HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Beaver, E. E. Articles by O'Connor, D. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Beaver, E. E. Articles by O'Connor, D. L.

Influence of Breed and Diet on Growth, Nutrient Digestibility, Body Composition and Plasma Hormones of Brangus and Angus Steers¹

University of Missouri, Columbia 65211

Abstract

Two split-plot designed experiments were conducted to determine the effects of breed (Angus, A, or Brangus, B) and diet (fescue hay, FH; corn silage, CS; or concentrate) on composition and rate of growth, diet digestibility and plasma hormones of steers. In Exp. 1, 10 steers (five of each breed) were fed a CS-based diet followed by a FH-based diet for two consecutive 60-d periods. Both breeds had lower (P < .01) DM intake and digestibility when fed FH than when fed CS diets. The B steers had higher (P < .01) plasma insulin concentrations than A steers when fed the CS diet. In Exp. 2, during two consecutive years, 10 steers previously fed CS- and FH-based diets were finished with a corn silage-whole shelled corn-based diet. During yr 1, A steers had higher (P < .01) DM intake and plasma triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄) concentrations (P < .05) than B steers did. Although final weights were similar (P > .10), A steers had heavier (P < .05) carcass weights than B steers did. During yr 2, A steers had higher (P < .07) DM and starch digestibilities and higher (P < .01) plasma T₄ concentrations than B steers did. The greater (P < .01) energetic efficiency of A steers was attributed to the greater rates of fat deposition during yr 2. Regardless of type of diet fed, A steers were more efficient at depositing energy. Higher circulating T₄ concentrations of A than B steers may explain some of the physiological differences between these breeds.

¹ Journal Article 10612 of the Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta.

² Oil-Dri Corp., 520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Texas Tech. Univ., Box 4169, Lubbock 79409.

⁵ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Kansas State Univ., Call Hall, Manhattan 66506.

⁶ 1028 S. 24th St., Quincy, IL 62301.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. L. Ferrell, E. D. Berry, H. C. Freetly, and D. N. Miller Influence of genotype and diet on steer performance, manure odor, and carriage of pathogenic and other fecal bacteria. I. Animal performance J Anim Sci, September 1, 2006; 84(9): 2515 - 2522. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]