scholarly journals Beef heifers performance in natural grassland under continuous and rotational grazing in the autumn-winter

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1859-1864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Émerson Mendes Soares ◽  
Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros ◽  
Régis Maximiliano Roos de Carvalho ◽  
Leandro Bittencourt de Oliveira ◽  
Felipe Jochims ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Natural Grassland

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of beef heifers in natural grassland under continuous and rotational grazing during the autumn-winter period. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design and conducted using the forage mass above eight cm and 50% of the leaf blades mass of tussocks. The animals were Brangus beef heifers with initial body weight of 258kg. The variables evaluated were available forage mass (FMa), leaf blades mass of tussocks (LBMt), real forage allowance (FAr), sward height of the lower stratum (HLS), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter digestibility (OMD), total digestible nutrients (TDN), average daily gain (ADG), body condition score (BCS), reproductive tract score (RTS) and stocking rate (SR). FMa, HLS, OMD and TDN decreased while FAr, CP and NDF were similar during the experimental period. The ADG was positive only at third experimental period while BCS, RTS and SR decreased over time. The natural grassland management under continuous and rotational grazing during the autumn-winter period, using the forage mass above 8cm and 50% of the leaf blades mass of tussocks, does not allow the adequate corporal development for breeding the beef heifers at 24 months old.

scholarly journals Heifers rearing on natural grassland under rotational grazing during warm season

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Marin ◽  
Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros ◽  
Leandro Bittencourt de Oliveira ◽  
Émerson Mendes Soares ◽  
Pedro Trindade Casanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Nutritional Conditions ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Natural Grassland ◽  
Rest Intervals

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two rest intervals between grazing on the structural characteristics of pasture and performance of beef heifers in Campos grassland under rotational grazing. The treatments were two intervals between 375 and 750 DD (degree-days) grazing, based on the cumulative thermal sum for leaf expansion of native grasses belonging to capture and conservation groups of resources dominant in a natural grassland. The experiment was conducted during 151 days from October 2015 to March 2016, and twenty-four Braford heifers tests mean age = 12 months; mean body weight = 220kg (± 27.8) were used. The pre-grazing total forage mass (FMt) was on average 3791 kgMSha-1 and did not differ between treatments and season, the same occurred with the non-tussock FM. The average stocking rate was 469 kg ha-1 in both treatments. The average daily gain varied only between seasons, 0.102 kg animal-1 day-1 during spring and 0.372 kg animal-1 day-1 during summer. During the 151 evaluation days, the gain per area was a 103 kgha-1. The use of rest intervals between grazing based on the leaf elongation of dominant grasses, when applied to the areas of Campos grasslands, provided nutritional conditions to reach the target body weight for breeding 24 months old beef heifers.

scholarly journals Effects of providing artificial shade to pregnant grazing beef heifers on vaginal temperature, growth, activity, and behavior

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gleise M Silva ◽  
Lautaro R Cangiano ◽  
Thiago F. Fabris ◽  
Victoria R Merenda ◽  
Ricardo C Chebel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Shade Treatment ◽  
Growth Activity ◽  
Gps Devices ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Vaginal Temperature

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effects of providing artificial shade during summer on activity, behavior, and growth performance of pregnant grazing beef heifers. Thirty-six black-hided Angus and Angus crossbred pregnant heifers [418 ± 9 kg body weight (BW); approximately 90 d of gestation] were stratified by breed, blocked by BW, and allocated to 12 ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha, n = 3 heifers/pasture) with or without access to artificial shade (SHADE vs. NO SHADE; 6 pastures each) for 7 wk during summer. The shade structures were composed of shade cloth (11 × 7.3 m length, 2.4 m height: 26.8 m 2 of shade per heifer). Shrunk BW was recorded on enrollment (d 0) and wk 7 (d 47), whereas full BW was obtained on wk 2 (d 14), 4 (d 28), and 6 (d 42) to assess average daily gain (ADG). Vaginal temperature was recorded for five consecutive days during wk 1, 3, 5, and 7 using an intravaginal digital thermo-logger, and individual GPS devices were used to quantify the use of shade for an 8-h period. Activity was monitored using automated monitoring devices (HR-LDn tags SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel) through the experimental period. Vaginal temperature was lower (P < 0.01) for heifers in the SHADE compared with heifers in the NO SHADE treatment from 1200 to 1600 h and 1100 to 1900 h for wk 1 and 3, respectively. Heifers in the SHADE treatment spent 70% of the 8-h period evaluated under the shaded structure. Provision of shade increased (P < 0.01) daily lying time (11.4 ± 0.2 vs. 10.3 ± 0.2 h/d) and standing bouts per day (P < 0.01; 12.6 ± 0.4 vs. 10.8 ± 0.4 bouts/d), whereas it reduced (P < 0.01) standing bout duration (61.6 ± 3.0 vs. 82.9 ± 3.0 min/bout) relative to heifers without access to shade. The interaction between treatment and hour affected (P < 0.01) daily rumination time because heifers with access to SHADE had greater rumination between 1000 and 1200 h. Although ADG tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for the heifers in the SHADE treatment (0.20 vs. -0.02 kg, respectively), the access to shade did not (P = 0.79) affect the final BW. In conclusion, providing artificial shade during summer to pregnant grazing beef heifers was effective in reducing vaginal temperatures and exerted changes in heifer behaviors that translated into slight improvements in growth performance.

scholarly journals Beef heifers grazing behavior and herbage intake in natural grassland under rotational grazing

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 2056-2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cezar Wankura Barbieri ◽  
Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros ◽  
Felipe Jochims ◽  
Bruno Castro Kuinchtner ◽  
Thiago Henrique Nicola de Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing Behavior ◽  
Bite Rate ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Thermal Sum ◽  
Natural Grassland ◽  
Rest Intervals

It was evaluated the effect of two rest intervals between grazing occupations in rotational grazing; 375 and 750 DD (degree-days); based on the cumulative thermal sum necessary for leaf expansion of native grasses of two functional groups over the grazing behavior variables from beef heifers with 12 months old. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized block design, with two treatments, three replications and measures repeated over time. Grazing behavior was assessed in three occasions (Nov 2011, Jan and Mar 2012), with 24h each. The herbage intake was estimated using an external marker (Cr2O3). The leaf mass was similar among the rest intervals, with a mean of 1261kg DM ha-1. The average grazing time was 627.4min day-1 and bite rate was 37.1 bites min-1. The average number of daily meals was 5.9 with an average of 118.5 minutes. Number of feeding stations visited per minute was 6.1 and the feeding stations permanence time was of 12 seconds. There was a reduction only on grazing time and bite rate over the periods. The range of thermal sums evaluated to define the rest intervals in rotational grazing proved no effect on heifers' grazing behavior and herbage intake

scholarly journals Vegetation composition and forage mass in grassland with a double structure under two winter grazing regimes

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
André Alfredo Coelho ◽  
José Pedro Pereira Trindade ◽  
Leandro Bochi da Silva Volk ◽  
Clodoaldo Leites Pinheiro ◽  
Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Vegetation Composition ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Structural Composition ◽  
Double Structure ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Winter Grazing

ABSTRACT: Remnant areas of Pampas grassland have a distinct double structure. Efficiency of livestock farming on these grasslands depends on practices that are synchronized with natural variation. This study examined the changes in vegetation composition and forage mass during winter to understand the effects of grazing methods in a natural pasture with a double structure that was grazed by heifers. An experimental area in the municipality of Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, was subjected to continuous or rotational grazing treatments, with two replicates each. Frequency of the structural composition and forage mass of the lower stratum and animal weight was measured at the beginning and end of the experimental period (June 7 to October 7, 2016, respectively). Data were analysed with PCA ordination, regression and variance analysis. Both structural composition and forage mass changed during the experimental period. Axonopus affinis and Paspalum notatum were characteristic of continuous grazing, while Mnesithea selloana and Axonopus argentinus characterized rotational grazing (the latter had the highest levels of forage mass). Although, grazing methods changed the composition of forage mass in winter, they did not affect average daily gain of the animals.

scholarly journals The Nasopharyngeal, Ruminal, and Vaginal Microbiota and the Core Taxa Shared across These Microbiomes in Virgin Yearling Heifers Exposed to Divergent In Utero Nutrition during Their First Trimester of Gestation and in Pregnant Beef Heifers in Response to Mineral Supplementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2011
Author(s):  
Samat Amat ◽  
Devin B. Holman ◽  
Kaycie Schmidt ◽  
Ana Clara B. Menezes ◽  
Friederike Baumgaertner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Methanogenic Archaea ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Significant Difference

In the present study, we evaluated whether the nasopharyngeal, ruminal, and vaginal microbiota would diverge (1) in virgin yearling beef heifers (9 months old) due to the maternal restricted gain during the first trimester of gestation; and (2) in pregnant beef heifers in response to the vitamin and mineral (VTM) supplementation during the first 6 months of pregnancy. As a secondary objective, using the microbiota data obtained from these two cohorts of beef heifers managed at the same location and sampled at the same time, we performed a holistic assessment of the microbial ecology residing within the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tract of cattle. Our 16S rRNA gene sequencing results revealed that both α and β-diversity of the nasopharyngeal, ruminal and vaginal microbiota did not differ between virgin heifers raised from dams exposed to either a low gain (targeted average daily gain of 0.28 kg/d, n = 22) or a moderate gain treatment (0.79 kg/d, n = 23) during the first 84 days of gestation. Only in the vaginal microbiota were there relatively abundant genera that were affected by maternal rate of gain during early gestation. Whilst there was no significant difference in community structure and diversity in any of the three microbiota between pregnant heifers received no VTM (n = 15) and VTM supplemented (n = 17) diets, the VTM supplementation resulted in subtle compositional alterations in the nasopharyngeal and ruminal microbiota. Although the nasopharyngeal, ruminal, and vaginal microbiota were clearly distinct, a total of 41 OTUs, including methanogenic archaea, were identified as core taxa shared across the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts of both virgin and pregnant heifers.

scholarly journals Effects of energy-protein supplementation frequency on performance of primiparous grazing beef cows during pre and postpartum

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 1430-1443
Author(s):  
Felipe Henrique de Moura ◽  
Thaís Correia Costa ◽  
Aline Souza Trece ◽  
Luciano Prímola de Melo ◽  
Marcos Rocha Manso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Supplementation Frequency

Objective: Twenty-four pregnant Nellore primiparous grazing cows were used to evaluate the effects of energy-protein supplementation and supplementation frequency during pre (105 d before calving) and postpartum (105 d after calving) on performance and metabolic characteristics.Methods: Experimental treatments consisted of a control (no supplementation), daily supplementation (1.5 kg/d of concentrate/animal) and infrequent supplementation (4.5 kg of concentrate/animal every three days). During the pre and postpartum periods, concentrations of blood metabolites and animal performance were evaluated. Ureagenesis and energy metabolism markers were evaluated at prepartum period.Results: Supplementation frequency did not alter (p>0.10) body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and carcass traits during pre and postpartum. The BW (p = 0.079), adjusted BW at day of parturition (p = 0.078), and ADG (p = 0.074) were greater for supplemented cows during the prepartum. The body condition score (BCS; p = 0.251), and carcass traits (p>0.10) were not affected by supplementation during prepartum. On postpartum, supplementation did not affect animal performance and carcass traits (p>0.10). The dry mater intake was not affected (p>0.10) by supplementation and supplementation frequency throughout the experimental period. Daily supplemented animals had greater (p<0.001) glucose levels than animals supplemented every three days. Supplementation and supplementation frequency did not alter (p>0.10) the levels of blood metabolites, neither the abundance of ureagenesis nor energy metabolism markers.Conclusion: In summary, our data show that the reduction of supplementation frequency does not cause negative impacts on performance and metabolic characteristics of primiparous grazing cows during the prepartum.

8 EFFECT OF CIRCULATING LEPTIN LEVELS AT SYNCHRONIZATION ON SUBSEQUENT FIXED-TIMED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PREGNANCY RATES IN CROSSBRED BEEF HEIFERS

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
G. T. Gentry ◽  
J. A. Pitchford ◽  
M. Chiasson ◽  
L. R. Gentry ◽  
K. R. Bondioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Metabolic Efficiency ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Plasma Leptin

It is generally accepted that reproductive efficiency is the limiting factor in the profitability of most livestock operations. The heritabilities of reproductive traits are typically low, so most advances in reproductive efficiency must be achieved through changes in management practices. Recent research indicates that leptin may play a role in the reproductive processes for many domesticated livestock species. Leptin has been shown to affect nutrient intake, metabolic efficiency, and animal adiposity, and may be associated with age at puberty onset and the length of the postpartum interval in cattle. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether circulating leptin concentrations during estrous synchronization would affect subsequent pregnancy rates after fixed-timed AI (FTAI) in crossbred beef heifers. Before the initiation of the spring breeding season, 54 crossbred (Red Angus × Simmental) long yearling heifers, averaging 326 ± 6.3 kg with a mean body condition score (BCS) of 5.2 ± 0.33, a mean reproductive tract score of 2.1 ± 0.57, and a mean ovary score of 2.7 ± 0.76, were synchronized with a controlled internal drug-release (CIDR) vaginal implant and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) on Day 0, a 25-mg injection of prostaglandin and CIDR removal on Day 7, and 2 mg of EB on Day 8, with FTAI occurring 52 hours post-CIDR removal. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture 4 times: twice during the synchronization protocol starting 2 days post-CIDR insertion, once at insemination, and once 4 days after insemination. All females were inseminated with frozen–thawed semen from the same fertile bull. Pregnancy was determined 45 days postinsemination via transrectal ultrasonography. Twenty females (37%) were confirmed pregnant to FTAI. There was no difference in average weights (324 ± 6.6 v. 323 ± 3.7 kg), BCS (5.1 ± 0.1 v. 5.2 ± 0.07), reproductive tract scores (2.2 ± 0.5 v. 2.1 ± 0.5) or ovary scores (2.7 ± 0.2 v. 2.7 ± 0.1) for the pregnant and nonpregnant females, respectively. However, those females that were pregnant from FTAI had higher (P = 0.02) mean plasma leptin concentrations (3.33 ± 0.22 ng mL–1) compared with heifers that did not conceive to FTAI (2.66 ± 0.19 ng mL–1) across all sampling days. In addition, as early as 2 days post-CIDR insertion, females that became pregnant from FTAI tended to have higher (P = 0.13) plasma leptin concentrations (2.76 ± 0.18 ng mL–1) compared with those heifers that did not conceive to FTAI (2.19 ± 0.15 ng mL–1). These results indicate that circulating plasma leptin levels in beef cattle during synchronization may be associated with subsequent fertility and might be a useful tool to select females to increase the efficacy of FTAI protocols in beef cattle.

scholarly journals Impacts of postweaning growth rate of replacement beef heifers on their reproductive development and productivity as primiparous cows1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 4171-4181
Author(s):  
Kelsey M Schubach ◽  
Reinaldo F Cooke ◽  
Alice P Brandão ◽  
Thiago F Schumaher ◽  
Ky G Pohler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Fat ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Milk Fat Globules ◽  
Natural Service ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effects of postweaning body weight (BW) gain of replacement beef heifers on their reproductive development and productivity as primiparous cows. Seventy-two Angus × Hereford heifers were ranked on day −6 of experiment (17 d after weaning) by age and BW (218 ± 1.6 d of age and 234 ± 3 kg of BW), and assigned to receive 1 of 3 supplementation programs from days 0 to 182: 1) no supplementation to maintain limited BW gain (LGAIN), 2) supplementation to promote moderate BW gain (MGAIN), or 3) supplementation to promote elevated BW gain (HGAIN). Heifers were maintained in 2 pastures (36 heifers/pasture, 12 heifers/treatment in each pasture) with free-choice alfalfa-grass hay, and supplements were offered individually 6 d per week. Heifer shrunk BW was recorded on days −6 and 183 for average daily gain (ADG) calculation. Blood samples were collected for puberty evaluation via plasma progesterone weekly from days 0 to 182. On day 183, heifers were combined into a single group and received the same nutritional management until the end of the experimental period (day 718). From days 183 to 253, heifers were assigned to a fixed-time artificial insemination program combined with natural service. Average daily gain from days 0 to 182 was greater (P < 0.01) in HGAIN vs. MGAIN and LGAIN (0.78, 0.60, and 0.37 kg/d, respectively; SEM = 0.02), and greater (P < 0.01) in MGAIN vs. LGAIN heifers. Puberty attainment by the beginning of the breeding season was also greater in HGAIN vs. MGAIN and LGAIN (87.5%, 62.5%, and 56.5%, respectively; SEM = 7.1) but similar (P = 0.68) between MGAIN vs. LGAIN heifers. A treatment × day interaction was detected (P < 0.01) for calving rate, as HGAIN heifers calved earlier compared with MGAIN and LGAIN heifers. Ten heifers per treatment were assessed for milk production via weigh-suckle-weigh at 56.8 ± 1.5 d postpartum, followed by milk sample collection 24 h later. No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ 0.16) for milk yield and composition. However, mRNA expression of GLUT1 in milk fat globules was less (P ≤ 0.02) in LGAIN vs. MGAIN and HGAIN heifers, and expression of GLUT8 mRNA was also less (P = 0.04) in LGAIN vs. HGAIN heifers. No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ 0.44) for offspring weaning BW. Collectively, results from this experiment indicate that HGAIN hastened the reproductive development of replacement heifers, without negatively affecting their milk productivity and offspring weaning weight as primiparous cows.

scholarly journals Steer performance on deferred pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1998-2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camile Sanches Silva ◽  
Denise Baptaglin Montagner ◽  
Valéria Pacheco Batista Euclides ◽  
Carolina de Arruda Queiroz ◽  
Rafael Augusto Silva Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Brachiaria Brizantha ◽  
Brachiaria Decumbens ◽  
Mineral Mixture

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare structural, morphological and bromatological characteristics of forage as well as performance of Caracu beef cattle (200 ± 9 kg of initial body weight) supplemented with a multi-mineral mixture (0.25% of body weight) on deferred pastures of Brachiaria brizantha 'Marandu' and Brachiaria decumbens 'Basilisk' under continuous grazing. After the pasture was grazed to 10 cm of height, in March 2014, both grasses were left to rest and subjected to a 126-day deferment period. The experimental period lasted from July to October 2014; the sward characteristics and the animal's weight were evaluated every 28 days. The highest forage mass was recorded in 'Marandu' grass, whereas the highest leaves percentage and lowest dead material percentage were observed in 'Basilisk' pastures. Similarly, the highest crude protein content (8.1 vs. 7.0 ± 0.2%), in vitro organic matter digestibility (57.7 vs. 53.9 ± 0.4%), lowest neutral detergent fiber content (69.2 vs. 72.7 ± 0.4%), and; consequently, the highest average daily gain (680 vs. 530 ± 0.04g animal-1) were recorded for 'Basilisk' pastures. 'Marandu' and 'Basilisk' deferment was associated with a multi-mineral mixture supplementation as a management alternative for rearing beef cattle during the drought periods. Because of the duration of the pasture recovery period in this study, B. decumbens pastures were more likely to achieve the highest animal performance.

scholarly journals Supplementation with calcium salts of cottonseed oil improves performance of Bos indicus animals consuming finishing diets1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 967-973
Author(s):  
Marcos A A Carvalho ◽  
Bruno I Cappellozza ◽  
Bruna Silva ◽  
Thais S Castro ◽  
Marcos Renato Burim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Cottonseed Oil ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Calcium Salts

Abstract Lipid ingredients are often used into feedlot cattle diets, primarily to increase energy density and improve efficiency parameters of the herd. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of including calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) and increasing levels of cottonseed byproducts into feedlot diets. On day 0 of the study, 96 Bos indicus bullocks were individually weighed twice and initial body weight (BW) was considered the average of both measurements (initial BW = 287 ± 22.4 kg). Bulls were ranked by initial BW, allocated into 1 of 12 feedlot pens (eight bulls per pen), and pens randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) inclusion of 15.0% [dry matter (DM) basis] of cottonseed byproducts into the finishing diet (CTS-15; n = 4), 2) inclusion of 22.0% (DM basis) of cottonseed byproducts into the finishing diet (CTS-22; n = 4), and 3) inclusion of 2.7% (DM basis) of CSFA of cottonseed oil into the finishing diet (CSFA; n = 4). The experimental period lasted 135 d and consisted of 5 d of preadaptation, 15 d of adaptation (ADP), 31 d of growing (GRO), and 84 d of finishing (FIN). Performance and carcass characteristics data were evaluated at the end of the experimental period. A treatment × period interaction was observed on total DM intake (DMI; P &lt; 0.0001), given that no treatment differences were observed during ADP (P &gt; 0.33), whereas CSFA-supplemented animals had a reduced DMI during GRO and FIN phases (P &lt; 0.05). When individual mean nutrient intake was evaluated, CSFA supplementation caused a reduction in crude protein and physically effective neutral detergent fiber intake (P ≤ 0.05), and tended to reduce metabolizable energy, net energy for maintenance and gain intake (P = 0.06). Additionally, CSFA inclusion or CTS increase into the diet did not affect final BW, BW change, average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight, carcass ADG, and yield gain (P ≥ 0.11). On the other hand, CSFA reduced DMI as percentage of BW and improved feed efficiency (FE; P &lt; 0.02) and also tended to improve biological conversion (BC; P = 0.07) versus CTS. Similarly, increasing CTS byproducts in the diet improved FE and BC (P = 0.02) but also tended to increase dressing percentage (DP; P = 0.08). In summary, including CSFA into feedlot diets reduced DMI but improved FE and BC of beef cattle, demonstrating the efficacy of this technology on feedlot beef cattle diets. Moreover, increasing cottonseed byproducts into the diets also benefited FE, BC, and DP of finishinw B. indicus cattle.

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