r. valizadeh

In livestock rearing, providing a balanced diet for animal in order to produce meat and milk is the main component of this profession. Due to the limited rainfall and lack of good forage resources in Iran, nutrition has the highest cost share in livestock production. Therefore, identifying local source of animal feed and determining their nutritional value is essential. Because using these local feed sources in addition to reducing feed costs, prevents the depletion of these natural resources and increases employment. Reed fodder is one of the available forage species in many parts of the world, including Iran, and has a good potential for using in livestock feeds. This plant grows abundantly in wetlands and on the banks of most rivers in the country. Despite the severe shortage of livestock feed in Iran, the reed fodder is not used properly in livestock feeds. The crude protein, crude fiber and calcium amounts of reed fodder are 11.4%, 31% and 0.17 %, respectively. A cow weighing 300 kg needs 6 %digestible protein for 500 g daily gain, which reed fodder can supply half of the digestible protein and all the calcium and phosphate. The expansion of the livestock feed industry made it perfect feed for the various stages of growth of the most types of livestock. Complete feed block (CFB) is composed of forage, concentrate, and other supplementary nutrients in a desired proportion, which is capable to fulfill nutrient requirements of animals. The feeding of CFB stabilizes rumen fermentation, minimizes fermentation loss, and ensures better ammonia utilization. Advantages of CFB are using local feed raw materials which are cheaper and easier in distribution, because the distance between the processing place and the farm is closer. Also, it has a competitive advantage compared with commercial feed manufactured in large industrial scale; because, it is more efficient in production, it is lower in transportation costs and easier in storage, and it can reduce operating costs, especially labor. The type of feed will prevent selective feeding of animals;then, nutrients are provided more evenly by rumen microorganisms. There are few studies on the use of reed fodder in complete feed block form. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diet containing reed fodder (Phragmatis australis) in the form of complete feed block on growth performance of Baluchi lambs.

Thirty male lambs with an average age of 5 to 6 months and weight of 28±2.9 kg were fed with complete diets based on 30% forage and 70% concentrate. The experimental diets were: 1) total mixed ration containing alfalfa hay and wheat straw as the control, 2) complete feed block containing reed fodder as block diet, and 3) total mixed ration containing reed fodder as mixed diet. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three treatments and 10 replications. Animals were fed the experimental diets for 105 days, and daily feed intake were recorded. A digestion trail for seven days were conducted at the middle of experimental feeding, and daily feed intake and feces excretion were recorded. At the end of experiment, rumen fluid samples were taken from each animal at 3 h after morning feeding. Concentration of NH3-N was determined for rumen fluid samples according to Broderich and Kang (1980), and VFA were analyzed according to Ervin et al. (1961). Rumen fluid was used to direct count of protozoa using the methods of Dehority (2003). The chewing activities were recorded through a visual observation method for a period of 24 h continuously (08:00 to 08:00 the next day) at 5 – min intervals. Blood samples from jugular vein were collected in serum tubes containing anticoagulant agent approximately 4 h after morning feeding.

Feed intake (g/day), weight gain (g/day), and final weight (kg) of lambs fed with control and block diets were higher than those fed with mixed diets (P˂0.05). Apparent digestibility of DM, NDF, ADF, and CP in lambs fed with control and block diets were higher (P˂0.05), but no significant difference was observed between lambs fed with control and block diets. In lambs receiving the mixed diet, the NH3-N concentration was lower and the ratio of acetate to propionate was higher (P˂0.05), but no significant difference was observed between lambs receiving the control and block diets. The pH of rumen fluid as well as concentrations of isovaleric acid and valeric acid were not affected by experimental treatments. The whole rumen protozoa population and the population of Entodiniums and Epidiniums were higher in lambs fed with block diet (P˂0.05), but no significant difference was observed between lambs fed with the control and mixed diets. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was lower in lambs fed with the control and block diets (P˂0.05), but no significant difference was observed between lambs fed with the control and block diets. Other blood metabolites were not affected by experimental diets. The physical form of the feed (block diet) significantly increased the eating rate, ruminating rate, and total activity of the chewing (P˂0.05). Compared to lambs fed with block and mixed diets, lambs fed with control diet spent more time for eating, ruminating, and chewing. Feed conversion ratio of lambs fed with diets containing reed fodder was not affected by the physical form of the feed. Probably the decrease in air temperature during the fattening period affected the feed conversion ratio, and it was more effective for lambs fed with mixed diet with rough feed. The cost of feed per kilogram of live weight gain during the fattening period for each of the control, block, and mixed diets was calculated as 76630, 66360 and 67270 Rials, respectively. Based on these results, the use of reed fodder in the form of cubic blocks was more economical than the other two treatments.

The results of this experiment support the positive effects of using diets containing reed fodder in the form of complete feed block with the lower costs in areas which have the potential for growth of reed fodder.

(Kafi et al. 2010). The weather characteristics of these areas are hot and dry with scarcity of water resources. This crop can produce acceptable forage with much lower water requirement in comparison with the traditional forage crop such as alfalfa. In these areas this forage crop can be fed to ruminant animals instead of alfalfa hay. Therefore, this study was aimed to measure the feeding value of Kochia forage in both forms of dry or ensiled and utilize it instead of alfalfa hay in feeding of Saanen dairy goats. The Kochia forage was harvested from a farm in Mashkan area of Sabzevar city, lokated in west of Khorasan Razavi province of Iran. The harvested Kochia forage was dried under sun light or ensiled with or without 10% waste date in the ground silos for 60 days. In this experiment, 24 lactating dairy goats with average age and live weight of 3 years and 38.4 kg were allocated to 4 experimental diets baed on a completely randomized design. Each dietary treatment was replicated 6 time (6 goats alocated to each diet). Ratio of forage to concentrate part was 50:50 in dry basis. The experimental dietary treatments were as follows: 1) the control or traditional diet including concentrate (50%) plus alfalfa hay (50%) without Kochia, 2) diet with kochia hay instead of alfalfa hay (100% of the alfalfa hay was substituted with the Kochia hay) 3) diet with kochia silage instead of alfalfa hay (100% of the alfalfa hay was substituted with the Kochia silage) and 4) diet with kochia silage supplemented with 10% wasted date (100% of the alfalfa hay was substituted with Kochia silage). The goats were adapted to the experimental diets for 14 days and then, fed with the whole experimental diets for 6 weeks. Goats were milked daily at 6 and 18 hours with a portable milking machine. Diets, ruminal fluid, the produced milk, and blood of the experimental goats were sampled and analyzed according to the standard procedures (AOAC 2000). The experimental diets had no effects on dry matter intake which allocated to goats. The goat fed by the diet including kochia silage supplemented with 10% wasted date produced more milk (P<0.05) in comparison with the goats allocated to other experimental diets, but there were no difference in milk constituents. Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the experimental diets. Total amounts of VFAs measured for the diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 71.87, 73.62, 72.75 and 74.95 milimol per liter, respectively. The concentration of propionic acid was highest in kochia silage supplemented with 10% wasted date. Mean value (percentage) of this acid (propionic) for the experimental diets were 20.23, 20.48, 21.05, and 21.65, respectively. Ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid for the repective diets were 3.07, 3.01, 2.91, and 2.83 respectively. The expermential diets had no effects on other ruminal fermentation as well as blood biochemical parameters. Ruminal pH of the goats allocated to experimental diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 were; 6.15, 6.13, 6.12, and 5.99, respectively. There were also no significant (P>0.05) difference between these factors as well. Ruminal NH3-N obtained from the allocated goats to diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 16.17, 16.19, 16.85,
and 17.01 (mg/dl), respectively. The measured amounts of boold golucose were within the normal levels for this type of animal (57.60, 60.83, 62.75, and 62.90 mg/dl for diets, 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Water shortage and low rainfall are the top characteristics of Iranian agriculture industry. This environmental scenario must be regarded in any developmental project mainly for forage production as animal feeds. Feeding value and performance of the Kochia forage mainly in the form of supplemented silage with waste dates were comparable to the the locally produced alfalfa hay in this study. Therefore, this resistant forage crop to water sacrcity can be well cultivated instead of alfala forge which needs abadant amount of fresh water. Conservation of this crop in form of supplented forage with a golucogenic feed waste such as wast dates leads to a better result and performance. However, more studies are required for the implenentation of this recommendation. Unfortunatly the most of Iranian farmers are not well acostomized to croping this forage crop. It means more extentional works are needed along with the research activities.

The General Health Qu-estionnaire (GHQ) is used to detect mental disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the 28 questions version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ -28).

In a methodolo-gical study, 118 secondary school stud-ents in the city of Ilam were selected through random sampling method. In this study, the 28 questions version of the General Health Questionnaire was used. Construct validity was used to determine the validity and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coeffi-cient) was used to determine the relia-bility.

The GHQ is composed of six factors, The first factor is headache with the score of (14.22 ± 2.88), the second factor is insomnia with the score of (12.42 ± 2.48), the third factor is joy of life with the score of (10.45 ± 2.09), the fourth factor is health with the score of (10.387 ± 2.08), the fifth factor is feelings of worthlessness with the score of (9.96 ± 1.99) and the sixth factor is suicide attempt with the score of (8.42 ± 1.68), respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the scale was found to be 69%. Discussion &

The first fa-ctor of GHQ included questions, the second factor included questions, the third factor included questions, the fou-rth factor included questions, the fifth factor included questions and the sixth factor included questions.

The present condition and feeds utilization of dairy industry in Khorasan province was studied in 113 dairy farms based on the official data from Ministry of Agricultural-Jehad. Questioners evaluated the required parameters. The percentage proportion of lactating cows، dry cows، pregnant heifers، virgin heifers، 6-12 months old calves، under 6 months and 3 months old calves and breeding bulls were; 39، 10، 11، 6، 15، 9، 10 and 0. 1 precent، respectively. Mean of milk yield was 25. 5 kg/day with fat content of 3. 5%. A large variation was detected in forage quality and concentrate constituents and composition. Generally، difference between feed costs in various seasons was about 30%. All group of cows were offered more nutrients than the recommended levels. The percentage of extra feed cost in comparison with the total dairy cost of feeding was 9. 1، 14. 3، 15. 0 and 9. 1 percent for the high، medium and low milk- producing and dry cows. Most of the used concentrates were prepared in the farms. Net energy of lactation (NEL) and protein contents of the hand made and factory made concentrates were 1. 73±0. 03 Mcal per kg dry matter، 16. 1±0. 8% and 1. 68±0. 04 Mcal per kg dry matter and 15. 3±1. 04%، respectively. In most of the farms، silos were non-appropriately made. It was concluded that most of the utilized rations were imbalance in energy and protein ratios. Technical attention must be regarded to the ration formulation and forage quality in the province.

The poly morphism of 4 micro satellite loci (BMS1350، LGB، ILSTS45، BMS1915) associated with functional traits were evaluated for detecting the diversity level in Baluchi breed of sheep. One hundred eighty five blood samples were collected from sheep herd in Abbas-Abad breeding station. DNA extraction was performed using guanidinethiocyanate silica gel method. Gene fragments of micro satellites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction based on the recommended standard method. The PCR products were visible using poly acry lamide gel electrophoresis and stain methods with silver. Alleles were typed using the Photocapt software version 3. All loci were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p)

Nutritive value of Ephedra (Ephedra intermedia) was evaluated through determination of chemical compositions, in situ degradability and in vitro gas production techniques using three permanently fistulated adult Baluchi sheep. The Samples were harvested during the late spring from rangeland in north of Khorasan Razavi province. The rate of gas production and degradability characteristics of dry matter were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36 48, 72 and 96 hour. This forage contained 91.9, 9.2, 60.7, 30.8, 8.1, 3.3 and 18.6% of OM, CP, NDF, ADF, Ash, EE and NFC, respectively. The results obtained from degradability of dry matter showed that fraction a (rapidly degradable), b (slowly degradable) and c (rate constant degradable) were 20.16%, 42.06% and 0.07%/h, respectively. Also, in vitro gas production parameters (b and c), OMD and ME values of experimental sample were 65.22 ml/g, 0.043 ml/h, 27.42 g/100g DM and 4.18 MJ/kg DM, respectively. From the obtained results, it was concluded that palatability and degradability of this forage can be limited probably due to its high content of phenolic compounds (2.93%) and tannin (0.97%). This characteristic can be helpful for the local rangelands under deterioration.

Nutritive value of winterfat forage (Eurotia ceratoides) was evaluated through chemical composition, in situ degradability and in vitro gas production techniques using three permanently fistulated adult Baluchi sheep. The CP, NDF, ADF, Ash, EE and NFC contents of winterfat forage was 19.4, 54.5, 41.6, 9.0, 1.4 and 15.7%, respectively. The leaves had highest CP (27.9%DM) and lowest NDF (40.7%DM) levels among parts of the plant. Degradability characteristics of dry matter were measured at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hour incubation. The obtained results showed that DM fraction a (rapidly degradable), b (slowly degradable) and c (rate constant degradable) were 23.2, 30.5 and 8.0%, respectively. The rate of gas production of dry matter was measured at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hour after incubation. The obtained result showed that cumulative gas production sequentially of whole plant was 7.6, 15.8, 24.6, 31.6, 42.2, 62.09, 75.2, 83.6, 96.52 and 104.7 ml per each 1 g incubated samples. The measured data in this study suggest that winterfat with high content of CP and NDF with its lose structure could be a suitable forage source for grazing small ruminants in the dry nature rangelands in most parts of Iran.

Eight multiparous Holstein dairy cows with 634±44 BW, 57±6 DIM, and 46.7±3.1 kg daily milk yield were assigned to a duplicated 4×4 Latin square design for 21-day periods (adaptation, 14d sample collection, 7d). The treatment diets were: 1) no pistachio by-product (control), 2) 5% of pistachio by-product, 3) 10% pistachio by-product and 4) 15% pistachio by-product. Corn silage in control diet was replaced with pistachio by-product. The blood metabolites (2h after feeding), DMI, daily milk yield and milk compositions were not affected by the treatment diets. The economically corrected milk (ECM) and fat corrected milk (FCM) were decreased linearly by increasing pistachio by-product in the diet (P<0.1). By increasing the by-product level in the diet, digestibility of DM, OM, NDF and ADF were decreased linearly (P<0.05). Daily rumination and chewing activity alone or per DMI, NDFI or ADFI were linearly decreased when the by-product level increased in the diet (P<0.1). The results showed that the pistachio by-product does not seem to be suitable for complete replacing of the roughages in the diet and it can be used as a part of forage in the diet up to 10% of DMI.