182 Economic Impact of Bale Grazing on Delayed Feedlot Entry Steer Performance, Carcass Measurement, and Net Return

Senturklu et al., (2018) defined merits of delayed feedlot entry while grazing in an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS). In a three-year follow up study, yearling steers (n = 144) grazed either an ICLS or a native range system (NR). After 177.9 days, free-ranging ICLS and NR steers were fed cover crop hay bales 43.6 days to determine transition period bale-grazing on finishing performance, carcass measurements, and system net return. ICLS and NR gains did not differ (P = 0.24). ICLS 43.6-day bale grazing gain was greater (1.38 vs. 0.80 kg; P = 0.01). Feedlot arrival weight was greater for ICLS compared to NR (569.3 vs 530.1 kg; P = 0.04) and fed 95.7 days. Systems end weight (P = 0.19), gain (P = 0.57), ADG (P = 0.06), and gain cost (P = 0.71) did not differ. ICLS steer hot carcass weight (HCW: 444.8 vs. 419.2 kg; P = 0.03) and fat depth (1.35 vs. 1.17 cm; P = 0.04) were greater. NR steer dressing percent (62.48 vs. 61.83 %; P = 0.01) and muscling ratio to HCW (3.96 vs. 3.81 sq. cm.; P = 0.007) were greater. Choice quality grade did not differ (98.6 vs. 98.6; P = 1.00). Annual cow and steer winter feed cost were $752.00. ICLS grazing cost for NR was $115.30, pea-barley $74.98, unharvested corn $108.87, and cover crop $58.82 totaled $357.97 compared to $207.77 for the NR system. ICLS and NR steer bale and protein-energy supplement cost was $110.47 vs. 103.05, finishing cost $310.57 vs. 313.67 (P = 0.84), and total expense was lower for the NR system ($1531.01 vs. $1376.49). Carcass value was greater for the ICLS steers compared to NR steers ($2013.93 vs. $1921.67; P = 0.03). ICLS and NR systems’ net returns were ($482.92 vs. $545.18). NR system net return was $62.26 greater.

Prediction Of Carcass Lean Content In Live Pigs Using Scanoprobe Ultrasonic Machine

A total of 40 entire males within 60kg weight range from Large White control and selected crossbred improved indigenous pigs were used to study relationships between live and carcass measurements using the Scanoprobe ultrasonic machine. Within this live weight range the fat depths (P1, P2 and P3)and muscle measurements (MP2 and MLA) were more variable in the crossbreds than the purebred exotics although the carcass lean content, 365g/kg and 395g/kg for the purebred and crossbreds respectively were not significantly different. The fat depths, using the ultrasonic machine was a little lower than the actual values: 15.1 as against 16.6mm for P1 and 15.05 against 16.3mm for P2 with a residual standard deviation of 2.56 and 3.25mm respectively. Whilst the MLA gave values of 2886mm2 for ultrasonics as against 3025mm2 for carcass measurement with S.D. of 357 and 328mm2 respectively. Relative to the different fat depths measurements, the regression of carcass lean on P1 was -3.90±1.716 whilst at P2 and P3 it was -2.94±0.949 and -3.41±0.810gms respectively, resulting in a prediction equation for lean content of 57.85 - 0.751 P2 gm.

Real-Time Ultrasonic Evaluation Of Swine

This study shows no difference in the backfat data collected on live and dead animals. In adjusted data, barrows had more backfat according to sonic and actual carcass measurement. There was a significantly (P<0.05) lower value in gilts in the first and last rib positions and in barrows in all positions but the tenth rib for sonic data as compared with carcass measurement. A high and significant (P<0.01) correlation existed between sonic and carcass measurements of fat thickness across sex. Within each sex, correlation was highest on the tenth rib followed by the last rib in gilts and the last lumbar in barrows. There were no significant differences in longissimus area measurement taken ultrasonically or in the carcass although correlations between them were high, being higher in gilts. 3MHz scanning produced greater accuracy in gilts than barrows for fat thickness and longissimus area determination, 5MHz, however, gave data that were closer correlated with carcass data. Except for the first rib position, there were no differences between scans taken on the hot carcass and actual carcass measures taken on the chilled right and left sides 48h later. The result suggests that hogs can be scanned a forthnight before slaughter and the data can be used in computing hog carcass yield at the point of sale. It also suggests the possibility of complete grading for hot carcasses and may further encourage hot processing if adopted. In cold processing situation, it may remove the necessity to enter the cooler for carcass measures.

The Effects of Replacing Groundnut Cake with Urea- Treated and Fermented Brewer’s Dried Grains on Nutrient’s Digestibility, Retention and Carcass Characteristics on Broiler Finishers

The effects of replacing groundnut cake(GNC) with urea-treated and fermented brewer's dried grains (BDG) in broiler finisher diets were investigated. urea-treated and fermented BDG was used to replace GDC at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels in broiler finisher diets. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to provide 20% crude protein and 3000 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. One hundred and ninety five thirty day old broiler chicks of Anak breed (Anak 2000 strain) were randomly allocated to five equal dietart treatments of 13 chicks per replicate and 39 chicks per treatmentand fed ad libitum in rearing cages. At the end of the 8th week, 9 broilers per treatment (3 birds per replicate) were randomly selected from the five treatment groups for metabolic study. At 8 weeks, two birds per replicate were weighed and slaughtered for carcass measurement. Nutrient digestibililty and retention were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by urea-treated and fermented BDG incorporation in the diets. Nitrogen retention values of 63.80±0.32 and 62.15±0.39% for the control and 25% replacement for the levels of 50, 75 and 100%. Fat retention values of 97.71±0.39 and 92.49±0.66% for 75 and 100% replacement levels (P<0.05) were significantly higher than values of 53.37±2.72, 52.74±1.72, 42.54±2.37 and 42.75±2.67% for 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement levels. Carcass quality parameters and organ weights were not significantly (P>0.05) different in all treatment groups. Mortality level (5-7%) was normal and evenly spread across all treatment groups. Results indicate that ureat-treated and fermented BDG can completely replace GNC as a plant protein source in broiler finisher diets.

96 Cover Crop Grazing and Backgrounding on Carcass Quality

Integration of sheep into cropping systems via cover crop grazing leases has potential to benefit sheep producers with a source of inexpensive, high quality forage. We examined this potential by comparing lamb growth and carcass traits of four rearing systems: grain-finished control (GR), cover crop brassica-finished (CCB), cover crop mixture-finished (CCM), and background on brassica and finished on grain (BK-GR). Dorset x Polypay lambs (n = 60; 3 pens or pastures, 5 lambs each) were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to treatment. All diets were provided to maximize voluntary dry matter intake. Lambs were harvested after 6 wks of feeding for GR and 8 wks for CCB, CCM and BK-GR (BK-GR = 4 wks brassica then 4 wks grain). Grain-fed lambs (GR and BK-GR, 442 g/d) grew faster than pasture-fed lambs (CCB and CCM, 152 g/d) prior to harvest (Table 1, P &lt; 0.01) and attained greater body mass (HCW), muscling (LEA, EMD), fatness (BF, BWF) and yield grade (all P &lt; 0.05). Growth of pasture-fed lambs declined 38% over time (247 wk 1–4 vs. 152 g/d wk5-8; P &lt; 0.05). Pasture-fed lambs were leaner than grain-fed lambs (BF, yield grade; P &lt; 0.01), yet attained a yield grade 2 average. Background lambs (BK-GR) exhibited a 107% increase in growth when fed grain (232 g/d pasture vs. 481 g/d grain, P &lt; 0.01) and were fatter (BF, P &lt; 0.05) yet had reduced eye muscle depth (P &lt; 0.01) at harvest than GR lambs. Lambs did not differ in growth or any carcass measurement according to pasture type (CCB vs. CCM). We conclude that 8 wks of cover crop finishing produced acceptable carcass weight and finish. Backgrounding on cover crops followed by 4 wks of grain finishing results in marked compensatory gain with lambs achieving the same carcass size and similar qualities to lambs fed only grain.