t. ghoorchi

 Wheat grain is normally used for animal feed in some regions, but is seldom used in others. Its nutritional composition is very similar to that of the barley grain commonly used, but there are concerns about its effects on the performance and health of the animals. Wheat seed is one of the grain varieties with the highest amount of protein available for animal feed, exceeding corn. Furthermore, it has a high energy value of 3.0 to 3.5 Mcal of ME (metabolizable energy), which is an important source of energy for animal feed. The most abundant carbohydrate in wheat is starch, a digestible polysaccharide. On the other hand, it is recommended that wheat has a moisture content of less than 14% to avoid problems with digestibility and contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi. Barley is an important grain which is widely used as a source of feed for ruminants. Feed deliveries during the fattening period are the physical processing of the feed. It has been demonstrated that barley starch ferments rapidly in the rumen. The high digestibility of barley has raised concerns regarding acidosis, lameness, liver abscesses, and gastrointestinal abnormalities in ruminants. It is generally considered that the processing of barley grain may be used in the feed industry to adjust the rate of digestion of its nutrients to avoid acidosis. Consequently, the distribution of particle sizes after processing is one of the main factors influencing the rate and extent of digestion of barley (feeding of livestock accounts for 65-70% of the cost of raising livestock). Wheat and barley are used as the predominant source of energy for animal nutrition in most parts of the world. Wheat seed has been used for a long time because of the extensive cultivation and livestock rearing in Iran. The most common way of processing barley and wheat grain in the country is by grinding. Farmers prefer to use whole grains in the production of concentrates, as the concentrate involves the use of crushed grains, but the farmer's wish to use whole grains in the concentrate requires a study and field investigation. The purpose of this study is therefore to examine the effects of the grain size of barley and wheat on the diet of lambs fattening and to compare their effects on growth performance, digestibility, rumination and blood parameters.

 This experiment was carried out in the form of a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of 3×2 with six treatments including 1. Finely milled barley grain with sieve number two, 2. Coarsely milled barley grain with sieve number eight, 3. Unmilled barley grain, 4. Finely milled wheat grain with sieve number two, 5. Coarsely milled wheat grain with sieve number eight, and 6. Unmilled wheat grain. Five fattening lambs aged 4-5 months with almost the same starting weight were allocated to each treatment and a total of 30 male lambs were individually tested for 98 days, including two weeks for acclimatization and 84 days for the remainder of the main test period. The performance of lambs was assessed in this experiment, including average daily feed consumption, daily weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion ratio. Nutrient digestibility was measured by the acid-insoluble ash (AIA) method from day 80 for four days. The digestibility of dry matter organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber was evaluated. Blood parameters were measured including blood glucose, blood cholesterol (LDL-c, HDL-c), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

 The results showed that daily weight gain was significant throughout the treatment period and daily weight gain was greater in the treatment group that consumed barley than in the treatment group that consumed wheat (P<0.05). The impact of the grain, the type of processing, and their interaction on feed consumption in all three experimental periods was not significant. Total feed consumption was not significant, but it was significant during the last month of fattening (P<0.05). Lambs consuming barley and wheat milled with sieve number eight had the highest feed consumption compared with the treatment of wheat and barley with sieve number two and whole grains (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in treatments receiving wheat was higher than that in those receiving barley (P<0.05). The type of processing had no significant impact on the feed conversion rate (P>0.05). In the study of nutritional behavior, the results showed that the parameters of eating and rumination were higher in the treatments receiving wheat compared to barley (P<0.05). Also, the treatments receiving unmilled barley and wheat (whole grain) showed the highest levels of eating and rumination (P<0.05). The treatments receiving barley and wheat grains with sieve number two also showed the lowest levels of eating and rumination. There were no significant differences in nutrient digestibility, rumination parameters, and blood parameters (P>0.05). Contrary to the view of the farmers that whole grains are better than milled grains, the results showed that overall the use of ground or whole grains did not show a significant difference.

 Overall, the results showed that there was no significant difference between whole grain and milled grain, and even from the point of view of palatability, milled grain with a sieve number 8 had a higher consumption rate than the other treatments. These findings indicate that milled barley grain with a sieve number 8 may be used as a substitute for whole barley grain in the feeding of lambs.

Minerals are a small part of the diet, but their deficiency has major consequences for the health and reproduction of animals. Iron is not only one of the most abundant elements on Earth (it is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust), but it is also a vital component of living things and an essential nutrient for all animal species. The main source of iron for calves and other newborn ruminants is milk or milk replacer. Milk contains relatively small amounts of iron, and calves are prone to iron deficiency. In most dairy farms, iron supplements are added as an inorganic source to the diet, which can undergo oxidation and react with other substances, causing a decrease in solubility. To solve this problem, the desired elements should be added to the ration of livestock in the form of chelated supplements. Research shows that iron plays an essential role in several metabolic processes and is necessary for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins in the body. Dietary supplements with iron have increased hematology parameters and improved growth. In addition, the presence of iron in the diet is effective in increasing appetite and glucose metabolism. Based on this, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of chelated iron supplement containing organic acid and amino acid on the performance, skeletal growth indices, fecal score, and blood parameters of suckling calves.
36 newborn male calves (with an average weight of 35.1±2.7 kg) were randomly divided into three groups with 12 replicates. The treatments included the control group (basic diet without iron supplement), basic diet with chelated iron supplement containing organic acid, and basic diet with chelated iron supplement containing amino acid. The length of the trial period was 63 days. During the experiment, calves were kept in separate locations. The rations were based on the National Research Council (NRC) report which was published in 2001. The rations were provided by total mixed ration (TMR) in calves at 8 am and 4 pm and animals had free access to water. Milk feeding was also performed in the morning and evening (10% of body weight). Calves were weighed every 21 days. The amount of feed consumed and post-feed was recorded daily. Skeletal growth in the body was measured using a standard measuring device and caliper. Three days a week, the calves' feces were randomly evaluated. On the last day, three hours after the morning meal, calves were sampled from the veins and blood parameters were determined. Sampling was done using venoject tubes with and without heparin and the samples were immediately centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to separate the plasma and kept at -20ºC until the day of the experiment. Glucose, urea, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and globulin were determined using a Pars Test automated analyzer and kit. The measurement of mineral elements in blood serum (iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and phosphorus) was done by atomic absorption device.
The results showed that calves receiving chelated iron supplements with amino acids had an increase in the final weight, total period weight, and daily weight, and a decrease in feed conversion rate compared to the control group and treatment receiving chelated iron supplements with organic acids (P<0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in terms of dry matter and milk consumption among different treatments. There was no significant difference in terms of skeletal growth indices among different treatments. Fecal score and diarrhea status improved in both treatments receiving iron supplements (P<0.05). Consumption of iron supplements by calves in both chelated forms containing organic acids and amino acids increased blood glucose and iron and decreased blood copper and phosphorus (P<0.05). However, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, total protein, albumin, and blood globulin were not affected.
In general, according to the results of this research, the intake of chelated iron with amino acids is recommended due to the improvement in the performance of suckling calves.

Colostrum is a secretion product produced by the mammary glands immediately after birth. This vital and unique composition is designed to meet all the animal's needs when it cannot eat. For various reasons, maternal accidents can occur during pregnancy and birth, making it impossible to produce appropriate colostrum for the newborn calf. Therefore, the main task of the farmer is to provide suitable replacement colostrum as quickly as possible so that he can maintain the results of his year-long efforts to continue the generation. Various methods are used to preserve colostrum. Methods of colostrum storage include fermentation and freezing. Fermentation of the colostrum results in physical and chemical changes in the colostrum that can aid in the transfer of nutrients to the calf. This research was carried out to study and compare the effect of different methods of colostrum preservation on the efficiency of newborn calves of the Simmental breed and to recommend the use of one of the more suitable methods so that if the farmer does not have access to suitable colostrum, he can use.
To carry out this study, 32 newborn Simmental calves with an average weight of 39.5 ± 3.2 kg were used. The calves were divided into four equal groups (eight replicates per treatment), including 1. group fed with fresh colostrum from the mother (control), 2. group fed with fermented colostrum without any additives (fermented without additives), 3. the group that was fed colostrum fermented with low-fat yogurt (fermented with yogurt), and 4. the group was fed with colostrum that was kept frozen (frozen) in the freezer and heated to a temperature of 37 °C before consumption. Initially, a colostrum bank was used with 110 liters of colostrum from the first and second lactation cows, which started colostrum production at the same time by synchronizing parturition. Colostrum samples were separated and prepared in polyethylene (PET) plastic containers with a volume of two liters. In the fermented colostrum group, after filling the containers of the group with yogurt, two percent yogurt was added, and the containers were completely sealed and stored at room temperature until the experiment. The dishes belonging to the frozen group were stored in the freezer at -20 °C. In the first two days, all calves received two liters of colostrum per meal twice daily in the morning and evening. Feed was consumed daily. Calves were weighed at the beginning of parturition, on the 30th and 60th days of the schedule in the morning and before feed distribution, and from the 27th day of the calves' birth, the apparent digestibility of nutrients (dry matter) was measured. Samples were taken from three-day experimental rations and feces. Blood was collected from the jugular vein on days 0, 1, and 30. After serum separation, blood factors such as glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and total blood protein were measured. At the beginning of the course and the end of the project, body parameters were measured to check the growth status of the calf: hip width, height from withers, chest circumference, body length, chest depth, wrist circumference, and eye relief.
The results of different treatments of colostrum consumption in newborn calves concerning blood biochemical parameters showed that the amount of glucose in all three sampling times was not significantly different in all treatments, and the amount of blood protein and triglycerides were also not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). Colostrum consumption with different storage methods had no significant influence on the amount of concentrate consumed, the digestibility of the dry matter consumed, the final weight of the calf, the daily weight gain, and the feed conversion ratio (P>0.05). Also, the results showed that there were no significant changes in physical indices among different groups (P>0.05). The use of colostrum with different storage methods had no difference in the amount of cells associated with the immune system, including types of white blood cells, and therefore the immune conditions were similar in all groups (P>0.05).
The results of this study showed that consumption of colostrum in simply fermented form or with the addition of fat-free yogurt, as well as colostrum stored in frozen form, had a positive influence on blood parameters in newborn calves compared to the control group that used fresh maternal colostrum. The use of colostrum stored in any of the mentioned methods, depending on the conditions of animal husbandry, can help provide the colostrum needed by the calf and solve the problem of the animal breeder.

During the time around parturition, animals make many metabolic adjustments to support the transition from pregnancy to lactation. Before giving birth, animals are subjected to a lot of metabolic effects, to prepare the physiological conditions of the body in the time after giving birth and during lactation. In addition, dairy cattle produce milk more than their ability to consume energy, as a result, they are in a negative energy balance at the beginning of lactation, which may reduce the longevity of the cattle in the herd and increase the rate of elimination of dairy cattle. Heat stress in late pregnancy is aggravated by energy restriction. In such conditions, the use of management and nutritional methods will reduce the problems during the transfer period and heat stress. One of the ways to optimize the productive and reproductive conditions of livestock, through improving the metabolism of nutrients and eliminating or reducing stress conditions, is to use chromium as a metabolic improver. According to scientific sources, the chromium requirement for sheep is three to five mg per day, and for dairy cows is 15 to 50 mg per day. Inorganic chromium has a bioavailability of about 0.5%. Organic chromium has more than 25% intestinal absorption, and therefore, consumption of inorganic chromium is not recommended due to its low bioavailability and toxic effects. Among the sources of organic chromium, chromium-methionine has been recognized by important global food and drug organizations as a compound with high bioavailability, impressive metabolic responses, and no toxicity complications. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of using different forms of chromium around calving on feed consumption, nutrient digestibility, nutritional behavior of Afshari ewes, and the performance of their lambs under the influence of heat stress.
Forty pregnant Afshari ewes were assigned to four experimental treatments with 10 replicates from 42±5 days before the expected birth in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments include 1) a basic diet without chromium supplementation (control), 2) a basic diet containing three mg of chromium in mineral form per kg of dry matter, 3) a basic diet containing three mg of chromium in the form of chromium-methionine per kg of dry matter, and 4) a basic diet contained three mg of chromium in the form of chromium nanoparticles per kilogram of dry matter. The length of the test period was 84 days. Weighing of ewes was done at the beginning, at the time of calving, and the end of the period. The rest of the feed is weighed every day and the daily feed consumption was calculated by deducting from the provided feed. Sampling of the rumen fluid was done on the 14th day after birth. The rumen fluid was taken before feeding in the morning (zero hour), and at three and six hours after feeding by esophageal tube, then the pH amount of rumen contents was measured and recorded immediately after extraction by a mobile digital pH meter (Metrohm laboratory pH meter-691) which was calibrated at the same place. To measure rumen liquid ammonia nitrogen, samples were used three hours after morning feeding. To measure the concentration of volatile fatty acids, five mL of rumen fluid samples were prepared and 1 mL of metaphosphoric acid 25% was added to them and kept at -20ºC until the experiment. On the 10th day after birth, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of ewes and lambs three hours after morning feeding. To measure blood metabolites including glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, and globulin, Pars Azmoun chemical kits and auto-analyzer (Spain BT 3500) were used.
The results showed that, from the third to the sixth weeks after birth, dry matter consumption in ewes receiving chromium-methionine and chromium nanoparticles had an upward trend compared to the other two treatments (P<0.05). The addition of chromium to the diet of ewes had no significant effect on rumen pH, volatile fatty acids, and rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration. The addition of chromium supplement to the diet of ewes caused a significant decrease in the rumen protozoa population compared to the control group (P<0.05). Adding different forms of chromium to the diet of sheep caused a decrease in glucose concentration, and an increase in chromium, insulin, total protein, albumin, and serum globulin compared to the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between experimental treatments on blood cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, and creatinine concentrations. Also, different forms of chromium did not have a significant effect on the blood parameters of the born lambs.
In general, the use of chromium, especially in the form of chromium-methionine and chromium nanoparticles, is recommended during the transfer phase of sheep under the influence of heat stress.

The management of suckling calves guarantees health and performance in their productive life. The sensitivity and low immune system in newborn calves increase the odds ratio of some disorder incidence and sometimes it is associated with the death. Therefore, the use of antibiotics in suckling calves became popular. Laws prohibiting the use of antibiotics in raising domestic animals led to the use of natural alternatives with similar properties. These compounds cause positive effects on the reduction of intestinal infections, and disorders and increase the absorption of nutrients by creating intestinal microbial balance. Prebiotics have the same feature that changes the microflora population in the digestive system. It has been proven honey has prebiotic characteristics that improve the immune system in mammals. This product and its by-products are used for different goals in human feed. This prevents intestinal infection, modifies intestine microflora population, and improves health situation and lipid metabolism. Honey is a natural product that is thickened from saturated or supersaturated sugar solutions. It usually consists of 17% water, 38% fructose, 31% glucose, 10% other sugars, and a wide range of micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, with a pH below 4. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of milk enrichment with natural honey on the performance, digestibility, blood parameters, and skeletal growth indices of suckling Holstein calves.
Eighteen Holstein suckling male calves with an average weight of 58±4.2 kg were used. Treatments were divided into three groups which contained zero, 2.5, and five g per day of natural honey to the milk consumed. The duration of the experiment was 30 days evaluated in a completely randomized design. Calves were kept in individual pens and fed based on NRC requirements. Starter provided to total mixed ration (TMR) form which is given at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm daily. Calves fed milk based on 10% of body weight in the morning and evening. The amount of milk consumed by calves is measured, and to calculate the milk solids, it is multiplied by a coefficient of 12.5%. Dry matter (DM) digestibility, blood samples, average daily gain, dry matter intake, stool score, and skeleton growth were evaluated during 30 d and compared treatment by the general mixed model in SAS software.
The results of this study showed that adding natural honey to milk significantly improved the feed conversion ratio and increased the final weight, average daily gain, and dry matter digestibility of the calves (P<0.05). The group of calves that consumed five g of natural honey per day had the highest final weight and average daily gain, as well as the lowest feed conversion ratio. However, the milk and starter intakes were not affected by the experimental treatments, and there was no significant difference observed between the control group and the groups that received natural honey (P<0.05). Supplementing milk with honey improved the growth rate and feed conversion ratio of the calves, likely due to the presence of enzymes and other substances in honey that aid in breaking down polysaccharides into usable energy for the animals. Blood glucose concentration decreased in the calves that received natural honey (P<0.05), but the concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein were not significantly different among the treatments (P>0.05). The reduction in blood glucose can be attributed to the antioxidant compounds present in honey, which can reduce intestinal glucose absorption by inhibiting the digestive enzymes of alpha-amylase or delaying the emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine. The stool consistency score increased with increasing levels of natural honey in the milk, and the group that received five g of natural honey per day had the best stool score, while the control group had the lowest stool consistency score (P<0.05). However, there was no effect of treatment on the number of animals with diarrhea or the number of days involved with diarrhea (P>0.05). Natural honey is rich in antioxidants and has prebiotic properties, which promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms and decrease harmful microflora in the gut. There was no significant difference observed in skeletal growth indices between the different experimental treatments (P>0.05).
The experiment's findings indicated that incorporating natural honey (up to five g/day) into the milk given to Holstein calves can improve their performance and health, making it a recommended practice.

Choline and methionine are crucial nutrients for livestock as they provide methyl groups. The relationship between these two nutrients is intricate, with varying opinions on their interdependence. Methionine is often a limiting amino acid in dairy diets and its metabolism is linked to that of choline and betaine. Choline as an alternative to methionine, can act as a precursor to phosphatidylcholine, which is important for dairy cows around calving time. Furthermore, choline and betaine impact methionine requirements and methionine can affect choline metabolism. Given that limited study and experimentation have been conducted so far to investigate the effects of unprotected methionine and choline on calves, this research aimed to examine the impact of unprotected methionine and choline on feed intake, growth, digestibility, fecal score, blood metabolites, and feed behavior of pre-weaned calves. The expected hypothesis of the study was the significant effect of utilizing unprotected methionine and choline on feed intake, growth, digestibility, fecal score, blood metabolites, and feeding behavior of pre-weaned calves due to their mono-gastric nature and lack of rumen development.

A total number of 32 Simmental male suckling calves, aged approximately one month old with an initial weight of 44±2.1 kg, were used in this study. The experimental treatments included: 1) a basal diet without choline and methionine (control), 2) the basal diet with three grams of methionine, 3) the basal diet with three grams of choline, and 4) the basal diet with 1.5 grams of methionine and 1.5 grams of choline per head per day. The calves were randomly assigned to the experimental treatments in a completely randomized design with eight replications. The study lasted for 45 days, including a 7-day adaptation period. Blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea nitrogen levels were measured on the last day of the study, four hours after morning feeding, to evaluate the metabolic profile of the animals. Additionally, feed consumption behavior was visually observed for 24 hours on the last day of the study to calculate the animal's rumination, eating, chewing, and resting time. To determine the digestibility of dry matter, samples were collected from feed and feces during the last three days of the experiment using the acid-insoluble ash internal indicator method. Stool consistency was scored for all of the calves as an indicator of animal health.

The inclusion of three grams of methionine in the experimental treatments resulted in a decrease in dry matter intake, and when methionine and choline were added, it increased the daily weight gain of the animals (P<0.05). However, the treatments did not have a significant effect on the feed conversion ratio (P>0.05). The results of other studies showed that the addition of choline did not have a significant effect on the amount of dry matter consumed, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of Holstein bull calves. Consistent with the results of the present study, no improvement was observed in the feed efficiency of steers with the addition of a protected choline supplement, and no effect was observed on dry matter intake. The treatments did not have a significant impact on dry matter digestibility, stool consistency, blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea nitrogen (P>0.05). In agreement with the results of the present study, the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in steers was not affected by choline. Researchers reported that the use of protected biocholine and methionine did not have a significant effect on the digestibility of dry matter in calves. Also, it was observed that the use of choline did not have a significant effect on the digestibility of dry matter in sheep and pre-weaned calves. Researchers have reported that the use of protected methionine and choline did not have a significant effect on the levels of glucose and triglycerides in the blood of dairy cows before calving. In another study, the urea nitrogen in the blood of dairy cows was not affected by methionine and choline. Additionally, the experimental treatments did not affect feed consumption behavior (P>0.05).

Feeding unprotected choline and methionine did not have a significant effect on glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, digestibility of dry matter, fecal consistency score, and feeding behavior. However, the use of methionine improved dry matter intake and daily weight gain. Feeding Simmental calves with three grams of methionine per day is recommended to improve dry matter intake and daily weight gain, although it does not significantly affect the feed conversion ratio.

Since the last two months of pregnancy (late pregnancy) constitute 75% of fetal growth, enriching the mother's diet can have positive consequences on the health and overall performance of the mother and children. Manganese functions in the immune system in different ways, including its activity in antioxidant pathways, its role in phagocytic activity, and maintaining the structural integrity of epithelial barriers against infection. Manganese deficiency can lead to dysfunction of innate and acquired immune systems in different species. Manganese toxicity is rarely observed. However, the main toxic effects attributable to this element are cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, as well as deposition in specific components of the basal ganglia, and alteration of dopaminergic neuroenzyme activity. Diet enrichment with organic manganese increased feed consumption and improved dry matter digestibility in lambs. It has been documented that maternal manganese status is vital for ewe’s performance and the health of their newborn lambs. But, the required level and form of dietary manganese in ruminants are not well defined. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of organic manganese supplementation on the performance, digestibility, milk yield and composition of Afshari ewes in the transition period, and the health of their lambs, For the present study, 24 single pregnant ewes were selected. They were kept in separate boxes (1 × 1 m2) with a concrete floor covered with straw during the experiment. Twenty-four lambs were born in three days from the experimental ewes. Forty-two days before lambing, the ewes were fed a diet rich in organic manganese. Water was also provided freely and separately. The experimental treatments included: 1. The first group (T1) was fed with the basal diet, 2. The second group (T2) was fed the basic diet enriched with 40 mg of organic manganese per kg DM (recommended by NRC), and 3. The third group (T3) received a basal diet enriched with 80 mg of organic manganese per kg DM (twice recommended by NRC). In this study, organic manganese (amino-manganese) contains an element of manganese and methionine, which are ionically connected. The diets of ewes were balanced using the NRC software. To calculate the weight change of the ewes, they were weighed five weeks before lambing, on the day of lambing, and five weeks after lambing. Also, the lambs were weighed on the day of birth and at the time of placental discharge. Feces and feed samples were collected in the last week for five days to test the digestibility of dry matter of ewes. They were determined in neutral detergent (NDF) by the Van Suest method, and crude protein and crude ash were measured according to the official Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. The concentrations of fat, protein, lactose, and milk solids were measured by the Milkoscan device (MilcoscanTMS50-76510). A flame atomic absorption spectrometer model (Shimadzu-AA-670) with a wavelength of 279.5 nm was used to measure the magnesium concentration of milk. The feces of the lambs were evaluated daily. Stool scores were determined based on 1. Hard and consistent, 2. Soft and loose, 3. Loose and watery, 4. Watery with some blood, and 5. Watery with blood and mucus. At the end of the experiment, the weight and average feed consumption of ewes after delivery were influenced by organic manganese supplementation and showed a significant increase (P<0.05). While before delivery, there was no significant difference between the experimental treatments regarding the weight of the ewes (P>0.05). Also, the birth weight of the lambs and the time of placental discharge were not affected by the experimental treatments (P>0.05). The addition of different levels of organic manganese in the diet of ewes did not have a significant effect on digestibility parameters (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, NDF, ADF, and ether extract) during the transition period (P>0.05). Supplementation of organic manganese in the diet of pregnant ewes during the transition period did not affect milk production (P>0.05). However, the amount of fat and solids in milk increased in the treatments with organic manganese supplementation, and this amount was higher in the animals that received 40 mg of organic manganese per kg DM (P>0.05). Also, the concentration of manganese in milk increased in animals that received organic manganese. In the present study, stool consistency improved under the effect of organic manganese supplementation. The number of lambs suffering from diarrhea and the average number of days suffering from diarrhea decreased significantly (P<0.05) due to the consumption of organic manganese supplements by the mother during the transfer period. Manganese is a nutrient associated with health and immunity. On the other hand, there is a close relationship between the antioxidant status of the body and the health of the animal because manganese plays a role in the structure of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). According to the results of this study, organic manganese acts as a valuable and safe supplement that can be used to improve the ewe’s performance and the health of newborn lambs.

Flax products (seed and meal) are one of the sources of energy and protein for ruminants. Although flaxseed is a very inexpensive and affordable source of omega-3s, more than 50% of its fatty acids are made from alpha-linolenic acid, but it cannot be used at high levels due to its anti-nutritional properties. Flaxseed processing improves nutrient consumption while reducing the negative effects of anti-nutritional substances such as lintine and making food more palatable. Various methods are used to process and improve the flaxseed digestion process, such as micronization and extrusion. The extrusion process is the process of processing high-temperature materials in a short time and is done by a combination of moisture, heat, mechanical energy, and pressure. Extrusion is also a technical function by which feed is processed, extruded, and cooked under a constant increase in pressure and then expanded due to a sudden pressure drop. Heat treatment applied during the extrusion process reduces the access of rumen bacteria to the fat in the diet by denaturing the protein matrix around fat droplets in oilseeds such as flaxseed and thus can reduce fatty acids. Microwave by microwave can be done after adding 25% moisture to the grains for three minutes in a device containing an infrared lamp. It was also found that micronization could be used to increase the degradable protein content of the rumen. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of flaxseed level and processing method on performance, skeletal growth indices, health, and ruminant behavior of suckling calves.
In this study, to investigate the effect of using different levels and methods of flaxseed processing on the performance of suckling calves, 35 newborn Holstein male calves with an initial weight of 41±4.5 kg were used. This experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and five replications. Treatments included: 1. Control, 2. The treatment contained 5% of raw flaxseed, 3. The treatment contained 10% of raw flaxseed, 4. The treatment contained 5% of micronized flaxseed, 5. The treatment contained 10% of micronized flaxseed, 6. The treatment contained 5% of extruded flaxseed, and 7. The treatment contained 10% of extruded flaxseed. The total trial period was 60 days, which included 14 days of adaptation. Stool consistency scoring was considered as a daily livestock health indicator for each calf. Measurement of skeletal growth rate was done by meter and caliper at the beginning and end of the period. To evaluate the effect of experimental treatments on calf performance, dry matter intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were also measured.
Experimental treatments had no significant effect on daily feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Also, the growth of skeletal indices, fecal consistency, and rumination behavior was not affected by experimental treatments. The lack of effect on food intake probably indicates that the amount of linseed fatty acids used has a minimal mechanism of short-term regulation of feed intake. Oily seeds such as flaxseed contain eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids, both of which are active derivatives of linolenic acid. It is known that these oxygenated metabolites play an important role in the growth and development of infant animals, especially the development of their nervous system. However, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids may have a lower effect on feed efficiency during this period of calves' life. In general, the duration of chewing is reduced by decreasing the size of particles and the content of insoluble fibers in neutral detergent. The lower content of insoluble fibers in the neutral detergent and its chemical and physical nature may have reduced rumination and chewing activity. Probably, the changes in the rumination time may be related to the difference in the dry matter consumed and the digestibility of the nutrients, and the rumination activity can also be considered a factor to diagnose rumen health due to the stimulation of saliva secretion. The duration of chewing activity (sum of eating and ruminating) can be a good measure of rumen health.
According to the results of this study, the use of processed flax did not hurt the performance, skeletal growth indices, and health of calves. Extruded and micronized flax can be used at the 10% level in the diet of suckling calves as a source of protein and energy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the replacement of different levels of wheat straw with cottonseed plant on performance, digestibility, blood parameters, and rumination behavior of Dalagh ewes. Therefore, 15 ewes with three treatments and five replications were used in a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of 0, 50, and 100% replacement of wheat straw with cottonseed plant. The whole period of the experiment was carried out in 35 days, consisting of seven days for the adaptation period. Ewe body weight was recorded weekly. Fecal and feed samples were collected on days 31 to 35 for five consecutive days from each treatment to determine digestibility. Blood sampling was done on day 35 and 4 hours after morning feeding. On days 29 and 30, the rumination behavior of ewes was estimated for 24 hours. Results indicated that dry matter intake and weight gain in the second treatment (50% cottonseed plant) increased and feed conversion rate was decreased, but generally performance and digestibility were not affected by treatments. Also, there was no significant difference between experimental treatments in digestibility. Results of the present experiment showed, by increasing the amount of whole cottonseed plant in ewe diets, the concentration of triglyceride increased (p < /em><0.05). The most and the least concentrations of glucose were observed in the first (contained 0% cottonseed plant) and second treatment (contained 50% cottonseed plant), respectively. With the reduction of wheat straw levels in the diet, chewing time and rumination behavior were increased. The difference was not significant in eating, rumination, and chewing behavior. Based on the results of this experiment it could be possible to replace the cottonseed plant in the diet of ewes.

Introdution: A goal of ruminant microbiologists and nutritionists is to manipulate the ruminal microbial ecosystems to improve the efficiency of converting feed to animal products consumable by humans. The use of feed additives such as antibiotics has proven to be a useful tool to reduce energy (in the form of methane) and nitrogen (in the form of ammonia) losses from the diet. However, scientists have recently become interested in evaluating alternatives for manipulating the gastrointestinal microflora in livestock due to the increasing public concern about the use of antibiotics in the animal feed industry. Plant extracts have been used for centuries for various purposes (e.g., traditional medicine, industrial applications, food preservatives) due to their antimicrobial properties and because most of them are categorized as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for human consumption. The use of plant extracts appears to be one of the most natural alternatives to the antibiotic use in animal nutrition. Ruminant microbiologists and nutritionists have been exploring alternative methods of favorably altering ruminal metabolism to improve feed efficiency and animal productivity. Plant extracts contain secondary metabolites, such as essential oils (EO) that have antimicrobial properties that make them potential alternatives to antibiotics to manipulate micro-bial activity in the rumen. Essential oils are naturally occurring volatile components responsible for giving plants and spices their characteristic essence and color. Over the last few years, a number of studies have examined effects of EO, and their active components, on rumen microbial fermentation. Garlic oil (Allium sativa) and clove has been shown to exhibit a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against gram-negative and grampositive bacteria. In a previous study, garlic oil and clove reduced the proportions of acetate and branchedchain VFA, and increased the proportions of propionate and butyrate and the small peptide plus amino acid N (SPep+AA N) concentration. These changes in the fermentation profile are consistent with those observed with methane inhibitors and have the potential to beneficially modify rumen microbial fermentation. In order to evaluate effects of garlic and clove essential oils on rumen microorganisms, dry matter degradability of ingrediends, two experiments were designed. Material and metheds: First experiment was carried out with three fistulated rams using change over design. Each period lasted 28d. Ruminal fluid was collected in the end of each period. Samplings were performed immediately before and after 2 and 4 hours of morning feeding. In second experiment: an experiment with randomized complete block design containing 3 kinds of feed (straw, alfa alfa, barley) and 2 kinds of essential oils (garlic, clove) in 3 replicates (3 fistulatted sheep) was conducted to determine effects of essential oil on degradability and effective degradability of dry matter. Incubation of feed samples was done in times of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The results showed that differences of pH were not significant among treatments. Clove essential oil did not show any effect on total counts of microorganisms, but garlic essential oil significantly reduced rumen total counts. Results of the experiment indicated that by using garlic essential oil in diet, numbers of producing lactic acid bacteria was significantly reduced but clove treatment didn’t affect numbers of producing lactic acid bacteria. Reduction in producing bacteria was observed in all the samples. Garlic and clove essential oil had not significant effect on the number of rumen coliform bacteria, but significantly decreased rumen protozoa bacteria. Number of rumen fluid protozoa was not significantly different from control before morning nutrition (time zero), but 4 and 8 hours after morning feeding, garlic and clove essential oil, significantly reduced rumen fluid protozoa. The results of this experiment showed that garlic and clove essential oil had significant difference with control in dry matter degradability, A, dry matter undegradibility and dry matter effective degradability by passage rate of 2%, 5%, 8% an hour. Significant difference was observed between straw, alfa alfa and barley in dry matter degradability, dry matter undegradibility and effective degradability. According to the results mentioned that garlic and clove essential oil effected on rumen microorganisms and dry matter degradibility. Plant-derived EO may be a useful means to improve efficiency of nutrient utilization in ruminants and reduce the impact of their production on the environment. At high doses, EO and their constituents may inhibit deamination of AA and reduce methane production in the rumen. The range of EO and their components is complex in terms of nature and activity and variability in their composition may make it difficult to obtain consistent positive responses in ruminant production from these complex mixtures

Current experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of propylene glycol supplement (PG) and calcium salt long chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) on milk production and blood metabolites of dairy cows. A change over design with 2×2 factorial arrangement including 2 levels of PG (0 and 450 gram/day) and 2 levels of Ca-LCFA (0 and 2.5%) were applied. Treats were recorded on 8 Holstein dairy cows in 4 different periods. The results showed that there was no significant interaction between PG and Ca-LCFA on recorded treats. The concentration of blood glucose increased significantly after using PG in the diet (P<0.05). The blood betahydroxy butirate (BHBA) content decreased significantly after using PG in the diet. Using PG had no significant effect on blood concentration of triglyceride, urea nitrogen (BUN) and cholesterol. In addition PG supplement had no effect on dry matter intake, milk yield, protein, lactose and fat percentage of milk, milk dry matter content and milk solid not fat (SNF). Using Ca-LCFA had no significant effect on blood concentration of BUN, glucose, triglyceride and BHBA, but the blood cholesterol content were significantly increased when Ca-LCFA was used. Ca-LCFA has also no effect on milk yield, protein, lactose and fat percentage of milk, milk dry matter content and milk solid not fat (SNF). In addition Ca-LCFA reduced dry matter intake.

An experiment was carried out to compare the effects of ewe milk with commercial milk replacer and starter dirt with different levels of concentrate on the growth, feed intake and rumen development of suckling lambs. Thirty Dalagh breed male lambs were separated from their mothers at 3±1 days of age divided into 6 groups (5 lambs per treatment) and were fed with 6 treatments for 90 days age. Treatment consisted of 2 fluid feed (ewe milk and milk replacer) and 3 starter diets (diet 1: 100% concentrate, 2: 67% concentrate and 33% alfalfa hay, 3: 33% concentrate and 67% alfalfa hay). Lambs were fed ewe milk or milk replacer in 2 per day and starter diet 3 per day and their intake were measured. Data were analyzed as a randomized completely blocks design according to 2×3 factorial method. The end of experiment 18 lambs (3 per treatment) were slaughtered, stomach harvested, emptied, washed with water and rumen development characteristics were measured. Data for growth, feed intake, rumen development parameters were analyzed as a randomized completely block according to 2*3 factorial design. Results showed the average of daily weight gain (ADG), dry matter intake, feed efficiency, ratio rumen weight to stomach weight (percent) and rumen wall thickness (RWT) in lambs fed ewe milk and milk replacer did not show significant differences, but means of papillae length (PL), papillae width (PW) and papillae density (PC), were differences statically significant and higher on lambs fed ewe milk (P<0.01). Feeding starter diets affected on ADG (P<0.05), PL, PW, RWT and PC (P<0.01) and higher on lambs fed starter diet with 100% concentrate. This experiment demonstrated that lambs could be reared with milk replacer, without any problem on the growth, feed intake and rumen development. Feeding starter diet with high levels of concentrate on suckling lambs resulted in high growth and good rumen development.

An experiment was carried out to estimate the potential activity of rumen anaerobic fungi in the degradation of dry matter and fiber of feeds. Samples of wheat bran, bagasse, cotton seed, alfalfa and corn silage were used as the substrates to culture rumen fungi which were isolated from a fistulated Shal sheep. Loss percentages of dry matter (DML), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent (ADL), cellulose, and hemicellulose of samples were measured after 0, 3, 6 and 9 days of incubation. Dry matter and NDF loss of substrates varied from 10.6 % to 29.4% and 11.7% to 48.7% after 9 days of fungi growth. The highest and lowest DML and NDF were related to alfalfa and bagasses, respectively. The highest values for the ADF loss (39%), hemicellulose loss (65.6%) and cellulose loss (55.6%) were measured from alfalfa. The results indicated that rumen anaerobic fungi have the ability of degrading dry matter and fiber from different types of feed.