دکتر حسن فضایلی

Large parts of Iran have a dry and semi-arid climate, which is why opportunities for fodder production in the country are limited. Providing feed from agricultural by-products, including potato vines, can be considered a suitable option to compensate for the limitations of traditional feed (e.g. alfalfa). Ardabil province has about 15-20% of the country's potato cultivation area, and with the annual production of about 800 thousand tons of potato tubers, it ranks second in the country. Therefore, there is great potential in this province to produce by-products related to potatoes. The present study was conducted to investigate the possibility and effect of replacing potato vines with regular forage in the diet of pregnant sheep (during the last 45 days of pregnancy).

In the first step of this research, the chemical compositions of alfalfa hay and potato vine including dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined. In the next phase, 210 pregnant Moghani sheep were randomly assigned to seven treatments with three replicates and 10 sheep per replicate. In addition to the control treatment (pasture feeding), six treatments with different levels of potato vine (zero, 16, and 32%) were used in two food forms, mash and complete block. The mentioned diets were given to the animals in the last 45 days of pregnancy in the amount of 500 grams during the night feeding time. It should be noted that lactating ewes were not subjected to any treatment after lambing and the effect of an additional feeding period on milk production was examined after three months of lambing.

According to the results obtained, the percentage of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, gross energy, and ADF in potato vine was not significantly different from alfalfa feed, but the NDF percentage in potato vine was lower than alfalfa and its ash content was more than alfalfa (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the amount of dry matter digestibility (DMD) and dry organic matter digestibility (DOMD) between the potato vine and alfalfa hay. Ewe weight gain during the supplementary feeding period was influenced by different treatments (P<0.05). A similar pattern was observed for other traits such as ewe weight after lambing, birth weight of lambs, weight gain before weaning, and, weaning weight of lambs. In the current study, the examined traits in sheep that were fed with complete block showed better performance compared to sheep fed with mash. In this feeding method, animals are not able to choose due to the uniform composition of food, which leads to a uniform effect on the rumen and thus reduces the fluctuation in ammonia release for more efficient use of non-protein nitrogen. Complete block feeding is an efficient method to increase voluntary feed intake in ruminants. It also improves nutrient utilization by stabilizing fermentation in the rumen. The increase in birth and weaning weight in lambs whose mothers were fed complete block diets showed that the use of supplementary feeding in the last weeks of gestation of ewes, when carried out appropriately, leads to improvement in fetal growth and proper development of the mammary gland, and increase in birth weight of the lamb and milk production. The different treatments have a significant impact on the amount of milk production so that the average daily milk production throughout the lactation period was lowest in the control treatment (without using any nutritional supplements) and highest in the block feeding treatment at 16% Potato vine. The results showed that using the complete block produced a higher profit compared to the mash.

Based on the results of the present research, the use of 16% potato vine as a replacement for part of the usual fodder in the form of a complete feed block resulted in profitability in the nomadic sheep farming system. Given the cheap price and availability compared to alfalfa fodder and wheat straw, especially in drought conditions and poor pastures, its consumption is economical.

Whole plant barley and triticale were chopped and ensiled separately. After three months, half of each silage was mixed with the roughage and concentrated and prepared in 30 kg packed silages. Four rations including: 1) TMR based on barley silage, 2) TMR base on triticale silage, 3) TMR silage based on barley silage 4) TMR silage based on triticale silage were prepared. In a completely randomized experiment 64 male Zel lambs of about four months age and 20.8 kg average body weight, using in a completely randomised experiment with four treatments and for replicates. During 84 days experimental period, daily feed intake was recorded and body wieht changes was recorded three weeks interwals. Daily weight gain of lambs fed ration 3 was significantly (P<0.05) higher (147 grams), than those fed ration 1 and 2 (147g vs. 108 and 130 g). The highest amount of daily dry matter intake was observed in lambs fed ration 3 (1213 grams) but the lowest amount in lambs fed ration 1 (1213 vs. 937 g) (P=0.03). Feed conversion ratio was improved in lambs received diet comparing to the other treatments (P=0.03). The average carcass wieght was increased (15.3 vs 13.6 and 12.7 kg) in lambs fed diet 3 comparing to the diet 1 and 2 (P<0.05). Lambs fed diet 4 had more abdominal fat than those fed diet 2 (P<0.05). It can be concluded that the use of total mixed silge based on the barley and triticale may improved the fattening performance of lambs.

Du to limitation of feed resources in Iran, recently research workers tried to find new feed resources, where they introduce new fodder beet varieties to farmers. Regarding the characteristics of the fodder beet, it must be preserved as silage for progressively use in animal feeding, but no appropriate technology was stablished for ensiling of fodder beet. Ensiling is the well nown technology for preserving of fresh forages, but it is difficult to ensile the fodder beet, because of very low dry matter (DM) content. However, using additives (dry roughages and concentrates) as total mixed ration may be applied as a technology for preserving fodder beet silage. Therefore, this research was conducted to prepared a total mixed ration (TMR) silage based on fodder beet in comparison to corn silage and determine their nutritive values in sheep.

Three experimental diets including: 1) TMR based on corn silage (CTMR), 2) TMR silage (CTMRS) based on similar formula of treatment 1 and 3) TMR silage based on fodder beet (FBTMRS) were prepared. Digestibility and voluntary intake of the treatment diets were determined with three treatments and five replicates by in vivo method, using of 5 mature male Shal sheep (with 5 years old age and 80 kg body weight).

The DM contents of the CTMRS and FBTMRS waere 40 and 39.7 percent with pH of 3.95 and 4.06 respectivly. Average daily DM intake (DMI) was 1294g in control, 1301g in CTMRS but 1579g in FBTMRS that were significantly higher (P<0.05) in FBTMRS. Organic matter (OM) intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher (1450 vs 1206 and 1214 g) for the FBTMRS than the other treatments. Similar trend was obsereved when the intake was calculated based on methabolic body weight. Digestibility of DM, OM, organic mater in dry mater (DOMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were respectively 71.6, 74, 69.1 and 51.5 percent for CTMRS that were statistically (p<0.05) higher than those of the other treatments but no differences were obtained between the control and FBTMRS. The rumen pH, was affected (p<0.05) by the treatments before morning feeding so that it was the lowest in control, but the highest in FBTMRS (6.11 vs 6.85 and 7.01). However, rumen pH was not varied between the treatments at 3h and 6h post feeding. The rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) showed an increasing tendency in all treatments from morning feedint to 3h post feeding with the highest amount for treatment FBTMRS (from 17.85 to 32.89 mg/dL) and the lowest for the control (from 13.35 to 31.32 mg/dL) but it showed a decreasing trend from 3h to 6h post feeding with slower tendency for the treatment FBTMRS.

Results of the experimental diets on sheep nutrition indicated that, the highest DM and OM intake was obtained when the animals received TMR silage based on the fodder beet. However, the TMR corn silage showed the highest nutrients digestibility that may be due to the nutritional improvement during the silage fermentation and preservation. Improvement the nutrients digestibility of TMR corn silage is considered as an advantage when compared to the normal TMR (contained corn silage). Therefore, TMR silage based on corn forage recommended as superior treatment in this study. However, practicing and utilization of TMR silage based on the fodder beet is recommended, where the fodder beet is available.

This experiment was carried out to determine the nutritive value of total mixed ration silage (TMRS) based on orange pulp (OP). Three diets including: 1) TMRS based on OP plus wheat straw (WS) and concentrate, 2) total mixed ration based on corn silage (CS) plus WS and concentrate, 3) total mixed ration based on alfalfa hay (AH) plus WS and concentrate. The experimental diets were tested for digestibility and voluntary intake in mature male lambs. The DM content of TMRS ranged 28 to 28.5 percent and pH 3.8 to 3.9 that shwed appropriate characteristics of the silage. The in vivo digestibility of DM, OM and metabolisable energy of the TMRS were significantly higher than the other diets (P<0.05). The DM and OM intake, were significantly differences between the diets where the lowest amounts detected by feeding CS diet. The digestible DM and OM intake were significantly higher in TMRS than the other diets (P<0.05). Data obtained from rumen liquor showed that pH was not different between the treatments at different times. The ruminal NH3-N was higher in CS diet before morning feeding but it was not different between TMRS and CS diets at 3h post feeding werase they were higher than the other diet (P<0.05). No differences were obtained between the diets for NH3-N at 6h post feeding. It is concluded that by ensiling of orange pulp plus WS and concentrate could prepare a complete feed ration silage with nutrient balance and appropriate digestibility and palatability.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fodder beet on performance, carcass traits and blood parameters of fattening male lambs. 32 fattening male lambs with an initial weight of 28.05 ± 0.25 kg by using a completely randomized block design with four treatments and four blocks for 84 days were fed with experimental diets including control (zero), 10, 20 and 30% fodder beet with the ratio 60% of the concentrate and 40% of the fodder as total mixed ration twice a day. During the experiment period, there was no significant difference in the weight of the lambs among the control group and the groups in which different levels of fodder beet were used in their diets. There was no significant difference in average daily gain among all groups except for the lambs fed with 20% fodder beet diet. In the group that received 30% fodder beet, the feed intake (DM/d) was the lowest compared to other groups (P<0.05). No significant difference in the feed conversion ratio among the experimental groups was observed. There was no difference in slaughter weight, empty-body weight, hot and cold carcass weight, carcass traits and carcass dressing percentage of lambs among different groups (P>0.05). The experimental treatments had no effect on the biochemical characteristics of lambs blood, but fodder beet intake increased blood hemoglobin (P<0.05). Based on the results, fodder beet up to 30% could be used in fattening lamb diets without negative effect on performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters.

The effects of two levels of hydraulic pressure (220 and 240 bar) and two dwell times (five and 10 seconds) in the machine for making complete feed blocks containing three combinations of forages (wheat straw and alfalfa hay (WB); strawberry forage, wheat straw and alfalfa hay (SB); chickpea straw and alfalfa hay (CB)) was studied on the physical properties of the blocks in a 2×2×3 3 factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design. The blocks containing pea straw and alfalfa had the maximum moisture evaporation at 240 bar pressure and 5 and 10 seconds stop time (P<0.05). The highest density was related to the blocks SB (552.6 kg/m3) and the lowest was related to the blocks CB (456.6 kg/m3; P<0.05). With increasing pressure and dwell time, the density of SB and CB increased compared to the WB. The highest post compression expansion was observed in the first 24 hours after production (P<0.05). The SB had a maximum number of fungal colonies at 240 bar and a dwell time of 5 and 10 seconds. Regardless of the type of forage and dwell time, SB and WB had a higher colony at 240 than at 220 bar, but in CB at 240 was less than 220 bar. Based on the results, 240 bar pressure and 10 seconds dwell time to produce complete feed blocks containing strawberry forage and chickpea straw, causes the desired compression and increases the storage time of the block.

This research was conducted to study the effect of chickpea straw and strawberry forage in the diet of fattening calves. Eighteen Simmental male calves with initial weight of 285.16±38.15 kg were used in a completely randomized design with three diets over a four-month fattening period. Three diets were adjusted based on 70% concentrate and 30% forage. The forage section in the control was 18% alfalfa and 12% wheat straw, the second treatment was 25% strawberry plant, 3% alfalfa and 2% wheat straw and the third treatment was 25% chickpea straw and 5% alfalfa. The digestibility of diets was determined by acid-insoluble ash method. The use of strawberry forage and chickpea straw had no effect on feed intake and performance of calves. The digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in diet containing chickpea straw was higher than other complete feed blocks, however, the digestibility of NDF and ADF was higher in diets containing chickpea straw and strawberry forage than control . The feed conversion ratio in the group receiving chickpea straw was better than the control group. The cost price per kilogram of complete feed containing strawberry forage and chickpea straw were 20.2 and 24.57% lower than the control, respectively, which resulted in a reduction in feed cost per kilogram of increased calf weight compared to the control group. The results of this experiment showed that the use of strawberry forage and chickpea straw as a forage portion up to 25% in the diet reduced the cost of calf fattening.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding 0, 10 and 15% levels of wheat straw and the use or non-use of Lactobacillus buchneri microbial additive on the quality of fodder beet silage (FBS) in polyethylene bags in a 3×2 factorial statistical design. For each treatment, 4 bags and a total of 24 bags of 25 kg of fodder beet silage with different composition were prepared and transferred to storage at room temperature and after 75 days, all bags were opened and their pH, temperature and silage quality were immediately determined. A sample of each bag was used for chemical laboratory evaluation including DM, CP, Ash, NDF, ADF and ammonia nitrogen (AN). The results showed that adding 10 and 15% levels of wheat straw improved silage quality and reduced pH compared to the control (P<0.01). Addition of wheat straw had a significant effect on chemical composition and silage stability (temperature and pH) during opening (P<0.01), Addition of wheat straw reduced watery loss and increased silage quality (P<0.01). In general, the most suitable mixture of the silage was control + 15% wheat straw, which had a higher quality and longer shelf life.

Ensiling total mixed ration can be used as a sustainable alternative to efficiently of feed management, improves digestibility and increase performance of ruminants. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of using total mixed ration silage based fodder corn on the growth performance of fattening Zell lambs.

Fourteen Zell male lambs (19.74± 2.07 kg BW) were randomly allocated to one of two experimental diets similar in nutrient contents. Experimental diets included control diet based on alfalfa and wheat straw (CD) plus concentrate and total mixed ration silage based on fodder corn plus concentrate (TMRS). The animals were fed three times daily in three equal portions over a 12-weeks assay following a 2-weeks adaptation period. Lambs were weighed immediately before the morning feeding at the beginning and at 3-weeks intervals. At the end of fattening period, the lambs were housed in individual cages to evaluate nutrient digestibility of the experimental diets. Furthermore, blood samples were collected from the Jugular veins of the lambs for measuring of glucose, total protein, albumin and liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST).

Average feed intake was not affected by the experimental diets, but final body weight, total body weight gain, average daily gain were greater but the feed conversion ratio (feed/gain) was lower in lambs fed TMRS diet than those received CD diet (P<0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber were higher (p<0.02) in CD diet that that of the TMRS diet. There was no difference in plasma concentration of albumin, total protein, glucose, ALT and AST between the experimental groups, and all of those parameters were within the normal range for healthy sheep.

It was concluded that ensiling total mixed ration based on the fodder corn was associated with an optimal fermentation and using its in fattening Zell lamb diets caused an increase in final body weight and daily gain, and improved feed conversion ratio. Therefore, ensiling total mixed ration could an appropriate feeing management to improve performance of fattening lambs.

Fresh orange pulp (FCP) mixed with wheat straw (WS) 79:20 plus 0.7% urea, 0.1% diammonium sulfate (DAMS) and 0.2% mineral-vitamin supplement (MVS) as a basal treatment (T1). Then WS reduced to 15%+5% sugar beet pulp (SBP) T2, WS15%+5% corn ground (CG) T3, WS15%+ 5% corn bran (CB) T4, and WS15%+ 5%rice bran (RB) T5. In T6 WS reduced to 10% and completed with SBP, CG, CB and RB in amounts of 4:2:2:2 percent respectively. All mixtures were ensiled in small scale plastic bag silos with four replicates. All silos were opened four months’ post ensiling and sampled for chemical analyses, in vitro gas test and digestibility. Dry matter content ranged 28.43 to 31.01 percent and pH 3.95 to 4.07 that were significantly different between the treatments (p<.05). Crude protein ranged 12.16 to 15.59 percent that was the lowest in T1 but the highest in T6 (p<.05). Ammonia-N ranged 6.32 to 10.63 percent of total nitrogen that was different between the treatments (p<.05). Reducing of WS and including of concentrate feeds in the treatments reduced NDF from 59.48 to 46.96 percent (p<.05) but increased gas production, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) with highest values in T6. It is concluded that by formulating a mixture of FOP, WS, SBP, CG, CB, RB, Urea, DAMS and VMS in ratio of 79:10:4:2:2:2:0.7:0.1:0.2 may prepared a TMR silage with acceptable silage characteristics. However, more research needs to determine the feeding values through in vivo and feeding trials.

Fodder beet is a valuable source of fodder in livestock diets due to favorable agronomic characteristics such as resistance to salinity and drought, less water requirement, and proper nutritional characteristics such as forage production and silage with high nutritional value, good taste, and good resistance to environmental changes. Despite the long history of using fodder beet in animal rations, its nutritional issues and physicochemical properties of it are not fully understood and further research is needed. Silage of fodder beet can be used well in the diet of all ruminants, but studying the proper ways of silage and controlling the physical and chemical properties of silage is one of the important issues that should be addressed. In addition to the stated benefits for fodder beet, such as low dry matter content, fiber, and fat, disruption of ion exchange and change in silo buffering capacity, as well as the difficulty of processing it for permanent consumption of livestock and also important restrictions such as high sugar and moisture in the roots and excess leachate and lack of production of quality silage are the most important obstacles to the consumption of this silage. Harvest time of fodder beet coincides with the heat of the summer season and the occurrence of numerous problems, so it is necessary to silo it to prevent spoilage with the correct method. Today with the introduction of new improved cultivars and the growth of processing technology, these limitations have been almost removed. This study aimed to evaluate some of the physicochemical parameters of ensiled fodder beet with and without Lactobacillus buchneri as a microbial additive.

Some physicochemical parameters of ensiled fodder beet with and without Lactobacillus buchneri as a microbial additive in combination with 10 and 15% dry beet pulp were investigated through a 3×2 factorial arrangement in four replicates. Different silages included: 1) 100% pure fodder beet without additive (control), 2) control + 10% dry beet pulp, and 3) control + 15% dry beet pulp. The microbial additive was added at the level of 6×1010 CFU/g of dry matter. 24 plastic bags containing 25 kg of different material were compacted, sealed, and stored at room temperature. After 75 days, four bags of each group were opened and pH, temperature, and quality were immediately determined. Also, a sample from each bag was used to measure the chemical compositions. Measurements of temperature and pH were performed. Two samples of silage, one for extraction and determination of ammonia nitrogen (using selective ion absorption electrode) by AFIA recommendations and the other sample for measurement of dry matter, crude protein, and ash according to the AOAC method were used. Measurement of NDF and ADF were done according to the Van Soest method. To evaluate the aerobic stability of silages when opening plastic bags, the characteristics of color, odor, and texture of silage in the range of 1 to 10 for high to poor quality were determined using the modified Konigsberg Scores method. Data were analyzed using a completely randomized design in a 3×2 factorial arrangement in four replicates using the mixed model procedure of the SAS program.

Experimental groups with 10 and 15% of dry beet pulp with microbial additive had a better quality (score: 6.5±0.16 vs. 9.4±0.21; pH: 4.04±0.06 vs. 4.59±0.08) than the control group (P<0.01). The type of ensiled materials had a significant effect on chemical compositions (DM, CP, NDF, and ADF) and the aerobic stability of silages at opening time (P<0.01). But microbial additives almost had no significant effect on the traits. Watery loss of silage for the control group was higher and its quality was lower than that in other groups (P<0.01). The best quality and more stability of silage were observed in the group with fodder beet+15% of dry beet pulp which is advisable.

According to the results of this study, adding 10 and 15% of dry beet pulp to fodder beet silage improved the appearance and aerobic stability of the resulting silages compared to the control group. Evaluation of appearance traits and pH of the samples showed that the treatments with dry pulp and the microbial additive had better quality than the control group. The type of mixture used had a significant effect on the chemical composition of silage and its aerobic stability when opened, but the microbial additive did not show a significant effect in most cases. The watery loss in the control group was higher than the other treatments and had a worse appearance quality than other silages. Overall, the most suitable silage composition in this experiment was a mixture of the control group+15% sugar beet pulp, which had better appearance quality, longer shelf life, higher dry matter level, and lower ammonia nitrogen than the other two groups.

Ensiling total mixed ration has been a sustainable alternative to efficiently handle high wet feeds such as fodder beet in ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of using fodder beet in the form of total mixed ration silage on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites of fattening Zell lambs and compare it’s with conventional diets.

Fourteen Zell male lambs (3–4 months of age and 19.48± 2.20 kg BW) were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 experimental diets with the same nutrients. Experimental diets containing control diet based on alfalfa and wheat straw (CD) and total mixed ration silage based on fodder beet (TMRS). Diets were fed three times daily in three equal portions over a 9-weeks assay following a 2-weeks adaptation period. Lambs were weighed immediately before the morning feeding at the beginning and at 3-weeks intervals until end of the experimental period. At the end of fattening period, the lambs were used to evaluate nutrient digestibility in response to feeding experimental diets. Furthermore, blood samples were collected from the Jugular veins of the lambs for measuring of glucose, total protein, albumin and liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST).

At the end of experiment, average body weight and daily weight gain of lambs were not affected by experimental diets, but feed intake was tended to greater for TMRS group (975.1 g/d) than CD group (845.4 g/d) (P=0.09). Feed conversion ratio of lambs in CD group was greater (5.89 vs. 6.86) than TMRS group (P=0.05). There was no difference in digestibility of dry matter and organic matter across experimental diets, but digestibility of neutral detergent fiber in TMRS group was greater than CD group (40.5 vs. 33.7 %). The lambs fed CD had higher albumin concentration (p<0.01), and glucose and ALT were tended to greater (P=0.09) than those fed TMRS, however, concentration of total protein and AST were not affected by diets.

It was concluded that storage of fodder beet by total mixed ration silage method is associated with an optimal fermentation and it seem to be an appropriate method for long-term storage while maintaining quality. The lambs fed with TMRS diet than those fed with CD diet had similar final weight and daily weight gain and more feed intake.Keywords: Digestibility, fattening, fodder beet, performance, silage, total mixed ration.

Corn silage is becoming one of the main popular feeds for dairy farms, but due to high water demand, sustainability of corn silage production is coming to be constraint. Sorghum has been considering alternative silage crop with significant forage production and lower water requirement. Therefore, this experiment was plant to replace corn silage by sorghum silage in the diet of dairy cows.

Sorghum (Speed feed Var.) and corn were planted (two hectares for each) and the forge obtained was ensiled separately. Four diets (treatments) contained 24 percent silage (DM basis) formulated in which corn silage replaced with 0.00, 33, 66 and 100% with sorghum silage. 32 lactating cows (average 44 days in milk) were divided into two blocks with average daily milk of 34.11 and 28.20 kg and then the cows of each block allocated to four experimental diets. Nutritive values of the diets adjusted to the requirements of cows in each block.

Average daily dry matter intake was not statistically affected by the experimental diets but the cows in high milk yield blocks consumed higher dry matter (p<0.05). The fresh milk and 3.5FCM yield did not affected by the treatments but the average milk yield was different between the blocks throughout the experiment. Feed efficiency based on the kg of milk yield per kg dry matter intake was not affected by the treatments and between the blocks as well. Milk compositions including fat, protein, lactose, solid non fat, total solid and milk urea nitrogen were not affected by the treatments but total saturated fatty acids were decreased by inclusion of sorghum silage in the diets (p<0.05).

In general, results showed that the corn silage could be replaced by sorghum silage (speed feed var.) in the diets of lactating cows (with daily milk yield about 30kg). However, due to the lower starch and lower energy content in sorghum silage than the corn silage, the diets should be supplemented with starch sources to compensate the energy balance, when use sorghum silage.

Fresh citrus pulp (FCP) was mixed with wheat straw (WS) 90:10 and ensiled in three treatments 1) 0.0% urea, 2) 0.5% urea and 3) 1% urea, using 40 kg nylon bags. After three months of ensiling, silos were evaluated and sampled for chemical analysis and in vitro gas test. In vivo digestibility and intake of the silages were determined in sheep nutrition along with basal diet (Alfalfa hay+WS+barley ground). Dry matter (DM) ranged 19.32 to 21.15% and pH 3.59 to 3.74 in silages. Crude protein and NH3-N were increased (P<0.05) in silages contained urea. There were no significant differences between silages for gas production. The in vivo digestibility of DM, OM and NDF, and ME were similar between the basal diet and the experimental diets as well as the experimental silages. However, digestibility of CP was increased in silages contained 0.5 and 1% urea (P<0.05). An increasing trend was observed for DM intake where the animals received ad-libitum silages than the basal diet. Daily urine weight and urine pH was increased (P<0.05) when the animals fed 1% urea silage, comparison to the other diets but, ruminal pH was not affected by the treatments. Finally, it is concluded that ensiling of FCP plus WS to provide a mixture with optimum DM content may be an appropriate method of preserving and using of this by product in ruminant nutrition. In addition, deficiency of CP could be compensated by addition of proper amount of urea.

This experiment was coducted in order to investigate the inclusion of Konar (Ziziphus mauritiana) leaves containing tannins and sunflower oil as a source of poly unsaturated fatty acids (full of linoleic acid) in high concentrate diets on gas production and degradability. In this experiment the degradability and fermentation parameters by were compared by using in situ and gas production techniques. Gas production and degradation rate were measured at 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement of treatments. Dietary treatments were control, 20% Konar leaves, 2.5 % sunflower oil and, 2.5 % sunflower oil +20% Konar leaves. The results showed that dry matter soluble fraction (a), 37.72 (p < 0.09), potentially degradable insoluble fraction (b), 49.41 (p < 0.06) and constant degragation rate (c), 0.0573 (p < 0.08) tended to decrease using Konar leaf. Effective dry matter degradability at different passage rates (74.07, 66.52 and 61.60 for effective degradability of 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06, respectively) decreased in diets containing Konar leaf (P <0.02). Effective degradability of crude protein significantly decreased (93.80, 90.32 and 87.60, respectively) at the passage rates of 0.02 (p < 0.01), 0.04 (p < 0.01) and 0.06 (p < 0.02). Significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed between treatments in terms of cumulative gas production at all incubation hours (2 to 96) between treatments due to addition of sunflower oil. Gas production potential, 105.04 (p < 0.01) and gas production rate, 0.110 (p < 0.06) were significantly increased by addition of sunflower oil. An increase in true organic matter digestibility (TOMD) and microbial mass production (MB) (p < 0.01) observed using Konar leaves in the diet. Totally, the results of this study showed that addition of Konar leaves and sunflower oil to the diet could affect fermentative and degradability parameters of diets with little interaction. This means that the effect of each of factors in the diet is independent. On the other hand, separate or mixed using of konar leaves containing tannins and sunflower oil had no adverse effect on ruminal function in vitro.

In order to study the effects of sunflower oil and Konar leaves addition on performance, meat quality and fatty acids profile, an experiment wasconducted using 32 Adani male goat kids, with 17.8 ± 2.2 kg initial BW in a completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement for 75days. Goat kids were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1- control, 2- 20% Konar leaves, 3- 2.5 % sunflower oil and, 4- 2.5 % sunflower oil+ 20% Konar leaves. The results showed that treatments had no effect on feed intake and final body weight of goat kids. Oil inclusion in the diettended to increase daily weight gain (P=0.06) and tended to decrease feed conversion ratio (P=0.07) of goat kids. Dry matter, ash, and crude proteinconcentrations, color indices, malondialdehyde concentration and pH of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were not affected by treatments. Totalsaturated fatty acids (P<0.05) and total N6 fatty acids (P<0.01) of LD are affected by interaction of oil and Konar leaves supplementation. Inclusion ofkonar leaves in the diet increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids ratio in LD muscle of goat kids (P<0.05). The fat of LDmuscle increased with the inclusion of oil to the diets (P<0.01). The results of this study showed that the use of Konar leaves and sunflower oil in thediet of Adani goat kids can improve the nutritive value of their meat by reducing saturated fatty acids and increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of replacement alfalfa hay with different levels of pistachio by product (PB). In the first experiment, the effects of replacement alfalfa hay with levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75% of PB on rumen fermentation parameters after 24h of incubation were investigated with four treatments and three replications. Second experiment was designed to evaluate effect of diets contained of different levels of PB on dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI), average daily gain (ADG) of twenty twin bearing goat and their kids. Goats with a mean weight of 33.4 ± 2.69 kg feed over an 84-days period experimental diets with a ratio of 80% hay and 20% concentrate. Data from both experiments were analyzed in a completely randomized design. At 50 and 75% of PB replacement level, chemical composition and phenolic compound of experiment diet respectively were decreased and increased in comparison with control and diet contains25%ofPB (P<0.001). Gas production and estimated parameters after 24h of incubation were decreased linearly by replacement levels of 50 and 75% of PB (P<0.001). Partitioning factor (PF) was significantly increased at 50 and 75% of PB replacement level in comparison to other groups (P<0.001). DMI, CPI, ADG of goats and their kids were decreased linearly by replacement levels of 50 and 75% of PB (P<0.001).In general, replacement of alfalfa hay with levels of 25% of PB had no adverse effects on rumen fermentation parameters of goats and daily gain of their kids, however, levels more than 25% had adverse effects on the mentioned parameters.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dry corn gluten feed (DCGF) on nutritive value of corn silage by in vitro and in vivo methods. The firs stage of the experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, included three treatments and 5 replicates, in which chopped corn forage was mixed with 0.0, 5 and 10 percent of DCGF and ensiled in 200L polyethylen barrels. After three months of ensiling, the silages were opened and evaluated. Voluntary intake and digestibility of the silages along with basal diet (Alfalfa hay+wheat straw+barley ground) were determined, using mature (two years old) male Shal sheep. Including of DCGF to corn silage increased (p<0.05)dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in the silages respectively, but pH and organic matter values were not affected by the treatments. However, the DM content did not reach to optimum (35%) point. Concentration of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was increased but acid detergent fibre (ADF) was decreased (p<0.05) as DCGF was increased in the corn silages. Addition of CGF increased dry matter intake of the silages (p<0.05). The digestibility of DM, OM and NDF were higher in silages containing  DCGF (p<0.05). The intake of the digestible DM, OM and NDF were higher in DCGF content silages than those of basal diet and control silage (p<0.05). In general,adding DCGF to corn silage could improve silage quality as well as increasing voluntary intake (g/d) and digestibility when fed to sheep.

Mesquite or Kahoor (Prosopis Juliflora swartz) fimily Leguminosae, sub-fimily Mimosoideaes is a perennial, fast-growing, ever- green and drought resistant shrub or tree that planted and developed in the south parts of Iran and is known as Kahoor. This plant can be used for preventing soil erosion and stability of sand dunes. It also provides fruit (pod) as animal feed. The young branches (browses) and pods of Kahoor is good goats and camel. The aim of this study was determining the chemical composition and digestibility of Prosopis Juliflora pods and leaves and to using Prosopis Juliflora pods (PJP) in diet on the growth Performance of fattening Tali goats.

In this experiment 24 Kahoor pods and leaves samples were collected randomly from three intensive cultivated planted areas in Hormozgan province. Samples sun dried and mixed to get homogenous and then were used for chemical analysis. Also, Kahoor pods and leaves were collected, dried and ground in this study the In vivo digestibility of Kahoor pods and leaves were determined by eight Goat. Eighteen Tali male Kids with initial body weight of 13.20 ±1.5 kg were randomly divided into two equal groups on the basis of age and live weight (LW) used in a experimental design with two treatments and nine replications. Goats fed with control diet and the other group with diet of 28.5 % PJP (30% forage to 70 % concentrate ratio) for 14 weeks. The diets were offered into two equal halves daily at 08:00 am and 16:00 pm hours. The kids were weighted in initial trial and every 2 weeks after 16 h feed deprivation using a suspended weighing scale and calculated their weight changes. The average body weight gain, average dry matter intake and feed conversion ware determined. Chemical composition and digestibility, Feed intake, body weight changes and feed conversion data were analyzed using the SAS 9.1(2001) software and GLM procedures, with two treatments and nine repeats per treatment with using T- test.

The result of this experiment showed that the chemical composition mean of PJP and PJL samples were contained 88.4,42.31% dry matter, 92.61,90.52% organic matter, 13.82,20.3% crude protein, 5.42,9.48% ash,40.3,54.22% neutral detergent fiber, 26.98,31.84% acid detergent fiber, 1.04,2.26% calcium, 0.21,0.27% phosphors (on DM basis) respectively. The average digestibility coefficient pods and leaves for Dry matter, Organic matter, Neutral detergent fiber and Acid detergent fiber is 60.99, 55.74 and 62.16, 57/69 and 56.25, 59.78 and 47.45, 43.05, respectively. The average daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were 87.28 g, 783.3g, 8.6 and 90.55g, 823.3g, 8.3 respectively for Kids received control and PJP diet that were not statistically different. Total cost of feed and also, cost of meat production was cheaper than control group. The result of this study indicated that the PJP similar to commercial concentrate has supplied kids requirements that can be suitable replacement for commercial concentrate in fattening kids diets.

Results indicated that pods and leaves contain a large amount of essential nutritive material and can used T.M.R. with other feed in maintenance conditions animal rations after drying and reducing anti nutrition materials. Also; that PJP can be used in fattening kids concentrate to 28.5 % DM rate without negative and side effect on growth performance and FCR goats and reduced 30% the feeding cost economically.

Zinc has a role in many cases such as rumen microbial activity, immunity, and blood metabolites. But, there is no sufficient information on the effect of nano and organic Zn supplements on microbial protein synthesis and immunity variables in Holstein calves. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the effect of using nano-ZnO and Zn-methionine instead of ZnO (equal to or twice NRC 2001-recommended level) on urinary purine derivatives, microbial protein, immunoglobulins and nitrogenous compounds of the blood in pre- and post-weaning calves.

Sixty suckling Holstein calves were assigned into one of the 6 experimental groups (10 replications) in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were the diets containing: 1- ZnO equal to NRC recommendation, 2- Zn-methionine equal to NRC recommendation, 3- nano-ZnO equal to NRC recommendation, 4- ZnO twice NRC recommendation, 5- Zn-methionine twice NRC recommendation, and 6- nano-ZnO twice NRC recommendation. During 7 to 30 days of age, the calves were fed with milk and starter concentrate according to the above treatments. From days 31 to 70, milk and mixed alfalfa-starter (at the ratio of 10:90) were provided for the calves. Weaning was done at 70 days of age and during post-weaning period (71 to 100 days of age), the calves were freely fed with experimental diets (alfalfa and starter concentrate at the ratio of 20:80). During pre- and post-weaning periods, the urinary purine derivatives, microbial N synthesis, total globulin, IgM, IgG, total protein, albumin, urea-N, creatinine and glucose of the blood were determined. Data were analyzed in a factorial experiment (3×2) using PROC MIXED of SAS (2001).

Urinary purine derivatives and microbial N synthesis were not affected by replacing ZnO with nano-ZnO and Zn-methionine during pre- and post-weaning periods. Zinc chemical form had no significant effect on the blood concentrations of total globulin, IgM and IgA. Total protein, albumin, urea-N, creatinine and glucose in the blood of the calves fed with inorganic, nano or organic Zn supplements were the same. Moreover, increasing Zn level in the diet had no effect on urinary purine derivatives, microbial N synthesis, total globulin, IgM, IgA, total protein, urea-N, creatinine and glucose.

Using nano-ZnO and Zn-methionine instead of ZnO and also the increasing dietary Zn level had no effect on microbial protein synthesis, IgM, IgA, nitrogenous compounds and glucose in the blood of the calves. Thus, feeding the conventional inorganic Zn source (ZnO) at the NRC-recommended level was sufficient to supply the calves’ requirement during pre- and post-weaning periods and the other sources are not recommended.

In spite of the advantages of total mixed ration compared to the traditional diet, the problem of bulking the diet has not yet been resolved. Moving, storing and transporting of low density crop residues is one of the major problems in using them in feeding animals, especially sending it to distant areas. One of the suggested ways to overcome these problems is to compress this material into a high-density complete feed block. Complete feed block with respect to its distinctive characteristics can affect the milk yield and nutritional behavior of lactating cows and alter the eating behavior of the animal. Changing the particle size of the fodder in complete feed block may also cause different performance – digestive responses in the animal.

Eight Holstein lactating dairy cows (106±25.5 days in milk, 23.18±3.30 kg milk production and 492.66±38.15 kg body weight) were housed in individual pen randomly, and assigned to a 4×4 Latin square change-over design. Four experimental rations were: complete feed blocks containing forage with a geometric mean of 4.15 mm (long block) and 2.68 mm (short block), mesh complete feeds containing forage with a geometric mean of 4.15 mm (long mesh) and 2.68 mm (short mesh). The effect of two physical forms of the feed, including mixed feed in the form of block and mesh as well as the particle size of short or long on nutritional behavior, digestibility of feed and milk yield of Holstein lactating cows were investigated.

Dry and organic matter intake in cows fed short CFBs were greater than cows fed short mash (P <0.05), but the difference between in dry matter intake of this two groups with other groups were not significant. The reduction in particle size of forage increased the digestibility of the feed (P<0.05), however, feed compression had no significant effect on this parameter. Daily yield of raw milk in cows fed short CFBs were about two percent higher than cows fed on short mash (P<0.05), but were not significant difference between groups concerning corrected milk based on four percent fat or milk adjusted for energy. The use of CFBs resulted in a decrease of 2.21% in daily production of milk fat (P = 0.006). Complete feed block increased the duration of eating and the meal size by 18.42 and 21.21 percent respectively, reduced the number of meals by 16.14 percent and increased the eating rate by 10.79% (P <0.05). Increasing the particle size of forage increased the duration of eating and decreased eating rate by 25.55% and 20.2%, respectively (P<0.05), but did not affect the number and size of meals. Compression of complete diet had no effect on the time spent for eating, rumination and total chewing time, but increasing the particle size of forage increased these parameters (P<0.05).

The results of this study showed that using the complete feed block in feeding of Holstein lactating cows compared to the complete feed of mash, had no significant differences in digestibility of diet. However, milk production increased and the amount of milk fat dropped. The complete feed block reduced the number of meals, increased feed intake per meal, and increased feed intake rate.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of harvest interval (re-growth) on quantitative and qualitative traits of Jerusalem artichoke as a promising forage plant. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted at a Research farm of Animal Science Research Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2015 and 2016. The experiment was based on randomized complete block design with three replications and two observations. The treatments consisted of different times of harvesting forage intervals in each two, three and four months in the first year and each one, two, three, and four months after emergence or regrowth in the second year. Replant was not done in the second year. The highest dry weight of leaf, stem and total forage was obtained with harvest interval in each two months. The highest crop growth rate, relative growth rate and biomass duration and the highest growth rate, relative growth rate and biomass duration were observed in cut intervals of three, four and two months, respectively. In the second year, the highest amount of crude protein of total forage were observed in the cut intervals of one month. The highest amount of ADF of total forage was observed for cut intervals of four months. Generally, the best time for harvesting of forage can be taken each two months due to high yield forage (2056 g/m2), leaf to stem ratio of 0.53, crude protein of 12.50 percent, water-soluble carbohydrates of 3.89 percent, ADF of 32.98 percent and NDF of 46.05 percent of the Jerusalem artichoke.

In the present study one slow-release urea component was produced, and its effects was assessed on in vitro gas production, fermentation parameters, nutrients disappearance and enzyme activity. Four experimental treatments used were 1) control treatment, and supplementing control treatment with 2) urea, 3) slow-released urea and 4) optigen. Results showed that in most examined incubation times highest and lowest ammonia-N concentration was observed in treatment supplemented with urea and control treatment, respectively (P<0.05). However, in all incubation times there was no differences between slow-release urea and optigen treatments (P>0.05). After 96 h incubation, dietary treatments had no effect on total gas production, b and c coefficient and pH of rumen (P>0.05). Highest and lowest in vitro dry matter and organic matter disappearance, estimation of metabolisable energy, short chain fatty acids, microbial protein synthesis and activity of carboxy methyl cellulase were observed in control and urea-treated group (P>0.05). Highest filter paper degrading activity was observed for diet supplemented with slow-release urea, while urea-treated group resulted in lowest activity (P<0.05). Highest rumen protease activity was observed in diet treated with urea, while its lowest amount was related to control treatment (P<0.05). Totally, utilization of slow-release urea compared to urea improved rumen dry matter and organic matter digestion, microbial protein production and most of rumen fibrolytic enzymes activity in vitro.

Effect of supplementing organic complexes (compound with glycine or methionine) of Mn, Zn and Cu compared with sulphate forms (equal to or twice NRC recommendation) on health, fertility and blood metabolites of dairy cows and suckling calves was assessed. Two months before calving, 60 pregnant Holstein cows were divided to six experimental groups in a randomized complete block design. Six diets containing 1. Mn, Zn and Cu-sulphate at NRC levels, 2. Mn, Zn and Cu-glycine at NRC levels, 3. Mn, Zn and Cu-methionine at NRC levels, 4. Mn, Zn and Cu-sulphate twice NRC, 5. Mn, Zn and Cu-glycine twice NRC, and 6. Mn, Zn and Cu-methionine twice NRC, were fed ad libitum. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) of colostrum and blood, metritis, mastitis, retained placenta, lameness, ketosis, ovarian cysts, calf mortality, fertility and blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol (five blood sampling; from day 60 before calving to day 100 after calving) were determined. Feeding organic mineral complexes instead of sulphate form had no effects on IgG, fertility and blood metabolites of cows and calves, but decreased mastitis and lameness. Also, increasing dietary levels of the trace minerals led to the decrease in incidence of mastitis and lameness, and numerical increase in IgG of colostrum, but had no effect on other variables. Overall, feeding organic complexes (methionine- or glycine-) of Mn, Zn and Cu and also increasing the minerals levels in diets of pre- and post-partum cows had positive effects on the health of the animals, without changes in fertility.