Masters Degrees (Animal Sciences)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Animal Sciences) by Author "Bangani, N. M. (Noluvuyo Muriel)"

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    Oat silage in milk production systems in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-03) Bangani, N. M. (Noluvuyo Muriel); Cruywagen, C. W.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Animal Sciences
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of supplementing oat silage (OS) with lucerne (LH) and oat hay (OH) on the production performance of lactating Jersey cows, as well as comparing the ruminal degradability of LH, OH and OS III Holstein and Jersey cows receiving a high forage diet and a high concentrate diet. In the first trial, five diets containing different combinations of OS and LH together with concentrate mixtures providing 26, 23, 20, 17 and 14% crude protein (CP) were fed to lactating Jersey cows. Lucerne hay was fed at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 kg DM/day while OS was fed ad libitum. Cows receiving only OS as a forage source had a lower (P<0.05) dry matter (DM) intake and produced less milk protein (P<0.05). Milk and fat yields as well as milk urea nitrogen (MUN) levels did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. In the second trial, OS was fed with OH and a concentrate mixture containing 26% CP to lactating Jersey cows. Oat hay was fed at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 kg DMiday while OS was fed ad libitum. Cows that received OS together with 4 and 6kg OH, respectively had higher (P<0.05) DM intakes. Milk, fat, and protein yields as well as MUN levels did not differ (P>O.05) between treatments. The ruminal degradability of LH, OH and OS in Holstein and Jersey cows receiving (i) a high forage and (ii) a high concentrate diet was determined. The two breeds were also compared in terms of rumen pH levels, volatile fatty acids (VF A) and rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations as affected by time after feeding. The ruminal degradability of freeze dried (FD), oven dried (OD) and fresh oat silage (FS) in Jersey cows receiving a high forage diet was also determined. The ruminal DM, CP and NDF degradability of LH was higher (P