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.

The objective of the study was to establish the baseline values for blood and coagulation parameters in normal and healthy rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) of different ages and sexes. The samplepopulation consists of 40 rusa deer, divided into four groups of (i) juvenile males (ii) juvenile females (iii) adult males and (iv) adult females. The findings showed significant (p<0.05) higher values in erythrocyte count, calcium concentration and prothrombin time in the adult males compared to adult female rusa deer. On the other hand, the total protein concentration was significantly higher in adult females than adult male deer. No significant differences in blood or coagulation parameters were observed between sexes in the juvenile deer. Between age group, the adult deer had significantly higher mean cell volume, plasma protein and globulin concentration than juvenile rusa deer. Thus, it is necessary to take into account the age and sex of the rusa deer when using blood reference values for the diagnosis of diseases or health assessment.

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.

A solar dryer was designed and constructed to dry fodder for livestock. The objectives of this project were to design and construct solar dryer systems for fodder drying and to evaluate the performance of the systems developed so that farmers can compare and choose an appropriate drying system to dry fodder. Two types of solar driers were designed in this study named as a) prototype solar dryer and b)greenhouse solar dryer. The performances of both systems were evaluated by observing their ability to achieve and maintain an optimum temperature of 60oC for a perfect drying process. In 2011, the prototype solar dryer was constructed at the Malaysia Veterinary Institute; however the results obtained were not as expected as the highest temperature achieved with the system was 44.9oC. Therefore, in 2012, the greenhouse solar dryer was constructed to replace the prototype model and the system has the ability to achieve the temperature up to 72.7oC.

<p>Ruminal degradability rates for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) of Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum, grasses, both fresh and artificially dried, were fixed by nylon bags “ in situ” technique. Eight crossbred male rumen fistulated steers were used in a “changover” design 4 x 4, to test the following treatments: A) Napier grass; B) Napier grass, dried; C) Colonião grass; D) Colonião grass, dried. Results were statistically similar and with 48 h of incubation time were the following ones: DM = 42.5%, 45.9%; 52.7%; 50.7% CP = 37.9%; 53.0%; 49.7%; 46.9% CF = 32.2%; 39.7%; 40.0%; 45.2% for A, B, C and D treatments respectively.</p> | <p>As taxas de degradação ruminal da matéria seca, proteína bruta e fibra bruta dos capins Colonião e Napier, nas formas fresca e desidratada, foram determinadas pela técnica de sacos de náilon “in situ”. Oito bovinos machos mestiços, com fístulas de rúmen, foram usados em um delineamento em “change-over” com dois grupos de 4 animais, para testar os seguintes tratamentos: A) capim Colonião; B) capim Colonião desidratado; C) capim Napier e D) capim Napier desidratado. As taxas de degradabilidade mostraram-se estatisticamente semelhantes e foram as seguintes, com 48 horas de incubação: MS = 42,5%; 45,9%; 52,7% e 50,7%, PB = 37,9%; 53,0%; 49,7% e 46,9%, FB = 32,2%; 39,7%; 40,0% e 45,2% para os tratamentos A, B, C e D respectivamente.</p>

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of bacterial inoculated king grass for silage production with laboratory silos ( 5 liters plastics buclets with valve for gas scape). The elephantgrass was cutted for uniformization and adubation and after 60 days (14,% DM and 9,7% PB) was cutted and sliced at 2cm lenght particle and the treatments were: control (C), Sil-All (SA) inoculant (Streptococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus plantarum, amylase, cellulase e hemicellulase).; Pioneer 1174 (P) inoculant (Streptococcus faecium e Lactobacillus plantarum) SiloBac (SB) inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus faecium e Lactobacillus sp. ). After 123 of fermentation, the silos were opened and was the fermentation was characterized and determined dry matter losses and in vitro dry matter digestibility. Amoniacal nitrogen, lactic acid, acetic acid, butiric acid, dry matter losses and in vitro dry matter digestibility did not suffer influence of treatments. C and SA treatments produced silagens with higher pH. | Estudou-se os efeitos de 3 inoculantes biológicos na ensilagem do capim-elefante, cultivar Napier, em silos de laboratório (baldes plásticos de 5 litros, portando válvula para escape dos gases). O capim sofreu corte de uniformização e adubação, sendo cortado 60 dias após, quando apresentou 14,5% de matéria seca e 9,7% de proteína bruta, tendo sido picado em partículas de 2,0 cm e submetido a quatro tratamentos: controle (C); inoculante Sil-All (SA), produto a base de Streptococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus plantarum, amilase, celulase e hemicelulase; inoculante Pioneer 1174 (P), produto a base de Streptococcus faecium e Lactobacillus plantarum; e inoculante SiloBac (SB), produto a base de e Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus faecium e Lactobacillus sp. Os silos foram abertos após 123 dias para determinar o perfil de fermentação, perdas e digestibilidade 'in vitro' da matéria seca. Não foram observadas diferenças quanto ao teor de nitrogênio amoniacal, ácido lático, ácido acético, ácido butírico, perdas e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca. No entanto, o pH de SB foi menor do que SA e C. O maior pH observado foi o da silagem C.

Estudou-se os efeitos de 3 inoculantes biológicos na ensilagem do capim-elefante, cultivar Napier, em silos de laboratório (baldes plásticos de 5 litros, portando válvula para escape dos gases). O capim sofreu corte de uniformização e adubação, sendo cortado 60 dias após, quando apresentou 14,5% de matéria seca e 9,7% de proteína bruta, tendo sido picado em partículas de 2,0 cm e submetido a quatro tratamentos: controle (C); inoculante Sil-All (SA), produto a base de Streptococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus plantarum, amilase, celulase e hemicelulase; inoculante Pioneer 1174 (P), produto a base de Streptococcus faecium e Lactobacillus plantarum; e inoculante SiloBac (SB), produto a base de e Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus faecium e Lactobacillus sp. Os silos foram abertos após 123 dias para determinar o perfil de fermentação, perdas e digestibilidade 'in vitro' da matéria seca. Não foram observadas diferenças quanto ao teor de nitrogênio amoniacal, ácido lático, ácido acético, ácido butírico, perdas e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca. No entanto, o pH de SB foi menor do que SA e C. O maior pH observado foi o da silagem C.

<p>This work studied DM, CP and CF ruminal degradability, through nylon-bag technique "in situ", of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) on several growth stages. Eight rumen fistulated steers were used to compare 4 treatments: A = 72 days and 1,30 m high; B = 105 days and 2,35 m high; C = 135 days and 3,25 m high and D = 161 days and 3,25 m high, considering age and stand of grass regrowth. Experimental design was completely randonmized, and the results showed that DM, CP and CF rumen degradabilities decreased linearly with grass growth (p &lt; 0,01). Degradability values for 48 h incubation time were DM: 56,02%; 47,71%; 43,57% and 38,76%; CF = 47,37%, 41,7%, 32,28% and 22,92% for A, B, C and D treatments. Concerning CP, only A, B and C stages were analyzed: with the following results: 53,59%, 35,32% and 26,42% for 48 h of incubation time. Rumen volume increased linearly with grass age (p &lt;0,01) and rumen turn-over was higher for A (p &lt; 0,05).</p> | <p>Objetivou-se determinar a degradabilidade ruminal da MS, PB e FB, por meio de sacos de náilon "in situ", do capim Napier, em quatro estágios de crescimento correspondentes às seguintes idades em dias após o corte, e respectivas alturas: A = 72 dias e 1,30 m: B = 105 dias e 2,35 m; C = 135 dias e 3,25 m e D = 165 dias e 3,25 m. Foram utilizados 8 bovinos com fístulas permanentes de rúmen, o delineamento foi o inteiramente casualizado e os seguintes resultados foram obtidos: as degradabilidades da MS, PB e FB diminuíram de forma linear com o aumento da idade da planta (p &lt; 0,05); os valores com 48 horas de incubação foram: para MS = 56,02%, 47,71% e 38,76%; para FB = 47,37%; 41,77%; 32,28% e 22,92% nos tratamentos A, B, C e D respectivamente. Para proteína, foram considerados apenas os estádios A, B e C: 53,59%, 35,32% e 26,42% de degradabilidade às 48 horas de incubação. O volume de líquido ruminal aumentou linearmente de A para D (p &lt; 0,01), sendo que o "turn-over" líquido ruminal foi maior em A (p &lt; 0,05).</p>

Objetivou-se determinar a degradabilidade ruminal da MS, PB e FB, por meio de sacos de náilon "in situ", do capim Napier, em quatro estágios de crescimento correspondentes às seguintes idades em dias após o corte, e respectivas alturas: A = 72 dias e 1,30 m: B = 105 dias e 2,35 m; C = 135 dias e 3,25 m e D = 165 dias e 3,25 m. Foram utilizados 8 bovinos com fístulas permanentes de rúmen, o delineamento foi o inteiramente casualizado e os seguintes resultados foram obtidos: as degradabilidades da MS, PB e FB diminuíram de forma linear com o aumento da idade da planta (p < 0,05); os valores com 48 horas de incubação foram: para MS = 56,02%, 47,71% e 38,76%; para FB = 47,37%; 41,77%; 32,28% e 22,92% nos tratamentos A, B, C e D respectivamente. Para proteína, foram considerados apenas os estádios A, B e C: 53,59%, 35,32% e 26,42% de degradabilidade às 48 horas de incubação. O volume de líquido ruminal aumentou linearmente de A para D (p < 0,01), sendo que o "turn-over" líquido ruminal foi maior em A (p < 0,05).

As taxas de degradação ruminal da matéria seca, proteína bruta e fibra bruta dos capins Colonião e Napier, nas formas fresca e desidratada, foram determinadas pela técnica de sacos de náilon “in situ”. Oito bovinos machos mestiços, com fístulas de rúmen, foram usados em um delineamento em “change-over” com dois grupos de 4 animais, para testar os seguintes tratamentos: A) capim Colonião; B) capim Colonião desidratado; C) capim Napier e D) capim Napier desidratado. As taxas de degradabilidade mostraram-se estatisticamente semelhantes e foram as seguintes, com 48 horas de incubação: MS = 42,5%; 45,9%; 52,7% e 50,7%, PB = 37,9%; 53,0%; 49,7% e 46,9%, FB = 32,2%; 39,7%; 40,0% e 45,2% para os tratamentos A, B, C e D respectivamente.