BACKGROUND Efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars requires the synergistic action of multiple enzymes; consequently enzyme mixtures must be properly formulated for effective hydrolysis. The nature of an optimal enzyme blends depends on the type of pretreatment employed as well the characteristics of the substrate. In this study, statistical experimental design was...

Ruminal, post-ruminal and total tract crude protein disappearance of alfalfa hay and barley grain were measured using in vivo, in situ mobile bag and three-step in situ/in vitro enzyme procedures (3-step). For in vivo, four Baluchi lambs (49.4 ± 3.5 kg, body weight) were used in a 2 × 2 Latin square design within 2 periods (24 days of each period). Experimental diets were made of two alfalfa ha...

Four ruminally cannulated and two intact multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design to evaluate digestibility and rumen traits in lactating dairy cows in response to feeding wet corn gluten feed and a novel product containing raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor. Three dietary treatments were fed in the experiment. The control contained (DM basis) 30% alfal...

We evaluated the effect of wet corn gluten feed and a novel product containing raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor on performance in lactating dairy cows. Forty-six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized incomplete block design. Cows were housed in tie stalls for the first 13 weeks of lactation and moved to group pens for the remainder of the study. Cows were blocked by calving...

Four multiparous Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square to evaluate whether source of forage influenced salivary secretion during eating in lactating dairy cows. The forages were allocated separately from the pelleted concentrates. Cows were offered 1 of 4 forages each period: barley silage, alfalfa silage, long-stemmed alfalfa hay, or chopped barley straw. Saliva secre...

The present study was conducted to investigate the possibility of using a modified in vitro gas production technique in place of the nylon bag method to estimate protein degradability of alfalfa hay in ruminants. In the in situ experiment dacron bags were filled with 3 g alfalfa hay. This was incubated in the rumen of three ruminally cannulated Ghezel rams for the periods of 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16,...

Five crossbred wethers (58 kg) fitted with cannulas in the rumen, duodenum, and ileum were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design to study effects of feeding combinations of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw (AHP-WS) and alfalfa hay at restricted intakes on site and extent of nutrient digestion. Additionally, flows and disappearance of N and amino acids (AA) in the small intestine wer...

Livestock animals are at the mercy of toxic plants when these plants are present in feeds or hay. Alfalfa hay or forage, which is commonly offered to livestock animals, may pose a risk if contaminated with poisonous plants. Undesirable effects may result from ingestion of large amounts of alfalfa by livestock but may also be associated with the ingestion of small amounts of highly toxic plants ...