h. fazaeli

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.

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.

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.

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.

The allocation of water reservoirs with three basic conditions, equality, efficiency and sustainability is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Due to the limited availability of renewable water sources at the river basin level and the increasing demand for water in various uses (agriculture, domestic, industry and the environment) due to population growth and competition over resource use, the need to pay attention to The allocation of water resources has increased, and this calls for attention to different ways of optimizing water resources allocation. Therefore, in this research, we have tried to provide a model that can consider different criteria for water allocation, especially two basic criteria of justice and efficiency, and to comply with different environmental criteria.The new constructed dam of Givi With a normal volume of 54 million cubic meters is located in the catchment area of the Givi Chai River With an area of about 600 square kilometers from the subbasins of the Ghezel Ozan River and due to the fact that the dam's irrigation network has not been constructed and reservoir allocation details are not known yet, In this study, we tried to provide a model for the sustainable development of the area by paying attention to the agricultural and industrial potential of the region, as well as the needs of domestic in the present and in the 20 years horizons.The output of the model was obtained for various coefficients for the objective functions (efficiency and equity) and the results were shown by increasing the coefficient of efficiency function and reducing the function of justice (the function of Gini) and finally, using the AHP method and obtaining the Paired Comparison matrix, The optimal model and thus the coefficients of optimal efficiency and equity functions were calculated. The results show that the coefficients of the target functions (0.6 and 0.4) are optimal for the functions of efficiency and equity, respectively. And in fact it's a global optimum point.

This research was conducted to study the nutritive value of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) as animal feed. The aerial part of the JA plant was harvested, at full bloom stage, and then chopped and dried. The chopped JA hay included 0.0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 % of alfalfa hay, used as experimental diets, and tested for in vitro digestibility. In a changeover experiment with Latin square based design the in vivo digestibility was studied by sheep. The samples of dried JA forage as well as the experimental diets were collected and analyzed chemically. The nutrient contents of JA were relatively similar to alfalfa hay except for the crude protein that was lower in JA. The in vitro dry mater and organic mater digestibility were not affected by the levels of JA in the diets, but the digestible value reduced (p<0.05) when the JA ratio was increased to the 40% of the diet. The in vivo digestibility of dry mater, organic mater and fiber fractions was decreased in the diet containing 40 percent JA however, total digestible nutrients and metabolisable energy were not significantly different among the treatments. It may be concluded that nutritive value of JA is similar to alfalfa hay, when it is used up to 30% instead of the alfalfa hay based diet.

In this research, samples of sugarcane bagasse were irradiated with various amounts (0, 100, 200 and 300 Kilogray) in an electron accelerator (TT200) to evaluate the effects of electron-beam irradiation on dry matter, neutral-detergent fiber (NDF) and acid-detergent fiber (ADF) degradability parameters. The first samples were dried and then ground for chemical analysis. The ruminal degradation parameters of the samples were measured in fistulated cow 3 (400 kg) at times of 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h by the terylene bag method. Data were fitted to non-linear degradation model of Orskov and McDonald to calculate degradation parameters of DM, NDF and ADF. The statistical analysis of degradation of various parameters and effective degradability was accomplished by using the GLM procedure of SAS. After variance analysis, the means were compared with Duncan,s new multiplerange test by using a completely randomized design. The washout fractions of DM as well as NDF and ADF increased linearly (P<0.05) with increasing electron irradiation dose, whereas the potentially degradable fractions of NDF and ADF decreased at first, and then, increased. Also, the degradation rate of the b fraction of dry matter increased. Effective degradability of DM, NDF and ADF increased linearly (P<0.05) with increasing irradiation dose. Electron irradiation at doses of 100, 200 and 300 kGy increased the effective degradability of DM, NDF and ADF at rumen outflow rate of 0.05/h (r) by about 7, 11 and 16% 2, 5 and 7% 3, 7 and 10%, respectively.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of culturing oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) on the nutritive value of wheat straw. In a completely randomized design, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of untreated and fungal treated wheat straw were measured by the following treatments: 1) untreated wheat straw (UWS) 2) fermented wheat straw before mushroom fruiting (FTWS) and 3) fermented wheat straw after mushroom harvesting (SPWS), with 4 replicates. In addition, the in vivo digestibility and voluntary intake were determined using 4 cows and 4 sheep and nutritive value index was estimated. The crude protein and in vitro digestibility increased whereas organic matter and cell wall components decreased significantly (P<0.05) in FTWS and SPWS. In vivo digestibility and voluntary intake increased in FTWS when fed to sheep or cow (P<0.05) but no significant differences were found between SPWS and UWS. The digestible dry mater and organic mater intake (g/kg W0.75) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in cow than sheep. The significantly (P<0.05) highest amount of nutritive value index was obtained for FTWS fed to cow and the lowest amount was found for SPWS when fed to sheep. It can be concluded that culturing Pleurotus florida on wheat straw can improve its nutritive value before mushroom fruiting .