Daily methane emissions and emission intensity of grazing beef cattle genetically divergent for residual feed intake

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. I. Velazco ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
D. J. Cottle ◽  
R. S. Hegarty
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Emission Intensity ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion

As daily methane production (DMP; g CH4/day) is strongly correlated with dry matter intake (DMI), the breeding of cattle that require less feed to achieve a desired rate of average daily gain (ADG) by selection for a low residual feed intake (RFI) can be expected to reduce DMP and also emission intensity (EI; g CH4/kg ADG). An experiment was conducted to compare DMP and EI of Angus cattle genetically divergent for RFI and 400-day weight (400dWT). In a 6-week grazing study, 64 yearling-age cattle (30 steers, 34 heifers) were grazed on temperate pastures, with heifers and steers grazing separate paddocks. Liveweight (LW) was monitored weekly and DMP of individual cattle was measured by a GreenFeed emission monitoring unit in each paddock. Thirty-nine of the possible 64 animals had emission data recorded for 15 or more days, and only data for these animals were analysed. For these cattle, regression against their mid-parent estimated breeding value (EBV) for post-weaning RFI (RFI-EBV) showed that a lower RFI-EBV was associated with higher LW at the start of experiment. Predicted dry matter intake (pDMI), predicted DMP (pDMP) and measured DMP (mDMP) were all negatively correlated with RFI-EBV (P < 0.05), whereas ADG, EI, predicted CH4 yield (pMY; g CH4/kg DMI) were not correlated with RFI-EBV (P > 0.1). Daily CH4 production was positively correlated with animal LW and ADG (P < 0.05). The associations between ADG and its dependent traits EI and pMY and predicted feed conversion ratio (kg pDMI/kg ADG) were strongly negative (r = –0.82, –0.57 and –0.85, P < 0.001) implying that faster daily growth by cattle was accompanied by lower EI, MY and feed conversion ratio. These results show that cattle genetically divergent for RFI do not necessarily differ in ADG, EI or pMY on pasture and that, if heavier, cattle with lower RFI-EBV can actually have higher DMP while grazing moderate quality pastures.

scholarly journals Effect of including canola meal in diets of slaughter ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-551
Author(s):  
T.S. Brand ◽  
J. Van der Merwe ◽  
L.C. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Daily Gain

Canola meal (CM) is a locally produced protein source that may be less expensive than soybean meal (SBM). This study evaluated the effects of replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% SBM with CM in diets for slaughter ostriches. The CM was added at the expense of SBM and other concentrates, with minor changes in other ingredients. Birds (n = 15 per treatment) were reared from 77 to 337 days old on the trial diets, which were supplied ad libitum for starter, grower, and finisher phases. Bodyweights and feed intake were measured during these phases. No differences (P >0.05) were found between treatments for live weight at the end of each phase, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) over all the growth phases. Although no differences were observed in live weight at the end of each phase, the birds reared on the diet with 50% CM were heaviest at slaughter, and birds reared with 100% CM were lightest (P <0.05). Differences (P <0.05) between diets were observed for the weight at slaughter, weights of the liver and thyroid glands and the pH of the cold carcass. However, no differences (P >0.05) were observed between diets for fat pad weight, dressing percentage, and weights of thighs and Muscularis gastrocnemius. The results indicate that CM could replace SBM in the diets of slaughter ostriches without affecting production traits and slaughter yields.Keywords: alternative protein, average daily gain, canola, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, growth, ostrich nutrition, production

scholarly journals Flight Zone as an Alternative Temperament Assessment to Predict Animal Efficiency

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Mariano Parra ◽  
Tia Breed ◽  
Alana Connolly ◽  
Emily Janz ◽  
Sarah Kennedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Brahman Steers ◽  
Daily Gain

Animal temperament evaluation can be included in the cattle selection program also because of an existing correlation with performance. However, there are different assessment methods such as flight speed (time and speed that an animal takes to leave the crush) and exit score (indicating in which pace it does). Flight zone (FZ) refers to the distance that an animal allows human proximity without signs of fear (e.g., moving away and/or aggression) and it was used in this study as an alternative approach to measure temperament without putting cattle through the crush. Apparently, there is no study correlating FZ with performance. Therefore, a pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the correlation between average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of ten Brahman steers. Steers were classified into temperament groups (Docile <2 m; Moderate between 2 to 2.9 m; and Lively ≥3 m). Even though no significant differences were found for ADG (P = 0.65), DMI (P = 0.36), and FCR (P = 0.46), the docile group gained 133 grams/day more than lively counterparts, most likely because of the extra 50 grams consumed. Furthermore, lively steers required an extra 1 kg of feed per kg of gain in comparison to docile animals, 8.24 vs. 7.28 kg FCR, respectively. These results are promising and indicate that FZ could be an efficient way to measure temperament in cattle. Thus, in order to confirm these findings, a new experiment with a more representative number of steers (n = 30) will be conducted.

scholarly journals PSI-36 Phenotypic Relationship of Feed Efficiency and Fertility in Angus and Red Angus Bulls

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 474-475
Author(s):  
Taylor Lacey ◽  
Stephen Doyle ◽  
Kasey DeAtley
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Red Angus

Abstract Recent advances in measuring feed intake improve selection for efficient beef bulls; however, such selection must not decrease bull fertility. Objectives herein were to determine the phenotypic relationship between feed efficiency and fertility traits in growing Angus (n = 14) and Red Angus (n = 14) bulls. Two feeding trials were conducted at the CSU, Chico University Farm in 2017 (87 d) and 2018 (84 d). Each year, bulls were randomly assigned to 7 x 18 m pens equipped with GrowSafe feed intake units and allowed ad libitum access to water and feed (CP: 15.6%, TDN: 56.22%, NDF: 52%, DM basis). Performance traits included: feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake [RFI; measured as the difference between predicted dry matter intake (PDMI) and actual dry matter intake (DMI)], start weight (SWT), end weight (EWT), metabolic mid-weight (MMWT), residual gain and average daily gain (ADG). Breeding soundness exams (BSE) were conducted at 18 mo of age and included traits: scrotal circumference (SC), motility (MT), and morphology (MP). Residual feed intake was calculated by regressing DMI on ADG and MMWT. The RFI group was categorized as low (0.5 SD above the RFI mean), marginal (± 0.5 SD about the RFI mean), and high (0.5 SD above the RFI mean) by year. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, blocking on year-pen and fitting breed and RFI group as independent factors. Tukey pairwise contrasts were run. Motility among breeds and RFI group were analyzed using chi-square. Pearson correlations were calculated between growth, feed efficiency, and BSE measures of SC and MP. There were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) among breeds nor RFI groups for SWT, EWT, MMWT, residual gain, SC, and MT. No interaction was detected between breed and RFI group with exception of MP (P = 0.049); specifically, low RFI Red Angus bulls had poor MP compared to marginal and high RFI groups (66.94 ± 6.87 vs. 87.43 ± 3.77 and 93.74 ± 5.48 %, respectively). Angus bulls were superior to Red Angus bulls in ADG (1.23 ± 0.04 vs. 1.06 ± 0.05 kg/d; P = 0.01), FCR (7.98 ± 0.31 vs. 9.18 ± 0.38; P = 0.04), and RFI (-0.24 ± 0.09 vs. 0.09 ± 0.11 kg DMI/d; P = 0.04). High and marginal RFI groups had greater DMI compared to low RFI group (10.40 ± 0.26 and 9.64 ± 0.18 kg/d vs. 8.31 ± 0.32 kg/d; P &lt; 0.001). There were no significant phenotypic correlations between growth and efficiency measures with SC and MP (P &gt; 0.05). Cumulatively, results indicate that SC and MT were not affected in efficient bulls.

scholarly journals Blood cell and metabolic profile of Nellore bulls and their correlations with residual feed intake and feed conversion ratio

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana ◽  
Paulo Rossi Junior ◽  
Rodrigo de Almeida ◽  
Amanda Massaneira de Souza Schuntzemberger
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Blood Urea Level ◽  
Synthesis And Degradation

Due to the potential metabolic changes related to the residual feed intake (RFI), this study investigated the correlation of traditional RFI (RFI1), RFI adjusted for final rump fat thickness (RFI2) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) with the metabolic and blood profiles, as well as determined the possible different classes of RFI1 and RFI2. For this purpose, 46 Nellore bulls, 22 month-old and 411kg of weight at the beginning of the study were used. The animals were fed with the same diet for 84 days, and blood samples were collected every 21 days for evaluation of serum metabolites and blood cell profiles. No significant correlations were found between FCR and metabolic or blood traits, although there was a significant correlation between RFI1 and urea serum concentration. There were also differences between the RFI classes for creatinine, in which more efficient animals showed higher values. The RFI2 did not correlate with any metabolic and blood cell variable, but young bulls with smaller RFI2 had a smaller number of eosinophils when compared to animals with higher RFI2. These results suggest that animals with a high RFI can have greater energy expenditure due to protein synthesis and degradation process, resulting in a larger blood urea level.

scholarly journals Impact of sow lactation feed intake on the growth and suckling behavior of low and average birthweight pigs to 10 weeks of age

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 655-665
Author(s):  
Samuel J Hawe ◽  
Nigel Scollan ◽  
Alan Gordon ◽  
Elizabeth Magowan
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Foster Mother ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Sow Lactation ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Improved genetics in commercial pig production have resulted in larger litter sizes. However this has increased the prevalence of compromised pigs exhibiting inferior birthweights, weaning weights, and lifetime performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of increased sow lactation feed intake on growth of low and average birthweight piglets until 10 wk of age. Low (Low BW; &lt;1 kg) and average (Av BW; 1.3–1.7 kg) birthweight animals were reared in uniformly weighted litters comprising 14 piglets on a foster mother offered either a low (Low FA; max 7.5 kg/d) or high (High FA; max 11 kg/d) feed allowance over a 28- ± 1-d lactation. Piglet performance was monitored from birth until 10 wk of age. Sows offered a High FA consumed 42.4 kg more feed on average than those offered Low FA, resulting in a greater derived milk yield (P &lt; 0.05). Animals of Av BW remained heavier than Low BW pigs throughout the trial (P &lt; 0.05). Piglets reared by High FA sows were heavier at weeks 3, 4, 5, and 7 (P &lt; 0.05) but not week 10 (P &gt; 0.05). Growth rate of piglets relative to their birthweight was significantly greater for Low BW piglets than those of Av BW during lactation (P &lt; 0.001). Piglets reared by sows offered a High FA expressed greater relative growth preweaning (P &lt; 0.05); however, postweaning relative growth for piglets reared on sows offered a Low FA was greater (P &lt; 0.05) suggesting compensatory growth. Neither birthweight nor sow feed allowance significantly affected preweaning mortality (P &gt; 0.05). However, Low BW animals on sows with a High FA recorded half the preweaning mortality of Low BW pigs on sows with a Low FA. During week 1 of lactation, Av BW litters recorded a greater total suckling duration compared to Low BW litters (P &lt; 0.05) but there was no difference in suckling frequency (P &gt; 0.05). During week 3 of lactation, High FA litters displayed a significantly lower suckling frequency (P &lt; 0.05) yet a greater total suckling duration (P &lt; 0.001). Average daily gain was greater for Av BW pigs during weeks 4–7 (P &lt; 0.001) but no difference was recorded between weeks 7 and 10 (P &gt; 0.05). Average daily feed intake was greater for Av BW pigs throughout the nursery period (P &lt; 0.05) but feed–conversion ratio did not differ compared to Low BW pens (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, offering sows a High FA increased weaning weight of all animals; however, birthweight was the major determinant of postweaning performance.

scholarly journals Original Research Article Milk Yield and Feed Conversion of Sokoto Gudali Cows Fed Elephant Grass Ensiled with Cassava Peel

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Olusola Adeyanju Olorunnisomo ◽  
Gladys Abiemwense Ibhaze
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Pennisetum Purpureum ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Elephant Grass ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Cassava Peel

Abstract Year-round availability of feed is a major concern for dairy farmers in many parts of the tropics. Silage making is a reliable means of providing feed for dairy cattle during periods of forage scarcity. In this study, Elephant grass (EG) (Pennisetum purpureum) was ensiled with cassava peel (CSP) at 0, 10, 30 and 50% levels of inclusion on a wet basis. At 21, 42 and 63 days of ensiling, silage samples were taken for chemical analysis and the remaining materials were fed to four lactating Sokoto Gudali cows for a period of 84 days using a Latin square design. Dry matter (DM) content of silage mixtures increased from 18.22 to 28.70% as level of CSP in the silage mixture increased while crude protein (7.33 to 6.08%) and crude fibre (32.80 to 23.95%) decreased. Dry matter intake of cows, milk yield and feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied (P < 0.05) with inclusion of cassava peel in the silage mixtures. Dry matter intake of cows increased from 2.56 to 3.84% of body weight (BW) and milk yield from 2.90 to 6.70 kg/d as proportion of CSP in the grass silage increased. Feed conversion ratio of cows ranged from 2.08 to 3.23 and improved with inclusion of CSP in the silage. These results show that addition of cassava peel to Elephant grass silage improved intake and milk production in Sokoto Gudali cows fed Elephant grass silage.

scholarly journals Consequences of prenatal and preweaning growth for feedlot growth, intake and efficiency of Piedmontese- and Wagyu-sired cattle

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Cafe ◽  
D. W. Hennessy ◽  
H. Hearnshaw ◽  
S. G. Morris ◽  
P. L. Greenwood
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Or Efficiency

Consequences of low (mean 28.0 kg, n = 77) and high (mean 38.4 kg, n = 77) birthweight followed by slow (mean 548 g/day, n = 75) or rapid (mean 859 g/day, n = 79) growth to weaning for feedlot growth, intake and efficiency from 26 to 30 months of age were determined in Wagyu × Hereford (n = 81) and Piedmontese × Hereford (n = 73) cattle. Cattle were selected for study based on birthweight and preweaning growth rate, from multi-modal distributions achieved by imposition of low or high maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, with the objective of achieving as close as possible to a 30% difference in birthweight and a 2-fold difference in preweaning growth rate between progeny groups. High birthweight cattle entered the intake test 57 kg heavier, grew 100 g/day more rapidly, and ate 1.0 kg dry matter /day more than the low birthweight cattle. The high birthweight cattle tended to have a higher feed conversion ratio than low birthweight cattle, but net feed intake did not differ due to birthweight group. Cattle grown rapidly to weaning entered the intake test 29 kg heavier, grew at an equivalent rate, and ate 0.7 kg dry matter/day more than the cattle grown slowly to weaning. No differences in feed conversion ratio or net feed intake were observed between the preweaning groups. When assessed at the same liveweight, differences in dry matter intake and/or feed conversion ratio due to birthweight or preweaning growth were no longer apparent. Interactions between prenatal and preweaning growth, or between sire genotype and early-life growth, were not evident for feedlot growth, intake or efficiency. It is concluded that severely restricted growth during prenatal life or from birth to weaning results in cattle that are smaller and consume less feed at the same age as their well grown counterparts; however, long-term effects of growth during early life on efficiency of utilisation of feed are not evident.

Genetic parameters for growth and feed efficiency in weaner versus yearling Charolais bulls

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 471 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Arthur ◽  
G. Renand ◽  
D. Krauss
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Progeny Test ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Total N

Data on young Charolais bulls were used to evaluate the effect of age of dam, and provide genetic parameter estimates for growth and feed efficiency traits in weaners compared with yearlings. Records on 510 performance test bulls born from 1985 to 1989 and 792 progeny test bulls born from 1988 to 1997 were used, plus available pedigree information (total n = 5493). After weaning (approximately 225 days of age), progeny test bulls were housed in barns and tested until 15 months for all bulls and 19 months of age for half of the bulls. From the records, the test period was artificially partitioned into a weaner and a yearling test. Both tests were for 140 days, with the weaner test commencing at approximately 274 days of age (6–8 weeks after weaning), and the yearling test commencing at approximately 430 days of age. For each test (weaner or yearling), average daily gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio (feed intake per unit weight gain), and residual feed intake (feed intake net of the expected requirements for growth and maintenance) were calculated. Liveweights at 12 and 18 months of age were also studied. Age of dam effect was significant (P < 0.05) for weight at 12 and 18 months of age, and for all weaner traits except residual feed intake. All the traits studied were moderately heritable (0.20–0.46) except for feed conversion ratio in yearlings (0.10). Genetic correlations for the same traits measured in weaners and later in yearlings were less than unity (0.42–0.95), with the 3 highest correlations obtained for weight (0.950.03), feed intake (0.900.07), and residual feed intake (0.750.12). Therefore, for genetic improvement purposes, traits measured in weaners should be considered different from those measured in yearlings, except for weight and feed intake. However, the medium to very high genetic correlations between weaner and yearling tests for most of the traits studied indicate that selection based on weaners will have a positive correlated response in yearlings and vice versa.

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