Journal of Animal Feed Science and Technology

Most of the small scale farmers in the developing counties like in India are cultivating the rice. Paddy straw is by­product of the rice production. Paddy straw was rich in lignin content and reduces the degradability by ruminal microorganisms in cattle. Different methods including physical, chemical and biological are available, to improve the paddy straw utilization as feed stuff to the cattle. Among the several methods, treating with urea is one of the commonest methods following in the field. To improve the quality of paddy straw by its availability of the crude protein, digestibility, rumen degradability and production of high milk yield treatment with urea is recommended. The present review about an overview of existing knowledge on urea treated paddy straw and its benefits as cattle feed.

Keywords: Paddy Straw; Utilization; Feed, Ruminant, Urea
 

Bio­based products and innovative process technologies are receiving attention in food industry to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel and move to a sustainable materials basis. Biodegradable films are continuous matrices prepared from edible materials made up of proteins, polysaccharides and lipids.  Edible coatings are either applied to or made directly on foods while films are independent structures. A significant progress has been made in the development of biodegradable plastics, largely from renewable natural resources, to produce biodegradable materials with similar functionality to that of oil­based polymers. These natural films are preferred over non biodegradable films due to less carbon emission, less energy consumption, less landfill area and recycling ability. Incorporation of nano composites, essential oils, plant extracts, antimicrobial substances etc. improve functionality of bio degradable polymers based films in terms of protection against external factors and increase the food’s stability through antimicrobial properties and/or responding to environmental changes.

Keywords: Natural Polymers; Biodegradable Films; Essential Oils; Shelf Life.

 

In hill states where opportunities of employment are very limited, fisheries and aquaculture can play an important role for the enhancement of farmer’s income. Besides due to great portion of population comes under non­veg category, there is huge demand of fishes and other animal proteins. The gap of fish production and consumption pattern is also very big. In Jammu and Kashmir, total annual fish production is around 20,000 tons only while the consumption pattern of the entire state is very much higher. For fulfilling the animal protein demands, state has to depend on other states of country. A great portion of fish demand is being met by importing these from other states.

Keywords: Aquaculture; Rural Employment; Carp; Fisheries Based Farming System.

The increasing human population and rising incomes across the globe proportionally increases the demand for food and other livelihood resources. The requirements for wholesome and nutritious food are ever­increasing and animal husbandry sector has contributed much to the needs of people. Several measures have been applied to increase the productivity of livestock which has resulted in ignificant increase in the milk, meat, eggs and fish production. However, animal products can potentially be contaminated with thousands of chemicals used for various purposes in routine animal husbandry practices. Among veterinary drugs, antibiotics are the most widely used ones for chemotherapeutic and prophylactic purposes as well as feed additives to promote growth and improve feed efficiency in livestock. Although, the safe and effective use of antibiotics in animals has received considerable attention in most of the countries around the globe including India. However, the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry practices especially sub­therapeutic usage in animal feed as a growth promoter may have plethora of adverse impacts on human and environmental health. Therefore, the present review is an effort to address the various issues pertaining to sub­therapeutic usage of antibiotics in animal feed, methods for their detection in foods of animal origin and their potential risks to human and environmental health.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Animal Feed; Animal Origin Foods; Detection Methods; Health Risks.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of coriander seed meal (CSM) at varying levels in the diet of quails on serum biochemical profile. One hundred and fifty day old quail chicks were randomly allotted into 5 experiment groups each with 3 replicates of 10 chicks. CSM was incorporated at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% levels. All the diets formulated were iso­caloric and iso­nitrogenous. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected from 2 birds/ replicate, thus a total of 30 birds and serum was separated. Results revealed that the total protein, globulin, albumin, calcium and phosphorous contents were increased, (p<0.01) whereas serum glucose (p<0.05), triglycerides, total cholesterol and creatinine (P<0.01) levels were decreased with increase in the level of inclusion of CSM from 0 to 2.0% in the diet. Further, in this study increase (P<0.01)in the HDL Cholesterol level and decrease (p<0.01) in LDL and VLDL Cholesterol levels were recorded in serum with increased level of inclusion of CSM from 0 to 2.0% in the diet. The present study indicated that coriander seed meal can be incorporated up to 2.0% level as a natural feed additive in the diet of quails for production of low cholesterol meat without any adverse effect on production performance.

Keywords: Bio­ Chemical Profile; Cholesterol; Coriander Seed Meal; Quails

 

Residual feed intake (RFI) is defined as actual feed intake minus the expected feed intake of individual animal and it was first proposed as an alternate measure of feed efficiency by (Koch et al 1963). RFI is a heritable character and heritability of RFI as 0.14. selection for traits associated with feed conversion efficiency should lead to greater profitability of dairying. Residual feed intake is a useful selection criterion for greater feed efficiency. The experiment was conducted at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana . The two roughage: concentrate diets, namely 50:50 (50% roughage: 50% concentrate), 60:40 (60% roughage: 40% concentrate) were made. Twenty four lactating crossbred cows with average milk yield and week of lactation were taken. Twelve cows were divided in to two groups of six animals each and fed ration with 60:40 roughage: concentrate ratio (R_LC). The intake of OM and CP were significantly (p <0.05) high in R_HC hereas intake of ADF and NDF were significantly (p <0.05) high in R_LC. The roughage to concentrate ration has non­significant effect on the intakes of CHO, EE, NE, and ME. The RFI calculated based on DMI were statistical in both the groups. The digestibility of CP and EE were significantly (p <0.05) high in RHC compared to R_LC ration but that of ADF was significantly (p < 0.05) high in RLC compared to R_HC ration. The RFI of R_HC had significantly negative (p<0.05) effect on milk protein % but had no effect on milk production, milk energy yield, metabolic body wt., change/kg m.wt, and fat %, fat yield, protein yield and FCM . Nutrient digestibility of R_HC is significantly (p <0.05) higher for CP, EE as compared to R_LC and that of ADF had significantly (p <0.05) higher in RLC. The milk yield and protein yield of R_HC was significantly (p <0.05) higher than R_LC. Nutrient digestibility of R_HC is significantly (p <0.05) higher for CP, EE as compared to R_LC and that of ADF had significantly (p 0.05) higher in RLC. The correlation of RFI with m.b.wt, fat yield, protein yield, FCM was positively significant (p <0.05). RFI with milk yield was significantly (p <0.05) and negatively correlated.

Keywords: RFI; Roughage to Concentrate Ratio; Lactating Crossbred Cows.