Predicting fibre digestibility in Holstein dairy cows fed dry-hay-based rations through machine learning

Cavallini, D.; Raffrenato, E.; Mammi, L.M.E.; Palmonari, A.; Canestrari, G.; Costa, A.; Visentin, G.; Formigoni, A.

doi:10.1016/j.animal.2023.101000

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 55 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The lack of differences for in vitro digestibility is in agreement with the observation of others for similar diets (94,95). For both groups, the level of N excretion was within the range reported by Spanghero and Kowalski (57) for similar N intake, while the NB estimate was lower, probably due to the higher milk N recorded in our study or a combination of unaccounted for N, such as urinary N excretion in forms not detected by the Kjeldhal method (e.g., nitrate), volatile losses of gaseous N and ammonia, and dermal scurf (57,96).…”

Section: Milk Performances Dry Matter Intake In Vivo Digestibility An...supporting

confidence: 92%

Use of reclaimed urban wastewater for the production of hydroponic barley forage: water characteristics, feed quality and effects on health status and production of lactating cows

Ceci,

Cavalera,

Serrapica

et al. 2023

Front. Vet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The safety of reclaimed urban wastewater (RUW) for the production of hydroponic barley forage (HBF) was evaluated in terms of effluent and forage characteristics, as well as the health and performance of lactating cows. The study was conducted on a dairy farm equipped with two hydroponic chambers producing approximately 620 kg/d of HBF as fed. For experimental purposes, HBF was produced using RUW collected from an aqueduct plant processing urban wastewater in a membrane bioreactor treatment chain. A feeding trial was carried out with HBF derived from RUW. Sixty lactating cows were randomly assigned to two balanced groups fed a standard total mixed ration (TMR) or a TMR in which 10 kg of HBF replaced 1 kg of oat hay and 0.5 kg of maize. The experimental period lasted 7 weeks, including a 2-week adaptation period, during which each cow underwent a physical examination, BCS scoring, blood sampling for a complete blood count and biochemical panel, recording of body weight and milk yield and quality, including fatty acid composition and heavy metal content. Ruminal pH was continuously monitored by reticulorumen boluses, and nutrient digestibility and N balance were determined at week 7. RUW showed an acceptable microbial load and an overall good quality as irrigation water, even though the supply of N and P did not influence the yield and quality of HBF. The characteristics of HBF reflected the quality of RUW supplied to the hydroponic chambers and no anomalous components (i.e., high ion concentration) were found. Feeding RW-derived HBF to lactating cows had no major positive or negative effects on animal health and production, including milk quality, ruminal pH, in vivo digestibility, and N balance. The use of RUW under the conditions tested appears to be safe for the health status of lactating cows and the quality of the milk obtained. Overall, the results do not reveal any major limitations for the use of tertiary wastewater as irrigation water for the hydroponic production of forage barley, so that a wider use of wastewater in hydroponic systems seems realistic.

show abstract

Section: Milk Performances Dry Matter Intake In Vivo Digestibility An...supporting

confidence: 92%

Use of reclaimed urban wastewater for the production of hydroponic barley forage: water characteristics, feed quality and effects on health status and production of lactating cows

Ceci,

Cavalera,

Serrapica

et al. 2023

Front. Vet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Effect of dietary inclusion of Pennisetum purpureum (Napier) grass on growth performance, rumen fermentation and meat quality of feedlot sussex red steers

Rabatseta,

Fourie,

Nkosi

et al. 2024

Trop Anim Health Prod

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth performance, fermentation indices and meat quality of Sussex steers fed totally mixed rations that composed of graded inclusion levels of Napier grass (NP). Three experimental diets designated as diet 1 (0.0 g kg–1 NP: Control), diet 2 (300 g kg–1 NP grass) and diet 3 (600 g kg–1 NP) were formulated. Twenty-four male steers aged 8 months with an average body weight of 185.0 ± 30 kg were used. In a completely randomized design, the animals were allocated to the diets and fed for 120 days. Dietary NP inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) the animals’ average daily gain and increased the feed efficiency. The steers’ daily feed intake and final body weight decreased (P < 0.05) with a 600 g kg–1 inclusion level. The fermentation indices were not affected (P > 0.05) by the inclusion. While the inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) warm muscle temperature, it had no effect (P > 0.05) on carcass dressing percentage, warm and cold initial and ultimate pH. However, 600 g kg–1 inclusion level reduced (P > 0.05) warm and cold carcass weights. Meat physical attributes, moisture characteristics and tenderness were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments, except for the 7-days aged meat thaw loss, which increased at 600 g kg–1 inclusion level. Inclusion of 300 g kg–1 increased meat protein and fat, but dry and organic matter contents decreased with increasing inclusion levels. Dietary inclusion of NP grass up to 300 g kg–1 in steers’ diets improved feed intake, carcass traits and yielded meat high in protein and fat.

show abstract

Editorial: The 10th international Workshop on Modelling Nutrient Digestion and Utilization in Farm Animals (MODNUT)

Cannas,

Cabrera,

Dougherty

et al. 2023

animal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Predicting fibre digestibility in Holstein dairy cows fed dry-hay-based rations through machine learning

Cited by 4 publications

References 55 publications

Use of reclaimed urban wastewater for the production of hydroponic barley forage: water characteristics, feed quality and effects on health status and production of lactating cows

Use of reclaimed urban wastewater for the production of hydroponic barley forage: water characteristics, feed quality and effects on health status and production of lactating cows

Effect of dietary inclusion of Pennisetum purpureum (Napier) grass on growth performance, rumen fermentation and meat quality of feedlot sussex red steers

Editorial: The 10th international Workshop on Modelling Nutrient Digestion and Utilization in Farm Animals (MODNUT)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About