GROWTH, DIGESTIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY INTAKE BY YEARLING STEERS GRAZING TIMOTHY (Phleum pratense) OR MEADOW FOXTAIL (Alopecurus pratensis) PASTURES

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 463-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. RODE ◽  
W. L. PRINGLE

Two experiments were conducted to compare the performance of animals grazing meadow foxtail or timothy pastures. In the first experiment, yearling Hereford steers continuously grazed timothy or meadow foxtail pastures (two 2.0-ha pastures/treatment using a put-and-take grazing system for three consecutive years). Carrying capacity was 443 and 501 animal-days ha−1 for timothy and meadow foxtail, respectively (P<0.01). Average daily gain was 1.13 and 0.79 kg d−1 for steers grazing timothy and meadow foxtail, respectively (P < 0.01). Despite a lower carrying capacity, timothy pastures produced more 502 vs. 391 kg liveweight ha−1 yr−1 than meadow foxtail pastures (P < 0.01). In the second experiment, lignin and chromium mordanted fiber were used as dual markers to estimate digestibility and voluntary intake of grazed forage by four mature fistulated steers (two steers/treatment) over the grazing season. Digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were greater for timothy than for meadow foxtail (P <0.01) but no differences were observed for DM and digestible DM intake. Differences in forage quality, forage DM available for grazing or DM digestibility were not sufficient to explain the lower performance of steers grazing meadow foxtail compared to timothy. Key words: Pasture, forage quality, animal performance, timothy, meadow foxtail, beef 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


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Belal S. Obeidat

A study was conducted to examine how lupin grains (LUPs) feeding affected nutritional intake, digestibility, growth, and carcass characteristics in kids. A total of 24 growing black kids (initial body weight (BW) = 16.4 ± 0.49 kg) were allocated to one of three diets at random. Lupin was included in the diet at a rate of 0 (control; CON), 100 (LUP100), or 200 g/kg (LUP200) of total dry matter (DM). The trial lasted for 91 days divided into 7 and 84 days to be used for adaptation and data collection, respectively. Feed intake was evaluated daily throughout the study. At the commencement and the end of the study, each kid’s body weight was measured to determine its average daily gain (ADG). On day 70, 5 kids were chosen at random from each group to investigate nutrient in vivo digestibility and N balance. At the end of the study, all of the kids were slaughtered to examine carcass features. Nutrient intakes (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and ether extract) were higher (p ≤ 0.01) in LUP-containing diets than in the CON diet. The average daily gain was greater (p ≤ 0.03) in diets containing lupin grains than in the CON diet. Cost of gain ($US/kg growth) was lower (p = 0.004) in kids fed diets containing lupin than the CON diet. Dry matter and CP digestibility rates were greater (p ≤ 0.03) in lupin diets. Retained N was higher (p = 0.04) in lupin-containing diets than in the CON diet. Cold carcass weight was higher (p < 0.05) for kids consuming the LUP100 diet than the CON diet. In lupin diets, carcass cut weights were higher (p < 0.05). Results of the current study indicate that feeding black kids diets containing lupin grains at 100 or 200 g/kg DM basis is cost effective and would increase profitability.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
André Felipe Borges Krinchev ◽  
Valter Harry Bumbieris Junior ◽  
José Renato Silva Gonçalves ◽  
Laísse Garcia Lima ◽  
Ana Maria Bridi ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Brachiaria spp. Cv. Mulato II (Convert) on performance, meat quality and carcass characteristics of castrated Nellore steers in the growing and finishing phases, in rotational grazing system, compared to Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, under the same conditions. The experimental area was divided into two treatments: Marandu and Convert with 20 hectares each, splited in four replications per treatment, composed of five paddocks of one hectare each. Animals were managed based on the availability of leaf blade dry matter (6.19% body weight) in rotational grazing with 7 days of occupation and 28 days of rest. Ten animals were used in each replicate (testers), as well as regulatory animals whenever necessary. Animals were managed based on the availability of leaf blade dry matter (6.19% body weight) in rotational grazing with 7 days of occupation and 28 days of rest. Ten animals were used in each replicate (testers), as well as regulatory animals whenever necessary. For performance analysis, 10 animals of each replicate were used, while for carcass and meat analyses, only six of each replicate. Production and chemial characteristics of the two grasses were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and four replicates; data were tested by analysis of variance using the R software. Animals fed on Convert grass were superior than those fed on Marandu grass, with higher average daily gain (0.682 kg vs. 0.605 kg), slaughter weight (470.45 kg vs. 451.43 kg), hot carcass weight (239.93 kg vs. 232.36 kg). The study also showed the possibility of finishing castrated young steers (up to 30 months) and with subcutaneous fat thickness required by industry (3 mm) in both pastures.


2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 868-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.H.M. Chizzotti ◽  
O.G. Pereira ◽  
S.C. Valadares Filho ◽  
L.O. Tedeschi ◽  
K.G. Ribeiro ◽  
...  

A trial involving a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments was conducted to evaluate two corn silage hybrids (Agromen, AGN35-A42) and (Bayer, A3663) and concentrate levels (25 and 50%) on animal performance. Twenty-four Holstein x Zebu crossbred steers, averaging 335±30kg of BW, were distributed in six randomized blocks to evaluate intake, digestibility, and performance. Treatments consisted of 75% corn silage A + 25% concentrate, 50% corn silage A + 50% concentrate, 75% corn silage B + 25% concentrate, and 50% corn silage B + 50% concentrate (dry matter basis); formulated to be isonitrogenous (13% crude protein, dry matter basis). There were no differences in the daily intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein. Additionally, there was a concentrate effect on non-fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients intakes, and on total apparent digestibility of DM and OM, with higher intakes for steers fed diets with 50% of concentrate. However, average daily gain (ADG) was not influenced by treatments. The utilization of both corn silage hybrids in association with 25% of concentrate is a good option to feed crossbred steers with ADG close to 1.0kg in order to reduce diet cost.


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. G. NICHOLSON ◽  
P. M. SNODDON ◽  
P. R. DEAN

Potato steam peel is a by-product of the production of frozen french fry potatoes. As produced, it typically has 14% dry matter with 15% crude protein and 6% ash (dry matter basis) and a pH of 5.8. The starch is partially denatured and there is no proteolytic enzyme inhibitor activity. The feeding value of steam peel for pigs was evaluated through chemical analyses, a digestibility trial and a feeding trial. Its digestibility (%) by pigs was found to be dry matter 81.1 ± 2.8, crude protein 61.3 ± 3.7, organic matter 82.4 ± 3.0 and energy 76.8 ± 6.0. In the feeding trial carried out on a commercial hog finishing farm, feed consumption was markedly reduced when the steam peel was included at over 30% of the ration dry matter at the start of the trial. The inclusion of steam peel at 15, 20 or 25% of the ration dry matter reduced the average daily gain and feed efficiency (P < 0.05). However, it was concluded that potato steam peel can be used at up to 25% of the diet for growing fattening pigs with little detrimental effect on the level of animal performance. Key words: Potato, steam peel, pigs


1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. MIR

Supplementing a control diet of ground alfalfa (CON) with monensin (MON), chlortetracycline (CTC) or tylosin (TYL) did not affect (P < 0.05) dry matter intake or average daily gain of market lambs. Feed efficiency with CTC was less than with the unsupplemented control (CON) (6.22 vs. 5.68) (P < 0.05). Mean digestibilities of dry matter, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were lower (P < 0.05) with all antibiotic treatments than the CON diet. Relative to CON, nitrogen digestibility was increased with MON (66.3 vs. 70.9%) while that of energy was reduced with TYL (P < 0.05). Rumen ammonia and acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations were not influenced by any of the treatments. MON, CTC and TYL were not effective supplements for lambs fed alfalfa finishing diets. Key words: lamb, chlortetracycline, monensin, tylosin, alfalfa hay, digestibility


1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. GRIMSON ◽  
R. P. STILBORN ◽  
R. J. VOLEK ◽  
P. K. GUMMESON ◽  
G. E. RIEMER

Kochia (Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.) was grown on land irrigated with packinghouse wastewater and ensiled in a plastic silo bag. Kochia dry matter (DM) yield and acid-detergent fiber (ADF), Na, Mg, Mn, and Cu contents (DM basis) were correlated with some soil measurements. Alfalfa silage was replaced with kochia silage in a basal diet at levels of one-half (35% of diet DM) or all (70% of diet DM) of the roughage. The diets were fed to 120 calves (initial weight 294 kg) for 70 d in a completely randomized experiment with three treatments (kochia, kochia and alfalfa, and alfalfa) and four pen replicates. Inclusion of either 35 or 70% kochia silage in the diet DM depressed (P < 0.01) DM intake (DMI) by 23.3 and 50.1%, respectively, compared with calves fed the basal diet. Average daily gain (ADG) and final bodyweight of the calves fed kochia silage were both less (P < 0.01) than those fed the basal diet. DM conversion to liveweight gain ratios (DM: G) were 13.91, 8.42, and 7.15 when the diets contained (DM basis) 70, 35, or 0% kochia silage, respectively. Over the 42-d period following the trial, the calves that had received kochia silage tended (P = 0.078) to gain faster than those that had been fed the basal diet. The reduction in DMI observed when kochia silage was fed appeared to be the result of advanced maturity and weather damage of the kochia and not due to apparent toxic effects. Key words: Kochia, silage, beef cattle, soil salinity


1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Hironaka ◽  
B. Freeze ◽  
G. C. Kozub ◽  
K. A. Beauchemin

Eighty steers were fed diets with eight ratios of 100:0, 75.1:24.9, 58.3:41.7, 34.4:65.6, 18.9:81.1, 8.0–92.0, 3.7:96.3 or 0:100 barley silage:concentrate on a dry matter (DM) basis. Diets were fed to provide about equal digestible energy (DE) per unit liveweight for 24 wk, then fed to appetite until the steers reached a market weight of about 515 kg. Steers receiving the 100% silage diet were fed for ad libitum intake from week 24 to week 52 (28 wk) and were then fed 100% concentrate diet until they reached market weight. The average daily gain (ADG) of steers fed 100% silage was lower than that of those fed forage and concentrate. Efficiency of DE utilization for liveweight gain increased at a decreasing rate as level of concentrate in the diet increased. Carcass backfat thickness increased with rate of gain. Digestibility of energy, DM, crude protein (CP), and starch exhibited a curvilinear response to increasing levels of concentrate in the diet. The proportion of concentrate in the diet for maximum economic benefit depends on the cost per unit of DE from silage versus that of barley, the efficiency of DE utilization for liveweight gain and time to reach market weight. Key words: Beef cattle, barley, barley silage, forage:concentrate ratio, digestibility


Author(s):  
Joaquín Caridad del Rosario ◽  
Elide Valencia-Chin ◽  
Rafael Ramos-Santana ◽  
Paul F. Randel ◽  
Ernesto O. Riquelme

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two additives: one of enzymatic nature [Dyadic® Cellulase PLUS (ENZ)] and liquid urea nitrogen (LU) on crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), voluntary intake (VI) and digestibility of treated bluestem grass (BGH; Dichanthium annulatum) hay fed to rams. Nine young rams were used in a 3 x 3 latin square design with the three treatments: BGH without additive (CON), and with added ENZ or LU. The additives were sprinkled over the hay 24 hours prior to being offered daily at the rate of 4% of the animal body weight (BW). Application of ENZ resulted in no important change in VI or digestibility of dry matter (DM), CP, NDF or ADF; but ENZ tended to slightly reduce (P menor 0.11) NDF content (73.91 vs. 74.27%), and increase (P menor 0.09) ADF content (44.37 vs. 42.87%). Treatment of BGH with LU increased (P menor 0.01) the content of CP (8.11 vs. 6.41%), tended to depress (P menor 0.11) that of NDF (73.00 vs. 74.27%) and increase (P menor 0.09) those of ADF (43.17 vs. 42.87%) and lignin (6.30 vs. 5.89%). It also increased VI of CP (87.46 vs. 67.25%) and tended (P menor 0.06) to increase VI of DM (1027 vs. 986 g) and CP digestibility (61.11 vs. 53.98%). Daily VI of DM as a percentage of BW was not significantly affected by the treatments (3.13, 2.94 and 3.23% for CON, ENZ and LU, respectively).


Author(s):  
Abdullah Oktem ◽  
Celal Yucel ◽  
Ayse Gulgun Oktem

In this study, it was aimed to determine some forage quality characteristics of sweet sorghum genotypes in semi-arid climatic conditions. The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Research was carried out in 2016 and 2017 under Harran Plain second crop conditions, Sanliurfa, Turkey. In the study 21 genotypes of sweet sorghum were used. Crude protein content, crude ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), dry matter digestibility, dry matter consumption, were determined in the study. Significant differences were found between the genotypes for tested characteristics (P≤0.01). According to average of two years, crude protein content ranged from 4.20% (Tracy) to 5.90% (USDA S.Africa), crude ash from 4.44% (Theis) to 6.90% (Topper 76), acid detergent fiber (ADF) from 27.84% (Nebraska sugar) to 36.30% (USDA-Zaire). The highest NDF value was obtained from USDA-Zaire genotype (56.49%) whereas the lowest values were seen at N98 genotype (43.11%). Dry matter digestibility values were between 60.62% (USDA-Zaire) and 67.21% (Nebraska sugar), dry matter consumption between 2.14% and 2.85%. The highest relative feed value was obtained from N98 genotype (148.95) whereas the lowest values were seen at USDA-Zaire genotype (101.00). Net energy values ranged from 1.38 Mcal kg-1 (USDA-Zaire) to 1.50 Mcal kg-1 (Nebraska sugar). Considering the properties examined in terms of feed quality, it was seen that the crude protein content and net energy value was low. But ADF, NDF, digestible dry matter, dry matter consumption and relative feed values were within acceptable levels. Nebraska sugar, Topper 76, N98, Roma, M81E, Tracy and Corina genotypes were found as the best for forage quality in sweet sorghum. It was determined that sweet sorghum can be used as a forage source.


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