A finishing trial was conducted using 637 heifers (initially 849 lb) to determine the optimal amount of wet sorghum distiller's grains with solubles (WDGS) in finishing diets containing steam-flaked corn. Dietary treatments consisted of six concentrations of WDGS (0, 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40%; dry basis). Heifers were placed into dirt-surfaced feedlot pens (25 to 30 heifers/pen; 4 pens/treatment) and fed for 58 days. Daily gain responded in a quadratic manner (P<0.01), peaking with 8% WDGS in the finishing diet. Average daily gains during the 58-day finishing period were 2.79, 3.11, 3.05, 2.89, 2.70, and 2.55 lb/day for cattle fed 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40% WDGS, respectively. Dry matter intake decreased linearly (P<0.
Plasma metabolites of receiving heifers and the relationship between bovine respiratory disease, weight gain, and carcass characteristics AbstractSix hundred sixty-five crossbred beef heifers initially weighing 495 lb were used to evaluate rectal temperature and plasma glucose, lactate, and urea nitrogen at initial processing as indicators of health status of newly arrived receiving cattle. We also evaluated the relationship between bovine respiratory disease (BRD), weight gain, and carcass characteristics. An increased number of treatments for BRD was associated with lower (linear, P<0.01) plasma glucose and lactate concentrations at initial processing. Elevated rectal temperatures at initial processing were associated with a greater number of treatments for BRD (linear, P<0.03). Initial body weight, final body weight, and average daily gain during the receiving period were progressively less (linear, P<0.01) as the number of treatments for BRD increased, whereas grazing-period gain was progressively greater with more frequent treatment for BRD during the receiving period (linear, P<0.01). Finishing-period gain, final body weight, hot carcass weight, fat thickness, and marbling score were linearly decreased (P<0.05) with increased treatmentfor BRD during the receiving period. These data suggest that initial plasma glucose and lactate concentrations might be associated with the health of newly arrived receiving cattle and that increased incidence of BRD in cattle is associated with lower weight gain and carcass quality. SummarySix hundred sixty-five crossbred beef heifers initially weighing 495 lb were used to evaluate rectal temperature and plasma glucose, lactate, and urea nitrogen at initial processing as indicators of health status of newly arrived receiving cattle. We also evaluated the relationship between bovine respiratory disease (BRD), weight gain, and carcass characteristics. An increased number of treatments for BRD was associated with lower (linear, P<0.01) plasma glucose and lactate concentrations at initial processing. Elevated rectal temperatures at initial processing were associated with a greater number of treatments for BRD (linear, P<0.03). Initial body weight, final body weight, and average daily gain during the receiving period were progressively less (linear, P<0.01) as the number of treatments for BRD increased, whereas grazing-period gain was progressively greater with more frequent treatment for BRD during the receiving period (linear, P<0.01). Finishing-period gain, final body weight, hot carcass weight, fat thickness, and marbling score were linearly decreased (P<0.05) with increased treatment for BRD during the receiving period. These data suggest that initial plasma glucose and lactate concentrations might be associated with the health of newly arrived receiving cattle and that increased incidence of BRD in cattle is associated with lower weight gain and carcass quality.
. Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Comparison of bovine transfer factor and Micotil®: effects on health and performance of receiving heifers AbstractTransfer factors are antigen-specific products of T lymphocytes that are capable of transferring delayed-type hypersensitivity and cell-mediated immunity. We evaluated bovine transfer factor (TF) for use in receiving cattle. Crossbred beef heifers (n = 665) initially weighing 495 lb were used to determine the effects of TF on the health and performance of beef cattle during a 36-day receiving period. Heifers were processed within 24 hours after arrival. Treatments were subcutaneous injection with 1.5 ml of Micotil®/100 lb of body weight or oral administration of 700 mg of TF isolated from bovine colostrum. Heifers given TF during initial processing received an additional 700 mg/day of TF in the diet on days 2 through 5. The percentage of heifers treated at least one, two, or three times for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was greater (P<0.01) for heifers given TF than for heifers given Micotil (72.5 vs. 47.1; 31.5 vs. 14.7; and 18.0 vs. 4.2, respectively). There were no differences between TF and Micotil with respect to dry matter intake, weight gain, or gain efficiency of heifers. Subsequent in vitro fermentations indicated that TF protein is readily degraded by ruminal microbes. Oral administration of TF was not as effective as Micotil injection in decreasing BRD in receiving cattle. SummaryTransfer factors are antigen-specific products of T lymphocytes that are capable of transferring delayed-type hypersensitivity and cell-mediated immunity. We evaluated bovine transfer factor (TF) for use in receiving cattle. Crossbred beef heifers (n = 665) initially weighing 495 lb were used to determine the effects of TF on the health and performance of beef cattle during a 36-day receiving period. Heifers were processed within 24 hours after arrival. Treatments were subcutaneous injection with 1
Loe, E.R.; Corrigan, M.E.; Greenquist, M.A.; Depenbusch, Brandon E.; and Drouillard, James S. (2005) "Evaluation of growth performance and carcass characteristics in response to oral dosing and daily administration of a yucca-derived sarsaponin to finishing steers," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10. 4148/2378-5977.1583 Evaluation of growth performance and carcass characteristics in response to oral dosing and daily administration of a yucca-derived sarsaponin to finishing steers AbstractThree hundred sixty-eight crossbred, yearling steers (737 lb) were used in a finishing trial comparing a yuccaderived sarsaponin (YUCCA) to a control diet. Finishing diets based on dry-rolled corn were fed for an average of 134 days before slaughter. Animals were randomly assigned to treatments and allotted to 54 pens with seven steers each. On day 0, cattle assigned to YUCCA were orally drenched with 50 mL of SarStart® plus (SarTec Inc., Anoka, MN), and control cattle were orally drenched with an equal volume of water. Steers receiving YUCCA were supplemented with 1 gram per steer daily of a dried yucca extract (SarStart® DSC) for the first 30 days on feed, and then with 0.5 gram per steer daily from day 31 to harvest. Body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were not different between treatments for either the first 30 days or for the entire finishing period. Dressing percentage, hot carcass weight, USDA quality grade, USDA yield grade, and percentage of liver abscesses also were not different between treatments. Incorporating yuccaderived sarsaponin in the ration and as an oral drench had no effect on animal performance or carcass characteristics.
During times of heavy infestations by birds, feedlots can have 25 to 30% increases in feed usage, thereby resulting in large economic losses. Because starlings, blackbirds, grackles, and other avian pests normally feed during daylight hours, we hypothesized that feeding cattle at night would minimize feed contamination and feed loss due to bird infestation. Crossbred beef heifers (n=96; 770 lb) were used to evaluate the effects of feeding at night on performance and carcass characteristics. Heifers were fed for 107 days during the months of November to March, when large bird populations were observed. Feed was delivered once daily at approximately 10:00 a.m. for heifers with continuous access to feed and 30 minutes before dusk for heifers that had access to feed only at night. Feed calls for heifers fed at night were managed so that no feed remained in the bunk at dawn, whereas the control heifers were allowed ad libitum access to feed. Daily feed deliveries per animal (21.51 vs. 18.15 lb for heifers fed continuously or only at night, respectively) were decreased by 16% (P<0.01) when cattle were provided access to feed only at night, but daily gain was not different. Feed efficiency was improved by 14% (P=0.05) with night time feeding, but carcass weights and dressing percentage remained similar. Overall, feeding cattle only during hours of darkness yielded similar growth performance compared to cattle fed continuously. However, feed efficiency was improved substantially, which we attribute to reduced theft by birds.
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