Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) has been the most promisingand high yielding fodder giving dry matter yields. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of cutting intervals on the yield and nutrient composition of six cultivars of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) which is 3rd Generation Napier, India Napier, Kobe Napier, Red Napier, Taiwan Napier and Zanzibar Napier. The grasses were cut close to the ground levelto get a uniform stand on day 70 after planting and the cutting intervals were at 35 and 42 days and carried out for 3 times.After each harvest, the rates of maintenance fertiliser used were 150 kg of nitrogen, 60 kg of phosphorus and 100 kg of potassium per hectare per year. Harvested plant material was weighed, pre-dried in a forced-air drying oven at 60 °C overnight before grinding. Ground samples were used to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF) and metabolised energy. The data were analysed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS™) followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. AP value of less than 0.05 (p<0.05) are considered statistically significant. Results showed that increasing the cutting interval (i.e. advancing age of maturity) increased dry matter and crude fibre significantly.However, in terms of nutrient content, crude protein and metabolised energy percentage was markedly decreased as thecutting interval increased. From the results presented, it is clear that cutting a stand of Napier grass at 35 days will achieve greater yield and nutrient content.

In Malaysia, Guinea grass (Megathrysus maximus) and Napier grass(Pennisetum purpureum) are considered as good palatable fodder for goats and have been used widely. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential grasses for goats to have optimum growth performance and optimum feeding cost. Fourteen male Jamnapari goats with an average age of five months were used in this experiment. All animals were individually weighed anddivided equally (seven goats) into two treatment groups. Group 1 was fed with cut and carry Guinea grass while group 2 animals were fed cut and carry Napier grass, and both groups were given the same quality and quantity of PKC and molasses. There was no significant difference observed in the average final weight (AFW), average weight gain (AWG) and average daily gain (ADG) among the two dietary treatment group. However, dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a significant difference. The group fed with Napier grass showed lower ADMI and FCR. From the viewpoint of economic evaluation, feeding Guinea grass and Napier grass as an animal feed is economincally viable for local farmers.

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of metoclopramide orally administered to healthy bitches on serum prolactin and milk lactose concentrations, gross energy, and dry matter content and on puppy weight gain during early lactation. ANIMALS 20 client-owned bitches and their 121 puppies. PROCEDURES 10 bitches received metoclopramide (0.2 mg/kg, PO, q 6 h for 6 days; treatment group) starting 10 to 24 hours after birth of the last puppy of the litter (day 0), and 10 bitches served as the control group. Blood and milk samples from all bitches were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6. Milk samples for days 1 and 2 and days 4 and 6 were pooled because of small volume. Puppies were weighed twice daily. RESULTS Serum prolactin concentration increased significantly over time in both groups, and no treatment effect was detected. When day-to-day changes were analyzed, the prolactin concentration increased from day 0 to day 1 in the treatment group but not in the control group. Milk lactose concentration increased significantly and was higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Milk dry matter content was unchanged, whereas the time course for milk gross energy content differed significantly between treatment and control bitches. Puppy weight gain was not affected by metoclopramide treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral administration of metoclopramide to healthy bitches after parturition induced a transient increase in serum prolactin concentration and stimulated milk lactose production. It is likely bitches with insufficient or delayed milk production could benefit from metoclopramide treatment.

Palm kernel cake (PKC) has long been known to be an importantingredient for the formulation of animal feeds. However the recommended levels of inclusion seem to vary from one reporter to another. This factor is considered important especially when formulating feeds for nonruminant diets. The variation of its major constituents such as protein, fibre and fat contents is said to depend on the sources, oil removal technology and the efficiency of oil extraction from the kernel. For comparison,a set of compilation data of 300 local PKC samples from the past years on these basic nutritional constituents were studied.Majority of the samples analysed were from southern region of Peninsular Malaysia meant for animal feeds. Mean percentagevalues and their respective standard deviations were as follows; crude protein 16.1±1.65, crude fibre 19.3±4.22, crude ash5.9±2.48, ether extract 5.6±3.36, dry matter 91.3±2.65, and metabolisable energy 7.75 MJ/kg. The objective of the study was to observe the distribution pattern of these values compared to other surveys. From this study, the highest relative standarddeviation (RSD) reached 60% for ether extract, followed by ash 42.1%, and crude fibre 21.8%. From the variation point of view,periodical results for quality control of PKC must be initiated as an useful indicator for its accuracy of each diet formulation.

Cost of feed is one of the primary stumbling blocks for goat farming in Malaysia. Stage feeding was introduced as a method to formulate feed at minimum cost based on the requirement of different stages of production to improve overall farm productivity. A study was conducted to evaluate 5 feeding rations formulated based on the requirements of different production stages on Katjang-Boer crossbred. Ration formulated of creep feed (CF) for a period of 101d, starter grower (SG) (70d), grower finisher (GF) (98d), flushing feed (FF) (97d) and maintenance feed (MF) (155d) were compared with commercial feed (CCF and CMF) as control. Results showed a significantly higher (P<0.05 preweaning bodyweight of 12.83 ± 3.61 kg in CF at 101 days of age. Post weaning also achieved significantly higher bodyweight (P<0.05 of 22.20±2.78kg and 31.5±4.67 in SG (223 days) and GF (361 days) of age respectively. Feed cost per kg gain obtain in CF (RM5.68), SG (RM9.03) and GF (RM6.57) were lower compared to CCM of RM6.14, RM10.27 and 12.99 respectively. FF showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) of 67.01 ± 14.42 g while MF was able to maintain body weight at minimum cost. Stage feeding proved to be able to meet nutritional needs through significantly higher body weight in CF, SG, GF and FF as well as lower feed cost per kg gain rendering it as a more economical option.

In this study five samples each of serum glucose, serum cholesterol and uric acid contents were measured in Fayoumi, Rhode Island Red, Parent desi, desi Fl and desi F2 strains of chickens. Cholesterol contents were found to be lowest in desi F2 chickens whereas in other strains there was least significant difference, which can be attributed to reduced lipogenic activity in desi F2 generation. When five samples each of meat from two locations i.e. breast and thigh was subjected to proximate analysis it was found that there was no difference (P greater than 0.05) in crude protein, crude fat, total ash and moisture contents regardless of sex and strains. Dry matter contents differed (P less than 0.05) in breast meat and found to be lowest in Parent desi stocks.

Napier Pakchong (Cenchrus purpureus cv. Pakchong) is another cultivar of Napier grass which was introduced from Thailand. This cultivar is mostly adapted for local soil conditions in Malaysia, has high yield and relatively high protein content making Napier Pakchong suitable for ruminant feeding. This experiment was carried out to determine the dry matter yield and nutritive values of Napier Pakchong at three different cutting ages (6ᵗʰ, 7ᵗʰ and 8ᵗʰ weeks old). All plots underwent a standard preparation and basal fertilizers during grass establishment. The cutting treatments were carried out 3 times at the 6ᵗʰ, 7ᵗʰ and 8ᵗʰ weeks. After each harvest, the rates of maintenance fertilizer used were NPK 150:60:100 (kg/ha/year). The harvested forage was weighed and sent for dry matter yield and proximate analysis. The data were analysed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the programme of SAS (Package Version 9.4). The difference between treatment means was measured by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5 % level of significance. The data showed that dry matter yield production increased in line with the cutting interval. Crude protein (CP) value declined as the harvesting interval increased. Even though the CP value declined, the CP percentage still fulfils the protein requirements for ruminants. It is suggested that Napier Pakchong harvested at 7th to 8th weeks due to optimum dry matter yield and nutritive value.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was determined the productivity and foraging advantages of fodder galega (Galega officinalis) in comparison with the traditional perennial leguminous grasses (alfalfa (Medicago sativa); alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum); cookshead (Onobrychis viceaefolia)) and influence of the analyzed crop of state and internal microbiota of agricultural animals. There was studied the qualitative structure of galega in accordance with the phases of crop development and its influence on physiological functions of animals. It is established, that in the conditions of northern region of Belarus the fodder galega provided the yielding capacity of dry matter of 11,3 t/ha that exceeded the indices of alfalfa on 13,9%, alsike clover - in 2,7 times and cookshead - in 2,1 times. By the third decade of May it formed 18-20 tons green mass that made it possible to feed animals on 10-15 days earlier, than with other leguminous grasses. High degree of leafage (65,7%) preconditioned its high nutritional value. Fodder galega has high level of calcium, potassium, phosphorus and some microelements: copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt. Studying of vitamin value of fodder galega showed that its green mass was vitamin-rich, had enough of irreplaceable amino acids. It was established, that hay of fodder galega had high level of the non-decomposed protein (68,6-71%) that was very important for feeding of highly productive cows. It increased the level of crude protein in experimental animals on 8%.

Treatment of legumes and cereals on hydrodynamic machine TEK-CM allows to obtain tine-dispersed feed products (paste, milk) containing dry matter of 42-30% with better nutrition values compared to initial raw material. Preparation of grain to feeding on hydrodynamic machine TEK-CM increases the sugars contents on 26-56%, free amino acids - on 22-57%, and the quantity of cellular tissue decreases. Activity of the antinutrients containing in a soya, decreases up to a safe level

The level of yielding and biological capacity of grass mixtures of feeding crops (common ryegrass (Lolium perenne); spring vetch (Vicia); Austrian winter pea (Pisum arvense); blue lupine (Lupinus angustifolius); common barley (Hordeum vulgare)) in the conditions of the Northern part of the Republic of Belarus and their quality evaluation were studied. The optimum temperature of seed germination at the seeding depth and the sufficient amount of moisture in soil provided high germination rate. Nitric fertilizer application and crop sowing in the conditions of various coenosis did not affect seed germination. The quantity of shoots predetermined the optimum plant stand density and made it possible to generate high green mass productivity. Formation of a high green mass yield in single-crops sowings of annual ryegrass was obtained against the background of minimum 180 kg of primary nutrients of nitric fertilizers per 1 ha, taking into consideration that the amount of crop tops increases in 3 times in comparison with crops without nitric fertilizers. Inclusion bean component into the grass mixture (even without nitrogen application) made it possible to generate the level of top biomass by three hay crops from 40,2 up to 55,4 t/ha. However, application of mineral nitrogen for cultivation of leguminous and cereal crop mixtures with overgrassing of annual ryegrass made it possible to increase the green mass productivity. Inclusion of a bean component into a grass mixture rendered influence on the amount of digestible protein. The highest protein yield was provided by high yielding crops with content of spring vetch on the background of mineral nitrogen (0,9 t/ha). In coenosis with pea and lupine mixtures provided protein content of 0,8 t/ha