The use of coarse maize silage as a dietary source of roughage for finishing Limousin bulls: effects on growth performance, feeding behaviour and meat quality

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cozzi ◽  
F. Gottardo ◽  
I. Andrighetto

AbstractTwo isonitrogenous, isocaloric and isofibrous diets for finishing beef cattle differing only in their roughage constituents were compared in a feeding trial with Limousin bulls. A control maize silage (chop length = 9 mm) and wheat straw were the roughage sources of the former diet representing 0·23 and 0·09 of the dietary dry matter (DM) respectively. These roughage sources were fully replaced in the latter by the inclusion of a coarsely chopped maize silage (19 mm) at a level of 0·45 of the total dietary DM. Two balanced groups of 20 Limousin bulls (425·8 ± 20·3 kg live weight) each allotted in four pens were given the two diets ad libitum for a finishing period of 138 days. The different dietary roughages did not affect either bull growth performance (average daily gain = 1·39 ± 0·25 kg/day) or food conversion ratio. However, the diet containing the coarse silage significantly (P < 0·05) reduced the intake of both DM (8·30 v. 9·02 kg/day) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) (2·64 v. 2·92 kg/day). Although total ruminating time was similar for both diets, bulls given the coarse maize silage diet spent more time ruminating 1 kg of DM or NDF, probably due to the higher percentage of dietary forage NDF. No food selection activity towards specific chemical constituents was observed in either diet. Slaughter measurements and meat quality were satisfactory and unaffected by the type of dietary roughage. Based on cattle growth performance, feeding behaviour, and meat quality, the use of coarse maize silage as a dietary source of roughage can be considered a feasible alternative in beef cattle finishing.

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 682-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliano Roman ◽  
Clóves Cabreira Jobim ◽  
Flávio Dutra de Resende ◽  
Gustavo Rezende Siqueira ◽  
Marcelo Henrique de Faria ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of beef cattle in feedlots fed diets containing either whole-crop maize silage or sugarcane silage, and with different formulations. Five diets were evaluated: MSF - diet containing whole-crop maize silage, with fixed formulation during feedlot period; MSV- diet containing whole-crop maize silage, with variable formulation according to feedlot phase; SCSF - diet containing sugarcane silage with fixed formulation; SCSV- diet containing sugarcane silage, with variable formulation; SCSV/MSV- SCSV diet in initial half of fedlot and MSV diet in final half of feedlot period, respectively. It was used a complete random experimental design, with five treatments and three replicates (pens). It was used 285 steers at 36 months of age, with an initial body weight of 362.4 kg. Diets with whole-crop maize silage promoted greater intake of dry matter (10.5 kg and 2.4% BW) compared with diets containing sugarcane silage (10.1 kg and 2.3% BW). There was no effect of the silages on average daily gain (1.348 kg/animal/day) and live weight at slaughter (481.2 kg BW). SCSV/MSV diet promoted the worst feed conversion (8.0 kg DM/kg BW). Animals fed diets composed of whole-crop maize silage presented greater weight of hot carcass, of carcass yield and subcutaneous fat thickness (262.1 kg, 54.1% and 6.2 mm) compared with the animals fed sugarcane silage (252.5 kg, 52.7% and 4.8 mm). The use of sugarcane silage in diets for finishing beef cattle is feasible and the adjustment of formulation during confinement period does not influence performance of the animals. Replacement of sugarcane silage by whole-crop maize silage during the feeding period affects negatively feed conversion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-658
Author(s):  
Md Manirul Islam ◽  
Meherunnesa Chowdhury Sumy ◽  
Kona Adhikary ◽  
Priunka Bhowmik

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of olive leaves with probiotics (OLP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood parameters and oxidative stability of meat in broiler. A total of 160 day old, unsexed Cobb-500 chicks were distributed in to five dietary treatment groups: Control (Basal diet), OLP-1 (Basal diet + 0.4% OLP, DM basis), OLP-2 (Basal diet + 0.8% OLP, DM basis), OLP-3 (Basal diet + 1.2% OLP, DM basis) and OLP-4 (Basal diet + 1.6% OLP, DM basis) having 4 replications with 8 birds in each in a completely randomized design. Results showed that the live weight, overall average daily gain (ADG) increased significantly (p<0.05) in all treatment groups compared to control. The weekly feed conversion ratio (FCR) reduced significantly (p<0.05) in 0-14 days and the weekly ADG improved in 15-28 days. Blood cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly (p<0.05) in all treatment groups except OLP-4 compared to control. The dressing percentage showed significant (p<0.05) difference among treatment groups and control. Organs weight were similar among treatment groups, although the breast meat and bursa weight differed significantly (p<0.05) in treatment groups. A significant increase (p<0.05) in meat crude protein (CP) and total ash content in treatment groups relative to control. Meat thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) significantly (p<0.05) decreased at 0.8%, 1.2% and 1.8% during 1st, 2nd, 3rd weeks and in average value as well. Net return and benefit cost ratio (BCR) substantially increased in all treatment groups compared to control (p<0.05). Finally, dietary OLP supplementation improved growth performance, meat CP and ash content, increased blood cholesterol, HDL content, net rutrun and BCR while reduced meat TBARS value. Thus, olive leaf probiotics can be a potential source to be used as feed additive in broiler. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2020, 6(4): 650-658


2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175
Author(s):  
H. Liang ◽  
X. H. Zhao ◽  
K. Pan ◽  
L. J. Xu ◽  
Z. H. Yi ◽  
...  

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing different amounts of daidzein in a diet on the growth performance, blood biochemical parameters and meat quality of finishing beef cattle. Thirty finishing Xianan steers were distributed in three groups equilibrated by weight and fed three different dietary treatments (concentrate ratio = 80%): (1) control; (2) 500 mg/kg daidzein and (3) 1000 mg/kg daidzein, respectively. Steers were slaughtered after an 80-day feeding trial. Results showed that daidzein supplementation had no effect on the final body weight, average daily gain and feed conversion rate of steers. Steers fed with 1000 mg/kg daidzein had greater dry matter intake than those fed with control diets. Compared with the control group, the 1000 mg/kg daidzein group had a higher fat thickness, lower shear force and lightness. The pH, drip loss, cooking loss, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), moisture, ash, crude protein and intramuscular fat of the Longissimus dorsi muscle were unaffected by daidzein supplementation. Compared with the control group, the 1000 mg/kg daidzein group significantly increased the serum concentrations of insulin, free fatty acid and Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase. The 500 mg/kg daidzein group significantly increased the serum concentration of tetraiodothyronine compared with the control group. Supplemental daidzein did not affect the blood antioxidant ability and blood immune parameters in serum. In conclusion, daidzein supplementation above 500 mg/day modifies feed intake and metabolic and hormonal profile, with positive and negative effects on meat quality.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibo Wang ◽  
Hang Li ◽  
Fei Wu ◽  
Xinjun Qiu ◽  
Zhantao Yu ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary energy levels on growth performance, rumen fermentation and bacterial community, and meat quality of Holstein-Friesians bulls slaughtered at different ages. Thirty-six Holstein-Friesians bulls (17 months of age) were divided into a 3 × 3 factorial experiment with three energy levels (LE, ME and HE; metabolizable energy is 10.12, 10.90 and 11.68 MJ/kg, respectively) of diets, and three slaughter ages (20, 23 and 26 months). Results indicated that bulls fed with ME and HE diets had higher dry matter intake, average daily gain, and dressing percentage at 23 or 26 months of age. The ME and HE diets also reduced bacterial diversity, altered relative abundances of bacteria and produced lower concentrations of acetate, but higher butyrate and valerate concentrations in rumen fluid. Increasing in dietary energy and slaughter age increased the intramuscular fat (IMF) and water holding capacity. In summary, Holstein-Friesians bulls fed with ME and HE diets, slaughtered at 23 and 26 months of age could be a good choice to produce beef with high IMF. Slaughter age may have less influence than dietary energy in altering fermentation by increasing amylolytic bacteria and decreasing cellulolytic bacteria, and thus, further affecting meat quality.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Mir ◽  
D. R. C. Bailey ◽  
Z. Mir ◽  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
T. Entz ◽  
...  

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of European and British crossbred (EBC; no Wagyu genetics; 28 heifers and 30 steers) cattle were compared with crossbred cattle with 75% Wagyu genetics (WC; seven heifers and 14 steers) to determine the influence of Wagyu genetics on marbling grade of beef cattle fed barley-based diets in a factorial design experiment. Weaned calves (250 d average age) were fed, one of two diets (diet 1, 35% barley grain; diet 2, 40% hay cubes on DM basis, with barley silage, protein and vitamin/mineral premix) for 84 d and then fed diet 1 until they weighed 394 to 432 kg. All cattle were finished on an 80% (DM basis) rolled barley diet and slaughtered. Carcasses were graded and samples procured for meat quality and Warner–Bratzler shear force determination. Number of days on backgrounding diets to arrive at target weight (380 kg) was greater (P < 0.05) for the WC cattle, owing to relatively lower ADG, but days on the finishing diet were fewer for these cattle, compared with EBC cattle. Warm carcass yield (dressing percent) was greater (P < 0.05), but backfat depth was lower (P < 0.05) for WC cattle relative to that of EBC cattle, yet proportion of lean meat yield was similar. Eighty three percent of WC cattle carcasses had Canada AAA (small or more) marbling grade compared with 13% for EBC cattle carcasses. Mean shear force of meat samples from EBC and WC cattle was 4.2 and 3.8 kg, respectively. Results indicated that the extent of carcass marbling can be increased by incorporating Wagyu genetics but age at slaughter of WC cattle was 19 d greater than that of EBC cattle and carcass size was reduced. Key words: Average daily gain, carcass characteristics, European and British crossbred, feed to gain ratio, meat quality, Wagyu crossbred cattle


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Nadezhda Palova ◽  
Jivko Nakev ◽  
Teodora Popova ◽  
Maya Ignatova

Abstract(An experiment with two groups of East Balkan pigs – castrated males (n=10) and females (n=10), was carried out to study the growth performance and fattening abilities of the animals from the weaning until slaughter. The pigs were included in the trial at 60 day age. The average live weight of the castrated males was 8. 65±1.08 kg and for the females, 8.5±0.62 kg.The pigs were reared using traditional technology, grazing on natural pastures in the Strandzha mountain, Bulgaria. In autumn, acorns were naturally present in their diet. According to the category, the animals additionally received ground organic feed (50% barley and 50% wheat). The trial lasted 304 days (from February to November, 2019). During this period the final live weight of the male castrated pigs reached 88.00 kg while that of the females was 84.4 kg. The difference, however, was not significant. Furthermore, no significant differences in the growth performance characteristics that could be attributed to the sex of the animals were observed. The average daily gain of both sexes tended to be lower in summer and higher in autumn. The feed conversion ratio was higher in summer. The animals showed high average daily weight gain at pasture when their live weight was over 50 kg.


2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (6) ◽  
pp. 839-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. S. Rabelo ◽  
E. C. Lara ◽  
F. C. Basso ◽  
C. J. Härter ◽  
R. A. Reis

AbstractWhole-crop maize forage was ensiled without inoculant (control), inoculated with Lactobacillus buchneri and L. plantarum at a rate of 1 × 105 cfu/g fresh forage per bacterium (LBLP), or inoculated with Bacillus subtilis and L. plantarum at a rate 1 × 105 cfu/g fresh forage per bacterium (BSLP) with the goal to investigate the growth performance of finishing feedlot lambs. Thirty Dorper × Santa Ines lambs (29 ± 3.5 kg initial body weight) were used in the feedlot programme and assigned (n = 10) to one of three diets containing control, LBLP or BSLP silages in a 60:40 forage:concentrate ratio. Inoculation of maize silage did not alter dry matter intake (overall mean = 1.16 kg/day) and average daily gain (overall mean = 0.217 kg/day) of lambs. Consequently, feed efficiency remained unchanged. Inoculation of maize silage did not alter carcass and meat traits of lambs, with the exception of meat colour, wherein yellowness (b*) decreased by feeding LBLP and BSLP diets compared with the untreated diet. Regarding ruminal fermentation, there was an interaction between diets and the interval at which ruminal fluid was sampled for determining total volatile fatty acid concentration, but inoculation yielded no obvious results. In conclusion, the use of diets based on maize silage inoculated with L. plantarum combined with either L. buchneri or B. subtilis did not display relevant effects on growth performance of lambs; this response might be related to the limited impact of these bacterial inoculants on silage composition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-281
Author(s):  
Hao Yang Sun ◽  
Hyeok Min Yun ◽  
In Ho Kim

The effects of dietary omega-6 (n-6) to omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios on growth performance, digestibility, blood lipid profiles, fecal microbial counts, and meat quality in finishing pigs were examined by using linseed and fish oil. A total of 140 crossbred finishing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] were used in a 10 wk trial. Pigs were blocked based on body weight (BW) and sex and randomly allotted to four dietary treatments formulated to have n-6/n-3 ratios of 5/1, 10/1, 15/1, and 17/1 (control). Throughout the experiment, BW, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with a decreased ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA. Energy digestibility and fecal Lactobacillus count showed a linear (P < 0.05) increase in week 10. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood triglyceride concentrations increased (P < 0.1) during week 10. However, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced (P < 0.05) linearly during week 5 and week 10 with a reduction in dietary n-6/n-3 ratio. This study provides a basis for future research on altering n-6/n-3 ratio by using linseed oil and refined fish oil in finishing pigs.


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