Effect of mixed microbial silage of mulberry and navel orange residue on growth performance, blood metabolism, and rumen microbiome changes in beef cattle
Randomized trial investigates growth performance and rumen microbiome in beef cattle, suggesting potential benefits of mixed microbial silage.
Key Points
This study aims to evaluate the impact of mixed microbial silage from mulberry and navel orange residue on beef cattle's growth performance and rumen health.
Twenty-four 20–22-month-old Simmental crossbred beef cattle were randomly assigned to four dietary groups with varying silage levels.
Cattle were fed for 90 days with treatments containing 0%, 20%, 30%, and 40% mixed microbial silage.
Blood and rumen microbiome samples were analyzed for metabolic and microbial changes.
Dietary 30% mixed microbial silage improved average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) with significant serum level changes: ALT, UA, and TC decreased (P < 0.05).
Increased serum platelet (PLT), lymphocyte (LYM), and eosinophil (EOS) levels were observed (P < 0.05).
The rumen microbiome showed decreased diversity indices (Shannon, Chao1) in the high silage group with reduced Bacteroidetes and increased Actinobacteria levels (P < 0.05).