scholarly journals Beef cattle performance on signal grass pastures deferred and fertilized with nitrogen

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1395-1402
Author(s):  
P.L. Amorim ◽  
D.M. Fonseca ◽  
M.E.R. Santos ◽  
R.M. Pimentel ◽  
J.P.P. Rodrigues ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The effect of four nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 and 120kg N ha-1), applied before deferment on the beef cattle production and structural variables on Urochloa decumbens (signal grass) were assessed from January to October 2012 and from January to September 2013. A randomized block design with three replicates was adopted, in an arrangement of repeated measures in time (grazing period). An interaction effect between nitrogen level and grazing period was observed on extended-plant height and herbage mass. As the nitrogen levels were increased, extended-plant height, herbage mass, total herbage allowance, and efficiency of conversion of fertilizer into herbage were increased. Throughout the grazing period, pasture height, extended-plant height, percentage of leaves, herbage and morphological components allowance, and percentages of leaves and stems in the herbage apparently selected by the animal decreased. Nitrogen levels had no effect on average daily gain or gain per area in the first year. A fixed deferment period with increasing levels of nitrogen fertilization on signal grass pastures does not influence the average daily gain per animal, reduces the efficiency of the nitrogen fertilizer and negatively changes the structural characteristics of the pasture.

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 458-459
Author(s):  
Lairana A Sardinha ◽  
Daniel M Polizel ◽  
Alexandre A Miszura ◽  
Arnaldo C Limede ◽  
José P R Barroso ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to determinate the effects of forage levels and narasin inclusion on the performance of feedlot lambs. Forty-four lambs were allotted in a randomized complete block design, defined by initial body weight (BW), in a 2x2 factorial arrangement. The first factor was forage (coastcross hay) inclusion (10 or 20%, DM basis) and the second factor was narasin (0 or 13 ppm). The experimental diets were isonitrogenous (17.4%, DM basis). The experiment lasted 112 days, divided into two periods of 56 d each. The lambs were weighed after a fasting period of 14 hours on days 0, 56, and 112. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency (FE) were determined in each period. Data were analyzed as repeated measures over time using the MIXED procedure of SAS and the LSMEANS option was used to obtain the means. The effects were considered significant when P < 0.05. There was no interaction between forage levels and narasin inclusion. Narasin did not affect the DMI, ADG, and FE. There was hay levels and period interaction for DMI and ADG. Increase levels of hay did not affect the DMI during the first period; however, 20% of hay inclusion increased DMI in the second period (1.16 vs 1.30 kg/d; P = 0.01). The inclusion of 10% of hay increased the ADG in the first period (0.28 vs 0.24 kg/d; P < 0.01), however, there was no effect in the second period. Consequently, 10% of forage inclusion increased the FE (0.23 vs 0.21; P = 0.01). In summary, diets containing 10% of forage improves the FE, and narasin inclusion did not affect the lamb’s performance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Alexandre de Souza ◽  
Karina Guimarães Ribeiro ◽  
Wellington Willian Rocha ◽  
Saulo Alberto do Carmo Araújo ◽  
Odilon Gomes Pereira ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the forage mass, plant height, chemical composition and chlorophyll index of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk), as well as the content of organic matter (OM) in soil under increasing levels of nitrogen. The experiment was conducted in the Rio Manso Farm, experimental unit of the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys - UFVJM in the municipality of Couto de Magalhães de Minas, state of Minas Gerais. For plant evaluation, we use a split plot randomized block design with four replications. Nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 kg ha-1 N) were assigned to plots and the cuts made in plants, to subplots. For the assessment of soil organic matter, we used a split-split-plot, with nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha-1 by cut) in the plots, collection depth (0-10 and 10-20 cm) in the subplots and three sampling times (before the onset of the experiment, at the end of the 1st crop year and at the end of the 2nd crop year) in sub-subplots in a randomized block design with four replications. It can be concluded that nitrogen fertilization linearly increases forage mass, plant height and crude protein content of signal grass, which are positively correlated with chlorophyll index. At the end of two agricultural years, the content of organic matter in the soil decreases, which can be attributed to management of cutting and removal of the cut material.


2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1999-2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.C.F. Maciel ◽  
H.M. Saturnino ◽  
F.A. Barbosa ◽  
V.M.R. Malacco ◽  
J.M.C. Andrade Júnior ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of including virginiamycin (VM), sodium monensin (MON) or the association (VM+MON) in the energetic mineral supplement, on the intake and performance of beef cattle on pasture. Forty Nellore heifers with 24 months of age and initial body weight (BW) of 251.5±16.6kg, were distributed in four treatments in a randomized block design. Treatments consisted of adding VM, MON or VM+MON to the supplement (CONT). Additive concentrations were defined to reach a dose of 40 to 45mg/100kg BW. The herbage allowance was not a limiting factor for the animals’ intake. Supplement intake was lower than expected, with 33.0, 18.8 and 26.3mg per 100kg BW for VM, MON and VM+MON, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI, mean=2.65% BW) and animal performance were not affected by the inclusion of additives. The average daily gain (ADG) was 0.561kg/animal day-1. The inclusion of additives in energetic mineral supplement does not affect the DMI and the ADG of grazing animals. The variability in supplement intake and daily dose intake of additives may have influenced the performance of the animals. Monensin inclusion presented the less expensive supplementation cost, due to reduction in supplement intake without changing weight gain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. e52805
Author(s):  
Alex Álvares da Silva ◽  
Gelson dos Santos Difante ◽  
João Virgínio Emerenciano Neto ◽  
Antonio Leandro Chaves Gurgel ◽  
Leonardo Santana Fernandes ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to examine the performance of ewes in the post-weaning phase and the structural characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cultivars in the dry season. The treatments were represented by four Brachiaria brizantha cultivars (Piatã, Marandu, Paiaguás, and Xaraés), which were evaluated in a randomized-block design with two replicates for the forage variables and eight replicates for the animal performance variables. Canopy height, masses of forage and morphological components and chemical composition of morphological components were evaluated. Thirty-two ½ Santa Inês and ½ Dorper sheep with an initial body weight (BW) of 22.7 ± 1.2 kg were used. Average daily gain (ADG – kg animal-1 day-1), stocking rate (in animal units [AU] = 30 kg of body weight) and weight gain per area (kg ha-1 day-1) were measured. There was no cultivar effect (p > 0.05) on the structural characteristics of the pasture. The highest crude protein content in the leaf blade (11.8%) were found in cultivar Marandu. Average daily gain was higher in the animals that grazed on cultivar Marandu (0.08 kg animal-1 day-1) as compared with cultivars Xaraés (0.05 kg animal-1 day-1) and Piatã (0.04 kg animal-1 day-1), whereas the ewes that grazed on cultivar Paiaguás showed intermediate ADG values (0.06 kg animal-1 day-1). There was no difference between the cultivars for stocking rate (9.2 AU). Weight gain per area was highest in cultivar Marandu (0.33 kg ha-1 day-1) and lowest in cv. Piatã (0.16 kg ha-1 day-1). Brachiaria brizantha cultivars Piatã, Marandu, Paiaguás and Xaraés proved to be forage options for the post-weaning phase of ewes supplemented with concentrate in the dry season.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anselmo de Deus Santos ◽  
Dilermando Miranda da Fonseca ◽  
Braulio Maia de Lana Sousa ◽  
Manoel Eduardo Rozalino Santos ◽  
Angélica Nunes de Carvalho

Abstract The effects of supplement doses (0, 1, 2 and 3 kg ha-1 day-1) and grazing periods (1, 28, 59, 89 and 103 days) on the B. decumbens cv. Basilisk structure and cattle production in deferred pastures were evaluated. The design was a randomised complete block design with two replications. The sward height and the total forage and stem masses decreased with grazing period. The crude protein (8.12%) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (52.74%) were not affected by grazing period. The fibre content in neutral and acid detergent increased linearly with the grazing period. The average daily gain of cattle ranged from 0.419 to 1.019 kg animal-1 day-1; the stocking rate ranged from 2.7 to 3.9 animal unit ha-1; and the average gain per area ranged from 2.7 to 7.9 kg ha-1 day-1, with the maximum values obtained with the highest dose of concentrate. Concentrate supplementation increases cattle production in deferred pastures. During the use of deferred pasture in winter there are decreases in the quantity and quality of forage, as well as limitations in its structure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Sarah M Montgomery ◽  
Brandi Karisch ◽  
Jane A Parish ◽  
Jesse Morrison ◽  
Brian Baldwin

Abstract Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) can be divided into two cytotypes: diploid (2n = 2x) and tetraploid (2n = 4x). Polyploid versions of a given plant species result in increased seedling vigor, more robust growth and, potentially, greater yield. While most data suggest no difference in yield between diploid and tetraploid cultivars, there is still potential for weight gain advantages thanks to increased non-structural carbohydrates in tetraploid cells. The objectives of this study were to compare weight gain of cattle grazing either diploid or tetraploid cultivars of annual ryegrass. Two diploid annual ryegrass cultivars (Marshall and Tam 90) and two tetraploid cultivars (Jumbo and Nelson) were planted in 0.81-ha pastures, each replicated four times. Four steers (mean initial BW = 214 kg) were randomly assigned to each pasture for an 82-d grazing period. Body weights were recorded starting at d0 then every 28 days throughout the season. Data were analyzed in the GLM procedure of SAS using a significance level of α = 0.05. There were significant differences between cytotypes with respect to seasonal yield with diploids (9547.90 kg/ha) yielding greater than tetraploids (7762.00 kg/ha). As expected, ADF and NDF fractions were significantly less for tetraploids (ADF; 31.39%, NDF; 31.39%) compared to diploids (ADF; 33.75%, NDF; 53.25%). Tetraploids also contained significantly greater crude protein (13.50%) than diploids (12.90%). Cytotype had no effect on final average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.9427). However, final ADG was significantly impacted by cultivar (P = 0.0134). Final ADG for Tam 90 (1.10 kg/d) was greater than Marshall (0.92 kg/d). Cattle grazing Nelson (1.04 kg/d) and Jumbo (0.99 kg/d) did not differ. Results show that regardless of differences in seasonal yield and nutritive value between cytotypes, there were no advantages in ADG for cattle grazing either cytotype.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 61-62
Author(s):  
Woongbi Bi Kwon ◽  
Jose A Soto ◽  
Hans H Stein

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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Swanson ◽  
M. Ko ◽  
C. J. Mader

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn or soybean hull incorporation into haylage-based diets on backgrounding calf performance and subsequent feedlot performance. Crossbred steers [n = 48, initial body weight (BW) = 303 ± 3.4 kg] were individually fed dietary treatments consisting of: (1) haylage [17.5% crude protein, dry matter (DM) basis; control], (2) haylage + 20% (DM basis) cracked corn, and (3) haylage + 20% (DM basis) soybean hulls during a 112-d backgrounding period. After the backgrounding period, all steers were adapted to a common high moisture corn-based finishing diet and fed until an ultrasound estimated backfat thickness of 7 mm was obtained. During the backgrounding period, steers fed cracked corn or soybean hulls had greater (P < 0.01) average daily gain, dry matter intake and gain:feed and lower (P = 0.05) plasma urea N as compared with controls. However, when finished on a common high-concentrate diet, steers previously fed cracked corn had greater (P < 0.08) average daily gain, final body weight, and longissimus muscle area than those fed soybean hulls, suggesting that source of supplemental energy during the backgrounding period may influence subsequent feedlot performance. Key words: Beef cattle, backgrounding, energy supplementation


1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Aldrich ◽  
L. L. Berger ◽  
D. J. Kesler ◽  
D. B. Faulkner ◽  
J. W. Castrée

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Synovex® H as an agent for prenatal androgenization in beef cattle. Thirty Charolais-cross heifers, exposed to a fertile bull during a 55-d spring breeding season, were randomly assigned to a control group or implanted with three times the normal dose of Synovex® H between days 20 and 75 of gestation. Serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, calving rate, and growth performance were determined in the pregnant heifers. Testosterone levels were greater (P < 0.001) in treated heifers than in control heifers. Synovex® H treatment had no affect on estradiol levels. Progesterone levels were lowered (P < 0.05) in treated heifers. Synovex® H treatment decreased (P < 0.05) calving rate and birth weight of calves born to treated heifers. Calving ease scores were not affected by Synovex® H treatment. Weight was not affected; however, average daily gain was improved 7% by Synovex® H treatment (0.88 vs. 0.82 ± 0.04 kg d−1, treated and control heifers, respectively). These results are interpreted to suggest that Synovex® H is not an appropriate androgenizing agent for cattle due to adverse effects on progesterone concentrations during pregnancy and on calving rate. Key words: Cattle, prenatal androgenization, Synovex® H, pregnancy, hormones


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 451-451
Author(s):  
Josue Godinez ◽  
Alejandro Plascencia ◽  
Francisco Castrejón-Pineda ◽  
Juan Carlos Ramírez-Orejel ◽  
Luis Corona

Abstract The main objective of sheep production in Mexico is the production of meat. The greater demand of sheep meat in relation to the offer generated an attractive market that favored the intensification of the fattening, to take advantage of the growth of lambs in its different stages, and reduce the days of fattening. Thirty-two lambs (28.50± 2.67 kg initial shrunk weight) were used in a 63-day feeding trial (4 pens per treatment, randomized complete block design) to evaluate neutral detergent fiber level (4, 8, 12, and 16% diet DM) on finishing-phase growth performance, dietary energetics and carcass traits. Dietary treatments consisted of a cracked corn-based diet in which the NDF concentration of diet was manipulated by replacing cracked corn grain by corn stubble. Dietary NDF level showed a quadratic response on average daily gain and gain efficiency, being those maximal at 8% NDF level. Lambs fed 8% NDF level tended (P = 0.07) to shown greater dry matter intake than others treatments. The ratio of observed-to-expected dietary net energy was 3% lower (0.97) for lambs fed 4% NDF, while the ratio of observed-to-expected dietary net energy for lambs that were fed with 8, 16 and 16% NDF were closely to 1.00. Hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage (DP) were maximal for the lambs fed 8% NDF level (quadratic effect, P ≤ 0.03); beyond this level, HCW and DP percentage decreased as NDF level increased. Using corn stubble as source of NDF in growing-finishing diets for lambs, the optimal NDF level was 8%. Fiber level below 8% decreases net energy utilization, and this may be cause by digestive disorders. Fiber levels upper 8% did not affect energy utilization; however, affect negatively average daily gain, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics by effect of high levels of fiber on energy dilution of diet.


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