EFFECT OF QUALITY AND LEVEL OF GROUND FORAGE IN RATIONS FOR FINISHING STEERS

1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 677-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. ROBERTSON ◽  
S. E. BEACOM

Good, medium and poor quality forages were ground and added, at levels of 20, 45, 70 and 95%, to complete mixed rations for finishing long-yearling steers. Dry-rolled barley, supplemented with vitamin A, minerals and an antibiotic, constituted the remainder of each ration. The rations were self-fed to groups of eight steers, four Charolais × Hereford and four Aberdeen Angus. Increasing the level of forage reduced average daily gain, efficiency of feed conversion and dressing percentage and increased days on feed. Generally, the effect of roughage quality on these criteria was significant only at the 95% level of medium quality forage and at the 70 and 95% levels of poor quality forage. The rate of gain (1.04 kg daily) and carcass grades (87% Canada Choice or Good) of steers fed 95% good quality forage indicated the potential for producing finished beef in areas where good quality forages can be produced more economically than grain. The Charolais crossbred steers gained significantly faster, required a longer feeding period to reach a preselected degree of finish, and received a lower average carcass grade than the Angus steers.

1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Plank ◽  
R. T. Berg

Four trials, involving 124 pigs, were conducted to study the effects of differing planes of nutrition on swine characteristics and to study the relative response of specific genetic groups of pigs to these differing planes. Seasonal and sex effects were also evaluated. Equalized limited feeding to a scale of 75 per cent of the U.S. N.R.C. recommended levels for bacon hogs was compared to liberal feeding wherein pigs were fed to appetite three times daily and to ad libitum feeding.Winter-fed pigs grew slower, were less efficient, had a higher dressing percentage and shorter carcasses than summer-fed pigs.As the plane of nutrition increased, average daily gains increased, feed conversion ratios were correspondingly inferior, dressing percentage rose, backfat thickness increased and area of loin and total Record of Performance score decreased.Females outgained barrows under equalized limited feeding, whereas barrows outgained females at a similar feed requirement by eating more feed under liberal feeding. Female carcasses were superior to those of barrows with a tendency for the differences to be greater under the equalized limited feeding system.Genotype × plane of nutrition interactions were significant for average daily feed consumed (P <.05), average daily gain (P <.01), length (P <.05), and total R.O.P. score (P <.01). Under equalized limited feeding pigs with the ability to gain both rapidly and efficiently tended to produce superior carcasses while under liberal feeding rapid gains seemed to reflect mainly increased feed consumption and a trend toward inferior feed conversion and fatter carcasses.


1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 743-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. LANE ◽  
R. A. KEMP

To evaluate the effects of shearing and Ralgro® implants on the performance of fast-gaining feedlot lambs during the summer, 84 group-fed crossbred wether lambs (34.8 ± 1.8 kg) were shorn on day 0 of the feeding period (ES), shorn 3 wk later (LS), or left unshorn (NS), and either implanted with 12 mg Ralgro on day 0 (R) or not implanted (C). Lambs were blocked by initial weight. Heavy and light pens of lambs were shipped to market when the average weight within a pen was 52 kg after 40 and 55 d, respectively. Between days 0 and 40, mean average daily gain (ADG) of all lambs was 384 g and feed conversion was 4.38 kg dry matter kg−1 gain. During the first 40 d of the feeding period, shearing did not affect ADG (P > 0.05), but ES lambs had higher feed intake and poorer feed conversion than NS lambs (P < 0.05). Performance of the LS lambs was similar to the NS lambs prior to shearing, and similar to the ES lambs after shearing. A delay period between implantation and growth response was observed. Ralgro did not affect ADG between days 0 and 21 (P > 0.05) but improved ADG by 14.2% between days 21 and 40 (P < 0.01), giving an overall growth improvement of 6.5% between days 0 and 40 (P < 0.06). Ralgro had no effect on ADG after day 40. There were no interactions between the effects of shearing and Ralgro implantation on ADG (P > 0.05). Key words: Lambs, shearing, Ralgro, feedlot, summer


1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. M. JONES ◽  
G. K. MACLEOD

Twelve young and twelve mature lean Holstein cows were fed a high energy diet to appetite based on high moisture corn and haylage. In addition to the cows put on feed, six young and six mature cows were slaughtered at the start of the trial to estimate initial body composition. After 68 days on feed, two young cows and two mature cows were slaughtered on a weekly basis until the conclusion of the trial. Mature cows were initially 45 kg (P < 0.5) heavier than young cows and this difference had increased to 57 kg at the conclusion of the trial. There were no significant differences between young and mature cows in average daily gain (1.37 vs. 1.48 kg/day) or dry matter feed conversion rate (8.46 vs. 8.31 kg DM/kg gain). Average daily dry matter intake was higher (P < 0.05) for mature cows than young cows. There was no decline in average daily gain during the feeding period, although dry matter feed conversion increased for both young and mature cows. There were few differences between young and mature cows slaughtered initially and those slaughtered after the feeding period in carcass composition, and the carcass characteristics that were measured. Young cows, however, had significantly (P < 0.5) higher carcass grades after a feeding period. The feeding period resulted in a decreased proportion of lean and bone and an increased proportion of fat in all the major fat depots (subcutaneous, intermuscular, body cavity fat).


1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. SKITSKO ◽  
J. P. BOWLAND

The influence of high (HE) and low (LE) digestible energy diets fed for two 1-hr periods per day on the performance of Duroc × Yorkshire, Hampshire × Yorkshire, or Yorkshire × Yorkshire pigs marketed at 68, 91 or 114 kg liveweight was studied. Under the feeding system employed, daily feed intake averaged 2.01 kg and did not differ between dietary groups. The HE diet containing 3652 kcal DE/kg improved (P < 0.01) rate of gain and feed conversion compared with the LE diet containing 2757 kcal DE/kg. DE requirement averaged 9.89 Mcal/kg gain and did not differ between dietary groups. Carcasses from pigs fed the HE diet had higher dressing percentage, greater total backfat thickness, and lower ratio of loin to backfat thickness, percent lean in the ham face, ham as a percent of carcass and Canadian ROP score.Barrows had a higher daily feed consumption and average daily gain but were inferior to gilts in feed conversion. Gilts were superior to barrows in all carcass measurements except dressing percentage, where differences were nonsignificant.Breeding groups differed (P < 0.01) in rate of gain, feed conversion, and dressing percentage and their carcasses differed in loin area and length. Feed required per unit gain increased with increasing market weights but gain did not differ. With increasing market weights, dressing percentage, length, loin area and total backfat thickness increased while the ham as a percent of carcass and ROP scores decreased. Market weight did not significantly alter the ratio of loin area to total backfat, suggesting that the present Canadian carcass grading standards should be extended to cover a greater weight range without penalty.Major significant interactions for average daily gain existed between diet by sex and diet by breeding group and for feed conversion between diet by sex. The data indicate that sex and breeding background of market pigs are important considerations in formulation of energy requirements. Use of LE diets or of feeding methods that restrict DE intake may mask potential differences that exist between groups.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 160-160
Author(s):  
John Wagner ◽  
William T Nelson ◽  
Terry Engle ◽  
Jerry Spears ◽  
Jeff Heldt ◽  
...  

Abstract Four hundred and thirty-two beef steers (346.3 ± 63.7 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of Zn source on feedlot cattle fed ractopamine hydrochloride. Cattle were blocked in groups of 54 by BW and housed in 48 pens containing 9 steers per pen. Pens within a weight block were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with factors being: 1) 0 or 30.1 mg of ractopamine HCl/kg DM fed during the final 29 days on feed; and 2) Zn source: 90 mg of supplemental Zn/kg DM from ZnSO4; Zn sulfate (67%) + Zn methionine (33%); and Zn from Zn hydroxychloride, fed through the entire feeding period. Cattle were fed a high concentrate finishing diet for 154 d and slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Average daily gain, DMI, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics were determined after slaughter. Zinc source had no impact on live animal performance. Cattle fed ractopamine HCl had greater (P &lt; 0.01) final BW, greater (P &lt; 0.001) ADG, improved (P &lt; 0.001) G:F, heavier (P &lt; 0.01) HCW, and larger (P &lt; 0.05) longissimus muscle compared to non-ractopamine supplemented steers. There was a Zn source by ractopamine interaction (P &lt; 0.01) for dressing percentage. Cattle receiving ractopamine HCl with Zn hydroxychloride had a greater dressing percentage (P &lt; 0.05) when compared to ractopamine HCl cattle fed other Zn sources. Cattle receiving ractopamine HCl with Zn sulfate had a lesser dressing percentage (P &lt; 0.05) when compared to ractopamine HCl cattle fed other Zn sources. Additional Zn source by ractopamine HCl interactions were not significant. These data indicate that Zn source has minimal impacts on feedlot steer performance and carcass characteristics when supplemented to cattle receiving 0.0 or 30.1 mg of ractopamine HCl/kg DM.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1626
Author(s):  
Shenfei Long ◽  
Tengfei He ◽  
Sung Woo Kim ◽  
Qinghui Shang ◽  
Tadele Kiros ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary LY or LY combined with ZnO supplementation on performance and gut health in nursery pigs. 192 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets (weaned on d 32 of the age with 9.2 ± 1.7 kg BW) were allocated into four treatments with eight replicate pens, six piglets per pen. The treatments included a basal diet as control (CTR), an antibiotic plus ZnO diet (CTC-ZnO, basal diet + 75 mg/kg of chlortetracycline + ZnO (2000 mg/kg from d 1 to 14, 160 mg/kg from d 15 to 28)), a LY diet (LY, basal diet + 2 g/kg LY), and a LY plus ZnO diet (LY-ZnO, basal diet + 1 g/kg LY + ZnO). The results showed that pigs fed LY or LY-ZnO had increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, serum IgA, IgG, superoxide dismutase, fecal butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as decreased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and diarrhea rate compared with CTR. In conclusion, pigs fed diets with LY or LY combined with ZnO had similar improvement to the use of antibiotics and ZnO in performance, antioxidant status, immunoglobulins, and gut health in nursery pigs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2096 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Schatz

This study compares the performance of F1 Senepol × Brahman steers (F1 SEN) to Brahman (BRAH) steers in an Indonesian feedlot. The focus was to address concerns that crossbred cattle are discriminated against by live export cattle buyers due to a perception that they do not perform as well as Brahmans in Indonesian feedlots. F1 SEN (n = 54) and BRAH (n = 32) steers that had grazed together since weaning at Douglas Daly Research Farm (Northern Territory) were exported to Indonesia and fed for 121 days in a feedlot near Lampung (Sumatra, Indonesia). The average daily gain of the F1 SEN steers over the feeding period was 0.17 kg/day higher (P < 0.001) than the BRAH steers (1.71 vs 1.54 kg/day). As a result the F1 SEN put on an average of 21.6 kg more over the 121-day feeding period and they did not have a higher mortality rate. Consequently, F1 SEN steers performed better than BRAH in an Indonesian feedlot and these results should encourage live export cattle buyers to purchase this type of cattle (Brahman crossed with a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed) with confidence that they can perform at least as well as Brahmans in Indonesian feedlots, although it should be noted that growth rates are usually higher in F1 crosses than in subsequent generations.


1964 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henning E. Nielsen

Sixteen blocks of eight littermate pigs were weaned at 3 weeks of age and each divided into four groups. Various levels of nutrition were applied to the pigs so that the four groups reached 20 kg. at 59, 68, 80 and 91 days of age, respectively.Only small differences were observed between groups in feed conversion ratio to 20 kg.; however, Group 4 required more feed per kg. gain than the three other groups.During the second period (20–90 kg.) the pigs in each group were divided into two sub-groups, which were on a high and a low plane of nutrition respectively. In both sub-groups the type of feeding before 20 kg. influenced the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio. The older the pigs were at 20 kg. the higher the daily gain and the lower the feed conversion ratio in the following period. There was an increase in daily feed intake with increased age at 20 kg. for pigs fed ad lib. during the second period.An increase in age at 20 kg. caused a significant decrease in thickness of backfat, a greater area of eye muscle and a smaller area of fat overlying muscle. For pigs fed ad lib. the area of eye muscle was significantly increased by a higher age at 20 kg. live-weight.


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Dion ◽  
J. R. Seoane

Thirty-two large-frame crossbred steers (443 ± 5 kg) were used to determine the nutritive value of cracked corn, rolled barley, rolled oats and rolled wheat in finishing diets for beef cattle fed medium-quality grass hay. Diets contained about 54% grains, 40% grass hay and 6% of a supplement of minerals, vitamins and lasalocid. Total daily dry matter (DM) intake ranged from 9.52 to 10.24 kg, average daily gain from 1.09 to 1.17 kg and gain to feed ratio from 0.113 to 0.121, but these values were not statistically different (P > 0.05). Apparent digestibilities of DM and energy of steers receiving the oats diet were lower than those of steers receiving the wheat diet (P < 0.05), the other diets having intermediate values. Apparent digestion coefficient of protein was higher for the oats diet (P < 0.05) than for other diets. Acid detergent fiber digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) and starch digestibility was lower (P < 0.05) in steers receiving corn than in those receiving barley, oats or wheat. The results indicate that nutritive value of all diets was similar. Key words: Grains, fattening steers, digestibility


2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 929-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lucila Sobrinho ◽  
R.H. Branco ◽  
S.F.M. Bonilha ◽  
A.M. Castilhos ◽  
L.A. Figueiredo ◽  
...  

The objective of this work was to evaluate performance, efficiency parameters and phenotypic correlations among measurements of energy efficiency of Nellore cattle selected for post weaning weight and classified according to residual feed intake, calculated by the difference between observed and predicted intake, based on average metabolic body weight and average daily gain. Thus, animals were classified within three groups: high (> mean + 0.5 standard deviation, less efficient); medium (±0.5 standard deviation of the mean); and low (< mean - 0.5 standard deviation, more efficient) residual feed intake. No differences were observed at initial and final body weights, average daily gain and dry matter intake among groups. Animals with low residual feed intake also had greater feed efficiency, feed conversion and partial efficiency of growth and did not differ from the other animals regarding to relative growth rate and Kleiber ratio. Residual feed intake was significantly correlated to feed efficiency (-0.25), feed conversion (0.25), partial efficiency of growth (-0.37) and dry matter intake (0.16) but it did not present significant correlation with body weight (0.04), average daily gain (-0.02), relative growth rate (-0.03) and Kleiber ratio (-0.05). Significant correlations were found between feed conversion and initial body weight (0.34) and average daily gain (-0.46). Partial efficiency of growth presented significant correlation with all other efficiency parameters analyzed. Residual feed intake has high potential in productive efficiency, when compared to the other energy efficiency measurements, being independent of growth and size of the animals.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document