Three experiments evaluated whether effects of altered frequency of supplementation on forage use and cow performance depended on supplement CP concentration and (or) grain type when fed to cattle eating low-quality forages. All experiments included supplementation frequency (daily = 7x; three times weekly = 3x) as one factor in a factorialized arrangement of treatments. In Exp. 1 and 2, the second factor was supplement CP concentration (10, 20, 30, and 40% CP), altered by changing the ratio of soybean meal to sorghum grain in supplements. Supplements were fed at 13.9 and 14.1 kg of DM/wk for Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 3, the second factor was supplement grain type (sorghum grain or corn) and supplements containing 21% CP were fed at 14.8 kg of DM/wk. In Exp. 1, eight ruminally fistulated steers (456 kg) consumed wheat straw ad libitum. Pregnant beef cows grazing dormant tallgrass prairie were used in Exp. 2 (475 kg; n = 128) and 3 (504 kg; n = 120). In Exp. 1, reducing supplementation frequency decreased (P < .01) straw intake but increased (P < or = .03) DM and NDF digestion. As CP concentration in supplements increased, straw DMI (P = .06) increased quadratically, whereas DM and NDF digestion increased linearly (P < .01). In Exp. 2, increasing CP concentration in supplements enhanced cows' ability to maintain BW and condition up to calving, with decreasing magnitude of difference between treatments at higher CP concentrations (P < .01). Increasing CP in supplements fed to the dams linearly (P = .05) increased calf weaning weight in Exp. 2. In Exp. 2 and 3, reducing supplementation frequency increased (P < or = .02) winter weight loss through calving. Grain type did not significantly affect most performance variables. In summary, response to supplementation frequency was not dependent on supplement CP concentration or grain type. Daily supplementation maximized forage intake and cow performance, although the magnitude of performance differences was not large.

Limited information is available on the utilization of different types of diets by captive exotic felid species. Utilization of diets by small exotic felids may differ depending on the diet fed. Eight sand cats (Felis margarita), which are small, 2- to 4-kg cats, were used to examine the digestibility of two types of diets: a raw meat-based diet and a dry kibble diet. Dry matter, crude protein and energy intakes and digestibilities were evaluated. Digestibilities for dry matter, energy, and crude protein were 83.5 +/- 4.8, 89.6 +/- 5.2, 92.4 +/- 5.3% for the raw meat-based diet and 72.7 +/- 12.3, 76.8 +/- 14.5, and 77.9 +/- 13.5% for the kibble diet. Physiological variables also were examined and included plasma taurine, vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene, calcium, and phosphorus. Plasma taurine means were 91.4 +/- 8.4 mumol/L in cats consuming the raw meat-based diet and 248.0 +/- 23.2 mumol/L in cats consuming the kibble diet. Plasma phosphorus was 5.2 +/- .1 and 4.5 +/- .1 mg/dL, respectively, in cats consuming raw meat-based and kibble diets. beta-Carotene was 25.2 +/- 2.9 and 2.9 +/- .3 micrograms/dL, respectively, for cats consuming the raw meat-based and kibble diets. These results indicate that diets formulated for small captive exotic felid species should be evaluated with respect to diet type and nutrient utilization.

Though ≥22 species of Primates consume fungi, most do so at low rates, comprising <5% of their feeding time. Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii), spend up to 29% of their feeding time year-round consuming fungal sporocarps, the fruiting bodies of fungi. We provide comprehensive data on the nutritional characteristics of 4 species of fungi consumed by Callimico goeldii (Ascopolyporus polyporoides, Ascopolyporus polychrous, Auricularia auricula, and Auricularia delicata). The composition of the fungi is similar to that of other fungi: predominantly fiber (66.2-83.0% dry matter) with small amounts of sugar (2.0-5.6% dry matter) and crude fat (0.9-1.6% dry matter). Though the crude protein content is substantial (5.5-13.4% dry matter), much of the nitrogen in the fungi is not likely to be available to Callimico goeldii because it is associated with indigestible food components or is in nonprotein form. The mineral content of the fungi are within the normal range for fungi generally and the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is low (0.07-0.25). Fungi appear to be a low-quality food resource for Callimico goeldii and may contribute to their relatively large home ranges and low population density compared to other Callitrichinae. Research on the ability of Callimico goeldii to digest fungi is needed to understand fully the 324 Hanson, Hall, Porter, and Lintzenich nutritional value of fungi to them. We discuss adaptations Callimico goeldii may have for improving their ability to obtain nutrients from fungi and potential ecological correlates of mycophagy.

Four ruminally and duodenally fistulated, 2-yr-old Angus x Hereford steers (average initial BW = 370 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of method of processing supplemental alfalfa on intake and digestion of dormant bluestem-range forage (2.8% CP, 78% NDF). Treatments (4 x 4 Latin square) were 1) control, no supplement; 2) ground and pelleted alfalfa hay (PELLET; 21% CP, 37% NDF); 3) ground and pelleted dehydrated alfalfa (DEHY; 21% CP, 44% NDF); and 4) longstem alfalfa hay (HAY; 20% CP, 37% NDF). All supplements were from a single cutting of alfalfa and fed at .5% BW (as-fed basis). Supplementing steers with alfalfa increased (P < or = .07) bluestem forage OM intake (FOMI); total OM intake (TOMI); true ruminal OM digestibility; total tract OM digestibility (TTOMD); total N, microbial N, and nonammonia-nonmicrobial N (NANM) flows to the duodenum; ruminal OM and fluid fill; fluid dilution rates; dietary DE concentration; and ruminal total VFA and NH3 N concentrations. Because of the enhanced FOMI and TOMI associated with alfalfa supplementation and the concomitant improvement in TTOMD, digestible OM intake (DOMI) also increased (P < .01) when supplemental alfalfa was fed. Method of processing alfalfa had little impact on forage utilization, except FOMI (P = .11), TOMI (P = .10), and ruminal OM fill (P = .09) tended to be greater when supplemental alfalfa pellets were dehydrated. Similarly, processing method tended to alter the molar proportions of some minor VFA. In conclusion, alfalfa supplementation exerted a dramatic impact on utilization of low-quality forage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A digestion trial was conducted to determine the effect of method of processing supplemental alfalfa on the intake and utilization of dormant, bluestem-range forage. Supplement treatments were 1) control: no supplement; 2) ground and pelleted, suncured alfalfa; 3) ground and pelleted dehydrated alfalfa; and 4) longstem alfalfa hay. Bluestem forage intake (% BW), diet digestibility, and ruminal dry matter fill 4 hours after feeding were increased (P<.10) when supplemental alfalfa was fed, compared with no supplementation. Little difference was evident among different forms of supplemental alfalfa for most of the forage utilization characteristics measured. However, a weak trend (P=.18) was observed for increased intake of bluestem forage by the steers supplemented with dehydrated alfalfa pellets compared with suncured alfalfa pellets. SummaryA digestion trial was conducted to determine the effect of method of processing supplemental alfalfa on the intake and utilization of dormant, bluestem-range forage. Supplement treatments were 1) control: no supplement; 2) ground and pelleted, suncured alfalfa; 3) ground and pelleted dehydrated alfalfa; and 4) longstem alfalfa hay. Bluestem forage intake (% BW), diet digestibility, and ruminal dry matter fill 4 hours after feeding were increased (P<.10) when supplemental alfalfa was fed, compared with no supplementation. Little difference was evident among different forms of supplemental alfalfa for most of the forage utilization characteristics measured. However, a weak trend (P=.18) was observed for increased intake of bluestem forage by the steers supplemented with dehydrated alfalfa pellets compared with suncured alfalfa pellets.

Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers were used to study the effects of supplemental alfalfa level (.25 or 1.0% body weight [BW]) and method of processing (hay or pellets) on wheat straw utilization. Response to increased level of supplemental alfalfa did not dependent on method of processing (longstem vs pelleted) for the quality of alfalfa (22.7% CP) used in this trial. Increasing the level of alfalfa from .25 to 1.0% of BW reduced (P#.02) straw intake and diet digestibility, but increased (P<.002) digestible dry matter intake by steers. With high quality hay, ground and pelleted alfalfa elicits the same type of response as longstem alfalfa.

Eight ruminally cannulated steers were used to determine digestion characteristics of soybean meal/sorghum grain supplements containing 12%, 20%, 30%, or 39% crude protein (CP) fed either daily (7X) or three times weekly (3X). The basal forage was wheat straw. Weekly supplement intake was the same per week (30.5 lb) for both frequency groups. The effect of feeding supplements differing in protein concentration on wheat straw intake and dry matter digestibility (DMD) did not depend on frequency of supplementation. Increased frequency of supplementation resulted in greater intake of straw, although DMD was slightly depressed. Increasing protein concentration in the supplements was associated with increases in both straw intake and DMD. SummaryEight ruminally cannulated steers were used to determine digestion characteristics of soybean meal/sorghum grain supplements containing 12%, 20%, 30%, or 39% crude protein (CP) fed either daily (7X) or three times weekly (3X). The basal forage was wheat straw. Weekly supplement intake was the same per week (30.5 lb) for both frequency groups. The effect of feeding supplements differing in protein concentration on wheat straw intake and dry matter digestibility (DMD) did not depend on frequency of supplementation.Increased frequency of supplementation resulted in greater intake of straw, although DMD was slightly depressed. Increasing protein concentration in the supplements was associated with increases in both straw intake and DMD.

Fifteen ruminally cannulated beef steers were used in a pasture supplementation experiment to determine the effects of frequency of energy supplementation on intake and digestion of tallgrass prairie forage during early to mid-summer. Steers grazed a common pasture and were assigned to the following treatments: no supplement (control); 4 lb rolled sorghum grain/head/day; 9.3 lb grain/head/3 times weekly. Steers in the two supplemented groups consumed the same amount of sorghum grain/head/week. In general, supplementation was not harmful (P =.17) to forage intake. However, providing supplement 3 times weekly tended (P =.11) to depress forage intake compared with daily supplementation. Although supplementation tended (P =.07) to cause selection of less fiber in the diet, total forage digestion tended (P<.07) to be depressed by supplementation. However, total diet organic matter digestibility was not significantly altered by treatment, probably because of the impact of the highly digestible supplement. Based on trends in intake and grazed forage selection, achieving optimal benefit from supplementation of cattle grazing relatively highquality forage appears more likely when its provided daily rather than 3 times weekly. SummaryFifteen ruminally cannulated beef steers were used in a pasture supplementation experiment to determine the effects of frequency of energy supplementation on intake and digestion of tallgrass prairie forage during early to mid-summer. Steers grazed a common pasture and were assigned to the following treatments: no supplement (control); 4 lb rolled sorghum grain/head/day; 9.3 lb grain/head/3 times weekly. Steers in the two supplemented groups consumed the same amount of sorghum grain/head/week. In general, supplementation was not harmful (P =.17) to forage intake. However, providing supplement 3 times weekly tended (P =.11) to depress forage intake compared with daily supplementation. Although supplementation tended (P =.07) to cause selection of less fiber in the diet, total forage digestion tended (P<.07) to be depressed by supplementation. However, total diet organic matter digestibility was not significantly altered by treatment, probably because of the impact of the highly digestible supplement. Based on trends in intake and grazed forage selection, achieving optimal benefit from supplementation of cattle grazing relatively high-quality forage appears more likely when its provided daily rather than 3 times weekly.