Effects of ground,steam-flaked,and super-conditioned corn grain on production performance and total-tract digestibility in dairy cows

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding ground, steam-flaked, or super-conditioned corn on production performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and milk fatty acid (FA) profile of lactating dairy cows. Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows (130 ± 12 d in milk) in a completely randomized block design experiment were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments that contained 31% of one of the following corn types: (1) ground corn; (2) steam-flaked corn; and (3) super-conditioned corn. Actual milk yield was greater in the super-conditioned corn diet than in the steam-flaked and ground corn diets. Dry matter intake, 3.5% fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk remained unaffected by treatments; however, milk fat concentration decreased in the super-conditioned corn diet compared with the ground and steam-flaked corn diets. The molar proportion of ruminal acetate decreased in the super-conditioned corn diet compared with the ground and steam-flaked corn diets, whereas the molar proportion of propionate spiked in the super-conditioned corn diet. Ruminal pH dropped in cows fed super-conditioned corn compared with the other 2 diets. A similar pattern was observed for ruminal NH₃-N and acetate-to-propionate ratio. Total-tract starch digestibility increased the most in the super-conditioned corn diet followed by the steam-flaked and ground corn diets (96.8, 95.1, and 92.5%, respectively). The neutral detergent fiber digestibility declined in cows fed the super-conditioned corn diet as opposed to other diets (~3.9%). The concentrations of 16:0 and mixed-FA in milk fat dropped in the super-conditioned corn-based diet compared with the ground corn diet. Milk trans-10 18:1 FA increased, whereas trans-11 18:1 FA decreased in cows fed the super-conditioned diet. We concluded that super-conditioned corn has the potential to increase milk yield and starch digestibility in lactating dairy cows; however, reduced milk fat output caused by altering ruminal pH and ruminal FA biohydrogenation pathways may not be desirable in certain markets. Future research is warranted to investigate how super-conditioned corn affects feed efficiency.     

Effects of late-gestation heat stress independent of reduced feed intake on colostrum,metabolism at calving,and milk yield in early lactation of dairy cows

The objective of this study was to differentiate the effects of acute heat stress (HS) from those of decreased dry matter intake (DMI) during the prepartum period on metabolism, colostrum, and subsequent production of dairy cows. Holstein dairy cows (n = 30) with similar parity and body weight were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments on 45 d before calving: (1) cooled (CL, n = 10) conditions with ad libitum feed intake, (2) HS conditions with ad libitum feed intake (n = 10), and (3) pair-fed cooled (CLPF, n = 10) with reduced DMI similar to the HS group while housed under cooled conditions. The reduction in the amount of feed offered to the CLPF cows was calculated daily as the percentage decrease from the average DMI of HS cows relative to the CL cows. For CLPF and CL cows, barns provided shade, sprinklers, and fans, whereas the HS cows were provided only with shade. Cows in all groups received individually the same total mixed ration. Cows were dried off 60 d before the expected calving. Cows in the HS group and, by design, the CLPF cows had reduced DMI (~20%) during the experiment. Heat stress decreased gestation length, first colostrum yield, and calf birth weight compared with CL and CLPF cows. Milk yield decreased 21% (5 kg) in the HS and 8% (2 kg) in CLPF cows, indicating that reduced feed intake during late gestation accounted for 60% of the total reduced milk yield. The CLPF cows exhibited an elevated NEFA concentration compared with the CL and HS cows. The HS cows had a greater mRNA abundance of HSP70 in the peripheral blood leukocytes at 21 d prepartum compared with the other groups. At calving, the mRNA abundance of HSP70 was greater in HS cows, followed by CLPF, compared with the CL cows. In conclusion, HS during the late gestation period caused metabolism and production differences, which were only partially attributed to reduced feed intake in dairy cows.     

Effects of alfalfa particle size and specific gravity on chewing activity, digestibility, and performance of Holstein dairy cows

Two experiments were carried out to test the effects of alfalfa particle size and functional specific gravity (FSG) on chewing activity, digestibility, rumen kinetics, and production of lactating dairy cows fed corn silage based rations. In experiment 1, water-holding capacity (WHC), insoluble dry matter, hydration rate, and FSG changes were determined in alfalfa hay (varying in particle size) and corn silage. Reduction of particle size increased bulk density, FSG, and the rate of hydration, and decreased WHC of alfalfa. In experiment 2, 9 midlactation Holstein dairy cows fed total mixed rations containing 3 sizes of alfalfa hay (with geometric mean 7.83, 4.04, and 1.14 mm) were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. The diets contained 20, 20, 35, 7, 7.5, 10, 0.3, 0.1, and 0.1% of DM alfalfa, corn silage, barley, soybean meal, beet pulp, wheat bran, dicalcium phosphate, vitamin premix, and salt, respectively. The geometric means (GM) of rations were 3.34, 2.47, and 1.66 mm in long, medium, and fine alfalfa treatments, respectively. Reduction of particle size increased daily NDF intake (kg), but decreased the proportion of physically effective factor (pef) and physically effective NDF (peNDF) in the ingested rations. Reduction of particle size increased the FSG of rations and intake of DM but reduced digestibility of NDF and ash. Reduction of particle size decreased ruminal mean retention time (RMRT), but increased the ruminal particulate passage rate. Milk and FCM yield were not affected by treatments. The rumen pH, total chewing activity, rumination, eating time, and milk fat were reduced as particle size decreased, but milk protein increased. This study showed that reduction of forage particle size increased bulk density, FSG, and hydration rate of alfalfa and was the most influential factor affecting DMI, milk composition, and chewing behavior. Reduction of forage particle size had minimal impact on digestibility and milk production.     

Composition and occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in cow's milk samples from Razavi Khorasan Province,Iran

The composition and occurrence of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) were investigated in 60 samples of cow's raw milk samples from Razavi Khorasan Province of Iran. Only percentages of milk samples protein, lactose and total solids in samples collected during summer were slightly lower than the Iranian reference values. Compared with summer samples, higher percentages of milk samples components were observed in the winter. The overall mean AFM₁ level was 61 ± 8 ng/L, with 24 samples (40%) showing concentrations above the maximum permitted level established in Iran (50 ng/L). Control measures are urgently needed to avoid aflatoxin in milk samples produced in Razavi Khorasan Province.     

Cooperative effect of 2-(dibutylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone for the synergistic extraction of lanthanide ions

2-(Dibutylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid (HL) has been examined for the extraction-separation of La³⁺, Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ from aqueous chloride solutions into organic diluents; dichloromethane, ethylacetate and carbon tetrachloride. The efficiency and the selectivity of the extraction process were significantly affected by the organic diluent. The application of a mixture of HL and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) showed a synergistic effect on the extraction of the studied lanthanides. The extracted species was found to be as ML₃(HTTA) complexes (M is La³⁺, Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺). The proposed method was applied for the extraction of lanthanides from simulated leach solution of spent Ni-MH batteries.     

Impact of Flood Spreading on Infiltration Rate and Soil Properties in an Arid Environment

Flood spreading (FS) is one of the suitable methods for flood management and water harvesting that increases the groundwater recharge, makes soil more fertile and increases nutrients in soil. It is also a method for reusing sediment, which is usually wasted. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of flood spreading on physical and chemical soil properties (soil texture, infiltration rate, pH, EC, Na, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, HCO₃, and SO₄). It is examined that the soil properties change in the flood spreading projection area (FSP). The physico-chemical properties of soil and infiltration rate were measured in different soil depths at both flood spreading and control area. For the 20 cm of top soil, the amount of clay increased after the flood spreading implementation especially in the first and second dikes. Increasing clay was accompanied by decreasing soil infiltration and sand percentage. The mean differences of the clay, sand and infiltration rate between FSP and the control area were statistically significant (P < 0.01). A significant difference was not observed in 20–30 cm of the depth. Soil pH, Mg, HCO₃, Cl and SO₄ in different soil layers did not show any significant difference between the control and FSP. Soil EC in 0–20 cm depth of FSP and control area was showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) but no significant differences were found in deeper layers (P < 0.05). K, Na and Ca were remarkably different between 0 and 10 cm depths (P < 0.05) whereas no significant differences were found in deeper layers (P < 0.05). Comparison of the physico-chemical properties and infiltration rates between the dikes in the FSP shows that there are the significant differences between the medians of dike 1 with dikes 2, 3, 4 and 5, but the differences were not observed between dikes 3, 4 and 5. Our results show that the flood spreading operation can be influenced by the area that is under this operation. This study allowed us to investigate the mechanisms that regulate the infiltration rate and chemical soil properties throughout a seasonally flooded area.     

Static rigid force model for 3-axis ball-end milling of sculptured surfaces

Static rigid force model is used to estimate cutting forces of sculptured surface in a straightforward way, without considering tool deflection, machine tool dynamic behavior and any vibration effects. Two programs were used for calculations, “ACIS” the 3-D geometric modeler and “VISUAL BASIC”. Two programs were edited and used to perform the calculations, the scheme program to model the work piece, tool and cutting edge and to obtain the geometric data and the VISUAL BASIC program design to use ACIS geometric data to calculate the cutting forces. The engaged part of the cutting edge and work piece is divided into small differential oblique cutting edge segments. Friction, shear angles and shear stresses are identified from orthogonal cutting database available in literature. The cutting force components, for each tool rotational position, are calculated by summing up the differential cutting forces. Laboratory tests were conducted to verify the predictions of the model. The work pieces were prepared from CK45 steel using an insert-type ball-end cutter. No coolant was used in any of the experimental works. The cutting forces predicted have shown good agreement with experimental results.