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Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 10675

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhiyuan Ma

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Guest Editor

College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
Interests: rumen metabolism; methane emission; ruminants

Dr. Ting Liu

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Guest Editor

College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Interests: rumen development; lambs; starter feed; carbohydrates

Dr. Weiwei Wang

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Guest Editor

College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
Interests: rumen microbiota; fiber digestion; in vitro rumen fermentation; ruminal microcommunity ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an era where the demand for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices is paramount, the optimization of ruminant production systems plays a crucial role. This Special Issue, “Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production”, addresses a pivotal aspect of ruminant nutrition: the effective utilization of fiber. Fiber, an abundant yet often underexploited component in ruminant diets, holds the potential to transform the sustainability and efficiency of livestock production. Moreover, the proper utilization of fiber is not only critical for enhancing feed efficiency and reducing environmental impacts but also for promoting the health and welfare of ruminant animals. This issue delves into how fiber can support rumen function, prevent metabolic disorders, and contribute to the overall well-being of ruminants. Join us as we explore the latest research and insights that aim to unlock the full potential of fiber in ruminant diets, contributing to a more sustainable, efficient, and welfare-conscious future for the industry.

Dr. Zhiyuan Ma
Dr. Ting Liu
Dr. Weiwei Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

fiber
carbohydrate
digestion
methane
performance
supplementation
ruminant
microbiota
rumen health
rumen development

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2745 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Concentrate Supplementation Alleviates Body Weight Loss by Regulating Rumen Function in Lactating Tibetan Sheep During the Cold Season

by Chao Yang, Qingling Ma, Jiancui Wang, Zhiyou Wang and Shengzhen Hou

Animals 2025, 15(19), 2791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15192791 - 25 Sep 2025

Viewed by 423

Abstract

The parturition season of grazing Tibetan ewes spans from October to March, a period that exacerbates the adverse impacts of nutrient-deficient herbage on milk yield, body condition, and postpartum recovery. To alleviate the weight loss of ewes during the cold seasons, we provided concentrate supplements at four levels (dry matter (DM) basis), 260 g (C1), 440 g (C2), 520 g (C3), and 610 g (C4), alongside a basal diet of grazed pasture. A total of 96 multiparous Tibetan ewes (third parity, body weight: 45.17 ± 3.69 kg (body weight (BW) were enrolled within 12–18 h postpartum and randomly allocated to four dietary groups (n = 24 ewes per group). We measured growth performance, ruminal histomorphology, fermentation parameters, and digestive enzymes. A multi-omics technique (16S rRNA gene sequencing and RNA-seq) was employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying alterations in ruminal function. The results showed that increasing the concentrate level decreased body weight loss and increased average dry matter intake (p < 0.05). Rumen morphology was significantly altered: papilla width and muscle layer thickness were greatest in the C4 group, whereas submucosal thickness was highest in the C1 group (p < 0.05). Cellulase activity was lowest in the C1 group (p < 0.05). Papilla width of lactating Tibetan ewes in the C4 group was higher (p < 0.05) than that in the C1 and C3 groups. Concentrate supplementation altered ruminal microbiota composition and diversity. Each group exhibited a distinct microbial signature: the C1 group was characterized by Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Candidatus_Omnitrophus, Paenibacillus, and unclassified_Oligoflexaceae; the C2 group was enriched in Papillibacter, Anaerovibrio, V9D2013_group, and unclassified_Peptococcaceae; the C3 group was characterized by unclassified_Bacteroidales_RF16_group; and the C4 group was characterized by Ruminococcus, Pseudobutyrivibrio, and Mitsuokella (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (TRPA1, EPHB1, GATA3, C4, ABCG2, THBS4, and TNFRSF11B) that are predominantly involved in immune regulation, signal transduction, and nutrient digestion. The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that Anaerovibrio was negatively correlated with propionate (r = −0.565, p < 0.05). However, it was positively correlated with the ratio of acetate and propionate (r = 0.579, p < 0.05). Moreover, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group was negatively correlated with cellulase (r = −0.699, p < 0.05) and α-amylase (r = −0.514, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the increasing concentrate supplementation alleviates body weight loss in lactating Tibetan sheep by orchestrating improvements in rumen histomorphology, digestive function, altering bacteria composition, and ruminal immune and modulating host epithelial gene expression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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19 pages, 3616 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Partial Replacement of Alfalfa Hay with Alfalfa Silage in Dairy Cows: Impacts on Production Performance and Rumen Microbiota

by Tian Xia, Zixin Liu, Ziyan Yang, Aoyu Jiang, Chuanshe Zhou and Zhiliang Tan

Animals 2025, 15(18), 2748; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15182748 - 19 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 513

Abstract

As an important feed source for ruminants, alfalfa’s rational and efficient utilization is of great significance for the production and economic benefits of pastures. This study focuses on Sanhe dairy cows and includes a control group (CON group, alfalfa in the diet is hay) and an experimental group (AS group, alfalfa silage partially replaces alfalfa hay of equal dry weight). The feeding experiment lasted for 60 days. The results revealed that, compared with the CON group, the AS group exhibited increased milk yield, milk protein, and milk fat. There were no significant differences in apparent digestibility, serum biochemical indicators, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) levels between the two groups. However, the microbial composition of the rumen differed significantly between the two groups of cows based on β-diversity. On the genus level, compared with the CON group, the relative abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium, Pseudoflavonifractor, and Candidatus Saccharimonas in the AS group was significantly reduced. In summary, partially replacing alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage feed is beneficial for improving the production performance of cows and changing rumen microbial diversity. These findings provide a basis for the effective utilization of alfalfa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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12 pages, 921 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mixed Ensiling Increases Degradation Without Altering Attached Microbiota Through In Situ Ruminal Incubation Technique

by Xuanxuan Pu, Min Zhang, Jianjun Zhang, Xiumin Zhang, Shizhe Zhang, Bo Lin, Tianwei Wang, Zhiliang Tan and Min Wang

Animals 2025, 15(14), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142131 - 18 Jul 2025

Viewed by 466

Abstract

Mixed silage can disrupt the girder structure of rape straw, and thus facilitate ruminal degradation. Further investigation is warranted to validate this observation in vivo. The objective of this study was to investigate the degradation kinetics and bacterial colonization of mixed silage during digestion using an in situ ruminal incubation technique. The experiment comprised two treatments: a mixture of rape straw and corn silage (control), and a mixed silage treatment of rape straw and whole crop corn (mixed silage). Three ruminally cannulated Holstein bulls were employed. Substrates were incubated for varying durations (4, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 216 h) to assess substrate degradation kinetics. Bacterial colonization were analyzed after 4- and 48-h incubation time. Mixed ensiling disrupted the fiber structure of rape straw, and thus had lower fiber content compared to the control, as NDF and ADF content ‌decreased by 55 g/kg (678 vs. 623 g/kg) and 27 g/kg (440 vs. 413 g/kg), respectively. Compared to the control group, ruminal DM disappearance of mixed silage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased from 315 to 366 g/kg (+16.2%) at an incubation time of 4 h, 552 to 638 g/kg (+15.6%) at 120 h, and 563 to 651 g/kg (+15.6%) at 216 h. Similarly, compared to the control group, NDF disappearance of mixed silage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) rose from 112 to 201 g/kg (+79.5%) at 4 h, 405 to 517 g/kg (+27.7%) at 120 h, and 429 to 532 g/kg (+24.0%) at 216 h. Compared to the control group, soluble and washout nutrient fractions (a) of DM or NDF fraction in mixed silage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) rose from 289 to 340 g/kg (+17.6%), potentially degradable fractions (b) of NDF increased from 310 to 370 g/kg (+19.4%), and the undegraded fraction of NDF (μNDF) decreased from 582 to 471 g/kg (−19.1%). Incubation time, apart from in the mixed ensiling treatment, altered the bacterial community. The study highlights that higher total potentially degradable fractions account for enhanced ruminal substrate degradation of mixed silage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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16 pages, 2065 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Yeast Cultures on Growth Performance, Fiber Digestibility, Ruminal Dissolved Gases, Antioxidant Capacity and Immune Activity of Beef Cattle

by Siyu Yi, Xu Tian, Xianwu Qin, Yan Zhang, Shuang Guan, Zhongping Chen, Daliang Cai, Duanqin Wu, Rong Wang, Zhiyuan Ma, Min Wang and Xiumin Zhang

Animals 2025, 15(10), 1452; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15101452 - 17 May 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1216

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of yeast culture (YC) supplementation on growth performance, dietary nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation characteristics, methane (CH₄) synthesis potential, ruminal bacterial composition, antioxidant and immune capacities in beef cattle. Thirty-six finishing Simmental beef cattle were employed for this experiment. The experiment included three dietary treatments: the basal diet (CON), the basal diet supplemented with Diamon V XP (XP; 50 g/day per cattle), and the basal diet supplemented with Keliben (KLB; 50 g/day per cattle). Various metabolites, such as acetophenone (12.7%), ascorbic acid (10.3%), citric acid (7.25%), D-(+)-proline (6.42%), succinic acid (5.70%), betaine (5.65%) and DL-malic acid (2.62%) were abundant in XP; and ascorbic acid (14.0%), oleamide (9.23%), citric acid (6.03%), betaine (5.88%), succinic acid (4.42%), indole-3-acrylic acid (2.85%) and DL-malic acid (1.73%) were abundant in KLB. Supplementing YC to the cattle increased the apparent total-tract digestibility of DM, OM, NDF and ADF, and tended to increase average daily gain. The supplementation of YC to the cattle had no effect on the rumen fermentation pathway as reflected by the unaltered molar percentage of acetate or propionate. The supplementation of XP decreased the concentration of rumen dissolved CH₄, although no effect on the concentration of dissolved hydrogen was observed. The supplementation of KLB to the cattle increased Paraprevotella relative abundance, while the supplementation of XP decreased Euryarchaeota relative abundance in the rumen. Supplementing XP to the cattle increased serum GSH-Px, catalase and T-AOC concentrations, and was accompanied by decreased MAD concentration, indicating improved antioxidant capacity. Supplementing XP to the cattle increased the concentrations of serum IgA, IgG, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ and C4, compared with the CON group, and the KLB group had higher concentrations of serum IgA, IgG, IgM, IL-10, IFN-γ, C3 and C4 compared with the CON and XP groups, which revealed that both XP and KLB can improve the immune function, and that KLB showed a stronger effect. Overall, the supplementation of YC is beneficial to the nutrient digestibility, growth performance and health of beef cattle. Furthermore, XP was more effective than KLB in improving antioxidant capacity and reducing CH₄ production, while KLB was more effective in improving the immune capacity of beef cattle than XP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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16 pages, 6807 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Yeast Culture on Lamb Growth Performance, Rumen Microbiota, and Metabolites

by Jinlong Xu, Xiongxiong Li, Qingshan Fan, Shengguo Zhao and Ting Jiao

Animals 2025, 15(5), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050738 - 5 Mar 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1205

Abstract

The effects of incorporating yeast culture (YC) into pelleted feeds on sheep production and the potential impact on rumen microbial populations, microbial metabolism, and fermentation have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of YC on growth performance, rumen tissue development, rumen fermentation, and rumen microflora in sheep and to explore the potential microbial mechanisms involved. Fifty healthy 3-month-old male lambs of small-tailed Han sheep, with an average weight of 28.44 ± 0.63 kg, were randomly divided into five groups: control (0% YC), 3% YC, 6% YC, 9% YC, and 12% YC. The pre-feeding period lasted for 15 days, followed by an official feeding period of 60 days. On the last day of the formal feeding period, six lambs that exhibited the best growth performance were randomly selected from the control group and the 9% YC group. These sheep were slaughtered, then the rumen epithelial tissue and rumen contents were collected for the measurement of rumen fermentation, microbial populations, and metabolites. Compared to the control group, the YC-treated groups showed higher daily and final body weight gains, as well as increased levels of propionic acid, butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acids (p < 0.05). YC supplementation also enhanced rumen papilla length and width (p < 0.05). Additionally, YC increased the relative abundance of certain microbial species (p < 0.05). These results suggest that supplementing 9% YC in pelleted diets for small-tailed Han sheep may enhance growth performance and improve the rumen environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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17 pages, 3100 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hotspot Analysis of Rumen Microbiota and Methane Mitigation in Ruminants: A Bibliometric Analysis from 1998 to 2023

by Xueyue Zheng, Lijie Tang, Rong Wang, Xiumin Zhang, Min Wang and Duanqin Wu

Animals 2025, 15(5), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050681 - 26 Feb 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 920

Abstract

Methane (CH₄) is the second-most abundant greenhouse gas, following carbon dioxide (CO₂), and has a warming potential 28 times greater than CO₂ [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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20 pages, 782 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Hemp Seed Oil on Milk Performance, Blood Parameters, Milk Fatty Acid Profile, and Rumen Microbial Population in Milk-Producing Buffalo: Preliminary Study

by Qichao Gu, Bo Lin, Dan Wan, Zhiwei Kong, Qinfeng Tang, Qi Yan, Xinghua Cai, Hao Ding, Guangsheng Qin and Caixia Zou

Animals 2025, 15(4), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040514 - 11 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1170

Abstract

Vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids have been shown to improve animal health and enrich milk with functional fatty acids in various studies. This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with hemp seed oil (HSO), a native vegetable oil from the “longevity village” of Bama (Guangxi, China), on the milk performance, milk fatty acid composition, blood indicators, and rumen bacterial community of milk-producing buffalo. Seventeen healthy, four-year-old, crossbred, milk-producing buffaloes with the same parity (three), as well as similar body weights (BW = 580 ± 25 kg), number of days producing milk (DIM, 153 ± 10 d), and milk yields (8.56 ± 0.89 kg/d) were divided into three groups (n = 6, 5, and 6) and assigned to the following diets: (1) no HSO supplement (H0, n = 6), (2) a supplement of 100 g/d of HSO (H1, n = 5), and (3) a supplement of 200 g/d of HSO (H2, n = 6). The total experimental period was 42 days (including a 14-day adaptation period and a 28-day treatment period). The data were statistically analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. The results showed that compared to that of no HSO supplement group, the dry matter intake (DMI) showed a decreasing tendency (p = 0.06), while feed efficiency and rumen fermentation remained similar across all the groups (p > 0.05) with dietary HSO supplementation. Moreover, with dietary HSO supplementation, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p = 0.05) and catalase (CAT) (p < 0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (p = 0.02) contents in the serum were greatly increased, with the highest levels observed in the H2 group (increased by 1.16 U/mL, 1.15 U/mL, and 134.51 U/mL, respectively). In contrast, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly decreased with dietary HSO supplementation (p = 0.02) and was the lowest in the H1 group (decreased by 0.72 nmol/mL). The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content in the blood showed an increasing tendency with dietary HSO supplementation (p = 0.09). Moreover, with dietary HSO supplementation, the proportions of C18:0 (p = 0.02), C18:1n9t (p = 0.02), C18:2n6c (p = 0.02), C18:3n3 (p < 0.01), C18:2n9c (p = 0.04), omega-3 (p = 0.02), and omega-6 (p = 0.02) were significantly increased, with the highest levels observed in the H2 group (increased by 5.29 g/100 g FA, 1.81 g/100 g FA, 0.55 g/100 g FA, 0.14 g/100 g FA, 0.75 g/100 g FA, 0.17 g/100 g FA, and 0.56 g/100 g FA, respectively). Additionally, rumen Acetobacter abundance was significantly affected by HSO addition (p = 0.03), with rumen Acetobacter abundance decreasing in the H1 group (by 0.55%) and increasing in the H2 group (by 0.73%). These results suggest that adding HSO to milk-producing buffalo diets does not affect feed efficiency or rumen fermentation, although it decreases the DMI. Meanwhile, it can improve the nutritional quality of milk, enhance the antioxidant status, and regulate blood lipid metabolism in milk-producing buffaloes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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15 pages, 832 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Dietary Forage Neutral Detergent Fiber on Ruminal Fermentation, Chewing Activity, Nutrient Digestion, and Ruminal Microbiota of Hu Sheep

by Zhian Zhang, Fei Li, Fadi Li, Zongli Wang, Long Guo, Xiuxiu Weng, Xuchun Sun, Zhenhu He, Xianyu Meng, Zhaoqing Liang and Xiong Li

Animals 2025, 15(3), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030314 - 23 Jan 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1667

Abstract

As the key components of dietary carbohydrates, ensuring a balance between forage-neutral detergent fiber (FNDF) and rumen-degradable starch (RDS) is essential for ruminant health. Eight male Hu sheep equipped with rumen cannulas were randomly divided into four groups based on dietary FNDF content: low FNDF (L-FNDF, 6.08%), middle low FNDF (ML-FNDF, 9.47%), middle high FNDF (MH-FNDF, 12.48%), and high FNDF (H-FNDF, 15.68%), while the RDS levels (15.65% of DM on average) were similar among the four groups. A replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was employed in this study. The results indicated that mean and minimum ruminal pH increased linearly with increasing dietary FNDF content, while the duration and area of pH under 5.8 and 5.6, along with the acidosis index, reduced linearly (p ≤ 0.002). There were no differences between the MH-FNDF group and the H-FNDF group in these indicators (p > 0.05). The molar proportions of acetate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate, as well as the acetate-to-propionate ratio, increased linearly, while propionate and valerate molar proportions and lactate concentration displayed a linear decrease with increasing FNDF content in the diet (p < 0.001). Increasing dietary FNDF content extended ruminating and chewing time while enhancing ruminal microbial diversity, promoting the proliferation of Fibrobacterota and Butyrivibrio in the rumen, and improving fiber degradability (p < 0.05). When the dietary FNDF content exceeded 12.48%, no effects of FNDF on acetate to propionate ratio and fiber utilization were observed (p > 0.05). The results suggest that augmenting FNDF content in the PTMR can reshape ruminal fermentation towards acetate production and promote rumination to enhance ruminal pH, thereby alleviating the risk of ruminal acidosis. When the RDS content in the PTMR was 15.57%, an FNDF content of 12.48% was optimal for maintaining stable ruminal function in sheep, and the recommended ratio of FNDF to RDS was 0.8. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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Review

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21 pages, 1321 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Exploration of Multi-Source Lignocellulose-Degrading Microbial Resources and Bioaugmentation Strategies: Implications for Rumen Efficiency

by Xiaokang Lv, Zhanhong Qiao, Chao Chen, Jinling Hua and Chuanshe Zhou

Animals 2025, 15(13), 1920; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131920 - 29 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 610

Abstract

Utilizing straw feed is an effective strategy to optimize straw resource utilization by incorporating microbial degradation agents to expedite lignocellulose breakdown and enhance feed efficiency. Lignocellulose-degrading species and microbial communities are present in various Earth ecosystems, including the rumen of ruminants, insect digestive tracts, forest soil, and microbial populations in papermaking processes. The rumen of ruminants harbors a diverse range of microbial species, making it a promising source of lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms. Exploring alternative systems like insect intestines and forest soil is essential for future research. Current studies primarily rely on traditional microbial isolation techniques to identify lignocellulose-degrading strains, underscoring the necessity to transition to utilizing microbial culturomics and genome-editing technologies for discovering and manipulating cellulose-degrading microbes. This review provides an overview of lignocellulose-degrading microbial communities from diverse environments, encompassing bacterial and fungal populations. It also delves into the use of metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and metaproteomic approaches to pinpoint highly efficient cellulase genes, along with the application of genome-editing tools for engineering lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms. The primary objective of this review is to offer insights for further exploration of potential lignocellulose-degrading microbial resources and high-performance cellulase genes to enhance roughage utilization in ruminant rumen ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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17 pages, 686 KB

Open AccessReview

Anti-Nutritional Factors of Plant Protein Feeds for Ruminants and Methods for Their Elimination

by Zhiyong Yan, Zixin Liu, Chuanshe Zhou and Zhiliang Tan

Animals 2025, 15(8), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15081107 - 11 Apr 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1494

Abstract

In recent years, the rapid development of the ruminant feeding industry and the limited availability and rising prices of traditional protein feed ingredients have renewed the focus on protein feeds in ruminant diets. Plant protein feeds are a core component of protein feeds for ruminants; however, the utilisation of both conventional and non-conventional plant protein feeds is limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs). In order to maximise the use of plant protein feeds and to promote their application in ruminant production, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the types and nature of their ANFs, their anti-nutritional mechanisms, and current effective methods of eliminating ANFs. Therefore, the types, anti-nutritional mechanisms, and elimination methods of ANFs in major plant protein feeds for ruminants are initially summarised in this review, which provides a reference for anti-nutritional factor elimination and the production of full-price compound feeds for ruminants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maximizing Fiber Utilization for Sustainable, Efficient Ruminant Production)

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