The effect of preweaning growth restriction on the feed intake and efficiency of cattle on a grain-based diet before slaughter

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Hennessy ◽  
P. F. Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Highly Correlated

Records on 78 steers and heifers were used to determine relationships among different measures of growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits, and to evaluate the effects of 2 preweaning growth rates on growth and efficiency in a feedlot. The preweaning growth rates [g/day; 871 (high) or 466 (low)] were imposed on the steers and heifers for 115 days before they were weaned at a mean age of 220 days. They were 'backgrounded' for 7 months on high quality pastures before finishing on grain-based diets in a feedlot for 85 days. The cattle were then slaughtered and carcass measurements recorded. Estimates were made on 10 growth and feed efficiency indices during the feedlot, and 5 carcass traits were assessed at slaughter. Of the indices, the Kleiber ratio which does not require measurement of feed intake (r = 0.98), was highly correlated with relative growth rate (RGR), as was feed conversion ratio (FCR, r = –0.82), which includes feed intake in the calculation. Residual feed intake, calculated using the expected feed intake estimated from the dataset (RFIREG), was correlated (r = 0.62) with RFI calculated from Australian feeding standards (RFISCA), and with FCR (r = 0.45). FCR was not correlated with either carcass rib or hot P8 fat depths but was significantly correlated with carcass weight (0.39), dressing percentage (0.41) and eye muscle area (0.33). RFIREG was not correlated with any of the 5 carcass traits. Whilst the average daily gain in the feedlot was similar between the 2 preweaning groups (1.544 kg/day), the low group was significantly (P<0.05) lighter at feedlot entry (323 v. 376 kg). Daily feed intake was lower (P<0.01) in the low group (10.9 v. 11.8 kg) such that the FCR tended to be lower (P<0.10) relative to the high group. Differences between the preweaning treatment groups were not significant for the other measures of feed efficiency. The results indicate that early life nutritional restriction has some influence on FCR in the feedlot, but little effect on those feed efficiency measures, such as RFI, that account for energy required for both maintenance of liveweight and growth.

Hormonal growth implants affect feed efficiency and expression of residual feed intake-associated genes in beef cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 550 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Al-Husseini ◽  
C. Gondro ◽  
K. Quinn ◽  
L. M. Cafe ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Protein Turnover ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Gene Marker ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle

Hormonal growth promotants (HGP) have been used to improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) and growth rates of cattle by modifying protein turnover rates. Residual feed intake (RFI) is correlated with FCR and has been adopted in Australia as a measure of feed efficiency in cattle for the purpose of genetic improvement. Eight genes (AHSG, GHR, GSTM1, INHBA, PCDH19, S100A10, SERPINI2 and SOD3) have been previously reported to be highly associated with RFI and could potentially be used to predict RFI in bulls and steers. In this study, expression levels of these genes in liver tissue of 46 cattle were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. These cattle were part of a larger tenderness gene marker experiment consisting of two breeds (Angus and Brahman); two sexes (steers and heifers) and HGP treatments (implanted vs control). Cattle were measured for growth, feed efficiency, body composition and carcass traits. Results showed the expression of these eight genes was significantly correlated with RFI. However, HGP treatment did not affect RFI or the expression of the RFI-associated genes. HGP treatment increased average daily gain by 20%, improved FCR by 18%, and increased rib eye-muscle area by 7.5%. HGP treatment was effective in improving growth rate, presumably by its known action in the protein turnover mechanism. This mechanism has been hypothesised as one of the regulators of RFI. Lack of effect of HGP treatment on RFI does not support this hypothesis.

Effects of early weaning on growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits in Shorthorn cattle

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Wolcott ◽  
H.-U. Graser ◽  
D. J. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to examine the impact of early weaning on residual feed intake, and other production and carcass traits, in a group of cattle subjected to early or conventional weaning treatments, but otherwise managed as contemporaries. Shorthorn (n = 140) calves were randomly allocated by sex and sire to early and conventional weaning treatments. Early weaned animals (n = 69) were weaned at an average of 123 days of age and 145 kg liveweight, while conventionally weaned steers and heifers (n = 71) were 259 days old at weaning and 273 kg. Following conventional weaning, animals were managed as contemporaries through backgrounding, and entered feedlot finishing at a mean age of 353 and 408 days for heifers and steers, respectively, for finishing and feed intake testing. At the conclusion of feed intake testing hip height was measured, and animals were ultrasound scanned to assess fat depth, eye muscle area and percent intramuscular fat. Early weaned animals were significantly lighter (P < 0.001) than their conventionally weaned contemporaries, when weighed at conventional weaning. The weight difference observed at conventional weaning of 19.4 kg between treatment groups persisted throughout the experiment, with significant (P < 0.05) differences of 17.1, 15.6 and 15.8 kg at feedlot entry, and the start and end of the feed intake test period, respectively. Weaning treatment also approached significance for daily feed intake (P = 0.06), with early weaned animals tending to eat less than their conventionally weaned contemporaries (daily feed intake = 11.6 and 12.0 kg, respectively). Weaning treat\ment did not significantly affect feed efficiency whether measured as residual feed intake (P = 0.64) or feed conversion ratio (P = 0.27). None of the other traits measured were significantly affected by weaning treatment. These data showed that early weaning, as implemented for this experiment, resulted in animals that were lighter than their conventionally weaned contemporaries through backgrounding and finishing. Weaning treatment did not, however, influence feed efficiency or the post-weaning growth and carcass composition traits measured for this experiment.

Genetic divergence in residual feed intake affects growth, feed efficiency, carcass and meat quality characteristics of Angus steers in a large commercial feedlot

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 164 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Herd ◽  
P. F. Arthur ◽  
C. D. K. Bottema ◽  
A. R. Egarr ◽  
G. H. Geesink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Meat Samples

Growth, feed intake, feed efficiency, and carcass and meat quality characteristics of 136 Angus steers differing in genetic merit for post-weaning residual feed intake (RFIp) were measured over 251 days in a large commercial feedlot. The steers were evaluated in two groups, low (Low-RFI) and high (High-RFI) genetic RFIp, measured by estimated breeding values for RFIp (RFIp-EBV). The difference in RFIp-EBV between the Low- and High-RFI groups was 1.05 kg/day (–0.44 vs 0.61 kg/day; P < 0.05). The Low- and High-RFI steers were similar (P > 0.05) in age (445 vs 444 days) and weight (435 vs 429 kg) at induction, and at the end of the feeding period (705 vs 691 kg). Average daily gain (ADG) over 251 days had a small negative association with variation in RFIp-EBV (P < 0.05), reflecting a 3.6% greater ADG accompanying a difference of 1 kg/day in RFIp-EBV. Pen feed intake and feed conversion by the Low-RFI group were 10.4 kg/day and 9.3 kg/kg, and for the High-RFI group were 11.1 kg/day and 10.4 kg/kg, but without availability of individual animal feed-intake data it was not possible to test for significant differences. Carcass weight and dressing-percentage was similar for the Low- and High-RFI steers. High-RFI steers had a significantly (P < 0.05) greater depth of subcutaneous rib fat at induction and finished with 5 mm more (P < 0.05) fat at the 10/11th ribs on the carcass than the Low-RFI steers. Cross-sectional area of the eye-muscle and three measures of intramuscular or marbling fat did not differ (P > 0.05) between the Low- and High-RFI steers. Shear force was higher (P < 0.05) in meat samples aged for 1 day from the Low-RFI steers, but there was no difference (P > 0.05) from the High-RFI steers after 7 days of ageing. Compression values for meat samples aged for 1 day did not differ between the RFI groups but were higher in meat samples aged for 7 days from the Low-RFI steers. For these Angus steers, genetic superiority in RFI was associated phenotypically with superior weight gain, decreased rib fat depth, slightly less tender meat, and no compromise in marbling fat or other carcass and meat quality traits.

scholarly journals Impact of a phytogenic feed additive on growth performance, feed intake, and carcass traits of finishing steers

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1162-1172
Author(s):  
Tassilo Brand ◽  
Martin Hünerberg ◽  
Tim A McAllister ◽  
Maolong He ◽  
Atef M Saleem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Liver Abscesses ◽  
Finishing Steers

Abstact: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic feed additive (Digestarom [DA]; Biomin, Getzersdorf, Austria) on growth performance, feed intake, carcass traits, fatty acid composition, and liver abscesses of finishing steers. One hundred twenty Angus × Charolais crossbred steers (488 ± 26.5 kg) were used in a 110-d feeding experiment. Steers were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to 12 pens with 10 steers per pen. Each pen was allocated to one of three diets. Each diet contained 86.5% barley, 10.0% barley silage, and 3.5% vitamin and mineral supplement on a dry matter (DM) basis. The diets contained 0, 0.05, and 0.1 g DA/kg complete diet (DM basis), to achieve average daily DA intakes of 0 (control), 0.5 (LowDA), and 1.0 g (HighDA) per steer. Diets were prepared once daily and provided ad libitum. Two pens per treatment were equipped to record individual feed intake behavior. Steers were weighed every 28 d and carcass traits and liver scores were recorded at slaughter. Dry matter intake (average: 9.34 kg/d) did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) among diets. Average daily gain tended to increase linearly as DA increased (control: 1.82; LowDA: 1.87; and HighDA: 1.95 kg/d; P &lt; 0.09), but gain:feed ratio was not affected. Supplementation of DA affected longissimus muscle area quadratically (P = 0.05) with the largest area observed for LowDA. However, dressing percentage decreased linearly in response to increasing level of DA (P &lt; 0.01). Total abscessed livers were not affected, whereas proportion of severe liver abscesses was numerically lower with DA (30.8% and 42.5% for LowDA and HighDA) compared to the control (50%).

scholarly journals Effect of boars own performance on progeny fattening and carcass traits in two different environments

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Bahelka ◽  
P. Fľak ◽  
Anna Lukácová
Keyword(s):  
Performance Test ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Carcass Parameters ◽  
Performance Traits ◽  
Progeny Performance

The effect of own performance traits of meat breed boars on fattening and carcass parameters of progeny in two different test stations (Bucany and Nitra) was evaluated. Own performance traits of boars were average daily gain (ADG) from birth to 100 kg live weight, backfat thickness (BF) and lean meat content (LMC) in field conditions. Progeny of boars was housed in pairs (gilt and barrow) and fed standardized feed mixture semi ad libitum. Progeny test lasted from 30 to 100 kg live weight. There were evaluated following parameters: ADG and feed consumption/kg gain (FC) at test from 30 to 100 kg live weight, slaughter weight (SW), proportion of meaty cuts (PMC) proportion of ham (PHAM), eye muscle area (EMA), and BF. At Bucany and Nitra was found the effect of genotype of boars on progeny BF and/or FC respectively. Better tested boars from own performance test individually as well as a group achieved in progeny better fattening and carcass traits than worse tested boars at Bucany (+33 g ADG, -0.21 cm BF, +2.34 % PMC). Progeny performance from better evaluated boars at Nitra did not exceed the progeny performance from worse tested boars. There was found significant effect of dams on progeny performance.

scholarly journals Growth Performance and Carcass Traits Responses to Dried Distillers’ Grain with Solubles Feeding of Growing Awassi Ram Lambs

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safa’ M. Hatamleh ◽  
Belal S. Obeidat
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Distillers Grain ◽  
Dried Distillers Grain ◽  
The Impact

This study considers the impact of dried distillers’ grain with solubles (DDGS) in diets of lambs. Randomly; 27 lambs were distributed to one of three diets. Diets were: a control diet (CON; n = 9), a 125 (DDGS125; n = 9) or a 250 g/kg DDGS (DDGS250; n = 9) of dietary dry matter (DM). The lambs were fed using these diets for 91 days. To assess carcass traits; five lambs were randomly selected at the end of the study. No significant differences were detected in intake and digestibility of DM; crude protein and fiber. Average daily gain did not differ among diets. Carcass characteristics did not differ among diets. With the exception of shear force and redness, which were greater in DDGS250 than in DDGS125 and CON diets, meat quality parameters were unaffected. Eye muscle area decreased in DDGS125 than in DDGS250 and CON diet. These results demonstrate that the feeding of lambs on DDGS at 125 or 250 g/kg DM did not have any impact on growth. These diets only had a simple effect on the characteristics of carcass and meat quality. These results suggest that it would be suitable to introduce these feeds into sheep nutrition in the future.

Effects of antibiotics, dried molasses distillers solubles and zeranol in all-sorghum grain rations fed to steers

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (85) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJW Gartner ◽  
PK O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Liver Abscesses ◽  
Zinc Bacitracin ◽  
Sorghum Grain

A 23 factorial design was used to examine the effects of the following treatments on the productivity of steers fed in yards on an all-sorghum grain ration : nil vs. 70 mg chlortetracycline head-1 day-1; nil vs. 3 per cent dried molasses distillers solubles; nil vs. 36 mg implant of Zeranol. An additional treatment eompared zinc bacitracin with chlortetracycline. Eighteen groups each of five Hereford steers of a mean initial shrunk liveweight of 273.5 � SE 1.00 kg were used. They were slaughtered at a mean final shrunk liveweight of 399.8 � 2.97 kg. Mean results were: liveweight gain 1 .17 kg day-1, carcase weight gain 0.69 kg day-1, DM feed intake 6.91 kg day-1, feed conversion ratio 6.0. Feeding chlortetracycline resulted in increased carcase weight gain, an improved feed conversion ratio and a reduction in the number of liver abscesses. Regarding productivity, zinc bacitracin was not significantly different from chlortetracycline but it had no effect on reducing liver abscesses. Adding dried molasses distillers solubles caused a decrease in live- and carcase weight gain and an inferior feed conversion ratio. The anabolic implant Zeranol resulted in increased live- and carcase weight gain, increased DM feed intake but no significant differences in feed conversion ratio. The treatments had no effect on eye muscle area or muscle percentage of the carcases. Dried molasses distillers solubles was associated with a lower fat percentage (1 9.5 vs. 20.8 � 0.43; P <0.05). The rationsbsed resulted in an acetic to propionic ratio in ruminal fluid of 0.44 :1. There were no interactions and the usefulness of chlortetracycline and Zeranol and the poorer production using molasses distillers solubles in all-grain diets are discussed.

scholarly journals Influence of Crossbreeding of Ghezel Ram With Grey Shirazi Ewe on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and Carcass Traits of Fattening Lambs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdolhamid Karimi ◽  
Mohammad Javad Abarghuei ◽  
Alidad Boostani
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Group 12

Abstract In this investigation, performance, feed efficiency and carcass traits of 48 weaned crossbred Grey Shirazi × Ghezel and purbred Grey Shirazi fattening lambs (mean live weight, 28.5 ± 0.5 kg and age, 115 ± 5 days) were evaluated. Lambs were divided into 4 groups contain the GM group (12 purebred male lambs of Grey Shirazi ewe × Grey Shirazi ram), the GF group (12 purebred female lambs of Grey Shirazi ewe × Grey Shirazi ram), the CM group (12 crossbred male lambs of Grey Shirazi ewe × Ghezel ram) and the CF group (12 crossbred female lambs of Grey Shirazi ewe × Ghezel ram). The dry matter intakes (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and carcass traits in the lambs were determined. The DMI was greater in CF lambs compared to GF lambs (P < 0.001). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in male lambs comparing to female lambs (P = 0.001). The final body weight, ADG, live weight at the slaughtering and hot carcass weight (HCW) were lower in GF lambs compared to another lambs (P < 0.001, P = 0.003). Cold carcass weight (CCW) in CM lambs was higher than in other groups. The Longissimus dorsi (LD) area was higher in crossbreed male lambs (P = 0.001). Crossbreeding improved grow performance (final body weight and ADG) in male and female lambs. Carcass trait was improved by crossbreeding especially in male lambs. Sex effect on growth performance and carcass traits was noticeable and male lambs had superior growth.

Effects of a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide on growth and carcass traits of pigs

1999 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.-L. SHIH ◽  
H. TSAI ◽  
W.-J. JIANG ◽  
Y.-T. HUANG ◽  
T.-J. KOH
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Saline Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Muscle Area

The current study was to determine the effects of growth hormone-releasing peptide ([His1, Lys6]-GHRP) on growth performance and carcass traits in pigs, and to determine whether the results were comparable to those of recombinant porcine growth hormone (r-PGH) treatment. Thirty Landrace and Yorkshire pigs (40–45 kg) were randomly divided into three groups, each group consisted of two boars, five gilts and three barrows. Peptides were administered daily by intramuscular injection with the following schemes and dosages: Group A ([His1, Lys6]-GHRP, 200 μg/day in 0·5 ml saline), Group B (r-PGH, 3 mg/day in 0·6 ml saline), and Group C (sterilized physiological saline, 0·5 ml/day). [His1, Lys6]-GHRP caused significant improvements both in pig growth and carcass traits. The average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency of the [His1, Lys6]-GHRP treated group were higher than those of the control, but less than with the r-PGH treatment. The net increase in the ADG by [His1, Lys6]-GHRP was c. 14%, and was 23% by r-PGH (both P<0·01). The feed efficiency was improved 17% by [His1, Lys6]-GHRP (P<0·01) and 20% by r-PGH (P<0·01). On the other hand, the back-fat thickness in both [His1, Lys6]-GHRP and r-PGH treated groups (1·76±0·041 cm and 1·72±0·040 cm, respectively) was considerably less (P<0·05) than that of the control group (1·81±0·040 cm). In addition, the lean cuts percentage and the rib longissimus muscle area were comparable in the [His1, Lys6]-GHRP and r-PGH treatments (lean cuts percentage: 57±2·0% and 57±1·5%, respectively; rib longissimus muscle area: 32·8±0·91 cm2 and 32·9±1·10 cm2, respectively), and both were significantly (P<0·05) greater than those of the control group (lean cuts percentage: 53±1·5%; rib longissimus muscle area: 28·3±1·61 cm2). In conclusion, [His1, Lys6]-GHRP appeared to be a promising tool for controlling carcass fat in pigs.

Growth and carcass characteristics of Wagyu-sired steers at heavy market weights following slow or rapid growth to weaning

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 951 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Cafe ◽  
H. Hearnshaw ◽  
D. W. Hennessy ◽  
P. L. Greenwood
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Similar Composition ◽  
Daily Gain

Two groups of Wagyu × Hereford steers grown slowly (slow preweaning group, n = 14, mean average daily gain = 631 g/day) or rapidly (rapid preweaning group, n = 15, mean average daily gain = 979 g/day) from birth to weaning were backgrounded on improved, temperate pasture to equivalent group liveweights (543 v. 548 kg, s.e. = 8.8 kg), then finished in a feedlot for 120 days. At weaning, the slow preweaning group was 79 kg lighter than the rapid preweaning group. They required an additional 43 days of backgrounding to reach the same feedlot entry weight as the rapid preweaning group. The slow preweaning group grew more rapidly during backgrounding (630 v. 549 g/day, s.e. = 13.7 g/day) but tended to grow more slowly during feedlotting (1798 v. 1982 g/day, s.e. = 74.9 g/day) than their rapid preweaning counterparts, with overall growth rates from weaning to feedlot exit not differing between the 2 groups (rapid 763 g/day v. slow 772 g/day, s.e. = 17.5 g/day). At slaughter, following the feedlot phase, carcass weights of the 2 groups did not differ significantly (rapid 430 kg v. slow 417 kg, s.e. = 7.2 kg). There was a tendency for the steers grown slowly to weaning to have a higher dressing percentage (57.6 v. 56.6%, s.e. = 0.33%), but there were no significant differences in carcass compositional characteristics between the 2 groups. The slow preweaning steers did have a greater eye muscle area than the rapid preweaning steers (106.6 v. 98.9 cm2, s.e. = 1.87) when carcass weight was used as a covariate. These findings demonstrate that cattle grown slowly to weaning have similar composition at slaughter as those grown rapidly during the same period when backgrounded on pasture to the same feedlot entry weight. Furthermore, marbling was not adversely affected by slow growth to weaning.

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