scholarly journals Effects of coated and noncoated steroidal implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum estradiol-17β concentrations of finishing Holstein steers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro H V Carvalho ◽  
Mariana F Westphalen ◽  
Jonathan A Campbell ◽  
Tara L Felix
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Serum Estradiol ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Coated Implant ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

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 < 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.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 206-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Vilela Carvalho ◽  
George A Perry ◽  
Tara L Felix
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

Abstract The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of steroidal implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations in the blood and longissimus muscle of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet. Seventy Holstein steers (average initial BW = 275 ± 6.4 kg, 10 to 12 mo of age) were assigned to treatments: (i) implanted with 80 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 16 mg of E2 (Component TE-IS with Tylan; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) at the start of the trial (day 0), and reimplanted with 120 mg of TBA and 24 mg of E2 (Component TE-S with Tylan; Elanco Animal Health) on day 84 of the experiment; or (ii) no implant. Implanted Holstein steers were heavier (P ≤ 0.01) than nonimplanted Holstein steers in the middle (day 84) and at the end of the experiment (day 186). Implanting Holstein steers increased (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) without affecting gain-to-feed ratio compared with nonimplanted animals. Carcasses from implanted Holstein steers had greater (P < 0.01) hot carcass weight (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 in implanted Holstein steers compared with that from nonimplanted Holstein steers. There was an implant × day interaction (P < 0.01) in serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentrations were not altered in nonimplanted Holstein steers, whereas E2 concentration increased (P < 0.01) after steers were implanted, regardless of implant characteristics. Serum E2 peaked at 28 days after the first implant and then rapidly declined after day 56. In summary, steroidal implants administered on days 0 and 84 increased DMI, ADG, HCW, and LM area in Holstein steers compared with nonimplanted steers due to increased serum E2 concentrations. However, these changes did not improve feed efficiency or other carcass characteristics.

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 < 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 < 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 < 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 < 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 a single initial and delayed release implant on arrival compared with a non-coated initial implant and a non-coated terminal implant in heifers fed across various days on feed

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1182-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary K Smith ◽  
Ben P Holland ◽  
Alyssa B Word ◽  
Grant I Crawford ◽  
Wade N Nichols ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Initial Body Weight ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

Abstract Two experiments evaluated the effect of implant number, type, and total steroidal dose on live animal performance and carcass traits in heifers fed for three different days on feed (DOF). In experiment 1, heifers (n = 3,780; 70 heifers/pen and 9 pens/treatment; initial body weight [BW] = 309 kg) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors were as follows: 1) implant (all from Merck Animal Health, De Soto, KS): 200 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 20 mg estradiol-17β (E2) administered on arrival (SINGLE), or 80 mg TBA and 8 mg E2 administered on arrival followed by 200 mg TBA and 20 mg E2 after approximately 90 d (REPEATED) and 2) duration of DOF: harvested after approximately 172, 193, and 214. In experiment 2, heifers (n = 3,719; 65 to 70 heifers/pen and 9 pens/treatment; initial BW = 337 kg) were used with the same factors as experiment 1, except DOF were 150, 171, and 192. No implant × DOF interaction (P ≥ 0.06) was noted for any performance parameters in either experiment. Heifers administered REPEATED had improved (P ≤ 0.05) live gain to feed ratio (G:F) and carcass-adjusted G:F and tended (P = 0.09) to have greater hot carcass weight (HCW) in experiment 1. Increasing DOF resulted in greater (P ≤ 0.01) live and carcass-adjusted final BW and decreased (P = 0.01) live ADG in experiment 1. As DOF increased, HCW, HCW gain, and dressing% (P ≤ 0.01) increased in experiment 1. The mean carcass transfer was 79.6% across the 42 d terminal window in experiment 1. In experiment 2, REPEATED had improved (P = 0.03) carcass-adjusted G:F compared with SINGLE, but HCW was not different (P = 0.36) between treatments. Increased DOF resulted in greater (P ≤ 0.01) final live and carcass-adjusted BW, decreased (P ≤ 0.01) live and carcass-adjusted ADG, and poorer (P ≤ 0.01) live and carcass-adjusted G:F in experiment 2. In experiment 2, dressing percentage was greater (P = 0.02) in REPEATED compared with SINGLE. Heifers given SINGLE had greater (P = 0.01) back fat and estimated empty body fat (EBF), whereas REPEATED had fewer (P = 0.01) Yield Grade 4 carcasses and greater (P = 0.01) longissimus muscle (LM) area. Increased DOF resulted in greater (P ≤ 0.04) HCW, HCW gain, dressing%, back fat, LM area, marbling, EBF%, and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prime-grading carcasses, Yield Grade 4 and 5, and over 454-kg carcasses in experiment 2. Carcass ADG and carcass transfer indicate a 0.70 kg carcass ADG between 150 and 192 DOF, resulting in an average carcass transfer of 72.2% in experiment 2. Although feedlot growth performance and HCW did not differ between the implant regimens tested, increasing DOF resulted in decreased live growth performance while increasing the proportion of USDA prime carcasses and HCW.

PSXI-26 Blend of essential oils supplemented alone or combined with exogenous amylase compared with virginiamycin on performance of finishing lambs

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 484-485
Author(s):  
Yesica Arteaga-Wences ◽  
Alfredo Estrada-Angulo ◽  
Manuel Franco ◽  
Guilherme S Vasconcellos ◽  
Tiago S Acedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Final Weight ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Forty-eight Pelibuey × Katahdin (27.87±4.71 kg) intact lambs were used in a growth-performance trial lasted 87 days to assess the effects of treatments. Lambs were assigned to one of six weight groupings in 24 pens (6 replicas per treatment). Basal diet was comprised by cracked corn (14% CP and 2.08 Mcal ENm/kg) and was supplemented as follows: 1) No additives (Control); 2) supplemented with a blend of essential oils at dose of 150 mg EO/kg diet DM (EO, CRINA® Ruminants, DSM Nutritional Products); 3) supplemented with 150 mg EO plus 560 mg alpha-amylase/kg diet DM (EO+ENZ, RONOZYME® Rumistar, DSM Nutritional Products), and 4) supplemented with antibiotic virginiamycin (VM, Stafac 500, Phibro Animal Health) at dose of 28 mg virginiamycin/kg diet DM. Growth performance and dietary energetics were very similar (P > 0.97) between EO and VM. In such way that, compared to Control, lambs supplemented with EO and VM tended (P = 0.09) to shown greater final weight (3.1%) and average daily gain (ADG; 5.9%) without difference on DMI (P = 0.99); thus, gain-to-feed ratio (GF) and observed dietary net energy (NE) were average improved in 5.7% (P < 0.01). Compared to Controls, combining EO plus ENZ tended to increased DMI (6.8%, P = 0.09), but increased in 10.4% ADG (P < 0.01) and in 4.4% (P = 0.02) feed efficiency. Lambs supplemented with EO shown lower (P ≤ 0.10) kidney-pelvic-heart fat than Controls and VM lambs. Compared to Controls, additive supplementation decreased (P ≤ 0.03) the relative weight of intestines, the effect being more pronounced with EO supplementation. Compared to VM, supplemental EO (alone or combined with enzyme) shown lower (10.1%, P ≤ 0.04) visceral fat. Supplemental essential oils is a viable alternative to virginiamycin in finishing high-energy diets for lambs. Combining essential oils plus amylase can be a strategy to promote better daily gain weights allowing target final weight at shorter time.

scholarly journals Anabolic Implants Varying in Hormone Type and Concentration Influence Performance, Feeding Behavior, Carcass Characteristics, Plasma Trace Mineral Concentrations, and Liver Trace Mineral Concentrations of Angus Sired Steers

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1964
Author(s):  
Caleb C. Reichhardt ◽  
Elizabeth M. Messersmith ◽  
Tevan J. Brady ◽  
Laura A. Motsinger ◽  
Reganne K. Briggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Trace Mineral ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Mineral Concentrations ◽  
Anabolic Implants ◽  
Daily Gain

Fifty Angus-sired steers were utilized to evaluate the effects of anabolic implants varying in hormone type and concentration on performance, carcass traits, and plasma and liver trace mineral concentrations over 129 d. Steers were stratified by weight into one of four (n = 12 or 13/treatment) implant treatments: (1) estradiol (E2; 25.7 mg E2; Compudose, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN, USA), (2) trenbolone acetate (TBA; 200 mg TBA; Finaplix-H, Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ, USA), (3) combination implant (ETBA; 120 mg TBA + 24 mg E2; Revalor-S, Merck Animal Health), or (4) no implant (CON). Steers were randomly assigned to pens equipped with GrowSafe bunks and fed a corn and barley-based finishing ration. Overall average daily gain and body weight were greater for ETBA and TBA than CON (p ≤ 0.04), but not E2 (p ≥ 0.12). Feed efficiency and hot carcass weight were only greater than CON for ETBA (p ≤ 0.03). Plasma and d 2 liver Zn concentrations were lesser for ETBA than CON (p ≤ 0.01) and d 10 liver Mn was lesser (p = 0.0003) for TBA than CON. These data indicate that implants containing TBA influence growth and trace mineral parameters, though more work investigating this relationship is necessary.

scholarly journals Effects of restricted feeding and re-alimentation of dietary protein or energy on compensatory growth of sheep

1970 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-396
Author(s):  
W. Addah ◽  
A. Ayantunde ◽  
E.K. Okine
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
Nutrient Utilization Efficiency ◽  
Daily Gain

The study investigated the effects of re-alimenting dietary protein or energy on growth, carcass characteristics and meat eating quality parameters of sheep. Twenty-seven intact rams (~9 months; 11.3 ± 0.5 kg) were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was fed a maintenance diet (MT) containing, on dry matter (DM) basis, 105 g/kg crude protein (CP) and 8.4 MJ/kg DM metabolizable energy (ME) for 30 days. Thereafter, they were continually fed the same MT or re-alimented with a high protein diet (HP) containing 169 g/kg DM CP and 9.3 MJ/kg ME or a high energy diet (HE) containing 123 g/kg DM CP and 10.6 MJ/kg ME for an additional 30 days to determine the effects of re-alimentation of protein or energy on their growth performance and carcass characteristics. During the initial 30-day period, DM intake (DMI) and growth performance were similar among the three groups. However, upon re-alimentation, average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency of sheep re-alimented with HP were greater than those maintained continually on MT or re-alimented with HE. Sheep on HP had higher feed efficiency, ADG and heavier carcasses than those fed MT or re-alimented with HE during the whole 60-day period. Growth of most viscera was less responsive to the restriction-re-alimentation feeding regimen except for the weights of the lungs, heart and intestines. Meat from sheep re-alimented with HE had a more intense ‘sheepy’ flavour than those fed MT or re-alimented with HP, but juiciness and tenderness were not affected. The higher ADG of sheep re-alimented with protein may be related more to enhanced efficiency of feed utilization than to higher DMI.Keywords: average daily gain, feed restriction, nutrient utilization efficiency, visceral organs

Effect of nutritional regimen including limit feeding and breed on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in beef cattle

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. McGregor ◽  
C. P. Campbell ◽  
S. P. Miller ◽  
P. P. Purslow ◽  
I. B. Mandell
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Shear Force ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Limit Feeding ◽  
Daily Gain

McGregor, E M., Campbell, C. P., Miller, S. P., Purslow, P. P. and Mandell, I. B. 2012. Effect of nutritional regimen including limit feeding and breed on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 327–341. The effects of nutritional management regimen and breed on growth performance, carcass attributes, and meat quality were evaluated in 68 British (BRIT) and Continental (CONT) crossbred steers, managed on one of three nutritional regimens: (1) ad libitum access to a 77% corn diet (ALGRAIN), (2) limit feeding initially of the 77% corn diet, followed by ad libitum access to the 77% corn diet (LFGRAIN), and (3) limit feeding initially of a 90% haylage diet, followed by ad libitum access to the 77% corn diet (LFHAYL). Nutritional regimen by breed interactions (P<0.02) were present for average daily gain, dry matter intake (DMI), gain to feed, and shear force. LFHAYL regimen decreased gains to a greater extent for BRIT steers than CONT steers managed on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN. Feed intakes were similar across nutritional regimens for CONT steers, while DMI was depressed in BRIT on LFHAYL as compared with steers started on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN. Gain to feed was greater in BRIT cattle on LFGRAIN vs. ALGRAIN, while gain to feed was similar in CONT started on grain (ALGRAIN, LFGRAIN). Shear force was lower for beef from LFHAYL BRIT vs. beef from BRIT on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN, while the converse was true for CONT. Limit feeding of a high-energy diet may be appropriate for cattle of British background to reduce feed input costs, while ensuring tenderness.

scholarly journals Triticale silage replaces sorghum silage in finishing of Braford heifers

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 1180-1186
Author(s):  
A.M. Oliveira ◽  
L.D.F. Silva ◽  
A.P.O. Souza ◽  
E.L.A. Ribeiro ◽  
C.C. Jobim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Sorghum Silage ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
Daily Gain

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sorghum silage substitution with different proportions of triticale silage on the performance and carcass of Braford heifers. Twenty-four Braford heifers were randomly assigned to four diets where sorghum silage was replaced at 0%, 30%, 60%, and 100% for triticale silage in a feedlot system. During sixty-tree days of the experiment, the feed intake, feed ratio conversion, and average daily gain were measured. The heifers were slaughtered and the effects of the sorghum and triticale silage in carcass characteristics were evaluated. The replacement of sorghum silage with triticale silage did not affect the feed intake and average daily gain (P> 0.05). Feed gain ratio was higher for the heifers that received lower proportions of triticale silage (0% and 30%) in replace sorghum silage (P <0.05). Eye loin area and fat thickness were similar among treatments (P<0.05). Other carcass characteristics, such as slaughter live weight, dressing percentage, conformation and fat classification were similar among experimental treatments (P<0.005). Triticale silage can replace sorghum silage for finishing beef heifers in feedlot system and provides similar carcass characteristics.

scholarly journals Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on feeding behavior, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing steers1,2

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1143-1152
Author(s):  
Ronald J Trotta ◽  
Kasey R Maddock Carlin ◽  
Kendall C Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Treatment Period ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Eating Time ◽  
Total Period ◽  
Ractopamine Hydrochloride

Abstract Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) is a β-adrenergic agonist that functions as a repartitioning agent to improve muscling in feedlot cattle. Many studies have investigated the effects of RAC on growth performance and carcass characteristics; however, there is minimal information about the influence of RAC on feeding behavior. Sixty-nine steers (body weight [BW] = 364 ± 3.9 kg) predominately of Angus and Simmental breeding were subjected to a 126-d (n = 46) or 154-d (n = 23) feeding period and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: supplementation to provide 0 (CON; n = 34) or 267 ± 4.9 mg/d of RAC (n = 35). Ractopamine was provided as Optaflexx 45 at 0.024% of the diet (dry matter [DM] basis; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN). Dietary treatments were fed the final 42 d in the feed yard (treatment period). Feeding behavior and growth performance were measured using radio frequency identification tags and the Insentec feeding system. Following the final day of treatment, steers were slaughtered and carcass measurements were recorded. Data were analyzed using MIXED models in SAS. There were no differences in BW, average daily gain (ADG), DM intake (DMI), gain:feed ratio (G:F), or feeding behavior during the pretreatment period (P &gt; 0.44). Ractopamine supplementation increased G:F during the treatment period (P = 0.02) and during the total period (P = 0.03) and tended to increase ADG during the treatment and total period (P ≤ 0.08). DMI was not affected during the treatment or total period (P &gt; 0.67). Eating time per visit, per meal, and per day were decreased (P &lt; 0.02) in steers supplemented with RAC during the treatment period. DMI per minute was increased (P = 0.02) in steers supplemented with RAC. Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and 12th rib fat were not influenced by RAC supplementation. Ractopamine supplementation decreased marbling (P = 0.008) and kidney, pelvic, and heart percentage (P = 0.04) and increased longissimus muscle area (P = 0.01). These data demonstrate that RAC supplementation for 42 d improves feed efficiency, increases the rate of DMI without altering DMI, and increases muscling in finishing cattle.

98 What We Think We “know” About Beef X Dairy Crossbred Cattle in the Feedlot

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 53-54
Author(s):  
Tara L Felix
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Holstein Calves ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract To increase profitably, dairy farms across the United States have rapidly adopted breeding a portion of their cows to beef sires, generating crossbred progeny. The resulting progeny have, in some cases, increased the value of the calf to the dairy, due to their perceived potential for improved growth, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics for beef production. U.S. research is behind our European counterparts in recommending the appropriate beef sires for dairy matings, and U.S. semen trends show Angus sales over many other breeds. However, Kempster et al. (1982) reported that calves sired by British breed bulls were actually at a disadvantage in growth performance compared to even purebred Holstein calves. Finnish researchers agreed, reporting that the resulting crossbreds from Aberdeen Angus and Hereford bulls were extremely variable, making them undesirable for beef production. However, resulting crossbred calves from late maturing breed types (Charolais, Limousine, and Simmental) had better average daily gain and carcass characteristics than their counterparts from early maturing breeds (Huuskonen et al., 2013). A comprehensive review of early crossbred systems similarly suggested that calves sired by Continental breeds, like Charolais, had an advantage in the feedlot and the packing house (Shank, 2003). Going a bit further, another European study examined the used of 3 beef breeds (Belgian Blue, Limousine, and Galacian Blonde) known for heavy muscling, but not common in the United States, for use as crossbreeding sires (Fouz et al., 2012). Holstein cows bred to Belgian Blue sires had the greatest difficulty calving; however, calving difficulties were reduced with increasing dam age (Fouz et al., 2012). Unfortunately, that trial did not go on to evaluate feedlot performance. Thus, there remains a dearth of scientific references for crossbred mating decisions as well as subsequent growth performance and carcass outcomes.

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