The analysis of forage quality for organic milk production in Fruška Gora region

Abstract

As a result of the growing demand for organic products, especially organic milk, the livestock organic production has increased. In this paper botanical and chemical composition of forage for organic diary cow production in Fruška Gora region were analysed. In the mixed hay samples, species from the Poaceae family were classified, according to their nutritive value into the first class. Dominant presence of Dactilys glomerata L. and Poa pratensis was revealed. Lucerne hay was predominantly composed only by one leguminous species Medicago sativa L. Basic nutritive components of mixed and Lucerne hay: crude moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude cellulose, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) phosphorous (P), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were determined. Determined levels of hazardous and noxious substances (mycotoxins, pesticides and heavy metals) in all hay samples were in the range according to regulations. Botanical analysis has confirmed the presence of plants with high yield and of high nutritive value. Chemical analyses of hay samples originating from Fruška Gora has pointed out that the level of crude proteins, cellulose, fats, macro and trace elements can completely satisfy the requirements of animals in organic farming and therefore can present a solid base for further development of organic dairy farming.

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DOI: 10.2298/AVB1004425GUDK 619:636.085.3
THE ANALYSIS OF FORAGE QUALITY FOR ORGANIC MILK PRODUCTION IN FRU[KA GORA
REGION
GRDOVI] SVETLANA*, SAVI] MILA*, JOVANOVI] S*, POPOVI]-VRANJE[ ANKA**,
PETRUJKI] B* and BOSAN^I] D***
*University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, R Serbia
**University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, R Serbia
***Center for food quality research Ltd, Belgrade, R Serbia
(Received 7thSeptember 2009)
As a result of the growing demand for organic products,
especially organic milk, the livestock organic production has
increased. In this paper botanical and chemical composition of forage
for organic diary cow production in Fru{ka Gora region were analysed.
In the mixed hay samples, species from the Poaceae family were
classified, according to their nutritive value into the first class. Dominant
presence of Dactilys glomerata L. and Poa pratensis was revealed.
Lucerne hay was predominantly composed only by one leguminous
species Medicago sativa L. Basic nutritive components of mixed and
Lucerne hay: crude moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat,
crude cellulose, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) phosphorous (P),
copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were
determined. Determined levels of hazardous and noxious substances
(mycotoxins, pesticides and heavy metals) in all hay samples were in
the range according to regulations.
Botanical analysis has confirmed the presence of plants with high
yield and of high nutritive value. Chemical analyses of hay samples
originating from Fru{ka Gora has pointed out that the level of crude
proteins, cellulose, fats, macro and trace elements can completely
satisfytherequirementsofanimalsinorganicfarmingandthereforecan
present a solid base for further development of organic dairy farming.
Keywords:forage,botanicalcomposition,chemical
composition, organic production
INTRODUCTION
During the past decade, the general attitude of the human population
towards health, nutrition quality and environment has remarkably changed. As a
result of the growing demand for organic products, especially organic milk, the
livestock organic production has increased (Rosati, 2004; Von Borell, 2004;
Sundrum, 2001).
Acta Veterinaria (Beograd), Vol. 60, No. 4, 425-433, 2010.

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Council regulations (EC) No 2092/91 and 1804/99 describe in detail the
allowed organic livestock management in Europe. Great emphasis is placed on
welfare friendly feeding. Principles of organic livestock feeding require that
ruminant diets should be based on organic feeds in the form of a balanced ration
that provides requirents for high quality products rather than maximizing output.
Organic standards require that forage must comprise at least 60% of the dietary
dry matter intake of the organic dairy cow. Aiming for self-sufficiency, organic
farming is characterized as a low external input agro-ecosystem. According to
organic production standards, all feed should come from the farm itself, or at least
should be produced within the region (IFOAM 2002, 2005; Hass et al. 2007).
Fru{ka Gora is a low mountain in the flatlands of the Pannonian Plain. The
valleys of Fru{ka Gora are covered with meadows and grain fields spread over its
slopes, while its higher parts, above 300 meters, are covered with dense
deciduous forests. Geographic conditions, good climate and soil conditions of
Fru{ka Gora region promote an intensive use of pastures and meadows.
Vegetation of Fru{ka Gora is characterised by different types of meadow and
pastures which are composed from numerous species. Four types of pastures
and meadows can be distinguished: lowland meadows, highland meadows and
pastures, swamp meadows and pastures of the river valleys (Butorac, 1991).
Each of the mentioned types, is rich with the most significant species of meadow-
pasture grasses that are of importance in dairy cow nutrition.
Inthispaper,botanicalandchemicalcompositionofLucerneandmixedhay
samples originating from 8 localities of Fru{ka Gora region was investigated, as
wellasitsselfsufficiencyforsatisfyingrequirementsfororganicmilkproduction.
Particular emphasis is laid on the amount of present toxic matters since they
pose a threat to animal and human health (Horrigan et al., 2002).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Analyses of botanical composition
Hay samples from Fru{ka Gora mountain region were taken in a period from
August to September 2009. Eight samples each from mixed and Lucerne hay
were analyzed. Hay was properly conserved, all parts of the plant were preserved
which has enabled exact botanical analyses. Plants species were determined by
floral determination key (Flora Srbije VIII, 1976; Javorka and Csapody, 1991).
Determined species were sorted into classes according to their nutrient value.
Based on organoleptic properties and chemical composition hay quality was
determined, consecutively scored and classified according to Lenient (1969).
Dactilys glomerata L. hay grown in our region gives average yearly yield of 10 to
15 t/ha and Poa pratensis L. 7-10 t/ha. Lucerne hay in Vojvodina yields yearly 8.2
to 8.4 t/ha (Vu~kovi} et al,. 2002) .
Analyses of chemical composition
Hay samples (n=16) were collected according to procedure AS-1064
(1993). Content of crude ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude cellulose and
nitrogen free extract (NFE) was determined in relation to dry matter.
426
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Grdovi} Svetlana et al.: The analysis of forage quality
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Sample preparation for analyses was done on a procedure according to
AOAC (1990). Determination of basic nutritive components was done according
to the following procedures: crude moisture SRPS ISO 6496/2001; crude ash
SRPS ISO 5984/2002; crude protein SRPS ISO 5983/2001; crude fat SRPS ISO
6492/2001; and content of crude cellulose according to accredited laboratory
method (DM1); while content of (NFE) was determined by calculation. Content of
calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) was determined by SRPS ISO 6869/2004 and
phosphorous (P) by spectrophotometry. Content of trace elements, copper (Cu),
iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) was determined by atomic absorption
spectrophotometry according to SRPS ISO 6869/2004.
Presence of aflatoxins (B1+G1) was investigated by enzyme linked immune
assay ELISA, IHM-03-007. Presence of mercury and arsenic was determined by
hydride generated atomic absorption spectrophotometry (HGAAS, IHM-03-001);
cadmium and plumb by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry
(GFAAS, IHM-03-001). Presence of organophosphate insecticides (hch, lindane,
aldrine and dieldrine, heptachlor and heptachlor dioxide, DDT, endrine,
endosulphane) was determined by gas chromatography according to procedure
GC-ECD, IHM-03-002.
All mentioned procedures comply with the Rule Book for Feed Sampling
and Analyses (Sl. list SFRJ br. 15/87), as well as with Animal Feed Rule Book (Sl.
list SRJ br. 20/00 and 38/01).
A statistical analysis of samples was done by GraphPad Prism, descriptive
statistical parameters were used (Xsr, SD and CV).
RESULTS
By botanical analyses in samples of the mixed, as well as in lucerne hay
samples the presence of grass species of high nutritive value was determined.
Species determined in the mixed hay samples, were classified, according to their
nutritive value into first class. Presence of following species from Poaceae family
was revealed: Dactilys glomerata L., Poa pratensis L., Alopecurus pratensis L.,
Lolium perenne L., Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) M.et Koch and Agropyrum repens
(L.)P .B..From Fabaceaefamilyfollowingspecieswerepresent:Trifoliumpratense
L., Trifolium repens L. and Lotus corniculatus L. Determined dominant species in
the mixed hay samples were Dactilys glomerata L. and Poa pratensis L.. Medical
herbs, such as: Achillea millefolium L., Plantago media L., Teucrium chamaedrys
L. and Taraxacum officinale Web. were also present. All mixed hay samples were
with pleasing aroma, green colour and without notable presence of dust and
smack and were classified into second class of hay (hay of good quality).
Lucerne hay was predominantly composed only by one leguminous
species Medicago sativa L. Colour of Lucerne hay was greenish, with pleasing
aroma and therefore classified into first class (hay of very good quality).
Chemical composition of hay samples is shown in Table 1. Presence of toxic
maters (mycotoxins, pesticides and heavy metals) is shown in Table 2.
Acta Veterinaria (Beograd), Vol. 60, No. 2-3, 425-433, 2010.
Grdovi} Svetlana et al.: The analysis of forage quality
for organic milk production in Fru{ka Gora region
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Table 1. Chemical composition of hay samples
ParameterMixed hay (n=8)
13.70±0.46
3.37
7.69±0.84
10.93
10.13±0.70
6.94
1.04±0.13
12.21
33.96±3.72
10.95
33.05±2.27
6.86
1.11±0.39
34.90
0.38±0.09
22.86
0.21±0.04
20.36
358.4±81.11
22.63
17.63±1.00
5.68
43.10±7.39
17.14
8.52±0.78
9.10
Lucerne hay (n=8)
13.01±0.57
4.38
7.88±0.31
3.88
16.32±0.48
2.92
0.88±0.08
9.33
39.57±1.01
2.55
22.34±1.08
4.83
2.79±0.19
6.98
0.55±0.05
9.07
0.31±0.03
8.47
1279±175.7
13.74
18.08±1.21
6.68
87.26±5.90
6.76
8.63±0.20
2.29
Moisture
(% DM)
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Xsr ± SD
CV %
Crude ash
(% DM)
Crude protein
(% DM)
Crude fat
(% DM)
Crude cellulose
(% DM)
NFE
(% DM)
Calcium
(% DM)
Phosphorous
(% DM)
Magnesium
(% DM)
Iron
(mg/kg)
Zinc
(mg/kg)
Manganese
(mg/kg)
Copper
(mg/kg)
* % DM – percentage of dry matter
By analyses content of hazardous and noxious substances in samples of
hay from Fru{ka Gora, determined level was in the range according to regulations
(Rule book, 02/90). Therefore, all hay samples cultivated in this region can be
regarded safe for use as animal feed.
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Table 2. Presence of toxic matters (mycotoxins, pesticides and heavy metals) in hay
samples
Mixed hay
(n=8)
Lucerne hay
(n=8)
Method
deployed
Mycotoxins
Aflatoxins (B1+G1)
Metals and metalloids
Arsenic (As)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Leads (Pb)
2.59±0.13 µg/kg 2.7±0.09 µg/kg
ELISA, IHM-03-007
0.10 mg/kg
0.10 mg/kg
0.05 mg/kg
0.20 mg/kg
0.10 mg/kg
0.10 mg/kg
0.05 mg/kg
0.20 mg/kg
HGAAS, IHM-03-001
HGAAS, IHM-03-001
GFAAS, IHM-03-001
GFAAS, IHM-03-001
Organochlorine pesticides
HCH (isomers alpha, delta
& beta)
Lindane
Aldrine & dieldrine
Heptachlor &
heptachlor-peroxides
DDT & derivates
Endrine
Endosulphane (isomers
alpha, beta & sulphate)
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kg GC-ECD, IHM-03-002
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kg
GC-ECD, IHM-03-002
GC-ECD, IHM-03-002
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kgGC-ECD, IHM-03-002
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kg
GC-ECD, IHM-03-002
GC-ECD, IHM-03-002
0.010 mg/kg
0.010 mg/kgGC-ECD, IHM-03-002
DISCUSSION
Sustainability of farming system under organic management may be
increased by the introduction of Lucerne in crop rotation. Lucerne is a recognized
as the most widely adapted agronomic crops, important and the cheapest source
of protein rich forages of excellent amino acid composition and high digestibility,
which is so valuable in economical animal husbandry. Beside that, this species is
important for soil improving, especially as effective source of biological nitrogen
fixation and it has important place in crop rotation. It is one of the few cultivated
plants that can produce high levels of biomass with minimum inputs. It's a reason
why Lucerne, besides an important role in conventional husbandry is getting a
great role in sustainable agriculture and organic production (Annicchiarico et al.,
2006).
Based on analyses of chemical and botanical composition samples of
mixed hay investigated in this study were classified into second quality hay. Since
two plant species were predominant (Dactilys glomerata L. and Poa pratensis L.)
productionof8.5to10.5t/hacouldbeexpected.Calculatedcrudeproteincontent
Acta Veterinaria (Beograd), Vol. 60, No. 2-3, 425-433, 2010.
Grdovi} Svetlana et al.: The analysis of forage quality
for organic milk production in Fru{ka Gora region
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