|
|
||||||||

,4
* Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078;
and
Division of Agriculture, West Texas A&M University, Canyon 79016;
and
Clayton Livestock Research Center, Clayton, NM 88415
3 Correspondence:
208 Anim. Sci. Bldg. (phone: 405/744-8857; fax: 405/744-7390; E-mail:
kclinto{at}okstate.edu).
Three experiments were conducted to determine effects of restricting intake of the final finishing diet as a means of dietary adaptation compared with diets increasing in grain over a period of 20 to 22 d on overall cattle performance, carcass characteristics, digestibility, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism. In Exp. 1, 84 Angus x Hereford yearling steers (initial BW = 418 ± 29.0 kg) were fed for 70 d. Restricting intake during adaptation had no effect (P > 0.10) on overall ADG:DMI, but decreased (P < 0.05) DMI compared with ad libitum access to adaptation diets, which resulted from differences during the initial 28 d of the experiment. In Exp. 2, 150 mixed crossbred steer calves (initial BW = 289 ± 22.9 kg) were fed for an average of 173 d. Restricting intake decreased (P < 0.01) overall daily gain (1.51 vs 1.65 kg/d) and DMI (8.68 vs 9.15 kg/d) compared with ad libitum fed steers; however, ADG:DMI was not influenced (P > 0.10) by adaptation method. Experiment three used eight ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (initial BW = 336 ± 20 kg) in a completely random design. Total tract digestibility, digesta kinetics and ruminal metabolism were determined. Restricting intake reduced (P < 0.10) daily DMI variation from d 1 through 7, 8 through 14, and 22 through 28 compared with ad libitum feeding of three adaptation diets. Restricted steers had reduced (adaptation method x period interaction, P < 0.05) intakes and fecal excretions of ADF and greater OM digestibilities on d 4 through 7, 11 through 14, and 18 through 21. Digesta kinetics and ruminal metabolism were generally not affected (P > 0.10) by adaptation method. Our results suggest that restricted-feeding of the final diet as a means of dietary adaptation can be used in finishing cattle with few problems from acidosis or related intake variation. In light-weight steers (Exp. 2), disruptions in intake during the adaptation period might have resulted in restriction for an extended period, which decreased (P < 0.01) hot carcass weight compared with calves fed ad libitum. Effects of limit feeding during the initial 28 d of the feeding period on site and extent of digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism were minimal, supporting few differences in performance across the finishing period for yearling cattle.
Key Words: Adaptation Beef Cattle Carcass Quality Performance Restricted Feeding
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
J. L. Montgomery, C. R. Krehbiel, J. J. Cranston, D. A. Yates, J. P. Hutcheson, W. T. Nichols, M. N. Streeter, R. S. Swingle, and T. H. Montgomery Effects of dietary zilpaterol hydrochloride on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers fed with and without monensin and tylosin J Anim Sci, March 1, 2009; 87(3): 1013 - 1023. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Calsamiglia, P. W. Cardozo, A. Ferret, and A. Bach Changes in rumen microbial fermentation are due to a combined effect of type of diet and pH J Anim Sci, March 1, 2008; 86(3): 702 - 711. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. C. Marini, D. G. Fox, and M. R. Murphy Nitrogen transactions along the gastrointestinal tract of cattle: A meta-analytical approach J Anim Sci, March 1, 2008; 86(3): 660 - 679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. S. Brown, C. H. Ponce, and R. Pulikanti Adaptation of beef cattle to high-concentrate diets: Performance and ruminal metabolism J Anim Sci, April 1, 2006; 84(13_suppl): E25 - E. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |