Influence of forage source and forage inclusion level on growth performance, feeding behavior, and carcass characteristics in finishing steers1

Abstract One-hundred thirty-two finishing steers (300 ± 2.7 kg body weight [BW]) predominately of Angus, Simmental, and Shorthorn breeding were used to study the effect of metabolizable protein (MP) intake on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior. Steers were stratified by initial BW across five pens and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments to supply an average of 626, 906, 1,209, and 1,444 g MP/d (n = 33 per treatment). Feed intake and feeding behavior were measured using radio frequency identification tags and the Insentec feeding system. For feeding behavior, a visit was defined as each time the Insentec system detected a steer at the feed bunk. A meal was defined as eating periods by intervals no longer than 7 min. Steers were fed until they reached an average BW of 598 ± 3.1 kg. Average daily gain (ADG) responded quadratically (P < 0.01) with ADG increasing in steers fed 906 g MP/d and plateauing thereafter. Dry-matter intake (DMI; kg) responded quadratically (P = 0.009) with DMI increasing with MP intake up to 1,209 g/d MP and decreasing thereafter. Gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly (P = 0.04) and tended (P = 0.10) to respond quadratically, as G:F increased up to 906 g MP/d and plateaued thereafter. A quadratic response (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively) was observed for marbling score and 12th rib subcutaneous fat thickness with steers fed 1,209 g MP/d having the greatest marbling score and back fat thickness. A quadratic effect for visits and meals per day was observed (P < 0.01) with steers fed the 1,209 g MP/d treatment having the least visits and meals per day. In addition, time eating per visit responded quadratically (P = 0.05) with time increasing from 626 to 906 g MP/d. There was a linear increase (P ≤ 0.02) in time eating per meal and per day with increasing MP intake. A quadratic effect (P < 0.03) was observed for DMI per visit, meal, and minute with steers fed 1,209 g MP/d having the greatest DMI. In summary, steers fed 626 g MP/d had increased visits and meals per day. However, DMI per visit, meal, and minute were greater in steers fed 1,209 g MP/d. A day × treatment interaction (P < 0.001) was observed for plasma urea N as concentrations increased to a greater extent over time in the higher MP treatments than in the lower MP treatments. These data indicate that MP supply (from deficient to excess) influences growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior of finishing steers.

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Effects of increasing inclusion of sodium hydroxide treatment on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior of steers fed 50% DDGS1

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas.2016.0527 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 371-378

Author(s):

T. B. Freitas ◽

A. E. Relling ◽

M. S. Pedreira ◽

W. J. B. Rocha ◽

A. R. Schroeder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Sodium Hydroxide ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Sodium Hydroxide Treatment

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Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on feeding behavior, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing steers1,2

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz114 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 1143-1152

Author(s):

Ronald J Trotta ◽

Kasey R Maddock Carlin ◽

Kendall C Swanson

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Treatment Period ◽

Radio Frequency Identification ◽

Animal Health ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Eating Time ◽

Total Period ◽

Ractopamine Hydrochloride

Abstract Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) is a β-adrenergic agonist that functions as a repartitioning agent to improve muscling in feedlot cattle. Many studies have investigated the effects of RAC on growth performance and carcass characteristics; however, there is minimal information about the influence of RAC on feeding behavior. Sixty-nine steers (body weight [BW] = 364 ± 3.9 kg) predominately of Angus and Simmental breeding were subjected to a 126-d (n = 46) or 154-d (n = 23) feeding period and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: supplementation to provide 0 (CON; n = 34) or 267 ± 4.9 mg/d of RAC (n = 35). Ractopamine was provided as Optaflexx 45 at 0.024% of the diet (dry matter [DM] basis; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN). Dietary treatments were fed the final 42 d in the feed yard (treatment period). Feeding behavior and growth performance were measured using radio frequency identification tags and the Insentec feeding system. Following the final day of treatment, steers were slaughtered and carcass measurements were recorded. Data were analyzed using MIXED models in SAS. There were no differences in BW, average daily gain (ADG), DM intake (DMI), gain:feed ratio (G:F), or feeding behavior during the pretreatment period (P > 0.44). Ractopamine supplementation increased G:F during the treatment period (P = 0.02) and during the total period (P = 0.03) and tended to increase ADG during the treatment and total period (P ≤ 0.08). DMI was not affected during the treatment or total period (P > 0.67). Eating time per visit, per meal, and per day were decreased (P < 0.02) in steers supplemented with RAC during the treatment period. DMI per minute was increased (P = 0.02) in steers supplemented with RAC. Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and 12th rib fat were not influenced by RAC supplementation. Ractopamine supplementation decreased marbling (P = 0.008) and kidney, pelvic, and heart percentage (P = 0.04) and increased longissimus muscle area (P = 0.01). These data demonstrate that RAC supplementation for 42 d improves feed efficiency, increases the rate of DMI without altering DMI, and increases muscling in finishing cattle.

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Wheat distillers grains in feedlot cattle diets: Feeding behavior, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood metabolites1,2

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas.2011-4372 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 90 (4) ◽

pp. 1301-1310 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

W. Z. Yang ◽

Y. L. Li ◽

T. A. McAllister ◽

J. J. McKinnon ◽

K. A. Beauchemin

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Distillers Grains

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Growing System Effects on Silage Type Selection for the Finishing Phase of Beef Steers: Feedlot Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Nutrient Digestibility, and Feeding Behavior

Journal of Veterinary Science & Medicine ◽

10.13188/2325-4645.1000036 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 01-10

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Type Selection ◽

Selection For

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137 Evaluation of Narasin Inclusion Level on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-finishing Pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 69-70

Author(s):

Christopher L Puls ◽

Roger Arentson ◽

Beau A Peterson ◽

Gustavo Silva ◽

Brandon Knopf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Carcass Weight ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Inclusion Level ◽

Ad Libitum

Abstract Two studies were conducted to evaluate narasin inclusion level on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. The studies were carried out using a randomized complete block design with three narasin levels: 0 vs. 15 vs. 20 mg/kg. Study 1 (2,232 pigs) was carried out over a fixed time of 85 days from 33.4 ± 1.7 kg to 117.0 ± 2.6 kg. Study 2 (1,125 pigs) was carried out over a fixed time of 113 days from 28.0 ± 2.2 kg to 124.4 ± 6.0 kg. All pigs were fed diets that met or exceeded nutrient recommendations of growing-finishing pigs (NRC, 2012). Pigs were offered ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study and weighed on day 0, 28, 56, and 84. Feed additions and feed remaining in the feeder at the time of pig weighing was recorded. Due to disruptions at the slaughter facility, carcass data were not collected on Study 1. For Study 2, pigs were sent for slaughter over five weeks, with the heaviest 20% of each pen being sent for slaughter each week. At slaughter, hot carcass weight was collected. Compared to controls, feeding 15 mg/kg narasin increased (P < 0.05) final body weight (1.2 kg and 1.4 kg for Study 1 and 2, respectively), increased (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight (1.3 kg), and tended (P = 0.07) to improve carcass yield (0.3 percentage units). Feeding 20 mg/kg narasin increased (P < 0.05) overall G:F compared to controls (1.5% and 1.9% for Study 1 and 2, respectively). There were limited differences between the 15 and 20 mg/kg narasin levels. The results of this study confirm improvements in growth performance and carcass characteristics from feeding narasin to growing-finishing pigs. The outcomes of feeding 20 mg/kg narasin were unexpected and warrant further research.

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Effects of increasing inclusion of sodium hydroxide treatment on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior of steers fed 50% DDGS

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas2016.0527 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 371

Author(s):

T. B. Freitas ◽

A. E. Relling ◽

M. S. Pedreira ◽

W. J. B. Rocha ◽

A. R. Schroeder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Sodium Hydroxide ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Sodium Hydroxide Treatment

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Effects of dietary roughage neutral detergent fiber levels and flint corn processing method on growth performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Bos indicus cattle1

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz197 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (8) ◽

pp. 3562-3577 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antonio Humberto F de Melo ◽

Rodrigo S Marques ◽

Vinícius N Gouvêa ◽

Jonas de Souza ◽

Camila D A Batalha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Processing Method ◽

Net Energy ◽

Finishing Diets ◽

Grain Processing ◽

Corn Processing

Abstract Flint corn processing method [coarse ground corn (CGC; 3.2 mm average particle size) or steam-flaked corn (SFC; 0.360 kg/L flake density)] was evaluated in conjunction with 4 levels of NDF from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as roughage source (RNDF; 4%, 7%, 10%, and 13%; DM basis) to determine impact on growth performance, carcass characteristics, starch utilization, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Bos indicus beef cattle. Two hundred and forty Nellore bulls were blocked by initial BW (350 ± 37 kg), assigned to 32 feedlot pens and pens within weight block were randomly assigned, in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (2 corn processing and 4 levels of RNDF) to treatments. Effects of corn grain processing × RNDF level were not detected (P ≥ 0.14) for growth performance, dietary net energy concentration, carcass traits, rumen morphometrics, and feeding behavior, except for time spent ruminating and time spent resting (P ≤ 0.04), and a tendency for papillae width (P ≤ 0.09). Bulls fed SFC-based diets consumed 7% less (P = 0.001), had 10.6% greater carcass-adjusted ADG (P < 0.001) and 19% greater carcass-adjusted feed efficiency (P < 0.001) compared with bulls fed CGC-based diets. Observed net energy for maintenance and gain values were 14.9% and 19.4% greater (P < 0.001), respectively, for SFC than for CGC-based diets. Fecal starch concentration was less (P < 0.001) for bulls fed SFC compared with those fed CGC. No grain processing effects were detected (P = 0.51) for rumenitis score; however, cattle fed SFC presented smaller ruminal absorptive surface area (P = 0.03). Dry matter intake increased linearly (P = 0.02) and carcass-adjusted feed efficiency tended (P = 0.06) to decrease linearly as RNDF increased. Dietary RNDF concentration did not affect carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.19), except for dressing percentage, which tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.06) as RNDF in finishing diets increased. Increasing RNDF in finishing diets had no effect (P = 0.26) on time spent eating, but time spent ruminating and resting increased linearly (min/d; P < 0.001) with increased dietary RNDF. Steam flaking markedly increased flint corn energy value, net energy of diets, and animal growth performance, and led to improvements on feed efficiency when compared with grinding, regardless of RNDF content of diets. Increasing dietary RNDF compromised feedlot cattle feed efficiency and carcass dressing.

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