scholarly journals Effect of metabolizable protein intake on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior in finishing steers

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1173-1181
Author(s):  
Leonardo G Sitorski ◽  
Marc L Bauer ◽  
Kendall C Swanson

Abstract One-hundred thirty-two finishing steers (300 ± 2.7 kg body weight [BW]) predominately of Angus, Simmental, and Shorthorn breeding were used to study the effect of metabolizable protein (MP) intake on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior. Steers were stratified by initial BW across five pens and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments to supply an average of 626, 906, 1,209, and 1,444 g MP/d (n = 33 per treatment). Feed intake and feeding behavior were measured using radio frequency identification tags and the Insentec feeding system. For feeding behavior, a visit was defined as each time the Insentec system detected a steer at the feed bunk. A meal was defined as eating periods by intervals no longer than 7 min. Steers were fed until they reached an average BW of 598 ± 3.1 kg. Average daily gain (ADG) responded quadratically (P < 0.01) with ADG increasing in steers fed 906 g MP/d and plateauing thereafter. Dry-matter intake (DMI; kg) responded quadratically (P = 0.009) with DMI increasing with MP intake up to 1,209 g/d MP and decreasing thereafter. Gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly (P = 0.04) and tended (P = 0.10) to respond quadratically, as G:F increased up to 906 g MP/d and plateaued thereafter. A quadratic response (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively) was observed for marbling score and 12th rib subcutaneous fat thickness with steers fed 1,209 g MP/d having the greatest marbling score and back fat thickness. A quadratic effect for visits and meals per day was observed (P < 0.01) with steers fed the 1,209 g MP/d treatment having the least visits and meals per day. In addition, time eating per visit responded quadratically (P = 0.05) with time increasing from 626 to 906 g MP/d. There was a linear increase (P ≤ 0.02) in time eating per meal and per day with increasing MP intake. A quadratic effect (P < 0.03) was observed for DMI per visit, meal, and minute with steers fed 1,209 g MP/d having the greatest DMI. In summary, steers fed 626 g MP/d had increased visits and meals per day. However, DMI per visit, meal, and minute were greater in steers fed 1,209 g MP/d. A day × treatment interaction (P < 0.001) was observed for plasma urea N as concentrations increased to a greater extent over time in the higher MP treatments than in the lower MP treatments. These data indicate that MP supply (from deficient to excess) influences growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior of finishing steers.

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1034-1041
Author(s):  
Beatriz I. Castro-Pérez ◽  
Alfredo Estrada-Angulo ◽  
Francisco G. Ríos-Rincón ◽  
Víctor H. Núñez-Benítez ◽  
Carlos R. Rivera-Méndez ◽  
...  

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of shade allocation and shade plus fan on growth performance, dietary energy utilization and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle under tropical ambient conditionsMethods: Two trials were conducted, involving a total of 1,560 young bulls (289±22 kg BW) assigned to 24 pens (65 bulls/pen and 6 pens/treatment). Pens were 585 m<sup>2</sup> with 15 m fence line feed bunks. Shade treatments (m<sup>2</sup> shade/animal) were: i) limited shade (LS) to 1.2 m<sup>2</sup>shade/animal (LS<sub>1.2</sub>); ii) limited shade to 2.4 m<sup>2</sup> shade/animal (LS<sub>2.4</sub>); iii) total shade (TS) which correspond to 9 m<sup>2</sup>/animal, and iv) total shade equipped with fans (TS+F). Trials lasted 158 and 183 days. In both studies, the average weekly maximum temperature exceeded 34°C.Results: Increasing shade allocation tended (p = 0.08) to linearly increases average daily gain (ADG), and dry matter intake (DMI, quadratic effect, p = 0.03). This effect was most apparent between LS<sub>1.2</sub> and LS<sub>2.4</sub>. Shade allocation, per se, did not affect gain efficiency or estimated dietary net energy (NE). Compared with TS, TS+F increased (p<0.05) ADG, gain efficiency, and tended (p = 0.06) to increase dietary NE. There was a quadratic effect of shade on <i>longissimus</i> area and marbling score, with values being lower (p<0.01) for LS<sub>2.4</sub> than for LS<sub>1.2</sub> or TS. Likewise, marbling score was lower for TS+F than for TS. Percentage kidney, pelvic, and heart (KPH) linearly decreased with increasing shade. In contrast, KPH was greater for TS than for TS+F.Conclusion: Providing more than 2.4 m<sup>2</sup> shade/animal will not further enhance feedlot performance. The use of fans in combination with shade increases ADG and gain efficiency beyond that of shade, alone. These enhancements were not associated with increased DMI, but rather, to an amelioration of ambient temperature humidity index on maintenance energy requirement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 535
Author(s):  
F. A. S. Silva ◽  
S. C. Valadares Filho ◽  
L. A. Godoi ◽  
B. C. Silva ◽  
M. V. C. Pacheco ◽  
...  

Restricted-feeding may be a useful management tool available to reduce environmental impact in feedlots. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of the duration of restricted-feeding on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) excretion, growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers. Twenty-five Holstein × Zebu steers (average initial bodyweight (BW) = 319 ± 16.2 kg; age = 19 ± 1 months) were used. Five steers were slaughtered to provide baseline empty BW (EBW) and empty body composition at Day 0. The remaining steers were randomly allotted to four groups of five steers, which were restricted to 85% ad libitum feed intake for either 0 (R0), 28 (R28), 42 (R42) or 84 (R84) days of an 84-day finishing period. All steers were fed a diet of 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate (DM basis) for 84 days. Total excretion of faeces and urine were collected during two periods: Days 25 to 27 (period 1) and Days 73 to 75 (period 2). The DM intake, average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) were evaluated in three blocks, Days 0 to 28, Days 28 to 42 and Days 42 to 84. As expected, DM, N and P intakes were greater (P &lt; 0.05) for R0 steers than R28, R42 and R84 steers when steers in R28, R42 and R84 treatments were restricted. When transitioned to ad libitum feeding, R28 and R42 steers had similar (P &gt; 0.05) DM, N and P intakes compared with R0 steers. Faecal N and urinary P excretions did not differ (P ≥ 0.40) among restricted and ad libitum-fed steers in either period evaluated. However, greater (P &lt; 0.05) faecal P excretions were observed in steers fed ad libitum intake in period 2 (R0). Phosphorus retention in period 2, and whole-body N retention were greatest (P &lt; 0.05) in steers fed R28 and least (P &lt; 0.05) in steers fed R84, steers fed R0 and steers fed R42 were intermediate and not different (P &gt; 0.05). Final BW, overall ADG, G:F and carcass characteristics were not affected (P ≥ 0.11) by treatments. Restricted-feeding Holstein × Zebu steers to 85% of ad libitum intake for 84 days in the feedlot reduced DM intake and P excretion, without impairing steer growth performance or carcass characteristics. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that the small sample size was one limitation of this present experiment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 1325
Author(s):  
K. C. Swanson ◽  
Z. E. Carlson ◽  
M. C. Ruch ◽  
T. C. Gilbery ◽  
S. R. Underdahl ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Alejandro M Pittaluga ◽  
Chris Clark ◽  
Alejandro E Relling

Abstract One-hundred twenty crossbreed steers (initial body weight (BW) 566 ± 42 kg) were used to evaluate the interaction of protein source (PS) and non-roughage NDF content (NRFC) in finishing diets of feedlot cattle fed free-choice hay on performance and carcass characteristics. Steers were stratified by BW and randomly assigned to 8 pens (2×2 factorial) and fed for 104 ± 10 d. Four dietary treatments were investigated: 1) distillers’ dry grains with solubles (DDGS) and a low NRFC (DLF), 2) DDGS and a high NRFC (DHF), 3) soybean meal (SBM) and a low NRFC (SLF), 4) SBM and a high NRFC (SHF). Free-choice grass hay and concentrates were offered in a different bunk. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design. Do to the confounded effect of PS and protein intake, a linear regression was used to evaluate the effect of protein intake in growth performance. For gain to feed ratio (G:F) an interaction tended to occur (P = 0.10) between PS and NRFC. Steers on the DHF treatment had a lower G:F compared with SLF and SHF. Feeding SBM increased (P = 0.05) final BW, tended to increase (P = 0.06) average daily gain (ADG), and decreased (P = 0.05) hay intake (HI) compared with steers fed DDGS. There was a positive association (P ˂ 0.01) of crude protein intake with ADG and FBW. Dietary NRFC did not change (P ≥ 0.3) final BW, ADG, DMI, and HI. Protein source did not affect (P ≥ 0.16) hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle (LM) area, dressing, 12th rib fat thickness, or marbling score (MS). No differences were detected between NRFC for dressing, HCW, LM area, or MS (P ≥ 0.18); but diets with greater NRFC decreased (P = 0.03) the 12th rib fat thickness. Steers in the SHF treatment presented the lesser kidney-pelvic-heart fat compared with the remaining treatments (PS×NRFC interaction, P = 0.04). Soybean meal inclusion/increase in protein intake improved growth performance of feedlot steers compared with DDGS, despite protein intake meet the protein requirement. Increasing the NRFC did not affect growth or HI but decreased feed efficiency of steers fed DDGS.


Author(s):  
M C S Pereira ◽  
W Z Yang ◽  
K A Beauchemin ◽  
T A McAllister ◽  
K M Wood ◽  
...  

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the effect of silage source (barley vs. wheat silage) when harvested at two chop lengths (low vs. high physically effective NDF [peNDF]) and when barley silage was partially replaced with straw to increase the undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) concentration on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers. Four hundred and fifty yearling commercial crossbred steers with an initial body weight (BW) of 432 ± 30.5 kg were allocated to 30 pens and fed diets containing 90% concentrate:10% forage for 123 days in a completely randomized block design with a 2×2 + 1 factorial arrangement. Treatments included: 1) barley silage (BarS) with low peNDF (LpeNDF); 2) BarS with high peNDF (HpeNDF); 3) BarS with straw to yield a diet with LpeNDF + uNDF; 4) wheat silage (WhS) LpeNDF; and 5) WhS HpeNDF. There were no silage x peNDF interactions for dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), or gain to feed ratio (G:F), but cattle fed WhS LpeNDF had a lower (P &lt; 0.01) proportion of yield grade 3 and a greater proportion in yield grade 2 carcasses than cattle fed BarS LpeNDF or HpeNDF and WhS HpeNDF. Cattle fed WhS LpeNDF had greater (P = 0.02) incidence of severe liver abscesses when compared to cattle fed BarS LpeNDF or HpeNDF and WhS HpeNDF. Cattle fed BarS consumed less (P &lt; 0.01) uNDF as a percentage of BW, had increased (P = 0.02) ADG, heavier (P = 0.02) hot carcass weight, with greater (P = 0.01) back fat thickness, and (P &lt; 0.01) incidence of minor liver abscesses when compared to cattle fed WhS. Feeding HpeNDF did not affect DMI, ADG, or G:F, but increased (P = 0.02) marbling score, and reduced (P &lt; 0.01) the proportion AA quality grade and increased (P &lt; 0.01) those classified as AAA as compared to cattle fed LpeNDF. Cattle fed low uNDF had lesser (P &lt; 0.01) uNDF intake as a percentage of BW, greater dressing percentage (P = 0.01), had a lower (P &lt; 0.01) proportion of carcasses in yield grade 2, and a greater (P &lt; 0.01) proportion of carcasses in yield grade 3 when compared to cattle fed high uNDF. Thus, silage source, peNDF, and uNDF content do not impact DMI or G:F when diets contain 10% forage, but BarS relative to WhS as well increasing the peNDF concentration may increase ADG, HCW, back fat thickness, dressing percentage, marbling score and carcasses classified as quality grade AAA. Future research is needed to evaluate the usefulness of peNDF and uNDF in rations for finishing cattle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 132-132
Author(s):  
Marshall Streeter ◽  
John Hutcheson ◽  
Wade Nichols ◽  
Brandon Nuttelman ◽  
Grant Crawford ◽  
...  

Abstract Beef heifers (n=1478) were used in a randomized complete block design to compare the effects of a traditional re-implant (Revalor-IH/Revalor-200) or a long-acting implant program (Revalor-XH) on feed yard growth performance and carcass characteristics. Heifers (initial BW = 263 kg; SD = 3.44 kg) were randomized to 1 of 20 pens with pens randomly assigned to Revalor-IH (80 mg trenbolone acetate [TBA], 8 mg estradiol [E]) at initial processing followed by Revalor-200 (200 mg TBA, 20 mg E; Rev-IH/200) 103 days later or Revalor-XH (200 mg TBA, 20 mg E; Rev-XH) implant treatments. Heifers were on feed for an average of 221 d with Rev-XH heifers remaining in their pens for the duration of the study. Final BW (559 kg) and feed efficiency (0.175) did not differ (P &gt; 0.11) between treatments. Dry matter intake was greater (P &lt; 0.10) for Rev-IH/200 (7.70 kg) compared with Rev-XH (7.60 kg) heifers causing greater (P &lt; 0.10) ADG for Rev-IH/200 (1.35 kg) versus Rev-XH (1.33 kg). Heifers implanted with Rev-IH/200 (365 kg) had greater (P &lt; 0.10) HCW than those implanted with Rev-XH (361 kg). However, differences in dressing percentage were not detected (P &gt; 0.15). Longissimus muscle area was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for heifers implanted with Rev-IH/200 (89.55 cm2) versus those implanted with Rev-XH (87.87 cm2). Back fat thickness (1.76 cm), calculated yield grade (3.28) and marbling score (487) did not differ (P &gt; 0.42) due to implant treatment. Differences resulting from implant treatment in the percentage of carcasses within USDA Quality Grades (P &gt; 0.34) and USDA Yield Grades (P &gt; 0.18) were not observed. Heifers that were re-implanted had improved ADG, DMI and HCW compared with those receiving a long-acting implant with minimal effects on carcass characteristics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 130-130
Author(s):  
Zachary Carlson ◽  
Caitlin Coulson ◽  
Galen E Erickson ◽  
D J Jordon ◽  
Rob Cooper ◽  
...  

Abstract A commercial feedlot trial utilizing 1,728 crossbred heifers (initial BW = 410; SD = 10 kg) examined three implant strategies on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments included: 1) Revalor-200 (REV-200) on d 1; 2) Revalor-IH on d 1 and Revalor-200 on d 56 (REV-IH/200; range 54-58 d) to target approximately 80 d with terminal implant; and 3) Revalor-XH (REV-XH) on d 1. Heifers implanted with REV-IH/200 combination had greater carcass-adjusted final BW and G:F compared to REV-200 and REV-XH (637 vs. 630 and 630 kg; 0.146 vs. 0.140 and 0.140, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.24) observed for live performance including final BW, DMI, or ADG on a live basis among implant strategies. Hot carcass weights and LM area improved for REV-IH/200 implanted heifers relative to REV-200 and REV-XH implanted heifers (397 vs. 393 and 393 kg; 90.9 vs. 87.7 and 88.7 cm2, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). Dressing percent was greater for REV-IH/200 implanted heifers compared to REV-200 and REV-XH (62.7 vs. 62.1 and 62.2 %, respectively; P = 0.01). Marbling score and 12th-rib fat thickness were not different (P ≥ 0.12) among implant treatments. Calculated yield grades improved for REV-IH/200 compared to REV-200 (3.63 vs. 3.82, respectively; P = 0.05). Heifers implanted with REV-IH/200 had a significant (P &lt; 0.01) shift to a lower calculated yield grade distribution compared to REV-200 and REV-XH implanted heifers. The REV-IH/200 combination provided 280 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 28 mg estradiol (E2), while total active ingredient doses for REV-200 and REV-XH are 200 mg TBA and 20 mg E2. Thus, the greater concentration of TBA and E2 provided by REV-IH/200 combination improved carcass adjusted growth and carcass performance compared to the non-coated REV-200 implant and partially coated REV-XH implant.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1904
Author(s):  
Taoqi Shao ◽  
Joshua C. McCann ◽  
Daniel W. Shike

The objective was to investigate the effects of feeding late gestational beef cows supplements differing in fatty acid profile on steer progeny finishing phase growth performance, carcass characteristics, and relative mRNA expression of myogenic and adipogenic genes. Seventy Angus-cross steers (initial body weight [BW] 273 ± 34 kg) born from dams supplemented with either 155 g DM/d EnerGII (CON, rich in palmitic and oleic acids) or 80 g DM/d Strata + 80 g DM/d Prequel (PUFA, rich in linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) for the last 77 ± 6 d prepartum were used. Longissimus muscle and subcutaneous adipose biopsies were collected to evaluate relative mRNA expression of genes related to myogenesis and adipogenesis. Steers were slaughtered at 423 ± 6 d of age. No treatment × time interaction or treatment effect (p ≥ 0.21) was detected for steer finishing phase BW, while steers from PUFA supplemented dams tended (p = 0.06) to have a greater gain to feed ratio (G:F). Neither carcass characteristics nor relative mRNA expression was different (p ≥ 0.11). In conclusion, late gestation PUFA supplementation tended to increase steer progeny finishing phase G:F, but had no effects on finishing phase BW, carcass characteristics, or relative mRNA expression during the finishing phase.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Julio Cezar Heker Junior ◽  
Mikael Neumann ◽  
Robson Kyoshi Ueno ◽  
Margarete Kimie Falbo ◽  
Sandra Galbeiro ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the associative effect of monensin sodium to virginiamycin and/or essential oils on performance, consumption of nutrients and dry matter, apparent digestibility, feeding behavior and carcass characteristics of feedlot finished steers. The experiment lasted 106 days with 10 days of adaptation and 96-day trial, and had 32 crosses angus steers, average age 12 months and average weight of 376 kg, divided into 16 stalls, the weighing took place every 21 days and at the end of the experiment. The treatments consisted of the combination of the following additives to the diet included: Monensin sodium, 200 mg day-1 (MO); Monensin sodium, a dose of 200 mg day-1 + essential oil dose of 1.5g day-1 (MO+EO); Monensin sodium, a dose of 200 mg day-1 + virginiamycin, 200 mg day-1 (MO+VI); Monensin sodium, 200 mg day-1 + essential oil dose of 1.5g day-1 + virginiamycin day, 200 mg day-1 (MO+EO+VI), each treatment had four repetitions, where each repetitions consisted of a bay with two animals. The MO+VI association in relation to MO only increase in average daily gain (ADG) of 24.44%, 22.35%, 21.10% and 17.31% in weighing 42, 63, 84 and 96 days, similar the combination of MO+EO+VI which provided an improvement of 21.94%, 13.59%, 15.45% and 14.75% respectively in the same weightings. The daily carcass gain and carcass overall gain were higher in associations MO+VI and MO+EO+VI and provided an average gain of 16.67 kg more compared to MO and MO+EO. In the parameters feed efficiency, dry matter intake and nutrient expressed in kg day-1 and percentage of live weight were not observed differences (P > 0.05) between treatments. Data on apparent digestibility, feeding behavior and carcass characteristics did not show statistical difference between treatment, except for fat thickness which was higher when associated with any of the additives to the MO, and farm weight was higher in associations containing VI. Associating MO+VI or MO+EO+VI proved to be best in this work compared to MO+EO or only MO in the diets of steers in termination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro H V Carvalho ◽  
Mariana F Westphalen ◽  
Jonathan A Campbell ◽  
Tara L Felix

Abstract The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of coated or noncoated hormone implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet for 112 d. Seventy-nine Holstein steers [average initial body weight (BW) = 452 ± 5.5 kg] were stratified by BW and allotted to one of two treatments: 1) Holstein steers implanted with a coated implant containing 200 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 40 mg E2 (Revalor-XS (Merck Animal Health; Summit, NJ)] on day 0 (XS) or 2) Holstein steers implanted two times (days 0 and 56) with a noncoated implant containing 80 mg of TBA and 16 mg of E2 [(2IS) Revalor-IS (Merck Animal Health)]. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). There was no effect (P ≥ 0.71) of implant strategy on initial, middle, and final BW. No effect (P ≥ 0.12) of implant strategy was observed on average daily gain, dry matter intake, or gain-to-feed ratio. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.11) of implant strategy on carcass characteristics. There was an implant × day interaction (P &lt; 0.01) for the circulation of serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentration increased similarly 14 d after Holstein steers were implanted, regardless of implant strategy. At 28 d, after steers were implanted, steers in the XS group had less serum E2 concentration than Holstein steers in the 2IS group. However, at 56 d after the first implantation, both groups, once again, had similar serum E2 concentrations and E2 concentrations were less on day 56 than day 28 for both strategies. Holstein steers implanted with 2IS had greater serum E2 concentration on day 70 and E2 concentrations remained greater than serum E2 of Holstein steers implanted XS for the duration of the trial (day 112). In summary, there was no effect of coated or two doses of noncoated implant on growth performance or carcass characteristics of Holstein steers.


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