Exogenous enzymes improve performance and carcass traits of feedlot cattle fed high-grain diet

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of two different enzymatic complexes, fibrolytic (NSPases) or amylolytic (EXP3066) enzymes, on growth performance, digestibility, behavior, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Thirty-six ½ Angus yearling bulls with an average initial weight of 391±5.0 kg were used in this experiment blocked by weight in a completely randomized design divided in three treatments: control, NSPases, and EXP3066. The basal diet was composed of 85% whole corn grain and 15% nucleus. NSPases increased average daily gain on days 63 and 84, and gain:feed ratio on days 42, 63, and 84. Total carcass weight and carcass daily gain were improved by 4.8% and up to 6.0% with EXP3066 and NSPases supplementations, respectively. The group that received NSPases supplementation showed even greater carcass feed efficiency when compared with animals in the control group. There was an increase in apparent dry matter digestibility and a decrease of fecal whole grain residual percentage with enzyme supplementation. Enzyme supplementation affected hot carcass weight and EXP3066 provided greater values for ribeye area and marbling compared with control. Exogenous enzymes improve performance and carcass traits in feedlot cattle fed high-grain diet.

Combination of carbohydrases and essential oils improve dietary performance of feedlot steers on a high-energy diet

“…When carcasses reach a minimum value of subcutaneous fat (3 mm), like that of the animals in the present study, this oxidation is slow, with no changes in meat quality until commercialization (M. R. Silva, Heitor de Paula, Oliveira, Cervelati, & Pinheiro, 2011). Unlike the results obtained in the present study, Neumann et al (2018) when fed animals with a similar diet (high content of grain corn) and supplemented with an enzyme complex, concluded that the use of exogenous enzymes improves the carcass traits (HCW, REA, and marbling) of steers finished in feedlot.…”

“…When evaluating animal performance also in the finishing phase, Vigne et al (2018) found gradual increases in DMI when administering exogenous enzymes, regardless of the dose used (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g animal day -1 ). In contrast, Neumann et al (2018) supplemented animals with an enzyme complex, at the finishing phase, at a dose of 10.0 g animal day -1 , but did not observe changes in DMI in relation to the control treatment.…”

“…This shows that it is also interesting to investigate complexes of enzymes with different activities, which can have a synergistic effect, including with other feed additives, since diets for ruminants are composed of several different substrates, where enzymes act specifically. Even in diets with a high starch content, including whole corn, Neumann et al (2018) proved to be interesting the use of xylanase enzyme complex to increase feed efficiency of feedlot steers, since Brazilian corn has predominantly vitreous endosperm and, therefore, has a high content of non-starch polysaccharides.…”