Performance and nitrogen metabolism of calves fed conventionally or following an enhanced-growth feeding program during the preweaning period

Thirty-seven Holstein and seven crossbred female calves (16.1 ± 4.60 days, and an initial BW of 36.5 ± 3.19) were used to study the effects of conventional (CF) vs enhanced-growth feeding programs (EF) on performance, plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations, and rumen microbial development. After 1 week of adaptation to milk replacer (MR), the CF calves received 4 l/day of MR at 12.5% DM throughout the preweaning period, and the EF calves were offered MR at 18% DM: 6 l/day from 1 to 6 days, 8 l/day from 7 to 26 days, and 4 l/day from 27 days to weaning day (38 days). Calf starter and water were offered ad libitum throughout the study (87 days). Calves fed EF were heavier (P < 0.05) than CF calves at the end of the study (111.7 vs 102.6 ± 1.72 kg, respectively). Until the 27 days, average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P < 0.001) for EF than for CF calves (1.00 vs 0.49 ± 0.061 kg/day, respectively), but it was lower (P < 0.001) from days 27 to 45 of the study (0.32 vs 0.71 ± 0.061 kg/day, respectively), coinciding with the days around weaning. Starter intake was greater (P < 0.001) for CF than for EF calves during the first 45 days of the study (0.60 vs 0.27 ± 0.061 kg/day, respectively) but similar afterwards. As a consequence, EF treatment may have delayed rumen function as suggested by total daily purine derivatives urinary excretion (49.52 vs 33.27 ± 3.095 mmol/day, in CF and EF calves, respectively). Linear regression analyses showed a positive relationship between plasma Trp and Phe concentrations and ADG, and a negative relationship between these two AA and plasma urea concentrations, suggesting that Trp and Phe could be limiting growth in calves fed conventional feeding programs.     

Impacts of a modified farrowing pen design on sow and litter performances and air quality during two seasons

The impacts of using a modified farrowing pen (MOD) on the performance of sows and their litters and on ambient air quality over a hot and a cool season were evaluated. Primiparous Yorkshire × Landrace sows farrowed either during the months of February and March (thermoneutralily, TN) or June and July (heat-stress, HS). Temperatures within each season were controlled to 21 and 29 °C, respectively, for TN and HS. Animals from each group were assigned to a standard farrowing crate (STD; TN, n = 17; HS, n = 16) or a MOD pen (TN, n = 19; HS, n = 19). The MOD pen consisted of a STD crate with a 1.5 × 1.6-m comfort zone in the back, equipped with rubber floor mats, a feeder and a nipple waterer. Litter size was standardized to 10 or 11. No creep feed was provided and piglets were weighed weekly. Sows were weighed on days 2 and 22. Feed intake of sows was monitored daily, a milk sample was obtained on day 21 for compositional analyses and jugular blood samples were collected on days 2 and 21 to measure prolactin, IGF-I and urea. Sows consumed less feed (3.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.1 kg/day, P < 0.001) in a hot than in a cool season and, at 29 °C, sows in MOD pens consumed more feed (3.9 vs. 3.0 ± 0.2 kg/day, P < 0.01) than sows in STD pens. Sow lactation weight loss was greater (− 26.4 vs. − 19.1 ± 1.9 kg, P < 0.05) for sows in STD than MOD pens in a hot season. The reduction in prolactin concentrations from days 2 to 22 of lactation tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in a hot season for sows in STD pens. Concentrations of urea and IGF-I increased as lactation advanced (P < 0.01) and IGF-I was lower for HS compared to TN sows on both days (P < 0.01), whereas urea was greater for HS sows on day 2 only (P < 0.01). Milk DM was less in a hot than in a cool season (P < 0.01). Average piglet weight gain was reduced in a hot compared to a cool season during the second week of lactation (P < 0.05) and this reduction was less in MOD than STD pens during the third week of lactation (P < 0.01). During a hot season, even though not significant, average weight gain of piglets from days 2 to 21 of lactation was reduced by 6.0% in MOD pens compared to 9.7% in STD pens.     

Effect of rearing environment and age on gut development of piglets at weaning

Outdoor reared pigs are reported to be larger at weaning than indoor reared pigs and respond better to the weaning process. This may be due to enhanced gut development associated with increased size. Eighty sows were allocated to either indoor or outdoor farrowing on the basis of size, parity and past performance. Resulting litters were weaned at either 4 or 6 weeks of age. On days 26 and 40 of age, 40 (10/treatment) and 20 piglets (10/treatment still unweaned) were killed to measure intestinal morphology. Data were analysed as a 2 × 2 factorial using the GLM procedures of Minitab 12.2. Pigs reared outdoors were larger than those reared indoors at both weaning ages, pigs weaned at 6 weeks were heavier than those weaned at 4 weeks, 8.4 versus 7.4 kg at 4 weeks and 12.9 versus 10.5 kg at 6 weeks respectively (± 0.25, P ≤ 0.001). There were no differences in small intestine size relative to body weight due to rearing environment and no differences in gut morphology. When corrected for body weight, 6 week pigs had heavier small intestines than 4 week pigs, 0.39 (± 0.010) versus 0.34 (± 0.007) g/cm length, respectively (P ≤ 0.001). Six week unweaned pigs had similar villus heights to 4 week unweaned pigs but wider villi (P < 0.05) and deeper crypts, for example, at the 25% site crypt depths were 236 and 193 μm (± 7.7/5.5) respectively (P < 0.001). Hence increased piglet size due to outdoor rearing did not advance gut maturation whereas increased piglet size due to age did influence maturation of gut structure.     

Sward characteristics, grass dry matter intake and milk production performance is affected by timing of spring grazing and subsequent stocking rate

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of contrasting spring grazing dates (GD) and stocking rate (SR) on sward characteristics, grass dry matter intake and milk production performance of autumn calving dairy cows during the spring period. Two swards were created by grazing in March (early grazing; E) or by delaying first grazing until mid-April (late grazing; L). Two stocking rates, high (H; 5.5) and medium (M; 4.5) were applied across each sward. Forty eight autumn calving Holstein cows (160 ± 35 days in milk) were assigned to one of four (n = 12) different grazing treatments. The experiment began on April 17th and finished after 2 grazing rotations on June 20th. Later spring grazing significantly increased herbage mass (kg DM/ha) above ground level (+ 933, P < 0.05) and > 50 mm (+ 738, P < 0.05). Compressed sward height (+ 22.1 mm, P < 0.05), extended tiller height (+ 73 mm, P < 0.001) and pseudostem height (+ 35 mm, P < 0.001) were also significantly higher for later grazed swards. In the grazing horizon (> 80 mm— extended tiller height), later grazed swards had significantly lower leaf proportion (− 0.09, P < 0.05) and higher dead material (+ 0.05, P < 0.001). Daily herbage allowance (> 50 mm) was on average 12.7, 15.9, 18.2 and 21.9 kg DM/cow for EH, EM, LH and LM, respectively. Daily leaf allowance (> 80 mm) was 10.1, 12.3, 13.3 and 14.5 kg DM/cow for EH, EM, LH and LM, respectively. The EM (16.2 kg DM/cow), LH (+ 0.1 kg) and LM (0.8 kg) treatments all had similar grass DM intake, however there was evidence of an interaction (P < 0.10) between GD and SR, this was due to the low grass DM intake of the EH (13.9 kg DM/cow) treatment. When expressed as UFL (Fill unit) intake the EM treatment recorded the highest value. There was a significant interaction between GD and SR (P < 0.01) for milk, protein yield, 4% fat corrected milk yield (P < 0.05) and protein concentration (P < 0.001). Cows grazing the EM treatment produced 23.9 kg of milk, 876 and 685 g of fat and protein yield. The difference in milk production (cow/day) between EM and EH treatments was + 3.6 kg milk, + 98 g fat and + 107 g protein. The production yield difference between LM and LH treatments was + 1.1 kg milk, + 27 g fat and + 29 g protein in favour of the LM treatment (23.9 kg of milk, 877 and 687 g fat and protein yield). Herbage quality and morphological characteristics are clearly improved with early spring grazing as herbage mass is reduced on subsequent rotations. Swards grazed in early spring allow higher grass utilisation and high milk production performance when grazed at a medium stocking rate. Improved milk production from herbage can be achieved provided herbage mass and allowance are maintained at levels where herbage quality decreases are minimised.     

Effects of tropical climate and water cooling methods on growing pigs'' responses

We report a study on crossbred growing pig ((Duroc × Pietrain) × Large White) that measured the effect of tropical conditions on respiration rate (RR), skin temperature (ST), rectal temperature (RT) and productivity and determined the efficacy of two simple cooling methods. The experiment was a randomized complete block design using 120 growing pigs. The factors were cooling system and pen design. The effects of two cooling systems (water bath (WB) and sprinkling (S)) were evaluated and compared with a control (CON). Cooling systems were tested in pens with (Y) or without an additional outdoor yard (NY). The pens were similar to those used in small-scale pig keeping in South-East Asia. The inside pen size was 2.5 × 3 m, the yard was 2.5 × 2 m. The same experimental design was used in two blocks: one block was in the wet season with average ambient temperature (T) of 27.5 °C and average relative humidity (RH) of 74.7% and the other was in the dry season with average T of 28.7 °C and average RH of 62.8%. In each block a batch of 60 pigs was reared in 12 pens (five pigs per pen). Pigs had free access to feed and water. Results showed that cooling and pen type significantly affected most parameters. The bath and S reduced RR by 4.2 and 5.2 min^− 1, respectively (P < 0.01), and ST by 0.3 and 0.4 °C, respectively, (P < 0.05). Rectal temperature was not influenced by any treatment. The bath significantly reduced number of defecations and urinations in the resting area in pens NY (P < 0.001). A yard reduced the number of excretions in the resting area (P < 0.01). There were significant interaction effects of cooling and pen type on lying, lateral lying, and huddling (P < 0.01; P < 0.001; P < 0.01, respectively). Daily weight gain was 6 g d^− 1 more with WB and 50 g d^− 1 more with S (P < 0.05). The biggest daily weight gain was achieved when S was combined with a pen NY (P < 0.01).

We conclude that the physiologic and behavioral responses and hence productivity of group-housed growing pigs raised under tropical climate conditions benefited from the simple cooling systems tested and were affected by the presence of a yard. A fall in the high respiration rate indicated that cooling with the bath or sprinkling alleviated the pigs' heat stress.     

Progesterone and pregnancy status of buffaloes treated with a GNRH agonist

The primary aim of the present study was to establish whether the treatment with a GnRH agonist on Day 5 after AI may result in the formation of an accessory corpus luteum, greater progesterone secretion, and the increased likelihood of pregnancy success in buffaloes. The study was conducted during a period of increasing daylight length when progesterone secretion is suppressed and embryonic mortality is relatively high in buffaloes. In Experiment 1, treatment with a GnRH agonist (buserelin, 12 μg) on Day 5 after AI induced acute increases in circulating concentrations of LH, FSH and oestradiol-17β. Pregnant buffaloes (n = 14) at Day 40 following AI showed an increase (P < 0.01) in milk whey progesterone concentration between Day 5 (310 ± 55 pg/ml) and Day 15 (424 ± 50 pg/ml). The non-pregnant buffaloes (n = 7) showed a decrease (P < 0.01) in progesterone level from Day 5 (410 ± 87 pg/ml) to Day 15 (188 ± 30 pg/ml) following AI. In Experiment 2, the treatment with buserelin (12 μg) on Day 5 after AI induced ovulation in 62% of the buffaloes (31/50) and these buffaloes showed a progressive increase in milk whey progesterone concentration on Day 10, 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Buffaloes that did not ovulate, recorded a relatively constant milk whey progesterone level from Day 10 to Day 20 following AI. Milk whey progesterone concentrations increased after the administration of the GnRH agonist in 97% of the pregnant buffaloes and 68% of the non-pregnant buffaloes. The diameter of the largest follicle in buffaloes that ovulated (ovulated n = 31) (8.9 ± 0.04 mm; range 4.2 – 13.0 mm) did not differ significantly from the diameter of the largest follicle in buffaloes that did not ovulate (not ovulate n = 19) (8.7 ± 0.04 mm; range: 4.0 – 12.0 mm). The latter observation suggested that notional ovulatory size follicles in buffaloes are heterogeneous with respect to stage of follicle maturation and capacity to respond to plasma LH. The present study showed that treatment with a GnRH agonist on Day 5 following AI provides a strategy to increase progesterone secretion and the likelihood of pregnancy in buffaloes mated during periods of increasing daylight length.     

The correlation between passage rate of digesta and dry matter digestibility in various stages of swine

The relationship between passage rate of digesta (PRD) and apparent faecal dry matter digestibility (DMD) was investigated in five trials. In trial 1, 2, and 3, 36 weanling (16.9 ± 3.0 kg), 24 growing (51.3 ± 8.8 kg), and 23 finishing (104.8 ± 5.2 kg) barrows were housed in metabolic crates. The beginning and end of 5-day collection periods were marked by the addition of 0.5% indigo carmine to the feed for total faeces collection and PRD determination by observing the time required for the marker to appear. In trial 4 and 5, 21 gestating gilts (215.0 ± 15.0 kg), and 19 lactating sows were individually penned. Addition of 0.5% chromic oxide to the feed enabled indirect determination of DMD and PRD. The PRD, which ranged from 12 to 80 h, was positively correlated with DMD in weanling (R² = 0.483, P < 0.001), growing (R² = 0.425, P < 0.01), and finishing (R² = 0.553, P < 0.001) pigs. Body weight and DMD were not significantly correlated in weanling (R² = 0.001, P = 0.893), growing (R² = 0.000, P = 0.995), or finishing (R² = 0.092, P = 0.156) pigs. A positive correlation between PRD, which ranged from 27 to 102 h, and DMD occurred in gestating gilts (R² = 0.231, P < 0.05), but not in lactating sows (R² = 0.014, P = 0.633). The results indicate that longer retention times of digesta improve DMD in swine. Also the results indicate the importance of PRD as a potential independent variable in digestibility assessments.     

A comparison of the direct and residual response of dairy cows to once or twice-daily milking, in late lactation

Two experiments were undertaken to examine the direct and residual responses of late lactation (mean of 232 days calved) autumn calving dairy cows (Experiment 1), and late lactation (mean of 240 days calved) spring calving dairy cows (Experiment 2), to once-daily milking. Experiments 1 and 2 involved 50 and 44 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows respectively. In each of the two experiments, cows were milked either once daily (ODM) or twice daily (TDM), during the late lactation period (mean of 79 and 66 days in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively). Cows in Experiment 1 were managed within a grazing system, and were offered 3.0 kg of concentrate/day, while cows in Experiment 2 were housed, and offered grass silage supplemented with 6.0 kg concentrate/day. Forty-one cows from Experiment 1, and 32 cows from Experiment 2, completed the first eight weeks of the subsequent lactation on a twice-daily milking regime. Food intakes were not measured in Experiment 1, while treatment had no significant effect on dry matter intake in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). In each of Experiments 1 and 2, total milk output was increased with twice-daily milking (P ≤ 0.05), while milk fat (P ≤ 0.01) and protein (P < 0.001) concentrations increased with once-daily milking. Somatic cell counts were higher with animals milked once daily in Experiment 1 (P < 0.001), while not being significantly affected by milking frequency in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). Milking frequency had no significant effect on cow live weight or on cow condition score at the point of drying off in either Experiment (P > 0.05). Milking time per cow during morning milking was unaffected by treatment in either experiment, while total daily milking time per cow (morning and evening combined) was significantly longer with the TDM treatment (P < 0.001). In Experiment 1, milk flow rates during the morning milking were higher with animals on the ODM treatment, compared to those on TDM treatment (P < 0.001), while being unaffected by treatment in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). Neither daily milk yield, milk fat content, milk protein content, or somatic cell count during the subsequent lactation, were affected by previous lactation milking frequency in either of Experiments 1 or 2 (P > 0.05).     

Influences of lipopolysaccharide-induced immune challenge on performance and whole-body protein turnover in weanling pigs

The objective of this study is to characterize the influence of immune stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on protein utilization and turnover for early-weaned pigs. A total of 15, crossbred weanling pigs (initial body weight 10.15 ± 0.39 kg) were assigned to one of three treatments. Pigs were injected with LPS and fed ad libitum (LPS-challenge), or injected with endotoxin-free physiological salt solution (PSS) and fed ad libitum (control), or injected with PSS and fed the same amount of feed as LPS-challenged pigs (pair-feed). All pigs received a 4-d nitrogen balance trial. On d 1 and 3 of the trial, LPS-challenged pigs were injected intramuscularly with 200 μg/kg BW of LPS dissolved in 1 ml PSS. Pigs in other treatments were injected with 1 ml PSS. ¹⁵N-Glycine (5 mg/kg BW) was gastrically infused after the second injection. Feces and urine were collected daily to determine the N output throughout the duration of the trial. Lymphocyte blastogenesis (LB) and serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) were also detected to illustrate the LPS-induced immune responses. Results indicated that the injection of LPS significantly (P < 0.01) elevated the LB and resulted in lower average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and efficiency of feed utilization than control pigs. Pair-fed pigs had higher performance than LPS-challenged pig but poorer than control pigs. Injection of LPS also resulted in significantly (P < 0.01) lower nitrogen intake and efficiency of utilization than controls, and more fecal N excretion than Pair-fed pigs (3.19 ± 0.85 vs. 2.19 ± 0.67 g/d, P < 0.05). The whole-body nitrogen flux (4.34 ± 0.19 vs. 11.35 ± 0.12 g N/kg BW^0.75/d) and N accretion (5.57 ± 0.59 vs. 10.17 ± 1.12 g Pr/kg BW^0.75/d) were acutely (P < 0.01) reduced as the feed intake decreased, but there was no significant difference between LPS-challenged and pair-fed pigs. Injection of LPS markedly (P < 0.05) increased the protein degradation (16.76 ± 1.09 vs. 14.53 ± 1.24 g N/kg BW^0.75/d). It is concluded that LPS-induced immune challenge depresses growth performance and feed utilization efficiency by enhancing protein degradation rate and decreasing protein utilization for body protein retention.     

Effect of floor cooling on performance of lactating sows during summer

Forty Landrace × Large White lactating sows were used to evaluate the effects of cooling of the floor when maintained under high temperature conditions during summer on their productive and reproductive performance. The sows were allocated in a completely randomized design with two treatments with 20 replicates according to parity number and body weight, with each animal being considered an experimental unit. The treatments consisted of cooling of the floor under the sow with water circulation at about 17 °C and no cooling. The resulting temperatures of the floor were 27.6 and 35.8 °C for the cooled and the control treatments, respectively. The sows from both treatments were exposed to average maximum and minimum environmental temperatures of 26.9 and 20.8 °C, respectively. Sows maintained on a cooled floor had a higher feed intake (6.47 vs. 5.61 kg/day; P < 0.01). Despite this higher intake, sows maintained on a cooled floor had higher body weight and body protein losses during the lactation period (P < 0.01) in connection with a higher milk yield and subsequent growth of the litter (2280 vs. 1798 g/day; P < 0.01). There was an effect of treatment on rectal temperature, surface temperatures and respiratory rate (P < 0.01) with lower values in sows submitted to floor cooling. It is concluded that floor cooling under the lactating sow improves its productive and reproductive performance, as well as the performance of its litter.     

Effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to garlic and aniseed flavour on pre- and postweaning feed intake in pigs

The low nutrient intake shortly after weaning is a major cause of post-weaning problems. Feed intake after weaning is strongly related to feed intake during lactation. Feed intake during lactation, however, varies considerably between litters. We hypothesised that prenatal and postnatal exposure to certain flavours would increase the intake of feed containing the same flavours pre- and postweaning. Multiparous sows did (n = 17) or did not (n = 14) receive 50 g garlic granulate/powder and 25 g aniseed as daily additive to their diet during the last month of gestation and during lactation. From day 14 of lactation, litters were submitted to intermittent suckling: 12 h separation form the sow each day. During lactation, all litters had 40 g garlic and 20 g aniseed per kg added to their creep feed. After weaning, half of the litters had no additive in their diet. Piglets were weaned at 4 weeks (13 litters) or at 6 weeks (18 litters). At 6 weeks of lactation, litters of which the dam received the flavour in her diet, had a higher feed intake (309 ± 43 vs 233 ± 35 g/p/d) than litters of dams without the flavour, although the difference was not significant. Sow diet had no effect on postweaning feed intake, but postweaning piglet diet did. Late (week 6) weaned litters receiving the flavoured feed had a higher feed intake from 3 to 10 days after weaning (833 ± 38 vs 687 ± 58 g/p/d). Weight gain during the first 10 days after weaning was not affected by sow or pig diets. Feed intake and weight gain shortly after weaning were strongly related to feed intake during lactation (overall R = 0.64, P < 0.05 and R = 0.77, P < 0.05). We conclude that early experience with flavours increases later acceptance and improves adaptation to post weaning conditions.     

The effect of dietary crude protein concentration and inulin supplementation on nitrogen excretion and intestinal microflora from finisher pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was used to investigate the interaction between dietary crude protein (CP) concentration (200 vs 140 g/kg) and inulin supplementation (0 vs 12.5 g/kg) on nitrogen (N) excretion and intestinal microflora from 16 boars (n = 4, 74.0 kg live weight). The diets were formulated to contain similar concentrations of digestible energy and lysine. Pigs offered the high CP diets had a higher excretion of urinary N (P < 0.01), faecal N (P < 0.01) and total N (P < 0.001) than the pigs offered the low CP diets. Inulin supplementation increased faecal N excretion (P < 0.05) and decreased urine: faeces N ratio (P < 0.05) compared to the inulin free diets. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on N retention. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between dietary CP concentration and inulin supplementation on caecal E.coli. Pigs offered the diet containing 200 g/kg CP plus inulin decreased the population of E.coli compared to the inulin supplemented 140 g/kg protein diet. However, CP concentration had no significant effect on the population of E.coli in the unsupplemented diets. Inulin supplementation increased caecal bifidobacteria (P < 0.01) compared to the inulin free diets. In conclusion, inulin supplementation favourably altered N excretion and lowered the population of E.coli at high CP concentrations.     

Performance and grazing behaviour of Churra Tensina sheep stocked under different management systems during lactation on Spanish mountain pastures

Thirty-six adult ewes rearing single male lambs were randomly allocated to three paddocks (n = 12) grazing permanent Pyrenean pastures in spring (0.5 ha/lot). Treatments were rationed grazing (Rat-Gr) in which lambs remained indoors and ewes grazed during 8 h/day (08:00–16:00 h) and were supplemented 0.5 kg/day of barley meal; continuously grazing ewes rearing non-supplemented lambs (Gr) and continuously grazing ewes rearing supplemented lambs in creep feeders at pasture (Gr + S). Grazing behaviour was registered at weekly intervals by direct observation during the outdoor time in Rat-Gr and from dawn to dusk in Gr and Gr + S.

Sward height of Rat-Gr became higher than the rest (P < 0.05), resulting in a greater dry matter and a lower crude protein content of this pasture (P < 0.05). Ewe live-weight, body condition score and lumbar fat thickness were similar across treatments (P > 0.05), while milk yield was higher in Gr + S (P < 0.05). Lambs from Rat-Gr and Gr + S presented a higher average daily gain than Gr treatment (P < 0.05). Grazing behaviour records showed that all treatments spent grazing similar percentages of daylight time at pasture (average 52%; P > 0.05). Ewes biting rate was greater in Gr (P < 0.05) and it was higher after noon in all treatments (P < 0.001). Gr and Gr + S showed an extended peak of grazing (min/h) in the evening. Lambs followed the grazing pattern of dams since 3 weeks old. It was concluded that in contrast with the traditional indoor system of managing production of light lambs both spring continuous grazing systems allowed producing Ternasco lambs (18–24 kg LW, younger than 90 days old). Lambs supplemented suckling their mothers and grazing until slaughter showed similar performance to those obtained in indoor system. Dietary supplementation of lambs at pasture did not impair ewes milk yield and grazing time but reduced their biting rate and the offspring grazing time.     

Cooling and feeding strategies to reduce heat load of grain-fed beef cattle in intensive housing

Six Murray Grey × Hereford yearling steers were used to determine the effect of two cooling treatments (ENV) (day cooled (0600–1400) or night cooled (1400–2200), and two dietary treatments (DIET) – control (CON) no added fat or added fat (FAT) – on rectal temperature, respiration rate and dry matter intake (DMI). Cattle were exposed to 2 d of thermoneutral conditions followed by four hot days in a controlled climate facility. This was replicated 6 times. Steers were given a 10 d rest in outside pens between each replication. Sprinklers (2.84 L min^− 1; 5 min on, 20 min off) and fans (continuous; 2 m s^− 1) were used when ambient temperature (T_A) ≥ 28 °C. Rectal temperature (5 min intervals) and respiration rate (hourly) were measured for 12 × 24 h periods on hot days (2 per replication). Individual DMI over two time periods (PER) (period 1; 0600–1500, and period 2; 1500–0600) and daily metabolisable energy (ME) intakes were also recorded. Steers fed FAT had greater (P < 0.05) DMI then the CON steers during day cooling. However, there were no DIET or PER differences for DMI during night cooling. DMI of FAT and CON fed steers during night cooling was similar to the DMI of the FAT fed steers during day cooling. Overall DMI was greater during night cooling (DMI from both diets pooled). There were PER differences for DMI, with more (P < 0.05) feed consumed during period 2 irrespective of ENV or DIET. ME intake was 22.9% greater (P < 0.05) for the FAT fed steers during day cooling then for the CON fed steers. There were no DIET effects on ME intake during night cooling. DIET had no effect (P > 0.05) on respiration rate however differences were seen for rectal temperature. Mean rectal temperature for the FAT steers was lower (P < 0.05) than the mean of the CON steers, however there were no within ENV differences. Day cooled cattle had a higher (P < 0.05) respiration rates (71.8 breaths/min; bpm) than the night cooled steers (65.3 bpm). There were no differences for rectal temperature. However, day cooled steers had lower (P < 0.05) rectal temperature and respiration rate than the night cooled steers during the day — which corresponded with the day cooling period. Night cooling appears to be beneficial in lowering mean rectal temperature and respiration rate, and in maintaining DMI. There is no suggestion that feeding fat will replace the need for supplementary measures to alleviate heat exposure of confined cattle. However feeding fat may be worthwhile in maintenance DMI when combined with strategies involving day cooling.     

Effects of chilled drinking water on the performance of lactating sows and their litters during high ambient temperatures under farm conditions

Heat stress has detrimental effects on lactating sows and their litters, including decreased feed intake and milk production in sows and decreased weight gain in their offspring. It also increases respiration rate, rectal temperature, and weaning to estrus interval in sows. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chilled water (CW) on the performance of lactating sows and their litters exposed to high ambient temperatures for 21 days. Ninety multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; parity range: 2 to 5) and their litters (Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc) were divided into 3 blocks (30 each). Sows and their litters within each block were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups (n = 10 each). Each group was provided with drinking water at 10, 15, or 22 °C (control) under farm conditions where ambient temperature above 25 °C was consistent during the experimental period. Sows on CW (both 10 and 15 °C) consumed more feed and water than did control (P < 0.01) and higher estimated milk production compared with control (P < 0.01), but had lower rectal temperature and respiration rate compared with control (P < 0.01). Mean weaning weight (P < 0.01) and average daily gain (P < 0.01) of litters in CW groups were higher than those in control group. There were no differences in the measured variables, with the exception of the respiration rates, between the two CW treatment groups. These results suggest that CW may improve the performance of sows and their litters exposed to high ambient temperatures and the 15 °C water, from an energy viewpoint, may be more effective.     

Effect of fibrolytic enzyme inclusion in high concentrate fattening diets on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Awassi lambs

The objective of this study was to study the effect of fibrolytic enzyme (FE) inclusion on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Awassi lamb fed on a high concentrate diet. Thirty weaned Awassi lambs (initial body weight = 20.4 ± 3.0 kg) were fed a high concentrate diet (with or without the addition of FE (15 lambs/treatment)) for 60 d in a completely randomized design. The diet contained 17, 7, 58.5, 15, and 2.5% wheat straw, wheat bran, barley grain, soybean meal and minerals, respectively. Lambs were fed ad libitum twice daily at 08:00 and 15:00 h. Dry matter, OM, CP, and NDF intakes were all similar (P > 0.05) for lambs fed diet with or without the FE and averaged 1078, 941, 171, and 432 g/d, respectively. Metabolizable energy intake was also not affected (P > 0.05) by the enzyme supplementation and averaged 2.87 Mcal/d. Dry matter, OM, CP, and NDF digestibilities were all unaffected (P > 0.05) by the enzyme inclusion and averaged 64.8, 67, 65.7 and 60.4%. Final body weight, average daily gain, and feed to gain ratio were all unaffected (P > 0.05) by the FE inclusion and averaged 34.9 kg, 222 g/d, and 5.4, respectively. In summary, FE treatment of high concentrate diet for lambs had no effect on nutrient intake or any of the growth performance parameters. Therefore, supplementing such diets with FE for fatting Awassi lambs is not recommended.     

Intermittent suckling improves post-weaning feed uptake but does not change functional gut characteristics of piglets

Suckling pigs were separated from their dam for 24 h on day 21 (1 × 24 h fasting, n = 10) or day 21 and 24 (2 × 24 h fasting, n = 10). Pigs in the control group (n = 10) were not fasted before weaning. All pigs were weaned on day 28 postpartum. Feed intake during the first 4 days post-weaning was higher (P < 0.05) for pigs exposed to 1 × 24 h fasting compared with controls. Water consumption was not affected by fasting prior to weaning. The difference in post-weaning feed uptake was not reflected in any clinical traits, intestinal morphology, or activity of digestive enzymes (maltase, dipeptidylpeptidase IV, aminopeptidases A and N; P > 0.15). In conclusion, a short period of fasting prior to weaning can increase post-weaning feed uptake, although this had no clinical impact under the present experimental conditions.     

The effects of feeding level upon protein and fat deposition in Iberian heavy pigs

Eighteen Iberian barrows of 100 kg initial BW were used in a comparative slaughter experiment to investigate the effects of feeding level (FL; 0.70 and 0.95 × ad libitum) on growth, protein- and fat-deposition rates and body composition. They were fed on a diet supplying the optimum level of digestible ideal protein:ME ratio (4.82 g/MJ) and slaughtered at 150 kg BW. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, total N and GE, and the ME:GE and ME:DE ratios were not affected by FL. The average daily gain increased with the increase in FL (691 and 918 g/day respectively). Neither the gain:feed (g/g DM) nor the gain:ME intake (g/MJ) ratios were significantly affected however. An energy cost of 59.9 kJ ME/g gain was calculated. The rate of whole-body protein deposition was not significantly altered by FL. On average it reached 80 g/day. The pigs fed at the lowest level exhibited lower fat deposition (P < 0.01) and total energy retention (P < 0.01) than those in the group subjected to only a slight feed restriction. The overall efficiency of utilization of ME for energy gain (ER:ME intake) remained at 0.363 on average, irrespective of the FL imposed. Relative proportions of energy retained as protein and fat were not statistically altered by changes in FL. Mean values for ERP:ER and ERF:ER were 0.100 and 0.903 respectively. No differences between treatments were observed in fat, ash, water or energy content of the whole-body (g/kg) at 150 kg empty BW, the mean values (n = 12) being 512 ± 8.5, 27.6 ± 0.63 and 353 ± 6.7 g/kg for fat, ash and water respectively and 22.90 ± 0.31 MJ/kg for energy. Nevertheless, the proportion of protein tended to decline with the increase in FL (111 vs 104; P = 0.069). At 150 kg the Iberian pigs contained more fat and energy and less ash and water than at 100 kg. Whilst the percentage of lean tissue decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and protein content in the carcass showed a strong tendency to decline in the pigs fed close to ad libitum (104 vs 96; P = 0.056), the proportions of fat, ash, water and energy remained constant at 564 ± 9.0, 22.2 ± 0.91, 312 ± 6.6 g/kg, and 24.82 ± 0.32 MJ/kg, respectively. It was concluded that a degree of feed restriction may result in a discernible improvement in carcass quality.     

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on in vivo organic matter digestibility and milk yield in buffalo cows

The influence of a dietary supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) during the first and the second phase of lactation on dry matter (DM) intake, organic matter digestibility, milk yield and quality and haematological profile was evaluated in buffalo cows. Lactating buffaloes (n = 190), 118.7 days in milk (DIM), were randomly divided into Group C (control, n = 95) and Group T (fed diet supplemented with 98 billion CFU of S. cerevisiae, n = 95). Eight buffaloes for each group (Groups T1 and C1), 85.4 DIM, were used to study the in vivo digestibility and the haematological profile. No differences were found for DM intake (16.5 kg·day^− 1) and haematological profile. The SC supplementation increased milk yield (7.9 ± 0.2 vs. 7.4 ± 0.2; P < 0.01) but did not affect milk fat and protein. SC supplementation increased OM digestibility, mainly, in the first phase of lactation (< 135 days), thus allowing a higher energy availability for milk yield and reduced fat mobilization.     

Gut growth and glucose tolerance in newborn pigs subjected to prenatal protein restriction and postnatal Glucagon-like Peptides

Fetal protein restriction is potentially associated with organ dysfunctions after birth (e.g. impaired gut growth, glucose tolerance and pancreatic β-cell function). Just after birth, gut growth and maturation is stimulated by enteral food intake, and inhibited by total parenteral nutrition (TPN), in part mediated via differential release of insulino- and intestino-tropic hormones like the Glucagon-Like Peptides 1 and 2 (GLP-1, GLP-2). We hypothesized that short-term co-infusion of GLP-1 and GLP-2 would stimulate pancreatic and intestinal growth in newborn TPN-fed pigs subjected to prenatal protein restriction. Two sows were fed a protein-restricted diet (PR: 8% crude protein during last 50% of gestation) while a third sow was fed a control diet (C: 15% crude protein). PR pigs were killed either at birth (n = 7) or after 3 days TPN with (n = 6) or without (n = 4) intravenous infusion of a mixture of synthetic human GLP-1_7–37 and GLP-2_1–33 (each 50 μg/kg/d). At birth, PR piglets did not show reduced body weight, relative to controls (1.45 vs. 1.50 kg), but significantly reduced weight of the small intestine (18.0 ± 0.6 vs. 21.9 ± 0.5 g/kg, P < 0.001) and a marginally reduced pancreas weight (0.85 ± 0.02 vs. 0.93 ± 0.04 g/kg, P = 0.10). Co-infusion GLP-1 and GLP-2 into PR pigs resulted in increased basal glucose levels (5.3 vs. 4.0 mM), and glucose-stimulated insulin release, but did not have any significant effect on body weight, or weight of internal organs (heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, stomach, colon, liver, intestine, pancreas). We conclude that short-term (3 days) infusion of native GLP-1 and GLP-2 does not stimulate gut growth or glucose tolerance in TPN-fed piglets born from protein-restricted mothers. Moderate maternal protein restriction does however cause significant reduction in intestinal growth in newborn piglets which may decrease the neonatal digestive capacity.