Dataset from the literature on the ingestive behaviour of grazing ruminants.

The dataset described in this paper was constructed from 90 publications available from bibliographic databases. It presents the values of various quantitative components of ingestive behaviour of grazing ruminants (bite weight, biting rate, intake rate, grazing time, etc.).

Rumen function in goats, an example of adaptive capacity.

The aim of this Research Reflection is to describe the basic rumen function of goats and its modification in response to environmental factors, as well as to discuss similarities and differences when compared to other ruminants. In so doing we shall reveal the adaptive capacity of goats to harsh environments. The basic rumen function in goats is similar to other species of ruminants, as stressed by the opportunity to apply the updates of feeding systems for ruminants to goats.

End-product quality of composts produced under tropical and temperate climates using different raw materials: A meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis on end-product quality of 442 composts was performed to assess the effects of climate and raw materials on compost quality. The analysis was performed using an ANOVA including a mixed model with nested factors (climate, raw material and publication effect). Tropical composts presented lower carbon, nitrogen, potassium and soluble-carbon contents, and higher electrical conductivity.

In vitro fermentation of total mixed diets differing in concentrate proportion: relative effects of inocula and substrates.

Background: In vitro techniques are used to predict ruminant feedstuff values or characterise rumen fermentation. As the results are influenced by several factors, such as the relative effects of inocula and substrates, this study aimed to examine in vitro incubation of two total mixed rations (substrates) differing in their proportion of concentrate [low (L): 350 g kg(-1) vs. high (H): 700 g kg(-1)] incubated in inocula provided by goats fed either a L or a H diet.

Influence of grinding on the nutritive value of peas for ruminants: comparison between in vitro and in situ approaches.

In ruminant nutrition, peas are characterized by high protein solubility and degradability, which impair its protein value estimated by the official in situ method. Grinding can be used as a technological treatment of pea seeds to modify their nutritional value. The aim of this study was to compare the in situ method with an in vitro method on the same pea either in a coarse pea flour form (PCF) or in a ground pea fine flour form (PFF) to understand the effect of grinding.

[Control of milk composition and quality on the farm].

Milk and milk products have a reputation for quality among consumers. Yet the raw material--milk collected on the farm--varies widely in its composition and quality depending on the farming conditions, animal genetics, feed, and environmental determinants. The micronutrient content of milk and milk products, their organoleptic qualities, and the factors that influence these characteristics are now better known.

III. Quantitative aspects of phosphorus excretion in ruminants.

Ruminant phosphorus excretion and metabolism were studied through a database. Faecal endogenous phosphorus is the main pathway of phosphorus excretion and averages 0.85 of total faecal phosphorus.

II. Quantitative aspects of phosphorus absorption in ruminants.

Phosphorus absorption in ruminants was analysed from a database described in a previous article. For common values of ingested phosphorus (2.5-5.

I. A bibliographic database for quantitative analysis of phosphorus flow in ruminants.

The present study describes a quantitative analysis of phosphorus metabolism in ruminants. The database compiles 100 sources either published (95) or unpublished (5) involving studies on true or apparent phosphorus balances carried out before 1999. The database reports 652 distinct experimental conditions (lines) described with experimental variables (column) involving a total of 2982 animals: 414 lambs (33 references), 1078 sheep (37 references), 64 pregnant ewes (3 references), 212 lactating ewes (5 references), 528 calves (20 references), 4 maintenance cows (1 reference), 519 lactating cows (6 references), 42 kids (1 reference) and 121 lactating goats (3 references).