Feed Restriction and Compensatory Growth in Guzerá Females

Post-weaning growth rate effects on body composition of Nellore bulls

Context Previously feed-restricted cattle may exhibit compensatory growth during the finishing phase. However, the efficiency in converting feed into carcass should be evaluated since cattle undergoing compensatory growth usually have high non-carcass weight gain. Aims The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of growth rate throughout the post-weaning growing phase on subsequent feed efficiency, carcass gain, and gain composition. Methods Thirty-nine weaned young Nellore bulls averaging 230.4 ± 5.62 kg of bodyweight and 8.5 ± 0.25 months of age were used. Initially, five bulls were slaughtered as a reference initial group. The remaining bulls were randomly assigned to one of three nutritional plans to achieve Low (0 kg/day), Medium (0.6 kg/day) or High (1.2 kg/day) average daily gain (ADG) throughout the post-weaning growing phase, followed by high growth rate during the finishing phase. One-half of the bulls from each treatment were slaughtered at the end of the post-weaning growing phase, and the other one-half after the finishing phase. During both phases the feed intake, apparent digestibility, performance, and body composition were evaluated. Key results Throughout the post-weaning growing phase, High bulls had greater ADG and more efficiently converted feed into carcass, compared with other nutritional plans (P < 0.01). Throughout the finishing phase, Low bulls had greater ADG, carcass gain, and feed efficiency than High and Medium bulls (P < 0.01). Previous feed restriction did not affect (P > 0.05) apparent digestibility. During the finishing phase, previously restricted bulls fully compensated for the lost visceral organ weight, whereas the losses of bodyweight and carcass weight were only partially compensated. Throughout finishing, Low bulls had the greatest feed efficiency and profitability among nutritional plans. However, considering the overall experiment, Hight bulls converted feed into carcass more efficiently than Low bulls (P = 0.02), but did not differ from Medium (P > 0.05). Conclusions Although previously restricted bulls had greater performance and efficiency throughout finishing, the improvement was not enough to reach the same carcass weight at the same age of the unrestricted bulls. Implications Despite the greater profitability of previously restricted bulls throughout finishing, unrestricted bulls were more profitable considering both growing and finishing phases.

Milk replacer restriction during early life impairs the live body weight and progesterone patterns of ewe lambs during the replacement period

Nutritional programming caused by feed restriction during the early life may counteract the profitability of the dairy sheep farm. However, most studies have been focused exclusively on the prenatal period, and scarce information regarding the effect of milk replacer (MR) restriction on feed efficiency [residual feed intake (RFI)] and progesterone patterns of replacement ewe lambs is available. Therefore, in the present study 40 Assaf female newborn lambs were penned individually and assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatment groups (n = 20 per treatment). The first group of lambs was fed MR ad libitum (ADLB), whereas the second one (restricted, RES) only received approximately 62.5% of the MR intake measured in the ADLB group. All the lambs were weighed twice a week until they were 35 d old. Then 8 lambs from each group were killed and a morphological study of the gut was performed. Moreover, a piece of liver was cut to measure fat content and oxidative status. The rest of the ewe lambs (24) were weaned and offered a total mixed ration ad libitum to calculate the RFI during the replacement phase. Plasma samples were collected when ewe lambs were 8 mo old to perform a nontargeted metabolomic analysis on a hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer coupled to an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic system. Progesterone was also measured weekly on serum samples by sequential competitive immunoassay until the end of the experiment (9.5 mo old). The results observed indicate that moderated MR restriction promoted differences in the morphology of the gut of the 35-d-old lambs, but not in the apparent digestibility or feed efficiency traits (RFI) during the replacement phase. However, there was a trend toward reduced live body weight of the RES ewe lambs when they were 9.5 mo old. Moreover, progesterone patterns revealed that only 1 RES versus 4 ADLB ewe lambs had ovulated for the first time at the end of the experiment. This evidence suggests the existence of long-term effects caused by early feed restriction with negative consequences on live body weight and reproductive traits of replacement ewe lambs.

Effects of quantitative feed restriction and sex on carcass traits, meat quality and meat lipid profile of Morada Nova lambs

BACKGROUND

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed restriction (FR) and sex on the quantitative and qualitative carcass traits of Morada Nova lambs. Thirty-five animals with an initial body weight of 14.5 ± 0.89 kg and age of 120 d were used in a completely randomized study with a 3 × 3 factorial scheme consisting of three sexes (11 entire males, 12 castrated males and 12 females) and three levels of feeding (ad libitum - AL and 30% and 60% FR).

RESULTS

Entire males presented greater hot and cold carcass weights (P < 0.05), followed by castrated males and females. However, the hot carcass yield was higher for females and castrated males than for entire males. Luminosity values were influenced (P < 0.05) by sex, with entire males presenting higher values than castrated males and females. Females showed higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid in the meat of the longissimus thoracis muscle. The meat of animals submitted to AL intake and 30% FR showed similar (P > 0.05) concentrations, and the concentrations of palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid were higher (P < 0.05) than those of animals with 60% FR. The meat of females had a higher ω6/ω3 ratio and lower h/H ratio, and females had greater levels of feeding. The meat of animals on the 60% FR diet had a greater ω6/ω3 ratio, lower h/H ratio and lower concentration of desirable fatty acids in addition to a greater atherogenicity index (AI) and thrombogenicity index (TI).

CONCLUSION

Lambs of different sexes had carcasses with different quantitative traits without total influence on the chemical and physical meat characteristics. The lipid profile of the meat was less favorable to consumer health when the animals were female or submitted to 60% feed restriction.

Effects of Static or Oscillating Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Fermentation Dynamics of Beef Cattle Diets Using a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary crude protein (CP) levels and also comparing the effects of static versus oscillating dietary CP on ruminal nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen (N) metabolism, and microbial efficiency in beef cattle diets using a dual-flow continuous culture system. Eight fermenters (1,223 ± 21 mL) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with periods lasting 12 d each (8 d for adaptation and 4 d for sampling). Dietary treatments were: 1) 10% CP, 2) 12% CP, 3) 14% CP, and 4) 10 and 14% CP diets oscillating at 48-h intervals. Experimental diets consisted of 50% orchard hay and 50% concentrate. Fermenters were fed 72 g/d and solid and liquid dilution rates were adjusted to 5.5 and 11%/h, respectively. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS with α = 0.05. Apparent and true ruminal digestibilities of dry matter and organic matter were not affected (P > 0.05) by increasing dietary CP, nor by oscillating dietary CP. Total volatile fatty acids concentration and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, iso-butyrate and iso-valerate were not affected (P > 0.05) by increasing or oscillating dietary CP. Ruminal NH₃-N concentration increased linearly (P < 0.01) in response to increasing dietary CP. Total N, non-ammonia N, and rumen undegraded protein flows did not differ among treatments or between oscillating dietary CP and static 12% CP. Microbial N and NH₃-N flows and microbial efficiency did not differ when comparing oscillating versus static CP (P > 0.05). However, there was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for these variables when dietary CP was increased. These results indicate that either ruminal microorganisms do not respond to oscillating CP levels or are capable of coping with 48-h periods of undernourishment.

The relationships between body fatness, leptin, testosterone, and reproductive performance in ram lambs as affected by level and frequency of feeding

This study was carried out using 24 Najdi ram lambs of approximately 6.5 months old to evaluate the effects of feed restriction and frequency of feeding on hormone concentrations of leptin and testosterone, sexual behavior, and semen traits. Ram lambs were allotted equally into three feeding groups. The first group was used as a control and fed ad libitum. The second and third groups were restricted fed at 0.85 ad libitum and fed either once (R1M) or twice daily (R2M). Sexual behavior and semen evaluation were assessed during the sixth, seventh, and eighth weeks of the study. Blood samples were drawn at 1-hour pre-feeding on days 41, 48, and 55 of the study for the determination of serum leptin and testosterone concentrations. All lambs were slaughtered after 8 weeks of experimentation. Results showed that the restricted-fed groups had lower (P < 0.01) values for slaughter body weight, average daily gain, dry matter intake, internal fat, tail fat, body fat thickness, body wall thickness, and testes weight than the ad libitum group; these corresponding traits did not differ between both restricted-fed treatments. Leptin and testosterone concentrations in restricted-fed rams were (P < 0.01) lower and higher, respectively, than in the ad libitum rams; there were no differences between R1M and R2M groups. The restricted-fed rams had lower (P < 0.01) ejaculation latency time compared with control, whereas the percentage of sexually active rams and sexual desire score were not affected by feeding restriction or frequency of feeding. Sperm motility, progressive motility, and percentage of sperm moving at rapid speed were higher (P < 0.01) in feed-restricted rams than in the ad libitum rams. R1M rams had higher (P < 0.01) value for straightness and lower (P < 0.01) value for curvilinear velocity in comparison with the ad libitum group. Testosterone was correlated positively (P < 0.05) with sperm motility and progressive motility and negatively (P < 0.04) with fat measurements, leptin, and ejaculation latency time. In conclusion, moderate intake restriction can optimize body fatness and testosterone concentrations in rams, which helped to improve some reproductive traits.

Licuri oil supplements for lactating cows on pasture

Lima, L. S., Oliveira, R. L., Garcez Neto, A. F., Bagaldo, A. R., Abreu, C. L., Silva, T. M., Carvalho, S. T. and Bezerra, L. R. 2015. Licuri oil supplements for lactating cows on pasture. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 617–624. As licuri [Syagrus coronata (Martius) Beccari] oil can be a beneficial energy source in the diet of lactating cows managed on pasture, this study aimed to determine the most effective level of licuri oil in feed supplements. Sixteen Holstein×Zebu crossbreed lactating cows grazing on Tanzania (Panicum maximum) pasture grass were grouped into two 4×4 simultaneous Latin squares; there were four experimental periods of 21 d each, with 17 adaptation days and 4 d of data collection. The treatments were diets containing 0.0, 15.0, 30.0 or 45.0 g kg−1of licuri oil in concentrated dry matter. The intakes of dry matter, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrate levels were not affected by the addition of licuri oil; however, the intake of neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients decreased linearly. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was reduced linearly with increasing levels of licuri oil in the concentrate. There were no changes in blood glucose levels, but blood urea nitrogen levels varied according to the time of the day when the blood was collected. Inclusion of licuri oil at 45.0 g kg−1in feed concentrates results in improved dry matter and ether extract digestibility.

Milk production, intake, digestion, blood parameters, and ingestive behavior of cows supplemented with by-products from the biodiesel industry

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestion, blood parameters, and feeding behavior of crossbred dairy cows (Holstein × Gir) managed on Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania-1 and provided supplementation with groundnut cake, sunflower cake, or palm kernel cake (to replace soybean meal). Sixteen cows were randomly assigned in a Latin square design with four treatments and four experimental periods. The consumption of nutrients from the pasture did not vary between experimental treatments. Cows receiving the palm kernel cake supplement had a reduced crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrate, and total digestible nutrient intake and an increase in the average consumption of ether extract. There was also a reduction in the digestibility of dry matter. The inclusion of supplements in the diet did not influence the average time spent eating, ruminating, or resting. The mean values of respiratory and heart rates showed thermal comfort during the trial period. There was a reduction in blood urea nitrogen with palm kernel cake supplementation, and the values of total protein, albumin, and glucose were also significantly different with this supplement. It is recommended that cakes of groundnut cake and sunflower cake seed be used for a total replacement of soybean meal supplements for lactating cows, but the use of palm kernel cake is not recommended.

Non-linear recursive models for growth traits in the Pirenaica beef cattle breed

One of the main goals of selection schemes in beef cattle populations is to increase carcass weight at slaughter. Live weights at different growth stages are frequently used as selection criteria under the hypothesis that they usually have a high and positive genetic correlation with weight at slaughter. However, the presence of compensatory growth may bias the prediction ability of early weights for selection purposes. Recursive models may represent an interesting alternative for understanding the genetic and phenotypic relationship between weight traits during growth. For the purposes of this study, the analysis was performed for three different set of data from the Pirenaica beef cattle breed: weight at 120 days (W120) and at 210 days (W210); W120 and carcass weight at slaughter at 365 days (CW365); W210 and CW365. The number of records for each analysis was 8592, 4648 and 3234, respectively. A pedigree composed of 56323 individuals was also included. The statistical model comprised sex, year-season of birth, herd and slaughterhouse, plus a non-linear recursive dependency between traits. The dependency was modeled as a polynomial up to the 4th degree and models were compared using a Logarithm of Conditional Predictive Ordinates. The results of model comparison suggest that the best models were the 3rd degree polynomial for W120-W210 and W120-CW365 and the 2nd degree polynomial for W210-CW365. The posterior mean estimates for heritabilities ranged between 0.29 and 0.44 and the posterior mean estimates of the genetic correlations were null or very low, indicating that the relationship between traits is fully captured by the recursive dependency. The results imply that the predictive ability of the performance of future growth is low if it is only based on records of early weights. The usefulness of slaughterhouse records in beef cattle breeding evaluation is confirmed.