Comparison of techniques for estimation offorage dry matter intake bygrazing beef cattle

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Undi ◽  
C. Wilson ◽  
K. H. Ominski ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg

Four techniques were compared for their ability to estimate forage dry matter intake (DMI) of grazing animals. In the Cage technique, 10 grazing cages were placed within each pasture, and forage inside and outside the cages was clipped from 0.25-m2 quadrats after 12 to 20 d of grazing. The difference between forage inside and outside the grazing cage represented forage consumed by grazing animals. The second technique used n-alkane controlled release capsules to measure DMI of individual grazing animals (N-alkane marker technique). The remaining two techniques were prediction equations; one utilized body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) to estimate DMI (Minson equation) and the other related dietary net energy concentration and BW to DMI (Net Energy equation). The four methodologies were applied to a 3-yr study evaluating liquid hog manure on the productivity of grass pastures. The study utilized steers of a relatively uniform body size on six continuously grazed grass pastures. When individual animal intakes were compared, the Net Energy equation estimated lower (P < 0.05) DMI than the Minson equation, with the N-alkane marker technique being intermediate. Dry matter intake (mean ± SD, kg d-1) was 5.3 ± 0.76, 7.4 ± 1.86, and 6.5 ± 2.58 for the Net Energy equation, Minson equation, and N-alkane marker technique, respectively. The Cage technique estimated average DMI of animals in each pasture of 17.5 ± 11.61 kg d-1 and this was higher (P < 0.05) than estimates from the other techniques. Dry matter intake estimates from different techniques were ranked: Cage technique > Minson equation > N-alkane marker technique > Net Energy equation. The DMI estimates generated by the Cage technique were associated with the largest coefficient of variation, with extreme values representing a range from 0.3 to 15.2% BW. The N-alkane marker technique estimated DMI that ranged from 0.6 to 4.5% BW. The strongest correlation (r = 0.30; P = 0.001) in DMI estimates was between the Net Energy and Minson equations due to the inclusion of BW as a component in both equations. Results of this study suggest that prediction equations can be useful for rapid DMI estimation. The N-alkane marker technique may be the preferred technique when a wide range of pasture conditions is anticipated. Key words: Grazing cages, n-alkanes, prediction equations, dry matter intake, grazing animals

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-792
Author(s):  
E. K. Okine ◽  
D. H. McCartney ◽  
J. B. Basarab

The accuracy of predicted CowBytes® versus actual dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) of 407 Hereford × Angus and Charolais × Maine Anjou (445.6 ± 36 kg) feeder cattle using digestable enery acid detergent fiber (DE) estimated from the (ADF) content [Laboratory analysis method (LAB)] and from values determined in vivo (INVIVO method) was examined. The diet consisted of a 73.3% concentrate diet, 22.0% barley silage, 1.6% molasses, and 3.1% feedlot supplement fed ad libitum (as-fed basis). The calculated DE values of the feed were used to predict the metabolizable energy (ME), net energy of maintenance (NEm), and net energy of gain (NEg) of the diet. These energy values were then used in CowBytes® to predict dry matter intake (DMI), ADG, and days on feed (DOF) necessary to meet targeted quality grade of AA and weights of 522 and 568 kg for the heifers and steers, respectively. There was no effect of gender and prediction method interaction (P > 0.10) on any of the variables measured. There were no (P > 0.05) differences in predicted DMI by either the INVIVO or LAB method but both methods underestimated DMI actually consumed by the cattle by 6.8 and 4.9% (P = 0.007), respectively. Indeed, regression values from these predictive methods and actual DMI were (P < 0.05) different from the one-to-one relationship expected by definition. In spite of the higher actual DMI, the actual ADG of the cattle was 14 and 11% (P = 0.0004) lower than was predicted by either the INVIVO or LAB methods. A possible reason for the lower ADG could be an overestimation of DE of the diet. Thus, if available, users of CowBytes® should use actual DMI from their experience in ration formulation. In addition, the effects of environmental temperature on digestibility of diets should be taken into consideration when using the DE of the diet as determined from in vivo digestibility trials or calculated from chemical analyses in determining the DMI of feedlot cattle. Key words: Beef cattle, performance, CowBytes®, National Research Council


2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (11) ◽  
pp. 1352-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangquan Yan ◽  
Bai Xue ◽  
Liangrong Song ◽  
Jun Xiao ◽  
Siyan Ding ◽  
...  

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. O. THORLACIUS ◽  
S. E. BEACOM

Whole crop fababeans, corn and oats were ensiled in 3 consecutive yr, while whole crop field peas were included in the last 2 yr of the study. Corn was harvested at the early milk stage in 1974, at the late milk stage in 1975 (in both cases after a killing frost), and at the mature stage before frost in 1976. All other crops were harvested in the dough stage. Silages were evaluated using feeding trials with crossbred lambs. Dry matter intake and average daily gain were greater (P < 0.05) for lambs fed fababean silage than for those fed corn or oat silage. Feed intake and rate of gain for lambs fed field pea silage tended to be slightly lower than for those fed fababean silage, but the differences were significant in only 1 of the 2 yr. Frozen immature corn ensiled in 1974 resulted in extremely low dry matter intake and gain, but in the other 2 yr the values for corn silage were equal to that of oat silage. Organic matter digestibility of fababean silage was equal to that of oat silage during 1 yr, but greater (P < 0.05) during the other 2 yr of the test. Mean energy digestibility (final 2 yr) was 70.6, 73.2, 64.1 and 68.1% for fababean, field pea, oat and corn silage, respectively. The results indicate that protein content, energy digestibility, and voluntary intake of whole crop fababean and field pea silage are all relatively high.


1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 779-799
Author(s):  
G.J. Niemann ◽  
T.S. Brand ◽  
L.C. Hoffman

Full-fat canola seed (FFCS) is a locally produced alternative protein source that has potential for inclusion in the diet of ostriches. Chicks aged 84 days and weighing 24.7 ± 0.36 kg were fed five iso-nutritional diets with varying levels of FFCS. Birds were fed until slaughter at 309 days old (93.2 ± 1.82 kg). In each feeding phase, FFCS replaced soybean oilcake meal incrementally (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of protein source). Dry matter intake (DMI) during the grower phase was lowest (1.52 kg/bird/day) for the 100%FFCS diet. Birds on the 100%FFCS also showed a 34% slower growth rate (average daily gain of 152.0 g/bird/day) compared to the other four diets (average growth rate of 230 g/bird/day) during the grower phase. The 0%FFCS (236.2 g/bird/day) and 50%FFCS (267.8 g/bird/day) diets resulted in a higher ADG. End weights during the grower phase for 0%FFCS, 25%FFCS, 50%FFCS and 75%FFCS (74.8, 72.2, 76.8, and 72.5 kg, respectively) did not differ significantly. The 100%FFCS resulted in a lower end weight (67.4 kg) for the growth phase, when compared to the 0%FFCS and 50%FFCS diets. For the overall trial period, the only differences were in ADG, with the 0%, 50% and 75%FFCS replacement diets showing the fastest growth. Fat pad weight was the only slaughter trait that revealed differences between diets, with 50%FFCS resulting in the heaviest fat pad weight. A maximum of 20.6% inclusion of FFCS should be used in diets in the grower phase, although in the other phases, FFCS could be included up to the maximum level evaluated (100% replacement of soybean oilcake meal) without detrimental effects on production parameters.Keywords: Average daily gain, Brassica napus, dressing percentage, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, glucosinolates, Struthio camelus


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
Amanda Holder ◽  
Megan A Gross ◽  
Alexi Moehlenpah ◽  
Paul Beck

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effects of diet quality on greenhouse gas emissions and dry matter intake (DMI). We used 42 mature, gestating Angus cows (600±69 kg; and BSC 5.3±1.1) with a wide range in DMI EPD (-1.36 to 2.29). Cows were randomly assigned to 2 diet sequences forage-concentrate (FC) or concentrate-forage(CF) determined by the diet they consumed in each period (forage or concentrate). The cows were adapted to the diet and the SmartFeed individual intake units for 14 d followed by 45 d of intake data collection for each period. Body weight was recorded on consecutive weigh days at the beginning and end of each period and then once every two wk for the duration of a period. Cows were exposed to the GreenFeed Emission Monitoring (GEM) system for no less than 9 d during each period. The GEM system was used to measure emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Only cows with a minimum of 20 total &gt;3-m visits to the GEM were included in the data set. Data were analyzed in a crossover design using GLIMMIX in SASv.9.4. Within the CF sequence there was a significant, positive correlation between TMR DMI and CH4 (r=0.81) and TMR DMI and CO2 (r=0.69), however, gas emissions during the second period on the hay diet were not correlated with hay intake. There was a significant, positive correlation between hay DMI and CO2 (r=0.76) and hay DMI and CH4 (r=0.74) when cows first consumed forage (FC). In comparison to the CF sequence, cows on the FC sequence showed a positive correlation between CO2 and TMR DMI during the second period. There was also a significant positive correlation between hay and TMR DMI when assessed across (r=0.43) or within sequence (FC r=0.41, CF r=0.47).


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.


1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antti Jaakkola ◽  
Johan Korkman ◽  
Tuomo Juvankoski

The aim of the study was to find out to what extent the cadmium contained in fertilizer influences the cadmium content of vegetables. For this purpose, highly cadmium-bearing batches of fertilizer were prepared from selected quantities of raw material with an exceptionally high cadmium content. To one such batch of fertilizer, an extra amount of cadmium was added at the mixing stage. In a two-year field experiment carried out in soil consisting of clayey fine sand and begun in 1977, 1000 kg/ha of NPK fertilizer with a cadmium content of either 57 or 81 mg/kg brought about a clear increase in the cadmium content of radish tops. The cadmium content of radish roots, spinach and lettuce appeared likewise to rise, but the differences registered were not, owing to the unevenness of the field, significant. The cadmium content of the dry matter of rye grass was lower than that of the other experimental plants, and it appeared to rise less with an increase in the cadmium content of the fertilizer. Owing to the wide range of variation, the cadmium uptake of the experimental plants could not be determined reliably, The spinach, however, appeared to have taken up the largest amount of cadmium, and the rye grass the least amount. The increase in the cadmium content of the spinach harvested in 1978 corresponded to 1.5‰ of the cadmium introduced into the ground during the two-year period through application of the fertilizer with the highest content of the metallic element.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunasri Usman ◽  
Eka Meutia Sari ◽  
Nuzul Fadilla

The evaluation of the Aceh cattle bulls weight which compensated between forage and concentrate at Superior Livestock Place in IndrapuriABSTRACT. This research was conducted at Superior Livestock Place in Indrapuri District, Aceh Besar  which lasted for 42 days. It was started on November 28th 2012 until January 9th 2013. This research was aims to know about the average daily gain for Aceh cattle bulls which compensated between forage and concentrate by using 12 bulls aged 2-2,5 years old. The design was used a Randomized Design Groups with 4 feed treatments and 3 repetitions. The feed percentages between forage and concentrate are ration A (100% forages), B (80%)forages and 20% concentrates), C (60% forages and 40% concentrates), and D (40% forages and 60% concentrates). The research analysis data were obtained by using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). The parameters which observed in this study was the average daily gain, consumption, conversion, and efficiency rations. The result showed that the ration dry matter intake highly significantly (P0,01) between treatment A (4,45 Kg), and B (3,61 Kg), C (2,72 Kg), and D (3,38 Kg), but the treatment B and D highly significantly than treatment C (P0,01), the best ration consumption were derived from treatment C. The body weight Kg/bull/day significantly (P0,05) between treatment A (0,47 Kg) and B (0,65 Kg), C (0,60 Kg), and D (0,61 Kg), the best average daily gain were derived from treatment B. The conversion ration showed that highly significantly (P0,01) between treatment A (9,55 Kg), and B (5,55 Kg), C (4,60 Kg), and D (5,59 Kg), the best ration conversion were derived treatment C. Similarly, the efficiency ration showed that highly significantly (P0,01) between treatment A (0,11%), and B (0,18%), C (0,22%), and D (0,18%), C is the best ration efficiency on the treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 431-432
Author(s):  
Cibelle B Figueiredo ◽  
Mauricia B Silva ◽  
Juliano Fernandes ◽  
Alana M Calaça ◽  
Higor Rocha ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of encapsulated calcium ammonium nitrate as a partial substitute for soybean meals in the concentrate dry matter intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency of Nellore young bulls under grazing conditions, during the dry season. Sixty-four weaned Nellore (initial BW = 177.46±3.77 kg and 9 mo old) were used in a completely randomized assay. The study lasted 84 days on the dry season. Animals were allotted into 16 paddocks of 1.0 ha each of Urochloa brizantha, randomly assigned into one of two treatments: (CTL) supplement with 25% CP, without nitrate inclusion and; (ENP): supplement with 25% CP, with a inclusion of 50 g of encapsulated calcium ammonium nitrate to each 100 kg of body weight. Animals were fed with concentrate at 1.0% of body weight. Concentrate offered was monitored daily as well as his refusals were collected and weighed to determine daily concentrate dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency (F:G). Animals were weighed every 28 d for calculating average daily gain (ADG). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design, using ANOVA (α = 0.05). No effects of treatments (P &gt; 0.3487) were observed for final BW (246.69 kg). The same for concentrate dry matter intake (P &gt; 0.0550). Animals consumed 2.34 kg of supplement per day. The average daily gain (0.832 kg, P &gt; 0.2649) and feed efficiency (0.356 kg, P &gt; 0.7315) were not affected by the inclusion of nitrate. The inclusion of encapsulated calcium ammonium nitrate in supplement to Nellore young bulls under grazing conditions during the growing phase did not affect the performance.


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