Effects of condensed tannins supplementation level on weight gain and in vitro and in vivo bloat precursors in steers grazing winter wheat1

Abstract

Research was conducted to determine the effects of level of supplementation with quebracho condensed tannins (CT) on in vitro ruminal fluid gas production, in vivo ruminal fluid protein fractions, bloat dynamics, and ADG of steers grazing winter wheat. Two experiments were conducted to 1) enumerate the effect of ruminal fluid from steers fed quebracho CT (0, 1, and 2% CT/kg of DMI) on in vitro gas and methane production from minced fresh wheat forage; and 2) quantify the influence of CT supplementation on ruminal protein characteristics, biofilm complexes, bloat potential, and ADG of steers grazing wheat pasture. Eighteen ruminally cannulated steers (386 +/- 36 kg of BW) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments that included a control (water infusion) and 2 CT treatment levels (1 or 2% CT/kg of DMI). Treatments were administered daily (63 d) through the rumen cannula as pre-mixes with warm water (approximately 30 degrees C). Rumen contents were collected 2 h postinfusion (at 1030 to 1130) on d 0, 20, 40, 50, and 60. Bloat was visually scored daily for 5 d each wk. In Exp. 1, supplementation of CT decreased the rate of in vitro gas production in a dose-dependent response. In Exp. 2, ADG increased (P < 0.04) at both levels of CT supplementation. Mean bloat score across stage of growth and replicates decreased linearly with increasing CT supplementation; bloat scores were greater (P < 0.001) for the vegetative than for the reproductive stage of plant growth. Biofilm production and rumen fluid protein fractions varied among CT treatments and stage of growth. Addition of CT reduced the severity of bloat, principally through reducing microbial activities, biofilm production, and ruminal gas production. Quebracho CT is potentially a value-added supplement that can decrease the impacts of frothy bloat and increase BW gains in stocker cattle-wheat systems.

Effect of Fermented Winery By-Product Supplemented Rations on the Temperament and Meat Quality of Angus-Hereford X Steers During Feeding in a British Columbia Feedlot

“…Also, CT and active yeast feeds have been found to reduce bloat scores and rumen acidosis, respectively, in cattle (Min et al, 2006;Mir & Mir, 1994). These results were reported by Min et al (2006), who found that supplementing the diets of cattle grazing winter wheat with quebracho CT reduced bloat scores as well as increased weight gains. Mir and Mir (1994) found that rumen acidosis, caused by grain overload, was reduced in animals fed yeast-supplemented feeds.…”

“…Specifically, in vivo studies of lamb micro flora found that the inclusion of tannins into feeds increased the numbers of the bacteria Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, while decreasing the abundance of Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus (Vasta et al, 2010). Also, CT and active yeast feeds have been found to reduce bloat scores and rumen acidosis, respectively, in cattle (Min et al, 2006;Mir & Mir, 1994). These results were reported by Min et al (2006), who found that supplementing the diets of cattle grazing winter wheat with quebracho CT reduced bloat scores as well as increased weight gains.…”

Effect of level and source of supplemental tannin on growth performance of steers during the late finishing phase

“…However, in a meta-analysis Jayanegara et al (2012) observed that low-level supplemental tannin effects on ruminal methane were inconsistent, with greater mitigation of ruminal methane observed with foragebased diets (Woodward et al 2004;Puchala et al 2005;Min et al 2006;Grainger et al 2009). …”

Effect of dietary fibre and condensed tannins concentration from various fibrous feedstuffs on <i>in vitro gas</i> production kinetics with rabbit faecal inoculum

“…CT have both positive (low levels of CT: <3%) and negative (high levels of CT: >5%) effects on feed digestibility and animal performance, depending both on the quantity and biological activity of the condensed tannins (Schofield et al, 2001;Min et al, 2006;Kara et al, 2015). The multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups of condensed tannins (or proanthocyanidins) lead to the formation of complexes with proteins, metal ions and other macromolecules like polysaccharides (Schofield et al, 2001).…”