scholarly journals Impact of feeding cover crop forage containing brassicas to steers during backgrounding on live animal performance, carcass characteristics, and meat color

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C E Bakker ◽  
L M Hite ◽  
C L Wright ◽  
D W Brake ◽  
A J Smart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Brassica cover crops are an option for producers to incorporate into their cropping system to improve soil health and also provide a feed resource for cattle. While brassica cover crops have been widely used for grazing cows, their use as a backgrounding feedstuff is relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of feeding a brassica cover crop mixture during backgrounding on live animal performance and carcass characteristics. Thirty Angus-based steers were assigned to one of two dietary treatments during backgrounding 1) ad libitum access to a diet containing freshly cut brassica cover crop forage (CC) containing radish, turnip, rapeseed, rye grass and a liquid supplement or 2) common Midwestern dry lot growing diet containing silage, soybean meal, grass hay, and a liquid supplement (CON). Steers were assigned to electronic feed bunks (Insentec RIC, Hokofarm Group; Marknesse, Netherlands) for collection of individual feed intake. Diets were formulated to be nutritionally similar on a dry matter basis. Steers were paired by weight across treatments and pair fed. Dry matter intake was calculated daily for steers in the CC treatment and the following day CON steers were allowed access to an equal amount of dry matter using the Insentec RIC system. Steers were weighed weekly and backgrounded for 44 days before transitioning to a common finishing diet and weighed every 28 days. Steers were harvested at an estimated average backfat thickness of 1 cm. Standard carcass data were measured and strip loins and shoulder clods were collected. Instrumental and subjective color was measured on ground beef for 8 days and instrumental color was measured on strip steaks for 11 days. Treatment did not influence carcass characteristics, average daily gain, dry matter intake (P > 0.17). However, CON steers exhibited increased gain to feed ratio (P = 0.02). Additionally, a treatment by d interaction was observed for ground beef discoloration as the CC treatment displayed increased discoloration on day 4, 6, and 7 of case life (P < 0.01). These data indicate that brassicas may be utilized in a backgrounding diet without negatively impacting carcass characteristics but may decrease case life of ground beef.

scholarly journals Effects of voluntary removal of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx) on live performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Rincker ◽  
J B Allen ◽  
M Edmonds ◽  
M S Brown ◽  
J C Kube
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Live Performance ◽  
Meet Residue ◽  
Ractopamine Hydrochloride ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Linear Manner

Abstract There is a lack of consistency across the globe in how countries establish tissue ractopamine residue limits and which residue limits are applied to various tissues, particularly for edible noncarcass tissues. Therefore, some US beef slaughter organizations have recommended a 48-h voluntary removal of ractopamine before slaughter in order to meet residue requirements of specific export countries and maintain international trade. Our objective was to assess the impact of voluntary removal of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx®; Elanco, Greenfield, IN) up to 8 d before slaughter on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Crossbred beef steers (60 pens of 10 animals/pen) with an initial shrunk body weight (BW) of 611.8 ± 10 kg SEM were fed one of six treatments over 42 d. Treatments included a control that did not receive ractopamine, on-label use of ractopamine (0-d withdrawal), and 2, 4, 6, or 8 d of voluntary removal of ractopamine from feed before slaughter. The start of ractopamine feeding (30.1 mg/kg of diet dry matter for 32 d) was staggered so that blocks could be slaughtered on the same day. Dry matter intake was decreased by 0.5 kg/d when ractopamine was fed with a 0-d withdrawal (P = 0.04) compared to the control, but was not altered (P = 0.56) as the duration of ractopamine removal increased from 0 to 8 d. Final BW, total BW gain, and average daily BW gain were increased by feeding ractopamine with a 0-d withdrawal (P = 0.09) compared to the control, but these variables decreased in a linear manner (P = 0.10) as the duration of removal increased from 0 to 8 d. Gain efficiency was improved by 15% (P < 0.01) by feeding ractopamine with a 0-d withdrawal compared to the control, and gain efficiency decreased linearly (P = 0.06) as the duration of ractopamine removal increased. Approximately 2/3 of the increase in gain efficiency remained after 8 d of removal. Hot carcass weight was increased by 6 kg (P = 0.02) by feeding ractopamine with a 0-d withdrawal compared to the control. Measured carcass characteristics were not altered by ractopamine feeding or by removal before slaughter (P ≥ 0.24). The consequences of voluntary removal of ractopamine up to 8 d before slaughter were a linear decrease in live BW gain (0.64 kg/d), poorer gain efficiency, and numerically lighter carcass weight.

scholarly journals 340 Impact of essential oils blend on beef cattle performance and carcass characteristics in diets with increasing corn silage inclusions

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 138-139
Author(s):  
Hannah C Wilson ◽  
Henry Hilscher ◽  
Zachary E Carlson ◽  
Bradley M Boyd ◽  
Andrea K Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract A feedlot study was conducted comparing a natural feed additive (essential oils blend) at varying silage inclusions on receiving and finishing performance. The study utilized 480 crossbred steers (initial shrunk BW 296 kg ± 7.72 kg) in 48 pens with 10 steers/pen and 8 pens per treatment. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 3 factorial with 3 inclusions of corn silage [14, 47, 80 %; dry matter (DM) basis] with or without (+, -) the inclusion of an essential oils (EO) blend. All treatment diets contained 16% modified distillers grains plus solubles and 4% supplement with dry-rolled corn replacing corn silage (CS) on a DM basis. Steers were fed at 80% CS inclusion and adapted to 47% and 14% CS over a 10 and 24-d period, respectively. Cattle fed 80% CS were fed for 238 days, 47% CS for 195 days, and 14% CS were fed for 168 days to a common backfat of 1.28 cm (P > 0.59). There were no interactions for corn silage inclusion and the inclusion of essential oils on final body weight (FBW), dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle (LM) area, marbling, or calculated yield grade (CYG; P > 0.15). There was no significant difference for FBW, DMI, ADG, G:F, HCW, LM area, marbling, or CYG for cattle fed EO or no EO. However, there was a quadratic response for FBW, ADG, G:F, HCW, marbling and CYG with increased inclusion of corn silage (P < 0.04). Feeding corn silage at greater inclusions decreased animal performance but increased final body weight when fed to an equal fatness. Essential oils did not affect animal performance or carcass characteristics. However, feeding greater amounts of corn silage can be an economical way to finish cattle.

scholarly journals Performance of overwinter cover crops in coastal Lebanon

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-103
Author(s):  
S. Rouphael ◽  
◽  
F. El Mekdad ◽  
A. Mouawad ◽  
M. Mjallal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutrient Recycling ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Litter Bag ◽  
Whole Plants ◽  
The Impact ◽  
To Receive

The effect of the cover crops, narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis), oat (Avena sativa), forage radish (Raphanus sativus), on weed suppressionandsoil nitrogenwas studied in field conditions overwinter. The impact of their residues on the productivity of a subsequent corn crop was followed in the summerof the same year. Between mid-November andMarch oat produced, on a dry weight basis,915 g m-2against 402 g m-2for narbon vetch and 292 g m-2for radish. Consequently, weeds were suppressed best in the presence of oat. Narbon vetchwas less effective than radishin controlling weeds, as it was slowerto get established. In terms of mineral nitrogen, soils occupied by radish (13.1 mg kg-1soil) presented smaller concentrations of ammonium-Nthanthose by vetch(18.7 mg kg-1soil)and the control(19.7 mg kg-1soil). Following the overwinter covercrops, plots were split intoone half whereroots only were incorporated,and another half receivingwhole plants. Residues of whole plants promoted higher production of corn in the booting and flowering stages, as compared to roots only. At the 50% doughstage, the highest dry matter yield was 7.6 Mgha-1afternarbon vetch. Cornyield was the smallest after oat, due to N immobilization. This was demonstrated, using the litter bag technique, when oat residues (15.6g N kg-1) lost 31% of their N against 66% for radishresidues(21.1g N kg-1).For an effective control of weeds and nutrient recycling a cover crop, such as oat, is most efficient. In this case, the succeeding summer crop needs to receive some extra nitrogen.

Can potential for dark cutting be predicted by phenotype? Relationship between sex, carcass characteristics, and the incidence of dark cutting beef

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahid Mahmood ◽  
John A. Basarab ◽  
Walter T. Dixon ◽  
Heather L. Bruce
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Beef Quality ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Mixed Model Analysis ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Daily Gain

Recent research indicated that reduced carcass muscling and weight are associated with beef dark cutting. Existing data from a single farm (44 heifers, 136 steers) from three normal beef quality grades (Canada AAA, AA, A) and the dark cutting grade (Canada B4) (n = 35, 106, 28, and 11, respectively) were used to identify relationships between sex, live animal, and carcass characteristics and the incidence of dark cutting. Categorical modelling showed a trend (P = 0.106) for heifer carcasses to have a greater probability [11.36 ± 4.78% standard error of the mean (SEM)] of dark cutting than carcasses from steers (4.4 ± 1.76% SEM). Mixed model analysis of variance indicated dark cutting heifers weighed less than cattle from normal grades at weaning (P = 0.0229) and slaughter (P = 0.0295). Logistic regression revealed that the probability of each carcass grade occurring was influenced by dry matter intake (DMI) (P = 0.0034), and the probability of dark cutting was lowest (P = 0.0286) in cattle with carcasses greater than 300 kg. Results suggested that cattle at risk of dark cutting may be identified by weight, average daily gain (ADG), and feed intake.

scholarly journals 96 Cover Crop Grazing and Backgrounding on Carcass Quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 74-75
Author(s):  
Cathryn N Macaluso ◽  
Richard A Ehrhardt ◽  
Kim Cassida ◽  
Jeannine P Schweihofer ◽  
Erin Recktenwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Compensatory Gain ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Carcass Measurement ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Integration of sheep into cropping systems via cover crop grazing leases has potential to benefit sheep producers with a source of inexpensive, high quality forage. We examined this potential by comparing lamb growth and carcass traits of four rearing systems: grain-finished control (GR), cover crop brassica-finished (CCB), cover crop mixture-finished (CCM), and background on brassica and finished on grain (BK-GR). Dorset x Polypay lambs (n = 60; 3 pens or pastures, 5 lambs each) were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to treatment. All diets were provided to maximize voluntary dry matter intake. Lambs were harvested after 6 wks of feeding for GR and 8 wks for CCB, CCM and BK-GR (BK-GR = 4 wks brassica then 4 wks grain). Grain-fed lambs (GR and BK-GR, 442 g/d) grew faster than pasture-fed lambs (CCB and CCM, 152 g/d) prior to harvest (Table 1, P &lt; 0.01) and attained greater body mass (HCW), muscling (LEA, EMD), fatness (BF, BWF) and yield grade (all P &lt; 0.05). Growth of pasture-fed lambs declined 38% over time (247 wk 1–4 vs. 152 g/d wk5-8; P &lt; 0.05). Pasture-fed lambs were leaner than grain-fed lambs (BF, yield grade; P &lt; 0.01), yet attained a yield grade 2 average. Background lambs (BK-GR) exhibited a 107% increase in growth when fed grain (232 g/d pasture vs. 481 g/d grain, P &lt; 0.01) and were fatter (BF, P &lt; 0.05) yet had reduced eye muscle depth (P &lt; 0.01) at harvest than GR lambs. Lambs did not differ in growth or any carcass measurement according to pasture type (CCB vs. CCM). We conclude that 8 wks of cover crop finishing produced acceptable carcass weight and finish. Backgrounding on cover crops followed by 4 wks of grain finishing results in marked compensatory gain with lambs achieving the same carcass size and similar qualities to lambs fed only grain.

scholarly journals 43 Effects of steroidal implants on feedlot growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum and meat estradiol-17β concentrations of Holstein steers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 33-34
Author(s):  
Pedro Carvalho ◽  
Tara Felix ◽  
George Perry
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

Abstract Objectives were to determine the effects of implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations in the serum and longissimus muscle of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet. Seventy Holstein steers (initial BW = 275 ± 6.4 kg) were assigned to treatments: (1) Implanted on d 0 with Component TE-IS with Tylan (Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) and on d 84 with Component TE-S with Tylan (Elanco Animal Health) of the experiment; or (2) not implanted (control). Implanted Holstein steers were heavier (P ≤ 0.01) than nonimplanted Holstein steers on d 84, at time of reimplant, and at the end of the experiment (d 186). Implanting Holstein steers increased (P &lt; 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) without affecting (P = 31) gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) when compared to steers that were not implanted. Carcasses from implanted Holstein steers had greater (P &lt; 0.01) hot carcass weights (HCW) and longissimus muscle (LM) area than carcasses from nonimplanted steers. Implanting did not affect (P ≥ 0.21) other carcass characteristics. There was an increase (P = 0.03) of 1.3 pg of E2/g of muscle when LM from implanted Holstein steers was compared to LM from nonimplanted steers. There was an implant × day interaction (P &lt; 0.01) in circulating serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentrations remained relatively constant in nonimplanted Holstein steers. In implanted steers, serum E2 concentrations increased (P &lt; 0.01) after each implant. Serum E2 peaked at 28 d after the first implant and then declined after d 56. Implanting Holstein steers fed grain-based diets increased ADG, HCW, and LM area due to increased circulating E2 concentrations. Implants did increase LM E2 concentrations; however, changes were minimal compared to E2 concentrations in other human foods and were not great enough to warrant concerns regarding meat consumption from implanted animals.

scholarly journals Effects of pork differentiation strategies in Canada on pig performance and carcass characteristics

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zhang ◽  
J.L. Aalhus ◽  
C. Gariépy ◽  
B. Uttaro ◽  
O. López-Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Diet ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Slaughter Weight ◽  
Diet Supplement ◽  
Meat Colour ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Hardness Values

Performance and quality traits were measured in carcasses from combinations of genotype, diet supplement, slaughter weight, and carcass chilling regime. Iberian-crossed pigs had lower live animal performance than Duroc and Lacombe. From 70 to 115 kg, Lacombe pigs grew slightly faster than Duroc. Duroc carcasses had a higher lean percentage, heavier ham and picnic primals, and lighter loins and bellies, compared with Lacombe and Iberian. Heavier carcasses had lower lean yield, except those from Iberian-crossed pigs, and bigger bellies. Meat from Duroc-crossed pigs was lighter in colour and higher in marbling, with intermediate values for fat hardness. Iberian carcasses displayed dark meat with intermediate marbling and the hardest fat. Meat from Lacombe pigs was the leanest although, like in all three breeds, marbling scores were higher in heavier carcasses. Generally, supplementing with canola and flax decreased and blast chilling increased fat hardness values. Dietary canola also seemed to affect meat colour traits, but these effects were not consistent among breeds and slaughter weights. The commercial combination of Duroc breed, control diet, and 115-kg slaughter weight showed a balance in terms of performance, carcass, and quality traits. Other combinations evaluated in this study showed potential to efficiently produce differentiated pork.

scholarly journals Effects of the association between whole cottonseed and calcium salts of fatty acids on nutrient intake, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of Bos indicus animals offered a high-concentrate diet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo R. Müller ◽  
Daniel I C. G. Gouvêa ◽  
André F. Francischinelli ◽  
Guiherme D. A. Alvarenga ◽  
Pablo C Castagnino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Soybean Oil ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Calcium Salts ◽  
Whole Cottonseed

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effects of feeding whole cottonseed (WC) and/or calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) on dry matter intake (DMI), performance, and carcass characteristics of Bos indicus animals receiving a high-concentrate diet during the finishing phase. On day 0, 96 Nellore bulls were blocked according to initial shrunk body weight (BW; 302 ± 26.7 kg) into group pens (4 animals/pen) and, within blocks, pens were randomly assigned to receive: 1) 15% of WC and 2% of CSFA [dry matter (DM) basis] of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (15WC; n = 6), 2) 10% of WC and 3% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (10WC; n = 6), 3) 5% of WC and 4% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (5WC; n = 6), and 4) 0% of WC and 5% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (0WC; n = 6). Diets were formulated to be isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and isolipidic. Experimental period lasted 108 days, whereas dry matter intake (DMI) was evaluated daily and blood samples and carcass measurements were obtained on days 0, 55, and 108 of the study. Upon slaughter on day 109, steaks were collected for determination of the chemical and fatty acid (FA) profile of the meat. No treatment effects (P ≥ 0.35) were observed on DMI, performance, average daily gain (ADG), carcass ultrasound measurements, and chemical variables of the steak. Nonetheless, including WC into the diets increased C12:0, C16:0, C16:1 trans-9, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1 cis-9, C18:2 cis-9,cis-12, C18:3 cis-9,cis-12,cis-15, saturated, and unsaturated FA intake (P &lt; 0.01). Moreover, adding WC increased DMI fluctuation and feed efficiency (P = 0.03), but decreased marbling (P ≤ 0.03). A treatment × day interaction was observed (P &lt; 0.01) for serum leptin concentration, as 10WC animals had greater leptin concentration on d 103 vs. other treatments (P &lt; 0.01). Regarding steak FA profile, WC addition into the diet increased C18:2 cis-7,trans-9 and C18:3 cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 (P &lt; 0.001), whereas saturated FA was quadratically affected (P = 0.02) and unsaturated FA was reduced for 15WC (P &lt; 0.04). In summary, increasing levels of CSFA into isolipidic finishing diets containing WC did not negatively impact feedlot performance, but reduced feed efficiency and increased marbling scores of Bos indicus bulls, demonstrating its feasibility as a technology to improve carcass traits of low-marbling animals.

PSXIV-9 Predicting dry matter intake in beef cattle with water intake and other variables

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 478-478
Author(s):  
Matthew E Wilson ◽  
Kevin Shaffer ◽  
Shane Plum ◽  
Kevin Garossino ◽  
Nicky Lansink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Water Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Visit Frequency ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Full Body

Abstract Technology that facilitates estimation of individual animal intake rates in group-housed settings will result in improvements in animal production and management efficiency. Estimating intake in pasture settings may benefit from models that use other variables as proxies. Relationships among dry matter intake (DMI), animal performance variables, and environmental variables to model DMI were investigated. 202 animals were studied in a drylot setting (153 bulls for 85 days and 55 steers for 55 days) using VYTELLE SENSETM In-Pen-Weighing and Feed-Intake nodes. A machine learning model was calibrated using: DMI, sex, age, full body weight, ADG, water intake, water visit frequency and duration. DMI was positively related to full body weight (r = 0.39, P &lt; 0.001), water intake (r=0.23, P &lt; 0.001), and ADG (r=0.18, P &lt; 0.001). In addition, DMI had significant but weak correlations with water visit frequency (r=0.031, P &lt; 0.001). DMI exhibited weak negative relationships with maximum air temperature (r=-0.094, P &lt; 0.001) maximum relative humidity (r=-0.056, P &lt; 0.001), net radiation (r=-0.040, P &lt; 0.001), and precipitation (r=-0.022, P &lt; 0.001). Weak positive relationships were observed between DMI and maximum wind speed (r=0.031, P &lt; 0.001) and direction (r=-0.022, P &lt; 0.001). The model was validated with resultant average RMSE of 1.06 kg for daily predicted DMI compared to measured daily DMI. In addition, when daily predicted DMI was averaged for each animal, the accuracy of model results improved with RMSE of 0.11 kg. Study results demonstrate that inclusion of water intake and animal performance variables improves predictive accuracy of DMI. Validating and refining the model used to predict DMI in drylots will facilitate future extrapolation to larger group field settings. Vytelle and its logo are trademarks of Vytelle, LLC.

scholarly journals DRY MATTER DECOMPOSITION OF COVER CROPS IN A NO-TILLAGE COTTON SYSTEM

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOÃO LUÍS DA SILVA FILHO ◽  
ANA LUÍZA DIAS COELHO BORIN ◽  
ALEXANDRE CUNHA DE BARCELLOS FERREIRA
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Exponential Model ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Linear Regression Models

ABSTRACT No-tillage cotton systems require soil coverage with cover crop residue for a longer time due to the late cycle of cotton. However, decomposition rates may vary between cover crops, and the adjustment of models to describe it is critical to no-tillage cotton management. Two non-linear regression models, exponential (EM) and Michaelis-Menten (MM), were adjusted to dry matter decomposition of cover crops in a cotton no-tillage system, in Brazil. Three field trials were performed in 2012 for the cover crops Urochloa ruziziensis (brachiaria), Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet), and Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea). Samples of cover crop were collected at 20, 50, 70, 110, 140, and 170 days after sowing upland cotton to measure dry matter decomposition. MM showed better adjustment than EM for all cover crops. The estimations of half-life parameters were different between the cover crops, suggesting that each cover crop has its own rate of decomposition. For pearl millet, brachiaria, and pigeon pea, the half-life estimation by exponential model was over the MM in 9, 12, and 12 days.

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