Weanling pigs were used in a series of studies to determine the feeding value of an enzymatically digested protein product developed from a blend of swine and poultry abattoir by-products. The initial study used 156 pigs weaned at approximately 22 d of age to compare the product with menhaden fish meal in Phase II diets. The product supported equal growth rate, and there was no preference for diet exhibited based on inclusion level of the enzymatically digested protein product. The second study used 100 pigs weaned at approximately 21 d of age to compare the product with spray-dried animal blood cells in Phase II diets. The product supported a growth rate equal to that with the blood cells, and the combination of products enhanced growth rate (P<.05). The third study used 265 pigs to compare the product with spray-dried porcine plasma in a slope ratio growth assay. Results demonstrated a relative feeding value of 91% for the product over a 4-wk feeding period. The fourth study used 290 pigs to compare the product with spray-dried porcine plasma in Phase II diets; results demonstrated comparable growth performance. The final study used 180 pigs to compare the product with spray-dried porcine plasma in Phase I diets; results demonstrated comparable growth performance. These data indicate that the enzymatically digested abattoir by-product is a high-quality protein source for weanling pigs.
The growth of 116 Brahman (BRAH) and 96 F1 Senepol × Brahman (F1 SEN) steers grazing improved Buffel pasture in the Northern Territory was compared. Average growth was 10 kg higher in F1 SEN during grazing in the 9 months following weaning. Twenty-five steers of each genotype were compared for feedlot performance and meat quality. There was no significant difference in feedlot growth over 73 days in a commercial feedlot. On average F1 SEN carcasses graded two boning groups lower in the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system. While M. longissimus samples from both genotypes were quite tender (shear force <4 kg), F1 SEN samples were found to be significantly more tender than BRAH (−0.44 kg) by shear force testing. These results indicate that crossbreeding with a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, such as the Senepol, may be a viable method for cattle producers with Brahman herds in northern Australia to improve the meat quality of the cattle they produce.
The performance of four year groups of Brahman and F1 Senepol × Brahman steers was compared grazing buffel pasture at the Douglas-Daly Research Farm, Douglas-Daly, NT, Australia. F1 Senepol × Brahman steers were on average 32 kg heavier at turnoff at ~18 months of age (P < 0.001) as a result of higher average weaning weights (+19 kg, P < 0.001) and higher growth during the post-weaning year (+12 kg, P < 0.001). These results, combined with previous studies that found that F1 Senepol × Brahman steers had more tender meat and performed better than Brahman in an Indonesian feedlot, indicate that crossbreeding with a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, such as Senepol, could be an effective way for north Australian cattle producers with Brahman herds to produce cattle that perform well under northern conditions, and are suited to both the live export and domestic markets.
Savanna sires were evaluated for kid preweaning and doe reproductive traits over six years. Savanna (n = 17) and Kiko (n = 13) sires were bred to Kiko-base does producing 600 kids. Savanna (n = 17) and Spanish (n = 11) sires were bred to Spanish-base does producing 456 kids. Doe traits were evaluated on 536 Kiko and 441 Spanish doe exposures. Kids were weighed at birth and when weaned at 3 mo of age. Non-genetic factors sex and litter size influenced (P < 0.05) kid performance traits as expected. Birth weights of kids from Kiko does were heavier (P < 0.01) for Savanna sires than Kiko sires (3.11 vs. 2.83 ± 0.08 kg). Birth weights of kids from Spanish does were heavier (P < 0.01) for Savanna sires than Spanish sires (3.05 vs. 2.76 ± 0.09 kg). Sire breed did not affect (P < 0.05) weaning weight from Kiko does (15.0 vs 14.8 ±0.6 kg). Savanna sires generated heavier (P < 0.05) weaning weights than Spanish sires (14.2 vs. 13.3 ± 0.6 kg) from Spanish does. Sire breed did not affect ADG or kid survival rates in either doe group. Non-genetic factors litter size and age of dam affected (P < 0.05) doe performance traits in both doe groups. Savanna sires produced heavier litters (P < 0.01) at birth compared to Kiko sires on Kiko does (10.7 vs. 9.7 ± 0.4 kg) and compared to Spanish sires on Spanish does (9.4 vs. 8.3 ± 0.5 kg). Service sire breed did not affect kidding or weaning rate, number of kids born or weaned, or litter weaning weight in either doe group. Savanna sires consistently increased birth weight values. Sire breed did not consistently affect weaning weight values and did not influence other preweaning kid traits or doe reproductive traits.
This study examined the influence of creep feeding and sire breed on post-weaning replacement doeling traits. Over 3 years, doelings by Kiko, Myotonic, Spanish and Savanna sires were creep-fed (CF; n = 116) for 60 d or not creep-fed (NC; n = 117). Sire breeds were balanced across creep treatments. Doelings were weighed at 3 mo old (weaning) and various postweaning ages. Doelings entered the breeding herd at 18 mo of age and fitness traits recorded. At 3-, 6-, and 12-mo of age CF (14.7 ± 0.6, 19.3 ± 1.2, and 24.6 ± 0.9 kg, respectively) were heavier (P < 0.05) than NC (13.8 ± 0.6, 17.9 ± 1.2, and 23.6 ± 0.9 kg, respectively). Treatment did not affect 18-mo weights. Sire breed did not affect 3-mo weight. Sire breed influenced (P < 0.05) 6-, 12-, and 18-mo weights. Myotonic-sired doelings were lightest (P < 0.05) and Kiko-sired doelings were heavier (P < 0.05) than Savanna-sired. Breed x treatment interacted (P < 0.05) for survival to 18 mo of age. Kiko-sired CF doelings had a higher (P < 0.05) survival rate than Savanna-sired CF (88.6 ± 6.0% vs. 44.6 ± 11.5%). Breed did not affect survival rate (P> 0.05) within the NC group. As a main effect, CF had a higher (P < 0.05) survival rate than NC (81.5 ± 6.3% vs. 65.6 ± 8.7%). Sire breed affected (P < 0.05) reproductive output. Cumulative kid crop weaned across the first 2 breeding years for the whole weaned doeling population was higher (P < 0.05) for Myotonic- and Kiko-sired (1.4 and 1.2 ± 0.2 kids) does than Savanna-sired (0.5 ± 0.1 kids). Creep feeding did not affect reproductive output. Creep feed supplementation and sire breed influenced post-weaning doeling weights. Only sire breed affected reproductive performance of the young does.
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