each stage, reflecting the shifts in feed composition. Certain genera dominated each stage: T1 had Flexilinea, Streptococcus, Butyrivibrio, Selenomonas, and Kandleria; T2 had Bifidobacterium, Shuttleworthia, and Sharpea; and T3 had Acetitomaculum, Mycoplasma, Atopobium, and Howardella. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between certain microbial populations and physiological parameters. These findings indicate that changes in energy content and feed composition are associated with physiological and ruminal alterations. This study may guide strategies to improve rumen health and productivity in Japanese Black cattle by modifying diets to specific fattening stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: To achieve optimal feed efficiency in ruminants, especially Pesisir cattle, it is necessary to maintain a harmonious equilibrium between energy and protein levels within the rumen. Sulfur supplementation can potentially escalate the energy-protein balance in the rumen. The aim of this study was to explore the formulation of ruminant diets by synchronizing rumen degradable protein (RDP) and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) while adding sulfur minerals at different levels. Nutrient digestibility, NH3 concentration, volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, microbial protein synthesis (MPS), and methane gas production were assessed.  Materials and Methods: We employed a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement and examined diverse incubation periods of 6, 24, and 48 h. Treatment consisted of RDP (60% and 65%), NFC (35% and 40%), and sulfur (0%, 0.15%, and 0.3%) levels. In this study, the Tilley and Terry in vitro technique, which used Pesisir cattle's rumen fluid, was employed to assess the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and RDPRumen undegradable protein. In addition, it measures various rumen fluid attributes, including pH, NH3, VFA, MPS, and methane gas production. Results: Treatment with a coordinated combination of 65% RDP and 40% NFC combined with 0.15% sulfur supplement yielded significantly improved digestibility and notably reduced methane gas production (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The enhancement in digestibility and reduction in methane gas emissions can be attributed to the interaction of RDP, NFC, and sulfur. Feed digestibility was increased in the 65% RDP treatment with 40% NFC and 0.15% sulfur, along with a decrease in methane gas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this metabolism study was to evaluate the efficacy of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) meal in pelleted diets for fattened cattle. Four 2-year-old Bali steers were assigned to four dietary treatments using a 4x4 Latin square experimental design. The treatments were pellets containing chromolaena meal at 10% (10COM), 20% (20COM), 30% (30COM), or 40% (40COM). The pellet was given at 2% liveweight (LW), and kume (Sorghum plumosum var. Timorense) grass hay was offered ad libitum. The diets were isonitrogenous (20%) and energy (11.5 MJ ME/kg DM). Dietary intake, digestibility, and rumen fermentation were the variables measured. The results showed that increasing chromolaena meal to 40% substantially decreased the nutrient intake. Dry matter intake decreased from 2.5% LW in the 10COM to 2.19% LW in the 40COM. Likewise, crude protein intake decreased from 749 g/d (10COM) to 661 g/d (40COM). On the contrary, digestibility, rumen pH, ammonia concentration (116-125 mg/dL), and volatile fatty acids were not affected. It might be concluded that chromolaena can be used as a protein source for ruminants, but at high levels of inclusion (40%) tends to reduce intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the replacement of barley-based ingredients with short-season high-moisture corn products on steer growth performance and carcass characteristics. Over 2 years, 320 beef steers (528�±�36.2�kg initial body weight) were assigned to 32 pens (4 pens/treatment/year). Treatments were finishing diets that contained dry-rolled barley grain and barley silage (BGBS; control), barley grain and corn silage (BGCS), high-moisture shelled corn and barley grain with barley silage (HCBS), or snaplage (included as a silage and grain source) with barley grain (SNAP). Steers were fed for 99 days and 72 days in years 1 and 2, respectively. Steers fed BGCS did not differ (P�≥�0.13) from BGBS for dry matter intake, average daily gain, gain:feed, or carcass characteristics. Steers fed HCBS had greater (P�≤�0.05) hot carcass weight and dressing percentage than BGBS. A lesser (P�=�0.02) proportion of steers fed SNAP had severe liver abscesses than BGBS. We concluded that corn silage can replace barley silage, 50% replacement of barley grain with high-moisture shelled corn may improve hot carcass weight, and replacement of barley silage and some barley grain with snaplage decreases the proportion of cattle with severe liver abscesses at slaughter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the digestibility of agricultural residues is one goal of sustainable livestock production, and the role of rumen microbiome-feed interaction is critical for efficient digestion. This study was aimed at isolating and evaluating in vitro the effect on dry-matter digestibility (IVDMD), relative feed values (RFV), volatile fatty acid (VFA) synthesis, pH changes, and gas production (GP) by the inclusion of native rumen strains in mixtures of corn, sorghum, and oat agricultural residues with ruminal fluid. The results show that an inoculum of 1 × 1010 colony-forming unit per millilitre (CFU/mL) of the aero-tolerant native rumen strain Lysinibacillus fusiformis increases the IVDMD, RFV, and VFA values of all mixtures. During agricultural residue fermentation, the pH was stable, and propionic acid was the primary fatty acid synthesized, indicating increased energy availability for efficient cattle growth performance while limiting molecular hydrogen (H2) synthesis for conversion to methane (CH4). These results suggest that L. fusiformis could be used as a direct-feed microbial to promote sustainable livestock production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to link the fermentation of fibrous agricultural residues in ruminal fluid inoculated with a fibrolytic native strain and digestibility in favour of increasing the efficiency of livestock production.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cashew nut shell extract (CNSE) and monensin on ruminal in vitro fermentation, CH 4 production, and ruminal bacterial community structure. Treatments were as follows: control (CON, basal diet without additives); 2.5 μ M monensin (MON); 0.1 mg CNSE granule/g DM (CNSE100); and 0.2 mg CNSE granule/g DM (CNSE200). Each treatment was incubated with 52 mL of buffered ruminal content and 500 mg of total mixed ration for 24 h using serum vials. The experiment was performed as a complete randomized block design with 3 runs. Run was used as a blocking factor. Each treatment had 5 replicates, in which 2 were used to determine nutrient degradability, and 3 were used to determine pH, NH 3 -N, volatile fatty acids, lactate, total gas, CH 4 production, and bacterial community composition. Treatment responses for all data, excluding bacterial abundance, were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS v9.4. Treatment responses for bacterial community structure were analyzed with a PERMANOVA test run with the R package vegan. Orthogonal contrasts were used to test the effects of (1) additive inclusion (ADD: CON vs. MON, CNSE100, and CNSE200); (2) additive type (MCN: MON vs. CNSE100 and CNSE200); and (3) CNSE dose (DOS: CNSE100 vs. CNSE200). We observed that pH, acetate, and acetate:propionate ratio in the CNSE100 treatment were lower compared with CNSE200, and propionate in the CNSE100 treatment was greater compared with CNSE200. Compared with MON, CNSE treatments tended to decrease total lactate concentration. Total gas production of CON was greater by 2.63% compared with all treatments, and total CH 4 production was reduced by 10.64% in both CNSE treatments compared with MON. Also, compared with MON, in vitro dry matter degradabilities in CNSE treatments were lower. No effects were observed for NH 3 -N or in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability. Finally, the relative abundances of Prevotella , Treponema , and Schwartzia were lower, whereas the relative abundances of Butyrivibrio and Succinivibrio were greater in all treatments compared with CON. Overall, the inclusion of CNSE decreased CH 4 production compared with MON, making CNSE a possible CH 4 mitigation additive in dairy cattle diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle diet plays a crucial role in the quality of dung and the consequent reproductive capacity of dung beetles. We investigated how three pasture types (improved native, forage oat and inter‐sown rye/clover) influence the dung quality, the number of broods and reproductive output measured as brood size (dry weight and ellipsoid volume), development time and F1 progeny size (beetle length and pronotum width) of Onthophagus binodis, Euoniticellus africanus and Euoniticellus intermedius.Nitrogen content was highest in rye/clover‐derived dung compared with improved native and forage oat. Improved native‐derived dung had the highest carbon, energy, organic matter, pH and insoluble non‐starch polysaccharide content, whereas forage oat had the lowest contents. Forage oat had the highest moisture content, ash and soluble non‐starch polysaccharide content compared with the other pastures.Progeny length was influenced by pasture type, with female E. intermedius, and males and females of O. binodis being 11.4%, 11.2% and 7.3% longer, respectively, in rye/clover‐derived dung than forage oat dung. The pronotum width of O. binodis F1 progeny was 9.8% wider when produced from rye/clover dung than forage oat.Rye/clover‐ and improved native‐derived dung provided the best resource for dung beetle reproduction compared with forage oat dung. Based on this study, cattle diet is important for consideration when evaluating reproductive ability and progeny measurements. Cattle diet should be further investigated as only three pasture types were investigated out of a numerous number of species and combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trees and shrubs expanded in the last decades in European mountains due to land abandonment and the decrease in grazing pressure, and are expected to further spread also due to climate change. As a consequence of low forage quality and topographic constraints, the management of mountain environments dominated by woody vegetation with livestock is often challenging. Silvopastoral systems based on cattle hardy breeds able to forage on woody plants, such as Highland cattle, could be a suitable option for the management and restoration of such environments. In this study, we used direct observations to explore the foraging behavior of Highland cattle in four study areas across the western Alps. In particular, we assessed: (1) cattle diet composition, (2) the selection for more than 30 tree and shrub species, and (3) the relationships between species consumption and their abundance in the environment. Highland cattle fed on a mixture of both woody and herbaceous species, including between 15 and 46% of woody plants in the diet. Some trees (e.g., Celtis australis, Fraxinus spp., and Populus tremula) and shrubs (e.g., Frangula alnus, Rhamnus spp., and Rubus idaeus) were positively selected by cattle, thus they could be an important forage supplement to their diet. Moreover, the results highlighted that relative species consumption generally increased with increasing species abundance in the environment, suggesting that this cattle breed could be suitable to control shrub expansion in highly encroached areas. The outcomes of this study can support the development of targeted silvopastoral systems in the Alps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The administration of Bacilli to dairy cows exerts beneficial effects on dry matter intake, lactation performance, and milk composition, but the rationale behind their efficacy is still poorly understood. In this work, we sought to establish whether cellulases and xylanases, among the enzymes secreted by B. subtilis, are involved in the positive effect exerted by Bacilli on ruminal performance. We took advantage of two isogenic B. subtilis strains, only differing in the secretion levels of those two enzymes. A multi-factorial study was conducted in which eight feed ingredients were treated in vitro, using ruminal fluid from cannulated cows, with cultures of the two strains conveniently grown in a growth medium based on inexpensive waste. Feed degradability and gas production were assessed. Fiber degradability was 10% higher (p < 0.001) in feeds treated with the enzyme-overexpressing strain than in the untreated control, while the non-overexpressing strain provided a 5% increase. The benefit of the fibrolytic enzymes was maximal for maize silage, the most recalcitrant feed. Gas production also correlated with the amount of enzymes applied (p < 0.05). Our results revealed that B. subtilis cellulases and xylanases effectively contribute to improving forage quality, justifying the use of Bacilli as direct-fed microbials to increase animal productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are rapidly urbanizing, leading to a high demand for high-quality animal products. Production increase is seen as a key to meeting this demand and reducing the global environmental impact of low-yielding dairy production system (DPS) often found in LMICs. Therefore, the present study assesses the relationship between enteric methane emissions and different dairy production strategies, taking DPS in the rural-urban interface of Bengaluru, an Indian megacity, as a case study. Twentyeight dairy farms, evenly distributed across four DPS, were monitored for 1 year (eight visits at 6-week intervals). Following IPCC 2006 guidelines and a Tier 2 approach, enteric methane emissions from dairy cattle were calculated as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2 eq). Dairy producers in ExtDPS, an extensive DPS found throughout the rural-urban interface of Bengaluru, fed their dairy cattle a high-quality diet, partly based on organic wastes from markets or neighbors, achieving 9.4 kg energy-corrected milk (ECM) per cow and day. Dairy producers in Semi-ADPS, a semi-intensive and rural DPS, fed an average quality diet and achieved the lowest milk production (7.9 kg ECM cow-1 day-1; p < 0.05). Dairy producers in Semi-BDPS, another semi-intensive and rural DPS, relied on average quality but more abundant feedstuffs and achieved a production of 10.0 kg ECM cow-1 day-1. A similar milk yield (10.1 kg ECM cow-1 day-1) was achieved by IntDPS, an intensive and rural DPS. The intensity of enteric methane emissions was the highest in Semi-BDPS (1.38 kg CO2-eq kg-1 ECM; p < 0.05), lowest in ExtDPS (0.79 kg CO2-eq kg-1 ECM; p < 0.05), and intermediate in semi-ADPS and IntDPS. The results highlight the close relationship between the intensity of enteric methane emissions and the intensification strategies chosen by dairy producers based on locally available resources. They also underline the importance of region- and system-specific environmental assessments of production systems in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stocker cattle diet and management influence beef cattle performance during the finishing stage, but knowledge of the dynamics of the rumen microbiome associated with the host are lacking. A longitudinal study was conducted to determine how the feeding strategy from the stocker to the finishing stages of production affects the temporal dynamics of rumen microbiota. During the stocker phase, either dry hay or wheat pasture were provided, and three levels of monensin were administrated. All calves were then transported to a feedlot and received similar finishing diets with or without monensin. Rumen microbial samples were collected on d 0, 28, 85 during the stocker stage (S0, S28 and S85) and d 0, 14, 28, 56, 30 d before slaughter and the end of the trial during the finishing stage (F0, F14, F28, F56, Pre-Ba, and Final). The V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene of 263 rumen samples was sequenced. Results: Higher alpha diversity, including the number of observed bacterial features and the Shannon index, was observed in the stocker phase compared to the finishing phase. The bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) differentiating different sampling time points were identified. Dietary treatments during the stocker stage temporally impact the dynamics of rumen microbiota. For example, shared bacteria, including Bacteroidales (ASV19) and Streptococcus infantarius (ASV94), were significantly higher in hay rumen on S28, S85, and F0, while Bacteroidaceae (ASV11) and Limivicinus (ASV15) were more abundant in wheat. Monensin affected rumen microbial composition at a specific time. Transportation to feedlot significantly influenced microbiome structure and diversity in hay-fed calves. Bacterial taxa associated with body weight were classified, and core microbiotas interacted with each other during the trial. Conclusions: In summary, the temporal dynamics of the rumen microbiome in cattle at the stocker and finishing stage are influenced by multiple factors of the feeding strategy. Diet at the stocker phase may temporarily affect the microbial composition during this stage. Modulating the rumen microbiome in the steers at the stocker stage affects the microbial interactions and performance in the finishing stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive scale feeding of cattle and sheep in China co-exists with the traditional grazing mode. The traditional grazing mode is easily affected by climate, season and other factors, and the unstable forage supply and unbalanced feed nutrition become the restricting factors for the development of the cattle and sheep industry. The use of a total mixed diet can not only solve the problem of nutritional instability of cattle and sheep feed, improve production efficiency, but also make full use of agricultural and industrial by-products, protect the environment, and achieve green, healthy and sustainable development of the cattle and sheep industry. The paper reviews the research progress of the preparation principle and technology of total mixed diet and its effect on the production stage of cattle and sheep, aiming to provide a reference for the use of total mixed diet in the production of cattle and sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Preweaning nutrition plays a crucial role in the growth of dairy calves, determining their future productivity and overall health. Researchers are still studying the most appropriate dietary strategies in the preweaning and early post-weaning periods. In particular, the effect of different levels of forage inclusion in the diet of young cattle is not yet clear. Our study evaluated the effects of starter restriction and ad libitum inclusion of the total mixed ration on intake, growth performance, rumination time, and health status of Holstein dairy calves during preweaning and in the immediate post-weaning period. The results obtained from the present study indicate that providing TMR (high fiber content, with or without concentrate restriction) does not impair growth performance and health of calves, and at the same time it leads to a greater time spent for ruminating when calves are weaned. The latter indicates a better rumen development and likely a better rumen fermentation efficiency in post-weaning. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of the starter restriction and of the ad libitum TMR (total mixed ration) inclusion on intake, growth performance, rumination time (RT), and health condition of Holstein dairy calves during weaning. We randomly assigned thirty female Holstein calves (with an average weight of 38.5 ± 1.96 kg at birth) to one of three treatments. From 21 days of age, the calves were fed one of three treatments as follows: a control diet (CTR) with an ad libitum calf starter but without TMR; Treatment 1 diet (TRT1) with both an ad libitum calf starter and ad libitum TMR; Treatment 2 diet (TRT2) with ad libitum TMR and a restricted amount of a calf starter (50% of the intake recorder in the control group day by day). Calves in the TRT2 group, between 56 and 63 days of age, had a lower body weight (80.1; 79.5; 75.6 kg for the CTR, TRT1, and TRT2 groups, respectively) compared with CTR and TRT1 calves. This outcome is ascribed to the average daily gain (0.759; 0.913; 0.508 kg/day for the CTR, TRT1, and TRT2 groups, respectively), resulting also in TRT2 being lower than CTR or TRT1 calves. The inclusion of ad libitum TMR increased the rumination time, especially after weaning (15.28 min/h, 18.38 min/h, and 18.95 min/h for the CTR, TRT1, and TRT2 groups, respectively). Concerning the rumen metabolism and inflammometabolic response, overall, no differences were observed between the three dietary treatments. In conclusion, the results indicated that a TMR could partially replace a calf starter in weaning dairy calves, since neither growth performance nor health status were impaired. In addition, providing TMR (with or without concentrate restriction) led to a better rumen development and likely a better rumen fermentation efficiency in post-weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty young bulls were finished in feedlot with diets that contained different dosages of a combination of several natural additives (NA), i.e., clove essential oil, cashew and castor oil, and rumenprotected eugenol, vanillin, and thymol. The animals were randomized in five diets containing four different inclusion levels of NA and a control diet (n = 8 animals per treatment): basal diet without NA (CON); NA15 = 1500 mg/day; NA30 = 3000 mg/day; NA45 = 4500 mg/day, and NA60 = basal diet with 6000 mg/day of the natural additives blend. Colour, antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays), lipid oxidation, and visual acceptability were evaluated through display (until 14 d in vacuum or film packages). Both factors (diet and display) affected all parameters evaluated. The highest dosage, NA60, was able to improve the antioxidant potential, decreasing beef oxidation to produce a higher visual acceptability. The results of this research provide evidence that NA included in the diet of beef cattle can improve overall meat quality and extend shelf-life, thus, providing higher visual acceptability through the colour perception of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Camelina sativa is an annual oilseed crop that requires low inputs. Recently, interest in camelina oil for both human use and biofuel production has increased. Camelina oil extraction is performed through two main methods, namely, mechanical expulsion and solvent extraction. The resulting meals from the oil extraction process show promise as an animal feed due to their high crude protein content. Solvent extraction removes more oil from the seed, which results in a meal that is lower in fat and higher in crude protein concentration than expelled meal (3.52 vs. 13.69% and 41.04 vs. 34.65%, respectively). Solvent-extracted camelina meal has a similar chemical composition to canola meal but less crude protein and more fiber than soybean meal. Camelina meal is also limited by its anti-nutritional factors, mainly glucosinolates. Camelina meal contains 23.10 to 44.90 mmol/kg of glucosinolates, but processing methods may be able to decrease the total glucosinolates. Heat-treating the camelina meal can decrease glucosinolates and remove residual solvent in the solvent-extracted meal. The fungal fermentation of canola meal has also decreased glucosinolates, which could be used in camelina meal as well. The selective breeding of camelina varieties to decrease glucosinolates in the plant is also a solution to the high glucosinolates found in camelina meal. Current feed regulations in the US and Canada limit camelina meal to 10% inclusion in broiler chicken, laying hen, and cattle diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated changes in meat and subcutaneous fat metabolomes and possible metabolic pathways related to prenatal nutrition in beef cattle. For this purpose, 18 Nellore bulls were used for meat sampling and 15 for fat sampling. The nutritional treatments during the gestation were: NP—not programmed or control, without protein-energy supplementation; PP—partially programmed, with protein-energy supplementation (0.3% of body weight (BW)) only in the final third of pregnancy; and FP—full programming, with protein-energy supplementation (0.3% of BW) during the entire pregnancy. The meat and fat samples were collected individually 24 h after slaughter, and the metabolites were extracted using a combination of chemical reagents and mechanical processes and subsequently quantified using liquid chromatography or flow injection coupled to mass spectrometry. The data obtained were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and functional enrichment analysis, with a significance level of 5%. The PCA showed an overlap between the treatments for both meat and fat. In meat, 25 metabolites were statistically different between treatments (p ≤ 0.05), belonging to four classes (glycerophospholipids, amino acids, sphingolipids, and biogenic amine). In fat, 10 significant metabolites (p ≤ 0.05) were obtained in two classes (phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine). The functional enrichment analysis showed alterations in the aminoacyl-tRNA pathway in meat (p = 0.030); however, there was no pathway enriched for fat. Fetal programming influenced the meat and fat metabolomes and the aminoacyl-tRNA metabolic pathway, which is an important candidate for the biological process linked to meat quality and related to fetal programming in beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Mg sources differ in bioavailability, and solubility is one of the determining factors. We explored whether and which in vitro solubility tests could reliably differentiate the quality of supplemental Mg sources. In experiment 1, we compared 3 chemical methods using an acetic acid solution (50 mL/L, termed vinegar test), a 1 M ammonium nitrate solution, and an artificial rumen buffer fluid without rumen microbiota. The Mg solubility results suggested the vinegar test was the best method due to its robustness, simplicity, and reproducibility. In experiment 2, we validated the reliability of the vinegar test using 4 MgO sources from experiment 1 and 12 new MgO sources plus a laboratory-grade MgO as a standard. Accordingly, we repeated the vinegar test with short (0.5 h) and long (3.0 h) incubation times on these sources and then conducted ruminal incubations in 24-h batch culture experiments. The repeated vinegar test resulted in similar results as in experiment 1. Linear regression across both experiments showed the soluble Mg content (g/kg) = 44.46 (±2.55) × pH − 142.9 (±14.9), root mean square error (RMSE) = 10.2, P slope <0.001, and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.953. The predictable pH range was from 4 to 6. The equation cannot be applied to low-alkaline sources such as Mg sulfate, Mg acetate, or a group of MgO with exceptionally high alkaline properties showing a cluster of pH above 8.5. Solubility of the MgO sources in the vinegar test ranged from 5 to 35%, whereas the 24-h ruminal incubations led to more solubility (15–70%). Nevertheless, the differences among most MgO sources were parallel to the data from the in vitro rumen solubility. Next, we performed a meta-analysis of published studies (21 studies, 94 treatments) to assess the true Mg absorption in vivo and potential factors affecting Mg absorption in dairy cows. It appeared that on average dairy cows absorbed about 20% of the Mg intake (range 10–40%), regardless of their lactation status. We revealed a new strategy to predict Mg absorption relative to dietary K as follows: true Mg absorption (g/d) = 0.3395 (±0.025, P < 0.001) × Mg intake (g/d) − 1.9273 (±1.16, P = 0.11) when dietary K ≤20 g/kg DM, and 0.154 (±1.06, P = 0.05) + 0.209 (±0.026, P < 0.001) × Mg intake (g/d) when dietary K >20 g/kg DM (RMSE = 2.19). This strategy improved the accuracy of prediction as compared with the existing prediction (CCC = 0.922 vs. 0.845). Still, over- or underestimations inherent to individual studies were evident and might be related to unaccountable factors, especially the quality of supplemental Mg sources. In conclusion, the vinegar test is a useful tool to rank inorganic Mg sources with alkaline properties. Including in vitro solubility data in Mg nutrition research could help to refine the prediction of bioavailable Mg contents and increase precision in feed formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusion of urea in dairy cattle diets is often limited by negative effects of high levels of feed urea on dry matter intake (DMI) and efficiency of rumen N utilization. We hypothesized that supplying urea postruminally would mitigate these limitations and allow greater inclusion of urea in dairy cattle diets. Four rumen-fistulated Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (7 ± 2.1 lactations, 110 ± 30.8 d in milk; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to examine DMI, milk production and composition, digestibility, rumen fermentation, N balance, and plasma constituents in response to 4 levels of urea continuously infused into the abomasum (0, 163, 325, and 488 g/d). Urea doses were targeted to linearly increase the crude protein (CP) content of total DMI (diet plus infusion) by 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% and equated to 0%, 0.7%, 1.4%, and 2.1% of expected DMI, respectively. Each 28-d infusion period consisted of a 7-d dose step-up period, 14 d of adaptation, and a 7-d measurement period. The diet was fed ad libitum as a total mixed ration [10.9% CP, 42.5% corn silage, 3.5% grass hay, 3.5% wheat straw, and 50.5% concentrate (dry matter basis)] and was formulated to meet 100%, 82%, and 53% of net energy, metabolizable protein, and rumen-degradable protein requirements, respectively. Linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of urea dose were assessed using polynomial regression assuming the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of period and cow. Dry matter intake and energy-corrected milk yield responded quadratically to urea dose, and milk urea content increased linearly with increasing urea dose. Apparent total-tract digestibility of CP increased linearly with increasing urea dose and ruminal NH 3 -N concentration responded quadratically to urea dose. Mean total VFA concentration was not affected by urea dose. The proportion of N intake excreted in feces decreased linearly and that excreted in urine increased linearly in response to increasing urea dose. The proportion of N intake excreted in milk increased linearly with increasing urea dose. Urinary urea excretion increased linearly with increasing urea dose. Microbial N flow responded cubically to urea dose, but the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was not affected. Plasma urea concentration increased linearly with increasing urea dose. Regression analysis estimated that when supplemented on top of a low-CP diet, 179 g/d of postruminal urea would maximize DMI at 23.4 kg/d, corresponding to a dietary urea inclusion level of 0.8% of DMI, which is in line with the current recommendations for urea inclusion in dairy cattle diets. Overall, these results indicate that postruminal delivery of urea does not mitigate DMI depression as urea dose increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fermented feed is utilized to promote the digestion and absorption of nutrients in animal diets while enhancing the host's immune system and overall health. Fermented feed has been shown to increase the efficiency of nutrient digestion and absorption in livestock, thereby reducing waste production. Additionally, fermentation helps eliminate pathogenic microorganisms that may be present in the feed. The effects of fermented feed, which often contains beneficial microorganisms such as probiotics and yeast, have been extensively studied in various animal species. In ruminant animals, research has predominantly focused on the effects of fermented silage, with limited studies on the feeding effects of fermented concentrate. In this study, we show that fermenting formulated concentrate can have a positive impact on the growth and health of ruminant livestock. The impact of fermented concentrate on the growth and rumen health of beef cattle remains an area of emerging research. This study aimed to assess the influence of a fermented concentrate (TRT) compared to a conventional concentrate (CON) on the growth, rumen fermentation characteristics, and microbiota composition in Korean cattle. Using a crossover design, eight cattle were alternately fed TRT and CON diets, with subsequent analysis of feed components, rumen fermentation parameters, and microbial profiles. TRT and CON diets did not differ significantly in their effect on animal growth metrics. However, the TRT diet was associated with reduced digestibility of rapidly degradable carbohydrates and modified rumen fermentation patterns, as evidenced by an elevated pH and increased acetate-to-propionate ratio (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the TRT diet increased the abundance of lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus, and yeast and organic acid levels in the rumen (p < 0.05). Moreover, Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroidales populations in the rumen and fecal Akkermansia abundance increased in the TRT group compared to the CON group. These microbial changes suggest a potential enhancement of the immune system and overall health of the host. Further research on the long-term implications of incorporating fermented concentrate into cattle diets is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the digestibility of agricultural residues is one goal of sustainable livestock production, and the role of rumen microbiome-feed interaction is critical for efficient digestion. This study was aimed at isolating and evaluating in vitro the effect on dry-matter digestibility (IVDMD), relative feed values (RFV), volatile fatty acid (VFA) synthesis, pH changes, and gas production (GP) by the inclusion of native rumen strains in mixtures of corn, sorghum, and oat agricultural residues with ruminal fluid. The results show that an inoculum of 1 x 1010 colony-forming unit per millilitre (CFU/mL) of the aerotolerant native rumen strain Lysinibacillus fusiformis increases the IVDMD, RFV, and VFA values of all mixtures. During agricultural residue fermentation, the pH was stable, and propionic acid was the primary fatty acid synthesized, indicating increased energy availability for efficient cattle growth performance while limiting molecular hydrogen (H2) synthesis for conversion to methane (CH4). These results suggest that L. fusiformis could be used as a direct-feed microbial to promote sustainable livestock production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to link the fermentation of fibrous agricultural residues in ruminal fluid inoculated with a fibrolytic native strain and digestibility in favour of increasing the efficiency of livestock production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six Holstein steers (153 kg ± 11) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design experiment to compare flake density (FD, kg/L), flake thickness (FT, mm), amyloglucosidase reactivity (AGR, % DM) and faecal starch (FS, % DM) as predictors of ruminal (RSD, %) and total tract (TSD, %) starch digestion. Dietary treatments consisted of a finishing diet containing 77% corn. The six corn processing treatments consisted of dry-rolled corn (DRC) with a density of 0.54 kg/L, and steam-flaked corn (SFC) processed to obtain densities of 0.46, 0.41, 0.36, 0.31 and 0.26 kg/L. Compared with DRC, steam flaking enhanced postruminal (34.2%, P < 0.01) and TSD (7.8%, P < 0.01). Measures of FS were the best single predictor of both ruminal (r²= 0.97) and TSD (r² = 0.98). Whereas AGR was a good predictor of RSD (r²= 0.94), it was less effective than FS for estimation of TSD (r2 = 0.91). We conclude that compared with dry rolling, stream flaking markedly enhances the feeding value of corn. To evaluate the consistency of the flaking process, we recommend in addition to the determinations of FD, measurements of FT, starch enzymatic reactivity and FS are useful indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]