Feed intake, growth, and body and carcass attributes of feedlot steers supplemented with two levels of calcium nitrate or urea1

One hundred and twenty commercial feedlot steers were penned and randomly allocated to three treatments: fed once, twice and three times per day, over a grower through finisher period of 196 d. Feeding frequency had no effect (P > 0.05) on average daily gain, feed intake or efficiency overall. We conclude that there are no beneficial effects in feeding a total mixed diet more frequently to feedlot steers. Key words: Feeding, frequency, gain, steers, feed efficiency

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Changes in feed intake during isolation stress in respiration chambers may impact methane emissions assessment

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an15563 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 58 (6) ◽

pp. 1011 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Pol Llonch ◽

Shane M. Troy ◽

Carol-Anne Duthie ◽

Miguel Somarriba ◽

John Rooke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress Response ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Calcium Nitrate ◽

Standard Technique ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Isolation Stress ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

The Impact

Respiration chambers are considered the ‘gold standard’ technique for measuring in vivo methane (CH4) emissions in live animals. However, the imposed isolation required may alter feeding behaviour and intake, which ultimately impact CH4 emissions. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of isolation within respiration chambers on feed intake and CH4 emissions with two different diets and breeds of beef cattle. In addition, a routine stressor (transport) was used to examine the relationship between individual stress responsiveness and changes in feed intake during isolation. Eighty-four steers (castrated males) (569 ± 5.7 kg bodyweight, BW) were divided into two groups and each group fed with one of two basal diets consisting of (g/kg dry matter, DM) either 50 : 50 (Mixed) or 8 : 92 (Concentrate) forage to concentrate ratios. Within each basal diet there were three supplementation treatments: (1) control, (2) calcium nitrate, and (3) rapeseed cake. The stress biomarkers plasma cortisol, creatine kinase (CK), and free fatty acids (FFA) were determined before (0 h) and after (30 min, 3 h, 6 h and 9 h) a 30-min journey, when steers were transported to the respiration chamber facilities. Methane emissions were measured over a 3-day period using individual respiration chambers. Dry matter intake (DMI) was assessed within the group-housed pens (4 weeks before entry to training pen), in the training pens and the chambers. Cortisol, FFA and CK increased (P < 0.05) after transport confirming a stress response. DMI (g/kg BW) decreased (P < 0.001) during isolation in the training pens (14.7 ± 0.28) and the chambers (14.3 ± 0.26) compared with that of the same animals in the group pens (16.8 ± 0.23). DMI during isolation decreased more in those animals which had an increased (P < 0.05) stress response during transport as measured by cortisol, FFA and CK. With the Mixed diet, the decline in DMI was estimated to result in an increase in CH4 (g/kg DMI) (r = 0.25, P = 0.001), which did not occur with the Concentrate diet. According to the results of this experiment, the stress associated with isolation reduces the DMI resulting in an increase in g CH4/kg DMI in fibrous diets. Habituation to isolation needs refinement in order to reduce the impact of stress on intake and therefore achieve more accurate estimates of CH4 emissions. Alternatively, modelling CH4 estimations according to behavioural and physiological changes associated with isolation stress would improve accuracy of CH4 estimations.

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Effects of sodium bentonite supplements on growth performance of feedlot steers fed direct-cut or wilted grass silage based diets

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas07018 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

pp. 631-638 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. Berthiaume ◽

M. Ivan ◽

C. Lafrenière

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Latin Square ◽

Sodium Bentonite ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Dietary Components ◽

Daily Gain

Forty crossbred steers (initial liveweight: 339 ± 41 kg) were assigned to four equal groups in a 98-d feeding experiment to determine the effects of sodium bentonite supplements (2% of dietary dry matter) on their growth performance. The steers were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration based on direct-cut (two groups) or wilted (two groups) grass silage. One group of steers fed the same silage received the diet without supplementation (control), while the second group received the diet with the sodium bentonite supplement. The steers were housed in pens with electronic headgates in an unheated enclosed feedlot. Feed intake was recorded throughout the experiment and weighing conducted every 2 wk. Apparent digestibilities of dietary components were determined with four steers in a parallel 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. Feed intake, average daily gain (ADG) and the efficiency of feed utilization were higher (P < 0.05) in steers fed wilted than in those fed the poorly fermented direct-cut grass silage. Bentonite increased (P = 0.04) ADG in steers fed the direct-cut grass silage, but in those fed the wilted grass silage ADG was virtually the same for both the control or the bentonite-supplemented steers. Except for energy, digestibility of nutrients was superior (P ≤ 0.05) in the wilted than in the direct-cut grass silage, but there were no effects (P > 0.05) of bentonite. It was concluded that it may be useful to supplement poorly fermented direct-cut silage diets with sodium bentonite, but not those based on wilted grass silage. Key words: Feedlot steers, sodium bentonite, grass silage, growth performance

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149 The effect of bunk preference on performance, intake, and efficiency of feedlot steers using an automated individual feeding system

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 15-15

Author(s):

Kaitlyn N Pierce ◽

Ryan R Reuter ◽

Colton A Robison ◽

Blake K Wilson

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Block Design ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Strong Preference ◽

Feeding System ◽

Or Efficiency ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Design Experiments ◽

Feeding Systems

Abstract Automatic feeding systems are being used more frequently to understand individual cattle behavior and intake variation when cattle are group housed. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate if bunk preference exists, and if so, how bunk preference affects performance, intake, or efficiency of feedlot steers. Angus steers (n = 123; initial BW = 293 ± 33.8 kg) were blocked by BW and sire and assigned to 1 of 4 pens, each containing 6 automated feed bunks (Insentec RIC; Hokofarm Group, Marknesse, Netherlands), in a randomized complete block design. Steers were fed a common diet and free to consume feed from any bunk within the pen without restriction. A steer’s preferred bunk was defined as the bunk from which the most feed was consumed. In any week, 80% of steers consumed less than 29% of that week’s total feed intake from the preferred bunk, indicating no strong preference for a specific bunk. The maximum weekly feed intake consumed from a preferred bunk was 57%. Further, the percentage of intake from the preferred bunk did not affect overall ADG, feed intake, or G:F (P > 0.64). These results suggest that a few steers may have a relatively strong preference for a specific feed bunk, however this preference was not associated with performance, intake, or efficiency. Researchers can design experiments (at a stocking density of 5 steers per bunk) that restrict or alter an individual animal’s access to any specific bunk, because such access, or lack of access, does not alter the animal’s performance or feed intake.

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Diurnal Ruminal pH and Temperature Patterns of Steers Fed Corn or Barley-Based Finishing Diets

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11102809 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2809

Author(s):

Hannah M. DelCurto-Wyffels ◽

Julia M. Dafoe ◽

Cory T. Parsons ◽

Darrin L. Boss ◽

Timothy DelCurto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Daily Variation ◽

Finishing Diets ◽

Ruminal Ph ◽

Post Feeding ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Ruminal Temperature

This study evaluated the effects of corn or barley finishing diets on ruminal pH and temperature and their relationship to feed intake events using continuous reticulorumen monitoring of feedlot steers. Average daily ruminal pH and temperature were not impacted (p ≥ 0.17) by diet. However, diet did affect daily variation of ruminal pH and temperature (p < 0.01). Average hourly ruminal pH displayed a diet by hour post-feeding interaction (p < 0.01), where barley-fed steers had greater (p < 0.01) ruminal pH than corn-fed steers at 0, 1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 h post feeding, but had lower (p ≤ 0.05) ruminal pH than corn-fed steers at 6, 7, and 8 h post-feeding. Variation in ruminal pH hour post-feeding also displayed a diet by hour post-feeding interaction (p < 0.01), where barley-fed steers had greater (p ≤ 0.03) variation in ruminal pH at hours 1–17 post-feeding but did not differ (p ≥ 0.16) at 0, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 h post-feeding. Additionally, average hourly ruminal temperature exhibited a diet by hour post-feeding interaction (p < 0.01). In summary, basal grain interacted with time post-feeding influencing ruminal pH and temperature in feedlot steers.

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25 Prediction of Residual Feed Intake in Feedlot Steers Based on Phenotypic Associations with Feeding Behavior and Carcass Ultrasound Traits.

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/sky027.026 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 96 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 13-14

Author(s):

I L Parsons ◽

J R Johnson ◽

W C Kayser ◽

M D Miller ◽

G E Carstens

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Feedlot Steers

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148 The effect of bunk preference on performance, intake, and efficiency of feedlot steers using an automated individual feeding system

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.146 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 64-64

Author(s):

Kaitlyn N Pierce ◽

Ryan R Reuter ◽

Colton A Robison ◽

Blake K Wilson

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Block Design ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Strong Preference ◽

Feeding System ◽

Or Efficiency ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Design Experiments ◽

Feeding Systems

Abstract Automatic feeding systems are being used more frequently to understand individual cattle behavior and intake variation when cattle are group housed. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate if bunk preference exists, and if so, how bunk preference affects performance, intake, or efficiency of feedlot steers. Angus steers (n = 123; initial BW = 293 ± 33.8 kg) were blocked by BW and sire and assigned to 1 of 4 pens, each containing 6 automated feed bunks (Insentec RIC; Hokofarm Group, Marknesse, Netherlands), in a randomized complete block design. Steers were fed a common diet and free to consume feed from any bunk within the pen without restriction. A steer’s preferred bunk was defined as the bunk from which the most feed was consumed. In any week, 80% of steers consumed less than 29% of that week’s total feed intake from the preferred bunk, indicating no strong preference for a specific bunk. The maximum weekly feed intake consumed from a preferred bunk was 57%. Further, the percentage of intake from the preferred bunk did not affect overall ADG, feed intake, or G:F (P > 0.64). These results suggest that a few steers may have a relatively strong preference for a specific feed bunk; however, this preference was not associated with performance, intake, or efficiency. Researchers can design experiments (at a stocking density of 5 steers per bunk) that restrict or alter an individual animal’s access to any specific bunk, because such access, or lack of access, does not alter the animal’s performance or feed intake.

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Effect of silage chop length on feed intake and feeding behaviour of finishing feedlot steers

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A – Animal Science ◽

10.1080/09064702.2016.1267789 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 106-114

Author(s):

W. Addah ◽

J. Baah ◽

T. A. McAllister

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feeding Behaviour ◽

Feedlot Steers

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Structures of chemically stabilized ceramics

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100150459 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 924-925

Author(s):

Pratibha L. Gai ◽

M. A. Saltzberg ◽

L.G. Hanna ◽

S.C. Winchester

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Calcium Nitrate ◽

Nitrate Hexahydrate ◽

Chemical Route ◽

Cubic Form ◽

Tetragonal Form ◽

Wet Chemical ◽

Wet Chemical Route ◽

Final Composition ◽

Aluminium Nitrate Nonahydrate

Silica based ceramics are some of the most fundamental in crystal chemistry. The cristobalite form of silica has two modifications, α (low temperature, tetragonal form) and β (high temperature, cubic form). This paper describes our structural studies of unusual chemically stabilized cristobalite (CSC) material, a room temperature silica-based ceramic containing small amounts of dopants, prepared by a wet chemical route. It displays many of the structural charatcteristics of the high temperature β-cristobalite (∼270°C), but does not undergo phase inversion to α-cristobalite upon cooling. The Structure of α-cristobalite is well established, but that of β is not yet fully understood.Compositions with varying Ca/Al ratio and substitutions in cristobalite were prepared in the series, CaO:Al2O3:SiO2 : 3-x: x : 40, with x= 0-3. For CSC, a clear sol was prepared from Du Pont colloidal silica, Ludox AS-40®, aluminium nitrate nonahydrate, and calcium nitrate hexahydrate in proportions to form a final composition 1:2:40 composition.

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