Effect of changes in management practices and animal performance on ammonia emissions from Canadian beef production in 1981 as compared with 2011

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 833-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getahun Legesse ◽  
Roland Kroebel ◽  
Aklilu W. Alemu ◽  
Kim H. Ominski ◽  
Emma J. McGeough ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
By Products

The present study compared ammonia (NH3) emissions from Canadian beef production in 1981–2011. Temporal and regional differences in cattle categories, feed types and management systems, average daily gains, carcass weights, and manure handling practices were considered. A scenario-based sensitivity analysis in 2011 estimated the impact of substituting corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) for grain in feedlot diets. On average, 22% of the total nitrogen (N) intake was lost as ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) in both years. Manure emission sources were consistent across years, averaging 12%, 40%, 28%, and 21% for grazing, confinement, storage, and land spreading, respectively. Emissions per animal in 1981 and 2011 were 16.0 and 18.4 kg NH3 animal−1 yr−1, respectively. On an intensity basis, kilogram of NH3 emitted per kilogram of beef decreased 20%, from 0.17 in 1981 to 0.14 in 2011. This reduction was attributed to increases in reproductive efficiency, average daily gain and carcass weight, and improved breeding herd productivity. In 2011, substituting DDGS for grain in feedlot diets increased total NH3 emissions and losses per animal. Although addition of by-products from the bioethanol industry can lower diet costs, it will be at the expense of an increase in NH3 emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions of Canadian beef production in 1981 as compared with 2011

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Legesse ◽  
K. A. Beauchemin ◽  
K. H. Ominski ◽  
E. J. McGeough ◽  
R. Kroebel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Slaughter Weight ◽  
Ch4 Production ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
The Impact

The present study compared the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and breeding herd and land requirements of Canadian beef production in 1981 and 2011. In the analysis, temporal and regional differences in feed types, feeding systems, cattle categories, average daily gains and carcass weights were considered. Emissions were estimated using life-cycle assessment (cradle to farm gate), based primarily on Holos, a Canadian whole-farm emissions model. In 2011, beef production in Canada required only 71% of the breeding herd (i.e. cows, bulls, calves and replacement heifers) and 76% of the land needed to produce the same amount of liveweight for slaughter as in 1981. Compared with 1981, in 2011 the same amount of slaughter weight was produced, with a 14% decline in CH4 emissions, 15% decline in N2O emissions and a 12% decline in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use. Enteric CH4 production accounted for 73% of total GHG emissions in both years. The estimated intensity of GHG emissions per kilogram of liveweight that left the farm was 14.0 kg CO2 equivalents for 1981 and 12.0 kg CO2 equivalents for 2011, a decline of 14%. A significant reduction in GHG intensity over the past three decades occurred as a result of increased average daily gain and slaughter weight, improved reproductive efficiency, reduced time to slaughter, increased crop yields and a shift towards high-grain diets that enabled cattle to be marketed at an earlier age. Future studies are necessary to examine the impact of beef production on other sustainability metrics, including water use, air quality, biodiversity and provision of ecosystems services.

scholarly journals Grid search approach to discriminate between old and recent inbreeding using phenotypic, pedigree and genomic information

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pattarapol Sumreddee ◽  
El Hamidi Hay ◽  
Sajjad Toghiani ◽  
Andrew Roberts ◽  
Samuel E. Aggrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Recent Common Ancestor ◽  
Pedigree Information ◽  
Grid Search ◽  
Genomic Information ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Harmful Effects

Abstract Background Although inbreeding caused by the mating of animals related through a recent common ancestor is expected to have more harmful effects on phenotypes than ancient inbreeding (old inbreeding), estimating these effects requires a clear definition of recent (new) and ancient (old) inbreeding. Several methods have been proposed to classify inbreeding using pedigree and genomic data. Unfortunately, these methods are largely based on heuristic criteria such as the number of generations from a common ancestor or length of runs of homozygosity (ROH) segments. To mitigate these deficiencies, this study aimed to develop a method to classify pedigree and genomic inbreeding into recent and ancient classes based on a grid search algorithm driven by the assumption that new inbreeding tends to have a more pronounced detrimental effect on traits. The proposed method was tested using a cattle population characterized by a deep pedigree. Results Effects of recent and ancient inbreeding were assessed on four growth traits (birth, weaning and yearling weights and average daily gain). Thresholds to classify inbreeding into recent and ancient classes were trait-specific and varied across traits and sources of information. Using pedigree information, inbreeding generated in the last 10 to 11 generations was considered as recent. When genomic information (ROH) was used, thresholds ranged between four to seven generations, indicating, in part, the ability of ROH segments to characterize the harmful effects of inbreeding in shorter periods of time. Nevertheless, using the proposed classification method, the discrimination between new and old inbreeding was less robust when ROH segments were used compared to pedigree. Using several model comparison criteria, the proposed approach was generally better than existing methods. Recent inbreeding appeared to be more harmful across the growth traits analyzed. However, both new and old inbreeding were found to be associated with decreased yearling weight and average daily gain. Conclusions The proposed method provided a more objective quantitative approach for the classification of inbreeding. The proposed method detected a clear divergence in the effects of old and recent inbreeding using pedigree data and it was superior to existing methods for all analyzed traits. Using ROH data, the discrimination between old and recent inbreeding was less clear and the proposed method was superior to existing approaches for two out of the four analyzed traits. Deleterious effects of recent inbreeding were detected sooner (fewer generations) using genomic information than pedigree. Difference in the results using genomic and pedigree information could be due to the dissimilarity in the number of generations to a common ancestor. Additionally, the uncertainty associated with the identification of ROH segments and associated inbreeding could have an effect on the results. Potential biases in the estimation of inbreeding effects may occur when new and old inbreeding are discriminated based on arbitrary thresholds. To minimize the impact of inbreeding, mating designs should take the different inbreeding origins into consideration.

PSIV-2 A comparison of feedlot growth and performance of beef x Holstein crossbred steers and Holstein steers

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 298-299
Author(s):  
Bailey L Basiel ◽  
Chad D Dechow ◽  
Tara L Felix
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Objectives were to compare feedlot performance and carcass traits of F1 beef × Holstein steers and Holstein steers. Angus or Limousin × Holstein crossbred [n = 27; age = 12 ± 3 months; body weight (BW) = 435 ± 8 kg] and Holstein (n = 20; age = 11 ± 2 months; BW = 400 ± 9 kg) steers were fed at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center for 111 days. Feed intake was recorded using the GrowSafe Feed Intake Monitoring System (Model 4000E, GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Calgary AB, Canada). The diet contained corn silage, dried distillers grains, soybean meal, and cracked corn and was formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of beef cattle (NASEM, 2016). Growth performance variables of interest and carcass measurements were analyzed with the Mixed procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). USDA assigned quality grades (QG) and yield grades (YG) were analyzed the with GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Breed was a fixed effect in all models. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between breeds in average daily gain or feed efficiency. Crossbreds exceeded Holsteins in initial (P < 0.01) and final BW (P = 0.01), dry matter intake (P = 0.03), hot carcass weight (P < 0.01), backfat (P = 0.03), and ribeye area (REA; P < 0.01). Thirty-five percent (35%) of the Holsteins received a QG of Choice or above while 74% of crossbreds graded USDA Choice or above (P = 0.01). However, 75% of Holsteins were YG 2 or lower while only 45% of crossbreds achieved YG 2 or less (P = 0.05). There was no improvement in efficiency when crossbreds were compared to Holsteins; however, carcasses from crossbreds were more likely to grade USDA Choice or above while yielding greater REA and backfat than Holsteins.

scholarly journals The Impact of Selection using Residual Average Daily Gain and Marbling EPDs on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits in Angus Steers

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Krause ◽  
E. R. Moore ◽  
J. Duggin ◽  
J. R. Segers ◽  
T. D. Pringle
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Carcass Merit ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Daily Gain

ObjectivesProfitability in the beef industry has narrow margins regulated by revenue from output traits like growth and carcass merit, but profitability is also largely impacted by input expenses like feed costs. Selecting for improvements in feed efficiency during the finishing phase, one of the most feed intensive segments of the industry, can help to mitigate those input costs. This study compared growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition, and carcass characteristics in Angus steers (n = 321) from bulls divergently selected for feed efficiency and marbling.Materials and MethodsAngus sires were selected based on high (10th percentile or better) and low (85th percentile or worse) residual average daily gain (RADG) EPD as well as high (fifth percentile or better) and average (near 50th percentile) marbling (MARB) EPD. These criteria resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design with four breeding lines: high RADG/high MARB, high RADG/average MARB, low RADG/high MARB, low RADG/average MARB. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedures of SAS with RADG and MARB as main effects. Significance was set at α = 0.05. Generation was also analyzed, where generation one (GEN1) steers were from a selected sire while generation two (GEN2) steers were from a selected sire and a selected dam.ResultsUltrasound and carcass data revealed no differences (P ≥ 0.12) in 12th rib backfat thickness from weaning through slaughter for the RADG EPD groups. Yield grade and dressing percent did not differ (P ≥ 0.56) across RADG or MARB groups. At the beginning and end of the feeding trial, the high RADG (P ≤ 0.02) group had larger ultrasound ribeye area (REA) than the low RADG group. Carcass REA tended (P = 0.08) to be larger in the high versus low RADG steers. During the feedlot trial and through slaughter, body weight was heavier (P ≤ 0.006) for the high versus low RADG steers but did not differ (P ≥ 0.44) across MARB EPD. Feed efficiency measures did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB groups apart from the tendency (P = 0.08) for residual feed intake to be lower in the high versus low RADG steers. Marbling scores differed (P ≤ 0.04) across RADG and MARB groups with the low RADG steers and the high MARB steers having improved marbling. The quality grade distribution across MARB EPD revealed that the average MARB steers graded 73% Choice and 25% Prime while the high MARB steers graded 56% and 42%, respectively. Slice shear force did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB EPD. Body weights tended (P = 0.06) to be heavier at the start of the feeding trial for GEN1 versus GEN2 steers. Total gain, average daily gain, and feed to gain (F:G) differed by generation (P ≤ 0.007) with increased rates of gain and reduced F:G in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers. Body weights did not differ (P = 0.72) across GEN at the end of the feeding trial. Backfat thickness at the start and end of the feedlot phase was less (P ≤ 0.03) and marbling score was improved (P = 0.02) in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers, respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest that selection using RADG EPD has negligible impacts on meat quality; and that progress in selection for efficiency can be achieved while advancing carcass quality and value. Furthermore, continued divergent selection for feed efficiency and marbling has the potential to improve feed efficiency through advancements in the rate of gain, while enhancing carcass merit through marbling.

scholarly journals PSI-32 Impact of titrating levels of dried distillers grains with solubles as a replacement of soybean meal on Boer goat fat quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 254-254
Author(s):  
Linnea Rimmer ◽  
Cassandra K Jones
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Profile ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Fatty Acid Profiles ◽  
Boer Goat ◽  
Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
Fat Quality ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Due to the rising goat population in the United States, there is growing economic incentive to feed dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) over soybean meal (SBM). However, there is limited knowledge of how this may affect carcass composition. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of titrating levels of DDGS as a replacement of SBM on Boer goat fatty acid profiles. Thirty-two Boer goat kids were fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets consisting of 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% DDGS replacing SBM. There were no detected differences (P > 0.05) in final body weight after a 47-d growth experiment. Goats were slaughtered in a commercial, USDA-inspected facility, backfat samples collected between the 12th and 13th rib, and samples analyzed for fatty acid profile via AOAC Official Method 996.06. Data were analyzed with goat as the experimental unit in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatment did not impact (P > 0.05) the overall fatty acid profile or iodine value (50 to 52 points) of fat samples. This may be because fatty acids go through biohydrogenation by rumen bacteria, limiting the impact of diet on fatty acid profile. That said, increasing levels of DDGS impacted (P = 0.03) both C16:1 and C18:3 in a quadratic manner. Specifically, goats fed 0% and 100% DDGS replacing SBM had higher C16:1 than those fed intermediate levels of DDGS, while the opposite was true for C18:3. No other fatty acid was affected (P > 0.05), nor were there shifts in the ratio of saturated vs. unsaturated, or the total sum of n-3 fatty acids. In summary, fatty acid profiles are not significantly impacted by increasing levels of DDGS in place of SBM, and therefore DDGS can be used in Boer goat diets without impacting fat quality.

scholarly journals Evaluation of wheat or corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
L J Walter ◽  
J L Aalhus ◽  
W M Robertson ◽  
T A McAllister ◽  
D J Gibb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
Inclusion Level ◽  
Corn Ddgs

A study was conducted on crossbred steers (n = 275; 376 ± 24 kg) to evaluate performance and carcass quality of cattle fed wheat or corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS). The control ration contained 86.6% rolled barley grain, 5.7% supplement and 7.7% barley silage (DM basis). The four treatments included replacement of barley grain at 20 or 40% of the diet (DM basis) with wheat or corn DDGS. Steers were slaughtered at a common end weight of 645 kg with 100 steers randomly (n = 20 per treatment) selected for determination of the retail yield of sub-primal boneless boxed beef (SPBBB). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using pen as the experimental unit. Feeding increasing levels of wheat DDGS led to a quadratic increase in dry matter intake (DMI) (P < 0.01), whereas increasing levels of corn DDGS led to a quadratic decrease in DMI (P = 0.01). Average daily gain was not influenced (P = 0.13) by feeding wheat or corn DDGS, but cattle fed corn DDGS exhibited a quadratic increase (P = 0.01) in gain:feed. As a result, a quadratic increase (P < 0.01) in calculated NEg of the diet was observed as corn DDGS levels increased. A linear decrease (P = 0.04) in days on feed (169, 166 and 154 d) was noted when increasing levels of wheat DDGS (0, 20 and 40%) were fed. Dressing percentage increased in a linear fashion with wheat DDGS (P < 0.01) inclusion level and in a quadratic fashion (P = 0.01) as corn DDGS inclusion level increased although other carcass traits were not affected (P > 0.10) by treatment. The results indicate that replacement of barley grain with corn or wheat DDGS up to 40% of the diet (DM) can lead to superior performance (improved gain:feed or reduced days on feed, respectively) with no detrimental effect on quality grade or carcass SPBBB yield.Key words: Dried distillers’ grains with solubles, corn, wheat, feedlot performance, carcass quality, steers

PROGENY TEST OF FINNISH AND CANADIAN AYRSHIRE BULLS FOR VEAL AND BEEF PRODUCTION

1978 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-122
Author(s):  
B. W. KENNEDY ◽  
G. M. JONES ◽  
R. L. CHICOINE ◽  
C. G. HICKMAN ◽  
E. B. BURNSIDE
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Progeny Test ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Veal Calf ◽  
Unbiased Estimates ◽  
Best Linear Unbiased ◽  
Daily Gain

An experiment was conducted to obtain progeny test comparisons of Finnish and Canadian Ayrshire bulls for veal and beef production. A total of 83 male calves from four Canadian and four Finnish sires was tested. Best linear unbiased estimates of differences between veal calf progeny of Finnish and Canadian bulls for time on test, average daily gain and feed conversion were 4.00 ± 5.63 days, −.044 ±.038 kg/day and.062 ±.067 kg dry matter intake/kg gain, respectively. For veal carcass traits, progeny differences between Finnish and Canadian bulls for dressing percent and carcass grade, quality, finish and color scores (scores ranged from 1 to 3, except for color score which ranged from 1 to 2, with high score desirable) were.25 ± 1.13%, −.085 ±.232,.146 ±.303,.122 ±.302 and.104 ±.192, respectively. When raised for beef, differences between Finnish and Canadian sired steers were.015 ±.019 kg/day for feedlot average daily gain and.21 ±.66% for dressing percent. None of these differences were significant (P >.05). Based on these results, the importation of Finnish semen would not be expected to materially change the veal and beef performance of Ayrshires in Canada.

INFLUENCE OF COW SIZE AND OTHER FACTORS ON WEIGHT GAIN OF BEEF CALVES TO 365 DAYS OF AGE

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. JEFFERY ◽  
R. T. BERG
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Breed Difference ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
The University ◽  
Daily Gain

A study involving three sets of data from the University of Alberta beef breeding herd (1966–67, 176 cows; 1967–68, 167 cows; 1968–70, 285 cows) was conducted to determine the influence of birth weight of calf (BW), postcalving weight of dam (PCW), and breed effect on calf performance to 365 days of age. The influence of preweaning on postweaning performance was also considered. Calves heavier at birth tended to excel in both preweaning and postweaning growth rate. A 1-kg increase in BW resulted in an increase of 2.86–4.42 kg in calf weight at 365 days of age. For male calves, PCW was negatively associated with calf weight at both 180 and 365 days of age for 1966–67 data; however, for 1967–68 and 1968–70 data, a 10-kg increase in PCW resulted in 0.70- and 0.92-kg increases, respectively, in calf weight at 180 days, and 1.96- and 2.12-kg increases in calf weight at 365 days, respectively. For female calves, a 10-kg increase in PCW resulted in 1.40-, 0.88-, and 0.29-kg increases in calf weight at 180 days of age, and 0.68-, 1.31-, and 0.31-kg increases in calf weight at 365 days of age, respectively, for the three sets of data. Breed difference explained from 22 to 43% of the variance in average daily gain of calf to weaning (ADG) but only 0.2–13.8% of the variance in postweaning average daily gain (PWADG). Male calves with higher ADG to weaning or heavier weaning weights tended to have slightly higher PWADG. A 10-kg advantage in weaning weight for male calves resulted in a 12–14-kg advantage in weight at 365 days of age.

scholarly journals 128 Determining the effects of high phytase levels and feeding duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 50-51
Author(s):  
Carine Vier ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Jon Bergstrom ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
Feeding Duration ◽  
Heat Stable

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effects of high phytase levels and feeding duration on performance of growing finishing pigs. A total of 1,215 barrows and gilts (PIC 359×Camborough, initially 28.0±0.47 kg) were used in a 126-d growth trial with 27 pigs per pen and 15 pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Diets were corn-soybean meal-dried distillers grains with solubles-based.Treatments were: 1) Control (no added phytase); 2) Grower phytase (1,500 FYT/kg added phytase fed from d 0 to 57, then no phytase from d 57 to market); and 3) Grow-finish phytase (1,500 FYT/kg added phytase fed throughout the study). Phytase (Ronozyme Hiphos GT 2500, heat-stable; DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., Parsippany, NJ) was assumed to release 0.146% digestible phosphorus (P), 0.166% available P, 0.102% STTD calcium, 53 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy, 42 kcal/kg of net energy (NE), and 0.0217, 0.0003, 0.00886, 0.0224, 0.0056, 0.0122, and 0.0163% standardized ileal digestible lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and valine, respectively. Beef tallow and feed grade amino acids (AA) were added to the diets without phytase to balance NE and AA across treatments. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with pen as the experimental unit.Overall, pigs fed diets with no phytase and pigs that were only fed phytase in the grower period had greater (P&lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G:F) than pigs fed the phytase-containing diets until market. Pigs fed the control and grower phytase treatments had greater (P&lt; 0.10) hot carcass weight (HCW) than the phytase throughout treatment. No evidence of differences (P &gt;0.10) were observed for other carcass characteristics. In summary, adding 1,500 FYT/kg of phytase and using full matrix values for minerals, AA, and energy had detrimental effects on ADG, G:F, and HCW in this study when applied to the entire grow-finish period.

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