scholarly journals Effects of various ractopamine hydrochloride withdrawal periods on performance, health, and carcass characteristics in yearling steers

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
Tony C Bryant ◽  
Josh I Szasz ◽  
Lois F G Pringle ◽  
Eddie Crispe ◽  
K Shawn Blood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Withdrawal Period ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Dressing Percentage ◽  
Ractopamine Hydrochloride

Abstract Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) is a β-adrenergic agonist approved for feeding during the last 28 to 42 d prior to cattle slaughter to improve feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Three thousand crossbred yearling steers (527 ± 2.4 kg; AVG ± SD) were used in two periods to evaluate the effects of various RAC withdrawal times on feedlot performance, health, and carcass characteristics. In Period 1, 6 blocks of 30 pens totaling 1,500 steers were utilized, which was repeated for Period 2. In a randomized complete block design, cattle were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments consisting of 1) No RAC fed (CON), 2) 12-h RAC withdrawal (12-hRAC), 3) 2-d RAC withdrawal (2-dRAC), 4) 4-d RAC withdrawal (4-dRAC), and 5) 7-d RAC withdrawal (7-dRAC). Cattle were fed for a total of 62 d, and applicable treatments were supplemented with 30.0 ppm (dry matter basis) of RAC (average dose = 322 mg per steer per day) for 33 d at the end of the feeding period, corresponding to their respective withdrawal times. Initial body weight (BW) displayed a quadratic curve, with 2-dRAC and 4-dRAC withdrawal periods having the greatest BW. Accordingly, dry matter intake (DMI) responded quadratically (P = 0.034), with 2-dRAC and 4-dRAC treatments demonstrating the greatest DMI. No significant treatment differences (P ≥ 0.641) were observed in final live BW, average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency. Alternatively, when using a common dressing percentage to calculate live BW, cattle on RAC treatments exhibited 7.6 kg additional live BW (P < 0.001) compared to CON cattle. Furthermore, carcass-adjusted ADG and feed efficiency did not differ (P > 0.10) between RAC treatments but were improved compared to the CON treatment (P ≤ 0.002). Hot carcass weight (HCW) was on average 4.9 kg greater (P < 0.001) for RAC treatments vs. CON, and no differences were detected (P > 0.10) among RAC treatments. Within RAC treatments, carcass cutability responded quadratically (P ≤ 0.005) to withdrawal period, with the 2-dRAC and 4-dRAC treatments containing more Yield Grade 4 and 5 and fewer Yield Grade 1 and 2 carcasses than the other RAC treatments. On the basis of the results of this experiment, feeding RAC improves dressing percentage, HCW, and carcass-adjusted BW, ADG, and feed efficiency. Furthermore, extending the RAC withdrawal period to 7 d does not have a significant impact on cattle performance or health and has minimal effects on carcass characteristics.

scholarly journals 401 Effect of zinc source and ractopamine hydrochloride on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed in confinement to harvest

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 160-160
Author(s):  
John Wagner ◽  
William T Nelson ◽  
Terry Engle ◽  
Jerry Spears ◽  
Jeff Heldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Zinc Source ◽  
Dressing Percentage ◽  
Ractopamine Hydrochloride ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Four hundred and thirty-two beef steers (346.3 ± 63.7 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of Zn source on feedlot cattle fed ractopamine hydrochloride. Cattle were blocked in groups of 54 by BW and housed in 48 pens containing 9 steers per pen. Pens within a weight block were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with factors being: 1) 0 or 30.1 mg of ractopamine HCl/kg DM fed during the final 29 days on feed; and 2) Zn source: 90 mg of supplemental Zn/kg DM from ZnSO4; Zn sulfate (67%) + Zn methionine (33%); and Zn from Zn hydroxychloride, fed through the entire feeding period. Cattle were fed a high concentrate finishing diet for 154 d and slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Average daily gain, DMI, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics were determined after slaughter. Zinc source had no impact on live animal performance. Cattle fed ractopamine HCl had greater (P < 0.01) final BW, greater (P < 0.001) ADG, improved (P < 0.001) G:F, heavier (P < 0.01) HCW, and larger (P < 0.05) longissimus muscle compared to non-ractopamine supplemented steers. There was a Zn source by ractopamine interaction (P < 0.01) for dressing percentage. Cattle receiving ractopamine HCl with Zn hydroxychloride had a greater dressing percentage (P < 0.05) when compared to ractopamine HCl cattle fed other Zn sources. Cattle receiving ractopamine HCl with Zn sulfate had a lesser dressing percentage (P < 0.05) when compared to ractopamine HCl cattle fed other Zn sources. Additional Zn source by ractopamine HCl interactions were not significant. These data indicate that Zn source has minimal impacts on feedlot steer performance and carcass characteristics when supplemented to cattle receiving 0.0 or 30.1 mg of ractopamine HCl/kg DM.

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

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.

scholarly journals Effects of the association between whole cottonseed and calcium salts of fatty acids on nutrient intake, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of Bos indicus animals offered a high-concentrate diet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo R. Müller ◽  
Daniel I C. G. Gouvêa ◽  
André F. Francischinelli ◽  
Guiherme D. A. Alvarenga ◽  
Pablo C Castagnino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Soybean Oil ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Calcium Salts ◽  
Whole Cottonseed

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effects of feeding whole cottonseed (WC) and/or calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) on dry matter intake (DMI), performance, and carcass characteristics of Bos indicus animals receiving a high-concentrate diet during the finishing phase. On day 0, 96 Nellore bulls were blocked according to initial shrunk body weight (BW; 302 ± 26.7 kg) into group pens (4 animals/pen) and, within blocks, pens were randomly assigned to receive: 1) 15% of WC and 2% of CSFA [dry matter (DM) basis] of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (15WC; n = 6), 2) 10% of WC and 3% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (10WC; n = 6), 3) 5% of WC and 4% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (5WC; n = 6), and 4) 0% of WC and 5% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (0WC; n = 6). Diets were formulated to be isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and isolipidic. Experimental period lasted 108 days, whereas dry matter intake (DMI) was evaluated daily and blood samples and carcass measurements were obtained on days 0, 55, and 108 of the study. Upon slaughter on day 109, steaks were collected for determination of the chemical and fatty acid (FA) profile of the meat. No treatment effects (P ≥ 0.35) were observed on DMI, performance, average daily gain (ADG), carcass ultrasound measurements, and chemical variables of the steak. Nonetheless, including WC into the diets increased C12:0, C16:0, C16:1 trans-9, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1 cis-9, C18:2 cis-9,cis-12, C18:3 cis-9,cis-12,cis-15, saturated, and unsaturated FA intake (P < 0.01). Moreover, adding WC increased DMI fluctuation and feed efficiency (P = 0.03), but decreased marbling (P ≤ 0.03). A treatment × day interaction was observed (P < 0.01) for serum leptin concentration, as 10WC animals had greater leptin concentration on d 103 vs. other treatments (P < 0.01). Regarding steak FA profile, WC addition into the diet increased C18:2 cis-7,trans-9 and C18:3 cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 (P < 0.001), whereas saturated FA was quadratically affected (P = 0.02) and unsaturated FA was reduced for 15WC (P < 0.04). In summary, increasing levels of CSFA into isolipidic finishing diets containing WC did not negatively impact feedlot performance, but reduced feed efficiency and increased marbling scores of Bos indicus bulls, demonstrating its feasibility as a technology to improve carcass traits of low-marbling animals.

scholarly journals Effects of steroidal implants on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and serum and meat estradiol-17β concentrations of Holstein steers

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 206-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Vilela Carvalho ◽  
George A Perry ◽  
Tara L Felix
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

Abstract The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of steroidal implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations in the blood and longissimus muscle of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet. Seventy Holstein steers (average initial BW = 275 ± 6.4 kg, 10 to 12 mo of age) were assigned to treatments: (i) implanted with 80 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 16 mg of E2 (Component TE-IS with Tylan; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) at the start of the trial (day 0), and reimplanted with 120 mg of TBA and 24 mg of E2 (Component TE-S with Tylan; Elanco Animal Health) on day 84 of the experiment; or (ii) no implant. Implanted Holstein steers were heavier (P ≤ 0.01) than nonimplanted Holstein steers in the middle (day 84) and at the end of the experiment (day 186). Implanting Holstein steers increased (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) without affecting gain-to-feed ratio compared with nonimplanted animals. Carcasses from implanted Holstein steers had greater (P < 0.01) hot carcass weight (HCW) and longissimus muscle (LM) area than carcasses from nonimplanted steers. Implanting did not affect (P ≥ 0.21) other carcass characteristics. There was an increase (P = 0.03) of 1.3 pg of E2/g of muscle in implanted Holstein steers compared with that from nonimplanted Holstein steers. There was an implant × day interaction (P < 0.01) in serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentrations were not altered in nonimplanted Holstein steers, whereas E2 concentration increased (P < 0.01) after steers were implanted, regardless of implant characteristics. Serum E2 peaked at 28 days after the first implant and then rapidly declined after day 56. In summary, steroidal implants administered on days 0 and 84 increased DMI, ADG, HCW, and LM area in Holstein steers compared with nonimplanted steers due to increased serum E2 concentrations. However, these changes did not improve feed efficiency or other carcass characteristics.

scholarly journals 2 Evaluation of Masters Choice Corn Silage on Growing Steer Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 127-127
Author(s):  
jiehua Xiong ◽  
Bradley M Boyd ◽  
Levi J McPhillips ◽  
Kyle Vosburgh ◽  
Galen E Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Corn Hybrids ◽  
Fiber Digestion ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Corn Hybrid

Abstract Corn hybrids can be selected for improved digestion rates using lab techniques, which should impact animal performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate two Masters Choice corn silage hybrids on growing steer performance. In an 84-day growing study, 288 crossbred steers (initial BW = 303 ± 12 kg) were utilized in a generalized randomized block design with three diet treatments, 12 steers per pen and 8 pen replicates per treatment. Diets consisted of 80% corn silage (DM basis) of Masters Choice hybrid MCT6365 RIB (MC1, that has been selected to improve fiber and starch digestion) and MCT6733 GT3000 (MC2, that has been selected to improve fiber digestion) were compared to a conventional corn hybrid Farm Choice (CON, that is commonly grown in Eastern Nebraska). All corn was grown in one field under identity preserved method and harvested at 37-38% DM in three consecutive days. Relative to CON, feeding MC1 resulted in similar dry matter intake (DMI, P = 0.28), but numerically increased average daily gain (ADG, P = 0.14) which significantly improved feed efficiency (G:F, P = 0.02). Feeding MC2 led to greater DMI (P < 0.01), similar ADG (P = 0.45), and lower G:F (P < 0.01) compared to CON. The results suggest that feeding Masters Choice hybrid MCT6365 RIB (MC1) corn silage at 80% of the diet DM improved ADG and G:F by 4.2%, while feeding MC2 decreased G:F by increasing DMI compared to CON. Differences in corn hybrids exist when feeding growing cattle 80% silage.

scholarly journals PSI-4 Effect of rumen protected capsaicin on dry matter intake, average daily gain, and carcass characteristics in finishing beef cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 290-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C Eidsvik ◽  
John J McKinnon ◽  
Diego Moya Fernandez ◽  
Alexandra Blanchard
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Marbling Score ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Dressing Percentage

Abstract The objective was to evaluate growth performance and carcass characteristics for feedlot cattle fed two sources of rumen protected capsaicin at two dose rates. A total of 450 steers, stratified by BW, were assigned into 30 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 5 treatments containing (DM basis) of 86.2% barley grain, 6.0% barley silage, 6.2% canola meal, and 1.6% vitamin and mineral supplement. Treatments contained no additive (CON) or included a low or high dose of Nexulin (100 mg/d for NEXLO and 330 mg/d for NEXHI) or CapsXL (77 mg/d CAPLO or 250 mg/d for CAPHI). Steers averaged 507 kg BW at the start of the study and 686 kg at the end of the study (69 days on feed) with no differences among treatments (P > 0.28). Dry matter intake, ADG, gain:feed, dressing percentage, backfat thickness, and rib-eye area were not affected by treatment (P > 0.33). Steers fed CAPLO and NEXLO tended (P = 0.07) to have lesser marbling scores than CON, CAPHI and NEXHI. The proportion of steers in Canadian yield grades 1 and 2 did not differ among treatments, while those in yield grade 3 were greater (P = 0.03) in NEXLO (29%) than the CON (10.0%) and NEXHI (12.2%) treatments, with those fed CAPLO (20%) and CAPHI (19%) being intermediate but not different. Treatment did not affect the proportion of steers in quality grades B4, A, or prime, but tended to increase the proportion of steers grading AAA (P = 0.08) and decrease the proportion grading AA (P = 0.06). Overall, the data from this experiment suggest the potential for capsaicin to affect carcass yield grade, marbling score and quality grades without affecting DMI, ADG, or dressing percentage.

Feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat characteristics of lambs grown under silvopastoral systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-388
Author(s):  
F.O.S. van Cleef ◽  
E.H.C.B. van Cleef ◽  
V.Z. Longhini ◽  
T.S. Nascimento ◽  
J.M.B. Ezequiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Silvopastoral Systems ◽  
Silvopastoral System ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Final Color

Crossbred lambs were grown under different production systems (unshaded, moderate shading, intense shading) and were submitted to a feedlot finishing period where the performance, efficiency, carcass characteristics, and meat characteristics were evaluated. The dry matter intake was similar among treatments as well as the daily gain and feed efficiency. Hot and cold carcass weights, their dressing percentages, initial and final carcass temperature and pH, as well as initial and final color of meat were unaffected by treatments. In conclusion, the silvopastoral system used during the growing phase neither improved feedlot performance, feed efficiency, nor carcass and meat characteristics of crossbred lambs.

scholarly journals 227 Impact of feeding Aspergillus subspecies (ssp.) blend and different corn processing methods on finishing beef cattle performance and carcass characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 136-137
Author(s):  
Stacia M Hopfauf ◽  
Bradley M Boyd ◽  
Levi J McPhillips ◽  
Galen E Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Corn Processing ◽  
High Moisture Corn

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding Aspergillus ssp. blend in combination with dry-rolled (DRC) or high-moisture corn (HMC) based finishing diets on performance and carcass characteristics. Crossbred beef steers (n = 320; initial BW = 267 ± 9 kg) were utilized in a generalized randomized block design. Cattle were assigned randomly to pens by initial body weight (BW) and pens were assigned randomly to one of four treatments with 8 pens per treatment for simple effect means. Treatments were set up as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with factors consisting of corn processing and 0 g / steer daily or 10 g / steer daily Aspergillus ssp. blend. There were no significant interactions (P ≥ 0.23) observed between corn processing and Aspergillus ssp. blend in the diet; therefore, only main effects are discussed. For the main effect of Aspergillus ssp. blend; no significant differences were observed for dry-matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (G:F), hot carcass weight (HCW), or carcass traits (P ≥ 0.78). Cattle fed Aspergillus ssp. blend had a greater 12th rib fat (P = 0.05). For the main effect of corn processing, cattle fed DRC had heavier HCW and final BW (P = 0.04), greater ADG (P = 0.05), and greater DMI (P < 0.01). However, steers fed HMC had greater G:F (P < 0.01) compared to DRC. These data suggest that feeding Aspergillus ssp. blend in either with dry-rolled or high moisture corn diets did not significantly improve performance or carcass characteristics in finishing beef steers. While feeding HMC improved feed efficiency compared to DRC, feeding DRC increased ADG (and also DMI) compared to HMC.

scholarly journals Correlations of the feeding behavior of lambs fed diets containing pearl millet silage with addition of urea

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 3295
Author(s):  
Thomaz Cyro Guimarães de Carvalho Rodrigues ◽  
Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho ◽  
Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo ◽  
Edson Mauro Santos ◽  
Poliane Meire Dias de Freitas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Feeding Efficiency

The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations among the feeding behavior, intake, in vitro digestibility and production parameters of feedlot-finished lambs. Thirty-two male uncastrated mixed-breed lambs with an average initial live weight of 17.39 ± 2.16 kg were distributed into four treatments (diets) with eight replicates (animals) each, as a function of their weight, in a completely randomized block design. Diets were composed of pearl millet silage with addition of levels of urea (0, 2, 4, and 6%, DM basis), ground corn, soybean meal, and a mineral mixture. The experimental period was 62 days, consisting of 10 days of adaptation and 52 days of data collection. Positive correlations were observed (P < 0.05) for rumination time and feeding efficiency in dry matter with the intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter (OM), and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC). Negative correlations were detected (P < 0.05) between rumination efficiency in NDF and the intakes of DM, EE, NDF, OM, and NFC. Correlations were negative (P < 0.05) between the number of chews per cud and the digestibilities of DM, NDF, NFC, and TDN. The number of chews per day was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with the digestibility of NDF and with TDN. Rumination time had a positive correlation (P < 0.05) with average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE). Feeding efficiency in DM was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with ADG and FE, whereas rumination efficiency in NDF was negatively correlated with ADG and positively with feed conversion. The increase in feeding efficiency for dry matter generated positive effects on nutrient intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency of the lambs fed diets containing pearl millet silage with addition of urea.

Effect of dietary addition of wastewater from a caramel producing plant on the performance and carcass characteristics of pigs

1969 ◽  
Vol 89 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 23-37
Author(s):  
Esbal Jiménez ◽  
Carmen S. Santana-Nieves ◽  
Abner A. Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Crossbred Pigs

Twenty-four crossbred pigs (Duroc x Yorkshire), 28 days old and of 6.9 kg average liveweight, were used to evaluate effects of dietary addition of 0 (control), 5, and 7.5% of wastewater from a caramel production plant (WWCP) on performance from weaning to finishing at 82 kg average liveweight and on carcass characteristics. A completely randomized block design was used (n = 4). Pigs were fed at the rate of 8% of body weight daily during the postweaning phase (21 days) and 6% for the rest of the experiment. During the post-weaning phase dry matter intake, liveweight gain and feed efficiency were improved with 7.5% but not with 5% addition of WWCP (P ≤  0.08). During the fattening phase (until 74 kg average liveweight), daily dry matter intake and daily weight gain were greater in the control group, whereas during the finishing phase (14 days), feed efficiency improved with the addition of either level of WWCP (P ≤  0.08). Longissimus dorsi area and ham weight were greater in females than in barrows (P ≤  0.05), but no other differences due to the dietary addition of WWCP were detected. These results suggest that swine growth during the first three weeks post-weaning may be improved by the addition of WWCP to the diet at levels of up to 7.5%. However, before further recommendation can be given, additional research is needed on the effectiveness of the use of this wastewater during the fattening-finishing phase. Freshness of this byproduct seemed to have an important effect.

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