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Agriculture
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Assessment of Nutritional Value of Animal Feed Resources
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Assessment of Nutritional Value of Animal Feed Resources

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 3999

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marija Duvnjak

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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: animal nutrition; proteomics; digestion kinetics of nutrients; silage production; applied microbiology
Prof. Dr. Darko Grbeša

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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: animal nutrition; feeds; ruminants nutrition; monogastric animals nutrition
Dr. Kristina Kljak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: feed evaluation; physical-chemical properties of feeds; bioactive compounds; antinutritional factors; in vitro and in vivo digestibility
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Feeds are the most important input in animal production and account for up to 70% of total costs. The exponential growth of the world population (predicted to reach 8.5 billion people by 2030) has made it necessary to optimize the cost of animal production and increase the production yield. To maximize the potential use of feeds to meet the needs of animals, it is necessary to know their properties. We believe that the manuscripts published in this Special Issue will contribute to our overall knowledge regarding feeds and the advantages and disadvantages of their use in animal nutrition.

This Special Issue will address the evaluation of different types of feed resources, from primary plant products to crop residues or agro-industrial by-products. The manuscripts included in this Special Issue should present various aspects of the nutritional evaluation of animal resources, from the classical system of proximate analysis to more sophisticated methods involving the identification of different nutrients, degradability and digestibility trials, and microbiological and food safety trials. This Special Issue particularly welcomes the submission of manuscripts combining the evaluation of feed resources and microbiota in the digestive tract. In addition, the evaluation of new protein sources in animal nutrition is also of interest due to the increase in competition regarding the use of proteins in human and animal nutrition. Therefore, we invite our colleagues to present their recent scientific studies in the form of original articles, communications or reviews.

Dr. Marija Duvnjak
Prof. Dr. Darko Grbeša
Dr. Kristina Kljak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animal feed evaluation
  • degradability of nutrients
  • digestibility of nutrients
  • digestion kinetics of nutrients
  • bioactive compounds
  • antinutritional factors
  • microbiota of the digestive tract
  • food safety
  • new protein resources

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 6630 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Ensiling on the Starch Digestibility Rate of Rehydrated Grain Silages in Pigs Depends on the Hardness of the Maize Hybrid
by Kristina Kljak, Darko Grbeša and Marija Duvnjak
Agriculture 2025, 15(7), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15070783 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 333
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro starch digestibility kinetics of rehydrated maize grain silages in pigs and to investigate the relationship between the in vitro starch digestibility rate and the physical properties of the mature grain. Grains [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro starch digestibility kinetics of rehydrated maize grain silages in pigs and to investigate the relationship between the in vitro starch digestibility rate and the physical properties of the mature grain. Grains of seven commercial maize hybrids were harvested at physiological maturity, rehydrated, and ensiled with a commercial inoculant during different ensiling periods (0, 21, and 95 days) in five replicates using a completely randomized design. The starch digestibility rate was determined using first-order kinetics following an in vitro digestibility procedure mimicking the stomach and small intestine of pigs. The tested hybrids differed in their physical properties (test weight, kernel size, and density and hardness), digestion coefficients, and starch digestibility rate (p < 0.05). The starch digestibility rate increased with an increasing ensiling period, with average values of 0.588, 1.013, and 1.179 1/h for 0, 21, and 95 days of ensiling period, respectively. However, the effect of ensiling was more pronounced in hybrids with higher grain hardness, reaching a rate of 1.272 1/h in hybrids with higher grain hardness compared to 1.110 1/h in hybrids with lower grain hardness. In conclusion, ensiling results in higher availability of starch to digestive enzymes, and the duration of ensiling and hardness of the maize hybrid should be considered when formulating the pig diet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Nutritional Value of Animal Feed Resources)
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12 pages, 2018 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Red Yeast Rice Residue as an Alternative Feed Ingredient in Growing-Finishing Pig Diets
by Zhengqun Liu, Longbo Zhu, Ning Li, Zi Zheng, Chunyan Xie, Shiyue Liang, Jun Yan and Shuqin Mu
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050495 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 466
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of graded levels of red yeast rice residue (RYRR) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal microbiota of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 144 pigs were randomly allocated into four dietary treatment groups, over a [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of graded levels of red yeast rice residue (RYRR) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal microbiota of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 144 pigs were randomly allocated into four dietary treatment groups, over a 75-day experimental period. The study comprised a control group and three dietary supplementation groups receiving RYRR. The control (CON) group was fed a two-phase diet tailored to the pigs’ body weight, while the RYRR groups were provided with the CON diet, where corn, soybean meal, puffed soybeans, and wheat shorts were substituted with 5%, 10%, and 20% of RYRR. Supplementation with 10% RYRR enhanced the apparent digestibility of gross energy, dry matter, and crude fiber, while reducing the feed-to-gain ratio and serum triglyceride levels (p < 0.05). Microbiological analyses revealed that short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (Anaerotignum and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-009) were biomarkers in pigs fed the RYRR supplementation diets (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that RYRR supplementation of the diet exerted beneficial effects on promoting nutrient digestibility as well as modulating the fecal microbiota of pigs, and the recommended proportion of RYRR added to the growing-finishing pigs’ diet is 10%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Nutritional Value of Animal Feed Resources)
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13 pages, 535 KiB  
Article
Availability of Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Selenium in Feed Ingredients and Sources in Pigs
by Yohan Choi, Junseon Hong, Jihwan Lee and Minju Kim
Agriculture 2025, 15(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15020171 - 14 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 824
Abstract
This study evaluated the trace mineral availability of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) in major feed ingredients, including corn, wheat, soybean meal (SBM), and fish meal (FM). Additionally, we assessed the bioavailability of these minerals in pigs [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the trace mineral availability of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) in major feed ingredients, including corn, wheat, soybean meal (SBM), and fish meal (FM). Additionally, we assessed the bioavailability of these minerals in pigs supplemented with inorganic, organic, and nano-sized forms prepared via hot-melt extrusion (HME). A total of 64 barrows (Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc crossbreds) with an average initial body weight of 26.61 ± 4.12 kg were housed individually in metabolic cages. Pigs were allocated to eight experimental diets in a completely randomized design, with eight replicates per diet group. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Zn and Cu was significantly higher in SBM and FM than in the other ingredients (p < 0.05). SBM exhibited higher ATTD and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) for Fe and Mn than corn, wheat, and FM (p < 0.05). Corn and wheat demonstrated significantly greater digestibility of Se than SBM and FM (p < 0.05). Supplementation with nano-sized minerals prepared by HME increased the digestibility of Zn and Cu, as well as their concentrations in pigs’ serum and liver, while reducing the fecal excretion of these minerals (p < 0.05). Organic mineral forms significantly enhanced Se bioavailability, improving its digestibility and concentrations in the liver and pancreas compared to the inorganic form (p < 0.05). In growth performance, organic and nano-sized mineral sources significantly improved growth rate without the increase in feed intake (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Zn and Cu from high-protein ingredients such as SBM and FM were more digestible than those from grains. Furthermore, plant-based ingredients, such as corn, wheat, and SBM, exhibited greater digestibility of Fe and Se. Among the trace mineral sources, the organic and HME-nano forms improved the bioavailability of Zn, Cu, and Se, while reducing their fecal excretion, thereby enhancing the efficiency of mineral utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Nutritional Value of Animal Feed Resources)
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12 pages, 231 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Modeling for Prediction of Amino Acid Requirements in Broiler Diets
by Guangju Wang, Xin Zhao, Mengjie Xu, Zhenwu Huang, Jinghai Feng and Minhong Zhang
Agriculture 2024, 14(12), 2354; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14122354 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 868
Abstract
Accurate prediction of amino acid requirements in fast-growing broilers is crucial for cost-effective diet formulation and reducing nitrogen excretion to mitigate environmental impact. This study developed a dynamic model to predict standardized ileal digestible amino acid requirements throughout broiler growth using a factorial [...] Read more.
Accurate prediction of amino acid requirements in fast-growing broilers is crucial for cost-effective diet formulation and reducing nitrogen excretion to mitigate environmental impact. This study developed a dynamic model to predict standardized ileal digestible amino acid requirements throughout broiler growth using a factorial approach and the comparative slaughter technique, considering maintenance, growth, and gender factors. The model was based on an experiment were designed using 480 15-day-old Arbor Acres chickens randomly assigned to 10 groups. A linear equation was derived using established growth and protein deposition curves to calculate maintenance and growth coefficients. Models for five essential amino acids under different amino-acid-to-protein ratios were created (R2 > 0.70). The model effectively estimated daily amino acid needs and specific time intervals. Comparisons with NRC (1994), BTPS (2011), and Arbor Acres manual (2018) showed higher predicted requirements for lysine, methionine, valine, and threonine than Arbor Acres (2018) and BTPS (2011), significantly exceeding NRC (1994). Arginine predictions aligned with BTPS in early stages, but were slightly lower in later stages. This supports the further development of dynamic amino acid models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Nutritional Value of Animal Feed Resources)
15 pages, 310 KiB  
Article
Characterization of In Situ Ruminal Degradation of Crude Protein and Individual Amino Acids from Ryegrass
by Álvaro G. Morales, Álvaro R. Navarro, Rubén G. Pulido and Mark D. Hanigan
Agriculture 2024, 14(12), 2283; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14122283 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 905
Abstract
In temperate pasture-based dairy systems, ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a key forage due to its high crude protein (CP) content, yet its rapid ruminal degradation could limit the supply of rumen-undegraded protein and essential amino acids (EAAs) to dairy cows. This [...] Read more.
In temperate pasture-based dairy systems, ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a key forage due to its high crude protein (CP) content, yet its rapid ruminal degradation could limit the supply of rumen-undegraded protein and essential amino acids (EAAs) to dairy cows. This study aimed to investigate the in situ ruminal degradability of CP and individual amino acids (AAs) in fresh ryegrass at the vegetative stage. Three second-parity, rumen-cannulated Holstein Friesian cows (487 kg body weight, 16.5 kg milk/day) were used for the incubation of ryegrass samples collected in different seasons at the vegetative stage. The degradation kinetics were assessed using the Ørskov and McDonald model, with mathematical corrections for microbial contamination. Results showed that the effective degradability (ED) of AAs was generally higher than that of CP (p < 0.05), exceeding 2%, and that some EAAs, particularly lysine, exhibited an ED up to 5.5% greater than CP (p < 0.05). These differences underscore the need for caution when using CP as a proxy for AA degradation in dietary formulations. Given the high degradability of ryegrass AAs, it would be important to monitor and adjust their supply in diets with high ryegrass inclusion to prevent potential deficiencies that could impair milk production and reduce feed efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Nutritional Value of Animal Feed Resources)
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