Comparative production of lean meat from Friesian bulls and steers over a range of nutritional planes at pasture

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (110) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
FJ Mickan ◽  
GW Thomas ◽  
SA Spiker
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Entire Range ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Lean Meat ◽  
Manufacturing Trade ◽  
Stocking Rates

The growth rate and carcase characteristics of Friesian bulls and steers were compared when the animals were fed solely on pasture from 8 to 18 months of age. The animals were set stocked at rates ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 animals ha-1, so that average growth rates of the steers ranged from 0.87 to 0.57 kg d-1. All were slaughtered at 18 months of age for the manufacturing meat trade. For each additional animal per hectare the average daily liveweight gain of both bulls and steers was reduced by 0.1 0 kg d-1. However, at all stocking rates bulls maintained a 0.06 kg d-1 advantage over the steers. These results do not support the suggestion that as the plane of nutrition increases, so does the advantage in growth rate of the bulls over that of the steers. Seasonal liveweight gains of the two sex types and the effect of stocking rate on these are discussed. For each 0.1 0 kg d-1 increase in steer liveweight gain carcase weight per animal increased by 19 kg and the bulls produced 25 kg more carcase weight than the steers. As the plane of nutrition increased, the percentage of saleable meat produced by the steers was constant (66.2%) while that of the bulls increased (68.7%-72.3%). This trend was reversed for the percentage of fat trimmed out of the carcases. The fat trim of the bulls was 3.6% while that of the steers increased from 6.4% to 8.9%. Over the entire range of nutrition levels, bulls were superior to steers in all attributes considered necessary for the manufacturing trade. However, under Australian conditions, seemingly unjustifiable penalty rates for slaughtering and, to a lesser extent, farmer prejudice, severely restrict the use of young grazing bulls for lean meat production.

scholarly journals Can lambs compensate for less milk by grazing more often?

2002 ◽  
pp. 103-105
Author(s):  
C.A.M. Moffat ◽  
J.M. Deaker ◽  
G.J. Wallace ◽  
M.W. Fisher ◽  
P.D. Muir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Milk Supply ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Machine Milking ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Lamb behaviour was investigated where varying stocking rates and rearing rank indirectly induced differences in ewe milk production. 24 Romney x Poll Dorset ewes, with either twin or single lambs, were stocked at either 25 or 15 ewes per hectare, three weeks after lambing (2 August ± 1.0 days). Lamb activity (grazing, otherwise active, or inactive) was determined by instantaneous scan sampling at 3-min intervals over 4 hours at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age. Milk production, estimated by machine milking and lamb live weights were also measured at these ages, on the day prior to observations. Ewes with twin lambs produced slightly more milk than ewes with singles (213 vs. 183 ml per 4 hours, respectively). Ewes on the high stocking rate produced an average of 181 ml milk per 4 hours compared with 216 ml per 4 hours in the low stocking rate group. Twin lambs spent significantly more time grazing than did single lambs (52.3% vs. 41.0% overall, respectively) and lambs on the higher stocking rate spent on average 10% more time grazing, than those stocked less densely. These results suggest that lambs with access to less milk spend more time by grazing, but this does not adequately compensate for the lower milk supply which resulted in reduced lamb growth rates. This raises the possibility of enhancing lamb growth rates prior to weaning by providing high quality, lamb-specific forage to the lamb independently of the ewe. Keywords: ewe milk production, grazing, lamb behaviour, lamb growth rate

Some factors which affect the liveweight change and wool growth of adult Corriedale wethers grazed at various stocking rates on perennial pasture in southern Victoria.

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
HA Birrell
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Stocking Rates

Monthly observations were taken on a number of animal and pasture characteristics during a 24-year study with adult Corriedale wethers which were grazed at 10, 15, 20 and 25 sheep ha-1. The seasonal patterns in all the observed parameters varied with the stocking rate. The more notable were the fluctuations in digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) which increased with stocking rate in summer (10 and 25 sheep ha-1 having 426 and 818 g DOMI d-1 respectively) and decreased in winter (655 and 448 g DOMI d-1). Both liveweight and wool growth rate (WGR) declined during autumn and increased in the spring at the two high stocking rates but not at the two low stocking rates. The herbage present and its relative growth rate both influenced the amount of herbage voluntarily eaten when the pasture was green. When the dry matter of herbage was < 1.5 t ha-1, the amount of herbage eaten increased as the yield and relative growth rates > 0.05 g g-1 d-1 increased. Sixty-two per cent of the variance in DOMI was accounted for. An exponential function fitted the overall data when relative growth rates were <0.05 g g-1 d-1. DOMI asymptoted at 740 g d-1 when herbage yields exceeded 2.0 t ha-1 (R2 = 0.70). Liveweight loss was very rapid in autumn at high stocking rates despite a high DOMI (c. 650g d-1). This was found, by using multiple regression analysis, to be associated with shearing stress, poor quality feed and long grazing times. In spring, on better quality feed, a long grazing time was associated with an enhanced liveweight response. A multiple regression analysis accounted for 73 % of the variance in WGR. The expression suggested that WGR increased and had a slightly curvilinear relationship with DOMI, was positively related to digestibility and negatively related to the daily time spent grazing. Wool growth slowed concurrently with liveweight losses, the magnitude of the decrease depending upon DOMI.

A comparison between Friesian bulls and steers on pasture for lean meat production

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (80) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
FJ Mickan ◽  
GW Thomas ◽  
SA Spiker
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Lean Meat ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Percentage Yield ◽  
Dressing Percentage

Growth rate and carcase characteristics were compared for Friesian bulls and steers fed solely on pasture and set stocked at 4.9 animals ha-1 Over a period of 11 3 weeks the animals achieved a mean liveweight gain of 0.5 kg animal-1 day-1. At this level of nutrition no significant difference in the growth rates of the bulls and steers was evident. However, the bulls had a higher dressing percentage (3.4 per cent), a higher percentage yield of meat (5.5 per cent), a lower percentage yield of trim (2.3 per cent), a lower percentage yield of bone (3.1 per cent), a larger eye muscle area (4.9 cm2), a greater carcase weight (1 7 kg), and a greater weight of saleable meat (24.1 kg). The steers had a higher percentage of total carcase in the hindquarter (3.6 per cent).

The effect of stocking rate and deferred Autumn grazing of pasture on liveweight and wool production of Merino wethers in a Mediterranean-type climate

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (79) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
TH Brown
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Stocking Rates

Liveweight, seasonal wool growth rates, annual wool production, wool quality and hand feeding requirements were recorded for Merino wethers when autumn deferred or continuously grazed. The two management systems were compared at a series of eight stocking rates from 12.4 to 29.7 sheep per hectare for five years from 1967 to 1971 at the Kybybolite Research Centre, South Australia. Autumn deferment resulted in increased liveweight and wool growth rate during the months of June to September. However, liveweights and wool production under either management were similar for the remainder of the year. Because deferred grazing did not increase liveweights during the critical autumn period, and since hand feeding requirements were similar under either management system at the higher stocking rates, it is suggested that yearly stocking rates can not be increased by autumn deferment. Apart from the drought year of 1967, the continuously grazed sheep required little or no hand feeding up to 22.2 wethers per hectare. It is unlikely that the cost of hand feeding deferred sheep up to this stocking rate would be covered by the small increase in wool production. However, this would depend on the cost of conserved fodder and price received for the wool.

scholarly journals Optimising grazing for livestock production and environmental benefits in Chinese grasslands

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warwick B. Badgery ◽  
David Kemp ◽  
Zhang Yingjun ◽  
Wang Zhongwu ◽  
Han Guodong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Desert Steppe ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Typical Steppe ◽  
Artemisia Frigida ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Overgrazing has extensively degraded Chinese grasslands. A reduction in stocking rate of 30–50% below the district averages is required to increase the profitability of livestock production and protect vital ecosystem services such as mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG). Grazing experiments located in the desert steppe, typical steppe and alpine meadow verified the influence of stocking rate and grazing management on livestock production, grassland composition and associated ecosystem services. The desert steppe experiment found lower stocking rates of ~150 SE (where SE is sheep equivalent, which is a 50kg animal) grazing days ha–1 (1 SE ha–1 over 150 days) enhanced botanical composition, maintained profitable lamb growth rates and reduced GHG emissions intensity. The typical steppe experiment found moderate grazing pressure of ~400 SE grazing days ha–1 (4 SE ha–1 over 100 days) maintained higher lamb growth rates, an average herbage mass &gt;0.5t DM ha–1 that maintained the content of Leymus chinensis above 70% and Artemisia frigida below 10% of the grassland and had the highest level of net carbon sequestration. In the alpine meadow experiment the district average stocking rate of ~16 SE ha–1 (1440 SE grazing days ha–1 over 90 days) was not too high, but extending grazing into the non-growing season had no benefit. The findings of these experiments highlight that many of the benefits to ecosystem services can be achieved with reduced stocking rates which also generate profitable levels of livestock production. In both the desert and typical steppe experiments, the results were optimal when the stocking rates were adjusted to maintain average herbage mass over summer above ~0.5t DM ha–1, whereas herbage mass was higher with the local, conservative stocking rates in the alpine meadow.

Effect of time of joining and rate of stocking on the production of Corriedale ewes in southern Victoria. 2. Survival and growth of lambs

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (69) ◽  
pp. 434 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
IF Davis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Single Birth

A study of the survival and growth of lambs was made over a three year period (1968 to 1970) on a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. Ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 7 1/2 and 10 ha-1) and lambed between July 6 and August 20 or between September 10 and October 29 each year. Observations were made on the same ewes each year. Rate of stocking had no effect on the birth weight of lambs but single-birth lambs born in September were lighter than those born in July. More twins were born in September than in July and a smaller proportion of lambs born survived from the September than from the July lambing. Of the lambs born to ewes stocked at 10 ha-1 in 1968 and 1969 a smaller proportion survived than of the lambs born to ewes stocked at 5 ha-1. The growth rate of lambs born in July was constant between birth and weaning at 12 weeks of age but declined as rates of stocking increased. When the lambs born in September were about eight weeks old the pastures matured and growth rates of lambs declined and at weaning liveweights of lambs from plots stocked at different rates were similar. Lambs born in July on plots stocked at 5 and 79 ewes ha-1 were as much as eight kilograms heavier at weaning than the lambs born in September at equivalent rates of stocking. Neither rate nor time of onset of milk production was significantly affected by stocking rate.

Selection indices for terminal sire beef breeds

1984 ◽  
Vol 1984 ◽  
pp. 44-44
Author(s):  
G. Simm ◽  
C. Smith ◽  
J.H.D. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Lean Meat ◽  
Biological Indices ◽  
Animal Fats ◽  
Selection Indices ◽  
Terminal Sire

Rising living standards and an increasing awareness of the health risks of a diet high in saturated fats have led to strong consumer discrimination against animal fats. Additionally the surplusses of animal products in Europe suggest that more attention should be paid to the inputs in animal production, rather than solely increasing output. Improving the efficiency of lean meat production is therefore an important consideration in all meat animal systems. In 1976 Fowler, Bichard and Pease proposed the ‘biological indices’ lean growth rate and lean food conversion as selection criteria in pigs. These traits may be estimated as the product of growth rate (GR) or food conversion efficiency (FCE), and in vivo estimates of killing out and carcass lean proportions. However, in cattle and sheep the relatively low coefficient of variation of estimated killing out and of lean proportions, means that the biological indices are frequently dominated by GR and FCE. In such cases there may be little difference in response from selection solely on GR and FCE (Simm, 1983). The objective of the present study was to derive economic selection indices for terminal sire beef breeds, which might give appropriate economic weighting to the components of efficient lean meat production.

Selection indices for terminal sires to improve lean meat production from sheep in the United Kingdom

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Parratt ◽  
G. Simm
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Lean Meat ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Ct Measurements ◽  
Selection Indices ◽  
Efficiency Of Selection ◽  
Terminal Sire

AbstractSelection indices to improve lean meat production of terminal sire breeds of sheep were derived. An aggregate breeding value which comprised growth rate, killing-out proportion and carcass lean proportion was examined. Selection criteria included growth rate and ultrasonic or X-ray computer tomography (CT) estimates of carcass composition. Correlations betwen the index and the aggregate breeding value were about 0·38 for indices using ultrasonic fat measurements, and about 0·40 for those using CT measurements. Dropping ultrasonic or CT measurements from the indices reduced the correlations with the aggregate breeding value by only about 0·01 and 002 respectively, indicating that selection on growth rate alone under current economic conditions was highly efficient. Changes in economic weights, and genetic parameters had little effect on the efficiency of selection. The total national discounted value of returns from a single round of selection on the indices was expected to be between £6 and £30·5 million, depending on penetration rates of improved stock, the breeding scheme used, and with a time horizon of 20 years.

Selection indices to improve the efficiency of lean meat production in cattle

1986 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Simm ◽  
C. Smith ◽  
J. H. D. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Lean Meat ◽  
Selection Indices ◽  
Efficiency Of Selection ◽  
Food Conversion Efficiency

ABSTRACTSelection indices to improve the efficiency of lean meat production in cattle were derived with an aggregate breeding value which comprised growth rate, food conversion efficiency, killing-out proportion and carcass lean proportion. Index measurements were growth rate, food conversion efficiency and ultrasonic fat area. Relative economic values of traits in the aggregate breeding value were calculated for an 18/20-month beef system, assuming a fixed national output of lean meat. Literature estimates of phenotypic and genetic parameters were used. Two indices were derived, one with a complete restriction on genetic changes in birth weight, and the other without restriction. Correlations between the index and the aggregate breeding value were 0·53 for the restricted index, and 0·57 for the unrestricted index. The maximum proportional reduction in expected economic response, due to complete restriction of birth weight was about 0·08. Selection on either index would actually lead to a slight decrease in carcass lean proportion, but this was less than the decrease expected from selection solely on growth rate. Correlations between the indices and the aggregate breeding value (measuring the accuracy of selection) fell by only about 0·01 when ultrasonic measurements were omitted from the index, but fell by about 0·09 when food conversion efficiency was omitted. Sensitivity of the indices to changes in parameters was also examined. With proportional changes of ±0·5 in individual economic weights, or absolute changes of ±0·2 in genetic correlations or −0·2 in heritabilities, the efficiency of selection ranged from 0·93 to 1·00.

The performance and intake of weaned lambs grazing S24 perennial ryegrass, with and without supplementation

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
N. E. Young
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Target Level ◽  
Target Weight ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Better Than

SUMMARYTwo forms of supplement, barley or dried grass pellets (G) were given to weaned lambs, set-stocked at pasture, at three stocking rates (43·5, 60 and 87 per hectare). The supplements were given either from weaning or from the time growth rate fell below a target value. The supplements significantly increased the proportion of lambs reaching the target weight (35 kg) and G was significantly better than barley, but slightly more G was given. The substitution value of supplement for herbage was 0·48 ± 0·12 and there was no difference in this value between barley and G. The proportion of lambs reaching the target slaughter weight was not influenced by whether the supplement was offered at weaning or delayed until lamb growth declined below a target level. Increase in stocking rate depressed the herbage intake and growth rate of the unsupplemented control lambs.

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