PSXIV-11 Supplementation of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 and increased vitamin E as a strategy to increase carcass weight of feedlot beef cattle

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementing 1mg of 25-OH vitamin D3 (HyD®) and increased vitamin E amount (2000 mg/animal/d) on cattleˈ performance and carcass characteristics when fed a 90-d feedlot finishing diet. A total of 140 Nellore bulls (IBW = 387 ± 28 kg) were distributed in 14 pens (10 animals/pen) in a randomized complete block design (7 pens per treatment). The basal diet was composed by 15% sugarcane bagasse, 72.8% ground corn, 7.6% soybean meal and 4.6 % mineral-vitamin premix (DM basis). The dietary treatments were: 1) Control: No addition of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 (HyD®) and basal Vit. E amount (520 mg/animal per day); 2) HyD+Vit.E: Addition of 1 mg of HyD® plus increased Vit. E amount (2000 mg/animal per day). The animals were fed once daily and had free access to fresh water. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Means comparison was evaluated by tukey test and declared significant at P < 0.05, and tendencies considered when 0.05 < P < 0.10. There was no difference on final body weight (~522.8 kg, P = 0.11), ADG (~1.54 kg/d, P = 0.17), DM intake (~9.9 kg/d, P = 0.41) and G:F (~0.156, P = 0.28) between treatments. Likewise, no differences were observed (P > 0.10) for dressing (~53.5%), REA (~65.5 cm²) and SFT (~4.10 mm). However, feeding HyD+Vit.E tended to increase (P = 0.07) carcass average daily gain (0.993 vs. 0.953 kg/d) and increased (P = 0.04) carcass weight by 4.2 kg compared with control (281.6 vs. 277.4 kg). In conclusion, the combination of HyD and increased vitamin E increases carcass production in feedlot cattle.

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PSII-20 Evaluation of Different Vitamin Concentrations in a Commercial Wean-to-Finish Program

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.302 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 170-171

Author(s):

Robyn Thompson ◽

Brandon Knopf ◽

Carine Vier ◽

Ning Lu ◽

Wayne Cast ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Serum Vitamin ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of different vitamin concentrations on growth performance of wean-to-finish pigs under commercial conditions. A total of 900 barrows and gilts (PIC337×Camborough; initially 5.34±0.13 kg) were used in a 136-d growth trial with 25 pigs per pen and 12 pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Experimental diets were fed in 3 phases during nursery (5-6, 6-13, and 13-26 kg) and 5 phases during grow-finish (26-44, 44-65, 65-87, 87-108, and 108-128 kg). Dietary treatments consisted of: 1) NRC: vitamin concentrations following NRC (2012) recommendations; 2) PIC: vitamin concentrations following PIC (2016) recommendations; 3) Low-PIC: vitamin concentrations that ranged from 0 to 91% of PIC recommendations. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. During the nursery period, pigs fed PIC and Low-PIC diets had greater (P< 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to pigs fed NRC diets. There was no evidence (P >0.10) for differences in average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G:F). During the grow-finish period, there was no evidence (P >0.10) for differences in growth performance. During the overall wean-to-finish period, pigs fed PIC diets had lower (P< 0.05) ADG and final body weight compared to pigs fed NRC and Low-PIC diets. There was no evidence (P >0.10) for differences in ADFI or G:F. Pigs fed PIC diets had the greatest serum vitamin D3 at the end of nursery and finish periods (P< 0.05) and the greatest serum Vitamin E at the end of nursery period (P< 0.05). In summary, pigs fed PIC and Low-PIC diets had greater nursery feed intake and serum vitamin E and D3 concentrations compared to pigs fed NRC diets. Data from this study have demonstrated that pigs fed diets with reduced vitamin concentrations compared to PIC (2016) recommendations had improved wean-to-finish growth rate.

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172 Effects of Dietary Valine, Isoleucine, and Tryptophan Supplementations to Diets Containing Excess Leucine from Corn Protein on Growth Performance of Growing Pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 61-62

Author(s):

Woongbi Bi Kwon ◽

Jose A Soto ◽

Hans H Stein

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Corn Protein ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that addition of Val, Ile, or Trp alone or in combination will reduce the negative effects of excess Leu in diets for growing pigs. A total of 288 growing pigs (28.6 ± 2.5 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 9 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 2 barrows and 2 gilts in each pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment. A control diet based on corn and soybean meal and 8 diets based on corn and a high-protein corn product (48% crude protein) with 2 levels of crystalline L-Val (0 or 0.10%), L-Ile (0 or 0.10%), and L-Trp (0 or 0.05%) were formulated. The crystalline L-Val, L-Ile, and L-Trp increased standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val:Lys from 70 to 80%, SID Ile:Lys from 53 to 63%, and SID Trp:Lys from 18 to 23%, respectively. All diets were formulated to contain 1.00% SID Lys and the 8 diets containing corn protein contained 171% SID Leu:Lys. Individual pig weights were recorded at the beginning and at the conclusion of the 28-d experiment. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED of SAS with a pen as the experimental unit. Diet was the fixed effect and block and replicate within block were random effects. Results indicated that final body weight and average daily gain were not different between pigs fed the control diet and pigs fed the diet with Val and Trp addition, but greater (P < 0.001) than for pigs fed the diet with Val addition, Ile addition, Trp addition, Val and Ile addition, Ile and Trp addition, or Val, Ile, and Trp addition (Table 1). In conclusion, addition of Val and Trp to diets with excess Leu may prevent negative effects of excess Leu in diets for growing pigs.

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139 Bioavailability of valine in a fermentation biomass product relative to the bioavailability in crystalline L-valine when fed to weanling pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz122.144 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 78-79

Author(s):

Maryane S Faria de Oliveira ◽

John K Htoo ◽

Caroline J González-Vega ◽

John E Thomson ◽

Hans H Stein

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Relative Bioavailability ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Weanling Pigs ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Quadratic Effects ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Val from a Val-containing fermentation biomass product (Val-FB; 64.4% L-Val) has a bioavailability of 100% relative to L-Val (98% Val) when fed to weanling pigs. A Val-deficient basal diet containing 0.63% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val was formulated. Six additional diets were prepared by supplementing the basal diet with 0.08, 0.16, or 0.24% L-Val or 0.12, 0.25, or 0.37% Val-FB to create experimental diets containing 0.71, 0.79, or 0.87% SID Val. A total of 224 weanling pigs (6.87 ± 0.64 kg) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 7 diets and 8 replicate pens per diet. Diets were fed for 21 d and growth performance was measured on a pen basis. Orthogonal-polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of L-Val and Val-FB levels on performance and the effect of Val sources. A linear regression model based on performance was used to estimate the relative bioavailability (RBV) of Val in Val-FB relative to L-Val. The final body-weight (BW) and average-daily-gain (ADG) were greater (P < 0.01) for pigs fed diets supplemented with Val-FB than pigs fed diets supplemented with L-Val (Table 1). The average-daily-feed-intake (ADFI) decreased linearly (P < 0.01), whereas gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) increased (P < 0.01) by supplementing graded levels of both Val sources to the diets. The RBV of Val in Val-FB as determined by ADG, G:F, and final BW was 146, 135, and 143%, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals of 99 to 191%, 83 to 187%, and 70 to 217%, respectively. In conclusion, the linear regression estimated a RBV of at least 100% for Val-FB relative to L-Val, and pigs fed diets supplemented with Val-FB had greater ADG and final BW than pigs fed diets supplemented with the same amount of L-Val.

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PSX-A-15 Late-Breaking: Use of a rumen-protected fatty acid supplement on growth performance in feedlot heifers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.670 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 365-366

Author(s):

Juan P Russi ◽

Alejandro E Relling

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Flaxseed Oil ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Acid Supplement ◽

Fatty Acid Supplement

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the of use different doses of a rumen protected fatty acid supplement in feedlot heifers. Seventy-two (cross bread) heifers were blocked by body weight and animals within each block were randomly allotted to a pen. Each pen had 4 heifers, and there were 6 pens per treatment. All animals were fed a basal diet of 14% corn silage, 73% dry rolled corn, 10% cracked soybeans, 1% urea, and 2% mineral vitamin mix for 83 days. Each treatment received different dose of a rumen-protected fatty acid supplement (RPFA), which contained 40% flaxseed oil, 55% treated soy lecithin, and 5% dextrose; processed using the procedure described in the patent (pending: US 2020/0197346 A1). Treatments were T1: 125 g RPFA; T2: 250 g of RPFA, and T3: 375 g of RPFA. Treatments were daily top dressed. Heifers were weighted on days 0, 50, and 83. Longissimus dorsi muscle (LMA) and back fat (BF) at the 13 rib were measured using ultrasound day 0 and 83, before the animals were sent to slaughter. Dry matter offered per day and refusal collected twice a week were used to estimate dry matter intake (DMI). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design, with treatment as a fixed variable and block as a random variable. Means were separated using a polynomial contrast. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.16; Table 1) on final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), DMI, gain to DMI ratio, or dressing percentage. There where quadratic tendencies (P ≤ 0.1; Table 1) for hot carcass weight (HCW), LMA, and BF. Based in the results from the current experiment, feeding 100 g of flaxseed oil (250 g of RPFA) improves HCW and LMA but also BF, without affecting growth and DMI.

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Effect of feeding dry-rolled corn or whole shelled corn during the finishing phase on growth performance and carcass characteristics

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa228 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

T B Freitas ◽

T L Felix ◽

C Clark ◽

F L Fluharty ◽

A E Relling

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Carcass Weight ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Quality Grade

Abstract The objectives of this trial were to evaluate the effect of corn processing during the finishing phase on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics. We hypothesized that steers fed dry-rolled corn would have better feed efficiency (less feed necessary to the same amount of gain) than steers fed whole shelled corn. Ninety-five backgrounded Angus-cross cattle, (initial body weight (BW) = 263 ± 9.8 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design in a feedlot setting. Cattle were divided in to 3 blocks: heifers (n = 31, 4 pens; initial BW = 267 ± 1.3 kg), light steers (n = 32, 4 pens; initial BW = 253 ± 1.3 kg), and heavy steers (n = 32, 4 pens; initial BW = 279 ± 1.4 kg). Diets contained 70% corn (experimental treatment), 15% dried distiller’s grains with solubles, 7% grass hay, and 8% supplement, on a dry matter basis. Cattle were fed for 217, 224, and 231 ± 8 d for the heifer, heavy steer, and light steer blocks, respectively. Two pens within each block were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 1) dry-rolled corn (DRC) or 2) whole shelled corn (WSC). Animal growth performance and carcass characteristics were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, including the fixed effect of treatment. Pen and block were included as random effects. Carcass characteristics USDA Yield Grade and Quality Grade distributions were compared using the GLIMMIX procedure of using the same model than the growth performance data. Data are presented as LSMeans. Cattle fed DRC had greater average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.02) and final BW (P < 0.01) when compared with cattle fed WSC. Even though ADG was greater for the DRC treatment, feed efficiency was similar (P = 0.45) because dry matter intake (DMI) was also greater (P = 0.04) for DRC when compared with the WSC treatment. Cattle fed DRC also had greater hot carcass weight (P < 0.01), dressing percentage (P < 0.01), and Longissimus dorsi muscle area (LMA; P < 0.01) than cattle fed WSC. No differences (P ≥ 0.18) were observed for marbling score, USDA Yield Grade or USDA Quality Grade. In conclusion, feeding DRC to feedlot cattle improved ADG, hot carcass weight, and LMA, without affecting feed efficiency or meat quality.

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PSIV-3 Effect of Protein Source and Soy Hulls Inclusion in Finishing Diets of Feedlot Cattle Fed Free-choice Hay, on Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.351 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 213-214

Author(s):

Alejandro Pittaluga ◽

Alejandro E Relling

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Protein Source ◽

Free Access ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Finishing Diets ◽

Soy Hulls ◽

Ground Corn

Abstract To evaluate the effect of soy-hulls (SH) inclusion in a ground corn-based diet with either distillers dry grains with solubles (DDGS) or soybean meal (SBM) as the protein source (PS), on growth and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle offered free-access hay; one-hundred and nineteen crossbreed steers (initial BW 566 ± 42kg) were blocked by weight, randomly assigned to 8 pens, and fed for 104 ± 10d. Four dietary treatments were evaluated: 1) DDGS without SH inclusion, 2) DDGS and high inclusion of SH, 3) SBM and low inclusion of SH, and 4) SBM and high inclusion of SH. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Grass-hay was offered ad-libitum and separate from the concentrates in a different bunk (GrowSafe system). Data was analyzed as a 2×2 factorial considering the fixed effects of treatments and their interaction, and the random effects of block and steer within block. For gain to feed and kidney-pelvic-heart fat (KPH), an interaction occurred (P ≤ 0.10) between PS and SH inclusion (Table 1 and 2, respectively). With greater inclusion of SH, feed efficiencies of steers fed SBM improved compared with feed efficiencies of steers fed DDGS. Steers fed SBM and high SH had the lower KPH content. Feeding SBM increased (P = 0.05) final body weight, tended to increase (P = 0.06) the average daily gain, and decreased (P = 0.05) hay intake compared with steers fed DDGS (Table 1). No differences were observed (P ≥ 0.14) in carcass characteristics between PS and SH inclusion, except for backfat thickness which increased (P = 0.03) with lower SH inclusions (Table 2). These data suggest that opting for SBM as an alternative of DDGS as the protein source of ground corn-based diets, could conceivably enhance the finishing performance of feedlot steers regardless of the SH inclusion levels, and improve feed efficiency with greater levels of dietary SH.

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PSVI-14 Blend of Additives in Nursery Pig Diets as an Antibiotics Substitute Increases the Growth Performance and Intestinal Health

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.328 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 201-201

Author(s):

Sudario Roberto Silva Junior ◽

Rhuan F Chaves ◽

Maíra Resende ◽

Ygor Henrique De Paula ◽

Kenio De Gouvêa Cabral ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Intestinal Health ◽

Total Period ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Diarrhea Incidence

Abstract Antibiotics growth promoting (AGP) in animal feed has been restricted. With this, several additives have been tested in order to replace AGP and ensure intestinal health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a blend of additives on growth performance, diarrhea incidence and cecal content microbiota of nursery pigs. A total of 576 weaned pigs (6.21 ± 1.16 kg) were assigned into 4 treatments (12 replicates) in randomized block design: basal diet without additives (NC); basal diet with 120 ppm of halquinol (PC); NC + 0,05% blend of lactic acid (3,5%), benzoic acid (2,5%), flavonoids (3,5%) (B5); NC+ 0,1% of same blend (B10). The pigs were weighed 0 and 42 days into the experiment. On day 10, one animal per pen (10 replicates) was euthanized for microbiota analyses. The diarrhea incidence was calculated by the percentage of visual pens with diarrhea, by day, in the period. The growth performance was analyzed by GLIMMIX procedure and the means were compared with Tukey test (P < 0.050) (SAS, 2009). Diarrhea incidence was analyzed by GENMOD procedure (SAS, 2009). The Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare microbial biodiversity (P < 0.050) by statistical program STAMP. The final weight (P = 0.010) and average daily gain (P = 0.001) of B10 and PC were higher than NC. Regarding diarrhea, it was observed that the B5 and B10 had lower incidence when compared to other groups in the total period. In the microbiome analyses, it was observed that the B5, B10, and PC groups had lower (P = 0.021) biodiversity when compared to the NC piglets. However, the B5 and B10 group had higher biodiversity when compared to the PC group. In conclusion, the supplementation with 0,1% blend of additives can be a substitute for AGP.

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Effects of Substitution of Corn with Ground Brown Rice on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Gut Microbiota of Growing-Finishing Pigs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020375 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 375

Author(s):

Sheena Kim ◽

Jin Ho Cho ◽

Younghoon Kim ◽

Hyeun Bum Kim ◽

Minho Song

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Brown Rice ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Dietary Treatments

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing corn with brown rice on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, and gut microbiota of growing and finishing pigs. A total of 100 growing pigs (23.80 ± 2.96 kg BW; 10 weeks of age) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (5 pigs/pen; 5 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (block = BW) as follows: corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON) and replacing corn with 50% (GBR50), 75% (GBR75), and 100% (GBR100) of ground brown rice. Each trial phase was for 6 weeks. During the growing period, there were no differences on growth performance and nutrient digestibility among dietary treatments. Similarly, no differences were found on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics of pigs during the finishing period among dietary treatments. As a result of the beta diversity analysis, microbial populations were not clustered between CON and GBR100 during the growing phase, but clustered into two distinct groups of CON and GBR100 during the finishing phase. In conclusion, brown rice can be added to the diets of growing-finishing pigs by replacing corn up to 100% without negatively affecting growth performance of the pigs; additionally, this may have an effect on changes in pig intestinal microbiota if continued for a long time.

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PSX-B-5 Effect of replacement of dry-rolled corn with un-processed rye on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, and carcass traits of finishing heifers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 458-459

Author(s):

Keith M Buckhaus ◽

Warren C Rusche ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Net Energy ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Trenbolone Acetate ◽

Finishing Diets

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.

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PSVII-24 Blend of essential oils plus 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 as alternative to the use monensin on growth performance and dietary energetics in feedlot cattle raised under high ambient temperature

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.805 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 452-453

Author(s):

Daniel Mendoza-Cortés ◽

Jorge L Ramos-Méndez ◽

Adrián Félix-Bernal ◽

Alfredo Estrada-Angulo ◽

Manuel Franco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Ambient Temperature ◽

Vitamin D3 ◽

Animal Health ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

High Ambient Temperature ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Final Weight

Abstract Ninety young crossbreed bulls (approximately 25% Zebu breeding with the remainder represented by continental and British breeds in various proportions, initial weight=228.04±7.06 kg) were used in a 84-day feeding trial to assess the effects of treatments in feedlot cattle fed transition diets during high ambient temperatures. Treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based diets (average 1.95 Mcal ENm/kg) supplemented with: 1) 20 mg monensin/kg diet (MON, Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN], and 2) 100 mg of blend of essential oils /kg diet plus 0.1 mg 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3/kg diet (EO+HyD; CRINA® Ruminants and HyD®, DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland). Both dry matter intake (DMI) and climatic variables were measured daily and the temperature humidity index (THI) was estimated. Daily maximal THI remained over 80 during the whole trial (avg. THI = 82.67). Cattle supplemented with EO+HyD increased average daily gain in 8.7% (1.446 vs. 1.320 kg/day, P < 0.01), gain-to-fed ratio in 4.5% (0.199 vs. 0.190; P = 0.03), final weight in 10.05 kg (349.48 vs. 339.43; P = 0.04) and tended (P = 0.07) to shown greater dietary net energy (2.5%) and observed-to-expected dietary NE ratio (3%). Even when EO+HyD tended to increase (4.3%; P = 0.06) DM intake, intake pattern variation were not different (P = 0.38) between MON and EO+HyD (Figure 1). Then, difference in ADG and final BW between MON and EO+HyD was not only a reflection of difference in energy intake, was also caused by difference in efficiency of energy utilization during conditions of high ambient temperature (a reduction of 7% in the estimated increase of coefficient of maintenance by heat load). Results indicate that supplementation with a combination of essential oil blend plus 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 can have greater beneficial effects than supplemental monensin on daily weight gain, final weight and feed intake during initiation-transition phase of cattle raised under high ambient temperature.

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