scholarly journals Evaluating dietary acidifiers as alternatives for conventional feed-based antibiotics in nursery pig diets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Payton L Dahmer ◽  
Cassandra K Jones
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Nursery Pig

Abstract A total of 360 weanling pigs (DNA 200 × 400; initially 9.7 ± 0.23 kg BW) were used in a 21-d experiment with 6 pigs/pen, 10 replicate pens/treatment, and 2 separate nursery rooms, each with 30 pens. Pigs were weighed and allotted to pens based on BW in a completely randomized block design to one of 6 treatment diets: 1) Negative control (no organic acids or antibiotics) and the control with 2) 0.25% Acidifier A; 3) 0.3% Acidifier B; 4) 0.5% Acidifier C); 5) 50 g/t Carbadox; 6) 400 g/t Chlortetracycline. Upon weaning, a common diet with no antibiotics or additives was fed for 21 d (phases 1 and 2; d -21 to d 0), followed by a 21 d experimental period (phase 3; d 0 to d 21) where treatment diets were fed. Pigs and feeders were individually weighed on a weekly basis to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency (G:F). Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (v 9.4, SAS Inst., Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit, treatment as a fixed effect and room as a random effect. Dietary treatment had a significant impact (P < 0.05) on ADG, ADFI and G:F each week and for the overall experimental period (d 0 to 21). Specifically, from d 0 to 7, pigs fed CTC had increased (P = 0.001) ADG compared to those fed Acidifier B, Acidifier C and Carbadox, while pigs fed the negative control and Acidifier A diets were intermediate. Additionally, pigs fed the CTC diet had improved (P = 0.0002) ADFI when compared to all other treatments. From d 7 to 14 and d 14 to 21, pigs fed the Carbadox diet had decreased (P < 0.0001) ADG compared to all other treatments. During the overall period (d 0 to 21), pigs fed diets containing Carbadox had reduced ADG and ADFI (P < 0.0001), while pigs fed CTC had improved (P < 0.0001) ADG compared to all other treatments. Additionally, blood parameters, fecal consistency and fecal microbial populations were analyzed on a subset of pigs (n = 5 pigs/treatment). Dietary treatment significantly impacted (P < 0.05) concentrations of protein, globulin, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase in the blood. Treatment also significantly impacted (P = 0.0005) fecal score but did not affect (P = 0.59) fecal microbial growth from d 0 to 21. In summary, CTC continues to be a valuable additive to improve performance in the nursery. Further investigation surrounding the efficacy of dietary acidifiers as antibiotic alternatives is warranted given inconclusive evidence in this study.

scholarly journals Effects of feeding increasing levels of iron from iron sulfate or iron carbonate on nursery pig growth performance and hematological criteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayden E Williams ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Steven S Dritz ◽  
Michael D Tokach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Iron Sulfate ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Iron Carbonate ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Nursery Pig

Abstract A total of 140 weanling pigs (241 × 600, DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 5.5 ± 0.79 kg body weight) were used in a 32-d study evaluating the effects of increasing dietary Fe from either iron sulfate (FeSO4) or iron carbonate (FeCO3) on nursery pig growth performance and blood Fe status. The pigs used for this trial did not receive an Fe injection after birth in order to increase the sensitivity to added dietary Fe after weaning. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d and allotted to pens based on the initial weight in a completely randomized block design with five pigs in each pen and four pens per treatment. Experimental treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial with main effects of dietary Fe source (FeSO4 vs. FeCO3) and level (10, 30, or 50 mg/kg of added Fe) plus a negative control with no additional dietary Fe. The basal diet contained 40 mg/kg total dietary Fe based on ingredient contributions and was formulated with an Fe-free trace mineral premix. Experimental diets were formulated below the pigs recommended Fe requirement based on NRC (2012) estimates. Experimental diets were fed in pellet form in a single phase for the duration of the trial. From day 0 to 32, there was no evidence for source × level interactions for growth performance, hemoglobin (Hb), or hematocrit (Hct) values. There was no evidence for a difference (P > 0.10) in dietary Fe source. Providing increasing Fe levels in the diet from either FeSO4 or FeCO3 improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, gain-to-feed ratio, and increased (P < 0.05) Hb and Hct values. A day effect (P = 0.001) was observed for both Hb and Hct with values increasing throughout the study. Increasing dietary Fe levels in the diet from either FeSO4 or FeCO3 increased (linear; P < 0.05) Hb and Hct values on days 14, 21, and 32. In summary, these data suggest that the micronized form of FeCO3 is a source of Fe that can be added to nursery diets to yield similar responses to those observed from FeSO4 supplementation. Similar to previous research, increasing dietary Fe improved the growth performance and increased Hb and Hct values when pigs have low Fe status at weaning.

185 The Impacts of Commercial Dietary Acidifiers on Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 87-87
Author(s):  
Payton L Dahmer ◽  
Cassandra K Jones
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Nursery Pigs ◽  
Commercial Diet ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Pig Performance

Abstract A total of 360 weanling pigs (DNA 200 x 400; initially 9.7 ± 0.23 kg BW) were used in a 21-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of commercial diet acidifiers in nursery diets. Upon weaning, pigs were weighed and allotted to pens (6 pigs/pen, 10 replicate pens/treatment, blocked by 2 separate nursery rooms) and pens were then randomly assigned to one of 6 treatment diets: 1) negative control (no antibiotics or acidifiers) and the control with 2) 0.25% Acidifier A (KEM-GEST™, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA); 3) 0.3% Acidifier B (ACITVATE® DA, Novus International, Saint Charles, MO); 4) 0.5% Acidifier C (OutPace®, PMI Additives, Arden Hills, MN); 5) 50 g/ton carbadox; 6) 400 g/ton chlortetracycline. Pigs were fed common phase 1 and phase 2 starter diets without antimicrobials for 21 days, then fed experimental diets for 21 days. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design with pen as the experimental unit. Dietary treatment significantly impacted (P < 0.05) all growth response criteria for each week of the experiment. Overall (d 0 to 21), ADG was the greatest (P < 0.0001) for pigs fed a diet containing CTC. Likewise, ADFI was increased (P < 0.0001) for pigs consuming CTC compared to those fed the negative control, acidifier A, acidifier B and carbadox diets, while those fed acidifier C were intermediate. Feed efficiency was poorest (P < 0.0001) in pigs fed a diet with carbadox. By the end of the experiment, pigs fed CTC were significantly heavier (P < 0.0001) than pigs fed all remaining treatments. In summary, feeding CTC improved nursery pig performance while carbadox unexpectedly reduced it. The addition of dietary acidifiers did not improve growth performance compared to a negative control.

scholarly journals Effects of increasing dietary zinc on growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs raised under commercial conditions1,2

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 731-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrique S Cemin ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Final Body Weight

Abstract A total of 2,430 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050; Hendersonville, TN; initially 30.1 kg) were used in a 113-d growth trial to determine the effects of increasing dietary Zn on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs raised under commercial conditions. Pens of pigs were assigned to be fed one of five dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Treatments consisted of 50, 87.5, 125, 162.5, or 200 mg/kg added Zn from Zn hydroxychloride (IntelliBond Z, Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN). Two identical barns were used for a total of 18 pens per treatment with 27 pigs per pen. Experimental diets were fed in five phases and contained a vitamin-trace mineral premix without added Zn. Pens of pigs were weighed approximately every 2 wk to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F). At the end of the experimental period, pigs were tattooed with a pen identification number and transported to a packing plant to measure hot carcass weight (HCW), backfat, loin depth, and calculated lean percentage. Data were analyzed block nested within barn as a random effect and pen as the experimental unit. From days 0 to 42, pigs fed diets with increasing added Zn had lower (linear, P = 0.043) ADFI and a tendency (P = 0.092) for lower ADG. From days 42 to 113, increasing added Zn resulted in a quadratic response (P = 0.042) for ADFI and a tendency (linear, P = 0.056) for improved G:F. Overall (days 0 to 113), there were tendencies for quadratic responses for ADFI (P = 0.073) and G:F (P = 0.059), with the greatest G:F observed when 125 mg/kg of Zn was fed. Increasing added Zn resulted in a linear increase (P < 0.001) in daily Zn intake. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in overall ADG, final body weight, HCW, backfat, loin depth, lean percentage, mortality, and removal rate. In conclusion, there were no improvements in ADG when feeding beyond 50 mg/kg added Zn; however, providing 125 mg/kg added Zn resulted in the greatest G:F.

scholarly journals 251 Evaluation of Condensed Algal Residue Solubles as an Ingredient in Cattle Finishing Diets

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 137-138
Author(s):  
Calvin Gibbons ◽  
Andrea K Watson ◽  
Galen E Erickson ◽  
Bradley M Boyd ◽  
Levi J McPhillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Finishing Diets ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Algae Oil

Abstract Algae oil production for Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation yields a byproduct called Condensed Algal Residue Solubles (CARS; 25.4% DM, 19.3% CP, 8.3% Fat, 9.96% Na on DM basis), de-oiled algae cells with residual fermentation substrates. This study evaluated the use of CARS in feedlot finishing diets. Crossbreed steers, (n=480) were blocked and stratified by initial body weight (BW) into 4 blocks, and assigned randomly to treatments. Treatments were designed as a 2 x 3 factorial with 3 inclusions of CARS (0, 2.5, 5% of diet DM) and 2 different base diets representing Northern and Southern Great Plains diets. The Southern diets contained steam flaked corn and dry distillers grains while the Northern diets had dry rolled and high moisture corn with wet distillers grains. CARS replaced corn in both diets. All blocks were harvested after 148 days on feed. Performance data were analyzed as a randomized block design with CARS inclusion, base diet, and interactions as fixed effects, BW block as a random effect and pen (n=48) as the experimental unit. Orthogonal contrasts were used to test linear and quadratic effects of CARS inclusion. There were no significant interactions between CARS inclusion and diet type (P ≥ 0.49). Main effects of CARS indicated positive quadratic responses for carcass adjusted ADG, G:F, 12th rib back fat, yield grade (P < 0.01; increasing to 2.5% inclusion, decreasing at 5%) and hot carcass weight was both linear and quadratic (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≥ 0.06 respectively; 969, 977, 935 as CARS increased). Linear decrease in DMI, final adjusted BW and ribeye area (P ≤ 0.01) as CARS increased. Cattle fed the Southern diets had greater ADG and G:F compared to Northern diets (P < 0.01). Including 2.5% CARS in the diet improved feed efficiency in both Northern and Southern based feedlot diets.

scholarly journals Standardized ileal digestible (SID) isoleucine requirement of barrows (15- to 30- kg) fed low crude protein diets

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 3283
Author(s):  
Doglas Batista Lazzeri ◽  
Leandro Dalcin Castilha ◽  
Patrícia Barcellos Costa ◽  
Ricardo Vianna Nunes ◽  
Magali Soares dos Santos Pozza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Initial Weight ◽  
Protein Deposition ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Protein Diets

This study aimed to determine the SID isoleucine (Ile) requirement of starting barrows fed low crude protein. Two experiments were carried out. Experiment 1: Ten crossbred barrows were used in order to determine the SID AA of the basal diet (treatment with the lowest SID Ile level used in the growth performance experiment), averaging 15.00 ± 0.27 kg of initial weight, individually housed in metabolic cages and allotted in a complete randomized design, with two treatments, five replicates and one animal per experimental unit. Treatments consisted of a basal (14.13% CP and 0.450% of SID Ile) and a free protein diet. Experiment 2: A performance experiment was carried out to determine the SID Ile requirement when using low crude protein diets. Forty crossbred barrows were used, averaging 15.00 ± 0.87 kg of initial weight and distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments (0.450, 0.520, 0.590, 0.660 and 0.730% of SID Ile) and two animals per experimental unit. The average daily gain (ADG) (P=0.049) and protein deposition (P=0.01) were affected by the studied SID Ile levels. The daily need of SID Ile was estimated at 5.9 g when considering 0.61% as the optimum level of SID Ile in the diet for an improved ADG and protein deposition.

scholarly journals Evaluation of sunflower meal on growth and carcass traits of finishing pigs

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas de Carvalho Carellos ◽  
José Augusto de Freitas Lima ◽  
Elias Tadeu Fialho ◽  
Rilke Tadeu Fonseca de Freitas ◽  
Hunaldo Oliveira Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Sunflower Meal ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Crossbred Pigs ◽  
Performance Trial

With the objective to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of inclusion of sunflower meal (SFM) solvent extraction (DM: 92.71%, CP: 27.50%, NDF: 43.57%, ADF: 32.96%, CF: 25.91%, EE: 3,08% and GE: 4390 kcal) on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing swine, a performance trial was conducted in the Department of Animal Science of the Federal University of Lavras - MG. A total of 80 crossbred pigs (LD x LW) with initial weight of 62.20 ± 4.21 kg were utilized, one barrow and one gilt per experimental unit, allocated in a randomized block design. The treatments were represented by five diets with increasing levels of inclusion (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%) of SFM. At the end of the experimental period, all pigs were slaughtered (99.80 ± 6.91kg) and submitted to the carcass evaluation by the Brazilian Method of Carcass Evaluation (ABCS, 1973). The increasing levels of SFM shown a linear reduction (P<0.05) in the feed intake, therefore all other variables, shown any significant effect. The carcass data evaluation also shown any significant effect (P>0.05) for any increasing levels of SFM in the diets, however, sex effect was found, in the barrows, which shown higher ETM, P2, AG and RCG and lower AOL in relation to the females In conclusion Sunflower meal should be included up to 16% in pig diet (isocaloric and isolysinic, basis ) with no major effects on growth performance or carcass traits of finishing pigs.

Effect of saline water on rumen fermentation and serum profile in Murrah male calves

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti . ◽  
Neelam Kewalramani ◽  
S. S. Kundu ◽  
Amit Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Water Intake ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Monthly Interval ◽  
Blood Profile ◽  
Randomized Block Design

Twenty growing male Murrah calves, with average body weight (kg) 220±5, were randomly assigned to five treatments of water containing total dissolved solids (TDS; ppm) viz CON=500; T1=2,000; T2=4,000; T3=6,000 and T4=8,000 at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal India. Animals were arranged in a randomized block design with 120-day experimental period. Feed and water intake were measured daily, rumen fermentation parameters and blood profile were evaluated at monthly interval. Water intake was apparently higher in T1 (17.46 l/day) and T2 (16.77 l/day) as compared to CON (control; 14.07 l/day) but did not differ significantly. However, water intake was lower (P less than 0.05) in T3 (10.40 l/day) and T4 (8.18 l/day) as compared to group T1, T2 and T3CON. Except ammonia nitrogen which was decreased with increasing TDS of water, all other rumen liquor parameters were found similar. In blood parameters, there was significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in plasma glucose, total protein, and albumin while there was significant increase (P less than 0.05), in AST and ALT with increasing TDS of water. Blood Urea Nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid were not affected. On the basis of above results it was inferred that water intake was decreased at higher TDS (above 4000 ppm)

scholarly journals PSIX-34 Effects of corn protein concentrate level in the diets of the weanling piglet on performance, nitrogen balance, visceral organ mass and blood parameters

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 345-346
Author(s):  
Jose Alvear ◽  
Jorge Ron ◽  
Hector Torrealba ◽  
Christian H Ponce
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Protein Concentrate ◽  
Visceral Organ ◽  
Organ Mass ◽  
Corn Protein ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn protein concentrate (CPC) levels on performance, nitrogen digestibility, blood parameters, and visceral organ mass by newly weaned piglets. Forty piglets (6. 9 kg ± 1.2 kg of live weight) were allotted to 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design. Piglets were fed individually 1 of 4 experimental diets containing different CPC levels (0%, 5%, 10% or 15%) during 44 d. Performance parameters were measured weekly. Total fecal and urine samples were collected on d 33 of the experiment for 4 consecutive days to determine N balance. At the end of the feeding period, blood samples were collected to measure blood parameters, and animals were slaughter to determine visceral organ mass. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block designed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Final BW tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.065) as dietary CPC level increased. Overall, ADG tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.065), and ADFI was significantly reduced (P = 0. 038) as dietary CPC level increased. Nevertheless, FCR was not by dietary treatment (P = 0.1872). There were no differences on nitrogen intake, retention and digestibility across dietary treatments (P &gt; 0. 407). However, there was a tendency to decrease linearly N excretion on urine as CPC increased in the diet. Hematocrit and Serum Urea-N were linearly increased and reduced, respectively as CPC increased in the diet (P &lt; 0. 027). Empty BW at d 44 tended to linearly reduce as CPC increased. Pancreas weight was reduced by inclusion of CPC (linearly; P = 0. 005). In summary, it was demonstrated that, when CPC replaced partially traditional protein sources up to 5% of the diet, performance and N status of the animal are not altered. However, caution should be taken with higher levels of inclusion.

scholarly journals Effects of soybean meal level on growth performance of 11- to 25-kg nursery pigs12

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 694-707
Author(s):  
Henrique S Cemin ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Caloric Efficiency ◽  
Quadratic Effects ◽  
Main Effects

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) level in diets with or without 25% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance of nursery pigs raised in university or commercial facilities. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of SBM (27.5%, 32.5%, or 37.5% of the diet) and DDGS (0% or 25% of the diet). A total of 296, 2,502, 4,118, and 711 pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 10.6, 11.7, 12.5, and 12.3 kg were used in Exp. 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There were 10, 16, 13, and 12 replicates per treatment in Exp. 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. After weaning, pigs were fed common diets for approximately 21 d. Then, pens of pigs were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as the blocking factor and experimental diets were fed for 21 d. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance measured to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), and caloric efficiency (CE). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with block as a random effect and treatment as a fixed effect. Single degree-of-freedom contrasts were constructed to test the linear and quadratic effects of increasing SBM and their interactions with DDGS. Pigs used in all experiments did not undergo major health challenges during the experimental period and due to the low number of mortality and cull events, statistical analysis was not performed on these variables. The average cull rate was 0.7%, 0.5%, 0.2%, and 0%, and the mortality rate was 0.7%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0% in Exp. 1–4, respectively. There were interactions (P ≤ 0.039) between SBM and DDGS for G:F and CE in Exp. 2 and for ADG and ADFI in Exp. 3. These were mostly driven by increasing SBM negatively affecting performance in a greater magnitude when diets contained DDGS compared to diets without DDGS. The main effects of DDGS and SBM were more consistently observed across experiments. Pigs fed diets with 25% DDGS had decreased (P ≤ 0.001) ADG and ADFI in all experiments, as well as poorer (P ≤ 0.028) G:F and CE except for Exp. 3. Feeding increasing amounts of SBM generally did not result in any major impact in ADG but consistently improved (linear, P ≤ 0.078) G:F and CE across experiments.

Effects of energy sources and inclusion levels of concentrate in sugarcane silage-based diets of finishing Nellore young bulls: Feeding behaviour, performance and blood parameters

2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (04) ◽  
pp. 350-356
Author(s):  
V. B. Ferrari ◽  
N. R. B. Cônsolo ◽  
R. T. Sousa ◽  
J. M. Souza ◽  
M. H. A. Santana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Carbohydrate Supplementation ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Large Particles ◽  
Final Weight ◽  
Daily Gain

AbstractReplacing ground maize (GM) with steam-rolled maize typically increases feed efficiency in maize-silage-based diets. However, little is known about optimal carbohydrate supplementation in sugarcane silage-based diets. The objective was to quantify the effect of partially replacing GM with steam-rolled maize (SRM) or pelleted citrus pulp (PCP) at two concentrate levels (600 or 800 g/kg DM) in sugarcane-based diets on feeding behaviour, performance and blood parameters of finishing Nellore bulls. One hundred and eight young bulls were allocated to 36 pens in a randomized block design and fed for 84 d. Feeding 800 g/kg concentrate decreased time spending eating and ruminating, but improved G:F ratio, hot carcass weight and carcass dressing, compared to 600 g/kg concentrate. Bulls fed SRM and PCP diets with 600 g/kg concentrate had lower intake compared to GM. Both final weight and average daily gain decreased when bulls were fed PCP and SRM with 600 g/kg concentrate compared to GM diets, and when fed with PCP and 800 g/kg concentrate. Substituting PCP for GM decreased gain efficiency, carcass weight, rumination time and intake efficiency, indicating that the bulls consumed less feed per hour spent eating. Substituting SRM for GM increased backfat thickness and blood urea concentration. In conclusion, the replacement of GM with PCP reduces intake and enhances selection against large particles, decreasing rumination, performance and final carcass weight and dressing. Replacement of GM with SRM increases blood urea and fat deposition, with no impact on performance.

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