Nutritive value, silage fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of grass-legume round-baled silages at differing moisture concentrations with and without manure fertilization and microbial inoculation.

For baled silages, production of clostridial fermentation products can be exacerbated by exceeding normal moisture targets (45% to 55%), and/or by the application of dairy slurry before harvest. Our objectives were to test a microbial inoculant as a mitigant of clostridial products in high-moisture, grass-legume (52% ± 13.8% cool-season grasses, 44.

Effects of ruminal protozoa on methane emissions in ruminants-A meta-analysis.

The effects of different ruminal protozoa (RP) on CH emissions from ruminants were evaluated in a meta-analysis, using 64 publications reporting data from 79 in vivo experiments. Experiments included in the database reported CH emissions (g/d) and total RP (TRP, log cells/mL) from the same group of animals. The relationship between CH emissions and RP (TRP, entodiniomorphids, and isotrichids), and TRP-, entodiniomorphid-, and isotrichid-based CH emission prediction models, were evaluated as mixed models with experiment as a random effect and weighted by the reciprocal of the standard error of the mean and centered around one.

A Low-Starch and High-Fiber Diet Intervention Impacts the Microbial Community of Raw Bovine Milk.

Background: A more sustainable dairy cow diet was designed that minimizes use of feed components digestible by monogastric animals by increasing the quantity of forages.

Objectives: This study determined if feeding lactating cows the more sustainable, low-starch and high-fiber (LSHF) diet was associated with changes in raw milk microbiota composition and somatic cell count (SCC).

Methods: In a crossover design, 76 lactating Holstein cows were assigned to an LSHF diet or a high-starch and low-fiber (HSLF) diet, similar to common dairy cow diets in the United States, for 10 wk then placed on the opposite diet for 10 wk.

Dietary Fiber to Starch Ratio Affects Bovine Milk Oligosaccharide Profiles.

Background: Bovine milk oligosaccharides (BMOs) have several demonstrated and hypothesized benefits including roles in cognitive development and antipathogenic activities, making them promising ingredients for infant formulas and nutraceutical applications. BMO extraction from bovine milk is challenged by low concentrations relative to nonbioactive simple sugars like lactose. BMO abundances are known to vary with a cow's lactation stage, breed, and parity, but these characteristics are difficult to modify in existing dairy herds.

Plasma essential amino acid concentration and profile are associated with performance of lactating dairy cows as revealed through meta-analysis and hierarchical clustering.

Our aim was to explore whether changes in plasma essential AA (EAA) concentration ([EAA]) or profile (defined here as the molar proportion of individual [EAA] relative to the total [EAA]) may serve as an indicator of the EAA status of a cow. We undertook a meta-analysis with the objectives to determine if different plasma EAA profiles exist among cows and to explore the association of [EAA] or the profile of EAA with lactating cow performance and measures of N utilization. We hypothesized the existence of differences in [EAA] and different plasma EAA profile for cows with greater milk output, feed efficiency, and greater N use efficiency (NUE; milk true protein-N:N intake) compared with cows with lower milk output, feed efficiency, and lower NUE.

Effects of harvest date and growth stage on triticale forages in the southwest USA: kinetics of in vitro disappearance of fiber and dry matter.

Recently, there has been interest in including triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) within forage programs in the southwest USA. Our objectives were to evaluate in vitro disappearance kinetics of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and dry matter (DM) for cultivars identified during 2019 as positively or negatively deviant from typical cultivars, based specifically on regressions of 48-h in vitro disappearance of NDF on growth stage (GRST). All NDF analyses included the use of heat-stable α-amylase and sodium sulfite, as well as correction for residual ash (asNDFom).

Effects of harvest date and growth stage on triticale forages in the southwest United States: agronomic characteristics, nutritive value, energy density, and in vitro disappearance of dry matter and fiber.

Recently, there has been increased interest in including triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) or other winter cereals within forage programs throughout the southwest United States. Our objectives were to screen 14 diverse triticale cultivars for agronomic and nutritive characteristics with specific emphasis on identifying normal, as well as deviant, responses to the calendar date and plant maturity for forages seeded in December and harvested from late February throughout May at Maricopa, AZ. Fourteen cultivars were established in a randomized complete block design with each cultivar represented within each of three field blocks.

An improved ovine reference genome assembly to facilitate in-depth functional annotation of the sheep genome.

Background: The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) is an important agricultural species raised for meat, wool, and milk across the world. A high-quality reference genome for this species enhances the ability to discover genetic mechanisms influencing biological traits. Furthermore, a high-quality reference genome allows for precise functional annotation of gene regulatory elements.

Condensed Tannins in White Clover () Foliar Tissues Expressing the Transcription Factor TaMYB14-1 Bind to Forage Protein and Reduce Ammonia and Methane Emissions .

Grazing ruminants contribute to global climate change through enteric methane and nitrous oxide emissions. However, animal consumption of the plant polyphenolics, proanthocyanidins, or condensed tannins (CTs) can decrease both methane emissions and urine nitrogen levels, leading to reduced nitrous oxide emissions, and concomitantly increase animal health and production. CTs are largely absent in the foliage of important temperate pasture legumes, such as white clover (), but found in flowers and seed coats.

Red Clover HDT, a BAHD Hydroxycinnamoyl-Coenzyme A:L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) Hydroxycinnamoyl Transferase That Synthesizes Clovamide and Other -Hydroxycinnamoyl-Aromatic Amino Acid Amides.

Red clover leaves accumulate high levels (up to 1 to 2% of dry matter) of two caffeic acid derivatives: phaselic acid (2--caffeoyl-L-malate) and clovamide [-caffeoyl-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)]. These likely play roles in protecting the plant from biotic and abiotic stresses but can also help preserve protein during harvest and storage of the forage oxidation by an endogenous polyphenol oxidase. We previously identified and characterized, a hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A (CoA):malate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HMT) from red clover.

Effects of neutral detergent fiber digestibility estimation method on calculated energy concentration of canola meals from 12 Canadian processing plants.

Our aim was to determine whether the method used to estimate truly digestible neutral detergent fiber (tdNDF) affects calculated concentrations of total digestible nutrients (TDN1x) and net energy of lactation (NEL3x) of canola meal (CM). Samples were collected from 12 CM processing plants in Canada over 4 yr (2011 to 2014, n = 47) and analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin (ADL), and neutral detergent insoluble CP (NDICP). Ruminal in situ incubation of CM samples was performed at 0, 24, 48, 96, and 288 h to determine NDF fractions (A, B, and C), effective ruminal NDF digestibility (ERNDFD), and indigestible NDF (iNDF) of CM.

Investigating the effect of positional variation on mid-lactation mammary gland transcriptomics in mice fed either a low-fat or high-fat diet.

Little attention has been given to the effect of positional variation of gene expression in the mammary gland. However, more research is shedding light regarding the physiological differences that mammary gland location can have on the murine mammary gland. Here we examined the differentially expressed genes between mammary gland positions under either a low-fat diet (LFD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) in the mid-lactation mammary gland (lactation day 11; L11).

Self-Fertilization, Inbreeding, and Yield in Alfalfa Seed Production.

Selfing (self-pollination) is the ultimate form of inbreeding, or mating among close relatives. Selfing can create yield loss when inbreeding depression, defined as a lower survival and reproduction of inbred relative to outbred progeny, is present. To determine the impact of selfing in alfalfa ( L.

Analysis of Host Jejunum Transcriptome and Associated Microbial Community Structure Variation in Young Calves with Feed-Induced Acidosis.

Diet-induced acidosis imposes a health risk to young calves. In this study, we aimed to investigate the host jejunum transcriptome changes, along with its microbial community variations, using our established model of feed-induced ruminal acidosis in young calves. Eight bull calves were randomly assigned to two diet treatments beginning at birth (a starch-rich diet, Aci; a control diet, Con).

Effects of lactic acid bacteria in a silage inoculant on ruminal nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, and lactation performance of high-producing dairy cows.

Silage treated with lactic acid bacteria inoculants has been reported to increase ruminal microbial biomass when tested in vitro. Therefore, we tested if alfalfa silage inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum MTD-1 would improve ruminal N metabolism and increase milk production in high-producing dairy cows. Twenty-eight early lactation Holstein cows (8 ruminally cannulated) were blocked by DIM and milk production; animals were used in a double crossover design consisting of four 28-d periods.

Rumen volatile fatty acid molar proportions, rumen epithelial gene expression, and blood metabolite concentration responses to ruminally degradable starch and fiber supplies.

The objective of this work was to characterize rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, rumen epithelial gene expression, and blood metabolite responses to diets with different starch and fiber sources. Six ruminally cannulated yearling Holstein heifers (body weight = 330 ± 11.3 kg) were arranged in a partially replicated Latin square experiment with 4 treatments consisting of different starch [barley (BAR) or corn (CRN)] and fiber [timothy hay (TH) or beet pulp (BP)] sources.

The Effects of Artificially Dosed Adult Rumen Contents on Abomasum Transcriptome and Associated Microbial Community Structure in Calves.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in abomasum transcriptome and the associated microbial community structure in young calves with artificially dosed, adult rumen contents. Eight young bull calves were randomly dosed with freshly extracted rumen contents from an adult cow (high efficiency (HE), = 4), or sterilized rumen content (Con, = 4). The dosing was administered within 3 days of birth, then at 2, 4, and 6 weeks following the initial dosing.

Effect of rumen-protected lysine supplementation of diets based on corn protein fed to lactating dairy cows.

This trial tested whether rumen-protected Lys (RPL) supplementation would improve the nutritive value of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) from corn protein. Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows were blocked by days in milk and parity into 8 squares of 4 cows each in replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares. Treatments provided all supplemental crude protein from: (1) soy protein (67% expeller soybean meal plus 33% solvent soybean meal); (2) a blend of soy and corn protein (33% expeller soybean meal, 17% solvent soybean meal, 25% corn gluten meal plus 25% distillers dried grains with solubles); (3) corn protein (50% corn gluten meal plus 50% distillers dried grains with solubles); or (4) corn protein plus RPL [diet 3 top-dressed with RPL (125 g/d of AjiPro-L Generation 1, supplying an estimated 20 g of absorbable Lys/d)].

Effect of increasing dietary protein with constant lysine:methionine ratio on production and omasal flow of nonammonia nitrogen in lactating dairy cows.

Eight lactating cows were fed 4 diets in which dietary crude protein (CP) was increased in steps of approximately 2 percentage units from 11 to 17% of DM by replacing high-moisture corn with soybean meal supplemented with rumen-protected Met to maintain a Lys:Met ratio of 3:1 in metabolizable protein. Trial design was a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square; experimental periods lasted 28 d, with data and sample collection being performed during wk 3 and 4 of each period. Digesta samples were collected from the rumen as well as the omasum to measure metabolite concentrations and ruminal outflow of N fractions using infusion of N-enriched ammonia to quantify microbial nonammonia N (NAN) and nonmicrobial NAN.

Effects of harvest date and grass species on silage cell wall components and lactation performance of dairy cows.

This study evaluated the effect of harvest date and forage species on the concentration of hydroxycinnamic acids in silage and its relationship to dairy cow performance. Tall fescue and timothy were harvested at a regular date on June 27 and July 8, respectively, or at a late date on July 8 and 25, respectively, in the first regrowth. Forage was treated with a salt-based additive and ensiled in hard-pressed round bales.

Engineering Alfalfa to Produce 2--Caffeoyl-L-Malate (Phaselic Acid) for Preventing Post-harvest Protein Loss via Oxidation by Polyphenol Oxidase.

Many plants accumulate high levels of hydroxycinnamoyl esters and amides in their tissues, presumably to protect against biotic and abiotic stress. Red clover () leaves accumulate high levels [5-15 mmol/kg fresh weight (FW)] of caffeic acid derivatives, including phaselic acid (2--caffeoyl-L-malate). Oxidation of caffeoyl-malate by an endogenous polyphenol oxidase (PPO) has been shown to help preserve forage protein after harvest and during storage as silage, which should improve N use efficiency in dairy and other ruminant production systems.

Comparing Survival of Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus Infection among Stocks of U.S. Honey Bees.

Among numerous viruses that infect honey bees (), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) can be linked to severe honey bee health problems. Breeding for virus resistance may improve honey bee health. To evaluate the potential for this approach, we compared the survival of IAPV infection among stocks from the U.

Key Considerations for the Use of Seaweed to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions From Cattle.

Enteric methane emissions are the single largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in beef and dairy value chains and a substantial contributor to anthropogenic methane emissions globally. In late 2019, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) convened approximately 50 stakeholders representing research and production of seaweeds, animal feeds, dairy cattle, and beef and dairy foods to discuss challenges and opportunities associated with the use of seaweed-based ingredients to reduce enteric methane emissions. This article describes the considerations identified by the workshop participants and suggests next steps for the further development and evaluation of seaweed-based feed ingredients as enteric methane mitigants.

Effect of cryopreservation on the bacterial community structure of filamentous cyanobacteria, Trichormus variabilis (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria).

Cryopreservation is an efficient method used to preserve microorganisms for long periods of time, such as up to 30 years, without changes in genetic and physiological characteristics. As cyanobacteria and microalgae are usually maintained as both axenic and xenic cultures, knowledge of co-cultured bacteria and changes in their community structure is important for the successful maintenance of microbial culture collections. In this study, research on the changes in co-cultured bacterial community structure during cyanobacterial cryopreservation were investigated using three different experimental groups by next generation sequencing (NGS): 1) cultured Trichormus variabilis without cryopreservation (control group), 2) cultured T.