Effects of immunocastration on the performance and meat quality traits of feedlot-finished Bos indicus (Nellore) cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. M. Gómez ◽  
A. Saran Netto ◽  
D. S. Antonelo ◽  
J. Silva ◽  
G. A. Sene ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of immunocastration on the performance, testosterone concentration, carcass traits and meat quality of feedlot-finished Nellore cattle. Fifty-eight males (430 ± 36 kg bodyweight; 24 months old) were separated into three groups in a randomised complete design: surgically castration (n = 15), immunocastrated (anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Bopriva®) vaccine, n = 21) and non-castrated (n = 22). The animals were housed in individual pens and fed ad libitum for 90 days with a common diet comprising 70% concentrate and 30% roughage (corn silage). The non-castrated animals had a greater average daily gain, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight and carcass yield than the surgically castrated and immunocastrated animals (P < 0.05). Surgically castrated cattle grew faster and more efficiently than those castrated immunologically (P < 0.05). The surgically castrated and immunocastrated animals had higher colour values L*, a* and b* and cooking loss than non-castrated animals (P < 0.05). In conclusion, immunocastration decreased cattle performance compared with surgically castrated or non-castrated animals. However, immunocastration resulted in better meat quality compared with non-castrated, making it an alternative to surgical castration with no negative effects on animal welfare.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zengmin Li ◽  
Huan Liang ◽  
Junping Xin ◽  
Lanjiao Xu ◽  
Meifa Li ◽  
...  

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing the diet of Jinjiang bulls with guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on their feed efficiency [feed efficiency were evaluated with feedlot average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed-to-gain ratio (F:G)], blood measures, and meat quality. Forty-five Jinjiang bulls (24 ± 3 months old and 350.15 ± 30.39 kg by weight) were randomly distributed among five experimental groups (each n = 9) and each group was randomly fed with one of five diets (concentrate: roughage ratio of 60:40): (1) control; (2) 0.05% GAA; (3) 0.1% GAA; (4) 0.2% GAA; and (5) 0.4% GAA, respectively. After a 52-days feeding trial, five bulls from the control group and five bulls from the optimal GAA supplementing group were randomly selected and slaughtered for collection of the longissimus thoracis (LT) and semitendinosus (SM) muscles to determine meat quality. The results showed that dietary GAA improved the ADG, decreased the value of F:G, and affected blood measures and antioxidant variables. Supplementing 0.2% GAA into the diet was optimal for feeding efficiency and most of the measured blood measures. Supplementing 0.2% GAA into the diet increased the a* (redness) values, and b* (yellowness) values, and the amount of creatine kinase (CK), muscle glycogen, creatinine (CRE), and laminin (LN) in LT muscles. However, it decreased the drip loss, L* (lightness) value, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content of LT muscles. Drip loss and shear force decreased in SM muscles, as did the amount of type IV collagen (CV–IV). In conclusion, supplementing 0.2% GAA into the diet could enhance feed efficiency to improve beef growth and meat quality.


Author(s):  
Angela Cividini ◽  
Dušan Terčič ◽  
Mojca Simčič

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of feeding system on the growth rate and carcass quality of crossbred Improved Jezersko-Solčava x Texel (JSRT) lambs and to evaluate the effect of sex on these traits. The trial was conducted in nature according to the traditional rearing systems. The trial included 44 crossbred lambs, which were born and reared until the slaughter in three different flocks. In the age of 10 days suckled lambs were offered with ad libitum corresponding diets according to the feeding system. All lambs were slaughtered in seven consecutive days by the same procedure. The effect of feeding system significantly affected daily gain from birth to slaughter, EUROP carcass conformation and shoulder width. Likewise, the effect of sex significantly affected daily gain from birth to slaughter and internal fatness of carcasses. According to carcass cuts the feeding system significantly affected only the proportion of neck and leg. Considering meat quality traits, feeding system had a significant effect on the pH 45 and CIE a* values. In this study, we could speculate that more than the feeding system the growth and the carcass traits as well as meat traits were affected by the amount of the supplement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 319-321
Author(s):  
Taiane S Martins ◽  
Juliana Silva ◽  
Lenise Mueller ◽  
Tamyres Amorim ◽  
Annelise Aila G Lobo ◽  
...  

Abstract The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance and the carcass traits of Nelore cattle progenies from bulls selected by contrasting traits for precocity, growth and muscularity, through the Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). One hundred and five Nelore bulls (initial weight of 350kg±15kg) and 20 months of age were confined and fed with same diet (73% of concentrate). Thirty-two animals were selected to create the contrasting groups for precocity, growth and muscularity (16 animals assigned as a low EPD group - LEPD and 16 animals assigned as a high EPD group - HEPD), based on the EPD of their parents. The ribeye area and backfat thickness were performed by ultrasonography of 12–13th rib fat thickness and longissimus muscle area (LMA), as well as rump fat thickness (RF) measurements. Animals were harvested after 100 days and during the deboning, meat cuts were weight for cutting yield. The animals selected for the HEPD group had greater average daily gain (P = 0.006), which can be explained by the higher feed intake (P = 0.006). However, there are no difference between groups for the final body weight (P = 0.254) and feed efficiency (P = 0.715). The LEPD group presented higher dressing percentage (P = 0.028). Although the groups evaluated did not presented difference in LMA (P = 0.329) and weight of longissimus muscle (P = 0.480), the weight of rump displayed heaviest in the HEPD (P = 0.037). There was no difference between groups for RF (P = 0.086). Nevertheless, backfat thickness was higher in HEPD group (P = 0.006). The present study indicates that Nelore cattle progenies, with parents displaying higher potential for precocity, growth, and muscularity, show greater backfat thickness and weightiest of rump than the other genetic backgrounds. Thanks to FAPESP for the scholarship (Grant # 2017/02349–1).


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 298-299
Author(s):  
Bailey L Basiel ◽  
Chad D Dechow ◽  
Tara L Felix

Abstract Objectives were to compare feedlot performance and carcass traits of F1 beef × Holstein steers and Holstein steers. Angus or Limousin × Holstein crossbred [n = 27; age = 12 ± 3 months; body weight (BW) = 435 ± 8 kg] and Holstein (n = 20; age = 11 ± 2 months; BW = 400 ± 9 kg) steers were fed at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center for 111 days. Feed intake was recorded using the GrowSafe Feed Intake Monitoring System (Model 4000E, GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Calgary AB, Canada). The diet contained corn silage, dried distillers grains, soybean meal, and cracked corn and was formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of beef cattle (NASEM, 2016). Growth performance variables of interest and carcass measurements were analyzed with the Mixed procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). USDA assigned quality grades (QG) and yield grades (YG) were analyzed the with GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Breed was a fixed effect in all models. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between breeds in average daily gain or feed efficiency. Crossbreds exceeded Holsteins in initial (P < 0.01) and final BW (P = 0.01), dry matter intake (P = 0.03), hot carcass weight (P < 0.01), backfat (P = 0.03), and ribeye area (REA; P < 0.01). Thirty-five percent (35%) of the Holsteins received a QG of Choice or above while 74% of crossbreds graded USDA Choice or above (P = 0.01). However, 75% of Holsteins were YG 2 or lower while only 45% of crossbreds achieved YG 2 or less (P = 0.05). There was no improvement in efficiency when crossbreds were compared to Holsteins; however, carcasses from crossbreds were more likely to grade USDA Choice or above while yielding greater REA and backfat than Holsteins.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 94-95
Author(s):  
Kelsie Webb ◽  
Ronald J Trotta ◽  
Phillip Bridges ◽  
James Matthews

Abstract To test the hypothesis that average daily gain (ADG) and clinical parameters of steers grazing novel non-toxic (NTE) or toxic KY-31 (TE) endophyte-infected tall fescue would be improved by ad libitum intake of vitamin-mineral mixes (V-M) that contain 27 ppm Se as a 1:1 blend of SELPLEX:sodium selenite (MIX) vs sodium selenite (ISe), 32 TE-naïve beef steers depleted of Se were randomly assigned to ad libitum consumption ISe vs MIX for 35 d and fed enough of a NTE/alfalfa/grain diet to achieve 0.57 kg BW gain/d. Within Se-form treatments, 2 steers were randomly assigned to each of 4, 2-acre NTE (ISe = 316 ± 31 kg, MIX = 315 ± 22 kg) or TE (ISe = 316 ± 37 kg, MIX = 314 ± 39 kg) paddocks for 84 d and had ad libitum access to their respective V-M. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to assess effects of day, Se-form (ISe, MIX) and endophyte (NTE, TE) treatments, and their interactions. Whole blood Se decreased (P < 0.01) 31% from d 0 to 84 and was 6.2% greater (P < 0.01) for MIX steers. Serum prolactin decreased (P < 0.01) 18% for NTE and 48% for TE steers from d 0 to 84 and was 17% greater (P = 0.01) for MIX vs. ISe TE steers. Alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) decreased (P < 0.02) 27% from d 0 to 84 and was 15% greater (P < 0.02) for MIX steers. Serum urea nitrogen increased (P < 0.02) 8.2% from d 0 to 84 for TE but not NTE steers. Average daily gain (kg/d) was less (P < 0.01) in TE (-0.18) vs NTE (0.09) steers. We conclude that the ad libitum intake of MIX ameliorated the negative effects of consuming TE on serum prolactin and AP but not ADG.


2014 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.H.A. Santana ◽  
Y.T. Utsunomiya ◽  
H.H.R. Neves ◽  
R.C. Gomes ◽  
J.F. Garcia ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7-8
Author(s):  
Lucas T Neira ◽  
Ashley E Cooney ◽  
Wesley P Chapple ◽  
William T Meteer ◽  
Daniel W Shike

Abstract The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in dry lots (DL) or pasture (PAST) on calf performance and behavior through the receiving phase. Simmental × Angus (n = 108; 87 ± 11.5 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, BW, BCS, and calf sex and allotted to six groups. Cows were limit-fed a ration consisting of corn silage, dried distillers grain, corn stalks, dry rolled corn (DRC), and soybean hulls to meet protein and energy requirements. Calves had ad libitum access to same diet in an adjacent pen. Calves on PAST were rotationally grazed with free-choice mineral. After weaning (177 ± 11.5 d of age) all calves were fed a diet consisting of corn silage, wet distiller grains, DRC, and grass hay during the receiving phase (42 d). At the age 87, 142, 177, 198, and 219 ± 11.5 d, BW was measured. Hair coat score (HCS) and dirt score (DS) were measured on d 0 and d 90. Calf behavior was observed after feedlot arrival. Average daily gain, DMI and feed efficiency were also analyzed. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Dry-lot calves had greater (P < 0.01) BW and ADG prior to weaning. Calves from PAST had lower (P < 0.01) DS and greater (P < 0.01) HCS at weaning. Upon feedlot arrival, more (P < 0.01) DL calves were walking and had increased (P < 0.01) vocalizations. Calves from PAST had greater (P < 0.01) ADG, DMI as a percent of BW, and gain:feed than DL calves during the receiving phase. Calves raised in a dry lot had greater BW and ADG prior to weaning, but PAST calves had fewer behavioral signs of stress and greater growth performance in feedlot.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Prados ◽  
S. C. Valadares Filho ◽  
S. A. Santos ◽  
D. Zanetti ◽  
A. N. Nunes ◽  
...  

Forty 3/4 Bos indicus × 1/4 Bos taurus bulls (initial bodyweight = 214 ± 4 kg; 11 ± 0.2 months) were used in the study. Four bulls were slaughtered as reference and the other 36 bulls were allowed ad libitum consumption of treatment diets following a completely randomised 3 × 3 factorial design. The design included three diet concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P): standard, 50% of standard, and 75% of standard and three periods of feedlot confinement: 8, 16, and 24 weeks with four bulls per treatment combination. The diets were isonitrogenous and consisted of 60 : 40 corn silage to concentrate. Dry matter intake, crude protein, ether extract, organic matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, Ca, and P, expressed as kg/day, were greater (P < 0.05) for bulls confined for longer periods. Nutrient digestibility and average daily gain was not affected (P > 0.05) by Ca and P concentration of diet or by feedlot phase. Dressing were decreased (P < 0.05) for bulls that remained in confinement for a shorter period. The daily maintenance requirements of Ca and P were 13.66 and 21.51 mg/kg empty bodyweight, respectively, and the absorption coefficients of Ca and P were 0.70 and 0.67, respectively. We concluded that for crossbred cattle in the feedlot, dietary levels of Ca and P recommended by BR-CORTE (2010), NRC (2000), and AFRC (1991) could be reduced by 62%, 66%, and 57%, respectively, for Ca and by 14%, 15%, and 43%, respectively, for P with significant savings in costs. This study shows that Ca and P can be reduced to 1.8 and 2.2 g/kg DM respectively, in the diets for crossbred cattle in feedlot.


Author(s):  
A. Clinquart ◽  
C. Van Eenaeme ◽  
T. Van Vooren ◽  
J. Van Hoof ◽  
L. Istasse

The degree to which growth patterns are modified after a period of food restriction affects the compositional changes of the carcasses(Carstens et al., 1992), furthermore, the growth rate has a direct effect on the physical properties of meat (Fishell et al., 1985). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of a severe food restriction at a early stage of maturity on the slaughter characteristics and meat quality of Belgian Blue bulls.Twelve Belgian Blue bulls (dual purpose type) weighing 233 kg were offered two different planes of nutrition during the growing period. Six bulls (Group-) received a restricted diet so that their average daily gain was 0.34 kg/d (Group+) during 202 days. By contrast six other bulls were given a more conventional growing diet and their average daily gain was 1.13 kg/d. Both Groups were fattened with similar diet and slaughtered when the live weight was close to 600 kg. Carcass weight was measured and killing-out proportion calculated, the composition of the carcass was estimated after dissection of ribs 7, 8, 9 removed 48 h post-mortem.


2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. McGregor ◽  
C. P. Campbell ◽  
S. P. Miller ◽  
P. P. Purslow ◽  
I. B. Mandell

McGregor, E M., Campbell, C. P., Miller, S. P., Purslow, P. P. and Mandell, I. B. 2012. Effect of nutritional regimen including limit feeding and breed on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 327–341. The effects of nutritional management regimen and breed on growth performance, carcass attributes, and meat quality were evaluated in 68 British (BRIT) and Continental (CONT) crossbred steers, managed on one of three nutritional regimens: (1) ad libitum access to a 77% corn diet (ALGRAIN), (2) limit feeding initially of the 77% corn diet, followed by ad libitum access to the 77% corn diet (LFGRAIN), and (3) limit feeding initially of a 90% haylage diet, followed by ad libitum access to the 77% corn diet (LFHAYL). Nutritional regimen by breed interactions (P<0.02) were present for average daily gain, dry matter intake (DMI), gain to feed, and shear force. LFHAYL regimen decreased gains to a greater extent for BRIT steers than CONT steers managed on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN. Feed intakes were similar across nutritional regimens for CONT steers, while DMI was depressed in BRIT on LFHAYL as compared with steers started on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN. Gain to feed was greater in BRIT cattle on LFGRAIN vs. ALGRAIN, while gain to feed was similar in CONT started on grain (ALGRAIN, LFGRAIN). Shear force was lower for beef from LFHAYL BRIT vs. beef from BRIT on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN, while the converse was true for CONT. Limit feeding of a high-energy diet may be appropriate for cattle of British background to reduce feed input costs, while ensuring tenderness.


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