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ObjectiveThe current study compared the effects of dietary levels of two phase stoned olive cake (OC) in form of silage (OCS) on milk production and quality of Saanen goats.MethodsThe OCS included in total mixed ration (TMR) at dry matter proportions of 0.0 (OC0), 0.10 (OC10), and 0.20 (OC20). The TMR were fed to a total of 18 goats in a completely randomized design for a period of 5 weeks.ResultsDietary treatments had no effect on the milk yield of Saanen goats, but the daily milk fat production was greater (p<0.05) at feeding OC20. The total phenolic (TP) compounds contents increased (p<0.01) in each increment of OCS in TMR and this was also reflected in the TP contents of milk. The C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, and C14:0 saturated fatty acids (FAs) in milk fat decreased (p<0.01) with increasing dietary level of OCS, but the decrease (p<0.001) in C16:0 and the increase (p<0.01) in C18:0 in milk fat occurred similarly at each inclusion level of OCS. Only OC20 reduced (p<0.05) the total saturated FA, yet the reduction (p<0.01) in n6/n3 ratio and atherogenicity index occurred in both OC10 and OC20.ConclusionTwo phase stoned OCS increases milk quality not only through modifying the milk FA composition, but also by increasing the milk TP content. These favorable changes in milk quality are closely associated with the dietary level of OCS.

Dual-purpose management of winter cereals for grazing and grain production provides highly nutritive forage for ruminants in the spring and may positively affect straw feeding value. A 2-yr study investigated the effect of spring defoliation of triticale, wheat, and rye at the tillering and stem elongation stages on total biomass, grain yields, and straw quality. Furthermore, straws of spring-defoliated and undefoliated (control) cereal crops were evaluated for nutritional value and voluntary intake as a means of assessing the efficiency of dual-purpose management systems from the winter feeding context as well. The feeding study consisted of 9 total mixed rations (TMR), each containing 35% triticale, rye, or wheat straw obtained under 3 spring-defoliation regimens. The TMR were individually fed to fifty-four 1-yr-old Anatolian Merino ewes for 28 d. Defoliation of the crops at tillering did not affect the total biomass production or grain yields. However, biomass and grain yields were reduced ( < 0.01) by 55 and 52%, respectively, in crops defoliated at stem elongation. Straw of spring-defoliated cereals had less NDF and ADF concentrations ( < 0.01) but greater CP ( < 0.01), nonfiber carbohydrates ( < 0.01), and ME concentrations ( < 0.01) compared with straw from undefoliated crops. The increase in the nutritive value of straw led to greater nutrient digestion ( < 0.01) and intake of DM and OM of ewes ( < 0.01). However, sheep live weight gain did not differ among treatments ( > 0.77). This study indicated that straw feeding value and digestibility can be increased through spring defoliation.

Deficit irrigation can be a useful management tool to increase water productivity of forage and sheep production from pastures in water deprived areas of the world. A three year study compared sheep production from permanent sown pastures on clay-loam soil in a dry continental climate that were irrigated at four levels in Konya, Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Pastures were established in 2007 with red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and irrigated with 100 (optimum irrigation), 75, 50 or 25% of their full irrigation requirement. Established pastures were grazed rotationally by flocks of weaned lambs between 2008 and 2010. Liveweight gain was approximately 2 kg ha -1 d -1 from the 100 and 75%irrigation treatments. However, lower levels of irrigation caused reductions (P < 0.01) in liveweight gains with animals gaining less than 1 kg ha -1 d -1 in the 25% irrigation treatment. Average total annual animal liveweight production was 498, 445, 380 and 198 kg ha -1 for 100, 75, 50 and 25% irrigation treatments, respectively. The water productivity of the full irrigation treatment per unit of dry matter and meat produced was low, particularly during the summer months, and it increased with deficit irrigation. Deficit irrigation between 50 and 75% of the full requirements during late spring and summer, prior to de-stocking, can provide efficient use of water when water resources are limited. The level of irrigation can be reduced further during the late summer and autumn when stocking rates and the demand for feed or energy from pastures are lower.

ObjectiveThis study evaluated inclusion of buckwheat silage to the diet of growing lambs in terms of meat quality as compared to maize silage.MethodsBuckwheat, rich in total phenols (TP, 33 g/kg dry matter [DM]), was harvested at the end of the milk stage and ensiled in 40 kg plastic bags after wilting (294 g/kg silage DM). A total of 18 growing lambs (21.6±1.2) were individually fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic total mixed rations (TMR) for 75 d that either contained buckwheat or maize silage at DM proportions of 0.50. At the end of feeding trail all lambs were slaughtered to assess carcass characteristics and meat quality.ResultsBuckwheat silage increased (p<0.01) the DM intake of lambs as compared to maize silage, but had no effects (p>0.05) on live weight gain and feed efficiency. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, meat pH, water holding capacity, cooking loss, shear force (kg/cm2), and total viable bacteria count of meat did not differ (p>0.05) between the treatments. However, TP content of meat increased (p<0.001) by feeding buckwheat TMR. Feeding buckwheat TMR also decreased (p<0.05) the b* values of meat.ConclusionThe results provide that buckwheat silage is palatable and could successfully include TMR of growing lambs with no adverse effects on performance, carcass and meat quality. Additionally, feeding buckwheat silage to lambs offers increased TP in meat.