scholarly journals Warm-season annual forages in forage-finishing beef systems: II. Animal performance and carcass characteristics

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 400-410
Author(s):  
Deidre D Harmon ◽  
Dennis W Hancock ◽  
R Lawton Stewart ◽  
Jenna L Lacey ◽  
Robert W Mckee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Quality Grade ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass

Abstract More information on expected animal performance and carcass traits of forage-finished steers grazing warm-season annual forages is needed. To achieve this objective, a grazing trial was conducted in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (70, 63, and 56 d, respectively), with variation in length of grazing based on forage availability. Sixteen pastures (0.81 ha) were assigned to 1 of 4 forage treatments in a randomized complete block design. Forage treatments were brown midrib sorghum × sudangrass (BMR; Sorghum bicolor var. bicolor*bicolor var. sudanense), sorghum × sudangrass (SS), pearl millet [PM; Pennisetum glaucum (L.)R.Br.], or pearl millet planted with crabgrass [PMCG; Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]. Each year, British-cross beef steers (n = 32; 3 y average: 429 ± 22 kg) were stratified by weight and randomly assigned to 1 of the 16 pastures for forage finishing. Each pasture was subdivided into two 0.405-ha paddocks for rotational stocking and a put-and-take stocking method was used to maintain a forage allowance of 116 kg forage dry matter/100 kg body weight (BW). Shrunk body weight and ultrasonically measured carcass composition were recorded at the initiation, middle, and end of each grazing season. Steers were harvested once forage availability became limited and chilled carcasses (24 h) were evaluated for yield grade and quality grade attributes. Statistical analysis was conducted using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC) with main effects of treatment, year, and the interaction. Pasture and block were considered random effects while date was assessed as a main effect when applicable. Daily stocking densities were greater (P < 0.04) for SS than PMCG in the first 20 d of 2014 and 2015. Forage treatment did not affect (P > 0.17) total gain, total average daily gain, or body weight at any time point. Ultrasound composition traits of loin muscle area, 12th rib fat thickness, intramuscular fat, and rump fat were impacted (P < 0.01) by scanning date. No differences (P > 0.08) in forage treatments were observed for carcass characteristics associated with yield grade or quality grade. The findings suggest that forage-finished cattle during the summer months on BMR, SS, PM, and PMCG perform similarly, giving producers the option to use the most economical or practical forage type for their production system.

scholarly journals Warm-season annual forages in forage-finishing beef systems: I. Forage yield and quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 911-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deidre D Harmon ◽  
Dennis W Hancock ◽  
Robert L Stewart ◽  
Jenna L Lacey ◽  
Robert W Mckee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass ◽  
Value Determination

Abstract The demand for a year-round supply of fresh, locally grown, forage-finished beef products has created a need for forage-finishing strategies during the summer months in the southeast. A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate four warm-season annual forages in a southeastern forage-finishing beef production system. Treatments were four forage species and included brown-midrib sorghum × sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor var. bicolor*bicolor var. sudanense; BMR), sorghum × sudangrass (SS), pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.; PM], or pearl millet planted with crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.; PMCG]. Treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Pastures (0.81 ha, experimental unit) were assigned to one of four forage treatments, subdivided, and rotationally stocked with a variable stocking density. British-cross beef steers (n = 32; 3-yr average: 429 ± 22 kg) grazed for 70, 63, and 56 d in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Put-and-take animals were used to maintain a forage allowance of 116 kg forage dry matter /100 kg body weight. Forage mass was measured by clipping a 4.3-m2 area in triplicate on d 0 and on 14-d intervals. Hand grab samples for forage nutritive value determination and quadrat clippings for species compositions were measured on d 0 and on 34-d intervals until termination of the trial. Forage mass was lowest (P < 0.01) for PMCG at the initiation of the grazing trial, whereas BMR was greater (P < 0.01) than SS at wk 6. Total digestible nutrients in 2014 were greater for SS compared to BMR and PM at the middle harvest (P < 0.01) and BMR, PM, and PMCG at the final harvest (P < 0.01). At the middle and final harvests in both 2015 and 2016, PM and PMCG contained greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of crude protein than SS. These results suggest that BMR, SS, PM, and PMCG may all be used in southeastern forage-finishing beef production systems, as long as the producer strategically accounts for the slight growth and nutritive value differences throughout the season.

scholarly journals Lipid-Extracted Algae as a Soil Amendment Can Increase Soil Salinization and Reduce Forage Growth

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Lewis ◽  
Jamie Foster ◽  
Frank Hons
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Foxtail Millet ◽  
Salt Tolerant ◽  
Treated Soil ◽  
Lipid Extracted Algae ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass

Algae as a biodiesel feedstock are more productive per unit area than traditional feedstock options, but currently algae production is not economical without high-value co-products. Lipid-extracted algae (LEA) may be useful as a soil amendment; however, research is needed to determine the feasibility and management strategies required. The objective was to determine salinity-associated effects of LEA as a soil amendment on a range of salt tolerant forages [foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), and a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)]. Forage seed were planted in columns containing sandy clay loam soil amended with the following: (1) control [nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer added], (2) 1.5% LEA by weight, (3) 3.0% LEA, (4) 1.5% LEA + 1.5% wheat straw (WS), and (5) 1.5% WS (+N, +P). Seedling emergence and total herbage mass (HM) from sequential harvests was determined, along with forage mineral uptake. Soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were analyzed after the final harvest. Seedling emergence of pearl millet was negatively affected by LEA application, but not foxtail millet or sorghum-sudangrass. Pearl millet emergence was most reduced in 3.0% LEA treated soil, however, this treatment produced greater HM by the third harvest. Soil pH and EC were greater in 3.0% LEA-treated soil than the control and 1.5% WS treatment. Production of salt tolerant forages such as sorghum-sudangrass is possible in LEA-amended soil; however, with repeated applications soil salinity may reduce productivity and sustainability.

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 Effects of distillated myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) leaves’ intake on cull ewes’ body weight gain, carcass composition and meat quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. e0613
Author(s):  
Souha Tibaoui ◽  
Hadhami Hajji ◽  
Samir Smeti ◽  
Ilyes Mekki ◽  
Ines Essid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Partial Substitution ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion

Aim of study: Cull ewes are characterized by poor body condition, low body weights and tough meat texture. This work aimed to investigate the effect of distillated myrtle leaves (MDL) intake on body weight (BW) gain; carcass characteristics and meat quality of Barbarine cull ewes.Area of study: Northwest of TunisiaMaterial and methods: 27 Barbarine ewes were assigned into 3 groups receiving 500 g of oat hay and 750 g of concentrate control group (C), while they were given concentrate and pellets, containing 87% MDL, as substitute to hay in MHay group; for MConc group, they were fed hay, concentrate and pellets containing 30% MDL in partial substitution to concentrate. At the end of the fattening period (90 days), ewes were slaughtered.Main results: The dry matter intake was higher (p<0.05) for MConc and C groups. The average daily gain was significantly higher for C and MConc than MHay groups (113 and 107 vs. 87 g, respectively). Ewes fed MHay and MConc had a significantly lower feed conversion rate than Control group (12.5 vs. 15.4). Dietary treatment had no significant effect on carcass joint’s weight and proportions. The dressing percentage and carcass tissue composition were similar for all groups. The ultimate pH, water cooking loss and color parameters values were unaffected by the type of diet.Research highlights: These findings revealed that MDL could substitute, in ewes feeding, up to 87% to hay or up to 30% to concentrate without negative effects on body weight, carcass characteristics and meat quality.

scholarly journals Evaluation of warm season annual forages for forage yield and quality in the north-central United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan S Bleier ◽  
Wayne K Coblentz ◽  
Kenneth F Kalscheur ◽  
Kevin Panke-Buisse ◽  
Geoffrey E Brink
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
The North ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Central United States ◽  
Forage Type ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass ◽  
Pearl Millet Cultivars

Abstract Grazing-based dairy operations require productive, high-quality forages capable of supporting the nutritional needs of mid-lactation dairy cows. Our objectives were to evaluate primary and regrowth harvests of two cultivars of sudangrass (SU), sorghum-sudangrass (S×SU), and pearl millet (PM) forages for growth and nutritive characteristics within the specific context of suitability for grazing by dairy cows. Three harvest cycles, including primary and regrowth cycles in 2016, and a single harvest cycle of primary growth in 2017, were evaluated at two locations (Prairie du Sac and Marshfield, WI). Within each cycle, sampling was initiated when canopy height was about 41 cm and continued thereafter on weekly intervals for 5 weeks, resulting in six equally spaced sampling dates per harvest cycle. Data were analyzed as a split-plot design with cultivars (6) as whole-plots arranged in randomized complete blocks and weekly harvest dates (6) as subplots. Yields of dry matter (DM) were less consistent at the more northern location (Marshfield), which is known for its heavier, poorly drained soils. Despite locational differences, the taller-growing cultivar within each forage type frequently exhibited yield advantages over dwarf or shorter-growing cultivars; this occurred for 7 of 9 intra-forage-type comparisons (P ≤ 0.021) across three harvest cycles at Prairie du Sac, and for 6 of 9 similar comparisons (P ≤ 0.032) at Marshfield. In 2016, shorter-growing cultivars had greater percentages of leaf in 4 of 6 intra-forage-type comparisons at both locations (P ≤ 0.004), which is especially relevant for grazing. Similarly, PM cultivars exhibited shorter canopy heights (P ≤ 0.002), but greater percentages of leaf (P &lt; 0.001), than all other cultivars during all harvest cycles at both locations. However, the greater leaf percentages exhibited by PM cultivars did not translate into reduced percentages of structural plant fiber (asNDFom) on a whole-plant basis during any harvest cycle at either location; furthermore, asNDFom concentrations for PM cultivars were greater (P ≤ 0.047) than observed for other cultivars within 3 of 6 harvest cycles across both locations. Ruminal in-situ degradation of asNDFom for whole-plant forages based on a 48-h incubation was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.006) for PM compared with other cultivars in 4 of 6 harvest cycles. Pearl millet cultivars generally exhibited more suitable characteristics for grazing livestock than SU or S×SU cultivars.

scholarly journals GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF CHICKEN AND TURKEY BROILERS FED DIETS CONTAINING FLAVOMYCIN

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 971-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. LEESON
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Large White ◽  
Broiler Performance ◽  
Zinc Bacitracin

Two trials were conducted to test the efficacy of 2 ppm Flavomycin in diets for broilers and turkeys. Four replicate pens of 40 sexed broilers were offered one of six experimental diets representing a factorial arrangement of growth promotant (none, Flavomycin or lincomycin) and coccidiostat (monensin or stenorol). Birds fed Flavomycin were heavier (P < 0.05) at 28 days than birds fed lincomycin or no growth promotant. No difference in weight was observed at 43 days, although Flavomycin improved 0- to 43-day feed utilization relative to other treatments. Flavomycin response was independent of coccidiostat use, namely monensin and stenorol. Broiler chickens fed monensin were smaller (P < 0.05) than birds fed stenorol, a fact related to reduced feed intake (P < 0.05). Four replicate pens of 35 female Large White poults were offered one of six experimental diets representing a factorial arrangement of growth promotant (none, Flavomycin or zinc bacitracin) and coccidiostat (amprolium or stenorol). Turkeys fed Flavomycin were heavier (P < 0.05) up to 56 days than contemporaries fed bacitracin or no growth promotant. Diet had no effect on final 82-day body weight, although Flavomycin resulted in increased (P < 0.05) carcass weight than other treatments. With the exception of improved feed utilization from 0–28 days for poults fed Flavomycin, diet generally had no effect on feed utilization or feed intake. These effects were independent of coccidiostat inclusion, namely stenorol or amprolium, and these drugs themselves had little effect on performance. Broiler turkeys fed Flavomycin and bacitracin showed significantly (P < 0.01) improved carcass finish grades relative to those fed no growth promotant. Key words: Flavomycin, broiler performance, carcass composition

scholarly journals Essential Oils in the Diet of Crossbred (½ Angus vs. ½ Nellore) Bulls Finished in Feedlot on Animal Performance, Feed Efficiency and Carcass Characteristics

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayane Cristina Rivaroli ◽  
Rodolpho Martin Do Prado ◽  
Mariana Garcia Ornaghi ◽  
Camila Mottin ◽  
Tatiane Rogério Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Sweet Orange ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Daily Gain

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the animal performance, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of 27 crossbred bulls (½ Angus vs. ½ Nellore), finished in feedlot for 120 days, with the addition of distinct levels of essential oils in the diets. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized trial and animals were distributed into three treatments: control (CON), addition of 500 mg/kg of DM/animal/day of a mix of essential oils (E500), and addition of 1000 mg/kg of DM/animal/day of a mix of essential oils (E1000). The essential oils supplemented to the diets were based on a combination of vegetal extracts from: oregano, garlic, lemon, rosemary, thymus, eucalyptus and sweet orange. The bulls had an average age of 12±2 months and weight of 243.4±6.8 kg when the trial started. The roughage and concentrate ratio was 10% and 90%, respectively. The inclusion of essentials oils in the diets did not affect final body weight, average daily gain, and feed intake, but there was a tendency for improved feed efficiency for the E500 treatment. The ADG ranged from 1.55 to 1.70. Average DMI and feed conversion were 7.07 kg/day and 4.31, respectively. Essentials oil levels did not affect the carcass characteristics. More studies are needed to elucidate the synergism of combinations of essential oils in the rumen.

scholarly journals Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of growth and carcass traits of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (5-6-1) ◽  
pp. 357-363
Author(s):  
M.A. Talebi ◽  
S.R. Miraei-Ashtiani ◽  
A. Nejati-Javaremi ◽  
M. Moradi-Shahrbabak
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Derivative Free ◽  
Maternal Heritability ◽  
Lean Weight

In this study, direct and maternal heritabilities were estimated for growth traits and carcass characteristics in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep. Data for birth weight (BW; n=5826), weaning weight (WW; n=5408), body weight at six months of age (6MW; n=4237), body weight at slaughter (SW; n=396), cold carcass weight (CCW; n=291), lean weight (LW; n=204), bone weight (WB; n=291), fat weight (WF; n=204) and fat-tail weight (FTW; n=396) were used to estimate the heritabilities. The data for first three traits had been collected during seventeen years, 1990 to 2006, while for other traits had been collected during six years, 2000 to 2006. Genetic parameters including both direct and maternal genetic effects were estimated using multivariate animal models, and a Derivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DFREML) approach. The direct heritability for BW, WW, 6MW, SW, CCW, LW, WB, WF and FTW were 0.30 ? 0.03, 0.13 ? 0.03, 0.20 ? 0.03, 0.24 ? 0.06, 0.16 ? 0.06, 0.16 ? 0.06, 0.20 ? 0.11, 0.23 ? 0.11, and 0.27 ? 0.11, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates were 0.22, 0.17, 0.06, 0.10, 0.09, 0.15, 0.26, 0.06 and 0.07 for BW, WW, 6MW, SW, CCW, LW, WB, WF and FTW, respectively. Consequently, genetic progress is possible for growth traits and carcass composition by selection.

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