A meta-analysis of cortisol concentration, vocalization, and average daily gain associated with castration in beef cattle

Dehorning is a common practice in cattle farming. Researchers suggest that pain during dehorning can be mitigated, although there is no conclusive evidence about the best technique and the best manner of pain relief. A systematic review-meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effect of dehorning on welfare indicators (cortisol concentration or average daily gain or vocalisation) in beef cattle up to 12 months of age. Five electronic databases were systematically searched, as well as conference proceedings and experts were contacted electronically. Pre-defined protocols were applied during all steps of the systematic review process. A random effect meta-analysis was conducted for each indicator separately with the mean of the control and treated groups. Four publications reporting seven studies and 69 trials were included in the MA involving 287 cattle. Heterogeneity between studies was observed for cortisol (I2 = 50.5%), average daily gain (I2 = 70.5%), and vocalisation (I2 = 91.9%). When comparing the non-dehorned group with amputation dehorning, the cortisol concentration was lower 30 min (P < 0.0001) and 120 min (P = 0.023) after procedure (0.767 nmol/L and 0.680 nmol/L, respectively). Local anaesthesia did not show a reduction in cortisol concentration at 30 min after dehorning by amputation. Non-dehorned animals had a tendency to decrease the number of vocalisation (P = 0.081; MD = 0.929) compared with the group dehorned by amputation. These results suggest that dehorning is a painful experience and that local anaesthesia did not alleviate short-term pain following dehorning. Further investigation into pain relief is required to improve confident decision making under practical conditions.

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The Effect of Live Yeast Supplementation on Beef Cattle Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v9n4p21 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 21 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Everton Dezordi Sartori ◽

Maria Eugênia Andrighetto Canozzi ◽

Daniele Zago ◽

Ênio Rosa Prates ◽

João Pedro Velho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Randomized Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

The Mean ◽

Daily Gain

This meta-analysis evaluates the effects of yeast supplementation (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) in beef cattle. The inclusion criteria were complete and randomized trials and supplementation with yeast S. cerevisiae versus no supplementation to measure DMI or ADG. Data were extracted from relevant papers via pre-defined protocols. A meta-analysis of random effects was conducted for each indicator separately including the mean of the control and treated groups. The results were presented with the pooled mean difference (MD), 95% of confidence interval, and I² (percentage of total variation between studies that is due to heterogeneity rather than chance). A total of 12 publications reporting 22 trials conducted in 1,161 cattle were analysed. The heterogeneity between studies was high and ranged from 92 to 99%. No effects were observed in ADG with the inclusion of yeast in the diet (MD = -2.849 g/day, p = 0.492). However, there was a reduction in the DMI (MD = -0.885 kg/day; p = 0.023) despite the high heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 92.4%; p < 0.001). The ADG increased when the forage level in the diet was between 30 and 50% (MD = 641.08 g/day; p = 0.001) and decreased when the level range from 51 to 75% (MD = -2.90 g/day; p < 0.001). In over 60% of the Neutral Detergent Fibre, the use of yeast in the diet decreased the ADG by 406.94 g/day (p = 0.034). Feedlot animals showed a reduction in the DMI (MD = -0.97 kg/day; p = 0.019) if supplemented with yeast. Supplementation with S. cerevisiae in the diet of beef cattle had no effect on ADG; however, it does improve the feed conversion due to the reduction in DMI.

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A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for average daily gain and lean meat percentage in two Duroc pig populations

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-020-07288-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shenping Zhou ◽

Rongrong Ding ◽

Fanming Meng ◽

Xingwang Wang ◽

Zhanwei Zhuang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Genetic Architecture ◽

Association Studies ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Background Average daily gain (ADG) and lean meat percentage (LMP) are the main production performance indicators of pigs. Nevertheless, the genetic architecture of ADG and LMP is still elusive. Here, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and meta-analysis for ADG and LMP in 3770 American and 2090 Canadian Duroc pigs. Results In the American Duroc pigs, one novel pleiotropic quantitative trait locus (QTL) on Sus scrofa chromosome 1 (SSC1) was identified to be associated with ADG and LMP, which spans 2.53 Mb (from 159.66 to 162.19 Mb). In the Canadian Duroc pigs, two novel QTLs on SSC1 were detected for LMP, which were situated in 3.86 Mb (from 157.99 to 161.85 Mb) and 555 kb (from 37.63 to 38.19 Mb) regions. The meta-analysis identified ten and 20 additional SNPs for ADG and LMP, respectively. Finally, four genes (PHLPP1, STC1, DYRK1B, and PIK3C2A) were detected to be associated with ADG and/or LMP. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that the candidate genes for ADG are mainly involved in bone growth and development, whereas the candidate genes for LMP mainly participated in adipose tissue and muscle tissue growth and development. Conclusions We performed GWAS and meta-analysis for ADG and LMP based on a large sample size consisting of two Duroc pig populations. One pleiotropic QTL that shared a 2.19 Mb haplotype block from 159.66 to 161.85 Mb on SSC1 was found to affect ADG and LMP in the two Duroc pig populations. Furthermore, the combination of single-population and meta-analysis of GWAS improved the efficiency of detecting additional SNPs for the analyzed traits. Our results provide new insights into the genetic architecture of ADG and LMP traits in pigs. Moreover, some significant SNPs associated with ADG and/or LMP in this study may be useful for marker-assisted selection in pig breeding.

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Corn or soybean hull incorporation into haylage-based backgrounding beef cattle diets: Effect on growth and efficiency during the backgrounding and finishing periods

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas06052 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

pp. 615-621 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. C. Swanson ◽

M. Ko ◽

C. J. Mader

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Soybean Hulls ◽

Feedlot Performance ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Plasma Urea ◽

Soybean Hull ◽

Daily Gain

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn or soybean hull incorporation into haylage-based diets on backgrounding calf performance and subsequent feedlot performance. Crossbred steers [n = 48, initial body weight (BW) = 303 ± 3.4 kg] were individually fed dietary treatments consisting of: (1) haylage [17.5% crude protein, dry matter (DM) basis; control], (2) haylage + 20% (DM basis) cracked corn, and (3) haylage + 20% (DM basis) soybean hulls during a 112-d backgrounding period. After the backgrounding period, all steers were adapted to a common high moisture corn-based finishing diet and fed until an ultrasound estimated backfat thickness of 7 mm was obtained. During the backgrounding period, steers fed cracked corn or soybean hulls had greater (P < 0.01) average daily gain, dry matter intake and gain:feed and lower (P = 0.05) plasma urea N as compared with controls. However, when finished on a common high-concentrate diet, steers previously fed cracked corn had greater (P < 0.08) average daily gain, final body weight, and longissimus muscle area than those fed soybean hulls, suggesting that source of supplemental energy during the backgrounding period may influence subsequent feedlot performance. Key words: Beef cattle, backgrounding, energy supplementation

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Synovex® H as a prenatal androgenizing agent in beef cattle: Effects on the implanted pregnant heifer

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas95-082 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 543-548 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. L. Aldrich ◽

L. L. Berger ◽

D. J. Kesler ◽

D. B. Faulkner ◽

J. W. Castrée

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Control Group ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Calving Ease ◽

Calving Rate ◽

And Control ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Estradiol Levels ◽

Pregnancy Hormones

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Synovex® H as an agent for prenatal androgenization in beef cattle. Thirty Charolais-cross heifers, exposed to a fertile bull during a 55-d spring breeding season, were randomly assigned to a control group or implanted with three times the normal dose of Synovex® H between days 20 and 75 of gestation. Serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, calving rate, and growth performance were determined in the pregnant heifers. Testosterone levels were greater (P < 0.001) in treated heifers than in control heifers. Synovex® H treatment had no affect on estradiol levels. Progesterone levels were lowered (P < 0.05) in treated heifers. Synovex® H treatment decreased (P < 0.05) calving rate and birth weight of calves born to treated heifers. Calving ease scores were not affected by Synovex® H treatment. Weight was not affected; however, average daily gain was improved 7% by Synovex® H treatment (0.88 vs. 0.82 ± 0.04 kg d−1, treated and control heifers, respectively). These results are interpreted to suggest that Synovex® H is not an appropriate androgenizing agent for cattle due to adverse effects on progesterone concentrations during pregnancy and on calving rate. Key words: Cattle, prenatal androgenization, Synovex® H, pregnancy, hormones

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

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas2011-126 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 327-341 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

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.

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PSIV-20 Impact of OutPace® Feed Additive on nursery pig growth performance: A meta-analysis

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.311 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 175-176

Author(s):

Benjamin Bass ◽

Stacie Crowder ◽

Terry Weeden ◽

Murali Raghavendra Rao ◽

Brenda de Rodas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Block Design ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract OutPace® Feed Additive (OP), contains a carefully researched blend of activated medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs; PMI, Arden Hills, MN), formulated to help mitigate the effects of stress in nursery pigs. Several studies using OP in both late and full nursery periods resulted in improved pig performance. A meta-analysis using 9 studies (4 studies during late nursery [15 to 26.8 kg BW] and 5 studies during the full nursery [5.9 to 25.4 kg]) was done to determine the impact of OP (included at 0.25% Phase 1 and 2; 0.125% Phase 3) on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion. The combined data was considered a randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance was completed with mixed models using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and least squares means were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference (P < 0.05). In the analysis of 5 studies conducted in late nursery (45 pens/treatment of 6 to 20 pigs/pen), pigs provided OP had higher average daily gain (0.67 vs 0.63 kg/d; P < 0.05), increased average daily feed intake (0.99 vs 0.97 kg/d; P < 0.05), and improved feed efficiency (0.67 vs 0.65 kg gain/kg feed intake; P < 0.05) compared to pigs fed control diets. Additionally, when pigs were provided OP throughout the nursery period (20 pens/treatment of 7 to 20 pigs/pen), average daily gain was increased 6.1% (0.48 vs 0.45 kg/d; P < 0.05), average daily feed intake tended to be increased 2.2% (0.62 vs 0.61 kg/d; P < 0.1), and feed efficiency was improved 2.7% (0.76 vs 0.74 kg gain/kg feed intake; P < 0.05) compared to pigs provided control diets. In conclusion, providing OP to pigs during the nursery period improved ADG and feed efficiency.

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Supplement levels and functional oils to replace virginiamycin for young bulls during early dry season on grasslands and finishing phase in feedlot systems

Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.5424/sjar/2021193-15795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. e0609-e0609

Author(s):

Diego M. Renesto ◽

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

Dry Season ◽

São Paulo ◽

State University ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Cashew Nut ◽

Functional Oils ◽

Daily Gain

Aim of study: To assess the effects of replacing virginiamycin (VM) by functional oils (FO) from castor beans and cashew nut on beef cattle system during the early dry season (Experiment I) and during the finishing phase were evaluated the historical effect, keeping the treatments and methods intact (Experiment II). Area of study: These experiments were conducted at the Forage Crops and Grasslands section of São Paulo State University, “Julio de Mesquita Filho” (Unesp–Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil). Material and methods: Two supplementation levels combined with two additives (four treatments in total) were evaluated: LSVM, low supplementation (0.3% body weight [BW]) with VM; LSFO, low supplementation (0.3% BW) with FO, HSVM, high supplementation (0.6% BW) with VM, and HSFO, high supplementation (0.6% BW) with FO. In both experiments, the experimental design was completely randomized with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (supplementation levels × additives). Main results: In Exp. I, the additive effect of VM provided greater average daily gain (ADG, p=0.02), higher supplementation level resulted in higher ADG (p=0.04) and the greatest crude protein apparent digestibility (p=0.002). However, no effects were observed between supplementation levels, additives, and interactions (p≥0.11) on voluntary intake and ruminal parameters. In Exp. II, LSVM treatment resulted in lower dry matter intake (p=0.04). Animals maintained on LSFO during the early dry season exhibited lower carcass yield (p=0.004). Research highlights: FO can be used to replace VM in beef cattle diet during the finishing phase in the feedlot without altering animal performance.

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EFISIENSI PRODUKSI SAPI POTONG PADA PETERNAKAN RAKYAT PADA MUSIM KEMARAU DI DAERAH PERTANIAN LAHAN KERING KABUPATEN GUNUNGKIDUL

Caraka Tani Journal of Sustainable Agriculture ◽

10.20961/carakatani.v32i1.15928 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 49 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eka Handayanta ◽

Lutojo Lutojo ◽

Kurniasih Nurdiati

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dry Season ◽

Efficient Production ◽

Smallholder Farmer ◽

Feed Cost ◽

Daily Gain

<p><em>This research was conducted to know the production efficiency of beef cattle in smallholder farmer in a dry farming area at dry season. Research has been started on June and finished on September (dry season) at smallholder farmer in the village Kemejing, Semin subdistrict, district Gunungkidul, DIY. The research materials are 28 heads of beef cattle from 17 farmers, which consist of 10 heads of PO breed, 10 heads of a Simpo breed, and 8 heads of Limpo breed with 292.25 kg of initial body weight. This research was using Participatory Rural Appraisal method which is a collecting data process that an active teamwork between data collector and farmer. Collected parameter are feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, feed cost per gain (FC/G), and income over feed cost (IOFC). Data resulting from this research are 8.42 kg/head/day of feed intake, 0.19 kg/head/day of ADG, 0.021 of feed efficiency, Rp 46.166,62 of feed cost per gain, and Rp 3.985,55 of income over feed cost. It can be concluded that the efficient production of beef cattle in smallholder farmer at the dry area is low because average daily gain, feed cost per gain and income over feed cost produced are extremely small so if the calculated economic result is less favorable.</em></p>

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151 Use of an automated computer vision system to predict body weight and average daily gain in beef cattle in different phases of growth development

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.309 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 150-151

Author(s):

Alexandre Cominotte ◽

Arthur Francisco Araujo Fernandes ◽

João R R Dorea ◽

Guilherme J M Rosa ◽

Otávio Machado-Neto

Keyword(s):

Computer Vision ◽

Body Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Production Systems ◽

Vision System ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Computer Vision System ◽

Growth Development ◽

Predictive Approaches ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Frequent measurements of body weight (BW) in livestock production systems are very important because they allow the assessment of growth development of animals. However, monitoring animal growth through traditional weighing scales is laborious and stressful for animals. Thus, the objectives of this study were to: 1) assess the predictive quality of an automated computer vision system used to predict BW and average daily gain (ADG) in beef cattle; and 2) compare different predictive approaches (Multiple Linear Regression: MLR, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator: LASSO, Partial Least Squares: PLS, and Artificial Neutral Networks: ANN). A total of 234 images of Nellore beef cattle were collected during weaning, stocker and feedlot phase. Biometric body measurements from each animal were performed using 3D images captured with the Kinect® sensor, together with their respective BW acquired using an electronic scale. The biometric measurements were used as explanatory variables for each predictive model. Prediction quality was assessed using a leave-one-out cross-validation strategy. The ANN approach resulted on higher precision and accuracy for BW prediction compared to the other methods, with Root Mean Square Error of Prediction (RMSEP) and squared predictive correlation (r2) equal to: RMSEP = 8.6 kg and r2= 0.91 for weaning; RMSEP = 11.4 kg and r2= 0.79 for stocker, and RMSEP = 7.7 kg and r2= 0.92 for beginning of feedlot. The ANN was also superior for prediction of ADG for the weaning to stocker, weaning to beginning of feedlot, weaning to end of feedlot, stocker to beginning of feedlot and beginning to end of feedlot, with RMSEP: 0.02, 0.02, 0.03, 0.10 and 0.09 kg/d, and r2: 0.67, 0.85, 0.80, 0.51 and 0.82, respectively. Overall, results indicate that an automated computer vision system is a potential tool for real-time measurement of BW and ADG in beef cattle.

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