Animal Nutritionhttp://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/1662024-03-29T01:07:26Z2024-03-29T01:07:26ZEFFECT OF VETCH INTERCROPPING AND HARVESTING STAGES ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, DRY MATTER YIELD, AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRACHIARIA GRASS (Urochloa)Sultan Mohammed AbdellaYesihak Yusuf (PhD)Takele Wolkaro (PhD)Sileshi Gadissa (PhD)http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/76732024-03-14T07:01:53Z2023-03-01T00:00:00ZEFFECT OF VETCH INTERCROPPING AND HARVESTING STAGES ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, DRY MATTER YIELD, AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRACHIARIA GRASS (Urochloa)
Sultan Mohammed Abdella; Yesihak Yusuf (PhD); Takele Wolkaro (PhD); Sileshi Gadissa (PhD)
This study was conducted at Haramaya University ‘Rare’ research site with an objective to
determining the effects of intercropping vetch and harvesting stages on morphological
characteristics, dry matter yield and chemical composition of brachiaria grass using a three
factor factorial in RCBD with three replications. The three factors were 1) harvesting stages
(HS) with five levels: 60, 90 and 120 day, 60 and 90 day of regrowth, 2) five-levels of
intercropping: sole basilisk, sole xaraes, and sole vetch, basilisk with vetch, and xaraes with
vetch; and 3) grass varieties (two brachiaria). The plot size was 4 m * 3 m (12 m2
) with a total
land area of 59 m * 15 m (885 m2
). Prior to planting, 150 kg/ha combinations of nitrogen,
phosphate and sulfur (NPS) fertilizers were applied to all plots. Root split brachiaria grass
and seed of vetch were sown based on the recommended seed rate. Morphological data
including plant height (PH), number leaf par plant (NLPP), number of tiller (TN), number of
node (NN), leaf length (LL), internode length (INL), plot cover (PC), leaf to stem ratio (LSR),
dry matter yield (DMY) and chemical composition (CP, Ash, DM, ADF, NDF, and ADL), were
collected by taking five plants from the middle two rows of each plot. Soil samples were
collected and analyzed before planting and after harvesting. Soil samples and brachiaria grass
samples were analysed for chemical composition at Haramaya University Animal Nutrition
and Soil Chemistry Laboratory, respectively. All data were subjected to the GLM ANOVA
procedures of SAS JMP® pro 17. The result revealed that harvesting stages and cultivars had
significant effect (P<0.0001) on NT, NN, and LL, whereas, NT, INL,and NLPP,had significant
(P<0.05) interaction effect. HS and cultivars had significant effect (P<0.05) on LSR. HS and
vetch intercropping had significant effect (P<0.05) on NN, LL and NT. The highest NN (81),
PH (92.70cm) and NTPP (54.94) at 120 days of HS were recorded for vetch intercropping with
Basilisk. The highest LSR (1.78%) and INL (14.92) at 120 days of HS, were recorded for vetch
intercropping with Xaraes. The highest LL (33.40cm) was recorded for Brachiaria cultivars
with intercropping at 120 days of HS. The highest NLPP (458.03), and NT (71.25)at 120 days
of HS, were recorded from Basilisk. HS, and cultivars had significant effect (P<0.0001) on CP
content, ADF and ADL and their interaction had also significantl (p<0.05) effect on DM
content, ASH, and NDF. HS and intercropping had significant effect (P<0.0001) on CPY, and
CP content, respectively. Highest DM (93.36%), ash (14.14%), NDF (77.75%), ADF
(40.80%), ADL (18.64%), was obtained at 120 days of HS. The highest DMY were recorded
from sole Brachiaria (4.02t/ha-1
) and sole basilisk (9.71t/ha-1
) at 120 days of HS. The highest
CP (20.22%) content where recorded from Xaraes intercropping at 60 days of HS. Optimum
CP content and DM yield were recorded for Basilisk and Xaraes intercropping with vetch at
60 days of HS, and regrowth from 60 days of HS. The current study suggested that there is a
need for further studies on different combinations of HS and plant spacing over years and
locations so as to arrive at a more dependable conclusion. Besides, in sacco DM and OM
degradability and livestock feeding trial on both forages in combination to see their effects on
animal performance
110p.
2023-03-01T00:00:00ZEVALUATION OF BRACHIARIA (urochloa) CULTIVARS FOR AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE, FORAGE YIELDS AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AT DIFFERENT HARVESTING STAGESAbebe Kefyalew EsheteTakele Wolkaro (PhD)Sileshii Gadissa (PhD)http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/76462024-03-12T06:17:18Z2024-02-01T00:00:00ZEVALUATION OF BRACHIARIA (urochloa) CULTIVARS FOR AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE, FORAGE YIELDS AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AT DIFFERENT HARVESTING STAGES
Abebe Kefyalew Eshete; Takele Wolkaro (PhD); Sileshii Gadissa (PhD)
A study was carried out at Haramaya University ‘Rare’ site to Evaluate the agronomic
performance, forage yields, and chemical composition of three Cultivars of Brachiaria
(Xaraes, Piata, and Basilisks) at three harvesting stages (60, 90 and 120 days). The
experiment was conducted by 3*3 factorial arrangements in a randomized complete block
design (RCBD) with three replications. The plot size was 4 m * 3 m (12 m2
) with a total land
area of 44 m * 15 m (660 m2
). Data were analyzed by GLM statistical analysis procedure
(JMPPro16) for an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's means separation with a 0.05
probability level was used for comparing treatment means. The collected data on agronomic
performances were: Plant Height (PH), Number of Tiller (NT), Number of Leaf (NL), number
of nodes (NN), Leaf length(LL), plant density (PD), basal circumstance (BC), survival rate
(SR),) Forage yield parameters were: Dry Matter Yield (DMY) and Crude protein yields
(CPY) and chemical composition parameters were: Crude Protein (CP), dry matter content
(DM), Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin
(ADL). The DMY, PH, NT, NL, LSR, BC, DM, CP, NDF, ADF, and ADL values varied
(p<0.05) with Harvesting stages (HS). The DMY, PH, NT, NL, BC, DM, NDF, ADF and ADL
increased along with days of HS, while CP content and LSR decreased. The highest DMY
(30.3 t/ha), PH (128.7 cm), NL (286.8), LL (27.2 cm), BC (136 cm), DM (93.03%) and NDF
(75.21%) were recorded at 120 days of HS. The highest CP content (19.1%), NT (68.1), and
LSR (2.9) were recorded at 60, 60 days of regrowth, and 90 days of regrowth of HS
respectively. The NT, NL, NN, LL, LSR, ADF and CP content values were variable among
Cultivars. Basilisk was recorded the highest NT (73.1), NL (262.9), ADL (11.2%) and CP
content (16.9%) whereas, Piatá had shown the highest SR (95.4%), BC (76cm), LL (29.5cm)
and LSR (2.14). Xaraes was recorded the highest NDF (69.4%) and ADF (38.4%). The NN,
ADF, and ADL were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the interaction of HS and Cultivars.
Based on the results of the current study it was observed that the highest crude protein
(19.1%) was recorded at 60 days of HS which indicated that the three Cultivars harvested at
this stage had better nutritive values. In comparison to Piatá and Xaraes Cultivars, Basilisk
had better nutritional quality due to its higher CP content (16.9%). Therefore, among the
tested Cultivars, Basilisk showed outstanding potential in the current study. From this finding,
it is recommended that further researches are required to evaluate the performances of these
three Cultivars at different seasons, years, space and location along with in-Sacco and in vitro dry matter (IVDM) digestibiliies and animal response studies through feeding trials.
76p.
2024-02-01T00:00:00ZEFFECT OF DRAUGHT WORK ON BODY WEIGHT GAIN, BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL CHANGE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND MEAT QUALITY OF HARARGHE HIGHLAND BULLSYohannes UrgesaYesihak Yusuf Mummed (PhD)http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/76092024-03-11T08:24:35Z2023-12-01T00:00:00ZEFFECT OF DRAUGHT WORK ON BODY WEIGHT GAIN, BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL CHANGE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND MEAT QUALITY OF HARARGHE HIGHLAND BULLS
Yohannes Urgesa; Yesihak Yusuf Mummed (PhD)
Livestock, particularly cattle, play a vital role in the Ethiopian economy and agricultural
activities. The use of draught animals is integral to productivity and food security in the country's
diverse agro-ecology. However, the sustainability of draught animal-based agriculture faces
challenges in the context of feed availability and nutritional adequacy during periods of intense
draught work, which consequently affects animal performance, and beef quality. Thus, this study
aimed to assess the effects of draught service on feed intake, daily weight gain (ADG), feed
conversion efficiency (FCE), body condition score (BCS), biochemical change and it’s nutritional
implications. Moreover, carcass and meat characteristics, and qualities of the primal meat cuts:
Supraspinatus (SS), Latissimus dorsi (LD), Longissimus-dorsi (LDM), and Semitendinosus (ST)
muscles were evaluated. Twelve bulls of Hararghe highland were divided into three groups of four
based on their initial body weight (IBW). They were then allocated to three treatment durations:
control (0), 4, and 6 hours, considering their height within the group, using a complete randomized
design (CRD). The bulls in the experiment were fed according to their daily net energy
requirements within their respective groups. Feed intake was calculated based on the differences
between feed offered and refused on a dry matter (kg DM) basis. Body weight (BW) measurements
and BCS estimations were done once a week. ADG was calculated as the BW difference between
consecutive weeks divided by the number of days. FCE was expressed as the ratio of kg ADG to
daily dry matter intake (kg DMI/d). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before
work in the morning at the initial, middle, and end of the experiment. Feed composition was
analyzed once a week, and Cobas Integra 400 Plus was used to measure the concentrations of
metabolites in serum. All bulls were slaughtered at the end of the experiments for beef quality
evaluation. IBW and BCS, and daily dry matter intake (kg DMI/d and g DMI/d/kgW0.75) of the
bulls were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA); FCE was subjected to the mixed model
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procedure, while weekly ADG and BCS, and blood metabolite concentrations over test days (TD)
were analyzed using a mixed model procedure with covariate (s); Carcass characteristics, meat
yield, and meat quality attributes were subjected to the covariance analysis (ANCOVA) procedures
in SAS-JMP Pro 17 software. The results of the study revealed that, draught work hour (WH) did
not have a statistically significant effect on daily grass dry matter intake (kg DMI/d and g
DMI/d/kgW0.75) (p > 0.05), however total kg DMI/d of the higher concentrate supplemented (4 and
6 hours) groups was significantly increased compared to the less supplemented (none-working)
group (p < 0.05). ADG of working bulls were significantly lower regardless of kg DMI/d, and they
were also less efficient (P < 0.05) in converting feed into body mass compared to non-working
bulls. The ADG of the bulls and FCE, were notably affected by the experimental weeks (P < 0.05),
with the highest growth rates and feed efficiency observed in the 2nd week and the lowest in the 3rd
week. Conversely, the BCS remained consistent across the weeks, regardless of both the kg DMI/d
and the initial BCS. The study also found a strong correlation between ADG and FCE (r = 0.98).
The concentrations of glucose (GLU, mg/dL), total protein (TP, g/dL), and blood urea nitrogen
(BUN, mg/dL) in the working groups were not changed compared to their control counterpart (P
> 0.05). However, calcium (Ca, mmol) and phosphorus (P, mmol) levels decreased significantly
in bulls that work for six hours a day (p < 0.05), while the bulls in the four-hour working group
did not exhibit any noticeable difference from the bulls that were subjected to non-work and work
for 6 hours a day, in the case of Ca. Hot carcass weight (HCW), chilling loss, total edible and nonedible
offal’s, fat thickness (FT), deboned meat yield (kg), meat to bone ratio, muscle distribution,
and KPH% (kidney, pelvic, and heart) fat were not affected by draught work (P > 0.05). A WH ×
kg DMI/d interaction was significant for LD lightness (L*) and LDM chroma (C). Draught WH
did not have significant effect on ultimate pH, color, WHC, and tenderness (WBSF) except in ST
muscle L* of the six hour working bulls. From the result of the study, it was concluded that, draught
work hour did not have a marked impact on the performance and quality of beef except Ca and P
concentration provided that daily energy requirement satisfied
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2023-12-01T00:00:00ZEVALUATION OF TOSSIGN (Thymus Schimperi Ronniger) LEAVESAND TWIGS AS NATURAL FEED ADDITIVE ON PERFORMANCES OF DAIRY COWSFeyissa Kera Gayessahttp://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/71202023-12-06T06:33:33Z2023-06-01T00:00:00ZEVALUATION OF TOSSIGN (Thymus Schimperi Ronniger) LEAVESAND TWIGS AS NATURAL FEED ADDITIVE ON PERFORMANCES OF DAIRY COWS
Feyissa Kera Gayessa
The study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary inclusion of Tossign (Thymus
schimperi Ronninger) as natural feed additives in ration to modulate rumen fermentation
and improve productivity of dairy cows. Eight multiparous early lactating crossbred
(Holstein Fresian × Borana) dairy cows of parity two through five with similar live weight
and milk production were selected for the study. Treatments were dietary inclusion of the
powder of edible leaves and twigs of thyme (Thymus schimperi R.) in total mixed ration
(TMR) of dairy cows at level o f 0 (T1), 80 (T2), 160(T3) and 320 (T4) g DM/day/cow. The
experimental cows were randomly assigned to receive one of the four treatments in a
double 4×4 Latin square design. The Thyme plant used for the study was collected from
Dinsho and Tarmaber dstricts in highlands of Ethiopia. The chemical composition
analysis and in sacco dry matter degradability (DMD) of Natural pasture hay (NPH),
noug seed cake (NSC), wheat bran (WB) and total mixed ration (TMR) were determined
by incubating without or with thyme substituting them at 8%, 16%, and 24% levels. The
experiment diet was formulated to contain 15.53% crude protein (CP) and metabolizable
energy (ME) of 10.5 MJ/kg DM to meet the requirements of the cows based on DMI and
milk production immediately before the trial. The milk samples collected from each
treatment and period were weighed and recorded every morning. Chemical composition of
the milk samples were determined using standard procedure. Moreover, pH, sensory
attributes of milk and its products were assessed. Ruminal contents were collected by
using lubricated stomach tube connected to vacuum pump at the end of each treatment
period just before feeding (0h) and 4h post-feeding for determination of ruminal
parameters. Similarly, blood samples were taken from each cow from the jugular vein into
a non-heparinized plain tube before feeding (0h) and 4hours after feeding for
determination of sera metabolites. The result showed that chemical composition of all of
the feeds differed significantly among treatments.The inclusion of TLT at rate 16% in
natural pasture hay was improved fiber content of the diet. The organic matter(OM), acid
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detergent fiber(ADF) and acid detergent lignin(ADL) contents were higher with the
inclusion of TLT at level of 16% in NSC. The DM, OM, and nutral detergent
fiber(NDF) contents of WB were higher with the dietary inclusion of TLT compared to
the control. The dietary inclusion of TLT at rate 8% to TMR lower the DM, OM and
ADL ,and increased ash and cellulose contents of the ration. The in sacco DM degradability
of NPH at all incubation hours was higher (P < 0.05) for 24% thyme inclusion level compared
to the 0% and 8% levels.. The DM degradability of NSC was higher at lower level (8%)
of inclusion of TLT in the diet for the majourity of the incubation hours. The DM
degradability of WB was improved in with the inclusion of Thymus schimperi leaves and
edinle twigs at rate 16% DM in this study. The higher in DM degradability of TMR with
thyme inclusion at 16% DM was apparent during 24 to 72 hours of incubation. The
slowly degradable fraction (B), potential degradability (PD), and effective degradability
(ED) fractions for NPH were higher for the highest level of thyme inclusion than the other
treatments.The ruminal degradabiltiy of B, PD and ED fractions in NPH was higher at
24% level of inclusion of thyme of the hay. The effective DM degradability value of noug
seed cake was gradually increased as the level of inclusion of the additive plant was
increased in this protein supplement. The lag phase(L) for NSC was increasing across
the levels of thyme inclusion. The higher B fraction of WB was shown for the 8%
thyme levels compared to control and the other thyme treatments levels.The dietary
inclusion of TLT at a lower level (8%) in TMR resulted in higher (P <0.05) degradability
of B and PD fractions of DM in the diet compared with the control. It could be concluded
that the inclusion of powder of leaves and twigs of Thymus schimperi plant up to an
optimum level of 16% feed can reasonably stimulate the growth and activity of the certain
rumen microbes that promoted an improvement in ruminal DM degradability of the diet
with the thyme inclusion. The results showed that inclusion of thyme in diet of dairy cows
resonbly at a level of 80g/day/head improved (P<0.05) dry matter(DM, OM, NDF, ADF
and estimated metabolisabl energy intakes compared to the control. The inclusion of
thyme in diet at lower level of 80g DM/day reasonably can improve (P<0.05) the DM, CP
and fiber (NDF and ADF) digestibility and it lowered (P<0.05) ruminal NH3-N
concentration, ruminal pH and temperature than the control. The Plasma glucose, urea,
creatinine, and triglyceride concentrations were fell within the normal values whereas the
values were declined (P<0.05) in the thyme supplementation group of cows compared to
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the control. Whereas, plasma total protein and globulin concentrations increased with the
thyme inclusion compared to the control. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
aspartate aminotrasferase (AST) and Gama glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities fell
within the physiological values but lower(P < 0.05) with inclusion of thyme compared to
the control group. The inclusion of Tossign leaves and twigs(TLT)at level of 80g/day/cow
in diet significantly (P < 0.05) reasonably could improve milk yield and yield of milk
components. The pH of raw milk and yogurt (Itittuu/Ergo) was not affected with the thyme
inclusion. The taste and flavor attributes of Itittuu of cows with dietary inclusion of TLT at
levels 80 and 160g/day/cow preferred more compared to the high level of thyme inclusion
(320g) and control. The dietary inclusion of thyme additive at level 80g/day/cow could be
considered an optimum level that improved (P < 0.05) the preference rate of apperance,
colour, consistency, aroma, taste, flvour and overall acceptability of cottage cheese of the
dairy cows as compared to the control in the present study. The inclusion of TLT in the
diet at a reasonable level of 80g/day/cow improved (P<0.05)the appearance, color,
texture/ consistency, aroma, and overall acceptability of butter of cross bred dairy cows
compared to control. The inclusion of the leaves and twigs of Thymus schimperi in ration
up to a level of 80g DM /day/cow represent an acceptable level to improve the sensory
properties of the milk and milk products for this study. Therefore, it is concluded that the
dietary inclusion of the powder of edible leaves and twigs of Thymus schimperi leaves and
twigs at a reasonble level of 80g/day/cow favourably modified rumianl activities, enhance
the apparent nutrient digestibility, and concomitantly improved the performances, product
qualities and health of lactating dairy cows.
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2023-06-01T00:00:00Z