In this study, the effect of forage sources in the total mixed ration (TMR) on in vitro goat rumen fermentation was investigated. Rice straw (RS), Italian ryegrass (IRG), timothy (TIM), and alfalfa (ALF) were used as forage sources. Each forage source was mixed with a commercial goat concentrate diet in the ratio of 1:1. Total 4 TMR were prepared. Rumen simulated in vitro fermentation using goat rumen fluid collected from the slaughterhouse was conducted until 72 th . For fermentation parameters, gas production (GP), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were examined. All assays were performed at 24 th , 48 th , and 72 th h of incubation individually. Contents of crude protein and non-fibrous carbohydrate were greater in the order of RS < IRG < TIM < ALF. Significant treatment effects were found in valerate and NH3-N at 24 th h of incubation (p<0.05). ALF showed the greatest contents of them and RS was the lowest. At 48 th incubation, a significant effect was detected at GP (p<0.05) and RS was greater than others. However, GP of RS was lower than others at 72 th . Significant effects on Total VFA, butyrate, and valerate productions were found at 72 th h of incubation (p<0.05). ALF showed the greatest production. Methane production from all treatments was not significantly different for each incubation time (p>0.05). The present study provided primary information on how goat rumen fermentation responds to different nutrient contents and forage sources of TMR. And the information could be used for the design or optimizing economical diet formulation for goats.

This study was to evaluate the feed value of whole crop rice silage (WCRS) and to investigate a suitable ratio of the WCRS and concentrate by an analysis of rumen fermentation. A total of 6 treatments were used according to WCRS: concentrate ratio on in vitro rumen fermentation: T1 (100:0), T2 (60:40), T3 (40:60), T4 (20:80), T5 (10:90), and T6 (0:100). The ruminal pH, total gas emission, ammonia nitrogen, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) were determined as fermentation parameters. Total nutrients digestibility trial was conducted by 4 treatments according to WCRS: concentrate ratio at 40:60 (W40), 20:80 (W20), and 10:90 (W10), respectively. Feed value was analyzed according to AOAC (2019) and nutrient digestibility was calculated based on NRC (2001). The levels of crude protein (CP), crude fat, and neutral detergent fiber of the WCRS were 12.29%, 1.67%, and 59.79%, respectively. It was found to be 51.49% as a result of predicting the total digestible nutrient of WCRS using the NRC (2001) model. In vitro rumen fermentation, T4, T5, and T6 treatments showed a greater gas emission and total VFA concentration compared with other treatments (p<0.05). Acetate and acetate to propionate ratio of T4, T5, and T6 were significantly higher than other treatments (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the level of propionate and butyrate according to the WCRS: concentrate ratio (p<0.05). The digestibility of dry matter and CP was significantly lower in W40 than in other treatments (p<0.05); however, there was no difference in W20 and W10. In conclusion, the 20:80 (WCRS: concentrate) is beneficial for stabilizing the rumen that does not inhibit rumen fermentation and nutrient digestion. This ratio might have a positive effect on the economics of farms as a valuable feed.

The present study investigated the effect of forage sources and their inclusion levels in diet on the rumen fermentation of Korea traditional goat. Timothy and alfalfa were used as forage sources. Forages were mixed with concentrate diet in different ratios. The ratios of forage to concentrate diets were varied to 1:9, 5:5 and 9:1. The rumen fluid of goat was gathered from slaughter house. Dry matter digestibility was decreased and methane production was increased as forage levels in diet was increased. When forage sources, timothy and alfalfa, were compared, groups with timothy showed greater methane production than the groups of alfalfa. Molar ratio of produced acetate and valerate were increased when forage level in diet was increased. In the case of propionate and butyrate, they were decreased as elevated forage levels in diet. The result of this study provided a basic information for rumen fermentation of Korean traditional goat and these information could be applied in the development of nutritional and feeding strategy.

Total mixed ration (TMR) including concentrate diet and roughage together have been used for the ruminant animal. Relatively high concentrations of moisture and water soluble carbohydrate are representative feature of TMR. Those moisture and water can also provide a niche for bacterial growth. Therefore, a possible fermentation of TMR induced by micro-organism is generally accepted. The present study hypothesized that different lactic acid bacteria could alter fermentation of TMR and subsequently rumen fermentation. Three lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei (A), L. plantarum (B) and L. parabuchneri (C), were employed and 7 treatments under full factorial design were compared with control without inoculation. TMR for dairy cow was used. Significant alterations by treatments were detected at lactic acid and butyric acid contents in TMR (p<0.05). Treatment AC (mixture of A and C) and BC (mixture of B and C) showed great lactate production. Great butyrate production was found at treatment C. At in vitro rumen fermentation, treatments B, C and AB (mixture of A and B) showed significantly great total gas production (p<0.05). All treatments except treatments B and AB, showed less dry matter digestibility, significantly (p<0.05). Total volatile fatty acid production at treatment AC was significantly greater than others (p<0.05). In individual volatile fatty acid production, treatment AB and AC showed great acetate and propionate productions, significantly (p<0.05). This study investigated correlation between organic acid production in TMR and rumen volatile fatty acid production. And it was found that butyric acid in TMR had significant negative correlation with acetate, propionate, total volatile fatty acid, AP ratio and dry matter digestibility.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary formulated feed additive on growth performance and carcass traits of Hanwoo steers. A formulated feed additive reported to reduce heat load in the rumen in our previous research was used (Cho et al., 2014). Total 32 herds of Hanwoo steers were assigned into two groups of control and treatment. Total mixed ration was provided as basal diet for cattle and 100 g of additive was supplemented on diet for treatment. Feeding trial was performed during 120 days before slaughter. For growth performance, 3 periods (0~90 days; 90~120 days; 0~120 days) were allotted and average daily gain, feed requirement and final body weight were determined. Loin meat between 12th and 13th rib was used for meat quality analysis after slaughtering. Only 1st period showed significantly improved growth performance of treatment (P<0.05) and there were no significant difference in other periods. At 3rd periods (overall), a trend of increased average daily gain was found at treatment (P=0.075). Carcass performance and quality did not show significant differences between treatment and control (P>0.05). In meat quality, treatment showed significant increment in all measured meat colors (P<0.05) and significantly less sharing force compared to the control (P<0.05). Although no significant difference in growth performance and carcass yield were found, remarkably improved economic status was detected in treatment group. In conclusion, it could be suggested that application of a formulated feed additive specialized in reduction of heat load in the rumen was able to increase economical balance through enhancing heat stress condition of ruminant and growth.