Exogenous growth hormone releasing factors and cottonseed meal improve growth performance and composition of gain in lambs fed lucerne chaff ad libitum

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Sainz ◽  
BJ Hosking ◽  
FJ Hart ◽  
BR Schricker
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Meat Tenderness ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Reduced Fat ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Dressing Percentage

Forty-eight crossbred wether lambs (38 kg) were randomly assigned to two dietary groups (LUC, chaffed lucerne ad libitum; CSM, LUC plus 300 g cottonseed meal/lday) and two hormone treatment groups (rGRF, recombinant growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF); sGRF, synthetic GRF) plus controls (CON, excipient only), and slaughtered after treatment for 28 (n = 36) or 30 (n = 12) days. An initial slaughter group (n = 12) was killed on day 0. CSM reduced intake of lucerne chaff, but increased total feed intake. CSM also increased liveweight gain and wool growth, with no effect on feed conversion efficiency. CSM increased carcass weight and decreased subcutaneous fat depth, with no effect on dressing percentage or longissimus dorsi (LD) area. Meat tenderness tended to decrease with CSM supplementation. CSM increased carcass protein accretion ( P < 0.01), with no significant change in fat gain or final composition (P > 0.05). CSM increased weights of the pelt, liver and empty body, and decreased the proportion of digesta in liveweight. Weights of blood, forestomachs and small intestine tended to increase as well (P < 0.10). Both sources of GRF had similar effects. Intakes were not significantly affected by GRF, but feed conversion efficiency improved (P < 0.01) with GRF treatment (6.4 v. 9.2 feed:gain for GRF and CON respectively). Liveweight gains and final weights of the whole body and carcass were increased additively by CSM and GRF. GRF reduced fat depth and increased LD area, with no effect on dressing percentage, carcass length or meat tenderness. These changes reflected increased carcass protein and reduced fat contents, brought about by increased accretion of protein and water and reduced fat gain due to GRF. GRF increased weights of blood and liver beyond the general increase in body size. Cottonseed meal and GRF additively produced significant improvements in growth performance and carcass quality of young wether lambs fed a roughage diet. GRF may be a useful tool to improve livestock production under extensive and intensive conditions.

scholarly journals Effect of forage to concentrate ratio and duration of feeding on growth and feed conversion efficiency of male lambs

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel A Claffey ◽  
Alan G Fahey ◽  
Vasiliki Gkarane ◽  
Aidan P Moloney ◽  
Frank J Monahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Concentrate Inclusion

Abstract Rations (DM basis) for spring-born male lambs consisting of concentrates ad libitum (CON), 50:50 (50% concentrate:50% forage), and forage ad libitum (FORG) were evaluated across feeding periods of three durations (36, 54, and 72 d). Lambs on CON diets were offered ad libitum access to concentrate along with 400 g of fresh weight silage (daily), while 50:50 diets were offered 0.9 and 3.0 kg of concentrate and silage, respectively. Lambs on FORG were offered ad libitum access to 25.5% DM silage. These rations were fed to 99 spring-born male Texel cross Scottish Blackface lambs which were assigned to a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Lambs were slaughtered following completion of their respective treatments. Lambs fed CON diets had greater ADG, FCE, and carcass weight (P &lt; 0.001) and carcasses with greater conformation score (P &lt; 0.001) than lambs fed 50:50 or FORG diets. Duration of feeding had no effect on production variables across all three concentrate inclusion levels. It was concluded that the inclusion of concentrates is needed to adequately finish lambs fed indoors. Feeding lamb’s 50:50 diets resulted in modest responses and may be a viable option for finishing lambs or to maintain growth in lambs when the cost of concentrate feed is high relative to the financial return on the lamb meat.

Effect of hypothyroidism on growth performance, carcass composition and meat quality of fat-tailed Lori-Bakhtiari lambs

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousef Baghcheghi ◽  
Ahmad Zare Shahneh ◽  
Mahdi Ganjkhanlou ◽  
Mahdi Khodaei Motlagh ◽  
Ali Reza Yousefi
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Shear Force ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Mild Hypothyroidism ◽  
Plasma Triiodothyronine

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of induction hypothyroidism by propylthiouracil (PTU) on the growth performance and meat quality of fat-tailed Lori-Bakhtiari lambs. Eighteen Lori-Bakhtiari male lambs were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 6) and received daily treatments (gavage) consisting of 0 (Control: C), 10 (Low: L) or 20 (High: H) mg PTU/kg bodyweight/day for 60 days. PTU decreased plasma triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentration in both L and H (P < 0.0001). Lambs treated with PTU (L and H) had lower feed intake (P < 0.004), feed conversion efficiency (P < 0.003), and greater intramuscular fat than C lambs (P < 0.035). Meat from the L and H lambs had lower cooking loss and shear force, and also higher L* (lightness) than C lambs (P < 0.004, P < 0.015 and P < 0.025, respectively). The meat of H and L lambs was more tender than C lambs (P < 0.032). However, the meat of H lambs required fewer chews before swallowing than C lambs (P < 0.041). Generally, induction of mild hypothyroidism appeared to improve feed conversion efficiency and meat quality of lambs.

Effects of selection for lower backfat, and increased levels of dietary amino acids to digestible energy on growth performance, carcass merit and meat quality in boars, gilts, and barrows

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Grandhi ◽  
R. L. Cliplef
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Control Line ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Carcass Merit ◽  
Feeding Diets

Two experiments were conducted, using a total of 288 crossbred boars, gilts and barrows from the progeny of two Yorkshire sow lines, one kept as control, and the other selected for lower backfat thickness and increased growth rate for six generations. The lysine to DE (g MJ−1) levels used during grower (20 to 60 kg) and finisher (60 to 105 kg) periods, respectively, in the three diets (14.2 MJ DE kg−1) were: 1) 0.53 and 0.42 with no other supplemental amino acids except lysine, 2) 0.69 and 0.57 with supplemental threonine and methionine at a ratio of 0.65 and 0.30 to dietary lysine and 3) 0.85 and 0.72 with supplemental threonine and methionine at similar ratios as in diet 2. Feeding diets 2 and 3 increased (P < 0.05) the ADG and feed conversion efficiency of all pigs in both experiments, and this response was mainly during the grower period. Feeding diet 3 improved the growth rate more than diet 2 only in boars and gilts but not barrows. It also increased the feed conversion efficiency in exp. 2. The increased feed conversion efficiency response was higher in select than control line pigs, and in boars. Feeding diets 2 and 3 also improved the carcass merit but reduced the meat quality with an increased firmness and reduced marbling, juiciness, and flavour. The overall results indicated that an average daily intake of approximately 17 g of lysine (0.74 g MJ−1 DE), 11 g of threonine and 5 g of methionine during the grower period and 25 g lysine (0.62 g MJ−1 DE), 18 g threonine and 8 g methionine during finisher period optimized the growth performance, lean growth rate and carcass merit. This response tended to be higher in select than control line, and in boars and gilts than barrows. Key words: Lysine, amino acids, energy, growth, carcass, pigs

Effect of probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain H57 on productivity and the incidence of diarrhoea in dairy calves

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oanh T. Le ◽  
Peter J. Dart ◽  
Karen Harper ◽  
Dagong Zhang ◽  
Benjamin Schofield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Whole Milk ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Animal House

A spore-forming probiotic, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain H57 (H57), was administered to dairy calves in starter pellets to determine effects on liveweight gain, feed conversion efficiency and animal health under summer feeding conditions, without antibiotics. Twenty-four male and female calves were allocated into two groups and from 4 weeks of age individually offered 6 L/day of whole milk and ad libitum starter pellets impregnated with H57 (3.16 × 108 cfu per kg DM) or without (Control) until 12 weeks of age. The calves were housed in a non-air-conditioned animal house, with deep-straw bedding over concrete, under typically challenging subtropical summer conditions. After 12 weeks the calves were released into a grazing paddock as one group and were supplemented ad libitum with control pellets and hay, until 19 weeks of age. From Weeks 4 to 12, liveweight and feed intakes were measured weekly and health status was monitored daily. Rumen fluid and blood were collected at Weeks 4 and 12, and to test for persistence after cessation of feeding H57, each were measured again at Week 19. From Weeks 4 to 12, the H57 calves grew faster (767 vs 551 g/day, P = 0.01), tended to consume more pellets (1013 vs 740 g DM/day, P = 0.07) and were 19% more feed conversion efficiency (2.43 vs 2.90 kg milk + starter DM/kg weight gain, P = 0.01) compared with the Control calves. The mean duration of each diarrhoea event was 2 days less for the H57 calves than the Control (P = 0.01). The H57 calves weaned 9 days earlier (P = 0.02) and were heavier at Week 19 (155 vs 139 kg, P = 0.03) than the Control calves. The only effect of H57 on rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations was an elevation in valerate at Week 12 (4.10 vs 2.47 mmol/L, P = 0.03). Plasma β-hydroxy butyrate was also elevated in the H57 calves at Week 19 (0.24 vs 0.20 mmol/L), indicating the potential of H57 to improve rumen development. H57 can be used to improve the nutritional performance and reduce the risk of diarrhoea in dairy calves as they transition from milk to dry feed.

scholarly journals Dietary Green Seaweed Compromises Overall Feed Conversion Efficiency but not Blood Parameters and Meat Quality and Stability in Broiler Chickens

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 547
Author(s):  
Tumisang Ben Matshogo ◽  
Caven Mguvane Mnisi ◽  
Victor Mlambo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Performance Improvements ◽  
Green Seaweed

Using seaweeds as sources of nutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds can promote sustainable production of functional poultry products. This study investigated the physiological and meat quality responses of Cobb 500 broiler chickens to graded levels of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) meal (SWM). Three hundred, two-week-old male chicks (159.3 ± 11.76 g live-weight) were randomly assigned to five diets formulated by diluting a standard broiler diet with SWM at 0 (SW0), 20 (SW20), 25 (SW25), 30 (SW30) and 35 g/kg (SW35). There were neither linear nor quadratic trends (p > 0.05) for overall feed intake, overall growth performance and carcass and meat quality traits. Overall feed conversion efficiency (R2 = 0.192, p = 0.018) and spleen weights (R2 = 0.182; p = 0.020) linearly declined as SWM levels increased. Linear and quadratic responses (p > 0.05) were observed for lymphocytes. There were linear effects for meat pH except on day 7 of storage. Meat lightness (L*) linearly increased whereas meat redness (a*) quadratically responded to SWM levels (day 3 of storage). While an optimum inclusion level could not be established for seaweed based on growth performance, improvements in some meat shelf life indicators were observed in the broilers reared on seaweed-containing diets.

The growth performance and carcass attributes of Merino and Poll Dorset × Merino lambs fed rumen-protected methionine (Smartamine™-M)

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 507 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Wiese ◽  
C. L. White ◽  
D. G. Masters ◽  
J. T. B. Milton ◽  
R. H. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
Skin Thickness ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Methionine Supplementation ◽  
Ad Libitum

This study investigated the effect of 5 levels of rumen-protected methionine (0, 1, 2, 3, or 5 g/head.day) on growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, carcass composition, and wool growth in lambs fed a production diet ad libitum. Merino and Poll Dorset × Merino (crossbred) wether lambs (120 of each genotype) were housed in group pens each of 6 sheep. After a 1-week adjustment period, all lambs were fed a pelleted diet of lupins, cereal grain, and hay ad libitum. Rumen-protected methionine was added to the diets in the form of Smartamine™-M. The crossbred lambs were slaughtered after 28 days on the treatment diet and the Merino lambs after 42 days.Increasing the level of methionine supplementation did not lead to an increase in growth rate, daily feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, wool growth, skin thickness, or final liveweight and condition score. The Merino lambs had a lower growth rate, thinner skin, faster rate of wool growth, and were less efficient at converting feed into liveweight gain than the crossbred lambs (P < 0.05). There was no interaction between breed and methionine treatment.Increasing the level of methionine treatment also did not improve hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, tissue depth over the rib, longissimus dorsi (LD) cross-sectional area, meat pH, or meat colour. The only beneficial effect of methionine supplementation on carcass attributes was a decline in fat depth over the deepest part of the LD as methionine level increased (P < 0.05).There were no differences in tenderness, juiciness, or flavour intensity between the breeds or as a main effect with methionine supplementation. However, there was an interaction between breed and methionine for flavour intensity, such that methionine supplementation reduced the flavour intensity of Merino meat but not that of the crossbred meat (P < 0.05).This work suggests that there are unlikely to be production gains in terms of liveweight gain, feed conversion efficiency, or wool growth in supplementing lambs with protected methionine if they are being fed a high performance diet ad libitum. However, there were 2 benefits that may have scope for further investigation. The first was a reduction in fat cover over the loin as the level of methionine supplementation increased. The second was a reduction in the intensity of flavour found in Merino lamb when the lambs were supplemented with methionine. The study also provided some useful guidelines for the differences in growth and carcass characteristics between Merino and crossbred lambs when they are finished under identical conditions to an even fat cover, and demonstrated that Merino lambs can produce carcasses of very acceptable eating quality when well finished.

Nitrogen-containing fertilisers restrict grain intake by cattle

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
GM Hough ◽  
GJ Sawyer ◽  
FJ Coupar ◽  
JE Baker ◽  
RJ Morris
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Prior Exposure ◽  
Previous Exposure ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Average Intake ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Supplement Intake

Supplements of barley, a barley-lupin mix (BL), or lupin grain containing urea plus ammonium sulfate (4% + 0.5%, low N; 6% + 1.0%, high N) were offered ad libitum to Holstein-Friesian steers. Supplement intake was restricted by increasing the amount of urea and ammonium sulfate (average intake of 1.7 and 1.4 kg DM/day.100 kg LW for cattle offered low and high N supplements). Supplement intakes were 14-56% greater than predicted from previous studies. Despite the high N content of the diet consumed by steers offered supplements containing lupin (up to 4.8% N with the high N supplement), feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of these cattle was better (P<0.01) than for cattle offered barley supplements (5.3, 5.8, 6.1 kg DM/kg LW gain for lupin, BL, barley). In another experiment, Holstein-Friesian steers offered grain immediately before an ad libitum supplement of barley containing 8% urea consumed 30-50% more grain than those without immediate prior exposure to grain. When the intakes of Holstein-Friesian steers offered ad libitum supplements of either barley or lupin containing either 8% urea or 5.7% diammonium phosphate (DAP) were compared, supplement intakes across grains averaged 1.3 and 0.6 kg DM/day. 100 kg LW. These levels of urea and DAP were predicted to result in similar intakes. However, to achieve a desired level of supplement intake, less DAP was required than urea. Both liveweight gain and FCE were 22-24% greater for cattle offered lupin than those offered barley supplements. Adding urea at 0, 0.5, or 1.0% to a barley supplement containing 4% DAP did not affect supplement or hay intakes by Holstein-Friesian steers, which averaged 0.8 and 1.7 kg DM/day.100 kg LW, respectively. Liveweight gain and FCE were increased by 25% by adding urea to a barley supplement containing DAP. Finally, 3 different methods of introducing a grain supplement containing DAP to Holstein-Friesian steers were compared: a 4-phase, 16-day introductory period; a 2-phase, 7-day introductory period; no introductory period. In steers with and without immediate prior exposure to grain, neither method of introduction nor previous exposure to grain affected supplement intake, liveweight gain, or FCE.

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