Effect of Bedding on Finishing Cattle Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Stanton, T.L.; Schütz, Dagmar; Anderson, D.C.; Guthrie, L.D.

doi:10.15232/s1080-7446(15)31971-9

Cited by 5 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…In those preliminary models, panting score was utilized as the primary animal response variable. For temperatures below 5°C, the responses of animals to environmental variables were analyzed from studies reported by Birkelo and Lounsbery (1992), Stanton and Schutz (1996), Anderson and Schoonmaker (2005), Anderson et al (2006), and Mader and Colgan (2007). Because there are few good physiological cold stress indicators and because DMI is driven by environmental conditions outside the thermal comfort zone (NRC 1981), DMI was utilized as the primary dependent variable to determine the relative effects of Ta, RH, WS, RAD, and WCI on the animal under cold conditions.…”

Section: Model Development and Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive index for assessing environmental stress in animals1

Mader

Johnson

Gaughan

2010

Journal of Animal Science

199

131

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Numerous models and indices exist that attempt to characterize the effect of environmental factors on the comfort of animals and humans. Heat and cold indices have been utilized to adjust ambient temperature (Ta) for the effects of relative humidity (RH) or wind speed (WS) or both for the purposes of obtaining a "feels-like" or apparent temperature. However, no model has been found that incorporates adjustments for RH, WS, and radiation (RAD) over conditions that encompass hot and cold environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive climate index (CCI) that has application under a wide range of environmental conditions and provides an adjustment to Ta for RH, WS, and RAD. Environmental data were compiled from 9 separate summer periods in which heat stress events occurred and from 6 different winter periods to develop and validate the CCI. The RH adjustment is derived from an exponential relationship between Ta and RH with temperature being adjusted up or down from an RH value of 30%. At 45 degrees C, the temperature adjustment for increasing RH from 30 to 100% equals approximately 16 degrees C, whereas at -30 degrees C temperature adjustments due to increasing RH from 30 to 100% equal approximately -3.0 degrees C, with greater RH values contributing to a reduced apparent temperature under cold conditions. The relationship between WS and temperature adjustments was also determined to be exponential with a logarithmic adjustment to define appropriate declines in apparent temperature as WS increases. With this index, slower WS results in the greatest change in apparent temperature per unit of WS regardless of whether hot or cold conditions exist. As WS increases, the change in apparent temperature per unit of WS becomes less. Based on existing windchill and heat indices, the effect of WS on apparent temperature is sufficiently similar to allow one equation to be utilized under hot and cold conditions. The RAD component was separated into direct solar radiation and ground surface radiation. Both of these were found to have a linear relationship with Ta. This index will be useful for further development of biological response functions, which are associated with energy exchange, and improving decision-making processes, which are weather-dependent. In addition, the defined thresholds can serve as management and environmental mitigation guidelines to protect and ensure animal comfort.

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Section: Model Development and Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive index for assessing environmental stress in animals1

Mader

Johnson

Gaughan

2010

Journal of Animal Science

199

131

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“…Anderson, Wiederholt, and Schoonmaker [ 5 ], in a study evaluating effects of bedding level on feedlot cattle performance, reported that “generous” bedding level improved HCW in bedded pens for cattle fed for equal days. However, in previous work, other authors [ 4 , 6 ] reported no effect on HCW for beef cattle fed for equal days. In the present study, had cattle been harvested at an equal number of days on feed, it is likely that a response in HCW favoring BED cattle would have been noted given cattle from NO required an additional 35 d to achieve final live BW similar to that of the BED treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Steer ADG was improved in BED by 21.0% compared to the NO control steers. Mader [ 27 ], along with a number of other studies [ 3 , 4 , 5 ], reported increases in ADG as a result of bedding application. However, other work previously reported did not observe increases in ADG as a result of bedding application [ 6 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the present study, cattle from BED treatment consumed 5.8% more DMI than cattle from NO. Previous work conducted regarding the effects of bedding application on feedlot growth performance during winter months did not report any differences in DMI as a result of bedding application [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The difference observed in DMI that favored the BED treatment could be a lasting effect resulting from increased growth performance captured during the initial 36 d period of the study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous work has been done related to the effects of bedding application and housing techniques [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ] on beef cattle performance, however, results have been variable with regard to feedlot growth performance and carcass trait responses. Modern performance tracking systems currently used to predict cattle performance rely on two specific requirements of the beef animal, net energy required for maintenance, and net energy for gain [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bedding Application to Feedlot Steers: Influence on Growth Performance, Estimated Maintenance Coefficient, Carcass Characteristics, and Circulating Metabolites in Beef Steers

Smerchek

Smith

2020

Animals

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Two randomized complete block design experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of bedding use in confined beef steers. Experiment 1 used Simmental × Angus steers (n = 240; initial body weight (BW) = 365 ± 22.5 kg). Experiment 2 used newly weaned Charolais × Red Angus steers (n = 162; initial BW = 278 ± 13.4 kg). Steers were allotted to one of two treatments: (1) no bedding (NO), or (2) 1.8 kg (Experiment 1) or 1.0 kg (Experiment 2) of wheat straw (as-is basis) bedding/steer·d−1 (BED). In Experiment 1, applying bedding improved (p ≤ 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI), kg of gain to kg of feed (G:F), and average daily gain (ADG). Bedding reduced (p = 0.01) the estimated maintenance coefficient (MQ). Dressing percentage, rib fat, marbling, and yield grade were increased (p ≤ 0.03) in NO. Bedding resulted in an increase (p = 0.01) in serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In Experiment 2, a tendency (p = 0.06) for increased DMI for NO was noted. Bedding improved G:F (p = 0.01). MQ was elevated (p = 0.03) for NO and NO had an increase (p = 0.02) in serum concentration of urea-N (SUN). An increase (p = 0.01) in serum non-esterified fatty acid was noted for NO. These data indicate that bedding application should be considered to improve growth performance and feed efficiency by reducing maintenance energy requirements in beef steers during the feedlot receiving and finishing phase.

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