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To test the effects of year and processing plant on the nutritional value of canola meal (CM), 3 CM samples/yr were collected from each of 12 Canadian production plants over 4yr (total=144). Samples of CM were analyzed for differences in chemical composition and for in vitro ruminal protein degradability using the Michaelis-Menten inhibitor in vitro (MMIIV) method. In the MMIIV method, protein degradation rate (kd) was estimated by 2 methods: from net release (i.e., blank corrected) of (1) ammonia plus AA determined by o-phthaldialdehyde fluorescence (OPAF) assay or (2) ammonia, AA, plus oligopeptides determined by o-phthaldialdehyde absorbance (OPAA) assay; rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) was computed assuming passage rates of 0.16 and 0.06/h for, respectively, soluble and insoluble protein. Casein, solvent soybean meal (SSBM), and expeller soybean meal (ESBM) were included in all incubations as standard proteins. Differences among years and plants were assessed using the mixed procedures of SAS. Small but significant differences were found in CM among years for chemical composition, including N solubility; some of these differences may have been related to changes in our analytical methods over time. However, adjustment of degradation activity of individual in vitro incubations based on the mean degradation activity over all incubations yielded kd and RUP that did not differ by year using either assay. Simultaneously incubating CM samples from 2yr in the same in vitro runs confirmed that no year effects existed for kd or RUP. Differences existed in chemical composition of CM among the 12 processing plants over the 4yr of sample collection. Moreover, consistent differences in kd and RUP were observed among plants: kd ranged from 0.069 to 0.113/h (OPAA assay) and 0.075 to 0.120/h (OPAF assay), and RUP estimates ranged from 51 to 43% (OPAA assay) and 49 to 41% (OPAF assay). Regression of kd on insoluble N content of CM yielded correlation coefficients (R(2))=0.40 (OPAA assay) and 0.42 (OPAF assay), and regressions of kd on NDIN and N-fraction B3 yielded R(2)<0.02. Mean estimates from both OPAA and OPAF assays for casein, SSBM, ESBM, and CM were, respectively, kd=0.764, 0.161, 0.050, and 0.093/h and RUP=18, 33, 56, and 45%. A range of 8 percentage units from lowest to highest RUP suggests that substantial differences exist in metabolizable protein content of CM produced by different processing plants.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of genotype and non-genetic factors on the growth traits and survival rates of Turkish indigenous Hair goats (n=63) and their first crosses with Boer bucks (n=91), reared under a semi-intensive management system in the Van province of Turkey. The live weights of the kids at birth and on days 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 were determined to be 3. 64, 8.89, 13.99, 18.97, 23.62, 27.22 and 30.44 kg, respectively. The average daily gains in the pre-weaning, post-weaning and overall periods were 171.09, 136.43 and 148.34 g, respectively. The multiple-birth kids had lower survival rates than the single-birth kids (P<0.01). As a result, it may be recommended to Hair goat breeders in the region to use Boer bucks in cross-breeding in order to ensure a better growth performance from the kids; to apply a sustainable selection program; and to improve management conditions. In addition, the data obtained from this study may be used as a model for designing policies on Hair goat breeding in this region.

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This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer.The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note wiU indicate the deletion.Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book.Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI IntroductionIt has been reported that approximately 37 million metric tons of forage protein were consumed by animals to produce an estimated 5.4 million tons of animal protein for human consumption every year in the United States (Pimental et al., 1980). Among animals, ruminants are the predominant forage utilizers (Wedin et al., 1975). Forages provide 83% of the protein requirements of beef cattle and 90% of the protein requirements of sheep (Griffith, 1978).Forage protein serves as a source of metabolizable protein to the ruminant by providing both ruminally degradable protein for microbial growth, and some ruminally undegradable protein for intestinal digestion . Because of rapid and extensive degradauon of forages in the rumen (Brown and Pitman, 1991), escape protein concentrations of forages are usually low . One approach to increase the amount of protein which reaches the small intestine is to improve efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in animals fed forages.Efficiency of microbial growth is dependent on amounts and types of nitrogen and carbohydrate sources of the diet , the feed intake by the animals , as well as the concentrations of trace minerals and vitamins in the diet . Concentrations of nitrogen, fiber fractions and readily fermentable carbohydrates significantly differ between legume and grass species and even within legume 2 and grass species (Brown and Pitman, 1991). Although ruminal nitrogen degradation is extensive, low absolute quantities of ruminally soluble and degradable nitrogen may limit microbial growth in ruminants fed grass diets (Brown and Pitman, 1991). A lack of readily fermentable carbohydrate sources in forage is another limitation for optimal microbial gr...

Berseem clover hay was compared to alfalfa hay provided at 0, 25, and 50% of the diet DM in mixtures with corn crop residues to wether lambs. Berseem clover hay had lower (P < .05) concentrations of NDF, ADF, and CP than alfalfa hay. The digestibility of DM, DMI, and N balance did not differ (P > .05) between diets containing alfalfa hay or berseem clover hay. To evaluate stockpiled berseem clover as a supplement for grazed corn crop residues, berseem clover and oats were incorporated into a corn-corn-oat/berseem clover crop rotation for 3 yr in replicated 6.1-ha fields. Two cuttings of oat-berseem clover hay were harvested each summer before forage was stockpiled for winter grazing. After corn grain harvest, multiparous and primiparous crossbred cows in midgestation were allotted to each field at 1.01 ha/cow to strip-graze corn crop residues with or without stockpiled berseem clover or allocated to replicated drylots for 98 to 140 d. Each group was offered alfalfa-grass hay as large bales to maintain a mean body condition score of 5 on a 9-point scale. Mean rates of total and digestible OM disappearance from grazed and ungrazed field areas of berseem clover and corn crop residues did not differ over the 3 yr. In vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) tended to decrease more rapidly (P = .13) and NDF and ADF concentrations increased more rapidly (P < .05) in berseem clover than in corn crop residues. Seasonal BW change did not differ (P > .05) between winter management systems in any year, and seasonal body condition score changes did not differ (P > .05) between cows grazing corn crop residues and berseem clover and those maintained in a drylot in yr 2 and 3. Cows grazing corn crop residues with or without berseem clover required less (P < .05) hay than those maintained in drylot. Although the effects of berseem clover hay supplementation on the intake and digestibility of corn crop residues do not differ from alfalfa hay, the nutritional value of stockpiled berseem clover decreases rapidly during winter, limiting its value as a standing supplement for corn crop residues in late winter.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the replacement of different levels of protein derived from soybean meal with that from peas in broiler diets on serum protein fractions. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was formulated as the control diet (Control=C) (NRC, 1994), and then pea was added to the control diet to replace 20% (P20) or 40% (P40) of the crude protein of the control diet. The diets were randomly fed to 12 pens per treatment, each housing five birds, for 42 days. Blood samples were collected from 36 birds (3 birds x 4 pens x3 treatments) and the serum protein fractions were separated. Gamma-globulin percentage was higher in group P20 compared with C and P40 groups. Total protein, beta-globulin, and gamma-globulin concentrations were significantly higher in group P20 compared with those of both control and P40 group (p<0.05).

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), serum β-hydroxybutyric acid (β-HBA), triglycerides, Ca, Na, and other metabolites (bilirubin, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH)) in the blood of grazing, healthy goats at the time of parturition. Blood samples were taken weekly from the jugular vein of 11 goats, starting at week 2 antepartum (ap) until week 9 postpartum (pp). NEFA and β-HBA concentrations increased from week 2 ap to 2 weeks pp. The increase in NEFA level was not significant; however, the β-HBA levels were higher (P < 0.05) 2 weeks pp compared to the levels at 2 weeks ap. Triglycerides were recorded at maximum levels (P < 0.05) 2 weeks ap, with the lowest concentrations at 3 weeks pp. Bilirubin levels consistently increased up to 7 weeks pp, followed by a decrease. However, these changes were not significant. Similarly, GLDH activities increased until week 8 pp. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was recorded between the 1st week and 8th week pp. Ca and Na levels were lower during the 1st week pp and increased at 3 weeks pp. The results show that there are characteristic alterations of some metabolic blood parameters in goats around the time of parturition, which may be related to physiological changes.