Growth and carcass characteristics of three Ethiopian goat breeds, the Afar, Central Highland (CHG) and Long-eared Somali (LES) were evaluated using three grainless diets varying in concentrate:roughage ratios (diet 1 was 50:50, diet 2, 65:35 and diet 3, 80:20) under feedlot conditions. The roughage was native grass hay and the concentrate consisted of wheat bran and noug cake (Guizotia abyssinica). Seventy-two eight-month old intact male goats (24 per breed) were randomly allotted to the dietary treatments, fed for 126 days and slaughtered at an age of approximately 12 months. The LES had higher average daily gain (ADG), heavier slaughter, empty body (EBW) and carcass weights than Afar and CHG goats. Diet significantly affected ADG, but was similar on carcass traits except for dressing percentage (DP) on an EBW basis and some non-carcass components. The DP on an EBW basis was the highest on diet 1. Breed affected the DP, which ranged from 42.5 -44.6% and 54.3 -55.8% on slaughter weight and EBW basis, respectively. The LES had a greater buttock circumference and carcass compactness. The pH 24 varied between 5.61 -5.67 and chilling losses were between 2.5 and 3.1%. The physical carcass composition (8-10 th rib-cut) ranged from 72 -73, 6.9 -10.9 and 17.1 -20.2% for lean, fat and bone, respectively, and the fat content of the meat ranged from 10.3 -14.0%. Breed affected the weights of internal fat depots. The findings indicate that breed affected the carcass characteristics of the three Ethiopian goat breeds. _______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________ AbstractSixty high-producing multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design experiment to determine the effect of a direct-fed microbial (DFM), Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 (Me), on dairy cattle productivity and health. The cows received one of two experimental diets (total mixed rations (TMR)) from calving until 60 days post partum. Two experimental diets were formulated, namely a low concentrate diet (40% roughage : 60% concentrate) and a high concentrate diet (30% roughage : 70% concentrate) that were fed as a TMR for the duration of the trial. The low and high concentrate diets contained respectively 181 g/kg and 178 g/kg of crude protein, 448 g/kg and 504 g/kg of non-fibre carbohydrate, 282 g/kg and 238 g/kg of neutral detergent fibre and 42 g/kg and 43 g/kg of ether extract. There were four experimental treatments, namely: (1) Low concentrate diet control (LCC), (2) Low concentrate diet and dosed with Me (LCD), (3) High concentrate diet control (HCC) and (4) High concentrate diet and dosed with Me (HCD). Dosing with Me did not show any advantage, regardless of level of concentrate. Dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, feed efficiency, body mass and body condition score were not affected by treatment. Furthermore, treatment did not affect rumen pH, rumen lactic acid or volatile fatty acid concentrations. Faecal pH, however, was statistically significantly higher, and faecal starch content significantly lower in cows dosed with Me. Lack of results suggests that further research is needed on dose time and/or frequency as well as the option to use it as an infeed product. ________________________________________________________________________________

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional value of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton for sheep production in three different seasons and at three different stages of maturity. More mature pasture, compared to younger pasture, resulted in lower quality being selected. This was reflected in lower N values, lower digestibility and higher NDF, ADF and ADL values in selected material. Digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) also decreased with maturity. Grazing of more mature pasture resulted in lower rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) levels and higher acetic:propionic acid ratios. This trend was noted in all seasons. The nutritional value of the pasture in summer was high enough to meet at least the maintenance requirements of sheep in all stages of maturity evaluated. The nutritional value of the young and medium mature autumn pasture was also high enough to meet at least the maintenance requirements, but at the mature stage intake was too low. Intake in winter at all stages of maturity, was too low to meet the maintenance requirements of sheep.

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Most prediction equations of feedlot performance cover average daily gains (ADG) below 1.5 kg/d. The question is whether these equations would be accurate for higher ADG. Medium-to-large-framed weanling and yearling steer calves were fed individually using a transponder-electronic gate system in three feedlot trials and fed in groups in two trials. Average daily gain ranged from .9 to 2.1 kg. Steers were implanted, fed to the same degree of finish, and slaughtered to obtain dressing percentage and cold carcass weight. Initial carcass weights were estimated from initial slaughter groups. Dietary ME concentration (i.e., 10.5, 11.5, 12.0, and 12.5 MJ ME/kg of DM, where 1 Mcal = 4.184 MJ), initial weight, dry matter intake (DMI), and days fed could explain 57% of the variation in ADG. The partial contribution of DMI to the total variation was only 5.2%, confirming the low correlation between DMI and ADG in feedlot trials. The correlation between metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and MEI/ADG also was low, but 80% of the variation in MEI/ADG was accounted for by the variation in ADG. Intake patterns, regardless of dietary energy concentration, indicate that ADG increased with DMI only when ADG was below 1.5 kg/d. Therefore, current prediction equations apparently overpredict ME requirements for fast-growing feedlot steers. Optimal performance occurred at a ME concentration of 12.0 MJ/kg of DM rather than 12.5 MJ/kg of DM. Dressing percentage and carcass gain increased as dietary energy concentration and ADG increased, and current prediction equations should predict that of fast-growing feedlot steers equally well.