scholarly journals Corn versus Barley in Finishing Diets: Effect on Steer Performance and Feeding Behavior

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 935
Author(s):  
Hannah M. DelCurto-Wyffels ◽  
Julia M. Dafoe ◽  
Cory T. Parsons ◽  
Darrin L. Boss ◽  
Timothy DelCurto ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the effects of barley and corn finishing rations on feedlot performance and behavior of steers. Feedlot rations in this study were comprised of a main concentrate of either corn or barley. Steers were fed in a GrowSafe system to measure individual animal intake and behavior. Weight gain, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed were measured for each steer. Feeding behavior including time spent eating (min/day), visits per day, time per visit (min), eating rate (g/min), intake (kg/day), and intake per visit (g) were measured for each individual. Corn-fed steers had greater ADG (p < 0.01) and heavier hot carcass weights (HCW; p < 0.01). In addition, corn fed steers had a higher yield grade than barley fed steers (p < 0.01). No treatment effects (p ≥ 0.11) were observed for time spent eating, visits per day, time per visit, eating rate, intake g/kg body weight, or intake per visit. Although corn-fed steers had a greater ADG and HCW than barley-fed steers, they tended to consume more feed (p = 0.06). Depending on the difference of costs associated with feeding corn or barley, barley could be a potential high-quality feed source in beef cattle finishing rations.

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 404-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wolfger ◽  
C. Quinn ◽  
G.W. Torres ◽  
M. Taylor ◽  
K. Orsel

The objective of this study was to compare feeding behavior between red and black Angus heifers during a 161-d finishing period as a potential explanation for performance differences. Sixty-eight single-sourced purebred red (n = 35) and black (n = 33) Angus heifers, leptin genotype TT, and average starting weight 360 kg (±19 kg) were used. Heifers were randomly and equally allocated into one of two feedlot pens, equipped with five feed bunks that recorded feeding behavior. Individual time spent at the feed bunk, interval between feeding events, feed intake, and meal frequency were recorded daily, and eating rate was calculated. Heifers were fed a barley-based diet (>75% concentrate). After 161 d, at the end of the feeding period, feedlot performance was calculated as average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed conversion rate. Additionally, carcass data were obtained from the abattoir. Overall, black Angus heifers ate more, spent more time at the feed bunk, and had more meals compared with red Angus (P < 0.001). Red Angus heifers had better gain to feed ratios (P < 0.02) and significantly more red heifers were assigned to Canadian yield category 1 (≥59% lean meat) compared with black heifers (P = 0.02), whereas black heifers had higher back fat thickness throughout the study (P ≤ 0.04). All other performance parameters (ADG and carcass weight) were not different.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 210-210
Author(s):  
Hannah DelCurto Wyffels ◽  
Julia M Dafoe ◽  
Cory T Parsons ◽  
Darrin L Boss ◽  
Timothy DelCurto ◽  
...  

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of barley and corn finishing rations on feedlot performance and feed intake behavior of steer calves. For 2 consecutive years, Angus-based steer calves were fed and finished at the Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre, MT. Steers averaged 427 kg (n = 48) in year 1 and 407 kg (n = 47) in year 2. Feedlot rations used in this study were comprised of 1) corn or 2) Hockett barley. Diets were balanced to be isonitrogenous (12% CP). Steers were fitted with an electronic identification ear tag and fed in a GrowSafe system to measure individual animal intake and behavior. Initial and final unshrunk weights were obtained on two consecutive days and averaged. Weight gain, ADG, and G:F were measured for each steer. Feeding behavior including: time spent eating (min∙day-1), visits per day, time per visit (min), eating rate (g∙min-1), intake (kg∙day-1), and intake per visit (g) were also measured for each individual. Average daily gain, final live weight, DM intake, hot carcass weight, marbling, and REA all had significant year effects (P &lt; 0.05.). Corn-fed steers had heavier hot carcass weights (P = 0.01), and greater average daily gains (P = 0.04); however, corn-fed steers also had higher average daily DMI (P = 0.02) than barley-fed steers. Carcass weights were on average 15.89 kg heavier for steers fed corn compared to steers fed barley (P = 0.02) and corn-fed steers displayed higher numerical yield grade (P = 0.02). There were no treatment effects observed for final live weight, gain to feed, marbling, fat, REA, time spent eating, visits per day, time per visit, eating rate or intake per visit (P ≥ 0.05). In summary, barley-fed steers yielded comparable performance outcomes as corn-fed steers, thus, depending on cost and production year, barley could be a potential high-quality feed source in beef cattle finishing rations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 184-185
Author(s):  
Thomas Winders ◽  
Eric Serum ◽  
David J Smith ◽  
Bryan W Neville ◽  
Kafi Mia ◽  
...  

Abstract As cannabinoid production continues to increase, there is increasing interest in feeding byproducts of industrial hemp production to livestock. An experiment using crossbred heifers (n = 31; initial BW= 494 kg, SE = 10) was conducted to determine the effects of feeding hempseed cake in a corn-based finishing diet (10% forage) formulated to meet or exceed ruminally degradable and metabolizable protein requirements on growth, performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior. Heifers were assigned randomly to one of two treatments: 1.) diet containing 20% dried distillers grains plus solubles (CON, n = 16), or 2.) diet containing 20% hempseed cake (HEMP, n = 15) on a dry-matter basis. Cattle were housed in two pens, had ad-libitum access to feed and water, and individual intakes and feeding behavior were captured using the Insentec BV feeding system across the feeding period (111 d). Final BW was not different (P = 0.28) between CON (696 kg, SE = 12) and HEMP (683 kg, SE = 12) heifers. Dry matter intake was not different between treatments (P = 0.99), while CON cattle had improved ADG and feed efficiency (G:F; P ≤ 0.04) compared to HEMP cattle. Carcass characteristics were not different (P ≥ 0.20) between treatments for all parameters measured. Control and HEMP cattle were not different (P ≥ 0.34) for number of meals, time spent eating, number of visits to the bunk per day, meal size, or eating rate. Feeding hempseed cake reduced ADG and G:F while having no effect on other performance measures, carcass characteristics, or feeding behavior. Overall, these data suggest hempseed cake could be a viable alternative feed source for ruminants depending on availability and cost. Further understanding of hempseed cakes’ nutrient utilization is critical to determining this products viability as a feedstuff for cattle.


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Dion ◽  
J. R. Seoane

Thirty-two large-frame crossbred steers (443 ± 5 kg) were used to determine the nutritive value of cracked corn, rolled barley, rolled oats and rolled wheat in finishing diets for beef cattle fed medium-quality grass hay. Diets contained about 54% grains, 40% grass hay and 6% of a supplement of minerals, vitamins and lasalocid. Total daily dry matter (DM) intake ranged from 9.52 to 10.24 kg, average daily gain from 1.09 to 1.17 kg and gain to feed ratio from 0.113 to 0.121, but these values were not statistically different (P > 0.05). Apparent digestibilities of DM and energy of steers receiving the oats diet were lower than those of steers receiving the wheat diet (P < 0.05), the other diets having intermediate values. Apparent digestion coefficient of protein was higher for the oats diet (P < 0.05) than for other diets. Acid detergent fiber digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) and starch digestibility was lower (P < 0.05) in steers receiving corn than in those receiving barley, oats or wheat. The results indicate that nutritive value of all diets was similar. Key words: Grains, fattening steers, digestibility


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 298-299
Author(s):  
Bailey L Basiel ◽  
Chad D Dechow ◽  
Tara L Felix

Abstract Objectives were to compare feedlot performance and carcass traits of F1 beef × Holstein steers and Holstein steers. Angus or Limousin × Holstein crossbred [n = 27; age = 12 ± 3 months; body weight (BW) = 435 ± 8 kg] and Holstein (n = 20; age = 11 ± 2 months; BW = 400 ± 9 kg) steers were fed at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center for 111 days. Feed intake was recorded using the GrowSafe Feed Intake Monitoring System (Model 4000E, GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Calgary AB, Canada). The diet contained corn silage, dried distillers grains, soybean meal, and cracked corn and was formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of beef cattle (NASEM, 2016). Growth performance variables of interest and carcass measurements were analyzed with the Mixed procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). USDA assigned quality grades (QG) and yield grades (YG) were analyzed the with GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Breed was a fixed effect in all models. There were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) between breeds in average daily gain or feed efficiency. Crossbreds exceeded Holsteins in initial (P &lt; 0.01) and final BW (P = 0.01), dry matter intake (P = 0.03), hot carcass weight (P &lt; 0.01), backfat (P = 0.03), and ribeye area (REA; P &lt; 0.01). Thirty-five percent (35%) of the Holsteins received a QG of Choice or above while 74% of crossbreds graded USDA Choice or above (P = 0.01). However, 75% of Holsteins were YG 2 or lower while only 45% of crossbreds achieved YG 2 or less (P = 0.05). There was no improvement in efficiency when crossbreds were compared to Holsteins; however, carcasses from crossbreds were more likely to grade USDA Choice or above while yielding greater REA and backfat than Holsteins.


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


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Nadezhda Palova ◽  
Jivko Nakev ◽  
Teodora Popova ◽  
Maya Ignatova

Abstract(An experiment with two groups of East Balkan pigs – castrated males (n=10) and females (n=10), was carried out to study the growth performance and fattening abilities of the animals from the weaning until slaughter. The pigs were included in the trial at 60 day age. The average live weight of the castrated males was 8. 65±1.08 kg and for the females, 8.5±0.62 kg.The pigs were reared using traditional technology, grazing on natural pastures in the Strandzha mountain, Bulgaria. In autumn, acorns were naturally present in their diet. According to the category, the animals additionally received ground organic feed (50% barley and 50% wheat). The trial lasted 304 days (from February to November, 2019). During this period the final live weight of the male castrated pigs reached 88.00 kg while that of the females was 84.4 kg. The difference, however, was not significant. Furthermore, no significant differences in the growth performance characteristics that could be attributed to the sex of the animals were observed. The average daily gain of both sexes tended to be lower in summer and higher in autumn. The feed conversion ratio was higher in summer. The animals showed high average daily weight gain at pasture when their live weight was over 50 kg.


1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Plank ◽  
R. T. Berg

Four trials, involving 124 pigs, were conducted to study the effects of differing planes of nutrition on swine characteristics and to study the relative response of specific genetic groups of pigs to these differing planes. Seasonal and sex effects were also evaluated. Equalized limited feeding to a scale of 75 per cent of the U.S. N.R.C. recommended levels for bacon hogs was compared to liberal feeding wherein pigs were fed to appetite three times daily and to ad libitum feeding.Winter-fed pigs grew slower, were less efficient, had a higher dressing percentage and shorter carcasses than summer-fed pigs.As the plane of nutrition increased, average daily gains increased, feed conversion ratios were correspondingly inferior, dressing percentage rose, backfat thickness increased and area of loin and total Record of Performance score decreased.Females outgained barrows under equalized limited feeding, whereas barrows outgained females at a similar feed requirement by eating more feed under liberal feeding. Female carcasses were superior to those of barrows with a tendency for the differences to be greater under the equalized limited feeding system.Genotype × plane of nutrition interactions were significant for average daily feed consumed (P <.05), average daily gain (P <.01), length (P <.05), and total R.O.P. score (P <.01). Under equalized limited feeding pigs with the ability to gain both rapidly and efficiently tended to produce superior carcasses while under liberal feeding rapid gains seemed to reflect mainly increased feed consumption and a trend toward inferior feed conversion and fatter carcasses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 1061
Author(s):  
A. L. N. Rigueiro ◽  
M. C. S. Pereira ◽  
M. M. Squizatti ◽  
M. M. Ferreira ◽  
S. C. Dondé ◽  
...  

Context The use of two feed additives, to maximise rumen fermentation, in finishing diets offered to feedlot cattle may positively impact performance. Aims This study, conducted at the São Paulo State University feedlot, Botucatu campus, Brazil, was designed to evaluate the effects of the combined use of monensin (MON; 30 mg/kg of dry matter; (DM)) and virginiamycin (VM; 25 mg/kg of DM) in high-concentrate diets during the adaptation and finishing periods on feedlot performance, carcass traits, feeding behaviour, blood gas profile, rumen morphometrics and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients of Nellore cattle. Methods The experiment was designed as a completely randomised block, replicated six times (3 bulls/pen), in which 72 20 months of age yearling Nellore bulls (388.0 ± 31.1 kg) were fed in 24 pens for 90 days according to the treatments: (1) MON during the entire feeding period (T1), (2) MON + VM during adaptation and only VM during the finishing period (T2), (3) MON + VM during the entire feeding period (T3), and (4) VM during the adaptation and MON + VM during the finishing period (T4). The adaptation program consisted of ad libitum feeding of three diets over the adaptation period of 19 days with concentrate level increasing from 69% to 84% of diet DM. Key results Overall, bulls fed on T2 had a greater DM intake (P &lt; 0.01), final bodyweight (P = 0.04), average daily gain (P = 0.03), hot carcass weight (P &lt; 0.01), final Longissimus muscle area (P = 0.05), Longissimus muscle area daily gain (P = 0.01), improved carcass G:F (P &lt; 0.01) and increased dressing percentage (P &lt; 0.01). Similarly, bulls fed on T2 were faster to consume 1 kg of either DM (P &lt; 0.01) or neutral detergent fibre (P &lt; 0.01) after 60 days on feed. Furthermore, bulls fed on T2 presented a greater (P = 0.05) cell proliferation index in the rumen papillae. Conclusions According to the results, Nellore yearling bulls should be fed high-concentrate diets containing MON and VM during adaptation, and only VM during the finishing period to improve overall feedlot performance. Implications The use of both MON and VM proved to be helpful only during the adaptation period.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 206-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Vilela Carvalho ◽  
George A Perry ◽  
Tara L Felix

Abstract The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of steroidal implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations in the blood and longissimus muscle of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet. Seventy Holstein steers (average initial BW = 275 ± 6.4 kg, 10 to 12 mo of age) were assigned to treatments: (i) implanted with 80 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 16 mg of E2 (Component TE-IS with Tylan; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) at the start of the trial (day 0), and reimplanted with 120 mg of TBA and 24 mg of E2 (Component TE-S with Tylan; Elanco Animal Health) on day 84 of the experiment; or (ii) no implant. Implanted Holstein steers were heavier (P ≤ 0.01) than nonimplanted Holstein steers in the middle (day 84) and at the end of the experiment (day 186). Implanting Holstein steers increased (P &lt; 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) without affecting gain-to-feed ratio compared with nonimplanted animals. Carcasses from implanted Holstein steers had greater (P &lt; 0.01) hot carcass weight (HCW) and longissimus muscle (LM) area than carcasses from nonimplanted steers. Implanting did not affect (P ≥ 0.21) other carcass characteristics. There was an increase (P = 0.03) of 1.3 pg of E2/g of muscle in implanted Holstein steers compared with that from nonimplanted Holstein steers. There was an implant × day interaction (P &lt; 0.01) in serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentrations were not altered in nonimplanted Holstein steers, whereas E2 concentration increased (P &lt; 0.01) after steers were implanted, regardless of implant characteristics. Serum E2 peaked at 28 days after the first implant and then rapidly declined after day 56. In summary, steroidal implants administered on days 0 and 84 increased DMI, ADG, HCW, and LM area in Holstein steers compared with nonimplanted steers due to increased serum E2 concentrations. However, these changes did not improve feed efficiency or other carcass characteristics.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document