An economic evaluation of traditional twinning and sex-controlled systems of beef production in southern Australia

1993 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1541 ◽  
Author(s):  
RM Herd ◽  
BW Bootle ◽  
DC Parfett

On a representative farm in southern Australia, the efficiency of beef production might be improved l.8 fold through changes in management practices and adoption of new techniques to induce twinning and to regulate the sex of calves born. Twenty-six modelled production systems were examined. Two of the three most efficient systems (kg meat per unit feed energy) produced crossbred calves, used twinning to produce more calves and sold them at yearling (18 months) rather than weaner (7 months) age. The other most efficient system was a single-sex all-female production system. Profit was calculated for each production system using a gross margins analysis (that is, total income minus variable costs). This, with the pattern of feed supply, feed consumption and labour use for each production system, was used in a linear programming model of a 'representative farm' to determine the optimum (most profitable) beef production system. Two of the three most efficient production systems were also the most profitable, being more than twice as profitable as the simplest traditional systems. The high cost of producing single-sex calves in the all-female system made it, and other systems using sex-control, unprofitable. Cows in systems with high net returns were very productive, had a high efficiency of lean meat production, but also a high feed requirement which forced a reduction in the optimum (most profitable) number of cows for the representative farm. Good management and attention to feed supply will be essential for these more profitable systems to be sustainable.

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 778
Author(s):  
G. S. A. Castro ◽  
C. A. C. Crusciol ◽  
C. A. Rosolem ◽  
J. C. Calonego ◽  
K. R. Brye

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of crop rotations and soil acidity amelioration on soil physical properties of an Oxisol (Rhodic Ferralsol or Red Ferrosol in the Australian Soil Classification) from October 2006 to September 2011 in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Treatments consisted of four soybean (Glycine max)–maize (Zea mays)–rice (Oryza sativa) rotations that differed in their off-season crop, either a signal grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) forage crop, a second crop, a cover crop, or fallow. Two acid-neutralising materials, dolomitic lime (effective calcium carbonate equivalent (ECCE) = 90%) and calcium-magnesium silicate (ECCE = 80%), were surface applied to raise the soil’s base saturation to 70%. Selected soil physical characteristics were evaluated at three depths (0–0.1, 0.1–0.2, and 0.2–0.4 m). In the top 0.1 m, soil bulk density was lowest (P < 0.05) and macroporosity and aggregate stability index were greatest (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. Also, bulk density was lower (P < 0.05) and macroporosity was greater (P < 0.05) in the acid-neutralising-amended than the unamended control soil. In the 0.1–0.2-m interval, mean weight diameter and mean geometric diameter were greater (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. All soil properties evaluated in this study in the 0.2–0.4-m interval were unaffected by production system or soil amendment after five complete cropping cycles. Results of this study demonstrated that certain soil physical properties can be improved in a no-tillage soybean–maize–rice rotation using a forage crop in the off-season and with the addition of acid-neutralising soil amendments. Any soil and crop management practices that improve soil physical properties will likely contribute to sustaining long-term soil and crop productivity in areas with highly weathered, organic matter-depleted, acidic Oxisols.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2819
Author(s):  
Paula Priscilla L. da Escóssia Campos ◽  
Adriano Henrique Do Nascimento Rangel ◽  
Luis Henrique Fernandes Borba ◽  
Stela Antas Urbano ◽  
Luciano Patto Novaes ◽  
...  

Research was conducted in eight commercial herds located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Properties were classified according to the production system, the seasons were divided into four and the genetic groups into six. Milk samples from morning milking were collected monthly, directly from a cooling tank. Protein, fat, lactose, total solids, casein, urea nitrogen concentrations/levels, somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC) were determined. For milk composition, the detected results were satisfactory and met the requirements of Normative Ruling 62, but the averages for SCC and TBC were above the recommended limit. All variables, with the exception of casein from total protein were influenced (P &lt; 0.05) by the production system used in the production unit. A lower fat content was recorded in 2010 compared to 2011. For the seasons, all the constituents of milk had lower values in drier season (seasons 3 and 4), with the exception of casein; SCC and TBC had higher values in periods 1 and 2, which are considered rainy periods. There was variation in the chemical composition of milk according to the genotypes. Milk chemical composition met the legal and market requirements, with a positive emphasis on specialized production systems. The variations over the year and according to the genetic group of the herd are also significant and should be taken into account in the search for improvements. As for the hygiene and health aspects of milk, the results portray the need for a greater focus by the entities involved in the sector, as well as the producers, on the viability of an adequacy program and monitoring of management practices related to this criterion.


2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 570 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Wainewright ◽  
A. J. Parker ◽  
W. E. Holmes ◽  
H. Zerby ◽  
L. A. Fitzpatrick

Assessing the differences in gross margins for a north-western Queensland beef-production system was undertaken using herd-budgeting software. The analysis reviewed the viability of producing beef for the domestic market from either a steer or bull production system. A hypothetical herd of 1200 breeders was created for the case study evaluation. An integrated beef production system from breeding to feedlot finishing was found to be less profitable for bull beef production than for steers at the current market prices. Although bull production was more profitable than steer production during the feedlot phase, the production of bulls in this phase failed to compensate for the earlier economic losses in the weaning phase of –AU$24.04 per adult equivalent for bulls. During the feedlot phase, bull production systems had lower break-even sale prices than did steer production systems. In reviewing two pricing scenarios for bulls, it was found that marketing bulls at the same price as steers was the most profitable production system. We conclude that the production of bull beef from a north-western Queensland production system can be profitable only if bulls can be sold without discount relative to steers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 2250 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Y. Liu ◽  
P. H. Selle

Digestive dynamics of starch and protein is defined as digestion of starch and protein, absorption of glucose and amino acids from the gut lumen and their transition across enterocytes to enter the portal circulation. Digestive dynamics consider the extent, rate and site of nutrient digestion along the small intestine and the bilateral, post-enteral bioavailability of glucose and amino acids. The underlying premise is that glucose and amino acids should be made available in appropriately balanced quantities at the sites of protein synthesis for efficient protein deposition and growth performance. Previous studies have suggested that feed conversion efficiency may be enhanced by rapidly digestible protein and that crystalline amino acids could be considered sources of ‘rapid protein’. At present, crystalline lysine, methionine and threonine are routinely included in broiler diets; moreover, an increasing array of both essential and non-essential crystalline amino acids is becoming commercially available. Despite unrestricted feed access in commercial chicken-meat production systems during the period of illumination, it appears that the intermittent feed consumption patterns of broiler chickens still provide scope for asynchronies in digestion and absorption of nutrients, which affects broiler performance. A better understanding of the post-enteral, bilateral bioavailability of glucose and amino acids in low-protein diets containing high levels of synthetic amino acids is clearly desirable and this applies equally to the relationship between crystalline and protein-bound amino acids.


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Girard ◽  
R. Berthiaume ◽  
L. Faucitano ◽  
C. Lafrenière

Vitamin B12 concentrations in longissimus dorsi of steers were decreased by the addition of concentrate as compared with feeding with grass silage only, but this decrease was prevented by the use of growth promotants (Revalor® and Rumensin®; P = 0.06). Beef production systems can modify vitamin B12 concentrations in meat. Key words: Beef, plasma, muscle, vitamin B12


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Pietrosemoli ◽  
Clara Tang

A review of published literature was conducted to identify pasture pig production system features that pose risks to animal welfare, and to develop recommendations aimed at improving the wellbeing of the animals managed in those systems. Pasture pig production systems present specific challenges to animal welfare that are inherent to the nature of these systems where producers have little room to make improvements. However, these systems present other challenges that could be reduced with a carefully designed system, by adopting appropriate management strategies and by avoiding management practices that are likely to negatively affect animal wellbeing. In pasture pig production systems, exposure to extreme temperatures, potential contact with wildlife and pathogens (especially parasites), vulnerability to predators, risk of malnutrition, pre-weaning piglet mortality, complexity of processes for monitoring and treating sick animals, and for cleaning and disinfection of facilities and equipment are among the main threats to animal welfare.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-229
Author(s):  
Umut Sami Yamak ◽  
Musa Sarica ◽  
Mehmet Akif Boz ◽  
Ahmet Ucar

AbstractA total of 211 pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were reared using two different production systems (free range and intensive) to determine the effect of production system and slaughter age on growth performance and carcass traits. Birds were slaughtered at 14, 16, and 18 weeks of age. Production system did not significantly affect body weight until 18 weeks; at this age, pheasants reared in free range exhibited a higher average weight (1149 g vs. 1012 g). Total feed consumption and feed conversion ratios did not differ among production systems. The most in-demand portions of the carcass (breast and leg) were not affected by differences in production system. The leg and breast proportions which were the most edible parts of the carcass were around 26% and 35%, respectively, in both free-range and intensive systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Johnson ◽  
J. K. Grubbs ◽  
K. R. Underwood ◽  
M. J. Webb ◽  
A. D. Blair

ObjectivesBeef production systems utilize implants and β-agonists to improve beef cattle feed efficiency and promote muscle growth. Warner-Bratzler shear force values can be greater in strip loin steaks from cattle treated with implants or β-agonists. Calpain-1 degrades myofibrillar proteins post-mortem, thus altering calpain-1 activation or autolysis which can influence meat tenderness and proteolysis. The objective of this study was to determine the impact beef production system technologies on calpain-1 autolysis and troponin-T degradation as an indicator of tenderness formation and postmortem proteolysis.Materials and MethodsFrom a larger study, beef striploins (n = 16, n = 4/treatment) from cattle finished utilizing four different production systems were collected for analysis: 1) no antibiotics (NA; receiving no technology); 2) non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC; fed 300 mg monensin and 90 mg tylosin during the finishing phase); 3) implant (IMPL; same technologies as NHTC and administered a series of three implants including a low- potency calf implant [36 mg zeranol], a moderate-potency initial feedyard implant [80 mg trenbolone acetate and 16 mg estradiol], and a high potency finishing implant [200 mg of trenbolone acetate and 20 mg estradiol]; and 4) all previous technologies plus fed a β-agonist (IMBA; same technologies as IMPL and fed 200 mg ractopamine hydrochloride per steer per d). Striploins were vacuum packaged, aged for 7 d, and frozen. Western Blots were conducted for calpain-1 autolysis and troponin-T degradation (30 kDa). Abundance of calpain-1 bands and troponin-T degradation product was normalized by a reference on each gel. Treatments were evaluated in PROC MIXED of SAS 9.2 where least squares means and SEM were computed and separated using least significant differences (PDIFF) when tests for fixed effects were significant at P < 0.05 and trending P ≤ 0.10.ResultsCalpain-1 autolysis differed (P < 0.05) in the IMPL group compared to the NHTC group for both active, 78 kDa band, and the fully autolyzed, 76 kDa band. The IMPL group had a greater percentage (P = 0.0048) of active calpain-1 and a lower percentage (P = 0.0048) of fully autolyzed calpain-1 compared to the NHTC group. Also, a trend was detected when comparing both the active, 78 kDa band, and fully autolyzed, 76 kDa band, in the IMBA and IMPL group where the IMPL group had a greater percentage (P = 0.0727) of active calpain-1 and a lower percentage (P = 0.0727) of fully autolyzed calpain-1. Production system did not influence (P > 0.05) 30 kDa troponin-T product abundance.ConclusionThese data indicate level of technology may play a role in the activation and autolysis of calpain-1 from the 80 kDa inactive form to the 78 kDa active product and finally to the 76 kDa autolyzed product. Calpain-1 autolysis was not measured; however, these data suggest calpain-1 autolysis in the IMPL group may be limited compared with NHTC and IMBA groups. Consequently, calpain-1 may remain in the 78 kDa active form in the implanted cattle, actively degrading myofibrillar proteins. However, production system did not influence troponin-T 30 kDa degradation products. Further analysis of the rate of calpain-1 autolysis and troponin-T degradation at different days of postmortem aging could provide further evidence that different beef production technologies impact calpain-1 autolysis and postmortem proteolysis.


1984 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 102-102
Author(s):  
A. L. Lightfoot

Concern is being expressed about the marketing of over-lean carcasses, especially from young boars. Experiments at Terrington have tested the effects of various management practices, feeding regimes and slaughter weights on the performance and backfat thickness of young boars reared for meat production.Pigs were kept in groups of mixed castrates and gilts, mixed boars and gilts, gilts only and boars only. Start of test was about 35 kg live weight and three different slaughter weights were selected to represent the main carcass types: cutters — 81 kg, baconers — 93 kg and heavies — 110 kg live weight. Backfat thickness increased with age, weight at slaughter and total feed consumption. Feed consumed by boars was 140 kg for cutters, 181 kg for baconers and 250 kg for heavies. P1, + P3 (mm) of boars was 23.7, 25.9 and 32.6 for the three slaughter weights, respectively.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1450
Author(s):  
Noemí Echegaray ◽  
Rubén Domínguez ◽  
Vasco A. P. Cadavez ◽  
Roberto Bermúdez ◽  
Laura Purriños ◽  
...  

Today’s society demands healthy meat with a special emphasis on integrated animal husbandry combined with the concern for animal welfare. In this sense, the raising of lambs in an extensive system has been one of the most common practices, which results in meats with high nutritional value. However, both the production system and the diet play a fundamental role in the chemical composition of the meat, which has a direct impact on the content of volatile compounds. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of two production systems (intensive and extensive) on the chemical composition and volatile profile of lamb meat. Twenty-eight lambs of the Bordaleira-de-Entre-Douro-e-Minho (BEDM) sheep breed were raised for meat production under the intensive or extensive system and were fed with concentrate and pasture, respectively. All animals were carried out in the muscle longissimus thoracis et lumborum. Results evidenced that all the composition parameters were affected by the production system. Extensively-reared lambs produced meat with the highest fat and protein contents, while these animals had the lowest percentages of moisture and ash. Similarly, the total content of volatile compounds was affected (p < 0.05) by the production system and were higher in the meat of lambs reared extensively. Furthermore, the content of total acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ethers, furans and sulfur compounds as well as most of the individual compounds were also affected (p < 0.05) by the production system, whereas total hydrocarbons and ketones were not affected (p > 0.05). As a general conclusion, the production system had very high influence not only in proximate composition but also in the volatile compounds.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document