Forages play an important role in ruminant animal production worldwide. Unlocking the nutritional potential of poor-quality tropical forages with fibrolytic enzymes would improve forage digestibility and utilization. Using in vitro and in vivo methods this study investigated the effect of…
Garlic contains secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties that can alter nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation, similar to other antimicrobial products. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of garlic powder and garlic juice on in vitro nutrient…
The potential of dietary nitrate to reduce enteric methane, apart from it being a source of rumen-degradable nitrogen, has stimulated further research into its use. However, not much has been reported on its suitability in feed treatment. The objective of…
The study was conducted to assess the effects of whey, molasses and exogenous enzymes on fermentation, aerobic stability and nutrient composition of ensiled maize cobs. Five treatments were ensiled in 1.5 L anaerobic glass jars over 32 days, namely i)…
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of coated calcium butyrate (CCB) on calf performance and some blood parameters. Sixteen female Holstein calves with a mean age of 3 ± 1 d were divided into two equal…
Humates have nitrogen-binding qualities that could prove to be beneficial in the retention of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen of Holstein steers fed a high-concentrate finishing diet. Therefore, four ruminally fistulated Holstein steers were used in a 4 x 4…
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of supplemental aminooligosaccharides (AOS) on the disappearance and fermentation of diets for lactating cows, and its effects on milk yield and quality. In the first study, diets containing 0 or 0.2% AOS…
Leaves of 10 different plant species utilized by the kudu were collected, dried and ground. This material was used to determine DM digestibility, gas production and VFA production during in vitro fermentation with rumen fluid obtained from kudu. Plants preferred…
The effect of monensin on the in vitro degradation of cellulose was investigated using ruminal fluid obtained from sheep adapted and unadapted to the antibiotic. In vivo ruminal adaptation to monensin was also examined over a six-week treatment period. Results…
Volatile fatty acid production was studied in the rumen and caecum of culled grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) and in the rumen of tame fistulated duikers. The caecum had a higher total VFA concentration and production rate per unit volume than…
The production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was studied in vitro to assess the possible contribution of microbial fermentation to the energy economy of growing ostrich chicks. Structure, capacity and contents of the gastro-intestinal track were examined to identify major…
The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the substitution of lucerne hay by untreated, urea-enriched and urea-ammoniated wheat straw on (i) dry matter intake (DMl), digestibility and nitrogen balance, (ii) in situ degradability, (iii) rate of…
