Validation of intake estimates in grazing beef cattle

1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. W. Moir ◽  
J. P. Ebersohn ◽  
J. Evans

SUMMARYGrowing beef cattle grazed six pasture types (all-grass or grass-legume mixtures) for 4 months on each. Live weight (mean of ten animals) and dietary energy concentration were measured at 2- or 3-weekly intervals. Values for feed intake estimated by back-calculating from feeding standards were on average 2·5% higher (range, 10% less to 12 % higher) than intake values estimated directly from dietary energy concentration and live weight. In contrast to this level of agreement of means, differences between methods within pastures were so large as to suggest the presence of overriding effects on predictors of voluntary intake. It was concluded that until these overriding effects are explained, there are no means of validating measured intakes in grazing cattle, or of accurately predicting the amount of beef produced from pasture.

1984 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Ebersohn ◽  
K. W. Moir

SummaryLive-weight gain of beef cattle grazing all-grass or grass-clover pastures, details of which have been reported previously, was significantly (P < 0·01) correlated with pasture growth rate, but not with pasture dry matter on offer (either total or green), or with dietary-energy concentration. From ideas generated from the relationship between live-weight gain and pasture growth rate, and using intake values measured from the number and size of prehension bites, it is shown how high live-weight gain for measured dietary-energy concentration could be explained by differential contribution to digestibility and voluntary intake from pasture new growth.


1967 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Owen ◽  
W. J. Ridgman

1. An experiment to investigate the effect of dietary energy concentration on the voluntary intake and growth of pigs from 27·2 to 118·0 kg. (60 to 260 lb.) live-weight is described and the results discussed.2. From 27·2 to 50·0 kg. live-weight energy intake was substantially restricted and growth retarded by diets of low energy concentration but from 50·0 to 118·0 kg. there was little difference between diets in either energy intake or growth because daily food intake of the low energy diets was increased.3. Effects of diet on carcass quality as measured by full dissection were small except that killing-out percentage was lower on one of the low energy diets.4. It is concluded that limited differences in the energy concentration and palatability of ingredients are unimportant in formulating pelleted diets for self-fed pigs.


1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
ESSI EVANS

Data were accumulated from published sources and were combined in order to estimate the effects of level of feed intake, dietary energy concentration, energy intake level and dietary forage percentage on rumen liquid turnover rates in sheep and cattle. The effects of the dietary parameters on liquid turnover rates were estimated by regression analysis, where all possible combinations of independent variables were considered. It was found that rumen liquid turnover rates increased (P < 0.05) as feed intake increased with both sheep (r = 0.610) and cattle (r = 0.715). From multiple regression analyses it was learned that the inclusion of independent variables that were related to the physical composition of the diet along with variables for intake improved the estimation of liquid turnover rates, although the independent variable related to ration composition differed between sheep and cattle. With data from sheep experiments, elevations in the digestible energy content of the diet depressed (P < 0.05) liquid turnover rate. Based upon data from cattle, decreases in the forage portion of the diet had a similar depressing (P < 0.05) effect.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. e0603
Author(s):  
Pedro González-Redondo ◽  
Francisco P. Caravaca ◽  
Alberto García-Ávarez ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Moreno

Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) usually fed on ground or pelleted balanced feeds, while whole grains are supplied in alternative systems. Voluntary intake and preference of four whole-grain cereals (durum wheat, bread wheat, triticale and barley) were assessed in Japanese quails. Two experiments were performed: (i) a trial with five batches of six randomly selected quails (three males, three females) allocated to each treatment consisting of one cereal or a balanced feed (control) in the voluntary intake experiment; and (ii) a trial with four bird batches receiving simultaneously the four cereals in the preference experiment. Three repetitions of each trial were performed. When feedstuffs were provided as a sole feed, voluntary feed intake differed, being the highest in quails fed the balanced feed (20.0 g/d), intermediate for durum wheat (15.0 g/d), bread wheat (15.8 g/d) or triticale (15.6 g/d), and the lowest for barley (12.1 g/d). Voluntary intake did not differ between sexes. Positive correlations existed between voluntary feed intake and live weight of quails, being the highest and very strong for the balanced feed, moderate for durum and bread wheat and barley, and weak for triticale. The preference trial showed that quails preferred durum wheat (7.1 g/d), triticale (4.0 g/d), bread wheat (3.0 g/d) and barley (0.3 g/d) in descending order, independently of sex. Positive correlations existed between daily feed intake and live weight of birds for durum and bread wheat. Strong positive correlation existed between bird live weight and total intake when the four cereals were available simultaneously. Differences in voluntary intake and preference among whole-grain cereals should be take into account when used to feed quails.


1966 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Holmes ◽  
J. G. W. Jones ◽  
C. Adeline

The possibility that restriction of pasture and controlled supplementation of the diet of milking cows with concentrates might improve the efficiency of utilisation of grazing was examined in a double reversal grazing experiment with 9 Ayrshire cows per treatment which extended over 4 months.Cows received either pasture alone allocated daily by electric fence (treatment B), or half the pasture area plus one-third of their expected DOM intake offered as concentrates (treatment A).In the first two periods, treatment A resulted in closer defoliation of the pasture.Over the whole experiment there was no significant difference in yield of fat-corrected milk between treatments, although treatment A depressed butterfat percentage and raised milk yield significantly. Treatments did not influence live-weight gain significantly and toth groups gained over the season.Feed intake estimated by chromic oxide-faecal index methods was similar for both treatments except in period 1. Intake estimates by clipping methods or by faecal index methods were in close agreement in period 1 for treatment B and in reasonable agreement in periods 2 and 3.The results are discussed particularly with a view to the possibilities of replacing some grazing with barley or other concentrated feeds. On the available evidence this is economically feasible only where very profitable uses of the grassland saved are possible.


1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Levy ◽  
Z. Holzer ◽  
H. Neumark ◽  
S. Amir

SUMMARYIn an experiment with group-fed cattle from 6 months of age to slaughter at 480 kg live weight two levels of feed intake: 1, ad libitum, 2, 85% of ad libitum amount, were combined with two ratios of concentrate to hay: a, 70: 30; b, 30: 70. In two further treatments, 3a and 3b, the cattle were fed diets a or b at 70% of ad libitum from 6 to 10 months and ad libitum thereafter.Daily gain during the first 124 days of the experiment was (in grams) 1293, 983, 1097, 846, 992 and 756, and from the 125th day to slaughter 735, 600, 796, 579, 830 and 714, for treatments la, lb, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, respectively. The decline in rate of gain from the first period to the second was inversely related to the level of feed intake and to the percentage of concentrates in the ration in the first period.Daily carcass gain was 582, 393, 532, 350, 531 and 368 g for treatments la, lb, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, respectively.The treatments that were switched over from 70% of ad libitum feed intake in the first period to 100% in the second (3a and 3b), exhibited considerable compensatory growth in the second period, but this was not sufficient to be of economic advantage.The overall ME requirement per kg of live-weight gain was inversely related to rate of gain. Of the six treatments, 2a (85% of ad libitum, 70% concentrate) was the most efficient (19·8 Mcal/kg live-weight gain).Animals on the 100% level of feed intake throughout the experiment (treatments la, lb) were significantly fatter than those on the other treatments.


2005 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 427-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. AHMED ◽  
S. HALDAR ◽  
M. C. PAKHIRA ◽  
T. K. GHOSH

Diets for broiler chickens (n=90) were supplemented with chromium (CrCl3, 6H2O), either alone (0·2 mg/kg diet) or in a combination with ascorbic acid (0·2 mg Cr and 50 mg ascorbic acid/kg diet). The objectives of the study were to ascertain if ascorbic acid had any additive effect on the actions of chromium and whether chromium supplementation could alleviate the nutritional stress in the birds imposed by a reduced energy intake. The birds were fed at the recommended (Bureau of Indian Standards 1992) and at a lower plane of energy. Live-weight gain and diet utilization were higher (P<0·01) when the normal energy diet supplemented with chromium was fed. Food intake (35 days) was higher (P<0·001) in the birds fed with the low energy diet. There was an increase (P<0·01) in metabolizability due to the supplementation of chromium. The metabolizability of crude protein and total carbohydrate increased (P<0·05) when chromium and ascorbic acid were supplemented together. Chromium intake was higher (P<0·001) in the supplemented birds, especially in those fed with the low energy diet (P<0·05), though its retention was higher (P<0·05) when the normal energy diet was given. Chromium in combination with ascorbic acid also enhanced (P<0·01) chromium retention. Blood glucose (P<0·001) and plasma cholesterol (P<0·05) were lower in the supplemented birds and blood glucose was reduced further when ascorbic acid was supplemented together with chromium (P<0·01). Plasma protein increased (P<0·05) in the supplemented chickens. However, variation in the dietary energy concentration did not exert any significant effect on these blood parameters. Plasma chromium was higher (P<0·05) in the supplemented birds, though chromium had little effect in this regard with ascorbic acid. Plasma copper increased (P<0·05) when chromium was supplemented alone and increased further (P<0·05) when chromium and ascorbic acid were supplemented together. Deposition of chromium in the breast and thighs increased (P<0·05) due to supplementation. Protein content and total accretion of protein in the carcass were higher (P<0·05) when chromium was supplemented alone and with ascorbic acid. The supplemented birds had less (P<0·01) fat per 100 g of carcass irrespective of the dietary energy concentration. Weight of the hot carcass increased (P<0·05) due to chromium supplementation although dietary energy concentration did not affect this particular parameter. It was concluded that inorganic chromium supplementation (0·2 mg chromium/kg diet) might effectively enhance the growth performance, diet utilization and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens. Addition of ascorbic acid might also be beneficial in this regard. However, dietary energy concentration was more critical and to yield the maximum benefit of Cr supplementation in broiler chickens, an optimum level was essential.


1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Broadbent ◽  
C. Ball ◽  
T. L. Dodsworth

SUMMARYTwelve British Friesian and 12 Ayrshire castrated male calves were fed ad libitum one of three complete diets of differing energy concentration from approximately 140 to 410 kg live weight. Differences in energy concentration of the diets were achieved by inclusion of different proportions of wet distiller's grains (WDG). Increasing the proportion of WDG in the diet caused reductions in performance. This effect was more marked with the Friesians than with the Ayrshires. The treatments had small and generally non-significant effects on carcass conformation and composition.


1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-215
Author(s):  
P. J. Broadbent ◽  
C. Ball ◽  
T. L. Dodsworth

SUMMARY1. Two experiments are described in which castrated Ayrshire cattle were reared on a conventional all-concentrate diet to 250 kg live weight. In Experiment 1 the effect of feeding a 1: 1 mixture (by weight) of barley and wet distiller's grains (WDG) from 250 to 408 kg live weight was examined. In Experiment 2 swedes and grass silage were offered in addition to WDG and barley during the growth phase from 250 kg live weight to slaughter. In both experiments a control group was fed an all-concentrate diet.2. The introduction of WDG to the diet (Experiment 1) caused a significantly lower daily live-weight gain (P < 0·01) and an increase i n time to slaughter (P < 0·01). Carcasses from the control and treated animals were similar in weight, conformation and composition. There were no differences in growth rates in Experiment 2. The treated animals were heavier (P < 0·01) and older at slaughter (P < 0·001) than those in the control group and they produced heavier carcasses (P < 0·05). The carcasses were similar in composition but some differences in conformation occurred. These effects were the consequence of selecting animals for slaughter on the basis of equal finish (i.e. the ratio of muscle plus fat to bone assessed subjectively).3. The effect of reducing the dietary energy concentration appears t o be smaller with cattle over 250 kg live weight than with younger, lighter cattle. The results, which are discussed in economic terms, suggest that castrated Ayrshire cattle reared on all-concentrate diets should be changed to a diet of lower energy concentration using cheaper feed sources at 250 kg live weight.


1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Van Lunen ◽  
D. J. A. Cole

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary lysine/digestible energy (DE) ratio (g/MJ) and dietary energy concentration on growth performance and body composition of young hybrid gilts from 9·1 to 25·4 kg live weight. Seven pigs were assigned to each of 10 dietary treatments consisting of lysine/DE ratios from 0·6 to 1·4 in 0·2 g/MJ increments and two DE concentrations (14·25 and 16·40 MJ/kg). Food was provided ad libitum and at 25·4 kg all pigs were slaughtered and body composition was determined. Responses to lysine/DE ratios were different for each DE concentration. The pigs given the 16·40 MJ/kg DE diets had a higher daily live-weight gain (DLWG) and nitrogen deposition rate (NDR) than those given the 14·25 MJ/kg diets up to the 1·2 g/MJ lysine/DE ratio. Beyond this point no DE effects were evident. Lipid deposition rate (LDR) was higher for all 16·40 MJ/kg diets as compared with the 14·25 MJ/kg diets and decreased with increasing lysine/DE ratio. The 14·25 MJ/kg diets resulted in increasing efficiency of nitrogen and gross energy utilization with increasing lysinel DE ratio up to the 1·0 g/MJ ratio after which it declined. Efficiency of lipid utilization decreased with increasing lysine/DE ratio for all 14·25 MJ/kg diets. The 16·40 MJ/kg diets resulted in a decrease in nitrogen and gross energy utilization efficiency with increasing lysine/DE ratio while lipid efficiency decreased up to the 1·0 g/MJ lysine/DE ratio after which it increased. Young hybrid pigs given high energy diets appear to be less sensitive to dietary lysine/DE ratio than those given lower energy diets. The optimum lysine/DE ratio for the genotype tested from 9 to 25 kg live weight was of the order of 1·2 g/MJ for both DE concentrations. The maximum DLWG and NDR of the genotype tested over the live-weight range of 9 to 25 kg appears to be of the order of 620 and 17 g/day (106 g/day protein deposition rate) respectively.


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