Ruminal pH and its relationship with dry matter intake, growth rate, and feed conversion ratio in commercial Australian feedlot cattle fed for 148 days

As daily methane production (DMP; g CH4/day) is strongly correlated with dry matter intake (DMI), the breeding of cattle that require less feed to achieve a desired rate of average daily gain (ADG) by selection for a low residual feed intake (RFI) can be expected to reduce DMP and also emission intensity (EI; g CH4/kg ADG). An experiment was conducted to compare DMP and EI of Angus cattle genetically divergent for RFI and 400-day weight (400dWT). In a 6-week grazing study, 64 yearling-age cattle (30 steers, 34 heifers) were grazed on temperate pastures, with heifers and steers grazing separate paddocks. Liveweight (LW) was monitored weekly and DMP of individual cattle was measured by a GreenFeed emission monitoring unit in each paddock. Thirty-nine of the possible 64 animals had emission data recorded for 15 or more days, and only data for these animals were analysed. For these cattle, regression against their mid-parent estimated breeding value (EBV) for post-weaning RFI (RFI-EBV) showed that a lower RFI-EBV was associated with higher LW at the start of experiment. Predicted dry matter intake (pDMI), predicted DMP (pDMP) and measured DMP (mDMP) were all negatively correlated with RFI-EBV (P < 0.05), whereas ADG, EI, predicted CH4 yield (pMY; g CH4/kg DMI) were not correlated with RFI-EBV (P > 0.1). Daily CH4 production was positively correlated with animal LW and ADG (P < 0.05). The associations between ADG and its dependent traits EI and pMY and predicted feed conversion ratio (kg pDMI/kg ADG) were strongly negative (r = –0.82, –0.57 and –0.85, P < 0.001) implying that faster daily growth by cattle was accompanied by lower EI, MY and feed conversion ratio. These results show that cattle genetically divergent for RFI do not necessarily differ in ADG, EI or pMY on pasture and that, if heavier, cattle with lower RFI-EBV can actually have higher DMP while grazing moderate quality pastures.

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Original Research Article Milk Yield and Feed Conversion of Sokoto Gudali Cows Fed Elephant Grass Ensiled with Cassava Peel

Agricultura tropica et subtropica ◽

10.2478/ats-2013-0023 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 123-128

Author(s):

Olusola Adeyanju Olorunnisomo ◽

Gladys Abiemwense Ibhaze

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Pennisetum Purpureum ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Elephant Grass ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Cassava Peel

Abstract Year-round availability of feed is a major concern for dairy farmers in many parts of the tropics. Silage making is a reliable means of providing feed for dairy cattle during periods of forage scarcity. In this study, Elephant grass (EG) (Pennisetum purpureum) was ensiled with cassava peel (CSP) at 0, 10, 30 and 50% levels of inclusion on a wet basis. At 21, 42 and 63 days of ensiling, silage samples were taken for chemical analysis and the remaining materials were fed to four lactating Sokoto Gudali cows for a period of 84 days using a Latin square design. Dry matter (DM) content of silage mixtures increased from 18.22 to 28.70% as level of CSP in the silage mixture increased while crude protein (7.33 to 6.08%) and crude fibre (32.80 to 23.95%) decreased. Dry matter intake of cows, milk yield and feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied (P < 0.05) with inclusion of cassava peel in the silage mixtures. Dry matter intake of cows increased from 2.56 to 3.84% of body weight (BW) and milk yield from 2.90 to 6.70 kg/d as proportion of CSP in the grass silage increased. Feed conversion ratio of cows ranged from 2.08 to 3.23 and improved with inclusion of CSP in the silage. These results show that addition of cassava peel to Elephant grass silage improved intake and milk production in Sokoto Gudali cows fed Elephant grass silage.

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Effect of including canola meal in diets of slaughter ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)

South African Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4314/sajas.v50i4.6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 537-551

Author(s):

T.S. Brand ◽

J. Van der Merwe ◽

L.C. Hoffman

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Live Weight ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Canola Meal ◽

Production Traits ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Daily Gain

Canola meal (CM) is a locally produced protein source that may be less expensive than soybean meal (SBM). This study evaluated the effects of replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% SBM with CM in diets for slaughter ostriches. The CM was added at the expense of SBM and other concentrates, with minor changes in other ingredients. Birds (n = 15 per treatment) were reared from 77 to 337 days old on the trial diets, which were supplied ad libitum for starter, grower, and finisher phases. Bodyweights and feed intake were measured during these phases. No differences (P >0.05) were found between treatments for live weight at the end of each phase, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) over all the growth phases. Although no differences were observed in live weight at the end of each phase, the birds reared on the diet with 50% CM were heaviest at slaughter, and birds reared with 100% CM were lightest (P <0.05). Differences (P <0.05) between diets were observed for the weight at slaughter, weights of the liver and thyroid glands and the pH of the cold carcass. However, no differences (P >0.05) were observed between diets for fat pad weight, dressing percentage, and weights of thighs and Muscularis gastrocnemius. The results indicate that CM could replace SBM in the diets of slaughter ostriches without affecting production traits and slaughter yields.Keywords: alternative protein, average daily gain, canola, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, growth, ostrich nutrition, production

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Consequences of prenatal and preweaning growth for feedlot growth, intake and efficiency of Piedmontese- and Wagyu-sired cattle

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/ea08089 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 461 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

L. M. Cafe ◽

D. W. Hennessy ◽

H. Hearnshaw ◽

S. G. Morris ◽

P. L. Greenwood

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Early Life ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Or Efficiency

Consequences of low (mean 28.0 kg, n = 77) and high (mean 38.4 kg, n = 77) birthweight followed by slow (mean 548 g/day, n = 75) or rapid (mean 859 g/day, n = 79) growth to weaning for feedlot growth, intake and efficiency from 26 to 30 months of age were determined in Wagyu × Hereford (n = 81) and Piedmontese × Hereford (n = 73) cattle. Cattle were selected for study based on birthweight and preweaning growth rate, from multi-modal distributions achieved by imposition of low or high maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, with the objective of achieving as close as possible to a 30% difference in birthweight and a 2-fold difference in preweaning growth rate between progeny groups. High birthweight cattle entered the intake test 57 kg heavier, grew 100 g/day more rapidly, and ate 1.0 kg dry matter /day more than the low birthweight cattle. The high birthweight cattle tended to have a higher feed conversion ratio than low birthweight cattle, but net feed intake did not differ due to birthweight group. Cattle grown rapidly to weaning entered the intake test 29 kg heavier, grew at an equivalent rate, and ate 0.7 kg dry matter/day more than the cattle grown slowly to weaning. No differences in feed conversion ratio or net feed intake were observed between the preweaning groups. When assessed at the same liveweight, differences in dry matter intake and/or feed conversion ratio due to birthweight or preweaning growth were no longer apparent. Interactions between prenatal and preweaning growth, or between sire genotype and early-life growth, were not evident for feedlot growth, intake or efficiency. It is concluded that severely restricted growth during prenatal life or from birth to weaning results in cattle that are smaller and consume less feed at the same age as their well grown counterparts; however, long-term effects of growth during early life on efficiency of utilisation of feed are not evident.

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Effect of adding different levels of zinc to the diets on performance and growth of local female goat

Al-Anbar Journal of Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.37940/ajvs.2018.11.2.5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 27-32

Author(s):

Moayed Towaje ◽

A Kuttar ◽

Hassan Hassan

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Breeding Station ◽

Final Weight ◽

Different Levels

This study was carried out at the Abu Ghraib sheep and goat breeding station to study the effect of adding different levels of zinc (0, 15, 20 and 25 mg/kg. DM) which type of radians: concentrate diets 25% or alfalfa hay 75% in the performance of local goat females and some carcass characteristics of goat females. The animals were divided into four groups (T1) fed free of additives and T2 fed 15 mg zinc/kg.DM and T3 and T4 groups fed 20 and 25 mg/kg.DM of zinc. The results showed no significant effect of adding zinc to the diet on the total feed intake for all nutrients except the dry matter intake (g/ kg) that were increasing significant (P˂0.01) For all groups of adding zinc, Also the results showed that there were increase significant (P˂0.01) in some of the studied traits (total and daily weight and feed conversion ratio as well as the final weight of local goat females). The results also showed increase significant (P˂0.01) in some of the carcass characteristics (slaughter weight, empty body weight, warm carcass weight and the percentage of conversion based on body weight) compared with the T1 group.

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Flight Zone as an Alternative Temperament Assessment to Predict Animal Efficiency

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2019036207 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 207

Author(s):

Mariano Parra ◽

Tia Breed ◽

Alana Connolly ◽

Emily Janz ◽

Sarah Kennedy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Alternative Approach ◽

Brahman Steers ◽

Daily Gain

Animal temperament evaluation can be included in the cattle selection program also because of an existing correlation with performance. However, there are different assessment methods such as flight speed (time and speed that an animal takes to leave the crush) and exit score (indicating in which pace it does). Flight zone (FZ) refers to the distance that an animal allows human proximity without signs of fear (e.g., moving away and/or aggression) and it was used in this study as an alternative approach to measure temperament without putting cattle through the crush. Apparently, there is no study correlating FZ with performance. Therefore, a pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the correlation between average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of ten Brahman steers. Steers were classified into temperament groups (Docile <2 m; Moderate between 2 to 2.9 m; and Lively ≥3 m). Even though no significant differences were found for ADG (P = 0.65), DMI (P = 0.36), and FCR (P = 0.46), the docile group gained 133 grams/day more than lively counterparts, most likely because of the extra 50 grams consumed. Furthermore, lively steers required an extra 1 kg of feed per kg of gain in comparison to docile animals, 8.24 vs. 7.28 kg FCR, respectively. These results are promising and indicate that FZ could be an efficient way to measure temperament in cattle. Thus, in order to confirm these findings, a new experiment with a more representative number of steers (n = 30) will be conducted.

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Nutrient intake, digestibility and growth rate of rabbits fed varying levels of cassava leaf meal

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v29i1.1468 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 21-26

Author(s):

T. A. Adegbola ◽

J. C. Okonkwo

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Live Weight ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Leaf Meal ◽

Feed Cost

Forty young rabbits were fed on five diets varying in cassava leaf meal (CLM) levels from 0% to 60%. Dry matter and nutrient intake and digestibility, weight gain and economics of CLM inclusion were determined. The DMI (g/d) ranged from 44.24 (60% CLM) to 66.85 (15% CLM); daily live weight gain (LWG, g/d) from 8.43 (60% CLM) to 21.36 (15% CLM); feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 3.13 (15% CLM) 10 5.27 (45% CLM). Differences between treatments in these production criteria were significant (P<0.01). Water consumption (l/kg) increased with inc levels of CLM inclusion (P<0.05). The digestibility of dry matter (DMD) and other nutrients decreased with increasing level of CLM inclusion (P<0.05). Economic analysis showed that diet 1 (0% CLM) was the least economical. Feed cost (N/kg gain) was similar for diets 2 to 5 (P>0.05). It may be concluded that CLM included at between 15 to 30% of the diet is adequate for growing rabbits.

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Effects of varying levels of groundnut haulms and cowpea shell on the performance of weaner Red Sokoto goats.

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v32i2.1092 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 274-279

Author(s):

M. Abubakar ◽

T.A. Adegbola ◽

M. M. Abubakar

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

The Other ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Weight Gains

Four diets containing 16% crude protein were formulated with varying levels of groundnut haulms (GNH) and cowpea shell (CPS). The diets designated as Diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, contained 60% GNHI 0% CPS; 40% GNH/20% CPS, 20% GNH/40% CPS and 0%GNH/60%CPS respectively. The diets were fed to sixteen kids of Red Sokoto goats (two males and two females per diet] for seventy days in order to study the effects of varying levels of GNH and CPS on feed intake, nutrient digestibilities and weight gains of the animals. The results showed that the highest dry matter and crude protein intakes by the animals obtained for Diet 2 were 477.30 g/ day and 77. 85g/ day respectively. The lowest water intake per kilogram dry matter intake was obtained on Diet 3 (2. 421). Animals on Diet 2 had a better daily weight gain (85.41g/ day) compared to those on the other diets. The highest feed conversion ratio was obtained on Diet 4 (7.35). Nutrient digestibilities were significantly (p<0.01) affected by treatments, with Diet 2 having the highest and Diet 4 the lowest. Based on higher weight gains for animals on Diet 2, which indicates a shorter time to attain slaughter weight, dieis containing 40% GNH/20%CPS could be recommended for growing Red Sokoto goats.

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The performance of cattle fed crushed sorghum, and whole, crushed or dehulled rice grain based rations

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9730363 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 13 (63) ◽

pp. 363 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

JB Moran

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Paddy Rice ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Rice Grain ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Rice Grains ◽

Highest Weight

Santa Gertrudis and Africander crossbred steers were fed rations based on crushed sorghum, whole paddy rice, crushed paddy rice and whole dehulled rice grains for 111 days. The animals were then slaughtered and their carcase quality and composition was assessed. The animals fed the crushed sorghum had the highest dry matter intake and liveweight gains but those fed the crushed rice had the lowest feed conversion ratio. The group fed the paddy rice, ate the least, gained the least weight and had the highest feed conversion ratio. Carcases from the group fed crushed sorghum had the highest weight, appraisal scores and fat content. Carcases from the group fed whole paddy rice were the lightest, scored lowest for quality and had the highest bone and muscle contents. There were significant correlation coefficients between liveweight gain and all carcase measurements; this suggests that the type of feedlot ration had little effect on carcase development.

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