Experimentation, with a single-phase continuous culture system operated at fractional dilution rates of 0.03 and 0.09 per hour and four cannulated crossbred steers (260 +/- 20 kg) used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design, was conducted to determine the level of ruminally degradable protein (RDP) that maximized microbial efficiency (MOEFF), microbial nitrogen flow, and nutrient digestibility in the rumen. Treatments consisted of increasing diet RDP levels (from 3.5 to 17.5% RDP on a DM basis). The basal diet was corn with casein or soybean meal used as the source of RDP in the continuous culture experiment and animal study, respectively. Dietary nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) ranged from 52 to 75% on a dry matter basis. Urea was added to ensure an adequate ammonia nitrogen source for microbial growth. The RDP levels did not affect true digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, ruminal pH, particulate passage rate, or liquid passage rate in the animal study. As RDP increased, bacterial nitrogen production increased linearly (P < 0.05) only for the 0.09/h dilution rate. Microbial efficiency was not influenced by RDP level. Ruminal peptide and NH3 N concentration increased linearly (P < 0.05) as RDP increased. Based on this experimentation, 1.8 mM peptide maximized MOEFF when ammonia nitrogen was not limiting (> 2 mg/dL). We concluded from this research that the RDP requirement of NSC-fermenting bacteria was lower than that currently fed in many diets.
The objectives of these trials were to investigate the performance of Jersey steers in relation to Holsteins under current management practices when fed diets differing in energy density and subsequent effects on carcass characteristics. In experiment 1, twelve Jersey and 12 Holstein steers were offered dietary treatments with differing roughage levels. Roughage levels investigated on a dry matter basis were 55% reduced to 25% versus 25% followed by 12.5% (HIGH and LOW, respectively) with all animals receiving the same finishing diet containing 6.5% roughage. Holstein steers were heavier than Jerseys at the initiation of the trial (228 vs. 116 kg). A diet response was observed for gain efficiency during the first period in which LOW was greater than HIGH. Holstein steers had higher dry matter intakes and rates of gain than Jerseys. However, gain efficiency was better for Jersey steers during the first and last periods. Carcass traits were influenced by breed but not diet. Holsteins had heavier hot carcass weights, greater dressing percentages, more backfat, and larger longissimus muscle area, whereas marbling scores were similar to Jerseys. The increased efficiency of Jersey steers and significant reduction in carcass value due to light carcass weights suggested that Jersey steers should be fed to heavier live weights. Experiment 2 utilized 85 steers to investigate continuous feeding of a low-roughage, high-concentrate diet versus a phase-feeding strategy. Jersey (n = 40) and Holstein (n = 45) steers were assigned to a diet containing 20% corn silage on a dry matter basis (HEN) or a phase-feeding program (PHASE) in which corn silage was reduced from 60 to 40% followed by the same diet as HEN. Initial body weights were similar for dietary treatments but differed by breed. A diet response was observed for live weight at the end of the first and second period, first period average daily gain (ADG), overall ADG, and days on feed with HEN having higher ADG than PHASE and fewer days on feed. Breed affected all body weight and gain variables with Holsteins being heavier and gaining more rapidly than Jersey steers. Jersey carcasses were lighter, had the highest percentage trim loss, least amount of backfat, and lowest numerical yield grade. Holstein steers had a greater propensity for gain, whereas the Jersey steers were equally or more efficient. These findings suggest that phase feeding Jersey steers higher-roughage diets has minimal effect on carcass traits.
Forage and grain crops utilized by the livestock industry are subject to failure under some environmental conditions. The objective of this trial was to investigate the potential for cupplant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) to fill gaps in livestock feed resource chains. Dietary treatments investigated were 0, 30, and 60% cupplant silage replacing corn (Zea mays L.) silage. Increasing the inclusion level of cupplant silage from 0 to 30% and 60% resulted in a decline in average daily gain (ADG) for weaned beef calves of 12 and 44%, respectively. However, with yearling beef cattle, no differences in ADG or gain efficiency were observed as cupplant silage level increased in diets. Diet dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intakes and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibilities were reduced with increasing levels of cupplant silage. Our results show that cupplant silage can be utilized as an alternative forage source to replace a portion of the corn silage in beef calf rations; however, it will reduce ADG.
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