scholarly journals 227 Evaluation of mixer performance in cattle finishing diets of varying physical characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 150-151
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M Buckhaus ◽  
Zachary K Smith

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate batch fraction (BF), physical characteristics (DIET), and mixing duration (DUR) on long particle distribution in finishing diets. Diets were mixed in a 2.35 m3 horizontal mixer. The experiment was designed as a 5×3×2 factorial arrangement with nine replications per simple mean. Factors included 1) BF (n = 5), 2) DIET (n = 3) containing no corn-milling by-product (CON), a dry-corn milling by-product [47.45 ± 1.015% DM (as-is basis); DRY], or a wet-corn milling by-product [43.67 ± 1.786% DM (as-is basis); WET], and 3) mixing duration (n = 2) of 20 or 25 revolutions. Diets contained a 1:1 blend of DRC:HMC, the corn-milling by-products replaced the corn blend (20% total diet DM inclusion), grass hay (6% DM inclusion), liquid supplement (5% DM inclusion), and a meal supplement (7% DM inclusion). Data were analyzed as a CRD using the GLIMMIX procedure (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC) using a multinomial approach. Samples of the total mixed ration (TMR) were subjected to separation via the Penn State Particle Separator. The dependent variable of interest was the portion of the TMR retained on the 19 mm sieve. No interactions were detected (P ≥ 0.49). There was an 87.1% (P = 0.01) increase in retention on the 19 mm sieve for last BF compared to the first BF. Diet influenced (P = 0.04) 19 mm sieve retention, there was 10.2% less TMR retained on the 19 mm sieve for DRY versus WET; CON was intermediate. Mixing duration did not influence (P = 0.73) 19 mm sieve retention. These data indicate that as the mixer unloads there can be nearly double the amount of roughage fed; differing physical characteristics of the diet only moderately influence the true roughage content fed. Differing roughage content delivered depending upon the BF could influence daily intake, feed efficiency and alter observed to expected ratios of dietary net energy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 129-129
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M Buckhaus ◽  
Zachary K Smith

Abstract Batch fraction (BF), corn silage inclusion level (DIET), and mixing duration (DUR) were evaluated in an experiment using finishing diets based on corn silage and a blend of dry-rolled (DRC) and high-moisture corn (HMC). A 2.35 m3 horizontal mixer was used to manufacture all diets. The experiment was designed as a 5 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with nine replications per simple treatment mean. Factors included: 1) BF (n = 5), 2) DIET (n = 2) containing (DM basis) 15% corn silage or 30% corn silage replacing the corn blend, and 3) DUR (n = 2) of 20 or 25 mixer revolutions. Diets contained corn silage, a 1:1 ratio of DRC:HMC, a liquid supplement (5% DM inclusion), and a meal supplement (7% DM inclusion). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC) using a multinomial approach. The Penn State Particle Separator was used to separate fractions of the total mixed ration (TMR) with special interest on the portion of the TMR retained on the 19 mm sieve. No interactions between BF, DIET, and REV were detected (P ≥ 0.44). There was a 53.5% increase (P = 0.01) in retention on the 19 mm sieve from the first BF (first 20% of the TMR unloaded from the mixer) compared to the last BF (last 20% of the TMR unloaded from the mixer). The LOW diet had 71.3% decrease (P = 0.01) in retention on the 19 mm sieve (2.13 vs. 7.43 ± 0.220%) compared to the HIGH diet. Increasing DUR from 20 to 25 revolutions had no appreciable influence (P = 0.23) on particles greater than 19 mm. These data indicate that BF fed could alter dry matter intake, dietary net energy content, and influence daily gain. Wednesday, July 22, 2020


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 168-168
Author(s):  
Wyatt N Smith ◽  
Catherine L Lockard ◽  
Caleb G Lockard ◽  
Megan Homolka ◽  
Kendall Karr ◽  
...  

Abstract We hypothesized that roughage source would not impact rumination time and growth performance if the different sources provided a similar concentration of dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and physically effective NDF (peNDF). This experiment’s objective was to evaluate rumination time, and growth performance steers consuming finishing diets with differing roughage sources (corn stalks, cotton burrs, or wheat silage). Beef steers (n = 49; BW = 317 + 5.6 kg) were used in a completely randomized design with 3 dietary treatments. Steers consumed a steam-flaked corn-based diet containing corn stalks (CS), cotton burrs (CB), or wheat silage (WS) included at 7% (DM basis). Dietary NDF was similar (P = 0.36) across treatments. Each steer was fitted with a sensory collar to record daily rumination. Weekly ingredient and dietary samples were estimated for physically effective NDF (epeNDF) using the Penn State Particle Separator. Actual physically effective NDF (apeNDF) was calculated based upon rumination time. Neither initial nor final body weight (BW) differed between treatments (P > 0.52); nor did average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake or carcass adjusted variables of FBW, ADG, empty BW, or empty body fat (P > 0.31). However, gain to feed (G:F) tended to differ (P = 0.06) between treatments. The CS diet had the greatest G:F with no difference (P = 0.75) between CB and WS. Dietary NDF and epeNDF were similar (P > 0.35) among roughage sources; however, CB had the least apeNDF, consistent with lower rumination time (P < 0.01). When energy values were calculated from animal performance, the CS diet had the greatest observed energy values, followed by WS and CB having the least. These results indicate roughage source impacted rumination time, although steers were fed a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet with similar dietary roughage and NDF inclusions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 127-127
Author(s):  
Wyatt Smith ◽  
Catherine Lockard ◽  
Caleb Lockard ◽  
Megan Homolka ◽  
Kendall Karr ◽  
...  

Abstract Research is limited on how physically effective fiber from various roughage sources aids in rumination time and ruminal pH of finishing beef cattle. This experiment’s objective was to evaluate rumination time and ruminal pH of beef steers consuming finishing diets with varying roughage sources (corn stalks, cotton burrs, or wheat silage). We hypothesized that roughage type would not impact rumination time and ruminal pH if different sources provide similar dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Ruminally cannulated steers (n = 6; average BW = 644.56 + 13.15 kg) were used in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square with 3 dietary treatments and 3, 21-d periods (20-d diet adaptation, 1-d sampling). Steers consumed a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet containing corn stalks (CS), cotton burrs (CB), or wheat silage (WS) included at 7% (DM basis) of the diet. Dietary NDF was similar across treatments. Steers were fitted with a sensory collar to record daily rumination (Allflex Livestock Intelligence). Ruminal pH was measured using a handheld pH probe on d-21 at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 hr postprandial. The NDF and dry matter intake (DMI) were greatest for steers consuming the WS diet (P < 0.01) while CS and CB diets did not differ (P = 0.81). While dietary NDF and estimated physically effective NDF (peNDF) were similar among roughage sources, CB had the lowest actual peNDF, consistent with lower rumination time (P < 0.01) and lower ruminal pH (P = 0.29). This experiment’s results indicate that roughage source impacted rumination time despite feeding steers a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet with similar roughage and NDF levels. Using rumination time (min/d) to determine peNDF was a better indicator of rumen function parameters than particle size measured via the Penn State Particle Separator equation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (8) ◽  
pp. 3562-3577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Humberto F de Melo ◽  
Rodrigo S Marques ◽  
Vinícius N Gouvêa ◽  
Jonas de Souza ◽  
Camila D A Batalha ◽  
...  

Abstract Flint corn processing method [coarse ground corn (CGC; 3.2 mm average particle size) or steam-flaked corn (SFC; 0.360 kg/L flake density)] was evaluated in conjunction with 4 levels of NDF from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as roughage source (RNDF; 4%, 7%, 10%, and 13%; DM basis) to determine impact on growth performance, carcass characteristics, starch utilization, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Bos indicus beef cattle. Two hundred and forty Nellore bulls were blocked by initial BW (350 ± 37 kg), assigned to 32 feedlot pens and pens within weight block were randomly assigned, in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (2 corn processing and 4 levels of RNDF) to treatments. Effects of corn grain processing × RNDF level were not detected (P ≥ 0.14) for growth performance, dietary net energy concentration, carcass traits, rumen morphometrics, and feeding behavior, except for time spent ruminating and time spent resting (P ≤ 0.04), and a tendency for papillae width (P ≤ 0.09). Bulls fed SFC-based diets consumed 7% less (P = 0.001), had 10.6% greater carcass-adjusted ADG (P < 0.001) and 19% greater carcass-adjusted feed efficiency (P < 0.001) compared with bulls fed CGC-based diets. Observed net energy for maintenance and gain values were 14.9% and 19.4% greater (P < 0.001), respectively, for SFC than for CGC-based diets. Fecal starch concentration was less (P < 0.001) for bulls fed SFC compared with those fed CGC. No grain processing effects were detected (P = 0.51) for rumenitis score; however, cattle fed SFC presented smaller ruminal absorptive surface area (P = 0.03). Dry matter intake increased linearly (P = 0.02) and carcass-adjusted feed efficiency tended (P = 0.06) to decrease linearly as RNDF increased. Dietary RNDF concentration did not affect carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.19), except for dressing percentage, which tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.06) as RNDF in finishing diets increased. Increasing RNDF in finishing diets had no effect (P = 0.26) on time spent eating, but time spent ruminating and resting increased linearly (min/d; P < 0.001) with increased dietary RNDF. Steam flaking markedly increased flint corn energy value, net energy of diets, and animal growth performance, and led to improvements on feed efficiency when compared with grinding, regardless of RNDF content of diets. Increasing dietary RNDF compromised feedlot cattle feed efficiency and carcass dressing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Burken ◽  
B. L. Nuttelman ◽  
J. L. Gramkow ◽  
A. L. McGee ◽  
K. M. Sudbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Corn plants were sampled over 2 consecutive years to assess the effects of corn hybrid maturity class, plant population, and harvest time on whole corn plant quality and yield in Nebraska. A finishing experiment evaluated the substitution of corn with corn silage in diets with corn modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS). The first 2 harvest dates were at the mid- and late-silage harvest times whereas the final harvest was at the grain harvest stage of plant maturity. Whole plant yields increased as harvest time progressed (yr 1 quadratic P &lt; 0.01; yr 2 linear P &lt; 0.01). However, differences in TDN concentration in both years were quite minimal across harvest time, because grain percentage increased but residue NDF in-situ disappearance decreased as harvest time was delayed. In the finishing experiment, as corn silage inclusion increased from 15 to 55% (DM basis) by replacing dry rolled and high moisture corn grain with corn silage in diets containing 40% MDGS, DMI, ADG, and G:F linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01), with the steers on the 15% corn silage treatment being 1.5%, 5.0%, and 7.7% more efficient than steers on treatments containing 30, 45, and 55% corn silage, respectively. Calculated dietary NEm and NEg decreased linearly as corn silage inclusion increased indicating that net energy values were greater for corn grain than for corn silage. In addition, dressing percentage decreased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) as silage inclusion increased suggesting more fill as silage inclusion increases in diets. Cattle fed greater than 15% corn silage in finishing diets based on corn grain will gain slower and be slightly less efficient and likely require increased days to market at similar carcass fatness and size. When 30% silage was fed with 65% MDGS, DMI, and ADG were decreased (P &lt; 0.01) compared to feeding 30% silage with 40% MDGS suggesting some benefit to including a proportion of corn in the diet. Conversely, when 45% silage was fed with 40% MDGS, ADG, and G:F were greater (P &lt; 0.04) than when 45% silage was fed with just grain implying a greater energy value for MDGS than for corn grain. Substituting corn silage for corn grain in finishing diets decreased ADG and G:F which would increase days to finish to an equal carcass weight; however, in this experiment, increasing corn silage levels with MDGS present reduced carcass fat thickness without significantly decreasing marbling score.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 458-459
Author(s):  
Keith M Buckhaus ◽  
Warren C Rusche ◽  
Zachary K Smith

Abstract Continental × British beef heifers were used in a randomized complete block design experiment to evaluate the effects of replacing dry-rolled corn with unprocessed rye on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy (NE) utilization, and carcass trait responses in finishing heifers. Heifers (n = 56; 433 ± 34.0 kg) were transported 241 km from a regional sale barn to the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD. Heifers were blocked by weight grouping and then allotted to pens (n = 7 heifers/pen and 4 pens/treatment). Treatments included a finishing diet that contained 60% grain (DM basis) as dry-rolled corn (DRC) or unprocessed rye grain (RYE). On d 14, heifers were consuming the final diet and were implanted with 200 mg of trenbolone acetate and 28 mg of estradiol benzoate (Synovex-Plus, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ). RYE heifers had decreased (P ≤ 0.01) final body weight, average daily gain, and gain efficiency; but tended (P = 0.08) to have a greater dry matter intake compared to DRC. RYE had decreased (P ≤ 0.01) observed dietary NE and decreased (P ≤ 0.01) observed-to-expected dietary NE ratio for maintenance and gain compared to DRC. Dressing percentage, 12th rib fat thickness, ribeye area, and the distribution of USDA yield and quality grades were not altered (P ≥ 0.12) by diet. Hot carcass weight, yield grade, estimated empty body fat (EBF), and body weight at 28% EBF decreased (P ≤ 0.02) and retail yield increased (P= 0.01) in RYE compared to DRC. These data indicate that unprocessed rye is a palatable feed ingredient for inclusion in finishing diets for beef cattle and that rye inclusion only minimally influences carcass quality. The feeding value of unprocessed rye is considerably less (21.4%) than that of dry-rolled corn using current standards and approximately 91% of the NE value of processed rye.


Author(s):  
Kristian Hales ◽  
◽  
Jeferson Lourenco ◽  
Darren S. Seidel ◽  
Osman Yasir Koyun ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiane De Oliveira Grieser ◽  
Simara Márcia Marcato ◽  
Mariana Fátima Zanon Ferreira ◽  
Taciana Maria de Oliveira-Bruxel ◽  
Vittor Zancanela ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess the effect of quantitative dietary restriction during refeeding on the performance, body chemical composition, and deposition, weight gain of organs and carcass parts of quails reared for meat (Coturnix coturnix coturnix). A total of 144 quails, between 11 to 42 days old, were distributed in a completely randomized design, 4x2 factorial scheme, at four levels of feed restriction (ad libitum, 30%, 50% and 70% restrictions on the daily intake ad libitum) for both genders. Therefore, there was eight treatments with three replicates and six birds each. At the tenth day of age, the animals were housed in cages, where remained for four days under adaptation. Dietary restriction was applied between the days 15 and 35 while refeeding was carried out from day 36 to 42. Compensatory weight gain (CWG), i.e. weight gain of organs and carcass parts, and feed efficiency (FE) were improved for quails under feed restriction. Fat (F), crude protein (CP), protein deposition rate (PDR) and fat in females (FDf) and carcass retained energy in females (CREf) increased linearly as restriction levels decreased. Maximum estimates of feed intake for males (MFIm), compensatory weight gain for males (CWGm) and females (CWGf), feed efficiency for males (FEm), protein deposition for males (PDm) and carcass retained energy in males (CREm) were obtained with restriction levels of 43.56%, 30.56%, 63.93%, 62.63%, 80.25%, 1.94% and 09.34% if compared to ad libitum, respectively. As a result, we concluded that according to quantitative feed restriction level, significant increases in feed efficiency and body weight gain, as well as decreases in carcass fat throughout quail refeeding period. As for gender, given the existing sexual dimorphism, females lost greater body weight than males under dietary restriction, besides showing higher protein and fat gains in the carcass and an enhanced feed efficiency during refeeding.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 977
Author(s):  
João Vinícius Barbosa Roberto ◽  
Bonifácio Benicio de Souza ◽  
Gabriel Jorge Carneiro de Oliveira  ◽  
Jaime Miguel de Araujo Filho ◽  
Thaiz Lamy Alves Ribeiro ◽  
...  

This study evaluated food intake and productive performance of crossbred (½ Santa Inês x ½ dorper) lambs supplemented with different levels of faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl) fodder salt. Thirty male sheep fed tifton grass hay, water, and faveleira fodder salt were randomly allocated into five treatments with six replicates each. The treatments consisted of diets with different inclusion levels of faveleira hay in the fodder salt composition: Treatment 1 (1% mineral salt + 99% faveleira hay), Treatment 2 (3% mineral salt + 97% faveleira hay), Treatment 3 (5% mineral salt + 95% faveleira hay), Treatment 4 (7% mineral salt + 93% faveleira hay), and Treatment 5 (Control - 100% mineral salt). Intake of dry matter, tifton hay and water, average daily gain, feed conversion, and feed efficiency were not affected by fodder salt supplementation (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in fodder salt intake between Treatments 4 and 5, and daily intake was higher in animals submitted to Treatment 4 (61.0 g day-1). Mineral salt intake increased significantly with increasing mineral salt levels in the diet. However, no significant difference was observed in average daily gain across treatments, indicating that faveleira hay, even in small quantities, and tifton hay were able to meet the nutritional requirements of animals to support a good average daily gain. The inclusion of up to 99% faveleira hay in fodder salt formulations did not affect voluntary intake of forage, water and dry matter, average daily gain, feed conversion, and feed efficiency. Lambs supplemented with faveleira fodder salt had average daily gains within the optimal range for slaughter and high feed conversion and feed efficiency values. Faveleira was shown to be an effective supplementary feed alternative in sheep.


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