scholarly journals Effect of protein source and non-roughage NDF content in finishing diets of feedlot cattle fed free-choice hay on growth performance and carcass characteristics

Author(s):  
Alejandro M Pittaluga ◽  
Chris Clark ◽  
Alejandro E Relling

Abstract One-hundred twenty crossbreed steers (initial body weight (BW) 566 ± 42 kg) were used to evaluate the interaction of protein source (PS) and non-roughage NDF content (NRFC) in finishing diets of feedlot cattle fed free-choice hay on performance and carcass characteristics. Steers were stratified by BW and randomly assigned to 8 pens (2×2 factorial) and fed for 104 ± 10 d. Four dietary treatments were investigated: 1) distillers’ dry grains with solubles (DDGS) and a low NRFC (DLF), 2) DDGS and a high NRFC (DHF), 3) soybean meal (SBM) and a low NRFC (SLF), 4) SBM and a high NRFC (SHF). Free-choice grass hay and concentrates were offered in a different bunk. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design. Do to the confounded effect of PS and protein intake, a linear regression was used to evaluate the effect of protein intake in growth performance. For gain to feed ratio (G:F) an interaction tended to occur (P = 0.10) between PS and NRFC. Steers on the DHF treatment had a lower G:F compared with SLF and SHF. Feeding SBM increased (P = 0.05) final BW, tended to increase (P = 0.06) average daily gain (ADG), and decreased (P = 0.05) hay intake (HI) compared with steers fed DDGS. There was a positive association (P ˂ 0.01) of crude protein intake with ADG and FBW. Dietary NRFC did not change (P ≥ 0.3) final BW, ADG, DMI, and HI. Protein source did not affect (P ≥ 0.16) hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle (LM) area, dressing, 12th rib fat thickness, or marbling score (MS). No differences were detected between NRFC for dressing, HCW, LM area, or MS (P ≥ 0.18); but diets with greater NRFC decreased (P = 0.03) the 12th rib fat thickness. Steers in the SHF treatment presented the lesser kidney-pelvic-heart fat compared with the remaining treatments (PS×NRFC interaction, P = 0.04). Soybean meal inclusion/increase in protein intake improved growth performance of feedlot steers compared with DDGS, despite protein intake meet the protein requirement. Increasing the NRFC did not affect growth or HI but decreased feed efficiency of steers fed DDGS.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1173-1181
Author(s):  
Leonardo G Sitorski ◽  
Marc L Bauer ◽  
Kendall C Swanson

Abstract One-hundred thirty-two finishing steers (300 ± 2.7 kg body weight [BW]) predominately of Angus, Simmental, and Shorthorn breeding were used to study the effect of metabolizable protein (MP) intake on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior. Steers were stratified by initial BW across five pens and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments to supply an average of 626, 906, 1,209, and 1,444 g MP/d (n = 33 per treatment). Feed intake and feeding behavior were measured using radio frequency identification tags and the Insentec feeding system. For feeding behavior, a visit was defined as each time the Insentec system detected a steer at the feed bunk. A meal was defined as eating periods by intervals no longer than 7 min. Steers were fed until they reached an average BW of 598 ± 3.1 kg. Average daily gain (ADG) responded quadratically (P < 0.01) with ADG increasing in steers fed 906 g MP/d and plateauing thereafter. Dry-matter intake (DMI; kg) responded quadratically (P = 0.009) with DMI increasing with MP intake up to 1,209 g/d MP and decreasing thereafter. Gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly (P = 0.04) and tended (P = 0.10) to respond quadratically, as G:F increased up to 906 g MP/d and plateaued thereafter. A quadratic response (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively) was observed for marbling score and 12th rib subcutaneous fat thickness with steers fed 1,209 g MP/d having the greatest marbling score and back fat thickness. A quadratic effect for visits and meals per day was observed (P < 0.01) with steers fed the 1,209 g MP/d treatment having the least visits and meals per day. In addition, time eating per visit responded quadratically (P = 0.05) with time increasing from 626 to 906 g MP/d. There was a linear increase (P ≤ 0.02) in time eating per meal and per day with increasing MP intake. A quadratic effect (P < 0.03) was observed for DMI per visit, meal, and minute with steers fed 1,209 g MP/d having the greatest DMI. In summary, steers fed 626 g MP/d had increased visits and meals per day. However, DMI per visit, meal, and minute were greater in steers fed 1,209 g MP/d. A day × treatment interaction (P < 0.001) was observed for plasma urea N as concentrations increased to a greater extent over time in the higher MP treatments than in the lower MP treatments. These data indicate that MP supply (from deficient to excess) influences growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior of finishing steers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 215-216
Author(s):  
Payton L Dahmer ◽  
Tamra Kott ◽  
Alison Crane ◽  
James Lattimer ◽  
Cassandra K Jones

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate corn dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed (CGF) as replacements for soybean meal (SBM) and determine the impact of an ionophore on Boer goat growth performance and carcass characteristics. In Exp. 1, 75 Boer-goat kids (initial BW 26.9 ± kg) were allotted to one of 5 dietary treatments: 1) Negative control (100% SBM, 0% DDGS and 0% CGF; 100SBM); 2) Positive control (100% DDGS, 0% CGF and 0% SBM; 100DDGS); 3) 66% DDGS, 33% CGF and 0% SBM (66DDGS/33CGF); 4) 66% CGF, 33% DDGS and 0% SBM (33DDGS/66 CGF); and 5) 100% CGF, 0% DDGS and 0% SBM (0DDGS/100CGF). Dietary treatment did not impact (P ≤ 0.21) growth. In Exp. 2, 72 Boer-goat kids (initial BW 21.7 ± kg) were allotted to one of 4 dietary treatments in a 2 X 2 factorial with 2 protein sources and 2 ionophore inclusions: 1) SBM/no ionophore (SBM-NI); Diet 2) SBM with ionophore (SBM-I); Diet 3) DDGS/no ionophore (DDGS-NI); and Diet 4) DDGS with ionophore (DDGS-I). On d 21, goats were split into 2 groups according to their protein source and fed an additional d 10 (Group 1: DDGS-I; Group 2: SBM-I). The 15 heaviest goats from each group were harvested and carcass data collected. The protein source X ionophore interaction was not significant (P ≥ 0.15) for any measured response criteria. Goats fed a diet with SBM had significantly increased (P = 0.04) ADG compared to goats fed DDGS. No evidence of difference was observed (P ³ 0.10) for ADFI or G:F. Dietary treatment did not impact (P > 0.05) carcass characteristics. In summary, these data suggest that corn co-products can be economically included in Boer-goat diets, however their impact on growth performance is variable compared to that of soybean meal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 213-214
Author(s):  
Alejandro Pittaluga ◽  
Alejandro E Relling

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 123-124
Author(s):  
Bryce Bitsie ◽  
Andrea M Osorio ◽  
Darren D Henry ◽  
Breno Silva ◽  
Leticia Godoi ◽  
...  

Abstract One hundred and forty-four Angus x Simmental steers were allotted by body weight (BW; 363 kg, breed composition, and farm origin to a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of 6 treatments (4 pens per treatment) to determine the effect of Mootral (garlic + citrus extract; 0.25% of the diet DM vs. 0.0%) on methane emissions, growth and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. During the first 84 days, cattle were fed three different diets (forage content of 15, 41.5, or 68% corn silage). From day 85 to slaughter, corn silage was included at only 15% of the diet DM. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. There was an interaction (P = 0.03) between forage content and Mootral for DMI from d 0 to 84, where Mootral decreased DMI of steers fed 15% corn silage, but did not affect DMI of steers fed 41.5 or 68% corn silage. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.22) of forage content or Mootral on BW or average daily gain at any time, or on DMI from d 84 to slaughter and overall. Gain-feed ratio from d 0 to 84 and overall was greater (P = 0.04) for steers fed 68% compared to 15 or 41.5% corn silage. On d 41, steers fed 41.5 and 68% corn silage had increased (P ≤ 0.02) methane emissions compared to steers fed 15% corn silage. There tended to be an interaction (P ≤ 0.09) between forage content and Mootral for methane emissions (g/d) on d 41 and 203, where steers fed Mootral showed lesser methane emissions with 15% corn silage, but not with the 41.5 and 68% corn silage diets. Steers fed Mootral showed lesser (P ≤ 0.03) methane emissions on d 203. Mootral tended to decrease (P < 0.10) fat thickness and yield grade. In conclusion, Mootral decreased methane production in 15% corn silage diets and improved carcass leanness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 352-353
Author(s):  
Alejandro Pittaluga ◽  
Tara L Felix ◽  
Alejandro E Relling

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing quantity of soy-hulls in diets of feedlot cattle offered free-choice hay on finishing performance, roughage intake, and carcass characteristics. Sixty heifers and 54 steers, Angus*Simangus-crossbreds, were used in a randomized complete block design. Cattle were stratified by sex and weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 12 pens. Treatment 1 consisted of 5% soy hulls (SH; 5%SH), 70% cracked corn (CC), 15% dry distiller grains with soluble (DDGS), 10% mineral supplement (SUP). Treatments 2 (10%SH) and 3 (15%SH) included an additional 5% and 10% SH in place of CC, respectively. Hay was offered ad libitum and separate from the concentrates in different bunks, both concentrate and forage were fed in GrowSafe units. Data were analyzed as a complete block design and mean differences in group means were determined using polynomial contrast [lineal (L) and quadratic (Q)]. There was a quadratic effect of soy hull inclusion on final body weight (fBW) and concentrate intake (Q-P ˂ 0.05); 5%SH and 15%SH had a greater fBW and concentrate intake compared to those fed 10%SH. Gain to feed ratio was not affected by treatments (L-P ≥ 0.33). There was a linear effect of SH on hay intake (L-P ˂ 0.05) with cattle fed 5%SH consuming less hay than those fed 15%SH. There was no effect on ribeye area, yield grade, or backfat (L-P ≥ 0.35; Q-P ≥ 0.14). Hot carcass weight tended to quadratically respond to dietary treatments (Q-P < 0.10), while marbling score tended to be linearly decreased by increased SH inclusion (L-P = 0.09). Kidney-pelvic-heart fat was linearly decreased by increased SH inclusion (L-P ˂ 0.05). Results indicate that non-roughage NDF from by-products can effectively contribute to a reduction of roughage utilization in feedlot diets without compromising growth performance or carcass characteristics.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1904
Author(s):  
Taoqi Shao ◽  
Joshua C. McCann ◽  
Daniel W. Shike

The objective was to investigate the effects of feeding late gestational beef cows supplements differing in fatty acid profile on steer progeny finishing phase growth performance, carcass characteristics, and relative mRNA expression of myogenic and adipogenic genes. Seventy Angus-cross steers (initial body weight [BW] 273 ± 34 kg) born from dams supplemented with either 155 g DM/d EnerGII (CON, rich in palmitic and oleic acids) or 80 g DM/d Strata + 80 g DM/d Prequel (PUFA, rich in linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) for the last 77 ± 6 d prepartum were used. Longissimus muscle and subcutaneous adipose biopsies were collected to evaluate relative mRNA expression of genes related to myogenesis and adipogenesis. Steers were slaughtered at 423 ± 6 d of age. No treatment × time interaction or treatment effect (p ≥ 0.21) was detected for steer finishing phase BW, while steers from PUFA supplemented dams tended (p = 0.06) to have a greater gain to feed ratio (G:F). Neither carcass characteristics nor relative mRNA expression was different (p ≥ 0.11). In conclusion, late gestation PUFA supplementation tended to increase steer progeny finishing phase G:F, but had no effects on finishing phase BW, carcass characteristics, or relative mRNA expression during the finishing phase.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro H V Carvalho ◽  
Mariana F Westphalen ◽  
Jonathan A Campbell ◽  
Tara L Felix

Abstract The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of coated or noncoated hormone implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet for 112 d. Seventy-nine Holstein steers [average initial body weight (BW) = 452 ± 5.5 kg] were stratified by BW and allotted to one of two treatments: 1) Holstein steers implanted with a coated implant containing 200 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 40 mg E2 (Revalor-XS (Merck Animal Health; Summit, NJ)] on day 0 (XS) or 2) Holstein steers implanted two times (days 0 and 56) with a noncoated implant containing 80 mg of TBA and 16 mg of E2 [(2IS) Revalor-IS (Merck Animal Health)]. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). There was no effect (P ≥ 0.71) of implant strategy on initial, middle, and final BW. No effect (P ≥ 0.12) of implant strategy was observed on average daily gain, dry matter intake, or gain-to-feed ratio. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.11) of implant strategy on carcass characteristics. There was an implant × day interaction (P < 0.01) for the circulation of serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentration increased similarly 14 d after Holstein steers were implanted, regardless of implant strategy. At 28 d, after steers were implanted, steers in the XS group had less serum E2 concentration than Holstein steers in the 2IS group. However, at 56 d after the first implantation, both groups, once again, had similar serum E2 concentrations and E2 concentrations were less on day 56 than day 28 for both strategies. Holstein steers implanted with 2IS had greater serum E2 concentration on day 70 and E2 concentrations remained greater than serum E2 of Holstein steers implanted XS for the duration of the trial (day 112). In summary, there was no effect of coated or two doses of noncoated implant on growth performance or carcass characteristics of Holstein steers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 77-77
Author(s):  
Iris Ho In Cheang-Deis ◽  
Oluwatobi Oyedeji ◽  
Hushton Block ◽  
Kateryn Rochon ◽  
Mika Asai-Coakwell ◽  
...  

Abstract Garlic products have been reported to have antimicrobial effects and may trigger anemia in horses, but their direct impact on feedlot cattle has not been detailed. With increased free-choice feeding of garlic-infused mineral supplements to beef cattle, it is important to evaluate this strategy’s impact on the animals’ health and the potential impact on carcass qualities. This 2-yr study recruited 208 crossbred feedlot steers in a supplementation trial using a completely randomized design. Each year, 104 steers were assigned to 1 of 4 groups that received either non-garlic mineral supplement (MS), MS + 0.3% garlic-oil-based premix (GOil), MS + 2.5% garlic powder (LGP), MS + 5% garlic powder (HGP). Feed and supplements were provided on an ad-lib basis and were measured for each steer with automatic feeding units. The study evaluated health indicators such as blood parameters and internal parasites. At harvest, carcass characteristics (including the incidence of liver abscesses) were assessed for all steers. The groups consumed between 156 and 208 g/d of the supplement over the two years, with the MS group having a lower overall supplement intake than other groups. The average daily consumption of garlic products in GOil, LGP, and HGP were approximately 0.6g/d, 5.2g/d, and 10.1g/d, respectively. There was no difference in total fecal egg counts (P = 0.45) among the groups. There was no association between the treatment groups and incidences of liver abscess scores (P = 0.10) nor carcass grade outcomes (P = 0.84). Further, there were no differences in hot carcass weight (P = 0.90), rib eye area (P = 0.34) and carcass backfat thickness (P = 0.99). All blood parameters evaluated were within normal ranges for all groups. The results suggest that infusing commercial garlic products into mineral supplements is not associated with undesirable effects on cattle health or carcass characteristics.


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