Understanding the Effect of Reduced Supplementation Frequency on Performance, Digestion and Metabolism of Stocker Cattle

Understanding the Effect of Reduced Supplementation Frequency on Performance, Digestion and Metabolism of Stocker Cattle

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Published: 2004

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Supplements are often fed to stocker cattle on forage-based diets to improve animal performance. Delivery costs can make up a substantial portion of the cost of supplementation. Reducing supplementation frequency can reduce labor and equipment costs and therefore has the potential to increase profit. However, less frequent feeding requires feeding larger quantities of supplement at once and can increase the likelihood of negative associative effects of supplementation. Additionally, little is understood about the metabolic response of ruminants to large fluxuation in nutrient intake. A 50:50 blend of soyhulls and corn gluten feed is widely used by producers to supplement growing cattle. This blend is high in energy but low in starch. It also contains a moderate amount of protein, much of which is ruminally degradable. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of reducing supplementation frequency of a soybean hull and corn gluten feed blend on performance, digestion, and concentrations of metabolites and hormonal growth regulators in blood of steers. In Experiment 1, growing steers consuming medium quality fescue hay were supplemented either daily, 3 times a week, or 2 times a week. Hay intake was decreased by reducing supplementation frequency but gains were not affected. As a result, the feed to gain ratio increased slightly with less frequent supplementation. In Experiment 2, six ruminally cannulated steers consuming medium quality fescue hay were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square to determine the effect of supplement frequency (daily at 1% BW or on alternate days at 2% BW) on digestion and ruminal parameters. Reducing supplementation frequency decreased hay intake but did not affect digestibility of the diet. On the day of supplementation molar proportions both of propionate and butyrate in the rumen of steers supplemented on alternate days was increased compared to those supplemented daily. In Experiment 3, growing steers were individually.


The Effects of Feeding Dry Distiller's Grains with Solubles on Ruminal Metabolism, Growth Performance, and Carcass Traits of Feedlot Cattle

The Effects of Feeding Dry Distiller's Grains with Solubles on Ruminal Metabolism, Growth Performance, and Carcass Traits of Feedlot Cattle

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Published: 2008

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Three trials were conducted using dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) to evaluate effects on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, ruminal fermentation, and diet digestibility in cattle fed steam-flaked corn-based diets. In trial 1, crossbred yearling heifers were used in a finishing trial to evaluate interactions between corn-DDGS feeding levels and roughage source (alfalfa hay vs corn silage) in terms of impact on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Experimental diets were based on steam-flaked corn and contained 0% DDGS with 6% alfalfa hay (AH), 0% DDGS with 10% corn silage (CS), 25% DDGS with 6% AH, or 25% DDGS with 10% CS (DM basis). Results indicated no interaction between levels of DDGS and roughage source. Heifers fed DDGS as a partial replacement for steam-flaked corn had similar growth performance and carcass merit compared to heifers fed diets without DDGS. Corn silage and alfalfa hay were comparable roughages when a portion of steam-flaked corn was replaced with DDGS. The second trial was a companion metabolism study in which ruminal fermentation characteristics and diet digestibility were examined in 12 cannulated Holstein steers fed steam-flaked corn finishing diets with or without DDGS, using alfalfa hay or corn silage as roughage sources. Diets were similar to those fed in the performance study and consisted of steam-flaked corn with 0 or 25% DDGS (DM basis) and 6% AH or 10% CS (DM basis). Feeding DDGS decreased ruminal pH and ruminal ammonia concentrations, and digestion of DM and OM were less compared to diets without DDGS. The decrease in digestibility was largely attributable to poorer digestion of CP and, to a lesser extent, a reduction in starch digestion. The third study was designed to investigate effects of pH (5.0, 5.5, and 6.0) on in vitro fermentative activity by ruminal microorganisms from cattle adapted to a finishing diet containing 25% DDGS (DM basis). Higher pH led to greater dry matter disappearance in vitro (P


Advanced Studies in the 21st Century Animal Nutrition

Advanced Studies in the 21st Century Animal Nutrition

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Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2021-12-08

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 1839694033

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The world’s population is growing rapidly and consequently, there is an increasing demand for high-quality and safe food. At the same time, agricultural areas are diminishing due to industrialization, among other factors. Therefore, the efficiency of animal production needs to be improved. This book examines animal nutrition and ways to improve it. Topics covered include the use of feed additives in poultry nutrition, silage in dairy cattle nutrition, plant-origin feed additives in water buffalo nutrition, microbial inoculation in dairy cow nutrition, and more.


Forages, Volume 2

Forages, Volume 2

Author: Kenneth J. Moore

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2020-05-29

Total Pages: 968

ISBN-13: 1119436613

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Forages: The Science of Grassland Agriculture, 7th Edition, Volume II will extensively evaluate the current knowledge and information on forage agriculture. Chapters written by leading researchers and authorities in grassland agriculture are aggregated under section themes, each one representing a major topic within grassland science and agriculture. This 7th edition will include two new additional chapters covering all aspects of forage physiology in three separate chapters, instead of one in previous editions. Chapters will be updated throughout to include new information that has developed since the last edition. This new edition of the classic reference serves as a comprehensive supplement to An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture, Volume I.


Advances in Silage Production and Utilization

Advances in Silage Production and Utilization

Author: Thiago Da Silva

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2016-11-16

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 9535127772

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Ensiling is a technique that is used to store food, mainly vegetable crops, to feed the herd when the forage supply from the pastures is not enough to maintain the productive performance of the ruminant animals. However, silage can also be used as substrate for biogas production and other different purposes. In the past years, we have seen many advances in the knowledge about silage production utilization, and this book is a compilation and discussion of the outstanding scientific research activities concerning actually the most recent advances and technologies that have been studied about silage and future demands. It is directed to a broad public of readers - farmers, academics, students, or anyone just curious or interested in the subject.