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Cho H, Kang K, Kang H, Jeon S, Lee M, Park E, Hong S, Seo S. Repeatability of feed efficiency and its relationship with carcass traits in Hanwoo steers during their entire growing and fattening period. Anim Biosci 2024; 37:1568-1580. [PMID: 38665083 PMCID: PMC11366531 DOI: 10.5713/ab.24.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the repeatability of feed efficiency and its association with carcass traits in Hanwoo steers during the entire growing and fattening periods. METHODS The growth and intake of thirty-six Hanwoo steers (259±19.7 kg; nine months) were monitored throughout five periods, including two growing periods (GP) and three fattening periods (FP). The steers were fed two types of concentrate mixes with varying nutrient compositions until they reached a target weight of 800 kg for slaughter. For each period, steers were categorized into three classes based on their feed efficiency rankings using residual feed intake (RFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Feed efficiency repeatability was assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient, decomposition of random errors, and the Theil segregation index (TSI). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between feed efficiency and carcass traits. RESULTS The results demonstrated a significant and high correlation with RFI, but not FCR, during the growing or fattening stages (r>0.5; p<0.01). When steers were classified according to their feed efficiency rankings, 58% of the animals in the high RFI class (low efficient) initially (GP 1) remained in the same class by the last period (FP 3), whereas steers were randomly distributed based on FCR. The repeatability, assessed by the decomposition of random errors, was higher for RFI (0.61) than for FCR (0.15). The TSI also indicated that RFI rankings, rather than FCR rankings, are more likely to be maintained. Moreover, a weak association was observed between feed efficiency and carcass traits. CONCLUSION In conclusion, RFI repeatability throughout the GP and FP surpassed that of the FCR, with steers classified as high RFI during the GP more likely to remain in the same class during the FP. Feed efficiency was weakly correlated with carcass traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjin Cho
- Division of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134,
Korea
| | - Kyewon Kang
- Division of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134,
Korea
| | - Hamin Kang
- Division of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134,
Korea
| | - Seoyoung Jeon
- Division of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134,
Korea
| | - Mingyung Lee
- Division of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134,
Korea
| | - Eunkyu Park
- Woosung Feed Co., Ltd., Daejeon 34379,
Korea
| | | | - Seongwon Seo
- Division of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134,
Korea
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2
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Keogh K, McGee M, Kenny DA. Effect of breed and dietary composition on the miRNA profile of beef steers divergent for feed efficiency. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20046. [PMID: 39209905 PMCID: PMC11362461 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70669-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying and breeding cattle that are more feed efficient is of great benefit to beef production. Additionally, it is crucial that genes contributing to feed efficiency are robust across varying management settings including dietary source as well as being relevant across contrasting breeds of cattle. The aim of this study was to determine miRNAs that are contributing to the expression of residual feed intake (RFI) across two breeds and dietary sources. miRNA profiling was undertaken in Longissimus dorsi tissue of Charolais and Holstein-Friesian steers divergent for RFI phenotype following two contrasting consecutive diets (high-forage and high-concentrate). Ten miRNA were identified as differentially expressed (adj. P < 0.1) across the breed and diet contrasts examined. Of particular interest was the differential expression of miR-2419-5p and miR-2415-3p, both of which were up-regulated in the Low-RFI Charolais steers across each dietary phase. Pathway analysis of target mRNA genes of differentially expressed miRNA revealed enrichment (P < 0.05) for pathways including metabolic related pathways, insulin receptor signalling, adipogenesis as well as pathways related to skeletal muscle growth. These results provide insight into the skeletal muscle miRNAome of beef cattle and their potential molecular regulatory mechanisms relating to feed efficiency in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
| | - M McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - D A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Ellies-Oury MP, Insausti K, Papillon S, Albechaalany J, Cantalapiedra-Hijar G. Effect of residual feed intake on meat quality in fattening Charolais bulls fed two contrasting diets. Meat Sci 2024; 214:109536. [PMID: 38759326 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2024.109536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The selection of more efficient animals for breeding is of both economic and environmental interest to the industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the animals' residual feed intake (RFI) ranking in interaction with the type of diet on the meat quality of Charolais beef cattle. Indeed, several biological mechanisms are associated with RFI, especially when animals are fed high starch-diets. It is therefore possible that quality parameters may show greater changes due to RFI in the context of high starch diets compared to high forage diets. An 84-day feed efficiency trial followed immediately by a second 112-day feed efficiency trial was conducted with a total of 100 animals fed either maize- or grass-diets for 196-days. At the end of the 84-day period, the 32 most divergent RFI animals (16 extreme RFI animals per diet, 8 RFI+ and 8 RFI-) were identified. They were slaughtered after 112-days of finishing. The Longissimus thoracis was characterised in terms of nutritional and sensory quality. RFI had no effect on lab colour, muscle shear force, total fat, fatty acid ratios and most of the total fatty acid content (especially n-3) irrespective of the diet. However, more efficient animals (RFI-) showed higher CLA contents compared to less efficient animals (RFI+) regardless of the diet and also a lower n6/n3 ratio only in animals fed the maize diets. Diet also had a significant effect on lipid and FA content as well as on FA composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Ellies-Oury
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), VetAgroSup, UMR1213, Recherches sur les Herbivores, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France; Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 1 cours du Général de Gaulle, CS 40201, 33175 Gradignan, France
| | - K Insausti
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 1 cours du Général de Gaulle, CS 40201, 33175 Gradignan, France; Universidad Pública de Navarra, ETSIAB-ISFOOD, Campus Arrosadía, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - S Papillon
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), VetAgroSup, UMR1213, Recherches sur les Herbivores, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - J Albechaalany
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), VetAgroSup, UMR1213, Recherches sur les Herbivores, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France; Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 1 cours du Général de Gaulle, CS 40201, 33175 Gradignan, France
| | - G Cantalapiedra-Hijar
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), VetAgroSup, UMR1213, Recherches sur les Herbivores, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France.
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4
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Marín MF, Naya H, Espasandin AC, Navajas E, Devincenzi T, Carriquiry M. Energy efficiency of grazing Hereford heifers classified by paternal residual feed intake. Transl Anim Sci 2024; 8:txae005. [PMID: 38525300 PMCID: PMC10960596 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Residual feed intake (RFI) has become a widely spread index of feed efficiency. Although most of beef cattle systems in the world are pasture based, RFI evaluation and research is usually performed in confinement conditions. In this context, residual heat production (RHP) estimated as the difference between actual and expected heat production (HP), could allow to identify efficient animals. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between paternal estimated breeding values (EBV) for RFI and beef heifer efficiency, measured as RHP, as well as its association with heifers' productive and reproductive performance on grazing conditions. Seventy-one 25 ± 0.8-mo-old and seventy-four 24 ± 0.7-mo-old Hereford heifers were managed as contemporary groups in spring 2019 and 2020, respectively. Heifers were sired by 10 RFI-evaluated bulls and classified into three groups according to the paternal EBV for RFI: five bulls of low RFI (high efficiency, pHE), two bulls of medium RFI (medium efficiency), and three bulls of high RFI (low efficiency, pLE). The experimental period lasted 70 d prior to their first insemination where HP was determined by the heart rate-O2 pulse technique. In addition, reproductive performances during the first and second breeding and calving seasons were recorded. Heifers' RHPs expressed as MJ/d and kJ/kg of body weight (BW)0.75/d were positively correlated with paternal RFI EBVs (P < 0.05; r > 0.60). Moreover, BW and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (P < 0.01) for pHE than pLE heifers while expressed as units of BW0.75/d, neither total HP nor metabolizable energy (ME) intake differed between groups, but pHE heifers had greater retained energy (RE; P < 0.01) and lower RHP (P < 0.05) than pLE ones. Gross energy efficiency (RE/ME intake) was greater (P < 0.001) for pHE than pLE heifers while the HP/ADG and RHP/ADG were reduced (P < 0.05) and feed-to-gain ratio (ADG/DM intake) tended to be greater (P = 0.07) for pHE than pLE heifers. In addition, during the first breeding and calving seasons, small but significant (P < 0.01) differences in reproductive responses between groups suggested an earlier pregnancy in pHE heifers than the pLE group, differences that disappeared during the second breeding and calving seasons. Thus, heifers sired by high-efficiency bulls measured as RFI were more efficient measured as RHP in grazing conditions, without significant differences in reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Marín
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 12900, Uruguay
| | - Hugo Naya
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 12900, Uruguay
| | - Ana C Espasandin
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 12900, Uruguay
| | - Elly Navajas
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Estación Experimental INIA Las Brujas, Canelones 90100, Uruguay
| | - Thais Devincenzi
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Estación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay
| | - Mariana Carriquiry
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 12900, Uruguay
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5
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Keogh K, Kenny DA, Alexandre PA, McGee M, Reverter A. An across breed, diet and tissue analysis reveals the transcription factor NR1H3 as a key mediator of residual feed intake in beef cattle. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:234. [PMID: 38438858 PMCID: PMC10910725 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10151-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Provision of feed is a major determinant of overall profitability in beef production systems, accounting for up to 75% of the variable costs. Thus, improving cattle feed efficiency, by way of determining the underlying genomic control and subsequently selecting for feed efficient cattle, provides a method through which feed input costs may be reduced. The objective of this study was to undertake gene co-expression network analysis using RNA-Sequence data generated from Longissimus dorsi and liver tissue samples collected from steers of two contrasting breeds (Charolais and Holstein-Friesian) divergent for residual feed intake (RFI), across two consecutive distinct dietary phases (zero-grazed grass and high-concentrate). Categories including differentially expressed genes (DEGs) based on the contrasts of RFI phenotype, breed and dietary source, as well as key transcription factors and proteins secreted in plasma were utilised as nodes of the gene co-expression network. RESULTS Of the 2,929 DEGs within the network analysis, 1,604 were reported to have statistically significant correlations (≥ 0.80), resulting in a total of 43,876 significant connections between genes. Pathway analysis of clusters of co-expressed genes revealed enrichment of processes related to lipid metabolism (fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, cholesterol biosynthesis), immune function, (complement cascade, coagulation system, acute phase response signalling), and energy production (oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial L-carnitine shuttle pathway) based on genes related to RFI, breed and dietary source contrasts. CONCLUSIONS Although similar biological processes were evident across the three factors examined, no one gene node was evident across RFI, breed and diet contrasts in both liver and muscle tissues. However within the liver tissue, the IRX4, NR1H3, HOXA13 and ZNF648 gene nodes, which all encode transcription factors displayed significant connections across the RFI, diet and breed comparisons, indicating a role for these transcription factors towards the RFI phenotype irrespective of diet and breed. Moreover, the NR1H3 gene encodes a protein secreted into plasma from the hepatocytes of the liver, highlighting the potential for this gene to be explored as a robust biomarker for the RFI trait in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
- Queensland Bioscience Precinct, CSIRO Agriculture & Food, 306 Carmody Rd., St. Lucia, 4067, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - D A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - P A Alexandre
- Queensland Bioscience Precinct, CSIRO Agriculture & Food, 306 Carmody Rd., St. Lucia, 4067, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - M McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - A Reverter
- Queensland Bioscience Precinct, CSIRO Agriculture & Food, 306 Carmody Rd., St. Lucia, 4067, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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6
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Guarnido-Lopez P, Pinna D, Maeda Y, Ogawa Y, BenAouda M, Kohama N, Fukushima M, Nagaoka SI, Kondo N. Phenotypic relationships between meat quality parameters and residual feed intake in Japanese black Wagyu cattle. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae192. [PMID: 39022981 PMCID: PMC11315890 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Japanese black Wagyu cattle are renowned for producing some of the world's most highly valued and recognized beef with exceptional marbling. Therefore, the primary focus of genetic selection for Wagyu cattle has historically been on meat quality, particularly achieving high marbling levels. However, even when the price of the final product is high, production costs also remain high, especially considering that most of the feed has to be imported. The objective of this study was to evaluate phenotypic relationships between feed efficiency, specifically residual feed intake (RFI), as the most utilized efficiency index in cattle, and various meat quality parameters in Japanese black cattle in order to determine if a common phenotypic selection for these parameters could be feasible. For this, a total of 39 Wagyu cattle were evaluated for feed efficiency over their entire fattening period (900 d), with a focus on RFI as a key indicator. Animals were fed high-starch diets with vitamin A deprivation to achieve the desired marbling. Results revealed positive correlations between feed efficiency and meat quality in Wagyu cattle. Specifically, animals with higher feed efficiency exhibited superior meat quality traits, including firmness, marbling, and overall meat rating. When comparing the 20 most extreme RFI individuals (10 most and 10 least efficient), we observed that efficient RFI animals showed increased marbling levels (+13.2%, P = 0.05) and ranking quality (+12%, P = 0.06) of the meat. In conclusion, this research contributes to understanding the interplay between feed efficiency and meat quality in Japanese black Wagyu cattle. Phenotypic correlations observed suggest the possibility of incorporating RFI criteria into genetic selection programs without compromising the prized meat quality traits of Wagyu beef.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danielle Pinna
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Yuma Maeda
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Yuichi Ogawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Mohammed BenAouda
- Department of Animal Science, Institute Agro Dijon, Dijon 21079, France
| | - Namiko Kohama
- Hyogo Prefecture Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Hokubu Agricultural Technology Institute, Asago 669-5254, Japan
| | | | - Shin-ichi Nagaoka
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoshi Kondo
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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7
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Coppa M, Martin C, Bes A, Ragionieri L, Ravanetti F, Lund P, Cantalapiedra-Hijar G, Nozière P. Relationship between residual feed intake and digestive traits of fattening bulls fed grass silage- or maize silage-based diets. Animal 2023; 17:101013. [PMID: 37952302 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies tried to identify digestive determinants of individual variation in feed efficiency between fattening bulls, because of their importance for breeding and management strategies. Most studies focused on single traits or single diet. Little is known about diet-dependent differences in digestive determinants and on their relative importance in distinguishing divergent residual feed intake (RFI) bulls. This research aimed (i) to identify digestive traits that differed between bulls diverging in RFI and fed a maize silage- or a grass silage-based diets; (ii) to highlight the relationships between RFI and digestive traits, and (iii) to explore the hierarchy among digestive traits in discriminating RFI divergent bulls. After an initial RFI test of 84 days on 100 Charolais growing bulls fed two different diets based on grass silage (GS), or maize silage (MS), the 32 most RFI divergent bulls were selected (eight efficient RFI- and eight inefficient RFI+ bulls per diet) and measured thereafter for total tract apparent digestibility and transit rate, enteric gas emissions (CH4 and H2), rumen pH, and feeding behaviour. Rumen particle size and visceral organ and reticulo-omasal orifice (ROO) sizes and rumen and ileum histology were measured at slaughter on the 32 selected extreme RFI bulls. Irrespective of the diet, efficient bulls (RFI-) had lower rumen size, CH4 yield (g/kg DM intake; tendency), lower number of cells in the ileal crypts, tended to have longer time of rumen pH below 5.8 and lower proportion of small size particles in rumen content than non-efficient bulls (RFI+). A long-term test for feed efficiency (197 d on average) was performed on the whole experimental period until slaughter for the 100 animals. The long-term RFI value was negatively related to time spent in activity other than ingestion, rumination, and resting, and positively related (tendency) to the duration of ingestion events, to rumen and abomasum size, irrespective of the diet. Diet-dependent effects were noted: with GS, efficient (RFI-) bulls showed a slower transit rate, whereas with MS, efficient (RFI-) bulls tended to have shorter resting events and a smaller ROO than inefficient bulls (RFI+). The transit rate and the ROO size tended to be positively related, while total tract apparent digestibility of nitrogen was negatively related to long-term RFI value, but only in GS. Rumen size appeared as the most discriminating digestive variable between RFI divergent bulls, but this result should be validated on a larger number of animals and diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Coppa
- Independent Researcher, 10100 Turin, Italy
| | - C Martin
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR 1213 Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - A Bes
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR 1213 Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - L Ragionieri
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - F Ravanetti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - P Lund
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, AU Viborg - Research Centre Foulum, Aarhus University, DK 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - G Cantalapiedra-Hijar
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR 1213 Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - P Nozière
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR 1213 Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
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Guarnido-Lopez P, Ortigues-Marty I, David J, Polakof S, Cantalapiedra-Hijar G. Comparative analysis of signalling pathways in tissue protein metabolism in efficient and non-efficient beef cattle: acute response to an identical single meal size. Animal 2023; 17:101017. [PMID: 37948891 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein turnover has been associated to residual feed intake (RFI) in beef cattle. However, this relationship may be confounded by feeding level and affected by the composition of the diet being fed. Our aim was to assess postmortem the protein metabolism signalling pathways in skeletal muscle and liver of 32 Charolais young bulls with extreme RFI phenotypes. Bulls were fed two contrasting diets during the whole fattening period but were subjected to a similar and single nutritional stimulus, induced by their respective concentrate, just prior to slaughter. The key targets were protein degradation (autophagy and ubiquitin) and synthesis signalling pathways through western-blot analysis, as well as hepatic transaminase activity. To ensure a precise assessment of all animals at the same postprandial time, they were provided with a test meal (2.5 kg of either a high-starch and high-protein concentrate or high-fibre and low-protein concentrate) 3 hours prior to slaughter, irrespective of their RFI grouping. Blood and tissues were sampled at the slaughterhouse (3 h and 3 h30 postprandially, respectively). In response to an identical single meal size, efficient RFI animals showed higher (P < 0.05) postprandial plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and insulinemia (only with the high-starch concentrate) than non-efficient animals. Moreover, efficient RFI bulls had lower muscle (P = 0.04) and liver (P = 0.08) ubiquitin protein abundance (degradation pathway) and tended to have lower alanine transaminase activity in the liver (P = 0.06) compared to non-efficient bulls, regardless of diet. A positive correlation between protein degradation potential and amino acid catabolism was identified in this study (r = 0.52, P = 0.004), which was interpreted as being biologically linked to the RFI phenotype. Efficient RFI bulls also had a faster potential for protein synthesis in the muscle, as indicated by their greater ratio of phosphorylated to total form of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (P = 0.05), regardless of diet. Results on protein synthesis pathway in muscle and plasma metabolite concentrations suggested that efficient RFI cattle may have a faster nutrient absorption and insulin responsiveness after feeding than inefficient cattle. We did not find significant differences in hepatic protein synthesis pathways between the two RFI groups (P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that, in response to an identical single meal size, efficient RFI animals exhibited lower activation of tissue protein degradation pathways and faster muscle protein synthesis activation compared to their inefficient counterparts. This pattern was observed regardless of the composition of the tested meals.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Guarnido-Lopez
- INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - I Ortigues-Marty
- INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - J David
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, INRAE, UMR1019, Unité Nutrition Humaine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - S Polakof
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, INRAE, UMR1019, Unité Nutrition Humaine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - G Cantalapiedra-Hijar
- INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
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Greenland MS, Waldron BL, Isom SC, Fonnesbeck SD, Peel MD, Rood KA, Thornton KJ, Miller RL, Hadfield JA, Henderson B, Creech JE. Dry matter intake and feed efficiency of heifers from 4 dairy breed types grazing organic grass and grass-birdsfoot trefoil mixed pastures. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:3918-3931. [PMID: 37105873 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Insufficient dry matter intake (DMI) of pasture by dairy cattle is a major factor limiting growth and milk production; however, it has been hypothesized that some dairy breeds may be more efficient grazers than others. This study was conducted to determine whether dairy breed types differ in DMI and feed efficiency when grazing either grass monoculture or grass-legume mixed pastures. The experiment compared 4 different dairy breed types (Jersey, Holstein, Holstein-Jersey crossbreds, and Montbéliarde-Swedish Red-Holstein 3-breed crossbreds) and 2 levels of pasture type [grass monoculture (MONO) and grass-birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) mixture (MX)] for a total of 8 treatments. Pastures were rotationally stocked with groups of 4 prepubertal heifers for 105 d for 3 yr, and DMI was determined from herbage disappearance. Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and residual feed intake (RFI) were then derived from DMI, and heifer body weights (BW) and normalized to animal units (AU) as 40% metabolic mature BW of the corresponding dairy breed type to account for inherent differences in size and growth rates. We observed differences in DMI and feed efficiency among breed types and between pasture types. On average, Holsteins had the greatest overall DMI (4.4 kg/AU), followed by intermediate DMI by the crossbreds (4.0 kg/AU), and Jerseys had the least DMI (3.6 kg/AU). Heifers grazing MX pastures had on average 22% greater DMI than those grazing MONO, but heifers on grass monocultures were more efficient in converting DMI to BW gain (i.e., RFI/AU of 0.27 and -0.27, respectively; more negative RFI numbers indicate less DMI to achieve the expected gains). Overall, Jerseys had the most favorable feed efficiency; however, ranking of Holsteins and crossbreds depended upon the feed efficiency metric. This study is one of the first to compare the interaction of dairy breed and pasture quality on grazing efficiency. However, the lack of a breed type × pasture type interaction for DMI, FCE, or RFI indicated that none of these dairy breed types were better adapted than another breed type to pastures with contrasting levels of nutritive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Greenland
- Plants, Soils, and Climate Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4820
| | - Blair L Waldron
- Forage and Range Research Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Logan, UT 84322-6300.
| | - S Clay Isom
- Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4815
| | - Sawyer D Fonnesbeck
- Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4815
| | - Michael D Peel
- Forage and Range Research Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Logan, UT 84322-6300
| | - Kerry A Rood
- Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4815
| | - Kara J Thornton
- Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4815
| | - Rhonda L Miller
- Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-2300
| | - Jacob A Hadfield
- Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4815
| | - Bracken Henderson
- Franklin County Office, University of Idaho Extension, Preston 83263
| | - J Earl Creech
- Plants, Soils, and Climate Department, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4820
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10
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Perdana-Decker S, Velasco E, Werner J, Dickhoefer U. On-farm evaluation of models to predict herbage intake of dairy cows grazing temperate semi-natural grasslands. Animal 2023; 17:100806. [PMID: 37148624 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present on-farm study was to evaluate the adequacy of existing models in predicting the pasture herbage DM intake (PDMI) of lactating dairy cows grazing semi-natural grasslands. The prediction adequacy of 13 empirical and semi-mechanistic models, which were predominantly developed to represent stall-fed cows or cows grazing high-quality pastures, were evaluated using the mean bias, relative prediction error (RPE), and partitioning of mean square error of prediction, where models with an RPE ≤ 20% were considered adequate. The reference dataset comprised n = 233 individual animal observations from nine commercial farms in South Germany with a mean milk production, DM intake, and PDMI (arithmetic means ± one SD) of 24 kg/d, (±5.6), 21 kg/d (±3.2), and 12 kg/d (±5.1), respectively. Despite their adaptation to grazing conditions, the behaviour-based and semi-mechanistic grazing-based models had the lowest prediction adequacy among the evaluated models. Their underlying empirical equations likely did not fit the grazing and production conditions of low-input farms using semi-natural grasslands for grazing. The semi-mechanistic stall-based model Mertens II with slight modifications achieved the highest and a satisfactory modelling performance (RPE = 13.4%) when evaluated based on the mean observed PDMI, i.e., averaged across animals per farm and period (n = 28). It also allowed for the adequate prediction of PDMI on individual cows (RPE = 18.5%) that were fed < 4.8 kg DM of supplement feed per day. Nevertheless, when used to predict PDMI of individual animals receiving a high supplementation level, the model Mertens II also did not meet the threshold for an acceptable adequacy (RPE = 24.7%). It was concluded that this lack of prediction adequacy for animals receiving greater levels of supplementation was due to a lack of modelling precision, which mainly could be related to inter-animal and methodological limitations such as the lack of individually measured supplement feed intake for some cows. The latter limitation is a trade-off of the on-farm research approach of the present study, which was chosen to represent the range in feed intake of dairy cows across the diverse low-input farming systems using semi-natural grasslands for grazing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Perdana-Decker
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Rangeland Management in the Tropics and Subtropics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 31, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - E Velasco
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Rangeland Management in the Tropics and Subtropics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 31, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - J Werner
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Rangeland Management in the Tropics and Subtropics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 31, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - U Dickhoefer
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Rangeland Management in the Tropics and Subtropics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 31, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
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11
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Evers SH, Delaby L, Pierce KM, McCarthy B, Coffey EL, Horan B. An evaluation of detailed animal characteristics influencing the lactation production efficiency of spring-calving, pasture-based dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:1097-1109. [PMID: 36526459 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Selection for feed efficiency, the ratio of output (e.g., milk yield) to feed intake, has traditionally been limited on commercial dairy farms by the necessity for detailed individual animal intake and performance data within large animal populations. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of individual animal characteristics (animal breed, genetic potential, milk production, body weight (BW), daily total dry matter intake (TDMI), and energy balance) on a cost-effective production efficiency parameter calculated as the annual fat and protein (milk solids) production per unit of mid-lactation BW (MSperBWlact). A total of 1,788 individual animal intake records measured at various stages of lactation (early, mid, and late lactation) from 207 Holstein-Friesian and 200 Jersey × Holstein-Friesian cows were used. The derived efficiency traits included daily kilograms of milk solids produced per 100 kg of BW (dMSperBWint) and daily kilograms of milk solids produced per kilogram of TDMI (dMSperTDMI). The TDMI per 100 kg of BW was also calculated (TDMI/BWint) at each stage of lactation. Animals were subsequently either ranked as the top 25% (Heff) or bottom 25% (Leff) based on their lactation production efficiency (MSperBWlact). Dairy cow breed significantly affected animal characteristics over the entire lactation and during specific periods of intake measurements. Jersey crossbred animals produced more milk, based on a lower TDMI, and achieved an increased intake per kilogram of BW. Similarly, Heff produced more milk over longer lactations, weighed less, were older, and achieved a higher TDMI compared with the Leff animals. Both Jersey × Holstein-Friesian and Heff cows achieved superior production efficiency due to lower maintenance energy requirements, and consequentially increased milk solids production per kilogram of BW and per kilogram of TDMI at all stages of lactation. Indeed, within breed, Heff animals weighed 20 kg less and produced 15% more milk solids over the total lactation than Leff. In addition, Heff achieved increased daily milk solids yield (+0.16 kg) and milk solids yield per kilogram of TDMI (+ 0.23 kg/kg DM) during intake measurement periods. Moreover, the strong and consistently positive correlations between MSperBWlact and detailed production efficiency traits (dMSperBWint, dMSperTDMI) reported here demonstrate that MSperBWlact is a robust measure that can be applied within commercial grazing dairy systems to increase the selection intensity for highly efficient animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Evers
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61C996 Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - L Delaby
- INRAE, l'Institut Agro, Physiologie, Environnement et Génétique pour l'Animal et les Systèmes d'Elevage, F-35590 Saint-Gilles, France
| | - K M Pierce
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - B McCarthy
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61C996 Ireland
| | - E L Coffey
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61C996 Ireland
| | - B Horan
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61C996 Ireland
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12
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Pires BV, Reolon HG, Abduch NG, Souza LL, Sakamoto LS, Mercadante MEZ, Silva RMO, Fragomeni BO, Baldi F, Paz CCP, Stafuzza NB. Effects of Feeding and Drinking Behavior on Performance and Carcass Traits in Beef Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:3196. [PMID: 36428423 PMCID: PMC9686570 DOI: 10.3390/ani12223196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Feed and water efficiency are important traits to improve beef cattle production’s economic and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated residual feed intake (RFI) and residual water intake (RWI) and their relationship with performance, ingestive behavior, and carcass traits in Caracu beef cattle. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model with least squares means. The ingestive behavior, performance, and carcass traits were influenced by sex (p < 0.05). Males showed higher dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), mid-test metabolic weight (BW0.75), rib eye area, and rump fat thickness than females, besides spending more time drinking and eating. Low RFI animals exhibited higher DMI than high RFI animals. Low RWI animals ingested 3.89 L/d of water further than high RWI animals. The interaction between sex and RWI influenced the DMI, BW0.75, and backfat thickness. The ingestive behavior of low and high RFI animals was similar, although high RWI animals visited a smaller number of drinkers than low RWI animals. Water intake positively affects productive efficiency, and the combined use of RWI and RFI may help improve the selection of more efficient animals contributing to reducing the costs of beef cattle production and improving environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca V. Pires
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Henrique G. Reolon
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Natalya G. Abduch
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 140349-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Luana L. Souza
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Leandro S. Sakamoto
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Breno O. Fragomeni
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Fernando Baldi
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Claudia C. P. Paz
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Nedenia B. Stafuzza
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, SP, Brazil
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13
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Holder AL, Gross MA, Moehlenpah AN, Goad CL, Rolf M, Walker RS, Rogers JK, Lalman DL. Effects of diet on feed intake, weight change, and gas emissions in beef cows. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:skac257. [PMID: 35952719 PMCID: PMC9527298 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of diet energy density on ranking for dry matter intake (DMI), residual feed intake (RFI), and greenhouse gas emissions. Forty-two mature, gestating Angus cows (600 ± 69 kg body weight [BW]; body condition score [BCS] 5.3 ± 1.1) with a wide range in DMI expected progeny difference (-1.38 to 2.91) were randomly assigned to two diet sequences; forage then concentrate (FC) or concentrate then forage (CF). The forage diet consisted of long-stem native grass hay plus protein supplement (HAY; 1.96 Mcal ME/kg DM). The concentrate diet consisted of 35% chopped grass hay and 65% concentrate feeds on a dry matter basis (MIX; 2.5 Mcal ME/kg DM). The GreenFeed Emission Monitoring system was used to determine carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and methane (CH4) flux. Cow performance traits, ultrasound back fat and rump fat, feed DMI, and gas flux data were analyzed in a crossover design using a mixed model including diet, period, and sequence as fixed effects and pen and cow within sequence as random effects. For all measured traits excluding DMI, there was a diet × sequence interaction (P < 0.05). The correlation between MIX and HAY DMI was 0.41 (P = 0.067) and 0.47 (P = 0.03) for FC and CF sequences, respectively. There was no relationship (P > 0.66) between HAY and MIX average daily gain (ADG), regardless of sequence. Fifty-seven percent of the variation in DMI was explained by metabolic BW, ADG, and BCS for both diets during the first period. During the second period, the same three explanatory variables accounted for 38% and 37% of the variation in DMI for MIX and HAY diets, respectively. The negative relationship between BCS and DMI was more pronounced when cows consumed the MIX diet. There was no relationship between MIX and HAY RFI, regardless of sequence (P > 0.18). During the first period, correlations for CO2, CH4, and O2 with MIX DMI were 0.69, 0.81, and 0.56 (P ≤ 0.015), respectively, and 0.76, 0.74, and 0.64 (P < 0.01) with HAY DMI. During the second period, correlations for CO2, CH4, and O2 with MIX DMI were 0.62, 0.47, and 0.56 (P ≤ 0.11), respectively. However, HAY DMI during the second period was not related to gas flux (P > 0.47). Results from this experiment indicate that feed intake of two energy-diverse diets is moderately correlated while ADG while consuming the two diets is not related. Further experimentation is necessary to determine if gas flux data can be used to predict feed intake in beef cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Holder
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Megan A Gross
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Alexandra N Moehlenpah
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Carla L Goad
- Department of Statistics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Megan Rolf
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | | | | | - David L Lalman
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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14
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Individual methane emissions (and other gas flows) are repeatable and their relationships with feed efficiency are similar across two contrasting diets in growing bulls. Animal 2022; 16:100583. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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15
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Protein metabolism, body composition and oxygen consumption in young bulls divergent in residual feed intake offered two contrasting forage-based diets. Animal 2022; 16:100558. [PMID: 35696770 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein metabolism and body composition have been identified as major determinants of residual feed intake (RFI) in beef cattle fed high-starch fattening diets. This study aimed to evaluate if these two identified RFI determinants in beef cattle are the same across two contrasting silage-based diets. During two consecutive years, an 84-day feed efficiency test (Test A) immediately followed by a second 112-day feed efficiency test (Test B) was carried out using a total of 100 animals offered either one of two diets (either corn silage- or grass silage-based) over 196 days. At the end of Test A, the 32 animals most divergent for RFI (16 extreme RFI animals per diet, eight low RFI and eight high RFI) were identified and evaluated during Test B for their i) N use efficiency (NUE; N retention/N intake) calculated either from a 10-d nitrogen balance trial or from estimations based on body composition changes occurring during the whole experiment (Test A and Test B; 196 days), ii) carcass and whole-body protein turnover rates analysed through the 3-methyl-histidine urinary excretion and the N isotopic turnover rates of urine, respectively, and iii) body composition measured at the slaughterhouse at the end of Test B. Oxygen consumption was measured during Test B for the 100 animals by two GreenFeed systems. Irrespective of the diet, efficient RFI animals tended (P = 0.08) to improve their NUE when N retention was estimated for 196 days or when considering their lower urinary urea-N to total N ratio (P = 0.03). In contrast, NUE calculated during the 10-d N balance showed no differences (P = 0.65) across RFI groups suggesting that this method may not be suitable to capture small NUE differences. Efficient RFI individuals presented higher dressing percentage and muscle deposition in the carcass (P = 0.003) but lighter rumen (P = 0.001), and a trend for lower oxygen consumption (P = 0.08) than inefficient RFI animals irrespective of the diet. Lower protein degradation rates of skeletal muscle and lower protein synthesis rates of plasma proteins were found in efficient RFI cattle but only with the corn silage-based diet (RFI × Diet; P = 0.02). The higher insulinaemia associated with the corn silage-based diet (P = 0.001) seemed to be a key metabolic feature explaining the positive association between protein turnover and RFI only in this diet. Feed N was more efficiently used for growth by efficient RFI animals regardless of the diet but lower protein turnover rates in efficient RFI animals were only observed with corn silage-based diets.
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16
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Common and diet-specific metabolic pathways underlying residual feed intake in fattening Charolais yearling bulls. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24346. [PMID: 34934071 PMCID: PMC8692463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03678-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Residual feed intake (RFI) is one of the preferred traits for feed efficiency animal breeding. However, RFI measurement is expensive and time-consuming and animal ranking may depend on the nature of the diets. We aimed to explore RFI plasma biomarkers and to unravel the underlying metabolic pathways in yearling bulls fed either a corn-silage diet rich in starch (corn diet) or a grass-silage diet rich in fiber (grass diet). Forty-eight extreme RFI animals (Low-RFI, n = 24, versus High-RFI, n = 24, balanced per diet) were selected from a population of 364 Charolais bulls and their plasma was subjected to a targeted LC-MS metabolomic approach together with classical metabolite and hormonal plasma analyses. Greater lean body mass and nitrogen use efficiency, and lower protein turnover were identified as common mechanisms underlying RFI irrespective of the diet. On the other hand, greater adiposity and plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) together with lower insulin sensitivity in High-RFI animals were only observed with corn diet. Conversely, greater plasma concentrations of BCAA and total triglycerides, but similar insulin concentrations were noted in efficient RFI cattle with grass diet. Our data suggest that there are diet-specific mechanisms explaining RFI differences in fattening Charolais yearling bulls.
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17
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Sprinkle JE, Sagers JK, Hall JB, Ellison MJ, Yelich JV, Brennan JR, Taylor JB, Lamb JB. Protein Supplementation and Grazing Behavior for Cows on Differing Late-Season Rangeland Grazing Systems. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113219. [PMID: 34827951 PMCID: PMC8614474 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cattle grazing late-season dormant rangeland are subject to impaired production due to reduced forage digestibility and a longer residence time of forage in the rumen, leading to reduced forage intake. It is a common practice to provide supplemental protein to help counteract these effects and to improve animal well-being and livestock production. Yet, the usage of supplements has been shown to interrupt and reduce the time spent grazing. These behavioral changes may vary with climate and the frequency and timing of strategic supplementation. The objective of this study was to evaluate how protein supplementation altered grazing behavior when used in both rotationally and continuously grazed dormant pastures. We utilized accelerometers (used in rockets to measure velocity in three directions and in smart phones to rotate the screen) to evaluate cattle behavior (via head movements) every 5 s on a 24 h basis. The cattle altered their grazing behavior in response to climate, supplementation status, and the grazing system. Cattle that were deprived of the protein supplement and stayed in the same continuously grazed pasture showed more restlessness in their behavior, spending more time walking from midnight to 8 a.m. Additionally, the harvest rate of dormant forage increased for the supplemented cattle. Abstract The objective was to determine if low- or high-residual feed intake (LRFI or HRFI, n = 24 for each) Hereford × Angus cows on continuously or rotationally grazed rangeland altered their grazing behavior when provided a protein supplement in late autumn. Treatments included continuously grazed, control (CCON, n = 12); continuously grazed, supplemented (CTRT, n = 12); rotationally grazed, control (RCON, n = 12); and rotationally grazed, supplemented pastures (RTRT, n = 12). Cows in each treatment had grazing time (GT), resting time (RT), and walking time (WLK) measured for 2 years with accelerometers. Bite rate (BR) was also measured. Time distributions of GT and RT differed by year (p < 0.05), being influenced by colder temperatures in 2016. Cattle in 2016 spent more time grazing during early morning and late evening (p < 0.05) and rested more during the day (p < 0.05). In 2017, cattle in the CCON treatment walked more (p < 0.05) during early morning time periods than did the CTRT cattle, indicative of search grazing. All supplemented cattle had greater BR (p < 0.05) than control cattle in 2017. Cattle with increased nutritional demands alter grazing behavior in a compensatory fashion when grazing late-season rangelands.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E. Sprinkle
- Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension & Education Center, University of Idaho, Carmen, ID 83462, USA; (J.B.H.); (M.J.E.); (J.V.Y.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Joseph K. Sagers
- Jefferson & Clark County Extension, University of Idaho, Rigby, ID 83442, USA;
| | - John B. Hall
- Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension & Education Center, University of Idaho, Carmen, ID 83462, USA; (J.B.H.); (M.J.E.); (J.V.Y.)
| | - Melinda J. Ellison
- Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension & Education Center, University of Idaho, Carmen, ID 83462, USA; (J.B.H.); (M.J.E.); (J.V.Y.)
| | - Joel V. Yelich
- Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension & Education Center, University of Idaho, Carmen, ID 83462, USA; (J.B.H.); (M.J.E.); (J.V.Y.)
| | - Jameson R. Brennan
- West River Research & Extension Center, South Dakota State University, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA;
| | - Joshua B. Taylor
- U. S. Sheep Experiment Station, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Dubois, ID 83423, USA;
| | - James B. Lamb
- Formerly Furst-McNess Company, Currently Intermountain Farmers Association, Rexburg, ID 83440, USA;
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18
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Smith PE, Waters SM, Kenny DA, Kirwan SF, Conroy S, Kelly AK. Effect of divergence in residual methane emissions on feed intake and efficiency, growth and carcass performance, and indices of rumen fermentation and methane emissions in finishing beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6379086. [PMID: 34598276 PMCID: PMC8598385 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Residual expressions of enteric emissions favor a more equitable identification of an animal's methanogenic potential compared with traditional measures of enteric emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of divergently ranking beef cattle for residual methane emissions (RME) on animal productivity, enteric emissions, and rumen fermentation. Dry matter intake (DMI), growth, feed efficiency, carcass output, and enteric emissions (GreenFeed emissions monitoring system) were recorded on 294 crossbred beef cattle (steers = 135 and heifers = 159; mean age 441 d (SD = 49); initial body weight (BW) of 476 kg (SD = 67)) at the Irish national beef cattle performance test center. Animals were offered a total mixed ration (77% concentrate and 23% forage; 12.6 MJ ME/kg of DM and 12% CP) ad libitum with emissions estimated for 21 d over a mean feed intake measurement period of 91 d. Animals had a mean daily methane emissions (DME) of 229.18 g/d (SD = 45.96), methane yield (MY) of 22.07 g/kg of DMI (SD = 4.06), methane intensity (MI) 0.70 g/kg of carcass weight (SD = 0.15), and RME 0.00 g/d (SD = 0.34). RME was computed as the residuals from a multiple regression model regressing DME on DMI and BW (R2 = 0.45). Animals were ranked into three groups namely high RME (>0.5 SD above the mean), medium RME (±0.5 SD above/below the mean), and low RME (>0.5 SD below the mean). Low RME animals produced 17.6% and 30.4% less (P < 0.05) DME compared with medium and high RME animals, respectively. A ~30% reduction in MY and MI was detected in low versus high RME animals. Positive correlations were apparent among all methane traits with RME most highly associated with (r = 0.86) DME. MY and MI were correlated (P < 0.05) with DMI, growth, feed efficiency, and carcass output. High RME had lower (P < 0.05) ruminal propionate compared with low RME animals and increased (P < 0.05) butyrate compared with medium and low RME animals. Propionate was negatively associated (P < 0.05) with all methane traits. Greater acetate:propionate ratio was associated with higher RME (r = 0.18; P < 0.05). Under the ad libitum feeding regime deployed here, RME was the best predictor of DME and only methane trait independent of animal productivity. Ranking animals on RME presents the opportunity to exploit interanimal variation in enteric emissions as well as providing a more equitable index of the methanogenic potential of an animal on which to investigate the underlying biological regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Smith
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland.,UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sinead M Waters
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - Stuart F Kirwan
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - Stephen Conroy
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, G€N€ IR€LAND Progeny Test Centre, Tully, Kildare Town, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Doyle PR, McGee M, Moloney AP, Kelly AK, O’Riordan EG. Effect of Post-Grazing Sward Height, Sire Genotype and Indoor Finishing Diet on Steer Intake, Growth and Production in Grass-Based Suckler Weanling-to-Beef Systems. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092623. [PMID: 34573588 PMCID: PMC8470167 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Grass-fed beef is becoming popular; however, there is little research information on optimising beef cattle performance in such production systems. In grass-forage-only beef systems, the removal of dietary concentrates increases the difficulty in achieving target live-weight performance and carcass fatness. Post-grazing sward height can potentially influence animal live-weight gain at pasture, whilst sire breed maturity (genotype) can potentially influence carcass fatness and, therefore, the duration required to achieve a commercially acceptable carcass fat score. Therefore, contrasting post-grazing sward heights and beef steer genotypes were evaluated within a grass-forage-only and grass-forage + concentrate production system. The high post-grazing sward height (6 cm) increased intake and live-weight gain at pasture and resulted in a heavier carcass after an indoor finishing period compared to the low post-grazing sward height (4 cm). The early-maturing genotype had a greater intake, live-weight gain and carcass fatness, but similar carcass weight and lower conformation score compared to the late-maturing genotype. Although concentrate supplementation indoors increased carcass weight and fatness, grass-forage-only steers still achieved a commercially-acceptable fat score when slaughtered at 24 months of age. In conclusion, grazing higher sward residuals and utilising early-maturing animal genotypes can increase live-weight pasture gain and carcass fatness, respectively, in grass-forage beef production systems. Abstract This study evaluated the effects of post-grazing sward height (PGSH, 4 or 6 cm) on herbage production, its nutritive value, dry matter (DM) intake, grazing behaviour and growth of early- (EM) and late-maturing (LM) breed suckler steers (n = 72), and the subsequent effect of indoor finishing diet (grass silage + 3.8 kg concentrate DM/head daily (SC), or grass silage only (SO)) on performance and carcass traits. Animals rotationally grazed pasture for 196 days, followed by indoor finishing for 119 days. At pasture, daily live-weight gain (LWG) was 0.10 kg greater for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4, resulting in a tendency for carcass weight to be 11 kg heavier. Although EM had a 0.10 kg greater daily LWG at pasture than LM, carcass weight did not differ between the genotypes. There was a genotype × PGSH interaction for carcass fat score, whereby there was no difference between EM-4 (8.83, 15-point scale) and EM-6 (8.17), but LM-6 (7.28) was greater than LM-4 (6.33). Although concentrate supplementation during indoor finishing increased carcass weight (+37 kg) and fat score (1.75 units), the majority of steers (83% of EM and 78% of LM) achieved a commercially-acceptable carcass fat score (6.78) at slaughter in the grass-forage-only system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R. Doyle
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;
- Correspondence: (P.R.D.); (E.G.O.)
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Aidan P. Moloney
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Edward G. O’Riordan
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.R.D.); (E.G.O.)
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