Enhancing Cattle Nutrition for Improved Production in Nueva Vizcaya

2. Situationer The availability of feedstuff is a determinant factor in cattle production. Productivity of animals depends on the quality and quantity of feed supplied.  Feed resources are diverse depending on the weather and environmental conditions in different localities.  Native and improved grasses, shrubs and legumes are readily available in the natural grassland and marginal areas in Nueva Vizcaya during wet season.

3. Cattle backyard raisers are seen feeding their cattle in hilly and rolling open grasslands, roadside and riverbanks. Feed resources however becomes scarce during dry season.  Cattles during these times need to be supplemented with farm byproduct, commercially feeds or silage but this is seldom practiced by local ranchers/backyard raisers. With this situation, there is a need to develop a pasture area, prepare silage and formulate feed that would support cattle production in the province.

4. A. Feeding Requirement Based on the need for specific amounts of various classes of nutrients. The proper nutrition of beef cattle is a key component of a successful production system. Each nutrient fulfills specific roles in growth, production or metabolism. Feed usually accounts for the single largest input cost associated with beef cattle.  An understanding of the ruminant digestive process and basic nutrition is required for effective feeding and management.

5. Digestive System  Rumen microbes have the ability to break down cellulose, hemicellulose, protein and starch from roughages.  The reticulum is a smaller organ which acts as a holding area for feed after it passes down the esophagus.  The omasum is an organ which absorbs water from the digesta (mixture of feed and fluid) before it flows into the abomasum (true stomach).  The animal's own digestive enzymes break down food in the abomasum and small intestine (absorption of nutrients).

6. Digestive System of Ruminant

7. Nutrients needed  Water- at birth, water accounts for 75-80% of body weight; 54% at maturity. The functions of water are:  Transport metabolic products throughout the body.  Transport and eliminate waste products.  Needed in most chemical reactions.  Lubricate joints and cushion the nervous system.  Absorb and duplicate the heat from chemical reaction.

8.  Energy-provides the body with the ability to do work. In beef cattle rations energy is usually expressed as % Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN). Work includes growth, lactation, reproduction, movement and feed digestion. Energy is the nutrient required by cattle in the greatest amount. It usually accounts for the largest proportion of feed costs. The primary sources of energy for cattle are cellulose and hemicellulose from roughages and starches from grains. Fats and oils have a high energy content but usually make up only a small part of the diet.

9.  Protein- one of the main building blocks of the body. It is usually measured as % Crude Protein (CP). It is a major component of muscles, the nervous system and connective tissue. Protein is composed of chains of amino acids. Adequate dietary protein is essential for maintenance, growth, lactation and reproduction. Protein is composed of several fractions which vary in their solubility in the rumen. Rumen soluble protein is digested by microbes in the rumen. Rumen insoluble protein passes intact through the rumen to the lower digestive tract. A portion of this bypass (or escape) protein is digested in the small intestine.

10.  Minerals-are required for growth, bone formation, reproduction and many other body functions. Those that are required in fairly large amounts are called macrominerals (sodium, magnesium and potassium. Those that are required in very small amountsare called micro or trace minerals (iodine, copper, zinc, sulphur and selenium). Mineral content is affected by the type and quality of the feedstuff. Adding supplementary minerals to the ration is usually required to ensure that the proper amounts of these elements are available to the animal. The type of supplementary mineral mix required is determined by the feeds in the ration and the animal's requirements. Problems caused by deficiencies of some minerals are shown in Table 1. calcium, phosphorous,

11. Table 1. Some Symptoms of Mineral Deficiencies Mineral Deficiency Symptoms - poor growth - bowed leg bones - brittle bones - poor growth - craving for wood, hair, soil - poor conception rates - muscle tremors - staggering, convulsions (grass tetany) - poor growth - chewing or licking of wood Selenium - weakness, inability to stand Calcium Phosphorous Magnesium Sodium (salt)

12.  Vitamins-are biological compounds which are active in extremely small amounts. Vitamins of concern in beef cattle nutrition include Vitamin A, Vitamin D and Vitamin E. They are usually reported in International Units (IU's). Fresh forage is a good source of Vitamins A, D and E. Vitamin content of well preserved hay is initially high, but declines over time. Silages usually contain low amounts since the fermentation process destroys most of the vitamins. Grains usually contain relatively low amounts Functions and deficiencies of some vitamins are shown in Table 2. of these vitamins.

13. Table 2. Some Vitamin Function and Deficiency symptoms Vitamin Function and deficiency symptoms A - normal growth, reproduction and maintenance. D - lowered fertility in both bulls and cows. - for proper development of bone. - in calves results in bowing of the leg bones (rickets). - In older animals bones become weak and easily fractured.

14. E/Se - for proper development of muscle tissue. - causes nutritional muscular dystrophy(white muscle disease). - inject calves and pregnant cows with Vitamin E/selenium. - feed cows supplementary Vitamin E and selenium. B - is not usually of concern, although some special situations exist. - are of importance in the young calf which has not yet developed a functional rumen. - severely stressed cattle have a depleted rumen microbe population.

15. Feedstuffs Beef cattle can utilize a wide variety of feedstuffs. Feeds are classified into groups based on their nutrient contentand physical form. 1. Roughages  high in fiber (cellulose and hemicellulose) high in energy and low in protein.  protein content varies widely, depending on the plant species and stage of maturity.  examples are hay, grass, grain hulls, oilseed hulls.

16. 2. Grains/Concentrate  high in energy and relatively low in fiber  most have a moderate protein content  examples are corn, barley, oats 3. Oilseeds  high in protein, usually high in energy  variable fiber content  examples are soybeans, canola meal

17. 4. Byproducts  variable nutrient content  may contain a high level of moisture  examples are distillers grains, sweet corn cannery waste, bakery waste, grain screenings, apple pomace, molasses “A list of the energy and protein content of some common feeds is contained in Table 3.”

18. Table 3.Nutrient Content of some Local Feedstuff,DM Feedstuff DM% TDN% CP% Ca% P% Copra meal 91 74.7 23.4 0.2 0.7 Corn grain 89 86.5 10.8 0.0 0.3 Corn stover silage 40 53 6.0 0.3 0.3 Molasses 75 72 5.9 1.1 0.1 Rice bran D1 91 69.2 14 0.1 1.6 Napier grass 21.5 53.6 9.0 0.42 0.39 Rice straw 90 47 3.8 0.32 0.10 Adapted from Inst. of AnSci and Dairy Training Ins.,UPLB Los Baños.1993

19. Daily Feed Requirements of Feedlot Cattle Fed Chopped Napier Grass and Concentrate (70:30) Target ADG 0f 0.7-0.8 kg Daily DM Requirement Body weight Kg Ration, DM Basis Grass 70% Conc.30% Kg % BW Kg, as fed basis 250 2.6 6.5 22.8 2.2 270 2.6 7.0 24.5 2.4 290 2.6 7.5 26.2 2.6 310 2.5 7.8 27.3 2.7 330 2.5 8.2 28.7 2.8 350 2.4 8.4 29.4 2.9 370 2.4 8.9 31.2 3.1 390 2.3 9.0 31.5 3.1 410 2.3 9.4 32.9 3.2 430 2.3 9.9 34.6 3.4 450 2.2 9.9 34.6 3.4

20. Nutrient Composition Feed 1. DM % TDN % DM Basis CP Chop Napier Grass 20 55 8.0 Concentrate 87 70 11-18 2. The CP content needed in the concentrate decreases from approx. 18-15 % as the cattle weight increases from 250-350 to 450 kg respectively.

21. B.Formulating and Mixing of feeds Ration formulation is the process of combining different feed ingredients to a proportion that will give the animals the proper amount of nutrients needed at their particular stage of production. The formulated ration, should be palatable, have no toxic effects and economical. The nutrients being considered in formulating rations for cattle are (TDN, kg/day), (CP, g/day), (Ca, g/day) and (P, g/day).

22. No single feedstuff is a complete ration. Rations for cattle are formulated on dry matter basis due to wide variations in moisture contents of feeds especially roughage. Two approaches are used in formulating cattle ration depending on the quality, price and availability of roughage and concentrates.

23.  First approach, maximizes the use of roughage and concentrate, is utilized to supply the remaining amounts of nutrients to meet the animal’s requirements.  Second approach, fixed roughage to concentrate ratio.  Since the concentrate is also used to balance the ration, the composition and nutrient of the concentrate mixture depends on the quality and quantity of the roughage used.

24. Example 1. A ration fora 250-kg steergaining 0.75 kg/day which maximizes theuseof roughage Step 1. Writedown the nutrientrequirements Dry matter 6.4 kg TDN 3.8 kg CP 693 g Ca 21 g P Amount 17 g % of DM 59.4 10.8 0.33 0.26 (63.8 ÷ 6.4 x 100) (0.693 ÷ 6.4 x 100) (0.021 ÷ 6.4 x 100) (0.017 ÷ 6.4 x 100) Step 2. List down the available feeds and their nutrient composition Feed Dry matter TDN CP Ca P ------------- % DM basis ------------- 55 9.50 80 15.34 Napier grass Rice Bran D1 Brewer’s spent grain 22 88 0.42 0.07 0.39 1.62 21 66 23.20 0.33 0.55 Step 3. Calculate if Napiergrass alonesatisfies theTDN requirement 6.4 kg DM x 55% TDN 100 = 3.52 kg TDN

25. Since the amount of TDN from napier grass is less than the requirement, a high-energy concentrate is used to replace part of the napier grass. Between the two concentrate feed available, rice bran D1 is the choice since it has higher energy than the brewer’s spent grain (BSG). The proportions of napier and rice bran D1 can be calculated byusing the Pearson square method as follows: Napier grass, 55% TDN 20.6 parts 59.4% TDN Rice bran D1, 80% TDN 4.4 parts 25.0 total parts On the left hand side of the square are the TDN content of napier grass and rice bran D1. The 59.4% in the middle of the square is the TDN requirement expressed in percent. On the right hand side of the square are parts of napier grass and rice bran D1 of the total ration. These parts are obtained by subtracting diagonally, the smaller percent from the larger percent. On percent basis, napier is about 82% [(20.6 ÷ 25) x 100] while rice bran D1 is 18% [(4.4 ÷ 25) x 100] of the total ration. Therefore, 5.25 kg (6.4 x 82%) DM is supplied by napier while 1.15 kg (6.4 x 18%) DM comes from rice bran D1.

26. Step 4. Determine if the combination of napier and rice bran satisfies the requirement for crude protein. TDN (kg) CP (g) Ca (g) P (g) Feed Dry matter (kg) 5.25 (6.4 x 0.82) 1.15 (6.4 x 0.18) 6.40 6.40 0.00 Napier grass 2.89 (5.25 x 0.55) 0.92 (1.115 x 0.80) 3.81 3.80 +0.01 499 22.05 (5.25 x 0.0042 x 1000) 00.80 (1.15 x 0.0007 x 1000) 22.85 21.00 +1.85 20.48 (5.25 x 0.0039 x 1000) 28.63 (1.15 x 0. 0162 x 1000) 39.11 17.00 +22.11 (5.25 x 0.095 x 1000) 176 (1.15 x 0.1534 x 1000) 675 693 -18 Rice Bran D1 Total Requirement Balance The balance in CP of 18g can be satisfied by replacing part of rice bran with brewer’s spent grain (BSG). The combination of rice bran and BSG should supply 16.87% CP calculated as follows: 693 g CP is the requirement - 499 g CP supplied by napier grass 194 g CP to be supplied by the combination of rice bran and BSG should supply 1.15 kg DM, therefore, 194 g CP ÷ 1,150 x 100 is 16.87%

27. The proportion of rice bran and BSG can be calculated using the Pearson’s Squareasshown below: Brewer’s SG, 23.2 % CP 1.53 parts 16.87% CP Rice bran D1, 15.34% CP 6.33 parts 7.86 total parts (1.53 ÷ 7.86) X 100 = 19.47% brewer’sspentgrain (6.33 ÷ 7.86) X 100 = 80.53% rice bran D1 The amount of dry matter supplied by rice bran D1 and brewer’s spent grain is calculated as follows: 1.15 kg DM x 19.47% = 0.22 kg DM from brewer’sspent grain 1.15 kg DM x 80.53% = 0.93 kg DM from rice bran D1

28. Step 5. The final ration is as follows: TDN (kg) CP (g) Ca (g) P (g) Feed Dry matter (kg) Napier grass Rice Bran D1 Brewer’s S. Grain 5.25 0.93 0.22 6.40 6.40 2.89 0.74 0.15 3.78 3.80 499 143 51 693 693 22.05 00.65 00.73 23.43 21.00 20.48 15.07 01.21 36.76 17.00 Total Requirement

29. Onas fed basis, theanimal should receivethe following perday: 5.25 kg DM 22% DM Napier grass = 24 kg 0.93 kg DM 88% DM Rice bran D1 = 1.06 kg 0.22 kg DM 21% DM Brewer’s Spent Grain = 1.05 kg

30. Example 2. A ration for a 300-kg steer gaining 0.75 kg/day is to be formulated with a predetermined roughage to concentrate ratio of 60:40. Step 1. Write down the nutrient requirements Dry matter TDN CP Ca P Amount 7.4 kg 4.3 kg 753 g 23 g 18 g Step 2. List down the available roughage and its nutrient composition Feed Dry matter TDN CP Ca P ------------- % DM basis ------------- 47 Rice straw 90 3.8 0.32 0.10

31. Step 3. Determine the dry matter intake of roughage and concentrate mixture based on theroughage toconcentrateratio (60:40) 7.4 kg DM x 60% = 4.44 kg DM from ricestraw 7.4 kg DM x 40% = 2.96 kg DM from concentrate mixture Step 4. Determine theamountof nutrientssupplied by theroughage Dry matter (kg) TDN (kg) CP (g) Ca (g) P (g) Feed ------------- % DM basis ------------- 2.09 1.69 Rice straw 4.4 14 4 Step 5. Determine the amount of nutrients to be supplied by the concentrate mixture by subtracting the values obtained in Step 4 from the nutrientrequirement ForTDN, 4.3 kg – 2.09 kg = 2.21 kg For CP, 753 g – 169 g = 584 g For Ca, 23 g – 14 g = 9 g For P, 18 g – 4 g = 14 g

32. Step 6. Determine the nutrient composition of the concentrate mixture by dividing the amount of nutrients obtained in Step 5 by the amount of theconcentrate mixture (Step 3) 2.21 kg TDN 2.96 kg x 100 = 75% TDN 0.584 kg CP 2.96 kg x 100 = 20% CP 0.009 kg Ca 2.96 kg x 100 = 0.30% Ca 0.014 kg P 2.96 kg x 100 = 0.47% P

33. Step 7. Formulate compositioncalculated in Step 6 the concentrate mixture based on the nutrient Start by having a fixed amount of the following: salt (1%), urea (1%) as a cheap source of crude protein, molasses (5%) for palatability, and limestone (1%) to supply Ca. Copra meal and rice bran could be used as major ingredients. Since the major ingredients have the same TDN proportionof rice bran D1 and copra meal. This iscalculated using theequation method as follows: LetX = amountof rice bran D1 92 – X = amountof copra meal 0.1534 X + 0.2045 (92 – X) + 0.04 (5) + 2.81 (1) = 20 0.1534 X + 18.81 – 0.2045 + 0.20 + 2.81 = 20 - 0.0511 X = 20 – 21.82 X = -0.051 -1.8200 X = 35.62 92 - X = 56.38

34. The concentrate mixture, on DM basis, is as follows: TDN (kg) CP (kg) Ca (kg) P Feed Dry matter (kg) 56.38 35.62 5.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 (kg) Copra meal Rice bran D1 Molasses Limestone Urea Salt 45.1 28.5 3.6 - - - 11.53 5.46 0.20 - 2.81 - 0.11 0.03 0.05 0.39 - - 0.36 0.58 0.01 - - - Total 100.00 77.2 20.00 0.58 0.95

35. The ration, on as fed basis, is as follows: Amount (kg) Feed Percent of Mixture Copra meal Rice bran D1 Molasses Limestone Urea Salt 64.07ª 40.48 6.67 1.02 1.02 1.05 56.05* 35.41 5.84 0.89 0.89 0.92 Total 114.31 100.00 Value in the columns of amount and percent of mixture are calculated asshown in theexamples below: ª56.38 kg ÷ 88% DM of copra meal = 64.07 kg *(64.07 kg ÷ 114.31 kg) x 100 = 56.05%

36. The calculated dry matter of the concentrate mixture is 87.5%. Therefore, the animal should receive daily, on as fed basis, the following: 4.44 kg DM 90% DM Rice straw = 4.93 kg 2.96 kg DM 87.5% DM Concentrate mixture = 3.38 kg

37. C. Feeding System In cattle feeding, two systems can be utilized: all-roughage, or combination of roughageand concentrate. Availability of roughage, cost of concentrate, type of production system and productive stage of the animal are factors influencing thechoiceof feeding system.

38.  All-Roughage Feeding System  High in fiberand low in total digestible nutrients.  Either grass or legumes in the form of pasture herbage, soilage, silage, hay and crop residues.  Usually in extensive cattle production system (ranch-type) and backyard (tethering).  A quality grass-legume mixture can support maintenanceand growth of cattle.  However, all-roughage feeding system cannot meet the requirements of the animal during rapid growth, late gestation, fattening stage. early lactation and

39.  Roughage-Concentrate  Concentrate are high in digestible energy, low fiber and high or low in protein.  They includes grains and grain by-products, oil meals and root crops.  Included in the cattle ration to increase energy source and protein content.  Can be fed separately from roughage and should be increased gradually.  In giving concentrate should also be considered. production economics

40. D. Silage Technology for Cattle Feeding  The feeding of silage to ruminant animals dates back to biblical times.  “and the cattle and the full-grown assess cultivating the ground will eat fodder seasoned with sorrel, which was winnowed with the shovel and with the fork”. Isaiah 30:24  Feedstuff produced by the fermentation of forage crop or agricultural by-product of sufficient moisture contentof 60-70%.  Ensiling is the name given to the process and the container is called silo.  Usuallyused as a supplementto pasture.

41. Objectives of feeding silage to the different classes of cattle  Finishing heifers and steers  Meeting the various market specifications for liveweight, finish (fat cover) and age, on time.  Breeding Herd  Achieving satisfactory body condition at calving.  Maintaining milk production and calf growth.  Ensuring adequate nutrition to maintain fertility and a target calving interval of 12 months.  Reducing the risk of grass tetany.

42.  Weanersand feedercattle  Maintain growth rate of young cattle to ensure they reach a satisfactory weight-for-age by the start of the finishing period.  Replacement heifers  Ensure fertility to allow early joining and adequate growth rate to first calving.  Cull cows  Improve weight, body condition and market value of cull cows.  All classes  Drought feeding forsurvival or/ and production

43. Ingredients for silage 1. Corn 2. Corn Stover 3. Sorghum-Sudangrass 4. Grasses 5. Rice bran

44. Additive for silage Molasses- An excellent source of Water Soluble Carbohydrate WSC for corn stover and napier grasses, which have a low sugar content. Water Solution- Adding water allows the drier forage to be packed to a higher density, which minimizes respiration losses. The higher the moisture content increases the rate and extent of lacticacid. Inoculant- Helps preserve efficiently. Research has shown that mean liveweight gain increased from 0.27 to 0.50 kg/day when using a silage additive or by wilting. Significant improvements in intake, digestibility and liveweight gain were also noted when fermentation was improved using an formic 1. 2. the ensiled material more 3. acid/Lactic acid additive.

45. Steps in making silage Form an efficient Silage Team to finish the silage making in the shortest time. Harvest the forage crops late in the morning and at the correct maturity of 6-9 weeks. Dry the forage crop at a Moisture Content of 60-70%. 4. Chop the forage into 1-2.5 cm lengths. Add a drier material (i.e.,corn stover, rice bran). 6. Molasses can be added to improve fermentation quality and palatability. Bacterial inoculants, when available, should be added to ensure an accelerated and efficient fermentation phase. 8. Fill the silo continuously and as rapidly as possible. 9. Tightly pack chopped forage in silo. 1. 2. 3. 5. 7.

46. Ensiling Process Phase 1- Aerobic  Breakdown of sugar by plant enzymes-Consumes oxygen in the chopped temperatureof theensiled material.  Breakdown of protein by plant proteases-Increases the NPN of the ensiled material; continues until pH drops below 4.8-5.0. Phase 2- Fermentation  Lactic Acid Bacteria ferment sugars to primarily lactic acid.  LA decline pH (4.0-4.5) inhibits microbial growth. forage; Increases the

47. Phase 3-Stable (Storage)  If the silo is not sealed properly, little biological activity occurs during storage- Oxygen entering the silo allows yeasts, molds, and aerobic bacteria to grow that will cause heating and nutrient losses. Phase 4-Feedout  Aerobic microorganisms consume nutrients and increase the temperature of the silage  Rapid removal of silage is essential to prevent spoilage during feedout.

48. Molasses and H2O Solution Effective additive for a drier forage which contain 50-55% moisture Excellent source Carbohydrate Adding water allows the drier forage to be packed toa higherdensity Minimizes respiration losses Increases both the rate and extent of lactic acid production during fermentation phase Helps theensiled material more efficient of Water Soluble

49. Calculation to Add a Molasses and H2O Solution to Chopped Corn Stover Step 1. Preparing the Molasses and Water Solution Assume the solution should contain 10% DM Molasses=75% DM and 100kg of Molasses = 75kg of DM 75kg of Molasses DM÷0.1 = 750kg needed in the total solution 750kg – 100kg of Molasses= 650kg of water

50. Step 2. Preparing the Corn Stover plus Molasses and Water mixture  Assume the mixture should contain 45% DM  Assume the Corn Stover is 50% DM A. Amounts per 1 ton of ensiled mixture Corn stover % DM Parts 50 35 87.5% X 1,000kg 875 45 Molasses & 10 5 H2O 40 1,000kg Mixture 1 ton = kg/ton 12.5% X 1,000kg= 125__ of ensiled mixture