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Effects of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH , ruminal fermentation and performance of growing Holstein‐Zebu cross steers
Author(s) -
Meegyai Watcharawit,
Pattarajinda Virote,
Stelzleni Alexander M.,
Sethakul Jutarat,
Duangjinda Monchai
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/asj.12797
Subject(s) - silage , zebu , fermentation , zoology , total mixed ration , dry matter , forage , chemistry , crossbreed , rumen , butyric acid , randomized block design , neutral detergent fiber , cattle feeding , food science , biology , dairy cattle , agronomy , lactation , ice calving , pregnancy , genetics
Our objective was to determine the effect of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH , ruminal fermentation and animal performance. Thirty Holstein‐Zebu cross steers were allotted to feeding treatments for 188 days in a randomized complete block design including: fresh grass‐total mixed ration ( GTMR ; pH 4.7), grass silage‐ TMR ( STMR ; pH 4.0) and fermented‐ TMR ( FTMR ; pH 3.5). Average daily gain for STMR was greatest during the first 3 months period; however, that for FTMR tended to be greater than GTMR during the second 3 months period ( P < 0.10). During the second period dry matter intake for STMR was the greatest ( P < 0.01), but feed conversion ratio ( P < 0.01) and cost per gain ( P < 0.01) were the least for FTMR . Protein digestibility tended ( P < 0.10) to be greater for FTMR than STMR and fat digestibility was greater ( P < 0.05) for GTMR and FTMR than STMR . FTMR had less ( P < 0.01) ruminal NH 3 ‐N content than STMR . Total volatile fatty acids post‐feeding was greatest for GTMR ( P < 0.01). Ruminal proportions of acetic and butyric acids were greater for FTMR than GTMR ( P < 0.05); in contrast, propionic acid was greater for GTMR ( P < 0.05). Utilizing silage or total ration fermentation did not negatively impact on ruminal pH . STMR and F TMR s can be used to maintain performance of growing crossbred Holstein steers.