scholarly journals Flight Zone as an Alternative Temperament Assessment to Predict Animal Efficiency

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Mariano Parra ◽  
Tia Breed ◽  
Alana Connolly ◽  
Emily Janz ◽  
Sarah Kennedy ◽  
...  

Animal temperament evaluation can be included in the cattle selection program also because of an existing correlation with performance. However, there are different assessment methods such as flight speed (time and speed that an animal takes to leave the crush) and exit score (indicating in which pace it does). Flight zone (FZ) refers to the distance that an animal allows human proximity without signs of fear (e.g., moving away and/or aggression) and it was used in this study as an alternative approach to measure temperament without putting cattle through the crush. Apparently, there is no study correlating FZ with performance. Therefore, a pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the correlation between average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of ten Brahman steers. Steers were classified into temperament groups (Docile <2 m; Moderate between 2 to 2.9 m; and Lively ≥3 m). Even though no significant differences were found for ADG (P = 0.65), DMI (P = 0.36), and FCR (P = 0.46), the docile group gained 133 grams/day more than lively counterparts, most likely because of the extra 50 grams consumed. Furthermore, lively steers required an extra 1 kg of feed per kg of gain in comparison to docile animals, 8.24 vs. 7.28 kg FCR, respectively. These results are promising and indicate that FZ could be an efficient way to measure temperament in cattle. Thus, in order to confirm these findings, a new experiment with a more representative number of steers (n = 30) will be conducted.

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-551
Author(s):  
T.S. Brand ◽  
J. Van der Merwe ◽  
L.C. Hoffman

Canola meal (CM) is a locally produced protein source that may be less expensive than soybean meal (SBM). This study evaluated the effects of replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% SBM with CM in diets for slaughter ostriches. The CM was added at the expense of SBM and other concentrates, with minor changes in other ingredients. Birds (n = 15 per treatment) were reared from 77 to 337 days old on the trial diets, which were supplied ad libitum for starter, grower, and finisher phases. Bodyweights and feed intake were measured during these phases. No differences (P >0.05) were found between treatments for live weight at the end of each phase, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) over all the growth phases. Although no differences were observed in live weight at the end of each phase, the birds reared on the diet with 50% CM were heaviest at slaughter, and birds reared with 100% CM were lightest (P <0.05). Differences (P <0.05) between diets were observed for the weight at slaughter, weights of the liver and thyroid glands and the pH of the cold carcass. However, no differences (P >0.05) were observed between diets for fat pad weight, dressing percentage, and weights of thighs and Muscularis gastrocnemius. The results indicate that CM could replace SBM in the diets of slaughter ostriches without affecting production traits and slaughter yields.Keywords: alternative protein, average daily gain, canola, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, growth, ostrich nutrition, production


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. I. Velazco ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
D. J. Cottle ◽  
R. S. Hegarty

As daily methane production (DMP; g CH4/day) is strongly correlated with dry matter intake (DMI), the breeding of cattle that require less feed to achieve a desired rate of average daily gain (ADG) by selection for a low residual feed intake (RFI) can be expected to reduce DMP and also emission intensity (EI; g CH4/kg ADG). An experiment was conducted to compare DMP and EI of Angus cattle genetically divergent for RFI and 400-day weight (400dWT). In a 6-week grazing study, 64 yearling-age cattle (30 steers, 34 heifers) were grazed on temperate pastures, with heifers and steers grazing separate paddocks. Liveweight (LW) was monitored weekly and DMP of individual cattle was measured by a GreenFeed emission monitoring unit in each paddock. Thirty-nine of the possible 64 animals had emission data recorded for 15 or more days, and only data for these animals were analysed. For these cattle, regression against their mid-parent estimated breeding value (EBV) for post-weaning RFI (RFI-EBV) showed that a lower RFI-EBV was associated with higher LW at the start of experiment. Predicted dry matter intake (pDMI), predicted DMP (pDMP) and measured DMP (mDMP) were all negatively correlated with RFI-EBV (P < 0.05), whereas ADG, EI, predicted CH4 yield (pMY; g CH4/kg DMI) were not correlated with RFI-EBV (P > 0.1). Daily CH4 production was positively correlated with animal LW and ADG (P < 0.05). The associations between ADG and its dependent traits EI and pMY and predicted feed conversion ratio (kg pDMI/kg ADG) were strongly negative (r = –0.82, –0.57 and –0.85, P < 0.001) implying that faster daily growth by cattle was accompanied by lower EI, MY and feed conversion ratio. These results show that cattle genetically divergent for RFI do not necessarily differ in ADG, EI or pMY on pasture and that, if heavier, cattle with lower RFI-EBV can actually have higher DMP while grazing moderate quality pastures.


1964 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henning E. Nielsen

Sixteen blocks of eight littermate pigs were weaned at 3 weeks of age and each divided into four groups. Various levels of nutrition were applied to the pigs so that the four groups reached 20 kg. at 59, 68, 80 and 91 days of age, respectively.Only small differences were observed between groups in feed conversion ratio to 20 kg.; however, Group 4 required more feed per kg. gain than the three other groups.During the second period (20–90 kg.) the pigs in each group were divided into two sub-groups, which were on a high and a low plane of nutrition respectively. In both sub-groups the type of feeding before 20 kg. influenced the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio. The older the pigs were at 20 kg. the higher the daily gain and the lower the feed conversion ratio in the following period. There was an increase in daily feed intake with increased age at 20 kg. for pigs fed ad lib. during the second period.An increase in age at 20 kg. caused a significant decrease in thickness of backfat, a greater area of eye muscle and a smaller area of fat overlying muscle. For pigs fed ad lib. the area of eye muscle was significantly increased by a higher age at 20 kg. live-weight.


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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Eka Handayanta

<p class="Style2"><em>The aim of this research to determine the effect of supplementation of tofu. </em><em>tempe, and soy sauce waste in ration on male local sheep performance. This </em><em>research was carried out during three month, take place on July until October </em><em>200E in Minifarm Dept. of Animal Science, Agriculture Faculty of Sebelas Maret </em><em>University, located in Jatikuwung. Gondangrejo, Karanganyar. It used </em><em>12 </em><em>male </em><em>local sheeps with average body weight of </em><em>15.86 ±0.93 </em><em>kg, divided into four treatments and three replications, each replication consist of one sheep.</em><em> </em><em>The ration consisted of king grass only as basal diet, </em><em>as many as four percent </em><em>base on body weight. The treatment given is in the form of feed supplement, that </em><em>namely without supplement </em><em>(RO), </em><em>250 </em><em>gram tofu waste (R1), </em><em>250 </em><em>gram tempe </em><em>waste </em><em>(R2), and </em><em>250 </em><em>gram soy sauce waste </em><em>(R3). </em><em>The data variables collected </em><em>were </em><em>feed consumption, dry and organic matter digestibility, crude protein </em><em>consumption, energy consumption, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio. </em><em>All of data except average daily gain was analyzed by completely randomized </em><em>design one way classification. While average daily gain was analyzed by </em><em>covariance analyze. The result were significant followed by Duncan new multiple </em><em>range test.</em><em> </em><em>The result showed that average of </em><em>R0, RI, </em><em>R2 and </em><em>R3 </em><em>for feed consumption </em><em>430.52; 720.44; 704.44; 549.08 </em><em>gram/day, dry matter digestibility (%) </em><em>61,07; 72,46; 69,68: 63,60, organic matter digestibility (%) </em><em>64,41: 74,94; 72.41; 64,7 1, </em><em>crude protein consumption 47.66; 106.77; 85.83; 73.70 gram/day, energy consumption </em><em>281.82; 482.65; 432.67; 330.83 </em><em>gram/day, average daily gain </em><em>50.00.</em><em><sup>­</sup></em><em>1X00: 116.19; 38.10 </em><em>gram/day and feed conversion ratio </em><em>8.74; 5.61; 6.06; 15.2. </em><em>The result of variance analyze showed that feed supplementation have highly </em><em>significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on all of the data variable colected. Conclusion of this </em><em>research was supplementation of tofu waste and tempe waste could improved </em><em>performance, while soy sauce waste could not improved the performance of male </em><em>local sheep.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><em>Key words : sheep, tofu waste, tempe waste, soy sauce waste, performance</em>


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 655-665
Author(s):  
Samuel J Hawe ◽  
Nigel Scollan ◽  
Alan Gordon ◽  
Elizabeth Magowan

Abstract Improved genetics in commercial pig production have resulted in larger litter sizes. However this has increased the prevalence of compromised pigs exhibiting inferior birthweights, weaning weights, and lifetime performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of increased sow lactation feed intake on growth of low and average birthweight piglets until 10 wk of age. Low (Low BW; &lt;1 kg) and average (Av BW; 1.3–1.7 kg) birthweight animals were reared in uniformly weighted litters comprising 14 piglets on a foster mother offered either a low (Low FA; max 7.5 kg/d) or high (High FA; max 11 kg/d) feed allowance over a 28- ± 1-d lactation. Piglet performance was monitored from birth until 10 wk of age. Sows offered a High FA consumed 42.4 kg more feed on average than those offered Low FA, resulting in a greater derived milk yield (P &lt; 0.05). Animals of Av BW remained heavier than Low BW pigs throughout the trial (P &lt; 0.05). Piglets reared by High FA sows were heavier at weeks 3, 4, 5, and 7 (P &lt; 0.05) but not week 10 (P &gt; 0.05). Growth rate of piglets relative to their birthweight was significantly greater for Low BW piglets than those of Av BW during lactation (P &lt; 0.001). Piglets reared by sows offered a High FA expressed greater relative growth preweaning (P &lt; 0.05); however, postweaning relative growth for piglets reared on sows offered a Low FA was greater (P &lt; 0.05) suggesting compensatory growth. Neither birthweight nor sow feed allowance significantly affected preweaning mortality (P &gt; 0.05). However, Low BW animals on sows with a High FA recorded half the preweaning mortality of Low BW pigs on sows with a Low FA. During week 1 of lactation, Av BW litters recorded a greater total suckling duration compared to Low BW litters (P &lt; 0.05) but there was no difference in suckling frequency (P &gt; 0.05). During week 3 of lactation, High FA litters displayed a significantly lower suckling frequency (P &lt; 0.05) yet a greater total suckling duration (P &lt; 0.001). Average daily gain was greater for Av BW pigs during weeks 4–7 (P &lt; 0.001) but no difference was recorded between weeks 7 and 10 (P &gt; 0.05). Average daily feed intake was greater for Av BW pigs throughout the nursery period (P &lt; 0.05) but feed–conversion ratio did not differ compared to Low BW pens (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, offering sows a High FA increased weaning weight of all animals; however, birthweight was the major determinant of postweaning performance.


1978 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-122
Author(s):  
B. W. KENNEDY ◽  
G. M. JONES ◽  
R. L. CHICOINE ◽  
C. G. HICKMAN ◽  
E. B. BURNSIDE

An experiment was conducted to obtain progeny test comparisons of Finnish and Canadian Ayrshire bulls for veal and beef production. A total of 83 male calves from four Canadian and four Finnish sires was tested. Best linear unbiased estimates of differences between veal calf progeny of Finnish and Canadian bulls for time on test, average daily gain and feed conversion were 4.00 ± 5.63 days, −.044 ±.038 kg/day and.062 ±.067 kg dry matter intake/kg gain, respectively. For veal carcass traits, progeny differences between Finnish and Canadian bulls for dressing percent and carcass grade, quality, finish and color scores (scores ranged from 1 to 3, except for color score which ranged from 1 to 2, with high score desirable) were.25 ± 1.13%, −.085 ±.232,.146 ±.303,.122 ±.302 and.104 ±.192, respectively. When raised for beef, differences between Finnish and Canadian sired steers were.015 ±.019 kg/day for feedlot average daily gain and.21 ±.66% for dressing percent. None of these differences were significant (P >.05). Based on these results, the importation of Finnish semen would not be expected to materially change the veal and beef performance of Ayrshires in Canada.


2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Olusola Adeyanju Olorunnisomo ◽  
Gladys Abiemwense Ibhaze

Abstract Year-round availability of feed is a major concern for dairy farmers in many parts of the tropics. Silage making is a reliable means of providing feed for dairy cattle during periods of forage scarcity. In this study, Elephant grass (EG) (Pennisetum purpureum) was ensiled with cassava peel (CSP) at 0, 10, 30 and 50% levels of inclusion on a wet basis. At 21, 42 and 63 days of ensiling, silage samples were taken for chemical analysis and the remaining materials were fed to four lactating Sokoto Gudali cows for a period of 84 days using a Latin square design. Dry matter (DM) content of silage mixtures increased from 18.22 to 28.70% as level of CSP in the silage mixture increased while crude protein (7.33 to 6.08%) and crude fibre (32.80 to 23.95%) decreased. Dry matter intake of cows, milk yield and feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied (P < 0.05) with inclusion of cassava peel in the silage mixtures. Dry matter intake of cows increased from 2.56 to 3.84% of body weight (BW) and milk yield from 2.90 to 6.70 kg/d as proportion of CSP in the grass silage increased. Feed conversion ratio of cows ranged from 2.08 to 3.23 and improved with inclusion of CSP in the silage. These results show that addition of cassava peel to Elephant grass silage improved intake and milk production in Sokoto Gudali cows fed Elephant grass silage.


1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (3B) ◽  
pp. 577-595
Author(s):  
N.P. Lenis ◽  
J.T.M. van Diepen ◽  
P.W. Goedhart

In 3 experiments each of 4 treatments, crossbred pigs about 35 kg were given basal diets with a low concentration of 1 amino acid and DL methionine 0, 0.41 or 0.82 and 1.23, L-threonine 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 and DL-tryptophan 0, 0.31, 0.62 and 0.93 g/kg. Apparent faecal digestibility of organic matter, protein and amino acids of 1 or 2 diets from each feeding experiment was estimated with 4 pigs each. Average daily gain of the optimally supplemented groups was 875 g and feed conversion ratio 2.84. For maximum growth performance of pigs between 35 and 105 kg, the requirement for total methionine + cystine, threonine and tryptophan, relative to total lysine supply, was about 60, 66 and 19%, respectively. On a faecal digestible basis, requirements were about 58, 63 and 19%, relative to faecal digestible lysine, respectively. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)


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